A thousand talents to me. Flav. Tim. Is't true? can it be? 4 Flav. They answer, in a joint and corporate voice, That now they are at fall, want treasure, cannot Do what they would; are sorry—you are honour But yet they could have wish'd-they know not but Something hath been amiss-a noble nature May catch a wrench-would all were well-'tis pity- After distasteful looks, and these hard fractions, Tim. 3 I knew it the most general way,] General is not speedy, but compendious, the way to try many at a time. 4 at fall,] i. e. at an ebb. intending is regarding, turning their notice to other things. JOHNSON. and these hard fractions,] Flavius, by fractions, means broken hints, interrupted sentences, abrupt remarks. 7 half caps,] A half-cap is a cap slightly moved. 8 Thou art true, and honest; ingeniously I speak, No blame belongs to thee :-[To Serv.] Ventidius lately Buried his father; by whose death, he's stepp'd I clear'd him with five talents: Greet him from me; Touches his friend, which craves to be remember'd With those five talents:-that had,-[To FLAV.] give it these fellows To whom 'tis instant due. Ne'er speak, or think, That Timon's fortunes 'mong his friends can sink. Flav. I would, I could not think it; That thought is bounty's foe; Being free itself, it thinks all others so. [Exeunt. ACT III. The same: A Room in Lucullus's House. FLAMINIUS waiting. Enter a Servant to him. Serv. I have told my lord of you, he is coming down to you. Flam. I thank you, sir. Enter LUCULLUS. Sero. Here's my lord. Lucul. [Aside. One of lord Timon's men? a gift, I warrant. Why, this hits right; I dreamt of a silver bason and ewer to-night. Flaminius, 8-ingeniously-] Ingenious was anciently used instead of ingenuous. 9 -free-] is liberal, not parsimonious. 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? Flam. His health is well, sir. Lucul. I am right glad that his health is well, sir: And what hast thou there under thy cloak, pretty Flaminius. Flam. '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. Lucul. 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 have dined 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 have told him on't, but I could never get him from it. Re-enter Servant, with Wine. Serv. Please your lordship, here is the wine. Lucul. Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise. Here's to thee. Flam. Your lordship speaks your pleasure. Lucul. 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 2 very respectively-] i. c. respectfully. honesty is his;] Honesty here means liberality. thec.-Get you gone, sirrah.-[To the Servant, who goes out.]-Draw nearer, honest Flaminius. Thy lord's a bountiful gentleman: but thou art wise; and thou knowest well enough, although thou comest 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. Flam. 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 away. Lucul. Ha! Now I see, thou art a fool, and fit for thy master. [Exit LUCULLUS. Flam. May these add to the number that may scald thee! Let molten coin be thy damnation, Thou disease of a friend, and not himself! Unto his honour,' has my lord's meat in him : O, may diseases only work upon't! And, when he is sick to death, let not that part nature of 3 three solidares-] I believe this coin is from the mint of the poet. STEEVENS. And we alive, that liv'd?] i. e. And we who were alive then, alive now. As much as to say, in so short a time. 'It turns in less than two nights?] Alluding to the turning or acescence of milk. JOHNSON. 6 passion!] i. e. suffering. 7 Unto his honour,] The modern editors read-Unto this hour, which seems preferable. Which my lord paid for, be of any power To expel sickness, but prolong his hour! SCENE II. The same. A publick Place. Enter LUCIUS, with Three Strangers. [Exit. Luc. Who, the lord Timon? he is my very good friend, and an honourable gentleman. 1 Stran. 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. Luc. Fye no, do not believe it; he cannot want for money. 2 Stran. 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. Luc. How? 2 Stran. I tell you, denied, my lord. Luc. What a strange case was that? now, before the gods, I am ashamed on't. Denied that hohourable 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. his hour!] i. e. the hour of sickness. His for its. We know him for no less,] To know, in the present, and several other instances, is used by our author for-to acknowledge. |