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For assur'd bondage?

Imo. Will my lord say so?

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lach. Ay, madam; with his eyes in flood with

laughter.

It is a recreation to be by,

And hear him mock the Frenchman: But, heavens know,

Some men are much to blame.

Imo. Not he, I hope.

lach. Not he: But yet heaven's bounty towards him might

Be us'd more thankfully. In himself, 'tis much;
In you-which I account his, beyond all talents—
Whilst I am bound to wonder, I am bound

To pity too.

Imo. What do you pity, sir?

lach. Two creatures, heartily.

Imo. Am I one, sir?

You look on me; What wreck discern you in me
Deserves your pity?

Iach. Lamentable! What!

To hide me from the radiant sun, and solace

I' the dungeon by a snuff?

Imo. I pray you, sir,

Deliver with more openness your answers

To my demands, Why do you pity me?

lach. That others do,

I was about to say, enjoy your

-But

It is an office of the gods to venge it,

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Not mine to speak on't.

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Imo. You do seem to know

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Something of me, or what concerns me; Pray you
(Since doubting things go ill, often hurts more
Than to be sure they do: For certainties
Either are past remedies; or timely knowing,
The remedy then born), discover to me
What both you spur and stop.

lach. Had I this cheek

To bathe my lips upon; this hand, whose touch
Whose every touch, would force the feeler's soul
To the 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 falsehood (falsehood, as
With labour) then lie peeping in an eye, -
Base and unlustrous as the smoky 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.

lach. 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,
Charms this report out.

Imo. Let me hear no more.

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Jach.

lack. 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 greatest king double! to be part

ner'd

With tomboys, hir'd with that self-exhibition

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Which your own coffers yield! with diseas'd ventures,
That play with all infirmities for gold

Which rottenness can lend nature! such boil'd stuff,
As well might poison poison! 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 should I be reveng'd?

lach. Should he make me

Live like Diana's priest, betwixt 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!

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lach. 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

Thou would'st 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
Solicit❜st here a lady, that disdains

Thee and the devil alike :-What ho, Pisanio!-
The king my father shall be made acquainted

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Of thy assault: if he shall think it fit,
A saucy 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!
lach. 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 enchants societies unto him:

Half all men's hearts are his.

Imo. You make amends..

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lach. 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

Most mighty princess, that I have adventur'd
To try your taking of a false report; which hath
Honour'd with confirmation your great judgment
In the election of a sir so rare,

Which you know, cannot err: The love I bear him
Made me to fan you thus; but the gods made you,
Unlike all others, chaffless. Pray, your pardon. 780
Imo. All's well, sir: Take my power i' the court
for your's.

lach. My humble thanks. I had almost forgot,
To entreat 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 Románs 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 bed-chamber.

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lach. They are in a trunk,

Attended by my men: I will make bold

Ta

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