第1章

ACTISCENEI。Britain。ThegardenofCymbeline’spalace。EntertwoGentlemenFirstGentlemanYoudonotmeetamanbutfrowns:ourbloodsNomoreobeytheheavensthanourcourtiersStillseemasdoestheking。SecondGentlemanButwhat’sthematter?FirstGentlemanHisdaughter,andtheheirof’skingdom,whomHepurposedtohiswife’ssoleson——awidowThatlatehemarried——hathreferr’dherselfUntoapoorbutworthygentleman:she’swedded;

Herhusbandbanish’d;sheimprison’d:allIsoutwardsorrow;thoughIthinkthekingBetouch’datveryheart。SecondGentlemanNonebuttheking?FirstGentlemanHethathathlosthertoo;soisthequeen,Thatmostdesiredthematch;butnotacourtier,AlthoughtheyweartheirfacestothebentOftheking’slook’s,hathaheartthatisnotGladatthethingtheyscowlat。SecondGentlemanAndwhyso?FirstGentlemanHethathathmiss’dtheprincessisathingToobadforbadreport:andhethathathher——

Imean,thatmarriedher,alack,goodman!

Andthereforebanish’d——isacreaturesuchAs,toseekthroughtheregionsoftheearthForonehislike,therewouldbesomethingfailingInhimthatshouldcompare。IdonotthinkSofairanoutwardandsuchstuffwithinEndowsamanbuthe。SecondGentlemanYouspeakhimfar。FirstGentlemanIdoextendhim,sir,withinhimself,CrushhimtogetherratherthanunfoldHismeasureduly。SecondGentlemanWhat’shisnameandbirth?FirstGentlemanIcannotdelvehimtotheroot:hisfatherWascall’dSicilius,whodidjoinhishonourAgainsttheRomanswithCassibelan,ButhadhistitlesbyTenantiuswhomHeservedwithgloryandadmiredsuccess,Sogain’dthesur—additionLeonatus;

Andhad,besidesthisgentlemaninquestion,Twoothersons,whointhewarso’thetimeDiedwiththeirswordsinhand;forwhichtheirfather,Thenoldandfondofissue,tooksuchsorrowThathequitbeing,andhisgentlelady,Bigofthisgentlemanourtheme,deceasedAshewasborn。ThekinghetakesthebabeTohisprotection,callshimPosthumusLeonatus,Breedshimandmakeshimofhisbed—chamber,PutstohimallthelearningsthathistimeCouldmakehimthereceiverof;whichhetook,Aswedoair,fastas’twasminister’d,Andin’sspringbecameaharvest,livedincourt——

Whichrareitistodo——mostpraised,mostloved,Asampletotheyoungest,tothemorematureAglassthatfeatedthem,andtothegraverAchildthatguideddotards;tohismistress,Forwhomhenowisbanish’d,herownpriceProclaimshowsheesteem’dhimandhisvirtue;

ByherelectionmaybetrulyreadWhatkindofmanheis。SecondGentlemanIhonourhimEvenoutofyourreport。But,prayyou,tellme,Isshesolechildtotheking?FirstGentlemanHisonlychild。

Hehadtwosons:ifthisbeworthyourhearing,Markit:theeldestofthematthreeyearsold,I’theswathing—clothestheother,fromtheirnurseryWerestol’n,andtothishournoguessinknowledgeWhichwaytheywent。SecondGentlemanHowlongisthisago?FirstGentlemanSometwentyyears。SecondGentlemanThataking’schildrenshouldbesoconvey’d,Soslacklyguarded,andthesearchsoslow,Thatcouldnottracethem!FirstGentlemanHowsoe’er’tisstrange,Orthatthenegligencemaywellbelaugh’dat,Yetisittrue,sir。SecondGentlemanIdowellbelieveyou。FirstGentlemanWemustforbear:herecomesthegentleman,Thequeen,andprincess。

ExeuntEntertheQUEEN,POSTHUMUSLEONATUS,andIMOGENQUEENNo,beassuredyoushallnotfindme,daughter,Aftertheslanderofmoststepmothers,Evil—eyeduntoyou:you’remyprisoner,butYourgaolershalldeliveryouthekeysThatlockupyourrestraint。Foryou,Posthumus,SosoonasIcanwintheoffendedking,Iwillbeknownyouradvocate:marry,yetThefireofrageisinhim,and’tweregoodYoulean’duntohissentencewithwhatpatienceYourwisdommayinformyou。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSPleaseyourhighness,Iwillfromhenceto—day。QUEENYouknowtheperil。

I’llfetchaturnaboutthegarden,pityingThepangsofbarr’daffections,thoughthekingHathchargedyoushouldnotspeaktogether。

ExitIMOGENO

Dissemblingcourtesy!HowfinethistyrantCanticklewhereshewounds!Mydearesthusband,Isomethingfearmyfather’swrath;butnothing——

Alwaysreservedmyholyduty——whatHisragecandoonme:youmustbegone;

AndIshallhereabidethehourlyshotOfangryeyes,notcomfortedtolive,ButthatthereisthisjewelintheworldThatImayseeagain。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSMyqueen!mymistress!

Olady,weepnomore,lestIgivecauseTobesuspectedofmoretendernessThandothbecomeaman。IwillremainTheloyal’sthusbandthatdide’erplighttroth:

MyresidenceinRomeatonePhilario’s,Whotomyfatherwasafriend,tomeKnownbutbyletter:thitherwrite,myqueen,AndwithmineeyesI’lldrinkthewordsyousend,Thoughinkbemadeofgall。

Re—enterQUEENQUEENBebrief,Iprayyou:

Ifthekingcome,IshallincurIknownotHowmuchofhisdispleasure。

AsideYetI’llmovehimTowalkthisway:Ineverdohimwrong,Buthedoesbuymyinjuries,tobefriends;

Paysdearformyoffences。

ExitPOSTHUMUSLEONATUSShouldwebetakingleaveAslongatermasyetwehavetolive,Theloathnesstodepartwouldgrow。Adieu!IMOGENNay,stayalittle:

Wereyoubutridingforthtoairyourself,Suchpartingweretoopetty。Lookhere,love;

Thisdiamondwasmymother’s:takeit,heart;

Butkeepittillyouwooanotherwife,WhenImogenisdead。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSHow,how!another?

Yougentlegods,givemebutthisIhave,AndsearupmyembracementsfromanextWithbondsofdeath!

PuttingontheringRemain,remainthouhereWhilesensecankeepiton。And,sweetest,fairest,AsImypoorselfdidexchangeforyou,Toyoursoinfiniteloss,soinourtriflesIstillwinofyou:formysakewearthis;

Itisamanacleoflove;I’llplaceitUponthisfairestprisoner。

PuttingabraceletuponherarmIMOGENOthegods!

Whenshallweseeagain?

EnterCYMBELINEandLordsPOSTHUMUSLEONATUSAlack,theking!CYMBELINEThoubasestthing,avoid!hence,frommysight!

IfafterthiscommandthoufraughtthecourtWiththyunworthiness,thoudiest:away!

Thou’rtpoisontomyblood。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSThegodsprotectyou!

