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You do not meet a man but frowns. Our bloods
No more obey the heavens than our courtiers’
Still seem as does the King’s.
But what’s the matter?
55His daughter, and the heir of ’s kingdom, whom
He purposed to his wife’s sole son—a widow
That late he married—hath referred herself
Unto a poor but worthy gentleman. She’s wedded,
Her husband banished, she imprisoned. All
1010Is outward sorrow, though I think the King
Be touched at very heart.
None but the King?
He that hath lost her, too. So is the Queen,
That most desired the match. But not a courtier,
1515Although they wear their faces to the bent
Of the King’s looks, hath a heart that is not
Glad at the thing they scowl at.
And why so?
He that hath missed the Princess is a thing
2020Too bad for bad report, and he that hath her—
I mean, that married her, alack, good man!
And therefore banished—is a creature such
As, to seek through the regions of the Earth
For one his like, there would be something failing
2525In him that should compare. I do not think
So fair an outward and such stuff within
Endows a man but he.
You speak him far.
I do extend him, sir, within himself,
3030Crush him together rather than unfold
His measure duly.
What’s his name and birth?
I cannot delve him to the root. His father
Was called Sicilius, who did join his honor
3535Against the Romans with Cassibelan,
But had his titles by Tenantius, whom
He served with glory and admired success,
So gained the sur-addition Leonatus;
And had, besides this gentleman in question,
4040Two other sons, who in the wars o’ th’ time
Died with their swords in hand. For which their
father,
Then old and fond of issue, took such sorrow
That he quit being; and his gentle lady,
4545Big of this gentleman our theme, deceased
As he was born. The King he takes the babe
To his protection, calls him Posthumus Leonatus,
Breeds him and makes him of his bedchamber,
Puts to him all the learnings that his time
5050Could make him the receiver of, which he took
As we do air, fast as ’twas ministered,
And in ’s spring became a harvest; lived in court—
Which rare it is to do—most praised, most loved,
A sample to the youngest, to th’ more mature
5555A glass that feated them, and to the graver
A child that guided dotards. To his mistress,
For whom he now is banished, her own price
Proclaims how she esteemed him; and his virtue
By her election may be truly read
6060What kind of man he is.
I honor him
Even out of your report. But pray you tell me,
Is she sole child to th’ King?
His only child.
6565He had two sons—if this be worth your hearing,
Mark it—the eldest of them at three years old,
I’ th’ swathing clothes the other, from their nursery
Were stol’n, and to this hour no guess in knowledge
Which way they went.
7070How long is this ago?
Some twenty years.
That a king’s children should be so conveyed,
So slackly guarded, and the search so slow
That could not trace them!
7575Howsoe’er ’tis strange,
Or that the negligence may well be laughed at,
Yet is it true, sir.
I do well believe you.
We must forbear. Here comes the gentleman,
8080The Queen and Princess.
No, be assured you shall not find me, daughter,
After the slander of most stepmothers,
Evil-eyed unto you. You’re my prisoner, but
Your jailer shall deliver you the keys
8585That lock up your restraint.—For you, Posthumus,
So soon as I can win th’ offended king,
I will be known your advocate. Marry, yet
The fire of rage is in him, and ’twere good
You leaned unto his sentence with what patience
9090Your wisdom may inform you.
Please your Highness,
I will from hence today.
You know the peril.
I’ll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying
9595The pangs of barred affections, though the King
Hath charged you should not speak together.
O,
Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant
Can tickle where she wounds! My dearest husband,
100100I something fear my father’s wrath, but nothing—
Always reserved my holy duty—what
His rage can do on me. You must be gone,
And I shall here abide the hourly shot
Of angry eyes, not comforted to live
105105But that there is this jewel in the world
That I may see again.
My queen, my mistress!
O lady, weep no more, lest I give cause
To be suspected of more tenderness
110110Than doth become a man. I will remain
The loyal’st husband that did e’er plight troth.
My residence in Rome at one Philario’s,
Who to my father was a friend, to me
Known but by letter; thither write, my queen,
115115And with mine eyes I’ll drink the words you send,
Though ink be made of gall.
Be brief, I pray you.
If the King come, I shall incur I know not
How much of his displeasure. (Aside.) Yet I’ll move
120120him
To walk this way. I never do him wrong
But he does buy my injuries, to be friends,
Pays dear for my offenses.
Should we be taking leave
125125As long a term as yet we have to live,
The loathness to depart would grow. Adieu.
Nay, stay a little!
Were you but riding forth to air yourself,
Such parting were too petty. Look here, love:
130130This diamond was my mother’s. (She offers a
ring.) Take it, heart,
But keep it till you woo another wife
When Imogen is dead.
How, how? Another?
135135You gentle gods, give me but this I have,
And cere up my embracements from a next
With bonds of death.(He puts the ring on his finger.)
Remain, remain thou here,
While sense can keep it on.—And sweetest, fairest,
140140As I my poor self did exchange for you
To your so infinite loss, so in our trifles
I still win of you. For my sake, wear this.
He offers a bracelet.
It is a manacle of love. I’ll place it
Upon this fairest prisoner.
145145O the gods!
When shall we see again?
Alack, the King.
Thou basest thing, avoid hence, from my sight!
If after this command thou fraught the court
150150With thy unworthiness, thou diest. Away!
Thou ’rt poison to my blood.
The gods protect you,
And bless the good remainders of the court.
I am gone.
155155There cannot be a pinch in death
More sharp than this is.
O disloyal thing
That shouldst repair my youth, thou heap’st
A year’s age on me.
160160I beseech you, sir,
Harm not yourself with your vexation.
I am senseless of your wrath. A touch more rare
Subdues all pangs, all fears.
Past grace? Obedience?
165165Past hope and in despair; that way past grace.
That mightst have had the sole son of my queen!
O, blessèd that I might not! I chose an eagle
And did avoid a puttock.
Thou took’st a beggar, wouldst have made my throne
170170A seat for baseness.
No, I rather added
A luster to it.
O thou vile one!
Sir,
175175It is your fault that I have loved Posthumus.
You bred him as my playfellow, and he is
A man worth any woman, overbuys me
Almost the sum he pays.
What, art thou mad?
180180Almost, sir. Heaven restore me! Would I were
A neatherd’s daughter, and my Leonatus
Our neighbor shepherd’s son.
Thou foolish thing!
Enter Queen.
They were again together. You have done
185185Not after our command. Away with her
And pen her up.
Beseech your patience.—Peace,
Dear lady daughter, peace.—Sweet sovereign,
Leave us to ourselves, and make yourself some
190190comfort
Out of your best advice.
Nay, let her languish
A drop of blood a day, and being aged
Die of this folly.
195195Fie, you must give way.
Enter Pisanio.
Here is your servant.—How now, sir? What news?
My lord your son drew on my master.
Ha?
No harm, I trust, is done?
200200There might have been,
But that my master rather played than fought
And had no help of anger. They were parted
By gentlemen at hand.
I am very glad on ’t.
205205Your son’s my father’s friend; he takes his part
To draw upon an exile. O, brave sir!
I would they were in Afric both together,
Myself by with a needle, that I might prick
The goer-back.—Why came you from your master?
210210On his command. He would not suffer me
To bring him to the haven, left these notes
Of what commands I should be subject to
When ’t pleased you to employ me.
This hath been
215215Your faithful servant. I dare lay mine honor
He will remain so.
I humbly thank your Highness.
Pray, walk awhile.
About some half hour hence,
220220Pray you, speak with me. You shall at least
Go see my lord aboard. For this time leave me.
Sir, I would advise you to shift a shirt. The
violence of action hath made you reek as a sacrifice.
Where air comes out, air comes in. There’s
225none abroad so wholesome as that you vent.
5If my shirt were bloody, then to shift it. Have I
hurt him?
No, faith, not so much as his
patience.
230Hurt him? His body’s a passable carcass if
10he be not hurt. It is a thoroughfare for steel if it be
not hurt.
His steel was in debt; it went o’
th’ backside the town.
235The villain would not stand me.
15No, but he fled forward still,
toward your face.
Stand you? You have land enough of your
own, but he added to your having, gave you some
240ground.
20As many inches as you have
oceans. Puppies!
I would they had not come between us.
So would I, till you had measured
245how long a fool you were upon the ground.
25And that she should love this fellow and
refuse me!
If it be a sin to make a true election,
she is damned.
250Sir, as I told you always, her beauty and
30her brain go not together. She’s a good sign, but I
have seen small reflection of her wit.
She shines not upon fools, lest
the reflection should hurt her.
255Come, I’ll to my chamber. Would there had
35been some hurt done!
I wish not so, unless it had been
the fall of an ass, which is no great hurt.
You’ll go with us?
260I’ll attend your Lordship.
40Nay, come, let’s go together.
Well, my lord.
They exit.
I would thou grew’st unto the shores o’ th’ haven
And questionedst every sail. If he should write
265And I not have it, ’twere a paper lost
As offered mercy is. What was the last
5That he spake to thee?
It was his queen, his queen!
Then waved his handkerchief?
270And kissed it, madam.
Senseless linen, happier therein than I.
10And that was all?
No, madam. For so long
As he could make me with this eye or ear
275Distinguish him from others, he did keep
The deck, with glove or hat or handkerchief
15Still waving, as the fits and stirs of ’s mind
Could best express how slow his soul sailed on,
How swift his ship.
280Thou shouldst have made him
As little as a crow, or less, ere left
20To after-eye him.
Madam, so I did.
I would have broke mine eyestrings, cracked them,
285but
To look upon him till the diminution
25Of space had pointed him sharp as my needle;
Nay, followed him till he had melted from
The smallness of a gnat to air; and then
290Have turned mine eye and wept. But, good Pisanio,
When shall we hear from him?
30Be assured, madam,
With his next vantage.
I did not take my leave of him, but had
295Most pretty things to say. Ere I could tell him
How I would think on him at certain hours
35Such thoughts and such; or I could make him swear
The shes of Italy should not betray
Mine interest and his honor; or have charged him
300At the sixth hour of morn, at noon, at midnight
T’ encounter me with orisons, for then
40I am in heaven for him; or ere I could
Give him that parting kiss which I had set
Betwixt two charming words, comes in my father,
305And like the tyrannous breathing of the north
Shakes all our buds from growing.
45The Queen, madam,
Desires your Highness’ company.
Those things I bid you do, get them dispatched.
310I will attend the Queen.
Madam, I shall.
They exit.
Believe it, sir, I have seen him in Britain. He
was then of a crescent note, expected to prove so
worthy as since he hath been allowed the name of.
315But I could then have looked on him without the
5help of admiration, though the catalogue of his
endowments had been tabled by his side and I to
peruse him by items.
You speak of him when he was less furnished
320than now he is with that which makes him
10both without and within.
I have seen him in France. We had very
many there could behold the sun with as firm eyes
as he.
325This matter of marrying his king’s daughter,
15wherein he must be weighed rather by her value
than his own, words him, I doubt not, a great deal
from the matter.
And then his banishment.
330Ay, and the approbation of those that weep
20this lamentable divorce under her colors are wonderfully
to extend him, be it but to fortify her judgment,
which else an easy battery might lay flat for
taking a beggar without less quality.—But how
335comes it he is to sojourn with you? How creeps
25acquaintance?
His father and I were soldiers together, to
whom I have been often bound for no less than my
life.
Enter Posthumus.
340Here comes the Briton. Let him be so entertained
30amongst you as suits, with gentlemen of your knowing,
to a stranger of his quality.—I beseech you all,
be better known to this gentleman, whom I commend
to you as a noble friend of mine. How worthy
345he is I will leave to appear hereafter rather
35than story him in his own hearing.
Sir, we have known together
in Orleans.
Since when I have been debtor to you for
350courtesies which I will be ever to pay and yet pay
40still.
Sir, you o’errate my poor kindness. I was
glad I did atone my countryman and you. It had
been pity you should have been put together with
355so mortal a purpose as then each bore, upon importance
45of so slight and trivial a nature.
By your pardon, sir, I was then a young
traveler, rather shunned to go even with what I
heard than in my every action to be guided by others’
360experiences. But upon my mended judgment—
50if I offend not to say it is mended—my
quarrel was not altogether slight.
Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrament of
swords, and by such two that would by all likelihood
365have confounded one the other or have fall’n
55both.
Can we with manners ask what was the
difference?
Safely, I think. ’Twas a contention in public,
370which may without contradiction suffer the report.
60It was much like an argument that fell out
last night, where each of us fell in praise of our
country mistresses, this gentleman at that time
vouching—and upon warrant of bloody affirmation—
375his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste,
65constant, qualified, and less attemptable than any
the rarest of our ladies in France.
That lady is not now living, or this gentleman’s
opinion by this worn out.
380She holds her virtue still, and I my mind.
70You must not so far prefer her ’fore ours of
Italy.
Being so far provoked as I was in France,
I would abate her nothing, though I profess myself
385her adorer, not her friend.
75As fair and as good—a kind of hand-in-hand
comparison—had been something too fair and too
good for any lady in Britain. If she went before
others I have seen, as that diamond of yours outlusters
390many I have beheld, I could not but
80believe she excelled many. But I have not seen the
most precious diamond that is, nor you the lady.
I praised her as I rated her. So do I my
stone.
395What do you esteem it at?
85More than the world enjoys.
Either your unparagoned mistress is dead, or
she’s outprized by a trifle.
You are mistaken. The one may be sold or
400given, or if there were wealth enough for the purchase
90or merit for the gift. The other is not a thing
for sale, and only the gift of the gods.
Which the gods have given you?
Which, by their graces, I will keep.
405You may wear her in title yours, but you
95know strange fowl light upon neighboring ponds.
Your ring may be stolen too. So your brace of unprizable
estimations, the one is but frail and the
other casual. A cunning thief or a that-way-accomplished
410courtier would hazard the winning both of
100first and last.
Your Italy contains none so accomplished
a courtier to convince the honor of my mistress, if
in the holding or loss of that, you term her frail. I
415do nothing doubt you have store of thieves;
105notwithstanding, I fear not my ring.
Let us leave here, gentlemen.
Sir, with all my heart. This worthy signior,
I thank him, makes no stranger of me. We are
420familiar at first.
110With five times so much conversation I
should get ground of your fair mistress, make her
go back even to the yielding, had I admittance and
opportunity to friend.
425No, no.
115I dare thereupon pawn the moiety of my
estate to your ring, which in my opinion o’ervalues
it something. But I make my wager rather against
your confidence than her reputation, and, to bar
430your offense herein too, I durst attempt it against
120any lady in the world.
You are a great deal abused in too bold a
persuasion, and I doubt not you sustain what
you’re worthy of by your attempt.
435What’s that?
125A repulse—though your attempt, as you
call it, deserve more: a punishment, too.
Gentlemen, enough of this. It came in too
suddenly. Let it die as it was born, and, I pray you,
440be better acquainted.
130Would I had put my estate and my neighbor’s
on th’ approbation of what I have spoke.
What lady would you choose to assail?
Yours, whom in constancy you think stands
445so safe. I will lay you ten thousand ducats to your
135ring that, commend me to the court where your
lady is, with no more advantage than the opportunity
of a second conference, and I will bring from
thence that honor of hers which you imagine so
450reserved.
140I will wage against your gold, gold to it.
My ring I hold dear as my finger; ’tis part of it.
You are a friend, and therein the wiser. If you
buy ladies’ flesh at a million a dram, you cannot
455preserve it from tainting. But I see you have some
145religion in you, that you fear.
This is but a custom in your tongue. You
bear a graver purpose, I hope.
I am the master of my speeches and would
460undergo what’s spoken, I swear.
150Will you? I shall but lend my diamond till
your return. Let there be covenants drawn between
’s. My mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness
of your unworthy thinking. I dare you to this
465match. Here’s my ring.
155I will have it no lay.
By the gods, it is one!—If I bring you no sufficient
testimony that I have enjoyed the dearest
bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand
470ducats are yours; so is your diamond too. If I come
160off and leave her in such honor as you have trust
in, she your jewel, this your jewel, and my gold are
yours, provided I have your commendation for my
more free entertainment.
475I embrace these conditions. Let us have
165articles betwixt us. Only thus far you shall answer:
if you make your voyage upon her and give me directly
to understand you have prevailed, I am no
further your enemy; she is not worth our debate. If
480she remain unseduced, you not making it appear
170otherwise, for your ill opinion and th’ assault you
have made to her chastity, you shall answer me
with your sword.
Your hand; a covenant.(They shake hands.)
485We will have these things set down by lawful counsel,
175and straight away for Britain, lest the bargain
should catch cold and starve. I will fetch my gold
and have our two wagers recorded.
Agreed.
Iachimo and Posthumus exit.490Will this hold, think you?
180Signior Iachimo will not from it. Pray, let us
follow ’em.
Whiles yet the dew’s on ground, gather those flowers.
Make haste. Who has the note of them?
495I, madam.
Dispatch.Ladies exit.
5Now, Master Doctor, have you brought those drugs?
Pleaseth your Highness, ay. Here they are, madam.
He hands her a small box.
