To break it with a fearful dream of him,
And cry myself awake? that's false to his bed?
Is it?

Pis. Alas, good lady!

[lachimo,

Imo. I false? Thy conscience witness:-
Thon didst accuse him of incontinency: [thinks,
Thou then look'dst like a villain; now, me-
Thy favour's good enough.—Some jay of Italy,
Whose mother was her painting, hath be-
tray'd him:

Poor I am stale, a garment out of fashion;
And, for I am richer than to hang by the walls,
I must be ripp'd:-to pieces with me!-0,
Men's vows are women's traitors! All good
seeming,

By thy revolt, O husband, shall be thought
Put on for villany; not born, where't grows;
Bat worn, a bait for ladies.

Pis.

Thon art too slow to do thy master's bidding,
When I desire it too.
Pis.
O gracions lady,

Since I received command to do this business,
I have not slept one wink.
Imo.
Do't, and to bed then.
Pis. I'll wake mine eye-balls blind fist.
Imo.
Wherefore then

Didst undertake it? Why hast thou abused
So many miles with a pretence? this place?
Mine action, and thine own? our horses' la
bour?

The time inviting thee? the perturb'd ecurt,
For my being absent: whereunto I never
Purpose return? Why hast thou gone so far,
To be unbent, when thou hast ta'en thy stand,
The elected deer before thee?
But to win time
To lose so bad employment: in the which
I have consider'd of a course: Good lady,
Hear me with patience.

Pis.

Imo.

Good madam, hear me.
Imo. True honest men being heard, like false
Eneas,
[werping
Talk thy tongue weary; speak:
Were, in his time, thonght false: and Sinon's
I have heard I am a strumpet; and mine ear,
Did scandal many a holy tear; took pity
From most true wretchedness: So, thou, Post-Therein false struck,can take no greater wound,
Wilt lay the leaven on all proper men; húmus, Nor tent to bottom that. But speak.
Goodly and gallant, shall be false and perjured,
From thy great fail.-Come, fellow, be thou
honest:
[him,
Do thon thy master's bidding: when thou see'st
A little witness my obedience: Look!

I draw the sword myself: take it; and hit
The innocent mansion of my love, my heart:
Fear not; 'tis empty of all things, but grief:
Thy master is not there; who was, indeed,
The riches of it: Do his bidding; strike.
Thon may'st be valiant in a better cause;
But now thou seem'st a coward.
Pis.
Hence, vile instrument!
Thou shalt not damn my hand.
I...0.
Why, I must die;
And if I do not by thy hand, thou art [laughter
No servant of thy master's: Against self-
There's a prohibition so divine, [my heart;
That cravens my weak hand. Come, here's
Something's afore't: Sott, soft; we'll no defence;
Obedient as the scabbard.-What is here?
The scriptures of the loyal Leonatus,
All turn' to heresy? Away, away,
Corrupters of my faith! you shall no more
Be stomachers to my heart! Thus may poor
[betray'd
Believe false teachers: Though those that are
Do feel the treason sharply, yet the traitor
Stands in worse case of woe.

fools

Pis.

Then, madam, I thought you would not back again.

Imo.

Bringing me here to kill me.
Pis.

Most like;

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 v llain, ay, and singular in his art,
Hath done you both this cursed injury.
Imo. Some Roman courtezan.

Pis.

No, on my life.
I'll give but notice you are dead, and send him
Some bloody sign of it; for 'tis commanded
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 tide? How Or in my life what comfort, When I am [live? Dead to my husband?

Pis.

If you'll back to the court,— Imo. No court, no father; nor do more ado With that harsh, noble, simple, nothing: That Cloten, whose love-suit hath been to me As fearful as a siege.

If not at court,

Pis.
Then not in Britain must you bide.

Imo.

Where then?
Hath Britain all the sun that shines? Day,
[volame
night,
Are they not but in Britain? I' the world's
Our Britain seems as of it, but not in it;
In a great pool, a swan's nest: Pr'y thee, think
There's livers out of Britain.

