1
Britain. The garden of Cymbeline’s palace.
4
You do not meet a man but frowns: our bloods
5
No more obey the heavens than our courtiers
6
Still seem as does the king.
10
His daughter, and the heir of's kingdom, whom
11
He purposed to his wife's sole son—a widow
12
That late he married—hath referr'd herself
13
Unto a poor but worthy gentleman: she's wedded;
14
Her husband banish'd; she imprison'd: all
15
Is outward sorrow; though I think the king
16
Be touch'd at very heart.
20
He that hath lost her too; so is the queen,
21
That most desired the match; but not a courtier,
22
Although they wear their faces to the bent
23
Of the king's look's, hath a heart that is not
24
Glad at the thing they scowl at.
28
He that hath miss'd the princess is a thing
29
Too bad for bad report: and he that hath her—
30
I mean, that married her, alack, good man!
31
And therefore banish'd—is a creature such
32
As, to seek through the regions of the earth
33
For one his like, there would be something failing
34
In him that should compare. I do not think
35
So fair an outward and such stuff within
40
I do extend him, sir, within himself,
41
Crush him together rather than unfold
44
What's his name and birth?
46
I cannot delve him to the root: his father
47
Was call'd Sicilius, who did join his honour
48
Against the Romans with Cassibelan,
49
But had his titles by Tenantius whom
50
He served with glory and admired success,
51
So gain'd the sur-addition Leonatus;
52
And had, besides this gentleman in question,
53
Two other sons, who in the wars o' the time
54
Died with their swords in hand; for which
56
Then old and fond of issue, took such sorrow
57
That he quit being, and his gentle lady,
58
Big of this gentleman our theme, deceased
59
As he was born. The king he takes the babe
60
To his protection, calls him Posthumus Leonatus,
61
Breeds him and makes him of his bed-chamber,
62
Puts to him all the learnings that his time
63
Could make him the receiver of; which he took,
64
As we do air, fast as 'twas minister'd,
65
And in's spring became a harvest, lived in court—
66
Which rare it is to do—most praised, most loved,
67
A sample to the youngest, to the more mature
68
A glass that feated them, and to the graver
69
A child that guided dotards; to his mistress,
70
For whom he now is banish'd, her own price
71
Proclaims how she esteem'd him and his virtue;
72
By her election may be truly read
73
What kind of man he is.
76
Even out of your report. But, pray you, tell me,
77
Is she sole child to the king?
80
He had two sons: if this be worth your hearing,
81
Mark it: the eldest of them at three years old,
82
I' the swathing-clothes the other, from their nursery
83
Were stol'n, and to this hour no guess in knowledge
90
That a king's children should be so convey'd,
91
So slackly guarded, and the search so slow,
92
That could not trace them!
94
Howsoe'er 'tis strange,
95
Or that the negligence may well be laugh'd at,
98
I do well believe you.
100
We must forbear: here comes the gentleman,
101
The queen, and princess.
103
[Enter the QUEEN, POSTHUMUS LEONATUS, and IMOGEN]
105
No, be assured you shall not find me, daughter,
106
After the slander of most stepmothers,
107
Evil-eyed unto you: you're my prisoner, but
108
Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys
109
That lock up your restraint. For you, Posthumus,
110
So soon as I can win the offended king,
111
I will be known your advocate: marry, yet
112
The fire of rage is in him, and 'twere good
113
You lean'd unto his sentence with what patience
114
Your wisdom may inform you.
116
Please your highness,
117
I will from hence to-day.
120
I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying
121
The pangs of barr'd affections, though the king
122
Hath charged you should not speak together.
126
Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant
127
Can tickle where she wounds! My dearest husband,
128
I something fear my father's wrath; but nothing—
129
Always reserved my holy duty—what
130
His rage can do on me: you must be gone;
131
And I shall here abide the hourly shot
132
Of angry eyes, not comforted to live,
133
But that there is this jewel in the world
134
That I may see again.
136
My queen! my mistress!
137
O lady, weep no more, lest I give cause
138
To be suspected of more tenderness
139
Than doth become a man. I will remain
140
The loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth:
141
My residence in Rome at one Philario's,
142
Who to my father was a friend, to me
143
Known but by letter: thither write, my queen,
144
And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you send,
145
Though ink be made of gall.
