row some then," said Timon; "try Ventidius." He thought of Ventidius
because he had once got Ventidius out of prison by paying a creditor of
this young man. Ventidius was now rich. Timon trusted in his gratitude.
But not for all; so much did he owe! Servants were despatched with
requests for loans of money to several friends:

One servant (Flaminius) went to Lucullus. When he was announced Lucullus
said, "A gift, I warrant. I dreamt of a silver jug and basin last
night." Then, changing his tone, "How is that honorable, free-hearted,
perfect gentleman, your master, eh?"

"Well in health, sir," replied Flaminius.

"And what have you got there under your cloak?" asked Lucullus,
jovially.

"Faith, sir, nothing but an empty box, which, on my master's behalf, I
beg you to fill with money, sir."

"La! la! la!" said Lucullus, who could not pretend to mean, "Ha! ha!
ha!" "Your master's one fault is that he is too fond of giving parties.
I've warned him that it was expensive. Now, look here, Flaminius, you
know this is no time to lend money without security, so suppose you
act like a good boy and tell him that I was not at home. Here's three
solidares for yourself."

"Back, wretched money," cried Flaminius, "to him who worships you!"

Others of Timon's friends were tried and found stingy. Amongst them was
Sempronius.

"Hum," he said to Timon's servant, "has he asked Ventidius? Ventidius is
beholden to him."

"He refused."

"Well, have you asked Lucullus?"

"He refused."

"A poor compliment to apply to me last of all," said Sempronius, in
affected anger. "If he had sent to me at first, I would gladly have lent
him money, but I'm not going to be such a fool as to lend him any now."

"Your lordship makes a good villain," said the servant.

When Timon found that his friends were so mean, he took advantage of
a lull in his storm of creditors to invite Ventidius and Company to a
banquet. Flavius was horrified, but Ventidius and Company, were not in
the least ashamed, and they assembled accordingly in Timon's house, and
said to one another that their princely host had been jesting with them.

"I had to put off an important engagement in order to come here," said
Lucullus; "but who could refuse Timon?"

"It was a real grief to me to be without ready money when he asked for
some," said Sempronius.

"The same here," chimed in a third lord.

Timon now appeared, and his guests vied with one another in apologies
and co