Luc.

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

First Stran. ^note

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.

Luc.

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

Sec. Stran. ^note

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

Luc.

How!

Sec. Stran.

I tell you, denied, my lord.

Luc.

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. ^note 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 ^note him and sent to ^note me, I should ne'er have denied his occasion so many ^note talents.

Ser.

See, by good hap, yonder's my lord; I have sweat ^noteto see his honour. My honoured lord!

Luc.

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

Ser.

May it please your honour, my lord hath sent—

Luc.

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

Ser.

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

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

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

Luc.
Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius?

Ser.
Upon my soul, 'tis true, sir.

Luc.

What a wicked beast was I to disfurnish myself against such a good time, when I might ha' ^note shown myself honourable! how unluckily it happened, that I should purchase the day before for a little part, and undo ^note a great deal of honour! Servilius, now, before the gods, I am not able to do ^note—the more beast, I say ^note:—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, ^note that I cannot pleasure such an honourable gentleman. Good Servilius, will you befriend me so far as to use mine ^note own words to him?

Ser.

Yes, sir, I shall.

Luc.
I'll look you out a good ^note turn, Servilius. [Exit ^note Servilius.
True, as you said, Timon is shrunk indeed;
And he that's once denied will hardly speed. [Exit.

First Stran.
Do you observe ^note this ^note, Hostilius?

Sec. Stran.
Ay ^note, too well.

First Stran.
Why, this is the world's soul; and just of the same piece

Is every flatterer's spirit ^note. 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 ^note; ^note
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 ^note the monstrousness of man
When he looks out in an ungrateful shape! ^note—
He does deny him, in respect of his,
What charitable men afford to beggars.

Third Stran.
Religion groans at it.

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

^note

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