There,takethyhire;andallthefiendsofhellDividethemselvesbetweenyou!PHILARIOSir,bepatient:
ThisisnotstrongenoughtobebelievedOfonepersuadedwellof——POSTHUMUSLEONATUSNevertalkon’t;
Shehathbeencoltedbyhim。IACHIMOIfyouseekForfurthersatisfying,underherbreast——
Worthythepressing——liesamole,rightproudOfthatmostdelicatelodging:bymylife,Ikiss’dit;anditgavemepresenthungerTofeedagain,thoughfull。YoudorememberThisstainuponher?POSTHUMUSLEONATUSAy,anditdothconfirmAnotherstain,asbigashellcanhold,Weretherenomorebutit。IACHIMOWillyouhearmore?POSTHUMUSLEONATUSSpareyourarithmetic:nevercounttheturns;
Once,andamillion!IACHIMOI’llbesworn——POSTHUMUSLEONATUSNoswearing。
Ifyouwillswearyouhavenotdone’t,youlie;
AndIwillkillthee,ifthoudostdenyThou’stmademecuckold。IACHIMOI’lldenynothing。POSTHUMUSLEONATUSO,thatIhadherhere,totearherlimb—meal!
Iwillgothereanddo’t,i’thecourt,beforeHerfather。I’lldosomething——
ExitPHILARIOQuitebesidesThegovernmentofpatience!Youhavewon:
Let’sfollowhim,andpervertthepresentwrathHehathagainsthimself。IACHIMOWithanmyheart。
ExeuntSCENEV。AnotherroominPhilario’shouse。EnterPOSTHUMUSLEONATUSPOSTHUMUSLEONATUSIstherenowayformentobebutwomenMustbehalf—workers?Weareallbastards;
AndthatmostvenerablemanwhichI
Didcallmyfather,wasIknownotwhereWhenIwasstamp’d;somecoinerwithhistoolsMademeacounterfeit:yetmymotherseem’dTheDianofthattimesodothmywifeThenonpareilofthis。O,vengeance,vengeance!
Meofmylawfulpleasuresherestrain’dAndpray’dmeoftforbearance;diditwithApudencysorosythesweetviewon’tMightwellhavewarm’doldSaturn;thatIthoughtherAschasteasunsunn’dsnow。O,allthedevils!
ThisyellowIachimo,inanhour,——wastnot?——
Orless,——atfirst?——perchancehespokenot,but,Likeafull—acorn’dboar,aGermanone,Cried’O!’andmounted;foundnooppositionButwhathelook’dforshouldopposeandsheShouldfromencounterguard。CouldIfindoutThewoman’spartinme!Forthere’snomotionThattendstoviceinman,butIaffirmItisthewoman’spart:beitlying,noteit,Thewoman’s;flattering,hers;deceiving,hers;
Lustandrankthoughts,hers,hers;revenges,hers;
Ambitions,covetings,changeofprides,disdain,Nicelonging,slanders,mutability,Allfaultsthatmaybenamed,nay,thathellknows,Why,hers,inpartorall;butrather,all;
ForeventoviceTheyarenotconstantbutarechangingstillOnevice,butofaminuteold,foroneNothalfsooldasthat。I’llwriteagainstthem,Detestthem,cursethem:yet’tisgreaterskillInatruehate,topraytheyhavetheirwill:
Theverydevilscannotplaguethembetter。
ExitACTIIISCENEI。Britain。AhallinCymbeline’spalace。Enterinstate,CYMBELINE,QUEEN,CLOTEN,andLordsatonedoor,andatanother,CAIUSLUCIUSandAttendantsCYMBELINENowsay,whatwouldAugustusCaesarwithus?CAIUSLUCIUSWhenJuliusCaesar,whoseremembranceyetLivesinmen’seyesandwilltoearsandtonguesBethemeandhearingever,wasinthisBritainAndconquer’dit,Cassibelan,thineuncle,——
FamousinCaesar’spraises,nowhitlessThaninhisfeatsdeservingit——forhimAndhissuccessiongrantedRomeatribute,Yearlythreethousandpounds,whichbytheelatelyIsleftuntender’d。QUEENAnd,tokillthemarvel,Shallbesoever。CLOTENTherebemanyCaesars,EresuchanotherJulius。BritainisAworldbyitself;andwewillnothingpayForwearingourownnoses。QUEENThatopportunityWhichthentheyhadtotakefrom’s,toresumeWehaveagain。Remember,sir,myliege,Thekingsyourancestors,togetherwithThenaturalbraveryofyourisle,whichstandsAsNeptune’spark,ribbedandpaledinWithrocksunscalableandroaringwaters,Withsandsthatwillnotbearyourenemies’boats,Butsuckthemuptothetopmast。AkindofconquestCaesarmadehere;butmadenotherehisbragOf’Came’and’saw’and’overcame:’withshame——
Thatfirstthatevertouch’dhim——hewascarriedFromoffourcoast,twicebeaten;andhisshipping——
Poorignorantbaubles!——uponourterribleseas,Likeegg—shellsmovedupontheirsurges,crack’dAseasily’gainstourrocks:forjoywhereofThefamedCassibelan,whowasonceatpoint——
Ogiglotfortune!——tomasterCaesar’ssword,MadeLud’stownwithrejoicingfiresbrightAndBritonsstrutwithcourage。CLOTENCome,there’snomoretributetobepaid:
ourkingdomisstrongerthanitwasatthattime;
and,asIsaid,thereisnomoesuchCaesars:otherofthemmayhavecrook’dnoses,buttoowesuchstraightarms,none。CYMBELINESon,letyourmotherend。CLOTENWehaveyetmanyamonguscangripeashardasCassibelan:IdonotsayIamone;butIhaveahand。Whytribute?whyshouldwepaytribute?
IfCaesarcanhidethesunfromuswithablanket,orputthemooninhispocket,wewillpayhimtributeforlight;else,sir,nomoretribute,prayyounow。CYMBELINEYoumustknow,TilltheinjuriousRomansdidextortThistributefromus,wewerefree:
Caesar’sambition,Whichswell’dsomuchthatitdidalmoststretchThesideso’theworld,againstallcolourhereDidputtheyokeupon’s;whichtoshakeoffBecomesawarlikepeople,whomwereckonOurselvestobe。CLOTENLordsWedo。CYMBELINESay,then,toCaesar,OurancestorwasthatMulmutiuswhichOrdain’dourlaws,whoseusetheswordofCaesarHathtoomuchmangled;whoserepairandfranchiseShall,bythepowerwehold,beourgooddeed,ThoughRomebethereforeangry:Mulmutiusmadeourlaws,WhowasthefirstofBritainwhichdidputHisbrowswithinagoldencrownandcall’dHimselfaking。CAIUSLUCIUSIamsorry,Cymbeline,ThatIamtopronounceAugustusCaesar——
Caesar,thathathmorekingshisservantsthanThyselfdomesticofficers——thineenemy:
Receiveitfromme,then:warandconfusionInCaesar’snamepronounceI’gainstthee:lookForfurynottoberesisted。Thusdefied,Ithanktheeformyself。CYMBELINEThouartwelcome,Caius。
ThyCaesarknightedme;myyouthIspentMuchunderhim;ofhimIgather’dhonour;
Whichhetoseekofmeagain,perforce,Behovesmekeepatutterance。IamperfectThatthePannoniansandDalmatiansforTheirlibertiesarenowinarms;aprecedentWhichnottoreadwouldshowtheBritonscold:
SoCaesarshallnotfindthem。CAIUSLUCIUSLetproofspeak。CLOTENHismajestybidsyouwelcome。Makepastimewithusadayortwo,orlonger:ifyouseekusafterwardsinotherterms,youshallfindusinoursalt—watergirdle:ifyoubeatusoutofit,itisyours;ifyoufallintheadventure,ourcrowsshallfarethebetterforyou;andthere’sanend。CAIUSLUCIUSSo,sir。CYMBELINEIknowyourmaster’spleasureandhemine:
Alltheremainis’Welcome!’
ExeuntSCENEII。Anotherroominthepalace。EnterPISANIO,withaletterPISANIOHow?ofadultery?WhereforewriteyounotWhatmonster’sheraccuser?Leonatus,Omaster!whatastrangeinfectionIsfall’nintothyear!WhatfalseItalian,Aspoisonous—tonguedashanded,hathprevail’dOnthytooreadyhearing?Disloyal!No:
She’spunish’dforhertruth,andundergoes,Moregoddess—likethanwife—like,suchassaultsAswouldtakeinsomevirtue。Omymaster!
