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. Luc. Fye no, do not believe it; he cannot want for money. 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 taleuts; 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. 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 compar. ing to his; yet, had he mistook him, and sent to me, I should ne'er have denied his occasion so many talents. Enter Servilius. Ser. See, by good hap, yonder's my lord; I have sweat to see his honour.-My honoured lord,[To Lucius. Luc. Servilius! you are kindly met, sir. Fare thee well:-Commend me 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, • Consumed. 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? 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 hap pened, 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 shruuk, indeed; [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 If he did not want it for a good use." My knowing, Timon hath been this lord's father, Supported his estate; nay, Timon's money 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*, SCENE III. [Exeunt. 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 This means, to put his wealth down in account as a donation. 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? cians, 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; And does he think so backwardly of me now, And I amongst the lords be thought a fool. 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: aud 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. Tried. Ardour, eager desire. 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 house*. [Exit. SCENE IV. The same. A hall in Timon's house. Enter two Servants of Varro, and the Servant of Var. Serv. Well met; good-morrow, Titus and Tit. The like to you, kind Varro. * i. e. Keep within doors for fear of duns. Labouring for nine. |