Mr. William Shakespeare, his comedies, histories, and tragedies

THE LIBRARY

OF

THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES

The

WORKS

of

SHAKESPEARE,

Volume the ninth :

containing,

Troilus and Creflida ;
Cymbeline ;
King Lear.

LONDON:

Printed for J. fl»</R. TON SON in the Strand,

C

T R O I L U S

C R E S S I D A.

1376973

PROLOGUE.

•In Troy, there lies the fcene. From ifles of Greece
The princes orgillous, their high blood chaf 'd,
Have to the port of Athens fent their fhips
Fraught with the minifters and inftruments
Of cruel war : Sixty and nine, that wore
Their crownets regal, from the Athenian bay
Put forth toward Phrygia : and their vow is made,
To ranfack Troy ; within whose ftrong immures
The ravifh'd Helen, Mexelaus' queen,
With wanton Paris fleeps, And that's the quarrel.
To Tenedos they come ;

And the deep-drawing barks do there difgorge
Their warlike fraughtage : Now on Dardan plains
The frefh and yet unbruised Greets do pitch
Their brave pavilions : Pr/am's fix-gated city
(Dardan, and TTyfa&ria, Ilias, Chetas, Troyan,
And Antenoridas) with mafly ftaples,
And correfponfive and fulfilling bolts,
Sperrs up the fons e>f Troy.
Now expectation, tickling fldttifh fpirits,
On one and other fide, Trojan and Greek,
Sets all on hazard : And hither am I come,
A prologue arm'd, — but not in confidence
Of author's pen, or adlor's voice; but fuited
In like conditions as our argument, —
To teil you, fair beholders, that our play
Leaps o'er the vaunt and fiiftlings of those broiU,
'Ginning in the middle ; ftarting thence away
To what may be digefted in a play.
Like, or find fault ; do as your pleasures are,
Now good, or bad, 'Tis but the chance of war.

*• v. Note. a» Beginning

Perfoni represented:

Agamemnon, the Greek General:
Menelaus, his Brother.
Achilles, a valiant Grecian :
Patroclus, his Favourite :
Therfites, a Droll, his Follower.
Ulyfles, I

Neftor, (.Grecian Commanders.

Ajax, and f

Diomedes, J

Calchas, *Pr/V/, WTrojan, following tbe Grecian /

Servant to Diomed.

Priam, King of Troy :

Heflor, -]

Paris,

Troilus, \bisSons:

Helenus, and |

Deiphobus, J

Margarelon, baflard Son to Priam.

^neas, a valiant Trojan.

Pandarus, Uncle to Creflida.

Serv. to Creffida; Serv. to Troilus; Serv. to Paris.

Helen, Wife to Menelaus.
Andromache, Wife to (Ie£lor.
Caflandra, Daughter to Priam.
Creffida, Daughter to Calchas.

Soldiers a nd divert Attendants, Greek and Trojan.
Scene, Troy; and Plains adjoining.

TROILUS WC RE SSI DA.

ACT I.

SCENE I. Troy. Before Priam' j Palace.
Enter TRCILUS, arm'd; P A N D A R u s following.

FRO. Call here my varlet, I'll unarm again :
Why ihould I war without the walls of Troj,
That find fuch cruel battle here within ?
Each Trojan, that is mailer of his heart,
Let him to field ; Troilus, alas, hath none.

PJN. Will this geer ne'er be mended ?

TR o . The Greeks are ftrong, and fkilful to their ilrength,
Fierce to their {kill, and to their fiercenefs valiant;
But I am weaker than a woman's tear,
Tamer than fleep, fonder than ignorance ;
Lefs valiant than the virgin in the night,
And fkill-lefs as unpra&if'd infancy.

PA if. Well, I have told you enough of this : for my
part, I'll not meddle nor make no farther. He, that will
have a cake out of the wheat, muft tarry the grinding,

TRO. Have I not tarry'd ?

^ Troilus and Crcffida.

PAN. Ay, the grinding ; butyoumuil tarry theboult-

FRO. Have I not tarry'd? [ing-

PAN. Ay, the bouiting ; but you muft tarry the
leav'ning.

7*o. Still have I tarry'd.

PAH. Ay, to the leav'ning: but here's yet in the word
— hereafter, the kneading, the making of the cake,
the heating the oven, and the baking; nay, you muft
flay the cooling too, or you may chance burn your
lips.

7*0. Patience herfelf, what goddefs e'er fhe be,
Doth le/Ter blench at fufferance than I do.
A: Priam's royal table do I fit ;
And when fair Creffid comes into my thoughts,—
So, traitor! — when (he comes, — When is Ihe thence?

P^n. Well, fhe look'd yefter-night fairer than ever I
faw her look ; or any woman elfe.

7*o. I was about to tell thee,— When my heart,
As wedged with a figh, would rive in twain;
Left Hefior or my father fhould perceive me,
I have (as when the fun doth light a ftorm)
Bury'd this figh in wrinkle of a fmile :
But forrow, that is couch'd in feeming gladnefs,
Is like that mirth fate turns to fudden fadnefs.

PAN. An her hair were not fomewhat darker than
He/en's, (well, go to) there were no more comparifon
between the women, —But, for my part, fhe is my
kinswoman ; I would not, as they term it, praise her,—
But, I would, fomebody had heard her talk yefterday,
as I did. I will not difpraise your lifter Caffandrcis wit :
but —

7*0. O, Pandarui! I tell thee, Pandarus> —

'* traitpr then /he *' a fcorne

Troll us ana Creffida. c

When I do tell thee, There my hopes lie drown'd,

Reply not in how many fathoms deep

They lie indrench'd. I tell thee, I am mad

In CreJ/ttfs love : Thou anfwer'lt, She is fair;

Pour'lt in the open ulcer of my heart

Her eyes, her hair, her cheek, her gait ; her voice

Hand] i'ft in thy difcourfe : O that her hand !

In whose comparifon all whites are ink,

Writing their own reproach ; to whose foft feizure

The cygnet's down is harm, in fpirit of fenfe

Hard as the palm of plowman! this thou tell'ft me,

As true thou tell'ft me, when I fay— I love her;
But, faying thus, inltead of oil and balm,
Thou lay'lt in every gafh that love hath given me
The knife that made it.

PAX. I fpeak no more than truth.

TRO. Thou doit not fpeak fo much.

PAN. 'Faith, I'll not meddle in't. Let her be as me
is : if me be fair, 'tis the better for her ; an me be not,
me has the mends in her own hands.

FAQ. Good Pandarus ! £Sif)£, how now, Pandarus?

PA if. I have had my labour for my travel ; ill-thought
on of her, and ill-thought on of you : gone between
and between, but fmall thanks for my labour.

T"R o . What, art thou angry, Pandarus ? what, with me ?

PAN. Because fhe's kin to me, therefore fhe's not
fo fair as Helen : an me were not kin to me, me would be
as fair o'friday as Helen is on funday. But what care
I ? I care not, an fhe were a black-a-moor; 'tis all one
to me.

T'RO. Say I, me is not fair?

PAX. I do not care whether you do or no. She's a

10 harfti, and fpirit

6 Troilus and Creflida.

fool, to ilay behind her father ; let her to the Greek$ ',
and fo I'll tell her, the next time I fee her : for my part,
I'll meddle nor make no more i'th' matter.

TRO. Panda-u'.,~

PAN. Not I.

T'KO. Sweet Pc-n-iarus,

PAN. Pray you, fpeak no more to me ; I will leave
all as I found it, and there an end.

[Exit PANDARUS. Alarums beard,

?'RO. Peace, you ungracious clamours ! peace, rude

founds!'

Fools on both fides ! Helen muft needs be fair,
When with your blood you daily paint her thus.
I cannot fight upon this argument ;
It is too ftarv'd a fubje£t for my fword.
But PanJarus — O, gods, how do you plague me !
I cannot come to CrejfiJ, but by Pandar ;
And he's as teachy to be woo'd to woo,
As fhe is ftubborn-chaft againft all fuit.
Tell me, Apollo, for thy Daphne1?, love,
What Crejpd is, what Pandar, and what we ?
Her bed is India ; there Ihe lies, a pearl :
Between our Ilium, and where fhe resides,
Let it be call'd the wild and wand'ring flood ;
Ourfelf, the merchant ; and this failing Pandar,
Our doubtful hope, our convoy, and our bark.
Other Alarums. Enter J£NEAS.

J€NE . How now, prince 7 'roilus ? wherefore not afield :

TRO. B( cause not there ; This woman's anfwer forts.
For womamlh it is to be from thence.
What news, jEneas, from the field to-day ?

JE&E. That Paris is returned home, and hurt.

*9 flubbornf, chaft,

Troilus and Creflida. 7

By whom, JEneas ?
Troilus, by Menelaus.
TRO. Let Paris bleed : 'tis but a fear to fcorn ;
Paris is gor'd with Menelaus* horn. {Alarums.

J£NE. Hark! what goodfportis out of town to-day!
T'KO. Better at home, if would I might were may,
But, to the fport abroad ; — Are you bound thither ?
J£NE. In all fwift hafte.
Txo. Come, go we then together. [Exeunt.

SCENE II. r be fame. A Street.
Enter CR E s s i D A , and Servant.

CRE. Who were those went by ?

Ser. Queen Hecuba, and Ht/fa.

CRE. And whither go they ?

Ser, Up to the ealtern tower,
Whose height commands as fubjeft all the vale,
To fee the battle. Heflcr, whose patience
Js, as the virtue, fix'd, to-day was mov'd :
He chid Andromache? and ftrook his armorer ;
And, like as there were husbandry in war,
Before the fun rose, he was harnefTd light,
And to the field goes he ; where every flower
Did, as a prophet, weep what it forefaw
In He3or\ wrath.

CRE. What was his cause of anger ?

Ser. The noise goes, this : There is among the GretL-
A lord of Trojan blood, nephew to f/ftfor;
They call him, Ajax.

CRE. Good; And what of him;

Ser. They fay, he is a very man fer/e,
And ftands alone.

'9 as a Vertue

8 Troilus and Creflida.

CKE. So do all men ; unlefs they are drunk, fick,
or have no legs.

Ser. This man, lady, hath roh'd many beafts of
their particular additions ; he is as valiant as the lion,
churlifh as the bear, flow as the elephant : a man into
whom nature hath fo crowded humours, that his valour
is crufh'd into folly, his folly fauced with difcretion :
there is no man hath a virtue, that he hath not a
glimpfe of; nor any man an attaint, but he carries
fome ftain of it : he is melancholy without cause, and
merry againit the hair : He hath the joints of every
thing: but every thing fo out of joint, that he is a
gouty Briareus, many hands and no ufe; or purblinded
jfrgus, all eyes and no fight.

CKE. But how ftiould this man, that makes me
fmile, make Hetlor angry ?

Ser. They fay, he yeflerday cop'd Heflor in the
battle, and itrook him down ; the difdain and fhame
whereof hath ever fince kept Heflor failing and wa-
king.

Enter PANDARUS.

CRE. Who comes here ?

Ser. Madam, your uncle Pandarus.

CRE. Hefior's a gallant man.

Ser. As may be in the world, lady.

PAX. What's that? what's that ?

CRE. Good morrow, uncle Pandarus.

PAN. Good morrow, cousin Creffid : What do you
talk of? — Good morrow, dlexander .-_How do you,
cousin ? When were you at Ilium?

CKE. This morning, uncle.

PAN. What were you talking of, when I came ? Was

Troilus and Creffida. 9

Heftor arm'd, and gone, ere ye came to Ilium ? Helen was
not up, was (he ?

CRE. Hettor was gone; but Helen was not up.

PAN. E'en fo ; Heftor was {Hiring early.

CRE. That were we talking of, and of his anger.

PAH. Was he angry ?

CRE. So he ~|~ fays here.

PAN. True, he was fo ; I know the cause too ; he'll
lay about him to-day, I can tell them that : and there's
Troilus will not come far behind him ; let them take
heed of Troilus ; I can tell them that too.

CRE. What, is he angry too ?

PAN. Who, Troilus? Troilus is the better man of
the two.

CRE. O Jupiter /_ there's no companion.

PAN. What, not between Troilus and Heftor ? Do
you know a man, if you fee him ?

CRE. Ay; if I ever faw him before, and knew him.

PAN. Well, I fay, Troilus is Troilus.

CRE. Then you fay as I fay; for, I am fare, he is
not Hetfor.

PAN. No, nor Hector is not Troilus, in fome degrees.

CUE. 'Tis juft to each of them ; he is himfelf.

PAN. Himfelf? Alas, poor Tra/iw/ I would, he were,—

CRE. So he is.

PAN. —condition, I had gone bare-foot to India.

CRE. He is not Heftor.

PAN. Himfelf? no, he's not himfelf; 'Would, a were
himfelf! Well, the gods are above; Time muft friend,
or end: Well, Troilus, well, — I would, my heart were in
her body ! No, Heftor is not a better man than Troilus.

CRE. Excuse me.

io Troilus and Creffida.

PA it. He is elder.

CRE. Pardon me, pardon me.

PAN. Th' other's not come to't; you mail tell me
another tale, when th'other's come to't. Hefior fliall
not have his wit this year :

CRE. He mail not need it, if he have his own.

PA N. Nor his qualities :

CRE. No matter.

PA if. Nor his beauty.

Cxi. 'T would not become him, his ownTs better.

PAN. You have no judgment, niece : Helen herfelf
fwore th'other day, that Troilus, for a brown favour,
(for fo 'tis, I muft confefs) — Not brown neither.

CUE. No, but brown.

PAN. 'Faith, to fay truth, brown and not brown.

CRE. To fay the truth, true and not true.

PAN. She prais'd his complexion above Paris.

CRE. Why, Paris hath colour enough.

PAN. So he has.

CRE. Then, Troilus mould have too much: if fhe
prais'd him above, his complexion is higher than his ;
he having colour enough, and the other higher, is too
flaming a praise for a good complexion. I had as lieve,
Helen's golden tongue had commended Troilus for a
copper nose.

PAN. I fwear to you, I think, Helen loves him better
than Paris.

CRE. Then (he's a merry Greek, indeed.

PAN. Nay, I am fure me does. She came to him
th'other day into the compaft window, — and , you know,
he has not paft three or four hairs on his chin.

CRE. Indeed, a tapfter's arithmetick may foon bring

5 bis will thi*

Troilus and Crefllda. I \

his particulars therein to a total.

PAN. Why, he is very young: and yet will he, within
three pound, lift as much as his brother Hettor.

CRE. Is he fo young a man, and fo old a lifter?

PAN. But, to prove to you that Helen loves him; — me
came, and puts me her white hand to his cloven chin,—

CRE. Juno have mercy ! How came it cloven?

PAN. Why, you know, 'tis dimpl'd: I think, his fmi-
ling becomes him better than any man in all Pbrygia.

CRE. O, he fmiles valiantly.

PAN. Does he not?

CRE. O, yes; an 'twere a cloud in autumn.

PAN. Why, go to then: But, to prove to you that
Helen loves Troilus ; — [fo.

CRE. Troilus will ftand to the proof, if you'll prove it

PAN. Troilus? why, he efteems her no more than I
efleem an addle egg.

CRE. If you love an addle egg as well as you love an
idle head, you would eat chickens i'the fhell.

PAN. I cannot choose but laugh, to think how (he
tickl'd his chin;— Indeed, me has a marvel's white hand,
1 mult needs confefs :

CRE. Without the rack. [his chin :

PAN. And me takes upon her to fpy a white hair on

CRE. Alas, poor chin ! many a wart is richer.

PAN. But, there was fuch laughing ; — Queen Hecuba
laugh'd, that her eyes ran o'er :

LRE. With milflones.

PAN. And Caffandra laugh'd :

CR E . But there was more temperate fire under the pot
of her eyes ; _ Did her eyes run o'er too ?

PAN. And Heflor laugh'd :

VOL. TX. JJ

i z Troilus and Creffida.

CUE. At what was all this laughing ?

PAN. Marry, at the white hair that Helen fpy'd on
Troilus' chin.

CRE. An't had been a green hair, I mould have
laugh'd too.

PAN. They laugh'd not fo much at the hair, as at his
pretty anfwer.

CRE. What was his anfwer?

PAN. Quoth fhe, Here 's but one and fifty hairs on your
chin, and one of them is white.

CRE. This is her queftion.

PAN. That's true; make no queftion of that. One
and fifty hairs, quoth he, and one white: That white
hair is my father, and all the reft are his fans. Jupiter!
quoth me, which of these hairs is Paris my husband?
The forked one, quoth he ; fluck't out, and grve it him.
But, there was fuch laughing! and Helen fo blufh'd,
and Paris fo chaf'd, and all the reft fo laugh'd, that it
paiT'd.

CRE. So let it now; for it has been a great while
going by.

PAN. Well, cousin, I told you a thing yefterday ;
think on't.

CRE. So I do.

PAN. I'll be fworn, 'tis true; he will weep you — an
'twere a man born in April.

CUE. And I'll fpring up in his tears, an 'twere a
nettle againft May. [Retreat heard.

PAN. Hark, they are coming from the field : Shall we
ftand up here, and fee them, as they pafs toward Itium?
good niece, do ; fweet niece Crtffida.

CKE. At your pleasure.

9 v. Note.

Troilus and Crefllda. 13

PAK. Here, here, here's an excellent ~J~ place ; here
we may fee mod bravely : I'll tell you them all by
their names, as they pafs by ; but mark Troilus above
the reft.

Flourijh. Enter certain Troops, and pafs over}
^Eneas with them.

CRE. Speak not fo loud.

PAN. That's ~\~ JEneas; Is not that a brave man ? he's
one of the flowers of Troy, I can tell you ; But mark
Troilus', you fhall fee anon.

An tenor pajjes over.

CRE. Who's that?

PAN. That's ~|~ Antenor; he has a (hrowd wit, I can
tell you ; and he's man good enough : he's one o'th'
foundeft judgments in Troy, whofoever; and a proper
man of perfon : _ When comes Troilus ? _ I'll fhew you
Troilus anon ; if he fee me, you mail fee him nod at
me.

CRE. Will he give you the nod ?

PAN. You fhall fee.

CRE. If he do, the rich (hall have more.
Heftor pafles over.

PAX. That's "[• Heflor, that, that, look you, that;
There's a fellow ! _ Go thy way, Heftor ; _ There's a
brave man, niece ; _ O brave Heflor ! _ Look how he
looks ; there's a countenance ; Is't not a brave man ?

CRE. O, a brave man.

PAN. Is a not ? it does a man's heart good — Look
you, what hacks are on his helmet ? look you yonder,
do you fee ? look you there : There's no jefting : laying
on ; take't off who will, as they fay : there be hacks.

CRE. Be those with fvvords ?

B s

I 4. Troilus and Creflida.

PA AT. Swords ? any thing, he cares not ; an the devil
come to him, it's all one : By god's lid, it does one's
heart good : —Yonder comes Paris, yonder comes Paris :

Paris pajfes o<ver.

look ye yonder, niece ; Is't not a gallant man too, is't
not ?_ Why, this is brave now Who faid, he came hurt
home to-day ? he's not hurt : why, this will do Helen's
heart good now. Ha ! 'would I could fee Troilus now !
_you mail fee Troilus anon.

Helenus pajjes over.

CRE. Who's that?

PAN. That's Helenas, _ I marvel, where Troilus is ; —
that's Helenas; — I think, he went not forth to-day j —
that's Helenus.

CRE. Can Helenus fight, uncle ?

PAH. Helenus? no; — yes, he'll fight indifferent well:

I marvel, where Troilus is ! Hark ; do you not hear the

people cry, Troilus ? Helenus is a prielt.
Troilus paffes over.

CRE. What fneaking fellow comes yonder?

PAH. Where? yonder ? that's Deipbclus: 'TisTroilus!
There's a man, niece ! _ hem ! _ Brave Troilus ! the prince
of chivalry !

CRE. Peace, for fliame, peace.

PAN. Mark him ; note him ; _ O brave Troilus ! _. .
look well upon him, niece; look you, how his fword
is bloody'd, and his helm more hack'd than Hector's ;

And how he looks, and how he goes ! O admirable

youth ! __ he ne'er faw three and twenty. Go thy way,
Troilus, go thy way ; had I a filter were a grace, or a
daughter a goddefs, he fhould take his choice. Paris ?
Paris is dirt to him ; and, I warrant, Helen, to change,

Troll us and Creffida. 1 5

would give money to boot.

Other Troops fa/s o-ver.

CRE. Here come more.

PAN. AfTes, fools, dolts ; chaff and bran, chaff and
bran, porredge after meat. I could live and die i'the
eyes of Troilus. Ne'er look, ne'er look ; the eagles are
gone ; crows and daws, crows and daws. I had rather
be fuch a man as Troi/us, than Agamemnon and all
Greece.

CRE. There is among the Greeks, Achilles-, a better
man than Troi/us.

PAN. Achilles? a drayman, a porter, a very camel.

CRE. Well, well.

PA N. Well, well ? Why, have you any difcretion ?
have you any eyes ? do you know what a man is ? Is not
birth, beauty, good (hape, difcourfe, manhood, learning;,
gentlenefs, virtue, youth, liberality, and fuch like, the
fpice and fait that feason a man ?

CRE. Ay, a minc'd man : and then to be bak'd with
no date in the pye, — for then the man's date's out.

PAN. You are fuch a woman ! a man knows not at
what ward you lye.

CRE. Upon my back, to defend my belly; upon my
wit, to defend my wiles ; upon my fecrefy, to defend
mine honefty; my mafk, to defend my beauty; and you,
to defend all these : and at all these wards I lye, at a
thousand watches.

PAN. Say one of your watches.

CRE. Nay, I'll watch you for that ; and that's one of
the chiefeft of them too : if I cannot ward what I would
not have hit, I can watch you for telling how I took
the blow ; unlefs it fvvell paft hiding, and then it's paft

16 Troilus and Creffida.

watching.

PAN. You are fuch another !

Enter Troilus' J?oy.

Boy. Sir, my lord would inftantly fpeak with you.

PAN. Where?

Boy. At your own houfe ; there he unarms him.

PAN. Good boy, tell him I come: [ExitEoy.] Idoubt,
he be hurt. _ Fare ye well, good niece.

CRE. Adieu, uncle.

PAN. I'll be with you, niece, by and by.

CUE. To bring, uncle, —

PAN. Ay, a token from Troilus, \Exit.

CRE. By the fame token — you are a bawd —
Words, vows, gifts, tears, and love's full facrifice,
He offers in another's enterprise :
But more in Troilus thousand fold I fee,
Than in the glafs of Pandar1* praise may be ;
Yet hold I off. Women are angels, wooing ;
Things won are done, joy's foul lies in the doing :
That (he belov'd knows nought, that knows not this, —
Men prize the thing ungain'd more than it is :
That me was never yet, that ever knew
Love got fo fweet, as when desire did fue :
Therefore this maxim out of love I teach, —
Atchievement is, command; ungain'd, befeech:
Then though my heart's content firm love doth bear,
Nothing of that fhall from mine eyes appear. \Exeunt,

SCENE III. The Grecian Camp. Before a Tent.
Enter AGAMEMNON, NESTOR, ULYSSES,

MENELAUS, and Others .
AGA. Princes,

Troilus and Creffida. 17

What grief hath fet this jaundice on your cheeks ?

The ample proposition, that hope makes

In all defigns begun on earth below,

Fails in the promis'd largenefs : checks and disasters

Grow in the veins of aftions higheft rear'd ;

As knots, by the conflux of meeting fap,

In feel; the found pine, and divert his grain

Tortive and errant from his courfe of growth.

Nor, princes, is it matter new to us,

That we come fhort of our fuppose fo far,

That, after feven years' fiege, yet Troy walls (land ;

Sith every aclion that hath gone before,

Whereof we have record, trial did draw

Bias and thwart, not anfwering the aim,

And that unbody'd figure of the thought

That gave't furmised fhape. Why then, you princes,

Do you with cheeks abafh'd behold our works;

And think them (names, which are, indeed, nought elfe

But the protraftive trials of great Jove,

To find persiftive conftancy in men ?

The finenefs of which metal is not found

In fortune's love : for then, the bold and coward,

The wise and fool, the artift and unread,

The hard and foft, feem all affin'd and kin :

But, in the wind and tempeft of her frown,

Diftin&ion, with a broad and powerful fan,

Puffing at all, winnows the light away ;

And what hath mafs, or matter, by itfelf

Lies, rich in virtue, and unmingled.

NES. With due observance of thy godlike feat,
Great Agamemnon, Ne/for (hall apply
Thy latelt words. In the reproof of chance

» thcfe Jaundies 1 diverts *8 v. Note.

B4

1 8 Troilus and Creffida.

Lies the true proof of men : The fea being fmooth,

How many {hallow bauble boats dare fail

Upon her patient breaft, making their way

With those of nobler bulk ?

But let the ruffian Boreas once enrage

The gentle Thetis t and, anon, behold

The ftrong-rib'd bark through liquid mountains cut,

Bounding between the two moiit elements

Like Perjeus horfe : Where's then the faucy boat,

Whose weak untimber'd fides but even now

Co-rival'd greatnefs r either to harbour fled,

Or made a toaft for Neptune. Even fo

Doth valour's mew, and valour's worth, divide

In florms of fortune : For, in her ray and brightnefs,

The herd hath more annoyance by the brize,

Than by the tiger : but when the fplitting wind

Makes flexible the knees of knotted oaks, [rage,

And flies flee under made, Why, then, the thing of cou-

As rouz'd with rage, with rage doth fympathize,

And, with an accent tun'd in ielf-fame key,

Returns to chiding fortune.

ULT. dgamemnon, —

Thou great commander, nerve and bone of Greece,
Heart or' our numbers, foul and only fpirit,
In whom the tempers and the minds of all
Should be (hut up, — hear what UlyJ/es fpeaks.
Befides the applause and approbation,
The which, — moft mighty for thy place and fway, _ .
And thou moft reverend for thy ftretcht-out life, _
I give to both your fpeeches, — which were fitch,
As Agamemnon and the hand of Greece
Should hold up high in brafs ; and fuch again.

18 fled under »« Retires

Troilus and Creffia. 19

As venerable Ne/tor, hatch'd in filver,
Should with a bond of air (ftrong as the axle-tree
On which heaven rides) knit all the Greekijb ears
To his experienc'd tongue, — let it please both,—
Thou great, . and wise, to hear t/A^kr fpeak.

AGA. Speak, prince of Ithaca : and we lefs expecl
That matter needlefs, of importlefs burthen,
Divide thy lips ; than we are confident,
When rank :l berjites opes his maftiff jaws,
We ihall hear musick, wit, and oracle.

ULY. Troy, yet upon her bafis, had been down,
And the great Hoar's fword had lack'd a matter,
But for these inftances.
The fpecialty of rule hath been neglefted ;
And, look, how many Grecian tents do ftand
Hollow upon this plain, fo many hollow factions.
When that the general is not lik'd o'the hive,
To whom the foragers mall all repair,
What honey is expe&ed ? Degree being vizarded,
The unworthieft mews as fairly in the mafk.
The heavens themfelves, the planets, and this center,
Observe degree, priority, and ,place,
Jnfifture, courfe, proportion, feason, form,
Office, and cuftom, in all line of order :
And therefore is the glorious planet, Sof,
In noble eminence enthron'd and fpher'd
Amid'ft the other; whose med'cinable eye
Corrects the ill afpefts of planets evil,
And pofts, like the commandment of a king,
Sans check, to good and bad : But, when the planets,
In evil mixture, to disorder wander,
What plagues, and what portents? what mutiny ?

* yet let « and be't of lefle 9 Mafticke '? like the

to Troilus and Creffida.

What raging of the fea? making of earth ?

Commotion in the winds ? frights, changes, horrors,

Divert and crack, rend and deracinate

The unity and marry'd calm of ftates

Quite from their fixure ? O, when degree is mak'd,

Which is the ladder of all high defigns,

The enterprise is fick ! How could communities,

Degrees in fchools, and brotherhoods in cities,

Peaceful commerce from dividable fhores,

The primogeniture and due of birth,

Prerogative of age, crowns, fcepters, laurels,

But by degree, ftand in authentic place ?

Take bat degree away, untune that firing,

And, hark, what difcord follows ! each thing meets

In meer oppugnancy : The bounded waters

Should lift their bosoms higher than the Ihores,

And make a fop of all this folid globe :

Strength mould be lord of imbecility,

And the rude fon mould ftrike his father dead :

Force mould be right; or, rather, right and wrong

(Between whose endlefs jar juftice resides)

Should lose their names, and fo mould juftice too.

Then every thing includes itfelf in power,

Power into will, will into appetite;

And appetite, an nniverfal wolf,

So doubly feconded with will and power,

Muft make perforce an univerfal prey,

And, laft, eat up himfelf. Great Agamemnon,

This chaos, when degree is fuffocate,

Follows the choaking.

And this negledlion of degree it is,

That by a pace goes backward in a purpose

10 primogenitive

Troilus and Creffida. 2 1

It hath to climb: The general's difdain'd
By him one ftep below; he, by the next ;
That next, by him beneath : fo every ftep,
Exampl'd by the firftpace that is fick
Of his fuperior, grows to an envious fever
Of pale and bloodlefs emulation :
And 'tis this fever that keeps Troy on foot,
Not her own fmews. To end a tale of length,
Troy in our weaknefs ftands, not in her ftrength.

NES. Mod wisely hath Uly/fis here difcover'd
The fever whereof all our power is fick.

AGA. The nature of the ficknefs found, UlyJ/is,
What is the remedy ?

Utr. The great Achitles, — whom opinion crowns
The finew and the forehand of our hoft, —
Having his ear full of his airy fame,
Grows dainty of his worth, and in his tent
Lies mocking our defigns: With him, Patroc/us,
Upon a lazy bed, the livelong day
Breaks fcurril jefts;

And with ridiculous and aukward aftion
(Which, flanderer, he imitation calls)
He pageants us. Sometime, great Agamemnon*
Thy toplefs deputation he puts on ;
And, like a ftrutting player, "whose conceit
Lies in his ham-ftring, and doth think it rich
To hear the wooden dialogue and found
'Twixt his ftretch'd footing and the fcaffoldage, —
Such to-be-pity'd and o'er-refted feeming
He afts thy greatnefs in : and when he {peaks,
'Tis like a chime a mending ; with terms unfquar'd,
Which, from the tongue of roaring Typhon drop'd,

•za Troilus and CrefTtda.

Would feem hyperboles. At this fufty fluff,

The large Achilles, on his preff'd bed lolling,

From his deep cheft laughs out a loud applause

Cries, Excellent! 'tis Agamemnon jujt.

Now play wNeftor; hem, andjiroak thy beard,

As he, being 'dreji to fame oration.

That's done ; as near as the extreameft ends

Of parallels, like as Vulcan and his wife :

Yet good Achilles {till cries, Excellent !

t(Tis Neftor right : Now play him me, Patroclus,

Arming to anjwer in a night alarm.

And then, forfooth, the faint defefts of age

Muft be the fcene of mirth ; to cough, and fpit,

And, with a palsy fumbling on his gorget,

Shake in and out the rivet : and at this fport

Sir Valour dies; cries, O, enough, Patroclus;

Or give me ribs ofjleel ! IJhall jplit all

In pleasure ofmyfpleen. And in this fafhion

All our abilities, gifts, natures, fhapes,

Severals and generals of grace exaft,

Atchievements, plots, orders, preventions,

Excitements to the field, or fpeech for truce,

Succefs, or lofs, what is, or is not, ferves

As fluff for these two to make paradoxes.

NES. And in the imitation of these twain
(Whcm, as Uly/es fays, opinion crowns
With an imperial voice) many are infeft.
Ajax is grown felf-will'd ; and bears his head
In fuch a rein, in full as proud a place
As broad Achilles: keeps his tent like him;
Makes faftious feafts ; rails on our flate of war.
Bold as an oracle : and fets Therjites

8 as like as *« Who as

Troilus and Creffida. 2$

(A flave, whose gall coins flanders like a mint)
To match us in companions with dirt ;
To weaken and difcredit our exposure,
How rank foever rounded in with danger.

ULT. They tax our policy, and call it cowardife ;
Count wisdom as no member of the war;
Foreftal prefcience, and efteem no aft
But that of hand : the ftill and mental parts,—
That do contrive how many hands mail ftrike,
When fitnefs calls them on ; and know, by measure
Of their observant toil, the enemies' weight, —
Why, this hath not a finger's dignity ;
They call this — bed- work mappery, closet war :
So that the ram, that batters down the wall,
For the great fwing and rudenefs of his poize,
They place before his hand that made the engine;
Or those, that with the finenefs of their fouls
By reason guide his execution.

NES. Let this be granted, and Achilles' horfe
Makes many Thetis' fons. [Trumpet beard.

AGA. What trumpet'0 $at? look, Mene/aus,

MEN. From J'roy.

Enter ./ENEAS.

AGA. What would you 'fore our tent?

J£NE. Is this great Agamemnon's tent, I pray you ?

AGA. Even this.

JEnE. May one, that is a herald, and a prince,
Do a fair meflage to his kingly ears ?

AGA. With furety ftronger than Achilles' arm
'Fore all the Greekijb heads, which with one voice
Call Agamemnon head and general.

. Fair leave, and large fecurity. How may

.24. Troilus and Crefllda.

A Granger to those mod imperial looks
Know them from eyes of other mortals ?

AGA. How?

J£NE. I afk, that I might waken reverence,
And bid the cheek be ready with a blufh
Modeft as morning when fhe coldly eyes
The youthful Phoebus :
Which is that god in office, guiding men ?
Which is the high and mighty Agamemnon ?

Ac A. This Trojan fcorns us ; or the men of Troy
Are ceremonious courtiers.

jENE. Courtiers as free, as debonair, unarm'd.
As bending angels ; that's their fame in peace :
But when they would feem foldiers, they have galls,
Good arms, flrongjoints, true fwords; and,
Nothing fo full of heart. But peace,
Peace, Trojan ; lay thy finger on thy lips !
The worthinefs of praise diilains his worth,
If that the prais'd himfelf bring the praise forth :
What the repining enemy commends,
That breath fame blows ; that praise, fole pure, tranfcends.

Ac A. Sir, you of Troy, call you yourfelf ^Eneas ?

JENE. Ay, Greek, that is my name.

Ac A. What's your affair, I pray you ?

J£KE. Sir, pardon ; 'tis for /Jgamemnons ears. [Troy,

Ac A. He hears nought privately, that comes from

^EtiE. Nor I from Troy come not to whifper him :
I bring a trumpet to awake his ear ;
To fet his fenfe on the attentive bent,
And then to fpeak.

Ac A. Speak frankly as the wind ;
It is not Agamemnon 's fleeping hour :

* I, I

Troilus and Creffida.

That thou malt know, Trojan, he is awake,
He tells thee fo himfelf.

Trumpet, blow loud,
Send thy brafs voice through all these lazy tents ;_w
And every Greek of mettle, let him know,
WhafTVoy means fairly {hall be fpoke aloud.

[ Trumpet founds.

We have, great Agamemnon, here in Troy
A prince called Hecior, Priam is his father,
Who in this dull and long-continu'd truce
Is rufty grown ; he bad me take a trumpet,
And to this purpose fpeak. Kings, princes, lords !
If there be one, among the fair'il of Greece,
That holds his honour higher than his ease;
That feeks his praise more than he fears his peril ;
That knows his valour, and knows not his fear j
That loves his miftrefs more than in confeflion,
(With truant vows to her own lips he loves)
And dare avow her beauty, and her worth,
In other arms than hers, — to him this challenge.
Hettor, in view of Trojans and of Greeks,
Shall make it good, or do his beft to do it,
He hath a lady, wiser, fairer, truer,
Than ever Greek did compafs in his arms ;
And will to-morrow with his trumpet call,
Mid-way between your tents and walls of Troy,
To rouze a Grecian that is true in love :
If any come, HeElor (hall honour him ;
If none, he'll fay in Troy, when he retires,
The Grecian dames are fun-burnt, and not worth
The fplinter of a lance. Even fo much.
AGA. This fhall be told our lovers, lord

26 Troll us and Creffida.

If none of them have foul in fuch a kind,
We left them all at home : But we are foldiers ;
And may that foldier a mere recreant prove,
That means not, hath not, or is not in love !
If then one is, or hath, or means to be,
That one meets Hetlor ; if none elfe, I am he.

NES. Tell him of Neftor, one that was a man
When Hcflor's grandfire fuck'd : he is old now ;
But, if there be not in our Gitdan hoft
One noble man, that hath one fpark of fire
To anfwer for his love, Tell him from me, —
I'll hide my filver beard in a gold beaver,
/nd in my vantbrace put this wither'd brawn ;
And, meeting him, will tell him, That my lady
Was fairer than his grandame, and as chaft
As may be in the world: His youth in flood,
I'll pawn this truth with my three drops of blood.

JENE, Now heavens forbid fuch fcarcity of youth!

AGJ. Amen —

Fair lord ^Eneas, let me touch your hand ;
To our pavilion (hall I lead you, fir.
Achilles mail have word of this intent;
So mall each lord of Greece, from tent to tent :
Yourfelf (hall feaft with us before you go,
And find the welcome of a noble foe.

{Exeunt All but Uly. and Nef.

Uir. Neftor,—

NES. What fays Ufyfes ?

ULY. I have a young conception in my brain,
Be you my time to bring it to fome (hape.

NES. Whatis't? [pride

Vir, Blunt wedges rive hard knots : The feeded

'» v. Note.

TrOilus and Creflida. 27

That hath to this maturity blown up
In rank Achilles, muft or now be crop'd,
Or, fhedding, breed a nurfery of like evil,
To over-bulk us all.

Ar£S. Well, Cr, and how?

ULY. This challenge that the gallant Hefior fendsj
However it is fpread in general name,
Relates in purpose only to Achilles.

NES. The purpose is perfpicuous even as fubilance,
Whose groflhefs little characters fum up :
And, in the publication, make no ftrain,
But that Achilles, were his brain as barren
As banks of Lybia, — though, Apollo knows,
'Tis dry enough, — will with great fpeed of judgment,
Ay, with celerity, find Heftors purpose
Pointing on him.

ULT. And wake him to the anfwer, think you ?

Nss. Yes;

It is mofl meet ; Whom may you elfe oppose,
That can from Heftor bring those honours off,
If not Achilles ? I hough't be a fportful combat,
Yet in the trial much opinion dwells ;
For here the Trojans tafle our dear'ft repute
With their fin'ft palate : And truft to me,
Our imputation fnall be oddly poiz'd
In this wild aclion : for the fuccefs,
Although particular, lhall give a fcantling
Of good or bad unto the general ;
And in fuch indexes, although fmall pricks
To their fubfequent volumes, there is feen
The baby figure of the giant mafs
Of things to come at large. It is fuppos'd,

VOL. IX.

z8 Troilus and Creffida.

He, that meets Hefior, ifTues from our choice :
And choice, being mutual aft of all our fouls*
Makes merit her election ; and doth boil,
As 'twere, from forth us all, a man diftill'd
Out of our virtues; Who mifcarrying,
What heart receives from hence, a conquering part,
To (reel a ftrong opinion to themfelves ? [meet,

ULT. Give pardon to my fpeech ;— Therefore 'tis
Achilles meet not Hefior: Let us, like merchants,
Firft fhe\v foul wares, and think perchance they'll fell ;
If not,

The luftre of the better (hall exceed,
By {hewing the worfe firft. Do not confent,
That ever Hector and Achilles meet ;
For both our honour and our fliame, in this,
Are dog'd with two ftrange followers.

J fee them not with my old eyes ; What are they ?

ULY. What glory oar Achilles fhares from He£lort
Were he not proud, we all mould fhare with him :
But he already is too infolent ;
And we were better parch in Africk fun,
Than in the pride and fait fcorn of his eyes,
Should he 'fcape Hefior fair : If he were foil'd,
Why, then we did our main opinion crum
In taint of our belt man. No, make a lottery;
And, by device, let blockim Ajax draw
The fort to fight with Hefior : Among ourfelves,
Give him allowance for the better man :
For that will physick the great Myrmidon,
Who broils in loud applaufe ; and make him fall
His creft, that prouder than blue Iris bends.

Troilus and Creffida. 29

If the dull brainlefs Ajax come fafe off,
We'll drefs him up in voices : If he fail,
Vet go \\ve under our opinion ftill,
That we have better men. But, hit or mifs,
Our project's life this (hapeof fenfe affumes, —
Ajax employ'd plucks down Achilles' plumes.

NES, Now I begin to relifh thy advice;
And I will give a tafte of it forthwith
To Agamemnon: go we to him ftraight.
Two curs fhall tame each other ; Pride alone
Muft tar the maftiffs on, as 'twere their bone. [Exeunt.

AC? II.

SCENE I. The fame. Another Part of it.
Enter THERSITES, AJAX following.

AjA. Tkerjites, —

TK E . Agamemnon ~ how if he had biles ? full, all over
generally r

AJA. Therfetes,—

THE . And those biles did ran ? Say fo, did not the
general run then ? were not that a botchy core ?

AJA. Dog,—

THE . Then there would come fome matter from him ;
I fee none now.

AJA. Thou bitch-wolf's fon, can'ft thou not hear?
Feel then. \flr£j*ghim.

THE. The plague ofGrctce upon thee, thou mungrel
beef-witted lord !

AJA. Speak then, thou unfaked leaven, fpeak : I will
beat thee into handfomenefs.

7 New U'jfts, I

C 2

jo Troilus and Creflida.

THE. I fliall fooner rail thee into wit and holinefs :
but, I think, thy horfe will fooner con an oration, than
thou learn a prayer without book. Thou canft ftrike,
canll thou ? a red murrain o'thy jade's tricks !

AJA. Toad-ftool, learn me the proclamation.

THE. Doft thou think, I have no fenfe, thou flrik'fl
me thus ?

AJA. The proclamation.

THE. Thou art proclaim'd a fool, I think.

AJA. Do not, porcupine, do not ; my fingers itch.

THE. I would, thou did'ft itch from head to foot, and
I had the fcratching of thee ; 1 would make thee the
loathfom'ft fcabin Greece.

AJA. I fay, the proclamation.

THE. Thongrumbl'ft and raileft every hour on Achilles:
and thou art as full of envy at his greatnefs, as Cerberus
is at Proferpinds beauty ; ay, that thou bark'ft at him.

AJA. Mi&re&rbtr/ftesf

THE. Thou mould'ft ftrike him.

AJA. Cob-loaf!

THE. He would pound thee into fhivers with his fift,
as a failor breaks a biflcet.

AJA. You whorfon cur ? [beating him.

THE. Do, do.

AJA. Thou ftool for a witch ?

THE . Ay, do, do : Thou fodden-witted lo'rd ! then
haft no more brain, than I have in mine elbows; an
affinego may tutor thee : Thou fcurvy valiant afs ! thou
art here but to thrafh Trojans ; and thou art bought
and fold among those of any wit, like a Barbarian
flave. If thou use to beat me, I will begin at thy heel,
and tell what thou art by inches, Thou thing of no

ai punnethce ** Afmica

Troilus and Creffida. 3 1

bowels, thou !

AJA. You dog! [beating him.

THE. You fcurvy lord!

AJA . You cur !

THE. Marshhideotl do, rudenefs; do, camel; do, do.
Enter ACHILLES, aWPATROCLUs.

ACH. Why, how now, Ajax ? wherefore do you thus ?_
How now, Therjttes ? what's the matter, man ?

THE. You fee him ~f~ there, do you?

ACH. Ay; What's the matter?

THE. Nay, look upon him.

ACH . So I do ; What's the matter ?

THE. Nay, but regard him well.

ACH. Well, why 1 do fo.

THE. But yet you look not well upon him : for, who-
foever you take him to be, he is Ajax.

ACH. I know that, fool.

THE. Ay, but that fool knows not himfelf.

AJA. Therefore I beat thee.

THE. Lo, lo, lo, lo, what modicums of wit he utters!
his evasions have ears thus ~j~ long. I have bob'd his
brain, more than he has beat my bones: t will buy nine
fparrows for a penny, and his pia mater is not worth the
ninth part of a fparrow. This lord, Achilles, Ajax, — who
wears his wit in his belly, and his guts in his head,— I
tell you what I fay of him :

ACH. What?

THE. I fay, this Ajax—

ACH. Nay, good Ajax. \.ftaying ^'m>

THE. has not fo much wit —

ACH . Nay, I muft hold you.

%HE. as will ftop the eye of Helen's needle, for whom

32 Troilus end Creffida.

he comes to fight.

ACH. Peace, fool !

THE. I would have peace and quietnefs, but the fool
will not : he there ; that he ; look you there.

Ay A. O thou damn'd cur ! I mall —

Acn. Will you fet your wit to a fool's ?

THE. No, I warrant you ; for a fool's will fhame it.

Pjtr. Good words, Tberjiles.

ACH. What's the quarrel ?

AJA. I bad the vile owl, go learn me the tenure of
the proclamation, and he rails upon me.

THE. I ferve thee not.

AJA. Well, go to, go to.

THE. I ferve here voluntary.

ACH. Your laft fervice was fufferance, 'twas not vo-
luntary ; no man is beaten voluntary : Ajax was here the
voluntary, and you as under an imprefs.

THE. E'enfo? a great deal of your wit too lies in your
finews, or elfe there be liars : Heclor mall have a great
catch, if he knock Out either of your brains ; a* were as
good crack a fufty nut with no kernel.

ACH. What, with me too, Tkerjites?

THE . There's Ulyjfts and old Neftor, — whose wit was
mouldy ere your grandfires had nails on their toes,—
yoke you like draft oxen, and make you plough up the
wars.

ACH. What, what ?

THE. Yes, good footh ; To, Achilles ! to, Ajax! to !

AJA. I (hall cut out your tongue

THE. 'Tis no matter; I fhall fpeak as much toit as
thou, afterwards.

PAT. No more words, Tberfites ; peace.

a* ere their Grand/ires

Troilus and Creflida. 3 3

Tff E . I will hold my peace when Achilla? brach bids
jne, fhall I ?

ACH. There's for you, Patroclus.

THE. I will fee you hang'd, like clot-poles, ere I
come any more to your tents ; I will keep where there is
wit ftirring, and leave the fa&ion of fools. [Exit.

PA*. A good riddance.

ACH . Marry, this, fir, is proclaim'd through all our
That Hefior, by the firft hour of the fun, [hoft :

Will, with a trumpet, 'twixt our tents and Troy,
To-morrow morning call fome knight to arms,
That hath a ftomach ; and fuch a one, that dare
Maintain — I know not what; 'tistralh. Farewel,

Ay A. Farewel. Who fhall anfwer him ?

Ac.a. I know not, it is put to lottery; otherwise,
He knew his man. [Exeunt ACH. and PAT.

AJA. O, meaning you : I'll go learn more of it. [Exit.

SCENE 11. Troy. A Room in Priam', Palace.

Enter PRIAM, HECTOR, TROILUS,

PARIS, «»^HELENUS.

PRZ. After fo many hours, lives, fpeeches fpent,
Thus once again fays Nejlcr from the Greeks;
Deliver Helen, and all damage elfe~~
As honour, lofs of time, travel, expence,
Woundi, friends, and what elj'e dear that is confuted
In hot diveftion of this cormorant *war,~~
Shall be ftrook off:—He3or, what fay you to't?

HEC. Though no man lefler fears the Greeks than I,
As far as toucheth my particular, yet,
Dread Priam,
Thsre is no lady of more fofter bowels,

* brooch

34 Troilus and Crefiida.

More fpungy to fuck in the fenfe of fear,

More ready to cry o\i\.—Who knows what follows ?

Than Hcflor is: The wound of peace is furety,

Surety fecure ; but modeft doubt is call'd

The beacon of the wise, tbe tent that fearches

To the bottom of the worft. Let Helen go :

Since the firft fword was drawn about this queftion,

Every tithe foul, 'mongft many thousand dismes,

Hath been as dear as Helen ; I mean, of ours :

If we have loft fo many tenths of ours,

To guard a thing not ours ; nor worth to us,

Had it our name, the value of one ten ;

What merit's in that reason, which denies

The yielding of her up ?

TKO. Fie, fie, my brother!
Weigh you the worth and honour of a king,
So great as our dread father, in a fcale
Of common ounces ? will you with counters Aim
The vaft proportion of his infinite ?
Or buckle-in a wafte moft fathomlefs,
With fpans and inches fo diminutive
As fears and reasons ? fie, for godly Ihame)

Hit . No marvel, though you bite fo fharp at reasons,
You are fo empty of them. Should not our father
Bear the great fway of his affairs with reasons,
Because your fpeech hath none, that tells him fo ?

T'RO. Youare fordreamsand {lumbers, brother prieft,
You fur your gloves with reason. Here are your reasons:
You know, an enemy intends you harm ;
You know, a fword employ'd is perilous,
And reason flies the object of all harm :
Who marvels then, when Htltmu beholds

»i The paft

Troilus and Crefllda. 35

A Grecian and his fword, if he do fet

The very wings of reason to his heels ;

And fly like chidden Mercury from Jove,

Or like a ftar diforb'd ? Nay, if we talk of reason,

Let's fliut our gates, and fleep: Manhood and honour

Should have hare hearts, would they but fat their thoughts

With this cram'd reason : reason and refpedl

Make livers pale, and luftihood dejeft.

HEC, Brother, (he is not worth what fhe doth coft
The holding.

7*0. What is aught, but as 'tis valu'd ?

HEC. But value dwells not in particular willj
It holds his eftimate and dignity
As well wherein 'tis precious of itfelf,
As in the prizer : 'tis mad idolatry,
To make the fervice greater than the god ;
And the will doats, that is inclinable
To what infedioufly itfelf afFeds,
Without fome image of the affefted'0 merit.

FRO. I take to-day a wife, and my eleftion
Is led on in the conduct of my will ;
My will enkindl'd by mine eyes and ears, •
Two traded pilots 'twixt the dangerous mores
Of will and judgment ; How may I avoid,
Although my will diftafte what itelefted,
The wife I chose ? there can be no evasion
To blench from this, and to ftand firm by honour :
We turn not back the filks upon the merchant,
When we have foil'd them ; nor the remainder viands
Wp do not throw in unrefpeftive place,
Because we now are full. It was thought meet,
Paris (hould do fome vengeance on the Greeks .•

36 Troilus and Creffida.

Your breath of full confent belly'd his fails ;

The feas and winds (old wranglers) took a truce,

And did him fervice : he touch'd the ports desir'd ;

And, for an old aunt, whom the Greeks held captive,

He brought a Grecian queen, whose youth and frefhnefc

Wrinkles Apollo's, and makes pale the morning.

Why keep we her ? the Grecians keep our aunt :

Is ftie worth keeping ? why, {he is a pearl,

Whose price hath launch'd above a thousand mips,

And turn'd crown'd kings to merchants.

Jf you'll avouch, 'twas wisdom Paris went,

(As you mufl needs, for you all cry'd — Go, go)

If you'll confefs, he brought home noble prize,

(As you mutt needs, for you all clap'd your hands,

And cry'd — IneJUmable ! ) why do you now

The iflue of your proper wisdoms rate ;

And do a deed that fortune never did,

Beggar the eftimation which you priz'd

Richer than fea and land ? O theft moft bafe ;

That we have ftoln what we do fear to keep !

Bafe thieves, unworthy of a thing fo ftoln ;

That in their country did them that difgrace,

We fear to warrant in our native place J

CAS. [within.] Cry, Trojans, cry!

PRI. What noise, what fhriek is this ?

7/to. 'Tis our mad fitter, I do know her voice.

CAS. ['within.} Cry, Trojans !

HEC. 'Tis Cafiandra.

Enter CASSANDRA, <voildly. •

CAS. Cry, Trojans, cry ! lend me ten thousand eyes,
And I will fill them with prophetic tears.

Hie. Peace, fitter, peace.

41 But thetves

Troilus fl«/Creflida. 37

C^s. Virgins and boys, mid -age and wrinkPdold,
Soft infancy, that nothing can'ft but cry,
Add to my clamours ! let us pay betimes
A moiety of that mafs of moan to come.
Cry, Trojans, cry, pradlife your eyes with tears 1
Troy muft not be, nor goodly Ilion ftand ;
Our fire-brand brother Paris burns us all.
Cry, Trojans, cry ! a Helen, and a woe :
Cry, cry ! Troy burns, or elfe let Helen go.

[Exit CASSANDRA.

HEC. Now, youthful Trollus, do not these high ftrains
Of divination in our filler work
Some touches of remorfe ? or is your blood
So madly hot, that no difcourfe of reason,
Nor fear of bad fuccefs in a bad cause,
Can qualify the fame ?

TRO. Why, brother Heffor,
We may not think the juftnefs of each a£l
Such and no other than event doth form it ;
Nor once dejeft the courage of our minds,
Because Cajandra's mad ; her brain-fick raptures
Cannot diftafte the goodnefs of a quarrel,
Which hath our feveral honours all engag'd
To make it gracious. For my private part,
I am no more touch'd than all Priam's fons :
And Jo<ve forbid, there fhould be done amongft us
Such things as might offend the weakeft fpleen
To fight for and maintain !

PJ R . Elfe might the world convince of levity
As well my undertakings, as your counfels :
But I atteft the gods, your full confent
Gave wings to my propenfion, and cut off

38 Troilus and Crefiida.

All fears attending on fo dire a project.
For what, alas, can these my tingle arms ?
What propugnation is in one man's valour,
To ftand the pufh and enmity of those
This quarrel would excite? Yet, I proteft,
Were I alone to pafs the difficulties,
And had as ample power as 1 have will,
Paris mould ne'er retract what he hath done,
Nor faint in the purfuit.

PRI. Paris, you fpeak
Like one befotted on your fweet delights :
You have the honey ftill, but these the gall ;
So to be valiant, is no praise at all.

PJR. Sir, I propose not meerly to myfelf
The pleasures fuch a beauty brings with it;
But I would have the foil of her fair rape
Wip'doff in honourable keeping her.
What treason were it to the ranfack'd queen,
Difgrace to your great worths, and fliame to me.
Now to deliver her posseflion up
On terms of bafe compulfion ? can it be,
That fo degenerate a ftrain as this
Should once fet footing in your generous bosoms J
There's not the meaneft fpirit on our party,
Without a heart to dare, or fword to draw,
When Helen is defended ; nor none fo noble,
Whose life were ill beftow'd, or death unfam'd,
Where Helen is the fubjeft : then, I fay,
Well may we fight for her, whom, we know well,
The world's large fpaces cannot parallel.

HEC. Paris, and Troilus, you have both faid well;
And on the cause and queftion now in hand

Troilus ana Creffida. 3

Have gloz'd, but fuperficially ; not much

Unlike young men, whom Ariftotle thought

Unfit to hear moral philolbphy :

The reasons, you alledge, do more conduce

To the hot pafiion of diftemper'd blood,

Than to make up a free determination

'Twixt right and wrong ; For pleasure, and revenge.

Have ears more deaf than adders to the voice

Of any true decifion. Nature craves,

All dues be render'd to their owners; Now

What nearer debt in all humanity,

Than wife is to the husband? if this law

Of nature be corrupted through affeclion ;

And that great minds, of partial indulgence

To their benummed wills, resift the fame ;

There is a law in each well-order'd nation,

To curb those raging appetites that are

Moft difobedient and refractory :

If Helen then be wife to Sparta's king, —

As, it is known, me is, — these moral laws

Of nature, and of nations, {peak aloud

To have her back return'd : Thus to persift

In doing wrong, extenuates not wrong,

Eut makes it much more heavy. Heftors opinion

Is this, in way of truth : yet, ne'erthelefs,

My fpritely brethren, I propend to you

In resolution to keep Helen ftill ;

For 'tis a cause that hath no mean dependance

Upon our joint and feveral dignities.

TRO. Why, there you touch'd the life of our defign
Were it not glory that we more affecled
Than the performance of our heaving fpleens,

4«Jl Troilus and Creffida.

I would not wim a drop of Trojan blood
Spent more in her defence. But, worthy Hetfor,
She is a theme of honour and renown ;
A fpur to valiant and magnanimous deeds ;
Whose present courage may beat down our foes,
And fame, in time to come, canonize us :
For, I presume, brave Hetfor would not lose
So rich advantage of a promis'd glory,
As fmiles upon the forehead of this a&ion,
For the wide world's revenue.

HEC. I am yours,

You valiant off-fpring of great Priamus. —
I have a roifling challenge fent amongft
The dull and faftious nobles of the Greeks,
Willftrike amazement to their drowzy fpirits:
I was advertized, their great general flept,
Whilft emulation in the army crept ;
This, I presume, will wake him. [Exeunt.

SCENE ill. T&eGreekCamf. Before Achilles' Text.

Enter THERSITES.

THE. How now, T'herjites? what, loft in the la-
byrinth of thy fury ? Shall the elephant Ajax carry it
thus ? he beats me, and I rail at him : O worthy
fatiffa&ion ! 'would, it were otherwise ; that I could
beat him, whilft he rail'd at me : 'Sfoot, I'll learn to
conjure and raise devils, but I'll fee fome iflue of my
fpiteful execrations. Then there's Achilles, —a rare en-
gineer* If Troy be not taken 'till these two under-
mine it, the walls will Hand 'till they fall of them-
felves. O thou great thunder-darter of Olympus, for-
get that thou art Jove the king of gods ; and, Mercury,

Troilus and Creffida. 4!

lose all the ferpentine craft of thy Caduceus ; if ye
take not that little little lefs-than-lhtle wit from them
that they have ! which Ihort-arm'd ignorance itfelf
knows is fo abundant fcarce, it will not in circum-
vention deliver a fly from a fpider, without drawing
the maffy iron, and cutting the web. After this, the
vengeance on the whole camp ! or, rather, the bone-
ach ! for that, methinks, is the curfe dependant
on those that war for a placket. I have /aid my
prayers ! and devil, envy, fay amen. What ho ! my
lord Achilles !

Enter PATROCLUS.

PA r. Who's there ? Tberjlta ? Good Ther/ites^ come
in and rail.

THE.. If I could have remember'd a gilt counter-
feit, thou would'ft not have flipt out of my contem-
plation : but it is BO matter, Thyfelf upon thyfelf!
The common curfe of mankind, folly and ignorance,
be thine in great revenue ! heaven blefs thee from a
tutor, and difcipline come not near thee ! Let thy blood
be thy direction 'till thy death ! then if me, that lays thee
out, fays —thou art a fair corfe, I'll be fworn and fvvorn
upon't, me never fhrouded any but lazars. Amen.
Where's Achilles?

PAT. What, art thou devout? waft thou in prayer?

TUE. Ay ; The heavens hear me !
Enter ACHILLES.

Aca. Who's there ?

PAT. Therfites, my lord.

ACH. Where, where ? _ Art thoa come : Why, my
cheese, my digeftion, why haft thou not ferv'd thy-
felf in to my table fo many meals : Come, what's Aga-

8 Irons 3» inta

^2 Troilus and Creffida1.

THE. Thy commander, Achilles ;— Then tell me,
Patrcclut, what's Achilles?

PAT. Thy lord, Therfitet ; Then tell me, I pray thee,
what's thyfelf ?

THE . Thy knower, Patrodus ; Then tell me, Patroclus,
what art thou ?

PAT. Thou may'ft tell, that know'ft.

ACH. O, tell, tell.

THE. I'll decline the whole queftion. Agamemnoncom-
mands Achilles ; Achilles is my lord ; I am Patroclus' know-
er j and Patroclus is a fool.

j^xr. You rafcal !

THE. Peace, fool ; I have not done.

ACH. He is a priviledg'd man. — Proceed, Therjites.

THE. Agamemnon is a fool ; Achilles is a fool ; Tber-
/ites is a fool ; and, as aforefaid, Patroclus is a fool.

ACH. Derive this ; come.

THE. Agamemnon is a fool, to offer to command Achil-
les; Achilles is a fool to be commanded of Agamemnon ;
Therfoes is a fool, to ferve fuch a fool ; and Patroclus is
a fool positive.

PAT. Why am I a fool?

THE. Make that demand of thy creator; it fuffices

me, thou art Look you, who comes here ?

Enter AGAMEMNON, NESTOR, ULYSSES,

DlOMEDES, flWAjAX.

ACH. Patrcclus, I'll fpeak with nobody: — Come in
with me, Therjites. {Exit.

THE. Here is fuch patchery, fuch jugling, and fuch
knavery ! all the argument is — a cuckold, and a whore;
A good quarrel, to draw emulous fadions, and bleed to

»* the Cre-

Troll us and Creffida. 43

death upon- Now the dry ferpigo on the fubjeft ! and
war, and lechery, confound all. [Exit.

AGA. Where is Achilles?

PAT. Within his tent; but ill-difpos'd.. my lord.

AGA. Let it be known to him, that we are here.
He fent us meflengers ; and we lay by
Our appertainments, visiting of him :
Let him be told fo; left, perchance, he think
We dare not move the queftion of our place,
Or know not what we are.

PAT:. I (hall fo fay to him. [Exit.

VLY. We faw him at the op'ning of his tent,
He is not fick.

AJA. Yes, lion-fick, fick of aproud heart: you may
call it melancholy, if you will favour the man; but, by
my head, 'tis pride ; But why, why ? let him mew us a
cause — A word, my lord.

[Jrawiag Agamemnon apart.

NES. What moves Ajax thus to bay at him ?

ULY. Achilles hath inveigl'd his fool from him.

NES. Wrho? Tberfites?

ULY. He.

KES. Then will Ajax lack matter, if he have loft his
argument.

ULY. No ; you fee, he is his argument, that has his
argument ; Achilles.

NES. All the better ; their fraction is more our wifh,
than their faftion : But it was a ftrong composure, a
fool could difunite'

ULY. The amity, that wisdom knits not, folly may
easily untye. Here comes Patroclus.
Re-enter PATROCLUS.

* fent our Meflengers

VOL. IX. O

44 Troilus and Crefiida.

A*£J. No Achilles with him. [tefy ;

Uir. The elephant hath joints, but none for cour-
His legs are for neceflity, not for flexure.

PAT. Achilles bids me fay — he is much forry,
If any thing more than your fport and pleasure
Did move your greatnefs, and this noble ftate,
To call upon him ; he hopes, it is no other,
But, for your health and your digeftion fake,
An after-dinner's breath.

