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 IMOGEN BEFORE THE GAVE OF BELARIUS
 
 Copyright, 1 90 1 
 
 By 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY SOCIETY
 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 CYMBELINE. 
 
 
 Preface. 
 
 1^0 ( 
 
 The First Edition. "The Tragcdie of CymhcUne" 
 was first printed in the Folio of 1623 ; it is the last play* 
 in the volume, where it occupies pp. 369-399 (misprinted 
 P93). It has been found desirable to remove it from its 
 position in the Folio so that it may be included in this 
 volume of " Comedies." 
 
 The place of Cymbelinc in the First Folio has led some 
 critics to infer that it was included late, and as an after- 
 thought. The text of the play is certainly unsatisfactory, 
 and possibly represents in many cases the Poet's " rough- 
 cast notes " rather than his finished work. 
 
 Doubtful Passages. The Vision in Act V. Sc. iv. 
 was probably by some other hand than Shakespeare's ; it 
 recalls the problems connected with the Masque in the 
 Fourth Act of The Tempest; in both cases it is impor- 
 tant to remember the fondness for this species of compo- 
 sition during the reign of James L The Vision may have 
 been inserted for some special Court representation. 
 
 The exquisite simplicity of the dirge sung by the broth- 
 ers over the grave of Fidele (Act IV. Sc. ii.) seems to 
 have raised doubts in the minds of certain commentators 
 as to the authenticity of the lines ; they have found 
 " something strikingly inferior " in the concluding coup- 
 lets, both in thought and expression; they would reject, 
 as '' additions," 
 
 "Golden lads and girls all must, 
 As chimney-szveepcrs, come to dust," 
 
 preferring no doubt Collins's more elegant rendering: —
 
 Preface CYMBELINE 
 
 " To fair Fidele's grassy tomb 
 
 Soft maids and village hinds shall bring 
 Each opening sweet of earliest bloom. 
 And rifle all the breathing spring!" 
 
 The "Tragedy" of Cymbeline. The editors of the 
 First FoHo erred in describing CyinbcUnc as a " Tragedy," 
 and in placing it in the division of " Tragedies " ; ' all is 
 oiitzvard sorroiv ' at the opening of the story, but its close 
 is attuned to the harmony of peace and happiness, and the 
 play thus satisfies the essential conditions of "Romantic 
 Comedy," or more properly of Shakespearian '' Tragi- 
 comedy," — life's commingling of tears and laughter, sor- 
 row and joy, joy triiuuphant in the end. 
 
 Date of Composition. No positive evidence exists for 
 the date of composition of Cymbeline ; the probabilities 
 are in favour of 1609-10. 
 
 This limit may be fixed from a notice in the MS. Diary 
 of Dr. Simon Forman, a notorious quack and astrologer. 
 His "Book of Plaies and Notes thereof for common Pol- 
 licie'''^ shows him an enthusiastic play-goer; it contains 
 his reports of three Shakespearian representations at the 
 Globe Theatre in 1610-11 ; Macbeth is referred to under 
 the former year (possibly an error for 161 1) ; The Win- 
 ter's Tale was witnessed on the 15th of May, 161 1, two 
 or three months before the diarist's death ; Cymbeline un- 
 fortunately has no date assigned; there is merely the 
 statement, preceding an epitome of the plot, — 
 
 " Remember also the story of Cymbalin, King of Eng- 
 land in Lucius' time." 
 
 Cymbeline's influence on Beaumont and Fletcher's Phi- 
 laster (cp. the characters of Imogen and Euphrasiaf) is 
 
 * Among the Ashmolean MSS. (208) in the Bodleian Library; 
 privately printed by Halliwell-Phillipps. 
 
 t As a single instance of the borrowings, in thought and phrase- 
 ology, the following may be noted : — 
 
 "'' The gods take part against me; could this boor 
 Have held me thus else?" {Philaster, IV. i.). 
 Cp. Cymbeline, V. ii. 2-6.
 
 CYMBELINE Preface 
 
 noteworthy : the date of the latter play cannot be definitely 
 fixed, but the evidence points to circa 1610-11; 1608 is 
 the earliest date critics have assigned to it. Similarly 
 Webster's "" White Devil, or Vittoria Coromhona," printed 
 in 1612, and written circa 1608, owes some of its tenderest 
 touches to the most striking- scenes in Cymhelinc. 
 
 The relation of these two plays, to the present play, as 
 well as certain striking resemblances between scenes and 
 situations in Cyinbcline and Macbeth (e.g. Act II. ii., com- 
 pared with Macbeth, Act II.*), have led to the conjecture 
 that some portions of the work were written as early as 
 1606-7, the whole being- completed in 1609-10; one 
 scholar assigns to the former date Act II. Sc. i., and Act 
 V. Sc. ii.-v.f Another scholar J calls attention to a change 
 of treatment to be found in the character of Cloten ; in 
 the earlier scenes " he is a mere fool " (e.g. I. iii., II. i.) ; 
 in the later " he is by no means deficient in manliness, and 
 the lack of his counsel is regretted by the King in Act 
 IV. Sc. i." He finds in Act III. Sc. v. corroboration of 
 his view, pointing out that the prose part is a subsequent 
 insertion, having some slight discrepancies with the older 
 parts of the scene. According to this view the story of 
 Cymbeline and his sons, the tribute, etc., in the last three 
 acts, was written at an earlier time, in i6o6.§ 
 
 More important than these questionable theories are 
 the unmistakable finks connecting Cymbeline with the 
 Shakespearian fragment of Pericles, with The Tempest, 
 and especially with The Winter's Tale — the crowning 
 glories of the close of the Poet's literary life; what the 
 
 * Some of the parallels are certainly noteworth}^ ; thus, the 
 reference to Tarquin (11. 12-14) recalls ' Tarquin's ravishing 
 strides ' {Macb., II i. 55, 56) ; " lac'd with blue of heaven s ozvn 
 tinct" (11. 22, 23) may be compared with Duncan's 'silver skin 
 laced with his golden blood' {Macb., II. iii. 118), etc. 
 
 t G. M. Ingleby {cp. his edition of " Cymbeline," 1886). 
 
 t F. G. Fleay. 
 
 § Cp. "A Chronicle History of the Life and Works of William 
 Shakespeare."
 
 Preface CYMBELINE 
 
 present writer has said of one of these may be said of all : 
 " On all of them his gentle spirit seems to rest ; " Timon 
 the Misanthrope ' no longer delights him ; his visions are 
 of human joy — scenes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and 
 peace — a world where father is re-united with child, 
 husband with wife, brother with brother, friend with 
 friend. Like his own Miranda, Shakespeare in these Ro- 
 mances again finds the world beautiful : — 
 
 ' O wonder! 
 How many goodly creatures are there here! 
 How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world 
 That has such people in 't! ' 
 
 Perhaps, after all, John Heminge and Henry Condell 
 knew what they were about, when, in defiance of chro- 
 nology and of their own classification, they opened their 
 precious Folio with the wonders of Prospero's enchanted 
 island, and closed it with ' the divine comedy ' of ' Pos- 
 thumus and Imogen.' 
 
 Sources of the Plot. The main plot of the play is the 
 love-story of Posthumus and Imogen : this theme, with 
 the famous ' wager-;/zc>/// ' and the ' chest intrigue,' is set 
 in a framework of pseudo-British History, and blended 
 with episodes belonging to that mythical epoch. 
 
 I. The Historical Element. So far as the names of 
 the British King (whose reign was contemporary with the 
 birth of Christ), his two sons, and stepson, are con- 
 cerned, the historical element was derived from Holin- 
 shed's Chronicles of England (Bk. HI.; ch. xiii.-xviii.) ; 
 some few meagre incidents were taken from the same 
 source, notably the original of Posthumus's account of the 
 battle, and of his description of the changed fortunes of 
 the fight, summed up in ' a narrow lane, an old man, and 
 two boys/ The source of this episode is found in Holin- 
 shed's History of Scotland, near the chapters dealing with 
 the story of Macbeth.
 
 CYMBELINE Preface 
 
 The mere name of the heroine is also to be found in 
 Holinshed's account of ancient British story ; but it is 
 clear that Shakespeare was already familiar with the name 
 when engaged on Much Ado About Nothing; in the 
 opening stage-direction of this play " Innogen " is actu- 
 ally mentioned as '' the wife of Leonato." 
 
 II. The Story of Imogen, The story of Imogen was 
 derived, directly or indirectly, from the Decamerone of 
 Boccaccio ; it is one of the Second Day Stories, " wherein 
 was discoursed of those who after being baffled by divers 
 chances have won at last of a joyful issue beyond their 
 hope." The Ninth Story tells '' how Bernaho of Genoa, 
 duped by Ambrogiiilo, loseth his good and commandeth 
 that his innocent zvife be put to death. She escapeth and 
 serveth the Soldan in a man's habit. Here she lightetM 
 upon the deceiver of her husband and bringeth the latter 
 to Alexandria, where her traducer being punished, she^ 
 resumeth woman's apparel and returneth with her hus- 
 band, rich." 
 
 This rough outline of the plot, at the head of Boccac- 
 cio's story, indicates, somewhat at least, how far Shake- 
 speare's version departs from the Italian. Shakespeare 
 may have read the story as told in the Decamerone, but 
 there were many other renderings of the theme, which, 
 perhaps originally belonging to Byzantine literature, 
 found a place in Old French Romance and Drama long 
 before it reached Italy; in all probability " The Romance 
 of the Violet," by Gerbert de Montruil, circa 122^, was 
 the source of Boccaccio's novel. 
 
 From the French, rather than from the Italian, were 
 derived the oldest German and Scandinavian stories of 
 '" The Four Merchants; or, The Virtuous Wife." Some 
 such English variant of the Imogen story was probably 
 current in England in the sixteenth century, and may 
 account for certain features of the play; e.g. the intro- 
 duction in Act I. Sc. iv. of the representatives of the four
 
 Preface CYMBELINE 
 
 nationalities,* but it is not at all unlikely that Shake- 
 speare was also acquainted with Boccaccio's narrative. A 
 curious English version appeared in a tract entitled 
 " IVcstzvard for Smelts," which was pubHshed in 1620; 
 its chief interest lies perhaps in the fact that the story is 
 there associated with English history, and referred to the 
 times of Edward IV. f 
 
 III. Imogen and Snow-white. Certain elements of 
 the plot have still to be accounted for: — e.g. (i.) the story 
 of the wicked step-dame, with her subtle interest in the 
 poisonous properties of herbs: (ii.) the stealing of the 
 princes, and their free life in the wilds and in their cave- 
 home : (iii.) Fidele's happy life with them in the cave; 
 its sudden end; the re-awakening from death. These, 
 and other points, serve to knit together the two main 
 threads of the plot, but they are nowhere to be found in 
 Holinshed, nor in Boccaccio, nor in the many variants of 
 the " wager-story." The bare enumeration of the three 
 elements must, I think, serve to establish Shakespeare's 
 obligation to another source, — to a folk-story still amon 
 the most popular of all nursery tales, — the story of '' Lit 
 tie Snow-white." The fairy tale as known to modern 
 English children has come to them from Germany, but 
 there can be little doubt that an English '' Snow-white " 
 ^was known to Shakespeare in his own youth, and was 
 'perhaps even dearer to him than the stories of " Childe 
 Rowland " and " Mr. Fox " (vide King Lear, III. iv. 188, 
 and Much Ado About Nothing, I. i. 216-218). These 
 latter fairy tales are happily still preserved among the 
 
 * It is interesting to note that not only was the story of " The 
 Four Merchants" well known in Denmark in the XVIth century, 
 but during the same century Iceland had ballads and rhymes on 
 the same theme; the writer possesses transcripts of several such 
 versions. 
 
 t Malone alludes to an edition of 1603 ; but he probably made 
 a mistake; the book may have existed in manuscript years before 
 its publication. 
 
 6 
 
 &
 
 CYMBELINE Preface 
 
 treasures of '' English Fairy Tales " : some day perhaps 
 Shakespeare's '' Snow-white " may be added ; one would, 
 however, be much surprised if it differed strikingly from 
 the tale so dear to us from infancy. 
 
 In the tale as in the play we have (i.) a weak king sur- 
 rendering his child to the tender mercies of a cruel step- 
 mother, who, to quote from the popular version, '' was 
 a beautiful woman, but proud and haughty"; (ii.) the 
 cottage of the dwarfs which gives Snow-white shelter is 
 described in the best and truest versions as a cave in the 
 forest; (iii.) Snow-white, hungry and thirsty, enters the 
 cave uninvited, and is found by the kindly dwarfs, much 
 in the same way as Fidele by Belarius, Guiderius and Ar- 
 viragus. " Oh, heavens ! oh, heavens ! " cried the dwarfs, 
 'Svhat a lovely child!" 'By Jupiter an Angel!' quoth 
 Belarius, 
 
 ' or if not. 
 An earthly paragon! ' . . . 
 
 (iv.) The dwarfs said, "If you will take care of our house, 
 cook, and make the beds, wash, sew, and knit, you can 
 stay with us and you shall want for nothing." Even so 
 was it with Fidele. 
 
 'But his neat cookery! he cut our roots 
 In characters, 
 
 And sauced our broths, as Juno had been sick 
 And he her dieter.' . . . 
 
 (v.) " Snow-white," the story tells us, " kept the house in 
 order for them ; in the mornings they went to the moun- 
 tains and looked for copper and gold, in the evenings 
 they came back, and then their supper had to be ready. 
 The girl was alone the whole day, so the good dwarfs 
 warned her and said, ' Beware of your stepmother, she 
 will soon know that you are here ; be sure to let no one 
 come in.' "... The situation is practically iden- 
 tical in the play, save that Imogen's wicked stepmother 
 need not visit her, for she works her evil power by means 
 of the poisoned cordial. Both in the play and in the tale
 
 Preface * CYMBELINE 
 
 the poison sends the victim into a death-Uke trance, (vi) 
 The simple narrative of the nursery story is perhaps the 
 best commentary on the sweetest scene of the play, the 
 finding of Fidele dead — ' the bird is dead that we have 
 made so much on' — and the burial, the sorrow of the 
 princes, and their dirge. " Snow-white was dead, and 
 remained dead. The dwarfs laid her upon a bier, and 
 all seven of them sat round it and wept for her, and wept 
 three days long. Then they were going to bury her, but 
 she still looked as if she were living, and still had her 
 pretty red cheeks. They said ' zve cannot bury her in the 
 dark ground' and they had a transparent coffin of glass 
 made. They put the coffin out upon the mountains, and 
 one of them always stayed by it and watched it. And 
 birds came too, and w^ept for Snow-white ; first an owl, 
 then a raven, and last a dove." Beneath all the complex- 
 ity of plot created by Shakespeare, this original can still 
 clearly be detected ; in the olay the homely room, ' the 
 ruddock,' does service for the owl, the raven, and the dove 
 of the story. The parallels might easily be r.mltiplied. 
 These will perhaps suffice to show that Imogen, ' the 
 siveetcst, fairest lily' and ii^idele, ' that sweet rosy lad/ 
 owed something of their beauty to the child " white as 
 snow, as red as blood, and with hair as black as ebony." 
 '* Imogen " is in very deed " Snow-white," the best be- 
 loved of childhood's heroines, transfigured as manhood's 
 ideal of all womanly perfection. 
 
 **^m^ thvt lilie jFruit, mp ^otil, 
 cm tl)c Cm mt." 
 
 Coin of Cymbeline (the Cunobelinus of early British history). 
 
 8
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Critical Comments. 
 I. 
 
 Argument. 
 
 I, The displeasure of Cymbeline, King of Britain, is 
 aroused against Posthumus, a gentleman who has pre- 
 sumed to wed the King's daughter, Imogen, and Pos- 
 thumus is sent into exile. Arriving in Rome, he en- 
 counters an evil-minded Italian named lachimo, who 
 casts aspersions on the chastity of all women, and offers 
 to wager that he will work the dishonour of Imogen. 
 Posthumus has such confidence in his wife's integrity 
 that he consents to the trial. lachimo proceeds to the 
 British court and, not succeeding in his open overtures 
 with Imogen, has recourse to stealth. 
 
 II, He gains admittance to her bedchamber by hav- 
 ing himself carried there in a trunk. While she sleeps 
 he takes off a bracelet from her arm and obtains a 
 mental description of her room and person. Armed 
 
 /with this circumstantial evidence, he returns to Pos- 
 thumus and is enabled thereby to convince him of 
 Imogen's guilt. 
 
 III, The misguided husband sends an order to his 
 faithful servant Pisanio to put Imogen to death; which 
 order is disregarded by Pisanio, who instead induces 
 Imogen to disguise herself in male attire and go in 
 search of Posthumus. By this flight she is likewise 
 enabled to escape the malice of the Queen, her step- 
 mother, and the disagreeable attentions of the Queen's 
 son, Cloten. While traversing the mountainous country 
 of Wales, Imogen by chance pauses faint and hungry 
 
 9
 
 Comments CYMBELINE 
 
 before a cave wherein dwells Belarius, a banished noble- 
 man, disguised as a peasant, who, in revenge for his 
 unjust banishment, had abducted the king's two sons 
 some twenty years before. The princes, now fully grown, 
 though ignorant of their descent and also of the identity 
 of the stranger, are strongly attracted to Imogen by the 
 subtle tie of blood, and entertain her hospitably. 
 
 IV. Cloten arrives before the cave in pursuit of 
 Imogen, and is slain in a duel by one of the princes. 
 His headless body is left lightly covered with leaves and 
 flowers. Imogen, having on her person a poison pre- 
 pared by the Queen, swallows it under the beHef that it 
 is a soothing cordial, and immediately falls into a deep 
 sleep resembling death. The heart-broken princes lay 
 her body beside that of Cloten. Shortly after she 
 awakes from her stupor and mistakes the headless body 
 for that of her lost lord Posthumus. In her despair she 
 seeks service as page with a Roman general who is just 
 then invading Britain. 
 
 V. With the Roman army come lachimo and Pos- 
 thumus. A battle is fought against the forces of Cym- 
 beline. Posthumus in the garb of a peasant fights val- 
 orously for Britain. Belarius and the two princes also 
 render signal service to Cymbeline, aiding him to rout 
 the Romans. The service paves the way for a reconcili- 
 ation between Belarius and the king, in which the former 
 reveals the identity of the two long-lost princes. 
 
 Among the prisoners taken are lachimo and Imogen, 
 the supposed page. The Italian makes confession of 
 his villainy, and Imogen is restored to Posthumus, 
 whom the king receives again into favour. The mali- 
 cious Queen dies in despair at the frustration of her 
 designs. 
 
 McSpadden : Shakespearian Synopses, 
 
 10
 
 CYMBELINE Comments 
 
 II. 
 Imogen. 
 
 Imogen, like Juliet, conveys to our mind the impres- 
 sion of extreme simplicity in the midst of the most 
 wonderful complexity. To conceive her aright, we must 
 take some peculiar tint from many characters, and so 
 mingle them that, like the combination of hues in a 
 sunbeam, the effect shall be as one to the eye. We 
 must imagine something of the romantic enthusiasm of 
 JuHet, of the truth and constancy of Helen, o£ the dig- 
 nified purity of Isabel, of the tender sweetness of Viola, 
 of the self-possession and intellect of Portia — combined 
 together so equally and so harmoniously that we can 
 scarcely say that one quality predominates over the 
 other. But Imogen is less imaginative than Juliet, less 
 spirited and intellectual than Portia, less serious than 
 Helen and Isabel; her dignity is not so imposing as that 
 of Hermione — it stands more on the defensive; her sub- 
 mission, though unbounded, is not so passive as that of 
 Desdemona; and thus, while she resembles each of these 
 characters individuallv, she stands wholly distinct from 
 all. 
 
 It is true that the conjugal tenderness of Imogen is at 
 once the chief subject of the drama and the pervading 
 charm of her character; but it is not true, I think, that 
 she is merely interesting from her tenderness and con- 
 stancy to her husband. We are so completely let into 
 the essence cf Imogen's nature that w^e feel as if we had 
 known and loved her before she was married to Posthu- 
 mus, and that her conjuo^al virtues are a charm super- 
 added, like the colour laid upon a beautiful ground-? 
 work. Neither does it appear to me that Posthumus 
 is unworthy of Imogen, or only interesting on Imogen's 
 account. His character, like those of all the other 
 persons of the drama, is kept subordinate to hers; but 
 this could not be otherwise, for she is the proper sub- 
 
 II
 
 Comments CYMBELINE 
 
 ject — the heroine of the poem. Everything is done to 
 ennoble Posthumus and justify her love for him; and 
 though we certainly approve him more for her sake 
 than for his own, we are early prepared to view him 
 with Imogen's eyes, and not only excuse, but sympathize 
 in her admiration. . . . 
 
 One thing more must be particularly remarked, be- 
 cause it serves to individualize the character from the 
 beginning to the end of the poem. We are constantly 
 sensible that Imogen, besides being a tender and de- 
 voted woman, is a princess and a beauty, at the same 
 time that she is ever superior to her position and her 
 external charms. There is, for instance, a certain airy 
 majesty of deportment — a spirit of accustomed com- 
 mand breaking out every now and then — the dignity, 
 vvithout the assumption, of rank and royal birth, which 
 is apparent in the scene with Cloten and elsewhere ; and 
 we have not only a general impression that Imogen, 
 like other heroines, is beautiful, but the pecuHar style 
 and character of her beauty are placed before us. We 
 have an image of the most luxuriant loveliness, com- 
 bined with exceeding delicacy, and even fragility of per- 
 son ; of the most refined elegance and the most exquisite 
 modesty. 
 
 Mrs. Jameson : Characteristics of Women, 
 
 III. 
 
 The Antecedents of Imogen. 
 
 As in Cleopatra and Cressida we had woman deter- 
 mined solely by her sex, so in Imogen we have an em- 
 bodiment of the highest possible characteristics of 
 womanhood — untainted health of soul, unshaken forti- 
 tude, constancy that withstands all trials, inexhaustible 
 forbearance, unclouded intelligence, love that never 
 wavers, and unquenchable radiance of spirit. She, like 
 Marina, is cast into the snake-pit of the world. She is 
 
 12
 
 CYMBELINE Comments 
 
 slandered, and not, like Desdemona, at second or third 
 hand, but by the very man who boasts of her favours 
 and supports his boast with seemingly incontrovertible 
 proofs. Like Cordelia, she is misjudged; but whereas 
 Cordelia is merely driven from her father's presence 
 along with the man of her choice, Imogen is doomed 
 to death by her cruelly-deceived husband, whom alone 
 she adores; and through it all she preserves her love 
 for him unweakened and unchanged. 
 
 Strange — very strange! In Imogen we find the full- 
 est, deepest love that Shakespeare has ever placed in a 
 woman's breast, and that although Cymbcline follows 
 close upon plays which were filled to the brim with con- 
 tempt for womankind. He believed, then, in such love, 
 so impassioned, so immovable, so humble — believed in 
 it now? He had, then, observed or encountered such a 
 love — encountered it at this point of his life? 
 
 Even a poet has scant enough opportunities of ob- 
 serving love. Love is a rare thing, much rarer than the 
 world pretends, and when ". exists, it is apt to be sparing 
 of words. Did he simply fall back on his own expe- 
 riences, his own inward sensations, his knowledge of his 
 own heart, and, transposing his feelings from the major 
 to the minor key, place them on a woman's lips? Or 
 did he love at this moment, and was he himself thus 
 beloved at the end of the fifth decade of his life? The 
 probability is, doubtless, that he wrote from some quite 
 fresh experience, though it does not follow that the ex- 
 perience was actually his own. It is not often that 
 women love men of his mental habit and stature with 
 such intensity of passion. The rule will always be that 
 a Moliere shall find himself cast aside for some Comte 
 de Guiche, a Shakespeare for some Earl of Pembroke. 
 Thus we cannot w-ith any certainty conclude that he 
 himself was the object of the passion which had revived 
 his faith in a woman's power of complete and uncon- 
 ditional absorption in love for one man, and for him 
 alone. In the first place, had the experience been his 
 
 13
 
 Comments CYMBELINE 
 
 own, he would scarcely have left London so soon. Yet 
 the probability is that he must just about this time have 
 gained some clear and personal insight into an ideal 
 love. In the public sphere, too, it is not unlikely that 
 Arabella Stuart's undaunted passion for Lord William 
 Seymour, so cruelly punished by King James, may have 
 afforded the model for Imogen's devotion to Posthumus 
 in defiance of the wall of King Cymbeline. 
 
 Brandes : William Shakespeare. 
 
 iv: 
 
 Posthumus. 
 
 The design of the play evidently required that Posthu- 
 mus should be kept in the background. For he could 
 not be in the foreground without staying beside Imogen; 
 staying there, he could not be cheated out of his faith in 
 her; in which case there would be no chance for the 
 trial and proof of her constancy. Hence the necessity 
 of putting so much respecting him into the mouths of 
 the other persons; and certainly their tongues are rich 
 enough in praise of him. It was no easy thing to carry 
 him through the part assigned him in the play, without 
 disqualifying overmuch the lady's judgement in choos- 
 ing him; and the Poet manifestly labours somewhat to 
 plant such second-hand impressions of him as may se- 
 cure the vindication of her choice in our thoughts. For 
 he clearly meant that her wisdom and insight, as ap- 
 proved in other things, should serve to us as a pledge 
 and guaranty of his worth ; that " by her election should 
 be truly read what kind of man he is." And not the 
 least of his merits as an artist is the skill he has in 
 making his characters so utter themselves as at the 
 same time to mirror one another. And so here, being 
 forced either to withdraw Posthumus from our imme- 
 diate view, or else to set him before us in a somewhat
 
 CYMBELINE Comments 
 
 unfavourable light, the best thing he could do, was to give 
 us a reflection of him from Imogen; and if that reflec- 
 tion, confirmed as it is by others, be not enough, there 
 was no help for it; it was the best that the nature of the 
 case admitted of. And surely it were something bold in 
 any man to wage his own judgement in a matter of this 
 kind against such a woman's as Imogen; for, as Camp- 
 bell says, " she hallows to the imagination every thing 
 that loves her, and that she loves in return." 
 
 Still we can hardly keep quit of the suspicion, that his 
 high credit with her and others is partly owing to the 
 presence of such a foil as Cloten, in comparison with 
 whom he is an angel of a man indeed. And at all events 
 one cannot choose but wish that the Poet had made 
 him hold out a little more firmly against the forged or 
 stolen evidences of his wife's infidelity, and keep his 
 faith at least till the last and strongest item was pro- 
 duced. It is observable, that the Poet represents his 
 very fulness of confidence at first as rendering him all 
 the more liable to the reverse in the contingency that 
 is to arrive : because he is perfectly sure that no proofs 
 of success can be shown by lachimo, therefore, when 
 some such proofs are shown, he falls the more readily 
 into the opposite state. And this, undoubtedly, is in the 
 right line of nature. For to shake the confidence of 
 such a man in such a case is to invert it all into distrust 
 at once. The character of Posthumus is crowned with 
 a liberal measure of redemption in the latter part of the 
 play. After his revenge, as he believes, has been taken, 
 his exceeding bitterness of remorse and penitence turn 
 our revenge into pity; for his experience presses home 
 to our hearts as well as his own, that, " though those 
 who are betray'd do feel the treason sharply, yet the 
 traitor stands in worse case of woe"; and his perse- 
 vering quest of death finally repeals the feeling which 
 we should otherwise be apt to have, that death were 
 none too bad for him. 
 
 Hudson : The Works of Shakespeare. 
 
 15
 
 Comments CYMBELINE 
 
 V. 
 
 Cloten. 
 
 Life at court is beset with treacherous quicksands. 
 The king is stupid, passionate, perpetually misguided; 
 the queen is a wily murderess; and between them stands 
 her son, Cloten, one of Shakespeare's most original 
 figures, a true creation of genius, without a rival in all 
 the Poet's long gallery of fools and dullards. His 
 stupid inefficiency and undisguised malignity have 
 nothing in common with his mother's hypocritical and 
 supple craft; he takes after her in worthlessness alone. 
 
 For the sake of an inartistic stage effect, Shakespeare 
 has endowed him with a bodily frame indistinguishable 
 from that of the handsome Posthumus, leaving it to his 
 head alone to express the world-wide difference between 
 them. But how admirably has the Poet characterised 
 the dolt and boor by making him shoot forth his words 
 with an explosive stammer! With profound humour 
 and delicate observation, he has endowed him with the 
 loftiest notions of his own dignity, and given him no 
 shadow of doubt as to his rights. There are no bounds 
 to his vanity, his coarseness, his bestiality. If words 
 could do it, not a word of his but would wound others 
 to the quick. And not only his words, but his intents 
 are of the most malignant; he would outrage Imogen at 
 Milford Haven and '' spurn her home " to her father. 
 His stupidity, fortunately, renders him less dangerous, 
 and with delicate art Shakespeare has managed to make 
 him from first to last produce a comic effect, thereby 
 softening the painful impression of the portraiture. We 
 take pleasure in him as in Caliban, whom he foreshad- 
 ows, and who had the same designs upon Miranda as 
 he upon Imogen. We might even describe Caliban as 
 Cloten developed into a type, a symbol. 
 
 Brandes : William Shakespeare. 
 
 i6
 
 CYMBELINE Comments 
 
 VI. 
 
 The Royal Pair. 
 
 The Queen — whose guilty machinations threaten to 
 be the ruin of Posthumus, who holds the reins of gov- 
 ernment in her own hands, and has the intention of 
 directing the fortunes of all, in accordance with her own 
 resolves — lives to see all her plans thwarted, and in the 
 end herself falls a victim to the destructive power of her 
 own wickedness. Cymbeline, the husband, father and 
 king — who is more or less directly afifected by the com- 
 plications in the lives of all the others, hence as it 
 were, the point where all the radii of the wide circle 
 meet, and from which they in the first instance proceed, 
 and upon whom everything turns although he himself 
 appears the least active — forms the quiescent centre of 
 the action, and in his undutiful lassitude and passive- 
 ness regulates the fortunes of all, but is ultimately 
 obliged to take all their fortunes upon himself. The 
 drama, therefore, very justly bears his name. 
 
 Ulrici : Shakspeare's Dramatic Art. 
 
 VII. 
 
 lachimio and Pisanio. 
 
 The part of lachimo illustrates, though not on a very 
 large scale, Shakespeare's peculiar science and learned 
 dealing in the moral constitution of man. At our first 
 meeting with lachimo, he is in just that stage of moral 
 sickness, that he must be worse before he can be better; 
 and in his sharp practice on the wager his disease 
 reaches the extreme point wdiich, even because it is 
 extreme, starts a process of moral revolution within 
 him; setting him to a hard diet of remorse and repent- 
 ance, and conducting him through these to renovation 
 and health. So that his treachery is one of those large 
 
 17
 
 Comments CYMBELINE 
 
 overdoses of crime which sometimes have the effect of 
 purging off men's criminahty. Such is the cunning 
 leechcraft of nature: out of men's vices she hatches 
 scorpions to lash and sting them into virtue. 
 
 Those who think poetry dwells more in the palace 
 than the cottage, and that Shakespeare is apt to post- 
 pone the rights of untitled manhood in favour of con- 
 ventional aristocracy, may be sent to school to Pisanio; 
 who is, socially, the humblest person in the drama, yet 
 his being is '' all compact " of essential heroism. His 
 action shows not one self-regarding thought or purpose; 
 he alone seems to live and breathe purely for others. 
 And what shrewdness, what forecast, what fertility of 
 beneficence there is in him! His character is lifted into 
 the highest region of poetry by his oblivion of self; and 
 even those whom he serves derive much of their poetry 
 from his self-forgetting, incorruptible loyalty to them. 
 Hudson : The Works of Shakespeare. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Guiderius and Arviragus. 
 
 The two Princes, Guiderius and Arviragus, both edu- 
 cated in the wilds, form a noble contrast to Miranda 
 and Perdita. Shakspeare is fond of showing the su- 
 periority of the^mrturrJI over the artificial. Over the art 
 which enriches nature, he somewhere says, there is a 
 higher art created by nature herself. As Miranda's un- 
 conscious and unstudied sweetness is more pleasing 
 than those charms which endeavour to captivate us by 
 the brilliant embellishments of a refined cultivation, so 
 in these two youths, to whom the chase has given vigour 
 and hardihood, but who are ignorant of their high 
 destination, and have been brought up apart from human 
 society, we are equally enchanted by a naiye-heroism 
 which leads them to anticipate and to dream of deeds 
 of valour, till an occasion is offered which they are 
 
 i8
 
 CYMBELINE Comments 
 
 irresistibly compelled to embrace. When Imogen comes 
 in disguise to their cave; when, with all the innocence 
 of childhood, Guiderius and Arviragus form an impas- 
 sioned friendship for the tender boy, in whom they 
 neither suspect a female nor their own sister; when, on 
 their return from the chase, they find her dead, then 
 " sing her to the ground," and cover the grave with 
 flowers: — these scenes might give to the most deadened 
 imagination a new life for poetry. If a tragical event is 
 only apparent in such case, whether the spectators are 
 already aware of it or ought merely to suspect it, Shak- 
 speare always knows how to mitigate the impression 
 without weakening it: he makes the mourning musical, 
 that it may gain in solemnity what it loses in serious- 
 ness. 
 ScHLEGEL : Lectures on Dramatic Art and Literature. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Elements and Construction. 
 
 If Cymbeline is deliberately detached from history, 
 his queen and their children transport us into manifest 
 faerie. The evil stepmother, with her malign beauty, 
 culling the poison-flowers " while yet the dew 's on the 
 ground," is a witch manquce, a Medea not quite perfect 
 in her part; her clownish son is a Caliban made slightly 
 more human and considerably more vulgar; Imogen, 
 with all her added wealth of mind and heart, yet clearly 
 betrays the lineaments of the peerless princess whom 
 the malign stepmother pursues and good fairies defend; 
 while the whole episode of her life in the cave with her 
 unknown brothers, her seeming death and burial, dif- 
 fers from the Mdrchen of Schneewittchen (" Little Snow- 
 white") only as the poetry which moves wholly within 
 the human sphere and is wrought out in dramatic detail 
 and imaginative phrase differs from the naive poetry 
 of the fairy tale. The evil stepmother provides her 
 
 19
 
 Comments CYMBELINE 
 
 *' poison" by the aid of a physician; the kindly dwarfs 
 become vahant young hunters, and Schneewittchen's 
 crystal coffin becomes a woodland bed of flowers and 
 moss lightly sprinkled on the face of the seeming dead. 
 It can hardly be denied that these several elements of 
 story are not quite faultlessly wrought together. The 
 complex mechanism of the plot is lubricated by a free 
 use of happy coincidences and fortuities, and explained 
 by conversations and soliloquies which serve merely to 
 explain it. It is even possible to maintain that the mot- 
 ley contrast of the interwoven motives has here and 
 there infected the characters; — that Cloten, more par- 
 ticularly, as he appears in the council of war, is a person 
 of more distinction than the clownish wooer of Imogen 
 and butt of the court wits. As in all the plays of this 
 latest group, mechanical coherence of plot is treated 
 with apparent nonchalance, even character is displayed 
 rather in detached moments than with that subtle power 
 of exhibiting its gradual evolution or decay which con- 
 tributes so much to the fascination of Hamlet or Othello 
 or Antony and Cleopatra; but these moments are illu- 
 minated with a dramatic vision so intense and a poetry 
 so poignantly beautiful, that the less intrinsic move- 
 ments of the play sink into a subordination of effect in 
 which their incoherences are lost sight of. In the sub- 
 ject-matter with which they deal we cannot sharply 
 divide the so-called Romances from the Tragedies ; they 
 all deal with tragic harms; both Cymheline and The 
 Winter's Tale sound several chords of the theme of 
 Othello. But, in the first place, the tragic action is 
 briefer and simpler, less desperate in its outlook, less 
 harrowing in its course; and, in the second, there open 
 out of it vistas of a reposeful and heahng seclusion on 
 the one side, of remorse and atonement on the other, 
 which finally converge in scenes of reconciliation and 
 forgiveness. 
 
 Herford : The Eversley Shakespeare, 
 
 20
 
 CYMBELINE Comments 
 
 The play is not merely a series of beautiful pictures, 
 or interesting episodes, such as we are accustomed to 
 find in the productions of dramatists of less renown. 
 Here, as elsewhere in Shakespeare, everything is sub- 
 servient to the development of character. From this 
 point of view every scene contributes its share to the 
 denouement, nor is there any falling off observable in 
 the power of the artist; the master-hand is as discern- 
 ible in these latest creations as in those of any earHer 
 period. xA.nd he has put forth all his strength on the 
 central figure of the drama, the matchless Imogen, to 
 speak of whom is to sing one long psean of praise, and 
 whose very name is as full of music as her voice. In her 
 is to be found everything that makes woman lovable, 
 and there is no situation in which she, is placed which 
 does not reveal some fresh beauty in her character. 
 Evans : Henry Irving Shakespeare, 
 
 In Cymhclinc we may note what has presented itself in 
 the plays of admitted inferiority, a 'recurrence of hints 
 of motive and character that are fully worked out in 
 more perfect pieces. This is sometimes an anticipation, 
 but sometimes a memory; and possibly the appearance 
 that lachimo is a first idea of lago, and Posthumus the 
 crude conception of the passion of Othello, as Cymbeline 
 of the weakness and tyranny of Lear, may be but falla- 
 cious. Indeed, the thought has sometimes occurred 
 to me, that Shakespeare indulged himself designedly in 
 this drama in playing with the same motives in less 
 severe combination, and in falling back for relief, after 
 the tension of his great tragic actions, upon the milder 
 harmonies that might be evoked as truly from the self- 
 same themes. 
 
 Lloyd: Critical Essays on the Plays of Shakespeare, 
 
 21
 
 DRAMATIS PERSONAE. 
 
 Cymbeline, king of Britain. 
 
 Cloten, son to the Queen by a former husband. 
 
 PoSTHUMus Leonatus, a gentleman, husband to Imogen. 
 
 Belarius, a banisJied lord, disguised under the name of 
 
 Morgan. 
 
 GuiDERius, ] ^^^^^ ^^ Cymbeline, disguised under the 
 ' \ names of Polydore and Cadwal, sup- 
 Arviragus, j p^^^^ ^^,^^ ^^ Morgan. 
 
 Philario, friend to Posthumus, ) 
 
 lACHiMO, friend to Philario, J ^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 Caius Lucius, General of the Roman forces. 
 
 PiSANio, servant to Posthumus. 
 
 Cornelius, a physician. 
 
 A Roman Captain. 
 
 Two British Captains. 
 
 A Frenchman, friend to Philario. 
 
 Two Lords of Cymbeline's Court. 
 
 Two Gentlemen of the same. 
 
 Two Gaolers. 
 
 Queen, v/ife to Cymbeline. 
 
 Imogen, daughter to Cymbeline by a former queen. 
 
 Helen, a lady attending on Imogen. 
 
 Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, a Soothsayer, a Dutch- 
 man, a Spaniard, Musicians, Officers, Captains, Soldiers, 
 Messengers, and other Attendants. 
 
 Apparitions. 
 
 Scene: Britain: Rome. 
 
 22
 
 CYMBELINE. 
 
 ACT FIRST. 
 
 Scene I. 
 
 Britain. The garden of CymheUne's palace. 
 Enter tzvo Gentlemen. 
 
 First Gent. You do not meet a man but frowns : our 
 bloods 
 No more obey the heavens than our courtiers 
 Still seem as does the king. 
 
 Sec. Gent. But what 's the matter? 
 
 First Gent. His daughter, and the heir of 's kingdom, 
 whom 
 He purposed to his wife's sole son — a widow 
 That late he married — hath referred herself 
 Unto a poor but worthy gentleman : she 's wedded ; 
 Her husband banish'd ; she imprison'd : all 
 Is outward sorrow ; though I think the king • 
 Be touch'd at very heart. 
 
 Sec. Gent. None but the king? lo 
 
 First Gent. He that hath lost her too : so is the queen, 
 That most desired the match : but not a courtier, 
 Although they wear their faces to the bent 
 Of the king's looks, hath a heart that is not 
 Glad at the thing they scowl at. 
 
 Sec. Gent. And why so? 
 
 First Gent. He that hath miss'd the princess is a thing 
 Too bad for bad report : and he that hath her, 
 
 23
 
 Act I. Sc. i. CYMBELINE 
 
 I mean, that married her, — alack, good man ! — 
 
 And therefore banish'd, is a creature such 
 
 As, to seek through the regions of the earth 20 
 
 For one his hke, there would be something failing 
 
 In him that should compare. I do not think 
 
 So fair an outward and such stuff within 
 
 Endows a man but he. 
 
 Sec. Gent. You speak him far. 
 
 First Gent. I do extend him, sir, within himself, 
 Crush him together rather than unfold 
 His measure duly. 
 
 Sec. Gent. What 's his name and birth? 
 
 First Gent. I cannot delve him to the root : his father 
 Was caird Sicilius, who did join his honour 
 Against the Romans with Cassibelan, 30 
 
 But had his titles by Tenantius, whom 
 He served with glory and admired success, 
 So gain'd the sur-addition Leonatus : 
 And had, besides this gentleman in question, 
 Two other sons, who in the wars o' the time 
 Died with their swords in hand ; for which their 
 
 father. 
 Then old and fond of issue, took such sorrow 
 That he quit being, and his gentle lady, 
 Big of this gentleman, our theme, deceased 
 As he was born. The king he takes the babe 40 
 
 To his protection, calls him Posthumus Leonatus, 
 Breeds him and makes him of his bed-chamber : 
 Puts to him all the learnings that his time 
 Could make him the receiver of ; which he took. 
 As we do air, fast as 'twas minister'd, 
 And, in 's spring became a harvest : lived in court — 
 
 24
 
 CYMBELINE Act I. Sc. i. 
 
