A rider like myself, who ne'er wore rowel Guid. By heavens, I'll go: If you will bless me, sir, and give me leave, SCENE I. Aro. So say I; Amen. ACT A Field, between the British and Romish Camps. wish'd [ones, [Aside. "Till it fly out, and shew them princes born. V. [Exeunt. 115 Takes off my manhood: I have bely'd a lady, Thou should'st be colour'd thus. You married 20 As I wear mine, are titles but of scorn. 25 [love, 30 If each of you would take this course, how many Hear patiently my purpose: I'll disrobe me 135 [borne If that thy gentry, Britain, go before Bel. Stand, stand! We have the advantage of Guid. Arv. Stand, stand! and fight! Then enter Lucius, Iachimo, and Imogen. Luc. Away, boy, from the troops, and save thyself; For friends kill friends, and the disorder's such Iach. 'Tis their fresh supplies. Luc. It is a day turn'd strangely: Or betimes Let's reinforce, or fly. SCENE III. [Exeunt. Another Part of the Field. 45 Post. I did: [stand? 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 50 Of his wings destitute, the army broken, Enter Lucius, Iachimo, and the Roman Army at one 55 2 60 And but the backs of Britons seen, all flying With dead men, hurt behind, and cowards living Lord. Where was this lane? 1i. e, to incite, to instigate, i. e. Where corruptions are, they grow with years, and the oldest sinner is the greatest. You, gods, permit some to proceed in iniquity; and the older such are, the more their crime. 3i. e. according to Mr. Steevens, to make them persevere in the commission of dreadful actions. * Carle is used by our old writers in opposition to a gentleman.-Carlot is a word of the same signification, and occurs in our author's As You Like It, Which 5 Which gave advantage to an ancient soldier,- Damu'd in the first beginners!)-'gan to look And yet died too? I, in mine own woe charm'd', Tis strange, he hides him in fresh cups, soft beds, For, being now a favourer to the Roman, 15 Enter two British Captains, and Soldiers. 1 Cap. Great Jupiter be prais'd! Lucius is taken: 'Tis thought, the old man and his sons were angels. 2 Cap. There was a fourth man, in a silly' habit, That gave the affront' with them. 1 Cap. So 'tis reported; [there? 25 But none of them can be found.-Stand! Who's Post. A Roman; A rout, confusion thick: Forthwith, they fly Of the unguarded hearts, heavens, how they Lord. This was strange chance; Who dares not stand his foe, I'll be his friend : I know, he'll quickly fly my friendship too. [Exit. Lord. Farewell; you are angry. To be i' the field, and ask, what news, of me! 1 40 50 Who had not now been drooping here, if seconds 2 Cup. Lay hands on him; A dog! A Prison. Enter Posthumus, and two Gaolers. 1 Gaol. You shall not now be stolen, you have locks upon you*; So graze, as you find pasture. 2 Guol. Ay, or a stomach. [Exeunt Gaolers. Post. Most welcome, bondage! for thou art a 45 think, to liberty: Yet am I better [way, Than one that's sick o' the gout; since he had Groan so in perpetuity, than be cur'd [rather By the sure physician, death; who is the key To unbar these locks. My conscience! thou art fetter'd [give me More than my shanks, and wrists: You good gods, The penitent instrument, to pick that bolt, Then, free for ever! Is't enough, I am sorry? so children temporal fathers do appease; 55 Gods are more full of mercy. Must I repent? I cannot do it better than in gyves, Desir'd, more than constrain'd: to satisfy, If of my freedom 'tis the main part, take This alludes to a rustic game called prison-bars, vulgarly prison-base. 2 Shame for modesty. 3 i. e. terrors. *Alluding to the common superstition of charms being powerful enough to keep men unhurt in battle.-It was derived from our Saxon ancestors, and so is common to us with the Germans, who are, above all other people, given to this superstition; which made Erasmus, where, in his Moria Encomium, he gives to each nation its proper characteristic, say, "Germani corporum proceritate & magia cognitione sibi placent.” Answer, as once in this play before, means retaliation. Silly is simple or rustic. 'That is, that turned their faces to the enemy. This wit of the gaoler alludes to the custom of putting a lock on a horse's leg, when he is turned to pasture. 6 No 2 Bro. From this, from stiller seats we came, 5 Our fealty, and Tenantius' right, Sici. Great nature, like his ancestry, That he deserv'd the praise o'the world, 1 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, From Leonati' seat, and cast From her his dearest one, Sici. Why did you suffer lachimo, To taint his nobler heart and brain With needless jealousy; And to become the geck and scorn Meaning, his life, if it is the main part, the i. e. of his freedom from future punishment. 1 Bro. Like hardiment Posthumus hath Why hast thou thus adjourn'd Being all to dolours turn'd? Sici. Thy crystal window ope; look out: Upon a valiant race, thy harsh Moth. Since, Jupiter, our son is good, Sici. Peep through thy marble mansion; help! To the shining synod of the rest, 2 Bro. Help, Jupiter; or we appeal, 25 Jupiter descends in thunder and lightning, sitting The Jupit. No more, you petty spirits of region low, Accuse the thunderer, whose bolt you know, No care of yours it is: you know, 'tis ours. Our temple was he married.-Rise, and fade!-- And happier much by his affliction made. 45 This tablet lay upon his breast; wherein chief point, or principal condition of his freedom, A bird is said to prune himself when he clears his feathers from superfluities. i. e. claws.-To claw their beaks, is an accustomed action with hawks and eagles. A mother, A mother, and two brothers: But (O scorn!) rare one! Be not, as is our fangled world, a garment [Reads.] Post. I tell thee, fellow, there are none want 10eyes, to direct them the way I am going, but such as wink, and will not use them. 