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I tremble still with fear: But if there be
Yet left in heaven as small a drop of pity
As a wren's eye, fear'd gods, a part of it!
The dream's here still: even when I wake, it is,
Without me, as within me; not imagin'd, felt.
A headless man!-The garments of Posthumus!
I know the shape of his leg: this is his hand;
His foot Mercurial; his Martial thigh;
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,
Conspir'd 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,
Where is thy head? where's that? Ay me!
where's that?

From the spungy south to this part of the west, There vanish'd in the sun-beams: 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;
10 For nature doth abhor to make his bed
With the defunct, or sleep upon the dead.—
Let's see the boy's face.

15

Cap. He is alive, my lord.

[one,

Luc. He'll then instruct us of this body.-Young
Inform us of thy fortunes; for, it seems,
They crave to be demanded: Who is this,
Thou mak'st thy bloody pillow? Or who is he,
That otherwise than noble nature did, [rest
Hath alter'd that good picture? What's thy inte-
20 In this sad wreck? How came it? Who is it?
What art thou?

Imo. I am nothing; or if not,

Nothing to be were better. This was my master,
A very valiant Briton, and a good,
25 That here by Mountaineers lies slain :-Alas!
There are 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.

Pisanio might have kill'd thee at the heart, [nio?
And left this head on.-How should this be? Pisa-
'Tis he, and Cloten; malice and lucre in them 30
Have laid this woe here. O, 'tis pregnant, preg-

nant!

[cious
The drug he gave me, which, he said, was pre-
And cordial to me, have I not found it
Murd'rous to the senses? That confirms it home: 35
This is Pisanio's deed, and Cloten's: O!
Give colour to my pale cheek with thy blood,
That we the horrider may seem to those
Which chance to find us; O, my lord! my lord!

Enter Lucius, Captains, &c. and a Soothsayer.
Cap, To them, the legions garrison'd in Gallia,
After your will, have cross'd the sea; attending
You here at Milford-Haven, with 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 Iachimo,
Syenna's brother.

Luc. When expect you them?

Cap, With the next benefit o' the wind.
Luc. This forwardness

40

Luc. 'Lack, good youth!

Thou mov'st no less with thy complaining, than
Thy master in bleeding: Say his name,good friend.
imo. Richard du Champ. If I do lye, and do
No harm by it, though the gods hear, I hope

They'll pardon it. Say you, sir?
Luc. Thy name?
Imo. Fidele, sir.

[dside.

Luc. Thou dost approve thyself the very same:
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 belov'd. The Roman emperor's letters,
Sent by a consul to me, should not sooner
45 Than thine own worth prefer thee: Go with me.
Imo. I'll follow, sir. But, first, an't please
the gods,

I'll hide my master from the flies, as deep
As these poor pick-axes' can dig: and when
50 With wild wood leaves and weeds I have strew'd
his grave,

[numbers Makes our hopes fair. Command, our present 55 Be muster'd; bid the captains look to't.-Now,sir, What have you dreami'd, of late, of this war's purpose? [vision: Sooth. Last night the very gods' shew'd me a (I fast, and pray'd, for their intelligence) Thus:-60 saw Jove's bird, the Roman eagle, wing'd

And on it said a century of prayers,

Such as 1 can, twice o'er, I'll 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 daizy'd plot we can,
And make him with our pikes and partisans

Jovial face signifies in this place, such a face as belongs to Jove. 2 i. e. lawless, licentious. i. e. the gods themselves. 4i. e. made, or did it. 5 : Meaning her fingers. A grave:

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How deeply you at once do touch me! Imogen, 15
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
Dost seem so ignorant, we'll enforce it from thee
By a sharp torture.

Pisan. 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
Hold me your loyal servant.

Lord. Good niy liege,

[highness

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,
And will, no doubt, be found.

Cym. The time is troublesome;

We'll slip you for a season; 'but our jealousy

Does yet depend 2.

Lord. So please your majesty,

[To Pisan.

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 amaz'd with matter'.

Lord. Good my liege,

Your preparation can affront no less

Than what you hear of; come more, for more
you're ready:

The want is, but to put these 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.

20

25

SCENE IV.
Before the Cave.

Enter Belarius, Guiderius, and Arviragus.
Guid. The noise is round about us.

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We'll higher to the mountains; there secure us.
To the king's party there's no going; newness
Of Cloten's death (we being not known, nor
muster'd

Among the bands) may drive us to a render"
Where we have liv'd; and to extort from us that
30 Which we have done, whose answer' would be
Drawn on with torture.

