know, ftrange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. Your ring may be stoln too; fo, of your bace of unprizeable estimations, the one is but frail, and the other cafual. A cunning thief, or a at-way-accomplish'd courtier, would hazard the winning both of firlt and laft. Poft. Your Italy contains none fo accomplish'd a courtier to convince the honour of ny mistress. If in the holding or lofs of that, you term her frail, I do no❤ thing doubt, you have store of thieves, notwithstanding I fear not my ring. Phil. Let us leave here, Gentlemen. Poft. Sir, with all my heart. 1 his worthy Signior, I thank him, makes no ftranger of me; we are familiar at firft Iach. With five times fo much converfation, I should get ground of your fair mistress; make her go back, even to the yielding: had I admittance, and opportunity to friend, Poft. No, no. Iach. I dare thereupon pawn the moiety of my estate to your ring, which, in my opinion, o'ervalues it fomething but I make my wager rather against your con fidence, than her reputation; and, to bar your offence herein too, I durft 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 fuftain what you're worthy of, by your attempt. Iach. What's that? Poft. A repulfe; though your attempt, as you call it, deferves more; a punishment too. Phil. Gentlemen, enough of this: it came in too fuddenly, let it die as it was born; and I pray you be better acquainted. Iach 'Would I had put my eftate and my neighbour's on the approbation of what I have spoke. Poft. What lady would you chufe to affail? Iach. Your's; who in conftancy, you think, ftands. fo fafe. I will lay you ten thousand ducats to your ring, that, commend me to the court where your lady is, with convince, for overcome. no more advantage than the opportunity of a second conference, I will bring from thence that honour of her's, which you imagine so referv'd. Poft. I will wage gainft your gold, gold to it: my ring 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 preferve it from tainting. But I fee you have fome reli gion in you that you fear. Poft. This is but a custom in your tongue; you bear a graver purpose, 1 hope. Iach. I am the master of my fpeeches, and would undergo what's fpoken, I fwear. Poft. Will you? I fhall 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. Iach. By the gods it is one. If I bring you fufficient teftimony that I have enjoy'd the dearest bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand ducats are mine; fo is your diamond too. 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 your's; provided I have your commendation, for my more free entertainment. Poft. 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 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 chastity, you fhall answer me with your fword. lach. Your hand, a covenant; we will have thefe things fet down by lawful counfel, and straight away for Britain, left the bargain fhould catch cold, and farve. I will fetch my gold, and have our two wagers recorded. Poft. Agreed. [Exeunt Pofthumus and Iachimo, French. Will this hold, think you.? Phil. Signior Iachimo will not from it. Pray let us follow 'em. [Exeunt SCENE VII. Changes to Gymbeline's palace in Britain. Enter Queen, Ladies, and Cornelius with a phial. Queen. While yet the dew's on ground, gather those Make hafte.-Who has the note of them? [flowers. 1 Lady. I, Madam. Queen. Dispatch. [Exeunt Ladies. Now, Master Do&tor, you have brought thofe drugs? Queen. I do wonder, Doctor, Thou afk'ft me fuch a question. Have I not been Other conclufions? I will try the forces Allayments to their act, and by them gather Their fev'ral virtues and effects. Cor. Your Highnels 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 [Afide Take your own way. Cor. I do fufpect you, Madam. But you fhall do no harm. Queen. Hark thee, a word. [Afide. To Pifanio. Cor. I do not like her. She doth think she has A drug of fuch damn'd nature. That the has Queen. No further service, Doctor, Until I fend for thee. Cor. I humbly take my leave. [Exit. Queen. Weeps fhe ftill, fay'ft thou? doft thou think, in time, She will not quench, and let inftructions enter Where folly now poffeffes? Do thou work; Who cannot be new built, and has no friend, [Pifanio looking on the phial. Thou know'st not what; but take it for thy labour. It is a thing I make, which hath the King That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how Think what a change thou chanceft on ; but think,- As thou'lt defire; and then my felf, I chiefly, [Exit Pifanio. The hand fast to her lord. I've given him that, Enter Pifanio, and Ladies. So, fo: well done, well done; The violets, cowflips, and the primroses, Think on my words. Pif. And fhall do: [Exeunt Queen and Ladies. [Exit. But when to my good Lord I prove untrue, I'll choke myself; there's all I'll do for you. SCENE VIII. Changes to Imogen's apartments. Enter Imogen alone. Imo. A father cruel, and a stepdame false, A foolish fuitor to a wedded lady, That hath her husband banifh'd-O, that husband! As my two brothers, happy! but most miserable Pif Madam, a Noble Gentleman of Rome VOL. VII. Q |