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The same.

SCENE III.

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 redeem'd from prison: All these three
Owe their estates unto him.

Serv.

O my lord,

They have all been touch'd3, 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!-
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 disgrac'd 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 woo'd me first;
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.

5 They have all been touch'd,] That is, tried, alluding to the touchstone.

6 His friends, like physicians,

Thrive, give him over; ] i. e. " His friends, like physicians, thrive by his bounty and fees, and either relinquish, and forsake him, or give his case up as desperate.

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 honour, 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 politick; he cross'd himself by't: and I cannot think, but, in the end, the villainies of man will set him clear." 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 politick 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 employ'd
Now to guard sure their master.

And this is all a liberal course allows;

Who cannot keep his wealth, must keep his house."

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[Exit.

· such a courage—] Such an ardour, such an eager desire. • The devil knew not what he did, when he made man politick, he crossed himself by't: and I cannot think, but, in the end, the villainies of man will set him clear.] Of the various conjectures on this passage, the following seems most probable : — The devil did not know what he was about, [how much his reputation for wickedness would be diminished] when he made man crafty and interested; he thwarted himself by it; [by thus raising up rivals to contend with him in iniquity, and at length to surpass him ;] and I cannot but think that at last the enormities of mankind will rise to such a height, as to make even Satan himself, in comparison, appear, (what he would least of all wish to be) spotless and innocent. MALONE.

9 keep his house.] i. e. keep within doors for fear of duns.

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The same.

SCENE IV.

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.

Tit. The like to you, kind Varro.

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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 I wait for money.

Hor. It is against my heart.

Luc. Sero.

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.

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

ness:

I know, my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth,
And nowin gratitude 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 equall❜d.2

Enter FLAMINIUS.

Tit. One of lord Timon's men.

I am weary of this charge,] That is, of this commission, of this employment.

2 Else, surely, his had equall'd.] The meaning of this passage may be, Your master, it seems, had more confidence in lord Timon than mine, otherwise his (i. e. my master's) debt (i. e. the money due to him from Timon) would certainly have been as great as your master's (i. e. as the money which Timon owes to your master;) that is, my master being as rich as yours, could and would have advanced Timon as large a sum as your master has advanced him, if he (my master) had thought it prudent to do so.

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 preferr'd you not
Your sums and bills, when your false masters eat
Of my lord's meat? Then they could smile, and fawn
Upon his debts, and take down th' interest

Into their gluttonous maws.

wrong,

You do yourselves but

To stir me up; let me pass quietly:
Believe't, my lord and I have made an end;
I have no more to reckon, he to spend.

Luc. Serv. Ay, but this answer will not serve.
Flav.

If 'twill not, t 'Tis not so base as you; for you serve knaves. [Exit. 1 Var. Serv. How! what does his cashier'd worship mutter?

2 Var. Serv. 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.

+"If 'twill not serve," - MALONE.

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