Enter two GentlemenFirst Gentleman
You do not meet a man but frowns: our bloodsSecond Gentleman
No more obey the heavens than our courtiers
Still seem as does the king.
But what's the matter?First Gentleman
His daughter, and the heir of's kingdom, whomSecond Gentleman
He purposed to his wife's sole son--a widow
That late he married--hath referr'd herself
Unto a poor but worthy gentleman: she's wedded;
Her husband banish'd; she imprison'd: all
Is outward sorrow; though I think the king
Be touch'd at very heart.
None but the king?First Gentleman
He that hath lost her too; so is the queen,Second Gentleman
That most desired the match; but not a courtier,
Although they wear their faces to the bent
Of the king's look's, hath a heart that is not
Glad at the thing they scowl at.
And why so?First Gentleman
He that hath miss'd the princess is a thingSecond Gentleman
Too bad for bad report: and he that hath her--
I mean, that married her, alack, good man!
And therefore banish'd--is a creature such
As, to seek through the regions of the earth
For one his like, there would be something failing
In him that should compare. I do not think
So fair an outward and such stuff within
Endows a man but he.
You speak him far.First Gentleman
I do extend him, sir, within himself,Second Gentleman
Crush him together rather than unfold
His measure duly.
What's his name and birth?First Gentleman
I cannot delve him to the root: his fatherSecond Gentleman
Was call'd Sicilius, who did join his honour
Against the Romans with Cassibelan,
But had his titles by Tenantius whom
He served with glory and admired success,
So gain'd the sur-addition Leonatus;
And had, besides this gentleman in question,
Two other sons, who in the wars o' the time
Died with their swords in hand; for which
their father,
Then old and fond of issue, took such sorrow
That he quit being, and his gentle lady,
Big of this gentleman our theme, deceased
As he was born. The king he takes the babe
To his protection, calls him Posthumus Leonatus,
Breeds him and makes him of his bed-chamber,
Puts to him all the learnings that his time
Could make him the receiver of; which he took,
As we do air, fast as 'twas minister'd,
And in's spring became a harvest, lived in court--
Which rare it is to do--most praised, most loved,
A sample to the youngest, to the more mature
A glass that feated them, and to the graver
A child that guided dotards; to his mistress,
For whom he now is banish'd, her own price
Proclaims how she esteem'd him and his virtue;
By her election may be truly read
What kind of man he is.
I honour himFirst Gentleman
Even out of your report. But, pray you, tell me,
Is she sole child to the king?
His only child.Second Gentleman
He had two sons: if this be worth your hearing,
Mark it: the eldest of them at three years old,
I' the swathing-clothes the other, from their nursery
Were stol'n, and to this hour no guess in knowledge
Which way they went.
How long is this ago?First Gentleman
Some twenty years.Second Gentleman
That a king's children should be so convey'd,First Gentleman
So slackly guarded, and the search so slow,
That could not trace them!
Howsoe'er 'tis strange,Second Gentleman
Or that the negligence may well be laugh'd at,
Yet is it true, sir.
I do well believe you.First Gentleman
We must forbear: here comes the gentleman,QUEEN
The queen, and princess.
Exeunt
Enter the QUEEN, POSTHUMUS LEONATUS, and IMOGEN
No, be assured you shall not find me, daughter,POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
After the slander of most stepmothers,
Evil-eyed unto you: you're my prisoner, but
Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys
That lock up your restraint. For you, Posthumus,
So soon as I can win the offended king,
I will be known your advocate: marry, yet
The fire of rage is in him, and 'twere good
You lean'd unto his sentence with what patience
Your wisdom may inform you.
Please your highness,QUEEN
I will from hence to-day.
You know the peril.IMOGEN
I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying
The pangs of barr'd affections, though the king
Hath charged you should not speak together.
Exit
OPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant
Can tickle where she wounds! My dearest husband,
I something fear my father's wrath; but nothing--
Always reserved my holy duty--what
His rage can do on me: you must be gone;
And I shall here abide the hourly shot
Of angry eyes, not comforted to live,
But that there is this jewel in the world
That I may see again.
My queen! my mistress!QUEEN
O lady, weep no more, lest I give cause
To be suspected of more tenderness
Than doth become a man. I will remain
The loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth:
My residence in Rome at one Philario's,
Who to my father was a friend, to me
Known but by letter: thither write, my queen,
And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you send,
Though ink be made of gall.
Re-enter QUEEN
Be brief, I pray you:POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
If the king come, I shall incur I know not
How much of his displeasure.
Aside
Yet I'll move him
To walk this way: I never do him wrong,
But he does buy my injuries, to be friends;
Pays dear for my offences.
Exit
Should we be taking leaveIMOGEN
As long a term as yet we have to live,
The loathness to depart would grow. Adieu!
Nay, stay a little:POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Were you but riding forth to air yourself,
Such parting were too petty. Look here, love;
This diamond was my mother's: take it, heart;
But keep it till you woo another wife,
When Imogen is dead.
How, how! another?IMOGEN
You gentle gods, give me but this I have,
And sear up my embracements from a next
With bonds of death!
Putting on the ring
Remain, remain thou here
While sense can keep it on. And, sweetest, fairest,
As I my poor self did exchange for you,
To your so infinite loss, so in our trifles
I still win of you: for my sake wear this;
It is a manacle of love; I'll place it
Upon this fairest prisoner.
Putting a bracelet upon her arm
O the gods!POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
When shall we see again?
Enter CYMBELINE and Lords
Alack, the king!CYMBELINE
Thou basest thing, avoid! hence, from my sight!POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
If after this command thou fraught the court
With thy unworthiness, thou diest: away!
Thou'rt poison to my blood.
The gods protect you!IMOGEN
And bless the good remainders of the court! I am gone.
Exit
There cannot be a pinch in deathCYMBELINE
More sharp than this is.
O disloyal thing,IMOGEN
That shouldst repair my youth, thou heap'st
A year's age on me.
I beseech you, sir,CYMBELINE
Harm not yourself with your vexation
I am senseless of your wrath; a touch more rare
Subdues all pangs, all fears.
Past grace? obedience?IMOGEN
Past hope, and in despair; that way, past grace.CYMBELINE
That mightst have had the sole son of my queen!IMOGEN
O blest, that I might not! I chose an eagle,CYMBELINE
And did avoid a puttock.
Thou took'st a beggar; wouldst have made my throneIMOGEN
A seat for baseness.
No; I rather addedCYMBELINE
A lustre to it.
O thou vile one!IMOGEN
Sir,CYMBELINE
It is your fault that I have loved Posthumus:
You bred him as my playfellow, and he is
A man worth any woman, overbuys me
Almost the sum he pays.
What, art thou mad?IMOGEN
Almost, sir: heaven restore me! Would I wereCYMBELINE
A neat-herd's daughter, and my Leonatus
Our neighbour shepherd's son!
Thou foolish thing!QUEEN
Re-enter QUEEN
They were again together: you have done
Not after our command. Away with her,
And pen her up.
Beseech your patience. Peace,CYMBELINE
Dear lady daughter, peace! Sweet sovereign,
Leave us to ourselves; and make yourself some comfort
Out of your best advice.
Nay, let her languishQUEEN
A drop of blood a day; and, being aged,
Die of this folly!
Exeunt CYMBELINE and Lords
Fie! you must give way.PISANIO
Enter PISANIO
Here is your servant. How now, sir! What news?
My lord your son drew on my master.QUEEN
Ha!PISANIO
No harm, I trust, is done?
There might have been,QUEEN
But that my master rather play'd than fought
And had no help of anger: they were parted
By gentlemen at hand.
I am very glad on't.IMOGEN
Your son's my father's friend; he takes his part.PISANIO
To draw upon an exile! O brave sir!
I would they were in Afric both together;
Myself by with a needle, that I might prick
The goer-back. Why came you from your master?
On his command: he would not suffer meQUEEN
To bring him to the haven; left these notes
Of what commands I should be subject to,
When 't pleased you to employ me.
This hath beenPISANIO
Your faithful servant: I dare lay mine honour
He will remain so.
I humbly thank your highness.QUEEN
Pray, walk awhile.IMOGEN
About some half-hour hence,
I pray you, speak with me: you shall at least
Go see my lord aboard: for this time leave me.
Exeunt
Enter CLOTEN and two LordsFirst Lord
Sir, I would advise you to shift a shirt; theCLOTEN
violence of action hath made you reek as a
sacrifice: where air comes out, air comes in:
there's none abroad so wholesome as that you vent.
If my shirt were bloody, then to shift it. Have I hurt him?Second Lord
[Aside] No, 'faith; not so much as his patience.First Lord
Hurt him! his body's a passable carcass, if he beSecond Lord
not hurt: it is a thoroughfare for steel, if it be not hurt.
[Aside] His steel was in debt; it went o' theCLOTEN
backside the town.
The villain would not stand me.Second Lord
[Aside] No; but he fled forward still, toward your face.First Lord
Stand you! You have land enough of your own: butSecond Lord
he added to your having; gave you some ground.
[Aside] As many inches as you have oceans. Puppies!CLOTEN
I would they had not come between us.Second Lord
[Aside] So would I, till you had measured how longCLOTEN
a fool you were upon the ground.
And that she should love this fellow and refuse me!Second Lord
[Aside] If it be a sin to make a true election, sheFirst Lord
is damned.
Sir, as I told you always, her beauty and her brainSecond Lord
go not together: she's a good sign, but I have seen
small reflection of her wit.
[Aside] She shines not upon fools, lest theCLOTEN
reflection should hurt her.
Come, I'll to my chamber. Would there had been someSecond Lord
hurt done!
[Aside] I wish not so; unless it had been the fallCLOTEN
of an ass, which is no great hurt.
You'll go with us?First Lord
I'll attend your lordship.CLOTEN
Nay, come, let's go together.Second Lord
Well, my lord.
Exeunt
Enter IMOGEN and PISANIOIMOGEN
I would thou grew'st unto the shores o' the haven,PISANIO
And question'dst every sail: if he should write
And not have it, 'twere a paper lost,
As offer'd mercy is. What was the last
That he spake to thee?
It was his queen, his queen!IMOGEN
Then waved his handkerchief?PISANIO
And kiss'd it, madam.IMOGEN
Senseless Linen! happier therein than I!PISANIO
And that was all?
No, madam; for so longIMOGEN
As he could make me with this eye or ear
Distinguish him from others, he did keep
The deck, with glove, or hat, or handkerchief,
Still waving, as the fits and stirs of 's mind
Could best express how slow his soul sail'd on,
How swift his ship.
Thou shouldst have made himPISANIO
As little as a crow, or less, ere left
To after-eye him.
Madam, so I did.IMOGEN
I would have broke mine eye-strings; crack'd them, butPISANIO
To look upon him, till the diminution
Of space had pointed him sharp as my needle,
Nay, follow'd him, till he had melted from
The smallness of a gnat to air, and then
Have turn'd mine eye and wept. But, good Pisanio,
When shall we hear from him?
Be assured, madam,IMOGEN
With his next vantage.
I did not take my leave of him, but hadLady
Most pretty things to say: ere I could tell him
How I would think on him at certain hours
Such thoughts and such, or I could make him swear
The shes of Italy should not betray
Mine interest and his honour, or have charged him,
At the sixth hour of morn, at noon, at midnight,
To encounter me with orisons, for then
I am in heaven for him; or ere I could
Give him that parting kiss which I had set
Betwixt two charming words, comes in my father
And like the tyrannous breathing of the north
Shakes all our buds from growing.
Enter a Lady
The queen, madam,IMOGEN
Desires your highness' company.
Those things I bid you do, get them dispatch'd.PISANIO
I will attend the queen.
Madam, I shall.
Exeunt
Enter PHILARIO, IACHIMO, a Frenchman, a Dutchman, and a SpaniardIACHIMO
Believe it, sir, I have seen him in Britain: he wasPHILARIO
then of a crescent note, expected to prove so worthy
as since he hath been allowed the name of; but I
could then have looked on him without the help of
admiration, though the catalogue of his endowments
had been tabled by his side and I to peruse him by items.
You speak of him when he was less furnished than nowFrenchman
he is with that which makes him both without and within.
I have seen him in France: we had very many thereIACHIMO
could behold the sun with as firm eyes as he.
This matter of marrying his king's daughter, whereinFrenchman
he must be weighed rather by her value than his own,
words him, I doubt not, a great deal from the matter.
And then his banishment.IACHIMO
Ay, and the approbation of those that weep thisPHILARIO
lamentable divorce under her colours are wonderfully
to extend him; be it but to fortify her judgment,
which else an easy battery might lay flat, for
taking a beggar without less quality. But how comes
it he is to sojourn with you? How creeps
acquaintance?
His father and I were soldiers together; to whom IFrenchman
have been often bound for no less than my life.
Here comes the Briton: let him be so entertained
amongst you as suits, with gentlemen of your
knowing, to a stranger of his quality.
Enter POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
I beseech you all, be better known to this
gentleman; whom I commend to you as a noble friend
of mine: how worthy he is I will leave to appear
hereafter, rather than story him in his own hearing.
Sir, we have known together in Orleans.POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Since when I have been debtor to you for courtesies,Frenchman
which I will be ever to pay and yet pay still.
Sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindness: I was glad IPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
did atone my countryman and you; it had been pity
you should have been put together with so mortal a
purpose as then each bore, upon importance of so
slight and trivial a nature.
By your pardon, sir, I was then a young traveller;Frenchman
rather shunned to go even with what I heard than in
my every action to be guided by others' experiences:
but upon my mended judgment--if I offend not to say
it is mended--my quarrel was not altogether slight.
'Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrement of swords,IACHIMO
and by such two that would by all likelihood have
confounded one the other, or have fallen both.
Can we, with manners, ask what was the difference?Frenchman
Safely, I think: 'twas a contention in public,IACHIMO
which may, without contradiction, suffer the report.
It was much like an argument that fell out last
night, where each of us fell in praise of our
country mistresses; this gentleman at that time
vouching--and upon warrant of bloody
affirmation--his to be more fair, virtuous, wise,
chaste, constant-qualified and less attemptable
than any the rarest of our ladies in France.
That lady is not now living, or this gentleman'sPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
opinion by this worn out.
She holds her virtue still and I my mind.IACHIMO
You must not so far prefer her 'fore ours of Italy.POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Being so far provoked as I was in France, I wouldIACHIMO
abate her nothing, though I profess myself her
adorer, not her friend.
As fair and as good--a kind of hand-in-handPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
comparison--had been something too fair and too good
for any lady in Britain. If she went before others
I have seen, as that diamond of yours outlustres
many I have beheld. I could not but believe she
excelled many: but I have not seen the most
precious diamond that is, nor you the lady.
I praised her as I rated her: so do I my stone.IACHIMO
What do you esteem it at?POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
More than the world enjoys.IACHIMO
Either your unparagoned mistress is dead, or she'sPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
outprized by a trifle.
You are mistaken: the one may be sold, or given, ifIACHIMO
there were wealth enough for the purchase, or merit
for the gift: the other is not a thing for sale,
and only the gift of the gods.
Which the gods have given you?POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Which, by their graces, I will keep.IACHIMO
You may wear her in title yours: but, you know,POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
strange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. Your
ring may be stolen too: so your brace of unprizable
estimations; the one is but frail and the other
casual; a cunning thief, or a that way accomplished
courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and last.
Your Italy contains none so accomplished a courtierPHILARIO
to convince the honour of my mistress, if, in the
holding or loss of that, you term her frail. I do
nothing doubt you have store of thieves;
notwithstanding, I fear not my ring.
Let us leave here, gentlemen.POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Sir, with all my heart. This worthy signior, IIACHIMO
thank him, makes no stranger of me; we are familiar at first.
With five times so much conversation, I should getPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
ground of your fair mistress, make her go back, even
to the yielding, had I admittance and opportunity to friend.
No, no.IACHIMO
I dare thereupon pawn the moiety of my estate toPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
your ring; which, in my opinion, o'ervalues it
something: but I make my wager rather against your
confidence than her reputation: and, to bar your
offence herein too, I durst attempt it against any
lady in the world.
You are a great deal abused in too bold aIACHIMO
persuasion; and I doubt not you sustain what you're
worthy of by your attempt.
What's that?POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
A repulse: though your attempt, as you call it,PHILARIO
deserve more; a punishment too.
Gentlemen, enough of this: it came in too suddenly;IACHIMO
let it die as it was born, and, I pray you, be
better acquainted.
Would I had put my estate and my neighbour's on thePOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
approbation of what I have spoke!
What lady would you choose to assail?IACHIMO
Yours; whom in constancy you think stands so safe.POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
I will lay you ten thousand ducats to your ring,
that, commend me to the court where your lady is,
with no more advantage than the opportunity of a
second conference, and I will bring from thence
that honour of hers which you imagine so reserved.
I will wage against your gold, gold to it: my ringIACHIMO
I hold dear as my finger; 'tis part of it.
You are afraid, and therein the wiser. If you buyPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
ladies' flesh at a million a dram, you cannot
preserve it from tainting: but I see you have some
religion in you, that you fear.
This is but a custom in your tongue; you bear aIACHIMO
graver purpose, I hope.
I am the master of my speeches, and would undergoPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
what's spoken, I swear.
Will you? I shall but lend my diamond till yourPHILARIO
return: let there be covenants drawn between's: my
mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness of your
unworthy thinking: I dare you to this match: here's my ring.
I will have it no lay.IACHIMO
By the gods, it is one. If I bring you noPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
sufficient testimony that I have enjoyed the dearest
bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand ducats
are yours; so is your diamond too: if I come off,
and leave her in such honour as you have trust in,
she your jewel, this your jewel, and my gold are
yours: provided I have your commendation for my more
free entertainment.
I embrace these conditions; let us have articlesIACHIMO
betwixt us. Only, thus far you shall answer: if
you make your voyage upon her and give me directly
to understand you have prevailed, I am no further
your enemy; she is not worth our debate: if she
remain unseduced, you not making it appear
otherwise, for your ill opinion and the assault you
have made to her chastity you shall answer me with
your sword.
Your hand; a covenant: we will have these things setPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
down by lawful counsel, and straight away for
Britain, lest the bargain should catch cold and
starve: I will fetch my gold and have our two
wagers recorded.
Agreed.Frenchman
Exeunt POSTHUMUS LEONATUS and IACHIMO
Will this hold, think you?PHILARIO
Signior Iachimo will not from it.
Pray, let us follow 'em.
Exeunt
Enter QUEEN, Ladies, and CORNELIUSQUEEN
Whiles yet the dew's on ground, gather those flowers;First Lady
Make haste: who has the note of them?
I, madam.QUEEN
Dispatch.CORNELIUS
Exeunt Ladies
Now, master doctor, have you brought those drugs?
Pleaseth your highness, ay: here they are, madam:QUEEN
Presenting a small box
But I beseech your grace, without offence,--
My conscience bids me ask--wherefore you have
Commanded of me those most poisonous compounds,
Which are the movers of a languishing death;
But though slow, deadly?
