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Act 2, Scene 2 — The same. A hall in Timon’s house
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Enter Flavius with many bills in his hand.
FLAVIUS ≋ verse [exasperated, horrified at Timon's recklessness]

No care, no stop, so senseless of expense,

That he will neither know how to maintain it

Nor cease his flow of riot. Takes no account

How things go from him, nor resumes no care

Of what is to continue. Never mind

Was to be so unwise, to be so kind.

What shall be done? He will not hear till feel.

I must be round with him, now he comes from hunting.

Fie, fie, fie, fie!

He has no care, no control. He spends without thinking, so senseless that he will never know how to maintain what he has or stop his spending. He never keeps track of where his money goes. He doesn't think about what needs to continue. Never was a mind so foolish as to be so generous. What can be done? He won't listen until he feels the pain. I must speak plainly to him now when he returns from hunting. Oh no, no, no, no!

He doesn't think. He just spends and spends, no limits. He'll never understand how to keep what he has or stop throwing money away. He doesn't even know where it goes. Doesn't care what happens next. Never was anyone dumb enough to be this kind. What can I do? He won't listen until he's broke. I need to tell him straight when he gets back from hunting. Oh my god.

he doesn't care no control will never learn needs to feel pain not just hear what do i do

Enter Caphis and the Servants of Isidore and Varro.
CAPHIS ≋ verse [checking on each other, mutually sympathetic]

Good even, Varro. What, you come for money?

VARRO’S SERVANT.

Is’t not your business too?

Good evening, Varro. You've come for money? And you as well? Yes. And you, Isidore's servant? Yes. We all want our debts paid. I wish we all had our money. I fear we won't.

Hey. You're here for the cash? Yeah. You too? Yeah, all of us. I wish we'd all get paid. Not happening.

all collecting none getting paid

CAPHIS ≋ verse [same as above]

It is. And yours too, Isidore?

ISIDORE’S SERVANT.

It is so.

And yours too, Isidore? Yes, it is.

And you're here for Isidore? Yes.

isidore too

CAPHIS ≋ verse [sympathetic, hopeless]

Would we were all discharged!

VARRO’S SERVANT.

I fear it.

I wish we were all dismissed. I fear it.

I wish we'd all just get paid and leave. I don't think we will.

wish we'd leave won't happen

CAPHIS [warning of Timon's approach]

Here comes the lord.

The lord comes now.

Here he comes.

here comes timon

Enter Timon and his train with Alcibiades
TIMON ≋ verse [carefree, not yet realizing the crisis]

So soon as dinner’s done, we’ll forth again,

My Alcibiades. With me? What is your will?

After dinner's done, we'll go out hunting again, Alcibiades. Will you come? What's your will?

Soon as we eat, let's go hunting again, Alcibiades. You coming? What do you want?

hunting after dinner with alcibiades

CAPHIS [approaching with documents]

My lord, here is a note of certain dues.

My lord, I have a list of debts owed.

My lord, here's what's owed.

bills due

TIMON [dismissive, not understanding]

Dues? Whence are you?

Debts? Who are you?

Debts? Who are you?

who are you

CAPHIS [identifying himself]

Of Athens here, my lord.

I'm from Athens, my lord.

From Athens, my lord.

athens

TIMON [dismissing him]

Go to my steward.

Go to my steward.

Talk to my steward.

see flavius

CAPHIS ≋ verse [pressing, desperate]

Please it your lordship, he hath put me off

To the succession of new days this month.

My master is awaked by great occasion

To call upon his own and humbly prays you

That with your other noble parts you’ll suit

In giving him his right.

If it please you, my lord, he's already put me off, saying come back later this month. My master desperately needs his money and asks that you, with all your noble qualities, will help him and give him his due.

My lord, the steward keeps putting me off, says come back later. My master really needs this money. He's asking you to help him out.

steward keeps delaying master desperately needs money please help

TIMON ≋ verse [trying to be kind but unhelpful]

Mine honest friend,

I prithee but repair to me next morning.

My honest friend, I ask you to see me tomorrow morning instead.

