be better known to this gentleman; whom I com- Post. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy signior, mend to you, as a noble friend of mine: How wor- I thank him, makes no stranger of me; we are famithy he is, I will leave to appear hereafter, rather | liar at first. than story him in his own hearing. French. Sir, we have known together in Orleans. Post. Since when I have been debtor to you for courtesies, which I will be ever to pay, and yet pay still. French. Sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindness: I was glad I did atone my countryman and you; it had been pity, you should have been put together with so mortal a purpose, as then each bore, upon importance of so slight and trivial a nature. Iach. With five times so much conversation, 1 should get ground of your fair mistress: make her go back, even to the yielding; had I admittance and | opportunity to friend. Post. No, no. Iach. I dare, thereupon, pawn the moiety of my estate to your ring; which, in my opinion, o'er-values it something: but I make my wager rather against your confidence, than her reputation: and to bar your offence herein too, I durst attempt if against any lady in the world. Post. By your pardon, sir, I was then a young traveller: rather shurned to go even with what I heard, than in my every action to be guided by others' experiences: but, upon my mended judgment, (if I offend not to say it is mended,) my quarrel was not altoge-worthy of, by your attempt. ther slight. Post. You are a great deal abused in too bold a persuasion; and I doubt not you sustain what you're French. 'Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrement of swords; and by such two, that would, by all likelihood, have confounded one the other, or have fallen both. Iach. Can we, with manners, ask what was the difference? | French. Safely, I think : 'twas a contention in pub- | lic, which may, without contradiction, suffer the report. It was much like an argument that fell out last night, where each of us fell in praise of our country mistresses: This gentleman at that time vouching, (and upon warrant of bloody affirmation,) his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, constant-qualified, and less attemptible, than any the rarest of our ladies in France. Iach. That lady is not now living; or this gentleman's opinion, by this, worn out. Post. She holds her virtue still, and I my mind. lach. You must not so far prefer her 'fore ours of Italy. Post. Being so far provoked as I was in France, I would abate her nothing; though I profess myself her adorer, not her friend. lach. As fair, and as good, (a kind of hand-inhand comparison,) had been something too fair, and too good, for any lady in Britany. If she went before others I have seen, as that diamond of yours outlustres many I have beheld, I could not but believe she excelled many but I have not seen the most precious diamond that is, nor you the lady. Post. I praised her as I rated her : so do I my stone. Iach. What do you esteem it at? Post. More than the world enjoys. lach. Either your unparagoned mistress is dead, or she's outprized by a trifle. Pust. You are mistaken: the one may be sold, or given; if there were wealth enough for the purchase, or merit for the gift : the other is not a thing for sale, and only the gift of the gods. lach. What's that? Post. A repulse: Though your attempt, as you call it, deserve more; a punishment too. Phi. Gentlemen, enough of this: it came in too suddenly; let it die as it was born, and, I pray you, be better acquainted. Iach. ’Would I had put my estate, and my neigh bour's, on the approbation of what I have spoke. Post. What lady would you choose to assail? Iach. Yours; whom in constancy, you think, stands so safe. I will lay you ten thousand ducats to your ring, that, commend me to the court where your lady is, with no more advantage than the opportunity of a second conference, and I will bring from thence that honour of hers, which you imagine so reserved. Post. I will wage against your gold, gold to it: my ring I hold dear as my finger; 'tis part of it. lach. You are a friend, and therein the wiser. If you buy ladies' flesh at a million a dram, you cannot preserve it from tainting: But, I see you have some religion in you, that you fear. Post. This is but a custom in your tongue; you bear a graver purpose, I hope. lach. I am the master of my speeches; and would undergo what's spoken, I swear. Post. Will you? — I shall but lend my diamond till your return :-Let there be covenants drawn between us: My mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness of your unworthy thinking: I dare you to this match : here's my ring. Phi. I will have it no lay. Iach. By the gods it is one: - If I bring you no sufficient testimony that I have enjoyed the dearest bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand ducats are yours; so is your 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. Jach. Which the gods have given you? Post. I enbrace these conditions; let us have arPost. Which, by their graces, I will keep. ticles betwixt us:-only, thus far you shall answer. Iach. You may wear her in title yours : but, you If you make your voyage upon her, and give me diknow, strange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. rectly to understand