min-Something hath been amiss—a noble nature

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.-Get you_gone, sirrah.-[To the Servant, who goes out.]-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 saw'st me not. Fare thee well. Flam. Is't possible, the world should so much differ;

And we alive, that liv'd?5 Fly, damned baseness,
To him that worships thee.
[Throwing the money away.
Lucul. Ha! Now I
see,
thou art a fool, and fit
for thy master.
[Exit Lucullus.
Flam. May these add to the number that may
scald thee!

Let molten coin be thy damnation,
Thou disease of a friend, and not himself!
Has friendship such a faint and milky heart,
It turns in less than two nights? O you gods,
I feel my master's passion !6 This slave
Unto his honour, has my lord's meat in him:
Why should it thrive, and turn to nutriment,
When he is turn'd to poison?
diseases only work upon't!

O, may

Serv. I have told my lord of you, he is coming And, when he is sick to death, let not that part of

I pr'ythee, man, look cheerly; These old fellows
Have their ingratitude in them hereditary :
Their blood is cak'd, '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.-
Go to Ventidius,-[To a Ser.] 'Pr'ythee [To Flav.]|
be not sad,

Thou art true, and honest; ingeniously! I speak, No blame belongs to thee:-[To Serv.] Ventidius lately

Buried his father; by whose death, he's stepp'd
Into a great estate: when he was poor,
Imprison'd, and in scarcity of friends,
I clear'd him with five talents; Greet him from me;
Bid him suppose, some good necessity
'Touches his friend, which craves to be remember'd
With those five talents:-that had,-[To Flav.]||
give it these fellows,

To whom 'tis instant due. Ne'er speak, or think,
That Timon's fortunes 'mong his friends can sink.
Flav. I would, I could not think it; That thought
is bounty's foe;
Being free? itself, it thinks all others so. [Exeunt.

down to you.

ACT IN.

SCENE 1--The same. A room in Lucullus's house. Flaminius waiting. Enter a Servant to him.

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 bason 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, free-hearted gentleman of Athens, thy very bountiful 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 occasion to use fifty talents, hath sent to your lordship to furnish him; nothing doubting your 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 have 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 honesty4 is his; I have told him on't, but I could never get him from it.

Re-enter Servant, with wine.

Serv. Please your lordship, here is the wine.

(1) For ingenuously.

(2) Liberal, not parsimonious.

(3) For respectfully.

(4) Honesty here means liberality.

(5) i. e. And we who were alive then, alive now.

nature

Which my lord paid for, be of any power
To expel sickness, but prolong his hour!

[Exit.

SCENE II-The same. A public place. Enter Lucius, with three Strangers.

Luc. Who, the lord Timon? he is my very good friend, and an honourable gentleman.

1 Stran. We know him for 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.

Luc. Fie, no, do not believe it; he cannot want for money.

2 Stran. 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't, and yet was denied. Luc. How?

2 Stran. I tell you, denied, my lord.

Luc. What a strange case was that? now, before the gods, I am asham'd 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 him, and sent to me, I should ne'er have denied his occasion so many talents.

Enter Servilius.

Ser. See, by good hap, yonder's my lord; I have

·

(6) Suffering; By his bloody cross and passion. Liturgy.

(7) i. e. His life.
(9) Consumed.

(8) Acknowledge.

sweat to see his honour.-My honoured lord,-

[To Lucius. Luc. Servilius! you are kindly met, sir. Fare thee well:-Commend me to thy honourable-virtuous lord, my very exquisite friend.

Ser. May it please your honour, my lord hath

sent

Luc. Ha! what has he sent? I am so much endeared to that lord; he's ever sending: How shall I thank him, thinkest thou? And what has he sent now?

Ser. He has only sent his present occasion now, my lord; requesting your lordship to supply his instant use with so many talents.

Luc. I know, his lordship is but merry with me ; He cannot want fifty-five hundred talents.

Ser. But in the mean time he wants less, my lord. If his occasion were not virtuous,

Ser. Yes, sir, I shall.

Luc. I will 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 Lucius, 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 hath 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, (0, 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.

