It tutor's nature: artificial strife Enter certain Senators, and pass over. Pain. How this lord's follow'd! Happy men! Poet. You see this confluence, this great flood I have, in this rough work, shap'd out a man, Pain. How shall I understand you? You see how all conditions, how all minds, flatterer To Apemantus, that few things loves better Pain. I saw them speak together. Poet. Sir, I have upon a high and pleasant hill, Feigu'd Fortune to be thron'd: The base o'the mount -Is rank'd with all deserts, all kind of natures, Whose present grace to present slaves and servants Pain. 'Tis conceiv'd to scope. This throne, this Fortune, and this hill, methinks, With one man beckon'd from the rest below, To climb his happiness, would be well express'd Poet. Nay, Sir, but hear me on: All those which were his fellows but of late, Make sacred even his stirrop, and through him Pain. Ay, marry, what of these? Poet. When Fortune in her shift and change of mood, Spurns down her late-belov'd, all his depend ants, Which labour'd after him to the mountain's top, Even on their knees and hands, let him slip down, Not one accompanying his declining foot. A thousand moral paintings I can show, That shall demonstrate these quick blows of for tune More pregnantly than words. Yet you do well, Trumpets sound. Enter TIMON attended; the servant of Ventidius talking with him. Tim. Imprison'd is he, say you? Ven. Serv. Ay, my good Lord: five talents is his debt; His means most short, his creditors mos: strait: To those have shut him up which failing to him, Tim. Noble Ventidius! Well; I am not of that feather, to shake off. My friend when he must need me. I do know him A gentleman, that well deserves a help, Which he shall have: I'll pay the debt, and free him. Ven. Serv. Your Lordship ever binds him. Tim. Commend me to him: I will send hisransom; And, being enfranchis'd, bid him come to me: 'Tis not enough to help the feeble up, But to support him after. Fare you well. Ven. Serv. All happiness to your Honour! Enter an old Athenian. Old Ath. Lord Timon, hear me speak. Tim. Freely, good father. [Exit. Old Ath. Thou hast a servant uam'd Lucilius. Tim. I have so: What of him? Old Ath. Most noble Timon, call the man be Luc. Here at your Lordship's service. Old Ath. This fellow here, Lord Timon, this thy creature By night frequents my house. I am a man That from my first have been inclin'd to thrift; And my estate deserves an heir more rais'd, Thau one which holds a trencher. Tim. Well; what further? Old Ath. One only daughter have I, no kin else, On whom I may confer what I have got: Tim. The man is honest. Old Ath. Therefore he will be, Timon: Tim. Does she love him? Old Ath. She is young and apt: Our own precedent passions do instruct us Tim. [to LUCILIUS.] Love you the maid? missing, I call the gods to witness, I will choose Mine heir from forth the beggars of the world, And dispossess her all. Tim. How shall she be endow'á, If she be mated with an equal husband? Old Ath. Three talents on the present; in future, all. Tim. This gentleman of mine hath serv'd no. long; To build his fortune, I will strain a little, Old Ath. Most noble Lord, Pawn me to this your honour, she is his. Tim. My hand to thee; mine honour on my promise. Luc. Humbly I thank your Lordship: Never may That state or fortune fall into my keeping, [Exeunt LUCILIUS and old Athenian. Poet. Vouchsafe my labour, and long live your Lordship! Tim. I thank you; you shall hear from me Go not away. anou : What have you there, my friend? Pain. A piece of painting; which I do beseech Your Lordship to accept. Tim. Painting is welcome. The painting is almost the natural man; |