And cry myself awake? that 's false to his bed? Imo. I false? Thy conscience witness :-Iachimo, Thou didst accuse him of incontinency; Thou then look'dst like a villain; now, methinks, Men's vows are women's traitors! All good seeming, Put on for villany; not born where 't grows, Pis. Good madam, hear me. Imo. True honest men being heard, like false Æneas, Were, in his time, thought false: and Sinon's weeping Did scandal many a holy tear; took pity From most true wretchedness: So, thou, Posthumus, Goodly, and gallant, shall be false and perjur'd, I draw the sword myself: take it; and hit Pis. Hence, vile instrument! Thou shalt not damn my hand. Imo. Why, I must die; And if I do not by thy hand, thou art No servant of thy master's: Against self-slaughter That cravens my weak hand, heart; Come, here's my Something 's afore 't;-Soft, soft; we'll no defence; All turn'd to heresy! Away, away, Corrupters of my faith! you shall no more Be stomachers to my heart! Thus may poor fools And thou, Posthumus, that didst set up Will then be pang'd by me.-Prithee, despatch: Pis. O gracious lady, Since I receiv'd command to do this business, Wherefore then Imo. To be unbent when thou hast ta en thy stand, Pis. But to win time To lose so bad employment: in the which Imo. Talk thy tongue weary; speak: I have heard I am a strumpet; and mine ear, Therein false struck, can take no greater wound, Nor tent to bottom that. But speak. Pis. Then, madam, I thought you would not back again. Imo. Bringing me here to kill me. Pis. Most like; Not so, neither: But if I were as wise as honest, then My purpose would prove well. It cannot be master is abus'd: Some villain, ay, and singular in his art, Imo. Some Roman courtezan. No, on my life. Pis. Imo. Why, good fellow, What shall I do the while? Where bide? How live? Or in my life what comfort, when I am Dead to my husband? Pis. If you 'll back to the court,Imo. No court, no father; nor no more ado With that harsh, noble, simple, nothing: That Cloten, whose love-suit hath been to me As fearful as a siege. Pis. If not at court, Then not in Britain must you bide. Imo. Where then? Hath Britain all the sun that shines? Day, night, In a great pool, a swan's nest. Prithee, think Pis. I am most glad You think of other place. The ambassador, Lucius the Roman, comes to Milford-Haven To-morrow: Now, if you could wear a mind Dark as your fortune is—and but disguise That which, to appear itself, must not yet be, But by self-danger;—you should tread a course Pretty, and full of view: yea, haply, near The residence of Posthumus: so nigh, at least, That, though his actions were not visible, yet Report should render him hourly to your ear As truly as he moves. Imo. O, for such means! Pis. Imo. A man already. VOL. VIII. E Pis. First, make yourself but like one. (T is in my cloak-bag,) doublet, hat, hose, all Wherein you are happy, (which you 'll make him know, With joy he will embrace you; for he 's honourable, Imo. A prince's courage. Away, I prithee. Pis. Well, madam, we must take a short farewell; Lest, being miss'd, I be suspected of Your carriage from the court. My noble mistress, Imo. Amen I thank thee. [Exeunt. SCENE V.-A Room in Cymbeline's Palace. Enter CYMBELINE, QUEEN, CLOTEN, LUCIUS, and Lords. Cym. Thus far; and so farewell. Luc. Thanks, royal sir. |