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[death

That when they hear the Roman horses neigh,.
Behold their quarter'd fires, have both their eyes
And ears so cloy'd importantly as now,
That they will waste their time upon our note,
40 To know from whence we are.

Bel. O, I am known

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[Exeunt. 55

Pisan. 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

Guid. Than be so,

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.

Art. By this sun that shines,

I'll 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?
|60|Never bestrid a horse, save one, that had

1i. e. take him up in your arms. 2 That is, My suspicion is yet undetermined. with variety of business. i. e. can fuce no less, &c. e. observation. account. i. e. The retaliation of the death of Cloten would be death, &c. regularly disposed.

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A rider like myself, who ne'er wore rowel
Nor iron on his heel? I am asham'd
To look upon the holy sun, to have
The benefit of his blest beams, remaining
So long a poor unknown.

Guid. By heavens, I'll go:

If you will bless me, sir, and give me leave,
I'll take the better care; but if you will not,
The hazard therefore due fall on me, by
The hands of Romans!

SCENE I.

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ACT
15

A Field, between the British and Romish Camps.
Enter Posthumus, with a bloody handkerchief.
Post. YEA, bloody cloth, I'll keep thee; for I

25

wish'd
[ones,
Thou should'st be colour'd thus. You married 20
If each of you would take this course, how many
Must murder wives much better than themselves
For wrying but a little!-O, Pisanio!
Every good servant does not all commands;
No bond, but to do just ones.-Gods! if you
Should have ta'en vengeance on my faults, I never
Had liv'd to put on this: so had
you saved
The noble Imogen to repent; and struck
Me, wretch, more worth your vengeance. But,
alack,
You snatch some hence for little faults; that's
To have them fall no more: you some permit
To second ills with ills, each elder worse;
And make them dread it 3, to the doers' 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 kili'd thy mistress; peace!
I'll give no wound to thee. Therefore, good 40
heavens,

[love, 30

Hear patiently my purpose: I'll disrobe me
Of these Italian weeds, and suit myself

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As does a Briton peasant: so I'll fight
Against the part come with; so I'll die
For thee, O Imogen, even for whom my life
Is, every breath, a death; and thus, unknown,
Pity'd nor hated, to the face of peril
Myself I'll dedicate. Let me make men know
More valour in me than my habits show.
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.

Enter Lucius, Iachimo, and the Roman Army at one
Door; and the British Army at another; Leonatus
Posthumus following it like a poor Soldier. They
march over, and go out. Then enter again in skir-
mish Iachimo and Posthumus: he vanquisheth
and disarmeth Iachimo, and then leaves him.
Jach. I he heaviness, and guilt, within my bosom

2

35

V.

[Exeunt.

Takes off my manhood: I have bely'd a lady,
The princess of this country, and the air on 't
Revengingly enfeebles me; Or could this carle,
A very drudge of nature's, have subdu'd me,
In my profession? Knighthoods and honours,
As I wear mine, are titles but of scorn. [borne
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.
The battle continues; the Britons fly; Cymbeline is
taken: then enter to his rescue, Belarius, Gui-
derius, and Arviragus. [the ground;
Bel. Stand, stand! We have the advantage of
The lane is guarded: nothing routs us, but
The villainy of our fears.

451

Guid. Arv. Stand, stand! and fight! Enter Posthumus, and seconds the Britons. They rescue Cymbeline, and Exeunt.

Then enter Lucius, Iachimo, and Imogen.
Luc. Away, boy, from the troops, and save
thyself;

For friends kill friends, and the disorder's such
As war were hood-wink'd.

Jach. 'Tis their fresh supplies.

Luc. It is a day turn'd strangely: Or betimes Let's reinforce, or fly.

SCENE

III.

Another Part of the Field.

[Exeunt.

Enter Posthumus, and a British Lord.

Lord. Cam'st thou from where they made the
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,

55

60

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
Some mortally, some slightly touch'd,some falling
Merely through fear; that the strait pass was

damm'd

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i. 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,-
An honest one, I warrant; who deserv'd
So long a breeding, as his white beard came to,
In doing this for his country-athwart the 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 cas'd, or shame 2),
Made good the passage; cry'd 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 thousand confident, in act as many, [three,
(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 couldhaveturn'd
A distaff to a lance) gilded pale looks, [coward 20
Part, shame, part, spirit renew'd; that some, turn'd
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,

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,

Tis 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,
10 No more a Briton, I have resum'd 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;
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.

