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Cleo. Remember'st thou any that have died on 't? Clown. Very many, men and women too. I heard of one of them no longer than yesterday: a very honest woman, but something given to lie; as a woman should not do, but in the way of honesty: how she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt,-truly, she makes a very good report o' the worm. But he that will believe all that they say, shall never be saved by half that they

do but this is most fallible, the worm's an odd worm. Cleo. Get thee hence; farewell.

Clown. I wish you all joy of the worm. Cleo. Farewell. [Clown sets down the basket.

Clown. You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind.

Cleo. Ay, ay; farewell.

Clown. Look you, the worm is not to be trusted, but in the keeping of wise people; for, indeed, there is no goodness in the worm.

Cleo. Take thou no care; it shall be heeded. Clown. Very good. Give it nothing, I pray you, for it is not worth the feeding.

Cleo. Will it eat me?

Clown. You must not think I am so simple but I know the devil himself will not eat a woman: I know that a woman is a dish for the gods, if the devil dress her not. But, truly, these same whoreson devils do the gods great harm in their women; for in every ten that they make, the devils mar five.

Cleo. Well, get thee gone; farewell.

Clown. Yes, forsooth; I wish you joy of the worm.

[Exit.

Re-enter IRAS, with a robe, crown, dc.
Cleo. Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have
Immortal longings in me: now no more
The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip:-
Yare, yare, good Iras; quick.-Methinks I hear
Antony call; I see him rouse himself
To praise my noble act; I hear him mock
The luck of Caesar, which the gods give men

To excuse their after wrath:-Husband, I come:
Now to that name my courage prove my title!
I am fire and air; my other elements

I give to baser life.-So,-have you done?
Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips.
Farewell, kind Charmian;-Iras, long farewell.
[Kisses them. IRAS falls and dies.

Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall?
If thou and nature can so gently part,
The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch,
Which hurts, and is desired. Dost thou lie still?
If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world

It is not worth leave-taking.

Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I may say The gods themselves do weep!

Cleo. This proves me base:

If she first meet the curled Antony,

He'll make demand of her, and spend that kiss, Which is my heaven to have.-Come, mortal wretch, [To an asp, which she applies to her breast.

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Dost thou not see my baby at my breast, That sucks the nurse asleep?

Char. O, break! O, break!

Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle,-O Antony!-Nay, I will take thee too. — [Applying another asp to her arm. What should I stay[Falls on a bed, and dies. Char. In this vile world?-So, fare thee well.-Now boast thee, death! in thy possession lies A lass unparallel'd.--Downy windows, close; And golden Phoebus never be beheld Of eyes again so royal!-Your crown's awry ; I'll mend it, and then play

Enter the Guard, rushing in.

1 Guard. Where is the queen?
Char. Speak softly, wake her not.
1 Guard. Cæsar hath sent-
Char. Too slow a messenger.-

[Applies the asp.

O, come apace, despatch: I partly feel thee.

1 Guard. Approach, ho! All's not well: Cæsar's

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Dol. How goes it here?

2 Guard. All dead.

Dol. Cæsar, thy thoughts

Touch their effects in this: thyself art coming
To see perform'd the dreaded act, which thou
So sought'st to hinder.

Within. A way there! way for Cæsar!

Re-enter CESAR and Attendants. Dol. O, Sir, you are too sure an augurer; That you did fear, is done.

Cæs. Bravest at the last:

She levell'd at our purposes, and, being royal, Took her own way.-The manner of their deaths? I do not see them bleed.

Dol. Who was last with them?

[Dies.

1 Guard. A simple countryman, that brought her figs; This was his basket.

Cas. Poison'd, then.

1 Guard. O Cæsar,

This Charmian lived but now; she stood and spake: I found her trimming up the diadem

On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood,

And on the sudden dropp'd.

Cas. O noble weakness!

If they had swallow'd poison, 'twould appear
By external swelling: but she looks like sleep,
As she would catch another Antony

In her strong toil of grace.

Dol. Here, on her breast,

There is a vent of blood, and something blown:
The like is on her arm.

1 Guard. This is an aspic's trail: and these fig-leaves Have slime upon them, such as the aspic leaves Upon the caves of Nile.

Cas. Most probable

That so she died; for her physician tells me,

She hath pursued conclusions infinite

Of easy ways to die.-Take up her bed;
And bear her women from the monument:

She shall be buried by her Antony:

No grave upon the earth shall clip in it

A pair so famous. High events as these
Strike those that make them: and their story is
No less in pity than his glory which
Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall,
In solemn show, attend this funeral;
And then to Rome.-Come, Dolabella, see
High order in this great solemnity.

