ACT 1
Scene 4

...Madam, I shall.
Enter Philario, Iachimo, a Frenchman, a Dutchman, and a Spaniard.
Believe it, sir, I have seen him in Britain. He
was then of a crescent note, expected to prove so
worthy as since he hath been allowed the name of.
But I could then have looked on him without the
help of admiration, though the catalogue of his
endowments had been tabled by his side and I to
peruse him by items.

...eyes as he.
This matter of marrying his king’s daughter,
wherein he must be weighed rather by her value
than his own, words him, I doubt not, a great deal
from the matter.

...then his banishment.
Ay, and the approbation of those that weep
this lamentable divorce under her colors are wonderfully
to extend him, be it but to fortify her judgment,
which else an easy battery might lay flat for
taking a beggar without less quality.—But how
comes it he is to sojourn with you? How creeps
acquaintance?

...have fall’n both.
Can we with manners ask what was the
difference?

...ladies in France.
That lady is not now living, or this gentleman’s
opinion by this worn out.

...I my mind.
You must not so far prefer her ’fore ours of
Italy.

...not her friend.
As fair and as good—a kind of hand-in-hand
comparison—had been something too fair and too
good for any lady in Britain. If she went before
others I have seen, as that diamond of yours outlusters
many I have beheld, I could not but
believe she excelled many. But I have not seen the
most precious diamond that is, nor you the lady.

...I my stone.
What do you esteem it at?

...the world enjoys.
Either your unparagoned mistress is dead, or
she’s outprized by a trifle.

...of the gods.
Which the gods have given you?

...I will keep.
You may wear her in title yours, but you
know strange fowl light upon neighboring ponds.
Your ring may be stolen too. So your brace of unprizable
estimations, the one is but frail and the
other casual. A cunning thief or a that-way-accomplished
courtier would hazard the winning both of
first and last.

...familiar at first.
With five times so much conversation I
should get ground of your fair mistress, make her
go back even to the yielding, had I admittance and
opportunity to friend.

... No, no.
I dare thereupon pawn the moiety of my
estate to your ring, which in my opinion o’ervalues
it something. But I make my wager rather against
your confidence than her reputation, and, to bar
your offense herein too, I durst attempt it against
any lady in the world.

...by your attempt.
What’s that?

...be better acquainted.
Would I had put my estate and my neighbor’s
on th’ approbation of what I have spoke.

...choose to assail?
Yours, whom in constancy you think stands
so safe. I will lay you ten thousand ducats to your
ring that, commend me to the court where your
lady is, with no more advantage than the opportunity
of a second conference, and I will bring from
thence that honor of hers which you imagine so
reserved.

...part of it.
You are a friend, and therein the wiser. If you
buy ladies’ flesh at a million a dram, you cannot
preserve it from tainting. But I see you have some
religion in you, that you fear.

...purpose, I hope.
I am the master of my speeches and would
undergo what’s spoken, I swear.

...it no lay.
By the gods, it is one!—If I bring you no sufficient
testimony that I have enjoyed the dearest
bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand
ducats are yours; so is your diamond too. If I come
off and leave her in such honor as you have trust
in, she your jewel, this your jewel, and my gold are
yours, provided I have your commendation for my
more free entertainment.

...with your sword.
Your hand; a covenant.(They shake hands.)
We will have these things set down by lawful counsel,
and straight away for Britain, lest the bargain
should catch cold and starve. I will fetch my gold
and have our two wagers recorded.

... Agreed.
Iachimo and Posthumus exit.

Scene 6

...this be? Fie!
Enter Pisanio and Iachimo.

...lord with letters.
Change you, madam?
The worthy Leonatus is in safety
And greets your Highness dearly.
He gives her a letter.

...You’re kindly welcome.
aside
All of her that is out of door, most rich!
If she be furnished with a mind so rare,
She is alone th’ Arabian bird, and I
Have lost the wager. Boldness be my friend.
Arm me, audacity, from head to foot,
Or like the Parthian I shall flying fight—
Rather, directly fly.

...I can do.
Thanks, fairest lady.—
What, are men mad? Hath nature given them eyes
To see this vaulted arch and the rich crop
Of sea and land, which can distinguish ’twixt
The fiery orbs above and the twinned stones
Upon the numbered beach, and can we not
Partition make with spectacles so precious
’Twixt fair and foul?

...makes your admiration?
It cannot be i’ th’ eye, for apes and monkeys
’Twixt two such shes would chatter this way and
Contemn with mows the other; nor i’ th’ judgment,
For idiots in this case of favor would
Be wisely definite; nor i’ th’ appetite—
Sluttery to such neat excellence opposed
Should make desire vomit emptiness,
Not so allured to feed.

