Something of me, or what concerns me; 'Pray you Iach. That mount the Capitol join gripes with hands 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. Let me hear no more. Imo. Iach. O dearest soul! your cause doth strike my With pity, that doth make me sick. A lady [heart So fair, and fasten'd to an empery, Would make the great'st king double! to be partner'd With tomboys, hir'd with that self-exhibition Which your own coffers yield! with diseas'd ventures, That play with all infirmities for gold Which rottenness can lend nature! such boil'd stuff, 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 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 condemn mine ears, that have So long attended thee. If thou wert honourable, Thou wouldst 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 honour; 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 Imo. You make amends. Iach. 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 Which you know, cannot err: The love I bear him Iach. My humble thanks. I had almost forgot Your lord; myself, and other noble friends, Imo. Pray, what is't? Iach. Some dozen Romans of us, and your lord (The best feather of our wing), have mingled sums, 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, Imo. Willingly; And pawn mine honour for their safety since My lord hath interest in them, I will keep them In my bed-chainber. Lach. They are in a trunk, Attended by my men: I will make bold O, no, no. Iach. Yes, I beseech; or I shall short my word, By length'ning my return. From Gallia I cross'd the seas on purpose, and on promise Imo. ACT II. SCENE I. Court before Cymbeline's Palace. Clo. Was there ever man had such luck! when I kissed the jack upon an up-cast, to be hit away! i had a hundred pound on't: And then a whoreson jackanapes must take me up for swearing; as if I borrowed mine oaths of him, and might not spend them at my pleasure. 1 Lord. What got he by that? You have broke his pate with your bowl. 2 Lord. If his wit had been like him that broke it, it would have run all out. [Aside. Clo. When a gentleman is disposed to swear, it is not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths: Ha! 2 Lord. No, my lord; nor [Aside] crop the ears of them. Clo. Whoreson dog!-I give him satisfaction? 'Would, he had been one of my rank! [Aside. 2 Lord. To have smelt like a fool. Clo. I am not more vexed at any thing in the earth, -A pox on't!-1 had rather not be so noble as I am; They dare not fight with me, because of the queen my mother every jack-slave hath his belly full of fighting, and I must go up and down like a cock that nobody can match. 2 Lord. You are a cock and eapon too; and you crow, cock, with your comb on. [Aside. Clo. Sayest thou? 1 Lord. It is not fit, your lordship should undertake every companion that you give offence to. Clo. No, I know that: but it is fit, I should commit offence to my inferiors. 2 Lord. Ay, it is fit for your lordship only. Clo. Why, so I 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. He's a strange fellow himself, and knows it not. (Aside 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. You are a fool granted; therefore your issues being foolish, do not derogate. [Aside. 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 the divorce he'd make! The heavens hold firm SCENE II. A Bed-chamber; in one Part of it, a Trunk. Imogen reading in her Bed; a Lady attending. Imo. Who's there? my woman Helen ? Lady. Please you, madam. Fold down the leaf where I have left: To bed: [sense To your protection I commend me, gods! Ah, but some natural notes about her body, Hark! hark! the lark at heaven's gate sings, His steeds to water at those springs On chalic'd flowers that lies; And winking Mary-buds begin To ope their golden eyes; So, get you gone: If this penetrate, I will consider Clo. I am glad, I was up so late, for that's the reason I was up so early: He cannot 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 daughWill she not forth? [ter t Clo. I have assailed her with music, but she vouchsafes no notice. Cym. The exile of her minion is too new; She hath not yet forgot him: some more time Must wear the print of his remembrance out, And then she's yours. Queen. You are most bound to the king; Who lets go by no vantages, that may Prefer you to his daughter: Frame yourself To orderly solicits; and be friended With aptness of the season: make denials Increase your services: so seem, as it You tender to her; that you in all obey her, You were inspir'd to do those duties which 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 Rome; The one is Caius Lucius. Cym. I know her women are about her; What Clo. Good morrow, fairest sister: Your sweet hand. Clo. This is no answer. Imo. But that you shall not say I yield, being silent, To your best kindness; one of your great knowing Clo. To leave you in your madness, 'twere my sin: Imo. Fools are not mad folks. [Exit. I'll be reveng'd: [Exit. SCENE IV. His meanest garment?