Andblessthegoodremaindersofthecourt!I

amgone。

ExitIMOGENTherecannotbeapinchindeathMoresharpthanthisis。CYMBELINEOdisloyalthing,Thatshouldstrepairmyyouth,thouheap’stAyear’sageonme。IMOGENIbeseechyou,sir,HarmnotyourselfwithyourvexationIamsenselessofyourwrath;atouchmorerareSubduesallpangs,allfears。CYMBELINEPastgrace?obedience?IMOGENPasthope,andindespair;thatway,pastgrace。CYMBELINEThatmightsthavehadthesolesonofmyqueen!IMOGENOblest,thatImightnot!Ichoseaneagle,Anddidavoidaputtock。CYMBELINEThoutook’stabeggar;wouldsthavemademythroneAseatforbaseness。IMOGENNo;IratheraddedAlustretoit。CYMBELINEOthouvileone!IMOGENSir,ItisyourfaultthatIhavelovedPosthumus:

Youbredhimasmyplayfellow,andheisAmanworthanywoman,overbuysmeAlmostthesumhepays。CYMBELINEWhat,artthoumad?IMOGENAlmost,sir:heavenrestoreme!WouldIwereAneat—herd’sdaughter,andmyLeonatusOurneighbourshepherd’sson!CYMBELINEThoufoolishthing!

Re—enterQUEEN

Theywereagaintogether:youhavedoneNotafterourcommand。Awaywithher,Andpenherup。QUEENBeseechyourpatience。Peace,Dearladydaughter,peace!Sweetsovereign,Leaveustoourselves;andmakeyourselfsomecomfortOutofyourbestadvice。CYMBELINENay,letherlanguishAdropofbloodaday;and,beingaged,Dieofthisfolly!

ExeuntCYMBELINEandLordsQUEENFie!youmustgiveway。

EnterPISANIO

Hereisyourservant。Hownow,sir!Whatnews?PISANIOMylordyoursondrewonmymaster。QUEENHa!

Noharm,Itrust,isdone?PISANIOTheremighthavebeen,Butthatmymasterratherplay’dthanfoughtAndhadnohelpofanger:theywerepartedBygentlemenathand。QUEENIamverygladon’t。IMOGENYourson’smyfather’sfriend;hetakeshispart。

Todrawuponanexile!Obravesir!

IwouldtheywereinAfricbothtogether;

Myselfbywithaneedle,thatImightprickThegoer—back。Whycameyoufromyourmaster?PISANIOOnhiscommand:hewouldnotsuffermeTobringhimtothehaven;leftthesenotesOfwhatcommandsIshouldbesubjectto,When’tpleasedyoutoemployme。QUEENThishathbeenYourfaithfulservant:IdarelayminehonourHewillremainso。PISANIOIhumblythankyourhighness。QUEENPray,walkawhile。IMOGENAboutsomehalf—hourhence,Iprayyou,speakwithme:youshallatleastGoseemylordaboard:forthistimeleaveme。

ExeuntSCENEII。Thesame。Apublicplace。EnterCLOTENandtwoLordsFirstLordSir,Iwouldadviseyoutoshiftashirt;

theviolenceofactionhathmadeyoureekasasacrifice:whereaircomesout,aircomesin:

there’snoneabroadsowholesomeasthatyouvent。CLOTENIfmyshirtwerebloody,thentoshiftit。HaveIhurthim?SecondLord[Aside]No,’faith;notsomuchashispatience。FirstLordHurthim!hisbody’sapassablecarcass,ifhebenothurt:itisathoroughfareforsteel,ifitbenothurt。SecondLord[Aside]Hissteelwasindebt;itwento’thebacksidethetown。CLOTENThevillainwouldnotstandme。SecondLord[Aside]No;buthefledforwardstill,towardyourface。FirstLordStandyou!Youhavelandenoughofyourown:butheaddedtoyourhaving;gaveyousomeground。SecondLord[Aside]Asmanyinchesasyouhaveoceans。

Puppies!CLOTENIwouldtheyhadnotcomebetweenus。SecondLord[Aside]SowouldI,tillyouhadmeasuredhowlongafoolyouwereupontheground。CLOTENAndthatsheshouldlovethisfellowandrefuseme!SecondLord[Aside]Ifitbeasintomakeatrueelection,sheisdamned。FirstLordSir,asItoldyoualways,herbeautyandherbraingonottogether:she’sagoodsign,butIhaveseensmallreflectionofherwit。SecondLord[Aside]Sheshinesnotuponfools,lestthereflectionshouldhurther。CLOTENCome,I’lltomychamber。Wouldtherehadbeensomehurtdone!SecondLord[Aside]Iwishnotso;unlessithadbeenthefallofanass,whichisnogreathurt。CLOTENYou’llgowithus?FirstLordI’llattendyourlordship。CLOTENNay,come,let’sgotogether。SecondLordWell,mylord。

ExeuntSCENEIII。AroominCymbeline’spalace。EnterIMOGENandPISANIOIMOGENIwouldthougrew’stuntotheshoreso’

thehaven,Andquestion’dsteverysail:ifheshouldwriteAndnothaveit,’twereapaperlost,Asoffer’dmercyis。WhatwasthelastThathespaketothee?PISANIOItwashisqueen,hisqueen!IMOGENThenwavedhishandkerchief?PISANIOAndkiss’dit,madam。IMOGENSenselessLinen!happierthereinthanI!

Andthatwasall?PISANIONo,madam;forsolongAshecouldmakemewiththiseyeorearDistinguishhimfromothers,hedidkeepThedeck,withglove,orhat,orhandkerchief,Stillwaving,asthefitsandstirsof’smindCouldbestexpresshowslowhissoulsail’don,Howswifthisship。IMOGENThoushouldsthavemadehimAslittleasacrow,orless,ereleftToafter—eyehim。PISANIOMadam,soIdid。IMOGENIwouldhavebrokemineeye—strings;crack’dthem,butTolookuponhim,tillthediminutionOfspacehadpointedhimsharpasmyneedle,Nay,follow’dhim,tillhehadmeltedfromThesmallnessofagnattoair,andthenHaveturn’dmineeyeandwept。But,goodPisanio,Whenshallwehearfromhim?PISANIOBeassured,madam,Withhisnextvantage。IMOGENIdidnottakemyleaveofhim,buthadMostprettythingstosay:ereIcouldtellhimHowIwouldthinkonhimatcertainhoursSuchthoughtsandsuch,orIcouldmakehimswearTheshesofItalyshouldnotbetrayMineinterestandhishonour,orhavechargedhim,Atthesixthhourofmorn,atnoon,atmidnight,Toencountermewithorisons,forthenIaminheavenforhim;orereIcouldGivehimthatpartingkisswhichIhadsetBetwixttwocharmingwords,comesinmyfatherAndlikethetyrannousbreathingofthenorthShakesallourbudsfromgrowing。

EnteraLadyLadyThequeen,madam,Desiresyourhighness’company。IMOGENThosethingsIbidyoudo,getthemdispatch’d。

Iwillattendthequeen。PISANIOMadam,Ishall。

ExeuntSCENEIV。Rome。Philario’shouse。EnterPHILARIO,IACHIMO,aFrenchman,aDutchman,andaSpaniardIACHIMOBelieveit,sir,IhaveseenhiminBritain:

hewasthenofacrescentnote,expectedtoprovesoworthyassincehehathbeenallowedthenameof;butI

couldthenhavelookedonhimwithoutthehelpofadmiration,thoughthecatalogueofhisendowmentshadbeentabledbyhissideandItoperusehimbyitems。PHILARIOYouspeakofhimwhenhewaslessfurnishedthannowheiswiththatwhichmakeshimbothwithoutandwithin。FrenchmanIhaveseenhiminFrance:wehadverymanytherecouldbeholdthesunwithasfirmeyesashe。IACHIMOThismatterofmarryinghisking’sdaughter,whereinhemustbeweighedratherbyhervaluethanhisown,wordshim,Idoubtnot,agreatdealfromthematter。FrenchmanAndthenhisbanishment。IACHIMOAy,andtheapprobationofthosethatweepthislamentabledivorceunderhercoloursarewonderfullytoextendhim;beitbuttofortifyherjudgment,whichelseaneasybatterymightlayflat,fortakingabeggarwithoutlessquality。Buthowcomesitheistosojournwithyou?Howcreepsacquaintance?PHILARIOHisfatherandIweresoldierstogether;

towhomI

havebeenoftenboundfornolessthanmylife。

HerecomestheBriton:lethimbesoentertainedamongstyouassuits,withgentlemenofyourknowing,toastrangerofhisquality。

