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.
