The deck, with glove, or hat, or handkerchief, Imo. how comes it, he is to sojourn with you? How creeps acquaintance? Phil. His father and I were soldiers together; to whom I have been often bound for no less than my Thou should'st have made him life.As little as a crow, or less, ere left To after-eye him. Pis. Madam, so I did. Enter POSTHUMUS. Here comes the Briton. Let him be so entertained Imo. I would have broke mine eye-strings, crack'd amongst you, as suits with gentlemen of your know them, but To look upon him, till the diminution Of space had pointed him sharp as my needle; Pis. With his next bvantage. Be assur'd, madam, Imo. I did not take my leave of him, but had Mine interest, and his honor; or have charg'd him, I am in heaven for him; or ere I could Enter a Lady. The queen, madam, Madam, I shall. [Exeunt. House. traveller; rather shunned to go even with what I Post. By your pardon, sir, I was then a young Pheard, than in my every action to be guided by others' experiences: but, upon my mended judg ment, (if I not offend to say it is mended) my quar rel 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 timevouching, (and upon warrant of bloody affirmation) Enter PHILARIO, IACHIMO, a Frenchman, a Dutch- his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, constant, man, and a Spaniard. Iach. 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. Phil. 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. Iach. Ay, and the approbations of those, that weep this lamentable divorce and her dolors, are wont wonderfully to extend him; be it but to fortify her judgment, which else an easy battery might lay flat, for taking a beggar without 3 more quality. But "The diminution of space," i. e., the diminution caused by space, or distance.-b Vantage," i, e., opportunity. "I am in heaven for him," i. e.. my prayers ascend to heaven on his behalf." Our buds," i. e., our buds of love."Of a crescent note," i, e., increasing in fame.-"Which makes him," i. e., which accomplishes him.-" Words him a great deal from the matter," i. e., makes the description of him very distant from the truth.-" Dolors," i, e., griefs,-"To extend him," i. e., to magnify his good qualities. qualified, and less attemptable, than any the rarest of our ladies in France. Iach. 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. Iach. As fair, and as good, (a kind of hand-inhand 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 out-lustres 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. Post. You are mistaken: the one may be sold, or given; or if there were wealth enough for the pur "Knowing," i. e., knowledge." Story him," i. e., relate his history Known together," i, e.. known each other." Atone," i e, reconcile. Importance," i, e., instigation.-p "Shunned to go even with what I heard," i. e., studied to avoid conducting myself by the opinions of others. -"Confounded," i, e., destroyed." Her adorer, not her friend," i. e., her worshipper, not her lover. Or is used here for either. 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 ar chase, or merit for the gift: the other is not a thing and leave her in such honor as you have trust in, she if you make good your vauntage upon her, and give Post. Your Italy contains none so accomplished a courtier to convince the honor of my mistress, if in the holding or loss of that you term her frail. I do nothing doubt, you have store of thieves; notwith-these things set down by lawful counsel, and straight standing, I fear not my ring. away for Britain, lest the bargain should catch cold, and starve. I will fetch my gold, and have our two wagers recorded. Phil. Let us leave here, gentlemen. Post. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy signior, I thank him, makes no stranger of me; we are familiar at first. Iach. 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 thereupon pawn the moiety of my estate to your ring, which, in my opinion, o'ervalues it something, but I make my wager rather against your confidence, than her reputation: 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'll 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. Phil. 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 neighbor's, on the approbation 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 honor 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 afeard, 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. your return. Post. Will you?-I shall but lend my diamond till 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. Phil. I will have it no lay. Tach. 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, "To convince," i. e., to overcome.-b" Abused," i. e., deceived. The approbation," i. c., the proof.-"I am the master of my speeches," i. e., I said no more than I meant. Post. Agreed. [Exeunt POSTHUMUS and LACHINO. Phil. Signior Iachimo will not from it. Pray, let SCENE VI.-Britain. A Room in CYMBELINE'S Enter QUEEN, Ladies, and CORNELIUS. Queen. Whiles yet the dew's on ground, gather those flowers: Make haste. Who has the note of them? I, madam. madam: But I beseech your grace, without offence, Queen. O! content thee.- [Aside.] Here comes a flattering rascal; upon him Cor. But you shall do no harm. Hark thee, a word.