To see me first, as I have now :-Pisanio! Man! That makes thee stare thus? Wherefore breaks that sigh Beyond self-explication: Put thyself Into a 'haviour* of less fear, ere wildness But keep that countenance still.-My husband's hand! And he's at some hard point.-Speak, man; thy tongue Would be even mortal to me. Pis. Please you, read; And you shall find me, wretched man, a thing Imo. [reads]. Thy mistress, Pisanio, hath played the strumpet in my bed; the testimonies whereof lie,bleeding in me. I speak not out of weak surmises; from proof as strong as my grief, and as certain as I expect my revenge. That part, thou, Pisanio, must act for me, if thy faith be not tainted with the breach of hers. Let thine own hands take away her life: I shall give thee opportunities at Milford Haven: she hath my letter for the purpose: Where, if thou fear to strike, and to make me certain it is done, thou art the pander to her dishonour, and equally to me disloyal. Pis. What shall I need to draw my sword? the paper Hath cut her throat already.-No, 'tis slander; Whose edge is sharper than the sword; whose tongue Outvenoms all the worms of Nile; whose breath Rides on the posting winds, and doth belie All corners of the world: kings, queens, and states, This viperous slander enters.-What cheer, madam? To lie in watch there, and to think on him? To weep 'twixt clock and clock? If sleep charge nature, And cry myself awake? that's false to his bed? Pis. Alas, good lady! Imo. I false? Thy conscience witness:-Iachimo, Thou didst accuse him of incontinency; Thou then look'dst like a villain; now, methinks Thy favour's good enough. Some jay of Italy, Whose mother was her painting,+ hath betrayed him: And, for I am richer than to hang by the walls,+ *For behaviour. † I. e. whose beauty was created by artifice. I. e. than to be hung up in a cupboard out of the way. Men's vows are women's traitors! All good seeming, Pis. Good madam, hear me. Imo. True honest men being heard, like false Eneas, From most true wretchedness: So, thou, Posthumus, Goodly and gallant, shall be false and perjured, I draw the sword myself: take it; and hit Pis. Hence, vile instrument! And if I do not by thy hand, thou art No servant of thy master's: Against self-slaughter There is a prohibition so divine, That cravens* my weak hand. Come, here's my heart; The scriptures of the loyal Leonatus, All turn'd to heresy? Away, away, Corrupters of my faith! you shall no more Be stomachers to my heart! Thus may poor fools Stands in worse case of woe. And thou, Posthúmus, thou that didst set up A strain of rareness: and I grieve myself, To think, when thou shalt be disedged by her That now thou tir'st on, how thy memory Will then be pang'd by me.-Pr'ythee, despatch: The lamb entreats the butcher: Where's thy knife? When I desire it too. Pis. O gracious lady, Since I received command to do this business, I have not slept one wink. * Makes a coward of. + The writings. ↑ Peckest. Imo. Do't, and to bed then. Pis. I'll wake mine eyeballs blind first. Didst undertake it? Why hast thou abused Pis. But to win time To lose so bad employment: in the which Imo. Talk thy tongue weary; speak: I have heard, I am a strumpet; and mine ear, Pis. Then, madam, I thought you would not back again. Bringing me here to kill me. Pis. Not so, neither: But if I were as wise as honest, then My purpose would prove well. It cannot be, But that my master is abused: Some villain, ay, and singular in his art, Pis. No, on my life. I'll give but notice you are dead, and send him I should do so: You shall be miss'd at court, And that will well confirm it. Imo. Why, good fellow, What shall I do the while? Where bide? How live? Or in my life what comfort, when I am Dead to my husband? Pis. If you'll back to the court, Imo. No court, no father; nor no more ado With that harsh, noble, simple nothing: That Cloten, whose love-suit hath been to me As fearful as a siege. Pis. If not at court, Then not in Britain must you bide. Imo. Where then? Hath Britain all the sun that shines? Day, night, Are they not but in Britain? I' the world's volume Our Britain seems as of it, but not in it; In a great pool, a swan's nest; Pr'ythee, think Pis. I am most glad You think of other place. The ambassador, Imo. O, for such means! Though peril to my modesty, not death on't, Pis. Well then, here's the point: You must forget to be a woman; change Imo. Nay, be brief: I see into thy end, and am almost A man already. Pis. First, make yourself but like one. ('Tis in my cloak-bag), doublet, hat, hose, all From youth of such a season, 'fore noble Lucius Present yourself, desire his service, tell him Wherein you are happy † (which you'll make him know, With joy he will embrace you; for he's honourable, Imo. Thou art all the comfort The gods will diet me with. Pr'ythee, away: A prince's courage. Away, I pr'ythee. Pis. Well, madam, we must take a short farewell: Lest, being miss'd, I be suspected of *The sun. + I. e. accomplished. As for your subsistence abroad, you may rely on me. § Equal to. Your carriage from the court. My noble mistress, Imo. Amen: I thank thee. SCENE V-A Room in CYMBELINE's Palace. [Exeunt. Enter CYMBELINE, QUEEN, CLOTEN, LUCIUS, and LORDS. Cym. Thus far, and so farewell. Luc. Thanks, royal Sir. My emperor hath wrote; I must from hence; And am right sorry, that I must report ye My master's enemy. Cym. Our subjects, Sir, Will not endure his yoke; and for ourself Luc. So, Sir, I desire of you A conduct over land, to Milford Haven.— Cym. My lords, you are appointed for that office; So farewell, noble Lucius. Luc. Your hand, my lord. Clo. Receive it friendly: but from this time forth I wear it as your enemy. Luc. Sir, the event Is yet to name the winner: Fare you well. Cym. Leave not the worthy Lucius, good my lords, Till he have cross'd the Severn.-Happiness! [Exeunt LUCIUS and LORDS. Queen. He goes hence frowning: but it honours us, That we have given him cause. Clo. "Tis all the better; Your valiant Britons have their wishes in it. Cym. Lucius hath wrote already to the emperor Will soon be drawn to head, from whence he moves Queen. 'Tis not sleepy business; But must be look'd to speedily, and strongly. |