ation: and, to bar your offence herein too, I durst attempt it against any lady in the world. Po.t. 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: 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 lachimo will not from it. Pray, as follow 'em. [Exeunt. ENE 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. + Proof. Recomendation.

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?

[been

Queen. I do wonder, doctor, 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

[heart: Shall from this practice but make hard your Besides, the seeing these effects will be Both noisome and infectious. Queen. O, content 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.

Cor. 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
I'll tell thee, on the instant, thou art then
son,
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 bemg.t
And every day, that comes, comes to decay
Is to exchange one misery with another;

|

773

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

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
To any shape of thy preferment, such
As thou'lt desire; and then myself, I chiefly,
[king
That set thee on to this desert, am bound
To load thy merit richly. Call my women:
Think on my words. [Exit PISA.]-A sly and
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.

Vexations of it! Had I been thief-stolen,

So far I read aloud:

LEONATUS.

[ly.

But even the very middle of my heart
Is warm'd by the rest, and takes it thankful-
You are as welcome, worthy Sir, as I
Have words to bid you; and shall find it so,
In all that I can do.

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, Contemn with mows the other: Nor i'the [and 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?

you, Sir, desire

Iuch. Thanks, madam; well :-'Beseech [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.

[Exit PISANIO.

Imo. Continues well my lord? His health,

'beseech you?

Iuch. Well, madam.

Imo. Is he dispos'd to mirth? I hope, he is. Iuch. Exceeding pleasant; none a stranger

there

Jach. All of her, that is out of door, most rich!

[Aside.

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!

* Ambassadors

It is a recreation to be by,

heavens know,

You look on me; What wreck discern you in Deserves your pity?

Iach. Lamentable! What!

To hide me from the radiant sun, and solace I'the dungeon by a snuff?

Imo. I pray you, Sir,

Deliver with more openness your answers
To my demands. Why do you pity me?
Iach. 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.

Imo. You do seem to know
[you,
Something of me, or what concerns me; 'Pray
(Since doubting 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.*

Iach. 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

[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 rottenness 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!

not

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, [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!Iach. O happy Leonatus! I may say; The credit, that thy lady hath of thee, [ness Deserves thy trust; and thy most perfect good. Her 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 holy 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

[him

hath [ment 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 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.

The adornment of her bed;-The arras," 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.

So, get you gone: If this penetrate, I will consider your music the better: if it do not, it is a vice in her ears, which horse-hairs, and cats-guts, nor the voice of unpaved eunuch to boot, can never amend. [Exeunt MUSICIANS. Enter CYMBELINE and QUEEN.

2 Lord. Here comes the king.

the reason I was up so early: He cannot Clo. I am glad, I was up so late; for that's choose but take this service I have done, fatherly. Good morrow to your majesty, and to my gracious mother.

Cym. Attend you here the door of our stern daughter?

Will she not forth?

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.

Who let's go by no vantages, that may
Queen. You are most bound to the king;
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.

Mess. So like you, Sir, ambassadors from The one is Caius Lucius. [Rome;

Cym. A worthy fellow, Albeit he comes on angry purpose now; But that's no fault of his: We must receive According to the honour of his sender; [him And towards himself his goodness forespent

on us

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
yet not understand the case myself.
By your leave.

[Knocks.

With solicitations not only proper but well-tuned.