But I beseech your Grace, without offense—
500My conscience bids me ask—wherefore you have
Commanded of me these most poisonous
10compounds,
Which are the movers of a languishing death,
But though slow, deadly.
505I wonder, doctor,
Thou ask’st me such a question. Have I not been
15Thy pupil long? Hast thou not learned me how
To make perfumes, distil, preserve—yea, so
That our great king himself doth woo me oft
510For my confections? Having thus far proceeded,
Unless thou think’st me devilish, is ’t not meet
20That I did amplify my judgment in
Other conclusions? I will try the forces
Of these thy compounds on such creatures as
515We count not worth the hanging—but none human—
To try the vigor of them and apply
25Allayments to their act, and by them gather
Their several virtues and effects.
Your Highness
520Shall from this practice but make hard your heart.
Besides, the seeing these effects will be
30Both noisome and infectious.
O, content thee.
Enter Pisanio.
Aside. Here comes a flattering rascal. Upon him
525Will I first work. He’s for his master
And enemy to my son.—How now, Pisanio?—
35Doctor, your service for this time is ended.
Take your own way.
I do suspect you, madam,
530But you shall do no harm.
Hark thee, a word.
40I do not like her. She doth think she has
Strange ling’ring poisons. I do know her spirit,
And will not trust one of her malice with
535A drug of such damned nature. Those she has
Will stupefy and dull the sense awhile,
45Which first perchance she’ll prove on cats and dogs,
Then afterward up higher. But there is
No danger in what show of death it makes,
540More than the locking-up the spirits a time,
To be more fresh, reviving. She is fooled
50With a most false effect, and I the truer
So to be false with her.
No further service, doctor,
545Until I send for thee.
I humbly take my leave.
He exits.
55Weeps she still, sayst thou? Dost thou think in time
She will not quench and let instructions enter
Where folly now possesses? Do thou work.
550When thou shalt bring me word she loves my son,
I’ll tell thee on the instant thou art then
60As great as is thy master; greater, for
His fortunes all lie speechless, and his name
Is at last gasp. Return he cannot, nor
555Continue where he is. To shift his being
Is to exchange one misery with another,
65And every day that comes comes to decay
A day’s work in him. What shalt thou expect,
To be depender on a thing that leans,
560Who cannot be new built, nor has no friends
So much as but to prop him? (She drops the box
and Pisanio picks it up.) 70Thou tak’st up
Thou know’st not what. But take it for thy labor.
It is a thing I made which hath the King
565Five times redeemed from death. I do not know
What is more cordial. Nay, I prithee, take it.
75It is an earnest of a farther good
That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how
The case stands with her. Do ’t as from thyself.
570Think what a chance thou changest on, but think
Thou hast thy mistress still; to boot, my son,
80Who shall take notice of thee. I’ll move the King
To any shape of thy preferment such
As thou ’lt desire; and then myself, I chiefly,
575That set thee on to this desert, am bound
To load thy merit richly. Call my women.
85Think on my words.Pisanio exits.
A sly and constant knave,
Not to be shaked; the agent for his master
580And the remembrancer of her to hold
The handfast to her lord. I have given him that
90Which, if he take, shall quite unpeople her
Of liegers for her sweet, and which she after,
Except she bend her humor, shall be assured
585To taste of too.
Enter Pisanio and Ladies carrying flowers.
To the Ladies. So, so. Well done, well done.
95The violets, cowslips, and the primroses
Bear to my closet.—Fare thee well, Pisanio.
Think on my words.
590And shall do.
But when to my good lord I prove untrue,
100I’ll choke myself; there’s all I’ll do for you.
A father cruel and a stepdame false,
A foolish suitor to a wedded lady
595That hath her husband banished. O, that husband,
My supreme crown of grief and those repeated
5Vexations of it! Had I been thief-stol’n,
As my two brothers, happy; but most miserable
Is the desire that’s glorious. Blessed be those,
600How mean soe’er, that have their honest wills,
Which seasons comfort. Who may this be? Fie!
10Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome
Comes from my lord with letters.
Change you,
605madam?
The worthy Leonatus is in safety
15And greets your Highness dearly.
Thanks, good sir.
You’re kindly welcome.
610All of her that is out of door, most rich!
If she be furnished with a mind so rare,
20She is alone th’ Arabian bird, and I
Have lost the wager. Boldness be my friend.
Arm me, audacity, from head to foot,
615Or like the Parthian I shall flying fight—
Rather, directly fly.
25He is one of the noblest note, to whose
kindnesses I am most infinitely tied. Reflect upon
him accordingly as you value your trust.
620Leonatus.
So far I read aloud.
30But even the very middle of my heart
Is warmed by th’ rest and takes it thankfully.—
You are as welcome, worthy sir, as I
625Have words to bid you, and shall find it so
In all that I can do.
35Thanks, fairest lady.—
What, are men mad? Hath nature given them eyes
To see this vaulted arch and the rich crop
630Of sea and land, which can distinguish ’twixt
The fiery orbs above and the twinned stones
40Upon the numbered beach, and can we not
Partition make with spectacles so precious
’Twixt fair and foul?
635What makes your admiration?
It cannot be i’ th’ eye, for apes and monkeys
45’Twixt two such shes would chatter this way and
Contemn with mows the other; nor i’ th’ judgment,
For idiots in this case of favor would
640Be wisely definite; nor i’ th’ appetite—
Sluttery to such neat excellence opposed
50Should make desire vomit emptiness,
Not so allured to feed.
What is the matter, trow?
645The cloyèd will,
That satiate yet unsatisfied desire, that tub
55Both filled and running, ravening first the lamb,
Longs after for the garbage.
What, dear sir,
650Thus raps you? Are you well?
Thanks, madam, well.
60(To Pisanio.) Beseech you, sir,
Desire my man’s abode where I did leave him.
He’s strange and peevish.
655I was going, sir,
To give him welcome.
65Continues well my lord? His health, beseech you?
Well, madam.
Is he disposed to mirth? I hope he is.
660Exceeding pleasant. None a stranger there
So merry and so gamesome. He is called
70The Briton Reveler.
When he was here
He did incline to sadness, and ofttimes
665Not knowing why.
I never saw him sad.
75There is a Frenchman his companion, one
An eminent monsieur that, it seems, much loves
A Gallian girl at home. He furnaces
670The thick sighs from him, whiles the jolly Briton—
Your lord, I mean—laughs from ’s free lungs, cries “O,
80Can my sides hold to think that man who knows
By history, report, or his own proof
What woman is, yea, what she cannot choose
675But must be, will ’s free hours languish for
Assurèd bondage?”
85Will my lord say so?
Ay, madam, with his eyes in flood with laughter.
It is a recreation to be by
680And hear him mock the Frenchman. But heavens
know
90Some men are much to blame.
Not he, I hope.
Not he—but yet heaven’s bounty towards him might
685Be used more thankfully. In himself ’tis much;
In you, which I account his, beyond all talents.
95Whilst I am bound to wonder, I am bound
To pity too.
What do you pity, sir?
690Two creatures heartily.
Am I one, sir?
100You look on me. What wrack discern you in me
Deserves your pity?
Lamentable! What,
695To hide me from the radiant sun and solace
I’ th’ dungeon by a snuff?
105I pray you, sir,
Deliver with more openness your answers
To my demands. Why do you pity me?
700That others do—
I was about to say, enjoy your—but
110It is an office of the gods to venge it,
Not mine to speak on ’t.
You do seem to know
705Something of me or what concerns me. Pray you,
Since doubting things go ill often hurts more
115Than to be sure they do—for certainties
Either are past remedies, or, timely knowing,
The remedy then born—discover to me
710What both you spur and stop.
Had I this cheek
120To bathe my lips upon; this hand, whose touch,
Whose every touch, would force the feeler’s soul
To th’ oath of loyalty; this object which
715Takes prisoner the wild motion of mine eye,
Fixing it only here; should I, damned then,
125Slaver with lips as common as the stairs
That mount the Capitol, join gripes with hands
Made hard with hourly falsehood—falsehood as
720With labor; then by-peeping in an eye
Base and illustrous as the smoky light
130That’s fed with stinking tallow; it were fit
That all the plagues of hell should at one time
Encounter such revolt.
725My lord, I fear,
Has forgot Britain.
135And himself. Not I,
Inclined to this intelligence, pronounce
The beggary of his change, but ’tis your graces
730That from my mutest conscience to my tongue
Charms this report out.
140Let me hear no more.
O dearest soul, your cause doth strike my heart
With pity that doth make me sick. A lady
735So fair, and fastened to an empery
Would make the great’st king double, to be partnered
145With tomboys hired with that self exhibition
Which your own coffers yield, with diseased ventures
That play with all infirmities for gold
740Which rottenness can lend nature; such boiled stuff
As well might poison poison. Be revenged,
150Or she that bore you was no queen, and you
Recoil from your great stock.
Revenged?
745How should I be revenged? If this be true—
As I have such a heart that both mine ears
155Must not in haste abuse—if it be true,
How should I be revenged?
Should he make me
750Live like Diana’s priest betwixt cold sheets,
Whiles he is vaulting variable ramps,
160In your despite, upon your purse? Revenge it.
I dedicate myself to your sweet pleasure,
More noble than that runagate to your bed,
755And will continue fast to your affection,
Still close as sure.
165What ho, Pisanio!
Let me my service tender on your lips.
Away! I do condemn mine ears that have
760So long attended thee. If thou wert honorable,
Thou wouldst have told this tale for virtue, not
170For such an end thou seek’st, as base as strange.
Thou wrong’st a gentleman who is as far
From thy report as thou from honor, and
765Solicits here a lady that disdains
Thee and the devil alike.—What ho, Pisanio!—
175The King my father shall be made acquainted
Of thy assault. If he shall think it fit
A saucy stranger in his court to mart
770As in a Romish stew and to expound
His beastly mind to us, he hath a court
180He little cares for and a daughter who
He not respects at all.—What ho, Pisanio!
O happy Leonatus! I may say
775The credit that thy lady hath of thee
Deserves thy trust, and thy most perfect goodness
185Her assured credit.—Blessèd live you long,
A lady to the worthiest sir that ever
Country called his; and you his mistress, only
780For the most worthiest fit. Give me your pardon.
I have spoke this to know if your affiance
190Were deeply rooted, and shall make your lord
That which he is, new o’er; and he is one
The truest mannered, such a holy witch
785That he enchants societies into him.
Half all men’s hearts are his.
195You make amends.
He sits ’mongst men like a descended god.
He hath a kind of honor sets him off
790More than a mortal seeming. Be not angry,
Most mighty princess, that I have adventured
200To try your taking of a false report, which hath
Honored with confirmation your great judgment
In the election of a sir so rare,
795Which you know cannot err. The love I bear him
Made me to fan you thus, but the gods made you,
205Unlike all others, chaffless. Pray, your pardon.
All’s well, sir. Take my power i’ th’ court for yours.
My humble thanks. I had almost forgot
800T’ entreat your Grace but in a small request,
And yet of moment too, for it concerns.
210Your lord, myself, and other noble friends
Are partners in the business.
Pray, what is ’t?
805Some dozen Romans of us and your lord—
The best feather of our wing—have mingled sums
215To buy a present for the Emperor;
Which I, the factor for the rest, have done
In France. ’Tis plate of rare device and jewels
810Of rich and exquisite form, their values great.
And I am something curious, being strange,
220To have them in safe stowage. May it please you
To take them in protection?
Willingly;
815And pawn mine honor for their safety. Since
My lord hath interest in them, I will keep them
225In my bedchamber.
They are in a trunk
Attended by my men. I will make bold
820To send them to you, only for this night.
I must aboard tomorrow.
230O no, no.
Yes, I beseech, or I shall short my word
By length’ning my return. From Gallia
825I crossed the seas on purpose and on promise
To see your Grace.
235I thank you for your pains.
But not away tomorrow.
O, I must, madam.
830Therefore I shall beseech you, if you please
To greet your lord with writing, do ’t tonight.
240I have outstood my time, which is material
To th’ tender of our present.
I will write.
835Send your trunk to me; it shall safe be kept
And truly yielded you. You’re very welcome.
Was there ever man had such luck? When I
kissed the jack, upon an upcast to be hit away? I
had a hundred pound on ’t. And then a whoreson
840jackanapes must take me up for swearing, as if I
5borrowed mine oaths of him and might not spend
them at my pleasure.
What got he by that? You have broke his
pate with your bowl.
845If his wit had been like him that
10broke it, it would have run all out.
When a gentleman is disposed to swear, it is
not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths, ha?
No, my lord, (aside) nor crop the ears
850of them.
15Whoreson dog! I gave him satisfaction. Would
he had been one of my rank.
To have smelled like a fool.
I am not vexed more at anything in th’ Earth.
855A pox on ’t! I had rather not be so noble as I am.
20They dare not fight with me because of the Queen
my mother. Every jack-slave hath his bellyful of
fighting, and I must go up and down like a cock
that nobody can match.
860You are cock and capon too, and
25you crow cock with your comb on.
Sayest thou?
It is not fit your Lordship should undertake
every companion that you give offense to.
865No, I know that, but it is fit I should commit
30offense to my inferiors.
Ay, it is fit for your Lordship only.
Why, so I say.
Did you hear of a stranger that’s come to
870court tonight?
35A stranger, and I not know on ’t?
He’s a strange fellow himself and
knows it not.
There’s an Italian come, and ’tis thought
875one of Leonatus’ friends.
40Leonatus? A banished rascal; and he’s another,
whatsoever he be. Who told you of this stranger?
One of your Lordship’s pages.
Is it fit I went to look upon him? Is there no
880derogation in ’t?
45You cannot derogate, my lord.
Not easily, I think.
You are a fool granted; therefore
your issues, being foolish, do not derogate.
885Come, I’ll go see this Italian. What I have lost
50today at bowls I’ll win tonight of him. Come, go.
I’ll attend your Lordship.
Cloten and First Lord exit.
That such a crafty devil as is his mother
Should yield the world this ass! A woman that
890Bears all down with her brain, and this her son
55Cannot take two from twenty, for his heart,
And leave eighteen. Alas, poor princess,
Thou divine Imogen, what thou endur’st,
Betwixt a father by thy stepdame governed,
895A mother hourly coining plots, a wooer
60More hateful than the foul expulsion is
Of thy dear husband, than that horrid act
Of the divorce he’d make! The heavens hold firm
The walls of thy dear honor, keep unshaked
900That temple, thy fair mind, that thou mayst stand
65T’ enjoy thy banished lord and this great land.
Who’s there? My woman Helen?
Please you, madam.
What hour is it?
905Almost midnight, madam.
5I have read three hours then. Mine eyes are weak.
She hands the Lady her book.
Fold down the leaf where I have left. To bed.
Take not away the taper; leave it burning.
And if thou canst awake by four o’ th’ clock,
910I prithee, call me. (Lady exits.) Sleep hath seized
10me wholly.
To your protection I commend me, gods.
From fairies and the tempters of the night
Guard me, beseech you.
915The crickets sing, and man’s o’erlabored sense
15Repairs itself by rest. Our Tarquin thus
Did softly press the rushes ere he wakened
The chastity he wounded.—Cytherea,
How bravely thou becom’st thy bed, fresh lily,
920And whiter than the sheets.—That I might touch!
20But kiss, one kiss! Rubies unparagoned,
How dearly they do ’t. ’Tis her breathing that
Perfumes the chamber thus. The flame o’ th’ taper
Bows toward her and would underpeep her lids
925To see th’ enclosèd lights, now canopied
25Under these windows, white and azure-laced
With blue of heaven’s own tinct. But my design:
To note the chamber. I will write all down.
He begins to write.
Such and such pictures; there the window; such
930Th’ adornment of her bed; the arras, figures,
30Why, such and such; and the contents o’ th’ story.
He continues to write.
Ah, but some natural notes about her body
Above ten thousand meaner movables
Would testify t’ enrich mine inventory.
935O sleep, thou ape of death, lie dull upon her,
35And be her sense but as a monument
Thus in a chapel lying. (He begins to remove her
bracelet.) Come off, come off;
As slippery as the Gordian knot was hard.
940’Tis mine, and this will witness outwardly
40As strongly as the conscience does within
To th’ madding of her lord. On her left breast
A mole cinque-spotted, like the crimson drops
I’ th’ bottom of a cowslip. Here’s a voucher
945Stronger than ever law could make. This secret
45Will force him think I have picked the lock and ta’en
The treasure of her honor. No more. To what end?
Why should I write this down that’s riveted,
Screwed to my memory? She hath been reading late
950The tale of Tereus; here the leaf’s turned down
50Where Philomel gave up. I have enough.
To th’ trunk again, and shut the spring of it.
Swift, swift, you dragons of the night, that dawning
May bare the raven’s eye. I lodge in fear.
955Though this a heavenly angel, hell is here.
Clock strikes.
55One, two, three. Time, time!
Your Lordship is the most patient man in
loss, the most coldest that ever turned up ace.
It would make any man cold to lose.
960But not every man patient after the noble
5temper of your Lordship. You are most hot and
furious when you win.