 Which rare it is to do — most praised, most loved : 
 A sample to the youngest, to the more mature 
 A glass that feated them, and to the graver 
 A child that guided dotards ; to his mistress, 50 
 
 For whom he now is banish'd, her own price 
 Proclaims how she esteem'd him and his virtue ; 
 By her election may be truly read 
 What kind of man he is. 
 
 Sec. Gent. I honour him 
 
 Even out of your report. But, pray you, tell me, 
 Is she sole child to the king? 
 
 First Gent. His only child. 
 
 He had two sons,— if this be worth your hearmg, 
 Mark it,— the eldest of them at three years old, 
 r the swathing clothes the other, from their nursery 
 Were stolen, and to this hour no guess in knowledge 
 Which way they went. 
 
 Sec. Gent. How long is this ago ? 61 
 
 First Gent. Some twenty years. 
 
 Sec. Gent. That a king's children should be so convey'd! 
 ' So slackly guarded ! and the search so slow, 
 That could not trace them ! 
 
 First Gent. Howsoe'er 'tis strange, 
 
 Or that the negligence may well be laugh'd at, 
 Yet is it true, sir. 
 
 Sec. Gent. I <^o well believe you. 
 
 First Gent. We must forbear : here comes the gentleman. 
 The queen and princess. [Exeunt. 
 
 Enter the Queen, Posthumiis and Imogen. 
 
 Queen. No, be assured you shall not find me, daughter, 70 
 After the slander of most stepmothers, 
 25
 
 Act I. Sc. i. CYMBELINE 
 
 Evil-eyed unto you : you 're my prisoner, but 
 Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys 
 That lock up your restraint. For you, Posthumus, 
 So soon as I can win the offended king, 
 I will be known your advocate : marry, yet 
 The fire of rage is in him, and 'twere good 
 You lean'd unto his sentence with what patience 
 Your wisdom may inform you. 
 
 Post. Please your highness, 
 
 I will from hence to-day. 
 
 Queen. You know the peril. 80 
 
 I '11 fetch a turn about the garden, pitying 
 The pangs of barr'd affections, though the king 
 Hath charged you should not speak together. [Exit. 
 
 Into. O 
 
 Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant 
 Can tickle where she wounds ! My dearest husband, 
 I something fear my father's wrath ; but nothing — 
 Always reserved my holy duty — what 
 His rage can do on me : you must be gone, 
 And I shall here abide the hourly shot 
 Of angry eyes, not comforted to live, 90 
 
 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 loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth : 
 My residence in Rome at one Philario's, 
 Who to my father was a friend, to me 
 Known but by letter : thither write, my queen, 
 
 26
 
 CYMBELINE Act I. Sc. i. 
 
 And with mine eyes I '11 drink the words you send, 
 Though ink be made of gall. 
 
 Re-enter Queen, 
 
 Queen. Be brief, I pray you : loi 
 
 If the king come, I shall incur I know not 
 How much of his displeasure. [Aside^ Yet I '11 
 
 move him 
 To walk this way : I never do him wrong 
 But he does buy my injuries, to be friends ; 
 Pays dear for my offences. [Exit. 
 
 Post. Should we be taking leave 
 
 As long a term as yet we have to live, 
 The loathness to depart would grow. Adieu ! 
 
 Imo. Nay, stay a little: 
 
 Were you but riding forth to air yourself, no 
 
 Such parting were too petty. Look here, love ; 
 This diamond was my mother's : take it, heart ; 
 But keep it till you woo another wife, 
 When Imogen is dead. 
 
 Post. How, how ! another ? 
 
 You gentle gods, give me but this I have. 
 And sear up my embracements from a next 
 With bonds of death! [Putting on the ring.'] Re- 
 main, remain thou here 
 While sense can keep it on ! And, sweetest, fairest, 
 As I my poor self did exchange for you 
 To your so infinite loss, so in our trifles I20 
 
 I still win of you : for my sake wear this ; 
 It is a manacle of love ; I '11 place it 
 Upon this fairest prisoner. 
 
 [Putting a bracelet on her arm. 
 
 27
 
 Act I. Sc. i. CYMBELINE 
 
 Imo. O the gods ! 
 
 When shall we see again ? 
 
 Enter Cymheline and Lords. 
 
 Post. Alack, the king! 
 
 Cym. Thou basest thing, avoid ! hence, from my sight ! 
 
 If after this command thou fraught the court 
 
 With thy unworthiness, thou diest : away ! 
 
 Thou 'rt poison to my blood. 
 Post. The gods protect you, 
 
 And bless the good remainders of the court ! 
 
 I am gone. {Exit. 
 
 Imo. There cannot be a pinch in death 1 30 
 
 More sharp than this is. 
 Cym. O disloyal thing, 
 
 That shouldst repair my youth, thou heap'st 
 
 A year's age on me ! 
 Imo. I beseech you, sir. 
 
 Harm not yourself with your vexation : 
 
 I am senseless of your wrath ; a touch more rare 
 
 Subdues all pangs, all fears. 
 Cym, Past grace? obedience? 
 
 Imo, Past hope, and in despair ; that way, past grace. 
 Cym. That mightst have had the sole son of my queen ! 
 Imo. O blessed, that I might not ! I chose an eagle, 
 
 And did avoid a puttock. 140 
 
 Cym. Thou took'st a beggar; wouldst have made my 
 throne 
 
 A seat for baseness. 
 Imo. No ; I rather added 
 
 A lustre to it. 
 Cym. O thou vile one ! 
 
 28
 
 CYMBELINE Act I. Sc. i. 
 
 Into. Sir, 
 
 It is your fault that I have loved Posthumus : 
 You bred him as my playfellow, and he is 
 A man worth any woman, overbuys me 
 Almost the sum he pays. 
 
 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 ! 
 
 Cym. Thou fooHsh thing ! 150 
 
 Re-enter Queen. 
 
 They were again together : you have done 
 Not after our command. Away with her, 
 And pen her up. 
 
 Queen. Beseech your Patience. Peace, 
 
 Dear lady daughter, peace ! Sweet sovereign. 
 Leave us to ourselves, and make yourself some com- 
 fort 
 Out of your best advice. 
 
 Cym. Nay, let her languish 
 
 A drop of blood a day ; and, being aged, 
 Die of this folly ! [Exeunt Cynibeline and Lords. 
 
 Queen. Fie ! you must give way. 
 
 Enter Pisanio. 
 
 Here is your servant. How now, sir ! What news ? 
 Pis. My lord your son drew on my master. 
 Queen. Ha! 160 
 
 No harm, I trust, is done? 
 Pis. There might have been, 
 
 But that my master rather play'd than fought, 
 
 And had no help of anger : they were parted 
 29
 
 Act I. Sc. ii. CYMBELINE 
 
 By gentlemen at hand. 
 Queen. I am very glad on 't. 
 
 Jmo. Your son 's my father's friend ; he takes his part. 
 
 To draw upon an exile ! O brave sir ! 
 
 I would they were in Af ric both together ; 
 
 Myself by with a needle, that I might prick 
 
 The goer-back. Why came you from your master ? 
 Pis. On his command : he would not suffer me 170 
 
 To bring him to the haven : left these notes 
 
 Of what commands I should be subject to 
 
 When 't pleased you to employ me. 
 Queen. This hath been 
 
 Your faithful servant : I dare lay mine honour 
 
 He will remain so. 
 Pis. I humbly thank your highness. 
 
 Queen. Pray, walk awhile. 
 Imo. About some half-hour hence, 
 
 I pray you, speak with me: you shall at least 
 
 Go see my lord aboard : for this time leave me. 
 
 {ExeunU 
 
 Scene II. 
 
 The same. A public place. 
 Enter Clot en and two Lords. 
 
 First Lord. Sir, I would advise you to shift a shirt ; 
 the violence of action hath made you reek as a 
 sacrifice ; where air comes out, air comes in : 
 there 's none abroad so wholesome as that you 
 vent. 
 
 Clo. If my shirt were bloody, then to shift it. Have 
 I hurt him ? 
 
 30
 
 CYMBELINE Act I. Sc. ii. 
 
 Sec, Lord. [Aside] No, faith ; not so much as his 
 
 patience. 
 First Lord. Hurt him ! his body 's a passable carcass, lo 
 
 if he be not hurt : it is a thoroughfare for steel, 
 
 if it be not hurt. 
 Sec, Lord. [Aside] His steel was in debt; it went o' 
 
 the backside the town. 
 Clo, The villain would not stand me. 
 Sec, Lord. [Aside] No, but he fled forward still, 
 
 toward your face. 
 First Lord. Stand you ! You have land enough of 
 
 your own ; but he added to your having ; gave 
 
 you some ground. 20 
 
 Sec. Lord. [Aside] As many inches as you have 
 
 oceans. Puppies ! 
 Clo. I would they had not come between us. 
 Sec. Lord. [Aside] So would I, till you had measured 
 
 how long a fool you were upon the ground. 
 Clo. And that she should love this fellow, and refuse 
 
 me! 
 Sec. Lord. [Aside] If it be a sin to make a true 
 
 election, she is damned. 
 First Lord. Sir, as I told you always, her beauty and 
 
 her brain go not together : she 's a good sign, 30 
 
 but I have seen small reflection of her wit. 
 Sec. Lord. [Aside] She shines not upon fools, lest 
 
 the reflection should hurt her. 
 Clo. Come, I '11 to my chamber. Would there had 
 
 been some hurt done ! 
 Sec. Lord. [Aside] I wish not so; unless it had been 
 
 the fall of an ass, which is no great hurt. 
 Clo, You '11 go with us ? 
 First Lord. I '11 attend your lordship. 
 
 31
 
 Act I. Sc. iii. CYMBELINE 
 
 Clo. Nay, come, let 's go together. 40 
 
 Sec. Lord. Well, my lord. {Exeunt. 
 
 Scene III. 
 
 A room in Cymbelinc's palace. 
 Enter Imogen and Pisanio. 
 
 Imo. I would thou grew'st unto the shores o' the haven 
 And question'dst every sail : if he should write 
 And I not have it, 'twere a paper lost. 
 As offer'd mercy is. What was the last 
 That he spake to thee ? 
 
 Pis. It was, his queen, his queen ! 
 
 Imo. Then waved his handkerchief? 
 
 Pis. And kiss'd it, madam. 
 
 Imo. Senseless linen ! happier therein than I ! 
 And that was all ? 
 
 Pis. No, madam ; for so long 
 
 As he could make me with this eye or ear 
 Distinguish him from others, he did keep 10 
 
 The deck, with glove, or hat, or handkerchief. 
 Still waving, as the fits and stirs of 's mind 
 Could best express how slow his soul sail'd on. 
 How swift his ship. 
 
 Imo. Thou shouldst have made him 
 
 As little as a crow, or less, ere left 
 To after-eye him. 
 
 Pis. Madam, so I did. 
 
 Imo. 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, follow'd him, till he had melted from 20 
 
 32
 
 CYMBELINE Act I. Sc. iv. 
 
 The smallness of a gnat to air ; and then 
 
 Have tiirn'd mine eye, and wept. But, good Pisanio, 
 
 When shall we hear from him ? 
 
 Pis. Be assured, madam, 
 
 With his next vantage. 
 
 Imo. I did not take my leave of him, but had 
 
 Most pretty things to say : ere I could tell him 
 
 How I would think on him at certain hours, 
 
 Such thoughts and such ; or I could make him swear 
 
 The shes of Italy should not betray 
 
 Mine interest and his honour; or have charged him. 
 
 At the sixth hour of morn, at noon, at midnight, 31 
 
 To encounter me with orisons, for then 
 
 I am in heaven for him ; or ere I could 
 
 Give him that parting kiss which I had set 
 
 Betwixt two charming words, comes in my father, 
 
 And, like the tyrannous breathing of the ^orth. 
 
 Shakes all our buds from growing. 
 
 Enter a Lady. 
 
 Lady. The queen, madam, 
 
 Desires your highness' company. 
 Imo. Those things I bid you do, get them dispatch'd. 
 
 I will attend the queen. 
 Pis, Madam, I shall. [Exeunt. 4c 
 
 Scene IV, 
 
 Rome. P hilarious house. 
 
 Enter Philario, lachimo, a Frenchman, a Dutchman, 
 and a Spaniard, 
 
 lach. Believe it, sir, I have seen him in Britain : he 
 was then of a crescent note ; expected to prove 
 
 33
 
 Act I. Sc. iv. CYMBELINE 
 
 so worthy as since he hath been allowed the name 
 of : but I could then have looked on him without 
 the help of admiration, though the catalogue of 
 his endowments had been tabled by his side and 
 I to peruse him by items. 
 
 Phi. You speak of him when he was less furnished 
 than now he is with that which makes him both 
 without and within. lo 
 
 French. I 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 weighed rather by her value 
 than his own, words him, I doubt not, a great 
 deal from the matter. 
 
 French. And then his banishment. 
 
 lach. Ay, and the approbation of those that weep 
 
 this lamentable divorce under her colours are 20 
 wonderfully to extend him ; be it but to fortify 
 her judgement, which else an easy battery might 
 lay flat, for taking a beggar without less quality. 
 But how comes it he is to sojourn with you? 
 how creeps acquaintance ? 
 
 PhL 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. 30 
 
 Enter Posthumus. 
 
 I beseech you all, be better known to this 
 gentleman ; whom I commend to you as a 
 
 34
 
 CYMBELINE Act I. Sc. iv. 
 
 noble friend of mine: how worthy he is I will 
 leave to appear hereafter, rather than story him 
 in his own hearing. 
 
 French. Sir, we have known together in Orleans. 
 
 Post. Since when I have been debtor to you for 
 courtesies, which I will be ever to pay and yet 
 pay still. 
 
 French. Sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindness : I was 40 
 glad I did atone my countryman and you ; it had 
 been pity you should have been put together 
 with so mortal a purpose as then each bore, upon 
 importance of so slight and trivial a nature. 
 
 Post. By your pardon, sir, I was then a young 
 traveller; rather shunned to go even with what 
 I heard than in my every action to be guided by 
 others' experiences : but upon my mended 
 judgement — if I offend not to say it is mended — 
 my quarrel was not altogether slight. 50 
 
 French. Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrement of 
 swords, and by such two that would, by all like- 
 lihood, have confounded one the other, or have 
 fallen both. 
 
 lach. Can we with manners ask what was the 
 difference ? 
 
 French. Safely, I think : 'twas a contention in public, 
 which may without contradiction suffer the re- 
 port. It was much like an argument that fell 
 out last night, where each of us fell in praise of 
 our country mistresses ; this gentleman at that 60 
 time vouching — and upon warrant of bloody 
 affirmation — his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, 
 chaste, constant-qualified and less attemptable 
 than any the rarest of our ladies in France. 
 
 35
 
 Act I. Sc. iv. CYMBELINE 
 
 lach. That lady is not now living, or this gentleman's 
 opinion, by this, worn out. 
 
 Post. She holds her virtue still and I my mind. 
 
 lach. You must not so far prefer her 'fore ours of 
 Italy. 
 
 Post. Being so far provoked as I was in France, I 70 
 would abate her nothing, though I profess my- 
 self her adorer, not her friend. 
 
 lach. As fair and as good — a kind of hand-in-hand 
 comparison — had been something too fair and 
 too good for any lady in Britany. If she went 
 before others I have seen, as that diamond of 
 yours outlustres many I have beheld, I could 
 not but believe she excelled many: but I have 
 not seen the most precious diamond that is, nor 
 you the lady. 80 
 
 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 outprized 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. 90 
 
 lach. Which the gods have given you ! 
 
 Post. Which, by their graces, I will keep. 
 
 lach. You may wear her in title yours : but, you 
 know, strange fowl light upon neighbouring 
 ponds. Your ring may be stolen too : so your 
 brace of unprizable estimations, the one is but 
 
 36
 
 CYMBELINE Act I. Sc. iv. 
 
 frail and the other casual ; a cunning thief, or 
 
 a that way accomplished courtier, would hazard 
 
 the winning both of first and last. 
 Post. Your Italy contains none so accompHshed a lOO 
 
 courtier to convince the honour of my mistress ; 
 
 if, in the holding or loss of that, you term her 
 
 frail. I do nothing doubt you have store of 
 
 thieves ; notwithstanding, I fear not my ring. 
 Phi. 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 no 
 
 back even to the yielding, had I admittance and 
 
 opportunity to friend. 
 Post. No, no. 
 lack. I dare thereupon pawn the moiety of my estate 
 
 to your ring, which in my opinion o'er-values it 
 
 something : but I make my wager rather against 
 
 your confidence than her reputation : and, to bar 
 
 your offence herein too, I durst attempt it against 
 
 any lady in the world. 
 Post. You are a great deal abused in too bold a per- 120 
 
 suasion, 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. 
 Phi. Gentlemen, enough of this : it came in too 
 
 suddenly; let it die as it was bom, and, I pray 
 
 you, be better acquainted. 
 
 Z7
 
 Act I. Sc. iv. CYMBELINE 
 
 lach. Would I had put my estate and my neighbour's 
 
 on the approbation of what I have spoke ! 1 30 
 
 Post. What lady would you choose to assail ? 
 
 loch. Yours ; whom in constancy you think stands 
 so safe. I will lay you ten thousand ducats to 
 your ring, that, commend me to the court where 
 your lady is, with no more advantage than the 
 opportunity of a second conference, and I will 
 bring from thence that honour of hers which you 
 imagine so reserved. 
 
 Post. I will wage against your gold, gold to it : my 
 
 ring I hold dear as my finger ; 'tis part of it. 140 
 
 lach. You are afraid, and therein the wiser. 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. 
 
 lach. I am the master of my speeches, and would 
 undergo what 's spoken, I swear. 
 
 Post. Will you? I shall but lend my diamond till 
 
 your return: let there be covenants drawn be- 150 
 tween 's ; my mistress exceeds in goodness the 
 hugeness of your unworthy thinking : I dare you 
 to this match : here 's my ring. 
 
 Phi. I will have it no lay. 
 
 lach. By the gods, it is one. If I bring you no 
 sufficient testimony that I have enjoyed the 
 dearest bodily part of your mistress, my ten 
 thousand ducats are yours ; so is your diamond 
 too : if I come off, and leave her in such honour 
 as you have trust in, she your jewel, this your 160 
 
 38
 
 CYMBELINE Act I. Sc. v. 
 
 jewel, and my gold are yours; provided I have 
 your commendation for my more free entertain- 
 ment. 
 
 Post. I embrace these conditions ; 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, I am 
 no further your enemy ; she is not worth our 
 debate : if she remain un seduced, you not 
 making it appear otherwise, for your ill opinion 170 
 and the assault you have made to her chastity, 
 you shall answer me with your sword. 
 
 lach. Your hand ; a covenant : we will have these 
 things set down by lawful counsel, and straight 
 away from Britain, lest the bargain should catch 
 cold and starve : I will fetch my gold, and have 
 our two v/agers recorded. 
 
 Post. Agreed. [Exeunt Posthiimiis and lachimo. 
 
 French. Will this hold, think you ? 
 
 Phi. Signior lachimo will not from it. Pray let us 180 
 follow 'em. [Exeunt, 
 
 Scene V. 
 
 Britain. A room in Cymbeline's palace. 
 Enter Queen, Ladies, and Cornelius. 
 
 Queen. Whiles yet the dew 's on ground, gather those 
 flowers ; 
 
 Make haste : who has the note of them ? 
 First Lady. I, madam. 
 
 Queen. Dispatch. [Exeunt Ladies. 
 
 Now, master doctor, have you brought those drugs ? 
 
 39
 
 Act I. Sc. V. CYMBELINE 
 
 Cor, Pleaseth your highness, ay : here they are, madam : 
 
 [Presenting a small box. 
 But I beseech your grace, without offence, — 
 My conscience bids me ask — wherefore you have 
 Commanded of me these most poisonous compounds. 
 Which are the movers of a languishing death, 
 But, though slow, deadly. 
 
 Queen. I wonder, doctor, lo 
 
 Thou ask'st me such a question. Have I not been 
 Thy pupil long ? Hast thou not learn'd me how 
 To make perfumes? distil? preserve? yea, so 
 That our great king himself doth woo me oft 
 For my confections? Having thus far proceeded, — 
 Unless thou think'st me devilish — is 't not meet 
 That I did amplify my judgement in 
 Other conclusions ? I will try the forces 
 Of these thy compounds on such creatures as 
 We count not worth the hanging, but none human. 
 To try the vigour of them and apply 21 
 
 Allayments to their act, and by them gather 
 Their several virtues and effects. 
 
 Cor. Your highness 
 
 Shall from this practice but make hard your heart : 
 Besides, the seeing these effects will be 
 Both noisome and infectious. 
 
 Queen. O, content thee. 
 
 Enter Pisanio. 
 
 [Aside] Here comes a flattering rascal ; upon him 
 Will I first work : he 's for his master. 
 And enemy to my son. How now, Pisanio ! 
 Doctor, your service for this time is ended ; 30 
 
 40
 
 CYMBELINE Act I. Sc. v. 
 
 Take your own way. 
 
 Cor. [Aside] I do suspect you, madam; 
 
 But you shall do no harm. 
 
 Queen. [To Pisanio] Hark thee, a word. 
 
 Cor. [Aside] I do not Hke her. She doth think she has 
 Strange lingering poisons : I do know her spirit, 
 And will not trust one of her malice with 
 A drug of such damn'd nature. Those she has 
 Will stupefy and dull the sense awhile ; 
 Which first, perchance, she '11 prove on cats and dogs. 
 Then afterward up higher : but there is 
 No danger in what show of death it makes. 40 
 
 More than the locking up the spirits a time. 
 To be more fresh, reviving. She is fool'd 
 With a most false effect ; and I the truer. 
 So to be false with her. 
 
 Queen. No further service, doctor, 
 
 Until I send for thee. 
 
 Co7'. I humbly take my leave. [Exit. 
 
 Queen. Weeps she still, say'st thou ? Dost thou think in 
 time 
 She will not quench and let instructions enter 
 Where folly now possesses ? Do thou work : 
 When thou shalt bring me word she loves my son, 
 I '11 tell thee on the instant thou art then 50 
 
 As great as is thy master ; greater, for 
 His fortunes all lie speechless, and his name 
 Is at last gasp : return he cannot, nor 
 Continue where he is : to shift his being 
 Is to exchange one misery with another, 
 And every day that comes comes to decay 
 A day's work in him. What shalt thou expect, 
 
 41
 
 Act I. Sc. V. CYMBELINE 
 
 To be depender on a thing that leans, 
 Who cannot be new built, nor has no friends. 
 So much as but to prop him ! [The Qiiccii drops the 
 box: Pisanio takes it up.] Thou takest up 60 
 Thou know' st not what ; but take it for thy labour : 
 It is a thing I made, which hath the king 
 Five times redeem'd from death : I do not know 
 What is more cordial : nay, I prithee, take it ; 
 It is an earnest of a further good 
 That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how 
 The case stands with her ; do 't as from thyself. 
 Think what a chance thou changest on ; but think 
 Thou hast thy mistress still, to boot, my son, 
 Who shall take notice of thee : I '11 move the king 
 To any shape of thy preferment, such 71 
 
 As thou 'It desire ; and then myself, I chiefly, 
 That set thee on to this desert, am bound 
 To load thy merit richly. Call my women : 
 Think on my words. [Exit Pisanio. 
 
 A sly and constant knave ; 
 Not to be shaked : the agent for his master ; 
 And the remembrancer of her to hold 
 The hand-fast to her lord. I have given him that 
 Which, if he take, shall quite unpeople her 
 Of Hegers for her sweet ; and which she after, 80 
 Except she bend her humour, shall be assured 
 To taste of too. 
 
 Re-enter Pisanio zuith Ladies. 
 
 So, so ; well done, well done : 
 The violets, cowslips, and the primroses. 
 Bear to my closet. Fare thee well, Pisanio ; 
 42
 
 CYMBELINE Act I. Sc. vi. 
 
 Think on my words. [Exeunt Queen and Ladies. 
 
 Pis. And shall do : 
 
 But when to my good lord I prove untrue, 
 
 I '11 choke myself : there 's all I '11 do for you. [Exit. 
 
 Scene VI. 
 
 The same. Another room in the palace. 
 
 Enter Imogen alone. 
 
 /I ,• ^ 
 
 Imo. A father cruel, and a step-dame false; . 'i'^'^' 6-uy 
 
 A foolish suitor to a wedded lady, 
 
 That hath her husband banish'd ; — O, that husband ! -^ ^ 
 
 My supreme crown of grief ! and those repeated 
 
 Vexations of it ! Had I been thLef-sto}'n, 
 
 As my two brothers, happy ! but rnost .'niiserable ■ ''■-o 
 
 Is%ie desire that 's glorious : blest be t'hise/ • \-^»-^" /^ 
 
 How mean soe'er, that hath their honest wills, \ ^Sjux^ 
 
 Which seasons comfort. Who may this be ? Fie ! \ /XMt^iCy, 
 
 Enter Pisanio and lachimo. 
 
 Pis. Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome, lo 
 
 Comes from my lord with letters. 
 Jack. Change you, madam ? 
 
 The worthy Leonatus is in safety. 
 
 And greets your highness dearly. [Presents a letter. 
 Imo. Tljanks, good sir : 
 
 You 're kindly welcome. 
 lach. [Aside] All of her that is out of door most rich ! 
 
 If she be furnish'd with a mind so rare, 
 
 She is alone the Arabian bird, and I 
 
 Have lost the wager. Boldness be my friend ! 
 
 Arm me, audacity, from head to foot ! 
 
 43
 
 ^^^ '?(!.^co^,a..- ^, . ^ 
 
 Act I. Sc. vi. CYMBELINE 
 
 Or, like the Parthian, I shall flying fight ; 20 
 
 Rather, directly fly. 
 Imo. [Reads] 'He is one of the noblest note, to whose 
 
 kindnesses I am most infinitely tied. Reflect upon 
 
 him accordingly, as you value your trust — 
 
 * Leonatus/ 
 
 So far I read aloud : 
 
 But even the very middle of my heart 
 
 Is warm'd by the rest, and takes it thankfully. 
 
 You are as welcome, worthy sir, as I 
 
 Have words to bid you, and shall find it so 30 
 
 In all that I can do. 
 lack. Thanks, fairest lady 
 
 What, are men mad? /Hath nature given them eyes 
 n To see this vaulted arcn and the rich crop 
 *^-*^^ Of sea and land, which can distinguish 'twixt 
 ^^■^^^ The fiery orbs above and the twinn'd stones 
 IfX^^^ Upon the number'd beach, and can we not 
 j^j^ Partition make with spectacles so precious 
 
 tW 'Twixt fair and foul ? 
 
 J^J'ino. What makes your admiration? 
 
 j^^^ac/j. It cannot be i' the eye ; for apes and monkeys, 
 
 i* 'Twixt two such shes, would chatter this way and 
 '*"*'^ Contemn with mows the other: nor i' the judge- 
 
 l^.xialc ment; 41 
 
 libot \X • For idiots, in this case of favour, would 
 . J Be wisely definite : nor i' the appetite ; 
 
 ^i Sluttery, to such neat excellence opposed, 
 
 /yj|Ai5,h Should make desire vomit emptiness, s, , (! /\ ^ 
 
 ^ Imo. What is the matter, trow ? 
 lach, ^ ^g The cloyed will, 
 
 44
 
 CYMBELINE Act I. Sc. vi. 
 
 That satiate yet unsatisfied desire, that tub 
 
 Both fill'd and running, ravening first the lamb, 
 
 Longs after for the garbage. 
 Imo. What, dear sir, 50 
 
 Thus raps you ? Are you well ? 
 lach. Thanks, madam ; well. 
 
 \To Pisanio] Beseech you, sir, 
 
 Desire my man's abode where I did leave him : 
 
 He 's strange and peevish. 
 Pis. I was going, sir, 
 
 To give him welcome. [Exit. 
 
 Imo. Continues well my lord? His health, beseech you? 
 lach. Well, madam. 
 
 Imo. Is he disposed to mirth ? I hope he is. 
 lach. Exceeding pleasant ; none a stranger there 
 
 So merry and so gamesome : he is call'd 60 
 
 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, one 
 
 An eminent monsieur, that, it seems, much loves 
 
 A Gallian girl at home : he furnaces 
 
 The thick sighs from him ; whiles the jolly Briton, 
 
 Your lord, I mean, laughs from 's free lungs, cries 
 'O, 
 
 Can my sides hold, to think that man, who knows 
 
 By history, report, or his own proof, 70 
 
 Wliat woman is, yea, what she cannot choose 
 
 But must be, will his free hours languish for 
 
 Assured bondage ? ' 
 Imo. Will my lord say so? 
 
 4S
 
 Act I. Sc. vi. CYMBELINE 
 
 lack. Ay, madam ; with his eyes in flood with laughter 
 
 It is a recreation to be by 
 
 And hear him mock the Frenchman. But, heavens 
 know, 
 
 Some men are much to blame. 
 I mo. Not he, I hope. 
 
 lack. Not he : but yet heaven's bounty towards him might 
 
 Be used more thankfully. In himself 'tis much ; 
 
 In you, which I account his beyond all talents, 80 
 
 Whilst I am bound to wonder, I am bound 
 
 To pity too. 
 Imo. What do you pity, sir? 
 
 lach. Two creatures heartily. 
 Imo. Am I one, sir? 
 
 You look on me : what w^reck discern you in me 
 
 Deserves your pity ? 
 lach. Lamentable! What, 
 
 To hide me from the radiant sun, and solace 
 
 r the dungeon by a snuff? 
 Imo. I pray you, sir, 
 
 Deliver with more openness your answers 
 
 To my demands. Why do you pity me ? 
 lach. That others do, 90 
 
 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 
 
 Something of me, or what concerns me : pray you, — 
 
 Since doubting things go ill often hurts more 
 
 Than to be sure they do ; for certainties 
 
 Either are past remedies, or, timely knowing, 
 
 The remedy then born, — discover to me 
 
 46
 
 CYMBELINE Act I. Sc. vi. 
 
 What both you spur and stop. 
 
 lach. Had I this cheek 
 
 To bathe my Hps upon ; this hand, whose touch, lOO 
 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, 
 I Fixing it only here ; should I, damn'd then, 
 / Slaver with lips as common as the stairs 
 
 * \ That mount the Capitol ; join gripes with hands 
 Made hard with hourly falsehood — falsehood, as 
 With labour ; then by-peeping in an eye 
 Base and unlustrous as the smoky light 
 That 's fed with stinking tallow ; it were fit no 
 
 That all the plagues of hell should at one time 
 Encounter such revolt. 
 
 Imo. I\Iy lord, I fear, 
 
 Has forgot Britain. _,^ 
 
 lach. , / ^ ^nd himself. Not I ^«-tou A^>-f 
 
 Inclined to this intelligence pronounce ^^ccl ^->'MxjiM<. Ujtu^i 
 The beggary of his change, but 'tis your graces 
 That from my mutest conscience to my tongue 
 Charms this report out. 
 
 Into. Let me hear no more. 
 
 lach. O dearest soul, your cause doth strike my heart 
 With pity, that doth make me sick ! A lady 
 So fair, and fasten'd to an empery, 120 
 
 Would make the greatest king double, to be partner'd 
 With tomboys hired with that self exhibition 
 Which your own cofifers yield ! with diseased ventures 
 That play with all infirmities for gold 
 Which rottenness can lend nature ! such boil'd stuff 
 As well might poison poison ! Be revenged, 
 
 47
 
 Act L Sc. vi. CYMBELINE 
 
 Or she that bore you was no queen and you 
 Recoil from your great stock. 
 
 Imo. Revenged ! 
 
 How should I be revenged? If this be true, — 
 As I have such a heart that both mine ears 130 
 
 Must not in haste abuse, — if it be true, 
 How should I be revenged? 
 
 lach. Should he make me 
 
 Live like Diana's priest, betwixt cold sheets, 
 Whiles he is vaulting variable ramps, 
 In your despite, upon your purse ? Revenge it. 
 I dedicate myself to your sweet pleasure, 
 More noble than that runagate to your bed. 
 And will continue fast to your affection. 
 Still close as sure. 
 
 Imo. What ho, Pisanio! 
 
 lach. Let me my service tender on your lips. 140 
 
 Imo. Away ! I do condemn mine ears that have 
 
 So long attended thee. If thou wert honourable, 
 
 Thou w^ouldst have told this tale for virtue, not 
 
 For such an end thou seek'st, as base as strange. 
 
 Thou wrong'st a gentleman who is as far 
 
 From thy report as thou from honour, and 
 
 Solicit'st here a lady that disdains 
 
 Thee and the devil alike. What ho, Pisanio ! 
 
 The king my father shall be made acquainted 
 
 Of thy assault : if he shall think it fit 150 
 
 A saucy stranger in his court to mart 
 
 As in a Romish stew, and to expound 
 
 His beastly mind to us, he hath a court 
 
 He little cares for, and a daughter who 
 
 He not respects at all. What ho, Pisanio ! 
 
 48
 
 CYMBELINE Act I. Sc. vi. 
 
 lach. O happy Leonatus ! I may say : 
 The credit that thy lady hath of thee 
 Deserves thy trust, and thy most perfect goodness 
 Her assured credit. Blessed live you long ! 
 A lady to the worthiest sir that ever i6o 
 
 Country call'd his ! and you his mistress, only 
 For the most worthiest fit ! Give me your pardon. 
 I have spoke this to know if your affiance 
 Were deeply rooted, and shall make your lord 
 That which he is new o'er : and he is one 
 The truest manner'd, such a holy witch 
 That he enchants societies into him ; 
 Half all men's hearts are his. 
 
 Imo. You make amends. 
 
 lach. He sits 'mongst men like a descended god : 
 
 He hath a kind of honour sets him off, 170 
 
 More than a mortal seeming. Be not angry. 
 Most mighty princess, that I have adventured 
 To try your taking of a false report, which hath 
 Honour'd with confirmation your great judgement 
 In the election of a sir so rare. 
 Which you know cannot err. The love I bear him 
 Made me to fan you thus, but the gods made you, 
 Unlike all others, chaffless. Pray, your pardon. 
 
 Imo. All 's well, sir : take my power i' the court for yours. 
 
 lach. My humble thanks. I had almost forgot 180 
 
 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 is 't ? 
 
 lach. Some dozen Romans of us, and your lord — 
 
 49
 
 Act I. Sc. vi. CYMBELINE 
 
 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 ; 190 
 
 And I am something curious, being strange. 
 
 To have them in safe stowage : may it please you 
 
 To take them in protection? 
 
 Into. Willingly ; 
 
 And pawn mine honour for their safety : since 
 My lord hath interest in them, I will keep them 
 In my bedchamber. 
 
 lach. They are in a trunk, 
 
 Attended by my men : I will make bold 
 To send them to you, only for this night ; 
 I must aboard to-morrow. 
 
 Imo. O, no, no. 
 
 lach. Yes, I beseech ; or I shall short my word 200 
 
 By lengthening my return. 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 outstood my time, which is material 
 To the tender of our present. 
 
 Imo. I will write. 
 
 Send your trunk to me ; it shall safe be kept 
 And truly yielded you. You 're very welcome. 210 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 50
 
 CYMBELINE Act II. Sc. i. 
 
 ACT SECOND. 
 Scene I. 
 
 Britain. Before Cymheline's palace. 
 Enter Cloten and tzvo Lords. 
 
 Clo. Was there ever man had such luck! when I 
 kissed the jack, upon an up-cast to be hit 
 away ! I had a hundred pound on 't : and then 
 a whoreson jackanapes must take me up for 
 swearing ; as if I borrowed mine oaths of him, 
 and might not spend them at my pleasure. 
 
 First Lord, What got he by that? You have broke 
 his pate with your bowl. 
 
 Sec. Lord. [Aside] If his wit had been like him that 
 
 broke it, it would have run all out. lo 
 
 Clo. When a gentleman is disposed to swear, it is not 
 for any standers-by to curtail his oaths, ha? 
 
 Sec. Lord. No, my lord ; [Aside] nor crop the ears of 
 them. 
 
 Clo. Whoreson dog ! I give him satisfaction ? Would 
 he had been one of my rank ! 
 
 Sec. Lord. [Aside] To have smelt like a fool. 
 
 Clo. I am not vexed more at any thing in the earth : 
 a pox on 't ! I had rather not be so noble as I 
 am ; they dare not fight with me, because of the 20 
 queen my mother: every Jack-slavj hath his 
 bellyful of fighting, and I must go up and down 
 like a cock that nobody can match. 
 
 Sec. Lord. [Aside] You are cock and capon too; 
 and you crow, cock, with your comb on. 
 
 Clo. Sayest thou? 
 
 51
 
 Act II. Sc. i. CYMBELINE 
 
 Sec. Lord. It is not fit your lordship should under- 
 take every companion that you give offence to. 
 
 Clo. No, I know that : but it is fit I should commit 
 
 offence to my inferiors. 30 
 
 Sec. Lord. Ay, it is fit for your lordship only. 
 
 Clo. Why, so I say. 
 
 First Lord. Did you hear of a stranger that 's come 
 to court to-night? 
 
 Clo. A stranger, and I not know on 't ! 
 
 Sec. Lord. [Aside] He 's a strange fellow himself, 
 and knows it not. 
 
 First Lord. There 's an Italian come, and 'tis thought, 
 one of Leonatus' friends. 
 
 Clo. Leonatus ! a banished rascal ; and he 's another, 40 
 whatsoever he be. Who told you of this 
 stranger ? 
 
 First Lord. One of your lordship's pages. 
 
 Clo. Is it fit I went to look upon him? is there no 
 derogation in 't ? 
 
 Sec. Lord. You cannot derogate, my lord. 
 
 Clo. Not easily, I think. 
 
 Sec. Lord. [Aside] You are a fool granted ; there- 
 fore your issues, being foolish, do not derogate. 
 
 Clo. Come, I '11 go see this Italian : what I have lost 50 
 to-day at bowls I '11 win to-night of him. Come, 
 go- 
 
 Sec. Lord. I '11 attend your lordship. 
 
 [Exeunt Cloten and First Lord. 
 That such a crafty devil as is his mother 
 Should yield the world this ass ? a woman that 
 Bears all down with her brain ; and this her son 
 Cannot take two from twenty, for his heart, 
 
 52
 
 CYMBELINE Act II. Sc. ii. 
 
 And leave eighteen. Alas, poor princess, 
 
 Thou divine Imogen, what thou endurest. 
 
 Betwixt a father by thy step-dame govern' d, 60 
 
 A mother hourly coining plots, a wooer 
 
 More hateful than the foul expulsion is 
 
 Of thy dear husband, than that horrid act 
 
 Of the divorce he 'Id make ! The heavens hold firm 
 
 The walls of thy dear honour ; keep unshaked 
 
 That temple, thy fair mind ; that thou mayst stand, 
 
 To enjoy thy banish'd lord and this great land 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 Scene II. 
 
 Imogen*s bedchamber in Cymbeline's palace: 
 a trunk in one corner of it. 
 
 Imogen in bed, reading; a Lady attending. 
 
 Into. Who 's there ? my woman Helen ? 
 
 Lady. Please you, madam. 
 
 Imo. What hour is it ? 
 
 Lady. Almost 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 prithee, call me. Sleep hath seized me wholly. 
 
 [Exit Lady. 
 To your protection I commend me, gods ! 
 From fairies and the tempters of the night 
 Guard me, beseech ye! 10 
 
 [Sleeps. lachimo conies from the trunk. 
 
 lach. The crickets sing, and man's o'er-labour'd sense 
 
 53
 
 Act II. Sc. ii. CYMBELINE 
 
 Repairs itself by rest. Our Tarquin thus 
 
 Did softly press the rushes, ere he waken'd 
 
 The chastity he wounded. Cytherea, 
 
 How bravely thou becomest thy bed ! fresh lily ! 
 
 And whiter than the sheets ! That I might touch 
 
 But kiss ; one kiss ! Rubies unparagon'd, 
 
 How dearly they do 't ! 'Tis her breathing that 
 
 Perfumes the chamber thus : the flame o' the taper 
 
 Bows toward her, and would under-peep her lids 20 
 
 To see the unclosed lights, now canopied 
 
 Under those windows, white and azure, laced 
 
 With blue of heaven's own tinct. But my design, 
 
 To note the chamber : I will write all down : 
 
 Such and such pictures ; there the window ; such 
 
 The adornment of her bed ; the arras, figures. 
 
 Why, such and such ; and the contents o' the story. 
 
 Ah, but some natural notes about her body v 
 
 Above ten thousand meaner moveables ' \ 
 
 Would testify, to enrich mine inventory. 30 ^ 
 
 O sleep, thou ape of death, lie dull upon her ! 
 
 And be her sense but as a monument. 
 
 Thus in a chapel lying ! Come off, come off : 
 
 [Taking off her bracelet. 
 As slippery as the Gordian knot was hard ! 
 'Tis mine ; and this will witness outwardly, 
 As strongly as the conscience does within, 
 To the madding of her lord. On her left breast 
 A mole cinque-spotted, like the crimson drops 
 I' the bottom of a cowslip : here 's a voucher, 
 Stronger than ever law could make : this secret 40 
 Will force him think I have pick'd the lock and ta'en 
 The treasure of her honour. No more. To what end ? 
 
 54
 
 CYMBELINE Act II. Sc. iii. 
 
 Why should I write this clown, that 's riveted, 
 Screw'd to my memory ? She hath been reading late 
 The tale of Tereus ; here the leaf 's turned down 
 Where Philomel gave up. I have enough : 
 To the trunk again, and shut the spring of it. 
 Swift, swift, you dragons of the night, that dawning 
 May bare the raven's eye ! I lodge in fear ; 
 Though this a heavenly angel, hell is here. 50 
 
 [Clock strikes. 
 One, two, three : time, time ! 
 
 [Goes info the trunk. The scene closes. 
 
 Scene III. 
 
 An ante-chamber adjoining Imogen's apartments. 
 Enter Cloten and Lords. 
 