I wonder, doctor,CORNELIUS
Thou ask'st me such a question. Have I not been
Thy pupil long? Hast thou not learn'd me how
To make perfumes? distil? preserve? yea, so
That our great king himself doth woo me oft
For my confections? Having thus far proceeded,--
Unless thou think'st me devilish--is't not meet
That I did amplify my judgment in
Other conclusions? I will try the forces
Of these thy compounds on such creatures as
We count not worth the hanging, but none human,
To try the vigour of them and apply
Allayments to their act, and by them gather
Their several virtues and effects.
Your highnessQUEEN
Shall from this practise but make hard your heart:
Besides, the seeing these effects will be
Both noisome and infectious.
O, content thee.CORNELIUS
Enter PISANIO
Aside
Here comes a flattering rascal; upon him
Will I first work: he's for his master,
An enemy to my son. How now, Pisanio!
Doctor, your service for this time is ended;
Take your own way.
[Aside] I do suspect you, madam;QUEEN
But you shall do no harm.
[To PISANIO] Hark thee, a word.CORNELIUS
[Aside] I do not like her. She doth think she hasQUEEN
Strange lingering poisons: I do know her spirit,
And will not trust one of her malice with
A drug of such damn'd nature. Those she has
Will stupefy and dull the sense awhile;
Which first, perchance, she'll prove on
cats and dogs,
Then afterward up higher: but there is
No danger in what show of death it makes,
More than the locking-up the spirits a time,
To be more fresh, reviving. She is fool'd
With a most false effect; and I the truer,
So to be false with her.
No further service, doctor,CORNELIUS
Until I send for thee.
I humbly take my leave.QUEEN
Exit
Weeps she still, say'st thou? Dost thou think in timePISANIO
She will not quench and let instructions enter
Where folly now possesses? Do thou work:
When thou shalt bring me word she loves my son,
I'll tell thee on the instant thou art then
As great as is thy master, greater, for
His fortunes all lie speechless and his name
Is at last gasp: return he cannot, nor
Continue where he is: to shift his being
Is to exchange one misery with another,
And every day that comes comes to decay
A day's work in him. What shalt thou expect,
To be depender on a thing that leans,
Who cannot be new built, nor has no friends,
So much as but to prop him?
The QUEEN drops the box: PISANIO takes it up
Thou takest up
Thou know'st not what; but take it for thy labour:
It is a thing I made, which hath the king
Five times redeem'd from death: I do not know
What is more cordial. Nay, I prethee, take it;
It is an earnest of a further good
That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how
The case stands with her; do't as from thyself.
Think what a chance thou changest on, but think
Thou hast thy mistress still, to boot, my son,
Who shall take notice of thee: I'll move the king
To any shape of thy preferment such
As thou'lt desire; and then myself, I chiefly,
That set thee on to this desert, am bound
To load thy merit richly. Call my women:
Think on my words.
Exit PISANIO
A sly and constant knave,
Not to be shaked; the agent for his master
And the remembrancer of her to hold
The hand-fast to her lord. I have given him that
Which, if he take, shall quite unpeople her
Of liegers for her sweet, and which she after,
Except she bend her humour, shall be assured
To taste of too.
Re-enter PISANIO and Ladies
So, so: well done, well done:
The violets, cowslips, and the primroses,
Bear to my closet. Fare thee well, Pisanio;
Think on my words.
Exeunt QUEEN and Ladies
And shall do:
But when to my good lord I prove untrue,
I'll choke myself: there's all I'll do for you.
Exit
Enter IMOGENIMOGEN
A father cruel, and a step-dame false;PISANIO
A foolish suitor to a wedded lady,
That hath her husband banish'd;--O, that husband!
My supreme crown of grief! and those repeated
Vexations of it! Had I been thief-stol'n,
As my two brothers, happy! but most miserable
Is the desire that's glorious: blest be those,
How mean soe'er, that have their honest wills,
Which seasons comfort. Who may this be? Fie!
Enter PISANIO and IACHIMO
Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome,IACHIMO
Comes from my lord with letters.
Change you, madam?IMOGEN
The worthy Leonatus is in safety
And greets your highness dearly.
Presents a letter
Thanks, good sir:IACHIMO
You're kindly welcome.
[Aside] All of her that is out of door most rich!IMOGEN
If she be furnish'd with a mind so rare,
She is alone the Arabian bird, and I
Have lost the wager. Boldness be my friend!
Arm me, audacity, from head to foot!
Or, like the Parthian, I shall flying fight;
Rather directly fly.
[Reads] 'He is one of the noblest note, to whoseIACHIMO
kindnesses I am most infinitely tied. Reflect upon
him accordingly, as you value your trust--
LEONATUS.'
So far I read aloud:
But even the very middle of my heart
Is warm'd by the rest, and takes it thankfully.
You are as welcome, worthy sir, as I
Have words to bid you, and shall find it so
In all that I can do.
Thanks, fairest lady.IMOGEN
What, are men mad? Hath nature given them eyes
To see this vaulted arch, and the rich crop
Of sea and land, which can distinguish 'twixt
The fiery orbs above and the twinn'd stones
Upon the number'd beach? and can we not
Partition make with spectacles so precious
'Twixt fair and foul?
What makes your admiration?IACHIMO
It cannot be i' the eye, for apes and monkeysIMOGEN
'Twixt two such shes would chatter this way and
Contemn with mows the other; nor i' the judgment,
For idiots in this case of favour would
Be wisely definite; nor i' the appetite;
Sluttery to such neat excellence opposed
Should make desire vomit emptiness,
Not so allured to feed.
What is the matter, trow?IACHIMO
The cloyed will,IMOGEN
That satiate yet unsatisfied desire, that tub
Both fill'd and running, ravening first the lamb
Longs after for the garbage.
What, dear sir,IACHIMO
Thus raps you? Are you well?
Thanks, madam; well.PISANIO
To PISANIO
Beseech you, sir, desire
My man's abode where I did leave him: he
Is strange and peevish.
I was going, sir,IMOGEN
To give him welcome.
Exit
Continues well my lord? His health, beseech you?IACHIMO
Well, madam.IMOGEN
Is he disposed to mirth? I hope he is.IACHIMO
Exceeding pleasant; none a stranger thereIMOGEN
So merry and so gamesome: he is call'd
The Briton reveller.
When he was here,IACHIMO
He did incline to sadness, and oft-times
Not knowing why.
I never saw him sad.IMOGEN
There is a Frenchman his companion, one
An eminent monsieur, that, it seems, much loves
A Gallian girl at home; he furnaces
The thick sighs from him, whiles the jolly Briton--
Your lord, I mean--laughs from's free lungs, cries 'O,
Can my sides hold, to think that man, who knows
By history, report, or his own proof,
What woman is, yea, what she cannot choose
But must be, will his free hours languish for
Assured bondage?'
Will my lord say so?IACHIMO
Ay, madam, with his eyes in flood with laughter:IMOGEN
It is a recreation to be by
And hear him mock the Frenchman. But, heavens know,
Some men are much to blame.
Not he, I hope.IACHIMO
Not he: but yet heaven's bounty towards him mightIMOGEN
Be used more thankfully. In himself, 'tis much;
In you, which I account his beyond all talents,
Whilst I am bound to wonder, I am bound
To pity too.
What do you pity, sir?IACHIMO
Two creatures heartily.IMOGEN
Am I one, sir?IACHIMO
You look on me: what wreck discern you in me
Deserves your pity?
Lamentable! What,IMOGEN
To hide me from the radiant sun and solace
I' the dungeon by a snuff?
I pray you, sir,IACHIMO
Deliver with more openness your answers
To my demands. Why do you pity me?
That others do--IMOGEN
I was about to say--enjoy your--But
It is an office of the gods to venge it,
Not mine to speak on 't.
You do seem to knowIACHIMO
Something of me, or what concerns me: pray you,--
Since doubling things go ill often hurts more
Than to be sure they do; for certainties
Either are past remedies, or, timely knowing,
The remedy then born--discover to me
What both you spur and stop.
Had I this cheekIMOGEN
To bathe my lips upon; this hand, whose touch,
Whose every touch, would force the feeler's soul
To the oath of loyalty; this object, which
Takes prisoner the wild motion of mine eye,
Fixing it only here; should I, damn'd then,
Slaver with lips as common as the stairs
That mount the Capitol; join gripes with hands
Made hard with hourly falsehood--falsehood, as
With labour; then by-peeping in an eye
Base and unlustrous as the smoky light
That's fed with stinking tallow; it were fit
That all the plagues of hell should at one time
Encounter such revolt.
My lord, I fear,IACHIMO
Has forgot Britain.
And himself. Not I,IMOGEN
Inclined to this intelligence, pronounce
The beggary of his change; but 'tis your graces
That from pay mutest conscience to my tongue
Charms this report out.
Let me hear no more.IACHIMO
O dearest soul! your cause doth strike my heartIMOGEN
With pity, that doth make me sick. A lady
So fair, and fasten'd to an empery,
Would make the great'st king double,--to be partner'd
With tomboys hired with that self-exhibition
Which your own coffers yield! with diseased ventures
That play with all infirmities for gold
Which rottenness can lend nature! such boil'd stuff
As well might poison poison! Be revenged;
Or she that bore you was no queen, and you
Recoil from your great stock.
Revenged!IACHIMO
How should I be revenged? If this be true,--
As I have such a heart that both mine ears
Must not in haste abuse--if it be true,
How should I be revenged?
Should he make meIMOGEN
Live, like Diana's priest, betwixt cold sheets,
Whiles he is vaulting variable ramps,
In your despite, upon your purse? Revenge it.
I dedicate myself to your sweet pleasure,
More noble than that runagate to your bed,
And will continue fast to your affection,
Still close as sure.
What, ho, Pisanio!IACHIMO
Let me my service tender on your lips.IMOGEN
Away! I do condemn mine ears that haveIACHIMO
So long attended thee. If thou wert honourable,
Thou wouldst have told this tale for virtue, not
For such an end thou seek'st,--as base as strange.
Thou wrong'st a gentleman, who is as far
From thy report as thou from honour, and
Solicit'st here a lady that disdains
Thee and the devil alike. What ho, Pisanio!
The king my father shall be made acquainted
Of thy assault: if he shall think it fit,
A saucy stranger in his court to mart
As in a Romish stew and to expound
His beastly mind to us, he hath a court
He little cares for and a daughter who
He not respects at all. What, ho, Pisanio!
O happy Leonatus! I may sayIMOGEN
The credit that thy lady hath of thee
Deserves thy trust, and thy most perfect goodness
Her assured credit. Blessed live you long!
A lady to the worthiest sir that ever
Country call'd his! and you his mistress, only
For the most worthiest fit! Give me your pardon.
I have spoke this, to know if your affiance
Were deeply rooted; and shall make your lord,
That which he is, new o'er: and he is one
The truest manner'd; such a holy witch
That he enchants societies into him;
Half all men's hearts are his.
You make amends.IACHIMO
He sits 'mongst men like a descended god:IMOGEN
He hath a kind of honour sets him off,
More than a mortal seeming. Be not angry,
Most mighty princess, that I have adventured
To try your taking a false report; which hath
Honour'd with confirmation your great judgment
In the election of a sir so rare,
Which you know cannot err: the love I bear him
Made me to fan you thus, but the gods made you,
Unlike all others, chaffless. Pray, your pardon.
All's well, sir: take my power i' the courtIACHIMO
for yours.
My humble thanks. I had almost forgotIMOGEN
To entreat your grace but in a small request,
And yet of moment to, for it concerns
Your lord; myself and other noble friends,
Are partners in the business.
Pray, what is't?IACHIMO
Some dozen Romans of us and your lord--IMOGEN
The best feather of our wing--have mingled sums
To buy a present for the emperor
Which I, the factor for the rest, have done
In France: 'tis plate of rare device, and jewels
Of rich and exquisite form; their values great;
And I am something curious, being strange,
To have them in safe stowage: may it please you
To take them in protection?
Willingly;IACHIMO
And pawn mine honour for their safety: since
My lord hath interest in them, I will keep them
In my bedchamber.
They are in a trunk,IMOGEN
Attended by my men: I will make bold
To send them to you, only for this night;
I must aboard to-morrow.
O, no, no.IACHIMO
Yes, I beseech; or I shall short my wordIMOGEN
By lengthening my return. From Gallia
I cross'd the seas on purpose and on promise
To see your grace.
I thank you for your pains:IACHIMO
But not away to-morrow!
O, I must, madam:IMOGEN
Therefore I shall beseech you, if you please
To greet your lord with writing, do't to-night:
I have outstood my time; which is material
To the tender of our present.
I will write.
Send your trunk to me; it shall safe be kept,
And truly yielded you. You're very welcome.
Exeunt
Enter CLOTEN and two LordsCLOTEN
Was there ever man had such luck! when I kissed theFirst Lord
jack, upon an up-cast to be hit away! I had a
hundred pound on't: and then a whoreson jackanapes
must take me up for swearing; as if I borrowed mine
oaths of him and might not spend them at my pleasure.
What got he by that? You have broke his pate withSecond Lord
your bowl.
[Aside] If his wit had been like him that broke it,CLOTEN
it would have run all out.
When a gentleman is disposed to swear, it is not forSecond Lord
any standers-by to curtail his oaths, ha?
No my lord;CLOTEN
Aside
nor crop the ears of them.
Whoreson dog! I give him satisfaction?Second Lord
Would he had been one of my rank!
[Aside] To have smelt like a fool.CLOTEN
I am not vexed more at any thing in the earth: aSecond Lord
pox on't! I had rather not be so noble as I am;
they dare not fight with me, because of the queen my
mother: every Jack-slave hath his bellyful of
fighting, and I must go up and down like a cock that
nobody can match.
[Aside] You are cock and capon too; and you crow,CLOTEN
cock, with your comb on.
Sayest thou?Second Lord
It is not fit your lordship should undertake everyCLOTEN
companion that you give offence to.
No, I know that: but it is fit I should commitSecond Lord
offence to my inferiors.
Ay, it is fit for your lordship only.CLOTEN
Why, so I say.First Lord
Did you hear of a stranger that's come to court to-night?CLOTEN
A stranger, and I not know on't!Second Lord
[Aside] He's a strange fellow himself, and knows itFirst Lord
not.
There's an Italian come; and, 'tis thought, one ofCLOTEN
Leonatus' friends.
Leonatus! a banished rascal; and he's another,First Lord
whatsoever he be. Who told you of this stranger?
One of your lordship's pages.CLOTEN
Is it fit I went to look upon him? is there noSecond Lord
derogation in't?
You cannot derogate, my lord.CLOTEN
Not easily, I think.Second Lord
[Aside] You are a fool granted; therefore yourCLOTEN
issues, being foolish, do not derogate.
Come, I'll go see this Italian: what I have lostSecond Lord
to-day at bowls I'll win to-night of him. Come, go.
I'll attend your lordship.
Exeunt CLOTEN and First Lord
That such a crafty devil as is his mother
Should yield the world this ass! a woman that
Bears all down with her brain; and this her son
Cannot take two from twenty, for his heart,
And leave eighteen. Alas, poor princess,
Thou divine Imogen, what thou endurest,
Betwixt a father by thy step-dame govern'd,
A mother hourly coining plots, a wooer
More hateful than the foul expulsion is
Of thy dear husband, than that horrid act
Of the divorce he'ld make! The heavens hold firm
The walls of thy dear honour, keep unshaked
That temple, thy fair mind, that thou mayst stand,
To enjoy thy banish'd lord and this great land!
Exit
a trunk in one corner of it.IMOGEN
IMOGEN in bed, reading; a Lady attending
Who's there? my woman Helen?Lady
Please you, madamIMOGEN
What hour is it?Lady
Almost midnight, madam.IMOGEN
I have read three hours then: mine eyes are weak:IACHIMO
Fold down the leaf where I have left: to bed:
Take not away the taper, leave it burning;
And if thou canst awake by four o' the clock,
I prithee, call me. Sleep hath seized me wholly
Exit Lady
To your protection I commend me, gods.
From fairies and the tempters of the night
Guard me, beseech ye.
Sleeps. IACHIMO comes from the trunk
The crickets sing, and man's o'er-labour'd senseScene III
Repairs itself by rest. Our Tarquin thus
Did softly press the rushes, ere he waken'd
The chastity he wounded. Cytherea,
How bravely thou becomest thy bed, fresh lily,
And whiter than the sheets! That I might touch!
But kiss; one kiss! Rubies unparagon'd,
How dearly they do't! 'Tis her breathing that
Perfumes the chamber thus: the flame o' the taper
Bows toward her, and would under-peep her lids,
To see the enclosed lights, now canopied
Under these windows, white and azure laced
With blue of heaven's own tinct. But my design,
To note the chamber: I will write all down:
Such and such pictures; there the window; such
The adornment of her bed; the arras; figures,
Why, such and such; and the contents o' the story.
Ah, but some natural notes about her body,
Above ten thousand meaner moveables
Would testify, to enrich mine inventory.
O sleep, thou ape of death, lie dull upon her!
And be her sense but as a monument,
Thus in a chapel lying! Come off, come off:
Taking off her bracelet
As slippery as the Gordian knot was hard!
'Tis mine; and this will witness outwardly,
As strongly as the conscience does within,
To the madding of her lord. On her left breast
A mole cinque-spotted, like the crimson drops
I' the bottom of a cowslip: here's a voucher,
Stronger than ever law could make: this secret
Will force him think I have pick'd the lock and ta'en
The treasure of her honour. No more. To what end?
Why should I write this down, that's riveted,
Screw'd to my memory? She hath been reading late
The tale of Tereus; here the leaf's turn'd down
Where Philomel gave up. I have enough:
To the trunk again, and shut the spring of it.
Swift, swift, you dragons of the night, that dawning
May bare the raven's eye! I lodge in fear;
Though this a heavenly angel, hell is here.
Clock strikes
One, two, three: time, time!
Goes into the trunk. The scene closes
An ante-chamber adjoining Imogen's apartments.First Lord
Enter CLOTEN and Lords
Your lordship is the most patient man in loss, theCLOTEN
most coldest that ever turned up ace.
It would make any man cold to lose.First Lord
But not every man patient after the noble temper ofCLOTEN
your lordship. You are most hot and furious when you win.
Winning will put any man into courage. If I couldFirst Lord
get this foolish Imogen, I should have gold enough.
It's almost morning, is't not?
Day, my lord.CLOTEN
I would this music would come: I am advised to giveCLOTEN
her music o' mornings; they say it will penetrate.
Enter Musicians
Come on; tune: if you can penetrate her with your
fingering, so; we'll try with tongue too: if none
will do, let her remain; but I'll never give o'er.
First, a very excellent good-conceited thing;
after, a wonderful sweet air, with admirable rich
words to it: and then let her consider.
