Scena Quinta.
[Act 1, Scene 4]
Enter Philario, Iachimo: a Frenchman, a Dutch
man, and a Spaniard.
Iach.
Beleeue it Sir, I haue seene him in Britaine; hee
[300]
was then of a Cressent note, expected to proue so woor
thy, as since he hath beene allowed the name of. But I
could then haue look'd on him, without the help of Ad
miration, though the Catalogue of his endowments had
bin tabled by his side, and I to peruse him by Items.
Phil.
[305]
You speake of him when he was lesse furnish'd,
then now hee is, with that which makes him both with
out, and within.
French.
I haue seene him in France: wee had very ma
ny there, could behold the Sunne, with as firme eyes as
[310]
hee.
Iach.
This matter of marrying his Kings Daughter,
wherein he must be weighed rather by her valew, then
his owne, words him (I doubt not) a great deale from the
matter.
French.
[315]
And then his banishment.
Iach.
I, and the approbation of those that weepe this
lamentable diuorce vnder her colours, are wonderfully
to extend him, be it but to fortifie her iudgement, which
else an easie battery might lay flat, for taking a Begger
[320]
without lesse quality. But how comes it, he is to soiourne
with you? How creepes acquaintance?
Phil.
His Father and I were Souldiers together, to
whom I haue bin often bound for no lesse then my life.
Enter Posthumus.
Heere comes the Britaine. Let him be so entertained a
[325]
mong'st you, as suites with Gentlemen of your knowing,
to a Stranger of his quality. I beseech you all be better
knowne to this Gentleman, whom I commend to you,
as a Noble Friend of mine. How Worthy he is, I will
leaue to appeare hereafter, rather then story him in his
[330]
owne hearing.
French.
Sir, we haue knowne togither in Orleance.
Post.
Since when, I haue bin debtor to you for courte
sies, which I will be euer to pay, and yet pay still.
French.
Sir, you o're‑rate my poore kindnesse, I was
[335]
glad I did attone my Countryman and you: it had beene
pitty you should haue beene put together, with so mor
tall a purpose, as then each bore, vpon importance of so
slight and triuiall a nature.
Post.
By your pardon Sir, I was then a young Trauel
[340]
ler, rather shun'd to go euen with what I heard, then in
my euery action to be guided by others experiences: but
vpon my mended iudgement (if I offend to say it is men
ded) my Quarrell was not altogether slight.
French.
Faith yes, to be put to the arbiterment of
[345]
Swords, and by such two, that would by all likelyhood
haue confounded one the other, or haue falne both.
Iach.
Can we with manners, aske what was the dif
ference
?
French.
Safely, I thinke, 'twas a contention in pub
[350]
licke, which may (without contradiction) suffer the re
port. It was much like an argument that fell out last
night, where each of vs fell in praise of our Country‑
Mistresses. This Gentleman, at that time vouching (and
vpon warrant of bloody affirmation) his to be more
[355]
Faire, Vertuous, Wise, Chaste, Constant, Qualified, and
lesse attemptible then any, the rarest of our Ladies in
Fraunce.
Iach.
That Lady is not now liuing; or this Gentle
mans opinion by this, worne out.
Post.
[360]
She holds her Vertue still, and I my mind.
Iach.
You must not so farre preferre her, 'fore ours of
Italy.
Posth.
Being so farre prouok'd as I was in France: I
would abate her nothing, though I professe my selfe her
[365]
Adorer, not her Friend.
Iach.
As faire, and as good: a kind of hand in hand
comparison, had beene something too faire, and too
good for any Lady in Britanie; if she went before others.
I haue seene as that Diamond of yours out‑lusters many
[370]
I haue beheld, I could not beleeue she excelled many:
but I haue not seene the most pretious Diamond that is,
nor you the Lady.
Post.
I prais'd her, as I rated her: so do I my Stone.
Iach.
What do you esteeme it at?
Post.
[375]
More then the world enioyes.
Iach.
Either your vnparagon'd Mistris is dead, or
she's out‑priz'd by a trifle.
Post.
You are mistaken: the one may be solde or gi
uen, or if there were wealth enough for the purchases, or
[380]
merite for the guift. The other is not a thing for sale,
and onely the guift of the Gods.
Iach.
