SCENE IV. Near Milford-haven. Enter PISANIO and IMOGEN. Imo. Thou told'st me, when we came from horse, the place Was near at hand. Ne'er long'd my mother so That makes thee stare thus? Wherefore breaks that sigh From the inward of thee? One, but painted thus, That drug-damn'd Italy hath out-craftied him, tongue May take off some extremity, which to read Would be even mortal to me. Pi. Please you, read; 1 For behavior. And you shall find me, wretched man, a thing Imo. [reads.] Thy mistress, Pisanio, hath played the strumpet in my bed, the testimonies whereof lie bleeding in me: I speak not out of weak surmises; but from proof as strong as my grief, and as certain as I expect my revenge. That part, thou, Pisanio, must act for me, if thy faith be not tainted with the breach of hers. Let thine own hands take away her life: I shall give thee opportunities at Milfordhaven she hath my letter for the purpose: where if thou fear to strike, and to make me certain it is done, thou art the pander to her dishonor, and equally to me disloyal.' Pi. What shall I need to draw my sword? the paper Hath cut her throat already.-No, 'tis slander; Whose edge is sharper than the sword; whose tongue Outvenoms all the worms of Nile; whose breath Rides on the posting winds, and doth belie All corners of the world: kings, queens, and states,1 Imo. False to his bed! What is it, to be false? To lie in watch there, and to think on him? To weep 'twixt clock and clock? if sleep charge nature, Persons of highest rank. To break it with a fearful dream of him, And cry myself awake? that's false to his bed; Pi. Alas, good lady! Imo. I false? Thy conscience witness.—Iachimo, Thou didst accuse him of incontinency : Thou then look'dst like a villain; now, methinks, Thy favor 's good enough.-Some jay of Italy, Whose mother was her painting, hath betray'd him : Poor I am stale, a garment out of fashion; And, for I am richer than to hang by the walls, I must be ripp'd :-to pieces with me!—O, Men's vows are women's traitors! All good seeming, Put on for villany; not born where 't grows; Pi. Good madam, hear me. Imo. True honest men being heard, like false Æneas, Were, in his time, thought false; and Sinon's weeping Did scandal many a holy tear; took pity From most true wretchedness: so, thou, Posthumus, Goodly and gallant shall be false and perjured, 1. e. the creature, not of nature, but of painting.'Johnson. |