Var.

Caphis, why do we meet together?

Caph.
I think one business does command us all;
For mine is money.

Var.

So is theirs, and ours.

Caph.

And Sir Philo's too.

Phi.

Good day, at once.

Caph.

Welcome, good brother. What d'you think the hour?

Phi.
Labouring for nine. Is not my Lord seen yet?

Caph.

Not yet.

Phi.
I wonder: he was wont to shine at seven.

Caph.
Aye, but the days are waxed shorter with him.
You must consider that a prodigal's course

Is like the sun's, but not like his, recoverable, I fear:
Tis deepest winter in lord Timon's purse.

Phi.
I am of your fear for that.

Caph.
I'll show you how t'observe a strange event:
Your lord sends now for money.

Var.
True, he does.

Caph.
And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift,
For which I wait for money.

Var.
Against my heart.

Caph.
'Tis e'en as if your lord should wear rich jewels,
And send for money for 'em.

Var.
I'm weary of this charge, the Gods can witness:
I know my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth;
Ingratitude now makes it worse than stealth.

Caph.
Yes, mine's three thousand crowns: what's yours?

Var.

Five thousand.

Var.

One of lord Timon's men.

Caph.

Flaminius! sir, a word: pray is my lord ready to come forth?

Flam.

No, indeed he is not.

Caph.

We attend his lordship; pray, signify so much.

Flam.

I need not tell him that; he knows you are too diligent.

Caph.
Ha! is not that this steward muffled so?
He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him.

Var.
Do you hear, sir?

Caph.
By your leave, sir.

Flav.
What do you ask of me, my friend?

Caph.
We wait for certain money here, sir.

Flav.
If money were as certain as your waiting,
'Twere sure enough.
Why then preferred you not your sums and bills,
When your false masters eat of my lord's meat?

Then they would smile and fawn upon his debts,
And take down th' interest in their glutt'nous maws;
You do yourselves but wrong to stir me up;
Let me pass quietly:—
Believe't, my lord and I have made an end:
I have no more to reckon, he to spend. [Exit Flav. Enter Servilius.

Var.

Oh, here's Servilius; now we shall have some answer.

Ser.

If I might beseech you, gentlemen, to repair some other hour, I should derive much from it. For take it of my soul,

Caph.
Many who keep their chambers are not sick:
And if he be so far beyond his health,
Methinks he should the sooner pay his debts,
And make a clear way to the Gods.

Var.
We cannot take this for an answer.

Flam. [within]
Servilius, help! My lord! my lord! Enter Timon in a rage.

Tim.
What, are my doors oppos'd against my passage?
Have I been ever free, and must my house
Be my retentive enemy, my gaol?
The place which I have feasted, does it now,
Like all mankind, shew me an iron heart?

Var.
Put in now, Caphis.

Caph.
My lord, here's my bill.

Phi.
Here's mine.

Var.
And mine, my lord.

Omnes.
And ours, my lord.

Tim.
Knock me down with 'em—cleave me to the girdle.

Var.
Alas! my lord.

Tim.
Cut out my heart in sums.

Caph.
Mine, fifty talents.

Tim.
Tell out my blood.

Var.
Five thousand crowns, my lord,

Tim.
Five thousand drops pay that.—
What yours—and yours?—

Var.
My lord—

Caph.
My lord—

Tim.
Here tear me, take me, and the Gods fall on you. [Exeunt. Scene changes. Re-enter Timon and Flavius.

Tim.
They have e'en put my breath from me, the slaves. Creditors!—devils.

Flav.
My dear lord,

Tim.
What if it should be so?—

Flav.
My dear lord,

Tim.
I'll have it so—My steward!

Flav.
Here, my lord.

Tim.
So fitly!—Go, bid all my friends again,
Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius. All.—
I'll once more feast the rascals.

Flav.
O my lord!
You only speak from your distracted soul;
There's not so much left as to furnish out
A moderate table.

Tim.
Be it not thy care:
Go and invite them all, let in the tide
Of knaves once more: my cook and I'll provide. [Exeunt.

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