SCENE IV.

Near Milford-haven.

Enter PISANIO and IMOGEN.

Imo. Thou told'st me, when we came from horse, the place

Was near at hand. Ne'er long'd my mother so
To see me first, as I have now:-Pisanio! man!
Where is Posthumus? What is in thy mind,

That makes thee stare thus? Wherefore breaks that

sigh

From the inward of thee? One, but painted thus,
Would be interpreted a thing perplex'd
Beyond self-explication: put thyself
Into a havior 1 of less fear, ere wildness
Vanquish my staider senses. What's the matter?
Why tender'st thou that paper to me, with
A look untender? If it be summer news,
Smile to 't before; if winterly, thou need'st
But keep that countenance still.-My husband's
hand!

That drug-damn'd Italy hath out-craftied him,
And he's at some hard point.-Speak, man; thy

tongue

May take off some extremity, which to read

Would be even mortal to me.

Pi.

Please you, read;

1 For behavior.

And
you shall find me, wretched man, a thing
The most disdain'd of fortune.

Imo. [reads.] Thy mistress, Pisanio, hath played the strumpet in my bed, the testimonies whereof lie bleeding in me: I speak not out of weak surmises; but from proof as strong as my grief, and as certain as I expect my revenge. That part, thou, Pisanio, must act for me, if thy faith be not tainted with the breach of hers. Let thine own hands take away her life: I shall give thee opportunities at Milfordhaven she hath my letter for the purpose: where if thou fear to strike, and to make me certain it is done, thou art the pander to her dishonor, and equally to me disloyal.'

:

Pi. What shall I need to draw my sword? the

paper

Hath cut her throat already.—No, 'tis slander; Whose edge is sharper than the sword; whose

tongue

Outvenoms all the worms of Nile; whose breath

Rides on the posting winds, and doth belie

All corners of the world: kings, queens, and states,1
Maids, matrons, nay, the secrets of the grave
This viperous slander enters.-What cheer, madam?

Imo. False to his bed! What is it, to be false?

To lie in watch there, and to think on him?

To weep 'twixt clock and clock? if sleep charge nature,

1 Persons of highest rank.

To break it with a fearful dream of him,

And cry myself awake? that's false to his bed;
Is it?

Pi. Alas, good lady!

Imo. I false? Thy conscience witness.-Iachimo, Thou didst accuse him of incontinency :

Thou then look'dst like a villain; now, methinks,

Thy favor 's good enough.-Some jay of Italy, Whose mother was her painting, hath betray'd

him :

1

Poor I am stale, a garment out of fashion ;

And, for I am richer than to hang by the walls,

I must be ripp'd :-to pieces with me !—O,

Men's vows are women's traitors! All good seeming,
By thy revolt, O husband, shall be thought

Put on for villany; not born where 't grows;
But worn, a bait for ladies.

Pi.

Good madam, hear me.

Imo. True honest men being heard, like false

Æneas,

Were, in his time, thought false; and Sinon's

weeping

Did scandal many a holy tear; took pity

From most true wretchedness: so, thou, Posthumus, Wilt lay the leaven on all proper men;

Goodly and gallant shall be false and perjured,

From thy great fail.-Come, fellow, be thou honest:

1. e. the creature, not of nature, but of painting.'— Johnson.