Come back tomorrow morning, honest friend.

come back tomorrow

CAPHIS [desperate, needs to interrupt]

Nay, good my lord—

No, my good lord—

My lord, no—

no my lord

TIMON ≋ verse [cutting him off, other creditors arriving]

Contain thyself, good friend.

VARRO’S SERVANT.

One Varro’s servant, my good lord—

ISIDORE’S SERVANT.

From Isidore. He humbly prays your speedy payment.

Control yourself, good friend. One servant from Varro arrives, and another from Isidore. He humbly asks your immediate payment.

Just wait. Here comes Varro's man. And Isidore's. They're both asking for payment now.

more creditors arriving

CAPHIS ≋ verse [multiple voices, overlapping demands]

If you did know, my lord, my master’s wants—

VARRO’S SERVANT.

’Twas due on forfeiture, my lord, six weeks and past.

ISIDORE’S SERVANT.

Your steward puts me off, my lord, and I

Am sent expressly to your lordship.

If you knew my master's desperate need— It was due six weeks ago, my lord, and past. Your steward keeps putting me off, my lord, and I've been sent directly to you.

If you knew how much my master needs it— It's six weeks overdue. The steward keeps stalling, so they sent me straight to you.

overdue steward stalling sent to you

TIMON ≋ verse [overwhelmed, trying to buy time]

Give me breath.

I do beseech you, good my lords, keep on,

I’ll wait upon you instantly.

Let me breathe. I beg you all, keep going, I'll see you all right away.

Hold on. Please, I'll take care of you all in a minute.

wait i'll handle it

[_Exeunt Alcibiades and Timon’s train._]
[_To Flavius_.] Come hither. Pray you,
How goes the world, that I am thus encountered
With clamorous demands of debt, broken bonds,
And the detention of long-since-due debts
Against my honour?
FLAVIUS ≋ verse [trying to save the situation]

Please you, gentlemen,

The time is unagreeable to this business.

Your importunacy cease till after dinner,

That I may make his lordship understand

Wherefore you are not paid.

Gentlemen, this is not a good time for this business. Hold your demands until after dinner, so I can make my lord understand why you haven't been paid.

Guys, the timing is bad. Wait until after dinner. I'll explain to him why he owes you.

wait till after dinner

TIMON ≋ verse [to Flavius]

Do so, my friends.

See them well entertained.

Do that, my friends. See they are well treated.

Good idea. Treat them well while they wait.

treat them well

[_Exit._]
FLAVIUS [polite, making space for the servants]

Pray, draw near.

Please, come closer.

Come on over here.

come closer

[_Exit._]
Enter Apemantus and Fool.
CAPHIS ≋ verse [Apemantus arriving with the Fool, mocking]

Stay, stay, here comes the fool with Apemantus.

Let’s ha’ some sport with ’em.

VARRO’S SERVANT.

Hang him, he’ll abuse us.

ISIDORE’S SERVANT.

A plague upon him, dog!

VARRO’S SERVANT.

How dost, fool?

Wait, here comes the fool with Apemantus. Let's have some fun with them. He'll abuse us. A plague on him, dog! How are you, fool?

Here comes the fool with Apemantus. Let's mess with them. He'll be mean to us. Cursed dog! How are you, fool?

fool and apemantus here to mock

APEMANTUS ≋ verse [Apemantus mocking]

Dost dialogue with thy shadow?

VARRO’S SERVANT.

I speak not to thee.

Are you talking to your shadow? I don't speak to you.

Talking to yourself? I'm not talking to you.

talking to shadow

APEMANTUS [cynical, deflecting their flattery]

No, ’tis to thyself.

No, it's all for yourself.

No, you're just looking out for yourself.

no it's to yourself

[_To the Fool_.] Come away.
ISIDORE’S SERVANT.
[_To Varro’s servant_.] There’s the fool hangs on your back already.
APEMANTUS [mocking their isolation and powerlessness]

No, thou stand’st single; thou’rt not on him yet.

No, you stand alone; you're not dependent on him yet.

No, you're on your own. He doesn't own you yet.

you stand single not on him yet

CAPHIS [looking around bewildered]

Where’s the fool now?

