One of her women lawyer to me; for
I yet not understand the case myself.
By your leave.

Enter a Lady.

Lady. Who's there, that knocks?

[Knocks.

Clo.

A gentleman.

Lady.

No more?

Clo. Yes, and a gentlewoman's son.
Lady.

That's more

Than some, whose tailors are as dear as yours,

Can justly boast of: What's your lordship's plea

sure?

Clo. Your lady's person: Is she ready?

Lady.

To keep her chamber.

Ay,

Clo. There's gold for you; sell me your good

report.

Lady. How! my good name? or to report of

you

What I shall think is good? - The princess

Enter IMOGEN.

Clo. Good-morrow, fairest sister: Your sweet hand.

Imo. Good-morrow, sir: You lay out too much

pains

For purchasing but trouble: the thanks I give,

Is telling you that I am poor of thanks,

And scarce can spare them.

Clo.

Still, I swear, I love you.

Imo. If you but said so, 'twere as deep with me:

If you swear still, your recompense is still

That I regard it not.

Clo.

This is no answer.

Imo. But that you shall not say I yield, being silent I would not speak. I pray you, spare me: i'faith, I shall unfold equal discourtesy

To your best kindness; one of your great knowing Should learn, being taught, forbearance.

Clo. To leave you in your madness, 'twere my sin: I will not.

Imo. Fools are not mad folks.

Clo.

Do you call me fool?

Imo. As I am mad, I do : If you'll be patient, I'll no more be mad; That cures us both. I am much sorry, sir, You put me to forget a lady's manners, By being so verbal 5: and learn now, for all, That I, which know my heart, do here pronounce, By the very truth of it, I care not for you; And am so near the lack of charity,

(To accuse myself) I hate you: which I had rather You felt, than make't my boast.

Clo.

You sin against

Obedience, which you owe your father. For
The contract you pretend with that base wretch,
(One, bred of alms, and foster'd with cold dishes,
With scraps o'the court,) it is no contract, none :
And though it be allow'd in meaner parties,
(Yet who, than he, more mean?) to knit their souls
(On whom there is no more dependency
But brats and beggary) in self-figur'd knot; 6
Yet you are curb'd from that enlargement by
The consequence o'the crown; and must not soil
The precious note of it with a base slave,
A hilding 7 for a livery, a squire's cloth,

A pantler, not so eminent.

So verbose, so full of talk.

In knots of their own

tying. 7 A low fellow only fit to wear a livery.

Imo.

Profane fellow!

Wert thou the son of Jupiter, and no more,
But what thou art, besides, thou wert too base
To be his groom: thou wert dignified enough,
Even to the point of envy, if 'twere made
Comparative for your virtues, to be styl'd
The under-hangman of his kingdom; and hated
For being preferr'd so well.

Clo.

The south-fog rot him!

Imo. He never can meet more mischance, than

come

To be but nam'd of thee. His meanest garment,
That ever hath but clipp'd his body, is dearer,
In my respect, than all the airs above thee,
Were they all made such men. - How now, Pi-

sanio ?

Enter PISANIO.

Clo. His garment? Now, the devil

Imo. To Dorothy my woman hie thee pre

sently: Clo. His garment ? Imo.

I am sprighted & with a fool; Frighted, and anger'd worse : - Go, bid my woman Search for a jewel, that too casually

Hath left mine arm; it was thy master's: 'shrew me,

If I would lose it for a revenue

Of any king's in Europe. I do think,

I saw't this morning: Confident I am,
Last night 'twas on mine arm; I kiss'd it:
I hope, it be not gone, to tell my lord

That I kiss aught but he.

Pis.

'Twill not be lost.

Imo. I hope so: go, and search.

[Exit PIS.

8 Haunted.

VOL. IX.

F

Clo.

His meanest garment ?
Imo.

You have abus'd me:

Ay; I said so, sir.

If you will make't an action, call witness to't.

Clo. I will inform your father.

Imo.

She's my good lady; and will conceive, I hope,

Your mother too:

But the worst of me. So I leave you, sir,

[Exit.

Clo.

I'll be reveng'd:

His meanest garment ? - Well.

[Exit.

To the worst of discontent.

SCENE IV.

Rome. An Apartment in Philario's House.

Enter POSTHUMUS and PHILARIO.

Post. Fear it not, sir; I would, I were so sure To win the king, as I am bold, her honour Will remain hers.

Phi. Post. Not any; but abide the change of time; Quake in the present winter's state, and wish That warmer days would come: in these fear'd

What means do you make to him?

hopes,

I barely gratify your love; they failing,
I must die much your debtor.

Phi. Your very goodness, and your company,
O'erpays all I can do. By this, your king
Hath heard of great Augustus: Caius Lucius
Will do his commission throughly: And, I think,
He'll grant the tribute, send the arrearages,
Or look upon our Romans, whose remembrance
Is yet fresh in their grief.

Post.

I do believe,

(Statist 9 though I am none, nor like to be,)
That this will prove a war; and you shall hear
The legions, now in Gallia, sooner landed
In our not-fearing Britain, than have tidings
Of any penny tribute paid. Our countrymen
Are men more order'd, than when Julius Cæsar
Smil'd at their lack of skill, but found their courage
Worthy his frowning at: Their discipline
(Now mingled with their courages) will make known
To their approvers 1, they are people, such
That mend upon the world.

Phi.

Enter IACHIMO.

See! Iachimo?

Post. The swiftest harts have posted you by land:

And winds of all the corners kiss'd your sails,

To make your vessel nimble.

Phi.

Welcome, sir.

Post. I hope the briefness of your answer made

The speediness of your return.

Iach.

Your lady

Is one the fairest that I have look'd upon.

Post. And, therewithal, the best; or let her

beauty

Look through a casement to allure false hearts,

And be false with them.

Iach.

Here are letters for you.

Post. Their tenour good, I trust.

Iach.

Phi. Was Caius Lucius in the Britain court,

'Tis very like.

When you were there?
Iach.

He was expected then,

But not approach'd.
Post.

All is well yet.