Lady. Clo. If my shirt were bloody, then to shift itHave 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. 2 Lord. His steel was in debt; it went o' the backside the town. [Aside. Clo. The villain would not stand me. 2 Lord. No; but he fled forward still, toward your face. [Aside. 1 Lord. Stand you! You have land enough of 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 I, 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! 2 Lord. If it be a sin to make a true election, she is damned. [Aside. 1 Lord. Sir, as I told you always, her beauty and her brain go not together: She's a good sign, but I have seen small reflection of her wit.3 2 Lord. She shines not upon fools, lest the reflection should hurt her. [Aside. Clo. Come, I'll to my chamber: 'Would there had been some hurt done! 2 Lord. I wish not so; unless it had been the fall of an ass, which is of no great hurt. Clo. You'll go with us? 1 Lord. I'll attend your lordship. Clo. Nay, come, let's go together. 2 Lord. Well, my lord. [Aside. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. A Room in Cymbeline's Palace. Enter IMOGEN and PISANIO. Imo. I would thou grew'st unto the shores o' the haven, And question'dst every sail: if he should write, As offer'd mercy is. What was the last Pis. Imo. Thou shouldst have made him As little as a crow, or less, ere left To after-eye him. Pis. Madam, so I did. Imo. I would have broke mine eye-strings; crack'd them, but To look upon him; till the diminution Of space had pointed him sharp as my needle: Enter a Lady. The queen, madam, Desires your highness' company. Imo. Those things I bid you do, get them despatch'd.I will attend the queen. Pis. Madam, I shall. [Exeunt SCENE V.- An Apartment in Philario's Enter PHILARIO, IACHIMO, a Frenchman, a Dutchman, and a Spaniard. Iach. Believe it, sir: I have seen him in Britain he was then of a crescent note,6 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. Phi. You speak of him when he was less furnished than now he is, with that which makes him both without and within. 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 colors, are wonderfully to extend 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 Enter POSTHUMUS. life: 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 you all, be better known to this gentleman; whom I commend to you, as a noble friend of mine: How worthy he is, I will leave to appear hereafter, rather 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! was glad I did atones my countrymen 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 juc 5ment, (if I offend not to say it is mended,) y quarrel was not altogether slight. French. 'Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitramet of swords; and by such two, that would, by likelihood, have confounded one the other, or ha Imo. I did not take my leave of him, but had Most pretty things to say: ere I could tell him, How I would think on him, at certain hours, Such thoughts, and such; or I could make him swear The shes of Italy should not betray Mine interest, and his honor; or have charged him, I am in heaven for him: or ere I could To understand the force of this idea, it should be remembered that anciently almost every sign had a motto, or some attempt at a witticism, underneath it. • Opportunity. Iach. Can we, with manners, ask what was difference? n French. Safely, I think: 'twas a contention public, which may, without contradiction, suf the report. It was much like an argument that out last night, where each of us fell in praise of o country mistresses: This gentlemen at that tim vouching (and upon warrant of bloody affirmatio his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, constar qualified, and less attemptable, than any the rarest Iach. As fair, and as good, (a kind of hand-inhand comparison,) had been something too fair, and too good, for any lady in Brittany. If she went before 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. Iach. What do you esteem it at? Post. More than the world enjoys. Iach. Either your unparagoned mistress is dead, or she's out-prized 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 grace, I will keep. Iach. You may wear her in title yours: but, you know, strange fowl light upon neighboring ponds. Your ring may be stolen, too: so, of your brace of unprizable estimations, the one is but frail, and the other casual; a cunning thief, or a that-way accomplished courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and last. Post. Your Italy contains none so accomplished a courtier, to convince3 the honor 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. Post. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy signior, 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 in too bold a persuasion; and I doubt not you sustain what you're worthy of, by your attempt. Iach. What's that? Post. A repulse: Though your attempt, as you call it, deserves 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 neighbor'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 honor 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. Tach. 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. 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. 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 honor 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. a Overcome. Post. I embrace these conditions; let us have articles betwixt us:-only, thus far you shall an swer. If you make your voyage upon her, and give me directly to understand you have prevailed, I am no further your enemy, she is not worth our debate: if she remain unseduced, (you not making it appear otherwise,) for your ill opinion, and the assault you have made to her chastity, you shall answer me with your 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. French. Will this hold, think you? Phi. Signior Iachimo will not from it. Pray, let us follow 'em. [Exeunt. SCENE VI.-Britain. A Room in Cymbeline's Paluce. Enter QUEEN, Ladies, and CORNELIUS. Queen. Whiles yet the dew's on ground, gather those flowers; Make haste: Who has the note of them? 1 Lady. I, madam. Now, master doctor; have you brought those drugs? Queen. Despatch.—— [Exeunt Ladies. Cor. Pleaseth your highness, ay: here they are, madam: [Presenting a small Box. But I beseech your grace, (without offence; Your highness O, content thee. [Aside. Hark thee, a word.