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.

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.

This is a thing

Post.
Which you might from relation likewise reap,

Being, as it is, much spoke of.

The roof o' the chamber

Iach.
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.

83. So likely to report themselves, telling their own story so clearly.

83. cutter, carver.

90. nicely depending on

80

90

their brands, daintily inclined upon their inverted torches. Cf. Sonnets cliii. cliv.

91. This is her honour! Posthumus ironically scoffs at Iachimo's notions of evidence.

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.

Once more let me behold it: is it that

Which I left with her?

Iach.

Jove!

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.

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;

Back my ring:

And so, I hope, he came by 't.

Render to me some corporal sign about her, More evident than this; for this was stolen. 102. did outsell, outdid in value.

ΙΙΟ

120

Iach. 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

Never talk on 't;

This is not strong enough to be believed
Of one persuaded well of—

Post.

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,
Were there no more but it.

Iach.

140

Will you hear more?

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-

Phi.

[Exit.

Quite besides

The government of patience! You have won :
Let's follow him, and pervert the present wrath
He hath against himself.

Iach.

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,

ΤΟ

II. pudency, modesty.
15. at first, at the first attempt.

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.

The woman's part in me!

Could I find out

For there's no motion

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.

20

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 with us?

16. a German one, a wild boar, the hunting of which was especially associated with Ger

many.

25. change of prides, pride that lightly shifts its ground from one source of complacency to another. 26. Nice, whimsical.