 First Lord. Your lordship is the most patient man in 
 
 loss, the most coldest that ever turned up ace. 
 Clo. It would make any man cold to lose. 
 First Lord. But not every man patient after the noble 
 
 temper of your lordship. You are most hot and 
 
 furious when you win. 
 Clo. Winning will put any man into courage. If I 
 
 could get this foolish Imogen, I should have gold 
 
 enough. It 's almost morning, is 't not ? 
 First Lord. Day, my lord. 10 
 
 Clo. I would this music would come : I am advised 
 
 to give her music o' mornings ; they say it will 
 
 penetrate. 
 
 Enter Musicians. 
 
 Come on ; tune : if you can penetrate her with 
 your fingering, so ; we '11 try with tongue too : if 
 
 55
 
 ,«> 
 
 '> 
 
 Act II. Sc. iii. CYMBELINE 
 
 none will do, let her remain ; but I '11 never give 
 o'er. First, a very excellent good-conceited 
 thing ; after, a wonderful sweet air, with admir- 
 able rich words to it : and then let her consider. 
 
 Song. 
 
 Hark, hark ! the lark at heaven's gate sings, 20 
 
 And Phoebus 'gins arise. 
 His steeds to water at those springs 
 
 On chaliced flowers that lies ; 
 And winking Mary-buds begin 
 
 To ope their golden eyes ; 
 With every thing that pretty is. 
 
 My lady sweet, arise : 
 Arise, arise! 
 
 Clo. So, get you gone. If this penetrate, I will 30 
 consider your music the better : if it do not, it 
 is a vice in her ears, which horse-hairs and 
 calves'-guts, nor the voice of unpaved eunuch to 
 boot, can never amend. [Exeunt Musicians. 
 
 Sec. Lord. Here comes the king. 
 
 Clo. I am glad I was up so late ; for that 's the rea- 
 son I was up so early : he cannot choose but take 
 this service I have done fatherly. 
 
 Enter Cymbeline and Queen. 
 
 Good morrow to your majesty and to my gra- 
 cious mother. 40 
 
 Cym. Attend you here the door of our stern daugh- 
 ter? Will she not forth? 
 
 Clo. I have assailed her with music, but she vouch- 
 safes no notice. 
 
 56
 
 CYMBELINE Act II. Sc. iii. 
 
 Cym. The exile of hci' minion is too new ; 
 
 She hath not yet forgot him : some more time 
 Must wear the print of his remembrance out, 
 And then she 's yours. 
 
 Queen. You are most bound to the king, 
 
 Who lets go by no vantages that may 
 Prefer you to his daughter. Frame yourself 50 
 
 To orderly soliciting, and be friended 
 With aptness of the season ; make denials 
 Increase your services ; so seem as if 
 You were inspired to do those duties which 
 You tender to her ; that you in all obey her, 
 Save when command to your dismission tends. 
 And therein you are senseless. 
 
 Clo. Senseless ! not so. 
 
 Enter a Messenger. 
 
 Mess. So like you, sir, ambassadors from Rome ; 
 The one is Caius Lucius. 
 
 Cym. A worthy fellow, 
 
 Albeit he comes on angry purpose now ; 60 
 
 But that 's no fault of his : we must receive him 
 According to the honour of his sender ; 
 And towards himself, his goodness forespent on us, 
 We must extend our notice. Our dear son, 
 When you have given good morning to your mistress. 
 Attend the queen and us ; we shall have need 
 To employ you towards this Roman. Come, our 
 queen. [Exeunt all hut Clot en. 
 
 Clo. If she be up, I '11 speak with her; if not, 
 
 Let her lie still and dream. By your leave, ho ! 
 
 [Knocks, 
 
 57
 
 Act II. Sc. iii. CYMBELINE 
 
 I know her women are about her : what 70 
 
 If I do Hne one of their hands? 'Tis gold 
 
 Which buys admittance ; oft it doth ; yea, and makes 
 
 Diana's rangers false themselves, yield up 
 
 Their deer to the stand o' the stealer ; and 'tis gold 
 
 Which makes the true man kill'd and saves the thief ; 
 
 Nay, sometime hangs both thief and true man : what 
 
 Can it not do and undo? I will make 
 
 One of her women lawyer to me, for 
 
 I yet not understand the case myself. 
 
 By your leave. [Knocks. 80 
 
 Enter a Lady. 
 
 Lady. Who 's there that knocks ? 
 
 Clo. A gentleman. 
 
 Lady. No more? 
 
 Clo. Yes, and a gentlewoman's son. 
 
 Lady. That s more 
 
 Than some whose tailors are as dear as yours 
 Can justly boast of. What 's your lordship's pleas- 
 
 ure 
 
 Clo. Your lady's person : is she ready ? 
 Lady. Ay, 
 
 To keep her chamber. 
 Clo. There is gold for you ; 
 
 Sell me your good report. 
 Lady. How ! my good name ? or to report of you 
 
 What I shall think is good ? The princess ! 
 
 [Exit Lady. 
 
 Enter Imogen. 
 
 Clo. Good morrow, fairest : sister, your sweet hand. 90 
 Imo. Good morrow, sir. You lay out too much pains 
 For purchasing but trouble : the thanks I give 
 
 58
 
 CYMBELINL Act II. Sc. iii. 
 
 Is telling you that I am poor of thanks 
 And scarce can spare them. 
 
 Clo. Still I swear I love you. 
 
 hno. If you but said so, 'twere as deep with me: 
 If you swear still, your recompense is still 
 That I regard it not. 
 
 Clo. This is no answer. 
 
 Inw. But that you shall not say I yield being silent, 
 I would not speak. I pray you, spare me : faith, 
 I shall unfold equal discourtesy loo 
 
 To your best kindness : one of your great knowing 
 Should learn, being taught, forbearance. 
 
 Clo. To leave you in your madness, 'twere my sin : 
 I will not. 
 
 Imo. Fools are not mad folks. 
 
 Clo. Do you call me fool? 
 
 Imo. As I am mad, I do : 
 
 If you '11 be patient, I '11 no more be mad ; 
 
 That cures us both. I am much sorry, sir, 
 
 You put me to forget a lady's manners 
 
 By being so verbal : and learn now for all no 
 
 That I, which know my heart, do here pronounce, 
 
 By the very truth of it, I care not for you. 
 
 And am so near the lack of charity — 
 
 To accuse myself — I hate you ; which I had rather 
 
 You felt than make 't my boast. 
 
 Clo. You sin against 
 
 Obedience, which you owe your father. For 
 The contract you pretend with that base wretch, 
 One bred of alms and foster'd with cold dishes. 
 With scraps o' the court, it is no contract, none : 
 And though it be allow'd in meaner parties — 120 
 
 59
 
 Act II. Sc. iii. CYMBELINE 
 
 Yet who than he more mean ? — to knit their souls 
 On whom there is no more dependency 
 But brats and beggary, in self-figured knot ; 
 Yet you are curb'd from that enlargement by 
 The consequence o' the crown, and must not soil 
 The precious note of it with a base slave, 
 A hilding for a livery, a squire's cloth, 
 A pantler, not so eminent. 
 
 Into. Profane fellow! 
 
 Wert thou the son of Jupiter, and no more 
 But what thou art besides, thou wert too base 130 
 To be his groom : thou wert dignified enough. 
 Even to the point of envy, if 'twere made 
 Comparative for your virtues to be styled 
 The under-hangman of his kingdom, and hated 
 For being preferr'd so well. 
 
 Clo. The south-fog rot him! 
 
 Imo. He never can meet more mischance than come 
 To be but named of thee. His meanest garment. 
 That ever hath but clipp'd his body, is dearer 
 In my respect than all the hairs above thee, 139 
 
 Were they all made such men. How now, Pisanio ! 
 
 Enter Pisanio. 
 
 Clo. ' His garment ! ' Now, the devil — 
 
 Imo. To Dorothy my woman hie thee presently, — 
 
 Clo. ' His garment ! ' 
 
 Imo. I am sprited with a fool, 
 
 Frighted and anger'd worse : go bid my woman 
 
 Search for a jewel that too casually 
 
 Hath left mine arm : it was thy master's : 'shrew me, 
 
 If I would lose it for a revenue 
 60
 
 CYMBELINE Act II. Sc. iv. 
 
 Of any king's in Europe ! I do think 
 I saw 't this morning : confident I am 
 Last night 'twas on mine arm ; I kiss'd 
 I hope it be not gone to tell my lord 
 That I kiss aught but he. 
 
 Pis. 'Twill not be lost. 
 
 Into. I hope so: go and search. [Exit Pisanio. 
 
 Clo. You have abused me : 
 
 ' His meanest garment ! ' 
 
 Imo. Ay, I said so, sir: 
 
 If you will make 't an action, call w^itness to 't. 
 
 Clo. I will inform your father. 
 
 Into. Your mother too : 
 
 She 's my good lady, and will conceive, I hope, 
 But the worst of me. So, I leave you, sir, 
 To the worst of discontent. " [Exit. 
 
 Clo. I '11 be revenged : 
 
 * His meanest garment ! ' Well. [Exit. i6o 
 
 Scene IV. 
 
 Rome. Philario's house. 
 Enter Posthuiiius and Philario. 
 
 Post. Fear it not, sir : I would I were so sure 
 To win the king as I am bold her honour 
 Will remain hers. 
 
 Phi. What means do you make to him ? 
 
 Post. Not any ; but abide the change of time ; 
 
 Quake in the present winter's state, and wish 
 That warmer days would come : in these fear'd hopes, 
 I barely gratify your love; they failing, 
 I must die much your debtor. 
 
 6i
 
 Act II. Sc. iv. CYMBELINE 
 
 Phi. Your very goodness and your company 
 
 O'erpays all I can do. By this, your king lo 
 
 Hath heard of great Augustus : Caius Lucius 
 Will do 's commission throughly : and I think 
 He '11 grant the tribute, send the arrearages, 
 Or look upon our Romans, whose remembrance 
 Is yet fresh in their grief. 
 
 Post. I do believe, 
 
 Statist though I am none, nor like to be. 
 That this will prove a war ; and you shall hear 
 The legions now in Gallia sooner landed 
 In our not-fearing Britain than have tidings 
 Of any penny tribute paid. Our countrymen 20 
 
 Are men more order'd than when Julius Caesar 
 Smiled at their lack of skill, but found their courage 
 Worthy his frowning at : their discipline. 
 Now mingled with their courages, will make known 
 To their approvers they are people such 
 That mend upon the world. 
 
 Enter lachimo. 
 
 Phi. See ! lachimo ! 
 
 Post. The swiftest harts have posted you by land. 
 
 And winds of all the corners kiss'd your sails, 
 
 To make your vessel nimble. 
 Phi. Welcome, sir. 
 
 Post. I hope the briefness of your answ^er made 30 
 
 The speediness of your return. 
 lach. Your lady 
 
 Is one of the fairest that I have look'd upon. 
 Post. And therewithal the best, or let her beauty 
 
 Look through a casement to allure false hearts, 
 
 62
 
 CYMBELINE Act II. Sc. iv. 
 
 And be false with them. 
 lach. Here are letters for you. 
 
 Post. Their tenour good, I trust. 
 lach. 'Tis very like. 
 
 Phi. Was Caius Lucius in the Britain court 
 
 When you were there ? 
 lach. He was expected then, 
 
 But not approach'd. 
 Post. All is well yet. 
 
 Sparkles this stone as it was wont ? or is 't not 40 
 
 Too dull for your good wearing? 
 lach. If I had lost it, 
 
 I should have lost the worth of it in gold. 
 
 I '11 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. 
 lach. Good sir, we must. 
 
 If you keep covenant. Had I not brought 50 
 
 The knowledge of your mistress home, I grant 
 
 We were to question farther : 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 't apparent 
 
 That you have tasted her in bed, my hand 
 
 63
 
 Act II. Sc. iv. CYMBELINE 
 
 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 60 
 
 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 '11 give me leave to spare, when you shall find 
 You need it not. 
 
 Post. • Proceed. 
 
 lach. First, her bedchamber, — 
 
 Where, I confess, I slept not, but profess 
 Had that was well worth watching, — it was hang'd 
 With tapestry of silk and silver ; the story 
 Proud Cleopatra, when she met her Roman, 70 
 
 And Cydnus swell'd above the banks, or for 
 The press of boats or pride : a piece of work 
 So bravely done, so rich, that it did strive 
 In workmanship and value ; which I wonder'd 
 Could be so rarely and exactly wrought, 
 Since the true life on 't was — 
 
 Post. This is true ; 
 
 And this you might have heard of here, by me, 
 Or by some other. 
 
 lach. More particulars 
 
 Must justify my knowledge. 
 
 Post. So they must, 
 
 Or do your honour injury. 
 
 lach. The chimney ^ 80 
 
 Is south the chamber ; and the chimney-piece, 
 Chaste Dian bathing ; never saw I figures 
 
 64
 
 CYMBELINE Act 11. Sc. iv. 
 
 So likely to report themselves : the cutter 
 
 Was as another nature, dumb ; outwent her, 
 
 Motion and breath left out. 
 Post. This is a thing 
 
 Which you might from relation likewise reap, 
 
 Being, as it is, much spoke of. 
 lach. The roof o' the chamber 
 
 With golden cherubins is fretted : her andirons — 
 
 I had forgot them — were two winking Cupids 
 
 Of silver, each on one foot standing, nicely 90 
 
 Depending on their brands. 
 Post. This is her honour! 
 
 Let it be granted you have seen all this, — and praise 
 
 Be given to your remembrance — the description 
 
 Of w^hat is in her chamber nothing saves 
 
 The wager you have laid. 
 lach. Then, if you can, 
 
 [Shozving the bracelet. 
 
 Be pale : I beg but leave to air this jewel ; see ! 
 
 And now 'tis up again : it must be married 
 
 To that your diamond ; I '11 keep them. 
 Post. Jove ! 
 
 Once more let me behold it : is it that 
 
 Which I left with her? 
 lach. Sir, — I thank her — that: 100 
 
 She stripp'd it from her arm ; I see her yet ; 
 
 Her pretty action did outsell her gift, 
 
 And yet enrich'd it too : she gave it me 
 
 And said she prized it once. 
 Post. May be she pluck'd it off 
 
 To send it me. 
 lach. She writes so to you, doth she ? 
 
 65
 
 Act II. Sc. iv. CYMBELINE 
 
 Post. O, no, no, no ! 'tis true. Here, take this too ; 
 
 {Gives the ring. 
 
 It is a basilisk unto mine eye, 
 
 Kills me to look on 't. Let there be no honour 
 
 Where there is beauty ; truth, where semblance ; 
 love. 
 
 Where there 's another man : the vows of women 
 
 Of no more bondage be to where they are made 1 1 1 
 
 Than they are to their virtues ; which is nothing. 
 
 O, above measure false ! 
 Phi. Have patience, sir. 
 
 And take your ring again ; 'tis not yet won : 
 
 It may be probable she lost it, or 
 
 Who knows if one of her women, being corrupted, 
 
 Hath stol'n it from her? 
 Post. Very true ; 
 
 And so, I hope, he came by 't. Back my ring : 
 
 Render to me some corporal sign about her 
 
 More evident than this ; for this was stol'n. 120 
 
 lach. By Jupiter, I had it from her arm. 
 Post. Hark you, he swears ; by Jupiter he swears. 
 
 'Tis true : — nay, keep the ring — 'tis true : I am sure 
 
 She would not lose it : her attendants are 
 
 All sworn and honourable : — they induced to steal it ! 
 
 And by a stranger ! — No, he hath enjoy'd her : 
 
 The cognizance of her incontinency 
 
 Is this: she hath bought the name of whore thus 
 dearly. 
 
 There, take thy hire ; and all the fiends of hell 
 
 Divide themselves between you ! 
 Phi. Sir, be patient: 130 
 
 This is not strong enough to be believed 
 
 Of one persuaded well of — 
 Post. Never talk on 't ; 
 
 66
 
 CYMBELINE Act II. Sc. iv. 
 
 She hath been colted by him. 
 lack. If you seek 
 
 For further satisfying, under her breast — 
 ■ Worthy the pressing — Hes a mole, right proud 
 
 Of that most deUcate lodging : by my life, 
 
 I kiss'd it, and it gave me present hunger 
 
 To feed again, though full. You do remember 
 
 This stain upon her ? 
 Post. Ay, and it doth confirm 
 
 Another stain, as big as hell can hold, 140 
 
 Were there no more but it. 
 lack. Will you hear more? 
 
 Post. Spare your arithmetic ; never count the turns ; 
 
 Once, and a milhon ! 
 Jack. I 'h be sworn— 
 
 Post. ^^ swearing. 
 
 If you will swear you have not done 't you He, 
 
 And I will kill thee if thou dost deny 
 
 Thou 'st made me cuckold. 
 Jack. I '11 deny nothing. 
 
 Post. O, that I had her here, to tear her limb-meal ! 
 
 I will go there and do 't ; i' the court ; before 
 
 Her father. I '11 do something— [Exit, 
 
 pjil Quite besides 
 
 The government of patience ! You have won : 150 
 
 Let 's follow him and pervert the present wrath 
 
 He hath against himself. 
 Jack. With all my heart. [Exeunt. 
 
 &7
 
 Act II. Sc. V. CYMBELINE 
 
 Scene V. 
 
 Another room in Philario's house. 
 
 Enter Posthumus. 
 
 Post. Is there no way for men to be, but women 
 Must be half-workers ? We are all bastards ; 
 And that most venerable man which I 
 Did call my father, was I know not where 
 When I was stamp'd ; some coiner with his tools 
 Made me a counterfeit : yet my mother seem'd 
 The Dian of that time : so doth my wife 
 The nonpareil of this. O, vengeance, vengeance ! 
 Me of my lawful pleasure she restrain'd. 
 And pray'd me oft forbearance ; did it with lo 
 
 A pudency so rosy, the sweet view on 't 
 Might well have warm'd old Saturn ; that I thought 
 
 her 
 As chaste as unsunn'd snow. O, all the devils ! 
 This yellow lachimo, in an hour, — was 't not ? — 
 Or less, — at first? — perchance he spoke not, but 
 Like a full-acorn'd boar, a German one, 
 Cried ' O ! ' and mounted ; found no opposition 
 But what he look'd for should oppose and she 
 Should from encounter guard. Could I find out 
 The woman's part in me ! For there 's no motion 20 
 That tends to vice in man but I affirm 
 It is the woman's part : be it lying, note it. 
 The woman's; flattering, hers; deceiving, hers; 
 Lust and rank thoughts, hers, hers ; revenges, hers ; 
 Ambitions, covetings, change of prides, disdain, 
 Nice longing, slanders, mutability. 
 All faults that may be named, nay, that hell knows,
 
 CYMBELINE Act III. Sc. i. 
 
 Why, hers, in part or all, but rather all ; 
 
 For even to vice 
 
 They are not constant, but are changing still 30 
 
 One vice, but of a minute old, for one 
 
 Not half so old as that. I '11 write against them, 
 
 Detest them, curse them : yet 'tis greater skill 
 
 In a true hate, to pray they have their will : 
 
 The very devils cannot plague them better. [Exit. 
 
 ACT THIRD. 
 Scene I. 
 
 Britain. A hall in Cymheline's palace. 
 
 Ent£r in state, Cymhclinc, Queen, Cloten, and Lords at 
 one door, and at another, Cains Lucius, and Attend- 
 ants. 
 
 Cym. Now say, what would Augustus Caesar with us ? 
 
 Luc. When Julius Caesar, whose remembrance yet 
 Lives in men's eyes and will to ears and tongues 
 Be theme and hearing ever, was in this Britain 
 And conquer'd it, Cassibelan, thine uncle, — 
 Famous in Caesar's praises, no whit less 
 Than in his feats deserving it — for him 
 And his succession granted Rome a tribute, 
 Yearly three thousand pounds ; which by thee lately 
 Is left untender'd. 
 
 Queen. And, to kill the marvel, 10 
 
 Shall be so ever. 
 
 Clo. There be many Caesars 
 
 Ere such another JuHus. Britain is 
 A world by itself, and we will nothing pay 
 For wearing our own noses. 
 
 69
 
 Act III. Sc. i. CYMBELINE 
 
 Queen. That opportunity, 
 
 Which then they had to take from 's, to resume 
 We have again. Remember, sir, my hege, 
 The kings your ancestors, together with 
 The natural bravery of your isle, which stands 
 As Neptune's park, ribbed and paled in 
 With rocks unscaleable and roaring waters, 20 
 
 With sands that will not bear your enemies' boats, 
 But suck them up to the topmast. A kind of con- 
 quest 
 Caesar made here ; but made not here his brag 
 Of ' Came, and saw, and overcame ' : with shame — 
 The first that ever touched him — he was carried 
 From off our coast, twice beaten ; and his shipping — 
 Poor ignorant baubles ! — on our terrible seas, 
 Like egg-shells moved upon their surges, crack'd 
 As easily 'gainst our rocks : for joy whereof 
 The famed Cassibelan, who was once at point — 30 
 O giglot fortune ! — to master Caesar's sword, 
 Made Lud's town with rejoicing fires bright 
 And Britons strut with courage. 
 
 Clo. Come, there 's no more tribute to be paid : our 
 kingdom is stronger than it was at that time; 
 and, as I said, there is no moe such Csesars: 
 other of them may have crooked noses, but to 
 owe such straight arms, none. 
 
 Cym. Son, let your mother end. 
 
 Clo. We have yet many among us can gripe as hard 40 
 as Cassibelan : I do not say I am one ; but I have 
 a hand. Why tribute? why should we pay 
 tribute ? If Caesar can hide the sun from us with 
 a blanket, or put the moon in his pocket, we will 
 
 70
 
 CYMBELINE Act III. Sc. i. 
 
 pay him tribute for light; else, sir, no more 
 tribute, pray you now. 
 
 Cym. You must know, 
 
 Till the injurious Romans did extort 
 This tribute from us, we were free : Caesar's ambition, 
 Which swell'd so much that it did almost stretch 50 
 The sides o' the world, against all colour here 
 Did put the yoke upon 's ; which to shake off 
 Becomes a warlike people, whom we reckon 
 Ourselves to be. 
 
 do. and Lords. We do. 
 
 Cym. Say then to Csesar, 
 
 Our ancestor was that Mulmutius which 
 Ordain'd our laws, whose use the sword of Caesar 
 Hath too much mangled ; whose repair and franchise 
 Shall, by the power we hold, be our good deed, 
 Though Rome be therefore angry. Mulmutius made 
 
 our laws. 
 Who was the first of Britain which did put 60 
 
 His brows within a golden crown, and call'd 
 Himself a king. 
 
 Liic. I am sorry, Cymbeline, 
 
 That I am to pronounce Augustus Csesar — 
 Caesar, that hath moe kings his servants than 
 Thyself domestic officers — thine enemy : 
 Receive it from me, then : war and confusion 
 In Caesar's name pronounce I 'gainst thee : look 
 For fury not to be resisted. Thus defied, 
 I thank thee for myself. 
 
 Cym. Thou art welcome, Caius. 
 
 Thy Caesar knighted me ; my youth I spent 70 
 
 Much under him ; of him I gather'd honour ; 
 
 71 .
 
 Act III. Sc. ii. CYMBELINE 
 
 Which he to seek of me again, perforce, 
 Behoves me keep at utterance. I am perfect 
 That the Pannonians and Dalmatians for 
 Their Hberties are now in arms ; a precedent 
 Which not to read would show the Britons cold : 
 So Caesar shall not find them. 
 
 Luc. Let proof speak. 
 
 Clo. His majesty bids you welcome. Make pastime 
 with us a day or two, or longer: if you seek 
 us afterwards in other terms, you shall find us in 80 
 our salt-water girdle: if you beat us out of it, 
 it is yours ; if you fall in the adventure, our 
 crows shall fare the better for you ; and there 's 
 an end. 
 
 Luc. So, sir. 
 
 Cym, I know your master's pleasure, and he mine : 
 
 All the remain is ' Welcome.' [Exeunt. 
 
 Scene II. 
 
 Another room in the palace. 
 
 Enter Pisanio, zvith a letter. 
 
 Pis. How ! of adultery ? Wherefore write you not 
 What monster 's her accuser ? Leonatus ! 
 O master ! what a strange infection 
 Is fall'n into thy ear! What false Italian, 
 As poisonous-tongued as handed, hath prevail'd 
 On thy too ready hearing ? Disloyal ! No : 
 She 's punish'd for her truth, and undergoes. 
 More goddess-like than wife-like, such assaults 
 As would take in some virtue. O my master ! 
 Thy mind to her is now as low as were 10 
 
 72
 
 CYMBELINE Act III. Sc. ii. 
 
 Thy fortunes. How! that I should murder her? 
 
 Upon the love and truth and vows which I 
 
 Have made to thy command? I, her? her blood? 
 
 If it be so to do good service, never 
 
 Let me be counted serviceable. How look I, 
 
 That I should seem to lack humanity 
 
 So much as this fact comes to? [Reading] 'Do't: 
 
 the letter 
 That I have sent her, by her own command 
 Shall give thee opportunity.' O damn'd paper! 
 Black as the ink that 's on thee ! Senseless bauble, 
 Art thou a feodary for this act, and look'st 21 
 
 So virgin-like without? Lo, here she comes. 
 I am ignorant in what I am commanded. 
 
 Enter Imogen. 
 
 Imo. How now, Pisanio ! 
 
 Pis. Madam, here is a letter from my lord. 
 
 Imo. Who ? thy lord ? that is my lord Leonatus ! 
 O, learn'd indeed were that astronomer 
 That knew the stars as I his characters ; 
 He 'Id lay the future open. You good gods, 
 Let what is here contain'd relish of love, 30 
 
 Of my lord's health, of his content, yet not 
 That we two are asunder ; let that grieve him : 
 Some griefs are medicinable ; that is one of them, 
 For it doth physic love : of his content, 
 All but in that! Good wax, thy leave. Blest be 
 You bees that make these locks of counsel 1 Lovers 
 And men in dangerous bonds pray not alike : 
 Though forfeiters you cast in prison, yet 
 You clasp young Cupid's tables. Good news, gods ! 
 
 73
 
 Act III. Sc. ii. CYMBELINE 
 
 [Reads] ' Justice, and your father's, wrath, 40 
 should he take me in his dominion, could not be 
 so cruel to me, as you, O the dearest of creatures, 
 would even renew me with your eyes. Take 
 notice that I am in Cambria, at Milford-Haven : 
 what your own love will out of this advise you, 
 follow. So he wishes you all happiness, that 
 remains loyal to his vow, and your, increasing in 
 love, 
 
 * Leonatus Posthumus.' 
 O, for a horse with wings! Hear'st thou, Pisanio? 
 He is at Milford-Haven: read, and tell me 51 
 
 How far 'tis thither. If one of mean affairs 
 May plod it in a week, why may not I 
 Glide thither in a day ? Then, true Pisanio, — 
 Who long'st, like me, to see thy lord ; who long'st 
 O, let me bate? — but not like me — yet long'st. 
 But in a fainter kind : — O, not like me ; 
 For mine 's beyond beyond : say, and speak thick, — 
 Love's counsellor should fill the pores of hearing. 
 To the smothering of the sense — how far it is 60 
 To this same blessed Milford : and by the way 
 Tell me how Wales was made so happy as 
 To inherit such a haven : but, first of all, 
 How we may steal from hence : and for the gap 
 That we shall make in time, from our hence-going 
 And our return, to excuse : but first, how get hence. 
 Why should excuse be born or ere begot ! 
 We '11 talk of that hereafter. Prithee, speak. 
 How many score of miles may we well ride 
 'Twixt hour and hour? 
 Pis. One score 'twixt sun and sun, 70 
 
 74
 
 CYMBELINE Act III. Sc. iii. 
 
 Madam, 's enough for you, and too much too. 
 
 Into. Why, one that rode to 's execution, man. 
 
 Could never go so slow : I have heard of riding^ 
 
 wagers, 
 Where horses have been nimbler than the sands 
 That run i' the clock's behalf. But this is foolery : 
 Go bid my woman feign a sickness, say 
 She '11 home to her father : and provide me presently 
 A riding-suit, no costlier than would fit 
 A franklin's housewife. 
 
 Pis, Madam, you 're best consider. 
 
 Into. I see before me, man : nor here, nor here, 80 
 
 Nor what ensues, but have a fog in them. 
 That I cannot look through. Away, I prithee ; 
 Do as I bid thee : there 's no more to say ; 
 Accessible is none but Milford way. [Exeunt. 
 
 Scene III. 
 
 Wales: a mountainous country with a cave. 
 
 Enter Belarius, Guideriiis, and Arviragus. 
 
 Bel. A goodly day not to keep house with such 
 
 Whose roof's as low as ours! Stoop, boys: this 
 
 gate 
 Instructs you how to adore the heavens, and bows 
 
 you 
 To a morning's holy office : the gates of monarchs 
 Are arch'd so high that giants may jet through 
 And keep their impious turbans on, without 
 Good morrow to the sun. Hail, thou fair heaven ! 
 We house i' the rock, yet use thee not so hardly 
 As prouder Hvers do. 
 
 75
 
 Act III. Sc. iii. CYMBELINE 
 
 Gui. Hail, heaven ! 
 
 Arv. ' Hail, heaven ! 
 
 Bel. Now for our mountain sport : up to yond hill ! lo 
 Your legs are young: I'll tread these flats. Con- 
 sider, 
 When you above perceive me like a crow, 
 That it is place which lessens and sets off : 
 And you may then revolve what tales I have told 
 
 you 
 Of courts, of princes, of the tricks in war : 
 This service is not service, so being done, 
 But being so allow'd : to apprehend thus, 
 Draws us a profit from all things we see ; 
 And often, to our comfort, shall we find 
 The sharded beetle in a safer hold 20 
 
 Than is the full-wing'd eagle. O, this life 
 Is nobler than attending for a check. 
 Richer than doing nothing for a bauble, 
 Prouder than rustling in unpaid- for silk : 
 Such gain the cap of him that makes 'em fine, 
 Yet keeps his book uncross'd : no life to ours. 
 
 Gui. Out of your proof you speak : we, poor unfledged, 
 Have never wing'd from view o' the nest, nor know 
 
 not 
 What air 's from home. Haply this life is best 
 If quiet life be best, sweeter to you 30 
 
 That have a sharper known, well corresponding 
 With your stiff age : but unto us it is 
 A cell of ignorance, travelling a-bed, 
 A prison for a debtor that not dares 
 To stride a limit. 
 
 A7'v. What should we speak of 
 
 When we are old as you? when we shall hear 
 
 76
 
 CYMBELINE Act III. Sc. iii. 
 
 The rain and wind beat dark December, how 
 In this our pinching cave shall we discourse 
 The freezing hours away ? We have seen nothing : 
 We are beastly ; subtle as the fox for prey, 40 
 
 Like warlike as the wolf for what we eat : 
 Our valour is to chase what flies ; our cage 
 We make a quire, as doth the prison' d bird, 
 And sing our bondage freely. 
 j^^^l 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 as bad as falling : the toil o' the war, 
 A pain that only seems to seek out danger 50 
 
 r the name of fame and honour, which dies i' the 
 
 search. 
 And hath as oft a slanderous epitaph 
 As record of fair act ; nay, many times, 
 Doth ill deserve by doing well ; what 's worse, 
 Must court'sy at the censure :— O boys, this story 
 The world may read in me : my body 's mark'd 
 With Roman swords, and my report was once 
 First with the best of note : Cymbeline loved me ; 
 And when a soldier was the theme, my name 
 Was not far off : then was I as a tree ^ 60 
 
 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. 
 Q^^l Uncertain favour! 
 
 77
 
 ^ci III. Sc. iii. CYMBELINE 
 
 BeL My fault being nothing, as I have told you oft, . 
 But that two villains, whose false oaths prevall'd 
 Before my perfect honour, swore to Cymbellne 
 I was confederate with the Romans ; so 
 Follow'd my banishment ; and this twenty years 
 This rock and these demesnes have been my world : 
 Where I have lived at honest freedom, paid 71 
 
 More pious debts to heaven than In all 
 The fore-end of my time. But up to the mountains ! 
 This Is not hunters' language : he that strikes 
 The venison first shall be the lord o' the feast ; 
 To him the other two shall minister ; 
 And we will fear no poison, which attends 
 In place of greater state. I '11 meet you in the val- 
 leys. 
 
 [Exeunt Guideriiis and Arviragus. 
 How hard It Is to hide the sparks of nature ! 
 These boys know little they are sons to the king ; 80 
 Nor Cymbellne dreams that they are alive. 
 They think they are mine : and though train'd up 
 
 thus meanly 
 r the cave wherein they bow, their thoughts do hit 
 The roofs of palaces, and nature prompts them 
 In simple and low things to prince it much 
 Beyond the trick of others. This Polydore, 
 The heir of Cymbellne and Britain, who 
 The king his father call'd Guiderius, — Jove ! 
 When on my three-foot stool I sit and tell 
 The warlike feats I have done, his spirits fly out 90 
 Into my story : say ' Thus mine enemy fell, 
 And thus I set my foot on 's neck,' even then 
 The princely blood flows in his cheek, he sweats, 
 Strains his young nerves, and puts himself m posture 
 
 78
 
 CYMBELINE Act III. Sc. ivl 
 
 That acts my words. The younger brother, Cadwal, 
 
 Once Arviragus, in as like a figure 
 
 Strikes Hfe into my speech and shows much more 
 
 His own conceiving. Hark, the game is roused! 
 
 O Cymbehne ! heaven and my conscience knows 
 
 Thou didst unjustly banish me: whereon, lOO 
 
 At three and two years old, I stole these babes, 
 
 Thinking to bar thee of succession as 
 
 Thou reft'st me of my lands. Euriphile, 
 
 Thou wast their nurse; they took thee for their 
 
 mother. 
 And every day do honour to her grave : 
 Myself, Belarius, that am Morgan call'd. 
 They take for natural father. The game is up. 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 Scene IV. 
 
 Country near Mil ford-Haven. 
 Enter Pisanio and Imogen. 
 
 Imo. Thou told'st me, when we came from horse, the 
 
 place 
 Was near at hand : ne'er long'd my mother so 
 To see me first, as I have now. Pisanio ! man ! 
 Where is Posthumus ? What is in thy mind. 
 That makes thee stare thus ? Wherefore breaks that 
 
 sigh 
 From the inward of thee ? One but painted thus 
 Would be interpreted a thing perplex'd 
 Beyond self-explication : put thyself 
 Into a haviour of less fear, ere wildness 
 Vanquish my staider senses. What 's the matter? lo 
 Why tender'st thou that paper to me, with 
 A look untender? If 't be summer news, 
 
 79
 
 Act III. Sc. iv. CYMBELINE 
 
 Smile to 't before ; if wintry, thou need'st 
 
 But keep that countenance still. My husband's 
 
 hand! 
 iThat drug- damn' d Italy hath out-craftied him, 
 ■And he 's at some hard point. Speak, man; thy 
 
 tongue 
 May take of some extremity, which to read 
 Would be even mortal to me. 
 
 Please you, read ; 
 And you shall find me, wretched man, a thing 
 The most disdain 'd of fortune. 20 
 
 Imo. [Reads] ' Thy mistress, Pisanio, hath played 
 the strumpet in my bed ; the testimonies whereof 
 lie bleeding in me. I speak not out of weak sur- 
 mises ; but from proof as strong as my grief, 
 and as certain as I expect my revenge. That 
 part thou, Pisanio, must act for me, if thy faith 
 be not tainted with the breach of hers. Let 
 thine own hands take away her life : I shall give 
 thee opportunity at Milford-Haven : she hath 
 my letter for the purpose : where, if thou fear to 30 
 strike, and to make me certain it is done, thou 
 art the pandar to her dishonour, and equally to 
 me disloyal.' 
 
 Pis. What 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 
 Outvenoms all the worms of Nile ; whose breath 
 Rides on the posting winds, and doth belie 
 All corners of the world : kings, queens, and states, 
 Maids, matrons, nay, the secrets of the grave 40 
 
 This viperous slander enters. What cheer, madam ? 
 
 Imo. False to his bed ! What is it to be false ? 
 To lie in watch there, and to think on him ? 
 
 80
 
 CYMBELINE Act III. Sc. iv. 
 
 To weep 'twixt clock and clock? if sleep charge na- 
 ture, 
 To break it with a fearful dream of him, 
 And cry myself awake ? that 's false to bed, is it ? 
 
 Pis. Alas, good lady ! 
 
 Imo. I false ! Thy conscience witness : lachimo. 
 Thou didst accuse him of incontinency ; 
 Thou then look'dst like a villain ; now, methinks, 50 
 Thy favour 's good enough. Some jay of Italy, 
 Whose mother was her painting, hath betray'd him : 
 Poor I am stale, a garment out of fashion ; 
 And, for I am richer than to hang by the walls, 
 I must be ripp'd : — to pieces with me ! — O, 
 Men's vows are women's traitors ! All good seeming 
 •By thy revolt, O husband, shall be thought 
 Put on for villany ; not born where 't grows, 
 But worn a bait for ladies. 
 
 Pis. Good madam, hear me. 
 
 Imo. True honest men being heard, like false /Eneas, 60 
 Were in his time thought false ; and Sinon's weeping 
 Did scandal many a holy tear, took pity 
 From most true wretchedness : so thou Posthumus, 
 Wilt lay the leaven on all proper men ; 
 Goodly and gallant shall be false and perjured 
 From thy great fail. Come, fellow, be thou honest : 
 Do thou thy master's bidding. When thou see'st 
 
 him, 
 A little witness my obedience. Look ! 
 I draw the sword myself : take it, and hit 
 The innocent mansion of my love, my heart : 70 
 
 Fear not ; 'tis empty of all things but grief : 
 Thy master is not there, who was indeed 
 The riches of it. Do his bidding ; strike. 
 Thou mayst be valiant in a better cause, 
 
 81
 
 Act III. Sc. iv. CYMBELINE 
 
 But now thou seem'st a coward. 
 
 / is. Hence, vile instrument ! 
 
 Thou shalt not damn my hand. 
 
 Imo. Why, I must die; 
 
 And if I do not by thy hand, thou art 
 No servant of thy master's. Against self-slaughter 
 There is a prohibition so divine 
 That cravens my weak hand. Come, here 's my 
 heart ; — 80 
 
 Something 's afore 't. Soft, soft ! we '11 no de- 
 fence ; — 
 Obedient as the scabbard. What is here? 
 The scriptures of the loyal Leonatus, 
 All tum'd to heresy ? Away, away, 
 Corrupters of my faith! you shall no more 
 Be stomachers to my heart. Thus may poor fools 
 Believe false teachers : though those that are be- 
 
 tray'd 
 Do feel the treason sharply, yet the traitor 
 Stands in worse case of woe. 
 
 And thou, Posthumus, thou that didst set up 90 
 
 My disobedience 'gainst the king my father. 
 And made me put into contempt the suits 
 Of princely fellows, shalt hereafter find 
 It is no act of common passage, but 
 A strain of rareness : and I grieve myself 
 To think, when thou shalt be disedged by her 
 That now thou tirest on, how thy memory. 
 Will then be pang'd by me. Prithee, dispatch : 
 The lamb entreats the butcher : where 's thy knife ? 
 Thou art too slow to do thy master's bidding, 100 
 When I desire it too. 
 
 Pis. O gracious lady. 
 
 Since I received command to do this business 
 82
 
 CYMBELINE Act III. Sc. iv. 
 
 I have not slept one wink. 
 
 Imo, Do 't, and to bed then. 
 
 Pis. I '11 wake mine eye-balls blind first. 
 
 Imo. Wherefore then 
 
 Didst undertake it ? Why hast thou abused 
 So many miles with a pretence ? this place ? 
 Mine action, and thine own ? our horses' labour ? 
 The time inviting thee? the perturb' d court, 
 For my being absent? whereunto I never 
 Purpose return. W^hy hast thou gone so far, no 
 To be unbent when thou hast ta'en thy stand, 
 The elected deer before thee? 
 
 Pis. But to w^in time 
 
 To lose so bad employment ; in the which 
 I have consider'd of a coiirse. Good lady. 
 Hear me with patience. 
 
 Imo. Talk thy tongue weary ; speak : 
 
 I have heard I am a strumpet ; and mine ear, 
 Therein false struck, can take no greater wound. 
 Nor tent to bottom that. But speak 
 
 Pis. Then, madam, 
 
 I thought you would not back again, 
 
 Imo. Alost like, 
 
 Bringing me here to kill me. 
 
 Pis. No so, neither : 120 
 
 But if I were as wise as honest, then 
 My purpose would prove well. It cannot be 
 But that my master is abused : some villain. 
 Ay, and singular in his art, hath done you both 
 This cursed injury. 
 
 Imo. Some Roman courtezan. 
 
 Pis. No, on my life. 
 
 83
 
 Act III. Sc. iv. CYMBELINE 
 
 I '11 give but notice you are dead, and send him 
 Some bloody sign of it ; for 'tis commanded 
 I should do so : you shall be miss'd at court, 
 And that will well confirm it. 
 
 Imo. Why, good fellow, 130 
 
 What shall I do the while? where abide? how live? 
 Or in my life what comfort, when I am 
 Dead to my husband ? 
 
 Pis. If you '11 back to the court — 
 
 Imo. No court, no father; nor no more ado 
 With that harsh, noble, simple nothing. 
 That Cloten, w^hose love-suit hath been to me 
 As fearful as a siege. 
 
 Pis. If not at court. 
 
 Then not in Britain must you bide. 
 
 Imo. Where then ? 
 
 Hath Britain all the sun that shines ? Day, night, 
 Are they not but in Britain? I' the world's vol- 
 ume 140 
 Our Britain seems as of it, but not in 't ; 
 In a great pool a swan's nest : prithee, think 
 There 's Hvers out of Britain. 
 
