story you

[her.

I told first: But since, like gold I touch'd Dem. And how, dear Sir

Ant. Heav'n's holy light's not purer.
The constancy and goodness of all women,
That ever liv'd to win the names of worthy,
This noble maid has doubled in her honour.
All promises of wealth, all art to win her,
And by all tongues employ'd, wrought as
much on her

As one may do upon the sun at noon-day
By lighting candles up. Her shape is heav'nly,
And to that heav'nly shape her thoughts are
angels.

Dem. Why did you tell me, Sir

Ant. 'Tis true I err'd in't:

But, since I made a full proof of her virtue,
I find a king too poor a servant for her.
Love her, and honour her; in all observe her,
She must be something more than time yet
tells her;

And certain I believe him bless'd enjoys her.
I would not lose the hope of such a daughter,
To add another empire to my honour. [Exit.
Dem. Oh, wretched state! to what end
shall I turn me:

And where begins my penance? Now, what

SCENE I.

Enter Leontius and Celia.

Celia. For Heav'n's sake, do not name him, Do not think on him, Sir; he's so far from me In all my thoughts now, methinks I never knew him.

Leon. But yet I would see him again.
Celia. No, never, never!

[fort,

Leon. I do not mean to lend him any comBut to afflict him; so to torture him, [him; That ev'n his very soul may shake within To make him know, tho' he be great and powerful,

"Tis not within his aim to deal dishonourably, And carry it off, and with a inaid of your sort. Celia. I must confess, I could most spitefully afflict him;

Now, now, I could whet my anger at him;
Now, arin'd with bitterness, I could shoot
[thro' him:
I long to vex him!

Leon. And do it home, and bravely.
Celia. Were I a man-

Leon. I'll help 60 that weakness in

I honour you, and serve you.
Celia. Not only to disclaim me,

you:

When he had seal'd his vows in Heav'n,

Leon. I would not suffer it.

See him I would again; and, to his teeth too, (Od's precious!) I would ring him such a lesCelia. I have done that already. [sonLeon. Nothing, nothing;

It was too poor a purge. Besides, by this time He has found his fault, and feels the hells that follow i

That, and your urg'd-on anger to the highestWhy, 'twill be such a stroke

Celia. Say, he repent then,

And seek with tears to soften? I'm a woman,
A woman that have lov'd him, Sir, have ho-
I am no more.
[nour'd him;
Leon. Why, you may deal thereafter.
Celia. If I forgive him, I am lost.
Leon. Hold there then;

[sion

The sport will be, to what a poor submis But keep you strong.

Celia. I would not see him.

Leon. Yes; you shall ring his knell.

Celia. How if I kill him?

Leon. Kill him? why, let him die. Celia. I know 'tis fit so:

[stroy him?

But why should I, that lov'd him once, deOh, had he 'scap'd this sin, what a brave gentleman-[a nobler, Leon. I must confess, had this not fall'n, A handsomer, the whole world had not shew'd

Leon. I would not for the honour you are born to; [and scorn him. But you shall see him, and neglect him too, Celia. You will be near me then? Leon. I will be with you.

Yet there's some hope to stop this gap; I'll work hard. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Enter Antigonus, Menippus, two Gentlemen, Lieutenant, and Lords.

Ant. But is it possible this fellow took it? 2 Gent. It seems so, by the violence it wrought with;

Yet now the fit's ev'n off.

Men. I beseech your grace

[heart,

Ant. Nay, I forgive thy wife with all my And am right glad she drank it not herself, And more glad that the virtuous maid escap'd it; [that this soldier, I would not for the world't had hit: But (Lord, how he looks!) that he should take this Can he make rhimes too? [vomit!

2 Gent. H' has made a thousand, Sir, And plays the burden to 'em on a Jew'strump.

Ant. He looks as tho' he were bepist. Do
you love me, Sir?

Lieut. Yes, surely; ev'n with all my
Ant. I thank you;

I am glad I have so good a subject.
But pray you tell me, how much did
Before you drank this matter?

Lieut. Ev'n as much

heart.

[me,

you

love

That e'er I saw-Wilt have another potion?
Lieut. If you will be another thing, have
Ant. Ha, ha, ha!
[at you

Give me thy hand; from henceforth thou'r my soldier.

Do bravely; I'll love thee as much.
Lieut. I thank you;

[wish it you. But, if you were mine enemy, I would not I beseech your Grace, pay me my charge. 2 Gent. That's certain, Sir;

II' has bought up all that e'er he found was like you, [chase: Or any thing you've lov'd, that he could purOld horses that your grace had ridden blind,

and founder'd; [all this, Dogs, rotten hawks, and, which is more than Has worn your grace's gauntlet in his bonnet. Ant. Bring in your bills: Mine own love

shall be satisfy'd;

And, sirrah, for this potion you have taken, I'll point you out a portion you shall live on. Men. 'Twas the best draught that e'er you Lieut. I hope so.

