The press of boats or pride : a piece of work
So bravely done, so rich, that it did strive
In workmanship and value; which I wonder'd
Could be so rarely and exactly wrought,
Since the true life on't was-
Post.

This is true;
And this you might have heard of here, by me,
Or by some other.
Iach.

More particulars
Must justify my knowledge.
Post.

So they must,
Or do your honour injury.
lach.

The chimney
Is south the chamber, and the chimney-piece
Chaste Dian bathing : never saw I figures
So likely to report themselves : the cutter
Was as another nature, dumb; outwent her,
Motion and breath left out.
Post.

This is a thing
Which you might from relation likewise reap,
Being, as it is, much spoke of.
Iach.

The roof o' the chamber
With golden cherubins is fretted : her andirons-
I had forgot them—were two winking Cupids
Of silver, each on one foot standing, nicely
Depending on their brands.
Post.

This is her honour !
Let it be granted you have seen all this—and praise
Be given to your remembrance—the description
Of what is in her chamber nothing saves
The wager you have laid.

90

Iach.

Then, if you can,

[Showing the bracelet.
Be pale: I beg but leave to air this jewel ; see !
And now 'tis up again : it must be married
To that your diamond ; I'll keep them.
Post.

Jove!
Once more let me behold it: is it that
Which I left with her ?
Iach.

Sir— I thank her—that : ico
She stripp'd it from her arm; I see her yet;
Her pretty action did outsell her gift,
And yet enrich'd it too : she gave

it
me,

and said
She prized it once.
Post.

May be she pluck'd it off
To send it me.
Iach.

She writes so to you, doth she ?
Post. O, no, no, no ! 'tis true. Here, take this

[Gives the ring
It is a basilisk unto mine eye,
Kills me to look on 't. Let there be no honour
Where there is beauty; truth, where semblance;

love,
Where there's another man : the vows of women
Of no more bondage be, to where they are made,
Than they are to their virtues; which is nothing.
O, above measure false !
Phi.

Have patience, sir,
And take your ring again ; 'tis not yet won:
It may be probable she lost it; or
Who knows if one of her women, being corrupted,
Hath stol'n it from her ?
Post.

Very true;
And so, I hope, he came by 't. Back my ring :
Render to me some corporal sign about her,
More evident than this; for this was stolen.
102. did outsell, outdid in value.

too;

110

120

Tach. By Jupiter, I had it from her arm.
Post. Hark you, he swears; by Jupiter he

Swears.

'Tis true :—nay, keep the ring—'tis true : I am sure
She would not lose it : her attendants are
All sworn and honourable :—they induced to steal

it!
And by a stranger !—No, he hath enjoy'd her:
The cognizance of her incontinency
Is this : she hath bought the name of whore thus

dearly.
There, take thy hire; and all the fiends of hell
Divide themselves between you !
Phi.

Sir, be patient : 130
This is not strong enough to be believed
Of one persuaded well of —
Post.

Never talk on 't;
She hath been colted by him.
Iach.

If you seek
For further satisfying, under her breast --
Worthy the pressing-lies a mole, right proud
Of that most delicate lodging : by my life,
I kiss'd it; and it gave me present hunger
To feed again, though full. You do remember
This stain upon her ?
Post.

Ay, and it doth confirm
Another stain, as big as hell can hold,

140 Were there no more but it. Iach.

Will
you

hear more? Post. Spare your arithmetic : never count the

turns; Once, and a million ! Iach.

I'll be swornPost.

No swearing If you will swear you

have not done 't, you lie ; 132. Of one persuaded well, by one convinced of (his lady's virtue).

And I will kill thee, if thou dost deny
Thou 'st made me cuckold.
Iach.

I'll deny nothing. Post. O, that I had her here, to tear her limb.

meal ! I will go there and do't i’ the court, before Her father. I'll do something

[Exit. Phi.

Quite besides
The government of patience !

You have won :
Let 's follow him, and pervert the present wrath
He hath against himself.
lach.

With all my heart. [Exeunt.

150

SCENE V.

Another room in Philario's house.

Enter POSTHUMUS.
Post. Is there no way for men to be but women
Must be half-workers ? We are all bastards;
And that most venerable man which I
Did call my father, was I know not where
When I was stamp'd; some coiner with his tools
Made me a counterfeit : yet my mother seem'd
The Dian of that time: so doth my wife
The nonpareil of this. O, vengeance, vengeance !
Me of my lawful pleasure she restrain'd
And pray'd me oft forbearance ; did it with
A pudency so rosy the sweet view on 't
Might well have warm’d old Saturn; that I thought

her
As chaste as unsunn'd snow. O, all the devils !
This yellow Iachimo, in an hour,—was 't not ?-
Or less,—at first ?-perchance he spoke not, but,

ΙΟ

Like a full-acorn'd boar, a German one,
Cried ‘O!' and mounted; found no opposition
But what he look'd for should oppose and she
Should from encounter guard. Could I find out
The woman's part in me!

For there's no motion 20
That tends to vice in man, but I affirm
It is the woman's part : be it lying, note it,
The woman's ; flattering, hers; deceiving, hers;
Lust and rank thoughts, hers, hers; revenges, hers;
Ambitions, covetings, change of prides, disdain,
Nice longing, slanders, mutability,
All faults that may be named, nay, that hell knows,
Why, hers, in part or all; but rather, all ;
For even to vice
They are not constant, but are changing still
One vice, but of a minute old, for one
Not half so old as that. I'll write against them,
Detest them, curse them : yet 'tis greater skill
In a true hate, to pray they have their will :
The very devils cannot plague them better.

[Exit.

30

ACT III.

SCENE I.

Britain. A hall in Cymbeline's palace.

Enter in state, CYMBELINE, QUEEN, CLOTEN, and

Lords at one door, and at another, CAIUS

LUCIUS and Attendants.
Cym. Now say, what would Augustus Cæsar