ThymindtoherisnowaslowaswereThyfortunes。How!thatIshouldmurderher?
UpontheloveandtruthandvowswhichI
Havemadetothycommand?I,her?herblood?
Ifitbesotodogoodservice,neverLetmebecountedserviceable。HowlookI,ThatIshouldseemtolackhumanitysomuchasthisfactcomesto?
Reading’Do’t:theletterthatIhavesenther,byherowncommandShallgivetheeopportunity。’Odamn’dpaper!
Blackastheinkthat’sonthee!Senselessbauble,Artthouafeodaryforthisact,andlook’stSovirgin—likewithout?Lo,hereshecomes。
IamignorantinwhatIamcommanded。
EnterIMOGENIMOGENHownow,Pisanio!PISANIOMadam,hereisaletterfrommylord。IMOGENWho?thylord?thatismylord,Leonatus!
O,learn’dindeedwerethatastronomerThatknewthestarsasIhischaracters;
He’ldlaythefutureopen。Yougoodgods,Letwhatisherecontain’drelishoflove,Ofmylord’shealth,ofhiscontent,yetnotThatwetwoareasunder;letthatgrievehim:
Somegriefsaremed’cinable;thatisoneofthem,Foritdothphysiclove:ofhiscontent,Allbutinthat!Goodwax,thyleave。BlestbeYoubeesthatmaketheselocksofcounsel!LoversAndmenindangerousbondspraynotalike:
Thoughforfeitersyoucastinprison,yetYouclaspyoungCupid’stables。Goodnews,gods!
Reads’Justice,andyourfather’swrath,shouldhetakemeinhisdominion,couldnotbesocrueltome,asyou,Othedearestofcreatures,wouldevenrenewmewithyoureyes。TakenoticethatIaminCambria,atMilford—Haven:whatyourownlovewilloutofthisadviseyou,follow。Sohewishesyouallhappiness,thatremainsloyaltohisvow,andyour,increasinginlove,LEONATUSPOSTHUMUS。’
O,forahorsewithwings!Hear’stthou,Pisanio?
HeisatMilford—Haven:read,andtellmeHowfar’tisthither。IfoneofmeanaffairsMayploditinaweek,whymaynotI
Glidethitherinaday?Then,truePisanio,——
Wholong’st,likeme,toseethylord;wholong’st,——
letmebate,—butnotlikeme——yetlong’st,Butinafainterkind:——O,notlikeme;
Formine’sbeyondbeyond——say,andspeakthick;
Love’scounsellorshouldfilltheboresofhearing,Tothesmotheringofthesense——howfaritisTothissameblessedMilford:andbythewayTellmehowWaleswasmadesohappyasToinheritsuchahaven:butfirstofall,Howwemaystealfromhence,andforthegapThatweshallmakeintime,fromourhence—goingAndourreturn,toexcuse:butfirst,howgethence:
Whyshouldexcusebebornore’erbegot?
We’lltalkofthathereafter。Prithee,speak,Howmanyscoreofmilesmaywewellride’Twixthourandhour?PISANIOOnescore’twixtsunandsun,Madam,’senoughforyou:
Asideandtoomuchtoo。IMOGENWhy,onethatrodeto’sexecution,man,Couldnevergososlow:Ihaveheardofridingwagers,WherehorseshavebeennimblerthanthesandsThatruni’theclock’sbehalf。Butthisisfoolery:
Gobidmywomanfeignasickness;sayShe’llhometoherfather:andprovidemepresentlyAriding—suit,nocostlierthanwouldfitAfranklin’shousewife。PISANIOMadam,you’rebestconsider。IMOGENIseebeforeme,man:norhere,norhere,Norwhatensues,buthaveafoginthem,ThatIcannotlookthrough。Away,Iprithee;
DoasIbidthee:there’snomoretosay,AccessibleisnonebutMilfordway。
ExeuntSCENEIII。Wales:amountainouscountrywithacave。Enter,fromthecave,BELARIUS;GUIDERIUS,andARVIRAGUS
followingBELARIUSAgoodlydaynottokeephouse,withsuchWhoseroof’saslowasours!Stoop,boys;thisgateInstructsyouhowtoadoretheheavensandbowsyouToamorning’sholyoffice:thegatesofmonarchsArearch’dsohighthatgiantsmayjetthroughAndkeeptheirimpiousturbanson,withoutGoodmorrowtothesun。Hail,thoufairheaven!
Wehousei’therock,yetusetheenotsohardlyAsprouderliversdo。GUIDERIUSHail,heaven!ARVIRAGUSHail,heaven!BELARIUSNowforourmountainsport:uptoyondhill;
Yourlegsareyoung;I’lltreadtheseflats。Consider,Whenyouaboveperceivemelikeacrow,Thatitisplacewhichlessensandsetsoff;
AndyoumaythenrevolvewhattalesIhavetoldyouOfcourts,ofprinces,ofthetricksinwar:
Thisserviceisnotservice,sobeingdone,Butbeingsoallow’d:toapprehendthus,Drawsusaprofitfromallthingswesee;
Andoften,toourcomfort,shallwefindTheshardedbeetleinasaferholdThanisthefull—wing’deagle。O,thislifeIsnoblerthanattendingforacheque,Richerthandoingnothingforabauble,Prouderthanrustlinginunpaid—forsilk:
Suchgainthecapofhimthatmakes’emfine,Yetkeepshisbookuncross’d:nolifetoours。GUIDERIUSOutofyourproofyouspeak:we,poorunfledged,Haveneverwing’dfromviewo’thenest,norknownotWhatair’sfromhome。Haplythislifeisbest,Ifquietlifebebest;sweetertoyouThathaveasharperknown;wellcorrespondingWithyourstiffage:butuntousitisAcellofignorance;travellinga—bed;
Aprisonforadebtor,thatnotdaresTostridealimit。ARVIRAGUSWhatshouldwespeakofWhenweareoldasyou?whenweshallhearTherainandwindbeatdarkDecember,how,Inthisourpinchingcave,shallwediscourseThefreezinghoursaway?Wehaveseennothing;
Wearebeastly,subtleasthefoxforprey,Likewarlikeasthewolfforwhatweeat;
Ourvalouristochasewhatflies;ourcageWemakeaquire,asdoththeprison’dbird,Andsingourbondagefreely。BELARIUSHowyouspeak!
Didyoubutknowthecity’susuriesAndfeltthemknowingly;thearto’thecourtAshardtoleaveaskeep;whosetoptoclimbIscertainfalling,orsoslipperythatThefear’sasbadasfalling;thetoilo’thewar,ApainthatonlyseemstoseekoutdangerI’thenameoffameandhonour;whichdiesi’
thesearch,AndhathasoftaslanderousepitaphAsrecordoffairact;nay,manytimes,Dothilldeservebydoingwell;what’sworse,Mustcourt’syatthecensure:——Oboys,thisstoryTheworldmayreadinme:mybody’smark’dWithRomanswords,andmyreportwasonceFirstwiththebestofnote:Cymbelinelovedme,Andwhenasoldierwasthetheme,mynameWasnotfaroff:thenwasIasatreeWhoseboughsdidbendwithfruit:butinonenight,Astormorrobbery,callitwhatyouwill,Shookdownmymellowhangings,nay,myleaves,Andleftmebaretoweather。GUIDERIUSUncertainfavour!BELARIUSMyfaultbeingnothing——asIhavetoldyouoft——
Butthattwovillains,whosefalseoathsprevail’dBeforemyperfecthonour,sworetoCymbelineIwasconfederatewiththeRomans:soFollow’dmybanishment,andthistwentyyearsThisrockandthesedemesneshavebeenmyworld;
WhereIhavelivedathonestfreedom,paidMorepiousdebtstoheaventhaninallThefore—endofmytime。Butuptothemountains!
Thisisnothunters’language:hethatstrikesThevenisonfirstshallbethelordo’thefeast;
Tohimtheothertwoshallminister;
Andwewillfearnopoison,whichattendsInplaceofgreaterstate。I’llmeetyouinthevalleys。
ExeuntGUIDERIUSandARVIRAGUS
Howharditistohidethesparksofnature!
Theseboysknowlittletheyaresonstotheking;
NorCymbelinedreamsthattheyarealive。
Theythinktheyaremine;andthoughtrain’dupthusmeanlyI’thecavewhereintheybow,theirthoughtsdohitTheroofsofpalaces,andnaturepromptsthemInsimpleandlowthingstoprinceitmuchBeyondthetrickofothers。ThisPolydore,TheheirofCymbelineandBritain,whoThekinghisfathercall’dGuiderius,——Jove!
