First Stran. For mine own part,[2104]
I never tasted Timon in my life,[2104]
Nor came any of his bounties over me,[2105]
To mark me for his friend; yet, I protest, 75
For his right noble mind, illustrious virtue,
And honourable carriage,[2106]
Had his necessity made use of me,
I would have put my wealth into donation,[2107]
And the best half should have return'd to him,[2108][2109] 80
So much I love his heart: but, I perceive,[2109]
Men must learn now with pity to dispense;
For policy sits above conscience.[2110] [Exeunt.
Scene III. A room in Sempronius' house.[2111]
Enter Sempronius, and a Servant of Timon's.[2112]
Sem. Must he needs trouble me in 't,—hum!—'bove all others?[2113]
He might have tried Lord Lucius or Lucullus;
And now Ventidius is wealthy too,
Whom he redeem'd from prison: all these
Owe their estates unto him.[2114]
Serv. My lord,[2115][2116] 5
They have all been touch'd and found base metal, for[2116][2117][2118]
They have all denied him.[2116][2118][2119]
Sem. How! have they denied him?
Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him?[2120]
And does he send to me? Three? hum!
It shows but little love or judgement in him:[2121] 10
Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physicians,[2122][2123]
Thrive, give him over: must I take the cure upon me?[2122][2124]
Has much disgraced me in 't; I'm angry at him,[2125]
That might have known my place: I see no sense for 't,[2126]
But his occasions might have woo'd me first; 15
For, in my conscience, I was the first man
That e'er received gift from him:[2127]
And does he think so backwardly of me now,[2128]
That I'll requite it last? No:[2129]
So it may prove an argument of laughter 20
To the rest, and 'mongst lords I be thought a fool.[2130]
I'd rather than the worth of thrice the sum,[2131]
Had sent to me first, but for my mind's sake;[2132]
I'd such a courage to do him good. But now return,[2133]
And with their faint reply this answer join; 25
Who bates mine honour shall not know my coin. [Exit.
Serv. Excellent! Your lordship's a goodly villain. The[2134]
devil knew not what he did when he made man politic; he[2134][2135]
crossed himself by 't: and I cannot think but in the end the[2134][2136]
villanies of man will set him clear. How fairly this lord[2134][2137]30
strives to appear foul! takes virtuous copies to be wicked;[2134][2138]
like those that under hot ardent zeal would set whole[2134][2139]
realms on fire:[2134]
Of such a nature is his politic love.[2140]
This was my lord's best hope; now all are fled,[2141] 35
Save only the gods: now his friends are dead,[2142]
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; 40
Who cannot keep his wealth must keep his house. [Exit.
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]