The Life of Timon of Athens: ACT III , SCENE I. A room in Lucullus' house.

The Life of Timon of Athens: ACT III


	Introduction

	ACT I

	ACT II

	ACT III

		SCENE I. A room in Lucullus' house.

		SCENE II. A public place.

		SCENE III. A room in Sempronius' house.

		SCENE IV. The same. A hall in Timon's house.

		SCENE V. The same. The senate-house. The Senate sitting.

		SCENE VI. The same. A banqueting-room in Timon's house.

	ACT IV

	ACT V

	About the Play

	Feedback



	Search:
	for:

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
5     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
10    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

15    '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
20    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
25    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

30 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
35    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
40    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

45    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!
50    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,
55    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
60    Which my lord paid for, be of any power
      To expel sickness, but prolong his hour!

Exit

Return to top of page ... or ... Go to next scene