Class _- 'L^-Z^ 
 Book , A 2- ' 
 
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 N" I.XII. 
 
 OXBERRY'S 
 JVETV 
 
 CYMBELINE, 
 
 A TRAGEDY ; 
 
 B O S 1^ O N : 
 
 PUBLISHED BY WELLS AND LILLY,— COURT-STREET 
 A. T. GOODRICH Sz CO. NEW-YORK. 
 
 1823. 
 
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$!»»& 
 
 HQSIAlSKJi Jtf THIS £DITIOK, AS FAR AS TET FIB- 
 I.ISHEO 117 £XCLAKD. 
 
 -No. 1 A New Way to Pay Old 
 
 Debts. 
 
 2 ftivals. 
 
 3 West Indian. 
 
 4 Hypocrite. 
 
 5 Jealous Wife. 
 G She Stoops to Conquer. 
 
 ^1 Richard III. 
 
 » Beggar's Opera. 
 
 9 Woudcr. 
 iO Duenna. 
 li Alexander the Great. 
 
 12 Lionel and Clarissa. 
 
 13 Hamlet. 
 
 14 Venice Preserved. 
 55 Is He Jealof.s ? * 
 
 16 Woodman's Hut. * 
 
 17 Love in a Village. 
 
 18 Way to Keep Him. 
 
 19 Castle Spectre. 
 
 20 Maid of the Mill. 
 
 21 Clandestine Marriagp. 
 
 22 Soldier's Daughter. 
 
 23 Othello. 
 '"^4 Distressed Mother. 
 
 25 Provoked Husband. 
 36 Deaf and Dumb. 
 N27 Busy Body. 
 
 28 Belle's Stratagem. 
 
 29 Romeo and Juliet. 
 
 30 Recruiting Officer. 
 ai Bold Stroke for a Wife. 
 
 32 Road to Ruin. 
 
 33 Beaux' Stratagem. 
 
 34 As you Like It, 
 
 35 King John. 
 
 36 Country Girl. 
 ^^37 Jane Shrore. 
 
 38 Critic. * 
 
 O* TVtose marked thus * are Farces or Melo-drames ; Ui^ 
 prices of which are 20 cents ; the Plays and Operas 35 centSr 
 
 39 Corlolanug. 
 
 40 Rosina. * 
 
 41 Suspicious Husband. 
 
 42 Honest Thieves. * 
 
 43 Mayor of Garratt. • 
 
 44 Merry Wives of Windsor. 
 
 45 Stranger. 
 
 46 Three Weeks after Ma> 
 
 riage. * 
 
 47 King Lear. 
 
 48 Inconstant. 
 
 49 Shipwreck. • 
 
 50 Rugantino. • 
 
 51 Wild Oats. 
 
 52 Rule a Wife and Have 8 
 
 Wife. 
 
 53 Magpie. * 
 
 54 Quaker. • 
 
 s55 Merchant of Venice 
 \5Q Wheel of Fortune. 
 
 57 Rob Roy. 
 
 58 Citizen. =* 
 
 59 Deserter. » 
 1s60 Miser. * 
 
 61 Guy Mannering. 
 ,62 Cymbeline. 
 
 63 Lying Valet. * 
 
 64 Tw-elfth Night. 
 
 65 The Confederacy. 
 
 66 Douglas. 
 
 67 Vf ho's the Dupe ? * 
 
 68 Know Your own Mind. 
 
 69 Macbeth. 
 
 70 Tobacconist. * 
 
 I 71 Midnight Hour. 
 ' 72 Grecian Daughter. 
 73 Fortune's Frolic. * 
 
 71 King Henry IV. 
 

 CYMBELINE, aI^ 
 
 A TRAGEDY ; 
 
 Us ffi^^tlltam Sfiafesiiearr, 
 
 WITH PREFATORY REMARKS. 
 
 fHE ONLY EDITION EXISTING WHICH IS FAITHFULLY 
 
 MARKED WITH THE STAGE BUSINESS, 
 
 AND STAGE DIRECTIONS, 
 
 AS IT IS PERFORMED AT THE 
 By W. OXBERRY, Comedian, 
 
 BOSTON : 
 
 •UJiLTSHED BY WELLS AND LILLY — COURT-STREET 
 A. T. GOODRICH & CO. — NEW-YORK. 
 
 1823. 
 

 ^23 
 
MtmnvUu. 
 
 CYMBELINE. 
 
 J o the reader, Cymbeline is a beautiful production, bul 
 to the spectator, it is far from interesting : in the rapid ac- 
 tion of the scene, all the more delicate features of poetry- 
 are lost : and Cymbeline has none of those stronger features 
 which, though seen for a moment, leave a lasting imprpssion. 
 The jealousy of Posthumus is, perhaps, as natural as that 
 of Othello ; but it wants that tumult of feeling which char- 
 acterizes the passion of the Moor, and which alone can 
 produce any effect in representation. The same may be 
 said of lachimo, who is, besides, a bad laao, and of the 
 queen, who is at best an indifferent Lady Macbeth. Shaks- 
 peare's greatest defect was in fable, as his greatest excel- 
 lence was in passion and character ; but here, by an un- 
 lucky chance, or a bad election, the interest is made to de- 
 pend on the plot, which is feeble, because it is disjoiiited ; 
 and tedious, because it improbable. The incident of the 
 «hest is a mean contrivance, only fit for comedy, and al- 
 together repugnant to the dignity of the tragic muse. It is, 
 perhaps, true, that tragedy ought not to walk on stilts ; but 
 it is no less true, that she ought not to crawl upon her 
 knees. 
 
 But though Cymbeline is not calculated to produce much 
 effect upon the stage, it has many scenes of unqusstionable 
 
beauty to delight in the perusal, and some passages that 
 are not surpassed by the best efforts of Shakspeare's best 
 plays. These scenes will be generally found where the 
 character of Imogen is brought forward, one of those lovely 
 creations in which Shakspeare seems to have delighted, and 
 which is imperfect only from its perfection. Imogen, in- 
 deed, is all sweetness, the very essence of all that is beauti- 
 ful in woman ; but the essence of the flower is sweeter than 
 the flowei- itself; if she were less perfect, she would be more 
 natural. After all, it may be doubted, notwithstanding 
 the cant of criticism, whether nature should be the primary 
 object of the poet ; the painter produces general effects by 
 individual falsehood ; and why should not the poet be allow- 
 ed the same license? or, indeed, is it not a necessity, rath- 
 er than an allowance ? 
 
 Cloten, as an individual portrait, is admirably drawn, 
 but he does not harmonize sufficiently with those around 
 him. It may, indeed, be said that, in common life, con- 
 trarieties are blended ; the king and the collier, the highest 
 and the lowest men, meet together ; but, unfortunately, the 
 drama is a work of art, and therefore is a selection, not a 
 mere mirror, that transcribes any form, and every form 
 that passes before it : nor is the miad capable of more than 
 one feeling only at the same time ; we cannot laugh and 
 cry at the same moment ; a scene of murder, and the ex- 
 iiibitions of Punch, might take place in the same spot, and 
 in the same point of time, but the spectator would not be 
 divided in his feelings ; he would give himself up to one or 
 other of the scenes before him; and if personal fear did not 
 intervene, the comedy of Punch would certainly gain the 
 day. If we only refer to the sister art of painting, the 
 point will be still more evident : the tricks of a mountebank 
 would not be admitted on the same canvass where the 
 painter wished us to weep over the agonies of a Jesus 
 
The plotof Cymbeline is more intricate than interesting ; 
 and when the knot is at last to be untied, the pmcess is in- 
 ^nitely too tedious ; explanation follows explanation, when 
 all excitement is over, and the impatient spectator feels 
 himself in the painful state of a well-fed guest who is obli- 
 ged to listen to a long grace after a long dinner. What is 
 still worse, these explanations, however requisite to the 
 (Character of the play, are by no means requisite to the 
 auditor, and he feels therefore, little pleasure in listening 
 to the detail of that which he already understands. He 
 knows that the page is Imogen ; that the soldier is Posthu- 
 mus ; and that Polydore and Cadvval are the king's sons : 
 with what pleasu»e then can he listen to the development 
 pf their relationship ? 
 
 The dirge on the death of Imogen is not the least beauti- 
 ful of Shakspeare's beautiful minor poems ; nor is it easy 
 to conceive how a writer of Collin's exquisite feeling could 
 have ventured to compose a substitute for what he was 
 so well calculated to appreciate. He could not but have 
 known the value of the original, and with this knowledge 
 he could not have hoped to equal, much less to surpass 
 that excellence. As the acting copy, from which we print, 
 does not contain the dirge written by the immortal bard, we 
 hold it "parcel of our duty" to give a copy of it here, that 
 our readers raaj be enabled to form a judgment for them= 
 selves. 
 
 Gui, ^* Fear no more the heat o' the sun, 
 Nor the furious winter's rages ; 
 
 Thou thy worldly task has done, 
 
 Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages ; 
 
 Golden lads and girls all must, 
 
 As chimney-sweepers, come to duet, 
 1 * 
 
Arv. r«ar no more the frown o' the greiat. 
 
 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, physick, must 
 All follow this, and come to dust. 
 
 Gui, Fear no more the lightning-flash, 
 Arv. Nor the all-dreaded thunder- stone ; 
 Gui. Fear not slander, censure rash ; 
 Arv. Thou hast finish'd joy and moan: 
 Both. All lovers young, all lovers must 
 Consign to thee, and come to dust. 
 
 Gui. No exerciser harm thee ! 
 
 Arv. Nor no \\4tchcraft charm thee I 
 
 Gui. Ghost unlaid forbear thee ! 
 
 Arv. Nothing ill come near thee I 
 
 Both. Quiet consummation have ; 
 And renowned be thy grave ! 
 In comparing this with the more modern poems, the first 
 thing that strikes us is the air of reality in Shakspeare's mo- 
 ther's dirge. Shakspeare speaks to the dead ; Collins, o/the 
 dead : Shakspeare realizes ; Collins describes; Shakspeare 
 is natural and simple ; Collins pretty and elaborate. In the 
 whole circle of poetry there is no finer study for the scholar 
 than these two poems ; no example from which we can 
 better learn to estimate the value of the ancient as oppos- 
 ed to the modern school of poetry. The old critic has 
 taught us that, " ars est celare artem ;" but there is some- 
 thing beyond this, an unconsciousness of art, which is 
 always right, without knowing why it is right, an instinc- 
 tive feeling of propriety, which belongs only to genius, and 
 which indeed can be distinguished ;by no other name than 
 genius. 
 
mmt of HrpreisentatCott. 
 
 The time this piece takes in representation is three hours 
 and ten minutes. The half-price commences at nine 
 lY'lock. 
 
 Stage Directions. 
 
 By R.H. is meant Right Hand. 
 
 L.H. - Left Hand. 
 
 S.E. Second Entrance. 
 
 u.E. Upper Entrance. 
 
 M.D. Middle Door. 
 
 D.F. Door in Flat. 
 
 R.H.D. Right Hand Door. 
 
 li.H.D. ----------------- Left Hand Door. 
 
dtoutnmt. 
 
 POSTHUMUS.— First dress.— A prrej old English doublet, and white 
 pantaloons, trimmed with black; russet botts *. grey old Enjilish hat — 
 Second dress.— A Roman shape, richly trimmed,— Third dres* —An old 
 English tunic, of dark drab cloth, plain. 
 
 CYN'BELINE.- An old English robe, richly embroidered and trim- 
 med with ermine ; black velvet trunks, and jacket stuffed with white 
 satin, richly embroidered. 
 
 CLO'I EN —A pea-green old English jacket, breeches, and cloak, 
 lined, and pufted with pink satin, and richly embroidered.- Second dress. 
 —The same as Po'thumus's first dress. 
 
 lACHIMO.— A Roman general's dress. 
 
 LUCIUS.— Ibid. 
 
 GUIDERIUS & POLYDORE.-Green tunics, and flesh coloui^ 
 pantaloons ; sandals ; and gi"et;n caps 
 
 BELARIUS.— Drab tunic ; flesh legs ; sandals ; drab cap. 
 
 Roman Officers in generals' dresses richly embroidered. 
 
 PISANIO.— A brown old English dress, trimmed with yellow lace. 
 
 QUEEN.— Muslin dress, and scarlet cloth robe, trimmed with gold.' 
 
 IMOGEN— First dress.— White cloth dress, and rcbe trimmed with 
 silver.- Second dress —Grey cloth mantle.— Third dress— Brown tunic, 
 trimmed with buff; brown pantalcoons. 
 
 Officers of the Court, and Attendants in rich old English dresses. 
 
 Old English Soldiers. 
 
 Roman Sqldiers. 
 
^tvHom IXtpvtmntt^i. 
 
 Covent Garden* 
 Cymbeline- ---•»-■-- Mr. Egerton. 
 Cuiderius --.-»-. •-•Mr Abbott. 
 Amiragus ------...- Mr. Duruset. 
 
 Cinen --Mr. Farley. 
 
 Br'nrius •--.--.-•-Mi Chapman. 
 Fos humus -.-----.. MrC. Kemble* 
 Locrine -.-------. Mr Hunt. 
 
 I/ladan Mr Comer. 
 
 Cornehus .--•-••--Mr Home. 
 Pisanio -----------Mr Coiinor. 
 
 Jachimo' ---------- Mr. Matready. 
 
 Lucius •-----••---Mr \ates 
 
 Varus Mr Jt-ftieries. 
 
 Fhilario Mr. Atkins. 
 
 Lewis -..---•--- • Mr Mears. 
 
 Queen .--------- Mrs Faucit. 
 
 Imogen ---------- Miss Foote. 
 
 Helen • Mi s Shaw. 
 
 Brkith and Roman Officers and Soldiers.—Masguers und Singers. 
 ^Scene^sometimes in Britain, smtettmen in Itaier* 
 
CYMBELINE. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE L-^Britain. 
 
 The Garden of Cymheline'' s Palace. 
 
 Enter Pisanio and Madan, l.h. 
 
 Fis. You do not meet a man, but frowns : our 
 bloods 
 No more obey the heavens, than our courtiers ; 
 Still seem, as does the king'*s. 
 
 Mad. But whafs the matter? 
 
 Pis. Are you so fresh a stranger to ask that ? 
 His daughter, and the heir of his kingdom, whom 
 He purpos d to his wife's sole son, (a widow, 
 That late he married,) h ith referr'd herself 
 Unto a poor, but worthy gentleman : she's wed- 
 ded ; 
 Her husband banish'd ; she imprison'd : all 
 Is outward sorrow ; though, i thmk, the king 
 Be toucli'd at very heart. 
 
12 CYMBELINE, 
 
 Mad. None but the king ? 
 Pis. Not a courtier, 
 Although they wear their faces to the bent 
 Of the kina'''s looks, hath a heart that is not 
 Glad at the thma: they scowl at. 
 
 Mad. And why so ? [thing 
 
 Pis. He that hath miss'd the princess, is a 
 Too bad for bad report : and he that hath her, 
 (I m'^an that married her, -alack, good man ! — 
 And theu'efore banish d,) is a creature such 
 As, to seek through the regions of the earth 
 For one his like, there would be something fail- 
 In him that should compare. [ing 
 Mad. His name, and birth? 
 Pis. His father 
 Was call'd Sicihus, who did ioin his honour, 
 Against the Romans with Cassibelan ; 
 So gain'd the sur-addition, Leonatus : 
 He had, besides this gentleman in question, 
 Two other sons ; who, in the wars o' the time, 
 Died wilb their swords in hand: for which, 
 
 their father. 
 Then old, and fond of issue, took such sorrow, 
 Thflt he quit bemg ; and his gentle lady, 
 Big of this gentleman, our theme, deceas'd 
 As he was born. The king, he takes the babe 
 To his protection : calls him Posthumus ; 
 Br»^(vis him, and makes him of his bed-chamber* 
 Puts 10 him all the learnings that his time 
 Cio'd muke him the receiver of; which he took, 
 A" we do air, fast as 't was ministerd ; and 
 In his spring became a harvest : liv'd in court, 
 Which rare it is to do^ most praisd, most lov?d 
 
CYMBELINE. 13 
 
 A sample to the youngest : to the more mature, 
 A glass that tealed them; (l) and to the graver, 
 A child that gu'.ded dotards. 
 
 Mad. I honour him 
 Even out of your report. But, 'pray you, tell 
 Is she sole child to the kmg? [me, 
 
 Pis. riis only child. 
 He had two sons, (if this be worth your hearing, 
 Mark it:) the eldest of them at three years old, 
 V the swathing clothes the other, from iheir 
 nursery [knowledge 
 
 Were stolen ; and to this hour, no guess ia 
 Which way they went. 
 
 AJad How long is this ago? 
 
 Pis. Some twenty years. fvey'd ! 
 
 Mad That a king's children should he so con- 
 So slackly guarded ! And the search so slow, 
 That could not trace them ! 
 
 Pis. Howsoe'er H is strange, 
 Or that the negligence may well be lasigh'd at, 
 
 Yet is it true, sir. 
 
 We must forbear : [Madan crosses to r.h.) Here 
 
 comes the gentleman, 
 The queen, and princess. [Exit Aladan^ r.h. 
 
 Enter the Queen, Imogen, and Posthumus, l.h. 
 
 Queen. No, be assur'd, you shall not find me, 
 daughter, 
 
 (1) A glass that feated them, is a model, by viewing 
 which their form became more elegant, and their manners 
 more polished. 
 
 2 
 
14 CYMBERLINE. 
 
 After the slander of most step-mothers, 
 Evil-ej'd unto you : you are mj prisoner, but 
 Your gaoler shall deliver you, the keys [mus,- 
 That lock up your restraint. For you Posthu- 
 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 't were good 
 You lean'd unto his sentence, with what pa- 
 Your wisdom may inform you. [tience. 
 
 Post. Please your highness, 
 1 will from hence to-day. 
 