148
Be brief, I pray you:
149
If the king come, I shall incur I know not
150
How much of his displeasure.
153
To walk this way: I never do him wrong,
154
But he does buy my injuries, to be friends;
155
Pays dear for my offences.
158
Should we be taking leave
159
As long a term as yet we have to live,
160
The loathness to depart would grow. Adieu!
163
Were you but riding forth to air yourself,
164
Such parting were too petty. Look here, love;
165
This diamond was my mother's: take it, heart;
166
But keep it till you woo another wife,
170
You gentle gods, give me but this I have,
171
And sear up my embracements from a next
173
[Putting on the ring]
174
Remain, remain thou here
175
While sense can keep it on. And, sweetest, fairest,
176
As I my poor self did exchange for you,
177
To your so infinite loss, so in our trifles
178
I still win of you: for my sake wear this;
179
It is a manacle of love; I'll place it
180
Upon this fairest prisoner.
181
[Putting a bracelet upon her arm]
184
When shall we see again?
185
[Enter CYMBELINE and Lords]
189
Thou basest thing, avoid! hence, from my sight!
190
If after this command thou fraught the court
191
With thy unworthiness, thou diest: away!
192
Thou'rt poison to my blood.
194
The gods protect you!
195
And bless the good remainders of the court! I am gone.
198
There cannot be a pinch in death
199
More sharp than this is.
202
That shouldst repair my youth, thou heap'st
206
Harm not yourself with your vexation
207
I am senseless of your wrath; a touch more rare
208
Subdues all pangs, all fears.
210
Past grace? obedience?
212
Past hope, and in despair; that way, past grace.
214
That mightst have had the sole son of my queen!
216
O blest, that I might not! I chose an eagle,
217
And did avoid a puttock.
219
Thou took'st a beggar; wouldst have made my throne
228
It is your fault that I have loved Posthumus:
229
You bred him as my playfellow, and he is
230
A man worth any woman, overbuys me
231
Almost the sum he pays.
235
Almost, sir: heaven restore me! Would I were
236
A neat-herd's daughter, and my Leonatus
237
Our neighbour shepherd's son!
241
They were again together: you have done
242
Not after our command. Away with her,
245
Beseech your patience. Peace,
246
Dear lady daughter, peace! Sweet sovereign,
247
Leave us to ourselves; and make yourself some comfort
248
Out of your best advice.
250
Nay, let her languish
251
A drop of blood a day; and, being aged,
253
[Exeunt CYMBELINE and Lords]
255
Fie! you must give way.
257
Here is your servant. How now, sir! What news?
259
My lord your son drew on my master.
262
No harm, I trust, is done?
264
There might have been,
265
But that my master rather play'd than fought
266
And had no help of anger: they were parted
267
By gentlemen at hand.
271
Your son's my father's friend; he takes his part.
272
To draw upon an exile! O brave sir!
273
I would they were in Afric both together;
274
Myself by with a needle, that I might prick
275
The goer-back. Why came you from your master?
277
On his command: he would not suffer me
278
To bring him to the haven; left these notes
279
Of what commands I should be subject to,
280
When 't pleased you to employ me.
283
Your faithful servant: I dare lay mine honour
286
I humbly thank your highness.
290
About some half-hour hence,
291
I pray you, speak with me: you shall at least
292
Go see my lord aboard: for this time leave me.
1
The same. A public place.
2
[Enter CLOTEN and two Lords]
4
Sir, I would advise you to shift a shirt; the
5
violence of action hath made you reek as a
6
sacrifice: where air comes out, air comes in:
7
there's none abroad so wholesome as that you vent.
9
If my shirt were bloody, then to shift it. Have I hurt him?
11
[Aside]No, 'faith; not so much as his patience.
13
Hurt him! his body's a passable carcass, if he be
14
not hurt: it is a thoroughfare for steel, if it be not hurt.
16
[Aside]His steel was in debt; it went o' the
19
The villain would not stand me.
21
[Aside]No; but he fled forward still, toward your face.
23
Stand you! You have land enough of your own: but
24
he added to your having; gave you some ground.
26
[Aside]As many inches as you have oceans. Puppies!
28
I would they had not come between us.
30
[Aside]So would I, till you had measured how long
31
a fool you were upon the ground.
33
And that she should love this fellow and refuse me!
