A room in Lucullus’ house.
[FLAMINIUS waiting.
Enter a Servant to him]
LUCULLUS Flaminius, honest
Flaminius; you are very respectively welcome, sir.
And how does that honourable, complete, free-hearted
gentleman of Athens, thy very bountiful good lord
and master?
FLAMINIUS His health is well sir.
LUCULLUS I am right glad that his health is well,
sir: and what hast thou there under thy cloak,
pretty 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.
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. Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise.
FLAMINIUS Your lordship speaks your pleasure.
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. 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.
FLAMINIUS
Is’t possible the world should so much differ,
And we alive that lived? Fly, damned baseness,
To him that worships thee!
[Throwing the money back]
LUCULLUS Ha!
now I see thou art a fool, and fit for thy master.
[Exit]
FLAMINIUS
May these add to the number that may scald thee!
Let moulten coin be thy damnation,
Thou disease of a friend, and not himself!
Has friendship such a faint and milky heart,
It turns in less than two nights? O you gods,
I feel master’s passion! this slave,
Unto his honour, has my lord’s meat in him:
Why should it thrive and turn to nutriment,
When he is turn’d to poison?
O, may diseases only work upon’t!
And, when he’s sick to death, let not that part of nature
Which my lord paid for, be of any power
To expel sickness, but prolong his hour!
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