 Pis. I am most glad 
 
 You think of other place. The ambassador, 
 Lucius the Roman, comes to Milford-Haven 
 To-morrow : now, if you could wear a mind 
 Dark as your fortune is, and but disguise 
 That which, to appear itself, must not yet be 
 But by self-danger, you should tread a course 
 Pretty and full of view ; yea, haply, near 150 
 
 The residence of Posthumus ; so nigh at least 
 That though his actions were not visible, yet 
 
 84
 
 CYMBELINE Act III. Sc. iv. 
 
 Report should render him hourly to your ear 
 As truly as he moves. 
 
 Into. O, for such means, 
 
 Though peril to my modesty, not death on 't, 
 I would adventure! 
 
 Pis. Well then, here 's the point : 
 
 You must forget to be a woman ; change 
 Command into obedience ; fear and niceness — 
 The handmaids of all women, or, more truly, 
 Woman it pretty self — into a waggish courage ; i6o 
 Ready in gibes, quick-answer'd, saucy and 
 As quarrelous as the weasel ; nay, you must 
 Forget that rarest treasure of your cheek, 
 Exposing it — but, O, the harder heart ! 
 Alack, no remedy ! — to the greedy touch 
 Of common-kissing Titan, and forget 
 Your laboursome and dainty trims, wherein 
 You made great Juno angry. 
 
 I mo. Xay, be brief: 
 
 I see into thy end, and am almost 
 A man already. 
 
 Pis. First, make yourself but like one. 170 
 
 Fore-thinking this, I have already fit — 
 'Tis in my cloak-bag — doublet, hat, hose, all 
 That answer to them : would you, in their serving 
 And with what imitation you can borrow 
 From youth of such a season, 'fore noble Lucius 
 Present yourself, desire his service, tell him 
 Wherein you 're happy, — which you '11 make him 
 
 know. 
 If that his head have ear in music, — doubtless 
 With joy he will embrace you ; for he 's honourable, 
 
 85
 
 Actlll. Sc. V. CYMBELINE 
 
 And, doubling that, most holy. Your means abroad, 
 You have me, rich ; and I will never fail i8i 
 
 Beginning nor supplyment. 
 
 Imo. Thou art all the comfoit 
 
 The gods will diet me with. Prithee, away : 
 There 's more to be consider'd ; but we ll even 
 All that good time will give us : this attempt 
 I am soldier to, and will abide it with 
 A prince's courage. Away, I prithee. 
 
 Pis. Well, madam, we must take a short farewell, 
 Lest, being miss'd, I be suspected of 
 Your carriage from the court. My noble mistress, 
 Here is a box ; I had it from the queen : 191 
 
 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 severally. 
 
 Scene V. 
 
 'A room in Cymheline's palace. 
 
 Enter Cymheline, Queen, Cloten, Lucius, and Lords. 
 
 Cym. Thus far ; and so farewell. 
 
 Luc. Thanks, royal sir. 
 
 My emperor hath wrote, I must from hence ; 
 
 And am right sorry that I must report ye 
 
 My master's enemy. 
 Cym. Our subjects, sir. 
 
 Will not endure his yoke ; and for ourself 
 
 86
 
 CYMBELINE Act III. Sc. v. 
 
 To show less sovereignty than they, must needs 
 Appear unkingHke. 
 l^^ic. So, sir : I desire of you 
 
 A conduct over-land to Milford-Haven. 
 
 Madam, all joy befal your grace, and you! 
 Cym. My lords, you are appointed for that office ; lo 
 
 The due of honour in no point omit. 
 
 So farewell, noble Lucius. 
 ]^j^^^ Your hand, my lord. 
 
 Clo. Receive it friendly ; but from this time forth 
 
 I wear it as your enemy. 
 Luc. Sir, the event 
 
 Is yet to name the winner : fare you well. 
 Cym. Leave not the worthy Lucius, good my lords, 
 
 Till he have cross'd the Severn. Happiness ! 
 
 [Exeunt Lucius and Lords. 
 
 Queen. He goes hence frowning: but it honours us 
 
 That we have given him cause. 
 (jIq^ 'Tis all the better; 
 
 Your valiant Britons have their wishes in it. 20 
 
 Cym. Lucius hath wrote already to the emperor 
 How it goes here. It fits us therefore ripely 
 Our chariots and our horsemen be in readiness : 
 The powers that he already hath in GaUia 
 Will soon be drawn to head, from whence he moves 
 His war for Britain. 
 Queen. 'Tis not sleepy business. 
 
 But must be look'd to speedily and strongly. 
 Cym. Our expectation that it would be thus 
 
 Hath made us forward. But, my gentle queen. 
 Where is our daughter? She hath not appear'd 30 
 Before the Roman, nor to us hath tender'd 
 87
 
 Act III. Sc. V. CYMBELINE 
 
 The duty of the day : she looks us like 
 A thing more made of malice than of duty : 
 We have noted it. Call her before us, for 
 We have been too slight in sufferance. 
 
 [Exit an Attendant. 
 Queen. Royal sir, 
 
 Since the exile of Posthumus, most retired 
 Hath her life been ; the cure whereof, my lord, 
 'Tis time must do. Beseech your majesty, 
 Forbear sharp speeches to her ; she 's a lady 
 So tender of rebukes that words are strokes, 40 
 
 And strokes death to her. 
 
 V 
 
 Re-enter Attendant. 
 
 Cym. Where is she, sir? How 
 
 Can her contempt be answer' d? . 
 
 Atten. Please you, sir, 
 
 Her chambers are all lock'd, and there 's no answer 
 That will be given to the loud'st of noise we make. 
 
 Queen. My lord, when last I went to visit her, 
 She pray'd me to excuse her keeping close ; 
 Whereto constrain'd by her infirmity. 
 She should that duty leave unpaid to you. 
 Which daily she was bound to proffer : this 
 She wish'd me to make known; but our great 
 
 court 50 
 
 Made me to blame in memory. 
 
 Cym. Her doors lock'd? 
 
 Not seen of late ? Grant, heavens, that which I fear 
 Prove false! [Exit, 
 
 Queen. Son, I say, follow the king. 
 
 Clo. That man of hers, Pisanio, her old servant.
 
 CYMBELINE Act III. Sc. v. 
 
 I have not seen these two days. 
 Queen, Go, look after. 
 
 [Exit Clot en. 
 Pisanio, thou that stand'st so for Posthumus ! 
 He hath a drug of mine ; I pray his absence 
 Proceed by swallowing that ; for he believes 
 It is a thing most precious. But for her, 
 Where is she gone ? Haply, despair hath seized her ; 
 Or, wing'd with fervour of her love, she 's flown 6i 
 To her desired Posthumus : gone she is 
 To death or to dishonour ,- and my end 
 Can make good use of either : she being down, 
 I have the placing of the British crown. 
 
 Re-enter Cloten. 
 
 How now, my son ! 
 
 Clo. 'Tis certain she is fled. 
 
 Go in and cheer the king : he rages ; none 
 Dare come about him. 
 
 Queen. [Aside] All the better : may 
 
 This night forestall him of the coming day ! [Exit. 
 
 Clo. I love and hate her : for she 's fair and royal, 70 
 And that she hath all courtly parts more exquisite 
 Than lady, ladies, woman ; from every one 
 The best she hath, and she, of all compounded. 
 Outsells them all ; I love her therefore : but 
 Disdaining me and throwing favours on 
 The low Posthumus slanders so her judgement 
 That what 's else rare is choked ; and in that point 
 I will conclude to hate her, nay, indeed. 
 To be revenged upon her. For when fools 
 Shall— 80 
 
 89
 
 Act III. Sc. V. GYMBELINE 
 
 Enter Pisanio. 
 
 Who is here ? What, are you packing, sirrah ? 
 
 Come hither : 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! 
 
 Clo. Where is thy lady ? or, by Jupiter, — 
 
 I will not ask again. Close villain, 
 
 I '11 have this secret from thy heart, or rip 
 
 Thy heart to find it. Is she with Posthumus ? 
 
 From whose so many weights of baseness cannot 
 
 A dram of worth be drawn. 
 Pis. Alas, my lord, 
 
 How can she be with him? When was she 
 miss'd? 90 
 
 He is in Rome. 
 Clo, Where is she, sir ? Come nearer ; 
 
 No farther halting : satisfy me home 
 
 What is become of her. 
 Pis. O, my all-worthy lord ! 
 Clo. All-worthy villain ! 
 
 Discover where thy mistress is at once, 
 
 At the next word : no more of ' worthy lord ! * 
 
 Speak, or thy silence on the instant is 
 
 Thy condemnation and thy death. 
 Pis. Then, sir, 
 
 This paper is the history of my knowledge 
 
 Touching her flight. [Presenting a letter. 
 
 Clo. Let 's see 't. I will pursue her 100 
 
 Even to Augustus' throne. 
 Pis. [Aside] Or this, or perish. 
 
 She 's far enough ; and what he learns by this 
 
 May prove his travel, not her danger. 
 
 90
 
 CYMBELINE Act III. Sc. v. 
 
 Clo. Hum ! 
 
 Pis. [Aside] I '11 write to my lord she 's dead. O 
 Imogen, 
 Safe mayst thou wander, safe return again! 
 
 Clo. Sirrah, is this letter true ? 
 
 Pis. Sir, as I think. 
 
 Clo. It is Posthumus' hand ; I know 't. Sirrah, if 
 thou wouldst not be a villain, but do me true 
 service, undergo those employments wherein I no 
 should have catise to use thee with a serious 
 industry, that is, what villany soe'er I bid thee 
 do, to perform it directly and truly, I would 
 think thee an honest man : thou shouldst neither 
 want my means for thy relief, nor my voice for 
 thy preferment. 
 
 Pis. Well, my good lord. 
 
 Clo. Wilt thou serve me? for since patiently and 
 constantly thou hast stuck to the bare fortune 
 of that beggar Posthumus, thou canst not, in the 120 
 course of gratitude, but be a diligent follower of 
 mine. Wilt thou serve me ? 
 
 Pis. Sir, I will. 
 
 Clo. 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 mis- 
 tress. 
 
 Clo. The first service thou dost me, fetch that suit 130 
 hither : let it be thy first service ; go. 
 
 Pis. I shall, my lord. [Exit. 
 
 Clo. Meet thee at Milford-Haven ! — I forgot to ask 
 him one thing ; I '11 remember 't anon : — even 
 
 91
 
 Act III. Sc. V CYMBELINE 
 
 there, thou villain Posthumus, will I kill thee. 
 I would these garments were come. She said 
 upon a time — the bitterness of it I now belch 
 from my heart — that she held the very garment 
 of Posthumus in more respect than my noble 
 and natural person, together with the adornment 140 
 of my qualities. With that suit upon my back, 
 will I ravish her : first kill him, and in her eyes ; 
 there shall she see my valour, which will then be 
 a torment to her contempt. He on the ground, 
 my speech of insultment ended on his dead body, 
 and when my lust hath dined — which, as I say, 
 to vex her I will execute in the clothes that she 
 so praised — to the court I '11 knock her back, 
 foot her home again. She hath despised me 
 rejoicingly, and I '11 be merry in my revenge. 150 
 
 Re-enter Pisanio, ivith the clothes. 
 
 Be those the garments ? 
 
 Pis. Ay, my noble lord. 
 
 Clo. How long is 't since she went to Milford- 
 Haven ? 
 
 FHs. She can scarce be there yet. 
 
 Clo. Bring this apparel to my chamber; that is the 
 second thing that I have commanded thee : the 
 third is, that thou wilt be a voluntary mute to 
 my design. Be but duteous, and true prefer- 
 ment shall tender itself to thee. My revenge is 
 now at Milford : would I had wings to follow 160 
 it! Come, and be true. [Exit. 
 
 Pis. Thou bid'st me to my loss : for, true to thee 
 Were to prove false, which I will never be, 
 To him that is most true. To Milford go, 
 
 92
 
 CYMBELINE Act III. Sc. vi. 
 
 And find not her whom thou pursuest. Flow, flow, 
 You heavenly blessings, on her ! This fool's speed 
 Be cross'd with slowness ; labour be his meed ! 
 
 [Exit, ^ 
 
 Wales: before the cave of Belariiis. 
 
 Enter Imogen, in hoy's clothes. 
 
 Imo. I see a man's Hfe is a tedious one: \ (i' ^ 
 
 I have tired myself ; and for two nights together 
 Have made the ground my bed. I should be sick 
 But that my resolution helps me. Milford, 
 When from the mountain-top Pisanio show'd thee, / /^'""^ 
 Thou wast within a ken : O Jove ! I think 
 Foundations fly the wretched ; such, I mean, 
 Where they should be relieved. Two beggars told 
 
 
 me 
 
 %^ 
 
 I could not miss my way : will poor folks lie, l^^(j 
 
 That have afflictions on them, knowing 'tis i^i^ 
 
 A punishment or trial ? Yes ; no wonder, \jj^ 
 
 When rich ones scarce tell true: to lapse in fulness \ ^ 
 Is sorer than to lie for need ; and falsehood Ik*'^ 
 
 Is worse in kings than beggars. My dear lord ! \ 
 Thou art one o' the false ones : now I think on thee, ^ 
 My hunger 's gone ; but even before, I was 
 At point to sink for food. But what is this ? 
 Here is a path to 't : 'tis some savage hold : 
 I were best not call ; I dare not call ; yet famine, 
 Ere clean it o'erthrow nature, makes it valiant. 20 
 Plenty and peace breeds cowards ; hardness ever 
 Of hardiness is mother. Ho ! who 's here !
 
 Act III. Sc. vi. CYMBELINE 
 
 If any thing that 's civil, speak ; if savage, 
 
 Take or lend. Ho! No answer? then I '11 enter. 
 
 Best draw my sword ; and if mine enemy 
 
 But fear the sword like me, he '11 scarcely look on 't. 
 
 Such a foe, good heavens ! [Exit, to the cave. 
 
 Enter Belarius, Guiderius, and Arviragns. 
 
 Bel, You, Polydore, have proved best woodman and 
 Are master of the feast : Cadwal and I 
 Will play the cook and servant ; 'tis our match : 30 
 The swxat of industry would dry and die. 
 But for the end it works to. Come ; our stomachs 
 Will make what 's homely savoury : weariness 
 Can snore upon the flint, when resty sloth 
 Finds the down pillow hard. Now, peace be here, 
 Poor house, that keep'st thyself ! 
 
 Giii. I am thoroughly weary. 
 
 Arv. I am weak with toil, yet strong in appetite. 
 
 Qui. There is cold meat i' the cave ; we '11 browse on 
 that. 
 Whilst what we have kill'd be cook'd. 
 
 Bel. [Looking into the cave] Stay ; come not in. 
 
 But that it eats our victuals, I should think 41 
 
 Here were a fairy. 
 
 Qui. W^hat 's the matter, sir? 
 
 Bel. By Jupiter, an angel ! or, if not, 
 
 An earthly paragon ! Behold divineness 
 
 No elder than a boy ! 
 
 Re-enter Imogen. 
 
 Imo. Good masters, harm me not : 
 
 Before I enter'd here, I call'd ; and thought 
 
 94
 
 CYMBELINE Act III. Sc. vi. 
 
 To have begg'd or bought what I have took : good 
 troth, 
 
 I have stol'n nought : nor would not, though I had 
 found 
 
 Gold strew'd i' the floor. Here 's money for my 
 meat: 
 
 I would have left it on the board so soon 51 
 
 As I had made my meal, and parted 
 
 With prayers for the provider. 
 Giii. Money, youth? 
 
 Arv. All gold and silver rather turn to dirt! 
 
 As 'tis no better reckon'd, but of those 
 
 Who worship dirty gods. 
 I mo. I see you 're angry : 
 
 Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should 
 
 Have died had I not made it. 
 Bel. Whither bound? 
 
 I mo. To Milford-Haven. 
 
 Bel. What's your name? 60 
 
 Imo. Fidele, sir. I have a kinsman who 
 
 Is bound for Italy ; he embark'd at Milford ; 
 
 To whom being going, almost spent with hunger, 
 
 I am fall'n in this offence. 
 Bel. Prithee, fair youth, 
 
 Think us no churls, nor measure our good minds 
 
 By this rude place we live in. Well encounter'd ! 
 
 'Tis almost night : you shall have better cheer 
 
 Ere you depart : and thanks to stay and eat it. 
 
 Boys, bid him welcome. 
 Gtii. Were you a woman, youth, 
 
 I should woo hard but be your groom. In honesty, 
 
 I bid for you as I 'Id buy. 
 Arv. I '11 make 't my comfort 71 
 
 He is a man ; I '11 love him as my brother : 
 
 95
 
 Act III. Sc. vi. CYMBELINE 
 
 And such a welcome as I 'Id give to him 
 
 After long absence, such is yours : most welcome ! 
 
 Be sprightly, for you fall 'mongst friends. 
 
 Into. 'Mongst friends. 
 
 If brothers. [Aside] Would it had been so, that they 
 Had been my father's sons ! then had my prize 
 Been less, and so more equal ballasting 
 To thee, Posthumus. 
 
 Bel. He wrings at some distress. 
 
 Gui. Would I could free 't ! 
 
 Arv, Or I ; whate'er it be, 80 
 
 What pain it cost, what danger ! Gods ! 
 
 BeL Hark, boys. 
 
 [ Whispering. 
 
 Into. Great men. 
 
 That had a court no bigger than this cave, 
 That did attend themselves and had the virtue 
 Which their own conscience seal'd them — laying by 
 That nothing-gift of differing multitudes — 
 Could not out-peer these twain. Pardon me, gods ! 
 I 'Id change my sex to be companion with them, 
 Since Leonatus' false. 
 
 Bel. It shall be so. 
 
 Boys, we '11 go dress our hunt. Fair youth, come in : 
 Discourse is heavy, fasting ; when we have supp'd, 91 
 We '11 mannerly demand thee of thy story, 
 So far as thou wilt speak it. 
 
 Gui. Pray, draw near. 
 
 Arv. The night to the owl and morn to the lark less wel- 
 come. 
 
 Imo. Thanks, sir. 
 
 Arv. I pray, draw near. [Exeunt 
 
 96
 
 CYMBELINE Act IV. Sc. i. 
 
 Scene VII. 
 
 Rome. A public place. 
 Enter tzvo Senators and Tribunes. 
 
 First Sen. This is the tenour of the emperor's writ : 
 That since the common men are now in action 
 'Gainst the Pannonians and Dalmatians, 
 And that the legions now in Gallia are 
 Full weak to undertake our wars against 
 The fall'n-off Britons, that we do incite 
 The gentry to this business. He creates 
 Lucius proconsul ; and to you the tribunes, 
 For this immediate levy, he commends 
 His absolute commission. Long live Caesar ! lo 
 
 First Tri. Is Lucius general of the forces? 
 
 Sec. Sen. Ay. 
 
 First Tri. Remaining now in Gallia ? 
 
 First Sen. With those legions 
 
 Which I have spoke of, whereunto your levy 
 Must be supplyant : the words of your commission 
 Will tie you to the numbers and the time 
 Of their dispatch. 
 
 First Tri. We will discharge our duty. [Exeunt. 
 
 ACT FOURTH. 
 
 Scene I. 
 
 Wales: near the cave of Belarius. 
 
 Enter Cloten alone. 
 
 % 
 
 Clo. I am near to the place where they should meet, 
 if Pisanio have mapped it truly. How fit his 
 garments serve me! Why should his mistress, 
 
 97
 
 Act IV. Sc. ii. CYMBELINE 
 
 who was made by him that made the tailor, not 
 be fit too? the rather — saving reverence of the 
 word — for 'tis said a woman's fitness comes by 
 fits. Therein I must play the workman. I dare 
 ' speak it to myself — for it is not vain-glory for 
 a man and his glass to confer in his own cham- 
 ber — ^I mean, the lines of my body are as well lo 
 drawn as his ; no less 3^oung, more strong, not 
 beneath him in fortunes, beyond him in the ad- 
 vantage of the time, above him in birth, alike 
 conversant in general services, and more re- 
 markable in single oppositions : yet this imper- 
 ceiverant thing loves him in my despite. What 
 mortality is ! Posthumus, thy head, wdiich now 
 is grovvang upon thy shoulders, shall within this 
 hour be off; thy mistress enforced; thy gar- 
 ments cut to pieces before thy face ; and all this 20 
 done, spurn her home to her father; who may 
 haply be a little angry for my so rough usage; 
 but my mother, having power of his testiness, 
 shall turn all into my commendations. My 
 horse is tied up safe : out, sword, and to a sore 
 purpose! Fortune, put them into my handl 
 This is the very description of their meeting- 
 place ; and the fellow dares not deceive me. [Exit. 
 
 Scene II. 
 
 Before the cave of Belarhis. 
 
 Enter, from the cave, Belariiis, Giiiderius, Arviragus, and 
 - Imogen. 
 
 Bel. {To Imogen] You are not well: remain here in the 
 cave; 
 We '11 come to you after hunting. 
 
 98
 
 CYMBELINE Act IV. Sc. ii. 
 
 Arv. [To Imogen] Brother, stay here: 
 
 Are we not brothers ? 
 
 Itno. So man and man should be ; 
 
 But clay and clay differs in dignity, 
 Whose dust is both alike. I am very sick. 
 
 Gui. Go you to hunting ; I '11 abide with him. 
 
 Imo. So sick I am not, yet I am not well ; 
 But not so citizen a wanton as 
 To seem to die ere sick : so please you, leave me ; 
 Stick to your journal course : the breach of custom 
 Is breach of all. I am ill, but your being by me'ii 
 Cannot amend me : society is no comfort 
 To one not sociable : I am not very sick, 
 Since I can reason of it. Pray you, trust me here : 
 I '11 rob none but myself ; and let me die, 
 Stealing so poorly. 
 
 Gui. I love thee ; I have spoke it : 
 
 How much the quantity, the weight as much. 
 As I do love my father. 
 
 Bel What! how! how! 
 
 Arv. If it be sin to say so, sir, I yoke me 
 
 In my good brother's fault : I know not why 20 
 
 I love this youth ; and I have heard you say. 
 Love's reason 's without reason : the bier at door 
 And a demand who is 't shall die, I 'Id say 
 ' My father, not this youth.' 
 
 Bel [Aside] O noble strain ! 
 
 worthiness of nature ! breed of greatness ! 
 Cowards father cowards and base things sire base : 
 Nature hath meal and bran, contempt and grace. 
 
 1 'm not their father ; yet who this should be, 
 Doth miracle itself, loved before me. — 
 
 99
 
 Act IV. Sc. ii. CYMBELINE 
 
 'Tis the ninth hour o' the morn. 
 Arz'. Brother, farewell. 30 
 
 I mo. I wish ye sport. 
 
 Arz'. You health. So please you, sir. 
 
 Imo. [Aside] These are kind creatures. Gods, wdiat lies 
 I have heard ! 
 
 Our courtiers say all 's savage but at court : 
 
 Experience, O, thou disprovest report ! 
 
 The imperious seas breed monsters ; for the dish 
 
 Poor tributary rivers as sweet fish. 
 
 I am sick still, heart-sick. Pisanio, 
 
 I '11 now taste of thy drug. [Szuallozcs some. 
 
 Giii. I could not stir him : 
 
 He said he was gentle, but unfortunate ; 
 
 Dishonestly afflicted, but yet honest. 40 
 
 Arv. Thus did he answer me : yet said, hereafter 
 
 I might know more. 
 Bel. To the field, to the field ! 
 
 We '11 leave you for this time : go in and rest. 
 Arv. We '11 not be long away. 
 Bel. Pray, be not sick, 
 
 For you must be our housewife. 
 Imo. Well or ill, 
 
 I am bound to you. 
 Bel. And shalt be ever. 
 
 [Exit Imogen, to the cave. 
 
 This youth, howe'er distress'd, appears he hath had 
 
 Good ancestors. 
 Arv. How angel-like he sings ! 
 
 Gui. But his neat cookery ! he cut our roots 
 
 In characters ; 
 
 And sauced our broths, as Juno had been sick, 50 
 
 100
 
 CYMBELINE Act IV. Sc. ii. 
 
 And he her dieter. 
 Arv. Nobly he yokes 
 
 A smiling with a sigh, as if the sigh 
 
 Was that it was, for not being such a smile ; 
 
 The smile mocking the sigh, that it would fly 
 
 From so divine a temple, to commix 
 
 With winds that sailors rail at. 
 Gui. I do note 
 
 That grief and patience, rooted in him both, 
 
 Mingle their spurs together. 
 Ayy^ Grow, patience ! 
 
 And let the stinking elder, grief, untwine 
 
 His perishing root with the increasing vine ! 60 
 
 Bel. It is great morning. Come, away ! — Who 's there? 
 
 Enter Cloten. 
 
 Clo. I cannot find those runagates ; that villain 
 
 Hath mock'd me : I am faint. 
 Q0I ' Those runagates ! ' 
 
 Means he not us ? I partly know him ; 'tis 
 
 Cloten, the son o' the queen. I fear some ambush. 
 
 I saw him not these many years, and yet 
 
 I know 'tis he. We are held as outlaws : hence ! 
 Giii, He is but one : you and my brother search 
 
 What companies are near : pray you, away ; 
 
 Let me alone with him. 
 
 [Exeunt Belarius and Arviragiis. 
 
 do. Soft ! What are you 70 
 
 That fly me thus ? some villain mountaineers ? 
 I have heard of such. What slave art thou ? 
 
 Gui. . A thing 
 
 More slavish did I ne'er than answermg 
 
 lOI
 
 Act IV. Sc. ii. CYMBELINE 
 
 A slave without a knock. 
 Clo. Thou art a robber, 
 
 A law-breaker, a villain : yield thee, thief. 
 Giii. To who ? to thee ? What art thou ? Have not I 
 
 An arm as big as thine? a heart as big? 
 
 Thy words, I grant, are bigger ; for I wear not 
 
 My dagger in my mouth. Say what thou art, 
 
 Why I should yield to thee. 
 Clo. Thou villain base, 80 
 
 Know'st me not by my clothes ? 
 Gui. No, nor thy tailor, rascal. 
 
 Who is thy grandfather : he made those clothes. 
 
 Which, as it seems, make thee. 
 Clo. Thou precious varlet. 
 
 My tailor made them not. 
 Gui. Hence then, and thank 
 
 The man that gave them thee. Thou art some fool ; 
 
 I am loath to beat thee. 
 Clo. Thou injurious thief, 
 
 Hear but my name, and tremble. 
 Gui. What 's thy name? 
 
 Clo. Cloten, thou villain. 
 Gui. Cloten, thou double villain, be thy name, 89 
 
 I cannot tremble at it : were it Toad, or Adder, Spider, 
 
 'T would move me sooner. 
 Clo. To thy further fear. 
 
 Nay, to thy mere confusion, thou shalt know 
 
 I am son to the queen. 
 Gui. I am sorry for 't : not seeming 
 
 So worthy as thy birth. 
 Clo. Art not af card ? 
 
 Gid. Those that I reverence, those I fear, the wise : 
 
 102
 
 CYMBELINE Act IV. Sc. ii. 
 
 At fools I laugh, not fear them. 
 Clo. Die the death : 
 
 When I have slain thee with my proper hand, 
 I '11 follow those that even now fled hence. 
 And on the gates of Lud's town set your heads : 
 Yield, rustic mountaineer. [Exeunt, fighting. loo 
 
 Re-enter Belavius and Arziragus. 
 
 Bel. No companies abroad? 
 
 Arz'. None in the world : you did mistake him, sure. 
 
 Bel. I cannot tell : long is it since I saw him, 
 
 But time hath nothing blurr'd those lines of favour 
 Which then he wore ; the snatches in his voice. 
 And burst of peaking, were as his : I am absolute 
 'Twas very Cloten. 
 
 Arv, In this place we left them : 
 
 I wish my brother make good time with him, 
 You say he is so fell. 
 
 Bel. Being scarce made up, 
 
 I mean, to man, he had not apprehension no 
 
 Of roaring terrors : for defect of judgement 
 Is -oft the cause of fear. But see, thy brother. 
 
 Re-enter Guiderius, z^'ith Cloten's head. 
 
 Giii. This Cloten was a fool, an empty purse ; 
 There was no money in 't : not Hercules 
 Could have knocked out his brains, for he had none : 
 Yet I not doing this, the fool had borne 
 My head as I do his. 
 
 Bel. ' What hast thou done? 
 
 Qui. I am perfect what: cut off one Cloten's head. 
 Son to the queen, after his own report ; 
 103
 
 Act IV. Sc. ii. CYMBELINE 
 
 Who call'd me traitor, mountaineer ; and swore, 120 
 With his own single hand he 'Id take us in. 
 Displace our heads where — thank the gods ! — they 
 
 grow. 
 And set them on Lud's town. 
 
 Bel. We are all undone. 
 
 Gui. Why, worthy father, what have we to lose, 
 But that he swore to take, our lives ? The law 
 Protects not us : then why should we be tender 
 To let an arrogant piece of flesh threat us. 
 Play judge and executioner, all himself, 
 For we do fear the law ? What company 
 Discover you abroad ? 
 
 Bel. No single soul 130 
 
 Can we set eye on ; but in all safe reason 
 He must have some attendants. Though his humour 
 Was nothing but mutation, ay, and that 
 From one bad thing to worse, not frenzy, not 
 Absolute madness could so far have raved, 
 To bring him here alone : although perhaps 
 It may be heard at court that such as we 
 Cave here, hunt here, are outlaws, and in time 
 May make some stronger head; the which he hear- 
 ing— 
 As it is like him — might break out, and swear 140 
 He 'Id fetch us in ; yet is 't not probable 
 To come alone, either he so undertaking, 
 Or they so suffering : then on good ground we fear, 
 If we do fear this body hath a tail 
 More perilous than the head. 
 
 Arv. Let ordinance 
 
 Come as the gods foresay it : howsoe'er, 
 104
 
 CYMBELINE Act IV. Sc. ii. 
 
 My brother hath done well. 
 Bel. I had no mind 
 
 To hunt this day : the boy Fidele's sickness 
 
 Did make my way long forth. 
 Giii. With his own sword, 
 
 Which he did wave against my throat, I have ta'en 
 
 His head from him : I '11 throw 't into the creek 151 
 
 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. 
 
 Bel. I fear 'twill be revenged : 
 
 Would, Polydore, thou hadst not done 't ! though 
 valour 
 
 Becomes thee well enough. 
 Arv. Would I had done 't. 
 
 So the revenge alone pursued me ! Polydore, 
 
 I love thee brotherly, but envy much 
 
 Thou hast robb'd me of this deed : I would re- 
 venges, 1 59 
 
 That possible strength might meet, would seek us 
 through 
 
 And put us to our answer. 
 Bel. Well, 'tis done : 
 
 We '11 hunt no more to-day, nor seek for danger 
 
 Where there 's no profit. I prithee, to our rock ; 
 
 You and Fidele play the cooks : I '11 stay 
 
 Till hasty Polydore return, and bring him 
 
 To dinner presently. 
 Arv. Poor sick Fidele ! 
 
 I '11 willingly to him : to gain his colour 
 
 I 'Id let a parish of such Clotens blood, 
 
 And praise myself for charity. [Exit. 
 
 Bel. O thou goddess, 
 
 105
 
 Act IV. Sc. ii. CYMBELINE 
 
 Thou divine Nature, how thyself thou blazon'st 17^ 
 
 In these two princely boys ! They are as gentle 
 
 As zephyrs blowing below the violet, 
 
 Not wagging his sweet head ; and yet as rough. 
 
 Their royal blood enchafed, as the rudest wind 
 
 That by the top doth take the mountain pine 
 
 And make him stoop to the vale. 'Tis wonder 
 
 That an invisible instinct should frame them , 
 
 To royalty unlearn'd, honour untaught. 
 
 Civility not seen from other, valour 
 
 That wildly grows in them, but yields a crop i8o 
 
 As if it had been sow'd. Yet still it 's strange 
 
 What Cloten's being here to us portends. 
 
 Or what his death will bring us. 
 
 Re-enter Giiiderius. 
 
 Gui. Where 's my brother ? 
 
 I have sent Cloten's clotpoU down the stream. 
 In embassy to his mother : his body's hostage 
 For his return. [Solemn music. 
 
 Bel. ]\Iy ingenious instrument ! 
 
 Hark, Polydore, it sounds ! But what occasion 
 Hath Cadwal now to give it motion ? Hark ! 
 
 Gui. Is he at home ? 
 
 Bel. He went hence even now. 
 
 Gui. What does he mean? Since death of my dear'st 
 mother 190 
 
 It did not speak before. All solemn things 
 Should answer solemn accidents. The matter? 
 Triumphs for nothing and lamenting toys 
 Is jollity for apes and grief for boys. 
 Is Cadwal mad ? 
 
 106
 
 CYMBELINE Act IV. Sc. ii. 
 
 Re-enter Arziragiis zvith Imogen, as dead, bearing her 
 in his arms. 
 
 ^^l Look, here he comes, 
 
 And brings the dire occasion in his arms 
 Of what we blame him for ! 
 ^^^^ The bird is dead 
 
 That we have made so much on. I had rather 
 Have skipp'd from sixteen years of age to sixty, 
 To have turn'd my leaping-time into a crutch, 200 
 Than have seen this. 
 Gni. O sweetest, fairest Uly ! 
 
 My brother wears thee not the one half so well 
 As when thou grew'st thyself. 
 
 Q^l O melancholy ! 
 
 Who ever yet could sound thy bottom ? find 
 The ooze, to show what coast thy sluggish crare 
 Might easiliest harbour in ? Thou blessed thing ! 
 Jove knows what man thou mightst have made ; but I, 
 Thou diedst, a most rare boy, of melancholy. 
 How found you him ? 
 
 jrv. Stark, as you see : 
 
 Thus smiling, as some fly had tickled slumber, 210 
 Not as death's dart, being laugh'd at ; his right cheek 
 Reposing on a cushion. 
 
 Giti. Where? 
 
 ^^^^ O' the floor ; 
 
 His arms thus leagued : I thought he slept, and put 
 My clouted brogues from off my feet, whose rudeness 
 Answer' d my steps too loud. 
 
 Q^l Why, he but sleeps : 
 
 If he be gone, he '11 m.ake his grave a bed ; 
 107
 
 Act IV. Sc. ii. CYMBELINE 
 
 With female fairies will his tomb be haunted, 
 And worms will not come to thee. 
 
 Arv. With fairest flowers, 
 
 Whilst summer lasts, and I live here, Fidele, 
 I '11 sweeten thy sad grave : thou shalt not lack 220 
 The flower that 's like thy face, pale primrose, nor 
 The azured harebell, like thy veins ; no, nor 
 The leaf of eglantine, whom not to slander, 
 Out-sweeten'd not thy breath : the ruddock would 
 With charitable bill — O bill, sore shaming 
 Those rich-left heirs that let their fathers li^ 
 Without a monument ! — bring thee all this ; 
 Yea, and furr'd moss besides, when flowers are none, 
 To winter-ground thy corse. 
 
 Giii. Prithee, have done ; 
 
 And do not play in wench-like words with that 230 
 Which is so serious. Let us bury him. 
 And not protract with admiration what 
 Is now due debt. To the grave ! 
 
 Arv. Say, where shall 's lay him? 
 
 Gui. By good Euriphile, our mother. 
 
 Arv. Be 't so : 
 
 And let us, Polydore, though now our voices 
 Have got the mannish crack, sing him to the ground, 
 As once our mother ; use like note and words. 
 Save that ' Euriphile ' must be ' Fidele.' 
 
 Gui. Cadwal, 
 
 I cannot sing : I '11 weep, and word it with thee : 240 
 For notes of sorrow out of tune are worse 
 Than priests and fanes that lie. 
 
 Arv. We '11 speak it then. 
 
 Bel. Great griefs, I see, medicine the less ; for Cloten 
 
 108
 
 CYMBELINE Act IV. Sc. ii. 
 
 Is quite forgot. He was a queen's son, boys : 
 
 And though he came our enemy, remember 
 
 He was paid for that : though mean and mighty, 
 
 rotting 
 Together, have one dust, yet reverence, 
 That angel of the world, doth make distinction 
 Of place 'tween high and low. Our foe was princely ; 
 And though you took his life as being our foe, 250 
 Yet bury him as a prince. 
 
 Giii. Pray you, fetch him hither, 
 
 Thersites' body is as good as Ajax', 
 When neither are alive. 
 
 Arv. If you '11 go fetch him, 
 
 We '11 say our song the whilst. Brother, begin. 
 
 [Exit Belarius. 
 
 Gid. Nay, Cadwal, we must lay his head to the east ; 
 My father hath a reason for 't. 
 
 Arv. 'Tis true. 
 
 Giii. Come on then and remove him. 
 
 Arv. So. Begin. 
 
 Song. 
 
 lt Qui. Fear no more the heat o' the sun, 
 
 Nor the furious winter's rages ; 
 Thou thy worldly task hast done, 260 
 
 Home art gone and ta'en thy wages : 
 Golden lads and girls all must, 
 As chimney-sweepers, come to dust. 
 
 Arv. Fear no more the frown o' the great ; 
 Thou art past the tyrant's stroke ; 
 Care no more to clothe and eat ; 
 To thee the reed is as the oak : 
 109
 
 Act IV. Sc. ii. CYMBELINE 
 
 The sceptre, learning", physic, must 
 All follow this and come to dust. 
 
 Gui. Fear no more the lightning-flash, 270 
 
 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 exorciser harm thee! 
 
 Arv. Nor no witchcraft charm thee ! 
 Gui. Ghost unlaid forbear thee! 
 
 Arv. Nothing ill come near thee ! 
 Both. Quiet consummation have; 280 
 
 And renowned be thy grave ! 
 
 Re-enter Belarius zvith the body of Cloten. 
 
 Gui. We have done our obsequies : come lay him down. 
 
 Bel. Here 's a few flowers, but 'bout midnight more : 
 The herbs that have on them cold dew o' the night 
 Are strewings fitt'st for graves. Upon their faces. 
 You were as flowers, now withered : even so 
 These herblets shall, which we upon you strow. ^ 
 
 Come on, away : apart upon our knees. 
 The ground that gave them first has them again : 
 Their pleasures here are past, so is their pain. 290 
 
 [Exeunt Belarius, Gnideriiis, and Arviragiis. 
 
 Into, [Azvaking] Yes, sir, to Milford-Haven ; which is 
 the way ? — 
 I thank you. — By yond bush? — Pray, how far 
 
 thither ? 
 'Ods pittikins ! can it be six mile yet ? — 
 I have gone all night : faith, I '11 lie down and sleep. 
 
 no
 
 CYMBELINE Act IV. Sc. ii. 
 
 But, soft ! no bedfellow ! O gods and goddesses ! 
 
 [Seeing the body of Cloten. 
 These flowers are like the pleasures of the world ; 
 This bloody man, the care on 't. I hope I dream ; 
 For so I thought I was a cave-keeper, 
 And cook to honest creatures : but 'tis not so ; 
 'Twas but a bolt of nothing, shot at nothing, 300 
 
 Which the brain makes of fumes : our very eyes 
 Are sometimes like our judgements, blind. Good 
 
 faith, 
 I tremble still with fear : but if there be 
 Yet left in heaven as small a drop of pity 
 As a wren's eye, f ear'd gods, a part of it ! 
 The dream 's here still : even when I wake, it is 
 Without me, as within me : not imagined, felt. 
 A headless man ! The garments of Posthumus ! 
 I know the shape of 's leg : this is his hand ; 
 His foot Mercurial; his Martial thigh; 310 
 
 The brawns of Hercules : but his jovial face — 
 Murder in heaven ? — How ! — 'Tis gone. Pisanio, 
 All curses madded Hecuba gave the Greeks, 
 And mine to boot, be darted on thee ! Thou, 
 Conspired with that irregulous devil, Cloten, 
 Hast here cut off my lord. To write and read 
 Be henceforth treacherous ! Damn'd Pisanio 
 Hath with his forged letters — damn'd Pisanio — 
 From this most bravest vessel of the world 
 Struck the main-top ! O Posthumus ! alas, 320 
 
 Where is thy head ? where 's that ? Ay me ! 
 
 where 's that ? 
 Pisanio might have kill'd thee at the heart 
 And left this head on. How should this be ? Pisanio ? 
 Ill
 
 Act IV. Sc. ii. CYMBELINE 
 
 'Tis he and Cloten : malice and lucre in them 
 
 Have laid this woe here. O, 'tis pregnant, pregnant 1 
 
 The drug he gave me, which he said was precious 
 
 And cordial to me, have I not found it 
 
 Murderous to the senses ? That confirms it home : 
 
 This is Pisanio's deed, and Cloten's : O ! 
 
 Give colour to my pale cheek with thy blood, 330 
 
 That we the horrider may seem to those 
 
 Which chance to find us : O, my lord, my lord ! 
 
 [Falls on the body. 
 
 Enter Lucius, a Captain and other Officers, and a 
 Soothsayer. 
 
 Cap. To them the legions garrison'd in Gallia 
 
 After your will have cross'd the sea, attending 
 You here at Milf ord-Haven jv^ith your ships : 
 They are in readiness. 
 
 Luc. But what from Rome? 
 
 Cap. The senate hath stirr'd up the confiners 
 
 And gentlemen of Italy, most willing spirits 
 That promise noble service : and they come 
 Under the conduct of bold lachimo, 340 
 
 Syenna's brother. 
 
 Luc, When expect you them ? 
 
 Cap. With the next benefit o' the wind. 
 
 Luc. This forwardness 
 
 Makes our hopes fair. Command our present num- 
 bers 
 Be muster'd ; bid the captains look to 't. Now, sir, 
 What have you dream'd of late of this war's purpose? 
 
 Sooth. Last night the very gods show'd me a vision — 
 I fast and pray'd for their intelligence — thus : 
 I saw Jove's bird, the Roman eagle, wing'd 
 From the spongy south to this part of the west, 349 
 112
 
 CYMBELINE Act IV. Sc. ii. 
 
