SCENE IV.

The same. A Hall in Timor's House.

Enter two Servants of VARRO, and the Servant of LUCIUS, meeting TITUS, HORTENSIUS, and other Servants to TIMON's Creditors, waiting his coming

out.

Var. Serv. Well met; good-morrow, Titus and

Not yet.

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.

[Exit FLAMINIUS.

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?

1 Var. Serv. By your leave, sir,

Flav. What do you ask of me, my friend?

Tit. We wait for certain money here, sir.
Flav.

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 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,

'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

1 1

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 much
Derive from it: for, take it on my soul,
My lord leans wond'rously to discontent.
His comfortable 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 an 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 pas

sage?

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. Serv. My lord,

2 Var. Serv. 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.

Re-enter TIMON and FLAVIUS.

[Exeunt.

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 ?

Flav. My lord,

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

Flav. Here, my lord.

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