Cleo. Take thou no care; it shall be heeded. Clown. Very good give it nothing, I pray you, for it is not worth the feeding, Cleo. Will it eat me? Clown. You must not think I am so simple, but I know the devil himself will not eat a woman: I know, that a woman is a dish for the gods, if the devil dress her not. But, truly, these same whoreson devils do the gods great harm in their women; for in every ten that they make, the devils mar five. Cleo. Well, get thee gone; farewell. Clown. Yes, forsooth; I wish you joy of the worm. [Exit. Re-enter IRAs, with a Robe, Crown, &c. Cleo. Give me my robe, put on my crown; I Immortal longings in me : Now no more [have The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip: Yare, yare*, good Iras; quick.-Methinks I Antony call; I see him rouse himself [hear To praise my noble act; hear him mock The luck of Cæsar, which the gods give men To excuse their after wrath: Husband, I com.e: Now to that name my courage prove my title! I am fire and air; my other elements I give to baser life.-So,-have you done? Come, then, and take the last warmth of my lips. [well. Farewell, kind Charmian ;-Iras, long fare[Kisses them. IRAS falls und dies. Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall? If thou and nature can so gently part, The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch, [still? Which hurts, and is desired. Dost thou lie If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world It is not worth leave-taking. Cleo. Char. Dissolve, thick clond, and rain; that The gods themselves do weep! [I may say, This proves me base: If she first meet the curled Antony, He'll make demand of her; and spend that kiss [wretch, Which is my heaven to have. Come, mortal [To the Asp, which she applies to her Breast. With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate Of life at once untie: poor venomous fool, Be angry, and despatch. O, couldst thou speak! That I might hear thee call great Cæsar, ass Cleo. O eastern star! Peace, peace! Char. O Antony!-Nay, I will take thee too :- Now boast thee, death! in thy possession lies O, come; apace, despatch: I partly feel thee. 1 Guard. Approach, oh! All's not well: Cæsar's beguiled. [Cæsar;-call him. 2 Guard. There's Dolabella sent from 1 Guard. What work is here ?—Charmian, is this well done? [princess Char. It is well doue, and fitting for a Descended of so many royal kings, Ah, soldier! Enter DOLABELLA. Dol. How goes it here? 2 Guard. Dol. [Dies. All dead. Cæsar, thy thoughts Touch their effects in this: Thyself art coming To see perform'd the dreaded act, which thou So sought'st to hinder. Within. A way there, way for Cæsar ! Enter CESAR, and Attendants. Dol. O, sir, you are too sure an augurer; That you did fear, is done. Cas. Bravest at the last : She levell'd at our purposes, and being royal, Took her own way. The manner of their I do not see them bleed. [deaths? Dol. Who was last with them? 1 Guard. A simple countryman, that brought This was his basket. [her tigs; Cæs. O Cæsar, Poison'd then. 1 Guard. This Charmian lived but now; she stood, and I found her trimming up the diadem [spake: On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood, And on the sudden dropp'd. Cæs. O noble weakness!If they had swallow'd poison, 'twould appear By external swelling: but she looks like sleep, As she would catch another Antony In her strong toil of grace Dol. Here, on her breast, There is a vent of blood, and something blown: The like is on her arm. [g-leaves 1 Guard. This is an aspic's trail: and these Have slime upon them, such as the aspic leaves Upon the caves of Nile. Cas. Most probable, That so she died; for her physician tells me, She hath pursued conclusions infinite Of easy ways to die.-Take up her bed; And bear her women from the monument :She shall be buried by her Antony : No grave upon the earth shall clip || in it A pair so famous. High events as these Strike those that make them: and their story is No less in pity, than his glory, which Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall In solemn show, attend this funeral ; And then to Rome.-Come, Dolabella, see High order in this great solemnity. [Exeunt Make haste. + Unpolitic, to leave me to myself. Enfold, Graceful appearance. CYMBELINE. Persons represented. CYMBELINE, King of Britain. LBONATUS POSTHUMUS, a gentleman, hus- sons to Cymbeline, disguised Italians. CORNELIUS, a physician. Queen, wife to Cymbeline. IIELEN, woman to Imogen. Apparitions, a Soothsayer, a Dutch Gentleman, a Spanish Gentleman, Musicians, Officers, Captains, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants. Scene,-sometimes in Britain; sometimes in Italy. ACT I. SCENE I. Britain. The Garden behind | So fair an outward, and such stuff within, Cymbeline's Palace. Enter Two Gentlemen. 1 Gent. You do not meet a man, but frowns: No more obey the heavens, than our courtiers; 2 Gent. He purposed to his wife's sole son, (a widow, Her husband banish'd; she imprison'd: all None but the king? [tier, Endows a man but he. (Then old and fond of issue,) took such sorThat he quit being; and his gentle lady, Big of this gentleman, our theme, deceased That most desired the match: But not a cour-As he was born. The king, he takes the babe Although 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. 