Icaromenippus

Hermes Ah, here is Timon close to us; what a steep stony little plot he has got to dig! Good gracious, I see Poverty and Toil in attendance, Endurance, Wisdom, Courage, and Hunger’s whole company in full force—much more efficient than your guards, Plutus.

Plutus Oh dear, let us make the best of our way home, Hermes. We shall never produce any impression on a man surrounded by such troops.

Hermes Zeus thought otherwise; so no cowardice.

Poverty Slayer of Argus, whither away, you two hand in hand?

Hermes Zeus has sent us to Timon here,

Poverty Now? What has Plutus todo with Timon now? I found him suffering under Luxury’s treatment, put him in the charge of Wisdom and Toil (whom you see here), and made a good worthy man of him. Do you take me for such a contemptible helpless creature that you can rob me of my little all? have I perfected him in virtue, only to see Plutus take him, trust him to Insolence and Arrogance, make him as soft and limp and silly as before, and return him to me a worn-out rag again?

Hermes It is Zeus’s will.