2783That she may quickly come. By my old beard,

2784And eu'rie haire that's on't, Helenthat's dead

2785Was a sweet creature: such a ring as this,

2786The last that ere I tooke her leaue at Court,

2787I saw vpon her finger.

2788Ber Hers it was not.

2789King Now pray you let me see it. For mine eye,

2790While I was speaking, oft was fasten'd too't:

2791This Ring was mine, and when I gaue it Hellen

2792I bad her if her fortunes euer stoode

2793Necessitied to helpe, that by this token

2794I would releeue her. Had you that craft to reaue her

2795Of what should stead her most?

2796Ber My gracious Soueraigne,

2797How ere it pleases you to take it so,

2798The ring was neuer hers.

2799OldLa Sonne, on my life

2800I haue seene her weare it, and she reckon'd it

2801At her liues rate.

2802Laf I am sure I saw her weare it.

2803Ber You are deceiu'd my Lord, she neuer saw it:

2804In Florence was it from a casement throwne mee,

2805Wrap'd in a paper, which contain'd the name

2806Of her that threw it: Noble she was, and thought

2807I stood ingag'd, but when I had subscrib'd

2808To mine owne fortune, and inform'd her fully,

2809I could not answer in that course of Honour

2810As she had made the ouerture, she ceast

2811In heauie satisfaction, and would neuer

2812Receiue the Ring againe.

2813Kin Platus himselfe,

2814That knowes the tinct and multiplying med'cine,

2815Hath not in natures mysterie more science,

2816Then I haue in this Ring. 'Twas mine, 'twas Helens

2817Who euer gaue it you: then if you know

2818That you are well acquainted with your selfe,

2819Confesse 'twas hers, and by what rough enforcement

2820You got it from her. She call'd the Saints to suretie,

2821That she would neuer put it from her finger,

2822Vnlesse she gaue it to your selfe in bed,

2823Where you haue neuer come: or sent it vs

2824Vpon her great disaster.

2825Ber She neuer saw it.

2826Kin Thou speak'st it falsely: as I loue mine Honor,

2827And mak'st connecturall feares to come into me,

2828Which I would faine shut out, if it should proue

2829That thou art so inhumane, 'twill not proue so:

2830And yet I know not, thou didst hate her deadly,

2831And she is dead, which nothing but to close

2832Her eyes my selfe, could win me to beleeue,

2833More then to see this Ring. Take him away,

2834My fore-past proofes, how ere the matter fall

2835Shall taze my feares of little vanitie,

2836Hauing vainly fear'd too little. Away with him,

2837Wee'l sift this matter further.

2838Ber If you shall proue

2839This Ring was euer hers, you shall as easie

2840Proue that I husbanded her bed in Florence,

2841Where yet she neuer was.

2843King I am wrap'd in dismall thinkings.

2844Gen Gracious Soueraigne.

2845Whether I haue beene too blame or no, I know not,

2846Here's a petition from a Florentine,

2847Who hath for foure or fiue remoues come short,

2848To tender it her selfe. I vndertooke it,

2849Vanquish'd thereto by the faire grace and speech

2850Of the poore suppliant, who by this I know

2851Is heere attending: her businesse lookes in her

2852With an importing visage, and she told me

2853In a sweet verball breefe, it did concerne

2854Your Highnesse with her selfe.

2864Laf I will buy me a sonne in Law in a faire, and toule

2865for this. Ile none of him.

2866Kin The heauens haue thought well on thee Lafew

2867To bring forth this discou'rie, seeke these sutors:

2868Go speedily, and bring againe the Count.

2870I am a-feard the life of Hellen(Ladie)

2871Was fowly snatcht.

2872OldLa Now iustice on the doers.

2873King I wonder sir, sir, wiues are monsters to you,

2874And that you flye them as you sweare them Lordship,

2875Yet you desire to marry. What woman's that?

2877Dia I am my Lord a wretched Florentine,

2878Deriued from the ancient Capilet,

2879My suite as I do vnderstand you know,

2880And therefore know how farre I may be pittied.

2881Wid I am her Mother sir, whose age and honour

2882Both suffer vnder this complaint we bring,

2883And both shall cease, without your remedie.

2884King Come hether Count, do you know these Wo-

2885men?

2886Ber My Lord, I neither can nor will denie,

2887But that I know them, do they charge me further?

2888Dia Why do you looke so strange vpon your wife?

2889Ber She's none of mine my Lord.

2890Dia If you shall marrie

2891You giue away this hand, and that is mine,

2892You giue away heauens vowes, and those are mine:

2893You giue away my selfe, which is knowne mine:

2894For I by vow am so embodied yours,

2895That she which marries you, must marrie me,

2896Either both or none.

2897Laf Your reputation comes too short for my daugh-

2898ter, you are no husband for her.

2899Ber My Lord, this is a fond and desp'rate creature,

2900Whom sometime I haue laugh'd with: Let your highnes

2901Lay a more noble thought vpon mine honour,

2902Then for to thinke that I would sinke it heere.

2903Kin Sir for my thoughts, you haue them il to friend,

2904Till your deeds gaine them fairer: proue your honor,

2905Then in my thought it lies.

2906Dian Good my Lord,

2907Aske him vpon his oath, if hee do's thinke

2908He had not my virginity.

2909Kin What saist thou to her?

2910Ber She's impudent my Lord,

2911And was a common gamester to the Campe.

2912Dia He do's me wrong my Lord: If I were so,

2913He might haue bought me at a common price.