Iach. I am the master of my speeches; and would undergo what's spoken, I swear. Post. Will you?—I shall 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. Phi. I will have it no lay. Iach. By the gods it is one:-If I bring you no sufficient testimony that I have enjoyed the dearest bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand ducats are yours; so is your diamond too. If I come off, and leave her in such honour as you have trust in, she your jewel, this your jewel, and my gold are yours: —provided, I have your commendation,2 for my more free entertainment. Post. I embrace these conditions; let us have articles betwixt us :-only, thus far you shall answer. If you make your voyage upon her, and give me directly to understand you have prevailed, I am no further your enemy, she is not worth our debate: if she remain unseduced, (you not making it appear otherwise,) for your ill opinion, and the assault you have made to her chastity, you shall answer me with your sword. Iach. Your hand; a covenant: We will have these things set down by lawful counsel, and straight away for Britain; lest the bargain should catch cold, and starve: I will fetch my gold, and have our two wagers recorded. Post. Agreed. [Exeunt POSTHUMUS and IACHIMO. 2 Recommendation. French. Will this hold, think you? Phi. Signior Iachimo will not from it. Pray, let us follow 'em. [Exeunt. SCENE VI. Britain. A Room in Cymbeline's Palace. Enter Queen, Ladies, and CORNELIUS. Queen. Whiles yet the dew's on ground, gather those flowers; Make haste: Who has the note of them? 1 Lady. Queen. Despatch. I, madam. [Exeunt Ladies. Now, master doctor; have you brought those drugs? Cor. Pleaseth your highness, ay: here they are, madam: [Presenting a small Box. But I beseech your grace, (without offence; My conscience bids me ask;) wherefore you have Commanded of me these most poisonous compounds, Which are the movers of a languishing death; But, though slow, deadly? Queen. I do wonder, doctor, Thou ask'st me such a question: Have I not been Thy pupil long? Hast thou not learn'd me how To make perfumes? distil? preserve? yea, so, That our great king himself doth woo me oft For my confections? Having thus far proceeded, (Unless thou think'st me devilish,) is't not meet That I did amplify my judgment in Other conclusions ?3 I will try the forces Of these thy compounds on such 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: Besides, the seeing these effects will be Both noisome and infectious. Queen. O, content thee. Enter PISANIO. Here comes a flattering rascal; upon him [Aside. And enemy to my son.-How now, Pisanio?- Cor. [Aside.] I do not like her. She doth think, she has Strange lingering poisons: I do know her spirit, A drug of such damn'd nature: Those, she has, Which first, perchance, she'll prove on cats, and dogs; No danger in what show of death it makes, With a most false effect; and I the truer, So to be false with her. Queen. Weeps she still, say'st thou? Dost thou think, in time She will not quench; 4 and let instructions enter I'll tell thee, on the instant, thou art then [The Queen drops a Box: PISANIO takes it up. So much as but to prop him?—Thou tak'st up Thou know'st not what; but take it for thy labour: It is a thing I made, 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 case stands with her; do't, as from thyself. 4 i, e. Grow cool. 5 To change his abode. Think what a chance thou changest on; but think As thou'lt desire; and then myself, I chiefly, knave; Not to be shak'd: the agent for his master; The hand fast to her lord.—I have given him that, Re-enter PISANIO, and Ladies. To taste of too. So, so ;-well done, well done : The violets, cowslips, and the primroses, Bear to my closet:-Fare thee well, Pisanio; Think on my words. Pis. [Exeunt Queen and Ladies. And shall do: But when to my good lord I prove untrue, Ambassadors. [Exit. |