 Qyjeen. You know the peril : 
 
 I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying 
 The pangs of barr'd affections ; though the king 
 Hath chargM you should not speak together. 
 
 [Exit^ R.H. 
 Imo. O, 
 Dissembling courtesy ! How fine this tyrant 
 Can tickle where she wounds ! — My dearest hus- 
 You must be gone ; [band, 
 
 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. 
 
 Post. My queen ! my mistress ! 
 O, lady, weep no more ; lest I give cause 
 To be suspected of more tenderness 
 Than doth become a man ! I will remain 
 The loyaPst husband that did e'er plight troth. 
 My residence in liome, 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 Til drink the words you 
 Tbough ink be made of gall. [send 
 
CYMBELINE. 15 
 
 Enter Queen, r.h. 
 
 Q^ueen. Be brief, I pray you : 
 if the king come, I shall incur I know not 
 How much of his displeasure. {^Posthumus and 
 
 Imogen converse apart. ^ 
 Yet Pll move him [Aside.) 
 
 To walk this way ; I never do him wrong, 
 But he does buy my injuries, to be friends ; 
 Pays dear for my offences. [Exit^ r.h. 
 
 Post. Should we be taking leave 
 As long a term as yet we have to live, 
 The loathness te depart would grow : adieu ! 
 
 Imo. Nay, stay a little : 
 Look here, love : 
 
 This diamond was my mother's : take it, heart ; 
 
 (^Gives him a ring.) 
 But keep it till you woo another wife, 
 When Imogen is dead. 
 
 Post. How ! how ! another? — 
 You gentle gods, give me but this 1 have. 
 And sear (1) up my embracements from a next 
 With bonds of death ! — Remain, remain thou 
 here {Putting on the ring.) 
 
 While sense can keep it on I (2) And sweetest, 
 fairest, 
 
 (1) In the spelling of the last age, no distinction was 
 made between cere cloth and sear cloth. Cole, in his Latin 
 Dictionary., 1679, explains the word cerdt by sear cloth. 
 Shakspeare, no doubt, had that practice in his thoughts. 
 
 (2) The poet (if it refers to the ring^ ought to have 
 written — can keep thee on. But Shakspeare has many 
 similar inaccuracies. ' 
 
16 CYMPELINE. 
 
 As f my poor self did exchange for you, 
 To your so infinite loss ; so, in our trifles 
 1 still win of you : for my sake, wear this; 
 It IS a manacle of love , (1) Til place it 
 
 ( Ties a bracelet on her arm.) 
 Upon this fairest prisoner. 
 
 lino. O. the gods ! — 
 When shall we see again ? 
 
 Enter Cymbeline, Mad an, and Locrine, r.h. 
 
 Post Alack, the king ! [my sight ! 
 
 Cy/n. hou basest thing, avoid ! hence, from 
 If, after this command, thou fraught the court 
 A^ ith thy unvvorthmess, thou diest : away! 
 Thou art poison to my hlood. 
 
 Past. The gods protect you ! 
 And bless the good remainders of the conrt ! 
 I am gone. [Exit^ l.H. 
 
 Imo. There cannot be a pinch in death 
 More sharp than this is. — 
 Pisanio, go, and see your lord on board. 
 
 [Exit Pisanio., l.k. 
 
 Cym. O disloyal thing, [est many 
 
 That should'st repair (2) my youth ; thou heap- 
 A yf^ar's age on me ! — 
 
 Lno. I beseech you, sir, 
 Harm not yourself with your vexation ; I 
 
 (1) A manacle properly means what we now call a hand- 
 cuff. 
 
 (2) Renovate. 
 
CYMBELINE. 17 
 
 Am senseless of your wrath ; a touch more 
 Subdues all pangs, all fears. [rare (1) 
 
 Cym. That might'st have had the sole son of 
 my queen ! — 
 
 Imo. O bless'd, that I might not I 
 
 Cym. Thou took'st a beggar; would'st have 
 A seat of baseness. [made my throne 
 
 Imo. No ; I rather added 
 A lustre to it. 
 
 Cym. O thou vile one ! 
 
 Imo Sir, 
 It is your fault that I have lov'd Posthumus 
 You bred him as my play-fellow ; and he is 
 A man, worth any woman ; over-buys me 
 Almost the sum he pays. (2) 
 
 Cym. What ! — art thou mad ? 
 
 Imo. Almost, sir : heaven restore me ! — 
 'Would I were 
 A neat-herd's daughter ! and my Leonatus 
 Our neighbour shepherd's son ! 
 
 Enter Queeit, r.h. 
 
 Cym. Thou foolish thing ! 
 They were again together : you have done 
 
 (1) A more exquisite feeling ; a superior sensation. 
 
 (2) So small is ray value, and so great is his, that in 
 the purchase he has made, (for which he paid himself,) 
 for much the greater part, and nearly the whole, of what 
 he has given, he has nothing in return. The most minute 
 portion of his worth would be too high a price for the wife 
 he has acquired. 
 
 2 * 
 
18 CYMBKLINE. 
 
 Not after onr command. Away with her, 
 An^ pen her up. (Crosses r.h.) 
 
 (^iieen. 'Beseech yonr patience : — peace. 
 Dear la^ly danschter, peace ; — sweet soverei^fn. 
 Leave ns to ourselves ; and make yourself some 
 
 comfort 
 Onf of yonr be^it advice, fl) 
 
 Cym. Nay, let her lansrnish 
 A drop of blood a day: and, being aged. 
 Die of this folly! 
 
 \ Exeunt Cymbelme^ Locrine^ and Madan^K.H. 
 
 Queen. Fie ! — you must give way. 
 
 Enter Pisanio, l.h. 
 
 Here is yonr servant, 
 
 Your faithful servant : I dare lay mine honour, 
 
 He will remain so. [Exit. r.h. 
 
 Pis. I humbly thank your highness. 
 
 tnio. VVpII, o-ood Pisanio, [last 
 
 Thou saw'st thy lord on hoard : — -what was the 
 Thi* he spake to thee ? 
 
 Pis. 'Twa«, ^Hs queen., his queen ! 
 
 I'!>n. Th^n wnv'd his han<lkerchief ? 
 
 Pis. -nd ki«;s'd it, madam. 
 
 lino. ?>pn«e]ess 1 nen ! happier therein than I ! — 
 And that was all? 
 
 Pis No, madam : for so lonsf 
 As hf» could make me, with this eye, 
 Dislinofuish him from others, he did keep 
 The deck, with ?-love, or hat, or handkerchief, 
 Still waving, as the tits and stirs of his mind 
 (1) ReflectioHc 
 
CYMBELINE. 1^ 
 
 Could best express how slow his soul sailM on, 
 How swift his ship. 
 
 L.'W. Thou should'st have made him 
 As little as a crow, or less, ere left 
 To after-eye him. 
 
 Pis. Madam, so I did. 
 
 Itno I would have broke mine eye^strings ; 
 crack'd them, but 
 To look upon him ; till the diminution 
 Of space had pointed him sharp as my needle : 
 Nay, follovv'd him, till he had melted from 
 The smallness of a ^nat to air ; and then [sanio, 
 Hive turnM mine eye, and wept. — But, good Pi- 
 \Vhf>n shall we hear from him ? 
 
 Pis. Be assur'd, madam, 
 With his next vantage. ( I) 
 
 Into. I did not take my leave of him, but had 
 Most pretty thint^s to say: ere I could tell him, 
 How I would think on him, at certain hours. 
 Such thoughts, and such ; or have charg'd him, 
 At the sixth hour of morn, at noon, at midnight, 
 To encounter me with orisons, (2) tor then 
 I am in heaven for him ; (>^) or ere I could 
 Give him that parting kiss, which 1 had set 
 Bet wixt two charming words, comes in my father. 
 And, like the tyrannous breathing of the north. 
 Shakes all our buds from growing. — See the 
 
 Queen. — 
 Those things I bid you do, get them despatched, 
 
 \Exit^ R.H. 
 
 Pis. Madam, I shall, [Exit^ l.h.s.Eo 
 
 (1) Oppoitunity. 
 
 (2) Meet me with reciprocal prayer. 
 
 (3) My solicitatigns ascend to heaven on his behalf. 
 
20 CYMBELINE. 
 
 Enter Queen, l.h.s.e. meeting Cob.nkl\vs. 
 
 Queen. Now, master doctor ; have you brought 
 those drugs ? 
 
 Cor. rleaseth your highness, ay : 
 
 (^Gives the Queen a phial in a case.) 
 But, I beseech your grace, — without offence, — 
 My conscience bids rne ask, — wherefore you have 
 Commanded of me these most poisonous com- 
 pounds. 
 
 Queen. I do wonder, doctor, 
 Thouask'st me such a question : have I not been 
 Thy pupil long? 
 I will try the forces 
 Of these thy compounds, 
 And apply 
 
 Allayments to their act; and by them gather 
 Their several virtues and effects. — 
 Here comes a flattering rascal ; upon him (^Aside.) 
 Will I first work ; he's for his master, 
 An enemy to my son. 
 
 Enter Pisanio, l.h. and going to r.ii. 
 
 How now, Pisanio ? {Stops him.) Hark thee, a 
 
 word. — 
 Doctor, your service for this time is ended. 
 
 {Talks privately with Pisanio.) 
 Cor. (Aside.) I do suspect you, madam ; 
 But you shall do no harm. 
 I know her spirit. 
 
 And will not trust one of her malice with 
 A drug of such damn'd nature : those, she has, 
 Will stupify and dull the sense awhile ; 
 But there is 
 
CYMBELINE. 21 
 
 No danger in what show of death it tnnkes, 
 More than the locking up the spirits a time, 
 To be more fre-h, reviving'. She is foofd 
 With a most false effect ; and I the truer, 
 So to be false with her. [Kxit^ r.h. 
 
 Queen. Weeps she still, say'st thou ? Dost 
 thou think, in time 
 She will not quench ; ( j ) and let instructions enter 
 Where folly now possesses ? Po thou work : 
 When thou shalt bring me word, she ioves oiy 
 
 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 : 
 What shalt thou expect, 
 To be depender on a thins' that leans? (2) 
 Who cannot be new built : nor has no friends, 
 So much as but to prop km? 
 
 {The Queen drops a. box: Pisanio takes it vp.) 
 Thou tak'st np 11, our: 
 
 Thou know'st not what ; but take it for thy la- 
 It 's a thing \ n>ade, which hath the k'ng 
 Five times redeemed from death : i do not ki-ow 
 What is more cordial :-- nay, 5 pr'ylhee, take it: 
 It is an earnest of a further good 
 I mean to thee Tell thy mistress how 
 The case stands with her; do't, as from thyself. 
 I'll move the king 
 
 To any shape of thy preferment, such 
 As thou'lt desire ; and then n»yself, I chiefly. 
 
 (1) Grof^ cool. 
 
 (2) That inclines towards its fall. 
 
22 CYMBELINE. 
 
 That set thee on to this desert, am bound 
 
 To load thy merit richly. 
 
 Fare thee well, Pisanio ; 
 
 Think on my words. [Exit^ r.h. 
 
 Pis. And shall do ; 
 But when to my good lord I prove untrue, 
 I'll choke myself, there's all I'll do for you. 
 By this he's at Rome, and ^ood Philario, 
 With open arms, and grateful heart, receives 
 His friend's reflected image in his son, 
 Old Leonatus in young I'osthumus : 
 Sweet Imogen, what thou endur'st the while, 
 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 — -heaven keep unshaken 
 That temple, thy fair mind, that thou may'st stand 
 To enjoy thy banish'd lord, and this great land ! 
 
 [Exit, L.H. 
 
 SCENE II. — Rome. — An Apartment in Philario' s 
 House. — (Mm5ic.) 
 
 Philario, {in the Centre,^ with a Letter, Tachimo, 
 R.H. and Lewis, l.h. discovered at a Banquet. 
 
 lach. Believe it, sir: I have seen him in Bri- 
 tain : he was then of a crescent note ; expected 
 to prove so worlhy, as since he hath been al- 
 low'd the name of: but I could then have look'd 
 on him without the help of admiration ; though 
 the catalogue of his endowments had been ta- 
 bled by his side, and I to peruse him by items 
 
CYMBELINE, 23 
 
 Phil. You speak of him when he was less 
 furnish'd than now he is. 
 
 Lewis. 1 have seen him in France : we had 
 very many there, could behold the sun with as 
 firm eyes as he. 
 
 lach. This matter of marrying his king's 
 daughter (wherein he must be weigh'd rather 
 by her value, than his own,) words him, 1 doubt 
 not, a great deal from the matter.(l) 
 
 Lewis. And then his banishment : — 
 
 lack. Ay, and the approbation of those that 
 weep this lamentable divorce, under her co- 
 lours, (2) are wonderfully to extend(3) him ; be 
 it but to fortify her judgment, which else an ea- 
 sy battery might lay flat, for taking a beggar 
 without more quality. But how comes it, he is 
 to sojourn with you ? How creeps acquain- 
 tance ? 
 
 Phil. His father and I were soldiers together : 
 to whom I 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, l.h. 
 — I (^Philario crosses to Posthumus and embraces 
 
 (1) Makes the description of him very distant from the 
 truth. 
 
 (2) Under her banner ; by her influence. 
 
 (3) Exalt. 
 
24 CYMBELINE. 
 
 him.) beseech you all, be better known to this 
 gentleman ; whom I commend to you, as a no- 
 ble friend of mine : how worthy he is, I will 
 leave to appear hereafter, rather than story 
 him in his own hearing. 
 
 Lewis. Sir, we have known together in Or- 
 leans. {^Crosses to Posthumus.) 
 
 Post Since when I have been debtor to you 
 for courtesies, which I will be ever to pay, and 
 yet pay still. 
 
 Lewis. Sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindness : I 
 was glad 1 did atone(l) 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(2) of so slight and trivial 
 a nature. 
 
 Post. By your pardon, sir, — 1 was then a 
 young traveller; but, upon my mended judg- 
 ment (if 1 offend not to say it is mended,) my 
 quarrel was not altogether slight. 
 
 Lewis. 'Faith, yes, to be put to the abitre- 
 m^^nt of swords. 
 
 lack. Can we, with manners, ask what was 
 the d'flference ? 
 
 Lewis. Safely, I think ; 't was a contention in 
 public, which may, without contradiction, (3) 
 sutTf-r the report. It was mtich like an argu- 
 ment that fell out last night, where each of us 
 
 (1) Reconcile. 
 
 (2) fmporf' nee ?s here, as elsewhere in Shakspeare, im- 
 poituij'ty, instigation. 
 
 (3) Which, undoubtedly, may be publicly told. 
 
CYMBELINE. 25 
 
 fell in praise of onr country mistresses: this gen- 
 tleman at that time vouching- (and upon warrant 
 of bloody affirmation,) his to be more fair, virtu- 
 ous, wise, chasie, constant-qualitied, and less at- 
 temptible, than any the rarest of our ladies in 
 France. 
 
 lach. That lady is not now living; or this 
 gentleman's opinion, by this, worn out. 
 
 Post. She holds her virtue still, and I rny 
 mind. 
 
 lach. You must not so far prefer her 'fore ours 
 of Italy. 
 
 Post. Being so far provoked as I was in France, 
 I would abate her nothing ; though I profess 
 myself her adorer, not her friend. 
 
 lach. As fair, and as good, (a kind of hand-in- 
 hand comparison,) had been something too f^'-r, 
 and- too good, for any lady in Britany. If she 
 went before others 1 have seen, as that diamond 
 of yours out-lustres many I have beheld, I couid 
 not but believe she excelled many; but 1 have 
 not seen the most precious diamond that is, nor 
 you the lady. 
 
 Post. I praised her as I rated her : so do I 
 my stone. 
 
 lach. What do you esteem it at ? 
 
 Post. More than the world enjoys. 
 
 lach. Either your unparagoned mistress is 
 dead, or she's out-priz'd by a trifle. 
 
 Post. You are mistaken : the one may be sold, 
 or given ; if 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. 
 3 
 
26 CYMBELINE. 
 
 lach. Which the gods have given you '? 
 
 Post. Which, by their graces, I will keep. 
 
 lack. You may wear her in title yours : but, 
 you know, strange fowl light upon neighbouring 
 ponds. Your ring may be stolen too : so, of 
 your brace of unprizeable estimations, the one 
 is but frail, and the other casual ; a cunning 
 thief, or that way-accomplish'd courtier, would 
 hazard the winning both of first and last. 
 
 Post. Your Italy contains none so accomplish- 
 ed a courtier, to convince(l) 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 1 fear not my 
 ring. 
 
 Phil. Let us leave here, gentlemen. 
 
 Post. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy 
 signior, I thank him, makes no stranger of me ; 
 we are familiar at first. 
 
 lach. With five times so much conversation, I 
 should get ground of your fair mistress: make 
 her go back, even to the yielding; had I admit- 
 tance, and opportunity to friend. 
 
 Post. No, no. 
 
 lach. I dare, thereon, pawn the moiety of my 
 estate to your ring ; which, in my opinion, over- 
 values it something : but I make my wager ra- 
 ther against your confidence, than her reputa- 
 tion : and, to bar your offence herein too, I durst 
 attempt it against any lady in the world. 
 
 Post. You are a great deal abused (2) in too 
 
 (1) Overcome, (2) Deceived, 
 
CYMBELINE. 27 
 
 bold a persuasion ; and I doubt not you sustain 
 what you're worthy of, by your attempt. 
 
 lach. What's that? 
 
 Post. A repulse : though your attempt, as you 
 call it, deserve more ; a punishment too. 
 
 Phil. Gentlemen, enough of this : it came in 
 too suddenly ; let it die as it was born, and, I 
 pray you, be better acquainted. 
 
 lach 'Would I had put ray estate, and my 
 neighbour s, on the approbation (1) of what I 
 have spoke. 
 
