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Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the con-
science lack,

To think I shall lack friends? Secure thy heart;
If I would broach the vessels of my love,
And try the argument of hearts by borrowing,
Men and men's fortunes could I frankly use
As I can bid thee speak.

Flav.

Assurance bless your thoughts! Tim. And in some sort these wants of mine are

crown'd,

192

That I account them blessings; for by these
Shall I try friends: you shall perceive how you
Mistake my fortunes; I am wealthy in my

friends.

Within there! Flaminius! Servilius!

Enter Flaminius, Servilius, and other Servants.

Servants. My lord? my lord?

Tim. I will dispatch you severally: you to
Lord Lucius: to Lord Lucullus you: I
hunted with his honor to-day: you to Sem- 200
pronius: commend me to their loves; and, I
am proud, say, that my occasions have
found time to use 'em toward a supply of
money: let the request be fifty talents.
Flam. As you have said, my Lord.
Flav. [Aside] Lord Lucius and Lucullus? hum!
Tim. Go you, sir, to the senators—

Of whom, even to the state's best health, I have
Deserved this hearing-bid 'em send o' the in-

stant

A thousand talents to me.

Flav.

I have been bold, 210
For that I knew it the most general way,
To them to use your signet and your name,
But they do shake their heads, and I am here
No richer in return.

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 hon-
orable,―

But yet they could have wish'd-they know

not

Something hath been amiss-a noble nature

May catch a wrench-would all were well-'tis pity:

And so, intending other serious matters,

220

After distasteful looks and these hard fractions,
With certain half-caps and cold-moving nods
They froze me into silence.

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;

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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 remem-
ber'd

With those five talents. [Exit Serv.] [To
Flav.] That had, give 't these fellows 240
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.

ACT THIRD

SCENE I

A room in Lucullus's 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 10 honorable, 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 honor to supply; who, having great 20 ⚫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 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 30 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 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 to-

wardly 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, sirrah. [Exit Serv.] Draw
nearer, honest Flaminius. Thy lord's a
bountiful gentleman: but thou art wise; and
thou knowest well enough, although thou

40

21. “fifty talents"; the Greek gold talent was worth about $1200. But the writer clearly intended coin of much smaller value (prob. the English pound).-C. H. H.

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