A Public Place.
 Enter LUCIUS, with three STRANGERS.

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

1st 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.

2nd 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!

2nd 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. 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, think'st thou? 
	And what has he sent now?

Servilius	H'as 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 meantime 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'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.
1st Stranger	Do you observe this, Hostilius?

2nd Stranger	Ay, too well.

1st Stranger	Why, this is the world's soul; and just of the same piece
	Is every flatterer's sport. 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.

3rd Stranger	Religion groans at it.

1st 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 returned 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.
