Iach.

Believe it, sir, I have seen him in Britain: he was then of a crescent note; expected ^note to prove so worthy as since he hath been allowed the name of: but ^note I could then have looked 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.

Phi.

You speak of him when he was less furnished than now he is with that which makes him both without and within.

French.

I have seen him in ^note France: we had very many there could behold the sun with as firm eyes as he.

Iach.

This matter of marrying his king's ^note daughter, wherein he must be weighed rather by her value than his own, words ^note him, I doubt not, a great deal from the matter.

French.

And then his banishment. ^note

Iach.

Ay, and the approbation ^note of those that weep this lamentable divorce under her colours ^note are ^note wonderfully to ^note extend him; be it but to fortify her ^note judgement, which else an easy battery might lay flat, for taking a beggar without less ^note quality ^note. But how comes it he is to sojourn with you? how creeps ^note acquaintance?

Phi.

His father and I were soldiers together; to whom I have been often bound for no less than my life. Here comes the Briton ^note: let him ^note be so entertained amongst you as suits, with gentlemen of your knowing, to a stranger of his quality. Enter Posthumus. ^note 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 known ^note 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 ^note my countryman and you; it had been pity you should have been put together with so mortal a purpose as then each bore, upon importance of so slight and trivial a nature.

Post.

By your pardon, sir, I was then a young traveller; rather shunned ^note to go even with what I heard than in my every action to be guided by others' experiences: but upon my mended judgement—if I offend not ^note to say it is mended —my quarrel was not altogether slight.

French.

Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrement of swords, and by such two ^note that would, by all likelihood, have confounded one the other, or have fallen both.

Iach.

Can we with manners ask what was the difference?

French.

Safely, I think: 'twas a contention in public, which may without contradiction suffer the report. It was much like an argument that fell out last night, where each ^note of us fell in praise of our country mistresses ^note; this gentleman at that time vouching—and upon warrant of bloody affirmation —his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, constant-qualified ^note and less attemptable ^note 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 provoked as I was in France, I ^note would abate her nothing, though I profess myself her adorer, not her friend ^note.

Iach.

As fair and as good—a kind of hand-in-hand comparison — ^notehad been something too fair and too good for any lady in Britany ^note. If she went before others I ^note have seen, as that diamond of yours outlustres many I have beheld, I ^note could not but ^note believe ^note she excelled many: but I have not seen the most precious diamond that is, nor you the lady.

Post.

I praised 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 unparagoned mistress is dead, or she's outprized by a trifle.

Post.

You are mistaken: the one may be sold or given, if ^note there were wealth enough for the purchase ^note or merit for the gift: the other is not a thing for sale, and only the gift of the gods.

Iach.

Which the gods have given you? ^note

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 stolen too: so your ^note brace of unprizeable estimations, the one is but frail and the other casual; a cunning thief, or a that way ^note 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 ^note do nothing doubt you have store of thieves; notwithstanding, I fear not my ring.

Phi.

Let us leave here, gentlemen. ^note

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'ervalues it something: but I make my wager rather against your confidence than her reputation: and, to bar your offence herein too ^note, 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 ^note sustain what you're ^note worthy of by your attempt.

Iach.

What's that?

Post.

A repulse: though ^note your attempt, as you call it, deserve ^note more; a punishment too.

Phi.

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 ^note on the approbation of what I have spoke!

Post.

What lady would you choose to assail?

Iach.

Yours; whom ^note in constancy you think stands so safe. I will lay you ten thousand ^note 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 ^note

I will bring from thence that honour of hers which you imagine so reserved.

Post.

I will wage ^note against your gold, gold to it: my ring I hold dear as my finger; 'tis part of it.

Iach.

You are afraid ^note, and therein ^note the wiser. If you buy ladies' flesh at a million a dram, you cannot preserve ^note 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? I shall but lend my diamond till your return: let there be covenants drawn between 's ^note: my mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness of your unworthy ^notethinking ^note: I dare you to this match: here's my ring.

Phi.

I will have it no lay.

Iach.

By the gods, it is one. If I bring you no ^note sufficient testimony that I have enjoyed the dearest bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand ducats are yours ^note; 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 ^note entertainment.

Post.

I embrace these conditions; let us have articles betwixt us. Only, thus far you shall answer: if you make your voyage ^note 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 unseduced, you not making it appear otherwise, for your ill opinion and the 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 straight away for Britain, lest the bargain should catch cold and starve ^note: I will fetch my gold, and have our two wagers recorded.

Post. ^note

Agreed.

French.

Will this hold, think you? ^note

Phi.

Signior Iachimo will not from it. Pray, let us follow 'em. ^note