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Title: Cymbeline (published 1610)
Author: William Shakespeare (died 1616)
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Summary
The princess Imogen loves the commoner Posthumus, and marries him, but her father, King Cymbeline, disapproves of the match and exiles Posthumus. In exile, he meets the rogue Jachimo—who, to win a wager, persuades Posthumus, wrongly, that he (Jachimo) has slept with Imogen. Enraged, Posthumus orders a servant, Pisanio, to murder Imogen, but he cannot go through with his orders, and instead she finds herself befriended by the wild-living Polydore and Cadwal—who turn out to be her own brothers: Cymbeline's princes who had been stolen from his palace in their infancy. The repentant Posthumus fights alongside Polydore and Cadwal in a battle against the Romans, and following the intervention of the god Jupiter, the various truths are revealed, and everyone is reconciled.
Source: Wikipedia
Dramatis Personæ
Dramatis Personæ
Cymbeline, King of Britain
Cymbeline’s Queen
Imogen, daughter to Cymbeline by his former queen
Posthumus Leonatus, husband to Imogen
Cloten, son to the present queen by a former husband
Pisanio, Posthumus’s servant
Cornelius, a physician in Cymbeline’s court
Philario, Posthumus’s host in Rome
Iachimo, friend to Philario
A Frenchman, friend to Philario
Caius Lucius, a Roman general
Belarius, an exiled nobleman
sons to Cymbeline by his former queen
Two Lords attending Cloten
Two Gentlemen of Cymbeline’s court
A Lady, Imogen’s attendant
A Lady, the Queen’s attendant
A Briton Lord
Two Briton Captains
Two Jailers
Two Messengers
Two Roman Senators
Tribunes
Roman Captains
A Soothsayer
Jupiter
The Ghost of Sicilius Leonatus, Posthumus’s father
The Ghost of Posthumus’s Mother
The Ghosts of Posthumus’s two Brothers
Lords, Ladies, Attendants, Musicians, a Dutchman, a Spaniard, Senators, Tribunes, Captains, and Soldiers
ACT 1
Scene 1
Enter two Gentlemen.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
line 0001You do not meet a man but frowns. Our bloods
line 0002No more obey the heavens than our courtiers’
line 0003Still seem as does the King’s.
line 0004SECOND GENTLEMANBut what’s the matter?
FIRST GENTLEMAN
5line 0005His daughter, and the heir of ’s kingdom, whom
line 0006He purposed to his wife’s sole son—a widow
line 0007That late he married—hath referred herself
line 0008Unto a poor but worthy gentleman. She’s wedded,
line 0009Her husband banished, she imprisoned. All
10line 0010Is outward sorrow, though I think the King
line 0011Be touched at very heart.
line 0012SECOND GENTLEMANNone but the King?
FIRST GENTLEMAN
line 0013He that hath lost her, too. So is the Queen,
line 0014That most desired the match. But not a courtier,
15line 0015Although they wear their faces to the bent
line 0016Of the King’s looks, hath a heart that is not
line 0017Glad at the thing they scowl at.
line 0018SECOND GENTLEMANAnd why so?
FIRST GENTLEMAN
line 0019He that hath missed the Princess is a thing
20line 0020Too bad for bad report, and he that hath her—
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 9
line 0021I mean, that married her, alack, good man!
line 0022And therefore banished—is a creature such
line 0023As, to seek through the regions of the Earth
line 0024For one his like, there would be something failing
25line 0025In him that should compare. I do not think
line 0026So fair an outward and such stuff within
line 0027Endows a man but he.
line 0028SECOND GENTLEMANYou speak him far.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
line 0029I do extend him, sir, within himself,
30line 0030Crush him together rather than unfold
line 0031His measure duly.
line 0032SECOND GENTLEMANWhat’s his name and birth?
FIRST GENTLEMAN
line 0033I cannot delve him to the root. His father
line 0034Was called Sicilius, who did join his honor
35line 0035Against the Romans with Cassibelan,
line 0036But had his titles by Tenantius, whom
line 0037He served with glory and admired success,
line 0038So gained the sur-addition Leonatus;
line 0039And had, besides this gentleman in question,
40line 0040Two other sons, who in the wars o’ th’ time
line 0041Died with their swords in hand. For which their
line 0042father,
line 0043Then old and fond of issue, took such sorrow
line 0044That he quit being; and his gentle lady,
45line 0045Big of this gentleman our theme, deceased
line 0046As he was born. The King he takes the babe
line 0047To his protection, calls him Posthumus Leonatus,
line 0048Breeds him and makes him of his bedchamber,
line 0049Puts to him all the learnings that his time
50line 0050Could make him the receiver of, which he took
line 0051As we do air, fast as ’twas ministered,
line 0052And in ’s spring became a harvest; lived in court—
line 0053Which rare it is to do—most praised, most loved,
line 0054A sample to the youngest, to th’ more mature
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 11
55line 0055A glass that feated them, and to the graver
line 0056A child that guided dotards. To his mistress,
line 0057For whom he now is banished, her own price
line 0058Proclaims how she esteemed him; and his virtue
line 0059By her election may be truly read
60line 0060What kind of man he is.
line 0061SECOND GENTLEMANI honor him
line 0062Even out of your report. But pray you tell me,
line 0063Is she sole child to th’ King?
line 0064FIRST GENTLEMANHis only child.
65line 0065He had two sons—if this be worth your hearing,
line 0066Mark it—the eldest of them at three years old,
line 0067I’ th’ swathing clothes the other, from their nursery
line 0068Were stol’n, and to this hour no guess in knowledge
line 0069Which way they went.
70line 0070SECOND GENTLEMANHow long is this ago?
line 0071FIRST GENTLEMANSome twenty years.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
line 0072That a king’s children should be so conveyed,
line 0073So slackly guarded, and the search so slow
line 0074That could not trace them!
75line 0075FIRST GENTLEMANHowsoe’er ’tis strange,
line 0076Or that the negligence may well be laughed at,
line 0077Yet is it true, sir.
line 0078SECOND GENTLEMANI do well believe you.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
line 0079We must forbear. Here comes the gentleman,
80line 0080The Queen and Princess.
They exit.
Enter the Queen, Posthumus, and Imogen.
QUEEN
line 0081No, be assured you shall not find me, daughter,
line 0082After the slander of most stepmothers,
line 0083Evil-eyed unto you. You’re my prisoner, but
line 0084Your jailer shall deliver you the keys
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 13
85line 0085That lock up your restraint.—For you, Posthumus,
line 0086So soon as I can win th’ offended king,
line 0087I will be known your advocate. Marry, yet
line 0088The fire of rage is in him, and ’twere good
line 0089You leaned unto his sentence with what patience
90line 0090Your wisdom may inform you.
line 0091POSTHUMUSPlease your Highness,
line 0092I will from hence today.
line 0093QUEENYou know the peril.
line 0094I’ll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying
95line 0095The pangs of barred affections, though the King
line 0096Hath charged you should not speak together.She exits.
line 0097IMOGENO,
line 0098Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant
line 0099Can tickle where she wounds! My dearest husband,
100line 0100I something fear my father’s wrath, but nothing—
line 0101Always reserved my holy duty—what
line 0102His rage can do on me. You must be gone,
line 0103And I shall here abide the hourly shot
line 0104Of angry eyes, not comforted to live
105line 0105But that there is this jewel in the world
line 0106That I may see again.She weeps.
line 0107POSTHUMUSMy queen, my mistress!
line 0108O lady, weep no more, lest I give cause
line 0109To be suspected of more tenderness
110line 0110Than doth become a man. I will remain
line 0111The loyal’st husband that did e’er plight troth.
line 0112My residence in Rome at one Philario’s,
line 0113Who to my father was a friend, to me
line 0114Known but by letter; thither write, my queen,
115line 0115And with mine eyes I’ll drink the words you send,
line 0116Though ink be made of gall.
Enter Queen.
line 0117QUEENBe brief, I pray you.
line 0118If the King come, I shall incur I know not
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 15
line 0119How much of his displeasure. Aside. Yet I’ll move
120line 0120him
line 0121To walk this way. I never do him wrong
line 0122But he does buy my injuries, to be friends,
line 0123Pays dear for my offenses.She exits.
line 0124POSTHUMUSShould we be taking leave
125line 0125As long a term as yet we have to live,
line 0126The loathness to depart would grow. Adieu.
line 0127IMOGENNay, stay a little!
line 0128Were you but riding forth to air yourself,
line 0129Such parting were too petty. Look here, love:
130line 0130This diamond was my mother’s.
line 0131She offers a ring. Take it, heart,
line 0132But keep it till you woo another wife
line 0133When Imogen is dead.
line 0134POSTHUMUSHow, how? Another?
135line 0135You gentle gods, give me but this I have,
line 0136And cere up my embracements from a next
line 0137With bonds of death.He puts the ring on his finger.
line 0138Remain, remain thou here,
line 0139While sense can keep it on.—And sweetest, fairest,
140line 0140As I my poor self did exchange for you
line 0141To your so infinite loss, so in our trifles
line 0142I still win of you. For my sake, wear this.
He offers a bracelet.
line 0143It is a manacle of love. I’ll place it
line 0144Upon this fairest prisoner.He puts it on her wrist.
145line 0145IMOGENO the gods!
line 0146When shall we see again?
Enter Cymbeline and Lords.
line 0147POSTHUMUSAlack, the King.
CYMBELINE
line 0148Thou basest thing, avoid hence, from my sight!
line 0149If after this command thou fraught the court
150line 0150With thy unworthiness, thou diest. Away!
line 0151Thou ’rt poison to my blood.
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 17
line 0152POSTHUMUSThe gods protect you,
line 0153And bless the good remainders of the court.
line 0154I am gone.He exits.
155line 0155IMOGENThere cannot be a pinch in death
line 0156More sharp than this is.
line 0157CYMBELINEO disloyal thing
line 0158That shouldst repair my youth, thou heap’st
line 0159A year’s age on me.
160line 0160IMOGENI beseech you, sir,
line 0161Harm not yourself with your vexation.
line 0162I am senseless of your wrath. A touch more rare
line 0163Subdues all pangs, all fears.
line 0164CYMBELINEPast grace? Obedience?
IMOGEN
165line 0165Past hope and in despair; that way past grace.
CYMBELINE
line 0166That mightst have had the sole son of my queen!
IMOGEN
line 0167O, blessèd that I might not! I chose an eagle
line 0168And did avoid a puttock.
CYMBELINE
line 0169Thou took’st a beggar, wouldst have made my throne
170line 0170A seat for baseness.
line 0171IMOGENNo, I rather added
line 0172A luster to it.
line 0173CYMBELINEO thou vile one!
line 0174IMOGENSir,
175line 0175It is your fault that I have loved Posthumus.
line 0176You bred him as my playfellow, and he is
line 0177A man worth any woman, overbuys me
line 0178Almost the sum he pays.
line 0179CYMBELINEWhat, art thou mad?
IMOGEN
180line 0180Almost, sir. Heaven restore me! Would I were
line 0181A neatherd’s daughter, and my Leonatus
line 0182Our neighbor shepherd’s son.She weeps.
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 19
line 0183CYMBELINEThou foolish thing!
Enter Queen.
line 0184They were again together. You have done
185line 0185Not after our command. Away with her
line 0186And pen her up.
line 0187QUEENBeseech your patience.—Peace,
line 0188Dear lady daughter, peace.—Sweet sovereign,
line 0189Leave us to ourselves, and make yourself some
190line 0190comfort
line 0191Out of your best advice.
line 0192CYMBELINENay, let her languish
line 0193A drop of blood a day, and being aged
line 0194Die of this folly.He exits, with Lords.
195line 0195QUEENFie, you must give way.
Enter Pisanio.
line 0196Here is your servant.—How now, sir? What news?
PISANIO
line 0197My lord your son drew on my master.
line 0198QUEENHa?
line 0199No harm, I trust, is done?
200line 0200PISANIOThere might have been,
line 0201But that my master rather played than fought
line 0202And had no help of anger. They were parted
line 0203By gentlemen at hand.
line 0204QUEENI am very glad on ’t.
IMOGEN
205line 0205Your son’s my father’s friend; he takes his part
line 0206To draw upon an exile. O, brave sir!
line 0207I would they were in Afric both together,
line 0208Myself by with a needle, that I might prick
line 0209The goer-back.—Why came you from your master?
PISANIO
210line 0210On his command. He would not suffer me
line 0211To bring him to the haven, left these notes
Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 21
line 0212Of what commands I should be subject to
line 0213When ’t pleased you to employ me.
line 0214QUEENto Imogen This hath been
215line 0215Your faithful servant. I dare lay mine honor
line 0216He will remain so.
line 0217PISANIOI humbly thank your Highness.
QUEENto Imogen
line 0218Pray, walk awhile.
line 0219IMOGENto Pisanio About some half hour hence,
220line 0220Pray you, speak with me. You shall at least
line 0221Go see my lord aboard. For this time leave me.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Cloten and two Lords.
line 0222FIRST LORDSir, I would advise you to shift a shirt. The
line 0223violence of action hath made you reek as a sacrifice.
line 0224Where air comes out, air comes in. There’s
line 0225none abroad so wholesome as that you vent.
5line 0226CLOTENIf my shirt were bloody, then to shift it. Have I
line 0227hurt him?
line 0228SECOND LORDaside No, faith, not so much as his
line 0229patience.
line 0230FIRST LORDHurt him? His body’s a passable carcass if
10line 0231he be not hurt. It is a thoroughfare for steel if it be
line 0232not hurt.
line 0233SECOND LORDaside His steel was in debt; it went o’
line 0234th’ backside the town.
line 0235CLOTENThe villain would not stand me.
15line 0236SECOND LORDaside No, but he fled forward still,
line 0237toward your face.
line 0238FIRST LORDStand you? You have land enough of your
line 0239own, but he added to your having, gave you some
line 0240ground.
Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 23
20line 0241SECOND LORDaside As many inches as you have
line 0242oceans. Puppies!
line 0243CLOTENI would they had not come between us.
line 0244SECOND LORDaside So would I, till you had measured
line 0245how long a fool you were upon the ground.
25line 0246CLOTENAnd that she should love this fellow and
line 0247refuse me!
line 0248SECOND LORDaside If it be a sin to make a true election,
line 0249she is damned.
line 0250FIRST LORDSir, as I told you always, her beauty and
30line 0251her brain go not together. She’s a good sign, but I
line 0252have seen small reflection of her wit.
line 0253SECOND LORDaside She shines not upon fools, lest
line 0254the reflection should hurt her.
line 0255CLOTENCome, I’ll to my chamber. Would there had
35line 0256been some hurt done!
line 0257SECOND LORDaside I wish not so, unless it had been
line 0258the fall of an ass, which is no great hurt.
line 0259CLOTENYou’ll go with us?
line 0260FIRST LORDI’ll attend your Lordship.
40line 0261CLOTENNay, come, let’s go together.
line 0262SECOND LORDWell, my lord.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Imogen and Pisanio.
IMOGEN
line 0263I would thou grew’st unto the shores o’ th’ haven
line 0264And questionedst every sail. If he should write
line 0265And I not have it, ’twere a paper lost
line 0266As offered mercy is. What was the last
5line 0267That he spake to thee?
line 0268PISANIOIt was his queen, his queen!
Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 25
IMOGEN
line 0269Then waved his handkerchief?
line 0270PISANIOAnd kissed it, madam.
IMOGEN
line 0271Senseless linen, happier therein than I.
10line 0272And that was all?
line 0273PISANIONo, madam. For so long
line 0274As he could make me with this eye or ear
line 0275Distinguish him from others, he did keep
line 0276The deck, with glove or hat or handkerchief
15line 0277Still waving, as the fits and stirs of ’s mind
line 0278Could best express how slow his soul sailed on,
line 0279How swift his ship.
line 0280IMOGENThou shouldst have made him
line 0281As little as a crow, or less, ere left
20line 0282To after-eye him.
line 0283PISANIOMadam, so I did.
IMOGEN
line 0284I would have broke mine eyestrings, cracked them,
line 0285but
line 0286To look upon him till the diminution
25line 0287Of space had pointed him sharp as my needle;
line 0288Nay, followed him till he had melted from
line 0289The smallness of a gnat to air; and then
line 0290Have turned mine eye and wept. But, good Pisanio,
line 0291When shall we hear from him?
30line 0292PISANIOBe assured, madam,
line 0293With his next vantage.
IMOGEN
line 0294I did not take my leave of him, but had
line 0295Most pretty things to say. Ere I could tell him
line 0296How I would think on him at certain hours
35line 0297Such thoughts and such; or I could make him swear
line 0298The shes of Italy should not betray
line 0299Mine interest and his honor; or have charged him
line 0300At the sixth hour of morn, at noon, at midnight
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 27
line 0301T’ encounter me with orisons, for then
40line 0302I am in heaven for him; or ere I could
line 0303Give him that parting kiss which I had set
line 0304Betwixt two charming words, comes in my father,
line 0305And like the tyrannous breathing of the north
line 0306Shakes all our buds from growing.
Enter a Lady.
45line 0307LADYThe Queen, madam,
line 0308Desires your Highness’ company.
IMOGENto Pisanio
line 0309Those things I bid you do, get them dispatched.
line 0310I will attend the Queen.
line 0311PISANIOMadam, I shall.
They exit.
Scene 4
Enter Philario, Iachimo, a Frenchman, a Dutchman, and a Spaniard.
line 0312IACHIMOBelieve it, sir, I have seen him in Britain. He
line 0313was then of a crescent note, expected to prove so
line 0314worthy as since he hath been allowed the name of.
line 0315But I could then have looked on him without the
5line 0316help of admiration, though the catalogue of his
line 0317endowments had been tabled by his side and I to
line 0318peruse him by items.
line 0319PHILARIOYou speak of him when he was less furnished
line 0320than now he is with that which makes him
10line 0321both without and within.
line 0322FRENCHMANI have seen him in France. We had very
line 0323many there could behold the sun with as firm eyes
line 0324as he.
line 0325IACHIMOThis matter of marrying his king’s daughter,
15line 0326wherein he must be weighed rather by her value
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 29
line 0327than his own, words him, I doubt not, a great deal
line 0328from the matter.
line 0329FRENCHMANAnd then his banishment.
line 0330IACHIMOAy, and the approbation of those that weep
20line 0331this lamentable divorce under her colors are wonderfully
line 0332to extend him, be it but to fortify her judgment,
line 0333which else an easy battery might lay flat for
line 0334taking a beggar without less quality.—But how
line 0335comes it he is to sojourn with you? How creeps
25line 0336acquaintance?
line 0337PHILARIOHis father and I were soldiers together, to
line 0338whom I have been often bound for no less than my
line 0339life.
Enter Posthumus.
line 0340Here comes the Briton. Let him be so entertained
30line 0341amongst you as suits, with gentlemen of your knowing,
line 0342to a stranger of his quality.—I beseech you all,
line 0343be better known to this gentleman, whom I commend
line 0344to you as a noble friend of mine. How worthy
line 0345he is I will leave to appear hereafter rather
35line 0346than story him in his own hearing.
line 0347FRENCHMANto Posthumus Sir, we have known together
line 0348in Orleans.
line 0349POSTHUMUSSince when I have been debtor to you for
line 0350courtesies which I will be ever to pay and yet pay
40line 0351still.
line 0352FRENCHMANSir, you o’errate my poor kindness. I was
line 0353glad I did atone my countryman and you. It had
line 0354been pity you should have been put together with
line 0355so mortal a purpose as then each bore, upon importance
45line 0356of so slight and trivial a nature.
line 0357POSTHUMUSBy your pardon, sir, I was then a young
line 0358traveler, rather shunned to go even with what I
line 0359heard than in my every action to be guided by others’
line 0360experiences. But upon my mended judgment—
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 31
50line 0361if I offend not to say it is mended—my
line 0362quarrel was not altogether slight.
line 0363FRENCHMANFaith, yes, to be put to the arbitrament of
line 0364swords, and by such two that would by all likelihood
line 0365have confounded one the other or have fall’n
55line 0366both.
line 0367IACHIMOCan we with manners ask what was the
line 0368difference?
line 0369FRENCHMANSafely, I think. ’Twas a contention in public,
line 0370which may without contradiction suffer the report.
60line 0371It was much like an argument that fell out
line 0372last night, where each of us fell in praise of our
line 0373country mistresses, this gentleman at that time
line 0374vouching—and upon warrant of bloody affirmation—
line 0375his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste,
65line 0376constant, qualified, and less attemptable than any
line 0377the rarest of our ladies in France.
line 0378IACHIMOThat lady is not now living, or this gentleman’s
line 0379opinion by this worn out.
line 0380POSTHUMUSShe holds her virtue still, and I my mind.
70line 0381IACHIMOYou must not so far prefer her ’fore ours of
line 0382Italy.
line 0383POSTHUMUSBeing so far provoked as I was in France,
line 0384I would abate her nothing, though I profess myself
line 0385her adorer, not her friend.
75line 0386IACHIMOAs fair and as good—a kind of hand-in-hand
line 0387comparison—had been something too fair and too
line 0388good for any lady in Britain. If she went before
line 0389others I have seen, as that diamond of yours outlusters
line 0390many I have beheld, I could not but
80line 0391believe she excelled many. But I have not seen the
line 0392most precious diamond that is, nor you the lady.
line 0393POSTHUMUSI praised her as I rated her. So do I my
line 0394stone.
line 0395IACHIMOWhat do you esteem it at?
85line 0396POSTHUMUSMore than the world enjoys.
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 33
line 0397IACHIMOEither your unparagoned mistress is dead, or
line 0398she’s outprized by a trifle.
line 0399POSTHUMUSYou are mistaken. The one may be sold or
line 0400given, or if there were wealth enough for the purchase
90line 0401or merit for the gift. The other is not a thing
line 0402for sale, and only the gift of the gods.
line 0403IACHIMOWhich the gods have given you?
line 0404POSTHUMUSWhich, by their graces, I will keep.
line 0405IACHIMOYou may wear her in title yours, but you
95line 0406know strange fowl light upon neighboring ponds.
line 0407Your ring may be stolen too. So your brace of unprizable
line 0408estimations, the one is but frail and the
line 0409other casual. A cunning thief or a that-way-accomplished
line 0410courtier would hazard the winning both of
100line 0411first and last.
line 0412POSTHUMUSYour Italy contains none so accomplished
line 0413a courtier to convince the honor of my mistress, if
line 0414in the holding or loss of that, you term her frail. I
line 0415do nothing doubt you have store of thieves;
105line 0416notwithstanding, I fear not my ring.
line 0417PHILARIOLet us leave here, gentlemen.
line 0418POSTHUMUSSir, with all my heart. This worthy signior,
line 0419I thank him, makes no stranger of me. We are
line 0420familiar at first.
110line 0421IACHIMOWith five times so much conversation I
line 0422should get ground of your fair mistress, make her
line 0423go back even to the yielding, had I admittance and
line 0424opportunity to friend.
line 0425POSTHUMUSNo, no.
115line 0426IACHIMOI dare thereupon pawn the moiety of my
line 0427estate to your ring, which in my opinion o’ervalues
line 0428it something. But I make my wager rather against
line 0429your confidence than her reputation, and, to bar
line 0430your offense herein too, I durst attempt it against
120line 0431any lady in the world.
line 0432POSTHUMUSYou are a great deal abused in too bold a
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 35
line 0433persuasion, and I doubt not you sustain what
line 0434you’re worthy of by your attempt.
line 0435IACHIMOWhat’s that?
125line 0436POSTHUMUSA repulse—though your attempt, as you
line 0437call it, deserve more: a punishment, too.
line 0438PHILARIOGentlemen, enough of this. It came in too
line 0439suddenly. Let it die as it was born, and, I pray you,
line 0440be better acquainted.
130line 0441IACHIMOWould I had put my estate and my neighbor’s
line 0442on th’ approbation of what I have spoke.
line 0443POSTHUMUSWhat lady would you choose to assail?
line 0444IACHIMOYours, whom in constancy you think stands
line 0445so safe. I will lay you ten thousand ducats to your
135line 0446ring that, commend me to the court where your
line 0447lady is, with no more advantage than the opportunity
line 0448of a second conference, and I will bring from
line 0449thence that honor of hers which you imagine so
line 0450reserved.
140line 0451POSTHUMUSI will wage against your gold, gold to it.
line 0452My ring I hold dear as my finger; ’tis part of it.
line 0453IACHIMOYou are a friend, and therein the wiser. If you
line 0454buy ladies’ flesh at a million a dram, you cannot
line 0455preserve it from tainting. But I see you have some
145line 0456religion in you, that you fear.
line 0457POSTHUMUSThis is but a custom in your tongue. You
line 0458bear a graver purpose, I hope.
line 0459IACHIMOI am the master of my speeches and would
line 0460undergo what’s spoken, I swear.