EnterPOSTHUMUSLEONATUS

Ibeseechyouall,bebetterknowntothisgentleman;whomIcommendtoyouasanoblefriendofmine:howworthyheisIwillleavetoappearhereafter,ratherthanstoryhiminhisownhearing。FrenchmanSir,wehaveknowntogetherinOrleans。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSSincewhenIhavebeendebtortoyouforcourtesies,whichIwillbeevertopayandyetpaystill。FrenchmanSir,youo’er—ratemypoorkindness:I

wasgladI

didatonemycountrymanandyou;ithadbeenpityyoushouldhavebeenputtogetherwithsomortalapurposeastheneachbore,uponimportanceofsoslightandtrivialanature。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSByyourpardon,sir,Iwasthenayoungtraveller;

rathershunnedtogoevenwithwhatIheardthaninmyeveryactiontobeguidedbyothers’experiences:

butuponmymendedjudgment——ifIoffendnottosayitismended——myquarrelwasnotaltogetherslight。Frenchman’Faith,yes,tobeputtothearbitrementofswords,andbysuchtwothatwouldbyalllikelihoodhaveconfoundedonetheother,orhavefallenboth。IACHIMOCanwe,withmanners,askwhatwasthedifference?FrenchmanSafely,Ithink:’twasacontentioninpublic,whichmay,withoutcontradiction,sufferthereport。

Itwasmuchlikeanargumentthatfelloutlastnight,whereeachofusfellinpraiseofourcountrymistresses;thisgentlemanatthattimevouching——anduponwarrantofbloodyaffirmation——histobemorefair,virtuous,wise,chaste,constant—qualifiedandlessattemptablethananytherarestofourladiesinFrance。IACHIMOThatladyisnotnowliving,orthisgentleman’sopinionbythiswornout。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSSheholdshervirtuestillandImymind。IACHIMOYoumustnotsofarpreferher’foreoursofItaly。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSBeingsofarprovokedasIwasinFrance,Iwouldabatehernothing,thoughIprofessmyselfheradorer,notherfriend。IACHIMOAsfairandasgood——akindofhand—in—handcomparison——hadbeensomethingtoofairandtoogoodforanyladyinBritain。IfshewentbeforeothersIhaveseen,asthatdiamondofyoursoutlustresmanyIhavebeheld。Icouldnotbutbelievesheexcelledmany:butIhavenotseenthemostpreciousdiamondthatis,noryouthelady。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSIpraisedherasIratedher:sodoI

mystone。IACHIMOWhatdoyouesteemitat?POSTHUMUSLEONATUSMorethantheworldenjoys。IACHIMOEitheryourunparagonedmistressisdead,orshe’soutprizedbyatrifle。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSYouaremistaken:theonemaybesold,orgiven,iftherewerewealthenoughforthepurchase,ormeritforthegift:theotherisnotathingforsale,andonlythegiftofthegods。IACHIMOWhichthegodshavegivenyou?POSTHUMUSLEONATUSWhich,bytheirgraces,Iwillkeep。IACHIMOYoumaywearherintitleyours:but,youknow,strangefowllightuponneighbouringponds。Yourringmaybestolentoo:soyourbraceofunprizableestimations;theoneisbutfrailandtheothercasual;acunningthief,orathatwayaccomplishedcourtier,wouldhazardthewinningbothoffirstandlast。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSYourItalycontainsnonesoaccomplishedacourtiertoconvincethehonourofmymistress,if,intheholdingorlossofthat,youtermherfrail。I

donothingdoubtyouhavestoreofthieves;

notwithstanding,Ifearnotmyring。PHILARIOLetusleavehere,gentlemen。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSSir,withallmyheart。Thisworthysignior,I

thankhim,makesnostrangerofme;wearefamiliaratfirst。IACHIMOWithfivetimessomuchconversation,Ishouldgetgroundofyourfairmistress,makehergoback,eventotheyielding,hadIadmittanceandopportunitytofriend。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSNo,no。IACHIMOIdarethereuponpawnthemoietyofmyestatetoyourring;which,inmyopinion,o’ervaluesitsomething:butImakemywagerratheragainstyourconfidencethanherreputation:and,tobaryouroffencehereintoo,Idurstattemptitagainstanyladyintheworld。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSYouareagreatdealabusedintooboldapersuasion;andIdoubtnotyousustainwhatyou’reworthyofbyyourattempt。IACHIMOWhat’sthat?POSTHUMUSLEONATUSArepulse:thoughyourattempt,asyoucallit,deservemore;apunishmenttoo。PHILARIOGentlemen,enoughofthis:itcameintoosuddenly;

letitdieasitwasborn,and,Iprayyou,bebetteracquainted。IACHIMOWouldIhadputmyestateandmyneighbour’sontheapprobationofwhatIhavespoke!POSTHUMUSLEONATUSWhatladywouldyouchoosetoassail?IACHIMOYours;whominconstancyyouthinkstandssosafe。

Iwilllayyoutenthousandducatstoyourring,that,commendmetothecourtwhereyourladyis,withnomoreadvantagethantheopportunityofasecondconference,andIwillbringfromthencethathonourofherswhichyouimaginesoreserved。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSIwillwageagainstyourgold,goldtoit:myringIholddearasmyfinger;’tispartofit。IACHIMOYouareafraid,andthereinthewiser。

Ifyoubuyladies’fleshatamillionadram,youcannotpreserveitfromtainting:butIseeyouhavesomereligioninyou,thatyoufear。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSThisisbutacustominyourtongue;

youbearagraverpurpose,Ihope。IACHIMOIamthemasterofmyspeeches,andwouldundergowhat’sspoken,Iswear。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSWillyou?Ishallbutlendmydiamondtillyourreturn:lettherebecovenantsdrawnbetween’s:

mymistressexceedsingoodnessthehugenessofyourunworthythinking:Idareyoutothismatch:

here’smyring。PHILARIOIwillhaveitnolay。IACHIMOBythegods,itisone。IfIbringyounosufficienttestimonythatIhaveenjoyedthedearestbodilypartofyourmistress,mytenthousandducatsareyours;soisyourdiamondtoo:ifIcomeoff,andleaveherinsuchhonourasyouhavetrustin,sheyourjewel,thisyourjewel,andmygoldareyours:providedIhaveyourcommendationformymorefreeentertainment。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSIembracetheseconditions;letushavearticlesbetwixtus。Only,thusfaryoushallanswer:

ifyoumakeyourvoyageuponherandgivemedirectlytounderstandyouhaveprevailed,Iamnofurtheryourenemy;sheisnotworthourdebate:ifsheremainunseduced,younotmakingitappearotherwise,foryourillopinionandtheassaultyouhavemadetoherchastityyoushallanswermewithyoursword。IACHIMOYourhand;acovenant:wewillhavethesethingssetdownbylawfulcounsel,andstraightawayforBritain,lestthebargainshouldcatchcoldandstarve:Iwillfetchmygoldandhaveourtwowagersrecorded。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSAgreed。

