Lucul. La, la, la, la,-nothing doubting,says he alas, good lord! a noble gentleman 'tis, it he 5 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, of purpose to have nim spend less: and yet he would embrace no counsel, take no warning by my coming. Every man has his fault, and nonesty is his; I ha' told him on 't, but I could never get him from 't.

Re-enter servant, with wine.

Serv. Please your lordship, here is the wine. Lucul. Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise. Here's to thec.

thing, my lord, and which I hear from common rumours, now lord 'Timon's happy hours are done and past, and his estate shrinks from him.

Luc. Fye, no, do not believe it; he cannot want for money.

2 Stran. But believe you this, my lord, that, not long ago, one of his men was with the lord Lucullus, to borrow so many talents; nay, urg'd extremely for 't, and shew'd what necessity be10ong'd to't, and yet was deny'd. Luc. How?

2 Stran. I tell you, deny'd, my lord.

Luc. What a strange case was that! Now, before the gods, I am asham'd on't. Deny'd that 15 honourable man? there was very little honour shew'd in't. For my own part, I must needs confess, I have receiv'd some small kindnesses from him, as money, plate, jewels, and such like trifles, nothing comparing to his; yet, had he mistook him, and sent to me, I should ne'er have deny'd his occasion so many talents.

Flum. Your lordship speaks your pleasure. Lucut. I have observ'd thee always tor a towardly prompt spirit,-give thee thy due,-and one that knows what belongs to reason; and canst 20 use the time well, if the time use thee well: good parts in thee.-Get you gone, sirrah. [To the Sertant, who goes om. -Draw nearer, honest Flaminius. Thy lord's a bountiful gentleman: but thou art wise; and thou know'st well enough, although 25 thou com'st to me, that this is no tune to lend money; especially upon bare friendship, without security. Here's three solidares' forthee; 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'd2? Fly, damned baseness,
To him that worships thee!

30

[Throwing the money away. 35 Lucul. Ha! Now I see, thou art a tool, and fit for thy master. [Exit Lucullus.

Flam. May these add to the number that may
scaid thee!

Let molten coin be thy damnation,
Thou disease of a friend, and not himself!
Has triendship such a faint and milky heart,
It turns in less than two nights; O you gods,
I feel iny master's passion! I his slave,
Unto his honour, has my lord's meat in him:
Why should it thrive, and turn to nutriment,
When he is turned to poison?
O, may diseases only work upon't!
And, when he's sick to death, let not that part of
Which my lord paid for, be of any power
To expel sickness, but prolong his hour! [Exit.

SCENE II.

A public Street.

[nature

Enter Lucius, with three Strangers. Luc. Who, the lord Timon? he is my very good friend, and an honourable gentleman.

40

45

Enter Servilius.

Ser. See, by good hap, yonder 's my lord; I have sweat to see his honour.-My honour'd lord,[To Lucius.

Luc. Servilius! you are kindly met, sir. Fare thee well:-Commend me to thy honourablevirtuous lord, my very exquisite friend.

Serv. May it please your honour, my lord hath

sent

Luc. Ha! what hath he sent? I am so much Jendear'd to that lord; he's ever sending; How shall I thank him, think'st thou? And what has he sent now?

Ser. He has only sent his present occasion now, my lord; requesting your lordship to supply his instant use with so many talents.

Luc. I know, his lordsnip is but merry with me; he cannot want fifty-five hundred talents.

Ser. But in the mean time he wants less, my lord.

If his occasion were not virtuous",

I should not urge it half so faithfully".

Luc. Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius?
Ser. Upon my soul, 'tis true, sir.

Luc. What a wicked beast was I, to disfurnish myself against such a good time, when I might have shewn myself honourable? how unluckily it happen'd, that I should purchase the day before for 50 a little part, and undo a great deal of honour" !— Servilius, now before the gods, I am not able to do't; the more beast, I say:-I was sending to use lord Timon myself, these gentlemen can witness, but I would not, for the wealth of Athens, 55I had done it now. Commend me bountifully to conceive the fairest of me, becausel have no power his good lordship; and, I hope, his honour will to be kind:-And tell him this from I count it one of my greatest afflictions, say, that I cannot pleasure such an honourable Gentleman. Good

1 Stran. We know him for no less, though we are but strangers to him. But I can tell you one 60

1 Mr. Steevens believes this coin to be from the mint of the then, alive now: As much as to say, in so short a time. of milk. i. e. if he did not want it for a good use. meaning is, By purchasing what brought me but little honour, tunity of supplying the wants of my friend.

me,

Servilius, will you befriend me so far, as to use my own words to him?