AGA. Hear you, Patroclus ; —
We are too well acquainted with these anfwers :
But his evasion, wing'd thus fwift with fcorn,
Cannot out-fly our apprehenfions.
Much attribute he hath; and much the reason,
Why we afcribe it to him : yet all his virtues, —
Not virtucufly on his own part beheld,—
Do, in our eyes, begin to lose their glofs ;
Yea, like fair fruit in an unwholfome difli,
Are like to rot untafled. Go and tell him,
We come to fpeak with him : And you (hall not fin,
If you do fay - we think him over-proud,
And under-honeft ; in felf-aflumption greater, [felf
Than in the note of judgment : and worthier than him-
Here tend the favage ftrangenefs he puts on ;
Difguise the holy ftrength of their command,
And underwrite in an observing kind
His humorous predominance ; yea, watch
His pettifii lunes, his ebbs, his flows, as if
The paffage and whole carriage of this aclion
Rode on Lis tide. Go, tell him this ; And add,
That, if he over-hold hi< price fo much,
We'll none of him; but let him, like an engine

3 are legs for *8 lines

Troilus and Creflida. 45

Not portable, He under this report —
Bring aftion hither, this cannot go to war '
A flirring dwarf we do allowance give
Before a deeping giant : Tell him fo.

PAT. I mall ; and bring his anfwer presently.

[Exit PATROCLUS.

AGA. In fecond voice we'll not be fatiffy'd,
We come to fpeak with him -.-.UlyJJes, enter you.

[Exit ULYSSES.

AJA. What is he more than another?

AGA, No more than what he thinks he is.

A'JA. Is he fo much r Do you not think, he thinks

himfelf
A better man than I ?

AGA. No queftion.

AJA. Will you fubfcribe his thought, and fay— he is ?

AGA. No, noble Ajax\ you are as ftrong, as valiant,
As wise too, no lefs noble, much more gentle,
And altogether more tra&able.

AJA. Why mould a man be proud ?
How doth pride grow ? I know not what pride is.

AGA. Your mind's the clearer, Ajax, and your virtues
The fairer. He that's proud, eats up himfelf:
Pride is his own glafs, his own trumpet, his
Own chronicle ; and whate'er praises itfelf
But in the deed, devours the deed i'the praise.

AJA . I do hate a proud man, as I hate the engend'ring
of toads.

Ar£s. " And yet he loves himfelf; Is it not ftrange r"
Re-enter ULYSSES.

VLY. Achilles will not to the field to-morrow.

AGA. What's his excufe?

46 Troilus and Creflida.

Uir. He doth rely on none;
But carries on the ftream of his difpose,
Without observance or refpeft of any,
In will peculiar and in felf admiffion.

AGA. Why will he not, upon our fair requeft,
Untent his perfon, and mare the air with us ?

Utr. Things fmall as nothing, for requeft's fake only,
He makes important: Posseft he is with greatnefs ;
And fpeaks not to himfelf, but with a pride
That quarrels at felf breath : imagin'd worth
Holds in his blood fuch fwoln and hot difcourfe,
That, 'twixt his mental and his aftive parts,
Kingdom'd Achilles in commotion rages,
And batters 'gainft itfelf : What mould I fay ?
He is fo plaguy proud, that the death tokens of it
Cry — No recovery \

Ac A, Let Ajax go to him —
Dear lord, go you and greet him in his tent :
'Tis faid, he holds you well ; and will be led,
At your requeft, a little from himfelf.

Uir. O Agamemnon, let it not be fo !
We'll confecrate the fteps that Ajax makes,
When they go from Achilles : Shall the proud lord, —
That baftes his arrogance with his own feam ;
And never fuffers matter of the world
Enter his thoughts, fave fuch as doth revolve
And ruminate himfelf, — mall he be worfhip'd
Of that we hold an idol more than he ?
No, this -j- thrice- worthy and right-valiant lord
Muft not fo ftale his palm, nobly acquir'd ;
Nor, by my will, aflubjugate his merit,
As amply titl'd as Achilles' is,

Troilus and Creflida. 47

By going to Achilles :

That were to enlard his fat-already pride ;

And add more coals to Cancer, when he burns

With entertaining great Hyperion.

This lord go to him ! Jupiter forbid ;

And fay in thunder — Achilles, go to him.

Nns. " O, this is well ; he rubs the vein of him."

Dio. " And how his filence drinks up this applause !*'

AJA. If I go to him, with my armed fift
I'll pafh him o'er the face.

AGA. O, no, you mall not go.

AJA. An he be proud with me, I'll pheeze his pride :

Let me go to him-

ULT. Not for the worth that hangs upon our quarrel.

AJA. A paltry infolent fellow, —

NES. "How he defcribes himfelf !"

AJA. Can he not be fociable ?

Uir. "The raven chides blacknefs."

AJA. I'll let his humours blood. [patient."

AGA. "He will be the physician, that mould be the

AJA. An all men were o'my mind,—

ULT. " Wit would be out of faihion.

AJA. he mould not bear it fo,
He mould eat fwords firft : Shall pride carry it ?

NES. "An 'twould, you'd carry half."

ULY. "He would have ten mares."

AJA. I'll knead him, I will make him fupple :

NES. " He's not yet thorough warm : force him with

praises ;"
"Pour in, pour in; his ambition is dry."

Uir. My lord, you feed too much on this diflike.

[to Agamemnon,

*9 through v. Note,

48 Troilus and Creffida.

Nis. Our noble genera!, do not do fo.

Dio. You muft prepare to fight without Achilles.

ULY. Why, 'tis this naming of him does him harm.
Hereof is a man — But 'tis before his face;
I will be filent.

Nss. Wherefore fhould you fo?
He is not emulous, as Achilles is.

ULY. Know the whole world, he is as valiant.

AJJ. A whorfon dog, that mall palter thus with us!
'Would, he were a Trojan!

NES. What a vice were it in our Ajax now —

ULY. If he were proud ?

Dio. Or covetous of praise?

ULY. Ay, or furly born ?

Dio. Or ftrange, or felf-affefted? [posure;

ULY. Thank the heavens, lord, thouartoffweetcom-
Piaise him that got thee, me that gave thee fuck :
Fam'd be thy tutor; and thy parts of nature
Thrice-fam'd, beyond beyond all erudition :
But he that difciplin'd thy arms to fight,
Let Mars divide eternity in twain,
And give him half: and, for thy vigor, fort),
Bull-bearing Milo his addition yield
To fmewy djax. I will not praise thy wisdom,
Which, like a bourn, a pale, a more, confines
Thy fpacious and dilated parts : Here's Ne/}ort—
Inftrufted by the antiquary times,
He muft, he is, he cannot but be wise ; —
But pardon, father Neftor, were your days
As green as Ajax, and your brain fo temper'd,
You fhould not have the eminence of him,
But be as Ajax.

Troilus and Creffia. 49

A-JA. Shall I call you father?

ULY. Ay, my good fon.

Dio. Be rul'd by him, lord *jax.

ULT. There is no tarrying here ; the hart Achilles
Keeps thicket. Please it our great general,
To call together all his (late of war;
Frelh kings are come to Troy : To-morrow, lira,
We muft with all our main of power ftand faft:
And here's "fa lord,— come knights from eaft to weft,
And cull their flower, Ajax mall cope the belt.

Ac A. Go we to counfel. Let Achillei fleep:
Light boats fail fwift, though greater hulks draw deep.

[Exeunt.

m.

SCENE I. Troy. A Room in Priam'/ Palace.
Enter a Servant, and PANDARUS.

PAN. Friend, you! pray you, a word: Do not you
follow the young lord Paris?

Ser. Ay, fir, when he goes before me.

PAN. You depend upon him, I mean ?

Ser. Sir, I do depend upon the lord.

PA if. You depend upon a noble gentleman; I muft
needs praise him.

Ser. The lord be praised !

PAN. You know me, do you not ?

Ser. 'Faith, fir, fuperficially. [a'arus.

PAN. Friend, know me better; I am the lord Pan-

Ser. I hope, I mail know ycur honour better.

PJN. I do desire it.

> Troilus and Creffida.

Ser. You are in the flate of grace ?

PAN. Grace! not fo, friend; honour and lordftiip are

What musick is this ?

now, fir ; it is musick in

my titles: [Mniick tubbing
Ser. I do but partly k

parts.

PAN. Know you the musicians ?

Ser. Wholly, fir.

PAN. Who play they to?

Ser. To the hearers, fir.

PAN. At whose pleasure, friend ?

Ser. At mine, fir, and theirs that love musick,

PAN. Command, I mean, friend ?

Ser. Who fhall I command, fir ?

PAN. Friend, we underftand not one another; lam
too courtly, and thou art too cunning : At whose requeft
do these men play ?

Ser. That's to't indeed, fir: Marry, fir, at the re-
queft of Paris my lord, who's there in perfon ; with him,
the mortal Venus, the heart-blood of beauty, love's visi-
ble foul,-

PAN. Who, my cousin Crejfida?

Ser. No, fir, Helen ; Could you not find out that by
her attributes ?

PAN. It mould feem, fellow, that thou haft not feen
the lady Creffida. I come to fpeak with Paris from the
prince Troilus : I will make a complimental affault upon
him, for my businefs feeths:

Ser. Sodden businefs ! there's a ftew'd phrase, indeed !
Enter PARIS and HELEN, attended.

PAN. Fair be to you, my lord, and to all this fair
company ; fair desires, in all fair measure, fairly guide
them ! _efpecially to you, fair queen ! fair thoughts be

*9 loves inviiible

Troilus ami Creffida. 5 1

your fair pillow !

HEL. Dear lord, you are full of fair words.

PAN. You {peak your fair pleasure, fweet queen. _
Fair prince, here is good broken musick.

PAR. You have broke it, cousin: and, by my life,
you fhall make it whole again ; you mall piece it out
with a piece of your performance -.—Nell, he is full of
harmony.

PAN. Truly, lady, no.

HEL. O, fir,—

PAN. Rude, in footh ; in good footh, very rude.

PAR. Well faid, my lord ! well, you fay fo in fits.

PAN. I have businefs to my lord, dear queen : — My
lord, will you vouchfafe me a word ?

HEL. Nay, this fhall not hedge us out; we'll hear
you fing, certainly.

PAN. Well, fweet queen, you are pleasant with
me. _But (marry) thus, my lord, — My dear lord, and
moft efteemed friend, your brother Troilus —

HEL. My lord Pandarus ; honey-fweet lord, —

PAN. Go to, fweet queen, go to : —commends him-
felf moft affectionately to you ; ~

HEL. You fhall not bob us out of our melody; If
you dos our melancholy upon your head !

PAN. Sweet queen, fweet queen; that's a fweet
queen, i'faith.

PAR. And to make a fweet lady fad, is a four offence.

HEL. Nay, that fhall not ferve your turn ; that fhall
it not, in truth, la". Nay, I care not for fuch words ;
no, no.

IPatn And, my lord, he desires you, that, if the king
call for him at fupper, you will make his excufe.

*7 Eel. And « fatti Nay

5 2 Troll us and Creffida.

HEL. MylordPanJarus,—

PA N. What fays my fweet queen ; my very very fweet
queen ? [night ?

PAR, What exploit's in hand? where fups he to-

HEL . Nay, but my lord, —

PAN. What fays my fweet queen? —You muft not
know where he fups.

PAR. I'll lay my life, with my difposer Creffida.

PAN. No, no, no fuch matter, you are wide; come,
your difposer is tick.

PAR. Well, I'll make excufe.

PAN. Ay, good my lord. Why mould you fay —
CreJJida ? no, your poor djfposer's fick.

PAH. Ifpy-

PAN. You fpy ! what do you fpy ? — Come, give me
an inftrument now, fweet queen.

HEL. Why, this is kindly done.

PAN. My niece is horribly in love with a thing you
have, fweet queen.

HEL. She mail have it, my lord, if it be not my
lord Paris.

PAN. Hef no, flie'll none of him; they two are
twain. _My cousin will fall out with you.

HEL. Falling in, after falling out, may make them
three.

PAN. Come, come, I'll hear no more of this; I'll
fing you a fong now.

HEL. Ay, ay, pr'ythee now. By my troth, fweet
lord, thou haft a fine forehead.

PAN. Ay, you may, you may.

HEL. Let thy fong be love: this love will undo us
all. Oh, Cupid, Cupid, Cupid !

Troilus and Creflida. 53

PAN. Love! ay, that it lhalj, i'faith.

PA R . Ay, good now, love, love, nothing but love.

PAN. Jn good troth, it begins fo.

SONG.

Love, love, nothing but love, Jlill more !
For, o, love's bow
Jhoots buck and doe :
the Jhaft confounds
not that it nvounds,
tut tickles Jiill the fore.

2.
These lovers cry — Ob, oh, they die f

yet that which feems the wound to kill,
doth turn oh oh to ha ha he ;

fo dying love lives ft ill :
oh oh a <while, but ha ha ha ;
oh oh groans cut for ha ha ha ;

_ Ify ho !

HEL. In love, i'faith, to the very tip of the nose.
PAR. He eats nothing but doves, love ; and that
breeds hot blood, and hot blood begets hot thoughts,
and hot thoughts beget hot deeds, and hot deeds is
love.

PAN, Is this the generation of love? hot blood,
hot thoughts, and hot deeds, — why, they are vipers ;
Is love a generation of vipers ? Sweet lord, who's a'field
to-day ?

PAR. Hettor, Deiphobus, Helenas, Antenor, and all
the gallantry of Troy : I would fain have arm'd to-day,
but my Nell wopld not have it fo. How chance my
brother Troilus went not ?

HEL. He hangs the lip at fomething;_you know

54 Troilus and Creflida.

all, my lord Pandarus.

PAN. Not I, honey-fweet queen. _I long to hear
how they fped to-day. — You'll remember your bro-
ther's excufe?

PAR. To a hair.

PAN. Farewel, fweet queen.

HEL. Commend me to your niece.

PAN. I will, fweet queen. [Exit. Retreat founded.

PAR. They're come from field : let us to Priam's hall,
To greet the warriors. Sweet Helen, I muft woo you
To help unarm our Heflor : his ftubborn buckles,
With these your white enchanting fingers touch'd,
Shall more obey, than to the edge of iteel,
Or force of Greekijh finews; you fliall do more
Than all the ifland kings, difarm great Bettor,

HEL. 'Twill make us proud to be his fervant, Paris:
Yea, what he fliall receive of us in duty
Gives us more palm in beauty than we have ;
Yea, over-fliines ourfelf.

PAR. Sweet, above thought I love thee. [Exeunt.

SCENE II. rbefame. Pandarus' Garden.

Enter a Servant, and PANDARUS, meeting.
PAN. How now ? where's thy mafter ? at my cousin
rejjlda^ ?
Ser. No, fir ; he ftays for you to conduit him thither.

Enter TROILUS.

PAN. O, here he comes. _How now, how now?
TRO. Sirrah, walk off. [Exit Servant.

PAN. Have you feen my cousin ?
TRO. No, Pandarus : I ftalk about her door,
Like a ftrange foul upon the Stygian banks

Troilus and Creflida. 55

Staying for waftage. O, be thou my Charon,
And give me fwift tranfportance to those fields,
Where I may wallow in the lilly beds
Propos'd for the deserver ! O gentle Pandarus,
From Cupid1?, moulder pluck his painted wings,
And fly with me to Cre/id!

PAX. Walk here i'th'orchard, I'll bring her ftraight.
[Exit FANDARUS.

TRO. I am giddy ; expectation whirls me round.
The imaginary reliih is fo fweet,
That it enchants my fenfe; What will it be,
When that the watry palate tafts indeed
Love's thrice-reputed neftar ? death, I fear me;
Swooning deftru&ion ; or fome joy too fine,
Too fubtle-potent, and too (harp in fweetnefs,
For the capacity of my ruder powers :
I fear it much ; and I do fear befides,
That I fhall lose diilindtion in my joys ;
As doth a battle, when they charge on heaps
The enemy flying.

Re-enter PANDARUS.

PJN. She's making her ready, fhe'll come ftraight;
you rnuil be witty now. She does fo blurn, and fetches
her wind fo fhort, as if fhe were fray'd with a fprite :
I'll fetch her. It is the prettieft villain, — fhe fetches
her breath as fhort as a new-ta'en fparrow.

[Exit PANDARUS.

TRO. Even fuch a paffion doth embrace my bosom :
My heart beats thicker than a fev'rous pulfe ;
And all my powers do their beftowing lose,
Like vafialage at unawares encount'ring
The eye of majefty.

«* pallats tafte »4 Sounding '5 fubtile, potent,

56 Troilus and Creffida.

Re-enter PANDARUS, with CRESSIDA.

PAX. Coma, come, what need you blufh ? fhame'*

a baby Here (he is now : fwear the oaths now to

her, that you have fworn to me. — What, are you
gone again ? you muft be watch'd ere you be made
tame, muft you ? Come your ways, come your ways ;

an you draw backward, we'll put you i'th' files.

Why do you not fpeak to her ? _ Come, draw this
curtain, and let's fee your pidlure. Alas the day, how
loth you are to offend day-light ! an 'twere dark, you'd

close fooner So, fo ; rub on, and kifs the miitrefs.

How now, a kifs in fee-farm ! build there, carpenter;
the air is fweet. Nay, you (hall fight your.hearts out,
ere I part you. The falcon as the tercel, for all the
ducks i'th' river : go to, go to.

Tuo. You have bereft me of all words, lady.

PJN. Words pay no debts, give her deeds : but (he'll
bereave you o'th'deeds too, if (he call your activity in
queftion. What, billing again? here's — In <witnsfs where-
of the parties interchangeably ~ Come in, come in ; I'll go
get a fire. [£.*// PA NDARUS.

CRE. Will you walk in, my lord ?

TRO. O Crejp.da> how often have I wifh'd me thus?

CRE. WJfh'd,mylord?-Thegodsgrant!-Omylord,

TRO. What fhould they grant? what makes this
pretty abruption ? What too curious dreg efpies my
iweet lady in the fountain of our love ?

C*E. More dregs than water, if my fears have eyes.

7*o. Fears make devils of cherubims; they never fee
truly.

CRE. Blind fear, that feeing reason leads, finds fafer
footing than blind reason {tumbling without fear : T»

48 my teares

Troilus and Creffida. 57

fear the worft, oft cures the worft.

7*o. O, let my lady apprehend no fear: in all
Cupid's pageant there is presented no monfter.

CUE. Nor nothing monftrous neither ?

FRO. Nothing, but our undertakings ; when we
vow to weep feas, live in fire, eat rocks, tame ti-
gers ; thinking it harder for our miftrefs to devise
imposition enough, tha,n for us to undergo any dif-
ficulty imposed. This is the monitruofity in love,
lady, — that the will is infinite, and the execution
confin'd ; that the desire is boundlefs, and the act a
Have to limit.

CUE. They fay, all lovers fwear more performance
than they are able, and yet reserve an ability that they
never perform ; vowing more than the perfection of
ten, and difcharging lefs than the tenth part of one.
They that have the voice of lions, and the act of hares,
are they not monfters?

TRO. Are there fuch? fiich are not we: Praise us
as we are tafted, allow us as we prove ; our head mall
go bare, 'till merit crown it : no perfection in reverfion
mall have a praise in present : we will not name de-
sert, before his birth ; and, being born, his addition
mail be humble. Few words to fair faith: Troilus (hall
be fuch to Crejfid, as what envy can fay worft, mail be
a mock for his truth ; and what truth can fpeak truelt,
not truer than Troilus.

CRE. Wiil you walk in, my lord ?
Re-eater PANDARUS.

PJN. What, blufhing (till? have you not done talk-
ing yet ? [y°u-

Cxx. Well, uncle, what folly I commit, I dedicate to

58 TroSlus ana Creflida.

PJN. I thank you for that ; if my lord get a boy of
you, you'll give him me : Be true to my lord ; if he
flinch, chide me for't.

TRO. You know now your hoftages ; your uncle's
word, and my firm faith.

PJN. Nay, I'll give my word for her too : our
kindred, though they be long ere they are wooed, they
are conftant being won : they are burs, I can tell you j
they'll flick where they are thrown. [heart : _

CKE. Boldnefs conies to me now, and brings me
Prince Troilus, I have lov'd you night and day,
For many weary months.

TRO. Why was my Crejffid then fo hard to win ?

CRE. Hard to feem won ; but I was won, my lord,
With the firft glance that ever — Pardon me ;
If I confefs much, you will play the tyrant.
I love you now ; but not, 'till now, fo much
But I might mafter it : — in faith, I lie ;
My thoughts were like unbridl'd children, grown
Too headftrong for their mother : See, we fools !
Why have I blab'd ? who fhall be true to us,
When we are fo unfecret to ourfelves ?
But, though I lov'd you well, I woo'd you not;
And yet, good faith, I wim'd myfelf a man ;
Or, that we women had men's priviledge
Of fpeaking firft. Sweet, bid me hold my tongue;
For, in this rapture, I mail furely fpeak
The thing I fhall repent. See, fee, your filence,
Cunning in dumbnefs, from my weaknefs draws
My very foul of counfel : Stop my mouth.

TRO. And fhall, albeit fweet musick iffues thence.

PAN. Pretty, i'faith.

*9 Comming

Troilus dHi/Creffida. 59

CRE. My lord, I do befeech you, pardon me ;
'Twas not my purpose, thus to beg a kifs :

I am afham'd ; O heavens, what have I done ! _

For this time will I take my leave, my lord.

TRO. Your leave, fair Creffid? [ing>~~

PJIN. Leave ! an you take leave 'till to-morrow morn-

CRE. Pray you, content you. [to Pan.

TRO. What offends you, lady?

CRE. Sir, mine own company.

TRO, You cannot fliun yourfelf.

CRE. Let me go try:
I have a kind of felt resides with you :
But an unkind felf; that itfelf will leave,
To be another's fool. I would be gone : __
"Where is my wit ? I know not what I fpeak.

TRO . Well know they what they fpeak, that fpeak fo
wisely.

CRE. Perchance, my lord, I (how more craft than love;
And fell fo roundly to a large confeffion,
To angle for your thoughts : But you are wise ;
And then you love not ; For to be wise, and love,
Exceeds man's might ; that dwells with gods above.

TRO. O, that I thought it could be in a woman,
(As, if it can, I will presume in you)
To feed for aye her lamp and flames of love ;
To keep her conltancy in plight and youth,
Out-living beauty's outward, with a mind
That doth renew fwifter than blood decays !
Or, that perfuasion could but thus convince me,—
That my integrity and truth to you
Might be affronted with the match and weight
Of luch a winnow'd purity in love ;

1 ' gee and try *' Or elfe you

VOL. IX. K

60 Troilus and Creffida.

How were I then uplifted ! but, alas,
I am as true as truth's fimplicity,
And fimpler than the infancy of truth.

CRE. In that I'll war with you.

TRO. O virtuous fight,

When right with right wars who mall be moft right I
True fwains in love (hall, in the world to come,
Approve their truths by Troilus : when their rimes,
Full of proteft, of oath, and big compare,
Want fimilies, truth tir'd with iteration, —
As true as fteel, as plantage to the moon,
As fun to day, as turtle to her mate,
As iron to adamant, as earth to the center, —
Yet, after all comparifons of truth,
As truth's authentic author to be cited,
As true as Troilut mail crown up the verfe,
And fanftify the numbers.

CRE. Prophet may you be!
If I be falfe, or fwerve a hair from truth,
When time is old and hath forgot itfelf,
When water-drops have worn the flones ofTroj,
And blind oblivion fwallow'd cities up,
And mighty ftates charadlerlefs are grated
To dufty nothing ; yet let memory,
From falfe to falfe, among falfe maids in love,
Upbraid my falfehood ! when they've faid — as falfe
As air, as water, wind, or fandy earth,
As fox to lamb, as wolf to heifer's calf,
Pard to the hind, or ftep-dame to her fon ;
Yea, let them fay, to ftick the heart of falfehood,
As falfe as Crejjid.

PJN. Go to, a bargain made : feal it, feal it; I'B

Troilus and Creffida. 6 1

be the witnefs. Here I hold your hand ; here, my cou-
sin's ; If ever you prove falfe one to another, fmce I
have taken fuch pains to bring you together, let all
pitiful goers-between be call'd to the world's end after
my name, call them all — Pandars; let all inconftant
men be Tra/w's, all falfe women CreJJids, and all
brokers-between Pandars ! fay, amen.

T'RO. Amen.

CRE. Amen.

PJN. Amen. Whereupon I will (hew you a cham-
ber, anU a beH ; which bed, because it mall not fpeak.
of your pretty encounters, prefs it to death : away.

\Exeunt TRO. andCv.z.

And Cupid grant all tongue-ty'd maidens here
Bed, chamber, Pandar to provide this geer ! [Exit.

SCENE III. The Grecian Camp.

Enter AGAMEMNON, MENELAUS, ULYSSES,
NESTOR, DIOMED, AJAX, aWCALCHAs.
CAL. Now, princes, for thefervice I have done you,
The advantage of the time prompts me aloud
To call for recompence. Appear it to your mind,
That, through the fight I bear in things to come,
I have abandon'd Troy, left my posseffions,
Jncurr'd a traitor's name j expos'd myfelf,
From certain and posseft conveniences,
To doubtful fortunes ; fequeft'ring from me all
That time, acquaintance, cuftom, and condition,
Made tame and moft familiar to my nature ;
And here, to do you fervice, am become
As new unto the world, ftrange, unacquainted :
I do befeech you, a"s in way of tafte,

** to love, 3 ' into

E 2

6z Troilus and Creffida.

To give me now a little benefit,

Out of those many regifter'd in promise,

Which, you fay, live to come in my behalf. [mand,
Ac A. 'What would'ft thou of us, Trojan? make de-
CAL. You have a Trojan prisoner, calPd Antenor,

Yefterday took ; Troy holds him very dear.

Oft have you (often have you thanks therefore)

Desir'd my CreffiJ in right great exchange,

Whom Troy hath ftill deny'd : But this Antenor,

I know, is fuch a wrefl in their affairs,
That their negotiations all muft flack,
Wanting his manage ; and they will almoft
Give us a prince of blood, a fon of Priam,
In change of him: let him be fent, great princes,
And helhall buy my daughter; and her presence
Shall quite ftrike off all fervice I have done,
In moft accepted pay.

Ac A. Let Diomedes bear him,
And bring us Creffid hither; Cakbas (hall have
What he requefts of as — Good Diomeet,
Furnifh you fairly for this enterchange :
Withal, bring word— if Heftor will to-morrow
Be anfwer'd in his challenge ; Ajax is ready.

Dio. This mail I undertake ; and 'tis a burthen

Which I am proud to bear. [Exeunt Dio. ana'CAi.

Enter i before their Tent, ACHILLES,

Uir. Achilles ftands i'the entrance of his tent
Please it our general to pafs ftrangely by him,
As if he were forgot; — and, princes all,
Lay negligent and loofe regard upon him : _
1 will come lad : 'Tis like, he'll queftion me,

paine.

Troilus a«,/Creffida. 63

Why fuch unplaufive eyes are bent, why turn'd on him :

If fo, I have decision med'cinable,

To use between your itrangenefs and his pride,

Which his own will fhall have desire to drink;

It may do good : Pride hath no other glafs

To (how itfelf, but pride ; for fupple knees

Feed arrogance, and are the proud man's fees.

AGA. We'll execute your purpose, and put on

A form of ftrangenefs as we pafs along;

So dp each lord j and either greet him not,
Or elfedifdainfully, which mall (hake him more
Than if not look'd on. I will lead the way.

[they pafs forward,

Acs. What, comes the general to fpeak with me ?
You know my mind, I'll fight no more 'gainft Troy.

AGA. What fays Achilles? would he ought with us ?

NES. Would you, my lord, ought with the general?

ACH. No.

WES. Nothing, my lord.

AGA. The better. [Exeunt AGA. «WNEs.

ACH. Good day, good day.

MEN. How do you? how do you? [Exit MEN.

Acs. What, does the cuckold fcorn me ?

AJA. How now, Patroclui?

Acs. Good morrow, Ajax.

AJA. Ha?

ACH. Good morrow.

AJA. Ay, and good next day too. [Exit AJAX.

Ac a. What mean these fellows ? know they not
Atbilles? [bend,

PJT. They pafs by ftrangely : they were us'd to
To fend their fmiles before them to Achilles;

* derifion

64 Troilus and Creffida.

To come as humbly, as they us'd to creep
To holy altars.

ACH, What, am I poor of late ?
'Tis certain, Greatnefs, once fall'n out with fortune,
Muft fall out with men too : What the declin'd is,
He (hall as foon read in the eyes of others,
As feel in his own fall: for men, like butterflies,
Shew not their mealy wings, but to the fummer;
/nd not a man, for being fimply man,
Hath any honour ; but'0 honour'd for those honours
That are without him, as place, riches, favour,
Prizes of accident as oft as merit :
Which when they fall, as being flippery ftanders,
The love that lean'd on them as flippery too,
Do one pluck down another, and together
Die in the fall. But 'tis not fo with me :
Fortune 'and I are friends ; I do enjoy
At ample point all that I did possefs,
Save these men's looks; who do, methinks, find out
Something hot worth in me fuch rich beholding
As they have often given. Here is UlyJJes :
I'll interrupt his reading. _
How now, Ulyjfis?

Vtr. Now', great Thetis' fon ?

ACH. What are you reading ?

ULY. A ftrange fellow here
Writes me, That man — how dearly ever parted ;
How much in having, or without, or in, —
Cannot make boaft to have that which he hath,
Nor feels not what he owes, but by reflection ;
As when his virtues fhining upon others
Heat them, and they retort that heat again

•5 Doth one

Troilus and Creffida. 65

To the fir ft giver.

ACH. This is not ftrange, Ulvffet.
The beauty that is born here in the face,
The bearer knows not, but commends itfelf
To others' eyes : nor doth the eye itfelf,
(That moft pure fpirit of fenfe) behold itfelf,
Not going from itfelf ^ but eye to eye oppos'd
Salutes each other with each other's form.
For fpeculation turns not to itfelf,
'Till it hath travel'd, and is marry'd there
Where it may fee itfelf: this is not ftrange at all.

ULT. I do not ftrain at the position,
It is familiar ; but at the author's drift :
Who, in his circumftance, exprefly proves —
That no man is the lord of any thing,
(Though in and of him there is much confifting)
'Till he communicate his parts to others :
Nor doth he of himfelf know them for ought,
'Till he behold them form'd in the applause [rates
Where they're extended ; which, like an arch, reverbe-
The voice again ; or like a gate of fteel
Fronting the fun, receives and renders back
His figure and his heat. I was much rapt in this;
And apprehended here immediately
The unknown Ajax.

Heavens, what a man is there ! a very horfe ; [are,
That has he knows not what. Nature, what things there
Moft abjeft in regard, and dear in ufe !
What things again moft dear in the efteem,
And poor in worth ! Now mail we fee to-morrow
An aft that very chance doth throw upon him,
Ajax renown'd. O heavens, what forne men do,

«P who like

E4

66 Troilus and Creffida.

While fome men leave to do !
How fome men creep in flcittifh fortune's hall,
While others play the ideots in her eyes !
How one man eats into another's pride,
While pride is fading in his wantonnefs !
To fee these Grecian lords ! — why, even already
They clap the fubber Ajax on the (boulder ;
As if his foot were on brave Heflor's breaft,
And great Troy fhrinking.

Aca . I do believe it : for they paff'd by me,
As misers do by beggars ; neither gave to me
Good word, nor look : What are my deeds forgot ?

Uir. Time hath, my lord, a wallet at his back,
Wherein he puts alms for oblivion,
A great-fiz'd monfter of ingratitudes :
Those fcraps are good deeds part ; which are devour'd
As faft as they are made, forgot as foon
As done: Perfeverance keeps honour bright:
To have done, is to hang quite out of faflrion,
Like rufty mail in monumental mockery.
^Tfjen, dear my lord, take j>pu the inftant way :
For honour travels in a ftreight fo narrow,
Where one but goes abreaft : keep then the path :
For emulation hath a thousand fons,
That one by one purfue ; If you give way,
Or turn afide from the direcl forthright,
Like to an enter'd tide, they all rufh by,
And leave you hindermoft ; atrti there you lye,
Like to a gallant horfe fall'n in firft rank,
For pavement to the abjefl rear, o'er-run
And trampl'd on. Then what they do in present,
Though lefs than yours in paft, mull o'er-top your* :

ao like a rufty 3<> abjeft} neere

Troilus WCreflida. 67

For time is like a famionable hoft;

That (lightly (hakes his parting gueft by the hand ;

And with his arms out-ftretch'd, as he would fly,

Grafps-in the comer : Welcome ever (miles,

And farewel goes out fighing. O, let not virtue feek

Remuneration for the thin» it was ;

For beauty, wit, high birth, desert in fervice,

Love, friendfhip, charity, are fubje&s all

To envious and calumniating time.

One touch of nature makes the whole world kin, —

That all, with one confent, praise new born gawds,

Though they are made and molded of things paft ;

And give to duft, that is a little gilt,

More laud than tljc? toil! eibc to gold o'er-dufled.

The present eye praises the present objeft :

Then marvel not, thou great and compleat man,

That all the Greeks begin to worfhip Ajax ;

Since things in motion fooner catch the eye,

Than what not ftirs. The cry went once on thee,

And ftill it might, and yet it may again,

If thou would'ft not entomb thyfelf alive,

And cafe thy reputation in thy tent ;

Whose glorious deeds, but jn these fields of late,

Made emulous millions 'mongfl the gods themfelves,

And drave great Mars to faction.

ACH. Or this my privacy
I have ftrong reasons.

Uir. But 'gainft your privacy
The reasons are more potent and heroical :
'Tis known, Achilles, that you are in love
With one of Priam's daughters.

ACH. Ha! known ?

* the welcome 'Jgoeto ' * then gilt ore-

68 Troilus and Creffida.

ULY. Is that a wonder ?
The providence that's in a watchful ftate,
Knows almofl every grain of Pluto's gold ;
Finds bottom in the uncomprehenfive deeps j
Keeps pace with thought ; and almoft, like the gods,
Does ebnt t£00e thoughts unveil in their dumb cradles.
There is a myflery (with whom relation
Durft never meddle) in the foul of ftate ;
Which hath an operation more divine,
Than breath, or pen, can give expreflure to :
All the commerce that you have had with Troy,
As perfectly is ours, as yours, my lord ;
And better would it fit Achilles much,
To throw down Hefior, than Polixena :
But it muft grieve young Pyrrhus now at home,
When fame mail in our iflands found her trump;
And all the Greekijh girls fhall tripping fing,—
Great He&or'sjfyter did Achilles win',
But our great Ajax bravely beat down him.
Farewel, my lord : I as your lover fpeak ;
The fool flides o'er the ice that you mould break.

[Exit ULYSSES,

P^r. To this effeft, Achilles, have I mov'd you :
A woman impudent and mannim grown
Js not more loath'd, than an effeminate man
In time of aftion. I ftand condemn'd for this ;
They think, my little ftomack to the war,
And your great love to me, reftrains you thus :
Sweet, rouze yourfelf ; and the weak wanton Cupid
Shall from your neck unloofe his amorous fold,
And, like a dew-drop from the lion's mane,
Be fliook to air.

- place

Troilus and Creffida. 69

Acy . Shall Ajax fight with Heftor ?

PAT . Ay j and, perhaps, receive much honour by him.

Acu. I fee, my reputation is at flake,
My fame is fhrewdly gor'd.

PA T. O, then beware ;

Those wounds heal ill, that men do give themfelves:
Omiffion to do what is neceflary
Seals a commiffion to a blank of danger;
And danger, like an ague, fubtly taints
Even then when we fit idly in the fun.

ACH. Go call Tberfaes hither, fweet Patroclus:
I'll fend the fool to Ajax ; and desire him,
To invite the Trojan lords after the combat
To fee us here unarm'd : I have a woman's longing,
An appetite that I am fick withal,
To fee great Hefior in his weeds of peace ;
To talk with him, and to behold his visage
Even to my full of view. A labour fav'd!
Enter THERSITES.

THE. A wonder!

ACH. What? [felf.

THE . Ajax goes up and down the field, afking for him-

ACK. How fo ?

THE. He muft fight fingly to-morrow with He3or$
and is fo prophetically proud of an heroical cudgelling,
that he raves in faying nothing.

ACH. How can that be ?

THE. Why, he ftalks up and down like a peacock,
a ftride, and a (land : ruminates, like an hoftefs, that
hath no arithmetick but her brain to fet down her
reck'ning : bites his lip with a politick regard, as who
ihould fay — there were wit in this head, an 'twould

70 Troilus And Creifida.

out ; And fo there is ; but it lies as coldly in him,
as fire in a flint, which will not mew without knock-
ing. The man's undone for ever ; for if Hector break
not his neck i'th'combat, he'll break't himfelf in vain-
glory. He knows not me : I faid, Good morrow, Ajax ;
and he replies, Thanks, Agamemnon : What think you
of this man, that takes me for the general? He's grown
a very land-fim, languagelefs, a monfter. A plague of
opinion ! a man may wear it on both fides, like a leather
jerkin.

ACH. Thou muft be my embaffador to him, Tberfoes,

THE. Who, I? why, he'll anfwer no body ; he pro-
fefles not anfwering ; fpeaking is for beggars ; he wears
his tongue in's arms : I will put on his presence ; let
Patrodus make demands to me, you fhall fee the pa-
geant of Ajax.

ACH. To him, Patrodus ; Tell him, — I humbly
desire the valiant Ajax, to invite the moft valo-
rous He&or to come unarm'd to my tent ; and to
procure fafe-conduft for his perfon, of the magnani-
mous, and moft illuftrious, fix-or-feven-times-honour'd
captain-general of the Grecian army, Agamemnon ; Do
this.

PAT. Jove blefs great Ajax!

THE. Hum!

P^f. I come from the worthy Achilles :

THE. Ha ! [to his tent;

PAT. Who moft humbly desires you, to invite Heftor

THE. Hum!

P. A?. And to procure fafe-conducl from Agamemnon,

THE . Agamemnon ?

PjtT. Ay, my lord.

Trollus and Creflida. 71

THE. Ha!

PAT. What fay you to't?

THE. God be wi'you, with all my heart.

PAT. Your anfwer, fir.

THE. If to-morrow be a fair day, by eleven o'clock
it will go one way or other ; howfoever, he fhall pay for
me ere he has me,

PAT. Your anfwer, fir.

THE. Fare you well, with all my heart.

ACH. Why, but he is not in this tune, is he ?

THE. No, but he's out o'tune thus. What musick
will be in him when Heflor has knock'd out his brains,
I know not: But, I am fure, none; unlefs the fidler
Apollo get his finews to make catlings on.

ACH. Come, thou (halt bear a letter to him ftraight.

THE . Let me bear another to his horfe ; for that's
the more capable creature.

ACH. My mind is troubl'd, like a fountain ftir'd ;
And I myfelf fee not the bottom of it.

[Exeunt ACH. and PAT,

THE. 'Would the fountain of your mind were clear
again, that I might water an afs at it ! I had rather be a
tick in a fheep, than fuch a valiant ignorance. [Exit.

ACT IV.

SCENE I. Troy. A Street. '

Enter, from one Side, ^£NEAS ; Servant, 'with

a Torch, preceding : from the other, PARIS, DEIPHOBUS,

and Others, 'with D i o M E D E s , attended ;

Torches too with them.

72 Troilus and Creflida.

PAR. See, ho ! who is that there ?

DEI. It is the lord JEneas.

J£NE. Is the prince there in perfon ?__ [to his Ser.
Had I fo good occasion to lye long,
As you, prince Paris, nothing but heavenly businefs
Should rob my bed-mate of my company. [jEneas.

Dio. That's my mind too. _ Good morrow, lord

PAR. A valiant Greek, JEneas, take his hand;
Witnefs the procefs of your fpeech, wherein
You told — how DiomeJ, a whole week by days,
Did haunt you in the field.

J£NE. Health to you, valiant fir,
During all queftion of the gentle truce :
But when I meet you arm'd, as black defiance,
As heart can think, or courage execute.

Dio. The one and other Diomed embraces.
Our bloods are now in calm; and, fo long, health :
But when contention and occasion meet,
By Jove, I'll play the hunter for thy life,
With all my force, purfuit, and policy.

jExE. And thou malt hunt a lion, that will fly
With his face backward. In humane gentlenefs,
Welcome to Troy ! now, by Ancbifes life,
Welcome indeed ! by Venus' hand I fwear,
No man alive can love, in fuch a fort,
The thing he means to kill, more excellently.

Dio. We fympathize : — Jove, let jEneas live,
If to my fword his fate be not the glory,
A thousand compleat courfes of the fun !
But, in mine emulous honour, let him die,
With every joint a wound ; and that to-morrow !
. We know each other well.

Troilus WCreflida. 73

Dlo. We do ; and long to know each other worfe.

PAR. This is the moft defpightful gentle greeting,
The noblefl hateful love, that ere I heard of. _
What businefs, lord, fo early ? [not.

J£NE. I was fent for to the king; but why, I know

PAR. His purpose meets you ; 'Twas to bring this
To Cakbas' houfe ; and there to render him, [Greek
For the en freed Antenor, the fair CreJJid :
Let's have your company ; — Or, if you please,
Hafte there before us : I conftantly do think,
(Or, rather, call my thought a certain knowledge)
My brother Troilus lodges there to-night ;
Rouze him, and give him note of our approach,
With the whole quality wherefore : 1 fear,
We mall be much unwelcome.

J&NE. That I aflure you ;
Troilus had rather Troy were born to Greece,
Than CreJJid born from Troy.

PA R . There is no help ;
The bitter difposition of the time
Will have it fo. On, lord ; we'll follow you.

J£NE. Good morrow, all. [Exit.

PA R . And tell me, noble DiomeJ; 'faith, tell me true.
Even in the foul of found good-fellowfhip, —
Who, in your thoughts, merits fair Helen beft,
Myfelf, orMe»elaus?

Dio . Both alike :

He merits well to have her, that doth feek her
(Not making any fcruple of her foylure)
With fuch a hell of pain, and world of charge;
And you as well to keep her, that defend her
(Not palating the tafte of her difhonour)

74 Troilus and Creffida.

With fuch a coftly lofs of wealth and friend $ :

He, like a puling cuckold, would drink up

The lees and dregs of a flat tamed piece ;

You, like a letcher, out of whorifh loins

Are pleas'd to breed out your inheritors :

Both merits poiz'd, each weighs nor lefs nor more ;

But he as he, the heavier for a whore.

PA R . You are too bitter to your country-woman.

Dio. She's bitter to her country : Hear me, Parij,~~
For every falfe drop in her bawdy veins
A Grecian's life hath funk; for every fcruple
Of her contaminated carrion weight
A Trojan hath been flain: fince me could fpeak,
She hath not given fo many good words breath,
As for her Greets and Trojans fuffer'd death.

PAR. Fair Diomed, you do as chapmen do,
Difpraise the thing that you desire to buy :
But we in filence hold this virtue well, —
We'll not commend what we intend not fell.
Here lies our way. \Exeunt.

SCENE 11. The fame. Court o/Pandarus' Houfe.
Enter TROILUS, aW CRESSIDA.

TRO. Dear, trouble not yourfelf ; the morn is cold.

CRE. Then, fweet my lord, I'll call my uncle down j
He (hall unbolt the gates.

TRO. Trouble him not ;
To bed, to bed ; Sleep kill those pretty eyes,
And give as foft attachment to thy fenfes,
As infants' empty of all thought !

CRE. Good morrow then.

Tuo. I pr'ythee now, to bed.

•9 intend to fell

Troilus and Creffida. 75

CRE. Are you aweary of me ?

TRO. O Crejfida, but that the busy day,
Wak'd by the lark, hath rouz'd the ribald crows,
And dreaming night will hide our joys no longer,
I would not from thee.

CUE. Night hath been too brief. [ftays,

TRO. Befhrew the witch ! with venomous wights fhe
As tedioufly as hell ; but flies the grafps of love,
With wings more momentary-fwift than thought :
You will catch cold, and curfe me.

CR E . Pr'y thee, tarry ;
You men will never tarry : _

0 foolifti Creffida ! _ I might have ftill held off,

And then you would have tarry 'd. Hark, there's one up.
PAN. [within.] What ! all the doors open here !
TRO. It is your uncle.
CRE. A peftilence on him ( now will he be mocking ;

1 {hall have fuch a life,—

Enter PANDARUS.

PA N . How now, how now .? how go maidenheads ? _.
Here, you maid! where's my cousin Crejfid?

CR E . Go, hang yourfelf, you naughty mocking uncle !
You bring me to do, and then you flout me too.

PAN. To do what r to do what ? — lether fay, what :

What have I brought you to do ? [be good,

CRE. Come, come ; befhrew your heart! you'll ne'er
Nor fuffer others.

PAN. Ha, ha !_ Alas, poor wench ! a poor eapocchia !
haft not flept to-night : would he not, a naughty man,
let it fleep ? a bug-bear take him !

CRE. Did not I tell you r —'would he were knock'd
o'the head ! — [Knocking heard.

•5 What's all »« wretch— cbipocbia
VOL. IX, F

7 6 Troil us and Creflida.

Who's that at door ? _ good ancle, go and fee. —

My lord, come you again into my chamber :

You fmile, and mock me, as if I meant naughtily.

TAO. Ha, ha!

C&E. Come, you're deceiv'd, I think of no fuch
thing — [Knocking again.

How earneftly they knock ! — pray you, come in ;
I would not for half Troy have you feen here.

[Exeunt TRO. and CRE.

PAN. [going to the Door.'] Who's there ? what's the
matter? will you beat down the door ? [opening it.} How
now? what's the matter?

Enter JE N E A s .

jEw. Good morrow, lord, good morrow.

PAN. Who's there ? my lord JEneas ? by my troth, I
knew you not : What news with you fo early ?

J&NE . Is not prince Troilus here ?

PAN. Here ! what mould he do here ?

J£NE. Come, he is here, my lord, do not deny him ;
It doth import him much, to fpeak with me.

PAN. Is he here, fay you ? 'tis more than I know, I'll
be fworn : — For my own part, I came in late : — What
fhould he do here ?

J£NE. Who ! nay, then : —

Come, come, you'll do him wrong ere you are ware :
You'll be fo true to him, to be falfe to him :
Do not you know of him, but yet fetch him hither ;
Go. [As Pandarus is going out,

Enter TROILUS.

TR o . How now ? what's the matter ?

JEvf.. My lord, I fcarce have leisure to falute you,
My matter is fo rafh : There is at hand

Troilus and Creffida* 77

Paris your brother, and Deiphobqs,
The Grecian Diomed, and our Anterior
I)eliver'd to us ; and for him forthwith,
Ere the firft facrifice, within this hour,
We muft give up to Diomedes* hand
The lady Creffida.

TRO. Is it fo concluded ?
^ENE . By Priam, and the general ftate of Troy :
They are at hand, and ready to effeft it.

TRO . How my achievements mock me !

I will go meet them : and, my lord jEneas,
We met by chance ; you did not find me here. [ture
^ENE , Good, good my lord* the fecret'ft things of na-
Have not more gift in taciturnity.

[Exeunt TRO. andJEriE.

PAN. Is't poflible ? no fooner got, but loft. The devil
take Antenor! the young prince will go mad. A plague
upon Antenor ! I would, they had broke's neck.

Enter CRESSIDA.

CRE. Hownow? Whatis the matter? Who was here?
PAN. Ah, ah! [gone?

CRE. Why figh you fo profoundly? Where's my lord?
Tell me, fweet urtcle, what's the matter ?

PAN. 'Would I were as deep under the earth, as I am
above !

CRE. O the gods !_ what's the matter?
PAN. Pr'ythee.gettheein ; 'Would thouhad'ft ne'er
been born ! I. knew, thou would'ft be his death : _ O,
poor gentleman ! _ A plague upon Antenor !

CRE. Good uncle, I befeech you on my knees,
'Befeech you, what's the matter ?

PA x . Thou muft be gone, wench, thou muft be gone ;

»3 fecrets

F 2

78 Troilus and Creflida.

thou art chang'd for Anterior : thou muft to thy father,
and be gone from Troilus', 'twill be his death, 'twill be
his bane, he cannot bear it.

CRE. O you immortal gods !_I will not go.

PAN. Thoumnft.

CRE. I will not, uncle : I have forgot my father;
I know no touch of confanguinity;
No kin, no love, no blood, no foul fo near me,
As the fweet Troilus. — O you gods divine,
Make Crejfitfs name the very crown of falfhood,
Jf ever (he leave Troilus ! Time, force, and death,
Do to this body what extreams you can ;
But the ftrong bafe and building of my love
Is as the very centre of the earth,
Drawing all things to it. — I'll go in, and weep ;

PAX. Do, do. [cheeks ;

CRE. Tear my bright hair, and fcratch my praised
Crack my clear voice with fobs, and break my heart
With founding Troilus. I will not go from Troy.

[Extttnt.

SCENE III. The fame. JBeforePzndzriis' Hou/e.

Eater ^Eneas, PARIS, TROILUS,

Diomed, and Others.

PAP.. It is great morning ; and the hour prefix'd
Of her delivery to this valiant Greek

Comes faft upon : /9cto, good my brother Trcilus,

Tell you the lady what me is to do,
And hafte her to the purpose.

7*o. Walk in to her houfe ;
I'll bring her to the Grecian presently :
And to his hand when I deliver her,

Troilus and Creflida. 79

Think it an altar; and thy brother Troilus
A prieft, there off'ring to it his own heart.

[Exit TROILUS.
PA R . I know what 'tis to love ;
And would, as I (hall pity, I could help ! —
Please you, walk in, my lords. [Exeunt.

SCENE IV. The fame. A Room in the fame.

Enter PANDARUS, and CRESSIDA.
PAN. Be moderate, be moderate.
CRE. Why tell you me of moderation ?
The grief is fine, full, perfect, that I tafte,
And violenteth in a fenfe as ftrong
As that which causeth it ; How can I moderate it ?
If I could temporize with my affeftion,
Or brew it to a weak and colder palate,
The like allayment could I give my grief:
My love admits no qualifying drofs;
No more my grief, in fuch a precious lofs.

Enter TROILUS.

PAN. Here, here, here he comes. _Ah fweet ducks !
CKE. O T'roilus , Troilus ! [throwing herfelf upon him.
PAN. What a pair of fpe&acles is here ! Let me em-
brace too. O heart, — as the goodly faying is,—

o heart i 0 heavy heart *

Why figh'Ji thou without breaking ?
where he anfwers again,

Because thou can' ft not ease tkyftnartt

By friendship, nor by f peaking :

there was never a truer rime. Let us call away nothing,
for we may live to have need of fuch a verfe ; we fee it,
we fee it. _ How now, lambs ?

F3

£0 Troilus and Creffida."

T*o. Cre/id, I love thee in fo ftrain'd a purity,
That the bleft gods— as angry with my fancy,
More bright in zeal than the devotion which
Cold lips blow to their deities — take thee from me.

CRE. Have the gods envy ?

PAN. Ay, ay, ay, ay; 'tis too plain a cafe.

CRE. And is it true, that I muft go from Troy ?

FRO. A hateful truth.

CRZ. What, and from 'Troilus too ?

TRO. From Troy, and Troilus.

CRE. Is't poffible ?

TRO. And fuddenly; where injury of chance
Puts back leave-taking, juftles roughly by
All time of pause, rudely beguiles our lips
Of all rejoindure, forcibly prevents
Our lock'd embrafures, ftrangles our dear vows
Even in the birth of our own labouring breath :
We two, that with fo many thousand fighs
Did buy each other, muft poorly fell ourfelves
With the rude brevity and difcharge of one.
Injurious time now, with a robber's hafte,
Crams his rich thievery up, he knows not how :
As many farewels as be ftars in heaven,
With di'ftinft breath and confign'd kiffes to them,
He fumbles up into a loofe adieu ;
And fcants us with a fingle famifh'd kifs,
Diftafted with the fait of broken tears. [ready ?

jEtfE. \jwithin.'] My lord I'lort) tJTroiIu0 ! is the lady

TRO. Hark ! you are call'd : Some fay, the Genius fo
Cries, Come, to him thatinftantly muft die. _
Bid them have patience; fhe fhall come anon, [wind,
PjtK. Where are my tears ? rain, rain, to lay this

Troilus ««</ Creffida. 81

Or my poor heart will be blown up by the root.

CRE. I muft then to the Grecians?

TRO. No remedy.

CRE. A woeful CreJJld 'mongft the merry Greeks.—
When mall we fee again ?

T& o. Hear me, my love: Be thou but true of heart,—

CRE. I true ! how now ? what wicked deem is this ?

7*0. Nay, we muft use expoftulation kindly,
For it is parting from us.
I fpeak not, be thou true, as fearing thee ;
For I will throw my glove to death himfelf,
That there's no maculation in thy heart :
But, be tbou true, fay I, to fafhion in
My fequcnt proteflation ; be thou true,
And [ will fee thee.

CRE. O, you mall be expos'd, my lord, to dangers
As infinite as imminent ! but, I'll be true. [fleeve.

TRO. And I'll grow friend with danger. Wear this ^

CRE. And you this =f= glove. When fhall I fee you ?

TRO. I will corrupt the Grecian centinels,
To give thee nightly visitation.
But yet, be true.

CRE. O heavens ! — be true, again ?

TRO. Hear why I fpeak it, love : The Grecian youths
Are well compos'd, with gifts of nature flowing,
And fwelling o'er with arts and exercise ;
How novelties may move, and parts with perfon,
Alas, a kind of godly jealoufy
(Which, I befeech you, call a virtuous fin)
flakes me afeard.

CRE. O heavens ! _

*" v, Note, *6 guift

gz Troilus and Creffida.

You love me not.

TRO. Die I a villain then !
In this I do not call your faith in queflion,
So mainly as my merit : I cannot fing,
Nor heel the high lavolt, nor fweeten talk,
Nor play at fubtle games ; fair virtues all,
To which the Grecians are moft prompt and pregnant
But I can tell, that in each grace of these
There lurks aflill and dumb-difcourfive devil,
That tempts moft cunningly : but be not tempted.

CUE. Do you think, I will .?

7*o. No.

But fomething may be done, that we will not :
And fometimes we are devils to ourfelves,
When we will tempt the frailty of our powers,
Presuming on their changeful potency.

&y?., [<within.~\ Nay, good my lord, —

TRO. Come, kifs ; and let us part.

PA R . \nvitbin. ] Brother Troi/us !

TRO. Good brother, come you hither ;
And bring dEneas, and the Grecian, with you.

CRE. My lord, will you be true ?

TRO. Who, I ? alas, it is my vice, my fault :
While others fifli with craft for great opinion,
1 with great truth catch meer fimplicity ;
Whilft fome with cunning gild their copper crowns,
With truth and plainnefs I do wear mine bare.
Fear not my truth; the moral of my wit
Js plain, and true, —'there's all the reach of it.

Enter PARIS, DIOMED, and ^NEAS.
Welcome, fir Diemed f here is the lady,
Which for Anttnor we deliver vou :

Troilus and Creffida. 83

At the port, lord, I'll give her to thy hand ;
And, by the way, possefs thee what (he is.
Entreat her fair; and, by my foul, Kir Greek,
If ere thou ftand at mercy of my fword,
Name Crejjid, and thy life lhall be as fafe
As Priam is in Ilion.

Dio. Fair lady Crejfat,

So please you, fave the thanks this prince expects :
The luftre in your eye, heaven in your cheek,
Pleads your fair usage ; and to Diomed
You (hall be miftrefs, and command him wholly.

7*o. Grecian, thou doft not use me courteoufly,
To fhame the zeal of my petition to thee,
In praising her : I tell thee, lord of Greece,
She is as far high-foaring o'er thy praises,
As thou unworthy to be call'd her fervant.
1 charge thee, use her well, even for my charge ;
For, by the dreadful Pluto, if thou doft not,
Though the great bulk Achilles be thy guard,
I'll cut thy throat.

Dio. O, be not mov'd, prince Troilus :
Let me be priviledg'd by my place, and me/Tage",
To be a fpeaker free ; when I am hence,
I'll anfwer to my lull: And know you, lord,
I'll nothing do on charge : to her own worth
She (hall be priz'd ; but that you fay— be'tfo,
I fpeak it in my fpirit and honour, no.

TRO. Come, to the port:_I tell thee, DiomeJ,

This brave mall oft make thee to hide thy head.

Lady, give me your hand; and, as we walk,
To our own felves bead we our needful talk.

[Exeunt TRO. and CRE. Trumpet hearj.

»3 thcfeale *» He tell

«4 Troilus ana Creffida.

PA R . Hark ! Heflor^ trumpet.

JEvz. How have we fpent this morning!
The prince muft think me tardy and remifs,
That fwore to ride before him to the field.

PA R . 'Tis Troilus' fault : Come, come, to field with
him. [Exeunt,

SCENE V. The Grecian Camp:

Lifts fet out ; Attendants, and People^ waiting.

Flourish. Enter AGAMEMNON, NESTOR, ACHILLES,

PATROCLUS, MENELAUS, ULYSSES, and Others ;

iiaith AjAX, arind.

Ac A. Here art thou in appointment frefh and fair,
Anticipating time with ftarting courage.
Give with thy trumpet a loud note to Troy,
Thou dreadful Ajax ; that the appalled air
May pierce the head of the great combatant,
And hale him hither.

AJA. Thou, trumpet, there's ^ my purfe.
Now crack thy lungs, and fplit thy brazen pipe ;
Blow, villain, 'till thy fphered bias cheek
Out-fwell the cholick of puft Aquilon :
Come, ftretch thy cheft, and let thy eyes fpout blood ;
Thou blow'ft for Hefior. \Parlefounded,

ULY. No trumpet anfwers.
ACH . 'Tis but early days.

AGA, Is not yon' Diomed, with Calcbas'1 daughter ?
Utr. 'Tis he, I ken the manner of his gait,
He rises on the toe ; that fpirit of his
In afpiration lifts him from the earth.

Enter DIOMED and Attendant '/,
nvith CRESSIDA.

'* v. Note.

Troilus and Crefllda. 85

As A, Is this the lady Crtffida?

Dio. Even me.

AGA. Moft dearly welcome to the Greeks, fweet lady.

NES. Our general doth falute you with a kifs.

Utr. Yet is the kindnefs but particular ;
'Twere better, fhe were kiff'd in general.

NES. And very courtly counfel : I'll begin. __
So much for Neftor.

ACH. I'll take that winter from your lips, fair lady :
Achilles bids you welcome.

MEN. I had good argument for kifling once.

PAT. But that's no argument for kiffing now :
For thus popt Paris in his hardiment ;
And parted thus you and your argument.

ULY. O deadly gall, and theme of all our fcorns !
For which we lose our heads, to gild his horns.

PAr. The firft was Menelaus* kifs; this, mine :
Patroclus kifles you.

MEN. O, this is trim !

PAT. Paris, and I, kifs evermore for him.

MEN. I'll have my kifs, fir: Lady, by your leave.

CRE. In kiffing, do you render, or receive ?

PA f. Both take and give.

CRE. I'll make my match to live,
The kifs you take is better than you give ;
Therefore no kifs.

MEN. I'll give you boot, I'll give you three for one,

CRE. You're an odd man ; give even, or give none.

MEN. AJI odd man, lady ? every man is odd.

CRE. No, Paris is not ; for, you know, 'tis true,
That you are odd, and he is even with you.

M£N. You fillip me o'the head.

86 Troilus and Crefiida.

C*f. No, I'llbefworn.

ULT. It were no match, your nail againft his horn.
May I, fweet lady, beg a kifs of you ?

CRE. You may.

ULY. I do desire it.

CRE. Why, beg then.

ULT. Why then, for Penus* fake, give me a kifs,
When Helen is a maid again, and \ his.

CRE. I am your debtor, claim it when 'tis due.

ULY. Never's my day, and then a kifs of you.

Dio. Lady, a word ; I'll bring you to your father.
{Exeunt Dio. and CRE.

jVfs. A woman of quick fenfe.

ULY. Fie, fie upon her!

There's language in her eye, her cheek, her lip,
Nay, her foot fpeaks ; her wanton fpirits look out
At every joint and motive of her body.
O these encounterers, fo glib of tongue,
That give a coafting welcome ere it comes,
And wide nnclafp the tables of their thoughts
To every tickling reader ! fet them down
For fluttifli fpoils of opportunity,
And daughters of the game. [Trumpet beard.

all. The Trojans' trumpet.

JGA. Yonder comes the troop.

Flsurijh. Enter HECTOR, arn?d\

TROILUS, and other Trojans, with him\

J&KEAS preceding.

jEffE . Hail all the ftate of Greece! What mail be done

to him

That vidory commands ? Or do you purpose,
A victor fliall be known ? will you, the knighti

TroilusaWCreffida.

Shall to the edge of all extremity

Purfue each other; or (hall they be divided

By any voice or order of the field ?

. Which way would Heftor have it ?
. He cares not, he'll obey conditions.

jicu. 'Tis done like Hettor ; but fecurely done,
A little proudly, and great deal mifprising
The knight oppos'd.

j£vz . If not Achilles, fir,
What is your name ?

Acs. If not Achilles, nothing.

J£NE. Therefore Achilles: But, whate'er, know this, —
In the extremity of great and little,
Valour and pride excel themfelves in Heflor',
The one almoft as infinite as all,
The other blank as nothing. Weigh him well,
And that, which looks like pride, is courtefy :
This Ajax is half made of Heflor's blood ;
In love whereof, half Heftor flays at home;
Half heart, half hand, half He£tor comes to feek
This blended knight, half Trojan, and half Greek.

Acs. A maiden battle then ? O, I perceive you,

Re-enter DIOMED.

. Ac A, Here is fir Diomed : _ Go, gentle knight,
Stand by our Ajax : as you and lord JEneas
Confent upon the order of their fight,
So be it ; either to the uttermofl,
Or elfe a breath : the combatants being kin,
Half flints their flrife before their flrokes begin.

[Ajax ana Hec~lor enter the Lifts, ^Eneas and
Diomed marjhaling : Greeks range tbemfeli'es

i Jga. Tis done

88 Troiius and Creflida.

en one Side, and Trojans upon the other, <withouf.

Ac A. U/y/es,
What Trojan is that fame, that looks fo heavy ?

VLT. The youngeft fon of Priam, a true knight ;
Not yet mature* yet matchlefs ; firm of word ;
Speaking in deeds, and deedlefs in his tongue ;
Not foon provok'd, nor, being provok'd, foon calm'd :
His heart and hand both open, and both free ;
For what he has, he gives, what thinks, he mews ;
Yet gives he not 'till judgment guide his bounty,
Nor dignifies an impar thought with breath :
Manly as Htftcr, but more dangerous ;
For Heftor, in his blaze of wrath, fubfcribes
To tender objefts ; but he, in heat of action,
Is more vindicative than jealous love :
They call him, Troiius ; and on him eredl
A fecond hope, as fairly built as Hector.
Thus fays JLneas ; one that knows the youth
Even to his inches, and, with private foul,
Did in great I/ion thus tranflate him to me.

[Trumpets bloiv to Arms,
Ajax andHe&Qrfght.

AGA. They are in action.

NES. Now, Ajax, hold thine own.

TRO. Heflor, thou fleep'ft, awake thee.

AGA. His blows are well difpos'd : _ there, Ajax.

Dio. You muft no more. | interposing.

