Enter Philario, Iachimo, and a French Man,

Iach. Believe it, Sir, I have feen him in Britain; he was then of a Crefcent, none expected to prove fo worthy, as fince he hath been allowed the name of. But I could then have look'd on him, without the help of Admiration, though the Catalogue of his endowments had been tabled by his fide, and I to perufe him by Items.

Phil. You fpeak of him when he was lefs furnish'd, than now he is, with that which makes him both without and within.

French. I have seen him in France; we had very many there, could behold the Sun, with as firm Eyes as he.

Iach. This matter of marrying his King's Daughter, wherein he must be weighed rather by her value, than his own, words him, I doubt not, a great deal from the matter. French. And then his banifhment.

Iach. Ay, and the approbation of thofe, that weep this lamentable Divorce under her Colours, are wonderfully to extend him; be it but to fortifie her Judgment, which else an eafie Battery might lay flat, for taking a Beggar without more Quality. But how comes it, he is to fojourn with you? how creeps acquaintance?

Phil. His Father and I were Soldiers together, to whom I have been often bound for no less than my Life.

Enter Pofthumus.

Here comes, the Britain. Let him be fo entertained a mongst you, as fuits with Gentlemen of your knowing, to a ftranger of his quality. I befeech you all be better known to this Gentleman, whom I commend to you, as a noble Friend of mine. How worthy he is, I will leave to appear hereafter, rather than ftory' him in his own hearing.

French. Sir, we have known together in Orleance. Poft. Since when I have been debter to you for courtefies, which I will be ever to pay, and yet pay ftill.

French. Sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindnefs; I was glad I did atone my Countryman and you; it had been pity. you should have been put together, with fo mortal a purpofe, as then each bore, upon importance of fo flight and trivial a nature.

་

Poft.

Poft. By your Pardon, Sir, I was then a young Traveller; rather, fhun'd to go even with what I heard, than in my every Action to be guided by others experiences: but upon my mended Judgment, if I offend not to fay it is mended, my Quarrel was not altogether flight.

French. Faith yes, to be put to the arbitrement of Swords; and by fuch two, that would by all likelyhood have confounded one the other, or have faln both.

Iach. Can we with manners, ask what was the Difference ?

French. Safely, I think, 'twas a Contention in publick, which may, without Contradiction, fuffer the report. It was much like an Argument that fell out last night, where each of us fell in Praise of our Country-Miftreffes. This Gentleman at that time vouching, and upon Warrant of bloody Affirmation, his to be more Fair, Virtuous, Wife, Chaft, Conftant, Qualified, and lefs attemptible than any; the rareft of our Ladies in France.

Iach. That Lady is not now living; or this Gentleman's Opinion by this worn out.

Poft. She holds her Virtue ftill, and I my Mind.

Lach. You must not fo far prefer her, 'fore ours of Italy.

Poft. Being fo far provok'd as I was in France; I would abate her nothing, thou I profefs my felf her Adorer, not her Friend.

Iach. As fair, and as good; a kind of Hand in Hand comparison, had been fomething too fair, and too good for any Lady in Britany: if he went before others; I have feen; as that Diamond of yours out-lufters many I have beheld; I could not believe the excelled many; but I have not feen the most precious Diamond that is, nor you the Lady. Poft. I prais'd her, as I rated her; fo do I my Stone. Iach. What do you efteem it at ?

Peft. More than the World enjoys.

Iach. Either your unparagon'd Miftrefs is dead, or fhe's out-priz'd by a Trifle.

Poft. You are mistaken; the one may be fold or given, if there were Wealth enough for the Purchase, or Merit for the Gift. The other is not a thing for Sale, and only the Gift

of the Gods.

Iach. Which the Gods have given you?
Poft. Which by their Graces I will keep.

Iach. You may wear her in title yours; but, you know, ftrange Fowle light upon neighbouring Ponds. Your ring may be ftoln too; fo your Brace of unprizeable Eftimations, the one is but frail, and the other cafual. A cunning Thief, or a, that way, accomplish'd Courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and last.