...the matter, trow?
The cloyèd will,
That satiate yet unsatisfied desire, that tub
Both filled and running, ravening first the lamb,
Longs after for the garbage.

...Are you well?
Thanks, madam, well.
(To Pisanio.)
Beseech you, sir,
Desire my man’s abode where I did leave him.
He’s strange and peevish.

...health, beseech you?
Well, madam.

...hope he is.
Exceeding pleasant. None a stranger there
So merry and so gamesome. He is called
The Briton Reveler.

...Not knowing why.
I never saw him sad.
There is a Frenchman his companion, one
An eminent monsieur that, it seems, much loves
A Gallian girl at home. He furnaces
The thick sighs from him, whiles the jolly Briton—
Your lord, I mean—laughs from ’s free lungs, cries “O,
Can my sides hold to think that man who knows
By history, report, or his own proof
What woman is, yea, what she cannot choose
But must be, will ’s free hours languish for
Assurèd bondage?”

...lord say so?
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.

...he, I hope.
Not he—but yet heaven’s bounty towards him might
Be used more thankfully. In himself ’tis much;
In you, which I account his, beyond all talents.
Whilst I am bound to wonder, I am bound
To pity too.

...you pity, sir?
Two creatures heartily.

...Deserves your pity?
Lamentable! What,
To hide me from the radiant sun and solace
I’ th’ dungeon by a snuff?

...you pity me?
That others do—
I was about to say, enjoy your—but
It is an office of the gods to venge it,
Not mine to speak on ’t.

...spur and stop.
Had I this cheek
To bathe my lips upon; this hand, whose touch,
Whose every touch, would force the feeler’s soul
To th’ oath of loyalty; this object which
Takes prisoner the wild motion of mine eye,
Fixing it only here; should I, damned then,
Slaver with lips as common as the stairs
That mount the Capitol, join gripes with hands
Made hard with hourly falsehood—falsehood as
With labor; then by-peeping in an eye
Base and illustrous as the smoky light
That’s fed with stinking tallow; it were fit
That all the plagues of hell should at one time
Encounter such revolt.

...Has forgot Britain.
And himself. Not I,
Inclined to this intelligence, pronounce
The beggary of his change, but ’tis your graces
That from my mutest conscience to my tongue
Charms this report out.

...hear no more.
O dearest soul, your cause doth strike my heart
With pity that doth make me sick. A lady
So fair, and fastened to an empery
Would make the great’st king double, to be partnered
With tomboys hired with that self exhibition
Which your own coffers yield, with diseased ventures
That play with all infirmities for gold
Which rottenness can lend nature; such boiled stuff
As well might poison poison. Be revenged,
Or she that bore you was no queen, and you
Recoil from your great stock.

...I be revenged?
Should he make me
Live like Diana’s priest betwixt cold sheets,
Whiles he is vaulting variable ramps,
In your despite, upon your purse? Revenge it.
I dedicate myself to your sweet pleasure,
More noble than that runagate to your bed,
And will continue fast to your affection,
Still close as sure.

...What ho, Pisanio!
Let me my service tender on your lips.

...all.—What ho, Pisanio!
O happy Leonatus! I may say
The credit that thy lady hath of thee
Deserves thy trust, and thy most perfect goodness
Her assured credit.—Blessèd live you long,
A lady to the worthiest sir that ever
Country called his; and you his mistress, only
For the most worthiest fit. Give me your pardon.
I have spoke 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 truest mannered, such a holy witch
That he enchants societies into him.
Half all men’s hearts are his.

...You make amends.
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,
Most mighty princess, that I have adventured
To try your taking of a false report, which hath
Honored with confirmation your great judgment
In the election of a sir so 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, chaffless. Pray, your pardon.

...court for yours.
My humble thanks. I had almost forgot
T’ 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.

...what is ’t?
Some dozen Romans of us and your lord—
The best feather of our wing—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
Of rich and exquisite form, their values great.
And I am something curious, being strange,
To have them in safe stowage. May it please you
To take them in protection?

...In my bedchamber.
They are in a trunk
Attended by my men. I will make bold
To send them to you, only for this night.
I must aboard tomorrow.

...O no, no.
Yes, I beseech, or I shall short my word
By length’ning my return. From Gallia
I crossed the seas on purpose and on promise
To see your Grace.

...not away tomorrow.
O, I must, madam.
Therefore I shall beseech you, if you please
To greet your lord with writing, do ’t tonight.
I have outstood my time, which is material
To th’ tender of our present.

...You’re very welcome.
They exit.