SONG
Hark, hark! the lark at heaven's gate sings,
And Phoebus 'gins arise,
His steeds to water at those springs
On chaliced flowers that lies;
And winking Mary-buds begin
To ope their golden eyes:
With every thing that pretty is,
My lady sweet, arise:
Arise, arise.
So, get you gone. If this penetrate, I willSecond Lord
consider your music the better: if it do not, it is
a vice in her ears, which horse-hairs and
calves'-guts, nor the voice of unpaved eunuch to
boot, can never amend.
Exeunt Musicians
Here comes the king.CLOTEN
I am glad I was up so late; for that's the reason ICYMBELINE
was up so early: he cannot choose but take this
service I have done fatherly.
Enter CYMBELINE and QUEEN
Good morrow to your majesty and to my gracious mother.
Attend you here the door of our stern daughter?CLOTEN
Will she not forth?
I have assailed her with music, but she vouchsafes no notice.CYMBELINE
The exile of her minion is too new;QUEEN
She hath not yet forgot him: some more time
Must wear the print of his remembrance out,
And then she's yours.
You are most bound to the king,CLOTEN
Who lets go by no vantages that may
Prefer you to his daughter. Frame yourself
To orderly soliciting, and be friended
With aptness of the season; make denials
Increase your services; so seem as if
You were inspired to do those duties which
You tender to her; that you in all obey her,
Save when command to your dismission tends,
And therein you are senseless.
Senseless! not so.Messenger
Enter a Messenger
So like you, sir, ambassadors from Rome;CYMBELINE
The one is Caius Lucius.
A worthy fellow,CLOTEN
Albeit he comes on angry purpose now;
But that's no fault of his: we must receive him
According to the honour of his sender;
And towards himself, his goodness forespent on us,
We must extend our notice. Our dear son,
When you have given good morning to your mistress,
Attend the queen and us; we shall have need
To employ you towards this Roman. Come, our queen.
Exeunt all but CLOTEN
If she be up, I'll speak with her; if not,Lady
Let her lie still and dream.
Knocks
By your leave, ho!
I Know her women are about her: what
If I do line one of their hands? 'Tis gold
Which buys admittance; oft it doth; yea, and makes
Diana's rangers false themselves, yield up
Their deer to the stand o' the stealer; and 'tis gold
Which makes the true man kill'd and saves the thief;
Nay, sometime hangs both thief and true man: what
Can it not do and undo? I will make
One of her women lawyer to me, for
I yet not understand the case myself.
Knocks
By your leave.
Enter a Lady
Who's there that knocks?CLOTEN
A gentleman.Lady
No more?CLOTEN
Yes, and a gentlewoman's son.Lady
That's moreCLOTEN
Than some, whose tailors are as dear as yours,
Can justly boast of. What's your lordship's pleasure?
Your lady's person: is she ready?Lady
Ay,CLOTEN
To keep her chamber.
There is gold for you;Lady
Sell me your good report.
How! my good name? or to report of youCLOTEN
What I shall think is good?--The princess!
Enter IMOGEN
Good morrow, fairest: sister, your sweet hand.IMOGEN
Exit Lady
Good morrow, sir. You lay out too much painsCLOTEN
For purchasing but trouble; the thanks I give
Is telling you that I am poor of thanks
And scarce can spare them.
Still, I swear I love you.IMOGEN
If you but said so, 'twere as deep with me:CLOTEN
If you swear still, your recompense is still
That I regard it not.
This is no answer.IMOGEN
But that you shall not say I yield being silent,CLOTEN
I would not speak. I pray you, spare me: 'faith,
I shall unfold equal discourtesy
To your best kindness: one of your great knowing
Should learn, being taught, forbearance.
To leave you in your madness, 'twere my sin:IMOGEN
I will not.
Fools are not mad folks.CLOTEN
Do you call me fool?IMOGEN
As I am mad, I do:CLOTEN
If you'll be patient, I'll no more be mad;
That cures us both. I am much sorry, sir,
You put me to forget a lady's manners,
By being so verbal: and learn now, for all,
That I, which know my heart, do here pronounce,
By the very truth of it, I care not for you,
And am so near the lack of charity--
To accuse myself--I hate you; which I had rather
You felt than make't my boast.
You sin againstIMOGEN
Obedience, which you owe your father. For
The contract you pretend with that base wretch,
One bred of alms and foster'd with cold dishes,
With scraps o' the court, it is no contract, none:
And though it be allow'd in meaner parties--
Yet who than he more mean?--to knit their souls,
On whom there is no more dependency
But brats and beggary, in self-figured knot;
Yet you are curb'd from that enlargement by
The consequence o' the crown, and must not soil
The precious note of it with a base slave.
A hilding for a livery, a squire's cloth,
A pantler, not so eminent.
Profane fellowCLOTEN
Wert thou the son of Jupiter and no more
But what thou art besides, thou wert too base
To be his groom: thou wert dignified enough,
Even to the point of envy, if 'twere made
Comparative for your virtues, to be styled
The under-hangman of his kingdom, and hated
For being preferred so well.
The south-fog rot him!IMOGEN
He never can meet more mischance than comeCLOTEN
To be but named of thee. His meanest garment,
That ever hath but clipp'd his body, is dearer
In my respect than all the hairs above thee,
Were they all made such men. How now, Pisanio!
Enter PISANIO
'His garment!' Now the devil--IMOGEN
To Dorothy my woman hie thee presently--CLOTEN
'His garment!'IMOGEN
I am sprited with a fool.PISANIO
Frighted, and anger'd worse: go bid my woman
Search for a jewel that too casually
Hath left mine arm: it was thy master's: 'shrew me,
If I would lose it for a revenue
Of any king's in Europe. I do think
I saw't this morning: confident I am
Last night 'twas on mine arm; I kiss'd it:
I hope it be not gone to tell my lord
That I kiss aught but he.
'Twill not be lost.IMOGEN
I hope so: go and search.CLOTEN
Exit PISANIO
You have abused me:IMOGEN
'His meanest garment!'
Ay, I said so, sir:CLOTEN
If you will make't an action, call witness to't.
I will inform your father.IMOGEN
Your mother too:CLOTEN
She's my good lady, and will conceive, I hope,
But the worst of me. So, I leave you, sir,
To the worst of discontent.
Exit
I'll be revenged:
'His meanest garment!' Well.
Exit
CYMBELINE
Enter POSTHUMUS and PHILARIOPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Fear it not, sir: I would I were so surePHILARIO
To win the king as I am bold her honour
Will remain hers.
What means do you make to him?POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Not any, but abide the change of time,PHILARIO
Quake in the present winter's state and wish
That warmer days would come: in these sear'd hopes,
I barely gratify your love; they failing,
I must die much your debtor.
Your very goodness and your companyPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
O'erpays all I can do. By this, your king
Hath heard of great Augustus: Caius Lucius
Will do's commission throughly: and I think
He'll grant the tribute, send the arrearages,
Or look upon our Romans, whose remembrance
Is yet fresh in their grief.
I do believe,PHILARIO
Statist though I am none, nor like to be,
That this will prove a war; and you shall hear
The legions now in Gallia sooner landed
In our not-fearing Britain than have tidings
Of any penny tribute paid. Our countrymen
Are men more order'd than when Julius Caesar
Smiled at their lack of skill, but found
their courage
Worthy his frowning at: their discipline,
Now mingled with their courages, will make known
To their approvers they are people such
That mend upon the world.
Enter IACHIMO
See! Iachimo!POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
The swiftest harts have posted you by land;PHILARIO
And winds of all the comers kiss'd your sails,
To make your vessel nimble.
Welcome, sir.POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
I hope the briefness of your answer madeIACHIMO
The speediness of your return.
Your ladyPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Is one of the fairest that I have look'd upon.
And therewithal the best; or let her beautyIACHIMO
Look through a casement to allure false hearts
And be false with them.
Here are letters for you.POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Their tenor good, I trust.IACHIMO
'Tis very like.PHILARIO
Was Caius Lucius in the Britain courtIACHIMO
When you were there?
He was expected then,POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
But not approach'd.
All is well yet.IACHIMO
Sparkles this stone as it was wont? or is't not
Too dull for your good wearing?
If I had lost it,POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
I should have lost the worth of it in gold.
I'll make a journey twice as far, to enjoy
A second night of such sweet shortness which
Was mine in Britain, for the ring is won.
The stone's too hard to come by.IACHIMO
Not a whit,POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Your lady being so easy.
Make not, sir,IACHIMO
Your loss your sport: I hope you know that we
Must not continue friends.
Good sir, we must,POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
If you keep covenant. Had I not brought
The knowledge of your mistress home, I grant
We were to question further: but I now
Profess myself the winner of her honour,
Together with your ring; and not the wronger
Of her or you, having proceeded but
By both your wills.
If you can make't apparentIACHIMO
That you have tasted her in bed, my hand
And ring is yours; if not, the foul opinion
You had of her pure honour gains or loses
Your sword or mine, or masterless leaves both
To who shall find them.
Sir, my circumstances,POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Being so near the truth as I will make them,
Must first induce you to believe: whose strength
I will confirm with oath; which, I doubt not,
You'll give me leave to spare, when you shall find
You need it not.
Proceed.IACHIMO
First, her bedchamber,--POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Where, I confess, I slept not, but profess
Had that was well worth watching--it was hang'd
With tapesty of silk and silver; the story
Proud Cleopatra, when she met her Roman,
And Cydnus swell'd above the banks, or for
The press of boats or pride: a piece of work
So bravely done, so rich, that it did strive
In workmanship and value; which I wonder'd
Could be so rarely and exactly wrought,
Since the true life on't was--
This is true;IACHIMO
And this you might have heard of here, by me,
Or by some other.
More particularsPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Must justify my knowledge.
So they must,IACHIMO
Or do your honour injury.
The chimneyPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Is south the chamber, and the chimney-piece
Chaste Dian bathing: never saw I figures
So likely to report themselves: the cutter
Was as another nature, dumb; outwent her,
Motion and breath left out.
This is a thingIACHIMO
Which you might from relation likewise reap,
Being, as it is, much spoke of.
The roof o' the chamberPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
With golden cherubins is fretted: her andirons--
I had forgot them--were two winking Cupids
Of silver, each on one foot standing, nicely
Depending on their brands.
This is her honour!IACHIMO
Let it be granted you have seen all this--and praise
Be given to your remembrance--the description
Of what is in her chamber nothing saves
The wager you have laid.
Then, if you can,POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Showing the bracelet
Be pale: I beg but leave to air this jewel; see!
And now 'tis up again: it must be married
To that your diamond; I'll keep them.
Jove!IACHIMO
Once more let me behold it: is it that
Which I left with her?
Sir--I thank her--that:POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
She stripp'd it from her arm; I see her yet;
Her pretty action did outsell her gift,
And yet enrich'd it too: she gave it me, and said
She prized it once.
May be she pluck'd it offIACHIMO
To send it me.
She writes so to you, doth she?POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
O, no, no, no! 'tis true. Here, take this too;PHILARIO
Gives the ring
It is a basilisk unto mine eye,
Kills me to look on't. Let there be no honour
Where there is beauty; truth, where semblance; love,
Where there's another man: the vows of women
Of no more bondage be, to where they are made,
Than they are to their virtues; which is nothing.
O, above measure false!
Have patience, sir,POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
And take your ring again; 'tis not yet won:
It may be probable she lost it; or
Who knows if one of her women, being corrupted,
Hath stol'n it from her?
Very true;IACHIMO
And so, I hope, he came by't. Back my ring:
Render to me some corporal sign about her,
More evident than this; for this was stolen.
By Jupiter, I had it from her arm.POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Hark you, he swears; by Jupiter he swears.PHILARIO
'Tis true:--nay, keep the ring--'tis true: I am sure
She would not lose it: her attendants are
All sworn and honourable:--they induced to steal it!
And by a stranger!--No, he hath enjoyed her:
The cognizance of her incontinency
Is this: she hath bought the name of whore
thus dearly.
There, take thy hire; and all the fiends of hell
Divide themselves between you!
Sir, be patient:POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
This is not strong enough to be believed
Of one persuaded well of--
Never talk on't;IACHIMO
She hath been colted by him.
If you seekPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
For further satisfying, under her breast--
Worthy the pressing--lies a mole, right proud
Of that most delicate lodging: by my life,
I kiss'd it; and it gave me present hunger
To feed again, though full. You do remember
This stain upon her?
Ay, and it doth confirmIACHIMO
Another stain, as big as hell can hold,
Were there no more but it.
Will you hear more?POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Spare your arithmetic: never count the turns;IACHIMO
Once, and a million!
I'll be sworn--POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
No swearing.IACHIMO
If you will swear you have not done't, you lie;
And I will kill thee, if thou dost deny
Thou'st made me cuckold.
I'll deny nothing.POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
O, that I had her here, to tear her limb-meal!PHILARIO
I will go there and do't, i' the court, before
Her father. I'll do something--
Exit
Quite besidesIACHIMO
The government of patience! You have won:
Let's follow him, and pervert the present wrath
He hath against himself.
With an my heart.
Exeunt
Enter POSTHUMUS LEONATUSPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Is there no way for men to be but women
Must be half-workers? We are all bastards;
And that most venerable man which I
Did call my father, was I know not where
When I was stamp'd; some coiner with his tools
Made me a counterfeit: yet my mother seem'd
The Dian of that time so doth my wife
The nonpareil of this. O, vengeance, vengeance!
Me of my lawful pleasure she restrain'd
And pray'd me oft forbearance; did it with
A pudency so rosy the sweet view on't
Might well have warm'd old Saturn; that I thought her
As chaste as unsunn'd snow. O, all the devils!
This yellow Iachimo, in an hour,--wast not?--
Or less,--at first?--perchance he spoke not, but,
Like a full-acorn'd boar, a German one,
Cried 'O!' and mounted; found no opposition
But what he look'd for should oppose and she
Should from encounter guard. Could I find out
The woman's part in me! For there's no motion
That tends to vice in man, but I affirm
It is the woman's part: be it lying, note it,
The woman's; flattering, hers; deceiving, hers;
Lust and rank thoughts, hers, hers; revenges, hers;
Ambitions, covetings, change of prides, disdain,
Nice longing, slanders, mutability,
All faults that may be named, nay, that hell knows,
Why, hers, in part or all; but rather, all;
For even to vice
They are not constant but are changing still
One vice, but of a minute old, for one
Not half so old as that. I'll write against them,
Detest them, curse them: yet 'tis greater skill
In a true hate, to pray they have their will:
The very devils cannot plague them better.
Exit
Enter in state, CYMBELINE, QUEEN, CLOTEN, and Lords at one door, and at another, CAIUS LUCIUS and AttendantsCYMBELINE
Now say, what would Augustus Caesar with us?CAIUS LUCIUS
When Julius Caesar, whose remembrance yetQUEEN
Lives in men's eyes and will to ears and tongues
Be theme and hearing ever, was in this Britain
And conquer'd it, Cassibelan, thine uncle,--
Famous in Caesar's praises, no whit less
Than in his feats deserving it--for him
And his succession granted Rome a tribute,
Yearly three thousand pounds, which by thee lately
Is left untender'd.
And, to kill the marvel,CLOTEN
Shall be so ever.
There be many Caesars,QUEEN
Ere such another Julius. Britain is
A world by itself; and we will nothing pay
For wearing our own noses.
That opportunityCLOTEN
Which then they had to take from 's, to resume
We have again. Remember, sir, my liege,
The kings your ancestors, together with
The natural bravery of your isle, which stands
As Neptune's park, ribbed and paled in
With rocks unscalable and roaring waters,
With sands that will not bear your enemies' boats,
But suck them up to the topmast. A kind of conquest
Caesar made here; but made not here his brag
Of 'Came' and 'saw' and 'overcame: ' with shame--
That first that ever touch'd him--he was carried
From off our coast, twice beaten; and his shipping--
Poor ignorant baubles!-- upon our terrible seas,
Like egg-shells moved upon their surges, crack'd
As easily 'gainst our rocks: for joy whereof
The famed Cassibelan, who was once at point--
O giglot fortune!--to master Caesar's sword,
Made Lud's town with rejoicing fires bright
And Britons strut with courage.
Come, there's no more tribute to be paid: ourCYMBELINE
kingdom is stronger than it was at that time; and,
as I said, there is no moe such Caesars: other of
them may have crook'd noses, but to owe such
straight arms, none.
Son, let your mother end.CLOTEN
We have yet many among us can gripe as hard asCYMBELINE
Cassibelan: I do not say I am one; but I have a
hand. Why tribute? why should we pay tribute? If
Caesar can hide the sun from us with a blanket, or
put the moon in his pocket, we will pay him tribute
for light; else, sir, no more tribute, pray you now.
You must know,CLOTEN Lords
Till the injurious Romans did extort
This tribute from us, we were free:
Caesar's ambition,
Which swell'd so much that it did almost stretch
The sides o' the world, against all colour here
Did put the yoke upon 's; which to shake off
Becomes a warlike people, whom we reckon
Ourselves to be.
We do.CYMBELINE
Say, then, to Caesar,CAIUS LUCIUS
Our ancestor was that Mulmutius which
Ordain'd our laws, whose use the sword of Caesar
Hath too much mangled; whose repair and franchise
Shall, by the power we hold, be our good deed,
Though Rome be therefore angry: Mulmutius made our laws,
Who was the first of Britain which did put
His brows within a golden crown and call'd
Himself a king.
I am sorry, Cymbeline,CYMBELINE
That I am to pronounce Augustus Caesar--
Caesar, that hath more kings his servants than
Thyself domestic officers--thine enemy:
Receive it from me, then: war and confusion
In Caesar's name pronounce I 'gainst thee: look
For fury not to be resisted. Thus defied,
I thank thee for myself.
Thou art welcome, Caius.CAIUS LUCIUS
Thy Caesar knighted me; my youth I spent
Much under him; of him I gather'd honour;
Which he to seek of me again, perforce,
Behoves me keep at utterance. I am perfect
That the Pannonians and Dalmatians for
Their liberties are now in arms; a precedent
Which not to read would show the Britons cold:
So Caesar shall not find them.
Let proof speak.CLOTEN
His majesty bids you welcome. MakeCAIUS LUCIUS
pastime with us a day or two, or longer: if
you seek us afterwards in other terms, you
shall find us in our salt-water girdle: if you
beat us out of it, it is yours; if you fall in
the adventure, our crows shall fare the better
for you; and there's an end.
So, sir.CYMBELINE
I know your master's pleasure and he mine:
All the remain is 'Welcome!'
Exeunt
Enter PISANIO, with a letterPISANIO
How? of adultery? Wherefore write you notIMOGEN
What monster's her accuser? Leonatus,
O master! what a strange infection
Is fall'n into thy ear! What false Italian,
As poisonous-tongued as handed, hath prevail'd
On thy too ready hearing? Disloyal! No:
She's punish'd for her truth, and undergoes,
More goddess-like than wife-like, such assaults
As would take in some virtue. O my master!
