Some men are much to blame.

Imo.

Not he, I hope.

Iach. Not he: but yet heaven's bounty towards
him might

Be used 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?

Iach. 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
Why do you pity me?

To my demands.

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; for certainties
Either are past remedies, or, timely knowing,
The remedy then born-discover to me
What both you spur and stop.

79 f. That he is not grateful for his own gifts, is much; that he is not grateful for you, his gift beyond price, fills me with wonder and pity.'

87. a snuff, candle-wick.
95. doubting, fearing (that).

80

90

97. or, timely knowing, etc., or else, being known in time, are remedied as soon as known.

99. What both you spur and stop, the mystery which you seem eager to bring forward, yet still keep back.

Iach.
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 by-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.

Inclined 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.

Iach. O dearest soul! your cause doth strike

my heart

With pity, that doth make me sick.

So fair, and fasten'd to an empery,

A lady

Would make the great'st king double,-to be partner'd

With tomboys hired with that self exhibition

107, 108. Made hard with hourly falsehood — falsehood, as with labour, made hard by continual clasping, as if by labour.

108. by-peeping, glancing aside.

109. unlustrous; so Rowe for Ff illustrious.

120. empery, royal dominion. 122. tomboys, wild, wanton women. By the Elizabethans they were especially associated with Rome.

122. that self exhibition, the very allowance.

Which your own coffers yield! with diseased

ventures

That play with all infirmities for gold

Which rottenness can lend nature! such boil'd

stuff

As well might poison poison! Be revenged;
Or she that bore you was no queen, and you
Recoil from your great stock.

Imo.

Revenged!

How should I be revenged? 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 revenged?

Iach.

Should he make me

Live, like Diana's priest, betwixt cold sheets,
Whiles he is vaulting variable ramps,

In your despite, 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
Solicit'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 saucy stranger in his court to mart

123. ventures, creatures who hazard their persons for gold.

131. abuse, deceive.
134. ramps, leaps.

130

140

150

As in a Romish stew and to expound
His beastly mind to us, he hath a court
He little cares for and a daughter who
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 assured 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 into him;

Half all men's 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 adventured
To try your taking of a false report; which hath
Honour'd with confirmation your great judgement
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.
Imo. All's well, sir: take my power i' the court

for yours.

Iach. My humble thanks.

160

170

I had almost forgot 180

To entreat your grace but in a small request,

157. The credit, the faith Imogen has in her husband's integrity.

163. affiance, fidelity.

177. fan, winnow.

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 bedchamber.

Iach.

They are in a trunk,

Attended by my men: I will make bold

To send them to you, only for this night;

I must aboard to-morrow.

Imo.

O, no, no.

Iach. Yes, I beseech; or I shall short my word By lengthening my return. From Gallia

I cross'd 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 outstood my time; which is material
To the tender of our present.

200. short, impair, infringe.

207. is material to, affects, i.e. causes delay in.

190

200