ExeuntPOSTHUMUSLEONATUSandIACHIMOFrenchmanWillthishold,thinkyou?PHILARIOSigniorIachimowillnotfromit。

Pray,letusfollow’em。

ExeuntSCENEV。Britain。AroominCymbeline’spalace。EnterQUEEN,Ladies,andCORNELIUSQUEENWhilesyetthedew’songround,gatherthoseflowers;

Makehaste:whohasthenoteofthem?FirstLadyI,madam。QUEENDispatch。

ExeuntLadiesNow,masterdoctor,haveyoubroughtthosedrugs?CORNELIUSPleasethyourhighness,ay:heretheyare,madam:

PresentingasmallboxButIbeseechyourgrace,withoutoffence,——

Myconsciencebidsmeask——whereforeyouhaveCommandedofmethosemostpoisonouscompounds,Whicharethemoversofalanguishingdeath;

Butthoughslow,deadly?QUEENIwonder,doctor,Thouask’stmesuchaquestion。HaveInotbeenThypupillong?Hastthounotlearn’dmehowTomakeperfumes?distil?preserve?yea,soThatourgreatkinghimselfdothwoomeoftFormyconfections?Havingthusfarproceeded,——

Unlessthouthink’stmedevilish——is’tnotmeetThatIdidamplifymyjudgmentinOtherconclusions?IwilltrytheforcesOfthesethycompoundsonsuchcreaturesasWecountnotworththehanging,butnonehuman,TotrythevigourofthemandapplyAllaymentstotheiract,andbythemgatherTheirseveralvirtuesandeffects。CORNELIUSYourhighnessShallfromthispractisebutmakehardyourheart:

Besides,theseeingtheseeffectswillbeBothnoisomeandinfectious。QUEENO,contentthee。

EnterPISANIO

AsideHerecomesaflatteringrascal;uponhimWillIfirstwork:he’sforhismaster,Anenemytomyson。Hownow,Pisanio!

Doctor,yourserviceforthistimeisended;

Takeyourownway。CORNELIUS[Aside]Idosuspectyou,madam;

Butyoushalldonoharm。QUEEN[ToPISANIO]Harkthee,aword。CORNELIUS[Aside]Idonotlikeher。ShedoththinkshehasStrangelingeringpoisons:Idoknowherspirit,AndwillnottrustoneofhermalicewithAdrugofsuchdamn’dnature。ThoseshehasWillstupefyanddullthesenseawhile;

Whichfirst,perchance,she’llproveoncatsanddogs,Thenafterwarduphigher:butthereisNodangerinwhatshowofdeathitmakes,Morethanthelocking—upthespiritsatime,Tobemorefresh,reviving。Sheisfool’dWithamostfalseeffect;andIthetruer,Sotobefalsewithher。QUEENNofurtherservice,doctor,UntilIsendforthee。CORNELIUSIhumblytakemyleave。

ExitQUEENWeepsshestill,say’stthou?DostthouthinkintimeShewillnotquenchandletinstructionsenterWherefollynowpossesses?Dothouwork:

Whenthoushaltbringmewordshelovesmyson,I’lltelltheeontheinstantthouartthenAsgreatasisthymaster,greater,forHisfortunesallliespeechlessandhisnameIsatlastgasp:returnhecannot,norContinuewhereheis:toshifthisbeingIstoexchangeonemiserywithanother,AndeverydaythatcomescomestodecayAday’sworkinhim。Whatshaltthouexpect,Tobedependeronathingthatleans,Whocannotbenewbuilt,norhasnofriends,Somuchasbuttoprophim?

TheQUEENdropsthebox:PISANIOtakesitupThoutakestupThouknow’stnotwhat;buttakeitforthylabour:

ItisathingImade,whichhaththekingFivetimesredeem’dfromdeath:IdonotknowWhatismorecordial。Nay,Iprethee,takeit;

ItisanearnestofafurthergoodThatImeantothee。TellthymistresshowThecasestandswithher;do’tasfromthyself。

Thinkwhatachancethouchangeston,butthinkThouhastthymistressstill,toboot,myson,Whoshalltakenoticeofthee:I’llmovethekingToanyshapeofthyprefermentsuchAsthou’ltdesire;andthenmyself,Ichiefly,Thatsettheeontothisdesert,amboundToloadthymeritrichly。Callmywomen:

Thinkonmywords。

ExitPISANIO

Aslyandconstantknave,Nottobeshaked;theagentforhismasterAndtheremembrancerofhertoholdThehand—fasttoherlord。IhavegivenhimthatWhich,ifhetake,shallquiteunpeopleherOfliegersforhersweet,andwhichsheafter,Exceptshebendherhumour,shallbeassuredTotasteoftoo。

Re—enterPISANIOandLadiesSo,so:welldone,welldone:

Theviolets,cowslips,andtheprimroses,Beartomycloset。Faretheewell,Pisanio;

Thinkonmywords。

ExeuntQUEENandLadiesPISANIOAndshalldo:

ButwhentomygoodlordIproveuntrue,I’llchokemyself:there’sallI’lldoforyou。

ExitSCENEVI。Thesame。Anotherroominthepalace。EnterIMOGENIMOGENAfathercruel,andastep—damefalse;

Afoolishsuitortoaweddedlady,Thathathherhusbandbanish’d;——O,thathusband!

Mysupremecrownofgrief!andthoserepeatedVexationsofit!HadIbeenthief—stol’n,Asmytwobrothers,happy!butmostmiserableIsthedesirethat’sglorious:blestbethose,Howmeansoe’er,thathavetheirhonestwills,Whichseasonscomfort。Whomaythisbe?Fie!

EnterPISANIOandIACHIMOPISANIOMadam,anoblegentlemanofRome,Comesfrommylordwithletters。IACHIMOChangeyou,madam?

TheworthyLeonatusisinsafetyAndgreetsyourhighnessdearly。

PresentsaletterIMOGENThanks,goodsir:

You’rekindlywelcome。IACHIMO[Aside]Allofherthatisoutofdoormostrich!

Ifshebefurnish’dwithamindsorare,SheisalonetheArabianbird,andI

Havelostthewager。Boldnessbemyfriend!

Armme,audacity,fromheadtofoot!

Or,liketheParthian,Ishallflyingfight;

Ratherdirectlyfly。IMOGEN[Reads]’Heisoneofthenoblestnote,towhosekindnessesIammostinfinitelytied。Reflectuponhimaccordingly,asyouvalueyourtrust——

LEONATUS。’

SofarIreadaloud:

ButeventheverymiddleofmyheartIswarm’dbytherest,andtakesitthankfully。

Youareaswelcome,worthysir,asI

Havewordstobidyou,andshallfinditsoInallthatIcando。IACHIMOThanks,fairestlady。

What,aremenmad?HathnaturegiventhemeyesToseethisvaultedarch,andtherichcropOfseaandland,whichcandistinguish’twixtThefieryorbsaboveandthetwinn’dstonesUponthenumber’dbeach?andcanwenotPartitionmakewithspectaclessoprecious’Twixtfairandfoul?IMOGENWhatmakesyouradmiration?IACHIMOItcannotbei’theeye,forapesandmonkeys’TwixttwosuchsheswouldchatterthiswayandContemnwithmowstheother;nori’thejudgment,ForidiotsinthiscaseoffavourwouldBewiselydefinite;nori’theappetite;

