tation: and, to bar your offence herein too, I durst attempt it against any lady in the world. Post. 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. 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? Jach. 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. 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.

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.

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.

lach. 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.

[Exeunt POSTHUMUS and IACHIMO. French. Will this hold, think you? Phi. Signior Iachimo will not from it. Pray, let us follow 'em.

SCENE VI.-Britain.-A Room in CYMBELINE'S Palace.

Enter QUEEN, LADIES, and CORNELIUS. Queen. Whiles yet the dew's on ground, ther 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 [pounds, Commanded of me these most poisonous comWhich are the movers of a languishing death; But, though slow, deadly? Queen. I do wonder, doctor, [been Thou ask'st me such a question: Have I not 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 judgement 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.
Cor. Your highness
Shall from this
Besides, the sec
Both noisome
Queen. O,

[heart: ctice but make hard your

these effects will be infectious.

ent thee.

Enter PISANIO.

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

Cor. I do suspect you, madam; But you shall do no harm. [Aside. Queen. 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 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.

[Exit.

Cor. I humbly ke my leave.
Queen. Weeps she still, say'st thou ? Dost

thout in time

773

Arm me, audacity, from head to foot!
Rather, directly fly.
Or, like the Parthian, I shall flying fight;

Imo. [Reads.]-He is one of the noblest note, to whose kindness I am most infinitely tied. Retruest

labour:

know

So far I read aloud:

LEONATUS.

Lly.

think

constant knave;

Not to be shak'd: the agent for his master;
And the remembrancer of her, to hold [that,
The hand fast to her lord.-I have given him
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 Re-enter PISANIO, and LADIES.

To taste of too.-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. Pis. 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 VII.-Another Room in the same.
Enter IMOGEN.

Imo. A father cruel, and a step-dame false;
A foolish suitor to a wedded lady,
That hath her husband banish'd;-O, that hus-
[band!
My supreme crown of grief! and those re-

What! are men mad? Hath nature given
Iach. Thanks, fairest lady.-
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?

Imo. What makes your admiration?
Iach. It cannot be i'the eye; for apes and

Twixt two such shes, would chatter this way, monkeys, [and Contemn with mows the other: Nor i'the For idiots, in this case of favour, would. judgement; Sluttery, to such neat excellence oppos'd, Be wisely definite: Nor i'the appetite ; Should make desire vomit emptiness, Not so allur'd to feed.

Imo. What is the matter, trow?
Iach. 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?

Iuch. Thanks, madam; well :-'Beseech you, Sir, desire [TO PISANIO. My man's abode where I did leave him: he Is strange and peevish.t

Pis. I was going, Sir, To give him welcome.

So merry and so gamesome: he is call'd
The Briton reveller.

He did incline to sadness; and oft-times
Imo. When he was here,
Not knowing why.

Iach. I never saw him sad.

There is a Frenchman his companion, one
An eminent monsieur, that, it seems, much
A Gallian girl at home: he furnaces [loves
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 By history, report, or his own proof, [knows 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,

heavens know,

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

[as Made hard with hourly falsehood (falsehood, 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. My lord, I fear,

Has forgot Britain.

Iach. 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.

Imo. Let me hear no more.

Iuch. 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,t
Would make the great'st king double! to be
partner'd

With tomboys, hir'd with that self-exhibitions
Which your own coffers yield! with diseas'd

ventures,

That play with all infirmities for gold [stuff, Which rottennes, can lend nature! such boil'd As well might poison poison! Be reveng'd; Or she that bore you, was no queen, and you Recoil from your great stock.

Imo. Reveng'd!

How should I be reveng'd? If this be true,

What you seem anxious to utter, and yet withhold. + Sovereign command. + Wantons.

Allowance, pension.

How should I be reveng'd?

Iach. Should he make me

Live like Diana's priest, betwixt cold sheets;
Whilst 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!

