The Plays of William Shakespeare

No villanous bounty yet hath pass'd my heart;
Unwisely, not ignobly, have I given.

Flav. I would, 'I could not think it; That thought
is bounty's foe;

Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the conscience lack,|| Being free itself, it thinks all others so.
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 borrowing,
Men, and men's fortunes, could 1 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
Mistake my fortunes; I am wealthy in my friends.
Within there, ho!-Flaminius! Servilius!

Enter Flaminius, Servilius, and other Servants.

Tim.

Is't true? can it 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 honourable,-
But yet they could have wish'd-they know not-but
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 fractions,
With certain half-caps, and cold-moving nods,
They froze me into silence.

Tim.
You gods reward them!-
I pr'ythee, man, look cheerly; These old fellows
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 Flav.]
be not sad,

Thou art true, and honest; ingeniously I speak,
No blame belongs to thee:-[To Serv.] Ventidius 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;
Bil him suppose some good necessity
Touches his friend, which craves to be remember'd
With those five talents :-that had, [To Flavius.] give
it these fellows,

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

ACT IIL

SCENE I-The same.

Flaminius waiting.

[Exeunt.

A Room in Lucullus's House. Enter a Servant to him. Servant.

I HAVE told my lord of you, he is coming down to

you.

Flam. I thank you. sir.

Enter Lucullus.

Serv. Here's my lord.

Lucul. [4side.] 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! noble gentleman 'tis, if he would not keep so good a house. Many a time and often I have dined 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 have told him on't, but I could never get hin from it.

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, it 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 bountifulgentleman: but thou art wise, and thou knowest well enongh, 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.

Flum. 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 awey.
Lucul. Ha! now, I see, thou art a fool, and fit foc
thy master.
[Exit Lucellus
Flum, May these add to the number that may stald
thee!

Let molten coin he 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,

Is the world's soul; And just of the same piece

Luc. Who, the lord Timon? he is my very good Is every flatterer's spirit. Who can call him 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 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 talents; 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 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.

Ser. 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 sentLuc. 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?

His friend, that dips in the same dish? for, in
My knowing, Timon has been this lord's father,
And kept his credit with his purse;
Supported his estate; nay, Timon's money
Has paid his men their wages: He ne'er drinks,
But Timon's silver treads upon his lip;
And yet, (0, 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,

I never tasted Timon in my life,
Nor came any of his bounties over me,
To mark me for his friend; yet, I protest,
For his right noble mind, illustrious virtue,
And honourable carriage,

Had his necessity made use of me,

I would have put my wealth into donation,
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 Sempronius's
House. Enter Sempronius, and a Servant of Ti

mon's.

Sem. Must he needs trouble me in't? Humph! '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 three
Owe their estates unto him.
Serv.

O my lord,

Ser. He has only sent his present occasion now, my lord; requesting your lordship to supply his instantThey have all been touch'd, and found base metal; for 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?
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?-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

They have all denied him.

Sem. How! have they denied him?
Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him?
And does he send to me? Three? humph!-
It shows but little love or judgement in him.

Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physicians,
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;
For, in my conscience, I was the first man
That e'er receiv'd gift from him:
And does he think so backwardly of me now,
That I'll requite it last? No: So it may prove
An argument of laughter to the rest,
And I amongst the lords be thought a fool.
I had rather than the worth of thrice the sum,
He 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;

Who bates mine honour, shall not know my coin.

[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 villanies 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 politic love. This was my lord's best hope; now all are fled, Save the gods only: Now his friends are dead, Doors, that were ne'er acquainted with their wards 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.

Phi. I wonder on't; he was wont to shine at seven. Luc. Serv. Ay, but the days are waxed shorter with him:

You must consider, that a prodigal course

Is like the sun's; 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.

Phi. I am of your fear for that.

Tit. I'll show you how to observe a strange event. Your lord sends now for money.

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.

Enter Flaminius.