Whenonmythree—footstoolIsitandtellThewarlikefeatsIhavedone,hisspiritsflyoutIntomystory:say’Thus,mineenemyfell,AndthusIsetmyfooton’sneck;’eventhenTheprincelybloodflowsinhischeek,hesweats,StrainshisyoungnervesandputshimselfinpostureThatactsmywords。Theyoungerbrother,Cadwal,OnceArviragus,inaslikeafigure,StrikeslifeintomyspeechandshowsmuchmoreHisownconceiving。——Hark,thegameisroused!
OCymbeline!heavenandmyconscienceknowsThoudidstunjustlybanishme:whereon,Atthreeandtwoyearsold,Istolethesebabes;
Thinkingtobartheeofsuccession,asThoureft’stmeofmylands。Euriphile,Thouwasttheirnurse;theytooktheefortheirmother,Andeverydaydohonourtohergrave:
Myself,Belarius,thatamMorgancall’d,Theytakefornaturalfather。Thegameisup。
ExitSCENEIV。CountrynearMilford—Haven。EnterPISANIOandIMOGENIMOGENThoutold’stme,whenwecamefromhorse,theplaceWasnearathand:ne’erlong’dmymothersoToseemefirst,asIhavenow。Pisanio!man!
WhereisPosthumus?Whatisinthymind,Thatmakestheestarethus?WhereforebreaksthatsighFromtheinwardofthee?One,butpaintedthus,Wouldbeinterpretedathingperplex’dBeyondself—explication:putthyselfIntoahavioroflessfear,erewildnessVanquishmystaidersenses。What’sthematter?
Whytender’stthouthatpapertome,withAlookuntender?If’tbesummernews,Smileto’tbefore;ifwinterly,thouneed’stButkeepthatcountenancestill。Myhusband’shand!
Thatdrug—damn’dItalyhathout—craftiedhim,Andhe’satsomehardpoint。Speak,man:thytongueMaytakeoffsomeextremity,whichtoreadWouldbeevenmortaltome。PISANIOPleaseyou,read;
Andyoushallfindme,wretchedman,athingThemostdisdain’doffortune。IMOGEN[Reads]’Thymistress,Pisanio,hathplayedthestrumpetinmybed;thetestimonieswhereofliebleedinginme。Ispeaknotoutofweaksurmises,butfromproofasstrongasmygriefandascertainasIexpectmyrevenge。Thatpartthou,Pisanio,mustactforme,ifthyfaithbenottaintedwiththebreachofhers。Letthineownhandstakeawayherlife:IshallgivetheeopportunityatMilford—Haven。Shehathmyletterforthepurposewhere,ifthoufeartostrikeandtomakemecertainitisdone,thouartthepandartoherdishonourandequallytomedisloyal。’PISANIOWhatshallIneedtodrawmysword?thepaperHathcutherthroatalready。No,’tisslander,Whoseedgeissharperthanthesword,whosetongueOutvenomsallthewormsofNile,whosebreathRidesonthepostingwindsanddothbelieAllcornersoftheworld:kings,queensandstates,Maids,matrons,nay,thesecretsofthegraveThisviperousslanderenters。Whatcheer,madam?IMOGENFalsetohisbed!Whatisittobefalse?
Tolieinwatchthereandtothinkonhim?
Toweep’twixtclockandclock?ifsleepchargenature,TobreakitwithafearfuldreamofhimAndcrymyselfawake?that’sfalseto’sbed,isit?PISANIOAlas,goodlady!IMOGENIfalse!Thyconsciencewitness:Iachimo,Thoudidstaccusehimofincontinency;
Thouthenlook’dstlikeavillain;nowmethinksThyfavour’sgoodenough。SomejayofItalyWhosemotherwasherpainting,hathbetray’dhim:
PoorIamstale,agarmentoutoffashion;
And,forIamricherthantohangbythewalls,Imustberipp’d:——topieceswithme!——O,Men’svowsarewomen’straitors!Allgoodseeming,Bythyrevolt,Ohusband,shallbethoughtPutonforvillany;notbornwhere’tgrows,Butwornabaitforladies。PISANIOGoodmadam,hearme。IMOGENTruehonestmenbeingheard,likefalseAeneas,Wereinhistimethoughtfalse,andSinon’sweepingDidscandalmanyaholytear,tookpityFrommosttruewretchedness:sothou,Posthumus,Wiltlaytheleavenonallpropermen;
GoodlyandgallantshallbefalseandperjuredFromthygreatfall。Come,fellow,bethouhonest:
Dothouthymaster’sbidding:whenthousee’sthim,Alittlewitnessmyobedience:look!
Idrawtheswordmyself:takeit,andhitTheinnocentmansionofmylove,myheart;
Fearnot;’tisemptyofallthingsbutgrief;
Thymasterisnotthere,whowasindeedTherichesofit:dohisbidding;strikeThoumaystbevaliantinabettercause;
Butnowthouseem’stacoward。PISANIOHence,vileinstrument!
Thoushaltnotdamnmyhand。IMOGENWhy,Imustdie;
AndifIdonotbythyhand,thouartNoservantofthymaster’s。Againstself—slaughterThereisaprohibitionsodivineThatcravensmyweakhand。Come,here’smyheart。
Something’safore’t。Soft,soft!we’llnodefence;
Obedientasthescabbard。Whatishere?
ThescripturesoftheloyalLeonatus,Allturn’dtoheresy?Away,away,Corruptersofmyfaith!youshallnomoreBestomacherstomyheart。ThusmaypoorfoolsBelievefalseteachers:thoughthosethatarebetray’dDofeelthetreasonsharply,yetthetraitorStandsinworsecaseofwoe。
Andthou,Posthumus,thouthatdidstsetupMydisobedience’gainstthekingmyfatherAndmakemeputintocontemptthesuitsOfprincelyfellows,shalthereafterfindItisnoactofcommonpassage,butAstrainofrareness:andIgrievemyselfTothink,whenthoushaltbedisedgedbyherThatnowthoutireston,howthymemoryWillthenbepang’dbyme。Prithee,dispatch:
Thelambentreatsthebutcher:where’sthyknife?
Thouarttooslowtodothymaster’sbidding,WhenIdesireittoo。PISANIOOgraciouslady,SinceIreceivedcommandtodothisbusinessIhavenotsleptonewink。IMOGENDo’t,andtobedthen。PISANIOI’llwakemineeye—ballsblindfirst。IMOGENWhereforethenDidstundertakeit?WhyhastthouabusedSomanymileswithapretence?thisplace?
Mineactionandthineown?ourhorses’labour?
Thetimeinvitingthee?theperturb’dcourt,Formybeingabsent?whereuntoIneverPurposereturn。Whyhastthougonesofar,Tobeunbentwhenthouhastta’enthystand,Theelecteddeerbeforethee?PISANIOButtowintimeTolosesobademployment;inthewhichIhaveconsider’dofacourse。Goodlady,Hearmewithpatience。IMOGENTalkthytongueweary;speakIhaveheardIamastrumpet;andmineearThereinfalsestruck,cantakenogreaterwound,Nortenttobottomthat。Butspeak。PISANIOThen,madam,Ithoughtyouwouldnotbackagain。IMOGENMostlike;
Bringingmeheretokillme。PISANIONotso,neither:
ButifIwereaswiseashonest,thenMypurposewouldprovewell。ItcannotbeButthatmymasterisabused:
Somevillain,ay,andsingularinhisart。
Hathdoneyouboththiscursedinjury。IMOGENSomeRomancourtezan。PISANIONo,onmylife。
I’llgivebutnoticeyouaredeadandsendhimSomebloodysignofit;for’tiscommandedIshoulddoso:youshallbemiss’datcourt,Andthatwillwellconfirmit。IMOGENWhygoodfellow,WhatshallIdothewhere?wherebide?howlive?
Orinmylifewhatcomfort,whenIamDeadtomyhusband?PISANIOIfyou’llbacktothecourt——IMOGENNocourt,nofather;nornomoreadoWiththatharsh,noble,simplenothing,ThatCloten,whoselove—suithathbeentomeAsfearfulasasiege。PISANIOIfnotatcourt,ThennotinBritainmustyoubide。IMOGENWherethenHathBritainallthesunthatshines?Day,night,AretheynotbutinBritain?I’theworld’svolumeOurBritainseemsasofit,butnotin’t;
Inagreatpoolaswan’snest:prithee,thinkThere’sliversoutofBritain。PISANIOIammostgladYouthinkofotherplace。Theambassador,LuciustheRoman,comestoMilford—HavenTo—morrow:now,ifyoucouldwearamindDarkasyourfortuneis,andbutdisguiseThatwhich,toappearitself,mustnotyetbeButbyself—danger,youshouldtreadacoursePrettyandfullofview;yea,haply,nearTheresidenceofPosthumus;sonighatleastThatthoughhisactionswerenotvisible,yetReportshouldrenderhimhourlytoyourearAstrulyashemoves。IMOGENO,forsuchmeans!