Where's the fool now?

Where did the fool go?

where's the fool

APEMANTUS [contemptuous assessment of the servants]

He last asked the question. Poor rogues and usurers’ men, bawds between

gold and want.

Servants of money lenders, go-betweens for gold and poverty.

You serve the money lenders. You're the bridge between money and desperation.

servants of usurers between gold and want

ALL SERVANTS [confused, asking what they are]

What are we, Apemantus?

What are we, Apemantus?

What are we supposed to be?

what are we

APEMANTUS [one word, contempt]

Asses.

Donkeys.

Asses.

asses

ALL SERVANTS [pressing for explanation]

Why?

Why?

Why?

why

APEMANTUS [scornful, revealing their ignorance]

That you ask me what you are, and do not know yourselves. Speak to ’em,

fool.

Because you ask me what you are and don't even know yourselves. Fool, go speak to them.

Because you don't even know who you are and you're asking me. Go on, fool, talk to them.

you don't know who you are fool go speak to them

FOOL [greeting with mock civility]

How do you, gentlemen?

How are you all doing, gentlemen?

Hey there, how's everyone doing?

how do you gentlemen

ALL SERVANTS [polite, back to the fool with courtesy]

Gramercies, good fool. How does your mistress?

Thank you, good fool. How is your mistress doing?

Thanks, fool. How's your boss doing?

gramercies fool how's mistress

FOOL [witty, bawdy insult comparing servants to chickens]

She’s e’en setting on water to scald such chickens as you are. Would we

could see you at Corinth!

She's just boiling water to cook such chickens as you are. I wish we could see you in Corinth!

She's boiling water to cook people like you. Wish you'd get shipped off to Corinth!

she's boiling water for chickens like you wish we'd see you at corinth

APEMANTUS [sarcastic gratitude]

Good, gramercy.

Good, thank you.

Great, thanks.

good gramercy

Enter Page.
FOOL [announcing someone's arrival]

Look you, here comes my mistress’ page.

Look, here comes my mistress's page.

Here comes my lady's messenger.

here comes my mistress's page

[_To the Fool_.] Why, how now, captain? What do you in this wise
PAGE [greeting, asking how Apemantus is]

company? How dost thou, Apemantus?

and company? How are you doing, Apemantus?

and friends? How are you, Apemantus?

and company? how are you?

APEMANTUS [crude, wishing he had a tool to beat him]

Would I had a rod in my mouth, that I might answer thee profitably.

I wish I had a rod in my mouth so I could answer you in a way that would profit.

I wish I had something to beat you with so I could teach you a lesson.

wish i had rod to answer profitably

PAGE [pleading, unable to read]

Prithee, Apemantus, read me the superscription of these letters. I know

not which is which.

Please, Apemantus, read me the address on these letters. I don't know which is which.

Come on, Apemantus, read me who these letters are for. I can't tell them apart.

read me superscription of these letters can't tell which

APEMANTUS [mocking his illiteracy]

Canst not read?

You can't read?

You can't read?

can't read

PAGE [confessing his ignorance]

No.

No.

No.

no

APEMANTUS [cruelly predicting his fate as a bastard and whore]

There will little learning die, then, that day thou art hanged. This is

to Lord Timon, this to Alcibiades. Go, thou wast born a bastard, and

thou’lt die a bawd.

Very little learning will be lost the day you're hanged. This is to Lord Timon, this to Alcibiades. Go—you were born a bastard, and you'll die like a whore.

When you get hanged, nobody will miss your education. This goes to Timon, that one to Alcibiades. Go on—you were born a bastard and you'll end up a prostitute.

little learning lost when you're hanged for timon for alcibiades bastard born bawd by death

PAGE [insulted, throwing back crude insults, departing]

Thou wast whelped a dog, and thou shalt famish a dog’s death. Answer

not; I am gone.

You were born a dog, and you'll starve like a dog. Don't answer me; I'm leaving.

