770 Imo. Almost, Sir: Heaven restore me! - 1 2 Lord. As many inches as you have oceans: 'Would I were A neat-herd's daughter! and my Leonatus Our neighbour shepherd's son! 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. To draw upon an exile!-O brave Sir!- master? Pis. On his command: He would not suffer 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 beauand her brain go not together:* She's 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. me [I! To bring him to the haven: left these notes Of what commands I should be subject to, When it pleas'd you to employ me. Pis. No, madam; for so long As he could make me with this eye or ear Distinguish him from others, he did keep Queen. This hath been The deck, with glove, or hat, or handkerchief, Could best express how slow his soul sail'd on, How swift his ship. Your faithful servant: I dare lay mine honour, Still waving, as the fits and stirs of his mind He will remain so. Pis. I humbly thank your highness. Queen. Pray, walk a while. Imo. About some half hour hence, I pray you, speak with me: you shall, at least, Go see my lord aboard: for this time, leave [Exeunt. me. Imo. Thou should'st have made him As little as a crow, or less, ere left Pis. Madam, so I did. Imo. I would have broke mine eye-strings; crack'd them, but To look upon him; till the diminution Pis. Be assur'd, madam, With his next vantage.‡ [Pisanio, 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 [night, At the sixth hour of morn, at noon, at midTo 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 him, * 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 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. co French. And then his banishment: Iach. Ay, and the approbation of those, that weep this lamentable divorce, under her lours, 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? Post. Since when I have been debtor to you for courtesies, which I will be ever to pay, and yet pay still. French. Sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindness: I was glad I did atonell my countryman and you; it had been pity, you should have been put together with so mortal a purpose, as then each bore, upon importance of so slight and trivial a nature. Post. By your pardon, Sir, I was then a young traveller: rather shunned to go even with what I heard, than in my every action to be guided by others' experiences: but, upon my mended judgement, (if I offend not to say it 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 handin-hand comparison,) had been something too fair, and too good for any lady in Britany. If she went before others I have seen, as that diamond of yours outlustres many I have beheld, I could not but believe she excelled many: 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. Iach. What do you esteem it at? Iach. Either your unparagoned mistress is dead, or she's outpriz'd by a trifle. 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 other is not a thing for sale, and only the gift of the gods. Iuch. Which the gods have given you? Post. Which by their graces, I will keep. lach. 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 but frail, 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 convince 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 admittance, and opportunity to friend. Post. No, no. I 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, 1 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. 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? 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. 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, 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? ENE VI.-Britain. A Room in CYMBE- [Exeunt LADIES. 1 Lady. I, madam. Queen. Despatch.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 pro(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 ceeded, 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 Cor. I do suspect you, madam; [Aside. Queen. Hark thee, a word.- [TO PISANΙΟ. 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 Then afterward up higher; but there is Queen. No further service, doctor, [Exit. Cor. I humbly take my leave. 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 son, 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 Enter QUEEN, LADIES, and CORNELIUS. Continue where he is to shift his berng,‡ Is to exchange one misery with another; Queen. Whiles yet the dew's on ground, ga- And every day, that comes, comes to decay ther those flowers; Make haste: Who has the note of them? • Deceived. † Proof. Recomendation, Or, like the Parthian, I shall flying fight; A day's work in him: Whatshalt thou expect, | Arm me, audacity, from head to foot! So much as but to prop him?-Thou tak'st up labour: Enter PISANIO and IACHIMO. Pis. Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome; And greets your highness dearly. Imo. Thanks, good Sir: You are kindly welcome. Imo. [Reads.] - He is one of the noblest note, to whose kindness I am most infinitely tied. Reflect upon him accordingly, as you value your LEONATUS. truest them eyes To see this vaulted arch, and the rich crop Upon the number'd beach? and can we not Imo. What makes your admiration ? For idiots, in this case of favour, would Imo. What is the matter, trow ? (That satiate yet unsatisfied desire, Imo. What, dear Sir, Thus raps you? Are you well? Iuch. Thanks, madam; well:-'Beseech [TO PISANIO. you, Sir, desire My man's abode where I did leave him: he Is strange and peevish.t To give him welcome. [Exit PISANΙΟ. Imo. Continues well my lord? His health, 'beseech you? Iuch. Well, madam. Imo. Is he dispos'd to mirth? I hope, he is. there So merry and so gamesome: he is call'd The Briton reveller. (Your lord, I mean,) laughs from's free lungs, cries, O! [Presents a Letter. Can my sides hold, to think, that man, who 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. It is a recreation to be by, (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, heavens know, Some men are much to blame. Imo. Not he, I hope. Iach. Not he: But yet heaven's bounty to wards him might Be us'd more thankfully. In himself, 'tis much; [lents, In you, which I count his, beyond all taWhilst I am bound to wonder, I am bound To pity too. Imo. What do you pity, Sir? lach. Two creatures, heartily. Imo. Am I one, Sir? [me, You look on me; What wreck discern you in Deserves your pity? Iach. Lamentable! What! How should I be reveng'd? Iach. Should he make me Live like Diana's priest, betwixt cold sheets ; 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 honourThou would'st have told this tale for virtue, not [strange. To hide me from the radiant sun, and solace For such an end thou seek'st; as base, as 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, 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 I was about to say, enjoy your-But It is an office of the gods to venge it, Not mine to speak on't. [you, Imo. You do seem to know 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 Imo. My lord, I fear, Has forgot Britain. Iach. And himself. Not I, Inclin'd to this intelligence, pronounce Imo. Let me hear no more. Iuch. O dearest soul! your cause doth strike With pity, that doth make me sick. A lady 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. Of thy assault: if he shall think it fit, Country call'd his! and you his mistress, only For the most worthiest fit! Give me your pardon. I have spoke this, to know if your affiance Imo. You make amends. lach. He sits 'mongst men, like a descended Unlike all others, chaffless. Pray, your parImo. All's well, Sir: Take my power sthe 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. 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, • What you seem anxious to utter, and yet withhold. + Sovereign command. Allowance, pension. Of rich and exquisite form; their values great; And I am something curious, being strange,t † Wantons. |