Here's to thee.

FLAM. Your lordship speaks your pleasure.

LUCUL. I have observ'd 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 know'st well enough (although thou com'st 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 lived? Fly, damned baseness,

To him that worships thee!

 

[Throwing the money back.]

 

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!

Has friendship such a faint and milky heart,

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

I feel my master's passion. This slave

Unto his honor 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.

 

 

[Scene II]

Enter Lucius with three Strangers.

 

LUC. Who, the Lord Timon? He is my very good friend, and an honorable 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 rumors, now Lord Timon's happy hours are done and past, and his estate shrinks from him.

LUC. Fie, 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, urg'd extremely for't, and show'd what necessity belong'd 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 asham'd on't. Denied that honorable man? There was very little honor show'd in't. For my own part, I must needs confess, I have receiv'd 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.

 

SER. See, by good hap, yonder's my lord; I have sweat to see his honor. My honor'd lord –

LUC. Servilius? You are kindly met, sir. Fare thee well, commend me to thy honorable virtuous lord, my very exquisite friend.

SER. May it please your honor, my lord hath sent –

LUC. Ha? what has he sent? I am so much endear'd to that lord: he's ever sending. How shall I thank him, think'st thou? And what has he sent now?

SER.