The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Israel Gollancz William Shakespeare [829]
With all the spots o' th' world tax'd and debauch'd,
Whose nature sickens but to speak a truth.
Am I or that or this for what he'll utter
That will speak anything?
KING.
She hath that ring of yours.
BERTRAM.
I think she has. Certain it is I lik'd her,
And boarded her i' th' wanton way of youth.
She knew her distance, and did angle for me,
Madding my eagerness with her restraint,
As all impediments in fancy's course
Are motives of more fancy; and, in fine,
Her infinite cunning with her modern grace
Subdu'd me to her rate. She got the ring;
And I had that which any inferior might
At market-price have bought.
DIANA.
I must be patient.
You that have turn'd off a first so noble wife
May justly diet me. I pray you yet-
Since you lack virtue, I will lose a husband-
Send for your ring, I will return it home,
And give me mine again.
BERTRAM.
I have it not.
KING.
What ring was yours, I pray you?
DIANA.
Sir, much like
The same upon your finger.
KING.
Know you this ring? This ring was his of late.
DIANA.
And this was it I gave him, being abed.
KING.
The story, then, goes false you threw it him
Out of a casement.
DIANA.
I have spoke the truth.
Enter PAROLLES
BERTRAM.
My lord, I do confess the ring was hers.
KING.
You boggle shrewdly; every feather starts you.
Is this the man you speak of?
DIANA.
Ay, my lord.
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?
PAROLLES.
So please your Majesty, my master hath been an honourable
gentleman; tricks he hath had in him, which gentlemen have.
KING.
Come, come, to th' purpose. Did he love this woman?
PAROLLES.
Faith, sir, he did love her; but how?
KING.
How, I pray you?
PAROLLES.
He did love her, sir, as a gentleman loves a woman.
KING.
How is that?
PAROLLES.
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!
PAROLLES.
I am a poor man, and at your Majesty's command.
LAFEU.
He's a good drum, my lord, but a naughty orator.
DIANA.
Do you know he promis'd me marriage?
PAROLLES.
Faith, I know more than I'll speak.
KING.
But wilt thou not speak all thou know'st?
PAROLLES.
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 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 promising
her marriage, and things which 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?
DIANA.
Ay, my good lord.
KING.
Where did you buy it? Or who gave it you?
DIANA.
It was not given me, nor I did not buy it.
KING.
Who lent it you?
DIANA.
It was not lent me neither.
KING.
Where did you find it then?
DIANA.
I found it not.
KING.
If it were yours by none of all these ways,
How could you give it him?
DIANA.
I never gave it him.
LAFEU.
This woman's an easy glove, my lord; she goes of and on at pleasure.
KING.
This ring was mine, I gave it his first wife.
DIANA.
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.
DIANA.
I'll never tell you.
KING.
Take her away.
DIANA.
I'll put in bail, my liege.
KING.
I think thee now some common customer.
DIANA.
By Jove, if ever I knew man, 'twas you.
KING.
Wherefore hast thou accus'd him all this while?
DIANA.
Because he's guilty, and he is not guilty.
He knows I am no maid, and he'll swear to't: