I pr'ythee, man, look cheerly; These old fellows Thou art true, and honest; ingeniously' I speak, No blame belongs to thee:-[To Sevr.] Ventidius lately Buried his father; by whose death, he's stepp'd I clear'd him with five talents; Greet him from me; To whom 'tis instant due. Ne'er speak, or think, Being free itself, it thinks all others so. [Exeunt. ACT III. 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 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 discase 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 SCENE I-The same. A room in Lucullus's Unto his honour, has my lord's meat in him: house. Flaminius waiting. Enter a Servant Why should it thrive, and turn to nutriment, When he is turn'd to poison? O, may diseases only work upon't! to him. Serv. I have told my lord of you, he is coming And when he is sick to death, let not that part of down to you. Flam. I thank you, sir. Enter Lucullus. 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. nature Which my lord paid for, be of any power To expel sickness, but prolong his hour!" SCENE II.-The same. [Exij. A public place. En ter Lucius, with three Strangers. friend, and an honourable gentleman. Luc. Who, the lord Timon? he is my very good Stran. We know him for no less, though we are but strangers to him. But I can tell you one thing, my lord, and which I hear from common rumours; now lord Timon's happy hours are done' and past, and his estate shrinks from him. for money. Luc. Fie, no, do not believe it; he cannot want long ag, one of his men was with the lord Lucul 2 Stran. But believe you this, my lord, that, not lus, to borrow so many talents; nay, urged ex tremely for't, and showed what necessity belonged to't, and yet was denied. Luc. How? Lucul. La, la, la, la,-nothing doubting, says he? 2 Stran. I tell you, denied, my lord. alas, good lord! a noble gentleman 'tis, if he would fore the gods, I am asham'd on't. Denied that Luc. What a strange case was that? now, be not keep so good a house. Many a time and often honourable man? there was very little honour I have dined with him, and told him on't; and showed in't. For my own part, I must needs concome again to supper to him, of purpose to have fess, I have received some small kindnesses from him spend less: and vet he would embrace no coun- him, as money, plate, jewels, and such like trifles, sel, take no warning by my coming. Every man nothing comparing to his; yet, had he mistook him, has his fault and honesty is his: I have told him and sent to me, I should' ne'er have denied his ocon't, but I could never get him from it. casion so many talents. Re-enter Servant, with wine. Serv. Please your lordship, here is the wine. sweat to see his honour.-My honoured lord,- Ser. May it please your honour, my lord hath | sent Luc. Ha! what has he sent? I am so much endeared to that lord; he's ever sending: How shall I thank him, thinkest thou? And what has he sent now? Ser. He has only sent his present occasion now, my lord; requesting your lordship to supply his instant use with so many talents. Luc. I know, his lordship is but merry with me; Ser. But in the mean time he wants less, my lord. Luc. Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius? They have all denied him! How! have they denied him? Thrive, give him over; Must I take the cure upon Luc. What a wicked beast was I, to disfurnish myself against such a good time, when I might have shown myself honourable! how unluckily it happened, that I should purchase the day before for a He has much disgrac'd me in't; I am angry at him, little part, and undo a great deal of honour!-Ser-That might have known my place: I see no sense vilius, now before the gods, I am not able to do't; for't, the more beast, I say:-I was sending to use lord But his occasions might have woo'd me first; Timon myself, these gentlemen can witness; but I For, in my conscience, I was the first man would not, for the wealth of Athens, I had done it That e'er receiv'd gift from him: now. Commend me bountifully to his good lord-And does he think so backwardly of me now, ship; and I hope, his honour will conceive the That I'll requite it last? No: so it may prove fairest of me, because I have no power to be kind: An argument of laughter to the rest, And tell him this from me, I count it one of my And I amongst the lords be thought a fool. greatest afflictions, say, that I cannot pleasure such I had rather than the worth of thrice the sum, an honourable gentleman. Good Servilius, will you He had sent to me first, but for my mind's sake; befriend me so far as to use mine own words to I had such a courage to do him good. But now him? return, Ser. Yes, sir, I shall. Luc. I will look you out a good turn, Servilius,- 1 Stran. Do you observe this, Hostilius ? Is the world's soul; and just of the same piece For mine own part, I never tasted Timon in my life, Had his necessity made use of me, (1) If he did not