J£NE. Princes, enough, fo please you. j Trumpets ceaft.

AJA. I am not warm yet, let us fight again.

Dio. As HeSor pleases.

HEC. Why then, will I no more : _
Thou art, great lord, my father's fitter's fon,

1 ' impare

Troilus and Creflida, 89,

A cousin-german to great Priam's feed j

The obligation of our blood forbids

A gory emulation 'twixt us twain :

Were thy commixtion Greek and Trojan fo,

That thou could'it fay — This hand is Grecian all,

And this is Trojan ; the Jtnenvs of this leg

All Greece, and this all Troy ; my mother's blood

Runs on the dexter cheek, and thisjjnijler

Boundt-in my father 's ; by Jo<v e multipotent*

Thou fhould'ft not bear from me a Greekfo member

Wherein my fword had not impreffure made

Of our rank feud : But the juft gods gainfay,

That any drop thou borrow'dft from thy mother,

My facred aunt, mould by my mortal fword

Be drained out ! Let me embrace thee, Ajax :

By him that thunders, thou haft lufty arms ;

Hefior would have them fall upon him ~|~ thus :

Cousin, all honour to thee!

AJA. I thank thee, Heftor :
Thou art too gentle, and too free a man :
I came to kill thee, cousin, and bear hence
A great addition earned in thy death.

HEC. Not Neoptolemus1 fire fo mirable
(On whose bright creft fame with her loud'fl O yes
Cries, This is he) could promise to himfelf
A thought of added honour torn from Heflor.

J£NE. There is expedtance here from both the fides,
What further you will do.

HEC. We'll anfwer it ;
The iflue is ~f~ embracement : Ajax, farewel.

AJA. If I might in entreaties find fuccefs,
(As feld I have the chance) I would desire

7 Greeks,

90 Troilus and Creffida.

My famous cousin to our Grecian tents.

Dio. 'Tis Agamemnon's wifli ; and great Achilles
Doth long to fee unarm'd the valiant Hector.

HEC. JEneas, call my brother Troilus to me:
And fignify this loving interview
To the expectors of our Trojan part ;
Desire them home — Give me thy hand, my cousin ;
I will go eat with thee, and fee your knights.

AJA. Great Agamemnon comes to meet us here.
Chiefs enter the Lifts.

HEC. The worthieft of them tell me name by name;
But for Achilles, my own fearching eyes
Shall find him by his large and portly fize.

Ac A. Worthy of arms, as welcome as to one
That would be rid of fuch an enemy ;
But that's no welcome : Underfland more clear,
What's paft, and what's to come, is ftrew'd with hufks
And formlefs ruin of oblivion ;
But in this extant moment, faith and troth,
Strain'd purely from all hollow bias-drawing,
Bids thee, with moft divine integrity,
From heart of very heart, great Hector, welcome.

HEC. I thank thee, moft imperious Agamemnon.

AGA. My well-fam'd lord of T'roy, [to Tro.j no lefs
to you. [ing; —

MEN. Let me confirm my princely brother's greet-
You brace of warlike brothers, welcome hither.

HEC. Whom muft we anfwer ?
. The noble Menelaus.

HEC. O, you, my lord? by Mars his gauntlet, thanks'
Mock not, that I affed the untraded oath ;
Your quondam wife fwears ftill by Venus' glove :

Troilus and Creffida. 91

She's well, but bad me not commend her to you.
MEN. Name her not now, fir; fhe's a deadly theme.
HEC. O, pardon; I offend.

NES. I have, thou gallant Trojan, feen thee oft,
Lab'ring for deftiny, make cruel way
Through ranks of Greekijb youth : and I have feen thee.
As hot as Perfeus, fpur thy Phrygian Heed,
Defpising many forfeits and fubduements,
When thou hail hung thy advanced fword i'the air,
Not letting it decline on the declin'd ;
That I have faid to fome my ftanders-by,
Lo, Jupiter is yonder, dealing life :
And I have feen thee pause, and take thy breath,
When that a ring of Greeks have hem'd thee in,
Like an Olympian wreflling : This have I feen ;
But this thy countenance, ftill lock'd in fteel,
J never faw 'till now. I knew thy grandfire,
And once fought with him : he was a foldier good ;
But, by great Mars, the captain of us all,
Never like thee : Let an old man embrace thee ;
And, worthy warrior, welcome to our tents.

J£NE. 'Tis the old Neftcr.

HEC. Let me embrace thee, good old chronicle,
That haft fo long walk'd hand in hand with time:
Moft reverend N eft or, I am glad to clafp thee. [tion,

NES. I would, my arms could match thee in conten-
As they contend with thee in courtefy.

HEC. I would, they could.

NES. Ha !

By this white beard, I'd fight with thee to-morrow.
Well, welcome, welcome ; I have feen the time.

ULY. I wonder now how yonder city Hands,

VOL. IX. G

92 Troilus tind Crefiida.

When we have here her bafe and pillar by us.

HE c. I know your favour, lord Vfyffes, well.
Ah, fir, there's many a Greek and Trojan dead,
Since firft I faw yourfelf and Diomed
In Ilion, on your Greetijh embafl'y.

VLY. Sir, I foretold you then what would enfuei
My prophefy is but half his journey yet ;
For yonder walls, that pertly front your town,
Yon' towers, whose wanton tops do bufs the clouds,
Muft kifs their own feet.

HEC. I muft not believe you :
There they ftand yet; and modeflly I think,
The fall of every Phrygian (lone will coft
A drop of Grecian blood : The end crowns all ;
And that old common-arbitrator, time,
Will one day end it.

Uir. So to him we leave it.
Moil gentle, and moil valiant Heflcr, welcomfe :
After the general, I befeech you next
To feaft with me, and fee me at my tent.

AC.H. I mall foreftal thee, lord Uljfit ; Thou ! _
Now, Hefior, I have fed mine eyes on thee ;
I have with exaft view perus'd thee, Hefior,
And quoted joint by joint.

HEC. h&\tXe*tfc?

Aca. I am Achilles.

HEC. Stand fair, 1 pray thee, let me look on thee.

Aca. Behold thy fill. .

HEC. Nay, I have done already.

ACH. Thou art too brief; I will the fecond time,
As I would buy thee, view thee limb by limb.

Hsc. O, like a book of fport ihou'h read me o'er ;

Troilus and Creffida. 93

But there's more in me, than thou underftand'ft.
Why doll thou fo opprefs me with thine eye ?

A en. Tell me, you heavens, in which part of his body
Shall f deftroy him ; whether there, there, or there ?
That I may give the local wound a name ;
And make diflinft the very breach, whereout
Hetfcr's great fpirit flew : Anfwer me, heavens.

HEC. It would 'difcredit the bled gods, proud man,
To anfwer fuch a queftion : Stand again :
Think'ft thou to catch my life fo pleasantly,
As to prenominate in nice conjecture
Where thou wilt hit me dead ?

ACH. I tell thee, yea.

HEC. Wert thou an oracle to tell me fo,
I'd not believe thee. Henceforth guard thee well ;
For I'll not kill thee there, nor there, nor there;
But, by the forge that (lythy'd Mars his helm,

I'll kill thee every where, yea, o'er and o'er

You wiseft Grecians, pardon me this brag,
His infolence draws folly from my lips ;
But I'll endeavour deeds to match these words,
Or may I never —

AJA. Do not chafe thee, cousin ;

And you, Achilles, let these threats alone,
'Till accident, or purpose, bring you to't :
You may have every day enough of He3or,
If you have ftomack ; the general ftate, I fear,
Can fcarce entreat you to be odd with him.

HEC. 1 pray you, let us fee you in the field}
We have had pelting wars, fince you rs'fus'd
The Grecians' cause.

Acx, Doit thou entreat me, Hitior?

G 2

94 Troilus and Creflida.

To-morrow do I meet thee, fell as death ;
To-night, all friends.

HEC. Thy hand upon that match.

AGA. Firft, all you peers of Greece, go to my tent;
There in the full convive we : afterwards,
As Heflor^ leisure and your bounties lhall
Concur together, feverally intreat him. _
Beat loud the tabourines, let the trumpets blow,
That this great foldier may his welcome know. [Flourijb.
[Exeunt. Troilus/^ Ulyffes.

TKO. My lord Ulyjfis, tell me, I befeech you,
In what place of the field doth Calchas keep ?

ULY. AtMenelaus1 tent, moft princely Trcilus:
There Diomed doth feaft with him to-night;
Who neither looks upon the heaven, nor earth,
But gives all gaze and bent of amorous view
On the fair Crejpd.

FRO. Shall J, fweet lord, be bound to you fo much,
After we part from Agamemnon 's tent,
To bring me thither ?

Uir, You (hall command me, fir.
As gentle tell me, of what honour was
This Creffjcia \nTrcy? had (he no lover there,
That wails her abfence ?

T/zo. O, fir, to fuch as boafting (hew their fears,
A mock is due. Will you walk on, my lord ?
She was belov'd, fhe lov'd ; {he is, and doth :
But, ftill, fweet love is food for fortune's tooth. [Exeunt.

v.

SCENE I. rht Greek Camp. Pefore Achilles' Tent.

Troilus and Creffida. 9;

Enter ACHILLES,

ACB. I'll heat his blood with Greekijb wine to-night,
Which with my fcimitar I'll cool to-morrow. —
Palroclus, let us feaft him to the heigh th.

PAT. Here comes Tbcrfaes.

Enter THERSITES, 'with a Letter.

ACH. How now, thou core of envy ?
Thou crufty batch of nature, what's the news ?

THE. Why, thou picture of what thou feemeft, and
idol of ideot-worfhippers, here's =j= a letter for thee.

ACK. From whence, fragment?

THE. Why, thou full dilh of fool, from Troy.

[Achilles reads.

PA*T. Who keeps the tent now ?

THE. The furgeon's box, or the patient's wound.

PAT. Well faid, adverfity! and what need thesetricks?

THE . Pr'ythee, be fi lent, boy ; I profit not by thy talk :
thou art thought to be Achilles' male harlot.

PAT. Male harlot, you rogue ? what's that ?

THE. Why, his mafculine whore. Now the rotten
diseases of the fouth, the guts-griping, ruptures, loads
of gravel i'the back, catarrhs, lethargies, cold palsies,
raw eyes, dirt-rotten livers, wheezing lungs, bladders
full of impoftume, fciaticas, lime-kilns i'the palm, in-
curable bone-ach, and the rivel'd fce-fimple of the
tetter, take and take again fuch prepofterous difco-
veries !

PAT:. Why, thou damnable box of envy, thou, what
meaneft thou to curfe thus ?

THF.. Do T curfe thee ?

PAT. Why, no, you ruinous but; you whorfon in-

'» male varlot

9 6 Troilus and Creffida.

diftinguifhable cur, no.

Tas. No? why art thou then exafperatc, thou idle
immaterial fcein of ileive filk, thou green farcenet flap
for a fore eye, thou toflel of a prodigal's purfe, thou ?
Ah, how the poor world is pefter'd with fuch water-
flies ; diminutives of nature!

PA*. Out, gall!

THE. Finch-egg!

Acs. My fweet Patroclus, I am thwarted quite
From my great purpose in to-morrow's battle :
Here is a letter from queen Hecuba;
A token from her daughter, my fair love ;
Both taxing me, and gaging me to keep
An oath that I have fworn. I will not break it :
Fall, Greeks; fail, fame; honour, or go, or ftay;

My major vow lies here, this I'll obey

Come, come, Tberfetes^ help to trim my tent ;
be fpent. _

Exeunt A c H . and P A T ".
and too little brain,
these two may run mad ; but if with too much brain,
and too little blood, they do, I'll be a curer of mad-
men. Here's Agamemnon, ~ an honeft fellow enough,
and one that loves quails ; but he has not fo much
brain as ear-wax : And the goodly tranfformation of
'Jupiter there, his brother, the bull, — the primitive
ftatue, and obelifque memorial of cuckolds ; a thrifty
fhooing-horn in a chain, hanging at his brother's
leg, — to what form, but that he is of, fhould wit
larded with malice, and malice forced with wit, turn
him to ? to an afs, were nothing ; he is both afs and
oxe : to an oxe, were nothing ; he is both oxe and afs.

*7 oblique

v-omc, tome, 2 per/ires, Jieip 10 in

This night in banqueting mull al

Away, Patroclus. [E

THE. With too much blood,

Troilus and Creffida. 97

To be a dog, a mule, a cat, a fitchew, a toad, a lizard,

an owl, a puttock, or a herring without a roe, I would

not care : but to be Mene/aus, I would confpire againft

deftiny. A(k me not what I would be, if I were not

Tberjites ; for I care not to be the loufe of a lazar, fo I

were not Menelaus. Hey-day ! fprites, and fires !

Enter AGAMEMNON, AJAX, HECTOR,

ULYSSES, Neftor, DIOMED, TROILUS, and

MENELAUS, with Lights.

AGA. We go wrong, we go wrong.

AJA. No, yonder 'tis;
There, where we fee the lights.

HEC. I trouble you.

AJA. No, not a whit.

Uir. Here comes himfelf to guide you.
Enter ACHILLES.

Acs. Welcome, brave Hettor\ —welcome, princes all.

Ac A. So now, fair prince of T'roy, I bid good night.
Ajax commands the guard to tend on you.

HEC. Thanks, and good night, to the Greeks' general.

MEN. Good night, my lord.

HEC. Good night, fweet Menelaus. [fewer.

THE. Sweet draff: Sweet, quotha' ! fweet fink, fweet

ACH . Good night, and welcome, both at once, to those
That go, or tarry.

AGA. Goodnight. [Exeunt AGA. and MEN.

ACH. Old Neftor tarries ; and you too, Diomed,

Keep Heclor company an hour or two.

Dio. I cannot, lord ; I have important businefs,
The tide whereof is now. Good night, great tieftor.

HEC. Give me your hand. f/o Dio.

ULT. "Follow his torch, he goes to Calcbaf tent ;"

** v. f('*:t,

t)8 Troilus and Creffida.

" I'll keep you company. "

TRO. " Sweet fir, you honour me."

HEC. Ar.dfo, goodnight.

[Exit DIOMED; ULY.

4cx. Come, come, enter my tent.

[Exeunt ACHILLES, HECTOR, AJAX, /z

THE. That fame Diomed's a falfe-hearted rogue, a
moft unjuft knave ; I will no more truft him when
he leers, than I will a ferpent when he hiffes : he will
fpend his mouth, and promise, like Brabkr the hound ;
but when he performs, aftronomers foretel it ; it is
prodigious, there will come fome change ; the fun
borrows of the moon, when Dicmed keeps his word.
I will rather leave to fee Heftor, than not to dog him :
they fay, he keeps a Trojan drab, and uses the traitor
Calcbas' tent : I'll after. Nothing but lechery \ all in-
continent varlets ! [ Exit.

SCENE II. 7 'be fame. Before Calchas' Tent.

Enter DIOMED, with a Torch.
Dio. What, are you up here, ho ? fpeak.
CAL. [within*] who calls ?
Dio. Diomed:

Calchas, where is your daughter ?
CAL. [ivithin.~\ She comes to you.
Enter ULYSSES, and TROILUS, at a Diftance ;

after them, THERSITES.
ULY. Stand where the torch may not difcover us.

Enter CRESS ID A.
7s o . Crejfid come forth to him !
Dio. How now, my charge ?
CXE. Now, my fweet guardian !_Hark3

Troilus and Creffida.

99

A word with you. [wbifp'ring him.

TRO. Yea, fo familiar !

ULY. She will fmg any man at £rit fight.

THE. And any man
May fmg her, if he can take her cliff; /he's noted.

Dio. Will you remember?

CRE. Remember? yes.

Dio. Nay, but do then ;
And let your mind be coupl'd with your words.

TR o . What mould me remember ?

ULY. Lift !

CRE'. Sweet honey Greek, tempt me no more to folly.

V'HE. Roguery.

Dio. Nay, then,—

CRE. I'll tell you what:

Dio. Pho, pho ! come, tell a pin : You are forfworn.

CRE. In faith, I cannot: What would you have me do?

FHE. A jugling trick, to be — fecretly open.

Dio. What did you fwear, you would beftow on me?

CRE. I pr'ythee, do not hold me to mine oath ;
Bid me do any thing but that, fweet Greek.

Dio. Good night.

y*o. Hold, patience !

ULY. How now, Trojan ?

CRE. Diomed^—

Dio . No, no, good night ; I'll be your fool no more.

TRO. Thy better muft.

CRE. Hark, one word in your ear.

TRO. O plague and madnefs !

ULY. You are mov'd, prince; let us depart, I pray you,
Left your difpleasure mould enlarge itfelf
To wrathful terms : this place is dangerous ;

ICO Troilus and Creffida.

The time right deadly ; I befeech you, go.

TRO. Behold, I pray you !

Uir. Now, good my lord, go off;
You flow to great diftra&ion : come, my lorcj-

TRO. I pr'ythee, ftay.

Uir. You have not patience ; come.

TKO. I pray you, ftay ; by hell, and all hell's torments,
I will not fpeak a word.

Dio. And fo, good night.

CRE. Nay, but you part in anger.

TRO. Doth that grieve thee ?_

0 wither'd truth !

Uir. How now, my lord?
FRO. By Jove,

1 will be patient.

CRE. Guardian,— why, Greek,—

Dio. Pho, pho ! adieu; you palter.

CRE. In faith, I do not; come hither once again.

Uir- You fhake, my lord, at fomething ; Will you go?
You will break out.

TRO. She ftroaks his cheek !

Uir. Come, come.

TRO. Nay, ftay ; by Jove, I will not fpeak a word :
There is between my will and all offences
A guard of patience ; ftay a little while.

THL. How the devil, luxury, with his fat rump, and
Potato finger, tickles these together !_
Fry, lechery, fry !

Dio. But will you then ?

CRE. In faith, I will, la; never truft me elfe.

Dio . Give me fome token for the furety of it.

CRE. I'll fetch you one. [Exit.

Troilus and Creflida. 101

ULY. You have fworn patience.

TRO. Fear me not, my lord ;
I will not be myfelf, nor have cognition
Of what I feel ; I am all patience.

Re-enter CRESSIDA.

Tax. Now the pledge; now, now, now !

CRE. Here, Diomed, keep this^ fleeve.

T'xo. O, beauty !
Where is thy faith ?

Utr. My lord,—

7*o. I will be patient ; outwardly I will.

CRE. You look upon that fleeve ; Behold it well :
He lov'd me O falfe wench ! Give't me again.

Dio. Whose was't ?

CRE. It is no matter, now I have't again.
I will not meet with you to-morrow night :
I pr'ythee, Diomed, visit me no more.

THE. Now me fharpens ; _ Well faid, whetftone.

Dio. I mall have it aaam.

CRE. What, this?

Dio. Ay, that.

CRE. O all you gods ! _ O pretty pretty pledge !
Thy mafter now lies thinking in his bed
Of thee, and me ; and fighs, and takes my glove,
And gives memorial dainty kiffes to it,
As I kifs~j~ thee — Nay, do not (hatch it from me ;
He, that takes that, doth take my heart withal.

Dio. I had your heart before, this follows it.

TRO. I did fwear patience. [not;

CRE. You fhall not have it, Diomed; 'faith, you mall
I'll give you fomething elfe.

DJQ. I will have this ; Whose was it ?

*6 v. Kate.

102 Troilus and Crcfiida.

CRE. It is no matter.

Dio. Come, tell me whose it was.

CRE. 'Twas one's that lov'd me better than you will.
But, now you have it, take it.

Dio. But, whose was it ?

CRE. By all Dianas, waiting- women yonder,
And by herfelf, I will not tell you whose.

Dio. To-morrow will I wear it on my helm ;
And grieve his fpirit, that dares not challenge it.

TRO. Wert thou the devil, and wor'ft it on thy horn,
It fhould be challeng'd. [not ;

CRE. Well, well, 'tis done, 'tis paft; — And yet it is
I will not keep my word.

Dio. Why then, farewel ;
Thou never fhalt mock Diomed again.

CRE. You (hall not go : One cannot fpeak a word,
But it flraight ftarts you.

Dio . I do not like this fooling.

THE. Nor I, by Pluto: but that that likes not me,
Pleases me beft.

Dio. What, {hall I come ? the hour?

CR E . Ay, come : _ O Jove ! _
Do, come :_I mail be plagu'd.

Dio. Farewel 'till then.

CRE. Good night. I pr'ythee, come. [Exit Dio.
TroiJm, farewel ! one eye yet looks on thee ;
But with my heart the other eye doth fee.
Ah, poor our fex ! this fault in us I find,
The error of our eye directs our mind :
What error leads, muft err ; O then conclude,
Minds, fway'd by eyes, are full of turpitude. [Exit Cut.

THE. A proof of ftrength me could not publifh more,

Troilus and Creffida. 103

Unlefs (he fay, My mind is now turn'd whore.

Utr. All's done, my lord.

TRO. It is.

Uir. Why ftay we then ?

TRO. To make a recordation to my foul
Of every fyllable that here was fpoke.
But, if I tell how these two did co-aft,
Shall I not lie in publifhing a truth ?
Sith yet there is a credence in my heart,
An efperance fo obftinately ftrong,
That doth invert the atteft of eyes and ears ;
As if those organs had deceptions fun&ions,
Created only to calumniate.
Was Cr^/here ?

Uir. I cannot conjure, Trojan.

TRO. She was not, fure.

Utr. Moft fure, fhe was.

TRO. Why, my negation hath no tafte of madnefs.

Vtr. Nor mine, my lord: Crejfid was here but now.

TRO. Let it not be believ'd for womanhood ;
Think, we had mothers ; do not give advantage
To ftubborn criticks — apt, without a theme,
For depravation ~ to fquare the general fex
By Crejfid's rule : rather think this not Crejfid. [thers ?

Uir. What hath fhe done, prince, that can foil ourmo-

FRO. Nothing at all, unlefs that this were (he.

THE. Will he fwagger himfelf out on's own eyes ?

7*0. This fhe ? no, this is Dicmea's Creffida. ;
If beauty have a foul, this is not fhe;
If fouls guide vows, if vows be fanftimony,
If fanftimony be the gods' delight,

104 Troilus and Creffida.

«

If there be rule in unity itfelf,

This is not (he. O madnefs of difcourfe,

That cause fets up with and againft itfelf!

Bi-fold authority ! where reason can revolt

Without perdition, and lofs aflame all reason

Without revolt; this is, and is not, Crejflid !

Within my foul there doth commence a fight

Of this ftrange nature, that a thing infeparate

Divides more wider than the fky and earth ;

And yet the fpacious breadth of this division

Admits no orifice for a point, as fubtle

As \6 Aracbnes broken woof, to enter.

Inftance, o inftance ! ftrong as P/uto's gates ;

Cre£id\s mine, ty'd with the bonds of heaven:

Jnitance, o inftance ! ftrong as heaven itfelf;

The bonds of heaven are fiipt, dissolv'd, and loof 'd ;

And with another knot, five finger ty'd,

The fractions of her faith, orts of her love,

The fragments, fcraps, the bits and greazy relicks

Of her o'er-eaten faith, are bound to Diomed.

Uir. May worthy Troilus be half attach'd
With that which here his paflion doth exprefs ?

TJJO. Ay, Greek; and that (hall be divulged well
In characters as red as Mars his heart
Inflam'd with Venus: never did young man fancy
With fo eternal and fo fixt a foul.
Hark, Greek, — As much as I do CreJfid\Q\t,
So much by weight hate I her Diomed :
That fleeve is mine, that he'll bear on his helm;
Were it a cafque compos'd by Vulcan* (kill,
My fword mould bite it : not the dreadful fpout.
Which Ihipmen do the hurncano call,

1 conduce '* Ariacbnet

Troilus and Creffida. 105

Conftring'd in mafs by the almighty fun,
Shall dizzy with more clamour Neptune's ear
In his defcent, than lhall my prompted fword
Falling on Diomed-

THE. He'll tickle it for his concupy.

TRO. O Crtffidl o falfe Crtffid! falfe, falfe, falfe !
Let all untruths ftand by thy ftained name,
And they'll feem glorious.

Utr. O, contain yourfelf;
Your paffion draws ears hither.

Enter ^£NEAS.

jEnE. I have been feeking you this hour, my lord :
Bettor, by this, is arming him in Troy;
Ajax, your guard, ftays to conduct you home, [adieu :_

IRQ. Have with you, prince : _My courteous lord,
Farewel, revolted fair !_ and, Diomed,
Stand faft, and wear a caftle on thy head.

Uir. I'll bring you to the gates.

TRO. Accept diitra&ed thanks.

[Exeunt TRO. ^NE. «WUtY.

THE. 'Would, I could meet that rogue Diomed!
I would croak like a raven ; I would bode, I would bode.
Patroclus will give me any thing for the intelligence of
this whore : the parrot will not do more for an almond,
than he for a commodious drab. Lechery, lechery ; ftill,
wars, and lechery ; nothing elfe holds falhion : A burning
devil take them ! [Exit.

SCENE ill. Troy. Before Priam'j Palace.
Enter HECTOR armd, and ANDROMACHE.
AND . When was my lord fo much ungently temper'd,
To flop his ears againft admoniftment ?

ro6 Troilus and Creffida.

Unarm, unarm, and do not fight to-day.

HEC. You train me to offend you ; get you in :
By all the everlaiting gods, I'll go.

AND. My dreams will, fure, prove ominous to-day.

HEC. No more, I fay.

Enter CASSANDRA,

CAS. Where is my brother Heflor ?

AND. Here, lifter; arm'd, and bloody in intent :
Confort with me in loud and dear petition,
Purfue we him on knees ; for I have dreamt
Of bloody turbulence, and this whole night
Hath nothing been but fhapes and forms of daughter.

CAS. O, it is true.

HEC. Ho, bid my trumpet found !

CAS. No notes of fally, for the heavens, fweet brother.

HEC. Begone, I fay : the gods have heard me fwear.

CAS. The gods are deaf to hot and peevifh vows ;
They are polluted offerings, more abhor'd
Than fpotted livers in the facrifice.

AND. O, be perfuaded : Do not count it holy,
To hurt by being juft : it is as lawful,
For us to count we give what's gain'd by thefts,
And rob in the behalf of charity.

CAS. It is the purpose, that makes ftrong the vow ;
But vows, to every purpose, muft not hold :
Unarm, fweet Hedor.

HEC. Hold you (till, I fay ;
Mine honour keeps the weather of my fate :
Life everj' man holds dear ; but the brave man
Holds honour far more precious-dear than life. _

Enter TROILUS, arm'd.
How now, young man? mean'ft thou to fight to-day r

* to the day *« v. Ntte. *» the deere man

Troilus and Creffida. 107

Ay to . Caffanara, call my father to perfuade.

[Exit CASSANDRA.

HEC. No, 'faith, young Troilus ; doff thy harnefs,yquth;
I am to-day i'th' vein or chivalry :
Let grow thy finews 'till their knots be ftrong,
And tempt not yet the brufhes of the war.
Unarm thee, go ; and doubt thou not, brave boy,
I'll ftand, to-day, for thee, and me, and Troy.

TRO. Brother, you have a vice of mercy in you,
Which better fits a lion, than a man.

HEC. What vice is that, good Troilus? chide me for it.

TRO. When many times the captive Grecians fall.
Even in the fan and wind of your fair fword,
You bid them rise, and live.

HEC. O, 'tis fair play.

TRO. Fools' play, by heaven, Hetfor.

HEC. How now ? how no\v,?

TRO. For th' love of all the gods,
Let's leave the hermit pity with our mother ;
And when we have our armours buckl'd on,
The venom'd vengeance ride upon our fvvords ;
Spur them to ruthful work, rein them from ruth.

HEC. Fie, favage, fie !

TRO. Heflor, thus 'tis in wars.

HEC. Troilus, I would not have you fight to-day.

TRO. Who mould withhold me ?
Not fate, obedience, nor the hand of Mars
Beck'ning with fiery truncheon my retire ;
Not Priamus and Hecuba on knees,
Their eyes o'er-galled with recourfe of tears ;
Nor you, my brother, with your true, fword drawn,
Oppos'd to hinder me, mould ftop my way,

'* Grecian falls *4 then 'tis

VOL. IX H

io8 Troilus and Crcffida.

But by my ruin.

Re-enter CASSANDRA, with PRIAM.

CAS. Lay hold upon him, Priam, hold him faft :
He is thy crutch ; now if thou lose thy ftay,
Thou on him leaning, and all Troy on thee,
Fall all together.

PRI. Come, Heflor, come, go back :
Thy wife hath dreamt ; thy mother hath had visions ;
Caffandra doth forefee ; and I myfelf
Am like a prophet fuddenly enrapt,
To tell thee — that this day is ominous:
Therefore, come back.

HEC. JEneas is a-field;
AndJ do ftand engag'd to many Greeks,
Even in the faith of valour, to appear
This morning to them.

PRI. Ay, but thou fhalt not go.

HE c. I muft not break my faith.
You know me dutiful ; therefore, dear fir,
Let me not fhame refpeft ; but give me leave
To take that courfe by your confent and voice,
Which you do here forbid me, royal Priam.

CAS. O Priam, yield not to him.

AWD. Do not, dear father.

HEC. Andromache, I am offended with you :
Upon the love you bear me, get you in.

[Exit ANDROMACHE,

7*o. This foolifh, dreaming, fuperflitious girl
Makes all these bodements.

Cjs. O, farewel, dear Heftor.

Look, how thou dy'ft ! look, how thy eye turns pale !
Look, how thy wounds do bleed at many vents !

Troilus and Creflida. 109

Hark, how Troy roars ; how Hecuba cries out ;
How poor Andromache fhrills her dolours forth !
Behold, diftra&ion, frenzy, and amazement,
Like witlefs anticks, one another meet,
And all cry—He^or ! Hefor's dead ! O Hedor!

TRO. Away, away!

CA s . Farewel. _Yet, foft : _ Heftcr, I take my leave :
Thou doft thyfelf and all our Troy deceive.

[Exit CASSANDRA.

ff£C. You are amaz'd, my liege, at her exclaim:
Go in, and cheer the town : we'll forth, and fight ;
Do deeds of praise, and tell you them at night.

PR i. Farewel : The gods with fafety (land about thee !
[Exit PRIAM, Alarums.

TRO. They are at it, hark! —proud Diomed, believe,
I come to lose my arm, or win my fleeve. [Exeunt.

SCENE IV. Between Troy and the Greek Camp.

A Field of Battle. Alarums: Excurjions.

Enter THERSITES.

THE. Now they are clapper-clawing one another ;
I'll go look on. That diflembling abominable varlet,
DiomeJ, has got that fame fcurvy doating foolifli knave's
ileeve of Troyt there, in his helm : I would fain fee them
meet ; that that fame young Trojan afs, that loves the
whore there, might fend that Gretkijb whore- m after ly
villain, with the fleeve, back to the diflembling luxuri-
ous drab, of a fleevelefs errand. O' th' other fide, The
policy of those crafty fneering rafcals — that ftale old
moufe-eaten dry cheese, Nejlor ; and that fame dog fox,
U/v/es, — is not prov'd worth a black- berry : They fet
me up, in policy, that mungril cur, Ajax, againft that

*9 fwearing

H 2

no Troilus and Creflida.

v dog of as bad a kind, Achilles : and now is the cur Ajax
prouder than the cur Achilles, and will not arm to-day;
whereupon the Grecians begin to proclaim barbarism,
and policy grows into an ill opinion. Soft ! here comes
fleeve, and t'other.

Fnter DIOMED, TROILUS following*

TKO. Fly not; for, fhould'ft thou take the river Styx,
I would fwim after.

Dio. Thou doft mif-call retire :
I do not fly ; but advantageous care
Withdrew me from the odds of multitude:
Have at thee !

THE. Hold thy whore, Grecian! now for thy whore,

Trojan ! - now the fleeve, now the fleeve !

[Exeunt DIOMED and T R 0 1 L u s , fighting.
Enter HECTOR. [match ?

HEC. What art thou, Greek? art thou for Heflor's
Art thou of blood, and honour ?

THE. No, no: lam a rafcal;
A fcurvy railing knave ; a very filthy rogue.

HEC. I do believe thee ; live. [Exit.

THE. God-a-mercy, that thou wilt believe me ; But a
plague break thy neck, for frighting me [ What's become
of the wenching rogues ? I think, they have fwallow'd
one another : 1 would laugh at that miracle. Yet, in a
fort, lechery eats itfelf. I'll feek them. [Exit.

SCENE V. The fame,
dlarurr.s. EnterDiOMtD, and a Servant.
Dio. Go, go, my fervant, take thou Troilui horfe ;
Present the fair fteed to my lady Creffiii :
Fellow, commend my fervice to her beauty ;

J began

Troilus and Creflida, 1 1 «

Tell her, I have chaflis'd the amorous frojan,
And am her knight by proof.

Ser. I go, my lord. [£*•// Servant.

Enter AGAMEMNON, kaftily.

Ac A. Renew, renew ! the fierce Polidamas
Hath beat down Menon : baftard Margarehn
Hath Doreus prisoner ;
And ftands Co/ajus-wise, waving his beam,
Upon the palhed corfes of the kings
Epijlropus and Cedius : Polixenes is flain ;
Ampbimacbiii ', and Thoasy deadly hurt;
Patroclus ta'en, or flain ; and Palamedes
Sore hurt and bruisM : the dreadful Sagittary
Appals our numbers ; hafte we, Diomed,
To re-inforcement, or we perifh all.
Enter NESTOR.

Ar£S. Go, bear Patroclus' body to Achilles;

[/« hit Followers.

And bid the fnail-pac'd Ajax arm for (harne.^.
There is a thousand Heclors in the field :
Now here he fights on Galatbe his horfe,
And there lacks work ; anon he's there afoot,
And there they fly, or die, like fcaled fculs
Before the belching whale ; then is he yonder,
And there the ftrawy Greeks, ripe for his edge,
Fall down before him, like the mower's fwath :
Here, there, and every where, he leaves, and takes j
Dexterity fo obeying appetite,
That what he will, he does ; and does fo much,
That proof is call'd impoffibility.

Enter ULYSSES.

l/f-r, O, courage, courage, princes ! great Achilles

1 1 2 Troilus and Creflida.

Fenj,

blood i

Is arming, weeping, curfing, vowing vengeance :
Patroclus' wounds have rouz'd his drowzy blc

Together with his mangl'd Myrmidons,

That noselefs, handlefs, hackt and chipt come to him,

Crying on Heflor. Ajax hath loft a friend,

And foams at mouth, and he is arm'd, and at it,

Roaring for Troilus ; who hath done to-day

Mad and fantaftic execution ;

Engaging and redeeming of himfelf,

With fuch a carelefs force, and forcelefs care,

As if that luck, in very fpite of cunning,

Bad him win all.

Enter AJAX.

AJA. Troilus! thou coward Troilus ! [Exit.

Dio. Ay, there, there.

JVis. So, fo, we draw together.
Enter ACHILLES.

Aca. Where is this Heflor ?
Come, come, thou boy-queller, (hew me thy face ;
Know what it is to meet Achilles angry :
Heflor ! where's Heflor ? I will none but Heflor.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VI. Another Part of the Field.

Enter AJAX.
AjAt Troilus, thou coward Troilus •, fhew thy head !

Enter DlOMED.

Dio. Troilus, I fay! where's Troilus?
AJA. What would'ft thou ?
Dio. I would correft him.

AJA. Were I the general, thou mould'ft have my office,
£re that correftion : -.Troilus, I fay ! what, Troilus !

Troilus and Cfeflida. i « 3

£«/*r TROILUS. [traitor,

7>o. O traitor Diomed! — turn thy falfe face, thou
And pay the life thou ow'ft me for my horfe.
Dio . Ha ! art thou there ?
AJA. I'll fight with him alone ; ftand, Diomed.
Dio. Ke is my prize, I will not look upon. [both.
TRO. Come both, you cogging Greeks; have at you
[Exeunt, fighting.

Enter HECTOR. [ther !

HEC. Yea, Troilus? O, well fought, my youngeit bro-

Enter ACHILLES.

ACH. No w do I fee thee : Ha ! _ Have at thee, Heftor,
HEC. Pause, if thou wilt. [dropping his Sword.

ACH. I do difdain thy courtefy, proud Trojan.
Be happy, that my arms are out of ufe :
My reft and negligence befriend thee now,
But thou anon lhalt hear of me again ;
'Till when, go feek thy fortune. [Exit.

HEC. Fare thee well : _
I would have been much more a frefher man,
Had I expefled thee — How now, my brother?

Re-enter TROILUS, haftily.
TRO. Ajax hath ta'en Eneas', Shall it be ?
No, by the flame of yonder glorious heaven,
He fliall not carry him ; I'll be ta'en too,

Or bring him off: Fate, hear me what I fay !

I reck not though I end my life to-day. [Exit.

Alarums. Enter Grecians, and pafs over',

among/I them, one in goodly drmour.
HEC. Stand, ftand, thou Greek; thou art a goodly
No ? wilt thou not ?_ I like thy armour well ; [mark !__
I'll frufh it, and unlock the rivets all,

3 thv life

1 14 Troilus and Creflida.

But I'll be mafter of it: —Wilt thou not, beaft, abide?
Why then, fly on, I'll hunt thee for thy hide. [Exit.

SCENEVll. rkefame.
Alarums. Enter ACHILLES, <with Myrmidons.
Acs. Come here about me, you my Myrmidons ;
Mark what I fay, — Attend me where I wheel :
Strike not a ftroke, but keep yourfelves in breath ;
And when I have the bloody Heftor found,
Empale him with your weapons round about ;
In felleft manner execute your aims.
Follow me, firs, and my proceedings eye : _
It is decreed — Heilor the great muft die. [Exeunt.

SCENE VIII. The fame.
Alarums. Enter Paris, cWMenelaus, /£>£//»§•;

THERSITES after them.

THE. The cuckold and the cuckold-maker are at it :_.
Now, bull ! now, dog! 'Loo, Paris,' loo ! now my dou-

ble-hen'd fparrow ! 'loo, Paris, 'loo! The bull has the

game : __'ware horns, ho ! {Exeunt Par. and Men.

Enter MARGARELON.
MJK. Turn, flave, and fight.
TUE. What art thou ?
MAR. A baftard fon of Pr'tanis.
THE. I am a baftard too; I love baftards : I am
baftard begot, baftard inftrufted, baftard in mind, baf-
tard in valour, in every thing illegitimate. One bear
will not bite another, and wherefore mould one baftard ?
Take heed, the quarrel's moft ominous to us: if the
fon of a whore fight for a whore, he tempts judgment :
Farewel, baftard. [Exit.

Troifus and Creflida. 1 1 5

MAR. The devil take thee, coward ! [Exit.

SCENE IX. Another Part of the Field.

Alarums. Enter HECTOR.
•//EC. Moft putrified core, fo fair without,
Thy goodly armour thus hath coft thy life.
Now is my day's work done ; I'll take good breath :

[putting off bis Helmet.

Reft, fword ; thou haft thy fill of blood and death.
Shouts within . Enter ACHILLES,

and Myrmidons.

Aca. Look, He&or, how the fun begins to fet ;
How ugly night comes breathing at his heels :
Even with the veil and darking of the fun,
To close the day up, Heflor's life is done.

[aflaulting him.

Use. I am unarm'd, forego this vantage, Greek.
ACH. Strike, fellows, ftrike, this is the man I feek __

So, liion, fall thou next! now, Troy, fink down ;
Here lies thy heart, thy finews, and thy bone. _
On, Myrmidons; and cry you all amain,
Achilles hath the mighty Heclorjfo/'w.

[Retreat beard.
Hark ! a retreat upon our Grecian part.

Myr. The Trojan trumpets found the like, my lord.
ACH. The dragon wing of night o'er-fpreads the

earth ;

And, ftickler- like, the armies feperates.
My half-fupt fword, that frankly would have fed,
Pleas'd with this dainty bit, thus goes to bed, _

[putting up his S-word.

1 1 6 Troilus and Crefiida.

Come, tie his body to my horfe's tail ;
Along the field I will the Trojan trail.

[Exeunt, dragging out the Body,

SCENE X. The fame.

March. Enter AGAMEMNON, AJAX>

DIOMED, NESTOR, and Others.

Shouts within.

AGA. Hark, hark ! what fhout is that ?
NES. Peace, drums.

within. Achilles ! Achilles ! Hefior's flain ! Achilles !
Dio. The bruit is r Heflor's flain, and by Achilles.
AJA. If it be fo, yet braglefs let it be;
Great Heflor was as good a man as he.

AGA. March patiently along :_Let one be fent,
To pray Achilles fee us at our tent. _
If in his death the gods have us befriended,
Great Troy is ours, and our {harp wars are ended.

[Exeunt, marching.

SCENE XI. Another Part of the Field; under Troy .
Retreat founded. Enter Trojans, confusedly, to them,

. Stand, ho ! yet are we mailers of the field :
Never go home ; here ftarve we out the night.

Enter TROILUS.
TRO. Heflor is flain.
all. Heflor? the gods forbid !
TRO. He's dead ; and at the murtherer's horfe'stail,
In beaftly fort, drag'd through the fliameful field. _
Frown on, you heavens, efFeft your rage with fpeed !
Sit, gods, upon your thrones, and fmite at Troy,

Troilus and CrefEda. 117

I fay, at once ! let your brief plagues be mercy,
And linger not our fure definitions on.

JExE . My lord, you do difcomfort all the hoft.

TRO. You underftand me not, that tell me fo :
I do not fpeak of flight, of fear, of death ;
But dare all imminence, that gods, and men,
Addrefs their dangers in. Heftor is gone !
Who mall tell Priam fo, or Hecuba ?
Let him, that will a fcrietch-owl aye be call?d,
Go in to Troy, and fay there — Hector's dead :
There is a word will Priam turn to ftone ;
Make wells and Niobes of the maids and wives,
Cold ftatues of the youth ; and, in a word,
Scare Troy out of itfelf. But, march, away :
Heftor is dead ; there is no more to fay.
Stay yet; _You vile abominable tents,
Thus proudly pight upon our Phrygian plains,
Let Titan rise as early as he dare, [coward,

I'll through and through you: — And thou great-fiz'd
No fpace of earth {hall funder our two hates ;
I'll haunf thee like a wicked confcience ftill,
That moldeth goblins fvvift as frenzy thoughts. _»

Strike a free mai ch to Troy ! with comfort go ;

Hope of revenge fhall hide our inward woe.

[as they are going out, and Troilus laft,
Enter PANDARUS.

PJN. Do you hear, my lord; do you hear?

TR o . What now ? [ Exeunt IE. N E A s , and Trojans.

PA N. Here's a letter come from yon' poor girl.

TRO. Let me read. [taking it.

PJN. A whorefon ptisick, a whorefon rafcally pti-
fiick fo troubles me, and the fpolifh fortune of this girl ;

** freafies *7 v. ffttt.

1 1 g Troll us and Creflida.

and what one thing, what another, that I (hall leave
you one o'these days : And I have a rheum in mine
eyes too ; and fuch an ach in my bones, that, unlefs a
man were curft, I cannot tell what to think on't — What
fays (he there ?

TRO. Words, words, meer words, no matter from the

heart;

The effeft doth operate another way. _
Go, wind, to wind, [tears, andfcatters about, the Letter .]

there turn and change together —
My love with words and errors flill me feeds ;
But edifies another with her deeds.
PJN. But hear you, hear you.

Tuo. Hence, broker, lacquey ! — ignomy and mame
Purfue thy life, and live aye with thy name !

\Exit TROJLUS.

PAV, A goodly med'cine for my aching bones ! __
O world, world, world ! thus is the poor agent defpis'd !
O traitors, and bawds, how earneftly are youfet a' work,
and how ill requited! Why fhould our endeavour be fo
desir'd, and the performance fo loathed ? what verfe for
it ? what inftance for it ? Let me fee :

Full merrily the humble-bee doth fing,
'Till he hath loft his honey, and his fting:
And, being once fubdu'd in armed tail,
Sweet honey and fweet notes together fail —
Good traders in the flefh, fet this in your painted cloths.

advancing :

As many as be here of pander's hall,
Your eyes, half out, weep out atPandar's fall :
Or, if you cannot weep, yet give fome groans,
Though not for me, yet for your aching bones.

Troilus and Creflida. r 1 9

Brethren, and fitters, of the hold-door trade,

Some two months hence my will (hall here be made :

It mould be now, but that my fear is this —

Some galled goofe of Winchefter would hifs :

'Till then, I'll fweat, and feek about for eases ;

And, at that time, bequeath you my diseases.

[Exit PANDARUS.

CYMBELINE.

Per/on* represented.

Cymbeline, King of Britain :

Cloten, Son to his Queen by a former Husband.

Pofthumus, a noble Gentleman, Husband to Imogen.

Belarius, a banijh V Lord ; calling bimfelf, Morgan :

Guiderius, 7 his fuppos'd SDKS ; call'd by

Arviragus, \ him, Paladour aWCadwal.

Cornelius, a Physician.

Pifanio, Gentleman to Pofthumus.

Lords, o/"Cymbeline'j Ccurt,four:

Gentlemen, of the fame, tivo.

tivo Britain Captains, an Attendant,

Mejfenger, and tivo jailers.

Lucius, General of the Roman Forcet.

Philario, Hoft to Pofthumus, 7

Jachimo, Friend to Philario, }

a French Gentleman, Friend to Philario.

a Roman Captain, Scotbfayer, Tribune, and two Senators.

Spirits, in the Vision, £/rSicilliusLeonatus, his Wife, and

two Sons, Father, Mother, and Brothers to Pofthumus :

and Jupiter.

Queen, Wife to Cymbeline :

Imogen, his Daughter by a former Queen.

Lady, attending the Queen; Lady, attending Imogen.

Britim and Roman Officers, Guards, Soldiers, &c.

a Dutch Gentleman, a Spanifh Gentleman : Musicians ;

Tribunes, Senators ; Lords, Ladies, and Attendants,

Scene, part Rome ; partly in Britain.

CYMBELINE.

ACT: I.

S C E NE I. A Part of tie royal Gar den to
Cymbeline's Palace. Enter t<wo Gentlemen.

1. G. You do not meet a man, but frowns : our bloods
No more obey the heavens than our courtiers ;

Still fecm, as does the king's.

2. G. But what's the matter? [whom

1. G. His daughter, and the heir of his kingdom,
He purpos'd to his wife's fole fon, (a widow,

That late he marry'd) hath refer'd herfelf

To a poor, but worthy gentleman : She's wedded }

Her husband banifh'd ; me imprison'd : all

Js outward forrow ; though, I think, the king

Be touch'd at very heart.

2. G. None but the king ?

i. G. He, that hath loft her, too: fo is the queen,
That moft desir'J the match : But not a courtier, .
Although they wear their faces to the bent
Of the king's looks, hath a heart that is not

8 Unto a
VOL. IX. I

4 Cymbeline.

Gtad at the thing they fcoul at.
2. G. And why fo ?

1. G. He that hath miff'd the princefs, is a thing
Too bad for bad report : and he that hath her,

(I mean, that marry'd her,— alack good man ! —
And therefore banifh'd !) is a creature fuch
As, to feek through the regions of the earth
For one his like, there would be fomething failing
In him that fhould compare. I do not think,
So fair an outward, and fuch fluff within.
Endows a man but he.

2. G. You fpeak him far.

1. G. I don't exteijd him, fit : within himfelf
Crufti him together, rather than unfold

His measure duly.

2. G. What's his name, and birth ?

i. G. I cannot delve him to the root: His father
Was called Sicil/ius, who did join his honour,
Againft the Romans, with Caffibelan ;
But had his titles by Tenantius, whom
He ferv'd with glory and admir'd fuccefs ;
So gain'd the fur- addition, Leonatus :
And had, befides this gentleman in quefHon.,
Two other fons; who, in the wars o'the time,
Dy'd with their fwords in hand : for which, their father
(Then old, and fond of iffue) took fuch forrow,
That he quit being ; and his gentle lady.
Big of this gentleman, our theme, deceafd
As he was born. The king, he takes the babe
To his prote&ion ; calls him, Pojibamus ;
Breeds him, and makes him of his bed-chamber :
Puts to him all the learnings that his time

3° Paflbumui Lecnatui,

Cymbellne. , 5

Could make him the receiver of; which he took,
As we do air, faft as 'twas minifter'd ; and
In his fpring became a harveft : Liv'd in court,
(Which rare it is to do) moft prais'd, moft lov'd:
A fample to the young'ft ; to the more mature,
A glafs that featur'd them ; and to the graver,
A child that guided dotards : to his miftrefs,
For whom he now is banifh'd, — her own price
Proclaims how fhe efteem'd him and his virtue ;
By her election may be truly read,
What kind of man he is.

2. G. I honour him

Even out of your report. But, pray you, tell me,
Is fhe fole child to the king ?

1. G. His only child.

He had two fons, (if this be worth your hearing,
Mark it) the eldeft of them at three years old,
P the fvvathing cloths the other, from their nurfery
Were ftol'n ; and, to this hour, no guefs in knowledge
Which way they went.

2 . G. How long is this ago ?

1 . G. Some twenty years.

2. G. That a king's children mould be fo convey'd!
So flackly guarded ! And the fearch fo flow,

That could not trace them !

1 . G. Howfoe'er 'tis ftrange,

Or that the negligence may well be l^ugh'd at,
Yet is it true, fir.

2. G. I do well believe you.

i. G. We muft forbear: Here comes the gentleman,
The queen, and princefs. [Exeunt.

feated

I 2

SCENE II. The fame.
Enter Qneen, POSTHUMUS, and IMOGEN.

Que. No, be aflur'd, you fhall not find me, daughter,
After the flander of moft ftep-mothers,
Evil-ey'd unto you : you're my prisoner, but
Your jailor mall deliver you the keys
That lock up your reftraint. For you, Poftbumus,
So foon as I can win the offended king,
I will be known your advocate : marry, yet
The fire of rage is in him ; and 'twere good,
You lean'd unto his fentence, with what patience
Your wisdom may inform you.

Pos. Please your highnefs,
I will from hence to-day.

$>ue. You know the eril : _
I'll fetc

I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying
The pangs of bar'd affeftions ; though the king
Hath charg'd you mould not fpeak together.

/MO. O [Exit Queen.

Diflembling courtefy ! How fine this tyrant
Can tickle where me wounds ? _ My deareft husband,
I fomething fear my father's wrath ; but nothing,
(Always reserv'd my holy duty) what
His rage can do on me : You muft be gone ;
And 1 lliall here abide the hourly mot
Of angry eyes ; not comforted to live,
But that there is this jewel in the world,
That I may fee again.

Pos. My queen ! my miftrefs !
O, lady, weep no more ; left I give cause
To be fufpefted of more tendernds

Cymbeline. '7

Than doth become a man ! I will remain

The loyal'ft husband that did e'er plight troth.

My residence in Rome, at one Philario's ;

Who to my father was a friend, to me

Known but by letter : thither write, my queen,

And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you fend,

Though ink be made of gall.

Re-enter Queen.

£>ue. Be brief, I pray you :
If the king come, I (hall incur I know not
How much of his difpleasure : — " Yet I'll move him"
" To walk this way : I never do him wrong,"
" But he does buy my injuries, to be friends ;"
" Pays dear for my offences." [Exit.

Pos. Should we be taking leave
AsJong a term as yet we have to live,
The lothnefs to depart would grow : Adieu.

I MO. Nay, ftay a little :
Were you but riding forth to air yourfelf,
Such parting were too petty. Look here, =}= love ;
This diamond was my mother's : take it, heart ;
But keep it 'till you woo another wife,
When Imogen is dead.

Pos. How, how! another? —
You gentle gods, give me but this I have,
And fear up my embracements from a next

With bonds of death! Remain, remain thou~f~ here

While fenfe can keep it on: — And, fweeteft, faireft,
As I my poor felf did exchange for you,
To your fo infinite lofs ; fo, in our trifles
I Mill win of you : For my fake, wear =f= this ;
}t is a manacle of love, I'll place it

13

8 Cymbeline.'

Upon this faireft prisoner.

IMO. O the gods !_
When fhall we lee again ?

Enter CVMBELINE, and Lords.

Pos. Alack, the king!

CrM. Thou bafeft thing, avoid ; hence, from my fight!
If, after this command, thou fraught the court
With thy unworthinefs, thou dy'ft : Away J
Thou'rt poison to my blood.

Pos. The gods proteft you !
And blefs the good remainders of the court !
I am gone. [Exit POSTHUMUS.

IMO. There cannot be a pinch in death
More fharp than this is.

Cru. O difloyal thing,

That fhould'ft repair my youth j thou heap'ft intfeatl
A year's age on me !

IMO. I befeech you, fir,
Harm not yourfelf with your vexation ; I
Am fenfelefs of your wrath ; a touch more rare
Subdu.es all pangs, all fears.

CrM. Paft grace ! obedience !

IMO. Paft hope, and in defpair ; that way, paft grace.

CrM. That might'ft have had the folefon of my queen!

IMO. O bleft, that I might not! I chose an eagle,
And did avoid a puttock. [throne

CrM. Thou took'ft a beggar ; would'ft have made my
A feat for bafenefs.

IMO. No ; I rather added
A luftre to it.

CrM. O thou vile one !

IMO. Sir,

Cymbefine. g

It Is your fault, that I have lov'd Pofthumus :
You bred him as my play-fellow ; and he is
A man, worth any woman; over-buys me
Almoft the fum he pays.

Cr>f. What, art thou mad ?

IM o . Almoft, fir : Heaven reftore me ! 'Woald I wet e

A neat-herd's daughter! and my Leonatus
Our neighbour fhepherd's fon !

Re enter Queen.

Grid. Thou fooliih thing! —
They were again together : you have done
Not after our command. Away with her,
And pen her up.

£>ue. Befeech your patience :_ Peace,

Dear lady daughter, peace ; Sweet fovereign,

Leave us to ourfelves :_and make yourfelf fome comfort
Out of your beft advice.

Cm. Nay, let her languifh
A drop of blood a day ; and, being aged,
Dye of this folly ! [Exit CYMBELINE,

Enter PISANIO.

Que. Fie ! you muft give way :

Here is your fervant How now, fir ? what news ?

Pi J. My lord your fon drew on my mafter.

$ue. Ha!
No harm, I truft, is done ?

Pis. There might have been,
But that my mafter rather play'd than fought,
And had no help of anger : they were parted
By gentlemen at hand.

Que. I am very glad on't.

IfiQ. Your fon's my father's friend ; he takes his part,

I*

io Cymbeline.

To draw upon an exile. _ O brave fir ! __
I would, they were in Africk both together ;
Myfelf by with a needle, that I might prick
The goer-back Why came you from your matter ?

Pis. On his command : He would not fuffer me
To bring him to the haven : left "|~ these notes
Of what commands I mould be fubjeft to,
When't pleas'd you to employ me.

^ue. This hath been

Your faithful fervant : I dare lay mine honour,
He will remain fo.

Pis. I humbly thank your highnefs.

g>ue. Pray, walk a while.

I MO. About fome half hour hence,
31 pray you, fpeak with me : You fhall, at leaft,
Go fee my lord aboard : for this time, leave me.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III. The fame.
Enter CLOT EN, and two Lords.

1. L. Sir, I would advise you to fhift a fhirt ; the
violence of adlion hath made you reek as a facrifice :
Where air comes out, air comes in : there's none abroad
fo wholefpme as that you vent.

do. If my fhirt were bloody, then to fhift it— Have
I hurt him ?

2. L. "No, faith ; not fo much as his patience."

1. L. Hurt him ? his body's a paflable carcafs, if he
be not hurt : it is a thorough-fare for fteel, if it be not
hurt.

2. L. "His fteel was in debt; it went o'th' back-"
" fide the town."

Cymbellne. 1 1

Clo. The villain would not {land me.

2. L. "No; but he fled forward ftill, toward your face."

1 . L. Stand you ! You had land enough of your own :
but he added to your having ; gave you fome ground.

2.L. " As many inches as you have oceans : Puppies !"
CLQ. I would, they had not come between us.

2. L. "So would I, 'till you had measur'd how long"
" a fool you were upon the ground."

CLO. And that me fhould love this fellow, and refuse
me!

2. L. " If it be a fin to make a true election, fhe is"
"damn'd."

1 . L. Sir, as I told you always, her beauty and her
brain go not together : fhe's a good fign, but I have feen
fmall reflection of her wit.

2. L. " She dunes not upon fools, left the reflection"
"mould hurt her."

. CLO. Come, I'll to my chamber: 'Would there had
been fome hurt done !

2. L. " I wim not fo ; unlefs it had been the fall of"
" an afs, which is no great hurt."

CLO. You'll go with us?

2. L. I'll attend your lordfhip.

CLO. Nay, come, let's go together.

2.L. Well, my lord. [Exeunt.

S CE NE 1 V. A Room in the Palace.

Enter IMOGEN, andPiSAKio.

I MO . I would thougrew'ft unto the mores o'the haven,
And queftion'dft every fail : if he mould write,
A,nd 1 not have it, 'twere a paper loft
As offer'd mercy is. What was the laft

i j Cymbeline.

That he fpake to thee ?

Pis. It was, Hii queen, bis queen.

I MO. Then wav'd his handkerchief?

Pis. And kifTd it, madam.

I MO. Senfelefs linnen ! happier therein than I ! _
And that was all ?

Pis. No, madam ; for fo long
As he could make me with this eye, or ear,
Diftinguifti him from others, he did keep
The deck, with glove, or hat, or handkerchief,
Still waving, as the fits and ftirs of his mind
Could beft exprefs how flow his foul fail'd on,
How fwift his fhip.

I MO. Thou (hould'ft have made him
As little as a crow, or lefs, ere left
To after-eye him.

Pis. Madam, fo I did.

JMO. I would have broke mine eye-ftrings ; crack'd

them, but

To look upon him ; 'till the diminution
Of fpace had pointed him fliarp as my needle :
Nay, followed him, 'till he had melted from.
The fmallnefs of a gnat to air ; and then
Have turn'd mine eye, and wept — But, good Pifanio,
When {hall we hear from him ?

Pis Be affur'd, madam,
With his next vantage.

I MO. I did not take my leave of him, but had
Moft pretty things to fay : ere I could tell him,
How I would think on him, at certain hours,
Such thoughts, and fuch ; or I could make him fwear,
The fhe's of Italy ihould not betray

* with bis eye

Cymbeline. 13

Mineintereft, and his honour; or have charg'd him,
At the fixth hour of morn, at noon, at midnight,
To encounter me with orisons, for then
I am in heaven for him ; or ere I could
Give him that parting kifs, which I had fet
Betwixt two charming words, comes in my father,
And, like the tyrannous breathing of the north,
Shakes all our buds from growing.
Enter a Lady.

Lad, The queen, madam,
Desires your highnefs' company.

I MO. Those things I bid you do, get them difpatch'd

I will attend the queen.

Pis. Madam, I (hall. [Exeunt.

SCENE V. Rome. A Room in Philario'j#«>.

Enter PHILARIO, JACHIMO, a Frenchman,

a Dutchman^ and a Spaniard.

*JAC. Believe it, fir: I have feen him in Britain'*
he was then of a crefcent note ; expefted to prove fo
worthy, as fmce he hath been allowed the name of:
but I could then have look'd on him, without the help
of admiration ; though the catalogue of his endow-
ments had been, tabl'd by his fide, and I to peruse him
by items.

PHI, You fpeak of him when he was lefs furnifli'd,
than now he is, with that which makes him both with-
out and within.

Fre. I have feen him in France : we had very many
there, could behold the fun with as firm eyes as he.

JAC. This matter of marrying his king's daughter,
(wherein he muft be weighed rather by her value than

14 Cymbeline.

his own) words him, I doubt not, a great deal from the
matter.

Fre. And then his banifliment :

Jjc. Ay, and the approbation of those, that weep
this lamentable divorce, under her colours, are won-
derfully to extend him ; be it but to fortify her judg-
ment, which elfe an easy battery might lay flat, for
taking a beggar without more quality. But how comes
it, he is to fojourn with you ? How creeps acquaint-
ance ?

PHI. His father and I were foldiers together ; to
xvhom I have been often bound for no lefs than my
life:-

Enter POSTHUMUS.

Here comes the Britain : Let him be fo entertained
amongft you, as fuits, with gentlemen of your know-
ing, to a ftranger of his quality. _ I befeech you all,
be better known to this gentleman ; whom [ commend
to you, as a noble friend of mine : How worthy he is,
I will leave to appear hereafter, rather than ftory him
in his own hearing.

Fre. Sir, we have known together in Orleans.

Pos. Since when I have been debtor to you for
courtefies, which I will be ever to pay, and yet pay
ftill.

Fre. Sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindnefs : I was
glad I did attone my countryman and you ; it had been
pity, you mould have been put together with fo mortal
a purpose, as then each bore, upon importance of fo
flight and trivial a nature.

Pos. By your pardon, fir, I was then a young tra-
veller; rather fhun'd to go even with what I heard,

* without leffe .lalit

Cymbeline. 1 5

than in my every aftion to be guided by others' ex-
periences : but, upon my mended judgment, (if I offend
not, to fay it is mended) my quarrel was not altogether
flight.

Fre. 'Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrament of
fvvords ; and by fuch two, that would, by all likely hood,
have confounded one the other, or have fall'n both.

JAC. Can we, with manners, aik what was the dif-
ference ?

Fre. Safely, I think : 'twas a contention in pub-
lick, which may, without contradiction, fuffer the re-
port. It was much like an argument that fell out lad
night, where each of us fell in praise of our country
miftrefTes : This gentleman at that time vouching, (and
upon warrant of bloody affirmation) his to be more
fair, virtuous, wise, chart, conilant qualify'd, and lefs
attemptible, than any the rareft of our ladies in
France.

JAC. That lady is not now living; or this gentle-
man's opinion, by this, worn out.

Pos. She holds her virtue ftill, and I my mind.

JAC. You muft not fo far prefer her 'fore ours of
Italy.

Pos. Being fo far provok'd as I was in France, I
would abate her nothing ; though I profefs myfelf her
adorer, not her friend.

JAC. As fair, and as good, (a kind of hand-in-
hand comparifon) had been fomething too fair, and too
good, for any lady in Britany. If Ihe went before others [
have feen, as that diamond of yours out-lulters many
I have beheld, I could believe Ihe excelled many : but I
have not feen the moft precious diamond that is, nor you

lft Conflant. Qualified, 3« could not believe

16 Cymbeline.

the lady.

Pos. I prais'd her, as I rated her : fo do I my {tone.

JAC. What do you efteem it at ?

Pos. More than the world enjoys.

"JAC. Either your unparagon'd miftrefs is dead, or
flie's out-priz'd by a trifle.

Pos. You are miftaken : the one may be fold, or
given ; if there were wealth enough for the purchafe,
or merit for the gift: the other is not a thing for fale,
and only the gift of the gods.

JAC. Which the gods have given you?

