Act 3 — Scene IV. A hall in Timon's house.[2143]
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Scene IV. A hall in Timon's house.[2143]
Enter two Servants of Varro, and the Servant of Lucius, meeting Titus, Hortensius, and other Servants of Timon's creditors, waiting his coming out.[2144]
First Var. Serv. Well met; good morrow, Titus and Hortensius.[2145] Tit. The like to you, kind Varro.[2146] Hor. Lucius![2146] What, do we meet together?[2146][2147] Luc. Serv. Ay, and I think[2146] One business does command us all; for mine[2146] Is money.[2146][2148] 5 Tit. So is theirs and ours.[2148][2149]
Enter Philotus.
Luc. Serv. And Sir Philotus too![2148] Phi. Good day at once. Luc. Serv. Welcome, good brother.[2150] What do you think the hour?[2150][2151] Phi. Labouring for nine. Luc. Serv. So much? Phi. Is not my lord seen yet? Luc. Serv. Not yet. Phi. I wonder on't; he was wont to shine at seven.[2152] 10 Luc. Serv. Ay, but the days are wax'd shorter with him:[2153] You must consider that a prodigal course[2154] Is like the sun's; but not, like his, recoverable.[2155] I fear[2155] 'Tis deepest winter in Lord Timon's purse;[2156] 15 That is, one may reach deep enough and yet[2156] Find little.[2156] 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.[2157] Tit. And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift, 20 For which I wait for money.[2158] Hor. It is against my heart.[2159] 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. 25 Hor. I'm weary of this charge, the gods can witness:[2160] I know my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth, And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth.[2161] First Var. Serv. Yes, mine's three thousand crowns: what's yours?[2162] Luc. Serv. Five thousand mine.[2163] 30 First Var. Serv. 'Tis much deep: and it should seem by the sum[2164] Your master's confidence was above mine; Else, surely, his had equall'd.[2165]
Enter Flaminius.
Tit. One of Lord Timon's men. Luc. Serv. Flaminius! Sir, a word: pray, is my lord[2166] 35 ready to come forth?[2166] 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[2167] diligent.[2167][2168] [Exit. 40
Enter Flavius in a cloak, muffled.[2169]
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? Sec. Var. Serv. By your leave, sir,—[2170] Flav. What do ye ask of me, my friend?[2171] 45 Tit. We wait for certain money here, sir.[2172] Flav. Ay, If money were as certain as your waiting, 'Twere sure enough.[2173] Why then preferr'd you not your sums and bills,[2173] When your false masters eat of my lord's meat?[2173][2174] 50 Then they could smile and fawn upon his debts[2173][2175] And take down the interest into their gluttonous maws.[2173][2176] You do yourselves but wrong to stir me up;[2173] Let me pass quietly:[2173] Believe't, my lord and I have made an end; 55 I have no more to reckon, he to spend. Luc. Serv. Ay, but this answer will not serve. Flav. If 'twill not serve, 'tis not so base as you;[2177] For you serve knaves. [Exit.[2178] First Var. Serv. How! what does his cashiered worship[2179] 60 mutter? Sec. Var. Serv. No matter what; he's poor, and that's[2180] revenge enough. Who can speak broader than he that has no house to put his head in? such may rail against great[2181] buildings. 65
Enter Servilius.
Tit. O, here's Servilius; now we shall know some answer.[2182][2183] Ser. If I might beseech you, gentlemen, to repair some[2182][2184] other hour, I should derive much from 't; for, take't of my[2182][2185] soul, my lord leans wondrously to discontent: his comfortable[2182]70 temper has forsook him; he's much out of health and[2182][2186] keeps his chamber.[2182] Luc. Serv. Many do keep their chambers are not sick: And if it be so far beyond his health,[2187] Methinks he should the sooner pay his debts, 75 And make a clear way to the gods. Ser. Good gods! Tit. We cannot take this for answer, sir.[2188] Flam. [Within] Servilius, help! My lord! my lord!
Enter Timon in a rage; Flaminius following.[2189]
Tim. What, are my doors opposed against my passage?[2190] Have I been ever free, and must my house 80 Be my retentive enemy, my gaol?[2191] The place which I have feasted, does it now, Like all mankind, show me an iron heart? Luc. Serv. Put in now, Titus.[2192] Tit. My lord, here is my bill.[2192][2193] 85 Luc. Serv. Here's mine.[2192] Hor. And mine, my lord.[2192][2194] Both Var. Serv. And ours, my lord.[2192][2195] Phi. All our bills.[2192][2196] Tim. Knock me down with 'em: cleave me to the girdle.[2192] 90 Luc. Serv. Alas, my lord,—[2192][2197] Tim. Cut my heart in sums.[2192][2198] Tit. Mine, fifty talents.[2192] Tim. Tell out my blood.[2192] Luc. Serv. Five thousand crowns, my lord.[2192] 95 Tim. Five thousand drops pays that. What yours?—and[2192][2199][2200] yours?[2192][2199] First Var. Serv. My lord,—[2192][2201][2202] Sec. Var. Serv. My lord,—[2192][2202][2203] Tim. Tear me, take me, and the gods fall upon you![2204] [Exit.100 Hor. 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. [Exeunt.
Re-enter Timon and Flavius.[2205]
Tim. They have e'en put my breath from me, the slaves. Creditors? devils! 105 Flav. My dear lord,—[2206] Tim. What if it should be so? Flav. My lord,—[2206][2207] Tim. I'll have it so. My steward! Flav. Here, my lord. 110 Tim. So fitly? Go, bid all my friends again, Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius: all:[2208] I'll once more feast the rascals. Flav. O my lord,[2209] You only speak from your distracted soul;[2209] There is not so much left, to furnish out[2209][2210] 115 A moderate table.[2209][2211] Tim. Be it not in thy care; Go,[2212] I charge thee, invite them all: let in the tide[2213] Of knaves once more; my cook and I'll provide. [Exeunt.