University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

A Chamber in the Palace.
Enter Imogen alone.
Imo.
A father cruel, and a Stepdame false,
A foolish Suitor to a wedded Lady,
That hath her Husband banish'd—O, that Husband!
My supream Crown of Grief, and those repeated
Vexations of it—had I been Thief-stol'n,
As my two Brothers, happy; but most miserable
Is the Degree that's glorious. Blessed be those,
How mean so e'er, that have their honest Wills,
Which Seasons comfort. Who may this be?

Enter Pisanio and Iachimo.
Pis.
Madam, a noble Gentleman of Rome,
Comes from my Lord with Letters.

Iach.
Change you, Madam?
The worthy Leonatus is in safety,
And greets your Highness dearly.

Imo.
Thanks, good Sir,
You're kindly welcome.

[Reads aside.
Iach.
All of her that is out of Door, most rich!
If she be furnish'd with a Mind so rare,
She is alone th'Arabian Bird; and I
Have lost the Wager. Boldness be my Friend;
Arm me, Audacity, from Head to Foot;

[Aside.
Imogen.
reads.

He is one of the Noblest Note, to whose Kindnesses I
am most infinitely tyed. Reflect upon him accordingly, as you
value your Trust.

Leonatus.

Iach.
Thanks, fairest Lady;
What, are Men mad? hath Nature given them Eyes
To see this vaulted Arch, and the rich Crop
Of Sea and Land, which can distinguish 'twixt
The fiery Orbs above, and the twinn'd Stones
Upon the humble Beach? and can we not
Partition make 'Twixt fair and soul?

Imo.
What makes your Admiration?

Iach.
It cannot be i'th' Eye; for Apes and Monkeys,
'Twixt two such She's, would chatter this way, and
Contemn with mowes the other. Nor i'th' Judgment:
For Ideots in this Case of Favour, would
Be wisely definit. Nor in the Appetite—

Imo.
What is the Matter trow?

Iach.
The cloyed Will,
That satiate yet unsatisfy'd Desire,
Ravening first the Lamb,
Longs after for the Garbage—

Imo.
What, dear Sir,
Thus raps you? are you well?

Iach.
Thanks, Madam, well; beseech you, Sir,
Desire my Man's abode, where I did leave him;
He's strange and sheepish.

Pis.
I was going, Sir,
To give him welcome.
[Exit Pis.

Imo.
Continues well my Lord
His Health, beseech you?

Iach.
Well, Madam.

Imo.
Is he dispos'd to Mirth? I hope he is.

Iach.
Exceeding pleasant; none a Stranger there,
So merry, and so gamesome; he is call'd
The Britain Reveller.

Imo.
When he was here
He did incline to Sadness, and oft times
Not knowing why.

Iach.
I never saw him sad.
There is a Frenchman his Companion, one
An eminent Monsieur, that it seems much loves
A Gallian-Girl at home. He Furnaces
The thick sighs from him, while the jolly Britain,
(Your Lord I mean,) laughs from's free Lungs, cries oh!—
Can my Sides hold, to think, that Man who knows
By History, Report, or his own Proof
What Woman is, yea, what she cannot chuse
But must be, will his free Hours languish, out
For assur'd Bondage?

Imo.
Will my Lord say so?

Iach.
Ay, Madam, with his Eyes in Flood with Laughter,
It is a Recreation to be by
And hear him mock the Frenchman:
But Heaven knows some Men are much to blame.

Imo.
Not he, I hope.

Iach.
Not he, But yet Heav'ns Bounty towards him might
Be us'd more thankfully. In himself 'tis much;
In you, whom I account his beyond all Talents,
Whilst I am bound to wonder, I am bound
To pity too.

Imo.
What do you pity, Sir?

Iach.
Two Creatures heartily.

Imo.
Am I one, Sir?
You look on me; what Wrack discern you in me
Deserves your pity?

Iach.
Lamentable! what
To hide me from the radiant Sun, and solace
I'th' Dungeon by a Snuff?

Imo.
'Pray you, Sir,
Deliver with more openness your Answers
To my Demands. Why do you pity me?

Iach.
That others do,
I was about to say, enjoy your—but
It is an Office of the Gods to venge it,
Not mine to speak on't.

