en an engagement was
contracted, the ring was taken apart, each spouse taking a division,
and the third one being presented to the principal witness of the
contract.[712] Hence such a ring was known as a "Sponsalium Annulis," to
which Herrick thus refers:

"Thou sent'st me a true-love knot, but I
Returned a ring of jimmals, to imply
Thy love hath one knot, mine a triple tye."

[712] See Nares's "Glossary," vol. ii. p. 363; "Archaeologia,"
vol. xiv. p. 7; Jones's "Finger Ring Lore," 1877, pp. 313-318.

The term is used by the Duke of Anjou, in "1 Henry VI." (i. 2):

"I think, by some odd gimmors or device,
Their arms are set like clocks, still to strike on;
Else ne'er could they hold out so as they do."

Again, in "Henry V." (iv. 2), Grandpre tells how,

"in their pale dull mouths the gimmal bit
Lies foul with chew'd grass, still and motionless."

Most readers of the "Merchant of Venice" remember the mirthful use which
Shakespeare makes of lovers' rings. Portia says (iii. 2), when giving
her wealth and self to Bassanio:

"I give them with this ring;
Which when you part from, lose, or give away,
Let it presage the ruin of your love."

The last act, too, gives several particulars about lovers' rings, which,
in Elizabethan England,[713] often had posies engraved on them, and were
worn by men on the left hand. Gratiano, for example, says:

"About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring
That she did give me; whose posy was
For all the world like cutlers' poetry
Upon a knife, 'Love me and leave me not.'"

[713] See Jeaffreson's "Brides and Bridals," 1873, vol. i. pp.
77, 78.

Again Bassanio exclaims:

"Why, I were best to cut my left hand off,
And swear I lost the ring defending it."

In "Taming of the Shrew" Shakespeare gives numerous allusions to the
customs of his day connected with courtship and marriage. Indeed, in the
second act (sc. 2) we have a perfect betrothal scene:

"_Petruchio._ Give me thy hand, Kate: I will unto Venice,
To buy apparel 'gainst the wedding-day.--
Provide the feast, father, and bid the guests;
I will be sure my Katharine shall be fine.

_Baptista._ I know not what to say: but give me your hands;
God send you joy, Petruchio! 'tis a match.

_Gremio. Tranio._ Amen, say we; we will be witnesses.

_Petruchio._ Father, and wife, and gentlemen, adieu;
I