 Post. What lady would you choose to assail ? 
 
 lach. Yours ; whom in constancy, you think, 
 stands so safe. I will lay you ten thousand du- 
 cats 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. 
 
 Post. I will wage against your gold, gold to 
 it : my ring 1 hold dear as my finger ; 't is part 
 of it. 
 
 lach. You are a friend, and therein the wi- 
 ser (2) If you buy 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. 
 
 Post. This is but a custom in your tongue ; 
 you bear a graver purpose, I hope. 
 
 (1) Proof. 
 
 (2) You are a friend to the lady, and therein the wiser, 
 as you will not expose her to hazard ; and that you fear 
 Is a proof of your religious fidelity. 
 
28 CYMBELINE. 
 
 lach. I am the master of my speeches ; (1) 
 and uould un.V^rg-o h hat's spoken, I swear. 
 
 Post. Will yon? — Let there be covenants 
 dr ivvn between us : my mistress exceeds in good- 
 ness the huofeness of your unworthy thinking : I 
 dare you to chis m;jtch : here's my ring, 
 
 thil. I Will have it no lay. 
 
 lack. By the gods, it is one: — If I bring you 
 no jJiirticient test roony that I have enjoy'd your 
 mi-tresi*, my ten thousand ducats are yours; — 
 P'ovded, I have your commendation for my 
 more free entertainment. 
 
 Post. I embrace these cond.tions ; let us have 
 articles betwixt us: — only, thus far you shall 
 answer. If you make your voyage upon her, 
 and give me directly to understand you have 
 prevailed, 1 am no further your enemy, she is 
 not worth our debate : if she remain unseduc- 
 ed (you not making it appear otherwise,) for 
 your ill opiUion, and the assiult you have made 
 to her chastity you shall answer me with your 
 sword. 
 
 fach. Your hand ; a covenant: we will have 
 these things set down by lawiul connstl. and 
 straio^ht away for Brrtain ; lest the barga.n should 
 catch cold, and starve : I will fetch my gold, 
 and have our two wagers recorded. 
 
 Post. Agreed. [Exeunt, r.h. 
 
 rND OF ACT I. 
 
 (1> ^. e. I know what I have said ; I said no more than 
 I meant. 
 
CYMBELINE: 29 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 SCENE L — Britain. — Imogen'' s ApartinenU 
 Enter Imogi-n, l.h. 
 
 Imo. A father cruel, and a step-dame false ; 
 A foolish suitor to a wedded lady, 
 That hath her hushand banish'd ;-0,that husband! 
 My supreme crown of grief ! and those repeated 
 Vexations of it ! Had I been thief-stolen, 
 As my two brothers, happy I but most miserable 
 Is the desire that\s g'iorious : blessed be those, 
 How mean soe'er, that have their honest wills, 
 Which seasons comtort. (l) — Who may this be? 
 Fye! 
 
 Enter Pisanio, and Iachimo, l.h. 
 
 Pis. Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome ; 
 Comes from my lord with letters. 
 
 lack. Change you, madam ? 
 The worthy Leonatus is in safety. 
 And greets your highness dearly. 
 
 {^Kneels and presents a letter, and kisses her 
 hand as she raises hi?n.) 
 
 (1) '* That those are happy who have their honest wills, 
 which gives a relish to comfort; but that those are misera- 
 ble who set their aftections on objects of superior excel- 
 lence, which are of course difficult to obtain." The word 
 honest means jp/am or humble, and is opposed to glorious. 
 
 3 * 
 
30 CYMBEUNE. 
 
 Into. Thanks, g^ood sir; 
 Yon Rre kindly welcome. (Fea(h the letter.) 
 
 lack. All of her. that is out of door, most rich ! 
 If she be fnrnish''d with a mmd so rare, 
 She is alone the Arabian bird and I 
 Have lost the wasfer. Boldness be my friend ! 
 Arm me, andacitv, from head to foot ! (Aside.) 
 
 Imo. {Reads aloud ) — He is one of the noh'est 
 note., to whose kindnesses I am most injinitely tied. 
 R'Hect upon him accordingly^ as you value your 
 tr'iest Leonatus, 
 
 So far I read alond : 
 Bnt even the very middle of my heart 
 It- wirmM by the rest, and takes it thankfully.— 
 Yon are as welcome, worthy sir, as I 
 Hive vvord^ to bid you; and shall find it so, 
 In all that I can do. 
 
 fach. Thanks, fairest lady. — feyes 
 
 What! are men mad? Hath nature Sfiven them 
 To see this vaulted arch, and the rich crop 
 Of sea and land, which can distinsruish 'twixt 
 1 he fiery orbs above, and the twinn'd stones 
 Upon the number'd(l) beach,— and can we not 
 Partition make 
 'Twixt fair and fou) ? 
 
 Imo. What makes vrur fi'^miration ? [keys 
 
 lack, 't cannot be i'the eye ; for apes and mon 
 
 (P N-imberM is perhaps mi.merot/s. T'^nnn'd xfnprsl 
 do not iinHerstand. — Tirinnd sltfU", of p."''" ofs^ e'l't, are 
 very co\iimon. For twinnVi we niighl efi' t^' i:' > • th.-t js 
 tw^xted, conrohcd ; but this sense is more applicabJe to 
 shells than stones. 
 
CYMBELINE. 31 
 
 ^Twixt two such shes, would chatter this way, and 
 Contemn with mows the other. 
 
 Imo. What is the matter, trow ? 
 
 lach. The cloyed will, 
 That satiate, yet unsatisfyed desire, 
 Ravening- first 
 The lamb, long^s after for the garbage. 
 
 Imo. What, dear sir, 
 Thas raps you ? Are you well ? [sir, 
 
 lack. Thanks, madam ; well : — 'beseech you, 
 Desire my man's abode where I did leave him ; 
 He's stranofe, and peevish. (1) {To Pisanio.) 
 
 Pis. I was going, sir. 
 To give him welcome. [Exit^ i..h. 
 
 Imo. Continues well my lord? His health, 
 'beseech you ? 
 
 lack. Well, madam. 
 
 Imo. Is he dispos'd to mirth? I hope he is. 
 
 lack. Exceeding pleasant; none a stranger 
 there 
 So merry and so gamesome : he is call'd 
 The Briton reveller. 
 
 Imo. When he was here. 
 He did incline to sadness ; and oft-times 
 Not knowing why. 
 
 lach. I never saw him sad. 
 There is a Frenchman, his companion, 
 That, it seems, much loves 
 A Gallian girl at home : he furnaces 
 The thick sighs from him ; whiles the joUyBriton 
 
 (1) Strange signifies shy or backward. — Peevish ancient- 
 ly meant weak, silly. 
 
32 CYMBELINE. 
 
 (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 proofs 
 What woman is, yea^ what she cannot choose 
 But must 6e, — will his free hours languish for 
 Assured bondage? 
 
 Imo. Will u\y lord say so? 
 
 lach. Ay, madam ; with his eyes in flood with 
 laughter. 
 It is a recreation to he by, 
 And hear him mock the Frenchman: but, hea- 
 vens kucvv. 
 Some men are much to blame. 
 
 Juio. Not he, ! hope. 
 
 lach. Not he : hut yet heaven's bounty to- 
 wards him ni:ght [much ;(1) 
 Be us'd more ihanktuily. In himself 't is 
 In you, — vvhich i count his, beyond all talents, — 
 Vi hilst 1 am hound to wonder, I am bound 
 To pity loo. 
 
 Imo. What do you pity, sir? 
 
 lach. Two creatures, heartily. 
 
 Imo. Am ' one, sir ? 
 You look on me, — what wreck discern you in me 
 Deserves your pity ? 
 
 lach. Lamentable ! What ! 
 To hide me from the radiant sun, and solace 
 r the dunt^eon by a snuff? 
 
 (1) If he merely regarded his own character, without 
 apy consideration of his wife, his conduct would be un» 
 pardonable. 
 
CYMBELINE. 35 
 
 Imo. 1 pray you, sir, 
 Deliver with more openness your answers 
 To my demands. Why do you pity me? 
 
 Ictch. That others do, 
 
 I was about to say, enjoy your But 
 
 It is an office of the gods to 'venge it, 
 Not mine to speak on't. 
 
 Imo. You do seem to know [yo"? — 
 
 Something of me, or what concerns me ; 'pray 
 (Since doubting things go ill, often hurts more 
 Than to be sure they do,) — 
 Discover to me 
 What both you spur and stop. (1) 
 
 lach. Had I this cheek 
 To bathe my lips upon ; this band, 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, as with labour; 
 It were fit. 
 
 That all the plagues of hell should at one time 
 Encounter such revolt. 
 
 Imo. My lord, I fear. 
 Has forgot Britain. 
 
 lach. And himself Not I, 
 Inclin'd to this intelligence, pronounce 
 The beggary ef his change ; but 'tis your graces 
 
 (1) This kind of ellipsis is common in these plays. What 
 both you spur and stop at the poet means. 
 
34 CYMBEUNE. 
 
 That, from my mutest conscience, to my tongue. 
 Charms this report out. 
 
 Lno. Let me hear no more. 
 
 lach. A lady, 
 So ra;r, and fasten''cl to an empery, (1) [ner'd 
 Would make the i^reate^st king- double ! to be part- 
 Wiih tomi oys, hir'd with that self-exhibition 
 Which your own coffers yield ! — (2) 
 Be rpveng- d , 
 
 Or she th..t hore you was no qyeen, and you 
 Recoil from your great stock. 
 
 hno. Keveng'd ! 
 How should I be reveng'd ? If this be true, — 
 As 1 hivp such a heart, that both m ne ears 
 M'lst not in haste abuse, — if it be true, 
 How should I be reveng''d? 
 
 lach. Should he make me 
 Live like Diana''s prest betwixt cold sheets; 
 Whiles he s vaulting variable ramps, 
 In your despite? Revenge it. 
 I d?d!cate rnyself to your sweet pleasure, 
 More noble than that runagate tr) your bed; 
 And will continue last to your atfi^ction, 
 Stili close, as sure. (^fakes her hand.'^ 
 
 Lno. V hat ho, Fisanio ! 
 
 {Strngs;linq to get loose.^ 
 
 lach. Let me my service ter.dnr on your lips. 
 
 Jmo. Away ! (Throws him from her.) { do con- 
 demn mine ears, that have 
 
 (1) Empery i? a word signifying sovereign command, 
 aow obsolete. 
 
 (2) Gross strumpets, hired with the vert/ pension which 
 you allow your husband. 
 
CYMBELINE. 35 
 
 So long attended thee. — If thou wert honourable, 
 Thou would'st have toid 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. [Crosses toL.H.) What 
 
 ho, Pisanio ! — 
 The king my father shall be made acquainted 
 Of thy asssault : if he shall think it tit, 
 A saucy stranger, in his court, to mart 
 As in a Romish stew, (1) 
 He hath a court 
 He little cares for, and a daughter, whom 
 
 He not respects at all. What ho, Pisanio ! 
 
 {Crosses to r.h.) 
 
 lack. O happy Leonatus ! I may say ; 
 The credit, that thy lady hath of thee, [ness 
 Deserves thy trust ; and thy most perfect good- 
 Her assur'd credit ! — Blessed live you long ! 
 A lady to the worthiest sir, that ever 
 Country calPd 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 unto him ; 
 Half all men's hearts are his. 
 
 Imo. You make amends. 
 
 (1) Romish was;, in the time of Shakspeare, used in- 
 stead of Roman. 
 
36 CYMBELINE. 
 
 lack. He sits 'mongst men, like a descended 
 He hath a kind of honour sets him off, [god : 
 More than a mortal seeming. Be not angry, 
 Most mighty princess, that 1 have adventur'd 
 To try your taking a false report ; 
 The love I bear him [you, 
 
 Made me to fan you thus ; but the gods made 
 Unlike all others, chuffless. 'Pray, your pardon. 
 
 Imo. All's well, sir : take my power 'i the court 
 for yours. 
 
 lach. My humble thanks. — I had almost forgot 
 To entreat your grace but in a small request, 
 And yet of moment too, for it concerns 
 Your lord: myself, and other noble friends,^ 
 Are partners in the business. 
 
 Imo. 'Pray, what isH? 
 
 lach. Some dozen Romans of us, and your lord. 
 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, (1) 
 To have them in safe stowage : may it please you 
 To take them in protection ? 
 
 Imo. Willingly : 
 And pawn mme honour for their safety: since 
 My lord hath interest in them, I will keep them 
 In my bedchamber. 
 
 lach. I hey are in a trunk. 
 Attended by my men : I will make bold 
 
 (1) Being a stranger. 
 
CYMBELINE. 37 
 
 To send them to you, only for this night ; 
 I must aboard to-morrow. 
 
 Imo. O, no, no. 
 
 ladu Yes, I beseech ; or I shall short my word. 
 By lengthening my reiurn. From Gallia 
 I cross'd the seas on purpose, and on promise, 
 To see your grace. 
 
 Imo. I thank you for your pains. 
 But not away to-morrow ? 
 
 lach. O, I must, madam : 
 Therefore I shall beseech you, if you please 
 To greet your lord with writing, do't to-night : 
 I have out-stood my time; which is material 
 To the tender of our present. 
 
 Imo. 1 will write. 
 Send your trunk to me , it shall be safe kept, 
 And truly yielded you : you are very welcome. 
 [Exeunt, Imogen^ r.h, lachimo^ l.h. 
 
 SCENE II. — An Antichamber to ImogenPs Apart' 
 meht. 
 
 Enter Cloten, Lockine, and Madan, r.h. 
 
 Clot. Was there ever man had such luck ! 
 when I kissed the jack upon an up cast, to be 
 hit away! (I) 1 had an hundred pound on't: 
 and then a whoreson jackanapes must take me 
 
 (1) He is describing his fate at bowls. The jack is the 
 small bowl at which the otheis aie aiu'Rcl. He who is 
 nearest to it wins. To kiss the jack is a state of great ad- 
 vantage. 
 
 4 
 
38 CYMBELINE. 
 
 up for swearing ; as if I borrowed my oaths of 
 him, and might not spend them at my pleasure. 
 
 Loc. (l.h.) What got he by that? You have 
 broke his pate with your bowl. 
 
 Mad. {Aside^ r.h.) If his wit had been like 
 him that broke it, it would have run all out. 
 
 Clot. When a gentleman is disposed to swear, 
 it is not for any standers-by to curtail his oaihs : 
 ha? 
 
 Mad No, my lord ; {Aside.) — nor crop the 
 ears of them. 
 
 Clot. Whoreson dog! — I give him satisfaction ? 
 'Would he had been one of my rank ! 
 A plague 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 
 belly full of fighting, and I must go up and 
 down, like a cock that nobody can match. 
 
 (Crosses to l.h.) 
 
 Loc. It is not fit, your lordship should under- 
 take every companion (1) that you give of- 
 fence to. 
 
 Clot. No, I know that : but it is fit, 1 should 
 commit offence to my inferiors. 
 
 (Crosses to Centre.) 
 
 Mad. Ay, it is fit for your lordship only. 
 
 Clot. VVhy, so I say. 
 
 Mad. Here comes the king. 
 
 (Locrine crosses to l.h.) 
 
 (1) The use of companion was the same as of fellow 
 now. It was a word of contempt. 
 
CYMBELINE. 39 
 
 Enter Cymbeline and Queen, l.h. 
 
 Clot. Good-ni^ht to your majesty, and gra- 
 cious mother. [daughter ? 
 
 Cym. Attend you here the door of our stern 
 Will she not forth ? 
 
 Clot. She vouchsafes no notice ; but I will as- 
 sail her before morning with mask and music. 
 
 ('yin. The Exile of her minion is too new, 
 She hath not yet forgot him ; some more t.me 
 Must wear the print of his remembrance out, 
 And then she's yours. 
 
 Enter an Officer, and whispers Locrine, l.h. 
 
 Queen, You are most bound to the king j 
 Wlio lets go by no 'vantages, that may 
 Prefer you to his daughter. 
 
 Loc. So like you, sir, ambassadors from Rome, 
 The one is Caius Lucius. 
 
 Cym. A worthy fellow ; 
 Albeit he comes on angry purpose now : 
 But that s no fault of his. — Our dear son, 
 When you have given good morning to your 
 
 mistress, 
 Attend the queen and us, we shall have need 
 T' employ you towards this Roman. 
 Betimes to-morrow we'll hear the embassy. 
 
 [Exit the officer., l.h. 
 Come, madam. [Exeunt Cymbeline and Queen, k.h. 
 
 Loc. Did you hear of another stranger that's 
 come to court to-night? 
 
 Clot. Another stranger and I not know on't ? 
 
 Mad. He's astranffe fellow himself, and knows 
 it not 
 
40 CYMBELTNE. 
 
 Loc. There's an Italian come, and, 'tis thought, 
 one ofLeonafus' friends. 
 
 Clot. Leonatus ! A banished rascal ; and he's 
 another, whatsoever he be. Who told you of 
 this stranjrer ? 
 
 Lac. One of your lordship's pages. [there 
 
 Clot. Is it fit, I went to look upon him ? Is 
 no derogation in it ? 
 
 Mad. ^ ou cannot derogate, my lord. 
 
 Clot. Not easily, I think. 
 Come I'll go see this Italian ; and, if he'll play, 
 I'll game with him ; and to-morrow, with our 
 Father, we'll hear the ambassador — Come, let's 
 
 go- 
 Loc I'll attend your lordship. [Exeunt.^ l.h. 
 
 SCENE III. — hnogeri's Bedchamber. — In one Part 
 of it a Trunk. 
 
 Imogen reading in her bed ; Helen attending.^ seated. 
 
 Into. Who's there? my woman Helen ? 
 
 Hel. Please you, madam, — 
 
 Imo. What hour is it ? 
 
 Hel. \lmost midnight, madam. 
 
