The Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works

by William Shakespeare

  FLAVIUS

  ‘Tis all engaged, some forfeited and gone,

  And what remains will hardly stop the mouth

  Of present dues. The future comes apace.

  What shall defend the interim, and at length

  How goes our reck’ning?

  TIMON

  To Lacedaemon did my land extend.

  FLAVIUS

  O my good lord, the world is but a word.

  Were it all yours to give it in a breath,

  How quickly were it gone.

  TIMON You tell me true.

  FLAVIUS

  If you suspect my husbandry or falsehood,

  Call me before th’exactest auditors

  And set me on the proof. So the gods bless me,

  When all our offices have been oppressed

  With riotous feeders, when our vaults have wept

  With drunken spilth of wine, when every room

  Hath blazed with lights and brayed with minstrelsy,

  I have retired me to a wasteful cock,

  And set mine eyes at flow.

  TIMON Prithee, no more.

  FLAVIUS

  ‘Heavens,’ have I said, ‘the bounty of this lord!

  How many prodigal bits have slaves and peasants

  This night englutted! Who is not Timon’s?

  What heart, head, sword, force, means, but is Lord

  Timon’s?

  Great Timon, noble, worthy, royal Timon!

  Ah, when the means are gone that buy this praise,

  The breath is gone whereof this praise is made.

  Feast won, fast lost; one cloud of winter show’rs,

  These flies are couched.’

  TIMON Come, sermon me no further.

  No villainous bounty yet hath passed my heart.

  Unwisely, not ignobly, have I given.

  Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the conscience lack

  To think I shall lack friends? Secure thy heart.

  If I would broach the vessels of my love

  And try the argument of hearts by borrowing,

  Men and men’s fortunes could I frankly use

  As I can bid thee speak.

  FLAVIUS Assurance bless your thoughts!

  TIMON

  And in some sort these wants of mine are crowned

  That I account them blessings, for by these

  Shall I try friends. You shall perceive how you

  Mistake my fortunes. I am wealthy in my friends.—

  Within there, Flaminius, Servilius!

  Enter Flaminius, Servilius, and a Third Servant

  ALL SERVANTS

  My lord, my lord.

  TIMON I will dispatch you severally,

  (To Servilius) You to Lord Lucius,

  (To Flaminius) to Lord Lucullus you—

  I hunted with his honour today—

  (To Third Servant) You to Sempronius. Commend me

  to their loves,

  And I am proud, say, that my occasions have

  Found time to use ’em toward a supply of money.

  Let the request be fifty talents.

  FLAMINIUS As you have said, my lord. Exeunt Servants

  FLAVIUS

  Lord Lucius and Lucullus? Hmh!

  TIMON

  Go you, sir, to the senators,

  Of whom, even to the state’s best health, I have

  Deserved this hearing. Bid ‘em send o’th’ instant

  A thousand talents to me.

  FLAVIUS I have been bold,

  For that I knew it the most general way,

  To them, to use your signet and your name;

  But they do shake their heads, and I am here

  No richer in return.

  TIMON Is’t true? Can’t be?

  FLAVIUS

  They answer in a joint and corporate voice

  That now they are at fall, want treasure, cannot

  Do what they would, are sorry, you are honourable,

  But yet they could have wished—they know not—

  Something hath been amiss—a noble nature

  May catch a wrench—would all were well—’tis pity;

  And so, intending other serious matters,

  After distasteful looks and these hard fractions,

  With certain half-caps and cold moving nods

  They froze me into silence.

  TIMON You gods reward them!

  Prithee, man, look cheerly. These old fellows

  Have their ingratitude in them hereditary.

  Their blood is caked, ‘tis cold, it seldom flows.

  ’Tis lack of kindly warmth they are not kind;

  And nature as it grows again toward earth

  Is fashioned for the journey dull and heavy.

  Go to Ventidius. Prithee, be not sad.

  Thou art true and honest—ingenuously I speak—

  No blame belongs to thee. Ventidius lately

  Buried his father, by whose death he’s stepped

  Into a great estate. When he was poor,

  Imprisoned, and in scarcity of friends,

  I cleared him with five talents. Greet him from me.

  Bid him suppose some good necessity

  Touches his friend, which craves to be remembered

  With those five talents. That had, give’t these fellows

  To whom ‘tis instant due. Ne’er speak or think

  That Timon’s fortunes ’mong his friends can sink.

  FLAVIUS

  I would I could not think it. That thought is bounty’s

  foe:

  Being free itself, it thinks all others so.

