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.

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; outwent 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.

Iach. The roof o'the chamber

With golden cherubins is fretted: Her andirons (I had forgot them,) were two winking Cupids Of silver, each on one foot standing, nicely

Depending on their brands.

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
Which I left with her?

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,

She priz'd it once.

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 ;---
Render to me some corporal sign about her,
More evident than this; for this was stolen.
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

Divide themselves between you!

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

(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.

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;

And I will kill thee, if thou dost deny

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 :

Let's follow him, and pervert the present wrath

He hath against himself.

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
Must be half-workers? We are bastards all;
And that most venerable man, which I
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 nonpareil of this. - O vengeance, vengeance !
Me of my lawful pleasure she restrain'd,
And pray'd me, oft, forbearance: did it with
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?-
Or less, at first: Perchance he spoke not; but,
Like a full-acorn'd boar, a German one,
Cry'd, oh! and mounted: found no opposition
But what he look'd for should oppose, and she
Should from encounter guard. Could I find out
The woman's part in me! For there's no motion
That tends to vice in man, but I affirm
It is the woman's part: Be it lying, note it,
The woman's; flattering, hers; deceiving, hers;
Ambitions, covetings, change of prides, disdain,
Nice longings, slanders, mutability,

All faults that may be nam'd, nay, that hell knows,
Why, hers, in part, or all; but, rather, all :
For even to vice

They are not constant, but are changing still
One vice, but of a minute old, for one
Not half so old as that. I'll write against them,
Detest them, curse them:-Yet 'tis greater skill
In a true hate, to pray they have their will :
The very devils cannot plague them better.

[Exit.