Tit. One of lord Timon's men.

Luc. Serv. Flaminius! sir, a word: 'Pray, is my lord ready to come forth?

Flam. No, indeed, he is not.

Tit. We attend his lordship; 'pray, signify so much. Flam. I need not tell him that; he knows, you are too diligent. [Exit Flam.

Enter Flavius in a cloak, muffled,
Luc. Serv. Ha! is not that his steward muffled so?
He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him.
Tit. Do you hear, sir?

1 Var. Serv. By your leave, sir,————
Flav. What do you ask of me, my friend?
Tit. We wait for certain money here, sir.
Flav. 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.
Flav.

If 'twill not,

'Tis not so base as you; For you serve knaves. [Erit. 1 Var. Serv. How! what does his cashier'd worship mutter?

2 Var. Serv. No matter what; he's poor, and that's revenge enough. Who can speak broader than be that has no house to put his head in? Such may rail against great buildings.

Enter Servilius.

Tit. O, here's Servilius; now we shall know Some answer.

Ser. If I might beseech you, gentlemen,
To repair some other hour, I should much
Derive from it: for, take it on my soul,
My lord leans wond'rously to discontent.
His comfortable temper has forsook him;

He is much out of health, and keeps his chamber.
Luc. Serv. Many do keep their chambers, are not

sick;

And, if it be so far beyond his health,

Methinks, he should the sooner pay his debts,

And make a clear way to the gods.

Ser.
Good gods!
Tit. We cannot take this for an answer, sir.
Flam. [Within.] Servilius, help!-my lord! my

lord!

Enter Timon, in a rage; Flaminius following. Tim. What, are my doors oppos'd against my pas

sage?

Have I been ever free, and must my house
Be my retentive enemy, my gaol?
The place, which I have feasted, does it now,
Like all mankind, show me an iron heart?
Luc. Serv. Put in now, Titus.
Tit. My lord, here is my bill.
Luc. Serv. Here's mine.
Hor. Serv. And mine, my lord.

SCENE V-The same. The Senate-House. The Senate sitting. Enter Alcibiades, attended.

1 Sen. My lord, you have my voice to it; the fault's Bloody; 'tis necessary he should die: Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.

2 Sen. Most true; the law shall bruise him. Alcib. Honour, health, and compassion to the senate! 1 Sen. Now, captain?

Alcib. I am an humble suitor to your virtues;
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,
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,
Seeing his reputation touch'd to death,
He did oppose his foe:

And with such sober and unnoted passion
He did behave his 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 quarrelling 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 His outsides; wear them like his raiment, carelessly; And ne'er prefer his injuries to his heart,

To bring it into danger.

If wrongs he 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:

Who cannot condemn rashness in cold blood!

To kill, I grant, is sin's extremest gust;

But, in defence, by mercy, 'tis most just.

To be in anger, 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
Drowns him, and takes his valour prisoner:
If there were no foes, that were enough alone
To overcome him: in that beastly fury
He has been known to commit outrages,
And cherish factions: 'Tis inferr'd to us,
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,
Take my deserts to his, and join them both:
And, for 1 know, your reverend ages love
Security, I'll pawn my victories, all
My honour to you, upon his good returns.
If by this crime he owes the law his life,
Why, let the war receive'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, On height of our displeasure: Friend, or brother, He forfeits his own blood, that spills another.

Alcib. Must it be so? it must not be. My lords, I do beseech you, know me.

Only in bone, that none may look on you!

I am worse than mad: I have kept back their foes,
While they have told their money, and let out
Their coin upon large interest; I myself,
Rich only in large hurts:-All those, for this?
Is this the balsam, that the usuring senate
Pours into captains' wounds? ha! banishment?
It comes not ill, I hate not to be banish'd;
It is a cause worthy my spleen and fury,
That I may strike at Athens. I'll cheer up
My discontented troops, and lay for hearts.
'Tis honour, with most lands to be at odds;
Soldiers should brook as little wrongs, as gods. [Exit.

