Die of this folly! Enter Pisanio. Queen. 288 [Exit. Clo. Come, I'll to my chamber: 'Would there Fie!-you must give way: No harm, I trust, is done? Pis. 2 Lord. I wish not so; unless it had been the fall of an ass, which is no great hurt. Clo. You'll go with us? Ha! 1 Lord. I'll attend your lordship. 2 Lord. Well, my lord. There might have been, Queen. I am very glad on't. Imo. Your son's my father's friend; he takes To draw upon an exile!-O brave sir! I would they were in Afric both together; Queen. [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, 'Twas His queen, his queen! And kiss'd it, madam. 1 Lord. Sir, I would advise you to shift a shirt; To look upon him; till the diminution Clo. If my shirt were bloody, then to shift it-Have turn'd mine eye, and wept.-But, good Pi- 2 Lord. No, faith; not so much as his patience. 1 Lord. Hurt him? his body's a passable car[Aside. cass, 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. 1 Lord. Stand you! You have land enough of [Aside. your own: but he added to your having; gave you some ground. 2 Lord. As many inches as you have oceans: 2 Lord. If it be a sin to make a true election, she is damned. When shall we hear from him? Pis. With his next vantage.3 Be assur'd, madam, Imo. I did not take my leave of him, but had I 1 Lord. Sir, as I told you always, her beauty and her brain go not together: She's a good sign, but II have seen small reflection of her wit.2 2 Lord. She shines not upon fools, lest the reflection should hurt her. [Aside. 4 Enter a Lady. Lady. Pis. Madam, I shall. [Exe. SCENE V.-Rome. An apartment in Philario's Iach. Believe it, sir: I have seen him in Britain: (3) Opportunity. reciprocal prayer. h 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. 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 itens. 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. Iach. 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: Jach. 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. Tach. 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 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. 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 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. Post. By your pardon, sir, I was then a young Iach. I dare, thereon, pawn the moiety of my traveller; rather shunn'd to go even with what estate to your ring; which, in my opinion, o'erheard, than in my every action to be guided by values it something: But I make my wager rather others' experiences: but, upon my mended judg- against your confidence, than her reputation: and, ment (if I offend not to say it is mended,) my quar-to bar your offence herein foo, I durst attempt it rel 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. against any lady in the world. Post. You are a great deal abused 10 in too bold a persuasion; and I doubt not you sustain what you're worthy of, by your attempt. 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 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 op Post. She holds her virtue still, and I my mind.portunity of a second conference, and I will bring (1) Increasing in fame. (2) Accomplished. (3) Forms him. (4) Praise. (5) Reconcile. (6) Importunity, instigation. (7) Destroyed. (8) Lover,-I speak of her as a being I reverence, not as a beauty whom I enjoy. (9) Overcome. (10) Deceived. (11) Proof. 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. 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. 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. Here comes a flattering rascal; upon him [Aside. But you shall do no harm. Cor. [Aside.] I do not like her. She doth think, lach. 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 damnn'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, I 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 an- Queen. No further service, doctor, swer me with your sword. Until I send for thee. Cor. 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. [Exe. Posthumus and lachimo. 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, (1) Recommendation. I humbly take my leave. 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. The hand fast to her lord. I have given him that, Re-enter Pisanio, and Ladies. To taste of too. -So, so ;-well done, well done : But when to my good lord I prove untrue, Imogen. Imo. A father cruel, and a step-dame false; A foolish suitor to a wedded lady. [Ex. Enter That hath her husband banish'd:-O, that husband! Pis. Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome; Iach. Imo. [Presents a letter. You are kindly welcome. If she be furnish'd with a mind so rare, Boldness be my friend! Arm me, audacity, from head to foot! 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 Iach. Thanks, fairest lady. When he was here, He did incline to sadness; and oft-times The thick sighs from him; whiles the jolly Briton Can my sides hold, to think, that man,-who knows Imo. It is a recreation to be by, And hear him mock the Frenchman: But, heavens know, Some men are much to blame. Be us'd more thankfully. In himself, 'tis much; Imo. What do you pity, sir? Imo. Am I one, sir? You look on me; What wreck discern you in me, What! are men mad? Hath nature given them Deserves your pity? eyes To see this vaulted arch, and the rich crop Imo. 'Twixt two such shes, would chatter this way, and ment; For idiots, in this case of favour, would What both you spur and stop.' Jach. Had I this cheek Imo. Has forgot Britain. Jach. My lord, I fear, And himself. Not I, Inclin'd to this intelligence, pronounce Let me hear no more. Iach. O dearest soul! your cause doth strike my With pity, that doth make me sick. A lady So fair, and fasten'd to an empery,2 Deserves thy trust; and thy most perfect goodness Iach. He sits 'mongst men, like a descended god: Which you know, cannot err: The love I bear him Imo. All's well, sir: Take my power i'the court Jach. My humble thanks. I had almost forgot Would make the great'st king double! to be Your lord; myself, and other noble friends, partner'd With tomboys,' hir'd with that self-exhibition Which your own coffers yield! with diseas'd ventures, That play with all infirmities for gold, Which rottenness can lend nature! such boil'd As well might poison poison! Be reveng'd; Imo. Reveng'd! Iach. In your despite, upon your purse? Revenge it. What ho, Pisanio! Imo. Thee and the devil alike.-What ho, Pisanio!- A saucy stranger, in his court, to mart He not respects at all.-What ho, Pisanio!- (1) What you seem anxious to utter, and yet withhold. (2) Sovereign command. (3) Wantons. Jach. Yes, I beseech; or I shall short my word, I cross'd the seas on purpose, and on promise 01 must, madam; Imo. Imo. I will write |