150line 0461POSTHUMUSWill you? I shall but lend my diamond till
line 0462your return. Let there be covenants drawn between
line 0463’s. My mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness
line 0464of your unworthy thinking. I dare you to this
line 0465match. Here’s my ring.
155line 0466PHILARIOI will have it no lay.
line 0467IACHIMOBy the gods, it is one!—If I bring you no sufficient
line 0468testimony that I have enjoyed the dearest
Act 1 Scene 5 - Pg 37
line 0469bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand
line 0470ducats are yours; so is your diamond too. If I come
160line 0471off and leave her in such honor as you have trust
line 0472in, she your jewel, this your jewel, and my gold are
line 0473yours, provided I have your commendation for my
line 0474more free entertainment.
line 0475POSTHUMUSI embrace these conditions. Let us have
165line 0476articles betwixt us. Only thus far you shall answer:
line 0477if you make your voyage upon her and give me directly
line 0478to understand you have prevailed, I am no
line 0479further your enemy; she is not worth our debate. If
line 0480she remain unseduced, you not making it appear
170line 0481otherwise, for your ill opinion and th’ assault you
line 0482have made to her chastity, you shall answer me
line 0483with your sword.
line 0484IACHIMOYour hand; a covenant.They shake hands.
line 0485We will have these things set down by lawful counsel,
175line 0486and straight away for Britain, lest the bargain
line 0487should catch cold and starve. I will fetch my gold
line 0488and have our two wagers recorded.
line 0489POSTHUMUSAgreed.Iachimo and Posthumus exit.
line 0490FRENCHMANWill this hold, think you?
180line 0491PHILARIOSignior Iachimo will not from it. Pray, let us
line 0492follow ’em.
They exit.
Scene 5
Enter Queen, Ladies, and Cornelius.
QUEEN
line 0493Whiles yet the dew’s on ground, gather those flowers.
line 0494Make haste. Who has the note of them?
line 0495LADYI, madam.
line 0496QUEENDispatch.Ladies exit.
5line 0497Now, Master Doctor, have you brought those drugs?
Act 1 Scene 5 - Pg 39
CORNELIUS
line 0498Pleaseth your Highness, ay. Here they are, madam.
He hands her a small box.
line 0499But I beseech your Grace, without offense—
line 0500My conscience bids me ask—wherefore you have
line 0501Commanded of me these most poisonous
10line 0502compounds,
line 0503Which are the movers of a languishing death,
line 0504But though slow, deadly.
line 0505QUEENI wonder, doctor,
line 0506Thou ask’st me such a question. Have I not been
15line 0507Thy pupil long? Hast thou not learned me how
line 0508To make perfumes, distil, preserve—yea, so
line 0509That our great king himself doth woo me oft
line 0510For my confections? Having thus far proceeded,
line 0511Unless thou think’st me devilish, is ’t not meet
20line 0512That I did amplify my judgment in
line 0513Other conclusions? I will try the forces
line 0514Of these thy compounds on such creatures as
line 0515We count not worth the hanging—but none human—
line 0516To try the vigor of them and apply
25line 0517Allayments to their act, and by them gather
line 0518Their several virtues and effects.
line 0519CORNELIUSYour Highness
line 0520Shall from this practice but make hard your heart.
line 0521Besides, the seeing these effects will be
30line 0522Both noisome and infectious.
line 0523QUEENO, content thee.
Enter Pisanio.
line 0524Aside. Here comes a flattering rascal. Upon him
line 0525Will I first work. He’s for his master
line 0526And enemy to my son.—How now, Pisanio?—
35line 0527Doctor, your service for this time is ended.
line 0528Take your own way.
line 0529CORNELIUSaside I do suspect you, madam,
line 0530But you shall do no harm.
Act 1 Scene 5 - Pg 41
line 0531QUEENto Pisanio Hark thee, a word.
CORNELIUSaside
40line 0532I do not like her. She doth think she has
line 0533Strange ling’ring poisons. I do know her spirit,
line 0534And will not trust one of her malice with
line 0535A drug of such damned nature. Those she has
line 0536Will stupefy and dull the sense awhile,
45line 0537Which first perchance she’ll prove on cats and dogs,
line 0538Then afterward up higher. But there is
line 0539No danger in what show of death it makes,
line 0540More than the locking-up the spirits a time,
line 0541To be more fresh, reviving. She is fooled
50line 0542With a most false effect, and I the truer
line 0543So to be false with her.
line 0544QUEENNo further service, doctor,
line 0545Until I send for thee.
line 0546CORNELIUSI humbly take my leave.He exits.
QUEEN
55line 0547Weeps she still, sayst thou? Dost thou think in time
line 0548She will not quench and let instructions enter
line 0549Where folly now possesses? Do thou work.
line 0550When thou shalt bring me word she loves my son,
line 0551I’ll tell thee on the instant thou art then
60line 0552As great as is thy master; greater, for
line 0553His fortunes all lie speechless, and his name
line 0554Is at last gasp. Return he cannot, nor
line 0555Continue where he is. To shift his being
line 0556Is to exchange one misery with another,
65line 0557And every day that comes comes to decay
line 0558A day’s work in him. What shalt thou expect,
line 0559To be depender on a thing that leans,
line 0560Who cannot be new built, nor has no friends
line 0561So much as but to prop him?
70line 0562She drops the box and Pisanio picks it up. Thou tak’st up
line 0563Thou know’st not what. But take it for thy labor.
line 0564It is a thing I made which hath the King
Act 1 Scene 5 - Pg 43
line 0565Five times redeemed from death. I do not know
line 0566What is more cordial. Nay, I prithee, take it.
75line 0567It is an earnest of a farther good
line 0568That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how
line 0569The case stands with her. Do ’t as from thyself.
line 0570Think what a chance thou changest on, but think
line 0571Thou hast thy mistress still; to boot, my son,
80line 0572Who shall take notice of thee. I’ll move the King
line 0573To any shape of thy preferment such
line 0574As thou ’lt desire; and then myself, I chiefly,
line 0575That set thee on to this desert, am bound
line 0576To load thy merit richly. Call my women.
85line 0577Think on my words.Pisanio exits.
line 0578A sly and constant knave,
line 0579Not to be shaked; the agent for his master
line 0580And the remembrancer of her to hold
line 0581The handfast to her lord. I have given him that
90line 0582Which, if he take, shall quite unpeople her
line 0583Of liegers for her sweet, and which she after,
line 0584Except she bend her humor, shall be assured
line 0585To taste of too.
Enter Pisanio and Ladies carrying flowers.
line 0586To the Ladies. So, so. Well done, well done.
95line 0587The violets, cowslips, and the primroses
line 0588Bear to my closet.—Fare thee well, Pisanio.
line 0589Think on my words.Queen and Ladies exit.
line 0590PISANIOAnd shall do.
line 0591But when to my good lord I prove untrue,
100line 0592I’ll choke myself; there’s all I’ll do for you.
He exits.
Act 1 Scene 6 - Pg 45
Scene 6
Enter Imogen alone.
IMOGEN
line 0593A father cruel and a stepdame false,
line 0594A foolish suitor to a wedded lady
line 0595That hath her husband banished. O, that husband,
line 0596My supreme crown of grief and those repeated
5line 0597Vexations of it! Had I been thief-stol’n,
line 0598As my two brothers, happy; but most miserable
line 0599Is the desire that’s glorious. Blessed be those,
line 0600How mean soe’er, that have their honest wills,
line 0601Which seasons comfort. Who may this be? Fie!
Enter Pisanio and Iachimo.
PISANIO
10line 0602Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome
line 0603Comes from my lord with letters.
line 0604IACHIMOChange you,
line 0605madam?
line 0606The worthy Leonatus is in safety
15line 0607And greets your Highness dearly.
He gives her a letter.
line 0608IMOGENThanks, good sir.
line 0609You’re kindly welcome.
IACHIMOaside
line 0610All of her that is out of door, most rich!
line 0611If she be furnished with a mind so rare,
20line 0612She is alone th’ Arabian bird, and I
line 0613Have lost the wager. Boldness be my friend.
line 0614Arm me, audacity, from head to foot,
line 0615Or like the Parthian I shall flying fight—
line 0616Rather, directly fly.
25line 0617IMOGENreads: He is one of the noblest note, to whose
line 0618kindnesses I am most infinitely tied. Reflect upon
line 0619him accordingly as you value your trust.
line 0620Leonatus.
Act 1 Scene 6 - Pg 47
line 0621So far I read aloud.
30line 0622But even the very middle of my heart
line 0623Is warmed by th’ rest and takes it thankfully.—
line 0624You are as welcome, worthy sir, as I
line 0625Have words to bid you, and shall find it so
line 0626In all that I can do.
35line 0627IACHIMOThanks, fairest lady.—
line 0628What, are men mad? Hath nature given them eyes
line 0629To see this vaulted arch and the rich crop
line 0630Of sea and land, which can distinguish ’twixt
line 0631The fiery orbs above and the twinned stones
40line 0632Upon the numbered beach, and can we not
line 0633Partition make with spectacles so precious
line 0634’Twixt fair and foul?
line 0635IMOGENWhat makes your admiration?
IACHIMO
line 0636It cannot be i’ th’ eye, for apes and monkeys
45line 0637’Twixt two such shes would chatter this way and
line 0638Contemn with mows the other; nor i’ th’ judgment,
line 0639For idiots in this case of favor would
line 0640Be wisely definite; nor i’ th’ appetite—
line 0641Sluttery to such neat excellence opposed
50line 0642Should make desire vomit emptiness,
line 0643Not so allured to feed.
IMOGEN
line 0644What is the matter, trow?
line 0645IACHIMOThe cloyèd will,
line 0646That satiate yet unsatisfied desire, that tub
55line 0647Both filled and running, ravening first the lamb,
line 0648Longs after for the garbage.
line 0649IMOGENWhat, dear sir,
line 0650Thus raps you? Are you well?
line 0651IACHIMOThanks, madam, well.
60line 0652To Pisanio. Beseech you, sir,
line 0653Desire my man’s abode where I did leave him.
line 0654He’s strange and peevish.
Act 1 Scene 6 - Pg 49
line 0655PISANIOI was going, sir,
line 0656To give him welcome.He exits.
IMOGEN
65line 0657Continues well my lord? His health, beseech you?
line 0658IACHIMOWell, madam.
IMOGEN
line 0659Is he disposed to mirth? I hope he is.
IACHIMO
line 0660Exceeding pleasant. None a stranger there
line 0661So merry and so gamesome. He is called
70line 0662The Briton Reveler.
line 0663IMOGENWhen he was here
line 0664He did incline to sadness, and ofttimes
line 0665Not knowing why.
line 0666IACHIMOI never saw him sad.
75line 0667There is a Frenchman his companion, one
line 0668An eminent monsieur that, it seems, much loves
line 0669A Gallian girl at home. He furnaces
line 0670The thick sighs from him, whiles the jolly Briton—
line 0671Your lord, I mean—laughs from ’s free lungs, cries “O,
80line 0672Can my sides hold to think that man who knows
line 0673By history, report, or his own proof
line 0674What woman is, yea, what she cannot choose
line 0675But must be, will ’s free hours languish for
line 0676Assurèd bondage?”
85line 0677IMOGENWill my lord say so?
IACHIMO
line 0678Ay, madam, with his eyes in flood with laughter.
line 0679It is a recreation to be by
line 0680And hear him mock the Frenchman. But heavens
line 0681know
90line 0682Some men are much to blame.
line 0683IMOGENNot he, I hope.
IACHIMO
line 0684Not he—but yet heaven’s bounty towards him might
line 0685Be used more thankfully. In himself ’tis much;
Act 1 Scene 6 - Pg 51
line 0686In you, which I account his, beyond all talents.
95line 0687Whilst I am bound to wonder, I am bound
line 0688To pity too.
line 0689IMOGENWhat do you pity, sir?
IACHIMO
line 0690Two creatures heartily.
line 0691IMOGENAm I one, sir?
100line 0692You look on me. What wrack discern you in me
line 0693Deserves your pity?
line 0694IACHIMOLamentable! What,
line 0695To hide me from the radiant sun and solace
line 0696I’ th’ dungeon by a snuff?
105line 0697IMOGENI pray you, sir,
line 0698Deliver with more openness your answers
line 0699To my demands. Why do you pity me?
line 0700IACHIMOThat others do—
line 0701I was about to say, enjoy your—but
110line 0702It is an office of the gods to venge it,
line 0703Not mine to speak on ’t.
line 0704IMOGENYou do seem to know
line 0705Something of me or what concerns me. Pray you,
line 0706Since doubting things go ill often hurts more
115line 0707Than to be sure they do—for certainties
line 0708Either are past remedies, or, timely knowing,
line 0709The remedy then born—discover to me
line 0710What both you spur and stop.
line 0711IACHIMOHad I this cheek
120line 0712To bathe my lips upon; this hand, whose touch,
line 0713Whose every touch, would force the feeler’s soul
line 0714To th’ oath of loyalty; this object which
line 0715Takes prisoner the wild motion of mine eye,
line 0716Fixing it only here; should I, damned then,
125line 0717Slaver with lips as common as the stairs
line 0718That mount the Capitol, join gripes with hands
line 0719Made hard with hourly falsehood—falsehood as
line 0720With labor; then by-peeping in an eye
Act 1 Scene 6 - Pg 53
line 0721Base and illustrous as the smoky light
130line 0722That’s fed with stinking tallow; it were fit
line 0723That all the plagues of hell should at one time
line 0724Encounter such revolt.
line 0725IMOGENMy lord, I fear,
line 0726Has forgot Britain.
135line 0727IACHIMOAnd himself. Not I,
line 0728Inclined to this intelligence, pronounce
line 0729The beggary of his change, but ’tis your graces
line 0730That from my mutest conscience to my tongue
line 0731Charms this report out.
140line 0732IMOGENLet me hear no more.
IACHIMO
line 0733O dearest soul, your cause doth strike my heart
line 0734With pity that doth make me sick. A lady
line 0735So fair, and fastened to an empery
line 0736Would make the great’st king double, to be partnered
145line 0737With tomboys hired with that self exhibition
line 0738Which your own coffers yield, with diseased ventures
line 0739That play with all infirmities for gold
line 0740Which rottenness can lend nature; such boiled stuff
line 0741As well might poison poison. Be revenged,
150line 0742Or she that bore you was no queen, and you
line 0743Recoil from your great stock.
line 0744IMOGENRevenged?
line 0745How should I be revenged? If this be true—
line 0746As I have such a heart that both mine ears
155line 0747Must not in haste abuse—if it be true,
line 0748How should I be revenged?
line 0749IACHIMOShould he make me
line 0750Live like Diana’s priest betwixt cold sheets,
line 0751Whiles he is vaulting variable ramps,
160line 0752In your despite, upon your purse? Revenge it.
line 0753I dedicate myself to your sweet pleasure,
line 0754More noble than that runagate to your bed,
Act 1 Scene 6 - Pg 55
line 0755And will continue fast to your affection,
line 0756Still close as sure.
165line 0757IMOGENWhat ho, Pisanio!
IACHIMO
line 0758Let me my service tender on your lips.
IMOGEN
line 0759Away! I do condemn mine ears that have
line 0760So long attended thee. If thou wert honorable,
line 0761Thou wouldst have told this tale for virtue, not
170line 0762For such an end thou seek’st, as base as strange.
line 0763Thou wrong’st a gentleman who is as far
line 0764From thy report as thou from honor, and
line 0765Solicits here a lady that disdains
line 0766Thee and the devil alike.—What ho, Pisanio!—
175line 0767The King my father shall be made acquainted
line 0768Of thy assault. If he shall think it fit
line 0769A saucy stranger in his court to mart
line 0770As in a Romish stew and to expound
line 0771His beastly mind to us, he hath a court
180line 0772He little cares for and a daughter who
line 0773He not respects at all.—What ho, Pisanio!
IACHIMO
line 0774O happy Leonatus! I may say
line 0775The credit that thy lady hath of thee
line 0776Deserves thy trust, and thy most perfect goodness
185line 0777Her assured credit.—Blessèd live you long,
line 0778A lady to the worthiest sir that ever
line 0779Country called his; and you his mistress, only
line 0780For the most worthiest fit. Give me your pardon.
line 0781I have spoke this to know if your affiance
190line 0782Were deeply rooted, and shall make your lord
line 0783That which he is, new o’er; and he is one
line 0784The truest mannered, such a holy witch
line 0785That he enchants societies into him.
line 0786Half all men’s hearts are his.
195line 0787IMOGENYou make amends.
Act 1 Scene 6 - Pg 57
IACHIMO
line 0788He sits ’mongst men like a descended god.
line 0789He hath a kind of honor sets him off
line 0790More than a mortal seeming. Be not angry,
line 0791Most mighty princess, that I have adventured
200line 0792To try your taking of a false report, which hath
line 0793Honored with confirmation your great judgment
line 0794In the election of a sir so rare,
line 0795Which you know cannot err. The love I bear him
line 0796Made me to fan you thus, but the gods made you,
205line 0797Unlike all others, chaffless. Pray, your pardon.
IMOGEN
line 0798All’s well, sir. Take my power i’ th’ court for yours.
IACHIMO
line 0799My humble thanks. I had almost forgot
line 0800T’ entreat your Grace but in a small request,
line 0801And yet of moment too, for it concerns.
210line 0802Your lord, myself, and other noble friends
line 0803Are partners in the business.
line 0804IMOGENPray, what is ’t?
IACHIMO
line 0805Some dozen Romans of us and your lord—
line 0806The best feather of our wing—have mingled sums
215line 0807To buy a present for the Emperor;
line 0808Which I, the factor for the rest, have done
line 0809In France. ’Tis plate of rare device and jewels
line 0810Of rich and exquisite form, their values great.
line 0811And I am something curious, being strange,
220line 0812To have them in safe stowage. May it please you
line 0813To take them in protection?
line 0814IMOGENWillingly;
line 0815And pawn mine honor for their safety. Since
line 0816My lord hath interest in them, I will keep them
225line 0817In my bedchamber.
line 0818IACHIMOThey are in a trunk
line 0819Attended by my men. I will make bold
Act 1 Scene 6 - Pg 59
line 0820To send them to you, only for this night.
line 0821I must aboard tomorrow.
230line 0822IMOGENO no, no.
IACHIMO
line 0823Yes, I beseech, or I shall short my word
line 0824By length’ning my return. From Gallia
line 0825I crossed the seas on purpose and on promise
line 0826To see your Grace.
235line 0827IMOGENI thank you for your pains.
line 0828But not away tomorrow.
line 0829IACHIMOO, I must, madam.
line 0830Therefore I shall beseech you, if you please
line 0831To greet your lord with writing, do ’t tonight.
240line 0832I have outstood my time, which is material
line 0833To th’ tender of our present.
line 0834IMOGENI will write.
line 0835Send your trunk to me; it shall safe be kept
line 0836And truly yielded you. You’re very welcome.
They exit.
ACT 2
Scene 1
Enter Cloten and the two Lords.
line 0837CLOTENWas there ever man had such luck? When I
line 0838kissed the jack, upon an upcast to be hit away? I
line 0839had a hundred pound on ’t. And then a whoreson
line 0840jackanapes must take me up for swearing, as if I
5line 0841borrowed mine oaths of him and might not spend
line 0842them at my pleasure.
line 0843FIRST LORDWhat got he by that? You have broke his
line 0844pate with your bowl.
line 0845SECOND LORDaside If his wit had been like him that
10line 0846broke it, it would have run all out.
line 0847CLOTENWhen a gentleman is disposed to swear, it is
line 0848not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths, ha?
line 0849SECOND LORDNo, my lord, aside nor crop the ears
line 0850of them.
15line 0851CLOTENWhoreson dog! I gave him satisfaction. Would
line 0852he had been one of my rank.
line 0853SECOND LORDaside To have smelled like a fool.
line 0854CLOTENI am not vexed more at anything in th’ Earth.
line 0855A pox on ’t! I had rather not be so noble as I am.
20line 0856They dare not fight with me because of the Queen
line 0857my mother. Every jack-slave hath his bellyful of
line 0858fighting, and I must go up and down like a cock
line 0859that nobody can match.
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 65
line 0860SECOND LORDaside You are cock and capon too, and
25line 0861you crow cock with your comb on.
line 0862CLOTENSayest thou?
line 0863SECOND LORDIt is not fit your Lordship should undertake
line 0864every companion that you give offense to.
line 0865CLOTENNo, I know that, but it is fit I should commit
30line 0866offense to my inferiors.
line 0867SECOND LORDAy, it is fit for your Lordship only.
line 0868CLOTENWhy, so I say.
line 0869FIRST LORDDid you hear of a stranger that’s come to
line 0870court tonight?
35line 0871CLOTENA stranger, and I not know on ’t?
line 0872SECOND LORDaside He’s a strange fellow himself and
line 0873knows it not.
line 0874FIRST LORDThere’s an Italian come, and ’tis thought
line 0875one of Leonatus’ friends.
40line 0876CLOTENLeonatus? A banished rascal; and he’s another,
line 0877whatsoever he be. Who told you of this stranger?
line 0878FIRST LORDOne of your Lordship’s pages.
line 0879CLOTENIs it fit I went to look upon him? Is there no
line 0880derogation in ’t?
45line 0881SECOND LORDYou cannot derogate, my lord.
line 0882CLOTENNot easily, I think.
line 0883SECOND LORDaside You are a fool granted; therefore
line 0884your issues, being foolish, do not derogate.
line 0885CLOTENCome, I’ll go see this Italian. What I have lost
50line 0886today at bowls I’ll win tonight of him. Come, go.
line 0887SECOND LORDI’ll attend your Lordship.
Cloten and First Lord exit.
line 0888That such a crafty devil as is his mother
line 0889Should yield the world this ass! A woman that
line 0890Bears all down with her brain, and this her son
55line 0891Cannot take two from twenty, for his heart,
line 0892And leave eighteen. Alas, poor princess,
line 0893Thou divine Imogen, what thou endur’st,
line 0894Betwixt a father by thy stepdame governed,
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 67
line 0895A mother hourly coining plots, a wooer
60line 0896More hateful than the foul expulsion is
line 0897Of thy dear husband, than that horrid act
line 0898Of the divorce he’d make! The heavens hold firm
line 0899The walls of thy dear honor, keep unshaked
line 0900That temple, thy fair mind, that thou mayst stand
65line 0901T’ enjoy thy banished lord and this great land.
He exits.
Scene 2
A trunk is brought in. Enter Imogen, reading, in her bed, and a Lady.
IMOGEN
line 0902Who’s there? My woman Helen?
line 0903LADYPlease you, madam.
IMOGEN
line 0904What hour is it?
line 0905LADYAlmost midnight, madam.
IMOGEN
5line 0906I have read three hours then. Mine eyes are weak.
She hands the Lady her book.
line 0907Fold down the leaf where I have left. To bed.
line 0908Take not away the taper; leave it burning.
line 0909And if thou canst awake by four o’ th’ clock,
line 0910I prithee, call me. Lady exits. Sleep hath seized
10line 0911me wholly.
line 0912To your protection I commend me, gods.
line 0913From fairies and the tempters of the night
line 0914Guard me, beseech you.Sleeps.
Iachimo from the trunk.
IACHIMO
line 0915The crickets sing, and man’s o’erlabored sense
15line 0916Repairs itself by rest. Our Tarquin thus
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 69
line 0917Did softly press the rushes ere he wakened
line 0918The chastity he wounded.—Cytherea,
line 0919How bravely thou becom’st thy bed, fresh lily,
line 0920And whiter than the sheets.—That I might touch!
20line 0921But kiss, one kiss! Rubies unparagoned,
line 0922How dearly they do ’t. ’Tis her breathing that
line 0923Perfumes the chamber thus. The flame o’ th’ taper
line 0924Bows toward her and would underpeep her lids
line 0925To see th’ enclosèd lights, now canopied
25line 0926Under these windows, white and azure-laced
line 0927With blue of heaven’s own tinct. But my design:
line 0928To note the chamber. I will write all down.
He begins to write.
line 0929Such and such pictures; there the window; such
line 0930Th’ adornment of her bed; the arras, figures,
30line 0931Why, such and such; and the contents o’ th’ story.
He continues to write.
line 0932Ah, but some natural notes about her body
line 0933Above ten thousand meaner movables
line 0934Would testify t’ enrich mine inventory.
line 0935O sleep, thou ape of death, lie dull upon her,
35line 0936And be her sense but as a monument
line 0937Thus in a chapel lying. He begins to remove her bracelet.
line 0938Come off, come off;
line 0939As slippery as the Gordian knot was hard.
line 0940’Tis mine, and this will witness outwardly
40line 0941As strongly as the conscience does within
line 0942To th’ madding of her lord. On her left breast
line 0943A mole cinque-spotted, like the crimson drops
line 0944I’ th’ bottom of a cowslip. Here’s a voucher
line 0945Stronger than ever law could make. This secret
45line 0946Will force him think I have picked the lock and ta’en
line 0947The treasure of her honor. No more. To what end?
line 0948Why should I write this down that’s riveted,
line 0949Screwed to my memory? She hath been reading late
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 71
line 0950The tale of Tereus; here the leaf’s turned down
50line 0951Where Philomel gave up. I have enough.
line 0952To th’ trunk again, and shut the spring of it.
line 0953Swift, swift, you dragons of the night, that dawning
line 0954May bare the raven’s eye. I lodge in fear.
line 0955Though this a heavenly angel, hell is here.
