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Varro’s
Varro’s
Well met; good morrow, Titus and Hortensius.
Good to see you; good morning, Titus and Hortensius.
The like to you kind Varro.
The same to you, kind Varro.
Lucius! What, do we meet together? Lucilius’ Servant Ay, and I think One business does command us all; for mine Is money.
Lucius! What, are we meeting here? Lucilius’ Servant Yes, and I think We all have the same business; mine is money.
So is theirs and ours.
So is theirs and ours.
Lucilius’ Servant And Sir Philotus too!
Lucilius’ Servant And Sir Philotus too!
Good day at once. Lucilius’ Servant Welcome, good brother. What do you think the hour?
Good day to everyone. Lucilius’ Servant Welcome, good brother. What time do you think it is?
Labouring for nine. Lucilius’ Servant So much?
Working for nine. Lucilius’ Servant Nine o’clock?
Is not my lord seen yet? Lucilius’ Servant Not yet.
Hasn’t my master come out yet? Lucilius’ Servant Not yet.
I wonder on’t; he was wont to shine at seven. Lucilius’ Servant Ay, but the days are wax’d 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.
I wonder why not; he usually appears by seven. Lucilius’ Servant Yes, but his days have gotten shorter: You should remember that a reckless lifestyle Is like the sun’s; but unlike the sun, it doesn’t recover. I fear Lord Timon’s money is like the dead of winter; You can reach deep into it, and still Find nothing.
I am of your fear for that.
I share your worry about that.
I’ll show you how to observe a strange event. Your lord sends now for money.
I’ll show you how to watch a strange thing happen. Your master has now asked for money.
Most true, he does.
That’s right, he has.
And he wears jewels now of Timon’s gift, For which I wait for money.
And now he’s wearing jewels Timon gave him, And I’m still waiting for money for them.
It is against my heart. Lucilius’ Servant 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.
It goes against my conscience. Lucilius’ Servant Look how strange this is, Timon should pay more than he owes in this situation: It’s as if your master is wearing expensive jewels, And asking for money to pay for them.
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. Varro’s
I’m tired of this, the gods know: I know my master has spent Timon’s wealth, And now ingratitude makes it worse than if he had stolen it. Varro’s
Yes, mine’s three thousand crowns: what’s yours? Lucilius’ Servant Five thousand mine. Varro’s
Yes, I owe three thousand crowns: what do you owe? Lucilius’ Servant I owe five thousand. Varro’s
’Tis much deep: and it should seem by the sun, Your master’s confidence was above mine; Else, surely, his had equall’d. Enter FLAMINIUS.
That’s a big amount: and it seems, by the sun, That your master’s trust was greater than mine; Otherwise, his debt would have been the same as mine. Enter FLAMINIUS.
One of Lord Timon’s men. Lucilius’ Servant Flaminius! Sir, a word: pray, is my lord ready to come forth?
One of Lord Timon’s servants. Lucilius’ Servant Flaminius! Sir, a word: please, is my lord ready to come out?
No, indeed, he is not.
No, actually, he’s not.
We attend his lordship; pray, signify so much.
We’re waiting for him; please let him know we’re here.
I need not tell him that; he knows you are too diligent.
I don’t need to tell him that; he knows you’re being very persistent.
Lucilius’ Servant Ha! is not that his steward muffled so? He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him.
Lucilius’ Servant Ha! isn’t that his steward, all wrapped up like that? He’s leaving in a hurry: call him, call him.
Do you hear, sir? Varro’s
Do you hear, sir? Varro’s
By your leave, sir,--
Excuse me, sir,--
What do ye ask of me, my friend?
What do you want from me, my friend?
We wait for certain money here, sir.
We’re waiting for some money here, sir.
Ay, If money were as certain as your waiting, ’Twere sure enough. Why then preferr’d 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 the 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. Lucilius’ Servant Ay, but this answer will not serve.
