Cymbeline

ACT I

SCENE I. Britain. The garden of Cymbeline's palace.

Enter two Gentlemen

First Gentleman

You do not meet a man but frowns: our bloods

No more obey the heavens than our courtiers

Still seem as does the king.

Second Gentleman

But what's the matter?

First Gentleman

His daughter, and the heir of's kingdom, whom

He purposed to his wife's sole son--a widow

That late he married--hath referr'd herself

Unto a poor but worthy gentleman: she's wedded,

Her husband banish'd, she imprison'd: all

Is outward sorrow, though I think the king

Be touch'd at very heart.

Second Gentleman

None but the king?

First Gentleman

He that hath lost her too, so is the queen,

That most desired the match, but not a courtier,

Although they wear their faces to the bent

Of the king's look's, hath a heart that is not

Glad at the thing they scowl at.

Second Gentleman

And why so?

First Gentleman

He that hath miss'd the princess is a thing

Too bad for bad report: and he that hath her--

I mean, that married her, alack, good man!

And therefore banish'd--is a creature such

As, to seek through the regions of the earth

For one his like, there would be something failing

In him that should compare. I do not think

So fair an outward and such stuff within

Endows a man but he.

Second Gentleman

You speak him far.

First Gentleman

I do extend him, sir, within himself,

Crush him together rather than unfold

His measure duly.

Second Gentleman

What's his name and birth?

First Gentleman

I cannot delve him to the root: his father

Was call'd Sicilius, who did join his honour

Against the Romans with Cassibelan,

But had his titles by Tenantius whom

He served with glory and admired success,

So gain'd the sur-addition Leonatus,

And had, besides this gentleman in question,

Two other sons, who in the wars o' the time

Died with their swords in hand, for which

their father,

Then old and fond of issue, took such sorrow

That he quit being, and his gentle lady,

Big of this gentleman our theme, deceased

As he was born. The king he takes the babe

To his protection, calls him Posthumus Leonatus,

Breeds him and makes him of his bed-chamber,

Puts to him all the learnings that his time

Could make him the receiver of, which he took,

As we do air, fast as 'twas minister'd,

And in's spring became a harvest, lived in court--

Which rare it is to do--most praised, most loved,

A sample to the youngest, to the more mature

A glass that feated them, and to the graver

A child that guided dotards, to his mistress,

For whom he now is banish'd, her own price

Proclaims how she esteem'd him and his virtue,

By her election may be truly read

What kind of man he is.

Second Gentleman

I honour him

Even out of your report. But, pray you, tell me,

Is she sole child to the king?

First Gentleman

His only child.

He had two sons: if this be worth your hearing,

Mark it: the eldest of them at three years old,

I' the swathing-clothes the other, from their nursery

Were stol'n, and to this hour no guess in knowledge

Which way they went.

Second Gentleman

How long is this ago?

First Gentleman

Some twenty years.

Second Gentleman

That a king's children should be so convey'd,

So slackly guarded, and the search so slow,

That could not trace them!

First Gentleman

Howsoe'er 'tis strange,

Or that the negligence may well be laugh'd at,

Yet is it true, sir.

Second Gentleman

I do well believe you.

First Gentleman

We must forbear: here comes the gentleman,

The queen, and princess.

Exeunt

Enter the QUEEN, POSTHUMUS LEONATUS, and IMOGEN

QUEEN

No, be assured you shall not find me, daughter,

After the slander of most stepmothers,

Evil-eyed unto you: you're my prisoner, but

Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys

That lock up your restraint. For you, Posthumus,

So soon as I can win the offended king,

I will be known your advocate: marry, yet

The fire of rage is in him, and 'twere good

You lean'd unto his sentence with what patience

Your wisdom may inform you.

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

Please your highness,

I will from hence to-day.

QUEEN

You know the peril.

I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying

The pangs of barr'd affections, though the king

Hath charged you should not speak together.

Exit

IMOGEN

O

Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant

Can tickle where she wounds! My dearest husband,

I something fear my father's wrath, but nothing--

Always reserved my holy duty--what

His rage can do on me: you must be gone,

And I shall here abide the hourly shot

Of angry eyes, not comforted to live,

But that there is this jewel in the world

That I may see again.

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

My queen! my mistress!

O lady, weep no more, lest I give cause

To be suspected of more tenderness

Than doth become a man. I will remain

The loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth:

My residence in Rome at one Philario's,

Who to my father was a friend, to me

Known but by letter: thither write, my queen,

And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you send,

Though ink be made of gall.

