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Timon of Athens

ACT III SCENE I A room in Lucullus' house. 
[FLAMINIUS waiting. Enter a Servant to him]
ServantI have told my lord of you; he is coming down to you.
FLAMINIUSI thank you, sir.
[Enter LUCULLUS]
ServantHere's my lord.
LUCULLUS[Aside] One of Lord Timon's men? a gift, I
warrant. Why, this hits right; I dreamt of a silver5
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 lord10
and master?
FLAMINIUSHis health is well sir.
LUCULLUSI 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 my15
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.20
LUCULLUSLa, 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,25
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]
ServantPlease your lordship, here is the wine.30
LUCULLUSFlaminius, I have noted thee always wise. Here's to thee.
FLAMINIUSYour lordship speaks your pleasure.
LUCULLUSI 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, if35
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,40
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.
FLAMINIUSIs't possible the world should so much differ,45
And we alive that lived? Fly, damned baseness,
To him that worships thee!
[Throwing the money back]
LUCULLUSHa! now I see thou art a fool, and fit for thy master.
[Exit]
FLAMINIUSMay these add to the number that may scald thee!
Let moulten coin be thy damnation,50
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:55
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 power60
To expel sickness, but prolong his hour!
[Exit]


Timon of Athens, Act 3, Scene 2

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