ACT 2
Scene 2

...me, beseech you.Sleeps.
Iachimo from the trunk.
The crickets sing, and man’s o’erlabored 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,
And whiter than the sheets.—That I might touch!
But kiss, one kiss! Rubies unparagoned,
How dearly they do ’t. ’Tis her breathing that
Perfumes the chamber thus. The flame o’ th’ taper
Bows toward her and would underpeep her lids
To see th’ enclosèd lights, now canopied
Under these windows, white and azure-laced
With blue of heaven’s own tinct. But my design:
To note the chamber. I will write all down. He begins to write.
Such and such pictures; there the window; such
Th’ adornment of her bed; the arras, figures,
Why, such and such; and the contents o’ th’ story. He continues to write.
Ah, but some natural notes about her body
Above ten thousand meaner movables
Would testify t’ enrich mine inventory.
O sleep, thou ape of death, lie dull upon her,
And be her sense but as a monument
Thus in a chapel lying. (He begins to remove her bracelet.)
Come off, come off;
As slippery as the Gordian knot was hard.
’Tis mine, and this will witness outwardly
As strongly as the conscience does within
To th’ madding of her lord. On her left breast
A mole cinque-spotted, like the crimson drops
I’ th’ bottom of a cowslip. Here’s a voucher
Stronger than ever law could make. This secret
Will force him think I have picked the lock and ta’en
The treasure of her honor. No more. To what end?
Why should I write this down that’s riveted,
Screwed to my memory? She hath been reading late
The tale of Tereus; here the leaf’s turned down
Where Philomel gave up. I have enough.
To th’ trunk again, and shut the spring of it.
Swift, swift, you dragons of the night, that dawning
May bare the raven’s eye. I lodge in fear.
Though this a heavenly angel, hell is here.

Clock strikes.
One, two, three. Time, time!
He exits into the trunk. The trunk and bed are removed.

Scene 4

...upon the world.
Enter Iachimo.

...of your return.
Your lady
Is one of the fairest that I have looked upon.

...false with them.
handing him a paper
Here are letters for you.

...good, I trust.
’Tis very like.

...you were there?
He was expected then, but not approached.

...indicates his ring.
If I have lost it,
I should have lost the worth of it in gold.
I’ll make a journey twice as far t’ enjoy
A second night of such sweet shortness which
Was mine in Britain, for the ring is won.

...to come by.
Not a whit,
Your lady being so easy.

...not continue friends.
Good sir, we must,
If you keep covenant. Had I not brought
The knowledge of your mistress home, I grant
We were to question farther; but I now
Profess myself the winner of her honor,
Together with your ring, and not the wronger
Of her or you, having proceeded but
By both your wills.

...shall find them.
Sir, my circumstances,
Being so near the truth as I will make them,
Must first induce you to believe; whose strength
I will confirm with oath, which I doubt not
You’ll give me leave to spare when you shall find
You need it not.

... Proceed.
First, her bedchamber—
Where I confess I slept not, but profess
Had that was well worth watching—it was hanged
With tapestry of silk and silver, the story
Proud Cleopatra when she met her Roman
And Cydnus swelled above the banks, or for
The press of boats or pride. A piece of work
So bravely done, so rich, that it did strive
In workmanship and value, which I wondered
Could be so rarely and exactly wrought
Since the true life on ’t was—

...by some other.
More particulars
Must justify my knowledge.

...your honor injury.
The chimney
Is south the chamber, and the chimney-piece
Chaste Dian bathing. Never saw I figures
So likely to report themselves; the cutter
Was as another Nature, dumb, outwent her,
Motion and breath left out.

...much spoke of.
The roof o’ th’ chamber
With golden cherubins is fretted. Her andirons—
I had forgot them—were two winking Cupids
Of silver, each on one foot standing, nicely
Depending on their brands.

...you have laid.
Then if you can
Be pale, I beg but leave to air this jewel. See— He shows the bracelet.
And now ’tis up again. It must be married
To that your diamond. I’ll keep them.

...left with her?
Sir, I thank her, that.
She stripped it from her arm. I see her yet.
Her pretty action did outsell her gift
And yet enriched it too. She gave it me
And said she prized it once.

...send it me.
She writes so to you, doth she?

...take this too.
He gives Iachimo the ring.

...’t.—Back, my ring!
He takes back the ring.

...this was stol’n.
By Jupiter, I had it from her arm.

...themselves between you!
He gives the ring to Iachimo.

...colted by him.
If you seek
For further satisfying, under her breast,
Worthy the pressing, lies a mole, right proud
Of that most delicate lodging. By my life,
I kissed it, and it gave me present hunger
To feed again, though full. You do remember
This stain upon her?