Jach. Let me my service tender on your lips. Imo. Away!--I do condemn mine ears, that have [able, So long attended thee.-If thou wert honourThou would'st have told this tale for virtue, not [strange. For such an end thou seek'st; as base, as Thou wrong'st a gentleman, who is as far From thy report, as thou from honour; and Solicit'st here a lady, that disdains [anio!Thee and the devil' alike.-What ho, PisThe 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!Tach. O happy Leonatus! I may say; The credit, that thy lady hath of thee, [ness Deserves thy trust; and thy most perfect goodHer 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 par

don.

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 boly witch,
That he enchants societies unto him:
Half all men's hearts are his.

Imo. You make amends.

lach. 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

[ment

[him

Honour'd with confirmation your great judge-
In the election of a Sir so rare,
Which you know, cannot err: The love I bear
Made me to fan you thus; but the gods made
you,
[don.
Unlike all others, chaffless. Pray, your par-
Imo. All's well, Sir: Take my power î'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.

1 Lord. What got he by that? You have broke his pate with your bowl.

2 Lord. If his wit had been like him that broke it, it would have ran all out. [Aside. Clo. When a gentleman is disposed to swear, it is not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths: Ha?

2 Lord. No, my lord; nor [Aside.] crop the ears of them.

Clo. Whoreson dog!-I give him satisfaction? Would, he had been one of my rank!

2 Lord. To have smelt like a fool. [Aside. Clo. I am not more vexed at any thing in the earth,-A pox on't! I had rather not be so noble as I am; they dare not fight with me, because of the queen my mother: every jackslave hath his belly full of fighting, and I must go up and down like a cock that nobody can

match.

Clo. No, I know that: but it is fit, I should commit offence to my inferiors.

2 Lord. Ay, it is fit for your lordship only. Clo. Why, so I say.

1 Lord. Did you hear of a stranger, that's come to court to-night?

Clo. A stranger! and I know not on't! 2 Lord. He's a strange fellow himself, and knows it not. [Aside.

1 Lord. There's an Italian come; and, 'tis thought, one of Leonatus' friends.

He is describing his fate at bowls, the jack is the small bowl at which the others are aimed. + Fellow.

Clo. Leonatus! a banished rascal; and he's another, whatsoever he be. Who told you of this stranger?

1 Lord. One of your lordship's pages. Clo. Is it fit, I went to look upon him? Is there no derogation in't?

1 Lord. You cannot derogate,* my lord. Clo. Not easily, I think.

2 Lord. You are a fool granted; therefore your issues being foolish, do not derogate. [Aside. Clo. Come, I'll go see this Italian: What 1 have lost to day at bowls, I'll win to-night of him. Come, go.

2 Lord. I'll attend your lordship.

[Exeunt CLOTEN and first LORD. That such a crafty devil as is his mother Should yield the world this ass! a woman, that Bears all down with her brain; and this her

son

Cannot take two from twenty for his heart,
And leave eighteen. Alas, poor princess,
Thou divine Imogen, what thou endur'st!
Betwixt a father by thy step-dame govern'd;
A mother hourly coining plots; a wooer
More hateful than the foul expulsion is
Of thy dear husband, than that horrid act
Of the divorce he'd make! The heavens hold
firm

The walls of thy dear honour; keep unshak'd
That temple, thy fair mind; that thou may'st
To enjoy thy banish'd lord, and this great land!
stand,
[Exit.

SCENE II-A Bed-chamber; in one part of it a Trunk.

IMOGEN reading in her Bed; a LADY attending.

Imo. Who's there? my woman Helen?
Ludy. Please you, madam.

Imo. What hour is it?

Lady. Almost midnight, madam.

Imo. I have read three hours then: mine

eyes are weak :

Fold down the leaf where I have left: To bed:
Take not away the taper, leave it burning;
And if thou canst awake by four o'the clock,
I pr'ythee, call me. Sleep hath seiz'd me
wholly.
[Exit LADY.
To your protection I commend me, gods!
From fairies, and the tempters of the night,
Guard me, beseech ye!

