The Life of Tymon of Athens — Act 3 Scene 2

Enter Lucius, with three strangers.

Luc.Who the Lord Timon? He is my very good friendand an Honourable Gentleman.

1We know him for no lesse, thogh we are but strangersto him. But I can tell you one thing my Lord, andwhich I heare from common rumours, now Lord Timonshappie howres are done and past, and his estate shrinkesfrom him.

Lucius.Fye no, doe not beleeue it: hee cannot want for money.

2But beleeue you this my Lord, that not long agoe,one of his men was with the Lord Lucullus, to borrow somany Talents, nay vrg'd extreamly for't, and shewedwhat necessity belong'd too't, and yet was deny'de.

Luci.How?

2I tell you, deny'de my Lord.

Luci.What a strange case was that? Now before theGods I am asham'd on't. Denied that honourable man?There was verie little Honour shew'd in't. For my ownepart, I must needes confesse, I haue receyued some smallkindnesses from him, as Money, Plate, Iewels, and suchlike Trifles; nothing comparing to his: yet had heemistooke him, and sent to me, I should ne're haue denied hisOccasion so many Talents.

Enter Seruilius.

Seruil.See, by good hap yonders my Lord, I haueswet to see his Honor. My Honor'd Lord.

Lucil.Seruilius? You are kindely met sir. Farthewell,commend me to thy Honourable vertuous Lord, my veryexquisite Friend.

Seruil.May it please your Honour, my Lord hath sent———

Luci.Ha? what ha's he sent? I am so much endeeredto that Lord; hee's euer sending: how shall I thank himthink'st thou? And what has he sent now?

Seruil.Has onely sent his present Occasion now myLord: requesting your Lordship to supply his instant vsewith so many Talents.

Lucil.I know his Lordship is but merry with me,He cannot want fifty fiue hundred Talents.

Seruil.But in the mean time he wants lesse my Lord.If his occasion were not vertuous,I should not vrge it halfe so faithfully.

Luc.Dost thou speake seriously Seruilius?

Seruil.Vpon my soule 'tis true Sir.

Luci.What a wicked Beast was I to disfurnish myself against such a good time, when I might ha shewn myselfe Honourable? How vnluckily it hapned, that I sholdPurchase the day before for a little part, and vndo a greatdeale of Honour? Seruilius, now before the Gods I amnot able to do (the more beast I say) I was sending to vseLord Timon my selfe, these Gentlemen can witnesse; butI would not for the wealth of Athens I had done't now.Commend me bountifully to his good Lordship, and Ihope his Honor will conceiue the fairest of mee, becauseI haue no power to be kinde. And tell him this from me,I count it one of my greatest afflictions say, that I cannotpleasure such an Honourable Gentleman. Good Seruilius,will you befriend mee so farre, as to vse mine ownewords to him?

Ser.Exit Seruil.Yes sir, I shall.

Lucil.Ile looke you out a good turne Seruilius.True as you said, Timon is shrunke indeede,Exit.And he that's once deny'de, will hardly speede.

1Do you obserue this Hostilius?

2I, to well.

1Why this is the worlds soule,And iust of the same peeceIs euery Flatterers sport: who can call him his FriendThat dips in the same dish? For in my knowingTimon has bin this Lords Father,And kept his credit with his purse:Supported his estate, nay Timons moneyHas paid his men their wages. He ne're drinkes,But Timons Siluer treads vpon his Lip,And yet, oh see the monstrousnesse of man,When he lookes out in an vngratefull shape;He does deny him (in respect of his)What charitable men affoord to Beggers.

3Religion grones at it.

1For mine owne part, I neuer tasted Timon in my lifeNor came any of his bounties ouer me,To marke me for his Friend. Yet I protest,For his right Noble minde, illustrious Vertue,And Honourable Carriage,Had his necessity made vse of me,I would haue put my wealth into Donation,And the best halfe should haue return'd to him,So much I loue his heart: But I perceiue,Men must learne now with pitty to dispence,Exeunt.For Policy sits aboue Conscience.