...more but it.
Will you hear more?

...and a million!
I’ll be sworn—

...made me cuckold.
I’ll deny nothing.

...hath against himself.
With all my heart.
They exit.

ACT 5
Scene 2

...and more within.
Enter Lucius, Iachimo, and the Roman army at one door, and the Briton army at another, Leonatus Posthumus following like a poor soldier. They march over and go out. Then enter again, in skirmish, Iachimo and Posthumus. He vanquisheth and disarmeth Iachimo, and then leaves him.
The heaviness and guilt within my bosom
Takes off my manhood. I have belied a lady,
The Princess of this country, and the air on ’t
Revengingly enfeebles me; or could this carl,
A very drudge of nature’s, have subdued me
In my profession? Knighthoods and honors, borne
As I wear mine, are titles but of scorn.
If that thy gentry, Britain, go before
This lout as he exceeds our lords, the odds
Is that we scarce are men and you are gods.
He exits.

...stand, and fight!
Then enter Lucius, Iachimo, and Imogen as Fidele.

...war were hoodwinked.
’Tis their fresh supplies.

...reinforce, or fly.
They exit.

Scene 5

...Heaven mend all.
Enter Lucius, Iachimo, Soothsayer, and other Roman prisoners, Posthumus Leonatus behind, and Imogen as Fidele, with Briton Soldiers as guards.

...came it yours.
Thou ’lt torture me to leave unspoken that
Which to be spoke would torture thee.

... How? Me?
I am glad to be constrained to utter that
Which torments me to conceal. By villainy
I got this ring. ’Twas Leonatus’ jewel,
Whom thou didst banish, and—which more may grieve thee,
As it doth me—a nobler sir ne’er lived
’Twixt sky and ground. Wilt thou hear more, my lord?

...belongs to this.
That paragon, thy daughter,
For whom my heart drops blood and my false spirits
Quail to remember—Give me leave; I faint.

...man, and speak.
Upon a time—unhappy was the clock
That struck the hour!—it was in Rome—accursed
The mansion where!—’twas at a feast—O, would
Our viands had been poisoned, or at least
Those which I heaved to head!—the good Posthumus—
What should I say? He was too good to be
Where ill men were, and was the best of all
Amongst the rar’st of good ones—sitting sadly,
Hearing us praise our loves of Italy
For beauty that made barren the swelled boast
Of him that best could speak; for feature, laming
The shrine of Venus or straight-pight Minerva,
Postures beyond brief nature; for condition,
A shop of all the qualities that man
Loves woman for, besides that hook of wiving,
Fairness which strikes the eye—

...to the matter.
All too soon I shall,
Unless thou wouldst grieve quickly. This Posthumus,
Most like a noble lord in love and one
That had a royal lover, took his hint,
And, not dispraising whom we praised—therein
He was as calm as virtue—he began
His mistress’ picture; which by his tongue being made
And then a mind put in ’t, either our brags
Were cracked of kitchen trulls, or his description
Proved us unspeaking sots.

...to th’ purpose.
Your daughter’s chastity—there it begins.
He spake of her as Dian had hot dreams
And she alone were cold; whereat I, wretch,
Made scruple of his praise and wagered with him
Pieces of gold ’gainst this, which then he wore
Upon his honored finger, to attain
In suit the place of ’s bed and win this ring
By hers and mine adultery. He, true knight,
No lesser of her honor confident
Than I did truly find her, stakes this ring,
And would so, had it been a carbuncle
Of Phoebus’ wheel, and might so safely, had it
Been all the worth of ’s car. Away to Britain
Post I in this design. Well may you, sir,
Remember me at court, where I was taught
Of your chaste daughter the wide difference
’Twixt amorous and villainous. Being thus quenched
Of hope, not longing, mine Italian brain
Gan in your duller Britain operate
Most vilely; for my vantage, excellent.
And to be brief, my practice so prevailed
That I returned with simular proof enough
To make the noble Leonatus mad
By wounding his belief in her renown
With tokens thus and thus; averring notes
Of chamber-hanging, pictures, this her bracelet—
O, cunning how I got it!—nay, some marks
Of secret on her person, that he could not
But think her bond of chastity quite cracked,
I having ta’en the forfeit. Whereupon—
Methinks I see him now—

...made you finish.
kneeling
I am down again,
But now my heavy conscience sinks my knee,
As then your force did. Take that life, beseech you,
Which I so often owe; but your ring first,
And here the bracelet of the truest princess
That ever swore her faith.
He holds out the ring and bracelet.

...word to all.
Iachimo rises.

...such a peace.
They exit.