  Exeunt ⌈severally⌉

  3.1 Enter Flaminius, with a box under his cloak, waiting to speak with Lucullus. From his master, enters a Servant to him

  LUCULLUS’ SERVANT I have told my lord of you. He is coming down to you.

  FLAMINIUS I thank you, sir.

  Enter Lucullus

  LUCULLUS’ SERVANT Here’s my lord.

  LUCULLUS (aside) One of Lord Timon’s men? A gift, I warrant. Why, this hits right; I dreamt of a silver basin and ewer tonight.—Ftaminius, honest Flaminius, you are very respectively welcome, sir. (To his Servant) Fill me some wine. Exit Servant And how does that honourable, complete, free-hearted gentleman of Athens, thy very bountiful good lord and master?

  FLAMINIUS His health is well, sir.

  LUCULLUS I am right glad that his health is well, sir. And what hast thou there under thy cloak, pretty Flaminius?

  FLAMINIUS Faith, nothing but an empty box, sir, which in my lord’s behalf I come to entreat your honour to supply, who, having great and instant occasion to use fifty talents, hath sent to your lordship to furnish him, nothing doubting your present assistance therein.

  LUCULLUS La, la, la, la, ‘nothing doubting’ says he? Alas, good lord! A noble gentleman ’tis, if he would not keep so good a house. Many a time and often I ha’ dined with him and told him on‘t, and come again to supper to him of purpose to have him spend less; and yet he would embrace no counsel, take no warning by my coming. Every man has his fault, and honesty is his. I ha’ told him on’t, but I could ne’er get him from’t.

  Enter Servant, with wine

  SERVANT Please your lordship, here is the wine.

  LUCULLUS Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise. (Drinking) Here’s to thee!

  FLAMINIUS Your lordship speaks your pleasure.

  LUCULLUS I have observed thee always for a towardly prompt spirit, give thee thy due, and one that knows what belongs to reason; and canst use the time well if the time use thee well. (Drinking) Good parts in thee! (To his Servant) Get you gone, sirrah. Exit Servant Draw nearer, honest Flaminius. Thy lord’s a bountiful gentleman; but thou art wise, and thou know‘st well enough, although thou com’st to me, that this is no time to lend money, especially upon bare friendship without security. (Giving coins) Here’s three solidares for thee. Good boy, wink at me, and say thou saw’st me not. Fare thee well.

  FLAMI
NIUS

  Is’t possible the world should so much differ,

  And we alive that lived?

  He throws the coins at Lucullus

  Fly, damned baseness,

  To him that worships thee.

  LUCULLUS Ha! Now I see thou art a fool, and fit for thy master.

  Exit

  FLAMINIUS

  May these add to the number that may scald thee.

  Let molten coin be thy damnation,

  Thou disease of a friend, and not himself.

  Has friendship such a faint and milky heart

  It turns in less than two nights? O you gods,

  I feel my master’s passion! This slave

  Unto this hour 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 nature

  Which my lord paid for be of any power

  To expel sickness, but prolong his hour.

  Exit

  3.2 Enter Lucius, with three Strangers

  LUCIUS Who, the Lord Timon? He is my very good friend, and an honourable gentleman.

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

  LUCIUS Fie, no, do not believe it. He cannot want for money. 9

  SECOND STRANGER 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, urged extremely for‘t, and showed what necessity belonged to’t, and yet was denied.

  LUCIUS How?

  SECOND STRANGER I tell you, denied, my lord.

  LUCIUS What a strange case was that! Now before the gods, I am ashamed on’t. Denied that honourable man? There was very little honour showed in’t. For my own part, I must needs confess I have received some small kindnesses from him, as money, plate, jewels, and suchlike trifles—nothing comparing to his; yet had he not mistook him and sent to me, I should ne’er have denied his occasion so many talents.

  Enter Servilius

  SERVILIUS (aside) See, by good hap yonder’s my lord. I have sweat to see his honour. (To Lucius) My honoured lord!

  ⌈LUCIUS⌉ Servilius! You are kindly met, sir. Fare thee well. Commend me to thy honourable virtuous lord, my very exquisite friend.

  SERVILIUS May it please your honour, my lord hath sent—

  LUCIUS Ha! What has he sent? I am so much endeared to that lord, he’s ever sending. How shall I thank him, think’st thou? And what has he sent now?

  SERVILIUS He’s only sent his present occasion now, my lord, requesting your lordship to supply his instant use with so many talents.

  ⌈LUCIUS⌉

  I know his lordship is but merry with me.

  He cannot want fifty-five hundred talents.