Pos. Which, by their graces, I will keep.

JAC. You may wear her in title yours : bat, you
know, ftrange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds.
Your ring may be ftoln too : fo, your brace of unprize-
able eftimations, the one is but frail, and the other
casual; a cunning thief, or a that- way- accompliih'd
courtier, would hazard the winning both of firft and
laft.

Pos. Your Italy contains none fo accomplifh'd a
courtier, to convince the honour of my miftrefs ; if, in
the holding or lofs of that, you term her frail. 1 da no-
thing doubt, you have ftore of thieves ; notwithfland-
ing, I fear not my ring.

PHI. Let us leave here, gentlemen.

Pos. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy fignior, I
thank him, makes no ftranger of me ; we are familiar
at firft.

JAC. With five times fo much converfation, I mould
get ground of your fair miftrefs : make her go back,
even to the yielding ; had I admittance, and opportu-
nity to friend.

7 given, or if — purchafcs,

Cymbeline. j 7

Pos. No, no.

JAC. I dare, thereupon, pawn the moiety of my
eflate to your ring ; which, in my opinion, o'ervalues
it fomething : But I make my wager rather againft your
confidence, than her reputation : and, to bar your of-
fence herein too, I durft attempt it againft any lady in
the world.

Pos. You are a great deal abus'd in too bold a per-
fuasion ; and I doubt not you fuftain what you're wor-
thy of, by your attempt.

JAC. What's that?

Pos. A repulfe : Though your attempt, as you call
it, deserves more ; a punifhment too.

Pa i. Gentlemen, enough of this : it came in too
fuddenly ; let it dye as it was born, and, I pray you, be
better acquainted.

JAC. 'Would I had put my eftate, and my neigh-
bour's, on the approbation of what I have fpoke.

Pos. What lady would you choose to aflail ?

JAC, Yours; who in conftancy, you think, ftands fo
fafe. I will lay you ten thousand ducats to your ring,
that, commend me to the court where your lady is, with
no more advantage than the opportunity of a fecond
conference, and I will bring from thence that honour
of hers, which you imagine fo reserv'd.

Pos. I will wager againft your gold, gold to it: my
ring I hold dear as my finger ; 'tis part of it.

JAC. You are afraid, and therein the wiser. If you
buy ladies' flefh at a million a dram, you cannot pre-
serve it from tainting : But, I fee, you have, fome reli-
gion in you, that you fear.

Pos. This is but a cuftom in your tongue : you bear

*° whom *6 wage *» % friend

1 8 Cymbeline.

a graver purpose, I hope.

_Jjc. I am the matter of my fpeeches ; and would
undergo what's fpoken, I fwear.

Pos. Will you r I fhall but lend my diamond 'till

your return : Let there be covenants drawn between

us : My miftrefs exceeds in goodnefs the hugenefs of
your unworthy thinking: I dare you to this match :
here's my ring. [putting it ir.to Philario'j Hand.

PHI. I will have it no lay.

JAC. By the gods, it is one : _ If t bring you fuffi-
cient teftimony that I have enjoy'd the deareft bodily
part of your miftrefs, my ten thousand ducats are mine ;
fo is your diamond too : If I come off, and leave her in
fuch honour as you have truft in, She your jewel, this
your jewel, and my gold are yours j — provided, I
have your commendation, for my more free entertain-
ment.

Pos. I embrace these conditions; let us have ar-
ticles betwixt us : — only, thus far you mall anfwer :
If you make your voyage upon her, and give me di-
reclly to underftand you have prevail'd, I am no fur-
ther your enemy, (he is not worth our debate : if (he
remain unfeduc'd, (you not making it appear other-
wise) for your ill opinion, and the aflault you have
made to her chaftity, you fhall anfwer me with your
fword.

JAC. Your hand; a covenant : We will have these
things fet down by lawful counfel, and ftraight away
for Britain ; left the bargain fhould catch cold, and
ftarve : I will fetch my gold, and have our two wagers
recorded.

Pos. Agreed. [Exeunt Pos. WjAC.

1 ° you no fufikient ' * are yours, fo

Cymbeline. 19

fre. Will this hold, think you ?
PUT. Signior Jacbimo will not from it. Pray, let us
follow 'em. [Exeunt.

SCENE VI. A Room in CymbelineV Palace.
Enter Queen, Ladies, and CORNELIUS.

Que. Whiles yet the dew's on ground, gather those

flowers ;
Make hafte : Who has the note of them ?

i. L. T, madam.

£>ue. Difpatch. — [Exeunt Ladies.

Now, matter doctor ; have you brought those drugs ?

COR. Pleaseth your highnefs, ay: here.they are, ma-
dam : [g^ing her fame Papers.
But I befeech your grace, (without offence ;
My confcience bids me afk) wherefore you have
Commanded of me these moft pois'nous compounds,
Which are the movers of a languilhing death ;
But, though flow, deadly ?

£>ue. I BO wonder, doctor,

Thou afk'ft me fuch a queflion : Have I not been
Thy pupil long? Haft thou notlearn'd me how
To make perfumes ? diftil ? preserve ? yea, fb,
That our great king himfelf doth woo me oft
For my confections ? Having thus far proceeded,
(Unlefs thou think'ft me dev'lifli) is't not meet
That I did amplify my judgment in
Other conclusions ? I will try the forces
Of these thy compounds on fuch creatures as
We count not worth the hanging, (but none human ;)
To try the vigour of them, and apply
Allayments to their aft; and by them gather

VOL. IX K

zo Cymbeline.

Their feveral virtues, and effedts.
Co*. Your highnefs

Shall from this practice but make hard your heart:

Befides, the feeing these effefts will be

Both noyfome and infedlious.
Que. O, content thee. _

Enter PISANIO.

" Here comes a flattering rafcal ; upon him"

" Will I firft let tyem work : he's for his matter,"

"And enemy to my fon." — How now, Pijanio?—.

Doclor, your fervice for this time is ended ;

Take your own way.

COR. "I do fufpeft you, madam";

"But you fhall do no harm".

<%ue. Hark thee, a word, [to Pif. drawing him ajide.

Co*. " I do not like her. She doth think, me has*'

Strange ling'ring poisons : I do know her fpirit,"

And will not truft one of her malice with"

A drucr of fuch damn'd nature : Those, fhe has,"

Will ftupify and dull the fenfe a while :"

Which firft, perchance, (he'll prove on cats, and dogs ;"

Then afterward up higher-: but there is"

No danger in what mew of death it makes,"

More than the locking up the fpirits a time,"

To be more frefh, reviving. She is fool'd"

With a moft falfe effeft ; and I the truer,"

So to be falfe with her."

£>ue . No further fervice, doctor,

Until I fend for thee.

Co*. I humbly take my leave. [Exit.

Que. Weeps Ihe ftill, fay'ft thou : Doft thou think, in
time

Cymbeline, 21

She will not quench ; and let inftru£lions enter,

Where folly now possefles ? Do thou work :

When thou {halt bring me word, fhe loves my fon,

I'll tell thee, on the inftant, thou art then

As great as is thy matter : greater T for

His fortunes all lye fpeechlefs, and his name

Is at laft gafp : Return he cannot, nor ,

Continue where is : to fliift his being,

Is to exchange one misery with another j

And every day, that comes, comes to decay

A day's work in him : What (halt thou expeft,

To be depender on a thing that leans ?

Who cannot be new built ; nor has no friends,

[drops fame of the Paper*.
So much as but to prop him ? Thou tak'ft up
Thou know'ft not what ; but take it for thy labour :
It is a thing I make, which hath the king
Five times redeem'd from death ; I do not know
What is more cordial -. — Nay, I pr'ythee, take it;
It is an earneft of a farther good
That I mean to thee. Tell thy miftrefs how
The cafe ftands with her ; do't, as from thyfelf.
Think what a chance thou chanceft on ; but think :
Thou haft thy miftrefs ftill ; to boot, my fon,
Who mall take notice of thee,. move the king
To any (hape of thy preferment, fuch
As thou'lt desire ; and then myfelf, I chiefly,
That fet thee on to this desert, am bound
To load thy merit richly. Call my women :
Think on my words . [ Exit Pi s . ] A fly, and conftant knave;
Not to be fhak'd : the agent for his mafter ;
And the remembrancer of her, to hold

*3 changed *5 thef. He move

K z

22 Cymbeline.

The hand fad to her lord. I have given him that,
Which, if he take, mall quite unpeople her
Of ledgers for her fweet ; and which {he, after,
Except Ihe bend her humour, fhall be afiur'd

Re-enter PISANIO, and Ladies.
To tafte of too. _ So, fo ; well done, well done :
The violets, cowflips, and the primroses,
Bear to my closet :_Fare thee well, Pifanio ;
Think on my words. [Exeunt Queen, and Ladies.

Pis. And {hall do:

But when to my good lord I prove untrue,
I'll choak myfelf : there's all I'll do for you.

[Exit PISANIO.

SCENE VII. Another Room in the fame.
Enter IMOGEN.

I MO. A father cruel, and a ftep-dame falfe ;
A fooliih fuitor to a wedded lady,
That hath her husband haniih'd ; — O, that husband,
My fupream crown of grief ; and those repeated
Vexations of it! Had I been thief-ftoln,
As my two brothers, happy : but moft miserable
Is the desire that's glorious : BlefTed be those,
How mean foe'er, that have their honeft wills,
Which feasons comfort. —Who may this be r Fie !
Enter PISANIO, and J A c H i M o .

Pis. Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome,
Comes from my lord with letters.

J*c. Change you, madam?
The worthy Leonatus is in fafety,
And greets your highnefs dearly. [presents a Letter.

I MO. Thanks, good fir;

Cymbeline. 23

You're kindly welcomg.

JA c . "All of her, that is out of door, moft rich ! "
' If ftie be furnifh'd with a mind fo rare,"
' She is alone the Arabian bird ; and I "
4 Have loft the wager. Boldnefs be my friend ! "
' Arm me, audacity, from head to foot ! "
' Or, like thePartkaa, I mail flying fight ;"
'Rather, direftly fly.

I MO. [reads.'} * * * * He is one of the noble ft note, to

ivhose kindnejjes I am moft infinitely tyed. Reflecl upon him

accordingly, as you value your truft. Leonatus.

So far I read aloud :
But even the very middle of my heart
Is warm'd by the reft, and takes it thankfully.—
You are as welcome, worthy fir, as I
Have words to bid you ; and fhall find it fo,
In all that T can do.

Jjc. Thanks, faireft lady. _
What, are men mad ? Hath nature given them eyes,
To fee this vaulted arch, and the rich crop
Of fea and land r which can diftinguim 'twixt
The fiery orbs above, and the tvvin'd ftones
Upon the humbl'd beach ? and can we not
Partition make with fpeclacles fo precious
'Twixt fair and foul ? '

I MO. What makes your admiration ?

JAC. It cannot be i'the eye ; for apes and monkeys,
'Twixt two fuch flic's, would chatter this way, and
Contemn with mows the other : Nor i'the judgment ;
For idiots, in this cafe of favour, would
Be wisely definite : Nor i'the appetite;
Sluttery to fuch neat excellence oppos'd,

'* take *3 the number'4

^^. Cymbeline.

Should make desire vomit to emptinefs,
Not fo allur'd to feed.

I MO. What is the matter, trow ?

JAC. The cloyed will,
(That fatiate, yet unfatisfy'd ; that tub
Both fill'd and running) rav'ning firft the lamb,
Longs after for the garbage.

I MO. What, dear fir,
Thus raps you ? Are you well ?

JAC. Thanks, madam ; well : — Befeech you, fir,
Desire my man's abode where I did leave him ;
He's ftrange, and peevifh.

Pis. I was going, fir,
To give him welcome. [ Exit Pi s A N i o .

I MO. Continues well my lord? His health, befeech

JAC. Well, madam. [you ?

IMO. Is he difpos'd to mirth ? I hope, he is.

JAC. Exceeding pleasant; none a ftranger there
So merry, and fo gamefome : he is call'd,
The Britain reveller.

IMO. When he was here,
He did incline to fadnefs ; and oft-times
Not knowing why.

JA c . I never law him fad .
There is a Frenchman his companion, one
An eminent monfieur, that, it feems, much loves
A Gallian girl at home : he furnaces
The thick fighs from him; whiles the jolly Britain
(Your lord, I mean) laughs from's free lungs, cries, 0,
Can my fides hold, to think, that man, — who knows
By hijiory, report, or his own proof,
What --Aoman is, yea, nvhat Jbe cannot chaose

5 ur.fat'sfi'd defire, that

Cymbeline. 25

But mttft be, — iviJl his free hours languijh OUt
For affur'J bondage ?

/A/O. Will my lord fay fo ? [ter.

JAC. Ay, madam ; with his eyes in flood with laugh -
It is a recreation to be by,

And hear him mock the Frenchman : But, heavens know,
Some men are much to blame.

I MO. Not he, I hope. [might

JAC. Not he: But yet heaven's bounty towards him
Be us'd more thankfully. In himfelf, 'tis much ;.
In you, — which I count his, beyond all talents, —
Whilit I am bound to wonder, I am bound
To pity too.

I MO. What do you pity, fir ?

jfjiC. Two creatures, heartily.

I MO. Am I one, fir ?

You look on me ; What wrack discern you in me,
Deserves your pity ?

JAC. Lamentable ! What,
To hide me from the radiant fun, and folace
1'the dungeon by a fnufF?

I MO. I pray you, fir,
Deliver with more opennefs your anfw.ers
To my demands.
Why do you pity me ?

JAC. That others do,
I was about to fay, enjoy your — But
It is an office of the gods to venge it,
Not mine to fpeak on't.

I MO. You do feem to know

Something of me, or what concerns me; Pray you,
(Since doubting things go ill often hurts more

11 I account

26 Cymbeline.

Than to be fure they do : For certainties
Either are paft remedies ; or, timely knowing,
The remedy then born) difcover to me
What both you fpur and flop.

JAC. Had I this cheek

To bath my lips upon; this hand, whose touch,
Whose every touch, would force the feeler's foul
To the oath of loyalty ; this obje£t, which
Takes prisoner the wild motion of mine eye,
Fixing it only here : mould I (damn'd then)
Slaver with lips as common as the flairs
That mount the capitol ; join gripes with hands
Made hard with hourly falfhood, as with labour }
Then glafc mjfelf by peeping in an eye,
Bafe and unluflrous as the fmoky light
That's fed with flinking tallow ; it were fit,
That all the plagues of hell fhould at one time
Encounter fuch revolt.

I MO. My lord, I fear.
Has forgot Britain.

JAC. And himfelf : Not I,
Inclin'd to this intelligence, pronounce
The beggery of his change ; but 'tis your graces
That, from my muteft confcience, to my tongue,
Charms this report out.

I MO. Let me hear no more.

JA c. O deareft foul, your cause doth flrike my heart
With pity, that doth make me fick. A lady
So fair, and faflen'd to an empery,
Would make the great'fl king double ! to be partnerM
With tomboys, hir'd with that felf exhibition
Which your own coffers yield ! with diseas'd ventures,

'» illuftrious

Cymbeline.

That play with all infirmities for gold

Which rottennefs can lend nature ! fuch boiPd ftuff,

As well might poison poison ! Be reveng'd ;

Or (he, that bore you, was no queen, and you

Recoil from your great flock.

I MO. Reveng'd!

How mould 1 be reveng'd ? If this be true,
(As I have fuch a heart, that both mine ears
Muft not in hafte abuse) if it be true,
How mould I be reveng'd ? '

y^tc. Should he make me
Live like Diana's prieft, between cold meets ;
Whiles he is vaulting variable ramps,
In your defpight, upon your purfer Revenge it,
1 dedicate myfelf to your fweet pleasure;
More noble than that runagate to your bed ;
And will continue faft to your affedion,
Still clofe, as fure.

I MO. What ho, Pifanic?

JAC. Let me my fervice tender on your lips.

I MO. Away ! I do condemn mine ears, that have
So long attended thee : If thou wert honourable,
Thou would'ft have told this tale for virtue, not
For fuch an end thou feek'ft ; as bafe, as ftrange.
Thou wrong'ft a gentleman, who is as far
From thy report, as thou from honour; and
Solicit'ft here a lady, that difdains
Thee and the devil alike :_ What ho, Pifanioi^
The king my father (hall be made acquainted
Of thy aflault : if he (hall think it fit,
A faucy flranger, in his court, to mart
As in a Rowtjb ftew, and to expound

28 Cymbslkie.

His beaftly mind to us ; he hath a court
He little cares for, and a daughter whom
He not refpecb at all. — What ho, Pifanio!

JAC. O happy Leonatus ! I may fay,
The credit, that thy lady hatli of thee,
Deserves thy truft ; and thy moft perfeft goodnefs
Her affur'd credit. _ Bleffed live you long !
A lady to the worthieft fir, that ever
Country call'd his ! and you his miftrefs, only
For the moft worthieft fi£! Give me your pardon.
I have fpoke this, to know if your affiance
Were deeply rooted ; and mail make your lord,
That which he is, new o'er : And he is one
The trueft manner'd ; fuch a holy witch,
That he enchants focieties unto him :
Half all men's hearts are his.

I MO. You make amends.

Jjc. He fits 'mongft men, like a defcended god :
He hath a kind of honour fets him off,
More than a mortal feeming. Be not angry,
Moft mighty princefs, that 1 have adventur'd
To try you by a falfe report ; which hath
Honour'd with confirmation your great judgment
Jn the eleftion of a fir fo rare,

Which, you know, cannot err : The love I bear him
Made me to fan you thus ; but the gods made you,
Unlike all others, chafflefs. Pray, your pardon, [yours.

I MO. All's well, fir: Take my power i'the court for

Jjc. My humble thanks. I had almoft forgot
To intreat your grace but in a fmall requeft,
And yet of moment too, for it concerns
Your lord ; myfelf, and other noble friends,

** your taking of a

Cymbeline. 29

Are partners in the businefs.

I MO. Pray, what is't?

"JAC. Some dozen Romans of us, and your lord,
(Th* beft feather of our wing) havemingl'd i'ams,
To buy a present for the emperor;
Which I, the factor for the reft, have done
Tn France: 'Tis plate, of rare device ;-and jewels,
Of rich and exquisite form : their values great;
And I am fomething curious, being ftrange,
To have them in fafe ftowage ; May it please you
To take them in protection ?

I MO. Willingly;

And pawn mine honour for their fafety : fince
My lord hath int'reft in them, I will keep them
In my bed-chamber.

JAC. They are in a trunk,
Attended by my men: I will make bold
To fend them to you, only for this night ;
I mud aboard to-morrow.

I MO. O, no, no.

JAC. Yes, I befeech: or T mail Ihort my word,
By length'ning my return. From Gallia
I croff'd the feas on purpose, and on promise
To fee your grace.

IM. o . I thank you for your pains ;
But not away to-morrow.

Jjc. O, I muft, madam:
Therefore 1 (hall befeech you, if you please
To greet your lord with writing, do't to night :
] have out-Hood my time; which is material
To the tender of our present.

I MO. I will write.

jo Cymbeline.

Send your trunk to me ; it fhall fafe be kept,
And truly yielded you : You're very welcome.

[ Exeunt fever ally.

n.

SCENE I. Court before the Palace.
Enter CLOTEN, and tiuo Lords.

CLO. Was there ever man had fuch luck ! when I
kiff'd the jack upon an up-caft, to be hit away I I had a
hundred pound on't : And then a whorefon jackanapes
muft take me up for fwearing; as if I borrow'd mine
oaths of him, and might not fpend them at my pleasure.

1 . L. What got he by that ? You have broke his pate
with your bowl.

2. L. " If his wit had been like his that broke it, it"
" would have run all out."

CLO. When a gentleman is difpos'd to fwear, it is not
for any ftanders-by to curtail his oaths : Ha ?

2. L. No, my lord ; nor crop the ears of them.

CLO. Whorefon dog!_I give him fatiffa&ion ? —
'Would, he had been one of my rank !

2. L. " To have fmelt like a fool." i'' t - -

CLO. I am not vext more at any thing in the earth, —
A pox on't ! I had rather not be fo noble as I am ; they
dare not fight with me because of the queen my mother :
every jack-flave hath his belly-full of fighting, and I muft
go up and down like a cock that no body can match.

2. L. '?You are a cock and capon too; and you"
"crow, cock, with your comb on."

CLO. Say eft thou ?

»7 like him that

Cymbeline. 31

2. L. It is not fit, your lordfhip fhould undertake ev-
ery companion that you give offence to.

CLO. No, I know that : but it is fit, I fhould commit
offence to my inferiors.

2. L. Ay, it is fit for your lordfhip -only.

CLO. Why, fo I fay.

1 . L. Did you hear of a ftranger, that's come to court
to-night ?

CLO. A ftranger! and I not know on't! [not."

2. L. "He's a ftrange fellow himfelf, and knows it
I . L. There's an Italian come ; and, 'tis thought, one

of Leonatu? friends.

CLO. Leonatus ! a banifh'd rafcal ; and he's another,
whofoever he be. Who told you of this ftranger ?

1. L. One of your lordfhip's pages.

CLO. Is it fit, I went to look upon him ? Is thereto
derogation in't ?

2. L. You cannot derogate, my lord.
CLO. Not easily, I think.

2. L. "You are a fool granted ; therefore your iflues,"
" being foolifn, do not derogate,"

CLO. Come, I'll go fee this Italian : What I have loft,
to-day at bowls, I'll win to-night of him. Come, go.

2. L. I'll attend your lordmip.

[Exeunt CLOT-EN, and I. Lord.
That fuch a crafty devil as his mother
Should yield the world this afs ! a woman, that
Bears all down with her brain ; and this her fon
Cannot take two from twenty for his heart
And leave eighteen. Alas, poor princefs,
Thou divine Imogen, what thou cndur'ft !
Betwixt a father by thy ftepdame govern'd ;

32 Cymbeline.

A mother hourly coining plots ; a wooer,

More hateful than the foul expulfion is

Of thy dear husband, than that horrid aft

Of the divorce he'd make ! The heavens hold firm

The walls of thy dear honour; keep unfhak'd

That temple, thy fair mind ; that thou may'ft {land,

To enjoy thy banifh'd lord, and this great land I [Exif.

SCENE II. J Bed-chamber;

a Trunk in one Part of it : IMOGEN in

her Bed; a Lady attending.

I MO. Who's there ? my woman Helen ?

Lad. Please you, madam.

/MO. What hour is it ?

Lad. Almoft midnight, madam. [weak:_

I MO. I have read three hours then: mine eyes are
Fold down the leaf where I have left : To bed :
Take not away the taper, leave it burning ;
And if thou can'ft awake by four o'the clock, [wholly.
I pr'ythee, call me. [Exit Lady. ] Sleep hath feis'd me
To your protection I commend me, gods :
From fairies, and the tempters of the night,
Guard me, befeech ye ! [feefs.

]ACHiMO,from the Trunk.

Jjc. The crickets fing, and man's b'er-labour'd fenfe
Repairs itfelf by reft : Our Tarquin thus
Did foftly prefs the rufhes, ere he waken'd
The chaftity he wounded. — Cytherea,
How bravely thou becom'ft thy bed ! frefh HlJy !
And whiter than the meets ! That I might touch !
But kifs ; one kifs ! Rubies unparagon'd, \_kffing ^r'
Ho\v dearly they do't 1 'Tis her breathing that

Cymbeline. 33

Perfumes the chamber thus : The flame o'the taper
Bows toward her ; and would under-peep her lids,
To fee the inclosed lights, now canopy'd '"''.'*:. •

Under the windows : White and azure, lac'd ;
With blue of heaven's own tintSl — But my defign ?

To note the chamber : I will write all down :

Such, and fuch, pictures ; There the window; Such

The adornment of her bed ; The arras, figures ?

Why, fuch, and fuoh ; And the contents of the ftory, —

Ah, but fome natural notes about her body,

(Above ten thousand meaner moveables ttyv

Would teftify) to enrich mine inventory.

O fieep, thou ape of death, lye dull upon her!

And be her fenfe but as a monument,

Thus in a chapel lying ! Come off, come off;

\taking off her Bracelet.
As flippery, as the Gordian knot was hard !
'Tis mine ; and this will witnefs outwardly,
As ftrongly as the confcience does within,
To the madding of her lord. On her left breaft
A mole cinque-fpotted, like the crimson drops
I'the bottom of a cowflip : Here's a voucher,
Stronger than ever law could make : this fecret
Will force him think I have pick'd the lock, and ta'en
The treasure of her honour. To what end ?
Why mould I write this down, that's riveted,
Screw'd to my memory ? She hath been reading late :
The tale of Ttreus ; here the leaf's turn'd down,

Where Philomels gave up I have enough :

To the trunk again, and fhut the fpring of it.
Swift, fwift, you dragons of the night ! that dawning
May bear the raven's eye : I lodge in fear ;

*5 Honour, No more: to

34. Cymbeline.

Though this a heavenly angel, hell is here.

One, two, three, — [counting the CIock.~\ Time, time f

[Shuts the Trunk upon him/elf. The Scene closes.

SCENE III. An Anti-Rcom to the above Chamber.

Enter CLOT EN, and Lords.

i . L. Your lordihip is the moft patient man in lofs,
the moft coldeft that ever turn'd up ace.
CLO. It would make any man cold to lose.
i. L. But not every man patient, after the noble
temper of your lordfhip ; You are moft hot, and furious,
when you win.

CLO. Winning will put any man into courage : If I
could get this foolifli Imogen, I fhould have gold en-
ough : It's almoft morning, is-'t not ?
i . L, Day, my lord.

CLO. I would, this musick would come : I am advis'd
to give her musick o' mornings ; they fay, it will pe-
netrate.

Enter Musicians.

Come on ; tune : If you can penetrate her with your
fingering, fo ; we'll try with tongue too : if none will
do, let her remain ; but I'll never o'er. Firft, a very ex-
cellent good-conceited thing ; after, a wonderful fweet
air, with admirable rich words to it, — and then let her
confider.

SONG.
Hark, hark, the lark at heaven i gate jingt,

and Phcebus 'gins arise,
his Jleedi to water at those fpr ings

on chalic1 d flowers that lyes ;
and 'winking Mary-^W/ begin

Cymbeline, 35

to ope their golden eyes ;
'with every thing that pretty bin :
my lady fiveet, arise ;

arise, arise.

So, get you gone : If this penetrate, I will confider your
musick the better : if it do not, it is a vice in her ears,
which horfe-hairs, and cat's-guts, nor the voice of un-
paved eunuch to boot, can never amend.

[Exeunt Musicians.
Enter CYMBELINE, and Queen.

2. L. Here comes the king.

CLO. I am glad, I was up fo late ; for that's the rea-
son I was up fo early : He cannot choose but take this
fervice I have done, fatherly. —Good-morrow to your
majefty, and to my gracious mother.

CYM. Attend you here the door of our ftern daughter ?
Will me not forth r

CLO. I have afTail'd her with musicks, but me vouch-
fafes no notice.

CYM. The exile of her minion is too new ;
She hath not yet forgot him : fome more time
Muft wear the print of his remembrance out,
And then {he's yours.

Que. You are moft bound to the king ;
Who lets go by no vantages, that may
Prefer you to his daughter : Frame yourfelf
To orderly follicits ; and be friended
WTith aptnefs of the feason : make denials
Increafe your fervices : fo feem, as if
You were infpir'd to do those duties which
You tender to her ; that you in all obey her,
Save when command to your difmiffion tends,

* pretty is, 6 a voycc in ^ Calves-guts
VOL. IX, L

36 Cymbeline.

And therein you are fenfelefs.

CLO. Senfelefs? not fo.

Enter a Meflenger.

Mef. So like you, fir, embafladors from Rome',
The one is Caius Lucius.

CrM. A worthy fellow,
Albeit he comes on angry purpose now ;
But that's no fault of his: We muft receive him
According to the honour of his fender ;
And towards himfelf, for his goodnefs fore-fpent on us,
We muft extend our notice — Our dear fon,
When you have given good morning to your miftrefs,
Attend the queen, and us ; we (hall have need
To employ you towards this Roman — Come, our queen.
[Exeunt CYM. Queen, Meff. and Lords.

do. If (he be up, I'll fpeak with her; if not,

Let her lye ftill, and dream — By your leave, ho !

I know her women, are about her ; What
If I do line one of their hands r 'Tis gold
Which buys admittance ; oft it doth ; yea, and makes
Diana's rangers falfe themfelves, yield up
Their deer to the ftand o'the ftealer : and 'tis gold
Which makes the true-man kill'd, and faves the thief;
Nay, fometime, hangs both thief and true-man : What
Can it not do, and undo ? I will make
One of her women lawyer to me ; for
I yet not underftand the cafe myfelf.
By your leave. [knocks.

Enter a Lady.

Lad. Who's there, that knocks ?

do. A gentleman.

Lad. No more ?

Cymbeline. 37

do. Yes, and a gentlewoman's fon.

Lad. That's more

Than fome, whose tailors are as dear as yours,
Can juftly boaft of: What's your lordflnp's pleasure?

CLO. Your lady's perfon: Is me ready ?

Lad. Ay,
To keep her chamber.

CLO. There is gold ^= for you ;
Sell me your good report.

Lad. How ! my good name ?
Or to report of you what I mail think
Is good I — The princefs — [Exit Lady.

Enter IMOGEN.

CLO. Good morrow, faireft fitter : Yourfvveet hand.

I MO. Good morrow, fir : You lay out too much pains
For purchafing but trouble : the thanks I give,
Is telling you that I am poor of thanks,
And fcarce can (pare them.

CLO. Still, Ifwear, I love you.

I MO. If you but faid fo, 'twere as deep with me :
If you fwear ftill, your recompence is ftill
That I regard it not.

CLO. This is no anfwer.

I MO. But that you mall not fay I yield, being Jilent,
I would not fpeak. I pray you, fpare me : faith,
I mail unfold equal difcourtefy
To your belt kindnefs : one of your great knowing
Should learn, being taught, forbearance.

CLO. To leave you in your madncfs, 'twere my fin;
I will not.

I MO. Fools cure not mad folks.

CLO. Do you call me fool ?

3 « Fooles are not

L 2

38 Cymbeline.

I MO. As I am mad, I do :
If you'll be patient, I'll no more be mad ;
That cures us both. I am much forry, fir,
You put me to forget a lady's manners,
By being fo 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 fo near the lack of charity,
(To accuse myfelf ) I hate you : which I had rather
You felt, than make't my boaft.

CLO. You fin againft

Obedience, which you owe your father. For
The contrafl you pretend with that bafe wretch,
(One, bred of alms, and fofter'd with cold difhes,
With fcraps o^the court) it is no contract, none :
And though it be allow'd in meaner parties,
(Yet who, than he, more mean r) to knit their fouls
(On whom there is no more dependancy
But brats and beggary) in felf-figur'd knot ;
Yet you are curb'd from that enlargement by
The confequence o'the crown ; and muft not foil
The precious note of it with a bafe flave,
A hilding for a livery, afquire's cloth,
A pantler, not fo eminent.
IMO, Prophane fellow !
Wert thou the fon of Jupiter, and no more,
But what thou art, befides, thou wert too bafe
To be his groom : thou wert dignify'd enough,
Even to the point of envy, if 'twere made
Comparative for your virtues, to be ftil'd
The under hangman of his kingdom ; and hated
For being prefer'd fo well.

Cyrnbeline. 39

Cio. The fouth-fog rot him !

I MO . He never can meet more mifchance, than come
To be but nam'd of thee. His meaneft garment,
That ever hath but clipt his body, is dearer,
In my refpeft, than all the hairs above thee,

Enter PISANIO.
Were they all made fuch men. —How now, Pifanlo?

CLO. His garment ? Now, the devil —

IMO. To Dorothy my woman hye thee presently:—

CLO. His garment?

IMO. I am fprighted with a fool ;
Frighted, and anger'd worfe : _ Go, bid my woman
Search for a jewel, that too casually
Hath left mine arm ; it was thy matter's : fhrew me,
If I would lose it for a revenue
Of any king's in Europe. I do think,
I fa'w't this morning : confident I am,
Laft night 'twas on mine arm ; I kiff'd it :
1 hope, it be not gone, to tell my lord
That I kifs ought but him.

Pis. 'Twill not be loft.

IMO. I hope fo : go, and fearch. [Exit PISANIO.

CLO. You have abus'd me:_
His meaneft garment ?

IMO . Ay ; I faid fo, fir :
If you will make't an aftion, call witnefs to't,

CLO. I will inform your father.

IMO. Your mother too :

She's my good lady ; and will conceive, I hope,
But the word of me. So I leave you, fir,
To the vvorft of difcontent. [Exit IMOGEN.

CLO. I'll be reveng'd :__

40 Cyrnbeline.

His meaneft garment ? Well. [Exit.

SCENE IV. Rome. J
Enter POSTHUMUS,

Pos. Fear it not, fir: I would, I were fo fure
To win the king, as I am bold, her honour
Will remain hers.

PHI. What means do you make to him ?

Pos . Not any ; but abide the change of time ;
Quake in the present winter's ftate, and wim
That warmer days would come : In these fear'd hopes,
I barely gratify your love ; they failing,
I muft die much your debtor.

PHI. Your very goodnefs, and your company,
O'er-pays all 1 can do. By this, your king
Hath heard of great Auguflus : Caius Lucius
Will do his commiffion throughly : And, I think,
He'll grant the tribute, fend the arrearages,
Ere look upon our Romans, whose remembrance
Is yet frefh in their grief.

Pos. I do believe,

(Statift though I am none, nor like to be)
That this will prove a war ; and you mail hear
The legions, now in Gallia, fooncr landed
In our not-fearing Britain, than have tydings
Of any penny tribute pay'd. Our countrymen
Are men more order'd, than when Julius Ceesar
Smil'd at their lack of {kill, but found their courage
Worthy his frowning at : Their difcipline
(Now mingl'd with their courages) will make known
To their approvers, they are people, fuch
That mend upon the world.

'9 Or looke *4 Legion

Cytnbeline. 41

Enter JACHIMO.

PHI. See! Jacbimo!

Pos. The fwifteft harts have ported you by land ;
And winds of all the corners kiff'd your fails,
To make your veflel nimble.

PHI. Welcome, fir.

,Pos. I hope, the briefnefs of your anfwer mad£
The fpcedinefs of your return.

JAC. Your lady
Is one of the faireft that I have look'd upon.

Pos. And, therewithal, the beft; or let her beauty
Look through a casement to allure falfe hearts,
And be falfe with them.

JAC. Here ^ are letters for you.

Pos. Their tenor good, I truft.

JAC. 'Tis very like.

PHI. Was Cains Lucius in the Britain court,
When you were there ?

JA c. He was expeded then,
But not approach'd.

Pos. All is well yet._

Sparkles this ~|~ ftone as it was wont ? or is't not
Too dull for your good wearing ?

JAC. If I have loft it,
I fhould have loft the worth of it in gold.
I'll make a journey twice as far, to enjoy
A fecond night of fuch fweet fhortnefs, which
Was mine in Britain ; for the ring is won.

Pos. The ftone's too hard to come by.

JAC. Not a whit,
Your lady being fo easy.

Pos. Make not, fir

'? Fiji. Was

L4

4.2 Cymbeline.

Your lofs your fport : I hope, you know that we
Muft not continue friends.

JAC. Good fir, we muft,
If you keep covenant : Had I not brought
The knowledge of your miftrefs home, I grant
We were to queftion farther : but I now
Profefs myfelf the winner of her honour,
Together with your ring ; and not the wronger
Of her, or you, having proceeded but
By both your wills.

Pos. If you can make't apparent
That you have tafted her in bed, my hand,
And ring, is yours : If not, the foul opinion
You had of her pure honour, gains, or loses,
Your fword, or mine ; or maflerlefs leaves both
To who fhall find them.

JAC. Sir, my circumftances,
Being fo near the truth, as I will make them,
Muft firft induce you to believe : whose ftrength
I will confirm with oath ; which, I doubt not,
You'll give me leave to fpare, when you fhall find
You need it not.

Pos. Proceed.

JAC. Firft, her bed-chamber,
(Where, I confefs, I flept not ; but, profefs,
Had that was well worth watching) It was hang'd
With tapeftry of filk and filver ; the ftory
Proud Cleopatra, when flie met her Roman
On Cydnui, fwell'd above the banks, or for
The prefs of boats, or pride : A piece of work
So bravely done, fo rich, that it did ftrive
In workmanlhip, and value ; which, I wonder'd>

»5 leave *» And Cldnui

Cymbeiine. 43

Could be fo rarely and exa&ly wrought,
Since the true life was in it.

Pos. This is true;

And this you might have heard of here, by me,
Or by fome other.

JAC, More particulars
Mult juftify my knowledge.

Pos. So they muft,
Or do your honour injury.

JAC. The chimney

Is fouth the chamber ; and the chimney-piece,
Chaft Dian, bathing : never faw I figures
So likely to report themfelves : the cutter
Was as another nature ; dumb, out-went her,
Motion and breath left out.

Pos. This is a thing

Which you might from relation likewise reap ;
Being, as it is, much fpoke of.

JAC. The roof o'the chamber
With golden cherubins is fretted : Her andirons
(1 had forgot them) were t\vo winking Cupids
Of filver, each on one foot {landing, nicely
Depending on their brands.

Pos. This is her honour?

Be it granted, you have feen all this, (and praise
Be given to your remembrance) the defcription
Of what is in her chamber, nothing faves
The wager you have lay'd.

JA c. Then if you can,

Be pale ; I beg but leave to air~f this jewel : See !
And now 'tis up again : It muft be marry'd
To that your diamond ; I'll keep them.

* life on't was — *5 Let it be granted

44. Cymbeline.

Pos. Jo<ve> —

Once more let me behold it: Is it that
Which I left with her ?

JAC. Sir, (I thank her) that:
She ftript it from her arm ; I fee her yet ;
Her pretty a&ion did outfell her gift,
And yet enrich'd it too : me gave it me,
And faid, Ihe priz'd it once.

Pos. May be, (he pluck'd it off,
To fend it me.

JAC. She writes fo to you ? doth (he ?

Pos. O, no, no, no ; 'tis true. Here, take ^ this too;
It is a basililk unto mine eye,
Kills me to look on't : —Let there be no honour,
Where there is beauty ; truth, where femblance ; love,
Where there's another man : The vows of women
Of no more bondage be, to where they are made,

Than they are to their virtues ; which is nothing :

O, above measure falfe !

Pai. Have patience, fir,
And take your ring again ; 'tis not yet won :
It may be probable, me loft it ; or,
Who knows if one of her women, being corrupted,
Hath (loin it from her.

Pos. Very true;

And fo, I hope, he came by't :_ Back my ring :
Render to me fome corporal fign about her,
More evident than this ; for this was ftoln.

JAC. By Jupiter, I had it from her arm.

Pos. Hark you, he fwears ; by 'Jupiter he fwears.
'Tis true, _ nay, keep the ring— 'tis true : I am fure,
She would not lose it : her attendants are

Cymbeline. 45

All fworn, and honourable ; They induc'd to Heal it ?
And by a ftranger ? No ; he hath enjoy'd her :
The cognisance of her incontinency [ly —

Is this, — ftie hath bought the name of whore thus dear-
There, take thy hire ; and all the fiends of hell
Divide themfelves between you.

PHI. Sir, be patient :
This is not flrong enough to be believ'd
Of one perfuaded well of —

Pos. Never talk on't :
She hath been coked by him.

JAC. Ifyoufeek

For further fatiffyin^, under her bread
(Worthy her preffing) lyes a mole, right proud
Of that moft delicate lodging: By my life,
I kiff'd it ; and it gave me present hunger
To feed again, though full. You do remember
This ftain upon her?

Pos. Ay, and it doth confirm
Another ftain, as big as hell can hold,
Were there no more but it.

JAC. Will you hear more ?

Pos. Spare your arithmetick : never count the turns;
Once, and a million.

JAC. I'll be fworn, -

Pos. No fwearing : —

If you will fwear you have not don't, you lye ;
And I will kill thee, if thou doft deny
Thou hail: made me cuckold.

JAC. I will deny nothing.

Pos. O, that I had here, to tear her limb-meal !
I will 30 there, and do't ; i'the court ; before

46 Cymbeline.

Her father : I'll do fomething : [ Exit POSTHUMUS.

PHI. Quite befides

The government of patience ! _ You have won :
Let's follow him, and pervert the present wrath
He hath againft himfelf.

JAC. With all my heart. {Exeunt*

SCENEV. The fame. Another Room in the fame.

Enter POSTHUMUS.

Pos. Is there no way for men to be, but women
Muft be half-workers r We are all baftards ; s« :
And that mod venerable man, which I
Did call my father, was I know not where,
When I was ftampt ; fome coiner with his tools
Made me a counterfeit : Yet my mother feem'd
The Dian of that time : fo doth my wife
The non-pareil of this. _O, vengeance, vengeance !_
Me of my lawful pleasure me reftrain'd,
And pray'd me, oft, forbearance : did it with
A pudency fo rosy, the fweet view on't
Might well have vvarm'd old Saturn ; that I thought her
As chad, as unfun'd fnow : — O, all the devils ! _
This yellow Jacbimo, in an hour, (was't not ?)
Or lefs ; at firft : Perchance, he fpoke not ; but, .
Like a full-acorn'd boar, a German one,
Cry'd, ob, and mounted : found no opposition,
-But what he look'd for mould oppose, and me
Should from encounter guard. Could I find out
The woman's part in me ! For there's no motion
That tends to vice in man, but I affirm
It is the woman's part: Be it lying, (note it)
The woman's ; flattering, hers ; deceiving, hers ;

*S a Jarmen on;

Cymbeline. 47

Luft and rank thoughts, hers, hers ; revenges, hers ;

Ambitions, covetings, change of prides, difdain,

Nice longing, flanders, mutability,

All faults that may be nam'd, nay, that hell knows,

Why, hers, in part, or all ; but, rather, all :

For even to vice

They are not conftant, but are changing ftill ;

One vice, but of a minute old, for one

Not half fo old as that. I'll write againft them,

Deteft them, curfe them : Yet 'tis greater Cull

In a true hate, to pray they have their will :

The very devils cannot plague them better. [Exit.

ACT III.

SCENE I. A State Room in Cymbeline'j Palace.

Enter CYMBELINE, Queen, CLOTEN, Lords, andOtbers:

Cymbeline takei kis Throne ; after which,

Enter Lucius, and Attendants.

CrM. Now fay, what would Augujlus C<esar with us ?

Luc. When Julius Cresar (whose remembrance yet
Lives in mens eyes ; and will to ears, and tongues,
Be theme, and hearing ever) was in this Britain,
And conquer'd it, CaJJibelan, thine uncle,
(Famous in C&sar's praises, no whit lefs
Than in his feats deserving it) for him,
And his fucceffion, granted Rome a tribute,
Yearly three thousand pounds ; which by thee lately
Is left untender'd.

Que. And, to kill the marvel,
Shall be fo ever.

48 Cymbeline.

do , There be many Caesars,
Ere fuch another Julius. Britain is
A world by itfelf ; and we will nothing pay
For wearing our own noses.

Que. That opportunity,

Which then they had to take from us, to resume
We have again. — Remember, fir, my liege,
The kings your anceflors : together with
The natural bravery of your ifle ; which ftands
As tfte great Neptune's park, rib'd and pal'd in
With rocks unfcaleable, and roaring waters ;
With fands, that will not bear your enemies' boats,
But fuck them up to the top-maft. A kind of conqueft
C<esar made here ; but made not here his brag
Of, came, and_/2zw, and overcame: with fhame
(The firft that ever touch'd him) he was carry'd
From off our coaft, twice beaten ; and his (hipping
(Poor ignorant baubles !) on our terrible feas,
Like egg-fhells mov'd upon their furges, crack'd
As easily 'gainft our rocks : For joy whereof,
The fam'd CaJJlbelan, who was once at point
(O, giglet fortune !) to matter C<?sar's fword,
Made Lud's town with rejoicing fires bright,
And Britalns flrut with courage.

Cio. Come, there's no more tribute to be pay'd :
Our kingdom is ftronger than it was at that time ; and,
as I faid, there is no more fuch Caesars : other of them
may have crook'd noses ; but, to owe fuch ftrait arms,
none.

CYM. Son, let your mother end.

CLO. We have yet many among us can gripe as hard
as CaJJibelan ; I do not fay, I am one ; but I have a hand —

» With Oakes

Cymbeline. 49

Why tribute ? why mould we pay tribute? If Casar can
hide the fun from us with a blanket, or put the moon in
his pocket, we will pay him tribute for light ; elfe, fir,
no more tribute, pray you now.

CTM. You muft know,
'Till the injurious Romans did extort
This tribute from us, we were free : Cesar's ambition,
(Which fwelPd fo much, that it did almoft flretch
The fides o'the world) againft all colour, here
Did put the yoak upon us ; which to make off,
Becomes a warlike people, whom we reckon
Ourfelves to be ; we do. Say then to C<?sar,
Our anceftor was that Mulmutius, which
Ordain'd our laws ; whose ufe the fword of Casar
Hath too much mangl'd ; whose repair, and franchise,
Shall, by the power we hold, be our good deed, [laws ;
Though Rome be therefore angry. Mul/nutius made our
Who was the firft of Britain, which did put
His brows within a golden crown, and call'd
Himfelf a king.

Luc. I am forry, Cymbeline,
That I am to pronounce Auguftus Caesar
(Caesar, that hath more kings his fervants, than
Thyfelf domellick officers) thine enemy :

Receive it from me then : War, and confusion,

In Cfesar\ name pronounce I 'gainft thee : look

For fury not to be resitted : Thus defy'd,

I thank thee for myfeif.

CrM. Thou art welcome, Caius.
Thy C<rsar knighted me ; my youth I fpent
Much under him : of him 1 gather'd honour;
Which he, to feek of me again, perforce,

50 Cymheline.

Behooves me keep at utterance. I am perfeft,
That the Panncnians, and Dalmatians, for
Their liberties, are now in arms: a precedent
Which, not to read, would (hew the Britain; cold :
So Casar fhall not find them.

Lvc. Let proof fpeak.

CLO. His majefty bids you welcome. Make paflimer
with us a day, or two, or longer: If you feek us af-
terwards in other terms, you ftiall find us in our fall-
water girdle : if you beat us out of it, it is yours ; if
you fall in the adventure, our crows mall fare the bet-
ter for you ; and there's an end.

Luc. So, fir.

CTM . I know your matter's pleasure, and he mine :
All the remain is, welcome. [Exeunt.

SCENE II. Another Room in the fame.

Enter PJSANIO.

Pis. How ! of adultery ? Wherefore write you not
What monfter's her accuser ? — Leonatui !
O, mafter ! what a ft range infeftion
Is fain into thy ear ? What falfe Italian
(As pois'nous tongu'd, as handed) hath prevail'd
On thy too ready hearing? — Difloyal ? No :
She's puniuYd for her truth ; and undergoes,
More goddefs-like than wife-like, fnch affaults
As would take-in feme virtue — O my mafter,
Thy mind to her is now as low, as were
Thy fortunes. _ How ! that I mould murther her ?
Upon the love, and truth, and vows, which I
Have made to thy command ? I, her ? her blood '
If it be fo to do good fervice, never

*° Monfters her accufe ?

Cymbeline. 5 1

Let me be counted ferviceable. How look I,
That I fhould feem to lack humanity,
So much as this fadl comes to ? Do't : The letter
That I ha-ve fent her, by her own command ',
Shall give thee opportunity :_O damn'd paper,
Black as the ink that's on thee ! Senfelefs bauble,
Art thou a feodary for this acl, and look'ft

So virgin-like without ? Lo, here me comes :

Enter IMOGEN.

I am ignorant in what I am commanded.
I MO. How now, Pifanio?
Pis. Madam, here ^ is a letter from my lord.
IMO. Who ? thy lord ? that is my lord ? Leonatus?
O, learn 'd indeed were that aftronomer,
That knew the ftars, as I his characters ;
He'd lay the future open. _ You good gods,
Let what is here contain'd reliih of love,
Of my lord's health, of his content, — yet not
That we two are afunder, let that grieve him, —
(Some griefs are med'cinable ; that is one of them,
For it doth physick love) of his content,
All but in that ! _ Good wax, thy leave : _ Bleft be,
You bees, that make these locks of counfel ! Lovers,
And men in dangerous bonds, pray not alike ;
Though forfeiters you cafl in prison, yet

You clafp young Cupid's tables Good news, gods!

[reads.

Jujlice, and your father's wrath, Jbould he take me in
his dominion, could not be jo cruel to me, as you, o the
deareji of creatures, would not even renew me with your
eyes. Take notice that I am in Cambria, at Milford-
Haven : What your o-it-w Icve iivV/, out of this, ad-vise

VOL. IX M

52 Cymbeline.

you, follow. So, he nvijkes you all bappinefs, that re-
maim loyal to his <i>oou, and your encrea/ing in love

Leonatus Pofthumus.

O, for a horfe with wings ! _ Hear'il thou, Pijanio ?
He is at Milford- Haven : Read, and tell me
How far 'tis thither. _ If one of mean affairs
May plod it in a week, why may not I
Glide thither in a day ? —Then, true Pifanio,
(Who long'ft, like me, to fee thy lord : who long'ft,--
O, let me bate, — but not like me : yet long'ft ;
But in a fainter kind : o, not like me ;
For mine's beyond, beyond,) fay, and fpeak thick,
(Love's counfellor fhould fill the bores of hearing,
To the fmothering of the fenfe) how far it is
To this fame bleffed Milford : And, by the way,
Tell me how Wales was made fd happy, as
To inherit fuch a haven : But, firft of all,
How we may fteal from hence ; and, for the gap
That we fhall make in time, fiom our hence-going
To our return, to excuse : but, firft, how get hence :
Why mould excufe be born or e'er begot ?
We'll talk of that hereafter. Pr'ythee, fpeak,
How many fcore of miles may we well ride
'Twixt hour and hour r

Pis. One fcore, 'twixt fun and fun,
Mad?m, 's enough for you ; and too much too.

IMO. Why, one that rode to his execution, man,
Could never go fo flow : I have heard of riding wagers,
Where horfes have been nimbler than the fands
That run i'the clock's behalf: _ But this is foolery : _
Go, bid my woman feign a fickr.efs ; fay
She'll home to her father : and provide me, presently,

*° And our

Cymbeline. 53

A riding fuit ; no cofllier than would fit
A franklin's housewife.

Pis. Madam, you're beft confider.

IM o . I fee before me, man : nor here, nor here,
Nor what enfues ; but have a fog in them,
That I cannot look through. Away, 1 pr'ythee ;
Do as I bid thee : There's no more to fay ;
Acceffible is none but Milford way. [Exeunt.

S C E N E III. A mountainous Country.

Enter ; from a Cave, BELARIUS; then,

GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS.

BEL. A goodly day not to keep houfe, with fuch
Whose roof's as low as ours !_ Stoop, boys : This gate
Inftrufts you how to adore the heavens ; and bows you
To morning's holy office : The gates of monarchs
Are arch'd fo high, that giants may jet through
And keep their impious turbands on, without
Good morrow to the fun. — Hail, thou fair heaven !
We house i'the rock, yet use thee not fo hardly
As prouder livers do.

GUI. Hail, heaven !

ARV. Hail, heaven !

BEL. Now for our mountain fport: Up to yon' hill,
Your legs are young; I'll tread these flats. Consider,
When you above perceive me like a crow,
That it is place, which leflens, and lets off.
And you may then revolve what tales I have told you,
Of courts, of princes, of the tricks in war:
This fervice is not fervice, fo being done,
But being fo allow'd : To apprehend thus,
Draws us a profit from all things we fee :

** ours : Sleepe Boyes,

M 2

54. Cymbeline.

And often, to our comfort, (hall we find
The fharded beetle in a fafer hold
Than is the full-wing'd eagle. O, this life
Is nobler, than attending for a check ;
Richer, than doing nothing for a babe ;
Prouder, than ruftling in unpay'd-for filk :
Such gain the cap of him, that makes 'em fine,
Yet keeps his book uncrofPd : no life to ours.

GUI. Out of your proof you fpeak : we, poor un-

fledg'd,

Have never wing'd from view o'the neft ; nor know not
What air's from home. Haply, this life is beft,
If quiet life be beft ; fweeter to you,
That have a fharper known ; well correfponding
With your flifF age : but, unto us, it is
A cell of ignorance ; travelling abed ;
A prison for a debtor, that not dares
To ftride a limit.

Anv. What mould we fpeak of,
When we are old as you ? when we fhall hear
The wind and rain beat dark December, how,
In this our pinching cave, ihall we difcourfe
The freezing hours away ? We have feen nothing :
We are beaftly ; fubtle as the fox, for prey ;
Like warlike as the wolf, for what we eat:
Our valour is, to chace what flyes ; our cage
We make a quire, as doth the prison'd bird,
And fmg our bondage freely.

BE L. How you fpeak !
Did you but know the city's usuries,
And felt them knowingly: the art o'the court,
As hard to leave, as keep ; whose top to climb

7 makes him fine 'z Prifon, or *

Cymbeline. 55

Is certain falling, or fo flippery, that

The fear's as bad as falling : the toil o'the war,

A pain that only feems to feek out danger

1'the name of fame, and honour ; which dyes i' the fearch ;

And hath as oft a fland'rous epitaph,

As record of fair aft ; nay, many times,

Doth ill deserve by doing well ; what's worfe,

Muft curt'fy at the cenfure : - O, boys, this ftory

The world may read in me : My body's mark'd

With Roman fwords ; and my report was once

Firft with the beil of note : Cymbeline lov'd me ;

And when a foldier was the theme, my name

Was not far off : Then was I as a tree,

Whose boughs did bend with fruit : but, in one night,

A ftorm, or robbery, call it what you will,

Shook down iny mellow hangings, nay, my leaves,

And left me bare to weather.

GUI. Uncertain favour !

BEL. My fault being nothing (as I have told you oft)
But that two villains, whose falfe oaths prevail'd
Before my perfeft honour, fwore to Cymbeline
I was confederate with the Romans : fo,
Follow'd my baniihment ; and, this twenty years,
This rock, and these demefnes, have been my world :
Where I have liv'd at honeft freedom ; pay'd
More pious debts to heaven, than in all
The fore-end of my time. But, up to the mountains;
This is not hunters' language : He, that ftrikes
The venison firft, (hall be the lord o'the feaft ;
To him the other two (hall minifter ;
And we will fear no poison, which attends
In place of greater ftate. I'll meet you in the valleys.

M3

56 Cymbeline.

[Exeunt GUI. and ARV.
How hard it is, to hide the fparks of nature !
These boys know little, they are fons to the king ;
Nor Cymbeline dreams that they are alive. [meanly
They think, they are mine : and, though train'd up thus
I'the cave, where on the bow, their thoughts do hit
The roofs of palaces ; and nature prompts them,
In fimple and low things, to prince it, much
Beyond the trick of others. This Paladour, —
The heir of Cymbeline, and Britain, whom
The king his father call'd Guiderius,—Jo--ve !
When on my three-foot ftool I fit, and tell
The warlike feats I have done, his fpirits fly out
Into my ftory : fay, Thus mine enemy fell;
And thus I fet my foot on bis neck ; even then
The princely blood flows in his cheek, he fweats,
Strains his young nerves, and puts himfelf in pofture
That adls my words. The younger brother, Cadwal,
(Once, Awiragus) in as like a figure
Strikes life into my fpeech, and mews much more
His own conceiving. Hark ! the game is rouz'd.
O Cymbeline, heaven, and my confcience, knows
Thoudid'ft unjuftly banifh me : whereon,
At two, and three years old, I ftole these babes ;
Thinking to bar thee of fucceflion, as
Thou reft'ft me of my lands. Euripbik,
Thou waft their nurfe ; they took thee for their mother,
And every day do honour to thy grave :
Myfelf, Eelarius, that am Morgan call'd,
They take for natural father. The game is up.

[Exit BELARIUS.

6 whereon *6 refls *8 to her grave

Cymbeline. 57

S CENE IV. Another Part of the above Country.

Enter Pis ANIO, and IMOGEN.
IM. o . Thou told'ft me, when we came from horfe, the
place

Was near at hand : Ne'er long'd my mother fo

To fee me firlt, as I have now : _ Pijanio ! Man f

Where is Po/ihumus? What is in thy mind,

That makes thee flare thus r Wherefore breaks that figh

From the inward of thee ? One, but painted thus,

Would be interpreted a thing perplex'd

Beyond felf-ejcplication : Put thyfelf

Into a 'haviour of lefs fear, ere wildnefs

Vanquiih my ftaider fcnfes. What's the matter?

[Pifanio reaches her out a Letter.
Why tender'ft thou that paper to me, with
A look untender ? If't be fummer news,
Smile to't Before : if winterly, thou nced'ft
But keep that countenance flill — My husband's hand !
That drug-damn'd Italy hath out-crafty'd him,
And he's at fome hard point — Speak, man ; thy tongue
May take off fome extremity, which to read
Would be even mortal to me.

Pis. Please you, read;

And you (hall find me, wretched man, a thing
The moft difdain'd of fortune.

I MO. [reads, ,] T'hy mijirefs, Pifanio, hath play'd the
Jlrutnpet in my bed \ the tefti>notjiei <whereof lye bleeding in
me. I fpeak yot out of lyeakfurmises ; but from proof as
Jirong as my grief, and as certain as I expcfi my revenge.
That part, thcu, Pifanio, muji attfor me, if thy fail h be
not tainted with the breach of hers. Let thine own hands

»* fyn

jg Cymbeline.

take away her life : I Jhall give tbee opportunity at
Mil ford- Haven : Jbe bath my letter for the purpose :
Where if tbou fear to Jirike, and to make me certain it is
done, tbou art the pandar to her dijhonour, and equally to
me dijloyal.

Pis. What fhall I need to draw my fword ? the paper
Hath cut her throat already. No, 'tis flander ;
Whose edge is (harper than the fword ; whose tongue
Out-venoms all the worms of Nile ; whose breath
Rides on the porting winds, and doth belye
All corners of the world : kings, queens, and ftates,
Maids, matrons, nay, the fecrets of the grave
This viperous flander enters. —What cheer, madam ?

I MO. Falfe to his bed ! What is it, to be falfe ?
To lye in watch there, and to think on him ?
To weep 'twixt clock and clock ? if fleep charge nature,
To break it with a fearful dream of him,
And cry myfelf awake ? that's falfe to his bed ?
Is it ?

Pis. Alas, good lady !

I MO. I falfe? Thy confcience witnefs : jfacbimoi

Thou did'ft accuse him of incontinency ;

Thou then look'dft like a viliain ; now, methinks,

Thy favour's well enough. _ Some jay of Italy,

Whose feather was her painting, hath betray'd him :

Poor I am ftale, a garment out of famion ;

And, for I am richer than to hang by the walls,

I muft be ript; to pieces with me O!

Men's vows are women's traitors : All good feeming,
By thy revolt, o husband, (hall be thought
Put on for villany ; not born, where't grows ;
But worn, a bait for ladies.

*5 V/hofe mother was

Cymbeline. 59

Pis. Good madam, hear me.

I MO. True honeft men being heard, like falfe JEneas,
Were, in his time, thought falfe : and Sinon's weeping
Did fcandal many a holy tear; took pity
From moil true wretchednefs : So, thou, PoftbumiiSj
Wilt lay the leaven on all proper men ;
Goodly, and gallant, (hall be falfe, and perjur'd,
From thy great fail. __ Come, fellow, be thou honed :
Do thou thy matter's bidding : When thou fee'fl him,
A little witnefs my obedience : Look,
I draw the fvvord myfelf : take it ; and hit
The innocent manfion of my love, my heart :
Fear not ; 'tis empty of all things, but grief:
Thy mailer is not there ; who was, indeed,
The riches of it: Do his bidding ; ftrike.
Thou may'fl be valiant in a better cause ;
But now thou feem'ft a coward.

P/?. Hence, vile inftrument ;
Thou lhalt not damn my hand.

IMO. Why, I muft dye;
And if [ do not by thy hand, thou art
No fervant of thy mailer's : Againll felf-flaughter
There is a prohibition fo divine,

That cravens my weak hand. Come, here's my heart ;__
Something's afore't : Soft, foft ; we'll no defence ;
Obedient as the fcabbard. What is here ?
The fcriptures of the loyal Leonatus,
All turn'd to herefy ? Away, away,
Corrupters of my faith ! you fhall no more
Be flomachers to my heart ! Thus may poor fools
Believe falfe teachers: Though those that are betray'd
Do feel the treason fharply, yet the traitor

*5 Something's a-foot :

6o Cymbeline.

Stands in worfe cafe of woe.

And thou, Po/f humus, tfiou that did'ft fet up

My difobedience 'gainft the king my father,

And mad'ft me put into contempt the fuits

Of princely fellows, (halt hereafter find

It is no aft of common paflage, but

A (train of rarenefs : and I grieve myfelf,

To think, when thou (halt be difedg'd by her

That now thou tir'ft on, how thy memory

Will then be pang'd by me. Pr'ythee, difpatch :

The lamb intreats the butcher : Where's thy knife ?
Thou art too flow to do thy mailer's bidding,
When I desire it too.

Pis. O gracious lady,
Since I receiv'd command to do this businefs,
I have not flept one wink.

IMO. Do't, and to bed then.

Pis. I'll wake mine eye-balls blitrtJ firft.

IMO. Wherefore then
Did'ft undertake it ? Why haft thou abus'd
So many miles, with a pretence ? this place ?
Mine adlion, and thine own ? our horfes' labour ?
The time inviting thee ? the perturb'd court,
For my being abfent; whereunto I never
Purpose return ? Why haft thou gone fo far,
To be unbent, when thou haft ta'en thy ftand,
The elefted deer before thee ?

Pis. But to win time
To lose fo bad employment : in the which
I have confider'd of a courfe j Good lady,
Hear with patience.

IMO. Talk thy tongue weary ; fpeak :

•* makes me

Cymbeline. 6 1

I have heard, I am a {trumpet; and mine ear,
Therein falfe ftrook, can take no greater wound,
Nor tent to bottom that. But fpeak.

Pis. Then, madam,
I thought you would not back again :

I MO. Moft like;
Bringing me here to kill me.

Pis. Not fo neither:
But if I were as wise as honeft, then
My purpose would prove well. It cannot be,
But that my mafter is abus'd :
Some villain, ay, and fingular in his art,
Hath done you both this curfed injury.

I MO. Some Roman courtezan.

Pis. No, on my life.

I'll give but notice you are dead, and fend him
Some bloody fign of it ; for 'tis commanded
I fhould do fo : You {hall be miff'd at court,
And that will well confirm it.

I MO . Why, good fellow,

What fliall 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,—

I MO. No court, no father ; nor no more ado
With that harfli, noble, fimple nothing, «llotettj
That Cloten, whose love-fuit hath been to me
As fearful as a liege.

