Clo. If she be up, I'll speak with her; if not,

Let her lie still, and dream.-By your leave, ho!

I know her women are about her; What
If I do line one of their hands? "Tis gold

[Knocks.

Which buys admittance; oft it doth; yea, and makes
Diana's rangers false themselves', yield up

Their deer to the stand of the stealer; and 'tis gold
Which makes the true man kill'd, and saves the thief;
Nay, sometime, hangs both thief and true man: What
Can it not do, and undo? I will make
One of her women lawyer to me; for

I yet not understand the case myself.
By your leave.

Enter a Lady.

Lady. Who's there, that knocks?

Clo.

Lady.

[Knocks.

A gentleman.

No more?

That's more

Clo. Yes, and a gentlewoman's son.
Lady.

Than some, whose tailors are as dear as yours,

Can justly boast of: What's your lordship's pleasure? Clo. Your lady's person: Is she ready?

Lady.

To keep her chamber.

Ay,

Clo. There's gold for you; sell me your good report. Lady. How! my good name? or to report of you What I shall think is good?-The princess

Enter IMOGEN.

Clo. Good-morrow, fairest sister: Your sweet hand. Imo. Good-morrow, sir: You lay out too much pains. For purchasing but trouble: the thanks I give,

1

false themselves,] Perhaps, in this instance, false is not an adjective, but a verb.

Is telling you that I am poor of thanks,
And scarce can spare them.

Clo.

Still, I swear, I love you.

Imo. If you but said so, 'twere as deep with me: If you swear still, your recompense is still

That I regard it not.

Clo.

This is no answer.

Imo. But that you shall not say I yield, being silent, I would not speak. I pray you, spare me: i'faith,

I shall unfold equal discourtesy

To your best kindness; one of your great knowing
Should learn, being taught, forbearance.

Clo. To leave you in your madness, 'twere my sin: I will not.

Imo. Fools are not mad folks.
Clo.

Imo. As I am mad, I do :

Do

you

call me fool?

If you'll be patient, I'll no more be mad;
That cures us both. I am much sorry, sir,
You put me to forget a lady's manners,

By being so verbal and learn now, for all,

:

That I, which know my heart, do here pronounce,
By the very truth of it, I care not for you;
And am so near the lack of charity,

(To accuse myself) I hate you; which I had rather
You felt, than make't my boast.

Clo.

You sin against

Obedience, which you owe your father. For

The contract you pretend with that base wretch,

2

so verbal:] Is, so verbose, so full of talk.

3 The contract, &c.] Here Shakspeare has not preserved, with his common nicety, the uniformity of character. The speech of Cloten is rough and harsh, but certainly not the talk of one

"Who can't take two from twenty for his heart,

"And leave eighteen."

His argument is just and well enforced, and its prevalence is allowed throughout all civil nations as for rudeness, he seems not to be much undermatched. JOHNSON.

(One, bred of alms, and foster'd with cold dishes,
With scraps o'the court,) it is no contract, none:
And though it be allow'd in meaner parties,
(Yet who, than he, more mean?) to knit their souls
(On whom there is no more dependency
But brats and beggary) in self-figur'd knot*;
Yet you are curb'd from that enlargement by
The consequence o'the crown; and must not soil
The precious note of it with a base slave,
A hilding for a livery', a squire's cloth,
A pantler, not so eminent.

Imo.

Profane fellow!

Wert thou the son of Jupiter, and no more,
But what thou art, besides, thou wert too base
To be his groom: thou wert dignified enough,
Even to the point of envy, if 'twere made
Comparative for your virtues, to be styl'd
The under-hangman of his kingdom; and hated
For being preferr'd so well.

Clo.

The south-fog rot him!

Imo. He never can meet more mischance, than come

To be but nam'd of thee. His meanest garment,

That ever hath but clipp'd his body, is dearer,

In my respect, than all the hairs above thee,

Were they all made such men.-How now, Pisanio?

4

Enter PISANIO.

Clo. His garment? Now, the devil

Imo. To Dorothy my woman hie thee presently:

:

in self-figur'd knot;] A self-figured knot is a knot formed by yourself.

5 A hilding for a livery,] A low fellow, only fit to wear a livery, and serve as a lacquey.

6

if 'twere made

Comparative for your virtues,] If it were considered as a compensation adequate to your virtues, to be styled, &c.

Clo. His garment?

Imo.

I am sprighted with a fool'; Frighted, and anger'd worse:-Go, bid my woman Search for a jewel, that too casually

Hath left mine arm; it was thy master's: 'shrew me, If I would lose it for a revenue

Of any king's in Europe. I do think,

I saw't this morning: confident I am,

Last night 'twas on mine arm; I kiss'd it:
I hope, it be not gone, to tell my lord

That I kiss aught but he.

If you will mak't an action, call witness to't.

Clo. I will inform your father.
Imo.

Your mother too:

She's my good lady; and will conceive, I hope,

But the worst of me. So I leave you, sir,

To the worst of discontent.

[Exit.

Clo.

I'll be reveng'd:

His meanest garment ?—Well.

[Exit.

SCENE IV.

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;

7 I am sprighted with a fool ;] i. e. I am haunted by a fool, as by

a spright.

VOL. VII.

T

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.

8

I do believe,

(Statist though I am none, nor like to be,)
That this will prove a war; and you shall hear
The legions, now in Gallia, sooner landed

In our not-fearing Britain, than have tidings
Of any penny tribute paid. Our countrymen
Are men more order'd, than when Julius Cæsar
Smil'd at their lack of skill, but found their courage
Worthy his frowning at: Their discipline

(Now mingled with their courages) will make known To their approvers, they are people, such

That mend upon the world.

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.

8 (Statist] i. e. Statesman.

9 To their approvers,] i. e. To those who try them.