Tim.
Imprison'd is he, say you? [To a messenger.

Mes.
Ay, my good lord, five talents is his debt,
His means most short, his creditors most straight:
Your honourable letter he desires
To those have shut him up, which failing to him
Periods his comfort.

Tim.
Noble Ventidius! well—
I am not of that feather, to shake off
My friend when he most needs me. I know him
A gentleman that well deserves a help,
Which he shall have. I'll pay the debt, and free him.

Mes.
Your lordship ever binds him.

Tim.
Commend me to him, I will send his ransom,
And being enfranchiz'd, bid him come to me;
'Tis not enough to help the feeble up,
But to support him after. Fare you well.

Mes.
All happiness to your honour. [Exit. Enter an old Athenian.

O. Ath.
Lord Timon, hear me speak.

Tim.
Freely, good father.

O. Ath.
Thou hast a servant nam'd Lucilius.

Tim.
I have so: what of him?

O. Ath.
Most noble Timon, call the man before thee.

Tim.
Attends he here or no? Lucilius. Enter Lucilius

Luc.
Here, at your lordship's service.

O. Ath.
This fellow here, lord Timon, this thy creature
By night frequents my house. I am a man
That from my first have been inclin'd to thrift,
And my estate deserves an heir more rais'd,
Than one which holds a trencher.

Tim.
Well: what further?

O. Ath.
One only daughter have I, no kin else,
On whom I may confer what I have got:
The maid is fair, o'th' youngest for a bride,
And I have bred her at my dearest cost,
In qualities of the best. This man of thine
Attempts her love: I pray thee, noble lord,
Join with me to forbid him her resort;
My self have spoke in vain.

Tim.
The man is honest.

O. Ath.
Therefore he will be,
His honesty rewards him in it self,
It must not bear my daughter.

Tim.
Does she love him?

O. Ath.
She is young, and apt:
Our own precedent passions do instruct us,
What levity's in youth.

Tim.
Love you the maid?

Luc.
Ay, my good lord, and she accepts of it.

O. Ath.
If in her marriage my consent be missing,
I call the gods to witness, I will chuse
Mine heir from forth the beggars of the world,
And dispossess her all.

Tim.
How shall she be endowed,
If she be mated with an equal husband?

O. Ath.
Three talents on the present, in future all.

Tim.
This gentleman of mine hath serv'd me long;
To build his fortune I will strain a little,

For 'tis a bond in men. Give him thy daughter:
What you bestow, in him I'll counterpoise,
And make him weigh with her.

O. Ath.
Most noble lord,
Pawn me to this your honour, she is his.

Tim.
My hand to thee, mine honour on my promise.

Luc.
Humbly I thank your lordship: never may
That state or fortune fall into my keeping,
Which is not ow'd to you. [Exit Luc.

Poet.
Vouchsafe my labour, and long live your lordship.

Tim.
I thank you, you shall hear from me anon:
Go not away. What have you there, my friend?

Pain.
A piece of painting, which I do beseech
Your lordship to accept.

Tim.
Painting is welcome.
The painting is almost the natural man:
For since dishonour trafficks with man's nature
He is but out-side: pensil'd figures are
Ev'n such as they give out. I like your work,
And you shall find I like it: wait attendance
'Till you hear further from me.

Pain.
The gods preserve ye.

Tim.
Well fare you gentleman; Give me your hand,
We must needs dine together: Sir, your jewel
Hath suffer'd under praise.

Jew.
What my lord? dispraise?

Tim.
A meer satiety of commendations.
If I should pay you for't as 'tis extoll'd,
It would undo me quite.

Jew.
My lord, 'tis rated
As those which sell would give: but you well know,
Things of like value, differing in the owners,
Are by their masters priz'd; Believe't, dear lord,

You mend the jewel by the wearing it.

Tim.
Well mock'd.

Mer.
No, my good lord, he speaks the common tongue,
Which all men speak with him.

Tim.
Look who comes here.

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