Timon of Athens - William Shakespeare [books to read romance txt] 📗

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

The same. A hall in Timon’s house.

Enter two Servants of Varro, and the Servant of Lucius, meeting Titus, Hortensius, and other Servants of Timon’s creditors, waiting his coming out. Varro’s First Servant Well met; good morrow, Titus and Hortensius. Titus The like to you, kind Varro. Hortensius

Lucius!
What, do we meet together?

Lucilius’ Servant

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

Titus So is theirs and ours. Enter Philotus. Lucilius’ Servant And Sir Philotus too! Philotus Good day at once. Lucilius’ Servant

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

Philotus Labouring for nine. Lucilius’ Servant So much? Philotus Is not my lord seen yet? Lucilius’ Servant Not yet. Philotus I wonder on’t; he was wont to shine at seven. Lucilius’ 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 to 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. Lucilius’ 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.

Varro’s First Servant Yes, mine’s three thousand crowns: what’s yours? Lucilius’ Servant Five thousand mine. Varro’s First Servant

’Tis much deep: and it should seem by the sum,
Your master’s confidence was above mine;
Else, surely, his had equall’d.

Enter Flaminius. Titus One of Lord Timon’s men. Lucilius’ 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 too diligent. Exit. Enter Flavius in a cloak, muffled. Lucilius’ Servant

Ha! is not that his steward muffled so?
He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him.

Titus Do you hear, sir? Varro’s Second 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,
’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 the interest into their gluttonous maws.
You do yourselves but wrong to stir me up;
Let me pass quietly:
Believe’t, my lord and I have made an end;
I have no more to reckon, he to spend.

Lucilius’ Servant Ay, but this answer will not serve. Flavius

If ’twill not serve, ’tis not so base as you;
For you serve knaves. Exit.

Varro’s First Servant How! what does his cashiered worship mutter? Varro’s Second Servant No matter what; he’s poor, and that’s revenge enough. Who can speak broader than he that has no house to put his head in? such may rail against great buildings. Enter Servilius. Titus O, here’s Servilius; now we shall know some answer. Servilius If I might beseech you, gentlemen, to repair some other hour, I should derive much from’t; for, take’t of my soul, my lord leans wondrously to discontent: his comfortable temper has forsook him; he’s much out of health, and keeps his chamber. Lucilius’ Servant

Many do keep their chambers are not sick:
And, if it be so far beyond his health,
Methinks he should the sooner pay his debts,
And make a clear way to the gods.

Servilius Good gods! Titus We cannot take this for answer, sir. Flaminius Within. Servilius, help! My lord! my lord! Enter Timon, in a rage; Flaminius following. Timon

What, are my doors opposed against my passage?
Have I been ever free, and must my house
Be my retentive enemy, my gaol?
The place which I have feasted, does it now,
Like all mankind, show me an iron heart?

Lucilius’ Servant Put in now, Titus. Titus My lord, here is my bill. Lucilius’ Servant Here’s mine. Hortensius And mine, my lord. Both Varro’s Servants And ours, my lord. Philotus All our bills. Timon Knock me down with ’em: cleave me to the girdle. Lucilius’ Servant Alas, my lord⁠— Timon Cut my heart in sums. Titus Mine, fifty talents. Timon Tell out my blood. Lucilius’ Servant Five thousand crowns, my lord. Timon

Five thousand drops pays that.
What yours?⁠—and yours?

Varro’s First Servant My lord⁠— Varro’s Second Servant My lord⁠— Timon Tear me, take me, and the gods fall upon you! Exit. Hortensius ’Faith, I perceive our masters may throw their caps at their money: these debts may well be called desperate ones, for a madman owes ’em. Exeunt. Re-enter Timon and Flavius.