The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. William Shakespeare

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’ the 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 a-bed.

       KING.

       The story, then, goes false you threw it him

       Out of a casement.

       DIANA.

       I have spoke the truth.

       BERTRAM.

       My lord, I do confess the ring was hers.

       KING.

       You boggle shrewdly; every feather starts you.—

       [Re-enter Attendant, with PAROLLES.]

       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 the 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 loved her, sir, and loved 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 promised 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 talked 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 off 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:

       I’ll swear I am a maid, and he knows not.

       Great King, I am no strumpet, by my life;

       I am either maid, or else this old man’s wife.

       [Pointing to LAFEU.]

       KING.

       She does abuse our ears; to prison with her.

       DIANA.

       Good mother, fetch my bail.—Stay, royal sir;

       [Exit WIDOW.]