[drank. Ant. Are the princes come to th' court? Men. They are all, and lodg'd, Sir. Ant. Come then, make ready for their entertainment; [me, Sir. Which presently we'll give. Wait you on Lieut. I shall love drink the better whilst I live, boys!

SCENE III.

[Exeunt.

And with the greatest sacrifice of sorrow,
That ever lover made.

Leon. Twill be too late, Sir:

I know not what will become of you. Dem. You can help me. [nearer? Leon. It may be, to her sight: What are you Sh' has sworn she will not speak to you, look [thunders,

upon you;

And, to love you again, oh, she cries out, and She had rather love-There is no hope.

Dem. Yes, Leontius, [te it, There is a hope; which, tho' it draw no love At least will draw her to lament my fortune; And that hope shall relieve me.

Leon. Hark you, Sir, hark you!

Say I should bring you——

Dem. Do not trifle with me!

Leon. I will not trifle-both together bring

Dem. Oh, gentle mistress,

If there were any way to expiate

A sin so great as mine, by intercession,
By prayers, by daily tears, by dying for you,
Oh, what a joy would close these eyes that
[I know not;

love you! Leon. They say, women have tender hearts; I'm sure aine melts.

Celia. Sir, I forgive you heartily, And all your wrong to me I cast behind me, And wish you a fit beauty to your virtues : Mine is too poor. In peace I part thus from you!

I must look back. Gods keep your Grace!
He's here still.

Dem. She has forgiven me.
Leon. She has directed you:

[Exit.

Up, up, and follow like a man; away, Sir! She look'd behind her twice. Her heart dwells here, Sir! [freeze thus. You drew tears from her too; she cannot The door's set open too: Are you a man? Are

you alive? do you understand her meanHave you blood and spirit in you? [ing?

Dem. I dare not trouble her.

Leon. Nay, an you will be nipt o' th' head with nothing, [cannotWalk whining up and down-' I dare not, Strike now or never! Faint heart-you know [fire out! Be govern'd by your fear, and quench your A devil on't! stands this door ope for nothing? So, get ye together, and be naught. Now, to secure all,

what, Sir.

Will I go fetch out a more sovereign plaister. [Exeunt.

And will by no means yield to composition: He offers any price; his body to her.

Sel. She is a hard lady denies that caution. Leon. And now they whine, and now they rave: Faith, princes,

'Twere a good point of charity to piece 'em ; 62 For less than such a power will do just nothing: [be, And if you mean to see him, there it must For there will he grow, 'till he be transplanted. Sel. Beseech your grace, let's wait upon you thither,

That I may see that beauty dares deny him, That scornful beauty.

Ptol. I should think it worse now;

Ill brought-up beauty.

Ant. She has too much reason for't; Which, with too great a grief, I shame to But we'll go see this game.

[think of.

Lys. Rather this wonder. Ant. Be you our guide, Leontius. a new peace.

Here's [Exeunt.

Dem. Stay! who are these? Lys. A very handsome lady. Leon. As e'er you saw. Sel. Pity her heart's so cruel. Lys. How does your Grace?-He stands still; will not hear us. [fortures. Ptol. We come to serve you, Sir, in all our Lys. He bows a little now; he's strangely alter'd. [you a word with you. Sel. Ha! pray you a word, Leontius! pray Lysimachus! You both knew mine Enanthe, I lost in Antioch, when the town was taken, Mine uncle slain; Antigonus had the sack on't. Lys. Yes, I remember well the girl. Sel. Methinks now, [picture: That face is wondrous like her. I have her The same, but more years on her; the very

same.

Lys. A cherry to a cherry is not liker. Sel. Look on her eyes.

[Sir;

Leon. Most certain she is like her: Many a time have I dandled her in these arcs, And I hope who will more.

Ant. What's that ye look at, Princes?

Sel. This picture, and that lady, Sir.
Ant. Ha! they are near;

They only err in time.

Lys. Didst thou mark that blush there? That came the nearest.

Sel. I must speak to her.

We may kiss:

Sel. Most royal Sir, you have it.
Dem. I once more beg it thus.
Sel. You must not be denied, Sir,
Celia. By me, I am sure he must not, sure
he shall not:

Kneeling I give it too; kneeling I take it;
And, from this hour, no envious spite e'er
part us!
[to you!
All. The gods give happy joys! all comforts
Dem. My new Enanthe!

Ant. Come, beat all the drums up, And all the noble instruments of war! Let 'em fill all the kingdom with their sounds; And those the brazen arch of Heav'n break thro',

While to the temple we conduct these two.

Leon. May they be ever loving, ever young, And, ever worthy of those lines 64 they sprung, May their fair issues walk with time along! Lieut. And hang a coward now! and there's my song. [Exeunt omnes.

VOL. I.