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The Life of Timon of Athens
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, urged extremely for't, and showed what necessity belonged to't, and yet was denied.
LUCIUS
How!
SECOND STRANGER
I tell you, denied, my lord.
LUCIUS. What a strange case was that! now, before the gods, I am ashamed on't. Denied that honourable man! there was very little honour showed in't. For my own part, I must needs confess, I have received some small kindnesses from him, as money, plate, jewels, and such like trifles, nothing comparing to his; yet, had he mistook him, and sent to me, I should ne'er have denied his occasion so many talents.
[Enter SERVILIUS.]
SERVILIUS. See, by good hap, yonder's my lord; I have sweat to see his honour. [To LUCIUS.] My honoured lord!
LUCIUS. Servilius! you are kindly met, sir. Fare thee well: commend me to thy honourable virtuous lord, my very exquisite friend.
SERVILIUS
May it please your honour, my lord hath sent —
LUCIUS. Ha! What has he sent? I am so much endeared to that lord; he's ever sending: how shall I thank him, thinkest thou? And what has he sent now?
SERVILIUS. Has only sent his present occasion now, my lord; requesting your lordship to supply his instant use with so many talents.
LUCIUS
I know his lordship is but merry with me;
He cannot want fifty-five hundred talents.
SERVILIUS
But in the mean time he wants less, my lord.
If his occasion were not virtuous,
I should not urge it half so faithfully.
LUCIUS
Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius?
SERVILIUS
Upon my soul, 'tis true, sir.
LUCIUS. What a wicked beast was I to disfurnish myself against such a good time, when I might ha' shown myself honourable! how unluckily it happened, that I should purchase the day before for a little part, and undo a great deal of honour! Servilius, now, before the gods, I am not able to do; the more beast, I say; I was sending to use Lord Timon myself, these gentlemen can witness; but I would not, for the wealth of Athens, I had done it now. Commend me bountifully to his good lordship; and I hope his honour will conceive the fairest of me, because I have no power to be kin: and tell him this from me, I count it one of my greatest afflictions say, that I cannot pleasure such an honourable gentleman. Good Servilius, will you befriend me so far as to use mine own words to him?
SERVILIUS
Yes, sir, I shall.
LUCIUS
I'll look you out a good turn, Servilius.
[Exit SERVILIUS.]
True, as you said, Timon is shrunk indeed;
And he that's once denied will hardly speed.
[Exit.]
FIRST STRANGER
Do you observe this, Hostilius?
SECOND STRANGER
Ay, too well.
FIRST STRANGER
Why, this is the world's soul; and just of the same piece
Is every flatterer's spirit. Who can call him
His friend that dips in the same dish? for, in
My knowing, Timon has been this lord's father,
And kept his credit with his purse,
Supported his estate; nay, Timon's money
Has paid his men their wages: He ne'er drinks
But Timon's silver treads upon his lip;
And yet, O! see the monstrousness of man,
When he looks out in an ungrateful shape,
He does deny him, in respect of his,
What charitable men afford to beggars.
THIRD STRANGER
Religion groans at it.
FIRST STRANGER
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' House
[Enter SEMPRONIUS and a SERVANT of TIMON'S.]
SEMPRONIUS
Must he needs trouble me in't? Hum! '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
Owe their estates unto him.
SERVANT
My lord,
They have all been touch'd and found base metal, for
They have all denied him.
SEMPRONIUS
How! have they denied him?
Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him?
And does he send to me? Three? Hum!
It shows but little love or judgment in him:
Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physicians,
Thrice give him over; must I take the 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 the rest, and I 'mongst lords be thought a fool.
I had 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 crossed 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 Servants of VARRO, and the Servant of LUCIUS, meeting TITUS, HORTENSIUS, and other Servants to TIMON's Creditors, waiting his coming out.]
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
Wlcome, 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 waxed 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.
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 the 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 too diligent.
[Exit FLAMINUS.]
[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 you 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.
LUCIUS' SERVANT
Ay, but this answer will not serve.
FLAVIUS
If 'twill not serve, 'tis not so base as you;
For you serve knaves.
[Exit.]
FIRST VARRO'S SERVANT
How! what does his cashiered worship mutter?
SECOND VARRO'S 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.
LUCIUS' 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 oppos'd 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?
LUCIUS' SERVANT
Put in now, Titus.
TITUS
My lord, here is my bill.
LUCIUS' 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.
LUCIUS' SERVANT
Alas, my lord —
TIMON
Cut my heart in sums.
TITUS
Mine, fifty talents.
TIMON
Tell out my blood.
LUCIUS' SERVANT
Five thousand crowns, my lord.
TIMON
Five thousand drops pays that. What yours? and yours?
FIRST VARRO'S SERVANT
My lord —
SECOND VARRO'S 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.]
TIMON
They have e'en put my breath from me, the slaves.
Creditors? devils!
FLAVIUS
My dear lord —
TIMON
What if it should be so?
FLAMINIUS
My lord —
TIMON
I'll have it so. My steward!
FLAVIUS
Here, my lord.
TIMON
So fitly! Go, bid all my friends again:
Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius; all:
I'll once more feast the rascals.
FLAVIUS
O my lord!
You only speak from your distracted soul;
There is not so much left to furnish out
A moderate table.
TIMON
Be it not in thy care: go.
