READ STUDY GUIDE: Act II, Scenes i-ii |
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Act II, Scene i:
Athens. A Room in a SENATOR'S House.
Athens. A Room in a SENATOR'S House.
| [Enter A SENATOR, with papers in his hand.] |
| SENATOR.: |
| And late, five thousand: to Varro and to Isidore |
| He owes nine thousand; besides my former sum, |
| Which makes it five-and-twenty. Still in motion |
| Of raging waste! It cannot hold; it will not. |
| If I want gold, steal but a beggar's dog |
| And give it Timon, why, the dog coins gold; |
| If I would sell my horse, and buy twenty more |
| Better than he, why, give my horse to Timon, |
| Ask nothing, give it him, it foals me straight, |
| And able horses. No porter at his gate, |
| But rather one that smiles and still invites |
| All that pass by. It cannot hold; no reason |
| Can found his state in safety. Caphis, ho! |
| Caphis, I say! |
| [Enter CAPHIS.] |
| CAPHIS.: |
| Here, sir; what is your pleasure? |
| SENATOR.: |
| Get on your cloak, and haste you to Lord Timon; |
| Importune him for my moneys; be not ceas'd |
| With slight denial, nor then silenc'd when— |
| 'Commend me to your master'—and the cap |
| Plays in the right hand, thus;—but tell him, |
| My uses cry to me; I must serve my turn |
| Out of mine own; his days and times are past, |
| And my reliances on his fracted dates |
| Have smit my credit: I love and honour him, |
| But must not break my back to heal his finger; |
| Immediate are my needs, and my relief |
| Must not be toss'd and turn'd to me in words, |
| But find supply immediate. Get you gone: |
| Put on a most importunate aspect, |
| A visage of demand; for I do fear, |
| When every feather sticks in his own wing, |
| Lord Timon will be left a naked gull, |
| Which flashes now a phoenix. Get you gone. |
| CAPHIS.: |
| I go, sir. |
| SENATOR.: |
| Take the bonds along with you, |
| And have the dates in compt. |
| CAPHIS.: |
| I will, sir. |
| SENATOR.: |
| Go. |
| [Exeunt.] |
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