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I pr'ythee, man, look cheerly; These old fellows
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 heavy.-
Go to Ventidius,-[To a Sevr.] 'Pr'ythee [To Flav.]
be not sad,

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
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 me;
Bid him suppose, some good necessity
Touches his friend, which craves to be remember'd
With those five talents:-that had,-[To Flav.]
give it these fellows,

To whom 'tis instant due. Ne'er speak, or think,
That Timon's fortunes 'mong his friends can sink.
Flav. I would, I could not think it; That thought
is bounty's foe;

Being free itself, it thinks all others so.

ACT III.

[Exeunt.

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 to-
wardly 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 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
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.

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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.

nature

Which my lord paid for, be of any power
To expel sickness, but prolong his hour!"
SCENE II.-The same.

[Exit.

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 ford 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

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 necessity belonged to't, and yet was denied.

Luc. How?

2 Stran. I tell you, denied, my lord.

Lucul. La, la, la, la,-nothing doubting, says he? Luc. What a strange case was that? now, bealas, good lord! a noble gentleman 'tis, if he would fore the gods, I am asham'd on't. Denied that 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 yet 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.

(1) For ingenuously.

(2) Liberal, not parsimonious,

(3) For respectfully.

(4) Honesty here means liberality.

(5) e. And we who were alive then, alive now.

Enter Servilius.

Ser. See, by good hap, yonder's my lord; I have

(6) Suffering; By his bloody cross and passion. Liturgy. (8) Acknowledge.

(7) i. e. His life.
(9) Consumed.

sweat to see his honour.-My honoured lord,

Men must learn now with pity to dispense: [To Lucius. For policy sits above conscience.

Luc. Servilius! you are kindly met, sir. Fare thee well:-Cominende to thy honourable-virtuous lord, my very exquisite friend,

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; He cannot want fifty-five hundred talents.

Ser. But in the mean time he wants less, my lord. If his occasion were not virtuous,'

I should not urge it half so faithfully.

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

[Exeunt. SCENE III-The same. A room in Sempronius' 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 three
Owe their estates unto him.
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?

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? Ser. Yes, sir, I shall. And with their faint reply this answer join; Luc. I will look you out a good turn, Servilius,-Who bates mine honour, shall not know my coin. [Exit Servilius. True, as you said, Timon is shrunk, indeed; And he, that's once denied, will hardly speed. Exit Lucius. 1 Stran. Do you observe this, Hostilius? 2 Stram. 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, in
My knowing, Timon hath been this lord's father,
And kept his credit with his purse;
Supported his estate; nay, Timon's money
Has paid his men their wages; He ne'er drinks,
But Timon's silver treads upon his lip;
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,

(1) 'If he did not want it for a good use.'
(2) This means, to put his wealth down in ac-
count as a donation.

return,

[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,
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."

[Exit.

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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 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.

2

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.

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?

1 Var. Serv. By your leave, sir,-
Flav. What do you ask of me, my friend?
Tit. We wait for certain money here, sir.
Flav.

Ay,

If money were as certain as your waiting,
"Twere sure enough. Why then preferr'd you not
Your sums and bills, when your false masters eat
Of my lord's meat? Then they could smile, and
fawn

Upon his debts, and take down th' interest
Into their gluttonous maws. You do yourselves

but wrong,

(2) splendour.

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. Serv. 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
Some answer.
Ser.
If I might beseech you, gentlemen,
To repair some other hour, I should much
Derive from it: for, take it on my soul,
My lord leans wond'rously to discontent.
His comfortable temper has forsook him;
He is much out of health, and keeps his chamber.
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.

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 gaol?
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.

Tim. Knock me down with 'em : cleave me 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's 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.

Tim. They have e'en put my breath from me, the slaves: Creditors!-devils. Flav. My dear lord,

Tim. What, if it should be so?

(3) Timon quibbles. They present their written bills; he catches at the word, and alludes to bills or battle-axes.

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Such valour in the bearing, what make we

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 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 :
Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.

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

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
Upon a friend of mine, who, in hot blood,
Hath stepp'd into the law, which is past depth
To those that, without heed, do plunge into it.
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 passion2
He did behave3 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
To bring manslaughter into form, set quarrelling
Upon the head of valour; which, indeed,
Is valour misbegot, and came into the world
When sects and factions were newly born:
He's truly valiant, that can wisely suffer

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,
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, pardon me, If I speak like a captain.