-Well. Rome. An Apartment in Philario's House. Enter Posthumus and Philario. Post. Fear it not, sir: I would, I were so sure Phi. What means do you make to him? I must die much your debtor. Phi. Your very goodness and your company, I do believe Imo. As I am mad, I do : (To accuse myself), I hate you: which I had rather Yon sin against A Imo. The south-fog rot him! Clo. His garment? Now, the devil- Imo. I am sprighted with a fool: Hath left mine arm; it was thy master's; 'shrew me, Post. If you can make't apparent That you have tasted her in bed, my hand, And ring, is yours; If not, the foul opinion You had of her pure honour, gains, or loses, Your sword, or mine; or masterless leaves both To who shall find them. Iach. Sir, my circumstances, Being so near the truth, as I will make them, Must first induce you to believe: whose strength I will confirm with oath; which, I doubt not, You'll give me leave to spare, when you shall find You need it not. Post. lach. Proceed. First, her bed-chamber (Where, I confess, I slept not; but, profess, Had that was well worth watching), It was hang'd With tapestry of silk and silver; the story, Proud Cleopatra, when she met her Roman, And Cydnus swell'd above the banks, or for The press of boats, or pride: A piece of work So bravely done, so rich, that it did strive In workmanship, and value; which, I wonder'd, Could be so rarely and exactly wrought, Since the true life on't was Let it be granted, you have seen all this (and praise Iach. Once more let me behold it: Is it that Jove! Iach. Sir I thank her), that: She stripp'd it from her arm; I see her yet; Her pretty action did outsell her gift, And yet enrich'd it too: She gave it me, and said, She priz'd it once. Post. To send it me. Iach. May be, she pluck'd it off, She writes so to you? doth she? Post. O, no, no, no; 'tis true. Cere, take this too; [Gives the Ring. It is a basilisk unto mine eye, Post. Very true; And so, I hope, he came by't:-Back my ring; Render to me some corporal sign about her, More evident than this; for this was stolen. Iach. By Jupiter, I had it from her arm. Post. Hark you, he swears; by Jupiter he swears, 'Tis true;-nay, keep the ring-'tis true: I am sure She would not lose it: her attendants are [it? All sworn and honourable:-They indoc'd to steal And by a stranger?-No; he hath enjoy'd her: The cognizance of her incontinency Never talk on't: This is not strong enough to be believ'd Of one persuaded well of Post. She hath been colted by him. If you seek Post. Iach. Iach. Post. Will you hear more ? I'll be sworn, No swearing. If you will swear you have not done't, you lie ; And I will kill thee, if thou dost deny Thou hast made me cuckold. Iach. Post. O, that I had her here, to tear her limb-meal! I will go there, and do't; i'the court; before Her father I'll do something Phi. I will deny nothing. [Exit. Quite besides The government of patience !--You have won: Let's follow him, and pervert the present wrath He hath against himself. Iach. With all my heart. [Exeunt. SCENE V. The same. Another Room in the same. Enter Posthumus. Post. Is there no way for men to be, but women It is the woman's part: Be it lying, note it, All faults that may be nam'd, nay, that hell knows, They are not constant, but are changing stil ACT III. [Exit. SCENE I. Britain. A Room of State in Cymbeline's Palace. Enter Cymbeline, Queen, Cloten, and Lords, at one Door; and at another, Caius Lucius, and Attendants. Cym. Now say, what would AugustusCæsar with us? Luc. When Julius Cæsar (whose remembrance yet Lives in men's eyes; and will to ears, and tongues, Be theme, and hearing ever), was in this Britain, And conquer'd it, Cassibelan, thine uncle, (Famons in Caesar's praises, no whit less Than in his feats deserving it), for him, And his succession, granted Rome a tribute, Yearly three thousand pounds; which by thee lately On thy too ready hearing!-Disloyal? No: Is left untender'd. There be many Cæsars, Ere such another Julius. Britain is A world by itself; and we will nothing pay, For wearing our own noses. Queen. That opportunity, Which then they had to take from us, to resume We have again.