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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

ACT III. SCENE I. LUCULLUS' house

FLAMINIUS waiting to speak with LUCULLUS. Enter SERVANT to him

SERVANT.

I have told my lord of you; he is coming down to you.

FLAMINIUS.

I thank you, sir.

Enter 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

to-night-

Flaminius, honest Flaminius, you are very respectively welcome,

sir. Fill me some wine. [Exit SERVANT] And how does that

honourable, complete, freehearted 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.

LUCULLIUS.

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' din'd 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.

Re-enter SERVANT, with wine

SERVANT.

Please your lordship, here is the wine.

LUCULLUS.

Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise. 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. Good parts in

thee. [To 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. Here's three solidares for thee.

Good boy, wink at me, and say thou saw'st me not. Fare thee well.

FLAMINIUS.

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 back]

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 his honour has my lord's meat in him;

Why should it thrive and turn to nutriment

When he is turn'd 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

SCENE II. A public place

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.

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, urg'd extremely for't, and showed what necessity

belong'd to't, and yet was denied.

LUCIUS.

How?

SECOND STRANGER.

I tell you, denied, my lord.

LUCIUS.

What a strange case was that! Now,