Proud Cleopatra, when she met her Roman, Post. This is true; And this you might have heard of here, by me, Iach. More particulars Must justify my knowledge. Iach. The chimney Is south the chamber; and the chimney-piece, Post. This is a thing, Which you might from relation likewise reap; Iach. The roof o'the chamber With golden cherubins is fretted: Her andirons Post. This is her honour! Let it be granted, you have seen all this, (and praise Be given to your remembrance) the description Of what is in her chamber, nothing saves The wager you have laid. Iach. Then, if yon 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 Iach. 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, Post. May be, she pluck'd it off, To send it me. Iach. She writes so to you? doth she? Post. O, no, no, no; 'tis true. Here, take this too; It is a basilisk unto mine eye, [Gives the Ring. 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 ! Phi. 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; And so, I hope, he came by't:---Back my ring;--- Iach. 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, She would 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 Is this,---she hath bought the name of whore thus dearly.-- There, take thy hire; and all the fiends of hell Phi. 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. Iach. If you seek For further satisfying, under her breast Post. Ay, and it doth confirm Another stain, as big as hell can hold, Were there no more but it. Iach. Will you hear more? Post. Spare your arithmetic : never count the turns; Once, and a million ! Iach. I'll be sworn, Post. No swearing. If you will swear you have not done't, you lie ; Thou hast made me cuckold. Iach. 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—— Phi. Quite besides The government of patience!-You have won : Iach. With all my heart. [Exit. [Exeunt. SCENE V.-The same. Another Room in the same. Enter POSTHUMUS. Post. Is there no way for men to be, but women Did call my father, was I know not where When I was stamp'd; some coiner with his tools A pudency so rosy, the sweet view on't Might well have warm'd old Saturn; that I thought her As chaste as unsunn'd snow :-O, all the devils !— This yellow Iachimo, in an hour,-was't not?- Cry'd, oh! and mounted: found no opposition It is the woman's part: Be it lying, note it, All faults that may be nam'd, nay, that hell knows, They are not constant, but are changing still Not half so old as that. I'll write against them, [Exit. |