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,2
And the best half should have return'd to him,
So much I love his heart: But, I perceive,

for't,

I should not urge it half so faithfully.
Luc. Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius?
Ser. Upon my soul, 'tis true, sir.
Luc. What a wicked beast was I, to disfurnish
myself against such a good time, when I might have
shown myself honourable! how unluckily it hap-
pened, that I should purchase the day before for a He has much disgrac'd me in't; I am angry at him,
little part, and undo a great deal of honour!-Ser-That might have known my place: I see no sense
vilius, now before the gods, I am not able to do't;
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 it
now. Commend me bountifully to his good lord-And does he think so backwardly of me now,
ship; and I hope, his honour will conceive the That I'll requite it last? No: So it may prove
fairest of me, because I have no power to be kind: An argument of laughter to the rest,
And tell him this from me, I count it one of my And I amongst the lords be thought a fool.
greatest afflictions, say, that I cannot pleasure such I had rather than the worth of thrice the sum,
an honourable gentleman. Good Servilius, will you He had sent to me first, but for my mind's sake;
befriend me so far, as to use mine own words to I had such a courage to do him good. But now
him?
return,

But his occasions might have woo'd me first;
For, in my conscience, I was the first man
That e'er receiv'd gift from hin:

(1) If he did not want it for a good use.' (2) This means, to put his wealth down in account as a donation.

They have all denied him!

Sem.
How! have they denied him?
Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him?
And does he send to me? Three? humph!-
It shows but little love or judgment in him.
Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physi-
cians,

Thrive, give him over; Must I take the cure upon me?

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 the gods only: 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.5

[Exit.

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,

Flav. 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.

Flav.
O my lord,
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. SCENE V-The same. The Senate-House. The senate sitting. Enter Alcibiades, attended.

1 Sen. My lord, you have my voice to it; the fault's

Bloody; 'tis necessary he should die :
Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.

2 Sen. Most true; the law shall bruise him.
Alcib. Honour, health, and compassion to the

senate !

1 Sen. Now, captain?

Alcib. 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 it.
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 passion2
He did behaves his anger, ere 'twas spent,
As if he had but prov'd an argument.

1 Sen. You undergo too strict a paradox,4
Striving to make an ugly deed look fair:
Your words have took such pains, as if they labour'd
To bring manslaughter into form, 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; 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?

――

(1) i. e. Putting this action of his, which was predetermined by fate, out of the question.

(2) i. e. Passion so subdued, that no spectator could note its operation.

Such valour in the bearing, what make we
Abroad 25 why then, women are more valiant,
That stay at home, if bearing carry it;

And th' ass, more captain than the lion; the felon,
Loaden with irons, wiser than the judge,
If wisdom be in suffering. O my lords,
As you are great, be pitifully good :

Who cannot condemn rashness in cold blood?
To kill, I grant, is sin's extremest gust;6
But, in defence, by mercy, 'tis most just.?
To be in anger, is impiety;
But who is man, that is not angry?
Weigh but the crime with this.
2 Sen. You breathe in vain.
Alcib.
In vain? his service done
At Lacedæmon, and Byzantium,
Were a sufficient briber for his life.
1 Sen. What's that?
Alcib.

(3) Manage, govern.

(4) You undertake a paradox too hard. (5) What have we to do in the field.

Why, I say, my lords, h'as done fair service,

And slain in fight many of your enemies :
How full of valour did he bear himself

|| In the last conflict, and made plenteous wounds?
2 Sen. He has made too much plenty with 'em, he
Is a sworn rioter: h'as a sin that often
Drowns him, and takes his valour prisoner:
If there were no foes, that were enough alone
To overcome him in that beastly fury
He has been known to commit outrages,
And cherish factions: 'Tis inferr'd to us,
His days are foul, and his drink dangerous.
1 Sen. He dies.

Alcib. Hard fate! he might have died in war. My lords, if not for any parts in him (Though his right arm might purchase his own

time,

And be in debt to none,) yet, more to move you,
Take my deserts to his, and join them both:
And, for I know, your reverend ages love
Security, I'll pawn my victories, all
My honour to you, upon his good returns.
If by this crime he owes the law his life,
Why, let the war receive't in valiant gore;
For law is strict, and war is nothing more.

1 Sen. We are for law, he dies; urge it no more, On height of our displeasure: Friend, or brother, He forfeits his own blood, that spills another. Alcib. Must it be so? it must not be. My lords, I do beseech you, know me. 2 Sen. How?

Alcib. My lord,

1 Sen. Do you dare our anger? 'Tis in few words, but spacious in effect; We banish thee for ever.

1 Sen. You cannot make gross sins look clear;

Alcib.

Banish me?

To revenge is no valour, but to bear.
Alcib. My lords, then, under favour, pardon me,|| Banish your dotage; banish usury,
If I speak like a captain.—
That makes the senate ugly.
Why do fond men expose themselves to battle,
And not endure all threat'nings? sleep upon it,
And let the foes quietly cut their throats,
Without repugnancy? but if there be

Alcib. Call me to your remembrances. 3 Sen. What? Alcib. I cannot think, but your age has forgot me; It could not else be, I should prove so base,8 To sue, and be denied such common grace:

My wounds ache at you.

1 Sen. If, after two days' shine, Athens contain thee,

Attend our weightier judgment. And, not to swell our spirit,9

He shall be executed presently.

[Exeunt Sen.