Thy mind to her is now as low as were
Thy fortunes. How! that I should murder her?
Upon the love and truth and vows which I
Have made to thy command? I, her? her blood?
If it be so to do good service, never
Let me be counted serviceable. How look I,
That I should seem to lack humanity
so much as this fact comes to?
Reading
'Do't: the letter
that I have sent her, by her own command
Shall give thee opportunity.' O damn'd paper!
Black as the ink that's on thee! Senseless bauble,
Art thou a feodary for this act, and look'st
So virgin-like without? Lo, here she comes.
I am ignorant in what I am commanded.
Enter IMOGEN
How now, Pisanio!PISANIO
Madam, here is a letter from my lord.IMOGEN
Who? thy lord? that is my lord, Leonatus!PISANIO
O, learn'd indeed were that astronomer
That knew the stars as I his characters;
He'ld lay the future open. You good gods,
Let what is here contain'd relish of love,
Of my lord's health, of his content, yet not
That we two are asunder; let that grieve him:
Some griefs are med'cinable; that is one of them,
For it doth physic love: of his content,
All but in that! Good wax, thy leave. Blest be
You bees that make these locks of counsel! Lovers
And men in dangerous bonds pray not alike:
Though forfeiters you cast in prison, yet
You clasp young Cupid's tables. Good news, gods!
Reads
'Justice, and your father's wrath, should he take me
in his dominion, could not be so cruel to me, as
you, O the dearest of creatures, would even renew me
with your eyes. Take notice that I am in Cambria,
at Milford-Haven: what your own love will out of
this advise you, follow. So he wishes you all
happiness, that remains loyal to his vow, and your,
increasing in love,
LEONATUS POSTHUMUS.'
O, for a horse with wings! Hear'st thou, Pisanio?
He is at Milford-Haven: read, and tell me
How far 'tis thither. If one of mean affairs
May plod it in a week, why may not I
Glide thither in a day? Then, true Pisanio,--
Who long'st, like me, to see thy lord; who long'st,--
let me bate,-but not like me--yet long'st,
But in a fainter kind:--O, not like me;
For mine's beyond beyond--say, and speak thick;
Love's counsellor should fill the bores of hearing,
To the smothering of the sense--how far it is
To this same blessed Milford: and by the way
Tell me how Wales was made so happy as
To inherit such a haven: but first of all,
How we may steal from hence, and for the gap
That we shall make in time, from our hence-going
And our return, to excuse: but first, how get hence:
Why should excuse be born or e'er begot?
We'll talk of that hereafter. Prithee, speak,
How many score of miles may we well ride
'Twixt hour and hour?
One score 'twixt sun and sun,IMOGEN
Madam, 's enough for you:
Aside
and too much too.
Why, one that rode to's execution, man,PISANIO
Could never go so slow: I have heard of
riding wagers,
Where horses have been nimbler than the sands
That run i' the clock's behalf. But this is foolery:
Go bid my woman feign a sickness; say
She'll home to her father: and provide me presently
A riding-suit, no costlier than would fit
A franklin's housewife.
Madam, you're best consider.IMOGEN
I see before me, man: nor here, nor here,
Nor what ensues, but have a fog in them,
That I cannot look through. Away, I prithee;
Do as I bid thee: there's no more to say,
Accessible is none but Milford way.
Exeunt
Enter, from the cave, BELARIUS; GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS followingBELARIUS
A goodly day not to keep house, with suchGUIDERIUS
Whose roof's as low as ours! Stoop, boys; this gate
Instructs you how to adore the heavens and bows you
To a morning's holy office: the gates of monarchs
Are arch'd so high that giants may jet through
And keep their impious turbans on, without
Good morrow to the sun. Hail, thou fair heaven!
We house i' the rock, yet use thee not so hardly
As prouder livers do.
Hail, heaven!ARVIRAGUS
Hail, heaven!BELARIUS
Now for our mountain sport: up to yond hill;GUIDERIUS
Your legs are young; I'll tread these flats. Consider,
When you above perceive me like a crow,
That it is place which lessens and sets off;
And you may then revolve what tales I have told you
Of courts, of princes, of the tricks in war:
This service is not service, so being done,
But being so allow'd: to apprehend thus,
Draws us a profit from all things we see;
And often, to our comfort, shall we find
The sharded beetle in a safer hold
Than is the full-wing'd eagle. O, this life
Is nobler than attending for a cheque,
Richer than doing nothing for a bauble,
Prouder than rustling in unpaid-for silk:
Such gain the cap of him that makes 'em fine,
Yet keeps his book uncross'd: no life to ours.
Out of your proof you speak: we, poor unfledged,ARVIRAGUS
Have never wing'd from view o' the nest, nor know not
What air's from home. Haply this life is best,
If quiet life be best; sweeter to you
That have a sharper known; well corresponding
With your stiff age: but unto us it is
A cell of ignorance; travelling a-bed;
A prison for a debtor, that not dares
To stride a limit.
What should we speak ofBELARIUS
When we are old as you? when we shall hear
The rain and wind beat dark December, how,
In this our pinching cave, shall we discourse
The freezing hours away? We have seen nothing;
We are beastly, subtle as the fox for prey,
Like warlike as the wolf for what we eat;
Our valour is to chase what flies; our cage
We make a quire, as doth the prison'd bird,
And sing our bondage freely.
How you speak!GUIDERIUS
Did you but know the city's usuries
And felt them knowingly; the art o' the court
As hard to leave as keep; whose top to climb
Is certain falling, or so slippery that
The fear's as bad as falling; the toil o' the war,
A pain that only seems to seek out danger
I' the name of fame and honour; which dies i'
the search,
And hath as oft a slanderous epitaph
As record of fair act; nay, many times,
Doth ill deserve by doing well; what's worse,
Must court'sy at the censure:--O boys, this story
The world may read in me: my body's mark'd
With Roman swords, and my report was once
First with the best of note: Cymbeline loved me,
And when a soldier was the theme, my name
Was not far off: then was I as a tree
Whose boughs did bend with fruit: but in one night,
A storm or robbery, call it what you will,
Shook down my mellow hangings, nay, my leaves,
And left me bare to weather.
Uncertain favour!BELARIUS
My fault being nothing--as I have told you oft--
But that two villains, whose false oaths prevail'd
Before my perfect honour, swore to Cymbeline
I was confederate with the Romans: so
Follow'd my banishment, and this twenty years
This rock and these demesnes have been my world;
Where I have lived at honest freedom, paid
More pious debts to heaven than in all
The fore-end of my time. But up to the mountains!
This is not hunters' language: he that strikes
The venison first shall be the lord o' the feast;
To him the other two shall minister;
And we will fear no poison, which attends
In place of greater state. I'll meet you in the valleys.
Exeunt GUIDERIUS and ARVIRAGUS
How hard it is to hide the sparks of nature!
These boys know little they are sons to the king;
Nor Cymbeline dreams that they are alive.
They think they are mine; and though train'd
up thus meanly
I' the cave wherein they bow, their thoughts do hit
The roofs of palaces, and nature prompts them
In simple and low things to prince it much
Beyond the trick of others. This Polydore,
The heir of Cymbeline and Britain, who
The king his father call'd Guiderius,--Jove!
When on my three-foot stool I sit and tell
The warlike feats I have done, his spirits fly out
Into my story: say 'Thus, mine enemy fell,
And thus I set my foot on 's neck;' even then
The princely blood flows in his cheek, he sweats,
Strains his young nerves and puts himself in posture
That acts my words. The younger brother, Cadwal,
Once Arviragus, in as like a figure,
Strikes life into my speech and shows much more
His own conceiving.--Hark, the game is roused!
O Cymbeline! heaven and my conscience knows
Thou didst unjustly banish me: whereon,
At three and two years old, I stole these babes;
Thinking to bar thee of succession, as
Thou reft'st me of my lands. Euriphile,
Thou wast their nurse; they took thee for
their mother,
And every day do honour to her grave:
Myself, Belarius, that am Morgan call'd,
They take for natural father. The game is up.
Exit
Enter PISANIO and IMOGENIMOGEN
Thou told'st me, when we came from horse, the placePISANIO
Was near at hand: ne'er long'd my mother so
To see me first, as I have now. Pisanio! man!
Where is Posthumus? What is in thy mind,
That makes thee stare thus? Wherefore breaks that sigh
From the inward of thee? One, but painted thus,
Would be interpreted a thing perplex'd
Beyond self-explication: put thyself
Into a havior of less fear, ere wildness
Vanquish my staider senses. What's the matter?
Why tender'st thou that paper to me, with
A look untender? If't be summer news,
Smile to't before; if winterly, thou need'st
But keep that countenance still. My husband's hand!
That drug-damn'd Italy hath out-craftied him,
And he's at some hard point. Speak, man: thy tongue
May take off some extremity, which to read
Would be even mortal to me.
Please you, read;IMOGEN
And you shall find me, wretched man, a thing
The most disdain'd of fortune.
[Reads] 'Thy mistress, Pisanio, hath played thePISANIO
strumpet in my bed; the testimonies whereof lie
bleeding in me. I speak not out of weak surmises,
but from proof as strong as my grief and as certain
as I expect my revenge. That part thou, Pisanio,
must act for me, if thy faith be not tainted with
the breach of hers. Let thine own hands take away
her life: I shall give thee opportunity at
Milford-Haven. She hath my letter for the purpose
where, if thou fear to strike and to make me certain
it is done, thou art the pandar to her dishonour and
equally to me disloyal.'
What shall I need to draw my sword? the paperIMOGEN
Hath cut her throat already. No, 'tis slander,
Whose edge is sharper than the sword, whose tongue
Outvenoms all the worms of Nile, whose breath
Rides on the posting winds and doth belie
All corners of the world: kings, queens and states,
Maids, matrons, nay, the secrets of the grave
This viperous slander enters. What cheer, madam?
False to his bed! What is it to be false?PISANIO
To lie in watch there and to think on him?
To weep 'twixt clock and clock? if sleep
charge nature,
To break it with a fearful dream of him
And cry myself awake? that's false to's bed, is it?
Alas, good lady!IMOGEN
I false! Thy conscience witness: Iachimo,PISANIO
Thou didst accuse him of incontinency;
Thou then look'dst like a villain; now methinks
Thy favour's good enough. Some jay of Italy
Whose mother was her painting, hath betray'd him:
Poor I am stale, a garment out of fashion;
And, for I am richer than to hang by the walls,
I must be ripp'd:--to pieces with me!--O,
Men's vows are women's traitors! All good seeming,
By thy revolt, O husband, shall be thought
Put on for villany; not born where't grows,
But worn a bait for ladies.
Good madam, hear me.IMOGEN
True honest men being heard, like false Aeneas,PISANIO
Were in his time thought false, and Sinon's weeping
Did scandal many a holy tear, took pity
From most true wretchedness: so thou, Posthumus,
Wilt lay the leaven on all proper men;
Goodly and gallant shall be false and perjured
From thy great fall. Come, fellow, be thou honest:
Do thou thy master's bidding: when thou see'st him,
A little witness my obedience: look!
I draw the sword myself: take it, and hit
The innocent mansion of my love, my heart;
Fear not; 'tis empty of all things but grief;
Thy master is not there, who was indeed
The riches of it: do his bidding; strike
Thou mayst be valiant in a better cause;
But now thou seem'st a coward.
Hence, vile instrument!IMOGEN
Thou shalt not damn my hand.
Why, I must die;PISANIO
And if I do not by thy hand, thou art
No servant of thy master's. Against self-slaughter
There is a prohibition so divine
That cravens my weak hand. Come, here's my heart.
Something's afore't. Soft, soft! we'll no defence;
Obedient as the scabbard. What is here?
The scriptures of the loyal Leonatus,
All turn'd to heresy? Away, away,
Corrupters of my faith! you shall no more
Be stomachers to my heart. Thus may poor fools
Believe false teachers: though those that
are betray'd
Do feel the treason sharply, yet the traitor
Stands in worse case of woe.
And thou, Posthumus, thou that didst set up
My disobedience 'gainst the king my father
And make me put into contempt the suits
Of princely fellows, shalt hereafter find
It is no act of common passage, but
A strain of rareness: and I grieve myself
To think, when thou shalt be disedged by her
That now thou tirest on, how thy memory
Will then be pang'd by me. Prithee, dispatch:
The lamb entreats the butcher: where's thy knife?
Thou art too slow to do thy master's bidding,
When I desire it too.
O gracious lady,IMOGEN
Since I received command to do this business
I have not slept one wink.
Do't, and to bed then.PISANIO
I'll wake mine eye-balls blind first.IMOGEN
Wherefore thenPISANIO
Didst undertake it? Why hast thou abused
So many miles with a pretence? this place?
Mine action and thine own? our horses' labour?
The time inviting thee? the perturb'd court,
For my being absent? whereunto I never
Purpose return. Why hast thou gone so far,
To be unbent when thou hast ta'en thy stand,
The elected deer before thee?
But to win timeIMOGEN
To lose so bad employment; in the which
I have consider'd of a course. Good lady,
Hear me with patience.
Talk thy tongue weary; speakPISANIO
I have heard I am a strumpet; and mine ear
Therein false struck, can take no greater wound,
Nor tent to bottom that. But speak.
Then, madam,IMOGEN
I thought you would not back again.
Most like;PISANIO
Bringing me here to kill me.
Not so, neither:IMOGEN
But if I were as wise as honest, then
My purpose would prove well. It cannot be
But that my master is abused:
Some villain, ay, and singular in his art.
Hath done you both this cursed injury.
Some Roman courtezan.PISANIO
No, on my life.IMOGEN
I'll give but notice you are dead and send him
Some bloody sign of it; for 'tis commanded
I should do so: you shall be miss'd at court,
And that will well confirm it.
Why good fellow,PISANIO
What shall I do the where? where bide? how live?
Or in my life what comfort, when I am
Dead to my husband?
If you'll back to the court--IMOGEN
No court, no father; nor no more adoPISANIO
With that harsh, noble, simple nothing,
That Cloten, whose love-suit hath been to me
As fearful as a siege.
If not at court,IMOGEN
Then not in Britain must you bide.
Where thenPISANIO
Hath Britain all the sun that shines? Day, night,
Are they not but in Britain? I' the world's volume
Our Britain seems as of it, but not in 't;
In a great pool a swan's nest: prithee, think
There's livers out of Britain.
I am most gladIMOGEN
You think of other place. The ambassador,
Lucius the Roman, comes to Milford-Haven
To-morrow: now, if you could wear a mind
Dark as your fortune is, and but disguise
That which, to appear itself, must not yet be
But by self-danger, you should tread a course
Pretty and full of view; yea, haply, near
The residence of Posthumus; so nigh at least
That though his actions were not visible, yet
Report should render him hourly to your ear
As truly as he moves.
O, for such means!PISANIO
Though peril to my modesty, not death on't,
I would adventure.
Well, then, here's the point:IMOGEN
You must forget to be a woman; change
Command into obedience: fear and niceness--
The handmaids of all women, or, more truly,
Woman its pretty self--into a waggish courage:
Ready in gibes, quick-answer'd, saucy and
As quarrelous as the weasel; nay, you must
Forget that rarest treasure of your cheek,
Exposing it--but, O, the harder heart!
Alack, no remedy!--to the greedy touch
Of common-kissing Titan, and forget
Your laboursome and dainty trims, wherein
You made great Juno angry.
Nay, be briefPISANIO
I see into thy end, and am almost
A man already.
First, make yourself but like one.IMOGEN
Fore-thinking this, I have already fit--
'Tis in my cloak-bag--doublet, hat, hose, all
That answer to them: would you in their serving,
And with what imitation you can borrow
From youth of such a season, 'fore noble Lucius
Present yourself, desire his service, tell him
wherein you're happy,--which you'll make him know,
If that his head have ear in music,--doubtless
With joy he will embrace you, for he's honourable
And doubling that, most holy. Your means abroad,
You have me, rich; and I will never fail
Beginning nor supplyment.
Thou art all the comfortPISANIO
The gods will diet me with. Prithee, away:
There's more to be consider'd; but we'll even
All that good time will give us: this attempt
I am soldier to, and will abide it with
A prince's courage. Away, I prithee.
Well, madam, we must take a short farewell,IMOGEN
Lest, being miss'd, I be suspected of
Your carriage from the court. My noble mistress,
Here is a box; I had it from the queen:
What's in't is precious; if you are sick at sea,
Or stomach-qualm'd at land, a dram of this
Will drive away distemper. To some shade,
And fit you to your manhood. May the gods
Direct you to the best!
Amen: I thank thee.
Exeunt, severally
Enter CYMBELINE, QUEEN, CLOTEN, LUCIUS, Lords, and AttendantsCYMBELINE
Thus far; and so farewell.CAIUS LUCIUS
Thanks, royal sir.CYMBELINE
My emperor hath wrote, I must from hence;
And am right sorry that I must report ye
My master's enemy.
Our subjects, sir,CAIUS LUCIUS
Will not endure his yoke; and for ourself
To show less sovereignty than they, must needs
Appear unkinglike.
So, sir: I desire of youQUEEN
A conduct over-land to Milford-Haven.
Madam, all joy befal your grace!
And you!CYMBELINE
My lords, you are appointed for that office;CAIUS LUCIUS
The due of honour in no point omit.
So farewell, noble Lucius.
Your hand, my lord.CLOTEN
Receive it friendly; but from this time forthCAIUS LUCIUS
I wear it as your enemy.
Sir, the eventCYMBELINE
Is yet to name the winner: fare you well.
Leave not the worthy Lucius, good my lords,QUEEN
Till he have cross'd the Severn. Happiness!
Exeunt LUCIUS and Lords
He goes hence frowning: but it honours usCLOTEN
That we have given him cause.
'Tis all the better;CYMBELINE
Your valiant Britons have their wishes in it.
Lucius hath wrote already to the emperorQUEEN
How it goes here. It fits us therefore ripely
Our chariots and our horsemen be in readiness:
The powers that he already hath in Gallia
Will soon be drawn to head, from whence he moves
His war for Britain.
'Tis not sleepy business;CYMBELINE
But must be look'd to speedily and strongly.
Our expectation that it would be thusQUEEN
Hath made us forward. But, my gentle queen,
Where is our daughter? She hath not appear'd
Before the Roman, nor to us hath tender'd
The duty of the day: she looks us like
A thing more made of malice than of duty:
We have noted it. Call her before us; for
We have been too slight in sufferance.
Exit an Attendant
Royal sir,CYMBELINE
Since the exile of Posthumus, most retired
Hath her life been; the cure whereof, my lord,
'Tis time must do. Beseech your majesty,
Forbear sharp speeches to her: she's a lady
So tender of rebukes that words are strokes
And strokes death to her.
Re-enter Attendant
Where is she, sir? HowAttendant
Can her contempt be answer'd?
Please you, sir,QUEEN
Her chambers are all lock'd; and there's no answer
That will be given to the loudest noise we make.