35
[Aside]If it be a sin to make a true election, she
38
Sir, as I told you always, her beauty and her brain
39
go not together: she's a good sign, but I have seen
40
small reflection of her wit.
42
[Aside]She shines not upon fools, lest the
43
reflection should hurt her.
45
Come, I'll to my chamber. Would there had been some
48
[Aside]I wish not so; unless it had been the fall
49
of an ass, which is no great hurt.
53
I'll attend your lordship.
55
Nay, come, let's go together.
1
A room in Cymbeline’s palace.
2
[Enter IMOGEN and PISANIO]
4
I would thou grew'st unto the shores o' the haven,
5
And question'dst every sail: if he should write
6
And not have it, 'twere a paper lost,
7
As offer'd mercy is. What was the last
10
It was his queen, his queen!
12
Then waved his handkerchief?
16
Senseless Linen! happier therein than I!
19
No, madam; for so long
20
As he could make me with this eye or ear
21
Distinguish him from others, he did keep
22
The deck, with glove, or hat, or handkerchief,
23
Still waving, as the fits and stirs of 's mind
24
Could best express how slow his soul sail'd on,
27
Thou shouldst have made him
28
As little as a crow, or less, ere left
33
I would have broke mine eye-strings; crack'd them, but
34
To look upon him, till the diminution
35
Of space had pointed him sharp as my needle,
36
Nay, follow'd him, till he had melted from
37
The smallness of a gnat to air, and then
38
Have turn'd mine eye and wept. But, good Pisanio,
39
When shall we hear from him?
42
With his next vantage.
44
I did not take my leave of him, but had
45
Most pretty things to say: ere I could tell him
46
How I would think on him at certain hours
47
Such thoughts and such, or I could make him swear
48
The shes of Italy should not betray
49
Mine interest and his honour, or have charged him,
50
At the sixth hour of morn, at noon, at midnight,
51
To encounter me with orisons, for then
52
I am in heaven for him; or ere I could
53
Give him that parting kiss which I had set
54
Betwixt two charming words, comes in my father
55
And like the tyrannous breathing of the north
56
Shakes all our buds from growing.
60
Desires your highness' company.
62
Those things I bid you do, get them dispatch'd.
63
I will attend the queen.
1
Rome. Philario’s house.
2
[Enter PHILARIO, IACHIMO, a Frenchman, a] [p]Dutchman, and a Spaniard]
4
Believe it, sir, I have seen him in Britain: he was
5
then of a crescent note, expected to prove so worthy
6
as since he hath been allowed the name of; but I
7
could then have looked on him without the help of
8
admiration, though the catalogue of his endowments
9
had been tabled by his side and I to peruse him by items.
11
You speak of him when he was less furnished than now
12
he is with that which makes him both without and within.
14
I have seen him in France: we had very many there
15
could behold the sun with as firm eyes as he.
17
This matter of marrying his king's daughter, wherein
18
he must be weighed rather by her value than his own,
19
words him, I doubt not, a great deal from the matter.
21
And then his banishment.
23
Ay, and the approbation of those that weep this
24
lamentable divorce under her colours are wonderfully
25
to extend him; be it but to fortify her judgment,
26
which else an easy battery might lay flat, for
27
taking a beggar without less quality. But how comes
28
it he is to sojourn with you? How creeps
31
His father and I were soldiers together; to whom I
32
have been often bound for no less than my life.
33
Here comes the Briton: let him be so entertained
34
amongst you as suits, with gentlemen of your
35
knowing, to a stranger of his quality.
36
[Enter POSTHUMUS LEONATUS]
37
I beseech you all, be better known to this
38
gentleman; whom I commend to you as a noble friend
39
of mine: how worthy he is I will leave to appear
40
hereafter, rather than story him in his own hearing.
42
Sir, we have known together in Orleans.
44
Since when I have been debtor to you for courtesies,
45
which I will be ever to pay and yet pay still.
47
Sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindness: I was glad I
48
did atone my countryman and you; it had been pity
49
you should have been put together with so mortal a
50
purpose as then each bore, upon importance of so
51
slight and trivial a nature.
53
By your pardon, sir, I was then a young traveller;
54
rather shunned to go even with what I heard than in
55
my every action to be guided by others' experiences:
56
but upon my mended judgment—if I offend not to say
57
it is mended—my quarrel was not altogether slight.
