Original: How! have they denied him?
Modern: What! They’ve turned him down?

Original: Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him?
Modern: Have both Ventidius and Lucullus refused to help him?

Original: And does he send to me? Three? hum!
Modern: And now he’s asking me for help? I’m his third choice? Hmm!

Original: It shows but little love or judgment in him:
Modern: This shows he has very little affection or good sense:

Original: Must I be his last refuge! His friends, like physicians,
Modern: Am I supposed to be his last resort! His friends, like doctors,

Original: Thrive, give him over: must I take the cure upon me?
Modern: Prosper by abandoning him when he’s sick: must I be the one to heal him?

Original: Has much disgraced me in’t; I’m angry at him,
Modern: He’s really insulted me by doing this; I’m angry at him,

Original: That might have known my place: I see no sense for’t,
Modern: He should have known my status and importance: I see no reason for this,

Original: But his occasion might have woo’d me first;
Modern: Except that his need should have brought him to me first;

Original: For, in my conscience, I was the first man
Modern: Because, in all honesty, I was the first person

Original: That e’er received gift from him:
Modern: Who ever received a gift from him:

Original: And does he think so backwardly of me now,
Modern: And does he think so little of me now,

Original: That I’ll requite its last? No:
Modern: That I’ll repay his generosity last? No way:

Original: So it may prove an argument of laughter
Modern: Otherwise it might become a reason for mockery

Original: To the rest, and ‘mongst lords I be thought a fool.
Modern: To the others, and among the lords I’d be considered a fool.

Original: I’ld rather than the worth of thrice the sum,
Modern: I’d prefer to give three times the amount of money,

Original: Had sent to me first, but for my mind’s sake;
Modern: If he had come to me first, just for my peace of mind;

Original: I’d such a courage to do him good. But now return,
Modern: I’d have such desire to help him. But now go back,

Original: And with their faint reply this answer join;
Modern: And along with their weak refusals add this response;

Original: Who bates mine honour shall not know my coin.
Modern: Whoever diminishes my honor will not receive my money.

This brief scene takes place at Sempronius’s house, where Timon’s servant arrives seeking financial assistance on his master’s behalf. Sempronius initially expresses surprise and pleasure that Timon has turned to him for help, suggesting that he values being thought of as a friend. However, when the servant reveals that Timon has already been refused by Ventidius, Lucius, and Lucullus, Sempronius’s attitude immediately changes. He becomes indignant and offended that he was not approached first, claiming that being asked last is an insult to his status and friendship with Timon.

Sempronius then refuses to lend Timon any money, using the excuse that he has been slighted by being approached after the others. He feigns anger at this perceived discourtesy, declaring that he cannot help someone who would treat him as a secondary option. The servant recognizes Sempronius’s excuse as mere pretense and condemns him as yet another false friend. Sempronius exits, leaving the servant to observe that all of Athens is filled with such superficial friendship, and he departs knowing he must return to his master with more bad news about rejected requests for aid.

Timon of Athens tells the story of a wealthy Athenian nobleman whose excessive generosity leads to his downfall. In the first half of the play, Timon lavishes gifts, throws extravagant banquets, and freely lends money to anyone who asks, despite warnings from his loyal steward Flavius about his dwindling finances. Timon dismisses these concerns, believing his generosity will be repaid by the loyalty of his many friends. However, his creditors eventually come calling, and Timon discovers he has no money left to pay his debts.

When Timon’s financial ruin becomes apparent, he sends servants to ask his former friends and beneficiaries for loans to help him through his crisis. One by one, they all refuse him with various excuses - Lucilius claims his money is tied up in investments, Lucullus pretends not to be home, and Sempronius feels insulted that Timon didn’t ask him first. Faced with this universal rejection, Timon invites all his false friends to one final feast, where he serves them warm water and stones, then curses them and banishes himself from Athens.

Timon retreats to a cave in the wilderness outside Athens, where he becomes a misanthropic hermit, railing against humanity and civilization. While digging for roots to eat, he discovers gold in the earth. Various visitors come to see him in his exile, including the loyal Flavius, the philosopher Apemantus (who had always criticized Timon’s generosity), thieves seeking the gold, and the exiled general Alcibiades who is marching against Athens. Timon gives away the gold freely but refuses all attempts at reconciliation or friendship. The play ends with news of Timon’s death reaching Athens, where Alcibiades has successfully taken the city and promises to restore order and justice.