 Imo. I have read three hours then : mine 
 eyes are weak :— 
 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 pr'ythee call me. Sleep hath seiz'd me wholly. 
 
 fExit Helen.) r.h. 
 To your protection I commend me, gods ! 
 From fairies and the tempters of the night. 
 Guard me, 'beseech you ! (Sleeps.) 
 
CYMBELINE. 41 
 
 Iachimo comes out of the Trunk. 
 
 lack. The crickets sing, and man's o'er-Ia- 
 bour'd sense 
 Repairs itself by rest : our Tarquin thus 
 Did softly pt ess the rushes, ere he wakened 
 The chastity he wounded. — Cytherea, 
 How bravely thou becom'st thy bed ! fresh lily ! 
 And whiter than the sheets ! That I might touch ! 
 But kiss ; one kiss! — 
 
 'Tis her breathing that [per 
 
 Perfumes the chamber thus: the flame o'the ta- 
 Bows towards her ; and would under-peep her 
 
 lids, 
 To see the enclosed lights now canopied 
 Under these windows : (1) white and azure, lac'd 
 With blue of heaven's own tinct. — But my de- 
 sign ;— 
 To note the chamber: — I will write all down : — 
 (^Takes out his Tablets.) 
 Such, and such, pictures : — there the wmdow : 
 
 — 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.) 
 (1) Her eyelids, 
 4 * 
 
42 CYMBELINE. 
 
 As slippery as the Gordian knot was bard ! — 
 '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 : (1) here's a voucher, 
 Stronger than ever law could make. — 
 To what end ? 
 
 Why should I write this down, that's riveted, 
 Screw'd to my memory ? — She hath been read- 
 ing late [down, 
 The tale of Tereus ; here the leaf's turn'd 
 Where Philomel gave up. — 1 have enough : 
 To the trunk again, and shut the spring of it. 
 
 {Goes into the Trunk.) 
 Swift, swift, you dragons of the night ! (2) that 
 
 dawning 
 May bare the raven's eye : (3) I lodge in fear ; 
 Though this a heavenly angel, hell is here. 
 
 [Clock strikes.) 
 One, two, three : — time, time ! (4) 
 
 [The scene closes.) 
 
 (1) Shakspeare was an observer of nature, though, in this 
 instance, no very accurate describer of it, for the drops al- 
 luded to are of a deep yellow. 
 
 (2) The task of drawing the chariot of night was assign* 
 ed to dragons, on account of their supposed watchfulness. 
 The whole tribe of serpents sleep with theii eyes open, and 
 therefore appear to exert a constant vigilance. 
 
 (3) The poet means no more than that the light might 
 wake the raven. It is well known that the raven is a very 
 early bird, perhaps earlier than the lark. 
 
 (4) Just before Imogen went to sleep, her attendant in- 
 forms her it is almost midnight. lachimo, immediately 
 after she has fallen asleep, comes from the trunk, and the 
 present soliloquy cannot have consumed more than a few 
 minutes, yet we are now told tbat it is three o'clock. 
 
aYMBELlNE. 43 
 
 SCENE IV.— ^ Gallenj. 
 
 Enter Cloten, Locrine, and Madan, l.h. and 
 cross behind to r.h, 
 
 Loc. Your lordship is the most patient man in 
 loss, the coldest that ever turned up ace. 
 
 Clot. It would make any man cold to lose. 
 
 Loc. But not every man patient, after the no- 
 ble temper of your lordship : you are most hot, 
 and furious, when you win. 
 
 Clot. Winning will pat any man into courage. 
 If I could get this foolish Imogen, I should have 
 gold enough : It's almost morning, is't not? 
 
 Afad. Day, my lord. 
 
 Clot. I would the masquers and musicians 
 were come ; 1 am advised to give her music 
 o'mornings ; they say, it will penetrate. 
 
 {Ji Flourish of Music in the Orchestra.) 
 
 Loc. Here they are, my lord. 
 
 Clot. Come, let's join them. [Exeunt^ l.h. 
 
 SCENE V. — An Antichamher to Imogen^s Apart- 
 ment. 
 
 Enter Cloten, Locrine, Madan, with Singers.^ l.h. 
 
 Clot. Come on, tune first a very eycellent 
 good conceiied thing, after a wonderful sweet air, 
 with admirable rich words to it, and then let her 
 consider. 
 
44 CYMBELINE. 
 
 SONG. 
 
 Hark ! hark ! the lark at heaven's gate sings, 
 
 And Phoebus ''gins arise^ 
 His steeds to water at those springs 
 
 On chalic' d Jiowers that lies ; 
 And winking Mary-buds begin 
 
 To ope their golden eyes ; (1) 
 With every thing that pretty bin^ 
 
 My lady sweet arise ; 
 Arise^ arise. 
 
 Clot. So, get you gone : — (Gives them a purse.) 
 — if this penetrate, 1 will consider your music 
 the better, {-i) [Exeunt Singers., l.h. 
 
 If it do not, it is a vice in her ears, which horse- 
 hairs, and cats'-guts, nor the voice of eunuch to 
 boot, can never amend. Leave us to ourselves. 
 [Exeunt Locrine aud Madan^ l.h. 
 If she be up, I'll speak with her; if not. 
 Let her lifs still, and dream.-By your leave, ho ! — 
 
 (Knocks^ R.H.) 
 I know her wotpen 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 ftilse themselves, yield up 
 Their deer to the stand of the stealer : and *tis 
 
 gold [thief; 
 
 Which makes the true man kill'd, and saves the 
 
 (1) The marygold is supposed to shut itself up at sunset, 
 
 (2) 1 will pay you more amply. 
 
CYMBELINE. 45 
 
 Nay, sometime, hangs both thief and true man : 
 
 what 
 Can it not do, and undo? 1 will make 
 One of her women lawyer to me ; for 
 I yet not understand the ease myself. 
 By your leave. [Knocks.^ r.h.d. 
 
 Efiier Helen, r.h.d. 
 
 Hel Who's there, that knocks ? 
 
 Clot. A gentleman. 
 
 Bel. No more ? 
 
 Clot. Yes, and a gentlewoman's son. 
 
 Hel That's more 
 Than some, whose tailor's are as dear as yours, 
 Can justly boast of: what's your lordship's plea- 
 sure ? 
 
 Clot. Your lady's person : is she r; ady ? 
 
 Bel. Ay, to keep her chamber. 
 
 Clot. There's gold for you ; sell me your good 
 report. [you 
 
 Hel. How ? my good name ? or to report of 
 What I shall think is good ? — The princess-— 
 
 Enter Imogen, r.h.d. 
 
 Clot. Good-morrow, fairest sister : your sweet 
 hand [Exi( Helen., r.h.d. 
 
 Imo. Good-morrow, sir : you lay out too much 
 pains 
 For purchasing but trouble. 
 
 Clot. Still, 1 swear, I love you. [me: 
 
 Imo. If you but said so, 'twere as deep with 
 
4t> CYMBELINE. 
 
 If you swear still, your recompense is still 
 That I regard it not. 
 
 Clot, his IS no answer. [silent, 
 
 Imo. But that you shall not say I yield, being 
 I would not speak. I pray you, spare me : 'faith. 
 1 shall unfold equal discourtesy [mg^ 
 
 To your best kindness: one of your great know- 
 Should learn, bemg taught, forbearance. (1) 
 
 Clot To leave you in your madness, 'twere 
 my sin : 
 I will not. 
 
 Imo. Fools cure not mad folks. 
 
 Clot. Do you call me fool ? 
 
 Imo. As I am mad, I do : 
 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 ; 
 But 1, which know my heart, do here pro- 
 nounce, 
 By the very truth of it, I care not for you. 
 
 Clot. 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. 
 
 Imo Profane fellow ! 
 Wert thou the son of Jupiter, and no more, 
 But what thou art, besides, thou wert too base 
 To be his groom. (^Crosses to l.h.) 
 
 Clot, rhe south-fog rot him ! [come 
 
 Imo. He never can meet more mischance, than 
 To be but nam'd of thee. His meanest garment, 
 
 (1) A man who is taught forbearance should learn it. 
 
CYMBELINE. 47 
 
 That ever hath btit clipp'd his body, is dearer, 
 In my respect, than all the hairs above thee. 
 Were they ail made such men. {Crosses to r.h.) 
 Clot. How now ? 
 
 Imo. Pisanio ! {Misses her bracelet.) 
 
 Clot. His garment ? Now, the devil — 
 
 Enter Pisanio, r.h. 
 
 Imo. To Helena my woman hie thee present- 
 ly:_ 
 
 Clot His garment ? 
 
 Imo. I am sprighted with a fool ; (1) [man 
 Frighted, and anger'd worse : — Go, bid my wo- 
 Search for a jewel, that too casually 
 Hath left mine arm ; (2) it was thy master's : 
 
 'shrew me, 
 If I would lose It for a revenue 
 Of any king's in Europe 1 do think, 
 I saw't this morning : confident I am. 
 Last night 'twas on mine arm ; I kiss'd it then. 
 
 Pis. 'Twill not be lost. 
 
 Imo. I hope so : go, and search. 
 
 [Exit Pisanio, r.h.d. 
 
 Clot. You have abus'd me : — 
 His meanest garment ? 
 1 will inform your father. 
 
 Imo. Your mother too : 
 
 (1) I am haunted by a fool, as by a spright, Sprighted 
 is a word that occurs in law tricks. 
 
 (2) Accidentally fallen from my arm by my too great 
 negligence. 
 
48 CYMBELINE. 
 
 She's my good lady; (1) and will conceive, I 
 
 hope, 
 But the worst of me. So I leave you, sir. 
 To the worst of discontent. [Ea;i7, r.h.d. 
 
 Clot. I'll be reveng'd : — 
 His meanest garment ? — Well. [Exit, l.h. 
 
 END OF ACT II. 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 SCENE I. — Rome. — An Apartment in Philario's 
 House. 
 
 Enter Posthumus and Philario, l.h. 
 
 Post. Fear it not, sir : I would, 1 were so sure 
 To win the king, as 1 am bold, her honour 
 Will remain hers. 
 
 Phil. What means do you make to him ? 
 
 Post. Not any; but abide the change of time ; 
 Qnake in ihe present winter's state, and wish 
 That iv^rmer days would come. In these fear'd 
 
 hopes, 
 I barely gratify your love ; they failing, 
 1 must die much your debtor. 
 
 (T; This is said ironically. Mi/ good lady is equivalent 
 to my good friend. 
 
CYMBELINE. 49 
 
 Phil. Your very g^oodness, and yonr company, 
 O'erpays all I can do. liy fhis, your king 
 Hitli heard of great Augustus: Caius Lucius 
 Will do his comnuUsion throughly : and, I think, 
 He'll grant the tribute ; or your countrymen 
 W;ll look upon our Romans, whose remembrance 
 Is yet fresh in their grief. 
 
 Post 1 do believe 
 (Statist (l) though I am none, nor like to be,) 
 That this wAl prove a war ; our countrymen 
 Are men more order'd than when Julius C.esar 
 Smiled at their lack of skill, but found their cour- 
 age 
 Worthy his frowning at : their discipline. 
 Now mingled with their courages, will make 
 
 known 
 To their approvers, (2) they are people, such 
 That mend upon the world : — and more than 
 
 that, 
 They have a king, whose love and justice to them 
 May ask, and have, their treasures, and their 
 blood. [Crosses to L.H.) 
 
 Phil. See ! lachimo ! 
 
 Enter Iachimo, r.h. 
 
 Post. The swiftest harts have posted you by 
 land ; 
 And winds of all the corners kissM your sails, 
 To make your vessel nimble. 
 
 (1) Statesman. 
 
 (2) To those who try them, 
 
 5 
 
50 CYMBELINE. 
 
 Phil Welcome, sir. 
 
 Post. 1 hope the briefness of your answer made 
 The speediness of your return. 
 
 lack. Your lady 
 Is one of the fairest that I have look'd upon. 
 
 Pest. And therewithal, the best; or let her 
 beauty 
 Look through a casement to allure false hearts, 
 And be false with them. 
 
 lach. Here are letters for you. 
 
 (Crosses to Centre^ and gives Post, letters.") 
 
 Post. Their tenour good, i trust. 
 
 lach. 'Tis very like. 
 
 [Posthiimus reads the letters.) 
 
 Phil. Was Caius Lucius in the Britain court, 
 When you were there ? 
 
 lach. He was, my lord : — but I 
 Left, ere I saw him. 
 
 Post. All is well yet. — 
 Sparkles this stone as it was wont? oris't not 
 Too dull for your good wearing ? 
 
 lach. If I have lost it, 
 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. 
 
 Post. The stone's too hard to come by. 
 
 lach. Not a whit, 
 Your lady being so easy. 
 
 Post. Make not, sir, 
 Your loss your sport : I hope, you know that we 
 Must not continue friends. 
 
CYMBELINE. h\ 
 
 lack. Good sir, we must, 
 If you keep covenant: had I not brought 
 The knowledge (1) 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. 
 
 Post. If you can make it apparent 
 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. 
 
 lack. Sir, my circumstances, 
 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. 
 
 Post. Proceed. 
 
 lack. First, her bedchamber, — 
 (Where, -I confess, 1 slept not ; but, profess, 
 Had that was well worth watching ;) (2) — It was 
 
 hangM 
 With tapestry of silk and silver ; the story, 
 
 (1") The word is here used in its scriptural acceptation : 
 <* And Adam knew Eve his wife." 
 
 (2) That which was well worth watching, or lying awake 
 
 for. 
 
52 CYMBELINE. 
 
 Proud Cleopatra, when she met her Roman j 
 A piece of work 
 
 So bravely done, so rich, that it did strive 
 In workmanship and value. 
 
 Post, This is trne; 
 And this you might have heard of here, by me, 
 Or by some other. 
 
 lach. More particulars 
 Must jiistifv my knowledge. 
 
 Post. So they must. 
 Or do yo ir honour injury. 
 
 lach. The chimney 
 Is south the chamber ; and the chimney-piece, 
 Chaste Dian bathing- : never saw ' fig-ures 
 So likely to report themselves: (l) the cutter 
 Was as another nature, dumb ; (2; outwent her, 
 Motion and breath left out. 
 
 Post. This is a thinsf 
 Which you might from relation likewise reap ; 
 Beinz, as it is, much spoke of. 
 
 lack. The roof o' the chamber 
 With sfolden cherubins is fretted. 
 
 Post. This is her honour ! [praise 
 
 Let it be granted, you have seen all this, (and 
 Be given to your remembrance,; the description 
 Of what is in her chamber, nothing saves 
 The wasrer you have laid. 
 
 lach. Then, ifyou can, 
 
 (1) So near to speech. The Italians call a portrait, 
 when the likeness is rempiknble, a speaking piciurc. 
 
 (2) The snilptor iras as vafi/re dumb ; he i^ave every 
 thine th-^t nature gives, but breath and motion. In breath 
 is included speech . 
 
CYMBELINE. 53 
 
 Be pale : — (1) (Pulling out the bracelet,) 
 
 I beg but leave to air this jewel : see ! — 
 And now His up again. 
 
 Post, Jove ! — 
 Once more let me behold it : — (He shows it 
 
 again.) — Is it that 
 Which 1 left with her? 
 
 lach.. Sir, (I thank her,) that : 
 She stripped it from her arm ; I see her yet ; 
 Her pretty action did outsell her gift, 
 And yet enrichM it too : she gave it me, 
 And said, she priz'd it once. 
 
 (Gives Post humus the bracelet.) 
 
 Post, May be, she plucii'd it off, 
 To send it me. 
 
 lach. She writes so to youV doth she ? 
 
 Post. O, no, no, no ! 'tis true. — Here take this 
 too ; 
 (Crosses to centre^ and gives lachimo 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 noth- 
 ing :— 
 O, above measure false ! (Crosses to l.h.) 
 
 Phil. Have patience, sir, (Crosses to Centre,) 
 And take your ring again ; 'tis not yet won : 
 
 (1) If vou can, forbear to flush your cheek with rage. 
 5* 
 
64 CYMBELINE. 
 
 It iDHy be probable, she lost it ; or, 
 
 Who knows if one of her women, being corrupted, 
 
 Hath stolen it from her. 
 
 Post. Very true ; 
 And so, I hope, he came byU : [Crosses to Centre.) 
 
 Back my rinj^ ;■ — 
 Render to me some corporal sign about her, 
 More evident than this; for this was stolen, 
 
 lack. By Jtipiter, I had it from her arm. 
 
 Post, Hark yon, he swears ; by Jupiter he 
 
 swears [sure, 
 
 'Tis true ; nay, keep the ring ; — His true : i am 
 
 She could not lose it: her attendants are 
 
 All sworn, and hono-urable : — they induc'd to 
 
 steal it ! 
 And by a strang-er ? — No ; he hath enjoy'd her j 
 The cognizance (1) of her incontmency 
 Is this, she hath bought the name of whore 
 thus deariy. — (^Gives lacfiiino the bracelet.) 
 There, take thy hire ; and all the fiends of hell 
 Divfde themselves between you ! ( Crosses to l.h.) 
 
 Phil. Sir, he j)at!ent : 
 This IS not strong enough to be believ'd 
 Of one persuaded well o' — 
 
 Post. Never talk on't : 
 She hath been colted by him. 
 
 lack. If you seek (Crosses to Centre.) 
 
 For further satisfying, under her breast 
 (Worthy the pressing,) lies a mole, right proud 
 Of that most delicate lodging: by my life 
 I kissed it. 
 
 (1) The badge, the token, the visible proof, 
 
CYMBELINE, 55 
 
 Yoj] do remember 
 This slain upon her? 
 
 Post. Ay, and it doth confirm 
 Another stain, as bi^ as bell can hold, 
 Where thpre no more but it. 
 
 lack. W;ll you hear more? 
 
 Post. Spare your arithmetic ; never count the 
 Once, and a million ! [turns j 
 
 lac/i. ril be sworn, — 
 
 Post. No swearins^: — 
 If thou wilt swear thou hast not done't, thou liest ; 
 And I will kill thee, if thou dost deny 
 Tliou hast made me cuckold. 
 
 lack. I will deny nothino:. 
 
