The Dramatic Works of William Shakspeare

770

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,
And had no help of anger: they were parted
By gentlemen at hand,

Queen. I am very glad on't.

Imo. 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?

Pis. On his command: He would not suffer

Enter CLOTEN, and two LORDS.

1 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.

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

2 Lord. No, faith; not so much as his patience. [Aside. 1 Lord. Hurt him? his body's a passable car. 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 packside the town. [Aside. Clo. The villain would not stand me. 2 Lord. No; but he fled forward still, toward your face. [Aside. 1 Lord. Stand you! You had land enough of your own: but he added to your having; gave you some ground. Cettle-keeper.

+ Consideration.

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. [Aside

1 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.t

2 Lord. She shines not upon fools, lest the reflection should hurt her. [Aside. Clo. Come, I'll to my chamber: 'Would there 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.
Clo. Nay, come, let's go together.
2 Lord. Well, my lord.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV-A Room in CYMBELINE'S Paluce.

Enter IMOGEN and PISANIO.

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

And question'dst every sail: if he should write,
And I not have it, 'twere a paper lost
As offer'd mercy is. What was the last
That he spake to thee?

Pis. 'Twas, His queen, his queen!
Imo. Then wav'd his handkerchief?
Pis. And kiss'd it, madam.

Imo. Senseless linen! happier therein than
And that was all?

Pis. 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 his mind
Could best express how slow his soul sail'd on,
How swift his ship.

Imo. Thou should'st have made him
As little as a crow, or less, ere left
To after-eye him.

Pis. Madam, so I did.

Imo. 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
When shall we hear from him? [Písanio,

Pis. Be assur'd, madam,
With his next vantage.$

Imo. 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
The shes of Italy should not betray [swear
Mine interest, and his honour; or have charg'd
him,
[night,

At the sixth hour of morn, at noon, at mid-
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

Her beauty and sense are not equal.

+To understand the force of this idea, it should be re. membered that anciently almost every sign had a motto, or some attempt at a witticism underneath it.

+ Opportunity, Meet me with reciprocal prayer

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,t 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:Iach. 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 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:

is mended,) my quarrel was not altogether slight.

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.

lach. That lady is not now living; or this gentleman's opinion, by this, worn out.

Post. She holds her virtue still, and I my mind.

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

Post. Being so far provoked as I was in France, I would abate her nothing: though I profess myself her adorer, not her friend.t

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

Post. You are mistaken: the one may be sold, or given; if there were wealth enough for the purchase, or merit for the gift: the of the gods. other is not a thing for sale, and only the gift

Iuch. Which the gods have given you?
Post. Which by their graces, I will keep.

Iach. You may wear her in title yours: but, you know, strange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. Your ring may be stolen too: 80, 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 convincet 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.

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.

Iach. 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 I reverence, not as a beauty whom I enjoy. * Overcome.

772

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.

Tach. '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? Iach. 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. 1

Iach. 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,t 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.

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,
us follow 'em.
[Exeunt.
ENE VI.-Britain.-A Room in CYMBE.
LINE'S Palace.

Enter QUEEN, LADIES, and CORNELIUS.
Queen. Whiles yet the dew's on ground, ga-
ther those flowers;
Make haste: Who has the note of them?

• Deceived, + Proof. * Recomendation,

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 com-
Which 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 pro-
ceeded,
(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;
[Aside.
But you shall do no harm.
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

son,

She will not quench;t 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
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,t
And every day, that comes, comes to decay
Is to exchange one misery with another;

It is a thing I made, which hath the king
Five times redeem'd from death: I do not
know
[it;
What is more cordial :-Nay, I pr'ythee, take
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 [king
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 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.

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So far I read aloud:

[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.

Iach. 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?

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; Be wisely definite: Nor i'the appetite; Sluttery, to such neat excellence oppos'd, Should make desire vomit emptiness,

To taste of too. So, so;-well done, well Not so allur'd to feed.

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.

Is the desire that's glorious: Blessed be those, How mean soe'er, that have their honest wills, Which seasons comfort.-Who may this be? Fie!

Enter PISANIO and IACHIMO.

Pis. Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome; Comes from my lord with letters. Iach. Change you, madam? The worthy Leonatus is in safety, And greets your highness dearly.

Imo. Thanks, good Sir: You are kindly welcome.

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 My man's abode where I did leave him: he you, Sir, desire [TO PISANIO. 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

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

Imo. When he was here,
He did incline to sadness; and oft-times
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!

[Presents a Letter. 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?

Iach. 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.

(As I have such a heart, that both mine ears And hear him mock the Frenchman: But, Must not in haste abuse,) if it be true,

It is a recreation be by,

heavens know,

Imo. My lord, I fear,

Has forgot Britain.

Iach. And himself. Not J, 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!

have

Iach. Let me my service tender on your lips.
Imo. Away!-I do condemn mine ears, that
[able,
So long attended thee. If thou wert honour
Thou 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 fanio!-
Thee and the devil alike.-What ho, Pis-
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 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 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

bath [ment Honour'd with confirmation your great judgeIn the election of a Sir so rare, [him 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 parImo. All's well, Sir: Take my power f'the

court for yours.

Jach. 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.

Imo. Pray, what is't?

Iach. Some dozen Romans of us, and your lord, [sums, (The best feather of our wing) have mingled 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,t

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