Enter a Senator, with papers in his hand.
Sen. And late, five thousand to Varro; and to
Isidore

He owes nine thousand; besides my former sum,
Which makes it five and twenty. Still in motion
Of raging waste? It canot hold; it will not.
If I want gold, steal but a beggar's dog,
And give it Timon, why, the dog coins gold:
If I would sell my horse, and buy twenty more
Better than he, why, give my horse to Timon,
Ask nothing, give it him, it foals me, straight,
And able horses: No porter at his gate;
But rather one that smiles, and still invites
All that pass by. It cannot hold; no reason
Can found his state in safety. Caphis, ho!
Caphis, I say!
Enter CAPHIS.

Caph.

Sen.

Caph. Here, sir; What is your pleasure? Sen. Get on your cloak, aud haste you to lord Timon; Impórtune him for my monies; be not ceas'd With slight denial; nor then silenc'd, whenCommend me to your master-and the cap Plays in the right hand thus:—but tell him, sirrah, My uses cry to me, I must serve my turn Out of mine own; his days and times are past, And my reliances on his fracted dates Have smit my credit: I love, and honour him; But must not break my back, to heal his finger: Immediate are my needs; and my relief Must not be toss'd and turn'd to me in words, But find supply immediate. Get you gone : Put on a most importanate aspéct, A visage of demand; for, I do fear, When every feather sticks in his own wing, Lord Timon will be left a naked gull, Which flashes now a phoenix. Get you gone. Caph. I go,

sir.

Sen. I go, sir?-take the bonds along with you, And have the dates in compt.

I will, sir.

Go. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same. Hall in Timon's house. Enter FLAVIUS, with many bills in his hand. Flav. No care, no stop! so senseless of That he will neither know how to maintain it, Nor cease his flow of riot: Takes no account How things go from him; nor resumes no care Of what is to continue: Never mind

expense,

Was to be so unwise, to be so kind.
What shall be done? He will not hear, till feel:
I must be round with him, now he comes from hunt-
Fy, fy, fy, fy!

[ing.
Enter CAPHIS, and the Servants of Isidore and
Varro.
Good-even, Varro: What,

Caph. You come for money? Var. Serv. Is't not your business too? Caph. It is ;-and yours too, Isidore? Isid. Serv.

Caph. 'Would we were all discharg'd! Var. Serv.

Caph. Here comes the lord.

It is so.

I fear it.

Caph. Please it your lordship, he hath put me off My master is awak'd by great occasion, To the succession of new days this month: To call upon his own; and humbly prays you, That with your other noble parts you'll suit, In giving him his right.

Tim,

Enter TIMON, ALCIBIADES, and Lords, &c. Tim. So soon as dinner's done, we'll forth again, My Alcibiades.-With me? What's your will? Caph. My lord, here is a note of certain dues. Tim. Dues? Whence are you? Caph. Of Athens here, my lord. Tim. Go to my steward.

Mine honest friend, I pr'ythee, but repair to me next morning. Caph. Nay, good my lord,

Tim.

Contain thyself, good friend. Var. Serv. One Varro's servant, my good lord,Isid. Serv. From Isidore;

He humbly prays your speedy payment,Caph. If you did know, my lord, my master's wants,[weeks, Var. Serv. 'Twas due on forfeiture, my lord, six And past,

Isid. Serv. Your steward puts me off, my lord; And I am sent expressly to your lordship. Tim. Give me breath :

I do beseech you, good my lords, keep on; [Exeunt Alcibiades and Lords. I'll wait upon you instantly.-Come hither, pray you; (To Flavius.) How goes the world, that I am thus encounter'd With clamorous demands of date-broke bonds, And the detention of long-since-due debts, Against my honour?

Flav.

Please you, gentlemen, The time is unagreeable to this business: Your importunacy cease, till after dinner; That I may make his lordship understand Wherefore you are not paid.

Tim.

See them well entertain'd.
Flav.

Do so, my friends: [Exit. I pray, draw near. [Exit.

Enter APEMANTUS and a Fool.

Caph. Stay, stay, here comes the fool with Apemantus; let's have some sport with 'em.

Var. Serv. Hang him, he'll abuse us. Isid. Serv. A plague upon him, dog! Var. Serv. How dost, fool? Apem. Dost dialogue with thy shadow? Var. Serv. I speak not to thee. Apem. No; 'tis to thyself.-Come away. (To the Fool.) Isid. Serv. (To Var. Serv.) There's the fool hangs on your back already.

