affault you have made to her chastity, you shall And will not trust one of her malice with anfwer me with your fword.

Iach. Your hand; a covenant: We will have thefe things fet down by lawful counfel, and ftraight away for Britain; left the bargain should catch cold, and starve: I will fetch my gold, and have our two wagers recorded.

Poft. Agreed. [Exeunt Pofihumus and Iachimo.
French. Will this hold, think you?
Phil. Signior Iachimo will not from it. Pray,
let us follow 'em.

Enter Queen, Ladies, and Cornelius.

[Exeunt.

Queen. Whiles yet the dew's on ground, gather
thofe flowers;

Make hafte: Who has the note of them?
1 Lady. I, madam.
Queen. Difpatch.—

[Exeunt Ladies.

A drug of fuch damn'd nature: Thofe the has,
Will stupify and dull the fenfe a while: [dogs;
Which firft, perchance, fhe'll prove on cats, and
Then afterward up higher: but there is
No danger in what fhew of death it makes,
More than the locking up the fpirits a time,
To be more fresh, reviving. She is fool'd
With a moft falfe effect; and I the truer,
So to be falfe with her.

Queen. No further fervice, doctor,

Until I fend for thee.

Cor. I humbly take my leave.

[Exit.

Queen. Weeps the ftill, fay it thou? Doft thou

think, in time

She will not quench; and let inftructions enter
Where folly now potfelles? Do thou work:
When thou fhalt bring me word, the loves my fon,
I'll tell thee, on the inftant, thou art then
As great as is thy mafter: greater; for
His fortunes all lie fpeechlefs, and his name
Is at laft gafp: Return he cannot, nor
[madam: Continue where he is: to shift his being 2,
Is to exchange one mifery with another;
And every day, that comes, comes to decay
A day's work in him: What fhalt thou expect,
To be depender on a thing that leans 3 ?
Who cannot be new built; nor has no friends,

Now, mafter doctor; have you brought thofe
drugs?

Cor. Pleafeth your highness, ay: here they are,
But I beseech your grace, (without offence;
My conscience bids me afk) wherefore you have
Commanded of me these most poisonous compounds,
Which are the movers of a languishing death;
But, though flow, deadly?

Queen. I wonder, doctor,

Thou afk'st me such a question: Have I not been
Thy pupil long? Haft thou not learn'd me how
To niake perfumes? diftill preferve? yea, fo
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 conclufions? I will try the forces
Of these thy compounds on fuch creatures as
We count not worth the hanging, (but none human)
To try the vigour of them, and apply
Allayments to their act; and by them gather
Their feveral virtues, and effects.

[The Queen drops a phial: Pifanio takes it up.
So much as but to prop him?-Thou tak it up
Thou know'ft not what ; but take it for thy labour:
It is a thing I make, which hath the king
Five times redeem'd from death; I do not know
What is more cordial :-Nay, I pr'ythee, take it ;
It is an earnest of a further good

That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how
The cafe ftands with her; do't, as from thyself.
Think what a chance thou changest on4; but think
Thou haft thy mistress ftill; to boot, my fon,
| Who shall take notice of thee: I'll move the king
To any fhape of thy preferment, fuch
As thou'lt defire; and then myfelf, I chiefly,
That fet thee on to this defert, am bound
To load thy merit richly. Call my women:

[Exit Pifario.

Think on my words.-A fly, and conftant knave;
Not to be fhak'd: the agent for his master;
And the remembrancer of her, to hold
The hand faft to her lord.--I have given him that,
Which, if he take, shall quite unpeople her
Of leigers for her fweet; and which the, after,
Except the bend her humour, fhall be affur'd
Re-enter Pifanio, and Ladies.

To taste of too.--So, fo;—well done, well done:
The violets, cowflips, and the primroses,
Bear to my closet :-Fare thee well, Pifanio;
Think on my words. [Exeunt Queen, and Ladies.
Pif. And fhall do:

But when to my good lord I prove untrue,

Strange lingering poifons: I do know her fpirit, I'll choke myself: there's all I'll do for you. [Exit.

2. e. to change his abode. 3 i. e. that inclines towards its Think with what a fair profpect of mending your fortunes you now 5 A leger ambailador is one that refides at a foreign court to

SCENE

SCENE
Imogen's Apartment.
Enter Imogen.

VII.