And thou, Posthumus, thou that didst set up
My disobedience 'gainst the king my father,
And make me put into contempt the suits
Of princely fellows, shalt hereafter find
It is no act of common passage, but
I am most glad
A strain of rareness: and I grieve myself,
To think, when thou shalt teisedged by her You think of other place. The embassador,
That now thou tirest | ou, how thy memory
Lucius the Roman, comes to Milford-Haven
Will then be pang'd by me.--Pr'ythee, de-To-morrow: Now, if you conid wear a mind

Dark as your fortune is; ana but disguise
That, which, to appear itself, must not yet be

• Putta, in Italian, signifies both a jay and a whore. + Likeness.

Cowe: Is.

CYMBELINE.

But by self-danger; you should tread a course
Pretty, and full of view: yea, haply, near
The residence of Posthumus: so nigh, at least,
That though his actions were not visible, yet
Report should render him hourly to your ear,
As truly as he moves.

Imo.
O, for such means!
Though peril to my modesty, not death on't,
I would adventure.

Pis.
Well then, here's the point:
You must forget to be a woman; change
Command into obedience; fear and niceness
(The handmaids of all women, or, more truly,
Woman its pretty self,) to a waggish courage;
Ready in gibes, qnick-answer'd, saucy, and
As quarrellous as the weasel: nay, you must
Forget that rarest treasure of your cheek,
Exposing it (but, O, the harder heart!
Alack, no remedy !) to the greedy touch
Of common-kissing Titan; and forget
Your laboursome and dainty trims, wherein
You made great Juno angry.
Imo.

I see into thy end, and am almost
Nay, be brief:
A mau already.

Pis. First, make yourself but like one.
Fore-thinking this, I have already fit,

Tis in my cloak-bag,) doublet, hat, hose, all That auswer to thein: Would you, in their servAnd with what imitation you can borrow [ing, From youth of such a season, 'fore noble Lucins

Present yourself, desire his service, tell him
Wherein you are happy +, (which you'll make
him know,

If that his head have ear in music,) doubtless,
With joy he will embrace you; for he's honour.
able,
And, doubling that, most holy. Your means
[abroad
You have me, rich; and I will never fail
Beginning nor supplyment.
Imo.
The gods will diet me with. Pr'ythee, away:
Thon art all the comfort
There's more to be consider'd; but we'll even
All that good time will give ns: This attempt
I'm soldier tos, and will abide it with
A prince's courage. Away, I pr'y thee.

Pis. Well, matam, we must take a short
Lest, being miss'd, I be snspected of [farewell:
Your carriage from the court. My noble mis-
Here is a box; I bad it from the queen; [tress,
What's in't is precious; if you are sick at sea,
Or stomach-qualm'd at land, a dram of this
Will drive away distemper.-To some shade,
And fit you to your manhood:-May the gods
Direct you to the best!
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.
My emperor hath wrote; I must from hence;
Thanks, royal sir.
And am right sorry, that I must report ye

The sun.

Our subjects, sir,

855

My master's enemy.
Will not endure his yoke; and for ourself
Cym.
Appear unkinglike.
To show less sovereignty than they, must needs
Luc.
So, sir, I desire of you
A conduct over land, to Milford-Haven.-
Madam, all joy befal your grace, and you!
The due of honone in no point omit:- [office;
Cym. My lords, you are appointed for that
So, farewell, noble Lucius.

Luc.
Your hand, my lord.
I wear it as your enemy.
Clo. Receive it friendly; but from this time
Luc.

Sir, the event

[forth

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 ho.
That we have given him cause.
Clo.
[nours us,
'Tis all the better;
Your valiant Britons have their wishes in it.
Cym. Lucius hath wrote already to the em-

peror

How it goes here. It fits us, therefore, ripely,
The powers that he already hath in Gallia
Our chariots and our horsemen be in readiness:
Will soon be drawn to head, from whence he
His war for Britain.
Queen.
[moves
'Tis not sleepy business;
But must be look'd to speedily, and strongly.
Cym. Our expectation that it would be thus,
Hath made us forward. But, my gentle queen,
Before the Roman, nor to us hath tender'd
Where is our daughter? She hath not appear'd
A thing more made of malice than of duty:
The duty of the day: She looks us like

We have noted it.-Call her before us; for
We have been too slight in sufferance.

