unis for what he'll utter, Am I Will speak any thing? King. Dia. Ber. I have it not. King. What ring was yours, I pray you? Dia. The same upon your finger. 210 220 Sir, much like King. Know you this ring? this ring was his of late. King. The story then goes false, you threw it him Dia. I have spoken the truth. Enter PAROLLES. Ber. My lord, I do confess the ring was hers. Dia. Ay, my lord. King. Tell me, sirrah, but tell me true, I charge you, Not fearing the displeasure of your master, Which on your just proceeding I'll keep off, By him and by this woman here what know you? 230 Par. So please your majesty, my master hath been an honourable gentleman: tricks he hath had in him, which gentlemen have. 240 King. Come, come to the purpose: did he love this woman? Par. Faith, sir, he did love her; but how? King. How, I pray you? Par. He did love her, sir, as a gentleman loves a woman. King. How is that? Par. He King. As thou art sir, and loved her not. equivocal companion is this! and no knave. Par. I am a poor man, and at your majesty What an 250 Laf. He's a good drum, my lord, but a naughty mand. Dia. Do you know he promised me marriage? Par. Faith, I know more than I'll speak. King. But wilt thou not speak all thou knowest? Par. Yes, so please your majesty. I did go between them, as I said; but more than that, he loved her for indeed he was mad for her, and talked of Satan and of Limbo and of Furies and I know not what yet I was in that credit with them at that time that I knew of their going to bed, and of other motions, as promising her marriage, and things which would derive me ill will to speak of; therefore I will not speak what I know. King. Thou hast spoken all already, unless thou canst say they are married but thou art too fine in thy evidence; therefore stand aside. This ring, you say, was yours? Dia. Ay, my good lord. It was not lent me neither. King. Where did you find it, then? I found it not. King. If it were yours by none of all these ways, How could you give it him? Dia. 270 I never gave it him. Laf. This woman's an easy glove, my lord; she goes off and on at pleasure. King. This ring was mine; I gave it his first wife. 280 To prison with her: and away with him. Unless thou tell'st me where thou hadst this ring, Dia. King. Take her away. Dia. I'll never tell you. I'll put in bail, my liege. King I think thee now some common customer. Dia. By Jove, if ever I knew man, 'twas you. King. Wherefore hast thou accused him all this while? Dia. Because he's guilty, aud he is not guilty: He knows I am no maid, and he'll swear to't; 290 Great king, I am no strumpet, by my wife. [Exit Widow. The jeweller that owes the ring is sent for, No, my good lord; "Tis but the shadow of a wife you see, Ber. 300 310 Ber. If she, my liege, can make me know this clearly, I'll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly. Hel. If it appear not plain and prove untrue, Deadly divorce step between me and you! O my dear mother, do I see you living? Laf. Mine eyes smell onions; I shall weep anon: 320 [To Parolles] Good Tom Drum, lend me a handkercher : so, I thank thee: wait on me home, I'll make sport with thee: Let thy courtesies alone, they are scurvy ones. King. Let us from point to point this story know, To make the even truth in pleasure flow. [To Diana] If thou be'st yet a fresh uncropped flower, Thou kept'st a wife herself, thyself a maid. 330 [Flourish. EPILOGUE. King. The king's a beggar, now the play is done : That you express content; which we will pay, [Exeunt. SCENE: A city in Illyria, and the sea-coast near it. ACT I. SCENE I. The DUKE's palace. Enter DUKE, CURIO, and other Lords; Musicians attending. Duke. If music be the food of love, play on: Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting, The appetite may sicken, and so die. That strain again! it had a dying fall: O, it came o'er my ear like the sweet sound, That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour! Enough; no more: O spirit of love! how quick and fresh art thou, Receiveth as the sea, nought enters there, But falls into abatement and low price, Even in a minute: so full of shapes is fancy Cur. Will you go hunt, my lord? What, Curio? 10 |