- 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; That hath her husband banish'd:-O, that husband! Which first, perchance, she'll prove on cats, and dogs, Is the desire that's 'glorious: blessed be those, Then afterward up higher; but there is Until I send for thee. Cor. No farther service, doctor, Queen. Weeps she still, say'st thou? Dost thou think, in time She will not quench, and let 1instruction enter When thou shalt bring me word she loves my son, His fortunes all lie speechless, and his name A day's work in him. What shalt thou expect, 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. The worthy Leonatus is in safety, And greets your highness dearly. [Gives the Letter. Iach. All of her, that is out of door, most rich! [Aside. If she be furnish'd with a mind so rare, Or, like the Parthian, I shall flying fight; Imo. [Reads.] "He is one of the noblest note, to whose kindnesses I am most infinitely tied. Reflect upon him accordingly, as you value your tru"LEONATUS." est So far I read aloud; But even the very middle of my heart [The QUEEN drops the Box: PISANIO takes it You are as welcome, worthy sir, as I up and presents it. So much as but to prop him.-Thon tak'st up That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how Not to be shak'd; the agent for his master, To taste of too.-So, so;-well done, well done. But when to my good lord I prove untrue, SCENE VII.-Another Room in the Same. Imo. A father cruel, and a step-dame false; Quench," i, e., grow cool-b"To shift his being." i, e., to change his abode. That leans," i. e., that inclines towards its full-The remembrancer of her," i. e., the person to remind her.- "Liegers," i. c., embassadors. Have words to bid you; and shall find it so In all that I can do. Iach. Thanks, fairest lady.- 'Twixt two such shes, would chatter this way, and Imo. What is the matter, trow? 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. Thus raps you? Are you well? Iach. Thanks, madam, well.-Beseech you, sir, desire What, dear sir, [TO PISANIO. To give him welcome. The desire that's glorious," i, e., the station so much de sired that is called gloriou. — -"Which seasons," i. e., which tempers, makes pleasant." With mows," i. e., with making mouths.-"Is st ange and peevish," i. e., is a for eigner, and foolish, or silly. Iach. That others do, I was about to say, enjoy your-But You do seem to know Imo. Something of me, or what concerns me : pray you, (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. с lach. 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 Made hard with hourly falsehood (falsehood as With labor), then bo-peeping in an eye, Base and illustrous 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. Has forgot Britain. Iach. My lord, I fear, And himself. Not I, With pity, that doth make me sick. A lady Imo. Reveng'd! In your despite, upon your purse? Revenge it. Imo. What ho, Pisanio! Iach. Let me my service tender on your lips. Imo. Away!-I do contemu mine ears, that have So long attended thee.-If thou wert honorable, Thou would'st have told this tale for virtue, not For such an end thou seek'st, as base, as strange. Thou wrong'st a gentleman, who is as far From thy report, as thou from honor; and Solicit'st here a lady, that disdains Thee and the devil alike.-What ho, Pisanio!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, Deserves thy trust; and thy most perfect goodness 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 pardon. 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. Iach. He sits 'mongst men, like a descended gød: He hath a kind of honor 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 hath Honor'd with confirmation your great judgment In the election of a sir so rare, Which, you know, cannot err. The love I bear him Made me to ffan you thus; but the gods made you, "An empery," i, e., sovereign command.-e "Self ex hibition," i. e, allowance; pension.-"To fan,” i 2, 19 winnow. SCENE I-Court before CYMBELINE's Palace. Clo. Was there ever man had such luck! when I 2 Lord. It is not fit, your lordship should under- 2 Lord. Ay, it is fit for your lordship only. say. 1 Lord. Did you hear of a stranger, that's come to court to-night? Clo. A stranger! and I not know on't? 2 Lord. [Aside.] He's a strange fellow himself, and knows it not. 1 Lord. There's an Italian come; and, 'tis thought, one of Leonatus' friends. Clo. Leonatus! a banished rascal; and he's another, whatsoever he be. Who told you of this stranger? 1 Lord. One of your lordship's pages. Clo. Is it fit I went to look upon him? Is there no derogation in't? 1 Lord. You cannot derogate, my lord. Clo. Not easily, I think. 2 Lord. [Aside.] You are a fool granted; therefore, your issues being foolish do not derogate. Clo. Come, I'll go see this Italian. What I have lost to-day at bowls, I'll win to-night of him. Come, go. 2 Lord. I'll attend your lordship. [Exeunt CLOTEN and first Lord. Of thy dear husband, than that horrid act 3 great Trunk. [Exit. kissed the jack upon an up-cast, to be hit away! I SCENE II.-A Bed-Chamber; in one part of it, a 1 Lord. What got he by that? You have broke his pate with your bowl. 2 Lord. [Aside.] If his wit had been like him Clo. When a gentleman is disposed to swear, it is IMOGEN reading in her Bed; HELEN attending. Please you, madam. are weak; |