ing to a stranger of his quality. I beseech 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 story him in his own hearing. French. Sir, we have been known together in Orleans. Post. Since when I have been debtor to you for courtefies, which I will be ever to pay, and yet pay Aill. French. Sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindness. I. was glad I did attone my countryman and you; it had been pity you fhould have been put together with fo mortal a purpofe as then each bore, upon importance of fo flight and trivial a nature. 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 other's 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 fwords; and by fuch two, that would by all likelihood have confounded one the other, or have fall'n both.'. Jach. Can we with manners afk, what was the difference? French. Safely, I think. 'Twas a contention in public, which may, without contradiction, fuffer the report. It was much like an argument that fell out laft night, where each of us fell in praife of our country miftreffes: this gentleman at that time vouching, and upon warrant of bloody affirmation, his to be more fair, virtuous, wife, chafte, conftant, qualified, and lefs attemptible than any the rareft of our ladies in France. This is expreffed with a kind of fantastical perplexity. He means, I was then willing to take for my direction the experience of others, more than fuch in telligence as I had gathered myself. 'Johnson. VOL. IX. L 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. Iach. You must not fo far prefer her 'fore ours of Italy. 3 Poft. Being fo far provok'd, as I was in France, I would abate her nothing; tho' I profefs myself her adorer, not her friend. Iach. As fair and as good, a kind of hand-inhand comparifon, had been fomething too fair and too good for any lady in Britain. If fhe went be fore others I have feen, as that diamond of yours out-luftres many I have beheld, I could believe fhe 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. - Poft. More than the world enjoys. Iach. Either your unparagon'd mistress is dead, or fhe's out-priz'd by a trifie. Poft. You are mistaken; the one may be fold or given, if there were wealth enough for the purchafe, or merit for the gift: the other is not a thing for fale, and only the gift of the gods. Tach. Which the gods have given you. Post. Which, by their graces, I will keep. . Iach. You may wear her in title yours; but, you know, ftrange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. Your ring may be ftol'n too; fo, of 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 laft. Poft. Your Italy contains none fo accomplish'd a courtier to convince the honour of my mistress; if in the holding or lofs of that you term her frail. I do nothing doubt you have store of thieves, not-withstanding I fear not my ring. Phil. Let us leave here, Gentlemen. Poft. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy Sig Convince for overcome. Warburton. nior, I thank him, makes no ftranger of me; we are familiar at first. Iach. With five times fo much converfation, I fhould get ground of your fair mistress; make her go back, even to the yielding, had I admittance and opportunity to friend. Poft. No, no. Tach. I dare thereupon pawn the moiety of my eftate to your ring, which, in my opinion, o'ervalues it fomething. 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 perfuafion; and I doubt not you'd fuftain what you're worthy of by your attempt. Jach. 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. Iach. 'Would I had put my eftate and my neigh bour's on th' approbation * of what I have spoke. Poft. What lady would you chufe to affail? Tach. 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 fecond conference, 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. Fach. You are a friend +, and therein the wiler. If you buy ladies' fiefh at a million a dram, you • Proof. Johnson. + You are a friend to the lady, and therein the wiser, as you will not expofe her to hazard; and that you fear, is a proof of your religious fidelity. Johnfan. 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 fpoken, I fwear. 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 your unworthy thinking. 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 no fufficient teftimony that I have enjoy'd the dearest bodily part of your miftrefs, my ten thousand dụcats are yours, fo is your diamond too; if I come off, and leave her in fuch honour as you have trust 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 anfwer: if you make your voyage upon her, and give me directly to understand you have prevail'd, I am no further your enemy, the is not worth our debate; if she remain unfeduc'd, you not making it appear otherwife, for your ill opinion, and th affault you have made to her chastity, you fhall anfwer me with your fword. Iach. Your hand, a covenant. We will have these things fet down by lawful counsel, and straight away for Britain, left the bargain fhould catch cold, and starve. I will fetch my gold, and have our two wagers recorded. Poft. Agreed. Pray let us follow 'em, [Exeunt.. SCENE VII. Changes to Cymbeline's Palace in Britain. Enter Queen, Ladies, and Cornelius with a phial. Queen. While yet the dew 's on ground, gather thofe flowers: Make hafte.-Who has the note of them? Lady. I, Madam. Queen. Difpatch. [Exeunt Ladies. Now, mafter Doctor, you have brought thofe drugs? Cor. Pleafeth your Highness, ay; here they are, Madam. But I beseech your Grace, without offence, My confcience bids me afk, wherefore you have Queen. I wonder, Doctor, Thou afk'ft me, fuch a queftion: have I not been Allayments to their act; and by them gather Cor. Your Highnels Shall from this practice but make hard your heart; Befides, the feeing thefe effects will be Both noifome and infectious. Queen. O, content thee. Enter Pifanio. Here comes a flatt'ring rafcal: upon him [Afide.. |