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

crown'd, 5

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.

Sero. My lord, my lord,

Tim. I will despatch you severally. -You, to lord

Lucius,

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 sena

tors,

(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?

5 Dignified, made respectable.

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-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, 8
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

FLAVIUS,] 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;
Bid him suppose, some good necessity

Touches his friend, which craves to be remember'd

6 i. e. At an ebb.

7 Intending, had anciently the samemeaning as attending. 8 Broken hints, abrupt remarks.

A half-cap is a cap slightly moved, not put off.

■ For ingenuously.

3

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

FLAMINIUS waiting. Enter a Servant to him.

Serv. 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. [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, freehearted 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,

E

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 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 him 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, 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;

And we alive, that liv'd? 5 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,
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?

O, may diseases only work upon't!

And, when he is sick to death, let not that part of

nature

Which my lord paid for, be of any power

[Exit.

To expel sickness, but prolong his hour!7

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.

E2

5 i. e. And we who were alive then, alive now.

Suffering; "By his bloody cross and passion." Liturgy.