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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.
Must he bother me with this,--ugh!--above everyone else? He could have asked Lord Lucius or Lucullus; And now Ventidius is rich too, the man Timon saved from prison: all these owe their fortunes to him.
My lord, They have all been touch’d and found base metal, for They have au denied him.
My lord, They’ve all been tested and found to be worthless, because They’ve all turned him down.
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, Thrive, give him over: must I take the cure upon me? Has much disgraced me in’t; I’m angry at him, That might have known my place: I see no sense for’t, But his occasion 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 its last? No: So it may prove an argument of laughter To the rest, and ’mongst lords I be thought a fool. I’ld 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.
What! They’ve turned him down? Have Ventidius and Lucullus turned him down? And now he sends to me? Three? Hmm! It shows very little love or sense on his part: Do I have to be his last resort? His friends, like doctors, Flourish and then give him up: do I have to take on the responsibility? He’s badly embarrassed me by this; I’m angry with him, He should have known my place: I see no reason for it, But maybe he thought he should have asked me first; For, honestly, I was the first person To ever receive a gift from him: And now he thinks so poorly of me, That I’ll return the favor last? No: So it may become a joke To the others, and among lords I’ll be seen as a fool. I’d rather have had him send to me first, even if it were three times the amount, Just for my pride’s sake; I’d have been brave enough to do him good. But now go back, And with their weak reply add this answer: Whoever tarnishes my honor won’t get my money.
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.
Excellent! Your lordship’s a fine villain. The devil didn’t know what he was doing when he made man clever; he messed things up by it: and I can’t help but think that, in the end, mankind’s evil will clear him of guilt. How cleverly this lord tries to seem bad! He copies virtuous behavior to act wickedly, like those who, in a fit of fiery zeal, would burn entire kingdoms down: Such is the nature of his political love. This was my lord’s best hope; now all have fled, Except for the gods: now his friends are gone, Doors that never knew their keys Will have to guard their master, And this is all that generous behavior brings; Whoever can’t keep his wealth must keep his home.