Lords.
Clo.
Was there ever man had such luck! when I
kiss'd 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 borrow'd mine
oaths of him, and might not spend them at my pleasure.
1. L.
What got he by that? You have broke his pate
with your bowl.
&clquo;2. L.
&clquo;If his wit had been like his that note broke it, it
would have run all out.&crquo;
Clo.
When a gentleman is dispos'd to swear, it is not
for any standers-by to curtail his oaths: Ha?
2. L.
No, my lord; nor crop the ears of them.
Clo.
Whoreson dog!—I give note him satisfaction?—
'Would, he had been one of my rank!
&clquo;2. L.
&clquo;To have smelt like a fool.&crquo;
Clo.
I am not vext more 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.
&clquo;2. L.
&clquo;You are a cock and capon too; and you
crow, cock, with your comb on.&crquo;
Clo.
Sayest thou?
-- 31 --
2. L.
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. L.
Ay, it is fit for your lordship only.
Clo.
Why, so I say.
1. L.
Did you hear of a stranger, that's come to court
to-night note?
Clo.
A stranger! and I not know on't!
&clquo;2. L.
&clquo;He's a strange fellow himself, and knows it not.&crquo;
1. L.
There's an Italian come; and, 'tis thought, one note
of Leonatus' friends.
Clo.
Leonatus! a banish'd rascal; and he's another,
whosoever note he be. Who told you of this stranger?
1. L.
One of your lordship's pages.
Clo.
Is it fit, I went to look upon him? Is there no
derogation in't?
2. L.
You cannot derogate, my lord.
Clo.
Not easily, I think.
&clquo;2. L.
&clquo;You are a fool granted; therefore your issues,
being foolish, do not derogate,&crquo;
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. L.
I'll attend your lordship.
[Exeunt Cloten, and 1. Lord.
That such a crafty devil as 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 stepdame govern'd;
-- 32 --
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!14Q1259 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.
SCENE II.
A Bed-chamber; a Trunk in one Part of it: Imogen in
her Bed; a Lady attending.
Imo.
Who's there? my woman Helen?
Lad.
Please you, madam.
Imo.
What hour is it?
Lad.
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 can'st awake by four o'the clock,
I pr'ythee, call me. [Exit Lady.] Sleep hath seis'd me wholly.
To your protection I commend me, gods:
From fairies, and the tempters of the night,
Guard me, beseech ye!
[sleeps.
Jachimo, from the Trunk.
Jac.
The crickets sing, and man's o'er-labour'd sense
Repairs itself by rest: Our Tarquin thus
Did softly press the rushes, ere he waken'd
The chastity he wounded.—Cytherea,
How bravely thou becom'st thy bed! fresh lilly!
And whiter than the sheets! That I might touch!
But kiss; one kiss! Rubies unparagon'd,
[kissing her.
How dearly they do't! 'Tis her breathing that
-- 33 --
Perfumes the chamber thus: The flame o'the taper14Q1260
Bows toward her; and would under-peep her lids,
To see the inclosed lights, now canopy'd
Under the windows note: White and azure, lac'd;
With blue of heaven's own tinct.—But my design?
To note the chamber:—I will write all down:
Such, and such, pictures; There the window; Such
The adornment of her bed; The arras, figures?
Why, such, and such; And the contents of the story,—
Ah, but some natural notes about her body,
(Above ten thousand meaner moveables they
Would testify) to enrich mine inventory.
O sleep, thou ape of death, lye dull upon her!
And be her sense but as a monument,
Thus in a chapel lying! Come off, come off; note
[taking off her Bracelet.
As slippery, as the Gordian knot was hard!
'Tis mine; and this will witness outwardly,
As strongly as the conscience does within,
To the madding of her lord. On her left breast
A mole cinque-spotted, like the crimson drops
I'the bottom of a cowslip: Here's a voucher,
Stronger than ever law could make: this secret
Will force him think I have pick'd the lock, and ta'en
The treasure of her honour. To note what end?