Clock strikes.
55line 0956One, two, three. Time, time!
He exits into the trunk. The trunk and bed are removed.
Scene 3
Enter Cloten and Lords.
line 0957FIRST LORDYour Lordship is the most patient man in
line 0958loss, the most coldest that ever turned up ace.
line 0959CLOTENIt would make any man cold to lose.
line 0960FIRST LORDBut not every man patient after the noble
5line 0961temper of your Lordship. You are most hot and
line 0962furious when you win.
line 0963CLOTENWinning will put any man into courage. If I
line 0964could get this foolish Imogen, I should have gold
line 0965enough. It’s almost morning, is ’t not?
10line 0966FIRST LORDDay, my lord.
line 0967CLOTENI would this music would come. I am advised
line 0968to give her music a-mornings; they say it will
line 0969penetrate.
Enter Musicians.
line 0970Come on, tune. If you can penetrate her with your
15line 0971fingering, so. We’ll try with tongue, too. If none
line 0972will do, let her remain, but I’ll never give o’er. First,
line 0973a very excellent good-conceited thing; after, a wonderful
line 0974sweet air, with admirable rich words to it,
line 0975and then let her consider.
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 73
Musicians begin to play.
Song.
20line 0976Hark, hark, the lark at heaven’s gate sings,
line 0977And Phoebus gins arise,
line 0978His steeds to water at those springs
line 0979On chaliced flowers that lies;
line 0980And winking Mary-buds begin
25line 0981To ope their golden eyes.
line 0982With everything that pretty is,
line 0983My lady sweet, arise,
line 0984Arise, arise.
line 0985CLOTENSo, get you gone. If this penetrate, I will
30line 0986consider your music the better. If it do not, it is a
line 0987vice in her ears which horsehairs and calves’
line 0988guts, nor the voice of unpaved eunuch to boot, can
line 0989never amend.
Musicians exit.
Enter Cymbeline and Queen, with Attendants.
line 0990SECOND LORDHere comes the King.
35line 0991CLOTENI am glad I was up so late, for that’s the reason
line 0992I was up so early. He cannot choose but take this
line 0993service I have done fatherly.—Good morrow to
line 0994your Majesty and to my gracious mother.
CYMBELINE
line 0995Attend you here the door of our stern daughter?
40line 0996Will she not forth?
line 0997CLOTENI have assailed her with musics, but she
line 0998vouchsafes no notice.
CYMBELINE
line 0999The exile of her minion is too new;
line 1000She hath not yet forgot him. Some more time
45line 1001Must wear the print of his remembrance on ’t,
line 1002And then she’s yours.
line 1003QUEENto Cloten You are most bound to th’ King,
line 1004Who lets go by no vantages that may
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 75
line 1005Prefer you to his daughter. Frame yourself
50line 1006To orderly solicits and be friended
line 1007With aptness of the season. Make denials
line 1008Increase your services. So seem as if
line 1009You were inspired to do those duties which
line 1010You tender to her; that you in all obey her,
55line 1011Save when command to your dismission tends,
line 1012And therein you are senseless.
line 1013CLOTENSenseless? Not so.
Enter a Messenger.
MESSENGERto Cymbeline
line 1014So like you, sir, ambassadors from Rome;
line 1015The one is Caius Lucius.Messenger exits.
60line 1016CYMBELINEA worthy fellow,
line 1017Albeit he comes on angry purpose now.
line 1018But that’s no fault of his. We must receive him
line 1019According to the honor of his sender,
line 1020And towards himself, his goodness forespent on us,
65line 1021We must extend our notice.—Our dear son,
line 1022When you have given good morning to your mistress,
line 1023Attend the Queen and us. We shall have need
line 1024T’ employ you towards this Roman.—Come, our
line 1025queen.
Cymbeline and Queen exit, with Lords and Attendants.
CLOTEN
70line 1026If she be up, I’ll speak with her; if not,
line 1027Let her lie still and dream. He knocks. By your
line 1028leave, ho!—
line 1029I know her women are about her. What
line 1030If I do line one of their hands? ’Tis gold
75line 1031Which buys admittance—oft it doth—yea, and makes
line 1032Diana’s rangers false themselves, yield up
line 1033Their deer to th’ stand o’ th’ stealer; and ’tis gold
line 1034Which makes the true man killed and saves the thief,
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 77
line 1035Nay, sometime hangs both thief and true man. What
80line 1036Can it not do and undo? I will make
line 1037One of her women lawyer to me, for
line 1038I yet not understand the case myself.
line 1039By your leave.Knocks.
Enter a Lady.
LADY
line 1040Who’s there that knocks?
85line 1041CLOTENA gentleman.
line 1042LADYNo more?
CLOTEN
line 1043Yes, and a gentlewoman’s son.
line 1044LADYThat’s more
line 1045Than some whose tailors are as dear as yours
90line 1046Can justly boast of. What’s your Lordship’s pleasure?
CLOTEN
line 1047Your lady’s person. Is she ready?
line 1048LADYAy,
line 1049To keep her chamber.
line 1050CLOTENThere is gold for you.
95line 1051Sell me your good report.He offers a purse.
LADY
line 1052How, my good name? Or to report of you
line 1053What I shall think is good?
Enter Imogen.
line 1054The Princess.
Lady exits.
CLOTEN
line 1055Good morrow, fairest sister. Your sweet hand.
IMOGEN
100line 1056Good morrow, sir. You lay out too much pains
line 1057For purchasing but trouble. The thanks I give
line 1058Is telling you that I am poor of thanks
line 1059And scarce can spare them.
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 79
line 1060CLOTENStill I swear I love you.
IMOGEN
105line 1061If you but said so, ’twere as deep with me.
line 1062If you swear still, your recompense is still
line 1063That I regard it not.
line 1064CLOTENThis is no answer.
IMOGEN
line 1065But that you shall not say I yield being silent,
110line 1066I would not speak. I pray you, spare me. Faith,
line 1067I shall unfold equal discourtesy
line 1068To your best kindness. One of your great knowing
line 1069Should learn, being taught, forbearance.
CLOTEN
line 1070To leave you in your madness ’twere my sin.
115line 1071I will not.
IMOGEN
line 1072Fools are not mad folks.
line 1073CLOTENDo you call me fool?
line 1074IMOGENAs I am mad, I do.
line 1075If you’ll be patient, I’ll no more be mad.
120line 1076That cures us both. I am much sorry, sir,
line 1077You put me to forget a lady’s manners
line 1078By being so verbal; and learn now for all
line 1079That I, which know my heart, do here pronounce,
line 1080By th’ very truth of it, I care not for you,
125line 1081And am so near the lack of charity
line 1082To accuse myself I hate you—which I had rather
line 1083You felt than make ’t my boast.
line 1084CLOTENYou sin against
line 1085Obedience, which you owe your father. For
130line 1086The contract you pretend with that base wretch—
line 1087One bred of alms and fostered with cold dishes,
line 1088With scraps o’ th’ court—it is no contract, none;
line 1089And though it be allowed in meaner parties—
line 1090Yet who than he more mean?—to knit their souls,
135line 1091On whom there is no more dependency
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 81
line 1092But brats and beggary, in self-figured knot;
line 1093Yet you are curbed from that enlargement by
line 1094The consequence o’ th’ crown, and must not foil
line 1095The precious note of it with a base slave,
140line 1096A hilding for a livery, a squire’s cloth,
line 1097A pantler—not so eminent.
line 1098IMOGENProfane fellow,
line 1099Wert thou the son of Jupiter and no more
line 1100But what thou art besides, thou wert too base
145line 1101To be his groom. Thou wert dignified enough,
line 1102Even to the point of envy, if ’twere made
line 1103Comparative for your virtues to be styled
line 1104The under-hangman of his kingdom and hated
line 1105For being preferred so well.
150line 1106CLOTENThe south fog rot him!
IMOGEN
line 1107He never can meet more mischance than come
line 1108To be but named of thee. His mean’st garment
line 1109That ever hath but clipped his body is dearer
line 1110In my respect than all the hairs above thee,
155line 1111Were they all made such men.—How now, Pisanio!
Enter Pisanio.
line 1112CLOTEN“His garment”? Now the devil—
IMOGENto Pisanio
line 1113To Dorothy, my woman, hie thee presently.
CLOTEN
line 1114“His garment”?
line 1115IMOGENto Pisanio I am sprighted with a fool,
160line 1116Frighted and angered worse. Go bid my woman
line 1117Search for a jewel that too casually
line 1118Hath left mine arm. It was thy master’s. Shrew me
line 1119If I would lose it for a revenue
line 1120Of any king’s in Europe. I do think
165line 1121I saw ’t this morning. Confident I am
line 1122Last night ’twas on mine arm; I kissed it.
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 83
line 1123I hope it be not gone to tell my lord
line 1124That I kiss aught but he.
line 1125PISANIO’Twill not be lost.
IMOGEN
170line 1126I hope so. Go and search.Pisanio exits.
line 1127CLOTENYou have abused me.
line 1128“His meanest garment”?
line 1129IMOGENAy, I said so, sir.
line 1130If you will make ’t an action, call witness to ’t.
CLOTEN
175line 1131I will inform your father.
line 1132IMOGENYour mother too.
line 1133She’s my good lady and will conceive, I hope,
line 1134But the worst of me. So I leave you, sir,
line 1135To th’ worst of discontent.She exits.
CLOTEN
180line 1136I’ll be revenged! “His mean’st garment”? Well.
He exits.
Scene 4
Enter Posthumus and Philario.
POSTHUMUS
line 1137Fear it not, sir. I would I were so sure
line 1138To win the King as I am bold her honor
line 1139Will remain hers.
line 1140PHILARIOWhat means do you make to him?
POSTHUMUS
5line 1141Not any, but abide the change of time,
line 1142Quake in the present winter’s state, and wish
line 1143That warmer days would come. In these feared
line 1144hopes
line 1145I barely gratify your love; they failing,
10line 1146I must die much your debtor.
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 85
PHILARIO
line 1147Your very goodness and your company
line 1148O’erpays all I can do. By this, your king
line 1149Hath heard of great Augustus. Caius Lucius
line 1150Will do ’s commission throughly. And I think
15line 1151He’ll grant the tribute, send th’ arrearages,
line 1152Or look upon our Romans, whose remembrance
line 1153Is yet fresh in their grief.
line 1154POSTHUMUSI do believe,
line 1155Statist though I am none nor like to be,
20line 1156That this will prove a war; and you shall hear
line 1157The legion now in Gallia sooner landed
line 1158In our not-fearing Britain than have tidings
line 1159Of any penny tribute paid. Our countrymen
line 1160Are men more ordered than when Julius Caesar
25line 1161Smiled at their lack of skill but found their courage
line 1162Worthy his frowning at. Their discipline,
line 1163Now wingèd with their courages, will make known
line 1164To their approvers they are people such
line 1165That mend upon the world.
Enter Iachimo.
30line 1166PHILARIOSee, Iachimo!
POSTHUMUS
line 1167The swiftest harts have posted you by land,
line 1168And winds of all the corners kissed your sails
line 1169To make your vessel nimble.
line 1170PHILARIOWelcome, sir.
POSTHUMUS
35line 1171I hope the briefness of your answer made
line 1172The speediness of your return.
line 1173IACHIMOYour lady
line 1174Is one of the fairest that I have looked upon.
POSTHUMUS
line 1175And therewithal the best, or let her beauty
40line 1176Look thorough a casement to allure false hearts
line 1177And be false with them.
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 87
line 1178IACHIMOhanding him a paper Here are letters for you.
POSTHUMUS
line 1179Their tenor good, I trust.
line 1180IACHIMO’Tis very like.
Posthumus reads the letter.
PHILARIO
45line 1181Was Caius Lucius in the Briton court
line 1182When you were there?
IACHIMO
line 1183He was expected then, but not approached.
line 1184POSTHUMUSAll is well yet.
line 1185Sparkles this stone as it was wont, or is ’t not
50line 1186Too dull for your good wearing?
He indicates his ring.
line 1187IACHIMOIf I have lost it,
line 1188I should have lost the worth of it in gold.
line 1189I’ll make a journey twice as far t’ enjoy
line 1190A second night of such sweet shortness which
55line 1191Was mine in Britain, for the ring is won.
POSTHUMUS
line 1192The stone’s too hard to come by.
line 1193IACHIMONot a whit,
line 1194Your lady being so easy.
line 1195POSTHUMUSMake not, sir,
60line 1196Your loss your sport. I hope you know that we
line 1197Must not continue friends.
line 1198IACHIMOGood sir, we must,
line 1199If you keep covenant. Had I not brought
line 1200The knowledge of your mistress home, I grant
65line 1201We were to question farther; but I now
line 1202Profess myself the winner of her honor,
line 1203Together with your ring, and not the wronger
line 1204Of her or you, having proceeded but
line 1205By both your wills.
70line 1206POSTHUMUSIf you can make ’t apparent
line 1207That you have tasted her in bed, my hand
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 89
line 1208And ring is yours. If not, the foul opinion
line 1209You had of her pure honor gains or loses
line 1210Your sword or mine, or masterless leave both
75line 1211To who shall find them.
line 1212IACHIMOSir, my circumstances,
line 1213Being so near the truth as I will make them,
line 1214Must first induce you to believe; whose strength
line 1215I will confirm with oath, which I doubt not
80line 1216You’ll give me leave to spare when you shall find
line 1217You need it not.
line 1218POSTHUMUSProceed.
line 1219IACHIMOFirst, her bedchamber—
line 1220Where I confess I slept not, but profess
85line 1221Had that was well worth watching—it was hanged
line 1222With tapestry of silk and silver, the story
line 1223Proud Cleopatra when she met her Roman
line 1224And Cydnus swelled above the banks, or for
line 1225The press of boats or pride. A piece of work
90line 1226So bravely done, so rich, that it did strive
line 1227In workmanship and value, which I wondered
line 1228Could be so rarely and exactly wrought
line 1229Since the true life on ’t was—
line 1230POSTHUMUSThis is true,
95line 1231And this you might have heard of here, by me
line 1232Or by some other.
line 1233IACHIMOMore particulars
line 1234Must justify my knowledge.
line 1235POSTHUMUSSo they must,
100line 1236Or do your honor injury.
line 1237IACHIMOThe chimney
line 1238Is south the chamber, and the chimney-piece
line 1239Chaste Dian bathing. Never saw I figures
line 1240So likely to report themselves; the cutter
105line 1241Was as another Nature, dumb, outwent her,
line 1242Motion and breath left out.
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 91
line 1243POSTHUMUSThis is a thing
line 1244Which you might from relation likewise reap,
line 1245Being, as it is, much spoke of.
110line 1246IACHIMOThe roof o’ th’ chamber
line 1247With golden cherubins is fretted. Her andirons—
line 1248I had forgot them—were two winking Cupids
line 1249Of silver, each on one foot standing, nicely
line 1250Depending on their brands.
115line 1251POSTHUMUSThis is her honor?
line 1252Let it be granted you have seen all this—and praise
line 1253Be given to your remembrance—the description
line 1254Of what is in her chamber nothing saves
line 1255The wager you have laid.
120line 1256IACHIMOThen if you can
line 1257Be pale, I beg but leave to air this jewel. See—
He shows the bracelet.
line 1258And now ’tis up again. It must be married
line 1259To that your diamond. I’ll keep them.
line 1260POSTHUMUSJove!
125line 1261Once more let me behold it. Is it that
line 1262Which I left with her?
line 1263IACHIMOSir, I thank her, that.
line 1264She stripped it from her arm. I see her yet.
line 1265Her pretty action did outsell her gift
130line 1266And yet enriched it too. She gave it me
line 1267And said she prized it once.
line 1268POSTHUMUSMaybe she plucked it off
line 1269To send it me.
line 1270IACHIMOShe writes so to you, doth she?
POSTHUMUS
135line 1271O, no, no, no, ’tis true. Here, take this too.
He gives Iachimo the ring.
line 1272It is a basilisk unto mine eye,
line 1273Kills me to look on ’t. Let there be no honor
line 1274Where there is beauty, truth where semblance, love
line 1275Where there’s another man. The vows of women
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 93
140line 1276Of no more bondage be to where they are made
line 1277Than they are to their virtues, which is nothing.
line 1278O, above measure false!
line 1279PHILARIOHave patience, sir,
line 1280And take your ring again. ’Tis not yet won.
145line 1281It may be probable she lost it; or
line 1282Who knows if one her women, being corrupted,
line 1283Hath stol’n it from her.
line 1284POSTHUMUSVery true,
line 1285And so I hope he came by ’t.—Back, my ring!
He takes back the ring.
150line 1286Render to me some corporal sign about her
line 1287More evident than this, for this was stol’n.
IACHIMO
line 1288By Jupiter, I had it from her arm.
POSTHUMUS
line 1289Hark you, he swears! By Jupiter he swears.
line 1290’Tis true—nay, keep the ring—’tis true.
He holds out the ring.
155line 1291I am sure
line 1292She would not lose it. Her attendants are
line 1293All sworn and honorable. They induced to steal it?
line 1294And by a stranger? No, he hath enjoyed her.
line 1295The cognizance of her incontinency
160line 1296Is this. She hath bought the name of whore thus
line 1297dearly.
line 1298There, take thy hire, and all the fiends of hell
line 1299Divide themselves between you!
He gives the ring to Iachimo.
line 1300PHILARIOSir, be patient.
165line 1301This is not strong enough to be believed
line 1302Of one persuaded well of.
line 1303POSTHUMUSNever talk on ’t.
line 1304She hath been colted by him.
line 1305IACHIMOIf you seek
170line 1306For further satisfying, under her breast,
Act 2 Scene 5 - Pg 95
line 1307Worthy the pressing, lies a mole, right proud
line 1308Of that most delicate lodging. By my life,
line 1309I kissed it, and it gave me present hunger
line 1310To feed again, though full. You do remember
175line 1311This stain upon her?
line 1312POSTHUMUSAy, and it doth confirm
line 1313Another stain as big as hell can hold,
line 1314Were there no more but it.
line 1315IACHIMOWill you hear more?
180line 1316POSTHUMUSSpare your arithmetic;
line 1317Never count the turns. Once, and a million!
line 1318IACHIMOI’ll be sworn—
line 1319POSTHUMUSNo swearing.
line 1320If you will swear you have not done ’t, you lie,
185line 1321And I will kill thee if thou dost deny
line 1322Thou ’st made me cuckold.
line 1323IACHIMOI’ll deny nothing.
POSTHUMUS
line 1324O, that I had her here, to tear her limb-meal!
line 1325I will go there and do ’t i’ th’ court, before
190line 1326Her father. I’ll do something.He exits.
line 1327PHILARIOQuite beside
line 1328The government of patience. You have won.
line 1329Let’s follow him and pervert the present wrath
line 1330He hath against himself.
195line 1331IACHIMOWith all my heart.
They exit.
Scene 5
Enter Posthumus.
POSTHUMUS
line 1332Is there no way for men to be, but women
line 1333Must be half-workers? We are all bastards,
line 1334And that most venerable man which I
Act 2 Scene 5 - Pg 97
line 1335Did call my father was I know not where
5line 1336When I was stamped. Some coiner with his tools
line 1337Made me a counterfeit; yet my mother seemed
line 1338The Dian of that time; so doth my wife
line 1339The nonpareil of this. O, vengeance, vengeance!
line 1340Me of my lawful pleasure she restrained
10line 1341And prayed me oft forbearance; did it with
line 1342A pudency so rosy the sweet view on ’t
line 1343Might well have warmed old Saturn, that I thought
line 1344her
line 1345As chaste as unsunned snow. O, all the devils!
15line 1346This yellow Iachimo in an hour, was ’t not?
line 1347Or less? At first? Perchance he spoke not, but,
line 1348Like a full-acorned boar, a German one,
line 1349Cried “O!” and mounted; found no opposition
line 1350But what he looked for should oppose and she
20line 1351Should from encounter guard. Could I find out
line 1352The woman’s part in me—for there’s no motion
line 1353That tends to vice in man but I affirm
line 1354It is the woman’s part: be it lying, note it,
line 1355The woman’s; flattering, hers; deceiving, hers;
25line 1356Lust and rank thoughts, hers, hers; revenges, hers;
line 1357Ambitions, covetings, change of prides, disdain,
line 1358Nice longing, slanders, mutability,
line 1359All faults that have a name, nay, that hell knows,
line 1360Why, hers, in part or all, but rather all.
30line 1361For even to vice
line 1362They are not constant, but are changing still
line 1363One vice but of a minute old for one
line 1364Not half so old as that. I’ll write against them,
line 1365Detest them, curse them. Yet ’tis greater skill
35line 1366In a true hate to pray they have their will;
line 1367The very devils cannot plague them better.
He exits.
ACT 3
Scene 1
Enter in state Cymbeline, Queen, Cloten, and Lords at one door, and, at another, Caius Lucius and Attendants.
CYMBELINE
line 1368Now say, what would Augustus Caesar with us?
LUCIUS
line 1369When Julius Caesar, whose remembrance yet
line 1370Lives in men’s eyes and will to ears and tongues
line 1371Be theme and hearing ever, was in this Britain
5line 1372And conquered it, Cassibelan, thine uncle,
line 1373Famous in Caesar’s praises no whit less
line 1374Than in his feats deserving it, for him
line 1375And his succession granted Rome a tribute,
line 1376Yearly three thousand pounds, which by thee lately
10line 1377Is left untendered.
line 1378QUEENAnd, to kill the marvel,
line 1379Shall be so ever.
line 1380CLOTENThere be many Caesars
line 1381Ere such another Julius. Britain’s a world
15line 1382By itself, and we will nothing pay
line 1383For wearing our own noses.
line 1384QUEENThat opportunity
line 1385Which then they had to take from ’s, to resume
line 1386We have again.—Remember, sir, my liege,
20line 1387The Kings your ancestors, together with
line 1388The natural bravery of your isle, which stands
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 103
line 1389As Neptune’s park, ribbed and palèd in
line 1390With rocks unscalable and roaring waters,
line 1391With sands that will not bear your enemies’ boats
25line 1392But suck them up to th’ topmast. A kind of conquest
line 1393Caesar made here, but made not here his brag
line 1394Of “came, and saw, and overcame.” With shame—
line 1395The first that ever touched him—he was carried
line 1396From off our coast, twice beaten; and his shipping,
30line 1397Poor ignorant baubles, on our terrible seas
line 1398Like eggshells moved upon their surges, cracked
line 1399As easily ’gainst our rocks. For joy whereof
line 1400The famed Cassibelan, who was once at point—
line 1401O, giglet Fortune!—to master Caesar’s sword,
35line 1402Made Lud’s Town with rejoicing fires bright
line 1403And Britons strut with courage.
line 1404CLOTENCome, there’s no more tribute to be paid. Our
line 1405kingdom is stronger than it was at that time, and,
line 1406as I said, there is no more such Caesars. Other of
40line 1407them may have crooked noses, but to owe such
line 1408straight arms, none.
line 1409CYMBELINESon, let your mother end.
line 1410CLOTENWe have yet many among us can grip as hard
line 1411as Cassibelan. I do not say I am one, but I have a
45line 1412hand. Why tribute? Why should we pay tribute? If
line 1413Caesar can hide the sun from us with a blanket or
line 1414put the moon in his pocket, we will pay him tribute
line 1415for light; else, sir, no more tribute, pray you now.
line 1416CYMBELINEto Lucius You must know,
50line 1417Till the injurious Romans did extort
line 1418This tribute from us, we were free. Caesar’s ambition,
line 1419Which swelled so much that it did almost stretch
line 1420The sides o’ th’ world, against all color here
line 1421Did put the yoke upon ’s, which to shake off
55line 1422Becomes a warlike people, whom we reckon
line 1423Ourselves to be. We do say, then, to Caesar,
line 1424Our ancestor was that Mulmutius which
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 105
line 1425Ordained our laws, whose use the sword of Caesar
line 1426Hath too much mangled, whose repair and franchise
60line 1427Shall, by the power we hold, be our good deed,
line 1428Though Rome be therefore angry. Mulmutius made
line 1429our laws,
line 1430Who was the first of Britain which did put
line 1431His brows within a golden crown and called
65line 1432Himself a king.
line 1433LUCIUSI am sorry, Cymbeline,
line 1434That I am to pronounce Augustus Caesar—
line 1435Caesar, that hath more kings his servants than
line 1436Thyself domestic officers—thine enemy.
