No Fear Shakespeare: Cymbeline: Act 1 Scene 4

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Cymbeline

William Shakespeare

Original Text

Modern Text

Original Text

Modern Text

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Enter PHILARIO, IACHIMO, a FRENCHMAN, a DUTCHMAN, and a SPANIARD.	Enter PHILARIO, IACHIMO, a FRENCHMAN, a DUTCHMAN, and a SPANIARD.
IACHIMO 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 5 help of admiration, though the catalogue of his endowments had been tabled by his side and I to peruse him by items.	IACHIMO 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.
PHILARIO You speak of him when he was less furnished than now he is with that which makes him 10 both without and within.	PHILARIO You speak of him when he was less furnished than now he is with that which makes him both without and within.
FRENCHMAN I have seen him in France. We had very many there could behold the sun with as firm eyes as he.	FRENCHMAN I have seen him in France. We had very many there could behold the sun with as firm eyes as he.
IACHIMO This matter of marrying his king’s daughter, 15 wherein he must be weighed rather by her value than his own, words him, I doubt not, a great deal from the matter.	IACHIMO 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.
FRENCHMAN And then his banishment.	FRENCHMAN And then his banishment.
IACHIMO Ay, and the approbation of those that weep 20 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 25 acquaintance?	IACHIMO 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?
PHILARIO His father and I were soldiers together, to whom I have been often bound for no less than my life. Enter POSTHUMUS. Here comes the Briton. Let him be so entertained 30 amongst you as suits, with gentlemen of your knowing, to a stranger of his quality.—I beseech you all, be better known to this gentleman, whom I commend to you as a noble friend of mine. How worthy he is I will leave to appear hereafter rather 35 than story him in his own hearing.	PHILARIO His father and I were soldiers together, to whom I have been often bound for no less than my life. Enter POSTHUMUS. Here comes the Briton. Let him be so entertained amongst you as suits, with gentlemen of your knowing, to a stranger of his quality.—I beseech you all, be better known to this gentleman, whom I commend to you as a noble friend of mine. How worthy he is I will leave to appear hereafter rather than story him in his own hearing.
FRENCHMAN (to POSTHUMUS) Sir, we have known together in Orleans.	FRENCHMAN (to POSTHUMUS) Sir, we have known together in Orleans.
POSTHUMUS Since when I have been debtor to you for courtesies which I will be ever to pay and yet pay 40 still.	POSTHUMUS Since when I have been debtor to you for courtesies which I will be ever to pay and yet pay still.
FRENCHMAN Sir, you o’errate my poor kindness. I was glad I did atone my countryman and you. It had been pity you should have been put together with so mortal a purpose as then each bore, upon importance 45 of so slight and trivial a nature.	FRENCHMAN Sir, you o’errate my poor kindness. I was glad I did atone my countryman and you. It had been pity you should have been put together with so mortal a purpose as then each bore, upon importance of so slight and trivial a nature.
POSTHUMUS By your pardon, sir, I was then a young traveler, rather shunned to go even with what I heard than in my every action to be guided by others’ experiences. But upon my mended judgment— 50 if I offend not to say it is mended—my quarrel was not altogether slight.	POSTHUMUS By your pardon, sir, I was then a young traveler, rather shunned to go even with what I heard than in my every action to be guided by others’ experiences. But upon my mended judgment— if I offend not to say it is mended—my quarrel was not altogether slight.
FRENCHMAN Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrament of swords, and by such two that would by all likelihood have confounded one the other or have fall’n 55 both.	FRENCHMAN Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrament of swords, and by such two that would by all likelihood have confounded one the other or have fall’n both.
IACHIMO Can we with manners ask what was the difference?	IACHIMO Can we with manners ask what was the difference?
FRENCHMAN Safely, I think. ’Twas a contention in public, which may without contradiction suffer the report. 60 It was much like an argument that fell out last night, where each of us fell in praise of our country mistresses, this gentleman at that time vouching—and upon warrant of bloody affirmation— his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, 65 constant, qualified, and less attemptable than any the rarest of our ladies in France.	FRENCHMAN Safely, I think. ’Twas a contention in public, which may without contradiction suffer the report. It was much like an argument that fell out last night, where each of us fell in praise of our country mistresses, this gentleman at that time vouching—and upon warrant of bloody affirmation— his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, constant, qualified, and less attemptable than any the rarest of our ladies in France.
IACHIMO That lady is not now living, or this gentleman’s opinion by this worn out.	IACHIMO That lady is not now living, or this gentleman’s opinion by this worn out.
POSTHUMUS She holds her virtue still, and I my mind.	POSTHUMUS She holds her virtue still, and I my mind.
IACHIMO 70 You must not so far prefer her ’fore ours of Italy.	IACHIMO You must not so far prefer her ’fore ours of Italy.
POSTHUMUS Being so far provoked as I was in France, I would abate her nothing, though I profess myself her adorer, not her friend.	POSTHUMUS Being so far provoked as I was in France, I would abate her nothing, though I profess myself her adorer, not her friend.
IACHIMO 75 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 80 believe she excelled many. But I have not seen the most precious diamond that is, nor you the lady.	IACHIMO 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.
POSTHUMUS I praised her as I rated her. So do I my stone.	POSTHUMUS I praised her as I rated her. So do I my stone.
IACHIMO What do you esteem it at?	IACHIMO What do you esteem it at?