Ser. Yes, sir, I shall.

Luc. I'll look you out a good turn, Servilius.--
[Exit Servilius. 5
True, as you said, Timon is shrunk, indeed;
And he, that's once deny'd, will hardly speed.

1 Stran. Do you observe this, Hostilius?
2 Stran. Ay, too well.

[Exit.

1 Stran. Why, this is the world's sport;
And just of the same piece is every flatterer's soul.
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, (0, 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'.
3 Stran. Religion groans at it.
1 Stran. For mine own part,
I never tasted Timon in my life,
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 honourable carriage,

Had his necessity made use of me,

I would have put my wealth into donation,
And the best half should have return'd 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.
Sempronius's House.

10

Sem. How! have they deny'd him?
Have Ventidius and Lucullus deny'd him?
And does he send to me? Three? hum!-
It shews but little love or judgement in him.
Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like phy-

sicians,

[me? Thrive, give him over ; Must I take the cure upon 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,
15 That I'll requite it last? No:

So it may, prove an argument of laughter
To the rest, and I'mongst 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;
201 had such a courage' to do him good. But now
return,

25

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 30 strives to appear foul! take virtuous copies' to be wicked; like those, that, under hot ardent zeal, would set whole realms on fire.

35

[Exeunt.

40

Enter Sempronius, with a Servant of Timon's.
Sem. Must he needs trouble me in't? Hum!

Of such a nature is his politic love.

This was my lord's best hope; now all are fled,
Save only the gods: 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".

[Exit.

45 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.

3

1i. e. In respect of his fortune, what Lucius denies to Timon is, in proportion to what Lucius possesses, less than the usual alms given by good men to beggars. That is, I would have treated my wealth as a present originally received from him, and on this occasion have return'd him the half of that whole for which I supposed myself to be indebted to his bounty. 3 i, e. tried, alluding to the touchstone. That is, "His friends, like physicians, thrive by his bounty and fees, and either relinquish, and forsake him, or give his case up as desperate." To give over has no reference to the irremediable condition of a patient, but simply means to leave, to forsake, to quit. i. e. I had such an ardour, such an eager desire. Set him clear does not mean, acquit him before heaven; but it signifies, puzzle him, outdo him at his own weapons. And the meaning of the passage is, "If the devil made men politic, he has thwarted his own interest, because the superior cunning of man will at last puzzle him, or be above the reach of his temptations." 7 This is a reflection on the puritans of that time. These people were then set upon a project of new-modelling the ecclesiastical and civil government according to Scripture rules and examples; which makes him say, that under zeal for the word of God, they would set whole realms on fire. So Sempronius pretended to that warm affection and generous jealousy of friendship, that is affronted, if any other be applied to before it. i. e. keep within doors for fear of duns.

Tit. O, here's Servilius; now we shall know Some answer.

Serv. If I might beseech you, gentlemen, To repair some other hour, I should

Tit. And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift, 30 Derive much from it: for take it on my soul,

For which I wait for money.

Hor. It is against my heart,

Luc. 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.

[witness:

35

Hor. I am weary of this charge, the gods can
I know, my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth,
And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth.
Var. Yes,mine's three thousand crowns: What's 40
yours?

Luc. Five thousand mine.

[the sum,
Var. 'Tis much deep: and it should seem by
Your master's confidence was above mine;
Else, surely, his had equall'd'.

Enter Flaminius.

Tit. One of lord Timon's men.

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

My lord leans wond'rously to discontent:
His comfortable temper has forsook him;

He is much out of health, and keeps his chamber.

Luc. 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.

Serv. Good gods!

