To greet your lord with writing, do't to-night: Imo. I will write. Send your trunk to me; it shall safe be kept, [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I.-Court before CYMBELINE's Palace. Enter CLOTEN, and Two Lords. Clo. Was there ever man had such luck! when I kissed 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. If his wit had been like him that broke it, it would have ran all out. [Aside. Clo. When a gentleman is disposed to swear, it is not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths: Ha? 2 Lord. No, my lord; nor [Aside.] crop the ears of them. Clo. Whoreson dog!-I give him satisfaction? 'Would, he had been one of my rank! [Aside. 2 Lord. To have smelt like a fool. Clo. I am not more vexed 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 jack-slave hath his belly-full of fighting, and I must go up and down like a cock that nobody can match. 2 Lord. You are a cock and capon too; and you crow, cock, with your comb on. Clo. Sayest thou? [Aside. 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 1 not know on't! not. 2 Lord. He's a strange fellow himself, and knows it [Aside. 1 Lord. There's an Italian come; and, 'tis thought, one of Leonatus' friends. Clo. Leonatus! a banished 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. You are a fool granted; therefore your issues being foolish, do not derogate. [Aside. Clo. Come, I'll go see this Italian: What I have lost to-day at bowls, I'll win to-night of him. Come, go. 2 Lord. I'll attend your lordship. [Exeunt CLOTEN and First Lord. That such a crafty devil as is his mother Should yield the world this ass! a woman, that Cannot take two from twenty for his heart, Of the divorce he'd make! The heavens hold firm [Exit. SCENE II.—A Bed-chamber; in one Part of it a Trunk. IMOGEN reading in her Bed; a Lady attending. Imo. Who's there? my woman Helen? Lady. Please you, madam. 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 pr'ythee, call me. Sleep hath seiz'd me wholly. [Exit Lady. To your protection I commend me, gods! Guard me, beseech ye! [Sleeps. IACHIMO, from the Trunk. Iach. The crickets sing, and man's o'er-laboured sense Repairs itself by rest: Our Tarquin thus Did softly press the rushes, ere he waken'd How bravely thou becom'st thy bed! fresh lily! Ah, but some natural notes about her body, As slippery, as the Gordian knot was hard !--- |