Imo. Is he disposed to mirth? I hope he is. · Iach. Exceeding pleasant; none a stranger there So merry and so gamesome. He is called The Briton reveller. Imo. When he was here, He did incline to sadness; and oft-times Not knowing why. Iach. I never saw him sad. An eminent monsieur, that, it seems, much loves 1 The thick sighs from him; whiles the jolly Briton What woman is, yea, what she cannot choose Imo. Will my lord say so? Iach. Ay, madam; with his eyes in flood with laughter. It is a recreation to be by, And hear him mock the Frenchman; but Heavens know, Some men are much to blame. . · Imo. Not he, I hope. Iach. Not he: but yet Heaven's bounty towards him might Be used more thankfully. In himself, 'tis much; 2 Am I one, sir? What wreck discern you in me, Deserves your pity? 1 We have the same expression in Chapman's preface to his translation of the Shield of Homer, 1598:-" Furnaceth the universal sighes and complaintes of this transposed world." 2 "If he merely regarded his own character, without any consideration of his wife, his conduct would be unpardonable." Iach. Lamentable! What! To hide me from the radiant sun, and solace I'the dungeon by a snuff? Imo. I pray you, sir, I was about to say, enjoy your- Imo. -But You do seem to know Either are past remedies; or, timely knowing,' Had I this cheek Iach. That mount the Capitol; join gripes with hands 1 It seems probable that knowing is here an error of the press for known. 2 "The information which you seem to press forward and yet withhold.” The allusion is to horsemanship. 3 Hard with falsehood is hard by being often griped with frequent change of hands. The beggary of his change; but 'tis your graces Imo. Let me hear no more. Iach. O dearest soul! your cause doth strike my heart With pity, that doth make me sick. A lady Would make the greatest king double! to be partnered Which your own coffers yield! with diseased ventures, Which rottenness can lend nature! such boiled stuff,3 Revenged! Imo. Iach. Should he make me Live, like Diana's priest, betwixt cold sheets; In your despite, upon your purse? Revenge it. Imo. What, ho, Pisanio! Iach. Let me my service tender on your lips. Imo. Away!-I do condemn mine ears, that have So long attended thee.-If thou wert honorable, Thou wouldst have told this tale for virtue, not For such an end thou seek'st; as base, as strange. 1 Empery is a word signifying sovereign command; now obsolete. 2 We still call a forward or rude hoyden a tomboy. But our ancestors seem to have used the term for a wanton. 3 This alludes to an ancient process of scalding, or parboiling, to cure a certain disease. See Randle Holme, Storehouse of Armory, b. 3. p. 441., Thou wrong'st a gentleman, who is as far Thee and the devil alike. What, ho, Pisanio!- Country called his! and you his mistress, only Were deeply rooted; and shall make your lord, Imo. You make amends. Iach. He sits 'mongst men, like a descended god; He hath a kind of honor sets him off, More than a mortal seeming. Be not angry, Which, you know, cannot err. The love I bear him Imo. All's well, sir. Take my power i' the court for yours. 1 Romish for Roman was the phraseology of Shakspeare's age. Iach. My humble thanks. I had almost forgot To entreat 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,1) have mingled sums, To buy a present for the emperor; Which I, the factor for the rest, have done In France. "Tis plate, of rare device; and jewels, To have them in safe stowage. May it please you Imo. Willingly; - Iach. They are in a trunk, Attended by my men. I will make bold I must aboard to-morrow. Imo. O, no, no. Iach. Yes, I beseech; or I shall short my word, By lengthening my return. From Gallia I crossed the seas on purpose, and on promise Imo. I thank you for your pains; But not away to-morrow? O, I must, madam ; 1 "You are so great you would faine march in fielde, See note 4, p. 237, ante. |