SCENE 11.3 [knowledge Were stolen and to this hour, no guess in Which way they went. 2 Gent. How long is this ago? Gent. Some twenty years. 2 Gent. That a king's children should be so So slackly guarded! And the search so slow, 1 Gent. Howsoe'er 'tis strange, Re-enter QUEEN. Queen. Be brief, I pray you: If the king come, I shall incur I know not [Exit. Post. Should we be taking leave Were you but riding forth to air yourself, Post. How! how! another?- [Putting on the Ring. While senset can keep it on! And sweetest, fairest, As I my poor self did exchange for you, Or that the negligence may well be laugh'd at, To your so infinite loss; so, in our trifles 2 Gent. I do well believe you. 1 Gent. We must forbear: Here comes the queen and princess. SCENE II.-The same. [Exeunt. Enter the QUEEN, POSTHUMUS, and IMOGEN. Queen. No, be assur'd, you shall not find me, daughter, After the slander of most step-mothers, I will be known your advocate: marry, yet I will from hence to-day. [tience Queen. You know the peril :- Hath charg'd you should not speak together. Imo. O I something fear my father's wrath; but no- Post. My queen! my mistress! O, lady, weep no more; lest I give cause * Formed their manners. [send, I still win of you: For my sake, wear this; [Putting a Bracelet on her Arm. Imo. O, the gods! When shall we see again? Cym. O disloyal thing, That should'st repair my youth; thou heapest Imo. I beseech you, Sir, Harm not yourself with your vexation ; I Cym. Past grace? obedience? [rares Imo. Past hope, and in despair; that way, past grace. Cym. That might'st have had the sole son of my queen! Imo. O bless'd, that I might not! I chose an eagle, And did avoid a puttock. Cym. Thou took'st a beggar; would'st have made my throne A seat for baseness. Imo. No; I rather added Cym. O thou vile one! It is your fault that I have lov'd Posthumus: Cym. What!-art thou mad? ↑ Fill. Imo. Almost, Sir: Heaven restore me!— A neat-herd's daughter! and my Leonatus Re-enter Queen. Cym. Thou foolish thing!- Queen. 'Beseech your patience :-Peace, some comfort Out of your best advice.t Cym. Nay, let her languish A drop of blood a day; and, being aged, Enter PISANIO. [Exit. Queen. Fie!-you must give way: [news? Here is your servant.-How now, Sir? What Pis. My lord your son drew on my master. Queen. Ha! No harm, I trust, is done? Pis. There might have been, But that my master rather play'd than fought, Queen. I am very glad on't. Imo. Your son's my father's friend; he takes To draw upon an exile!-O brave Sir!- master? Pis. On his command: He would not suffer me To bring him to the haven: left these notes Queen. This hath been Your faithful servant: I dare lay mine honour, Pis. I humbly thank your highness. Imo. About some half hour hence, I pray you, speak with me: you shall, at least, me. SCENE III-A public Place. [Exeunt. Enter CLOTEN, and two LORDs. 1 Lord. Sir, 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. Clo. If my shirt were bloody, then to shift it-Have I hurt him? 2 Lord. No, faith; not so much as his patience. 1 Lord. Hurt him? his body's a passable car. [Aside. cass, if he be not hurt: it is a thoroughfare for steel if it be not hurt. 2 Lord. His steel was in debt; it went o'the backside the town. Clo. The villain would not stand me. [Aside. 2 Lord. No; but he fled forward still, toward your face. 1 Lord. Stand you! You had land enough of [Aside. your own: but he added to your having; gave you some ground. * Cattle-keeper. + Consideration. LACT L 2 Lord. As many inches as you have oceans: Puppies! [Aside. Clo. I would, they had not come between us. 2 Lord. So would I, till you had measured how long a fool you were upon the ground. [Aside. Clo. And that she should love this fellow, and refuse me! 2 Lord. If it be a sin to make a true election, she is damned. [4 side. 1 Lord. Sir, as I told you always, her beangood sign, but I have seen small reflection of ty and her brain go not together: She's a her wit.t 2 Lord. She shines not upon fools, lest the reflection should hurt her. Clo. Come, I'll to my chamber: 'Would there [Aside. had been some hurt done! 2 Lord. I wish not so; unless it had been the fall of an ass, which is no great hurt. [Aside. Clo. You'll go with us? 1 Lord. I'll attend your lordship. [Exeunt. SCENE IV-A Room in CYMBELINE's Palace. Enter IMOGEN and PISANIO. Imo. I would thou grew'st unto the shores And question'dst every sail: if he should write, Pis. 'Twas, His queen, his queen! Imo. Senseless linen! happier therein than Pis. No, madam; for so long As he could make me with this eye or ear Imo. Thou should'st have made him Pis. Madam, so I did. Imo. I would have broke mine eye-strings; To look upon him; till the diminution Pis. Be assur'd, madam, Imo. I did not take my leave of him, but had Her beauty and sense are not equal, + To understand the force of this idea, it should be remembered that anciently almost every sign had a motto, or some attempt at a witticism underneath it. + Opportunity. Meet me with reciprocal prayer. Betwixt two charming words, comes in my is mended,) my quarrel was not altogether slight. father, And, like the tyrannous breathing of the north, Shakes all our buds from growing. SCENE V.