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asham'd on't. Denied that honourable man! There was very little

honour show'd in't. 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 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; I have sweat to see

his honour.- My honour'd lord!

LUCIUS.

Servilius? You are kindly met, sir. Fare thee well; commend

me to thy honourable virtuous lord, my very exquisite friend.

SERVILIUS.

May it please your honour, my lord hath sent-

LUCIUS.

Ha! What has 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?

SERVILIUS.

Has only sent his present occasion now, my lord,

requesting your lordship to supply his instant use with so many talents.

LUCIUS.

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.

If his occasion were not virtuous

I should not urge it half so faithfully.

LUCIUS.

Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius?

SERVILIUS.

Upon my soul, 'tis true, sir.

LUCIUS.

What a wicked beast was I to disfurnish myself against such

a good time, when I might ha' shown myself honourable! How

unluckily it happ'ned that I should purchase the day before for a

little part and undo a great deal of honour! Servilius, now

before the gods, I am not able to do- 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?

SERVILIUS.

Yes, sir, I shall.

LUCIUS.

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. Exit

FIRST STRANGER. Do you observe this, Hostilius?

SECOND STRANGER.

Ay, too well.

FIRST STRANGER.

Why, this is the world's soul; and just 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 this lord's father,

And kept his credit with his purse;

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 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.

THIRD STRANGER.

Religion groans at it.

FIRST STRANGER.

For mine own part,

I never tasted Timon in my life,

Nor 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,

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

SCENE III. SEMPRONIUS' house

Enter SEMPRONIUS and a SERVANT of TIMON'S

SEMPRONIUS.

Must he needs trouble me in't? Hum! '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

Owe their estates unto him.

SERVANT.

My lord,

They have all been touch'd and found base metal, for

They have all denied him.

SEMPRONIUS.

How! Have they denied him?

Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him?

And does he send to me? Three? Humh!

It shows but little love or judgment in him.

Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physicians,