59
'Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrement of swords,
60
and by such two that would by all likelihood have
61
confounded one the other, or have fallen both.
63
Can we, with manners, ask what was the difference?
65
Safely, I think: 'twas a contention in public,
66
which may, without contradiction, suffer the report.
67
It was much like an argument that fell out last
68
night, where each of us fell in praise of our
69
country mistresses; this gentleman at that time
70
vouching—and upon warrant of bloody
71
affirmation—his to be more fair, virtuous, wise,
72
chaste, constant-qualified and less attemptable
73
than any the rarest of our ladies in France.
75
That lady is not now living, or this gentleman's
76
opinion by this worn out.
78
She holds her virtue still and I my mind.
80
You must not so far prefer her 'fore ours of Italy.
82
Being so far provoked as I was in France, I would
83
abate her nothing, though I profess myself her
84
adorer, not her friend.
86
As fair and as good—a kind of hand-in-hand
87
comparison—had been something too fair and too good
88
for any lady in Britain. If she went before others
89
I have seen, as that diamond of yours outlustres
90
many I have beheld. I could not but believe she
91
excelled many: but I have not seen the most
92
precious diamond that is, nor you the lady.
94
I praised her as I rated her: so do I my stone.
96
What do you esteem it at?
98
More than the world enjoys.
100
Either your unparagoned mistress is dead, or she's
101
outprized by a trifle.
103
You are mistaken: the one may be sold, or given, if
104
there were wealth enough for the purchase, or merit
105
for the gift: the other is not a thing for sale,
106
and only the gift of the gods.
108
Which the gods have given you?
110
Which, by their graces, I will keep.
112
You may wear her in title yours: but, you know,
113
strange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. Your
114
ring may be stolen too: so your brace of unprizable
115
estimations; the one is but frail and the other
116
casual; a cunning thief, or a that way accomplished
117
courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and last.
119
Your Italy contains none so accomplished a courtier
120
to convince the honour of my mistress, if, in the
121
holding or loss of that, you term her frail. I do
122
nothing doubt you have store of thieves;
123
notwithstanding, I fear not my ring.
125
Let us leave here, gentlemen.
127
Sir, with all my heart. This worthy signior, I
128
thank him, makes no stranger of me; we are familiar at first.
130
With five times so much conversation, I should get
131
ground of your fair mistress, make her go back, even
132
to the yielding, had I admittance and opportunity to friend.
136
I dare thereupon pawn the moiety of my estate to
137
your ring; which, in my opinion, o'ervalues it
138
something: but I make my wager rather against your
139
confidence than her reputation: and, to bar your
140
offence herein too, I durst attempt it against any
143
You are a great deal abused in too bold a
144
persuasion; and I doubt not you sustain what you're
145
worthy of by your attempt.
149
A repulse: though your attempt, as you call it,
150
deserve more; a punishment too.
152
Gentlemen, enough of this: it came in too suddenly;
153
let it die as it was born, and, I pray you, be
156
Would I had put my estate and my neighbour's on the
157
approbation of what I have spoke!
159
What lady would you choose to assail?
161
Yours; whom in constancy you think stands so safe.
162
I will lay you ten thousand ducats to your ring,
163
that, commend me to the court where your lady is,
164
with no more advantage than the opportunity of a
165
second conference, and I will bring from thence
166
that honour of hers which you imagine so reserved.
168
I will wage against your gold, gold to it: my ring
169
I hold dear as my finger; 'tis part of it.
171
You are afraid, and therein the wiser. If you buy
172
ladies' flesh at a million a dram, you cannot
173
preserve it from tainting: but I see you have some
174
religion in you, that you fear.
176
This is but a custom in your tongue; you bear a
177
graver purpose, I hope.
179
I am the master of my speeches, and would undergo
180
what's spoken, I swear.
182
Will you? I shall but lend my diamond till your
183
return: let there be covenants drawn between's: my
184
mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness of your
185
unworthy thinking: I dare you to this match: here's my ring.
187
I will have it no lay.