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

(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.

(4) You undertake a paradox too hard.

(3) Manage, govern.

(5) What have we to do in the field.

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?
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?
Alcib.

Why, I say, my lords, h'as

done fair service,

And slain in fight many of your enemies:
How full of valour did he bear himself
In the last conflict, and made plenteous wounds?
2 Sen. He has made too much plenty with 'em, he
Is a sworn rioter: h'as a sin that often
Drowns him, and takes his valour prisoner:
If there were no foes, that were enough alone
To overcome him: in that beastly fury
He has been known to commit outrages,
And cherish factions: 'Tis inferr'd to us,
His days are foul, and his drink dangerous.
1 Sen. He dies.

Alcib. Hard fate! he might have died in war.
My lords, if not for any parts in him

(Though his right arm might purchase his own

time,

And be in debt to none,) yet, more to move you,
Take my deserts to his, and join them both:
And, for I know, your reverend ages love
Security, I'll pawn my victories, all
My honour to you, upon his good returns.
If by this crime he owes the law his life,
Why, let the war receive't in valiant gore;
For law is strict, and war is nothing more.

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?

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Alcib. Now the gods keep you old enough; that| you may live

Only in bone, that none may look on you!

I am worse than mad: I have kept back their foes,
While they have told their money, and let out
Their coin upon large interest; I myself,
Rich only in large hurts ;-All those, for this?
Is this the balsam, that the usuring senate
Pours into captains' wounds? ha! banishment?
It comes not ill; I hate not to be banish'd;
It is a cause worthy my spleen and fury,
That I may strike at Athens. I'll cheer up
My discontented troops, and lay for hearts,1
"Tis honour, with most lands to be at odds;
Soldiers should brook as little wrongs as gods.

[Exit.

SCENE VI-A magnificent room in Timon's
house. Music. Tables set out: Servants al-
tending. Enter divers Lords, at several doors.
1 Lord. The good time of day to you, sir.

2

2 Lord. I also wish it to you. I think, this honourable lord did but try us this other day. 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.

1 Lord. I should think so: He hath sent me an earnest inviting, which many my near occasions did urge me to put off; but he hath conjured me beyond them, and I must needs appear.

Tim. Think not on't, sir.

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-
3 Lord. I do conceive.

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 your deities be despised. Lend to each man enough, yourselves praised: but reserve still to give, lest that one need not lend to another: for, were your 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 women at the table, let a dozen of them be—as they 1 Lord. am sick of that grief too, as I under-tors of Athens, together with the common lag of are.-The rest of your fees, O gods,-the senastand how all things go.

me, that my provision was out.

have borrowed of you?

2 Lord. Every man here's so. What would he people,-what is amiss in them, you gods, make For these my present suitable for destruction. friends, as they are to me nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to nothing they are welcome. Uncover, dogs, and lap.

1 Lord. A thousand pieces.

2 Lord. A thousand pieces!

1 Lord. What of you?

3 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 messenger.

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.

[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,
You knot of mouth-friends! smoke, and lukewarm
water

Is your perfection. This is Timon's last;
Who stuck and spangled you with flatteries
Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces

[Throwing water in their faces.
Your reeking villany. Live loath'd, and long,
Most smiling, smooth, detested parasites,
Courteous destroyers, affable wolves, meek bears,
You fools of fortune, trencher-friends, time's flies,
Cap and knee slaves, vapours, and minute-jacks!"
Of man, and beast, the infinite malady
Crust you quite o'er!-What, dost thou go?
Soft, take thy physic first-thou too,-and thou ;-
[Throws the dishes at them, and drives

them out.
Stay, I will lend thee money, borrow none.-
What, all in motion? Henceforth be no feast,
Whereat a villain's not a welcome guest.
Burn, house; sink, Athens! henceforth hated be
Of Timon, man, and all humanity!
[Exit.

(3) i. e. Your good memory. (4) The lowest. (5) Flies of a season. (6) Jacks of the clock; like those at St. Dunstan's church, in Fleet-street.

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