Post. Fear it not, sir: I would, I were so sure To win the king, as I am bold, her honour 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. I do believe (Statist though I am none, nor like to be), That this will prove a war; and you shall hear The legions, now in Gallia, sooner landed In our not fearing Britain, than have tidings Of any penny tribute paid. Our countrymen Are men more order'd, than when Julius CæsarSmil'd at their lack of skill, but found their courage Worthy his frowning at: Their discipline

* Statesman.

(Now mingled with their courages) will make known To their approvers, they are people, such That mend upon the world.

Enter Iachimo.

Phi.

See! Iachimo?

Post. The swiftest harts have posted you by land: And winds of all the corners kiss'd your sails,

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,
And be false with them.

Jach.

Post. Their tenour good, I trust.

Iach.

Phi. Was Caius Lucius in the Britain court,

When you were there?

Iach.

But not approach'd.

Post.

Here are letters for you.

'Tis very like.

He was expected then,

All is well yet.

Sparkles this stone as it was wont? or is't not
Too dull for your good wearing?

lach.

If I have lost it,

I should have lost the worth of it in gold.
I'll make a journey twice as far, to enjoy
A second night of such sweet shortness, which
Was mine in Britain; for the ring is won.
Post. The stone's too hard to come by.
Iach.

Your lady being so easy.

Post.

Not a whit,

Make not, sir,

To those who try them.

Your loss your sport: I hope, you know that we Must not continue friends.

Iach.

Good sir, we must,

If you keep covenant: Had I not brought
The knowledge of your mistress home, I grant
We were to question further: but I now
Profess myself the winner of her honour,
Together with your ring; and not the wronger
Of her, or you, having proceeded but

By both your wills.

Post. If you can make't apparent That 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.

Post.

Jach.

Proceed.

First, her bed chamber

(Where, I confess, I slept not; but, profess,
Had that was well worth watching), It was hang'd
With tapestry of silk and silver; the story,
Proud Cleopatra, when she met her Roman,
And Cydnus swell'd above the banks, or for
The press of boats, or pride: A piece of work
So bravely done, so rich, that it did strive
In workmanship, and value; which, I wonder'd,
Could be so rarely and exactly wrought,

Since the true life on't was

Post.

This is true;

And this you might have heard of here, by me,

Or by some other.

lach.

More particulars

Must justify my knowledge.

Post...

So they must,

The chimney

Or do your honour injury.

lach.

Is south the chamber; and the chimney-piece,
Chaste Dian, bathing: never saw I figures
So likely to report themselves: the cutter
Was as another Nature, dumb; outwent her,
Motion and breath left out.

Post.

This is a thing,

Which you might from relation likewise reap ;
Being, as it is, much spoke of.

Iach.
The roof o'the chamber
With golden cherubins is fretted: Her andirons*
(I had forgot them), were two winking Cupids
Of silver, each on one foot standing, nicely
Depending on their brands t.

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 your diamond; I'll keep them.

To that

Post.

Once more let me behold it: Is it that
Which I left with her?

Iach.

Jove!

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.

May be, she pluck'd it off,

* Ornamented iron bars which support wood burnt in chimneys.

+ Torches in the hands of Cupids.

lach.

:She writes so to you? doth she? Post. O, no, no, no; 'tis true. Here, take this [Gives the ring.

.too;

It is a basilisk unto mine eye,

Kills me to look on't:-Let there be no honour, Where there is beauty; truth, where semblance; love,

Where there's another man: The vows of women
Of no more bondage be, to where they are made,
Than they are to their virtues; which is nothing:-
O, above measure, false !

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,
Hath stolen it from her?

Post.

Very true;

And so, I hope, he came by't:-Back my ring ;-
.Render to me some corporal sign about her,
-More evident than this; for this was stolen.

Iach. By Jupiter, I had it from her arm.

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

All sworn and honourable :-They induc'd to steal it?

And by a stranger?-No, he hath enjoy'd her:
The cognizance of her incontinency

Is this, she hath bought the name of whore thus dearly.

There, take thy hire; and all the fiends of hell

Divide themselves between you!

Phi.

This is not strong enough to be believ'd

Of one persuaded well of

Post.

She hath been colted by him.

lach.

Sir, be patient:

Never talk on't;

If you seek

The badge; the token.