And, when he is 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!*

SCENE II.-The same. A public place.

Enter LUCIUS, with three STRANGERS.

[Exit.

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 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, 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 honoured 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, thinkest thou? And what has he sent now?

Ser. He 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.

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.t

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, Í + Fervently.

* I. e. life.

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 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.

Luc. I will look you out a good turn, Servilius.

True, as you said, Timon is shrunk, indeed;
And he, that's once denied, will hardly speed.
1 Stran. Do you observe this, Hostilius?
2 Stran. Ay, too well.

1 Stran. Why this

[Exit SERVILIUS.

Is the world's soul; and just of the same piece
Is every flatterer's spirit. Who can call him
His friend, that dips in the same dish? for, in
My knowing, Timon hath 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 (O, 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.

[Exit LUCIUS.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.-The same. A Room in SEMPRONIUS' House. Enter SEMPRONIUS, and a SERVANT of TIMON'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,

*I. e. his means.

They have all been touch'd, and found base metal; for
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 judgment 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 disgraced 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 received 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. ||

SCENE IV-The same. A Hall in TIMON'S House.

Enter two_Servants of VARRO, and the meeting TITUS, HORTENSIUS, and other Creditors, waiting his coming out.

[Exit.

Servant of LUCIUS,
Servants to TIMON'S

Var. Serv. Well met; good-morrow, Titus and Hortensius. Tit. The like to you, kind Varro.

Hor. Lucius?

What, do we meet together?

Luc. Serv. Ay, and, I think,

One business does command us all; for mine

Is money.

Tit. So is theirs and ours.

I. e. thrive by him and then give him over.

+ Ardour, eager desire.

+ Crafty.

II. e. keep within doors for fear of duns.

Thwarted.

Luc. Serv. And Sir

Philotus too!

Enter PHILOTUS.

Phi. Good day at once.

Luc. Serv. Welcome, good brother. What do you think the hour?

Phi. Labouring for nine.

Luc. Serv. So much?

Phi. Is not my lord seen yet?

Luc. Serv. Not yet.

Phi. I wonder on't; he was wont to shine at seven.
Luc. Serv. Ay, but the days are wax'd 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.

Hor. Most true, he does.

Tit. And he wears jewels now, of Timon's gift, For which I wait for money.

Hor. It is against my heart.

Luc. Serv. Mark, how strange it shows,

Timon in this should pay more than he owes :

And e'en as if your lord should wear rich jewels,

And send for money for 'em.

Hor. I am weary of this charge,† the gods can witness:

I know, my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth,

And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth.

1 Var. Serv. Yes, mine's three thousand crowns: What's yours? Luc. Serv. Five thousand mine.

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 FLAMINIUS.

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?

* I. e. in blaze and splendour.

+ Commission, employment.

I.e. his debt.

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 the 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.

[Exit.

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 he 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 wondrously 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 opposed against my passage? Have I been ever free, and must my house

Be my retentive enemy, my jail :

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.

Both Var. Serv. And ours, my lord.

Phi. All our bills.

Tim. Knock me down with 'em :* cleave me to the girdle.
Luc. Serv. Alas, my lord,-

* A quibble upon written bills; bills or battle-axes.