Such thoughts, and such; or I could make him swear Mine interest, and his honour; or have charged him I am in heaven for him; or ere I could Give him that parting kiss, which I had set IACHIMO, an Italian, having a wager with POSTHUMUS touching IMOGEN's chastity, is concealed in a trunk in IMOGEN's chamber. Imogen, reading in her bed; a Lady attending. Imogen. What hour is it? Lady. Almost midnight, madam. Imo. I have read three hours then: mine eyes are weak: Fold down the leaf, where I have left: To bed; Take not away the taper, leave it burning; I pr'ythee, call me. Sleep hath seized me wholly.— Guard me, beseech ye! [Sleeps. Iachimo [from the trunk]. The crickets sing, and man's o'er-laboured sense Repairs itself by rest: our Tarquin thus Did softly press the rushes, ere he wakened The chastity he wounded.-Cytherea, How bravely thou becom'st thy bed! fresh lily! But kiss; one kiss!-Rubies unparagoned, How dearly they do't!-'Tis her breathing that Under these windows; white and azure, laced : Such and such pictures :-There the window :-Such O sleep, thou ape of death, lie dull upon her! [Taking off her bracelet. As slippery as the Gordian knot was hard!- Will force him think I have picked the lock, and ta'en Why should I write this down, that's riveted, Screwed to my memory? She hath been reading late To the trunk again, and shut the spring of it. May bare the raven's eye: I lodge in fear; [Clock. [Goes into the trunk. POSTHUMUS, convinced of IMOGEN's perfidy, orders his Servant PISANIO to slay her. PISANIO and IMOGEN. Imo. Thou told'st me, when we came from horse, the place Was near at hand :—ne'er longed my mother so That makes thee stare thus ? Wherefore breaks that sigh Beyond self-explication: put thyself But keep that countenance still.-My husband's hand! Would be even mortal to me. Pis. Please you, read; And Imo. (Reads.) Thy mistress, Pisanio, hath played false to my bed: the testimonies whereof lie bleeding in me. I speak not out of weak surmises; 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 Milford-Haven: 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 dishonour, and equally to me disloyal. Pis. What shall I need to draw my sword? the paper All corners of the world: kings, queens, and states, Το weep 'twixt clock and clock? if sleep charge nature, To break it with a fearful dream of him, Imo.... Come, fellow, be thou honest; Do thou thy master's bidding: when thou seest him, I draw the sword myself: take it, and hit But now thou seem'st a coward. ... Pr'ythee, dispatch ! Thou art too slow to do thy master's bidding, Pis. O gracious lady, Since I received command to do this business, I have not slept one wink. Imo. Do't, and to bed then. Pis. I'll wake mine eye-balls blind first. Didst undertake it? Why hast thou abused Pis. But to win time To lose so bad employment: in the which Imo. Talk thy tongue weary; speak: I have heard, I am a strumpet; and mine ear, Therein false struck, can take no greater wound, Nor tent to bottom that. But speak. Pis. Then, madam, I thought you would not back again. Imo. Most like; Bringing me here to kill me. Pis. Not so, neither; But if I were as wise as honest, then My purpose would prove well. It cannot br |