French. And then his banishment. Iach. Ay, and the approbations of those, that weep this lamentable divorce, under her colours, are wonderfully to extend him; be it but to fortify her judgment, which elfe an eafy battery might lay flat, for taking a beggar without more quality. But how comes it, he is to fojourn with you? How creeps acquaintance? Phil. His father and I were foldiers together; to whom I have been often bound for no less than my life! Enter POSTHUMUS. Here comes the Briton: Let him be so entertained amongst you, as fuits, with gentlemen of your knowing, to a stranger of his quality.-I beseech you all, be better known to this gentleman; whom I commend to you, as a noble friend of mine: How worthy he is, I will leave to appear hereafter, rather than story him in his own hearing. French. Sir, we have known together in Orleans. Poft. Since when I have been debtor to you for courtefies, which I will be ever to pay, and yet pay ftill. French. Sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindness: I was glad I did atone my countryman and you; it had been pity, you should have been put together with so mortal a purpose, as then each bore, upon importance of fo flight and trivial a nature. Poft. By your pardon, fir, I was then a young traveller; rather fhunn'd to go even with what I heard, than in my very action to be guided by other's experiences; but, upon my mended judgment (if I offend not to fay it is mended), my quarrel was not altogether flight. French French. 'Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrement of fwords; and by fuch two, that would, by all likelihood, have confounded one the other, or have fallen both. Iach. Can we, with manners, afk what was the difference? French. Safely, I think; 'twas a contention in public, which may, without contradiction, fuffer the report. It was much like an argument that fell out last night, where each of us fell in praise of our country mistreffes: This gentleman at that time vouching (and upon warrant of bloody affirmation) his to be more fair, virtuous, wife, chafte, constant-qualified, and lefs attemptible, than any the rareft of our ladies in France. Iach. That lady is not now living; or this gentleman's opinion, by this, worn out. Pof. She holds her virtue ftill, and I my mind. Iach. You must not fo far prefer her 'fore ours of Italy. Poft. Being fo far provok'd as I was in France, I would abate her nothing; though I profefs myself her adorer, not her friend. Lach. As fair, and as good (a kind of hand-in-hand comparison), had been fomething too fair, and too good, for any lady in Brittany. If the went before others I have feen, as that diamond of yours outluftres many I have beheld, I could not believe the excelled many: but I have not feen the most precious diamond that is, nor you the lady. Poft. I prais'd her, as I rated her: fo do I my ftone. Iach. What do you esteem it at? B 2 Iach. Iach. Either your unparagon'd mistress is dead, or fhe's out-priz'd by a trifle. Poft. You are miftaken the one may be fold, or given; if there were wealth enough for the purchase, or merit for the gift: the other is not a thing for fale, and only the gift of the gods. Iach. Which the gods have given you. Poft. Which, by their graces, I will keep. Iach. You may wear her in title yours: but, you know, ftrange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. Your ring may be stolen too: fo, of your brace of unprifable estimations, the one is but frail, and the other cafual; a cunning thief, or that-way-accomplish'd cour tier, would hazard the winning both of first and last. Poft. Your Italy contains none fo accomplish'd a courtier, to convince the honour of my mistress; if, in the holding or lofs of that, you term her frail. I do nothing doubt, you have ftore of thieves; notwithstanding, I fear not my ring. Phil. Let us leave here, gentlemen. Poft. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy fignior, I thank him, makes no stranger of me; we are familiar at first. Iach. With five times fo much converfation, 1 fhould get ground of your fair mistress: make her go back, even to the yielding; had I admittance, and opportunity to friend. Post. No, no. Tach. I dare, thereupon, pawn the moiety of my eftate to your ring; which, in my opinion, o'er-values it fomething: But I make my wager rather against your confidence, than her reputation: and, to bar your offence herein too, I durft attempt it against any lady in the world. Poft Poft. You are a great deal abus'd in too bold a perfuafion; and I doubt not you sustain what you're worthy of, by your attempt. Iach. What's that? Poft. A repulfe: Though your attempt, as you call it, deferves more; a punishment too. Phil. Gentlemen, enough of this: it came in too fuddenly; let it die as it was born, and, I pray you, be better acquainted. Iach. 'Would I had put my estate, and my neighbour's, on the approbation of what I have spoke. Poft. What lady would you choose to affail? Iach. Yours; who in conftancy you think, stands fo fafe. I will lay you ten thousand ducats to your ring, that, commend me to the court where your lady is, with no more advantage than the opportunity of a fecond conference, and I will bring from thence that honour of hers, that you imagine fo referv'd. Poft. I will wage against your gold, gold to it: my ring I hold dear as my finger; 'tis part of it. Iach. You are a friend, and therein the wifer. If you buy ladies' flesh at a million a dram, you cannot preferve it from tainting: But, I fee, you have fome religion in you, that you fear. Poft. This is but a cuftom in your tongue; you bear a graver purpose, I hope. Iach. I am the master of my speeches; and would undergo what's fpoken, I fwear. Poft. Will you?-I shall but lend my diamond 'till your return:-Let there be covenants drawn between us: My mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness of your unworthy thinking: I dare you to this match; here's my ring. Phil. I will have it no lay. B 3 Lack Iach. By the gods it is one:-If I bring you no fufficient teftimony that I have enjoy'd the dearest bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand ducats are yours; fo is your diamond too: If I come off, and leave her in fuch honour as you have truft in, the your jewel, this your jewel, and my gold are yours; provided, I have your commendation, for my more free entertainment. Poft. I embrace thefe conditions; let us have articles betwixt us-only, thus far you shall answer. If you make your voyage upon her, and give me directly to understand you have prevail'd, I am no further your enemy, fhe is not worth our debate: if the remain unfeduced (you not making it appear other wife), for your ill opinion, and the affault you have made to her chastity, you shall answer me with your fword. lach. Your hand; a covenant: We will have these things fet down by lawful counfel, and straight away for Britain; left the bargain fhould catch cold, and ftarve: I will fetch my gold, and have our two wagers recorded. Poft. Agreed. [Exeunt Posr. and IACH. French. Will this hold, think you? Phil. Signior Iachimo will not from it. Pray, let 1 us follow 'em. SCENE VI. CYMBELINE's palace. [Excunts Enter Queen, Ladies, and CORNELIUS. Queen. Whiles yet the dew's on ground, gather thofe flowers; Make hafte: who has the note of them? Lady. I, madam. Queen |