Timon of Athens, Act III, Scene 2 :|: Open Source Shakespeare

The Tragedy of Timon of Athens

Act III, Scene 2

A public place.

[Enter LUCILIUS, with three Strangers]

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

First Stranger. We know him for no less, though we are but strangers
to him. But I can tell you one thing, my lord, and 1015
which I hear from common rumours: now Lord Timon's
happy hours are done and past, and his estate
shrinks from him.

Second Stranger. But believe you this, my lord, that, not long ago, 1020
one of his men was with the Lord Lucullus to borrow
so many talents, nay, urged extremely for't and
showed what necessity belonged to't, and yet was denied.

Lucilius. 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. For my own
part, I must needs confess, I have received some
small kindnesses from him, as money, plate, jewels 1030
and such-like trifles, nothing comparing to his;
yet, had he mistook him and sent to me, I should
ne'er have denied his occasion so many talents.

[Enter SERVILIUS]

Servilius. See, by good hap, yonder's my lord; 1035
I have sweat to see his honour. My honoured lord,—

[To LUCIUS]

Lucilius. Servilius! you are kindly met, sir. Fare thee well:
commend me to thy honourable virtuous lord, my very
exquisite friend. 1040

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

Servilius. Has only sent his present occasion now, my lord; 1045
requesting your lordship to supply his instant use
with so many talents.

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

Servilius. But in the mean time he wants less, my lord. 1050
If his occasion were not virtuous,
I should not urge it half so faithfully.

Lucilius. What a wicked beast was I to disfurnish myself 1055
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 part,
and undo a great deal of honoured! Servilius, now,
before the gods, I am not able to do,—the more 1060
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, 1065
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? 1070

Lucilius. I'll look you out a good turn, Servilius.
[Exit SERVILIUS]
True as you said, Timon is shrunk indeed;
And he that's once denied will hardly speed. 1075

[Exit]

First Stranger. Why, this is the world's soul; and just of the
same piece 1080
Is every flatterer's spirit. 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 1085
Has paid 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, 1090
What charitable men afford to beggars.

First Stranger. For mine own part,
I never tasted Timon in my life,
Nor came any of his bounties over me, 1095
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, 1100
And the best half should have return'd 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]