Iach. All of her, that is out of door, most rich!

If she be furnish'd with a mind so rare,
She is alone the Arabian bird; and I
Have lost the wager. Boldness be my
Arm me, audacity, from head to foot!

[Aside.

friend!

Imo. [Reads.]—"He is one of the noblest note, to whose kindnesses I am infinitely tied. Reflect upon him accordingly, as you value your truest

So far I read aloud:

"LEONATUS."

You are as welcome, worthy sir, as I

Have words to bid you; and shall find it so,
In all that I can do.

Iach.

Thanks, fairest lady.

What! are men mad? Hath nature given them eyes To see this vaulted arch, and can they not

Partition make with spectacles so precious "Twixt fair and foul?

Imo.

What makes your admiration?

Continues wèll my lord? His health, beseech you?

Iach. Well, madam.

Imo. Is he dispos'd to mirth? I hope, he is. Iach. Exceeding pleasant: not a stranger there

So merry and so gamesome: he is call'd

The Briton reveller.-Whilst I am bound to wonder, I am bound to pity too.

Why do you pity mè?

Iach.

Had I this cheek

To bathe my lips upon; this hand, whose touch,
Whose very touch, would force the feeler's soul
To th' oath of loyalty; should I (damn'd then)
Slaver with lips as common as the stairs
That mount the Capitol? O, it were fit

That all the plagues of hell should at one time
Encounter such revolt.

Imo.

Has forgot Britain.

Iach.

My lord, I fear,

And himself. Not I,

Inclin'd to this intelligence, pronounce

The beggary of his change; but 'tis your graces That, from my mutest conscience, to my tongue, Charm this report out.

Imo.

Let me hear no more.

Iach. O dearest soul! your cause doth strike

my heart

With pity, that doth make me sick. A lady

So fair, and fasten'd to an empery,

Would make the great'st king double! Be reveng'd;

Or she, that bore you, was no queen, and you

Recoil from your great stock.

Imo.

Revèng'd! alas!

If this be true-hòw should I be reveng'd?

Iach. I dedicate myself to your sweet pleasure : Let me my service tender on your lips.

Imo. Away!-I do condemn mine ears, that have So long attended thee.—If thou wert hònourable, Thou would'st have told this tale for virtue, not For such an end thou seek'st.-What ho, Pisanio!The king my father shall be made acquainted Of thy assault. What ho, Pisanio !—

Iach. O happy Leonatus! I may say;
The credit, that thy lady hath of thee,
Deserves thy trust; and thy most perfect goodness
Her assur'd credit!-Blessed live you long!
A lady to the worthiest sir, that ever

Country call'd his; and you his mistress, only
For the most worthy fit! Give me your pardon,
Most mighty princess, that I have adventur'd
To try you with a false report. The love I bear him
Made me to fan you thus. Your pardon, pray.
Imo. All's well, sir. Take my power i' the court

for yours.

Iach. My humble thanks.-I had almost forgot To entreat your grace but in a small request. Some dozen Romans of us, and your lord Have join'd to buy a present for the emperor; Which I, the factor for the rest, have done In France: "Tis plate, of rare device; and jewels, Of rich and exquisite form. May it please you To take them in protection?

Imo.

Willingly;

And pawn mine honour for their safety. Since My lord hath int'rest in them, I will keep them my bed-chamber.

In

Iach.

They are in a trunk,

Attended by my men: I will make bold

To send them to you, only for this night:

I must aboard to-morrow.

Imo.

O, no, no.

Iach. It must be, madam: therefore, if you

please

To greet your lord with writing, do't to-night:
I have outstood my time; which is material
To th' tender of our present.

Imo.

I will write.

Send your trunk to me; it shall safe be kept,
And truly yielded you: You're very welcome.

[Exeunt.

ACT II.

A Bedchamber; in one part of it a Trunk. IMOGEN reading in her Bed; a Lady attending.

Almost midnight, madam.

Imo. Fold down the leaf where I have left. To bed: Take not the taper. Sleep hath seiz'd me wholly. [Exit Lady.

To your protection I commend me, gods!
From fairies, and the tempters of the night,
Guard me, beseech ye!

[Sleeps. Iachimo rises from the Trunk. Iach. The crickets sing, and man's o'erlabour'd

sense

Repairs itself by rest: Our Tarquin thus

Did softly press the rushes, ere he waken'd

The chastity he wounded.-Cytherea,

How bravely thou becom'st thy bed! fresh lily! And whiter than the sheets! That I might touch! But kiss; one kiss!—It is her breathing that Perfumes the chamber thus: The flame o' the taper Bows toward her; and would underpeep her lids, To see the enclosed lights.—But my design?

C

To note the chamber :-I will write all down :Such, and such, pictures :-There the window ;such

The adornment of her bed ;-The arras, figures,
Why, such, and such: Ah! but some nàtural notes
Above ten thousand meaner mòveables
Would testify, t' enrich mine inventory.—

O sleep, thou ape of death, lie dull upon her!
And be her sense but as a monument,
Thus in a chapel lying!—Off, come off;

;

[Taking off her Bracelet. 'Tis mine; and this will witness outwardly, To th❜madding of her lord. On her left breast A mole cinque-spotted, like the crimson drops I'the bottom of a cowslip: Here's a voucher, Stronger than ever law could make.—No more. Now to the trunk again : I lodge in fear; Though this a heavenly angel, hèll is here.

OUR lordship is the most pàtient man in loss.

Clo. It would make any man cold to lose.

Lord. But not every man patient, after the noble temper of your lordship; You are most hot, and furious, when you wìn.