of Athens, I had done it now. Commend me bountifully to his good lordship; and I hope his honor will conceive the fairest of me, because I have no power to be kind. And tell him this from me, I count it one of my greatest afflictions, say, that I cannot pleasure such an honorable gentleman. Good Servilius, will you befriend me so far, as to use mine own words to him? 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 has 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 (O, 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.
2 Stran. Religion groans at it.
1 Stran.

I never tasted Timon in my life,

For mine own part,

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 honorable carriage,

1 The old copy reads:

"Is every flatterer's sport."

The emendation is Theobald's. This speech was, apparently, never intended for verse, though printed as such in the folio.

2 i. e. "in respect of his fortune."

Had his necessity made use of me,

I would have put my wealth into donation,1
And the best half should have returned to him,
So much I love his heart. But, I perceive,
Men must learn now with pity to dispense;
For policy sits above conscience.

SCENE III. The same.

[Exeunt.

A Room in Sempronius's

House.

Enter SEMPRONIUS, and a Servant of Timon's.

Sem. Must he needs trouble me in't? Humph! 'bove all others?

He might have tried lord Lucius, or Lucullus;

And now Ventidius is wealthy too,

Whom he redeemed from prison. All these
Owe their estates unto him.

Serv.

O my lord,

They have all been touched,2 and found base metal; for 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!3 It shows but little love or judgment in him.

Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physicians, Thrive, give him over. Must I take the cure upon me?He has much disgraced me in't; I am angry at him, That might have known my place. I see no sense for't, But his occasions might have wooed me first;

1 The meaning appears to be “Had he applied to me, I would have put my wealth into the form of a gift, and have sent him the best half of it."

2 Alluding to the trial of metals by the touchstone.

3 This speech appears to be mutilated, and therefore unmetrical.

4 Johnson proposes to read:

"Thrice, give him over;"

but says, "perhaps the old reading is the true." The passage may mean "his friends, like physicians, thrive by his bounty and fees, and either relinquish and forsake him, or give up his case as desperate."

For, in my conscience, I was the first man
That e'er received gift from him:

And does he think so backwardly of me now,
That I'll requite it last? No: so it may prove
An argument of laughter to the rest,

And I amongst the lords be thought a fool.

I had rather than the worth of thrice the sum,
He had sent to me first, but for my mind's sake;
I had such a courage to do him good. But now, return,
And with their faint reply this answer join:
Who bates mine honor, 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 crossed himself by't: and I cannot think, but, in the end, the villanies of man will set him clear.1 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 employed
Now to guard sure their master.

And this is all a liberal course allows;

Who cannot keep his wealth must keep his house.3

[Exit.

SCENE IV. The same. A Hall in Timon's House.

Enter two Servants of VARRO, and the Servant of LuCIUS, meeting TITUS, HORTENSIUS, and other Servants to TIMON's Creditors, waiting his coming out.

Var. Serv. Well met; good-morrow, Titus and Hortensius.

1 In the end, the villanies of man will (make the devil appear, in comparison, innocent) set him clear.

2 Warburton thinks that this is levelled at the puritans.

3 i. e. keep within doors for fear of duns.

Luc. Serv. So much?

Luc. Serv.

Phi.

And sir

Welcome, good brother.

Laboring for nine.

Is not my lord seen yet?
Not yet.

Phi. I wonder on't; he was wont to shine at seven.
Luc. Serv. Ay, but the days are waxed shorter with

him:

You must consider that a prodigal course

Is like the sun's; but not, like his, recoverable.

I fear

'Tis deepest winter in lord Timon's purse;

That is, one may reach deep enough, and yet
Find little.

Phi. I am of your fear for that.

Tit. I'll show you how to observe a strange event. Your lord sends now for money.

Hor.

Most true, he does.

Tit. And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift, For which you wait for money.

Hor. It is against my heart.

Luc. Serv.

Mark, how strange it shows,

Timon in this should pay more than he owes;
And e'en as if your lord should wear rich jewels,
And send for money for 'em.

1 The old copy reads, “For which I wait for money."

Hor. I am weary of this charge,' the gods can wit

I know

ness;

my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth, And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth.

1 Var. Serv. Yes, mine's three thousand crowns. What's yours?

Luc. Serv. Five thousand mine.

1 Var. Serv. 'Tis much deep; and it should seem by

the sum,

Your master's confidence was above mine;

Else, surely, his had equalled.2

Enter FLAMINIUS.

Tit. One of lord Timon's men.

Luc. Serv. Flaminius! sir, a word: Pray, is my lord ready to come forth?

Flam. No, indeed, he is not.

Tit. We attend his lordship; 'pray, signify so much. Flam. I need not tell him that; he knows you are too diligent. [Exit FLAMINIUS.

Enter FLAVIUS in a cloak, muffled.

Luc. Serv. Ha! is not that his steward muffled so?

He goes away in a cloud; call him, call him.

Tit. Do you hear, sir?

1 Var. Serv. By your leave, sir,

Flav. What do you ask of me, my friend?
Tit. We wait for certain money here, sir.
Flav.

If money were as certain as your waiting,

Ay,

"Twere sure enough. Why then preferred you not Your sums and bills, when your false masters ate Of my lord's meat? Then they could smile, and fawn

Upon his debts, and take down th' interest

1 i. e. this office or employment.

2 The meaning is, "it should seem by the sum your master lent, his confidence in Timon was greater than that of my master, else, surely, my master's loan had equalled his."