Winning will put any man into courage. If I
could get this foolish Imogen, I should have gold
965enough. It’s almost morning, is ’t not?
10Day, my lord.
I would this music would come. I am advised
to give her music a-mornings; they say it will
penetrate.
Enter Musicians.
970Come on, tune. If you can penetrate her with your
15fingering, so. We’ll try with tongue, too. If none
will do, let her remain, but I’ll never give o’er. First,
a very excellent good-conceited thing; after, a wonderful
sweet air, with admirable rich words to it,
975and then let her consider.
20Hark, hark, the lark at heaven’s gate sings,
And Phoebus gins arise,
His steeds to water at those springs
On chaliced flowers that lies;
980And winking Mary-buds begin
25To ope their golden eyes.
With everything that pretty is,
My lady sweet, arise,
Arise, arise.
985So, get you gone. If this penetrate, I will
30consider your music the better. If it do not, it is a
vice in her ears which horsehairs and calves’
guts, nor the voice of unpaved eunuch to boot, can
never amend.
990Here comes the King.
35I am glad I was up so late, for that’s the reason
I was up so early. He cannot choose but take this
service I have done fatherly.—Good morrow to
your Majesty and to my gracious mother.
995Attend you here the door of our stern daughter?
40Will she not forth?
I have assailed her with musics, but she
vouchsafes no notice.
The exile of her minion is too new;
1000She hath not yet forgot him. Some more time
45Must wear the print of his remembrance on ’t,
And then she’s yours.
You are most bound to th’ King,
Who lets go by no vantages that may
1005Prefer you to his daughter. Frame yourself
50To orderly solicits and be friended
With aptness of the season. Make denials
Increase your services. So seem as if
You were inspired to do those duties which
1010You tender to her; that you in all obey her,
55Save when command to your dismission tends,
And therein you are senseless.
Senseless? Not so.
Enter a Messenger.
So like you, sir, ambassadors from Rome;
1015The one is Caius Lucius.
60A worthy fellow,
Albeit he comes on angry purpose now.
But that’s no fault of his. We must receive him
According to the honor of his sender,
1020And towards himself, his goodness forespent on us,
65We must extend our notice.—Our dear son,
When you have given good morning to your mistress,
Attend the Queen and us. We shall have need
T’ employ you towards this Roman.—Come, our
1025queen.
70If she be up, I’ll speak with her; if not,
Let her lie still and dream. (He knocks.) By your
leave, ho!—
I know her women are about her. What
1030If I do line one of their hands? ’Tis gold
75Which buys admittance—oft it doth—yea, and makes
Diana’s rangers false themselves, yield up
Their deer to th’ stand o’ th’ stealer; and ’tis gold
Which makes the true man killed and saves the thief,
1035Nay, sometime hangs both thief and true man. What
80Can it not do and undo? I will make
One of her women lawyer to me, for
I yet not understand the case myself.
By your leave.
1040Who’s there that knocks?
85A gentleman.
No more?
Yes, and a gentlewoman’s son.
That’s more
1045Than some whose tailors are as dear as yours
90Can justly boast of. What’s your Lordship’s pleasure?
Your lady’s person. Is she ready?
Ay,
To keep her chamber.
1050There is gold for you.
95Sell me your good report.
How, my good name? Or to report of you
What I shall think is good?
Enter Imogen.
The Princess.
1055Good morrow, fairest sister. Your sweet hand.
100Good morrow, sir. You lay out too much pains
For purchasing but trouble. The thanks I give
Is telling you that I am poor of thanks
And scarce can spare them.
1060Still I swear I love you.
105If you but said so, ’twere as deep with me.
If you swear still, your recompense is still
That I regard it not.
This is no answer.
1065But that you shall not say I yield being silent,
110I would not speak. I pray you, spare me. Faith,
I shall unfold equal discourtesy
To your best kindness. One of your great knowing
Should learn, being taught, forbearance.
1070To leave you in your madness ’twere my sin.
115I will not.
Fools are not mad folks.
Do you call me fool?
As I am mad, I do.
1075If you’ll be patient, I’ll no more be mad.
120That cures us both. I am much sorry, sir,
You put me to forget a lady’s manners
By being so verbal; and learn now for all
That I, which know my heart, do here pronounce,
1080By th’ very truth of it, I care not for you,
125And am so near the lack of charity
To accuse myself I hate you—which I had rather
You felt than make ’t my boast.
You sin against
1085Obedience, which you owe your father. For
130The contract you pretend with that base wretch—
One bred of alms and fostered with cold dishes,
With scraps o’ th’ court—it is no contract, none;
And though it be allowed in meaner parties—
1090Yet who than he more mean?—to knit their souls,
135On whom there is no more dependency
But brats and beggary, in self-figured knot;
Yet you are curbed from that enlargement by
The consequence o’ th’ crown, and must not foil
1095The precious note of it with a base slave,
140A hilding for a livery, a squire’s cloth,
A pantler—not so eminent.
Profane fellow,
Wert thou the son of Jupiter and no more
1100But what thou art besides, thou wert too base
145To be his groom. Thou wert dignified enough,
Even to the point of envy, if ’twere made
Comparative for your virtues to be styled
The under-hangman of his kingdom and hated
1105For being preferred so well.
150The south fog rot him!
He never can meet more mischance than come
To be but named of thee. His mean’st garment
That ever hath but clipped his body is dearer
1110In my respect than all the hairs above thee,
155Were they all made such men.—How now, Pisanio!
“His garment”? Now the devil—
To Dorothy, my woman, hie thee presently.
“His garment”?
1115I am sprighted with a fool,
160Frighted and angered worse. Go bid my woman
Search for a jewel that too casually
Hath left mine arm. It was thy master’s. Shrew me
If I would lose it for a revenue
1120Of any king’s in Europe. I do think
165I saw ’t this morning. Confident I am
Last night ’twas on mine arm; I kissed it.
I hope it be not gone to tell my lord
That I kiss aught but he.
1125’Twill not be lost.
170I hope so. Go and search.
You have abused me.
“His meanest garment”?
Ay, I said so, sir.
1130If you will make ’t an action, call witness to ’t.
175I will inform your father.
Your mother too.
She’s my good lady and will conceive, I hope,
But the worst of me. So I leave you, sir,
1135To th’ worst of discontent.
180I’ll be revenged! “His mean’st garment”? Well.
Fear it not, sir. I would I were so sure
To win the King as I am bold her honor
Will remain hers.
1140What means do you make to him?
5Not any, but abide the change of time,
Quake in the present winter’s state, and wish
That warmer days would come. In these feared
hopes
1145I barely gratify your love; they failing,
10I must die much your debtor.
Your very goodness and your company
O’erpays all I can do. By this, your king
Hath heard of great Augustus. Caius Lucius
1150Will do ’s commission throughly. And I think
15He’ll grant the tribute, send th’ arrearages,
Or look upon our Romans, whose remembrance
Is yet fresh in their grief.
I do believe,
1155Statist though I am none nor like to be,
20That this will prove a war; and you shall hear
The legion now in Gallia sooner landed
In our not-fearing Britain than have tidings
Of any penny tribute paid. Our countrymen
1160Are men more ordered than when Julius Caesar
25Smiled at their lack of skill but found their courage
Worthy his frowning at. Their discipline,
Now wingèd with their courages, will make known
To their approvers they are people such
1165That mend upon the world.
30See, Iachimo!
The swiftest harts have posted you by land,
And winds of all the corners kissed your sails
To make your vessel nimble.
1170Welcome, sir.
35I hope the briefness of your answer made
The speediness of your return.
Your lady
Is one of the fairest that I have looked upon.
1175And therewithal the best, or let her beauty
40Look thorough a casement to allure false hearts
And be false with them.
Here are letters for you.
Their tenor good, I trust.
1180’Tis very like.
Posthumus reads the letter.
45Was Caius Lucius in the Briton court
When you were there?
He was expected then, but not approached.
All is well yet.
1185Sparkles this stone as it was wont, or is ’t not
50Too dull for your good wearing?
If I have lost it,
I should have lost the worth of it in gold.
I’ll make a journey twice as far t’ enjoy
1190A second night of such sweet shortness which
55Was mine in Britain, for the ring is won.
The stone’s too hard to come by.
Not a whit,
Your lady being so easy.
1195Make not, sir,
60Your loss your sport. I hope you know that we
Must not continue friends.
Good sir, we must,
If you keep covenant. Had I not brought
1200The knowledge of your mistress home, I grant
65We were to question farther; but I now
Profess myself the winner of her honor,
Together with your ring, and not the wronger
Of her or you, having proceeded but
1205By both your wills.
70If you can make ’t apparent
That you have tasted her in bed, my hand
And ring is yours. If not, the foul opinion
You had of her pure honor gains or loses
1210Your sword or mine, or masterless leave both
75To who shall find them.
Sir, my circumstances,
Being so near the truth as I will make them,
Must first induce you to believe; whose strength
1215I will confirm with oath, which I doubt not
80You’ll give me leave to spare when you shall find
You need it not.
Proceed.
First, her bedchamber—
1220Where I confess I slept not, but profess
85Had that was well worth watching—it was hanged
With tapestry of silk and silver, the story
Proud Cleopatra when she met her Roman
And Cydnus swelled above the banks, or for
1225The press of boats or pride. A piece of work
90So bravely done, so rich, that it did strive
In workmanship and value, which I wondered
Could be so rarely and exactly wrought
Since the true life on ’t was—
1230This is true,
95And this you might have heard of here, by me
Or by some other.
More particulars
Must justify my knowledge.
1235So they must,
100Or do your honor injury.
The chimney
Is south the chamber, and the chimney-piece
Chaste Dian bathing. Never saw I figures
1240So likely to report themselves; the cutter
105Was as another Nature, dumb, outwent her,
Motion and breath left out.
This is a thing
Which you might from relation likewise reap,
1245Being, as it is, much spoke of.
110The roof o’ th’ chamber
With golden cherubins is fretted. Her andirons—
I had forgot them—were two winking Cupids
Of silver, each on one foot standing, nicely
1250Depending on their brands.
115This is her honor?
Let it be granted you have seen all this—and praise
Be given to your remembrance—the description
Of what is in her chamber nothing saves
1255The wager you have laid.
120Then if you can
Be pale, I beg but leave to air this jewel. See—
He shows the bracelet.
And now ’tis up again. It must be married
To that your diamond. I’ll keep them.
1260Jove!
125Once more let me behold it. Is it that
Which I left with her?
Sir, I thank her, that.
She stripped it from her arm. I see her yet.
1265Her pretty action did outsell her gift
130And yet enriched it too. She gave it me
And said she prized it once.
Maybe she plucked it off
To send it me.
1270She writes so to you, doth she?
135O, no, no, no, ’tis true. Here, take this too.
He gives Iachimo the ring.
It is a basilisk unto mine eye,
Kills me to look on ’t. Let there be no honor
Where there is beauty, truth where semblance, love
1275Where there’s another man. The vows of women
140Of no more bondage be to where they are made
Than they are to their virtues, which is nothing.
O, above measure false!
Have patience, sir,
1280And take your ring again. ’Tis not yet won.
145It may be probable she lost it; or
Who knows if one her women, being corrupted,
Hath stol’n it from her.
Very true,
1285And so I hope he came by ’t.—Back, my ring!
He takes back the ring.
150Render to me some corporal sign about her
More evident than this, for this was stol’n.
By Jupiter, I had it from her arm.
Hark you, he swears! By Jupiter he swears.
1290’Tis true—nay, keep the ring—’tis true.
He holds out the ring.
155I am sure
She would not lose it. Her attendants are
All sworn and honorable. They induced to steal it?
And by a stranger? No, he hath enjoyed her.
1295The cognizance of her incontinency
160Is this. She hath bought the name of whore thus
dearly.
There, take thy hire, and all the fiends of hell
Divide themselves between you!
1300Sir, be patient.
165This is not strong enough to be believed
Of one persuaded well of.
Never talk on ’t.
She hath been colted by him.
1305If you seek
170For further satisfying, under her breast,
Worthy the pressing, lies a mole, right proud
Of that most delicate lodging. By my life,
I kissed it, and it gave me present hunger
1310To feed again, though full. You do remember
175This stain upon her?
Ay, and it doth confirm
Another stain as big as hell can hold,
Were there no more but it.
1315Will you hear more?
180Spare your arithmetic;
Never count the turns. Once, and a million!
I’ll be sworn—
No swearing.
1320If you will swear you have not done ’t, you lie,
185And I will kill thee if thou dost deny
Thou ’st made me cuckold.
I’ll deny nothing.
O, that I had her here, to tear her limb-meal!
1325I will go there and do ’t i’ th’ court, before
190Her father. I’ll do something.
Quite beside
The government of patience. You have won.
Let’s follow him and pervert the present wrath
1330He hath against himself.
195With all my heart.
They exit.
Is there no way for men to be, but women
Must be half-workers? We are all bastards,
And that most venerable man which I
1335Did call my father was I know not where
5When I was stamped. Some coiner with his tools
Made me a counterfeit; yet my mother seemed
The Dian of that time; so doth my wife
The nonpareil of this. O, vengeance, vengeance!
1340Me of my lawful pleasure she restrained
10And prayed me oft forbearance; did it with
A pudency so rosy the sweet view on ’t
Might well have warmed old Saturn, that I thought
her
1345As chaste as unsunned snow. O, all the devils!
15This yellow Iachimo in an hour, was ’t not?
Or less? At first? Perchance he spoke not, but,
Like a full-acorned boar, a German one,
Cried “O!” and mounted; found no opposition
1350But what he looked for should oppose and she
20Should from encounter guard. Could I find out
The woman’s part in me—for there’s no motion
That tends to vice in man but I affirm
It is the woman’s part: be it lying, note it,
1355The woman’s; flattering, hers; deceiving, hers;
25Lust and rank thoughts, hers, hers; revenges, hers;
Ambitions, covetings, change of prides, disdain,
Nice longing, slanders, mutability,
All faults that have a name, nay, that hell knows,
1360Why, hers, in part or all, but rather all.
30For even to vice
They are not constant, but are changing still
One vice but of a minute old for one
Not half so old as that. I’ll write against them,
1365Detest them, curse them. Yet ’tis greater skill
35In a true hate to pray they have their will;
The very devils cannot plague them better.
Now say, what would Augustus Caesar with us?
When Julius Caesar, whose remembrance yet
1370Lives in men’s eyes and will to ears and tongues
Be theme and hearing ever, was in this Britain
5And conquered it, Cassibelan, thine uncle,
Famous in Caesar’s praises no whit less
Than in his feats deserving it, for him
1375And his succession granted Rome a tribute,
Yearly three thousand pounds, which by thee lately
10Is left untendered.
And, to kill the marvel,
Shall be so ever.
1380There be many Caesars
Ere such another Julius. Britain’s a world
15By itself, and we will nothing pay
For wearing our own noses.
That opportunity
1385Which then they had to take from ’s, to resume
We have again.—Remember, sir, my liege,
20The Kings your ancestors, together with
The natural bravery of your isle, which stands
As Neptune’s park, ribbed and palèd in
1390With rocks unscalable and roaring waters,
With sands that will not bear your enemies’ boats
25But suck them up to th’ topmast. A kind of conquest
Caesar made here, but made not here his brag
Of “came, and saw, and overcame.” With shame—
1395The first that ever touched him—he was carried
From off our coast, twice beaten; and his shipping,
30Poor ignorant baubles, on our terrible seas
Like eggshells moved upon their surges, cracked
As easily ’gainst our rocks. For joy whereof
1400The famed Cassibelan, who was once at point—
O, giglet Fortune!—to master Caesar’s sword,
35Made Lud’s Town with rejoicing fires bright
And Britons strut with courage.
Come, there’s no more tribute to be paid. Our
1405kingdom is stronger than it was at that time, and,
as I said, there is no more such Caesars. Other of
40them may have crooked noses, but to owe such
straight arms, none.
Son, let your mother end.
1410We have yet many among us can grip as hard
as Cassibelan. I do not say I am one, but I have a
45hand. Why tribute? Why should we pay tribute? If
Caesar can hide the sun from us with a blanket or
put the moon in his pocket, we will pay him tribute
1415for light; else, sir, no more tribute, pray you now.
You must know,
50Till the injurious Romans did extort
This tribute from us, we were free. Caesar’s ambition,
Which swelled so much that it did almost stretch
1420The sides o’ th’ world, against all color here
Did put the yoke upon ’s, which to shake off
55Becomes a warlike people, whom we reckon
Ourselves to be. We do say, then, to Caesar,
Our ancestor was that Mulmutius which
1425Ordained our laws, whose use the sword of Caesar
Hath too much mangled, whose repair and franchise
60Shall, by the power we hold, be our good deed,
Though Rome be therefore angry. Mulmutius made
our laws,
1430Who was the first of Britain which did put
His brows within a golden crown and called
65Himself a king.
I am sorry, Cymbeline,
That I am to pronounce Augustus Caesar—
1435Caesar, that hath more kings his servants than
Thyself domestic officers—thine enemy.
