What shall defend the interim? and at length Tim. To Lacedæmon did my land extend. How quickly were it gone! Tim. You tell me true. Flav. If you suspect my husbandry or falsehood, And set me on the proof. So the gods bless me, 160 With riotous feeders, when our vaults have wept And set mine eyes at flow. Tim. Prithee, no more. Flav. Heavens, have I said, the bounty of this lord! How many prodigal bits have slaves and peasants This night englutted! Who is not Timon's? 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, Tim. 171. wasteful cock. Of the many suggested emendations 'wakeful cock' (Jackson's) seems the best, meaning a cockloft where Flavius remained sleepless. The text may, how ever, be understood in the sense that he sat by a running winecock, shedding tears as fast as the wine was wasted. 181. couch'd, driven to hibernate. Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the conscience lack, To think I shall lack friends? Secure thy heart; And try the argument of hearts by borrowing, 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 Enter FLAMINIUS, SERVILIUS, and other Servants. My lord? my lord? 190 Tim. I will dispatch 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 'em to- 200 ward a supply of money: let the request be fifty talents. Flam. As you have said, my lord. Flav. [Aside] Lord Lucius and Lucullus? hum! Of whom, even to the state's best health, I have Flav. I have been bold— For that I knew it the most general way— 210 Tim. Is 't true? can't 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 yet they could have wish'd—they know not- And so, intending other serious matters, After distasteful looks and these hard fractions, Tim. You gods, reward them! Prithee, man, look cheerly. These old fellows Have their ingratitude in them hereditary: Their blood is caked, '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. [To a Serv.] Go to Ventidius. [To Flav.] Prithee, be not sad, Thou art true and honest; ingeniously I speak, lately Buried his father, by whose death he's stepp'd Imprison'd and in scarcity of friends, I clear'd him with five talents: greet him from me; Touches his friend, which craves to be remember'd To whom 'tis instant due. Ne'er speak, or think, 214. at fall, at their fortune's decline. 220 230 That Timon's fortunes 'mong his friends can sink. 940 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. A room in Lucullus' 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 10 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 7. very respectively, as befits a most respected guest. occasion to use fifty talents, hath sent to your lordship to furnish him, nothing doubting your 20 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 ha' dined with him, 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 ha' told him on 't, but I could ne'er get him 30 from 't. 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. [To Serv.] Get you gone, 40 sirrah [Exit Serv.]. 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 sawest me not. Fare thee well. 19. fifty talents. The Greek gold talent was worth about £240. But the writer clearly intended coin of much smaller value (prob. the English pound. L.). 46. solidares, small coins. |