The same. A hall in Timon's house
Well met; good morrow, Titus and Hortensius.
The like to you kind Varro.
Lucius!
What, do we meet together?
Ay, and I think
One business does command us all; for mine Is money.
Welcome, good brother.
What do you think the hour?
I wonder on't; he was wont to shine at seven.
Ay, but the days are wax'd 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.
I am of your fear for that.
I'll show you how to observe a strange event.
Your lord sends now for money.
And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift,
For which I wait for money.
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.
I'm 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.
Yes, mine's three thousand crowns: what's yours?
'Tis much deep: and it should seem by the sun,
Your master's confidence was above mine;
Else, surely, his had equall'd.
Enter Flaminius.
Flaminius! Sir, a word: pray, is my lord ready to
come forth?
We attend his lordship; pray, signify so much.
I need not tell him that; he knows you are too diligent.
Ha! is not that his steward muffled so?
He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him.
What do ye ask of me, my friend?
We wait for certain money here, sir.
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.
Ay, but this answer will not serve.
If 'twill not serve,'tis not so base as you;
For you serve knaves.
How! what does his cashiered worship mutter?
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.
O, here's Servilius; now we shall know some answer.
If I might beseech you, gentlemen, to repair some
other hour, I should derive much from't; for,
take't of my soul, my lord leans wondrously to
discontent: his comfortable temper has forsook him;
he's much out of health, and keeps his chamber.
Many do keep their chambers are not sick:
And, if it be so far beyond his health,
Methinks he should the sooner pay his debts,
And make a clear way to the gods.
We cannot take this for answer, sir.
Servilius, help! My lord! my lord!
What, are my doors opposed against my passage?
Have I been ever free, and must my house
Be my retentive enemy, my gaol?
The place which I have feasted, does it now,
Like all mankind, show me an iron heart?
My lord, here is my bill.
Knock me down with 'em: cleave me to the girdle.
Five thousand crowns, my lord.
Five thousand drops pays that.
What yours?—and yours?
Tear me, take me, and the gods fall upon you!
'Faith, I perceive our masters may throw their caps
at their money: these debts may well be called
desperate ones, for a madman owes 'em.
They have e'en put my breath from me, the slaves.
Creditors? devils!
I'll have it so. My steward!
So fitly? Go, bid all my friends again,
Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius:
All, sirrah, all:
I'll once more feast the rascals.
O my lord,
You only speak from your distracted soul;
There is not so much left, to furnish out
A moderate table.
Be't not in thy care; go,
I charge thee, invite them all: let in the tide
Of knaves once more; my cook and I'll provide.
