SCENE VI. Britain. A room in Cymbeline's palace. Enter QUEEN, LADIES, and CORNELIUS. Queen. Whiles yet the dew's on ground, gather those flowers; Make haste: who has the note of them? 1 Lady. Queen. Despatch. I, madam. [Exeunt Ladies. Now, master doctor, have you brought those drugs? Cor. Pleaseth your highness, ay: here they are, madam : [presenting a small box. But I beseech your grace, (without offence, My conscience bids me ask) wherefore you have Commanded of me these most poisonous compounds, Which are the movers of a languishing death; But, though slow, deadly? I do wonder, doctor, Queen. Other conclusions ? 1 I will try the forces 1 Experiments. We count not worth the hanging, (but none human) To try the vigor of them, and apply Allayments to their act; and by them gather Their several virtues and effects. Cor. Your highness Shall from this practice but make hard your heart: Besides, the seeing these effects will be Both noisome and infectious. Queen. O, content thee. Enter PISANIO. Here comes a flattering rascal; upon him [aside. And enemy to my son.-How now, Pisanio? Cor. [aside.] I do not like her. She doth think she has Strange lingering poisons: I do know her spirit, A drug of such damn'd nature: those she has Will stupify and dull the sense awhile; Which first, perchance, she'll prove on cats and dogs, Then afterward up higher: but there is No danger in what show of death it makes, More than the locking up the spirits a time, Queen. Weeps she still, say'st thou? Dost thou think, in time She will not quench, and let instructions enter I'll tell thee, on the instant, thou art then As great as is thy master; greater; for Continue where he is: to shift his being,1 [the Queen drops a box: Pisanio takes it up. To change his abode. What is more cordial :-nay, I pr'ythee, take it; That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how As thou 'lt desire; and then myself, I chiefly, Not to be shaked; the agent for his master; The hand-fast to her lord. I have given him that, Re-enter PISANIO and Ladies. To taste of too :-so, so; well done, well done : But when to my good lord I prove untrue, I Think with what a fair prospect of mending your fortunes you now change your present service. 2 Ambassadors. I'll choke myself: there's all I'll do for you. [Exit. SCENE VII. Another room in the same. Enter IMOGEN. Imo. A father cruel, and a step-dame false; A foolish suitor to a wedded lady, That hath her husband banish'd :-O, that husband! As my two brothers, happy! but most miserable Enter PISANIO and IACHIMO. Pi. Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome Comes from my lord with letters. Ia. Change you, madam ? The worthy Leonatus is in safety, And greets your highness dearly. [presents a letter. Imo. You are kindly welcome. Thanks, good sir: [aside. Ia. All of her that is out of door most rich! If she be furnish'd with a mind so rare, 1 Which gives an additional relish to comfort itself. |