 Post. O, that I had her here, to tear her limb- 
 meal ! 
 I will a:o there, and do't ; i'the court ; before 
 Her father: — Pll do somethmg — [Exit., l.ii. 
 
 Phil. Quite besides 
 The government of patience ! — You have won : 
 Let's follow him, and pervert the present wrath 
 He hath against himself. [(1) 
 
 lach. With all my heart. [Exeunt., l.h. 
 
 SCENE {{.-^Britain,— Jl Room of State.-^ 
 (^Flourish oj" Drums and Trumpets.^ 
 
 (Six British Oncers in the back ground., Locbine 
 and Mai>an in the front., f.H. Cymbe* ine and 
 the Queen in the centre., on the throne ; six 
 
 (1) Turn his wrath to another ceurse^ 
 
56 CYMBELINE. 
 
 Roman Oncers iii the back ground^ Cloten, 
 Varus, and Lucius, in thefront^ l.h. 
 
 Cym. Now say, what would Augustus Caesar 
 with us ? 
 
 Luc. When Julius Caesar 
 Was m 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, 
 A-nd his succession, granted Rome a tribute, 
 Yearly three thousand pounds ; which by thee 
 Is left untendered. [lately 
 
 Queen. And, to kill the marvel, 
 Shall he so ever. 
 
 Clot. here be many Caesars, 
 Ere such another Julius. Britain is 
 A world by itself; and we will nothing pay 
 For vvearinf;; our own noses. 
 Tribute ? why siiould 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. 
 
 Cym. You must know. 
 Till the injurious Romans did extort 
 This tribute from us, we were free : 
 Say then to C&sar, 
 
 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. 
 
OYniBEL^NE. 57 
 
 Imc. I am sorry, Cymbeline, 
 Thit I atn lo pronounce Augustus Casar 
 Thine enemy : 
 
 Rpcpive it from me then : — war, and confusion, 
 In Ca SHr's name pronounco i Vasn^t thee : look 
 For fnry not to be resisted : — thus defied, 
 I thank thee for myself. 
 
 Cym. 'i'hou art welcome. Caius. 
 
 {Cymbeline and Queen me.) 
 
 Clot. His majesty bids you welcome. Make 
 pastime with us a day or two lonarer : if you se« k 
 us afterwards in other terms, you shall tino us 
 in our salt-water g^irdle : if you beat ns out of it, 
 it is yours; if you fall in the adventur<% our 
 crows shall fare the better for you ; and there's 
 an end. 
 
 Luc. So, sir, 
 
 Cym. I know your master's pieasiire, and he 
 
 All the remain is, welcome. [mine: 
 
 {Flourish of Drvms and Trumpe's l.h.) 
 
 \^Exeuni^ Britoris r.h. Romans l.h. 
 
 SCENE III. — .4?i Antichamber to Imogen's 
 Apartment. 
 
 Enter Pisanio, l.h. with Tpi^o Letters in his Hand. 
 
 Pis. How ! of adultery ? Wherefore write you 
 What monster's her accuser? — Leonatus ! [not 
 O, master! what a strange infection 
 Is fallen into thine ear? What talse Italian, 
 As poisonous-tongu'd, as himde*!. h;ith prevaii'd 
 On thy too ready hearin^^?— Disloyal? No: 
 
58 CYMBELINE. 
 
 She's punish'd for her truth ; and undergoes, 
 
 More goddess-like than wife-like, such assaults 
 
 As would take in some virtue ( l)-0, 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 ?-l, 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 TTiuch as this fact comes to ? [Reading the Let- 
 
 DoH : the letter [ter.) 
 
 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 ! — 
 
 Lo, here she comes. — {Puts up his letter.) 
 
 I am ignorant in what I am commanded. (2) 
 
 Enter Imogen, l.h. 
 
 Imo. How now, Pisanio ? 
 
 Pis. Madam, here's a letter from my lord. 
 
 Imo. Who? thy lord? that is my lord? Leon- 
 atus ? {Takes the letter.) 
 
 You good gods. 
 
 Let what is here contain'd relish of love, 
 Of my lord's health, of his content! 
 Good wax, thy leave : — bless'd be 
 You, bees, that make these locks of counsel ■ 
 Good new^, gods ! 
 
 (1) To take in a town is to conquer it. 
 
 (2) I am unpractised in the art of murder. 
 
CYMBELfNE. 59 
 
 (Reading.) — Justice., and your father^s wrath, 
 sliould he take me in his dominions., could not be so 
 cruel to m*?, as you. O the dearest of creatures., 
 woidd not 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 re- 
 mains loyal to his vow^ and your., increasing in love., 
 
 Leonatus Postiiumus. 
 O, for a horse with wings !-Hear'st thou, Pisariic f 
 He is at Milfbrd-Haven : read, and tell me 
 How far 'tis thither. If one of mean aflairs 
 May plod it in a week, why may not f 
 Glide thither in a day ? — Then, true Pisanio, 
 How tar is it 
 
 To this same blessed Milford ? 
 How may we steal from hence ? 
 I pr'ythee, speak, 
 
 How many score of miles may we well ride 
 'Twixt hour and hour ? 
 
 Pis. One score, 'twixt sun and sun, 
 Madam, is enough for you ; and too much too. 
 
 Imo. Why, one that rode to his execution, man. 
 Could never go so slow : — 
 But this is foolery :— 
 Go, bid my woman feign a sickness ; say, 
 She'll home to her father : and provide me, pre- 
 A riding suit; no costlier than would fit [sently. 
 A frankhn's (1) housewife. 
 
 Pis. Madam, you're best consider, — 
 
 p) A franklin is literally a. freeholder with a small estate. 
 neither villain nor vassal. 
 
60 CYMBELINE. 
 
 Imo. 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 pr'ythee ; 
 
 [Crosses to r.h.) 
 Do as I bid thee : there's no more to say; 
 Accessible is none but Milford way. 
 
 [Exeunt ; Imo. r.h. Pis. l.h. 
 
 ^CENEW.— Wales.— Jl Cave on the Sea-shore. 
 
 Enter Bej.a ius, Guiderius, and Arviragus, 
 fro/u the Cave, l h.s.e. 
 
 Bel. (in Centre.) A goodly day not to keep 
 
 house, With such 
 Whose root's as low as ours! See, boys: this gate 
 Instructs you how to adore the heavens: and 
 
 bows you 
 To moraii>g\s holy office : the gates of monarchs 
 Are arch'd so high, that giants may jet (1) 
 
 through, 
 Am] keep their impious turbands on, (2) without 
 Good-morrow to the sun.— Hail, thou fair heaven ! 
 We hou«^; i' the rock, yet use thee not so hardly 
 As prouder livers do. 
 
 Guid. (; .H.) & "irv. (r.h.) Hail, heaven ! 
 Bel. Now, for our mountain sport : up to yon 
 
 hiii, [si er, 
 
 Your legs are young; I'll tread these flats. Con- 
 
 (1) Strut, walk proudly. 
 
 (2) The idi-a of a giant was among the readers of ro- 
 mances, wlio w»:e almost all the readers of those times, 
 always confounded with that of a Saracen. 
 
CYMBELINE. 61 
 
 When you, above, perceive me like a crow, 
 That it is place, which lessens, and sets off. 
 And you may then revolve what tales 1 have 
 
 told you. 
 Of courts, of princes, of the tricks in war : 
 This service is not service, so bein^ done, 
 But being so allow'd : (1) to apprehend thus, 
 Draws us a profit from all things we see : 
 And often, to our comfort, shall we find 
 The sharded beetle (2) in a safer hold 
 Than is the full-wing'd eagle. 
 
 Guid. Out of your proof you speak : we, poor 
 
 unfledg'd. 
 Have never wingM 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 Hmit. (3) 
 
 Arv. What should we speak of, 
 When we are old as you ? when we shall hear 
 The rain and wind beat dark December, how, 
 
 (1) In war it is not sufficient to do duty well, the advan- 
 tage rises not from the act, but the acceptance of the act. 
 
 (2) The beetle whose wings are enclosed within two dry 
 husks or shards. The cases which beetles have to their 
 wings, are the more necessary, as they often live under the 
 surface of the earthy in holes, which they dig out by their 
 own industry. 
 
 (^) To overpass his bound. 
 6 
 
62 CYMBELINE. 
 
 In this our pinching cave, shall we discourse 
 The freezing hours away ? We have seen nothing, 
 
 Bel How you speak ! 
 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 a? bad as falling ; the toil of the war, 
 A pain that only seems to seek out danger 
 r the name of fame, and honour. Which dies 
 
 i' he 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'sey 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 wi^h the best of note : Cymbeline lov'd me ; 
 And, when a soldier was the theme, m}' 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. 
 
 Quid. Uncertam favour ! [you oft,) 
 
 Bel. My fault being nothing, (as I have told 
 
 But that two villains, whose false oaths pre- 
 
 vaiTd 
 Before my perfect honour, swore to Cymbeline, 
 I was confederate with the Romans : so, 
 Follow'd my banishment; and, this twenty jrar^, 
 
CYMBELTNE. 63 
 
 This rock, and these demesnes, have been my 
 
 world : 
 Where I have liv 'd 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. Pll meet you in the 
 
 vallies. 
 
 \^Exeimt Guiderius and Arviragns^ r.h. 
 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 [do hit 
 
 r the cave, wherein they bow, their thoughts 
 The roofs of palaces ; and nature prompts them, 
 In simple and low things, to prince it, much 
 Beyond the trick of others. '1 his Polydore, — 
 The heir of Cymbeline and Britain, whom 
 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 his neck ; even then 
 The princely blood flows in his cheek, he 
 
 sweats. 
 Strains his young nerves, aud puts himself in 
 
 posture [wal 
 
 That acts my words. The younger brother, Cad- 
 
64 CYMBELINE. 
 
 (Once, Arvirag-n*!,) in as like a figure. 
 Strike? life into my speech, and shows much 
 His own concf-ivinar. — [more 
 
 [A Horn sounds at a distance, r.h.) 
 Hnrk * the o;ame is roiis'd ! 
 
 Cymheline ! heaven, and my conscience, knows, 
 Thoii di '^st unjustly banish me : whereon. 
 
 At three, and two years old, I stole these babes: 
 'I'hr.kjn? to bar thee of succession as 
 Thru retVst me of my lands. Enriphile, 
 Thou wast their nurse : they took thee for their 
 
 mother. 
 And evprv day do honoiir to thy grave : 
 Myself, Belariu'^, that am Morgan calFd, 
 They take for naturil father 
 
 ( The Horn sounds again, r.h.) 
 The game is up. [Exit, R.H. 
 
 SCENE V. — Britain. — Jn Antichamher to Imo» 
 gen''s Apart :ient. 
 
 (^Flourish of Drums and Trumpds, L.H.) 
 
 Enter Madan, Tymbeline, Queen, CLOTErf, 
 Lucius V^arus, and Locrine, l.h. 
 
 Cym. Thus far; and so farewell. 
 Luc. Thanks, royal sir. 
 
 1 am right sorry, that 1 must report ye 
 My masters enemy. 
 
 I desire of you 
 
 A conduct over land, to Milford-Haven. 
 
CYMBELINE. 65 
 
 Cym. My lord, you are appointed for that 
 office ; {To Locrine.) 
 
 The due of honour in no point omit : 
 So, farewell, noble Lucius 
 
 Luc Your hand, my lord. [To Cloten.) 
 
 Clot. Receive it friendly : but from this time 
 I wear it as your enemy. [forth 
 
 Luc. Sir, the event 
 Is yet to name the winner : fare you well. 
 
 [Exeuiit Locrine^ Lucius^ and Varus ^ l.h. 
 
 Queen. He goes hence frowning: but it ho- 
 That we have given him cause. [nours us, 
 
 Clot. 'Tis all'the better; 
 Your valiant Britons have their wishes in it. 
 
 Queen. 'Tis not sleepy busmess ; 
 But must be lookM to speedily, and strongly. 
 
 Cytn. Our expectation that it would be thus, 
 Hath made us forward. But, my gentle queen. 
 Where is our daughter ? she hath not appearM 
 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 betore us ; for 
 We have been too slight in sufferance. 
 
 [Exit Madan^ r.h.d. 
 
 Queen, Royal sir, 
 Since the exile of Posthumus, most retirM 
 Hath her life been ; the cure whereof, my lord, 
 'Tis time must do. 'Beseech your majesty, 
 Forbear sharp speeches to her. 
 6 * 
 
S6 CYMBELTNE. 
 
 Enter Madan, r.h,d> 
 
 Cym. Where is she, sir? How 
 Can her cojjtempt be answer'd ? 
 
 JUad. Fien!«e yon, sir, 
 Her chambers are ail lock''d ; and there's no 
 answer [make. 
 
 That will bo ^)ven to the loud'st of noise we 
 
 Queen. My lord, when last I went to visit her, 
 Sh-' |»r jyM nrie to -^xcuse her keeping close ; 
 Whereto coiistram'd by her intirmity, 
 Siie should th it duty leave unpaid to you, 
 Which daily she was bound to proffer: this 
 She vvishM me to make known; but our great 
 Made me to biame m memory. [court 
 
 Cym er doors lock'd ? [1 fear, 
 
 Not seen of late? Grant, heavens, that, which 
 Prove false ' [fixeunt Cynbeline and Madan^ B..n, 
 
 Queen. Son, I say, follow the kmg. 
 
 Clot. {Crosses to r.h.; That man of hers, Pi- 
 sano, her old servant, 
 I have not seen these two days. 
 
 Queen. Go, look after. — [Exeunt^ r.h. 
 
 SCENE y\.— Wates.^A Wood. 
 
 Enter Pisanio, and Imogen, poorly dressed, r.h.s.e. 
 
 Imo. Thou told'st me, when we came from 
 Was near at hand.— [horse, the place 
 
 Pisanio ! Man ! — 
 Where is Posthumus ? What is ia tbjr mind, 
 
CYMBELINE. 67 
 
 That makes thee stare thus ? 
 What's the matter ?— 
 
 ,„, , , , {Pisanio offers her a letter,) 
 
 Why tender'st thou that paper to me ? 
 
 If it be summer news, 
 
 Smile to't before : if winterly, thou need'st 
 
 But keep that countenance still. 
 
 T,. . , „ , {Imogen takes the letter.) 
 
 My husband's hand !— ^ 
 
 Speak, man ; thy tongue 
 May take off some extremity, which to read 
 Would be even mortal to me. 
 
 Pis. Please you, read ; 
 And you shall find me,— wretched man !— a thing 
 The most disdain'd of fortune. 
 
 Imo. (Reads.)— -Thy mistress, Pisanio, hath 
 played the strumpet in my bed; the testimonies 
 whereof he 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 ^ive thee op- 
 portunities at Milford-Haven : she hath my letter 
 Jor 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. 
 
 r>- Sr,^^^ *^"^^ overpowered to the earth.) 
 
 Fts. VVhat shall I need to draw my sword? 
 
 the paper 
 
 Hath cut her throat already .-No, 'tis slander; 
 
 Whose edge is sharper than the sword; whose 
 
 tongue 
 Out-?enoms all the worms of Nile ; whose breath 
 
68 CYMBELINE. 
 
 Ride«! on the posting" winds, and doth beUe 
 Ail corners of the world. — [Pisanio raises her.) 
 What cheer madam ? 
 
 Imo. False to his bed ! What ! is it, to be false, 
 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 cp}' myself awake ? That's false to his bed,- 
 Is it? 
 
 Pis. Alas, good lady ! 
 
 Imo. I false ! 
 
 Pis. Good madam, hear me. 
 
 Imo. Come, fellow, be thou honest; [him, 
 Do thou thy master's bidding : when thou seest 
 A httle witness my obedience : look ! — 
 
 (^Imogen draws fiis sword.) 
 I draw the sword myself: — 
 
 (^She gives him the sword.) 
 Take it ; and hit 
 
 The innocent mansion of my love, my heart: 
 Fear not ; 't is empty of all things, but grief: 
 Thy master is not there ; who was, indeed, 
 The riches of it: do his bidding; strike. 
 Thou may'st be valiant in a better cause; 
 But now thou seem'st a coward. 
 
 Pis. Hence, vile instrument ! 
 
 (He throws away his sword.) 
 Thou shalt not damn my hand. 
 
 Imo. Come, here's my heart : 
 
 Something's afore 't : — Soft, soft ; we'll no de- 
 fence ; — {Taking letters from her bosom.) 
 What is here ? 
 
CYMBELINE. 69 
 
 The scriptures of the loyal Leonatus ? — 
 All turn'd to heresy : — Away, away. 
 (^Throws away the letters^ which Pisanio picks up.) 
 Corrupters of my faith ! you shall no more 
 Be stomachers to my heart : — 
 'Pr'ythee, despatch : — {She kneels to him.) 
 Thou art too slow to do thy master's bidding, 
 When I desire it too. 
 
 Pis. O gracious lady, 
 It cannot be, 
 
 But that my master is abus'd : 
 Some villain, ay, and singular in his art. 
 Hath done you both this cursed injury. 
 
 Imo. Some Roman courtezan. 
 
 Pis. No, on my life. — (Takes up his sword.) 
 I Ml give but notice you are dead, and send him 
 Some bloody sign of it ; for 't is commanded 
 I should do so : you shall be miss'd at court, 
 And that will well confirm it. • 
 
 Imo. Why, good fellow, [live ? 
 
 What shall I do the while ? Where bide ? How 
 Or in my life what comfort, when I am 
 Dead to my husband ? 
 
 Pis'. If you'll back to the court, — 
 
 Imo. No court, no father. 
 
 Pis. If not at court. 
 Then not in Britain must you bide.-Where then ? 
 
 Imo. Hath Britain all the sun that shines? 
 Pr'ythee, think. 
 There 's livers out of Britain. 
 
