THE LIFE OF TIMON OF ATHENS
Page: 22

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