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;
And he, that's once denied, will hardly speed.
Exit LUCIUS.

1 Stran. Do you observe this, Hostilius?
2 Stran. 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 has 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, (O, see the monstrousness of man
When he looks out in an ungrateful shape!)
He does deny him, in respect of his,3
What charitable men afford to beggars.
3 Stran. Religion groans at it.

1 Stran.

I never tasted Timon in my life,

3

For mine own part,

Nor came any of his bounties over me,

To mark me for his friend; yet, I protest,

3

in respect of his,] In respect of his fortune: what Lucius denies to Timon is in proportion to what Lucius possesses, less than the usual alms given by good men to beggars. JOHNSON.

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 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;
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 physicians,

* I would have put my wealth into donation,

And the best half should have return'd to him,] i. e. The best half of my wealth should have been the reply I would have made to Timon: I would have answered his requisition with the best half of what I am worth.

5

They have all been touch'd,] That is, tried, alluding to the touchstone.

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:

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. But now

return,

And with their faint reply this answer join;
Who bates mine honour, shall not know my coin.

[Exit.

Serv. Excellent! Your lordship's a goodly villain. The devil knew not what he did, when he made man politick; he crossed 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 ap

6

8

His friends, like physicians,

Thrive, give him over;] i. e. " His friends, like physicians, thrive by his bounty and fees, and either relinquish, and forsake him, or give his case up as desperate."

7 such a courage-] Such an ardour, such an eager desire. 8 The devil knew not what he did, when he made man politick; he crossed himself by't: and I cannot think, but, in the end, the villainies of man will set him clear.] Of the various conjectures on this passage, the following seems most probable :-The devil did not know what he was about, [how much his reputation for wickedness would be diminished] when he made man crafty and interested; he thwarted himself by it; [by thus raising up rivals to contend with him in iniquity, and at length to surpass him;] and I cannot but think that at last the enormitics of mankind will rise to such a height, as to make even Satan himself, in comparison, appear (what he would least of all wish to be) spotless and innocent.

MALONE.

pear 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,
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.

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.

Tit. The like to you, kind Varro.

keep his house.] i. e. keep within doors for fear of duns.

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 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,
And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth.
1 Var. Serv. Yes, mine's three thousand crowns:
What's yours?

I am weary of this charge,] That is, of this commission, of this employment