1 Must he needs trouble me in 't,--hum!--'bove 2 all others? 3 He might have tried Lord Lucius or Lucullus; 4 And now Ventidius is wealthy too, 5 Whom he redeem'd from prison: all these 6 Owe their estates unto him.
Servant
7 My lord, 8 They have all been touch'd and found base metal, for 9 They have au denied him.
SEMPRONIUS
10 How! have they denied him? 11 Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him? 12 And does he send to me? Three? hum! 13 It shows but little love or judgment in him: 14 Must I be his last refuge! His friends, like 15 physicians, 16 Thrive, give him over: must I take the cure upon me? 17 Has much disgraced me in't; I'm angry at him, 18 That might have known my place: I see no sense for't, 19 But his occasion might have woo'd me first; 20 For, in my conscience, I was the first man 21 That e'er received gift from him: 22 And does he think so backwardly of me now, 23 That I'll requite its last? No: 24 So it may prove an argument of laughter 25 To the rest, and 'mongst lords I be thought a fool. 26 I'ld rather than the worth of thrice the sum, 27 Had sent to me first, but for my mind's sake; 28 I'd such a courage to do him good. But now return, 29 And with their faint reply this answer join; 30 Who bates mine honour shall not know my coin.
Exit
Servant
31 Excellent! Your lordship's a goodly villain. The 32 devil knew not what he did when he made man 33 politic; he crossed himself by 't: and I cannot 34 think but, in the end, the villainies of man will 35 set him clear. How fairly this lord strives to 36 appear foul! takes virtuous copies to be wicked, 37 like those that under hot ardent zeal would set 38 whole realms on fire: Of such a nature is his 39 politic love. 40 This was my lord's best hope; now all are fled, 41 Save only the gods: now his friends are dead, 42 Doors, that were ne'er acquainted with their wards 43 Many a bounteous year must be employ'd 44 Now to guard sure their master. 45 And this is all a liberal course allows; 46 Who cannot keep his wealth must keep his house.
