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 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 fairest 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 cannot pleasure such an honourable gentleman. Good Servilius, will you befriend me so far, as to use mine own words to him? Ser. Yes, sir, I shall. Luc. I will look you out a good turn, Servilius.[Exit Servilius. True, as you said, Timon is shrunk, indeed; [Exit Lucius. 1 Stran. Do you observe this, Hostilius ? 2 Stran. Ay, too well. I Stran. Why this Is the world's soul; and just of the same piece Supported his estate; nay, Timon's money And yet, (O, see the monstrousness of man 3 Stran. Religion groans at it. 1 Stran. I never tasted Timon in my life, For mine own part, Nor came any of his bounties over me, Had his necessity made use of me, I would have put my wealth into donation*, [Exeunt. SCENE III. The same. A room in Sempronius's 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; Whom he redeem'd from prison: All these 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 judgment in him. Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physi cians, Thrive, give him over; Must I take the cure upon me? * This means, to put his wealth down in account as a donation. + Tried. 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; And does he think so backwardly of me now, And I amongst the lords be thought a fool. I had rather than the worth of thrice the sum, 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 politick; he cross'd himself by't: and I cannot think, but, in the end, the villainies 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 politick love. This was my lord's best hope; now all are fled, And this is all a liberal course allows; Who cannot keep his wealth, must keep his houset. [Exit. * Ardour, eager desire. ti. e. Keep within doors for fear of duns, VOL. VIII. The same. SCENE IV. A hall in Timon's house. 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. Tim. The like to you, kind Varro. Hor. What, do we meet together? Luc. Serv. Lucius ! Ay, and, I think, One business does command us all; for mine 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 "Tis deepest winter in lord Timon's purse; * i. e. Like him in blaze and splendour. That is, one may reach deep enough, and yet 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; 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? He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him. Tit. Do you hear, sir? * Commission, employment. |