_Dia._ I did, my lord, but loath am to produce So bad an instrument: his name's Parolles. 200 _Laf._ I saw the man to-day, if man he be. _King._ Find him, and bring him hither. [_Exit an Attendant._ _Ber._ What of him? He's quoted for a most perfidious slave, With all the spots o' the world tax'd and debosh'd; Whose nature sickens but to speak a truth. 205 Am I or that or this for what he'll utter, That will speak any thing? _King._ She hath that ring of yours. _Ber._ I think she has: certain it is I liked her, And boarded her i' the wanton way of youth: She knew her distance, and did angle for me, 210 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, Subdued me to her rate: she got the ring; 215 And I had that which any inferior might At market-price have bought. _Dia._ 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, 220 Send for your ring, I will return it home, And give me mine again. _Ber._ I have it not. _King._ What ring was yours, I pray you? _Dia._ Sir, much like The same upon your finger. _King._ Know you this ring? this ring was his of late. 225 _Dia._ And this was it I gave him, being a-bed. _King._ The story then goes false, you threw it him Out of a casement. _Dia._ I have spoke the truth. _Enter_ PAROLLES. _Ber._ My lord, I do confess the ring was hers. _King._ You boggle shrewdly, every feather starts you. 230 Is this the man you speak of? _Dia._ 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? 235 _Par._ 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? 240 _Par._ Faith, sir, he did love her; but how? _King._ How, I pray you? _Par._ He did love her, sir, as a gentleman loves a woman. _King._ How is that? _Par._ He loved her, sir, and loved her not. 245 _King._ As thou art a knave, and no knave. What an equivocal companion is this!