Pis. If not at court,
Then not in Britain muft you bide.

I MO. Where then?
Haih£ri(ain all the fun that fhines ? Day, night,

62 Cymbeline.

Are they not but in Britain ? I'the world's volume
Our Britain feems as of it, but not in't;
In a great pool, a fwan's neft : Pr'ythee, think
There's livers out of Britain.

Pis. I am molt glad

You think of other place. The embafiador,
Lucius the Roman, comes to Mil ford- Haven
To-morrow : Now, if you could wear a mind
Dark as your fortune is ; and but difguise
That, which, to appear itfelf, muft not yet be,
But by felf-danger ; you fhould tread a courfe
Pretty, and full of view : yea, haply, near
The residence of Pojlbumus ; fo nigh, at leaft,
That though his adlions were not visible, yet
Report fhould render him hourly to your ear,
As truly as he moves.

I. MO. O, for fuch means !
Though peril to my modefty, not death on't,
I would adventure.

Pi s. Well, then, here's the point:
You muft forget to be a woman change
Command into obedience ; fear, and nicenefs,
(The handmaids of all women, or, more truly,
Woman it's pretty felf ) into a waggifti courage,
Ready in gybes, quick -anfwer'd, faucy, and
As quarrellous as the weazel : nay, you muft
Forget that rareft treasure of your cheek,
Exposing it (but, o, the harder heart !
Alack, no remedy) to the greedy touch
Of common- kiffing Titan-, and forget
Your labourfome and dainty trims, wherein
You made great Juno angry.

Cymbeline. 63

I MO. Nay, be brief:
I fee into thy end, and am almoft
A man already.

Pis. Firft, make yourfelf but like one.
Fore-thinking this, I have already fit,
('Tis in my cloak-bag) doublet, hat, hose, all
That anfwer to them : Would you in their ferving,
And with what imitation you can borrow
From youth of fuch a feason, 'fore noble Lucius
Present yourfelf, desire his fervice, tell him
Wherein you're happy, (which you'll make him know,
If that his head have ear in musick) doubtlefs,
With joy he will embrace you; for he's honourable,
And, doubling that, moft holy. Your means abroad
You have me, rich ; and I will never fail
Beginning, nor fupplyment.

/A/O. Thou art all the comfort
The gods will diet me with. Pr'ythee, away :
There's more to be confider'd ; but we'll even
All that good time will give us : This attempt
I am foldier to, and will abide it with
A prince's courage. Away, I pr'ythee.

Pis. Well, madam, we muft take a fhort farewel;
Left, being miff'd, J be fufpeded of
Your carriage from the court. My noble miftrefs,
Here ^ is a box ; I had it from the queen ;
What's in't is precious : if you are fick at fea,
Or ftomach-qualm'd at land, a dram of this
Will drive away diftemper. To fome fliade,
And fit you to your manhood : May the gods
Direct you to the beft !

IMO. Amen: I thank thee. [Ex£i<nt,

1 ' which will make

64 Cymbelinc.

SCENE V. A Room in CymbelineV Palace.

Enter CYMBELINE, Queen, CLOTEN, Lucius,
Lords, and Others.

CrM. Thus far ; and fo farewel.

Luc. Thanks, royal fir.
My emperor hath wrote ; I muft from hence ;
And am right forry, that I muft report ye
My matter's enemy.

CrM. Our fubje£b, fir,
Will not endure his yoak ; and for ourfelf
To mew lefs fovereignty than they, muft needs
Appear unkinglike.

Luc. So, fir, I desire of you
A conduft over land, to Mi/for J-Ha-ven.—.
Madam, all joy befall your grace, and yours !

Cru. My lords, you are appointed for that office ;

The due of honour in no poiat omit :

So, farewel, noble Lucius.

Luc. Your hand, my lord.

do. 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.

CrM. Leave not the worthy Lucius, good my lords,
'Till he have croff'd the Severn — Happinefs !

[Exit Lucius, attended.

£>ue. He goes hence frowning : but it honours us,
That we have given him cause.

do. 'Tisall the better;
Your valiant Britains have their wifiies in it.

Lucius hath \vrot already to the emperor

16 and vou.

Cymbeline. 65

How it goes here. It fits us therefore, ripely,
Our chariots and our horfemen be in readinefs :
The powers that he already hath in Gallia
Will foon be drawn to head, from whence he moves
His war for Britain.

Que. 'Tis not fleepy businefs ;
But muft be look'd to fpeedily, and ftrongly.

Crw. Our expectation that it would be thus
Hath made us forward. But, my gentle queen,
Where is our daughter ? She hath not appear'd
Before the Roman, nor to us hath tender'd
The duty of the day : She looks as like
A thing more made of malice, than of duty;
We have noted it. —Call her before us ; for
We have been too light in fufferance. [Exit an Attendant.

Que. Royal fir,

Since the exile of Poftbumus, moft retir'd
Hath her life been ; the cure whereof, my lord,
'Tis time muft do. Befeech your majefty,
Forbear (harp fpeeches to her : She's a lady
So tender of rebukes, that words are ftrokes,
And ftrokes death to her.

Re-enter the Attendant.

Crj/. Where is me, fir ? How
Can her contempt be anfwer'd ?

Att. Please you, fir.

Her chambers are all lock'd ; and there's no anfwer
That will be given to the loud'ft of noise we make.

$)ue. My lord, when laft I went to visit her,
She pray'd me to excuse her keeping clofe ;
Whereto conftrain'd by her infirmity,
Shs mould that duty leave unpay'd to you,

*» lowJ of

66 Cymbeline.

Which dayly (he was bound to proffer : this

She wifh'd me to make known ; but our great court

Made me to blame in memory.

CTM. Her doors lock'd ? [prove falfe !

Notfeen oflate? — Grant, heavens, that, which I fear,

[ Exeunt C Y M B E L I N E , «W Attendants .

Que. Son, I fay, follow the king.

do. That man of hers, Pifanio her old fervant,
I have not feen these two days.

Que. Go, look after — [Exit CLOT EN.

Pijanio, thou that ftand'il fo for Pojtbumus ! —
He hath a drug of mine : I pray, his abfence
Proceed by fwallowing that ; for he believes
It is a thing mofl precious. But for her,
Where is me gone ? Haply, defpair hath feiz'd her ;
Or, wing'd with fervour of her love, (he's flown
To her desir'd Pofthumus : Gone me is,
To death, or to difhonour ; and my end
Can make good ufe of either : She being down,
I have the placing of the Eritiflj crown.

Re-enter CLOTEN.
How now, my fon ?

CLO. 'Tis certain, (he is fled :
Go in, and chear the king ; he rages, none
Dare come about him.

Que. All the better : May
This night fore-ftal him of the coming day !

[Exit Qneen.

CLO. I love, and hate her : for (he's fair, and royal ;
And that fhe hath all courtly parts more exquisite
Than lady, ladies, woman; from every one
The belt fhe hath, and fhe, of all compounded,

Cymbeline. 67

Out-fells them all : I love her therefore ; But
Difdaining me, and throwing favours on
The low Po/1 humus, (landers fo her judgment,
That what's elfe rare, is chok'd ; and, in that point,
I will -conclude to hate her, nay, indeed,
To be reveng'd upon her. For, when fools

Enter PISANIO.

Shall— Who is here? — What, are you packing, firrah ?
Come hither: Ah, you precious pandar! Villain,
Where is thy lady ? In a word ; or elfe
Thou art ftraightway with the fiends.

Pis. O, good my lord !

CLO. Where is thy lady? or, \>y Jupiter,
I will not aflc again. Clofe villain,
I'll have this fecret from thy heart, or rip
Thy heart to find it. Is me with Pofthumus ?
From whose fo many weights of bafenefs cannot
A dram of worth be drawn.

Pis. Alas, my lord,

How can (he be with him ? When was (he mi/T'd ?
He is in Rome.

CLO. Where is (he, fir ? Come nearer;
No farther halting ; fatiffy me home,
What is become of her,

Pis. O, my all- worthy lord !

Cto. All-worthy villain !
Difcover where thy miftrefs is, at once,
At the next word, —no more of worthy lord,—
Speak, or thy filence on the inftant is
Thy condemnation and thy death.

Pis. Then, fir,
This =f paper is the hiftory of my knowledge

VOL. IX. N

68 Cymbeline.

Touching her flight.

Czo. Let's fee't : __I will purfue her
Even to Auguftus throne.

Pis. "Or this, or perifh."
" She's far enough ; and what he learns by this,"
" May prove his travel, not her danger."

Czo. Humh !

Pis. "I'll write to my lord, fhe's dead :_O, Im9-

"gen,"
" Safe may'ft thou wander, fafe return again !"

do. Sirrah, is this letter true ?

Pis. Sir, as I think.

Czo. It is Pofthumui hand ; I know't. _ Sirrah, if
thou would'ft not be a villain, but do me true fer-
vice ; undergo those employments, wherein I mould
have cause to use thee, with a ferious induftry, — that
is, what villany fo-e'er I bid thee do, to perform it,
dire&ly and trnly, — I would think thee an honeft man :
thou Ihould'ft neither want my means for thy relief,
nor my voice for thy preferment.

Pis. Well, my good lord.

Czo. Wilt thou ferveme? For fince patiently and
conftantly thou haft ftuck to the bare fortune of that
beggar Pojlhumus^ thou can'ft not in the courfe of gra-
titude but be a diligent follower of mine. Wilt thou
ferve me ?

Pis. Sir, I will.

Czo. Give me thy hand, here's my purfe. Haft any
of thy late matter's garments in thy posseffion ?

Pis. I have, my lord, at my lodging, the fame
fuit he wore when he took leave of my lady and
miftrefs.

Cymbeline. 69

CLO. The firft fervice thou doft me, fetch me that
fiat hither : let it be thy firft fervice ; go.

Pis. I mail, my lord. [£«>PISANIO.

CLO. Meet thee at Mi If or J- Haven : _ (I forgot to
aflc him one thing; I'll remember't anon :) Even there,
thou villain Poftbumus, will I kill thee. _ I would,
these garments were come. She faid upon a time, (the
bitternefs of it I now belch from my heart) that fhe
held the very garment of Poftbumus in more refpedl
than my noble and natural perfon, together with the
adornment of my qualities. With that fuit upon my
back, will I ravifh her : Firft kill him, and in her
eyes ; there fhall me fee my valour, which will then
be a torment to "her contempt. He on the ground, my
fpeech of infultment ended on his dead body, — and
when my luft hath dined, (which, as I fay, to vex her,
I will execute in the cloaths that (he ib prais'd) to
the court I'll knock her back, foot her home again.
She hath defpis'd me rejoicingly, and I'll be merry in
my revenge.

Re-enter PISANIO, with the Cloatbs.
Be those the garments ?

Pis. Ay, my noble lord.

CL o . How long is't ft nee fhe went to Milford-Ha<ven ?

Pis. She can Icarce be there yet.

CLO. Bring this apparel to my chamber; that is
the fecond thing that I have commanded thee : the
third is, that thou wilt be a voluntary mute to my
defign. Be but duteous, and true preferment fhall ten-
der itfelf to thee My revenge is now at Milford;

'Would I had wings to follow it !_ Come, and be true.

[Exit CLOTEN.

N 2

70 x Cymbeline.

Pis. Thou bid'ft me td my lofs : for, true to ther,
Were to prove falfe, which I will never be,
To him that is moft true._ToAf?^r</go,
And find not her whom thou purfu'ft. Flow, flow,
You heavenly bleflings, on her ! This fool's fpeed
Be croft with flownefs ; labour be his meed ! [Exit.

S CE NE VI. Before the Cave of Belarius.

Enter IMOGEN, in Boy's Cloatbs.
I MO. I fee, a man's life is a tedious one :
I have tir'd myfelf ; and for two nights together
Have made the ground my bed. I fhould be fick,

But that my resolution helps me Milford*

When from the mountain top Ptfanio fhew'd thee,

Thou waft within a ken : O Jove ! I think,

Foundations fly the wretched ; fuch, I mean,

Where they fhould be reliev'd. Two beggars told me,

I could not mifs my way : Will poor folks lye,

That have afflictions on them ; knowing 'tis

A punifhment, or trial ? Yes : no wonder,

When rich ones fcarce tell true : To lapfe in fulnefs

Is forer, than to lye for need ; and falfhood

Is worfe in kings, than beggars — My dear lord,

Thou art one o'the falfe ones : Now 1 think on thee,

My hunger's gone ; but even before, I was

At point to fink for food But what is this ?

Here is a path to't : 'Tis fome favage hold :
I were beft not call ; I dare not call : yet famine,
Ere clean it o'erthrow nature, makes it valiant.
Plenty, and peace, breeds cowards ; hardnefs ever
Of hardinefs is mother. _. Ho ! who's here ?
If anything that's civil, fpeak ; if favage,

Cymbeline. 71

Take, or lend. Ho!_No anfwer ? then I'll enter.
Beft draw my fword ; and if mine enemy
But fear the fword like me, he'll fcarcely look on't.
Such a foe, pe good heavens ! [Exit.

SCENE VII. rhefame.

Enter BELARIUS,GUIDERIUS. and ARVIRAGUS.

BEL. You, Paladour, have prov'd beft woodman, and
Are mafter of the feaft : Cadnual, and I,
Will play the cook, and fervant ; 'tis our match :
The fweat of induftry would dry, and dye,
But for the end it works to. Come ; our ftomachs
Will make what's homely, favoury : Wearinefs
Can fnore upon' the flint, when refty floth

Finds the down pillow hard Now, peace be here.

Poor houfe, that keep'ft thyfelf ! [Exit, to the Cave.

GUI. I am throughly weary.

AHY. I am weak with toil, yet ftrong in appetite.

GUI. There is cold meat i'the cave ; we'll brouze on
Whilft what we have kill'd be cook'd. [that,

Re-enter BELARIUS.

BEL. Stay ; come not in : —
But that it eats our victuals, I mould think
Here were a fairy.

GUI. What's the matter, fir ?

BE L . By Jupiter, an angel : or, if not,

An earthly paragon ! Behold divinenefs

No elder than a boy.

Enter IMOGEN.

IMO. Good mafters, harm me not :
Before I enter'd here, I call'd ; and thought [troth,
To have beg'd, or bought, what I have took : Good

N3

72 Cymbeline.

I have ftoln nought ; nor would not, though I had found
Gold ftrew'd o'the floor. Here's money for my meat :
I would have left it on the board, fo foon
As I had made my meal ; and parted fo
With prayers for the provider.

GUI. Money, youth ?

AKV . All gold and filver rather turn to dirt !
As 'tis no better reckon'd, but of those
Who worfhip dirty gods.

I MO. I fee, you're angry :
Know, if you kill me for my fault, I mould
Have dy'd, had I not made it.

BEL. Whither bound?

/MO. To Milford-Haven, fir*

BEL. What is your name ?

I MO. Fidele, fir: I have a kinsman, who
Is bound for Italy ; he embark'd at Mil/ore/;
To whom being going, almoft fpent with hunger,
I am fain in this offence.

BEL. Pr'ythee, fair youth,

Think us no churls ; nor measure our good minds
By this rude place we live in. Well encounter'd !
'Tis almoft night : you mall have better cheer
Ere you depart ; and thanks, to ftay and eat it. _
Boys, bid him welcome.

GUI. Were you a woman, youth,

I mould woo hard, but be your groom in honefty j

II bid for you, as I'd buy.
ARV. I'll make't my comfort,

He is a man ; I'll love him as my brother : _

And fuch a welcome as I'd give to him,

After long abfence, fuch is yours : Moft welcome !

* i' th* *» I do buy

Cymbeline. 73

Be fprightly, for you fall 'mongft friends.

I MO. " 'mongft friends ! "

" If brothers ? —'Would it had been fo, that they "
" Had been my father's fons ! then had my price"
" Been lefs ; and fo more equal ballancing"
" To thee, Pojlhiimus."

BEL. He wrings at fomc diftrefs.
GUI. 'Would, 1 could free't !
ARV. Or I ; whate'er it be,
What pain it coft, what danger ! Gods !

BEL. Hark, boys. [talks with them apart.

I MO. " Great men,

' That had a court no bigger than this cave,"
' That did attend themfelves, and had the virtue"
' Which their own confcience feal'd them, (laying by"
' That nothing gift of differing multitudes)"
' Could not out-peer these twain. Pardon me, gods !"
' I'd change my fex to be companion with them,"
' Since Leonatus t0 falfe."
BEL. It mail be fo:

Boys, we'll go drefs our hunt Fair youth, come in :

Difcourfe is heavy, fading ; when we have fup'd,
We'll mannerly demand thee of thy ftory,
So far as thou wilt fpeak it.

GUI. Pray, draw near. [welcome.

ARV. The night to theowl, and morn to the lark, lefs
IMQ. Thanks, fir.
ARV. Ipray, draw near. [Exeunt.

SCENE VIII. Rome. The Senate-boufe.

Enter certain Senators, and Tribunes.
1 . 5". This is the tenor of the emperor's writ ;

* prize 5 ballafting

74 Cymbeline.

That fince the common men are now in aftion
'Gainfl the Pannoniaus, and Dalmatians j
And that the legions now in Gallia are
Full weak to undertake our wars againft
The fain- off Britain; that we do incite
The gentry to this businefs : He creates
Lucius pro-conful : and to you the tribunes,
For this immediate levy, he commands
His abfolute commiffion. Long live Ceesar !

Tri. Is Lucius general of the forces ?

2. 5. Ay.

7'rz. Remaining now in Gallia ?

i . 5. With those legions
Which I have (poke of, whereunto your levy
Mufl be fupplyant : The words of your commiflion
Will tye you to the numbers, and the time
Of their difpatch.

Tri. We will difcharge our duty. [Exeunt.

AC? IV.

SCENE I. Country near the Ca*ve.
Enter CLOT EN.

Czo. I am near to th' place where they mould
meet, if Pifanio have map'd it truly. How fit his gar-
ments ferve me ! Why mould his miftrefs, who was
made by him that made the tailor, not be fit too ?- the
rather (faving reverence of the word) for 'tis faid, A
woman's fitnefs comes by fits : Therein I muft play
the workman. I dare fpeak it to myfelf, (for it is not
vain-glory, for a man and his glafs. to confer; in his

Cymbeline. 75

own chamber, I mean) the lines of my body are as
well drawn as his ; no lefs young, more ftrong, not be-
neath him in fortunes, beyond him in the advantage
of the time, above him in birth, alike converfant in ge-
neral fervices, and more remarkable in fingle opposi-
tions : yet this imperfeverant thing loves him in my
defpight. What mortality is ! Poftbumus, thy head,
which now is growing upon thy ftioulders, mall within
this hour be off; thy miftrefs enforced, thy garments
cut to pieces before thy face : and all this done, fpurn
her home to her father ; who may, haply, be a little
angry for my fo rough usage ; but my mother, having
power of his teflinefs, (hall turn all into my commen-
dations. My horfe is tyed up fafe : Out, fword, and to
a fore purpose. Fortune, put them into my hand! This
is the very defcription of their meeting-place ; and the
fellow dares not deceive me. [Exit.

SCENE II. Before the Cave.
Enter, from it, BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS,

ARVIRAGUS, and IMOGEN.
BEL. You are not well : [/<? Imo.] remain here in the

cave;
We'll come to you after hunting,

Anv. Brother, flay here :
Are we not brothers ?

IMO. So man and man mould be;
But clay and clay differs in dignity,
Whose duft is both alike. I am very fick.

GUI. Go you to hunting, I'll abide with him.
IMO. So fick I am not ; yet I am not well :
But not fo citizen a wanton, as

j6 Cymbeline.

To feem to dye, ere fick : So please you, leave me ;
Stick to your journal courfe : the breach of cuftorn.
Is breach of all. I am ill ; but your being by me
Cannot amend me : Society is no comfort
To one not fociable : I am not very fick,
Since I can reason of it. Pray you, truft me here :
I'll rob none but myfelf ; and let me dye,
Stealing fo poorly.

Gvi. I love thee ; I have fpoke it:
As much the quantity, the weight as much,
As I do love my father.

BEL. What? how? how?

A&y. If it be fin to fay fo, fir, I yoak me
In my good brother's fault : I know not why,
I love this youth ; and I have heard you fay,
Love's reason's without reason ; the bier at door,
And a demand who is't mail dye, I'd fay,
My father, not this youth.

BEL. " O noble ftrain !"
" O worthinefs of nature ! breed of greatnefs ! "
" Cowards father cowards, and bafe things fire bafe : "
"Nature hath meal, and bran ; contempt, and grace."
"I am not their father; yet who this fhould be,"
"Doth miracle itfelf, lov'd before me."
'Tis the ninth hour o'the morn.

Azv. Brother, farewell.

IMO . I wilh ye fport.

AS.V. You health So please you, fir.

IMO. "These are kind creatures. Gods, what lyes I"

" have heard ! "

"Our courtiers fay, all's favage, but at court :V
"Experience, o, thou difprov'ft report !"

10 How much

Cymbeline. 77

" The imperious feas breed monfters ; for the difh, "
" Poor tributary rivers as fweet fifh.
*' I am fick ftill ; heart-fick : Pifaniot
"I'll now tafte of thy drug.

GUI. I could not ftir him :
He faid, he was gentle, but unfortunate ;
Difhoneftly afflided, but yet honeft.

A&v. So did he anfwer me : yet faid, hereafter
I might know more.

BEL. To the field, to the field :_
We'll leave you for this time ; go in, and reft.

ARV. We'll not be long away.

BEL. Pray, be not fick,
For you muft be our huswife.

I MO. Well, or ill,
I am flill bound to you.

BEL. And fhalt be ever.— [Exit IMOGEK.

This youth, howe'er diftrefTd, appears, he hath had
Good anceftors.

AR v. How angel-like he {ings !

GUI. But his neat cookery ! He cut our roots in

characters ;

And fauc'd our broths, as Juno had been fick,
And he her dieter.

ARV. Nobly he yoaks
A fmiling with a figh : as if the figh
Was that it was, for not being fuch a fmile ;
The fmile mocking the figh, that it would fly
From fo divine a temple, to commix
With winds that failors rail at.

GUI. I do note,
That grief and patience, rooted in him both,

*' Cookery ? J jb-oi. He >* in them both

78 Cymbeline.

Mingle their (purs together.

Anv . Grow, patience ;
And let the ftinking elder, grief, untwine
His perifhing root, with the increafing vine.

BEL . It is great morning: Come, away — Who's there ?
Enter CLOTEN.

CLO. I cannot find those runagates ; that villain
Hath mock'd me : I am faint.

BEL . " Those runagates ! "

Means he not us ? 1 partly know him ; 'tis "

C/oten, the fon o'tbe queen. I fear fome ambulh."

I faw him not these many years, and yet "

I know 'tis he : We are held as outlaws ; Fence."

GUI. " He is but one : You and my brother fearch "
' What companies are near : pray you, away ; "
'Let me alone with him."

[Exeunt BELARIUS, and ARVIRAGUS.

CLO. Soft; What are you
That fly me thus? fome villain mountaineers?
I have heard of fuch._What flavc art thou ,?

GUI. A thing

More flavifh did I ne'er, than anfwering
A flave without a knock

do. Thou art a robber,
A law-breaker, a villain : Yield thee, thief.

GUI. To who ? to thee f What art thou ? Have not I
An arm as big as thine ? a heart as big ?
Thy words, 1 grant, are bigger ; for I wear not
My dagger in my mouth. Say, what thou art ;
Why I mould yield to thee ?

CLO. Thou villain bafe,
Know'lt me not by my cloaths ?

* pttient,

Cymbeline. 79

Gut. No, nor thy tailor, rafcal,
Who is thy grandfather ; he made those cloaths,
Which, as it feems, make thee.

Cio. Thou precious varlet,
My tailor made them not.

GUI. Hence then, and thank

The man that gave them thee. Thou art fome fool ;
I am loth to beat thee.

CLO, Thou injurious thief,
Hear but my name, and tremble,

GUI. What's thy name ?

do. Cloten, thou villain.

GUI. Cloten, thou double villain, be thy name,
I cannot tremble at it ; were it toad,
'Twould move me fooner.

CLO. To thy further fear,
Nay, to thy meer confusion, thou malt know
I am fon to the queen.

GUI. I am forry for't ; not feeming
So worthy as thy birth.

CLO. Art not afeard ?

GUI. Those that I reverence, those I fear ; the wise :
At fools I laugh, not fear them.

CLO. Dye the death:

When I have flain thee with my proper hand,
I'll follow those that even now fled hence,
And on the gates of Lutfs town fet your heads :
Yield, ruftick mountaineer. [ Exe unt, fgbting.

Re-enter BELARIUS, and ARVIRAGUS.

BEL. No company's abroad,

ARV. None in the world : You did miftake him, fure.

£EL. I cannot tell : Long is it fince I faw him,

•4 Toad, or Adder, Spider, j Twowld

So Cymbeline.

But time hath nothing blur'd those lines of favour
Which then he wore ; the fnatches in his voice,
And burft of fpeaking, were as his : I am abfolute,
'Twas very Cloten.

ARV. In this place we left them ;
I wifh my brother make good time with him,
You fay he is fo fell.

BEL Being fcarce made up,
I mean, to man, he had not apprehenfion
Of roaring terrors : For defecl of judgment
Is oft the cause of fear, ~~ But fee, thy brother.

Re-enter GUI DERI us, with Cloten'j Head.

GUI. This Cloten was a fool ; an empty purfe,
There was no money in't : not Hercules
Could have knock'd out his brains, for he had none :
Yet I not doing this, the fool had born
My head, as I do his.

BEL. What haft thou done ?

GUI. I am perfect what : cut off one Gluten's head,
Son to the queen, after his own report;
Who call'd me traitor, mountaineer; and fwore,
With his own fingle hand he'd take us in,
Difplace our heads, where, thanks to the gods, they grow,
And fet them on Lu^s town.

B?.L. We are all undone.

GUI. Why, worthy father, what have we to lose,
But, that he fwore to take, our lives ? The law
Protefts not us ; Then why ihould we be tender,
To let an arrogant piece of flefh threat us ?
Play judge, and executioner, all himfelf ?
For we do fear no law. What company
Diicover you abroad ?

Cymbeline. 81

BEL. Nofingle foul

Can we fet eye on, but, in all fafe reason,
He muft have fome attendants. Though his humour
Was nothing but mutation ; ay, and that
From one bad thing to worfe ; not frenzy, not
Abfolute madnefs could fo far have rav'd,
To bring him here alone : Although, perhaps,
It may be heard at court, that fuch as we
Cave here, hunt here, are out-laws, and in time
May make fome ftronger head; the which he hearing,
(As it is like him) might break out, and fwear
He'd fetch us in ; yet is't not probable
To come alone, either he fo undertaking,
Or they fo fuffering : then on good ground we fear,
If we do fear this body hath a tail
More perilous than the head.

ARV Let ordinance
Come as the gods forefay it : howfoe'er,
My brother hath done well.

BEL. I had no mind

To hunt this day : the boy Fidelis ficknefs
Did make my way long forth.

GUI. With his own fword,

Which he did wave againft my throat, I have ta'en
His head from him : I'll throw't into the creek
Behind our rock ; and let it to the fea,
And tell the fifties, he's the queen's fon, Cloten:
That's all I reck. [Exit GUIDERIUS.

BEL. I fear, 'twill be reveng'd :

'Would, Paladour, thou had'ftnot don't ! though valour
Becomes thee well enough.

ARV. 'Would I had don't,

3 his Honor

8z Cymbeline.

So the revenge alone purfu'd me ! — Paladour,

I love thee brotherly; but envy much,

Thou haft rob'd me of this deed: I would, revenges,

That pofllble ftrength might meet, would feek us through,

And put us to our anfwer.

Bit. Well, 'tis done :-

'We'll hunt no more to-day, nor feek for danger
Where there's no profit. I pr'ythee, to our rock;
You and Fidth play the cooks : I'll ftay
'Till hafty Paladour return, and bring him
To dinner presently.

ARV. Poor fick FMele!
I'll willingly to him : To gain his colour,
I'd let a parifh of fuch C/otem blood,
And praise myfelf for charity. [Exit ARVIRACUS.

BEL. O thou goddefs,

Thou divine nature, how thyfelf thou blazon'ft
In these two princely boys ! They are as gentle
As zephyrs, blowing below the violet,
Not waging his fweet head ; and yet as rough,
Their royal blood enchaf'd, as the rud'ft wind,
That by the top doth take the mountain pine,
And make him ftoop to the vale. 'Tis wonderful,
That an invisible inftinft fhould frame them
To royalty unlearn'd ; honour untaught ;
Civility not feen from other ; valour,
That wildly grows in them, but yields a crop
As if it had been fow'd ! Yet ftill it's ftrange,
What Cloten's being here to us portends ;
Or what his death will bring us.

Re-enter GUIDERIUS.

GUI. Where's my brother?

«» Nature } thou thyfelf

Cymbeline. 83

I have fent Cloten's clot-pole down the ftream,

In embafly to his mother; his body's hoftage

For his return. [fotemn Mustek.

BEL. My ingenious inflrument !
Hark, Paladour, it founds ! But what occasion
Hath Cadival now to give it motion ? Hark.

GUI. Is he at home ?

BEL. He went hence even now. [mother,

GUI. What does he mean ? fmce death of my dear'lt
It did not fpeak before. All folemn things
Should anfwer folemn accidents. The matter ?
Triumphs for nothing, and lamenting toys,
Is jollity for apes, and grief for boys.
Is Cadwal mad ?

Re-enter ARVIRAGUS, bearing IMOGEK,
as dead, in bis Arms.

BEL. Look, here he comes,
And brings the dire occasion in his arms,
Of what we blame him for.

AKV. The bird is dead,

That we have made fo much on. I had rather
Have fkip'd from fixteen years of age to fixty,
To have turn'd my leaping time into a crutch,
Than have feen this.

GUI. O fweeteft, faireft Hlly !
My brother wears thee not the one half fo well,
As when thou grew'ft thyfelf.

BEL. O, melancholy !
Who ever yet could found thy bottom ? find
The ooze ? or ihew what coaft thou, fluggifii care,
Might'ft easil'eft harbour in ? — Thou blefled thing!
jfo-ve knows what man thou might'ft have made ; but, ah !

+ ingenuous 30 Ooze, to fbew what Coa.1 thy fluggifli 3* but I

VOL. IX O

84 CymbeKne.

Thou dy'dft, a mofl rare boy, of melancholy ! _
How found you him ?

ARV, Stark, as you fee ;
Thus fmiling, as fome fly had tickl'd flumber,
Not as death's dart, being laugh'd at : his right cheek
Reposing on a cuihion.

GUI. Where?

AX.V . O'the floor ;

His arms thus leagu'd : I thought, he flept ; and put
My clouted brogues from off my feet, whose rudenefs
Anfiver'd my fteps too loud.

GUI. Why, he but fleeps :
If he be gone, he'll make his grave a bed ;
With female fairies will his tomb be haunted,
And worms will not come there.

ARV. With fairefl flowers,
Whilft fummer lafts, and I live here, Fidele,
I'll fweeten thy fad grave : Thou fhalt not lack
The flower, that's like thy face, pale primrose ; nor
The azur'd hare-bell, like thy veins ; no, nor
The leaf of eglantine, whom not to flander
Out-fweeten'd not thy breath : the raddock would,
With charitable bill, (o bill, fore-fhaming
Those rich-left heirs, that let their fathers lye
Without a monument !) bring thee all this ;
Yea, and fur'd mofs befides, when flowers are none,
To winter-gown thy corfe.

GUI. Pr'ythee, have done ;
And do not play in wench-like words with that
Which is fo ferious. Let us bury him,
And not protract with admiration what
Is now due debt. To the grave.

»s come to thee. *7 winter-ground

Cymbeline. 85

ARV. Say, where (hall's lay him ?

GUI. By good Euriphile, our mother.

ARV. Be't fo :

And let us, Paladour, though now our voices
Have got the manim crack, fing him to the ground,
As once our mother ; use like note, and words,
Save that Euripbile muft be Fidele.

GUI Cad--wal,

I cannot fing : I'll weep, and word it with thee :
For notes of forrow, out of tune, are worfe
Than prieils and fanes that lye.

ARV. We'll fpeak it then.

BEL. Great griefs, I fee, medicine the lefs: forCloten
Is quite forgot. He was a queen's fon, boys;
And, though he came our enemy, remember,
He has pay'd for that : Though mean and mighty, rotting
Together, have one duft ; yet reverence
(That angel of the world) doth make diflinftion
Of place 'twixt high and low. Our foe was princely ;
And though you took his life, as being our foe,
Yet bury him as a prince.

GUI. Pray you, fetch him hither.
Thtrfitei' body is as good as Jljax,
When neither are alive.

ARV. If you'll go fetch him,
We'll fay our fong the whilft. _ Brother, begin.

[Exit BELARIUS.

G vi. Nay, Cadiual, we muft lay his head to the eaft ;
My father hath a reason for't.

ARV. 'Tis true.

GUI. Come on then, and remove him.

ARV. So, —Begin.

6 once to our l6 He was paid

O 2

86 Cymbeline,

SONG. GUI.

Fear no more the beat of the fun,
nor the furious winter's rages ;
tbou thy ^worldly tajk haft done,

home art gone, and to? en thy wages:
golden lads and girls allmuft,
as chimney -/weepers, come to duft.

ARV.

Fear no more the frown ethe great,
thou art p aft the tyrant1 s Jiroke ;
care no more to cloath, and eat ;
to thee the reed is as the oak :
thefcepter, learning, physick, muft
all follow this, and come to duft.

GUI.
Fear no more the light'ning-flajh;

ARV,
Nor the all- dreaded thunder-ftone j

GUI.
Fear nojlander, cenfure rajh ;

J*r.

Thou haft Jinijh'd joy and moan :

both.

All lovers young, all lovers muft
conjign to thee, and come to duft,

GUI.
No exerciser harm thee !

ARV.
Nor no witchcraft charm thee /

GUI.
Gbojt unlaf d forbear thee !

Cymbeline. "87

Nothing ill come near thee !

both.

Quiet confummation have ;
and renowned be thy grave /
Re enter BELARIUS, w/V/£> Cloten'j Body. [down.
, GUI. We have done our obfequies : Come, lay him

BEL . Here's a few flowers ; but about midnight, more :
The herbs that have on them cold dew o'the night
Are brewings fit'ft for graves. Upon their faces : _
You were as flowers, now wither'd: even fo
These herb'lets (hall, which we upon you ltrow._
Come on, away ; apart upon our knees.
The ground, that gave them firft, has them again :
Their pleasures here are part, fo is their pain.

[Exeunt BEL. GUI. and ARV.

I MO . [waking. ] Yes , fir, toMilford-Haven ; Which is the
I thank you. By yond'buihr Pray, how far thither? [way?
Od's-pitikins ! can it be fix mile yet ?
I have gone all night: 'Faith, I'll lye down, and fleep.
But, foft; no bedfellow :_O gods, and goddefles !
These flowers are like the pleasures of the world ;
This bloody man, the care on't. I hope, I dream ;
For, fure, 1 thought I was a cave-keeper,
And cook to honeft creatures : But 'tis not fo ;
'Twas but a bolt of nothing, mot at nothing,
Which the brain makes of fumes : Our very eyes
Are fometimes like our judgments, blind. Good faith,
I tremble flill with fear : But if there be
Yet left in heaven as fmall a drop of pity
As a wren's eye, fear'd gods, a part of it !
The dream's here ftill : even when I wake, it is
Without me, as within me ; not imagin'd, felt.

•* fo are their *3 For fo I

8J Cymbeline.

A headlefs man ! The garments of Pofthumut !
I know the fhape of his leg : this is his hand ;
His foot Mercurial; his Martial thigh ;
The brawns of Hercules : but his Jovial face —
Murther in heaven ? How? — 'Tis gone.— Pifanio,
All curfes madded Hecuba gave the Greeks,
And mine to boot, be darted on thee! Thou,
Confpir'd with that irregulous devil, Clcten,
Haft here cut off my lord. — To write, and read,
Be henceforth treacherous : Damn'd Pifanio
Hath, with his forged letters, — damn'd Pifanis —
From this moft braveft veflel of the world
Strook the main-top — O Pofthumus ! alas,
Where is thy head? where's that? Ay me ! where's that ?
Pifanio might have kill'd thee at the heart,
And left thy head or.. _ How mould this be? Pifanio?
'Tis he, and Clot en : malice and lucre in them
Have lay'd this woe here. O, 'tis pregnant, pregnant !
The drug he gave me, which, he faid, was precious
And cordial to me, have I not found it
Murd'rous to the fenfes ? That confirms it home :
This is Pifanio^ deed, and Cioten'e : O ! _
Give colour to my pale cheek with thy blood,
That we the horrider may feem to those
Which chance to find us : O, my lord, my lord !
Enter, as in Mar ch, Lucius, a Captain,
and other Officers, and a Sooth fay er.

Cap. To them, the legions garrifon'd in Gallia,
After your will, have croff'd the fea ; attending
You here at Milford-Haven, with your mips :
They are in readinefs.

Luc. But what from Rome?

» Hath heete »* left this head

Cymbelin.e. 89

Cap. The fenate hath ftir'd up the confiners,
And gentlemen of Italy ; willing fpirits,
That promise noble fervice ; and they come
Under the conduft of bold Jacbimo,
Syenna's brother.

Luc. When expe£l you them ?

Cap. With the next benefit of the wind.

Luc. This forwardnefs

Makes our hopes fair. Command, our present numbers
Be mufter'd ; bid the captains look to't. _Now, fir,
What have you dream'd, of late, of this war's purpose ?

Soo. Laft night, the very gods (hew'd me a vision :
(I fart, and pray'd, for their intelligence) Thus : —
I faw Jove's bird, the Roman eagle, wing
From the fpungy fouth to this part of the weft,
There vaniuYd i-n the fun-beams : which portends,
(Unlefs my fins abuse my divination)
Succefs to the Roman holt.

Luc. Dream often fo,

And never falfe — Soft, ho; what trunk is here,
Without his top ? The ruin fpeaks, that fometime
It was a worthy building — How ! a page !
Or dead, or fleeping on him ? But dead, rather:
For nature doth abhor to make his bed
With the defunft, to fleep upon the dead.
Let's fee the boy's face.

Cap. He's alive, my lord.

Luc. He'll then inftrudl us of this body Yoang one,

Inform us of thy fortunes ; for, it feems,
They crave to be demanded : Who is this,
Thou mak'ft thy bloody pillow ? Or who was he,
That, otherwise than noble nature did it,

* Italy, mofi willing '4 wing'd »5 defunft, or fleepe

°4

cjo Cymbeline.

Hath alter'd that good pifture ? What's thy jntereft
In this fad wreck : How came it ? and who is it ?
What art thou ?

IMO. I am nothing : or if not,
Nothing to be were better. This was my matter,
A very valiant Britain, and a good,
That here by mountaineers lyes (lain :_ Alas !
There are no more fuch matters : I may wander
From eaft to Occident, cry out for fervice,
Try many, ant) all good, ferve truly, never
Find fuch another matter.

Luc. 'Lack, good youth !
Thou mov'ft no Jefs with thy complaining, than
Thy matter bleeding : Say his name, good friend.

IMO. Richard du Champ. " If I do lye, and do"
" No harm by it, though the gods hear, I hope "
"They'll pardon it " Say you, fir?

Luc. Thy name ?

IMO. Fia'e/e, fir.

Luc. Thou doft approve thyfelf the very fame :
Thy name well fits thy faith ; thy faith, thy name.
Wilt take thy chance with me r I will not fay,
Thou lhalt be fo well mafter'd ; but, be fure,
No lefs belov'd. The Roman emperor's letters,
Sent by a conful to me, fliould no fooner
Than thine own worth prefer thee : Go with me.

IMO. I'll follow, fir. But, firft, an't please the gods,
I'll hide my matter from the flies as deep
As these poor pick-axes can dig: and when
With wild wood-leaves and weeds Ihaveftrew'dhis grave,
•And on it faid a century of prayers,
Such as I can, twice o'er, Til weep, and figh ;

4 How came't ? Who is't ? f* Matter in bj-

Cymbeline. 91

And, leaving fo his fervice, follow you,
So please you entertain me.

Luc. Ay, good youth ;
And rather father thee, than matter thee. _
My friends,

The boy hath taught us manly duties : Let us
Find out the prettied daizy'd plot we can,
And make him with our pikes and partizans

A grave: Come, arm him Boy, he is prefer'd

By thee to us ; and he (hall be inter'd,

As foldiers can. Be chearful ; wipe thine eyes :

Some falls are means the happier to arise. [Exeunt.

SCENE III. A Room in CymbelineV Palace.
Enter CYMBELINE ; PJSANIO, Lords,

and other Attendants.

Cru. Again; and bring me word, how 'tis with her.
[to an Attendant ; ivho goes out.
A fever with the abfence of her fon ;
Madnefs, of which her life's in danger : — Heavens,
How deeply you at once do touch me ! Imogen,
The great part of my comfort, gone : my queen
Upon a defperate bed ; and in a time
When fearful wars point at me : her fon gone,
So needful for this present: It (hikes me, paft
The hope of comfort. — But for thee, t£ee, fellow,
Who needs muft know of her departure, and
Doft feem fo ignorant, we'll enforce it from thee
By a fharp torture.

Pis. Sir, my life is yours,

I humbly fetit at your will : But, for my miflrefs,
I nothing know where me remains, why gone,

*° A madnefle

tjz Cymbeline.

Nor when (he purposes return. Befeech your highnefs,
Hold me your loyal fervant.

1. L. Good my liege,

The day that fhe was miffing, he was here :

I dare be bound he's true, and mall perform

All parts of his fubjedtion loyally.

For Cloten —

There wants no diligence in feeking him ;

And he'll, no doubt, be found.

CYM. The time is troublefome ;
We'll flip you for a feason ; but our jealoufy
Does yet depend.

2. L. So please your majefty,

The Roman legions, all from Gallia drawn,
Are landed on your coaft ; with a fupply
Of Reman gentlemen, by the fenate fent.

CYM. Now for the counfel of my fon, and queen !

I am amaz'd with matter.

i. L. Good my liege,

Your preparation can affront no lefs [ready :

Than what you hear of : come more, for more you're
The want is, but to put those powers in motion,
That long to move.

CYM. 1 thank you: Let's withdraw;
And meet the time, as it feeks us. We fear not
What can from Italy annoy us ; but
We grieve at chances here. Away.

[Exeunt CYMBELJNE, Lords, and Attendants.

Pis. I have had no letter from my mafter, fmce
I wrote him, Imogen was flain : 'Tis ftrange :
Nor hear I from my miftrefs, who did promise
To yield me often tidings : Neither know I

» And will no *» I heard no

Cymbeline. 93

What is betid to Clolen ; but remain
Perplext in all. The heavens ftill muft work :
Wherein I am falfe, I am honeft ; not true, true :
These present wars mall find I love my country,
Even to the note of the king, or I'll fall in them.
All other doubts, by time let them be clear'd :
Fortune brings in fome boats, that are not fteer'd. [Ex.

SCENE IV. Before the Cave.

Enter BELARITJS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS.

GUI. The noise is round about us.

BEL. Let us from it.

ARV What pleasure, fir, find we in life, to lock it
From adlion and adventure ?

GUI. Nay, what hope

Have we in hiding us ? this way, the Remans
Muft or for Brit aim flay us ; or receive us
For barbarous and unnatural revolts
During their ufe, and flay us after.

BEL. Sons,

WV11 higher to the mountains ; there fecure us.
To the king's party there's no going: newnefs
Of Clotens death (we being not known, nor mufter'd
Among the bands) may drive us to a render
Where we have liv'd ; and fo extort from us that
Which we have done, whose anfwer would be death
Drawn on with torture.

GUI. This is, fir, a doubt,
In fuch a time, nothing becoming you,
Nor fatiffying us.

ARV. It is not likely,
That when they hear the Roman horfes neigh,

3 true, to be true 3* beare their Roman

54 Cymbeline.

Behold their quarter'd fires, have both their eyes
And ears fo cloy'd importantly as now,
That they will wafte their time upon our note,
To know from whence we are.

£EL. O, lam known
Of many in the army : many years,
Though Clot en then but young, you fee, not wore him
From my remembrance. And, befides, the king
Hath not deserv'd my fervice, nor your loves ;
Who find in my exile the want of breeding,
The certainty of this hard life ; aye hopelefs
To have the courtefy your cradle promis'd,
But to be ftill hot fummer's tanlings, and
The fhrinking flaves of winter.

GUI. Than be fo,

Better to ceafe to be. Pray, fir, to the army :
I and my brother are not known ; yourfelf,
So out of thought, and thereto fo o'er-grown,
C'annot be queftion'd.

ARV. By this fun that fhines,
I'll thither : What thing is it, that I never
Did fee man dye ? fcarce ever look'd on blood,
But that of coward hares, hot goats, and venison ?
Never beftrid a horfe, fave one, that had
A rider like myfelf, who ne'er wore rowel
Nor iron on his heel r I am afham'd
To look upon the holy fun, to have
The benefit of his bleft beams, remaining
So long a poor unknown.

GUI. By heavens, I'll go :
If you will blefs me, fir, and give me leave,
I'll take the better care; but if you will not,

Cymbeline. 95

The hazard therefore due fall on me, by
The hands of Remans.

ARV, So fay I ; Amen.

BEL. No reason I, fince on your lives you fet
So flight a valuation, mould reserve
My crack'd one to more care. Have with you, boys :
If in your country wars you chance to dye,
That is my bed too, lads, and there I'll lye : [fcorn,
Lead, lead. — The time feems long ; their blood thinks
'Till it fly out, and fhew them princes born. [Exeunt.

ACT V.

5 CE N E I. A Field, in the above Country, between

the Britiih and Roman Camps. Enter POSTHUMUS,

<witb a bloody Handkerchief.

Poa. Yea, bloody cloth, I'll keepthee; for I wifh'd
Thou ihould'ft be colour'd thus. You marry'd ones,
If each of you fhould take this courfe, how many
Muft murther wives much better than themfelves
For wrying but a little ? — O Pifanio,
Every good fervant does not all commands :
No bond, but to do juft ones — Gods, if you
Should have ta'en vengeance on my faults, I never
Had liv'd to put on this : fo had you faved
The noble Imogen to repent ; and ftrook
Me, wretch, more worth your vengeance. But, alack.
You fnatch fome hence for little faults ; that's love,
To have them fall no more : you fome permit
To fecond ills with ills, each elder worfe ;
And make them dreaded, to the doers' thrift.

* finceofyour rB I am wi flit 3t dread it.

96 Cymbeline.

But Imogen is your own : Do your beft wills,

And make me bleft to obey ! _ I am brought hither

Amongft the Italian gentry, and to fight

Againft my lady's kingdom : 'Tis enough

That, Britain, I have kill'd thy miflrefs ; peace,

I'll give no wound to thee. Therefore, good heavens,

Hear patiently my purpose : I'll difrobe me

Of these Italian weeds, and fuit myfelf

As does a Britain peasant : fo I'll fight

Againft the part I come with ; fo I'll dye

For thee, o Imogen, even for whom my life

Js, every breath, a death : and thus, unknown,

Pity'd nor hated, to the face of peril

Myfelf I'll dedicate. Let me make men know

More valour in me than my habits mow.

Gods, put the ftrength o'the Leonati in me I

To fhame the guise o'the world, 1 will begin

The famion, lefs without, and more within. [Exit.

SCENE II. r he fame.
Enter, from opposite Sides, Lucius,

Jachimo, and the Roman Army : then, /^Britain Army ;
Pofthumus_/c//<?<u7/?g' //, like a poor Soldier : They march
over, and go out. Alarums as of a Battle begun. Enter y
in Skirmijh, federal little Parties ; with them, JACHIMO
flWPofthumus: be vanquifhetb and difarmeth Jachimo,

and then /eaves him.

JAC. The heavinefs, and guilt, within my bosom
Takes off my manhood : I have bely'd a lady,
Theprincefs of this country, and the air on't
Revengingly enfeebles me ; Or could this carl,
A very drudge of nature's, have fubdu'd me

Cymbeline. 97

In my profeflion ? Knighthoods and honours, born

As I wear mine, are titles but of fcorn.

]f that thy gentry, Britain, go before

This lout, as he exceeds our lords, the odds

Is, that we fcarce are men, and you are gods. [E xit.

The Battle continues; the Britains^/?y,
Cymbeline is taken: Then, Enter, to his Re/cue,
BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, aWAaviRAcus.
BEL. Stand, ftand ! we have the advantage of the

ground ;

The lane is guarded : nothing routs us, but
The villany of our fears.

GUI. AS.V. Stand, ftand, and fight!

Enter Pofthumns, andfeconds the Britains :
They refcue Cymbeline, and Exeunt. Then, Enter

Lucius, JACHIMO. and Imogen.
Luc. Away, boy, from the troops, and fave thyfelf :
For friends kill friends, and the disorder's fuch
As war were hood-wink'd.
JAC. 'Tis their frefli fupplies.
Luc. It is a day turn'd ftrangely: Or betimes
Let's re-inforce, or fly. [Exeunt.

SCENE III. Another Part of the Field.
Enter POSTHUMUS, and a Britain Lord.
Lord. Cam'ft thou from where they made the ftand ?
Pos. 1 did :

Though you, it feems, come from the fliers.
Lord. I did.

Pos. No blame be to you, fir ; for all was loft,
But that the heavens fought : The king himfelf
Of his wings deftitute, the army broken,

<j8 Cymbeline.

And but the backs of Britain* Teen, all flying
Through a ftrait lane; the enemy full-hearted,
Lolling the tongue with fiaughtering, having work
More plentiful than tools to do't, ftrook down
Some mortally, fome flightly touch'd, fome falling
Meerly through fear ; that the ftrait pafs was dam'd
With dead men, hurt behind, and cowards living
To dye with lengthen'd mame.

Lord. Where was this lane ?

Pof. Clofe by the battle, ditch'd, and wall'd with turf:
Which gave advantage to an ancient foldier, —
An honeft one, I warrant ; who deserv'd
So long a breeding, as his white beard came to,
In doing this for his country ; — athwart the lane,
He, with two ftriplings, (lads more like to run
The country bafe, than to commit fuch (laughter;
With faces fit for inafks, or rather fairer
Than those for preservation caf 'd, or fhame)
Made good the pafiage; cry'd to those that fled,
Our Britain'/ harts dye fiying, not our men :
To dark-nefs feet, fouls that fly backwards ! Stand ;
Or we are Romans, and will give you that
Like beajis, which you Jhun beaftly ; and may fa^ve,
But to look back in frown : Stand, ftand. These three,
Three thousand confident, in aft as many,
(For three performers are the file, when all
The reft do nothing) with this word, Jiand, Jiand,
Accommodated by the place, more charming
With their own noblenefs, (which could have turn'd
A diftaff to a lance) gilded pale looks, [ard

Part, mame, part, fpirit-renew'd ; that fome, turn'd cow-
But by example (O, a fin in war,

*° hearts

Cymbeline. 99

t)amn'd in the firft beginners !) 'gan to look

The way that they did, and to grin like lions

Upon the pikes o'the hunters. Then began

A flop i'the chacer, a retire ; anon,

A rout, confusion-thick : forthwith, they fly

Chickens, the way which they ftoop'd eagles ; flares,

The flrides they victors made : And now our cowards,

(Like fragments in hard voyages, become

The life o'the need) having found the back-door open

Of the unguarded hearts, Heavens, how they wound I

Some, flain before ; fome, dying ; fome, their friends

O'er-born i'the former wave : ten, chac'd by one,

Are now each one the {laughter- man of twenty :

Those, that would dye or ere resift, are grown

The mortal bugs o'the field.

Lord. This was flrange chance :
A narrow lane ! an old man, and two boys !

Pos. Nay, do not wonder at it : You are macje
Rather to wonder at the things you hear,
Than to work any. Will you rime upon't,
And vent it for a mockery ? Here is one :
T'IVO boys, an old man tivice a boy, a lane,
Preservd the Britains, was the Romans' bane.

Lord. Nay, be not angry, fir.

Pos. 'Lack, to what end ?
Who dares not ftand his foe, I'll be his frieqd :
For if he'll do, as he is made to dp,
I know, he'll quickly fly my friendfhip too.
You have put me into rime.

Lord. Farevvel; you're angry. [Exit Lord.

Pos. Still going ? — This is a lord : O noble misery !
To be i'the field, and aflc, what news, of me!

6 flopt 7 ftrijles ths Vi&o« s became
Vet. IX. P

loo Cymbelinfe.

To-day, how many would have given their honours

To have faVd their carcafles ? took heel to do't,

And yet dy'd too ? I, in mine own woe charm'd,

Could not find death, where 1 did hear him groan ;

Nor feel him, where he ftrook : Being an ugly monfter,

'Tis ftrange, he hides him in frefh cups, foft beds,

Sweet words ; or hath more minifters than we

That draw his knives i'the war- Well, I will find him :

For, being now a favourer to the Britain,

No more a Britain, I have resum'd again

The part I came in : Fight I will no more,

But yield me to the verieft hind, that (hall

Once touch my moulder. Great the fiaughter is

Here made by the Roman ; great the anfwer be

Britains muft take : For me, my ranfotn's death ;

On either fide I come to fpend my breath ;

Which neither here I'll keep, nor bear again,

But end it by fome means for Imogen.

Enter tiuo Britain Captains, and Soldiers.

1. C. Great Jupiter be prais'd ! Lucius is taken :
'Tis thought, the old man and his fans were angels.

2. C. There was a fourth man, in a filly habit,
That gave the affront with them.

i.C. So 'tis reported ;
But none of them can be found Who's there?

Pos. A Roman;

Who had not now been drooping here, if feconds
Had anfwer'd him.

2. C. Lay hands on him; A dog!
A leg of Rome mall not return, to tell
What crows have peck'd them here : He brags his ferviee
As if he were of note : bring him to the king.

*5 found. Stand, who's

Cymbeline. 101

Enter Cymbeline, and Train ;

Belarius, Guiderius, Arviragus, Pifanio, and Roman

Captives. 'The Captains present Pofthumus to Cymbeline>

who delivers him o<uer to a Jailer : after which,

all go out.

SCENE IV. A Room in a Prison.
Enter POSTHUMUS, and two Jailers.

I . J. You (hall not now be ftoln, you have locks upon
So, graze, as you find pafture. [you j

z. J. Ay, or a ftomach. [Exeunt Jailers.

Pos. Moft welcome, bondage ! for thou art a way,
I think, to liberty : Yet am I better
Than one that's fick o'the gout ; fince he had rather
Groan fo in perpetuity, than be cur'd
By the fure physician, death ; who is the key
To unbar these ~f~ locks. My confcience ! thou art fetter'd
More than my {hanks, and wrifts : You good gods, give me
The penitent inftrument, to pick that bolt,
Then, free for ever! Is't enough, I am forry ?
So children temporal fathers do appease;
Gods are more full of mercy. Muft I repent ?
J cannot do it better than in gives,
Desir'd, more than conftrain'd : to fatiffy,
I d'offmy freedom, 'tis tfye main part; take
No ftridter render of me, than my all.
I know, you are more clement than vile men>
Who of their broken debtors take a thirdj
A fixth, a tenth, letting them thrive again
On their abatement ; that's not my desire :
For Imogen 's dear life, take mine ; and though
'Tis not fo dear, yet 'tis a life; you coin'd it :

*5 if of my

P *

102 Cymbeline.

'Tween man and man, they weigh not every (lamp ;

Though light, take pieces for the figure's fake;

You rather mine, being yours : And fo, great powers,

If you will take this audit, take this life,

And cancel these cold ~|~ bonds. O Imogen !

I'll fpeak to thee in filence. \bejleeps.

Solemn Musick.

Enter, as in an Apparition, Sicillius Leonatus,

Father to Pofthumus, an old Man, attired like a

Warrior ; leading in his Hand an ancient Matron, his

Wife, and Mother to Pofthumus, nuith Musick before

them : Then, after other Musick, follow the tivo

young Leonati, Brothers to Pofthumus, 'with Wound)

as they dyed in the Wan: They circle Pofthumus

round, as he lyes Jleeping.

Path.
No more, thou thunder-mafter, mew

thy fpite on mortal flies :
With Mars fall out, with Juno chide,
that thy adulteries

Rates, and revenges.
Hath my poor boy done ought but well,

whose face I never faw r
I dy'd, whilft in the womb he ftay'd

attending nature's law.
Whose father then (as men report,

thou orphans' father art)
Thou Ihould'ft have been, and fliielded him
from this earth -vexing fmart.

Moth, '

Lucina lent not me her aid,
But took me in my throws ;

Cymbeline. IOJ

That from me was Poftbumus ript,
came crying 'mongft his foes,
•A thing of pity.
Path.
Great nature, like his anceftry,

molded the fluff fo fair,
That he deserv'd the praise o'the world,
as great &V////W heir.

1. S.

When once he was mature for man,

in Britain where was he
That could ftand up his parallel ;

or fruitful object be
In eye of Imogen, that beft

could deem his dignity ?

Moth.
With marriage wherefore was he mock'd,

to be exil'd, and thrown
From Leonat? feat ; and caft

from her his deareft one,

Sweet Imogen ?
Path.
Why did you fuffer Jacbimo,

flight thing of Italy,
To taint his nobler heart and brain

with needlefs jealoufy ;
And to become the geek and fcorn

o' the other's villany ?

2. B.

For this, from ftiller feats we came,

our parents, and us twain,
That, ftriking in our country's cause,

104. Cymbeline.

fell bravely, and were flam ;
Our fealty, and Tenantius' right,
with honour to maintain.

i. B.
Like hardiment Pofthumus hath

to Cymbeline perform'd :
Then, Jupiter, thou king of gods,

why haft thou thus adjourn'd
The graces for his merits due ;
being all to dolours turn'd ?

Path.
Thy cryftal window ope ; look out $

no longer exercise,
Upon a valiant race, thy harfh
and potent injuries :

Moth.

Since, Jupiter, our fon Is good,
take off his miseries.

Path.
Peep through thy marble manfion ; help }

or we poor ghofts will cry
To the mining fynod of the reft,
againft thy deity :

Brothers.
Help, Jupiter ; or we appeal,

and from thy juftice fly.

JUPITER defcends in Thunder and Lightning, Jit ting
upon his Eagle : He throws a Thunderbolt :

the Ghofts fall on their Knees.
Juf. No more, you petty fpirits of region low,

Offend our hearing ; hufh : How dare you ghofts
Accuse the thunderer, whose bolt, you

Cymbeiine. 105

Sky-planted, batters all rebelling coafts ?
Poor fhadows of Elysium, hence ; and reft

Upon your never- withering banks of flowers :
Be not with mortal accidents oppreft ;

No care of yours it is ; you know, 'tis ours.
Whom beft I love, I crofs ; to make my gift,

The more delay'd, delighted. Be content;
Your low-lay'd fon our godhead will uplift;

His comforts thrive, his trials well are fpent.
Our Jovial ftar reign'd at his birth, and in

Our temple was he marry'd : — Rise, and fade : —
He fhall be lord of lady Imogen,

And happier much by his affli£lion made.
This *f tablet lay upon his breaft ; wherein

Our pleasure his full fortune doth confine ;
And fo, away : no farther with your din

Exprefs impatience, left you ftir up mine. _

Mount, eagle, to my palace cryftalline.

[Ju PITER afcends.

Fatb. He came in thunder; his celeftial breath
Was fulphurous to fmell : the holy eagle
Stoop'd, as to foot us : his afcenfion is
More fweet than our bleft fields : his royal bird
Prunes the immortal wing, and cloys his beak,
As when his god is pleas'd.
ail Thanks, Jupiter !

Path. The marble pavement closes, he is cnter'd
His radiant roof: — Away ; and, to be bleft,
Let us with care perform his great beheft.

\GboJls van;Jb.

fos. [waking] Sleep, thou haft been a graniifire, ana
begot

ic6 Cymbeline.

A father to me: and thou haft created
A mother, and two brothers : But (o fcorn !)
Gone ! they went hence fo foon as they were born.
And fo I am awake. Poor wretches, that depend
On greatnefs' favour, dream as I have done ;
Wake, and find nothing. But, alas, I fwerve :

[feeing the 'Tablet.

Many dream not to find, neither deserve,
And yet are fteep'd in favours ; fo am I,
That have this golden chance, and know not why :
What fairies haunt this ground ? A book ? O, rare one !
Be not, as is our fangl'd world, a garment
Nobler than that it covers : let thy effefts
So follow, to be moft unlike our courtiers,
As good as promise.

\reads~\ When as a lions whelp flail, to himfelf unknoiun,
•without feeking fad, and be embraced by a piece of tender
air; and ivhen from ajlaiely cedar fl> all be lopt branches,
which, being dead many years, jhall after revive, be
jointed to the old flock, and frejhly groiu ; then Jhall
Pofthumus end his miseries^ Britain be fortunate, and
flourijh in peace and plenty,
'Tis itill a dream ; or elfe fuch fluff as madmen
Tongue, and brain not : either, or both, or nothing :
Or fenfelefs fpeaking, or a fpeaking fuch
As fenfe cannot unty. Be what it is,
The aftion of my life is like it, which
I'll keep if but for fympathy.

Re-enter Jailers.

1. 7- Come, fir, are you ready for death ?
Pos. Over-roafted rather: ready long ago.
i . J. Hanging is the word, fir j if you be ready for

Cymbeline. 107

.that, you are well cook'd.

Pos. So, if I prove a good repaft to the fpeftators,
the difh pays the (hot.

i. J< A heavy reck'ning for you, fir: But the com-
fort is, you {hall be called to no more payments, fear
no more tavern bills ; which are often the fadnefs of
parting, as the procuring of mirth : you come in faint
for want of meat, depart reeling with too much drink;
forry that you have payed too much, and forry that you are
payed too much ; purfe and brain both empty : the brain
the heavier, for being too light ; the purfe too light,
being drawn of heavinefs: O! of this contradiction ycu

lhall now be quit. O, the charity of a penny cord !

it fums up thousands in a trice : you have no true de-
bitor, and creditor, but it ; of what's pail, is, and to

come, the difcharge : Your neck, fir, is pen, book, and

counters ; fo the acquitance follows.

Pos. I am merrier to dye, than thou art to live.

i. J. Indeed, fir, he that fleeps feels not the tooth-
ach : But a man that were to fleep your deep, and a
hangman to help him to bed, I think, he would change
places with his officer : for, look you, fir, you know not
which way you (hall go.

Pos. Yes, indeed, do I, fellow.

i . J. Your death has eyes in's head then ; I have
not feen him fo pi&ur'd : You muft either be directed
by fome that take upon them to know ; or take upon
yourfelf that which I am fure you do not know; or
jump the after-enquiry on your own peril : and how
you mail fpeed in your journey's end, I think you'll
never return to tell one.

