To look upon him; till the diminution Of space had pointed him sharp as my needle: Nay, follow'd him, till he had melted from The smallness of a gnat to air; and then Clo. If my shirt were bloody, then to shift it-Have turn'd mine eye, and wept.-But, good Pi

Have I hurt him?
2 Lord. No, faith; not so much as his patience. When shall we hear from him?

[Aside. Pis.

1 Lord. Hurt him? his body's a passable car-With his next vantage.3 cass, if he be not hurt: it is a thoroughfare for steel, if it be not hurt.

lach. You must not so far prefer her 'fore ours o Italy.

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| Post. Being so far provoked as I was in France, help of admiration; though the catalogue of his en-I would abate her nothing; though I profess mydowments had been tabled by his side, and I to self her adorer, not her friend.8 peruse him by items.

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,2 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 colours, are wonderfully to extend him; be 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.

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: I was glad I did atones 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 judgment (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 alla 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.

lach. That lady is not now living; or this gentleman's opinion, by this, worn out.

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 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. 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.

Jach. 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-way-accomplished courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and last.

Post. Your Italy contains none so accomplished a courtier, to convince the honour 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.

lach. 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 10 in too bold 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 reve rence, 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. 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.

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 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.

Post. I embrace these conditions; let us have articles betwixt us:-only, thus far you shall answer. 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. [Exe. Posthumus and Iachimo.
French. Will this hold, think you?
Phi. Signior Iachimo 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? distik? 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,)||
(2) Experiments.

(1) Recommendation.

To try the vigour of them, and apply
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;

Cor.
But you shall do no harm.
Queen.

[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,
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;

Then afterward up higher; but there is
No danger in what show of death it makes,
More than the locking up the spirits a time,
To be more fresh, reviving. She is fool'd
With a most false effect; and I the truer,
So to be false with her.

Queen.

Until I send for thee.
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 ;3 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
His fortunes all lie speechless, and his name
Is at last gasp: Return he cannot, nor
Continue where he is: to shift his being,4
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
constant 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.

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

Contemn with mows2 the other: Nor i'the judg-Something of me, or what concerns me; 'Pray

lach. My humble thanks. I had almost forgot
To entreat your grace but in a small request,
And yet of moment too, for it concerns

be|| Your lord; myself, and other noble friends,
Are partners in the business.

With tomboys,3 hir'd with that self-exhibition4
Which your own coffers yield! with diseas'd ven-
tures,

That play with all infirmities for gold,
Which rottenness can lend nature! such boil'd||
stuff,

As well might poison poison! Be reveng'd;
Or she, that bore you, was no queen, and
Recoil from your great stock.