SCENE I.
The Same. A Room in Lucullus's House.
Flaminius waiting. Enter a Servant to him.
Serv.
I have told my lord of you; he is coming down to you.
Flam.
I thank you, sir.
Enter Lucullus.
Serv.
Here's my lord.
Lucul. [Aside.]
One of lord Timon's men? a gift, I
warrant. Why, this hits right; I dreamt of a silver
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bason and ewer to-night. Flaminius, honest Flaminius,
you are very respectively welcome, sir.—Fill me some
wine.—[Exit Servant.] And how does that honourable
complete, free-hearted gentleman of Athens, thy very
bountiful good lord and master.
Flam.
His health is well, sir.
Lucul.
I am right glad that his health is well, sir.
And what hast thou there under thy cloak, pretty Flamiuius?
Flam.
'Faith, nothing but an empty box, sir, which,
in my lord's behalf, I come to entreat your honour to
supply; who, having great and instant occasion to use
fifty talents, hath sent to your lordship to furnish him,
nothing doubting your present assistance therein.
Lucul.
La, la, la, la,—nothing doubting, says he?
alas, good lord! a noble gentleman 'tis, if he would not
keep so good a house. Many a time and often I have
dined with him, and told him on't; and come again to
supper to him, of purpose to have him spend less, and
yet he would embrace no counsel, take no warning by
my coming. Every man has his fault, and honesty is
his: I have told him on't, but I could ne'er get him
from it.
Re-enter Servant with Wine.
Serv.
Please your lordship, here is the wine.
Lucul.
Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise.
Here's to thee.
Flam.
Your lordship speaks your pleasure.
Lucul.
I have observed thee always for a towardly
prompt spirit,—give thee thy due,—and one that knows
what belongs to reason; and canst use the time well,
if the time use thee well: good parts in thee.—Get you
gone, sirrah. — [To the Servant, who goes out.] — Draw
nearer, honest Flaminius. Thy lord's a bountiful gentleman;
but thou art wise, and thou knowest well enough,
although thou comest to me, that this is no time to
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lend money, especially upon bare friendship, without
security. Here's three solidares for thee: good boy,
wink at me, and say, thou saw'st me not. Fare thee
well.
Flam.
Is't possible, the world should so much differ,
And we alive that liv'd? Fly, damned baseness,
To him that worships thee.
[Throwing the Money away.
Lucul.
Ha! now I see thou art a fool, and fit for thy
master.
[Exit Lucullus.
Flam.
May these add to the number that may scald thee!
Let molten coin be thy damnation,
Thou disease of a friend, and not himself!
Has friendship such a faint and milky heart,
It turns in less than two nights? O you gods!
I feel my master's passion. This slave,
Unto his honour, has my lord's meat in him:
Why should it thrive, and turn to nutriment,
When he is turn'd to poison?
O, may diseases only work upon't!
And, when he's sick to death, let not that part of nature,
Which my lord paid for, be of any power
To expel sickness, but prolong his hour!
[Exit.
J. Payne Collier [1842–1844], The works of William Shakespeare. The text formed from an entirely new collation of the old editions: with the various readings, notes, a life of the poet, and a history of the Early English stage. By J. Payne Collier, Esq. F.S.A. In eight volumes (Whittaker & Co. [etc.], London) [word count] [S10101].