70line 1437Receive it from me, then: war and confusion
line 1438In Caesar’s name pronounce I ’gainst thee. Look
line 1439For fury not to be resisted. Thus defied,
line 1440I thank thee for myself.
line 1441CYMBELINEThou art welcome, Caius.
75line 1442Thy Caesar knighted me; my youth I spent
line 1443Much under him. Of him I gathered honor,
line 1444Which he to seek of me again perforce
line 1445Behooves me keep at utterance. I am perfect
line 1446That the Pannonians and Dalmatians for
80line 1447Their liberties are now in arms, a precedent
line 1448Which not to read would show the Britons cold.
line 1449So Caesar shall not find them.
line 1450LUCIUSLet proof speak.
line 1451CLOTENHis Majesty bids you welcome. Make pastime
85line 1452with us a day or two, or longer. If you seek us afterwards
line 1453in other terms, you shall find us in our saltwater
line 1454girdle; if you beat us out of it, it is yours. If
line 1455you fall in the adventure, our crows shall fare the
line 1456better for you, and there’s an end.
90line 1457LUCIUSSo, sir.
CYMBELINE
line 1458I know your master’s pleasure, and he mine.
line 1459All the remain is welcome.
They exit.
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 107
Scene 2
Enter Pisanio reading of a letter.
PISANIO
line 1460How? Of adultery? Wherefore write you not
line 1461What monsters her accuse? Leonatus,
line 1462O master, what a strange infection
line 1463Is fall’n into thy ear! What false Italian,
5line 1464As poisonous-tongued as handed, hath prevailed
line 1465On thy too ready hearing? Disloyal? No.
line 1466She’s punished for her truth and undergoes,
line 1467More goddesslike than wifelike, such assaults
line 1468As would take in some virtue. O my master,
10line 1469Thy mind to her is now as low as were
line 1470Thy fortunes. How? That I should murder her,
line 1471Upon the love and truth and vows which I
line 1472Have made to thy command? I her? Her blood?
line 1473If it be so to do good service, never
15line 1474Let me be counted serviceable. How look I
line 1475That I should seem to lack humanity
line 1476So much as this fact comes to? He reads: Do ’t!
line 1477The letter
line 1478That I have sent her, by her own command
20line 1479Shall give thee opportunity. O damned paper,
line 1480Black as the ink that’s on thee! Senseless bauble,
line 1481Art thou a fedary for this act, and look’st
line 1482So virginlike without? Lo, here she comes.
Enter Imogen.
line 1483I am ignorant in what I am commanded.
25line 1484IMOGENHow now, Pisanio?
PISANIO
line 1485Madam, here is a letter from my lord.
He gives her a paper.
IMOGEN
line 1486Who, thy lord that is my lord, Leonatus?
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 109
line 1487O, learned indeed were that astronomer
line 1488That knew the stars as I his characters!
30line 1489He’d lay the future open. You good gods,
line 1490Let what is here contained relish of love,
line 1491Of my lord’s health, of his content (yet not
line 1492That we two are asunder; let that grieve him.
line 1493Some griefs are med’cinable; that is one of them,
35line 1494For it doth physic love) of his content
line 1495All but in that. Good wax, thy leave.
She opens the letter.
line 1496Blest be
line 1497You bees that make these locks of counsel. Lovers
line 1498And men in dangerous bonds pray not alike;
40line 1499Though forfeiters you cast in prison, yet
line 1500You clasp young Cupid’s tables. Good news, gods!
line 1501Reads. Justice and your father’s wrath, should he
line 1502take me in his dominion, could not be so cruel to me
line 1503as you, O the dearest of creatures, would even renew
45line 1504me with your eyes. Take notice that I am in Cambria
line 1505at Milford Haven. What your own love will out of
line 1506this advise you, follow. So he wishes you all happiness,
line 1507that remains loyal to his vow, and your increasing
line 1508in love.
50line 1509Leonatus Posthumus.
line 1510O, for a horse with wings! Hear’st thou, Pisanio?
line 1511He is at Milford Haven. Read, and tell me
line 1512How far ’tis thither. If one of mean affairs
line 1513May plod it in a week, why may not I
55line 1514Glide thither in a day? Then, true Pisanio,
line 1515Who long’st like me to see thy lord, who long’st—
line 1516O, let me bate—but not like me, yet long’st
line 1517But in a fainter kind—O, not like me,
line 1518For mine’s beyond beyond—say, and speak thick—
60line 1519Love’s counselor should fill the bores of hearing
line 1520To th’ smothering of the sense—how far it is
line 1521To this same blessèd Milford. And by th’ way
Act 3 Scene 3 - Pg 111
line 1522Tell me how Wales was made so happy as
line 1523T’ inherit such a haven. But first of all,
65line 1524How we may steal from hence, and for the gap
line 1525That we shall make in time from our hence-going
line 1526And our return, to excuse. But first, how get hence?
line 1527Why should excuse be born or ere begot?
line 1528We’ll talk of that hereafter. Prithee speak,
70line 1529How many score of miles may we well rid
line 1530’Twixt hour and hour?
line 1531PISANIOOne score ’twixt sun and sun,
line 1532Madam, ’s enough for you, and too much too.
IMOGEN
line 1533Why, one that rode to ’s execution, man,
75line 1534Could never go so slow. I have heard of riding wagers
line 1535Where horses have been nimbler than the sands
line 1536That run i’ th’ clock’s behalf. But this is fool’ry.
line 1537Go, bid my woman feign a sickness, say
line 1538She’ll home to her father; and provide me presently
80line 1539A riding suit no costlier than would fit
line 1540A franklin’s huswife.
line 1541PISANIOMadam, you’re best consider.
IMOGEN
line 1542I see before me, man. Nor here, nor here,
line 1543Nor what ensues, but have a fog in them
85line 1544That I cannot look through. Away, I prithee.
line 1545Do as I bid thee. There’s no more to say.
line 1546Accessible is none but Milford way.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter, as from a cave, Belarius as Morgan, Guiderius as Polydor, and Arviragus as Cadwal.
BELARIUSas Morgan
line 1547A goodly day not to keep house with such
Act 3 Scene 3 - Pg 113
line 1548Whose roof’s as low as ours! Stoop, boys. This gate
line 1549Instructs you how t’ adore the heavens and bows you
line 1550To a morning’s holy office. The gates of monarchs
5line 1551Are arched so high that giants may jet through
line 1552And keep their impious turbans on, without
line 1553Good morrow to the sun. Hail, thou fair heaven!
line 1554We house i’ th’ rock, yet use thee not so hardly
line 1555As prouder livers do.
10line 1556GUIDERIUSas Polydor Hail, heaven!
line 1557ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal Hail, heaven!
BELARIUSas Morgan
line 1558Now for our mountain sport. Up to yond hill;
line 1559Your legs are young. I’ll tread these flats. Consider,
line 1560When you above perceive me like a crow,
15line 1561That it is place which lessens and sets off,
line 1562And you may then revolve what tales I have told you
line 1563Of courts, of princes, of the tricks in war.
line 1564This service is not service, so being done,
line 1565But being so allowed. To apprehend thus
20line 1566Draws us a profit from all things we see,
line 1567And often, to our comfort, shall we find
line 1568The sharded beetle in a safer hold
line 1569Than is the full-winged eagle. O, this life
line 1570Is nobler than attending for a check,
25line 1571Richer than doing nothing for a robe,
line 1572Prouder than rustling in unpaid-for silk:
line 1573Such gain the cap of him that makes him fine
line 1574Yet keeps his book uncrossed. No life to ours.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 1575Out of your proof you speak. We poor unfledged
30line 1576Have never winged from view o’ th’ nest, nor know
line 1577not
line 1578What air ’s from home. Haply this life is best
line 1579If quiet life be best, sweeter to you
line 1580That have a sharper known, well corresponding
35line 1581With your stiff age; but unto us it is
Act 3 Scene 3 - Pg 115
line 1582A cell of ignorance, traveling abed,
line 1583A prison for a debtor that not dares
line 1584To stride a limit.
line 1585ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal What should we speak of
40line 1586When we are old as you? When we shall hear
line 1587The rain and wind beat dark December, how
line 1588In this our pinching cave shall we discourse
line 1589The freezing hours away? We have seen nothing.
line 1590We are beastly: subtle as the fox for prey,
45line 1591Like warlike as the wolf for what we eat.
line 1592Our valor is to chase what flies. Our cage
line 1593We make a choir, as doth the prisoned bird,
line 1594And sing our bondage freely.
line 1595BELARIUSas Morgan How you speak!
50line 1596Did you but know the city’s usuries
line 1597And felt them knowingly; the art o’ th’ court,
line 1598As hard to leave as keep, whose top to climb
line 1599Is certain falling, or so slipp’ry that
line 1600The fear’s as bad as falling; the toil o’ th’ war,
55line 1601A pain that only seems to seek out danger
line 1602I’ th’ name of fame and honor, which dies i’ th’ search
line 1603And hath as oft a sland’rous epitaph
line 1604As record of fair act—nay, many times
line 1605Doth ill deserve by doing well; what’s worse,
60line 1606Must curtsy at the censure. O boys, this story
line 1607The world may read in me. My body’s marked
line 1608With Roman swords, and my report was once
line 1609First with the best of note. Cymbeline loved me,
line 1610And when a soldier was the theme, my name
65line 1611Was not far off. Then was I as a tree
line 1612Whose boughs did bend with fruit. But in one night
line 1613A storm or robbery, call it what you will,
line 1614Shook down my mellow hangings, nay, my leaves,
line 1615And left me bare to weather.
70line 1616GUIDERIUSas Polydor Uncertain favor!
Act 3 Scene 3 - Pg 117
BELARIUSas Morgan
line 1617My fault being nothing, as I have told you oft,
line 1618But that two villains, whose false oaths prevailed
line 1619Before my perfect honor, swore to Cymbeline
line 1620I was confederate with the Romans. So
75line 1621Followed my banishment; and this twenty years
line 1622This rock and these demesnes have been my world,
line 1623Where I have lived at honest freedom, paid
line 1624More pious debts to heaven than in all
line 1625The fore-end of my time. But up to th’ mountains!
80line 1626This is not hunters’ language. He that strikes
line 1627The venison first shall be the lord o’ th’ feast;
line 1628To him the other two shall minister,
line 1629And we will fear no poison, which attends
line 1630In place of greater state. I’ll meet you in the valleys.
Guiderius and Arviragus exit.
BELARIUS
85line 1631How hard it is to hide the sparks of nature!
line 1632These boys know little they are sons to th’ King,
line 1633Nor Cymbeline dreams that they are alive.
line 1634They think they are mine, and, though trained up
line 1635thus meanly,
90line 1636I’ th’ cave wherein they bow, their thoughts do hit
line 1637The roofs of palaces, and nature prompts them
line 1638In simple and low things to prince it much
line 1639Beyond the trick of others. This Polydor,
line 1640The heir of Cymbeline and Britain, who
95line 1641The King his father called Guiderius—Jove!
line 1642When on my three-foot stool I sit and tell
line 1643The warlike feats I have done, his spirits fly out
line 1644Into my story; say “Thus mine enemy fell,
line 1645And thus I set my foot on ’s neck,” even then
100line 1646The princely blood flows in his cheek, he sweats,
line 1647Strains his young nerves, and puts himself in posture
line 1648That acts my words. The younger brother, Cadwal,
line 1649Once Arviragus, in as like a figure
Act 3 Scene 4 - Pg 119
line 1650Strikes life into my speech and shows much more
105line 1651His own conceiving. Hark, the game is roused!
line 1652O Cymbeline, heaven and my conscience knows
line 1653Thou didst unjustly banish me; whereon,
line 1654At three and two years old I stole these babes,
line 1655Thinking to bar thee of succession as
110line 1656Thou refts me of my lands. Euriphile,
line 1657Thou wast their nurse; they took thee for their
line 1658mother,
line 1659And every day do honor to her grave.
line 1660Myself, Belarius, that am Morgan called,
115line 1661They take for natural father. The game is up!
He exits.
Scene 4
Enter Pisanio and Imogen.
IMOGEN
line 1662Thou told’st me, when we came from horse, the place
line 1663Was near at hand. Ne’er longed my mother so
line 1664To see me first as I have now. Pisanio, man,
line 1665Where is Posthumus? What is in thy mind
5line 1666That makes thee stare thus? Wherefore breaks that
line 1667sigh
line 1668From th’ inward of thee? One but painted thus
line 1669Would be interpreted a thing perplexed
line 1670Beyond self-explication. Put thyself
10line 1671Into a havior of less fear, ere wildness
line 1672Vanquish my staider senses. What’s the matter?
Pisanio hands her a paper.
line 1673Why tender’st thou that paper to me with
line 1674A look untender? If ’t be summer news,
line 1675Smile to ’t before; if winterly, thou need’st
15line 1676But keep that count’nance still. My husband’s hand!
Act 3 Scene 4 - Pg 121
line 1677That drug-damned Italy hath out-craftied him,
line 1678And he’s at some hard point. Speak, man! Thy tongue
line 1679May take off some extremity, which to read
line 1680Would be even mortal to me.
20line 1681PISANIOPlease you read,
line 1682And you shall find me, wretched man, a thing
line 1683The most disdained of fortune.
line 1684IMOGENreads: Thy mistress, Pisanio, hath played the
line 1685strumpet in my bed, the testimonies whereof lies
25line 1686bleeding in me. I speak not out of weak surmises but
line 1687from proof as strong as my grief and as certain as I
line 1688expect my revenge. That part thou, Pisanio, must act
line 1689for me, if thy faith be not tainted with the breach of
line 1690hers. Let thine own hands take away her life. I shall
30line 1691give thee opportunity at Milford Haven—she hath
line 1692my letter for the purpose—where, if thou fear to
line 1693strike and to make me certain it is done, thou art the
line 1694pander to her dishonor and equally to me disloyal.
PISANIOaside
line 1695What shall I need to draw my sword? The paper
35line 1696Hath cut her throat already. No, ’tis slander,
line 1697Whose edge is sharper than the sword, whose tongue
line 1698Outvenoms all the worms of Nile, whose breath
line 1699Rides on the posting winds and doth belie
line 1700All corners of the world. Kings, queens, and states,
40line 1701Maids, matrons, nay, the secrets of the grave
line 1702This viperous slander enters.—What cheer, madam?
IMOGEN
line 1703False to his bed? What is it to be false?
line 1704To lie in watch there and to think on him?
line 1705To weep ’twixt clock and clock? If sleep charge nature,
45line 1706To break it with a fearful dream of him
line 1707And cry myself awake? That’s false to ’s bed, is it?
line 1708PISANIOAlas, good lady!
IMOGEN
line 1709I false? Thy conscience witness! Iachimo,
Act 3 Scene 4 - Pg 123
line 1710Thou didst accuse him of incontinency.
50line 1711Thou then looked’st like a villain. Now methinks
line 1712Thy favor’s good enough. Some jay of Italy,
line 1713Whose mother was her painting, hath betrayed him.
line 1714Poor I am stale, a garment out of fashion,
line 1715And, for I am richer than to hang by th’ walls,
55line 1716I must be ripped. To pieces with me! O,
line 1717Men’s vows are women’s traitors! All good seeming,
line 1718By thy revolt, O husband, shall be thought
line 1719Put on for villainy, not born where ’t grows,
line 1720But worn a bait for ladies.
60line 1721PISANIOGood madam, hear me.
IMOGEN
line 1722True honest men, being heard like false Aeneas,
line 1723Were in his time thought false, and Sinon’s weeping
line 1724Did scandal many a holy tear, took pity
line 1725From most true wretchedness. So thou, Posthumus,
65line 1726Wilt lay the leaven on all proper men;
line 1727Goodly and gallant shall be false and perjured
line 1728From thy great fail.—Come, fellow, be thou honest;
line 1729Do thou thy master’s bidding. When thou seest him,
line 1730A little witness my obedience. Look,
70line 1731I draw the sword myself.
She draws Pisanio’s sword from its scabbard and hands it to him.
line 1732Take it, and hit
line 1733The innocent mansion of my love, my heart.
line 1734Fear not; ’tis empty of all things but grief.
line 1735Thy master is not there, who was indeed
75line 1736The riches of it. Do his bidding; strike.
line 1737Thou mayst be valiant in a better cause,
line 1738But now thou seem’st a coward.
line 1739PISANIOthrowing down the sword Hence, vile
line 1740instrument!
80line 1741Thou shalt not damn my hand.
line 1742IMOGENWhy, I must die,
Act 3 Scene 4 - Pg 125
line 1743And if I do not by thy hand, thou art
line 1744No servant of thy master’s. Against self-slaughter
line 1745There is a prohibition so divine
85line 1746That cravens my weak hand. Come, here’s my heart—
line 1747Something’s afore ’t. Soft, soft! We’ll no defense—
line 1748Obedient as the scabbard. What is here?
She takes papers from her bodice.
line 1749The scriptures of the loyal Leonatus,
line 1750All turned to heresy? Away, away!
She throws away the letters.
90line 1751Corrupters of my faith, you shall no more
line 1752Be stomachers to my heart. Thus may poor fools
line 1753Believe false teachers. Though those that are betrayed
line 1754Do feel the treason sharply, yet the traitor
line 1755Stands in worse case of woe. And thou, Posthumus,
95line 1756That didst set up
line 1757My disobedience ’gainst the King my father
line 1758And make me put into contempt the suits
line 1759Of princely fellows, shalt hereafter find
line 1760It is no act of common passage, but
100line 1761A strain of rareness: and I grieve myself
line 1762To think, when thou shalt be disedged by her
line 1763That now thou tirest on, how thy memory
line 1764Will then be panged by me.—Prithee, dispatch.
line 1765The lamb entreats the butcher. Where’s thy knife?
105line 1766Thou art too slow to do thy master’s bidding
line 1767When I desire it too.
line 1768PISANIOO gracious lady,
line 1769Since I received command to do this business
line 1770I have not slept one wink.
110line 1771IMOGENDo ’t, and to bed, then.
PISANIO
line 1772I’ll wake mine eyeballs out first.
line 1773IMOGENWherefore then
line 1774Didst undertake it? Why hast thou abused
line 1775So many miles with a pretense? This place?
Act 3 Scene 4 - Pg 127
115line 1776Mine action and thine own? Our horses’ labor?
line 1777The time inviting thee? The perturbed court
line 1778For my being absent, whereunto I never
line 1779Purpose return? Why hast thou gone so far
line 1780To be unbent when thou hast ta’en thy stand,
120line 1781Th’ elected deer before thee?
line 1782PISANIOBut to win time
line 1783To lose so bad employment, in the which
line 1784I have considered of a course. Good lady,
line 1785Hear me with patience.
125line 1786IMOGENTalk thy tongue weary.
line 1787Speak.
line 1788I have heard I am a strumpet, and mine ear,
line 1789Therein false struck, can take no greater wound,
line 1790Nor tent to bottom that. But speak.
130line 1791PISANIOThen, madam,
line 1792I thought you would not back again.
line 1793IMOGENMost like,
line 1794Bringing me here to kill me.
line 1795PISANIONot so, neither.
135line 1796But if I were as wise as honest, then
line 1797My purpose would prove well. It cannot be
line 1798But that my master is abused. Some villain,
line 1799Ay, and singular in his art, hath done
line 1800You both this cursèd injury.
IMOGEN
140line 1801Some Roman courtesan?
line 1802PISANIONo, on my life.
line 1803I’ll give but notice you are dead, and send him
line 1804Some bloody sign of it, for ’tis commanded
line 1805I should do so. You shall be missed at court,
145line 1806And that will well confirm it.
line 1807IMOGENWhy, good fellow,
line 1808What shall I do the while? Where bide? How live?
line 1809Or in my life what comfort when I am
line 1810Dead to my husband?
Act 3 Scene 4 - Pg 129
150line 1811PISANIOIf you’ll back to th’ court—
IMOGEN
line 1812No court, no father, nor no more ado
line 1813With that harsh, noble, simple nothing,
line 1814That Cloten, whose love suit hath been to me
line 1815As fearful as a siege.
155line 1816PISANIOIf not at court,
line 1817Then not in Britain must you bide.
line 1818IMOGENWhere, then?
line 1819Hath Britain all the sun that shines? Day, night,
line 1820Are they not but in Britain? I’ th’ world’s volume
160line 1821Our Britain seems as of it, but not in ’t,
line 1822In a great pool a swan’s nest. Prithee think
line 1823There’s livers out of Britain.
line 1824PISANIOI am most glad
line 1825You think of other place. Th’ ambassador,
165line 1826Lucius the Roman, comes to Milford Haven
line 1827Tomorrow. Now, if you could wear a mind
line 1828Dark as your fortune is, and but disguise
line 1829That which t’ appear itself must not yet be
line 1830But by self-danger, you should tread a course
170line 1831Pretty and full of view: yea, haply near
line 1832The residence of Posthumus; so nigh, at least,
line 1833That though his actions were not visible, yet
line 1834Report should render him hourly to your ear
line 1835As truly as he moves.
175line 1836IMOGENO, for such means,
line 1837Though peril to my modesty, not death on ’t,
line 1838I would adventure.
line 1839PISANIOWell then, here’s the point:
line 1840You must forget to be a woman; change
180line 1841Command into obedience, fear and niceness—
line 1842The handmaids of all women, or, more truly,
line 1843Woman it pretty self—into a waggish courage,
line 1844Ready in gibes, quick-answered, saucy, and
Act 3 Scene 4 - Pg 131
line 1845As quarrelous as the weasel. Nay, you must
185line 1846Forget that rarest treasure of your cheek,
line 1847Exposing it—but O, the harder heart!
line 1848Alack, no remedy—to the greedy touch
line 1849Of common-kissing Titan, and forget
line 1850Your laborsome and dainty trims, wherein
190line 1851You made great Juno angry.
line 1852IMOGENNay, be brief.
line 1853I see into thy end and am almost
line 1854A man already.
line 1855PISANIOFirst, make yourself but like one.
195line 1856Forethinking this, I have already fit—
line 1857’Tis in my cloakbag—doublet, hat, hose, all
line 1858That answer to them. Would you, in their serving,
line 1859And with what imitation you can borrow
line 1860From youth of such a season, ’fore noble Lucius
200line 1861Present yourself, desire his service, tell him
line 1862Wherein you’re happy—which will make him know,
line 1863If that his head have ear in music—doubtless
line 1864With joy he will embrace you, for he’s honorable
line 1865And, doubling that, most holy. Your means abroad:
205line 1866You have me, rich, and I will never fail
line 1867Beginning nor supplyment.
line 1868IMOGENtaking the cloakbag Thou art all the comfort
line 1869The gods will diet me with. Prithee, away.
line 1870There’s more to be considered, but we’ll even
210line 1871All that good time will give us. This attempt
line 1872I am soldier to, and will abide it with
line 1873A prince’s courage. Away, I prithee.
PISANIO
line 1874Well, madam, we must take a short farewell,
line 1875Lest, being missed, I be suspected of
215line 1876Your carriage from the court. My noble mistress,
line 1877Here is a box. I had it from the Queen.
He hands her the box.
Act 3 Scene 5 - Pg 133
line 1878What’s in ’t is precious. If you are sick at sea
line 1879Or stomach-qualmed at land, a dram of this
line 1880Will drive away distemper. To some shade,
220line 1881And fit you to your manhood. May the gods
line 1882Direct you to the best.
line 1883IMOGENAmen. I thank thee.
They exit.
Scene 5
Enter Cymbeline, Queen, Cloten, Lucius, Lords, and Attendants.
CYMBELINE
line 1884Thus far, and so farewell.
line 1885LUCIUSThanks, royal sir.
line 1886My emperor hath wrote I must from hence,
line 1887And am right sorry that I must report you
5line 1888My master’s enemy.
line 1889CYMBELINEOur subjects, sir,
line 1890Will not endure his yoke, and for ourself
line 1891To show less sovereignty than they must needs
line 1892Appear unkinglike.
10line 1893LUCIUSSo, sir. I desire of you
line 1894A conduct overland to Milford Haven.—
line 1895Madam, all joy befall your Grace—and you.
CYMBELINEto Lords
line 1896My lords, you are appointed for that office.
line 1897The due of honor in no point omit.—
15line 1898So, farewell, noble Lucius.
line 1899LUCIUSto Cloten Your hand, my lord.
CLOTEN
line 1900Receive it friendly, but from this time forth
line 1901I wear it as your enemy.
line 1902LUCIUSSir, the event
20line 1903Is yet to name the winner. Fare you well.
Act 3 Scene 5 - Pg 135
CYMBELINE
line 1904Leave not the worthy Lucius, good my lords,
line 1905Till he have crossed the Severn. Happiness!
Exit Lucius and Lords.
QUEEN
line 1906He goes hence frowning, but it honors us
line 1907That we have given him cause.
