And I had that, which any inferior might Dia. I must be patient: You, that have turn'd off a first so noble wife, May justly diet me. I pray you yet, (Since you lack virtue, I will lose a husband,) Send for your ring; I will return it home, And give me mine again. King. What ring was yours, I pray you? Dia. The same upon your finger. Sir, much like King. Know you this ring? this ring was his of late. Dia. And this was it I gave him, being a-bed. King. The story then goes false, you threw it him Out of a casement. Ber. My lord, I do confess, the ring was hers. Dia. King. Tell me, Ay, my lord. sirrah, but tell me true, I charge you, Not fearing the displeasure of your master, (Which, on your just proceeding, I'll keep off,) By him, and by this woman here, what know you? Par. So please your majesty, my master hath been an honourable gentleman: tricks he hath had in him, which gentlemen have. King. Come, come; to the purpose. woman? Did he love this Par. 'Faith, Sir, he did love her; but how? King. How, I pray you? Par. He did love her, Sir, as a gentleman loves a woman. King. How is that? Par. He loved her, Sir, and loved her not. King. As thou art a knave, and no knave. What an equivocal companion is this! - Par. I am a poor man, and at your majesty's command. Laf. He's a good drum, my lord, but a naughty orator. Dia. Do you know, he promised me marriage? Par. 'Faith, I know more than I'll speak. King. But wilt thou not speak all thou know'st? Par. Yes, so please your majesty. I did go between them, as I said; but more than that, he loved her, for, indeed, he was mad for her, and talked of Satan, and of limbo, and of furies, and I know not what: yet I was in that credit with them.at that time, that I knew of their going to bed, and of other motions, as promising her marriage, and things that would derive me ill will to speak of: therefore, I will not speak what I know. King. Thou hast spoken all already, unless thou canst Say they are married. But thou art too fine In thy evidence; therefore, stand aside. This ring, you say, was yours? Dia. King. Where did you buy it? Ay, my good lord. or who gave it you? Dia. It was not given me, nor I did not buy it. Dia. It was not lent me neither. I found it not. King. Where did you find it then? King. If it were yours by none of all these ways, Dia. I never gave it him. Laf. This woman 's an easy glove, my lord: she goes off and on at pleasure. King. This ring was mine: I gave it his first wife. Dia. It might be yours, or hers, for aught I know. To prison with her; and away with him. Unless thou tell'st me where thou had'st this ring, Dia. I'll never tell you. King. Take her away. Dia. I'll put in bail, my liege. He knows I am no maid, and he 'll swear to 't: [Pointing to Lafeu. King. She does abuse our ears. To prison with her! Dia. Good mother, fetch my bail. - [Exit Widow.] Stay, royal Sir: The jeweller that owes the ring is sent for, Re-enter Widow, with HELENA. 'Tis but the shadow of a wife you see; Hel. O! my good lord, Both, both! O, pardon! when I was like this maid, I found you wondrous kind. There is your ring; And, look you, here's your letter: this it says; "When from my finger you can get this ring, And are by me with child," &c. This is done. Will you be mine, now you are doubly won? Ber. If she, my liege, can make me know this clearly, I'll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly. Hel. If it appear not plain, and prove untrue, Deadly divorce step between me and you! O! my dear mother, do I see you living? Good Laf. Mine eyes smell onions, I shall weep anon. Tom Drum, [TO PAROLLES.] lend me a handkerchief: so, I thank thee. Wait on me home, I'll make sport with thee: let thy courtesies alone, they are scurvy ones. King. Let us from point to point this story know, To make the even truth in pleasure flow. [To DIANA.] If thou be'st yet a fresh uncropped flower, The king's a beggar, now the play is done. [Flourish. [Exeunt omnes. |