READ STUDY GUIDE: Act III, Scenes i-iii |
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Act III, Scene ii:
A Public Place.
A Public Place.
| [Enter Lucius, with three STRANGERS.] |
| LUCIUS.: |
| 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 which I hear from common |
| rumours: now Lord Timon's happy hours are done and past, and his |
| estate shrinks from him. |
| LUCIUS.: |
| Fie, no, do not believe it; he cannot want for money. |
| SECOND STRANGER.: |
| But believe you this, my lord, that, not long ago, 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. |
| LUCIUS.: |
| How! |
| SECOND STRANGER.: |
| I tell you, denied, my lord. |
| LUCIUS.: |
| 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, |
| 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.[To LUCIUS.]My honoured 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, 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. |
| 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 happened, 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 it |
| 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 kin: 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.] |
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