Imo. All's well, sir. Take my power i' the court for yours. Iach. My humble thanks. I had almost forgot T'entreat your grace but in a small request, And yet of moment too, for it concerns Your lord; myself, and other noble friends, Imo. Pray, what is't? Iach. Some dozen Romans of us, and your lord, (The best feather of our wing) have mingled sums, To buy a present for the emperor; Which I, the factor for the rest, have done Imo. Willingly, And pawn mine honour for their safety; since Iach. They are in a trunk, Attended by my men; I will make bold To send them to you, only for this night, I must aboard to-morrow. Imo. O! no, no. Iach. Yes, I beseech; or I shall short my word, By lengthening my return. From Gallia I cross'd the seas on purpose, and on promise Therefore, I shall beseech you, if you please Imo. I will write. Send your trunk to me: it shall safe be kept, And truly yielded you. You 're very welcome. [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I. Court before CYMBELINE's Palace. Enter CLOTEN, and Two Lords. Clo. Was there ever man had such luck! when I kissed the jack' upon an up-cast, to be hit away! I had a hundred pound on't: and then a whoreson jackanapes must take me up for swearing; as if I borrowed mine oaths of him, and might not spend them at my pleasure. 1 Lord. What got he by that? You have broke his pate with your bowl. 2 Lord. [Aside.] If his wit had been like him that broke it, it would have run all out. Clo. When a gentleman is disposed to swear, it is not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths, ha? 2 Lord. No, my lord; [Aside.] nor crop the ears of them. Clo. Whoreson dog!-I give him satisfaction 10? Would he had been one of my rank! 9 2 Lord. [Aside.] To have smelt like a fool. Clo. I am not vexed more at any thing in the earth. when I kissed the JACK-] At bowls, what we now always term "the jack," in Shakespeare's time was most frequently called the mistress, but sometimes the master, and rarely "the jack," as in our text. 10 - I GIVE him satisfaction?] First folio, gare. Corrected by the editor of the second folio. -A pox on't! I had rather not be so noble as I am: they dare not fight with me, because of the queen my mother. Every jack-slave hath his belly full of fighting, and I must go up and down like a cock that no body can match. 2 Lord. [Aside.] You are cock and capon too; and you crow, cock, with your comb on. Clo. Sayest thou? 2 Lord. It is not fit, your lordship should undertake every companion that you give offence to. Clo. No, I know that; but it is fit I should commit offence to my inferiors. 2 Lord. Ay, it is fit for your lordship only. so I say. Clo. Why, so 1 Lord. Did you hear of a stranger, that's come to court to-night? Clo. A stranger, and I not know on't! 2 Lord. [Aside.] He's a strange fellow himself, and knows it not. 1 Lord. There's an Italian come; and, 'tis thought, one of Leonatus' friends. Clo. Leonatus! a banished rascal; and he's another, whatsoever he be. Who told you of this stranger? 1 Lord. One of your lordship's pages. Clo. Is it fit, I went to look upon him? Is there no derogation in't? 1 Lord. You cannot derogate, my lord. Clo. Not easily, I think. 2 Lord. [Aside.] You are a fool granted; therefore, your issues being foolish do not derogate. Clo. Come, I'll go see this Italian. What I have lost to-day at bowls, I'll win to-night of him. Come, go. 2 Lord. I'll attend your lordship. [Exeunt CLOTEN and first Lord. That such a crafty devil as is his mother Should yield the world this ass! a woman, that Bears all down with her brain; and this her son Of the divorce he'd make! The heavens hold firm That temple, thy fair mind; that thou may'st stand, SCENE II. A Bed-chamber; in one Part of it a Trunk. IMOGEN reading in her Bed; a Lady attending. Imo. Who's there? my woman, Helen? Lady. Imo. What hour is it? Lady. Please you, madam. Almost midnight, madam. Imo. I have read three hours, then. Mine eyes are weak; Fold down the leaf where I have left: to bed. Take not away the taper, leave it burning; And if thou canst awake by four o' the clock, To your protection I commend me, gods! [Exit Lady. [Sleeps. IACHIMO comes from the Trunk. Iach. The crickets sing, and man's o'er-labour'd sense Repairs itself by rest: our Tarquin thus Did softly press the rushes', ere he waken'd How bravely thou becom❜st thy bed! fresh lily, How dearly they do't!-'Tis her breathing that As slippery, as the Gordian knot was hard!- 1 Did softly press the RUSHES,] It need hardly be repeated (See Vol. iv. p. 287) that apartments of old were usually strewed with rushes, instead of being carpeted. |