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Act 3, Scene 4 — A hall in Timon’s house
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Enter two of Varro’s Servants meeting Titus and Hortensius and then
Lucius, all Servants of Timon’s creditors, to wait for his coming out.
FIRST VARRO’S SERVANT.
Well met, good morrow, Titus and Hortensius.
TITUS [polite response]

The like to you, kind Varro.

The same to you, Varro.

Good morning to you.

good morning

HORTENSIUS ≋ verse [curious greeting]

Lucius!

What, do we meet together?

Lucius! What — we're meeting together?

Lucius! Are we all here now?

all here together

LUCIUS ≋ verse [matter-of-fact — recognizing the situation]

Ay, and I think

One business does command us all;

For mine is money.

Yes, and I think one business brings us all — for me, it's money.

Yeah, and I figure we're all here for the same reason — to collect money.

same business money

TITUS [agreement]

So is theirs and ours.

It's theirs and ours too.

Yeah, that's why we're all here.

same for all of us

Enter Philotus.
LUCIUS [acknowledgment]

And, sir, Philotus too!

And Philotus too!

Hey, Philotus is here.

philotus!

PHILOTUS [brief greeting]

Good day at once.

Good day to all.

Good day.

good day

LUCIUS ≋ verse [warm greeting]

Welcome, good brother.

What do you think the hour?

Welcome, friend. What time do you think it is?

Good to see you. What time is it?

what's the time

PHILOTUS [answering]

Labouring for nine.

Nearly nine o'clock.

Almost nine.

almost nine

LUCIUS [surprised]

So much?

That late?

That late?

that late?

PHILOTUS [concern]

Is not my lord seen yet?

Has my lord not been seen yet?

Has Timon come out yet?

has timon appeared?

LUCIUS [negative]

Not yet.

Not yet.

Not yet.

not yet

PHILOTUS [wondering — noting that Timon used to be an early riser]

I wonder on’t, he was wont to shine at seven.

That's odd. He was always awake and active by seven o'clock.

That's strange. He used to be up and around by seven.

he used to be up at seven shining

LUCIUS ≋ verse [philosophical commentary on Timon's decline]

Ay, but the days are waxed shorter with him.

You must consider that a prodigal course

Is like the sun’s, but not like his recoverable.

I fear ’tis deepest winter in Lord Timon’s purse:

That is, one may reach deep enough, and yet

Find little.

Yes, but his days have grown shorter. You must understand — a wasteful life follows the sun's pattern, but unlike the sun, it cannot recover. I fear it's deepest winter in Lord Timon's purse. One can reach very deep into a winter purse and still find little.

Yeah, but those days are gone. Look, you know — when you spend money recklessly, it's like the sun going down, except it doesn't come back up. I'm afraid Timon's bank account is in the middle of winter. You reach down deep looking for money and find nothing.

his days are shorter spending is like the sun but doesn't recover it's winter in his purse reach deep and find nothing

PHILOTUS [agreement]

I am of your fear for that.

I share your fear about that.

Yeah, I'm thinking the same thing.

i fear the same

TITUS ≋ verse [setting up an observation]

I’ll show you how t’ observe a strange event.

Your lord sends now for money?

I can show you something strange happening. Your lord is asking for money now?

Let me show you something weird. So your master is asking for money?

your master asking for money

HORTENSIUS [confirming]

Most true, he does.

Most true, he does.

Yeah, that's right.

yes he is

TITUS ≋ verse [bitter observation]

And he wears jewels now of Timon’s gift,

For which I wait for money.

And he wears jewels now that Timon gave him, for which I'm collecting money.

And he's wearing jewels Timon gave him right now — and I'm here trying to collect payment for them.

he wears timon's gifts

while i collect the debt

HORTENSIUS [reluctant discomfort]

It is against my heart.

It troubles my conscience.

This whole thing bothers me.

it bothers me

LUCIUS ≋ verse [incredulous]

Mark how strange it shows,

Timon in this should pay more than he owes,

And e’en as if your lord should wear rich jewels

And send for money for ’em.

Look how odd this is — Timon should pay more than he owes.

Look at how messed up this is.

this is backwards

HORTENSIUS ≋ verse [exhausted frustration]

I’m weary of this charge, the gods can witness.

I know my lord hath spent of Timon’s wealth,

And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth.

FIRST VARRO’S SERVANT.

Yes, mine’s three thousand crowns. What’s yours?

I'm tired of this burden. Mine is three thousand crowns. What is yours?

I'm done with this. My debt is three thousand crowns. What about you?

tired

three thousand crowns

LUCIUS ≋ verse [stating amounts]

Five thousand mine.

FIRST VARRO’S SERVANT.

’Tis much deep, and it should seem by th’ sum

Your master’s confidence was above mine,

Else surely his had equalled.

Five thousand is mine. That's significant.

Five thousand is what I'm owed. That's huge.

five thousand

Enter Flaminius.
TITUS [identifying]

One of Lord Timon’s men.

