That knows the tinct and multiplying medicine, Than I have in this ring: 'twas mine, 'twas Helen's, That you are well acquainted with yourself, (Where you have never come,) or sent it us Upon Ber. She never saw it. King. Thou speak'st it falsely, as I love mine honor; And mak'st conjectural fears to come into me, Which I would fain shut out. If it should prove That thou art so inhuman,-'twill not prove so ;And yet I know not:-thou didst hate her deadly, And she is dead; which nothing, but to close Her eyes myself, could win me to believe, More than to see this ring.-Take him away. [Guards seize BERTRAM. My fore-past proofs, howe'er the matter fall, Shall tax my fears of little vanity, Having vainly feared too little.'-Away with him ;We'll sift this matter further. Ber. If you shall prove This ring was ever hers, you shall as easy Prove that I husbanded her bed in Florence, Where yet she never was. [Exit BERTRAM, guarded. Enter a Gentleman. King. I am wrapped in dismal thinkings. Gent. Gracious sovereign, Whether I have been to blame, or no, I know not; Here's a petition from a Florentine, 1 The proofs which I have already had are sufficient to show that my fears were not vain and irrational. I have unreasonably feared too little. Who hath, for four or five removes,' come short King. [Reads.] Upon his many protestations to marry me, when his wife was dead, I blush to say it, he won me. Now is the count Rousillon a widower; his vows are forfeited to me, and my honor's paid to him. He stole from Florence, taking no leave, and I follow him to his country for justice. Grant it me, O king; in you it best lies; otherwise a seducer flourishes, and a poor maid is undone. DIANA CAPUlet. Laf. I will buy me a son-in-law in a fair, and toll 2 for this; I'll none of him. King. The Heavens have thought well on thee, Lafeu, To bring forth this discovery.-Seek these suitors.— Go, speedily, and bring again the count. [Exeunt Gentleman, and some Attendants. I am afeard, the life of Helen, lady, Was foully snatched. Count. Now, justice on the doers! Enter BERTRAM, guarded. King. I wonder, sir, since wives are monsters to you,3 And that you fly them as you swear them lordship, Yet you desire to marry. What woman's that? 1 Removes are journeys or post stages; she had not been able to overtake the king on the road. 2 The second folio reads:-"I will buy me a son-in-law in a fair, and toll for him for this, I'll none of him." 3 The first folio reads: "I wonder, sir, sir; wives," &c. The emendation is Mr. Tyrwhitt's. As in the succeeding line means as soon as. Re-enter Gentleman, with Widow and DIANA. Dia. I am, my lord, a wretched Florentine, My suit, as I do understand, you know, Wid. I am her mother, sir, whose age and honor King. Come hither, count. Do you know these women? Ber. My lord, I neither can nor will deny But that I know them. Do they charge me further? Dia. Why do you look so strange upon your wife? Ber. She's none of mine, my lord. Dia. That she, which marries you, must marry me, Laf. Your reputation [To BERTRAM.] comes too short for my daughter; you are no husband for her. Ber. My lord, this is a fond and desperate creature, Whom sometimes I have laughed with: let your high ness Lay a more noble thought upon mine honor, Than for to think that I would sink it here. King. Sir, for my thoughts, you have them ill to friend, Till your deeds gain them. Than in my thought it lies! Dia. Fairer prove your honor, Good my lord, Ask him upon his oath, if he does think He had not my virginity. 1 Decease, die. King. What say'st thou to her? She's impudent, my lord; And was a common gamester to the camp. Dia. He does me wrong, my lord; if I were so, He might have bought me at a common price. Count. He blushes, and 'tis it: 2 Of six preceding ancestors, that gem Conferred by testament to the sequent issue, Hath it been owned and worn. That ring's a thousand proofs. This is his wife: Methought you said King. Ber. 3 He's quoted for a most perfidious slave, What of him? With all the spots o' the world taxed and deboshed; King. She hath that ring of yours. Are motives of more fancy; and, in fine, 1 i. e. value. 2 Malone remarks that the old copy reads, 'tis hit, and that in many of our old chronicles he had found hit printed instead of it. 3 Noted. 4 Debauched. Her insuit coming with her modern grace,1 Dia. any I must be patient; You that turned off a first so noble wife, May justly diet me. I pray you, yet, pray (Since you lack virtue, I will lose a husband,) Send for your ring; I will return it home; And give me mine again. Ber. I have it not. King. What ring was yours, I pray you? Dia. The same upon your finger. Sir, much like King. Know you this ring? This ring was his of late. Dia. And this was it I gave him, being abed. King. The story then goes false, you threw it him Out of a casement. Dia. I have spoke the truth. Enter PAROLLES. Ber. My lord, I do confess the ring was hers. 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? Par. So please your majesty, my master hath been an honorable gentleman; tricks he hath had in him, which gentlemen have. 1 "Every thing that obstructs love is an occasion by which love is heightened, and, to conclude, her solicitation concurring with her common or ordinary grace, she got the ring." |