 There vanish'd in the sunbeams : which portends — 
 Unless my sins abuse my divination — 
 Success to the Roman host. 
 
 Luc. Dream often so, 
 
 And never false. Soft, ho ! what trunk is here 
 
 Without his top ? The ruin speaks that sometime 
 
 It was a worthy building. How ! a page ! 
 
 Or dead, or sleeping on him ? But dead rather ; 
 
 For nature doth abhor to make his bed 
 
 With the defunct, or sleep upon the dead. 
 
 Let 's see the boy's face. 
 
 Cap. He 's alive, my lord. 
 
 Luc. He '11 then instruct us of this body. Young one, 360 
 Inform us of thy fortunes, for it seems 
 They crave to be demanded. Who is this 
 Thou makest thy bloody pillow ? Or who was he 
 That, otherwise than noble nature did. 
 Hath alter'd that good picture? What 's thy interest 
 In this sad wreck ? How came it ? Who is it ? 
 What art thou ? 
 
 Into. I am nothing: or if not, 
 
 Nothing to be were better. This was my master, 
 
 A very vaUant Briton and a good. 
 
 That here by mountaineers hes slain. Alas ! 3/0 
 
 There is no more such masters : I may wander 
 
 From east to Occident, cry out for service. 
 
 Try many, all good, serve truly, never 
 
 Find such another master. 
 
 Luc. 'Lack, good youth ! 
 
 Thou movest no less with thy complaining than 
 Thy master in bleeding : say his name, good friend. 
 
 Imo. Richard du Champ. [Aside} If I do He, and do 
 
 113
 
 Act IV. Sc. ii. CYMBELINE 
 
 No harm by it, though the gods hear, I hope 
 They '11 pardon it. Say you, sir ? 
 
 Luc. Thy name ? 
 
 Imo. Fidele, sir. 
 
 Luc. Thou dost approve thyself the very same : 380 
 
 Thy name well fits thy faith, thy faith thy name. 
 Wilt take thy chance with me ? I will not say 
 Thou shalt be so well master'd, but be sure. 
 No less beloved. The Roman emperor's letters 
 Sent by a consul to me should not sooner 
 Than thine own worth prefer thee : go with me. 
 
 Lino. I '11 follow, sir. But first, an 't please the gods, 
 I '11 hide my master from the flies, as deep 
 As these poor pickaxes can dig : and when 
 With wild wood-leaves and weeds I ha' strew'd his 
 grave 390 
 
 And on it said a century of prayers, 
 Such as I can, twice o'er, I '11 weep and sigh, 
 And leaving so his service, follow you. 
 So please you entertain me. 
 
 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 daisied plot we can. 
 And make him with our pikes and partisans 
 A grave : come, arm him. Boy, he is preferr'd 400 
 By thee to us, and he shall be interr'd 
 As soldiers can. Be cheerful ; wipe thine eyes : 
 Some falls are means the happier to arise. [Exeunt. 
 
 114
 
 CYMBELINE Act IV. Sc. iii. 
 
 Scene III. 
 
 A room in Cymbcluic's palace. 
 
 Enter Cynibeline, Lords, Pisanio, and Attendants. 
 
 Cym. Again ; and bring me word how 'tis with her. 
 
 [E.i'it an Attendant. 
 A fever with the absence of her son ; 
 A madness, of which her hfe 's in danger. Heavens, 
 How deeply you at once do touch me ! Imogen, 
 The great part of my comfort, gone ; my queen 
 Upon a desperate bed, and in a time 
 When fearful wars point at me ; her son gone, 
 So needful for this present : it strikes me, past 
 The hope of comfort. But for thee, fellow, 
 Who needs must know of her departure and lo 
 
 Dost seem so ignorant, we '11 enforce it from thee 
 By a sharp torture. 
 
 Pis. Sir, my life is yours, 
 
 I humbly set it at your will : but, for my mistress, 
 I nothing know where she remains, why gone. 
 Nor when she purposes return. Beseech your high- 
 ness. 
 Hold me your loyal servant. 
 
 First Lord. Good my liege, 
 
 The day that she was missing he was here : 
 I dare be bound he 's true and shall perform 
 All parts of his subjection loyally. For Cloten, 
 There wants no diligence in seeking him, 20 
 
 And will, no doubt, be found. 
 
 Cyni. The time is troublesome. 
 
 [To Pisanio] We'll slip you for a season; but our 
 jealousy 
 
 115
 
 Act IV. Sc. iii. CYMBELINE 
 
 Does yet depend. 
 
 First Lord. So please your majesty, 
 
 The Roman legions, all from Gallia drawn, 
 Are landed on your coast, with a supply 
 Of Roman gentlemen by the senate sent. 
 
 Cym. Now for the counsel of my son and queen ! 
 I am amazed with matter. 
 
 First Lord. Good my liege. 
 
 Your preparation can affront no less 
 Than what you hear of : come more, for more you 're 
 ready : 30 
 
 The want is but to put those powers in motion 
 That long to move. 
 
 Cym. I thank you. Let 's withdraw ; 
 
 And meet the time as it seeks us. We fear not 
 What can from Italy annoy us, but 
 We grieve at chances here. Away ! 
 
 [Exeunt all but Pisanio. 
 
 Pis. I heard no letter from my master since 
 
 I wrote him Imogen was slain : 'tis strange : 
 Nor hear I from my mistress, who did promise 
 To yield me often tidings ; neither know I 
 What is betid to Cloten, but remain 40 
 
 Perplex'd in all. The heavens still must work. 
 Wherein I am false I am honest ; not true, to be true. 
 These present wars shall find I love my country. 
 Even to the note o' the king, or I '11 fall in them. 
 All other doubts, by time let them be clear'd : 
 Fortune brings in some boats that are not steer'd. 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 116
 
 CYMBELINE Act IV. Sc. iv. 
 
 Scene IV. 
 
 Wales. Before the cave of Belariiis. 
 Enter Belariiis, Gitiderins, and Arviragiis. 
 
 Giii. The noise is round about us. 
 
 Bel. Let us from it. 
 
 Arv. What pleasure, sir, find we in Ufe, to lock it 
 From action and adventure? 
 
 Gut. ^^y, what hope 
 
 Have we in hiding us ? This way, the Romans 
 Must or for Britons slay us or receive us 
 For barbarous and unnatural revolts 
 During their use, and slay us after. 
 
 Bel. Sons, 
 
 We '11 higher to the mountains ; there secure us. 
 To the king's party there 's no going : newness 
 Of Cloten's death — w.e being not known, not muster'd 
 Among the bands — may drive us to a render 1 1 
 
 Where we have lived, and so extort from 's that 
 Which we have done, whose answer would be death 
 Drawn on with torture. 
 
 Qui, This is, sir, a doubt 
 
 In such a time nothing becoming you, I 
 
 Nor satisfying us. 
 
 Arz'. It is not likely 
 
 That when they hear the Roman horses neigh. 
 Behold their quartered fires, have both their eyes 
 And ears so cloy'd importantly as now. 
 That they will waste their time upon our note, 20 
 
 To know from whence we are. 
 
 Qcl. O, I am known 
 
 Of many in the army : many years, 
 117
 
 Act IV. Sc. iv. CYMBELINE 
 
 Though Cloten then but young, you see, not wore 
 
 him 
 From my remembrance. And besides, the king 
 Hath not deserved my service nor your loves ; 
 Who find in my exile the want of breeding. 
 The certainty of this hard life ; aye hopeless 
 To have the courtesy your cradle promised, 
 But to be still hot summer's tanlings and 
 The shrinking slaves of winter. 
 
 Gui. Than be so 30 
 
 Better to cease to be. Pray, sir, to the army : 
 I and my brother are not known ; yourself 
 So out of thought, and thereto so o'ergrown. 
 Cannot be question'd. 
 
 Arz: By this sun that shines, 
 
 I '11 thither : what thing is it that I never 
 Did see man die ! scarce ever look'd on blood, 
 But that of coward hares, hot goats, and venison ! 
 Never bestrid a horse, save one that had 
 A rider like myself, who ne'er wore rowel 
 Nor iron on his heel ! I am ashamed 40 
 
 To look upon the holy sun, to have 
 The benefit of his blest beams, remaining 
 So long a poor unknown. 
 
 Giii By heavens, I '11 go : 
 
 If you will bless me, sir, and give me leave, 
 I '11 take the better care, but if you will not, 
 The hazard therefore due fall on me by 
 The hands of Romans ! 
 
 Arv. So say I : amen. 
 
 Bel. No reason I, since of your lives you set 
 So slight a valuation, should reserve 
 My crack'd one to more care. Have with you, boys ! 
 118
 
 CYMBELINE Act V. Sc. i. 
 
 If in your country wars you chance to die, 51 
 
 That is my bed too, lads, and there I '11 lie : 
 
 Lead, lead. [Aside] The time seems long: their blood 
 
 thinks scorn, 
 Till it fly out and show them princes born. [Exeunt. 
 
 ACT FIFTH. 
 Scene I. 
 
 Britain. The Roman camp. 
 
 Enter Posthumiis, zi'ifh a bloody handkerchief. 
 
 Post. Yea, bloody cloth, I '11 keep thee : for I wish'd 
 Thou shouldst be colour'd thus. You married ones, 
 If each of you should take this course, how many 
 Must murder wives much better than themselves 
 For wrying but a little ! O Pisanio ! 
 Every good servant does not all commands : 
 No bond but to do just ones. Gods ! if you 
 Should have ta'en vengeance on my faults, I never 
 Had lived to put on this : so had you saved 
 The noble Imogen to repent, and struck 10 
 
 Me, wretch more worth your vengeance. But, alack. 
 You snatch some hence for little faults ; that 's love. 
 To have them fall no more : you some permit 
 To second ills with ills, each elder worse, 
 And make them dread it, to the doer's thrift. 
 But Imogen is your own : do your best wills, 
 And make me blest to obey ! I am brought hither 
 Among the Italian gentry, and to fight 
 Against my lady's kingdom : 'tis enough 
 That, Britain, I have kill'd thy mistress ; peace ! 20 
 
 IIQ
 
 Act V. Sc. ii. CYMBELINE 
 
 I '11 give no wound to thee. Therefore, good heavens, 
 Hear patiently my purpose : I '11 disrobe me 
 Of these Italian weeds, and suit myself 
 As does a Briton peasant : so I '11 fight 
 Against the part I come with ; so I '11 die 
 For thee, O Imogen, even for whom my life 
 Is, every breath, a death : and thus, unknown, 
 Pitied nor hated, to the face of peril 
 Myself I '11 dedicate. Let me make men know 
 More valour in me than my habits show. 30 
 
 , Gods, put the strength o' the Leonati in me ! 
 To shame the guise o' the world, I will begin 
 The fashion, less without and more within. [Exit. 
 
 Scene II. 
 
 Field of battle betzveen the British and Roman camps. 
 
 Enter, from one side, Lucius, lachimo, Imogen, and the' 
 Roman army; from the other side, the British army ; 
 Leonatus Posthnmns following, like a poor soldier. 
 They march over and go out. Then enter again, in 
 skirmish, lachimo and Posthnmns: he vanquisheth 
 and disarmeth lachimo, and then leaves him. 
 
 lach. The heaviness and guilt within my bosom 
 Takes off my manhood : I have belied a lady, 
 The princess of this country, and the air on 't 
 Revengingly enfeebles me ; or could this carl, 
 A very drudge of nature's, have subdued me 
 In my profession ? Knighthoods and honours, borne 
 As I wear mine, are titles but of scorn. 
 If that thy gentry, Britain, go before 
 
 120
 
 CYMBELINE Act V. Sc. iii. 
 
 This lout as he exceeds our lords, the odds 
 Is that we scarce are men and you are gods. [Exit. lo 
 The battle continues; the Britons fly; Cymbeline is taken; 
 then enter, to his rescue, Bclarius, Guiderius, and 
 Arz'iragus. 
 
 Bel. Stand, stand ! We have the advantage of the ground ; 
 The lane is guarded : nothing routs us but 
 The villany of our fears. 
 
 J ' > Stand, stand, and fight ! 
 
 Re-enter Posthnmus, and seconds the Britons: they 
 
 rescue Cymbeline and exeunt. Then re-enter Lucius, 
 
 lachimo, and Imogen. 
 Luc. Away, boy, from the troops, and save thyself ; 
 
 For friends kill friends, and the disorder 's such 
 
 As w^ar were hoodwink'd. 
 lach. 'Tis their fresh supplies. 
 
 Luc. It is a day turn'd strangely : or betimes 
 
 Let 's reinforce, or fly. [Exeunt. 
 
 Scene III. 
 
 Another part of the Held. 
 Enter Posthumus and a British Lord. 
 
 Lord. Camest thou from where they made the stand ? 
 
 Post. I did : 
 
 Though you, it seems, come from the fliers. 
 
 Lord. I did. 
 
 Post. No blame be to you, sir ; for all was lost. 
 
 But that the heavens fought : the king himself 
 Of his wings destitute, the army broken, 
 And but the backs of Britons seen, all flying 
 
 121
 
 Act V. Sc. iii. CYMBELINE 
 
 Through a strait lane ; the enemy full-hearted, 
 Lolling the tongue with slaughtering, having work 
 More plentiful than tools to do 't, struck down 
 Some mortally, some slightly touch'd, some falling lO 
 Merely through fear ; that the strait pass was damm'd 
 With dead men hurt behind, and cowards living 
 To die with lengthen'd shame. 
 
 Lord. Where was this lane? 
 
 Post. Close by the battle, ditch'd, and wall'd with turf ; 
 Which gave advantage to an ancient soldier, 
 An honest one, I warrant ; who deserved 
 So long a breeding as his white beard came to, 
 In doing this for 's country. Athwart the lane 
 He, with two striplings — lads more like to run 
 The country base than to commit such slaughter ; 20 
 With faces fit for masks, or rather fairer 
 Than those for preservation cased, or shame — 
 Made good the passage ; cried to those that fled, 
 ' Our Britain's harts die flying, not our men : 
 To darkness fleet souls that fly backwards. Stand ; 
 Or we are Romans, and will give you that 
 Like beasts which you shun beastly, and may save 
 But to look back in frown : stand, stand ! ' These 
 
 three, 
 Three thousand confident, in act as many, — 
 For three performers are the file w^hen all 30 
 
 The rest do nothing, — with this word ' Stand, stand,' 
 Accommodated by the place, more charming 
 With their own nobleness, which could have turn d 
 A distaff to a lance, gilded pale looks. 
 Part shame, part spirit renew'd; that some, turn'd 
 coward
 
 CYMBELINE Act V. Sc. iii. 
 
 But by example, — O, a sin in war, 
 
 Damn'd in the first beginners ! — 'gan to look 
 
 The way that they did, and to grin like lions 
 
 Upon the pikes o' the hunters. Then began 
 
 A stop i' the chaser, a retire ; anon 40 
 
 A rout, confusion thick : forthwith they fly 
 
 Chickens, the way which they stoop'd eagles ; slaves, 
 
 The strides they victors made : and now our 
 
 cowards, 
 Like fragments in hard voyages, became 
 The life o' the need : having found the back-door 
 
 open 
 Of the unguarded hearts, heavens, how they wound ! 
 Some slain before, some dying, some their friends 
 O'er-borne i' the former wave : ten chased by one 
 Are now each one the slaughter-man of twenty : 
 Those that would die or ere resist are grown 50 
 
 The mortal bugs o' the field. 
 
 Lord, This was strange chance : 
 
 A narrow lane, an old man, and two boys. 
 
 Post. Nay, do not wonder at it : you are made 
 Rather to wonder at the things you hear 
 Than to work any. Will you rhyme upon 't, 
 And vent it for a mockery ? Here is one : 
 ' Two boys, an old man twice a boy, a lane. 
 Preserved the Britons, was the Romans' bane. 
 
 Lord. Nay, be not angry, sir. 
 
 Post. 'Lack, to what end ? 
 
 Who dares not stand his foe, I '11 be his friend ; 60 
 For if he '11 do as he is made to do, 
 I know he '11 quickly fly my friendship too. 
 You have put me into rhyme. 
 123
 
 Act V. Sc. iii. CYMBELINE 
 
 Lord. Farewell; you 're angry. [Exit. 
 
 Post. Still going ? This is a lord ! O noble misery ! 
 To be i' the field, and ask * what news ? ' of me ! 
 To-day how many would have given their honours 
 To have saved their carcasses ! took heel to do 't, 
 And yet died too ! I, in mine own woe charm'd, 
 Could not find death where I did hear him groan, 
 Nor feel him where he struck. Being an ugly 
 monster, 70 
 
 'Tis strange he hides him in fresh cups, soft beds, 
 Sweet words ; or hath moe ministers than we 
 That draw his knives i' the war. Well, I will find 
 
 him : 
 For being now a favourer to the Briton, 
 No more a Briton, I have resumed again 
 The part I came in : fight I will no more, 
 But yield me to the veriest hind that shall 
 Once touch my shoulder. Great the slaughter is 
 Here made by the Roman ; great the answer be 
 Britons must take. For me, my ransom 's death : 80 
 On either side I come to spend my breath, 
 Which neither here I '11 keep nor bear again, 
 But end it by some means for Imogen. 
 
 Enter two British Captains and Soldiers. 
 
 First Cap. Great Jupiter be praised ! Lucius is taken : 
 'Tis thought the old man and his sons were angels. 
 
 . Sec. Cap. There was a fourth man, in a silly habit. 
 That gave the affront with them. 
 
 First Cap. So 'tis reported : 
 
 But none of 'em can be found. Stand ! who 's there? 
 
 Post. A Roman ; 
 
 124
 
 CYMBELINE Act V. Sc. iv. 
 
 Who had not now been drooping here if seconds 90 
 Had answer'd him. 
 Sec. Cap. Lay hands on him ; a dog ! 
 
 A leg of Rome shall not return to tell 
 What crows have peck'd them here. He brags his 
 
 service 
 As if he were of note : bring him to the king. 
 
 Enter Cymbcline, Belarius, Gtiiderins, Arviragus, Pisanio, 
 and Roman Captives. The Captains present Pos- 
 thmnns to Cymbeline, who delivers him over to a 
 Gaoler: then exeunt omnes. 
 
 Scene IV. 
 
 A British prison. 
 
 Enter Posthnmiis and two Gaolers. 
 
 First Gaol. You shall not now be stol'n, you have locks 
 upon you : 
 So graze as you find pasture. 
 Sec. Gaol. Ay, or a stomach. 
 
 [Exeunt Gaolers. 
 Post. Most welcome, bondage ! for thou art a way, 
 I think, to liberty : yet am I better 
 Than one that 's sick o' the gout ; since he had rather 
 Groan so in perpetuity than be cured 
 By the sure physician, death, who is the key 
 To unbar these locks. My conscience, thou art 
 
 fetter'd 
 More than my shanks and wrists : you good gods, 
 
 give me 
 The penitent instrument to pick that bolt, 10 
 
 Then, free for ever ! Is 't enough I am sorry ? 
 
 125
 
 Act V. Sc. iv. CYMBELINE 
 
 So children temporal fathers do appease ; 
 
 Gods are more full of mercy. Must I repent ? 
 
 I cannot do it better than in gyves, 
 
 Desired more than constrained : to satisfy, 
 
 If of my freedom 'tis the main part, take 
 
 No stricter render of me than my all. 
 
 I know you are more clement than vile men, 
 
 Who of their broken debtors take a third, 
 
 A sixth, a tenth, letting them thrive again 20 
 
 On their abatement : that 's not my desire : 
 
 For Imogen's dear life take mine ; and though 
 
 'Tis not so dear, yet 'tis a life ; you coin'd it : 
 
 'Tween man and man they weigh not every stamp ; 
 
 Though light, take pieces for the figure's sake : 
 
 You rather mine, being yours : and so, great powers. 
 
 If you will take this audit, take this life, 
 
 And cancel these cold bonds. O Imogen ! 
 
 I '11 speak to thee in silence. [Sleeps. 
 
 Solemn music. Enter, as in an apparition, Siciliiis Le-^ 
 onatns, father to Posthuinns, an old man, attired like 
 a warrior; leading in his hand an ancient matron, 
 his zvife and mother to Posthnmns, with music before 
 them: then, after other music, follow the tzvo young 
 Leonati. brothers to Posthnmus, with zvoiinds as they 
 died in the zvars. They circle Posthnmns round as he 
 lies sleeping. 
 
 Sici. No more, thou thunder-master, show 30 
 
 Thy spite on mortal flies : 
 With Mars fall out, with Juno chide, 
 That thy adulteries 
 Rates and revenges. 
 126
 
 CYMBELINE Act V. Sc. iv. 
 
 Hath my poor boy done aught but well, 
 
 Whose face I never saw ? 
 I died whilst in the womb he stay'd 
 
 Attending nature's law : 
 Whose father then — as men report 
 
 Thou orphans' father art — 40 
 
 Thou shouldst have been, and shielded him 
 
 From this earth-vexing smart. 
 
 Moth. Lucina lent not me her aid, 
 But took me in my throes ; 
 That from me was Posthumus ript, 
 Came crying 'mongst his foes, 
 A thing of pity ! 
 
 Sici. Great nature, like his ancestry. 
 Moulded the stuff so fair, 
 That he deserved the praise o' the world, 50 
 
 As great Sicilius' heir. 
 
 First Bro. When once he was mature for man, 
 In Britain where was he 
 That could stand up his parallel. 
 
 Or fruitful object be 
 In eye of Imogen, that best 
 Could deem his dignity? 
 
 Moth. With marriage wherefore was he mock'd 
 To be exiled, and thrown 
 From Leonati seat, and cast 60 
 
 From her his dearest one. 
 Sweet Imogen ? 
 
 Sici. Why did you suffer lachimo, 
 Slight thing of Italy, 
 
 127
 
 Act V. Sc. iv. CYMBELINE 
 
 To taint his nobler heart and brain 
 
 With needless jealousy; 
 And to become the geek and scorn 
 
 O' the other's villany ? 
 
 Sec. Bro. For this, from stiller seats we came, 
 
 Our parents and us twain, 70 
 
 That striking in our country's cause 
 Fell bravely and were slain, 
 
 Our fealty and Tenantius' right 
 With honour to maintain. 
 
 First Bro. Like hardiment Posthumus hath 
 
 To Cymbeline perform'd : 
 Then, Jupiter, thou king of gods. 
 
 Why hast thou thus adjourn'd 
 The graces for his merits due ; 
 
 Being all to dolours turn'd? 80 
 
 Sici. Thy crystal window ope ; look out ; 
 No longer exercise 
 Upon a valiant race thy harsh 
 And potent injuries. 
 
 Moth. Since, Jupiter, our son is good, 
 Take off his miseries. 
 
 Sici. Peep through thy marble mansion ; help ; 
 Or we poor ghosts will cry 
 To the shining synod of the rest 
 
 Against thy deity. 90 
 
 Both Bro. Help, Jupiter ; or we appeal, 
 And from thy justice fly. 
 
 128
 
 CYMBELINE Act V. Sc. iv. 
 
 Jupiter descends in thunder and lightning, sitting upon 
 an eagle: he throzvs a thunderbolt. The Ghosts fall 
 on their knees. 
 
 Jup. No more, you petty spirits of region low, 
 
 Offend our hearing ; hush ! How dare you ghosts 
 Accuse the thunderer, whose bolt, you know, 
 
 Sky-planted, batters all rebelling coasts ? 
 Poor shadows of Elysium, hence, and rest 
 
 Upon your never-withering banks of flowers : 
 Be not with mortal accidents opprest ; 
 
 No care of yours it is ; you know 'tis ours. lOO 
 
 Whom best I love I cross ; to make my gift, 
 
 The more delay'd, delighted. Be content ; 
 Your low-laid son our godhead will uplift : 
 
 His comforts thrive, his trials well are spent. 
 Our Jovial star reign'd at his birth, and in 
 
 Our temple was he married. Rise, and fade. 
 He shall be lord of lady Imogen, 
 
 And happier much by his affliction made. 
 This tablet lay upon his breast, wherein 
 
 Our pleasure his full fortune doth confine : no 
 
 And so away : no farther with your din 
 
 Express impatience, lest you stir up mine. 
 
 Mount, eagle, to my palace crystalline. [Ascends. 
 
 Sici. He came in thunder ; his celestial breath 
 Was sulphurous to smell : the holy eagle 
 Stoop'd, as to foot us : his ascension is 
 More sweet than our blest fields : his royal bird 
 Prunes the irnmortal wing and cloys his beak, 
 As when his god is pleased. 
 
 ^//. Thanks, Jupiter! 
 
 129
 
 Act V. Sc. iv. CYMBELINE 
 
 Sici. The marble pavement closes, he is enter'd 120 
 
 His radiant roof. Away ! and, to be blest, 
 Let us with care perform his great behest. 
 
 [The Ghosts vanish. 
 
 Post. [Waking'] Sleep, thou hast been a grandsire, and 
 
 begot 
 A father to me ; and thou hast created 
 A mother and two brothers : but, O scorn ! 
 Gone ! they went hence so soon as they were born : 
 And so I am awake. Poor wretches that depend 
 On greatness' favour dream as I have done ; 
 Wake, and find nothing. But, alas, I swerve : 
 Many dream not to find, neither deserve, 130 
 
 And yet are steep'd in favours ; so am I, 
 That have this golden chance, and know not why. 
 What fairies haunt this groimd? A book? O rare 
 
 one! 
 Be not, as is our fangled world, a garment 
 Nobler than that it covers : let thy effects 
 So follow, to be most unlike our courtiers. 
 As good as promise. 
 
 [Reads] ' When as a lion's whelp shall, to 
 himself unknown, without seeking find, and be 
 embraced by a piece of tender air, and when 140 
 from a stately cedar shall be lopped branches, 
 w^hich, being dead many years, shall after revive, 
 be jointed to the old stock and freshly grow, then 
 shall Posthumus end his miseries, Britain be 
 fortunate and flourish m peace and plenty.' 
 
 'Tis still a dream ; or else such stuff as madmen 
 Tongue, and brain not : either both, or nothing : 
 Or senseless speaking, or a speaking such 
 
 130
 
 CYMBELINE Act V. Sc. iv. 
 
 As sense cannot untie. Be what it is, 
 
 The action of my Hfe is Hke it, which 1 50 
 
 I '11 keep, if but for sympathy. 
 
 Re-enter Gaolers, 
 
 First Gaol. Come, sir, are you ready for death? 
 
 Post. Over-roasted rather ; ready long ago. 
 
 First Gaol. Hanging is the word, sir : if you be ready 
 for that, you are well cooked. 
 
 Post. So, if I prove a good repast to the spectators, 
 the dish pays the shot. 
 
 First Gaol. A heavy reckoning for you, sir. But the 
 comfort is, you shall be called to no more pay- 
 ments, fear no more tavern-bills ; which are 160 
 often the sadness of parting, as the procuring 
 of mirth : you come in faint for want of meat, 
 depart reeling with too much drink ; sorry that 
 you have paid too much,* and sorry that you are 
 paid too much ; purse and brain both empty, the . 
 brain the heavier for being too light, the purse 
 too light, being drawn of heaviness : of this con- 
 tradiction you shall now be quit. O, the charity 
 of a penny cord ! it sums up thousands in a trice : 
 you have no true debitor and creditor but it; of 170 
 what 's past, is, and to come, the discharge : your 
 neck, sir, is pen, book and counters; so the 
 acquittance follows. 
 
 Post. I am merrier to die than thou art to live. 
 
 First Gaol Indeed, sir, he that sleeps feels not the 
 toothache: but a man that were to sleep your 
 sleep, and a hangman to help him to bed, I 
 think he would change places with his officer ; 
 
 131
 
 Act V, Sc. iv. CYMBELINE 
 
 for, look you, sir, you know not which way you 
 shall go. 1 80 
 
 Post. Yes, indeed do I, fellow. 
 
 First Gaol, Your death has eyes in 's head then ; I 
 have not seen him so pictured : you must either 
 be directed by some that take upon them to 
 know, or to take upon yourself that which I am 
 sure you do not know, or jump the after-inquiry 
 on your own peril : and how you shall speed in 
 your journey's end, I think you'll never return 
 to tell one. 
 
 Post. I tell thee, fellow, there are none w^ant eyes to 
 
 direct them the way I am going, but such as 190 
 wink and will not use them. 
 
 First Gaol. What an infinite mock is this, that a man 
 should have the best use of eyes to see the way 
 of blindness ! I am sure hanging 's the way of 
 winking. 
 
 Enter a Messenger. 
 
 Mess, Knock off his manacles; bring your prisoner 
 to the king. 
 
 Post. Thou bringest good news, I am called to be 
 made free. 
 
 First Gaol. I '11 be hanged then. 200 
 
 Post. Thou shalt be then freer than a gaoler; no 
 
 bolts for the dead. [Exeunt all but First Gaoler. 
 
 First Gaol. Unless a man would marry a gallows and 
 beget young gibbets, I never saw one so prone. 
 Yet, on my conscience, there are verier knaves 
 desire to live, for all he be a Roman : and there 
 be some of them too, that die against their wills ; 
 so should I, if I were one. I would we were 
 all of one mind, and one mind good; O, there 
 
 132
 
 CYMBELINE Act V. Sc. v. 
 
 were desolation of gaolers and gallowses! I 210 
 speak against my present profit, but my wish 
 iiath a preferment in 't. [Exit. 
 
 Scene V. 
 
 Cymhcline's tent. 
 
 Enter Cynihcline, Belarins, Guideriiis, Arviragus, 
 Pisanio, Lords, Officers, and Attendants. 
 
 Cyni. 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 shamed gilded arms, whose naked breast 
 Stepp'd before targes of proof, cannot be found : 
 He shall be happy that can find him, if 
 Our grace can make him so. 
 
 Bel. I never saw 
 
 Such noble fury in so poor a thing ; 
 Such precious deeds in one that promised nought 
 But beggary and poor looks. 
 
 Cym. No tidings of him? 10 
 
 Pis. He hath been search'd among the dead and living, 
 But no trace of him. 
 
 Cym. To my grief, I am 
 
 The heir of his reward ; [To Belarins, Guiderius, and 
 
 Arz'iragus] which I will add 
 To you, the liver, heart, and brain of Britain, 
 By whom I grant she fives. 'Tis now the time 
 To ask of whence you are : report it. 
 
 Bel. Sir, 
 
 In Cambria are we born, and gentlemen 
 Further to boast were neither true nor modest, 
 
 133
 
 Act V. Sc. V. CYMBELINE 
 
 Unless I add we are honest. 
 Cym. Bow your knees. 
 
 Arise my knights o' the battle : I create you 20 
 
 Companions to our person, and will fit you 
 With dignities becoming your estates. 
 
 Enter Cornelius and Ladies. 
 
 There 's business in these faces. Why so sadly 
 Greet you our victory? you look like Romans, 
 And not o' the court of Britain. 
 
 Cor. Hail, great king! 
 
 To sour your happiness, I must report 
 The queen is dead. 
 
 Cyni. Who worse than a physician 
 
 Would this report become? But I consider, 
 By medicine life may be prolong'd, yet death 
 Will seize the doctor too ? How ended she ? 30 
 
 Cor. With horror, madly dying, like her life ; 
 Which, being cruel to the world, concluded 
 Most cruel to herself. What she confess'd 
 I will report, so please you : these her women 
 Can trip me if I err ; who with wet cheeks 
 Were present w^hen she finish'd. 
 
 Cym. Prithee, say. 
 
 Cor. First, she confess'd she never loved you, only 
 Affected greatness got by you, not you : 
 Married your royalty, was wife to your place, 
 Abhorr'd your person. 
 
 Cytn. She alone knew this ; 40 
 
 And, but she spoke in dying, I would not 
 Believe her lips in opening it. Proceed. 
 
 Cor. Your daughter, whom she bore in hand to love 
 
 134
 
 CYMBELINE Act V. Sc. v. 
 
 With such integrity, she did confess 
 Was as a scorpion to her sight; whose Hfe, 
 But that her flight prevented it, she had 
 Ta'en off by poison. 
 
 Cym. O most deHcate fiend ! 
 
 Who is 't can read a woman? Is there more? 
 
 Cor. More, sir, and worse. She did confess she had 
 
 For you a mortal mineral ; which, being took, 50 
 Should bythe minute feed on life and lingering 
 By inches waste you : in which time she purposed, 
 By watching, weeping, tendance, kissing, to 
 O'ercome you with her show, and in time. 
 When she had fitted you with her craft, to work 
 Her son into the adoption of the crown : 
 But, failing of her end by his strange absence. 
 Grew shameless-desperate ; open'd, in despite 
 Of heaven and men, her purposes ; repented 
 The evils she hatch'd were not effected ; so 60 
 
 Despairing died. 
 
 Cym. Heard you all this, her women ? 
 
 Ladies. We did, so please your highness. 
 
 Cym. Mine eyes 
 
 Were not in fault, for she was beautiful. 
 Mine ears that heard her flattery, nor my heart 
 That thought her like her seeming; it had been 
 
 vicious 
 To have mistrusted her : yet, O my daughter 
 That it was folly in me, thou mayst say. 
 And prove it in thy feeling. Heaven mend all ! 
 
 Enter Lucius, lachimo, the Soothsayer, and other Roman 
 Prisoners, guarded; Posthumus behind, and Imogen. 
 
 Thou comest not, Caius, now for tribute ; that 
 135
 
 Act V. Sc. V. CYMBELINE 
 
 The Britons have razed out, though with the loss 70 
 Of many a bold one ; whose kinsmen have made suit 
 That their good souls may be appeased with slaughter 
 Of you their captives, which ourself have granted : 
 So think of your estate. 
 
 Luc. Consider, sir, the chance of war : the day 
 Was yours by accident ; had it gone with us, 
 We should not, when the blood was cool, have 
 
 threaten'd 
 Our prisoners with the sword. But since the gods 
 Will have it thus, that nothing but our lives 
 May be call'd ransom, let it come : sufficeth 80 
 
 A Roman with a Roman's heart can suffer : 
 Augustus lives to think on 't : and so much 
 For my peculiar care. This one thing only 
 I will entreat ; my boy, a Briton born, 
 Let him be ransom'd : never master had 
 A page so kind, so duteous, diligent, 
 So tender over his occasions, true. 
 So feat, so nurse-like : let his virtue join 
 With my request, which I '11 make bold your highness 
 Cannot deny ; he hath done no Briton harm, 90 
 
 Though he have served a Roman : save him, sir, 
 And spare no blood beside. 
 
 Cym. I have surely seen him : 
 
 His favour is familiar to me. Boy, 
 Thou hast look'd thyself into my grace. 
 And art mine own. I know not why, nor wherefore. 
 To say, live, boy : ne'er thank thy master ; live : 
 And ask of Cymbeline what boon thou wilt. 
 Fitting my bounty and thy state, I '11 give it ; 
 Yea, though thou do demand a prisoner, 
 
 136 
 
 J
 
 CYMBELINE Act V. Sc. v. 
 
 The noblest ta'en. 
 Imo. I humbly thank your highness. lOO 
 
 Luc. I do not bid thee beg- my life, good lad, 
 
 And yet I know thou wilt. 
 Imo. Xo, no: alack, 
 
 There 's other work in hand : I see a thing 
 
 Bitter to me as death : your life, good master, 
 
 Must shuffle for itself. 
 Luc. The boy disdains me. 
 
 He leaves me, scorns me : briefly die their joys 
 
 That place them on the truth of girls and boys. 
 
 Why stands he so perplex'd? 
 Cym. What wouldst thou, boy? 
 
 I love thee more and more : think more and more 
 
 What 's best to ask. Know'st him thou look'st on ? 
 speak, no 
 
 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 
 vassal. 
 
 Am something nearer. 
 Cym. Wherefore eyest him so? 
 
 Imo. I '11 tell you, sir, in private, if you please 
 
 To give me hearing. 
 Cym. Ay, with all my heart. 
 
 And lend my best attention. What 's thy name ? 
 Imo. Fidele, sir. 
 Cym. Thou 'rt my good youth, my page ; 
 
 I '11 be thy master : walk with me ; speak freely. 
 
 [Cyinbcline and Imogen converse apart. 
 Bel. Is not this boy revived from death ? 
 Arv. One sand another 120 
 
 137
 
 Act V. Sc. V. CYMBELINE 
 
 Not more resembles that sweet rosy lad 
 
 Who died, and was Fidele. What think you? 
 Gui. The same dead thing alive. 
 Bel. Peace, peace! see further; he eyes us not; forbear; 
 
 Creatures rnay be alike : were 't he, I am sure 
 
 He would have spoke to us. 
 Gui. But we saw him dead. 
 
 Bel. Be silent ; let 's see further. 
 Pis. [Aside] It is my mistress : 
 
 Since she is living, let the time run on. 
 
 To good or bad. 
 
 [Gymbeline and Imogen come forzuard. 
 Gym. Come, stand thou by our side ; 
 
 Make thy demand aloud. [To lachiuio] Sir, step 
 you forth; 130 
 
 Give answer to this boy, and do it freely; 
 
 Or, by our greatness and the grace of it. 
 
 Which is our honour, bitter torture shall 
 
 Winnow the truth from falsehood. On, speak to 
 him. 
 Imo. My boon is that this gentleman may render 
 
 Of whom he had this ring. 
 Post. [Aside] Wliat 's that to him? 
 
 Gym. That diamond upon your finger, say 
 
 How came it yours? 
 lach. Thou 'It torture me to leave unspoken that 
 
 Which, to be spoke, would torture thee. 
 Gym. How! me? 140 
 
 lach. I am glad to be constrain'd to utter that 
 
 Which torments me to conceal. By villany 
 
 I got this ring: 'twas Leonatus' jewel; 
 
 Whom thou didst banish; and — which more may 
 grieve thee, 
 
 As it doth me, — a nobler sir ne'er lived 
 
 138
 
 CYMBELINE Act V. Sc. v, 
 
 'Twixt sky and ground. Wilt thou tiear more, my 
 lord? 
 
 Cym. All that belongs to this. 
 
 lach. That paragon, thy daughter, 
 
 For whom my heart drops blood and my false spirits 
 Quail to remember — Give me leave ; I faint. 
 
 Cym. My daughter ? what of her ? Renew thy strength : 
 I had rather thou shouldst live while nature will 151 
 Than die ere I hear more : strive, man, and speak. 
 
 lach. Upon a time — unhappy was the clock 
 
 That struck the hour ! — it was in Rome, — accurst 
 The mansion where! — 'twas at a feast, — O, would 
 Our viands had been poison'd, or at least 
 Those which I heaved to head! — the good Pos- 
 
 thumus, — 
 What should I say ? he was too good to be 
 Where ill men were ; and was the best of all 
 Amongst the rarest of good ones — sitting sadly, 160 
 Hearing us praise our loves of Italy 
 For beauty that made barren the swell'd boast 
 Of him that best could speak ; for feature, laming , 
 The shrine of Venus, or straight-pight Minerva, 
 Postures beyond brief nature ; for condition, 
 A shop of all the qualities that man 
 Loves woman for ; besides that hook of wiving, 
 Fairness which strikes the eye — 
 
 Cym. T stand on fire : 
 
 Come to the matter. 
 
 lach. All too soon I shall, 
 
 Unless thou wouldst grieve quickly. This Posthu- 
 
 mus. 
 Most like a noble lord in love and one 171 
 
 That had a royal lover, took his hint, 
 
 139
 
 Act V. Sc. V. CYMBELINE 
 
 And not dispraising whom we praised, — therein 
 
 He was as calm as virtue — he began 
 
 His mistress' picture ; which by his tongue being 
 
 made, 
 And then a mind put in 't, either our brags 
 Were crack'd of kitchen-trulls, or his description 
 Proved us unspeaking sots. 
 
 Cym. Nay, nay, to the purpose. 
 
 lach. Your daughter's chastity — there it begins. 
 
 He spake of her, as Dian had hot dreams, i8o 
 
 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 linger, to attain 
 In suit the place of 's bed and win this ring 
 By hers and mine adultery : he, true knight, 
 No lesser of her honour confident 
 Than I did truly find her, stakes this ring ; 
 And would so, had it been a carbuncle 
 Of Phoebus' wheel ; and might so safely, had it 190 
 Been all the worth of 's car. Away to Britain 
 Post I in this design : well may you, sir, 
 Remember me at court ; where I w^as taught 
 Of your chaste daughter the wide difference 
 'Twixt amorous and villanous. Being thus quench'd 
 Of hope, not longing, mine Italian brain 
 'Gan in your duller Britain operate 
 Most vilely ; for my vantage, excellent ; 
 And, to be brief, my practice so prevail'd, 
 That I return'd with similar proof enough 200 
 
 To make the noble Leonatus mad, 
 By wounding his belief in her renown 
 
 140
 
 CYMBELINE Act V. Sc. v. 
 
 With tokens thus, and thus ; averring notes 
 
 Of chamber-hanging, pictures, this her bracelet, — 
 
 cunning, how I got it ! — nay, some marks 
 Of secret on her person, that he could not 
 But think her bond of chastity quite crack'd, 
 
 1 having ta'en the forfeit. Whereupon — 
 Methinks I see him now — 
 
 Post. [Advancing^ Ay, so thou dost, 
 
 Italian fiend ! Ay me, most credulous fool, 210 
 
 Egregious murderer, thief, any thing 
 
 That 's due to all the villains past, in being, 
 
 To come ! O, give me cord, or knife, or poison. 
 
 Some upright justicer! Thou, king, send out 
 
 For torturers ingenious : It Is I 
 
 That all the abhorred things o' the earth amend 
 
 By being worse than they. I am Posthumus, 
 
 That kill'd thy daughter : villain-like, T He ; 
 
 That caused a lesser villain than myself, 
 
 A sacrilegious thief, to do 't. The temple 220 
 
 Of virtue was she ; yea, and she herself. 
 