Tit. We cannot take this for answer, sir.
Flam. [Within.] Servilius, help!-my lord!
my lord!

Enter Timon, in a race.
Tim. What, are my doors oppos'd against my
passage?

45 Have I been ever free, and must my house
Be my retentive enemy, my jail?
The place, which I have feasted, does it now,
Like all mankind, shew me an iron heart?
Luc. Put in now, Titus.

[much.50

Flam. No, indeed, he is not.
Tit. We attend his lordship; pray, signify so
Flam. I need not tell him that; he knows you
are too diligent.
[Exit Flaminius.

Enter Flavius in a cloak, muffled.
Luc. Ha! is not that his steward muffled so? 55
He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him.

Tit. Do you hear, sir?

Tit. My lord, here is my bill.
Luc. Here's mine.

Var. And mine, my lord.

Caph. And ours, my lord.

Phi. All our bills.

2 i.

e. of this commission.

1i. e. like him in blaze and splendour. His may refer to mine; as if he had said: Your master's confidence was above my master's; else surely his, i. e. the sam demanded from my master (for that is the last antecedent) had been equal to the sum demanded from yours. Timon quibbles.-They present their written bills; he catches at the word, and alludes to the bills, or battle-axes, which the ancient soldiery carried, and were still used by the watch in Shakspeare's time.

4

Tim.

Upon the head of valour; which, indeed,
Is valour misbegot, and came into the world
When sects and factions were newly born:
He's truly valiant, that can wisely suffer
The worst that man can breathe: and make his
wrongs
flessly;

15 His outsides; to wear them like his raiment, care-
And ne'er prefer his injuries to his heart,

20

To bring it into danger.

If wrongs be evils, and enforce us kill,
What folly 'tis to hazard lite for ill?
Alcib. My lord,-

1 Sen. You cannot make gross sins look clear; To revenge is no valour, but to bear.

Alcib. Mylords, then, under favour, pardon me,
If I speak like a captain.—

25 Why do fond men expose themselves to battle,
And not endure all threats? sleep upon it,
And let the foes quietly cut their throats,
Without repugnancy? If there be

Such valour in the bearing, what make we
30 Abroad why then, women are more valiant,
That stay at home, if bearing carry it;

The ass,more captain than the lion; and the fellow,
Loaden with irons, wiser than the judge,

If wisdom be in suffering. O my lords,

[Exeunt.]

35

As you are great; be pitifully good :

1 Sen. My lord, you have my voice to 't; the fault's bloody;

Tis necessary, he should die :

Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.

2 Sen. Most true; the law shall bruise'em. Alcib. Honour, health, and compassion to the 1 Seu. Now, captain?

Who cannot condemn rashness in cold blood?
To kill, I grant, is sin's extremest gust;
But, in defence, by mercy', 'tis most just.
To be in anger, is impiety;

40 But who is man, that is not angry?
Weigh but the crime with this.

2 Sen. You breathe in vain.
Alcib. In vain? his service done
At Lacedæmon, and Byzantium,

[senate! 45 Were a sufficient briber for his life.
1 Sen. What's that?

Alcib. I am an humble suitor to your virtues;
For pity is the virtue of the law,
And none but tyrants use it cruelly.
It pleases time and fortune, to lie heavy
Upon a friend of mine, who, in hot blood,
Hath stept into the law, which is past depth
To those that, without heed, do plunge into it,
He is a man, setting his fate aside,

Of comely virtues:

Nor did he soil the fact with cowardice;
(An honour in him, which buys out his fault;)
But with a noble fury, and fair spirit,

Seeing his reputation touch'd to death,

He did oppose his foe :

[service,

Alcib. Why, I say, my lords, he has done fair
And slain in fight many of your enemies:
How full of valour did he bear himself

50 in the last conflict, and made plenteous wounds?
2 Sen. He has made toomuchplentywith 'em; he
Is sworn a rioter: he has a sin
[soner:
That often drowns him, and takes his valour pri-
If there were no foes, that were enough
55 To overcome him: in that beastly fury
He has been known to commit outrages,
And cherish factions: "Tis inferr'd to us,
His days are foul, and his drink dangerous,
1 Sen, He dies,

4

2 Un

1i. e. putting this action of his, which was pre-determined by fate, out of the question. noted passion means, perhaps, an uncommon command of his passion, such a one as has not hitherto been observed. i. e. manage his anger. * You undertake a paradox too hard. i. e. What have we to do in the field? Gust, for aggravation, according to Warburton.-Mr. Steevens thinks that gust here means rashness, and that the allusion may be to a sudden gust of wind. The meaning is, I call mercy herself to witness, that defensive violence is just.