2 Gent. And why so? [a thing 1 Gent. He that hath miss'd the princess, is Too bad for bad report: and he that hath her, (I mean, that married her,-alack, good man! And therefore banish'd) is a creature such As, to seek through the regions of the earth For one his like, there would be something failing In him that should compare. I do not think, To his protection; calls him Posthumus; [ber: As we do air, fast as 'twas minister'd; and A glass that feated [ them; and to the graver, * Inclination, natural disposition. ti. e., You praise him extensively. My praise, however extensive, is within his merit. The father of Cymbeline Formed their manners. A child that guided dotards: to his mistress, For whom he now is banish'd,--her own price Proclaims how she esteem'd him and his vir. By her election may be truly read, [tue; What kind of man he is. 2 Gent. I honour him [me, Even out of your report. But, 'pray you, tell Is she sole child to the king? 1 Gent. His only child. [ing, He had two sons, (if this be worth your hearMark it,) the eldest of them at three years old, I' the swathing clothes the other, from their nursery [knowledge Were stolen and to this hour, no guess in Which way they went. 2 Gent. How long is this ago? 1 Gent. Some twenty years. [convey'd! 2 Gent. That a king's children should be so So slackly guarded! And the search so slow, That could not trace them! 1 Gent. Howsoe'er 'tis strange, Or that the negligence may well be laughed at, Yet is it true, sir. 2 Gent. I do well believe you. 1 Gent. We must forbear: Here comes the queen, and princess. [Exeunt. SCENE JI. The same. After the slander of most step-mothers, I will be known your advocate: marry, yet Post. I will from hence to-day. You know the peril :- Hath charged you should not speak together. I something fear my father's wrath; but no- Post. * Close up. A more exquisite feeling. Who to my father was a friend, to me Queen. [send, Be brief, I pray you: If the king come, I shall incur I know not How much of his displeasure: yet I'll move him [Aside. To walk this way: I never do him wrong, But he does buy my injuries, to be friends; Pays dear for my offences. [Exit. Post. Should we be taking leave As long a term as yet we have to live, The loathness to depart would grow: Adieu! Imo. Nay, stay a little: Were you but riding forth to air yourself, But keep it till you woo another wife, How! how! another ?You gentle gods, give me but this I have, And sear up my embracements from a next With bonds of death!-Remain theu here. [Putting on the Ring. While sense † can keep it on! And sweetest, fairest, As I my poor self did exchange for you, ; [Putting a Bracelet on her Arm. Imo. O, the gods! When shall we see again? Post. Enter CYMBELINE and Lords. Alack, the king! Cym. Thou basest thing, avoid! hence, from my sight! If, after this command, thou fraught the court With thy unworthiness, thou diest: Away! Thou art poison to my blood. Post. The gods protect you! And bless the good remainders of the court! I am gone. [Exit. Imo. There cannot be a pinch in death More sharp than this is. Cym. O disloyal thing, That shouldst repair my youth; thou heapest A year's age on me! Imo. I beseech you, sir, Harm not yourself with your vexation; I Am senseless of your wrath; a touch more Subdues all pangs, all fears. [rare $ Cym. Past grace? obedience? Imo. Past hope, and in despair; that way, past grace. [of my queen! Cym. That might'st have had the sole son Imo. O bless'd, that I might not! I chose an And did avoid a puttock T. [eagle Cym. Thou took'st a beggar; wouldst have made my throne A seat for baseness. A lustre to it. O thou vile one! Sir, It is your fault that I have loved Posthumus: A neat-herd's daughter! and my Leonatus Cym. Queen. 'Beseech your patience :- Peace, Dear lady daughter, peace;-Sweet sovereign, Leave us to ourselves; and make yourself Out of your best advice +. [some comfort Cym. Nay, let her languish A drop of blood a day; and, being aged, Die of this folly! [Exit. Enter PISANIO. Queen. Fie, you must give way: Here is your servant.-How now, sir? What news? Queen. I am very glad on't. Imo. Your 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? [me Pis. On his command: he would not suffer To bring him to the haven: left these notes Of what commands I should be subject to, When it pleased you to employ me. Queen. This hath been Your faithful servant: I dare lay mine honour, He will remain so. Pis. I humbly thank your highness. Queen. Pray, walk a while. Imo. About some half hour hence, I pray you, speak with me: you shall, at least, Go see my lord aboard: for this time, leave [Exeunt. me. SCENE III. A public Place. 1 Lord. 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 + Consideration. comes in: there's none abroad so wholesome as that you vent. Clo. If my shirt were bloody, then to shift it-Have I hurt him? 2 Lord. No, faith; not so much as his patience. [Aside. 1 Lord. Hurt him? his body's a passable carcass, if he be not hurt: it is a thoroughfare for steel if it be not hurt. 2 Lord. His steel was in debt ; it went o'the backside the town. [Aside. Clo. The villain would not stand me. 2 Lord. No; but he fled forward still, toward your face. [Aside. 