ACT III
SCENE II A public place.


 [Enter LUCILIUS, with three Strangers]

LUCILIUS Who, the Lord Timon? he is my very good friend, and
 an honourable gentleman.

First Stranger We know him for no less, though we are but strangers
 to him. But I can tell you one thing, my lord, and
 which I hear from common rumours: now Lord Timon's
 happy hours are done and past, and his estate
 shrinks from him.

LUCILIUS Fie, no, do not believe it; he cannot want for money.

Second Stranger But believe you this, my lord, that, not long ago,
 one of his men was with the Lord Lucullus to borrow
 so many talents, nay, urged extremely for't and
 showed what necessity belonged to't, and yet was denied.

LUCILIUS How!

Second Stranger I tell you, denied, my lord.

LUCILIUS What a strange case was that! now, before the gods,
 I am ashamed on't. Denied that honourable man!
 there was very little honour showed in't. For my own
 part, I must needs confess, I have received some
 small kindnesses from him, as money, plate, jewels
 and such-like trifles, nothing comparing to his;
 yet, had he mistook him and sent to me, I should
 ne'er have denied his occasion so many talents.

 [Enter SERVILIUS]

SERVILIUS See, by good hap, yonder's my lord;
 I have sweat to see his honour. My honoured lord,--

 [To LUCIUS]

LUCILIUS Servilius! you are kindly met, sir. Fare thee well:
 commend me to thy honourable virtuous lord, my very
 exquisite friend.

SERVILIUS May it please your honour, my lord hath sent--

LUCILIUS Ha! what has he sent? I am so much endeared to
 that lord; he's ever sending: how shall I thank
 him, thinkest thou? And what has he sent now?

SERVILIUS Has only sent his present occasion now, my lord;
 requesting your lordship to supply his instant use
 with so many talents.

LUCILIUS I know his lordship is but merry with me;
 He cannot want fifty five hundred talents.

SERVILIUS But in the mean time he wants less, my lord.
 If his occasion were not virtuous,
 I should not urge it half so faithfully.

LUCILIUS Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius?

SERVILIUS Upon my soul,'tis true, sir.

LUCILIUS What a wicked beast was I to disfurnish myself
 against such a good time, when I might ha' shown
 myself honourable! how unluckily it happened, that I
 should purchase the day before for a little part,
 and undo a great deal of honoured! Servilius, now,
 before the gods, I am not able to do,--the more
 beast, I say:--I was sending to use Lord Timon
 myself, these gentlemen can witness! but I would
 not, for the wealth of Athens, I had done't now.
 Commend me bountifully to his good lordship; and I
 hope his honour will conceive the fairest of me,
 because I have no power to be kind: and tell him
 this from me, I count it one of my greatest
 afflictions, say, that I cannot pleasure such an
 honourable gentleman. Good Servilius, will you
 befriend me so far, as to use mine own words to him?

SERVILIUS Yes, sir, I shall.

LUCILIUS I'll look you out a good turn, Servilius.

 [Exit SERVILIUS]

 True as you said, Timon is shrunk indeed;
 And he that's once denied will hardly speed.

 [Exit]

First Stranger Do you observe this, Hostilius?

Second Stranger Ay, too well.

First Stranger Why, this is the world's soul; and just of the
 same piece
 Is every flatterer's spirit. Who can call him
 His friend that dips in the same dish? for, in
 My knowing, Timon has been this lord's father,
 And kept his credit with his purse,
 Supported his estate; nay, Timon's money
 Has paid his men their wages: he ne'er drinks,
 But Timon's silver treads upon his lip;
 And yet--O, see the monstrousness of man
 When he looks out in an ungrateful shape!--
 He does deny him, in respect of his,
 What charitable men afford to beggars.

Third Stranger Religion groans at it.

First Stranger For mine own part,
 I never tasted Timon in my life,
 Nor came any of his bounties over me,
 To mark me for his friend; yet, I protest,
 For his right noble mind, illustrious virtue
 And honourable carriage,
 Had his necessity made use of me,
 I would have put my wealth into donation,
 And the best half should have return'd to him,
 So much I love his heart: but, I perceive,
 Men must learn now with pity to dispense;
 For policy sits above conscience.

 [Exeunt]




 TIMON OF ATHENS


ACT III