70Receive it from me, then: war and confusion
In Caesar’s name pronounce I ’gainst thee. Look
For fury not to be resisted. Thus defied,
1440I thank thee for myself.
Thou art welcome, Caius.
75Thy Caesar knighted me; my youth I spent
Much under him. Of him I gathered honor,
Which he to seek of me again perforce
1445Behooves me keep at utterance. I am perfect
That the Pannonians and Dalmatians for
80Their liberties are now in arms, a precedent
Which not to read would show the Britons cold.
So Caesar shall not find them.
1450Let proof speak.
His Majesty bids you welcome. Make pastime
85with us a day or two, or longer. If you seek us afterwards
in other terms, you shall find us in our saltwater
girdle; if you beat us out of it, it is yours. If
1455you fall in the adventure, our crows shall fare the
better for you, and there’s an end.
90So, sir.
I know your master’s pleasure, and he mine.
All the remain is welcome.
1460How? Of adultery? Wherefore write you not
What monsters her accuse? Leonatus,
O master, what a strange infection
Is fall’n into thy ear! What false Italian,
5As poisonous-tongued as handed, hath prevailed
1465On thy too ready hearing? Disloyal? No.
She’s punished for her truth and undergoes,
More goddesslike than wifelike, such assaults
As would take in some virtue. O my master,
10Thy mind to her is now as low as were
1470Thy fortunes. How? That I should murder her,
Upon the love and truth and vows which I
Have made to thy command? I her? Her blood?
If it be so to do good service, never
15Let me be counted serviceable. How look I
1475That I should seem to lack humanity
So much as this fact comes to? (He reads:) Do ’t!
The letter
That I have sent her, by her own command
20Shall give thee opportunity. O damned paper,
1480Black as the ink that’s on thee! Senseless bauble,
Art thou a fedary for this act, and look’st
So virginlike without? Lo, here she comes.
Enter Imogen.
I am ignorant in what I am commanded.
25How now, Pisanio?
1485Madam, here is a letter from my lord.
Who, thy lord that is my lord, Leonatus?
O, learned indeed were that astronomer
That knew the stars as I his characters!
30He’d lay the future open. You good gods,
1490Let what is here contained relish of love,
Of my lord’s health, of his content (yet not
That we two are asunder; let that grieve him.
Some griefs are med’cinable; that is one of them,
35For it doth physic love) of his content
1495All but in that. Good wax, thy leave.
She opens the letter.
Blest be
You bees that make these locks of counsel. Lovers
And men in dangerous bonds pray not alike;
40Though forfeiters you cast in prison, yet
1500You clasp young Cupid’s tables. Good news, gods!
Reads. Justice and your father’s wrath, should he
take me in his dominion, could not be so cruel to me
as you, O the dearest of creatures, would even renew
45me with your eyes. Take notice that I am in Cambria
1505at Milford Haven. What your own love will out of
this advise you, follow. So he wishes you all happiness,
that remains loyal to his vow, and your increasing
in love.
50Leonatus Posthumus.
1510O, for a horse with wings! Hear’st thou, Pisanio?
He is at Milford Haven. Read, and tell me
How far ’tis thither. If one of mean affairs
May plod it in a week, why may not I
55Glide thither in a day? Then, true Pisanio,
1515Who long’st like me to see thy lord, who long’st—
O, let me bate—but not like me, yet long’st
But in a fainter kind—O, not like me,
For mine’s beyond beyond—say, and speak thick—
60Love’s counselor should fill the bores of hearing
1520To th’ smothering of the sense—how far it is
To this same blessèd Milford. And by th’ way
Tell me how Wales was made so happy as
T’ inherit such a haven. But first of all,
65How we may steal from hence, and for the gap
1525That we shall make in time from our hence-going
And our return, to excuse. But first, how get hence?
Why should excuse be born or ere begot?
We’ll talk of that hereafter. Prithee speak,
70How many score of miles may we well rid
1530’Twixt hour and hour?
One score ’twixt sun and sun,
Madam, ’s enough for you, and too much too.
Why, one that rode to ’s execution, man,
75Could never go so slow. I have heard of riding wagers
1535Where horses have been nimbler than the sands
That run i’ th’ clock’s behalf. But this is fool’ry.
Go, bid my woman feign a sickness, say
She’ll home to her father; and provide me presently
80A riding suit no costlier than would fit
1540A franklin’s huswife.
Madam, you’re best consider.
I see before me, man. Nor here, nor here,
Nor what ensues, but have a fog in them
85That I cannot look through. Away, I prithee.
1545Do as I bid thee. There’s no more to say.
Accessible is none but Milford way.
A goodly day not to keep house with such
Whose roof’s as low as ours! Stoop, boys. This gate
Instructs you how t’ adore the heavens and bows you
1550To a morning’s holy office. The gates of monarchs
5Are arched so high that giants may jet through
And keep their impious turbans on, without
Good morrow to the sun. Hail, thou fair heaven!
We house i’ th’ rock, yet use thee not so hardly
1555As prouder livers do.
10Hail, heaven!
Hail, heaven!
Now for our mountain sport. Up to yond hill;
Your legs are young. I’ll tread these flats. Consider,
1560When you above perceive me like a crow,
15That it is place which lessens and sets off,
And you may then revolve what tales I have told you
Of courts, of princes, of the tricks in war.
This service is not service, so being done,
1565But being so allowed. To apprehend thus
20Draws us a profit from all things we see,
And often, to our comfort, shall we find
The sharded beetle in a safer hold
Than is the full-winged eagle. O, this life
1570Is nobler than attending for a check,
25Richer than doing nothing for a robe,
Prouder than rustling in unpaid-for silk:
Such gain the cap of him that makes him fine
Yet keeps his book uncrossed. No life to ours.
1575Out of your proof you speak. We poor unfledged
30Have never winged from view o’ th’ nest, nor know
not
What air ’s from home. Haply this life is best
If quiet life be best, sweeter to you
1580That have a sharper known, well corresponding
35With your stiff age; but unto us it is
A cell of ignorance, traveling abed,
A prison for a debtor that not dares
To stride a limit.
1585What should we speak of
40When we are old as you? When we shall hear
The rain and wind beat dark December, how
In this our pinching cave shall we discourse
The freezing hours away? We have seen nothing.
1590We are beastly: subtle as the fox for prey,
45Like warlike as the wolf for what we eat.
Our valor is to chase what flies. Our cage
We make a choir, as doth the prisoned bird,
And sing our bondage freely.
1595How you speak!
50Did you but know the city’s usuries
And felt them knowingly; the art o’ th’ court,
As hard to leave as keep, whose top to climb
Is certain falling, or so slipp’ry that
1600The fear’s as bad as falling; the toil o’ th’ war,
55A pain that only seems to seek out danger
I’ th’ name of fame and honor, which dies i’ th’ search
And hath as oft a sland’rous epitaph
As record of fair act—nay, many times
1605Doth ill deserve by doing well; what’s worse,
60Must curtsy at the censure. O boys, this story
The world may read in me. My body’s marked
With Roman swords, and my report was once
First with the best of note. Cymbeline loved me,
1610And when a soldier was the theme, my name
65Was not far off. Then was I as a tree
Whose boughs did bend with fruit. But in one night
A storm or robbery, call it what you will,
Shook down my mellow hangings, nay, my leaves,
1615And left me bare to weather.
70Uncertain favor!
My fault being nothing, as I have told you oft,
But that two villains, whose false oaths prevailed
Before my perfect honor, swore to Cymbeline
1620I was confederate with the Romans. So
75Followed my banishment; and this twenty years
This rock and these demesnes have been my world,
Where I have lived at honest freedom, paid
More pious debts to heaven than in all
1625The fore-end of my time. But up to th’ mountains!
80This is not hunters’ language. He that strikes
The venison first shall be the lord o’ th’ feast;
To him the other two shall minister,
And we will fear no poison, which attends
1630In place of greater state. I’ll meet you in the valleys.
85How hard it is to hide the sparks of nature!
These boys know little they are sons to th’ King,
Nor Cymbeline dreams that they are alive.
They think they are mine, and, though trained up
1635thus meanly,
90I’ th’ cave wherein they bow, their thoughts do hit
The roofs of palaces, and nature prompts them
In simple and low things to prince it much
Beyond the trick of others. This Polydor,
1640The heir of Cymbeline and Britain, who
95The King his father called Guiderius—Jove!
When on my three-foot stool I sit and tell
The warlike feats I have done, his spirits fly out
Into my story; say “Thus mine enemy fell,
1645And thus I set my foot on ’s neck,” even then
100The princely blood flows in his cheek, he sweats,
Strains his young nerves, and puts himself in posture
That acts my words. The younger brother, Cadwal,
Once Arviragus, in as like a figure
1650Strikes life into my speech and shows much more
105His own conceiving. Hark, the game is roused!
O Cymbeline, heaven and my conscience knows
Thou didst unjustly banish me; whereon,
At three and two years old I stole these babes,
1655Thinking to bar thee of succession as
110Thou refts me of my lands. Euriphile,
Thou wast their nurse; they took thee for their
mother,
And every day do honor to her grave.
1660Myself, Belarius, that am Morgan called,
115They take for natural father. The game is up!
Thou told’st me, when we came from horse, the place
Was near at hand. Ne’er longed my mother so
To see me first as I have now. Pisanio, man,
1665Where is Posthumus? What is in thy mind
5That makes thee stare thus? Wherefore breaks that
sigh
From th’ inward of thee? One but painted thus
Would be interpreted a thing perplexed
1670Beyond self-explication. Put thyself
10Into a havior of less fear, ere wildness
Vanquish my staider senses. What’s the matter?
Pisanio hands her a paper.
Why tender’st thou that paper to me with
A look untender? If ’t be summer news,
1675Smile to ’t before; if winterly, thou need’st
15But keep that count’nance still. My husband’s hand!
That drug-damned Italy hath out-craftied him,
And he’s at some hard point. Speak, man! Thy tongue
May take off some extremity, which to read
1680Would be even mortal to me.
20Please you read,
And you shall find me, wretched man, a thing
The most disdained of fortune.
Thy mistress, Pisanio, hath played the
1685strumpet in my bed, the testimonies whereof lies
25bleeding in me. I speak not out of weak surmises but
from proof as strong as my grief and as certain as I
expect my revenge. That part thou, Pisanio, must act
for me, if thy faith be not tainted with the breach of
1690hers. Let thine own hands take away her life. I shall
30give thee opportunity at Milford Haven—she hath
my letter for the purpose—where, if thou fear to
strike and to make me certain it is done, thou art the
pander to her dishonor and equally to me disloyal.
1695What shall I need to draw my sword? The paper
35Hath cut her throat already. No, ’tis slander,
Whose edge is sharper than the sword, whose tongue
Outvenoms all the worms of Nile, whose breath
Rides on the posting winds and doth belie
1700All corners of the world. Kings, queens, and states,
40Maids, matrons, nay, the secrets of the grave
This viperous slander enters.—What cheer, madam?
False to his bed? What is it to be false?
To lie in watch there and to think on him?
1705To weep ’twixt clock and clock? If sleep charge nature,
45To break it with a fearful dream of him
And cry myself awake? That’s false to ’s bed, is it?
Alas, good lady!
I false? Thy conscience witness! Iachimo,
1710Thou didst accuse him of incontinency.
50Thou then looked’st like a villain. Now methinks
Thy favor’s good enough. Some jay of Italy,
Whose mother was her painting, hath betrayed him.
Poor I am stale, a garment out of fashion,
1715And, for I am richer than to hang by th’ walls,
55I must be ripped. To pieces with me! O,
Men’s vows are women’s traitors! All good seeming,
By thy revolt, O husband, shall be thought
Put on for villainy, not born where ’t grows,
1720But worn a bait for ladies.
60Good madam, hear me.
True honest men, being heard like false Aeneas,
Were in his time thought false, and Sinon’s weeping
Did scandal many a holy tear, took pity
1725From most true wretchedness. So thou, Posthumus,
65Wilt lay the leaven on all proper men;
Goodly and gallant shall be false and perjured
From thy great fail.—Come, fellow, be thou honest;
Do thou thy master’s bidding. When thou seest him,
1730A little witness my obedience. Look,
70I draw the sword myself.
She draws Pisanio’s sword from its
scabbard and hands it to him.
Take it, and hit
The innocent mansion of my love, my heart.
Fear not; ’tis empty of all things but grief.
1735Thy master is not there, who was indeed
75The riches of it. Do his bidding; strike.
Thou mayst be valiant in a better cause,
But now thou seem’st a coward.
Hence, vile
1740instrument!
80Thou shalt not damn my hand.
Why, I must die,
And if I do not by thy hand, thou art
No servant of thy master’s. Against self-slaughter
1745There is a prohibition so divine
85That cravens my weak hand. Come, here’s my heart—
Something’s afore ’t. Soft, soft! We’ll no defense—
Obedient as the scabbard. What is here?
She takes papers from her bodice.
The scriptures of the loyal Leonatus,
1750All turned to heresy? Away, away!
She throws away the letters.
90Corrupters of my faith, you shall no more
Be stomachers to my heart. Thus may poor fools
Believe false teachers. Though those that are betrayed
Do feel the treason sharply, yet the traitor
1755Stands in worse case of woe. And thou, Posthumus,
95That didst set up
My disobedience ’gainst the King my father
And make me put into contempt the suits
Of princely fellows, shalt hereafter find
1760It is no act of common passage, but
100A strain of rareness: and I grieve myself
To think, when thou shalt be disedged by her
That now thou tirest on, how thy memory
Will then be panged by me.—Prithee, dispatch.
1765The lamb entreats the butcher. Where’s thy knife?
105Thou art too slow to do thy master’s bidding
When I desire it too.
O gracious lady,
Since I received command to do this business
1770I have not slept one wink.
110Do ’t, and to bed, then.
I’ll wake mine eyeballs out first.
Wherefore then
Didst undertake it? Why hast thou abused
1775So many miles with a pretense? This place?
115Mine action and thine own? Our horses’ labor?
The time inviting thee? The perturbed court
For my being absent, whereunto I never
Purpose return? Why hast thou gone so far
1780To be unbent when thou hast ta’en thy stand,
120Th’ elected deer before thee?
But to win time
To lose so bad employment, in the which
I have considered of a course. Good lady,
1785Hear me with patience.
125Talk thy tongue weary.
Speak.
I have heard I am a strumpet, and mine ear,
Therein false struck, can take no greater wound,
1790Nor tent to bottom that. But speak.
130Then, madam,
I thought you would not back again.
Most like,
Bringing me here to kill me.
1795Not so, neither.
135But if I were as wise as honest, then
My purpose would prove well. It cannot be
But that my master is abused. Some villain,
Ay, and singular in his art, hath done
1800You both this cursèd injury.
140Some Roman courtesan?
No, on my life.
I’ll give but notice you are dead, and send him
Some bloody sign of it, for ’tis commanded
1805I should do so. You shall be missed at court,
145And that will well confirm it.
Why, good fellow,
What shall I do the while? Where bide? How live?
Or in my life what comfort when I am
1810Dead to my husband?
150If you’ll back to th’ court—
No court, no father, nor no more ado
With that harsh, noble, simple nothing,
That Cloten, whose love suit hath been to me
1815As fearful as a siege.
155If not at court,
Then not in Britain must you bide.
Where, then?
Hath Britain all the sun that shines? Day, night,
1820Are they not but in Britain? I’ th’ world’s volume
160Our Britain seems as of it, but not in ’t,
In a great pool a swan’s nest. Prithee think
There’s livers out of Britain.
I am most glad
1825You think of other place. Th’ ambassador,
165Lucius the Roman, comes to Milford Haven
Tomorrow. Now, if you could wear a mind
Dark as your fortune is, and but disguise
That which t’ appear itself must not yet be
1830But by self-danger, you should tread a course
170Pretty and full of view: yea, haply near
The residence of Posthumus; so nigh, at least,
That though his actions were not visible, yet
Report should render him hourly to your ear
1835As truly as he moves.
175O, for such means,
Though peril to my modesty, not death on ’t,
I would adventure.
Well then, here’s the point:
1840You must forget to be a woman; change
180Command into obedience, fear and niceness—
The handmaids of all women, or, more truly,
Woman it pretty self—into a waggish courage,
Ready in gibes, quick-answered, saucy, and
1845As quarrelous as the weasel. Nay, you must
185Forget that rarest treasure of your cheek,
Exposing it—but O, the harder heart!
Alack, no remedy—to the greedy touch
Of common-kissing Titan, and forget
1850Your laborsome and dainty trims, wherein
190You made great Juno angry.
Nay, be brief.
I see into thy end and am almost
A man already.
1855First, make yourself but like one.
195Forethinking this, I have already fit—
’Tis in my cloakbag—doublet, hat, hose, all
That answer to them. Would you, in their serving,
And with what imitation you can borrow
1860From youth of such a season, ’fore noble Lucius
200Present yourself, desire his service, tell him
Wherein you’re happy—which will make him know,
If that his head have ear in music—doubtless
With joy he will embrace you, for he’s honorable
1865And, doubling that, most holy. Your means abroad:
205You have me, rich, and I will never fail
Beginning nor supplyment.
