*And he that's once denied will hardly speed. *1 Stran. Did you observe this, Hostilius? *2 Stran. Ay, too well. *1 Stran. Why, this *Is the world's soul; and just of the same piece *Supported his estate; nay, Timon's money *He does deny him, in respect of his, *I never tasted Timon in my life, [Exit. For mine own part, *Nor e'er came any of his bounties over me, *Had his necessity made use of me, *I would have put my wealth into donation,3 [Exeunt. 2 In respect of is here equivalent to in comparison with; a frequent usage. The meaning therefore is, that Lucius denies him that which, compared to his own fortune, is as trifling as the alms men give to beggars. 3 Meaning, apparently, "I would have regarded my whole estate as a gift from him, and returned the greater part of it to him." *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,-hum !-'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. *Serv. My lord, they have all been touch'd,1 and found *base metal; for they have all denied him. *Sem. How! have they denied him? have Ventidius, *Lucius, and Lucullus denied him? and does he send to me? *Three? hum! - It shows but little love or judgment in him : *must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physicians, thrice *give him over: must I take the cure upon me? 'Has much *disgraced me in't; I'm 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 received gift from him and does he think so *backwardly of me now, that I'll requite it last? No: so I *may prove an argument of laughter to the rest, and 'mongst *lords be thought a fool. I'd rather than the worth of *thrice the sum, '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: [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 villainies of man will set him clear.2 How fairly this 1 That is, tried or tested, as with a touchstone. 2 The meaning seems to be this: In making man crafty, or full of cunning shifts, the Devil overreached or thwarted himself; for man is likely to *lord strives to appear foul! takes virtuous copies, to be *wicked; 3 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 last hope; now all are fled, *Save the gods only; now his friends are dead, *Doors, that were ne'er acquainted with their wards 4 *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.5 [Exit. *SCENE IV. - The Same. A Hall in TIMON'S House. *Enter two Servants of VARRO, and the Servant of LUCIUS, *meeting TITUS, HORTENSIUS, and other Servants of TIMON'S *Creditors, waiting his coming out. *1 Var. Serv. Well met; good morrow, Titus and Hor*tensius. *Tit. 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 *Is money. *Tit. So is theirs and ours. outdo him so far in wickedness as to pluck his laurels from him, and make him seem but a poor devil after all. 3 Copies for the things copied; that is, patterns or models. And the meaning of the clause is, he sets patterns of virtue before his mind, that he may avoid being like them, or may shape himself to the contrary. 4 Wards is keepers: probably alluding to Timon's having been so unsparing in his hospitality, or his having, as we say, kept open house. 5 Must stay at home, or within doors, and keep a guard about him, to escape duns, and officers coming to arrest him for debt. *Enter PHILOTUS. *Luc. Serv. And Sir Philotus too! *Phi. Good day at once. think *Luc. Serv. Welcome, good brother. What do you *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 wax'd shorter with him : * you must consider that a prodigal's course is like the Sun's ;1 *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.2 *Phi. I am of your fear for that. *Tit. I'll show you how t'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'm 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. * Var. Serv. Yes, mine's three thousand crowns: what's *yours? 1 That is, like the Sun's course, that it ends in decline. 2 Still referring, perhaps, to the effects of Winter, during which some animals have to seek their scanty provision through a depth of snow. *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.3 *Enter FLAVIUS. *Tit. One of Lord Timon's men. *Luc. Serv. Flavius ! — Sir, a word: pray, *ready to come forth? *Flav. No, indeed, he is not. *Tit. We attend his lordship; pray, signify so much. *Flav. I need not tell him that; he knows you are too *diligent. *Enter the Steward in a cloak, muffled. *Luc. Serv. Ha! is not that his steward muffled so? [Exit. He *goes away in a cloud: call him, call him. *Tit. Do you hear, sir? *Both Var. Serv. By your leave, sir, *Stew. What do ye ask of me, my friends? *Tit. We wait for certain money here, sir. *Stew. 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 to stir me up; *Let me pass quietly : *Believe'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. 3 That is, "else, surely, my master's loan had equalled his." |