SlutterytosuchneatexcellenceopposedShouldmakedesirevomitemptiness,Notsoalluredtofeed。IMOGENWhatisthematter,trow?IACHIMOThecloyedwill,Thatsatiateyetunsatisfieddesire,thattubBothfill’dandrunning,raveningfirstthelambLongsafterforthegarbage。IMOGENWhat,dearsir,Thusrapsyou?Areyouwell?IACHIMOThanks,madam;well。

ToPISANIO

Beseechyou,sir,desireMyman’sabodewhereIdidleavehim:heIsstrangeandpeevish。PISANIOIwasgoing,sir,Togivehimwelcome。

ExitIMOGENContinueswellmylord?Hishealth,beseechyou?IACHIMOWell,madam。IMOGENIshedisposedtomirth?Ihopeheis。IACHIMOExceedingpleasant;noneastrangerthereSomerryandsogamesome:heiscall’dTheBritonreveller。IMOGENWhenhewashere,Hedidinclinetosadness,andoft—timesNotknowingwhy。IACHIMOIneversawhimsad。

ThereisaFrenchmanhiscompanion,oneAneminentmonsieur,that,itseems,muchlovesAGalliangirlathome;hefurnacesThethicksighsfromhim,whilesthejollyBriton——

Yourlord,Imean——laughsfrom’sfreelungs,cries’O,Canmysideshold,tothinkthatman,whoknowsByhistory,report,orhisownproof,Whatwomanis,yea,whatshecannotchooseButmustbe,willhisfreehourslanguishforAssuredbondage?’IMOGENWillmylordsayso?IACHIMOAy,madam,withhiseyesinfloodwithlaughter:

ItisarecreationtobebyAndhearhimmocktheFrenchman。But,heavensknow,Somemenaremuchtoblame。IMOGENNothe,Ihope。IACHIMONothe:butyetheaven’sbountytowardshimmightBeusedmorethankfully。Inhimself,’tismuch;

Inyou,whichIaccounthisbeyondalltalents,WhilstIamboundtowonder,IamboundTopitytoo。IMOGENWhatdoyoupity,sir?IACHIMOTwocreaturesheartily。IMOGENAmIone,sir?

Youlookonme:whatwreckdiscernyouinmeDeservesyourpity?IACHIMOLamentable!What,TohidemefromtheradiantsunandsolaceI’thedungeonbyasnuff?IMOGENIprayyou,sir,DeliverwithmoreopennessyouranswersTomydemands。Whydoyoupityme?IACHIMOThatothersdo——

Iwasabouttosay——enjoyyour——ButItisanofficeofthegodstovengeit,Notminetospeakon’t。IMOGENYoudoseemtoknowSomethingofme,orwhatconcernsme:prayyou,——

SincedoublingthingsgoilloftenhurtsmoreThantobesuretheydo;forcertaintiesEitherarepastremedies,or,timelyknowing,Theremedythenborn——discovertomeWhatbothyouspurandstop。IACHIMOHadIthischeekTobathemylipsupon;thishand,whosetouch,Whoseeverytouch,wouldforcethefeeler’ssoulTotheoathofloyalty;thisobject,whichTakesprisonerthewildmotionofmineeye,Fixingitonlyhere;shouldI,damn’dthen,SlaverwithlipsascommonasthestairsThatmounttheCapitol;joingripeswithhandsMadehardwithhourlyfalsehood——falsehood,asWithlabour;thenby—peepinginaneyeBaseandunlustrousasthesmokylightThat’sfedwithstinkingtallow;itwerefitThatalltheplaguesofhellshouldatonetimeEncountersuchrevolt。IMOGENMylord,Ifear,HasforgotBritain。IACHIMOAndhimself。NotI,Inclinedtothisintelligence,pronounceThebeggaryofhischange;but’tisyourgracesThatfrompaymutestconsciencetomytongueCharmsthisreportout。IMOGENLetmehearnomore。IACHIMOOdearestsoul!yourcausedothstrikemyheartWithpity,thatdothmakemesick。AladySofair,andfasten’dtoanempery,Wouldmakethegreat’stkingdouble,——tobepartner’dWithtomboyshiredwiththatself—exhibitionWhichyourowncoffersyield!withdiseasedventuresThatplaywithallinfirmitiesforgoldWhichrottennesscanlendnature!suchboil’dstuffAswellmightpoisonpoison!Berevenged;

Orshethatboreyouwasnoqueen,andyouRecoilfromyourgreatstock。IMOGENRevenged!

HowshouldIberevenged?Ifthisbetrue,——

AsIhavesuchaheartthatbothmineearsMustnotinhasteabuse——ifitbetrue,HowshouldIberevenged?IACHIMOShouldhemakemeLive,likeDiana’spriest,betwixtcoldsheets,Whilesheisvaultingvariableramps,Inyourdespite,uponyourpurse?Revengeit。

Idedicatemyselftoyoursweetpleasure,Morenoblethanthatrunagatetoyourbed,Andwillcontinuefasttoyouraffection,Stillcloseassure。IMOGENWhat,ho,Pisanio!IACHIMOLetmemyservicetenderonyourlips。IMOGENAway!IdocondemnmineearsthathaveSolongattendedthee。Ifthouwerthonourable,Thouwouldsthavetoldthistaleforvirtue,notForsuchanendthouseek’st,——asbaseasstrange。

Thouwrong’stagentleman,whoisasfarFromthyreportasthoufromhonour,andSolicit’stherealadythatdisdainsTheeandthedevilalike。Whatho,Pisanio!

ThekingmyfathershallbemadeacquaintedOfthyassault:ifheshallthinkitfit,AsaucystrangerinhiscourttomartAsinaRomishstewandtoexpoundHisbeastlymindtous,hehathacourtHelittlecaresforandadaughterwhoHenotrespectsatall。What,ho,Pisanio!IACHIMOOhappyLeonatus!ImaysayThecreditthatthyladyhathoftheeDeservesthytrust,andthymostperfectgoodnessHerassuredcredit。Blessedliveyoulong!

AladytotheworthiestsirthateverCountrycall’dhis!andyouhismistress,onlyForthemostworthiestfit!Givemeyourpardon。

Ihavespokethis,toknowifyouraffianceWeredeeplyrooted;andshallmakeyourlord,Thatwhichheis,newo’er:andheisoneThetruestmanner’d;suchaholywitchThatheenchantssocietiesintohim;

Halfallmen’sheartsarehis。IMOGENYoumakeamends。IACHIMOHesits’mongstmenlikeadescendedgod:

Hehathakindofhonoursetshimoff,Morethanamortalseeming。Benotangry,Mostmightyprincess,thatIhaveadventuredTotryyourtakingafalsereport;whichhathHonour’dwithconfirmationyourgreatjudgmentIntheelectionofasirsorare,Whichyouknowcannoterr:theloveIbearhimMademetofanyouthus,butthegodsmadeyou,Unlikeallothers,chaffless。Pray,yourpardon。IMOGENAll’swell,sir:takemypoweri’thecourtforyours。IACHIMOMyhumblethanks。IhadalmostforgotToentreatyourgracebutinasmallrequest,Andyetofmomentto,foritconcernsYourlord;myselfandothernoblefriends,Arepartnersinthebusiness。IMOGENPray,whatis’t?IACHIMOSomedozenRomansofusandyourlord——

Thebestfeatherofourwing——havemingledsumsTobuyapresentfortheemperorWhichI,thefactorfortherest,havedoneInFrance:’tisplateofraredevice,andjewelsOfrichandexquisiteform;theirvaluesgreat;

