courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and last. 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. Phi. 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. 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. Post. No, no. Iach. 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 confidence than her reputation: and, to bar your offence herein-to, I durst attempt it against any lady in the world. Post. You are a great deal abus'd in too bold a persuasion; and I doubt not you sustain what y' are worthy of by your attempt. Post. A repulse; though your attempt, as you call it, deserve more, a punishment, too. Phi. Gentlemen, enough of this; it came in too suddenly: let it die as it was born, and, I pray you, be better acquainted. Iach. Would I had put my estate, and my neighbour's, on the approbation of what I have spoke. Post. What lady would you choose to assail? Iach. Yours; whom 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 hers 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. 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 see, you have some religion in you, Post. This is that you fear. but a custom in your tongue: you bear a graver purpose, I hope. Iach. I am the master of my speeches; and would undergo what's spoken, I swear. 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. Phi. I will have it no lay. If I bring you no Iach. By the gods it is one. sufficient testimony that I have enjoyed the dearest bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand ducats are yours; 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 yours; provided I have your commendation for my more free entertainment. 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 me directly to understand you have prevail'd, I am no farther your enemy; she is not worth our debate: if she remain unseduc'd, (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. Iach. 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 POSTHUMUS and IACHIMO. French. Will this hold, think you? Phi. Signior Iachimo will not from it. Pray, let us follow 'em. [Exeunt. SCENE VI. Britain. A Room in 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. Queen. Dispatch. — I, madam. [Exeunt Ladies. Now, master Doctor, have you brought those drugs? Cornelius. Pleaseth your Highness, ay: here they [Presenting a small box. are, madam: But I beseech your Grace, without offence, (My conscience bids me ask,) wherefore you have Commanded of me these most poisonous compounds, Which are the movers of a languishing death But though slow, deadly? I wonder, Doctor, Queen. Thou ask'st me such a question: have I not been Thy pupil long? Hast thou not learn'd me how To make perfumes ? distil? preserve? yea, so, That our great king himself doth woo me oft For my confections? Having thus far proceeded, (Unless thou think'st me devilish,) is 't not meet That I did amplify my judgment in Other conclusions? I will try the forces Of these thy compounds on such creatures as To try the vigour of them, and apply Allayments to their act; and by them gather Their several virtues and effects. Cor. Your Highness Shall from this practice but make hard your heart: Besides, the seeing these effects will be Both noisome and infectious. Queen. O, content thee. Enter PISANIO. [Aside.] Here comes a flattering rascal; upon him Will I first work: he's for his master, And enemy to my son. How now, Pisanio! Take your own way. Cor. [Aside.] I do suspect you, madam; But you shall do no harm. Queen. Hark thee, a word. Cor. [Aside.] I do not like her. She doth think she has Strange ling'ring poisons: I do know her spirit, A drug of such damn'd nature. Those she has Which first, perchance, she'll prove on cats and dogs, No danger in what shew of death it makes, To be more fresh, reviving. She is fool'd So to be false with her. Queen. Until I send for thee. Cor. and I the truer, No farther service, Doctor, I humbly take my leave. [Exit. Queen. Weeps she still, say'st thou? Dost thou think, in time She will not quench, and let instructions enter When thou shalt bring me word she loves my son, I'll tell thee, on the instant thou art then As great as is thy master: greater; for [The Queen drops a box: PISANIO takes it up. What is more cordial: nay, I pr'ythee, take it; That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how |