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Timon of Athens: Act 3 Scene 2

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]