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The Illustrated Works of Shakespeare
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Illustrated Works of Shakespeare, The (1990)(Animated Pixels)[!][CDTV-PC].iso
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03_01
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1991-04-10
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86 lines
Athens. A Room in Lucullus' House.
FLAMINIUS waiting to speak with a lord, LUCULLUS, from his Master;
enters a SERVANT to him.
Servant I have told my lord of you; he is coming down to you.
Flaminius I thank you, sir.
Enter LUCULLUS.
Servant 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
tonight. [Aloud.] Flaminius, honest Flaminius, you are very
respectively welcome, sir. [To SERVANT.] Fill me some wine.
[Exit SERVANT.
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.
Re-enter SERVANT, with wine.
Servant Please your lordship, here is the wine.
Lucullus Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise. Here's to thee.
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 - [Drinking.] 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 know'st well enough,
although thou com'st 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 saw'st me not. Fare thee well.
Flaminius Is't possible the world should so much differ,
And we alive that lived? Fly, damnd baseness,
To him that worships thee!
[Throwing the solidares at LUCULLUS.
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 molten 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 my 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 turned 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.
[Exit.