with so mortal a purpose, as then each bore, upon importance 9 of so slight and trivial a nature. Post. By your pardon, sir, I was then a young traveller: rather shunn'd to go even with what I heard, than in my every action to be guided by others' experiences: but, upon my mended judgment, (if I offend not to say it is mended,) my quarrel was not all 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 publick, 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 gentlman at that time vouching, (and upon warrant of bloody affirmation,) his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, constant, qualified, and less attemptable, than any the rarest Enter PHILARIO, IACHIMO, a Frenchman, a Dutch- of our ladies in France. man, and a Spaniard. Iach. Believe it, sir: I have seen him in Britain: he was then of a crescent note 6, 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. French. And then his banishment: Iach. Ay, and the approbation of those, that weep this lamentable divorce, under her colours, are wonderfully to extend 7 him; be it but to fortify her judgment, 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 acquaintance? Phi. His father and I were soldiers together; to whom I have been often bound for no less than my life: Enter POSTHUMUS. Here comes the Briton: Let him be so entertained amongst you, as suits with gentlemen of your knowing, to a stranger of his quality. — I beseech you all, be better known to this gentleman; whom I commend to you, as a noble friend of mine: How worthy he is, I will leave to appear hereafter, rather than story him in his own hearing. French. Sir, we have known together in Orleans. Post. Since when I have been debtor to you for courtesies, which I will be ever to pay, and yet pay still. 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. Iach. What do you esteem it at ? 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. Jach. Which the gods have given you? Iach. 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 is but frail, and the other casual; a cunning thief, or a that-way acco..plished courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and last. Post. Your Italy contains none so accomplished a courtier, to convince 3 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 my heart. This worthy sig nior, I thank him, makes no stranger of me; we are familiar at first. Iach. With five times so much conversation, J should get ground of your fair mistress: make her 9 Instigation. 2 Lover. 1 Destroyed. 3 Overcome. go back, even to the yielding; had I admittance, | SCENE VI. 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'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 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 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 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. 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 sufficient testimony that I have enjoyed 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 5, 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, 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. Iach. 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. | Enter QUEEN, Ladies, and CORNELIUS. Queen. Whiles yet the dew's on ground, gather those flowers; Make haste: Who has the note of them? 1 Lady. I, madam. Queen. Despatch. [Ereunt Ladies. Now, master doctor; have you brought those drugs? Cor. Pleaseth your highness, ay: here they are, madam : [Presenting a small Bez. But I beseech your grace, (without offence; Queen. I do wonder, doctor, Thou ask'st me such a question: Have I not been 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 proceeded, (Unless thou think'st me devilish,) is't not meet That I did amplify my judgment in Other conclusions? 6 I will try the forces Of these thy compounds on such creatures as We count not worth the hanging, (but none human,) try the vigour of them, and apply Allayments to their act; and by them gather Their several virtues, and effects. Cor. To Your highness Shall from this practice but make hard your heart : Besides, the seeing these effects will be Both noisome and infectious. Queen. Enter PISANIO. O, content thee. — [Aside. Here comes a flattering rascal; upon him Cor. But you shall do no harm. Queen. I do suspect you, madam ; Cor. [Aside.] I do not like her. She doth think, Queen. Weeps she still, say'st thou? Dost thou think, in time She will not quench; and let instructions enter C I'll tell thee, on the instant, thou art then As thou'lt desire; and then myself, I chiefly, Not to be shak'd: the agent for his master; Be wisely definite. Imo. The hand fast to her lord. — I have given him that, For idiots in this case of favour, would Re-enter PISANIO and Ladies. What is't, dear sir, Pis. 'Beseech you, [TO PISANIO. I was going, sir, To taste of too. So, so; Pis. [Exit. To give him welcome. [Exit PISANIO. Imo. Continues well my lord? His health 'beseech you? Iach. Well, madam. Imo. Is he dispos'd to mirth? I hope he is. Iach. Exceeding pleasant; none a stranger there Iach. Ay, madam; with his eyes in flood with laughter. It is a recreation to be by, And hear him mock the Frenchman: But, heavens To hide me from the radiant sun, and solace Imo. I was about to say, enjoy your But Imo. Iach. Had I this cheek What ho, Pisanio! Imo.. 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!- 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 To try your taking of a false report; which hath Honour'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 fan 5 you thus; but the gods made SCENE I. Court before Cymbeline's Palace. Enter CLOTEN, and two Lords. 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 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 [Aside.] crop the ears of them. Clo. I give him satisfaction? 'Would he had been one of rank! 2 Lord. To have smelt like a fool. my [Aside. Clo. I am not more vex'd at any thing in the earth: 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 nobody can match. 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. 1 Lord. Did you hear of a stranger that's come to court to-night? Clo. A stranger! and I know not 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 banish'd rascal; and he's another, whatsoever he be. Who told you of this stranger? 1 Lord. One of your lordship's pages. That such a crafty devil as is his mother [Exit. 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? Fold down the leaf where I have left: To bed: To your protection I commend me, gods! [Sleeps. IACHIMO, from the Trunk. Iach. The crickets sing, and man's o'er-labour'd sense Repairs itself by rest: Our Tarquin thus Clo. Is it fit, I went to look upon him? Is there Perfumes the chamber thus: The flame o'the taper 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. He is describing his fate at bowls, the jack is the small bowl at which the others are aimed. Bows toward her; and would under-peep her lids, Such |