Tach. 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 would'st 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 He little cares for, and a daughter whom He not respects at all. - What ho, Pisanio! Iach. O happy Leonatus! I may say; The credit, that thy lady hath of thee, Deserves thy trust; and thy most perfect goodness Her assur'd credit! - Blessed live you long ! A lady to the worthiest sir, that ever Country call'd his! and you his mistress, only For the most worthiest fit! Give me your pardon. I have spoke this, to know if your affiance Were deeply rooted; and shall make your lord, That which he is, new o'er: And he is one The truest manner'd; such a holy witch, That he enchants societies unto him: Half all men's hearts are his. 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 a false report; which hath Honour'd with confirmation your great judgment Imo. All's well, sir: Take my power i'the court for 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, Are partners in the business. 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, Of rich and exquisite form; their values great; And I am something curious, being strange, 5 To have them in safe stowage; May it please you To take them in protection? Imo. Willingly; And pawn mine honour for their safety: since My lord hath interest in them, I will keep them In my bed-chamber. Iach. They are in a trunk, Attended by my men: I will make bold Imo. Iach. Yes, I beseech; or By length'ning my return. To fan, is to winnow. O, no, no. 5 A stranger. 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? O, I must, madam: Imo. I will write. Send your trunk to me; it shall safe be kept, ACT II. [Exeunt. 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 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. is not for any standers-by to curtail oaths: Ha? Clo. When a gentleman is disposed to swear, it • He is describing his fate at bowls; the jack is the small bowl at which the others are aimed. 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 ! 2 Lord. To have smelt like a fool. [Aside. 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 nobody can match. 2 Lord. You are a cock and capon too; and you crow, cock, with your comb on. Clo. Sayest thou? [Aside. 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 com mit 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 know not on't! 2 Lord. He's a strange fellow himself, and knows it not. [Aside. 1 Lord. There's an Italian eome; 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 7, 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 SCENE II. [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? Imo. What hour is't? Lady. Please you, madam. Lady. Almost midnight, madam. 7 i, e. Degrade yourself. |