You fhall, at least, go fee my lord aboard:

Imo. O bleft, that I might not! I chose an eagle, 15 For this time, leave me. And did avoid a puttock2.

Cym. Thou took'st a beggar; would't have made my throne

1 Lord. Sir, I would advise you to shift a fhirt; 2the violence of action hath made you reek as a facrifice: Where air comes out, air comes in: there's none abroad fo wholesome as that you

[To the queen. 35 your face.

Leave us to ourselves; and make yourself fome 40 Puppies!

[Exit. 45 refufe me!

I would they were in Africk both together; 60

A touch more rare, may mean a nobler paffion, or a more exquisite feeling, a superior fenfation.

3 Sign here means fair cutward thew. Mr. Steevens adds, that to understand the whole force of Shakspeare's idea, it should be remembered, that anciently almost every sign had a motto, or some attempt at a witticifm, underneath it.

SCENE IV.
Imogen's Apartments.'

Enter Imogen, and Pifanio.

Imo. I would thou grew'ft unto the fhores o' 5
the haven,

And question'dft ev'ry fail: if he should write,
And I not have it, 'twere a paper loft

As offer'd mercy is. What was the laft
That he spake to thee?

Pif. 'Twas, His queen, his queen !'
Imo. Then wav'd his handkerchief?
Pif. And kifs'd it, madam.

Imo. Senfelefs linen! happier therein than I!
And that was all?

Pif. No, madam; for fo long

As he could make me with this eye, or ear,
Diftinguish him from others, he did keep
The deck, with glove, or hat, or handkerchief,
Still waving, as the fits and stirs of his mind
Could best exprefs how flow his foul fail'd on,
How fwift his fhip.

Imo. Thou fhouldft have made him
As little as a crow, or lefs, ere left
To after-eye him.

Pif. Madam, fo I did.

Imo. I would have broke mine eye-ftrings;
crack'd them, but

To look upon him; till the diminution
Of fpace 2 had pointed him sharp as my needle:
Nay, follow'd him, 'till he had melted from
[nio,
The smallness of a gnat to air; and then
Have turn'd mine eye, and wept.-But, good Pifa-
When shall we hear from him?

Pif. Be affur'd, madam,

With his next vantage 3.

SCENE V.
Rome.

An Apartment in Philario's House. Enter Philario, Iachimo, and a Frenchman. Iach. Believe it, fir: I have feen him in Britain: he was then of a crefcent note; expected to prove fo worthy, as fince he has been allowed the name of: but I could then have look'd on him 10 without the help of admiration; though the catalogue of his endowments had been tabled by his fide, and I to peruse him by items.

Pbil. You speak of him when he was lefs furnifh'd than now he is, with that which makes 15him both without and within.

French. I have feen him in France: we had very many there, could behold the fun with as firm eyes as he.

Iach. This matter of marrying his king's daugh20ter (wherein he must be weigh'd rather by her value, than his own) words him, I doubt not, a great deal from the matter 5.

French. And then his banishment.

Iach. Ay, and the approbations of thofe, that 25 weep this lamentable divorce, under her colours", are wonderfully to extend him; be it but to fortify her judgment, which elfe an easy battery might lay flat, for taking a beggar without more quality. But how comes it, he is to fojourn with you?30 How creeps acquaintance?

Phil. His father and I were foldiers together; to whom I have been often bound for no less than my life:

Enter Pofthumus.

35 Here comes the Briton: Let him be fo entertained amongst you, as fuits, with gentlemen of your knowing, to a ftranger of his quality. I befeech you all, be better known to this gentleman; whom I commend to you, as a noble friend of mine:How worthy he is, I will leave to appear hereafter, rather than story him in his own hearing.

Imo. I did not take my leave of him, but had
Moft pretty things to fay: ere I could tell him,
How I would think on him, at certain hours,
Such thoughts, and fuch; or I could make him 40
fwear,

That thes of Italy should not betray

[him,

Mine intereft, and his honour; or have charg'd
At the fixth hour of morn, at noon, at midnight,

To encounter me with orifons, for then

I am in heaven for him; or ere I could
Give him that parting kifs, which I had fet
Betwixt two charming words, comes in my father,
And, like the tyrannous breathing of the north,
Shakes all our buds from growing.

Enter a Lady.

Lady. The queen, madam,

Defires your highnefs' company.

[patch'd.

French. Sir, we have known together in Orleans.

Poft. Since when I have been debtor to you for 45 courtefies, which I will be ever to pay, and yet pay ftill.

French. Sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindness; I was glad I did atone7 my countryman and you; it had been pity, you should have been put toge50ther with fo mortal a purpose, as then each bore, upon importance of so flight and trivial a nature.

Poft. By your pardon, fir, I was then a young traveller; rather fhunn'd to go even with what I heard, than in my every action to be guided by

Im. Those things I bid you do, get them dif-55 others' experiences: but, upon my mended judg

I will attend the queen.

Pif. Madam, I fhall.

[Exeunt.

ment, (if I offend not to fay it is mended) my quarrel was not altogether flight.