 Pis. I am most glad 
 You think of other place. The embassador 
 Lucius the Roman, comes to Milford-Haven 
 
70 CYMBELINE. 
 
 To-morrow: now, if you could wear a mind 
 Dark as your fortune is, 
 You should tread a course 
 Pretty, and full of view : yea, haply, near 
 The residence of Posthunrius ; so nig"h, at least. 
 That thoug'h his actions were not visible, yet 
 Keport should render him hourly to your ear, 
 As truly as he moves. 
 
 hno. O, for such means! — 
 Thousfh peril to my modesty, not death on't, 
 I would adventure. ( ;) 
 
 Pis. Well, then here 's the point : 
 Yon must forget to be a woman ; change 
 Comm: nd into obedience : — 
 Forethmking" this, 1 have already fit 
 CT is in my cloakbag,) 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 vou are happy, (2) (which you'll make 
 
 him know. 
 If that his head have ear in music,) doubtless, 
 With joy he will embrace you; for he 's ho- 
 nourable, [abroad 
 And, doubling that, most holy. Your means 
 Yon have me, rich : (3 and I will never fail 
 Beginning, nor supplyment. 
 
 Imo. Thou art all the comfort 
 
 (1) I would risque every thing but real dishonour, 
 
 (2) Accomplished. 
 
 (3) As for your subsistence abroad you may rely on me. 
 
 J 
 
CYMBELINE. 71 
 
 The gods will diet me with. — 
 
 This attempt 
 
 I am soldier to, (1) and will abide it with 
 
 A prince's courage. [well ; 
 
 Pis. Well, madam, we must take a short fare- 
 Lest, being miss d, 1 be suspected of 
 Your carriage from the court. {Crosses to r.h.) 
 
 My noble mistress, 
 Here is a phial ; 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 ! 
 
 Imo. Amen : I thank thee. [Exeunt, R.p. 
 
 END OF ACT III. 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 SCENE l— Britain.— A Gallery. 
 
 Enter Clotrn, l.ii. 
 
 Clot. I love, and hate her : for she's fair and 
 I love her ; but [royal, 
 
 Disdaining me, and throwing favours on 
 The low Posthumus, slanders so her judgment, 
 
 ^(1) I have enlisted and bound myself too. 
 
72 CYMBELINE. 
 
 I will conclude to hate her ; nay, indeed, 
 To be reveng'd upon her. — 
 
 Enter Pisanio, r.h. and Crosses to l.h. 
 
 Who is here ? — (^Cloten draws his sword.)-—' 
 Ah, you precious pandar ! Villain, 
 Where is thy lady ? In a word ; or else 
 Thou art straightway with the fiends. 
 Pis. O, good my lord ! 
 Clot. Where is thy lady ? or, by Jupiter, 
 1 will not ask again. Close villain, 
 ril have this secret from thy heart, or rip 
 Thy heart to find it. Is she with Posthumas? 
 
 Pis. Alas ! my lord. 
 How can she be with him ? When was she miss'd ? 
 
 Clot. Where is she, sir ? 
 Satisfy me home, — 
 What is become of her? 
 
 Pis. O ! my all-worthy lord ! 
 Clot. All-worthy villain ! 
 Speak, or thy silence on the instant is 
 Thy condemnation and thy death. 
 
 Pis. Then, sir. 
 This paper is the history of my knowledge 
 Touching her flight. {Presents a letter.) 
 
 Clot. Let 's see't : — I will pursue her 
 
 [Crosses to l.h.) 
 Even to Augustus' throne. {Reads the letter.) 
 
 Pis {Af-ide.) Or this, or perish. — 
 She 's far enough ; and what he learns by this, 
 May prove his travel, not her danger. 
 
CYMBELINE. 73 
 
 I'll write to my lord, she's dead. O, Imogen, 
 Safe may'st thou wander, safe return again ! 
 
 Clot. Sirrah, is this letter true ? 
 
 Pis. Sir, as I think. 
 
 Clot It is Posthumus' hand ; I know't. — Sir- 
 rah, if thou would'st not be a villain, but do me 
 true service, — that is, what villainy soe'er I bid 
 thee do, to perform it directly and truly, — I 
 would think thee an honest man : thou shouid'st 
 neither want my means for thy relief, nor my 
 voice for thy preferment. 
 
 Pis. Well, my good lord ? 
 
 Clot. Wilt thou serve me ? 
 
 Pis. Sir, I will. 
 
 Clot. Give me thy hand; here's my purse. 
 Hast any of thy late master's garments in thy 
 possession ? 
 
 Pis. I have, my lord, at my lodging, the same 
 suit he wore when he took leave of my lady and 
 mistress. 
 
 Clot. The first service thou dost me, fetch 
 that suit hither; let it be thy first service; go. 
 
 Pis. I shall, my lord. [Exit^ r.h> 
 
 Clot. [Reads.) Meet thee at Milford-Haven : 
 
 Even there, thou villain Posthumus, will 1 kill 
 thee. — i would, these garments were come. She 
 said upon a time, that she held the very gar- 
 ment of Posthumus in more respect than my no- 
 ble and natural person. With that suit upon my 
 back will I first kill him, and in her eyes : he 
 on the ground, my speech of insultment ended 
 on his dead body, and when my appetite hath 
 dined, to the court I'll foot her home again.— 
 7 
 
J74 CYMBELTNE. 
 
 My revenge is now at Milford : — 'Would 1 had 
 wings to follow it ! [Exit^ l.h. 
 
 SCENE \\.— Wales.— A Cave on the Sea-shore. 
 
 Enter Imogen, wi Boy's Clothes, r.h.s.e. 
 
 hno. 1 see, a man^s life is a tedious one : 
 I have tir'd 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 topPisanio showed thee, 
 Thou wast within a ken ; — two beggars told me, 
 I could not miss my way: will poor folks lie, 
 That have afflictions on them ? — What is this ? 
 Here is a path to it : 'tis some savage hold : 
 I were best not call ; 1 dare not call : yet famine, 
 Ere clean it overthrow nature, makes it valiant. — 
 Ho ! — who's here ? 
 If any thing that's C'vil, speak. — 
 Ho ! — No answer? then I'll enter. 
 Best draw my sword; and if mine enemy fon't. 
 But fear the sword like me, he'll scarcely look 
 Such a foe, good heavens ! 
 (^Imogen draxvs her sward and goes into the Cave.^ 
 
 Enter Belabius. Guiderius, and Arviragus, r.h. 
 {The two last carrying a Buck on their Spears, 
 which they lay down at the side of the Cave.) 
 
 Bel. {In the centre.) You, Polydore, have 
 prov'd best woodman, (1) and 
 
 (1) Hunter. 
 
CYMBELINE. 75 
 
 Are master of the feast : Cadwnl, and I, 
 
 Will plaj the cook, and servant: 
 
 Come ; our stomachs 
 
 Will make \v at''s homely, savoury: weariness 
 
 Can snore upon the flint, when restive ( i ) s oth 
 
 Finds the down pillow hard. -Now. peace be here, 
 
 Poor house that keep'st thyself! 
 
 ( Goes towards the Caue.) 
 
 Guid. (l.h.) I am throughly weary 
 
 *^rv. (r. .) I am weak with toil, yet strong 
 in appetite. [browse on that, 
 
 Guid. There's cold meat i' the cave ; we'll 
 Whilst what we have kill'd be cook'd. 
 
 ( They go towards the Cave.) 
 
 Bel. Stay ; come not m : — 
 But that it eats our victuals, I should think 
 Here were a fairy. 
 
 Guid. VV^hat's the matter, sir ? 
 
 Bel. By Jupiter, an ansfel ! or. if not, 
 An earthly i)aragon ! — Behold divineness 
 No eider than a boy ! 
 
 Enter Imogen, from the Cave. 
 
 Imo. Good masters, harm me not : 
 Before I enter'd here, 1 calfd ; and thonorht 
 To have begg-'d, or bought, what 1 have look : 
 
 good troth, [had fo! nd 
 
 I have stolen nought ; nor would n(>t, thought t 
 Gold strew'd o' the floor. Here's money for my 
 
 meat ; 
 
 (1) Restive in the present instance, T believe, means un« 
 quiet, shitting its posture, like a resliva hoise. 
 
76 CYMBELINE. 
 
 I would have left it on the board, so soon 
 As I had made my meal ; and parted 
 With prayers for the provider. 
 
 Arv. Money, youth ? 
 
 Guid. All gold and silver rather turn to dirt ! 
 As 'tis no better reckon'd, but of those 
 Who worship dirty gods. 
 
 Imo. I see, you are angry : 
 Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should 
 Have died, had I not made it. 
 
 Bel. Whither bound? 
 
 Imo. To Milford-Haven, sir. 
 
 Bel. What is your name ? 
 
 Imo. Fidele, sir: I have a kinsman who 
 Is bound for ^taly; he embark'd at Milford ; 
 To whom being going, almost spent with hunger, 
 I am fallen in this offence. (1) 
 
 Bel. 'Pr'ythee, fair youth. 
 Think us no churls ; nor measure our good minds 
 By this rude place we live in. Well encounter'd ! 
 'T is almost night : you shall have. better cheer 
 Ere you depart ; and thanks, to stay and eat it. — 
 Boys, bid him welcome. [Crosses to r.h.) 
 
 Arv. I'll love him as my brother. 
 
 [Crosses to Imogen.) 
 And such a welcome as I'd give to him, 
 After long absence, such is yours. 
 
 Guid. Most welcome! {Crosses to Imogen.) 
 Be sprightly, for you fall 'mongst friends. (Be- 
 larius.^ Guiderius.^ and Arviragus whisper to- 
 gether^ R.H.) 
 
 (1) In, according to the ancient mode of writing, is here 
 used instead of into. 
 
CYMPELINE. 17 
 
 Into. {Aside^ 'Mongst friends! 
 If 'rothers?— 'Would it had been so, that they 
 had been my father's sons ! then had my pnz^ 
 Been less ; and so, more equal ballasting 
 To thee, Posthumus. 
 
 Bel. He wrings at some distress, (l) 
 
 Guid. nVould I could free't ! 
 
 Arv. Or I ; whate'er it be, 
 What pain it cost, what danger ! 
 
 Bel Hark, boys! (^They retire a little together.) 
 
 lino. Great men, 
 That had a court no bigger than this cave, 
 'J hat did attend themselves, and had the virtue 
 W^hich their own conscience seaTd them, [gods ! 
 Could not out-peer these twain. Pardon me, 
 I'd change my sex to be companion with them, 
 Since Leonatus, false — 
 
 Bel. It shall be so.— 
 Boys, we'll go dress our hunt — 
 
 {Belarius advances to Imogen.) 
 Fair youth, come in : [supp'd, 
 
 Discourse is heavy, fasting ; when we have 
 We'll mannerly demand thee of thy story, 
 So far as thou wilt speak it. 
 
 Guid Pr y, draw near. 
 
 Arv. The night to the owl, and morn to the 
 lark, less welcome. 
 
 Imo. Thanks, sir. 
 
 Arv. I pray, draw near. 
 (Guid. and Arv. take up the Buck on their spears.) 
 [Exeunt into the Cave, l.h.s.e. 
 
 (1) Writhes with anguish. 
 7* 
 
78 CYMBELINE. 
 
 SCENE ill— Wales. — Jl Forest near the Cave, 
 
 Enter Cloten, dressed as Posthumus, l.h. 
 
 Clot. I am near to the place where they should 
 meet, if Pisanio have mapp'd it truly, — how fit 
 his garments serve me ! — Posthumus, thy head, 
 which now is growing upon thy shoulders, shall 
 within this hour be off; ihy 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 tes- 
 tiness, 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^ R.H. 
 
 SCENE IV.— Wales.—A Cave on the Sea-shore. 
 
 Enter from the Cave., Belarius, Arviragus, 
 Imogen, and Guiderius. 
 
 Bel. You are not well: remain here in the 
 cave ; 
 We'll come to you after hunting. 
 
 Arv. {To Imogen.) Brother, stay here : — 
 Are we not brothers ? 
 
 Imo. So man and man should be ; 
 But clay and clay differs in dignity. 
 Whose dust is both alike. — I am very sick. 
 
CYMBELINE. 79 
 
 Guid. Go you to hunting, I'll abide with him. 
 Imo. So sick I am not ;— yet i am not well ; 
 Pray you, trust me here. 
 Guid. Brother, farewell. 
 
 [Crosses to Arviragus.) 
 Imo. I wish ye sport. 
 
 Arv. You health. —So please you, sir. (Bela- 
 rius, Guiderius^ and Arviragus confer apart, r.h.) 
 Imo. {Aside.) These are kind creatures. Gods, 
 what lies 1 have heard ! 
 Our courtiers say, all's savage, but at court. — 
 I am sick still ; heart-sick : — Pisanio, 
 I'll now taste of thy drug. {Drinks out ofthephial) 
 
 Guid I could not stir him : 
 He said, he was gentle, but unfortunate ; 
 Dishonestly afflicted, but yet honest. 
 
 Arv. Thus did he answer me ; yet said, here- 
 I might know more, [after 
 
 Bel. To the tield, to the field.— 
 We'll leave you for this time ; go in, and rest. 
 
 {Crosses to Imogen.) 
 Arv. We'll not be long away. 
 Bel. 'Pray, be not sick ; 
 For you must be our house-wife. 
 
 {Leads Imogen to the Cave.) 
 Imo. Well, or ill, 
 1 am bound to you. [Exit into the Cave. 
 
 Bel. This youth, howe'er distress'd, appears, 
 he hath had 
 Good ancestors. 
 
 Arv. How angel-like he looks ! 
 Nobly he yokes a smiling with a sigh. 
 Guid. 1 do note, 
 
80 CYMBELINE. 
 
 That i^rief and patience, rooted in him both, 
 Mingle their spurs (1) together 
 
 Bel. it is great morning. Come; away. 
 Clot. {Without., K.H.) What, shall I never find 
 
 thiS place? 
 Bil. Who's there? 
 
 (^Belarius Guiderius and Arviragus retire.) 
 
 Enter Cloten, r.h. 
 
 Clot. 1 cannot find those runagates ; that villain 
 Hath mocked me. [Lxit^ l.h. 
 
 Bel. Those runagates ! — {They advance.) 
 Means he not us? i partly know him ; 'tis 
 Cloten, the son o' the queen. 1 fear some ambush. 
 
 Guid. He is hut one : you and my brother search 
 What companies are near: 'pray you, away ; 
 Let me alone with him.— {Guiderius retires.) 
 [Exeunt Belarms and Arviragus^ r.h. 
 
 , Enter Cloten, l.h. 
 
 Clot. Soft! What are you 
 That fiy me thus? Some villain mountaineers? 
 I have heard of such. — {Guiderius advances, r.h.) 
 Thou art a robber, 
 A law breaker, a villain : yield thee, thief. 
 
 Guid. To whom? to thee ? What art thou? 
 Have not I 
 An arm as big as thine? a heart as big? 
 Thy words, 1 grant, are bigger ; for I wear not 
 
 (1) Spurs are the longest and largest leading roots of trees. 
 
CYMBELINE. 81 
 
 My dagger in my mouth. (1) Say, what (hou art ; 
 Why I should yield to thee ? 
 
 Clot, Thou villain base, 
 Know'st me not by my clothes ? 
 
 Guid. No, nor thy tailor, rascal. 
 Who is thy grandfather ; he made those clothes, 
 Which, as it seems, make thee. 
 
 Clot. Thou injurious thief. 
 Hear but my name, and tremble. 
 
 Guid. What's thy name ? 
 
 Clot. Cloten, thou villain. 
 
 Guid. Cloten, thou double villain, be thy name, 
 I cannot tremble at it; were't toad, or adder, 
 
 spider, 
 'T would move me sooner. 
 
 Clot. To thy further fear, 
 Nay, to thy mere confusion, thou shalt know 
 I'm son to the queen. 
 
 Guid. I'm sorry for it : not seeming 
 So worthy as thy birth. 
 
 Clot. Art not afeard ? 
 
 Guid. Those that I reverence, those I fear; 
 the wise : 
 At fools I laugh, not fear them. 
 
 Clot. Die the death : 
 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. [Exeiini.^ fightings h.n. 
 
 Enter Belarius, and Arviragus, r.h. 
 
 Bel. No company's abroad. 
 
 {I) I fight not with my tongue. 
 
82 CYMBELINE. 
 
 ^rv. None in the world ; you did mistake him, 
 sure. [of favour 
 
 Bel. No ; time hath nothing blurr'd those imes 
 Which then he wore ; the snatches in his voice, 
 And burst of speaking, were as his: I am abso- 
 'i was very Cloten. [lute, 
 
 Arv. In this place we left them. — 
 But see, my brother. 
 
 Enter Guiderius, with Cloten^s Sword, l.h. 
 
 Guid. This Cloten was a fool ; not Hercules 
 Could have knockVl out his brams ; for he had 
 
 Bel. V hat hast thou done ? [none. 
 
 Guid. Cut off one Cloten's head. 
 Son to the queen, after his own report; 
 Who call'd me traitor, mountaineer; and swore, 
 With his own sin2;-!e hand he'd take us in, (1) 
 Displace our heads, where (thank the gods !) 
 
 they grow. 
 And set them on Lud's town. 
 
 Bel. We are ail undone. [lose, 
 
 Guid. vVhy, worthy father, what have we to 
 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 lavv?--^vV^hat company 
 Discover you abroad? 
 
 Be/. No Single soul 
 Can we set eye on ; but, in all safe reason, 
 
 (1) Conquer, subdue us« 
 
CYMBELINE. 8& 
 
 He must have some attendants ; 
 
 It is not probable he would come alone. — 
 
 1 had no mind 
 
 To hunt this day : the boy Fidele's sickness 
 
 Did make my way long forth. (1) 
 
 Guid. With his own sword, 
 Which he did wave against my throat, Tve 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^ l.h. 
 