Pos. I tell thee, fellow, there are none want eyes,

*7 or to take

io4 Cymbeline.

to dire£l them the way I am going, but fuch as wink,
and will not use them.

I . J. What an infinite mock is this, that a man mould
have the beft ufe of eyes, to fee the way of blindnefs !
I am fure, hanging's the way of winking.
Enter a Meflenger.

Me/. Knock off his manacles, bring your prisoner to
the king.

Pos. Thou bring'fl good news, _ I am call'd to be
made free.

i.J. I'll be hang'd then.

Pos. Thou (halt be then freer than a jailer ; no bolts
for the dead.

[Exeunt POSTHUMUS, Meflenger, and 2. Jailer.

i . J. Unlefs a man would marry a gallows, and be-
get young gibbets, I never faw one fo prone. Yet, on
my confcience, there are verier knaves desire to live,
for all he be a Roman : and there be fome of them too,
that dye againft their wills ; fo mould I, if I were one.
I would we were all of one mind, and one mind good ;
O, there were defolation of jailers, and gallowfes ! I
fpeak againft my present profit; but my wifh hath a
preferment in't. [Exit.

SCENE V. A 'Tent.

Enter CYMBELINE; BELAJUUS, GUIDERIUS,
ARVIRAGUS ; PISANIO ; Lords, Officers, and

Attendants.
Cria. Stand by my fide, you, whom the gods have;

made

Preservers of my throne. Woe is my heart,
That the poor foldier, that fo richly

Cymbelinc. 109

Whose rags fliam'd gilded arms, whose naked breaft
Stept before targe of proof, cannot be found :
He lhall be happy that can find him, if
Our grace can make him fo.

BEL. I never faw

Such noble fury in fo poor a thing;
Such precious deeds in one that promis'd nought
But beggary and poor looks.

CYM. No tidings of him ? [yJng>

Pis. He hath been fearch'd among the dead and li-
But no trace of him.

Crx. To my grief, I am
The heir of his reward ; which T will add
To you, the liver, heart, and brain of Britain,

[to B^elarius, and Sons.

By whom, I grant, me lives : 'Tis now the time
To afk of whence you are : report it.

BEL. Sir,

In Cambria are we born, and gentlemen :
Further to boaft, were neither true nor modeft,
Unlefs I add, we are honeft.

CTM. Bow your knees :
Arise my knights o'the battle; I create you
Companions to our perfon, and will fit you
With dignities becoming your eftates.

Enter CORNELIUS, and Ladies.
There's businefs in these faces :_Why fo fadly
Greet you our victory ? you look like Romanst
And not o'the court of Britain.

COR. Hail, great king !
To four your happinefs, I muft report
The queen is dead.

* Targes

no Cymbeline.

i. Whom worfe than a physician
this report become ? But I confider,

Cru.

Would

By med'cine life may be prolong'd, yet death

Will feize the doftor too How ended ihe ?

COR. With horror, madly dying, like her life;
Which, being cruel to the world, concluded
Moft cruel to herfelf. What Ihe confefPd,
1 will report, fo please you : These her women
Can trip me, if I err ; who, with wet cheeks,
Were present when fhe finifh'd.

CYM. Pr'ythee, fay.

Co*. Firfl, me confeJTd Ihe never lov'd you ; only
Affefted greatnefs got by you, not you :
Marry'd your royalty, was wife to your place j
Abhor'd your perfon.

CrM. She alone knew this :
And, but fhe fpoke it dying, I would not
Believe her lips in opening it. Proceed.

COR. Your daughter, whom fhe bore in hand to love
With fuch integrity, fhe did confefs
Was as a fcorpion to her fight ; whose life,
But that her flight prevented it, fhe had
Ta'en off by poison.

CrM. O moft delicate fiend J
Who is't can read a woman ? Is there more ?

Cox. More, fir, and worfe. She did confefs, me had
For you a mortal mineral ; which, being took,
Should by the minute feed on life, and, ling'ring,
.By inches wafte you : In which time fhe purpos'd,
By watching, weeping, tendance, kiffing, to
O'ercome you with her fhew : yes, and in time,
(When Ihe had fitted you with her craft) to work

Cymbciine. , in

Her foninto the adoption of the crown.
But failing of her end by his ftrange abfence,
Grew fhamelefs-defperate ; open'd, in defpight
Of heaven and men, her purposes ; repented
The evils (he hatch'd were not effefted ; fo,
Defpairing, dy'd.

CrM. Heard you all this, her women ?

Lad. We did, fo please your highnefs.

CYM. Mine eyes

Were not in fault, for (he was beautiful ;
Mine ears, that heard her flattery ; nor my heart,
That thought her like her feeming ; it had been vicious,
To have miftrufted her : yet, o my daughter !
That it was folly in me, thou may'ft fay,
And prove it in thy feeling. Heaven mend all !

Enter, guarded, Lucius, JACHIMO, the Soothfayer,

and other Roman Prisoner* ; POSTHUMUS behind,

and IMOGEN.

Thou com'ft not, Caius, now for tribute ; that
The Britains have raf 'd out, though with the lo&
Of many a bold one; whose kinsmen have made fuit,
That their good fouls may be appeas'd with flaughtei
Of you their captives, which ourfelf have granted :
So, think of your eftate.

Luc. Confider, fir, the chance of war : the day
Was yours by accident ; had it gone with us,
We mould not, when the blood was cool, have threaten'^
Our prisoners with the fvvord. But fince the gods
Will have it thus, that nothing but our lives
May be call'd ranfom, let it come: fufficeth,
A Roman with a Roman's heart can fuffer :
Angujlus lives to think on't: And fo much

11 heare

itz Cjrmbeline.

For my peculiar care. This one thing only

I will intreat; My boy, [Jbewuing Imo.] a Britain born,

Let him be ranfom'd : never mailer had

A page fo kind, fo duteous, diligent,

So tender over his occasions, true,

So feat, fo nurfe-like : let his virtue join

With my requeft, which, I'll make bold, yourhighnefs

Cannot deny; he hath done no Britain harm,

Though he have ferv'd a Roman : fave him, fir,

And fpare no blood befide.

CTM. I have furely feen him ;
His favour is familiar to me :_ Boy,
Thou haft look'd thyfelf into my grace, and art
Mine own. I know not why, nor wherefore, but
I fay, live, boy ; ne'er thank thy mailer ; live :
And afk of Cymbeline what boon thou wilt,
Fitting my bounty, and thy flate, I'll give it ;
Yea, though thou do demand a prisoner
The nobleft ta'en.

IMO. I humbly thank your highnefs.

Luc. I do not bid thee beg my life, good lad;
And yet, I know, t.hou wilt.

IMO . No, no ; alack,

There's other work in hand ; I fee a thing \_tying Jac*
Bitter to me as death : ycur life, good mailer,
Muft muffle for itfelf.

Luc. The boy difdains me,
He leaves me, fcorns me : Briefly dye their joys.
That place them on the truth of girls and boys.
Why Hands he fo perplext ?

CTM. What would'ft thou, boy ?
I love thee. more and more ; think more and more

'5 To fay

Cymbeline. 113

What's beft to aflc. Know'ft him thou took'ft on ? fpeak,
Wilt have him live ? Is he thy kin, thy friend ?

I MO. He is a Roman ; no more kin to me,
Than I to your highnefs ; who, being born your va/Tal,
Am fomething nearer.

CYM. Wherefore ey'fl him fo ?

I MO. I'll tell you, fir, in private, if you please
To give me hearing.

CYM. Ay, with all my heart,
And lend my beft attention. What's thy name ?

I MO. Fidele, fir.

CYM. Thou'rt my good youth, my page ;
I'll be thy mafter : Walk with me ; fpeak freely.

[They converfe ajtje,

BEL. Is not this boy reviv'd from death ?

ARV. One fand

Another not resembles more, tljatt l)€
That fweet ant) rosy lad, who dy'd, and was
Tidele: _ What think you ?

GUI. The fame dead thing alive. [bear,

BEL. Peace, peace, fee further; he eyes us not ; for-
Creatures may be alike : were't he> I am fure
He would have fpoke to us.

GUI. But we faw him dead.

BEL. Be filent; let's fee further.

Pis. " It is my miftrefs : "
41 Since fhe is living, let the time run on"
" ^° g°°d» Or ka«l. " [fide ;

CYM. Come, [to Imo. advancing} frand thou by our
Make thy demand aloud — Sir, [fo Jac.J ftep you forth.
Give anfwer to this boy, and do it freely ;
Or, by our greatnefs, and the grace of it,

*+ we fee him

U4 Cymbeline.

Which is our honour, bitter torture fhall

Winnow the truth from falfehood._On, fpeak to him.

I MO, My boon is, that this gentleman may render
Of whom he had this ring.

Pos. " What's that to him r "

CrM. That diamond upon your finger, fay,
How came it yours ?

JAC. Thou'lt torture me to leave unfpoken that
Which, to be fpoke, would torture thee.

CrM. How ! me ?

JAC. lam glad to be conftrain'd to utter that which
Torments me to conceal. By viliany
I got this ring ; 'twas Leonatui' jewel, [thee,

Whom thou did'ft banifti ; and (which more may grieve
As it doth me) a nobler fir ne'er liv'd
'Twixt fky and ground. Wilt thou hear more, my lord I

CrM. All that belongs to this.

JAC. That paragon, thy daughter, —
For whom my heart drops blood, and my falfe fpirits
Quail to remember,— Give roe leave ; I faint.

CrM. My daughter! what of her? Renew thyftrength;
I had rather thou fhould'ft live while nature will,
Than dye ere I hear more: ftrive, man, and fpeak.

JAC. Upon a time, (unhappy was the clock
That ftrook the hour !) it was in Rome, (accurf'd
The manfion where!) 'twas at a feaft, (o, would
Our viands had been poison'd ! or, at leaft,
Those which I heav'd to head !) the good Pofthumus,
(What mould I fay ? he was too good, to be
Where ill men were; and was the beft of all
Among the rar'ft of good ones) fitting fadly,
Hearing as praise our loves of Italy

* One fpeake

Cymbelinc. 115

For beauty that made barren the fwell'd boaft
Of him that beft could fpeak : for feature, laming
The fhrine of Venus, or ftrait-pight Minerva,
Poftures beyond brief nature ; for condition,
A fhop of all the qualities that man
Loves woman for ; befides, that hook of wiving,
Fairnefs, which ftrikes the eye :

CYM. 1 ftand on fire:
Come to the matter.

JAC. All too foon I (hall,

Unlefs thou would'ft grieve quickly. This Po/ihumus,
(Moll like a noble lord in love, and one
That had a royal lover) took his hint;
And, not difpraising whom we prais'd, (therein
He was as calm as virtue) he began
His miftrefs' pi&ure ; which by his tongue being made,
And then a mind put in't, either our brags
Were crak'd of kitchen trulls, or his defcription
Prov'd us unfpeaking fots.

CTM. Nay, nay, to the purpose.

Jjc. Your daughter's chaftity — there it begins.
He fpake of her, as Dian had hot dreams,
And flie alone were cold : Whereat, I wretch
Made fcruple of his praise ; and wager'd with him
Pieces of gold, 'gainft this which then he wore
Upon his honour'd finger, to attain
In fuit the place of his bed, and win this ring
By hers and mine adultery : he, true knight,
No lefTer of her honour confident
Than I did truly find her, ftakes this ring ;
And would fo, had it been a carbuncle
Of Phoebus' wheel ; and might fo fafely, had it

VOL. Ik. Q_

n6 Cymbeline.

Been all the worth of his car. Away to Britain

Poft I in this defign: Well may you, fir,

Remember me at court, where I was taught

Of your chaft daughter the wide difference

'Twixt amorous and villanous. Being thus quenchM

Of hope, not longing, mine Italian brain

*Gan in yonr duller Britain operate

Moft vilely ; for my vantage, excellent ;

And, to be brief, my practice fo prevail'd

That I return'd with fimilar proof enough

To make the noble Leonatus mad,

By wounding his belief in her renown

With tokens thus, and thus; averring notes

Of chamber-hanging, piftures, this y her bracelet,

(O, cunning, how I got it 1) nay, fome marks

Of fecret on her perfon, that he could not

But think her bond of chaftity quite crack'd,

I having ta'en the forfeit. Whereupon, _

Methinks, I fee him now,_

Pos. Ay, fo thou doft, \rwjhing forward.

Italian fiend : — Ah me, moft credulous fool,
Egregious murtherer, thief, any thing
That's due to all the villains part, in being,
To rome ! O, give me cord, or knife, or poison,
Some upright jufticer! —Thou, king, fend out
For torturers ingenious : it is I
That all the abhorred things o'the earth amend,
By being worfe than they. I am Pojihumus,
That kill'd thy daughter: —villain-like, I lye ;
That caus'd a lefTer villain than myfelf,

A facrilegious thief, to do't : the temple

Of virtue was me ; yea, and me herfelf.

Cymbeline. 117

Spit, and throw ftones, caft mire upon me, fee
The dogs o'the ftreet to bay me : every villain
Be call'd, Poftbumm Leonatus ; and
Be villany lefs than 'twas. _O Imogen!
My queen, my life, my wife !-O Imogen,
Imogen, Imogen!

I MO. Peace, my lord ; hear, hear.

Pos. Shall's have a play of this ? Thou fcornful page,
There lye thy part. \ftriking her : SkefaHt.

Pis. O, gentlemen, help, ty Ip ! [catching her,

Mine, and your miftrefs_O my lord Poflkumus!
You ne'er kill'd Imogen 'till now : _ Help, help ! —
Mine honour'd lady !

CrM. Does the world go round ?

Pos. How come these ftaggers on me ?

Pis. Wake, my miftrefs.

CrM. If this be fo, the gods do mean to ftrike me
To death with mortal joy.

Pis. How fares my miftrefs ?

I MO. O, get thee from my fight ;
Thou gav'ft me poison : dangerous fellow, hence ;
Breath not where princes are.

CrM. The tune of Imogen.'

Pis. Lady, the gods throw ftones of fulphur on me,
If that I gave you was not thought by me
A precious thing ; I had it from the queen.

CrM. New matter ftill ?

/A/O. It poison'd me.

COR. O gods!

I left out one thing which the queen confefPd,
Which muft approve thee honeft : If Pi/anio
Have, faid (he, given his miftrefs that confeftion

*s That box I

0.*

1 1 8 Cymbeline.

Which I gave him for cordial, fhe is ferv'd
As I would ferve a rat.

CYM. What's this, Cornelius?

COR. The queen, fir, very oft importun'd me
To temper poisons for her ; ftill pretending
The fatiffaftion of her knowledge, only
In killing creatures vile, as cats and dogs,
Of no efteem : I, dreading that her purpose
Was of more danger, did compound for her
A certain fluff, which, being ta'en, would ceafe
The present power of life ; but, in fhort time,
All offices of nature mould again
Do their due functions Have you ta'en of it?

IMO. Molt like I did, for I was dead.

BEL. My boys,
There was our error.

GUI. This is fure Fi title.

IMO. Why did you throw your wedded lady from you?
Think, that you are upon a rock ; and now
Throw me again. [to Poft. hanging upon his Neck.

Pos. Hang there like fruit, my foul,
'Till the tree dye.

CTM. How now, my flem, my child ?
What, mak'ft thou me a dullard in this aft ?
Wilt thou not fpeak to me ?

IMO. Your bleffing, fir.

BEL . Though you did love this youth, I blame ye not;
You had a motive for't.

CYM. My tears, that fall,
Prove holy water on thee ! Imogen,
Thy mother's dead,

IMO. I am forry for't, my lord.

51;

Cymbeline. 119

CrM. O, me was naught ; and long of her it was,
That we meet here fo Arangely : But her fon
Is gone, we know not how, nor where.

Pi 3. My lord,

Now fear is from me, I'll fpeak troth. Lord C/oten,
Upon my lady's miffing, came to me
With his fword drawn ; foam'd at the mouth, and fwpre,
If I difcover'd not which way me was gone,
It was my inftant death : By accident,
I had a feigned letter of my matter's
Then in my pocket, which directed him
To feek her on the mountains near to Milford\
Where, in a frenzy, in my mailer's garments,
Which he inforc'd from me, away he pofts
With unchaft purpose, and with oath to violate
My lady's honour : what became of him,
I further know not.

GUI. \ad<vancing\ Let me end the ftory :
I flew him there.

CrM. Marry, the gods fore-fend !
I would not thy good deeds mould from my lips
Pluck a hard fentence : pr'ythee, valiant youth,
Deny't again.

GUI. I have fpoke it, and I did it.

CrM. He was a prince.

GUI. A moft uncivil one : The wrongs he did me
Were nothing prince-like ; for he did provoke me
With language that would make me fpurn the fea,
If it could fo roar to me : I cut off's head ;
And am right glad, he is not Handing here
To tell this tale of mine.

CrM. I am fprry for thee:

0-3

120 Cymbcline.

By fhine own tongue thou art condemn'd, and muit
Endure our law : Thou'rt dead.

IM o . That headlefs man
I thought had been my lord.

CrM. Bind the offender, [to hii Guard.

And take him from our presence.

BEL. {advancing, <with Arv.] Stay, fir king:
This man is better than the man he flew,
As well defcended as thyfelf ; and hath
More of thee merited, than a band of Clotent

Had ever fear for. Let his arms alone ;

They were not born for bondage.

CrM. Why, old foldier,

Wilt thou undo the worth thoo art anpay'd for,
By halting of our wrath ? How of defcent
As good as we ?

ARV. In that he fpake too far.

CrM, And thou malt dye for't.

BEL. We will dye all three :
But I will prove, that two on's are as good
As I have given out him. _My fons, I muft,
For mine own part, unfold a dangerous fpeech,
Though, haply, well for you.

ARV. Your danger's ours.

GUI. 9j>, and our good i0 his :

BEL. Have at it then._

By leave ; Thou had'ft, great king, a fubjeft, who
Was call'd Belarius :

CTM. What of him ? he is
A banilh'd traitor.

BEL. He it is, that hath
Aflum'd this age : indeed, a banim'd man ;

fs By rafting

Cymbeline. i*

I know not how, a traitor.

CTM. Take him hence;
The whole world lhall not fave him.

BEL. Not too hot:

Firft pay me for the nurfing of thy fons }
And let it be confifcate all, fo foon
As I've received it.

CTM. Nurfing of my fons ?

BEL. I am too blunt, and faucy : Here's my knee :
Ere I arise, I will prefer my fons ;
Then, fpare not the old father. Mighty fir,
These two young gentlemen, that call me father,
And think they are my fons, are none of mine j
They are the iffue of your loins, my Hege,
And blood of your begetting.

CTM. How ! my iffue ?

&.EL. So fure as you your father's. I, old Morgan,
Am that Belarius whom you fometime banifh'd :
Your pleasure was my near offence, my punifhment
Itfelf, and all my treason ; that I fuffer'd,
Was all the harm I did. These gentle princes
(For fuch, and fo they are) these twenty years
Have I train'd up: those arts they have, as I
Could put into them ; antJ my breeding was,
Sir, as your highnefs knows. Their nurfe Euriphile,
Whom for the theft I wedded, ftole these children
Upon my banifhment : I mov'd her to't ;
Having receiv'd the punifhment before,
For that which I did then : Beaten for loyalty
Excited me to treason : Their dear lofs,
The more of you 'twas felt, the more it fhap'd
Unto my end of Healing them. But, gracious fir,

0,4

122 CymbeKne.

Here are your fons again ; and I muft lose
Two of the fweet'ft companions in the world : _
The benediftion of these covering heavens
Fall on their heads like dew ! for they are worthy
TQ inlay heaven with ftars.

CTM. Thou weep'ft, and fpeak'ft.
The fervice, that you three have done, is more
Unlike than this thou tell'ft : I loft my children ;
If these be they, I know not how to wilh
A pair of worthier fons.

BEL . Be pleas'd a while.
This gentleman, whom I call Paladour,
Moft worthy prince, as yours, is true Guidenus :
This gentleman, my Cat/weal, Ar<viragus,
Your younger princely fon ; he, fir, was lapt
In a molt curious mantle, wrought by the hand
Of his queen mother, which, for more probation,
I can with ease produce.

CTM. Guiderius had

Upon his neck a mole, a fanguine ftar ;
It was a mark of wonder.

£EL. This is he;

Who hath upon him ftill that natural ftamp :
It was wise nature's end in the donation,
To be his evidence now.

CTM. O, what am I
A mother to the birth of three ? Ne'er mother

Rejoic'd deliverance more : Bleft may you be ;

That, after this ftrange darting from your orbs,
You may reign in them now ! _ O Imogen,
Thou haft loft by this a kingdom.

Jito. No, my lord;

*» Bleft, pray you

Cymbeline. 123

I have got two worlds by't. _ O my gentle brothers,
Have we thus met ? O never fay hereafter,
But I am trueft fpeaker : you call'd me brother,
When I was but your fifter ; I you brothers,
When you were fo indeed.

CTM. Did you e'er meet ?

ARV. Ay, my good lord.

GUI. And at firft meeting lov'd ;
Continu'd fo, until we thought he dy'd.

COR. By the queen's dram fhe fwallow'd.

CrM~. O rare inftinftj

When (hall I hear all through? This fierce abridgement
Hath to it circumftantial branches, which
Diftinclion fhould be rich in. Where? how liv'd you?
And when came you to ferve our Roman captive ?
How parted with your brothers ? how firft met them ?
Why fled you from the court ? and whither? These,
And your three motives to the battle, with
I know not how much more, mould be demanded ;
And all the other by-dependancies,
From chance to chance: but nor the time, nor place,
Will ferve long inter-rogatories. See,
Poftbiimus Anchor? upon Imogen',
And fhe, like harmlefs lightning, throws her eye
On him, her brothers, me, her matter; hitting ,
Each objeft with a joy : the counter-change
Is feverally in all. _ Let's quit this ground,

And fmoak the temple with our facrifices.

Thou art my brother ; [to Bel.] So we'll hold thee ever.

I MO. You are my father too ; and did relieve me,
To fee this gracious feason.

C?M. All ore-joy'd,

5 when we were '6 Brother ? '? whether thefe i " ferve our long

1 14 Cymbeline.

Save these in bonds : let them be joyful too,
For they fhall tafte our comfort.

I MO. My good mailer,
I will yet do you fervice",

Luc. Happy be you !

CTM. The forlorn foldier, that fo nobly fought,
He would have well becom'd this place, and grac'd
The thankings of a king.

Pos. I am, fir,

The foldier that did company these three
In poor befeeming ; 'twas a fitment for
The purpose I then follow'd : _ That I was he,
Speak, Jachimo; I had you down, and might
Have made you finim.

Jjct I am down again : [kneeling,

But now my heavy confcience finks my knee,
As then your force did. Take that life, befeech you»
Which 1 fo often owe : but, your ring =j= firft j
And here ^ the bracelet of the trueft princefs
That ever fwore her faith.

Pos. Kneel not to me :

The power that I have on you is, to {pare you;
The malice towards you, to forgive you : Live,
And deal with others better.

Crw. Nobly doom'd :
We'll learn our freenefs of a fon-in-law ;
Pardon's the word to all.

ARV. You holp us, fir, [/o Pof.]
As you did mean indeed to be our brother ;
joy'd are we, that you are.

Pos. Your fervant, princes — Good my lord of Rome,
Call forth your foothfayer : As 1 flept, methought,

Cymbeline. 125

Great 'Jupiter, upon his eagle back'd,
Appear'd to me, with other fprightly fliews
Of mine own kindred : when I wak'd, I found
This ^ label on my bosom ; whose containing
Is fo from fenfe in hardnefs, that I can
Make no collection of it : let him fhew
His ikill in the conftru&ion.
Luc . Pbilarmonus, — -
Soo. Here, my good lord.
Luc. Read, and declare the meaning.
Soot [reads.] When as a lyon's <whelp Jhall, to himfelf
unknown, without Jeeking find, and be embraced by apiece
of tender air *, and when from a ft ate ly cedar Jh all be lopt
branches, which, being dead many years, Jball after re-
'vi've, be jointed to the oldjlock, and frejhly grow ; then
Jhall Pofthumus end his miseries, Britain be fortunate,
andfourijh in peace and plenty,
Thou, Leonatus, art the lyon's whelp ;
The fit and apt conftrudlion of thy name,
Being Leo-natus, doth import fo much.
The piece of tender air, thy virtuous daughter, [to Cym.
Which we call mollis aer ; and mollis aer
We term it mulier : which mulier, I divine,
Is thy moft conftant wife ; [to Pof.] who, even now,
Anfwering the letter of the oracle,
Unknown to you, unfought, were clipt about
With this moft tender air.

CTM. This hath fome feeming.
Soo. The lofty cedar, royal Cymbeline,
Perfonates thee : And thy lopt branches point
Thy two fons forth : who, by Belarius ftoln,
For many years thought dead, are now reviv'd,

** Is this moft

1 16 Cymbeline.

To the majeftick cedar join'd; whose iiTue
Promises Britain peace and plenty.

CYM. Well,

By peace we will begin : And, Caius Lucius,

Although the viclor, we fubmit to Ctesar,

And to the Roman empire ; promising

To pay our wonted tribute, from the which

We were diffuaded by our wicked queen ;

On whom heaven's juftice (both on her, and hers)

Hath lay'd moft heavy hand.

•SW. The fingers of the powers above do tune
The harmony of this peace. The vision
Which I made known to Lucius, ere the ftroke
Of this yet fcarce-cold battle, at this inftant
Is full accomplifti'd : For the Roman eagle,
From fouth to weft on wing foaring aloft,
Leflen'd herfelf, and in the beams o'the fun
So vanifh'd : which fore-fhew'd, our princely eagle,
The imperial C<tsar, Ihould again unite
His favour with the radiant Cymbeline*,
Which mines here in the weft.

CTM. Laud we the gods ;

And let our crooked fmoaks climb to their noftrils
From our bleft altars — Publifh we this peace
To all our fubjefts. Set we forward : Let
A Roman and a Britijb enfign wave
Friendly together : fo through Lud's town march ;
And in the temple of great "Jupiter
Our peace we'll ratify ; feal it with feafts._»
Set on there :_ Never was a war did ceafe,
Ere bloody hands were wafti'd, with fuch a peace. [Ex.

* My Peace » Whom heavens in Juftke— -Have laid »* yet thU

KING
LEAR.

Perfons represented.

Lear, King of Britain.
King of France.
Duke of Burgundy.
Da^o/Cornwal.
Duke of Albany.
Earl of Kent.
Earl of Glofter.
Edgar, Son to Glofter:
Edmund, baftard San of the fame :
Curan, a Dome/lick, ?/.//•
Old man, Tenant '\ •/'**/•*••
Oswald, Steward to Goneril.
Fool, attending Lear:
Gentleman, attending the fame.
a Physician; Herald;
Officer, following Edmund :
Officers in the Troops of Albany, four;
Servants to Cornwal, three ;
vers, tiuo.

Goneril, T

Regan, S- Daughters to Lear.

Cordelia, )

Divers Attendants, Officers, Soldiers, &c.
French and Britifh.

Scene, Britain.

KING LEAR.

ACT: i.

S CENE I. A State-room in King Lear'/ Palace.
Enter KENT, GLOSTER, and EDMUND.

KEN. I thought, the king had more affe&ed the duke
of Albany^ than Carnival.

Gio. It did always feem fo to us : but now, in the di-
vision of the kingdom, it appears not which of the dukes
he values moft ; for equalities are fo weighed, that cu-
riofity in neither can make choice of cither's moiety.

KEN. Is not this your fon, my lord ?

GLO. His breeding, fir, hath been at my charge : I
have fo often blufh'd to acknowledge him, that now I
am braz'd to it.

KEN. I cannot conceive you.

Gio. Sir, this young fellow's mother could : where-
upon me grew round-wombed ; and had, indeed, fir, a
fon for her cradle, ere (he had a husband for her bed.
Do you fmell a fault ?

KEN. I cannot wiih the fault nndone, the iflue of it

4 King Lear.

being fo proper.

GLO. But I have, fir, a fon by order of law, fome
year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my ac-
count, though this knave came fomething faucily into
the world before he was fent for: yet was his mother
fair ; there was good fport at his making, and the
whorfon muft be acknowledg'd — Do you know this
noble gentleman, Edmund?

EDM. No, my lord.

GLO. My lord of Kent : remember him hereafter as
my honourable friend.

EDM. My fervices to your lordfhip.

KEN. I muft love you, and fue to know you better.

EDM, Sir, I fhall fludy deserving.

GLO. He hath been out nine years, and away he
fhall again : ~~ The king is coming.

Flourijb; and Enter LEAR, attended;

CORNWAL, ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, and

CORDELIA.

Li. A. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Glojler.

GLO. J fhall, my liege. [Exeunt GLO. and EDM.

LEA. Mean time we fhall exprefs our darker purpose.
The map~[~ there. — Know, that we have divided,
In three, our kingdom : and 'tis our faft intent
To fhake all cares and businefs from our age ;
Conferring them on younger flrengths, while we
Unburthen'd crawl toward death — Our fon ofCornvua!,
And you, our no lefs loving fon of Albany,
We have this hour a conftant will to publifti
Our daughters' feveral dowers, that future ftrife
May be prevented now. The princes, France and JS«r-
Great rivals in our youngeft daughter's love, [gundy.

King Lear. 5

Long in our court have made their amorous fojourn,
And here are to be anfwer'd — Tell me, my daughters,
(Since now we will diveft us, both of rule,
Intereft of territory, cares of ftate,)
Which of you (hall we fay doth love us moft ?
That we our largeft bounty may extend
Where merit doth moft challenge \t.—Gonerilf
Our eldeft-born, fpeak firft.

GOAT. Sir, I do love you ,

/far more than words can wield the matter : lot? J>QH
Dearer than eye-fight, fpace and liberty ;
Beyond what can be valu'd, rich or rare ;
No lefs than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour :
As much as child e'er lov'd, or father found.
A love that makes breath poor, and fpeech unable ;
Beyond all manner of fo much I love you.

COR. "What /hall Cordelia do ? Love, and be filent."

LEA. Of all these ~|~ bounds, even from this line to this,
With fhadowy forefts and with champaigns rich'd,
With plenteous rivers and wide-fkirted meads,
We make thee lady : To thine and Albany's iflue
Be this perpetual. _What fays our fecond daughter,
Our deareft Regan, wife to Cornwal? Speak.

REG. I am made of that felf metal as my fitter,
And prize me at her worth. In my true heart
I find, {he names my very deed of love ;
Only {he comes too ftiort : that F profefs
M) felf an enemy to all other joys,
Which the moft precious fquare of fenfe possefles ;
And find, I am alone felicitate
In your dear highnefs' love.

COR. " Then poor Cordelia ! "

VOL. IX R

$ King Lear.

" And yet not fo ; fince, I am fure, my love's"
"More richer than my tongue."

LEA. To thee, and thine, hereditary ever,
Remain this ample third ~f~ of our fair kingdom ;
No lefs in fpace, validity, and pleasure,

Than that confer'd on Goneril. Now, our joy,

Although the laft, not leaft in our dear love,
What can you fay, to win a third more opulent
Than your ttoo fitters ?

COR. Nothing, my lord.

LEA. How!

Cox. Nothing.

LEA. Nothing can come of nothing : fpeak again.

COR. Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave
My heart into my mouth : I love your majefty
According to my bond ; nor more, nor lefs.

LEA. Go to, go to ; mend me your fpeech a little,
Left it may mar your fortunes.

Co*. Good my lord,

You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me : I
Retnrn those duties back as are right fit,
Obey you, love you, and moft honour you.
Why have my filters husbands, if they fay,
They love you, all ? Haply, when I fhall wed,
That lord, whose hand mutt take my plight, mail carry
Half my love with him, half my care, and duty :
Sure, 1 fhall never marry like my fitters,
To love my father all.

LEA. But goes thy heart with this ?

COR. Ay, my good lord.

LEA. So young, and fo untender ?

COR. So young, my lord, and true.

Xing Leu. ?

LEA. Let it be fo,_Thy truth then be thy dower:

For, by the facred radiance of the fun ;

The myfteries of Hecate, and the night;

By all the operations of the orbs,

From whom we do exift, and ceafe to be ;

Here I difclaim all my paternal care,

Propinquity and property of blood,

And as a ftranger to my heart and me

Hold thee, from this, for ever. The barbarous Scythian,

Or he that makes his generation mefles

To gorge his appetite, fhall to my bosom

Be as well neighbour'd, pity'd, and reliev'd,

As thou my fometime daughter.
KEN. Good my liege,—
LEA. Peace, Kent;
Come not between the dragon and his wrath :

I lov'd her moft, and thought to fet my reft

On her kind nurfery Hence, and avoid my fight !

So be my grave my peace, as here I give

Her father's heart from her. — Call France; Who ftirs?

Call Burgundy.— .{Exit an An.} Cornwal, and Albany,

With my two daughters' dowers digeft this ~|" third :

Let pride, which me calls plainnefs, marry her.

I do \nveft you jointly with my power,

Preheminence, and all the large efFefts

That troop with majefty. Ourfelf, by monthly courfe,

With reservation of an hundred knights,

By you to be fuftain'd, mall our abode

Make with you by due turns. Only we retain

The name ; the additions to a king, the fway,

Revenue, execution, and the reft,

Beloved fons, be yours : which to confirm,

*9 v. fftlt.

R 2

3 King Lear.

This coronet =f= part between you.

KEN. Royal Lear, [in Aftion of preventing him*

Whom I have ever honour'd as my king,
Lov'd as my father, as my mafter follow'd,
As my great patron thought on in my prayers, —

LEA. The bow is ben t and drawn, make from the (haft.

KEN. Let it fall rather, though the fork invade
The region of my heart : be Kent unmannerly,
When Lear is mad. What would'ft thou do, old man ?
Think'ft thou that duty mall have dread to fpeak,
When power to flattery bows ? To plairvnefs honour's
When majefty ftoops to folly. Reverfe thy doom ; [bound,
And, in thy beft confideration, check
This hideous rafhnefs : anfwer my life my judgment,
Thy youngeft daughter does not love thee leaft ;
Nor are those empty-hearted, whose low found
Reverbs no hollownefs.

LEA. Kent, on thy life, no more.

KEN. My life I never held but as a pawn
To wage againft thy enemies ; nor fear to lose it,
Thy fafety being the motive.

LEA. Out of my fight !

KEN. See better, Lear ; and let me flill remain
The true blank of thine eye.

LEA. Now, by Apollo, —

KEN. Now, by Apollo.' King, thou fwear'ft thy gods
in vain.

LEA. O, vafikl ! mifcreant!

[in Action of drawing his Sword.

ALB. Co**. Dear fir, forbear. [interposing.

KEN. Do ; Kill thy physician, and the fee beftow
Upon thy foul disease. Revoke thy gift ;

.3* the fonle

King Lear. 9

Or, whilft I can vent clamour from my throat,
I'll tell thee, thou doft evil.

LEA. Hear me, recreant ;
On thine allegiance, hear me ! —
Since thou haft fought to make us break our vow,
(Which we durft never yet,) and, with ftrain'd pride,
To come between our fentence and our power,
(Which nor our nature nor our place can bear,)
Our potency made good, take thy reward.
Five days we do allot thee, for provision
To flueld thee from disafters of the world j
And, on the fitth, to turn thy hated back
Upon our kingdom : if, on the tenth day following,
Thy banifh'd trunk be found in our dominions,
The moment is thy death : Away ! By "Jupiter?
This {hall not be revok'd,

KEN. Fare thee well, king: fith thus thou wilt appear,

Freedom lives hence, and banimment is here.

The gods to their dear fhelter take thee, maid,
That juftly think'ft, and haft moft rightly faid ! _
And, you, large fpeechers, may your deeds approve
That good effefts may fpring from words of love. _
Thus Kent, o princes, bids you all adieu ;
He'll fliape his old courfe in a country new. [Exit.

Re-enter GLOSTER, 'with FRANCE, BURGUNDY,
and Attendants.

GLO. Here's France and Burgundy, my noble lord.

LEA. My lord of Burgundy,
We firft addrefs towards you, who with this king
Hath rival'd for our daughter ; What, in the leaft,
Will you require in present dower with her,
Or ccafe your queft of love ?

*' your large fpeech«

10

BUR. Moft royal majefty,
I crave no more than hath your highnefs offer'd,
Nor will you tender lefs.

LEA. Right noble Burgundy,
When fhe was dear to us, we did hold her fo ;
But now her price is falPn: Sir, there fhe {lands;
If ought within that little, feeming, fubftance,
Or all of it, with our difpleasure piec'd,
And nothing more, may fitly like your grace,
She's there, and fhe is yours.

BUR. I know no anfwer.

LEA. Sir, Will you, with those infirmities fhe owes,
Unfriended, new-adopted to our hate,
Dower'd with our curfe, and ftranger'd with our oath,
Take her, or leave her ?

BUR. Pardon me, royal fir,
Election makes not up on fuch conditions. [me,

L EA. Then leave her, fir ; for, by the power that made
I tell you all her wealth. — For you, great king,
I would not from your love make fuch a .ftray,
To match you where I hate ; therefore befeech you
To avert your liking a more worthier way,
Than on a wretch whom nature is afham'd
Almoft to acknowledge hers.

FRA. This is moft ftrangeT

That fhe, who even but now was your beft objeft,
The argument of your praise, balm of your age,
The beft, the deareft ; fhould in this trice of time
Commit a thing fo monftrous, to difmantle
So many folds of favour ! Sure, her offence
Muft be of fuch unnatural degree,
That monfters it : or your fore-vouch'd affedion

King Leaf. I

Fall'n into taint : which to believe of her,
Muft: be a faith, that reason without miracle
Could never plant in me.

COR. I yet befeech your majefty,
(If for I want that glib and oily art,
To fpeak and purpose not ; ftnce what I well intend,
I'll do't before I fpeak) that you make known,
It is no vicious blot, murder, or foulnefs,
No unchaft adlion, or difhonour'd ftep,
That hath depriv'd me of your grace and favour :
But even the want of that, for which I am richer ;
A ilill-foliciting eye, and fuch a tongue
As I am glad I have not, though, not to have it,
Hath loft me in your liking.

LZA. Better thou had'ft not been born,
Than not to have pleas'd me better.

FRA. Is it but this ? a tardinefs in nature,
Which often leaves the hiftory unfpoke,
That it intends to do ? _My lord of BungunJyt
What fay you to the lady? Love's not love,
When it is mingl'd with regards, and ftands
Aloof from the entire point : Sag, will you have herr
She is herfelf a dowry.

BUR. Royal Lear,

Give but that portion which yourfelf propos'd,
And here I take Cordelia by the hand,
Dutchefs of Burgundy.

LEA. Nothing: I have fworn; I am firm.

BUR. I am forry then, you have fo loft a father,
That you muft lose a husband.

COR. Peace be with Burgundy!
Since that refpecls of fortune are his love,

11 even for want *' regards, that flands

» 2 King Lear.

I fhall not be his wife.

FRA, Faireft Cordelia, that art moft rich, being poor ;
Moft choice, forfaken ; and moft lov'd, defpis'd !
Thee and thy virtues here I feize upon :
Be it lawful, I take up what's caft away.
Gods, gods ! 'tis ftrange, that from their cold'ft negle6l

My love fhould kindle to inflam'd refpedt

Thy dowerlefs daughter, king, thrown to my chance,

Is queen of us, of ours, and our fair France :

Not all the dukes of wat'rifh Burgundy

Can buy this unpriz'd precious maid of me. _

Bid them farewel, Cordelia, though unkind :

Thou loseft here, a better where to find.

L EA. Thou haft her, France : let her be thine ; for we
Have no fuch daughter, nor (hall ever fee
That face of hers again :_ Therefore be gone,

Without our grace, our love, our benizon.

Come, noble Burgundy,

[Flourijb. Exeunt LEAR, BURGUNDY, CORN-
WAL, ALBANY, GLOSTER, and Attendants,

PRA, Bid farewel to your fillers.

Co*. Ye jewels of our father, with wam'd eyes
Cordelia leaves you : 1 know what you are ;
And, like a fitter, am moft loth to call
Your faults as they are nam'd. Use well our father :
To your profeffing bosoms I commit him :
But yet, alas, ftood I within his grace,
J would prefer him to a better place.
So farewel to you both.

GQN, Prefcribe not us our duties.

REG. Let your ftudy
Be, to content your lord ; who hath receiv'd you

« The Jewels »$ profefled

King Lear. 13

As fortune's alms : You have obedience fcanted, [wanted.
And well are worth to toant the worth that you have

Co*. Time {hall unfold what plaited cunning hides,
Who cover'd faults at laft with fhame derides.
Well may you profper!

FRA. Come, my fair Cordelia.

[Exeunt FRANCE, and COR DELIA.

GON. Sifter, it is not a little I have to fay, of what
moft nearly appertains to us both. I think, our father
will hence to-night.

REG. That's moft certain, and with you ; next month
with us.

Go if. You fee how full of changes his age is ; the
observation we have made of it hath not been little :
he always lov'd our filler moft ; and with what poor
judgment he hath now caft her off, appears too grofly.

REG. 'Tis the infirmity of his age: yet he hath ever
but flenderly known himfelf.

GON. The beft and founded of his time hath been but
rafli ; then muft we look to receive from his age not
alone the imperfe&ions of long-ingrafted condition,
but, therewithal, the unruly way ward nefs that infirm
and cholerick years bring with them.

REG. Such unconftant ftarts are we like to have from
him, as this of Kent's banifhment.

GON. There is further compliment of leave-taking
between France and him. Pray you, let us fit together:
If our father carry authority, with fuch difpositions as
he bears, this laft furrender of his will but offend us.

REG. We fliall further think on't.

GON. Wemuftdofomething, and i'the heat. [Exeunt.

1 at Fortunes * covers

1 4 K**g Lear.

SCENE II. A Hall in the Earl o/Glofter'/ Co/lie.
Enter EDMUND.

EDM. Thou, nature, art my goddefs ; to thy law
My fervices are bound : Wherefore fhould I
Stand in the plague of cuftom ; and permit
The courtefy of nations to deprive me,
For that I am fome twelve or fourteen moon-mines
Lag of a brother ? Why baftard ? Wherefore bafe ?
When my dimenlions are as well compadt,
My mind as generous, and my ihape as true,
As honeft madam's iflue ? Why brand they us
With bafe ? with bafenefs ? baftardy ? bafe, bafe ?
Who, in the lufty ftealth of nature, take
More composition and fierce quality,
Than doth, within a dull, ftale, tired bed,
Go to the creating a whole tribe of fops,
Got 'tween afleep and wake ? —Well then,
Legitimate Edgar, I muft have your land :
Our father's love is to the baftard Edmund,
As to the legitimate : Fine word, legitimate !
Well, my legitimate, if this "\ letter fpeed,
And my invention thrive, Edmund the bafe
Shall top the legitimate. I grow ; I profper : —
Now, gods, ftand up for baftards !
Enter GLOSTER.

Gio. Kent banifli'd thus ! AndFrance in choler parted!
And the king gone to-night! fubfcrib'd his power!
Confin'd to exhibition ! All this done
Upon the gad ! _ Edmund ! How now ? What news ?

EDM. So please your lordfhip, none.

Gf o. Why fo earneftly feek you to put up that letter?

' curiofity *4 fcall tooth' le-

King Lear. 15

EDM. I know no news, my lord.

GLO. What paper were you reading ?

EDM. Nothing, my lord.

GLO. No ? What needed then that terrible difpatch

of it into your pocket? the quality of nothing hath not

fuch need to hide itfelf. Let's fee : Come, if it be nothing,

I fhall not need fpe^acles.
EDM. I befeech you, fir, pardon me : it is a letter from

my brother, that I have not all o'er read ; for fo much

as I have perused, I find it not fit for your o'er-looking.
GLO. Give me the letter, fir.
EDM. I (hall offend, either to detain or give it. The

contents, as in part I underftand them, are to blame.
GLO. Let's fee, let's fee.
EDM. I hope, for my brother's juftification, he wrote

this but as an e/Tay or tafte of my virtue.

GLO. [reads] This policy, and reverence of age, makes
the world bitter to the. beft of our times ; keeps our for-
tunes from us, '//'// our oldnejs cannot rclijh them. I begin
to find an idle and fond bondage in the opprejjion of aged
tyranny ; which fivays, not as it bath ponver, but as it
is fujfered. Come to me, that of this I may fpeak more.
If our father would jlecp 'till I wak'd him, you jhould
enjoy half his revenue for ever, and live the beloved of
your brother Edgar.

Hum— Confpiracy ! — Sleep 'till I ivak'd him,— you jhould

enjoy half his revenue. — My fon Edgar ! Had he a hand

to write this r a heart and brain to breed it in ? — When

came this to you ? Who brought it ?

EDM. It was not brought me, my lord, there's the

cunning of it; I found it thrown in at the casement of

my closet.

1 6 King Lear.

Gto. You know the charadler to be your brother's ?

ED M. If the matter were good, my lord, I durft fwear
it were his ; but, in refpeft of that, I would fain think
it were not.

CLO. It is his.

EDM. It is his hand, my lordj but, I hope, his heart
is not in the contents.

GLO. Hath he never heretofore founded you in this
businefs ?

EDM. Never, my lord : But I have heard him oft
maintain it to be fit, that, fons at perfect age, and fa-
thers declining, the father fhould be as ward to the fon,
and the fon manage his revenue.

GLO. O villain, villain! — His very opinion in the
letter !— Abhorred villain! Unnatural, detelted, brutifh

villain; worfe than brutifh! Go, firrah, feek him; I'll

apprehend him : Abominable villain ! Where is he ?

EDM. I do not well know, my lord. If it mall please
you to fufpend your indignation againft my brother,
'till you can derive from him better teftimony of his
intent, you mould run a certain courfe ; where, if you
violently proceed againft him, miftaking his purpose,
it would make a great gap in your own honour, and
(hake in pieces the heart of his obedience. I dare pawn
ilown my life for him, that he hath writ this to feel my
affedlion to your honour, and to no other pretence of
Danger.

GLO. Think you fo?

EDM. If your honour judge it meet, I will place you
\vhere you (hall hear us confer of this, and by an auri-
cular aflurance have your fatiffaftion ; and that without
any further delay than this very evening.

King Lear. 1 7

GLO. He cannot be fuch a monfier.

EDM. Nor is not, fure.

GLO. To his father, that fo tenderly and intirely
loves him. Heaven and earth ! — Edmund, feek him out;
wind me into him, I pray you : frame the businefs after
your own wisdom : I would unftate myfelf, to be in a
due resolution.

EDM. I will feek him, fir, presently; convey the bu-
sinefs as I mall find means, and acquaint you withal.

GLO. These late eclipfes in the fun and moon por-
tend no good to us : Though the wisdom of nature can
reason it thus and thus, yet nature finds itfelf fcourg'd .
by the fequent efFefts : love cools, friendfhip falls off,
brothers divide : in cities, mutinies ; in countries, dif-
cord ; in palaces, treason ; and the bond crack'd be-
tween fon and father. This villain of mine comes under
the prediction ; there's fon againft father: the king falls
from byas of nature ; there's father againft child. We
have feen the beft of cur time: Machinations, hollow-
nefs, treachery, and all ruinous disorders, follow us dif*,
quietly to our graves. _ Find out this villain, Edmund \
it mail lose thee nothing ; do it carefully : _ And the
noble and true-hearted Kent banifh'd ! his offence, ho-
nefty ! Strange, ftrange ! [Exit GLOSTER.

EDM. This is the excellent foppery of the world !
that, when we are fick in fortune, (often the furfeit of
our own behaviour) we make guilty of our disafters,
the fun, the moon, and the ftars : as if we were villains
on necelfity ; fools, by heavenly compulfion ; knaves,
thieves, and trechers, by fpherical predominance; drun-
kards, liars, and adulterers, by an enforc'd obedience
of planetary influence; and all that we are evil in, by

1 8 Kiug Lear.

a divine thrufting on: An admirable evasion of whore-
mafter man, to lay his goatifh difposition to the charge
of ftars ! My father compounded with my mother under
the dragon's tail ; and my nativity was under urj'a ma-
jor; fo that it follows, I am rough and letcherous : —I
fhould have been that I am, had the maidenlieft ftar in
the firmament twinkl'd on my baftardizing.

Enter EDGAR.

" Edgar! Pat ; He comes like the cataftrophe of the"
"old comedy : My cue is villainous melancholy, with"
" a figh like Tom o' Bedlam. O, these eclipfes do por-
" tend these divisions ! "

EDO. How now, brother Edmund ? What ferious con-
templation are you in ?

EDM. I am thinking, brother, of a prediction I read
this other day, what (hould follow these eclipfes.

EDO. Do you busy yourfelf with that ?

EDM. I promise you, the effecls he writes of fucceed
unhappily. When faw you my father laft?

EDO. The night gone by.

EDM. Spake you with him ?

EDO. Ay, two hours together.

EDM. Parted you in good terms r Found you no dif-
pleasure in him, by word, or countenance ?

EDG. None at all.

EDM. Bethink yourfelf, wherein you may have of-
fended him : and at my entreaty forbear his presence, 'till
fome little time hath qualify 'd the heat of his difplea-
fure; which at this inftant fo rageth in him, that without
the mifchief of your perfon it would fcarcely allay.

EDO. Some villain hath done me wrong.

EDM. That's my fear. I pray you, have a continent

19

forbearance, 'till the fpeed of his rage goes flower; and,
as I fay, retire with me to my lodging, from whence I
will fitly bring you to hear my lord fpeak : Pray you,
go ; there's my ^ key : — If you do ftir abroad, go
arm'd.

EDO. Arm'd, brother ?

EDM. Brother, I advise you to the beft; go arm'd ;
I am no honeft man, if there be any good meaning to-
wards you : I have told you what I have feen and heard,
but faintly ; nothing like the image and horror of it :
Pray you, away.

EDO. Shall I hear from you anon ?

EDM. I do ferve you in this businefs.—

[Exit EDGAR.

A credulous father, and a brother noble,
Whose nature is fo far from doing harms,
That he fufpefts none ; on whose foolifh honefty
My practises ride easy ! — I fee the businefs. —
Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit :
All with me's meet, that I can fafliion fit.

[ Exit EDMUND.

SCENE III. A Room in the Duke of Albany'/ Palace.
Enter GONERIL, and Steward.

GON. Did my father ftrike my gentleman for chi-
ding of his fool ?

Ste. Ay, madam.

Gotr. By day and night ! he wrongs me ; every hour
He flames into one grofs crime or other,
That fets us all at odds : I'll not endure it :
His knights grow riotous, and himfelf upbraids us
bn every trifle : — When he returns from hunting.

20 King Lear.

I will not fpeak with him ; fay, I am fick ; —

If you come flack of former fervices,

You ihall do well ; the fault of it I'll anfwer.

[Horns 'within,

Ste. He's coming, madam ; I hear him.

Cow. Put on what weary negligence you please,
You and your fellows; I'd have it come to queftion: —
If he diflike it, let him to my fifter,
Whose mind and mine, I know, in that are one,
Net to be over-rul'd. Idle old man,
That ftill would manage those authorities
That he hath given away ! Now, by my life,
Old fools are babes again ; and mult be us'd
With checks, not flatteries when they are feen abus'd.
Remember what I have faid.

Ste. Very well, madam.

GOAT. And let his knights have colder looks among

you ;

What grows of it, no matter ; advise your fellows fo :
I would breed from hence occasions, and I fhall,
That I may fpeak : — I'll write ftraight to my fifter,
To hold my very ccurfe : — Prepare for dinner.

[Exeunt federally.

SCENE IV. An outer Hall in tbe fame.

Enter KENT, dijguiid.
KEN. If but as well I other accents borrow,
That can my fpeech deface, my good intent
May carry through itfelf to that full iflue
For which I raz'd my likenefs- Now, banifli'd Kent,
If thou can'ft ferve where thou doft ftand condemn'd,
(So may it come!) thy mailer, whom thou lov'ft,

'+ checkes as flat- *8 defufe,

King Lear. 21

'Shall find thee full of labours. [Horns.

Enter LEAR, Gentleman, Knight 'j,

and Attendants.

LEA. Let me not ftay a jot for dinner; go, get it ready.
[to an Attendant, who goes out.
How now, what art thou ?

KEN. A man, fir. [with us ?

LEA. What doft thou profefs ? What would'ft thou

KEN. I do profefs to be no lefs than I feem ; to ferve
him truly, that will put me in truft ; to love him that
is honeft; to converfe with him that is wise, and fays
little ; to fear judgment; to fight, when I cannot choose;
and to eat no fifh.

LEA. What art thou? [the king.

KEN. A very honeft-hearted fellow, and as poor as

LEA. If thou be as poor for a fubjed, as he is for a
king, thou art poor enough. WThat would'ft thou ?

KEN. Service.

LEA. Whom would'ft thou ferve ?

KEN. You.

LEA. Doft thou know me, fellow?

Keif. No, fir; but you have that in your counte-
nance, which I would fain call mafter.

LEA. What's that?

KEN. Authority.

LEA. What fervices can'ft thou do ?

KEN. I can keep honeft counfel, ride, run, mar a cu-
rious tale in telling it, and deliver a plain meflage blunt-
Jy : that which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualify'd
in ; and the bed of me is diligence.

LEA. How old art thou ?

KEN. Not fo young, fir, to love a woman for fing-

Voi.. IX. S

22 King Lear,

ing; nor fo old, to dote on her for any thing : I have
years on my back forty eight.

LEA. Follow me ; thou fhalt ferve me ; if I like thee
no worfe after dinner, I will not part from thee yet._

Dinner, ho, dinner ! Where's my knave, my fool ? Go

you, [to an Attendant.] and call my fool hither :*_

Enter Steward.
You, you, firrah, where's my daughter ?

Stf. So please you,— [Exit.

LEA. What fays the fellow there? Call the clot-pole
back. _ Where's my fool ? Ho, I think the world's
afleep. — How now, where's that mungrel ?

Gen. He fays, my lord, your daughter is not well.

LEA. Why came not the flave back to me, when I
call'd him ?

Gen. Sir, he anfwer'd me in the roundeft manner,
he would not.

LEA. He would not!

Gen. My lord, I know not what the matter is, but,
to my judgment, your highnefs is not entertained with
that ceremonious affeftion as you were wont ; there's a
great abatement appears, as well in the general depen-
dants, as in the duke himfelf alfo, and your daughter.

LEA. Ha! fay'ft thou fo ?

Gen. I befeech you, pardon me, my lord, if I be
miftaken ; for my duty cannot be filent, when I think
your highnefs is wrong'd.

LEA. Thou but remember'ft me of mine own con-
ception : I have perceived a moil faint neglect of late ;
which I have rather blamed as mine ow.n jealous cu-
riofity, than as a very pretence and purpose of unkind-
nefs: I will look further into't._But where's my fool ?

King Lear*. 23

I have not feen him this two days.

Gen. Since my young lady's going into France, fir,
the fool hath much pined away.

LEA. No more of that; I have noted it._Go you, [to
one Attendant.} and tell my daughter, I would {peak with

her Go you, [to another} call hither my fool. O,

Re-enter Steward, brought back by

an Attendant.
you fir, you fir, come you hither : Who am I, fir ?

Ste. My lady's father.

L EA. My lady's father! my lord's knave: You whor-
fon dog! you flave! you cur! [don me.

Ste. I am none of this, my lord ; I befeech you, par-

LEA. Do you bandy looks with me, you rafcal ?

Ste. I'll not be ftruck, my lord.

[in Pojlure of defending kimfelf.

KEN. Nor tript neither ; you bafe football-player.

[tripping up his Heels.

LEA. I thank thee, fellow ; thou ferv'ft me, and I'll
love thee.

KEN. Come, fir, arise, away; I'll teach you differ-
ences ; away, away : If you will measure your lubber's
length again, tarry : but away : go to; Have you wis-
dom ? Ib. [driving him out.

LEA. Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee : there's
earneit of thy fervice. [giving Kent Money.

Enter Fool.

Foo. Let me hire him too;_Here's my coxcomb.

[offering hit Cap.

LEA. How now, my pretty knave? how doft thou r

Foo. Sirrah, you were belt take my coxcomb.

KEN. Why, fool ?

S t

24 fang Lear.

Foo. Why r For taking one's part that's out of fa-
vour : Nay, an thou can'ft not fmile as the wind fits,
thou'lt catch cold fhortly : there, take my coxcomb :
Why, this fellow has banifh'd two on's daughters, and
did the third a blefling againft his will ; if thou follow
him, thou muft needs wear my coxcomb. _ How now,
n uncle r 'Would I had two coxcombs, and two daughters !
LEA. Why, my boy ?

Foo. If I gave them all my living, I'd keep my cox-
combs myfelf: There's ~|~ mine ; beg another of thy
daughters.

LEA. Take heed, firrah; the whip.
Foo. Truth's a dog muft to kennel ; he muft be
whipt out, when the lady brach may ftand by the fire
and ftink.

LEA. A peftilent gall to me !

Foo. Sirrah, I'll teach thee a fpeech.

KEN. Do.

Foo, Mark it, nuncle : _

Have more than thou flioweft,
Speak lefs than thou knoweft,
Lend lefs than thou oweft,
Ride more than thou goeft,
Learn more than thou troweft,
Set lefs than thou throweft ;
Leave thy drink and thy whore,
And keep in-a-door,
And thou malt have more
Than two tens to a fcore.
KEN. This is nothing, fool.

Foo. Then 'tis like the breath of an unfee'd lawyer;
you gave me nothing for't : _ Can you make no ufe of

18 Lear. Do.

King Lear. 25

nothing, nuncle? [thing.

LEA. Why, no, boy ; nothing can be made out of no-
Foo. Pr'ythee, tell him, [to Kent] fo much the rent
of his land comes to ; he will not believe a fool.
LEA. A bitter fool !

Foo. Doft thou know the difference, nuncle, between
a bitter fool and a fweet fool?
LEA. No, lad ; teach me.
Foo. That lord, that counfel'd thee

to give away thy land,
Come place him here by me, —

or do thou for him ftand :
The fweet and bitter fool
will presently appear;
The one in motley here ~|",

the other found out there "f.
LEA. Doft thou call me fool, boy?
Foo. All thy other titles thou haft given away; that
thou waft born with.

KEN. This is not altogether fool, my lord.
Foo. No, 'faith, lords and great men will not let me ;
if I had a monopoly out, they would have part on't :
and ladies too, they will not let me have all fool to
myfelf; they'll be (hatching—Give me an egg, nuncle,
and I'll give thee two crowns.

LEA. What two crowns mail they be ?
Foo. Why, after I have cut the egg i'th' middle,
and eat up the meat, the two crowns of the egg. When
thou cloveft thy crown in the middle, and gaveft away
both parts, thou bereft thine afs on thy back over the
dirt : Thou had'ft little wit in thy bald crown, when
thou gav'ft thy golden one away. If I fpeak like my-

S difference my boy, be- *3 lodes

2 6 K'ng Lear.

felf in this, let him be whipt that firft finds it fo.
Fools had ne'er lefs grace in a year ;
for iviie men are grown foppijh ;
and kno-~w not hocw their ivifs to ivfar,

their manners are fo apijh.

LEA. When were you wont to be fo full of fongs,
firrah?

Foo. I have used it, nuncle, ever fince thou mad'ft
thy daughters thy mothers : for when thou gaveft them
the rod, and puteft down thine own breeches,

Then they for fudden joy did weep, \_finging'

and 1 for Jorroiv Jung)
that juch a king Jhould play bo-peep,

and go the fool among.

Pr'ythee, nuncle, keep a fchool-mafter that can teach
thy fool to lye ; I would fain learn to lye.

LEA. If you lye, firrah, we'll have you whipt.
Foo. I marvel, what kin thou and thy daughters
are : they'll have me whipt for fpeaking true, thou'lt
have me whipt for lying ; and, fometimes, I am whipt
for holding my peace. I had rather be any kind of
thing, than a fool : and yet I would not be thee, nun-
cle ; thou haft pared thy wit o'both fides, and left no-
thing in the middle : Here comes one of the parings.

Enter GONERIL. [on?

L EA. How now, daughter ? what makes that frontlet
Methinks, you are too much of late i'the frown.

Foo. Thou waft a pretty fellow, when thou had'ft
no need to care for her frowning ; now thou art an

0 without a figure : I am better than thou art now ;

1 am a fool, thou art nothing — Yes, forfooth, [/oGon.J
I will hold my tongue j fo your face bids me, though

King Lear. *7

you fay nothing. Mum, mum,

He that keeps nor cruft nor crum,
Weary of all, (hall want fome. _
That's a fhell'd peafcod. ' [to Kent, /hewing Lear.

GON. Not only, fir, this your all-licenc'd fool,
But other of your infolent retinue
Do hourly carp and quarrel ; breaking forth
In rank and not-to-be-endured riots. Sir,
I had thought, by making this well known unto you,
To have found a fafe redrefs ; but now grow fearful,
By what yourfelf too late have fpoke and done,
That you protect this courfe, and put it on
By your allowance; which if you mould, the fault
Would not 'fcape cenfure, nor the redrefles fleep ;
Which, in the tender of a wholefome weal,
Might in their working do you that offence,
Which elfe were fhame, that then neceffity
Will call difcreet proceeding.

Foo. For you trow, nuncle,

The hedge-fparrow fed the cuckoo fo long,

That it had it's head bit off by it's y&ung :
So, out went the candle, and we were left darkling.

Z,£^*. Are you our daughter?

GON. Come, fir,

I would, you would make ufe of that good wisdom
Whereof I know you are fraught ; and put away
These difpositions, which of late tranfport you
From what you rightly are.

Foo. May not an afs know when the cart draws the
horfe ?_ Whoop, Jug ! I love thee.

LEA. Does any here know me ? — This is not L,ear,:
Docs Lear walk thus ? fpeak thus ?— Where are his eyes?

2$ fit tig Lear.

Either his notion weakens, his discernirgs
Are lethargy'd,~Ha! waking? 'Tis not fo. —
Who is it that can tell me who I am ?

Foo. Lear's (hadow.

LtA. Your name, fair gentlewoman ?

CON. This admiration, fir, is much o'the favour
Of other your new pranks. I do befeech you
To underltand my purposes aright :
Feu, as you are old and reverend, mould be wise :
Here do you keep a hundred knights and fquires ;
Men fo disorder'd, fo debauch'd, and bold,
That this our court, infefted with their manners.
Shews like a riotous inn : epicurism and luft
Make it more like a tavern, or a brothel,
Than a grac'd palace. The mame itfelf doth fpeak
For inftant remedy : Be then desir'd
By her, that elfe will take the thing me begs,
A little to difquantity your train ;
And the remainder, that (hall ftill depend,
To be fuch men as may befort your age,
And know themfelves and, you.

LEA. Darknefs and devils !

