Cymbeline | Page 7

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 abus'd 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 reserv'd.
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 enjoy'd 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 prevail'd, I am no
further your enemy; she is not worth our debate. If she remain
unseduc'd, 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. Who has the note of them?
FIRST LADY.
I, madam.
QUEEN.
Dispatch.
[Exeunt LADIES.]
Now, master doctor, have you brought those drugs?
CORNELIUS.
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 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
judgement in
Other conclusions? 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.
CORNELIUS.
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.]
[Aside.]
Here comes a flattering rascal; upon him
Will I first work. He's for
his master,
An enemy to my son. How now, Pisanio!
Doctor, your
service for this time is ended;
Take your own way.