Queen. I am very glad on't. Imo. Your son's my father's friend; he takes his part. To draw upon an exile!-O brave sir! I would they were in Afric both together; I humbly thank your highness. [Exeunt. [Aside. [Exeunt. SCENE IV-A room in Cymbeline's palace. Imo. I would thou grew'st unto the shore's o'the And question'dst every sail: if he should write, Pis. Pis. Imo. As little as a crow, Thou should'st have made him or less, ere left Madam, so I did. Imo. I would have broke mine eye-strings; crack'd them, but 1 Lord. Sir, I would advise you to shift a shirt; To look upon him; till the diminution the violence of action hath made you reek as a sac- Of space had pointed him sharp as my needle: rifice: Where air comes out, air comes in: there's Nay, follow'd him, till he had melted from none abroad so wholesome as that you vent. Clo. If my shirt were bloody, then to shift it-The smallness of a gnat to air; and then Have I hurt him? 2 Lord. No, faith; not so much as his patience. [Aside. 1 Lord. Hurt him? his body's a passable carcass, if he be not hurt: it is a thoroughfare for steel, if it be not hurt. Pis. sanio, With his next vantage.3 Be assur'd, madam, Imo. I did not take my leave of him, but had 2 Lord. His steel was in debt; it went o'the backside the town, Clo. The villain would not stand me. 2 Lord. No; but he fled forward still, toward Mine interest, and his honour; or have charg'd him, your face. [Aside. At the sixth hour of morn, at noon, at midnight, 1 Lord, Stand you! You have land enough of To encounter me with orisons, for then your own: but he added to your having; gave you some ground. 2 Lord. As many inches as you have oceans: Puppies! [Aside. Clo. I would, they had not come between us. 2 Lord. So would 1, till you had measured how long a fool you were upon the ground. [Aside. Clo. And that she should love this fellow, and refuse me ! he was then of a crescent note;' expected to prove so worthy, as since he hath been allowed the name of: but I could then have looked on him without the help of admiration; though the catalogue of his endowments had been tabled by his side, and I to peruse him by items. Iach. 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. Iach. As fair, and as good (a kind of hand-inPhi. You speak of him when he was less furnish-hand comparison,) had been something too fair, and ed, than now he is, with that which makes him too good, for any lady in Britany. If she went beboth without and within. fore others I have seen, as that diamond of yours out-lustres 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. French. I have seen him in France: we had very many there, could behold the sun with as firm eyes as he. lach. This matter of marrying his king's daughter (wherein he must be weighed rather by her value, than his own,) words him, I doubt not, a great deal from the matter. French. And then his banishment : Iach. Ay, and the approbation of those, that weep this lamentable divorce, under her colours, are wonderfully to extend to him; be it but to fortify her judgment, which else an easy battery might lay flat, for taking a beggar without more quality. But how comes it, he is to sojourn with you? How creeps acquaintance? Phi. His father and I were soldiers together; to whom I have been often bound for no less than my life: Enter Posthumus. Iach. What do you esteem it at ? Post. More than the world enjoys. Iach. Either your unparagoned mistress is dead, or she's out-priz'd by a trifle. Post. 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. Iach. Which the gods have given you? Post. Which, by their graces, I will keep. Iach. You may wear her in title yours: but, you know, strange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. Your ring may be stolen too: so, of your brace of unprizeable estimations, the one is but frail, and the other casual; a cunning thief, or a that-wayaccomplished courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and last. Here comes the Briton: Let him be so entertained amongst you, as suits, with gentlemen of your knowing, to a stranger of his quality.-I beseech Post. Your Italy contains none so accomplished you all, be better known to this gentleman; whom a courtier, to convince the honour of my mistress; I commend to you, as a noble friend of mine: How if, in the holding or loss of that, you term her frail. worthy he is, I will leave to appear hereafter, rather I do nothing doubt, you have store of thieves; notthan story him in his own hearing. withstanding, I fear not my ring. 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. Post. By your pardon, sir, I was then a young traveller; rather shunn'd to go even with what I heard, than in my every action to be guided by others' experiences: but, upon my mended judg. ment (if I offend not to say it is mended,) my quarrel was not altogether slight. 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 public, 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, constantqualified, 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 virtuc still, and I my mind. Phi. Let us leave here, gentlemen. Post. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy sig nior, I thank him, makes no stranger of me; we are familiar at first. Iach. With five times so much conversation, I 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, thereon, pawn the moiety of my estate to your ring; which, in my opinion, o'ervalues it something: But I make my wager rather against your confidence, than her reputation: and, to bar your offence herein too, I durst attempt it against any lady in the world. Post. You are a great deal abused 1o in too bold a persuasion; and I doubt not you sustain what you're worthy of, by your attempt. Jach. 