Bafe and unluftrous as the fmoaky light
That's fed with ftinking tallow; it were fit,
That all the plagues of hell fhould at one time
Encounter fuch revolt.

Imo. My lord, I fear,

Has forgot Britain.

Iach. And himself.-Not I,

Inclin'd to this intelligence, pronounce

The beggary of his change; but 'tis your graces,
That from my muteft confcience, to my tongue,
Charms this report out.

Imo. Let me hear no more.

Iach. O dearest foul! your caufe doth strike my heart With pity, that doth make me fick, A lady So fair, and fasten'd to an empery,

Would make the greatest king double! to be partner'd
With tomboys, 8 hir'd with that felf-exhibition
Which your own coffers yield! -with difeas'd ventures,
That play with all infirmities for gold,

Which rottennefs can lend nature! fuch boil'd stuff,
As well might poifon poifon! Be reveng'd;
Or fhe that bore you was no queen, and you
Recoil from your great stock.

Imo. Reveng'd!

How fhould I 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 fhould I be reveng'd?

Iach. Should he make me

Live like Diana's prieft, betwixt cold sheets;
Whiles he is vaulting variable ramps

In your defpight, upon your purfe? Revenge it!
I dedicate myself to your fweet pleasure;
More noble than that runagate to your bed;

8

bir'd with that felf-exhibition] Grofs Arumpets, hired with the very penfion which you allow your husband.

JOHNSON.

And

And will continue faft to your affection,

Still clofe, as fure.

Imo. What ho, Pifanio!.

Iach. Let me my fervice tender on your lips.
Imo. Away!-I do condemn mine ears, that have
So long attended thee.-If thou wert honourable,
Thou wouldst have told this tale for virtue, not
For fuch an end thou feek'ft; as bafe, as strange.
Thou wrong'st 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, Pifanio!
The king my father shall be made acquainted
Of thy affault: if he fhall think it fit,
A faucy ftranger in his court to mart
9 As in a Romifh ftew, and to expound
His beaftly mind to us, he hath a court
He little cares for, and a daughter whom
He not refpects at all. What ho, Pifanio!
Iach. O happy Leonatus! I may say;
The credit that thy lady hath of thee
Deferves thy truft; and thy most perfect goodness
Her affur'd credit! Bleffed live you long,
A lady to the worthiest Sir, that ever

Country called his ! and you his mistress, only
For the moft worthieft fit! Give me your pardon.
I have fpoke this, to know if your affiance
Were deeply rooted; and shall 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 mens' hearts are his.

Imo. You make amends.

9 As in a Romish ftew,-] The ftews of Rome are deservedly cenfured by the reformed. This is one of many inftances in which Shakespeare has mingled in the manners of diflant ages in this play. JOHNSON.

Jach. He fits 'mong 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 I have adventur'd
To try your taking of a false report; which hath
Honour'd with confirmation your great judgment,
In the election of a Sir, 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.
Imo. All's well, Sir. Take my power i' the court

for

yours.

Iach. My humble thanks. I had almost forgot To intreat your grace but in a small request, And yet of moment too, for it concerns Your lord; myself and other noble friends Are partners in the business.

Imo. Pray, what is't?

Iach. Some dozen Romans of us, and your lord, (The best feather of our wing) have mingled fums To buy a prefent for the emperor;

Which I, the factor for the reft, have done
In France: 'tis plate of rare device, and jewels
Of rich and exquifite form, their values great;
And I am fomething curious, being strange,
To have them in fafe ftowage: may it please you
To take them in protection.

Imo, Willingly;

10

And pawn mine honour for their fafety. Since
My lord hath interest in them, I will keep them
In my bed-chamber.

Iach. They are in a trunk,

Attended by my men: I will make bold
To fend them to you, only for this night;
I muft a-board to-morrow.

Imo. O no, no.

being ftrange,] i. e. being a ftranger. STEEVENS.

Iach. Yes, I beseech; or I shall short my word, By length'ning my return. From Gallia,

I crofs'd the feas on purpose, and on promise
To fee your grace.

Imo. I thank you for

your pains;

But not away to-morrow?

Iach. O, I must, madam.

Therefore I fhall beseech you, if

you please To greet your lord with writing, do't to-night. I have outstood my time; which is material To the tender of our present.

Imo. I will write..

Send your trunk to me, it fhall fafe be kept,
And truly yielded you. You are very welcome.

[Exeunt.

ACT II. SCENE I..

W

I

Cymbeline's palace.

Enter Cloten, and two Lords.

CLOTEN.

AS there ever man had fuch luck! when I kifs'd the jack upon an up-caft, to be hit away! I had an hundred pound on't. And then a whorefon jack-an-apes muft take me up for fwearing,

kiss'd the jack upon an up-caft,-] He is defcribing his fate at bowls. The jack is the fmall bowl at which the others are aimed. He who is nearest to it wins. To kiss the jack is a state of great advantage. JOHNSON.

This expreffion frequently occurs in the old comedies. So in A Woman never vex'd, a comedy, by Rowley, 1632.

"This city bowler has kijs'd the mistress at the first caft.”

STEEVENS.

As

as if I borrowed mine oaths of him, and might not spend them at my pleasure.

his

1 Lord. What got he by that? you have broke pate with your bowl.

2 Lord. If his wit had been like him that broke it, it would have run all out.

[Afide. Clot. When a gentleman is difpos'd to fwear, it is not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths. Ha? 2 Lord. 2 No, my lord; nor crop the ears of them. [Afide. Clot. Whorefon dog! I give him fatisfaction? 'Would he had been one of my rank!

2 Lord. To have smelt like a fool. [Afide. Clot. I am not vex'd 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 must go up and down like a cock that no body can match.

2 Lord. You are a cock and a capon too; and you crow, cock, 3 with your comb on. [Afide.

Clot. Say'ft thou?

1 Lord. It is not fit your lordship should undertake4 every companion that you give offence to.

Clot. No, I know that: but it is fit I fhould commit offence to my inferiors.

2 Lord. Ay, it is fit for your lordship only. Clot. Why, fo I say.

1 Lord. Did you hear of a ftranger that's come to court to-night?

Clot. A ftranger! and I not know on't!

2 No, my lord, &c.] This, I believe, fhould stand thus:

3

1 Lord. No, my lord.

2 Lord. Nor crop the ears of them. [Afide. JOHNSON. comb on.] The allufion is to a fool's cap, which hath a comb like a cock's. JOHNSON.

4

with your

every companion,-] The ufe of companion was the fame as of fellow now. It was a word of contempt. JoHNSON.

2 Lord.