Imo. Those things I bid you do, get them despatch'd.—

I will attend the queen.

Pif.

Madam, I fhall.

[Exeunt.

SCENE V.

Rome. An Apartment in Philario's House.

Enter PHILARIO, FACHIMO, a Frenchman, a Dutchman, and a Spaniard.

lach. Believe it, fir: I have feen him in Britain: he was then of a crefcent note; expected to prove fo worthy, as fince he hath been allowed the name of: but I could then have look'd on him without the help of admiration ; though the catalogue of his endowments had been tabled by his fide, and I to peruse him by items.

Phi. You fpeak of him when he was lefs furnish'd, than now he is, with that which makes him both without and within.

French. I have feen him in France: we had very many there, could behold the fun with as firm eyes as he.

Iach. This matter of marrying his king's daughter, (wherein he must be weigh'd rather by her value, than his own,) words him,I doubt not, great deal from the matter. French. And then his banifhment :

Iach. Ay, and the approbation of thofe, that weep this lamentable divorce, under her colours, are wonderfully to extend him; be it but to fortify her judgment, which elfe an eafy battery might lay flat, for taking a beggar without more quality. But how comes it, he is to fojourn with you? How creeps acquaintance?

Phi. His father and I were foldiers together; to whom I have been often bound for no less than my life :——

3

Enter

Enter POSTHUMUS.

Here comes the Briton: Let him be so entertained amongst you, as fuits, with gentlemen of your knowing, to a ftranger of his quality.-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 together in Orleans. Poft. Since when I have been debtor to you for courtefies, which I will be ever to pay, and yet pay ftill.

French. Sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindness: I was glad I did atone my countryman and you; it had been pity, you should have been put together with fo mortal a purpose, as then each bore, upon importance of so flight and trivial a nature.

Poft. By your pardon, fir, I was then a young traveller; rather fhunn'd 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 to say it is mended,) my quarrel was not altogether flight.

French. Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrement of fwords; and by fuch two, 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 publick, which may, without contradiction, fuffer the report. It was much like an argument that fell out last night, where each of us fell in praise of our country miftreffes: This gentleman at that time vouching, (and upon warrant of bloody affirmation,) his to be more fair, virtuous, wife, chaste, conftant-qualified, and lefs attemptible, than any the rareft of our ladies in France.

lach.

Iach. That lady is not now living; or this gentleman's opinion, by this, worn out.

Poft. She holds her virtue ftill, and I my mind.

Iach. You must not so far prefer her 'fore ours of Italy. Poft. Being fo far provoked as I was in France, I would abate her nothing; though I profefs myfelf her adorer, not her friend.

Iach. As fair, and as good, (a kind of hand-in-hand comparison,) had been fomething too fair, and too good, for any lady in Britany. If the went before others I have seen, as that diamond of yours outluftres many I have beheld, I could not but believe the excell'd many: but I have not seen the most precious diamond that is, nor you the lady.

Poft. I prais'd her, as I rated her: fo do I my stone. Iach. What do you efteem it at?

Poft. More than the world enjoys.

Iach. Either your unparagon'd mistress is dead, or she's outprized by a trifle.

Poft. You are mistaken: the one may be fold, or given; if there were wealth enough for the purchase, 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?

Poft. Which, by their graces, I will keep.

may

Iach. You may wear her in title yours: but, you know, ftrange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. Your ring y be stolen too: fo, of your brace of unprizeable estimations, the one is but frail, and the other cafual; a cunning thief, or a that-way-accomplish'd courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and last.

Poft. Your Italy contains none fo accomplish'd a courtier, to convince the honour of my mistress; if, in the holding or lofs of that, you term her frail. I do nothing

doubt,

doubt, you have store of thieves; notwithstanding, I fear not my ring.

Phi. Let us leave here, gentlemen.

Poft. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy fignior, I thank him, makes no stranger of me; we are familiar at first.

Iach. With five times fo 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.

Poft. No, no.

Iach. I dare, thereupon, pawn the moiety of my estate to your ring; which, in my opinion, o'ervalues it fomething: But I make my wager rather against your confidence, than her reputation: and, to bar your offence herein too, I durft attempt it against any lady in the world.

Poft. You are a great deal abused in too bold a perfuafion; and I doubt not you fuftain what you're worthy of, by your attempt.

Iach. What's that?

Poft. A repulfe: Though your attempt, as you call it, deserve more; a punishment too.

Phi. Gentlemen, enough of this: it came in too fuddenly; let it die as it was born, and, I pray you, be better acquainted.

Iach. 'Would I had put my eftate, and my neighbour's on the approbation of what I have spoke.

Poft. What lady would you choose to affail?

Iach. Yours; whom in constancy, you think, ftands fo fafe. I will lay you ten thousand 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 I will bring from thence that honour of hers, which you imagine fo referved.

Poft.

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

Iach. You are a friend, and therein the wifer. If you buy ladies' flesh at a million a dram, you cannot preserve it from tainting: But, I fee, you have fome religion in you, that you fear.

Poft. 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 fpoken, I fwear.

Poft. Will you?-I shall but lend my diamond till your return :-Let there be covenants drawn between us: My mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness of your unworthy thinking: 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 fufficient teftimony that I have enjoy'd the dearest bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand ducats are yours; fo is your diamond too. If I come off, and leave her in fuch honour as you have trust in, fhe your jewel, this your jewel, and my gold are yours :—provided, I have your commendation, for my more free entertainment.

Paft. I embrace these conditions; let us have articles betwixt us :-only, thus far you shall answer. If you make your voyage upon her, and give me directly to understand you have prevail'd, I am no further your enemy, she is not worth our debate: if she remain unseduced, (you not making it appear otherwife,) for your ill opinion, and the affault you have made to her chastity, you shall answer me with your sword.

Iach. Your hand; a covenant: We will have these things fet down by lawful counsel, and straight away for Britain; left the bargain fhould catch cold, and starve: I will fetch my gold, and have our two wagers recorded.

Poft.