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Who, the Lord Timon? he is my very good friend, and an honourable gentleman.
Who, Lord Timon? He’s my very good friend, and an honorable gentleman.
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.
We know him as well as anyone, even though we’re just strangers to him. But I can tell you one thing, my lord, and it’s something I hear from common gossip: now Lord Timon’s good days are over, and his wealth is shrinking away from him.
Fie, no, do not believe it; he cannot want for money.
No, don’t believe that; he can’t possibly be short of money.
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.
But listen to this, my lord: not long ago, one of his servants went to Lord Lucullus to borrow a large sum of money, even begged for it, showing how badly he needed it, and yet was refused.
How!
What!
I tell you, denied, my lord.
I’m telling you, he was refused, my lord.
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.
What a strange situation! Now, by the gods, I’m embarrassed by it. Refused by that honorable man! There was very little honor in that. As for myself, I have to admit, I’ve received a few small favors from him, like money, silver, jewels, and other similar things, nothing compared to his wealth; yet, if he had made a mistake and asked me for it, I would never have refused him such a large sum.
See, by good hap, yonder’s my lord; I have sweat to see his honour. My honoured lord,--
Look, by good luck, there’s my lord; I’ve worked hard to see him in person. My honored lord,--
Servilius! you are kindly met, sir. Fare thee well: commend me to thy honourable virtuous lord, my very exquisite friend.
Servilius! it’s good to see you, sir. Farewell: give my regards to your honorable, virtuous lord, my dear and special friend.
May it please your honour, my lord hath sent--
If it pleases your honor, my lord has sent--
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?
What’s that? What has he sent? I’m so fond of that lord; he’s always sending things: how should I thank him, do you think? And what has he sent now?
Has only sent his present occasion now, my lord; requesting your lordship to supply his instant use with so many talents.
He’s only sent word of his current need, my lord; asking your lordship to help him with so many talents.
I know his lordship is but merry with me; He cannot want fifty five hundred talents.
I know he’s just joking with me; He can’t possibly need five thousand talents.
But in the mean time he wants less, my lord. If his occasion were not virtuous, I should not urge it half so faithfully.
But right now, he needs less, my lord. If his need weren’t genuine, I wouldn’t be asking so insistently.
Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius?
Are you serious, Servilius?
Upon my soul,’tis true, sir.
I swear, it’s true, sir.
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 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 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?
What a terrible fool I was to strip myself of everything at a time like this, when I could have shown myself to be honorable! How unlucky it was that I bought the day before for a small price, and ruined so much honor! Servilius, now, before the gods, I can’t do it,—the more fool I am, I say:— I was about to go to Lord Timon myself, these men can confirm it! But I wouldn’t, not for all the wealth of Athens, do it now. Please send my best regards to his lordship; and I hope he will think the best of me, because I don’t have the power to be kind: and tell him this from me, I consider it one of my biggest miseries, that I can’t do anything for such an honorable man. Good Servilius, would you do me the favor of delivering my message exactly as I’ve said it?
Yes, sir, I shall.
Yes, sir, I will.
I’ll look you out a good turn, Servilius.
I’ll find a way to return the favor, Servilius.
True as you said, Timon is shrunk indeed; And he that’s once denied will hardly speed.
True as you said, Timon is indeed fallen; And once someone is rejected, they’ll hardly succeed.
Do you observe this, Hostilius?
Did you notice that, Hostilius?
Ay, too well.
Yes, too well.
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.
This is the soul of the world; and just like it, Every flatterer’s spirit is the same. Who can call him a friend who eats from the same dish? because, from what I know, Timon was like a father to this lord, and kept his reputation with his money, supported his lifestyle; in fact, Timon’s money has paid his workers’ wages: he never drinks, without Timon’s silver on his lips; And yet—oh, see how monstrous people are when they act ungratefully!— He now refuses him what kind-hearted people give to beggars.
Religion groans at it.
Religion grieves at this.
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.
As for me, I’ve never had anything from Timon in my life, nor received any of his generosity, to mark me as his friend; yet, I swear, because of his noble heart, brilliant virtue, and honorable actions, if his need had required it, I would have given him all my wealth, and the best part would have gone back to him, that’s how much I admire his heart: but, I see, people now have to give with pity; because politics now takes priority over conscience.