I charge thee, invite them all: let in the tide
Of knaves once more; my cook and I'll provide.
[Exeunt.]
Scene V. The Same. The Senate House. The Senate Sitting
FIRST SENATOR
My lord, you have my voice to it: the fault's
Bloody. 'tis necessary he should die;
Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.
SECOND SENATOR
Most true; the law shall bruise him.
[Enter ALCIBIADES, attended.]
ALCIBIADES
Honour, health, and compassion to the senate!
FIRST SENATOR
Now, captain.
ALCIBIADES
I am a humble suitor to your virtues;
For pity is the virtue of the law,
And none but tyrants use it cruelly.
It pleases time and fortune to lie heavy
Upon a friend of mine, who, in hot blood
Hath stepp'd into the law, which is past depth
To those that without heed do plunge into't.
He is a man, setting his fate aside,
Of comely virtues;
Nor did he soil the fact with cowardice, —
An honour in him which buys out his fault, —
But, with a noble fury and fair spirit,
Seeing his reputation touch'd to death,
He did oppose his foe;
And with such sober and unnoted passion
He did behave his anger, ere 'twas spent,
As if he had but prov'd an argument.
FIRST SENATOR
You undergo too strict a paradox,
Striving to make an ugly deed look fair:
Your words have took such pains as if they labour'd
To bring manslaughter into form, and set
Quarrelling upon the head of valour; which indeed
Is valour misbegot, and came into the world
When sects and factions were newly born.
He's truly valiant that can wisely suffer
The worst that man can breathe, and make his wrongs
his outsides, to wear them like his raiment, carelessly,
And ne'er prefer his injuries to his heart,
To bring it into danger.
If wrongs be evils, and enforce us kill,
What folly 'tis to hazard life for ill!
ALCIBIADES
My lord, —
FIRST SENATOR
You cannot make gross sins look clear;
To revenge is no valour, but to bear.
ALCIBIADES
My lords, then, under favour, pardon me,
If I speak like a captain.
Why do fond men expose themselves to battle,
And not endure all threats? sleep upon't,
And let the foes quietly cut their throats
Without repugnancy? If there be
Such valour in the bearing, what make we
Abroad? why, then, women are more valiant
That stay at home, if bearing carry it,
And the ass more captain than the lion, the felon
Loaden with irons wiser than the judge,
If wisdom be in suffering. O my lords!
As you are great, be pitifully good:
Who cannot condemn rashness in cold blood?
To kill, I grant, is sin's extremest gust;
But, in defence, by mercy, 'tis most just.
To be in anger is impiety;
But who is man that is not angry?
Weigh but the crime with this.
SECOND SENATOR
You breathe in vain.
ALCIBIADES
In vain! his service done
At Lacedaemon and Byzantium
Were a sufficient briber for his life.
FIRST SENATOR
What's that?
ALCIBIADES
I say, my lords, has done fair service,
And slain in fight many of your enemies.
How full of valour did he bear himself
In the last conflict, and made plenteous wounds!
SECOND SENATOR
He has made too much plenty with 'em;
He's a sworn rioter; he has a sin that often
Drowns him and takes his valour prisoner;
If there were no foes, that were enough
To overcome him; in that beastly fury
He has been known to commit outrages
And cherish factions; 'tis inferr'd to us,
His days are foul and his drink dangerous.
FIRST SENATOR
He dies.
ALCIBIADES
Hard fate! he might have died in war.
My lords, if not for any parts in him, —
Though his right arm might purchase his own time,
And be in debt to none, – yet, more to move you,
Take my deserts to his, and join 'em both;
And, for I know your reverend ages love
Security, I'll pawn my victories, all
My honour to you, upon his good returns.
If by this crime he owes the law his life,
Why, let the war receive't in valiant gore;
For law is strict, and war is nothing more.
FIRST SENATOR
We are for law; he dies: urge it no more,
On height of our displeasure. Friend or brother,
He forfeits his own blood that spills another.
ALCIBIADES
Must it be so? it must not be. My lords,
I do beseech you, know me.
SECOND SENATOR
How!
ALCIBIADES
Call me to your remembrances.
THIRD SENATOR
What!
ALCIBIADES
I cannot think but your age has forgot me;
It could not else be I should prove so base,
To sue, and be denied such common grace.
My wounds ache at you.
FIRST SENATOR
Do you dare our anger?
'Tis in few words, but spacious in effect;
We banish thee for ever.
ALCIBIADES
Banish me!
Banish your dotage; banish usury,
That makes the Senate ugly.
FIRST SENATOR
If, after two days' shine, Athens contain thee,
Attend our weightier judgment. And, not to swell our spirit,
He shall be executed presently.
[Exeunt SENATORS.]
ALCIBIADES
Now the gods keep you old enough; that you may live
Only in bone, that none may look on you!
I'm worse than mad: I have kept back their foes,
While they have told their money and let out
Their coin upon large interest; I myself
Rich only in large hurts: all those for this?
Is this the balsam that the usuring senate
Pours into captains' wounds? Banishment!
It comes not ill; I hate not to be banish'd;
It is a cause worthy my spleen and fury,
That I may strike at Athens. I'll cheer up
My discontented troops, and lay for hearts.
'Tis honour with most lands to be at odds;
Soldiers should brook as little wrongs as gods.
[Exit.]
