 | Timon of Athens |  |
ACT III.
SCENE I.
Lucullus's House in Athens.Flaminius waiting. Enter a servant to him.
SERVANT.
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.
One of Lord Timon's men; a gift, I warrant—
Why, this hits right: I dreamt of a silver bason and
ewre to-night. Flaminius, honest Flaminius, you are
very respectively welcome, Sir; fill me some wine.
And how does that honourable, compleat, 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 intreat 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
ha' din'd with him, and told him on't; and come again
to supper to him on purpose to have him spend less.
by my coming; every man hath his fault, and
honesty is his. I ha' told him on't, but I could never
get him from 't.
Enter a servant, with wine.
Serv.
Please your Lordship, here is the wine.
Lncul.
Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise.
Here's to thee.
Flam.
Your Lordship speaks your pleasure.
Lucul.
I have observ'd 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? 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. This slave
Unto this hour has my Lord's meat in him:
Why should it thrive, and turn to nutriment,
When he is turn'd to poison?
O! may diseases only work upon't:
Of nature, my Lord paid for, be of power
To expel sickness, but prolong his hour!
[Exit.
SCENE II.
A Hall in Timon's House.Evanthe, Flavius.
Evan
“Nay, they shall all away: here, take the casket;
“Away with these unprofitable trinkets,
“They mock my wretchedness; get money, Flavius.
“Peace, man, reply not; these plain weeds will serve
“The daughter of so poor a man as Timon.
“Go, go; no more on't.
[Exit Flavius.
Servilius enters.
“Now Servilius—Well!
“What says Sempronius? Where are the five talents
“Due from Ventidius?
Servil.
“I have tried them both,
“And they have both denied him.
Evan.
“Hah, denied him?
“The Gods deny them, when they crave their blessing!”
Why he has been to these men as a father,
And kept their credit with a bounteous purse,
Now they deny him. “Scarce three days are past,
“Since he redeem'd Ventidius from a prison.
“Oh, the base soul of man—Come hither, Sir;
“Hortensius the Senator late gave me
“Six young Numidian slaves, let them be sold.
“Go, see it done.
[Exit Servilius.
Flaminius enters.
“Flaminius, you were sent
“To Lord Lucullus; come, tell out the talents.
Flam.
“A fruitless errand have I made, dear Lady,
“To a most thankless man.
“Are you too empty?
Flam.
“Empty as air, as the false hollow heart
“Of him who has denied me.
Evan.
“Oh! the villain.”
This was my Lord's best hope; now all are fled,
Save the Gods only. Who can call him friend,
That dips in the same dish? This man ne'er drinks,
But Timon's silver treads upon his lip:
And yet, O see the monstrousness of man,
When he looks out in an ingrateful shape!
He does deny him in respect of his,
What charitable men afford to beggars.
Flam.
“Religion groans at it.
Evan.
“I have a picture,
“Apelles might have own'd it: 'tis my father:
“Lo, what a form he wears! A Cretan artist
“Trac'd out the living work. There was a time,
“Not all the treasures of the Ephesian fane,
“Had brib'd me to dispose on't. Here, Flaminius,
“Take it; get gold. Now I have nothing left.
[Exit Flaminius.
SCENE III.
Evanthe and Lucius.Luc.
“Alone; in tears too? Ill betide the cause,
“That wrings these pearly drops from such fair eyes!
“Look up, divine Evanthe; 'tis thy Lucius,
“Whose life, fame, fortune, whose extremest means,
“Lie all at thy devotion.
Evan.
“Have a care;
“Art sure of that?
Luc.
“What says my fair?
Evan.
“I say,
“Art sure this is not flattery? Speak truly,
“You tell me all that you possess is mine;
“What, if I take you at your word, you'll shrink
“From these large promises.
Luc.
“Lady, I swear—
“Oh! swear it by all means.
Luc.
“Then in the name
“Of all the Gods at once—
Evan.
“Ay, this is something;
“Band 'em all in; leave not a God uncall'd
“To witness to your oath; my faith has need on't.
Luc.
“Then let each conscious power, that sees me kneel,
“Witness how gladly Lucius would give up
“Rank, honours, riches, all the world holds dear,
“So he might gain thy love.
Evan.
