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Cymbeline (Folio 1, 1623)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Jennifer Forsyth
Peer Reviewed
Scena Quarta.
Enter Imogen, and Pisanio.
Imo. I would thou grew'st vnto the shores o'th'Hauen,
265And questioned'st euery Saile: if he should write,
And I not haue it, 'twere a Paper lost
As offer'd mercy is: What was the last
That he spake to thee?
Pisa. It was his Queene, his Queene.
270Imo. Then wau'd his Handkerchiefe?
Pisa. And kist it, Madam.
Imo. Senselesse Linnen, happier therein then I:
And that was all?
Pisa. No Madam: for so long
275As he could make me with his eye, or eare,
Distinguish him from others, he did keepe
The Decke, with Gloue, or Hat, or Handkerchife,
Still wauing, as the fits and stirres of's mind
Could best expresse how slow his Soule sayl'd on,
280How swift his Ship.
Imo. Thou should'st haue made him
As little as a Crow, or lesse, ere left
To after-eye him.
Pisa. Madam, so I did.
285Imo. I would haue broke mine eye-strings;
Crack'd them, but to looke vpon him, till the diminution
Of space, had pointed him sharpe as my Needle:
Nay, followed him, till he had melted from
The smalnesse of a Gnat, to ayre: and then
290Haue turn'd mine eye, and wept. But good Pisanio,
When shall we heare from him.
Pisa. Be assur'd Madam,
With his next vantage.
Imo. I did not take my leaue of him, but had
295Most pretty things to say: Ere I could tell him
How I would thinke on him at certaine houres,
Such thoughts, and such: Or I could make him sweare,
The Shees of Italy should not betray
Mine Interest, and his Honour: or haue charg'd him
300At the sixt houre of Morne, at Noone, at Midnight,
T'encounter me with Orisons, for then
I am in Heauen for him: Or ere I could,
Giue him that parting kisse, which I had set
Betwixt two charming words, comes in my Father,
305And like the Tyrannous breathing of the North,
Shakes all our buddes from growing.
Enter a Lady.
La. The Queene (Madam)
Desires your Highnesse Company.
310Imo. Those things I bid you do, get them dispatch'd,
I will attend the Queene.
Pisa. Madam, I shall.
Exeunt.