1 Stran. Do you observe this, Hostilius?

2 Stran.

Ay, too well. 1 Stran. Why, this 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 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,-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.

I never tasted Timon in my life,

For mine own part,

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.-ATHENS. A Room in SEMPRONIUS' House.

Enter SEMPRONIUS and a Servant of TIMON'S.

Sem. Must he needs trouble me in't,-hum!-'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

Owe their estates unto him.

Serv.

My lord,

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? hum!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?
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 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 'mongst lords I be thought a fool.

I had rather than the worth of thrice the sum

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 cross'd 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 only the gods: 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.

[Exit.

SCENE IV.-ATHENS. A Hall in TIMON's House.

Enter two Servants of VARRO and the Servant of LUCIUS, meeting TITUS, HORTENSIUS, and other Servants of TIMON'S creditors, waiting his coming out.

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

Hor.

Lucius!

Ay, and I think

One business does command us all; for mine

Is money.

Tit. So is theirs and ours.

[sius.

Not yet.

Phi.

Luc. Serv.

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.

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.

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?

Both Var. Serv. By your leave, sir,

Flav. What do you ask of me, my friends?
Tit. We wait for certain money here, sir.
Flav.
Ay,

[Exit.

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:

Believ'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 serve '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 derive much from't; for, take't of my soul, my lord leans wondrously to discontent: his comfort able 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 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 passage? 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.

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,—

Tim. Cut my heart in sums.

Tit. Mine, fifty talents.

Tim. Tell out my blood.

Luc. Serv. Five thousand crowns, my lord.

Tim. Five thousand drops pays that.

What yours?—and yours?

1 Var. Ser. My lord,

2 Var. Ser. My lord,

Tim. Tear me, take me, and the gods fall upon you! [Exit. Hor. Faith, I perceive our masters may throw their caps at their money: these debts may well be called desperate ones, for a madman owes 'em. [Exeunt.

Re-enter TIMON and FLAVIUS.

Tim. They have e'en put my breath from me, the slaves. Creditors!-devils.

Flav. My dear lord,

Tim. What if it should be so?

Flam. My lord,

Tim. I'll have it so.-My steward!

Flav. Here, my lord.

Tim. So fitly? Go, bid all my friends again,

Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius; all:

I'll once more feast the rascals.

O my lord,

Flav.
You only speak from your distracted soul;
There is not so much left to furnish out

A moderate table.

Tim.

Be't not in thy care; go,

I charge thee, invite them all: let in the tide

Of knaves once more; my cook and I'll provide. [Exeunt.