Re-enter QUEEN

QUEEN

Be brief, I pray you:

If the king come, I shall incur I know not

How much of his displeasure.

Aside

Yet I'll move him

To walk this way: I never do him wrong,

But he does buy my injuries, to be friends,

Pays dear for my offences.

Exit

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

Should we be taking leave

As long a term as yet we have to live,

The loathness to depart would grow. Adieu!

IMOGEN

Nay, stay a little:

Were you but riding forth to air yourself,

Such parting were too petty. Look here, love,

This diamond was my mother's: take it, heart,

But keep it till you woo another wife,

When Imogen is dead.

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

How, how! another?

You gentle gods, give me but this I have,

And sear up my embracements from a next

With bonds of death!

Putting on the ring

Remain, remain thou here

While sense can keep it on. And, sweetest, fairest,

As I my poor self did exchange for you,

To your so infinite loss, so in our trifles

I still win of you: for my sake wear this,

It is a manacle of love, I'll place it

Upon this fairest prisoner.

Putting a bracelet upon her arm

IMOGEN

O the gods!

When shall we see again?

Enter CYMBELINE and Lords

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

Alack, the king!

CYMBELINE

Thou basest thing, avoid! hence, from my sight!

If after this command thou fraught the court

With thy unworthiness, thou diest: away!

Thou'rt poison to my blood.

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

The gods protect you!

And bless the good remainders of the court! I am gone.

Exit

IMOGEN

There cannot be a pinch in death

More sharp than this is.

CYMBELINE

O disloyal thing,

That shouldst repair my youth, thou heap'st

A year's age on me.

IMOGEN

I beseech you, sir,

Harm not yourself with your vexation

I am senseless of your wrath, a touch more rare

Subdues all pangs, all fears.

CYMBELINE

Past grace? obedience?

IMOGEN

Past hope, and in despair, that way, past grace.

CYMBELINE

That mightst have had the sole son of my queen!

IMOGEN

O blest, that I might not! I chose an eagle,

And did avoid a puttock.

CYMBELINE

Thou took'st a beggar, wouldst have made my throne

A seat for baseness.

IMOGEN

No, I rather added

A lustre to it.

CYMBELINE

O thou vile one!

IMOGEN

Sir,

It is your fault that I have loved Posthumus:

You bred him as my playfellow, and he is

A man worth any woman, overbuys me

Almost the sum he pays.

CYMBELINE

What, art thou mad?

IMOGEN

Almost, sir: heaven restore me! Would I were

A neat-herd's daughter, and my Leonatus

Our neighbour shepherd's son!

CYMBELINE

Thou foolish thing!

Re-enter QUEEN

They were again together: you have done

Not after our command. Away with her,

And pen her up.

QUEEN

Beseech your patience. Peace,

Dear lady daughter, peace! Sweet sovereign,

Leave us to ourselves, and make yourself some comfort

Out of your best advice.

CYMBELINE

Nay, let her languish

A drop of blood a day, and, being aged,

Die of this folly!

Exeunt CYMBELINE and Lords

QUEEN

Fie! you must give way.

Enter PISANIO

Here is your servant. How now, sir! What news?

PISANIO

My lord your son drew on my master.

QUEEN

Ha!

No harm, I trust, is done?

PISANIO

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.

IMOGEN

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?

PISANIO

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 't pleased you to employ me.

QUEEN

This hath been

Your faithful servant: I dare lay mine honour

He will remain so.

PISANIO

I humbly thank your highness.

QUEEN

Pray, walk awhile.

IMOGEN

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

SCENE II. The same. A public place.

Enter CLOTEN and two Lords

First 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.

CLOTEN

If my shirt were bloody, then to shift it. Have I hurt him?

Second Lord

[Aside] No, 'faith, not so much as his patience.

First 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.

Second Lord

[Aside] His steel was in debt, it went o' the

backside the town.

CLOTEN

The villain would not stand me.

Second Lord

[Aside] No, but he fled forward still, toward your face.

First Lord

Stand you! You have land enough of your own: but

he added to your having, gave you some ground.

Second Lord

[Aside] As many inches as you have oceans. Puppies!

CLOTEN

I would they had not come between us.

Second Lord

[Aside] So would I, till you had measured how long

a fool you were upon the ground.

CLOTEN

And that she should love this fellow and refuse me!

Second Lord

[Aside] If it be a sin to make a true election, she

is damned.

First 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.

Second Lord

[Aside] She shines not upon fools, lest the

reflection should hurt her.

CLOTEN

Come, I'll to my chamber. Would there had been some

hurt done!

