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.
I have told my lord of you; he is coming down to you.
FLAMINIUS
I thank you, sir.
I thank you, sir.
[Enter LUCULLUS]
Servant
Here’s my lord.
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.
[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.
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?
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.
’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.
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.
Please your lordship, here is the wine.
LUCULLUS
Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise. Here’s to thee.
Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise. Here’s to thee.
FLAMINIUS
Your lordship speaks your pleasure.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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]
