Phi. What means do you make to him? Poft. Not any, but abide the change of time, That warmer days would come; in these fear'd hopes I must die much your debtor. 2 Phi. Your very goodness, and your company, Is Poft. I do believe, (Statist though I am none, nor like to be,) That this will prove a war; and you shall hear The legion now in Gallia, fooner landed In our not-fearing Britain, than have tidings Of any penny tribute paid. Are men more order'd than Smil'd at their lack of skill, Worthy his frowning at. Our countrymen Now mingled with their courages, will make known As mend upon the world. SCENE VI. Enter Iachimo. Phi. See Iachimo. Poft. Sure the swift harts have posted you by land; And winds of all the corners kifs'd your fails, To make your vessel nimble. Phi. Phi. Welcome, Sir. Poft. I hope the briefness of your answer, made The speediness of your return. Iach. Your lady, Is of the fairest I e'er look'd upon. Poft. And therewithal the best, or let her beauty lach. Here are letters for you. Poft. Their tenure good, I trust. Poft. Was Caius Lucius in the Britain court, When you were there? Iach. He was expected then, But not approach'd. Poft. All is well yet. Sparkles this stone as it was wont, or is't not Iach. If I've lost it, I should have lost the worth of it in gold; Your lady being fo eafie. Poft. Make not, Sir, Your lofs your sport; I hope you know that we Iach. Good Sir, we must, If you keep covenant; had I not brought Profefs Profess my self the winner of her honour, Poft. If you can make't apparent Iach. Sir, my circumstances Being so near the truth, as I will make them, Poft. Proceed. Iach. First, her bed-chamber, (Where I confess I flept not, but profess Poft. This is true; And this you might have heard of here, by me, Iach. More particulars Must justifie my knowledge. Poft. So they must, Or do your honour injury. Iach. The chimney Is fouth the chamber, and the chimney-piece Poft. This is a thing Which you might from relation likewise read; lach. The roof o'th' chamber With golden cherubims is fretted. Her andirons, Poft. This is her honour; Let it be granted you have seen all this, Praise be to your remembrance, the description 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. Poft. May be, fhe pluck'd it off To send it me. Iach. She writes fo to you? doth fhe? Poft. O no, no, no, 'tis true. Here take this too, It is a bafilisk unto mine eye, Kills me to look on't: let there be no honour, Where there is beauty; truth, where femblance; love, Phi. Have patience, Sir, And take your ring again: 'tis not yet won; Who knows, one of her women, being corrupted, Poft. Very true, And so I hope he came by't; back my ring, Poft. Hark you, he fwears; by Jupiter he fwears. >Tis true---- nay keep the ring--- 'tis true; I'm sure She could not lose it; her attendants are All honourable; they induc'd to steal it! And by a stranger! ---- no, he hath enjoy'd her. The cognizance of her incontinency Is this: fh'hath bought the name of whore thus dearly. There, take thy hire, and all the fiends of hell Divide themselves between you. Phi. Sir, be patient; This is not strong enough to be believ❜d, Of one perfuaded well of X 2 Poft. |