 Spit, and throw stones, cast mire upon me, set 
 
 The dogs o' the street to bay me : every villain 
 
 Be call'd Posthumus Leonatus, and 
 
 Be vlUany less than 'twas ! O Imogen ! 
 
 My queen, my life, my wife ! O Imogen, 
 
 Imogen, Imogen ! 
 
 Imo. Peace, my lord ; hear, hear — 
 
 Post. Shall 's have a play of this ? Thou scornful page. 
 There lie thy part. [Striking her: she falls. 
 
 Pis. O, gentlemen, help! 229 
 
 Mine and your mistress ! O, my lord Posthumus ! 
 You ne'er kill'd Imogen till now. Help, help ! 
 
 141
 
 Act V. Sc. V. CYMBELINE 
 
 Mine honour'd lady ! 
 
 Cym. Does the world go round? 
 
 Post. How came these staggers on me ? 
 
 Pis. Wake, my mistress ! 
 
 Cym. If this be so, the gods do mean to strike me 
 To death with mortal joy. 
 
 Pis. How fares my mistress ? 
 
 lino. O, get thee from my sight ; 
 
 Thou gavest me poison : dangerous fellow, hence ! 
 Breathe not where princes are. 
 
 Cyin. The tune of Imogen ! 
 
 Pis. Lady, 
 
 The gods throw stones of sulphur on me, if 240 
 
 That box I gave you was not thought by me 
 A precious thing: I had it from the queen. 
 
 Cym. New matter still? 
 
 lino. It poison'd me. 
 
 Cor. O gods! 
 
 I left out one thing which the queen confessed, 
 Which must approve thee honest: ' If Pisanio 
 Have,' said she, * given his mistress that confection 
 Which I gave him for cordial, she is served 
 As I would serve a rat.' 
 
 Cym. What 's this, Cornelius ? 
 
 Co7\ The queen, sir, very oft importuned me 
 
 To temper poisons for her, still pretending 250 
 
 The satisfaction of her knowledge only 
 In killing creatures vile, as cats and dogs, 
 Of no esteem : I, dreading that her purpose 
 Was of more danger, did compound for her 
 A certain stuff, which being ta'en would cease 
 The present power of life, but in short time 
 142
 
 CYMBELINE Act V. Sc. v. 
 
 All offices of nature should again 
 
 Do their due functions. Have you ta'en of it? 
 
 Into. Most like I did, for I was dead. 
 
 Bel. j\Iy boys, 
 
 There was our error. 
 ^ Giii. This is, sure, Fidele. 260 
 
 Imo. Why did you throw your wedded lady from you? 
 Think that you are upon a rock, and now 
 Throw me again. [Embracing him. 
 
 Post. Hang there like fruit, my soul. 
 
 Till the tree die ! 
 
 Cym. How now, my flesh, my child ! 
 
 What, makest thou me a dullard in this act ? 
 Wilt thou not speak to me? 
 
 Imo. [Kneeling'] Your blessing, sir. 
 
 Bel. [To Giii. and Arv.] Though you did love this youth, 
 I blame ye not ; 
 You had a motive for 't. 
 
 Cym. My tears that fall 
 
 Prove holy water on thee ! Imogen, 
 Thy mother 's dead. 
 
 Imo. I am sorry for 't, my lord. 270 
 
 Cym. O, she was naught ; and long of her it was 
 That we meet here so strangely : but her son 
 Is gone, we know not how nor where. 
 
 Pis. My lord. 
 
 Now fear is from me, I '11 speak troth. Lord Cloten, 
 
 Upon my lady's missing, came to me 
 
 With his sword drawn ; foam'd at the mouth, and 
 
 swore. 
 If I discovered not wdiich way she was gone, 
 It was my instant death. By accident, 
 
 143
 
 Act V. Sc. V. CYMBELINE 
 
 I had a feigned letter of my master's 
 Then in my pocket ; which directed him 280 
 
 To seek her on the mountains near to Milford ; 
 Where, in a frenzy, m my master's garments, 
 Which he enforced from me, away he posts 
 With unchaste purpose, and with oath to violate 
 My lady's honour : what became of him 
 I further know not. 
 
 Gui. Let me end the story: 
 
 I slew him there. 
 
 Cym. Marry, the gods forfend ! 
 
 I would not thy good deeds should from my lips 
 Pluck a hard sentence : prithee, valiant youth. 
 Deny 't again. 
 
 Gui. I have spoke it, and I did it. 290 
 
 Cym. He was a prince. 
 
 Gui. A most incivil one : the wrongs he did me 
 
 Were nothing prince-like ; for he did provoke me 
 With language that would make me spurn the sea, 
 If it could so roar to me : I cut off 's head ; 
 And am right glad he is not standing here 
 To tell this tale of mine. 
 
 Cym. I am sorry for thee : 
 
 By thine own tongue thou art condemn'd, and must 
 Endure our law : thou 'rt dead. 
 
 Imo. That headless man 
 
 I thought had been my lord. 
 
 Cym. Bind the offender, 300 
 
 And take him from our presence. 
 
 Bel. Stay, sir king : 
 
 This man is better than the man he slew, 
 As well descended as thyself, and hath 
 144
 
 CYMBELINE Act V. Sc. v. 
 
 More of thee merited than a band of Clotens 
 
 Had ever scar for. [To the Guard] Let his arms 
 
 alone ; 
 They were not born for bondage. 
 
 Cyiu, Why, old soldier, 
 
 Wilt thou undo the worth thou art unpaid for, 
 By tasting of our wrath? How of descent 
 As good as we ? 
 
 Arv. In that he spake too far. 
 
 Cyin. And thou shalt die for 't. 
 
 Bel. We will die all three: 310 
 
 But I will prove that two on 's are as good 
 As I have given out him. ]\Iy sons, I must 
 For mine own part unfold a dangerous speech, 
 Though haply well for you. 
 
 Arv. Your danger 's ours. 
 
 Gni. And our good his. 
 
 Bel. Have at it then, by leave. 
 
 Thou hadst, great king, a subject who 
 
 Was call'd Belarius. 
 Cyin. What of him ? he is 
 
 A banish'd traitor. 
 Bel. He it is that hath 
 
 Assumed this age, indeed a banish'd man ; 
 
 I know not how a traitor. 
 Cym. Take him hence: 320 
 
 The whole world shall not save him. 
 Bel. Not too hot: 
 
 First pay me for the nursing of thy sons ; 
 
 And let it be confiscate all, so soon 
 
 As I have received it. 
 
 Cym. Nursing of my sons ! 
 
 145
 
 Act V. Sc. V. CYMBELINE 
 
 Bel. I am too blunt and saucy : here 's my knee: 
 Ere I arise I will prefer my sons ; 
 Then spare not the old father. Mighty sir, 
 These two young gentlemen, that call me father 
 And think they are my sons, are none of mine ; 
 They are the issue of your loins, my liege, 330 
 
 And blood of your begetting. 
 
 Cym. How ! my issue ! 
 
 Bel. So sure as you your father's. I, old Morgan, 
 Am that Belarius whom you sometime banish'd : 
 Your pleasure was my mere offence, my punishment 
 Itself, and all my treason : that I suffer'd 
 Was all the harm I did. These gentle princes — • 
 For such and so they are — these twenty years 
 Have I train'd up : those arts they have as I 
 Could put into them ; my breeding was, sir, as 
 Your highness knows. Their nurse, Euriphile, 340 
 Whom for the theft I wedded, stole these children 
 Upon my banishment : I moved her to 't, 
 Having received the punishment before 
 For that which I did then : beaten for loyalty 
 Excited me to treason : their dear loss, 
 The more of you 'twas felt, the more it shaped 
 Unto my end of stealing them. But, gracious sir, 
 Here are your sons again ; and I must lose 
 Two of the sweet'st companions in the world. 
 The benediction of these covering heavens 350 
 
 Fall on their heads like dew ! for they are worthy 
 To inlay heaven with stars. 
 
 Cym. Thou weep'st, and speak'st. 
 
 The service that you three have done is more 
 Unlike than this thou tell'st. I lost my children : 
 146
 
 CYMBELINE Act V. Sc. v. 
 
 If these be they, I know not how to wish 
 A pair of worthier sons. 
 Bel. Be pleased awhile. 
 
 This gentleman, whom I call Polydore, 
 Most worthy prince, as yours, is true Guiderius : 
 This gentleman, my Cadwal, Arviragus, 
 Your younger princely son ; he, sir, was lapp'd 360 
 In a most curious mantle, wrought by the hand 
 Of his queen mother, which for more probation 
 I can with ease produce. 
 Cym. Guiderius had 
 
 Upon his neck a mole, a sanguine star; 
 It is 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. O, what am I ? 
 
 A mother to the birth of three? Ne'er mother 
 Rejoiced deliverance more. Blest pray you be, 370 
 That, after this strange starting from your orbs, 
 You may reign in them now! O Imogen, 
 Thou hast lost by this a kingdom. 
 Into. No, my lord ; 
 
 I have got two worlds by 't. O my gentle brothers. 
 Have we thus met ? O, never say hereafter 
 But I am truest speaker : you call'd me brother. 
 When I was but your sister ; I you brothers. 
 When ye were so indeed. 
 Cym. Did you e'er meet? 
 
 Arv. Ay, my good lord. 
 
 Qui. And at first meeting loved, 
 
 147
 
 Act V. Sc. V. CYMBELINE 
 
 Continued so, until we thought he died. 380 
 
 Cor. By the queen's dram she swallow'd. 
 
 Cym. O rare instinct ! 
 
 When shall I hear all through ? This fierce abridge- 
 ment 
 Hath to it circumstantial branches, which 
 Distinction should be rich in. Where? how lived 
 
 you? 
 And when came you to serve our Roman captive? 
 How parted with your brothers ? how first met them ? 
 Why fled you from the court ? and whither ? These, 
 And your three motives to the battle, with 
 I know not how much more, should be demanded ; 
 And all the other by-dependances, 390 
 
 From chance to chance : but nor the time nor place 
 Will serve our long inter'gatories. See, 
 Posthumus anchors upon Imogen ; 
 And she, like harmless lightning, throws her eye 
 On him, her brothers, me, her master, hitting 
 Each object with a joy: the counterchange 
 Is severally in all. Let 's quit this ground. 
 And smoke the temple with our sacrifices. 
 [To Belarius] Thou art my brother; so we'll hold 
 thee ever. 
 
 Imo. You are my father too ; and did relieve me, 400 
 To see this gracious season. 
 
 Cym. All o'erjoy'd, 
 
 Save these in bonds : let them be joyful too, 
 For they shall taste our comfort. 
 
 Imo. My good master, 
 
 I will yet do you service. 
 
 Luc. Happy be you! 
 
 148
 
 CYMBELINE Act V. Sc. v. 
 
 Cym. The forlorn soldier that so nobly fought, 
 
 He would have well becomed this place and graced 
 The thankings of a king. 
 
 Post. I am, sir. 
 
 The soldier that did company these three 
 
 In poor beseeming ; 'twas a fitment for 
 
 The purpose I then foUow'd. That I was he, 410 
 
 Speak, lachimo : I had you down, and might 
 
 Have made you finish. 
 
 lach. [Kneeling] I am down again: 
 
 But now my heavy conscience sinks my knee, 
 
 As then your force did. Take that life, beseech you. 
 
 Which I so often owe : but your ring first ; 
 
 And here the bracelet of the truest princess 
 
 That ever swore her faith. 
 
 Post. Kneel not to me : 
 
 The power that I have on you is to spare you ; 
 The malice towards you to forgive you : live, 
 And deal with others better. 
 
 Cym. Nobly doom'd ! 420 
 
 We '11 learn our freeness of a son-in-law ; 
 Pardon 's the word to all. 
 
 ^fi,^ You holp us, sir. 
 
 As you did mean indeed to be our brother ; 
 Joy'd are we that you are. 
 
 Post. Your servant, princes. Good my lord of Rome, 
 Call forth your soothsayer : as I slept, methought 
 Great Jupiter, upon his eagle back'd, 
 Appear'd to me, with other spritely shows 
 Of mine own kindred : when I waked, I found 
 This label on my bosom ; whose containing 430 
 
 Is so from sense in hardness, that I can 
 149
 
 Act V. Sc. V. CYMBELINE 
 
 Make no collection of it : let him show 
 His skill in the construction. 
 
 Luc. Philarmonus ! 
 
 Sooth. Here, my good lord. 
 
 Luc. Read, and declare the meaning. 
 
 Sooth. [Reads] ' When as a lion's whelp shall, to 
 himself unknown, without seeking find, and be 
 embraced by a piece of tender air, and when 
 from a stately cedar shall be lopped branches, 
 which, being dead many years, shall after revive, 
 be jointed to the old stock and freshly grow, 440 
 then shall Posthumus end his miseries, Britain be 
 fortunate and flourish in peace and plenty.' 
 Thou, Leonatus, art the lion's whelp ; 
 The fit and apt construction of thy name, 
 Being Leo-natus, doth import so much. 
 [To Cymbeline] The piece of tender air, thy virtuous 
 
 daughter. 
 Which we call ' mollis aer ' ; and ' mollis aer ' 
 We term it ' mulier ' : which ' mulier ' I divine 
 Is this most constant wife ; who even now. 
 Answering the letter of the oracle, 450 
 
 Unknown to you, unsought, were clipp'd about 
 With this most tender air. 
 
 Cym. This hath some seeming. 
 
 Sooth. The lofty cedar, royal Cymbeline, 
 
 Personates thee : and thy lopp'd branches point 
 Thy two sons forth ; who, by Belarius stol'n, 
 For many years thought dead, are now revived, 
 To the most majestic cedar join'd, whose issue 
 Promises Britain peace and plenty. 
 
 Cym. Well ; 
 
 ISO
 
 CYMBELINE Act V. Sc. v. 
 
 My peace we will begin. And, Caius Lucius, 
 
 Although the victor, we submit to Caesar 460 
 
 And to the Roman empire, promising 
 
 To pay our wonted tribute, from the which 
 
 We were dissuaded by our wicked queen ; 
 
 Whom heavens in justice both on her and hers 
 
 Have laid most heavy hand. 
 
 Sooth. The fingers of the powers above do tune 
 The harmony of this peace. The vision, 
 Which I made known to Lucius ere the stroke 
 Of this yet scarce-cold battle, at this instant 
 Is full accomplish'd ; for the Roman eagle, 470 
 
 From south to west on wing soaring aloft, 
 Lessen'd herself and in the beams o' the sun 
 So vanish'd : which foreshow'd our princely eagle, 
 The imperial Csesar, should again unite 
 His favour with the radiant Cymbeline, 
 Which shines here in the west. 
 
 Cym. Laud we the gods ; 
 
 And let our crooked smokes climb to their nostrils 
 From our blest altars. Publish we this peace 
 To all our subjects. Set we forward : let 
 A Roman and a British ensign wave ' 480 
 
 FriendJy together : so through Lud's town march ; 
 And in the temple of great Jupiter 
 Our peace we '11 ratify ; seal it with feasts. 
 Set on there ! Never was a war did cease, 
 Ere bloody hands were wash'd, with such a peace. 
 
 {Exeunt. 
 
 151
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Glossary. 
 
 Abode; "desire my man's a.," 
 i.e. bid my servant to stay; I. 
 vi. 53- 
 
 Absolute, absolutely certain, 
 positive ; IV. ii. io6. 
 
 Abuse, deceive; I. vi. 131; IV. 
 
 ii. 351- 
 Abused, deceived; I. iv. 120; 
 
 III. iv. 105. 
 
 Act, action, operation; I. v. 22. 
 
 Action, state, course; V. iv. 
 150. 
 
 Adjourn' d, deferred; V. iv. 78. 
 
 Admiration, wonder, astonish- 
 ment; I. iv. 5; I. vi. 38. 
 
 , veneration and wonder ; 
 
 IV. ii. 232. 
 
 Adorer, idolator ; I. iv. 72. 
 Adventure, run the risk; III. 
 
 iv. 156. 
 Adventured, dared, ventured; 
 
 I. vi. 172. 
 Advice; "best a.," deliberate 
 
 consideration; I. i. 156. 
 Afeard, afraid; IV. ii. 94. 
 Affected, loved; V. v. 38. 
 Affiance, fidelity; I. vi. 163. 
 Affirmation; "bloody a.," 
 
 " sealing the truth with his 
 
 blood " ; I. iv. 62. 
 Affront; "gave the a.," con- 
 fronted the enemy ; V. iii. 87. 
 
 , confront ; IV. iii. 29. 
 
 Afric, Africa ; I. i. 167. 
 
 After, afterwards; I. v. 80; I. 
 
 vi. 50; II. iii. 18. 
 
 After, according to ; IV. ii. 334. 
 After-eye, look after ; I. iii. 16. 
 Air's from, air there is away 
 
 from ; III. iii. 29. 
 Albeit, although; II. iii. 60. 
 Allow' d, acknowledged; III. 
 
 iii. 17. 
 Amazed, confused; IV. iii. 28. 
 Amend, make better; V. v. 216. 
 Ancient, old, aged; V. iii. 15. 
 Andirons, irons at the side of 
 
 the fire-place ; II. iv. 88. 
 
 From an Italian specimen formerly in 
 the palace of Count Brancaleone. 
 
 152
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Glossary 
 
 Anney, harm; IV. iii. 34. 
 Anszver, punishment ; IV. iv. 
 
 13- 
 
 , return, retahation ; V. iii. 
 
 79- 
 
 , correspond to; IV. ii. 192. 
 
 Answer' d him, done Hke him ; 
 
 V. iii. Qi. 
 Ape, mimic, imitator; II. ii. 31. 
 Apparent, plain, evident; II. iv. 
 
 Apprehension, conception ; IV. 
 ii. no. 
 
 Approbation, attestation ; I. iv. 
 I 130. 
 
 Approve, prove; IV. ii. 380; V. 
 V. 245. 
 
 Approvers; " their a.." those 
 who make trial of their cour- 
 age ; II. iv. 25. 
 
 Arabian bird, the phoenix; I. 
 vi. 17. 
 
 Arm, take up into the arms ; 
 
 IV. ii. 400. 
 
 Arras, hangings of tapestry; II. 
 
 ii. 26. 
 As, for; I. vi. 130. 
 
 , like; II. iv. 84. 
 
 , as if; IV. ii. 50; V. ii. 16; 
 
 V. iv. 116. 
 
 Assumed, put on; V. v. 319. 
 
 At, on; III. iv. 193. 
 
 Atone, reconcile; I. iv. 41. 
 
 Attemptable, open to tempta- 
 tion; I. iv. 6i. 
 
 Attended, listened to; I. vi. 142. 
 
 Attending, doing service; III. 
 iii. 22. 
 
 , awaiting ; V. iv. 38. 
 
 Averring, alleging; V. v. 203. 
 
 Avoid! begone! away! I. i. 125. 
 
 Back'd, seated upon the back 
 of ; V. v. 427. 
 
 Base, a game in which the 
 quickest runner is the win- 
 ner; V. iii. 20. 
 
 Basilisk, the fabulous monster 
 whose look was supposed to 
 strike the beholder with 
 death ; II. iv. 107. 
 
 Basilisk. 
 
 From an illuminated MS. of XlVth 
 
 cent. 
 
 Bate, beat down, deduct ; III. 
 
 ii. 56. 
 Bay, bark at ; V. v. 223. 
 Beastly, like beasts; III. iii. 40; 
 
 V. iii. 27. 
 Becomed, become ; V. v. 406. 
 Behalf ; " in the clock's b.," i.e. 
 
 doing the service of a clock; 
 
 III. ii. 75. 
 Belch from, vomit from ; III. v. 
 
 137- 
 Bent, cast, look; I. i. 13. 
 Beseech, I beseech ; I. i. 153. 
 Beseeming, appearance; V. v. 
 
 409. 
 Betid, happened (Folios, " be- 
 
 tide") ; IV. iii. 40. 
 
 153
 
 Glossary 
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Be zvJiat it is; let it be what it 
 may ; V. iv. 149. 
 
 Beyond nature, which are im- 
 mortal ; V. V. 165. 
 
 Bier; IV. ii. 22. (See illustra- 
 tion.) 
 
 Bring, accompany, escort ; I. i. 
 
 171. 
 Brogues, thick shoes ; IV. ii. 
 
 214. 
 Bugs, bugbears; V. iii. 51. 
 But, except, without; V. v. 311. 
 
 From an early XVIIth century specimen, till recently preserved at the Churcl 
 of St. Nicholas, Gloucester. 
 
 Bloods, temperaments; I. i. i. 
 Bold, sure, confident; II. iv. 2. 
 Bondage, obligation; II. iv. iii. 
 Book, tablet; V. iv. 133. (See 
 
 Notes.) 
 Boo*; " to b.," in addition ; I. v. 
 
 69; II. iii. 34. 
 Bore in hand, falsely pretended, 
 
 abused with false hopes ; V. 
 
 V. 43- 
 Bow, makes to bow ; III. iii. 3. 
 , stoop in entering; III. iii. 
 
 83. 
 Brain not, do not understand; 
 
 V. iv. 147. 
 Brands, torches; II. iv. 91. 
 Bravely, well; II. ii. 15. 
 Bravery, " state of defiance " ; 
 
 III. i. 18. 
 Brawns, arms; IV. ii. 311. 
 Breeding, life ; V. iii. 17. 
 
 The arms of the old Irish family of 
 Arthure. 
 
 By, from; II. iv. 77, 78; III. v. 
 58. 
 
 By-dependances, accessory cir- 
 cumstances ; V. v. 390. 
 
 154
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Glossary 
 
 By-pceping, looking aside, side- 
 long glances (Johnson conj., 
 adopted by Steevens, 1773, 
 "lye peeping"; Collier MS., 
 "bo-peeping" ; Keightley, 
 "bide peeping"; etc., etc.); 
 I. vi. 108. 
 
 Calves' -guts, fiddle-strings; II. 
 
 iii. 32. 
 Capon, perhaps used quibbling- 
 
 ly for " cap on," i.e. " with a 
 
 coxcomb " ; II. i. 25. 
 Carl, churl, peasant ; V. ii. 4. 
 Carriage ; " your c," carrying 
 
 you off; III. iv. 190. 
 Cased, covered ; V. iii. 22. 
 Cave, live in a cave ; IV. ii. 138. 
 Cave-keeper, one who lives in a 
 
 cave ; IV. ii. 298. 
 Century, hundred; IV. ii. 391. 
 Certainty, certain results; IV. 
 
 iv. 27. 
 Chaiflcss, without chaff ; I. vi. 
 
 178. 
 Chance, event, circumstance ; 
 
 V. V. 391. 
 Change you, do you change 
 
 colour; I. vi. 11. 
 Characters, handwriting; III. 
 
 ii. 28. 
 
 , letters ; IV. ii. 49. 
 
 Charge, burden, take hold of; 
 
 III. iv. 44- 
 Charm' d, made invulnerable ; 
 
 V. iii. 68. 
 Charming, having magical, pro- 
 tecting power ; I. iii. 35. 
 ; "more c," i.e. charming 
 
 more, bewitching others 
 
 more; V. iii. z^. 
 Check, reproof; III. iii. 22. 
 
 Cinque-spotted, with five spots; 
 II. ii. 38. 
 
 Circumstances, details, particu- 
 lars ; II. iv. 62. 
 
 Citizen, cockney-bred, effemi- 
 nate ; IV. ii. 8. 
 
 Civil, civilized ; III. vi. 22,. 
 
 Clean, altogether ; III. vi. 20. 
 
 Clipp'd, surrounded, encircled; 
 II. iii. 139. 
 
 Clipp'd about, embraced ; V. v. 
 451. 
 
 Close, secret ; III. v. 85. 
 
 Closet, private chamber; I. v. 
 84. 
 
 Cloth, dress, livery; II. iii. 128. 
 
 Clotpoll, head; IV. ii. 184. 
 
 Clouted brogues, hob-nailed 
 boots ; IV. ii. 214. 
 
 Cloys, strokes with his claws ; 
 V. iv. 118. 
 
 Cognizance, visible token; II. 
 iv. 127. 
 
 Collection of, inference from; 
 V. V. 432. 
 
 Colour; " against all c," con- 
 trary to all appearance of 
 right; III. i. 51. 
 
 Colours; " under her c," i.e. 
 " under her banner, by her 
 influence " ; I. iv. 20. 
 
 Comfort, happiness, joy; V. v. 
 403. 
 
 Common-kissing, kissing any- 
 thing and everything; III. iv. 
 166. 
 
 Companion, fellow (used con- 
 temptuously) ; II. i. 28. 
 
 Company, accompany ; V. v. 
 408. 
 
 Comparative for, comparing 
 with; II. iii. 133. 
 
 155
 
 Glossary 
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Conclusions, experiments ; I. v 
 
 i8. 
 Condition, character ; V. v. 165 
 Conduct, escort, safe-conduct ; 
 
 III. V. 8. 
 Confections, composition of 
 
 drugs; I. v. 15; V. v. 246. 
 Confident; " three thousand c," 
 
 Convince, overcome; I. iv, loi. 
 Cordial, reviving to the spirits ; 
 
 I. V. 64. 
 Counter change, exchange ; V. 
 
 V. 396. 
 Counters, round pieces of metal 
 
 used in calculations ; V. iv. 
 
 174. 
 
 From an engraving in Knight's Pictorial Shakcspe 
 
 with the confidence of three 
 thousand; V. iii. 29. 
 Confiners, borderers; IV. ii. 
 
 Confounded, destroyed; I. iv. 
 
 53. 
 Consequence, succession ; II. 
 
 iii. 125. 
 Consider, pay, reward ; II. iii. 
 
 31. 
 , take into consideration ; 
 
 V. v. 28. 
 Constant-qualitied, faithful ; I. 
 
 iv. 63. 
 Construction, interpretation ; 
 
 V. V. 433. 
 Consummation, end, death ; IV. 
 
 ii. 280. 
 Containing; " whose c," the 
 
 contents of which ; V. v. 430. 
 Cotitent thee, trouble not thy- 
 self about it ; I. v. 26. 
 Convey' d, stolen ; I. i. 63. 
 
 Crack' d, blustered, bragged; V. 
 V. 177. 
 
 , broken ; V. v. 207. 
 
 Crarc, skiff, a small vessel 
 
 From an illuminated MS. XVth cent. 
 
 (Sympson's conj., adopted 
 by Steevens; Folios, "care"; 
 Warburton, adopted by 
 
 156
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Glossary 
 
 Theobald, '' carrack " ; Han- 
 mer, " carack") ; IV. ii. 205. 
 
 Crescent, increasing, growing; 
 I. iv. 2. 
 
 Crop, harvest, produce; I. vi. 
 
 33- 
 Curb'd, restrained; II. iii. 124. 
 Curious, careful; I. vi. 191. 
 Cutter, sculptor; II. iv. 83. 
 Cydnus, a river in Cilicia ; II. 
 
 iv. 71. 
 Cytherea, Venus ; II. ii. 14. 
 
 Damm'd, stopped up; V. iii. 11. 
 Dark, mean, obscure; III. iv. 
 
 147- 
 
 Dear, deeply felt ; V. v. 345. 
 
 Debitor and creditor, account 
 book; V. iv. 171. 
 
 Decay, destroy; I. v. 56. 
 
 Defect; " d. of judgement," i.e. 
 "the defective use of judge- 
 ment" (Ingleby) ; IV. ii. iii. 
 
 Definite, resolute ; I. vi. 43. 
 
 Delicate, alluring; (?) ingen- 
 ious, artful ; V. v. 47. 
 
 Delighted, delightful; V. iv. 
 102. 
 
 Depend, impend, remain in sus- 
 pense; ly. iii. 23. 
 
 Depending, resting, leaning; II. 
 iv. 91. 
 
 Desperate; " upon a d. bed," 
 dangerously ill l IV. iii. 6. 
 
 Despite; " in my d.," in defiance 
 of me; IV. i. 16. 
 
 Die the death, die a violent 
 death ; IV. ii. 96. 
 
 Differing multitudes, wavering 
 multitudes, fickle mobs; III. 
 vi. 86. 
 
 Discover, disclose, confess ; 1. 
 vi. 98; III. V. 95. 
 
 Disedged, surfeited; III. iv. 96. 
 
 Dismission, rejection, dismiss- 
 al; II. iii. 56. 
 
 Dooni'd, decided ; V. v. 420. 
 
 Doubting, suspecting that ; I, vi. 
 95. 
 
 Drawn, tapped, emptied; V. iv. 
 168. 
 
 Drawn to head, gathered to- 
 gether, levied; III. v. 25. 
 
 Drug-damn'd, detested for its 
 drugs and poisons; III. iv. 15. 
 
 Earnest, money paid before- 
 hand as a pledge ; I. v. 65. 
 
 Elder, elder-tree ; IV. ii. 59. 
 
 Elder, i.e. later, of more recent 
 date; V. i. 14. 
 
 Elected, chosen; III, iv. II2. 
 
 Election, choice ; I. ii. 30. 
 
 Empery, empire; I. vi. 120. 
 
 Enchafed, enraged; IV. ii. 174. 
 
 Encounter, meet; I. iii. 32, 
 
 , meet with; I. vi. 112. 
 
 Ended, died; V. v. 30. 
 
 Enforce, force, compel ; IV. iii. 
 II. 
 
 Enforced, forced ; IV. i. 19. 
 
 Enlargement, liberty; II. iii. 
 125. 
 
 Entertain, take into service ; 
 IV. ii. 394. 
 
 Estate, state, condition ; V. v. 
 
 74. 
 Even, keep pace with, profit by ; 
 
 III. iv. 184. 
 
 , just; III. vi. 16. 
 
 Event, issue, result; III. v. 14. 
 Ever, ever ready; I. iv. 38. 
 Exhibition, allowance; I. vi. 122. 
 
 157
 
 Glossary 
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Exorciser, conj urer ; IV. ii. 276. 
 
 Extend; " to e. him," i.e. to in- 
 crease his reputation ; I. iv. 21. 
 
 ; "I do e. him within him- 
 self," i.e. I praise him not 
 more, but even less, than he 
 deserves ; I. i. 25. 
 
 Extremity, cruelty; III. iv. 17. 
 
 Fail, fault, offence (Upton 
 conj. "fall")', III. iv. 66. 
 
 Fairies, evil fairies ; II. ii. 9. 
 
 Fall'n-off, revolted; III. vii. 6. 
 
 False, turn false ; II. iii. ys- 
 
 Fan, winnow, test; I. vi. 177. 
 
 Fangled, gaudily ornamented; 
 V. iv. 134. 
 
 Far; " speak him f.," praise 
 him highly (Folios 3, 4, 
 "fair"); I. i. 24. 
 
 Fast, fasted (Folios 2, 3, 4, 
 " feast " ; Hanmer, " fast- 
 ing" ; etc.) ; IV. ii. 347. 
 
 Fatherly, in a fatherly way; II. 
 iii. 38. 
 
 Favour, beauty, charm ; I. vi. 
 42. 
 
 Favour, external appearance ; 
 IV. ii. 104. 
 
 , countenance; V. v. 93. 
 
 Fear, fear for ; I. iv. 104. 
 
 Fear'd, mixed with fear (Tyr- 
 whitt conj., adopted by 
 Knight, "sear'd"; Hudson, 
 " sere " ; Elze. conj . " dear " ; 
 etc., etc.) ; II. iv. 6. 
 
 Fearful, full of fear; III. iv. 45. 
 
 Feat, dexterous, neat; V. v. 88. 
 
 Feated, fashioned (Rowe, 
 " f eatur' d" \ Johnson, 
 " feared ") \ I. i. 49. 
 
 Feature, shape, exterior; V. v. 
 
 163. 
 Fell, cruel ; IV. ii, 109. 
 Fellows, equals in rank; III. 
 
 iv. 93. 
 Feodary, accomplice; III. ii. 21. 
 Fetch, take, I. i. 81. 
 Fetch in, take, capture ; IV. ii. 
 
 141. 
 Fit, ready; III. iv. 171. 
 Fitment, equipment; V. v. 409. 
 Fits, befits; III. v. 22. 
 Fitted, prepared; V. v. 55. 
 Fitting, befitting, becoming; V. 
 
 V. 98. 
 Foot, kick; III. v. 149. 
 For, as for; II. iii. 116; V. iii. 
 
 80. 
 , fit for, only worthy of; 
 
 II. iii. 127. 
 , because; III. iv. 54; IV. 
 
 ii. 129. 
 
 , for want of; III. vi. 17. 
 
 For all, once for all ; II. iii. no. 
 Fore-end, earlier part; III. iii. 
 
 72,- 
 
 Forespent, previously bestow- 
 ed; II. iii. 6z. 
 
 Forestall, deprive; III. v. 69. 
 
 Fore-thinking, fore-seeing, an- 
 ticipating; III. iv. 171. 
 
 Forfeitcrs, those who forfeit 
 their bonds; III. ii. 38. 
 
 Forfend, forbid; V. v. 287. 
 
 Forlorn, lost, not to be found; 
 V. V. 405. 
 
 Foundations, "quibbling be- 
 tween fixed places and chari- 
 table institutions" 
 (Schmidt) ; III. vi. 7- 
 
 Fragments, scraps, remnants of 
 food; V. iii. 44. 
 
 158
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Frame to, conform; II. iii. 50. 
 
 Franchise, free exercise; III. 
 i. S7- 
 
 Franklin, yeoman; III. ii. 79. 
 
 Fraught, burden; I. i. 126. 
 
 Freeness, generosity; V. v. 421. 
 
 Fretted, ornamented, emboss- 
 ed ; II. iv. 88. 
 
 Friend, lover; I. iv. 72. 
 
 ; "to fr.," for my friend; 
 
 I. iv. 112. 
 
 Friendly, in a friendly manner ; 
 V. v. 481. 
 
 Frighted, affrighted, fright- 
 ened; II. iii. 144. 
 
 From, away from ; I. iv. 17. 
 
 , far from; V. v. 431. 
 
 Full hearted, full of courage 
 and confidence; V. iii. 7. 
 
 Funics, delusions; IV. ii. 301. 
 
 Furnaces, gives forth like a 
 furnace; I. vi. 66. 
 
 Gain; "g. his colour," i.e. "to 
 
 restore him to health " ; IV. 
 
 ii. 167. 
 Gallowses, gallows ; V. iv. 210. 
 'Gan, began; V. iii. ;^y. 
 Geek, dupe; V. iv. 67. 
 Gentle, of gentle birth; IV. ii. 
 
 39- 
 Giglot, false, wanton; III. i. 31. 
 'Gins, begins; II. iii. 22. 
 Give me leave, pardon me ; V. 
 
 V. 149. 
 Given out, reported, made out; 
 
 V. V. 312. 
 Go hack, succumb, give way; 
 
 I. iv. no. 
 Go before, excel ; V. ii. ^- 
 Go even, accord; I. iv. 46. 
 
 Glossary 
 
 Gordian knot, the celebrated 
 
 knot untied by Alexander; 
 
 II. ii. 34. 
 Great court, important court 
 
 business ; III. v. 50. 
 Great morning, broad day; IV. 
 
 ii. 61. 
 Guise, practice ; V. i. 2>^. 
 Gyves, fetters ; V. iv. 14. 
 
 Habits, garments; V. i. 30. 
 
 Hand-fast, marriage engage- 
 ment ; I. V. 78. 
 
 Hangings, hanging fruit; III. 
 iii. 63. 
 
 Haply, perhaps; III. iii. 29; 
 
 IV. i. 21. 
 
 Happy, skilful, gifted; III. iv. 
 
 177- 
 Harder, too hard; III. iv. 164. 
 Hardiment, boldness, bravery; 
 
 V. iv. 75. 
 
 Hardiness, hardihood, bra- 
 very; III. vi. 22. 
 Hardness, hardship, want; III. 
 
 vi. 21. 
 Have at it, I'll tell my story; 
 
 V. V. 315. 
 Have zvith you! Take me with 
 
 you! IV. iv. 50. 
 Having, possessions ; I. ii. 19. 
 Haviour, behaviour; III. iv. 9. 
 Head, armed force; IV. ii. 139. 
 Heaved to head, raised to my 
 
 lips; V. V. 157. 
 Hecuba, the wife of Priam; 
 
 IV. ii. 313. 
 Herblets, small herbs; IV. ii 
 
 287. 
 Hie thee, hasten ; II. iii. 142. 
 Hilding, mean wretch; II. iii. 
 
 127. 
 
 159
 
 Glossary 
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Hind, boor, serf; V. lii. 77. 
 Hold, fastness ; III. vi. 18. 
 Holp, did help, V. v. 422. 
 Home, thoroughly ; III. v. 92. 
 Horse-hairs, fiddle-bow ; II. iii. 
 
 32. 
 
 How much, however much ; 
 
 IV. ii. 17. 
 Hunt, game taken in the chase ; 
 
 III. vi. 90. 
 
 Ignorant, silly, inexperienced ; 
 III. i. 27. 
 
 Imperceiverant, dull of percep- 
 tion (Folios, " imperseuer- 
 ant " — probably the correct 
 reading; Hanmer, " ill-per- 
 severant") ; IV. i. 15. 
 
 Imperious, imperial ; IV. ii. 35. 
 
 Importance, import, occasion ; I. 
 iv. 44- 
 
 Importantly, with matters of 
 such importance ; IV. iv. 19. 
 
 In, into; III. vi. 64. 
 
 Incivil, uncivil ; V. v. 292. 
 
 Injurious, malicious, unjust; 
 
 III. i. 48. 
 
 Injurious, insulting, insolent ; 
 
 IV. ii. 86. 
 
 Instruct, inform ; IV. ii. 360. 
 Insultment, insult; III. v. 145. 
 Into, unto; I. vi. 167. 
 Irregulous, lawless, unprinci- 
 pled; IV. ii. 315. 
 Is, is in existence ; I. iv. 79. 
 Issues, deeds, actions ; II. i. 50. 
 It, its; III. iv. 160. 
 
 lack, a small bowl at which the 
 players aimed in the game 
 of bowls; "to kiss the jack" 
 is to have touched the jack, 
 
 and to be in excellent posi- 
 tion; II. i. 2. 
 
 lack-slave, lowborn fellow (a 
 term of contempt) ; II. i. 21. 
 
 lay, a loose woman (a term of 
 reproach) ; III. iv. 51. 
 
 lealousy, suspicion ; IV. iii. 22. 
 
 let, strut; III. iii. 5. 
 
 loin; "j. his honour," i.e. 
 " gave his noble aid " ; I. \. 
 
 29. 
 
 lournal, diurnal, daily; IV. ii. 
 
 10. 
 love's-hird, the Roman eagle; 
 
 IV. ii. 348. (See illustration.) 
 
 From a coin of Domitian. 
 
 lovial; "our J. star" (in the 
 old astrology, Jupiter was 
 "the joyfullest star, and of 
 the happiest augury of all," 
 hence propitious, kindly) ; 
 V. iv. 105. 
 
 lovial, Jove-like; IV. ii. 311- 
 
 loy'd, rejoiced; V. v. 424. 
 
 lump, risk; V. iv. 186. 
 
 lusticer, judge; V. v. 214. 
 
 Keep house, stay at home; III. 
 iii. I. 
 
 160
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Glossary 
 
 Ken; "within a k.," within 
 sight; III. vi. 6. 
 
 Kitchen-trulls, kitchen-maids ; 
 V. V. 177- 
 
 Knowing, knowledge; I. iv. 30; 
 II. iii. loi. 
 
 Knozvn together, been ac- 
 quainted with each other ; I. 
 iv. 2>^. 
 
 Label, tablet; V. v. 430, 
 Lahoursome, elaborate ; III. iv. 
 
 167. 
 Lady; "my good 1.." (?) 
 
 friend; used ironically; II. 
 
 iii. 157- 
 
 Laming, crippling ; V. v. 163. 
 
 Lapp'd, wrapped, enfolded ; V. 
 v. 360. 
 
 Late, lately; I. i. 6; II. ii. 44. 
 
 Laud we, let us praise; V. v. 
 476. 
 
 Lay, wager; I. iv. 154. 
 
 Lay the leaven on, corrupt and 
 deprave ; III. iv. 64. 
 
 Lean'd unto, bowed to, submit- 
 ted to ; I. i. 78. 
 
 Leans, is about to fall ; I. v. 58. 
 
 Learn' d, taught; I. v. 12. 
 
 Leave ; " by 1.," with your per- 
 mission; V. V. 315. 
 
 , leave off, cease, I. iv. 
 
 106. 
 
 Left, left off; I. iii. 15. 
 
 , left off reading; II. ii. 4. 
 
 Less; " without 1.," without 
 more, with less (probably to 
 be explained as a double 
 negative) ; I. iv. 23. 
 
 Let blood, let suffer, perish ; 
 IV. ii. 168. 
 
 Liegers, ambassadors (Folios, 
 " Leidgers") ; I. v. 80. 
 
 Like, equal ; I. i. 21 ; V. v. 75. 
 
 , the same ; IV. ii. 237. 
 
 , likely; II. iv. 16. 
 
 , equally; III. iii. 41. 
 
 Limb-meal, limb from limb; II. 
 iv. 147. 
 
 Line, fill with gold; II. iii. 71. 
 
 Long of, through, owing to; 
 V. v. 271. 
 
 Looks us, seems to us; III. v. 
 2,2. 
 
 Lucina, the goddess of child- 
 birth ; V. iv. 43. 
 
 Liid's tozvn, the old name of 
 London ; III. i. 2,'^. 
 
 Madded, maddened ; IV. ii. 
 
 313- 
 Madding, maddening, making 
 
 mad; II. ii. 2,7- 
 Made finish, put an end to; V. 
 
 V. 412. 
 Makes, produces, causes ; I. vi. 
 
 38. 
 Martial, resembling Mars ; IV. 
 
 ii. 310. 
 Mary-buds, marigolds ; II. iii. 
 
