QUOTES FROM THE BARD

PLAY: Cymbeline
ACT/SCENE: 1.6
SPEAKER: Iachimo
CONTEXT:
IMOGEN
‘He is one of the noblest note, to whose
kindnesses I am most infinitely tied. Reflect upon
him accordingly, as you value your trust—
Leonatus.’
So far I read aloud:
But even the very middle of my heart
Is warm’d by the rest, and takes it thankfully.
You are as welcome, worthy sir, as I
Have words to bid you, and shall find it so
In all that I can do.
IACHIMO
Thanks, fairest lady.
What, are men mad? Hath nature given them eyes
To see this vaulted arch, and the rich crop
Of sea and land, which can distinguish ‘twixt
The fiery orbs above and the twinn’d stones
Upon the number’d beach? and can we not
Partition make with spectacles so precious
‘Twixt fair and foul?
IMOGEN
What makes your admiration?
IACHIMO
It cannot be i’ the eye, for apes and monkeys
‘Twixt two such shes would chatter this way and
Contemn with mows the other; nor i’ the judgment,
For idiots in this case of favour would
Be wisely definite; nor i’ the appetite;
Sluttery to such neat excellence opposed
Should make desire vomit emptiness,
Not so allured to feed.

DUTCH:
t Ligt niet aan ‘t oog: toon aap of baviaan
Twee zulke vrouwen; hierheen zal hij lachen,
Naar de and’re grijnzend schreeuwen; niet aan ‘t oordeel:
Een idioot zou bij deez’ schoonheidskeur
Scherpzinnig zijn en wijs;

MORE:
Reflect=Consider
Orbs=Stars
Identical=Twinned
Unnumbered=Innumerable
Spectacles so precious=Eyes
Partition make=Draw distinction
Compleat:
To reflect=Overpeinzen, overwegen
Orb=Een kloot, rond, hemelkring
Partition=Een verdeeling, middelschot

Topics: reputation, trust, nature, intellect