Why should I write this down, that's riveted,
Screw'd to my memory? She hath been reading late:
The tale of Tereus; here the leaf's turn'd down,
Where Philomele gave up—I have enough:
To the trunk again, and shut the spring of it.
Swift, swift, you dragons of the night! that dawning
May bear note the raven's eye: I lodge in fear;
-- 34 --
Though this a heavenly angel, hell is here.
One, two, three,—[counting the Clock.] Time, time!
[Shuts the Trunk upon himself. The Scene closes.
SCENE III.
An Anti-Room to the above Chamber.
Enter Cloten, and Lords.
1. L.
Your lordship is the most patient man in loss,
the most coldest that ever turn'd up ace.
Clo.
It would make any man cold to lose.
1. L.
But not every man patient, after the noble
temper of your lordship; You are most hot, and furious,
when you win.
Clo.
Winning will put any man into courage: If I
could get this foolish Imogen, I should have gold enough:
It's almost morning, is't not?
1. L.
Day, my lord.
Clo.
I would, this musick would come: I am advis'd
to give her musick o' mornings; they say, it will penetrate.
Enter Musicians.
Come on; tune: If you can penetrate her with note your
fingering, so; we'll try with tongue too: if none will
do, let her remain; but I'll never o'er. First, a very excellent
good-conceited thing; after, a wonderful sweet
air, with admirable rich words to it,—and then let her
consider.
SONG.
Hark, hark, the lark at heaven's gate sings,
and Phœbus 'gins arise,
his steeds to water at those springs
on chalic'd flowers that lyes;
and winking Mary-buds begin
-- 35 --
to ope their golden eyes;
with every thing that pretty note bin:14Q1261
my lady sweet, arise;
arise, arise.
So, get you gone: If this penetrate, I will consider your
musick the better: if it do not, it is a vice in note her ears,
which horse-hairs, and cat's-guts note, nor the voice of unpaved
eunuch to boot, can never amend.
[Exeunt Musicians.
Enter Cymbeline, and Queen.
2. L.
Here comes the king.
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 daughter?
Will she not forth?
Clo.
I have assail'd her with musicks, 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.
Que.
You are most bound to the king;
Who lets go by no vantages, that may
Prefer you to his daughter: Frame yourself
To orderly sollicits; and be friended
With aptness of the season: make denials
Increase your services: so seem, as if
You were inspir'd to do those duties which
You tender to her; that you in all obey her,
Save when command to your dismission tends,
-- 36 --
And therein you are senseless.
Clo.
Senseless? not so.
Enter a Messenger.
Mes.
So like you, sir, embassadors from Rome;
The one is Caius Lucius.
Cym.
A worthy fellow,
Albeit he comes on angry purpose now;
But that's no fault of his: We must receive him
According to the honour of his sender;
And towards himself, for his goodness fore-spent on us,
We must extend our notice.—Our dear son,
When you have given good morning to your mistress,
Attend the queen, and us; we shall have need
To employ you towards this Roman.—Come, our queen.
[Exeunt Cym. Queen, Mess. and Lords.
Clo.
If she be up, I'll speak with her; if not,
Let her lye still, and dream.—By your leave, ho!—
I know her women, are about her; What
If I do line one of their hands? 'Tis gold
Which buys admittance; oft it doth; yea, and makes
Diana's rangers false themselves, yield up
Their deer to the stand o'the stealer: and 'tis gold
Which makes the true-man kill'd, and saves the thief;
Nay, sometime, hangs both thief and true-man: What
Can it not do, and undo? I will make
One of her women lawyer to me; for
I yet not understand the case myself.
By your leave.
[knocks.
Enter a Lady.
Lad.
Who's there, that knocks?
Clo.
A gentleman.
Lad.
No more?
-- 37 --
Clo.
Yes, and a gentlewoman's son.
Lad.
That's more
Than some, whose tailors are as dear as yours,
Can justly boast of: What's your lordship's pleasure?
Clo.
Your lady's person: Is she ready?
Lad.
Ay,
To keep her chamber.
Clo.
There is gold &dagger2; for you;
Sell me your good report.
Lad.
How! my good name?
