The Life Of Timon Of Athens

1 Enter Lucius with three Strangers.
2 LUCIUS.
3 Who, the Lord Timon? He is my very good friend and an honourable
4 gentleman.
5 FIRST STRANGER.
6 We know him for no less, though we are but strangers to him. But I can
7 tell you one thing, my lord, and which I hear from common rumours: now
8 Lord Timon’s happy hours are done and past, and his estate shrinks from
9 him.
10 LUCIUS.
11 Fie, no, do not believe it; he cannot want for money.
12 SECOND STRANGER.
13 But believe you this, my lord, that, not long ago one of his men was
14 with the Lord Lucullus to borrow so many talents, nay, urged extremely
15 for’t, and showed what necessity belonged to’t, and yet was denied.
16 LUCIUS.
17 How?
18 SECOND STRANGER.
19 I tell you, denied, my lord.
20 LUCIUS.
21 What a strange case was that! Now, before the gods, I am ashamed on’t.
22 Denied that honourable man? There was very little honour showed in’t.
23 For my own part, I must needs confess, I have received some small
24 kindnesses from him, as money, plate, jewels, and such like trifles,
25 nothing comparing to his; yet had he mistook him, and sent to me, I
26 should ne’er have denied his occasion so many talents.
27 Enter Servilius.
28 SERVILIUS.
29 See, by good hap, yonder’s my lord; I have sweat to see his honour.
30 [_To Lucius_.] My honoured lord!
31 LUCIUS.
32 Servilius? You are kindly met, sir. Fare thee well. Commend me to thy
33 honourable virtuous lord, my very exquisite friend.
34 SERVILIUS.
35 May it please your honour, my lord hath sent—
36 LUCIUS.
37 Ha! What has he sent? I am so much endeared to that lord; he’s ever
38 sending. How shall I thank him, thinkest thou? And what has he sent
39 now?
40 SERVILIUS.
41 Has only sent his present occasion now, my lord, requesting your
42 lordship to supply his instant use with so many talents.
43 LUCIUS.
44 I know his lordship is but merry with me;
45 He cannot want fifty-five hundred talents.
46 SERVILIUS.
47 But in the meantime he wants less, my lord.
48 If his occasion were not virtuous,
49 I should not urge it half so faithfully.
50 LUCIUS.
51 Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius?
52 SERVILIUS.
53 Upon my soul, ’tis true, sir.
54 LUCIUS.
55 What a wicked beast was I to disfurnish myself against such a good
56 time, when I might ha’ shown myself honourable! How unluckily it
57 happened that I should purchase the day before for a little part, and
58 undo a great deal of honour! Servilius, now before the gods, I am not
59 able to do—the more beast, I say—I was sending to use Lord Timon
60 myself, these gentlemen can witness; but I would not for the wealth of
61 Athens I had done it now. Commend me bountifully to his good lordship,
62 and I hope his honour will conceive the fairest of me, because I have
63 no power to be kind. And tell him this from me: I count it one of my
64 greatest afflictions, say, that I cannot pleasure such an honourable
65 gentleman. Good Servilius, will you befriend me so far as to use mine
66 own words to him?
67 SERVILIUS.
68 Yes, sir, I shall.
69 LUCIUS.
70 I’ll look you out a good turn, Servilius.
71 [_Exit Servilius._]
72 True, as you said, Timon is shrunk indeed,
73 And he that’s once denied will hardly speed.
74 [_Exit._]
75 FIRST STRANGER.
76 Do you observe this, Hostilius?
77 SECOND STRANGER.
78 Ay, too well.
79 FIRST STRANGER.
80 Why, this is the world’s soul, and just of the same piece
81 Is every flatterer’s spirit. Who can call him his friend
82 That dips in the same dish? For, in my knowing,
83 Timon has been this lord’s father
84 And kept his credit with his purse,
85 Supported his estate, nay, Timon’s money
86 Has paid his men their wages. He ne’er drinks
87 But Timon’s silver treads upon his lip,
88 And yet—O, see the monstrousness of man
89 When he looks out in an ungrateful shape—
90 He does deny him, in respect of his,
91 What charitable men afford to beggars.
92 THIRD STRANGER.
93 Religion groans at it.
94 FIRST STRANGER.
95 For mine own part,
96 I never tasted Timon in my life,
97 Nor came any of his bounties over me
98 To mark me for his friend. Yet I protest,
99 For his right noble mind, illustrious virtue,
100 And honourable carriage,
101 Had his necessity made use of me,
102 I would have put my wealth into donation,
103 And the best half should have returned to him,
104 So much I love his heart. But I perceive
105 Men must learn now with pity to dispense,
106 For policy sits above conscience.
107 [_Exeunt._]