I'll tell thee on the instant, thou art then. [Pisario looking on the phial That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how To any shape of thy preferment, suchr As thou'lt desire: think on my words. I have given him that, Which, if he take, shall quite unpeople her [Aside [Exit Queen. Pis. And shall do; K 4 [Exit. SCENE SCENE II. PHILARIO'S House in ROME. PHILARIO, IACHIMO, and a FRENCHMAN, at a banquet. Iach. Believe it, Sir, I have seen him in Britain; and he was then but crescent, not expressed to prove so worthy, as since he has been allowed the name of. But I could then have look'd on him, without the help of admiration, though the catalogue of his endowments have been tabled by his side, and I peruse him by Items. Phil. You speak of him when he has less furnish'd than now he is. French. I have seen him in France; we had very many there could behold the sun, with as firm eyes as he, Iach. This matter of marrying his kings daughter, wherein he must be weighed rather by her value, than his own, words him, I doubt not, a great deal from the matter. French. And then his banishment. Iach. Ay, and the approbation of those, that weep this lamentable divorce under her colours, are wonderfully to extend him; be it but to fortify her judgement, which else an easy battery might lay flet, for taking a beggar without nore quality. But how comes it, he is to sojourn with you? how creeps acquaintance? Pbil. His father and I were soldiers together, to whom I have been often bound for no less than my life. Enter POSTHUMUS. Here comes the Britain. Let him be so entertain'd amongst you, as suits 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 been known together in Orleans. Post. Since when I have been debtor to you for curtesies, which will be ever to pay, and yet pay still 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 pur pose pose as then each bore, upon importance of so slight and trivial a nature. Post. By your pardon, Sir, I was then a young traveller; but upon my mended judgment, (if I offend not to say it is mended,) my quarrel was not altogether slight. French. Faith yes, to be put to the arbitrement of s.vords. lach. Can we, with manners, ask what was the differ ence. French. Safely, I think: 'twas a contention in public, which may, without contradiction, saffer the report. It was much like an argument that fell out last night, where each of us fell in praise of our country-mistresses. This gentleman at that time vouching (and upon warrant of blʊody affirmation,) his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, constant, qualified, and less attemptible than any, the rarest of our ladies in France. Iuch. That lady is not now living; or this gentleman's opinion by this worn out. Post. She holds her virtue still, and I my mind. Iach. You must not so far prefer her, 'fore hours of I aly. Post. Being so far provok'd as I was in France, I would abate ber nothing, though I profess myself her adorer, not her friend. Iach As fair, and as good, a kind of hand in hand comparison, had been something too fair, and too good for any lady in Britain; if she went before others I have seen, as that diamond of yours outlusters many I have beheld, 1 could believe she excelled many; but I have not seen the most precious diamond that is, nor you the lady. Post. I prais'd her, as I rated her; so do I my stone. Post. More than the world enjoys. Iach. Either your paragon'd mistress is dead, or she's out-priz'd by a trifle.. Post. You are mistaken; the one may be sold or given, if there were wealth enough for the purchase, or merit for the gift. The other is not a thing for sale, and only the gift of the Gods. Iach. Which the Gods have given you? Post. Which by their graces I will keep. Iach. You may wear her in title yours; but you know, strange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. Your ring K 5 may may be stol'n too; so of your brace of unpriseable estimations, the one is but frail, and the other casual. A cunning thief, or a, that way, accomplished courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and last. Post. Your Italy contains none so accomplished a cour tier to convince the honour of my mistress; if in the holding or less of that, you term her frail, I do nothing doubt you have store of thieves, notwithstanding I fear not my ring. I bil. Let us le ive here, gentlemen. Post. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy Signior, I thank him, makes no stranger to me, we are familiar at first. Lach. With five times so much conversation, I should get ground of your fair mistress; make her go back, even to, the yielding, had I admittance and opportunity to friend. Post. No, no. Fach. I dare thereupon pardon the moiety of my estate, to your ring, which in my opinion, o ervalues it something: but I make my wager rather against your confidence, than her reputation. And to bar your offence herein too, I durst at empt it against any lady in the world. Post. You are a great deal abused in too boid a persuasion; and I doubt not you'd sustain what you're worthy cf, by your attempt. Fach. What's that? Post. A repulse; though your attempt, as you call it, deserves more: a punishment too. [Angrily.. Phi'. Gentlemen, enough of this: it came in too suddenly; let it die as it was born, and I pray you be better acquainted, Tacb. Would I had put my estate, and my neighbours on the approbation of what I have spoke. Post. What lady would you choose to assail? lucb. Yours, whom in constancy you think stands so safe. 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 second conference, and wilkbring from thence that honour of hers, which, you imagine so reserv'd, Post. I will wage against your g l gold to it; my ring I hold dear as my finger, 'tis part of it. Jach. You are afraid, and therein the wiser; if you buy ladies flesh at a million a dram, you cannot preseive it from tainting; fainting; but I see you have some religion in you, that you fear. Post. This is but a custom in your tongue; you hear a graver purpose, I hope. Iach. I am the master of my speeches, and would undergo whats'spoken, I swear. Post Will you? let there be covenants drawn between us. My mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness of your unworthy thinkings. I dare you to this match; here's my ring. Pbil. Fwill have it no lay. Lach. By the Gods it is one; if I bring you not sufficient testimony that I have enjoy'd the dearest bodily part. of your mistress; my ten thousand ducats are yours, so is your diamond too; if I cone off, and leave her in such honour as you have trust in; she your jewel, this your jewel, and my gold, are yours, provided I have your commendation, for my more free entertainment. Post. I embrace these 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 prevailed, I am no further your enemy, she is not worth our debate. If she remain unseduc'd, you not mak ing it appear otherwise; for your ill opinion, and th' assault you have made to her chastity, you shall answer me with your sword. Iach. Your hand, a covenant; we will have these things set down by lawful counsel, and I'll strait away for Britain, lest the bargain should catch cold, and starve; I will fetch my gold, and have our two wages recorded. Post. Agreed. [Exeunt. Posthumus and Iachimo.. French. Will this hold, think you? Phil. Signior Iachimo will not from it.. Pray let us follow 'em. ACT II [Exeunt. SCENE I Imo. A A chamber in the Palace. Enter IMOGAN alone. FATHER cruel, and a stepdame false That: |