AndIamsomethingcurious,beingstrange,Tohavetheminsafestowage:mayitpleaseyouTotaketheminprotection?IMOGENWillingly;

Andpawnminehonourfortheirsafety:sinceMylordhathinterestinthem,IwillkeepthemInmybedchamber。IACHIMOTheyareinatrunk,Attendedbymymen:IwillmakeboldTosendthemtoyou,onlyforthisnight;

Imustaboardto—morrow。IMOGENO,no,no。IACHIMOYes,Ibeseech;orIshallshortmywordBylengtheningmyreturn。FromGalliaIcross’dtheseasonpurposeandonpromiseToseeyourgrace。IMOGENIthankyouforyourpains:

Butnotawayto—morrow!IACHIMOO,Imust,madam:

ThereforeIshallbeseechyou,ifyoupleaseTogreetyourlordwithwriting,do’tto—night:

Ihaveoutstoodmytime;whichismaterialTothetenderofourpresent。IMOGENIwillwrite。

Sendyourtrunktome;itshallsafebekept,Andtrulyyieldedyou。You’reverywelcome。

ExeuntACTIISCENEI。Britain。BeforeCymbeline’spalace。EnterCLOTENandtwoLordsCLOTENWasthereevermanhadsuchluck!whenIkissedthejack,uponanup—casttobehitaway!Ihadahundredpoundon’t:andthenawhoresonjackanapesmusttakemeupforswearing;asifIborrowedmineoathsofhimandmightnotspendthematmypleasure。FirstLordWhatgothebythat?Youhavebrokehispatewithyourbowl。SecondLord[Aside]Ifhiswithadbeenlikehimthatbrokeit,itwouldhaverunallout。CLOTENWhenagentlemanisdisposedtoswear,itisnotforanystanders—bytocurtailhisoaths,ha?SecondLordNomylord;

Asidenorcroptheearsofthem。CLOTENWhoresondog!Igivehimsatisfaction?

Wouldhehadbeenoneofmyrank!SecondLord[Aside]Tohavesmeltlikeafool。CLOTENIamnotvexedmoreatanythingintheearth:apoxon’t!IhadrathernotbesonobleasIam;

theydarenotfightwithme,becauseofthequeenmymother:everyJack—slavehathhisbellyfuloffighting,andImustgoupanddownlikeacockthatnobodycanmatch。SecondLord[Aside]Youarecockandcapontoo;andyoucrow,cock,withyourcombon。CLOTENSayestthou?SecondLordItisnotfityourlordshipshouldundertakeeverycompanionthatyougiveoffenceto。CLOTENNo,Iknowthat:butitisfitIshouldcommitoffencetomyinferiors。SecondLordAy,itisfitforyourlordshiponly。CLOTENWhy,soIsay。FirstLordDidyouhearofastrangerthat’scometocourtto—night?CLOTENAstranger,andInotknowon’t!SecondLord[Aside]He’sastrangefellowhimself,andknowsitnot。FirstLordThere’sanItaliancome;and,’tisthought,oneofLeonatus’friends。CLOTENLeonatus!abanishedrascal;andhe’sanother,whatsoeverhebe。Whotoldyouofthisstranger?FirstLordOneofyourlordship’spages。CLOTENIsitfitIwenttolookuponhim?istherenoderogationin’t?SecondLordYoucannotderogate,mylord。CLOTENNoteasily,Ithink。SecondLord[Aside]Youareafoolgranted;thereforeyourissues,beingfoolish,donotderogate。CLOTENCome,I’llgoseethisItalian:whatI

havelostto—dayatbowlsI’llwinto—nightofhim。Come,go。SecondLordI’llattendyourlordship。

ExeuntCLOTENandFirstLordThatsuchacraftydevilasishismotherShouldyieldtheworldthisass!awomanthatBearsalldownwithherbrain;andthishersonCannottaketwofromtwenty,forhisheart,Andleaveeighteen。Alas,poorprincess,ThoudivineImogen,whatthouendurest,Betwixtafatherbythystep—damegovern’d,Amotherhourlycoiningplots,awooerMorehatefulthanthefoulexpulsionisOfthydearhusband,thanthathorridactOfthedivorcehe’ldmake!TheheavensholdfirmThewallsofthydearhonour,keepunshakedThattemple,thyfairmind,thatthoumayststand,Toenjoythybanish’dlordandthisgreatland!

ExitSCENEII。Imogen’sbedchamberinCymbeline’spalace:atrunkinonecornerofit。

IMOGENinbed,reading;aLadyattendingIMOGENWho’sthere?mywomanHelen?LadyPleaseyou,madamIMOGENWhathourisit?LadyAlmostmidnight,madam。IMOGENIhavereadthreehoursthen:mineeyesareweak:

FolddowntheleafwhereIhaveleft:tobed:

Takenotawaythetaper,leaveitburning;

Andifthoucanstawakebyfouro’theclock,Iprithee,callme。SleephathseizedmewhollyExitLadyToyourprotectionIcommendme,gods。

FromfairiesandthetemptersofthenightGuardme,beseechye。

Sleeps。IACHIMOcomesfromthetrunkIACHIMOThecricketssing,andman’so’er—labour’dsenseRepairsitselfbyrest。OurTarquinthusDidsoftlypresstherushes,erehewaken’dThechastityhewounded。Cytherea,Howbravelythoubecomestthybed,freshlily,Andwhiterthanthesheets!ThatImighttouch!

Butkiss;onekiss!Rubiesunparagon’d,Howdearlytheydo’t!’TisherbreathingthatPerfumesthechamberthus:theflameo’thetaperBowstowardher,andwouldunder—peepherlids,Toseetheenclosedlights,nowcanopiedUnderthesewindows,whiteandazurelacedWithblueofheaven’sowntinct。Butmydesign,Tonotethechamber:Iwillwritealldown:

Suchandsuchpictures;therethewindow;suchTheadornmentofherbed;thearras;figures,Why,suchandsuch;andthecontentso’thestory。

Ah,butsomenaturalnotesaboutherbody,AbovetenthousandmeanermoveablesWouldtestify,toenrichmineinventory。

Osleep,thouapeofdeath,liedulluponher!

Andbehersensebutasamonument,Thusinachapellying!Comeoff,comeoff:

TakingoffherbraceletAsslipperyastheGordianknotwashard!

’Tismine;andthiswillwitnessoutwardly,Asstronglyastheconsciencedoeswithin,Tothemaddingofherlord。OnherleftbreastAmolecinque—spotted,likethecrimsondropsI’thebottomofacowslip:here’savoucher,Strongerthaneverlawcouldmake:thissecretWillforcehimthinkIhavepick’dthelockandta’enThetreasureofherhonour。Nomore。Towhatend?

WhyshouldIwritethisdown,that’sriveted,Screw’dtomymemory?ShehathbeenreadinglateThetaleofTereus;heretheleaf’sturn’ddownWherePhilomelgaveup。Ihaveenough:

Tothetrunkagain,andshutthespringofit。

Swift,swift,youdragonsofthenight,thatdawningMaybaretheraven’seye!Ilodgeinfear;

Thoughthisaheavenlyangel,hellishere。

ClockstrikesOne,two,three:time,time!