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 neighbour'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 (8) Lover,-I speak of her as a being I reverence, not as a beauty whom I enjoy. (9) Overcome. (10) Deceived. (11) Proof. Cor. from thence that honour of hers, which you imagine | To try the vigour of them, and apply Post. This is but a custom in your tongue; you bear a graver purpose, I hope. Iach. 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. Your highness Enter Pisanio. O, content thee. Here comes a flattering rascal; upon him [Aside. But you shall do no harm. I do suspect you, madam; Cor. [Aside.] I do not like her. She doth think, Jach. 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 Strange lingering poisons: I do know her spirit, off, and leave her in such honour as you have trust And will not trust one of her malice with in, she your jewel, this your jewel, and my gold A drug of such damn'd nature; Those, she has, are yours:-provided, I have your commendation,' Will stupify and dull the sense a while; for my more free entertainment. Which first, perchance, she'll prove on cats, and dogs; Post. I embrace these conditions; let us have articles betwixt us:-only, thus far you shall an- Then afterward up higher; but there is swer. If you make your voyage upon her, and No danger in what show of death it makes, give me directly to understand you have prevailed, More than the locking up the spirits a time, am no further your enemy, she is not worth our To be more fresh, reviving. She is fool'd debate: if she remain unseduced (you not making With a most false effect; and I the truer, it appear otherwise,) for your ill opinion, and the So to be false with her. assault you have made to her chastity, you shall anQueen. No further service, doctor, swer me with your sword. Until I send for thee. Cor. Jach. 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. (Exe. Posthumus and Iachimo. Pray, let [Exeunt. SCENE VI.-Britain. A room in Cymbeline's palace. Enter Queen, Ladies, and Cornelius. Queen. Whiles yet the dew's on ground, gather those flowers; Make haste: Who has the note of them? Which are the movers of a languishing death; Queen. I do wonder, doctor, I humbly take my leave. Queen. Weeps she still, say'st thou? Dost thou think, in time She will not quench; and let instructions enter [The Queen drops a box: Pisanio takes it up. That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how Not to be shak'd: the agent for his master; (3) i. e. Grow cool. (4) To change his abode. 286 CYMBELINE. The hand fast to her lord. I have given him that, Of liegers' for her sweet; and which she, after, Re-enter Pisanio, and Ladies. To 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; [Ex. Enter That hath her husband banish'd:-0, that husband! Pis. Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome; Iach. Imo. [Presents a letter. Thanks, good sir: You are kindly welcome. [Aside. If she be furnish'd with a mind so rare, Imo. [Reads.]-He is one of the noblest note, to whose kindness I am most infinitely tied. Reflect upon him accordingly, as you value your truest So far I read aloud: LEONATUS. But even the very middle of my heart Is warm'd by the rest, and takes it thankfully.- Have words to bid you; and shall find it so, lach. Thanks, fairest lady. Thus raps you? Are you well? My man's abode where I did leave him: he Pis. To give him welcome. [To Pisanio. I was going, sir, [Exit Pisanio. Imo. Continues well my lord? His health, 'be seech you? Iach. Well, madam. Imo. Is he dispos'd to mirth? I hope, he is. Imo. call'd When he was here, He did incline to sadness; and oft-times Iach. By history, report, or his own proof, Imo. It is a recreation to be by, And hear him mock the Frenchman: But, heavens know, Some men are much to blame. Imo. Be us'd more thankfully. In himself, 'tis much; Imo. You look on me; What wreck discern you in me, What! are men mad? Hath nature given them Deserves your pity? Iach. Immo. Something of me, or what concerns me; 'Pray you (Since doubting things go ill, often hurts more (3) Shy and foolish. What both you spur and stop.' 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 nine eye, Fixing it only here: should I (damnn'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. What ho, Pisanio! Iach. Let me my service tender on your lips. Thee and the devil alike.-What ho, Pisanio!- (1) What you seem anxious to utter, and yet withhold. (2) Sovereign command. (3) Wantons. Deserves thy trust; and thy most perfect goodness Imo. You make amends. Iach. He sits 'mongst men, like a descended god: He hath a kind of honour sets him off, More than a mortal seeming. Be not angry, Most mighty princess, that I have adventur'd To try your taking of a false report; which hath Honour'd with confirmation your great judgment In the election of a sir so rare, 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. Jach. My humble thanks. I had almost forgot To entreat your grace but in a small request, And vet of moment too, for it concerns Your lord; myself, and other noble friends, Are partners in the business. Imo. Pray, what is't? Which I, the factor for the rest, have done Imo. Willingly; And pawn mine honour for their safety: since My lord hath interest in them, I will keep them In my bed-chamber. Icch. They are in a trunk, Attended by my men: I will make bold I must aboard to-morrow. O, no, no. |