Bel. I never faw Such noble fury in fo poor a thing; Such precious deeds in one that promis'd nought Reads. "When as the lion's whelp fhall, to himself unknown, without feek "ing find, and be embrac'd by a piece of tender air; and when, from · "a ftately cedar fhall be lopt branches, which, being dead many years, "fhall after revive, be jointed to the old stock, and frethly grow, then "fhall Pofthumus end his miferies, Britain be fortunate, and flourish "in peace and plenty." 'Tis still a dream; or elfe fuch fluff, as madmen: Tongue, and brain not- do either both, or nothing Or fenfeless speaking, or as fpeaking fuch As fenfe cannot untie. But what it is, The action of my life is like it, which I'll keep, Goal. Hanging is the word, Sir; if you be ready for that, you are well cook'd. Poft. So if it prove a good repast to the fpectators, the difh pays.. the fhot. Goal. A heavy reckoning for you, Sir; but the comfort is, you shall be called to no more payments, fear no more tavern-bills, which are often the sadness of paring, as the procuring of mirth; you come in faint for want of meat, depart reeling with too much drink; forry that you have paid too much, and forry that you are paid too much; purfe and brain both empty, the brain the heavier, for being too light; the purfe too light, being drawn of heavinefs. Oh, of this contradiction you fhall now be quit; oh, the charity of a penny cord, it fums up thousands in a trice: you have no true debtor and creditor; but it; of what's past, is, and to come, the discharge; your neck, Sir, is pen, book, and counter; fo the acquittance follows. Poft. I am merrier to die, than thou art to live. Goal Indeed, Sir, he that fleeps, feels not the tooth ach; but a man that were to fleep you, feep, and a hangman to help him to bed, I think he would change places with his officer: for, look you, Sir, you know not which way you fbail go.. Poft. Yes, indeed, do i, fellow. Goal. Your death has cyes in's head then; I have not seen him fo pictur'd: you must either be directed by fome that take upon them to know; or to take upon yourself that which I am fure you do not. know; or lump the after inquiry on your own peril; and how you hall speed in your journey's end, I think you'll never return to tell one, Cym. No tidings of him? Pif. He hath been fearch'd among the dead and li But no trace of him. Gym. To my grief, I am The heir of his reward; which I will add To you, the liver, heart, and brain of Britain [ving, [To Bel. Guid. and Arvirag 'Tis now the time. By whom, I grant, fhe lives. Report it. In Cambria are we born, and gentlemen: Cym. Bow your knees; Arife my knights o' th' battle; I create you Enter Cornelius, and Ladies. There's bufinefs in thefe faces: why fo fadly Cor. Hail, great King! To four your happiness, I muft report Poft. I tell thee, fellow, there are none want eyes, to direct thems the way I am going, but fuch as wink, and will not use them. Goal. What an infinite mock is this, that a man fhould have the bell use of eyes, to fee the way of blindness! I am fure hanging's the way of winking. Enter a Messenger. Meff Knock off his manacles, bring your prifoner to the King. Goal, I'll be hang'd then... Poft. Thou shalt be then freer than a goaler; no bolts for the dead. [Exeunt Pofthumus and Messenger. Goal. Unless a man would marry a gallows, and beget young gibbets, I never faw one fo prone. Yet, on my confcience, there are: verier knaves defire to live, for all he be a Roman ; and there be fome ; of them too that die against their wills; to fhould I, if I were one, I would we were all of one mind, and one mind good. O there were défolation of goalers and gallowfes. 1 fpeak against my present profit, but my with hath a preferment in't." SCENE, & Exit Cym. Whom worse than a physician Cor. With horror, madly dying, like herfelf; Cym. Pr'ythee, say, “ Cor. First, the confefs'd fhe never lov'd you only Affected greatnefs got by you, not you: Married your royalty, was wife to your place; Cym. She alone knew this: And, but the fpoke it dying, I would not Gor. Your daughter, whom the bore in hand to love With fuch integrity, fhe did confefs Was as a fcorpion to her fight; whofe life, But that her flight prevented it, she had Ta'en off by poison. Cym. O most delicate fiend! Who is't can read a woman? is there more? Cor. More, Sir, and worse. She did confefs fhe had: Cym, Heard you all this, her women? Were not in fault, for fhe was beautiful: Make thy demand aloud,▬▬▬▬▬Sir, step you forth, [To lachimo, [him. Give answer to this boy, and do it freely; Of whom he had this ring. Poft. What's that to him? Cym. That diamond upon your finger, fay, How came it your's? lach. Thou'lt torture me to leave unspoken that, Which to be fpoke would torture thee. Cym. How? me? Iach. I am glad to be constrain'd to utter what Torments me to conceal. By villany I got this ring; 'twas Leonatus' jewel Whom thou didst banish: and (which more may grieve As it doth me) a nobler Sir ne'er liv'd [thee, 'Twixt fky and ground. Will you hear more, my Lord? Cym. All that belongs to this. Iach. That paragon, thy daughter, For whom my heart drops blood, and my false spirits Quail to remember,- -give me leave, I faint. Savoons. Cym. My daughter, what of her? renew thy ftrength; Iach. Upon a time, (unhappy was the clock Those which I heav'd to head): the good Pofthumus— For beauty, that made barren the swell'd boast • Feature for proportion of parts. tie. Inelaborate, hafty, A shop of all the qualities that man Loves woman for; besides that hook of wiving, Gym. I ftand on fire. Come to the matter. Iach. All too foon I fhall, -Unless thou wouldst grieve quickly. This Pofthumus, (Moft like a Noble Lord in love, and one 'i hat had a royal lover) took his hint; And, not dispraising whom we prais'd, (therein His mistress' picture; which by his tongue being made, Were crack'd-of kitchen-trulls, or his defcription Cym. Nay, nay, to th' purpose. lach. Your daughter's chastity; there it beginst He fpake of her, as Dian had hot dreams, And the alone were cold: whereat I, wretch ! In fuit the place of's bed, and win this ring Than I did truly find her, ftakes this ring; Of Phoebus' wheel; and might fo fafely, had it Away to Britain Poft I in this defign: well may you, Sir, Remember me at court, where I was taught 'Twixt amorous and villanous. Being thus quench'a Y |