Soldier. They march over, and go out. Alarums. Then enter again in skirmish, Lachimo and Posthumus; he vanquisheth and disarmeth Lachimo, and then leaves him. Iach. 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 This lout, as he exceeds our lords, the odds Is that we scarce are men, and you are gods. [Exit. Some mortally, some slightly touched, sone falling Merely through fear; that the strait pass wa dammed With dead men hurt behind, and cowards living To die with lengthened shame. Lord. Where was this lane? with turf; lane, He, with two striplings (lads more like to run The country base than to commit such slaughter; With faces fit for masks, or rather fairer Than those for preservation cased, or shame), Made good the passage; cried to those that fled, “ Our Britain's harts die flying, not our men: To darkness fleet, souls that fly backwards! Stand; Or we are Romans, and will give you that Like beasts, which you shun beastly; and may save, But to look back in frown. Stand, stand!"— These three, Three thousand confident, in act as many (For three performers are the file when all The rest do nothing), with this word, “Stand, stand !" Accommodated by the place, more charming With their own nobleness (which could have turned A distaff to a lance), gilded pale looks, Part, shame,-part, spirit renewed; that some, turned coward But by example (0, a sin in war Damned in the first beginners !), 'gan to look The way that they did, and to grin like lions Upon the pikes o'the hunters. Then began A stop i' the chaser, a retire; anon, A rout, confusion thick: forth with, they fly Chickens, the way which they stooped 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, chaced by one, Are now each one the slaughter-man of twenty: a Scene III.- Another Part of the Field. Enter Posthumus and a British Lord. stand? 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 Through a strait lane; the enemy full-hearted, Lolling the tongue with slaughtering, having work More plentiful than tools to do't struck down Those that would die or ere resist, are grown Lord. This was strange chance : 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'll be his friend : For if he 'll do as he is made to do, I know he 'll quickly fly my friendship too. You have put me into rhyme. Lord. Farewell; you are 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 ho Who had not now been drooping here, if seconds Had answered him. 2nd Cap. Lay hands on him; a dog! A leg of Rome shall not return to tell What crows have pecked them here. He brags his service As if he were of note: bring him to the king. Enter CYMBELINE, attended; BELARIUS, Gure DERIUS, ARVIRAGUS, Pisanio, and Roman Captives. The Captains present PostHUMUS to CYMBELINE, who delivers him over to a Gaoler; after which, all go out. Scene IV.-A Prison. nours To have saved their carcasses ? took heel to do't, And yet died too? I, in mine own woe charmed, Could not find Death where I did hear him groan, Nor feel him where he struck: being an ugly monster, 'T is strange he hides him in fresh cups, soft beds, Sweet words; or hath more ministers than we That draw his knives i' the war.-Well, I will find him : For being now a favourer to the Roman, 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 slaugh ter is Here made by the Romans; great the answer be Britons must take: for me, my ransom's death; On either side I come to spend my breath ; Which neither here I'll keep, nor bear again, But end it by some means for Imogen Enter Posthumus, and two Gaolers. 1st Gaol. You shall not now be stolen ; you have locks upon you ; So graze, as you find pasture. 2nd 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 fettered More than my shanks and wrists : you good gods, give me The penitent instrument, to pick that bolt, Then, free for ever! Is't enough I am sorry? So children temporal fathers do appease; Gods are more full of mercy. Must I repent? I cannot do it better than in gyves, Desired more than constrained: to satisfy, If of my freedom 't is the main part, take No stricter render of me than my all. I know you are more clement than vile men, Who of their broken debtors take a third, A sixth, a tenth, letting them thrive again On their abatement; that's not my desire : For Imogen's dear life, take mine; and though 'T is not so dear, yet 't is a life; you coined it: 'Tween man and man they weigh not every stamp; Though light, take pieces for the figure's sake: You rather mine, being yours: and so great powers, If you will take this audit, take this life, And cancel these cold bonds. O Imogen! I'll speak to thee in silence. [He sleeps. a Then, Jupiter, thou king of gods, Why hast thou thus adjourned for his merits due; No longer exercise, And potent injuries : Take off his miseries. Or we poor ghosts will cry Against thy deity. And from thy justice fly. Solemn Music. Enter, as an apparition, Sicilius Leonatus, father to PosthumUS, an old man, attired like a warrior; leading in his hand an ancient Matron, his wife, and mother to PostHumus, with music before them. Then, after other music, follow the two young Leonati, brothers to Posthumus, with wounds, as they died in the wars. They circle PosthumUS round, as he lies sleeping. Thy spite on mortal flies : Rates and revenges. Whose face I never saw ? Attending Nature's law. Thou orphans' father art) From this earth-vexing smart. But took me in my throes; A thing of pity! Moulded the stuff so fair, As great Sicilius' heir. In Britain where was he Or fruitful object be Could deem his dignity ? To be exiled, and thrown Sweet Imogen? Slight thing of Italy, With needless jealousy ; O'the other's villany? 