TPTT The Life of Timon of Athens: ACT III
Introduction
ACT I
ACT II
ACT III
SCENE I. A room in Lucullus' house.
SCENE II. A public place.
SCENE III. A room in Sempronius' house.
SCENE IV. The same. A hall in Timon's house.
SCENE V. The same. The senate-house. The Senate sitting.
SCENE VI. The same. A banqueting-room in Timon's house.
ACT IV
ACT V
About the Play
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SCENE II. 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
5     which I hear from common rumours: now Lord Timon's
      happy hours are done and past, and his estate
      shrinks from him.
LUCILIUS
      Fie, no, do not believe it; he cannot want for money.
Second Stranger
      But believe you this, my lord, that, not long ago,
10    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
      How!
Second Stranger
      I tell you, denied, my lord.
LUCILIUS
15    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
20    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 honoured lord,--
To LUCIUS
LUCILIUS
25    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--
LUCILIUS
      Ha! what has he sent? I am so much endeared to
30    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;
      requesting your lordship to supply his instant use
      with so many talents.
LUCILIUS
35    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.
LUCILIUS
40    Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius?
SERVILIUS
      Upon my soul,'tis true, sir.
LUCILIUS
      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
45    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
      beast, I say:--I was sending to use Lord Timon
      myself, these gentlemen can witness! but I would
50    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
55    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.
LUCILIUS
      I'll look you out a good turn, Servilius.

Exit SERVILIUS

60    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
65    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,
70    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!--
75    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,
80    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,
85    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
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