Cymbeline

one the other, or have fallen both. Iachimo Can we, with manners, ask what was the difference? Frenchman Safely, I think: ’twas a contention in public, which may, without contradiction, suffer the report. It was much like an argument that fell out last night, where each of us fell in praise of our country mistresses; this gentleman at that time vouching⁠—and upon warrant of bloody affirmation⁠—his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, constant-qualified and less attemptable than any the rarest of our ladies in France. Iachimo That lady is not now living, or this gentleman’s opinion by this worn out. Posthumus She holds her virtue still and I my mind. Iachimo You must not so far prefer her ’fore ours of Italy. Posthumus Being so far provoked as I was in France, I would abate her nothing, though I profess myself her adorer, not her friend. Iachimo As fair and as good⁠—a kind of hand-in-hand comparison⁠—had been something too fair and too good for any lady in Britain. If she went before others I have seen, as that diamond of yours outlustres many I have beheld, I could not but believe she excelled many: but I have not seen the most precious diamond that is, nor you the lady. Posthumus I praised her as I rated her: so do I my stone. Iachimo What do you esteem it at? Posthumus More than the world enjoys. Iachimo Either your unparagoned mistress is dead, or she’s outprized by a trifle. Posthumus You are mistaken: the one may be sold, or given, if there were wealth enough for the purchase, or merit for the gift: the other is not a thing for sale, and only the gift of the gods. Iachimo Which the gods have given you? Posthumus Which, by their graces, I will keep. Iachimo You may wear her in title yours: but, you know, strange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. Your ring may be stolen too: so your brace of unprizable estimations; the one is but frail and the other casual; a cunning thief, or a that way accomplished courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and last. Posthumus Your Italy contains none so accomplished a courtier to convince the honour of my mistress, if, in the holding or loss of that, you term her frail. I do nothing doubt you have store of thieves; notwithstanding, I fear not my ring. Philario Let us leave here, gentlemen. Posthumus Sir, with all my heart. This worthy signior, I thank him, makes no stranger of me; we are familiar at first. Iachimo With five times so much conversation, I should get ground of your fair mistress, make her go back, even to the yielding, had I admittance and opportunity to friend. Posthumus No, no. Iachimo I dare thereupon pawn the moiety of my estate to your ring; which, in my opinion, o’ervalues it something: but I make my wager rather against your confidence than her reputation: and, to bar your offence herein too, I durst attempt it against any lady in the world. Posthumus You are a great deal abused in too bold a persuasion; and I doubt not you sustain what you’re worthy of by your attempt. Iachimo What’s that? Posthumus A repulse: though your attempt, as you call it, deserve more; a punishment too. Philario Gentlemen, enough of this: it came in too suddenly; let it die as it was born, and, I pray you, be better acquainted. Iachimo Would I had put my estate and my neighbour’s on the approbation of what I have spoke! Posthumus What lady would you choose to assail? Iachimo Yours; whom in constancy you think stands so safe. 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 so reserved. Posthumus I will wage against your gold, gold to it: my ring I hold dear as my finger; ’tis part of it. Iachimo You are afraid, and therein the wiser. If you buy ladies’ flesh at a million a dram, you cannot preserve it from tainting: but I see you have some religion in you, that you fear. Posthumus This is but a custom in your tongue; you bear a graver purpose, I hope. Iachimo I am the master of my speeches, and would undergo what’s spoken, I swear. Posthumus Will you? I shall but lend my diamond till your return: let there be covenants drawn between’s: my mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness of your unworthy thinking: I dare you to this match: here’s my ring. Philario I will have it no lay. Iachimo 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 for my more free entertainment. Posthumus 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. Iachimo 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. Posthumus Agreed. Exeunt Posthumus and Iachimo. Frenchman Will this hold, think you? Philario Signior Iachimo will not from it. Pray, let us follow ’em. Exeunt.

Scene V

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: