Had you not fully laid my state before me,
That I might so have rated my expense130
As I had leave of means?
FLAVIUS You would not hear me:
At many leisures I proposed.133
TIMON Go to:134
Perchance some single vantages135 you took
When my indisposition put you back,136
And that unaptness made your minister137
Thus to excuse yourself.
FLAVIUS O my good lord,
At many times I brought in my accounts,
Laid them before you: you would throw them off,
And say, you found them in mine honesty.142
When for some trifling present you have bid me
Return so much, I have shook my head and wept:
Yea, gainst th'authority of manners145 prayed you
To hold your hand more close146. I did endure
Not seldom, nor no slight checks147 when I have
Prompted you in148 the ebb of your estate
And your great flow of debts. My loved lord,
Though you hear now too late, yet now's a time:150
The greatest of your having lacks a half151
To pay your present debts.
TIMON Let all my land be sold.
FLAVIUS 'Tis all engaged154, some forfeited and gone,
And what remains will hardly stop155 the mouth
Of present dues. The future comes apace:156
What shall defend the interim, and at length157
How goes our reck'ning?158
TIMON To Lacedaemon159 did my land extend.
FLAVIUS O, my good lord, the world is but a word:
Were it all yours to give it in a breath,
How quickly were it gone!
TIMON You tell me true.
FLAVIUS If you suspect my husbandry or falsehood,164
Call me before th'exactest auditors165
And set me on the proof166. So the gods bless me,
When all our offices have been oppressed167
With riotous feeders, when our vaults168 have wept
With drunken spilth169 of wine, when every room
Hath blazed with lights and brayed with minstrelsy,170
I have retired me to a wasteful cock,171
And set mine eyes at flow.172
TIMON Prithee, no more.
FLAVIUS Heavens, have I said, the bounty of this lord!
How many prodigal bits have slaves175 and peasants
This night englutted! Who is not Timon's?176
What heart, head, sword, force, means, but is
Lord Timon's?
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;182 one cloud of winter show'rs,
These flies are couched.183
TIMON Come, sermon184 me no further:
No villainous185 bounty yet hath passed my heart;
Unwisely, not ignobly, have I given.
Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the conscience187 lack,
To think I shall lack friends? Secure thy heart:
If I would broach189 the vessels of my love
And try the argument of hearts190 by borrowing,
Men and men's fortunes could I frankly191 use
As I can bid thee speak.
FLAVIUS Assurance bless your thoughts!193
TIMON And in some sort these wants of mine are crowned194
That I account195 them blessings, for by these
Shall I try friends: you shall perceive how you
Mistake my fortunes. I am wealthy in my friends.--
Calls
Within there, Flaminius, Servilius!
Enter three Servants
SERVANTS My lord, my lord.
To Servilius
TIMON I will dispatch you severally200: you to Lord
To Flaminius
Lucius,-- to Lord Lucullus you -- I hunted with
To Third Servant
his honour today--you to Sempronius.
Commend me to their loves, and I am proud, say, that my
occasions have found time to use 'em toward204 a supply of
money: let the request be fifty talents.
FLAMINIUS As you have said, my lord.
[Exeunt the Servants]
Aside
FLAVIUS Lord Lucius and Lucullus? Hum!207
TIMON Go you, sir, to the senators --
Of whom, even to the state's best health,209 I have
Deserved this hearing -- bid 'em send o'th'instant
A thousand talents to me.
FLAVIUS I have been bold --
For that I knew it the most general213 way --
To them to use your signet214 and your name,
But they do shake their heads, and I am here
No richer in return.
TIMON Is't true? Can't be?
FLAVIUS They answer in a joint and corporate218 voice
That now they are at fall, want219 treasure, cannot
Do what they would, are sorry, you are honourable,
But yet they could have wished -- they know not --
Something hath been amiss, a noble nature
May catch a wrench223 -- would all were well -- 'tis pity.
And so, intending224 other serious matters,
After distasteful looks and these hard fractions,225
With certain half-caps and cold-moving226 nods
They froze me into silence.
TIMON You gods reward them!
Prithee, man, look cheerly229. These old fellows
Have their ingratitude in them hereditary:230
Their blood is caked231, 'tis cold, it seldom flows:
'Tis lack of kindly232 warmth they are not kind;
And nature, as it grows again toward earth,233
Is fashioned for the journey, dull234 and heavy.--
To a Servant/To Flavius
Go to Ventidius.-- Prithee be not sad:
Thou art true and honest; ingeniously236 I speak.