Since the exile of Posthumus, most retired
[Exit an Attendant.
Queen.
Hath her life been; the cure whereof, my lord,
Royal sir,
'Tis time mast do. 'Beseech your majesty,
So tender of rebukes, that words are strokes,
Forbear sharp speeches to her: she's a lady
And strokes death to her.

Re-enter an Attendant.

Can her contempt be answer'd?
Cym.
Where is she, sir? How

Atten.

Her chambers are all lock'd; and there's no Please you, sir, [make.

answer

That will be given to the loud'st of noise we
Queen. My lord, when last I went to visit
her,

She pray'd me to excuse her keeping close;
Whereto constrain'd by her infirmity,
She should that duty leave unpaid to you,
Which daily she was bound to proffer: this
Made me to blame in memory.
She wish'd me to make known; but our great
Cym.
[court
Her doors lock'd?

As for your subsistence abroad, you may rely on me.
ti. e., Wherein you are accomplished.

Equal to.

Not seen of late? Grant, heavens, that which

I fear
[Exit.
Prove false!
Queen. Son, I say,
follow the king.
Clo. That man of hers, Pisanio, her old
I have not seen these two days. [servant,
Go, look after.-
Queen.
[Exit CLOTEN.
Pisanio, thon that stand'st so for Posthumos!-
He hath a drug of mine: I pray, his absence
Proceed by swallowing that; for he believes
It is a thing .ost precious. But for her, [her;
Where is she gone? Haply despair hath seized
Or, wing'd with fervour of her love, she's flown
To her desired Posthumus: Gone she is
To death, or to dishonour; and my end
Can make good use of either: She being down,
I have the placing of the British crown.
Re-enter CLOTEN.

How now, my son?

Clo.

'Tis certain she is fled :

Go in, and cheer the king; he rages; none
Dare come about him.

Queen.

All the better: May
This night forestall him of the coming day!
[Ert Queen
Clo. I love and hate her: for she's fair and
royal;

[site
And that she hath all conrtly parts more exqui-
Than lady, ladies, woman; from every one
The best she hath, and she, of all compounded,|
Outsells them all: I love her, therefore: But,
Disdaining me, and throwing favours on
The low Posthumus, slanders so her judgment,
That what's else rare, is choked; and in that
point,

I will conclude to hate her, nay, indeed,
To be revenged upon her. For when fools
Enter PISANIO.

Come hither: Ah, you precious pander!
Where is thy lady-In a word; or else
Thou art straightway with the fiends.
Pis.
O, good my lord!
Clo. Where is thy lady? or, by Jupiter
I will not ask again. Close villain,
I'll have this secret from thy heart, or rip
Thy heart to find it. Is she with Posthumus?
From whose so many weights of baseness can-
A dram of worth be drawn.
[not
Alas, my lord,
How can she be with him? When was she
[miss'd?
Clo. Where is she, sir? Come nearer;
No further halting: satisfy me home,
What is become of her?

[Aside.

Clo. Sirrah, is this letter true? Pis. Sir, as I think. Clo. It is Posthumns' hand; I know'tSirrah, i thon wouldst not be a villain, but do me true service; undergo those employ. ments, wherein I should have canse to use thee, with a serious industry,—that is, what villany soe'er I bid thee do, to perform it directly and truly,-I would think thee at honest man: thou shouldest neither want my means for thy relief, nor my voice for thy preferment

Pis. Well, my good lord.

Clo. Wilt thou serve me? For since patiently and constantly thon hast stuck to the bare fortone of that beggar Posthumus, thou canst not in the course of gratitude but be a diligent tollower of mine. Wilt thou serve me? Pis. Sir, I will.

