Act II · Scene I

A Senator's house.

Hover a speech to translate it — or press play to hear it performed.

Enter Senator, with papers in his hand

Senator

And late, five thousand: to Varro and to IsidoreHe owes nine thousand; besides my former sum,Which makes it five and twenty. Still in motionOf raging waste? It cannot hold; it will not.If I want gold, steal but a beggar's dog,And give it Timon, why, the dog coins gold.If I would sell my horse, and buy twenty moreBetter than he, why, give my horse to Timon,Ask nothing, give it him, it foals me, straight,And able horses. No porter at his gate,But rather one that smiles and still invitesAll that pass by. It cannot hold: no reasonCan found his state in safety. Caphis, ho!Caphis, I say!

Enter CAPHIS

CAPHIS

Here, sir; what is your pleasure?

Senator

Get on your cloak, and haste you to Lord Timon;Importune him for my moneys; be not ceasedWith slight denial, nor then silenced when--'Commend me to your master'--and the capPlays in the right hand, thus: but tell him,My uses cry to me, I must serve my turnOut of mine own; his days and times are pastAnd my reliances on his fracted datesHave smit my credit: I love and honour him,But must not break my back to heal his finger;Immediate are my needs, and my reliefMust not be toss'd and turn'd to me in words,But find supply immediate. Get you gone:Put on a most importunate aspect,A visage of demand; for, I do fear,When every feather sticks in his own wing,Lord Timon will be left a naked gull,Which flashes now a phoenix. Get you gone.

CAPHIS

I go, sir.

Senator

'I go, sir!'--Take the bonds along with you,And have the dates in contempt.

CAPHIS

I will, sir.

Senator

Go.

Exeunt