you have prevail'd, I am no furYour ring may be stolen too: so, of your brace of ther your enemy, she is not worth our debate: if she unprizeable estimations, the one is but frail, and the remain unseduced, (you not making it appear otherother casual; a cunning thief, or a that-way-accom-wise,) for your ill opinion, and the assault you have plished courtier, would hazard the winning both of made to her chastity, you shall answer me with your first and last. Post. Your Italy contains none so accomplished a courtier, to convince the honour of my mistress; if, in the holding or loss of that, you term her frail. I do nothing doubt, you have store of thieves ; notwithstanding I fear not my ring. Phi. Let us leave here, gentlemen. | sword. Iach. Your hand; a covenant: We will have these things set down by lawful counsel, and straight away for Britain; lest the bargain should catch cold, and starve : I will fetch my gold, and have our two wagers recorded. Post. Agreed. [Exeunt POSTHUMUS and Iachimo. Make haste: Who has the note of them? Queen. I do wonder, doctor, Thou ask'st me such a question: Have I not been Thy pupil long? Hast thou not learn'd me how To make perfumes? distil? preserve? yea, so, That our great king himself doth woo me oft For my confections? Having thus far proceeded, (Unless thou think'st me devilish,) is't not meet That I did amplify my judgment in Other conclusions? I will try the forces Of these thy compounds on such creatures as We count not worth the hanging, (but none human,) To try the vigour of them, and apply Allayments to their act; and by them gather Their several virtues, and effects. Cor. Your highness Shall from this practice but make hard your heart: Besides, the seeing these effects will be Both noisome and infectious. Strange lingering poisons: I do know her spirit, A drug of such damn'd nature: Those, she has, As great as is thy master: greater; for [The QUEEN drops a bor; PISANIO takes it up. That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how Re-enter PISANIO and Ladies. The taste of too. So, so ;-well done, well done : Pis. SCENE VII.-Another Room in the same. Imo. A father cruel, and a step-dame false; That hath her husband banish'd;-O, that husband! Pis. Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome; lach. Change you, madaın ' The worthy Leonatus is in safety, And greets your highness dearly. [Presents a letter. Imo. Thanks, good sir: You are kindly welcome. Iach. All of her, that is out of door, most rich! [Aside. friend! If she be furnish'd with a mind so rare, Imo. [Reads.] He is one of the noblest note, to whose kindnesses I am most infinitely tied. Reflect upon him | You look on me: What wreck discern you in me, accordingly, as you value your truest LEONATUS. Deserves your pity? So far I read aloud: But even the very middle of my heart Is warm'd by the rest, and takes it thankfully..- Inch. Imo. Imo. What is the matter, trow? The cloyed will, (That satiate yet unsatisfied desire, Thus raps you? Are you well? What, dear sir, He did incline to sadness; and oft-times Not knowing why. lach. I never saw him sad. There is a Frenchman his companion, one An eminent monsieur, that, it seems, much loves A Gallian girl at home: he furnaces The thick sighs from him; whiles the jolly Briton (Your lord, I mean,) laughs from's free lungs,cries, O! Can my sides hold, to think, that man,-who knows Bu history, report, or his own proof, What woman is, yea, what she cannot choose But must be,-will his free hours languish for Assured bondage? Imo. Will my lord say so? Iach. Ay, madam; with his eyes in flood with It is a recreation to be by, [laughter. And hear him mock the Frenchman: But, heavens Some men are much to blame. [know, [might Imo. Not he, I hope lach. Not he: But yet heaven's bounty towards him Be us'd more thankfully. In himself, 'tis much; In you,--which I count his, beyond all talents,Whilst I am bound to wonder, I am bound To pity too. Imo. What do you pity, sir? lach. Two creatures, heartily. Imo. Am I one, sir' Iach. Lamentable! What! To hide me from the radiant sun, and solace I' the dungeon by a snuff? Imo. I was about to say, enjoy your- -But Imo. Iach. Had I this cheek, To bathe my lips upon; this hand, whose touch, Whose every touch, would force the feeler's soul To the oath of loyalty; this object, which Takes prisoner the wild motion of mine eye, Fixing it only here: should 1 (damn'd then,) Slaver with lips as common as the stairs That mount the Capitol ; join gripes with hands Made hard with hourly falsehood (falsehood, as With labour;) then lie peeping in an eye, Base and unlustrous as the smoky light That's fed with stinking tallow; it were fit, That all the plagues of hell should at one time Encounter such revolt. Imo. Has forgot Britain. lach. My lord, I fear, And himself. Not I, Imo. Would make the great'st king double! to be partner'd Which rottenness can lend nature! such boil'd stuff Imo. lach. Should he make me Live like Diana's priest, betwixt cold sheets; Whiles he is vaulting variable ramps, In your despite, upon your purse? Revenge it. Imo. What ho. Pisanio! Juch. Let me my service tender on your lips. Imo. Away!-1 do condemn mine ears, that have So long attended thee. If thou wert honourable, Thou would'st have told this tale for virtue, not For such an end thou seek'st; as base, as strange Thou wrong'st a gentleman, who is as far From thy report, as thou from honour; and Thee and the devil alike.