The Life of Tymon of Athens — Act 3 Scene 3

Enter a third seruant with Sempronius, anotherof Timons Friends.

Semp.Must he needs trouble me in't? Hum.'Boue all others?He might haue tried Lord Lucius, or Lucullus,And now Ventidgius is wealthy too,Whom he redeem'd from prison. All theseOwes their estates vnto him.

Ser.My Lord,They haue all bin touch'd, and found Base-Mettle,For they haue all denied him.

Semp.How? Haue they deny'de him?Has Ventidgius and Lucullus deny'de him,And does he send to me? Three? Humh?It shewes but little loue, or iudgement in him.Must I be his last Refuge? His Friends (like Physitians)Thriue, giue him ouer: Must I take th'Cure vpon me?Has much disgrace'd me in't, I'me angry at him,That might haue knowne my place. I see no sense for't,But his Occasions might haue wooed me first:For in my conscience, I was the first manThat ere receiued guift from him.And does he thinke so backwardly of me now,That Ile requite it last? No:So it may proue an Argument of LaughterTo th'rest, and 'mong'st Lords be thought a Foole:I'de rather then the worth of thrice the summe,Had sent to me first, but for my mindes sake:I'de such a courage to do him good. But now returne,And with their faint reply, this answer ioyne;Exit.Who bates mine Honor, shall not know my Coyne.

Ser.Excellent: Your Lordships a goodly Villain: thediuell knew not what he did, when hee made man Politicke;he crossed himselfe by't: and I cannot thinke, butin the end, the Villanies of man will set him cleere. Howfairely this Lord striues to appeare foule? Takes VertuousCopies to be wicked: like those, that vnder hotte ardentzeale, would set whole Realmes on fire, of such a natureis his politike loue.This was my Lords best hope, now all are fledSaue onely the Gods. Now his Friends are dead,Doores that were ne're acquainted with their WardsMany a bounteous yeere, must be imploy'dNow to guard sure their Master:And this is all a liberall course allowes,Exit.Who cannot keepe his wealth, must keep his house.