Page 3132 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

SERVILIUS

H’as only sent his present occasion now, my lord: requesting your lordship to
supply his instant use [35] 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, [40]
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 [45] myself honourable! How unluckily it happen’d,
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 [50] 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, [55] 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. [60]
[Exit]

LUCIUS