Who's there? my woman Helen?

Please you, madam

What hour is it?

Almost midnight, madam.

I have read three hours then: mine eyes are weak: Fold down the leaf where I have left: to bed: Take not away the taper, leave it burning; And if thou canst awake by four o' the clock, I prithee, call me. Sleep hath seized me wholly

The crickets sing, and man's o'er-labour'd sense Repairs itself by rest. Our Tarquin thus Did softly press the rushes, ere he waken'd The chastity he wounded. Cytherea, How bravely thou becomest thy bed, fresh lily, And whiter than the sheets! That I might touch! But kiss; one kiss! Rubies unparagon'd, How dearly they do't! 'Tis her breathing that Perfumes the chamber thus: the flame o' the taper Bows toward her, and would under-peep her lids, To see the enclosed 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: Such and such pictures; there the window; such The adornment of her bed; the arras; figures, Why, such and such; and the contents o' the story. Ah, but some natural notes about her body, Above ten thousand meaner moveables Would testify, to 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! Come off, come off:

An ante-chamber adjoining Imogen's apartments.

Your lordship is the most patient man in loss, the most coldest that ever turned up ace.

It would make any man cold to lose.

But not every man patient after the noble temper of your lordship. You are most hot and furious when you win.

Winning will put any man into courage. If I could get this foolish Imogen, I should have gold enough. It's almost morning, is't not?

Day, my lord.

I would this music would come: I am advised to give her music o' mornings; they say it will penetrate.

So, get you gone. If this penetrate, I will consider your music the better: if it do not, it is a vice in her ears, which horse-hairs and calves'-guts, nor the voice of unpaved eunuch to boot, can never amend.

Here comes the king.

I am glad I was up so late; for that's the reason I was up so early: he cannot choose but take this service I have done fatherly.

Attend you here the door of our stern daughter? Will she not forth?

I have assailed her with music, but she vouchsafes no notice.

The exile of her minion is too new; She hath not yet forgot him: some more time Must wear the print of his remembrance out, And then she's yours.

You are most bound to the king, Who lets go by no vantages that may Prefer you to his daughter. Frame yourself To orderly soliciting, and be friended With aptness of the season; make denials Increase your services; so seem as if You were inspired to do those duties which You tender to her; that you in all obey her, Save when command to your dismission tends, And therein you are senseless.

Senseless! not so.

So like you, sir, ambassadors from Rome; The one is Caius Lucius.

A worthy fellow, Albeit he comes on angry purpose now; But that's no fault of his: we must receive him According to the honour of his sender; And towards himself, his goodness forespent on us, We must extend our notice. Our dear son, When you have given good morning to your mistress, Attend the queen and us; we shall have need To employ you towards this Roman. Come, our queen.

If she be up, I'll speak with her; if not, Let her lie still and dream.

Who's there that knocks?

A gentleman.

No more?

Yes, and a gentlewoman's son.

That's more Than some, whose tailors are as dear as yours, Can justly boast of. What's your lordship's pleasure?

Your lady's person: is she ready?

Ay, To keep her chamber.

There is gold for you; Sell me your good report.

How! my good name? or to report of you What I shall think is good?--The princess!

Good morrow, fairest: sister, your sweet hand.

Good morrow, sir. You lay out too much pains For purchasing but trouble; the thanks I give Is telling you that I am poor of thanks And scarce can spare them.

Still, I swear I love you.

If you but said so, 'twere as deep with me: If you swear still, your recompense is still That I regard it not.

This is no answer.

But that you shall not say I yield being silent, I would not speak. I pray you, spare me: 'faith, I shall unfold equal discourtesy To your best kindness: one of your great knowing Should learn, being taught, forbearance.

To leave you in your madness, 'twere my sin: I will not.

Fools are not mad folks.

Do you call me fool?

As I am mad, I do: If you'll be patient, I'll no more be mad; That cures us both. I am much sorry, sir, You put me to forget a lady's manners, By being so verbal: and learn now, for all, That I, which know my heart, do here pronounce, By the very truth of it, I care not for you, And am so near the lack of charity-- To accuse myself--I hate you; which I had rather You felt than make't my boast.

You sin against Obedience, which you owe your father. For The contract you pretend with that base wretch, One bred of alms and foster'd with cold dishes, With scraps o' the court, it is no contract, none: And though it be allow'd in meaner parties-- Yet who than he more mean?--to knit their souls, On whom there is no more dependency But brats and beggary, in self-figured knot; Yet you are curb'd from that enlargement by The consequence o' the crown, and must not soil The precious note of it with a base slave. A hilding for a livery, a squire's cloth, A pantler, not so eminent.

Profane fellow Wert thou the son of Jupiter and no more But what thou art besides, thou wert too base To be his groom: thou wert dignified enough, Even to the point of envy, if 'twere made Comparative for your virtues, to be styled The under-hangman of his kingdom, and hated For being preferred so well.

The south-fog rot him!

He never can meet more mischance than come To be but named of thee. His meanest garment, That ever hath but clipp'd his body, is dearer In my respect than all the hairs above thee, Were they all made such men. How now, Pisanio!

'His garment!' Now the devil--

To Dorothy my woman hie thee presently--

'His garment!'

I am sprited with a fool. Frighted, and anger'd worse: go bid my woman Search for a jewel that too casually Hath left mine arm: it was thy master's: 'shrew me, If I would lose it for a revenue Of any king's in Europe. I do think I saw't this morning: confident I am Last night 'twas on mine arm; I kiss'd it: I hope it be not gone to tell my lord That I kiss aught but he.

'Twill not be lost.

I hope so: go and search.

You have abused me: 'His meanest garment!'

Ay, I said so, sir: If you will make't an action, call witness to't.

I will inform your father.

Your mother too: She's my good lady, and will conceive, I hope, But the worst of me. So, I leave you, sir, To the worst of discontent.

I'll be revenged: 'His meanest garment!' Well.