Goesintothetrunk。ThesceneclosesSceneIIIAnante—chamberadjoiningImogen’sapartments。

EnterCLOTENandLordsFirstLordYourlordshipisthemostpatientmaninloss,themostcoldestthateverturnedupace。CLOTENItwouldmakeanymancoldtolose。FirstLordButnoteverymanpatientafterthenobletemperofyourlordship。Youaremosthotandfuriouswhenyouwin。CLOTENWinningwillputanymanintocourage。

IfIcouldgetthisfoolishImogen,Ishouldhavegoldenough。

It’salmostmorning,is’tnot?FirstLordDay,mylord。CLOTENIwouldthismusicwouldcome:Iamadvisedtogivehermusico’mornings;theysayitwillpenetrate。

EnterMusiciansComeon;tune:ifyoucanpenetrateherwithyourfingering,so;we’lltrywithtonguetoo:ifnonewilldo,letherremain;butI’llnevergiveo’er。

First,averyexcellentgood—conceitedthing;

after,awonderfulsweetair,withadmirablerichwordstoit:andthenletherconsider。

SONG

Hark,hark!thelarkatheaven’sgatesings,AndPhoebus’ginsarise,HissteedstowateratthosespringsOnchalicedflowersthatlies;

AndwinkingMary—budsbeginToopetheirgoldeneyes:

Witheverythingthatprettyis,Myladysweet,arise:

Arise,arise。CLOTENSo,getyougone。Ifthispenetrate,I

willconsideryourmusicthebetter:ifitdonot,itisaviceinherears,whichhorse—hairsandcalves’—guts,northevoiceofunpavedeunuchtoboot,canneveramend。

ExeuntMusiciansSecondLordHerecomestheking。CLOTENIamgladIwasupsolate;forthat’sthereasonI

wasupsoearly:hecannotchoosebuttakethisserviceIhavedonefatherly。

EnterCYMBELINEandQUEEN

Goodmorrowtoyourmajestyandtomygraciousmother。CYMBELINEAttendyouherethedoorofoursterndaughter?

Willshenotforth?CLOTENIhaveassailedherwithmusic,butshevouchsafesnonotice。CYMBELINETheexileofherminionistoonew;

Shehathnotyetforgothim:somemoretimeMustweartheprintofhisremembranceout,Andthenshe’syours。QUEENYouaremostboundtotheking,WholetsgobynovantagesthatmayPreferyoutohisdaughter。FrameyourselfToorderlysoliciting,andbefriendedWithaptnessoftheseason;makedenialsIncreaseyourservices;soseemasifYouwereinspiredtodothosedutieswhichYoutendertoher;thatyouinallobeyher,Savewhencommandtoyourdismissiontends,Andthereinyouaresenseless。CLOTENSenseless!notso。

EnteraMessengerMessengerSolikeyou,sir,ambassadorsfromRome;

TheoneisCaiusLucius。CYMBELINEAworthyfellow,Albeithecomesonangrypurposenow;

Butthat’snofaultofhis:wemustreceivehimAccordingtothehonourofhissender;

Andtowardshimself,hisgoodnessforespentonus,Wemustextendournotice。Ourdearson,Whenyouhavegivengoodmorningtoyourmistress,Attendthequeenandus;weshallhaveneedToemployyoutowardsthisRoman。Come,ourqueen。

ExeuntallbutCLOTENCLOTENIfshebeup,I’llspeakwithher;ifnot,Letherliestillanddream。

KnocksByyourleave,ho!

IKnowherwomenareabouther:whatIfIdolineoneoftheirhands?’TisgoldWhichbuysadmittance;oftitdoth;yea,andmakesDiana’srangersfalsethemselves,yieldupTheirdeertothestando’thestealer;and’tisgoldWhichmakesthetruemankill’dandsavesthethief;

Nay,sometimehangsboththiefandtrueman:

whatCanitnotdoandundo?IwillmakeOneofherwomenlawyertome,forIyetnotunderstandthecasemyself。

KnocksByyourleave。

EnteraLadyLadyWho’stherethatknocks?CLOTENAgentleman。LadyNomore?CLOTENYes,andagentlewoman’sson。LadyThat’smoreThansome,whosetailorsareasdearasyours,Canjustlyboastof。What’syourlordship’spleasure?CLOTENYourlady’sperson:issheready?LadyAy,Tokeepherchamber。CLOTENThereisgoldforyou;

Sellmeyourgoodreport。LadyHow!mygoodname?ortoreportofyouWhatIshallthinkisgood?——Theprincess!

EnterIMOGENCLOTENGoodmorrow,fairest:sister,yoursweethand。

ExitLadyIMOGENGoodmorrow,sir。YoulayouttoomuchpainsForpurchasingbuttrouble;thethanksIgiveIstellingyouthatIampoorofthanksAndscarcecansparethem。CLOTENStill,IswearIloveyou。IMOGENIfyoubutsaidso,’twereasdeepwithme:

Ifyouswearstill,yourrecompenseisstillThatIregarditnot。CLOTENThisisnoanswer。IMOGENButthatyoushallnotsayIyieldbeingsilent,Iwouldnotspeak。Iprayyou,spareme:’faith,IshallunfoldequaldiscourtesyToyourbestkindness:oneofyourgreatknowingShouldlearn,beingtaught,forbearance。CLOTENToleaveyouinyourmadness,’tweremysin:

Iwillnot。IMOGENFoolsarenotmadfolks。CLOTENDoyoucallmefool?IMOGENAsIammad,Ido:

Ifyou’llbepatient,I’llnomorebemad;

Thatcuresusboth。Iammuchsorry,sir,Youputmetoforgetalady’smanners,Bybeingsoverbal:andlearnnow,forall,ThatI,whichknowmyheart,doherepronounce,Bytheverytruthofit,Icarenotforyou,Andamsonearthelackofcharity——

Toaccusemyself——Ihateyou;whichIhadratherYoufeltthanmake’tmyboast。CLOTENYousinagainstObedience,whichyouoweyourfather。ForThecontractyoupretendwiththatbasewretch,Onebredofalmsandfoster’dwithcolddishes,Withscrapso’thecourt,itisnocontract,none:

Andthoughitbeallow’dinmeanerparties——

Yetwhothanhemoremean?——toknittheirsouls,OnwhomthereisnomoredependencyButbratsandbeggary,inself—figuredknot;

Yetyouarecurb’dfromthatenlargementbyTheconsequenceo’thecrown,andmustnotsoilThepreciousnoteofitwithabaseslave。

Ahildingforalivery,asquire’scloth,Apantler,notsoeminent。IMOGENProfanefellowWertthouthesonofJupiterandnomoreButwhatthouartbesides,thouwerttoobaseTobehisgroom:thouwertdignifiedenough,Eventothepointofenvy,if’tweremadeComparativeforyourvirtues,tobestyledTheunder—hangmanofhiskingdom,andhatedForbeingpreferredsowell。CLOTENThesouth—fogrothim!IMOGENHenevercanmeetmoremischancethancomeTobebutnamedofthee。Hismeanestgarment,Thateverhathbutclipp’dhisbody,isdearerInmyrespectthanallthehairsabovethee,Weretheyallmadesuchmen。Hownow,Pisanio!

