Shakespeare's Stories for Young Readers Read Online Free PDF Page B

Britain with a letter of introduction to Leonatus’ wife. When he reached there he was received with all kindness; but he was still determined to win his wager.
    He told Imogen that her husband thought no more of her, and went on to tell many cruel lies about him. Imogen listened at first, but presently perceived what a wicked person Iachimo was, and ordered him to leave her. Then he said—
    â€œPardon me, fair lady, all that I have said is untrue. I only told you this to see whether you would believe me, or whether you were as much to be trusted as your husband thinks. Will you forgive me?”
    â€œI forgive you freely,” said Imogen.
    â€œThen,” went on Iachimo, “perhaps you will prove it by taking charge of a trunk, containing a number of jewels which your husband and I and some other gentlemen have bought as a present for the Emperor of Rome.”
    â€œI will indeed,” said Imogen, “do anything for my husband and a friend of my husband’s. Have the jewels sent into my room, and I will take care of them.”
    â€œIt is only for one night,” said Iachimo, “for I leave Britain again to-morrow.”
    So the trunk was carried into Imogen’s room, and that night she went to bed and to sleep. When she was fast asleep, the lid of the trunk opened and a man got out. It was Iachimo. The story about the jewels was as untrue as the rest of the things he had said. He had only wished to get into her room to win his wicked wager. He looked about him and noticed the furniture, and then crept to the side of the bed where Imogen was asleep and took from her arm the gold bracelet which had been the parting gift of her husband. Then he crept back to the trunk, and next morning sailed for Rome.
    When he met Leonatus, he said—
    â€œI have been to Britain and I have won the wager, for your wife no longer thinks about you. She stayed talking with me all one night in her room, which is hung with tapestry and has a carved chimney-piece, and silver andirons in the shape of two winking cupids.”
    â€œI do not believe she has forgotten me; I do not believe she stayed talking with you in her room. You have heard her room described by the servants.”
    â€œAh!” said Iachimo, “but she gave me this bracelet. She took it from her arm. I see her yet. Her pretty action did outsell her gift, and yet enriched it too. She gave it me, and said she prized it once.”
    â€œTake the ring,” cried Leonatus, “you have won, and you might have won my life as well, for I care nothing for it now I know my lady has forgotten me.”
    And mad with anger, he wrote letters to Britain to his old servant, Pisanio, ordering him to take Imogen to Milford Haven, and to murder her, because she had forgotten him and given away his gift. At the same time he wrote to Imogen herself, telling her to go with Pisanio, his old servant, to Milford Haven, and that he, her husband, would be there to meet her.
    Now when Pisanio got this letter he was too good to carry out its orders, and too wise to let them alone altogether. So he gave Imogen the letter from her husband, and started with her for Milford Haven. Before he left, the wicked Queen gave him a drink which, she said, would be useful in sickness. She hoped he would give it to Imogen, and that Imogen would die, and then the wicked Queen’s son could be King. For the Queen thought this drink was a poison, but really and truly it was only a sleeping-draught.
    When Pisanio and Imogen came near to Milford Haven, he told her what was really in the letter he had had from her husband.
    â€œI must go on to Rome, and see him myself,” said Imogen.
    And then Pisanio helped her to dress in boy’s clothes, and sent her on her way, and went back to the Court. Before he went, he gave her the drink he had had from the Queen.
    Imogen went on, getting more and more tired, and at last came to a cave. Some one seemed to live there,