thank him, makes no stranger of me; we are familiar at firft.

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

Post. No, no.

Iach. I dare, thereupon, pawn the moiety of my estate to your ring; which, in my opinion, o'er-values it fomething But I make my wager rather against your confi dence, 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 perfuafion; and I doubt not you'd fustain what you're worthy of, by your attempt.

Iach. 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.

Jach. 'Would I had put my estate, and my neighbour's, on the approbation of what I have spoke.

P

Post. What lady would you chufe to affail?

Iach. Yours; who in conftancy, you think, stands fo fafe. I will lay you ten thousand ducats to your ring, that, commend me to the court where your lady is, with no more advantage than the opportunity of a second conference, and I will bring from thence that honour of hers, which you imagine fo referv'd.

Poft. I will wager against your gold, gold to it: my ring I hold dear as my finger; 'tis part of it.

a great deal abus'd]-grofsly deceived. P approbation]-proof.

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 custom in your tongue: you bear a graver purpose, I hope.

Iach. I am the mafter of my fpeeches; 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 us: My mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness of unworthy thinking: I dare you to this match: here's my ring,

is

Phil. I will have it no lay.

your

Iach. By the gods it is one: If I bring you no fufficient teftimony that I have enjoy'd the dearest bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand ducats are yours; fo 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 free entertainment.

Poft. I embrace thefe conditions; let us have articles betwixt us :-only, thus far you fhall answer. 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 otherwise) for your ill opinion, and the affault you have made to her chastity, you shall answer me with your fword.

Iach. Your hand; a covenant: We will have these things fet down by lawful counfel, and ftraight away for

a friend,]-to the lady, and as fuch wife, in not expofing her to hazard-afraid, and that's a proof of your wisdom.

undergo]-undertake.

• If I bring you fufficient, &c. my ten thousand ducats are mine; &c.

L 3

Britain;

Britain; left the bargain should catch cold, and starve: I will fetch my gold, and have our two wagers recorded. [Exeunt Pofthumus, and Iachimo.

Poft. Agreed.
French. Will this hold, think you?

Phil. Signior lachimo will not from it.

follow 'em,

Pray, let us

[Exeunt.

SCENE VI.

Cymbeline's Palace.

Enter Queen, Ladies, and Cornelius.

Queen. Whiles yet the dew's on ground, gather thofe flowers;

Make hafte: Who has the note of them?

1 Lady. I, madam.

Queen. Difpatch.—

[Exeunt ladies.

Now, mafter doctor; have you brought those drugs?

Cor. Pleaseth your highnefs, ay: here they are, madam: But I beseech your grace, (without offence;

My conscience bids me ask) wherefore you have
Commanded of me these moft poifonous compounds,
Which are the movers of a languishing death
But, though flow, deadly?

Queen. I wonder, doctor,

Thou afk'ft me fuch a question: Have I not been
Thy pupil long? Haft thou not learn'd me how
To make perfumes? diftill? preferve? yea, fo,
That our great king himself doth woo me oft
For my confections? Having thus far proceeded,
(Unless thou think'ft me devilish) is't not meet
That I did amplify 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)

To try the vigour of them, and apply

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 these effects will be

Both noisome and infectious.

Queen. O, content thee.

Enter Pifanio,

Here comes a flattering rafcal; upon him

Will I first work: he's for his master,

And enemy to my fon. How now, Pifanio?

Doctor, your fervice for this time is ended;

"Take your own way.

Cor. I do fufpect you, madam;

[Afide.

[Afide. [To Pifanio.

Cor. [Afide.] I do not like her. She doth think, the

has

Strange lingering poifons: I do know her spirit,

And will not truft one of her malice with

A drug of fuch damn'd nature: Thofe, fhe has,
Will stupify and dull the sense a while:

Which first, perchance, fhe'll prove on cats, and dogs;
Then afterward up higher: but there is
No danger in what fhew of death it makes,
More than the locking up the fpirits a time,
To be more fresh, reviving. She is fool'd
With a most false effect; and I the truer,
So to be falfe with her.

* Take your own way.]-You are difmiffed,

Queen. No further fervice, doctor,

Until I fend for thee.

Cor. I humbly take my leave.

[Exit.

Queen. Weeps the ftill, fay'ft thou? Doft thou think,

in time

W

She will not quench; and let inftructions enter

Where folly now poffeffes? Do thou work :

When thou shalt bring me word, fhe loves my fon,
I'll tell thee, on the inftant, thou art then
As great as is thy mafter: greater; for
His fortunes all lie fpeechlefs, and his name
Is at last gasp: Return he cannot, nor
Continue where he is: to fhift his being,
Is to exchange one mifery with another;
And every day, that comes, comes to decay
A day's work in him: What halt thou expect,
To be depender on a thing that leans?
Who cannot be new built; nor has no friends,

[The Queen drops a phial: Pifanio takes it up.
So much as but to prop him?-Thou tak'ft up
Thou know'ft not what; but take it for thy labour:
It is a thing I make, which hath the king
Five times redeem'd from death; I do not know
What is more cordial :-Nay, I pr'ythee, take it;
It is an earnest of a further good

That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how

The cafe ftands with her; do't, as from thyself.

Think what a chance thou changest on; but think

Thou haft thy mistress ftill; to boot, my son,

Who fhall take notice of thee; move the king

quench;]-cool.

* to shift his being,]-to change his place of abode. that leans ?]-that is in a declining state.

2 what a chance thou changeft on ;]-how likely thou art to better thy

condition by fuch an exchange of fervice, or rather attachment.

To