Thou art all the comfort
The gods will diet me with. Prithee, away.
1870There’s more to be considered, but we’ll even
210All that good time will give us. This attempt
I am soldier to, and will abide it with
A prince’s courage. Away, I prithee.
Well, madam, we must take a short farewell,
1875Lest, being missed, I be suspected of
215Your carriage from the court. My noble mistress,
Here is a box. I had it from the Queen.
He hands her the box.
What’s in ’t is precious. If you are sick at sea
Or stomach-qualmed at land, a dram of this
1880Will drive away distemper. To some shade,
220And fit you to your manhood. May the gods
Direct you to the best.
Amen. I thank thee.
They exit.
Thus far, and so farewell.
1885Thanks, royal sir.
My emperor hath wrote I must from hence,
And am right sorry that I must report you
5My master’s enemy.
Our subjects, sir,
1890Will not endure his yoke, and for ourself
To show less sovereignty than they must needs
Appear unkinglike.
10So, sir. I desire of you
A conduct overland to Milford Haven.—
1895Madam, all joy befall your Grace—and you.
My lords, you are appointed for that office.
The due of honor in no point omit.—
15So, farewell, noble Lucius.
Your hand, my lord.
1900Receive it friendly, but from this time forth
I wear it as your enemy.
Sir, the event
20Is yet to name the winner. Fare you well.
Leave not the worthy Lucius, good my lords,
1905Till he have crossed the Severn. Happiness!
He goes hence frowning, but it honors us
That we have given him cause.
25’Tis all the better.
Your valiant Britons have their wishes in it.
1910Lucius hath wrote already to the Emperor
How it goes here. It fits us therefore ripely
Our chariots and our horsemen be in readiness.
30The powers that he already hath in Gallia
Will soon be drawn to head, from whence he moves
1915His war for Britain.
’Tis not sleepy business,
But must be looked to speedily and strongly.
35Our expectation that it would be thus
Hath made us forward. But, my gentle queen,
1920Where is our daughter? She hath not appeared
Before the Roman, nor to us hath tendered
The duty of the day. She looks us like
40A thing more made of malice than of duty.
We have noted it.—Call her before us, for
1925We have been too slight in sufferance.
Royal sir,
Since the exile of Posthumus, most retired
45Hath her life been, the cure whereof, my lord,
’Tis time must do. Beseech your Majesty,
1930Forbear sharp speeches to her. She’s a lady
So tender of rebukes that words are strokes
And strokes death to her.
50Where is she, sir? How
Can her contempt be answered?
1935Please you, sir,
Her chambers are all locked, and there’s no answer
That will be given to th’ loud’st noise we make.
55My lord, when last I went to visit her,
She prayed me to excuse her keeping close;
1940Whereto constrained by her infirmity,
She should that duty leave unpaid to you
Which daily she was bound to proffer. This
60She wished me to make known, but our great court
Made me to blame in memory.
1945Her doors locked?
Not seen of late? Grant, heavens, that which I
Fear prove false!
65Son, I say, follow the King.
That man of hers, Pisanio, her old servant
1950I have not seen these two days.
Go, look after.
Cloten exits.
Aside. Pisanio, thou that stand’st so for Posthumus—
70He hath a drug of mine. I pray his absence
Proceed by swallowing that, for he believes
1955It is a thing most precious. But for her,
Where is she gone? Haply despair hath seized her,
Or, winged with fervor of her love, she’s flown
75To her desired Posthumus. Gone she is
To death or to dishonor, and my end
1960Can make good use of either. She being down,
I have the placing of the British crown.
Enter Cloten.
How now, my son?
80’Tis certain she is fled.
Go in and cheer the King. He rages; none
1965Dare come about him.
All the better. May
This night forestall him of the coming day!
85I love and hate her, for she’s fair and royal,
And that she hath all courtly parts more exquisite
1970Than lady, ladies, woman. From every one
The best she hath, and she, of all compounded,
Outsells them all. I love her therefore, but
90Disdaining me and throwing favors on
The low Posthumus slanders so her judgment
1975That what’s else rare is choked. And in that point
I will conclude to hate her, nay, indeed,
To be revenged upon her. For, when fools
95Shall—
Enter Pisanio.
Who is here? What, are you packing, sirrah?
1980Come hither. Ah, you precious pander! Villain,
Where is thy lady? In a word, or else
Thou art straightway with the fiends.
100O, good my lord—
Where is thy lady? Or, by Jupiter—
1985I will not ask again. Close villain,
I’ll have this secret from thy heart or rip
Thy heart to find it. Is she with Posthumus,
105From whose so many weights of baseness cannot
A dram of worth be drawn?
1990Alas, my lord,
How can she be with him? When was she missed?
He is in Rome.
110Where is she, sir? Come nearer.
No farther halting. Satisfy me home
1995What is become of her.
O, my all-worthy lord!
All-worthy villain!
115Discover where thy mistress is at once,
At the next word. No more of “worthy lord”!
2000Speak, or thy silence on the instant is
Thy condemnation and thy death.
Then, sir,
120This paper is the history of my knowledge
Touching her flight.
2005Let’s see ’t. I will pursue her
Even to Augustus’ throne.
Or this or perish.
125She’s far enough, and what he learns by this
May prove his travail, not her danger.
2010Humh!
I’ll write to my lord she’s dead. O Imogen,
Safe mayst thou wander, safe return again!
130Sirrah, is this letter true?
Sir, as I think.
2015It is Posthumus’ hand, I know ’t. Sirrah, if
thou wouldst not be a villain, but do me true service,
undergo those employments wherein I should
135have cause to use thee with a serious industry—
that is, what villainy soe’er I bid thee do to perform
2020it directly and truly—I would think thee an honest
man. Thou shouldst neither want my means for thy
relief nor my voice for thy preferment.
140Well, my good lord.
Wilt thou serve me? For since patiently and
2025constantly thou hast stuck to the bare fortune of
that beggar Posthumus, thou canst not in the
course of gratitude but be a diligent follower of
145mine. Wilt thou serve me?
Sir, I will.
2030Give me thy hand. Here’s my purse. Gives
him money. Hast any of thy late master’s garments
in thy possession?
150I have, my lord, at my lodging the same suit he
wore when he took leave of my lady and mistress.
2035The first service thou dost me, fetch that suit
hither. Let it be thy first service. Go.
I shall, my lord.
He exits.
155Meet thee at Milford Haven!—I forgot to ask
him one thing; I’ll remember ’t anon. Even there,
2040thou villain Posthumus, will I kill thee. I would
these garments were come. She said upon a time—
the bitterness of it I now belch from my heart—
160that she held the very garment of Posthumus in
more respect than my noble and natural person,
2045together with the adornment of my qualities. With
that suit upon my back will I ravish her. First, kill
him, and in her eyes. There shall she see my valor,
165which will then be a torment to her contempt.
He on the ground, my speech of insultment
2050ended on his dead body, and when my lust hath
dined—which, as I say, to vex her I will execute
in the clothes that she so praised—to the court
170I’ll knock her back, foot her home again. She hath
despised me rejoicingly, and I’ll be merry in my
2055revenge.
Enter Pisanio with the clothes.
Be those the garments?
Ay, my noble lord.
175How long is ’t since she went to Milford Haven?
She can scarce be there yet.
2060Bring this apparel to my chamber; that is the
second thing that I have commanded thee. The
third is that thou wilt be a voluntary mute to my
180design. Be but duteous, and true preferment shall
tender itself to thee. My revenge is now at Milford.
2065Would I had wings to follow it! Come, and be true.
Thou bidd’st me to my loss, for true to thee
Were to prove false, which I will never be,
185To him that is most true. To Milford go,
And find not her whom thou pursuest. Flow, flow,
2070You heavenly blessings, on her. This fool’s speed
Be crossed with slowness. Labor be his meed.
I see a man’s life is a tedious one.
I have tired myself, and for two nights together
Have made the ground my bed. I should be sick
2075But that my resolution helps me. Milford,
5When from the mountain top Pisanio showed thee,
Thou wast within a ken. O Jove, I think
Foundations fly the wretched—such, I mean,
Where they should be relieved. Two beggars told me
2080I could not miss my way. Will poor folks lie,
10That have afflictions on them, knowing ’tis
A punishment or trial? Yes. No wonder,
When rich ones scarce tell true. To lapse in fullness
Is sorer than to lie for need, and falsehood
2085Is worse in kings than beggars. My dear lord,
15Thou art one o’ th’ false ones. Now I think on thee,
My hunger’s gone; but even before, I was
At point to sink for food. But what is this?
Here is a path to ’t. ’Tis some savage hold.
2090I were best not call; I dare not call. Yet famine,
20Ere clean it o’erthrow nature, makes it valiant.
Plenty and peace breeds cowards; hardness ever
Of hardiness is mother.—Ho! Who’s here?
If anything that’s civil, speak; if savage,
2095Take or lend. Ho!—No answer? Then I’ll enter.
25Best draw my sword; an if mine enemy
But fear the sword like me, he’ll scarcely look on ’t.
She draws her sword.
Such a foe, good heavens!
You, Polydor, have proved best woodman and
2100Are master of the feast. Cadwal and I
30Will play the cook and servant; ’tis our match.
The sweat of industry would dry and die
But for the end it works to. Come, our stomachs
Will make what’s homely savory. Weariness
2105Can snore upon the flint when resty sloth
35Finds the down pillow hard. Now peace be here,
Poor house, that keep’st thyself.
I am throughly weary.
I am weak with toil, yet strong in appetite.
2110There is cold meat i’ th’ cave. We’ll browse on that
40Whilst what we have killed be cooked.
Stay, come
not in!
But that it eats our victuals, I should think
2115Here were a fairy.
45What’s the matter, sir?
By Jupiter, an angel! Or, if not,
An earthly paragon. Behold divineness
No elder than a boy.
2120Good masters, harm me not.
50Before I entered here, I called, and thought
To have begged or bought what I have took. Good
troth,
I have stol’n naught, nor would not, though I had
2125found
55Gold strewed i’ th’ floor. Here’s money for my meat.
She offers money.
I would have left it on the board so soon
As I had made my meal, and parted
With prayers for the provider.
2130Money, youth?
60All gold and silver rather turn to dirt,
As ’tis no better reckoned but of those
Who worship dirty gods.
I see you’re angry.
2135Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should
65Have died had I not made it.
Whither bound?
To Milford Haven.
What’s your name?
2140Fidele, sir. I have a kinsman who
70Is bound for Italy. He embarked at Milford,
To whom being going, almost spent with hunger,
I am fall’n in this offense.
Prithee, fair youth,
2145Think us no churls, nor measure our good minds
75By this rude place we live in. Well encountered!
’Tis almost night; you shall have better cheer
Ere you depart, and thanks to stay and eat it.—
Boys, bid him welcome.
2150Were you a woman, youth,
80I should woo hard but be your groom in honesty,
Ay, bid for you as I do buy.
I’ll make ’t my comfort
He is a man. I’ll love him as my brother.—
2155And such a welcome as I’d give to him
85After long absence, such is yours. Most welcome.
Be sprightly, for you fall ’mongst friends.
’Mongst
friends?
2160If brothers—(aside) Would it had been so, that they
90Had been my father’s sons! Then had my prize
Been less, and so more equal ballasting
To thee, Posthumus.
He wrings at some distress.
2165Would I could free ’t!
95Or I, whate’er it be,
What pain it cost, what danger. Gods!
Hark, boys.
They talk aside.
Great men
2170That had a court no bigger than this cave,
100That did attend themselves and had the virtue
Which their own conscience sealed them, laying by
That nothing-gift of differing multitudes,
Could not outpeer these twain. Pardon me, gods!
2175I’d change my sex to be companion with them,
105Since Leonatus false.
It shall be so.
Boys, we’ll go dress our hunt.—Fair youth, come in.
Discourse is heavy, fasting. When we have supped,
2180We’ll mannerly demand thee of thy story
110So far as thou wilt speak it.
Pray, draw near.
The night to th’ owl and morn to th’ lark less
welcome.
2185Thanks, sir.
115I pray, draw near.
They exit.
This is the tenor of the Emperor’s writ:
That since the common men are now in action
’Gainst the Pannonians and Dalmatians,
2190And that the legions now in Gallia are
5Full weak to undertake our wars against
The fall’n-off Britons, that we do incite
The gentry to this business. He creates
Lucius proconsul; and to you the tribunes
2195For this immediate levy, he commends
10His absolute commission. Long live Caesar!
Is Lucius general of the forces?
Ay.
Remaining now in Gallia?
2200With those legions
15Which I have spoke of, whereunto your levy
Must be supplyant. The words of your commission
Will tie you to the numbers and the time
Of their dispatch.
2205We will discharge our duty.
They exit.
I am near to th’ place where they should meet,
if Pisanio have mapped it truly. How fit his garments
serve me! Why should his mistress, who
was made by him that made the tailor, not be fit
52210too? The rather, saving reverence of the word, for
’tis said a woman’s fitness comes by fits. Therein I
must play the workman. I dare speak it to myself,
for it is not vainglory for a man and his glass to
confer in his own chamber. I mean, the lines of my
102215body are as well drawn as his, no less young, more
strong; not beneath him in fortunes, beyond him
in the advantage of the time, above him in birth,
alike conversant in general services, and more remarkable
in single oppositions. Yet this imperceiverant
152220thing loves him in my despite. What
mortality is! Posthumus, thy head, which now is
growing upon thy shoulders, shall within this hour
be off, thy mistress enforced, thy garments cut to
pieces before thy face; and all this done, spurn her
202225home to her father, who may haply be a little angry
or my so rough usage. But my mother, having
power of his testiness, shall turn all into my commendations.
My horse is tied up safe. Out, sword,
and to a sore purpose. Fortune, put them into my
252230hand! This is the very description of their meeting
place, and the fellow dares not deceive me.
You are not well. Remain here in the cave.
We’ll come to you after hunting.
Brother, stay here.
2235Are we not brothers?
5So man and man should be,
But clay and clay differs in dignity,
Whose dust is both alike. I am very sick.
Go you to hunting. I’ll abide with him.
2240So sick I am not, yet I am not well;
10But not so citizen a wanton as
To seem to die ere sick. So please you, leave me.
Stick to your journal course. The breach of custom
Is breach of all. I am ill, but your being by me
2245Cannot amend me. Society is no comfort
15To one not sociable. I am not very sick,
Since I can reason of it. Pray you trust me here—
I’ll rob none but myself—and let me die,
Stealing so poorly.
2250I love thee—I have spoke it—
20How much the quantity, the weight as much
As I do love my father.
What? How, how?
If it be sin to say so, sir, I yoke me
2255In my good brother’s fault. I know not why
25I love this youth, and I have heard you say
Love’s reason’s without reason. The bier at door,
And a demand who is ’t shall die, I’d say
“My father, not this youth.”
2260O, noble strain!
30O, worthiness of nature, breed of greatness!
Cowards father cowards and base things sire base;
Nature hath meal and bran, contempt and grace.
I’m not their father, yet who this should be
2265Doth miracle itself, loved before me.—
35’Tis the ninth hour o’ th’ morn.
Brother, farewell.
I wish you sport.
You health.—So please you, sir.
2270These are kind creatures. Gods, what lies I have heard!
40Our courtiers say all’s savage but at court;
Experience, O, thou disprov’st report!
Th’ imperious seas breeds monsters; for the dish
Poor tributary rivers as sweet fish.
2275I am sick still, heart-sick. Pisanio,
45I’ll now taste of thy drug.
I could not stir him.
He said he was gentle but unfortunate,
Dishonestly afflicted but yet honest.
2280Thus did he answer me, yet said hereafter
50I might know more.
To th’ field, to th’ field!
To Fidele. We’ll leave you for this time. Go in and
rest.
2285We’ll not be long away.
55Pray, be not sick,
For you must be our huswife.
Well or ill,
I am bound to you.
2290And shalt be ever.
Imogen exits as into the cave.
60This youth, howe’er distressed, appears he hath had
Good ancestors.
How angel-like he sings!
But his neat cookery! He cut our roots in characters
2295And sauced our broths as Juno had been sick
65And he her dieter.
Nobly he yokes
A smiling with a sigh, as if the sigh
Was that it was for not being such a smile,
2300The smile mocking the sigh that it would fly
70From so divine a temple to commix
With winds that sailors rail at.
I do note
That grief and patience, rooted in them both,
2305Mingle their spurs together.
75Grow, patience,
And let the stinking elder, grief, untwine
His perishing root with the increasing vine!
It is great morning. Come, away. Who’s there?
2310I cannot find those runagates. That villain
80Hath mocked me. I am faint.
“Those runagates”?
Means he not us? I partly know him. ’Tis
Cloten, the son o’ th’ Queen. I fear some ambush.
2315I saw him not these many years, and yet
85I know ’tis he. We are held as outlaws. Hence.
He is but one. You and my brother search
What companies are near. Pray you, away.
Let me alone with him.
2320Soft, what are you
90That fly me thus? Some villain mountaineers?