Thoughperiltomymodesty,notdeathon’t,Iwouldadventure。PISANIOWell,then,here’sthepoint:
Youmustforgettobeawoman;changeCommandintoobedience:fearandniceness——
Thehandmaidsofallwomen,or,moretruly,Womanitsprettyself——intoawaggishcourage:
Readyingibes,quick—answer’d,saucyandAsquarrelousastheweasel;nay,youmustForgetthatraresttreasureofyourcheek,Exposingit——but,O,theharderheart!
Alack,noremedy!——tothegreedytouchOfcommon—kissingTitan,andforgetYourlaboursomeanddaintytrims,whereinYoumadegreatJunoangry。IMOGENNay,bebriefIseeintothyend,andamalmostAmanalready。PISANIOFirst,makeyourselfbutlikeone。
Fore—thinkingthis,Ihavealreadyfit——
’Tisinmycloak—bag——doublet,hat,hose,allThatanswertothem:wouldyouintheirserving,AndwithwhatimitationyoucanborrowFromyouthofsuchaseason,’forenobleLuciusPresentyourself,desirehisservice,tellhimwhereinyou’rehappy,——whichyou’llmakehimknow,Ifthathisheadhaveearinmusic,——doubtlessWithjoyhewillembraceyou,forhe’shonourableAnddoublingthat,mostholy。Yourmeansabroad,Youhaveme,rich;andIwillneverfailBeginningnorsupplyment。IMOGENThouartallthecomfortThegodswilldietmewith。Prithee,away:
There’smoretobeconsider’d;butwe’llevenAllthatgoodtimewillgiveus:thisattemptIamsoldierto,andwillabideitwithAprince’scourage。Away,Iprithee。PISANIOWell,madam,wemusttakeashortfarewell,Lest,beingmiss’d,IbesuspectedofYourcarriagefromthecourt。Mynoblemistress,Hereisabox;Ihaditfromthequeen:
What’sin’tisprecious;ifyouaresickatsea,Orstomach—qualm’datland,adramofthisWilldriveawaydistemper。Tosomeshade,Andfityoutoyourmanhood。MaythegodsDirectyoutothebest!IMOGENAmen:Ithankthee。
Exeunt,severallySCENEV。AroominCymbeline’spalace。EnterCYMBELINE,QUEEN,CLOTEN,LUCIUS,Lords,andAttendantsCYMBELINEThusfar;andsofarewell。CAIUSLUCIUSThanks,royalsir。
Myemperorhathwrote,Imustfromhence;
AndamrightsorrythatImustreportyeMymaster’senemy。CYMBELINEOursubjects,sir,Willnotendurehisyoke;andforourselfToshowlesssovereigntythanthey,mustneedsAppearunkinglike。CAIUSLUCIUSSo,sir:IdesireofyouAconductover—landtoMilford—Haven。
Madam,alljoybefalyourgrace!QUEENAndyou!CYMBELINEMylords,youareappointedforthatoffice;
Thedueofhonourinnopointomit。
Sofarewell,nobleLucius。CAIUSLUCIUSYourhand,mylord。CLOTENReceiveitfriendly;butfromthistimeforthIwearitasyourenemy。CAIUSLUCIUSSir,theeventIsyettonamethewinner:fareyouwell。CYMBELINELeavenottheworthyLucius,goodmylords,Tillhehavecross’dtheSevern。Happiness!
ExeuntLUCIUSandLordsQUEENHegoeshencefrowning:butithonoursusThatwehavegivenhimcause。CLOTEN’Tisallthebetter;
YourvaliantBritonshavetheirwishesinit。CYMBELINELuciushathwrotealreadytotheemperorHowitgoeshere。ItfitsusthereforeripelyOurchariotsandourhorsemenbeinreadiness:
ThepowersthathealreadyhathinGalliaWillsoonbedrawntohead,fromwhencehemovesHiswarforBritain。QUEEN’Tisnotsleepybusiness;
Butmustbelook’dtospeedilyandstrongly。CYMBELINEOurexpectationthatitwouldbethusHathmadeusforward。But,mygentlequeen,Whereisourdaughter?Shehathnotappear’dBeforetheRoman,nortoushathtender’dThedutyoftheday:shelooksuslikeAthingmoremadeofmalicethanofduty:
Wehavenotedit。Callherbeforeus;forWehavebeentooslightinsufferance。
ExitanAttendantQUEENRoyalsir,SincetheexileofPosthumus,mostretiredHathherlifebeen;thecurewhereof,mylord,’Tistimemustdo。Beseechyourmajesty,Forbearsharpspeechestoher:she’saladySotenderofrebukesthatwordsarestrokesAndstrokesdeathtoher。
Re—enterAttendantCYMBELINEWhereisshe,sir?HowCanhercontemptbeanswer’d?AttendantPleaseyou,sir,Herchambersarealllock’d;andthere’snoanswerThatwillbegiventotheloudestnoisewemake。QUEENMylord,whenlastIwenttovisither,Shepray’dmetoexcuseherkeepingclose,Wheretoconstrain’dbyherinfirmity,Sheshouldthatdutyleaveunpaidtoyou,Whichdailyshewasboundtoproffer:thisShewish’dmetomakeknown;butourgreatcourtMademetoblameinmemory。CYMBELINEHerdoorslock’d?
Notseenoflate?Grant,heavens,thatwhichI
fearProvefalse!
ExitQUEENSon,Isay,followtheking。CLOTENThatmanofhers,Pisanio,heroldservant,havenotseenthesetwodays。QUEENGo,lookafter。
ExitCLOTEN
Pisanio,thouthatstand’stsoforPosthumus!
Hehathadrugofmine;IprayhisabsenceProceedbyswallowingthat,forhebelievesItisathingmostprecious。Butforher,Whereisshegone?Haply,despairhathseizedher,Or,wing’dwithfervorofherlove,she’sflownToherdesiredPosthumus:gonesheisTodeathortodishonour;andmyendCanmakegooduseofeither:shebeingdown,IhavetheplacingoftheBritishcrown。
Re—enterCLOTEN
Hownow,myson!CLOTEN’Tiscertainsheisfled。
Goinandcheertheking:herages;noneDarecomeabouthim。QUEEN[Aside]Allthebetter:mayThisnightforestallhimofthecomingday!
ExitCLOTENIloveandhateher:forshe’sfairandroyal,AndthatshehathallcourtlypartsmoreexquisiteThanlady,ladies,woman;fromeveryoneThebestshehath,andshe,ofallcompounded,Outsellsthemall;Ilovehertherefore:butDisdainingmeandthrowingfavoursonThelowPosthumusslanderssoherjudgmentThatwhat’selserareischoked;andinthatpointIwillconcludetohateher,nay,indeed,Toberevengeduponher。ForwhenfoolsShall——
EnterPISANIO
Whoishere?What,areyoupacking,sirrah?
Comehither:ah,youpreciouspander!Villain,Whereisthylady?Inaword;orelseThouartstraightwaywiththefiends。PISANIOO,goodmylord!CLOTENWhereisthylady?Or,byJupiter,——
Iwillnotaskagain。Closevillain,I’llhavethissecretfromthyheart,orripThyhearttofindit。IsshewithPosthumus?
FromwhosesomanyweightsofbasenesscannotAdramofworthbedrawn。PISANIOAlas,mylord,Howcanshebewithhim?Whenwasshemissed?
HeisinRome。CLOTENWhereisshe,sir?Comenearer;
Nofurtherhalting:satisfymehomeWhatisbecomeofher。PISANIOO,myall—worthylord!CLOTENAll—worthyvillain!
Discoverwherethymistressisatonce,Atthenextword:nomoreof’worthylord!’
