Isid. Serv. Your steward puts me off, my servant: My mistress is one, and I am her fool.

Apem. Do it then, that we may account thee a whoremaster and a knave; which, notwithstandHow goes the world, that I am thus encoun-ing, thou shalt be no less esteemed.

Apem. That you ask me what you are, and do And that unaptness made your minister,

Flav. If you suspect my husbandry, or false-
Call me before the exactest auditors, [hood,
And set me on the proof. So the gods bless me,
When all our offices have been oppress'd
With riotous feeders; when our vaults have
wept

With drunken spilth of wine; when every room
Hath blaz'd with lights, and bray'd with min-
strelsy ;

I have retir'd me to a wasteful cock, t
And set mine eyes at flow.

Tim. Pr'ythee, no more.

Flav. Heavens, have I said, the bounty of
this lord!
[sants,
How many prodigal bits have slaves and pea-
This night englutted! Who is not Timon's?
What heart, head, sword, force, means, but is
lord Timon's?

Great Timon, noble, worthy, royal Timon?
Ah! when the means are gone, that buy this
praise,

The breath is gone whereof this praise is made:
Feast-won, fast-lost; one cloud of winter
showers,

These flies are couch'd

Tm. Come, sermon me no further:
No villanous bounty yet hath pass'd my heart;
Unwisely, not ignobly, have I given.

Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the conscience
lack,

To think I shall lack friends? Secure thy heart:
If I would broach the vessels of my love,
And try the argument ‡ of hearts by borrow-
ing,

Men, and men's fortunes, could I frankly use,
As I can bid thee speak.

Flav. Assurance bless your thoughts!

Tim. And, in some sort, these wants of mine
are crown'd

That I account them blessings; for by these
Shall I try friends: You shall perceive, how

you

Something hath been amiss-a noble nature
May catch a wrench-would all were well-'tis
pity--

And so intending other serious matters,
After distasteful looks, and these hard frac-
tions, t

With certain half-caps, and cold moving nods,
They froze me into silence.

Tim. You gods, reward them!

1 pr'ythee man, look cheerly; These old fel-
lows
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 SERV.] Pr'ythee, To
FLAVIUS,] be not sad,

Thou art true, and honest; ingeniously I speak,
No blame belongs to thee:-[To SERV.] Venti-
dius 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
Bid him suppose, some good necessity {me;
Touches his friend, which crave to be re-
member'd

With those five talents :-that had,-[To FLAV.]
give it these fellows

To

whom 'tis instant due. Ne'er speak, or think, [sink. That Timon's fortunes 'mong his friends can 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.

Mistake my fortunes; I am wealthy in my friends. SCENE 1.-The ame.-A Room in LUCULLUS' Within there, ho!-Flaminius! Servilius !

To lord Lucullus you: I hunted with his
Honour to-day ;-You, to Sempronius;
Commend me to their loves; and, I am proud,
say

That my occasions have found time to use them
Toward a supply of money: let the request
Be fifty talents.

Flam. As you have said, my lord.

Flav. Lord Lucius, and Lord Lucullus? humph!

[Aside. Tim. Go you, Sir, [To another SERV.] to the senators,

(Of whom, even to the state's best health, I
have

Deserv'd this hearing,) bid 'em send o'the instant
A thousand talents to me.

Flav. I have been bold,

(For that I knew it the most general way,)
To them to use your signet, and your name:
But they do shake their heads, and I am here
No richer in return.

Tim. Is't true? can it be?

Flav. They answer, in a joint and corporate voice,

That now they are at fall, want treasure,

not

Do what they would; are sorry-you are ourable,

House.

Serv. Here's my lord.

Lucul. [Aside.] Oue of Lord Timon's men? a gift, I warrant. Why, this hits right; I dreamt of a silver basin and ewer to-night. Flaminius, honest Flaminius; you are very respectively ¶ welcome, Sir.-Fill me some wine.-[Exit SERVANT.] And how does that honourable, complete, free-hearted gentleman of Athens, thy very bountiful good lord and master?

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.

Lucul. La, la, la, la,-nothing doubting, says he? alas, good lord! a noble gentleman 'tis, if he would not keep so good a house. Many a time and often I have dined with him, and told can-him on't: and come again to supper to him, of purpose to have him spend less; and yet he hon- would embrace no counsel, take no warning by my coming. Every man has his fault, and ho nesty is his; I have told him on't but I could never get him from it.

But yet they could have wish'd-they know not-but

• The apartments allotted to culinary offices, &c. A pipe with a turning stopple running to waste. If would, (says Timon,) by borrowing, try of what men's hearts are composed, what they have in them,&c. Dignified At an ebb.

