But if I were as wise as honest, then My purpose Some villain, ay, and singular in his art, Imo. Some Roman courtezan. Pis. No, on my life.. I'll give but notice you are dead, and send him Imo. 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, Where then? Then not in Britain must you bide. Imo. Hath Britain all the sun that shines? Day, night, In a great pool, a swan's nest; Pr'ythee, think Pis. To-morrow: Now. if you could wear a mind Imo. I would adventure. Pis. Well then, here's the point: You must forget to be a woman; change Command into obedience; fear, and niceness, (The handmaids of all women, or, more truly, Woman its pretty self,) to a waggish courage; Ready in gibes, quick-answer'd, saucy, and As quarrellous as the weasel: nay, you must Forget that rarest treasure of your cheek, Exposing it (but, O, the harder heart! Alack no remedy!) to the greedy touch Of common-kissing Titan; and forget Your laboursome and dainty trims, wherein You made great Juno angry. Imo. Nay, be brief: I see into thy end, and am almost A man already. Pis. First, make yourself but like one. Fore-thinking this, I have already fit, ('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 • As quarrellous as the weasel:] This character of the weasel is not warranted by naturalists. Weasels, however, were formerly kept in houses instead of cats, for the purpose of killing vermin. From youth of such a season, 'fore noble Lucius Present yourself, desire his service, tell him Wherein you are happy," (which you'll make him know, If that his head have ear in musick,) doubtless With joy he will embrace you; for he's honourable, And, doubling that, most holy. Your means abroad? You have me, rich; and I will never fail Beginning, nor supplyment. A Imo. Thou art all the comfort The gods will diet me with. Pr'ythee, away: There's more to be consider'd; but we'll even All that good time will give us: This attempt I'm soldier to, and will abide it with A prince's courage. Away, I pr'ythee. 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, What's in't is precious; if you are sick at sea,b6!/ Imo. Amen: I thank thee... t • Wherein you are happy,] i. e. wherein you are accomplished. i - your means abroad, &c.] As for your subsistence abroad, you may rely on me. 8 This attempt I'm soldier to,] i. e. I am equal to this attempt; I have enough of ardour to undertake it. Enter CYMBELINE, Queen, CLOTEN, LUCIUS, and Lords. Cym. Thus far; and so farewell. Lue. Thanks, royal sir. My emperor hath wrote; I must from hence; And am right sorry, that I must report ye My master's enemy. Cym. Our subjects, sir, Will not endure his yoke; and for ourself Luc. So, sir, I desire of you A conduct over land, to Milford-Haven.— Cym. My lords, you are appointed for that office; The due of honour in no point omit: So, farewell, noble Lucius. Luc. Your hand, my lord. Clo. Receive it friendly: but from this time forth I wear it as your enemy. Luc. Sir, the event Is yet to name the winner: Fare you well. Cym. Leave not the worthy Lucius, good my lords, Till he have cross'd the Severn.-Happiness! [Exeunt LUCIUS, and Lords, Queen. He goes hence frowning: but it honours us, That we have given him cause. Clo. "Tis all the better; Your valiant Britons have their wishes in it. Cym. Lucius hath wrote already to the emperor How it goes here. It fits us therefore, ripely, Our chariots and our horsemen be in readiness: The powers that he already hath in Gallia Will soon be drawn to head, from whence he moves Queen. [Exit an Attendant. Cym. Re-enter an Attendant. Where is she, sir? How Please you, sir, Can her contempt be answer'd? Atten. Her chambers are all lock'd; and there's no answer That will be given to the loud'st of noise we make. Queen. My lord, when last I went to visit her, She pray'd me to excuse her keeping close; Whereto constrain'd by her infirmity, She should that duty leave unpaid to you, Which daily she was bound to proffer: this 1 |