Enter a third Servant with Sempronius. Sem. Muft he needs trouble me in't? 'bove all others?He might have tried lord Lucius, or Lucullus, And now Ventidius is wealthy too, Whom he redeem'd from prifon: All these three Ser. Oh, my lord, They've all been touch'd, and all are found base metal; For they have all deny'd him. Sem. How? deny'd him? Ventidius and Lucullus both deny'd him? And does he fend to me? three! hum It fhews but little love or judgment in him. Muft I be his last refuge? his friends, like physicians, (14) For, in my conscience, I was the first man That e'er received gift from him. And does he think fo backwardly of me, That I'll requite it last? no: So it may prove an argument of laughter To th' reft, and 'mongft lords I be thought a fool: H'ad fent to me first, but for my mind's fake: I'd fuch a courage to have done him good. But now return, And with their faint Reply this Anfwer join; Who bates mine honour, fhall not know my coin. [Exit. (14) bis Friends, like Phyficians Thriv'd, give him over?] I have reftor'd this old Reading, only amended the Pointing which was faulty. Mr. Pope fufpecting the Phrafe, has Substituted Three in the room of thriv'd, and fo difarm'd the Poet's Satire. Phyficians thriv'd is no more than Phyficians grown rich: Only the Adjective Paffive of this Verb, indeed, is not fo common in Ufe; and yet it is a familiar Expreffion, to this day, to say, Such a One is well thriven on bis Trade. Ser. Ser. Excellent! your lordship's a goodly villain. The devil knew not what he did, when he made man politick; he cross'd himfelf by't; and I cannot think, but in the end the villanies of man will fet him clear. How fairly this lord ftrives to appear foul? takes virtuous copies to be wicked: like thofe that under hot, ardent, zeal would fet whole Realms on fire. Of fuch a nature is his politick love. This was my lord's beft hope; now all are fled, And this is all a liberal course allows; Who cannot keep his wealth, must keep his house. SCENE changes to Timon's Hall. [Exit. Enter Varro, Titus, Hortenfius, Lucius, and other fervants of Timon's creditors, who wait for his com ing out. WELL met, good morrow, Titus and Hor Var. W tenfius. Tit. The like to you, kind Varro. Hor. Lucius, why do we meet together? Luc. I think, one business does command us all. For mine is mony. Tit. So is theirs, and ours. Enter Philo. Luc. And Sir Philo's too. Phi. Good day, at once. Luc. Welcome, good brother. What d'you think the hour? Phi. Labouring for nine. Luc. So much? Phi. Is not my lord seen yet? 1 Luc. Not yet. Phi. I wonder: he was wont to fhine at feven. Luc. Ay, but the days are waxed shorter with him: You must confider that a Prodigal's Course Is like the fun'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 Phi. I am of your fear for that. Tit. I'll fhew you how t' observe a strange event: Your lord fends now for mony. Hor. True, he does. Tit. And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift, For which I wait for mony. Hor. Againft my heart. Luc. How ftrange it shows, Timon in this should pay more than he owes! Hor. I'm weary of this charge, the Gods can witnefs: I know, my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth; Ingratitude now makes it worse than stealth. Var. Yes, mine's three thoufand crowns: what's yours? Luc. Five thousand. Var. 'Tis too much deep, and it should seem by th' fum, Your mafter's confidence was above mine; Elfe, furely, his had equall'd. Enter Flaminius. Tit. One of lord Timon's men. Luc. Flaminius! Sir, a word: pray, is my lord Ready to come forth? Flam. No, indeed, he is not. Tit. We attend his lordship; pray, fignifie fo much. Flam. I need not tell him that, he knows you are too diligent. Enter Flavius in a cloak, muffled. Luc. Ha! is not that his Steward muffled fo? He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him. VOL. VI. G Tir Tit. Do you hear, Sir Var. By your leave, Sir. Fla. What do you ask of me, my friend? Tit. We wait for certain mony here, Sir. Why then preferr'd you not your fums and bills, Believe't, my lord and I have made an end; Luc. Ay, but this answer will not ferve. Fla. If 'twill not ferve, tis not fo bafe as you; ferve knaves. For you [Exit. Var. How! what does his cashier'd worship mutter? Tit. No matter, what he's poor, and that's revenge enough. Who can fpeak broader than he that has no houfe to put his head in? Such may rail against great Buildings. Enter Servilius. Tit. Oh, here's Servilius; now we shall have fome anfwer. Ser. If I might befeech you, gentlemen, to repair fome other hour, Ifhould derive much from it. take it of my foul, My lord leans wondroufly to difcontent: His comfortable temper has forfook him, He is much out of health, and keeps his chamber. Methinks, 'he fhould the fooner pay his debts, And make a clear way to the Gods. Ser. Good Gods! Tit. We cannot take this for an answer. For Flam. [within.] Servilius, help-my lord! my tord. J Enter Enter Timon, in a rage. Tim. What, are my doors oppos'd againft my passage? Have I been ever free, and muft my house Be my retentive enemy, my goal? The place, which I have feafted, does it now, Tit. My lord, here's my bill. Luc. Here's mine. Var. And mine, my lord. Cap. And ours, my lord. Phi. And our bills. Tim. Knock me down with 'em the girdle. Luc. Alas! my lord. Tim. Cut out my heart in fums. Tit. Mine, fifty talents. Tim. Tell out my blood. Luc. Five thoufand crowns, my lord. What yours and yours? Var. My lord Cap. My lord -cleave me to Tim. Here tear me, take me, and the Gods fall on you. [Exit. Hor. Faith, I perceive, our Masters may throw their caps at their mony; thefe debts may be well call'd defperate ones, for a mad man owes 'em. i Re-enter Timon and Flavius. [Exeunt. Tim. They have e'en put my breath from me, the flaves. Creditors! Fla. My dear lord, devils. |