his part. To draw upon an exile!-O brave sir! I would they were in Afric both together; I humbly thank your highness. About some half hour hence, [Exeunt. SCENE III-A public place. Enter Cloten, and two Lords. 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. Thou should'st have made him Madam, so I did. Pis. Imo. I would have broke mine eye-strings; To look upon him; till the diminution crack'd them, but Of space had pointed him sharp as my needle: Nay, follow'd him, till he had melted from Clo. If my shirt were bloody, then to shift it-Have turn'd mine eye, and wept.-But, good Pi The smallness of a gnat to air; and then 1 Lord. Sir, I would advise you to shift a shirt; the violence of action hath made you reek as a sacrifice: Where air comes out, air comes in: there's none abroad so wholesome as that you vent. sanio, Have I hurt him? [Aside. Pis. 1 Lord. Hurt him? his body's a passable car-With his next vantage.' cass, if he be not hurt: it is a thoroughfare for steel, if it be not hurt. Be assur'd, madam, Imo. I did not take my leave of him, but had Most pretty things to say: ere I could tell him, 2 Lord. His steel was in debt; it went o'the How I would think on him, at certain hours, backside the town. Clo. The villain would not stand me. [Aside. Such thoughts, and such; or I could make him swear The shes of Italy should not betray 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 I am in heaven for him; or ere I could some ground. Betwixt two charming words, comes in my father, Give him that parting kiss, which I had set And, like the tyrannous breathing of the north, Shakes all our buds from growing. 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! is damned. 2 Lord. If it be a sin to make a true election, she [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.2 2 Lord. She shines not upon fools, lest the reflection should hurt her. [Aside. (1) Her beauty and sense are not equal. (2) To understand the force of this idea, it should be remembered that anciently almost every sign had a motto, e some attempt at a witticism, underneath it. VOL. II. ne was then of a crescent note;' expected to prove so vorthy, 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. 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 my. self her adorer, not her friend. Iach. As fair, and as good (a kind of hand-in Phi. 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 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. Jach. 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. too good, for any lady in Britany. If she went before others I have seen, as that diamond of yours out-lustres many I have beneld, I could not but be lieve 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. lach. What do you esteem it at ? Post. More than the world enjoys. lach. 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 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. Posl. By your pardon, sir, I was then a young lach. 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 quarto bar your offence herein too, I durst attempt it rel was not altogether slight. against any lady in the world. 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. lach. 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. '.aste, constantqualified, and less attemptible, than any the rarest of our ladies in France. Inch. That lady is not now living; or this gendemn's opinion, by this, worn out. Post. She holds her virtuc still, and I my mind. 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. 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? lach. 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 CYMBELINE. from thence that honour of hers, which you imagine] To try the vigour of them, and app 30 reserved. Post. I will wage against your gold, gold to it: my ring I hold dear as my finger; 'tis part of it. Iach. 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. Allayments to their act; and by them gather Your highness Shall from this practice but make hard your heart: Enter Pisanio. O, content thee. Here comes a flattering rascal; upon him [Aside Cor. I do suspect you, madam; [Aside, Hark thee, a word.[To Pisanio. But you shall do no harm. Cor. [Aside.] I do not like her. She doth think, Jack. 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; Which first, perchance, she'll prove on cats, and for my more free entertainment. dogs; swer. Post. I embrace these conditions; let us have articles betwixt us:-only, thus far you shall an- Then afterward up higher; but there is 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. Queen. assault you have made to her chastity, you shall answer me with your sword. 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. [Ere. Posthumus and lachimo. us follow 'em. Pray, let [Exeunt. SCENE VI-Britain. A room in Cymbeline's palace. Enter Queen, Ladies, and Cornelius. Queen. Whiles vet 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. Until I send for thee. No further service, doctor, 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, | Not so allur'd to feed. 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! As my two brothers, happy! but most miserable Pis. Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome; lach. Change you, madam? The worthy Leonatus is in safety, And greets your highness dearly. Imo. You are kindly welcome. [Presents a letter. Thanks, good sir: Iach. All of her, that is out of door, most rich! [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. Thanks, fairest lady. The cloyed will Imo. What is the matter, trow ? Iach. (That satiate yet unsatisfied desire, That tub both fill'd and running,) ravening first The lamb, longs after for the garbage. Imo. What, dear sir, Thus raps you? Are you well? My man's abode where I did leave him: he Pis. To give him welcome. I was going, sir, [Exit Pisanio, Imo. Continues well my lord? His health, 'be seech you? Iach. Well, madam. He did incline to sadness; and oft-times lach. 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 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. 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 ? What both you spur and stop.' lach. That mount the Capitol; join gripes with hands 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. 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. Deserves thy trust; and thy most perfect goodness Imo. You make amends. Jach. 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. 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. Which I, the factor for the rest, have done Imo. Willingly; G 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, I must aboard to-morrow. O, no, no. |