THE LIFE OF TIMON OF ATHENS
Page: 12

O, my friends! I have one word to say to you;
Look you, my good lord,
I must entreat you, honour me so much
As to advance this jewel; accept it and wear it,
Kind my lord.

FIRST LORD.
I am so far already in your gifts--

ALL.
So are we all.

[Enter a SERVANT.]

SERVANT.
My lord, there are certain nobles of the Senate
Newly alighted and come to visit you.

TIMON.
They are fairly welcome.

FLAVIUS.
I beseech your honour,
Vouchsafe me a word; it does concern you near.

TIMON.
Near! why then, another time I'll hear thee.
I prithee let's be provided to show them entertainment.

FLAVIUS.
[Aside.]
I scarce know how.

[Enter another SERVANT.]

SECOND SERVANT.
May it please vour honour, Lord Lucius,
Out of his free love, hath presented to you
Four milk-white horses, trapp'd in silver.

TIMON.
I shall accept them fairly; let the presents
Be worthily entertain'd.

[Enter a third SERVANT.]

How now! What news?

THIRD SERVANT.
Please you, my lord, that honourable gentleman, Lord Lucullus,
entreats your company to-morrow to hunt with him, and has sent
your honour two brace of greyhounds.

TIMON.
I'll hunt with him; and let them be receiv'd,
Not without fair reward.

FLAVIUS.
[Aside.] What will this come to?
He commands us to provide, and give great gifts,
And all out of an empty coffer;
Nor will he know his purse, or yield me this,
To show him what a beggar his heart is,
Being of no power to make his wishes good.
His promises fly so beyond his state
That what he speaks is all in debt; he owes
For every word: he is so kind that he now
Pays interest for 't; his land's put to their books.
Well, would I were gently put out of office
Before I were forc'd out!
Happier he that has no friend to feed
Than such that do e'en enemies exceed.
I bleed inwardly for my lord.

[Exit.]

TIMON.
You do yourselves much wrong;
You bate too much of your own merits;
Here, my lord, a trifle of our love.

SECOND LORD.
With more than common thanks I will receive it.

THIRD LORD.
O! he's the very soul of bounty!

TIMON.
And now I remember, my lord, you gave