Second Lord

[Aside] I wish not so, unless it had been the fall

of an ass, which is no great hurt.

CLOTEN

You'll go with us?

First Lord

I'll attend your lordship.

CLOTEN

Nay, come, let's go together.

Second Lord

Well, my lord.

Exeunt

SCENE III. A room in Cymbeline's palace.

Enter IMOGEN and PISANIO

IMOGEN

I would thou grew'st unto the shores o' the haven,

And question'dst every sail: if he should write

And not have it, 'twere a paper lost,

As offer'd mercy is. What was the last

That he spake to thee?

PISANIO

It was his queen, his queen!

IMOGEN

Then waved his handkerchief?

PISANIO

And kiss'd it, madam.

IMOGEN

Senseless Linen! happier therein than I!

And that was all?

PISANIO

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 's mind

Could best express how slow his soul sail'd on,

How swift his ship.

IMOGEN

Thou shouldst have made him

As little as a crow, or less, ere left

To after-eye him.

PISANIO

Madam, so I did.

IMOGEN

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,

Nay, follow'd him, till he had melted from

The smallness of a gnat to air, and then

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

When shall we hear from him?

PISANIO

Be assured, madam,

With his next vantage.

IMOGEN

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 honour, or have charged him,

At the sixth hour of morn, at noon, at midnight,

To encounter me with orisons, for then

I am in heaven for him, or ere I could

Give him that parting kiss which I had set

Betwixt two charming words, comes in my father

And like the tyrannous breathing of the north

Shakes all our buds from growing.

Enter a Lady

Lady

The queen, madam,

Desires your highness' company.

IMOGEN

Those things I bid you do, get them dispatch'd.

I will attend the queen.

PISANIO

Madam, I shall.

Exeunt

SCENE IV. Rome. Philario's house.

Enter PHILARIO, IACHIMO, a Frenchman, a Dutchman, and a Spaniard

IACHIMO

Believe it, sir, I have seen him in Britain: 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.

PHILARIO

You speak of him when he was less furnished than now

he is with that which makes him both without and within.

Frenchman

I have seen him in France: we had very many there

could behold the sun with as firm eyes as he.

IACHIMO

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.

Frenchman

And then his banishment.

IACHIMO

Ay, and the approbation of those that weep this

lamentable divorce under her colours 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 less quality. But how comes

it he is to sojourn with you? How creeps

acquaintance?

PHILARIO

His father and I were soldiers together, to whom I

have been often bound for no less than my 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.

Enter POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

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.

Frenchman

Sir, we have known together in Orleans.

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

Since when I have been debtor to you for courtesies,

which I will be ever to pay and yet pay still.

Frenchman

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.

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

By your pardon, sir, I was then a young traveller,

rather shunned 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.

Frenchman

'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.

IACHIMO

Can we, with manners, ask what was the difference?

Frenchman

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, constant-qualified and less attemptable

than any the rarest of our ladies in France.

IACHIMO

That lady is not now living, or this gentleman's

opinion by this worn out.

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

She holds her virtue still and I my mind.

IACHIMO

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

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

Being so far provoked as I was in France, I would

abate her nothing, though I profess myself her

adorer, not her friend.

IACHIMO

As fair and as good--a kind of hand-in-hand

comparison--had been something too fair and too good

for any lady in Britain. If she went before others

I have seen, as that diamond of yours outlustres

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.

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

I praised her as I rated her: so do I my stone.

IACHIMO

What do you esteem it at?

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

More than the world enjoys.

IACHIMO

Either your unparagoned mistress is dead, or she's

outprized by a trifle.

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

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.

IACHIMO

Which the gods have given you?

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

Which, by their graces, I will keep.

IACHIMO

You may wear her in title yours: but, you know,

strange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. Your

ring may be stolen too: so 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.

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

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.

PHILARIO

Let us leave here, gentlemen.

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

Sir, with all my heart. This worthy signior, I

thank him, makes no stranger of me, we are familiar at first.

IACHIMO

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.

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

No, no.

IACHIMO

I dare thereupon 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.

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

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.

IACHIMO

What's that?

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

A repulse: though your attempt, as you call it,

deserve more, a punishment too.

PHILARIO

Gentlemen, enough of this: it came in too suddenly,

let it die as it was born, and, I pray you, be

better acquainted.

IACHIMO

Would I had put my estate and my neighbour's on the

approbation of what I have spoke!

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

What lady would you choose to assail?

IACHIMO

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 honour of hers which you imagine so reserved.

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

I will wage against your gold, gold to it: my ring

I hold dear as my finger, 'tis part of it.

