Scena Quinta.

[Scene iv. Rome. Philario's house.]

Enter Philario, Iachimo: a Frenchman, a Dutchman, and a Spaniard.

Iach. Beleeve it Sir, I have seene him in Britaine; hee was then of a Cressent note, expected to prove so woorthy, as since he hath beene allowed the name of. But I could then have look'd on him, without the help of Admiration, though the Catalogue of his endowments had bin tabled by his side, and I to peruse him by Items.

Phil. You speake of him when he was lesse furnish'd, then now hee is, with that which makes him both without, and within.

12

French. I have seene him in France: wee had very many there, could behold the Sunne, with as firme eyes as

hee.

Iach. This matter of marrying his Kings Daughter, wherein he must be weighed rather by her valew, then his owne, words him (I doubt not) a great deale from the

matter.

French. And then his banishment.

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Iach. I, and the approbation of those that weepe this lamentable divorce under her colours, are wonderfully to extend him, be it but to fortifie her judgement, which else an easie battery might lay flat, for taking a Begger without lesse quality. But how comes it, he is to sojourne with you? How creepes acquaintance?

Phil. His Father and I were Souldiers together, to whom I have bin often bound for no lesse then my life.

1. Scena Quinta: out-Rowe.

Enter Posthumus.

29

Heere comes the Britaine. Let him be so entertained among'st you, as suites with Gentlemen of your knowing, to a Stranger of his quality. I beseech you all be better knowne to this Gentleman, whom I commend to you, as a Noble Friend of mine. How Worthy he is, I will leave to appeare hereafter, rather then story him in his owne hearing.

French. Sir, we have knowne togither in Orleance. Post. Since when, I have bin debtor to you for courtesies, which I will be ever to pay, and yet pay still. 39

French. Sir, you o're-rate my poore kindnesse, I was glad I did attone1 my Countryman and you: it had beene pitty you should have beene put together, with so mortall a purpose, as then each bore, upon importance of so slight and triviall a nature. 1 reconcile

Post. By your pardon Sir, I was then a young

Travel

ler, rather shun'd to go even with what I heard, then in my every action to be guided by others experiences: but upon my mended judgement (if I offend to say it is mended) my Quarrell was not altogether slight.

49

French. Faith yes, to be put to the arbiterment of Swords, and by such two, that would by all likelyhood have confounded 2 one the other, or have falne both. Iach. Can we with manners, aske what was the difference? 2 destroyed

French. Safely, I thinke, 'twas a contention in publicke, which may (without contradiction) suffer the report. It was much like an argument that fell out last night, where each of us fell in praise of our CountryMistresses. This Gentleman, at that time vouching (and 30. Britaine: Briton, and so throughout-2THEOBALD. 48. offend: offend not-RowE.

upon warrant of bloody affirmation) his to be more Faire, Vertuous, Wise, Chaste, Constant, Qualified, and lesse attemptible then any, the rarest of our Ladies in Fraunce. 63

Iach. That Lady is not now living; or this Gentlemans opinion by this, worne out.

Post. She holds her Vertue still, and I my mind. Iach. You must not so farre preferre her, 'fore ours of Italy.

Posth. Being so farre provok'd as I was in France: I would abate her nothing, though I professe my selfe her Adorer, not her Friend.

71

Iach. As faire, and as good: a kind of hand in hand comparison, had beene something too faire, and too good for any Lady in Britanie; if she went before others. I have seene as that Diamond of yours out-lusters many I have beheld, I could not beleeve she excelled many: but I have not seene the most pretious Diamond that is, nor you the Lady.

Post. I prais'd her, as I rated her: so do I my Stone. Iach. What do you esteeme it at?

Post. More then the world enjoyes.

80

Iach. Either your unparagon'd Mistirs is dead, or she's out-priz'd by a trifle.

Post. You are mistaken: the one may be solde or given, or if there were wealth enough for the purchases, or merite for the guift. The other is not a thing for sale, and onely the guift of the Gods.

Iach. Which the Gods have given you?

Post. Which by their Graces I will keepe.

89

Iach. You may weare her in title yours: but you

61. Constant, Qualified: constant-qualified-STEEVENS.

74. Britanie: Britain-JOHNSON.

76. not: not but-MALONE.

82. Mistirs: misprint 1F.

85. or if: if-RowE. purchases: purchase-Rowe.

know strange Fowle light upon neighbouring Ponds. Your Ring may be stolne too, so your brace of unprizeable Estimations, the one is but fraile, and the other Casuall;. A cunning Thiefe, or a (that way) accomplish'd Courtier, would hazzard the winning both of first and last.

Post. Your Italy, containes none so accomplish'd a Courtier to convince1 the Honour of my Mistris: if in the holding or losse of that, you terme her fraile, I do nothing doubt you have store of Theeves, notwithstanding I feare not my Ring. overcome ΙΟΙ

1

Phil. Let us leave heere, Gentlemen? Post. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy Signior I thanke him, makes no stranger of me, we are familiar at first.

Iach. With five times so much conversation, I should get ground of your faire Mistris; make her go backe, even to the yeilding, had I admittance, and opportunitie to friend.

Post. No, no.

ΠΙΟ

Iach. I dare thereupon pawne the moytie of my Estate, to your Ring, which in my opinion o're-values it something: but I make my wager rather against your Confidence, then her Reputation. And to barre your offence heerein to, I durst attempt it against any Lady in the world.

Post. You are a great deale abus'd 2 in too bold a perswasion, and I doubt not you sustaine what y'are worthy of, by your Attempt. 2 deceived

lach. What's rhat?

120

Posth. A Repulse though your Attempt (as you call it) deserve more; a punishment too.

Phi. Gentlemen enough of this, it came in too so

dainely, let it dye as it was borne, and I pray you be better acquainted.

Iach. Would I had put my Estate, and my Neighbors on th'approbation1 of what I have spoke, lattestation Post. What Lady would you chuse to assaile? 128 Iach. Yours, whom in constancie you thinke stands so safe. I will lay you ten thousands Duckets to your Ring, that commend me to the Court where your Lady is, with no more advantage then the opportunitie of a second conference, and I will bring from thence, that Honor of hers, which you imagine so reserv❜d.

Posthmus. I will wage against your Gold, Gold to it: My Ring I holde deere as my finger, 'tis part of it.

Iach. You are a Friend, and there in the wiser: if you buy Ladies flesh at a Million a Dram, you cannot presevre it from tainting; but I see you have some Religion you, that you feare.

in

141

Posthu. This is but a custome in your tongue: you beare a graver purpose I hope.

Iach. I am the Master of my speeches, and would under-go what's spoken, I sweare.

Posthu. Will you? I shall but lend my Diamond till your returne: let there be Covenants drawne between's. My Mistris exceedes in goodnesse, the hugenesse of your unworthy thinking. I dare you to this match: heere's my Ring.

Phil. I will have it no lay.

150

Iach. By the Gods it is one: if I bring you no sufficient testimony that I have enjoy'd the deerest bodily part of your Mistris: my ten thousand Duckets are yours,

130. thousands: thousand-3-4F. 138. a Friend: afraid-THEObald. 139-40. presevre: preserve-2-4F.