Saddle my horfes ; call my train together.—,

Degenerate baftard ! I'll not trouble thee ;

Yet have I left a daughter. [rabble

Gou. You ftrike my people; and your disorder'd
Make fervants of their betters.

Enter ALBANY. [come?

LVA. Woe, that too late repents,_O, fir, are you
Is it your will ? fpeak, fir. —Prepare my horfes. _
Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend,
More hideous, when thou fhew'ft thee in a child,

King Lear. 29

Than the fea-monfter!

ALB. Pray, fir, be patient.

LEA. Detefted kite, [/oGoneril.] thou ly'ft :
My train are men of choice and rarefl parts,
That all particulars of duty know;
And in the moft exaft regard fupport
The worfliips of their name. _ O moft fmall fault,
How ugly di^ft thou in Cordelia (hew !
Which, like an engine, wrench'd my frame of nature
From the fixt place ; drew from my heart all love,
And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear,
Beat at this gate, [ftriiiag bis Head] that let thy folly in,
And thy dear judgment out!_Go, go, my people.

ALB. My lord, I am guiltlefs, as I am ignorant
Of what hath mov'd you.

LEA. It may be fo, my lord —
Hear, nature! hear, dear goddefs ; hear a father!
Sufpend thy purpose, if thou didft intend
To make this creature fruitful !
Into her womb convey fterility ;
Dry up in her the organs of increafe;
And from her derogate body never fpring
A babe to honour her! If (he muft teem,
Create her child of fpleen ; that it may live,
And be a thwart difnatur'd torment to her !
Let it ftamp wrinkles in her brow of youth ;
With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks ;
Turn all her mother's pains, and benefits,
To laughter and contempt; that (he may feel
How (harper than a ferpent's tooth it is
To have a than kiefs child ! _ Away, away.

ALB, No\v, gods that we adore, whereof comes this?

3t> King Lear.

GON. Never afflia yourfelf to know the cause ;
But let his difposition have that fcope
That dotage gives it.

LEJ. What, fifty of my followers, at a clap!
Within a fortnight !

ALE. What's the matter, fir? [afham'd

LKA. I'll tell thee;- Life and death! [toGon.] I am
That thou haft power to. make my manhood thus :
That these hot tears, which break from me perforce,
Should make thee worth them. Blafts and fogs upon thee!
The untented woundings of a father's curfe

Pierce every fenfe about thee ! Old fond eyes,

Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck you out ;
And caft you, with the waters that you lose,
To temper clay. _ Ha! is it come to this ?
Let it be fo : __I have another daughter,
Who, I am fure, is kind and comfortable ;
When ihe mall hear this of thee, with her nails
She'll flea thy wolfifh visage. Thou (halt find,
That I'll resume the fhape which thou doft think
I have caft off for ever ; thou (halt, I warrant thee.

[Exeunt LEAR, KENT, Gen. and An.

Goif. Do you mark that, my lord r

ALB. I cannot be fo partial, Goneril,
To the great love I bear you, —

GON. Pray you, content —
What, Oswald, ho ! _
You, fir, more knave than fool, after your mafter.

Foo. Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry, take the fool
with thee._

A fox, when one has caught her,
And fuch a daughter,

King Lear. 3 1

Should fure to the flaughter,

If my cap would buy a halter ;

So the fool follows after. [Exit,

GON. This man hath had good counfel : A hundred
'Tis politick, and fafe, to let him keep, [knights!
At point, a hundred knights- Yes, that on every dream,
Each buz, each fancy, each complaint, diflike,
He may enguard his dotage with their powers,
And hold our lives in mercy. _ Oswald, I fay ! —

ALB. Well, you may fear too far.

GON. Safer than truft too far :
Let me ftill take away the harms I fear,
Not fear ftill to be taken. I know his heart:
What he hath utter'd, I have writ my fitter ;
Jf fhe fuftain him and his hundred knights,

When I have fhew'd the unfitnefs, How now, Qfvjald?

Enter Steward.
What, have you writ that letter to my fifter ?

Ste. Ay, madam.

GON. Take you fome company, and away to horfe :
Inform her full of my particular fear ;
And thereto add fuch reasons of your own,
As may compaft it more : €>o, get you gone ;
And haften your return. [Exit Ste.] No, no, my lord,
This milky gentlenefs, and courfe of yours,
Though I condemn it not, yet, under pardon,
You are much more at tafk for want of wisdom,
Than prais'd for harmful mildnefs.

ALB. How far your eyes may pierce, I cannot tell;
Striving to better, oft we mar what's well.

GON. Nay, then —

Ait. Well, well, the event, [Exeunt.

33 King Lear.

SCENE V. Court tef ore the fame.
Enter LEAR, KENT, and fool,

LEA. Go you before to Glocefter with these ^letters:
acquaint my daughter no further with any thing you
know, than comes from her demand out of the letter: If
your diligence be not fpeedy, I fhall be there afore you.

KEN. I will not fleep, my lord, 'till I have delivered
your letter. [Exit KENT.

Foo. If a man's brains were in's heels, wer't not in
danger of kibes ?

LEA. Ay, boy. [flip-food.

Foo. Then, I pr'y thee, be merry ; thy wit fhall not go

LEA. Ha, ha, ha.

Foo. Shalt fee, thy other daughter will use thee
kindly : for though fhe's as like this, as a crab is like
an apple, yet I can tell what I can tell.

LEA. What can'ft tell, boy ?

Foo. She'll tafte as like this, as a crab does to a crab.
Thou can'ft tell why one's nose ftands i'the middle of
one's face ?

LEA. No.

Foo. Why, to keep one's eyes on either fide one's
nose ; that what a man cannot fmell out, he may fpy
into.

LEA. I did her wrong :

Foo. Can'ft tell how an oifter makes his fhell ?

LEA. No. [houfe.

Foo. Nor I neither; but I can tell why a fnail has a

LEA. Why?

Foo. Why, to put his head in ; not to give it away
to his daughters, and leave his horns without a cafe.

M fide his nofe

King Lear, 33

LEA. I will forget my nature. So kind a father ! _
Be my horfes ready ?

Foo. Thy afies are gone about 'em. The reason why
the feven ftars are no more than feven, is a pretty reason.

LEA. Because they are not eight ? •

Foo. Yes, indeed : Thou would'ft make a good fool.

LEA. To take it again perforce, — Monfter, ingrati-
tude !

Foo. If thou wert my fool, nuncle, I'd have thee
beaten for being old before thy time.

LEA. How's that? [hadft been wise.

Foo, Thou ftiould'ft not have been old, 'till thou

LEA. O, let me not be mad, not mad, fweet heaven!
Keep me in temper ; I would not be mad ! _

Enter Gentleman.
How now ! Are the horfes ready ?

Gen. Ready, my lord.

LEA. Come, boy. [Exeunt LEAR, and Gentleman.

Foo. She that is a maid now, and laughs at my de-

parture,

Shall not be a maid long, unlefs things be cut fhorter.
[to the Audience, as be goes out.

n.

SCENE I. A Room in GlofterV Caftle.
Enter EDMUND, aWCuRAN, meeting.

EDM. Save thee, Curan.

CUR. And you, fir. I have been with your father;
and given him notice, that the duke of Corn-wal, ani
Regan his dutchefs, will be here with him to-night.

34 &"g Lear.

EDM. How comes that?

CUR. Nay, I know not : You have heard of the new*
abroad ; I mean, the whifper'd ones, for they are yet
but ear- luffing arguments ?

EDM. Not I; Pray you, what are they ?

CUR. Have you heard of no likely wars toward,
'twixt the dukes of Cornnual and Albany?

EDM. Not a word.

Cux. You may do then, in time. Fare you well, fir.

[Exit CURAN.

EDM. The duke be here to-night? The better! Bell!
This weaves itfelf perforce into my businefs !
My father hath fet guard to take my brother ;
And I have one thing, of a queazy queftion,
Which I muft aft :_Briefnefs, and fortune, work!-.
Brother, a word, defcend ; brother, I fay;

Enter EDGAR.

My father watches : — O fir, fly this place ;
Intelligence is given where you are hid;
You have now the good advantage of the night : —
Have you not fpoken 'gainft the duke of Carnival?
He's coming hither; now, i'the night, i'the hade,
And Regan with him ; Have you nothing faid
Upon his party 'gainft the duke of Albany ?
Advise yourfelf.

EDO I am fure on't, not a word.

EDM. I hear my father coming,— Pardon me ;
In cunning, I mull draw my fvvord upon you :
Draw ; Seem to defend yourfelf: Now quit you well.
Yield ; come before my father ; _ Light, ho, here ! —

Fly, brother; torches, torches: [£*/'/ EDG.] fo, farewel.

Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion

35

Of my more fierce endeavour : I have feen drunkards
Do more than this "fin fport. _ C23f>!», father, father!
Stop, Hop f No help ?

Enter G L o s T E R, and Servants nuitb Torches.

GLO. Now, Edmund, where's the villain?

EDM. Here Hood he in the dark, his (harp fword out,
Mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the moon
To Hand his aufpicious millrefs : —

GLO. But where is he?

EDM. Look, fir, I bleed.

GLO. Where is the villain, Edmund? [could —

EDM. Fled this "f way, fir. When by no means he

GLO. Purfue him, ho ; go after — [Exit Servant.] By
no means what?

EDM. Perfuade me to the murder of your lordfhip;
But that I told him, the revenging gods
'Gainft parricides did all their thunders bend ;
Spoke, with how manifold and ftrong a bond
The child was bound to the father; — Sir, in fine,
Seeing how lothly opposite I flood
To his unnatural purpose, in fell motion,
With his prepared fword, he charges home
My unprovided body, lanc'd mine arm :
But when he faw my beft alarum'd fpirits,
Bold in the quarrel's right, rouz'd to the encounter;
Or whether 'galled by the noise I made, —
But fuddenly he fled.

GLO. Let him fly far;
Not in this land mall he remain uncaught ;
And, found, difpatch'd : The noble duke my mafter.
My worthy arch and patron, comes to-night :
By his authority I will proclaim it,

*3 hncht 30 aad foun(j . difpatch, the

36 King Lear.

That he, which finds him, fhall deserve our thanks,
Bringing the murderous coward to the ftake ;
He, that conceals him, death.

EDM. When I diffuaded him from his intent,
And found him pight to do it, with curfl fpeech
I threatened to difcover him : He reply 'd,
Thou unposiejjing bajlard, dofl thou think,
If 1 ivou/d ft and againft tbee, could the repoiure
Of any truft, 'virtue, or <worth, in tbee
Make thy vjords faith1 d? No: <vcbat 1 Jhould deny,
(As this I would; ay, though thou did/1 produce
My *very char after) 'would turn it all
To thy fuggejlion, plot, and damned praEiice :
And thou mujt make a dullard of the world,
Jf they not thought the profits of my death
Were 'very pregnant and potential fpurs
To make theejteek it.

GLO. Strong and faften'd villain ! [Trumpets 'within,
Would he deny his letter, faid he r— I never got him. —
Hark, the duke's trumpets ! 1 know not why he comes : —
All ports I'll bar ; the villain (hall not fcape ;
The duke muft grant me that: befides, his pi&ure
I will fend far and near, that all the kingdom
May have due note of him: and of my land,
Loyal and natural boy, I'll work the means
To make thee capable. [Flourijh.

Enter CORNWAL, REGAN, and Attendants.

COR. How now, my noble friend? fincel came hither,
(Which I can call but now) I have heard ilrange news.

REG. If it be true, all vengeance comes too fliort,
Which can purfue the offender. How does my lord ?

GLO. O, madam, my old heart is crack'd, is crack'd !

11 chara£«, idetirrne

King Lear. 37

REG. What, did my father's godfon feek your life?
He whom my father nam'd ? y oar Edgar ?

GLO. O, lady, lady, mame would have it hid!

R £ G . Was he not companion with the riotous knights
That tend upon my father?

GLO. I know not, madam:
It is too bad, too bad.

EDM. Yes, madam, he was.

REG. No marvel then, though he were ill affe&ed ;
'Tis they have put him on the old man's death,
To have the expence and wafte of his revenues.
J have this present evening from my fifter
Been well inform'd of them ; and with fuch cautions,
That, if they come to fojourn at my houfe,
I'll not be there.

Co*. Nor I, aflure thee, Regan.—
Edmund, I hear that you have fhewn your father
A child-like office.

EDM. 'Twas my duty, fir.

GLO. He did bewray his pra&ife ; and receiv'd
This hurt you fee, ttriving to apprehend him.

COR. Is he purfu'd ?

GLO. Ay, my good lord.

Cos. If he be taken, he {hall never more
Be fear'd of doing harm : make your own purpose
How in my ftrength you please — For you, Edmund,
Whose virtue and obedience doth this inftant
So much commend itfelf, you {hall be ours;
Natures of fuch deep truft we {hall much need ;
You we firit feize on.

EDM. I fhall ferve you, fir,
Truly, however elfe.

5 tends
VOL, IX. T

38 King Lea*.

Glo. For him I thank your grace.

COR. You know not why we came to visit you,-"

R E c . Thus out of feason ; threading dark-ey 'd night.
Occasions, noble Glofter, of fome price,
Wherein we muft have ufe of your advices :
Our father he hath writ, fo hath our fitter*
Of differences, which I beft thought it fit
To anfwer from our home ; the feveral mefiengers
From hence attend difpatch. Our good old friend,
Lay comforts to your bosom ; and beftow
Your needful counfel to our businefs,
Which craves the inflant ufe.

GLO. I ferve you, madam :
Your graces are right welcome. [Exeunt.

SCENE 1L Before the Caflle.
Enter KENT, and Steward, meeting.

Ste. Good even to thee, friend : Art of the houfe ;

KEN. Ay.

Ste. Where may we fet our horfes ?

KEN. r th' mire.

Ste. Pr'ythee, if thou love me, tell me.

KEN. I love thee not.

Ste. Why, then I care not for thee.

KEN . If 1 had thee in Lipjbury pinfold, I would make
thee care for me.

Ste. Why doft thou use me thus: I know thee not.

KEN. Fellow, I know thee.

Ste. What doft thou know me for?

KEN. A knave, a rafcal, an eater of broken meats; a
bafe, proud, mallow, beggarly, three-fuited, hundred-
pound, filthy worfted-ftocking knave ; a lilly-liver'd.

5 advice,

King Lear. 39

aftion taking knave; awhorfon glafs-gazing, fuper-fer-
viceable, finical rogue ; one-trunk-inheriting flave ; one
that would'ft be a bawd, in way of good fervice, and art
nothing but the composition of a knave, beggar, coward,
pandar, and the fon and heir of a mungrel bitch : one
whom I will beat into clamorous whining, if thou deny'ft
the leaft fyllable of thy addition.

Ste. Why, what a monftrous fellow art thou, thus to
rail on one, that is neither known of thee, nor knows thee ?

KEN. What a brazen-fac'd varlet art thou, to deny
thou knoweft me ? Is jt two days, fince I tript up thy
heels, and beat thee, before the king ? Draw, you rogue:
for, though it be night, the moon mines ; I'll make a fop
o'the moon-mine of you: Draw, you whorfon cullionly
barber-monger, draw.

Ste. Away ; I have nothing to do with thee.

A'EAT. Draw, you rafcal : you come with letters againft
the king ; and take vanity, the puppet's, part, again it the
royalty, her father : Draw, you rogue, or I'll fo carbo-
nado your (hanks : draw, you rafcal ; come your ways.

Ste. Help, ho ! murther ! help !

KF.N. Strike, you flave; ftand, rogue; (land, you neat
Have, ftrike.

Ste. Help, ho ! murther, murther !

Enter EDMUND, *witb his Sword drawn ;
CQRNWAL, REGAN, GLOSTER,
and Servants.

EDM. How now ? What's the matter ? Part.

KEN. With you, goodman boy, if you please; come,
I'll flefh you; come on, young matter.

GLO. Weapons! arms ! What's the matter here ?

(.OR. Keep peace, upon your lives;

"9 royalty of her

40 Kiug Lear.

He dies, that ftrikes again : What is the matter ?

REG. The meflengers from our fitter and the king.

COR. What is your difference ? fpeak.

Ste. I am fcarce in breath, my lord.

KEN. No marvel, you have fo beftir'd your valour*
You cowardly rafcal, nature difclaims in thee;
A tailor made thee.

COR. Thou art a ftrange fellow :
A tailor make a man ?

KEN. Ay, a tailor, fir: a ftone -cutter, or a painter,
could not have made him fo ill, though they had been
but two years o'the trade.

Co*. Speak yet, how grew your quarrel ?

Ste. This ancient ruffian, fir, whose life I have fpar'd
At fuit of his grey beard,—

KEN. Thou whorfon zed! thou unnecefiary letter !__
My lord, if you will give me leave, I will tread this un-
bolted villain into mortar, and daub the wall of a jakes
with him — Spare my grey beard, you wag-tail ?

COR. Peace, firr ah :
You beaftly knave, know you no reverence ?

KEN. Yes, fir; but anger has a priviledge.

COR. Why art thou angry ?

KEN. That fuch a flave as this mould wear a fword,
Who wears no honefty. Such fmiling rogues as these,
Like rats, oft bite the holy cords atwain
Which are too intrince to unloofe : footh every paffion
That in the nature of their lords rebels ;
Bring oil to fire, fnow to the colder moods :
Renege, affirm, and turn their halcyon beaks
With every gale and vary of their matters ;
80 knowing nought, like dogs, but following.

*7 fmooth *» natures— rebell

King Lear. 41

A plague upon your epileptick visage !
Smile you my fpeeches, as I were a fool ?
Goofe, if I had you upon Sarum plain,
I'd drive you cackling home to Cawe/ot.

Cox. What, art thou mad, old fellow ?

GLO. How fell you out? fay that.

KEN. No contraries hold more antipathy,
Than I and fuch a knave. [fault ?

COR. Why doft thou call him knave? What is his

KEN. His countenance likes me not. [hers.

COR. No more, perchance, does mine, nor his, nor

KEN. Sir, 'tis my occupation to be plain ;
I have feen better faces in my time,
Than ftands on any fhoulder that I fee
Before me at this inftant.

Cop. This is fome fellow,

Who, having been prais'd for bluntnefs, doth affeft
A faucy roughnefs ; and conftrains the garb,
Quite from his nature: He cannot flatter, he, —
An honed mind and plain,— he mull fpeak truth :
An they will take it, fo; if not, he's plain.
These kind of knaves I know, which in this plainneft
Harbour more craft, and more corrupter ends,
Than twenty filly ducking obfervants,
That ftretch their duties nicely.

KEU. Sir, in good faith, in fincere verity,
Under the allowance of your grand afpeft,
Whose influence, like the wreath of radiant fire
On flickering P bains' front, —

COR. What mean'ft by this ?

KEN. To go out of my dialed, which you difcom-
mend fo much. I know, fir, I am no flatterer : he that

4« King Lear.

beguil'd you, in a plain accent, was a plain knave; which,
for my part, I will not be, though I fhould win your dii-
pleasure to entreat me to it.

COR. What was the offence you gave him ?

Ste. I never gave him any :
It pleas'd the king his matter, very late,
To ftrike at me, upon his mifconftruction ;
When he, conjunct, and flattering his difpleasure,
Tript me behind ; being down, infulted, rail'd,
And put upon him fuch a deal of man,
That worthy'd him, got praises of the king
For him attempting who was felf-fubdu'd ;
And, in the flefhment of this dread exploit,
Drew on me here again.

KEN. None of these rogues, and cowards,
But Ajax is their fool.

Co*. Fetch forth the flocks. _

You ftubborn ancient knave, you unreverent braggart,
We'll teach you :

KEN. Sir, I am too old to learn :
Call not your flocks for me : I ferve the king ;
On whose employment I was fent to you :
You mall do fmall refpeft, mow too bold malice
Againfl the grace and perfon of my mafter,
Stocking his mefTenger.

Co*. Fetch forth the flocks :_
As I have life and honour, there fhall he fit 'till noon.

REG. 'Till noon! 'till night, my lord; and all night too.

KEN. Why, madam, if I were your father's dog,
You mould not use me fo.

REG. Sir, being his knave, I will, f Stocks Iroitgbt out.

COR. This is a fellow of the felf-fame colour

King Lear. 43

Our fitter fpeaks of :_ Come, bring away the ftocks.

GLO. Let me befeech your grace not to do fo :
His fault is much, and the good king his matter
Will check him for't : your purpos'd low correction
Is fuch, as bafeft and contemned'ft wretches,
For pilferings and moft common trefpafles,
Are punim'd with : the king mutt take it ill,
That he's fo flightly valu'd in his meffenger,
Should have him thus reftrain'd.

Co*. I'll anfwer that.

REG. My fitter may receive it much more worfe,
To have her gentleman abus'd, aflaulted,
For following her affairs. — Put in his legs._
Come, my lord ; away.

[Exeunt COR. REG. EDM. Ste. and Ser.

GLO. I am forry for thee, friend; 'tis the duke's plea-
sure,

Whose difposition, all the world well knows,
Will not be rub'd, nor ttopt : I'll entreat for thee. [hard ;

KEN. Pray, do not, fir : I have watch'd, and travel'd
Some time I (hall fleep out, the reft I'll whittle.
A good man's fortune may grow out at heels :
Give you good morrow !

Gzo. The duke's to blame in this; 'twill be ill taken.
[Exit GLOSTER.

KEN. Good king, that muft approve the common faw?
Thou out of heaven's benedi&ion com'tt
To the warm fun.

Approach, thou beacon to this under globe,
That by thy comfortable beams I may
Peruse this ~j~ letter : — Nothing almoft fees miracles,
]Bpt misery : — I know, 'tis from Cordelia ;

5 and temneft

T4

44 King Lear.

Who hath moft fortunately been inform'd
Of my obfcured courfe ; and mail find time
From this enormous ftate, feeking to give
Lofles their remedies. All weary and o'er-watch'd,
Take vantage, heavy eyes, not to behold
This fhameful lodging.

Fortune, good night; fmileonce more, turn thy wheel !
Enter EDGAR, at a Diftance.

EDG. I heard myfelf proclaim'd;
And, by the happy hollow of a tree,
Efcap'd the hunt. No port is free; no place,
That guard, and moft unusual vigilance,
Does not attend my taking. While I may 'fcape,
I will preserve myfelf: and am bethought
To take the bafeft and mcft pooreit fhape
That ever penury, in contempt of man,
Brought near to beaft : my face I'll grime with filth ;
Blanket my loins ; elf all my hair with knots ;
And with presented nakednefs out-face
The winds, and perfections of the fky.
The country gives me proof and precedent
Of Bedlam beggars, who, with roaring voices,
Strike in their numb'd and mortify'd bare arms
Pins, 'wooden pricks, naila, fprigs of rosemary ;
And with this horrible objeft, from low farms,
Poor pelting villages, meep-cotes, and mills,
Sometime with lunatick bans, fometime with prayers,
Enforce their charity : — Poor Turlygood! poor fom ! —
That's fomething yet ; Edgar I nothing am. [Exit.
Enter LEAR, Fool, and Gentleman.

LEJ. 'Tis ftrange, that they fhould fo depart from
home,

King Lear. 45

And not fend back my meffenger.

Gen. As I learn'd,

The night before there was no purpose in them
Of this remove.

KEN. Hail to thee, noble mafter!

LEA. Ha ! Mak'ft thou this fhame thy paftime ?

KEN. No, my lord.

Foo. Ha, ha; look, he wears crewel garters ! Horfes
are ty'd by the heads ; dogs, and bears, by the neck ;
monkics by the loins, and men by the legs: when a man
is over-lufty at legs, then he xvears wooden nether flocks.

L EA. What's he, that hath fo much thy place miftook
To fet thee here ?

KEN. It is both he and (he,
Your fon and daughter.

LEA. No.

KEN. Yes.

LEA. No, I fay.

KEN. But I fay, yea.

LEA. By Jupiter, I fwear, no,

KEN. By Juno, I fwear, ay.

LEA. They durft not do't ;

They could not, would not do't ; 'tis worfe than murder,
To do upon refpecl fuch violent outrage :
Resolve me, with all modeft hafte, which way
Thou might'ft deserve, or they impose, this usage,
Coming from us.

KEN. My lord, when at their home
I did commend your highnefs' letters to them,
Ere I was risen from the place that fhew'd
My duty kneeling, came there a reeking poft,
Stew'd in his hafte, half breathlefs, panting forth,

4 6 King Lear.'

From Goneril his miftrefs, falutation ;
Deliver'd letters, fpight of intermifiion,
Which presently they read : on whose contents,
They fummon'd up their meiny, ftraight took horfe;
Commanded me to follow, and attend
The leisure of their anfwer ; gave me cold looks :
And meeting here the other meflenger,
Whose welcome, I perceiv'd, had poison'd mine,
(Being the very fellow that of late
Difplay'd fo fawcily againft your highnefs)
Having more man than wit about me, 3f drew ;
He rais'd the houfe with loud and coward cries :
Your fon and daughter found this trefpafs worth
The ftiame which here it fuffers. [way.

Foo. Winter's not gone yet, if the wild geefe fly that
Fathers, that wear rags,

Do make their children blind ;
But fathers, that bear bags,

Shall fee their children kind.
Fortune, that arrant whore,

Ne'er turns the key to the poor

But, for all this, thou (halt have as many dolors from thy
dear daughters, as thou can'ft tell in a year.

LEA. O, how this mother fwells up toward my heart .'
Hyfterica pajjio ! down, thou climbing forrow,

Thy element's below ! Where is this daughter?

Kt.it, With the earl, fir, here within.

LEA. Follow me not, ftay here. [Exit.

Gen. Made you no more offence than what you fpeak

of?

/Tuy. None.
How chance the king comes with fo fmall a train I

** for thy »5 Uijlortfa

King Lear. 47

foo. An thou had'ft been fet i'the flocks for that
queftion, thou had'ft well deserv'd it.
KEH. Why, fool ?

Foo. We'll fet thee to fchool to an ant, to teach thee
there's no labouring in the winter. All that follow their
roses are led by their eyes, but blind men; and there's
not a nose among twenty, but can fmell him. that's
linking. Let go thy hold, when a great wheel runs
down a hill, left it break thy neck with following it ;
but the great one that goes upward, let him draw thee
after. When a wise man gives thee better counfel, give
me mine again : I would have none but knaves follow
it, fince a fool gives it.

That fir, that fcrves for gain,

And follows but for form,

Will pack, when it 'gins rain,

And leave thee in the ftorm.

But I will tarry, the fool will ftay,

And let the wise man fly :
The fool turns knave, that runs away;

The fool no knave, perdy.
KEN. Where learn'd you this, fool ?
Foo. Not i'the ftocks, fool.

Re-enter LEAR, tuitb GLOSTER..
LEA. Deny to fpeak with me? They are fick, they are

weary,

They have travel'd hard to night? Meer fetches;
The images of revolt and flying off!
Fetch me a better anfwer.

GLO. My dear lord,
You know the fiery quality of the duke;
How unremoveable and fixt he is

16 begins to rainc *° knave turnes foole

48 King Lear.

In his own courfe.

LEA. Vengeance, plague, death, confusion!
Fiery ? what quality r Why, Glo/ler, Glojier,
I'd (peak with the duke ofCornwa!, and his wife.

GLO. Well, my good lord, I have inform'd them fo.

L EA. Inform'd them ! Doft thou underftand me, man ?

GLO. Ay, my good lord. [father

LEA. The king would fpeak with Corn<wal\ the dear
Would with his daughter fpeak, commands her fervice:

Are they inform'd of this r My breath and blood !

Fiery r the fiery duke r Tell the hot duke, that —

No, but not. yet; may be, he is not well:

Infirmity doth {till neglect all office

Whereto cur health is bound ; we are not ourfelves,

When nature, being oppreft, commands the mind

To fuffer with the body : I'll forbear;

And am fallen out with my more headier will,

To take the indifpos'd and fickly fit

For the found man. Death on my Itate! wherefore

Should he fit here ? This aft perfuades me,

That this remotion of the duke and her

Is practice only. Give me my fervant forth :

Go, tell the duke and his wife, I'd fpeak with them,

Now, presently ; bid them come forth and hear me,

Or at their chamber door I'll beat the drum,

'Till it cry, Sleep to death.

GLO. I'd have all well betwixt you. [Exit.

LEA. O me, my heart! my rising heart '.—but, down.

Foo. Cry to it, nuncle, as the cockney did to the
eels, when fhe put 'em i'the pafte alive ; me knapt 'em
o'th' coxcombs with a ftick, and cry'd, Down, wantons,
: 'Twas her brother, that, in pure kindnefs to his

King Lear. 49

horfe, butter'd his hay.

Re-enter GLOSTER, with CORNWAL, REGAN,
and Servants.

LEA. Good morrow to you both.

COR. Hail to your grace. [Kent isfet at Liberty.

REG. I am glad to fee your highnels.

LEA. Regan, I think you are ; I know what reason
I have to think fo : if thou fhould'ft not be glad,
I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb,
Sepulch'ring an adult'refs._O, are you free?
Some other time for that — Beloved Regan,
Thy filter's naught : O Regan, fhe hath ty'd
Sharp-tooth'd unkindnefs, like a vulture, "["'here, —
t can fcarce fpeak to thee ; thou'It not believe,
Of how deprav'd a quality — O Regan!

REG. I pray you, fir, take patience; I have hope,
You lefs know how to value her desert,
Than fhe to fcant her duty.

LEA. How is that ?

REG. I cannot think, my fitter in the lead
Would fail her obligation : If, fir, perchance,
She have reftrain'd the riots of your followers,
'Tis on fuch ground, and to fuch wholefome end,
As clears her from all blame.

LEA. My curfes on her !

REG. O, fir, you are old;
Nature in you (lands on the very verge
Of her confine : you monld be rul'd, and led
Ey fome difcretion, that discerns your ftate
Better than you yourfelf : Therefore, I pray you
That to our fifcer you do make return ;
Say, you have wrong'd her, fir.

50 King Lear.

LEA. A fit her forgivenefs ?
Do you but mark how this becomes the houfe :
Dear daughter, I confefs that I am old ;
dge is unneCeffary : e,n my knees 1 beg,
That you'll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food.

REG. Good fir, no more; these are unfightly tricks:
Return you to my lifter.
LEA. Never, Regan :
She hath abated me of half my train ;
Look'd black upon me ; ftrook me with her tongue,
Moll ferpent-like, upon the very heart :
All the ftor'd vengeances of heaven fall
On her ingrateful top ! Strike her young bones,
You taking airs, with lamenefs !

Co*. Fie, fir, fie. [mes

LEA- You nimble lightnings, dart your blinding fla~
Into her fcornful eyes! Infect her beauty,
You fen-fuck'd fogs, drawn by the powerful fun,
O, fall, and blaft her pride !

REG. O the bleft gods!
So will you wifh on me, when the rafh mood is on.

LEA. No, Regan, thou Ihalt never have my cuife;
Thy tender-hefted nature fhall not give
Thee o'er to harfhnefs ; her eyes are fierce, but thine
Do comfort, and not burn : 'Tis not in thee
To grudge my pleasures, to cut oft" my train,
To bandy hafty words, to fcant my fcizes,
And, in conclusion, to oppose the bolt
Againft my coming in : thou better know'ft
The offices of nature, bond of childhood,
Effects of courtefy, dues of gratitude j
Thy half o'the kingdom haft thou not forgot,

'» To fall

King Leaf. 51

Wherein I thee endow'd.

REG. Good fir, to the purpose. [Trumpet laitkin.

LEA. Who put my man i'the (locks ?

COR. What trumpet's that?

Enter Steward.

REG. I know't, my filler's: this approves her letter,
That me would foon be here._'s your lady come ?

LEA. This is a flave, whose easy-borrow'd pride
Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows : _
Out, varlet, from my fight.

Con. What means your grace ?

Enter Go N E R i L . [hope

LEA. Who flock'd my fervant? Regan, I have good
Thou did'ft not know on't._Who comes here? Ohea-
If you do love old men, if your fweet fway [vens,

Allow obedience, if yourfelves are old,

Make it your cause ; fend down, and take my part ?

Art not afham'd to look upon this beard ?

O, Regan, wilt thou take her by the hand ? [ded ?

GON. Why not by the hand, fir? How have I offen-
All's not offence, that indifcretion finds,
And dotage terms fo.

LEA. O, fides, you are too tough!
Will you yet hold ?_How came my man i'the flocks ?

Co*. I fet him there, fir: but his own disorders
Deserv'd much lefs advancement.

LEA. You? did you?

REG. I pray you, father, being weak, feem fo.
If, 'till the expiration of your month,
You will return and fojourn with my fitter,
Difmifling half your train, come then to me;
I am now from home, and out of that provision

52 King Lear.

Which (hall be needful for your entertainment.

LEA. Return to her, and fifty men difmiff'd.
No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose
To wage againft the enmity of the air ;
To be a comrade with the wolf and owl,
Necefhty's fharp pinch ; — Return with her?
Why, the hot-blooded France, that dowerlefs took
Our youngeft born, I could as well be brought
To knee his throne, and, fquire-like, penfion beg
To keep bafe life a-foot; — Return with her?
Perfuade me rather to be flave and fumpter
To this ~J~ detefted groom.

GON. At your choice, fir.

LEA. I pr'ythee, daughter, do not make me mad ;
I wiil not trouble thee, my child ; farewel :
We'll no more meet, no more fee one another : —
But yet thou art my fiem, my blood, my daughter ;
Or, rather, a disease that's in my flelh,
Which I muft needs call mine : thou art a bile,
A plague-fore, an embofied carbuncle,
In my corrupted blood. But I'll not chide thee ;
Let (name come when it will, I do not call it :
I do not bid the thunder-bearer irioot,
Nor tell tales of thee to high-judging Jo<ve :
Mend, when thou can'ft; be better, at thy leisure :
I can be patient; I can flay with Regan,
I, and my hundred knights.

REG. Not altogether fo, fir;
I look'd not for you yet, nor am provided
For your fit welcome : Give ear, fir, to my fifter ;
For those that mingle reason with your paffion,
Muft be content to think vou old, and fo —

King Lear. 5 3

But fhe knows what (he does,

LEA. Is this well fpoken?

REG. I dare avouch it, fir: What, fifty followers?
Is it not well? What fhould you need of more?
Yea, or fo many r fith that both charge and danger
Speak 'gainft fo great a number ? How, in one houfe,
Should many'people, under two commands,
Hold amity? 'Tis hard ; almoft impoflible. [ance

. GON. Why might not you, my lord, receive attend-
From those that (he calls fervants, or from mine ? [you,

RZG. Why not, my lord? If then they chanc'd to Hack
We could controul them : If you will come to me,
(For now I fpy a danger) I intreat you
To bring but five and twenty ; to no more
Will I give place, or notice.

L,EA. \ gave you all;

REG. And in good time you gave it.

ISA. Made you my guardians, my depositaries ;
But kept a reservation to be follow'd
With fuch a number: What, muft I come to you
With five and twenty, Regan? faid you fo ?

REG. And fpeak it again, my lord ; no more with me.

LEA. Those wicked creatures yet do look well-fa-
. • vour'd.

When others are more wicked, not being the worft
8tands in fome rank of praise: — I'll go with thee;
Thy fifty yet doth double five and twenty,
And thou art twice her love.

GOAT. Hear me, my lord ;
What need you five and twenty, ten, or five,
To follow in a houfe, where twice fo many
Have a command to tend you ?

VOL. IX U

54 &ȣ Lear.

REG. What need one?

LEA. O, reason not the need : our bafeft beggarf
Are in the pooreft thing fuperfluous :
Allow not nature more than nature needs,
Man's life is cheap as heart's : thou art a lady ;
If only to go warm were gorgeous,
Why, nature needs not what thou gorgeous wear'ft,
Which fcarcely keeps thee warm. _ But, for true need,
You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need !
You fee me here, you gods, a poor old man,
As full of grief as age ; wretched in both ;
If it be you that ftir these daughters' hearts
Againft their father, fool me not fo much
To bear it tamely ; touch me with noble anger !
O, let not women's'weapons, water-drops,
Stain my man's cheeks !_No, you unnatural hags,
I will have fuch revenges on you both,
That all the world (hall,— I will do fuch things,—
What they are, yet I know not ; but they fliall be
The terrors of the earth. You think, I'll weep :
No, I'll not weep ; I have full cause of weeping ;
But This heart mail break into a thousand flaws,
Or ere Til weep :_O, fool, I fhall go mad. '

[Exeunt LEAR, GLOSTER, KENT, Gentleman,
and Fool. Storm beard at a Dijlance.

COR. Let us withdraw, 'twill be a ftorm.

REG. This houfe

Is little ; the old man and his people cannot
Be well beftow'd.

GON. 'Tis his own blame ; f>e hath put
Himfelf from reft, and muft needs tafte his folly.

REG. For his particular,. I'll receive him gladly,

•* ftirres

King Lear. $;

But not one follower.

GON . So am I purpos'd.
Where is my lord of Glojler ?

Re-enter GLOSTER.

COR. Follow'd the old man forth : — he is return'd.

GLO. The king is in high rage.

COR. Whither is he going ?
. GLO. He calls to horfe ; but will I know not whither.

COR. 'Tis belt to give him way ; he leads himfelf.

GON. My lord, entreat him by no means to ftay.

GLO. Alack, the night comes on, and the high winds
Do forely ruftle ; for many miles about
There's fcarce a bufti.

REG. O, fir, to wilful men,
The injuries, that they themfelves procure,
Muft be their fchoolmaflers : Shut up your doors ;
He is attended with a defperate train ;
And what they may incenfe him to, being apt
To have his ear abus'd, wisdom bids fear.

COR. Shut up your doors, my lord; 'tis a wild night;
My .Regan counfels well : come out o'the ftorm. \Exevnt.

in.

SCENE I. A Heath.
A Storm, with Thunder and Lightning.
Enter KENT, and Gentleman, meeting.

KEN. What's here, befide foul weather?

Gen. One minded like the weather, moft unquietly.

KEN. I know you; Where's the kingj?

Gen. Contending with the fretful element :

U t

56 King Leaf.

Bids the wind blow the earth into the fea,

Or fwell the curled waters 'bove the main,

That things might change, or ceafe : tears his white hair;

Which the impetuous blafts, with eyelefs rage,

Catch in their fury, and make nothing of:

Strives in his little world of man to out-fcorn

The to-and -fro-con flitting wind and rain.

This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch,

The lion and the belly-pinched wolf

Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs,

And bids what will take all.

KEN. But who is with him ?

Gen. None but the fool ; who labours to out-jeft
His heart-flrook injuries.

KEN. Sir, I do know you ;
And dare, upon the warrant of my art,
Commend a dear thing to you. There is division,
Although as yet the face of it is cover'd
With mutual cunning, 't\v\\t Albany and Carnival :
Who have (as who have not, that their great ftars
Throne and fet high ?) fervants, who feem no lefs f
Which are to France the fpies and fpeculations
Intelligent of our ftate : what hath been feen,
Either in fnuffs and packings of the dukes ;
Or the hard rein which both of them have born
Againft the old kind king ; or fomething deeper,
Whereof, perchance, these are but furniihingj; —
But, true it is, from France there comes a power
Into this fcatter'd kingdom ; who already,
Wise in our negligence, have fecret foot
In fome of our beft ports, and are at point
To fhew their open banner. Now to you :

*' Thron'd 3° feet

King Lear." 57

If on my credit you dare build fo far

To make your fpeed to Dover, you (hall find

Some that will thank you, making juft report

Of how unnatural and bemadding forrow

The king hath cause to plain. I am a gentleman,

Of blood and breeding ; and, from fome knowledge and

Aflurance of pou, offer this office to you.

Gen. I will talk further with you.

KEN. No, do not.

For confirmation that I am much more
Than my out wall, open this ^ purfe, and take
What it contains : If you (hall fee Cordelia,
(As fear not but you (hall) (hew her this ~[~ ring ;
And (he will tell you who your fellow is
That yet you do not know. Fie on this ftorm !
I will go feek the king.

Gen. Give me your hand.
Have you no more to fay ?

KEN. Few words, but, to effeft, more than all yet ;
T*hat, when we have found the king, (in which, your pain
That~f~ way ; I'll ~f~ this) he that firft lights on him,
Holla the other. [Exeunt federally*

SCENE II. Another Part of the Heath. Storm ftill

Enter LEAR, and Fool .

L'E.A. Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks ! rage ! blow !
You catara&s, and hurricanoes, fpout
Till you have drench'd our fteeples, drown'd the cocks !
You fulphurous and thought-executing fires,
Vant-couiiers of oak-cleaving thunder-bolts,
Singp my white head ! And thou all-lhaking thunder,
Strike flat the thick rotundity of the world!

5$ A.V//^ Lear.

Crack nature's molds ; all germens fpill at once,
That make ingrateful man !

Foo. O nuncle, court holy- water in a dry houfe is
better than this rain-water out o'door. Good nuncle, in ;
afk thy daughters bleffing; here's a night pitties neither
wise men nor fools.

ISA. Rumble thy belly full! Spit, fire ! Spout, rain !
Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire, are my daughters :
I tax not you, you elements, with unkindnefs,
I never gave you kingdom, call'd you children,
You owe me no fubfcription ; then let fall
Your horrible pleasure ; here I ftand, your flave,
A poor, infirm, weak, and defpis'd old man : —
But yet I call you fervile minifters,
That will with two pernicious daughters join
Your high-engender'd battles, 'gainlt a head
So old and white as ~\ this. O, o, 'tis foul !

Foo. He that has a houfe to put's head in, has a good
head-piece. [j^ngs>

The coa-piece, that luill house,

before the head as any :
the head and he jhall louse ; —

fo beggars marry many.
Ibe man that makes his toe

ivhat he his heart Jhould make,
Jhatl of a corn cry, laoe,

and turn hiijleep to <wake.

— for there was never yet fair woman but fhe made
mouths in a glafs.

Enter KENT.

LEA. No, I will be the pattern of all patience,
I will fay nothing.

JErVr/Lear. $9

Ken. Who's there?

Foo. Marry, here's grace, and a cod-piece ; that's,
a wise man, and a fool.

KEN. Alas, fir, are you here? things that love night,
Love not fuch nights as these ; the wrathful flcies
Gallow the very wanderers of the dark,
And make them keep their caves : Since I was man,
Such fheets of fire, fuch burfts of horrid thunder,
Such groans of roaring wind and rain, I never
Remember to have heard : man's nature cannot carry
The affliction, nor the fear.

LEJ. Let the great gods,

That keep this dreadful thund'ring o'er our heads,
Find out their enemies now. Tremble, thou wretch,
That haft within thee undivulged crimes,
Unwhipt of juftice : Hide thee, thou bloody hand ;
Thou perjur'd, and thou fimular man of virtue
That art inceftuous : Caitiff, to pieces (hake,
That under covert and convenient feeming
Haft praclif'd on man's life: Clofe-pent-up guilts,
Rive your concealing continents, and cry
These dreadful fummoners grace. I am a man,
More fin'd againft, than finning.

KEN. Alack, bare-headed !
Gracious my lord, hard by here is a hovel ;
Some friendlhip will it lend you 'gainft the tempeft ;
Repose you there : while I to this hard houfe
(More hard than is the ftone whereof 'tis rais'd ;
Which even but now, demanding after you,
Deny'd me to come in) return, and force
Their fcanted courtefy.

L E.SI, My wits begin to turn.-.

60 King Leaf.

Come on, my boy : How doft, my boy ? Art cold ?
I am cold myfelf._Where is this ftraw, my fellow ?
The art of our neceffities is ftrange,
That can make vile things precious. Come, your hovel-
Poor fool and knave, I have one part in my heart
That's forry yet for thee.

Foo. He that has a little tiny ivit, — \.fin£s"

ivith hey, ho, the nuind and the rain —
mujt make content <vaith bis fortunes Jit ;

for the rain it raineth every day.
LZA. True, my good boy. —Come, bring us to this
hovel. [Exeunt LEAR, ««^KENT.

Foo. This is a brave night to cool a courtezan.
I'll fpeak a prophecy ere I go :

When priefts are more in word than matter ;

When brewers mar their malt with water ;

When nobles are their tailors' tutors ;

No hereticks burn'd, but wenches' fuitors :

When every cafe in law is right ;

No fquire in debt, nor no poor knight ;

When (landers do not live in tongues ;

Nor cut-purfes come not to throngs ;

When usurers tell their gold i'the field ;

And bawds, and whores, do churches build;—

Then fhall the realm of Albion

Come to great confusion : —

Then comes the time, who lives to fee't,

That going fhall be us'd with feet.

This prophecy Merlin fhall make;
For I tJO live before his time. [Exit.

SCENE III. A Room in GlofterV Cafllt, .

King Lear. 61

Eater GLOSTER, and EDMUND.

Gio. Alack, alack, Edmund, I like not this unnatural
dealing: When I desired their leave that I might pity
him, they took from me the ufe of mine own houfe ;
charged me, on pain of perpetual difpleasure, neither
to fpeak of him, intreat for him, nor any way fuftain
him.

EDM. Moft favage, and unnatural !

Gzo. Go to; fay you nothing: There is division be-
tween the dukes ; and a worfc matter than that : I have
received a letter this night ; 'tis dangerous to be fpoken ;
I have lock'd the letter in my closet: these injuries the
king now bears will be revenged home ; there is part
of a power already footed : we muft incline to the king;
I will feek him, and privily relieve him : go you, and
maintain talk with the duke, that my charity be not of
him perceived ; if he aflc for me, I am ill, and gone to
bed : if I dye for it, as no lefs is threaten'd me, the king
my old mafter muft be relieved. There is fome ftrange
thing toward Edmund; pray you, be careful. [Exit.

EDM. This courtefy, forbid thee, fhall the duke
Jnftantly know ; and of that letter too : —
This feems a fair deserving, and muft draw me
That which my father loses ; no lefs than all :
The younger rises, when the old doth fall. [Exit.

SCEbtE IV. Another Part of the Heathy
a Hovel upon it . Storm ft ill. Enter KENT,

LEAR, a nd Fool.

KEN. Here is the place, my lord ; good my lord, enter:
The tyranny of the open night's too rough
For nature to endure.

6d &ng Lear.

LEA, Let me alone.

KEK. Good my lord, enter here.

LEJ. Wilt break my heart ?

KEN, I had rather break mine own : Good my lord,
enter. [ftorm

LF.J, Thou think'ft 'tis much, that this contentious
Invades us to the {kin : fo 'tis to thee ;
But where the greater malady is fixt,
The letter is fcarce felt. Thou'dft fhun a bear;
But if thy flight lay toward the raging fea, [free,

Thou'dft meet the bear i'the mouth. When the mind's
The body's delicate : the tempeit in my mind
Doth from my fenfes take all feeling elfe,
Save what beats there. —Filial ingratitude !
Is it not as this mouth mould tear this hand,
For lifting food to't ? — But I will punifh home : ~
No, I will weep no more. — In fuch a night
To Ihut me out! — Pour on ; I will endure : —
In fuch a night as this ! O Regan, Goneril,
Your old kind father, whose frank heart gave all,—
O, that way madnefs lies; let me Ihun that;
No more of that,

KEN. Good my lord, enter here.

LEA. Pr'ythee, go in thyfelf ; feek thine own ease;
This tempeft will not give me leave to ponder
On things would hurt me more. But I'll go in : —
Jn, boy ; go firft._You houselefs poverty, _ [fleep —
Nay, get thee in. [Exit Fool.] I'll pray, and then I'll
Poor naked wretches, wherefoe'er you are,
That 'bide the pelting of this pitilefs ftorm,
How (hall your houselefs heads, and unfed fides,
Your loop'd and window'd raggednefs, defend you

. King Lear. €3

from feasons fuch as these ? O, I have ta'en

Too little care of this ! Take physick, pomp ;

Expose thyfelf to feel what wretches feel ;

That thou may'ft (hake the fuperflux to them,

And (hew the heavens more juft. [Poor Tom!

E DG. [within.] Fathom and half, fathom and half:
Fool runs out from the Ho*vel.

Foo. Come not in here, nuncle, here's a fpirit ; help
me, help me !

KEN. Give me thy hand. — Who's there ?

Foo. A fpirit, a fpirit ; he fays, his name's poor Tom.

KEN. What art thou that doll grumble there i'the
Come forth. [ftraw ?

Enter EDGAR, difguisd like a Madman.

EDO. Away ! the foul fiend follows me ! —

Through the (harp hauthorn blows the cold wind.~"
Humph ! go to thy cold bed, and warm thee.

LEA. Did'ft thou give all to thy daughters ? And art
thou come to this ?

EDO. Who gives any thing to poor Tom ? whom the
foul fiend hath led through fire and through flame,
through ford and whirl-pool, over bog and quag-mire;
that hath lay'd knives under his pillow, and halters in,
his pue ; fet rats-bane by his porridge ; made him
proud of heart, to ride on a bay trotting horfe over
four-inch'd bridges, to courfe his own (hadow for a
traitor : — Blefs thy five wits ! Tom's a cold : O, do, de, de,
do, do, do : Blefs thee from whirl-winds, ftar-blafting,
and taking! Do poor Tom fome charity, whom the foul
fiend vexes : There could I have him now, and there,
and there again, and there. [pafs?_

What, have his daughters brought him to this

64

ve them all

Could'ft thou fave nothing ? Did'ft thou give

Foo. Nay, he reserv'd a blanket, elfe we had been
all {named.

LEA, Now, all the plagues, that in the pendulous air
Hang fated o'er men's faults, light on thy daughters !

KEN. He hath no daughters, ftr.

LEA. Death, traitor! nothing could have fubdu'd na-

^ ture

To tuch a lownefs, but his unkind daughters.—.
Is it the famion, that difcarded fathers
Should have thus little mercy on their flefh ?
Judicious punimment ! 'twas this flefh begot
Those pelican daughters.

EDO. Pilicock fat on Pilicock hill ; — Haloo, loo, loo.

Foo. This cold night will turn us all to fools and
madmen.

EDO. Take heed of the foul fiend : Obey thy parents;
keep thy word juftly ; fwear not; commit not with man's
fworn fpouse; let not thy fweet heart on proud array :~~
Tow's a-cold.

LEA. What haft thou been ?

EDG. A ferving-man, proud in heart and mind ;
that curl'd my hair, wore gloves in my cap, ferv'd
the luft of my miftrefs's heart, and did the aft of dark-
nefs with her : fwore as many oaths as I fpake words,
and broke them in the fweet face of heaven : one, that
flept on the contriving of luft, and wak'd to do it :
Wine lov'd I deeply ; dice dearly ; and in woman, out-
paramour'd the 'Turk : Falfe of heart, light of ear, bloo-
dy of hand ; Hog in floth, fox in ftealth, wolf in gree-
dinefs, dog in madnefs, lion in prey. Let not the crea-
king of fhoes, nor the ruftling of filks, betray thy poor

*? flept in the

65

heart to woman : Keep thy foot out of brothels, thy
hand out of plackets, thy pen from lenders' books, and
defy the foul fiend. _ Still through the hauthorn blows
the cold wind. — Ha! »*»»/'; dolphin, my boy, my boy,
Jefie\ let him trot by.

LEA. Thou wert better in thy grave, than to anfwer
with thy uncover'd body this extremity of the flties. __
Is man no more than this ? Confider him well : Thou
ow'ft the worm no filk, the beaft no hide, the ftieep
no wool, the cat no perfume : _ Ha ! here's three on's
are fophifticated ! _ Thou art the thing itfelf: unac-
commodated man is no more but fuch a poor, bare,

forked animal as thou art Off, off, you lendings ; —

come, unbutton here, [tearing off" bis Cloaths ; Kent and

the Fooljlri've to hinder him.
Foo. Pr'ythee, nuncle, be contented ; 'tis a naughty

night to fwim in. Now a little fire in a wild field

were like an old letcher's heart ; a fmall fpark, all the

reft of 's body cold Look, here comes a walking fire.

Enter G L o s T E R , with a Torch.

EDO. This is the foul fiend Fliberdegibbet: he begins
at curfeu, and walks 'till the firft cock ; he gives the
web and the pin, fquints the eye, and makes the hare-
lip; mildews the white wheat, and hurts the poor crea-
ture of earth.

St Withcli footed thrice the wold ;
He met the night-mare, and her nine-fold ;
Bid her alight,
And her troth plight,
And, Aroint thee, witch, aroint thee!
Kvy. How fares your grace ?
LEA. What's he?

* v. Note. *6 Sw'tMJ— the old

66 King Lear*

KEN. Who's there ? What is't you feek t

GLO. What are you there ? Your names ?

EDO. Poor 7om ; that eats the fwimming frog, the
toad, the tad- pole, the wall-newt, and the \vater-netot;
that in the fury of his heart, when the foul fiend rages,
cats cow-dung for fallets, fwallows the old rat and the
ditch-dog, drinks the green mantle of the ftanding
pool ; who is whipt from tything to tything, and ftock-
punifh'd, and imprison'd ; who hath had three fuits to
his back, fix ftiirts to his body, horfe to ride, and wea-
pon to wear, —

But mice, and rats, and fuch fmall deer,

Have been Tom's food for feven long year.
Beware my follower : Peace, Smclkin ; peace, thou fiend.

GLO. What, hath your grace no better company ?

EDO. The prince of darknefs is a gentleman ;
MoJo he's call'd, and Mahu.

GLO. Our flem and blood, my lord, is grown fo vile,
That it doth hate what gets it.

EDO. Poor Tom's a- cold.

GLO. Go in with me; my duty cannot fuffer
To obey in all your daughters' hard commands:
Though their injunction be to bar my doors,
And let this tyrannous night take hold upon you ;
Yet have I ventur'd to come feek you out,
And bring you where both fire and food is ready.
- LEA. Firft let me talk with this philofopher : —
What is the cause of thunder ?

KEN. Good my lord, take his offer;
Go into the houfe.

L EA. I'll talka word with this fame learned Thelan:^
What is your lludy ?

King Lear. Gj

~ EDO. How to prevent the fiend, and to kill vermine.

LEA. Let me alk you one word in private.

KEN. Importune him once more to go, my lord,
His wits begin to unfettle.

GLO. Can'ft thou blame him ?

His daughters feek his death : —Ah, that good Kent!
He faid, it would be thus : Poor banim'd man ! —
Thou fay'ft, the king grows mad ; I'll tell thee, friend,
I am almoft mad myfelf : [ had a fon,
Now out-law'd from my blood, he fought my life,
But lately, very late ; I lov'd him, friend, —
No father his ion dearer : true to tell thee,
The grief hath craz'd my wits. What a night's this ? — .
I do befeech your grace, —

LEA. O, cry you mercy :—.
Noble philofopher, your company.

EDO. Tom's a-cold.

GLO. In, fellow, there, to the hovel ; keep thee warm.

LEA. Come, let's in all.

KEN. This way, my lord.

LEA. With him ;
I will keep ftill with my philofopher. [low.

KEN. Good my lord, footh him ;,let him take the fel-

GLO. Take him you on.

KEN. On, firrah ; go with us.

LEA. Come, good Athenian.

GLO. No words, no words ; hufh.

EDG. Child Rowland to the dark tower come,

His word was ftill, — F!e,fo, and f urn,

JJmell the blood of a Britiih man. [Exeunt,

'• there, into th' l* Sim, come on, go along wilh

68 King Lear.

SCENE V. A Room in GlofterV CaftU.
Enter Co R N \v A L , and E D M UNO.

COR. I will have my revenge, ere 1 depart his houfe.
,£DM. How, my lord, I .may be cenfur'd, that nature
thus gives way to loyalty, fomething fears me to think
of.

„ COR . I now perceive, it was not altogether your bro-
ther's evil difposition made him feck his death ; but a
provoking merit, fet a'work by a reproveable badnefs
in himfelf.

EDM. How malicious is my fortune, that I muft re-
repent to be juft ! This'j" is the letter he fpoke of, which
approves him an intelligent party to the advantages of
France. O heavens ! that this treason were not, or not I
the deteclor!

Co*. Go with me to the dutchefs.

EDM. Jf the matter of this paper be certain, you have
mighty businefs in hand.

Co R. True, or falfe, it hath made thee earl of Glof-
ter. Seek out where thy father is, that he may be ready
for our apprehenfion.

EDM. " If I find him comforting the king, it will "
"fluff his fufpicion more fully." _ I will perfevere in
my courfe of loyalty, though the conflict be fore be-
tween that and my blood.

COR. I will lay truft upon thee; and thou fhalt find
a dearer father in my love. [Exeunt.

SCENE VI A Room in fame

of tie out- buildings of the Co/tie. Enter GLOSTER,LEAR,
KENT, Fool, and EDGAR.

King Lear. 69

GLO. Here is better than the open air; take it thank-
fully : I will piece out the comfort with what addition
I can : I will not be long from you.

KEN. All the power of his wits hath given way to
his impatience : The gods reward your kindnefs !

[Exit GLOSTER.

EDO. Frateretto calls me; and tells me, Nero is an
angler in the lake of darknefs. Pray innocent, and be-
ware the foul fiend.

Foo. Pr'ythee, nuncle, tell me, whether a madman
be a gentleman, or a yeoman ?

LEA. A king, a king.

Foo. No ; he's a yeoman, that has a gentleman to his
fon : for he's a mad yeoman, that fees his fon a gentle-
man before him.

LEA. To have a thousand with red burning fpits
Come hizzing in upon them :

E.DG. The foul fiend bites my back.

Foo. He's mad, that ti ufts in the tamenefs of a vvolf,
a horfe's health, a boy's love, or a whore's oath.-

LEA. It (hall be done, I will arraign them ftraight:

Come, fit thou here, moft learned jufticer ; — [to Edgar.

Thou, fapient fir, [to the Fool.~\ fit here Now, you me

foxes !

EDO. Look, where he ftands and glares! Wanteft

thou eyes at trial, madam ? _

Come o'er the boorne, BefTy, to me : [J*ng*ng-

Fco. Her boat hath a leak,

and Jhe mujt not fpeak
ivhy Jhe dares not come over to tbee.

EDO. The foul fiend haunts poor Tom in the voice of
a nightingale. Hop-dance cries in -Tom's belly for two white

** Juf.ice, *? broome

VOL. IX. X

70 King Lear.

herring. Croak not, black angel ; I have no food for thee.

KEN. How do you, fir ? Stand you not fo amaz'd :
Will you lye down and reft upon the cufhions ?

LEA. 1 11 fee their trial firft; Bring in the evidence.

Thou robed man of juftice, [/oEdg.] take thy place ;_
And thou, his yoke-fellow oi equity, [to the Fool.

Bench by his fide :_you are of the commiflion, [to Kent.
. Sit you too.

EDO. Let us deal juftly. [fag*-

Sleepejl, or <wakcft thou, jolly Jhepherd?

thy Jheep be in the corn ;
andjor one blaft of thy minikin mouth,

thy Jheep JbaLl take no harm.
Pur! the cat is grey.

LEA- Arraign her firft ; 'tis Goneril. I here take my
oath before this honourable aflembly, {he kick'd the
poor king her father.

Foo. Come hither, miftrefs ; Is your name Goneril?
LEA. She cannot deny it.

Foo. Cry you mercy, I took you for a joint-ftool.
LEA. And here's another, whose warpt looks proclaim
What ftore her heart is made on : — Stop her there !
Arms, arms, fword, fire ! Corruption in the place ! _
Falfe jufticer, why haft thou let her 'fcape ?
EDG. Blefs thy five wits !

KEN. O pity! — Sir, where is the patience now,
That you fo oft have boafted to retain ?

EDG. " My tears begin to take his part fo much,"
"They'll rnar my counterfeiting."

LEA. The little dogs and all,

Tray, Blanch, and Sweet-heart, fee, they bark at me.
EDG. Tom\\\\\ throw his head at them : _ Avaunt,

King Lear. 7 1

you curs !

Be thy mouth or black or white,
Tooth that poisons if it bite ;
Maftiff, grey-hound, mungrel grim,
Hound, or fpaniel, brach, or lym,
Or bob-tail tight, or trundle-tail ;
Tom will make them weep and wail :
For, with throwing thus my head,
Dogs leap the hatch, and all are fled.

Do, do, de, de, Sec. \Jtnging.

Come, march to wakes and fairs, and market-towns : —
" Poor Tom, thy horn is dry."

LEA. Then let them anatomize Regan, fee what
breeds about her heart : Is there any cause in nature,

that makes these hard hearts ? You, fir, [to Edg.] I

entertain you for one of my hundred ; only, I do not
like the faftiion of your garments : you will fay, they
are Perjian; but let them be chang'd.

KEN. Now, good my lord, lye here, and reft a while.
[fainting to a mean Couch.

LEA. Make no noise, make no noise; draw the cur-
tains ; fo, fo, fo : We'll go to fupper in the morning :
So, fo, fo.

Foo. And I'll go to bed at noon.

Re-enter G L o s T E R . [matter ?

do. Come hither, friend ; Where is the king my
KEN. Here, fir; but trouble him not, his wits are gone.
GLO. Good friend, I pr'ythee take him in thy arms;
I have o'er-heard a plot of death upon him :
There is a litter ready ; lay him in't,
And drive toward Do-ver, friend, where thou (halt meet
Both welcome and protection. Take up thy matter :

s or Hym

X a

72 'King Lear.

If thou fhould'ft dally half an hour, his life,
With thine, and all that offer to defend him,
Stand in aflured lofs : Take up, take up ;
And follow me, that will to fome provision
Give thee quick conduft.

KEN. OpprefT'd nature fleeps : —
This reft might yet have balm'd thy broken fenfes,
Which, if convenience will not allow,
Stand in hard cure. _ Come, help to bear thy mafter;
Thou [to the Fool.] muft not ftay behind.

GLO. Come, come, away. [Exeunt KENT,GLOSTER,
and the Fool, bearing e^"LEAR.

EDO. When we our betters fee bearing our woes,
We fcarcely think our miseries our foes.
Who alone fuffers, fuffers moil i'the mind ;
Leaving free things, and happy (hows, behind :
But then the mind much fufferance doth o'er-fkip,
When grief hath mates, and bearing fellowfhip.
How light and portable my pain feems now,
When that, which makes me bend, makes the king bovvj
He childed, as I father'd! — Tom, away :
Mark the high noises ; and thyfelf bewray,
When falfe opinion, whose wrong thought defiles thee,
In thy juft proof, repeals, and reconciles thee.
What will hap more to-night?— Safe Tcape the king'.—
Lurk, lurk. [Exit.

SCENE VII. A Room in the Caftle.
Enter CORNWAL, REGAN, GONERIL, EDMUND,

and Servants.

COR. Poft fpeedily to my lord your husband ; fhew
him this =j= letter : the army of France is landed :_Seek

' finewes *3 thoughts defile

King Lear. 73

out the villain Glojier. [Exeunt fame of the Servants.

REG. Hang him inftantly.

GOAT. Pluck out his eyes.

