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 honourable gentleman: tricks he hath had in him, which gentlemen have. King. Come, come, to the purpose: 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 loved her, sir, and loved 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 majesty's command. Laf. He's a good drum, my lord, but a naughty orator. Dia. Do you know he promised me marriage? Par. 'Faith, I know more than I'll speak. King. But wilt thou not speak all thou knowest? Par. Yes, so please your majesty: I did go between them, as I said; but more than that, he loved her, for indeed he was mad for her, and talked 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 promising her marriage, and things that would derive me ill-will to speak of; therefore I will not speak what I know. King. Thou hast spoken all already, unless thou canst say they are married. But thou art too fine in thy evidence; therefore stand aside.— This ring, you say, was yours? Dia. Ay, my good lord. King. If it were yours by none of all these ways, How could you give it him? Dia. I never gave it him. Laf. This woman's an easy glove, my lord; she goes off and on at pleasure. King. This ring was mine; I gave it his first wife. Dia. It might be yours or hers, for aught I know. King. Take her away, I do not like her now; To prison with her: and away with him.Unless thou tell'st me where thou hadst this ring, Thou diest within this hour. I'll never tell you. Dia. I'll put in bail, my liege. King. I think thee now some common customer. Dia. By Jove, if ever I knew man, 't was you. King. Wherefore hast thou accused him all this while? Dia. Because he's guilty, and he is not guilty: He knows I am no maid, and he'll swear to't: I'll swear I am a maid, and he knows not. Great King, I am no strumpet, by my life; I am either maid, or else this old man's wife. [Pointing to LaFeu King. She does abuse our ears; to prison with her. Dia. Good mother, fetch my bail.-Stay, royal The jeweller that owes the ring is sent for, Re-enter Widow, with HELENA, Hel. No, my good lord: 'Tis but the shadow of a wife you see; The name, and not the thing. Ber. Both, both, O pardon! Hel. O, my good lord, when I was like this maid, I found you wondrous kind. There is your ring, And look you, here's your letter: this it says: "When from my finger you can get this ring, And are by me with child," &c.-This is done : Will you be mine, now you are doubly won? Ber. If she, 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 step between me and you!O, my dear mother, do I see you living? Laf. Mine eyes smell onions, I shall weep anon:-Good Tom Drum [to PAROLLES], lend me a handkerchief: so I thank thee; wait on me home, I'll make sport with thee. Let thy courtesies alone, they are scurvy ones. King. Let us from point to point this story know, To make the even truth in pleasure flow.- [TO DIANA. Choose thou thy husband, and I'll pay thy dower; For I can guess that, by thy honest aid, Advancing. The King's a beggar, now the play is done: All is well ended, if the suit be won, That you express content: which we will pay With strife to please you, day exceeding day. Ours be your patience, then, and yours our parts: Your gentle hands lend us, and take our hearts. [Exeunt. |