Speak,orthysilenceontheinstantisThycondemnationandthydeath。PISANIOThen,sir,ThispaperisthehistoryofmyknowledgeTouchingherflight。
PresentingaletterCLOTENLet’ssee’t。IwillpursueherEventoAugustus’throne。PISANIO[Aside]Orthis,orperish。
She’sfarenough;andwhathelearnsbythisMayprovehistravel,notherdanger。CLOTENHum!PISANIO[Aside]I’llwritetomylordshe’sdead。
OImogen,Safemaystthouwander,safereturnagain!CLOTENSirrah,isthislettertrue?PISANIOSir,asIthink。CLOTENItisPosthumus’hand;Iknow’t。Sirrah,ifthouwouldstnotbeavillain,butdometrueservice,undergothoseemploymentswhereinIshouldhavecausetousetheewithaseriousindustry,thatis,whatvillanysoe’erIbidtheedo,toperformitdirectlyandtruly,Iwouldthinktheeanhonestman:thoushouldstneitherwantmymeansforthyreliefnormyvoiceforthypreferment。PISANIOWell,mygoodlord。CLOTENWiltthouserveme?forsincepatientlyandconstantlythouhaststucktothebarefortuneofthatbeggarPosthumus,thoucanstnot,inthecourseofgratitude,butbeadiligentfollowerofmine:wiltthouserveme?PISANIOSir,Iwill。CLOTENGivemethyhand;here’smypurse。Hastanyofthylatemaster’sgarmentsinthypossession?PISANIOIhave,mylord,atmylodging,thesamesuitheworewhenhetookleaveofmyladyandmistress。CLOTENThefirstservicethoudostme,fetchthatsuithither:letitbethylintservice;go。PISANIOIshall,mylord。
ExitCLOTENMeettheeatMilford—Haven!——Iforgottoaskhimonething;I’llremember’tanon:——eventhere,thouvillainPosthumus,willIkillthee。Iwouldthesegarmentswerecome。Shesaiduponatime——thebitternessofitInowbelchfrommyheart——thatsheheldtheverygarmentofPosthumusinmorerespectthanmynobleandnaturalpersontogetherwiththeadornmentofmyqualities。Withthatsuituponmyback,willIravishher:firstkillhim,andinhereyes;thereshallsheseemyvalour,whichwillthenbeatormenttohercontempt。Heontheground,myspeechofinsultmentendedonhisdeadbody,andwhenmylusthathdined,——which,asIsay,tovexherIwillexecuteintheclothesthatshesopraised,——tothecourtI’llknockherback,footherhomeagain。Shehathdespisedmerejoicingly,andI’llbemerryinmyrevenge。
Re—enterPISANIO,withtheclothesBethosethegarments?PISANIOAy,mynoblelord。CLOTENHowlongis’tsinceshewenttoMilford—Haven?PISANIOShecanscarcebethereyet。CLOTENBringthisappareltomychamber;thatisthesecondthingthatIhavecommandedthee:thethirdis,thatthouwiltbeavoluntarymutetomydesign。
Bebutduteous,andtrueprefermentshalltenderitselftothee。MyrevengeisnowatMilford:wouldIhadwingstofollowit!Come,andbetrue。
ExitPISANIOThoubid’stmetomyloss:fortruetotheeWeretoprovefalse,whichIwillneverbe,Tohimthatismosttrue。ToMilfordgo,Andfindnotherwhomthoupursuest。Flow,flow,Youheavenlyblessings,onher!Thisfool’sspeedBecross’dwithslowness;labourbehismeed!
ExitSCENEVI。Wales。BeforethecaveofBelarius。EnterIMOGEN,inboy’sclothesIMOGENIseeaman’slifeisatediousone:
Ihavetiredmyself,andfortwonightstogetherHavemadethegroundmybed。Ishouldbesick,Butthatmyresolutionhelpsme。Milford,Whenfromthemountain—topPisanioshow’dthee,Thouwastwithinaken:OJove!IthinkFoundationsflythewretched;such,Imean,Wheretheyshouldberelieved。TwobeggarstoldmeIcouldnotmissmyway:willpoorfolkslie,Thathaveafflictionsonthem,knowing’tisApunishmentortrial?Yes;nowonder,Whenrichonesscarcetelltrue。TolapseinfulnessIssorerthantolieforneed,andfalsehoodIsworseinkingsthanbeggars。Mydearlord!
Thouartoneo’thefalseones。NowIthinkonthee,Myhunger’sgone;butevenbefore,IwasAtpointtosinkforfood。Butwhatisthis?
Hereisapathto’t:’tissomesavagehold:
Iwerebestnottocall;Idarenotcall:
yetfamine,Erecleanito’erthrownature,makesitvaliant,Plentyandpeacebreedscowards:hardnesseverOfhardinessismother。Ho!who’shere?
Ifanythingthat’scivil,speak;ifsavage,Takeorlend。Ho!Noanswer?ThenI’llenter。
Bestdrawmysword:andifmineenemyButfeartheswordlikeme,he’llscarcelylookon’t。
Suchafoe,goodheavens!
Exit,tothecaveEnterBELARIUS,GUIDERIUS,andARVIRAGUSBELARIUSYou,Polydote,haveprovedbestwoodmanandAremasterofthefeast:CadwalandI
Willplaythecookandservant;’tisourmatch:
Thesweatofindustrywoulddryanddie,Butfortheenditworksto。Come;ourstomachsWillmakewhat’shomelysavoury:wearinessCansnoreupontheflint,whenrestyslothFindsthedownpillowhard。Nowpeacebehere,Poorhouse,thatkeep’stthyself!GUIDERIUSIamthoroughlyweary。ARVIRAGUSIamweakwithtoil,yetstronginappetite。GUIDERIUSThereiscoldmeati’thecave;we’llbrowseonthat,Whilstwhatwehavekill’dbecook’d。BELARIUS[Lookingintothecave]
Stay;comenotin。
Butthatiteatsourvictuals,IshouldthinkHerewereafairy。GUIDERIUSWhat’sthematter,sir?BELARIUSByJupiter,anangel!or,ifnot,Anearthlyparagon!BeholddivinenessNoelderthanaboy!
Re—enterIMOGENIMOGENGoodmasters,harmmenot:
BeforeIenter’dhere,Icall’d;andthoughtTohavebegg’dorboughtwhatIhavetook:
goodtroth,Ihavestol’nnought,norwouldnot,thoughI
hadfoundGoldstrew’di’thefloor。Here’smoneyformymeat:
IwouldhaveleftitontheboardsosoonAsIhadmademymeal,andpartedWithprayersfortheprovider。GUIDERIUSMoney,youth?ARVIRAGUSAllgoldandsilverratherturntodirt!
As’tisnobetterreckon’d,butofthoseWhoworshipdirtygods。IMOGENIseeyou’reangry:
Know,ifyoukillmeformyfault,IshouldHavediedhadInotmadeit。BELARIUSWhitherbound?IMOGENToMilford—Haven。BELARIUSWhat’syourname?IMOGENFidele,sir。IhaveakinsmanwhoIsboundforItaly;heembark’datMilford;
Towhombeinggoing,almostspentwithhunger,Iamfall’ninthisoffence。BELARIUSPrithee,fairyouth,Thinkusnochurls,normeasureourgoodmindsBythisrudeplacewelivein。Wellencounter’d!
’Tisalmostnight:youshallhavebettercheerEreyoudepart:andthankstostayandeatit。
Boys,bidhimwelcome。GUIDERIUSWereyouawoman,youth,Ishouldwoohardbutbeyourgroom。Inhonesty,IbidforyouasI’dbuy。ARVIRAGUSI’llmake’tmycomfortHeisaman;I’lllovehimasmybrother:
AndsuchawelcomeasI’dgivetohimAfterlongabsence,suchisyours:mostwelcome!
Besprightly,foryoufall’mongstfriends。IMOGEN’Mongstfriends,Ifbrothers。
AsideWouldithadbeenso,thattheyHadbeenmyfather’ssons!thenhadmyprizeBeenless,andsomoreequalballastingTothee,Posthumus。BELARIUSHewringsatsomedistress。GUIDERIUSWouldIcouldfree’t!ARVIRAGUSOrI,whate’eritbe,Whatpainitcost,whatdanger。God’s!BELARIUSHark,boys。
WhisperingIMOGENGreatmen,Thathadacourtnobiggerthanthiscave,ThatdidattendthemselvesandhadthevirtueWhichtheirownconscienceseal’dthem——layingbyThatnothing—giftofdifferingmultitudes——
Couldnotout—peerthesetwain。Pardonme,gods!
