a purpose, as then each bore, upon importance of so flight and trivial a nature. Poft. By your pardon, Sir, I was then a young traveller; rather fhun'd to go even with what I heard, than in my every action to be guided by others' experiences; but upon my mended judgment, (if I offend not to fay, it is mended) my quarrel was not altogether flight. 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 fall'n both. Iach. Can we with manners afk, what was the dif ference? French, Safely, I think; 'twas a contention in pub. lick, which may without contradiction fuffer the report. It was much like an argument that fell out laft night, where each of us fell in praise of our country miftreffes: This Gentleman at that time vouching, (and upon warrant of bloody affirmation) his to be more fair, virtuous, wife, chafte, conftant, qualified, and lefs attemptable than any of the rareft of our ladies in France. Iach. That Lady is not now living; or this Gentleman's opinion, by this, worn out. Poft. 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 provoked, as I was in France, I would abate her nothing; tho' I profess myself her adorer, not her friend. Each. As fair, and as good, a kind of hand in hand comparison, had been fomething too fair and too good for any Lady in Britany. If the went before others I have feen, as that diamond of yours out-luftres 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. Peft. I prais'd her, as I rated her; fo do I my ftone. Pafto : Pot. More than the world enjoys. she's out-priz'd by a trifle. Poft You are mistaken; 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:- Iach. You may wear her in title yours; but, you know, ftrange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. Your ring may be stol'n too; so, of your brace of unprizable estimations, the one is but frail, and the other cafual. A cunning thief, or a that way accomplish'd courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and laft. Poft. Your Italy contains none so accomplish'd a courtier to convince the honour of my mistress; if in the holding or loss of that, you term her frail, I do nothing doubt, you have store of thieves, notwithstanding I fear not my ring. Phil. Let us leave here, Gentlemen. Poft. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy Signior, I thank him, makes no stranger of me; we are familiar at first. Iach 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. foft. No, no. lach. I dare thereupon pawn the moiety of my estate to your ring, which, in my opinion, o'ervalues it something: but I make my wager rather against your confi. dence, than her reputation: And to bar your offence herein too, I durst attempt it against any Lady in the world. Poft You are a great deal abus'd in too bold a perfuafion; and, I doubt not, you'd fustain what you're worthy of, by your attempt. Jach. What's that? Paft. Poft. A repulfe; though your attempt, as you call it, deserves more, a punishment too. Phil. Gentlemen, enough of this; it came in too suddenly, let it die as it was born; and I pray you, be better acquainted. lach. 'Would, I had put my estate and my neighbour's, on th' approbation of what I have spoke. Poft. What Lady would you chuse to affail? lach. Yours; who 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 fecond conference, I will bring from thence that honour of hers, which you imagine so referv'd. Poft. I will wage against your gold, gold to't: (7) my Jing I hold dear as my finger, 'tis part of it. Iach. You are afraid, and therein the wiser; if you buy ladies' flesh at a million a dram, you cannot preserve it from tainting. But, I fee, you have fome religion in you, that you fear. Poft. This is but a custom in your tongue; you bear a graver purpose, I hope. Iach. I am the matter of my speeches, and would undergo what's spoken, I swear. 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. (7) Poft. part of it. -my ring I bold dear as my finger, 'tis Jach. You are a friend, and therein the wiser ) I am sure, Iachimo talks like none of the wifift, in this kind of reasoning. But what ideas, in the name of Nontenfe, could the editors entertain of Poftbu mus being a friend, because he would not venture to wager his ring? 1 correct, with certainty; You are afraid, and therein the wifer. What lachimo says, in the close of his speech, determines this to have been our Poet's reading. But, I fee, you bave some religion in you, that you fear. Iach. By the Gods, it is one. If I bring you not fufficient teftimony that I have enjoy'd the dearest bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand ducats are yours: fo is diamond too; your if I come off, and leave her in fuch honour as you have truft in, fhe 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 fhall answer; if you make your voyage upon her, and give me directly to underftand you have prevail'd, I am no further your enemy, fhe is not worth our debate. If the remain unfeduc'd, you not making it appear otherwife; for your ill opinion, and th' affault you have made to her chafity, you fhall answer me with your fword. Iach. Your hand, a covenant; we will have thefe things fet down by lawful counfel, and straight away for Britaine, left the bargain fhould catch cold, and starve. I will fetch my gold, and have our two wagers recorded. Poft. Agreed. [Exeunt Pofth, and Iachimo. French. Will this hold, think you } Phil. Signior Lachimo will not from it. Pray, let us follow 'em. [Exeunt SCENE changes to Cymbeline's Palace in Enter Queen, Ladies, and Cornelius with a Phial. Queen. WHILE yet the dew's on ground, gather thofe flowers: WH Make hafte. Who has the note of them.? 1 Lady. I, Madam. Queen. Dispatch. [Exeunt Ladies Now, mafter Doctor, have you brought thofe drugs? Cor. Pleafeth your Highness, ay; here they are, But I beseech your Grace, without offence, [Madam ; (My confcience bids me afk) wherefore you have Commanded of me these most pois'nous compounds? Which J Which are the movers of a languishing death; Queen. I do wonder, Doctor, Thou afk'ft me such a question; have I not been Allayments to their aft; and by them gather Cor. Your Highness Shall from this practice but make hard your heart; Both noisome and infectious. Queen. O content thee. Enter Pifanio. Here comes a flatt'ring rafcal, upon him Cor. I do fufpect you, Madam: But you shall do no harm. Queen. Hark thee, a word. [Afide [Afide, [To Pifanio. Cor. I do not like her. She doth think, the has Strange ling'ring poifons; I do know her fpirit, A drug of fuch damn'd nature. Thofe, fhe has, Which Arft, perchance, fhe'll prove on cats and dogs, Τα |