IACHIMO

You are afraid, 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.

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

This is but a custom in your tongue, you bear a

graver purpose, I hope.

IACHIMO

I am the master of my speeches, and would undergo

what's spoken, I swear.

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

Will you? I shall but lend my diamond till your

return: let there be covenants drawn between's: my

mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness of your

unworthy thinking: I dare you to this match: here's my ring.

PHILARIO

I will have it no lay.

IACHIMO

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.

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

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.

IACHIMO

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.

POSTHUMUS LEONATUS

Agreed.

Exeunt POSTHUMUS LEONATUS and IACHIMO

Frenchman

Will this hold, think you?

PHILARIO

Signior Iachimo will not from it.

Pray, let us follow 'em.

Exeunt

SCENE V. 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?

First Lady

I, madam.

QUEEN

Dispatch.

Exeunt Ladies

Now, master doctor, have you brought those drugs?

CORNELIUS

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 those most poisonous compounds,

Which are the movers of a languishing death,

But though slow, deadly?

QUEEN

I 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? I will try the forces

Of these thy compounds on such creatures as

We count not worth the hanging, but none human,

To try the vigour of them and apply

Allayments to their act, and by them gather

Their several virtues and effects.

CORNELIUS

Your highness

Shall from this practise but make hard your heart:

Besides, the seeing these effects will be

Both noisome and infectious.

QUEEN

O, content thee.

Enter PISANIO

Aside

Here comes a flattering rascal, upon him

Will I first work: he's for his master,

An enemy to my son. How now, Pisanio!

Doctor, your service for this time is ended,

Take your own way.

CORNELIUS

[Aside] I do suspect you, madam,

But you shall do no harm.

QUEEN

[To PISANIO] Hark thee, a word.

CORNELIUS

[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 stupefy and dull the sense awhile,

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

No further service, doctor,

Until I send for thee.

CORNELIUS

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

His fortunes all lie speechless and his name

Is at last gasp: return he cannot, nor

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,

So much as but to prop him?

The QUEEN drops the box: PISANIO takes it up

Thou takest 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 prethee, 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 PISANIO

A sly and constant knave,

Not to be shaked, the agent for his master

And the remembrancer of her to hold

The hand-fast to her lord. I have given him that

Which, if he take, shall quite unpeople her

Of liegers for her sweet, and which she after,

Except she bend her humour, shall be assured

To taste of too.

Re-enter PISANIO and Ladies

So, so: well done, well done:

The violets, cowslips, and the primroses,

Bear to my closet. Fare thee well, Pisanio,

Think on my words.

Exeunt QUEEN and Ladies

PISANIO

And shall do:

But when to my good lord I prove untrue,

I'll choke myself: there's all I'll do for you.

Exit

SCENE VI. The same. Another room in the palace.

Enter IMOGEN

IMOGEN

A father cruel, and a step-dame false,

A foolish suitor to a wedded lady,

That hath her husband banish'd,--O, that husband!

My supreme crown of grief! and those repeated

Vexations of it! Had I been thief-stol'n,

As my two brothers, happy! but most miserable

Is the desire that's glorious: blest be those,

How mean soe'er, that have their honest wills,

Which seasons comfort. Who may this be? Fie!

Enter PISANIO and IACHIMO

PISANIO

Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome,

Comes from my lord with letters.

IACHIMO

Change you, madam?

The worthy Leonatus is in safety

And greets your highness dearly.

Presents a letter

IMOGEN

Thanks, good sir:

You're kindly welcome.

IACHIMO

[Aside] All of her that is out of door most rich!

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.

IMOGEN

[Reads] 'He is one of the noblest note, to whose

kindnesses I am most infinitely tied. Reflect upon

him accordingly, as you value your trust--

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.

IACHIMO

Thanks, fairest lady.

What, are men mad? Hath nature given them eyes

To see this vaulted arch, and the rich crop

Of sea and land, which can distinguish 'twixt

The fiery orbs above and the twinn'd stones

Upon the number'd beach? and can we not

Partition make with spectacles so precious

'Twixt fair and foul?

IMOGEN

What makes your admiration?

IACHIMO

It cannot be i' the eye, for apes and monkeys

'Twixt two such shes would chatter this way and

Contemn with mows the other, nor i' the judgment,

For idiots in this case of favour would

Be wisely definite, nor i' the appetite,

Sluttery to such neat excellence opposed

Should make desire vomit emptiness,

Not so allured to feed.

IMOGEN

What is the matter, trow?

IACHIMO

The cloyed will,

That satiate yet unsatisfied desire, that tub

Both fill'd and running, ravening first the lamb

Longs after for the garbage.

