William Shakespeare: All's Well That Ends Well

ACT V. SCENE 3. The same. A room in the COUNTESS'S palace. (continued)

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.