Imo. A father cruel, and a step-dame false;
A foolish fuitor to a wedded lady,

That hath her husband banish'd ;---O, that husband!
My fupreme crown of grief! and thofe repeated
Vexations of it! Had I been thief-stolen,

As my two brothers, happy! but moft miferable
Is the defire that's glorious: Bleffed be thefe,
How mean foe'er, that have their honeft wills,
Which feafons comfort-Who may this be?
Fie !

Enter Pifanio, and Iachimo.

Pif. Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome

Comes from my lord with letters.

Iach. Change you, madam ?

The worthy Leonatus is in fafety,

'Twixt two fuch fhe's, would chatter this way, and
Contemn with mows the other: Nor i' the judg
ment;

For idiots, in this cafe of favour, would
Be wifely definite: Nor i' the appetite;
Sluttery, to fuch neat excellence oppos'd,
Should make defire vomit emptinefs,
Not fo allur'd to feed 4.

Imo. What is the matter, trow ?
Iach. The cloyed will,

(That fatiate yet unfatisfied defire,

That tub both fill'd and running) ravening first
The lamb, longs after for the garbage.

Defire my man's abode where I did leave him:

And greets your highnefs dearly. [Gives a letter. He's ftrange 5, and peevith.

Imo. Thanks, good fir;

You are kindly welcome.

[Afide.

Iach. All of her, that is out of door, most rich!
If the be furnish'd with a mind fo rare,
She is alone the Arabian bird; and I
Have loft the wager. Boldness be my friend !
Arm me, audacity, from head to foot!
Or, like the Parthian, I fhall flying fight;
Rather directly fly.

Imogen reads.

"He is one of the nobleft note, to whofe "kindneffes I am moft infinitely tied. Reflect 66 upon him accordingly, as you value your truft. "LEONATUS."

So far I read aloud:

But even the very middle of my heart
Is warm'd by the reft, and takes it thankfully.-
You are as welcome, worthy fir, as I
Have words to bid you; and fhall find it fo,
In all that I can do.

Iach. Thanks, faireft lady.

-

Pif. I was going, fir,

To give him welcome.

[feech you?

Imo. Continues well my lord? His health, 'be-
Iach. Well, madam.

Imo. Is he difpos'd to mirth? I hope, he is.
Iach. Exceeding pleasant; none a stranger there
So merry and fo gamefome: he is call'd
The Briton reveller.

Imo. When he was here,

He did incline to fadness; and oft-times
Not knowing why.

Iach. I never saw him fad.

There is a Frenchman his companion, one
An eminent monfieur, that, it feems, much loves
A Gallian girl at home; he furnaces

cries! "O!

The thick fighs from him; whiles the jolly Briton
(Your lord, I mean) laughs from 's free lungs,
[knows
"Can my fides hold, to think, that man,—who
"By hiftory, report, or his own proof,
"What woman is, yea, what the cannot chufe

What! are men mad? Hath nature given them" But muft be,-will his free hours languith

To fee this vaulted arch, and the rich crop
Of fea and land 2, which can diftinguish 'twixt
The fiery orbs above, and the twinn'd stones
Upon the number'd beach 3 ? and can we not
Partition make with fpectacles fo precious
'Twixt fair and foul?

Imo. What makes your admiration?

Iach. Not he: But yet heaven's bounty towards

lach. It cannot be i' the eye; for apes and Be us'd more thankfully. In himfelf, 'tis much; monkeys, In you,-which I account Lis, beyond all talents,―

That is, according to Warburton, "who are beholden only to the feafons for their fupport and nourishment; fo that, if thofe be kindly, fuch have no more to care for or deure." 2 The crop of fea and land means the productions of either element. 3 Dr. Johnfon fays, he knows not well how to regulate this paffage. Number'd is perhaps numerous. Tuinn'd flones he does not underftand. Twinn'd fhells, or pairs of shells, are very common." Mr. Steevens adds, that the pebbles on the fea-fhore are fo much of the fame fize and fhape, that twinn'd may meau as like as twins. Dr. Farmer thinks we may read the umbered, the fhaded beach. + Dr. Johnfon explains this paffage thus: "Iachimo, in this counterfeited rapture, has shewn how the eyes and the judgment would determine in favour of Imogen, comparing her with the prefent miftrefs of Pofthumus, and proceeds to fly, that appetite too would give the fame fuffrage. Defire, fays he, when it approached flattery, and confidered it in comparifon with fuch neat excellence, would not only be not fo allured to feed, but, feized with a fit of loathing, would vomit emptiness, would feel the convulfions of dilgutt, though, being unfed, it had nothing to eject." 5 Strange here feems to fignify fky or backward.

