University of Virginia Library

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.

And yet he would embrace no counsel, take no warning
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:
And when he's sick to death, let not that part
Of nature, my Lord paid for, be of power
To expel sickness, but prolong his hour!

[Exit.