100

ΙΙο

Thou art too slow to do thy master's bidding,
When I desire it too.
Pis.

O gracious lady,
Since I received command to do this business
I have not slept one wink.
Imo.

Do't, and to bed then.
Pis. I'll wake mine eye-balls blind first.
Imo.

Wherefore then
Didst undertake it? Why hast thou abused
So many miles with a pretence ? this place?
Mine action and thine own? our horses' labour?
The time inviting thee? the perturb'd court,
For my being absent? whereunto I never
Purpose return. Why hast thou gone so far,
To be unbent when thou hast ta’en thy stand,
The elected deer before thee?
Pis.

But to win time
To lose so bad employment; in the which
I have consider'd of a course.
Hear me with patience.
Imo.

Talk thy tongue weary ; speak :
I have heard I am a strumpet ; and mine ear,
Therein false struck, can take no greater wound,
Nor tent to bottom that. But speak.
Pis.

Then, madam,
I thought you would not back again.
Imo.

Most like;
Bringing me here to kill me.
Pis.

Not so, neither :
But if I were as wise as honest, then
My purpose would prove well. It cannot be
But that my master is abused :
104. wake, watch.

Good lady,

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
Some bloody sign of it ; for 'tis commanded
I should do so : you shall be miss'd at court,
And that will well confirm it.
Imo.

Why, good fellow, 130
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
As fearful as a siege.
Pis.

If not at court,
Then not in Britain must you bide.
Imo.

Where then ?
Hath Britain all the sun that shines ? Day, night,
Are they not but in Britain ? I' the world's volume
Our Britain seems as of it, but not in 't ;
In a great pool a swan's nest: prithee, think
There's livers out of Britain.
Pis.

I am most glad
You think of other place. The ambassador,
Lucius the Roman, comes to Milford-Haven
Tomorrow : now, if you could wear a mind
Dark as your fortune is, and but disguise
That which, to appear itself, must not yet be

140

135. harsh, rude.

suitable to one of obscure staib. noble, ironically said of tion. Cloten's high birth in contrast 148. That which can only with his rudeness and simplicity.

appear itself to you own peril 147. Dark as your fortuner (viz. your rank and sex).

150

But by self-danger, you should tread a course
Pretty and full of view ; yea, haply, near
The residence of Posthumus; so nigh at least
That though his actions were not visible, yet
Report should render him hourly to your ear
As truly as he moves.
Imo.

O, for such means !
Though peril to my modesty, not death on 't,
I wouid adventure.
Pis.

Well, then, here's the point:
You must forget to be a woman; change
Command into obedience: fear and niceness-
The handmaids of all women, or, more truly,
Woman it pretty self—into a waggish courage :
Ready in gibes, quick-answer’d, saucy and
As quarrelous as the weasel; nay, you must
Forget that rarest treasure of your cheek,
Exposing it—but, O, the harder heart !
Alack, no remedy !--to the greedy touch
Of common-kissing Titan, and forget
Your laboursome and dainty trims, wherein
You made great Juno angry.
Imo.

Nay, be brief:
I see into thy end, and am almost
A man already.
Pis.

First, make yourself but like one. 170
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,

160 180

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 're happy,—which you 'll make him

know, If that his head have ear in music,-doubtless With joy he will embrace you, for he's honour

able
And doubling that, most holy. Your means

abroad,
You have me, rich; and I will never fail
Beginning nor supplyment.
Imo.

Thou art all the comfort
The gods will diet me with. Prithee, away :
There's more to be consider'd; but we'll even
All that good time will give us : this attempt
I am soldier to, and will abide it with
A prince's courage. Away, I prithee.
Pis. Well, madam, we must take a short fare-

well,
Lest, being miss'd, I be suspected of
Your carriage from the court. My noble mistress, 190
Here is a box; I had it from the queen :
What's in 't is precious; if you are sick at sea,
Or stomach-qualm'd at land, a dram of this
Will drive away distemper. To some shade,
And fit you to your manhood. May the gods
Direct you to the best !

Imo. Amen: I thank thee. [Exeunt, severally.

SCENE V. A room in Cymbeline's palace.
Enter CYMBELINE, QUEEN, CLOTEN, LUCIUS,

Lords, and Attendants.
Cym. Thus far; and so farewell.
Luc.

Thanks, royal sir.
My emperor hath wrote, I must from hence;
And am right sorry that I must report ye
My master's enemy.
Сут.

Our subjects, sir,
Will not endure his yoke; and for ourself
To show less sovereignty than they, must needs
Appear unkinglike.
Luc.

So, sir : I desire of you
A conduct over-land to Milford-Haven.
Madam, all joy befal your grace !
Queen.

And you !
Cym. My lords, you are appointed for that

office;
The due of honour in no point omit.
So farewell, noble Lucius.
Luc.

Your hand, my lord.
Clo. Receive it friendly; but from this time

forth I wear it as your enemy. Luc.

Sir, the event Is yet to name the winner : fare you well. Cym. Leave not the worthy Lucius, good my

lords, Till he have cross'd the Severn. Happiness!

[Exeunt Lucius and Lords. Queen. He goes hence frowning : but it honours

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