Luc.

Who, the lord Timon? he is my very good friend,

and an honourable gentleman.

1. S.

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 ^note lord Timon's happy hours are done and past, and his estate shrinks from him.

Luc.

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

2. S.

But believe you this, my lord, that, not long ago, one of his men was with the lord Lucullus, to borrow fifty talents ^note; nay, urg'd extreamly for't, and shew'd what necessity belong'd to't, and yet was deny'd.

Luc.

How?

2. S.

I tell you, deny'd, my lord.

Luc.

What a strange case was that? now, before the gods, I am asham'd on't. Deny'd that honourable man? there was very little honour shew'd in't. ^note For my own part, I must needs confess, I have receiv'd 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 me,14Q1154 I should ne'er have deny'd his occasion so many talents.

Ser.

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

Luc.

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

Ser.

May it please your honour, my lord hath sent—

Luc.

Ha! what has he sent? I am so much endear'd to that lord; he's ever sending; How shall I thank him, think'st thou? And what has he sent now?

Ser.

H'as only sent his present occasion now, my lord; requesting your lordship to supply his instant use with fifty talents.

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

Luc.

Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius?

Ser.

Upon my soul, 'tis true, sir.

Luc.

What a wicked beast was I, to diffurnish myself against such a good time, when I might have shewn myself honourable? how unluckily it happen'd, that I should purchase the day before for a little dirt, and ^note undo a great deal of honour?—Servilius, now, before the gods, I am not able to do't; 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?

Ser.

Yes, sir, I shall.

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

1. S.
Do you observe this, Hostilius?

2. S.
Ay, too well.

1. S.
Why ^note 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;
Supported his estate; nay, Timon's money
Has paid ^note 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.

3. S.
Religion groans at it.

1. S.
For mine own part,
I never tasted Timon in my life,
Nor e'er 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, ^note
And the best half should have return'd ^note 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.

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