Imo.
You do seem to know
Something of me, or what concerns me; pray you
(Since doubting things go ill, often hurts more,
Than to be sure they do;) Discover to me
What doth you spur and stop.

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; this Object which
Takes Prisoner the wild Motion of mine Eye,
Fixing it only here; should I, (damn'd then,)
Slaver with Lips as common as the Stairs
That mount the Capitol? join Gripes with Hands
Made hard with hourly Falshood, as with Labour?
Then glad myself by peeping in an Eye
Base and unlust'rous as the Smoaky Light
That's fed with stinking Tallow? it were fit
That all the Plagues of Hell should at one time
Encounter such Revolt,

Imo.
My Lord, I fear,
Has forgot Britain.

Iach.
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 fastened to an Empery,
Would make the great'st King double; to be partner'd
With Tomboys, hir'd with that self Exhibition
Which your own Coffers yield! with diseas'd Venturers
To play with all Infirmities for Gold,
Which Rottenness lends Nature! Be reveng'd,
Or she, that bore you was no Queen, and you
Recoil from your great Stock.

Imo.
Reveng'd?
How should I be reveng'd if this be true?
As I have such a Heart, that both mine Ears
Must not in haste abuse; if it be true,
How shall I be reveng'd?

Iach.
Shou'd he make me
Live like Diana's Priestess 'twixt cold Sheets;
Whiles he is Vaulting variable Ramps
In your Despight, upon your Purse! revenge it.
I dedicate myself to your sweet Pleasure,
More noble than that Runagate to your Bed,
And will continue fast to your Affection,
Still close, as sure.

Imo.
What ho, Pisanio!—

Iach.
Let me my Service tender on your Lips,

Imo.
Away, I do condemn mine Ears that have
So long attended thee. If thou wert honourable
Thou wouldst have told this Tale for Virtue, not
For such an end thou seek'st, as base, as strange:
Thou wrong'st a Gentleman, who is as far
From thy Report, as thou from Honour; and
Sollicit'st here a Lady, that disdains
Thee, and the Devil alike. What, ho, Pisanio!—
The King my Father shall be made acquainted
Of thy Assault; if he shall think it fit,
A sawcy Stranger in his Court, to Mart
As in a Romish Stew, and to expound
His beastly Mind to us; he hath a Court
He little cares for, and a Daughter, whom
He not respects at all. 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 worthiest fit. Give me your pardon.
I have spoke this, to know if your Affiance
Were deeply rooted, and shall make your Lord,
That which he is, new o'er; and he is one
The truest manner'd; such a holy Witch
That he inchants Societies into him:
Half all Mens Hearts are his.

Imo.
You make amends.

Iach.
He sits 'mongst Men, like a descended God;
He hath a kind of Honour sets him off,
More than a mortal seeming. Be not angry,
Most mighty Princess, that I have adventur'd
To try your taking of a false Report;
The Love I bear him,
Made me to fan you thus, but the Gods made you,
Unlike all others, chaffless. Pray, your Pardon.

Imo.
All's well, Sir, take my Power i'th' Court for yours.

Iach.
My humble Thanks; I had almost forgot
T'intreat your Grace, but in a small Request,
And yet of Moment too, for it concerns
Your Lord; myself, and other Noble Friends
Are Partners in the Business.

Imo.
Pray what is't?

Iach.
Some dozen Romans of us, and your Lord,
(The best Feather of our Wing,) have mingled Sums
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, their Values 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 pawn mine honour for their Safety; since
My Lord hath Interest in them, I will keep them
In my chamber.

Iach.
They are in a Coffer
Attended by my Men: I will make bold
To send them to you, only for this Night;
I must abroad To-morrow.

Imo.
O no, no.

Iach.
Yes, I beseech you; Or I shall short my Word
By lengthning my Return. From Gallia,
I crost the Seas on purpose, and on promise
To see your Grace.

Imo.
I thank you for your Pains;
But not away To-morrow.

Iach.
O, I must, Madam.
Therefore I shall beseech you, if you please
To greet your Lord with Writing, do't To-night,
I have out-staid my time, which is material
To th'tender of our Present.

Imo.
I will write:
Send your Coffer to me, it shall be safe kept,
And truly yielded you: You're very welcome.

[Exeunt.