Together with your ring; and not the wronger
Of her, or you, having proceeded but
By both your wills.

Post. If you can make it apparent

That you have tasted her in bed, my hand,
And ring, is your's: If not, the foul opinion
You had of her pure honour, gains, or loses,
Your sword, or mine; or masterless leaves both
To who shall find them.

lach. Sir, my circumstances,

Being so near the truth, as I will make them,
Must first induce you to believe: whose strength
I will confirm with oath; which, I doubt not,
You'll give me leave to spare, when you shall find
You need it not.

Post. Proceed.

lach. First, her bed-chamber

(Where, I confess, I slept not; but, profess,
Had that was well worth watching), It was hang'd
With tapestry of silk and silver; the story
Proud Cleopatra, when she met her Roman,
And Cydnus swell'd above the banks, or for
The press of boats, or pride: A piece of work
So bravely done, so rich, that it did strive
In workmanship, and value; which, I wonder'd,
Could be so rarely and exactly wrought,

Since the true life on't was

Post. This is true;

And this you might have heard of here, by me,
Or by some other.

Eij

379

ვზი

390

lach.

Iach. More particulars

Must justify my knowledge.

Post. So they must,

Or do your honour injury.

Iach. The chimney

Is south the chamber; and the chimney-piece,
Chaste Dian, bathing: never saw I figures
So likely to report themselves: the cutter
Was as another nature, dumb; out-went her,
Motion and breath left out.

Post. This is a thing,

Which you might from relation likewise reap;
Being, as it is, much spoke of.

lach. The roof o' the chamber

With golden cherubims is fretted: Her andirons
(I had forget them) were two winking Cupids
Of silver, each on one foot standing, nicely
Depending on their brands.

Post. This is her honour!

400

Let it be granted, you have seen all this (and praise Be given to your remembrance) the description 411 Of what is in her chamber, nothing saves

The wager you have laid.

lach. Then, if you can,

[Pulling out the Bracelet.

Be pale: I beg but leave to air this jewel: See!

And now 'tis up again: It must be married

To that your diamond; I'll keep them.

Post. Jove!

Once more let me behold it: Is it that
Which I left with her?

420 lach.

lach. Sir (I thank her) that:

She stripp'd it from her arm; I see her yet;
Her pretty action did outsell her gift,

And yet enrich'd it too: she gave it me,

And said, she priz'd it once.

Post. May be, she pluck'd it off,

To send it me.

lach. She writes so to you? doth she?

Post. O, no, no, no! 'tis true.

too;

It is a basilisk unto mine eye,

Here, take this [Gives the Ring.

430

Kills me to look on't ;-Let there be no honour, Where there is beauty; truth, where semblance;

love,

Where there's another man: The vows of women
Of no more bondage be, to where they are made,
Than they are to their virtues; which is nothing :-
O, above measure false !

Phil. Have patience, sir,

And take your ring again; 'tis not yet won:
It may be probable, she lost it; or,

--

Who knows if one of her women, being corrupted, Hath stolen it from her.

Post. Very true;

44*

And so, I hope, he came by't :-Back my ring ;—
Render to me some corporal sign about her,
More evident than this; for this was stolen.
lach. By Jupiter, I had it from her arm.

Post. Hark you, he swears; by Jupiter he swears. 'Tis true;-nay, keep the ring-'tis true: I am sure,

Eiij

She

She could not lose it: her attendants are,

All sworn, and honourable :-They induc'd to steal

it!

And by a stranger?-No; he hath enjoy'd her :
The cognizance of her incontinency

450

Is this she hath bought the name of whore thus dearly.

There, take thy hire; and all the fiends of hell
Divide themselves between you!

Phil. Sir, be patient :

This is not strong enough to be believ'd

Of one persuaded well of—

Post. Never talk on't:

She hath been colted by him.

lach. If you seek

For further satisfying, under her breast

(Worthy the pressing), lies a mole, right proud
Of that most delicate lodging: By my life,

I kiss'd it; and it gave me present hunger
To feed again, though full. You do remember
This stain upon her?

Post, Ay, and it doth confirm

Another stain, as big as hell can hold,

Were there no more but it.

lach. Will you hear more?

462

470

If you will swear you have not done't, you'lie;
And I will kill thee, if thou dost deny

Thou hast made me cuckold.

lach. I will deny nothing.

Post. O, that I had her here, to tear her limb.

meal!

I will go there, and do't i'the court; before

Her father

I'll do something

Phil. Quite besides

The government of patience!-You have won:
Let's follow him, and pervert the present wrath

He hath against himself.

lach, With all my heart.

480

[Exit.

[Exeunt.

Post. Is there no way for men to be, but women

Must be half-workers? We are all bastards;

And that most venerable man, which I

490

Did call my father, was I know not where

When I was stamp'd; some coiner with his tools

Made me a counterfeit: Yet my mother seem'd
The Dian of that time: so doth my wife

The non-pareil of this.-Oh vengeance, vengeance! Me of my lawful pleasure she restrain'd,

And pray'd me, oft, forbearance: did it with

A pudency