extremely for 't, and showed what necessity be-
longed to 't, and yet was denied.

Luc. How!

Sec. Stran. I tell you, denied, my lord.

now, before

Luc. What a strange case was that!
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.

Ser. See, by good hap, yonder 's my lord; I have
sweat to see his honour. My honoured lord!
Luc. Servilius! you are kindly met, sir. Fare thee

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

Ser. May it please your honour, my lord hath sent-
Luc. Ha! what has he sent? I am so much en-

deared to that lord; he's ever sending: how
shall I thank him, think'st thou? And what has
he sent now?

Ser. Has only sent his present occasion now, my
lord; requesting your lordship to supply his in-
stant use with so many talents.

Luc. I know his lordship is but merry with me;
He cannot want fifty five hundred talents.
Ser. But in the mean time he wants less, my lord.
If his occasion were not virtuous,

20

30

40

I should not urge it half so faithfully. Luc. Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius?

Ser. Upon my soul, 'tis true, sir.

Luc. 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 5 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 60 gentleman. Good Servilius, will you befriend me so far as to use mine own words to him?

Ser. Yes, sir, I shall.

Luc. 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 Stran. Do you observe this, Hostilius?

Sec. Stran.
Ay, too well.
First Stran. Why, this is the world's soul; and just of

the same piece

Is every flatterer's spirit. Who can tell him
His friend that dips in the same dish? for, in
My knowing, Timon has been this lord's father,

70

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 Stran. Religion groans at it.

First Stran.

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.

Scene III.

A room in Sempronius's house.

80

90

[Exeunt.

Enter Sempronius, and a Servant of Timon's.

Sem. 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.

Serv.

Sem.

My lord,

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

ΙΟ

How! have they denied him?
Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him?
And does he send to me? Three? hum!
It shows but little love or judgement in him:
Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physicians,
Thrive, give him over: must I take the cure upon me?
Has much disgraced me in 't; I'm angry at him,
That might have known my place: I see no sense for❜t,
But his occasions might have woo'd me first;
For, in my conscience, I was the first man
That e'er received gift from him:

And does he think so backwardly of me now,
That I'll requite it last? No:

So it may prove an argument of laughter

20

To the rest, and 'mongst lords I be thought a fool.
I'd rather than the worth of thrice the sum,
Had sent to me first, but for my mind's sake;
I'd such a courage to do him good. But now return,
And with their faint reply this answer join;
Who bates mine honour shall not know my coin.

[Exit. Serv. Excellent! Your lordship's a goodly villain. The devil knew not what he did when he made man politic; he crossed himself by 't: and I cannot think but in the end the villanies of man 30 will set him clear. How fairly this lord strives to appear foul! takes virtuous copies to be wicked; like those that under hot ardent zeal would set whole realms on fire:

Of such a nature is his politic love.

This was my lord's best hope; now all are fled,
Save only the gods: now his friends are dead,
Doors, that were ne'er acquainted with their wards
Many a bounteous year, must be employ'd
Now to guard sure their master.

And this is all a liberal course allows;

Who cannot keep his wealth must keep his house.

Scene IV.

A hall in Timon's house.

40

[Exit.

Enter two Servants of Varro, and the Servant of Lucius, meeting Titus, Hortensius, and other Servants of Timon's creditors, waiting his coming out.

First Var. Serv. Well met; good morrow, Titus and Hortensius.

Tit. The like to you, kind Varro.