You were born a dog and you'll die like one starving. Don't say anything; I'm done with you.

whelped dog die dog's death don't answer i'm gone

[_Exit Page._]
APEMANTUS [to the Fool, inviting him along]

E’en so thou outrunn’st grace. Fool, I will go with you to Lord

Timon’s.

You're escaping justice so quickly. Come on, fool, I'll go with you to Lord Timon's.

Look at you running from us. Come on, fool, let's go to Timon's place together.

you outrun grace fool let's go to timon's

FOOL [hesitant, asking if he'll be left behind]

Will you leave me there?

Will you leave me there?

Are you going to leave me there?

will you leave me

APEMANTUS [turning to servants with a question]

If Timon stay at home.—You three serve three usurers?

If Timon stays home. You three serve three moneylenders?

Only if Timon's there. You three work for three different loan sharks?

if timon stays you three serve three usurers

ALL SERVANTS [wishing they served something better]

Ay, would they served us!

Yes, we wish they served us instead!

Yeah, wish they'd serve us instead of us serving them!

yes would they served us

APEMANTUS [darkly joking about hangmen and thieves]

So would I—as good a trick as ever hangman served thief.

So would I—that's as clever a trick as a hangman ever played on a thief.

So would I—that's like a hangman doing the thief a favor.

so would i as good a trick as hangman to thief

FOOL [asking a clarifying question]

Are you three usurers’ men?

Are you three moneylenders' servants?

Are you guys the servants of loan sharks?

are you three usurers' men

ALL SERVANTS [confirming reluctantly]

Ay, fool.

Yes, fool.

Yeah, fool.

ay fool

FOOL [wit and observation about the difference between borrowing and debt collection]

I think no usurer but has a fool to his servant. My mistress is one,

and I am her fool. When men come to borrow of your masters, they

approach sadly and go away merry, but they enter my mistress’s house

merrily and go away sadly. The reason of this?

VARRO’S SERVANT.

I could render one.

I think every moneylender has a fool for his servant. My mistress is one too, and I'm her fool. When men come to borrow from your masters, they arrive looking sad but leave happy. But when they enter my mistress's house happy, they leave looking sad. Why is that?

I reckon every loan shark has a fool working for them. My lady's no different, and I'm her fool. Here's the thing: when people come to borrow from your bosses, they show up miserable but leave smiling. But when they come to my mistress happy, they walk out sad. Figure that out.

every usurer has fool my mistress too i'm her fool borrowers come sad leave merry my mistress's merry go away sad why

APEMANTUS [backhanded compliment about accepting the fool's answer]

Do it then, that we may account thee a whoremaster and a knave, which

notwithstanding, thou shalt be no less esteemed.

VARRO’S SERVANT.

What is a whoremaster, fool?

If you could do that, we might call you a whoremonger and a knave, but you'll still be respected no less.

If you could pull that off, we'd call you corrupt and dishonest, but you'd still get the respect anyway.

do it then we'd call you whoremonger and knave still esteemed

FOOL [poetic, describing a spirit that shifts forms across human life]

A fool in good clothes, and something like thee. ’Tis a spirit;

sometime ’t appears like a lord, sometime like a lawyer, sometime like

a philosopher, with two stones more than’s artificial one. He is very

often like a knight; and generally, in all shapes that man goes up and

down in from fourscore to thirteen, this spirit walks in.

VARRO’S SERVANT.

Thou art not altogether a fool.

A fool in fine clothes, someone like you. It's a spirit that sometimes appears as a lord, sometimes as a lawyer, sometimes as a philosopher with extra stones in place of a real one. It often looks like a knight, and in general, in every form that people take from age eighty down to age thirteen, this spirit wanders.

A fool dressed fancy, kind of like you. It's this spirit that shows up as a lord sometimes, then as a lawyer, then as a philosopher with fake stones where brains should be. Often it looks like a knight, and basically any form people take from eighty years old down to thirteen, this spirit moves through.

a fool in clothes like you a spirit sometimes lord sometimes lawyer sometimes philosopher with stones often knight walks in all shapes from eighty to thirteen

FOOL [witty turn, deflecting Apemantus's wisdom]

Nor thou altogether a wise man. As much foolery as I have, so much wit

thou lack’st.

