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Thrice give him over. Must I take th' cure upon me?

Has much disgrac'd me in't; I'm angry at him,

That might have known my place. I see no sense for't,

But his occasions might have woo'd me first;

For, in my conscience, I was the first man

That e'er received 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 th' rest, and I 'mongst lords be thought a fool.

I'd rather than the worth of thrice the sum

Had sent to me first, but for my mind's sake;

I'd such a courage to do him good. But now return,

And with their faint reply this answer join:

Who bates mine honour shall not know my coin. Exit

SERVANT. Excellent! Your lordship's a goodly villain. The devil

knew not what he did when he made man politic- he cross'd himself

by't; and I 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 politic love.

This was my lord's best hope; now all are fled,

Save only the gods. Now his friends are dead,

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:

Who cannot keep his wealth must keep his house. Exit

SCENE IV. A hall in TIMON'S house

Enter two Of VARRO'S MEN, meeting LUCIUS' SERVANT, and others,

all being servants of TIMON's creditors, to wait for his coming out.

Then enter TITUS and HORTENSIUS

FIRST VARRO'S SERVANT. Well met; good morrow, Titus and Hortensius.

TITUS.

The like to you, kind Varro.

HORTENSIUS.

Lucius! What, do we meet together?

LUCIUS' SERVANT. Ay, and I think one business does command us all;

for mine is money.

TITUS.

So is theirs and ours.

Enter PHILOTUS

LUCIUS' SERVANT. And Sir Philotus too!

PHILOTUS.

Good day at once.

LUCIUS' SERVANT. welcome, good brother, what do you think the hour?

PHILOTUS.

Labouring for nine.

LUCIUS' SERVANT. So much?

PHILOTUS.

Is not my lord seen yet?

LUCIUS' SERVANT. Not yet.

PHILOTUS.

I wonder on't; he was wont to shine at seven.

LUCIUS' SERVANT. Ay, but the days are wax'd shorter with him;

You must 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.

PHILOTUS.

I am of your fear for that.

TITUS.

I'll show you how t' observe a strange event.

Your lord sends now for money.

HORTENSIUS.

Most true, he does.

TITUS.

And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift,

For which I wait for money.

HORTENSIUS.

It is against my heart.

LUCIUS' SERVANT. 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.

HORTENSIUS.

I'm weary of this charge, the gods can witness;

I know my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth,

And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth.

FIRST VARRO'S SERVANT. Yes, mine's three thousand crowns;

what's yours?

LUCIUS' SERVANT. Five thousand mine.

FIRST VARRO'S SERVANT. 'Tis much deep; and it should seem by th' sum

Your master's confidence was above mine,

Else surely his had equall'd.

Enter FLAMINIUS

TITUS.

One of Lord Timon's men.

LUCIUS' SERVANT. Flaminius! Sir, a word. Pray, is my lord ready to come forth?

FLAMINIUS.

No, indeed, he is not.

TITUS.

We attend his lordship; pray signify so much.

FLAMINIUS.

I need not tell him that; he knows you are to diligent.

Exit

Enter FLAVIUS, in a cloak, muffled

LUCIUS' SERVANT. Ha! Is not that his steward muffled so?

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

TITUS.

Do you hear, sir?

SECOND VARRO'S SERVANT. By your leave, sir.

FLAVIUS.

What do ye ask of me, my friend?

TITUS.

We wait for certain money here, sir.

FLAVIUS.

Ay,

If money were as certain as your waiting,