  SERVILIUS

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

  If his occasion were not virtuous

  I should not urge it half so faithfully.

  LUCIUS

  Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius?

  SERVILIUS Upon my soul, ’tis true, sir.

  LUCIUS What a wicked beast was I to disfurnish myself against such a good time when I might ha’ shown myself honourable) How unluckily it happened that I should purchase the day before a little part, and undo a great deal of honour! Servilius, now before the gods I am not able to do, the more beast I, I say. I was sending to use Lord Timon myself—these gentlemen can witness—but I would not for the wealth of Athens I had done’t now. Commend me bountifully to his good lordship; and I hope his honour will conceive the fairest of me because I have no power to be kind. And tell him this from me: I count it one of my greatest afflictions, say, that I cannot pleasure such an honourable gentleman. Good Servilius, will you befriend me so far as to use mine own words to him?

  SERVILIUS Yes, sir, I shall.

  LUCIUS

  I’ll look you out a good turn, Servilius. Exit Servilius

  True as you said: Timon is shrunk indeed;

  And he that’s once denied will hardly speed. Exit

  FIRST STRANGER

  Do you observe this, Hostilius?

  SECOND STRANGER Ay, too well.

  FIRST STRANGER

  Why, this is the world’s soul, and just of the same piece

  Is every flatterer’s spirit. 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—O 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.

  THIRD STRANGER

  Religion groans at it.

  FIRST STRANGER 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 returned to him,

  So much I love his heart. But I perceive

  Men must learn now with pity to dispense,

  For policy sits above conscience.

  Exeunt

  3.3 Enter Timon’s Third Servant, with Sempronius, another of Timon’s friends

  SEMPRONIUS

  Must he needs trouble me in’t? Hmh! ’Bove all others?

  He might have tried Lord Lucius or Lucullus;

  And now Ventidius is wealthy too,

  Whom he redeemed from prison. All these

  Owes their estates unto him.

  SERVANT My lord,

  They have all been touched and found base metal,

  For they have all denied him.

  SEMPRONIUS How, have they denied him?

  Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him,

  And does he send to me? Three? Hmhl

  It shows but little love or judgement in him.

  Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physicians,

  Thrive, give him over; must I take th’ cure upon me?

  He’s much disgraced me in’t. I’m angry at him,

  That might have known my place. I see no sense for’t

  But his occasions might have wooed 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

  That I’ll requite it last? No.

  So it may prove an argument of laughter

  To th’ rest, and I ’mongst lords be thought a fool.

  I’d rather than the worth of thrice the sum

  He’d 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.

  Doo
rs that were ne’er acquainted with their wards

  Many a bounteous year must be employed

  Now to guard sure their master;

  And this is all a liberal course allows:

  Who cannot keep his wealth must keep his house.

  Exit

  3.4 Enter Varro’s two Servants, meeting others, all Servants of Timon’s creditors, to wait for his coming out. Then enter ⌈Servants of ⌉Lucius, Titus, and Hortensius

  VARRO’S ⌈FIRST⌉ SERVANT

  Well met; good morrow, Titus and Hortensius.

  TITUS’ SERVANT The like to you, kind Varro.

  HORTENSIUS’ SERVANT

  Lucius, what, do we meet together?

  LUCIUS’ SERVANT

  Ay, and I think one business does command us all,

  For mine is money.

  TITUS’ SERVANT So is theirs and ours.

  Enter ⌈a Servant of ⌉ Philotus

  LUCIUS’ SERVANT

  And Sir Philotus too!

  PHILOTUS’ SERVANT Good day at once.

  LUCIUS’ SERVANT

  Welcome, good brother. What do you think the hour?

  PHILOTUS’ SERVANT Labouring for nine.

  LUCIUS’ SERVANT So much?

  PHILOTUS’ SERVANT Is not my lord seen yet?

  LUCIUS’ SERVANT Not yet.

  PHILOTUS’ SERVANT

  I wonder on’t; he was wont to shine at seven.

  LUCIUS’ SERVANT

  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. I fear

  ’Tis deepest winter in Lord Timon’s purse; that is,

  One may reach deep enough, and yet find little.

  PHILOTUS’ SERVANT I am of your fear for that.

  TITUS’ SERVANT

  I’ll show you how t’observe a strange event.

  Your lord sends now for money?

  HORTENSIUS’ SERVANT Most true, he does.

  TITUS’ SERVANT

  And he wears jewels now of Timon’s gift,

  For which I wait for money.

  HORTENSIUS’ SERVANT It is against my heart.

  LUCIUS’ 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.