189
By the gods, it is one. If I bring you no
190
sufficient testimony that I have enjoyed the dearest
191
bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand ducats
192
are yours; so is your diamond too: if I come off,
193
and leave her in such honour as you have trust in,
194
she your jewel, this your jewel, and my gold are
195
yours: provided I have your commendation for my more
198
I embrace these conditions; let us have articles
199
betwixt us. Only, thus far you shall answer: if
200
you make your voyage upon her and give me directly
201
to understand you have prevailed, I am no further
202
your enemy; she is not worth our debate: if she
203
remain unseduced, you not making it appear
204
otherwise, for your ill opinion and the assault you
205
have made to her chastity you shall answer me with
208
Your hand; a covenant: we will have these things set
209
down by lawful counsel, and straight away for
210
Britain, lest the bargain should catch cold and
211
starve: I will fetch my gold and have our two
215
[Exeunt POSTHUMUS LEONATUS and IACHIMO]
217
Will this hold, think you?
219
Signior Iachimo will not from it.
220
Pray, let us follow 'em.
1
Britain. A room in Cymbeline’s palace.
2
[Enter QUEEN, Ladies, and CORNELIUS]
4
Whiles yet the dew's on ground, gather those flowers;
5
Make haste: who has the note of them?
11
Now, master doctor, have you brought those drugs?
13
Pleaseth your highness, ay: here they are, madam:
14
[Presenting a small box]
15
But I beseech your grace, without offence,—
16
My conscience bids me ask—wherefore you have
17
Commanded of me those most poisonous compounds,
18
Which are the movers of a languishing death;
19
But though slow, deadly?
22
Thou ask'st me such a question. Have I not been
23
Thy pupil long? Hast thou not learn'd me how
24
To make perfumes? distil? preserve? yea, so
25
That our great king himself doth woo me oft
26
For my confections? Having thus far proceeded,—
27
Unless thou think'st me devilish—is't not meet
28
That I did amplify my judgment in
29
Other conclusions? I will try the forces
30
Of these thy compounds on such creatures as
31
We count not worth the hanging, but none human,
32
To try the vigour of them and apply
33
Allayments to their act, and by them gather
34
Their several virtues and effects.
37
Shall from this practise but make hard your heart:
38
Besides, the seeing these effects will be
39
Both noisome and infectious.
44
Here comes a flattering rascal; upon him
45
Will I first work: he's for his master,
46
An enemy to my son. How now, Pisanio!
47
Doctor, your service for this time is ended;
50
[Aside]I do suspect you, madam;
51
But you shall do no harm.
53
[To PISANIO]Hark thee, a word.
55
[Aside]I do not like her. She doth think she has
56
Strange lingering poisons: I do know her spirit,
57
And will not trust one of her malice with
58
A drug of such damn'd nature. Those she has
59
Will stupefy and dull the sense awhile;
60
Which first, perchance, she'll prove on
62
Then afterward up higher: but there is
63
No danger in what show of death it makes,
64
More than the locking-up the spirits a time,
65
To be more fresh, reviving. She is fool'd
66
With a most false effect; and I the truer,
67
So to be false with her.
69
No further service, doctor,
70
Until I send for thee.
72
I humbly take my leave.
75
Weeps she still, say'st thou? Dost thou think in time
76
She will not quench and let instructions enter
77
Where folly now possesses? Do thou work:
78
When thou shalt bring me word she loves my son,
79
I'll tell thee on the instant thou art then
80
As great as is thy master, greater, for
81
His fortunes all lie speechless and his name
82
Is at last gasp: return he cannot, nor
83
Continue where he is: to shift his being
84
Is to exchange one misery with another,
85
And every day that comes comes to decay
86
A day's work in him. What shalt thou expect,
87
To be depender on a thing that leans,
88
Who cannot be new built, nor has no friends,
89
So much as but to prop him?
90
[The QUEEN drops the box: PISANIO takes it up]
92
Thou know'st not what; but take it for thy labour:
93
It is a thing I made, which hath the king
94
Five times redeem'd from death: I do not know
95
What is more cordial. Nay, I prethee, take it;
96
It is an earnest of a further good
97
That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how
98
The case stands with her; do't as from thyself.
99
Think what a chance thou changest on, but think
100
Thou hast thy mistress still, to boot, my son,
101
Who shall take notice of thee: I'll move the king
102
To any shape of thy preferment such
103
As thou'lt desire; and then myself, I chiefly,
104
That set thee on to this desert, am bound
105
To load thy merit richly. Call my women:
108
A sly and constant knave,
109
Not to be shaked; the agent for his master
110
And the remembrancer of her to hold
111
The hand-fast to her lord. I have given him that
112
Which, if he take, shall quite unpeople her
113
Of liegers for her sweet, and which she after,
114
Except she bend her humour, shall be assured
116
[Re-enter PISANIO and Ladies]
117
So, so: well done, well done:
118
The violets, cowslips, and the primroses,
119
Bear to my closet. Fare thee well, Pisanio;
121
[Exeunt QUEEN and Ladies]
124
But when to my good lord I prove untrue,
125
I'll choke myself: there's all I'll do for you.