And you're not entirely wise either. For all the foolishness I have, you lack just as much intelligence.

And you're not exactly smart yourself. For every bit of foolishness I've got, you're just as dumb.

nor you altogether wise my foolishness you lack wit

APEMANTUS ≋ verse [acknowledging the fool's clever response]

That answer might have become Apemantus.

VARRO’S SERVANT.

Aside, aside, here comes Lord Timon.

That answer would have been fitting for Apemantus to say.

That sounds like something I would say.

that answer become apemantus

Enter Timon and Flavius.
APEMANTUS [inviting the fool to leave with him]

Come with me, fool, come.

Come with me, fool, come.

Come on, fool, let's go.

come fool come

FOOL [defiant, claiming freedom to choose his company]

I do not always follow lover, elder brother, and woman; sometime the

philosopher.

I don't always follow a lover, older brother, or woman. Sometimes I follow the philosopher.

I don't always stick with a lover, an older guy, or a woman. Sometimes I hang with the smart people.

don't follow lover elder brother woman sometimes philosopher

[_Exeunt Apemantus and Fool._]
FLAVIUS [guiding servants away, taking charge]

Pray you walk near. I’ll speak with you anon.

Please, come walk nearby. I'll speak with you soon.

Come over here, you guys. I'll talk to you in a minute.

walk near i'll speak anon

[_Exeunt Servants._]
TIMON ≋ verse [beginning to understand the crisis]

You make me marvel wherefore ere this time

Had you not fully laid my state before me,

That I might so have rated my expense

As I had leave of means.

I wonder why you didn't fully show me my debts before, so I could have managed my spending according to what I had?

Why didn't you tell me about all the debts earlier? Then I could have spent less.

why didn't you tell me earlier

FLAVIUS ≋ verse [defending himself]

You would not hear me,

At many leisures I proposed.

You wouldn't listen. I've brought my accounts many times.

You wouldn't listen. I showed you the books a hundred times.

you wouldn't listen

TIMON ≋ verse [dismissive]

Go to.

Perchance some single vantages you took

When my indisposition put you back,

And that unaptness made your minister

Thus to excuse yourself.

Enough. Maybe you just avoided me when I was in a bad mood, and that made you avoid giving me the bad news about my spending.

Maybe you just backed off when I was cranky and couldn't face the truth.

you backed off

FLAVIUS ≋ verse [desperate, finally speaking truth]

O my good lord,

At many times I brought in my accounts,

Laid them before you; you would throw them off

And say you found them in mine honesty.

When for some trifling present you have bid me

Return so much, I have shook my head and wept,

Yea, ’gainst th’ authority of manners, prayed you

To hold your hand more close. I did endure

Not seldom nor no slight checks, when I have

Prompted you in the ebb of your estate

And your great flow of debts. My loved lord,

Though you hear now, too late, yet now’s a time.

The greatest of your having lacks a half

To pay your present debts.

My lord, I brought my accounts many times, laid them before you. You threw them away and said I was trustworthy. When you asked me for gifts to give away, and I'd hesitate, you made me cry. Against all propriety, I begged you to be more careful. I've often been rebuked for warning you about your debts. My lord, you hear too late. But listen now: your entire wealth is not enough to cover what you owe immediately.

Sir, I brought the books constantly. You'd just throw them away and say I was honest. When you asked me to get you things to give away, I'd object and you'd make me weep. I even begged you—against all manners—to spend less. You punished me for warning you. My lord, it's too late, but listen: all your money together won't cover what's due right now.

i brought accounts you ignored them made me cry begged you to stop all your wealth can't cover debt

TIMON [desperate, first moment of accepting reality]

Let all my land be sold.

Sell all my land.

Sell everything I own.

sell all land

FLAVIUS ≋ verse [grimly explaining the true situation]

’Tis all engaged, some forfeited and gone,

And what remains will hardly stop the mouth

Of present dues; the future comes apace.

What shall defend the interim? And at length

How goes our reckoning?

It's all mortgaged. Some's already forfeited. What remains won't even cover what's immediately owed. More debts keep coming. What will defend you meanwhile? How much do you really owe altogether?