COR. Leave him to my difpleasure. — &&/««</, keep
you our filter company ; the revenges we are bound to
take upon your traitorous father, are not fit for your be-
holding. Advise the duke, where you are going, to a
moft feftinate preparation ; we are bound to the like.
Our ports fhall be fwift in intelligence betwixt us. _
Farewel, dear After ; _ farewel, my lord of Glofter. _

Enter Steward.
How now ? Where's the king ?

Ste. My lord of Gkfler hath convey'd him hence :
Some five or fix and thirty of his knights,
Hot queftrifts after him, met him at gate;
Who, with fome other of the lord's dependants,
Are gone with him towards Dover; where they boaft
To have well-armed friends.

Cox. Get horfes for your miftrefs.

GOK. Farewel, fweet lord, and filler.

[Exeunt GONERJL, EDMUND, «WSteward.

COR. Edmund, farewel Go, feek the traitor Gloftery

Pinion him like a thief, bring him before us :

[Exeunt other Servants.
Though well we may not pafs upon his life
Without the form of juftice ; yet our power
Shall do a courtefy to our wrath, which men
May blame, but not controul — Who's there ? The traitor :
Re-enter Servants, 'with GLOSTER, Prisoner.

REG. Ingrateful fox! 'tis he.

COR. Bind fait his corky arms. [confidcr

Gio. What mean your graces ?_Good my friends,

9 fwift and in—

74 King Lear.

You are my guefts : do me no foul play, friends.

Co*. Bind him, I fay.

REG. Hard, hard : — O filthy traitor?

Gio. Unmerciful lady as you are, I am none. [find-
Co*. To this chair bind him : _ Villain, thou (halt

Gzo. By the kind gods, 'tis moft ignobly done
To pluck me by the beard.

REG. So white, and fuch a traitor!

Gzo. Naughty lady,

These hairs, which thou doft ravifh from my chin,
Will quicken, and accuse thee : I am your hofl ;
With robbers' hands, my hofpitable favours
Ycu mould not ruffle thus. What will you do?

COR. Come, fir, what letters had you late from France?

REG. Be fimple-anfwer'd, for we know the truth.

Co*. And what confederacy have you with the traitors
Late footed in the kingdom ? [king ?

REG. To whose hands have you fent the lunatick
Speak.

Gzo. I have a letter gucfiingly fet down,
Which came from one that's of a neutral heart,
And not from one oppos'd.

Co*. Cunning.

REG. And falfe.

COR. Where haft thou fent the king ?

Gzo. To Dover.

REG. Wherefore to Dover?
Waft thou not charg'd at peril : —

Co R . Wherefore to Dover ? _
Let him firft anfwer that.

Gzo. 1 am ty'd to the ftake,
And I muft ftand the courfe. J

King Lear. 75

REG. Wherefore to Dover ?

GLO. Becaufe I would not fee thy cruel nails
Pluck out his poor old eyes; nor thy fierce fitter
In his anointed flefh ftick boarifli phangs.
The fea, with fuch a ftorm as his bare head
In hell-black night endur'd, would have buoy'd up,
And quench'd the ftelled fires : yet, poor old heart,
He holp the heavens to rage.
Jf wolves had at thy gate howl'd that dearn time,
Thou fhould'ft have faid, Good porter, turn the key :
All cruels elfe fubfcrib'd : - But 1 mall fee
The winged vengeance overtake fuch children, [chair :_,

COR. See it {halt thou never : — Fellows, hold the
Upon these eyes of thine I'll fet my foot.

[Glofter is held doivn in his Chair, while Corn-
wal plucks out one of his Eyes, and Ji amps on it.

GLO. He, that will think to live 'till he be old,
Give me fome help : O cruel ! O ye gods !

REG. One fide will mock another; th' other too.

COR. If you fee vengeance,—

i . S. Hold your hand, my lord :
I have ferv'd you ever fmce I was a child ;
But better fervice have I never done you,
Than now to bid you hold.

REG. How now, you dog ?

i. 5. If you did wear a beard upon your chin,
I'd ihake it on this quarrel : What do you mean?

COR. My villain ! [Draws, and runs at him.

i, S. Nay, then comeon,andtakethechanceofanger.
[Draws too, and they fight.

REG. Give me thy fword ; — A peasant ftand up thug !
[fyatcl'ct a ^•v.-ord from att Att: ar.d f.abs him.

X 4

76 King Lear.

1.5. O, I am flain !_My lord, you have one eye lef>
To fee fome mifchief on him : — O ! [dies.

COR. Left it fee more, prevent it :_Out, vile jelly !

[dajhing GlofterV other Eye to the Ground.

Where is thy luftre now ? \_mund?

Gio. All dark andcomfortlefs — Where's my fon Ed-
Edmund, enkindle all the fparks of nature,
To quit this horrid aft.

REG. Out, treacherous villain!
Thou call'ft on him that hates thee : it was he
That made the overture of thy treasons to us ;
Who is too good to pity thee.

GLO. O my Follies !
Then Edgar was abus'd —
Kind gods, forgive me that, and profper him !

REG. Go, thruft him out at gates, and let him fmell
His way to Dover — How is't, my lord ? How look you?

Cox. I have receiv'd a hurt : Follow me, lady. _
Turn out that eyelefs villain ; throw this Have
Upon the dunghill — Regan, I bleed apace :
Untimely comes this hurt : Give me your arm.

[Exeunt CORNWAL, ana REGAN. Servants
unbind G L o s T E R , and lead him out.

2. S. I'll never care what wickednefs I do,
If this man come to good.

3. S. If (he live long,

And, in the end, meet the old courfe of death,
Women will all turn monfters.

2. S. Let's follow the old earl, and get the Bedlatn
To lead him where he would ; his roguifh madnefs
Allows itfelf to any thing

3 . S. Go thou ; I'll fetch fome flax, and whites of eggs,

King Lear. 77

To apply to his bleeding face. Now, heaven help him!

[ Exeunt fever ally »

ACT IV.

SCENE I. r be Heat b.
Enter EDGAR.

EDO. Yet better thus, and known to be contemn'd,
Than ftill contemn'd and flatter'd. To be worft,
The loweft, moft dejected thing of fortune,
Stands ftill in efperance, lives not in fear :
The lamentable change is from the beft;
The worft returns to laughter. Welcome then,
Thou unfubftantial air, that I embrace !
The wretch, that thou haft blown unto the worft,
Owes nothing to thy blafts.— But who comes here?

Enter G L o s T E R , and an old Man.
My father, poorly led ? — World, world, o world !
But that thy ftrange mutations make us wait thee,
Life would not yield to age.

o. m. O my good lord, I have been your tenant, and
your father's tenant, these fourfcore years.

GLO. Away, get thee away ; good friend, be gone :
Thy comforts can do me no good at all,
Thee they may hurt.

o. m. You cannot fee your way.

GLO. I have no way, and therefore want no eyes;
I ftumbl'd when I faw : Full oft 'tis feen,
Our mean fecures us ; and our meer defects
Prove our commodities. Ah, dear fon Edgar,
The food of thy abused father's wrath !

10 fhfcred to be " loweft and moft
ao make us hate thee 3« meanes fecure

78 King Lear.

Might I but live to fee thee in my touch,
I'd fay, I had eyes again.

o. m. How now ? Who's there ?

EDO. " O gods ! Who is't can fay, lam at the <worft?n
" I am worfe than e'er 1 was : "

o. m. 'Tis poor mad Tom.

EDO. " And worfe I may be yet: The worft is not,"
" So long as we can fay, This is the worft.

o. m. Fellow, where goeft ?

GLO. Is it a beggar-man?

o. m. Madman and beggar too.

GLO. He has fome reason, elfe he could not beg.
I'the laft night's ftorm I fuch a fellow faw ;
Which made me think a man a worm : My fon
Came then into my mind ; and yet my mind [fince :
Was then fcarce friends with him: I have heard more
As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods ;
They kill us for their fport.

EDO. " How mould this be ? — "
" Bad is the trade that muft play fool to forrow, "
" Ang'ring itfelf and others. "_Blefs thce, m after !

GLO. Is that the naked fellow?

o. m. Ay, my lord.

GLO. Then, pr'ythee, get thee gone : If, for my fake,
Thou wilt o'er-take us, hence a mile or twain,
I'the way towards Dover, do it for ancient love ;
And bring fome covering for this naked foul,
Whom I'll entreat to lead me.

B. m. Alack, fir, he is mad. [blind ;

GLO. 'Tis the times' plague, when madmen lead the
Do as I bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure ;
Above the reft, be gone.

King Lear. 79

t. m. I'll bring him the beft 'parrel that I have,
Come on't what will. [Exit old Man.

GLO. Sirrah, naked fellow,—

EDO. Poor Tom's a-cold — " I cannot daub it further."

GLO. Come hither, fellow. [bleed.

EDO. " And yet I muft."_BIefs thy fweet eyes ! they

GLO. Know'ft thou the way to Dover?

EDO. Both ftile and gate, horfe-way and foot-path.
Poor Tom hath been fcar'd out of his good wits : Blefs
thee, good man's fon, from the foul fiend ! Five fiends
have been in poor Tom in once : of luft, as Qbidicut',
Hobbididdance, prince of darknefs ; Mabu, of ftealing ;
Mojo, of murder ; Fliberdegibbet, of mopping and mow-
ing; who fmce possefles chamber-maids and waiting-
women. So, blefs thee, mafter ! [ven's plagues

GLO. Here, take this =f= purfe, thou whom the hea-
Have humbl'd to all ftrokes : that I am wretched,
Makes thee the happier : _ Heavens, deal fo ftill !
Let the fuperfluous, and luft-dieting man,
That flaves your ordinance, that will not fee
Because he doth not feel, feel your power quickly;
So diflribution fhould undo excefs,
And each man have enough. _Doft thou know Do^jer?

EDO. Ay, mafter.

GLO. There is a cliff, whose high and bending head
Looks fearfully on the confined deep :
Bring me but to the very brim of it,
And I'll repair the misery thou doft bear
With fomething rich about me : from that place
I fhall no leading need.

EDO. Give me thy arm ;
Poor Tom (hall lead thee. {Exeunt.

'» luft dieted *6 in the

King Lear.

61 CENE II. Before Albany's Pa/ace.

Enter GONERIL, and EDMUND ; Steward

meeting them.

GON. Welcome, my lord : I marvel, our mild husband
Not met us on the way : — Now, where's your mafter ?

Ste. Madam, within; but never man fo chang'd:
I told him of the army that was landed ;
He fmil'd at it : I told him, you were coming ;
His anfwer was, The nvorfe : of Glofter's treachery,
And of the loyal fervice of his fon,
When I inform'd him, then he call'd me fot ;
And told me, I had turn'd the wrong fide out :—
What moil he mould diflike, feems pleasant to him ;
What like, offenfive.

GON. Then fhall you go no further.
It is the cowifh terror of his fpirit,
That dares not undertake : he'll not feel wrongs,
Which tye him to an anfwer: Our wimes on the way
May prove effects. Back, Edmund, to my brother ;
Haften his mufters, and conduft his powers :
T muft change arms at home, and give the diflaff
Into my husband's hands. This trufty fervant
Shall pafs between us : ere long you are like to hear,
If you dare venture in your own behalf,
A miflrefs's command. Wear ^ this ; fpare fpeech ;
Decline your head : this kifs, if it durft fpeak,
Would flretch thy fpirits up into the air ; —
Conceive, and fare thee well.

EDM. Yours in the ranks of death.

GON. My mod dear Glofter ! [Exit EDMUND.

O, the thanee difference of man and man ! —

To thee a woman's fervices are due ;
My fool usurps my body.

Ste. Madam, here comes my lord. [Exit Steward.
Enter ALBANY.

GOAT. I have been worth the whittle.

ALB. O Goneril,

You are not worth the duft which the rude wind
Blows in your face. I fear your difposition :
That nature, which contemns it's origin,
Cannot be border'd certain in itfelf ;
She that herfelf will fliver and dilbranch
From her material fap, perforce mull wither,
And come to deadly ufe.

Gotr. No more ; the text is foolilh.

ALE. Wisdom and goodnefs to the vile feem vile :
Filths favour bat themfelves. What have you done ?
Tigers, not daughters, what have you perform'd ?
A father, and a gracious aged man,
Whose reverend head the rugged bear would lick,
Moft barbarous, moft degenerate ! have you madded..
Could my good brother fuffer you to do it ?
A man, a prince, by him fo benefited ?
If that the heavens do not their visible fpirits
Send quickly down to tame the vile offences,
Humanity muft perforce prey on itfelf,
Like monfters of the deep.

GON. Milk-liver'd man!

That bear'ft a cheek for blows, a head for wrongs ;
Who haft not in thy brows an eye discerning
Thine honour from thy fuffering ; that not know'ft,
Fools do those villains pity, who are punim'd
Ere they have done their mifchief. Where's thy drum ?

»» reverence the head-lug' d Beare *a benefited

8z King Lear.

France fpreads his banners in our noiselefs land ;
With plumed helm thy flayer begins few threats ;
While thou, a moral fool, fit'ft ftill, and cry 'ft,
Alack, why does he Jo?

ALB. See thyfelf, devi! !
Proper deformity feems not in the fiend
So horrid, as in woman.

GON. O vain fool ! [fhame

ALB. Thou chang'd and felf-con verted thing, for
Be-monfter not thy feature. Were it my fitnefs
To let these hands obey my boiling blood,
They are apt enough to diflocate and tear
Thy flefh and bones : Howe'er thou art a fiend,
A woman's fhape doth fhield thee.

GON. Marry, your manhood now, —
Enter a Meflenger.

ALB. What news?

Me/. O my good lord, the duke of Ccrnwal's dead;
Slain by his fervant, going to put out
The other eye of Gloftcr.

ALB. Glofter's eyes !

Me/. A fervant that he bred, thrill'd with remorfe,
Oppos'd againft the aft, bending his fword
To his great matter; who, thereat enrag'd,
Flew on him, and among'!* them fell'd him dead :
But not without that harmful ilroke, which fmce
Hath pluck'd him after.

ALB. This (hews you are above,
You juftices, that these our nether crimes
So fpeedily can venge. _ But, o poor Glojler /
Loft he his other eye ?

Me/. Both, both, my lord. _

» felfe-coverd

ISng Lear. 83

letter, madam, craves a fpeedy anfwer;
'Tis from your fitter.

GON. " One way I like this well ;"
" But being widow, and my Glofter with her,"
" May all the building in my fancy pluck"
" Upon my hateful life : Another way,"
" The news is not fo tart."—!'!! read, and anfwer. [Exit.

ALB. Where was his fon, when they did take his eyes?

Mej. Come with my lady hither.

ALB. He's not here

Mej. No, my good lord ; I met him back again.

ALB. Knows he the wickednefs? [him;

Me/. Ay, my good lord ; 'twas he inform'd againit
And quit the houfe on purpose, that their punifliment
Might have the freer courfe.

A IB. Glofler, I live

To thank thee for the love thou fhew'dft the king,
And to revenge thine eyes._Come hither, friend ;
Tell me what more thou know'lt. [Exeunt ^

SCENE III. French Camp, under Dover.
Enter KENT, and Gentleman.

KEN. The king of France fo fuddenly gone back !
Know you the reason ?

Gen. Something he left imperfeft in the ftate,
Which fince his coming forth is thought of; which
Imports to the kingdom fo much fear and danger,
That his return was moft requir'd and neceflary.

KEN. Who hath he left behind him general ?

Gen. The marefchal of France, monfieur h Per.

K EN. 231 ell ; fap, fir, did your letters pierce the queen
To any demonftration of fjer grief?

*3 v, Nttt, l8 his peffunall returne 3° la Far.

84 King Lear.

Gen. Ay, fir ;ihe took them, read themin my presence;
And now and then an ample tear trill'd down
Her delicate cheek : it feem'd, Ihe was a queen
Over her faffion ; who, moft rebel-like,
Sought to be king o'er her.

KEN. O, then it mov'd her.

Gen. Not to a rage : patience and forrow drove
Who mould exprefs her goodlieft. You have fecn
Sunmine and rain at once ? Her fmiles and tears
Were like a xvetter May : Those happy fmiles,
That play'd on her ripe lip, feem'd not to know
What guefts were in her eyes ; which parted thence,
As pearls from diamonds dropt. In brief, .Or, forrow
Would be a rarity moft belov'd, if all
Could fo become it.

KEN. Made me no verbal queftion ? [father

Gen. Yes ; once, or twice, (he heav'd the .name of
Pantingly forth, as if it preff'd her heart :
Cry'd, Sifters ! Jijlers ! Jhame of ladies ! fifters !

KEV. Father- Sifters'

Sen, What, itbeftorm ? itbe night ?
Let it not be believed: There (he fhook
The holy water from her heavenly eyes,
And clamour moiilen'd : then away fhe darted,
To deal with grief alone.

KEV. It is the ftars,

The ftars above us, govern our conditions ;
Elfe one felf mate and mate could not beget
Such different iffues. You fpoke not with her fince •?

Gen. No.

KEN. Was this before the king return'd ?

Gen. No, fince.

1 ° a better way, *» Let pitty not *+ moidened her, then

Ki*g Lear. 8;

KEN. Wei!, fir; The poor diftrefledl^r is i'the town;
Who fometime, in his better tune, remembers
What we are come about, and by no means
Will yield to fee his daughter.

Gen. Why, good fir? [kindnefs,

KEN. A fovereign fliame fo bows him : his own un-
That ftrip'd her from his benediction, turn'd her
To foreign casualties, gave her dear rights
To his dog-hearted daughters,— these things {ling
His mind fo venomoufiy, that buraing (hame
Detains him from Cordelia.

Gen. Alack, poor gentleman ! [not r

KEN, Of Albany's, and C emits nf* powers you heard

Got. 'Tis fo ; they are afoot.

KEN. Well, fir, I'll bring you to our matter Lear,
And leave you to attend him: fome dear cause
Will in concealment wrap me up a while ;
When I am known aright, you fhall not grieve
Lending me this acquaintance. Pray you, along with me.

SCENE IV. The fame. A Tent.
Enter CORDELIA, attended \ Physician,

Officer t, Guards, &c.

COR. Alack, 'tis he ; why, he was met even now
As mad as the vext fea : finging aloud ;
Crown'd with rank fumiterr, and furrow weeds,
With bur-docks, hemlock, nettles, cuckoo-flowers,
Darnel, and all the idle weeds that grow
in our fuflaining corn. _ A century fend forth ;
Search every acre in the high-grown field,
And bring him to our eye — [:oan Officer, ivbogces c:tf.
What can man's wisdom do, in the refioring

rt io elbowes "9 I pray you go a 'on 3 "6 femlter *7 hor-docks
VOL. IX Y

86 King Lear.

2Df his bereaved fenfe? He, that helps him,
Take all my outward worth.

Phy. There is means, madam :
Our fofter nurfe of nature is repose,
The which he lacks ; that to provoke in him,
Are many fimples operative, whose power
Will close the eye of anguifh.

Co*. All Weft fecrets,
All you unpublifh'd virtues of the earth,
Spring with my tears! be aidant, and remediate,
In the good man's diflrefs ! — Seek, feek for him ;
Left his ungovern'd rage dissolve the life
That wants the means to lead it.

Enter a Meflenger.

Me/. News, madam ;
The Britijb powers are marching hitherward.

COR. 'Tis known before; our preparation Hands
In expectation of them. _O dear father,
It is thy businefs that I go about ;
Therefore great France

My mourning, and importunate tears, hath pityM :
No blown ambition doth our arms incite,
But love, dear love, and our ag'd father's right :
Soon may I hear, and fee him ! {Exeunt,

SCENE V. AReominGlofar'sCaJllt.

Enter REGAN, and Steward.
REG. But are my brother's powers fet forth I
Ste. Ay, madam.
REG. Himfelf
In perfon there ?
Ste. Madam, with much ado :

*' importuned

King Lear. 87

Your filter is the better foldier.

REG . Lord Edmundfpake not with your lord at home?

Sfe. No, madam.

REG. What might import my fitter's letter to him?

Ste. I know not, lady.

REG. 'Faith, he is ported hence on ferious matter.,
It was great ignorance, Glojlers eyes being out,
To let him live ; where he arrives, he moves
All hearts againft us : Edmund, I think, is gone,
In pity of his misery, to difpatch
His nighted life ; moreover to defcry
The ftrength o' the enemy.

Ste. 1 muft needs after him, madam, with my letter.

REG. Our troops fet forth to-morrow ; ftay with us;
The ways are dangerous.

Sfe. I may not, madam ;
My lady charg'd my duty in this businefs.

REG. Why mould me write to Edmund? Might not you
Tranfport her purposes by word ? Belike,
Something ; I know not what : — I'll love thee much,
Let me unfeal the letter.

Ste. Madam, I had rather —

REG. I know, your lady does not love her husband;
I am fure of that : and, at her late being here,
-She gave flrange oeillacies, and moft fpeaking looks,
To noble Edmund: I know, you are of her bosom.

Ste. I, madam ?

REG. I fpeak in undemanding ; you are, I know it :
Therefore, I do advise you, take this note :
My lord is dead ; Edmund and I have talk'd ;
And more convenient is he for my hand,
Than for your lady's : ~ You may gather more.

Y a

88 AVȣ Leaf.

If you do find him, pray you, give htm =f this ;

And when your miftrefs hears thus much from you,

I pray, desire her call her wisdom to her.

So, fare you well.

If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor,

Perfernient falls on him that cuts him off.

Ste. 'Would I could meet him, madam ! I would mew
What party I do follow.

^£G. Fare thee well. \_Exeant federally.

SCENE VI. fields near Dover.

Enter EDGAR, habited like a Peasant,

am! G L o s T E R .

do. When mall I come to the top of that fame hill ?

EDG. You do climb up it now : look, how we labour.

GLO. Methinks, the ground is even.

EDO. Horrible fteep :
Hark, fearfi ; do you not hear the fea ?

GLO. No, truly.

EDO. Why, then your other fenfes grow imperfedt
By your eyes' anguifh.

GLO. So may it be, indeed :
Methinks, thy voice is alter'd ; and thou fpeak'lt
With better phrase, and matter, than thou did'ft.

EDO. You're much deceiv'd; in nothing am I chang'd
But in my garments.

GLO. Methinks, you are better fpoken. [How fearful

EDG. Come on, fir; here's the place : Hand ftill ;—
And dizzy 'tis, to call one's eyes fo low ?
The crows, and coughs, that wing the midway air,
Shew fca;ce fo grofs as beetles : Halfway down
Hangs one that gathers fampire ; dreadful trade !

King Lear. 89

Methinks, he feems no bigger than his head:
The fifhermen, that walk upon the beach,
Appear like mice ; and yon' tall anchoring bark
Diminifh'd to her cock ; her cock, a buoy
Almoft too fmall for fight : The murmuring furge,
That on the unnumber'd idle pebble chafes,
Cannot be heard fo high : — I'll look no more ;
Left my brain turn, and the deficient fight
Topple down headlong.

GLO. Set me where you ftand.

EDO. Give me your hand : You are now within a foot
Of the extream verge : for all beneath the moon
Would I not leap out-right.

GLO. Let go my hand.

Here, friend, 's another ^ purfe ; in it, a jewel
Well worth a poor man's taking : Fairies, and gods,
Profper it with thee ! Go thou farther off,
Bid me farewel, and let me hear thee going.

EDO. Now fare you well, good fir.

Gzo. With all my heart.

EDO. " Why do I triflle thus with his defpair ?"
"'Tis done to cure it."

GLO. O you mighty gods,
This world I do renounce ; and, in your fights,
Shake patiently my great affliction off:
If I could bear it longer, and not fall
To quarrel with your great opposelefs wills,
My fnuff, and loathed part of nature, fhould
Burn itfelf out. If Edgar live, o, blefs him !_
Now, fellow, fare thee well.

[thfoivt bimfelf forward^ ami falls.

EDO. Good fir, farewel.

'3 opright *' I4»

9<> King Lear.

" And yet I know not how conceit may rob"

" The treasury of life, when life itfelf"

" Yields to the theft : Had he been where he thought,"

"By this, thought had been part." Alive, or dead ?

Ho, you fir, pou lir, friend ! Hear you, fir ? Speak :

" Thus might he pafs indeed : Yet he revives :"

What are you, fir ?

GLO. Away, and let me dye. [air>

EDO. Had'ft thou been ought but goflerneer, feathers,
So many fathom down precipitating,
Thou had 'ft Ihiver'd like an egg : but thou dtift breath ;
Haft heavy fubftance ; bleed'ft not ; fpealfft ; art found.
Ten marts attach'd make not the altitude
Which thou haft perpendicularly fallen ;
Thy life's a miracle : Speak yet again.

GLO. But have I fallen, or no ?

EDO. From the dread fummit of this chalky bourn :
Look up a-height; the fhrill-gorg'd lark fo far
Cannot be feen, or heard : do but look up.

GLO. Alack, I have no eyes.—
Is wretchednefs depriv'd that benefit,
To end itfelf by death ? 'Twas yet fome comfort,
When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage,
And fruftrate his proud will.

EDO. Give me your arm :
Up : ~ So ; How is't ? Feel you your legs .' You ftand.

GLO. Too well, too well.

EDG. This is above all ftrangenefs.
Upon the crown o'the cliff, what thing was that
Which parted from you ?

GLO. A poor unfortunate beggar.

EDG. As I ftood here below, methought, his eyes

'3 Mads at each make «* fell

King Lear. 91

Were two full moons ; he had a thousand noses,
Horns welk'd, and wav'd like the enridged fea;
It was fome fiend : Therefore, thou happy father,
Think that the cleared gods, who make them honours
Of men's impoffibilities, have preserv'd thee.

GLO. I do remember now : henceforth I'll bear
AfHidlion, 'till it do cry out itfelf,
Enough, enough, and, dye. That thing you {peak of,
I took it for a man ; often 'twould fay,
The fend, the fiend : he led me to that place. [here ?

EDG. Bear free and patient thoughts — But who comes
Enter LEAR, font aft ically drejl up

The fafer fenfe will ne'er accommodate
His matter thus.

LEJ. No, they cannot touch me for coining ; I am
the king himfelf.

EDG. " O thou fide-piercing fight! "

LEA. Nature's above art in that refpecl:. _ There's
your prefs-money. That fellow handles his bow like a
crow-keeper : draw me a clothier's yard. _ Look, look,
a moufe ! Peace, peace ; this piece of toafted cheese will
do't. _ There's my gauntlet ; I'll prove it on a giant-
Bring up the brown bills __ O, well flown, bird !_I'the
clout, i'the clout; hewgh !_ .Give the word.

EDG. Sweet marjerom.

LEA. Pafs.

GLO. I know that voice.

L EA. Ha ! Goneril with a white beard ! _ They flat-
ter'd me like a dog ; and told me, I had white hairs in
my beard, ere the black ones were there. To fay, ay,
and no, to every thing I faid ! Ay and no too was no

$z King Lear.

good divinity. When the rain came to wet me once,
and the wind to make me chatter; when the thunder
would not peace at my bidding; there I found them,
there I fmelt them out. Go to, they are not men of their
words : they told me, I was every thing ; 'tis a lye, 1 am
not ague- proof.

GZ.O. The trick of that voice I do well remember;
Is't not the king?

LEJ. Ay, every inch a king :
When I do' ftare, fee, how the fubjec~l quakes.
I pardon that man's life : What was the cause ? _

Adultery

Thou malt net dye : Dye for adultery ! No :

The wren goes to't, and the fmall gilded fly

Does letcher in my fight. Let copulation thrive :

For Gloftcr's baftard fon was kinder to his father,

Than ioere my daughters got 'tween the lawful meets,

To't, luxury, pell-mell, for I lack foldiers._

Behold yon' fimp'ring dame,

Whose face between her Forks prefageth fnow ;

That minces virtue, and does make the head

To hear of pleasure's name ;

The fitchow, nor the foyled horfe, goes to't

With a more riotous appetite.

Down from the wafte they are centaurs,

Though women all above :

But to the girdle do the gods inherit,

Beneath is all the fiends'; there's hell, there's darknefs,

There is the fulphurous pit, burning, fcalding, ftench,

confumption ;~Fie, fie, fie ; pah, pah! Give me an ounce

of civet, good apothecary, to fwecten my imagination:

there's money for thee.

1 ' thy caufe

Kng Lear. 93

do. O, let me kifs that hand !

Lf.A. Let me wipe it firft ; it fmclls of mortality.

G LO. O ruin'd piece of nature ! This great world
Shall fo wear out to nought Doft thou know me ?

LEA. I remember thine eyes well enough. Doft thou
fquiny at me? No, do thy worft, blind Cupid; I'll not
love.— Read thou this challenge; mark but the penning
of it.

GLO. Were all the letters funs, I could not fee one.

EDG. "I would not take this from report ; it is,"
" And my heart breaks at it. "

LEA. Read.

GLO. What, with this cafe of eyes ?

LEA. O, ho, are you there with me r No eyes in your
head, nor no money in your purfe ? Your eyes are in a
heavy cafe, your purfe in a light: Yet you fee how this
world goes ?

GLO. I fee it feelingly.

L EA. What, art mad ? A man may fee how this world
goes with no eyes. Look with thine ears : fee how yon'
juftice rails upon yon' fimple thief. Hark, in thine ear:
Change places ; and, handy-dandy, Which is the juftice,
which is the thief? — Thou haft feen a farmer's dog bark
at a beggar?

GLO. Ay, fir.

LEA. And the creature run from the cur ? There thou
might'ft behold the great image of authority : a dog's
obey'd in office. _

Thou rafcal beadle, hold thy bloody hand:
Why doft thou la(h that whore ? Strip thine own back ;
Thou hotly luft'ft to use her in that kind [zener.

For which thou whip'ft her. The usurer hangs the co-

•3 the cafe 3 Mufts

94 King Lear.

Through tatterM cloaths fmall vices do appear ;
Robes, and fur'd gowns, hide all. Plate fins with gold,
And the ftrong lar.ce of juflice hurdefs breaks :
Arm it in rags, a pigmy's draw does pierce it.
None does offend, none, I fay, none ; I'll able 'em :
Take that of me, my friend, who have the power
To feal the accuser's lips. Get thee glafs eyes;
And, like a fcurvy politician, feem

To fee the things thou doft not Now, now, now, now :

Pull off my hoots ; harder, harder ; fo.

EDG. "O, matter and impertinency mixtj"
" Reason in madnefs ! "

LEA. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes.
I know thee well enough ; thy name is Glojier :
Thou muft be patient ; we came crying hither.
Thou know'ft, the ftrft time that we fmell the air,
We wail, and cry : — I will preach to thee ; mark me.

GLO. Alack, alack the day !

LEA. When we are born, we cry, that we are come

To this great ftage of fools ; This a good block ?

It were a delicate ftratagem, to (hoe
A troop of horfe with felt : I'll put it in proof;
And when I have ftoln upon these fon-in laws,
Then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill. :

Enter Gentleman, and Attendants of
Cordelia ; and Guard,

Gen. O, here he is; lay hand upon him. —Sir,
Your moft dear daughter —

LEA. No refcue ? What, a prisoner? I am even
The natural fool of fortune. _Ufe me well ;
You (hall have ranfom. Let me have a furgeon,
I am cut to the brains.

* Place

King Lear. 95

Gen. You mall have any thing.

LEA. No feconds ? Ail myfelf ?
Why, this would make a man a man of fait ;
To use his eyes for garden water-pots,
And laying autumn's duit. __ t will dye bravely,
Like a fmug bride -groom : What; I will be jovial :
Come, come ;
I am a king, my matters ; Know you that ?

Gen. You are a royal one, and we obey you.

LEA. Then there's life in't — Nay, an you get it, you
fliall get it with running. Sa, fa, fa, fa.

[ Exit, running ; Attendants and Guard follow.

Gen. A fight moft pitiful in the meaneft wretch ;
Paft fpeaking of in a king ! _ Thou haft one daughter,
Who redeems nature from the general curfe
Which twain have brought her to.

EDO. Hail, gentle fir.

Gen. Sir, fpeed you : What's your will ?

EDG. Do you hear ought, fir, of a battle toward?

Gen. Moft fure, and vulgar: every one hears that,
Which can diftinguifh found.

EDG. But, by your favour,
How near's the other army ?

Gsa. Near, and on fpeedy foot ; the main defcry
Stands on the hourly thought.

EDG. I thank you, fir: that's all.

Gen. Though that the queen on fpecial cause is here,
Her army is mov'd on.

EDG. I thank you, fir. [Exit Gentleman.

GLO. You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me;
Let not my worfer fpirit tempt me again
To dye before you please !

g5 King Lear.

EDO. Well pray you, father.

GLO. Now, good fir, what are you?

EDG. Amoft poor man, made tame to fortune's blows ;
Who, by the art of known and feeling forrow?,
Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand,
I'll lead you to fome biding.

GLO. Hearty thanks :
The bounty and the benizon of heaven
To boot, and boot !

Enter Steward.

Ste. A proclaim'd prize ! Moit happy !
That eyelefs head of thine was firft fram'd flefh

To raise my fortunes Thou old unhappy traitor,

Briefly thyfelf remember : the fword is out,
That muft deftroy thee.

GLO. Now let thy friendly hand
Put ftrength enough to it.

Ste. Wherefore, bold peasant,
Dar'ft then fupport a publim'd traitor ? Hence ;
Left the infedlion of his fortune take
Like hold.cn thee. Let go his arm.

EDG. Ch'ill not
Let go, zir, without vurther 'casion.

Ste. Let go, flave, or thbu dy'ft.

EDG. Good gentleman, go your gate, and let poor
volk pafs : an ch'ud have been zwagger'd out of my
life, 'twould not have been zo long as 'tis by a vort-
night : Nay, come not near the old man ; keep out,
che 'vore ye, or iz try whether your coftard or my bat
be the harder; Ch'ill be plain with you.

Ste. Out, .dunghill !

EDG. Ch'ill pick your teeth, zir : come,

Kng Lear. 97

No matter vor your foins

[They fight ; and Edg. knocks him donun.
Ste. Slave, thou haft flain me : Villain, take my purie :

If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body ;

And give the letters, which thou find'il about me,

To Edmund earl of Glojier ; feek him out

Upon the Britiflj party : —

O, untimely death, death, — [dies.

EDO. I know thee well : A ferviceable villain ;

As duteous to the vices of thy miftrefs,

As badnefs would desire.
GLO. What, is he dead ?
EDG. Sit you down, father ; reft you —

[feat ing him at a Dt ft ante .

Let's fee these pockets : the letters, that he fpeaks of,

May be my friends — He's dead; I am only lorry

He had no other death's-man — Let us fee :

Leave, gentle wax ; and, manners, blame us not :

To know our enemies' minds, we'd rip their hearts ;

Their papers, is more lawful.

[r^rtrf/.] Let our reciprocal <v onus be remembered* Yuu
have many opportunities to cut him off ; if 'your luiliivant
not, time and place -juill be fruitfully offered. There is
nothing done, if he return the conqueror ; then am I
the pri.oner, and his bed my jay I : from the loathed
warmth ivbereof deliver me, atid fuppfy the place for
your labour.

Tour Wife, (fo I would fay ;} and your
affefiionate Servant, Goneril.

O undiftinguifh'd fpace of xvoman's will! —

A plot upon her virtuous husband's life;

And the exchange, iny brother!— Here, in the fands,

g 8 K-ltlg Lear.

Thee I'll rake up, the port unfandify'd
Of murtherous letchers : and, in the mature time,
With this "|" ungracious paper ilrike the fight
Of the death-praftif'd duke: For him 'tis well,
That of thy death and businefs I can tell.

[Exit EDGAR, dragging out the Body,

GLO. The king is mad : How ftiff is my vile fenfe,
That I ftand up, and have ingenious feeling
Of my huge forrows ! Better 1 were diftracl :
So mould my thoughts be fever'd from my griefs ;
And woes, by wrong imaginations, lose
The knowledge of themfelves.

Re-enter EDGAR.

EDO. Give me your hand :
Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum.
Come, father, I'll beftow you with a friend.

[Exit, leading out GLOSTER.

SCENE VII. The French Camp. A Tent.

LEAR, upon a Bed, ajleep ; Physician, Gentleman,

and Others, attending: Enter KENT,

Co*. O thou good Kent !

How (hall I live, and work, to match thy goodnefs ?
My life will be too fhort, and every measure fail me.

KEN. To be acknowledg'd, madam, is o'er-pay'd.
All my reports go with the modeft truth ;
Nor more, nor dipt, but fo.

COR. Be better fuited :

These weeds are memories of those worfer hours ;
I pr'ythee, put them off.

KEN. Pardon, dear madam ;

King Lear. 99

Yet to be known, fhortens my made intent:
My boon I make it, that you know me not,
'Till time and I think meet.

Co*. Then be it fo, my lord.—
How does the king ? \gri"£ towards the Bed.

Gen. Madam, fleeps flill.

COR Kind gods,

Cure this great breach in his abused nature !
The untun'd and jarring fcnfes, o, wind up,
Of this child-changed father !

Phy. So please your majefty,
That we may wake the king ? he hath flept long.

COR. Be govern'd by your knowledge, and proceed
I'the fway of your own will. Is he array'd ?

Gen. Ay, madam ; in the heavinefs of fleep,
We put frefh garments on him.

1 Pby. Be by, good madam, when we do awake him;
I doubt not of his temperance.

Co*. Very well. [there.

Pby. Please you, draw near. _ Louder, the musick

Co*. O my dear father! Reftauration, hang

Thy medicine on my lips ; and let this ~j~ kifs
Repair those violent harms, that my two lifters
Have in thy reverence made !

KEN. Kind and dear princefs !

Co* . Had you not been their father, these white flakes
Did challenge pity of them. Was this a face
To be oppos'd againfl the warring winds ?
To ftand againfl the deep dread-bolted thunder ;
In the moil terrible and nimble ftroke
Of quick crofs light'ning ? to watch (poor perdu !)
With this thin helm ? Mine injurer's dog,

7 Oyoukinde 3* injurious doggc

loo King Lear.

Though he had bit me, mould have flood that night

Againlt my fire; And wait thou fain, poor father,

To hovel thee with Avine, and rogues forlorn,

In Ihort and mufty ilraw ? Alack, alack !

'Tis wonder, that thy life and wits at once

.Had not concluded all. He wakes; fpeak to him.

PJy. Madam, do you, 'tis fitteft. [je% ?

COR. How does my royal lord: How fares your ma-

L EA. You do me wrong, to take me out o'the grave :_>
Thou art a foul in blifs ; but I am bound
Upon a. wheel of fire, that mine own tears
Do fcaid like molten lead.

COR. Sir, do you know me ?

LEA. You are a fpirit, I know : When did you dye I

COR. Still, ftill, far wide !

Pby, He's fcarce awake; let him alone a while.

LEA. Where have I been: Where am I?- Fair day-
light ? -

I am mightily abus'd. — I fnould even dye with pity,
To fee another thus.— I know not what to fay.
I will not fwear, these are my hands : Let's fee ;
I feel this pin prick. 'Would I were afTur'd
Of my condition.

COR. O, look upon me, fir,
And hold your hands in benediction o'er me : —
No, fir, you muft not kneel.

LEA. Pray, do not mock me:
T am a very foolifli fond old man,
Fourfcore and upward ;

Not an hour more, nor lefs : and, to deal plainly,.
1 fear, I am not in my perfect mind.
Mcthinks, I iheuld know you, and know this man;

King Lear. isi

Vet I am doubtful : for I am mainly ignorant
What place this is ; and all the (kill I have
Remembers not these garments ; nor I know not
Where I did lodge laft night : Do not laugh at me,
For, as I am a man, I think this lady
To be my child Cordelia.

COR. And fo I am, I am.

LEA. Be your tears wet? Yes, 'faith. I pray, weep not :
If you have poison for me, I will drink it.
I know, you do not love me ; for your fitters
Have, as I do remember, done me wrong :
You have fome cause, they have not.

COR. No cause, no cause.

LEA. Am I in France?

KEN. In yo.ur own kingdom, fir.

LEA. Do not abuse me.

Pby. Be comforted, good madam : the great rage,
You fee, is cur'd in him ; and yet it is danger
To make him even o'er the time he has loit :
Desire him to go in ; trouble him no more,
'Till further fetling.

COR. Wilt please your highnefs walk ?

LEA. You mud bear with me :

Pray you now, forget and forgive; I am old, and foolifh.
[Exeunt COR. LEA. Phy. ar.d Atttndcmts.

Gen. Holds it true, fir,
The duke of Corniual was fo (lain ?

KEN. Mod certain, fir.

Gen. Who is conductor of his people ?

KEN. 'Tis faid,
The baflard fon of Gloftcr.

Gen. They fay,

a? that the 3° As t-«
VOL. IX,

J0* King Lear.

His banifh'd fon, is with the earl of Kent
In Germany.

KEN. Report is changeable.

'Tis time to look about; the powers o?the kingdom
Approach apace.

Gen. SlnD the arbitrement
Is like to be moll bloody. Fare you welh fir. [Exit.

KEN. My point and period will be throughly wrought,
Or well, or ill, as this day's battle's fought. [Exit.

ACT V.

SCENE I. Camp of the Britifh Forces, near Dover.

Enter, ivith Drum and Colours, EDMUND, REGAN ;•

Officer}, and Others, attending.

EDM. Know of the duke, if his laft purpose hold;
Or whether fince he is advis'd by ought
To change the courle : He's full of alteration,
And felf-repioving :— bring his conftant pleasure.

[to an Officer ; 'who bows, and goes out'.

REG. Our filler's man is certainly mifcarry'd.

EDM. 'Tis. to be doubted, madam.

REG. Now, fweet lord,
You know the goodnefs I intend upon you :
Tell me, but truly, but then fpeak the truthy
Do you not love my fitter ?

EDM. In honour'd love.

REG. But have you never found my brother's way
To the fore- fended place ?

EDM. That thought abuses you.

P. EC. I never (hall endure her : Dear my lord,.

King Lear. i**

Be not familiar with her.

EDM. Fear me not : —
She, and the duke her husband,—

Enter, ivitb Drum and Colours, attended,
ALBANV, aWGoNERiL.

Gotr. " I had rather lose the battle, than that fifter"
" Should loofen him and me."

ALB. Our very loving fifter, well be met. _
Sir, this I hear, The king is come to his daughter,
With others, whom the rigour of our ftate
Forc'd to cry out. Where I could not be honeft,
I never yet was valiant : for this businefs,
It toucheth us as France invades our land,
Not holds for the king ; with others, whom, I feari
Moft juft and heavy causes make oppose.

EDM. Sir, you fpeak nobly

REG. Why is this reason'd ?

GON. Combine together 'gainft the enemy :
For these domeflick and particular broils
Are not to queftion here.

ALB. Let's then determine
With the ancient of war on our proceeding.

EDM. I {hall attend you presently at your tent.

REG. Sifter, you'll go with us ?

GON. No.

REG. 'Tis moft convenient ; pray you, go with as.

Gotr. " O, ho, I know the riddle :" I will go.

^nft [As they are going out, and Albany laflt

Enter EDGAR.

EDO. If e'er your grace had fpeech with man fo poof.
Hear me one word.

Alt. I'll overtake you. — Speak,

'•» Not holds thr

Z 2

IO4

Lear.

[Exeunt EDM. REG. GON. Ojf. and An,

EDG. Before you fight the battle, ope this =j= letter.
Jf you have vidlory, let the trumpet found
For him that brought it : wretched though I feem,
I can produce a champion, that will prove
What is avouched there : If you mifcarry,
Your businefs of the world hath fo an end,
And machination ceafcs. Fortune love you !

ALB. Stay, 'till I have read the letter.

EDG. I was forbid it.

When time mall ferve, let but the herald cry,
And I'll appear again. [Exit EDGAR.

ALB. Why, fare thee well ; I will o'er-look thy paper,
Re-enter EDMUND.

EDM. The enemy's in view, draw up your powers.
Here ^ is the guefs of their true ftrength and forces
By diligent difcovery ; — but yonr hafte
Is now urg'd on you.

ALB. We will greet the time. \Exlt ALBANY.

EDM. To both these fitters have I fworn my love j
Each jealous of the other, as the flung
Are of the adder. Which of them (hall I take ?
Both ? one ? or neither ? Neither can be enjoy'd,
If both remain alive : To take the widow,
Exafperates, makes mad her fifter Goneril;
And hardly (hall I carry out my fide,
Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll ose
His countenance for the battle ; which being done,
Let her, who would be rid of him, devise
His fpeedy taking off. As for the mercy
Which he intends to Lear, and to Cordelia,—
The battle done, and they within our power,

King Lear. 105

Shall never fee his pardon : for my flate

Stands on me to defend, not to debate. [&*//.

S CENE II. Field between the Camps.
Alarum within. Enter, with Drum and Colour s>
Lear, Cordelia, and their Forces ; and Exeunt.

Enter EDGAR, /W GLOSTER.
EDG. Here, father, take the fhadow of this tree
For your good holt ; pray that the right may thrive:
Jf ever I return to you again,
I'll bring you comfort.

GLO. Grace go with you, fir ! \Exit EDGAR.

Loud Alarums ; afterwards, a Retreat.

Re-enter EDGAR.

EDG. Away, old man, give me thy hand, away ;
King Lear hath loft; he and his daughter ta'en ;
Give me thy hand, come on.
GLO. No farther, fir ; a man may rot even here.
EDG. What, in ill thoughts again f Men muft endure
Their going hence, even as their coming hither :
Ripenefs is all : Come on.

GLO. And that's true too. \Exeunt.

SCENE III. rhe Britifh Camp under Dover.

Flourijh. Enter, as from Conquejt, EDMUND ;

LEAR, and CORDELIA, Prisoners;

Officers, Soldiers, &c.

EDM . Some officers take them away : good guard ;
Until their greater pleasures firft be known,
That are to cenfure them.

Co*. We are not the firft,
Who, with beil meaning, have incurr'd the word,

Z 3

For thee, opprefled king, am I caft down ;

Myfelf could elfe out-frown falfe fortune's frown. _*

Shall we not fee these daughters, and these fitters ?

LKA. No, no, no, no ; come, let's away to prison :
We two alone will fing like birds i' the cage :
When thou doft aflc me bleffing, I'll kneel down,
And aflc of thee forgivenefs : So we'll live,
And pray, and fing, and tell old tales, and laugh
At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues
Talk of court news ; and we'll talk with them too,—-
Who loses, and who wins ; who's in, who's out ;~
And take upon us the myftery of things,
As if we were God's fpies : And we'll wear out,
In a wall'd prison, packs and feds of great ones,
That ebb and flow by the moon.

EDM. Take them away.

LEA. Upon fuch facrifices, my Cordelia,
The gods themfelves throw incenfe. Have I caught thee?
He, that parts us, fhall bring a brand fiom heaven,
And fire us hence, like foxes. Wipe thine eyes ;
The goujeres fhall devour them, flefh and fell,
Ere they fhall make us weep : we'll fee them ftarve firft.
Come . [ Exeunt LEAR and CORDELIA, guarded;

ED.M. Come hither, captain ; hark.
Take thou this ^ note ; go, follow them to prison :
One ftep I have advanc'd thee ; if thou doft
As this inftrufts thee, thou doft make thy way
To noble fortunes : Know thou this, — that men
Are as the time is : to be tender-minded
Does not become a fword : — Thy great employment
Will not bear queftion ; either fay, thou'lt do't.
Or thrive by other means.

*' The good y cares /hall

King Lear. 107

Off. IMl do't, my lord. [done.

EDM. About it ; and \vrite happy, when >thou haft
Mark,— I fay, inftantly ; and carry it fo
As I have fet it down. [Exit Officer.

Flourijb. Enter ALBANY, REGAN, GONER>IL,
Officers, and Attendants.

ALB. Sir, you have fhewn to-day your valiant (train,
And fortune led you well : You have the captives
Who were the opposites of this day's ftrife:
We do require them of you ; fo to use them,
As we fhall find their merits and our fafety
May equally determine.

EDM. Sir, I thought fit
To fend the old and miserable .king
To feme retention, and appointed guard ;
Whose age has charms in it, whose title more,
To pluck the common bosom on his fide,
And turn our impreft lances in our eyes
Which do command them. With him I fent the queen;
My reason all the fame ; and they are ready,
To-morrow, or at further fpace, to appear
Where you fhall hold your feffion. At this time,
We fweat, and bleed : the friend hath loft his friend;
And the beft quarrels, in the heat, are curf'd
By those that feel their marpnefs :—
The queftion of Cordelia, and her father,
Requires a fitter place.

ALB. Sir, by your patience,
I hold you but a fubjeft of this war,
Not as a brother.

REG. That's as we lift to grace him.
.Methinks, our pleasure might have been demanded,

»3 thought it fit

ic$ King Lear.

Fre ym had fpoke fo far. He led our powers;
Bore the commiflion of my place and perfon ;
The which immediacy may well Hand up,
And call itfelf your brother.

CON. Not fo hot :

In his own grace he doth exalt himfelf,
More than in your advancement.

REG. In my rights,
By me inverted, he compeers the belt.

Go.v. That were the moft, if he mould husband you.

RF.G. Jefters do oft prove prophets.

GON. Hola, hola!
That eye, that told you fo, look'd but a-fquint.

REG. Lady, I am not well ; elfa I mould anfwer
From a full-flowing ftomach — General,
Take thou my foldiers, prisoners, patrimony ;
Difpose of them, of me ; the walls are thine :
Witnefs the world, that I create thee here
My lord and matter.

Go if. Mean you to enjoy him ?

ALB. The let-alone lies not in your good will.

EDM. Nor in thine, lord.

ALE. Half-blooded fellow, yes.

REG. Let the drum ftrike, and prove my title thine.

ALB. Stay yet ; hear reason : —Edmund, I arreft thee
On capital treason ; and, in thy arreft,
This gilded ferpent : —for your claim, fair fifter,
I bar it in the intereft of my wife ;
'Tis me is fub-contradled to this lord,
And I, her husband, contradict your banes.
If you will marry, make your loves to me,
My lady is befpoke.

*8 I bare it

King Lear. 109

GON. An interlude! [found:—,

ALB. Thou art arm'd, Glofter :_Let the trumpet
If none appear to prove upon thy perlbn
Thy heinous, manifeft, and many treasons,
There ^ is my pledge ; I'll prove it on thy heart,
Ere I tafte bread, thou art in nothing lefs
Than I have here proclaim'd thee.
REG. Sick, o, fick!
Gon. «« If not, I'll ne'er truft poison."
EDM. There's^ my exchange: what in the world he is
That names me traitor, villain-like he lies :
Call by thy trumpet ; he that dares approach,
On him, on you, (who not ?) I will maintain
My truth and honour firmly.
ALE, A herald, ho.
EDM. A herald, ho, a herald.
ALB. Truft to thy fmgle virtue; for thy foldiers,
All levy'd in my name, have in my name
Took their difcharge.

REG. My ficknefs grows upon me.

Enter a Herald.
ALB. She is not well, convey her to my tent.—

[Exit RE CAN, led.

Come hither, herald, _ Let the trumpet found,—
And read out ^ this.

Off. Sound, trumpet. [<* Trumpet founds.

Herald reads.

If any man of quality or degree, within the lifts of
the army, will maintain upon Edmund, fuppos d earl
of Glo'fter, that be is a manifold traitor, let bint ap-
pear by the (bird found of the trumpet : he is btld in bit
defines.

i -jo &"& Lear-

EDM. Sound. i. -Trumpet.

Her. Again. 2. Trumpet.

Her. Again. 3. Trumpet.

\Trumpet atij-Mers vrittm.
Enter EDGAR, armd.

ALS. Afk him his purposes, why he appears
Upon this call o'the trumpet.

Her. What are you ?

Your name, your quality? and why you anfwer
This present fummons ?

EDG. Know, my came is loft;
By treason's iooth bare-gnawn, and canker-'bit :
Yet am I noble, as the adverfary
I come to cope withal.

ALK. Which is that adverfary ?

IDG. What's he, that fpeaksfor^/wrWearl tfGioJler?

Ej>&. Himfelf ; What fay'ft thou to him I

EDO. Draw thy fword*
That, if my fpeech ofFend a noble heart,
Thy arm may do thee juftice : hereof is rmne.
Behold, it is the priviledge of my tongue,
My .oath, and my profeffion : I protelt, —
Maugre thy llrength, youth, place and eminence,
Defpight thy viftor fword, and fire-new fortune,
Thy valour, and thy heart, — thou art a traitor :
JFalfe to the gods, thy brother, and thy father;
Confpirate 'gainfl this high illuftrious prince ;
And, from the extreameft upward of thy head
To the defcentand duft below thy foot,
A moft toad-fpotted traitor. Say thou, No,
T;his fword, this arm, and my beft fpirits, are bent
To prove upon thy heart, whereto 1 fpeak,

*3 Confoicuate

King Lear. ttl

Thou ly'ft.

EDM. Jn wisdom, I fhould afk thy name;
But, fmce thy out-fide looks fo fair and warlike,
And that thy tongue fome 'fay of breeding breaths,
What fafe and nicely I might well delay
By rule of knighthood, I difdain and fpurn:
Back do I tofa these treasons to thy head ;
With the hell-hated lye o'er-whelm thy heart ;
Which for they yet glance by, and fcarcely bruise,
This fu-ord of mine {hall give them inftant way
Where they mall reft for ever. —Trumpets, fpeak.

[Alarums. T'hey fight. Edmundjfc//u

ALE. Save him, fir, fave him.

GON. This is practice, Glojhr :
By the law of arms, thou waft not bound to anfvver
An unknown opposite ; thou art not vanquifh'd,
But cozen'd and beguil'd.

ALB. Shut your mouth, dame,

Or with this =j= paper fhall I ftop it t Hold, fir : —

Thou worfe than any name, read thine own evil :
No tearing, lady; I perceive, you know it.

GON. Say, if I do ; the laws are mine, not thine:
Who fhall arraign me for't ?

ALB. Moft monfterous !
Know'ft thou this paper ?

GON. Afk me not what I know. [Exit GONERIL.

ALB. Go after her ; (he's defperate ; govern her.

[to an Officer, IU/JD goes out after her.

EDM. What you havecharg'd me with, that havel done;
And more, much more: the time will bring it outj-
'Tis part, and fo am 1 : But what art thou,
That haft this fortune on me ? If thou art noble,

i s z King Lear.

I do forgive thee.

EDO. Let us exchange charity.
I am no lefs in blood than thoa art, Edmund*,
Jf more, the more thou hail wrong'd me.
My name is Ef/%ar, and thy father's fon.
The gods are juft, and of our pleasant vices
Make inftruments to fcourge us :
The dark and vicious place where thee he got
Coft him his eyes.

EVM. Thou haft fpoken right, 'tis true;
The wheel is come full circle, J am ~f here.

Ais. Methought, thy very gait did prophefy
A royal noblenefs : I muft embrace thee :
Let forrow fplit my heart, if ever I
Did hate thee or thy father !

EDO. Worthy prince,
I know it to€H.

ALS. Where have you hid yourfelf?
How have you known the miseries of your father ?

EDG. By mtrfnig them, my lord. Lift a brief tale;-
And, when 'tis told, o that my heart would burft.' —
The bloody proclamation to efcape,
That follow'd me fo near, (O our lives' fweetnefs !
That we the pain of death would hourly dye,
Rather than dye at once !) taught me to fh,ift
Into a madman's rags ; to aflume a femblance
That very dogs difdain'd : and in this habit
Met I my father with his bleeding rings*
Their precious ftones new loft ; became his guide,
Led him, beg'd for him, fav'd him from defpair;
Never (o fault!) reveal'd myfelf unto him,
Until feme half hour paft, when I was arm'd,

King Lear. i r 3

Not fute, though hoping, of this good fuccefs,
I aflc'd his bleffing, and from firfr. to lalt
Told him my pilgrimage: But his flaw'd heart,
(Alack, too weak the conflict to fupport !)
'Twixt two extreams of paffion, joy and grief,
Burft fmilingly.

EDM. This fpeech of yours hath mov'd me,
And fhall, perchance, do good : but fpeak you on,
You look as you had fomething more to fay.

ALB. If there be more, more woeful, hold it in ;
For I am almoft ready to dissolve,
Hearing of this.

EDO. This would have feemM a period
To fuch as love not forrow ; but, another ;
(To amplify too-much, to make much more,
And top extremity,)

Whilft I was big in clamour, came there a man,
Who having feen me in my worit eitate,
Shun'd my abhor'd fociety ; but then, finding
. Who 'twas that fo endur'd, with his llrong arms
He faften'd on my neck, and belfow'd out
As he'd burit heaven ; threw him on my father;
Told the moft piteous tale of Lear and hin»,
That ever ear receiv'd : which in recounting,
His grief grew puifant, and the firings of life
Began to crack : Twice then the trumpet founded,
And there I left him tranc'd.

ALB. But who was this ?

EDO. Kent, fir, the baniih'J Kent ; who in difguise
Follow'd his enemy king, and did him fervice
Improper for a flave.

Re-entsr Officer boftily, ivitb a bloody Kfiife.

'• tpo inuih [ Would make " threw n-.c on

1 14 King Lear.

Off". Help, help, o, help I

EDC. What kind of help ?

ALB. Speak, man.

EDO. What means that bloody knife ?

Ojf. It's hot, it fmokes,
It came even from the heart of—

ALE. Who, man ? fpeak.

Off". Your lady, fir, your lady : and her fitter
By her is poison'd ; fhe confeffes it.

EDM. I was contracted to them both ; aJl three
Now marry in an inilant.

EDO. Here comes Kent, fir.

Enter KENT.

ALB. Produce the bodies, be they alive or dead._i
This judgment of the heavens, that makes us tremble,
Touches us not with pity — O, 'tis he:
The time will not allow the compliment
That very manners urges.

KEN. I am come

To bid my king and matter aye good night ;
Is he not here ?

ALB. Great thing of us forgot ! _
Speak, Edmund, where's the king, and where's Cordelia?^.
See'ft thou this objeft, Kent ?

\tbe Bodies c/"Reg. and Gon. are brought in.

KZN. Alack, why thus ?

EDM. Yet Edmund \\zs belov'd :
The one the other poison'd for my fake,
And after flew herfelf

ALE. Even fo. _ Cover their faces.

EDM. I pant for life, — Some good I mean to dor
Defpight of mine own nature. Quickly fend,

J&Vg- Lear. f 1 5

Be brief in it, to the caftle ; for my writ
Is on the life of Lear, and on Cordelia :
Nay, fend in time.

ALB. Run, run, o, run,—

EBC . To who, my lord ? _Who has the office ? fend1
Thy token of reprieve.

EDM. Well thought on; take my fword,
Give it the captain.

ALB. Hafte thee for thy life.

{Exeunt EDGAR, and O then,

EDM. He hath commifiion from thy wife and me
To hang Cordelia in the prison, and
To lay the blame upon her own defpsir.

ALB. The gods defend her !_Bear him hence a while.
[EDMUND is torn ojfl-
Enter LEAR, ivitb Cordelia in bis Arms :

EDGAR, and the rejl, return. [ftones ?

LEA. Howl, howl, howl, howl ! O, you are men of
Had I your tongues and eyes, I'd use them fo [ever! —
That heaven's vault mould crack : — O, me is gone fcr
I Itnow when one is dead, and when one lives ;
She's dead as earth : ~~ Lend me a looking-glafs ;
If that her breath will mift or ftain the Hone,
Why, then (he lives.

KEN . Is this the promis'd" end ?

EBG. O image of that horror 1

ALB. Fall, and ceafe !

LEA. This feather ftirs ; She lives ! if it be fo,
It is a chance that does redeem all forrow s
That ever I have felt.

KEN. O my good m after ! \knetis,

LEA. Pr'ythee, away.

*« Or image

Ti6 K'»g Leaf.

EDG. 'Tis noble Kent, your friend.

LEA. A plague upon you, murderers, traitors all !
I might have fav'd her ; now (he's gone for ever ! _
Cordelia, Cordelia, ftay a little.

Ha ! What is't thou fay'ft:_Her voice was ever foft.
Gentle, and low; an excellent thing in woman: _
J kill'd the flave that was a hanging thee.

Off. 'Tis true, my lords, he did.

LEA. Did I not, fellow ?

I have feen the day, with my good biting faulchion
I would have made them (kip : I am old now,

And these fame crofles fpoil me Who are you r

Mine eyes are none o'the beft : I'll tell you ftraight.

KEN. If fortune brag of two ftie lov'd and hated,
One of them we behold.

LEA. This ticbt of mine
Is a dull fight : Are you not Kent ?

KEN. The fame;
Your fervant Kent : Where is your fervant Cams?

LEA. He's a good fellow, I can tell you that ;
He'll ftrike, and quickly too : — He's dead and rotten.

KEN. No, my good lord; I am the very man :

LEA. I'll fee that ftraight.

KEN. That, from your firft of difference and decay,
Have follow'd your fad fteps.

LEA. You are welcome hither. [deadly.

KEN. Nor no man elfe ; all's cheerlefs, dark, and
Your eldeft daughters have fore-doom'd themfelves,
And defperately are dead.

LEA. Ay, fo I think.

ALB. He knows not what he fays ; and vain it is
That we present us to him.

King Lear . 1 1 7

IDG. Very boodefs.

Enter an Officer.

Off". Edmund 'is dead, my lord.

ALV. That's but a trifle here,—
You lords, and noble friends, know our intent.
What comfort to this great decay may come,
Shall be apply'd : For us, we will resign,
During the life of this old majefty,

To him our abfolute power: You, to your rights'}

With boot and fuch addition as your honours
Have more than merited. — All friends lhall tafte
The wages of their virtue, and all foes
The cup of their deservings O, fee, fee ! ..

LEJ. And my poor fool is hang'd ! No, no, no life:
Why fhould a dog, a horfe, a rat have life,
And thou no breath at all ? O, thou wilt come no more!
Never, never, never, never, never ! _

Pray you, undo this button : Thank you, fir.

Do you fee this ? Look on her, look on her lips,
Look there, look there ! \diet.

EDC. He faints; — My lord, my lord ; —

KEN. Break, heart ; I pr'ythee, break.

EDO. Look up, my lord.

KZN. Vex not his ghoftio, let him pafs! he hates him,
That would upon the rack of this rough world
Stretch him out longer.

EDG. He is gone, indeed.

KEN. The wonder is, he hath endur'd fo long >
He but usurp'd his life.

ALB. Bear them from hence.—

Our present buiineft
Is general woe. Friends of my foul, you twain

VOL. IX. A a

ii8 King Leu.

Rule in this realm, and the gor'd flate fuftain.

KEN. I have a journey, fir, fhortly to go ;
My matter calls me, I muft not fay, no.

ALB. The weight of this fad time we muft obey ;
Speak what we feel, not what we ought to fay.
The oldeft have born molt : we, that are young,
Shall never fee fo much, nor live fo long.

[Exeunt, iuitb a dead March.

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