want it for a good use.' And with their faint reply this answer join; [Exit. Serv. Excellent! Your lordship's a goodly villain. The devil knew not what he did, when he made man politic; he cross'd himself by't and I cannot think, but, in the end, the villanies of man will set him clear. How fairly this lord strives to appear foul? takes virtuous copies to be wicked; like those that, under hot ardent zeal, would set whole realms on fire. Of such a nature is his politic love. This was my lord's best hope; now all are fled, [Exit. Luc. Serv. Ay, but the days are waxed shorter with him: You must consider, that a prodigal course 'Tis deepest winter in lord Timon's purse; Phi. I am of your fear for that. Tit. I'll show you how to observe a strange event. Your lord sends now for money. Hor. Most true, he does. Tit. And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift, For which I wait for money. Hor. It is against my heart. Luc. Serv. Mark, how strange it shows, Timon in this should pay more than he owes: And e'en as if your lord should wear rich jewels, And send for money for 'em. Hor. I am weary of this charge, the gods can witness: I know, my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth, Luc. Serv. Five thousand mine. 1 Var. Serv. 'Tis much deep: and it should seem by the sum, Your master's confidence was above mine; Else, surely, his had equall'd. Enter Flaminius. Tit. One of lord Timon's men. Luc. Serv. Flaminius! sir, a word: 'Pray, is my lord ready to come forth? Flam. No, indeed, he is not. Tit. We attend his lordship; 'pray, signify so much. Flam. I need not tell him that; he knows, you are too diligent. [Exit Flaminius. Enter Flavius in a cloak, muffled. Luc. Serv. Ha! is not that his steward muffled so? 1 Var. Serv. By your leave, sir,- Ay, If money were as certain as your waiting, Upon his debts, and take down th' interest but wrong, (1) i. e. Like him in blaze and splendour. (2) Commission, employment. To stir me up; let me pass quietly: Believ't, my lord and I have made an end; I have no more to reckon, he to spend. Luc. Sere. Ay, but this answer will not serve. Flav. If 'twill not, 'Tis not so base as you; for you serve knaves. [Exit. 1 Var. Serv. How! what does his cashier'd worship mutter? 2 Var. Serv. No matter what; he's poor, and that's revenge enough. Who can speak broader than he that has no house to put his head in? such may rail against great buildings. Enter Servilius. Tit. O, here's Servilius; now we shall know And, if it be so far beyond his health, Ser. Good gods! Tit. We cannot take this for an answer, sir. Flam. [Within.] Servilius, help!--my lord! my lord! Enter Timon, in a rage; Flaminius following. Tim. What, are my doors oppos'd against my passage? Have I been ever free, and must my house Tit. My lord, here is my bill. Hor. Serv. And mine, my lord. Both Var. Serv. And ours, my lord. Phi. All our bills. A moderate table. Tim. Be't not in thy care; go, I charge thee; invite them all let in the tide of knaves once more; my cook and I'll provide. [Exeunt. SCENE V.-The same. The Senate-House. The senate sitting. Enter Alciabades, attended. 1 Sen. My lord, you have my voice to it; the fault's Bloody; 'tis necessary he should die: 2 Sen. Most true; the law shall bruise him. 1 Sen. Now, captain? Alcib. I am an humble suitor to your virtues ; For pity is the virtue of the law, And none but tyrants use it cruelly. It pleases time, and fortune, to lie heavy Nor did he soil the fact with cowardice; And with such sober and unnoted passion 1 Sen. You undergo too strict a paradox,* The worst that man can breathe; and make his wrongs His outsides; wear them like his raiment, carelessly; And ne'er prefer his injuries to his heart, To bring it into danger. If wrongs be evils, and enforce us kill, 1 Sen. You cannot make gross sins look clear; To revenge is no valour, but to bear. Alcib. My lords, then, under favour, pardon me, If I speak like a captain. Why do fond men expose themselves to battle, (1) i. e. Putting this action of his, which was predetermined by fate, out of the question. (2) i. e. Passion so subdued, that no spectator could note its operation. 43) Manage, govern. (4) You undertake a paradox too hard. (5) What have we to do in the field. Such valour in the bearing, what make we Abroad? why then, women are more valiant, That stay at home, if bearing carry it; And th' ass, more captain than the lion; the felon, Loaden with irons, wiser than the judge, If wisdom be in suffering. O my lords, As you are great, be pitifully good: Who cannot condemn rashness in cold blood? But who is man, that is not angry? In vain? his service done At Lacedæmon, and Byzantium, Why, I say, my lords, h'as done fair service, And slain in fight many of your enemies: Alcib. Hard fate! he might have died in war. (Though his right arm might purchase his own time, And be in debt to none,) yet, more to move you, 1 Sen. We are for law, he dies; urge it no more, On height of our displeasure: Friend, or brother, He forfeits his own blood, that spills another. Alcib. Must it be so? it must not be. My lords, I do beseech you, know me. 2 Sen. How? Alcib. Call me to your remembrances. 