It's all tied up. Some's already lost. What's left won't even pay what's due now. Bills keep coming. What's going to save you? How much do you actually owe?

all mortgaged some lost won't cover immediate debt more coming how much owed

TIMON [beginning to grasp his debts, naming Sparta]

To Lacedaemon did my land extend.

My property once extended to Sparta.

I used to own land all the way to Sparta.

to lacedaemon did my land extend

FLAVIUS ≋ verse [compassionate, pointing out the vanity of worldly wealth]

O my good lord, the world is but a word;

Were it all yours to give it in a breath,

How quickly were it gone!

Oh my good lord, the whole world is just empty air. Even if it were all yours to give away in one breath, how quickly it would vanish!

My lord, the world is nothing but a word. Even if you owned everything and could give it all away in one breath, it'd be gone in an instant.

world is but word were it all yours how quickly gone

TIMON [acknowledging Flavius's truth]

You tell me true.

You're telling me the truth.

You're right.

you tell me true

FLAVIUS ≋ verse [desperate, cataloging the excess and degradation]

If you suspect my husbandry or falsehood,

Call me before th’ exactest auditors

And set me on the proof. So the gods bless me,

When all our offices have been oppressed

With riotous feeders, when our vaults have wept

With drunken spilth of wine, when every room

Hath blazed with lights and brayed with minstrelsy,

I have retired me to a wasteful cock

And set mine eyes at flow.

If you question my honesty or management, call me before the most precise accountants and test me. So help me gods, when our entire staff has been exhausted by riotous feasting, when our wine cellars have wept from careless spilling, when every room has blazed with light and roared with music, I have retired alone to that wasteful fountain and turned my eyes toward its flowing water.

If you think I'm dishonest or bad with money, bring me before any auditor they want. I swear by the gods, when everyone here has been worn out by constant feasting, when the wine vaults have been emptied by drunken spillage, when every room was bright with lights and loud with music, I went and sat alone by that fountain in the corner and just stared at the water running.

suspect my honesty call auditors test me when offices oppressed with riotous feeders when vaults wept with drunken spilth when every room blazed with lights brayed with minstrelsy i retired to cock eyes at flow

TIMON [pleading, unable to hear more]

Prithee, no more.

Please, no more.

Please stop.

please no more

FLAVIUS ≋ verse [final lament—the irony of bounty creating illusion]

Heavens, have I said, the bounty of this lord!

How many prodigal bits have slaves and peasants

This night englutted? Who is not Timon’s?

What heart, head, sword, force, means, but is Lord Timon’s?

Great Timon, noble, worthy, royal Timon!

Ah, when the means are gone that buy this praise,

The breath is gone whereof this praise is made.

Feast-won, fast-lost; one cloud of winter showers,

These flies are couched.

Gods in heaven! The generosity of this lord! How many prodigal feasts have slaves and peasants devoured tonight? Who is not Timon's? What heart, hand, sword, strength, or means belongs to anyone but Lord Timon? Great Timon, noble, worthy, royal Timon! But when the resources are gone that bought this praise, the breath goes too—the very breath by which this praise was made. Celebration won, then quickly lost. One winter storm of rain, and these parasites scatter.

Good heavens! Look at this lord's bounty! How many extravagant feasts did his slaves and servants gorge on tonight? Whose heart, hand, sword, strength, or money isn't Timon's? Great Timon, noble, worthy, royal Timon! But when the money runs out, so does the praise. When people stop talking about how generous he is, they'll be gone. He'll have one bad season like a rainstorm, and all these freeloaders will vanish.

bounty of lord how many prodigal bits slaves peasants englutted who is not timon's great timon noble worthy royal when means gone breath is gone feast-won fast-lost one winter shower flies couched

TIMON ≋ verse [desperately denying, grasping at hope]

Come, sermon me no further.

No villainous bounty yet hath passed my heart;

Unwisely, not ignobly, have I given.

Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the conscience lack

To think I shall lack friends? Secure thy heart.