25line 1908CLOTEN’Tis all the better.
line 1909Your valiant Britons have their wishes in it.
CYMBELINE
line 1910Lucius hath wrote already to the Emperor
line 1911How it goes here. It fits us therefore ripely
line 1912Our chariots and our horsemen be in readiness.
30line 1913The powers that he already hath in Gallia
line 1914Will soon be drawn to head, from whence he moves
line 1915His war for Britain.
line 1916QUEEN’Tis not sleepy business,
line 1917But must be looked to speedily and strongly.
CYMBELINE
35line 1918Our expectation that it would be thus
line 1919Hath made us forward. But, my gentle queen,
line 1920Where is our daughter? She hath not appeared
line 1921Before the Roman, nor to us hath tendered
line 1922The duty of the day. She looks us like
40line 1923A thing more made of malice than of duty.
line 1924We have noted it.—Call her before us, for
line 1925We have been too slight in sufferance.
An Attendant exits.
line 1926QUEENRoyal sir,
line 1927Since the exile of Posthumus, most retired
45line 1928Hath her life been, the cure whereof, my lord,
line 1929’Tis time must do. Beseech your Majesty,
line 1930Forbear sharp speeches to her. She’s a lady
line 1931So tender of rebukes that words are strokes
line 1932And strokes death to her.
Enter Attendant.
Act 3 Scene 5 - Pg 137
50line 1933CYMBELINEWhere is she, sir? How
line 1934Can her contempt be answered?
line 1935ATTENDANTPlease you, sir,
line 1936Her chambers are all locked, and there’s no answer
line 1937That will be given to th’ loud’st noise we make.
QUEEN
55line 1938My lord, when last I went to visit her,
line 1939She prayed me to excuse her keeping close;
line 1940Whereto constrained by her infirmity,
line 1941She should that duty leave unpaid to you
line 1942Which daily she was bound to proffer. This
60line 1943She wished me to make known, but our great court
line 1944Made me to blame in memory.
line 1945CYMBELINEHer doors locked?
line 1946Not seen of late? Grant, heavens, that which I
line 1947Fear prove false!He exits with Attendant.
65line 1948QUEENSon, I say, follow the King.
CLOTEN
line 1949That man of hers, Pisanio, her old servant
line 1950I have not seen these two days.
line 1951QUEENGo, look after.
Cloten exits.
line 1952Aside. Pisanio, thou that stand’st so for Posthumus—
70line 1953He hath a drug of mine. I pray his absence
line 1954Proceed by swallowing that, for he believes
line 1955It is a thing most precious. But for her,
line 1956Where is she gone? Haply despair hath seized her,
line 1957Or, winged with fervor of her love, she’s flown
75line 1958To her desired Posthumus. Gone she is
line 1959To death or to dishonor, and my end
line 1960Can make good use of either. She being down,
line 1961I have the placing of the British crown.
Enter Cloten.
line 1962How now, my son?
80line 1963CLOTEN’Tis certain she is fled.
Act 3 Scene 5 - Pg 139
line 1964Go in and cheer the King. He rages; none
line 1965Dare come about him.
line 1966QUEENaside All the better. May
line 1967This night forestall him of the coming day!
Queen exits, with Attendants.
CLOTEN
85line 1968I love and hate her, for she’s fair and royal,
line 1969And that she hath all courtly parts more exquisite
line 1970Than lady, ladies, woman. From every one
line 1971The best she hath, and she, of all compounded,
line 1972Outsells them all. I love her therefore, but
90line 1973Disdaining me and throwing favors on
line 1974The low Posthumus slanders so her judgment
line 1975That what’s else rare is choked. And in that point
line 1976I will conclude to hate her, nay, indeed,
line 1977To be revenged upon her. For, when fools
95line 1978Shall—
Enter Pisanio.
line 1979Who is here? What, are you packing, sirrah?
line 1980Come hither. Ah, you precious pander! Villain,
line 1981Where is thy lady? In a word, or else
line 1982Thou art straightway with the fiends.
He draws his sword.
100line 1983PISANIOO, good my lord—
CLOTEN
line 1984Where is thy lady? Or, by Jupiter—
line 1985I will not ask again. Close villain,
line 1986I’ll have this secret from thy heart or rip
line 1987Thy heart to find it. Is she with Posthumus,
105line 1988From whose so many weights of baseness cannot
line 1989A dram of worth be drawn?
line 1990PISANIOAlas, my lord,
line 1991How can she be with him? When was she missed?
line 1992He is in Rome.
110line 1993CLOTENWhere is she, sir? Come nearer.
Act 3 Scene 5 - Pg 141
line 1994No farther halting. Satisfy me home
line 1995What is become of her.
PISANIO
line 1996O, my all-worthy lord!
line 1997CLOTENAll-worthy villain!
115line 1998Discover where thy mistress is at once,
line 1999At the next word. No more of “worthy lord”!
line 2000Speak, or thy silence on the instant is
line 2001Thy condemnation and thy death.
line 2002PISANIOThen, sir,
120line 2003This paper is the history of my knowledge
line 2004Touching her flight.He gives Cloten a paper.
line 2005CLOTENLet’s see ’t. I will pursue her
line 2006Even to Augustus’ throne.
line 2007PISANIOaside Or this or perish.
125line 2008She’s far enough, and what he learns by this
line 2009May prove his travail, not her danger.
line 2010CLOTENHumh!
PISANIOaside
line 2011I’ll write to my lord she’s dead. O Imogen,
line 2012Safe mayst thou wander, safe return again!
130line 2013CLOTENSirrah, is this letter true?
line 2014PISANIOSir, as I think.
line 2015CLOTENIt is Posthumus’ hand, I know ’t. Sirrah, if
line 2016thou wouldst not be a villain, but do me true service,
line 2017undergo those employments wherein I should
135line 2018have cause to use thee with a serious industry—
line 2019that is, what villainy soe’er I bid thee do to perform
line 2020it directly and truly—I would think thee an honest
line 2021man. Thou shouldst neither want my means for thy
line 2022relief nor my voice for thy preferment.
140line 2023PISANIOWell, my good lord.
line 2024CLOTENWilt thou serve me? For since patiently and
line 2025constantly thou hast stuck to the bare fortune of
line 2026that beggar Posthumus, thou canst not in the
line 2027course of gratitude but be a diligent follower of
145line 2028mine. Wilt thou serve me?
Act 3 Scene 5 - Pg 143
line 2029PISANIOSir, I will.
line 2030CLOTENGive me thy hand. Here’s my purse. Gives him money.
line 2031Hast any of thy late master’s garments
line 2032in thy possession?
150line 2033PISANIOI have, my lord, at my lodging the same suit he
line 2034wore when he took leave of my lady and mistress.
line 2035CLOTENThe first service thou dost me, fetch that suit
line 2036hither. Let it be thy first service. Go.
line 2037PISANIOI shall, my lord.He exits.
155line 2038CLOTENMeet thee at Milford Haven!—I forgot to ask
line 2039him one thing; I’ll remember ’t anon. Even there,
line 2040thou villain Posthumus, will I kill thee. I would
line 2041these garments were come. She said upon a time—
line 2042the bitterness of it I now belch from my heart—
160line 2043that she held the very garment of Posthumus in
line 2044more respect than my noble and natural person,
line 2045together with the adornment of my qualities. With
line 2046that suit upon my back will I ravish her. First, kill
line 2047him, and in her eyes. There shall she see my valor,
165line 2048which will then be a torment to her contempt.
line 2049He on the ground, my speech of insultment
line 2050ended on his dead body, and when my lust hath
line 2051dined—which, as I say, to vex her I will execute
line 2052in the clothes that she so praised—to the court
170line 2053I’ll knock her back, foot her home again. She hath
line 2054despised me rejoicingly, and I’ll be merry in my
line 2055revenge.
Enter Pisanio with the clothes.
line 2056Be those the garments?
line 2057PISANIOAy, my noble lord.
175line 2058CLOTENHow long is ’t since she went to Milford Haven?
line 2059PISANIOShe can scarce be there yet.
line 2060CLOTENBring this apparel to my chamber; that is the
line 2061second thing that I have commanded thee. The
line 2062third is that thou wilt be a voluntary mute to my
Act 3 Scene 6 - Pg 145
180line 2063design. Be but duteous, and true preferment shall
line 2064tender itself to thee. My revenge is now at Milford.
line 2065Would I had wings to follow it! Come, and be true.
He exits.
PISANIO
line 2066Thou bidd’st me to my loss, for true to thee
line 2067Were to prove false, which I will never be,
185line 2068To him that is most true. To Milford go,
line 2069And find not her whom thou pursuest. Flow, flow,
line 2070You heavenly blessings, on her. This fool’s speed
line 2071Be crossed with slowness. Labor be his meed.
He exits.
Scene 6
Enter Imogen alone, dressed as a boy, Fidele.
IMOGEN
line 2072I see a man’s life is a tedious one.
line 2073I have tired myself, and for two nights together
line 2074Have made the ground my bed. I should be sick
line 2075But that my resolution helps me. Milford,
5line 2076When from the mountain top Pisanio showed thee,
line 2077Thou wast within a ken. O Jove, I think
line 2078Foundations fly the wretched—such, I mean,
line 2079Where they should be relieved. Two beggars told me
line 2080I could not miss my way. Will poor folks lie,
10line 2081That have afflictions on them, knowing ’tis
line 2082A punishment or trial? Yes. No wonder,
line 2083When rich ones scarce tell true. To lapse in fullness
line 2084Is sorer than to lie for need, and falsehood
line 2085Is worse in kings than beggars. My dear lord,
15line 2086Thou art one o’ th’ false ones. Now I think on thee,
line 2087My hunger’s gone; but even before, I was
line 2088At point to sink for food. But what is this?
line 2089Here is a path to ’t. ’Tis some savage hold.
Act 3 Scene 6 - Pg 147
line 2090I were best not call; I dare not call. Yet famine,
20line 2091Ere clean it o’erthrow nature, makes it valiant.
line 2092Plenty and peace breeds cowards; hardness ever
line 2093Of hardiness is mother.—Ho! Who’s here?
line 2094If anything that’s civil, speak; if savage,
line 2095Take or lend. Ho!—No answer? Then I’ll enter.
25line 2096Best draw my sword; an if mine enemy
line 2097But fear the sword like me, he’ll scarcely look on ’t.
She draws her sword.
line 2098Such a foe, good heavens!
She exits, as into the cave.
Enter Belarius as Morgan, Guiderius as Polydor, and Arviragus as Cadwal.
BELARIUSas Morgan
line 2099You, Polydor, have proved best woodman and
line 2100Are master of the feast. Cadwal and I
30line 2101Will play the cook and servant; ’tis our match.
line 2102The sweat of industry would dry and die
line 2103But for the end it works to. Come, our stomachs
line 2104Will make what’s homely savory. Weariness
line 2105Can snore upon the flint when resty sloth
35line 2106Finds the down pillow hard. Now peace be here,
line 2107Poor house, that keep’st thyself.
line 2108GUIDERIUSas Polydor I am throughly weary.
ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal
line 2109I am weak with toil, yet strong in appetite.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 2110There is cold meat i’ th’ cave. We’ll browse on that
40line 2111Whilst what we have killed be cooked.
BELARIUSas Morgan, looking into the cave
line 2112Stay, come
line 2113not in!
line 2114But that it eats our victuals, I should think
line 2115Here were a fairy.
45line 2116GUIDERIUSas Polydor What’s the matter, sir?
Act 3 Scene 6 - Pg 149
BELARIUSas Morgan
line 2117By Jupiter, an angel! Or, if not,
line 2118An earthly paragon. Behold divineness
line 2119No elder than a boy.
Enter Imogen as Fidele.
line 2120IMOGENas Fidele Good masters, harm me not.
50line 2121Before I entered here, I called, and thought
line 2122To have begged or bought what I have took. Good
line 2123troth,
line 2124I have stol’n naught, nor would not, though I had
line 2125found
55line 2126Gold strewed i’ th’ floor. Here’s money for my meat.
She offers money.
line 2127I would have left it on the board so soon
line 2128As I had made my meal, and parted
line 2129With prayers for the provider.
line 2130GUIDERIUSas Polydor Money, youth?
ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal
60line 2131All gold and silver rather turn to dirt,
line 2132As ’tis no better reckoned but of those
line 2133Who worship dirty gods.
line 2134IMOGENas Fidele I see you’re angry.
line 2135Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should
65line 2136Have died had I not made it.
line 2137BELARIUSas Morgan Whither bound?
line 2138IMOGENas Fidele To Milford Haven.
line 2139BELARIUSas Morgan What’s your name?
IMOGENas Fidele
line 2140Fidele, sir. I have a kinsman who
70line 2141Is bound for Italy. He embarked at Milford,
line 2142To whom being going, almost spent with hunger,
line 2143I am fall’n in this offense.
line 2144BELARIUSas Morgan Prithee, fair youth,
line 2145Think us no churls, nor measure our good minds
75line 2146By this rude place we live in. Well encountered!
line 2147’Tis almost night; you shall have better cheer
Act 3 Scene 6 - Pg 151
line 2148Ere you depart, and thanks to stay and eat it.—
line 2149Boys, bid him welcome.
line 2150GUIDERIUSas Polydor Were you a woman, youth,
80line 2151I should woo hard but be your groom in honesty,
line 2152Ay, bid for you as I do buy.
line 2153ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal I’ll make ’t my comfort
line 2154He is a man. I’ll love him as my brother.—
line 2155And such a welcome as I’d give to him
85line 2156After long absence, such is yours. Most welcome.
line 2157Be sprightly, for you fall ’mongst friends.
line 2158IMOGENas Fidele ’Mongst
line 2159friends?
line 2160If brothers—aside Would it had been so, that they
90line 2161Had been my father’s sons! Then had my prize
line 2162Been less, and so more equal ballasting
line 2163To thee, Posthumus.
line 2164BELARIUSas Morgan He wrings at some distress.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 2165Would I could free ’t!
95line 2166ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal Or I, whate’er it be,
line 2167What pain it cost, what danger. Gods!
line 2168BELARIUSas Morgan Hark, boys.
They talk aside.
line 2169IMOGENGreat men
line 2170That had a court no bigger than this cave,
100line 2171That did attend themselves and had the virtue
line 2172Which their own conscience sealed them, laying by
line 2173That nothing-gift of differing multitudes,
line 2174Could not outpeer these twain. Pardon me, gods!
line 2175I’d change my sex to be companion with them,
105line 2176Since Leonatus false.
line 2177BELARIUSas Morgan It shall be so.
line 2178Boys, we’ll go dress our hunt.—Fair youth, come in.
line 2179Discourse is heavy, fasting. When we have supped,
line 2180We’ll mannerly demand thee of thy story
110line 2181So far as thou wilt speak it.
Act 3 Scene 7 - Pg 153
line 2182GUIDERIUSas Polydor Pray, draw near.
ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal
line 2183The night to th’ owl and morn to th’ lark less
line 2184welcome.
line 2185IMOGENas Fidele Thanks, sir.
115line 2186ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal I pray, draw near.
They exit.
Scene 7
Enter two Roman Senators, and Tribunes.
FIRST SENATOR
line 2187This is the tenor of the Emperor’s writ:
line 2188That since the common men are now in action
line 2189’Gainst the Pannonians and Dalmatians,
line 2190And that the legions now in Gallia are
5line 2191Full weak to undertake our wars against
line 2192The fall’n-off Britons, that we do incite
line 2193The gentry to this business. He creates
line 2194Lucius proconsul; and to you the tribunes
line 2195For this immediate levy, he commends
10line 2196His absolute commission. Long live Caesar!
TRIBUNE
line 2197Is Lucius general of the forces?
line 2198SECOND SENATORAy.
TRIBUNE
line 2199Remaining now in Gallia?
line 2200FIRST SENATORWith those legions
15line 2201Which I have spoke of, whereunto your levy
line 2202Must be supplyant. The words of your commission
line 2203Will tie you to the numbers and the time
line 2204Of their dispatch.
line 2205TRIBUNEWe will discharge our duty.
They exit.
ACT 4
Scene 1
Enter Cloten alone, dressed in Posthumus’s garments.
line 2206CLOTENI am near to th’ place where they should meet,
line 2207if Pisanio have mapped it truly. How fit his garments
line 2208serve me! Why should his mistress, who
line 2209was made by him that made the tailor, not be fit
5line 2210too? The rather, saving reverence of the word, for
line 2211’tis said a woman’s fitness comes by fits. Therein I
line 2212must play the workman. I dare speak it to myself,
line 2213for it is not vainglory for a man and his glass to
line 2214confer in his own chamber. I mean, the lines of my
10line 2215body are as well drawn as his, no less young, more
line 2216strong; not beneath him in fortunes, beyond him
line 2217in the advantage of the time, above him in birth,
line 2218alike conversant in general services, and more remarkable
line 2219in single oppositions. Yet this imperceiverant
15line 2220thing loves him in my despite. What
line 2221mortality is! Posthumus, thy head, which now is
line 2222growing upon thy shoulders, shall within this hour
line 2223be off, thy mistress enforced, thy garments cut to
line 2224pieces before thy face; and all this done, spurn her
20line 2225home to her father, who may haply be a little angry
line 2226or my so rough usage. But my mother, having
line 2227power of his testiness, shall turn all into my commendations.
line 2228My horse is tied up safe. Out, sword,
line 2229and to a sore purpose. Fortune, put them into my
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 159
25line 2230hand! This is the very description of their meeting
line 2231place, and the fellow dares not deceive me.
He draws his sword and exits.
Scene 2
Enter Belarius as Morgan, Guiderius as Polydor, Arviragus as Cadwal, and Imogen as Fidele, from the cave.
BELARIUSas Morgan, to Fidele
line 2232You are not well. Remain here in the cave.
line 2233We’ll come to you after hunting.
line 2234ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal, to Fidele Brother, stay here.
line 2235Are we not brothers?
5line 2236IMOGENas Fidele So man and man should be,
line 2237But clay and clay differs in dignity,
line 2238Whose dust is both alike. I am very sick.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor, to Morgan and Cadwal
line 2239Go you to hunting. I’ll abide with him.
IMOGENas Fidele
line 2240So sick I am not, yet I am not well;
10line 2241But not so citizen a wanton as
line 2242To seem to die ere sick. So please you, leave me.
line 2243Stick to your journal course. The breach of custom
line 2244Is breach of all. I am ill, but your being by me
line 2245Cannot amend me. Society is no comfort
15line 2246To one not sociable. I am not very sick,
line 2247Since I can reason of it. Pray you trust me here—
line 2248I’ll rob none but myself—and let me die,
line 2249Stealing so poorly.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 2250I love thee—I have spoke it—
20line 2251How much the quantity, the weight as much
line 2252As I do love my father.
line 2253BELARIUSas Morgan What? How, how?
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 161
ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal
line 2254If it be sin to say so, sir, I yoke me
line 2255In my good brother’s fault. I know not why
25line 2256I love this youth, and I have heard you say
line 2257Love’s reason’s without reason. The bier at door,
line 2258And a demand who is ’t shall die, I’d say
line 2259“My father, not this youth.”
line 2260BELARIUSaside O, noble strain!
30line 2261O, worthiness of nature, breed of greatness!
line 2262Cowards father cowards and base things sire base;
line 2263Nature hath meal and bran, contempt and grace.
line 2264I’m not their father, yet who this should be
line 2265Doth miracle itself, loved before me.—
35line 2266’Tis the ninth hour o’ th’ morn.
line 2267ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal, to Fidele Brother, farewell.
IMOGENas Fidele
line 2268I wish you sport.
line 2269ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal You health.—So please you, sir.
IMOGENaside
line 2270These are kind creatures. Gods, what lies I have heard!
40line 2271Our courtiers say all’s savage but at court;
line 2272Experience, O, thou disprov’st report!
line 2273Th’ imperious seas breeds monsters; for the dish
line 2274Poor tributary rivers as sweet fish.
line 2275I am sick still, heart-sick. Pisanio,
45line 2276I’ll now taste of thy drug.She swallows the drug.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor, to Morgan and Cadwal
line 2277I could not stir him.
line 2278He said he was gentle but unfortunate,
line 2279Dishonestly afflicted but yet honest.
ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal
line 2280Thus did he answer me, yet said hereafter
50line 2281I might know more.
line 2282BELARIUSas Morgan To th’ field, to th’ field!
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 163
line 2283To Fidele. We’ll leave you for this time. Go in and
line 2284rest.
ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal
line 2285We’ll not be long away.
55line 2286BELARIUSas Morgan Pray, be not sick,
line 2287For you must be our huswife.
line 2288IMOGENas Fidele Well or ill,
line 2289I am bound to you.
line 2290BELARIUSas Morgan And shalt be ever.
Imogen exits as into the cave.
60line 2291This youth, howe’er distressed, appears he hath had
line 2292Good ancestors.
line 2293ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal How angel-like he sings!
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 2294But his neat cookery! He cut our roots in characters
line 2295And sauced our broths as Juno had been sick
65line 2296And he her dieter.
line 2297ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal Nobly he yokes
line 2298A smiling with a sigh, as if the sigh
line 2299Was that it was for not being such a smile,
line 2300The smile mocking the sigh that it would fly
70line 2301From so divine a temple to commix
line 2302With winds that sailors rail at.
line 2303GUIDERIUSas Polydor I do note
line 2304That grief and patience, rooted in them both,
line 2305Mingle their spurs together.
75line 2306ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal Grow, patience,
line 2307And let the stinking elder, grief, untwine
line 2308His perishing root with the increasing vine!
BELARIUSas Morgan
line 2309It is great morning. Come, away. Who’s there?
Enter Cloten.
CLOTENto himself
line 2310I cannot find those runagates. That villain
80line 2311Hath mocked me. I am faint.
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 165
BELARIUSas Morgan, to Polydor and Cadwal
line 2312“Those runagates”?
line 2313Means he not us? I partly know him. ’Tis
line 2314Cloten, the son o’ th’ Queen. I fear some ambush.
line 2315I saw him not these many years, and yet
85line 2316I know ’tis he. We are held as outlaws. Hence.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 2317He is but one. You and my brother search
line 2318What companies are near. Pray you, away.
line 2319Let me alone with him.Belarius and Arviragus exit.
line 2320CLOTENSoft, what are you
90line 2321That fly me thus? Some villain mountaineers?
line 2322I have heard of such.—What slave art thou?
line 2323GUIDERIUSas Polydor A thing
line 2324More slavish did I ne’er than answering
line 2325A slave without a knock.
95line 2326CLOTENThou art a robber,
line 2327A lawbreaker, a villain. Yield thee, thief.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 2328To who? To thee? What art thou? Have not I
line 2329An arm as big as thine? A heart as big?
line 2330Thy words, I grant, are bigger, for I wear not
100line 2331My dagger in my mouth. Say what thou art,
line 2332Why I should yield to thee.
line 2333CLOTENThou villain base,
line 2334Know’st me not by my clothes?
line 2335GUIDERIUSas Polydor No, nor thy tailor,
105line 2336rascal.
line 2337Who is thy grandfather? He made those clothes,
line 2338Which, as it seems, make thee.
line 2339CLOTENThou precious varlet,
line 2340My tailor made them not.
110line 2341GUIDERIUSas Polydor Hence then, and thank
line 2342The man that gave them thee. Thou art some fool.
line 2343I am loath to beat thee.
line 2344CLOTENThou injurious thief,
line 2345Hear but my name, and tremble.
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 167
115line 2346GUIDERIUSas Polydor What’s thy name?
line 2347CLOTENCloten, thou villain.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 2348Cloten, thou double villain, be thy name,
line 2349I cannot tremble at it. Were it Toad, or Adder, Spider,
line 2350’Twould move me sooner.
120line 2351CLOTENTo thy further fear,
line 2352Nay, to thy mere confusion, thou shalt know
line 2353I am son to th’ Queen.
line 2354GUIDERIUSas Polydor I am sorry for ’t, not seeming
line 2355So worthy as thy birth.
125line 2356CLOTENArt not afeard?
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 2357Those that I reverence, those I fear—the wise;
line 2358At fools I laugh, not fear them.
line 2359CLOTENDie the death!
line 2360When I have slain thee with my proper hand,
130line 2361I’ll follow those that even now fled hence
line 2362And on the gates of Lud’s Town set your heads.
line 2363Yield, rustic mountaineer!
They fight and exit.
Enter Belarius as Morgan and Arviragus as Cadwal.
line 2364BELARIUSas Morgan No company’s abroad?
ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal
line 2365None in the world. You did mistake him sure.
BELARIUSas Morgan
135line 2366I cannot tell. Long is it since I saw him,
line 2367But time hath nothing blurred those lines of favor
line 2368Which then he wore. The snatches in his voice
line 2369And burst of speaking were as his. I am absolute
line 2370’Twas very Cloten.
140line 2371ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal In this place we left them.
line 2372I wish my brother make good time with him,
line 2373You say he is so fell.