[Exeunt.

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1 Gent. He that hath miss'd the princess is a thing Too bad for bad report: and he that hath her (I mean, that married her,-alack, good man!And therefore banish'd) is a creature such As, to seek through the regions of the earth

For one his like, there would be something failing
In him that should compare. I do not think
So fair an outward, and such stuff within,
Endows a man but he.

2 Gent. You speak him far.

1 Gent. 1 do extend him, Sir, within himself; Crush him together, rather than unfold

His measure duly.

2 Gent. What's his name and birth?

1 Gent. I cannot delve him to the root: his father Was call'd Sicilius, who did join his honour, Against the Romans, with Cassibelan; But had his titles by Tenantius, whom He served with glory and admired success :

So gain'd the sur-addition, Leonatus:

And had, besides this gentleman in question,
Two other sons, who, in the wars o' the time.

Died with their swords in hand: for which their father
(Then old and fond of issue) took such sorrow,
That he quit being; and his gentle lady,
Big of this gentleman, our theme, deceased
As he was born. The king he takes the babe
To his protection; calls him Posthumus;
Breeds him, and makes him of his bed-chamber:
Puts him to all the learnings that his time
Could make him the receiver of; which he took,
As we do air, fast as 'twas minister'd; and
In his spring became a harvest: lived in court,
(Which rare it is to do,) most praised, most loved:
A sample to the youngest; to the more mature,
A glass that feated them; and to the graver,
A child that guided dotards: to his mistress,
For whom he now is banish'd, her own price
Proclaims how she esteem'd him and his virtue;
By her election may be truly read

What kind of man he is.

2 Gent. I honour him

Even out of your report. But, pray you, tell me, Is she sole child to the king?

1 Gent. His only child.

He had two sons, (if this be worth your hearing,
Mark it,) the eldest of them at three years old,

I' the swathing clothes the other, from their nursery
Were stolen; and to this hour no guess in knowledge
Which way they went.

2 Gent. How long is this ago?

1 Gent. Some twenty years.

2 Gent. That a king's children should be so conveyed! So slackly guarded! and the search so slow,

That could not trace them!

1 Gent. Howsoc'er 'tis strange,

Or that the negligence may well be laugh'd at,

Yet is it true, Sir.

2 Gent. I do well believe you.

1 Gent. We must forbear: here comes the gentleman,

The queen, and princess.

SCENE II.-The same.

[Exeuni.

Enter the QUEEN, POSTHUMUS, and IMOGEN.

Queen. No, be assured, you shall not find me, daughter, After the slander of most step-mothers,

Evil-eyed unto you: you are my prisoner, but
Your jailer shall deliver you the keys

That lock up your restraint.-For you, Posthumus,

So soon as I can win the offended king,

I will be known your advocate: marry, yet
The fire of rage is in him; and 'twere good
You lean'd unto his sentence, with what patience
Your wisdom may inform you.

Post. Please your highness,

I will from hence to-day.

Queen. You know the peril.—

I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying

The pangs of barr'd affections; though the king
Hatli charged you should not speak together.

[Exit QUEEN.

Imo. O Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant Can tickle where she wounds!-My dearest husband, I something fear my father's wrath; but nothing (Always reserved my holy duty) what His rage can do on me: you must be gone; And I shall here abide the hourly shot Of angry eyes; not comforted to live, But that there is this jewel in the world, That I may see again.

Post. My queen! my mistress! O lady, weep no more, lest I give cause To be suspected of more tenderness Than doth become a man! I will remain The loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth: My residence in Rome at one Philario's; Who to my father was a friend, to me Known but by letter: thither write, my queen, And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you send, Though ink be made of gall.

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But he does buy my injuries, to be friends;
Pays dear for my offences.

Post. Should we be taking leave

As long a term as yet we have to live,

The loathness to depart would grow. Adieu!
Imo. Nay, stay a little:

Were you but riding forth to air yourself,

Such parting were too petty. Look here, love;
This diamond was my mother's: take it, heart;
But keep it till you woo another wife,
When Imogen is dead.

Post. How! how! another?--
You gentle gods, give me but this I have,
And sear up my embracements from a next
With bonds of death!-Remain thou here

[Exit.

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Imo. Almost, Sir: heaven restore me !-Would I were A neat-herd's daughter, and my Leonatus

Our neighbour shepherd's son !

Re-enter QUEEN.

Cym. Thou foolish thing!

[To the QUEEN.] They were again together: you have Not after our command. Away with her,

And pen her up.

