Timon of Athens — Act 2, Scene 1: A Senator's house.

In a senator’s house, one Senator reviews papers and totals the debts Timon owes, realizing the sum is enormous and unsustainable. He reflects bitterly that Timon’s generosity has become reckless waste, since even a poor man’s dog or a horse given to Timon seems to multiply into profit. He calls for Caphis and sends him to Timon to demand immediate repayment. The Senator tells Caphis to be firm, persistent, and demanding, not to accept polite delays or excuses, because his own financial needs must come first. He also has Caphis take the bonds with him and hurry.