I have been bold, Flav. Tim. Is't true? can't be ? Flav. They answer, in a joint and corporate voice, That now they are at fall, want treasure, cannot Do what they would; are sorry-you are honour able, But yet they could have wish'd - they know not May catch a wrench would all were well- 'tis pity : And so, intending other serious matters, After distasteful looks, and these hard fractions, Tim. Thou art true and honest: ingeniously I speak, 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 me; Bid him suppose some good necessity Touches his friend, which craves to be remember'd With those five talents: that had, [to FLAV.] give it these fellows To whom 'tis instant due. Ne'er speak, or think, That Timon's fortunes 'mong his friends can sink. Flav. I would, I could not think it: that thought is bounty's foe ; Being free itself, it thinks all others so. [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I.-The Same. A Room in LUCULLUS's House. I FLAMINIUS waiting. Enter a Servant to him. SERVANT. HAVE told my lord of you; he is coming down to you. Flam. I thank you, sir. Enter LUCULLUS. Serv. Here's my lord. Lucullus. [Aside.] One of Lord Timon's men ? a gift, I warrant. Why, this hits right; I dreamt of a silver bason 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 ha' din'd with him, and told him on't; and come again to supper to him, of purpose to have him spend less, and yet he would embrace no counsel, take no warning by my coming. Every man has his fault, and honesty is his: I ha' told him on't, but I could ne'er get him from 't. Enter the Servant with wine. Serv. Please your lordship, here is the wine. Lucul. Flaminius, I have noted thee always wisc. 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 know'st well enough, although thou com'st 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, And we alive that liv'd? Fly, damned baseness, To 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, O you gods! O, may diseases only work upon't! And, when he's sick to death, let not that part of nature, Which my lord paid for, be of any power To expel sickness, but prolong his hour! [Exit. SCENE II. The Same. A Public Place. Enter LUCIUS, with three Strangers. Lucius. Who? the Lord Timon? he is my very good friend, and an honourable gentleman. 1 Stranger. 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 him. Luc. Fie! 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 talents; nay, urg'd extremely for't, and shewed what necessity belong'd to't, and yet was deni’d. Luc. How? 2 Stran. I tell you, deni'd, 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 little honour shew'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 deni'd his occasion so many talents. Enter SERVILIUS. Servilius. See, by good hap, yonder's my lord; I have sweat to see his honour. — My honour'd 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, think'st thou ? And what has he sent now? Ser. Has only sent his present occasion now, 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. |