[TO PISANIO. Cor. [Aside.] I do not like her. She doth think, she has Strange lingering poisons: I do know her spirit, No further service, doctor, I humbly take my leave. Exit. I'll tell thee, on the instant, thou art then So much as but to prop him?-Thou tak'st up That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how stant knave; Not to be shaked: the agent for his master; To taste of too. So, so;-well done, well done; And when to my good lord I prove untrue, 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 I'll choke myself: there's all I'll do for you. [Exit. (Your lord, I mean) laughs from's free lungs, SCENE VII.-Another Room in the same. Imo. A father cruel, and a step-dame false; That hath her husband banish'd;-0, that husband! My supreme crown of grief! and those repeated Pis. Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome; Imo. You are kindly welcome. [Presents a Letter. Thanks, good sir: cries (! Am I one. sir? You look on me: What wreck discern you in ne, Deserves your pity? Iach. Lamentable! Whet! To hide me from the radiant sun, and solace I' the dungeon by a snnff? Imo. I pray you, sir Deliver with more openness your answers I was about to say, enjoy your―But Imo. (Since doubting things go ill often hurts more Iach. Making mouths. As well might poison poison! Be revenged; Imo. Iach. In your despite, upon your purse? Revenge it. What ho, Pisanio! Imo. Iach. Let me my service tender on your lips. Imo. Away!-I do condemn mine ears, that have So long attended thee.-If thou wert honorable, Thou wouldst 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 honor; and Solicit'st here a lady, that disdains Thee and the devil alike.-What ho, Pisanio!— A saucy stranger in his court, to mart The credit that thy lady hath of thee, A lady to the worthiest sir, that ever Country called his! and you, his mistress, only Imo. You make amends. Iach. He sits 'mongst men, like a descended god: He hath a kind of honor sets him off, More than a mortal seeming. Be not angry. Most mighty princess, that I have adventurd To try your taking of a false report; which hath Honor'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 fan5 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, Willingly; And pawn mine honor 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. Enter CLOTEN and two Lords. Clo. Was there ever man had such luck? when I kissed the jack upon an up-cast,4 to be hit away! I had a hundred pound on't: And then a whoreson jackanapes must take me up for swearing; as if I 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 run all out. [Aside. Clo. When a gentleman is disposed to swear, Ha? it is not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths: 2 Lord. No, my lord; nor [Aside.] crop the ears of them. [Aside. Clo. Whoreson dog!-I give him satisfaction? 'Would he had been one of my rank! 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 nobody can match. 2 Lord. You are a cock and capon too; and you crow, cock, with your comb on. [Aside. Clo. Sayest thou? To fan is to winnow. 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 know not 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. O sleep, thou ape of death, lie dull upon her! As slippery as the Gordian knot was hard! The treasure of her honor. No more.-To what end? Why should I write this down, that's riveted, Screw'd to my memory? She hath been reading late Clo. Is it fit I went to look upon him? Is there The tale of Tereus; here the leaf's turn'd down, 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. [Aside. Clo. Come, I'll go see this Italian: What I have lost to-day at bowls, I'll win to-night of him. Come, go. 2 Lord. I'll attend your lordship. [Exeunt CLOTEN and first Lord. That such a crafty devil as is his mother Should yield the world this ass! a woman, that 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 The walls of thy dear honor; keep unshak'd That temple, thy fair mind; that thou may'st stand, To enjoy thy banish'd lord, and this great land! [Exit. SCENE II-A Bed-chamber; in one Part of it a Trunk. IMOGEN reading in her Bed; a Lady attending. Imo. Who's there? my woman Helen? Lady. Please you, madam. Imo. What hour is it? Lady. Almost midnight, madam. Imo. I have read three hours, then: mine eyes are weak: Fold down the leaf where I have left: To bed: To your protection I commend me, gods! [Sleeps. IACHIMO, from the Trunk. Iach. The crickets sing, and man's o'er-labor'd sense Repairs itself by rest: Our Tarquin thus The adornment of her bed;-The arras, figures. Why, such, and such:-And the contents o' the story, Ah, but some natural notes about her body, It was anciently the custom to strew chambers with rushes. 11. e. The white skin laced with blue veins. Where Philomel gave up;-I have enough: [Goes into the Trunk. The Scene closes. SCENE III.-An Ante-chamber joining Imogen's Apartment. Enter CLOTEN and Lords. 1 Lord. Your lordship is the most patient man in loss, the most coldest that ever turned up ace. Clo. It would make any man cold to lose. 1 Lord. But not every man patient, after the noble temper of your lordship: You are most hot, and furious, when you win. Clo. Winning would put any man into courage: If I could get this foolish Inogen, I should have gold enough: It's almost morning, is't not? 1 Lord. Day, my lord. Clo. I would this music would come: I am advised to give her music o' the mornings; they say, it will penetrate. Enter Musicians. Come on; tune: If you can penetrate her with your fingering, so; we'll try with tongue too : if none will do, let her remain; but I'll never give o'er. First, a very excellent, good-conceited thing; after, a wonderful sweet air, with admirable rich words to it, and then let her consider. SONG. Hark! hark! the lark at heaven's gate sings, His steels to water at those springs So, get you gone: If this penetrate, I will consider your music the better: if it do not, it is a vice in her ears, which horse-hairs, and cat-guts, nor the voice of unpaved eunuch to boot, can never amend. [Exeunt Musicians. Enter CYMBELINE and Queen. 2 Lord. Here comes the king. Clo. I am glad I was up so late; for that's the reason I was up so early: He cannot choose but take this service I have done, fatherly.-Good-mor row to your majesty, and to my gracious mother. Cym. Attend you here the door of our stern daughter? Will she not forth? Clo. I have assailed her with music, but she |