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SCENE II.
Philario's House in Rome.Philario, Iachimo, and a Frenchman, at a Banquet.
Iach.
Believe it, Sir, I have seen him in Britain; and
he was then but crescent, not expected to prove so
worthy, as since he has been allowed the Name of.
But I could then have look'd on him, without the help
of Admiration, though the Catalogue of his Endowments
had been tabled by his Side, and I to peruse
him by Items.
Phil.
You speak of him when he was less furnish'd
than now he is.
French.
I have seen him in France; we had very many
there, could behold the Sun, with as firm Eyes as he.
Iach.
This matter of marrying his King's Daughter,
wherein he must be weighed rather by her Value, than his
own, words him, I doubt not, a great deal from the matter.
French.
And then his Banishment.
Iach.
Ay, and the Approbation of those, that weep this
lamentable Divorce under her Colours, are wonderfully
to extend him; be it but to fortify her Judgment, which
else an easy Battery might lay flat, for taking a Beggar
without more Quality. But how comes it, he is to
sojourn with you? how creeps Acquaintance?
Phil.
His Father and I were Soldiers together, to whom
I have been often bound for no less than my Life.
Here comes the Britain. Let him be so entertained amongst
you, as suits with Gentlemen of your knowing, to
a Stranger of his Quality. I beseech you all be better
known to this Gentleman, whom I commend to you, as a
noble Friend of mine. How worthy he is, I will leave to
appear hereafter, rather than story him in his own hearing.
French.
Sir, we have been known together in Orleans.
Post.
Since when I have been debtor to you for Courtesies,
which I will be ever to pay, and yet pay still.
French.
Sir, you o'er rate my poor Kindness; I was
glad I did atone my Countryman and you; it had been
pity you should have been put together, with so mortal
so slight and trivial a nature.
Post.
By your pardon, Sir, I was then a young Traveller;
but upon my mended Judgment, (if I offend not to say
it is mended,) my Quarrel was not altogether slight.
French.
Faith yes, to be put to the Arbitrement of
Swords.
Iach.
Can we with Manners, ask what was the Difference?
French.
Safely, I think, 'twas a Contention in publick,
which may, without Contradiction, suffer 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, Wise, Chaste, Constant, 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.
Post.
She holds her Virtue still, and I my Mind.
Iach.
You must not so far prefer her, 'fore ours of Italy.
Post.
Being so far provok'd as I was in France, I
would abate her nothing, tho' I profess myself 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 Britain; if she went before
others, I have seen, as that Diamond of yours out-lusters
many I have beheld. I could believe she excelled
many; but I have not seen the most precious
Diamond that is, nor you the Lady.
Post.
I prais'd her, as I rated her; so do I my Stone.
Iach.
What do you esteem it at?
Post.
More than the World enjoys.
Iach.
Either your paragon'd Mistress is dead, or she's
outpriz'd by a Trifle.
Post.
You are mistaken; the one may be sold or given,
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.
Which the Gods have given you?
Post.
Which by their Graces I will keep.
Iach.
You may wear her in Title yours; but, you
know, strange Fowl light upon neighbouring Ponds.
Your Ring may be stol'n too; so of your Brace of unpriseable
Estimations, the one is but frail and the other
casual. A cunning Thief, or a, that way, accomplished
Courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and last.
Post.
Your Italy contains none so accomplished 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.
Post.
Sir, with all my Heart. This worthy Signior,
I thank him, makes no Stranger of me, we are familiar
at first.
Iach.
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.
Post.
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.
Post.
You are a great deal abused in too bold a persuasion;
and I doubt not you'd sustain what you're
worthy of, by your Attempt.
Iach.
What's that?
Post.
A Repulse; though your Attempt, as you call
it deserves more; a Punishment too.
[Angrily.
Phil.
Gentlemen, enough of this, it came in too
suddenly, let it die as it was born, and I pray you be
better acquainted.
Iach.
Would I had put my Estate, and my Neighbour's,
on th'Approbation of what I have spoke.
Post.
What Lady would you choose to assail?
Yours; whom in constancy you think stands so
safe. I will lay you ten thousand Ducats to your Ring,
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 reserv'd.
Post.
I will wage against your Gold, Gold to it: My
Ring I hold dear as my Finger, 'tis part of it.
Iach.
You are afraid, and therein the wiser; if you
buy Ladies Flesh at a Million a Dram, you cannot preserve
it from tainting; but I see you have some Religion
in you, that you fear.
Post.
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 swear.
Post.
Will you? let there be Covenants drawn between
us. My Mistress exceeds in goodness, the hugeness
of your unworthy thinkings. 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 sufficient
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 free entertainment.
Post.
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 prevailed, I am no further your Enemy,
she is not worth our Debate. If she remain unseduc'd,
you not making it appear otherwise; for your ill Opinion,
and th'Assault you have made to her Chastity,
you shall answer me with your Sword.
Iach.
Your Hand, a Covenant; we will have these
things set down by lawful Counsel, and I'll straight away
for Britain, lest the Bargain should catch cold, and starve;
I will fetch my Gold, and have our two Wagers recorded.
Agreed.
[Exeunt Post. and Iach.
French.
Will this hold, think you?
Phil.
Signior Iachimo will not from it.
Pray let us follow 'em.
[Exeunt.
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