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Scene 2. Florence. A room in the Widow's house. Bertram and Diana enter.

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BERTRAM. I was told your name was Fontybell. DIANA. No, my lord. It's Diana.

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BERTRAM. A goddess's name — And you live up to it, and then some! But tell me, beautiful girl, Is there no room in that lovely body for love? If the fire of youth doesn't warm your heart, You're not a living woman but a statue. When you're dead, you'll look exactly as you do now — Cold and hard. Right now you ought to be What your mother was the night she conceived you.

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DIANA. She was honest then. BERTRAM. And so should you be. DIANA. No. My mother only did her duty — the same duty, my lord, That you owe to your wife.

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BERTRAM. Enough of that! Please, don't fight against what my heart is telling me. I was forced into that marriage — but I love you By the irresistible pull of real love, and I will always Give you every devotion you deserve.

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DIANA. Yes, that's how you men serve us — Right up until we serve you. Once you've had our roses, You barely leave us our thorns to hurt ourselves with, And then you laugh at us for being bare.

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BERTRAM. Haven't I sworn my love?

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DIANA. It's not the number of oaths that makes something true — It's the single honest vow, sincerely meant. We only swear by what is sacred, calling the highest witness: So tell me this — If I swore by Jupiter's great name that I loved you dearly, Would you believe me, knowing that I didn't love you at all? There's no logic in swearing by something you claim to love While planning to act against it. So your oaths Are just words, empty promises, unsealed — At least as far as I'm concerned.

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BERTRAM. Let go of that. Let it go. Don't be so piously cruel — love itself is sacred. My faithfulness has never known the scheming tricks You're accusing men of. Don't hold back anymore. Give yourself to my desperate longing — That's the only cure. Say you're mine, and this love That begins here will hold forever.

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DIANA. I see that men convince themselves, in moments like this, That we'll abandon all self-respect. Give me that ring.

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BERTRAM. I'll lend it to you, my dear — but I can't Give it away outright. DIANA. Won't you, my lord?

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BERTRAM. It's an honor belonging to our family, Handed down through generations of ancestors. For me to lose it would be the greatest disgrace In the world.

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DIANA. My honor is just such a ring. My chastity is the jewel of our family, Handed down through generations of ancestors. For me to lose it would be the greatest disgrace In the world. So your own argument Puts honor on my side Against your pointless attack.

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BERTRAM. Here — take my ring. My family, my honor, yes, my very life are yours, And I'll do whatever you say.

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DIANA. When midnight comes, knock at my chamber window. I'll make sure my mother doesn't hear. Now I bind you on your word of honor: When you have come to my bed — Stay only an hour, and speak nothing to me. My reasons are serious, and you will understand them When this ring is returned to you. On your finger, in the dark, I will place Another ring, so that what happens between us Can be witnessed to the future. Goodbye until then — don't fail me. You have won A wife in me, though that's where my hope ends.

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BERTRAM. I've won heaven on earth by winning you. He exits.

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DIANA. And may you live long enough to thank heaven and me for it! You may, in the end. My mother told me exactly how he would court me — As if she could read his heart. She says all men Swear the same oaths. He swore he'd marry me When his wife is dead — so I'll sleep with him When I'm buried. Since Frenchmen are so crooked, Let whoever wants to marry. I'll live and die a virgin. But in this scheme, I think it's no sin To trick a man who's trying to take what isn't his. She exits.