lach. You may wear her in title your's: but, you know, strange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. Your ring may be stolen too: so, of your brace of unprisable estimations, the one is but frail, and the other casual; a cunning thief, or a that-way-accomplish'd courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and last. 403 Post. 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. Post. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy signior, I thank him, makes no stranger of me; we are familiar at first. 412 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. lach. I dare, thereupon, pawn the moiety of my estate to your ring; which, in my opinion, o'er-values it something: But I make my wager rather against your confidence, than her reputation: and, to bar your offence herein too, I durst attempt it against any lady in the world. 423 Post. You are a great deal abus'd in too bold a persuasion; and I doubt not you sustain what you're worthy of, by your attempt. lach. D lach. What's that? Post. A repulse: 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. 432 lach. 'Would I had put my estate, and my neigh bour's, on the approbation of what I have spoke. Post. What lady would you chuse to assail? lach. Your's; 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 second conference, and I will bring from thence that honour of her's, which you imagine so reserv'd. Post. I will wage against your gold, gold to it: my ring I hold dear as my finger; 'tis part of it. 443 lach. You are a friend, and therein the wiser. If you buy ladies' flesh at a milllion a dram, you cannot preserve it from tainting: But, I see, you have some religion in you, that you fear. Post. This is but a custom in your tongue: you bear a graver purpose, I hope. lach. I am the master of my speeches; and would undergo what's spoken, I swear. 451 Post. 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. 1 Phil. I will have it no lay. lach. By the gods it is one:-If I bring you no sufficient testimony that I have enjoy'd the dearest bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand ducats are your's; so is your diamond too: If I come off, and leave her in such honour as you have trust in, she your jewel, this your jewel, and my gold are your's;-provided, I have your commendation, formy more free entertainment. 465 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 më directly to understand you have prevail'd, I am no further your enemy, she is not worth our debate if she remain unseduced (you not making it appear otherwise), for your ill opinion, and the assault you have made to her chastity, you shall answer me with your sword. 474 lach. Your hand; a covenant: We will have these things set down by lawful counsel, and straight away for Britain; lest the bargain should catch cold, and starve: I will fetch my gold, and have our two wagers recorded. Post. Agreed. ) [Exeunt Post. and IACH. French. Will this hold, think you? Phil. Signior Iachimo will not from it. Pray, let us follow 'em. [Exeunt. SCENE SCENE VI. CYMBELINE'S Palace. Enter Queen, Ladies, and CORNELIUS. Queen. Whiles yet the dew's on ground, gather those flowers; Make haste: who has the note of them? 1 Lady. I, madam. Queen. Dispatch. [Exeunt Ladies. Now, master doctor; have you brought those drugs? Cor. Pleaseth your highness, ay: here they are, madam: But I beseech your grace (without offence; Queen. I wonder, doctor, Thou ask'st me such a question: Have I not been Other conclusions? I will try the forces Of these thy compounds on such creatures as We count not worth the hanging (but none human), To try the vigour of them, and apply Allayments Allayments to their act; 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 PISANIO. Here comes a flattering rascal; upon him Will I first work: he's for his master, 510 [Aside. And enemy to my son.-How now, Pisanio?- Cor. [Aside.] I do not like her. She doth think, she has Strange lingering poisons: I do know her spirit, 521 Which first, perchance, she'll prove on cats, and dogs; Then afterward up higher: but there is C 530 So |