Comedy plays; Florence (Italy) -- Drama; Married women -- Drama; Runaway husbands -- Drama
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.
LAFEW.
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 ought 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 Lafew._]
KING.
She does abuse our ears; to prison with her.
DIANA.
Good mother, fetch my bail. Stay, royal sir;
[_Exit Widow._]
The jeweller that owes the ring is sent for,
And he shall surety me. But for this lord
Who hath abus’d me as he knows himself,
Though yet he never harm’d me, here I quit him.
He knows himself my bed he hath defil’d;
And at that time he got his wife with child.
Dead though she be, she feels her young one kick;
So there’s my riddle: one that’s dead is quick,
And now behold the meaning.
Enter Widow with Helena.
KING.
Is there no exorcist
Beguiles the truer office of mine eyes?
Is’t real that I see?
HELENA.
No, my good lord;
’Tis but the shadow of a wife you see,
The name, and not the thing.
BERTRAM.
Both, both. O, pardon!
HELENA.
O, my good lord, when I was like this maid;
I found you wondrous kind. There is your ring,
And, look you, here’s your letter. This it says,
‘When from my finger you can get this ring,
And is by me with child, &c.’ This is done;
Will you be mine now you are doubly won?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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