from proof as strong as my grief, and as certain as I expect my revenge. That part, thou, Pisanio, must act for me, if thy faith be not tainted with the breach of hers. Let thine own hands take away her life: I shall give thee opportunities at MilfordHaven; she hath my letter for the purpose: Where, if thou fear to strike, and to make me certain it is done, thou art the pandar to her dishonour, and equally to me disloyal. Pis, What shall I need to draw my sword? the paper Hath cut her throat already.-No, 'tis slander; Whose edge is sharper than the sword; whose tongue Outvenoms all the worms of Nile; whose breath All corners of the world: kings, queens, and states, To lie in watch there, and to think on him? To weep 'twixt clock and clock? if sleep charge nature, To break it with a fearful dream of him, And cry myself awake? that's false to his bed? Pis. Alas, good lady! Imo. I false? Thy conscience witness :-Iachimo, Thou didst accuse him of incontinency; Thou then look'dst like a villain; now, methinks, Put on for villainy; 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! And if I do not by thy hand, thou art No servant of thy master's: Against self-slaughter There is a prohibition so divine, That cravens my weak hand. heart; Come, here's my Something's afore't:-Soft, soft; we'll no defence; Obedient as the scabbard.--What is here? The scriptures of the loyal Leonatus, All turn'd to heresy? Away, away, Corrupters of my faith! you shall no more Be stomachers to my heart! Thus may poor fools Believe false teachers: Though those, that are be tray'd, Do feel the treason sharply, yet the traitor Stands in worse case of woe. And thou, Posthúmus, thou that didst set up Pis. O gracious lady, Since I receiv'd command to do this business, Imo. Do't, and to bed then. Pis. I'll wake mine eye-balls blind first. Didst undertake it? Why hast thou abus'd 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, Pis. Then, madam, I thought you would not back again. Imo. Most like; Bringing me here to kill me. Pis. Not so, neither: But if I were as wise as honest, then My purpose would prove well. It cannot be, But that my master is abus'd: Some villain, ay, and singular in his art, Pis. No, on my life. I'll give but notice you are dead, and send him I should do so: You shall be miss'd at court, And that will well confirm it. 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. 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; Pr'ythee, think Pis. I am most glad You think of other place. The embassador, But by self-danger; you should tread a course Imo. O, for such means! Though peril to my modesty, not death on't, Pis. Well, then, here's the point: You must forget to be a woman; change Imo. Nay, be brief: I see into thy end, and am almost Pis. First, make yourself but like one. (Tis in my cloak-bag,) doublet, hat, hose, all That answer to them: Would you, in their serving, And with what imitation you can borrow From youth of such a season, 'fore noble Lucius If that his head have ear in music,) doubtless, |