Complete Plays, The (151 page)

Servilius

Upon my soul,’tis true, sir.

Lucilius

What a wicked beast was I to disfurnish myself 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 great deal of honoured! Servilius, now, before the gods, I am not able to do,— the more beast, I 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’t 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?

Servilius

Yes, sir, I shall.

Lucilius

I’ll look you out a good turn, Servilius.

Exit Servilius

True as you said, Timon is shrunk indeed;
And he that’s once denied will hardly speed.

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 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.

Third Stranger

Religion groans at it.

First Stranger

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.

Exeunt

S
CENE
III. A
ROOM
IN
S
EMPRONIUS
’
HOUSE
.

Enter Sempronius, and a Servant of Timon’s

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 redeem’d from prison: all these
Owe their estates unto him.

Servant

My lord,
They have all been touch’d and found base metal, for
They have au 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 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 disgraced me in’t; I’m angry at him,
That might have known my place: I see no sense for’t,
But his occasion 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 its last? No:
So it may prove an argument of laughter
To the rest, and ’mongst lords I be thought a fool.
I’ld rather than the worth of thrice the sum,
Had sent to me first, but for my mind’s sake;
I’d 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

Servant

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 villainies 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

S
CENE
IV. T
HE
SAME
. A
HALL
IN
T
IMON
’
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

Varro’s

First Servant

Well met; good morrow, Titus and Hortensius.

Titus

The like to you kind Varro.

Hortensius

Lucius!
What, do we meet together?
Lucilius’ Servant Ay, and I think
One business does command us all; for mine Is money.

Titus

So is theirs and ours.

Enter Philotus

Lucilius’ Servant And Sir Philotus too!

Philotus

Good day at once.
Lucilius’ Servant Welcome, good brother.
What do you think the hour?

Philotus

Labouring for nine.
Lucilius’ Servant So much?

Philotus

Is not my lord seen yet?
Lucilius’ Servant Not yet.

Philotus

I wonder on’t; he was wont to shine at seven.
Lucilius’ Servant 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.

Philotus

I am of your fear for that.

Titus

I’ll show you how to observe a strange event.
Your lord sends now for money.

Hortensius

Most true, he does.

Titus

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

Hortensius

It is against my heart.
Lucilius’ Servant 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.

Hortensius

I’m 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.
Varro’s

First Servant

Yes, mine’s three thousand crowns: what’s yours?
Lucilius’ Servant Five thousand mine.
Varro’s

First Servant

’Tis much deep: and it should seem by the sun,
Your master’s confidence was above mine;
Else, surely, his had equall’d.
Enter Flaminius.

Titus

One of Lord Timon’s men. Lucilius’ Servant Flaminius! Sir, a word: pray, is my lord ready to come forth?

Flaminius

No, indeed, he is not.

Titus

We attend his lordship; pray, signify so much.

Flaminius

I need not tell him that; he knows you are too diligent.

Exit

Enter Flavius in a cloak, muffled

Lucilius’ Servant Ha! is not that his steward muffled so?
He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him.

Titus

Do you hear, sir?
Varro’s

Second Servant

By your leave, sir,—

Flavius

What do ye ask of me, my friend?

Titus

We wait for certain money here, sir.

Flavius

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.
Lucilius’ Servant Ay, but this answer will not serve.

Flavius

If ’twill not serve,’tis not so base as you;
For you serve knaves.

Exit

Varro’s

First Servant

How! what does his cashiered worship mutter?
Varro’s

Second Servant

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

Titus

O, here’s Servilius; now we shall know some answer.

Servilius

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 comfortable temper has forsook him; he’s much out of health, and keeps his chamber. Lucilius’ Servant: 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.

Servilius

Good gods!

Titus

We cannot take this for answer, sir.

Flaminius

[Within]
 
Servilius, help! My lord! my lord!

Enter Timon, in a rage, Flaminius following

Timon

What, are my doors opposed 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?
Lucilius’ Servant Put in now, Titus.

Titus

My lord, here is my bill.
Lucilius’ Servant Here’s mine.

Hortensius

And mine, my lord.
Both
Varro’s Servants And ours, my lord.

Philotus

All our bills.

Timon

Knock me down with ’em: cleave me to the girdle.
Lucilius’ Servant Alas, my lord,-

Timon

Cut my heart in sums.

Titus

Mine, fifty talents.

Timon

Tell out my blood.
Lucilius’ Servant Five thousand crowns, my lord.

Timon

Five thousand drops pays that.
What yours?— and yours?
Varro’s

First Servant

My lord,—
Varro’s

Second Servant

My lord,—

Timon

Tear me, take me, and the gods fall upon you!

Exit

Hortensius

’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

Timon

They have e’en put my breath from me, the slaves.
Creditors? devils!

Flavius

My dear lord,—

Timon

What if it should be so?

Flavius

My lord,—

Timon

I’ll have it so. My steward!

Flavius

Here, my lord.

Timon

So fitly? Go, bid all my friends again,
Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius:
All, sirrah, all:
I’ll once more feast the rascals.

Flavius

O my lord,
You only speak from your distracted soul;
There is not so much left, to furnish out
A moderate table.

Timon

 
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

S
CENE
V. T
HE
SAME
. T
HE
SENATE
-
HOUSE
. T
HE
S
ENATE
SITTING
.

First Senator

My lord, you have my voice to it; the fault’s
Bloody; ’tis necessary he should die:
Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.

Second Senator

Most true; the law shall bruise him.

Enter Alcibiades, with Attendants

Alcibiades

Honour, health, and compassion to the senate!

First Senator

Now, captain?

Alcibiades

I am an humble suitor to your virtues;
For pity is the virtue of the law,
And none but tyrants use it cruelly.
It pleases time and fortune to lie heavy
Upon a friend of mine, who, in hot blood,
Hath stepp’d into the law, which is past depth
To those that, without heed, do plunge into ’t.
He is a man, setting his fate aside,
Of comely virtues:
Nor did he soil the fact with cowardice —
An honour in him which buys out his fault —
But with a noble fury and fair spirit,
Seeing his reputation touch’d to death,
He did oppose his foe:
And with such sober and unnoted passion
He did behave his anger, ere ’twas spent,
As if he had but proved an argument.

First Senator

You undergo too strict a paradox,
Striving to make an ugly deed look fair:
Your words have took such pains as if they labour’d
To bring manslaughter into form and set quarrelling
Upon the head of valour; which indeed
Is valour misbegot and came into the world
When sects and factions were newly born:
He’s truly valiant that can wisely suffer
The worst that man can breathe, and make his wrongs
His outsides, to wear them like his raiment, carelessly,
And ne’er prefer his injuries to his heart,
To bring it into danger.
If wrongs be evils and enforce us kill,
What folly ’tis to hazard life for ill!