 | Timon of Athens |  |
29
SCENE V.
Enter Varro, Titus, Hortensius, Lucius, and other servants of Timon's creditors, who wait for his coming out.Var.
Well met, good morrow, Titus and Hortensius
Tit.
The like to you, kind Varro.
Hor.
Lucius, why do we meet together?
Luc.
I think, one business does command us all.
For mine is money.
Tit.
So is theirs and ours.
Enter Philotas.
Luc.
And Sir Philotas's too.
Phi.
Good day, at once.
Luc.
Welcome, good brother. What d'you think
the hour?
Phi.
Labouring for nine.
Luc.
So much?
Phi.
Is not my Lord seen yet?
Luc.
Not yet.
Phi.
I wonder: he was wont to shine at seven.
Luc.
Ay, but the days are waxed shorter with him:
You must consider that a prodigal's course
Is like the sun's, but not like his recoverable, I fear.
'Tis deepest winter in Lord Timon's purse.
Hor.
I'm weary of this charge, the Gods can witness:
I know, my Lord hath spent of Timon's wealth,
Ingratitude now makes it worse than stealth.
Var.
Yes, mine's three thousand crowns: what's yours?
Luc.
Five thousand.
Enter Flaminius.
Tit.
One of Lord Timon's men.
Luc.
Flaminius! Sir, a word: pray, is my Lord
Ready to come forth?
Flam.
No, indeed, he is not.
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We attend his Lordship; pray, signify so much.
Flam.
I need not tell him that, he knows you are
too diligent.
Enter Flavius in a cloak, muffled.
Luc.
Hal is not this his steward muffled so?
He goes away in a cloud, call him, call him.
Tit.
Do you hear, Sir—
Var.
By your leave, Sir.
Fla.
What do you ask of me, my friend?
Tit.
We wait for certain money here, Sir.
Fla.
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 would smile and fawn upon his debts,
And take down th' interest in their glutt'nous 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.
Ay, but this answer will not serve.
Fla.
If 'twill not serve, 'tis not so base as you;
For you serve knaves.
[Exit.
Var.
How! what does his cashier'd worship mutter?
Tit.
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.
Tit.
O here's Servilius; now we shall have some answer.
Serv.
If I might beseech you, gentlemen, to repair
some other hour, I should derive much from it. For
take it of my soul,
His comfortable temper has forsook him,
He is much out of health, and keeps his chamber.
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Many do keep their chambers, are not sick:
And if he be so far beyond his health,
Methinks he should the sooner pay his debts,
And make a clear way to the Gods.
Tit.
We cannot take this for an answer.
Flam.
[within.]
Servilius help—my Lord! my Lord!
Enter Timon in a rage.
Tim.
What are my doors oppos'd against my passage?
Have I been ever free, and must my house
Be my retentive enemy, my goal?
The place, which I have feasted, does it now,
Like all mankind, shew me an iron heart?
Luc.
Put in now, Titus.
Tit.
My Lord, here's my bill.
Luc.
Here's mine.
Var.
And mine, my Lord.
Cap.
And ours, my Lord.
Phi.
And our bills.
Tim.
Knock me down with 'em—cleave me to the
girdle.
Luc.
Alas my Lord.
Tim.
Cut out my heart in sums.
Tit.
Mine, fifty talents.
Tim.
Tell out my blood.
Luc.
Five thousand crowns, my Lord.
Tim.
Five thousand drops pay that.
What yours—and yours?
Var.
My Lord—
Cap.
My Lord—
Tim.
Here take me, tear me, and the Gods fall on you.
[Exeunt creditors.
They have e'en put my breath from me, the slaves
Creditors!—devils.
Fla.
My dear Lord!
Tim.
What if it should be so?—
Fla.
My dear Lord!
Tim.
I'll have it so—My steward!
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Here, my Lord.
Tim.
So fitly!—Go, bid all my friends again,
Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius, All.—
I'll once more feast the rascals.
Fla.
O my Lord!
You only speak from your distracted soul;
There's not so much left as to furnish out
A moderate table.
Tim.
Be it not thy care:
Go, and invite them all, let in the tide
Of knaves once more: my cook and I'll provide.
Street of Athens.
Alcibiades and two Senators.
1 Sen.
“Thus in few words you have your answer, Sir:
“The Senate do refuse your suit for Timon,
“Holding themselves not bound to heal the waste,
“That every spendthrift makes—And in return
“For that intemperate heat, with which you urg'd them,”
They banish you for ever.
Alcib.
Banish me!
Banish your dotage; banish usury,
That make your Senate ugly.
2 Sen.
“Come, no more.”
If after two days shine, Athens contain thee,
Expect their weightier judgement.
Alcib.
Hah! their judgement?
“Away, away, ye know not what ye do.
“Now, by the Gods! rash men, if ye but whisper
“That word again, and clench your griping palms
“Against the ripe wants of my noble friend,
“Look to yourselves, grave Sirs, look to your city:
“By heav'ns I'll slip my soldiers at your throats,
“And gall you, slaves, for this ingratitude.”
[Exeunt severally.
| Timon of Athens | |