Queen. Beseech your patience.-Peace,

Dear lady daughter, peace!-Sweet sovereign,

[done

Leave us to ourselves; and make yourself some comfort
Out of your best advice.

Cym. Nay, let her languish

A drop of blood a day; and, being agèd,
Die of this folly!

Enter PISANIO.

Queen. Fie!-you must give way:

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SCENE III-A Public Place.

Enter CLOTEN and two Lords.

1 Lord. Sir, I would advise you to shift a shirt; the violence of action hath made you reek as a sacrifice: where air comes out, air comes in: there's none abroad 30 wholesome as that you vent.

Clo. If my shirt were bloody, then to shift it-Have I hurt him?

2 Lord. [Aside] No, faith; not so much as his patience.

1 Lord. Hurt him! his body's a passable carcase, if he be not hurt: it is a thoroughfare for steel, if it be not hurt.

2 Lord. [Aside.] His steel was in debt; it went o' the backside the town.

Clo. The villain would not stand me.

2 Lord. [Aside] No; but he fled forward still, toward your face.

1 Lord. Stand you! You have land enough of your own: but he added to your having-gave you some ground.

2 Lord. [Aside.] As many inches as you have oceans. Puppies!

Clo. I would they had not come between us.

2 Lord. [Aside.] So would I, till you had measured how long a fool you were upon the ground.

Clo. And that she should love this fellow, and refuse

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SCENE IV.-A Room in CYMBELINE'S Palace.

Enter IMOGEN and PISANIO.

Imo. I would thou grew'st unto the shores o' the haven
And question'dst every sail: if he should write,
And I not have it, 'twere a paper lost,

As offer'd mercy is. What was the last

That he spake to thee?

Pis. 'Twas, His queen, his queen!

Imo. Then waved his handkerchief?

Pis. And kiss'd it, Madam.

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

Pis. No, Madam; for so long

As he could make me with this eye or car

[Exil. Distinguish 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 express how slow his soul sail'd on,
How swift his ship.

Here is your servant.-How now, Sir! What news?
Pis. My lord your son drew on my master.

Queen. Ha!

No harm, I trust, is done?

Pis. There might have been,

But that my master rather play'd than fought,
And had no help of anger: they were parted

By gentlemen at hand.

Queen. I am very glad on't.

Imo. Your son's my father's friend; he takes his To draw upon an exile!-O brave Sir!

I would they were in Afric both together;

[part.

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SCENE V.-ROME. An Apartment in PHILARIO's House. Enter PHILARIO, IACHIMO, a Frenchman, a Dutchman, and a Spaniard.

Iach. Believe it, Sir, I have seen him in Britain; he was then of a crescent note, expected to prove so worthy as since he hath been allowed the name of: but I could then have looked on him without the help of admiration; though the catalogue of his endowments had been tabled by his side, and I to peruse him by items. Phi. You speak of him when he was less furnished than now he is, with that which makes him both without and within.

French. I have seen him in France; we had very many there could behold the sun with as firm eyes as he. lach. This matter of marrying his king's daughter (wherein he must be weighed rather by her value than his own) words him, I doubt not, a great deal from the matter.

French. And then his banishment,—

Iach. Ay, and the approbation of those that weep this lamentable divorce, under her colours, are wonderfully to extend him; be it but to fortify her judg ment, which else an easy battery might lay flat, for taking a beggar without more quality. But how comes it he is to sojourn with you? how creeps acquaintance? Phi. His father and I were soldiers together; to whom I have been often bound for no less than my life.

Enter POSTHUMUS.

Here comes the Briton: let him be so entertained amongst you as suits, with gentlemen of your knowing, to a stranger of his quality.-I beseech 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.

French, Sir, we have known together in Orleans.

Post. Since when I have been debtor to you for courtesies, which I will be ever to pay, and yet pay still.

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

Post. By your pardon, Sir, I was then a young traveller: rather shunned to go even with what I heard, than in my every action to be guided by others' experiences; but, upon my mended judgment, (if I offend not to say it is mended,) my quarrel was not altogether slight.

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

Iach. Can we, with manners, ask what was the difference?

French. Safely, I think: 'twas a contention in public, which may, without contradiction, suffer the report. It was much like an argument that fell out last night, where each of us fell in praise of our country mistresses: this gentleman at that time vouching (and upon warrant of bloody affirmation) his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, constant-qualified, and less attemptable, than any the rarest of our ladies in France. Iach. That lady is not now living; or this gentleman's opinion, by this, worn out.