 Bel. I fear, t will be reveng'd : 
 'Would, Polydore, thou hadst not done't ! though 
 Becomes thee well enough. [valour 
 
 Arv. 'Would I had done't ! 
 
 Bel Well, 'tis done :— 
 We'll hunt no more to-day, nor seek for danger 
 Where there's no profit. — 
 You and Fidele play the cooks: i'll stay 
 Till hasty Polydore return, and bring him 
 To dinner presently. 
 
 Aro. Poor sick Fidele ! 
 ril .villingly to him: to gain his colour, (2) 
 I'd let a parish of such Cloten's blood, (3) 
 And praise myself for charity. 
 
 [Exit into the Cave, 
 
 Bel. O ! thou goddess, 
 
 (1) Fidele's sickness made my xoalk forth from the cave 
 tedious, 
 
 (2) Restore him to the bloom of health, to recal the col- 
 eur of it to his cheeks. 
 
 {^) I would let blood (or bleed,) a whole parish, or any 
 number, of such fellows as Cloten, 
 
84 CYMBELINE. 
 
 Thou divine nature, how thyself thou blazon'st 
 In these two princely boys! They are as gentle 
 As zephyrs, blowing below the violet, 
 j!'^ot wagging his sweet head ; and yet as rough, 
 Their royal blood enchaf'd, as the rud'st wind, 
 That by the top doth take the mountain pine, 
 And make him stoop to the vale. 'Tis wonderful, 
 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. 
 
 Enter Guiderius, l.h. 
 
 Guid. Where's my brother ? 
 I have sent Cloten's clotpoll down the stream, 
 In embassy to his mother; his body's hostage 
 For his return. (Solemn music in the Cave^ l.h.) 
 
 Bel. My ingenious instrument ! — 
 Hark, Polydore, it sounds ! But what occasion 
 Hath Cadwal now to give it motion ? — 
 
 Guid, Since death of my dear'st mother, 
 It did not speak before. All solemn things 
 Should answer solemn accidents. 
 
 Enter Arvira.gvs from the Cave. 
 
 BeL Look, — here he comes. 
 Arv. The bird is dead. 
 That we have made so much on. I had rather 
 
I 
 
 CYMBELINE. 85 
 
 Have skipped from sixteen years of age to sixty, 
 Than have seen this. 
 
 Guid. O sweetest, fairest lily ! 
 And art thou gone, my poor Fidele? — 
 
 Bel. What ! is he dead ? How found you him ? 
 
 Jlrv. Stark: (1)— smiling, as some fly had 
 tickled slumber ; 
 Not as death's dart, being laughed at : his right 
 Reposing on a cushion. [cheek 
 
 Gwd. Where ? 
 
 Arv. O' the floor ; 
 His arms thus leaguM : I thought, he slept. 
 
 [The Boys weep.) 
 
 Bel. Great griefs, I see, medicine the less: 
 for Cloten 
 Is quite forgot. He was a queen's son, boys ; 
 And, though he came our enemy, remember, 
 He was paid for that : 
 Our foe was princely : 
 
 And though you took his life, as being our foe, 
 Yet bury him as a prince. Go, bring your lily.- 
 [Exeunt Guid. and Arv. into the Cave. 
 O, melancholy ! 
 
 Who ever yet could sound thy bottom ? find 
 The ooze, to show what coast thy sluggish 
 
 crare (2) 
 Might easiliest harbour in ? {Music again., l.h.) 
 Thou blessed thing! [but, — ah! — 
 
 .love knows what man thou might'st have made ; 
 Thou died'st, a most rare boy of melancholy. — 
 
 (1) Stiff. 
 
 (2) Ji crare is a small trading vessel, called in the Latin 
 of the middle ages crayera. 
 
 8 
 
86 CYMBELINE. 
 
 Enter Guidertus and Arviragus from the Cave, 
 hearing Imogen''s body. 
 
 Come, let us lay the bodies each by each, 
 
 {Crosses to l.h.) 
 And strew them o'er with flowers; and on the 
 Sbcill the earth receive them. [morrow^ 
 
 Arv. Sweet Fidele I 
 Fear no more the heat o' the sun, 
 
 Nor the turious winter's blast; 
 Thou thy worldly task hast done, 
 
 And the dream of lite is past. 
 
 Guid. Monarchs, sages, peasants, must 
 Follow thee, and come to dust. 
 [Exeunt Bel. and the Boys^ l.h. hearing the hody. 
 
 SCENE Y .—Britain.— A Gallery. 
 
 Enter Cymbe.^ine, -Tadav, and Pisanio, in tht 
 custody of Ojfficers., r.h. 
 
 Cym. Again ; and bring me word, how the 
 queen does. — [Exit an officer^ r.h. 
 
 A fever with the absence of her son! [ens, 
 
 A madness, of which her life's in danger! — Heav- 
 How deeply you at once do (ouch me 1 — 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 tor this present: it strikes me, past 
 The hope of comfort. — But for thee, fellow, 
 
 {To Pisanioy l.h.) 
 
CYMBELINE. 87 
 
 Who needs must know of her departure, and 
 Dost seem so ignorant, we'll enforce it from the-e 
 By a sharp torture. 
 
 Pis. Sir, my life is yours, 
 1 humbly set it at your will. 
 
 Mad. Good my liege, 
 The day that she was missing, he was here ; 
 I dare be bound, he s true, and shall periorm 
 All parts of his subjection loyally. 
 For Cloten, — 
 
 There wants no diligence in seeking him; 
 He will, no doubt, be found. 
 
 Cym. he time is troublesome : — 
 We'll slip you for a season ! but our jealousy 
 Does yet depend. (1) (^Pisanio retires a little.) 
 
 Enter Locrine, l.h. 
 
 Loc. So please your majesty, 
 The Romans legions, all from Gallia drawn, 
 Are landed on your coast. 
 
 Cym. Now for the counsel of my son, and 
 Let's withdraw ; [queen .' 
 
 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 Cym. Mad. Loc. and Cfficers.) l.k. 
 
 Pis. I heard no letter from my master, since 
 I wrote him, Imogen was slam: (2) 'tis strange : 
 
 (1) My suspicion is j^et undetenniner] ; if I do not con- 
 demn you, I likewise have not acquitted you. We now 
 say, the cause is depending. 
 
 (2) This might have been a phrase in Shaiipspeaie's time. 
 "We yet say — I iiave not heard a syllable from him. 
 
88 CYMBELINE. 
 
 Nor hear I from my mistress, who did promise 
 To 3'ield me often tidings : neither know I 
 What is betid to Cloten : but remain 
 Perplexed in all. The heavens still must work : 
 Wherein I'm false, I'm honest ; not true, to be 
 
 true. (1) 
 These present wars shall tind I love my country, 
 Even to the note o' the king, (2) 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^ L.H. 
 
 SCENE V\.— Wales.^A Forest near the Cave. 
 
 Imogen and d oten discovered^ laying on a Bank 
 strewed zvith Flowers. 
 
 lino. (Azvakes.) Yes, sir, to Milford-Haven : 
 which is the way? [thither? 
 
 I thank you. — By yon bush? — 'Pray, how far 
 'Ods pittikins ! (3) — can it be six miles yet? — 
 I have gone all night : — 'faith. Til lie down and 
 sleep. — {Seeing the body.) 
 
 But, soft ! no bedfellow :-0, gods and goddesses ! 
 These flowers are like the pleasures of the world; 
 This bloody man, the care on't.-I hope, 1 dream ; 
 
 (1) To 6e, are an interpolation, which to prevent an ellip- 
 sis, ha? destroyed the measure. 
 
 (2) I will so distinguish myself, the king shall remark my 
 valour. 
 
 (3) ''Ods pittikins. — This phrase is derived from Cod's 
 my pity. 
 
CYMBELINE. 89 
 
 For, so, I thought I was a cavo-keeper, 
 
 And cook to honest creatures. 
 
 Good faMh, 
 
 1 tremble still with fear: but if there be 
 
 Yet left in he ven as small a drop of" pity 
 
 As a wren's eye, tbarVl gods, a part of it! 
 
 The dream s here still: even when I wake, it i^: 
 
 Without me, as withm me: not imaginM, felt. — 
 
 A headle«s man I — The garments of Posthumus !- 
 
 O, he is murder'd ! — 
 
 Pisanio, — 
 
 'Tis thou, conspiring with that devil, Cioten, 
 
 Hast here cut olf my lord. — ' 1 is he ; — [ous 
 
 The drug he gave me, which, he said, was preci- 
 
 And cordial to me, have 1 not found it [home : 
 
 Murd'rous to the senses? ') hat confirms it 
 
 This IS i'isanio's deed, and Cloten's: O ! — 
 
 All curses madded Hecuba gave the Greeks, 
 
 And mine to boot, be darted on them ! — , 
 
 O ! my lord ! my lord ! — {Sinks on the body.) 
 
 {A March.) 
 
 Enter Lucjus, Vahus, Six Roman Oncers, Stan- 
 dard^ and s'-welve Soldiers, k.h. 
 
 Var. "^rhe senate hath stirr'd up the confiners, 
 And gentlemen oi Italy ; most willing spirits, 
 That promise noble service ; and they come 
 Under the conduct of bold lachimo, 
 Sienna's brother. 
 
 Luc When expect you them ? 
 
 Var. With the next benefit o' the wind 
 
 Iaic. This forwardness 
 8 * 
 
90 CYMBELINE. 
 
 Makes our hopes fair. — 
 Soft, ho ! what trunk is here 
 
 {Varus crosses behi..J. in l.h.) 
 Without his top ? — Fhe ruin speaks, that some- 
 time 
 It was a worthy huildinsf. How! a page ! — 
 Or dead, or sleepino^ on him ? out dead, rather; 
 For nature doih abhor to make his bed 
 With the defunct, or sleep upon the dead. — 
 
 {Varus takes Imogen'' s hand.) 
 Let's see the boy's ff.ce. 
 
 Var. He is alive, my lord. 
 
 hue. HeMl then instruct us of this body. — 
 ( Varus raises Imogen.) 
 Yonn^ one, {Lucius leads her forward.) 
 
 Inform us of thy fortunes; for, it seems, 
 They crave to be demanded : who is this 
 Thou mak'st thy bloody pillow ? 
 What's thy interest 
 
 In this sad wreck ? How came it ? Who is it ? 
 What art thou ? 
 
 Lno. \ am nothing : or, if not. 
 Nothing to be were better. This was my master, 
 A very valiant Briton, and a good. 
 That here by mountaineers lies slain :-~Alas ! 
 There are no more such masters. 
 
 Luc. 'Lack, good youth ! 
 Thou mov'st no less with thy complaining, than 
 Thy master in bleeding : say, — thy name, good 
 
 Imo. Fidele, sir, [boy ? 
 
 Luc. Thy name well fits thy faith : — 
 Wilt take thy chance with me ? I will not say. 
 Thou Shalt be so well master'd ; but, be sure, 
 
CYMBELINE. 91 
 
 No less belov'd. — 
 
 Go with me. [the gods, 
 
 Imo. I'll follow, sir. But, first, 'an't please 
 I'll hide my master from the flies, as deep 
 As these poor pick-axes (1) can dig- : and, when 
 With wild wood-leaves and weeds I have 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. 
 
 [She hangs over the body.) 
 Luc. 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 daizied plot we can, 
 And make him with our pikes and partizans 
 A grave. — Come, arm him.— (2) 
 
 (^Soldiers go to the body.) 
 Boy, he is preferred 
 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. 
 
 {A March in the Orchestra.) 
 Lucius and Varus lead off Imogen^ l.h. Offi- 
 cers following — Standard in front of the 
 body — the other Soldiers surround it^ and 
 the front drop closes them in. 
 
 (1) Meaning her hands. 
 
 (2) Take him in your arms. 
 
 END OF ACT IV. 
 
 k 
 
^2 CYMBELINE. 
 
 ACT V. 
 
 SCENE I.— Wales.— A Forest near the Cave. 
 {Drums and Trumpets heard at a distance.) 
 
 Enter Guiderius, Belarius, and Arviragus, l.h. 
 
 Guid. The noise is round about us. 
 
 Bel. Let us from it . 
 We'll higher to the mountains: there secure us. 
 To the king's party there's no going ; newness 
 Of Ciotens death (we being not known, nor 
 
 muster'd 
 Among the bands,) may drive us to a render (1) 
 Where we have Uv'd ; and so extort from us 
 That which we have done, whose answer (2) 
 
 would be death, 
 Drawn on with torture. 
 
 G'tid. This is, sir, a doubt, 
 In such a time, nothing becoming you, 
 Nor satisfying us. 
 
 Arv. It is not likely, 
 That, when they hear the Roman horses neigh. 
 Behold their quarter'd fires, (3) have both their 
 And ears so cloyM importantly as now, [eyes 
 
 (1) An account of our place of abode. 
 
 (2) The retaliation of the death of Cloten, would be 
 death. 
 
 (3) Fires regularly disposed. 
 
CY^MBELINE. 93 
 
 That they will waste their time upon our note, 
 To know from whence we are. 
 
 Bel. O, I am known 
 Of many in the army : 
 And, besides, the king 
 Hath not deserved my service nor your loves 
 
 Quid. 'Pray, sir, to the army : 
 I and my brother are not known ; yourself, 
 So out of thought, and thereto so o'ergrown, 
 Cannot be questioned. 
 
 Aj^v. By this sun that shines, 
 I'll thither: what thing is it, that 1 never 
 Did see man die? scarce ever look d on blood, 
 But that of coward hares, hot goats, and venison ? 
 I am asham-d 
 
 To look upon the holy sun, to have 
 The benefit of his bless'd beams, remaining 
 So long a poor unknown. 
 
 Guid. By heavens, I'll go : 
 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 I omans ! 
 
 Arv. So say I ; amen. 
 
 Bel. No reason I, since on your lives you set 
 So slight a valuation, should reserve [hoys : 
 My crack'd one to more care. Have with you, 
 If in your country wars you chance to die, 
 That is my bed too, lads, and there Til le. 
 
 [Exeunt, r.b. 
 
QA CYMBELINE. 
 
 SCENE U.— Wales.— A Plain between the Bri- 
 tish and Roman Camps. 
 
 (^Flourish of Drums and Trumpets^ r.h.u.e.) 
 
 Enter Posthumus, l.h. disguised as a Peasant^ 
 having in his hand a handkerchief stained 
 with blood. 
 
 Post. Yea, bloody cloth, (1) I'll keep thee; 
 
 for I wish'd [ones, 
 
 Thou should'st be coloured thus. You married 
 if each of you would 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 liv'd to put on (Sf) this ; so had you sav'd 
 The noble Imogen to repent: and struck 
 Me, — wretch ! — more worth your vengeance. — 
 But Imogen is your own; do your best wills, 
 And make me bless'd to obey ! — I am brought 
 
 hither 
 Among the Italian gentry, and to fight 
 Against my lady's kingdom ; His enough 
 
 (1) The bloody token of Imogen's death, which Pisanio. 
 in the foregoing act, determined to send. 
 
 (2) To incite, to instigate. 
 
CYMBELINE. && 
 
 Tha-t, Britain, I have kilPd thy mistress ; peace ! 
 V\\ give no wound to thee. Therefore, good 
 
 heavens, 
 Hear patic ntly my purpose ; I have conceal'd 
 My Italian weeds, under this semblance of 
 A Briton peasant : so IMl 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 ril dedicate. — 
 
 (^Flourish of Drums and Trumpets^ r h.) 
 Gods, put the strength o' the Leonati in me ! — 
 Let me make men know 
 More valour in me, than my habits show. 
 
 (^Flourish of Drums and Trumpets, r.h.) 
 
 [Exit^ R.H. 
 
 SCENE m.— The field of Battle. 
 
 {Alarums^ r.h. and l.h. — An engagement between 
 the Britons and the Romans. — The Britons are 
 repulsed.) 
 
 Enter Iachimo a7id PosTnvmvs fighting. — lachimo 
 is disarmed. — r.h.u e. 
 
 Post. Or yield thee, Roman, or thou diest. 
 lach. Peasant, behold my breast. 
 Post. No : take thy life, and mend it. 
 
 [Exit^ R.H, 
 lach. The heaviness and guilt withm my 
 bosom. 
 
9G CYMBELINE. 
 
 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, (1) 
 A very drudge of nature's, have subdu'd me 
 In my profession? Knighthoods and honours, 
 
 borne 
 As r wear mine, are titles but of scorn. 
 With heaven against me, what is sword or 
 
 shield? 
 My guilt, my guilt o'erpowers me, and I yield. 
 
 [Exit, L,H. 
 
 SCENE IV.— ^ Forest. 
 
 Enter Pisanio, a7id Madan, l.h. 
 
 Mad. This is a day turn'd strangely. 
 Cam'st thou from where they made the stand? 
 
 Pis. 1 did : 
 Though you, it seems, come from the fliers. 
 
 Mad. I did. 
 
 Pis. No blame be to you, sir ; for all was lost, 
 But that the heaven's 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, struck 
 down [ing 
 
 Some mortally, some slightly touch'd, some fall- 
 
 (1) Clown, or husbandman. 
 
CYMBELINE. 97 
 
 Merely thro' fear ; that the strait pass was 
 
 damtn'd 
 With dead men, hurt behind, and cowards living 
 To die with lengthened shame. 
 
 Mad. Where was this lane ? [with turf; 
 
 Pis. Close by the battle, ditch'd, and wall'd 
 Which gave advantage to an ancient soldier ;— 
 (An honest one, I warrant ;) — athwart the lane, 
 He with two striplings, (lads, more like to run 
 The country base (I), than to commit such 
 
 slaughter,) [''- Stands- 
 
 Made good the passage ; cry'd to the fliers, 
 " Or we are Romans^ and will give you that 
 ^^ Like beasts, which you shun beastly., and may save^ 
 '^ But to look back and frown : stand, stand.'''' — 
 
 These three — 
 Mad. Were there but three ? [h.jbit, 
 
 Pis. There was a tburth man, in a poor rustic 
 That stood the front with them. The matchless 
 
 four. 
 Accommodated by the place, gilded pale looks : 
 Part, shame, part, spirit renew'd ; that some, 
 
 turn'd coward 
 But by example, '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 ; and the event 
 A victory for us. 
 Mad. This was strange chance.— 
 
 (1) A rustic game, called prison-bars, vulgarly prison- 
 base. 
 