“Rise; 'tis enough.
“Here is my hand—For that vile trash call'd gold.
“We'll none on't.
Luc.
“Hah!
Evan.
“O we'll be rich in love;
“Love is a pure, sublime, etherial passion:
“Timon wants gold; his state is shrunk to nothing.
“We need it not. Go, and restore him back
“All his too lavish bounty has show'r'd on you;
“Build up his fortune to its former splendor:
“Do this, and I am thine.
Luc.
“Humph!
Evan.
“Do you waver?
“Oh! while you live, beware of perjury,
“The Gods have register'd your oath. Go, Lucius,
“Cast off that glittering garb, as I have done,
“And take a noble poverty like mine:
“And fear not, Lucius, the consenting Heavens
“Shall bless your gratitude and my devotion;
“With honest hands we'll labour to supply
“Life's slender wants, and scorn the guilty great.
Lucius.
“How's this? is Timon ruin'd, did you say?
Evan.
“Go, ask his friends Sempronius and Lucullus,
“They'll tell you he is ruin'd. Ask Ventidius,
“These abject souls will tell you he is ruin'd;
“And therefore these have turn'd their backs upon him.
“But you, my Lucius, you—
Luc.
“Have these denied him?
“All, all; their hearts are flint.
Luc.
“Lucullus too?—
Evan.
“He too, the viper that his bosom warm'd;
“None now remains untried, but you alone.
Luc.
“Soft you, am I alone of all untried?
“Sempronius and Lucullus and Ventidius”
Have all denied? And does he send to me?
It shews but little love or judgment in him.
Must I be his last refuge? I am angry.
He has disgrac'd me in't. I see no sense for't,
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 him. “For you, Lady,
“Your beauty may do something, but not this;
“This were too much. The fairest of you all
“May be too dearly bought.
Evan.
“Away, away
“With these base shifts, these counterfeit complaints;
“Nor love nor friendship ever found thy heart,
“Thou spiritless dissembler: die abhorr'd,
“Gold be thy bane, thy God be thy perdition!
“Out of my sight, ingrateful! Hoa, Flaminius!
“Oh! art thou fled? Thy infamy light on thee,
“Unfeeling, shameless villain.
SCENE IV.
Evanthe and Alcibiades.Alcib.
“Who has wrong'd you?
“And why these tears? Speak, Lady, I'm no flatterer:
“A plain blunt man, who bears you more good will
“Than he will tell of; courts no wealthy friend,
“And dares to own a poor one. Why do you shake
“Your head thus? Where's your father; is all well?
“O my prophetick soul!
Evan.
“Where is my father?
“As low as misery and want can lay him.
Alcib.
“Now the Gods comfort him! Spare your sad story,
“My fortune by my side; this sword, tho' poor,
“Has made men rich: the senate are my debtors;
“Thus arm'd, I'll strait before 'em. When their fleet
“Perish'd at Ægos, and the city saw
“The Spartan standard on their frighted walls,
“What cou'd have sav'd the state, and bought them peace,
“Had not Lysander's mercenary palm
“Been fill'd with Timon's gold? shall Timon then
“Want that base dirt, while their cramm'd coffers stand
“Up to the lips in coin? the Gods forbid it.
Evan.
Alas, the Senate have been tried already;
They've all been touch'd, and all are found base metal,
For they have all denied him.
Alcib.
“Gods, I thank you,
“Since 'tis your pleasure to allow such baseness,
“For that this hour shall bring me into trial.
“Adversity's dread fan shall now divide
“The base light chaff, and give it to the winds:
“Yet Timon shall confess he has a friend.
“Go then, dear maid, meet this ingrateful time
“With constant virtue, and becoming scorn;
“Go to thy father, tell him I am gone
“To this vile Senate, who deny his wants;
“And say, when I have chain'd those wakeful dragons,
“I'll shake their rich, and golden clusters down,
“Or tear up roots and all.
[Exit.
Evan.
“The Gods preserve thee,
“For in thy joint, and corporate perfections
“Each great Divinity has stampt his own;
“All Mars's valour, all Apollo's grace,
“The bloom of Bacchus, and the port of Jove.
[Exit Evanthe.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Enters divers Senators, at several doors.