Post. She holds her virtue still, and I my mind. lach. You must not so far prefer her 'fore ours of Italy.

Post. Being so far provoked as I was in France, I would abate her nothing; though I profess myself her adorer, not her friend.

Iach. As fair, and as good, (a kind of hand-in-hand comparison,) had been something too fair, and too good, for any lady in Brittany. If she went before others I have seen, as that diamond of yours out-lustres many I have beheld, I could not but believe she excelled many: but I have not seen the most precious diamond that is, nor you the lady.

Post. I praised her as I rated her; so do I my stone. Jach. What do you esteem it at?

Post. More than the world enjoys.

Iach. Either your unparagoned mistress is dead, or she's outprized by a trifle.

Post. You are mistaken: the one may be sold or given, if there were wealth enough for the purchase, or 1 merit for the gift; the other is not a thing for sale, and only the gift of the gods.

Lach. Which the gods have given you?
Post. Which, by their graces, I will keep

Iach. You may wear her in title yours; but, you know, strange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. Your ring may be stolen, too: so, of your brace of unprizeable estimations, the one is but frail, and the other casual; a cunning thief, or a that-way-accom plished courtier, would hazard the winning both of first

and last.

Post. Your Italy contains none so accomplished a courtier to convince the honour of my mistress; if, in | the holding or loss of that, you term her frail. I do no thing doubt you have store of thieves; notwithstanding, I fear not my ring.

Phi. Let us leave here, gentlemen.

Post. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy signior. I thank him, makes no stranger of me; we are familiar at first.

Iach. With five times so much conversation, I should get ground of your fair mistress: make her go back even to the yielding, had I admittance, and oppor tunity to friend.

Post. No, no.

Iach. I dare thereon pawn the moiety of my estate to your ring; which, in my opinion, o'er-values it something: but I make my wager rather against your herein too, I durst attempt it against any lady in the confidence than her reputation; and, to bar your offence

world.

Post. You are a great deal abused in too bold a persuasion; and I doubt not you sustain what you're worthy of by your attempt.

lach. What's that?

Post. A repulse: though your attempt, as you call it, deserve more,-a punishment too.

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

Iach Would I had put my estate, and my neigh bour's, on the approbation of what I have spoke! Post. What lady would you choose to assail? Iach. Yours; whom in constancy, you think, stands so safe. 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 so reserved.

Post. 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 wiser. If you buy ladies' flesh at a million a dram, you cannot preserve it from tainting: but I see you have some re ligion in you, that you fear.

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

Iach. I am the master of my speeches; and would undergo what's spoken, I swear.

Post. Will you?-I shall but lend my diamond till your return. Let there be covenants drawn between us:-my mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness of your unworthy thinking: I dare you to this match:

here's my ring.

Phi. I will have it no lay.

Iach. By the gods, it is one.-If I bring you no suff cient testimony that I have enjoyed the dearest bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand ducats are yours; so is your diamond too. If I come of, and leave her in such honour as you have trust in, she your jewel, this your jewel, and my gold are yours:-pro

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vided I have your commendation, for my more free entertainment.

Post. I embrace these conditions; let us have articles betwixt us. Only, thus far you shall answer: if you make your voyage upon her, and give me directly to understand you have prevailed, I am no further your enemy; she is not worth our debate: if she remain unseduced, (you not making it appear otherwise,) for your ill opinion, and the assault you have made to her chastity, you shall answer me with your sword.

Iach. Your hand; a covenant: we will have these things set down by lawful counsel, and straight away for Britain, lest the bargain should catch cold, and starve: I will fetch my gold, and have our two wagers recorded.

Post. Agreed. [Exeunt POSTHUMUS and IACHIMO. French. Will this hold, think you?

Phi. Signior Iachimo will not from it. Pray, let us follow 'em.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VI.-BRITAIN. A Room in CYMBELINE'S

Palace.

Enter QUEEN, Ladies, and CORNELIUS.

Queen. Whiles yet the dew's on ground, gather those Make haste; who has the note of them?

1 Lady. I, Madam. Queen. Despatch.

[flowers.

[Exeunt Ladies.

Now, master doctor, have you brought those drugs?
Cor. Pleaseth your highness, ay: here they are,
Madam.-
[Presenting a small box.
But I beseech your grace, without offence,
(My conscience bids me ask,) wherefore you have
Commanded of me these most poisonous compounds,
Which are the movers of a languishing death;
But, though slow, deadly?