My lord, when last I went to visit her,CYMBELINE
She pray'd me to excuse her keeping close,
Whereto constrain'd by her infirmity,
She should that duty leave unpaid to you,
Which daily she was bound to proffer: this
She wish'd me to make known; but our great court
Made me to blame in memory.
Her doors lock'd?QUEEN
Not seen of late? Grant, heavens, that which I fear
Prove false!
Exit
Son, I say, follow the king.CLOTEN
That man of hers, Pisanio, her old servant,QUEEN
have not seen these two days.
Go, look after.CLOTEN
Exit CLOTEN
Pisanio, thou that stand'st so for Posthumus!
He hath a drug of mine; I pray his absence
Proceed by swallowing that, for he believes
It is a thing most precious. But for her,
Where is she gone? Haply, despair hath seized her,
Or, wing'd with fervor of her love, she's flown
To her desired Posthumus: gone she is
To death or to dishonour; and my end
Can make good use of either: she being down,
I have the placing of the British crown.
Re-enter CLOTEN
How now, my son!
'Tis certain she is fled.QUEEN
Go in and cheer the king: he rages; none
Dare come about him.
[Aside] All the better: mayCLOTEN
This night forestall him of the coming day!
Exit
I love and hate her: for she's fair and royal,PISANIO
And that she hath all courtly parts more exquisite
Than lady, ladies, woman; from every one
The best she hath, and she, of all compounded,
Outsells them all; I love her therefore: but
Disdaining me and throwing favours on
The low Posthumus slanders so her judgment
That what's else rare is choked; and in that point
I will conclude to hate her, nay, indeed,
To be revenged upon her. For when fools Shall--
Enter PISANIO
Who is here? What, are you packing, sirrah?
Come hither: ah, you precious pander! Villain,
Where is thy lady? In a word; or else
Thou art straightway with the fiends.
O, good my lord!CLOTEN
Where is thy lady? Or, by Jupiter,--PISANIO
I will not ask again. Close villain,
I'll have this secret from thy heart, or rip
Thy heart to find it. Is she with Posthumus?
From whose so many weights of baseness cannot
A dram of worth be drawn.
Alas, my lord,CLOTEN
How can she be with him? When was she missed?
He is in Rome.
Where is she, sir? Come nearer;PISANIO
No further halting: satisfy me home
What is become of her.
O, my all-worthy lord!CLOTEN
All-worthy villain!PISANIO
Discover where thy mistress is at once,
At the next word: no more of 'worthy lord!'
Speak, or thy silence on the instant is
Thy condemnation and thy death.
Then, sir,CLOTEN
This paper is the history of my knowledge
Touching her flight.
Presenting a letter
Let's see't. I will pursue herPISANIO
Even to Augustus' throne.
[Aside] Or this, or perish.CLOTEN
She's far enough; and what he learns by this
May prove his travel, not her danger.
Hum!PISANIO
[Aside] I'll write to my lord she's dead. O Imogen,CLOTEN
Safe mayst thou wander, safe return again!
Sirrah, is this letter true?PISANIO
Sir, as I think.CLOTEN
It is Posthumus' hand; I know't. Sirrah, if thouPISANIO
wouldst not be a villain, but do me true service,
undergo those employments wherein I should have
cause to use thee with a serious industry, that is,
what villany soe'er I bid thee do, to perform it
directly and truly, I would think thee an honest
man: thou shouldst neither want my means for thy
relief nor my voice for thy preferment.
Well, my good lord.CLOTEN
Wilt thou serve me? for since patiently andPISANIO
constantly thou hast stuck to the bare fortune of
that beggar Posthumus, thou canst not, in the
course of gratitude, but be a diligent follower of
mine: wilt thou serve me?
Sir, I will.CLOTEN
Give me thy hand; here's my purse. Hast any of thyPISANIO
late master's garments in thy possession?
I have, my lord, at my lodging, the same suit heCLOTEN
wore when he took leave of my lady and mistress.
The first service thou dost me, fetch that suitPISANIO
hither: let it be thy lint service; go.
I shall, my lord.CLOTEN
Exit
Meet thee at Milford-Haven!--I forgot to ask him onePISANIO
thing; I'll remember't anon:--even there, thou
villain Posthumus, will I kill thee. I would these
garments were come. She said upon a time--the
bitterness of it I now belch from my heart--that she
held the very garment of Posthumus in more respect
than my noble and natural person together with the
adornment of my qualities. With that suit upon my
back, will I ravish her: first kill him, and in her
eyes; there shall she see my valour, which will then
be a torment to her contempt. He on the ground, my
speech of insultment ended on his dead body, and
when my lust hath dined,--which, as I say, to vex
her I will execute in the clothes that she so
praised,--to the court I'll knock her back, foot
her home again. She hath despised me rejoicingly,
and I'll be merry in my revenge.
Re-enter PISANIO, with the clothes
Be those the garments?
Ay, my noble lord.CLOTEN
How long is't since she went to Milford-Haven?PISANIO
She can scarce be there yet.CLOTEN
Bring this apparel to my chamber; that is the secondPISANIO
thing that I have commanded thee: the third is,
that thou wilt be a voluntary mute to my design. Be
but duteous, and true preferment shall tender itself
to thee. My revenge is now at Milford: would I had
wings to follow it! Come, and be true.
Exit
Thou bid'st me to my loss: for true to thee
Were to prove false, which I will never be,
To him that is most true. To Milford go,
And find not her whom thou pursuest. Flow, flow,
You heavenly blessings, on her! This fool's speed
Be cross'd with slowness; labour be his meed!
Exit
Enter IMOGEN, in boy's clothesIMOGEN
I see a man's life is a tedious one:BELARIUS
I have tired myself, and for two nights together
Have made the ground my bed. I should be sick,
But that my resolution helps me. Milford,
When from the mountain-top Pisanio show'd thee,
Thou wast within a ken: O Jove! I think
Foundations fly the wretched; such, I mean,
Where they should be relieved. Two beggars told me
I could not miss my way: will poor folks lie,
That have afflictions on them, knowing 'tis
A punishment or trial? Yes; no wonder,
When rich ones scarce tell true. To lapse in fulness
Is sorer than to lie for need, and falsehood
Is worse in kings than beggars. My dear lord!
Thou art one o' the false ones. Now I think on thee,
My hunger's gone; but even before, I was
At point to sink for food. But what is this?
Here is a path to't: 'tis some savage hold:
I were best not to call; I dare not call:
yet famine,
Ere clean it o'erthrow nature, makes it valiant,
Plenty and peace breeds cowards: hardness ever
Of hardiness is mother. Ho! who's here?
If any thing that's civil, speak; if savage,
Take or lend. Ho! No answer? Then I'll enter.
Best draw my sword: and if mine enemy
But fear the sword like me, he'll scarcely look on't.
Such a foe, good heavens!
Exit, to the cave
Enter BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS
You, Polydote, have proved best woodman andGUIDERIUS
Are master of the feast: Cadwal and I
Will play the cook and servant; 'tis our match:
The sweat of industry would dry and die,
But for the end it works to. Come; our stomachs
Will make what's homely savoury: weariness
Can snore upon the flint, when resty sloth
Finds the down pillow hard. Now peace be here,
Poor house, that keep'st thyself!
I am thoroughly weary.ARVIRAGUS
I am weak with toil, yet strong in appetite.GUIDERIUS
There is cold meat i' the cave; we'll browse on that,BELARIUS
Whilst what we have kill'd be cook'd.
[Looking into the cave]GUIDERIUS
Stay; come not in.
But that it eats our victuals, I should think
Here were a fairy.
What's the matter, sir?BELARIUS
By Jupiter, an angel! or, if not,IMOGEN
An earthly paragon! Behold divineness
No elder than a boy!
Re-enter IMOGEN
Good masters, harm me not:GUIDERIUS
Before I enter'd here, I call'd; and thought
To have begg'd or bought what I have took:
good troth,
I have stol'n nought, nor would not, though I had found
Gold strew'd i' the floor. Here's money for my meat:
I would have left it on the board so soon
As I had made my meal, and parted
With prayers for the provider.
Money, youth?ARVIRAGUS
All gold and silver rather turn to dirt!IMOGEN
As 'tis no better reckon'd, but of those
Who worship dirty gods.
I see you're angry:BELARIUS
Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should
Have died had I not made it.
Whither bound?IMOGEN
To Milford-Haven.BELARIUS
What's your name?IMOGEN
Fidele, sir. I have a kinsman whoBELARIUS
Is bound for Italy; he embark'd at Milford;
To whom being going, almost spent with hunger,
I am fall'n in this offence.
Prithee, fair youth,GUIDERIUS
Think us no churls, nor measure our good minds
By this rude place we live in. Well encounter'd!
'Tis almost night: you shall have better cheer
Ere you depart: and thanks to stay and eat it.
Boys, bid him welcome.
Were you a woman, youth,ARVIRAGUS
I should woo hard but be your groom. In honesty,
I bid for you as I'd buy.
I'll make't my comfortIMOGEN
He is a man; I'll love him as my brother:
And such a welcome as I'd give to him
After long absence, such is yours: most welcome!
Be sprightly, for you fall 'mongst friends.
'Mongst friends,BELARIUS
If brothers.
Aside
Would it had been so, that they
Had been my father's sons! then had my prize
Been less, and so more equal ballasting
To thee, Posthumus.
He wrings at some distress.GUIDERIUS
Would I could free't!ARVIRAGUS
Or I, whate'er it be,BELARIUS
What pain it cost, what danger. God's!
Hark, boys.IMOGEN
Whispering
Great men,BELARIUS
That had a court no bigger than this cave,
That did attend themselves and had the virtue
Which their own conscience seal'd them--laying by
That nothing-gift of differing multitudes--
Could not out-peer these twain. Pardon me, gods!
I'd change my sex to be companion with them,
Since Leonatus's false.
It shall be so.GUIDERIUS
Boys, we'll go dress our hunt. Fair youth, come in:
Discourse is heavy, fasting; when we have supp'd,
We'll mannerly demand thee of thy story,
So far as thou wilt speak it.
Pray, draw near.ARVIRAGUS
The night to the owl and morn to the larkIMOGEN
less welcome.
Thanks, sir.ARVIRAGUS
I pray, draw near.
Exeunt
Enter two Senators and TribunesFirst Senator
This is the tenor of the emperor's writ:First Tribune
That since the common men are now in action
'Gainst the Pannonians and Dalmatians,
And that the legions now in Gallia are
Full weak to undertake our wars against
The fall'n-off Britons, that we do incite
The gentry to this business. He creates
Lucius preconsul: and to you the tribunes,
For this immediate levy, he commends
His absolute commission. Long live Caesar!
Is Lucius general of the forces?Second Senator
Ay.First Tribune
Remaining now in Gallia?First Senator
With those legionsFirst Tribune
Which I have spoke of, whereunto your levy
Must be supplyant: the words of your commission
Will tie you to the numbers and the time
Of their dispatch.
We will discharge our duty.
Exeunt
Enter CLOTENCLOTEN
I am near to the place where they should meet, if
Pisanio have mapped it truly. How fit his garments
serve me! Why should his mistress, who was made by
him that made the tailor, not be fit too? the
rather--saving reverence of the word--for 'tis said
a woman's fitness comes by fits. Therein I must
play the workman. I dare speak it to myself--for it
is not vain-glory for a man and his glass to confer
in his own chamber--I mean, the lines of my body are
as well drawn as his; no less young, more strong,
not beneath him in fortunes, beyond him in the
advantage of the time, above him in birth, alike
conversant in general services, and more remarkable
in single oppositions: yet this imperceiverant
thing loves him in my despite. What mortality is!
Posthumus, thy head, which now is growing upon thy
shoulders, shall within this hour be off; thy
mistress enforced; thy garments cut to pieces before
thy face: and all this done, spurn her home to her
father; who may haply be a little angry for my so
rough usage; but my mother, having power of his
testiness, shall turn all into my commendations. My
horse is tied up safe: out, sword, and to a sore
purpose! Fortune, put them into my hand! This is
the very description of their meeting-place; and
the fellow dares not deceive me.
Exit
Enter, from the cave, BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, ARVIRAGUS, and IMOGENBELARIUS
[To IMOGEN] You are not well: remain here in the cave;ARVIRAGUS
We'll come to you after hunting.
[To IMOGEN] Brother, stay hereIMOGEN
Are we not brothers?
So man and man should be;GUIDERIUS
But clay and clay differs in dignity,
Whose dust is both alike. I am very sick.
Go you to hunting; I'll abide with him.IMOGEN
So sick I am not, yet I am not well;GUIDERIUS
But not so citizen a wanton as
To seem to die ere sick: so please you, leave me;
Stick to your journal course: the breach of custom
Is breach of all. I am ill, but your being by me
Cannot amend me; society is no comfort
To one not sociable: I am not very sick,
Since I can reason of it. Pray you, trust me here:
I'll rob none but myself; and let me die,
Stealing so poorly.
I love thee; I have spoke itBELARIUS
How much the quantity, the weight as much,
As I do love my father.
What! how! how!ARVIRAGUS
If it be sin to say so, I yoke meBELARIUS
In my good brother's fault: I know not why
I love this youth; and I have heard you say,
Love's reason's without reason: the bier at door,
And a demand who is't shall die, I'd say
'My father, not this youth.'
[Aside] O noble strain!ARVIRAGUS
O worthiness of nature! breed of greatness!
Cowards father cowards and base things sire base:
Nature hath meal and bran, contempt and grace.
I'm not their father; yet who this should be,
Doth miracle itself, loved before me.
'Tis the ninth hour o' the morn.
Brother, farewell.IMOGEN
I wish ye sport.ARVIRAGUS
You health. So please you, sir.IMOGEN
[Aside] These are kind creatures. Gods, what liesGUIDERIUS
I have heard!
Our courtiers say all's savage but at court:
Experience, O, thou disprovest report!
The imperious seas breed monsters, for the dish
Poor tributary rivers as sweet fish.
I am sick still; heart-sick. Pisanio,
I'll now taste of thy drug.
Swallows some
I could not stir him:ARVIRAGUS
He said he was gentle, but unfortunate;
Dishonestly afflicted, but yet honest.
Thus did he answer me: yet said, hereafterBELARIUS
I might know more.
To the field, to the field!ARVIRAGUS
We'll leave you for this time: go in and rest.
We'll not be long away.BELARIUS
Pray, be not sick,IMOGEN
For you must be our housewife.
Well or ill,BELARIUS
I am bound to you.
And shalt be ever.ARVIRAGUS
Exit IMOGEN, to the cave
This youth, how'er distress'd, appears he hath had
Good ancestors.
How angel-like he sings!GUIDERIUS
But his neat cookery! he cut our rootsARVIRAGUS
In characters,
And sauced our broths, as Juno had been sick
And he her dieter.
Nobly he yokesGUIDERIUS
A smiling with a sigh, as if the sigh
Was that it was, for not being such a smile;
The smile mocking the sigh, that it would fly
From so divine a temple, to commix
With winds that sailors rail at.
I do noteARVIRAGUS
That grief and patience, rooted in him both,
Mingle their spurs together.
Grow, patience!BELARIUS
And let the stinking elder, grief, untwine
His perishing root with the increasing vine!
It is great morning. Come, away!--CLOTEN
Who's there?
Enter CLOTEN
I cannot find those runagates; that villainBELARIUS
Hath mock'd me. I am faint.
'Those runagates!'GUIDERIUS
Means he not us? I partly know him: 'tis
Cloten, the son o' the queen. I fear some ambush.
I saw him not these many years, and yet
I know 'tis he. We are held as outlaws: hence!
He is but one: you and my brother searchCLOTEN
What companies are near: pray you, away;
Let me alone with him.
Exeunt BELARIUS and ARVIRAGUS
Soft! What are youGUIDERIUS
That fly me thus? some villain mountaineers?
I have heard of such. What slave art thou?
A thingCLOTEN
More slavish did I ne'er than answering
A slave without a knock.
Thou art a robber,GUIDERIUS
A law-breaker, a villain: yield thee, thief.
To who? to thee? What art thou? Have not ICLOTEN
An arm as big as thine? a heart as big?
Thy words, I grant, are bigger, for I wear not
My dagger in my mouth. Say what thou art,
Why I should yield to thee?
Thou villain base,GUIDERIUS
Know'st me not by my clothes?
No, nor thy tailor, rascal,CLOTEN
Who is thy grandfather: he made those clothes,
Which, as it seems, make thee.
Thou precious varlet,GUIDERIUS
My tailor made them not.
Hence, then, and thankCLOTEN
The man that gave them thee. Thou art some fool;
I am loath to beat thee.
Thou injurious thief,GUIDERIUS
Hear but my name, and tremble.
What's thy name?CLOTEN
Cloten, thou villain.GUIDERIUS
Cloten, thou double villain, be thy name,CLOTEN
I cannot tremble at it: were it Toad, or
Adder, Spider,
'Twould move me sooner.
To thy further fear,GUIDERIUS
Nay, to thy mere confusion, thou shalt know
I am son to the queen.
I am sorry for 't; not seemingCLOTEN
So worthy as thy birth.
Art not afeard?GUIDERIUS
Those that I reverence those I fear, the wise:CLOTEN
At fools I laugh, not fear them.
Die the death:BELARIUS
When I have slain thee with my proper hand,
I'll follow those that even now fled hence,
And on the gates of Lud's-town set your heads:
Yield, rustic mountaineer.
Exeunt, fighting
Re-enter BELARIUS and ARVIRAGUS
No companies abroad?ARVIRAGUS
None in the world: you did mistake him, sure.BELARIUS
I cannot tell: long is it since I saw him,ARVIRAGUS
But time hath nothing blurr'd those lines of favour
Which then he wore; the snatches in his voice,
And burst of speaking, were as his: I am absolute
'Twas very Cloten.
In this place we left them:BELARIUS
I wish my brother make good time with him,
You say he is so fell.
Being scarce made up,GUIDERIUS
I mean, to man, he had not apprehension
Of roaring terrors; for the effect of judgment
Is oft the cause of fear. But, see, thy brother.
Re-enter GUIDERIUS, with CLOTEN'S head
This Cloten was a fool, an empty purse;BELARIUS
There was no money in't: not Hercules
Could have knock'd out his brains, for he had none:
Yet I not doing this, the fool had borne
My head as I do his.
What hast thou done?GUIDERIUS
I am perfect what: cut off one Cloten's head,BELARIUS
Son to the queen, after his own report;
Who call'd me traitor, mountaineer, and swore
With his own single hand he'ld take us in
Displace our heads where--thank the gods!--they grow,
And set them on Lud's-town.
We are all undone.GUIDERIUS
Why, worthy father, what have we to lose,BELARIUS
But that he swore to take, our lives? The law
Protects not us: then why should we be tender
To let an arrogant piece of flesh threat us,
Play judge and executioner all himself,
For we do fear the law? What company
Discover you abroad?