If I would broach the vessels of my love

And try the argument of hearts by borrowing,

Men and men’s fortunes could I frankly use

As I can bid thee speak.

Stop lecturing me. I haven't given badly or basely — I've been unwise, not dishonorable. Why are you crying? Can you imagine I'd lack friends? Trust me. If I needed to call on my friends' love and borrow from them, I could use their wealth as freely as I command you. I have friends who will help.

Stop it. I haven't been greedy or cheap — I've been generous, which is different. Why are you crying? You think I don't have friends? Believe me — my friends have money and they'll lend it to me. I'm rich in friends.

don't lecture me i gave wisely i have friends they'll lend me money i'm rich in friends

FLAVIUS [blessing, hopeful — Flavius gives encouragement]

Assurance bless your thoughts!

May confidence bless your thinking.

That's a good thought to hold on to.

may your thoughts be assured

TIMON ≋ verse [delusional optimism — Timon reframes his crisis as an opportunity to prove his friendships]

And in some sort these wants of mine are crowned,

That I account them blessings. For by these

Shall I try friends. You shall perceive how you

Mistake my fortunes. I am wealthy in my friends.

Within there! Flaminius! Servilius!

Actually, these troubles of mine have something blessed about them. Through this struggle I'll find out who my true friends are. You'll see how wrong you are about my situation. I'm genuinely wealthy—wealthy in friendship. Within there! Flaminius! Servilius!

You know what? This crisis is actually a good thing. It'll show me who my real friends are. You're wrong about me being broke. I've got something better than money—I've got friends who'll come through. Hey, Flaminius! Servilius! Get in here!

these troubles are blessings i'll test my friends i'm wealthy in friendship i'll call them now

Enter Flaminius, Servilius and a third Servant.
SERVANTS [present and ready — servants respond immediately to Timon's call]

My lord, my lord.

My lord, my lord.

My lord, we're here.

my lord

TIMON [authoritative, confident — Timon is in control, sending each servant to a specific lord]

I will dispatch you severally. [_To Servilius_.] You to Lord Lucius;

I'll send each of you separately. Servilius, you go to Lord Lucius.

I'm sending you all different places. Servilius, you get Lucius.

send you each severally servilius to lucius

[_To Flaminius_.] to Lord Lucullus you, I hunted with his honour today;
[_To the third Servant_.] you to Sempronius. Commend me to their loves;
and I am proud, say, that my occasions have found time to use ’em
toward a supply of money. Let the request be fifty talents.
FLAMINIUS [obedient, accepting the instructions]

As you have said, my lord.

As you've said, my lord.

Understood, my lord.

yes my lord

[_Exeunt Servants._]
[_Aside_.] Lord Lucius and Lucullus? Humh!
TIMON ≋ verse [directing Flavius to appeal to the senators — Timon's last hope]

Go you, sir, to the senators,

Of whom, even to the state’s best health, I have

Deserved this hearing, Bid ’em send o’ th’ instant

A thousand talents to me.

Go to the senators—people I've served well, whose very welfare I've earned credit from. Tell them to send me a thousand talents immediately.

Go to the senators. You know I've served them, done them favors. Tell them I need a thousand talents right now.

go to senators i've earned their favor bid them send a thousand talents right now

FLAVIUS ≋ verse [confessing he already tried — the senators have refused]

I have been bold—

For that I knew it the most general way—

To them to use your signet and your name,

But they do shake their heads, and I am here

No richer in return.

I've already been bold enough to use your seal and your name, thinking that was the most direct way. But they just shook their heads, and I came back empty-handed.

I already tried that—used your signature and name, figured that was the way to go. They just shook their heads. I got nothing.

i already tried used your name they shook their heads i'm empty-handed

TIMON [shocked disbelief — Timon can't accept this news]

Is’t true? Can’t be?

Is it true? Can it be?

Really? That's not possible.

is it true? can't be?

FLAVIUS ≋ verse [relaying the senators' hollow excuses — Flavius explains their evasions]

They answer in a joint and corporate voice

That now they are at fall, want treasure, cannot

Do what they would, are sorry. You are honourable,

But yet they could have wished—they know not—

Something hath been amiss—a noble nature

May catch a wrench—would all were well—’tis pity.