-Remember, sir, my liege, The kings your ancestors; together with The natural bravery of your isle; which stands As Neptune's park, ribbed and paled in With rocks unscaleable, and roaring waters; With sands, that will not bear your enemies' boats, But suck them up to the top-mast. A kind of conquest Cæsar made here: but made not here his brag, Of, came, and saw, and overcame with shame (The first that ever touch'd him), he was carried From off our coast, twice beaten; and his shipping (Poor ignorant baubles !) on our terrible seas, Like egg-shells mov'd upon their surges, crack'd As easily against our rocks: For joy whereof, The fam'd Cassibelan, who was once at point (0, giglot fortune!) to master Cæsar's sword, Made Lud's town with rejoicing fires bright, And Britons strut with courage. Clo. Come, there's no more tribute to be paid: Our kingdom is stronger than it was at that time; and, as I said, there is no more such Cæsars: other of them may have crooked noses; but, to owe such straight arms, none. Cym. Son, let your mother end. Clo. We have yet many among us can gripe as hard as Cassibelan: I do not say, I am one; but I have a hand.-Why tribute? why should we pay tribute? If Cæsar can hide the sun from us with a blanket, or put the moon in his pocket, we will pay him tribute for light; else, sir, no more tribute, pray you now. Cym. You must know, Till the injurious Romans did extort This tribute from us, we were free: Caesar's ambition Luc. I am sorry, Cymbeline, That I am to pronounce Augustus Cæsar (Cæsar, that hath more kings his servants, than Thyself domestic officers), thine enemy: Receive it from me, then :-War, and confusion, In Caesar's name pronounce I 'gainst thee: look For fury not to be resisted :-Thus defied, I thank thee for myself. Cym. Thou art welcome, Caius. Thy Cæsar knighted me; my youth I spent Much under him; of him I gather'd honour; Which he, to seek of me again, perforce, Behoves me keep at utterance; I am perfect, That the Pannonians and Dalmatians, for Their liberties, are now in arms: a precedent Which, not to read, would show the Britons cold: So Cæsar shall not find them. Luc. She's punish'd for her truth; and undergoes, Thy fortunes.-How! that I should murder her? Let me be counted serviceable. How look I, So much as this fact comes to? Do't: the letter That I have sent her, by her own command I am ignorant in what I am commanded. Pis. Madam, here is a letter from my lord. and men in dangerous bonds, pray not alike; Though forfeiters you cast in prison, yet You clasp young Cupid's tables.-Good news, gods! [Reads. Justice, and your father's wrath, should he take me in his dominion, could not be so cruel to me, as you, O the dearest of creatures, would not even renew me with your eyes. Take notice, that I am in Cambria, at Milford-Haven. What your own love will, out of this, advise you, follow. So, he wishes you all happiness, that remains loyal to his vow, and your increasing in love, LEONATUS POSTHUMUS. O, for a horse with wings!-Hear'st thou, Pisanio? He is at Milford-Haven: Read, and tell me How far 'tis thither. If one of mean affairs May plod it in a week, why may not I Glide thither in a day -Then, true Pisanio (Who long'st, like me, to see thy lord; who long'st,O, let me 'bate,-but not like me:-yet long'st,But in a fainter kind :-0, not like me; For mine's beyond beyond), say, and speak thick Pis. One score, 'twixt sun and sun, Madam, s enough for you; and too much too. Imo. Why, one that rode to his execution, man, Could never go so slow: I have heard of riding wagers, Where horses have been nimbler than the sands That run i'the clock's behalf:-But this is foolery:Go, bid my woman feign a sickness; say, Let proof speak. Clo. His majesty bids you welcome. Make pastime She'll home to her father: and provide me, presently, with us a day, or two, longer: If you seek us after-A riding suit: no costlier than would fit wards in other terms, you shall find us in our salt- A franklin's housewife. water girdle: if you beat us out of it, it is yours; if you fall in the adventure, our crows shall fare the better for you; and there's an end. Luc. So, sir. Pis. Cym. I know your master's pleasure, and he mine: Do as I bid thee: There's no more to say; [Exeunt. SCENE 11. Another Room in the same. Pis. How! of adultery? Wherefore write you not SCENE III. [Exeunt. Wales. A mountainous Country, with a Cave. Enter Belarius, Guiderius, and Arviragus. Bel. A goodly day not to keep house, with such Whose roof's as low as ours! Stoop, boys: This gate Instructs you how to adore the heavens; and bows you To morning's holy office: The gates of monarchs |