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Timon; this to Alcibiades. Go; thou wast born | Not seldom, nor no slight checks; when I a bastard, and thou'lt die a bawd.

Page. Thou wast whelped a dog; and thou shalt famish, a dog's death. Answer not, I am gone. [Exit PAGE. Apem. Even so thou out-run'st grace. Fool, I will go with you to lord Timon's. Fool. Will you leave me there? Apem. If Timon stay at home.-You three serve three usurers?

All Serv. Ay, 'would they served us !
Apem. So would I,-as good a trick as ever
hangman served thief.

Fool. Are you three usurers' men?
All Serv. Ay, fool.

Fool. I think, no usurer but has a fool to his servant: My mistress is one, and I am her fool. When men come to borrow of your masters, they approach sadly, and go away merry; but they enter my mistress' house merrily, and go away sadly: The reason of this?

Var. Serv. I could render one.

Apem. Do it then, that we may account thee a whoremaster, and a knave; which, notwithstanding, thou shalt be no less esteemed.

Var. Serv. What is a whoremaster, fool? Fool. A fool in good clothes, and something like thee. "Tis a spirit: sometime, it appears like a lord: sometime, like a lawyer; sometime, like a philosopher, with two stones more than his artificial one: He is very often like a knight; and, generally in all shapes, that man goes up and down in, from fourscore to thirteen, this spirit walks in.

Var. Serv. Thou art not altogether a fool. Fool. Nor thou altogether a wise man: as much foolery as I have, so much wit thou lackest.

Apem. That answer might have become Apemantus.

All Serv. Aside, aside; here comes lord Ti

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have

Prompted you, in the ebb of your estate,
And your great flow of debts. My dear-lov'd
lord,
[time,
Though you hear now, (too late!) yet now's a
The greatest of your having lacks a half
To pay your present debts.

Tim. Let all my land be sold.

Flav. 'Tis all engag'd, some forfeited and

gone;

And what remains will hardly stop the mouth
Of present dues: the future comes apace:
What shall defend the interim? and at length
How goes our reckoning?

Tim. To Lacedæmon did my land extend.
Flav. O my good lord, the world is but a
word;

Were it all yours to give it in a breath,
How quickly were it gone?

Tim. You tell me true.

Flav. If you suspect my husbandry, or false
Call me before the exactest auditors, [hood,
And set me on the proof. So the gods bles

me,

When all our officest have been oppress'd
With riotous feeders; when our vaults have
wept

With drunken spilth of wine; when every room
Hath blaz'd with lights, and bray'd with mic-
strelsy;

I have retir'd me to a wasteful cock,#
And set mine eyes at flow.

Tim. Pr'ythee, no more.

Flav. Heavens, have I said, the bounty of
this lord!

[sants,
How many prodigal bits have slaves and pea-
This night englutted! Who is not Timon's?
What heart, head, sword, force, means, but is

lord Timon's?

Great Timon, noble, worthy, royal Timon?
Ah! when the means are gone, that buy this
praise,

The breath is gone whereof this praise is made:
Feast-won, fast-lost; one cloud of winter
showers,
These flies are couch'd.

Tim. Come, sermon me no further:
No villanous bounty yet hath pass'd my heart;
Unwisely, not ignobly, have I given.
Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the con-
science lack,

To think I shall lack friends? Secure thy heart;
If I would broach the vessels of my love,
And try the arguments of hearts by borrow-

ing,

Men, and men's fortunes, could I frankly use,
As I can bid thee speak.

Flav. Assurance bless your thoughts!

Tim. And, in some sort, these wants of mine

are crown'd,||

That I account them blessings; for by these
Shall I try friends: You shall perceive, how
[friends.
Mistake my fortunes; I am wealthy in my
Within there, ho!--Flaminius! Servilius!

you

Enter FLAMINIUS, SERVILIUS, and other
SERVANTS.

Serv. My lord, my lord,—

* I. e. As the world itself may be comprised in a word,
you might give it away in a breath.

+ The apartments allotted to culinary offices, &c.
A pipe with a turning stopple running to waste.
If I would, (says Timon,) by borrowing try of what
men's hearts are composed, what they have in them, &c.
| Dignified, made respectable,

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senators,

have

I

(Of whom, even to the state's best health, [stant Deserv'd this hearing,) bid 'em send o'the inA thousand talents to me.