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 169
line 2374BELARIUSas Morgan Being scarce made up,
line 2375I mean to man, he had not apprehension
145line 2376Of roaring terrors; for defect of judgment
line 2377Is oft the cause of fear.
Enter Guiderius as Polydor, carrying Cloten’s head.
line 2378But see, thy brother.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 2379This Cloten was a fool, an empty purse;
line 2380There was no money in ’t. Not Hercules
150line 2381Could have knocked out his brains, for he had none.
line 2382Yet I not doing this, the fool had borne
line 2383My head as I do his.
line 2384BELARIUSas Morgan What hast thou done?
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 2385I am perfect what: cut off one Cloten’s head,
155line 2386Son to the Queen, after his own report,
line 2387Who called me traitor mountaineer, and swore
line 2388With his own single hand he’d take us in,
line 2389Displace our heads where, thank the gods, they
line 2390grow,
160line 2391And set them on Lud’s Town.
line 2392BELARIUSas Morgan We are all undone.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 2393Why, worthy father, what have we to lose
line 2394But that he swore to take, our lives? The law
line 2395Protects not us. Then why should we be tender
165line 2396To let an arrogant piece of flesh threat us,
line 2397Play judge and executioner all himself,
line 2398For we do fear the law? What company
line 2399Discover you abroad?
line 2400BELARIUSas Morgan No single soul
170line 2401Can we set eye on, but in all safe reason
line 2402He must have some attendants. Though his humor
line 2403Was nothing but mutation—ay, and that
line 2404From one bad thing to worse—not frenzy,
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 171
line 2405Not absolute madness could so far have raved
175line 2406To bring him here alone. Although perhaps
line 2407It may be heard at court that such as we
line 2408Cave here, hunt here, are outlaws, and in time
line 2409May make some stronger head, the which he
line 2410hearing—
180line 2411As it is like him—might break out and swear
line 2412He’d fetch us in, yet is ’t not probable
line 2413To come alone, either he so undertaking
line 2414Or they so suffering. Then on good ground we fear,
line 2415If we do fear this body hath a tail
185line 2416More perilous than the head.
line 2417ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal Let ord’nance
line 2418Come as the gods foresay it. Howsoe’er,
line 2419My brother hath done well.
line 2420BELARIUSas Morgan I had no mind
190line 2421To hunt this day. The boy Fidele’s sickness
line 2422Did make my way long forth.
line 2423GUIDERIUSas Polydor With his own sword,
line 2424Which he did wave against my throat, I have ta’en
line 2425His head from him. I’ll throw ’t into the creek
195line 2426Behind our rock, and let it to the sea
line 2427And tell the fishes he’s the Queen’s son, Cloten.
line 2428That’s all I reck.He exits.
line 2429BELARIUSas Morgan I fear ’twill be revenged.
line 2430Would, Polydor, thou hadst not done ’t, though valor
200line 2431Becomes thee well enough.
line 2432ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal Would I had done ’t,
line 2433So the revenge alone pursued me. Polydor,
line 2434I love thee brotherly, but envy much
line 2435Thou hast robbed me of this deed. I would revenges
205line 2436That possible strength might meet would seek us
line 2437through
line 2438And put us to our answer.
line 2439BELARIUSas Morgan Well, ’tis done.
line 2440We’ll hunt no more today, nor seek for danger
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 173
210line 2441Where there’s no profit. I prithee, to our rock.
line 2442You and Fidele play the cooks. I’ll stay
line 2443Till hasty Polydor return, and bring him
line 2444To dinner presently.
line 2445ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal Poor sick Fidele.
215line 2446I’ll willingly to him. To gain his color
line 2447I’d let a parish of such Clotens blood,
line 2448And praise myself for charity.He exits.
line 2449BELARIUSO thou goddess,
line 2450Thou divine Nature, thou thyself thou blazon’st
220line 2451In these two princely boys! They are as gentle
line 2452As zephyrs blowing below the violet,
line 2453Not wagging his sweet head; and yet as rough,
line 2454Their royal blood enchafed, as the rud’st wind
line 2455That by the top doth take the mountain pine
225line 2456And make him stoop to th’ vale. ’Tis wonder
line 2457That an invisible instinct should frame them
line 2458To royalty unlearned, honor untaught,
line 2459Civility not seen from other, valor
line 2460That wildly grows in them but yields a crop
230line 2461As if it had been sowed. Yet still it’s strange
line 2462What Cloten’s being here to us portends,
line 2463Or what his death will bring us.
Enter Guiderius as Polydor.
line 2464GUIDERIUSas Polydor Where’s my brother?
line 2465I have sent Cloten’s clotpole down the stream
235line 2466In embassy to his mother. His body’s hostage
line 2467For his return.Solemn music.
line 2468BELARIUSas Morgan My ingenious instrument!
line 2469Hark, Polydor, it sounds! But what occasion
line 2470Hath Cadwal now to give it motion? Hark.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
240line 2471Is he at home?
line 2472BELARIUSas Morgan He went hence even now.
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 175
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 2473What does he mean? Since death of my dear’st
line 2474mother
line 2475It did not speak before. All solemn things
245line 2476Should answer solemn accidents. The matter?
line 2477Triumphs for nothing and lamenting toys
line 2478Is jollity for apes and grief for boys.
line 2479Is Cadwal mad?
Enter Arviragus as Cadwal, with Imogen as dead, bearing her in his arms.
line 2480BELARIUSas Morgan Look, here he comes,
250line 2481And brings the dire occasion in his arms
line 2482Of what we blame him for.
line 2483ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal The bird is dead
line 2484That we have made so much on. I had rather
line 2485Have skipped from sixteen years of age to sixty,
255line 2486To have turned my leaping time into a crutch,
line 2487Than have seen this.
line 2488GUIDERIUSas Polydor O sweetest, fairest lily!
line 2489My brother wears thee not the one half so well
line 2490As when thou grew’st thyself.
260line 2491BELARIUSas Morgan O melancholy,
line 2492Whoever yet could sound thy bottom, find
line 2493The ooze, to show what coast thy sluggish crare
line 2494Might eas’liest harbor in?—Thou blessèd thing,
line 2495Jove knows what man thou mightst have made; but I,
265line 2496Thou died’st, a most rare boy, of melancholy.—
line 2497How found you him?
line 2498ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal Stark, as you see;
line 2499Thus smiling, as some fly had tickled slumber,
line 2500Not as Death’s dart being laughed at; his right cheek
270line 2501Reposing on a cushion.
line 2502GUIDERIUSas Polydor Where?
line 2503ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal O’ th’ floor,
line 2504His arms thus leagued. I thought he slept, and put
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 177
line 2505My clouted brogues from off my feet, whose rudeness
275line 2506Answered my steps too loud.
line 2507GUIDERIUSas Polydor Why, he but sleeps.
line 2508If he be gone, he’ll make his grave a bed;
line 2509With female fairies will his tomb be haunted—
line 2510And worms will not come to thee.
280line 2511ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal With fairest flowers,
line 2512Whilst summer lasts and I live here, Fidele,
line 2513I’ll sweeten thy sad grave. Thou shalt not lack
line 2514The flower that’s like thy face, pale primrose; nor
line 2515The azured harebell, like thy veins; no, nor
285line 2516The leaf of eglantine whom, not to slander,
line 2517Out-sweetened not thy breath. The ruddock would
line 2518With charitable bill—O bill, sore shaming
line 2519Those rich-left heirs that let their fathers lie
line 2520Without a monument—bring thee all this,
290line 2521Yea, and furred moss besides, when flowers are none
line 2522To winter-ground thy corse.
line 2523GUIDERIUSas Polydor Prithee, have done,
line 2524And do not play in wench-like words with that
line 2525Which is so serious. Let us bury him
295line 2526And not protract with admiration what
line 2527Is now due debt. To th’ grave.
line 2528ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal Say, where shall ’s lay
line 2529him?
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 2530By good Euriphile, our mother.
300line 2531ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal Be ’t so.
line 2532And let us, Polydor, though now our voices
line 2533Have got the mannish crack, sing him to th’ ground
line 2534As once to our mother; use like note and words,
line 2535Save that “Euriphile” must be “Fidele.”
305line 2536GUIDERIUSas Polydor Cadwal,
line 2537I cannot sing. I’ll weep, and word it with thee,
line 2538For notes of sorrow, out of tune, are worse
line 2539Than priests and fanes that lie.
line 2540ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal We’ll speak it then.
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 179
BELARIUSas Morgan
310line 2541Great griefs, I see, med’cine the less, for Cloten
line 2542Is quite forgot. He was a queen’s son, boys,
line 2543And though he came our enemy, remember
line 2544He was paid for that. Though mean and mighty,
line 2545Rotting together, have one dust, yet reverence,
315line 2546That angel of the world, doth make distinction
line 2547Of place ’tween high and low. Our foe was princely,
line 2548And though you took his life as being our foe,
line 2549Yet bury him as a prince.
line 2550GUIDERIUSas Polydor, to Morgan Pray you fetch him
320line 2551hither.
line 2552Thersites’ body is as good as Ajax’
line 2553When neither are alive.
line 2554ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal, to Morgan If you’ll go fetch
line 2555him,
325line 2556We’ll say our song the whilst.—Brother, begin.
Belarius exits.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 2557Nay, Cadwal, we must lay his head to th’ east;
line 2558My father hath a reason for ’t.
line 2559ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal ’Tis true.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 2560Come on then, and remove him.
They move Imogen’s body.
330line 2561ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal So, begin.
Song.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 2562Fear no more the heat o’ th’ sun,
line 2563Nor the furious winter’s rages;
line 2564Thou thy worldly task hast done,
line 2565Home art gone and ta’en thy wages.
335line 2566Golden lads and girls all must,
line 2567As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.
ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal
line 2568Fear no more the frown o’ th’ great;
line 2569Thou art past the tyrant’s stroke.
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 181
line 2570Care no more to clothe and eat;
340line 2571To thee the reed is as the oak.
line 2572The scepter, learning, physic must
line 2573All follow this and come to dust.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 2574Fear no more the lightning flash.
ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal
line 2575Nor th’ all-dreaded thunderstone.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
345line 2576Fear not slander, censure rash;
ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal
line 2577Thou hast finished joy and moan.
line 2578BOTHAll lovers young, all lovers must
line 2579Consign to thee and come to dust.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 2580No exorciser harm thee,
ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal
350line 2581Nor no witchcraft charm thee.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 2582Ghost unlaid forbear thee.
ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal
line 2583Nothing ill come near thee.
line 2584BOTHQuiet consummation have,
line 2585And renownèd be thy grave.
Enter Belarius as Morgan, with the body of Cloten.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
355line 2586We have done our obsequies. Come, lay him down.
Cloten’s body is placed by Imogen’s.
BELARIUSas Morgan
line 2587Here’s a few flowers, but ’bout midnight more.
line 2588The herbs that have on them cold dew o’ th’ night
line 2589Are strewings fitt’st for graves. Upon their faces.—
line 2590You were as flowers, now withered. Even so
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 183
360line 2591These herblets shall, which we upon you strew.—
line 2592Come on, away; apart upon our knees.
line 2593The ground that gave them first has them again.
line 2594Their pleasures here are past; so is their pain.
They exit.
Imogen awakes.
IMOGEN
line 2595Yes, sir, to Milford Haven. Which is the way?
365line 2596I thank you. By yond bush? Pray, how far thither?
line 2597Ods pittikins, can it be six mile yet?
line 2598I have gone all night. Faith, I’ll lie down and sleep.
She sees Cloten’s headless body.
line 2599But soft! No bedfellow? O gods and goddesses!
line 2600These flowers are like the pleasures of the world,
370line 2601This bloody man the care on ’t. I hope I dream,
line 2602For so I thought I was a cave-keeper
line 2603And cook to honest creatures. But ’tis not so.
line 2604’Twas but a bolt of nothing, shot at nothing,
line 2605Which the brain makes of fumes. Our very eyes
375line 2606Are sometimes like our judgments, blind. Good faith,
line 2607I tremble still with fear; but if there be
line 2608Yet left in heaven as small a drop of pity
line 2609As a wren’s eye, feared gods, a part of it!
line 2610The dream’s here still. Even when I wake it is
380line 2611Without me as within me, not imagined, felt.
line 2612A headless man? The garments of Posthumus?
line 2613I know the shape of ’s leg. This is his hand,
line 2614His foot Mercurial, his Martial thigh,
line 2615The brawns of Hercules; but his Jovial face—
385line 2616Murder in heaven! How? ’Tis gone. Pisanio,
line 2617All curses madded Hecuba gave the Greeks,
line 2618And mine to boot, be darted on thee! Thou,
line 2619Conspired with that irregulous devil Cloten,
line 2620Hath here cut off my lord. To write and read
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 185
390line 2621Be henceforth treacherous. Damned Pisanio
line 2622Hath with his forgèd letters—damned Pisanio—
line 2623From this most bravest vessel of the world
line 2624Struck the maintop. O Posthumus, alas,
line 2625Where is thy head? Where’s that? Ay me, where’s that?
395line 2626Pisanio might have killed thee at the heart
line 2627And left this head on. How should this be? Pisanio?
line 2628’Tis he and Cloten. Malice and lucre in them
line 2629Have laid this woe here. O, ’tis pregnant, pregnant!
line 2630The drug he gave me, which he said was precious
400line 2631And cordial to me, have I not found it
line 2632Murd’rous to th’ senses? That confirms it home.
line 2633This is Pisanio’s deed, and Cloten. O,
line 2634Give color to my pale cheek with thy blood,
line 2635That we the horrider may seem to those
405line 2636Which chance to find us. O my lord! My lord!
Enter Lucius, Captains, Soldiers, and a Soothsayer.
CAPTAIN
line 2637To them the legions garrisoned in Gallia,
line 2638After your will, have crossed the sea, attending
line 2639You here at Milford Haven with your ships.
line 2640They are here in readiness.
410line 2641LUCIUSBut what from Rome?
CAPTAIN
line 2642The Senate hath stirred up the confiners
line 2643And gentlemen of Italy, most willing spirits
line 2644That promise noble service, and they come
line 2645Under the conduct of bold Iachimo,
415line 2646Siena’s brother.
line 2647LUCIUSWhen expect you them?
CAPTAIN
line 2648With the next benefit o’ th’ wind.
line 2649LUCIUSThis forwardness
line 2650Makes our hopes fair. Command our present numbers
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 187
420line 2651Be mustered; bid the Captains look to ’t.—Now, sir,
line 2652What have you dreamed of late of this war’s purpose?
SOOTHSAYER
line 2653Last night the very gods showed me a vision—
line 2654I fast and prayed for their intelligence—thus:
line 2655I saw Jove’s bird, the Roman eagle, winged
425line 2656From the spongy south to this part of the west,
line 2657There vanished in the sunbeams, which portends—
line 2658Unless my sins abuse my divination—
line 2659Success to th’ Roman host.
line 2660LUCIUSDream often so,
430line 2661And never false.—Soft, ho, what trunk is here
line 2662Without his top? The ruin speaks that sometime
line 2663It was a worthy building. How, a page?
line 2664Or dead or sleeping on him? But dead rather,
line 2665For nature doth abhor to make his bed
435line 2666With the defunct or sleep upon the dead.
line 2667Let’s see the boy’s face.
line 2668CAPTAINHe’s alive, my lord.
LUCIUS
line 2669He’ll then instruct us of this body.—Young one,
line 2670Inform us of thy fortunes, for it seems
440line 2671They crave to be demanded. Who is this
line 2672Thou mak’st thy bloody pillow? Or who was he
line 2673That, otherwise than noble nature did,
line 2674Hath altered that good picture? What’s thy interest
line 2675In this sad wrack? How came ’t? Who is ’t?
445line 2676What art thou?
line 2677IMOGENas Fidele I am nothing; or if not,
line 2678Nothing to be were better. This was my master,
line 2679A very valiant Briton, and a good,
line 2680That here by mountaineers lies slain. Alas,
450line 2681There is no more such masters. I may wander
line 2682From east to occident, cry out for service,
line 2683Try many, all good, serve truly, never
line 2684Find such another master.
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 189
line 2685LUCIUS’Lack, good youth,
455line 2686Thou mov’st no less with thy complaining than
line 2687Thy master in bleeding. Say his name, good friend.
IMOGENas Fidele
line 2688Richard du Champ. Aside. If I do lie and do
line 2689No harm by it, though the gods hear, I hope
line 2690They’ll pardon it.—Say you, sir?
460line 2691LUCIUSThy name?
line 2692IMOGENas Fidele Fidele, sir.
LUCIUS
line 2693Thou dost approve thyself the very same;
line 2694Thy name well fits thy faith, thy faith thy name.
line 2695Wilt take thy chance with me? I will not say
465line 2696Thou shalt be so well mastered, but be sure
line 2697No less beloved. The Roman Emperor’s letters
line 2698Sent by a consul to me should not sooner
line 2699Than thine own worth prefer thee. Go with me.
IMOGENas Fidele
line 2700I’ll follow, sir. But first, an ’t please the gods,
470line 2701I’ll hide my master from the flies as deep
line 2702As these poor pickaxes can dig; and when
line 2703With wild-wood leaves and weeds I ha’ strewed his
line 2704grave
line 2705And on it said a century of prayers,
475line 2706Such as I can, twice o’er, I’ll weep and sigh,
line 2707And leaving so his service, follow you,
line 2708So please you entertain me.
line 2709LUCIUSAy, good youth,
line 2710And rather father thee than master thee.—My friends,
480line 2711The boy hath taught us manly duties. Let us
line 2712Find out the prettiest daisied plot we can,
line 2713And make him with our pikes and partisans
line 2714A grave. Come, arm him.—Boy, he’s preferred
line 2715By thee to us, and he shall be interred
485line 2716As soldiers can. Be cheerful; wipe thine eyes.
line 2717Some falls are means the happier to arise.
They exit, the Soldiers carrying Cloten’s body.
Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 191
Scene 3
Enter Cymbeline, Lords, Pisanio, and Attendants.
CYMBELINE
line 2718Again, and bring me word how ’tis with her.
An Attendant exits.
line 2719A fever, with the absence of her son;
line 2720A madness, of which her life’s in danger. Heavens,
line 2721How deeply you at once do touch me! Imogen,
5line 2722The great part of my comfort, gone; my queen
line 2723Upon a desperate bed, and in a time
line 2724When fearful wars point at me; her son gone,
line 2725So needful for this present. It strikes me past
line 2726The hope of comfort.—But for thee, fellow,
10line 2727Who needs must know of her departure and
line 2728Dost seem so ignorant, we’ll enforce it from thee
line 2729By a sharp torture.
line 2730PISANIOSir, my life is yours.
line 2731I humbly set it at your will. But for my mistress,
15line 2732I nothing know where she remains, why gone,
line 2733Nor when she purposes return. Beseech your
line 2734Highness,
line 2735Hold me your loyal servant.
line 2736LORDGood my liege,
20line 2737The day that she was missing, he was here.
line 2738I dare be bound he’s true and shall perform
line 2739All parts of his subjection loyally. For Cloten,
line 2740There wants no diligence in seeking him,
line 2741And will no doubt be found.
25line 2742CYMBELINEThe time is troublesome.
line 2743To Pisanio. We’ll slip you for a season, but our jealousy
line 2744Does yet depend.
line 2745LORDSo please your Majesty,
line 2746The Roman legions, all from Gallia drawn,
30line 2747Are landed on your coast with a supply
line 2748Of Roman gentlemen by the Senate sent.
Act 4 Scene 4 - Pg 193
CYMBELINE
line 2749Now for the counsel of my son and queen!
line 2750I am amazed with matter.
line 2751LORDGood my liege,
35line 2752Your preparation can affront no less
line 2753Than what you hear of. Come more, for more you’re
line 2754ready.
line 2755The want is but to put those powers in motion
line 2756That long to move.
40line 2757CYMBELINEI thank you. Let’s withdraw,
line 2758And meet the time as it seeks us. We fear not
line 2759What can from Italy annoy us, but
line 2760We grieve at chances here. Away.
They exit. Pisanio remains.
PISANIO
line 2761I heard no letter from my master since
45line 2762I wrote him Imogen was slain. ’Tis strange.
line 2763Nor hear I from my mistress, who did promise
line 2764To yield me often tidings. Neither know I
line 2765What is betid to Cloten, but remain
line 2766Perplexed in all. The heavens still must work.
50line 2767Wherein I am false I am honest; not true, to be true.
line 2768These present wars shall find I love my country,
line 2769Even to the note o’ th’ King, or I’ll fall in them.
line 2770All other doubts, by time let them be cleared.
line 2771Fortune brings in some boats that are not steered.
He exits.
Scene 4
Enter Belarius as Morgan, Guiderius as Polydor, and Arviragus as Cadwal.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 2772The noise is round about us.
line 2773BELARIUSas Morgan Let us from it.
Act 4 Scene 4 - Pg 195
ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal
line 2774What pleasure, sir, find we in life, to lock it
line 2775From action and adventure?
5line 2776GUIDERIUSas Polydor Nay, what hope
line 2777Have we in hiding us? This way the Romans
line 2778Must or for Britons slay us or receive us
line 2779For barbarous and unnatural revolts
line 2780During their use, and slay us after.
10line 2781BELARIUSas Morgan Sons,
line 2782We’ll higher to the mountains, there secure us.
line 2783To the King’s party there’s no going. Newness
line 2784Of Cloten’s death—we being not known, not mustered
line 2785Among the bands—may drive us to a render
15line 2786Where we have lived, and so extort from ’s that
line 2787Which we have done, whose answer would be death
line 2788Drawn on with torture.
line 2789GUIDERIUSas Polydor This is, sir, a doubt
line 2790In such a time nothing becoming you
20line 2791Nor satisfying us.
line 2792ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal It is not likely
line 2793That when they hear the Roman horses neigh,
line 2794Behold their quartered fires, have both their eyes
line 2795And ears so cloyed importantly as now,
25line 2796That they will waste their time upon our note,
line 2797To know from whence we are.
line 2798BELARIUSas Morgan O, I am known
line 2799Of many in the army. Many years,
line 2800Though Cloten then but young, you see not wore him
30line 2801From my remembrance. And besides, the King
line 2802Hath not deserved my service nor your loves,
line 2803Who find in my exile the want of breeding,
line 2804The certainty of this hard life, aye hopeless
line 2805To have the courtesy your cradle promised,
35line 2806But to be still hot summer’s tanlings and
line 2807The shrinking slaves of winter.
line 2808GUIDERIUSas Polydor Than be so
Act 4 Scene 4 - Pg 197
line 2809Better to cease to be. Pray, sir, to th’ army.
line 2810I and my brother are not known; yourself
40line 2811So out of thought, and thereto so o’ergrown,
line 2812Cannot be questioned.
line 2813ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal By this sun that shines,
line 2814I’ll thither. What thing is ’t that I never
line 2815Did see man die, scarce ever looked on blood
45line 2816But that of coward hares, hot goats, and venison!
line 2817Never bestrid a horse save one that had
line 2818A rider like myself, who ne’er wore rowel
line 2819Nor iron on his heel! I am ashamed
line 2820To look upon the holy sun, to have
50line 2821The benefit of his blest beams, remaining
line 2822So long a poor unknown.
line 2823GUIDERIUSas Polydor By heavens, I’ll go!
line 2824If you will bless me, sir, and give me leave,
line 2825I’ll take the better care, but if you will not,
55line 2826The hazard therefore due fall on me by
line 2827The hands of Romans.
line 2828ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal So say I. Amen.
BELARIUSas Morgan
line 2829No reason I—since of your lives you set
line 2830So slight a valuation—should reserve
60line 2831My cracked one to more care. Have with you, boys!
line 2832If in your country wars you chance to die,
line 2833That is my bed, too, lads, and there I’ll lie.
line 2834Lead, lead. Aside. The time seems long; their
line 2835blood thinks scorn
65line 2836Till it fly out and show them princes born.
They exit.
ACT 5
Scene 1
Enter Posthumus alone, wearing Roman garments and carrying a bloody cloth.
POSTHUMUS
line 2837Yea, bloody cloth, I’ll keep thee, for I wished
line 2838Thou shouldst be colored thus. You married ones,
line 2839If each of you should take this course, how many
line 2840Must murder wives much better than themselves
5line 2841For wrying but a little! O Pisanio,
line 2842Every good servant does not all commands;
line 2843No bond but to do just ones. Gods, if you
line 2844Should have ta’en vengeance on my faults, I never
line 2845Had lived to put on this; so had you saved
10line 2846The noble Imogen to repent, and struck
line 2847Me, wretch more worth your vengeance. But, alack,
line 2848You snatch some hence for little faults; that’s love,
line 2849To have them fall no more; you some permit
line 2850To second ills with ills, each elder worse,
15line 2851And make them dread it, to the doers’ thrift.
line 2852But Imogen is your own. Do your best wills,
line 2853And make me blest to obey. I am brought hither
line 2854Among th’ Italian gentry, and to fight
line 2855Against my lady’s kingdom. ’Tis enough
20line 2856That, Britain, I have killed thy mistress. Peace,
line 2857I’ll give no wound to thee. Therefore, good heavens,
Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 203
line 2858Hear patiently my purpose. I’ll disrobe me
line 2859Of these Italian weeds and suit myself
line 2860As does a Briton peasant. So I’ll fight
25line 2861Against the part I come with; so I’ll die
line 2862For thee, O Imogen, even for whom my life
line 2863Is every breath a death. And thus, unknown,
line 2864Pitied nor hated, to the face of peril
line 2865Myself I’ll dedicate. Let me make men know
30line 2866More valor in me than my habits show.
line 2867Gods, put the strength o’ th’ Leonati in me.
line 2868To shame the guise o’ th’ world, I will begin
line 2869The fashion: less without and more within.