I have heard of such.—What slave art thou?
A thing
More slavish did I ne’er than answering
2325A slave without a knock.
95Thou art a robber,
A lawbreaker, a villain. Yield thee, thief.
To who? To thee? What art thou? Have not I
An arm as big as thine? A heart as big?
2330Thy words, I grant, are bigger, for I wear not
100My dagger in my mouth. Say what thou art,
Why I should yield to thee.
Thou villain base,
Know’st me not by my clothes?
2335No, nor thy tailor,
105rascal.
Who is thy grandfather? He made those clothes,
Which, as it seems, make thee.
Thou precious varlet,
2340My tailor made them not.
110Hence then, and thank
The man that gave them thee. Thou art some fool.
I am loath to beat thee.
Thou injurious thief,
2345Hear but my name, and tremble.
115What’s thy name?
Cloten, thou villain.
Cloten, thou double villain, be thy name,
I cannot tremble at it. Were it Toad, or Adder, Spider,
2350’Twould move me sooner.
120To thy further fear,
Nay, to thy mere confusion, thou shalt know
I am son to th’ Queen.
I am sorry for ’t, not seeming
2355So worthy as thy birth.
125Art not afeard?
Those that I reverence, those I fear—the wise;
At fools I laugh, not fear them.
Die the death!
2360When I have slain thee with my proper hand,
130I’ll follow those that even now fled hence
And on the gates of Lud’s Town set your heads.
Yield, rustic mountaineer!
No company’s abroad?
2365None in the world. You did mistake him sure.
135I cannot tell. Long is it since I saw him,
But time hath nothing blurred those lines of favor
Which then he wore. The snatches in his voice
And burst of speaking were as his. I am absolute
2370’Twas very Cloten.
140In this place we left them.
I wish my brother make good time with him,
You say he is so fell.
Being scarce made up,
2375I mean to man, he had not apprehension
145Of roaring terrors; for defect of judgment
Is oft the cause of fear.
Enter Guiderius as Polydor, carrying Cloten’s head.
But see, thy brother.
This Cloten was a fool, an empty purse;
2380There was no money in ’t. Not Hercules
150Could have knocked out his brains, for he had none.
Yet I not doing this, the fool had borne
My head as I do his.
What hast thou done?
2385I am perfect what: cut off one Cloten’s head,
155Son to the Queen, after his own report,
Who called me traitor mountaineer, and swore
With his own single hand he’d take us in,
Displace our heads where, thank the gods, they
2390grow,
160And set them on Lud’s Town.
We are all undone.
Why, worthy father, what have we to lose
But that he swore to take, our lives? The law
2395Protects not us. Then why should we be tender
165To let an arrogant piece of flesh threat us,
Play judge and executioner all himself,
For we do fear the law? What company
Discover you abroad?
2400No single soul
170Can we set eye on, but in all safe reason
He must have some attendants. Though his humor
Was nothing but mutation—ay, and that
From one bad thing to worse—not frenzy,
2405Not absolute madness could so far have raved
175To bring him here alone. Although perhaps
It may be heard at court that such as we
Cave here, hunt here, are outlaws, and in time
May make some stronger head, the which he
2410hearing—
180As it is like him—might break out and swear
He’d fetch us in, yet is ’t not probable
To come alone, either he so undertaking
Or they so suffering. Then on good ground we fear,
2415If we do fear this body hath a tail
185More perilous than the head.
Let ord’nance
Come as the gods foresay it. Howsoe’er,
My brother hath done well.
2420I had no mind
190To hunt this day. The boy Fidele’s sickness
Did make my way long forth.
With his own sword,
Which he did wave against my throat, I have ta’en
2425His head from him. I’ll throw ’t into the creek
195Behind our rock, and let it to the sea
And tell the fishes he’s the Queen’s son, Cloten.
That’s all I reck.
I fear ’twill be revenged.
2430Would, Polydor, thou hadst not done ’t, though valor
200Becomes thee well enough.
Would I had done ’t,
So the revenge alone pursued me. Polydor,
I love thee brotherly, but envy much
2435Thou hast robbed me of this deed. I would revenges
205That possible strength might meet would seek us
through
And put us to our answer.
Well, ’tis done.
2440We’ll hunt no more today, nor seek for danger
210Where there’s no profit. I prithee, to our rock.
You and Fidele play the cooks. I’ll stay
Till hasty Polydor return, and bring him
To dinner presently.
2445Poor sick Fidele.
215I’ll willingly to him. To gain his color
I’d let a parish of such Clotens blood,
And praise myself for charity.
O thou goddess,
2450Thou divine Nature, thou thyself thou blazon’st
220In these two princely boys! They are as gentle
As zephyrs blowing below the violet,
Not wagging his sweet head; and yet as rough,
Their royal blood enchafed, as the rud’st wind
2455That by the top doth take the mountain pine
225And make him stoop to th’ vale. ’Tis wonder
That an invisible instinct should frame them
To royalty unlearned, honor untaught,
Civility not seen from other, valor
2460That wildly grows in them but yields a crop
230As if it had been sowed. Yet still it’s strange
What Cloten’s being here to us portends,
Or what his death will bring us.
Where’s my brother?
2465I have sent Cloten’s clotpole down the stream
235In embassy to his mother. His body’s hostage
For his return.
My ingenious instrument!
Hark, Polydor, it sounds! But what occasion
2470Hath Cadwal now to give it motion? Hark.
240Is he at home?
He went hence even now.
What does he mean? Since death of my dear’st
mother
2475It did not speak before. All solemn things
245Should answer solemn accidents. The matter?
Triumphs for nothing and lamenting toys
Is jollity for apes and grief for boys.
Is Cadwal mad?
2480Look, here he comes,
250And brings the dire occasion in his arms
Of what we blame him for.
The bird is dead
That we have made so much on. I had rather
2485Have skipped from sixteen years of age to sixty,
255To have turned my leaping time into a crutch,
Than have seen this.
O sweetest, fairest lily!
My brother wears thee not the one half so well
2490As when thou grew’st thyself.
260O melancholy,
Whoever yet could sound thy bottom, find
The ooze, to show what coast thy sluggish crare
Might eas’liest harbor in?—Thou blessèd thing,
2495Jove knows what man thou mightst have made; but I,
265Thou died’st, a most rare boy, of melancholy.—
How found you him?
Stark, as you see;
Thus smiling, as some fly had tickled slumber,
2500Not as Death’s dart being laughed at; his right cheek
270Reposing on a cushion.
Where?
O’ th’ floor,
His arms thus leagued. I thought he slept, and put
2505My clouted brogues from off my feet, whose rudeness
275Answered my steps too loud.
Why, he but sleeps.
If he be gone, he’ll make his grave a bed;
With female fairies will his tomb be haunted—
2510And worms will not come to thee.
280With fairest flowers,
Whilst summer lasts and I live here, Fidele,
I’ll sweeten thy sad grave. Thou shalt not lack
The flower that’s like thy face, pale primrose; nor
2515The azured harebell, like thy veins; no, nor
285The leaf of eglantine whom, not to slander,
Out-sweetened not thy breath. The ruddock would
With charitable bill—O bill, sore shaming
Those rich-left heirs that let their fathers lie
2520Without a monument—bring thee all this,
290Yea, and furred moss besides, when flowers are none
To winter-ground thy corse.
Prithee, have done,
And do not play in wench-like words with that
2525Which is so serious. Let us bury him
295And not protract with admiration what
Is now due debt. To th’ grave.
Say, where shall ’s lay
him?
2530By good Euriphile, our mother.
300Be ’t so.
And let us, Polydor, though now our voices
Have got the mannish crack, sing him to th’ ground
As once to our mother; use like note and words,
2535Save that “Euriphile” must be “Fidele.”
305Cadwal,
I cannot sing. I’ll weep, and word it with thee,
For notes of sorrow, out of tune, are worse
Than priests and fanes that lie.
2540We’ll speak it then.
310Great griefs, I see, med’cine the less, for Cloten
Is quite forgot. He was a queen’s son, boys,
And though he came our enemy, remember
He was paid for that. Though mean and mighty,
2545Rotting together, have one dust, yet reverence,
315That angel of the world, doth make distinction
Of place ’tween high and low. Our foe was princely,
And though you took his life as being our foe,
Yet bury him as a prince.
2550Pray you fetch him
320hither.
Thersites’ body is as good as Ajax’
When neither are alive.
If you’ll go fetch
2555him,
325We’ll say our song the whilst.—Brother, begin.
Nay, Cadwal, we must lay his head to th’ east;
My father hath a reason for ’t.
’Tis true.
2560Come on then, and remove him.
330So, begin.
Fear no more the heat o’ th’ sun,
Nor the furious winter’s rages;
Thou thy worldly task hast done,
2565Home art gone and ta’en thy wages.
335Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.
Fear no more the frown o’ th’ great;
Thou art past the tyrant’s stroke.
2570Care no more to clothe and eat;
340To thee the reed is as the oak.
The scepter, learning, physic must
All follow this and come to dust.
Fear no more the lightning flash.
2575Nor th’ all-dreaded thunderstone.
345Fear not slander, censure rash;
Thou hast finished joy and moan.
All lovers young, all lovers must
Consign to thee and come to dust.
2580No exorciser harm thee,
350Nor no witchcraft charm thee.
Ghost unlaid forbear thee.
Nothing ill come near thee.
Quiet consummation have,
2585And renownèd be thy grave.
355We have done our obsequies. Come, lay him down.
Here’s a few flowers, but ’bout midnight more.
The herbs that have on them cold dew o’ th’ night
Are strewings fitt’st for graves. Upon their faces.—
2590You were as flowers, now withered. Even so
360These herblets shall, which we upon you strew.—
Come on, away; apart upon our knees.
The ground that gave them first has them again.
Their pleasures here are past; so is their pain.
2595Yes, sir, to Milford Haven. Which is the way?
365I thank you. By yond bush? Pray, how far thither?
Ods pittikins, can it be six mile yet?
I have gone all night. Faith, I’ll lie down and sleep.
She sees Cloten’s headless body.
But soft! No bedfellow? O gods and goddesses!
2600These flowers are like the pleasures of the world,
370This bloody man the care on ’t. I hope I dream,
For so I thought I was a cave-keeper
And cook to honest creatures. But ’tis not so.
’Twas but a bolt of nothing, shot at nothing,
2605Which the brain makes of fumes. Our very eyes
375Are sometimes like our judgments, blind. Good faith,
I tremble still with fear; but if there be
Yet left in heaven as small a drop of pity
As a wren’s eye, feared gods, a part of it!
2610The dream’s here still. Even when I wake it is
380Without me as within me, not imagined, felt.
A headless man? The garments of Posthumus?
I know the shape of ’s leg. This is his hand,
His foot Mercurial, his Martial thigh,
2615The brawns of Hercules; but his Jovial face—
385Murder in heaven! How? ’Tis gone. Pisanio,
All curses madded Hecuba gave the Greeks,
And mine to boot, be darted on thee! Thou,
Conspired with that irregulous devil Cloten,
2620Hath here cut off my lord. To write and read
390Be henceforth treacherous. Damned Pisanio
Hath with his forgèd letters—damned Pisanio—
From this most bravest vessel of the world
Struck the maintop. O Posthumus, alas,
2625Where is thy head? Where’s that? Ay me, where’s that?
395Pisanio might have killed thee at the heart
And left this head on. How should this be? Pisanio?
’Tis he and Cloten. Malice and lucre in them
Have laid this woe here. O, ’tis pregnant, pregnant!
2630The drug he gave me, which he said was precious
400And cordial to me, have I not found it
Murd’rous to th’ senses? That confirms it home.
This is Pisanio’s deed, and Cloten. O,
Give color to my pale cheek with thy blood,
2635That we the horrider may seem to those
405Which chance to find us. O my lord! My lord!
To them the legions garrisoned in Gallia,
After your will, have crossed the sea, attending
You here at Milford Haven with your ships.
2640They are here in readiness.
410But what from Rome?
The Senate hath stirred up the confiners
And gentlemen of Italy, most willing spirits
That promise noble service, and they come
2645Under the conduct of bold Iachimo,
415Siena’s brother.
When expect you them?
With the next benefit o’ th’ wind.
This forwardness
2650Makes our hopes fair. Command our present numbers
420Be mustered; bid the Captains look to ’t.—Now, sir,
What have you dreamed of late of this war’s purpose?
Last night the very gods showed me a vision—
I fast and prayed for their intelligence—thus:
2655I saw Jove’s bird, the Roman eagle, winged
425From the spongy south to this part of the west,
There vanished in the sunbeams, which portends—
Unless my sins abuse my divination—
Success to th’ Roman host.
2660Dream often so,
430And 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,
2665For nature doth abhor to make his bed
435With the defunct or sleep upon the dead.
Let’s see the boy’s face.
He’s alive, my lord.
He’ll then instruct us of this body.—Young one,
2670Inform us of thy fortunes, for it seems
440They crave to be demanded. Who is this
Thou mak’st thy bloody pillow? Or who was he
That, otherwise than noble nature did,
Hath altered that good picture? What’s thy interest
2675In this sad wrack? How came ’t? Who is ’t?
445What art thou?
I am nothing; or if not,
Nothing to be were better. This was my master,
A very valiant Briton, and a good,
2680That here by mountaineers lies slain. Alas,
450There is no more such masters. I may wander
From east to occident, cry out for service,
Try many, all good, serve truly, never
Find such another master.
2685’Lack, good youth,
455Thou mov’st no less with thy complaining than
Thy master in bleeding. Say his name, good friend.
Richard du Champ. Aside. If I do lie and do
No harm by it, though the gods hear, I hope
2690They’ll pardon it.—Say you, sir?
460Thy name?
Fidele, sir.
Thou dost approve thyself the very same;
Thy name well fits thy faith, thy faith thy name.
2695Wilt take thy chance with me? I will not say
465Thou shalt be so well mastered, but be sure
No less beloved. The Roman Emperor’s letters
Sent by a consul to me should not sooner
Than thine own worth prefer thee. Go with me.
2700I’ll follow, sir. But first, an ’t please the gods,
470I’ll hide my master from the flies as deep
As these poor pickaxes can dig; and when
With wild-wood leaves and weeds I ha’ strewed his
grave
2705And on it said a century of prayers,
475Such as I can, twice o’er, I’ll weep and sigh,
And leaving so his service, follow you,
So please you entertain me.
Ay, good youth,
2710And rather father thee than master thee.—My friends,
480The boy hath taught us manly duties. Let us
Find out the prettiest daisied plot we can,
And make him with our pikes and partisans
A grave. Come, arm him.—Boy, he’s preferred
2715By thee to us, and he shall be interred
485As soldiers can. Be cheerful; wipe thine eyes.
Some falls are means the happier to arise.
Again, and bring me word how ’tis with her.
An Attendant exits.
A fever, with the absence of her son;
2720A madness, of which her life’s in danger. Heavens,
How deeply you at once do touch me! Imogen,
5The 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,
2725So needful for this present. It strikes me past
The hope of comfort.—But for thee, fellow,
10Who needs must know of her departure and
Dost seem so ignorant, we’ll enforce it from thee
By a sharp torture.
2730Sir, my life is yours.
I humbly set it at your will. But for my mistress,
15I nothing know where she remains, why gone,
Nor when she purposes return. Beseech your
Highness,
2735Hold me your loyal servant.
Good my liege,
20The 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,
2740There wants no diligence in seeking him,
And will no doubt be found.
25The time is troublesome.
To Pisanio. We’ll slip you for a season, but our jealousy
Does yet depend.
2745So please your Majesty,
The Roman legions, all from Gallia drawn,
30Are landed on your coast with a supply
Of Roman gentlemen by the Senate sent.
Now for the counsel of my son and queen!
2750I am amazed with matter.
Good my liege,
35Your preparation can affront no less
Than what you hear of. Come more, for more you’re
ready.
2755The want is but to put those powers in motion
That long to move.
40I thank you. Let’s withdraw,
And meet the time as it seeks us. We fear not
What can from Italy annoy us, but
2760We grieve at chances here. Away.
I heard no letter from my master since
45I wrote him Imogen was slain. ’Tis strange.
Nor hear I from my mistress, who did promise
To yield me often tidings. Neither know I
2765What is betid to Cloten, but remain
Perplexed in all. The heavens still must work.
50Wherein I am false I am honest; not true, to be true.
These present wars shall find I love my country,
Even to the note o’ th’ King, or I’ll fall in them.
2770All other doubts, by time let them be cleared.
Fortune brings in some boats that are not steered.
The noise is round about us.
Let us from it.
What pleasure, sir, find we in life, to lock it
2775From action and adventure?
5Nay, what hope
Have we in hiding us? This way the Romans
Must or for Britons slay us or receive us
For barbarous and unnatural revolts
2780During their use, and slay us after.
10Sons,
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, not mustered
2785Among the bands—may drive us to a render
15Where we have lived, and so extort from ’s that
Which we have done, whose answer would be death
Drawn on with torture.
This is, sir, a doubt
2790In such a time nothing becoming you
20Nor satisfying us.