Or to report of you what I shall think
Is good?—The princess—
[Exit Lady.
Enter Imogen.
Clo.
Good morrow, fairest sister: Your sweet hand.
Imo.
Good morrow, sir: You lay out too much pains
For purchasing but trouble: the thanks I give,
Is telling you note that I am poor of thanks,
And scarce can spare them.
Clo.
Still, I swear, I love you.
Imo.
If you but said so, 'twere as deep with me:
If you swear still, note your recompence is still
That I regard it not.
Clo.
This is no answer.
Imo.
But that you shall not say I yield, being silent,
I would not speak. I pray you, spare me: faith,
I shall unfold equal discourtesy
To your best kindness: one of your great knowing
Should learn, being taught,14Q1262 forbearance.
Clo.
To leave you in your madness, 'twere my sin;
I will not.
Imo.
Fools cure not note mad folks.
Clo.
Do you call me fool?
-- 38 --
Imo.
As I am mad, I do:
If you'll be patient, I'll no more be mad;
That cures us both. I am much sorry, sir,
You put me to forget a lady's manners,
By being so verbal: and learn now, for all,
That I, which know my heart, do here pronounce,
By the very truth of it, I care not for you;
And am so near the lack of charity,
(To accuse myself) I hate you: which I had rather
You felt, than make't my boast.
Clo.
You sin against
Obedience, which you owe your father. For
The contract you pretend with that base wretch,
(One, bred of alms, and foster'd with cold dishes,
With scraps o'the court) it is no contract, none:
And though it be allow'd in meaner parties,
(Yet who, than he, more mean?) to knit their souls
(On whom there is no more dependancy
But brats and beggary) in self-figur'd knot;
Yet you are curb'd from that enlargement by
The consequence o'the crown; and must not soil
The precious note of it with a base slave,
A hilding for a livery, a squire's cloth,
A pantler, not so eminent.
Imo.
Prophane fellow!
Wert thou the son of Jupiter, and no more,
But what thou art, besides, thou wert too base
To be his groom: thou wert dignify'd enough,
Even to the point of envy, if 'twere made
Comparative for your virtues, to be stil'd
The under hangman of his kingdom; and hated
For being prefer'd so well.
-- 39 --
Clo.
The south-fog rot him!
Imo.
He never can meet more mischance, than come
To be but nam'd of thee. His meanest garment,
That ever hath but clipt his body, is dearer,
In my respect, than all the hairs note above thee,
Enter Pisanio.
Were they all made such men.—How now, Pisanio?
Clo.
His garment? Now, the devil—
Imo.
To Dorothy my woman hye thee presently:—
Clo.
His garment?
Imo.
I am sprighted with a fool;
Frighted, and anger'd worse:—Go, bid my woman
Search for a jewel, that too casually
Hath left mine arm; it was thy master's: shrew me,
If I would lose it for a révenue
Of any king's in Europe. I do think,
I saw't this morning: confident I am,
Last night 'twas on note mine arm; I kiss'd it:
I hope, it be not gone, to tell my lord
That I kiss ought but him. note
Pis.
'Twill not be lost.
Imo.
I hope so: go, and search.
[Exit Pisanio.
Clo.
You have abus'd me:—
His meanest garment?
Imo.
Ay; I said so, sir:
If you will make't an action, call witness to't.
Clo.
I will inform your father.
Imo.
Your mother too:
She's my good lady; and will conceive, I hope,
But the worst of me. So I leave you, sir,
To the worst of discontent.
[Exit Imogen.
Clo.
I'll be reveng'd:—
-- 40 --
His meanest garment? Well.
[Exit.
SCENE IV.
Rome. A Room in Philario's House.
Enter Posthumus, and Philario,
Pos.
Fear it not, sir: I would, I were so sure
To win the king, as I am bold, her honour
Will remain hers.
Phi.
What means do you make to him?
Pos.
Not any; but abide the change of time;
Quake in the present winter's state, and wish
That warmer days would come: In these fear'd hopes note,
I barely gratify your love; they failing,
I must die much your debtor.
Phi.