1 Lord. Stand you! You have land enough of your own but he added to your having; gave you some ground. 2 Lord. As many inches as you have oceans: Puppies! [Aside. Clo. I would, they had not come between us. 2 Lord. So would I, till you had measured how long a fool you were upon the ground. [Aside. Clo. And that she should love this fellow, and refuse me! 2 Lord. If it be a sin to make a true election, she is damned. [Aside. 1 Lord. Sir, as I told you always, her beauty and her brain go not together : She's a good sign, but I have seen small reflection of her witý. 2 Lord. She shines not upon fools, lest the reflection should hurt her. [Aside. Clo. Come, I'll to my chamber: 'Would there had been some hurt done! 2 Lord. I wish not so; unless it had been the fall of an ass, which is no great hurt. Clo. You'll go with us? 1 Lord. I'll attend your lordship. Clo. Nay, come, let's go together. 2 Lord. Well, my lord. [Aside. [Exeunt. Enter IMOGEN and PISANIO. Imo. I would thou grew'st unto the shores o'the haven, And question'dst every sail: if he should write, 'Twas, His queen, his queen! [I]Pis. No, madam; for so long As he could make me with this eye or ear. Distinguish him from others, he did keep The deck, with glove, or hat, or handkerchief Still waving, as the fits and stirs of his mind Could best express how slow his soul sail'd How swift his ship. [on, • Cattle-keeper. Her beauty and sense are not equal. To understand the force of this idea, it should be remembered that anciently almost every sign had a motto, or some attempt at a witticism underneath it. Imo. Thou shouldst have made him that weep this lamentable divorce, under her As little as a crow, or less, ere left To after-eye him. Pis. Madam, so I did. Imo. I would have broke mine eye-strings; crack'd them, but To look upon him; till the diminution Of space had pointed him sharp as my needle; Pis. had Most pretty things to say: ere I could tell him, [him, colours, 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 more quality. But how comes it, he is to sojourn with you? How creeps acquaintance? Phi. His father and I were soldiers together; to whom I have been often bound for no less than my life: Enter POSTHUMUS. Here comes the Briton: Let him be so enter- French. Sir, we have known together in Post. Since when I have been debtor to The shes of Italy should not betray night, To encounter me with orisoust, for then I am in heaven for him or ere I could Give him that parting kiss, which I had set And, like the tyrannous breathing of the north, Lady. [Exeunt. SCENE V. Rome. An Apartment in Phi lario's House. pay, and yet pay still. French. Sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindness I was glad I did atone ** my countrymen and you; it had been pity, you should have been put together with so mortal a purpose, as then each bore, upon importance ft of so slight and trivial a nature. Post. By your pardon, sir, I was then a young traveller: rather shunn'd to go even with what I heard, than in my every action to be guided by others' experiences: but, upon my mended judgment, (if I offend not to say it is mended,) my quarrel was not altogether slight. French. 'Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrement of swords; and by such two, that would, by all likelihood, have confounded ‡‡ one the other, or have fallen both. Iach. Can we, with manners, ask what was the difference? Enter PHILARIO, IACHIMO, a Frenchman, a Dutchman, and a Spaniard. Iach. Believe it, sir: I have seen him in French. Safely, I think: 'twas a contention Britain: he was then of a crescent note f, ex-in public, which may, without contradiction, pected to prove so worthy, as since he hath suffer the report. It was much like an argubeen allowed the name of: but I could then ment that fell out last night, where each of us have looked on him without the help of ad- fell in praise of our country mistresses: This miration; though the catalogue of his endow-gentleman at that time vouching, (and upon ments had been tabled by his side, and I to peruse him by items. Phi. You speak of him when he was less furnished than now he is, with that which makes him both without and within. French. I bave seen him in France: we had very many there, could behold the sun with as firm eyes as he. Iach. This matter of marrying his king's daughter, (wherein he must be weighed rather by her value, than his own,) words him, I doubt not, a great deal from the matter. French. And then his banishment:- warrant of bloody affirmation,) his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, constant qualified, and less attemptible, than any the rarest of our ladies in France. lach. That lady is not now living; or this gentleman's opinion, by this, worn out. Post. She holds her virtue still, and I my mind. Iach. You must not so far prefer her 'fore ours of Italy. Post. Being so far provoked as I was in France, I would abate her nothing; though I profess myself her adorer, not her friend . Iuch. As fair, and as good, (a kind of hand + Meet me with reciprocal prayer. Increasing in fame. Praise him. #Destroyed. ý Lover, I speak of her as a being I reverence, not as a beauty whom I enjoy. |