Luc.

Who, the lord Timon? He is my very good friend, and an honourable gentleman.

1st Sen.

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 estates shrinks from him.

Luc.

Fye, no, do not believe it: he cannot want for money.

1st Sen.

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

Luc.

How?

1st Sen.

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 show'd in that. For my own part, I must needs confess, I have received small kindnesses from him, as money, plate, jewels, and such like trifles, nothing comparing to his; yet had he mistook him, and sent him to me, I should ne'er have deny'd his occasion so many talents.

Flam.

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

Luc.

Flaminius, you are kindly met, sir. Fare

thee well—commend me to thy honourable virtuous lord, my very exquisite friend.

Flam.

May it please your honour, my lord hath sent—

Luc.

Ha—what hath 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?

Flam.

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 me;
He cannot want fifty five hundred talents.

Flam.
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, Flaminius?

Flam.

By my soul 'tis true, sir.

Luc.

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 dirt, and undo a great deal of honour? Flaminius, now before the Gods, I am not able to do— (the more beast, I say)—I was sending to use lord Timon myself, this gentleman can witness; but I would not for the wealth of Athens, I had don'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, that I cannot pleasure such an honourable gentleman. Good Flaminius, will you befriend me so far, as to use my own words to him?

Flam.

Yes, sir, I shall.

Luc.
I'll look ye out a good turn, Flaminius.
True, as you said, Timon is shrunk, indeed;
And he, that's once deny'd, will hardly speed. [Exit Lucius and 1st Senator.

Flam.
Why, this is the world's soul;
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 to this lord as a father,
And kept his credit with his bounteous purse:
Supported his estate; nay, Timon's money
Has paid his men their wages. He ne'er drinks,
But Timon's silver rests upon his lip;
And yet, oh, 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. [Retires up. Flavius enters, with Sempronius.

Sem.
Must he needs trouble me in't, 'bove all others?—
He might have tried lord Lucius, or Lucullus;
And now Ventidius is wealthy too,
Whom he redeem'd from prison: all these three
Owe their estates unto him.

Flav.
Oh, my Lord,
They've all been touch'd, and all are found base metal;
For they have all deny'd him.

Sem.
How! deny'd him?
Ventidius and Lucullus both deny'd him?
And does he send to me? three! hum—
It shows but little love or judgment in him.
Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physicians,
Three, give him over! Must I take the cure
On me? H'as much disgrac'd me in't; I am angry.
He might have known my place; I see no sense for't.
But his occasions might have woo'd me first;
For, in my conscience, I was the first man
That e'er received gift from him:
And does he think so backwardly of me,
That I'll requite it last?
I'd rather than the worth of thrice the sum,
H'ad sent to me first, but for my mind's sake:

I'd such a courage to have done him good.
But now return,
And with their faint reply this answer join:
Who 'bates mine honour, shall not know my coin. [Exit.

Flam.

Excellent! Your lordship's a goodly villain. The devil knew not what he did, when he made man politic; he cross'd himself by't; and I cannot think, but, in the end, the villanies of man will set him clear.

Flav.
This was my Lord's best hope; now all are fled,
Save the Gods only. Now his friends are dead;
Doors, that were ne'er acquainted with their wards
Many a bounteous year, must be employ'd
Now to guard sure their master.
And this is all a lib'ral course allows;
Who cannot keep his wealth, must keep his house. [Exit Flavius and Flaminius.

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