One of Lord Timon's men.

That's one of Timon's servants.

timon's servant

LUCIUS [polite but probing]

Flaminius? Sir, a word. Pray, is my lord ready to come forth?

Flaminius? A word, sir. Is my lord ready to come out?

Flaminius? Wait. Is Timon ready to see us?

is timon coming out?

FLAMINIUS [blunt negative]

No, indeed he is not.

No, not at all.

No.

no

TITUS [formal, insistent]

We attend his lordship; pray, signify so much.

We are waiting for his lordship. Please tell him so.

We're waiting for him. Tell him that.

we're waiting

FLAMINIUS [sarcastic, weary]

I need not tell him that, he knows you are too diligent.

I need not tell him that — he knows you are too eager.

I don't need to tell him. He knows you've been hanging around.

he knows you're eager

[_Exit Flaminius._]
Enter Flavius in a cloak, muffled.
LUCIUS ≋ verse [spotting]

Ha, is not that his steward muffled so?

He goes away in a cloud. Call him, call him.

Is that not his steward, wrapped up? He goes away in a fog. Call him.

That's his steward all wrapped up. He's trying to slip away. Stop him.

his steward

going away

TITUS ≋ verse [getting attention]

Do you hear, sir?

SECOND VARRO’S SERVANT.

By your leave, sir.

Do you hear, sir? By your leave, sir.

Excuse us.

excuse us

FLAVIUS [formal, wary]

What do you ask of me, my friend?

What do you want of me, my friend?

What do you want?

what do you want

TITUS [direct statement]

We wait for certain money here, sir.

We are here waiting for money, sir.

We're waiting for money.

we wait for money

FLAVIUS ≋ verse [bitter, desperate]

Ay,

If money were as certain as your waiting,

’Twere sure enough.

Why then preferred you not your sums and bills

When your false masters eat of my lord’s meat?

Then they could smile and fawn upon his debts,

And take down th’ interest into their gluttonous maws.

You do yourselves but wrong to stir me up,

Let me pass quietly.

Believe’t, my lord and I have made an end,

I have no more to reckon, he to spend.

If money were as certain as your waiting, it would be secure. Why did you not demand when your masters feasted? My lord and I have finished. There is nothing left.

If money was as sure as you guys waiting, we'd be fine. Why didn't you ask back when your bosses were eating well? My lord and I are done. Nothing left.

money not certain

why not ask when they feasted?

nothing left

LUCIUS [firm]

Ay, but this answer will not serve.

That answer will not serve.

That's not good enough.

not good enough

FLAVIUS ≋ verse [scornful reply]

If ’twill not serve, ’tis not so base as you,

For you serve knaves.

If it will not serve, it is still not as base as you, for you serve knaves.

If my answer isn't good enough, it's still better than you are — you work for criminals.

you serve knaves

[_Exit._]
FIRST VARRO’S SERVANT.
How? What does his cashiered worship mutter?
SECOND VARRO’S SERVANT.
No matter what, he’s poor, and that’s revenge enough. Who can speak
broader than he that has no house to put his head in? Such may rail
against great buildings.
Enter Servilius.
TITUS [hopeful]

O, here’s Servilius; now we shall know some answer.

Oh, here is Servilius. Now we shall have an answer.

Here comes Servilius. Maybe he'll tell us something.

servilius now we'll know

SERVILIUS [urgent, pleading]

If I might beseech you, gentlemen, to repair some other hour, I should

derive much from’t. For take’t of my soul, my lord leans wondrously to

discontent. His comfortable temper has forsook him, he’s much out of

health and keeps his chamber.

If I might ask you gentlemen to return at another time, I would be grateful. On my soul, my lord is deeply depressed. His good temper is gone. He is unwell and keeps to his room.

Could you guys come back later? Please? I'm begging you. My master is really depressed. He's not himself. He's sick and won't leave his room.

come back later please

my lord is depressed unwell keeps his chamber

LUCIUS ≋ verse [suspicious, callous]

Many do keep their chambers are not sick.

And if it be so far beyond his health,

Methinks he should the sooner pay his debts

And make a clear way to the gods.

Many people keep to their rooms who are not sick. And if he is so unwell, then he should the sooner pay his debts and clear his way to the gods.

Lots of people stay in their rooms for other reasons. And if he's that sick, he should just pay his debts and get right with God.

many stay in chambers not sick

if unwell pay debts to gods

SERVILIUS [shocked]

Good gods!

Good gods!

Oh my god!

good gods!

TITUS [firm]

We cannot take this for answer, sir.

We cannot accept this as a response, sir.

That's not an acceptable answer.

not good enough

[_Within_.] Servilius, help! My lord, my lord!
Enter Timon in a rage.
TIMON ≋ verse [explosive anger — Timon is trapped by his own house]

What, are my doors opposed against my passage?

