The Complete Works of William Shakespeare In Plain and Simple English (Translated) (1034 page)

Just as you say, my lord.

FLAVIUS

[Aside] Lord Lucius and Lucullus? hum!

Lords Lucius and Lucullus?  Hmm!

TIMON

Go you, sir, to the senators--

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

Deserved this hearing--bid 'em send o' the instant

A thousand talents to me.

You, sir, go to the senators-

because of what I have done for the state, I deserve

their attention - tell them to send me

a thousand talents at once.

FLAVIUS

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 took the liberty-

for I knew it was our best bet-

to use your credentials to ask them;

but they shook their heads, and here I am,

no richer than before.

TIMON

Is't true? can't be?

Is this true?  Can this really have happened?

FLAVIUS

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 wish'd--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 said unanimously

that they are at a low ebb, they lack money and can't

do as they'd like to; they are sorry-they know you're a good man-

but they wish you- they don't know-

something was wrong-a noble man

can go off the rails-they wished all was well-it was a shame-

and so, moving on to other important matters,

after looking disdainful and giving me these harsh words,

with a wave of the hand and a chilly nod,

they dismissed me.

TIMON

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 fashion'd for the journey, dull and heavy.

You gods, give them what they deserve!

Come on man, cheer up.  These old fellows

are always mean, it comes with age:

their blood is thick, it's cold, they have no passion;

lacking kindly warmth they are not kind;

and nature, as it starts back towards the earth it came from,

begins to suit itself to the journey, becomes dull and heavy.

To a Servant

Go to Ventidius.

Go to Ventidius.

To FLAVIUS

Prithee, be not sad,

Thou art true and honest; ingeniously I speak.

No blame belongs to thee.

Please, don't be sad,

you are faithful and honest; I'm speaking honestly.

There's no blame on you.

To Servant

Ventidius lately

Buried his father; by whose death he's stepp'd

Into a great estate: when he was poor,

Imprison'd and in scarcity of friends,

I clear'd him with five talents: greet him from me;

Bid him suppose some good necessity

Touches his friend, which craves to be remember'd

With those five talents.

Ventidius recently

buried his father; through his death he's acquired

a large fortune: when he was poor,

imprisoned and lacking friends,

I paid his debts with five talents: give him my regards,

and inform him that his friend is in genuine need,

and he would appreciate him returning the favour

with those five talents.

Exit Servant

To FLAVIUS

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.

Once we have that, pay off those fellows

who are claiming it at once.  Never say or think

that Timon will lose his friends.

FLAVIUS

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 it; thinking that

makes it easy for you to be exploited;

when you're generous, you tend to think everyone else is the same.

Exeunt

FLAMINIUS waiting. Enter a Servant to him

Servant

I have told my lord of you; he is coming down to you.

I've told my lord you're here; he's coming down to you.

FLAMINIUS

I thank you, sir.

Thank you, sir.

Enter LUCULLUS

Servant

Here's my lord.

Here's my lord.

LUCULLUS

[Aside] One of Lord Timon's men? a gift, I

warrant. Why, this hits right; I dreamt of a silver

basin and ewer to-night. Flaminius, honest

Flaminius; you are very respectively welcome, sir.

Fill me some wine.

Exit Servants

And how does that honourable, complete, free-hearted

gentleman of Athens, thy very bountiful good lord

and master?

One of Timon's men?  Bringing a gift,

I bet.  Why, this all fits; I dreamt of a silver

basin and jug tonight.  Flaminius, honest

Flaminius; you are respectfully welcome, sir.

get some wine.

And how is that honourable, open hearted, complete

gentleman of Athens, your generous lord

and master?

FLAMINIUS

His health is well sir.

He's in good health, sir.

LUCULLUS

I am right glad that his health is well, sir: and

what hast thou there under thy cloak, pretty Flaminius?

I'm very glad to hear it, sir; and

what are you hiding under your cloak, sweet Flaminius?

FLAMINIUS

'Faith, nothing but an empty box, sir; which, in my

lord's behalf, I come to entreat your honour to

supply; who, having great and instant occasion to

use fifty talents, hath sent to your lordship to

furnish him, nothing doubting your present

assistance therein.

I swear, nothing but an empty box, sir; which, on

behalf of my master, I have come to beg your honour to fill;

he has urgent need of fifty talents at once, and he's

sent me to you to ask for them, having no doubt

that you will help him out.

LUCULLUS

La, la, la, la! 'nothing doubting,' says he? Alas,

good lord! a noble gentleman 'tis, if he would not

keep so good a house. Many a time and often I ha'

dined with him, and told him on't, and come again to

supper to him, of purpose to have him spend less,

and yet he would embrace no counsel, take no warning

by my coming. Every man has his fault, and honesty

is his: I ha' told him on't, but I could ne'er get

him from't.

Tra la la!  'Having no doubt,' he says?  Alas,

good lord! He would be a noble gentleman,

if he wasn't so profligate.  Many times I have

dined with him, and spoken to him about it, and again

come to supper with him, telling him to spend less,

but he would not take any advice, he wouldn't be warned

by my visits.  Every man has his faults, and over-generosity

is his: I warned him about it, but I couldn't ever

dissuade him.

Re-enter Servant, with wine

Servant

Please your lordship, here is the wine.

If you please, your lordship, here is the wine.

LUCULLUS

Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise. Here's to thee.

Flaminius, I've always respected your wisdom.  Here's to you.

FLAMINIUS

Your lordship speaks your pleasure.

Your lordship is kind to say so.

LUCULLUS

I have observed thee always for a towardly prompt

spirit--give thee thy due--and one that knows what

belongs to reason; and canst use the time well, if

the time use thee well: good parts in thee.

To Servant

Get you gone, sirrah.

Exit Servant

Draw nearer, honest Flaminius. Thy lord's a

bountiful gentleman: but thou art wise; and thou

knowest well enough, although thou comest to me,

that this is no time to lend money, especially upon

bare friendship, without security. Here's three

solidares for thee: good boy, wink at me, and say

thou sawest me not. Fare thee well.

I have always seen you as a friendly and well disposed chap

- to give you your due-and someone with plenty