Alcib. Hard fate! he might have died in war.
My lords, if not for any parts in him,
[time,
(Though his right arin inight purchase his own
And be in debt to none) yet, more to move you,
Take my deserts to his, and join 'em both:
And, for I know, your reverend ages love
Security, I'll pawn my victories, all
My honours to you, upon his good returns.
If by this crime he owes the law his life,
Why, let the war receive't in valiant gore;
For law is strict, and war is nothing more.

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 5 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 10me, that my provision was out.

1 Sen. We are for law, he dies; urge it no more,
On height of our displeasure: Friend, or brother,
He forfeits his own blood, that spills another.
Alcib. Must it be so? it must not be. My lords, 15
I do beseech you, know me.

2 Sen. How?

Alcib. Call me to your remembrances. “,
3 Sen. What?

Alcib. I cannot think,but your age has forgot me,|20|
It could not else be, I should prove so base',
To sue, and be deny'd such common grace:
My wounds ake at you.

i Sen. Do you dare our anger?

'Tis in few words, but spacious in effect; We banish thee for ever.

Alcib. Banish me?

Banish your dotage; banish usury,
That makes the senate ugly.

[thee,

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 25 willingly, than we your lordship.

1 Sen. If, after two days' shine, Athens contain 30 Attend our weightier judgement.

And, not to swell our spirit',

He shall be executed presently. [Exeunt Senate.
Alcib. Now the gods keep you old enough;
that you may live

Only in bone, that none may look on you!
I am worse than mad: I have kept back their foes,
While they have told their money, and let out
Their coin upon large interest; I myself,
Rich only in large hurts.-All those, for this?
Is this the balsam, that the usuring senate
Pours into captains' wounds? Ha! banishment?
It comes not ill; I hate not to be banish'd :
It is a cause worthy my spleen and fury,
That I may strike at Athens. I'll cheer up
My discontented troops, and lay for hearts'.
Tis honour, with most lands to be at odds;
Soldiers as little should brook wrongs, as gods.

SCENE VI.

Timon's House.

[Exit.

135

40

45

50

Enter divers Senators, at several doors. 1 Sen. The good time of day to you, sir. 2 Sen. I also wish it to you. I think, this ho-55 nourable lord did but try us this other day.

1 Sen. Upon that were my thoughts tiring", when we encountered: I hope, it is not so low with him, as he made it seem in the trial of his several friends.

'Base, for dishonoured.

Tim. [Aside.] Nor more willingly leaves winter; such sumnier-birds are men.-Gentlemen, our dinner will not recompense this long stay: feast your ears with the musick awhile; 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. Tem. 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. My most honourable lord, I am e'en sick of shame, that, when your lordship this other day sent to me, I was so unfortunate a beggar. Tim. Think not on't, sir.

2 Sen. If you had sent but two hours before,→→ Tim. Let it not cumber your better remem-Come, bring in all together.

2 Sen. All cover'd dishes!

1 Sen. Royal cheer, I warrant you.

[brance.

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?

2 Sen. I pray you, upon what?

Tim. My worthy friends, will you draw near? 3 Sen. I'll tell you more anon. Here's a noble feast toward.

2 Sen. This is the old man still.

3 Sen. Will't hold? will 't hold?

60

2 Sen. It does: but time will-and so

2 Not to swell our spirit, may mean, not to put ourselves into any tumour of rage, take our definitive resolution. i. e. the affections of the people.

3

4 A hawk

is said to tire, when she amuses herself with pecking a pheasant's wing, or any thing that puts her in mind of prey.-To tire upon a thing, is therefore to be idly employed upon it.