Have I been ever free, and must my house

Be my retentive enemy, my jail?

The place which I have feasted, does it now,

Like all mankind, show me an iron heart?

What! Are my doors blocking my own passage? Have I been free all my life, only to have my house become my jail? The place where I feasted — does it now, like all mankind, show me an iron heart?

What? My own doors are keeping me from leaving? I've been free my whole life — now my house is my prison? The place where I fed everyone — it's turning cold on me like everyone else?

my doors block me my jail the place i feasted shows iron heart

LUCIUS [urging]

Put in now, Titus.

Go now, Titus.

Go ahead, Titus.

go ahead

TITUS [presenting bill]

My lord, here is my bill.

My lord, here is my bill.

My lord, here's what I'm owed.

my bill

LUCIUS [presenting]

Here’s mine.

Here is mine.

Here's mine.

mine

HORTENSIUS ≋ verse [all presenting]

And mine, my lord.

BOTH VARRO’S SERVANTS.

And ours, my lord.

And mine, my lord. And ours, my lord.

And mine. And ours.

all bills

PHILOTUS [summary]

All our bills.

All our bills.

All of them.

all

TIMON [desperate, violent — Timon wants to be beaten with the bills]

Knock me down with ’em! Cleave me to the girdle.

Beat me down with them! Cut me in half!

Hit me with them! Tear me apart!

beat me with bills

LUCIUS [alarmed]

Alas, my lord—

Alas, my lord—

No, my lord—

no

TIMON [continuing anguish]

Cut my heart in sums!

Slice my heart into amounts!

Carve up my heart by the numbers!

cut my heart

TITUS [stating amount]

Mine, fifty talents.

Mine is fifty talents.

I'm owed fifty talents.

fifty talents

TIMON [continuing]

Tell out my blood.

Count out my blood.

Drain my blood.

count blood

LUCIUS [stating]

Five thousand crowns, my lord.

Five thousand crowns, my lord.

Five thousand crowns.

five thousand

TIMON ≋ verse [frantic]

Five thousand drops pays that. What yours, and yours?

FIRST VARRO’S SERVANT.

My lord—

SECOND VARRO’S SERVANT.

My lord—

Five thousand drops of blood pay that. What of yours? My lord— My lord—

Five thousand drops of blood for that. What do you want?

five thousand drops

TIMON [cursing]

Tear me, take me, and the gods fall upon you!

Tear me! Take me! And let the gods fall upon you!

Rip me apart! Take everything! And curse all of you!

tear me take me gods fall upon you

[_Exit._]
HORTENSIUS [resigned, dark humor]

Faith, I perceive our masters may throw their caps at their money.

These debts may well be called desperate ones, for a madman owes ’em.

By my faith, I think our masters can forget about their money. These debts might well be called desperate — a madman owes them.

Well, our bosses can kiss their money goodbye. You can't collect from a crazy man.

masters lose money madman owes them

[_Exeunt._]
Enter Timon and Flavius.
TIMON ≋ verse [bitter]

They have e’en put my breath from me, the slaves.

Creditors? Devils!

They have stolen my very breath, the slaves. Creditors? Devils!

They've taken the breath right out of me. Creditors? They're demons!

they steal my breath devils not creditors

FLAVIUS [pleading]

My dear lord—

My dear lord—

My lord—

my lord

TIMON [determined]

What if it should be so?

What if it should be so?

What if I do it?

what if

FLAVIUS [trying again]

My lord—

My lord—

My lord—

my lord

TIMON [decisive]

I’ll have it so.—My steward!

I shall do it. My steward!

I'm doing it. Steward!

steward!

FLAVIUS [responsive]

Here, my lord.

Here, my lord.

Yes, my lord.

here

TIMON ≋ verse [giving orders for the feast]

So fitly? Go, bid all my friends again,

Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius, all.

I’ll once more feast the rascals.

So readily? Go, invite all my friends again — Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius, all. I will feast those rascals one more time.

Good. Go invite all my so-called friends back — Lucius, Lucullus, Sempronius, everyone. I'm going to throw them a feast.

invite them all lucius lucullus sempronius one final feast the rascals

FLAVIUS ≋ verse [desperate warning]

O my lord,

You only speak from your distracted soul;

There is not so much left to furnish out

A moderate table.

Oh my lord, you are speaking from a disturbed mind. There is not enough left to put on even a modest table.

My lord, you're not thinking straight. There's not even enough money for a simple meal.

not enough for a table

TIMON ≋ verse [definitive — Timon has a plan]

Be it not in thy care. Go,

I charge thee, invite them all. Let in the tide

Of knaves once more. My cook and I’ll provide.

Do not worry about it. Go, I command you, invite them all. Let these knaves back in. My cook and I will provide everything.

Never mind. Just go invite them all. Let them back in. The cook and I will handle the rest.

invite them all let in the knaves my cook and i will provide

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

If this happened today…

Continue to 3.5 →