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The Illustrated Works of Shakespeare
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Illustrated Works of Shakespeare, The (1990)(Animated Pixels)[!][CDTV-PC].iso
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shakes
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36
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03_02
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1991-04-10
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115 lines
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.