Myself, Belarius, that am Morgan call'd, The game is up. [Exit. Enter Pi SCENE IV.Near Milford-Haven. sanio and Imogen. Imo. Thou told'st me, when we came from horse, the place Was near at hand :-Ne'er long'd my mother so To see me first, as I have now:-Pisanio! Man! Where is Posthúmus? What is in thy mind, That makes thee stare thus? Wherefore breaks that sigh From the inward of thee? One, but painted thus, Into a haviour of less fear, ere wildness What's the matter? That drug-damn'd Italy hath out-craftied him, And he's at some hard point.-Speak, man; thy tongue May take off some extremity, which to read Pis. Imo. [Reads.] Thy mistress, Pisanio, hath played the strumpet in my bed; the testimonies whereof lie bleeding in me. I speak not out of weak surmises; from proof as strong as my grief, and as certain as I expect my revenge. That part, thou, Pisanio, must act for me, if thy faith be not tainted with the breach of hers. Let thine own (1) For behaviour. hands take away her life: I shall give thee opportunities at Milford-Haven: she hath my letter for the purpose: Where, if thou fear to strike, and to make me certain it is done, thou art the pander to her dishonour, and equally to me disloyal. Pis. What shall I need to draw my sword? the paper Hath cut her throat already.-No, 'tis slander; Whose edge is sharper than the sword; whose tongue Out-venoms all the worms of Nile; whose breath To break it with a fearful dream of him, Pis. Alas, good lady! Imo. I false? Thy conscience witness :-Iachimo, Thou didst accuse him of incontinency;. Thou then look'dst like a villain; now, methinks, Pis. Good madam, hear me. (1) Putta, in Italian, signifies both a jay and a whore. (2) Likeness. Imo. True honest men being heard, like false Æneas, Were, in his time, thought false: and Sinon's weeping Did scandal many a holy tear; took pity From most true wretchedness: So, thou, Posthú mus, Wilt lay the leaven on all proper men; Goodly, and gallant, shall be false and perjur'd, I draw the sword myself: take it; and hit Pis. Hence, vile instrument ! Thou shalt not damn my hand. Imo. Why, I must die; And if I do not by thy hand, thou art No servant of thy master's: Against self-slaughter There is a prohibition so divine, That cravens my weak hand. Come, here's my heart; Something's afore't:-Soft, soft; we'll no defence; Corrupters of my faith! you shall no more. Be stomachers to my heart! Thus may poor fools Believe false teachers: Though those that are betray'd Do feel the treason sharply, yet the traitor Stands in worse case of wo. And thou, Posthúmus, thou that didst set up (1) Cowards. (2) The writings. My disobedience 'gainst the king my father, Pis. O gracious lady, Since I receiv'd command to do this business, I have not slept one wink. Do't, and to bed then. Imo. Pis. Imo. Pis. Then, madam, I thought you would not back again. Imo. Most like; Not so, neither: (1) Feedest or preyest on. But if I were as wise as honest, then My purpose would prove well. It cannot be, Some villain, ay, and singular in his art, Hath done you both this cursed injury. Imo. Some Roman courtezan. Pis. No, on my life. I'll give but notice you are dead, and send him Some bloody sign of it; for 'tis commanded I should do so: You shall be miss'd at court, And that will well confirm it. Imo. Why, good fellow, What shall I do the while? Where bide? How live? Or in my life what comfort, when I am Dead to my husband? Pis. If you'll back to the court,Imo. No court, no father; nor no more ado With that harsh, noble, simple, nothing: That Cloten, whose love-suit hath been to me As fearful as a siege. Pis. If not at court, Then not in Britain must you bide. Where then? Imo. In a great pool, a swan's nest; Pr'ythee, think Pis. |