READ STUDY GUIDE: Act III, Scenes i-iii |
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Act III, Scene iii:
The Same. A Room in SEMPRONIUS' House.
The Same. A Room in SEMPRONIUS' House.
| [Enter SEMPRONIUS and a SERVANT of TIMON'S.] |
| SEMPRONIUS.: |
| Must he needs trouble me in't? Hum! 'bove all others? |
| He might have tried Lord Lucius, or Lucullus; |
| And now Ventidius is wealthy too, |
| Whom he redeem'd from prison: all these |
| Owe their estates unto him. |
| SERVANT.: |
| My lord, |
| They have all been touch'd and found base metal, for |
| They have all denied him. |
| SEMPRONIUS.: |
| How! have they denied him? |
| Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him? |
| And does he send to me? Three? Hum! |
| It shows but little love or judgment in him: |
| Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physicians, |
| Thrice give him over; must I take the cure upon me? |
| Has much disgrac'd me in't; I'm angry at him, |
| That might have known my place. I see no sense for't, |
| But his occasions might have woo'd me first; |
| For, in my conscience, I was the first man |
| That e'er received gift from him: |
| And does he think so backwardly of me now, |
| That I'll requite it last? No: |
| So it may prove an argument of laughter |
| To the rest, and I 'mongst lords be thought a fool. |
| I had rather than the worth of thrice the sum, |
| Had sent to me first, but for my mind's sake; |
| I'd such a courage to do him good. But now return, |
| And with their faint reply this answer join; |
| Who bates mine honour shall not know my coin. |
| [Exit.] |
| SERVANT.: |
| Excellent! Your lordship's a goodly villain. The devil |
| knew not what he did when he made man politic; he crossed |
| himself by't: and I cannot think but, in the end the villainies |
| of man will set him clear. How fairly this lord strives to appear |
| foul! takes virtuous copies to be wicked, like those that under |
| hot ardent zeal would set whole realms on fire: |
| Of such a nature is his politic love. |
| This was my lord's best hope; now all are fled |
| Save only the gods. Now his friends are dead, |
| Doors, that were ne'er acquainted with their wards |
| Many a bounteous year, must be employ'd |
| Now to guard sure their master: |
| And this is all a liberal course allows: |
| Who cannot keep his wealth must keep his house. |
| [Exit.] |
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