POSTHUMUS 85 More than the world enjoys.	POSTHUMUS More than the world enjoys.
IACHIMO Either your unparagoned mistress is dead, or she’s outprized by a trifle.	IACHIMO Either your unparagoned mistress is dead, or she’s outprized by a trifle.
POSTHUMUS You are mistaken. The one may be sold or given, or if there were wealth enough for the purchase 90 or merit for the gift. The other is not a thing for sale, and only the gift of the gods.	POSTHUMUS You are mistaken. The one may be sold or given, or if there were wealth enough for the purchase or merit for the gift. The other is not a thing for sale, and only the gift of the gods.
IACHIMO Which the gods have given you?	IACHIMO Which the gods have given you?
POSTHUMUS Which, by their graces, I will keep.	POSTHUMUS Which, by their graces, I will keep.
IACHIMO You may wear her in title yours, but you 95 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 100 first and last.	IACHIMO 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.
POSTHUMUS Your Italy contains none so accomplished a courtier to convince the honor of my mistress, if in the holding or loss of that, you term her frail. I do nothing doubt you have store of thieves; 105 notwithstanding, I fear not my ring.	POSTHUMUS Your Italy contains none so accomplished a courtier to convince the honor of my mistress, if in the holding or loss of that, you term her frail. I do nothing doubt you have store of thieves; notwithstanding, I fear not my ring.
PHILARIO Let us leave here, gentlemen.	PHILARIO Let us leave here, gentlemen.
POSTHUMUS Sir, with all my heart. This worthy signior, I thank him, makes no stranger of me. We are familiar at first.	POSTHUMUS Sir, with all my heart. This worthy signior, I thank him, makes no stranger of me. We are familiar at first.
IACHIMO 110 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.	IACHIMO 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.
POSTHUMUS No, no.	POSTHUMUS No, no.
IACHIMO 115 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 120 any lady in the world.	IACHIMO 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.
POSTHUMUS You are a great deal abused in too bold a persuasion, and I doubt not you sustain what you’re worthy of by your attempt.	POSTHUMUS You are a great deal abused in too bold a persuasion, and I doubt not you sustain what you’re worthy of by your attempt.
IACHIMO What’s that?	IACHIMO What’s that?
POSTHUMUS 125 A repulse—though your attempt, as you call it, deserve more: a punishment, too.	POSTHUMUS A repulse—though your attempt, as you call it, deserve more: a punishment, too.
PHILARIO Gentlemen, enough of this. It came in too suddenly. Let it die as it was born, and, I pray you, be better acquainted.	PHILARIO Gentlemen, enough of this. It came in too suddenly. Let it die as it was born, and, I pray you, be better acquainted.
IACHIMO 130 Would I had put my estate and my neighbor’s on th’ approbation of what I have spoke.	IACHIMO Would I had put my estate and my neighbor’s on th’ approbation of what I have spoke.
POSTHUMUS What lady would you choose to assail?	POSTHUMUS What lady would you choose to assail?
IACHIMO Yours, whom in constancy you think stands so safe. I will lay you ten thousand ducats to your 135 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.	IACHIMO 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.
POSTHUMUS 140 I will wage against your gold, gold to it. My ring I hold dear as my finger; ’tis part of it.	POSTHUMUS I will wage against your gold, gold to it. My ring I hold dear as my finger; ’tis part of it.
IACHIMO 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 145 religion in you, that you fear.	IACHIMO 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.
POSTHUMUS This is but a custom in your tongue. You bear a graver purpose, I hope.	POSTHUMUS This is but a custom in your tongue. You bear a graver purpose, I hope.
IACHIMO I am the master of my speeches and would undergo what’s spoken, I swear.	IACHIMO I am the master of my speeches and would undergo what’s spoken, I swear.
POSTHUMUS 150 Will you? I shall but lend my diamond till your return. Let there be covenants drawn between ’s. My mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness of your unworthy thinking. I dare you to this match. Here’s my ring.	POSTHUMUS Will you? I shall but lend my diamond till your return. Let there be covenants drawn between ’s. My mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness of your unworthy thinking. I dare you to this match. Here’s my ring.
PHILARIO 155 I will have it no lay.	PHILARIO I will have it no lay.
IACHIMO 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 160 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.	IACHIMO 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.
POSTHUMUS I embrace these conditions. Let us have 165 articles betwixt us. Only thus far you shall answer: if you make your voyage upon her and give me directly to understand you have prevailed, I am no further your enemy; she is not worth our debate. If she remain unseduced, you not making it appear 170 otherwise, for your ill opinion and th’ assault you have made to her chastity, you shall answer me with your sword.	POSTHUMUS I embrace these conditions. Let us have articles betwixt us. Only thus far you shall answer: if you make your voyage upon her and give me directly to understand you have prevailed, I am no further your enemy; she is not worth our debate. If she remain unseduced, you not making it appear otherwise, for your ill opinion and th’ assault you have made to her chastity, you shall answer me with your sword.
IACHIMO Your hand; a covenant. (They shake hands.) We will have these things set down by lawful counsel, 175 and straight away for Britain, lest the bargain should catch cold and starve. I will fetch my gold and have our two wagers recorded.	IACHIMO 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.
POSTHUMUS Agreed.	POSTHUMUS Agreed.
IACHIMO and POSTHUMUS exit.	IACHIMO and POSTHUMUS exit.
FRENCHMAN Will this hold, think you?	FRENCHMAN Will this hold, think you?
PHILARIO 180 Signior Iachimo will not from it. Pray, let us follow ’em.	PHILARIO Signior Iachimo will not from it. Pray, let us follow ’em.
They exit.	They exit.