Your very goodness, and your company,
O'er-pays all I can do. By this, your king
Hath heard of great Augustus: Caius Lucius
Will do his commission throughly: And, I think,
He'll grant the tribute, send the arrearages,
Ere look note upon our Romans, whose remembrance
Is yet fresh in their grief.
Pos.
I do believe,
(Statist though I am none, nor like to be)
That this will prove a war; and you shall hear
The legions note, now in Gallia, sooner landed
In our not-fearing Britain, than have tydings
Of any penny tribute pay'd. Our countrymen
Are men more order'd, than when Julius Cæsar
Smil'd at their lack of skill, but found their courage
Worthy his frowning at: Their discipline
(Now mingl'd with their courages) will make known
To their approvers, they are people, such
That mend upon the world.
-- 41 --
Enter Jachimo.
Phi.
See! Jachimo!
Pos.
The swiftest harts have posted you by land;
And winds of all the corners kiss'd your sails,
To make your vessel nimble.
Phi.
Welcome, sir.
Pos.
I hope, the briefness of your answer made
The speediness of your return.
Jac.
Your lady
Is one of the fairest note that I have look'd upon.
Pos.
And, therewithal, the best; or let her beauty
Look through a casement to allure false hearts,
And be false with them.
Jac.
Here &dagger2; are letters for you.
Pos.
Their tenor good, I trust.
Jac.
'Tis very like.
Phi.
Was note Caius Lucius14Q1263 in the Britain court,
When you were there?
Jac.
He was expected then,
But not approach'd.
Pos.
All is well yet.—
Sparkles this † stone as it was wont? or is't not
Too dull for your good wearing?
Jac.
If I have lost it,
I should have lost the worth of it in gold.
I'll make a journey twice as far, to enjoy
A second night of such sweet shortness, which
Was mine in Britain; for the ring is won.
Pos.
The stone's too hard to come by.
Jac.
Not a whit,
Your lady being so easy.
Pos.
Make not, sir note
-- 42 --
Your loss your sport: I hope, you know that we
Must not continue friends.
Jac.
Good sir, we must,
If you keep covenant: Had I not brought
The knowledge of your mistress home, I grant
We were to question farther: but I now
Profess myself the winner of her honour,
Together with your ring; and not the wronger
Of her, or you, having proceeded but
By both your wills.
Pos.
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 note both
To who shall find them.
Jac.
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.
Pos.
Proceed.
Jac.
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
On Cydnus note,14Q1264 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,
-- 43 --
Could be so rarely and exactly wrought,
Since the true life was note in it.
Pos.
This is true;
And this you might have heard of here, by me,
Or by some other.
Jac.
More particulars
Must justify my knowledge.
Pos.
So they must,
Or do your honour injury.
Jac.
The chimney
Is south the chamber; and the chimney-piece,
Chast Dian, bathing: never saw I figures14Q1265
So likely to report themselves: the cutter
Was as another nature; dumb, out-went her,
Motion and breath left out.
Pos.
This is a thing
Which you might from relation likewise reap;
Being, as it is, much spoke of.
Jac.
The roof o'the chamber
With golden cherubins is fretted: Her andirons
(I had forgot them) were two winking Cupids
Of silver, each on one foot standing, nicely
Depending on their brands.
Pos.
This is her honour?—
Be it granted note, you have seen all this, (and praise
Be given to your remembrance) the description
Of what is in her chamber, nothing saves
The wager you have lay'd.
Jac.
Then if you can,
Be pale; I beg but leave to air † this jewel: See!
And now 'tis up again: It must be marry'd
To that your diamond; I'll keep them.
-- 44 --
Pos.
Jove!—
Once more let me behold it: Is it that
Which I left with her?
Jac.
Sir, (I thank her) that:
She stript 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.
Pos.
May be, she pluck'd it off,
To send it me.
Jac.
She writes so to you? doth she?
Pos.
