Poet. Sir, 55
Having often of your open bounty tasted,[2667]
Hearing you were retired, your friends fall'n off,
Whose thankless natures—O abhorred spirits!—[2668]
Not all the whips of heaven are large enough—[2669]
What! to you,[2670] 60
Whose star-like nobleness gave life and influence
To their whole being! I am rapt, and cannot cover[2671][2672]
The monstrous bulk of this ingratitude[2672]
With any size of words.
Tim. Let it go naked, men may see't the better:[2673] 65
You that are honest, by being what you are,
Make them best seen and known.[2674]
Pain. He and myself
Have travail'd in the great shower of your gifts,[2675]
And sweetly felt it.
Tim. Ay, you are honest men.[2676]
Pain. We are hither come to offer you our service.[2677] 70
Tim. Most honest men! Why, how shall I requite you?[2678]
Can you eat roots, and drink cold water? no.
Both. What we can do, we'll do, to do you service.[2679]
Tim. Ye're honest men: ye've heard that I have gold;[2679][2680]
I am sure you have: speak truth; ye're honest men.[2681] 75
Pain. So it is said, my noble lord: but therefore
Came not my friend nor I.[2682]
Tim. Good honest men! Thou draw'st a counterfeit[2683]
Best in all Athens: thou'rt indeed the best;[2684]
Thou counterfeit'st most lively.