-Rome.-An Apartment in PHILARIO'S House. Enter PHILARIO, IACHIMO, a FRENCHMAN, a DUTCHMAN, and a SPANIARD. lach. 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. Phi. You speak of him when he was less furnished, 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. Iach. 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: lach. Ay, and the approbation of those, that weep this lamentable divorce, under her colours, are wonderfully to extends him; be it but to fortify her judgement, 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 acquain tance? Phi. His father and I were soldiers together; to whom I have been often bound for no less than my life: 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, constant-qualified, and less attemptible, than any the rarest of our ladies in France. gentleman's opinion, by this, worn out. lach. That lady is not now living; or this Post. She holds her virtue still, and I my mind. ours of Italy. Iuch. You must not so far prefer her 'fore Post. Being so far provoked as I was in France, I would abate her nothing; though I profess myself her adorer, not her friend.+ Iach. As fair, and as good, (a kind of handfair, and too good for any lady in Britany. If in-hand comparison,) had been something too she went before others I have seen, as that held, I could not but believe she excelled diamond of yours outlustres many I have bemany: 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. Tach. What do you esteem it at? Post. More than the world enjoys. dead, or she's outpriz'd by a trifle. Iach. Either your unparagoned mistress is sold, or given; if there were wealth enough Iach. Which the gods have given you? 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 convircet the honour of my mistress; if, in the holding or loss of that, have store of thieves; notwithstanding I fear you term her frail. I do nothing doubt, you not my ring. Phi. Let us leave here, gentlemen. Post. Sir, with all heart. This worthy signior, I thank him, makes no stranger of me; we are familiar at first. lach. 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. Iuch. I dare, thereon, pawn the moiety of my estate to your ring; which, in my opinion, o'er-values it something: But I make my wager rather against your confidence, than her repu * Destroyed. + Lover, I speak of her as a being 1 reverence, not as a beauty whom I enjoy. 1 Overcome 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 approbationt of what I have spoke. Post. What lady would you choose to assail? lach. 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 sufficieut 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. [Exeunt POSTHUMUS and IACHIMO. French. Will this hold, think you? Phi. Signior lachimo will not from it. Pray, let us follow 'em. [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? * Deceived. 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 Bor 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, [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 To try the vigour of them, and apply Cor. Your highness 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 Queen. No further service, doctor, [Erit. Cor. I humbly take my leave. thou think, in time She will not quench;† and let instructions enter I'll tell thee, on the instant, thou art then A day's work in him: What shalt thou expect, | Arm me, audacity, from head to foot! Imo. [Reads.]-He is one of the noblest note, to whose kindness I am most infinitely tied. ReSo much as but to prop him?-Thou tak'st up Thou know'st not what; but take it for thyflect upon him accordingly, as you value your truest labour: It is a thing I made, which hath the king know [it; think Thou hast thy mistress still; to boot, my son, Not to be shak'd: the agent for his master; after, Except she bend her humour, shall be assur'd To taste of too.-So, so;-well done, well The violets, cowslips, and the primroses, [Exeunt QUEEN and LADIES. [Exit. SCENE VII.-Another Room in the sume. Enter IMOGEN. Imo. A father cruel, and a step-dame false; A foolish suitor to a wedded lady, [band! That hath her husband banish'd;-0, that husMy supreme crown of grief! and those re peated Vexations of it! Had I been thief-stolen, Is the desire that's glorious: Blessed be those, Enter PISANIO and IACHIMO. Imo. Thanks, good Sir: [Presents a Letter. Iach. All of her, that is out of door, most rich! [Aside. If she be furnish'd with a mind so rare, * Ambassadors. them eyes To see this vaulted arch, and the rich crop Imo. What makes your admiration? monkeys, For idiots, in this case of favour, would Imo. What is the matter, trow? (That satiate yet unsatisfied desire, That tub both fill'd and running,) ravening first |