- What, ho! Pisanio !— You make amends. Which you know, cannot err : The love I bear him Made me to fan you thus; but the gods made you, Unlike all others, chaffless. Pray, your pardon. Imo. All's well, sir: Take my power i' the court for yours. Iach. My humble thanks. I had almost forgot To entreat your grace but in a small request, And yet of moment too, for it concerns Your lord; myself, and other noble friends, . Are partners in the business. Imo. Pray, what is't? Iach. Some dozen Romans of us, and your lord, (The best feather of our wing) have mingled sums To buy a present for the emperor; Which I, the factor for the rest, have done In France : 'Tis plate, of rare device ; and jewels, Imo. Willingly; And pawn mine honour for their safety: since My lord hath interest in them, I will keep them In my bed-chamber. | ACT II. SCENE I.-Court before Cymbeline's Palace. Clo. Was there ever man had such luck! when I kissed the jack upon an up-cast, to be hit away' I had a hundred pound on't: And then a whoreson jackanapes must take me up for swearing; as if 1 borrowed mine oaths of him, and might not spend them at my pleasure. 1 Lord. What got he by that? You have broke his pate with your bowl. 2 Lord.If his wit had been like him that broke it, it would have ran all out. [Aside. Clo. When a gentleman is disposed to swear, it is not for any standers by to curtail his oaths. Ha? 2 Lord. No, my lord; nor [Aside ] crop the ears of them. Clo. Whoreson dog!-I give him satisfaction! 'Would, he had been one of my rank! [Aside. 2 Lord. To have smelt like a fool. Clo. I am not more vexed at any thing in the earth, -A pox on't! I had rather not be so noble as I am; they dare not fight with me, because of the queen my mother : every jack slave hath his belly full of fighting, and I must go up and down like a cock that no body can match. 2 Lord. You are a cock and capon too; and you crow, cock, with your comb on. [dside. Clo. Sayest thou? 1 Lord. It is not fit, your lordship should undertake every companion that you give offence to. Clo. No, I know that: but it is fit, I should commit offence to my inferiors. 2 Lord. Ay, it is fit for your lordship only. Clo. Why, so I say. 1 Lord. Did you hear of a stranger, that's come to court to-night? Clo. A stranger! and I not know on't! 2 Lord. He's a strange fellow himself, and knows it not. [Aside. 1 Lord. There's an Italian come; and, 'tis thought, one of Leonatus' friends. Clo. Leonatus! a banished rascal; and he's another, whatsoever he be. Who told you of this stranger? 1 Lord. One of your lordship's pages. Clo. Is it fit, I went to look upon him? Is there no derogation in't? 1 Lord. You cannot derogate, my lord. Clo. Not easily, I think. 2 Lord. You are a fool granted; therefore your issues being foolish, do not derogate. [Exeunt CLOTEN and first Lord. That such a crafty devil as is his mother Should yield the world this ass? a woman, Bears all down with her brain; and this her son Cannot take two from twenty for his heart, And leave eighteen. Alas, poor princess, | Thou divine Imogen, what thou endur'st ! Betwixt a father by thy step-dame govern'd; A mother hourly coining plots; a wooer, More hateful than the foul expulsion is Of thy dear husband, than that horrid act Of the divorce he'd make! The heavens hold firm kindnesses I am most infinitely tied. Reflect upon him | You look on me: What wreck discern you in me, accordingly, as you value your truest LEONATUS. Deserves your pity? lach. So far I read aloud: But even the very middle of my heart Is warm'd by the rest, and takes it thankfully.-- Inch. Imo. What makes your admiration? lach. It cannot be i' the eye; for apes and monkeys, 'Twixt two such shes, would chatter this way, and Contemn with mows the other: Nor i' the judgment; For idiots, in this case of favour, would Be wisely definite: Nor i' the appetite; Sluttery, to such neat excellence oppos'd, Should make desire vomit emptiness, Not so allur'd to feed. Imo. What is the matter, trow? lach. Lamentable! What! I' the dungeon by a snuff? I was about to say, enjoy your- -But Imo. Had I this cheek, Iach. The cloyed will, (That satiate yet unsatisfied desire, Thus raps you? Are you well? What, dear Iach. Thanks, madam; well :-'Beseech you, sir, desire [TO PISANIO. My man's abode where I did leave him: he Is strange and peevish. Pis. To give him welcome. I was going, sir, Has forgot Britain. lach. My lord, I fear, And himself. Not I, [Exit PISANIO.The beggary of his change; but 'tis your graces Imo. Continues well my lord? His health, 'beseech Iach. Well, madam. [you? Imo. Is he dispos'd to mirth? I hope, he is. Iach. Exceeding pleasant; none a stranger there So merry and so gamesome: he is call'd The Briton reveller Not knowing why. lach. The thick sighs from him; whiles the jolly Briton Imo. Will my lord say so? Iach. Ay, madam; with his eyes in flood with It is a recreation to be by, [laughter. And hear him mock the Frenchman: But, heavens Some men are much to blame. [know. [might Imo. Not he, I hope. lach. Not he: But yet heaven's bounty towards him Imo. What do you pity, sir? Imo. Am I one, sir' Imo. Would make the great'st king double! to be partner'd Imo. |