Flav. I have been bold,

(For that I knew it the most general way,) To them to use your signet, and your name; But they do shake their heads, and I am here No richer in return.

Tim. Is't true? can it be?

Flav. They answer, in a joint and corporate voice,

That now they are at fall, want treasure, can

not

Do what they would; are sorry-you are honourable,

But yet they could have wish'd-they know not-but

Something hath been amiss-a noble nature May catch a wrench-would all were well'tis pity

And so, intendingt other serious matters, After distasteful looks, and these hard fractions,+

With certain half-caps, and cold- moving nods, They froze me into silence.

Tim. You gods, reward them!

I pr'ythee, man, look cheerly; These old fellows

ACT III.

SCENE I.-The same.-A Room in LUCULLUS' 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 basin 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 Flaminius?

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 honestyt is his; I have told him on't, but I could never get him from it.

Re-enter SERVANT, with wine.

Serv. Please your lordship, here is the wine. wise. Here's to thee. Lucul. Flaminius, I have noted thee always

Have their ingratitude in them hereditary :
Their blood is cak'd, 'tis cold, it seldom flows;
'Tis lack of kindly warmth, they are not kind;
And nature, as it grows again toward earth,
Is fashion'd for the journey, dull, and heavywardly prompt spirit, give thee thy due,-
Go to Ventidius,To a SERV.] Pr'ythee, [To

FLAVIUS,] be not sad,

Thou art true, and honest; ingeniously|| I
speak,
No blame belongs to thee:-[TO SERV.] Venti-
dius lately

Buried his father; by whose death, he's stepp'd
Into a great estate: when he was poor,
Imprison'd, and in scarcity of friends,
I clear'd him with five talents; Greet him from
Bid him suppose, some good necessity [me;
Touches his friend, which craves to be re-
member'd

With those five talents :-that had,-[TO FLAV.] give it these fellows

To whom 'tis instant due. Ne'er speak, or think,

Flum. Your lordship speaks your pleasure. Lucul. I have observed thee always for a toand 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 bounknowest well enough, although thou comest tiful gentleman: but thou art wise; and thou to me, that this is no time to lend money; escially upon bare friendship, without security. at me, and say thou saw'st me not. Fare thee Here's three solidares for thee; good boy, wink

well.

Flam. Is't possible, the world should so much differ; [ness, And we alive, that liv'd? Fly, damned base

To him that worships thee. [sink.

That Timon's fortunes 'mong his friends can Flav. I would, I could not think it; That thought is bounty's foe;

Being free¶ itself, it thinks all others so.

* I. e. At an ebb.

[Exeunt.

+ Intending, had anciently the same meaning as attend

ing.

Broken hints, abrupt remarks.

A half-cap is a cap slightly moved, not put off.

For ingenuously.

Liberal, not parsimonious,

[Throwing the money away. fit for thy master. Lucul. Ha! Now I see thou art a fool, and [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,

*For respectfully. Honesty here means liberality. I. e. And we who were alive then, alive now,

1 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 is sick to death, let not
part of nature

Which my lord paid for, be of any power
To expel sickness, but prolong his hour!t

And

That
AD &

And

I ha
He

say-I was sending to use lord Timon myself, these gentlemen can witness; but I would not, for the wealth of Athens, I had done it now. Commend me bountifully to his good lordship; and I hope, his honour will conceive the fair. thatest of me, because I have no power to be kind: And tell him this from me, I count it one of my greatest afflictions, say, that I cannet plessure such an honourable gentleman. Good Servilius, will you befriend me so far, as ta use mine own words to him?

[Exit.

SCENE II.-The same.-A public place.
Enter LUCIUS, with three STRAngers.
Luc. Who, the lord Timon? he is my very
good friend, and an honourable gentleman.

1 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 dones and past, and his estate shrinks from him.

Luc. Fie no, do not believe it; he cannot want for money.

Ser. Yes, Sir, I shall.

lius.

Luc. I will look you out a good turn, Servi-
[Exit SERVILIUS
True, as you said, Timon is shrunk, indeed;
And he, that's once denied, will hardly speed.
[Exit Leens
1 Stran. Do you observe this, Hostilins?
2 Strun. Ay, too well.
1 Stran. Why this

Is the world's soul; and just of the same piece
Is every flatterer's spirit. Who can call him
His friend, that dips in the same dish? for, a
My knowing, Timon hath been this lord's fa-
And kept his credit with his purse; [ther
Supported his estate; nay, Timon's money
Has paid his men their wages: He ne'er drinks.
ne-But Timon's silver treads upon his lip;

2 Stran. But believe you this, my lord, that, not long ago, one of his men was with the lord Lucullus, to borrow so many talents; nay, urged extremely for't, and showed what cessity belonged to't, and yet was denied. Luc. How?