To Servant
No blame belongs to thee.-- Ventidius lately
Buried his father, by whose death he's stepped238
Into a great estate: when he was poor,
Imprisoned and in scarcity of friends,
I cleared him with five talents. Greet him from me,
Bid him suppose some good necessity242
Touches his friend, which craves to be remembered
With those five talents.--
[Exit Servant]
To Flavius
That had, give't these fellows
To whom 'tis instant due. Ne'er speak or think
That Timon's fortunes 'mong his friends can sink.
FLAVIUS I would I could not think it: that thought is bounty's247
foe;
Being free249 itself, it thinks all others so.
Exeunt
[Act 3 Scene 1]
running scene 5
[Enter] Flaminius waiting to speak with a Lord from his master, enters a Servant to him
SERVANT I have told my lord of you: he is coming down to
you.
FLAMINIUS I thank you, sir.
Enter Lucullus
SERVANT Here's my lord.
Aside
LUCULLUS One of Lord Timon's men? A gift, I warrant.5
Why, this hits right: I dreamt of a silver basin and ewer6
tonight7.-- Flaminius, honest Flaminius, you are very
To Servant
respectively8 welcome, sir.-- Fill me some wine.--
And how does that honourable, complete, free-hearted9
gentleman of Athens, thy very bountiful
[Exit Servant]
good lord and master?
FLAMINIUS His health is well sir.
LUCULLUS I am right glad that his health is well, sir. And what
ha
st thou there under thy cloak, pretty14 Flaminius?
FLAMINIUS Faith, nothing but an empty box, sir, which in15 my
lord's behalf I come to entreat your honour to supply16, who,
having great and instant occasion to use fifty talents, hath
sent to your lordship to furnish him, nothing18 doubting your
present19 assistance therein.
LUCULLUS La, la, la, la!20 'Nothing doubting' says he? Alas, good
lord! A noble gentleman 'tis, if he would not keep so good a21
house. Many a time and often I ha' dined with him, and told
him on't23, and come again to supper to him of purpose to
have him spend less, and yet he would embrace24 no counsel,
take no warning by my coming. Every man has his fault, and
honesty26 is his: I ha' told him on't, but I could ne'er get him
from't.
Enter Servant with wine
SERVANT Please your lordship, here is the wine.
Toasts
LUCULLUS Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise.
Here's to thee.
FLAMINIUS Your lordship speaks your pleasure.31
LUCULLUS I have observed thee always for a towardly prompt32
spirit, give33 thee thy due, and one that knows what belongs
to reason; and canst use the time well34, if the time use
To Servant
thee well. Good parts35 in thee.-- Get you gone,
sirrah36.--
[Exit Servant]
Draw nearer, honest Flaminius. Thy lord's a bountiful
gentleman, but thou art wise, and thou know'st well enough
-- although thou com'st to me -- that this is no time to lend
Gives money
money, especially upon bare40 friendship without
security. Here's three solidares for thee. Good boy, wink41 at me
and say thou saw'st me not. Fare thee well.
FLAMINIUS Is't possible the world should so much differ,43
And we alive that lived? Fly, damned baseness,
Throws back the money
To him that worships thee.
LUCULLUS Ha? Now I see thou art a fool, and fit for thy master.
Exit
FLAMINIUS May these add to the number that may scald47 thee!
Let molten coin be thy damnation,48
Thou disease of a friend, and not himself!49
Has friendship such a faint and milky50 heart,
It turns51 in less than two nights? O you gods,
I feel my master's passion!52 This slave
Unto his honour has my lord's meat in him:53
Why should it thrive and turn to nutriment,54
When he is turned to poison?
O, may diseases only work upon't!
And when he's 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.59
Exit
[Act 3 Scene 2]
running scene 6
Enter Lucius with three Strangers
LUCIUS Who, the Lord Timon? He is my very good friend,
and an honourable gentleman.
FIRST STRANGER We know him for3 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.
LUCIUS Fie, no, do not believe it: he cannot want for money.
SECOND STRANGER 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't12, and yet was denied.
LUCIUS How?13
SECOND STRANGER I tell you, denied, my lord.
LUCIUS 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 him20 and sent to me, I
should ne'er have denied his occasion21 so many talents.
Enter Servilius
Aside
SERVILIUS See, by good hap22, yonder's my lord:
I have sweat23 to see his honour.-- My honoured lord.
To Lucius
LUCIUS Servilius! You are kindly met, sir. Fare thee well:
commend me to thy honourable virtuous lord, my very
exquisite26 friend.