It is not likely
That when they hear the Roman horses neigh,
Behold their quartered fires, have both their eyes
2795And ears so cloyed importantly as now,
25That they will waste their time upon our note,
To know from whence we are.
O, I am known
Of many in the army. Many years,
2800Though Cloten then but young, you see not wore him
30From my remembrance. And besides, the King
Hath not deserved my service nor your loves,
Who find in my exile the want of breeding,
The certainty of this hard life, aye hopeless
2805To have the courtesy your cradle promised,
35But to be still hot summer’s tanlings and
The shrinking slaves of winter.
Than be so
Better to cease to be. Pray, sir, to th’ army.
2810I and my brother are not known; yourself
40So out of thought, and thereto so o’ergrown,
Cannot be questioned.
By this sun that shines,
I’ll thither. What thing is ’t that I never
2815Did see man die, scarce ever looked on blood
45But that of coward hares, hot goats, and venison!
Never bestrid a horse save one that had
A rider like myself, who ne’er wore rowel
Nor iron on his heel! I am ashamed
2820To look upon the holy sun, to have
50The benefit of his blest beams, remaining
So long a poor unknown.
By heavens, I’ll go!
If you will bless me, sir, and give me leave,
2825I’ll take the better care, but if you will not,
55The hazard therefore due fall on me by
The hands of Romans.
So say I. Amen.
No reason I—since of your lives you set
2830So slight a valuation—should reserve
60My cracked one to more care. Have with you, boys!
If in your country wars you chance to die,
That is my bed, too, lads, and there I’ll lie.
Lead, lead. Aside. The time seems long; their
2835blood thinks scorn
65Till it fly out and show them princes born.
Yea, bloody cloth, I’ll keep thee, for I wished
Thou shouldst be colored thus. You married ones,
If each of you should take this course, how many
2840Must murder wives much better than themselves
5For 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
2845Had lived to put on this; so had you saved
10The noble Imogen to repent, and struck
Me, wretch more worth your vengeance. But, alack,
You snatch some hence for little faults; that’s love,
To have them fall no more; you some permit
2850To second ills with ills, each elder worse,
15And make them dread it, to the doers’ thrift.
But Imogen is your own. Do your best wills,
And make me blest to obey. I am brought hither
Among th’ Italian gentry, and to fight
2855Against my lady’s kingdom. ’Tis enough
20That, Britain, I have killed thy mistress. Peace,
I’ll give no wound to thee. Therefore, good heavens,
Hear patiently my purpose. I’ll disrobe me
Of these Italian weeds and suit myself
2860As does a Briton peasant. So I’ll fight
25Against the part I come with; so I’ll die
For thee, O Imogen, even for whom my life
Is every breath a death. And thus, unknown,
Pitied nor hated, to the face of peril
2865Myself I’ll dedicate. Let me make men know
30More valor in me than my habits show.
Gods, put the strength o’ th’ Leonati in me.
To shame the guise o’ th’ world, I will begin
The fashion: less without and more within.
2870The 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,
5A very drudge of nature’s, have subdued me
2875In my profession? Knighthoods and honors, 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
10Is that we scarce are men and you are gods.
2880Stand, stand! We have th’ advantage of the ground.
The lane is guarded. Nothing routs us but
The villainy of our fears.
Stand, stand, and fight!
Enter Posthumus, and seconds the Britons. They rescue
15Away, boy, from the troops, and save thyself,
2885For friends kill friends, and the disorder’s such
As war were hoodwinked.
’Tis their fresh supplies.
It is a day turned strangely. Or betimes
20Let’s reinforce, or fly.
2890Cam’st thou from where they made the stand?
I did,
Though you, it seems, come from the fliers.
Ay.
5No blame be to you, sir, for all was lost,
2895But 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,
10Lolling the tongue with slaught’ring, having work
2900More plentiful than tools to do ’t, struck down
Some mortally, some slightly touched, some falling
Merely through fear, that the strait pass was dammed
With dead men hurt behind and cowards living
15To die with lengthened shame.
2905Where was this lane?
Close by the battle, ditched, and walled with turf;
Which gave advantage to an ancient soldier,
An honest one, I warrant, who deserved
20So long a breeding as his white beard came to,
2910In doing this for ’s country. Athwart the lane,
He with two striplings—lads more like to run
The country base than to commit such slaughter,
With faces fit for masks, or rather fairer
25Than those for preservation cased or shame—
2915Made 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
30Like beasts which you shun beastly, and may save
2920But 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,”
35Accommodated by the place, more charming
2925With their own nobleness, which could have turned
A distaff to a lance, gilded pale looks,
Part shame, part spirit renewed; that some, turned
coward
40But by example—O, a sin in war,
2930Damned in the first beginners!—gan to look
The way that they did and to grin like lions
Upon the pikes o’ th’ hunters. Then began
A stop i’ th’ chaser, a retire; anon
45A rout, confusion thick. Forthwith they fly
2935Chickens the way which they stooped eagles; slaves
The strides they victors made; and now our
cowards,
Like fragments in hard voyages, became
50The life o’ th’ need. Having found the backdoor open
2940Of the unguarded hearts, heavens, how they wound!
Some slain before, some dying, some their friends
O’erborne i’ th’ former wave, ten chased by one,
Are now each one the slaughterman of twenty.
55Those that would die or ere resist are grown
2945The mortal bugs o’ th’ field.
This was strange chance:
A narrow lane, an old man, and two boys.
Nay, do not wonder at it. You are made
60Rather to wonder at the things you hear
2950Than to work any. Will you rhyme upon ’t
And vent it for a mock’ry? Here is one:
“Two boys, an old man twice a boy, a lane,
Preserved the Britons, was the Romans’ bane.”
65Nay, be not angry, sir.
2955’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.
70You have put me into rhyme.
2960Farewell. You’re angry.
He exits.
Still going? This is a lord! O noble misery,
To be i’ th’ field and ask “What news?” of me!
Today how many would have given their honors
75To have saved their carcasses, took heel to do ’t,
2965And 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,
’Tis strange he hides him in fresh cups, soft beds,
80Sweet words, or hath more ministers than we
2970That draw his knives i’ th’ war. Well, I will find him;
For being now a favorer to the Briton,
No more a Briton. (He removes his peasant
costume.) I have resumed again
85The part I came in. Fight I will no more,
2975But yield me to the veriest hind that shall
Once touch my shoulder. Great the slaughter is
Here made by th’ Roman; great the answer be
Britons must take. For me, my ransom’s death.
90On either side I come to spend my breath,
2980Which neither here I’ll keep nor bear again,
But end it by some means for Imogen.
Great Jupiter be praised, Lucius is taken!
’Tis thought the old man and his sons were angels.
95There was a fourth man in a silly habit
2985That gave th’ affront with them.
So ’tis reported,
But none of ’em can be found.—Stand. Who’s there?
A Roman,
100Who had not now been drooping here if seconds
2990Had answered him.
Lay hands on him. A dog,
A leg of Rome shall not return to tell
What crows have pecked them here. He brags his
105service
2995As if he were of note. Bring him to th’ King.
You shall not now be stol’n; you have locks upon you.
So graze as you find pasture.
Ay, or a stomach.
Jailers exit.
Most welcome, bondage, for thou art a way,
53000I think, to liberty. Yet am I better
Than one that’s sick o’ th’ gout, since he had rather
Groan so in perpetuity than be cured
By th’ sure physician, Death, who is the key
T’ unbar these locks. My conscience, thou art fettered
103005More than my shanks and wrists. You good gods,
give me
The penitent instrument to pick that bolt,
Then free forever. Is ’t enough I am sorry?
So children temporal fathers do appease;
153010Gods are more full of mercy. Must I repent,
I cannot do it better than in gyves,
Desired more than constrained. To satisfy,
If of my freedom ’tis the main part, take
No stricter render of me than my all.
203015I 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
253020’Tis not so dear, yet ’tis 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
303025And cancel these cold bonds. O Imogen,
I’ll speak to thee in silence.
No more, thou Thunder-master, show
Thy spite on mortal flies.
With Mars fall out, with Juno chide,
353030That thy adulteries
Rates and revenges.
Hath my poor boy done aught but well,
Whose face I never saw?
I died whilst in the womb he stayed,
403035Attending nature’s law;
Whose father then—as men report
Thou orphans’ father art—
Thou shouldst have been, and shielded him
From this earth-vexing smart.
453040Lucina lent not me her aid,
But took me in my throes,
That from me was Posthumus ripped,
Came crying ’mongst his foes,
A thing of pity.
503045Great Nature, like his ancestry,
Molded the stuff so fair
That he deserved the praise o’ th’ world
As great Sicilius’ heir.
When once he was mature for man,
553050In Britain where was he
That could stand up his parallel
Or fruitful object be
In eye of Imogen, that best
Could deem his dignity?
603055With marriage wherefore was he mocked,
To be exiled and thrown
From Leonati seat, and cast
From her, his dearest one,
Sweet Imogen?
653060Why did you suffer Iachimo,
Slight thing of Italy,
To taint his nobler heart and brain
With needless jealousy,
And to become the geck and scorn
703065O’ th’ other’s villainy?
For this, from stiller seats we came,
Our parents and us twain,
That striking in our country’s cause
Fell bravely and were slain,
753070Our fealty and Tenantius’ right
With honor to maintain.
Like hardiment Posthumus hath
To Cymbeline performed.
Then, Jupiter, thou king of gods,
803075Why hast thou thus adjourned
The graces for his merits due,
Being all to dolors turned?
Thy crystal window ope; look out.
No longer exercise
853080Upon a valiant race thy harsh
And potent injuries.
Since, Jupiter, our son is good,
Take off his miseries.
Peep through thy marble mansion. Help,
903085Or we poor ghosts will cry
To th’ shining synod of the rest
Against thy deity.
Help, Jupiter, or we appeal
And from thy justice fly.
953090No 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
1003095Upon your never-withering banks of flowers.
Be not with mortal accidents oppressed.
No care of yours it is; you know ’tis ours.
Whom best I love I cross, to make my gift,
The more delayed, delighted. Be content.
1053100Your 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,
1103105And happier much by his affliction made.
He hands Sicilius a tablet.
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.—
1153110Mount, eagle, to my palace crystalline.
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 blest fields; his royal bird
1203115Preens the immortal wing and cloys his beak,
As when his god is pleased.
Thanks, Jupiter.
The marble pavement closes; he is entered
His radiant roof. Away, and, to be blest,
1253120Let us with care perform his great behest.
Sleep, thou hast been a grandsire and begot
A father to me, and thou hast created
A mother and two brothers. But, O scorn,
Gone! They went hence so soon as they were born.
1303125And so I am awake. Poor wretches that depend
On greatness’ favor dream as I have done,
Wake, and find nothing. But, alas, I swerve.
Many dream not to find, neither deserve,
And yet are steeped in favors; so am I
1353130That have this golden chance and know not why.
Finding the tablet.
What fairies haunt this ground? A book? O rare one,
Be not, as is our fangled world, a garment
Nobler than that it covers. Let thy effects
So follow, to be, most unlike our courtiers,
1403135As good as promise.
(Reads.)
Whenas a lion’s whelp shall, to himself unknown,
without seeking find, and be embraced by a piece of
tender air; and when from a stately cedar shall be
lopped branches which, being dead many years, shall
1453140after revive, be jointed 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,
1503145Or 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.
Come, sir, are you ready for death?
1553150Over-roasted rather; ready long ago.
Hanging is the word, sir. If you be ready for
that, you are well cooked.
So, if I prove a good repast to the spectators,
the dish pays the shot.
1603155A heavy reckoning for you, sir. But the comfort
is, you shall be called to no more payments, 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
1653160much 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, of this contradiction you shall now be
1703165quit. 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.
1753170I am merrier to die than thou art to live.
Indeed, sir, he that sleeps feels not the
toothache. But a man that were to sleep your
sleep, and a hangman to help him to bed, I think
he would change places with his officer; for, look
1803175you, sir, you know not which way you shall go.
Yes, indeed do I, fellow.
Your Death has eyes in ’s head, then. I have not
seen him so pictured. You must either be directed
by some that take upon them to know, or to take
1853180upon yourself that which I am sure you do not
know, or jump the after-inquiry on your own peril.
And how you shall speed in your journey’s end, I
think you’ll never return to tell one.
I tell thee, fellow, there are none want
1903185eyes to direct them the way I am going but such as
wink and will not use them.
What an infinite mock is this, that a man
should have the best use of eyes to see the way of
blindness! I am sure hanging’s the way of winking.
1953190Knock off his manacles; bring your prisoner
to the King.
Thou bring’st good news. I am called to be
made free.
I’ll be hanged then.
He removes Posthumus’s chains.
2003195Thou shalt be then freer than a jailer. No
bolts for the dead.
Unless a man would marry a gallows and beget
young gibbets, I never saw one so prone. Yet, on my
conscience, there are verier knaves desire to live,
2053200for all he be a Roman; and there be some of them
too that die against their wills. So should I, if I
were one. I would we were all of one mind, and
one mind good. O, there were desolation of jailers
and gallowses! I speak against my present profit,
2103205but my wish hath a preferment in ’t.
Stand by my side, you whom the gods have made
Preservers of my throne. Woe is my heart
That the poor soldier that so richly fought,
Whose rags shamed gilded arms, whose naked breast
53210Stepped before targes of proof, cannot be found.
He shall be happy that can find him, if
Our grace can make him so.
I never saw
Such noble fury in so poor a thing,
103215Such precious deeds in one that promised naught
But beggary and poor looks.
No tidings of him?
He hath been searched among the dead and living,
But no trace of him.
153220To my grief, I am
The heir of his reward, which I will add
To you, the liver, heart, and brain of Britain,
By whom I grant she lives. ’Tis now the time
To ask of whence you are. Report it.
203225Sir,
In Cambria are we born, and gentlemen.
Further to boast were neither true nor modest,
Unless I add we are honest.
Bow your knees.
They kneel. He taps their shoulders with his sword.
253230Arise my knights o’ th’ battle. I create you
Companions to our person, and will fit you
With dignities becoming your estates.They rise.
Enter Cornelius and Ladies.
There’s business in these faces. Why so sadly
Greet you our victory? You look like Romans,
303235And not o’ th’ court of Britain.
Hail, great king.
To sour your happiness I must report
The Queen is dead.
Who worse than a physician
353240Would this report become? But I consider
By med’cine life may be prolonged, yet death
Will seize the doctor too. How ended she?
With horror, madly dying, like her life,
Which, being cruel to the world, concluded
403245Most cruel to herself. What she confessed
I will report, so please you. These her women
Can trip me if I err, who with wet cheeks
Were present when she finished.
Prithee, say.
453250First, she confessed she never loved you, only
Affected greatness got by you, not you;
Married your royalty, was wife to your place,
Abhorred your person.
She alone knew this,
503255And but she spoke it dying, I would not
Believe her lips in opening it. Proceed.
Your daughter, whom she bore in hand to love
With such integrity, she did confess
Was as a scorpion to her sight, whose life,
553260But that her flight prevented it, she had
Ta’en off by poison.
O, most delicate fiend!
Who is ’t can read a woman? Is there more?
More, sir, and worse. She did confess she had
603265For you a mortal mineral which, being took,
Should by the minute feed on life and, ling’ring,
By inches waste you. In which time she purposed,
By watching, weeping, tendance, kissing, to
O’ercome you with her show and, in time,
653270When she had fitted you with her craft, to work
Her son into th’ adoption of the crown;
But failing of her end by his strange absence,
Grew shameless desperate; opened, in despite
Of heaven and men, her purposes; repented
703275The evils she hatched were not effected; so
Despairing died.
Heard you all this, her women?
We did, so please your Highness.
Mine eyes
753280Were not in fault, for she was beautiful;
Mine ears that heard her flattery; nor my heart,
That thought her like her seeming. It had been vicious
To have mistrusted her. Yet, O my daughter,
That it was folly in me thou mayst say,
803285And prove it in thy feeling. Heaven mend all.
Enter Lucius, Iachimo, Soothsayer, and other Roman
prisoners, Posthumus Leonatus behind, and Imogen
as Fidele, with Briton Soldiers as guards.
Thou com’st not, Caius, now for tribute. That
The Britons have razed out, though with the loss
Of many a bold one, whose kinsmen have made suit
That their good souls may be appeased with slaughter
853290Of you their captives, which ourself have granted.
So think of your estate.
Consider, sir, the chance of war. The day
Was yours by accident. Had it gone with us,
We should not, when the blood was cool, have
903295threatened
Our prisoners with the sword. But since the gods
Will have it thus, that nothing but our lives
May be called ransom, let it come. Sufficeth
A Roman with a Roman’s heart can suffer.
953300Augustus lives to think on ’t; and so much
For my peculiar care. This one thing only
I will entreat: my boy, a Briton born,
Let him be ransomed. Never master had
A page so kind, so duteous, diligent,
1003305So tender over his occasions, true,
So feat, so nurselike. Let his virtue join
With my request, which I’ll make bold your Highness
Cannot deny. He hath done no Briton harm,
Though he have served a Roman. Save him, sir,
1053310And spare no blood beside.
