My knowing, Timon hath been this lord's father,
And kept his credit with his purse;
Supported bis estate; nay, Timon's money
Has paid bis men their wages: He ne'er drinks,
But Timon's silver treads upon his lip;
And yet, (0, see the monstrousness of man
When he looks out in an upgrateful shape!)
He does deny him, in respect of his,
What charitable men afford to beggars.

3 Stran. Religion groans at it.
1 Stran.

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 return'd 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.

SCENE III.

The same. A room in Sempronius's house.

Enter Sempronius, and a Servant of Timon's.
Sem. Must he needs trouble me in't? Humph !

'Bove all others ?
He might have tried lord Lucius, or Lucullus ;
And now Ventidius is wealthy too,
Whom he redeem'd from prison : All these three
Owe their estates unto him.

* This means, to put his wealth down in account as a donation.

Serv.

O my lord, They have all been touch'd*, and found base metal;

for They have all denied him! Sem.

How! have they denied him? Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him? And does he send to me? Three? humph!It shows but little love or judgement in him. Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physi.

cians, Thrive, give him over; Must I take the cure upon

me? He has much disgrac'd me in't; I am angry at him, That might have known my place: I see no sense

fort, But his occasions might have woo'd me first; Tor, in my conscience, I was the first man That e'er receiv'd 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 the rest, And I amongst the lords be thought a fool. I had rather than the worth of thrice the sum, He had sent to me first, but for my mind's sake; I had such a couraget to do him good. But now re

turn, And with their faint reply this answer join; Who bates mine honour, shall not know my coin.

[Erit. Sero. Excellent! Your lordship's a goodly villain. The devil knew not what he did, when he made man politick; he cross'd himself by't: audi 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 politick love.

+ Tried.

† Ardour, eager desire.

This was my lord's best hope; now all are filed,
Save the gods only: Now bis friends are dead,
Doors, that were ue'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.

(Erit.

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 to Timon's creditors, waiting his com-
ing out.
Var. Sero. Well met; good-morrow, Titus and

Hortensius.
Tit. The like to you, kind Varro.
Hor.

Lucius!
What, do we meet together?
Luc. Serv.

Ay, and, I think,
One business does command us all; for mine
Is money.

Tit. So is theirs and ours.

Enter Philotus.
Luc. Sero.

And sir
Philotus too!
Phi.

Good day at once.
Luc, Sero.

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

Labouring for nine.

* 6. e. Keep within doors for fear of duns.

Luc. Sero. So much?
Phi.

Is not my lord seen yet?
Luc. Sero.

Not yet. Phi. I wonder on't; he was wont to shine at

seven. Luc. Sero. Ay, but the days are waxed shofter

with him: You inust 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.

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. Tit. And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift, For which I wait for money.

Hor. It is against my heart.
Luc. Sero.

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.
Hor. I am weary of this charget, the gods can

witness: I know, my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth, And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth. 1 Var. Sero. Yes, mine's three thousand crowns:

What's yours? Luc. Serv. Five thousand mine. 1 Var. Serv. 'Tis much deep; and it should seem

by the sum, Your master's confidence was above mine; Else, surely, his had equall'd.

* 6. e. Like him in blaze and splendour.
+ Commission, employment.

Enter Flaminius. Tit. One of lord Timon's men.

Luc. Sero. Flaminius ! sir, a word: 'Pray, is my lord ready to come forth?

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 diligent.

[Erit Flaminius.

Enter Flavius in a cloak, muffled.

He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him.

Tit. Do you hear, sir?
1 Var. Sero. By your leave, sir,
Flad. What do you ask of me, my friend ?
Tit. We wait for certain money here, sir.
Flao.

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 th' interest
Into their gluttonous maws. You do yourselves but

wrong,
To stir me up; let me pass quietly:
Believ't, my lord and I have made an end;
I have no more to reckon, he to spend.

Luc. Sero. Ay, but this answer will not serve.
Flao.

If'twill not, 'Tis not so base as you; for you serve knaves.

[Erit. 1 Var. Sero. How! what does his cashier'd wor