The Complete Works of William ShakespeareShakespeare, William
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The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Shakespeare, William
English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600
CLOTEN.
Wilt thou serve me? For since patiently and constantly thou hast stuck
to the bare fortune of that beggar Posthumus, thou canst not, in the
course of gratitude, but be a diligent follower of mine. Wilt thou
serve me?
PISANIO.
Sir, I will.
CLOTEN.
Give me thy hand; here’s my purse. Hast any of thy late master’s
garments in thy possession?
PISANIO.
I have, my lord, at my lodging, the same suit he wore when he took
leave of my lady and mistress.
CLOTEN.
The first service thou dost me, fetch that suit hither. Let it be thy
first service; go.
PISANIO.
I shall, my lord.
[_Exit._]
CLOTEN.
Meet thee at Milford Haven! I forgot to ask him one thing; I’ll
remember’t anon. Even there, thou villain Posthumus, will I kill thee.
I would these garments were come. She said upon a time—the bitterness
of it I now belch from my heart—that she held the very garment of
Posthumus in more respect than my noble and natural person, together
with the adornment of my qualities. With that suit upon my back will I
ravish her; first kill him, and in her eyes. There shall she see my
valour, which will then be a torment to her contempt. He on the ground,
my speech of insultment ended on his dead body, and when my lust hath
dined—which, as I say, to vex her I will execute in the clothes that
she so prais’d—to the court I’ll knock her back, foot her home again.
She hath despis’d me rejoicingly, and I’ll be merry in my revenge.
Enter Pisanio with the clothes.
Be those the garments?
PISANIO.
Ay, my noble lord.
CLOTEN.
How long is’t since she went to Milford Haven?
PISANIO.
She can scarce be there yet.
CLOTEN.
Bring this apparel to my chamber; that is the second thing that I have
commanded thee. The third is that thou wilt be a voluntary mute to my
design. Be but duteous and true, preferment shall tender itself to
thee. My revenge is now at Milford, would I had wings to follow it!
Come, and be true.
[_Exit._]
PISANIO.
Thou bid’st me to my loss; for true to thee
Were to prove false, which I will never be,
To him that is most true. To Milford go,
And find not her whom thou pursuest. Flow, flow,
You heavenly blessings, on her! This fool’s speed
Be cross’d with slowness! Labour be his meed!
[_Exit._]
SCENE VI. Wales. Before the cave of Belarius.
Enter Imogen alone, in boy’s clothes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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