Cl. Give me thy hand, here's my parse. Hast any of thy late master's garments in thy possession?

Pis. I have, my lord, at my lodging, the same suit he wore when he took leave of my lady and mistress.

Clo. The first service thon dost me, fetch that suit hither: let it be thy first service; go. [Exit. Pis. I shall, my lord.

Shall-Who is here? What! are yon packing. Clo. Meet thee at Milford-Haven :-I forgo sirrah? [lain, to ask him one think; I'll remember't anon; Vil-Even there, thon villain, Posthanius, will I kill thee.-I would these garments were come. She said upon a time, (the bitterness of it! now belch from my heart,) that she held the very garment of Posthumus in more respect than my noble and natural person, together with the adornment of my qualities. With that suit upon my back, will I ravish her: First kill hin, and in her eyes; there shall she see my valour, which will then be a torment to her contempt. He on the ground, my speech of insultment ended on his dead body and when my fast bath dined, (which, as I say, to vex her, I will execute in the clothes that she so praised,) to the court I'll knock her back, foot her home again. She hath despised me rejoicingly, and I'll be merry in my re venge.

Pis.

He is in Rome.

Pis. O, my all-worthy lord!
Clo.

All-worthy villain!
Discover where thy mistress is, at once,
At the next word,-No more of worthy lord,-
Speak, or thy silence on the instant is
Thy condemnation and thy death.
Pis.
This paper is the history of my knowledge
Touching her flight. [Presenting a Letter.

Then, sir,

Re-enter PISANTO, with the Clothes. Be those the garments?

Pis. Ay, my noble lord.

Clo. How long is't since she went to Mil

ford-Haven ?

Pis. She can searce be there yet.

Clo. Bring this apparel to my chamber

⚫ Than any lady, than all ladies, than all womankind.

that is the second thing that I have commanded
thee; the third is, that thou shalt be a volrn-
Be but Inteons, and
tary mute to my design.
true preferment shall tender itself to thee-
My revenge is now at Milford; 'Would I had
wings to follow it!-Come, and be true. [Erit,
Pis. Thon bidd'st me to my loss: for, true
to thee.

Were to prove false, which I will never be,
To him that is most true.-To Milford go,
And find not her whom thou pursuest. Flow,
[speed
flow,
You heavenly blessings, on her! This fool's
Be cross'd with slowness; labour be his meed!
[Exit.
SCENE VI. Before the Cave of Belarius.
Enter IMOGEN, in Boy's Clothes.
Imo. I see, a man's life is a tedions one:
I have fired my self; and for two nights to-
[sick,
gether
Have made the ground my bed. I should be
But that my resolution helps me.-Milford.
When from the mountain-top Pisanio show'd
thee,

Thon wast within a ken: O Jove! I think,
Foundations fly the wretched: such, I mean,
Where they should be relieved. Two beggars

told me,

I could not miss my way: Will poor folks lle,
That have amictions on them; knowing 'tis
A punishmeat, or trial? Yes; no wonder,
When rich ones scarce tell true: To lapse in
fuiness

lord!

Is sorer, than to lie for need; and falsehood
18 worse in kings than beggars.-My dear
[on thee,
Then art one o'the false ones: Now I think
My hunger's gone; but even before, I was
At point to sink for food.-But what is this?
Here is a path to it: 'Tis some savage hold:
I were best not call, I dare not call: yet

famine,

Ere clean it o'erthrow nature, makes it valiant. "Plenty, and peace, breeds cowards; hardness

ever

Finds the down pillow hard-Now, peace be
[here,
Foo house, that keep'st thyself!
Gui.
I am throughly weary.
Are. I am weak with toil, yet strong in
appetite.
[browze on that,
Gui. There is cold meat i'the cave; we'll
Whilst what we have kill'd be cook'd.
Bel.

Of hardiness is mother.-Ho! who's here?
If any thing that's civil, speak; if savage,
Take, or lend.-Ho-No answer? then I'm

enter.

Stay; come not in:
[Leoking in.
But that it eats our victuals, I should think
Here were a fairy.
Gui.

