The Life Of Timon Of Athens

1 Enter a Third Servant of Timon’s with Sempronius, another of Timon’s
2 friends.
3 SEMPRONIUS.
4 Must he needs trouble me in’t? Hum! ’Bove all others?
5 He might have tried Lord Lucius or Lucullus;
6 And now Ventidius is wealthy too,
7 Whom he redeemed from prison. All these
8 Owe their estates unto him.
9 SERVANT.
10 My lord,
11 They have all been touched and found base metal,
12 For they have all denied him.
13 SEMPRONIUS.
14 How? Have they denied him?
15 Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him
16 And does he send to me? Three? Humh!
17 It shows but little love or judgment in him.
18 Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physicians,
19 Thrive, give him over. Must I take th’ cure upon me?
20 Has much disgraced me in’t. I’m angry at him,
21 That might have known my place. I see no sense for’t
22 But his occasions might have wooed me first;
23 For, in my conscience, I was the first man
24 That e’er received gift from him.
25 And does he think so backwardly of me now
26 That I’ll requite it last? No.
27 So it may prove an argument of laughter
28 To th’ rest, and I ’mongst lords be thought a fool.
29 I’d rather than the worth of thrice the sum
30 Had sent to me first, but for my mind’s sake;
31 I’d such a courage to do him good. But now return,
32 And with their faint reply this answer join:
33 Who bates mine honour shall not know my coin.
34 [_Exit._]
35 SERVANT.
36 Excellent! Your lordship’s a goodly villain. The devil knew not what he
37 did when he made man politic; he crossed himself by’t, and I cannot
38 think but, in the end the villainies of man will set him clear. How
39 fairly this lord strives to appear foul! Takes virtuous copies to be
40 wicked, like those that under hot ardent zeal would set whole realms on
41 fire.
42 Of such a nature is his politic love.
43 This was my lord’s best hope, now all are fled
44 Save only the gods. Now his friends are dead,
45 Doors that were ne’er acquainted with their wards
46 Many a bounteous year must be employed
47 Now to guard sure their master.
48 And this is all a liberal course allows,
49 Who cannot keep his wealth must keep his house.
50 [_Exit._]