I’dchangemysextobecompanionwiththem,SinceLeonatus’sfalse。BELARIUSItshallbeso。
Boys,we’llgodressourhunt。Fairyouth,comein:
Discourseisheavy,fasting;whenwehavesupp’d,We’llmannerlydemandtheeofthystory,Sofarasthouwiltspeakit。GUIDERIUSPray,drawnear。ARVIRAGUSThenighttotheowlandmorntothelarklesswelcome。IMOGENThanks,sir。ARVIRAGUSIpray,drawnear。
ExeuntSCENEVII。Rome。Apublicplace。EntertwoSenatorsandTribunesFirstSenatorThisisthetenoroftheemperor’swrit:
Thatsincethecommonmenarenowinaction’GainstthePannoniansandDalmatians,AndthatthelegionsnowinGalliaareFullweaktoundertakeourwarsagainstThefall’n—offBritons,thatwedoinciteThegentrytothisbusiness。HecreatesLuciuspreconsul:andtoyouthetribunes,Forthisimmediatelevy,hecommendsHisabsolutecommission。LongliveCaesar!FirstTribuneIsLuciusgeneraloftheforces?SecondSenatorAy。FirstTribuneRemainingnowinGallia?FirstSenatorWiththoselegionsWhichIhavespokeof,whereuntoyourlevyMustbesupplyant:thewordsofyourcommissionWilltieyoutothenumbersandthetimeOftheirdispatch。FirstTribuneWewilldischargeourduty。
ExeuntACTIVSCENEI。Wales:nearthecaveofBelarius。EnterCLOTENCLOTENIamneartotheplacewheretheyshouldmeet,ifPisaniohavemappedittruly。Howfithisgarmentsserveme!Whyshouldhismistress,whowasmadebyhimthatmadethetailor,notbefittoo?therather——savingreverenceoftheword——for’tissaidawoman’sfitnesscomesbyfits。ThereinImustplaytheworkman。Idarespeakittomyself——foritisnotvain—gloryforamanandhisglasstoconferinhisownchamber——Imean,thelinesofmybodyareaswelldrawnashis;nolessyoung,morestrong,notbeneathhiminfortunes,beyondhimintheadvantageofthetime,abovehiminbirth,alikeconversantingeneralservices,andmoreremarkableinsingleoppositions:yetthisimperceiverantthingloveshiminmydespite。Whatmortalityis!
Posthumus,thyhead,whichnowisgrowinguponthyshoulders,shallwithinthishourbeoff;thymistressenforced;thygarmentscuttopiecesbeforethyface:andallthisdone,spurnherhometoherfather;whomayhaplybealittleangryformysoroughusage;butmymother,havingpowerofhistestiness,shallturnallintomycommendations。
Myhorseistiedupsafe:out,sword,andtoasorepurpose!Fortune,putthemintomyhand!Thisistheverydescriptionoftheirmeeting—place;andthefellowdaresnotdeceiveme。
ExitSCENEII。BeforethecaveofBelarius。Enter,fromthecave,BELARIUS,GUIDERIUS,ARVIRAGUS,andIMOGENBELARIUS[ToIMOGEN]Youarenotwell:remainhereinthecave;
We’llcometoyouafterhunting。ARVIRAGUS[ToIMOGEN]Brother,stayhereArewenotbrothers?IMOGENSomanandmanshouldbe;
Butclayandclaydiffersindignity,Whosedustisbothalike。Iamverysick。GUIDERIUSGoyoutohunting;I’llabidewithhim。IMOGENSosickIamnot,yetIamnotwell;
ButnotsocitizenawantonasToseemtodieeresick:sopleaseyou,leaveme;
Sticktoyourjournalcourse:thebreachofcustomIsbreachofall。Iamill,butyourbeingbymeCannotamendme;societyisnocomfortToonenotsociable:Iamnotverysick,SinceIcanreasonofit。Prayyou,trustmehere:
I’llrobnonebutmyself;andletmedie,Stealingsopoorly。GUIDERIUSIlovethee;IhavespokeitHowmuchthequantity,theweightasmuch,AsIdolovemyfather。BELARIUSWhat!how!how!ARVIRAGUSIfitbesintosayso,IyokemeInmygoodbrother’sfault:IknownotwhyIlovethisyouth;andIhaveheardyousay,Love’sreason’swithoutreason:thebieratdoor,Andademandwhois’tshalldie,I’dsay’Myfather,notthisyouth。’BELARIUS[Aside]Onoblestrain!
Oworthinessofnature!breedofgreatness!
Cowardsfathercowardsandbasethingssirebase:
Naturehathmealandbran,contemptandgrace。
I’mnottheirfather;yetwhothisshouldbe,Dothmiracleitself,lovedbeforeme。
’Tistheninthhouro’themorn。ARVIRAGUSBrother,farewell。IMOGENIwishyesport。ARVIRAGUSYouhealth。Sopleaseyou,sir。IMOGEN[Aside]Thesearekindcreatures。Gods,whatliesIhaveheard!
Ourcourtierssayall’ssavagebutatcourt:
Experience,O,thoudisprovestreport!
Theimperiousseasbreedmonsters,forthedishPoortributaryriversassweetfish。
Iamsickstill;heart—sick。Pisanio,I’llnowtasteofthydrug。
SwallowssomeGUIDERIUSIcouldnotstirhim:
Hesaidhewasgentle,butunfortunate;
Dishonestlyafflicted,butyethonest。ARVIRAGUSThusdidheanswerme:yetsaid,hereafterImightknowmore。BELARIUSTothefield,tothefield!
We’llleaveyouforthistime:goinandrest。ARVIRAGUSWe’llnotbelongaway。BELARIUSPray,benotsick,Foryoumustbeourhousewife。IMOGENWellorill,Iamboundtoyou。BELARIUSAndshaltbeever。
ExitIMOGEN,tothecaveThisyouth,how’erdistress’d,appearshehathhadGoodancestors。ARVIRAGUSHowangel—likehesings!GUIDERIUSButhisneatcookery!hecutourrootsIncharacters,Andsaucedourbroths,asJunohadbeensickAndheherdieter。ARVIRAGUSNoblyheyokesAsmilingwithasigh,asifthesighWasthatitwas,fornotbeingsuchasmile;
Thesmilemockingthesigh,thatitwouldflyFromsodivineatemple,tocommixWithwindsthatsailorsrailat。GUIDERIUSIdonoteThatgriefandpatience,rootedinhimboth,Mingletheirspurstogether。ARVIRAGUSGrow,patience!
Andletthestinkingelder,grief,untwineHisperishingrootwiththeincreasingvine!BELARIUSItisgreatmorning。Come,away!——
Who’sthere?
EnterCLOTENCLOTENIcannotfindthoserunagates;thatvillainHathmock’dme。Iamfaint。BELARIUS’Thoserunagates!’
Meanshenotus?Ipartlyknowhim:’tisCloten,thesono’thequeen。Ifearsomeambush。
Isawhimnotthesemanyyears,andyetIknow’tishe。Weareheldasoutlaws:hence!GUIDERIUSHeisbutone:youandmybrothersearchWhatcompaniesarenear:prayyou,away;
Letmealonewithhim。
ExeuntBELARIUSandARVIRAGUSCLOTENSoft!WhatareyouThatflymethus?somevillainmountaineers?
Ihaveheardofsuch。Whatslaveartthou?GUIDERIUSAthingMoreslavishdidIne’erthanansweringAslavewithoutaknock。CLOTENThouartarobber,Alaw—breaker,avillain:yieldthee,thief。GUIDERIUSTowho?tothee?Whatartthou?HavenotI
Anarmasbigasthine?aheartasbig?