1 The meaning is, that the lofs of that paper would prove as fatal to her, as the lofs of a pardon to a condemned criminal. 2 Dr. Johnson remarks, that the diminution of space, is the diminution of which Space is the caufe. Trees are killed by a blaft of lightning, that is, by biafting, not blafted lightning. 3 i.e. next opportunity. 4 Make is here ufed in the fenfe in which we fay, This will make or mar you. i. e. by her influence. 5 i. e. makes the defcription of him very diftant from the truth. atone fignifies in this place to reconcile. 8 That is, I was then willing to take for my direction the experience of others, more than fuch intelligence as I had gathered myself,

7 To

French.

French. 'Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrement of fwords; and by fuch two, that would, by all likelyhood, have confounded one the other, or have fallen both.

her go back, even to the yielding; had I admittance, and opportunity to friend.

Peft. No, no.

Iach. I dare, thereupon, pawn the moiety of

lach. Can we, with manners, ask what was the 5 my eftate to your ring; which, in my opinion, difference?

French. Safely, I think: 'twas a contention in publick, which may, without contradiction, fuffer the report'. It was much like an argument| that fell out laft night, where each of us fell 10 in praise of our country miftreffes: This gentleman at that time vouching, (and upon warrant of bloody affirmation) his to be more fair, virtuous, wife, chaste, conftant-qualified, and lefs attemptible, than any the rareft of our ladies in France.

Iacb. That lady is not now living; or this gentleman's opinion, by this, worn out.

Poft. She holds her virtue ftill, and I my mind. Iach. You must not so far prefer her 'fore ours of Italy.

Poft. Being fo far provok'd as I was in France, I would abate her nothing; though I profefs myfelf her adorer, not her friend.

15

20

Iach. As fair, and as good, (a kind of hand-in-
hand comparison) had been fomething too fair, 25
and too good, for any lady in Britany. If the
went before others I have feen, as that diamond
of yours out-luftres many I have beheld, I could|
not believe the excelled many: but I have not
feen the most precious diamond that is, nor you 30
the lady.
[itone.

Peft. I prais'd her, as I rated her; fo do I my
Iach. What do you efteem it at?

Peft. More than the world enjoys.

o'er-values it fomething: But I make my wager rather against your confidence, than her reputation: and, to bar your offence herein too, I durft attempt it against any lady in the world.

Poft. You are a great deal abus'd 3 in too bold a perfuafion; and I doubt not you sustain what you're worthy of, by your attempt.

Iach. What's that?

Peft. A repulse: Though your attempt, as you call it, deferves more; a punishment too.

Phil. Gentlemen, enough of this: it came in too fuddenly; let it die as it was born, and, I pray you, be better acquainted.

Iach. Would I had put my eftate, and my neighbour's, on the approbation 4 of what I have poke.

Poft. What lady would you chufe to affail?

lacb. Yours; who in conftancy, you think, ftands fo fafe. I will lay you ten thousand ducats to your ring, that, commend me to the court where your lady is, with no more advantage than the opportunity of a second conference, and I will bring from thence that honour of hers, which you imagine fo referv`d.

Poft. I will wage against your gold, gold to it: my ring I hold dear as my finger; 'tis part of it.

Iach. You are a friend, and therein the wifer 5. If you buy ladies' flesh at a million a drachm, you cannot preferve it from tainting: But, I fee, you

lach. Either your unparagon'd mistress is dead, 35 have some religion in you, that you fear. or fhe's out-priz'd by a trifle.

401

Poft. You are mistaken: the one may be fold, or given; if there were wealth enough for the purchase, or merit for the gift: the other is not a thing for fale, and only the gift of the gods. Jach. Which the gods have given you? Peft. Which, by their graces, I will keep. Lach. You may wear her in title yours: but, you know, ftrange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. Your ring may be ftolen too: fo, of your 45 brace of unprizeable estimations, the one is but frail, and the other cafual: a cunning thief, or a that-way accomplish'd courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and last.

Peft. Your Italy contains none fo accomplish'd a courtier, to convince 2 the honour of my mistress ;| if, in the holding or lofs of that, you term her frail. I do nothing doubt, you have store of thieves; notwithstanding, I fear not my ring.

Phil. Let us leave here, gentlemen.

Poft. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy! fignior, I thank him, makes no stranger of me, we are familiar at first.

Poft. This is but a custom in your tongue: you bear a graver purpose, I hope.

Iach. I am the mafter of my fpeeches; and would undergo what's fpoken, I swear.

Peft. Will you?-I shall but lend my diamond 'till your return:-Let there be covenants drawn between us: My miftrefs exceeds in goodnefs the hugeness of your unworthy thinking: I dare you to this match: here's my ring.

Phil. I will have it no lay.

Iach. By the gods, it is one :-If I bring you no fufficient teftimony that I have enjoy'd the deareft bodily part of your mistress, my ten thoufand ducats are yours; fo is your diamond too : 50If I come off, and leave her in fuch honour as you have truft in, the your jewel, this your jewel, and my gold are yours;-provided, I have your commendation, for my more free entertainment.

