Enter a third Servant with Sempronius. Sem. Muft he needs trouble me in't? Hum! He might have tried lord Lucius, or Lucullus, Whom he redeem'd from prifon; all these Serv. Oh, my Lord, 7 They've all been touch'd, and all are found bafe metal, For they have all deny'd him. Sem. How? deny'd him? Ventidius and Lucullus both deny'd him? And does he fend to me? three! hum It fhews but little love or judgment in him. Muft I be his laft refuge? His friends, like phyficians, And does he think fo backwardly of me, That I'll requite it laft? No. So it may prove an argument of laughter To th' reft, and I'mongst Lords be thought a fool. I'd rather than the worth of thrice the fum, He had fent to me first, but for my mind's fake; 9 I'd fuch a courage to do him good. But now return. And with their faint Reply this Anfwer join; [Exit. Serv. Excellent! your Lordship's a goodly villain. The devil knew not what he did, when he made man politick; he crofs'd himfeif by't; and I cannot think, but in the end the villanies of man will fat him clear. How fairly this Lord ftrives to appear foul takes virtuous copies to be wicked: like thofe 9 I'd fuch a courage] Such an ardour, fuch an eager defire. The devil knew not what he did,] I cannot but think that the negative net has intruded into this paffage, and the reader will think fo too, when he reads Dr. Warburton's explanation of the next words. 2 will fet him clear.] Set him clear does not mean acquit him before heaven; for then the Devil must be fuppofed to know what he did: But it fignifies puzzle him, outdo him at his own weapons. WARBURTON. How the devil, or any other being, fhould be fet clear by being puzzled and outdene, the commentator has not explained. When in a crowd we would have an opening made, we fay, Stard clear, that is, out of the way of danger. With fome affinity to this ufe, though not without that great harshness, to fit clear, may be to fet afide But I believe the original corruption is the infertion of the negative, which was obtruded by fome tranfcriber, who fuppofled coffed to mean thwarted, when it meant, exempted from evil. The ufe of crfing, by way of protection or purification, was probably not worn out in Shakspeare's time. The fenfe of jet clear is now eafy; he has no longer the guilt of tempting man. 3 takes virtuous copies to be wicked: Ike thefe, &c.] This is a reflection on the Puritans of that time. These people were then fet upon a project of newmodelling the ecclefiaft cal and civil government according to fcripture rules and examples. Which makes him fay, that der zeal for the word of God, they would fet whole realms on that under hot, ardent, zeal would fet whole Realms on fire. Of fuch 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 house. SCENE IV. Changes to TIMON'S Hall. [Exit. Enter Varro, Titus, Hortenfius, Lucius, and other fervants of Timon's creditors, who wait for his coming out. Var. ELL met, good morrow, Titus and Hortenfius. WELL Tit. The like to you, kind Varro. Hor. Lucius? What do we meet together? Luc. And, I think, one bufinefs does command Luc. So much? Phi. Is not my Lord feen yet? Luc. Not yet. Phi. I wonder he was wont to fhine at feven. Luc. Ay, but the days are waxed fhorter with him. You must confider that 3 a Prodigal's Course Is like the fun's, but not like his recoverable. 'Tis deepest winter in Lord Timon's purfe; One may reach deep enough, and yet find little. Tit. I'll fhew you how t' obferve a strange event. Your Lord fends now for money. Hor. True, he does. Tit. And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift, For which I wait for money. Hor. Against my heart. Luc. How ftrange it shows, Timon in this fhould pay more than he owes! Hor. * I'm weary of this charge, the Gods can witness. I know, my Lord hath fpent of Timon's wealth; And now ingratitude makes it worse than ftealth. Var. Yes, mine's three thoufand crowns; what's yours? Luc. Five thousand. Var. 'Tis too much deep, and it should seem by th' fum, Your mafter's confidence was above mine; -a Prodigal's courfe Is like the fur's] That is, like him in blaze and plendour. Soles occidere et redire pofunt. CATUL. I'm weary of this charge,] That is, of this commishon, of this employment. + Elfe, furely, his bad equall'd.] Should it not be, Elfe, furdy, mine had equall'd. Enter Enter Flaminius. Tit. One of Lord Timon's men. Luc. Flaminius! Sir, a word. Pray, is my Lord Ready to come forth? Flam. No, indeed, he is not. Tit. We attend his Lordship; pray, fignify so much. Flem. I need not tell him that, he knows you are too diligent. Enter Flavius in a cloak, muffled. Luc. Ha! is not that his Steward muffled fo? He goes away in a cloud. Call him, call him. Tit. Do you hear, Sir Var. By your leave, Sir. Flav. What do you afk of me, my friend? Flav. If money were as certain as your waiting, 'Twere fure enough. Why then preferr'd you not your fums and bills, Believe't, my Lord and I have made an end; I have no more to reckon, he to spend. [Exit. Var. How! what does his cafhier'd worship mutter? Tit. No matter, what. He's poor, and that's revenge enough. Who can speak broader than he that has no houfe to put his head in? Such may rail against great buildings. Enter |