(As I have fuch a heart, that both mine ear
Muft not in hafte abufe) if it be true,
How should I be reveng'd?

lach. Should he make me

Live like Diana's prieft, betwixt cold sheets;

You look on me; what wreck difcern you in me, Whiles he is vaulting variable ramps,

Inclin'd to this intelligence, pronounce

The beggary of his change; but 'tis your graces
That from my muteft confcience, to my tongue,
Charms this report out.

Imo. Let me hear no more.
[heart
Iach. O deareft foul! your cause doth strike my
With pity that doth make me fick. A lady
So fair, and faften'd to an empery 3, [ner'd
Would make the greateft king double! to be part-
With tomboys 4, hir'd with that self-exhibition
Which your own coffers yield 5! with difeas'd ven-
tures,

That play with all infirmities for gold [Stuff,
Which rottennefs can lend nature! fuch boil'd
As well might poifon poifon! Be reveng'd;
Or fhe, that bore you, was no queen, and you
Recoil from your great flock.

Rather, timely known. 2 What it is that at once incites you to speak, and reftrains you from it. 3 Empery is a word fignifying fovereign command; now obfolete. 4 A mafculine, for ward girl is fill called a tomboy. 5 Gross firumpets, hired with the very penfion which you allow your husband.

I muft aboard to-morrow.
Imo. O, no, no.

Lach. Yes, I befeech; or I fhall short my word,
From Gallia
By length'ning my return.

I crofs'd the feas on purpofe, and on promise
To fee your grace.

Ino. I thank you for your pains;
But not away to-morrow?

Iach. O, I muft, madam:
Therefore I shall befeech you, if you please
To greet your lord with writing, do't to-night:
I have out-tood my time; which is material
To the tender of our prefent.

Imo. I will write.

Send your trunk to me; it fhall fafe be kept,
And truly yielded you: You are very welcome.
[Exeunt.

SCENE 1.

Cymbeline's Palace.

ACT

Enter Cloten, and two Lords.

Clot. W

AS there ever man had fuch luck!

when I kifs'd the jack 2 upon an upcaft, to be hit away! I had a hundred pound on't: And then a whorefon jackanapes must take me up for fwearing; as if I borrow'd my 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 run all out.

II.

2 Lord. Ay, it is fit for your lordship only.
Clot. Why, fo I say.

1 Lord. Did you hear of a stranger, that's come to court to-night?

Clot. A tranger! and I not know on 't!

2 Lord. He's a ftrange fellow himself, and knows [Afide. not. 1 Lord. There's an Italian come; and, 'tis thought, one of Leonatus' friends.

Clot. Leonatus! a banish'd rafcal; and he's ano❤ Who told you of this ther, whatfoever he be. tranger?

I Lord. One of your lordship's pages,
Clot, Is it fit, I went to look upon him? Is
there no derogation in 't?

1 Lord." You cannot derogate, my lord.
Clot. Not eafily, I think.

[Afide. Clot. When a gentleman is difpos'd to fwear, it is not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths: Ha? 2 Lord. No, my lord; nor crop the ears of them. Clot. Whorefon dog!-I give him fatisfaction ?iffues being foolish, do not derogate. Clot. Come, I'll go fee this Italian: What I 'Would, he had been one of my rank ! [Afide. have loft to-day at bowls, I'll win to-night of him.

[Afide.

2 Lord. You are a fool granted; therefore your

2 Lord. I'll attend your lordship.

2 Lord. To have smelt like a fool. Clot. I am not vex'd more at any thing in the Come, go. earth,-A pox on't! I had rather not be fo noble as I am; they dare not fight with me, becaufe of the queen my mother; every jack-flave hath his belly full of fighting, and I must go up and down like a cock that no body can match.

[Aide.

2 Lord. You are a cock and a capon too; and you crow, cock, with your comb on 3, Clot. Say'ft thou?

1 Lord. It is not fit your lordship fhould undertake every companion that you give offence

to,

4

Clat. No, I know that: but it is fit, I fhould commit offence to my inferiors.

[Afide.