 25- 
 Match, arrangement; III. vi. 
 
 30. 
 Matter, business ; IV. iii. 28. 
 Mean affairs, ordinary affairs ; 
 
 III. ii. 52. 
 Means; "your m.," as to your 
 
 means ; III. iv. 180. 
 Mercurial; " foot m.," i.e. 
 
 " light and nimble like that 
 
 of Mercury"; IV. ii. 310. 
 Alere, utter; IV. i. 92. 
 Mere, only; V. v. 334. 
 
 161
 
 Glossary 
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Mineral, poison ; V. v. 50. 
 Minion, darling, favourite ; II. 
 
 iii. 45. 
 Misery; "noble m.," miser- 
 able nobility; V. iii. 64. 
 Moe, more; III. i. 36. 
 Moiety, half; I. iv. 114. 
 Mortal, deadly, fatal; I. iv. 43. 
 Motion, impulse; II. v. 20. 
 Motives; "your three m.," the 
 
 motives of you three; V. v. 
 
 388. 
 Move, induce ; I. i. 103. 
 Moved, incited, instigated; V. 
 
 v. 342. 
 Mows, grimaces, wry faces ; I. 
 
 vi. 41. 
 Mulier (fancifully derived 
 
 from "mollis aer")) V. v. 
 
 447. 
 Mutest, most silent; I. vi. 116. 
 
 Naught, wicked; V. v. 271. 
 Neat-herd, keeper of cattle; I. 
 
 i. 149. 
 Nice, capricious ; II. v. 26. 
 Niceness, coyness; III. iv. 158. 
 Nonpareil, paragon; II. v. 8. 
 North, north-wind; I. iii. 2>^. 
 Note, reputation; I. iv. 2. 
 , list; (?) "prescription, 
 
 receipt " ; I. v. 2. 
 
 , eminence; II. iii. 126. 
 
 , notice, attention; IV. iii. 
 
 44. 
 ; "our n.," taking notice 
 
 of us ; IV. iv. M. 
 , take note, notice; II. ii. 
 
 24. 
 Nothing, not at all ; I. iv. 103. 
 Nothing-gift, p'ft of no value; 
 
 III. vi. 86. 
 
 Now, just now; V. iii. 74. 
 Number d, abundantly provi- 
 ded ; I. vi. 36. 
 
 Occasions; "over his o.,'' (?) 
 =" in regard to what was re- 
 quired " ; according to 
 some, " beyond what was re- 
 quired " ; V. V. 87. 
 
 'Ods pittikins, a petty oath ; IV. 
 ii. 293. 
 
 O'ergrown, overgrown with 
 hair and beard; IV. iv. ZZ- 
 
 Of, with; I. vi. 150. 
 
 , on; II. iii. 118; IV. iv. 48. 
 
 , by; II. iii. 137; III. vi. 
 
 55 ; IV. iv. 22 ; V. v. 346. 
 
 , over; IV. i. 23. 
 
 , about, in praise of; V. v. 
 
 177- 
 Offer'd; " o. mercy," (?) par- 
 don granted (but coming too 
 
 late) ; I. iii. 4. 
 On, of; I. V. 75; III. iv. 43; IV. 
 
 ii. 198. 
 On's, of us (Folio i, "one's"; 
 
 Steevens, " of us " ; Vaughan 
 
 conj. " 0' us") ; V. v. 311. 
 On't, of it; I. i. 164; V. ii. 3. 
 Open'd, disclosed; V. v. 58. 
 Operate, to set to work, to be 
 
 active ; V. v. 197. 
 Or, before ; II. iv. 14. 
 Orbs, orbits; V. v. 371. 
 Order' d; " more o.," better 
 
 regulated and disciplined; II. 
 
 iv. 21. 
 Orderly, proper; II. iii. 51. 
 Ordinance, what is ordained; 
 
 IV. ii. 145. 
 Or ere, before; III. ii. 67. 
 , rather than; V. iii. 50. 
 
 162 
 
 I
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Glossary 
 
 Out-peer, excel ; III. vi. 87. 
 Outsell, exceed in value ; II. iv. 
 
 102. 
 Outsells, outvalues, is superior 
 
 to; III. V. 74. 
 Outstood, overstayed; I. vi. 
 
 207. 
 Outward, external appearance ; 
 
 I. i. 23. 
 
 Overbuys, pays too dear a 
 
 price ; I. i. 146. 
 Owe, own, III. i. 38. 
 
 Packing, running off; (?) 
 
 plotting; III. V. 80. 
 Paid, punished; IV. ii. 246. 
 Paled in, surrounded; III i. 19. 
 Pandar, accomplice; III. iv. z^. 
 Pang'd, pained ; III. iv. 98. 
 P antler, keeper of the pantry; 
 
 II. iii. 128. 
 
 Paragon, pattern, model; III. 
 vi. 44. 
 
 Part; " for mine own p.," for 
 myself; V. v. 313. 
 
 Parted, departed ; III. vi. 52. 
 
 Partisan, halberd ; IV. ii. 399. 
 
 Parts, endowments; III. v. Ji. 
 
 Passable, affording free pass- 
 age ; I. ii. 10. 
 
 Passage, occurrence ; III. iv. 
 94. 
 
 Peculiar, own particular, pri- 
 vate; V. v. 83. 
 
 Peevish, foolish; I. vi. 54. 
 
 Penetrate, touch; II. iii. 14. 
 
 Penitent, repentant; V. iv. 10. 
 
 Perfect; " I am p.," I am per- 
 fectly well aware, I well 
 know; III. i. y^. 
 
 , perfectly well aware; IV. 
 
 ii. 118. 
 
 Perforce, by force ; III. i. ^2. 
 Pervert, averted; II. iv. 151. 
 Pinch, pain, pang; I. i. 130. 
 Pleaseth, if it please; I. v. 5. 
 Point; "at p.," on the point of; 
 
 III. i. 30; III. vi. 17, 
 
 Point forth, indicate; V. v. 
 
 454- 
 Post, hasten; V. v. 192. 
 Posting, hurrying; III. iv. 38. 
 Postures, shapes, forms ; V. v. 
 
 165. 
 Powers, armed forces ; III. v. 
 
 24. 
 Practice, plot, stratagem ; V. v. 
 
 199. 
 Prefer, recommend; II. iii. 50; 
 
 IV. ii. 386. 
 
 , promote ; V. v. 326. 
 
 Preferment, promotion; V. iv. 
 
 212. 
 Pregnant, evident; IV. ii, 325. 
 Presently, immediately; II. iii. 
 
 142. 
 Pretty, fair, advantageous; III. 
 
 iv. 150. 
 Prides, (?) ostentatious attire; 
 
 II. V. 25. 
 
 Priest, priestess ; I. vi. 133. 
 
 Prince, play the prince; III. iii. 
 85. 
 
 Prize, value (Hanmer, "price" ; 
 Vaughan, "peize"); III. vi. 
 77- 
 
 Probation, proof; V. v. 362. 
 
 Profess myself, proclaim my- 
 self (by the exuberance of 
 my praise) ; I. iv. 71. 
 
 Prone, eager, ready; V. iv. 204. 
 
 Proof, experience ; I. vi. 70 ; 
 
 III. iii. 27. 
 
 Proper, handsome; III. iv. 64. 
 
 163
 
 Glossary 
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Proper, own ; IV. ii. 97. 
 Prunes, arranges his plumage 
 
 with his bill ; V. iv. 118. 
 Pudency, modesty; II. v. 11. 
 Put on, incite to, instigate; V. 
 
 i. 9. 
 Puttock, kite ; I. i. 140. 
 
 Quarrelous, quarrelsome ; III. 
 
 iv. 162. 
 Quarter' d Hres, camp fires ; IV. 
 
 iv. 18. 
 Quench, become cool ; I. v. 47. 
 Question, put to the trial, i.e. 
 
 fight a duel ; II. iv. 52. 
 
 Ramps, leaps; I. vi. 134. 
 
 Rangers, nymphs ; II. iii. yz- 
 
 Rank, rankness (used q u i b- 
 blingly) ; II. i. 16. 
 
 Raps, transports; I. vi. 51. 
 
 Rare, overpowering, exquisite ; 
 I. i. 135- 
 
 Ravening, devouring greedily; 
 I. vi. 49. 
 
 Razed out, erased (Folios, 
 " rac'd out") ; V. v. 70. 
 
 Right, truly; III. v. 3. 
 
 Ripely, speedily ; III. v. 22. 
 
 Ready, i.e. dressed for going 
 out, ready dressed (taken 
 quibblingly in the more ordi- 
 nary sense in the reply) ; II. 
 iii. 85. 
 
 Reason of, argue about, talk 
 about; IV. ii. 14. 
 
 Reck, care; IV. ii. 154. 
 
 Recoil, degenerate ; I. vi. 128. 
 
 Reft'st, didst deprive (Folios, 
 "refts")', III. iii. 103. 
 
 Relation, hearsay, report; II. 
 iv. 86. 
 
 Remain, remainder, rest ; III. 
 i. 87. 
 
 Remainders ; " the good r. of 
 the court," i.e. "the court 
 which now gets rid of my 
 unworthiness " (used ironic- 
 ally) ; I. i. 129. 
 
 Remembrancer of her, he who 
 reminds her; I. v. yj. 
 
 Render, rendering an account ; 
 IV. iv. II. 
 
 , surrender; V. iv. 17. 
 
 , relate, tell ; V. v. 135. 
 
 Repented, regretted; V. v. 59. 
 
 Report; " suffer the r.," may 
 be told ; I. iv. 58. 
 
 , fame; III. iii. 57, 
 
 Resty, torpid; III. vi. 34. 
 
 Retire, retreat ; V. iii. 40. 
 
 Revolt, inconstancy; I. vi. 112. 
 
 Revolts, revolters, deserters ; 
 
 IV. iv. 6. 
 
 Rock, rocky eminence ; " such 
 as a man has found refuge 
 on in shipwreck " (Ingleby) ; 
 
 V. V. 262. 
 
 Romish, Roman ; I. vi. 152. 
 Ruddock, robin redbreast 
 
 (Folios, " Raddocke"); IV. 
 
 ii. 224. 
 Runagate, renegade ; I. vi. 137. 
 
 Safe, sound; IV. ii. 131. 
 
 Sample, example; I. i. 48. 
 
 Saucy, insolent; I. vi. 151. 
 
 Saving reverence, asking par- 
 don; IV. i. 5. 
 
 Say est thou? what do you say? 
 II. i. 26. 
 
 Scorn, mockery; V. iv. 125. 
 
 164 
 
 I
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Glossary 
 
 Scriptures, writings (with per- 
 haps a suggestion of its ordi- 
 nary meaning) ; III. iv. 83. 
 
 Sear up, probably due to a 
 blending of (i.) " sear " = 
 dry up, with (ii.) " sear " = 
 " cere," i.e. seal, cover with 
 wax, as linen is dipped in 
 melted wax to be used as a 
 shroud (cp. "cerement," 
 "cere cloth") ; I, i. 116. 
 
 Search' d, searched for; V. v. 11. 
 
 Season, time ; IV. iii. 22. 
 
 Seasons comfort, i.e. " gives 
 happiness its proper zest " ; 
 
 I. vi. 9. 
 
 See, i.e. see each other; I. i. 
 124. 
 
 Seek through, pursue; IV. ii. 
 160. 
 
 Seem " still s." = ever put on 
 an appearance ; I. i. 3. 
 
 Seeming, external appearance ; 
 V. V. 65. 
 
 , appearance of fact; "this 
 
 hath some s.," this seems 
 well founded ; V. v. 452. 
 
 Self, same; I. vi. 122. 
 
 Self-figured, self-contracted, 
 formed by themselves 
 (Theobald conj., adopted by 
 Warburton, " self-iinge/d") ; 
 
 II. iii. 123. 
 
 Senseless, unconscious ; II. iii. 
 57. 
 
 Senseless of, insensible to ; I. 
 i. 135- 
 
 Serving; " in their s.," em- 
 ploying, using them ; III. iv. 
 173. 
 
 Set on, forward, march on ; V. 
 V. 484. 
 
 Sets, which sets ; I. vi. 170. 
 Set up, incite; III. iv. 90. 
 
 Severally, each in his own way; 
 V. V. 397. 
 
 SJiaked, shaken ; I. v. 76. 
 
 Shall, will; III. iv. 131. 
 
 Shame, shyness, modesty; V, 
 iii. 22. 
 
 Shameless - desperate, shame- 
 lessly desperate ; V. v, 58. 
 
 Sharded, protected by scaly 
 wing-cases ; III. iii. 20. 
 
 Shes, women ; I. iii. 29. 
 
 Shop, store; V. v. 166. 
 
 Short, take from, impair; I. vi. 
 200. 
 
 Shot, tavern reckoning, score; 
 V. iv. 158. 
 
 Shozv, deceitful appearance; V. 
 V. 54- 
 
 Shows, appearances ; V. v. 428. 
 
 'Shrew me, i.e. beshrew me; a 
 mild oath ; II. iii. 146. 
 
 Shrine, image; V. v. 164, 
 
 Silly, simple ; V. iii. 86. 
 
 Simular, false, counterfeited ; 
 V. V. 200. 
 
 Single oppositions, single com- 
 bats; (?) "when compared 
 as to particular accomplish- 
 ments " (Schmidt) ; IV. i. 15. 
 
 Sinks, makes to sink; V. v. 
 413- • 
 
 Sinon, who persuaded the Tro- 
 jans to admit into the city 
 the wooden horse filled with 
 armed men; III. iv. 61, 
 
 Sir, man ; I. vi. 160. 
 
 Sirrah, a form of address to an 
 inferior; III. v. 80. 
 
 Slight in sufferance, careless in 
 permitting it; III. v. 35. 
 
 165
 
 Glossary 
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Slip you, let you go free; IV. 
 
 iii. 22. 
 Slnttery, the practice of a slut ; 
 
 I. vi. 44. 
 
 Snuff, a candle that has been 
 
 snuffed; I. vi. 87. - 
 So, it is well ; II. iii. 15. 
 Solace, take delight ; I. vi. 86. 
 Soldier to, enlisted to; (?) 
 
 equal to; III. iv. 186. 
 So like you, if it please you; 
 
 II. iii. 58. 
 
 Something, somewhat; I. i. 86; 
 
 I. iv. 116. 
 Sometime, sometimes ; II. iii. 
 
 76. 
 
 , once ; V. v. ZZZ- 
 
 Sorer, more grievous, more 
 
 evil; III. vi. 13. 
 South-fog; "the S. rot him"; 
 
 it was supposed that the 
 
 south wind was charged 
 
 with all noxious vapours and 
 
 diseases; II. iii. 135. 
 Spectacles, organs of vision ; I. 
 
 vi. 27. 
 Speed; " how you shall s.," 
 
 how you will fare ; V. iv. 190. 
 Sprightly, of good cheer, in 
 
 god spirits; III. vi. 75. 
 Sprited, haunted; II. iii. 143. 
 Spritely, spirit-like, ghostly ; V. 
 
 V. z^28. 
 
 Spurs, shoots of the root of a 
 
 tree; IV. ii. 58. 
 Staggers, giddiness, reeling; V. 
 
 V. 233. 
 Stand, " station of huntsmen 
 
 waiting for game"; II. iii. 
 
 74. 
 
 Stand, withstand; V. iii. 60. 
 Stand'st so, dost stand up so; 
 
 III. V. 56. 
 Starve, die of cold; I. iv. 176. 
 States, '' persons of highest 
 
 rank " ; III. iv. 39. 
 Statist, statesman, politician ; 
 
 II. iv. 16. 
 Still, continually; II. v. 30. 
 
 , always ; V. v. 250. 
 
 Story, i.e. the subject of the 
 
 embroidery on the tapestry; 
 
 II. ii. 27. 
 
 Story him, give an account of 
 
 him ; I. iv. 34. 
 Straight-pight, straight fixed, 
 
 erect ; V. v. 164. 
 Strain, impulse, motive ; III. iv. 
 
 95. 
 
 , stock, race ; IV. ii. 24. 
 
 Strait, straight ; V. iii. 7. 
 Strange, foreign, a foreigner ; 
 
 I. vi. 54. 
 Stricter, more restricted, less 
 
 exacting; V. iv. 17. 
 Stride a limit, overpass the 
 
 bound; III. iii. 35. 
 Strozv, strew ; IV. ii. 287. 
 Suit, clothe ; V. i. 23. 
 Supplyant, auxiliary; III. vii. 
 
 14. 
 Supplyment, continuance of 
 
 supply (Pope, "supply"); 
 
 III. iv. 182. 
 Sur-addition, surname ; I. i. 33. 
 Szvathing clothes; I. i. 59. (See 
 
 illustration.) 
 Szi'ccf, sweet-heart (Collier 
 
 MS., "suite"); I. v. 80. 
 Szverve, go astray, mistake; V. 
 
 iv. 129. 
 
 166
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Glossary 
 
 From a brass in Rougham Church, 
 Norfolk. 
 
 Syenna, the ruler of Syenna ; 
 
 IV. ii. 341. 
 
 Synod, assembly of the gods ; 
 
 V. iv. 89. 
 
 Tables, tablets ; III. ii. 39. 
 
 Take, take pay; III. vi. 24. 
 
 Take in, make to yield, over- 
 come; III. ii. 9. 
 
 , conquer, overcome; IV. 
 
 ii. 121. 
 
 Take me up, take me to task; 
 II. i. 4. 
 
 Talents; "beyond all t.," ex- 
 ceeding any sum; I. vi. 80. 
 
 Tanlings, those tanned by the 
 sun ; IV. iv. 29. 
 
 Targes, targets; " t. of proof," 
 targets of tested metal (Fo- 
 lio 4, '' Targets " ; Pope, 
 "shields"', C a p e 1 1 , 
 " targets ") •,Y. \. S- 
 
 Taste, feel, experience ; V. v. 
 403- 
 
 Tasting of, experiencing, feel- 
 ing; V. v. 308. 
 Temper, mix ; V. v. 250. 
 Tender; " t. of our present," 
 
 tendering of our present 
 
 gift ; 1. vi. 208. 
 Tender of, sensitive to; III. 
 
 V. 40. 
 Tent, probe; III. iv. 118. 
 That, for that, because; III. v. 
 
 71. 
 
 , since that ; III. vii. 4. 
 
 , that which ; IV. ii. 125 ; 
 
 V. iv. 135. 
 , so that; V. iii. 11; V. iv. 
 
 45- 
 Thereto, in addition thereto; 
 
 IV. iv. 2,2. 
 Thick, fast, quickly; III. ii. 58. 
 This, this is (S. Walker conj. 
 
 " this' ") ; II. ii. 50. 
 Threat, threaten ; IV. ii. 127. 
 Throughfare, thoroughfare; 1. 
 
 ii. II. 
 Throughly, thoroughly; II. iv. 
 
 12; III, vi. 36. 
 Thunder-stone, thunder bolt; 
 
 IV. ii. 271. 
 Time, age ; I. i. 43. 
 Tinct, colour ; II. ii. 23. 
 Tirest on, preyest upon (as a 
 
 hawk) ; III. iv. 97. 
 Titan, the god of the Sun ; III. 
 
 iv. 166. 
 Title, name ; I. iv. 93. 
 To, as to; I. iv. loi. 
 
 , compared to; III. ii. 10. 
 
 , is to be compared to ; III. 
 
 iii. 26. 
 
 , in addition to ; IV. ii. 333. 
 
 Tomboys, hoydens; I. vi. 122. 
 Tongue, speak; V. iv. 147. 
 
 167
 
 Glossary 
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Touch, feeling, emotion ; I. i. 
 
 135. 
 Toys, trifles ; IV. ii. 193. 
 Trims, dress, apparel. III. iv. 
 
 167. 
 Trip me, refute me, give me 
 
 the lie; V. v. 35. 
 Troth, the truth ; V. v. 274. 
 Trow, I wonder ; I. vi. 47. 
 True, honest ; II. iii. 75. 
 Truer, more honest man; I. v. 
 
 43- 
 
 Tune, voice ; V. v. 238. 
 
 Twinn'd, indistinguishably sim- 
 ilar; I. vi. 35. 
 
 Unbent; "to be u.," to unbend 
 
 thy bow; III. iv. iii. 
 Undergo, undertake, perform ; 
 
 I. iv. 148; III. V. no. 
 Undertake, give satisfaction ; 
 
 II. i. 27. 
 
 Unparagon'd, matchless ; I. iv. 
 
 84; II. ii. 17. 
 Unpaved, castrated ; II. iii. ^2>- 
 Unprizahle, invaluable; I. iv. 
 
 96. 
 Unspcaking sots, blockheads 
 
 wanting power of speech ; V. 
 
 V. 178. 
 Untwine, cease to twine; IV. 
 
 ii. 59- 
 Up, put up ; II. iv. 97. 
 Up-cast, a throw directed 
 
 straight up ; II. i. 2. 
 Use; "their u.," they use us; 
 
 IV. iv. 7. 
 Utterance; "at u.," at all haz- 
 ards; III. i. 73. 
 
 Valuation, value ; IV. iv. 49. 
 
 Vantage, opportunity; I. iii. 24. 
 
 , advantage ; V. v. 198. 
 
 Vantages, favourable oppor- 
 tunity ; II. iii. 49. 
 
 Venge, avenge ; I. vi. 92. 
 
 Verbal, wordy, verbose ; II. iii. 
 no. 
 
 Very Cloten, Cloten himself; 
 
 IV. ii. 107. 
 
 View; " full of v.," full of 
 promise; III. iv. 150. 
 
 Wage, wager; I. iv. 139. 
 Waggish, roguish; III. iv. 160. 
 Waked, awoke ; V. v. 429. 
 Walk, withdraw, walk aside ; I. 
 
 i. 176; V. V. 119. 
 Wanton, one brought up in 
 
 luxury; IV. ii. 8. 
 Warrant, pledge; I. iv. 61. 
 Watch; "in w.," awake; III. 
 
 iv. 43. 
 Watching, keeping awake for ; 
 
 II. iv. 68. 
 
 Way; "this w.," by acting in 
 
 this way; IV. iv. 4. 
 Weeds, garments; V. i. 23. 
 Well encounter' d, well met ; 
 
 III. vi. 66. 
 
 Wench-like, womanish ; IV. ii. 
 
 230. 
 Went before, excelled; I. iv. 75. 
 What, what a thing; IV. i. 16. 
 When as, when (Dyce, 
 
 "whenas"); V. iv. 138; V. 
 
 V. 435- 
 
 Which, who; II. iii. in. 
 Whiles, while; I. v. i. 
 Who, whom ; V. v. 27. 
 Whom, which ; III. i. 53. 
 Windows, eyelids; II. ii. 22. 
 
 168
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Glossary 
 
 Wink, sinii tneir eyes; V. iv. 
 191. 
 
 Winking, having the eyes shut ; 
 11. iii. 25. 
 
 , blind; II. iv. 89. 
 
 Winter-ground, protect from 
 inclement weather of the 
 winter (Collier MS., "win- 
 ter-guard"; Bailey conj. 
 " winter-fend " ; Elze, " wind 
 around") ; IV. ii. 229. 
 
 With, by ; II. iii. 143 ; V. iii. 33- 
 
 Woodman, huntsman ; III. vi. 
 
 28. 
 Worms, serpents ; III. iv. 37. 
 Would so, would have done so ; 
 
 V. V. 189. 
 JVrings, writhes ; III. vi. 79. 
 Write against, denounce; II. v. 
 
 32. 
 Wrying, swerving; V. i. 5. 
 
 You 're best, you had better ; 
 III. ii. 79. 
 
 British megalith. 
 
 169
 
 cymbeline: 
 
 Critical Notes. 
 
 BY ISRAEL GOLLANCZ. 
 
 I. I. 3. ' docs the king '•, Tyrwhitt's conjecture ; Folios, ' do's the 
 kings'; Hanmer, 'do the king's/ 
 
 I. i. 133. 'A year's age'; this reading seems weak; one expects 
 some stronger expression. Warburton, adopted by Theobald, ' a 
 yare [i.e. speedy] age ' ; Hanmer, ' many A year's age ' ; Nicholson, 
 ' more than Thy years' age ' ; etc., etc. 
 
 I. iii. 9. 'make me with this eye or ear; Folios, 'his' for 'this.' 
 
 I. iv. 21. 'are wonderfully to'; Warburton conj. 'aids wonder- 
 fully to'; Capell conj. 'are wonderful to'; Eccles, 'and wonder- 
 fully do.' 
 
 I. iv. 77-78. 'could not but'; Malone's emendation, of Folios, 
 ' could not.' 
 
 I. iv. 118. ' herein too ' ; so Folios 3, 4 ; Folios i, 2, ' heerein to ' ; 
 Grant White, ' hercin-to' Anon, con].,' hereunto' ; Vaughan conj. 
 ' herein, so.' 
 
 I. iv. 141. 'afraid'; Warburton's emendation, adopted by Theo- 
 bald; Folios, 'a Friend'; Becket conj. 'aified' ; Jackson conj. 
 'afHanc'd'; Collier MS., ' afeard'; Ingleby conj. 'her friend.' 
 
 I. V. 68. 'chance thou changest on'; so Folios; Rowe reads 
 'chance thou chancest on'; Theobald, 'change thou chancest on.' 
 
 I. vi, 25. 'trust — '; Boswell's reading; Folios, 'trust'; Hanmer, 
 ' truest.' ; Rann, ' truest.' ; Thirlby conj. ' trusty.' 
 
 I. vi. 36. ' number' d' (?)='rich in numbers'; Theobald, ' un- 
 numbe/d'; Warburton, 'Jiumbl'd'; Farmer conj. 'umbered'; 
 Jackson conj. ' member'd' ; Theobald's excellent emendation has 
 much to commend it. 
 
 I. vi. 45. 'desire vomit emptiness' ; Johnson explained these 
 difficult words as follows : — " Desire, when it approached sluttery, 
 and considered it in comparison with such neat excellence, would 
 not only be not so allured to feed, but seized with a fit of loathing, 
 would vomit emptiness, would feel the convulsions of disgust, 
 though being unfed, it had no object." Pope, 'desire vomit ev'n 
 
 170
 
 CYMBELINE Notes 
 
 emptiness' ; Capell, ^desire vomit to emptiness' ; Hudson, 'desire 
 vomit from emptiness.' 
 
 I. vi. 109. ' unlustrous' ', Rowe's emendation of Folios, 'illus- 
 trious ' ', Ingleby, ' ill-lustrous' 
 
 II. ii. 49. 'hare the raven's eye'; Theobald's conj., adopted by 
 Steevens; Folios, 'hear the Rauens eye.' 
 
 II. iii. 27. ' With every thing that pretty is' ; Hanmer (unneces- 
 sarily, for the sake of the rhyme), ' With all the things that pretty 
 bin' ; Warburton, ' With everything that pretty hin.' 
 
 II. iii. 32. ' vice ' ; Rowe's emendation of Folios, ' voyce.' 
 II. iii. 51. 'soliciting' ; the reading of Collier (ed. 2) ; Folio i 
 reads ' solicity' ; Folios 2, 3, 4, 'solicits' ; Pope, 'solicits.' 
 
 II. iii. 105. 'Are not'; Warburton's conjecture, adopted by 
 Theobald, 'cure not' ) but no change is necessary. 
 
 III. i. 20. 'rocks'; Seward conj., adopted by Hanmer; Folios, 
 ' Oakes.' 
 
 III. i. 54. ' We do' these words are part of Cymbeline's speech 
 in Folios ; Collier MS. assigns them to Cloten, and the arrange- 
 ment has been generally adopted. 
 
 III. iii. 2. 'Stoop'; Hanmer's emendation of Folios, ' Sleepe.' 
 
 III. iii. 6. ' turhons' ; Folio i, ' Turbonds' ; Folios 2, 3, 4, ' Tur- 
 hands.' 
 
 III. iii. 23. 'hauhle'; Rowe's emendation of Folios, ' Bahe'; 
 Hanmer, ' hrihe ' ; the latter suggestion has been accepted by many 
 modern editors ; Brae, ' hadge' i.e. decoration, ribbon. 
 
 Ill, iii. 34. 'prison for' ; Pope's emendation of Folio i, 'Prison, 
 or'; Folios 2, 3, 4, 'Prison or'; Anon conj. and Vaughan conj., 
 'prison of.' 
 
 III. iii. 83. ' r the cave wherein they how'; Warburton's 
 emendation; Folios, ' F th' Cave, whereon the Bowe'; Rowe, ' /' 
 th' cave, where on the how ; Pope, 'Here in the cave, wherein'; 
 Theobald, '/' th' cave, there, on the hrow,' etc. 
 
 III. iv. 52. ' Whose mother was her painting,' i.e. ' who owed 
 her beauty to her painted face ' ; or, perhaps ' whose painted face 
 was the sum of her woman-like qualities ' ; according to others, 
 * whose mother aided and abetted her daughter in her trade.' 
 
 III. iv. 81. 'afore't'; Rowe's emendation of Folios, ' a-foot.' 
 
 III. iv. 104. 'I'll wake mine eye-halls blind first'; Hanmer's 
 emendation; Folios read ''/'// wake mine eye-halles first'; Rowe, 
 '/'// break mine eye-balls first'; Johnson conj., adopted by Ingle- 
 by, 'I'll wake inine eye-halls out first'; Collier MS., 'I'll crack 
 mine eye-balls first.' 
 
 171
 
 Notes 
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 III. iv. 135. Vaughn proposed ' With that harsh yiohle — noble 
 simply in nothing' ; Spence, 'trash noble' {i.e. base coin) ; Elze, 
 ' that ignoble/ etc. 
 
 III. iv. 138. 'Where then?' perhaps these words should be as- 
 signed to Pisanio. 
 
 III. iv. 177. 'Which you'll make him know' Hanmer's read- 
 
 Which 
 
 ing; Folios read ' Which zvill make Jiim knozv' ; Theobald, 
 will make him so.' 
 
 III. V. 44. ' loiid'st of noise'; Capell's emendation; Folios i, 2, 
 ' lowd of noise ' ; Rowe, ' loudest noise.' 
 
 Ill V. 72. Possibly, as explained by Johnson, these words are to 
 be explained as meaning, ' than any lady, than all ladies, than all 
 womankind ' ; Hanmer, ' than any lady wnnning from each one.' 
 
 III. vi. 71. Perhaps we should read with Hanmer, 'I'd hid'; 
 i.e. ' I 'd bid for you and make up my mind to have you.' 
 
 III. vii. 9. 'commends' ; Warburton's emendation, adopted by 
 Theobald; Folios, 'commands' (perhaps ^ ' commands to be 
 given '). 
 
 IV. ii. 132. 'humour' ; Theobald's emendation of Folios, 
 ' honor.' 
 
 IV. ii 
 
 ' river ' ; 
 
 IV. ii 
 
 168. 'parish'; Hanmer, 
 Becket conj. 'parage.' 
 224. ' The ruddock,' etc. ; 
 
 marish' ; Garrick's version, 
 
 the kindly service of the Robin 
 Redbreast is often referred to in 
 Elizabethan literature, e.g. 
 Covering zcith moss the dead's 
 
 unclosed eye, 
 The little redbreast teacheth 
 char it ie. 
 
 Drayton^ The Owl. 
 It is worth while noting that 
 the story of The Babes in the 
 Wood was dramatised as early 
 as 1600 in Yarrington's '' Tivo 
 Lamentable Tragedies." 
 
 IV. iii. 36. ' / heard no let- 
 ter,' i.e. (?) 'I've not had a line'; Hanmer reads 'I've had'; 
 Capell, 'I have had'; Mason conj., and Warburton conj., adopted 
 by Collier (ed. 2),' I had.' 
 
 V. i. 15. 'dread it, to the doers' thrift' ; perhaps this means that 
 the guilty benefit by their dread, for their dread makes them re- 
 
 172 
 
 From an early copy of tbe ballad of 
 T/ie Babes in the Wood. 
 
 J
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Notes 
 
 pent, and repentance brings them 
 salvation. Theobald suggested 
 ' dreaded . . , • thrift ' ; but 
 the text, though somewhat dif- 
 ficult, may be correct. 
 
 V. iii. 26. ' that,' i.e. ' that 
 death.' 
 
 V. iii. 43. 'they'; Theobald's 
 correction of Folios, ' the ' ; i.e. 
 ' retracing as slaves the strides 
 they made as victors. 
 
 V. iii. 53. 'Nay, do not "won- 
 der ' ; Theobald reads ' Nay, do 
 hut wonder'; Staunton conj. 
 'Ay, do hut wonder'; " Posthu- 
 mus first bids him not wonder, 
 then tells him in another mode 
 of reproach that wonder was all 
 he was made for" (Johnson). 
 
 V. iv. 113. 'Mount, eagle, to my palace crystalline.' 
 companying drawing. 
 
 V. iv. 133. 
 
 'A hook? O rare one! 
 Be not ... a garment 
 Nohler than that it covers' 
 
 From a group crowning the summit of 
 the celebrated Nautilus cup in Her 
 Majesty's collection, probably the 
 work of German t,oldsmiths. 
 
 Cp. the ac- 
 
 From a specimen of the late XVIth century. 
 
 V. V. 54. ' and in time ' ; so Folio i ; Folios 2, 3, 4, *" yes and in 
 time'; S. Walker conj. 'and in due time.' etc. 
 
 173
 
 Notes CYMBELINE 
 
 V. V. 263. The stage - direction first inserted by Hanmer. It 
 explains the meaning of the lines, gets rid of a long series of un- 
 necessary emendations. 
 
 V. V. 305. ' scar ' ; ' had ever s. for/ i.e. had ever received a 
 scar for; Folios i, 2, ' scarre' ; Collier conj. 'sense'; Singer (ed. 
 2), 'score ' Bailey conj. 'soar! 
 
 V. V. 378. ' When ye ' ; Rowe's emendation of Folios, ' When 
 zue'; Capell, 'When you! 
 
 V. V. 382. '-fierce,' disordered; (?) vehement, rapid; Collier 
 conj. ' forc'd'; Bailey conj. 'brief! 
 
 V. V. 384. ' distinction should be rich in! i-c " Ought to be ren- 
 dered distinct by a liberal amplitude of narrative" (Steevens). 
 
 V. v. 392. ' our long inte/gatories' ; Tyrwhitt conj., adopted by 
 Malone; Folios, 'our long Interrogatories! 
 
 lU
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Explanatory Notes. 
 
 The Explanatory Notes in this edition have been specially selected and 
 adapted, with emendations after the latest and best authorities, from the 
 most eminent Shakespearian scholars and commentators, including Johnson, 
 Malone, Steevens, Singer, Dyce, Hudson, White, Furness, Dowden, and 
 others. This method, here introduced for the first time, provides the best 
 annotation of Shakespeare ever embraced in a single edition. 
 
 ACT FIRST. 
 Scene I. 
 
 25-27. I do extend, etc. : — The meaning is. my praise, however 
 extreme it may appear, is less than the truth warrants : I rather 
 stop short of his merits than go the full length of them. 
 
 31. Tenantius was the father of Cymbeline, and the son of Lud. 
 On the death of Lud, his younger brother, Cassibelan, took the 
 throne, to the exclusion of the lineal heir. Cassibelan repulsed 
 the Romans on their first invasion, but was vanquished on their 
 second, and agreed to pay an annual tribute to Rome. After his 
 death, his nephew Tenantius was established on the throne. Some 
 authorities tell us that he quietly paid the tribute stipulated by his 
 usurping uncle; others, that he refused it, and warred with the 
 Romans ; which latter account is the one taken for true by the Poet. 
 
 Scene II. 
 
 30, 31. she's a good sign, etc. : — To understand the force of this, 
 it should be remembered that anciently almost every sign had a 
 motto, or some attempt at a witticism underneath. 
 
 Scene IV. 
 
 [Enter ... a Dutchman, and a Spaniard.] "It has been ob- 
 served," says Verplanck, " that the behaviour of the Spaniard and 
 the Dutchman, who are stated to be present during this animated 
 scene, is in humorous accordance with the apathy and taciturnity 
 usually attributed to their countrymen. Neither the Don nor 
 Mynheer utters a syllable. 'What was Imogen to them, or they 
 to Imogen,' that they should speak of her?" White says "their 
 
 175
 
 Notes CYMBELINE 
 
 mere presence has a dramatic value, as indicating the mixed com- 
 pany of travellers in which this scene takes place." 
 
 16,17. a great deal from the matter: — That is, makes the de- 
 scription of him very distant from the truth. 
 
 141. afraid, . . . ix-'iser : — That is; you are the wiser in fear- 
 ing to have your wife put to the proof. To screw Posthumus up 
 to the sticking-point, the villain here imputes his backwardness 
 to a distrust of his wife, and so brings his confidence in her over 
 to the side of the wager and trial. The original reads, a friend 
 instead of afraid. The latter word was suggested by Warburton, 
 and adopted by Theobald. It is not altogether easy to get at the 
 meaning of a friend in such a connection : besides, Posthumus 
 has just professed himself "her adorer, not her friend." And 
 the change is further approved by what lachimo says just after: 
 " But, I see, you have some religion in j^ou, that yoii fear " ; that is, 
 evidently, fear to have your wife's honour attempted, lest it should 
 give way. It need scarce be said, that to such a man as lachimo 
 religion and superstition are synonymous terms. 
 
 Scene V. 
 
 33, 34. I do not like her, etc. : — This soliloquy is pronounced by 
 Johnson to be " very inartificial," and he declares that Cornelius 
 makes " a long speech to tell himself what himself knows." The 
 speech might deserve such censure, were it not intended for the 
 audience, to relieve their anxiety at mischievous ingredients being 
 left in the hands of the Queen. It is no less useful to prepare us 
 for the seeming return of Imogen from death to life. 
 
 84. The violets, cowslips, . . . my closet: — Upon this pas- 
 sage Clarke has the following : " The art with which the Poet and 
 dramatist has placed these words in the mouth of this queen mis- 
 creant is worthy of remark. He makes her use these beauteous 
 and innocent products of earth as mere cloaks to her wickedness ; 
 she concocts ' perfumes ' and ' confections ' from them as a veil to 
 the ' drugs ' and ' poisonous compounds ' which she collects for 
 the fellest purposes. It enhances the effect of her guilt, her thus 
 forcing these sweet blossoms to become accomplices in her vile 
 schemes; and we loathe her the more for her surrounding her 
 unhallowed self with their loveliness. Observe, too, how skil- 
 fully Shakespeare has made this evil woman order her ladies to 
 'gather these flowers' — how she desires that they shall be borne 
 
 176 
 
 i
 
 CYMBELINE Notes 
 
 to her closet — her laboratory; not gathering or caring for them 
 herself; not caring for the touch, and scent, and sight of these 
 gentle things — that all good people instinctively love, and cherish, 
 and caress. How different is the Poet's treatment of the subject, 
 where he makes the virtuous Friar Laurence rise with the dawn, 
 himself to gather the 'precious-juiced flowers,' 'ere the sun ad- 
 vance his burning eye ' ; and dilating with fond enthusiasm on their 
 ' many virtues excellent,' and philosophizing on their varied quali- 
 ties and purposes ! " 
 
 Scene VI. 
 
 99. What both you spur and stop : — The information which you 
 seem to press forward and yet withhold. The allusion is to horse- 
 manship. So in Sidney's Arcadia: " She was like a horse desir- 
 ous to runne, and miserably spurred, but so short-reined, as he 
 cannot stirre forward." 
 
 210. Concerning the art with which the character of Imogen is 
 worked out, especially in her interview with lachimo. White, in 
 his Shakespeare's Scholar, has these just and well-put thoughts: 
 " The firm, undallying chastity of Imogen is indicated with unsur- 
 passable tact and skill in this Scene. She is slow to understand 
 lachimo; but the moment he makes his proposition plainly, before 
 a word of anger or surprise passes her lips, she calls for the faith- 
 ful servant of her lord, to remove him who has insulted her and 
 his friend's honour. Then her indignation bursts from her ; but 
 again and again she interrupts its flow with What, ho, Pisanio! 
 She holds no question with him who made such a proposition to 
 her ; enters into no dispute of why or wherefore : she seeks nothing 
 but the instantaneous removal of the man who has dared to at- 
 tempt her chastity. Not only does she refuse all consideration 
 of the right or wrong of the proposition, but the mere proposal 
 changes, on the moment, all previous relations between her and 
 the proposer, although they were established by her husband him- 
 self. It is not until her pure soul, as quick to believe good as it 
 was slow to imagine evil, is quieted by the entire withdrawal of 
 lachimo's advances, and the assignment of a comprehensible 
 though not excusable reason for them, that she ceases to call for 
 him who is in some sort the representative of her husband. An 
 exquisite touch of the master's hand occurs in a single pronoun 
 in the succeeding speech of Imogen. Born a princess, she has 
 given herself to Posthumus, a nameless man, as freely as if she 
 
 177
 
 Notes CYMBELINE 
 
 were a peasant's daughter ; and she is remarkable, with all her dig- 
 nity, for her unassuming deportment : but the insult of lachimo 
 stings her into pride, and, for the first and only time, she takes 
 her state, and speaks of herself in the plural number. She says, 
 to expound his beastly mind to us." 
 
 ACT SECOND. 
 Scene I. 
 
 [Cloten.] The character of Cloten was for a long time thought 
 to be out of nature and monstrous. But Miss Seward declared 
 him the exact prototype of a man she once knew : " The unmean- 
 ing frown of the countenance ; the shuffling gait ; the burst of 
 speaking; the bustling insignificance; the fever-and-ague fits of 
 valour ; the froward techiness ; the unprincipled malice ; and, what 
 is most curious, the occasional gleams of good sense amid the 
 floating clouds of folly which generally darkened and confused 
 the man's brain, and which, in Cloten, we are apt to impute to a 
 violation of unity of character; — but in the sometime Captain 
 C n I saw the portrait of Cloten was not out of nature." 
 
 Scene II. 
 