Thywords,Igrant,arebigger,forIwearnotMydaggerinmymouth。Saywhatthouart,WhyIshouldyieldtothee?CLOTENThouvillainbase,Know’stmenotbymyclothes?GUIDERIUSNo,northytailor,rascal,Whoisthygrandfather:hemadethoseclothes,Which,asitseems,makethee。CLOTENThoupreciousvarlet,Mytailormadethemnot。GUIDERIUSHence,then,andthankThemanthatgavethemthee。Thouartsomefool;
Iamloathtobeatthee。CLOTENThouinjuriousthief,Hearbutmyname,andtremble。GUIDERIUSWhat’sthyname?CLOTENCloten,thouvillain。GUIDERIUSCloten,thoudoublevillain,bethyname,Icannottrembleatit:wereitToad,orAdder,Spider,’Twouldmovemesooner。CLOTENTothyfurtherfear,Nay,tothymereconfusion,thoushaltknowIamsontothequeen。GUIDERIUSIamsorryfor’t;notseemingSoworthyasthybirth。CLOTENArtnotafeard?GUIDERIUSThosethatIreverencethoseIfear,thewise:
AtfoolsIlaugh,notfearthem。CLOTENDiethedeath:
WhenIhaveslaintheewithmyproperhand,I’llfollowthosethatevennowfledhence,AndonthegatesofLud’s—townsetyourheads:
Yield,rusticmountaineer。
Exeunt,fightingRe—enterBELARIUSandARVIRAGUSBELARIUSNocompaniesabroad?ARVIRAGUSNoneintheworld:youdidmistakehim,sure。BELARIUSIcannottell:longisitsinceIsawhim,Buttimehathnothingblurr’dthoselinesoffavourWhichthenhewore;thesnatchesinhisvoice,Andburstofspeaking,wereashis:Iamabsolute’TwasveryCloten。ARVIRAGUSInthisplaceweleftthem:
Iwishmybrothermakegoodtimewithhim,Yousayheissofell。BELARIUSBeingscarcemadeup,Imean,toman,hehadnotapprehensionOfroaringterrors;fortheeffectofjudgmentIsoftthecauseoffear。But,see,thybrother。
Re—enterGUIDERIUS,withCLOTEN’SheadGUIDERIUSThisClotenwasafool,anemptypurse;
Therewasnomoneyin’t:notHerculesCouldhaveknock’douthisbrains,forhehadnone:
YetInotdoingthis,thefoolhadborneMyheadasIdohis。BELARIUSWhathastthoudone?GUIDERIUSIamperfectwhat:cutoffoneCloten’shead,Sontothequeen,afterhisownreport;
Whocall’dmetraitor,mountaineer,andsworeWithhisownsinglehandhe’ldtakeusinDisplaceourheadswhere——thankthegods!——theygrow,AndsetthemonLud’s—town。BELARIUSWeareallundone。GUIDERIUSWhy,worthyfather,whathavewetolose,Butthathesworetotake,ourlives?ThelawProtectsnotus:thenwhyshouldwebetenderToletanarrogantpieceoffleshthreatus,Playjudgeandexecutionerallhimself,Forwedofearthelaw?WhatcompanyDiscoveryouabroad?BELARIUSNosinglesoulCanweseteyeon;butinallsafereasonHemusthavesomeattendants。ThoughhishumourWasnothingbutmutation,ay,andthatFromonebadthingtoworse;notfrenzy,notAbsolutemadnesscouldsofarhaveravedTobringhimherealone;althoughperhapsItmaybeheardatcourtthatsuchasweCavehere,hunthere,areoutlaws,andintimeMaymakesomestrongerhead;thewhichhehearing——
Asitislikehim——mightbreakout,andswearHe’ldfetchusin;yetis’tnotprobableTocomealone,eitherhesoundertaking,Ortheysosuffering:thenongoodgroundwefear,IfwedofearthisbodyhathatailMoreperilousthanthehead。ARVIRAGUSLetordinanceComeasthegodsforesayit:howsoe’er,Mybrotherhathdonewell。BELARIUSIhadnomindTohuntthisday:theboyFidele’ssicknessDidmakemywaylongforth。GUIDERIUSWithhisownsword,Whichhedidwaveagainstmythroat,Ihaveta’enHisheadfromhim:I’llthrow’tintothecreekBehindourrock;andletittothesea,Andtellthefisheshe’sthequeen’sson,Cloten:
That’sallIreck。
ExitBELARIUSIfear’twillberevenged:
Would,Polydote,thouhadstnotdone’t!thoughvalourBecomestheewellenough。ARVIRAGUSWouldIhaddone’tSotherevengealonepursuedme!Polydore,Ilovetheebrotherly,butenvymuchThouhastrobb’dmeofthisdeed:Iwouldrevenges,Thatpossiblestrengthmightmeet,wouldseekusthroughAndputustoouranswer。BELARIUSWell,’tisdone:
We’llhuntnomoreto—day,norseekfordangerWherethere’snoprofit。Iprithee,toourrock;
YouandFideleplaythecooks:I’llstayTillhastyPolydotereturn,andbringhimTodinnerpresently。ARVIRAGUSPoorsickFidele!
I’llweringlytohim:togainhiscolourI’ldletaparishofsuchClotens’blood,Andpraisemyselfforcharity。
ExitBELARIUSOthougoddess,ThoudivineNature,howthyselfthoublazon’stInthesetwoprincelyboys!TheyareasgentleAszephyrsblowingbelowtheviolet,Notwagginghissweethead;andyetasrough,Theirroyalbloodenchafed,astherudestwind,Thatbythetopdothtakethemountainpine,Andmakehimstooptothevale。’TiswonderThataninvisibleinstinctshouldframethemToroyaltyunlearn’d,honouruntaught,Civilitynotseenfromother,valourThatwildlygrowsinthem,butyieldsacropAsifithadbeensow’d。Yetstillit’sstrangeWhatCloten’sbeingheretousportends,Orwhathisdeathwillbringus。
Re—enterGUIDERIUSGUIDERIUSWhere’smybrother?
IhavesentCloten’sclotpolldownthestream,Inembassytohismother:hisbody’shostageForhisreturn。
SolemnmusicBELARIUSMyingeniousinstrument!
Hark,Polydore,itsounds!ButwhatoccasionHathCadwalnowtogiveitmotion?Hark!GUIDERIUSIsheathome?BELARIUSHewenthenceevennow。GUIDERIUSWhatdoeshemean?sincedeathofmydear’stmotheritdidnotspeakbefore。AllsolemnthingsShouldanswersolemnaccidents。Thematter?
TriumphsfornothingandlamentingtoysIsjollityforapesandgriefforboys。
IsCadwalmad?BELARIUSLook,herehecomes,AndbringsthedireoccasioninhisarmsOfwhatweblamehimfor。
Re—enterARVIRAGUS,withIMOGEN,asdead,bearingherinhisarmsARVIRAGUSThebirdisdeadThatwehavemadesomuchon。IhadratherHaveskipp’dfromsixteenyearsofagetosixty,Tohaveturn’dmyleaping—timeintoacrutch,Thanhaveseenthis。GUIDERIUSOsweetest,fairestlily!
MybrotherwearstheenottheonehalfsowellAswhenthougrew’stthyself。BELARIUSOmelancholy!
Whoeveryetcouldsoundthybottom?findTheooze,toshowwhatcoastthysluggishcrareMighteasiliestharbourin?Thoublessedthing!
Joveknowswhatmanthoumightsthavemade;butI,Thoudiedst,amostrareboy,ofmelancholy。
Howfoundyouhim?ARVIRAGUSStark,asyousee:
Thussmiling,assomeflyhidtickledslumber,Notasdeath’sdart,beinglaugh’dat;hisrightcheekReposingonacushion。GUIDERIUSWhere?ARVIRAGUSO’thefloor;
Hisarmsthusleagued:Ithoughtheslept,andputMycloutedbroguesfromoffmyfeet,whoserudenessAnswer’dmystepstooloud。GUIDERIUSWhy,hebutsleeps:
Ifhebegone,he’llmakehisgraveabed;
Withfemalefairieswillhistombbehaunted,Andwormswillnotcometothee。ARVIRAGUSWithfairestflowersWhilstsummerlastsandIlivehere,Fidele,I’llsweetenthysadgrave:thoushaltnotlackTheflowerthat’slikethyface,paleprimrose,norTheazuredharebell,likethyveins,no,norTheleafofeglantine,whomnottoslander,Out—sweeten’dnotthybreath:theruddockwould,Withcharitablebill,——Obill,sore—shamingThoserich—leftheirsthatlettheirfatherslieWithoutamonument!——bringtheeallthis;
Yea,andfurr’dmossbesides,whenflowersarenone,Towinter—groundthycorse。GUIDERIUSPrithee,havedone;
Anddonotplayinwench—likewordswiththatWhichissoserious。Letusburyhim,AndnotprotractwithadmirationwhatIsnowduedebt。Tothegrave!ARVIRAGUSSay,whereshall’slayhim?GUIDERIUSBygoodEuriphile,ourmother。ARVIRAGUSBe’tso:
Andletus,Polydore,thoughnowourvoicesHavegotthemannishcrack,singhimtotheground,Asonceourmother;uselikenoteandwords,SavethatEuriphilemustbeFidele。GUIDERIUSCadwal,Icannotsing:I’llweep,andworditwiththee;
FornotesofsorrowoutoftuneareworseThanpriestsandfanesthatlie。ARVIRAGUSWe’llspeakit,then。BELARIUSGreatgriefs,Isee,medicinetheless;
forClotenIsquiteforgot。Hewasaqueen’sson,boys;
Andthoughhecameourenemy,rememberHewaspaidforthat:thoughmeanandmighty,rottingTogether,haveonedust,yetreverence,Thatangeloftheworld,dothmakedistinctionOfplace’tweenhighandlow。OurfoewasprincelyAndthoughyoutookhislife,asbeingourfoe,Yetburyhimasaprince。GUIDERIUSPrayYou,fetchhimhither。
Thersites’bodyisasgoodasAjax’,Whenneitherarealive。ARVIRAGUSIfyou’llgofetchhim,We’llsayoursongthewhilst。Brother,begin。
ExitBELARIUSGUIDERIUSNay,Cadwal,wemustlayhisheadtotheeast;
Myfatherhathareasonfor’t。ARVIRAGUS’Tistrue。GUIDERIUSComeonthen,andremovehim。ARVIRAGUSSo。Begin。
SONGGUIDERIUSFearnomoretheheato’thesun,Northefuriouswinter’srages;
Thouthyworldlytaskhastdone,Homeartgone,andta’enthywages:
Goldenladsandgirlsallmust,Aschimney—sweepers,cometodust。ARVIRAGUSFearnomorethefrowno’thegreat;
Thouartpastthetyrant’sstroke;
Carenomoretoclotheandeat;
Totheethereedisastheoak:
Thesceptre,learning,physic,mustAllfollowthis,andcometodust。GUIDERIUSFearnomorethelightningflash,ARVIRAGUSNortheall—dreadedthunder—stone;GUIDERIUSFearnotslander,censurerash;ARVIRAGUSThouhastfinish’djoyandmoan:GUIDERIUSARVIRAGUSAllloversyoung,allloversmustConsigntothee,andcometodust。GUIDERIUSNoexorciserharmthee!ARVIRAGUSNornowitchcraftcharmthee!GUIDERIUSGhostunlaidforbearthee!ARVIRAGUSNothingillcomenearthee!GUIDERIUSARVIRAGUSQuietconsummationhave;
Andrenownedbethygrave!
