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Timon of Athens: Act 3 Scene 1

Scene I A room in Lucullus' house.

[FLAMINIUS waiting. Enter a Servant to him]

SERVANT

I have told my lord of you; he is coming down to you.

FLAMINIUS

I thank you, sir.

[Enter LUCULLUS]

SERVANT

Here's my lord.

LUCULLUS

[Aside] One of Lord Timon's men? a gift, I

warrant. Why, this hits right; I dreamt of a silver

basin and ewer to-night. Flaminius, honest

Flaminius; you are very respectively welcome, sir.

Fill me some wine.

[Exit Servants]

And how does that honourable, complete, free-hearted

gentleman of Athens, thy very bountiful good lord

and master?

FLAMINIUS

His health is well sir.

LUCULLUS

I am right glad that his health is well, sir: and

what hast thou there under thy cloak, pretty Flaminius?

FLAMINIUS

'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.

LUCULLUS

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 ha'

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 ha' told him on't, but I could ne'er get

him from't.

[Re-enter Servant, with wine]

SERVANT

Please your lordship, here is the wine.

LUCULLUS

Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise. Here's to thee.

FLAMINIUS

Your lordship speaks your pleasure.

LUCULLUS

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 thee.

[To Servant]

Get you gone, sirrah.

[Exit Servant]

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 sawest me not. Fare thee well.

FLAMINIUS

Is't possible the world should so much differ,

And we alive that lived? Fly, damned baseness,

To him that worships thee!

[Throwing the money back]

LUCULLUS

Ha! now I see thou art a fool, and fit for thy master.

[Exit]

FLAMINIUS

May these add to the number that may scald thee!

Let moulten coin be thy damnation,

Thou disease of a friend, and not himself!

Has friendship such a faint and milky heart,

It turns in less than two nights? O you gods,

I feel master's passion! this slave,

Unto his honour, has my lord's meat in him:

Why should it thrive and turn to nutriment,

When he is turn'd to poison?

O, may diseases only work upon't!

And, when he's sick to death, let not that part of nature

Which my lord paid for, be of any power

To expel sickness, but prolong his hour!

[Exit]