2nd Bro. For this, from stiller seats we came, Our parents, and us twain, Fell bravely, and were slain ; With honour to maintain. To Cymbeline performed: JUPITER descends in thunder and lightning, sitting upon an eagle ; he throws a thunder-bolt. The Ghosts fall on their knees. 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 oppressed; No care of yours it is; you know t'is ours. Whom best I love, I cross; to make my gift, The more delayed, delighted. Be content; Your low-laid son our godhead will uplift: His comforts thrive, his trials well are spent. Our Jovial star reigned at his birth, and in Our temple was he married.—Rise, and fade! He shall be lord of lady Imogen, And happier much by his affliction made. This tablet lay upon his breast; wherein Our pleasure his full fortune doth confine; And so, away: no 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 Stooped, as to foot us; his ascension is More sweet than our blessed fields: his royal bird Prunes the immortal wing, and cloys his beak, As when his god is pleased. AU. Thanks, Jupiter! Sici. The marble pavement closes, he is entered His radiant roof. Away! and, to be blessed, Let us with care perform his great behest. [Ghosts vanish. Post. [waking]. Sleep, thou hast been a grand sire, 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 of this contradiction you shall now be quit.-0, rare one! Reads. Re-enter Gaolers. 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 spec tators, the dish pays the shot. 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 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: O! Post. I am merrier to die than thou art to live. He shall be happy that can nnd him, if Gaol. Indeed, sir, he that sleeps feels not the Our grace cars make him so. tooth-ache : but a man that were to sleep your Bel. I never saw sleep, and a hangman to help him to bed, I think Such noble fury in so poor a thing; he would change places with his officer; for, look Such precious deeds in one that promised nought you, sir, you know not which way you shall go. But beggary and poor looks. Post. Yes, indeed do I, fellow. Сут. No tidings of him? Gaol. Your death has eyes in 's head then; I Pisa. He hath been searched among the dead have not seen him so pictured : you must either and living, be directed by some that take upon them to But no trace of him, know; or take upon yourself that which I am Сут. To my grief, I am sure you do not know; or jump the after-inquiry The heir of his reward; which I will add on your own peril: and how you shall speed in To you, the liver, heart, and brain of Britain, your journey's end, I think you'll never return [To Belarius, GUIDERius, and Arviragus. to tell one. By whom, I grant, she lives. 'Tis now the time I Post. I tell thee, fellow, there are none want To ask of whence you are : report it. eyes to direct them the way I am going, but Bel. Sir, such as wink, and will not use them. In Cambria are we born, and gentlemen : Gaol. What an infinite mock is this, that a Further to boast were neither true r.or modest, man should have the best use of eyes, to see the Unless I add, we are honest, way of blindness! I am sure hanging 's the way Сут. Bow your knees : of winking. i Arise, my knights o' the battle; I create you Companions to our person, and will fit you Enter a Messenger. | With dignities becoming your estates. Mess. Knock off his manacles; bring your Enter Cornelius and Ladies. prisoner to the king. Post. Thou bringest good news: I am called There's business in these faces.— Why so sadly to be made free. Greet you our victory? you look like Romans, Gaol. I 'll be hanged, then. And not o'the court of Britain. Post. Thou shalt be then freer than a gaoler; Cor. Hail, great king! no bolts for the dead. To sour your happiness, I must report [Exeunt Posthumus and Messenger. The queen is dead. Gaol. Unless man would marry a gallows, Cym. Whom worse than a physician and beget young gibbets, I never saw one so Would this report become? But I consider, prone. Yet, on my conscience, there are verier By medicine life may be prolonged, yet death knaves desire to live, for all he be a Roman : Will seize the doctor too,--How ended she? and there be some of them too that die against Cor. With horror, madly dying, like her life; their wills; so should I, if I were one. I would Which, being cruel to the world, concluded we were all of one mind, and one mind good; | Most cruel to herself. What she confessed 0, there were desolation of gaolers and gal- I will report, so please you: these her women lowses! I speak against my present profit; but Can trip me, if I err; who, with wet cheeks, my wish hath a preferment in 't. [Exeunt. Were present when she finished. Cym. Pr'y thee, say. only Affected greatness got by you, not you: Married your royalty; was wife to your place; Enter CYMBELINE, BELarius, Guiderius, Arvi. Abhorred your person. RAGUS, Pisanio, Lords, Officers, and At Cym. She alone knew this: tendants, And but she spoke it dying, I would not Cym. Stand by my side, you whom the gods Believe her lips in opening it. Proceed. have made Cor. Your daughter, whom she bore in hand Preservers of my throne. Woe is my heart to love That the poor soldier that so richly fought, With such integrity, she did confess Whose rags shamed gilded arms, whose naked Was as a scorpion to her sight; whose life, breast But that her flight prevented it, she bed Stepped before targe of proof, cannot be found: Ta'en off my poison, Gut |
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