EnterPISANIOCLOTEN’Hisgarment!’Nowthedevil——IMOGENToDorothymywomanhietheepresently——CLOTEN’Hisgarment!’IMOGENIamspritedwithafool。

Frighted,andanger’dworse:gobidmywomanSearchforajewelthattoocasuallyHathleftminearm:itwasthymaster’s:’shrewme,IfIwouldloseitforarevenueOfanyking’sinEurope。IdothinkIsaw’tthismorning:confidentIamLastnight’twasonminearm;Ikiss’dit:

IhopeitbenotgonetotellmylordThatIkissaughtbuthe。PISANIO’Twillnotbelost。IMOGENIhopeso:goandsearch。

ExitPISANIOCLOTENYouhaveabusedme:

’Hismeanestgarment!’IMOGENAy,Isaidso,sir:

Ifyouwillmake’tanaction,callwitnessto’t。CLOTENIwillinformyourfather。IMOGENYourmothertoo:

She’smygoodlady,andwillconceive,Ihope,Buttheworstofme。So,Ileaveyou,sir,Totheworstofdiscontent。

ExitCLOTENI’llberevenged:

’Hismeanestgarment!’Well。

ExitCYMBELINESCENEIV。Rome。Philario’shouse。EnterPOSTHUMUSandPHILARIOPOSTHUMUSLEONATUSFearitnot,sir:IwouldIweresosureTowinthekingasIamboldherhonourWillremainhers。PHILARIOWhatmeansdoyoumaketohim?POSTHUMUSLEONATUSNotany,butabidethechangeoftime,Quakeinthepresentwinter’sstateandwishThatwarmerdayswouldcome:inthesesear’dhopes,Ibarelygratifyyourlove;theyfailing,Imustdiemuchyourdebtor。PHILARIOYourverygoodnessandyourcompanyO’erpaysallIcando。Bythis,yourkingHathheardofgreatAugustus:CaiusLuciusWilldo’scommissionthroughly:andIthinkHe’llgrantthetribute,sendthearrearages,OrlookuponourRomans,whoseremembranceIsyetfreshintheirgrief。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSIdobelieve,StatistthoughIamnone,norliketobe,Thatthiswillproveawar;andyoushallhearThelegionsnowinGalliasoonerlandedInournot—fearingBritainthanhavetidingsOfanypennytributepaid。OurcountrymenAremenmoreorder’dthanwhenJuliusCaesarSmiledattheirlackofskill,butfoundtheircourageWorthyhisfrowningat:theirdiscipline,Nowmingledwiththeircourages,willmakeknownTotheirapproverstheyarepeoplesuchThatmendupontheworld。

EnterIACHIMOPHILARIOSee!Iachimo!POSTHUMUSLEONATUSTheswiftesthartshavepostedyoubyland;

Andwindsofallthecomerskiss’dyoursails,Tomakeyourvesselnimble。PHILARIOWelcome,sir。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSIhopethebriefnessofyouranswermadeThespeedinessofyourreturn。IACHIMOYourladyIsoneofthefairestthatIhavelook’dupon。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSAndtherewithalthebest;orletherbeautyLookthroughacasementtoallurefalseheartsAndbefalsewiththem。IACHIMOHerearelettersforyou。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSTheirtenorgood,Itrust。IACHIMO’Tisverylike。PHILARIOWasCaiusLuciusintheBritaincourtWhenyouwerethere?IACHIMOHewasexpectedthen,Butnotapproach’d。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSAlliswellyet。

Sparklesthisstoneasitwaswont?oris’tnotToodullforyourgoodwearing?IACHIMOIfIhadlostit,Ishouldhavelosttheworthofitingold。

I’llmakeajourneytwiceasfar,toenjoyAsecondnightofsuchsweetshortnesswhichWasmineinBritain,fortheringiswon。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSThestone’stoohardtocomeby。IACHIMONotawhit,Yourladybeingsoeasy。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSMakenot,sir,Yourlossyoursport:IhopeyouknowthatweMustnotcontinuefriends。IACHIMOGoodsir,wemust,Ifyoukeepcovenant。HadInotbroughtTheknowledgeofyourmistresshome,IgrantWeweretoquestionfurther:butInowProfessmyselfthewinnerofherhonour,Togetherwithyourring;andnotthewrongerOfheroryou,havingproceededbutBybothyourwills。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSIfyoucanmake’tapparentThatyouhavetastedherinbed,myhandAndringisyours;ifnot,thefoulopinionYouhadofherpurehonourgainsorlosesYourswordormine,ormasterlessleavesbothTowhoshallfindthem。IACHIMOSir,mycircumstances,BeingsonearthetruthasIwillmakethem,Mustfirstinduceyoutobelieve:whosestrengthIwillconfirmwithoath;which,Idoubtnot,You’llgivemeleavetospare,whenyoushallfindYouneeditnot。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSProceed。IACHIMOFirst,herbedchamber,——

Where,Iconfess,Isleptnot,butprofessHadthatwaswellworthwatching——itwashang’dWithtapestyofsilkandsilver;thestoryProudCleopatra,whenshemetherRoman,AndCydnusswell’dabovethebanks,orforThepressofboatsorpride:apieceofworkSobravelydone,sorich,thatitdidstriveInworkmanshipandvalue;whichIwonder’dCouldbesorarelyandexactlywrought,Sincethetruelifeon’twas——POSTHUMUSLEONATUSThisistrue;

Andthisyoumighthaveheardofhere,byme,Orbysomeother。IACHIMOMoreparticularsMustjustifymyknowledge。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSSotheymust,Ordoyourhonourinjury。IACHIMOThechimneyIssouththechamber,andthechimney—pieceChasteDianbathing:neversawIfiguresSolikelytoreportthemselves:thecutterWasasanothernature,dumb;outwenther,Motionandbreathleftout。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSThisisathingWhichyoumightfromrelationlikewisereap,Being,asitis,muchspokeof。IACHIMOTheroofo’thechamberWithgoldencherubinsisfretted:herandirons——

Ihadforgotthem——weretwowinkingCupidsOfsilver,eachononefootstanding,nicelyDependingontheirbrands。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSThisisherhonour!

Letitbegrantedyouhaveseenallthis——andpraiseBegiventoyourremembrance——thedescriptionOfwhatisinherchambernothingsavesThewageryouhavelaid。IACHIMOThen,ifyoucan,ShowingthebraceletBepale:Ibegbutleavetoairthisjewel;see!

Andnow’tisupagain:itmustbemarriedTothatyourdiamond;I’llkeepthem。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSJove!

Oncemoreletmebeholdit:isitthatWhichIleftwithher?IACHIMOSir——Ithankher——that:

Shestripp’ditfromherarm;Iseeheryet;

Herprettyactiondidoutsellhergift,Andyetenrich’dittoo:shegaveitme,andsaidSheprizeditonce。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSMaybeshepluck’ditoffTosenditme。IACHIMOShewritessotoyou,dothshe?POSTHUMUSLEONATUSO,no,no,no!’tistrue。Here,takethistoo;

GivestheringItisabasiliskuntomineeye,Killsmetolookon’t。LettherebenohonourWherethereisbeauty;truth,wheresemblance;

love,Wherethere’sanotherman:thevowsofwomenOfnomorebondagebe,towheretheyaremade,Thantheyaretotheirvirtues;whichisnothing。

O,abovemeasurefalse!PHILARIOHavepatience,sir,Andtakeyourringagain;’tisnotyetwon:

Itmaybeprobableshelostit;orWhoknowsifoneofherwomen,beingcorrupted,Hathstol’nitfromher?POSTHUMUSLEONATUSVerytrue;

Andso,Ihope,hecameby’t。Backmyring:

Rendertomesomecorporalsignabouther,Moreevidentthanthis;forthiswasstolen。IACHIMOByJupiter,Ihaditfromherarm。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSHarkyou,heswears;byJupiterheswears。

’Tistrue:——nay,keepthering——’tistrue:I

amsureShewouldnotloseit:herattendantsareAllswornandhonourable:——theyinducedtostealit!

Andbyastranger!——No,hehathenjoyedher:

ThecognizanceofherincontinencyIsthis:shehathboughtthenameofwhorethusdearly。