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 neigh bours on th' approbation of what I have spoke. Poft. What lady would you chuse to affail? lach. Yours, who in constancy you think stands fo fafe. 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 fo referved. Poft. I will wage against your gold, gold to it: (7) my ring I hold dear as my finger, 'tis part of it. Tach. You are afraid, and therein the wifer; if you buy ladies fleth at a million a dram, you cannot preferve 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. lach. I am the master of my speeches, and would undergo what's fpoken, I fwear. (7) Poft. ger, 'tis part of it. my ring I hold dear as my fin Iach. You are a friend, and therein the wifer.] I am fure, Jachimo talks like none of the wifeft, in this kind of reafoning. But what ideas, in the name of nonsense, could the editors entertain of Pofthumus being a friend, because he would not venture to wager his ring? I correct, with certainty; You are afraid, and therein the wifer. What Iachimo fays, in the clofe of his fpeech, determines this to have been our Poet's reading. But I fee you have fome religion in you, that you fear. VOL. X. T Peft. Will you? I fhall but lend my diamond till your return; let there be covenants drawn between us. My mistress exceeds in goodness the hugenefs 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 not fufficient teftimony that I have enjoyed the dearest bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand ducats are yours; fo is your diamond too: if I come off, and leave her in such honour as you have trust 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 these conditions; let us have articles betwixt us; only thus far you fhall anfwer, if you make your voyage upon her, and give me directly to understand you have prevailed, I am no further your enemy, fhe is not worth our debate. If fhe remain unfeduced, you not making it appear otherwife; for your ill opinion, and th' affault you have made to her chastity, you shall answer me with your fword. Iach. Your hand, a covenant; we will have thefe things fet down by lawful council, and ftraight away for Britain, left the bargain fhould catch cold and ftarve. 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 Iachimo will not from it. Pray let us follow 'em. [Exeunt. SCENE changes to Cymbeline's Palace in Britain. Make hafte, Who has the note of them? 1 Lady. I, Madam. Queen. Dispatch. [Exeunt Ladies, Now, Mr Doctor, have you brought thofe drugs? Cor. Pleaseth your Highness, ay, here they are, Madam; But I beseech your Grace, without offence, (My confcience bids me afk) wherefore you have Queen. I do wonder, Doctor, Thou afkeft me fuch a queftion; have I not been Other conclufions? I will try the forces Allayments to their act; and by them gather Cor. Your Highness Shall from this practice but make hard Befides, the feeing these effects will be Queen. O, content thee. your heart; Enter PISANIO. Here comes a flattering rafcal; upon him [Afide. 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 fhe has Strange ling'ring poisons; I do know her spirit, A drug of fuch damned nature. Thofe fhe has, Will ftupify and dull the fenfe a while; Which first, perchance, fhe'll prove on cats and dogs, Queen. No further fervice, 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 instructions enter And every day that comes, comes to decay Who cannot be new built, and has no friends, [Pifanio looking on the Phial. That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how The cafe stands with her; do't as from thyfelf: (8) Think what a change thou chanceft on; but think;----- Thou hast thy miftress still; to boot, my fon; As thou'lt defire; and then myself I chiefly, [Exit Pifanio. The hand fast to her Lord.----I've given him that Which if he take, fhall quite unpeople her (8) Think what a chance thou chanceft on, I hardly think our Author would have expreffed himself thus badly, on no neceflity. Both the old Folics read, Think what a chance thou changelt on. But I fufpect there is ftill a flight error made by the first tranfcriber. I imagine the Poet wrote; 'Think what a change thou chanceft on, i. e. if you will fall into my measures, do but think how you will chance to change your fortunes for the better, in the confequences that will attend your compliance. |