I have surely seen him.
His favor is familiar to me.—Boy,
Thou hast looked thyself into my grace
And art mine own. I know not why, wherefore,
1103315To say “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.
1153320I humbly thank your Highness.
I do not bid thee beg my life, good lad,
And yet I know thou wilt.
No, no, alack,
There’s other work in hand. I see a thing
1203325Bitter to me as death. Your life, good master,
Must shuffle for itself.
The boy disdains me,
He leaves me, scorns me. Briefly die their joys
That place them on the truth of girls and boys.
1253330Why stands he so perplexed?
What would’st thou, boy?
I love thee more and more. Think more and more
What’s best to ask. Know’st him thou look’st on?
Speak.
1303335Wilt have him live? Is he thy kin? Thy friend?
He is a Roman, no more kin to me
Than I to your Highness, who, being born your vassal,
Am something nearer.
Wherefore ey’st him so?
1353340I’ll tell you, sir, in private, if you please
To give me hearing.
Ay, with all my heart,
And lend my best attention. What’s thy name?
Fidele, sir.
1403345Thou ’rt my good youth, my page.
I’ll be thy master. Walk with me. Speak freely.
Is not this boy revived from death?
One sand another
Not more resembles that sweet rosy lad
1453350Who died, and was Fidele. What think you?
The same dead thing alive.
Peace, peace. See further. He eyes us not. Forbear.
Creatures may be alike. Were ’t he, I am sure
He would have spoke to us.
1503355But we see him dead.
Be silent. Let’s see further.
It is my mistress!
Since she is living, let the time run on
To good or bad.
1553360Come, stand thou by our side.
Make thy demand aloud. (To Iachimo.) Sir, step
you forth.
Give answer to this boy, and do it freely,
Or by our greatness and the grace of it,
1603365Which is our honor, bitter torture shall
Winnow the truth from falsehood.—On. Speak to
him.
My boon is that this gentleman may render
Of whom he had this ring.
1653370What’s that to him?
That diamond upon your finger, say
How came it yours.
Thou ’lt torture me to leave unspoken that
Which to be spoke would torture thee.
1703375How? Me?
I am glad to be constrained to utter that
Which torments me to conceal. By villainy
I got this ring. ’Twas Leonatus’ jewel,
Whom thou didst banish, and—which more may
1753380grieve thee,
As it doth me—a nobler sir ne’er lived
’Twixt sky and ground. Wilt thou hear more, my lord?
All that belongs to this.
That paragon, thy daughter,
1803385For whom my heart drops blood and my false spirits
Quail to remember—Give me leave; I faint.
My daughter? What of her? Renew thy strength.
I had rather thou shouldst live while nature will
Than die ere I hear more. Strive, man, and speak.
1853390Upon a time—unhappy was the clock
That struck the hour!—it was in Rome—accursed
The mansion where!—’twas at a feast—O, would
Our viands had been poisoned, or at least
Those which I heaved to head!—the good
1903395Posthumus—
What should I say? He was too good to be
Where ill men were, and was the best of all
Amongst the rar’st of good ones—sitting sadly,
Hearing us praise our loves of Italy
1953400For beauty that made barren the swelled boast
Of him that best could speak; for feature, laming
The shrine of Venus or straight-pight Minerva,
Postures beyond brief nature; for condition,
A shop of all the qualities that man
2003405Loves woman for, besides that hook of wiving,
Fairness which strikes the eye—
I stand on fire.
Come to the matter.
All too soon I shall,
2053410Unless thou wouldst grieve quickly. This Posthumus,
Most like a noble lord in love and one
That had a royal lover, took his hint,
And, not dispraising whom we praised—therein
He was as calm as virtue—he began
2103415His mistress’ picture; which by his tongue being made
And then a mind put in ’t, either our brags
Were cracked of kitchen trulls, or his description
Proved us unspeaking sots.
Nay, nay, to th’ purpose.
2153420Your daughter’s chastity—there it begins.
He spake of her as Dian had hot dreams
And she alone were cold; whereat I, wretch,
Made scruple of his praise and wagered with him
Pieces of gold ’gainst this, which then he wore
2203425Upon his honored finger, to attain
In suit the place of ’s bed and win this ring
By hers and mine adultery. He, true knight,
No lesser of her honor confident
Than I did truly find her, stakes this ring,
2253430And would so, had it been a carbuncle
Of Phoebus’ wheel, and might so safely, had it
Been all the worth of ’s car. Away to Britain
Post I in this design. Well may you, sir,
Remember me at court, where I was taught
2303435Of your chaste daughter the wide difference
’Twixt amorous and villainous. Being thus quenched
Of hope, not longing, mine Italian brain
Gan in your duller Britain operate
Most vilely; for my vantage, excellent.
2353440And to be brief, my practice so prevailed
That I returned with simular proof enough
To make the noble Leonatus mad
By wounding his belief in her renown
With tokens thus and thus; averring notes
2403445Of chamber-hanging, pictures, this her bracelet—
O, cunning how I got it!—nay, some marks
Of secret on her person, that he could not
But think her bond of chastity quite cracked,
I having ta’en the forfeit. Whereupon—
2453450Methinks I see him now—
Ay, so thou dost,
Italian fiend.—Ay me, most credulous fool,
Egregious murderer, thief, anything
That’s due to all the villains past, in being,
2503455To come. O, give me cord, or knife, or poison,
Some upright justicer.—Thou, king, send out
For torturers ingenious. It is I
That all th’ abhorrèd things o’ th’ Earth amend
By being worse than they. I am Posthumus,
2553460That killed thy daughter—villainlike, I lie—
That caused a lesser villain than myself,
A sacrilegious thief, to do ’t. The temple
Of virtue was she, yea, and she herself.
Spit and throw stones, cast mire upon me, set
2603465The dogs o’ th’ street to bay me. Every villain
Be called Posthumus Leonatus, and
Be villainy less than ’twas. O Imogen!
My queen, my life, my wife! O Imogen,
Imogen, Imogen!
2653470Peace, my lord!
Hear, hear—
Shall ’s have a play of this? Thou scornful page,
There lie thy part.
O, gentlemen, help!—
2703475Mine and your mistress! O my lord Posthumus,
You ne’er killed Imogen till now! Help, help!
Mine honored lady—
Does the world go round?
How comes these staggers on me?
2753480Wake, my mistress.
If this be so, the gods do mean to strike me
To death with mortal joy.
How fares my mistress?
O, get thee from my sight!
2803485Thou gav’st me poison. Dangerous fellow, hence.
Breathe not where princes are.
The tune of Imogen!
Lady, the gods throw stones of sulfur on me if
That box I gave you was not thought by me
2853490A precious thing. I had it from the Queen.
New matter still.
It poisoned me.
O gods!
To Pisanio. I left out one thing which the Queen
2903495confessed,
Which must approve thee honest. “If Pisanio
Have,” said she, “given his mistress that confection
Which I gave him for cordial, she is served
As I would serve a rat.”
2953500What’s this, Cornelius?
The Queen, sir, very oft importuned me
To temper poisons for her, still pretending
The satisfaction of her knowledge only
In killing creatures vile, as cats and dogs,
3003505Of no esteem. I, dreading that her purpose
Was of more danger, did compound for her
A certain stuff which, being ta’en, would cease
The present power of life, but in short time
All offices of nature should again
3053510Do their due functions.—Have you ta’en of it?
Most like I did, for I was dead.
My boys,
There was our error.
This is sure Fidele.
3103515Why did you throw your wedded lady from you?
Think that you are upon a rock, and now
Throw me again.
Hang there like fruit, my soul,
Till the tree die.
3153520How now, my flesh, my child?
What, mak’st thou me a dullard in this act?
Wilt thou not speak to me?
Your blessing, sir.
Though you did love this youth, I blame you not.
3203525You had a motive for ’t.
My tears that fall
Prove holy water on thee. Imogen,
Thy mother’s dead.
I am sorry for ’t, my lord.
She rises.
3253530O, she was naught, and long of her it was
That we meet here so strangely. But her son
Is gone, we know not how nor where.
My lord,
Now fear is from me, I’ll speak truth. Lord Cloten,
3303535Upon my lady’s missing, came to me
With his sword drawn, foamed at the mouth, and
swore,
If I discovered not which way she was gone,
It was my instant death. By accident,
3353540I had a feignèd letter of my master’s
Then in my pocket, which directed him
To seek her on the mountains near to Milford;
Where, in a frenzy, in my master’s garments,
Which he enforced from me, away he posts
3403545With unchaste purpose and with oath to violate
My lady’s honor. What became of him
I further know not.
Let me end the story.
I slew him there.
3453550Marry, the gods forfend!
I would not thy good deeds should from my lips
Pluck a hard sentence. Prithee, valiant youth,
Deny ’t again.
I have spoke it, and I did it.
3503555He was a prince.
A most incivil one. The wrongs he did me
Were nothing princelike, for he did provoke me
With language that would make me spurn the sea
If it could so roar to me. I cut off ’s head,
3553560And am right glad he is not standing here
To tell this tale of mine.
I am sorrow for thee.
By thine own tongue thou art condemned and must
Endure our law. Thou ’rt dead.
3603565That headless man
I thought had been my lord.
Bind the offender,
And take him from our presence.
Stay, sir king.
3653570This man is better than the man he slew,
As well descended as thyself, and hath
More of thee merited than a band of Clotens
Had ever scar for.—Let his arms alone.
They were not born for bondage.
3703575Why, old soldier,
Wilt thou undo the worth thou art unpaid for
By tasting of our wrath? How of descent
As good as we?
In that he spake too far.
3753580And thou shalt die for ’t.
We will die all three
But I will prove that two on ’s are as good
As I have given out him.—My sons, I must
For mine own part unfold a dangerous speech,
3803585Though haply well for you.
Your danger’s ours.
And our good his.
Have at it, then.—By leave,
Thou hadst, great king, a subject who
3853590Was called Belarius.
What of him? He is
A banished traitor.
He it is that hath
Assumed this age; indeed a banished man,
3903595I know not how a traitor.
Take him hence.
The whole world shall not save him.
Not too hot.
First pay me for the nursing of thy sons
3953600And let it be confiscate all, so soon
As I have received it.
Nursing of my sons?
I am too blunt and saucy. Here’s my knee.
He kneels.
Ere I arise I will prefer my sons,
4003605Then spare not the old father. Mighty sir,
These two young gentlemen that call me father
And think they are my sons are none of mine.
They are the issue of your loins, my liege,
And blood of your begetting.
4053610How? My issue?
So sure as you your father’s. I, old Morgan,
Am that Belarius whom you sometime banished.
Your pleasure was my mere offense, my punishment
Itself, and all my treason. That I suffered
4103615Was all the harm I did. These gentle princes—
For such and so they are—these twenty years
Have I trained up; those arts they have as I
Could put into them. My breeding was, sir, as
Your Highness knows. Their nurse Euriphile,
4153620Whom for the theft I wedded, stole these children
Upon my banishment. I moved her to ’t,
Having received the punishment before
For that which I did then. Beaten for loyalty
Excited me to treason. Their dear loss,
4203625The more of you ’twas felt, the more it shaped
Unto my end of stealing them. But, gracious sir,
Here are your sons again, and I must lose
Two of the sweet’st companions in the world.
The benediction of these covering heavens
4253630Fall on their heads like dew, for they are worthy
To inlay heaven with stars.
Thou weep’st and speak’st.
The service that you three have done is more
Unlike than this thou tell’st. I lost my children.
4303635If these be they, I know not how to wish
A pair of worthier sons.
Be pleased awhile.
This gentleman whom I call Polydor,
Most worthy prince, as yours is true Guiderius;
4353640This gentleman, my Cadwal, Arviragus,
Your younger princely son. He, sir, was lapped
In a most curious mantle, wrought by th’ hand
Of his queen mother, which for more probation
I can with ease produce.
4403645Guiderius had
Upon his neck a mole, a sanguine star.
It was a mark of wonder.
This is he,
Who hath upon him still that natural stamp.
4453650It was wise Nature’s end in the donation
To be his evidence now.
O, what am I,
A mother to the birth of three? Ne’er mother
Rejoiced deliverance more.—Blest pray you be,
4503655That after this strange starting from your orbs,
You may reign in them now.—O Imogen,
Thou hast lost by this a kingdom!
No, my lord.
I have got two worlds by ’t.—O my gentle brothers,
4553660Have we thus met? O, never say hereafter
But I am truest speaker. You called me “brother”
When I was but your sister; I you “brothers”
When we were so indeed.
Did you e’er meet?
4603665Ay, my good lord.
And at first meeting loved,
Continued so until we thought he died.
By the Queen’s dram she swallowed.
O, rare instinct!
4653670When shall I hear all through? This fierce
abridgment
Hath to it circumstantial branches which
Distinction should be rich in. Where, how lived you?
And when came you to serve our Roman captive?
4703675How parted with your brothers? How first met
them?
Why fled you from the court? And whither?
To Belarius. These,
And your three motives to the battle, with
4753680I know not how much more, should be demanded,
And all the other by-dependences
From chance to chance; but nor the time nor place
Will serve our long interrogatories. See,
Posthumus anchors upon Imogen;
4803685And she, like harmless lightning, throws her eye
On him, her brothers, me, her master, hitting
Each object with a joy; the counterchange
Is severally in all. Let’s quit this ground,
And smoke the temple with our sacrifices.
4853690Thou art my brother, so we’ll hold thee ever.
You are my father too, and did relieve me
To see this gracious season.
All o’erjoyed
Save these in bonds; let them be joyful too,
4903695For they shall taste our comfort.
My good master,
I will yet do you service.
Happy be you!
The forlorn soldier that so nobly fought,
4953700He would have well becomed this place and graced
The thankings of a king.
I am, sir,
The soldier that did company these three
In poor beseeming; ’twas a fitment for
5003705The purpose I then followed. That I was he,
Speak, Iachimo. I had you down and might
Have made you finish.
I am down again,
But now my heavy conscience sinks my knee,
5053710As then your force did. Take that life, beseech you,
Which I so often owe; but your ring first,
And here the bracelet of the truest princess
That ever swore her faith.
Kneel not to me.
5103715The power that I have on you is to spare you;
The malice towards you to forgive you. Live
And deal with others better.
Nobly doomed.
We’ll learn our freeness of a son-in-law:
5153720Pardon’s the word to all.
You holp us, sir,
As you did mean indeed to be our brother.
Joyed are we that you are.
Your servant, princes.—Good my lord of Rome,
5203725Call forth your soothsayer. As I slept, methought
Great Jupiter upon his eagle backed
Appeared to me, with other spritely shows
Of mine own kindred. When I waked, I found
This label on my bosom, whose containing
5253730Is so from sense in hardness that I can
Make no collection of it. Let him show
His skill in the construction.
Philarmonus!
Here, my good lord.
5303735Read, and declare the meaning.
Whenas a lion’s whelp shall, to
himself unknown, without seeking find, and be embraced
by a piece of tender air; and when from a
stately cedar shall be lopped branches which, being
5353740dead many years, shall after revive, be jointed to the
old stock, and freshly grow; then shall Posthumus
end his miseries, Britain be fortunate and flourish
in peace and plenty.
Thou, Leonatus, art the lion’s whelp.
5403745The fit and apt construction of thy name,
Being Leo-natus, doth import so much.
To Cymbeline. The piece of tender air thy virtuous
daughter,
Which we call “mollis aer,” and “mollis aer”
5453750We term it “mulier,” which “mulier” I divine
Is this most constant wife; who, even now,
Answering the letter of the oracle,
To Posthumus Unknown to you, unsought, were
clipped about
5503755With this most tender air.
This hath some seeming.
The lofty cedar, royal Cymbeline,
Personates thee; and thy lopped branches point
Thy two sons forth, who, by Belarius stol’n,
5553760For many years thought dead, are now revived,
To the majestic cedar joined, whose issue
Promises Britain peace and plenty.
Well,
My peace we will begin. And, Caius Lucius,
5603765Although the victor, we submit to Caesar
And to the Roman Empire, promising
To pay our wonted tribute, from the which
We were dissuaded by our wicked queen,
Whom heavens in justice both on her and hers
5653770Have laid most heavy hand.
The fingers of the powers above do tune
The harmony of this peace. The vision
Which I made known to Lucius ere the stroke
Of this yet scarce-cold battle at this instant
5703775Is full accomplished. For the Roman eagle,
From south to west on wing soaring aloft,
Lessened herself and in the beams o’ th’ sun
So vanished; which foreshowed our princely eagle,
Th’ imperial Caesar, should again unite
5753780His favor with the radiant Cymbeline,
Which shines here in the west.
Laud we the gods,
And let our crooked smokes climb to their nostrils
From our blest altars. Publish we this peace
5803785To all our subjects. Set we forward. Let
A Roman and a British ensign wave
Friendly together. So through Lud’s Town march,
And in the temple of great Jupiter
Our peace we’ll ratify, seal it with feasts.
5853790Set on there. Never was a war did cease,
Ere bloody hands were washed, with such a peace.