2 Stran. I tell you, denied, my lord. Luc. What a strange case was that? now. before the gods, I am ashamed on't. Denied that honourable man? there was very little honour showed in't. For my own part, I must needs confess, I have received some small kindnesses from him, as money, plate, jewels, and such like trifles, nothing comparing to his; yet, had he mistook him, and sent to me, I should ne'er have denied his occasion so many talents.

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He cannot want fifty-five hundred talents.
Ser. But in the mean time he wants less, my
If his occasion were not virtuous,
I should not urge it half so faithfully.

[lord.

Luc. Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius?
Ser. Upon my soul, 'tis true, Sir.

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 little part, and undo a great deal of honour?-Servilius, now before the gods, I am not able to do't; the more beast, I

* Suffering; “By his bloody cross and passion." LiConsumed.

turgy.

+1. e. His life. + Acknowledge.
"If he did not want it for a good use."

And yet, (0, see the monstrousness of man
When he looks out in an ungrateful shape!)
He does deny him, in respect of his,
What charitable men afford to beggars.
3 Stran. Religion groans at it.

1 Stran. For mine own part,
I never tasted Timon in my life,
Nor came any of his bounties over me,
To mark me for his friend; yet, I protest,
For his right noble mind, illustrious virtue,
And honourable carriage,

Had his necessity made use of me,
I would have put my wealth into donation,"
And the best half should have return'd to him,
So much I love his heart: But, I perceive,
Men must learn now with pity to dispense:
For policy sits above conscience.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.-The same.-A Room in SEN-
PRONIUS' House.

Enter SEMPRONIUS, and a SERVAnt of Timon's.

Sem. Must he needs trouble me in't? Humph!
'Bove all others?
He might have tried lord Lucius, or Lucullus;
And now Ventidius is wealthy too,
Whom he redeem'd from prison: All these
Owe their estates unto him.

[three

Serv. O my lord,
They have all been touch'd,+ and found base
metal; for

They have all denied him?

Sem. How! have they denied him?
Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him?
And does he send to me? Three? humph!-
It shows but little love or judgement in him.
Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like
physicians,

Thrive, give him over; Must I take the cure
upon me?

He has much disgrac'd me in't; I am angry at
[him,
That might have known my place: I see no
sense for❜t,

But his occasions might have woo'd me first;
For, in my conscience, I was the first man
That e'er receiv'd gift from him:

This means, to put his wealth down in account as a
donation.
+ Tried.

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And does he think so backwardly of me now,
That I'll requite it last? No: So it may prove
An argument of laughter to the rest,
And I amongst the lords be thought a fool.
I had rather than the worth of thrice the sum,
He had sent to me first, but for my mind's
sake;

I had such a courage to do him good.

now return,

coin.

But

And with their faint reply this answer join; Who bates mine honour, shall not know my [Exit. Serv. Excellent! Your lordship's a goodly villain. The devil knew not what he did, when he made man politic; he crossed 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,
Save the gods only: Now his friends are dead,
Doors, that were ne'er acquainted with their
wards

Many a bounteous year, must be employ'd
Now to guard sure their master.
And this is all a liberal course allows;
Who cannot keep his wealth, must keep his
house.t
SCENE IV.-The same.-A Hall in TIMON'S
House.

[Exit.

Enter two Servants of VARRO, and the Servant of LUCIUS, meeting TITUS, HORTENSIUS, and other Servants to TiMON's Creditors, waiting his coming out.

Var. Serv. Well met; good-morrow, Titus and Hortensius.

Tit. The like to you, kind Varro.
Hor. Lucius?

What, do we meet together?

Luc. Serv. Ay, and, I think,

One business does command us all; for mine Is money.

Tit. So is theirs and ours.

Enter PHILOtus.

Luc. Serv. And Sir

Philotus too!

Phi. Good day at once.

Luc. Serv. Welcome, good brother.

What do you think the hour?

Phi. Labouring for nine.

Luc, Serv. So much?

Phi. Is not my lord seen yet?
Luc. Serv. Not yet.