He exits.
Scene 2
Enter Lucius, Iachimo, and the Roman army at one door, and the Briton army at another, Leonatus Posthumus following like a poor soldier. They march over and go out. Then enter again, in skirmish, Iachimo and Posthumus. He vanquisheth and disarmeth Iachimo, and then leaves him.
IACHIMO
line 2870The heaviness and guilt within my bosom
line 2871Takes off my manhood. I have belied a lady,
line 2872The Princess of this country, and the air on ’t
line 2873Revengingly enfeebles me; or could this carl,
5line 2874A very drudge of nature’s, have subdued me
line 2875In my profession? Knighthoods and honors, borne
line 2876As I wear mine, are titles but of scorn.
line 2877If that thy gentry, Britain, go before
line 2878This lout as he exceeds our lords, the odds
10line 2879Is that we scarce are men and you are gods.
He exits.
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 205
The battle continues. The Britons fly; Cymbeline is taken. Then enter, to his rescue, Belarius as Morgan, Guiderius as Polydor, and Arviragus as Cadwal.
BELARIUSas Morgan
line 2880Stand, stand! We have th’ advantage of the ground.
line 2881The lane is guarded. Nothing routs us but
line 2882The villainy of our fears.
line 2883GUIDERIUS, as Polydor, and ARVIRAGUS, as CadwalStand, stand, and fight!
Enter Posthumus, and seconds the Britons. They rescue Cymbeline and exit. Then enter Lucius, Iachimo, and Imogen as Fidele.
LUCIUSto Fidele
15line 2884Away, boy, from the troops, and save thyself,
line 2885For friends kill friends, and the disorder’s such
line 2886As war were hoodwinked.
line 2887IACHIMO’Tis their fresh supplies.
LUCIUS
line 2888It is a day turned strangely. Or betimes
20line 2889Let’s reinforce, or fly.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Posthumus and a Briton Lord.
LORD
line 2890Cam’st thou from where they made the stand?
line 2891POSTHUMUSI did,
line 2892Though you, it seems, come from the fliers.
line 2893LORDAy.
POSTHUMUS
5line 2894No blame be to you, sir, for all was lost,
line 2895But that the heavens fought. The King himself
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 207
line 2896Of his wings destitute, the army broken,
line 2897And but the backs of Britons seen, all flying
line 2898Through a strait lane; the enemy full-hearted,
10line 2899Lolling the tongue with slaught’ring, having work
line 2900More plentiful than tools to do ’t, struck down
line 2901Some mortally, some slightly touched, some falling
line 2902Merely through fear, that the strait pass was dammed
line 2903With dead men hurt behind and cowards living
15line 2904To die with lengthened shame.
line 2905LORDWhere was this lane?
POSTHUMUS
line 2906Close by the battle, ditched, and walled with turf;
line 2907Which gave advantage to an ancient soldier,
line 2908An honest one, I warrant, who deserved
20line 2909So long a breeding as his white beard came to,
line 2910In doing this for ’s country. Athwart the lane,
line 2911He with two striplings—lads more like to run
line 2912The country base than to commit such slaughter,
line 2913With faces fit for masks, or rather fairer
25line 2914Than those for preservation cased or shame—
line 2915Made good the passage, cried to those that fled
line 2916“Our Britain’s harts die flying, not our men.
line 2917To darkness fleet souls that fly backwards. Stand,
line 2918Or we are Romans and will give you that
30line 2919Like beasts which you shun beastly, and may save
line 2920But to look back in frown. Stand, stand!” These three,
line 2921Three thousand confident, in act as many—
line 2922For three performers are the file when all
line 2923The rest do nothing—with this word “Stand, stand,”
35line 2924Accommodated by the place, more charming
line 2925With their own nobleness, which could have turned
line 2926A distaff to a lance, gilded pale looks,
line 2927Part shame, part spirit renewed; that some, turned
line 2928coward
40line 2929But by example—O, a sin in war,
line 2930Damned in the first beginners!—gan to look
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 209
line 2931The way that they did and to grin like lions
line 2932Upon the pikes o’ th’ hunters. Then began
line 2933A stop i’ th’ chaser, a retire; anon
45line 2934A rout, confusion thick. Forthwith they fly
line 2935Chickens the way which they stooped eagles; slaves
line 2936The strides they victors made; and now our
line 2937cowards,
line 2938Like fragments in hard voyages, became
50line 2939The life o’ th’ need. Having found the backdoor open
line 2940Of the unguarded hearts, heavens, how they wound!
line 2941Some slain before, some dying, some their friends
line 2942O’erborne i’ th’ former wave, ten chased by one,
line 2943Are now each one the slaughterman of twenty.
55line 2944Those that would die or ere resist are grown
line 2945The mortal bugs o’ th’ field.
line 2946LORDThis was strange chance:
line 2947A narrow lane, an old man, and two boys.
POSTHUMUS
line 2948Nay, do not wonder at it. You are made
60line 2949Rather to wonder at the things you hear
line 2950Than to work any. Will you rhyme upon ’t
line 2951And vent it for a mock’ry? Here is one:
line 2952“Two boys, an old man twice a boy, a lane,
line 2953Preserved the Britons, was the Romans’ bane.”
LORD
65line 2954Nay, be not angry, sir.
line 2955POSTHUMUS’Lack, to what end?
line 2956Who dares not stand his foe, I’ll be his friend;
line 2957For if he’ll do as he is made to do,
line 2958I know he’ll quickly fly my friendship too.
70line 2959You have put me into rhyme.
line 2960LORDFarewell. You’re angry.
He exits.
POSTHUMUS
line 2961Still going? This is a lord! O noble misery,
line 2962To be i’ th’ field and ask “What news?” of me!
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 211
line 2963Today how many would have given their honors
75line 2964To have saved their carcasses, took heel to do ’t,
line 2965And yet died too! I, in mine own woe charmed,
line 2966Could not find Death where I did hear him groan,
line 2967Nor feel him where he struck. Being an ugly monster,
line 2968’Tis strange he hides him in fresh cups, soft beds,
80line 2969Sweet words, or hath more ministers than we
line 2970That draw his knives i’ th’ war. Well, I will find him;
line 2971For being now a favorer to the Briton,
line 2972No more a Briton.He removes his peasant costume.
line 2973I have resumed again
85line 2974The part I came in. Fight I will no more,
line 2975But yield me to the veriest hind that shall
line 2976Once touch my shoulder. Great the slaughter is
line 2977Here made by th’ Roman; great the answer be
line 2978Britons must take. For me, my ransom’s death.
90line 2979On either side I come to spend my breath,
line 2980Which neither here I’ll keep nor bear again,
line 2981But end it by some means for Imogen.
Enter two Briton Captains, and Soldiers.
FIRST CAPTAIN
line 2982Great Jupiter be praised, Lucius is taken!
line 2983’Tis thought the old man and his sons were angels.
SECOND CAPTAIN
95line 2984There was a fourth man in a silly habit
line 2985That gave th’ affront with them.
line 2986FIRST CAPTAINSo ’tis reported,
line 2987But none of ’em can be found.—Stand. Who’s there?
line 2988POSTHUMUSA Roman,
100line 2989Who had not now been drooping here if seconds
line 2990Had answered him.
line 2991SECOND CAPTAINLay hands on him. A dog,
line 2992A leg of Rome shall not return to tell
line 2993What crows have pecked them here. He brags his
105line 2994service
line 2995As if he were of note. Bring him to th’ King.
Act 5 Scene 4 - Pg 213
Enter Cymbeline, Attendants, Belarius as Morgan, Guiderius as Polydor, Arviragus as Cadwal, Pisanio, Soldiers, and Roman captives. The Captains present Posthumus to Cymbeline, who delivers him over to a Jailer.
They exit.
Scene 4
Enter Posthumus in chains, and two Jailers.
JAILER
line 2996You shall not now be stol’n; you have locks upon you.
line 2997So graze as you find pasture.
line 2998SECOND JAILERAy, or a stomach.
Jailers exit.
POSTHUMUS
line 2999Most welcome, bondage, for thou art a way,
5line 3000I think, to liberty. Yet am I better
line 3001Than one that’s sick o’ th’ gout, since he had rather
line 3002Groan so in perpetuity than be cured
line 3003By th’ sure physician, Death, who is the key
line 3004T’ unbar these locks. My conscience, thou art fettered
10line 3005More than my shanks and wrists. You good gods,
line 3006give me
line 3007The penitent instrument to pick that bolt,
line 3008Then free forever. Is ’t enough I am sorry?
line 3009So children temporal fathers do appease;
15line 3010Gods are more full of mercy. Must I repent,
line 3011I cannot do it better than in gyves,
line 3012Desired more than constrained. To satisfy,
line 3013If of my freedom ’tis the main part, take
line 3014No stricter render of me than my all.
20line 3015I know you are more clement than vile men,
line 3016Who of their broken debtors take a third,
line 3017A sixth, a tenth, letting them thrive again
Act 5 Scene 4 - Pg 215
line 3018On their abatement. That’s not my desire.
line 3019For Imogen’s dear life take mine; and though
25line 3020’Tis not so dear, yet ’tis a life; you coined it.
line 3021’Tween man and man they weigh not every stamp;
line 3022Though light, take pieces for the figure’s sake;
line 3023You rather mine, being yours. And so, great powers,
line 3024If you will take this audit, take this life
30line 3025And cancel these cold bonds. O Imogen,
line 3026I’ll speak to thee in silence.He lies down and sleeps.
Solemn music. Enter, as in an apparition, Sicilius Leonatus, father to Posthumus, an old man attired like a warrior; leading in his hand an ancient matron, his wife and mother to Posthumus, with music before them. Then, after other music, follows the two young Leonati, brothers to Posthumus, with wounds as they died in the wars. They circle Posthumus round as he lies sleeping.
SICILIUS
line 3027No more, thou Thunder-master, show
line 3028Thy spite on mortal flies.
line 3029With Mars fall out, with Juno chide,
35line 3030That thy adulteries
line 3031Rates and revenges.
line 3032Hath my poor boy done aught but well,
line 3033Whose face I never saw?
line 3034I died whilst in the womb he stayed,
40line 3035Attending nature’s law;
line 3036Whose father then—as men report
line 3037Thou orphans’ father art—
line 3038Thou shouldst have been, and shielded him
line 3039From this earth-vexing smart.
MOTHER
45line 3040Lucina lent not me her aid,
line 3041But took me in my throes,
Act 5 Scene 4 - Pg 217
line 3042That from me was Posthumus ripped,
line 3043Came crying ’mongst his foes,
line 3044A thing of pity.
SICILIUS
50line 3045Great Nature, like his ancestry,
line 3046Molded the stuff so fair
line 3047That he deserved the praise o’ th’ world
line 3048As great Sicilius’ heir.
FIRST BROTHER
line 3049When once he was mature for man,
55line 3050In Britain where was he
line 3051That could stand up his parallel
line 3052Or fruitful object be
line 3053In eye of Imogen, that best
line 3054Could deem his dignity?
MOTHER
60line 3055With marriage wherefore was he mocked,
line 3056To be exiled and thrown
line 3057From Leonati seat, and cast
line 3058From her, his dearest one,
line 3059Sweet Imogen?
SICILIUS
65line 3060Why did you suffer Iachimo,
line 3061Slight thing of Italy,
line 3062To taint his nobler heart and brain
line 3063With needless jealousy,
line 3064And to become the geck and scorn
70line 3065O’ th’ other’s villainy?
SECOND BROTHER
line 3066For this, from stiller seats we came,
line 3067Our parents and us twain,
line 3068That striking in our country’s cause
line 3069Fell bravely and were slain,
75line 3070Our fealty and Tenantius’ right
line 3071With honor to maintain.
Act 5 Scene 4 - Pg 219
FIRST BROTHER
line 3072Like hardiment Posthumus hath
line 3073To Cymbeline performed.
line 3074Then, Jupiter, thou king of gods,
80line 3075Why hast thou thus adjourned
line 3076The graces for his merits due,
line 3077Being all to dolors turned?
SICILIUS
line 3078Thy crystal window ope; look out.
line 3079No longer exercise
85line 3080Upon a valiant race thy harsh
line 3081And potent injuries.
MOTHER
line 3082Since, Jupiter, our son is good,
line 3083Take off his miseries.
SICILIUS
line 3084Peep through thy marble mansion. Help,
90line 3085Or we poor ghosts will cry
line 3086To th’ shining synod of the rest
line 3087Against thy deity.
BROTHERS
line 3088Help, Jupiter, or we appeal
line 3089And from thy justice fly.
Jupiter descends in thunder and lightning, sitting upon an eagle. He throws a thunderbolt. The Ghosts fall on their knees.
JUPITER
95line 3090No more, you petty spirits of region low,
line 3091Offend our hearing! Hush. How dare you ghosts
line 3092Accuse the Thunderer, whose bolt, you know,
line 3093Sky-planted, batters all rebelling coasts.
line 3094Poor shadows of Elysium, hence, and rest
100line 3095Upon your never-withering banks of flowers.
line 3096Be not with mortal accidents oppressed.
line 3097No care of yours it is; you know ’tis ours.
Act 5 Scene 4 - Pg 221
line 3098Whom best I love I cross, to make my gift,
line 3099The more delayed, delighted. Be content.
105line 3100Your low-laid son our godhead will uplift.
line 3101His comforts thrive, his trials well are spent.
line 3102Our Jovial star reigned at his birth, and in
line 3103Our temple was he married. Rise, and fade.
line 3104He shall be lord of Lady Imogen,
110line 3105And happier much by his affliction made.
He hands Sicilius a tablet.
line 3106This tablet lay upon his breast, wherein
line 3107Our pleasure his full fortune doth confine.
line 3108And so away. No farther with your din
line 3109Express impatience, lest you stir up mine.—
115line 3110Mount, eagle, to my palace crystalline.Ascends.
SICILIUS
line 3111He came in thunder. His celestial breath
line 3112Was sulphurous to smell. The holy eagle
line 3113Stooped as to foot us. His ascension is
line 3114More sweet than our blest fields; his royal bird
120line 3115Preens the immortal wing and cloys his beak,
line 3116As when his god is pleased.
line 3117ALLThanks, Jupiter.
SICILIUS
line 3118The marble pavement closes; he is entered
line 3119His radiant roof. Away, and, to be blest,
125line 3120Let us with care perform his great behest.
He places the tablet on Posthumus’ breast. They vanish.
POSTHUMUSwaking
line 3121Sleep, thou hast been a grandsire and begot
line 3122A father to me, and thou hast created
line 3123A mother and two brothers. But, O scorn,
line 3124Gone! They went hence so soon as they were born.
130line 3125And so I am awake. Poor wretches that depend
line 3126On greatness’ favor dream as I have done,
line 3127Wake, and find nothing. But, alas, I swerve.
line 3128Many dream not to find, neither deserve,
Act 5 Scene 4 - Pg 223
line 3129And yet are steeped in favors; so am I
135line 3130That have this golden chance and know not why.
Finding the tablet.
line 3131What fairies haunt this ground? A book? O rare one,
line 3132Be not, as is our fangled world, a garment
line 3133Nobler than that it covers. Let thy effects
line 3134So follow, to be, most unlike our courtiers,
140line 3135As good as promise.
Reads.
line 3136Whenas a lion’s whelp shall, to himself unknown,
line 3137without seeking find, and be embraced by a piece of
line 3138tender air; and when from a stately cedar shall be
line 3139lopped branches which, being dead many years, shall
145line 3140after revive, be jointed to the old stock, and freshly
line 3141grow, then shall Posthumus end his miseries, Britain
line 3142be fortunate and flourish in peace and plenty.
line 3143’Tis still a dream, or else such stuff as madmen
line 3144Tongue and brain not; either both or nothing,
150line 3145Or senseless speaking, or a speaking such
line 3146As sense cannot untie. Be what it is,
line 3147The action of my life is like it, which
line 3148I’ll keep, if but for sympathy.
Enter Jailer.
line 3149JAILERCome, sir, are you ready for death?
155line 3150POSTHUMUSOver-roasted rather; ready long ago.
line 3151JAILERHanging is the word, sir. If you be ready for
line 3152that, you are well cooked.
line 3153POSTHUMUSSo, if I prove a good repast to the spectators,
line 3154the dish pays the shot.
160line 3155JAILERA heavy reckoning for you, sir. But the comfort
line 3156is, you shall be called to no more payments, fear
line 3157no more tavern bills, which are often the sadness
line 3158of parting as the procuring of mirth. You come in
line 3159faint for want of meat, depart reeling with too
165line 3160much drink; sorry that you have paid too much,
Act 5 Scene 4 - Pg 225
line 3161and sorry that you are paid too much; purse and
line 3162brain both empty; the brain the heavier for being
line 3163too light; the purse too light, being drawn of heaviness.
line 3164O, of this contradiction you shall now be
170line 3165quit. O, the charity of a penny cord! It sums up
line 3166thousands in a trice. You have no true debitor and
line 3167creditor but it; of what’s past, is, and to come, the
line 3168discharge. Your neck, sir, is pen, book, and counters;
line 3169so the acquittance follows.
175line 3170POSTHUMUSI am merrier to die than thou art to live.
line 3171JAILERIndeed, sir, he that sleeps feels not the
line 3172toothache. But a man that were to sleep your
line 3173sleep, and a hangman to help him to bed, I think
line 3174he would change places with his officer; for, look
180line 3175you, sir, you know not which way you shall go.
line 3176POSTHUMUSYes, indeed do I, fellow.
line 3177JAILERYour Death has eyes in ’s head, then. I have not
line 3178seen him so pictured. You must either be directed
line 3179by some that take upon them to know, or to take
185line 3180upon yourself that which I am sure you do not
line 3181know, or jump the after-inquiry on your own peril.
line 3182And how you shall speed in your journey’s end, I
line 3183think you’ll never return to tell one.
line 3184POSTHUMUSI tell thee, fellow, there are none want
190line 3185eyes to direct them the way I am going but such as
line 3186wink and will not use them.
line 3187JAILERWhat an infinite mock is this, that a man
line 3188should have the best use of eyes to see the way of
line 3189blindness! I am sure hanging’s the way of winking.
Enter a Messenger.
195line 3190MESSENGERKnock off his manacles; bring your prisoner
line 3191to the King.
line 3192POSTHUMUSThou bring’st good news. I am called to be
line 3193made free.
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 227
line 3194JAILERI’ll be hanged then.
He removes Posthumus’s chains.
200line 3195POSTHUMUSThou shalt be then freer than a jailer. No
line 3196bolts for the dead.All but the Jailer exit.
line 3197JAILERUnless a man would marry a gallows and beget
line 3198young gibbets, I never saw one so prone. Yet, on my
line 3199conscience, there are verier knaves desire to live,
205line 3200for all he be a Roman; and there be some of them
line 3201too that die against their wills. So should I, if I
line 3202were one. I would we were all of one mind, and
line 3203one mind good. O, there were desolation of jailers
line 3204and gallowses! I speak against my present profit,
210line 3205but my wish hath a preferment in ’t.
He exits.
Scene 5
Enter Cymbeline, Belarius as Morgan, Guiderius as Polydor, Arviragus as Cadwal, Pisanio, Attendants, and Lords.
CYMBELINEto Morgan, Polydor, and Cadwal
line 3206Stand by my side, you whom the gods have made
line 3207Preservers of my throne. Woe is my heart
line 3208That the poor soldier that so richly fought,
line 3209Whose rags shamed gilded arms, whose naked breast
5line 3210Stepped before targes of proof, cannot be found.
line 3211He shall be happy that can find him, if
line 3212Our grace can make him so.
line 3213BELARIUSas Morgan I never saw
line 3214Such noble fury in so poor a thing,
10line 3215Such precious deeds in one that promised naught
line 3216But beggary and poor looks.
line 3217CYMBELINENo tidings of him?
PISANIO
line 3218He hath been searched among the dead and living,
line 3219But no trace of him.
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 229
CYMBELINEto Morgan, Polydor, and Cadwal
15line 3220To my grief, I am
line 3221The heir of his reward, which I will add
line 3222To you, the liver, heart, and brain of Britain,
line 3223By whom I grant she lives. ’Tis now the time
line 3224To ask of whence you are. Report it.
20line 3225BELARIUSas Morgan Sir,
line 3226In Cambria are we born, and gentlemen.
line 3227Further to boast were neither true nor modest,
line 3228Unless I add we are honest.
line 3229CYMBELINEBow your knees.
They kneel. He taps their shoulders with his sword.
25line 3230Arise my knights o’ th’ battle. I create you
line 3231Companions to our person, and will fit you
line 3232With dignities becoming your estates.They rise.
Enter Cornelius and Ladies.
line 3233There’s business in these faces. Why so sadly
line 3234Greet you our victory? You look like Romans,
30line 3235And not o’ th’ court of Britain.
line 3236CORNELIUSHail, great king.
line 3237To sour your happiness I must report
line 3238The Queen is dead.
line 3239CYMBELINEWho worse than a physician
35line 3240Would this report become? But I consider
line 3241By med’cine life may be prolonged, yet death
line 3242Will seize the doctor too. How ended she?
CORNELIUS
line 3243With horror, madly dying, like her life,
line 3244Which, being cruel to the world, concluded
40line 3245Most cruel to herself. What she confessed
line 3246I will report, so please you. These her women
line 3247Can trip me if I err, who with wet cheeks
line 3248Were present when she finished.
line 3249CYMBELINEPrithee, say.
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 231
CORNELIUS
45line 3250First, she confessed she never loved you, only
line 3251Affected greatness got by you, not you;
line 3252Married your royalty, was wife to your place,
line 3253Abhorred your person.
line 3254CYMBELINEShe alone knew this,
50line 3255And but she spoke it dying, I would not
line 3256Believe her lips in opening it. Proceed.
CORNELIUS
line 3257Your daughter, whom she bore in hand to love
line 3258With such integrity, she did confess
line 3259Was as a scorpion to her sight, whose life,
55line 3260But that her flight prevented it, she had
line 3261Ta’en off by poison.
line 3262CYMBELINEO, most delicate fiend!
line 3263Who is ’t can read a woman? Is there more?
CORNELIUS
line 3264More, sir, and worse. She did confess she had
60line 3265For you a mortal mineral which, being took,
line 3266Should by the minute feed on life and, ling’ring,
line 3267By inches waste you. In which time she purposed,
line 3268By watching, weeping, tendance, kissing, to
line 3269O’ercome you with her show and, in time,
65line 3270When she had fitted you with her craft, to work
line 3271Her son into th’ adoption of the crown;
line 3272But failing of her end by his strange absence,
line 3273Grew shameless desperate; opened, in despite
line 3274Of heaven and men, her purposes; repented
70line 3275The evils she hatched were not effected; so
line 3276Despairing died.
line 3277CYMBELINEHeard you all this, her women?
line 3278LADIESWe did, so please your Highness.
line 3279CYMBELINEMine eyes
75line 3280Were not in fault, for she was beautiful;
line 3281Mine ears that heard her flattery; nor my heart,
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 233
line 3282That thought her like her seeming. It had been vicious
line 3283To have mistrusted her. Yet, O my daughter,
line 3284That it was folly in me thou mayst say,
80line 3285And prove it in thy feeling. Heaven mend all.
Enter Lucius, Iachimo, Soothsayer, and other Roman prisoners, Posthumus Leonatus behind, and Imogen as Fidele, with Briton Soldiers as guards.
line 3286Thou com’st not, Caius, now for tribute. That
line 3287The Britons have razed out, though with the loss
line 3288Of many a bold one, whose kinsmen have made suit
line 3289That their good souls may be appeased with slaughter
85line 3290Of you their captives, which ourself have granted.
line 3291So think of your estate.
LUCIUS
line 3292Consider, sir, the chance of war. The day
line 3293Was yours by accident. Had it gone with us,
line 3294We should not, when the blood was cool, have
90line 3295threatened
line 3296Our prisoners with the sword. But since the gods
line 3297Will have it thus, that nothing but our lives
line 3298May be called ransom, let it come. Sufficeth
line 3299A Roman with a Roman’s heart can suffer.
