The Tragedie of Cymbeline — Act 1 Scene 5

Enter Philario, Iachimo: a Frenchman, a Dutchman,and a Spaniard.

Iach.Beleeue it Sir, I haue seene him in Britaine; heewas then of a Cressent note, expected to proue so woorthy,as since he hath beene allowed the name of. But Icould then haue look'd on him, without the help ofAdmiration, though the Catalogue of his endowments hadbin tabled by his side, and I to peruse him by Items.

Phil.You speake of him when he was lesse furnish'd,then now hee is, with that which makes him both without, and within.

French.I haue seene him in France: wee had very manythere, could behold the Sunne, with as firme eyes as hee.

Iach.This matter of marrying his Kings Daughter,wherein he must be weighed rather by her valew, thenhis owne, words him (I doubt not) a great deale from thematter.

French.And then his banishment.

Iach.I, and the approbation of those that weepe thislamentable diuorce vnder her colours, are wonderfullyto extend him, be it but to fortifie her iudgement, whichelse an easie battery might lay flat, for taking a Beggerwithout lesse quality. But how comes it, he is to soiournewith you? How creepes acquaintance?

Phil.His Father and I were Souldiers together, towhom I haue bin often bound for no lesse then my life.Enter Posthumus.Heere comes the Britaine. Let him be so entertainedamong'st you, as suites with Gentlemen of your knowing,to a Stranger of his quality. I beseech you all be betterknowne to this Gentleman, whom I commend to you,as a Noble Friend of mine. How Worthy he is, I willleaue to appeare hereafter, rather then story him in hisowne hearing.

French.Sir, we haue knowne togither in Orleance.

Post.Since when, I haue bin debtor to you for courtesies,which I will be euer to pay, and yet pay still.

French.Sir, you o're-rate my poore kindnesse, I wasglad I did attone my Countryman and you: it had beenepitty you should haue beene put together, with so mortalla purpose, as then each bore, vpon importance of soslight and triuiall a nature.

Post.By your pardon Sir, I was then a young Traueller, rather shun'd to go euen with what I heard, then inmy euery action to be guided by others experiences: butvpon my mended iudgement (if I offend to say it is mended)my Quarrell was not altogether slight.

French.Faith yes, to be put to the arbiterment ofSwords, and by such two, that would by all likelyhoodhaue confounded one the other, or haue falne both.

Iach.Can we with manners, aske what was the difference?

French.Safely, I thinke, 'twas a contention in publicke,which may (without contradiction) suffer the report.It was much like an argument that fell out lastnight, where each of vs fell in praise of our Country-Mistresses. This Gentleman, at that time vouching (andvpon warrant of bloody affirmation) his to be moreFaire, Vertuous, Wise, Chaste, Constant, Qualified, andlesse attemptible then any, the rarest of our Ladies inFraunce.

Iach.That Lady is not now liuing; or this Gentlemansopinion by this, worne out.

Post.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: Iwould abate her nothing, though I professe my selfe herAdorer, not her Friend.

Iach.As faire, and as good: a kind of hand in handcomparison, had beene something too faire, and toogood for any Lady in Britanie; if she went before others.I haue seene as that Diamond of yours out-lusters manyI 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.More then the world enioyes.

Iach.Either your vnparagon'd Mistris is dead, orshe's out-priz'd by a trifle.

Post.You are mistaken: the one may be solde or giuen,or if there were wealth enough for the purchases, ormerite 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 youknow strange Fowle light vpon neighbouring Ponds.Your Ring may be stolne too, so your brace of vnprizeableEstimations, the one is but fraile, and the other Casuall;.A cunning Thiefe, or a (that way) accomplish'dCourtier, would hazzard the winning both of first and last.

Post.Your Italy, containes none so accomplish'd aCourtier to conuince the Honour of my Mistris: if in theholding or losse of that, you terme her fraile, I do nothingdoubt you haue store of Theeues, notwithstandingI feare not my Ring.

Phil.Let vs leaue heere, Gentlemen?

Post.Sir, with all my heart. This worthy Signior Ithanke him, makes no stranger of me, we are familiar atfirst.

Iach.With fiue times so much conuersation, I shouldget ground of your faire Mistris; make her go backe, euento the yeilding, had I admittance, and opportunitieto friend.

Post.No, no.

Iach.I dare thereupon pawne the moytie of my Estate,to your Ring, which in my opinion o're-values itsomething: but I make my wager rather against yourConfidence, then her Reputation. And to barre your offenceheerein to, I durst attempt it against any Lady inthe world.

Post.You are a great deale abus'd in too bold a perswasion,and I doubt not you sustaine what y'are worthyof, by your Attempt.

Iach.What's that?

Posth.A Repulse though your Attempt (as you callit) deserue more; a punishment too.

Phi.Gentlemen enough of this, it came in too sodainely,let it dye as it was borne, and I pray you be betteracquainted.

Iach.Would I had put my Fstate, and my Neighborson th'approbation of what I haue spoke.

Post.What Lady would you chuse to assaile?

Iach.Yours, whom in constancie you thinke standsso safe. I will lay you ten thousands Duckets to yourRing, that commend me to the Court where your Ladyis, with no more aduantage then the opportunitie of asecond conference, and I will bring from thence, thatHonor of hers, which you imagine so reseru'd.

Posthmus.I will wage against your Gold, Gold toit: My Ring I holde deere as my finger, 'tis part of it.

Iach.You are a Friend, and there in the wiser: if youbuy Ladies flesh at a Million a Dram, you cannot preseureit from tainting; but I see you haue some Religionin you, that you feare.

Posthu.This is but a custome in your tongue: youbeare a grauer purpose I hope.

Iach.I am the Master of my speeches, and would vnder-gowhat's spoken, I sweare.

Posthu.Will you? I shall but lend my Diamond tillyour returne: let there be Couenants drawne between's.My Mistris exceedes in goodnesse, the hugenesse of yourvnworthy thinking. I dare you to this match: heere's myRing.

Phil.I will haue it no lay.

Iach.By the Gods it is one: if I bring you no sufficienttestimony that I haue enioy'd the deerest bodilypart of your Mistris: my ten thousand Duckets are yours,so is your Diamond too: if I come off, and leaue her insuch honour as you haue trust in; Shee your Iewell, thisyour Iewell, and my Gold are yours: prouided. I haueyour commendation, for my more free entertainment.

Post.I embrace these Conditions, let vs haue Articlesbetwixt vs: onely thus farre you shall answere, if youmake your voyage vpon her, and giue me directly to vnderstand,you haue preuayl'd, I am no further your Enemy,shee is not worth our debate. If shee remaine vnseduc'd,you not making it appeare otherwise: for your illopinion, and th'assault you haue made to her chastity, youshall answer me with your Sword.

Iach.Your hand, a Couenant: wee will haue thesethings set downe by lawfull Counsell, and straight awayfor Britaine, least the Bargaine should catch colde, andsterue: I will fetch my Gold, and haue our two Wagersrecorded.

Post.Agreed.

French.Will this hold, thinke you.

Phil.Signior Iachimo will not from it.ExeuntPray let vs follow 'em.