To lie in watch there, and to think on him? To weep 'twixt clock and clock? if sleep charge nature, To break it with a fearful dream of him, And cry myself awake? That's false to his bed? Pis. Alas, good lady! Imo. I false? Thy conscience witness:-Iachimo, Thou didst accuse him of incontinency; Thou then look'dst like a villain; now, methinks, Men's vows are women's traitors! All good seeming, Put on for villainy; not born, where't grows; Pis. Good madam, hear me. Imo. True honest men being heard, like false Æneas, Were, in his time, thought false; and Sinon's weep. ing Did scandal many a holy tear; took pity From most true wretchedness: So, thou, Posthú mus, Wilt lay the leaven on all proper men; Goodly, and gallant, shall be false and perjur'd, I draw the sword myself: take it; and hit * Putta, in Italian, signifies both a jay and a whore. + Likeness. Thou may'st be valiant in a better cause; Pis. Hence, vile instrument! Why, I must die; Thou shalt not damn my hand. Imo. And if I do not by thy hand, thou art No servant of thy master's: Against self-slaughter There is a prohibition so divine, That cravens my weak hand. Come, here's my heart; Something's afore't :-Soft, soft; we'll no defence; Corrupters of my faith! you shall no more Do feel the treason sharply, yet the traitor And thou, Posthumus, thou that didst set up Pis. O gracious lady, Since I receiv'd command to do this business, I have not slept one wink. Imo. Pis. I'll wake mine eye-balls blind first. Do't, and to bed then. Cowards. + The writings, Feedest or preyest on, Imo. Wherefore then Didst undertake it? Why hast thou abus'd Pis. Imo. Pis. I thought you would not back again. Bringing me here to kill me. Pis. Then, madam, Most like; Not so, neither: But if I were as wise as honest, then My purpose would prove well. It cannot be, Some villain, ay, and singular in his art, Hath done you both this cursed injury. Imo. Some Roman courtezan. Pis. No, on my life. I'll give but notice you are dead, and send him Imo. Why, good fellow, What shall I do the while? Where bide? How live? Or in my life what comfort, when I am Dead to my husband? Pis. If you'll back to the court, Imo. No court, no father; nor no more ado With that harsh, noble, simple, nothing: That Cloten, whose love-suit hath been to me Hath Britain all the sun that shines? Day, night, In a great pool, a swan's nest; Pr'ythee, think I am most glad Pis. Imo. Pis. Well then, here's the point: You must forget to be a woman; change The sun. Imo. Nay, be brief: I see into thy eud, and am almost A man already. Pis. First, make yourself but like one. Fore-thinking this, I have already fit ('Tis in my cloak-bag), doublet, hat, hose, all That answer to them: Would you, in their serving, And with what imitation you can borrow From youth of such a season, 'fore noble Lucius Present yourself, desire his service, tell him Wherein you are happy* (which you'll make him know, If that his head have ear in musick), doubtless, Beginning, nor supplyment. A prince's courage. Away, I pr'ythee. Pis. Well, madam, we must take a short farewell: Lest, being miss'd, I be suspected of Your carriage from the court. My noble mistress, Amen: I thank thee. [Exeunt. i. e. Wherein you are accomplished. + As for your subsistence abroad, you may rely on * Equal to. me. |