Timon of Athens

I’ll requite its last? No:
So it may prove an argument of laughter
To the rest, and ’mongst lords I be thought a fool.
I’ld rather than the worth of thrice the sum,
Had sent to me first, but for my mind’s sake;
I’d 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. Servant

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 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 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.

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 of Timon’s creditors, waiting his coming out.
Varro’s First Servant	Well met; good morrow, Titus and Hortensius.
Titus	The like to you, kind Varro.
Hortensius	Lucius! What, do we meet together?
Lucilius’ Servant	Ay, and I think One business does command us all; for mine Is money.
Titus	So is theirs and ours.
	Enter Philotus.
Lucilius’ Servant	And Sir Philotus too!
Philotus	Good day at once.
Lucilius’ Servant	Welcome, good brother. What do you think the hour?
Philotus	Labouring for nine.
Lucilius’ Servant	So much?
Philotus	Is not my lord seen yet?
Lucilius’ Servant	Not yet.
Philotus	I wonder on’t; he was wont to shine at seven.
Lucilius’ Servant	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.
Philotus	I am of your fear for that.
Titus	I’ll show you how to observe a strange event. Your lord sends now for money.
Hortensius	Most true, he does.
Titus	And he wears jewels now of Timon’s gift, For which I wait for money.
Hortensius	It is against my heart.
Lucilius’ Servant	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.
Hortensius	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.
Varro’s First Servant	Yes, mine’s three thousand crowns: what’s yours?
Lucilius’ Servant	Five thousand mine.
Varro’s First Servant	’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.
Lucilius’ Servant	Flaminius! Sir, a word: pray, is my lord ready to come forth?
Flaminius	No, indeed, he is not.
Titus	We attend his lordship; pray, signify so much.
Flaminius	I need not tell him that; he knows you are too diligent. Exit.
	Enter Flavius in a cloak, muffled.
Lucilius’ Servant	Ha! is not that his steward muffled so? He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him.
Titus	Do you hear, sir?
Varro’s Second Servant	By your leave, sir⁠—
Flavius	What do ye ask of me, my friend?
Titus	We wait for certain money here, sir.
Flavius	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.
Lucilius’ Servant	Ay, but this answer will not serve.
Flavius	If ’twill not serve, ’tis not so base as you; For you serve knaves. Exit.
Varro’s First Servant	How! what does his cashiered worship mutter?
Varro’s Second Servant	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.
Servilius	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.
Lucilius’ Servant	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.
Servilius	Good gods!
Titus	We cannot take this for answer, sir.
Flaminius	Within. Servilius, help! My lord! my lord!
	Enter Timon, in a rage; Flaminius following.
Timon	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?
Lucilius’ Servant	Put in now, Titus.
Titus	My lord, here is my bill.
Lucilius’ Servant	Here’s mine.
Hortensius	And mine, my lord.
Both Varro’s Servants	And ours, my lord.
Philotus	All our bills.
Timon	Knock me down with ’em: cleave me to the girdle.
Lucilius’ Servant	Alas, my lord⁠—
Timon	Cut my heart in sums.
Titus	Mine, fifty talents.
Timon	Tell out my blood.
Lucilius’ Servant	Five thousand crowns, my lord.
Timon	Five thousand drops pays that. What yours?⁠—and yours?
Varro’s First Servant	My lord⁠—
Varro’s Second Servant	My lord⁠—
Timon	Tear me, take me, and the gods fall upon you! Exit.
Hortensius	’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.