1 Sen.
The good time of the day to you, Sir.
2 Sen.
I also wish it to you: I think this honourable
Lord did but try us this other day.
1 Sen.
Upon that were my thoughts tiring, when we
encountred. I hope, it is not so low with him, as he
made it seem in the tryal of his several friends.
2 Sen.
It should not be, by the persuasion of his new
feasting.
1 Sen.
I should think so: he hath sent me an earnest
inviting, which many my near occasions did urge me to
put off: but he hath conjur'd me beyond them, and I
must needs appear.
2 Sen.
In like manner was I in debt to my importunate
business; but he would not hear my excuse. I am
sorry when he sent to borrow of me, that my provision
was out.
1 Sen.
I am sick of that grief too, as I understand
how all things go.
2 Sen.
Every man here's so. What would he have
borrow'd of you?
1 Sen.
A thousand pieces.
2 Sen.
A thousand pieces!
1 Sen.
What of you?
3 Sen.
He sent to me, Sir—here he comes.
Enter Timon and attendants.
Tim.
With all my heart, gentlemen both—and how
fare you?
1 Sen.
Ever at the best, hearing well of your Lordship.
2 Sen.
The swallow follows not summer more willingly,
than we your Lordship.
Tim.
Nor more willingly leaves winter: such summer-birds
are men.—Gentlemen, our dinner will not
musick a while; if they will fare so harshly as on the
trumpet's sound: we shall to't presently.
1 Sen.
I hope it remains not unkindly with your
Lordship, that I return'd you an empty messenger.
Tim.
O Sir, let it not trouble you.
2 Sen.
My noble Lord.
Tim.
Ah, my good friend, what cheer?
[The banquet brought in.
2 Sen.
Most honourable Lord, I'm e'en sick of shame,
that when your Lordship t'other day sent to me, I was
so unfortunate a beggar.
Tim.
Think not on't, Sir.
2 Sen.
If you had but sent two hours before—
Tim.
Let it not cumber your better remembrance.
Come, bring in all together.
2 Sen.
All cover'd dishes!
1 Sen.
Royal cheer, I warrant you.
3 Sen.
Doubt not that, if money and the season can
yield it.
1 Sen.
How do you? what's the news?
3 Sen.
Alcibiades is banish'd: hear you of it?
Both.
Alcibiades banish'd!
3 Sen.
Tis so, be sure of it.
1 Sen.
How? how?
3 Sen.
I pray you, upon what?
Tim.
My worthy friends, will you draw near?
3 Sen.
Here's a noble feast toward.
2 Sen.
This is the old man still.
3 Sen.
Will't hold? will't hold?
Tim.
Each man to his stool, with that spur as he
would to the lip of his mistress: your diet shall be in
all places alike. Make not a city-feast of it, to let the
meat cool e're we can agree upon the first place. Sit,
sit.
The Gods require our thanks.
You great benefactors, sprinkle our society with thankfulness.
For your own gifts make yourselves prais'd: but
reserve still to give, lest your Deities be despised. Lend to
were your Godheads to borrow of men, men would forsake
the Gods. Make the meat beloved, more than the man
that gives it. Let no assembly of twenty be without a score
of villains. If there sit twelve women at the table, let
a dozen of them be as they are—The rest of your foes,
O Gods, the Senators of Athens, together with the common
lag of people, what is amiss in them, you Gods, make
suitable for destruction. For these my friends—as they
are to me nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to nothing
are they welcome.
Some speak.
What does his Lordship mean?
Some other.
I know not.
Tim.
May you a better feast never behold,
You knot of mouth'd-friends: smoke and lukewarm water
Is your perfection. This is Timon's last;
Who stuck and spangled with your flatteries,
Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces
Your reaking villany. Live loath'd and long,
Most smiling, smooth, detested parasites,
Of man and beast the infinite malady
Crust you quite o'er!—What, dost thou go?
Soft, take thy physick first—thou too—and thou
[Throwing the dishes at them, and drives 'em out.
Stay, I will lend thee money, borrow none.
What! all in motion? henceforth be no feast,
Whereat a villain's not a welcome guest.
Burn house, sink Athens, henceforth hated be
Of Timon, man, and all humanity!
[Exit.
| Timon of Athens | |