Dia. Sir, much like thou canst say they are married: but thou art too The same upon your finger. fine in thy evidence; therefore stand aside.King. Know you this ring? this ring was his This ring, you say, was yours? of late. 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 honourable gentleman: tricks he hath had in him, which gentlemen 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. What an equivocal companion 62 is this! Par. I am a poor man, and at your majesty's command. Laf. He's a good drum, my lord, but a naughty 63 orator. Dia. Do you know he promised me marriage? Par. Faith, I know more than I'll speak. King. But wilt thou not speak all thou knowest? 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 motions, as promising her marriage, and things which would derive me ill-will to speak of; therefore I will not speak what I know. King. Thou hast spoken all already, unless 61. By him and by this woman. "By" here used for 'of.' 62. Companion. Here used disparagingly: as 'fellow' is sometimes used in our own day. See Note 7, Act iii., "Merry Wives of Windsor." 63. Naughty. Good for naught,' 'worthless,' 'bad.' 64. Too fine. "Fine" is here used in the sense of 'evasive,' Dia. Ay, my good lord. King. Where did you buy it? or who gave it you? Dia. It was not given me, nor I did not buy it. King. Who lent it you? Dia. King. It was not lent me neither. 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 goes off and on at pleasure. 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, Thou diest within this hour. Dia. King. Take her away. Dia. I'll never tell you. 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 accus'd 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 wanton, 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 Is 't real that I see? Hel. No, my good lord; 'Tis but the shadow of a wife you see, The name, and not the thing. Ber. Both, both :-Oh, pardon ! Hel. Oh, my good lord, when I was like this maid, I found you wondrous kind. There is your ring; And, look you, here's your letter; this it says: "When from my finger you can get this ring And are by me with child," &c.67 This is done: Will you be mine, now you are doubly won? 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!— Oh, my dear mother, do I see you living? Laf. Mine eyes smell onions; I shall weep anon: [To Parolles.] Good Tom Drum, lend me a handkerchief: so, I thank thee: wait on me home, I'll 67. When from my finger, &c. Comparing the wording of the letter here with its wording in Act iii., sc. 2, an instance is afforded of the variations which Shakespeare gives in repeated passages of this kind. We stated in Note 110, Act ii., "Mer. chant of Venice," that we believe these variations to have been purposely made by the dramatist for the sake of characteristic effect. In the present instance, Helena quotes from her husband's letter; but, although we feel sure that she knows its every cruel sentence by heart, yet the very inaccuracy of the cited words serves to indicate the quivering of the lip that repeats them, and the shaking of the hand that holds out the paper containing them. 68. The even truth. Here is another instance of Shakespeare's using the word "even" peculiarly in this play. In the present passage it has the effect of smooth,' and also the effect of 'correspondent,' 'equalised;' "truth" that will then have make sport with thee: let thy courtesies alone, they are scurvy ones. King. Let us from point to point this story know, To make the even truth 68 in pleasure flow.- Choose thou thy husband, and I'll pay thy dower; The king's a beggar, now the play is done : been made consistent from "point to point." See Note 55, Act ii. 69. Resolvedly. This word is here used partly in the sense of 'determinately,' implying that the King is resolved' to hear all explained; partly in the sense of 'settledly,' 'composedly,' 'sedately;' and partly (as Shakespeare often uses the passive for the active form) for 'resolvingly,' in the sense of 'solvinga question,' 'convincing the mind,'' clearing all doubts.' 70. All yet seems well; and if it end, &c. In this line, and the next but two, is presented the third passage in which there is reference to the title of the play. See Note 1, Act i. 71. Ours be your patience then, &c. These two lines are each of them antithetical; and ("our parts" being taken in the sense of our exertions,' 'our united performance') the meaning is, 'Grant us your patient hearing, and accept our zealous efforts; lend us your hands in applause, and take our hearty thanks.' |