1
The same. Another room in the palace.
4
A father cruel, and a step-dame false;
5
A foolish suitor to a wedded lady,
6
That hath her husband banish'd;—O, that husband!
7
My supreme crown of grief! and those repeated
8
Vexations of it! Had I been thief-stol'n,
9
As my two brothers, happy! but most miserable
10
Is the desire that's glorious: blest be those,
11
How mean soe'er, that have their honest wills,
12
Which seasons comfort. Who may this be? Fie!
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[Enter PISANIO and IACHIMO]
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Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome,
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Comes from my lord with letters.
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The worthy Leonatus is in safety
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And greets your highness dearly.
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You're kindly welcome.
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[Aside]All of her that is out of door most rich!
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If she be furnish'd with a mind so rare,
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She is alone the Arabian bird, and I
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Have lost the wager. Boldness be my friend!
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Arm me, audacity, from head to foot!
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Or, like the Parthian, I shall flying fight;
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[Reads]'He is one of the noblest note, to whose
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kindnesses I am most infinitely tied. Reflect upon
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him accordingly, as you value your trust—
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But even the very middle of my heart
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Is warm'd by the rest, and takes it thankfully.
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You are as welcome, worthy sir, as I
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Have words to bid you, and shall find it so
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What, are men mad? Hath nature given them eyes
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To see this vaulted arch, and the rich crop
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Of sea and land, which can distinguish 'twixt
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The fiery orbs above and the twinn'd stones
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Upon the number'd beach? and can we not
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Partition make with spectacles so precious
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What makes your admiration?
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It cannot be i' the eye, for apes and monkeys
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'Twixt two such shes would chatter this way and
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Contemn with mows the other; nor i' the judgment,
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For idiots in this case of favour would
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Be wisely definite; nor i' the appetite;
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Sluttery to such neat excellence opposed
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Should make desire vomit emptiness,
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Not so allured to feed.
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What is the matter, trow?
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That satiate yet unsatisfied desire, that tub
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Both fill'd and running, ravening first the lamb
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Longs after for the garbage.
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Thus raps you? Are you well?
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Beseech you, sir, desire
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My man's abode where I did leave him: he
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Is strange and peevish.
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Continues well my lord? His health, beseech you?
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Is he disposed to mirth? I hope he is.
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Exceeding pleasant; none a stranger there
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So merry and so gamesome: he is call'd
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He did incline to sadness, and oft-times
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There is a Frenchman his companion, one
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An eminent monsieur, that, it seems, much loves
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A Gallian girl at home; he furnaces
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The thick sighs from him, whiles the jolly Briton—
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Your lord, I mean—laughs from's free lungs, cries 'O,
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Can my sides hold, to think that man, who knows
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By history, report, or his own proof,
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What woman is, yea, what she cannot choose
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But must be, will his free hours languish for
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Ay, madam, with his eyes in flood with laughter:
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It is a recreation to be by
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And hear him mock the Frenchman. But, heavens know,
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Some men are much to blame.
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Not he: but yet heaven's bounty towards him might
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Be used more thankfully. In himself, 'tis much;
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In you, which I account his beyond all talents,
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Whilst I am bound to wonder, I am bound
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What do you pity, sir?
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Two creatures heartily.
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You look on me: what wreck discern you in me
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To hide me from the radiant sun and solace
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I' the dungeon by a snuff?
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Deliver with more openness your answers
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To my demands. Why do you pity me?
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I was about to say—enjoy your—But
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It is an office of the gods to venge it,
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Not mine to speak on 't.
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Something of me, or what concerns me: pray you,—
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Since doubling things go ill often hurts more
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Than to be sure they do; for certainties
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Either are past remedies, or, timely knowing,
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The remedy then born—discover to me
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What both you spur and stop.
