So faire, and fasten'd to an Emperie

Would make the great'st King double, to be partner'd With Tomboyes hyr'd, with that selfe exhibition Which your owne Coffers yeeld: with diseas'd ventures That play with all Infirmities for Gold,

151

Which rottennesse can lend Nature. Such boyl'd stuffe
As well might poyson Poyson. Be reveng'd,
Or she that bore you, was no Queene, and you
Recoyle from your great Stocke.

Imo. Reveng'd:

How should I be reveng'd?

If this be true,

(As I have such a Heart, that both mine eares
Must not in haste abuse) if it be true,
How should I be reveng'd?

Iach. Should he make me

Live like Diana's Priest, betwixt cold sheets,
Whiles he is vaulting variable Rampes

In your despight, upon your purse: revenge it.
I dedicate my selfe to your sweet pleasure,
More Noble then that runnagate to your bed,
And will continue fast to your Affection,
Still close, as sure.

Imo. What hoa, Pisanio?

160

Iach. Let me my service tender on your lippes. Imo. Away, I do condemne mine eares, that have So long attended thee. If thou wert Honourable 170 Thou would'st have told this tale for Vertue, not For such an end thou seek'st, as base, as strange: Thou wrong'st a Gentleman, who is as farre From thy report, as thou from Honor: and

Solicites heere a Lady, that disdaines

Thee, and the Divell alike.

175. Solicites: Solicit'st-2-4F.

What hoa, Pisanio?

The King my Father shall be made acquainted
Of thy Assault: if he shall thinke it fit,
A sawcy Stranger in his Court, to Mart
As in a Romish Stew, and to expound
His beastly minde to us; he hath a Court
He little cares for, and a Daughter, who
He not respects at all. What hoa, Pisanio?
Iach. O happy Leonatus I may say,
The credit that thy Lady hath of thee
Deserves thy trust, and thy most perfect goodnesse
Her assur'd credit. Blessed live you long,

180

A Lady to the worthiest Sir, that ever
Country call'd his; and you his Mistris, onely
For the most worthiest fit. Give me your pardon, 190
I have spoke this to know if your Affiance
Were deeply rooted, and shall make your Lord,
That which he is, new o're: And he is one

The truest manner'd: such a holy Witch,
That he enchants Societies into him:

Halfe all men hearts are his.

Imo. You make amends.

200

Iach. He sits 'mongst men, like a defended God;
He hath a kinde of Honor sets him off,
More then a mortall seeming. Be not angrie
(Most mighty Princesse) that I have adventur'd
To try your taking of a false report, which hath
Honour'd with confirmation your great Judgement,
In the election of a Sir, so rare,

Which you know, cannot erre. The love I beare him,
Made me to fan you thus, but the Gods made you
(Unlike all others) chaffelesse. Pray your pardon.
Imo. All's well Sir:

198. defended: descended-2-4F.

208-9. 11.-ROWE.

Take my powre i'th' Court for

yours.

Iach. My humble thankes: I had almost forgot 210 T'intreat your Grace, but in a small request,

And yet of moment too, for it concernes:
Your Lord, my selfe, and other Noble Friends
Are partners in the businesse.

Imo. Pray what is't?

Iach. Some dozen Romanes of us, and your Lord (The best Feather of our wing) have mingled summes 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 forme, their valewes great,
And I am something curious, being strange
To have them in safe stowage: May it please you
To take them in protection.

Imo. Willingly:

And pawne mine Honor for their safety, since

My Lord hath interest in them, I will keepe them

In

my Bed-chamber.

Iach. They are in a Trunke

Attended by my men: I will make bold

To send them to you, onely for this night:

I must aboord to morrow.

Imo. O no, no.

Iach. Yes I beseech: or I shall short my word By length'ning my returne. From Gallia,

I crost the Seas on purpose, and on promise

To see your Grace.

Imo. I thanke you for

But not away to morrow.

your paines:

Iach. O I must Madam.

Therefore I shall beseech you, if you please

To greet your Lord with writing, doo't to night,

220

230

240

I have out-stood my time, which is materiall
To'th'tender of our Present.

Imo. I will write:

Send your Trunke to me, it shall safe be kept,

And truely yeelded you: you're very welcome. Exeunt.

Actus Secundus.

Scena Prima.

[Britain. Before Cymbeline's palace.]

Enter Clotten, and the two Lords.

Clot. Was there ever man had such lucke? when I kist the Jacke1 upon an up-cast, to be hit away? I had a hundred pound on't: and then a whorson Jacke-an-Apes, must take me up for swearing, as if I borrowed mine oathes of him, and might not spend them at my pleasure. 1. [Lord] What got he by that? you have broke his with your Bowle. i bowl aimed at in bowling 2. [Lord] [Aside] If his wit had bin like him that broke it: it would have run all out.

pate

I I

Clot. When a Gentleman is dispos'd to sweare: it is not for any standers by to curtall his oathes. Ha?

2. [Lord] No my Lord; [Aside] nor crop the eares

of them.

Clot. Whorson dog: I gave him satisfaction? would he had bin one of my Ranke.

2. [Lord] [Aside] To have smell'd like a Foole.

Clot. I am not vext more at any thing in th'earth: a pox on't. I had rather not be so Noble as I am: they dare not fight with me, because of the Queene my Mother: every Jacke-Slave hath his belly full of Fighting, and I must go up and downe like a Cock, that no body can match.

13. curtall: curtail-4F.

23

15. gave: give-2-4F.

2. [Lord] [Aside] You are Cocke and Capon too, and you crow Cock, with your combe on.

Clot. Sayest thou?

2. [Lord] It is not fit you Lordship should undertake every Companion, that you give offence too.

Clot. No, I know that: but it is fit I should commit offence to my inferiors.

2 [Lord] I, it is fit for your Lordship onely. Clot. Why so I say.

30

1. [Lord] Did you heere of a Stranger that's come to Court night?

Clot. A Stranger, and I not know on't?

2. [Lord] [Aside] He's a strange Fellow himselfe, and knowes it not.

1. [Lord] There's an Italian come, and 'tis thought one of Leonatus Friends.

Clot. Leonatus? A banisht Rascall; and he's another, whatsoever he be. Who told you of this Stranger? 40 1. [Lord] One of your Lordships Pages.

Clot. Is it fit I went to looke upon him? Is there no derogation in't?

2. [Lord] You cannot derogate my Lord.

Clot. Not easily I thinke.

2. [Lord] [Aside] You are a Foole graunted, therefore your Issues | being foolish do not derogate.

Clot. Come, Ile go see this Italian: what I have lost to day at Bowles, Ile winne to night of him. Come: go. 2. [Lord] Ile attend your Lordship. Exit

[Cloten and First Lord]. That such a craftie Divell as is his Mother

51

Should yeild the world this Asse: A woman, that Beares all downe with her Braine, and this her Sonne,

27. you: your-3-4F.

34. night: to-night-2-4F.