IMOGEN

What, dear sir,

Thus raps you? Are you well?

IACHIMO

Thanks, madam, well.

To PISANIO

Beseech you, sir, desire

My man's abode where I did leave him: he

Is strange and peevish.

PISANIO

I was going, sir,

To give him welcome.

Exit

IMOGEN

Continues well my lord? His health, beseech you?

IACHIMO

Well, madam.

IMOGEN

Is he disposed to mirth? I hope he is.

IACHIMO

Exceeding pleasant, none a stranger there

So merry and so gamesome: he is call'd

The Briton reveller.

IMOGEN

When he was here,

He did incline to sadness, and oft-times

Not knowing why.

IACHIMO

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?'

IMOGEN

Will my lord say so?

IACHIMO

Ay, madam, with his eyes in flood with laughter:

It is a recreation to be by

And hear him mock the Frenchman. But, heavens know,

Some men are much to blame.

IMOGEN

Not he, I hope.

IACHIMO

Not he: but yet heaven's bounty towards him might

Be used more thankfully. In himself, 'tis much,

In you, which I account his beyond all talents,

Whilst I am bound to wonder, I am bound

To pity too.

IMOGEN

What do you pity, sir?

IACHIMO

Two creatures heartily.

IMOGEN

Am I one, sir?

You look on me: what wreck discern you in me

Deserves your pity?

IACHIMO

Lamentable! What,

To hide me from the radiant sun and solace

I' the dungeon by a snuff?

IMOGEN

I pray you, sir,

Deliver with more openness your answers

To my demands. Why do you pity me?

IACHIMO

That others do--

I was about to say--enjoy your--But

It is an office of the gods to venge it,

Not mine to speak on 't.

IMOGEN

You do seem to know

Something of me, or what concerns me: pray you,--

Since doubling things go ill often hurts more

Than to be sure they do, for certainties

Either are past remedies, or, timely knowing,

The remedy then born--discover to me

What both you spur and stop.

IACHIMO

Had I this cheek

To bathe my lips upon, this hand, whose touch,

Whose every 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 by-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.

IMOGEN

My lord, I fear,

Has forgot Britain.

IACHIMO

And himself. Not I,

Inclined to this intelligence, pronounce

The beggary of his change, but 'tis your graces

That from pay mutest conscience to my tongue

Charms this report out.

IMOGEN

Let me hear no more.

IACHIMO

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,

Would make the great'st king double,--to be partner'd

With tomboys hired with that self-exhibition

Which your own coffers yield! with diseased ventures

That play with all infirmities for gold

Which rottenness can lend nature! such boil'd stuff

As well might poison poison! Be revenged,

Or she that bore you was no queen, and you

Recoil from your great stock.

IMOGEN

Revenged!

How should I be revenged? 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 revenged?

IACHIMO

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.

IMOGEN

What, ho, Pisanio!

IACHIMO

Let me my service tender on your lips.

IMOGEN

Away! I do condemn mine ears that have

So long attended thee. If thou wert honourable,

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 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 who

He not respects at all. What, ho, Pisanio!

IACHIMO

O happy Leonatus! I may say

The credit that thy lady hath of thee

Deserves thy trust, and thy most perfect goodness

Her assured 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 into him,

Half all men's hearts are his.

IMOGEN

You make amends.

IACHIMO

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 adventured

To try your taking 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.

IMOGEN

All's well, sir: take my power i' the court

for yours.

IACHIMO

My humble thanks. I had almost forgot

To entreat your grace but in a small request,

And yet of moment to, for it concerns

Your lord, myself and other noble friends,

Are partners in the business.

IMOGEN

Pray, what is't?

IACHIMO

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?

IMOGEN

Willingly,

And pawn mine honour for their safety: since

My lord hath interest in them, I will keep them

In my bedchamber.

IACHIMO

They are in a trunk,

Attended by my men: I will make bold

To send them to you, only for this night,

I must aboard to-morrow.

IMOGEN

O, no, no.

IACHIMO

Yes, I beseech, or I shall short my word

By lengthening my return. From Gallia

I cross'd the seas on purpose and on promise

To see your grace.

IMOGEN

I thank you for your pains:

But not away to-morrow!

IACHIMO

O, I must, madam:

Therefore I shall beseech you, if you please

To greet your lord with writing, do't to-night:

I have outstood my time, which is material

To the tender of our present.

IMOGEN

I will write.

Send your trunk to me, it shall safe be kept,

And truly yielded you. You're very welcome.

Exeunt