What's the matter, sir?
Bel. By Jupiter, an angel! or, if not,
An earthly paragon! Behold divineness
No elder than a boy!

Enter IMOGEN.

Imo. Good inasters, harm me not:
Before 1 enter'd here, I call'd; and thought
To have begz'd, or bought, what I have took:
Good troth,
[I had found
have stolen uought; nor would not, thongh
Gold strew'd 'the floor. Here's money for
my meat:

I would have left it on the board, so soon
As I had made iny meal; and parted
With prayers for the provider.

Best draw my sword; and if mine enemy
But fear the sword like ine, he'll scarcely look
Such a foe, good heavens!
[on't
[She goes into the Cure.
Enter BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and AR-

VIRAGUS.

Bel You, Polydore, have proved best wood-
man, and

Are master of the feast: Cadwal and I
Will play the cook and servant; 'tis our

match!:

Gui.
Money youth?
Arv. All gold and silver rather turn to dirt!
As 'tis 20 better reckon'd, but of those
Who worship dirty gods.

The sweet of industry would dry, and die, But for the end it works to. Come; our stomachs

[ness

Imo.
I see you are angry :
Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should
Have died, had 1 not made it.
Bel.

Whither bound?
Imo. To Milford Haven, sir.
Bel
What is your name?
Imo. Fidele, sir: I have a kinsman, who
Is bound for italy; he embark'd at Milford;
To whom being going, almost spent with hun-
1 am fallen in this offence.
Rel.

[ger,

Pr'ythee, fair youth, Think us no churls; nor mearure our good

minds

[rer'd! Well enconnBy this rude place we live in. is almost night: you shall have better cheer Ere you depart; and thanks, to stay and eat Boys, bid him welcome.

Gus.

(it.-
Were you a woman, youth,
I should woo hard, but be your groom.-In
1 bid for you, as I'd buy.
[honesty,
Arv.
I'll make my confort,
He is a man; I'll love him as my brother:-
And such a welcome as I'd give to him,
After long absence, such as yours:-Most wel
come!

Be sprightly, for you fall 'mongst friends.
Imo.
'Mougst friends

A side.

If brothers 7-Would it had been so,
that they
[my prize
Had been my father's sons! then had
Been less; and so more equal ballast-
[ing
To thee, Posthumus.
Bet.
He wrings at some distress.
Gui. 'Would, I could free't!
Ar.

Will make what's homely. savonry: Weari
Can snore upon the flint, when restive sloth What pain it cost, what danger! Gode!

O 1, whate'er it be,

In, for into.
4D3

SCENE I. The Forest, near the Cave.
Enter CLOTEN.

Clo. I am near to the place where they should meet, if Pisanio have mapped it truly. How fit his garments serve me! Why should bis mistress, who was made by him that mede the tailor, not be it too? the rather (saving reverence of the word) fort 'tis said, a wo man's fitness comes by fits. Therein I must play the workman. I dare speak it to myself, (for it is not vain glory, for a man and his glass to confer; in his own chamber, I mean,) the lines of my body are as well drawn as his; no less young, more strong, not bene ith him in fortunes, beyond him in the advantage of the time, above him in birth, alike conversant in general services, and more remarkable in single oppositions: yet this imperseverant thing loves him in my despite. What mortality is! l'o-thumus, thy head, which now is growing upon thy shoulders, shail within this hour be off; thy mistress enforced; thy garments cut to pieces before thy face: and all this done, spurn her home to her father: who may, haply, be a little angry for ny so rough usage: but my mother, having power of his testiness, shall turn all into my commendations. My horse is tied up safe: Ont, sword, and to a sore purpose! Fortune, put them into my hand! This is the very description of their meeting place; and the fellow dares tot de\Exit:

ceive me.

SCENE II. Before the Cave.
Enter, from the Cave, BELARIUS, GUIDE
RIUS, ARVIRAGUS, and IMOGEN.
Bel. You are not well: [To IMOGEN.] re-
main here in the cave;

• Unsteady.