Iach. O, dearest soul, your cause doth strike my heart With pity that doth make me sick. A lady So fair, and fasten'd to an empery, Would make the great'st king double, ner'd to be part With tomboys, hir'd with that self exhibition Which your own coffers yield! with diseas'd ventures, That play with all infirmities for gold Which rottenness can lend nature! such boil'd stuff, Or she that bore you was no Queen, and you Imo. Reveng'd! How should I be reveng'd? If this be true, How should I be reveng'd? Iach. Should he make thee Live, like Diana's priest, betwixt cold sheets, In your despite, upon your purse? Revenge it. Imo. What ho, Pisanio! Iach. Let me my service tender on your lips. Imo. Away! I do condemn mine ears, that have So long attended thee. — If thou wert honourable, Thou would'st have told this tale for virtue, not For such an end thou seek'st, as base, as strange. Thou wrong'st a gentleman who is as far From thy report as thou from honour; and Solicit❜st here a lady that disdains Thee and the Devil alike. - What ho, Pisanio! A lady to the worthiest sir that ever Country call'd his; and you his mistress, only I have spoke this, to know if your affiance The truest manner'd; such a holy witch, That he enchants societies into him: Half all men's hearts are his. Imo. You make amends. Iach. He sits 'mongst men like a descended god: He hath a kind of honour sets him off, More than a mortal seeming. Be not angry, Which, you know, cannot err. The love I bear him Imo. All's well, sir. Take my power i' the Court for yours. Iach. My humble thanks. I had almost forgot Your lord; myself, and other noble friends, Imo. Pray, what is 't? Iach. Some dozen Romans of us, and your lord, (The best feather of our wing,) have mingled sums, To buy a present for the Emperor; Which I, the factor for the rest, have done In France 'tis plate of rare device, and jewels Their value 's great; And I am something curious, being strange, To have them in safe stowage: may it please you To take them in protection? Imo. Willingly, And pawn mine honour for their safety; since My lord hath interest in them, I will keep them Iach. They are in a trunk, Attended by my men; I will make bold To send them to you, only for this night; I must aboard to-morrow. Imo. O, no, no. Iach. Yes, I beseech; or I shall short my word, By length'ning my return. From Gallia I cross'd the seas on purpose, and on promise, Therefore, I shall beseech you, if you please To greet your lord with writing, do 't to night: To th' tender of our present. Imo. I will write. Send your trunk to me: it shall safe be kept, [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I. — Britain. Court before CYMBELINE'S Palace. WA Enter CLOTEN and two Lords. CLOTEN. AS there ever man had such luck! when I kiss'd the jack upon an up-cast, to be hit away! I had a hundred pound on 't: and then a whoreson jackanapes must take me up for swearing; as if I borrowed mine oaths of him, and might not spend them at my pleasure. 1 Lord. What got he by that? You have broke his pate with your bowl. 2 Lord. [Aside.] If his wit had been like him that broke it, it would have run all out. Clo. When a gentleman is dispos'd to swear, it is not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths, ha? 2 Lord. No, my lord; [aside.] nor crop the ears of them. Clo. Whoreson dog! I give him satisfaction ? Would he had been one of my rank! 2 Lord. [Aside.] To have smell'd like a fool. Clo. I am not vexed more at any thing in th' Earth. A pox on 't! I had rather not be so noble as I am: they dare not fight with me, because of the Queen my mother. Every jack-slave hath his belly full of fighting, and I must go up and down like a cock that nobody can match. 2 Lord. [Aside.] You are cock and capon too; and you crow, cock, with your comb on. Clo. Sayest thou? 2 Lord. It is not fit your lordship should undertake every companion that you give offence to. Clo. No, I know that; but it is fit I should commit offence to my inferiors. 2 Lord. Ay, it is fit for your lordship only. Clo. Why, so I say. 1 Lord. Did you hear of a stranger that's come to Court to-night? Clo. A stranger, and I not know on 't! 2 Lord. [Aside.] He's a strange fellow himself, and knows it not. 1 Lord. There's an Italian come; and, 'tis thought, one of Leonatus' friends. Clo. Leonatus! a banish'd rascal; and he's another, whatsoever he be. Who told you of this stranger? 1 Lord. One of your lordship's pages. Clo. Is it fit I went to look upon him? Is there no derogation in 't? 1 Lord. You cannot derogate, my lord. Clo. Not easily, I think. 2 Lord. [Aside.] You are a fool granted; therefore, your issues being foolish do not derogate. Clo. Come, I'll go see this Italian. What I have lost to-day at bowls, I'll win to-night of him. go. 2 Lord. I'll attend your lordship. Come, [Exeunt CLOTEN and first Lord. That such a crafty devil as is his mother Should yield the world this ass! a woman, that |