[Sleeps. IACHIMO, from the Trunk. Iach. The crickets sing, and man's o'er-labour'd sense

Repairs itself by rest: Our Tarquin thus
Did softly press the rushes,t ere he waken'd
The chastity he wounded.-Cytherea,
How bravely thou becom'st thy bed! fresh lily!
And whiter than the sheets! That I might
touch!

But kiss; one kiss!-Rubies unparagon'd,
How dearly they do't!-'Tis her breathing that
Perfumes the chamber thus: The flame o'the
[lids,

taper

Bows toward her; and would under-peep her To see the enclosed lights, now canopied Under these windows: White and azure, lac'd With blue of heaven's own tinct.-But my design?

To note the chamber:-I will write all down:Such, and such, pictures :-There the window:-Such

figures, [story,Why, such, and such :-And the contents o'the Ah, but some natural notes about her body, Above ten thousand meaner moveables Would testify, to enrich mine inventory: O sleep, thou ape of death, lie dull upon her! And be her sense but as a monument, Thus in a chapel lying!-Come off, come off;[Taking off her Bracelet. As slippery, as the Gordian knot was hard! 'Tis mine; and this will witness outwardly, As strongly as the conscience does within, To the madding of her lord. On her left breast

A mole cinque-spotted, like the crimson drops I'the bottom of a cowslip: Here's a voucher, Stronger than ever law could make: this se[ta'en Will force him think I have pick'd the lock, and The treasure of her honour. No more.-To what end?

cret

Why should I write this down, that's rivetted, Screw'd to my memory? She hath been reading late [down, The tale of Tereus; here the leaf's turn'd Where Philomel gave up ;-I have enough: To the trunk again, and shut the spring of it. Swift, swift, you dragons of the night!-that dawning

May bare the raven's eye: I lodge in fear; Though this a heavenly angel, hell is here. [Clock strikes.

One, two, three,-Time, time!

[Goes into the Trunk. The Scene closes. SCENE III.-An Antechamber adjoining IMOGEN'S Apartment.

Enter CLOTEN and LORDS.

1 Lord, Your lordship is the most patient man in loss, the most coldest that ever turned up ace.

Clo. It would make any man cold to lose. 1 Lord. But not every man patient, after the noble temper of your lordship; You are most hot, and furious, when you win.

Clo. Winning would put any man into courage: If I could get this foolish Imogen, I should have gold enough: It's almost morning, is't not?

1 Lord. Day, my lord.

Clo. I would this music would come: I am advised to give her music o' mornings; they say, it will penetrate.

Clo. I have assailed her with music, but she vouchsafes no notice.

She hath not yet forgot him: some more time Cym. The exile of her minion is too new; Must wear the print of his remembrance out, And then she's yours.

Queen. You are most bound to the king; Who let's go by no vantages, that may Prefer you to his daughter: Frame yourself To orderly solicits; and be friended With aptness of the season:t make denials Increase your services: so seem, as if You were inspir'd to do those duties which You tender to her; that you in all obey her, Save when command to your dismission tends, And therein you are senseless.

Clo. Senseless? Not so.

Enter a MESSENGER.

We must extend our notice.-Our dear son, When you have given good morning to your mistress,

Attend the queen, and us; we shall have need To employ you towards this Roman.—Come, our queen.

[Exeunt CYM. QUEEN, LORDS, and MESS. Clo. If she be up, I'll speak with her; if not, Let her lie still, and dream.-By your leave ho![Knocks.

I know her women are about her; What
If I do line one of their hands? 'Tis gold
Which buys admittance; oft it doth; yea, and
makes

Diana's rangers false themselves, yield up Their deer to the stand of the stealer; and 'tis gold

Which makes the true man kill'd, and saves the thief;

Nay, sometime, hangs both thief and true man: What

Can it not do, and undo? I will make
One of her women lawyer to me; for
I yet not understand the case myself.
By your leave.

[Knocks.

+ With solicitations not only proper but well-timed.