Poft. By your Pardon, Sir, I was then a young Traveller; rather, shun'd to go even with that I heard, than in my every Action to be guided by other experiences: but upon my mended Judgment, if I offend not to say it is mended, any Quarrel was not altogether flight. French. Faith yes, to be put to the arbitrement of Swords; and by such two, that would by all likelyhood have confounded one the other, or have faln both. Iach. Can we with manners, ask what was the Difference? French. Safely, I think, 'twas a contention in publick, which may, without contradiction, fuffer 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, Wife, Chaft, Conftant, Qualified, and less attemptable than any, the rarest of our Ladies in France. Iach. That Lady is not now living; or this Gentleman's Opinion by this worn out. Poft. She holds her Virtue still, and I my Mind. Iach. You must not so far prefer her, 'fore ours of Italy. Poft. Being fo far provok'd as I was in France; I would abate her nothing, tho' I profess my felf her Adorer, not her Friend. Iach. As fair, and as good; a kind of Hand in Hand comparison, had been something too fair, and too good for any Lady in Britany: if the went before others, I have seen; as that Diamond of yours out-lusters many I have beheld. I could not believe the excelled many; but I have not seen the most precious Diamond that is, nor you the Lady. Post. I prais'd her, as Irated her; so do I my Stone. lach. What do you esteem it at? Poft. More than the World enjoys. Iach. Either your paragon'd Mistress is dead, or she's out-priz'd by a Trifle. Poft. You are mistaken; the one may be fold or giver, 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. Iach. Which the Gods have given you? lach. You may wear her in title yours; but, you know, strange Fowl light upon neighbouring Ponds. Your Ring may be stoln too; so your Brace of unprizeable Estimations, the one is but frail, and the other cafual. A cunning Thief, or a, that way, accomplish'd Courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and last. Poft. Your Italy contains none so accomplish'd 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. Phil. Let us leave here, Gentlemen. Poft. Sir, with all my Heart. This worthy Signior, I thank him, makes no stranger of me, we are familiar at first. lach. 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. 4 Poft. No, no. Iach. I dare thereupon pawn the Moiety of my Estate, to your Ring, which in my Opinion o'er-values 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. Poft. You are a great deal abus'd in too bold a perfwafion; and I doubt not you'd sustain what you're worthy of, by your Attempt. Iach. What's that?? Poft. A Repulse; though your Attempt, as you call it, deferves more; a Punishment too. Phil. Gentlemen, enough of this, it came in too fuddenly, let it die as it was born, and I pray you be better acquainted. Iach. Would I had put my Estate, and my Neighbours, on th' approbation of what I have spoke. Poft. What Lady would you chuse to affail? Iach. Yours; whom in constancy you think stands fo fafe. I will lay you ten thousand Duckets to your Ring, that 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 referv'd. Poft. I will wage against your Gold, Gold to it: My Ring I hold dear as my Finger, 'tis part of it. Lach. You are a Friend, and therein the wifer; if you buy Ladies flesh at a Million a Dram, you cannot preferve it from tainting; but I see you have some Religion in you, that you fear. Poft. This is but a Custom in your Tongue; you bear a graver Purpose, I hope Iach. I am the Master of my Speeches, and would undergo what's spoken, I fwear. Poft. 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 things. I dare you to this match; here's my Ring. Phil. I will have it no lay. Iach. By the Gods it is one; if I bring you not fufficient Testimony that I have enjoy'd the dearest bodily part of your Mistress; my ten thousand Duckets 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 entertainment. Poft. 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 the remain unseduc'd, you not rmaking it appear otherwife; for your ill Opinion, and th' affault you have made to her Chastity, you shall answer me with your Sword. Iach. Your Hand, a Covenant; we will have these things fet down by lawful Counsel, and straight away for Britain, left the Bargain should catch cold, and starve; I will fetch my Gold, and have our two Wagers recorded. Poft. Agreed. French. Will this hold, think you ? Pray let us follow 'em. [Exeunt. SCENE SCENE III. Cymbeline's Palace. Enter Queen, Ladies, and Cornelius with a Viol. Queen. While yet the Dew's on Ground gather those Flowers. Make hafte. Who has the Note of them? Ladies. I, Madam. Queen. Dispatch. [Exeunt Ladies. Now Master Doctor, have you brought those Drugs? Cor. Pleaseth your Highness, Ay; here they are, Madam; But I befeech your Grace, without Offence Queen. I wonder, Doctor, Thou ask'st me such a Question; have I not been Allayments to their Act, and by them gather Cor. Your Highness Shall from this Practice, but make hard your Heart Besides, the feeing these Effects will be Both noysome and infectious. Queen. O content thee. Enter Pifanio. Here comes a flattering Rascal, upon him Will I first work; he's for his Master, And Enemy to my Son. How now, Pifanio? Take your own way. VOL. VI. H [Afide Cor. Cor. I do suspect you, Madam. But you shall do no harm. Afide. [To Pifanio. Queen. Hark thee a word.. Queen. No further Service, Doctor, Until I fend for thee. Cor. I humbly take my leave. [Exit. Queen. Weeps she still, sayest thou ? Dost thou think in time She will not quench, and let Instructions enter So much, as but to prop him? thou takest up [Pisanio looking on the Viol. Thou know'st not what; but take it for thy Labour, That |