No single soulARVIRAGUS
Can we set eye on; but in all safe reason
He must have some attendants. Though his humour
Was nothing but mutation, ay, and that
From one bad thing to worse; not frenzy, not
Absolute madness could so far have raved
To bring him here alone; although perhaps
It may be heard at court that such as we
Cave here, hunt here, are outlaws, and in time
May make some stronger head; the which he hearing--
As it is like him--might break out, and swear
He'ld fetch us in; yet is't not probable
To come alone, either he so undertaking,
Or they so suffering: then on good ground we fear,
If we do fear this body hath a tail
More perilous than the head.
Let ordinanceBELARIUS
Come as the gods foresay it: howsoe'er,
My brother hath done well.
I had no mindGUIDERIUS
To hunt this day: the boy Fidele's sickness
Did make my way long forth.
With his own sword,BELARIUS
Which he did wave against my throat, I have ta'en
His head from him: I'll throw't into the creek
Behind our rock; and let it to the sea,
And tell the fishes he's the queen's son, Cloten:
That's all I reck.
Exit
I fear 'twill be revenged:ARVIRAGUS
Would, Polydote, thou hadst not done't! though valour
Becomes thee well enough.
Would I had done'tBELARIUS
So the revenge alone pursued me! Polydore,
I love thee brotherly, but envy much
Thou hast robb'd me of this deed: I would revenges,
That possible strength might meet, would seek us through
And put us to our answer.
Well, 'tis done:ARVIRAGUS
We'll hunt no more to-day, nor seek for danger
Where there's no profit. I prithee, to our rock;
You and Fidele play the cooks: I'll stay
Till hasty Polydote return, and bring him
To dinner presently.
Poor sick Fidele!BELARIUS
I'll weringly to him: to gain his colour
I'ld let a parish of such Clotens' blood,
And praise myself for charity.
Exit
O thou goddess,GUIDERIUS
Thou divine Nature, how thyself thou blazon'st
In these two princely boys! They are as gentle
As zephyrs blowing below the violet,
Not wagging his sweet head; and yet as rough,
Their royal blood enchafed, as the rudest wind,
That by the top doth take the mountain pine,
And make him stoop to the vale. 'Tis wonder
That an invisible instinct should frame them
To royalty unlearn'd, honour untaught,
Civility not seen from other, valour
That wildly grows in them, but yields a crop
As if it had been sow'd. Yet still it's strange
What Cloten's being here to us portends,
Or what his death will bring us.
Re-enter GUIDERIUS
Where's my brother?BELARIUS
I have sent Cloten's clotpoll down the stream,
In embassy to his mother: his body's hostage
For his return.
Solemn music
My ingenious instrument!GUIDERIUS
Hark, Polydore, it sounds! But what occasion
Hath Cadwal now to give it motion? Hark!
Is he at home?BELARIUS
He went hence even now.GUIDERIUS
What does he mean? since death of my dear'st motherBELARIUS
it did not speak before. All solemn things
Should answer solemn accidents. The matter?
Triumphs for nothing and lamenting toys
Is jollity for apes and grief for boys.
Is Cadwal mad?
Look, here he comes,ARVIRAGUS
And brings the dire occasion in his arms
Of what we blame him for.
Re-enter ARVIRAGUS, with IMOGEN, as dead, bearing her in his arms
The bird is deadGUIDERIUS
That we have made so much on. I had rather
Have skipp'd from sixteen years of age to sixty,
To have turn'd my leaping-time into a crutch,
Than have seen this.
O sweetest, fairest lily!BELARIUS
My brother wears thee not the one half so well
As when thou grew'st thyself.
O melancholy!ARVIRAGUS
Who ever yet could sound thy bottom? find
The ooze, to show what coast thy sluggish crare
Might easiliest harbour in? Thou blessed thing!
Jove knows what man thou mightst have made; but I,
Thou diedst, a most rare boy, of melancholy.
How found you him?
Stark, as you see:GUIDERIUS
Thus smiling, as some fly hid tickled slumber,
Not as death's dart, being laugh'd at; his
right cheek
Reposing on a cushion.
Where?ARVIRAGUS
O' the floor;GUIDERIUS
His arms thus leagued: I thought he slept, and put
My clouted brogues from off my feet, whose rudeness
Answer'd my steps too loud.
Why, he but sleeps:ARVIRAGUS
If he be gone, he'll make his grave a bed;
With female fairies will his tomb be haunted,
And worms will not come to thee.
With fairest flowersGUIDERIUS
Whilst summer lasts and I live here, Fidele,
I'll sweeten thy sad grave: thou shalt not lack
The flower that's like thy face, pale primrose, nor
The azured harebell, like thy veins, no, nor
The leaf of eglantine, whom not to slander,
Out-sweeten'd not thy breath: the ruddock would,
With charitable bill,--O bill, sore-shaming
Those rich-left heirs that let their fathers lie
Without a monument!--bring thee all this;
Yea, and furr'd moss besides, when flowers are none,
To winter-ground thy corse.
Prithee, have done;ARVIRAGUS
And do not play in wench-like words with that
Which is so serious. Let us bury him,
And not protract with admiration what
Is now due debt. To the grave!
Say, where shall's lay him?GUIDERIUS
By good Euriphile, our mother.ARVIRAGUS
Be't so:GUIDERIUS
And let us, Polydore, though now our voices
Have got the mannish crack, sing him to the ground,
As once our mother; use like note and words,
Save that Euriphile must be Fidele.
Cadwal,ARVIRAGUS
I cannot sing: I'll weep, and word it with thee;
For notes of sorrow out of tune are worse
Than priests and fanes that lie.
We'll speak it, then.BELARIUS
Great griefs, I see, medicine the less; for ClotenGUIDERIUS
Is quite forgot. He was a queen's son, boys;
And though he came our enemy, remember
He was paid for that: though mean and
mighty, rotting
Together, have one dust, yet reverence,
That angel of the world, doth make distinction
Of place 'tween high and low. Our foe was princely
And though you took his life, as being our foe,
Yet bury him as a prince.
Pray You, fetch him hither.ARVIRAGUS
Thersites' body is as good as Ajax',
When neither are alive.
If you'll go fetch him,GUIDERIUS
We'll say our song the whilst. Brother, begin.
Exit BELARIUS
Nay, Cadwal, we must lay his head to the east;ARVIRAGUS
My father hath a reason for't.
'Tis true.GUIDERIUS
Come on then, and remove him.ARVIRAGUS
So. Begin.GUIDERIUS
SONG
Fear no more the heat o' the sun,ARVIRAGUS
Nor the furious winter's rages;
Thou thy worldly task hast done,
Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages:
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.
Fear no more the frown o' the great;GUIDERIUS
Thou art past the tyrant's stroke;
Care no more to clothe and eat;
To thee the reed is as the oak:
The sceptre, learning, physic, must
All follow this, and come to dust.
Fear no more the lightning flash,ARVIRAGUS
Nor the all-dreaded thunder-stone;GUIDERIUS
Fear not slander, censure rash;ARVIRAGUS
Thou hast finish'd joy and moan:GUIDERIUS ARVIRAGUS
All lovers young, all lovers mustGUIDERIUS
Consign to thee, and come to dust.
No exorciser harm thee!ARVIRAGUS
Nor no witchcraft charm thee!GUIDERIUS
Ghost unlaid forbear thee!ARVIRAGUS
Nothing ill come near thee!GUIDERIUS ARVIRAGUS
Quiet consummation have;GUIDERIUS
And renowned be thy grave!
Re-enter BELARIUS, with the body of CLOTEN
We have done our obsequies: come, lay him down.BELARIUS
Here's a few flowers; but 'bout midnight, more:IMOGEN
The herbs that have on them cold dew o' the night
Are strewings fitt'st for graves. Upon their faces.
You were as flowers, now wither'd: even so
These herblets shall, which we upon you strew.
Come on, away: apart upon our knees.
The ground that gave them first has them again:
Their pleasures here are past, so is their pain.
Exeunt BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS
[Awaking] Yes, sir, to Milford-Haven; which isCaptain
the way?--
I thank you.--By yond bush?--Pray, how far thither?
'Ods pittikins! can it be six mile yet?--
I have gone all night. 'Faith, I'll lie down and sleep.
But, soft! no bedfellow!--O god s and goddesses!
Seeing the body of CLOTEN
These flowers are like the pleasures of the world;
This bloody man, the care on't. I hope I dream;
For so I thought I was a cave-keeper,
And cook to honest creatures: but 'tis not so;
'Twas but a bolt of nothing, shot at nothing,
Which the brain makes of fumes: our very eyes
Are sometimes like our judgments, blind. Good faith,
I tremble stiff with fear: but if there be
Yet left in heaven as small a drop of pity
As a wren's eye, fear'd gods, a part of it!
The dream's here still: even when I wake, it is
Without me, as within me; not imagined, felt.
A headless man! The garments of Posthumus!
I know the shape of's leg: this is his hand;
His foot Mercurial; his Martial thigh;
The brawns of Hercules: but his Jovial face
Murder in heaven?--How!--'Tis gone. Pisanio,
All curses madded Hecuba gave the Greeks,
And mine to boot, be darted on thee! Thou,
Conspired with that irregulous devil, Cloten,
Hast here cut off my lord. To write and read
Be henceforth treacherous! Damn'd Pisanio
Hath with his forged letters,--damn'd Pisanio--
From this most bravest vessel of the world
Struck the main-top! O Posthumus! alas,
Where is thy head? where's that? Ay me!
where's that?
Pisanio might have kill'd thee at the heart,
And left this head on. How should this be? Pisanio?
'Tis he and Cloten: malice and lucre in them
Have laid this woe here. O, 'tis pregnant, pregnant!
The drug he gave me, which he said was precious
And cordial to me, have I not found it
Murderous to the senses? That confirms it home:
This is Pisanio's deed, and Cloten's: O!
Give colour to my pale cheek with thy blood,
That we the horrider may seem to those
Which chance to find us: O, my lord, my lord!
Falls on the body
Enter LUCIUS, a Captain and other Officers, and a Soothsayer
To them the legions garrison'd in Gailia,CAIUS LUCIUS
After your will, have cross'd the sea, attending
You here at Milford-Haven with your ships:
They are in readiness.
But what from Rome?Captain
The senate hath stirr'd up the confinersCAIUS LUCIUS
And gentlemen of Italy, most willing spirits,
That promise noble service: and they come
Under the conduct of bold Iachimo,
Syenna's brother.
When expect you them?Captain
With the next benefit o' the wind.CAIUS LUCIUS
This forwardnessSoothsayer
Makes our hopes fair. Command our present numbers
Be muster'd; bid the captains look to't. Now, sir,
What have you dream'd of late of this war's purpose?
Last night the very gods show'd me a vision--CAIUS LUCIUS
I fast and pray'd for their intelligence--thus:
I saw Jove's bird, the Roman eagle, wing'd
From the spongy south to this part of the west,
There vanish'd in the sunbeams: which portends--
Unless my sins abuse my divination--
Success to the Roman host.
Dream often so,Captain
And never false. Soft, ho! what trunk is here
Without his top? The ruin speaks that sometime
It was a worthy building. How! a page!
Or dead, or sleeping on him? But dead rather;
For nature doth abhor to make his bed
With the defunct, or sleep upon the dead.
Let's see the boy's face.
He's alive, my lord.CAIUS LUCIUS
He'll then instruct us of this body. Young one,IMOGEN
Inform us of thy fortunes, for it seems
They crave to be demanded. Who is this
Thou makest thy bloody pillow? Or who was he
That, otherwise than noble nature did,
Hath alter'd that good picture? What's thy interest
In this sad wreck? How came it? Who is it?
What art thou?
I am nothing: or if not,CAIUS LUCIUS
Nothing to be were better. This was my master,
A very valiant Briton and a good,
That here by mountaineers lies slain. Alas!
There is no more such masters: I may wander
From east to occident, cry out for service,
Try many, all good, serve truly, never
Find such another master.
'Lack, good youth!IMOGEN
Thou movest no less with thy complaining than
Thy master in bleeding: say his name, good friend.
Richard du Champ.CAIUS LUCIUS
Aside
If I do lie and do
No harm by it, though the gods hear, I hope
They'll pardon it.--Say you, sir?
Thy name?IMOGEN
Fidele, sir.CAIUS LUCIUS
Thou dost approve thyself the very same:IMOGEN
Thy name well fits thy faith, thy faith thy name.
Wilt take thy chance with me? I will not say
Thou shalt be so well master'd, but, be sure,
No less beloved. The Roman emperor's letters,
Sent by a consul to me, should not sooner
Than thine own worth prefer thee: go with me.
I'll follow, sir. But first, an't please the gods,CAIUS LUCIUS
I'll hide my master from the flies, as deep
As these poor pickaxes can dig; and when
With wild wood-leaves and weeds I ha' strew'd his grave,
And on it said a century of prayers,
Such as I can, twice o'er, I'll weep and sigh;
And leaving so his service, follow you,
So please you entertain me.
Ay, good youth!
And rather father thee than master thee.
My friends,
The boy hath taught us manly duties: let us
Find out the prettiest daisied plot we can,
And make him with our pikes and partisans
A grave: come, arm him. Boy, he is preferr'd
By thee to us, and he shall be interr'd
As soldiers can. Be cheerful; wipe thine eyes
Some falls are means the happier to arise.
Exeunt
Enter CYMBELINE, Lords, PISANIO, and AttendantsCYMBELINE
Again; and bring me word how 'tis with her.PISANIO
Exit an Attendant
A fever with the absence of her son,
A madness, of which her life's in danger. Heavens,
How deeply you at once do touch me! Imogen,
The great part of my comfort, gone; my queen
Upon a desperate bed, and in a time
When fearful wars point at me; her son gone,
So needful for this present: it strikes me, past
The hope of comfort. But for thee, fellow,
Who needs must know of her departure and
Dost seem so ignorant, we'll enforce it from thee
By a sharp torture.
Sir, my life is yours;First Lord
I humbly set it at your will; but, for my mistress,
I nothing know where she remains, why gone,
Nor when she purposes return. Beseech your highness,
Hold me your loyal servant.
Good my liege,CYMBELINE
The day that she was missing he was here:
I dare be bound he's true and shall perform
All parts of his subjection loyally. For Cloten,
There wants no diligence in seeking him,
And will, no doubt, be found.
The time is troublesome.First Lord
To PISANIO
We'll slip you for a season; but our jealousy
Does yet depend.
So please your majesty,CYMBELINE
The Roman legions, all from Gallia drawn,
Are landed on your coast, with a supply
Of Roman gentlemen, by the senate sent.
Now for the counsel of my son and queen!First Lord
I am amazed with matter.
Good my liege,CYMBELINE
Your preparation can affront no less
Than what you hear of: come more, for more
you're ready:
The want is but to put those powers in motion
That long to move.
I thank you. Let's withdraw;PISANIO
And meet the time as it seeks us. We fear not
What can from Italy annoy us; but
We grieve at chances here. Away!
Exeunt all but PISANIO
I heard no letter from my master since
I wrote him Imogen was slain: 'tis strange:
Nor hear I from my mistress who did promise
To yield me often tidings: neither know I
What is betid to Cloten; but remain
Perplex'd in all. The heavens still must work.
Wherein I am false I am honest; not true, to be true.
These present wars shall find I love my country,
Even to the note o' the king, or I'll fall in them.
All other doubts, by time let them be clear'd:
Fortune brings in some boats that are not steer'd.
Exit
Enter BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS.GUIDERIUS
The noise is round about us.BELARIUS
Let us from it.ARVIRAGUS
What pleasure, sir, find we in life, to lock itGUIDERIUS
From action and adventure?
Nay, what hopeBELARIUS
Have we in hiding us? This way, the Romans
Must or for Britons slay us, or receive us
For barbarous and unnatural revolts
During their use, and slay us after.
Sons,GUIDERIUS
We'll higher to the mountains; there secure us.
To the king's party there's no going: newness
Of Cloten's death--we being not known, not muster'd
Among the bands--may drive us to a render
Where we have lived, and so extort from's that
Which we have done, whose answer would be death
Drawn on with torture.
This is, sir, a doubtARVIRAGUS
In such a time nothing becoming you,
Nor satisfying us.
It is not likelyBELARIUS
That when they hear the Roman horses neigh,
Behold their quarter'd fires, have both their eyes
And ears so cloy'd importantly as now,
That they will waste their time upon our note,
To know from whence we are.
O, I am knownGUIDERIUS
Of many in the army: many years,
Though Cloten then but young, you see, not wore him
From my remembrance. And, besides, the king
Hath not deserved my service nor your loves;
Who find in my exile the want of breeding,
The certainty of this hard life; aye hopeless
To have the courtesy your cradle promised,
But to be still hot summer's tamings and
The shrinking slaves of winter.
Than be soARVIRAGUS
Better to cease to be. Pray, sir, to the army:
I and my brother are not known; yourself
So out of thought, and thereto so o'ergrown,
Cannot be question'd.
By this sun that shines,GUIDERIUS
I'll thither: what thing is it that I never
Did see man die! scarce ever look'd on blood,
But that of coward hares, hot goats, and venison!
Never bestrid a horse, save one that had
A rider like myself, who ne'er wore rowel
Nor iron on his heel! I am ashamed
To look upon the holy sun, to have
The benefit of his blest beams, remaining
So long a poor unknown.
By heavens, I'll go:ARVIRAGUS
If you will bless me, sir, and give me leave,
I'll take the better care, but if you will not,
The hazard therefore due fall on me by
The hands of Romans!
So say I amen.BELARIUS
No reason I, since of your lives you set
So slight a valuation, should reserve
My crack'd one to more care. Have with you, boys!
If in your country wars you chance to die,
That is my bed too, lads, an there I'll lie:
Lead, lead.
Aside
The time seems long; their blood
thinks scorn,
Till it fly out and show them princes born.
Exeunt
Enter POSTHUMUS, with a bloody handkerchiefPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Yea, bloody cloth, I'll keep thee, for I wish'd
Thou shouldst be colour'd thus. You married ones,
If each of you should take this course, how many
Must murder wives much better than themselves
For wrying but a little! O Pisanio!
Every good servant does not all commands:
No bond but to do just ones. Gods! if you
Should have ta'en vengeance on my faults, I never
Had lived to put on this: so had you saved
The noble Imogen to repent, and struck
Me, wretch more worth your vengeance. But, alack,
You snatch some hence for little faults; that's love,
To have them fall no more: you some permit
To second ills with ills, each elder worse,
And make them dread it, to the doers' thrift.
But Imogen is your own: do your best wills,
And make me blest to obey! I am brought hither
Among the Italian gentry, and to fight
Against my lady's kingdom: 'tis enough
That, Britain, I have kill'd thy mistress; peace!
I'll give no wound to thee. Therefore, good heavens,
Hear patiently my purpose: I'll disrobe me
Of these Italian weeds and suit myself
As does a Briton peasant: so I'll fight
Against the part I come with; so I'll die
For thee, O Imogen, even for whom my life
Is every breath a death; and thus, unknown,
Pitied nor hated, to the face of peril
Myself I'll dedicate. Let me make men know
More valour in me than my habits show.