Apem. No, thou stand'st single, thou art not on him yet.

Caph. Where's the fool now?

Apem. He last asked the question.-Poor rogues, and usurers' men! bawds between gold and want! All Serv. What are we, Apemantus?

Apem. Asses,

All Serv. Why!

Apem. That you ask me what you are, and do not know yourselves. Speak to 'em, fool. Fool. How do you, gentlemen? [mistress? All Serv. Gramercies, good fool: How does your Fool. She's e'en setting on water to scald such chickens as you are. 'Would, we could see you at Corinth.

Apem. Good! Gramercy.

Enter Page.

Fool. Look you, here comes my mistress' page. Page. (To the Fool.) Why, how now, captain? what do you in this wise company ?-How dost thou, Apemantus?

Apem. 'Would I had a rod in my mouth, that I might answer thee profitably.

Page. Pr'ythee, Apemantus, read me the superscription of these letters; I know not which is which. Apem. Canst not read? Page. No.

Apem. There will little learning die then, that

day thou art hanged. This is to lord Timon; this to Alcibiades. Go; thou wast born a bastard, and thou'lt die a bawd.

Page. Thou wast whelped a dog; and thou shalt famish, a dog's death. Answer not, I am gone.

[Exit Page. Apem. Even so thou out-run'st grace. Fool, I will go with you to lord Timon's.

Fool. Will you leave me there?

Apem. If Timon stay at home.-You three serve three usurers?

All Serv. Ay; 'would they serv'd us! Apem. So would I.-as good a trick as ever hangman served thief.

Fool. Are you three usurers' men?
All Serv. Ay, fool.

Fool. I think, no usurer but has a fool to his servant: My mistress is one, and I am her fool. When men come to borrow of your masters, they approach sadly, and go away merry; but they enter my mistress' house merrily, and go away sadly: The reason of this?

Var. Serv. I could render one.

Apem. Do it then, that we may account thee a whoremaster, and a knave; which, notwithstanding, thou shalt be no less esteemed.

Var. Serv. What is a whoremaster, fool? Fool. A fool in good clothes, and something like thee. Tis a spirit: sometime, it appears like a lord; sometime, like a lawyer; sometime, like a philosopher, with two stones more than his artificial one: He is very often like a knight; and, gerally in all shapes, that man goes up and down in, from fourscore to thirteen, this spirit walks in.

Var. Serv. Thou art not altogether a fool. Fool. Nor thou altogether a wise man as much foolery as I have, so much wit thou lackest. Apem. That answer might have become Ape

mantus.

All Serv. Aside, aside: here comes lord Timon. Re-enter TIMON and FLAVIUS.

Apem. Come with me, fool, come. Fool. I do not always follow lover, elder brother, and woman; sometime, the philosopher. [Exeunt Apemantus and Fool. Flav. Pray you, walk near, I'll speak with you [Exeunt Serv. Tim. You make me marvel: Wherefore, ere this time,

anon.

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.
Tim.

Come, sermon me no further: No villanous bounty yet hath pass'd my heart; Unwisely, not ignobly, have I given. Clack, Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the conscience 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 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
Mistake my fortunes; I am wealthy in my friends.
Within there, ho!-Flaminius! Servilius!
Enter FLAMINIUS, SERVILIUS, and other Servants.
Serv. 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!
(A side.)
Tim. Go you, sir, (to another Serv.) to the se-

nators, (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, cannot Do what they would; are sorry--you are honourable,[but But yet they could have wish'd-they know notSomething hath been amiss-a noble nature May catch a wrench-would all were well-'tis pityAnd 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,
Flavius) be not sad,

(To

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
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 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, 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, 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 fornish 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 hin, 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 worid 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,
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 be is turn'd to poison?

O, may diseases only work upon't! [nature,
And, when he is sick to death, let not that part of
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.

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. Fy 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 Lucullas, to borrow so many talents; nay, urged extremely for't, and shewed 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 nourable man? there was very little honour shewed the gods, I am ashamed on't. Denied that hoin'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 honourablevirtuous lord, my very exquisite friend. [sent

Sev. May it please your honour, my lord hath 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. 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.

Luc. Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius ?
Ser. Upon my soul, 'tis true, sir.

Luc. What a wicked beast was I, to disfurnish