Page images
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

There might have been,
But that my master rather play'd than fought,
And had no help of anger: they were parted
By gentlemen at hand.

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;
Myself by with a needle, that I might prick
The goer back.-Why came you from your master?
Pis. On his command: He would not suffer me
To bring him to the haven: left these notes
Of what commands I should be subject to,
When it pleas'd you to employ me.
Queen.
This hath been
Your faithful servant: I dare lay mine honour
He will remain so.
Pis.

I humbly thank your highness.
Queen. Pray, walk a while.
Imo.
About some half hour hence,
I pray you, speak with me: you shall, at least,
Go see my lord aboard: for this time, leave me.

[Exeunt.

[blocks in formation]

[Aside.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.-A room in Cymbeline's palace.
Enter Imogen and Pisanio.

Imo. I would thou grew'st unto the shore's o'the
haven,

And question'dst every sail: if he should write,
And I not have it, 'twere a paper lost
As offer'd mercy is. What was the last
That he spake to thee?
Pis.
'Twas His queen, his queen!
Imo. Then wav'd his handkerchief?
Pis.
And kiss'd it, madam.
Imo. Senseless linen! happier therein than I!-
And that was all?

Pis.

No, madam; for so long
As he could make me with this eye or ear
Distinguish him from others, he did keep
The deck, with glove, or hat, or handkerchief,
Still waving, as the fits and stirs of his mind
Could best express how slow his soul sail'd on,
How swift his ship.
Imo.

Thou should'st 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

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-Have turn'd mine eye, and wept.-But, good PiThe 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.

Clo. The villain would not stand me. 2 Lord. No; but he fled forward still, your face.

1 Lord. Stand you! You have land your own: but he added to your having; some ground.

When shall we hear from him?
sanio,

Pis.

With his next vantage.'

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 How I would think on him, at certain hours, Most pretty things to say: ere I could tell him, backside the town. [Aside. Such thoughts, and such; or I could make him swear toward Mine interest, and his honour; or have charg'd him, The shes of Italy should not betray [Aside. At the sixth hour of morn, at noon, at midnight, enough of To encounter me with orisons, for then gave you I am in heaven for him; or ere I could 2 Lord. As many inches as you have oceans: Betwixt two charming words, comes in my father, Give him that parting kiss, which I had set Puppies! [Aside. Clo. I would, they had not come between us. And, like the tyrannous breathing of the north, 2 Lord. So would I, till you had measured how Shakes all our buds from growing. long a fool you were upon the ground. [Aside. Clo. And that she should love this fellow, and refuse me!

[blocks in formation]

Jach. 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 items. Jach. 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.

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 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.

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 too, 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.

Post. She holds her virtue still, and I my mind.

[blocks in formation]

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. Iach. 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

[blocks in formation]

from thence that honour of hers, which you imagine To try the vigour of them, and apply so 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.

Tach. 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.

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.
Queen.

O, content thee.

Enter Pisanio.,

Here comes a flattering rascal; upon him [Aside.
Will I first work: he's for his master,
And enemy to my son.-How now, Pisanio?-
Doctor, your service for this time is ended;
Take your own way.
I do suspect you, madam;
[Aside.
Hark thee, a word.-
[To Pisanio.

Cor.

But you shall do no harm.
Queen.

Cor. [Aside.] I do not like her. She doth think,

she has

Strange lingering poisons: I do know her spirit,
And will not trust one of her malice with
A drug of such damn'd nature; Those, she has,
Will stupify and dull the sense a while;
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.
swer 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. [Exe. Posthumus and Iachimo.
French. Will this hold, think you?
Phi. Signior lachimo will not from it.
us follow 'em.

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?
1 Lady.
I, madam.
Queen. Despatch.-
[Exeunt Ladies.
Now, master doctor; have you brought those drugs?
Cor. Pleaseth your highness, ay: here they are,
madam:
[Presenting a small box.
But I beseech your grace, (without offence;
My conscience bids me ask ;) wherefore you have
Commanded of me these most poisonous com-
pounds,

Which are the movers of a languishing death;
But, though slow, deadly?

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 ?2 I will try the forces
Of these thy compounds on such creatures as
We count not worth the hanging (but none human,)
(1) Recommendation. (2) Experiments.

Until I send for thec.
Cor.

No further service, doctor,

I humbly take my leave.
[Exit.

Queen. Weeps she still, say'st thou? Dost thou

think, in time

She will not quench; and let instructions enter
Where folly now possesses? Do thou work;
When thou shalt bring me word, she loves my son,
I'll tell thee, on the instant, thou art then
As great as is thy master: greater; for
Is at last gasp: Return he cannot, nor
His fortunes all lie speechless, and his name
Continue where he is: to shift his being,
Is to exchange one misery with another;
And every day, that comes, comes to decay
A day's work in him: What shalt thou expect,
To be depender on a thing that leans:
Who cannot be new built; nor has no friends,

[The Queen drops a box: Pisanio takes it up.
So much as but to prop him?-Thou tak'st up
Thou know'st not what; but take it for thy labour:
It is a thing I made, which hath the king
Five times redeem'd from death: I do not know
What is more cordial :-Nay, I pr'ythee, take it;
It is an earnest of a further good

That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how
The case stands with her; do't, as from thyself.
Think what a chance thou changest on; but think
Thou hast thy mistress still; to boot, my son,
Who shall take notice of thee: I'll move the king
To any shape of thy preferment, such
As thou'lt desire; and then myself, I chiefly,
That set thee on to this desert, am bound
To load thy merit richly. Call my women:
Think on my words. [Exit Pis.]—A sly and con-

stant knave;

Not to be shak'd: the agent for his master;
And the remembrancer of her, to hold

(3) i. e. Grow cool. (4) To change his abode.