 13. rushes: — It was customary in Shakespeare's time to strew 
 floors with rushes ; and the Poet, with the license of his art, speaks 
 as though the same custom had obtained in Rome. 
 
 22,23. windows . . . tinct: — The eyelids a.vetht windows oi 
 the eyes. So in Romeo and Juliet, IV. i. 100, loi : " Thy eyes' 
 windows fall, like death, when he shuts up the day of life." And 
 in Venus and Adonis: — 
 
 " The night of sorrow now is turn'd to day : 
 Her two blue windows faintly she up-heaveth." 
 
 This passage is an exact description of the eyelid of a fair beauty, 
 which is white, laced with veins of blue. By asure is understood 
 not a dark blue, but a tinct or effusion of a blue colour — the blue 
 of heaven's own tinct. Drayton seems to have had this passage in 
 his mind: — 
 
 " And these sweet veins by nature rightly .plac'd. 
 Wherewith she seems the white skin to have lac'd."
 
 CYMBELINE Notes 
 
 45. The tale of Terens: — Tereus and Progne is the second tale 
 in A Petite Palace of Pettie his Pleasure, 1576. The story is re- 
 lated in Ovid, Metamorphes, 1. vi. ; and by Gower in his Con- 
 fessio A mantis. 
 
 48. dragons of the night: — The task of drawing the chariot of 
 Night was assigned to dragons, on account of their supposed 
 watchfulness. So in A Midsummer-Night's Dream, III. ii. 379: 
 " Night's swift dragons cut the clouds full fast." 
 
 51. The inexpressible purity and delicacy of this Scene have 
 been often commended and cannot be overpraised. The imagery 
 all shows " of heaven's own tinct," as though by some secret sym- 
 pathy it had caught the very life and quality of the subject. Its 
 richness and rareness enchant the senses ; but the enchantment 
 is wrought so entirely through the imagination, that the senses are 
 at the same time purified and, as it were, turned into soul in the 
 contemplation. The description of Imogen would almost engage 
 our respect upon the describer, but that we already know lachimo 
 to be one of those passionless minds in which gross thoughts are 
 most apt to lodge ; and that the unaccustomed awe of virtue, 
 which Imogen struck into him at their first interview, only chas- 
 tises down his tendencies to gross-thoughtedness while in her 
 presence. Thus his delicacy of speech only goes to heighten our 
 impression of Imogen's character inasmuch as it seems to come, 
 not from him, but from her through him; and as something that 
 must be divine indeed, not to be strangled in passing through such 
 a medium. 
 
 Scene III. 
 
 20. A similar figure occurs in Paradise Lost, v. 197 : " Ye birds, 
 that singing up to heaven-gate ascend, bear on your wings and 
 in your notes His praise." And Shakespeare, in Sonnet XXIX : — 
 
 " Haply I think on thee, and then my state. 
 Like to the lark at break of day arising 
 From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate." 
 
 Divers other poets, from Chaucer downwards, have the same 
 figure. The whole song may have been suggested by a passage 
 in Lyly's Alexander and Campaspe: — 
 
 " Who is 't now we hear? 
 None but the lark so shrill and clear : 
 
 179
 
 Notes CYMBELINE 
 
 Now at heaven's gate she claps her wings, 
 The morn not waking till she sings. 
 Hark, hark! with what a pretty throat 
 Poor robin red-breast tunes his note ; 
 Hark ! how the jolly cuckoos sing 
 Cuckoo, to welcome in the spring." 
 
 57. Senseless! — "The cunning queen," observes Clarke, "uses 
 this word with the signification of unconscious ; her obtuse son 
 affrontedly disclaims it, as signifying stupid, devoid of sense. 
 The angry susceptibility and techiness of ignorance, just suffi- 
 ciently aware of its own incapacity to be perpetually afraid that it 
 is found out and insulted by others, blended with the stolid con- 
 ceit that invariably accompanies this inadequate self-knowledge, 
 are all admirably delineated in Cloten : he is a dolt striving to 
 pass for an accomplished prince, a vulgar boor fancying himself, 
 and desirous of being taken for, a thorough gentleman." 
 
 91. [Imogen.] Mrs. Jameson has this comment of clear insight 
 and analysis : " Cloten is odious ; but we must not overlook the 
 peculiar fitness and propriety of his character, in connection with 
 that of Imogen. He is precisely the kind of man who would be 
 most intolerable to such a woman. He is a fool — so is Slender, 
 and Sir Andrew Aguecheek : but the folly of Cloten is not only 
 ridiculous, but hateful ; it arises not so much from a want of un- 
 derstanding as a total want of heart ; it is the perversion of senti- 
 ment, rather than the deficiency of intellect; he has occasional 
 gleams of sense, but never a touch of feeling. Imogen describes 
 herself not only as ' sprited with a fool,' but as ' frighted and 
 anger'd worse.' No other fool but Cloten — a compound of the 
 booby and the villain — could excite in such a mind as Imogen's 
 the same mixture of terror, contempt, and abhorrence. The stu- 
 pid, obstinate malignity of Cloten and the wicked machinations of 
 the queen justify whatever might need excuse in the conduct 
 of Imogen — as her concealed marriage and her flight from her 
 father's court — and serve to call out several of the most beautiful 
 and striking parts of her character : particularly that decision and 
 vivacity of temper which in her harmonize so beautifully with ex- 
 ceeding delicacy, sweetness, and submission." 
 
 131-134. thou wert digniHed enough, etc.: — If you were to be 
 dignified only in comparison to your virtues, the under hangman's 
 place is too good for you. 
 
 180 
 
 i
 
 CYMBELINE Notes 
 
 Scene IV. 
 
 76. the true life on 't zuas : — " lachimo's language," says Johnson, 
 " is such as a skilful villain would naturally use ; a mixture of 
 airy triumph and serious deposition. His gaiety shows his seri- 
 ousness to be without anxiety, and his seriousness proves his 
 gaiety to be without art." 
 
 125. All sworn : — It was anciently the custom for the servants 
 of great families (as it is now for the servants of the king) to take 
 an oath of fidelity on their entrance into office. 
 
 ACT THIRD. 
 Scene I. 
 
 30-33. The famed Cassibelan, etc. : — The Poet has transferred 
 to Cassibelan an adventure which happened to his brother Nen- 
 nius. Holinshed says, " The same historic also maketh mention 
 of Nennius, brother to Cassibelane, who in fight happened to get 
 Caesar's sword fastened in his shield by a blow which Caesar stroke 
 at him. But Nennius died, within 15 dales after the battel, of the 
 hurt received at Caesar's hand; although after he was hurt he 
 slew Labienus, one of the Roman tribunes." 
 
 34-38. Come, etc. : — The pith and shrewdness of this ungeared 
 and loose-screwed genius here go right to the mark, although they 
 go off out of time. 
 
 60-62. the first of Britain, etc. : — Here the Poet follows Holin- 
 shed : " Mulmutius, the son of Cloten, got the upper hand of the 
 other dukes or rulers ; and, after his father's decease, began to 
 reign over the whole monarchy of Britain, in the year of the world 
 3529. He made many good laws, which were long after used, 
 called Mulmutius' laws. After he had established his land, he or- 
 dained him, by the advice of his lords, a crown of gold, and 
 caused himself with great solemnity to be crowned. And because 
 he was the first that bore a crown here in Britain, after the opinion 
 of some writers, he is named the first king of Britain, and all the 
 other before rehearsed are named rulers, dukes, or governors." 
 
 70-77. The main points of this speech are thus set forth in 
 Holinshed : " Kymbeline was of the Britains made king, after the 
 decease of his father, in the year of the world 3944, and before the 
 birth of our Saviour 33. This man, as some write, was brought 
 
 181
 
 Notes CYMBELINE 
 
 up at Rome, and there made knight by Augustus Csesar, under 
 whom he served in the wars, and was in such favour with him 
 that he was at liberty to pay his tribute or not. But here is to be 
 noted that, akhough our histories do affirm that Kymbehne lived 
 in quiet with the Romans, and continually to them paid the trib- 
 utes which the Britains had covenanted with Julius Csesar to pay, 
 yet we find in the Roman writers, that after Julius Caesar's death, 
 when Augustus had taken upon him the rule of the Empire, the 
 Britains refused to pay that tribute : whereat, as Cornelius Tacitus 
 reporteth, Augustus, being otherwise occupied, was contented to 
 wink; howbeit, through earnest calling upon to recover his right 
 by such as were desirous to see the uttermost of the British king- 
 dom, at length, in the tenth year after the death of Julius Csesar, 
 Augustus made provision to pass with an army over into Britain, 
 and was come forward upon his journey into Gallia Celtica, or, as 
 we may say, into these hither parts of France. But, here receiv- 
 ing advertisements that the Pannonians, which inhabited the coun- 
 try now called Hungary, and the Dalmatians, whom we now call 
 Slavons, had rebelled, he thought it best first to subdue these reb- 
 els, near home, rather than to seek new countries, and leave such 
 in hazard whereof he had present possession ; and so, turning his 
 power against the Pannonians and Dalmatians, he left off for a 
 time the wars of Britain." 
 
 Scene II. 
 
 50-73. 0, for a horse . . . sloiij'. — Mrs. Jameson quotes these 
 lines, and remarks thus upon Imogen : " In the eagerness of Imo- 
 gen to meet her husband there is all a wife's fondness, mixed up 
 with the breathless hurry arising from a sudden and joyful sur- 
 prise ; but nothing of the picturesque eloquence, the ardent, exu- 
 berant, Italian imagination of Juliet, who, to gratify her impa- 
 tience, would have her heralds thoughts; press into her service the 
 nimble-pinioned doves, and wind-swift Cupids — change the course 
 of nature, and lash the steeds of Phoebus to the west. Imogen 
 only thinks ' one score of miles, 'twixt sun and sun,' slow travel- 
 ling for a lover, and wishes for a horse with wings." 
 
 "^Z- riding wagers : — This practice was prevalent in Shake- 
 speare's time. Fynes Moryson, speaking of his brother's putting 
 out money to be paid with interest on his return from Jerusalem, 
 defends it as an honest means of gaining the charges of his jour- 
 ney, especially when " no meane lords, and lords' sonnes, and gen- 
 
 182
 
 CYMBELINE ' Notes 
 
 tlemen in our court, put out money upon a horse-race under them- 
 selves, yea, upon a journey afoote." 
 
 Scene III. 
 
 21. full-zving'd eagle: — The epithet full-zvinged, applied to the 
 eagle, sufficiently marks the contrast of the Poet's imagery ; for 
 whilst the bird can soar beyond the reach of human eye, the insect 
 mentioned in the previous line can but just rise above the surface 
 of the eanli, and that at the close of day. 
 
 35-39- What should we speak of, etc.: — Upon these lines John- 
 son has this fine observation: " This dread of an old age unsup- 
 plied with matter for discourse and meditation is a sentiment natu- 
 ral and noble. No state can be more destitute than that of him 
 who, when the delights of sense forsake him, has no pleasures of 
 the mind." 
 
 78. [Exeunt Guiderius and Arviragus.] " The princely brothers 
 in the cave," says Lloyd, " are in a manner common types of natu- 
 ral Britain, divided off and lying separate from the continental 
 world ; they are brought up in simplicity but in rudeness, in purity 
 but in inexperience, in safety but in dullness, but their breed and 
 blood declare themselves when their spirits rebel at the seclusion, 
 and prefer to take the noble chances of glory, experience, useful- 
 ness, recollections, even though scathed in the trial. Posthumus 
 describes two stages of British progress, undisciplined but daring 
 against Julius Caesar, now of improved knowledge and skill to aid 
 their valour, but his own example proves his country still a tyro 
 when culture of yesterday is matched with the veteran craft and 
 villainy of centuries. The young princes are rather representa- 
 tives of the earlier state, but they convey the idea of a fund of 
 healthy vigour in the background to reinforce the failures of first 
 attempts, and by their aspirations they set a mark that declares 
 the country's destiny." 
 
 Scene IV. 
 
 3. as I have now: — That is, have now longed to see Posthumus. 
 It would seem something fitter to Imogen's state of mind to read : 
 " Ne'er long'd his mother so to see him first." Nevertheless, the 
 sense is clear enough. Daniel changed to " as I do now," wherein 
 some editors have followed him. 
 
 183
 
 Notes ^ CYMBELINE 
 
 54. richer than to hang by the zvalls: — That is, too rich to be 
 hung up as useless among the neglected contents of a wardrobe. 
 Clothes were not formerly, as at present, kept in drawers, or given 
 away as soon as time or change of fashion had impaired their 
 value. On the contrary, they were hung up on wooden pegs, in a 
 room appropriated to the purpose ; and, though such as were com- 
 posed of rich substances were occasionally ripped for domestic 
 uses, articles of inferior quality were suffered to hang by the walls 
 till age and moths had destroyed what pride would not permit to 
 be worn by servants or poor relations. It is said that when Queen 
 Elizabeth died she was found to have left above three thousand 
 dresses behind her. Steevens once saw one of those repositories 
 at an ancient mansion in Suffolk, which had been preserved with 
 superstitious reverence for almost a century and a half. 
 
 139-143- Hath Britain all the sun, etc. : — " It seems probable," 
 says Knight, " that here, as also on a similar occasion in Richard 
 11. , Shakespeare had in his thoughts a passage in Lyly's Euphues: 
 ' Nature hath given to no man a country, no more than she hath 
 house, or lands, or living. Plato would never account him ban- 
 ished that had the sun, air, water, and earth, that he had before: 
 where he felt the winter's blast, and the summer's blaze ; where 
 the same sun and the same moon shined : whereby he noted that 
 every place was a country to a wise man, and all parts a palace 
 to a quiet mind.' " 
 
 162. quarrelons as the weasel: — Weasels were formerly kept 
 in houses, instead of cats, for the purpose of killing vermin. The 
 Poet no doubt speaks from observation ; while a youth he would 
 have frequent opportunities to ascertain their disposition. 
 
 166. common-kissing Titan: — So in Sidney's Arcadia: "And 
 beautiful might have been, if they had not suffered gieedy Phoebus 
 over often and hard to kisse them." 
 
 180,181. Your means abroad, etc.: — As for your subsistence 
 abroad, you may rely on me. 
 
 Scene V. 
 
 69. This night forestall, etc.: — That is, may his grief this night 
 prevent him, by an unexpected and premature death, from ever 
 seeing another day. 
 
 loi. Or this, or perish : — Meaning, probably, I must either 
 practise this deceit upon Cloten or perish by his fury." Johnson 
 thought the words should be given to Cloten. 
 
 184
 
 CYMBELINE Notes 
 
 Scene VI. 
 
 1-27. " Exquisitely feminine throughout," says Clarke, " Is this 
 speech. Its confession of limb-weary fatigue, of faintness from 
 exhaustion, its moral strength amid physical weakness, its tender 
 epithet for the husband whose cruel injustice is felt none the 
 less deeply for the irremovable love she still cherishes for him, 
 its timid hesitation in calling for help, its vague thought of defence 
 in best draw my sword, its avowal of greater dread at the very 
 sight of the sword than the sword-drawer can hope to inspire by 
 use of the weapon, together with the final softly smiling, half self- 
 pitying exclamation, half aspiration for divine aid, are all in- 
 tensely true to the mingled mental courage and bodily delicacy of 
 such a woman as Imogen, who is the very embodiment of supreme 
 womanhood." 
 
 ACT FOURTH. 
 Scene I. 
 
 15. imperceiverant : — Cloten is a very notable instance of a man 
 or a thing, with not merely a loose screw in the gearing, but with 
 all the screws loose. His character reminds us of nothing so 
 much as the description of Desborough in Woodstock : " His 
 limbs seemed to act upon different and contradictory principles. 
 They were not, as the play says, in a concatenation accordingly : 
 the right hand moved as if it were on bad terms with the left, 
 and the legs showed an inclination to foot it in different and op- 
 posite directions." Precisely so it is with Cloten's mind. There 
 are the materials of a man in him, but they are not made up : his 
 whole being seems a mass of unhingement, disorder, and jumble, 
 full of unaccountable jerks and twitches: the several parts of. him 
 hold no mutual intercourse or intelligence, but appear set at in- 
 curable odds one with another, each having a will and a way of its 
 own, so that no two of them can pull or strike together. Hence 
 the excruciating, though at the same time laughable, unfitness of 
 all that he does, and most that he speaks. He has indeed a rea- 
 sonable gift of practical shrewdness, is not without frequent 
 flashes of strong and ready sense ; yet even these, through his 
 overweening self-importance of rank and place, only serve to in- 
 vest him all the more with the air of a conceited, blustering, con- 
 
 185
 
 Notes CYMBELINE 
 
 sequential booby. Rendered ludicrous by whatsoever is best in 
 him, and rendered frightful by whatsoever is not ludicrous; sav- 
 age in feeling, awkward in person, absurd in manners; he is of 
 course just the last man that any lady of sense or sensibility could 
 be brought to endure. His calling Imogen an imperceiverant 
 thing for not appreciating his superiority to Posthumus in the 
 qualities that invite a lady's respect and affection, aptly illustrates 
 the refined irony with which the character is drawn. 
 
 Scene II. 
 
 72)^ 74. answering a slave, etc. : — That is, answering one who 
 called me a slave. 
 
 118. / am perfect what: — I know perfectly what I have done. 
 
 198. made so much on: — Mrs. Radcliffe, as quoted by Ver- 
 planck, here says : " No master ever knew how to touch the ac- 
 cordant springs of sympathy by small circumstances like our own 
 Shakespeare. In Cymbeline, for instance, how finely such cir- 
 cumstances are made use of to awaken, at once, solemn expecta- 
 tion and tenderness, and, by recalling the softened remembrance 
 of a sorrow long past, to prepare the mind to melt at one that 
 was approaching; mingling at the same time, by means of a mys- 
 terious occurrence, a slight tremor of awe with our pity ! Thus, 
 when Belarius and Arviragus return to the cave where they had 
 left the unhappy and worn-out Imogen to repose, while they are 
 yet standing before it, and Arviragus — speaking of her with ten- 
 derest pity as ' poor sick Fidele ' — goes out to inquire for her, sol- 
 emn music is heard from the cave, sounded by that harp of which 
 Guiderius says, ' Since the death of my dearest mother it did not 
 speak before. All solemn things should answer solemn accidents.' 
 Immediately, Arviragus enters with Fidele senseless in his arms. 
 Tears alone can speak the touching simplicity of the whole scene." 
 
 215-218. Why, he but sleeps, etc.: — John Webster's Vittoria Cor- 
 ombona has a very noble passage which may have been suggested 
 by this in the text : — 
 
 " O thou soft natural death ! thou art joint twin 
 To sweetest slumber : no rough-bearded comet 
 Stares on thy mild departure : the dull owl 
 Beats not against thy casement : the hoarse wolf 
 Scents not thy carrion : pity winds thy corse, 
 While horror waits on princes." 
 
 186
 
 CYMBELINE Notes 
 
 224-229. the ruddock, etc. : — The old writers often sweeten their 
 hnes with the tender reverences here ascribed to the redbreast. 
 The beautiful superstition is thus spoken of in Thomas Johnson's 
 Cornucopia, 1596: "The robin redbreast, if he find a man or 
 woman dead, will cover all his face with mosse; and some thinke 
 that if the body should remain unburied he would cover the whole 
 body also." Webster has the following choice lines, being part 
 of the dirge sung by Cornelia for young Marcello, in the play 
 quoted in the preceding note : — 
 
 " Call for the robin redbreast and the wren, 
 Since o'er shady grove they hover. 
 And with leaves and flowers do cover \ 
 The friendless bodies of unburied men." 
 
 Drayton, also, has it, evidently in imitation of Shakespeare :— ^ 
 
 " Covering with moss the dead's unclosed eye, 
 The little redbreast teacheth charity." 
 
 But perhaps the most touching use of it is in the old ballad of The 
 Children in the Wood, which is too well known to need quoting 
 here. 
 258 et' seq. [Song.] Here is Collins's imitation of this song: — 
 
 " To fair Fidele's grassy tomb 
 
 Soft maids and village hinds shall bring 
 Each opening sweet of earliest bloom, 
 And rifle all the breathing spring. 
 
 No wailing ghost shall dare appear 
 To vex with shrieks this quiet grove; 
 
 But shepherd lads assemble here, 
 And melting virgins own their love. 
 
 No withered witch shall here be seen; 
 
 No goDlins lead their nightly crew; 
 The female fays shall haunt the green, 
 
 And dress thy grave with pearly dew. 
 
 The redbreast oft, at evening hours, 
 
 Shall kindly lend his little aid, 
 With hoary moss and gathered flowers. 
 
 To deck the ground where thou art laid. 
 
 187
 
 Notes CYMBELINE 
 
 When howling winds and beating rain 
 
 In tempests shake the sjdvan cell; 
 Or, midst the chase, on every plain. 
 
 The tender thought on thee shall dwell — 
 
 Each lonely scene shall thee restore ; 
 
 For thee the tear be truly shed ; 
 Beloved till life can charm no more, 
 
 And mourned till pity's self be dead." 
 
 " There is nothing to us more striking," says Knight, " than the 
 contrast which is presented between the free natural lyric sung by 
 the brothers over the grave of Fidele and the elegant poem which 
 some have thought so much more beautiful. The one is perfectly 
 in keeping with all that precedes and all that follows ; the other 
 is entirely out of harmony with its associations. ' To fair Fidele's 
 grassy tomb' is the dirge of Collins over Fidele; ' Fear no more 
 the heat o' the sun ' is Fidele's proper funeral song by her bold 
 brotJiers." 
 
 280. Quiet consummation have: — Probably the best comment on 
 this is furnished by the closing prayer in the Church Burial Serv- 
 ice : "That we, with .all those who are departed in the true 
 faith of Thy holy Name, may have our perfect consummation 
 and bliss, both in body and soul, in Thy eternal and everlasting 
 glory." 
 
 White, in his Shakespeare's Scholar, handles these verses rather 
 unceremoniously, calling them " stiff, formal, artificial rhymes, 
 worthy only of a verse-crazed cit affecting the pastorals." And 
 he adds : " The lines are the production of some clumsy prentice 
 of the Muse." Hudson confesses that, possibly more from long 
 association than from judgement, the lines feel to him very much 
 at home where they are, seem to relish of the soil in which they 
 are represented as growing, and fall in so accordantly with the 
 spirit of the persons and the occasion, that he can discover no 
 savour of " affecting the pastorals " in them. Still Hudson does 
 not think that they were written by Shakespeare. Staunton says : 
 " There is something so strikingly inferior, both in the thoughts 
 and expression of the concluding couplet to each stanza in this 
 song, that we may fairly set them down as additions from the 
 same hand which furnished the contemptible Masque or Vision 
 that deforms the last Act." 
 
 377-2>79- U I do lie, etc. : — " Into the mouth of the pure-souled 
 Imogen," observes Clarke, " Shakespeare has characteristically 
 
 188
 
 CYMBELINE Notes 
 
 put this shrinking from the necessity for untruth, and the appeal 
 to Heaven for divine forgiveness for her reluctantly committed 
 error. He has depicted the same aversion to falsehood in the in- 
 nocent and royal-natured Perdita ; while he has made even the 
 princely Florizel condescend to misstatements for the sake of 
 needful concealment. Thus clearly does the man and poet Shake- 
 speare denote his genuine perception and appreciation of the 
 sacredness of truth, at the very time that the dramatic Shake- 
 speare allows of equivocation as a necessary part of dramatic dis- 
 guise." 
 
 Scene IV. 
 
 6. revolts :—So in King John, V. ii. 151: "And you degener- 
 ate, you ingrate revolts." 
 
 ACT FIFTH. 
 Scene III. 
 
 14 et seq. : — In the passage beginning, Close by the battle, etc., 
 the Poet availed himself of an incident of Scottish history, which 
 he found in Holinshed : " There was, near the place of the bat- 
 tle, a long lane, fenced on both sides with ditches and walb made 
 of turf, through the which the Scots that fled were beaten down 
 by the enemies on heaps. Here Hay, with his sons, supposing 
 they might best stay the flight, placed themselves overthwart the 
 lane, beat them back whom they met fleeing, and spared neither 
 friend nor foe, but down they went all such as came within their 
 reach ; wherewith divers hardy personages cried unto their fel- 
 lows to return back unto the battle." 
 
 68. charm' d : — Men were supposed to be rendered invulnerable 
 in battle by charms. So in Chapman's Homer, Iliad, Book iv. : 
 " Turne head, ye well-rode peeres of Troy, feed not the Grecians 
 pride ; they are not charm' d against your points of Steele." And 
 Macbeth (V. viii. 11, 12 of the tragedy), when he comes to the 
 last mortal encounter with Macduff, says to him, referring to the 
 weird incantations, " Let fall thy blade on vulnerable crests ; I 
 bear a charmed life." 
 
 74-76. being now a favourer, etc. : — That is, being but now a 
 favourer to the Briton, I am a Briton no longer ; I have resumed
 
 Notes CYMBELINE 
 
 the part I came in, that of a Roman soldier, in which character I 
 shall find a certain death. 
 
 94. [Enter Cymbcline, etc.] This stage direction presents us 
 with a piece of what the Poet elsewhere calls " inexplicable dumb 
 show." It is hard to conceive what business such a thing should 
 have here, unless it were to tickle the eyes of the groundlings; 
 and in wishing it away, we may well be assured that it is not 
 Shakespeare's, but was foisted in by the players. 
 
 Scene IV. 
 
 1,2. The Gaoler alludes to the custom of putting a lock on a 
 horse's leg when he is turned out to pasture. 
 
 14, 15. / cannot . . . constrain'd : — That is, in gyves, or fet- 
 ters, which are desired by me more than / am constrained to wear 
 them. The change of subject between desired and constrain'd 
 makes the passage obscure. So in the next sentence we have 
 another of those elliptical expressions so frequent in this play, 
 where brevity is gained at the cost of perspicuit3^ Posthumus is 
 representing his conscience as fettered or imprisoned by guilt, 
 and penitence as the key that is to free it. To purchase this free- 
 dom, he is willing to repent, even to the laying down of his life. 
 He is supplicating the gods and begging that mercy may remit 
 whatsoever is due over and above his life, which is all he can 
 pay: though this be not a sufficient ransom, yet if it be the main 
 part of it, he prays them to be content with it, and not exact the 
 rest. 
 
 30. From the stage direction preceding this line to the reen- 
 trance of the Gaolers, after line 151, we find matter which it is 
 practically impossible -to attribute to Shakespeare, The more 
 common opinion is, that the interlude was foisted in by the play- 
 ers, in order to catch the interest of vulgar wonder. That such 
 things were sometimes done, is indeed beyond question. It may 
 also be observed that, if this whole section be omitted, there will 
 appear no gap in the play, unless in the allowing of Posthumus 
 some space for sleep ; the origin of the tablet being, for aught wo 
 can see, as well explained without the apparition as with it. Still 
 there is room for the opinion that the matter was worked in by 
 the Poet from an older drama either written by himself in his 
 youth, or found among the stock-copies of the theatre. For, 
 though the tablet be as well accounted for without the apparition 
 as with it, in what Posthumus afterwards says of it, yet the for- 
 
 190
 
 CYMBELINE Notes 
 
 mer is itself as absurd as ...nything in the latter, and as much be- 
 low the style of the rest of the play. Nevertheless, the contents 
 of the tablet are so worked into the dialogue as to make the tablet 
 itself an inseparable item of the drama. The most likely con- 
 clusion, then, seems to be, that the Poet found the matter already 
 in popular favour on the stage, and so worked it in with his own 
 " noble stuff," for purposes too obvious to need remarking upon. 
 
 Scene V. 
 
 88. So feat, etc. : — Upon the tribute in this passage paid to 
 Imogen, Clarke has the following observations : " This gentle 
 adaptation of herself and her womanly accomplishments to her 
 assumed office of page crowns the perfection of Imogen's char- 
 acter. Her power, too, of attracting and attaching all who come 
 near her — her father, who loves her in spite of the harshness he 
 has shown her under the influence of his fiendish queen; her hus- 
 band, who has been her ' playfellow ' when a boy, and her lover in 
 manhood, even after her supposed death ; her faithful servant, 
 Pisanio; her brothers, who know her but as a poor, homeless boy; 
 Belarius, whose sympathy for the sick youth makes the way forth 
 seem tedious ; and Lucius, who pleads for the gentle lad's life with 
 so earnest a warmth, while bearing so affectionate a testimony to 
 his qualities as a page — this power of hers speaks indirectly, but 
 indisputably, in testimony of her bewitching nature." 
 
 319. Assumed this age: — Referring to the different appearance 
 which he now makes in comparison with that when Cymbeline last 
 saw him. 
 
 334. 335- your pleasure, etc. : — Belarius means, " My crime, my 
 punishment, and all the treason that I was accused of, originated 
 in, and were founded on, your caprice only." 
 
 352-354. Thou weep'st, etc. :— Johnson explains the passage 
 thus : " Thy tears give testimony to the sincerity of thy relation ; 
 and I have the less reason to be incredulous, because the actions 
 which you have done within my knowledge are more incredible 
 than the story which you relate." 
 
 388. your three motives: — The motives of you three. So in 
 Romeo and Juliet, II. iii. 51. "both our remedies" means "the 
 remedy for us both." 
 
 435-442. When as, etc. : — Coleridge remarks upon this strange 
 "label" as follows: "It is not easy to conjecture why Shake- 
 speare should have introduced this ludicrous scroll, which answers 
 
 IQI
 
 Notes CYMBELINE 
 
 no one purpose, either propulsive or explicatory, unless as a joke 
 on etymology." Collier thinks " it is very possible that the scroll 
 and the vision were parts of an older play." 
 
 459. My peace we will begin : — " It should apparently be," says 
 Hudson in his earlier note, " ' By peace we will begin,' " and he so 
 has it in the later Harvard Edition. " The Soothsayer," continues 
 Hudson, " says that the label promised to Britain ' peace and 
 plenty.' To which Cymbeline replies, * We will begin with peace 
 to fulfil the prophecy.' " 
 
 192
 
 CYMBELINE 
 
 Questions on Cymbeline. 
 
 1. When was the play probably written? 
 
 2. Mention passages that are of doubtful authenticity. 
 
 3. What parts of the play were derived from Holinshed? What 
 from Boccaccio? 
 
 4. State some facts which indicate that Shakespeare had in 
 mind the fairy tale of " Little Snow-white " in constructing the 
 story of Imogen. 
 
 ACT FIRST. 
 
 5. In the opening speech of the First Gentleman what is indi- 
 cated concerning the character of the king and his power over his 
 court ? 
 
 6. In what fundamental traits are Lear and Cordelia suggested 
 by Cymbeline and Imogen? 
 
 7. State the positions in relation to each other in which we find 
 the principal actors of the story at the opening of the play. What 
 is gained by having these facts presented by an observer like the 
 First Gentleman and not allowing them to be given piecemeal by 
 the participators in the action? Does this method foreshadow 
 complexity of plot? 
 
 8. Show the Queen's purpose in allowing the interview between 
 Posthumus and Imogen. 
 
 9. What does Posthumus say of his loyalty? How do the ring 
 and the bracelet enter as elements of the plot? 
 
 10. Where does Imogen show some traces of barbaric spirit? 
 
 11. In Sc. ii. are the asides of the Second Lord necessary to 
 point the imbecility of Cloten? What effect of "atmosphere," so 
 to speak, do they produce? 
 
 12. What time has elapsed before Sc. iii.? What secondary 
 though important character does it introduce? 
 
 13. Though Posthumus does not lay the wager, which would 
 be too great a strain for our sympathies, yet how does he provoke 
 lachimo into proposing it? How is the bargain concluded? Why 
 
 193
 
 Questions CYMBELINE 
 
 does Shakespeare introduce two characters — the Dutchman and 
 the Spaniard — in Sc. iv., and give them nothing to say? 
 
 14. How in Sc. V. is the cruel nature of the Queen shown? Is 
 there indication here that the poisons she gives to Pisanio were 
 intended for any other but him? 
 
 15, Comment on the lofty moral feeling of Imogen as exhibited 
 during lachimo's attempt upon her chastity? Compare her con- 
 duct here with Isabella's under similar circumstances in Measure 
 for Measure. What is seen in Imogen's readiness to forgive? 
 From a previous knowledge of lachimo does the spectator suspect 
 the real facts at the bottom of the trunk intrigue? 
 
 ACT SECOND. 
 
 16. Sc. ii. of Act I. and Sc. i. of Act II. present Cloten, but keep 
 him outside the action of the play ; what evidently is the dramatic 
 purpose? 
 
 17. In Sc. ii. what indications of religious feeling does Imogen 
 give before retiring? 
 
 18. What qualities of imagination does lachimo show in the 
 bedchamber scene? What was the tale of Tereus? How does 
 this touch suggest the story of Paola and Francesca in The Divine 
 Comedy? 
 
 19. How is the vulgarity of Cloten shown (Sc. iii.) in contrast 
 with the song the musicians sing to Imogen ? 
 
 20. What is effected by the entrance of Cymbeline and the 
 Queen upon the scene of Cloten's wooing of Imogen? Does 
 Cloten anywhere but here speak in verse or in elevated language? 
 What does Shakespeare wish to imply by this means? 
 
 21. Explain the psychology of a nature such as Cloten, who 
 seeks to gain his ends by vilifying another rather than by present- 
 ing the best in himself. 
 
 22. What taunt of Imogen touches his vanity? How does 
 Cloten show stupidity in failing to see an opportunity for revenge 
 presented before his eyes? 
 
 23. How was lachimo's description of Imogen's bedchamber 
 foreshadowed? What is the effect of the details given here that 
 were omitted in his enumeration while in the chamber? How 
 nearly contemporaneous would be the scene of the picture of Cleo- 
 patra on the Cydnus? 
 
 194
 
 CYMBELINE Questions 
 
 24, Does Posthumus seem to yield too readily to belief in 
 Imogen's guilt? How does he show his religious nature? What 
 is the purpose of the dramatist in withholding the element of 
 proof that would carry most conviction until after Posthumus had 
 shown himself persuaded? 
 
 25. Is there any purpose in Sc. v. beyond exhibiting the emo- 
 tional condition of Posthumus? What course is he meditating? 
 
 ACT THIRD. 
 
 26. Explain the relations of Britain and Rome previous to the 
 time indicated in Sc. i. How has this scene with Caius Lucius 
 been prepared for? Comment on the degeneracy of the king as 
 exhibited here. 
 
 27. What command does Posthumus lay upon Pisanio? Why 
 was his purpose not made known by Posthumus himself when he 
 was last upon the stage? Compare Pisanio with other link- 
 persons in Shakespeare's plays and show how he is something 
 more than a mediary. 
 
 28. Comment on the imaginative quality of Imogen's mind. 
 Compare her speech in Sc. ii. with Juliet's {Romeo and Juliet, 
 III. ii.) beginning, Gallop apace, you Hery-footed steeds. Which 
 possesses more imagination? Do these two speeches convey a 
 feeling of the difference between the English and Italian tempers? 
 
 29. What preparation has been made for Sc. iii.? What does 
 it reveal necessary to a full understanding of the plot? What 
 does it, in turn, foreshadow? 
 
 30. Shakespeare again reverts to his favourite device of showing 
 in contrast the life of courts with the life of the country. Develop 
 the following suggestions : the effect of nature upon exiles from 
 the court as seen in The Tempest, As You Like It, and Cymbelinc ; 
 the effect of a rural or a natural life upon the high-born, as seen 
 in The Winter's Tale, The Tempest, and Cymbeline. 
 
 31. What is the immediate effect upon Imogen of the matter 
 contained in Posthumus's letter? To what does she attribute his 
 defection ? 
 
 52. How does this scene exhibit her intellectual qualities? 
 
 53. What does she say about self-slaughter? Compare her in 
 this with Hamlet. 
 
 34. What is Imogen's state of mind as shown in line 116 et seq.7 
 Compare her with Hermione under a similar charge. 
 
 195
 
 Questions CYMBELINE 
 
 35. Imagine Helena in this situation ; how would she have borne 
 herself? 
 
 36. How does Pisanio provide a solution? In what way is he 
 an agent for the irony of fate? 
 
 yj. How in Sc. v. does the Queen reveal the passion that actuates 
 her to crime? Compare her with Lady Macbeth. 
 
 38. What information does Cloten get concerning the flight of 
 Imogen? Does he inform Cymbeline and the Queen? What 
 dramatic use is made of his neglect? 
 
 39. What low revenge does he plan? 
 
 40. Point out the speech in Sc. vi. that marks the climax of the 
 play. Show how it also foreshadows the denouement. 
 
 ACT FOURTH. 
 
 41. How does Cloten compare with Posthumus in physical 
 form? What was Shakespeare's purpose in showing Cloten with 
 such disparity between mind and body? Contrast him in this re- 
 spect with Caliban. How are his voice and manner of speaking 
 described? 
 
 42. How long may we imagine Imogen to have lived with 
 Belarius and her two brothers in the cave? What differences do 
 you see in the characters of Guiderius and Arviragus? 
 
 43. What device leaves the stage clear (Sc. ii.) for Guiderius 
 and Cloten? How is it fitting that Guiderius should be the slayer 
 of Cloten? How does the younger brother comment on the act? 
 
 44. Show how fatalism is illustrated in deed as well as professed 
 in words by the three cave-men in the exigency of Cloten's death. 
 
 45. In the apparent death of Imogen we see a situation which 
 has pivotal relations to nearly all the principal characters. Indi- 
 cate these relations to the Queen, to Pisanio, to Guiderius and Ar- 
 viragus, to Posthumus, Cloten, and Lucius. 
 
 46. The audience being aware that Imogen is not dead, how 
 are the obsequies managed so as to escape the ridiculous? Com- 
 pare the philosophy of the song with that of Hamlet's soliloquy. 
 Is there dramatic fitness between this song and the singers? 
 What is suggested by the antiphonal form? 
 
 47. In what plight does Sc. iii. present Cymbeline? Why is 
 this Scene devoted almost entirely to him, who has been a rather 
 passive agent in the action hitherto ? Does the state of Cymbeline 
 arouse pity? 
 
 196
 
 CYMBELINE Questions 
 
 48. Does the action of the play pass out of the range of human 
 agency, as is suggested by^Pisanio in the last line of Sc. iii.? 
 
 49. In what way does Sc. iv. show that the natural instincts of 
 man are bound at some time to become too strong for the re- 
 straints of superficial culture? 
 
 ACT FIFTH. 
 
 50. How long a time has elapsed since Posthumus was last 
 seen? What view does he still hold of Imogen? What determina- 
 tion does he take as to his future ? 
 
 51. Does Posthumus recognize lachimo in Sc. ii.? If so, why 
 does he leave him after overcoming him with arms? 
 
 52. What does the compunction of lachimo foreshadow? 
 
 53. What is effected by suggesting the scene in action that is 
 so vigorously described by Posthumus in Sc. iii.? 
 
 54. How is Fortune again shown to act in the preservation of 
 Posthumus in battle? How did Posthumus secure his own arrest? 
 
 55. How is remorse shown in Posthumus? What atonement 
 does he propose making? 
 
 56. Who appear in dumb show? What do they rehearse? What 
 does Jove speak in reply? Does the show assist in any way in the 
 resolution of the plot? 
 
 57. Compare the speeches of the Gaoler with that of the Porter 
 in Macbeth, the Gravediggers of Hamlet, and comment on the 
 quality of humour in the first. 
 
 58. Of whom do Cymbeline and Belarius speak at the beginning 
 of Sc. v.? 
 
 59. What dramatic necessity requires the announcement of the 
 Queen's death early in this Scene? 
 
 60. Compare the manner of her death with that of the death of 
 Lady Macbeth. 
 
 61. By what stages does the action lead to the revelation of the 
 identity of Imogen? 
 
 62. How has the Poet prepared the mind of the spectator to look 
 sympathetically upon lachimo when detection forces his con- 
 fession? 
 
 63. How does the control of events return once more into the 
 hands of Pisanio? 
 
 64. What brings about the discovery of the identity of Guiderius 
 and of Arviragus? 
 
 197
 
 Questions CYMBELINE 
 
 65. To what does the story of Imogen and Posthumus subor- 
 dinate itself in the last Act? ,. 
 
 66. What is the office in the plot of the oracle and its inter- 
 pretation by the Soothsayer ? 
 
 67. Why is this play named CymhcUnc, considering the fact 
 that the king takes so small a part in the action? What is the 
 underlying idea of the plot based upon the relations sustained by 
 Cymbeline to Posthumus, Imogen, Belarius, and indirectly to 
 Guiderius and Arviragus? 
 
 68. This play is full of religious and moral ideas. Do you 
 think of any other play of Shakespeare's in which the characters 
 seem so much actuated by professed principles instead of inherent 
 moral forces? 
 
 69. What forms of religious observance are referred to in this 
 play? 
 
 70. Point out passages that contain ideas traceable to the re- 
 ligion of ancient Rome ; to the Druidism of early Britain ; to 
 Christianity. Where are there suggestions of Calvinistic theology? 
 
 71. Has Shakespeare made any play more intricate or more 
 perfect in construction? Comment especially on the ingenuity 
 with which he has worked out the denouement. 
 
 72. Is this play deficient in humour? Is Cloten a character of 
 comedy? Does the play suffer for want of comic relief? 
 
 y2- Do you call the play a tragedy? What inherent necessity 
 stands in the way of the Queen and Cloten sharing in the general 
 pardon afforded in the last Act? 
 
 74. Wherein resides the charm of Imogen? Do you agree with 
 Swinburne that "the woman above all Shakespeare's women is 
 Imogen " ? 
 
 75. What method is largely employed in the delineation of the 
 character of Posthumus? 
 
 76. In the character of Pisanio does Shakespeare once and for 
 all dispose of the charge that he held the people of the middle 
 classes in contempt? 
 
 198
 
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 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-LOS ANGELES 
 
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