Page 467 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

IMOGEN

You do seem to know
Something of me, or what concerns me; pray you,
Since doubting things go ill often hurts more [95]

Then to be sure they do − for certainties
Either are past remedies; or timely knowing,
The remedy then born − discover to me
What both you spur and stop.

IACHIMO
Had I this cheek

To bathe my lips upon: this hand, whose touch [100]
(Whose every touch) would force the feeler’s soul
To th’ oath of loyalty: this object, which
Takes prisoner the wild motion of mine eye,

Firing it only here; should I (damn’d then)
Slaver with lips as common as the stairs [105]
That mount the Capitol: join gripes, with hands
Made hard with hourly falsehood (falsehood, as

With labour): then by-peeping in an eye
Base and illustrous as the smoky light
That’s fed with stinking tallow: it were fit [110]
That all the plagues of hell should at one time

Encounter such revolt.

IMOGEN
My lord, I fear,
Has forgot Britain.

IACHIMO
And himself. Not I,
Inclin’d to this intelligence, pronounce

The beggary of his change: but ’tis your graces [115]
That from my mutest conscience to my tongue
Charms this report out.

IMOGEN
Let me hear no more.