Imo. But that you shall not say I yield, being

silent, I would not speak. I pray you, spare me : faith, I shall unfold equal discourtesy To your best kindness: one of your great knowing Should learn, being taught, forbearance.

Clot. To leave you in your madness, 'twere my sin : I will not.

Imo. Fools are not mad folks,
Clot. Do you call me fool?

936
Imo. As I am mad, I do:
If you'll be patient, I'll no more be mad,
That cures us both. I am much sorry, sir,
You put me to forget a lady's manners,
By being so verbal: and learn now,

for all, That I, which know my heart, do here pronounce, By the very truth of it I care not for you; And am so near the lack of charity (To accuse myself), I hate you : which I had rather You felt, than make't my boast.

240 Clot. You sin against Obedience, which you owe your father. For The contract you pretend with that base wretch (One, bred of alms, and foster'd with cold dishes, With

scraps o' the court), it is no contract, none : And though it be allow'd in meaner parties (Yet who, than he, more mean :) to knit their souls (On whom there is no more dependency But brats and beggary) in self-figur'd knot ; Yet you are curb'd from that enlargement by 250

The

The consequence o' the crown; and must not soil
The precious note of it with a base slave,
A hilding for a livery, a squire's cloth,
A pantler, not so eminent,

Imo. Prophane fellow!
Wert thou the son of Jupiter, and no more,
But what thou art, besides, thou wert too base
To be his groom : thou wert dignify'd enougl,
Even to the point of envy, if 'twere made
Comparative for your virtues, to be stil'd

26. The under-hangman of his kingdom; and hated For being preferråd so well.

Clot. The south-fog rot him !

Imo. He never can meet more mischance, than como To be but nam'd of thee. His meanest garment, That ever hath but clip'd his body, is dearer, In my respect, than all the hairs above thee, Were they all made such men. -How now, Pisanio ?

Enter PISANIO.

Clot. His garment ? Now, the devil
Imo. To Dorothy my woman hie thee presently:
Clot. His garment?

271
Imo. I am sprighted with a fool;
Frighted, and anger'd worse :-Go, bid my woman
Search for a jewel, that too casually
Hath left mine arm ; it was thy master's: shrew me,
If I would lose it for a revenue
of any king's in Europe. I do think,
I saw't this morning : confident I am,

Last

Last night 'twas on mine arm; I kissed it:
I hope, it be not gone, to tell my

lord

280 That I kiss aught but him.

Pis. 'Twill not be lost.
Imo. I hope so : go, and search. [Exit PISANIO.

Clot. You have abus'd me:
His meanest garment?

Imo. Ay; I said so, sir :
If you will make't an action, call witness to't.

Clot. I will inform your father.

Imo. Your mother too : She's my good lady; and will conceive, I hope, 290 But the worst of me. So I leave you, sir, To the worst of discontent.

[Exii. Clot. I'll be reveng'd :His meanest garment?

Well,

[Exit.

SCENE IV.

Enter

Rome. An Apartment in PHILARIO's House.

POSTHUMUS, and PHILARIO.

Post. Fear it not, sir : I would, I were so sure
To win the king, as I am bold, her honour
Will remain her's.

Phil. What means do you make to him?

Post. Not any; but abide the change of time: Quake in the present winter's state, and wish 300 That warmer days would come : In these fear'd hopes, I barely gratify your love; they failing,

I must die much your debtor.

Phil. Your very goodness, and your company, O'erpays all I can do. By this, your king Hath heard of great Augustus: Caius Lucius Will do his commission thoroughly: And, I think, He'll grant the tribute, send the arrearages, Or look upon our Romans, whose remembrance Is yet fresh in their grief.

310 Post. I do believe (Statist though I am none, nor like to be), That this will prove a war; and you shall hear The legions, now in Gallia, sooner landed In our not-fearing Britain, than have tidings Of any penny tribute paid. Our countrymen Are men more order'd, than when Julius Cæsar Smil'd at their lack of skill, but found their courage Worthy his frowning at: Their discipline (Now mingled with their courages) will make known To their approvers, they are people, such 32 1 That mend upon the world.

Enter IACHIMO.

Phil. See! Iachimo!

Post. The swiftest harts have posted you by land; And winds of all the corners kiss'd your sails, To make your vessel nimble.

Phil. Welcome, sir.

Post, I hope, the briefness of your answer made The speediness of your return. lach. Yoựr lady

330

1

Is one of the fairest that I have look'd upon.

Post. And, therewithal, the best; or let her beauty
Look through a casement to allure false hearts,
And be false with them.

lach. Here are letters for you.
Post. Their tenour good, I trust.
lach. 'Tis very like.

Post. Was Caius Lucius in the Britain court,
When you were there?
lach. He was expected then,

340 But not approach'd.

Post. All is well yet.
Sparkles this stone as it was wont or is't not
Too dull for your good wearing?

lach. If I have lost it,
I should have lost the worth of it in gold.
I'll make a journey twice as far, to enjoy
A second night of such sweet shortness, which
Was mine in Britain ; for the ring is won.
Post. The stone's too hard to come by.

350
lach. Not a whit,
Your lady being so easy.

Post. Make not, sir,
Your loss your sport: I hope, you know that we
Must not continue friends.

lach. Good sir, we must,
If you keep covenant: Had I not brought
The knowledge of your mistress home, I grant
We were to question further : but I now
Profess myself the winner of her honour, 360

Together