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