Which the Gods haue giuen you
?
Post.
Which by their Graces I will keepe.
Iach.
You may weare her in title yours: but you
[385]
know strange Fowle light vpon neighbouring Ponds.
Your Ring may be stolne too, so your brace of vnprizea
ble Estimations, the one is but fraile, and the other Casu
all;. A cunning Thiefe, or a (that way) accomplish'd
Courtier, would hazzard the winning both of first and
[390]
last.
Post.
Your Italy, containes none so accomplish'd a
Courtier to conuince the Honour of my Mistris: if in the
holding or losse of that, you terme her fraile, I do no
thing doubt you haue store of Theeues, notwithstanding
[395]
I feare not my Ring.
Phil.
Let vs leaue heere, Gentlemen?
Post.
Sir, with all my heart. This worthy Signior I
thanke him, makes no stranger of me, we are familiar at
first.
Iach.
[400]
With fiue times so much conuersation, I should
get ground of your faire Mistris; make her go backe, e
uen to the yeilding, had I admittance, and opportunitie
to friend.
Post.
No, no.
Iach.
[405]
I dare thereupon pawne the moytie of my E
state, to your Ring, which in my opinion o're‑values it
something: but I make my wager rather against your
Confidence, then her Reputation. And to barre your of
fence heerein to, I durst attempt it against any Lady in
[410]
the world.
Post.
You are a great deale abus'd in too bold a per
swasion, and I doubt not you sustaine what y'are worthy
of, by your Attempt.
Iach.
What's that?
Posth.
[415]
A Repulse though your Attempt (as you call
it) deserue more; a punishment too.
Phi.
Gentlemen enough of this, it came in too so
dainely, let it dye as it was borne, and I pray you be bet
ter acquainted.
Iach.
[420]
Would I had put my
Fstate
Estate
, and my Neighbors
on th'approbation of what I haue spoke,
Post.
What Lady would you chuse to assaile?
Iach.
Yours, whom in constancie you thinke stands
so safe. I will lay you ten thousands Duckets to your
[425]
Ring, that commend me to the Court where your La
dy is, with no more aduantage then the opportunitie of a
second conference, and I will bring from thence, that
Honor of hers, which you imagine so reseru'd.
Posthmus.
I will wage against your Gold, Gold to
[430]
it: My Ring I holde deere as my finger, 'tis part of
it.
Iaeh
Iach
.
You are a Friend, and there in the wiser: if you
buy Ladies flesh at a Million a Dram, you cannot pre
seure it from tainting; but I see you haue some Religion
[435]
in you, that you feare.
Posthu.
This is but a custome in your tongue: you
beare a grauer purpose I hope.
Iach.
I am the Master of my speeches, and would vn
der‑go what's spoken, I sweare.
Posthu.
[440]
Will you? I shall but lend my Diamond till
your returne: let there be Couenants drawne between's.
My Mistris exceedes in goodnesse, the hugenesse of your
vnworthy thinking. I dare you to this match: heere's my
Ring.
Phil.
[445]
I will haue it no lay.
Iach.
By the Gods it is one: if I bring you no suffi
cient testimony that I haue enioy'd the deerest bodily
part of your Mistris: my ten thousand Duckets are yours,
so is your Diamond too: if I come off, and leaue her in
[450]
such honour as you haue trust in; Shee your Iewell, this
your Iewell, and my Gold are yours: prouided. I haue
your commendation, for my more free entertainment.
Post.
I embrace these Conditions, let vs haue Articles
betwixt vs: onely thus farre you shall answere, if you
[455]
make your voyage vpon her, and giue me directly to vn
derstand, you haue preuayl'd, I am no further your Ene
my, shee is not worth our debate. If shee remaine vnse
duc'd, you not making it appeare otherwise: for your ill
opinion, and th'assault you haue made to her chastity, you
[460]
shall answer me with your Sword.
Iach.
Your hand, a Couenant: wee will haue these
things set downe by lawfull Counsell, and straight away
for Britaine, least the Bargaine should catch colde, and
sterue: I will fetch my Gold, and haue our two Wagers
[465]
recorded.
Post.
Agreed.
French.
Will this hold, thinke you.
Phil.
Signior
Iachimo will not from it.
Pray let vs follow 'em.
Exeunt