SERVILIUS May it please your honour, my lord hath sent--
LUCIUS Ha? What has he sent? I am so much endeared28 to
that lord; he's ever sending: how shall I thank him, think'st
thou? And what has he sent now?
SERVILIUS Has only sent his present occasion31 now, my lord,
requesting your lordship to supply his instant use32 with so
many talents.
Presents a note
LUCIUS I know his lordship is but merry34 with me:
Reads the note
He cannot want fifty-- five hundred talents!
SERVILIUS But in the meantime he wants less, my lord.
If his occasion were not virtuous,37
I should not urge it half so faithfully.
LUCIUS Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius?
SERVILIUS Upon my soul, 'tis true, sir.
LUCIUS What a wicked beast was I to disfurnish myself41
against such a good time, when I might ha' shown myself
honourable! How unluckily it happened that I should
purchase the day before for a little part, and undo a great44
deal of honour. Servilius, now before the gods, I am not able
to do -- the more beast, I say -- I was sending to use46 Lord
Timon myself -- these gentlemen can witness -- but I would47
not, for the wealth of Athens, I had done't now. Commend
me bountifully to his good lordship, and I hope his honour
will conceive the fairest50 of me because I have no power to be
kind51: and tell him this from me, I count it one of my greatest
afflictions, say, that I cannot pleasure52 such an honourable
use mine own words to him?
SERVILIUS Yes, sir, I shall.
Exit Servilius
Calls after him
LUCIUS I'll look you out a good turn,56 Servilius.--
True as you said, Timon is shrunk57 indeed:
And he that's once denied will hardly speed.58
Exit
FIRST STRANGER Do you observe this, Hostilius?
SECOND STRANGER Ay, too well.
FIRST STRANGER Why, this is the world's soul, and just of the same piece61
Is every flatterer's sport. Who can call him his friend
That dips in the same dish? For, in my knowing,63
Timon has been this lord's father,64
And kept his credit with his65 purse,
Supported his estate: nay, Timon's money
Has paid his men their wages. He ne'er drinks,
But Timon's silver treads68 upon his lip,
And yet -- O, see the monstrousness69 of man
When he looks out70 in an ungrateful shape! --
He does deny him, in respect of his,71
What charitable men afford to beggars.
THIRD STRANGER Religion groans at it.
FIRST STRANGER For mine own part,
I never tasted Timon75 in my life,
Nor came any of his bounties over76 me
To mark me for his friend: yet I protest,
&nb
sp; For his right noble mind, illustrious virtue
And honourable carriage,79
Had his necessity made use of me
I would have put my wealth into donation,81
And the best half should have returned to him,
So much I love his heart. But I perceive
Men must learn now with pity to dispense,84
For policy85 sits above conscience.
Exeunt
[Act 3 Scene 3]
running scene 7
Enter a third Servant with Sempronius, another of Timon's friends
SEMPRONIUS 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 redeemed from prison: all these
Owes their estates unto him.
SERVANT My lord,
They have all been touched7 and found base metal,
For they have all denied him.
SEMPRONIUS 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 judgement in him.
Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physicians,
Thrive, give him over14: must I take th'cure upon me?
He's much disgraced me in't: I'm angry at him,
That might have known my place. I see no sense for't,16
But his occasions might have wooed me first,
For, in my conscience,18 I was the first man
That e'er received gift from him:
And does he think so backwardly20 of me now
That I'll requite21 it last? No:
So it may prove an argument of22 laughter
To th'rest, and 'mongst lords be thought a fool.
I'd rather than the worth of thrice the sum,
Had sent to me first, but for my mind's sake:25
I'd such a courage26 to do him good. But now return,
And with their faint27 reply this answer join:
Who bates28 mine honour shall not know my coin.
Exit
SERVANT Excellent. Your lordship's a goodly29 villain. The devil
knew not what he did when he made man politic; he crossed30
himself by't, and I cannot think but in the end the villainies
of man will set him clear. How fairly32 this lord strives to
appear foul! Takes virtuous copies to be wicked33, like those
that under hot ardent zeal would set whole realms on fire34: 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.37
Doors that were ne'er acquainted with their wards38
Many39 a bounteous year must be employed
Now to guard sure40 their master.
And this is all a liberal41 course allows:
Who cannot keep his wealth must keep his house.42
Exit
[Act 3 Scene 4]
running scene 8
Enter Varro's man meeting others: all Timon's creditors to wait for his coming out. Then enter [a Servant of] Lucius, [Titus] and Hortensius