3 Sen. What? Alcib. I cannot think, but your age has forgot me; It could not else be, I should prove so base, To sue, and be denied such common grace: My wounds ache at you. 1 Sen. Do you dare our anger? 'Tis in few words, but spacious in effect; We banish thee for ever. Alcib. Banish me? 1 Sen. If after two days shine, Athens contain thee, Attend our weightier judgment. And, not to swell our spirit," He shall be executed presently. (6) For aggravation. [Exeunt Sen. 'Homicide in our own defence, by a merci ful interpretation of the law, is considered justifiable.' Alcib. Now the gods keep you old enough; that Tim. Think not on't, sir. you may live Only in bone, that none may look on you! I am worse than mad: I have kept back their foes, [Exit. SCENE VI-A magnificent room in Timon's 1 Lord. Upon that were my thoughts tiring, when we encountered: I hope, it is not so low with him, as he made it seem in the trial of his several friends. 2 Lord. It should not be, by the persuasion of his new feasting. 2 Lord. If you had sent but two hours before,Tim. Let it not cumber your better remembrance.-Come, bring in all together. 2 Lord. All covered dishes! 1 Lord. Royal cheer, I warrant you. 3 Lord. Doubt not that, if money and the season, can yield it. 1 Lord. How do you? What's the news? 3 Lord. Alcibiades is banished: Hear you of it? 1 & 2 Lord. Alcibiades banished! 3 Lord. 'Tis so, be sure of it. 1 Lord. How? how? 2 Lord. I pray you, upon what? Tim. My worthy friends, will you draw near? 3 Lord. I'll tell you more anon. Here's a noble feast toward. 2 Lord. This is the old man still. 3 Lord. Will't hold? will't hold ? 2 Lord. It does: but time will-and so- Tim. Each man to his stool, with that spur as he would to the lip of his mistress: your diet shall be in all places alike. Make not a city feast of it, to let the meat cool ere we can agree upon the first place: Sit, sit. The gods require our thanks. with thankfulness. For your own gifts, make You great benefactors, sprinkle our society 1 Lord. I should think so: He hath sent me an yourselves praised: but reserve still to give, lest earnest inviting, which many my near occasions did your deities be despised. Lend to each man enough, urge me to put off; but he hath conjured me be- that one need not lend to another: for, were your yond them, and I must needs appear. godheads to borrow of men, men would forsake 2 Lord. In like manner was I in debt to my the man that gives it. Let no assembly of twenty the gods. Make the meat be beloved, more than importunate business, but he would not hear my be without a score of villains: If there sit twelve excuse. I am sorry, when he sent to borrow of me, that my provision was out. women at the table, let a dozen of them be-as they 1 Lord. I am sick of that grief too, as I under-are.-The rest of your fees, gods,-the sena stand how all things go. tors of Athens, together with the common lag of 2 Lord. Every man here's so. What would he people-what is amiss in them, you gods, make have borrowed of you? 1 Lord. A thousand pieces. 2 Lord. A thousand pieces! 1 Lord. What of you? 8 Lord. He sent to me, sir,-Here he comes. Enter Timon, and attendants. Tim. With all my heart, gentlemen both :-And how fare you? 1 Lord. Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship. 2 Lord. The swallow follows not summer more willing, than we your lordship. Tim. [Aside.] Nor more willingly leaves winter; such summer-birds are men.-Gentlemen, our dinner will not recompense this long stay: feast your ears with the music awhile; if they will fare so harshly on the trumpet's sound: we shall to't presently. 1 Lord. I hope, it remains not unkindly with your lordship, that I returned you an empty mes senger. Tim. O sir, let it not trouble you. 2 Lord. My noble lord, Tim. Ah, my good friend! what cheer? [The banquet brought in. 2 Lord. My most honourable lord, I am e'en sick of shame, that, when your lordship this other day sent to me, I was so unfortunate a beggar. (1) We should now say-to lay out for hearts; i. e. the affections of the people. (2) To tire on a thing meant, to be idly employed on it suitable for destruction. For these my present friends, as they are to me nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to nothing they are welcome. Uncover, dogs, and lap. [The dishes uncovered are full of warm water. Some speak. What does his lordship mean? Some other. I know not. Tim. May you a better feast never behold, Is your perfection. This is Timon's last; [Throwing water in their faces. them out. (3) i. e. Your good memory. (4) The lowest. (5) Flies of a season. (6) Jacks of the clock; like those at St. Dun stan's church, in Fleet-street. |