Re—enterBELARIUS,withthebodyofCLOTENGUIDERIUSWehavedoneourobsequies:come,layhimdown。BELARIUSHere’safewflowers;but’boutmidnight,more:
Theherbsthathaveonthemcolddewo’thenightArestrewingsfitt’stforgraves。Upontheirfaces。
Youwereasflowers,nowwither’d:evensoTheseherbletsshall,whichweuponyoustrew。
Comeon,away:apartuponourknees。
Thegroundthatgavethemfirsthasthemagain:
Theirpleasuresherearepast,soistheirpain。
ExeuntBELARIUS,GUIDERIUS,andARVIRAGUSIMOGEN[Awaking]Yes,sir,toMilford—Haven;
whichistheway?——
Ithankyou。——Byyondbush?——Pray,howfarthither?
’Odspittikins!canitbesixmileyet?——
Ihavegoneallnight。’Faith,I’llliedownandsleep。
But,soft!nobedfellow!——Ogodsandgoddesses!
SeeingthebodyofCLOTEN
Theseflowersarelikethepleasuresoftheworld;
Thisbloodyman,thecareon’t。IhopeIdream;
ForsoIthoughtIwasacave—keeper,Andcooktohonestcreatures:but’tisnotso;
’Twasbutaboltofnothing,shotatnothing,Whichthebrainmakesoffumes:ourveryeyesAresometimeslikeourjudgments,blind。Goodfaith,Itremblestiffwithfear:butiftherebeYetleftinheavenassmalladropofpityAsawren’seye,fear’dgods,apartofit!
Thedream’sherestill:evenwhenIwake,itisWithoutme,aswithinme;notimagined,felt。
Aheadlessman!ThegarmentsofPosthumus!
Iknowtheshapeof’sleg:thisishishand;
HisfootMercurial;hisMartialthigh;
ThebrawnsofHercules:buthisJovialfaceMurderinheaven?——How!——’Tisgone。Pisanio,AllcursesmaddedHecubagavetheGreeks,Andminetoboot,bedartedonthee!Thou,Conspiredwiththatirregulousdevil,Cloten,Hastherecutoffmylord。TowriteandreadBehenceforthtreacherous!Damn’dPisanioHathwithhisforgedletters,——damn’dPisanio——
FromthismostbravestvesseloftheworldStruckthemain—top!OPosthumus!alas,Whereisthyhead?where’sthat?Ayme!
where’sthat?
Pisaniomighthavekill’dtheeattheheart,Andleftthisheadon。Howshouldthisbe?Pisanio?
’TisheandCloten:maliceandlucreinthemHavelaidthiswoehere。O,’tispregnant,pregnant!
Thedrughegaveme,whichhesaidwaspreciousAndcordialtome,haveInotfounditMurderoustothesenses?Thatconfirmsithome:
ThisisPisanio’sdeed,andCloten’s:O!
Givecolourtomypalecheekwiththyblood,ThatwethehorridermayseemtothoseWhichchancetofindus:O,mylord,mylord!
FallsonthebodyEnterLUCIUS,aCaptainandotherOfficers,andaSoothsayerCaptainTothemthelegionsgarrison’dinGailia,Afteryourwill,havecross’dthesea,attendingYouhereatMilford—Havenwithyourships:
Theyareinreadiness。CAIUSLUCIUSButwhatfromRome?CaptainThesenatehathstirr’duptheconfinersAndgentlemenofItaly,mostwillingspirits,Thatpromisenobleservice:andtheycomeUndertheconductofboldIachimo,Syenna’sbrother。CAIUSLUCIUSWhenexpectyouthem?CaptainWiththenextbenefito’thewind。CAIUSLUCIUSThisforwardnessMakesourhopesfair。CommandourpresentnumbersBemuster’d;bidthecaptainslookto’t。Now,sir,Whathaveyoudream’doflateofthiswar’spurpose?SoothsayerLastnighttheverygodsshow’dmeavision——
Ifastandpray’dfortheirintelligence——thus:
IsawJove’sbird,theRomaneagle,wing’dFromthespongysouthtothispartofthewest,Therevanish’dinthesunbeams:whichportends——
Unlessmysinsabusemydivination——
SuccesstotheRomanhost。CAIUSLUCIUSDreamoftenso,Andneverfalse。Soft,ho!whattrunkishereWithouthistop?TheruinspeaksthatsometimeItwasaworthybuilding。How!apage!
Ordead,orsleepingonhim?Butdeadrather;
FornaturedothabhortomakehisbedWiththedefunct,orsleepuponthedead。
Let’sseetheboy’sface。CaptainHe’salive,mylord。CAIUSLUCIUSHe’lltheninstructusofthisbody。
Youngone,Informusofthyfortunes,foritseemsTheycravetobedemanded。WhoisthisThoumakestthybloodypillow?OrwhowasheThat,otherwisethannoblenaturedid,Hathalter’dthatgoodpicture?What’sthyinterestInthissadwreck?Howcameit?Whoisit?
Whatartthou?IMOGENIamnothing:orifnot,Nothingtobewerebetter。Thiswasmymaster,AveryvaliantBritonandagood,Thatherebymountaineersliesslain。Alas!
Thereisnomoresuchmasters:ImaywanderFromeasttooccident,cryoutforservice,Trymany,allgood,servetruly,neverFindsuchanothermaster。CAIUSLUCIUS’Lack,goodyouth!
ThoumovestnolesswiththycomplainingthanThymasterinbleeding:sayhisname,goodfriend。IMOGENRichardduChamp。
AsideIfIdolieanddoNoharmbyit,thoughthegodshear,IhopeThey’llpardonit。——Sayyou,sir?CAIUSLUCIUSThyname?IMOGENFidele,sir。CAIUSLUCIUSThoudostapprovethyselftheverysame:
Thynamewellfitsthyfaith,thyfaiththyname。
Wilttakethychancewithme?IwillnotsayThoushaltbesowellmaster’d,but,besure,Nolessbeloved。TheRomanemperor’sletters,Sentbyaconsultome,shouldnotsoonerThanthineownworthpreferthee:gowithme。IMOGENI’llfollow,sir。Butfirst,an’tpleasethegods,I’llhidemymasterfromtheflies,asdeepAsthesepoorpickaxescandig;andwhenWithwildwood—leavesandweedsIha’strew’dhisgrave,Andonitsaidacenturyofprayers,SuchasIcan,twiceo’er,I’llweepandsigh;
Andleavingsohisservice,followyou,Sopleaseyouentertainme。CAIUSLUCIUSAy,goodyouth!
Andratherfathertheethanmasterthee。
Myfriends,Theboyhathtaughtusmanlyduties:letusFindouttheprettiestdaisiedplotwecan,AndmakehimwithourpikesandpartisansAgrave:come,armhim。Boy,heispreferr’dBytheetous,andheshallbeinterr’dAssoldierscan。Becheerful;wipethineeyesSomefallsaremeansthehappiertoarise。
ExeuntSCENEIII。AroominCymbeline’spalace。EnterCYMBELINE,Lords,PISANIO,andAttendantsCYMBELINEAgain;andbringmewordhow’tiswithher。