And so, intending other serious matters,

After distasteful looks and these hard fractions,

With certain half-caps and cold-moving nods

They froze me into silence.

They all responded in one corporate voice that they're in financial trouble themselves, that they don't have the resources right now, that they're sorry. They say you're honorable, but still—they wish something hadn't gone wrong, they hinted vaguely about noble natures making mistakes, said they hope things work out. But then they got distracted with other important matters. After they gave me cold looks and made excuses, with barely a nod and frozen smiles, they left me in silence.

They all said the same thing together—they're in trouble too, they don't have the money, they're sorry. They admitted you're honorable and all that, but something, they don't know what, has been wrong. They made it sound like anyone can slip up, said they hope it works out, very sad, very sympathetic. Then they acted like they had more important business to deal with. After some dirty looks and half-apologies, they basically stopped talking to me and walked away.

they answered together at fall want treasure can't do what they would are sorry honourable but something amiss froze me into silence

TIMON ≋ verse [trying to console Flavius, rationalizing away the betrayal — Timon reaches for Ventidius]

You gods, reward them!

Prithee, man, look cheerly. These old fellows

Have their ingratitude in them hereditary.

Their blood is caked, ’tis cold, it seldom flows;

’Tis lack of kindly warmth they are not kind;

And nature, as it grows again toward earth,

Is fashioned for the journey, dull and heavy.

Go to Ventidius. Prithee, be not sad,

Thou art true and honest, ingenuously I speak,

No blame belongs to thee. Ventidius lately

Buried his father, by whose death he’s stepped

Into a great estate. When he was poor,

Imprisoned and in scarcity of friends,

I cleared him with five talents. Greet him from me,

Bid him suppose some good necessity

Touches his friend, which craves to be remembered

With those five talents. That had, give’t these fellows

To whom ’tis instant due. Ne’er speak, or think

That Timon’s fortunes ’mong his friends can sink.

May you gods reward them. Come on, Flavius, be cheerful. These old men have ingratitude bred into them. Their blood is sluggish and cold; it rarely flows. They lack the warmth of kindness that would make them generous. Nature, as it hardens toward the grave, gets dull and heavy. Go to Ventidius instead. Don't be sad, you're trustworthy and honest, I swear. You're not to blame. Ventidius just buried his father and inherited a great estate. When he was poor and imprisoned, desperate for help, I gave him five talents. Tell him some friend of his needs him and is asking him to remember those five talents I gave him. With that money, pay these creditors. Trust me—Timon's fortune will never sink in the eyes of his friends.

May the gods reward them for that! Come on, man, look happy. These senators—they've got ingratitude in their blood. Their blood's cold and doesn't flow like normal people's. They're not mean, they're just cold. That's why they can't be generous. And old people are just built for the grave, they're dull and lazy by nature. Go find Ventidius instead. Don't worry, Flavius—you're loyal and honest, I mean it. You're not the problem. Ventidius just inherited his father's money, and he's rich now. But when he was broke and locked up with no friends, I gave him five talents to get him out. Tell him a friend of his needs his help and wants him to remember those five talents I gave him. Once you get the money from him, pay off these people hounding us. Don't think Timon's going to go broke with friends like these.

reward them be cheerful old men ingratitude in blood cold won't flow lack warmth go to ventidius trust me timon's fortune can't sink

[_Exit._]
FLAVIUS ≋ verse [Flavius alone, despairing — bounty itself is the enemy because it creates illusion]

I would I could not think it.

That thought is bounty’s foe;

Being free itself, it thinks all others so.

I wish I couldn't think what I'm thinking. That kind of thinking is the enemy of generosity. Generosity is free and makes the giver assume everyone else is free and generous too.

I wish I wasn't thinking this right now. Negative thoughts like mine kill generosity. Generosity is free, so it assumes everyone else is free and honest too.

wish i couldn't think thought is bounty's foe being free it thinks all others so

[_Exit._]

The Reckoning

If this happened today…

Continue to 3.1 →