Queen. I do wonder, doctor,

Thou ask'st me such a question. Have I not been
Thy pupil long? Hast thou not learn'd me how
To make perfumes? distil? preserve? yea, so
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 conclusions? I will try the forces

Of these thy compounds on such creatures as

We count not worth the hanging, (but none human,)
To try the vigour of them, and apply
Allayments to their act, and by them gather
Their several virtues and effects.

Cor. Your highness

Shall from this practice but make hard your heart:
Besides, the seeing these effects will be
Both noisome and infectious.

Queen. O, content thee.

Enter PISANIO.

[Aside.] Here comes a flattering rascal; upon him Will I first work: he's for his master,

And enemy to my son.-How now, Pisanio!

Doctor, your service for this time is ended;

Take your own way.

Cor. [Aside. ] I do suspect you, Madam;

But you shall do no harm.

Queen. [To PISANIO.] Hark thee, a word.-

Cor. Aside. I do not like her. She doth think she Strange lingering poisons: I do know her spirit, [has And will not trust one of her malice with

A drug of such damn'd nature. Those she has
Will stupify and dull the sense a while:

Which first, perchance, she'll prove on cats and dogs;
Then afterward up higher; but there is

No danger in what show of death it makes,
More than the locking up the spirits a time,
To be more fresh, reviving. She is fool'd
With a most false effect; and I the truer,
So to be false with her.

Queen. No further service, doctor,

Until I send for thee.

Cor. I humbly take my leave.
Queen. Weeps she still, say'st thou?
think in time

[Exit. Dost thou

She will not quench, and let instructions enter
Where folly now possesses? Do thou work;
When thou shalt bring me word she loves my son,
I'll tell thee on the instant thou art then
As great as is thy master: greater, for
His fortunes all lie speechless, and his name

Is at last gasp: return he cannot, nor
Continue where he is: to shift his being,
Is to exchange one misery with another;

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,-
Who cannot be new built, nor has no friends

[The QUEEN drops a box; PISANIO takes it up.
So much as but to prop him?-Thou tak'st up
Thou know'st not what; but take it for thy labour:
It is a thing I made, which hath the king
Five times redeem'd from death. I do not know
What is more cordial.-Nay, I pr'ythee, take it;
It is an earnest of a further good

That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how
The case stands with her; do't as from thyself.
Think what a chance thou changest on; but think
Thou hast thy mistress still; to boot, my son,
Who shall take notice of thee. I'll move the king
To any shape of thy preferment, such

As thou 'lt desire; and then myself, I chiefly,
That set thee on to this desert, am bound
To load thy merit richly. Call my women:
Think on my words. [Exit PISA.]-A sly and constant
Not to be shaked: the agent for his master; [knave:
And the remembrancer of her, to hold

The handfast to her lord.-I have given him that
Which, if he take, shall quite unpeople her
Of liegers for her sweet; and which she after,
Except she bend her humour, shall be assured

Re-enter PISANIO and Ladies.
To taste of too,-So, so;-well done, well done:
The violets, cowslips, and the primroses,
Bear to my closet.-Fare thee well, Pisanio;
Think on my words. [Exeunt QUEEN and Ladies.

Pis. And shall do:

But when to my good lord I prove untrue, I'll choke myself; there's all I'll do for you.

SCENE VII.-Another Room in the same.
Enter IMOGEN.

Imo. A father cruel, and a step-dame false; A foolish suitor to a wedded lady,

[Exit.

That hath her husband banish'd ;-0, that husband!
My supreme crown of grief! and those repeated
Vexations of it! Had I been thief-stolen,
As my two brothers, happy! but most miserable
Is the desire that's glorious. Bless'd be those,
How mean soe'er, that have their honest wills,
Which seasons comfort.-Who may this be? Fie!
Enter PISANIO and IACHIMO.
Pis. Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome
Comes from my lord with letters.
Iach. Change you, Madam?
The worthy Leonatus is in safety,
And greets your highness dearly.

Imo. Thanks, good Sir:

You are kindly welcome.

[Presents a letter.

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In all that I can do.

Iach. Thanks, fairest lady.

What! are men mad? Hath nature given them eyes
To see this vaulted arch, and the rich crop

Of sea and land, which can distinguish 'twixt
The fiery orbs above, and the twina'd stones
Upon the number'd beach? and can we not
Partition make with spectacles so precious
'Twixt fair and foul?

Imo. What makes your admiration?

Iach. It cannot be i' the eye; for apes and monkeys, 'Twixt two such shes, would chatter this way, and Contemn with mows the other: nor i' the judgment, For idiots, in this case of favour, would Be wisely definite: nor i' the appetite; Sluttery, to such neat excellence opposed, Should make desire vomit emptiness,

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