Page 457 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

POSTHUMUS

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

IACHIMO
You are a friend, and therein the wiser. If you buy ladies’ flesh at a million a
dram, you cannot preserve it from tainting; [130] but I see you have some

religion in you, that you fear.

POSTHUMUS
This is but a custom in your tongue: you bear a graver purpose I hope.

IACHIMO
I am the master of my speeches, and would undergo [135] what’s spoken, I
swear.

POSTHUMUS
Will you? I shall but lend my diamond till your return: let there be covenants
drawn between’s. My mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness of your

unworthy thinking. I dare you to this match: here’s my ring. [140]

PHILARIO
I will have it no lay.

IACHIMO
By the gods, it is one. If I bring you no sufficient testimony that I have
enjoy’d the dearest bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand ducats are

yours, so is your [145] diamond too: if I come off, and leave her in such
honour as you have trust in, she your jewel, this your jewel, and my gold are
yours: provided I have your commendation for my more free entertainment.

POSTHUMUS
I embrace these conditions, let us have articles [150] 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 unseduc’d, you not making it appear [155]
otherwise, for your ill opinion, and th’ assault you have made to her chastity,