He gave it to a commoner o' th' camp, Count. He blufhes, and 'tis his : That ring's a thousand proofs. King. Methought you faid This is his wife, You faw one here in Court could witness it. He's quoted for a moft perfidious flave, King. She hath that ring of yours. Ber. I think the has; certain it is I lik'd her, Dia. I much be patient! You that turn'd off a firft fo noble wife, (Since you lack virtue, I will lofe a husband,) And give me mine again. Ber. I have it not. King. What ring was yours, I pray you? Dia. Much like that fame upon your finger, Sir. Dia. And this was it I gave him, being a-bed. King. The ftory then goes falfe, you threw it him Out of a cafement. Dia. I have spoke the truth. SCENE VI. Enter Parolles. 'Ber. My Lord, I do confefs the ring was hers. Dia. It is, my Lord. King. Tell me, but tell me true, firrah, I charge you, Not fearing the displeasure of your mafter, Which on your juft proceeding I'll keep off; By him, and by this woman here, what know you? Par. So please your Majefty, my mafter hath been an honourable gentleman. Tricks he hath had in him, which gentlemen have. King. Come, come, to the purpofe; 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 lov'd her, Sir, and lov'd her not. King. As thou art a knave, and no knave; what an equivocal companion is this? Par. I am a poor man, and at your Majefty's command. Laf. He's a good drum, my Lord, but a naughty orator, Dia. Do you know he promis'd me marriage? Par. 'Faith, I know more than I'll speak. King. But wilt thou not speak all thou know'ft? Par. Yes, fo please your Majefty. I did go between them, as I faid; but more than that, he lov'd her for indeed he was mad for her, and talk'd 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 promifing her marriage, and things that would derive me ill-will to fpeak of; therefore I will not speak what I know. King. Thou haft fpoken all already, unless thou canft fay they they are married; but thou art too fine in thy evidence therefore ftand afide. This ring, you fay, was yours? Dia. Ay, my good Lord. King. Where did you buy it? or who gave it you? Dia. It was not lent me neither, King. Where did you find it then? Dia. I found it not. King. If it were yours by none of all these ways, How could you give it him? Dia. I never gave it him. 3 Laf. This woman's an eafie glove, my Lord, she goes off and on at pleafure. King. This ring was mine, I gave it his first wife. Unless thou tell'ft me where thou hadft this ring, Dia. I'll never tell you. King. Take her away. Dia. I'll put in bail, my Liege. King, I think thee now fome common cuftomer? He knows I am no maid, and he'll fwear to't ; [Pointing to Lafeu, Stay, royal Sir, The jeweller that owes the ring is fent for, [To Bert. He knows himself my bed he hath defil'd, Enter Helena and Widow. King. Is there no exorcist Beguiles the truer office of mine eyes? Hel. No, my good Lord, 'Tis but the fhadow of a wife you fee, The name, and not the thing. Ber. Both, both; oh, pardon! Hel. Oh, my good Lord, when I was like this maid And are by me with child, &c. This now is done. Ber. If fhe, 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 ftep between me and you ! O, my dear mother, do I fee you living? [To the Countess. Laf. Mine eyes fmell onions, I fhall weep anon: Now, good Tom Drum, lend me a handkerchief, [To Parolles. So, 'thank thee, wait on me home. I'll make fport with thee: Let thy courtefies alone, they are fcurvy ones. King. Let us from point to point this story know, Chufe thou thy hufband, and I'll pay thy dower; Thou kept'ft a wife her felf, thy felf a maid. [To Diana. [Exeunt, EPILOGUE. T Spoken by the KING. HE King's a beggar, now the play be done : |