Will remain hers. Phi. What means do you make to him! Post. Not any; but abide the change of time; Quake in the present winter's state, and wish That warmer days would come : In these fear'd hopes, I barely gratify your love; they failing, I must die much your debtor. Phi. Your very goodness, and your company, O'erpays all I can do. By this, your king Hath heard of great Augustus: Caius Lucius Will do his commission throughly: And, I think, He'll grant the tribute, send the arrearages, Or look upon our Romans, whose remembrance Is yet fresh in their grief. Post, That this will prove a war; I do believe, Of any penny tribute paid. Our countrymen Smil'd at their lack of skill, but found their courage Worthy his frowning at: Their discipline (Now mingled with their courages) will make known To their approvers,' they are people, such That mend upon the world. Phi. Enter IACHIMO. See! Iachimo? Post. The swiftest harts have posted you by land: And winds of all the corners kiss'd your sails, 9 Statesman. To those who try them. To make your vessel nimble. Phi. Welcome, sir. Post. I hope, the briefness of your answer made The speediness of your return. Iach. Your lady Is one the fairest that I have look'd upon. Post. And, therewithal, the best; or let her beauty Look through a casement to allure false hearts, Phi. Was Caius Lucius in the Britain court, When you were there? Iach. He was expected then, But not approach'd. All is well yet. Post. Sparkles this stone as it was wont? or is't not Iach. If I have lost it, I should have lost the worth of it in gold. Your lady being so easy. Post. Not a whit, Make not, sir, Your loss your sport: I hope, you know that we Iach. Good sir, we must, If you keep covenant: Had I not brought The knowledge of your mistress home, I grant Profess myself the winner of her honour, By both your wills. Post. That If you can make't apparent you have tasted her in bed, my hand, And ring, is yours: If not, the foul opinion You had of her pure honour, gains, or loses, Your sword, or mine; or masterless leaves both To who shall find them. Iach. Sir, my circumstances, Being so near the truth, as I will make them, Must first induce you to believe: whose strength I will confirm with oath; which, I doubt not, You'll give me leave to spare, when you shall find You need it not. First, her bed-chamber, (Where, I confess, I slept not; but, profess, Since the true life on't was Post. This is true; And this you might have heard of here, by me, Is south the chamber; and the chimney-piece, Post. This is a thing, Which you might from relation likewise reap; The roof o'the chamber Iach. Post. This is her honour! Let it be granted, you have seen all this, (and praise Be given to your remembrance,) the description Of what is in her chamber, nothing saves The wager you have laid. Iach. Then if you can, [Pulling out the Bracelet. Be pale; I beg but leave to air this jewel: See!— And now 'tis up again: It must be married To that your diamond; I'll keep them. Post. Jove! 2 Ornamented iron bars which support wood burnt in chimneys. 3 Torches in the hands of Cupids. Once more let me behold it': Is it that Which I left with her? Iach. Sir, (I thank her,) that: She stripp'd it from her arm; I see her yet; Her pretty action did outsell her gift, And yet enrich'd it too: She gave it me, and said, She priz'd it once. Post. To send it me. Iach. May be, she pluck'd it off, She writes so to you? doth she? Post. O, no, no, no; 'tis true. too; It is a basilisk unto mine eye, Here, take this [Gives the Ring. Kills me to look on't:-Let there be no honour, Phi. Have patience, sir, And take your ring again; 'tis not yet won : It may be probable, she lost it; or, Who knows if one of her women, being corrupted, And so, I hope, he came by't :-Back my ring;- Post. Hark you, he swears; by Jupiter he swears. 'Tis true;-nay, keep the ring-'tis true: I am sure, She would not lose it: her attendants are 1 |