O, no, no, no; 'tis true. Here, take &dagger2; this too;
It is a basilisk unto mine eye,
Kills me to look on't:—Let there be no honour,
Where there is beauty; truth, where semblance; love,
Where there's another man: The vows of women
Of no more bondage be, to where they are made,
Than they are to their virtues; which is nothing:—
O, above measure false!
Phi.
Have patience, sir,
And take your ring again; 'tis not yet won:
It may be probable, she lost it; or,
Who knows if one of her women, being corrupted,
Hath stoln note it from her.
Pos.
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 stoln. note
Jac.
By Jupiter, I had it from her arm.
Pos.
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
-- 45 --
All sworn, and honourable; They induc'd to steal it?
And by a stranger? No; he hath enjoy'd her:
The cognisance14Q1266 of her incontinency
Is this,—she hath bought the name of whore thus dearly.—
There, take thy hire; and all the fiends of hell
Divide themselves between you.
Phi.
Sir, be patient:
This is not strong enough to be believ'd
Of one persuaded well of—
Pos.
Never talk on't:
She hath been colted by him.
Jac.
If you seek
For further satisfying, under her breast
(Worthy her pressing) lyes a mole, right proud
Of that most delicate lodging: By my life,
I kiss'd it; and it gave me present hunger
To feed again, though full. You do remember
This stain upon her?
Pos.
Ay, and it doth confirm
Another stain, as big as hell can hold,
Were there no more but it.
Jac.
Will you hear more?
Pos.
Spare your arithmetick: never count the turns;
Once, and a million.
Jac.
I'll be sworn,—
Pos.
No swearing:—
If you will swear you have not don't, you lye;
And I will kill thee, if thou dost deny
Thou hast made me cuckold.
Jac.
I will deny nothing.
Pos.
O, that I had here, note to tear her limb-meal!
I will go there, and do't; i'the court; before
-- 46 --
Her father: I'll do something:
[Exit Posthumus.
Phi.
Quite besides
The government of patience!—You have won:
Let's follow him, and pervert the present wrath
He hath against himself.
Jac.
With all my heart.
[Exeunt.
SCENE V.
The same. Another Room in the same.
Enter Posthumus.
Pos.
Is there no way for men to be, but women
Must be half-workers? We are all bastards; all:
And that most venerable man, which I
Did call my father, was I know not where,
When I was stampt; some coiner with his tools
Made me a counterfeit: Yet my mother seem'd
The Dian of that time: so doth my wife
The non-pareil of this.—O, vengeance, vengeance!—
Me of my lawful pleasure she restrain'd,
And pray'd me, oft, forbearance: did it with
A pudency so rosy, the sweet view on't
Might well have warm'd old Saturn; that I thought her
As chast, as unsun'd snow:—O, all the devils!—
This yellow Jachimo, in an hour, (was't not?)
Or less; at first: Perchance, he spoke not; but,
Like a full-acorn'd boar, a German one, note14Q1267
Cry'd, oh, and mounted: found no opposition,
But what he look'd for should oppose, and she
Should from encounter guard. Could I find out
The woman's part in me! For there's no motion
That tends to vice in man, but I affirm note
It is the woman's part: Be it lying, (note it)
The woman's; flattering, hers; deceiving, hers;
-- 47 --
Lust and rank thoughts, hers, hers; revenges, hers;
Ambitions, covetings, change of prides, disdain,
Nice longing, slanders, mutability,
All faults that may be nam'd, note nay, that hell knows,
Why, hers, in part, or all; but, rather, all:
For even to vice
They are not constant, but are changing still;
One vice, but of a minute old, for one
Not half so old as that. I'll write against them,
Detest them, curse them: Yet 'tis greater skill
In a true hate, to pray they have their will:
The very devils cannot plague them better.
[Exit.
Edward Capell [1767], Mr William Shakespeare his comedies, histories, and tragedies, set out by himself in quarto, or by the Players his Fellows in folio, and now faithfully republish'd from those Editions in ten Volumes octavo; with an introduction: Whereunto will be added, in some other Volumes, notes, critical and explanatory, and a Body of Various Readings entire (Printed by Dryden Leach, for J. and R. Tonson [etc.], London) [word count] [S10601].