Poft. Your Italy contains none fo accomplish'd a Courtier to convince the Honour of my Miftrefs; if in the holding or lofs of that, you term her frail, I do nothing doubt you have ftore of Thieves, notwithstanding I fear not my Ring.

Phil. Let us leave here, Gentlemen.

Poft. Sir, with all my Heart. This worthy Signior, I thank him, makes no ftranger of me, we are familiar at first.

Iach. With five times fo much Converfation, I should get ground of your fair Miftrefs; make her go back, even to the yielding, had I admittance, and opportunity to

Friend.

Post. No, no.

lach. I dare thereupon pawn the Moiety of my Eftate, to your Ring, which in my Opinion o'er-values it fomething í but I make my wager rather against your Confidence, than her Reputation. And to bar your Offence herein too, I durft attempt it against any Lady in the World.

Poft. You are a great deal abus'd in too bold a perfwafion; and I doubt not you'd fuftain what you're worthy of, by your Attempt.

Lach. What's that?

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.

lach. Would I had put my Eftate, and my Neighbours, on th' approbation of what I have fpoke.

Poft. What Lady would you chuse to affail?

Iach. Yours; whom in conftancy you think ftands fo fafe. I will lay you ten thoufand Duckets to your Ring,

that

that commend me to the Court where your Lady is, with no more Advantage than the opportunity of a fecond conference, and I will bring from thence, that honour of hers, which you imagine fo referv'd.

Poft. I will wage against your Gold, Gold to it: My Ring I hold dear as my Finger, 'tis part of it.

Iach. You are a Friend, and therein the wifer; if you buy Ladies flesh 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 Cuftom in your Tongue; you bear a graver Purpose, I hope.

Iach. I am the Mafter of my Speeches, and would undergo what's spoken, I swear.

Poft. Will you? I fhall but lend my Diamond 'till your return; let there be Covenants drawn between's. My Mistress exceeds in goodness, the hugenefs of your unworthy things. 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 enjoy'd the deareft bodily part of your Mistress; my ten thousand Duckets are yours, fo is your Diamond too; if I come off, and leave her in fuch Honour as you have truft in; fhe your Jewel, this your Jewel, and my Gold are yours; provided I have your commendation, for my more entertainment.

Poft. I embrace thefe 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 prevail'd, I am no further your Enemy, she is not worth our Debate. If fhe remain unfeduc'd, you not making it appear otherwife; for your ill Opinion, and th'af fault you have made to her Chastity, you fhall anfwer me with your Sword.

Iach. Your Hand, a Covenant; we will have these things fet down by lawful Counfel, 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.

French. Will this hold, think you ? Phil. Signior Iachimo will not from it. Pray let us follow 'em.

[Exeunt. SCENE

SCENE III. Cymbeline's Palace.

Enter Queen, Ladies, and Cornelius with a Viol. Queen. While yet the Dew's on Ground gather those Flowers.

Make hafte. Who has the Note of them?

Ladies. I, Madam.

Queen. Difpatch.

Exeunt Ladies.

Now Mafter Doctor, have you brought thofe Drugs?

Cor. Pleaseth your Highnefs, Ay; here they are, Madam; But I beseech your Grace, without Offence

My Confcience bids me ask, wherefore you have
Commanded of me thefe moft poisonous Compounds,
Which are the movers of a languishing Death;
But though flow, deadly.

Queen. I wonder, Doctor,

Thou ask'ft me fuch a Question; have I not been
Thy Pupil long? haft thou not learn'd me how
To make Perfumes? Diftil? Preferve? Yea fo,
That our great King himself doth woe me oft
For my Confections? Having thus far proceeded,
Unless thou think'ft me devilish, is it not meet
That I did amplifie my Judgment in

Other Conclufions? I will try the Forces
Of these thy Compounds, on fuch Creatures as
We count not worth the hanging, but none human,
try the Vigor of them, and apply

Το

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;
Befides, the feeing thefe Effects will be

Both noyfome and infectious.

Queen. O content thee.

Enter Pifanio.

Here comes a flattering Rafcal, upon him
Will I firft work; he's for his Mafter,

And Enemy to my Son. How now, Pifanio?
Doctor, your Service for this time is ended,
Take your own way.

VOL. VI,

H

[Afide.

Cor.