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To bathe my lips upon; this hand, whose touch,
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Whose every touch, would force the feeler's soul
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To the oath of loyalty; this object, which
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Takes prisoner the wild motion of mine eye,
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Fixing it only here; should I, damn'd then,
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Slaver with lips as common as the stairs
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That mount the Capitol; join gripes with hands
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Made hard with hourly falsehood—falsehood, as
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With labour; then by-peeping in an eye
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Base and unlustrous as the smoky light
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That's fed with stinking tallow; it were fit
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That all the plagues of hell should at one time
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Encounter such revolt.
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Inclined to this intelligence, pronounce
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The beggary of his change; but 'tis your graces
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That from pay mutest conscience to my tongue
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Charms this report out.
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O dearest soul! your cause doth strike my heart
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With pity, that doth make me sick. A lady
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So fair, and fasten'd to an empery,
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Would make the great'st king double,—to be partner'd
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With tomboys hired with that self-exhibition
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Which your own coffers yield! with diseased ventures
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That play with all infirmities for gold
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Which rottenness can lend nature! such boil'd stuff
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As well might poison poison! Be revenged;
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Or she that bore you was no queen, and you
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Recoil from your great stock.
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How should I be revenged? If this be true,—
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As I have such a heart that both mine ears
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Must not in haste abuse—if it be true,
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How should I be revenged?
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Live, like Diana's priest, betwixt cold sheets,
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Whiles he is vaulting variable ramps,
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In your despite, upon your purse? Revenge it.
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I dedicate myself to your sweet pleasure,
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More noble than that runagate to your bed,
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And will continue fast to your affection,
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Let me my service tender on your lips.
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Away! I do condemn mine ears that have
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So long attended thee. If thou wert honourable,
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Thou wouldst have told this tale for virtue, not
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For such an end thou seek'st,—as base as strange.
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Thou wrong'st a gentleman, who is as far
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From thy report as thou from honour, and
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Solicit'st here a lady that disdains
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Thee and the devil alike. What ho, Pisanio!
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The king my father shall be made acquainted
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Of thy assault: if he shall think it fit,
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A saucy stranger in his court to mart
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As in a Romish stew and to expound
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His beastly mind to us, he hath a court
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He little cares for and a daughter who
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He not respects at all. What, ho, Pisanio!
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O happy Leonatus! I may say
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The credit that thy lady hath of thee
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Deserves thy trust, and thy most perfect goodness
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Her assured credit. Blessed live you long!
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A lady to the worthiest sir that ever
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Country call'd his! and you his mistress, only
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For the most worthiest fit! Give me your pardon.
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I have spoke this, to know if your affiance
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Were deeply rooted; and shall make your lord,
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That which he is, new o'er: and he is one
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The truest manner'd; such a holy witch
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That he enchants societies into him;
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Half all men's hearts are his.
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He sits 'mongst men like a descended god:
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He hath a kind of honour sets him off,
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More than a mortal seeming. Be not angry,
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Most mighty princess, that I have adventured
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To try your taking a false report; which hath
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Honour'd with confirmation your great judgment
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In the election of a sir so rare,
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Which you know cannot err: the love I bear him
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Made me to fan you thus, but the gods made you,
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Unlike all others, chaffless. Pray, your pardon.
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All's well, sir: take my power i' the court
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My humble thanks. I had almost forgot
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To entreat your grace but in a small request,
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And yet of moment to, for it concerns
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Your lord; myself and other noble friends,
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Are partners in the business.
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Some dozen Romans of us and your lord—
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The best feather of our wing—have mingled sums
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To buy a present for the emperor
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Which I, the factor for the rest, have done
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In France: 'tis plate of rare device, and jewels
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Of rich and exquisite form; their values great;
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And I am something curious, being strange,
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To have them in safe stowage: may it please you
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To take them in protection?
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And pawn mine honour for their safety: since
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My lord hath interest in them, I will keep them
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Attended by my men: I will make bold
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To send them to you, only for this night;
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I must aboard to-morrow.
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Yes, I beseech; or I shall short my word
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By lengthening my return. From Gallia
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I cross'd the seas on purpose and on promise
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I thank you for your pains:
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But not away to-morrow!
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Therefore I shall beseech you, if you please
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To greet your lord with writing, do't to-night:
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I have outstood my time; which is material
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To the tender of our present.
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Send your trunk to me; it shall safe be kept,
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And truly yielded you. You're very welcome.
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