Gods, put the strength o' the Leonati in me!
To shame the guise o' the world, I will begin
The fashion, less without and more within.
Exit
Enter, from one side, LUCIUS, IACHIMO, and the Roman Army: from the other side, the British Army; POSTHUMUS LEONATUS following, like a poor soldier. They march over and go out. Then enter again, in skirmish, IACHIMO and POSTHUMUS LEONATUS he vanquisheth and disarmeth IACHIMO, and then leaves himIACHIMO
The heaviness and guilt within my bosomBELARIUS
Takes off my manhood: I have belied a lady,
The princess of this country, and the air on't
Revengingly enfeebles me; or could this carl,
A very drudge of nature's, have subdued me
In my profession? Knighthoods and honours, borne
As I wear mine, are titles but of scorn.
If that thy gentry, Britain, go before
This lout as he exceeds our lords, the odds
Is that we scarce are men and you are gods.
Exit
The battle continues; the Britons fly; CYMBELINE is taken: then enter, to his rescue, BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS
Stand, stand! We have the advantage of the ground;GUIDERIUS ARVIRAGUS
The lane is guarded: nothing routs us but
The villany of our fears.
Stand, stand, and fight!CAIUS LUCIUS
Re-enter POSTHUMUS LEONATUS, and seconds the Britons: they rescue CYMBELINE, and exeunt. Then re-enter LUCIUS, and IACHIMO, with IMOGEN
Away, boy, from the troops, and save thyself;IACHIMO
For friends kill friends, and the disorder's such
As war were hoodwink'd.
'Tis their fresh supplies.CAIUS LUCIUS
It is a day turn'd strangely: or betimes
Let's reinforce, or fly.
Exeunt
Enter POSTHUMUS LEONATUS and a British LordLord
Camest thou from where they made the stand?POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
I did.Lord
Though you, it seems, come from the fliers.
I did.POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
No blame be to you, sir; for all was lost,Lord
But that the heavens fought: the king himself
Of his wings destitute, the army broken,
And but the backs of Britons seen, all flying
Through a straight lane; the enemy full-hearted,
Lolling the tongue with slaughtering, having work
More plentiful than tools to do't, struck down
Some mortally, some slightly touch'd, some falling
Merely through fear; that the straight pass was damm'd
With dead men hurt behind, and cowards living
To die with lengthen'd shame.
Where was this lane?POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Close by the battle, ditch'd, and wall'd with turf;Lord
Which gave advantage to an ancient soldier,
An honest one, I warrant; who deserved
So long a breeding as his white beard came to,
In doing this for's country: athwart the lane,
He, with two striplings-lads more like to run
The country base than to commit such slaughter
With faces fit for masks, or rather fairer
Than those for preservation cased, or shame--
Made good the passage; cried to those that fled,
'Our Britain s harts die flying, not our men:
To darkness fleet souls that fly backwards. Stand;
Or we are Romans and will give you that
Like beasts which you shun beastly, and may save,
But to look back in frown: stand, stand.'
These three,
Three thousand confident, in act as many--
For three performers are the file when all
The rest do nothing--with this word 'Stand, stand,'
Accommodated by the place, more charming
With their own nobleness, which could have turn'd
A distaff to a lance, gilded pale looks,
Part shame, part spirit renew'd; that some,
turn'd coward
But by example--O, a sin in war,
Damn'd in the first beginners!--gan to look
The way that they did, and to grin like lions
Upon the pikes o' the hunters. Then began
A stop i' the chaser, a retire, anon
A rout, confusion thick; forthwith they fly
Chickens, the way which they stoop'd eagles; slaves,
The strides they victors made: and now our cowards,
Like fragments in hard voyages, became
The life o' the need: having found the backdoor open
Of the unguarded hearts, heavens, how they wound!
Some slain before; some dying; some their friends
O'er borne i' the former wave: ten, chased by one,
Are now each one the slaughter-man of twenty:
Those that would die or ere resist are grown
The mortal bugs o' the field.
This was strange chancePOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
A narrow lane, an old man, and two boys.
Nay, do not wonder at it: you are madeLord
Rather to wonder at the things you hear
Than to work any. Will you rhyme upon't,
And vent it for a mockery? Here is one:
'Two boys, an old man twice a boy, a lane,
Preserved the Britons, was the Romans' bane.'
Nay, be not angry, sir.POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
'Lack, to what end?Lord
Who dares not stand his foe, I'll be his friend;
For if he'll do as he is made to do,
I know he'll quickly fly my friendship too.
You have put me into rhyme.
Farewell; you're angry.POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Still going?First Captain
Exit Lord
This is a lord! O noble misery,
To be i' the field, and ask 'what news?' of me!
To-day how many would have given their honours
To have saved their carcasses! took heel to do't,
And yet died too! I, in mine own woe charm'd,
Could not find death where I did hear him groan,
Nor feel him where he struck: being an ugly monster,
'Tis strange he hides him in fresh cups, soft beds,
Sweet words; or hath more ministers than we
That draw his knives i' the war. Well, I will find him
For being now a favourer to the Briton,
No more a Briton, I have resumed again
The part I came in: fight I will no more,
But yield me to the veriest hind that shall
Once touch my shoulder. Great the slaughter is
Here made by the Roman; great the answer be
Britons must take. For me, my ransom's death;
On either side I come to spend my breath;
Which neither here I'll keep nor bear again,
But end it by some means for Imogen.
Enter two British Captains and Soldiers
Great Jupiter be praised! Lucius is taken.Second Captain
'Tis thought the old man and his sons were angels.
There was a fourth man, in a silly habit,First Captain
That gave the affront with them.
So 'tis reported:POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
But none of 'em can be found. Stand! who's there?
A Roman,Second Captain
Who had not now been drooping here, if seconds
Had answer'd him.
Lay hands on him; a dog!
A leg of Rome shall not return to tell
What crows have peck'd them here. He brags
his service
As if he were of note: bring him to the king.
Enter CYMBELINE, BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, ARVIRAGUS, PISANIO, Soldiers, Attendants, and Roman Captives. The Captains present POSTHUMUS LEONATUS to CYMBELINE, who delivers him over to a Gaoler: then exeunt omnes
Enter POSTHUMUS LEONATUS and two GaolersFirst Gaoler
You shall not now be stol'n, you have locks upon you;Second Gaoler
So graze as you find pasture.
Ay, or a stomach.POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Exeunt Gaolers
Most welcome, bondage! for thou art away,Sicilius Leonatus
think, to liberty: yet am I better
Than one that's sick o' the gout; since he had rather
Groan so in perpetuity than be cured
By the sure physician, death, who is the key
To unbar these locks. My conscience, thou art fetter'd
More than my shanks and wrists: you good gods, give me
The penitent instrument to pick that bolt,
Then, free for ever! Is't enough I am sorry?
So children temporal fathers do appease;
Gods are more full of mercy. Must I repent?
I cannot do it better than in gyves,
Desired more than constrain'd: to satisfy,
If of my freedom 'tis the main part, take
No stricter render of me than my all.
I know you are more clement than vile men,
Who of their broken debtors take a third,
A sixth, a tenth, letting them thrive again
On their abatement: that's not my desire:
For Imogen's dear life take mine; and though
'Tis not so dear, yet 'tis a life; you coin'd it:
'Tween man and man they weigh not every stamp;
Though light, take pieces for the figure's sake:
You rather mine, being yours: and so, great powers,
If you will take this audit, take this life,
And cancel these cold bonds. O Imogen!
I'll speak to thee in silence.
Sleeps
Solemn music. Enter, as in an apparition, SICILIUS LEONATUS, father to Posthumus Leonatus, an old man, attired like a warrior; leading in his hand an ancient matron, his wife, and mother to Posthumus Leonatus, with music before them: then, after other music, follow the two young Leonati, brothers to Posthumus Leonatus, with wounds as they died in the wars. They circle Posthumus Leonatus round, as he lies sleeping
No more, thou thunder-master, showMother
Thy spite on mortal flies:
With Mars fall out, with Juno chide,
That thy adulteries
Rates and revenges.
Hath my poor boy done aught but well,
Whose face I never saw?
I died whilst in the womb he stay'd
Attending nature's law:
Whose father then, as men report
Thou orphans' father art,
Thou shouldst have been, and shielded him
From this earth-vexing smart.
Lucina lent not me her aid,Sicilius Leonatus
But took me in my throes;
That from me was Posthumus ript,
Came crying 'mongst his foes,
A thing of pity!
Great nature, like his ancestry,First Brother
Moulded the stuff so fair,
That he deserved the praise o' the world,
As great Sicilius' heir.
When once he was mature for man,Mother
In Britain where was he
That could stand up his parallel;
Or fruitful object be
In eye of Imogen, that best
Could deem his dignity?
With marriage wherefore was he mock'd,Sicilius Leonatus
To be exiled, and thrown
From Leonati seat, and cast
From her his dearest one,
Sweet Imogen?
Why did you suffer Iachimo,Second Brother
Slight thing of Italy,
To taint his nobler heart and brain
With needless jealosy;
And to become the geck and scorn
O' th' other's villany?
For this from stiller seats we came,First Brother
Our parents and us twain,
That striking in our country's cause
Fell bravely and were slain,
Our fealty and Tenantius' right
With honour to maintain.
Like hardiment Posthumus hathSicilius Leonatus
To Cymbeline perform'd:
Then, Jupiter, thou king of gods,
Why hast thou thus adjourn'd
The graces for his merits due,
Being all to dolours turn'd?
Thy crystal window ope; look out;Mother
No longer exercise
Upon a valiant race thy harsh
And potent injuries.
Since, Jupiter, our son is good,Sicilius Leonatus
Take off his miseries.
Peep through thy marble mansion; help;First Brother Second Brother
Or we poor ghosts will cry
To the shining synod of the rest
Against thy deity.
Help, Jupiter; or we appeal,Jupiter
And from thy justice fly.
Jupiter descends in thunder and lightning, sitting upon an eagle: he throws a thunderbolt. The Apparitions fall on their knees
No more, you petty spirits of region low,Sicilius Leonatus
Offend our hearing; hush! How dare you ghosts
Accuse the thunderer, whose bolt, you know,
Sky-planted batters all rebelling coasts?
Poor shadows of Elysium, hence, and rest
Upon your never-withering banks of flowers:
Be not with mortal accidents opprest;
No care of yours it is; you know 'tis ours.
Whom best I love I cross; to make my gift,
The more delay'd, delighted. Be content;
Your low-laid son our godhead will uplift:
His comforts thrive, his trials well are spent.
Our Jovial star reign'd at his birth, and in
Our temple was he married. Rise, and fade.
He shall be lord of lady Imogen,
And happier much by his affliction made.
This tablet lay upon his breast, wherein
Our pleasure his full fortune doth confine:
and so, away: no further with your din
Express impatience, lest you stir up mine.
Mount, eagle, to my palace crystalline.
Ascends
He came in thunder; his celestial breathAll
Was sulphurous to smell: the holy eagle
Stoop'd as to foot us: his ascension is
More sweet than our blest fields: his royal bird
Prunes the immortal wing and cloys his beak,
As when his god is pleased.
Thanks, Jupiter!Sicilius Leonatus
The marble pavement closes, he is enter'dPosthumus Leonatus
His radiant root. Away! and, to be blest,
Let us with care perform his great behest.
The Apparitions vanish
[Waking] Sleep, thou hast been a grandsire, and begotFirst Gaoler
A father to me; and thou hast created
A mother and two brothers: but, O scorn!
Gone! they went hence so soon as they were born:
And so I am awake. Poor wretches that depend
On greatness' favour dream as I have done,
Wake and find nothing. But, alas, I swerve:
Many dream not to find, neither deserve,
And yet are steep'd in favours: so am I,
That have this golden chance and know not why.
What fairies haunt this ground? A book? O rare one!
Be not, as is our fangled world, a garment
Nobler than that it covers: let thy effects
So follow, to be most unlike our courtiers,
As good as promise.
Reads
'When as a lion's whelp shall, to himself unknown,
without seeking find, and be embraced by a piece of
tender air; and when from a stately cedar shall be
lopped branches, which, being dead many years,
shall after revive, be jointed to the old stock and
freshly grow; then shall Posthumus end his miseries,
Britain be fortunate and flourish in peace and plenty.'
'Tis still a dream, or else such stuff as madmen
Tongue and brain not; either both or nothing;
Or senseless speaking or a speaking such
As sense cannot untie. Be what it is,
The action of my life is like it, which
I'll keep, if but for sympathy.
Re-enter First Gaoler
Come, sir, are you ready for death?POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Over-roasted rather; ready long ago.First Gaoler
Hanging is the word, sir: ifPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
you be ready for that, you are well cooked.
So, if I prove a good repast to theFirst Gaoler
spectators, the dish pays the shot.
A heavy reckoning for you, sir. But the comfort is,POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
you shall be called to no more payments, fear no
more tavern-bills; which are often the sadness of
parting, as the procuring of mirth: you come in
flint for want of meat, depart reeling with too
much drink; sorry that you have paid too much, and
sorry that you are paid too much; purse and brain
both empty; the brain the heavier for being too
light, the purse too light, being drawn of
heaviness: of this contradiction you shall now be
quit. O, the charity of a penny cord! It sums up
thousands in a trice: you have no true debitor and
creditor but it; of what's past, is, and to come,
the discharge: your neck, sir, is pen, book and
counters; so the acquittance follows.
I am merrier to die than thou art to live.First Gaoler
Indeed, sir, he that sleeps feels not thePOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
tooth-ache: but a man that were to sleep your
sleep, and a hangman to help him to bed, I think he
would change places with his officer; for, look you,
sir, you know not which way you shall go.
Yes, indeed do I, fellow.First Gaoler
Your death has eyes in 's head then; I have not seenPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
him so pictured: you must either be directed by
some that take upon them to know, or do take upon
yourself that which I am sure you do not know, or
jump the after inquiry on your own peril: and how
you shall speed in your journey's end, I think you'll
never return to tell one.
I tell thee, fellow, there are none want eyes toFirst Gaoler
direct them the way I am going, but such as wink and
will not use them.
What an infinite mock is this, that a man shouldMessenger
have the best use of eyes to see the way of
blindness! I am sure hanging's the way of winking.
Enter a Messenger
Knock off his manacles; bring your prisoner to the king.POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Thou bring'st good news; I am called to be made free.First Gaoler
I'll be hang'd then.POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Thou shalt be then freer than a gaoler; no bolts for the dead.First Gaoler
Exeunt POSTHUMUS LEONATUS and Messenger
Unless a man would marry a gallows and beget young
gibbets, I never saw one so prone. Yet, on my
conscience, there are verier knaves desire to live,
for all he be a Roman: and there be some of them
too that die against their wills; so should I, if I
were one. I would we were all of one mind, and one
mind good; O, there were desolation of gaolers and
gallowses! I speak against my present profit, but
my wish hath a preferment in 't.
Exeunt
Enter CYMBELINE, BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, ARVIRAGUS, PISANIO, Lords, Officers, and AttendantsCYMBELINE
Stand by my side, you whom the gods have madeBELARIUS
Preservers of my throne. Woe is my heart
That the poor soldier that so richly fought,
Whose rags shamed gilded arms, whose naked breast
Stepp'd before larges of proof, cannot be found:
He shall be happy that can find him, if
Our grace can make him so.
I never sawCYMBELINE
Such noble fury in so poor a thing;
Such precious deeds in one that promises nought
But beggary and poor looks.
No tidings of him?PISANIO
He hath been search'd among the dead and living,CYMBELINE
But no trace of him.
To my grief, I amBELARIUS
The heir of his reward;
To BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS
which I will add
To you, the liver, heart and brain of Britain,
By whom I grant she lives. 'Tis now the time
To ask of whence you are. Report it.
Sir,CYMBELINE
In Cambria are we born, and gentlemen:
Further to boast were neither true nor modest,
Unless I add, we are honest.
Bow your knees.CORNELIUS
Arise my knights o' the battle: I create you
Companions to our person and will fit you
With dignities becoming your estates.
Enter CORNELIUS and Ladies
There's business in these faces. Why so sadly
Greet you our victory? you look like Romans,
And not o' the court of Britain.
Hail, great king!CYMBELINE
To sour your happiness, I must report
The queen is dead.
Who worse than a physicianCORNELIUS
Would this report become? But I consider,
By medicine life may be prolong'd, yet death
Will seize the doctor too. How ended she?
With horror, madly dying, like her life,CYMBELINE
Which, being cruel to the world, concluded
Most cruel to herself. What she confess'd
I will report, so please you: these her women
Can trip me, if I err; who with wet cheeks
Were present when she finish'd.
Prithee, say.CORNELIUS
First, she confess'd she never loved you, onlyCYMBELINE
Affected greatness got by you, not you:
Married your royalty, was wife to your place;
Abhorr'd your person.
She alone knew this;CORNELIUS
And, but she spoke it dying, I would not
Believe her lips in opening it. Proceed.
Your daughter, whom she bore in hand to loveCYMBELINE
With such integrity, she did confess
Was as a scorpion to her sight; whose life,
But that her flight prevented it, she had
Ta'en off by poison.
O most delicate fiend!CORNELIUS
Who is 't can read a woman? Is there more?
More, sir, and worse. She did confess she hadCYMBELINE
For you a mortal mineral; which, being took,
Should by the minute feed on life and lingering
By inches waste you: in which time she purposed,
By watching, weeping, tendance, kissing, to
O'ercome you with her show, and in time,
When she had fitted you with her craft, to work
Her son into the adoption of the crown:
But, failing of her end by his strange absence,
Grew shameless-desperate; open'd, in despite
Of heaven and men, her purposes; repented
The evils she hatch'd were not effected; so
Despairing died.
Heard you all this, her women?First Lady
We did, so please your highness.CYMBELINE
Mine eyesCAIUS LUCIUS
Were not in fault, for she was beautiful;
Mine ears, that heard her flattery; nor my heart,
That thought her like her seeming; it had
been vicious
To have mistrusted her: yet, O my daughter!
That it was folly in me, thou mayst say,
And prove it in thy feeling. Heaven mend all!
Enter LUCIUS, IACHIMO, the Soothsayer, and other Roman Prisoners, guarded; POSTHUMUS LEONATUS behind, and IMOGEN
Thou comest not, Caius, now for tribute that
The Britons have razed out, though with the loss
Of many a bold one; whose kinsmen have made suit
That their good souls may be appeased with slaughter
Of you their captives, which ourself have granted:
So think of your estate.
Consider, sir, the chance of war: the dayCYMBELINE
Was yours by accident; had it gone with us,
We should not, when the blood was cool,
have threaten'd
Our prisoners with the sword. But since the gods
Will have it thus, that nothing but our lives
May be call'd ransom, let it come: sufficeth
A Roman with a Roman's heart can suffer:
Augustus lives to think on't: and so much
For my peculiar care. This one thing only
I will entreat; my boy, a Briton born,
Let him be ransom'd: never master had
A page so kind, so duteous, diligent,
So tender over his occasions, true,
So feat, so nurse-like: let his virtue join
With my request, which I make bold your highness
Cannot deny; he hath done no Briton harm,
Though he have served a Roman: save him, sir,
And spare no blood beside.