Phi. I wonder on't; he was wont to shine at

seven.

Luc. Serv. Ay, but the days are waxed shorter with him:

You must consider, that a prodigal course
Is like the sun's; but not, like his, recoverable.
I fear,

"Tis deepest winter in lord Timon's purse; That is, one may reach deep enough, and yet Find little.

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
For which I wait for money.
Hor. It is against my heart.

[gift,

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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 And send for money for 'em. [jewels,

Hor. I am weary of this charge,* the gods can witness:

I know, my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth, And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth.

1 Var. Serv, Yes, mine's three thousand crowns: What's yours?

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.

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Luc. Serv. Many do keep their chambers, are not sick : And, if it be so far beyond his health, Methinks, he should the sooner pay his debts, And make a clear way to the gods.

Commission, employment.

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
Be my retentive enemy, my jail:

The place which I have feasted, does it now,
Like all mankind, show me an iron heart?
Luc. Serv. Put in now, Titus.

Tit. My lord, here is my bill.

Luc. Serv. Here's mine.

Hor. Serv. And mine, my lord.

Both Var. Serv. And ours, my lord.

Phi. All our bills.

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He is a man, setting his fate aside,
Of comely virtues:

Nor did he soil the fact with cowardice;
(An honour in him which buys out his fault,)
But, with a noble fury, and fair spirit,
Seeing his reputation touch'd to death,
He did oppose his foe:

And with such sober and unnoted passiont
He did behavet his anger, ere 'twas spent,
As if he had but prov'd an argument.

1 Sen. You undergo too strict a paradox,
Striving to make an ugly deed look fair:
Your words have took such pains, as if they
labour'd

[ling
To bring manslaughter into form, set quarel
Upon the head of valour; which, indeed,
Is valour misbegot, and came into the world
When sects and factions were newly born;

Tim. Knock me down with 'em :* cleave me He's truly valiant, that can wisely suffer

to the girdle.

Luc. Serv. Alas! my lord,

Tim. Cut my heart in sums.
Tit. Mine, fifty talents.

Tim. Tell out my blood.

Luc. Serv. Five thousand crowns, my lord.
Tim. Five thousand drops pays that.—

What yours?-and yours?

1 Var. Serv. My lord,

2 Var. Serv. My lord,

Tim. Tear me, take me, and the gods fall upon you!

[Exit. Hor. 'Faith, I perceive our masters may throw their caps at their money; these debts may well be called desperate ones, for a madman owes 'em. [Exeunt.

Re-enter TIMON and FLAVIUS.

The worst that man can breathe; and make

his wrongs

[lessly;
His outsides; wear them like his raiment, care-
And ne'er prefer his injuries to his heart,
To bring it into danger.

If wrongs be evils, and enforce us kill,
What folly 'tis, to hazard life for ill?
Alcib. My lord,-

1 Sen. You cannot make gross sins look clear, To revenge is no valour, but to bear.

Alcib. My lords, then, under favour, pardes
If I speak like a captain.—
(me,
Why do fond men expose themselves to battle,
And not endure all threat'nings? sleep upon it,
And let the foes quietly cut their throats,
Without repugnancy? but if there be
Such valour in the bearing, what make we
Abroad? why then, women are more valiant,

Tim. They have e'en put my breath from me, That stay at home, if bearing carry it; [lon,

the slaves:

Creditors!-devils.

Flav. My dear lord,

Tim. What if it should be so?

Flav. My 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 is not so much left, to furnish out
A moderate table.

Tim. Be't not in thy care; go.

I charge thee; invite them all: let in the tide
Ofknaves once more; my cook and I'll provide.
[Exeunt.
SCENE V.-The same.-The Senate-House.
The Senate sitting. Enter ALCIBIADES, attended.
1 Sen. My lord, you have my voice to it; the
Bloody; 'tis necessary he should die: [fault's
Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.

2 Sen. Most true; the law shall bruise him.
Alcib. Honour, health, and compassion to
the senate!

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And th' ass, more captain than the lion; the fe
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?
To kill, I grant, is sin's extremest gust;¶
But, in defence, by mercy, 'tis most just.*
To be in anger, is impiety;

But who is man, that is not angry?
Weigh but the crime with this.

2 Sen. You breathe in vain.
Alcib. In vain ? his service done
At Lacedæmon, and Byzantium,
Were a sufficient briber for his life.
1 Sen. What's that?

H

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