[Exeunt Cloten, and first Lord,
That fuch a crafty devil as his mother
Should yield the world this afs! a woman, that
Bears all down with her brain; and this her fon
Cannot take two from twenty for his heart,
And leave eighteen. Alas, poor princefs,
Thou divine Imogen, what thou endur'st!
Betwixt a father by thy step-dame govern'd;
A mother hourly coining plots; a wooer,
More hateful than the foul expulfion is
Of thy dear husband, than that horrid act
Of the divorce he'd make! The heavens hold firm,

1 i. c. being a stranger. 2 The jack is the fmall bowl at which the others are aimed. He who is nearest to it wins. To kifs the jack is a state of great advantage.

cap, which hath a comb like a cock's.

Why fhould 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 Philomel gave up I have enough:
To the trunk again, and fhut the fpring of it. [ing
Swift, fwift, you dragons of the night! that dawn-
May bear the raven's eye: Ilodge in fear;
Though this a heavenly angel, hell is here.
[Clock frikes.

One, two, three :-Time, time!

Imo. I have read three hours then: mine eyes are
Fold down the leaf where I have left: To bed:
Take not away the taper, leave it burning;
And if thou canft awake by four o' the clock,
I pry thee, call me. Sleep hath feiz'd me wholly.
[Exit Lady. in

To your protection I commend me, gods!
From fairies, and the tempters of the night,
Guard me, befeech ye!

[Sleeps. [Tachimo, from the trunk. Iack. The crickets fing, and man's o'er-labour'd fenfe

Repairs itfelf by reft: Our Tarquin thus
Did foftly prefs the rushes, ere he waken'd
The chaftity he wounded.-Cytherea,
How bravely thou becom'ft thy bed! fresh lilly!
And whiter than the sheets! That I might touch!
But kifs one kifs !-Rubies unparagon'd,
How dearly they do't!--'Tis her breathing that
Perfumes the chamber thus: The flame o' the taper
Bows toward her; and would under-peep her lids,
To fee the inclofed lights, now canopy'd
Under thefe windows: White and azure! lac'd
With blue of heaven's own tinet.-But my defign?
To note the chamber :-I will write all down :-
Such, and fuch pictures ;--There the window :-
Such

The adornment of her bed ;-The arras, figures?
Why, fuch, and fuch :-And the contents o' the

1 Lord. Your lordfhip is the most patient man lofs, the most coldeft that ever turn'd up ace. Clot. It would make any man cold to lofe.

1 Lord. But not every man patient, after the noble temper of your lordship; You are moft hot, and furious, when you win.

Clot. Winning will put any man into courage: If I could get this foolish Imogen, I should have gold enough: It's almoft morning, is 't not ?

1 Lord. Day, my lord.

Clot. I would this mufic would come: I am

advis'd to give her mufic o' mornings; they fay, it will penetrate.

Enter Muficians.

Come on; tune: If you can penetrate her with your fingering, fo; we'll try with tongue too: if none will do, let her remain; but I'll never give oler. First, a very excellent good-conceited thing; after a wonderful fweet air, with admirable rich words to it, and then let her confider.

S 0 N G.

Hark! bark! the lark at heaven's gate fing is
And Phoebus 'gini arife,

His fieeds to water at thofe fprings

On chalic'd flowers that lies 2;
And winking Mary-buds begin

To ope their golden eyes;

With every thing that pretty bin:
My lady fweet, arife;
Arife, arife.

Thus in a chapel lying !—Come off, come off;-So, get you gone: If this penetrate, I will confider

[Taking off a bracelet, your music the better 3: if it do not, it is a vice in

As flippery, as the Gordian knot was hard!-
'Tis mine; and this will witness outwardly,
As ftrongly as the confcience does within,
To the madding of her lord. On her left breaft
A mole cinque-fpotted, like the crimson drops
I' the bottom of a cowflip: Here's a voucher,
Stronger than ever law could make this fecret
Will force him think I have pick'd the lock, and

ta'en

her ears, which horfe-hairs, and cats-guts, nor
the voice of unpaved eunuch to boot, can never
amend.
[Exeunt Magicians.

Enter Cymbeline, and Queen.

2 Lord. Here comes the king. Clot. I am glad, I was up fo late; for that's the reafon I was up fo early: He cannot choofe but take this fervice I have done, fatherly.-Good [end?morrow to your majefty, and to my gracious

The treasure of her honour. No more.-To what mother.

We have in a former play obferved, that it was the cuftom in the time of our author to ftrew chambers with ruthes, as we now cover them with carpets. 2 i. e. The morning fun dries up the dew which lies in the cups of flowers. It may be noted, that the cup of a flower is called calix, whence chalice.

3 i. c. I will pay you more amply for it.

Cy