King. Come hither, Count. Do you know these women? Ber. My lord, I neither can nor will deny But that I know them. Do they charge me further? Dia. Why do you look so strange upon your wife? Ber. She's none of mine, my lord. Dia. That she, which marries you, must marry me, Laf. Your reputation [To BERTRAM.] comes too short for my daughter: you are no husband for her. Ber. My lord, this is a fond and desperate creature, Whom sometimes I have laughed with: let your highness Lay a more noble thought upon mine honor, Than for to think that I would sink it here. King. Sir, for my thoughts, you have them ill to friend, Till your deeds gain them. Than in my thought it lies! Dia. Ask him upon his oath, if he He had not my virginity. Fairer prove your honor, Good my lord, does think King. What say'st thou to her? She's impudent. my lord; And was a common gamester to the camp. Dia. He does me wrong, my lord; if I were so, Count. He blushes, and 'tis it: Of six preceding ancestors, that gem Conferred by testament to the sequent issue, Hath it been owned and worn. This is his wife: That ring's a thousand proofs. Methought you said King. What of him? He's quoted for a most perfidious slave, With all the spots o' the world taxed and deboshed; Am I or that, or this, for what he'll utter, King. Dia. Ber. I have it not. 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 abed. King. The story then goes false, you threw it him Out of a casement. Dia. I have spoke the truth. Enter PAROlles. Ber. My lord, I do confess the ring was hers. King. You boggle shrewdly; every feather starts you.Is this the man you speak of? Dia. Ay, my lord. King. Tell me, 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 honorable gentleman; tricks he hath had in him, which gen tlemen have. King. Come, come, to the purpose. Did he love this woman? Par. 'Faith, sir, he did love her; but how? 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. equivocal companion is this! - What an Par. I am a poor man, and at your majesty's command 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. Ay, my good lord. It was not lent me neither. King. Where did you find it then? Dia. I found it not. King. If it were yours by none of all these ways, How could you give it him? Dia. I never gave it him. Laf. This woman's an easy glove, my lord; she and on at pleasure. goes off King. This ring was mine; I gave it his first wife. Dia. It might be yours, or hers, for aught I know. King. Take her away; I do not like her now; To prison with her: and away with him. Unless thou tell'st me where thou hadst this ring, Dia. King. Take her away. Dia. I'll put in bail, my liege. King. I think thee now some common customer. Dia. By Jove, if ever I knew man, 'twas you. King. Wherefore hast thou accused him all this while? Dia. Because he's guilty, and he is not guilty: He knows I am no maid, and he'll swear to't: I'll swear I am a maid, and he knows not. Great king, I am no strumpet, by my life; I am either maid, or else this old man's wife. [Pointing to Lafeu. King. She does abuse our ears; to prison with her. Dia. Good mother, fetch my bail. -Stay, royal sir; [Exit Widow. The jeweller that owes the ring is sent for, King. Re-enter Widow, with HELENA. Is there no exorcist Beguiles the truer office of mine eyes? Hel. No, my good lord; 'Tis but the shadow of a wife you see, The name, and not the thing. Both, both. O, pardon! Ber. 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? Laf. Mine eyes smell onions; I shall weep anon. Good 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 If thou be'st yet a fresh, uncropped flower, [To DIANA. [Flourish. The king's a beggar, now the play is done: [Exeunt |