Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Jennifer Forsyth
Peer Reviewed

Cymbeline (Modern)

[1.4]
Enter Imogen and Pisanio
Imogen
I would thou grewst unto the shores o'th' haven
265And questionedst every sail. If he should write
And I not have it, 'twere a paper lost
As offered mercy is. What was the last
That he spake to thee?
Pisanio
It was his queen, his queen.
270Imogen
Then waved his handkerchief?
Pisanio
And kissed it, madam.
Imogen
Senseless linen, happier therein than I!
And that was all?
Pisanio
No, madam. For so long
275As he could make me with this eye or ear
Distinguish him from others, he did keep
The deck, with glove or hat or handkerchief
Still waving as the fits and stirs of's mind
Could best express how slow his soul sailed on,
280How swift his ship.
Imogen
Thou shouldst have made him
As little as a crow or less ere left
To after-eye him.
Pisanio
Madam, so I did.
285Imogen
I would have broke mine eyestrings, cracked them but
To look upon him, till the diminution
Of space had pointed him sharp as my needle,
Nay, followed him till he had melted from
The smallness of a gnat to air, and then
290Have turned mine eye and wept. But good Pisanio,
When shall we hear from him?
Pisanio
Be assured, madam,
With his next vantage.
Imogen
I did not take my leave of him but had
295Most pretty things to say. Ere I could tell him
How I would think on him at certain hours
Such thoughts and such; or I could make him swear
The shes of Italy should not betray
Mine interest and his honor; or have charged him
300At the sixth hour of morn, at noon, at midnight,
T'encounter me with orisons, for then
I am in heaven for him; or ere I could
Give him that parting kiss which I had set
Betwixt two charming words, comes in my father
305And like the tyrannous breathing of the North
Shakes all our buds from growing.
Enter a Lady
Lady
The Queen, madam,
Desires Your Highness' company.
310Imogen
[To Pisanio] Those things I bid you do, get them dispatched. --
[To Lady] I will attend the Queen.
Pisanio
Madam, I shall.
Imogen and Lady exeunt together; Pisanio separately