CYMBELINE. Уильям Шекспир

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      SCENE V.

       Enter Philario, Iachimo: a Frenchman, a Dutchman, and a

       Spaniard.

       Iach. Beleeue it Sir, I haue seene him in Britaine; hee was then of a Cressent note, expected to proue so woorthy, as since he hath beene allowed the name of. But I could then haue look’d on him, without the help of Admiration, though the Catalogue of his endowments had bin tabled by his side, and I to peruse him by Items

       Phil. You speake of him when he was lesse furnish’d, then now hee is, with that which makes him both without, and within

       French. I haue seene him in France: wee had very many there, could behold the Sunne, with as firme eyes as hee

       Iach. This matter of marrying his Kings Daughter, wherein he must be weighed rather by her valew, then his owne, words him (I doubt not) a great deale from the matter

       French. And then his banishment

       Iach. I, and the approbation of those that weepe this lamentable diuorce vnder her colours, are wonderfully to extend him, be it but to fortifie her iudgement, which else an easie battery might lay flat, for taking a Begger without lesse quality. But how comes it, he is to soiourne with you? How creepes acquaintance? Phil. His Father and I were Souldiers together, to whom I haue bin often bound for no lesse then my life. Enter Posthumus.

       Heere comes the Britaine. Let him be so entertained among’st you, as suites with Gentlemen of your knowing, to a Stranger of his quality. I beseech you all be better knowne to this Gentleman, whom I commend to you, as a Noble Friend of mine. How Worthy he is, I will leaue to appeare hereafter, rather then story him in his owne hearing

       French. Sir, we haue knowne togither in Orleance

       Post. Since when, I haue bin debtor to you for courtesies, which I will be euer to pay, and yet pay still

       French. Sir, you o’re-rate my poore kindnesse, I was glad I did attone my Countryman and you: it had beene pitty you should haue beene put together, with so mortall a purpose, as then each bore, vpon importance of so slight and triuiall a nature

       Post. By your pardon Sir, I was then a young Traueller, rather shun’d to go euen with what I heard, then in my euery action to be guided by others experiences: but vpon my mended iudgement (if I offend to say it is mended) my Quarrell was not altogether slight

       French. Faith yes, to be put to the arbiterment of Swords, and by such two, that would by all likelyhood haue confounded one the other, or haue falne both

       Iach. Can we with manners, aske what was the difference? French. Safely, I thinke, ‘twas a contention in publicke, which may (without contradiction) suffer the report. It was much like an argument that fell out last night, where each of vs fell in praise of our Country-Mistresses. This Gentleman, at that time vouching (and vpon warrant of bloody affirmation) his to be more Faire, Vertuous, Wise, Chaste, Constant, Qualified, and lesse attemptible then any, the rarest of our Ladies in Fraunce

       Iach. That Lady is not now liuing; or this Gentlemans opinion by this, worne out

       Post. She holds her Vertue still, and I my mind

       Iach. You must not so farre preferre her, ‘fore ours of

       Italy

       Posth. Being so farre prouok’d as I was in France: I would abate her nothing, though I professe my selfe her Adorer, not her Friend

       Iach. As faire, and as good: a kind of hand in hand comparison, had beene something too faire, and too good for any Lady in Britanie; if she went before others. I haue seene as that Diamond of yours out-lusters many I haue beheld, I could not beleeue she excelled many: but I haue not seene the most pretious 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 esteeme it at?

       Post. More then the world enioyes

       Iach. Either your vnparagon’d Mistris is dead, or

       she’s out-priz’d by a trifle

       Post. You are mistaken: the one may be solde or giuen, or if there were wealth enough for the purchases, or merite for the guift. The other is not a thing for sale, and onely the guift of the Gods

       Iach. Which the Gods haue giuen you?

       Post. Which by their Graces I will keepe

       Iach. You may weare her in title yours: but you know strange Fowle light vpon neighbouring Ponds. Your Ring may be stolne too, so your brace of vnprizeable Estimations, the one is but fraile, and the other Casuall; A cunning Thiefe, or a (that way) accomplish’d Courtier, would hazzard the winning both of first and last

       Post. Your Italy, containes none so accomplish’d a Courtier to conuince the Honour of my Mistris: if in the holding or losse of that, you terme her fraile, I do nothing doubt you haue store of Theeues, notwithstanding I feare not my Ring

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