15

Enter two British Captains, and Soldiers. Cap. Great Jupiter be prais'd! Lucius is taken: 'Tis thought, the old inan 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
Chickens, theway whichtheystoop'deagles; slaves,
The strides they victors made: And now our cow-
(Like fragments in hard voyages, became [ards, 30
The life o' the need) having found the back-door
open
[wound!

Of the unguarded hearts, heavens, how they
Some,slain before; some, dying; some, their friends
O'erborne i' the former wave: ten, chas'd by one, 35
Are now each one the slaughter-man of twenty:
Those, that would die or ere resist, are grown
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,
Preser'd 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.

[Exit.

Lord. Farewell; you are angry.
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 sav'd their carcases? took heel to do't,

40

Who had not now been drooping here, if seconds
Had answer'd him.

2 Cap. Lay hands on him; A dog!
A leg of Rome shall not return to tell [his service
What crows have peck'd them here: He brags
As if he were of note: bring him to the king.
Enter Cymbeline, Belarius; Guiderius, Arviragus,
Pisanio, and Roman Captives. The Captains
present Pos humus to Cymbeline, who delivers
him over to a Gaoler: after which, all go out.
SCENE IV.

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 Gaol. Ay, or a stomach. [Exeunt Gaolers. Post. Most welcome, bondage! for thou art a 45I 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 ; Gods are more full of mercy. Must I repent?

50

55

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 & magiæ cognitione sibi placent." Answer, as once in this play before, means reialiation. 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

3

No

2 Bro. From this, from stiller seats we came, Our parents, and us twain, That, striking in our country's cause, Fell bravely, and were slain;

5 Our fealty, and Tenantius' right, With honour to maintain.

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
'Tis not so dear, yet 'tis a life; you coin'd it:
"Tween man and man,they weigh not everystamp;
Though light, take pieces for the figure's sake;
You rather mine, being yours: And so, great 10
If you will take this audit, take this life, [powers,
And cancel these cold bonds. O Imogen!
I'll speak to thee in silence.

[He sleeps.

Solemn Musick. Enter,as in an apparition, Sicilius 15
Leonatus, father to Posthumus,anold man,attired
like a warrior; leading in his hand an ancient
matron, his wife, and mother to Posthumus, with
musick before them. Then, after other musick,
follow the two young Leonati, brothers to Post-20
humus, with wounds as they died in the wars.
They circle Posthumus round, as he lies sleeping.

Sici. No more, thou thunder-master, shew
Thy spite on mortal flies:

With Mars fall out, with Juno chide,
That thy adulteries

Rates, and

revenges.

Hath my poor boy done aught but well,

Whose face I never saw?

I dy'd, whilst in the womb he stay'd,

Attending Nature's law.

Whose father then (as men report,

Thou orphan's father art,)

Thou should'st have been, and shielded him
From this earth-vexing smart.
Moth. Lucina lent not ine 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 deserv'd the praise o'the world,
As great Sicilius' heir.

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, To be exil'd, and thrown

From Leonati' seat, and cast

From her his dearest one, Sweet Imogen?

Siei. Why did you suffer lachimo,

Slight thing of Italy,

To taint his nobler heart and brain

With needless jealousy;

And to become the geck and scorn

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O' the other's villainy?

Meaning, his life, if it is the main part, the

1 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?
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.

2 Bro. Help, Jupiter; or we appeal,
And from thy justice fly.

The

25 Jupiter descends in thunder and lightning, sitting upon an eagle: he throws a thunder-bolt. ghosts fall on their knees.

30

Jupit. 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: 35 Be not with mortal accidents opprest;

No care of yours it is: you know, 'tis ours. 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; 40 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. 45 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 mypalace crystalline.[Ascends. 50 Sici. He came in thunder; his celestial breath Was sulphurous to smell: the holy cagle Stoop'd, as to foot us; his ascension is More sweet than our blest fields; his royal bird Prunes the immortal wing, and cloys his beak, 55 As when his god is pleas'd.

60

All. Thanks, Jupiter!

[ter'd

Sici. The marble pavement closes, he is enHis radiant roof:-Away! and, to be blest, Let us with care perform his great behest. [Vanish. Post. [waking.] Sleep, thou hast been a grandsire, and begot

A father to me: and thou hast created

chief point, or principal condition of his freedom, A bird is said to prune himself when he clears his i. e. claws.-To claw their beaks, is an accustomed action with hawks

i. e. of his freedom from future punishment.

feathers from superfluities.

and eagles.

A mother,

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