Sec. Lord. [Aside] To have smelt like a fool. Clo. I am not vex'd more at any thing in the 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 Jackslave hath his bellyful of fighting, and I must go up and down like a cock that nobody can match.

Sec. Lord. [Aside] You are cock and capon too; and you crow, cock, with your comb on. Clo. Sayest thou?4

27

Sec. Lord. It is not fit your lordship should undertake every companions that you give offence to.

30

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

Sec. Lord. Ay, it is fit for your lordship only.

Clo. Why, so I say.

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

Clo. A stranger, and I not know on 't! Sec. Lord. [Aside] He's a strange fellow himself, and knows it not.

First Lord. There's an Italian come; and, 't is thought, one of Leonatus' friends.

41

Clo. Leonatus! a banish'd rascal; and he's another, whatsoever he be. Who told you of this stranger?

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

Sec. Lord. You cannot derogate, my lord. Clo. Not easily, I think.

Sec. Lord. [Aside] You are a fool granted; therefore your issues, being foolish, do not derogate.

52

Imo. What hour is it?
Lady.

Almost midnight, madam. Imo. I have read three hours, then: mine eyes are weak:

Fold down the leaf where I have left: to bed:

Take not away the taper, leave it burning;
And if thou canst awake by four o' the clock,
I prithee, call me. Sleep hath seiz'd me wholly.
[Exit Lady.
To your protection I commend me, gods!
From fairies, and the tempters of the night,
Guard me, beseech ye!

10

[Sleeps. Iachimo comes from the trunk. Iach. The crickets sing, and man's o'erlabour'd sense

Repairs itself by rest. Our Tarquin thus Did softly press the rushes, ere he waken'd The chastity he wounded.-Cytherea,1

How bravely thou becom'st thy bed! fresh lily!

And whiter than the sheets! That I might touch! But kiss; one kiss!-Rubies unparagon'd, How dearly they do 't!-T is her breathing that

1 Cytherea, Venus.

29

Ah, but some natural notes about her body,
Above ten thousand meaner moveables
Would testify, t' enrich mine inventory:—
O sleep, thou ape of death, lie dull upon her!
And be her sense but as a monument,
Thus in a chapel lying!-Come off, come off;—
[Taking off her bracelet.

As slippery as the Gordian knot was hard!-
'Tis mine; and this will witness outwardly,
As strongly as the conscience does within,
To the madding of her lord.-On her left
breast

A mole cinque-spotted, like the crimson drops I' the bottom of a cowslip: here's a voucher, Stronger than ever law could make: this secret Will force him think I've pick'd the lock, and ta'en

41

The treasure of her honour. No more. Το what end?

Why should 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.1-I have enough: To the trunk again, and shut the spring of it.

Swift, swift, you dragons of the night, that dawning

May bare the raven's eye! I lodge in fear; Though this a heavenly angel, hell is here. 50 [Clock strikes.

One, two, three,-Time, time!

[Goes into the trunk. Scene closes.

71

I know her women are about her: what
If I do line one of their hands? "Tis gold
Which buys admittance; oft it doth; yea, and
makes

Diana's rangers false themselves, yield up Their deer to the stand o' the stealer; and 't is gold

Which makes the true-man kill'd, and saves the thief;

Nay, sometime hangs both thief and true-man: what

Can it not do and undo? I will make
One of her women lawyer to me; for
I yet not understand the case myself.—
By your leave.

Enter a Lady.

Lady. Who's there that knocks? Clo.

Lady.

80

[Knocks.

A gentleman.

No more?

That's more

Clo. Yes, and a gentlewoman's son.
Lady.

Than some, whose tailors are as dear as yours, Can justly boast of. What's your lordship's pleasure?

Clo. Your lady's person: is she ready?4
Lady.

To keep her chamber.
Clo.

Ay,

There is gold for you;