Peft. I embrace thefe conditions; let us have 55 articles betwixt us :-only, thus far you fhall anfwer. If you make your voyage upon her, and give me directly to understand you have prevail'd, I am no further your enemy, the is not worth our debate: if the remain unfeduc'd, (you not making it appear otherwise) for your ill opinion, and the That is, Which, undoubtedly, may be publickly told. 2 Convince for overcome. 3 i. e. decerv'd. 4 i. e. proof. The meaning is, "You are a friend to the lady, and therein the wifer, as you will not expofe her to hazard; and that you fear, is a proof of your religious fidelity." 3 M

Iach. With five times fo much converfation, I fhould get ground of your fair miftrefs: make 60

affault

affault you have made to her chastity, you shall answer me with your fword.

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

Poft. Agreed. [Exeunt Poflbumus and Iacbimo.
French. Will this hold, think you?

5

And will not trust one of her malice with
A drug of fuch damn'd nature: Thofe she has,
Will ftupify 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,

Pbil. Signior Iachimo will not from it. Pray, ro So to be falfe with her.

[Exeunt.

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

Make hafte: who has the note of them?

1 Lady. I, madam.
Queen. Dispatch.-
[Exeunt Ladies.
Now, mafter doctor; have you brought thofe
drugs?
[madam:

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

Queen. I wonder, doctor,

Thou afk'ft me fuch a queftion: Have I not been
Thy pupil long? Haft thou not learn'd me how
To make 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

think, in time

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

[The Queen drops a phial: Pisanio takes it up.
30 So much as but to prop him?-Thou tak'ft 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;
35 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 changeft on 4; but think
Thou haft thy miftrefs ftill; to boot, my fon,

We count not worth the hanging,(but none human) 40 Who fhall take notice of thee: I'll move the king

To try the vigour of them, and apply

Allayments to their act; and by them gather
Their feveral virtues, and effects.

Cor. Your highness

Shall from this practice but make hard your heart:45
Befides, the feeing these effects will be

But noifome and infectious.

Queen. O, content thee.

Enter Pijanio.

To any fhape of thy preferment, fuch
As thou'lt defire; and then myself, I chiefly,
That fet thee on to this defert, am bound
To load thy merit richly. Call my women :
[Exit Pilari
Think on my words.-A fly, and constant knave;
Not to be shak'd: the agent for his master;
And the remembrancer of her, to hold
The hand faft to her lord.-I have given him that,

Here comes a flattering rafcal; upon him [Afide. 5c Which, if he take, fhall quite unpeople her
Will I first work: he's for his master,

And enemy to my fon.-How now, Pifanio?

Doctor, your fervice for this time is ended;

Take your own way.

Cer. I do fufpect you, madam;

But you fhall do no harm.

Queen. Hark thee, a word.

Cor. [Afide.] I do not like her.

The has

Of leigers 5 for her fweet; and which the, after,
Except fhe bend her humour, fhall be affur'd
Re-enter Pifanio, and Ladies.

To tafte of too. So, fo;-well done, well done :
55 The violets, cowflips, and the primroses,
Bear to my clofet:-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 spirit, 6oI'll choke myself: there's all I'll do for you. [Ex.

3 i. e. that inclines towards its "Think with what a fair profpect of mending your fortunes you now 5 A leiger ambaffador is one that refides at a foreign court to pro

SCENE

Iach. I never faw him fad.

"He is one of the nobleft note, to whofe 30 Not knowing why. "kindneffes I am most infinitely tied. Reflect "upon him accordingly, as you value your trust. "LEONATUS."

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

35 The thick fighs from him; whiles the jolly Briton
(Your lord, I mean) laughs from 's free lungs,

cries! "O!

[knows Can my fides hold, to think, that man,-whỏ "By hiftory, report, or his own proof,

40" What woman is, yea, what she cannot chufe But muft be,-will his free hours languish For affur'd bondage?"

Imo. Will my lord fay fo?

[laughter.

lach. It cannot be i' the eye; for apes and 50 Be us'd more thankfully. In himself, 'tis much; monkeys,

In you,--which I account his, beyond all talents,

That is, according to Warburton, "who are beholden only to the seasons for their fupport and nourishment; so that, if those be kindly, fuch have no more to care for or defire." 2. The crop of fea and land means the productions of either element. 3 Dr. Johnson says, "he knows not well how to regulate this paffage. Number'd is perhaps numerous. Twinn'd stones he does not underftand. Twinn'd fells, or pairs of fhells, are very common." Mr. Steevens adds, that the pebbles on the fea-fhore are fo much of the fame fize and shape, that trinn'd may mean as like as twins. Dr. Farmer thinks we may read the umbered, the shaded beach. 4 Dr. Johnson 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 say, that appetite too would give the fame fuffrage. Defire, says he, when it approached fluttery, and confidered it in comparison 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 difguft, though, being unfed, it had nothing to eject.”. 5 Strange here feems to fignify by or backward, 3 M 2

Whilft