SCENE VI.-A magnificent Room in Timon's House,
Music. Tables set out: Servants attending. Enter

divers Lords at several doors.

1 Lord. The good time of day to you, sir.

2 Lord. I also wish it to you. I think, this honour able lord did but try us this other day.

1 Lord. Upon that were my thoughts tiring, when we encountered: I hope, it is not so low with him, as he made it seem, in the trial of his several friends,

2 Lord. It should not be, by the persuasion of his new feasting.

1 Lord. I should think so: He hath sent me an 1 earnest inviting, which many my near occasions did urge me to put off: but he hath conjured me beyond. them, and I must needs appear.

2 Lord. In like manner was I in debt to my importunate business, but he would not hear my excuse. I am sorry, when he sent to borrow of me, that my provision was out.

1 Lord. I am sick of that grief too, as I understand how all things go.

2 Lord. Every man here's so, What would he have borrowed of you?

1 Lord. A thousand pieces.

2 Lord. A thousand pieces!

1 Lord. What of you?

3 Lord. He sent to me, sir,-Here he comes. Enter Timon and Attendants.

Tim. With all my heart, gentlemen both :-And how fare you?

1 Lord. Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship.

2 Lord. The swallow follows not summer more will ing, than we your lordship.

Tim. [Aside.] Nor more willingly leaves winter; such summer-birds are men.-Gentlemen, our dinner will not recompense this long stay: feast your ears with the music awhile; if they will fare so harshly on the trumpet's sound: we shall to't presently.

Lord. I hope it remains not unkindly with your lordship, that I returned you an empty messenger. Tim. O, sir, let it not trouble you.

2 Lord. My noble lord,

can yield it.

1 Lord. How do you? what's the news?

3 Lord. Alcibiades is banish'd: Hear you of it? 162 Lord. Alcibiades banished!

3. Lord. "Tis so, be sure of it.

1 Lord. How? how?

2 Lord. I pray you, upon what?

Tim. My worthy friends will you draw near?

3 Lord. I'll tell you more anon. Here's a noble feast toward.

2 Lord. This is the old man still. 3 Lord. Will't hold? willt hold?

2 Lord. It does: but time will-and so

3 Lord. I do conceive.

Tim. Each man to his stool, with that spur as he would to the lip of his mistress: your diet shall be in all places alike. Make not a city feast of it, to let the meat cool ere we can agree upon the first place: Sit, sit. The gods require our thanks.

You great benefactors, sprinkle our society with thankfulness. For your own gifts, make yourselves praised: but reserve still to give, lest your deities be despised. Lend to each man enough, that one need not lend to another; for, were your godheads to borrow of men, men would forsake the gods. Make the meat be beloved, more than the man that gives it. Let no as sembly of twenty be without a score of villains: If there sit twelve women at the table, let a dozen of them beas they are-The rest of your fees, O gods,-the senaters of Athens, together with the common lag of peoplewhat is amiss in them, you gods, make suitable for do struction. For these my present friends, as they are to me nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to nothing they are welcome..

water

Is your perfection. This is Timon's last;
Who stuck and spangled you with flatteries,
Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces

[Throwing water in their facet
Your reeking villany. Live loath'd, and long,
Most smiling, smooth, detested parasites,
Courteous destroyers, affable wolves, meek bears,
You fools of fortune, trencher-friends, time's flies,
Cap and knee slaves, vapours, and minute-jacks!
Of man, and beast, the infinite malady
Crust you quite o'er!-What, dost thou go?
Soft, take thy physic first-thou too,-and thou;-

[Throws the dishes at them, and drives them out. Stay, I will lend thee money, borrow none.— What, all in motion? Henceforth be no feast, Whercat a villain's not a welcome guest. Burn, house; sink, Athens! henceforth hated be

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Livros

The Plays of William Shakespeare, Volume 1