95line 3300Augustus lives to think on ’t; and so much
line 3301For my peculiar care. This one thing only
line 3302I will entreat: my boy, a Briton born,
line 3303Let him be ransomed. Never master had
line 3304A page so kind, so duteous, diligent,
100line 3305So tender over his occasions, true,
line 3306So feat, so nurselike. Let his virtue join
line 3307With my request, which I’ll make bold your Highness
line 3308Cannot deny. He hath done no Briton harm,
line 3309Though he have served a Roman. Save him, sir,
105line 3310And spare no blood beside.
line 3311CYMBELINEI have surely seen him.
line 3312His favor is familiar to me.—Boy,
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 235
line 3313Thou hast looked thyself into my grace
line 3314And art mine own. I know not why, wherefore,
110line 3315To say “Live, boy.” Ne’er thank thy master. Live,
line 3316And ask of Cymbeline what boon thou wilt,
line 3317Fitting my bounty and thy state, I’ll give it,
line 3318Yea, though thou do demand a prisoner,
line 3319The noblest ta’en.
115line 3320IMOGENas Fidele I humbly thank your Highness.
LUCIUS
line 3321I do not bid thee beg my life, good lad,
line 3322And yet I know thou wilt.
line 3323IMOGENas Fidele No, no, alack,
line 3324There’s other work in hand. I see a thing
120line 3325Bitter to me as death. Your life, good master,
line 3326Must shuffle for itself.
line 3327LUCIUSThe boy disdains me,
line 3328He leaves me, scorns me. Briefly die their joys
line 3329That place them on the truth of girls and boys.
125line 3330Why stands he so perplexed?
Imogen stares at Iachimo.
line 3331CYMBELINEWhat would’st thou, boy?
line 3332I love thee more and more. Think more and more
line 3333What’s best to ask. Know’st him thou look’st on?
line 3334Speak.
130line 3335Wilt have him live? Is he thy kin? Thy friend?
IMOGENas Fidele
line 3336He is a Roman, no more kin to me
line 3337Than I to your Highness, who, being born your vassal,
line 3338Am something nearer.
line 3339CYMBELINEWherefore ey’st him so?
IMOGENas Fidele
135line 3340I’ll tell you, sir, in private, if you please
line 3341To give me hearing.
line 3342CYMBELINEAy, with all my heart,
line 3343And lend my best attention. What’s thy name?
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 237
IMOGENas Fidele
line 3344Fidele, sir.
140line 3345CYMBELINEThou ’rt my good youth, my page.
line 3346I’ll be thy master. Walk with me. Speak freely.
Cymbeline and Imogen walk aside and talk.
BELARIUSas Morgan
line 3347Is not this boy revived from death?
line 3348ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal One sand another
line 3349Not more resembles that sweet rosy lad
145line 3350Who died, and was Fidele. What think you?
line 3351GUIDERIUSas Polydor The same dead thing alive.
BELARIUSas Morgan
line 3352Peace, peace. See further. He eyes us not. Forbear.
line 3353Creatures may be alike. Were ’t he, I am sure
line 3354He would have spoke to us.
150line 3355GUIDERIUSas Polydor But we see him dead.
BELARIUSas Morgan
line 3356Be silent. Let’s see further.
line 3357PISANIOaside It is my mistress!
line 3358Since she is living, let the time run on
line 3359To good or bad.
Cymbeline and Imogen come forward.
155line 3360CYMBELINEto Imogen Come, stand thou by our side.
line 3361Make thy demand aloud. To Iachimo. Sir, step
line 3362you forth.
line 3363Give answer to this boy, and do it freely,
line 3364Or by our greatness and the grace of it,
160line 3365Which is our honor, bitter torture shall
line 3366Winnow the truth from falsehood.—On. Speak to
line 3367him.
IMOGENas Fidele, pointing to Iachimo’s hand
line 3368My boon is that this gentleman may render
line 3369Of whom he had this ring.
165line 3370POSTHUMUSaside What’s that to him?
CYMBELINE
line 3371That diamond upon your finger, say
line 3372How came it yours.
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 239
IACHIMO
line 3373Thou ’lt torture me to leave unspoken that
line 3374Which to be spoke would torture thee.
170line 3375CYMBELINEHow? Me?
IACHIMO
line 3376I am glad to be constrained to utter that
line 3377Which torments me to conceal. By villainy
line 3378I got this ring. ’Twas Leonatus’ jewel,
line 3379Whom thou didst banish, and—which more may
175line 3380grieve thee,
line 3381As it doth me—a nobler sir ne’er lived
line 3382’Twixt sky and ground. Wilt thou hear more, my lord?
CYMBELINE
line 3383All that belongs to this.
line 3384IACHIMOThat paragon, thy daughter,
180line 3385For whom my heart drops blood and my false spirits
line 3386Quail to remember—Give me leave; I faint.
CYMBELINE
line 3387My daughter? What of her? Renew thy strength.
line 3388I had rather thou shouldst live while nature will
line 3389Than die ere I hear more. Strive, man, and speak.
IACHIMO
185line 3390Upon a time—unhappy was the clock
line 3391That struck the hour!—it was in Rome—accursed
line 3392The mansion where!—’twas at a feast—O, would
line 3393Our viands had been poisoned, or at least
line 3394Those which I heaved to head!—the good
190line 3395Posthumus—
line 3396What should I say? He was too good to be
line 3397Where ill men were, and was the best of all
line 3398Amongst the rar’st of good ones—sitting sadly,
line 3399Hearing us praise our loves of Italy
195line 3400For beauty that made barren the swelled boast
line 3401Of him that best could speak; for feature, laming
line 3402The shrine of Venus or straight-pight Minerva,
line 3403Postures beyond brief nature; for condition,
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 241
line 3404A shop of all the qualities that man
200line 3405Loves woman for, besides that hook of wiving,
line 3406Fairness which strikes the eye—
line 3407CYMBELINEI stand on fire.
line 3408Come to the matter.
line 3409IACHIMOAll too soon I shall,
205line 3410Unless thou wouldst grieve quickly. This Posthumus,
line 3411Most like a noble lord in love and one
line 3412That had a royal lover, took his hint,
line 3413And, not dispraising whom we praised—therein
line 3414He was as calm as virtue—he began
210line 3415His mistress’ picture; which by his tongue being made
line 3416And then a mind put in ’t, either our brags
line 3417Were cracked of kitchen trulls, or his description
line 3418Proved us unspeaking sots.
line 3419CYMBELINENay, nay, to th’ purpose.
IACHIMO
215line 3420Your daughter’s chastity—there it begins.
line 3421He spake of her as Dian had hot dreams
line 3422And she alone were cold; whereat I, wretch,
line 3423Made scruple of his praise and wagered with him
line 3424Pieces of gold ’gainst this, which then he wore
220line 3425Upon his honored finger, to attain
line 3426In suit the place of ’s bed and win this ring
line 3427By hers and mine adultery. He, true knight,
line 3428No lesser of her honor confident
line 3429Than I did truly find her, stakes this ring,
225line 3430And would so, had it been a carbuncle
line 3431Of Phoebus’ wheel, and might so safely, had it
line 3432Been all the worth of ’s car. Away to Britain
line 3433Post I in this design. Well may you, sir,
line 3434Remember me at court, where I was taught
230line 3435Of your chaste daughter the wide difference
line 3436’Twixt amorous and villainous. Being thus quenched
line 3437Of hope, not longing, mine Italian brain
line 3438Gan in your duller Britain operate
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 243
line 3439Most vilely; for my vantage, excellent.
235line 3440And to be brief, my practice so prevailed
line 3441That I returned with simular proof enough
line 3442To make the noble Leonatus mad
line 3443By wounding his belief in her renown
line 3444With tokens thus and thus; averring notes
240line 3445Of chamber-hanging, pictures, this her bracelet—
line 3446O, cunning how I got it!—nay, some marks
line 3447Of secret on her person, that he could not
line 3448But think her bond of chastity quite cracked,
line 3449I having ta’en the forfeit. Whereupon—
245line 3450Methinks I see him now—
line 3451POSTHUMUScoming forward Ay, so thou dost,
line 3452Italian fiend.—Ay me, most credulous fool,
line 3453Egregious murderer, thief, anything
line 3454That’s due to all the villains past, in being,
250line 3455To come. O, give me cord, or knife, or poison,
line 3456Some upright justicer.—Thou, king, send out
line 3457For torturers ingenious. It is I
line 3458That all th’ abhorrèd things o’ th’ Earth amend
line 3459By being worse than they. I am Posthumus,
255line 3460That killed thy daughter—villainlike, I lie—
line 3461That caused a lesser villain than myself,
line 3462A sacrilegious thief, to do ’t. The temple
line 3463Of virtue was she, yea, and she herself.
line 3464Spit and throw stones, cast mire upon me, set
260line 3465The dogs o’ th’ street to bay me. Every villain
line 3466Be called Posthumus Leonatus, and
line 3467Be villainy less than ’twas. O Imogen!
line 3468My queen, my life, my wife! O Imogen,
line 3469Imogen, Imogen!
265line 3470IMOGENrunning to Posthumus Peace, my lord!
line 3471Hear, hear—
POSTHUMUS
line 3472Shall ’s have a play of this? Thou scornful page,
line 3473There lie thy part.He pushes her away; she falls.
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 245
line 3474PISANIOO, gentlemen, help!—
270line 3475Mine and your mistress! O my lord Posthumus,
line 3476You ne’er killed Imogen till now! Help, help!
line 3477Mine honored lady—
line 3478CYMBELINEDoes the world go round?
POSTHUMUS
line 3479How comes these staggers on me?
275line 3480PISANIOWake, my mistress.
CYMBELINE
line 3481If this be so, the gods do mean to strike me
line 3482To death with mortal joy.
line 3483PISANIOHow fares my mistress?
line 3484IMOGENO, get thee from my sight!
280line 3485Thou gav’st me poison. Dangerous fellow, hence.
line 3486Breathe not where princes are.
line 3487CYMBELINEThe tune of Imogen!
PISANIO
line 3488Lady, the gods throw stones of sulfur on me if
line 3489That box I gave you was not thought by me
285line 3490A precious thing. I had it from the Queen.
CYMBELINE
line 3491New matter still.
line 3492IMOGENIt poisoned me.
line 3493CORNELIUSO gods!
line 3494To Pisanio. I left out one thing which the Queen
290line 3495confessed,
line 3496Which must approve thee honest. “If Pisanio
line 3497Have,” said she, “given his mistress that confection
line 3498Which I gave him for cordial, she is served
line 3499As I would serve a rat.”
295line 3500CYMBELINEWhat’s this, Cornelius?
CORNELIUS
line 3501The Queen, sir, very oft importuned me
line 3502To temper poisons for her, still pretending
line 3503The satisfaction of her knowledge only
line 3504In killing creatures vile, as cats and dogs,
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 247
300line 3505Of no esteem. I, dreading that her purpose
line 3506Was of more danger, did compound for her
line 3507A certain stuff which, being ta’en, would cease
line 3508The present power of life, but in short time
line 3509All offices of nature should again
305line 3510Do their due functions.—Have you ta’en of it?
IMOGEN
line 3511Most like I did, for I was dead.
line 3512BELARIUSas Morgan, aside to Guiderius and Arviragus My boys,
line 3513There was our error.
line 3514GUIDERIUSas Polydor This is sure Fidele.
IMOGENto Posthumus
310line 3515Why did you throw your wedded lady from you?
line 3516Think that you are upon a rock, and now
line 3517Throw me again.She embraces him.
line 3518POSTHUMUSHang there like fruit, my soul,
line 3519Till the tree die.
315line 3520CYMBELINEto Imogen How now, my flesh, my child?
line 3521What, mak’st thou me a dullard in this act?
line 3522Wilt thou not speak to me?
line 3523IMOGENkneeling Your blessing, sir.
BELARIUSas Morgan, aside to Guiderius and Arviragus
line 3524Though you did love this youth, I blame you not.
320line 3525You had a motive for ’t.
line 3526CYMBELINEto Imogen My tears that fall
line 3527Prove holy water on thee. Imogen,
line 3528Thy mother’s dead.
line 3529IMOGENI am sorry for ’t, my lord.
She rises.
CYMBELINE
325line 3530O, she was naught, and long of her it was
line 3531That we meet here so strangely. But her son
line 3532Is gone, we know not how nor where.
line 3533PISANIOMy lord,
line 3534Now fear is from me, I’ll speak truth. Lord Cloten,
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 249
330line 3535Upon my lady’s missing, came to me
line 3536With his sword drawn, foamed at the mouth, and
line 3537swore,
line 3538If I discovered not which way she was gone,
line 3539It was my instant death. By accident,
335line 3540I had a feignèd letter of my master’s
line 3541Then in my pocket, which directed him
line 3542To seek her on the mountains near to Milford;
line 3543Where, in a frenzy, in my master’s garments,
line 3544Which he enforced from me, away he posts
340line 3545With unchaste purpose and with oath to violate
line 3546My lady’s honor. What became of him
line 3547I further know not.
line 3548GUIDERIUSas Polydor Let me end the story.
line 3549I slew him there.
345line 3550CYMBELINEMarry, the gods forfend!
line 3551I would not thy good deeds should from my lips
line 3552Pluck a hard sentence. Prithee, valiant youth,
line 3553Deny ’t again.
line 3554GUIDERIUSas Polydor I have spoke it, and I did it.
350line 3555CYMBELINEHe was a prince.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 3556A most incivil one. The wrongs he did me
line 3557Were nothing princelike, for he did provoke me
line 3558With language that would make me spurn the sea
line 3559If it could so roar to me. I cut off ’s head,
355line 3560And am right glad he is not standing here
line 3561To tell this tale of mine.
line 3562CYMBELINEI am sorrow for thee.
line 3563By thine own tongue thou art condemned and must
line 3564Endure our law. Thou ’rt dead.
360line 3565IMOGENThat headless man
line 3566I thought had been my lord.
line 3567CYMBELINEBind the offender,
line 3568And take him from our presence.
Attendants bind Guiderius.
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 251
line 3569BELARIUSas Morgan Stay, sir king.
365line 3570This man is better than the man he slew,
line 3571As well descended as thyself, and hath
line 3572More of thee merited than a band of Clotens
line 3573Had ever scar for.—Let his arms alone.
line 3574They were not born for bondage.
370line 3575CYMBELINEWhy, old soldier,
line 3576Wilt thou undo the worth thou art unpaid for
line 3577By tasting of our wrath? How of descent
line 3578As good as we?
line 3579ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal In that he spake too far.
CYMBELINEto Morgan
375line 3580And thou shalt die for ’t.
line 3581BELARIUSas Morgan We will die all three
line 3582But I will prove that two on ’s are as good
line 3583As I have given out him.—My sons, I must
line 3584For mine own part unfold a dangerous speech,
380line 3585Though haply well for you.
line 3586ARVIRAGUSas Cadwal Your danger’s ours.
GUIDERIUSas Polydor
line 3587And our good his.
line 3588BELARIUSas Morgan Have at it, then.—By leave,
line 3589Thou hadst, great king, a subject who
385line 3590Was called Belarius.
line 3591CYMBELINEWhat of him? He is
line 3592A banished traitor.
line 3593BELARIUSHe it is that hath
line 3594Assumed this age; indeed a banished man,
390line 3595I know not how a traitor.
line 3596CYMBELINETake him hence.
line 3597The whole world shall not save him.
line 3598BELARIUSNot too hot.
line 3599First pay me for the nursing of thy sons
395line 3600And let it be confiscate all, so soon
line 3601As I have received it.
line 3602CYMBELINENursing of my sons?
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 253
BELARIUS
line 3603I am too blunt and saucy. Here’s my knee.
He kneels.
line 3604Ere I arise I will prefer my sons,
400line 3605Then spare not the old father. Mighty sir,
line 3606These two young gentlemen that call me father
line 3607And think they are my sons are none of mine.
line 3608They are the issue of your loins, my liege,
line 3609And blood of your begetting.
405line 3610CYMBELINEHow? My issue?
BELARIUS
line 3611So sure as you your father’s. I, old Morgan,
line 3612Am that Belarius whom you sometime banished.
line 3613Your pleasure was my mere offense, my punishment
line 3614Itself, and all my treason. That I suffered
410line 3615Was all the harm I did. These gentle princes—
line 3616For such and so they are—these twenty years
line 3617Have I trained up; those arts they have as I
line 3618Could put into them. My breeding was, sir, as
line 3619Your Highness knows. Their nurse Euriphile,
415line 3620Whom for the theft I wedded, stole these children
line 3621Upon my banishment. I moved her to ’t,
line 3622Having received the punishment before
line 3623For that which I did then. Beaten for loyalty
line 3624Excited me to treason. Their dear loss,
420line 3625The more of you ’twas felt, the more it shaped
line 3626Unto my end of stealing them. But, gracious sir,
line 3627Here are your sons again, and I must lose
line 3628Two of the sweet’st companions in the world.
line 3629The benediction of these covering heavens
425line 3630Fall on their heads like dew, for they are worthy
line 3631To inlay heaven with stars.He weeps.
line 3632CYMBELINEThou weep’st and speak’st.
line 3633The service that you three have done is more
line 3634Unlike than this thou tell’st. I lost my children.
430line 3635If these be they, I know not how to wish
line 3636A pair of worthier sons.
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 255
line 3637BELARIUSBe pleased awhile.
line 3638This gentleman whom I call Polydor,
line 3639Most worthy prince, as yours is true Guiderius;
435line 3640This gentleman, my Cadwal, Arviragus,
line 3641Your younger princely son. He, sir, was lapped
line 3642In a most curious mantle, wrought by th’ hand
line 3643Of his queen mother, which for more probation
line 3644I can with ease produce.
440line 3645CYMBELINEGuiderius had
line 3646Upon his neck a mole, a sanguine star.
line 3647It was a mark of wonder.
line 3648BELARIUSThis is he,
line 3649Who hath upon him still that natural stamp.
445line 3650It was wise Nature’s end in the donation
line 3651To be his evidence now.
line 3652CYMBELINEO, what am I,
line 3653A mother to the birth of three? Ne’er mother
line 3654Rejoiced deliverance more.—Blest pray you be,
450line 3655That after this strange starting from your orbs,
line 3656You may reign in them now.—O Imogen,
line 3657Thou hast lost by this a kingdom!
line 3658IMOGENNo, my lord.
line 3659I have got two worlds by ’t.—O my gentle brothers,
455line 3660Have we thus met? O, never say hereafter
line 3661But I am truest speaker. You called me “brother”
line 3662When I was but your sister; I you “brothers”
line 3663When we were so indeed.
line 3664CYMBELINEDid you e’er meet?
ARVIRAGUS
460line 3665Ay, my good lord.
line 3666GUIDERIUSAnd at first meeting loved,
line 3667Continued so until we thought he died.
CORNELIUS
line 3668By the Queen’s dram she swallowed.
line 3669CYMBELINEto Imogen O, rare instinct!
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 257
465line 3670When shall I hear all through? This fierce
line 3671abridgment
line 3672Hath to it circumstantial branches which
line 3673Distinction should be rich in. Where, how lived you?
line 3674And when came you to serve our Roman captive?
470line 3675How parted with your brothers? How first met
line 3676them?
line 3677Why fled you from the court? And whither?
line 3678To Belarius. These,
line 3679And your three motives to the battle, with
475line 3680I know not how much more, should be demanded,
line 3681And all the other by-dependences
line 3682From chance to chance; but nor the time nor place
line 3683Will serve our long interrogatories. See,
line 3684Posthumus anchors upon Imogen;
480line 3685And she, like harmless lightning, throws her eye
line 3686On him, her brothers, me, her master, hitting
line 3687Each object with a joy; the counterchange
line 3688Is severally in all. Let’s quit this ground,
line 3689And smoke the temple with our sacrifices.
485line 3690Thou art my brother, so we’ll hold thee ever.
IMOGENto Belarius
line 3691You are my father too, and did relieve me
line 3692To see this gracious season.
line 3693CYMBELINEAll o’erjoyed
line 3694Save these in bonds; let them be joyful too,
490line 3695For they shall taste our comfort.
line 3696IMOGENto Lucius My good master,
line 3697I will yet do you service.
line 3698LUCIUSHappy be you!
CYMBELINE
line 3699The forlorn soldier that so nobly fought,
495line 3700He would have well becomed this place and graced
line 3701The thankings of a king.
line 3702POSTHUMUSI am, sir,
line 3703The soldier that did company these three
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 259
line 3704In poor beseeming; ’twas a fitment for
500line 3705The purpose I then followed. That I was he,
line 3706Speak, Iachimo. I had you down and might
line 3707Have made you finish.
line 3708IACHIMOkneeling I am down again,
line 3709But now my heavy conscience sinks my knee,
505line 3710As then your force did. Take that life, beseech you,
line 3711Which I so often owe; but your ring first,
line 3712And here the bracelet of the truest princess
line 3713That ever swore her faith.
He holds out the ring and bracelet.
line 3714POSTHUMUSKneel not to me.
510line 3715The power that I have on you is to spare you;
line 3716The malice towards you to forgive you. Live
line 3717And deal with others better.
line 3718CYMBELINENobly doomed.
line 3719We’ll learn our freeness of a son-in-law:
515line 3720Pardon’s the word to all.Iachimo rises.
line 3721ARVIRAGUSto Posthumus You holp us, sir,
line 3722As you did mean indeed to be our brother.
line 3723Joyed are we that you are.
POSTHUMUS
line 3724Your servant, princes.—Good my lord of Rome,
520line 3725Call forth your soothsayer. As I slept, methought
line 3726Great Jupiter upon his eagle backed
line 3727Appeared to me, with other spritely shows
line 3728Of mine own kindred. When I waked, I found
line 3729This label on my bosom, whose containing
525line 3730Is so from sense in hardness that I can
line 3731Make no collection of it. Let him show
line 3732His skill in the construction.
line 3733LUCIUSPhilarmonus!
SOOTHSAYERcoming forward
line 3734Here, my good lord.
530line 3735LUCIUSRead, and declare the meaning.
line 3736SOOTHSAYERreads. Whenas a lion’s whelp shall, to
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 261
line 3737himself unknown, without seeking find, and be embraced
line 3738by a piece of tender air; and when from a
line 3739stately cedar shall be lopped branches which, being
535line 3740dead many years, shall after revive, be jointed to the
line 3741old stock, and freshly grow; then shall Posthumus
line 3742end his miseries, Britain be fortunate and flourish
line 3743in peace and plenty.
line 3744Thou, Leonatus, art the lion’s whelp.
540line 3745The fit and apt construction of thy name,
line 3746Being Leo-natus, doth import so much.
line 3747To Cymbeline. The piece of tender air thy virtuous
line 3748daughter,
line 3749Which we call “mollis aer,” and “mollis aer”
545line 3750We term it “mulier,” which “mulier” I divine
line 3751Is this most constant wife; who, even now,
line 3752Answering the letter of the oracle,
line 3753To Posthumus Unknown to you, unsought, were
line 3754clipped about
550line 3755With this most tender air.
line 3756CYMBELINEThis hath some seeming.
SOOTHSAYER
line 3757The lofty cedar, royal Cymbeline,
line 3758Personates thee; and thy lopped branches point
line 3759Thy two sons forth, who, by Belarius stol’n,
555line 3760For many years thought dead, are now revived,
line 3761To the majestic cedar joined, whose issue
line 3762Promises Britain peace and plenty.
line 3763CYMBELINEWell,
line 3764My peace we will begin. And, Caius Lucius,
560line 3765Although the victor, we submit to Caesar
line 3766And to the Roman Empire, promising
line 3767To pay our wonted tribute, from the which
line 3768We were dissuaded by our wicked queen,
line 3769Whom heavens in justice both on her and hers
565line 3770Have laid most heavy hand.
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 263
SOOTHSAYER
line 3771The fingers of the powers above do tune
line 3772The harmony of this peace. The vision
line 3773Which I made known to Lucius ere the stroke
line 3774Of this yet scarce-cold battle at this instant
570line 3775Is full accomplished. For the Roman eagle,
line 3776From south to west on wing soaring aloft,
line 3777Lessened herself and in the beams o’ th’ sun
line 3778So vanished; which foreshowed our princely eagle,
line 3779Th’ imperial Caesar, should again unite
575line 3780His favor with the radiant Cymbeline,
line 3781Which shines here in the west.
line 3782CYMBELINELaud we the gods,
line 3783And let our crooked smokes climb to their nostrils
line 3784From our blest altars. Publish we this peace
580line 3785To all our subjects. Set we forward. Let
line 3786A Roman and a British ensign wave
line 3787Friendly together. So through Lud’s Town march,
line 3788And in the temple of great Jupiter
line 3789Our peace we’ll ratify, seal it with feasts.
585line 3790Set on there. Never was a war did cease,
line 3791Ere bloody hands were washed, with such a peace.
They exit.