Yes, If money was as sure as your waiting, It would be a sure thing. Why didn’t you submit your bills and sums When your lying masters were eating my lord’s food? Then they could smile and flatter him about his debts, And swallow the interest into their greedy mouths. You’re only harming yourselves by pushing me; Let me go peacefully: Believe me, my lord and I are finished; I have nothing more to settle, and he nothing more to spend. Lucilius’ Servant But that answer won’t do.
If ’twill not serve,’tis not so base as you; For you serve knaves.
If it won’t do, it’s not as low as you; For you serve dishonest men.
Varro’s
Varro’s
How! what does his cashiered worship mutter? Varro’s
What’s this? What’s his dismissed servant mumbling about? Varro’s
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.
Doesn’t matter what; he’s poor, and that’s enough revenge for him. Who can talk the loudest but the one with no roof over his head? They can complain about grand buildings all they want.
O, here’s Servilius; now we shall know some answer.
Oh, here’s Servilius; now we’ll get some answer.
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. Lucilius’ Servant: 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.
If I could ask you, gentlemen, to come back another time, I’d be very grateful; for, take it from me, my lord is deeply upset: his usual calm demeanor is gone; he’s very sick and staying in his room. Lucilius’ Servant: Lots of people stay in their rooms but aren’t sick: And if it’s really that bad for his health, I’d think he should pay his debts right away, And clear the way for the gods.
Good gods!
Good gods!
We cannot take this for answer, sir.
We can’t accept this answer, sir.
[Within] Servilius, help! My lord! my lord!
[Within] Servilius, help! My lord! My lord!
What, are my doors opposed against my passage? Have I been ever free, and must my house Be my retentive enemy, my gaol? The place which I have feasted, does it now, Like all mankind, show me an iron heart? Lucilius’ Servant Put in now, Titus.
What, are my doors blocking my way? Have I ever been free, and now my house Must be my prison, my enemy? The place where I’ve hosted parties—does it now, Like everyone else, turn its back on me? Lucilius’ servant is here, put him in now, Titus.
My lord, here is my bill. Lucilius’ Servant Here’s mine.
My lord, here’s my bill. Lucilius’ Servant: Here’s mine.
And mine, my lord. Both Varro’s Servants And ours, my lord.
And mine, my lord. Both Varro’s Servants: And ours, my lord.
All our bills.
All our bills.
Knock me down with ’em: cleave me to the girdle. Lucilius’ Servant Alas, my lord,-
Knock me down with them! Cut me open to the belt. Lucilius’ Servant: Alas, my lord—
Cut my heart in sums.
Cut my heart into pieces.
Mine, fifty talents.
Mine’s fifty talents.
Tell out my blood. Lucilius’ Servant Five thousand crowns, my lord.
Spill my blood. Lucilius’ Servant: Five thousand crowns, my lord.
Five thousand drops pays that. What yours?--and yours? Varro’s
Five thousand drops of blood pay that. What about yours? And yours? Varro’s
My lord,-- Varro’s
My lord— Varro’s
My lord,--
My lord—
Tear me, take me, and the gods fall upon you!
Tear me apart, take everything I have, and may the gods strike you!
’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.
Honestly, I see that our masters could just throw their hats at their money: these debts are truly hopeless, since a madman is the one who owes them.
They have e’en put my breath from me, the slaves. Creditors? devils!
They’ve even taken away my breath, the slaves. Creditors? Devils!
My dear lord,--
My dear lord,--
What if it should be so?
What if that’s the case?
My lord,--
My lord,--
I’ll have it so. My steward!
I’ll make it happen. My steward!
Here, my lord.
Here, my lord.
So fitly? Go, bid all my friends again, Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius: All, sirrah, all: I’ll once more feast the rascals.
So fittingly? Go, tell all my friends again, Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius: All, servant, all: I’ll feed those scoundrels once again.
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’re only speaking from your broken heart; There’s not enough left to set a proper table.
Be’t 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.
Don’t worry about that; go, I command you, invite them all: let in the flood Of scoundrels once more; my cook and I’ll handle the rest.