Page 3180 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

STEWARD

Have you forgot me, sir?

TIMON
Why dost ask that? I have forgot all men.
Then, if thou grant’st th’art a man,
I have forgot thee. [475]

STEWARD

An honest poor servant of yours.

TIMON

Then I know thee not.
I never had honest man about me, I; all
I kept were knaves, to serve in meat to villains.

STEWARD
The gods are witness, [480]
Ne’er did poor steward wear a truer grief

For his undone lord than mine eyes for you.

TIMON
What, dost thou weep? Come nearer; then I love thee,
Because thou art a woman, and disclaim’st
Flinty mankind, whose eyes do never give [485]

But thorough lust and laughter. Pity’s sleeping.
Strange times, that weep with laughing, not with weeping!

STEWARD
I beg of you to know me, good my lord,
T’accept my grief and whilst this poor wealth lasts
To entertain me as your steward still. [490]

TIMON

Had I a steward
So true, so just, and now so comfortable?
It almost turns my dangerous nature mild.