Or she, that bore you, was no queen, and you Imo. Reveng'd! How should I be reveng'd? If this be true, Iach. Should he make me Live like Diana's priest, betwixt cold sheets; In your despite, upon your purse? Revenge it. Imo. What ho, Pisanio! Iach. Let me my service tender on your lips. Thee and the devil alike :-What ho, Pisanio!- A lady to the worthiest sir, that ever Country call'd his! and you his mistress, only I have spoke this, to know if your affiance Were deeply rooted; and shall make your lord, Half all men's hearts are his. Imo. You make amends. Iach. He sits 'mongst men, like a descended god : More than a mortal seeming. Be not angry, Which you know, cannot err: That love I bear him 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, 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, To have them in safe stowage; May it please you Imo. Willingly; And pawn mine honour for their safety: since Iach. They are in a trunk, Attended by my men: I will make bold Imo. 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 To see your grace. Imo. I thank you for your pains; But not away to-morrow? [8] Being strange-i. e. being a stranger. STEEV. Iach. O, I must, madam: Therefore, I shall beseech you, if you please Imo. I will write. Send your trunk to me; it shall safe be kept, [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I.-Court before CYMBELINE's Palace. Enter CLOTEN, and two Lords. Cloten. WAS there ever man had such luck! when I kissed the jack upon an up-cast,9 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 ran 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 [Asi.] 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! I 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 no body can match. 2 Lord. You are a cock and capon too; and you crow, cock, with your comb on.1 [Aside. [9] He is describing his fate at bowls. The jack is the small bowl at which the others are aimed. He who is nearest to it wins. To kiss the jack is a state of great advantage. JOHNSON. [] The allusion is to a fool's cap, which hath a comb like a cock's. JOHNSON. Clo. Sayest thou? 1 Lord. It is not fit, your lordship should undertake every companion 2 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. That such a crafty devil as is his mother Should yield the world this ass! a woman, that Bears all down with her brain; and this her son Cannot take two from twenty for his heart, And leave eighteen. Alas, poor princess, Thou divine Imogen, what thou endur'st! Betwixt a father by thy step-dame govern'd; A mother hourly coining plots; a wooer, More hateful than the foul expulsion is Of thy dear husband, than that horrid act Of the divorce he'd make! The heavens hold firm The walls of thy dear honour; keep unshak'd That temple, thy fair mind; that thou may'st stand, To enjoy thy banish'd lord, and this great land! [Exit. [2] The use of companion was the same as of fellow now. It was a word of contempt. JOHNSON. 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. Imo. What hour is it? Lady. Almost midnight, madam. Imo.I have read three hours then; mine eyes are weak; -Fold down the leaf where I have left. To bed: Take not away the taper, leave it burning; And if thou canst awake by four o'the clock, I pr'ythee, call me. Sleep hath seiz'd me wholly. [Exit Lady. To your protection I commend me, gods! IACHIMO, from the trunk. [Sleeps. Iach. The crickets sing, and man's o'er-labour'd sense Repairs itself by rest: Our Tarquin 3 thus Did softly press the rushes, ere he waken'd The chastity he wounded.-Cytherea, How bravely thou becom'st thy bed! fresh lily! Why, such, and such :-And the contents o'the story,- [3] The speaker is an Italian. JOHNSON. [4] It was the custom in the time of our author to strew chambers with rushes, as we now cover them with carpets. JOHNSON. WARB |