Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like phy sicians, 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 woo'd me first; And does he think so backwardly of me now, 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 1 to do him good. But now return, And with their faint reply this answer join; [Exit. Ser. 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. 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 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.1 [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. Ser. Well met: good morrow, Titus and Hortensius. Titus. The like to you, kind Varro. Phi. I wonder on't; he was wont to shine at seven. Luc. Ser. 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. 'Tis deepest winter in lord Timon's purse; That is, one may reach deep enough, and yet Phi. I am of your fear for that. Titus. I'll show you how to observe a strange event. Your lord sends now for money. Hor. Most true, he does. Titus. And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift, For which I wait for money. Hor. It is against my heart. Luc. Ser. Mark, how strange it shows, Timon in this should pay more than he owes; And ev'n as if your lord should wear rich jewels, Hor. I am weary of this charge, the gods can witness: I know, my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth, And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth. 1 Var. Ser. Yes, mine's three thousand crowns: what's yours ? Luc. Ser. Five thousand mine. : 1 Var. Ser. 'Tis much deep and it should seem, by the sum, Your master's confidence was above mine; Else, surely, his had equall'd. Enter FLAMINIUS. Titus. One of lord Timon's men. Luc. Ser. Flaminius! sir, a word. Pray, is my lord ready to come forth? Flam. No, indeed, he is not. Titus. 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. Ser. Ha! is not that his steward muffled so ? He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him. Titus. Do you hear, sir? 1 Var. Ser. By your leave, sir, Flav. What do you ask of me, my friend? Ay, 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 could smile, and fawn Upon his debts, and take down the interest Into their gluttonous maws. You do yourselves but wrong 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. Ser. Ay, but this answer will not serve. If 'twill not serve, "Tis not so base as you; for you serve knaves. [Exit. 1 Var. Ser. How! what does his cashiered worship mutter? 2 Var. Ser. 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. Titus. O, here's Servilius; now we shall know some answer. Ser. If I might beseech you, gentlemen, to repair some other hour, I should derive much from it: for, take it on my soul, my lord leans wondrously |