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Lewis Theobald [1733], The works of Shakespeare: in seven volumes. Collated with the Oldest Copies, and Corrected; With notes, Explanatory and Critical; By Mr. Theobald (Printed for A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch [and] J. Tonson [etc.], London) [word count] [S11201].
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Scene 2 SCENE changes to the Widow's House. Enter Bertram, and Diana.

Ber.
They told me, that your name was Fontibell.

Dia.
No, my good Lord, Diana.

Ber.
Titled Goddess,
And worth it with addition! but, fair soul,
In your fine frame hath love no quality?
If the quick fire of youth light not your mind,
You are no Maiden, but a Monument:
When you are dead, you should be such a one

-- 424 --


As you are now, for you are cold and stern;
And now you should be as your Mother was,
When your sweet self was got.

Dia.
She then was honest.

Ber.
So should you be.

Dia.
No.
My Mother did but duty; such, my Lord,
As you owe to your Wife.

Ber.
No more o' that!
I pr'ythee, do not strive against my vows:
I was compell'd to her, but I love thee
By love's own sweet constraint, and will for ever
Do thee all rights of service.

Dia.
Ay, so you serve us,
'Till we serve you: but when you have our roses,
You barely leave our thorns to prick our selves,
And mock us with our bareness.

Ber.
How have I sworn!

Dia.
'Tis not the many oaths, that make the truth;
But the plain single vow, that is vow'd true;
What is not holy, that we swear not by,
But take the High'st to witness: then, pray tell me,
If I should swear by Jove's great Attributes
I lov'd you dearly, would you believe my oaths,
When I did love you ill? this has no holding,
To swear by him whom I protest to love,
That I will work against him. Therefore your oaths
Are words, and poor conditions but unseal'd;
At least, in my opinion.

Ber.
Change it, change it:
Be not so holy-cruel. Love is holy,
And my integrity ne'er knew the crafts,
That you do charge men with: stand no more off,
But give thy self unto my sick desires,
Which then recover. Say, thou art mine; and ever
My love, as it begins, shall so persever.

Dia.
I see, that men make hopes in such affairs
That we'll forsake our selves. Give me that ring.

Ber.
I'll lend it thee, my Dear, but have no power
To give it from me.

-- 425 --

Dia.
Will you not, my Lord?

Ber.
It is an Honour 'longing to our House,
Bequeathed down from many Ancestors;
Which were the greatest obloquy i' th' world
In me to lose.

Dia.
Mine Honour's such a ring;
My chastity's the jewel of our House,
Bequeathed down from many Ancestors;
Which were the greatest obloquy i'th' world
In me to lose. Thus your own proper wisdom
Brings in the champion Honour on my part,
Against your vain assault.

Ber.
Here, take my ring.
My House, my Honour, yea, my life be thine,
And I'll be bid by thee.

Dia.
When midnight comes, knock at my chamber window;
I'll order take, my Mother shall not hear.
Now will I charge you in the band of truth,
When you have conquer'd my yet maiden bed,
Remain there but an hour, nor speak to me:
My reasons are most strong, and you shall know them,
When back again this ring shall be deliver'd;
And on your finger, in the night, I'll put
Another ring, that, what in time proceeds,
May token to the future our past deeds.
Adieu, 'till then; then, fail not: you have won
A Wife of me, tho' there my hope be done.

Ber.
A heav'n on earth I've won by wooing thee.
[Exit.

Dia.
For which live long to thank both heav'n and me.
You may so in the end.—
My Mother told me just how he would woo,
As if she sate in's heart; she says, all men
Have the like oaths: he had sworn to marry me,
When his Wife's dead: therefore I'll lye with him,
When I am buried. (32) note



Since Frenchmen are so braid,
Marry 'em that will, I'd live and die a maid;

-- 426 --


Only, in this disguise, I think't no sin
To cozen him, that would unjustly win. [Exit.
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Lewis Theobald [1733], The works of Shakespeare: in seven volumes. Collated with the Oldest Copies, and Corrected; With notes, Explanatory and Critical; By Mr. Theobald (Printed for A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch [and] J. Tonson [etc.], London) [word count] [S11201].
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