 9 
 
98 CYMBELINE. 
 
 An old man, two boys, and a poor rustic ! [see 
 Pis. Nay, do not wonder : — go with me, and 
 These wonders, sir, and join the general joy. 
 
 [Exeunt^ r.h. 
 
 SCENE v.— Another Part of the Forest. 
 
 Elder Posthumus, disguised as a Roman^ l.h. 
 
 Post. To day, how many would have given 
 their honours 
 To have sav'd their carcasses ? took heel to do't, 
 And yet died loo?-I,in my own woe charm'd, (1) 
 Could not tind death, where 1 did hear him groan ; 
 Nor feel him, where he struck. — 
 Well, 1 will find him: 
 No more a Briton, I have resum'd again 
 The part 1 came in : fight I will no more. 
 But yield me to the veriest hind, that shall 
 Once touch my shoulder. Great the slaughter is 
 On either side. For me, my ransom's death : 
 On either side 1 come to spend my breath ; 
 Which neither here I'll keep, nor bear again, 
 But end it by some means for Imogen. 
 
 Enter Madan, Locrjne, and two British Sol- 
 diers^ L.H. 
 
 Loc. Great Jupiter be prais'd ! Lucius is taken : 
 'Tis thought, the old man and his sons were an- 
 gels. 
 
 (1) Alluding to the common superstition of charms being 
 powerful enough to keep men unhurt in battle. 
 
CYMBELINE. 99 
 
 Mad. There was a fourth man, in a peasant's 
 That gave the affront with them. (1) [habit, 
 Loc. Stand ! Who is there ? 
 Post. A Roman ; 
 Who had not now l3een drooping here, if seconds 
 Had answer'd him. 
 
 Mad. 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, (^Crosses to r.h.) 
 
 As if he were of note ; — bring him to the king. 
 (^Flourish of Drums and Trumpets^ l.h.) 
 
 [Exeunt leading away Posthiunus^ r.h.) 
 
 SCENE Vl.^Cymbeline's Tent. 
 {Flourish of Drums and Trumpets., l.h.) 
 
 Cymbeline, Belarius, Guiderius, Arviragus, 
 PiSANio, British Officers., and Soldiers.^ discovered. 
 
 Cym. Stand by my side, you, whom the gods 
 have made 
 Preservers of my throne. Woe is my heart, 
 That the poor soldier, that so richly fought. 
 Whose rags sham'd gilded arms, whose naked 
 
 breast 
 Stepp'd before targe of proof, cannot be found • 
 He shall be happy that can find him, if 
 Our grace can make him so. 
 
 Bel, I never saw 
 
 (1) Came face to face. 
 
100 CYMBELINE. 
 
 Such noble fury in so poor a thing. 
 
 Cym. ( To Pisanio ) No tidings of him ? 
 Pis. He hath been search'd among the dead 
 But no trace of him. [and living, 
 
 Cym. To my grief, I am 
 Thf» heir of his reward ; which I will add 
 To jou, the liver, heart, and brain of Britain : 
 
 [To Belarius^ Guiderius^ and ^rviragns.) 
 By whom, I grant, she lives : 'tis now the time 
 T • a-^k of whence you are : — report it. 
 
 Bel. Sir, 
 In Caral)ria are we born, and gentlemen : 
 Further to ho>«st, were neither true nor modest ; 
 Unless I add, we are honest. 
 
 Cy/n. Bow your knees : {T^^^y kneel.) 
 
 Arise my knights o"' the battle ; I create you 
 
 ( Touches their shoulders with his sword.) 
 Companions to our person, and will fit you 
 With dignities becoming your estates. 
 
 [Flourish of Drums and Trumpets^ l.h.) 
 
 Enter Madan, Locrine — then in chains^ Iachimo, 
 Lucius, I'Ogen, Varus, Roman Oncers., and 
 PoSTHU us behind., guarded by British Soldiers^ 
 R.H.u.E. — The Prisoners advance., r.h. 
 
 Thou com'st not, Caius, now for tribute ; that 
 Britons have raz'd out, though with the loss 
 Of many a bold one ; whose kinsmen have made 
 suit, [slaughter 
 
 Thai their sfood souls may be appeas'd with 
 O*" von ther captives, which ourself have grant- 
 So think of vour estate. [ed : 
 Luc. Consider, sir, the chance of war ; the day 
 
CYMBELINE. 101 
 
 Was yours by accident ; had it g-one with us, 
 We should not, when the blood was cool, have 
 threaten'd [gods 
 
 Our prisoners with the sword. But, since the 
 Will have it thus, that nothing but our lives 
 May be calPd ransom, let it come : sufficeth, 
 A Roman with a Roman s heart can suffer : 
 Augustus lives to think on't : and so much 
 For ray peculiar care. This one thing only 
 I will entreat ; my boy, (^Pointing to Imogen) a 
 
 Briton born, 
 Let him be ransom'd : never master had 
 A page so kind, so duteous, diligent : 
 He hath done no Briton harm, 
 Though he have serv'd a Roman : save him, sir, 
 And spare no blood beside. 
 
 Cym. I have surely seen him ; 
 His favour (1) is familiar to me. — 
 Boy, thou hast looked thyself into my grace. 
 And art mme own. I know not why, nor where- 
 fore. 
 To say, live, boy : — ne'er thank thy master ; live : 
 And ask of Cymbeline what boon thou wilt. 
 Fitting my bounty, and thy state. Til give it; 
 Yea, though thou do demand a prisoner, 
 The noblest ta-en. — {Imogen looks at lachimo.) 
 Know'st him thou look'st on ? speak, 
 Wilt have him live ; is he thy kin ? thy friend ? 
 
 Imo. He is a Roman ; no more kin to me. 
 Than I to your highness ; who, being born your 
 Am something nearer. [vassal, 
 
 (1) Countenance. 
 9* 
 
102 CYMBELINE. 
 
 Cym. Wherefore ey'st him so ? 
 
 Imo. ril tell you, sir, in private, if you please 
 To s;ive me hearinsf. 
 
 Cym. Av, with all my heart : 
 Walk with me ; spe^k freely. 
 
 (^Cymbeline and Imogen retire a little.) 
 
 Bel. Is not this hoy reviv'd from death ? 
 
 Arv One sand another 
 Wot more resembles : — that sweet rosy lad, 
 W ho died, and vv as Fidele : — what think you ? 
 
 Guid. The same dead thmg alive. 
 
 Bel. Peace, peace ' see further. 
 
 Pis. (Aside.) It is my mistress: 
 Since she is living, let the time run on, 
 To s^ood, or bad. 
 {Retires a little Cymbeline and Imogen Advance.) 
 
 Cym. Come, stand thou by our side ; 
 Make thy demand aloud. — Sir, step you forth; 
 
 ( To lachimo.) 
 Give answer to this boy, and do it freely ; 
 Or, by our o^reatness, bitter torture shall 
 Winnow the truth from falsehood. — On, speak to 
 him. (To Imogen.) 
 
 Imo. My boon is, that this gentleman may ren^ 
 
 Of whom he had this rina:. [der 
 
 {Pointing to a ring on lachimo'^s Jinger.) 
 
 Post. (Aside.) VV hat s that to him ? 
 
 Cym. That diamond upon your finger, say, 
 How came it yours ? [that 
 
 lack. Thoult torture me to leave unspoken 
 Which, to be spoke, would torture thee. 
 
 Cyi.i. How ! me ? [which 
 
 lack. I am glad to be constrainM to utter that 
 
CYMBELINE. 103 
 
 Torments me to conceal. By villainy 
 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 liv'd [my lord ? 
 'Twixt sky and ground. Wilt thou hear more, 
 Cym. All that belongs to this. 
 lach. That paragon, thy daughter, — [spirits 
 For whom my heart drops blood, and my false 
 Quail (1) to remember, — give me leave; I faint, 
 {Madam and Locrine support him.) 
 Cym. My daughter ! what of her? Renew thy 
 strength : 
 I had rather thou shouldst live while nature will, 
 Than die ere 1 hear more. 
 
 lach. Upon a time, (unhappy was the clock 
 That struck the hour !) it was in Rome, (accurs'd 
 The mansion where !) 'twas at a feast, (O, 'would 
 Our viands had been poison'd ! or, at least. 
 Those which I heav'd to head !) the good Pos- 
 thumus — 
 Cym. Come to the matter. [gins. — • 
 
 lach. Your daughter's chastit}' — there it be- 
 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 his bed, and win this ring 
 By hers and mine adultery. 
 
 (1) Sink into dejection. 
 
104 CYMBELINE. 
 
 Away to Britain 
 
 Post 1 in this desig^n : well may you, sir, 
 
 R<^member me at court, where 1 was taught 
 
 Of your chaste daughter the wide difference 
 
 'Twixt amorous and villainous : — 
 
 To be brief, my practice so prevail'd, 
 
 That I returned with simular proof enough 
 
 To make the noble Leonatus mad, 
 
 Bv woundmg his belief in her renown 
 
 With tokens thus, and thus; 
 
 That he could not 
 
 But think -er bond of chastity quite crack'd, 
 
 1 having ta'en the forfeit. Whereupon, — 
 
 Methinks, I see him now. — 
 
 Post. Ay, so thou dost, {Rushing forward.) 
 
 Italian fiend ! — Ah 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 ! (1) ihou, king, send out 
 For torturers ingenious : it is I 
 That all the abhorred things o" the earth amend, 
 By being worse than they. 1 am Fosthumus, 
 1'hat kill d thy daughter: — villian like, I lie ; 
 That caus'd a lesser villain than myself, 
 A sacrilegious thief, to do't : — the temple 
 Of virtue was she ; yea, and she herself (2) 
 Spit and throw stones, cast mire upon me ; set 
 1 he dogs o' the street to bay me : every villain 
 
 (1) The most ancient law books have justiceis of the 
 peace, as frequently as Justices of the peace. 
 
 (2) She was not only the temple of virtue, but virtue her- 
 self. 
 
CYMBELINE. 105 
 
 Be call'd, Posthumus Leonatus , and 
 Be villainy less than 't was ! — O Imogen ! 
 My queen, my life, my wife I O Imogen, 
 Imogen, Imogen ! 
 
 Jmc. Peace, my lord ; hear, hear — 
 
 Post. Thou scornful page, there is no peace 
 for me. 
 (^Striking her ; she falls into Pisanio''s arms.) 
 
 Pis. O, gentlemen, help, help 
 Mine, and your mistress : — O, my Lord Posthu- 
 mus ! 
 You ne'er kill'd Imogen till now ; — help, help !-— 
 Mine honour'd lady ! 
 
 Post. How come these staggers (1) on me ? 
 
 Pis. Wake, my mistress ! 
 ' Cym. If thisbe so,thegods do mean to strike me 
 To death with mortal joy. [from you ? 
 
 Into. Why did you throw your wedded lady 
 Think, that you are upon a rock ; and now 
 Throw me again. [Runs into his arms.) 
 
 Post. Hang there like fruit, my soul, 
 Till the tree die ! 
 
 Cym. My child, my child ! my dearest Imogen ! 
 
 Imo. Your blessing, sir. [Kneeling.) 
 
 Bel. Though you did love this youth, I blame 
 you not ; 
 You had a motive for't. 
 
 {To Guiderius and Arviragus.) 
 
 Cym. Imogen, 
 Thy mother's dead. 
 
 (1) This wild and delirious pertuibation. Staggers is the 
 horses apoplexy. 
 
106 CYMBELINE. 
 
 Imo. T am sorry for't, my lord. 
 
 C?/m.O,she w s nnught; and 'long of her it was, 
 That we meet here so strangely : hut her son 
 Is gone, we know not how, nor where. {Pisanio 
 and Imogen retire with Posthumus : — an Of^ 
 jicer takes off his chains.) 
 
 Guid. Let me end his story : 
 'Twas 1 that slew him. 
 
 Cym. Marry, the gods forefend ! 
 I would not thy good deeds should from my lips 
 Pluck a hard sentence : 'pr'ythee, valiant youth, 
 Deny't agam. 
 
 Guid. I have spoke it, and 1 did it. 
 
 Cym. He was a prince. [me 
 
 Guid A most uncivil one : the wrongs he did 
 W*^re 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. 
 
 Cyn. I am sorry for thee : [must 
 
 By thine own tongtie, thou art condemned, and 
 Endure our huv. — Bind the offender, 
 And take him from our presence. 
 
 {^Officers advance., l.h.) 
 
 Bel. Stay, sir king: 
 This man is better than the man he slew, 
 As well descended as thyself; and hath 
 More of thee n»erited, than a band of Clotens 
 Had ever scar for. Let his arms alone ; 
 
 {To the Officers who are seizing hi?n.) 
 They wer^^ not born for bondage. 
 
 Cym. VV hy, old soldier, 
 
CYMBELINE. 107 
 
 Wilt thou undo the worth thou art unpaid for, 
 
 By tasting of our wrath ? How of descent 
 
 As good as we? [knee : 
 
 Bel. I am too blunt and saucy : here's my 
 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 hege. 
 And blood of your begetting {Posthmnus^ Imo- 
 gen^ and Pisanio advance. — The Officers 
 retire.) 
 
 Cym. How ! my issue ? 
 
 Bel. So sure as you your father's. — {Rises.) — 
 I, old Morgan, 
 Am that Belarius whom you sometime banish'd : 
 Your pleasure was my mere offence, my punish- 
 Itself, and all my treason; that 1 suffer'd, [ment 
 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. — But, gracious sir, {Goes 
 between the Princes, and takes one in each hand.) 
 Here are your sons again : — 
 
 {He presents them to the King — they kneel.) 
 And I must lose 
 
 Two of the sweei'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. 
 
 Cym. Thou weep'st and speak'st. — (1) 
 
 (1) Thy tears give testimony to the sincerity of thy r«la- 
 
108 CYMBELINE. 
 
 I lost my children ; 
 
 If these be they, I know not how to wish 
 A pair of worthier sons. — Guiderius had 
 Upon his neck a mole, a sanguine star ; 
 It was a mark of wonder. 
 
 Bel. This is he ; 
 Who hath upon him still that natural stamp : 
 It was wise Nature's end in the donation. 
 To be his evidence now. 
 
 Cym. Bless'd may you be, 
 That, after this strange starting from your orbs, 
 You may reign in them now ! — [The Boys rise.) 
 
 — O, Imogen, 
 Thou hast lost by this a kingdom. 
 
 Imo. No, my lord ; (Crosses between them.) 
 I have got two worlds by't. — O, my gentle 
 
 brothers. 
 Have we thus met ? O never say hereafter, 
 But I am truest speaker: youcall'd me brother, 
 When I was but your sister; 1 you brothers. 
 When you were so indeed. 
 
 (Crosses back to Post.) 
 
 Cym. Did YOU e'er meet? — 
 
 Arv. Ay, iSy good lord. 
 
 Guid. And at first meeting lov'd, 
 
 Cym. O rare instinct ! 
 When shall I hear all through?- (To Guid and 
 
 Arv.) How liv'dyou? where? — 
 And — (To Imogen.) when came you to serve our 
 Roman captive ? [them ? 
 
 How parted with vour brothers? how first met 
 Why fled you from the court? and whither?— 
 But nor the time, nor place, 
 
CYMBELINE. 109 
 
 Will serve our long intergatories. — See, 
 
 Posthumus anchors upon Imogen ; 
 
 And she, like harmless lightning, throws her eye 
 
 On him — All o'erjoy'd, 
 
 Save these in bonds ; let them be joyful too, 
 
 For they shall taste our comfort. — 
 
 (^Flourish of Drums and Trump'ts.^ 
 
 Enter Roman Standard and twelve Soldiers r.u. v. e. 
 
 Twelve Roman Soldiers. Twelve British Soldiers. 
 
 Roman Standard, British Standard. 
 
 Roman Officers. British Officers. 
 
 Varus., Lucius. Locrine^ Madan. 
 
 JACHiMo, Post. Imogen, Cym, Guid. Arv. Bel, 
 
 R.H. L.H. 
 
 ^British Officers take off the chains of the Romans.) 
 
 The forlorn soldier, that so nobly fought. 
 He would have well becom'd this place, and 
 The thankings of a king. [grac'd 
 
 Post. I am, sir, 
 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, lachimo ; I had you down, and might 
 Have made you finish. 
 
 lach. (Kneels.) I am down again : 
 But now my heavy conscience sinks my knee, 
 As then your force did. — 
 But, your ring first; 
 
 And here the bracelet of the truest princess, 
 That ever swore her faith : — [Giving them.) 
 10 
 
lio 
 
 CYMBELINE. 
 
 Now take that life, 'beseech you, 
 Which I so oftea owe. 
 
 Post. Knecl.not to me : 
 The power that I have on you, is to spare you ; 
 The maUce towards you, to forgive you : — live, 
 And deal with others better. {lachimo rises.) 
 
 Cym. Nobly doom'd : 
 We'll learn our freeness of a son-in-law ; 
 Pardon's the word to all.— Laud we the gods ; 
 And let our crooked smokes climb to their nostrils 
 From our bless'd altars !— Set we forward : let 
 A Roman and a British ensign wave 
 Friendly together : so through Lud's town march; 
 Set on there :— never was a war did cease, 
 Ere bloody hands were wash'd,with such a peace. 
 {Flourish of Drums and Trumpets.) 
 
 Disposition of the Characters when the Curtain falls. 
 
 R.H. 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
 L.H. 
 
OXBERRY'S EDITION 
 
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