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 15 of winking. Enter a Messenger. "When as a lion's whelp shall, to himself un66 known, without seeking find, and be embrac'd "by a piece of tender air; and when from a "stately cedar shall be lopt branches, which, being dead many years, shall after revive, be joint-20 "ed to the old stock, and freshly grow; then "shall Posthumus end his miseries, Britain be "fortunate, and flourish in peace and plenty." 'Tis still a dream; or else such stuff as madmen Tongue, and brain not: either both, or nothing: Or senseless speaking, or a speaking such As sense cannot untie'. Be what it is, The action of my life is like it, which I'll keep if but for sympathy. Re-enter Gaolers. Gaol. Come, sir, are you ready for death? Post. Over-roasted rather: ready long ago. Gaol. Hanging is the word, sír; if you be ready for that, you are well cook'd. Mes. Knock off his manacles; bring your prisoner to the king. Post. Thou bring'st good news; I am call'd to be made free. Gaol. I'll be hang'd then. Post. Thou shalt be then freer than a gaoler; no boltsfor the dead. [Exeunt Posthumus & Messenger. Gaol. Unless a man would marry a gallows, 25 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 30 were all of one mind, and one mind good; O, there were desolation of gaolers, and gallowses! I speak against my present profit; but my wish hath a preferment in 't. [Exit. Post. So, if I prove a good repast to the spec-35 tators, the dish pays the shot. Gaol. A heavy reckoning for you, sir: But the comfort is, you shall be call'dto no more payments, fear no more tavern bills; which are often the sadness of parting, as the procuring of mirth: you 40 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 much2; purse and brain both empty: the brain the heavier, for being too light; the purse too light, be- 45 ing drawn of heaviness: O! of this contradiction you shall be now quit.-O, the charity of a penny cord! it sums up thousands in a trice: you have no true debitor and creditor but it; of what's past, is, and to come, the discharge :Your neck, sir, is pen, book, and counters; so the acquittance follows. 50 Post. I am merrier to die, than thou art to live. Gaol. Indeed, sir, he that sleeps feels not the tooth-ache: But a man that were to sleep your 55 sleep, and a hangman to help him to bed, I think, he would change places with his officer: for, look you, sir, you know not which way you shall go. Post. Yes, indeed, do I, fellow. SCENE V. Enter Cymbeline, Belarius, Guiderius, Arciragus, Cym. Stand by my side, you, whom the gods Preservers of my throne. Woe is iny heart, breast The meaning, according to Dr. Johnson, is this: "This is a dream or madness, or both,—or nothing:-but whether it be a speech without consciousness, as in a dream, or a speech unintelligible, as in madness, be it as it is, it is like my course of life." i. e. sorry that you have paid too much out of your pocket, and sorry that you are paid or subdued, too much by the liquor. 3 Drawn is embowell'd, exenterated. Debitor and creditor for an accounting book, That is, venture at it without thought. ⚫ i. e. forward. Bel Bel. Sir, In Cambria are we born, and gentlemen: Further to boast, were neither true nor modest, Unless I add, we are honest. Cym. Bow your knees: Arise my knights o' the battle; I create you There's business in these faces :-Why so sadly Cor. Hail, great king! To sour your happiness, I must report Cym. Whom 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? 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 when she finish'd, Cym. Pr'ythee, say. Cor.First,she confess'd she never lov'dyou; only Affected greatness got by you, not you : Married your royalty; was wife to your place; Abhorr'd your person. Cym. She alone knew this: And, but she spoke it dying, I would not [lovel Cor. Your daughter, whom she bore in hand to With such integrity, she did confess Was as a scorpion to her sight; whose life, Cym. O most delicate 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, Cym. Heard you all this, her women? Were not in fault, for she was beautiful; And prove it in thy feeling. Heaven mend all ! Enter Lucius, Iachimo, and other Roman prisoners; Posthumus behind, and Imogen. Thou com'st not, Caius, now for tribute; that 5 The Britons have raz'd out, though with the loss Of many a bold one; whose kinsmen have made suit [ter That their good souls may be appeas'd with slaughOf you their captives, which ourself have granted: 10 so think of your estate. Luc. Consider, sir, the chance of war: the day 15 Our prisoners with the sword. But since the gods 20 25 So feat ', so nurse-like: let his virtue join With my request, which, I'll make bold, your highness 30 Cannot deny; he hath done no Briton harm, Though he have serv'd a Roman: save him, sir,. And spare no blood beside. Cym. I have surely seen him: His favour is familiar to me :-Boy, Thou hast look'd thyself into my grace, and art Mine own. I know not why, wherefore, I say, 35 Live, boy: ne'er thank thy master; live: And ask of Cymbeline what boon thou wilt, Fitting my bounty, and thy state, I'll give it ; Yea, though thou do demand a prisoner, The noblest ta'en. 40 45 50 Imo. I humbly thank your highness. Luc. I do not bid thee beg my life, good lad; And yet I know, thou wilt. Imo. No, no; alack, There's another work in hand: I see a thing 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 would'st thou, boy? love thee more and more; think more and more. What's best to ask. Know'st him thou look'st on? speak, 55 Wilt have him live? Is he thy kin? thy friend? In.o. He is a Roman; no more kin to me, Than I to your highness; who, being born your Am something nearer. [vassal, Mine ears, that heard her flattery; nor my heart, That thought her like her seeming; it had been 60 vicious, To have mistrusted her: yet, O my daughter! That it was folly in me, thou may'st say, į. e. so ready; so dexterous in waiting. Cym. Wherefore ey'st him so? Imo. I'll 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? ? i, e. his countenance. |