Re-enter SERVANT, with wine.
Serv. Please your lordship, here is the wine.
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 towardly 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; [uess, And we alive, that liv'd?+ Fly, damned basefo 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
Unto his honour, has my lord's meat in him:
Why should it thrive, and turn to nutriment,
When he is turn'd to poison?

Oh! may diseases only work upon't!

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 sup.
ply 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.
his occasion were not virtuous,

If

I

should not urge it so half faithfully.
Luc. Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius ?
Ser. Upon my soul, 'tis true, Sir.

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 little part, and undo a great deal of honour ?-Servillius, now before the gods, I am not able to do't; the more beast, I say :was sending to use lord Timon myself these gentlemen can witness; but I would not, for the me bountifully to his good lordship; and I hope wealth of Athens, I had done it now. Commend 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.

And, when he is sick to death, let not that part True, as you said, Timon is shrunk, indeed:

of nature

SCENE II.-The same.-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 lord Timon's happy hours are done ¶ and past, and his estate shrinks from

biin.

Luc. Fie no, do not believe it; he cannot want for money.

Luc. I will look you out a good turn, Servilius.[Exit SERVILIUS. 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
My knowing, Tinion hath been this lord's father,
His friend, that digs in the same dish? for, in
Supported his estate; nay, Timon's money
And kept his credit with his purse;
Has paid his men their wages: He ne'er drinks,
But Timon's silver treads upon his lip;
And yet, (oh! 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,

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, urg-Nor came any of his bounties over me,
I never tasted Timon in my life,
ed 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 asham'd on't. Denied that honourable man? there was very litle honour show'd 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 comparing to his; yet, had he mistook him, and sent to me, I should ne'er have denied his occasion so many talents.

Enter SERVILIUS.

To mark me for his friend; yet, I protest,
For his right noble mind, illustrious virtue,
And honourable carriage,

I would have put my wealth into donation +
Had his necessity made use of me,
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 SEM-
PRONIUS' House.

Enter SEMPRONIUS, and a SERVANT of TI-
MON'S.

Sem. Must be needs trouble me in't? Humph!
'Bove all others?

Ser. See, by good hap, yonder's my lord; 1 have sweat to see his honour.-My honoured lord,[To LUCIUS. Fare thee well :-Commend me to thy honour-Whom he redeem'd from prison: All these three Luc. Servilius! you are kindly met, Sir. able-virtuous lord, my very exquisite friend.

He might have tried lord Lucius, or Lucullus ;
And now Ventidius is wealthy too,

Owe their estates unto him.
Serv. O my lord,

"If he did not want it for a good use."
† Presented it as a douation.

T

Phi. All our bills.

Seeing his reputation touch'e to death,
He did oppose his foe:

And with such sober and unnoted passion ⚫
He did behave + bis 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 quarelling
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
[lessly;

His outsides; wear them like his raiment, care-
And ne'er prefer his injuries to his heart,

Tim. Knock me down with 'em: cleave me To bring it into danger.

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 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 [Exeunt.

'em.

Re-enter TIMON and FLAVIUS.

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
Such valour in the bearing, what make we
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:

Tim. They have e'en put my breath from me, who cannot condemn rashness in cold blood?

the slaves:

Creditors!-devils.

Flav. My dear lord,

Tim. What if it should be so?

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.

To kill, I grant, is sin's extremest gust ;||
But, in defence, by mercy, 'tis most just. ¶
To be in auger, 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 SCENE V.-The same.-The Senate-House. Drowns him, and takes his valour prisoner : If there were no foes, that were enough alone The Senate sitting. Enter ALCIBIADES, at-To overcome him: in that beastly fury

tended.

He has been known to commit outrages,

1 Sen. My lord, you have my voice to it; the And cherish factions: 'Tis inferr'd to us, fault's

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,

Alcib. I am an humble suitor to your virtues; Take my deserts to his, and join them both:

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, t

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,

And, for I know, your reverend ages love
Security, I'll pawn my victories, all
My honour to you, upon his good returus.
If by this crime he owes the law his life,
Why, let the war receiv'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,
[ther,
On height of our displeasure: Friend, or bro-
He forfeits his own blood, that spills another.

Passion so moderated that no one could note its operation. + Manage. You undertake a Why do we take the field? Rashness. T1 call mercy to witness, that defensive violence is just.

A bill was also a battle-axe--Timon, therefore, paradox too hard. plays upon the word. With the exception of this ons set.