I have surely seen him:IMOGEN
His favour is familiar to me. Boy,
Thou hast look'd thyself into my grace,
And art mine own. I know not why, wherefore,
To say 'live, boy:' ne'er thank thy master; live:
And ask of Cymbeline what boon thou wilt,
Fitting my bounty and thy state, I'll give it;
Yea, though thou do demand a prisoner,
The noblest ta'en.
I humbly thank your highness.CAIUS LUCIUS
I do not bid thee beg my life, good lad;IMOGEN
And yet I know thou wilt.
No, no: alack,CAIUS LUCIUS
There's other work in hand: I see a thing
Bitter to me as death: your life, good master,
Must shuffle for itself.
The boy disdains me,CYMBELINE
He leaves me, scorns me: briefly die their joys
That place them on the truth of girls and boys.
Why stands he so perplex'd?
What wouldst thou, boy?IMOGEN
I love thee more and more: think more and more
What's best to ask. Know'st him thou look'st on? speak,
Wilt have him live? Is he thy kin? thy friend?
He is a Roman; no more kin to meCYMBELINE
Than I to your highness; who, being born your vassal,
Am something nearer.
Wherefore eyest him so?IMOGEN
I'll tell you, sir, in private, if you pleaseCYMBELINE
To give me hearing.
Ay, with all my heart,IMOGEN
And lend my best attention. What's thy name?
Fidele, sir.CYMBELINE
Thou'rt my good youth, my page;BELARIUS
I'll be thy master: walk with me; speak freely.
CYMBELINE and IMOGEN converse apart
Is not this boy revived from death?ARVIRAGUS
One sand anotherGUIDERIUS
Not more resembles that sweet rosy lad
Who died, and was Fidele. What think you?
The same dead thing alive.BELARIUS
Peace, peace! see further; he eyes us not; forbear;GUIDERIUS
Creatures may be alike: were 't he, I am sure
He would have spoke to us.
But we saw him dead.BELARIUS
Be silent; let's see further.PISANIO
[Aside] It is my mistress:CYMBELINE
Since she is living, let the time run on
To good or bad.
CYMBELINE and IMOGEN come forward
Come, stand thou by our side;IMOGEN
Make thy demand aloud.
To IACHIMO
Sir, step you forth;
Give answer to this boy, and do it freely;
Or, by our greatness and the grace of it,
Which is our honour, bitter torture shall
Winnow the truth from falsehood. On, speak to him.
My boon is, that this gentleman may renderPOSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Of whom he had this ring.
[Aside] What's that to him?CYMBELINE
That diamond upon your finger, sayIACHIMO
How came it yours?
Thou'lt torture me to leave unspoken thatCYMBELINE
Which, to be spoke, would torture thee.
How! me?IACHIMO
I am glad to be constrain'd to utter thatCYMBELINE
Which torments me to conceal. By villany
I got this ring: 'twas Leonatus' jewel;
Whom thou didst banish; and--which more may
grieve thee,
As it doth me--a nobler sir ne'er lived
'Twixt sky and ground. Wilt thou hear more, my lord?
All that belongs to this.IACHIMO
That paragon, thy daughter,--CYMBELINE
For whom my heart drops blood, and my false spirits
Quail to remember--Give me leave; I faint.
My daughter! what of her? Renew thy strength:IACHIMO
I had rather thou shouldst live while nature will
Than die ere I hear more: strive, man, and speak.
Upon a time,--unhappy was the clockCYMBELINE
That struck the hour!--it was in Rome,--accursed
The mansion where!--'twas at a feast,--O, would
Our viands had been poison'd, or at least
Those which I heaved to head!--the good Posthumus--
What should I say? he was too good to be
Where ill men were; and was the best of all
Amongst the rarest of good ones,--sitting sadly,
Hearing us praise our loves of Italy
For beauty that made barren the swell'd boast
Of him that best could speak, for feature, laming
The shrine of Venus, or straight-pight Minerva.
Postures beyond brief nature, for condition,
A shop of all the qualities that man
Loves woman for, besides that hook of wiving,
Fairness which strikes the eye--
I stand on fire:IACHIMO
Come to the matter.
All too soon I shall,CYMBELINE
Unless thou wouldst grieve quickly. This Posthumus,
Most like a noble lord in love and one
That had a royal lover, took his hint;
And, not dispraising whom we praised,--therein
He was as calm as virtue--he began
His mistress' picture; which by his tongue
being made,
And then a mind put in't, either our brags
Were crack'd of kitchen-trolls, or his description
Proved us unspeaking sots.
Nay, nay, to the purpose.IACHIMO
Your daughter's chastity--there it begins.POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
He spake of her, as Dian had hot dreams,
And she alone were cold: whereat I, wretch,
Made scruple of his praise; and wager'd with him
Pieces of gold 'gainst this which then he wore
Upon his honour'd finger, to attain
In suit the place of's bed and win this ring
By hers and mine adultery. He, true knight,
No lesser of her honour confident
Than I did truly find her, stakes this ring;
And would so, had it been a carbuncle
Of Phoebus' wheel, and might so safely, had it
Been all the worth of's car. Away to Britain
Post I in this design: well may you, sir,
Remember me at court; where I was taught
Of your chaste daughter the wide difference
'Twixt amorous and villanous. Being thus quench'd
Of hope, not longing, mine Italian brain
'Gan in your duller Britain operate
Most vilely; for my vantage, excellent:
And, to be brief, my practise so prevail'd,
That I return'd with simular proof enough
To make the noble Leonatus mad,
By wounding his belief in her renown
With tokens thus, and thus; averting notes
Of chamber-hanging, pictures, this her bracelet,--
O cunning, how I got it!--nay, some marks
Of secret on her person, that he could not
But think her bond of chastity quite crack'd,
I having ta'en the forfeit. Whereupon--
Methinks, I see him now--
[Advancing] Ay, so thou dost,IMOGEN
Italian fiend! Ay me, most credulous fool,
Egregious murderer, thief, any thing
That's due to all the villains past, in being,
To come! O, give me cord, or knife, or poison,
Some upright justicer! Thou, king, send out
For torturers ingenious: it is I
That all the abhorred things o' the earth amend
By being worse than they. I am Posthumus,
That kill'd thy daughter:--villain-like, I lie--
That caused a lesser villain than myself,
A sacrilegious thief, to do't: the temple
Of virtue was she; yea, and she herself.
Spit, and throw stone s, cast mire upon me, set
The dogs o' the street to bay me: every villain
Be call'd Posthumus Leonitus; and
Be villany less than 'twas! O Imogen!
My queen, my life, my wife! O Imogen,
Imogen, Imogen!
Peace, my lord; hear, hear--POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Shall's have a play of this? Thou scornful page,PISANIO
There lie thy part.
Striking her: she falls
O, gentlemen, help!CYMBELINE
Mine and your mistress! O, my lord Posthumus!
You ne'er kill'd Imogen til now. Help, help!
Mine honour'd lady!
Does the world go round?POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
How come these staggers on me?PISANIO
Wake, my mistress!CYMBELINE
If this be so, the gods do mean to strike mePISANIO
To death with mortal joy.
How fares thy mistress?IMOGEN
O, get thee from my sight;CYMBELINE
Thou gavest me poison: dangerous fellow, hence!
Breathe not where princes are.
The tune of Imogen!PISANIO
Lady,CYMBELINE
The gods throw stones of sulphur on me, if
That box I gave you was not thought by me
A precious thing: I had it from the queen.
New matter still?IMOGEN
It poison'd me.CORNELIUS
O gods!CYMBELINE
I left out one thing which the queen confess'd.
Which must approve thee honest: 'If Pisanio
Have,' said she, 'given his mistress that confection
Which I gave him for cordial, she is served
As I would serve a rat.'
What's this, Comelius?CORNELIUS
The queen, sir, very oft importuned meIMOGEN
To temper poisons for her, still pretending
The satisfaction of her knowledge only
In killing creatures vile, as cats and dogs,
Of no esteem: I, dreading that her purpose
Was of more danger, did compound for her
A certain stuff, which, being ta'en, would cease
The present power of life, but in short time
All offices of nature should again
Do their due functions. Have you ta'en of it?
Most like I did, for I was dead.BELARIUS
My boys,GUIDERIUS
There was our error.
This is, sure, Fidele.IMOGEN
Why did you throw your wedded lady from you?POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Think that you are upon a rock; and now
Throw me again.
Embracing him
Hang there like a fruit, my soul,CYMBELINE
Till the tree die!
How now, my flesh, my child!IMOGEN
What, makest thou me a dullard in this act?
Wilt thou not speak to me?
[Kneeling] Your blessing, sir.BELARIUS
[To GUIDERIUS and ARVIRAGUS] Though you did loveCYMBELINE
this youth, I blame ye not:
You had a motive for't.
My tears that fallIMOGEN
Prove holy water on thee! Imogen,
Thy mother's dead.
I am sorry for't, my lord.CYMBELINE
O, she was nought; and long of her it wasPISANIO
That we meet here so strangely: but her son
Is gone, we know not how nor where.
My lord,GUIDERIUS
Now fear is from me, I'll speak troth. Lord Cloten,
Upon my lady's missing, came to me
With his sword drawn; foam'd at the mouth, and swore,
If I discover'd not which way she was gone,
It was my instant death. By accident,
had a feigned letter of my master's
Then in my pocket; which directed him
To seek her on the mountains near to Milford;
Where, in a frenzy, in my master's garments,
Which he enforced from me, away he posts
With unchaste purpose and with oath to violate
My lady's honour: what became of him
I further know not.
Let me end the story:CYMBELINE
I slew him there.
Marry, the gods forfend!GUIDERIUS
I would not thy good deeds should from my lips
Pluck a bard sentence: prithee, valiant youth,
Deny't again.
I have spoke it, and I did it.CYMBELINE
He was a prince.GUIDERIUS
A most incivil one: the wrongs he did meCYMBELINE
Were nothing prince-like; for he did provoke me
With language that would make me spurn the sea,
If it could so roar to me: I cut off's head;
And am right glad he is not standing here
To tell this tale of mine.
I am sorry for thee:IMOGEN
By thine own tongue thou art condemn'd, and must
Endure our law: thou'rt dead.
That headless manCYMBELINE
I thought had been my lord.
Bind the offender,BELARIUS
And take him from our presence.
Stay, sir king:CYMBELINE
This man is better than the man he slew,
As well descended as thyself; and hath
More of thee merited than a band of Clotens
Had ever scar for.
To the Guard
Let his arms alone;
They were not born for bondage.
Why, old soldier,ARVIRAGUS
Wilt thou undo the worth thou art unpaid for,
By tasting of our wrath? How of descent
As good as we?
In that he spake too far.CYMBELINE
And thou shalt die for't.BELARIUS
We will die all three:ARVIRAGUS
But I will prove that two on's are as good
As I have given out him. My sons, I must,
For mine own part, unfold a dangerous speech,
Though, haply, well for you.
Your danger's ours.GUIDERIUS
And our good his.BELARIUS
Have at it then, by leave.CYMBELINE
Thou hadst, great king, a subject who
Was call'd Belarius.
What of him? he isBELARIUS
A banish'd traitor.
He it is that hathCYMBELINE
Assumed this age; indeed a banish'd man;
I know not how a traitor.
Take him hence:BELARIUS
The whole world shall not save him.
Not too hot:CYMBELINE
First pay me for the nursing of thy sons;
And let it be confiscate all, so soon
As I have received it.
Nursing of my sons!BELARIUS
I am too blunt and saucy: here's my knee:CYMBELINE
Ere I arise, I will prefer my sons;
Then spare not the old father. Mighty sir,
These two young gentlemen, that call me father
And think they are my sons, are none of mine;
They are the issue of your loins, my liege,
And blood of your begetting.
How! my issue!BELARIUS
So sure as you your father's. I, old Morgan,CYMBELINE
Am that Belarius whom you sometime banish'd:
Your pleasure was my mere offence, my punishment
Itself, and all my treason; that I suffer'd
Was all the harm I did. These gentle princes--
For such and so they are--these twenty years
Have I train'd up: those arts they have as I
Could put into them; my breeding was, sir, as
Your highness knows. Their nurse, Euriphile,
Whom for the theft I wedded, stole these children
Upon my banishment: I moved her to't,
Having received the punishment before,
For that which I did then: beaten for loyalty
Excited me to treason: their dear loss,
The more of you 'twas felt, the more it shaped
Unto my end of stealing them. But, gracious sir,
Here are your sons again; and I must lose
Two of the sweet'st companions in the world.
The benediction of these covering heavens
Fall on their heads like dew! for they are worthy
To inlay heaven with stars.
Thou weep'st, and speak'st.BELARIUS
The service that you three have done is more
Unlike than this thou tell'st. I lost my children:
If these be they, I know not how to wish
A pair of worthier sons.
Be pleased awhile.CYMBELINE
This gentleman, whom I call Polydore,
Most worthy prince, as yours, is true Guiderius:
This gentleman, my Cadwal, Arviragus,
Your younger princely son; he, sir, was lapp'd
In a most curious mantle, wrought by the hand
Of his queen mother, which for more probation
I can with ease produce.
Guiderius hadBELARIUS
Upon his neck a mole, a sanguine star;
It was a mark of wonder.
This is he;CYMBELINE
Who hath upon him still that natural stamp:
It was wise nature's end in the donation,
To be his evidence now.
O, what, am IIMOGEN
A mother to the birth of three? Ne'er mother
Rejoiced deliverance more. Blest pray you be,
That, after this strange starting from your orbs,
may reign in them now! O Imogen,
Thou hast lost by this a kingdom.
No, my lord;CYMBELINE
I have got two worlds by 't. O my gentle brothers,
Have we thus met? O, never say hereafter
But I am truest speaker you call'd me brother,
When I was but your sister; I you brothers,
When ye were so indeed.
Did you e'er meet?ARVIRAGUS
Ay, my good lord.GUIDERIUS
And at first meeting loved;CORNELIUS
Continued so, until we thought he died.
By the queen's dram she swallow'd.CYMBELINE
O rare instinct!IMOGEN
When shall I hear all through? This fierce
abridgement
Hath to it circumstantial branches, which
Distinction should be rich in. Where? how lived You?
And when came you to serve our Roman captive?
How parted with your brothers? how first met them?
Why fled you from the court? and whither? These,
And your three motives to the battle, with
I know not how much more, should be demanded;
And all the other by-dependencies,
From chance to chance: but nor the time nor place
Will serve our long inter'gatories. See,
Posthumus anchors upon Imogen,
And she, like harmless lightning, throws her eye
On him, her brother, me, her master, hitting
Each object with a joy: the counterchange
Is severally in all. Let's quit this ground,
And smoke the temple with our sacrifices.
To BELARIUS
Thou art my brother; so we'll hold thee ever.
You are my father too, and did relieve me,CYMBELINE
To see this gracious season.
All o'erjoy'd,IMOGEN
Save these in bonds: let them be joyful too,
For they shall taste our comfort.
My good master,CAIUS LUCIUS
I will yet do you service.
Happy be you!CYMBELINE
The forlorn soldier, that so nobly fought,POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
He would have well becomed this place, and graced
The thankings of a king.
I am, sir,IACHIMO
The soldier that did company these three
In poor beseeming; 'twas a fitment for
The purpose I then follow'd. That I was he,
Speak, Iachimo: I had you down and might
Have made you finish.
[Kneeling] I am down again:POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
But now my heavy conscience sinks my knee,
As then your force did. Take that life, beseech you,
Which I so often owe: but your ring first;
And here the bracelet of the truest princess
That ever swore her faith.
Kneel not to me:CYMBELINE
The power that I have on you is, to spare you;
The malice towards you to forgive you: live,
And deal with others better.
Nobly doom'd!ARVIRAGUS
We'll learn our freeness of a son-in-law;
Pardon's the word to all.
You holp us, sir,POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
As you did mean indeed to be our brother;
Joy'd are we that you are.
Your servant, princes. Good my lord of Rome,CAIUS LUCIUS
Call forth your soothsayer: as I slept, methought
Great Jupiter, upon his eagle back'd,
Appear'd to me, with other spritely shows
Of mine own kindred: when I waked, I found
This label on my bosom; whose containing
Is so from sense in hardness, that I can
Make no collection of it: let him show
His skill in the construction.
Philarmonus!Soothsayer
Here, my good lord.CAIUS LUCIUS
Read, and declare the meaning.Soothsayer
[Reads] 'When as a lion's whelp shall, to himselfCYMBELINE
unknown, without seeking find, and be embraced by a
piece of tender air; and when from a stately cedar
shall be lopped branches, which, being dead many
years, shall after revive, be jointed to the old
stock, and freshly grow; then shall Posthumus end
his miseries, Britain be fortunate and flourish in
peace and plenty.'
Thou, Leonatus, art the lion's whelp;
The fit and apt construction of thy name,
Being Leonatus, doth import so much.
To CYMBELINE
The piece of tender air, thy virtuous daughter,
Which we call 'mollis aer;' and 'mollis aer'
We term it 'mulier:' which 'mulier' I divine
Is this most constant wife; who, even now,
Answering the letter of the oracle,
Unknown to you, unsought, were clipp'd about
With this most tender air.
This hath some seeming.Soothsayer
The lofty cedar, royal Cymbeline,CYMBELINE
Personates thee: and thy lopp'd branches point
Thy two sons forth; who, by Belarius stol'n,
For many years thought dead, are now revived,
To the majestic cedar join'd, whose issue
Promises Britain peace and plenty.
WellSoothsayer
My peace we will begin. And, Caius Lucius,
Although the victor, we submit to Caesar,
And to the Roman empire; promising
To pay our wonted tribute, from the which
We were dissuaded by our wicked queen;
Whom heavens, in justice, both on her and hers,
Have laid most heavy hand.
The fingers of the powers above do tuneCYMBELINE
The harmony of this peace. The vision
Which I made known to Lucius, ere the stroke
Of this yet scarce-cold battle, at this instant
Is full accomplish'd; for the Roman eagle,
From south to west on wing soaring aloft,
Lessen'd herself, and in the beams o' the sun
So vanish'd: which foreshow'd our princely eagle,
The imperial Caesar, should again unite
His favour with the radiant Cymbeline,
Which shines here in the west.
Laud we the gods;
And let our crooked smokes climb to their nostrils
From our blest altars. Publish we this peace
To all our subjects. Set we forward: let
A Roman and a British ensign wave
Friendly together: so through Lud's-town march:
And in the temple of great Jupiter
Our peace we'll ratify; seal it with feasts.
Set on there! Never was a war did cease,
Ere bloody hands were wash'd, with such a peace.
Exeunt