Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the conscience lack, To think I shall lack friends? Secure thy heart; Flav. Assurance bless your thoughts! Tim. And, in some sort, these wants of mine are crown'd,2 That I account them blessings; for by these Enter FLAMINIUS, SERVILIUS, and other Servants. Tim. I will despatch you severally.-You, to lord To lord Lucullus you; I hunted with his Be fifty talents. As you have said, my lord. Flam. Aside. Tim. Go you, sir, [To another Serv.] to the se nators, (Of whom, even to the state's best health, I have Deserv'd this hearing,) bid 'em send o'the instant ' And try the argument-] The licentiousness of our author forces us often upon far-fetch'd expositions. Arguments may mean contents, as the arguments of a book; or evidences and proofs. JOHNSON. crown'd,] i. e. dignified, adorned, made respectable. A thousand talents to me. Flav. I have been bold, (For that I knew it the most general way,)3 To them to use your signet, and your name; But they do shake their heads, and I am here No richer in return. Tim. Is't true? can it be? Flav. 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 honour able, But yet they could have wish'd-they know notbut Something hath been amiss-a noble nature May catch a wrench-would all were well-'tis pity- After distasteful looks, and these hard fractions, Tim. 3 I knew it the most general way,] General is not speedy, but compendious, the way to try many at a time. 5 at fall,] i. e. at an ebb. intending-] is regarding, turning their notice to other things. JOHNSON. 6 and these hard fractions,] Flavius, by fractions, means broken hints, interrupted sentences, abrupt remarks. 7 -half caps,] A half-cap is a cap slightly moved. Thou art true, and honest; ingeniously I speak, No blame belongs to thee:-[To Serv.] Ventidius lately Buried his father; by whose death, he's stepp'd I clear'd him with five talents: Greet him from me; Touches his friend, which craves to be remember'd With those five talents:-that had,-[To FLAV.] give it these fellows To whom 'tis instant due. Ne'er speak, or think, That Timon's fortunes 'mong his friends can sink. Flav. I would, I could not think it; That thought is bounty's foe; Being free' itself, it thinks all others so. [Exeunt. The same. ACT III. A Room in Lucullus's House. FLAMINIUS waiting. Enter a Servant to him. Serv. I have told my lord of you, he is coming down to you. Flam. I thank you, sir. Enter LUCUllus. Serv. Here's my lord. Lucul. [Aside. One of lord Timon's men? a gift, I warrant. Why, this hits right; I dreamt of a silver bason and ewer to-night. Flaminius, * — ingeniously-] Ingenious was anciently used instead of ingenuous. 9 -free-] is liberal, not parsimonious. honest Flaminius; you are very respectively' welcome, sir.-Fill me some wine.-[Exit Servant.] And how does that honourable complete, free-hearted gentleman of Athens, thy very bountiful good lord and master? Flam. His health is well, sir. Lucul. I am right glad that his health is well, sir: And what hast thou there under thy cloak, pretty Flaminius. Flam. '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. Lucul. 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 have 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 have told him on't, but I could never get him from it. Re-enter Servant, with Wine. Serv. Please your lordship, here is the wine. Lucul. Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise. Here's to thee. Flam. Your lordship speaks your pleasure. Lucul. 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: good parts in very respectively —] i. e. respectfully. 2 honesty is his;] Honesty here means liberality. thee.-Get you gone, sirrah.-[To the Servant, who goes out.]-Draw nearer, honest Flaminius. Thy lord's a bountiful gentleman: but thou art wise; and thou knowest well enough, although thou comest to me, that this is no time to lend money; especially upon bare friendship, without security. Here's three solidares for thee; good boy, wink at me, and say, thou saw'st me not. Fare thee well. Flam. Is't possible, the world should so much differ; And we alive, that liv'd? Fly, damned baseness, To him that worships thee. [Throwing the Money away. Lucul. Ha! Now I see, thou art a fool, and fit [Exit LUCULLUS. Flam. May these add to the number that may scald thee! for thy master. Let molten coin be thy damnation, Thou disease of a friend, and not himself! Unto his honour,' has my lord's meat in him: O, may diseases only work upon't! And, when he is sick to death, let not that part of nature three solidares-] I believe this coin is from the mint of the poet. STEEVENS. And we alive, that liv'd?] i. e. And we who were alive then, alive now. As much as to say, in so short a time. 5 It turns in less than two nights?] Alluding to the turning or acescence of milk. JOHNSON. — passion!] i. e. suffering. 7 Unto his honour,] The modern editors read-Unto this hour, which seems preferable. |