Imo. If you Ay; I said so, sir. will mak❜t an action, call witness to't. Clo. I will inform your father. Rome. An Apartment in Philario's House. Enter POSTHUMUS and PHILARIO. Post. Fear it not, sir; I would, I were so sure To win the king, as I am bold, her honour Will remain hers. Phi. What means do you make to him? Post. Not any; but abide the change of time; Quake in the present winter's state, and wish That warmer days would come: In these fear'd hopes, I barely gratify your love; they failing, I must die much your debtor. Phi. Your very goodness, and your company, O'erpays all I can do. By this, your king Hath heard of great Augustus: Caius Lucius Will do his commission throughly: And, I think, He'll grant the tribute, send the arrearages, Or look upon our Romans, whose remembrance Is yet fresh in their grief. Post. (Statist though I am none, That this will prove a war; I do believe, 8 Statist] i. e. Statesman. The legions, now in Gallia, sooner landed (Now mingled with their courages) will make known Phi. Enter IACHIMO. See! Iachimo? Post. The swiftest harts have posted you by land: And winds of all the corners kiss'd your sails, To make your vessel nimble. Phi. Welcome, sir. Post. I hope, the briefness of your answer made The speediness of your return. Iach. Your lady Is one the fairest that I have look'd upon. Post. And, therewithal, the best; or let her beauty Look through a casement to allure false hearts, And be false with them. Iach. Here are letters for you. "Tis very like. Post. Their tenour good, I trust. Iach. Phi, Was Caius Lucius in the Britain court, When you were there? Iach. But not approach'd. Post. He was expected then, All is well yet.— Sparkles this stone as it was wont? or is't not Iach. If I have lost it, I should have lost the worth of it in gold. ? To their approvers,] i. e. To those who try them. I'll make a journey twice as far, to enjoy Post. The stone's too hard to come by. Iach. Your lady being so easy. Post. Not a whit, Make not, sir, Your loss your sport: I hope, you know that we Must not continue friends. Iach. Good sir, we must, If you keep covenant: Had I not brought Post. Iach. Sir, my circumstances, Being so near the truth, as I will make them, Must first induce you to believe: whose strength I will confirm with oath; which, I doubt not, You'll give me leave to spare, when you shall find You need it not. Post: Iach. Proceed. First, her bed-chamber, (Where, I confess, I slept not; but, profess, Had that was well worth watching,) It was hang'd With tapestry of silk and silver; the story Proud Cleopatra, when she met her Roman, And Cydnus swell'd above the banks, or for The press of boats, or pride: A piece of work Since the true life on't was Post. This is true; And this you might have heard of here, by me, Or by some other. Iach. Must justify my knowledge. Post. More particulars So they must, The chimney Or do your honour injury. Iach. Post. This is a thing, Which you might from relation likewise reap; Iach. 1 And Cydnus swell'd above the banks, or for The press of boats, or pride:] Iachimo's language is such as a skilful villain would naturally use, a mixture of airy triumph and serious deposition. His gaiety shows his seriousness to be without anxiety, and his seriousness proves his gaiety to be without art. * So likely to report themselves:] So near to speech. The Italians call a portrait, when the likeness is remarkable, a speaking picture. Was as another nature, dumb ;] The meaning is this: The sculptor was as nature, but as nature dumb; he gave every thing that nature gives, but breath and motion. In breath is included speech. Depending on their brands.* Post. This is her honour! Let it be granted, you have seen all this," (and praise The wager you have laid. Iach. Then, if you can, [Pulling out the Bracelet. Be pale; I beg but leave to air this jewel: See!And now 'tis up again: It must be married To that your diamond; I'll keep them. Post. Once more let me behold it: Is it that Which I left with her? Iach. Jove! Sir, (I thank her,) that: She stripp'd it from her arm; I see her yet; Her pretty action did outsell her gift, And yet enrich'd it too: She gave it me, and said, She priz'd it once. Post. To send it me. Iach. May be, she pluck'd it off, She writes so to you? doth she? Post. O, no, no, no; 'tis true. Here, take this too; It is a basilisk unto mine eye, nicely [Gives the Ring. Depending on their brands.] Here seems to be a kind of tautology. Brands may be a part of the andirons, on which the wood for the fire was supported, as the upper part, in which was a kind of rack to carry a spit, is more properly termed the andiron. These irons, on which the wood lies across, generally called dogs, are here termed brands. 5 This is her honour ! Let it be granted, you have seen all this, &c.] The expression is ironical. Iachimo relates many particulars, to which Posthumus answers with impatience: "This is her honour!". That is, And the attainment of this knowledge is to corruption of her honour. JOHNSON. pass for the |