Imo. What is the matter, trow? lach.

The hand fast to her lord. I have given him that, | Not so allur'd-to feed.
Which, if he take, shall quite unpeople her
Of liegers' for her sweet; and which she, after,
Except she bend her humour, shall be assur'd

[blocks in formation]

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!
My supreme crown of grief! and those repeated
Vexations of it! Had I been thief-stolen,

As my two brothers, happy! but most miserable
Is the desire that's glorious: Blessed be those,
How mean soe'er, that have their honest wills,
Which season's comfort.-Who may this be? Fie!
Enter Pisanio and Iachimo.

Pis. Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome;
Comes from my lord with letters.
Iach.
Change you, madam?
The worthy Leonatus is in safety,
And greets your highness dearly.

Imo.

[Presents a letter. Thanks, good sir:

You are kindly welcome.
Iach. All of her, that is out of door, most rich!

[Aside.

If she be furnish'd with a mind so rare,
She is alone the Arabian bird; and I
Have lost the wager. Boldness be my friend!
Arm me, audacity, from head to foot!
Or, like the Parthian, I shall flying fight;
Rather, directly fly.

Reflect

Imo. [Reads.]-He is one of the noblest note, to whose kindness I am most infinitely tied. upon him accordingly, as you value your truest LEONATUS.

So far I read aloud:

But even the very middle of my heart
Is warm'd by the rest, and takes it thankfully.-
You are as welcome, worthy sir, as I
Have words to bid you; and shall find it so,
In all that I can do.

Iach.

Thanks, fairest lady.

The cloyed will

(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?
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,

[Exit Pisanio.

Imo, Continues well my lord? His health, 'beseech you?

Iach. Well, madam.

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.

Imo.

When he was here,

He did incline to sadness; and oft-times
Not knowing why.

Iach.
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
By 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
laughter.

It is a recreation to be by,

And hear him mock the Frenchman: But, heavens

[blocks in formation]

What! are men mad? Hath nature given them Deserves your pity?

[blocks in formation]

What both you spur and stop.'
Iuch.
Had I this cheek
To bathe my lips upon; this hand, whose touch,
Whose eyery 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 I (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.

Iach.

My lord, I fear,

And himself.

Not I,

Inclin'd to this intelligence, pronounce
The beggary of his change; but 'tis your graces
That, from my mutest conscience, to my tongue,
Charms this report out.
Let me hear no more.

Imo.

Iach. O dearest soul! your cause doth strike my heart

With pity, that doth make me sick. A lady

So fair, and fasten'd to an empery,

Deserves thy trust; and thy most perfect goodness
Her assur'd credit!-Blessed live you long!
A lady to the worthiest sir, that ever
Country call'd his! and you his mistress, only
For the most worthiest fit! Give me your pardon.
I have spoke this, to know if your affiance
Were deeply rooted; and shall make your lord,
That which he is, new o'er: And he is one
The truest manner'd; such a holy witch,
That he enchants societies unto him:
Half all men's hearts are his.

[blocks in formation]

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.

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

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 ven-

[blocks in formation]

Reveng'd!

How should I be reveng'd? If this be true
(As I have such a heart, that both mine ears
Must not in haste abuse,) if it be true,
How should I be reveng'd?

Iach.
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.
I dedicate myself to your sweet pleasure;
More noble than that runagate to your bed;
And will continue fast to your affection,
Still close, as sure.

Imo.

What ho, Pisanio!

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 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
Solicit'st here a lady, that disdains

Thee and the devil alike.-What ho, Pisanio!-
The king my father shall be made acquainted
Of thy assault: if he shall think it fit,
A saucy stranger, in his court, to mart
As in a Romish stew, and to expound
His beastly mind to us; he hath a court
He little cares for, and a daughter whom
He not respects at all.-What ho, Pisanio!-
lach. O happy Leonatus! I may say;
The credit, that thy lady hath of thee,

(1) What you seem anxious to utter, and yet withhold.

(2) Sovereign command. (3) Wantons.

Are partners in the business.

Imo.
Pray, what is't?
Jach. 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
Of rich and exquisite form; their values great;
And I am something curious, being strange,
To have them in safe stowage; May it please you
To take them in protection?

Imo.

Willingly;

And pawn mine honour for their safety: since
My lord hath interest in them, I will keep them
In my bed-chamber.

[blocks in formation]
« PreviousContinue »