The Dramatic Works of Shakespeare

Of my good purposes, and put your children
To that destruction which I'll guard them from,
If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave.
Cleo. And may, through all the world: 'tis yours;
and we,

Your 'scutcheons, and your signs of conquest, shall
Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord!
Caes. You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra.
Cleo. This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels,
I am possess'd of: 'tis exactly valued;

Not petty things admitted.-Where's Seleucus?
Sel. Here, madam!

Cleo. This is my treasurer; let him speak, my lord, Upon his peril, that I have reserv'd

To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus!
Sel. Madam,

I had rather seal my lips, than, to my peril,
Speak that which is not.

Cleo. What have I kept back?

Sel. Enough to purchase what you have made known. Caes. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra! I approve Your wisdom in the deed.

Cleo. See, Caesar! O, behold,

How pomp is follow'd! mine will now be yours; And, should we shift estates, yours would be mine. The ingratitude of this Seleucus does

Even make me wild. O slave, of no more trust, Than love that's hir'd! What, goest thou back?

thou shalt

Go back, I warrant thee! but I'll catch thine eyes, Though they had wings. Slave, soul-less villain, dog! O rarely base!

Caes. Good queen, let us entreat you!

Cleo. O Caesar, what a wounding shame is this;
That thou, vouchsafing here to visit me,
Doing the honour of thy lordliness

To one so meek, that mine own servant should
Parcel the sum of my disgraces by
Addition of his envy! Say, good Caesar,
That I some lady's trifles have reserv'd,
Immoment toys, things of such dignity

As we greet modern friends withal; and say,
Some nobler token I have kept apart
For Livia, and Octavia, to induce
Their mediation; must I be unfolded

With one that I have bred? The gods! it smites me
Beneath the fall I have. Pr'ythee, go hence!

[To Seleucus.

wert thou a man,

[Exit Seleucus.

Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits
Through the ashes of my chance:
Thou would'st have mercy on me.
Caes. Forbear, Seleucus!

Cleo. Be it known, that we, the greatest, are thought

For things, that others do; and, when we fall, We answer others' merits in our name,

Are therefore to be pitied.

Caes. Cleopatra,

Dol. Madam, as thereto sworn by your command, Which my love makes religion to obey,

I tell you this: Caesar through Syria
Intends his journey; and, within three days,
You with your children will he send before:
Make your best use of this: I have perform'd
Your pleasure, and my promise.

Cleo. Dolabella,

I shall remain your debtor.
Dol. I your servant.

Adieu, good queen! I must attend on Caesar.
Cleo. Farewell, and thanks! [Exit Dol.] Now, Iras,
what think'st thou?

Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown
In Rome, as well as I: mechanic slaves,
With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall
Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths,
Rank of gross diet, shall we be enclouded,
And forc'd to drink their vapour.
Iras. The gods forbid!

Cleo. Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras! Saucy lictors Will catch at us, like strumpets; and scald rhymers Ballad us out o'tune: the quick comedians Extemporally will stage us, and present

Our Alexandria revels; Antony

Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see
Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness
I'the posture of a whore.

Iras. O the good gods!

Cleo. Nay, that is certain.

Iras. I'll never see it; for, I am sure, my nails
Are stronger, than mine eyes.
Cleo. Why, that's the way

To fool their preparation, and to conquer
Their most absurd intents. Now, Charmian?
Enter CHARMIAN.

Show me, my women, like a queen! Go fetch
My best attires! I am again for Cydnus,
To meet Mark Antony. Sirrah, Iras, go!-
Now, noble Charmian, we'll dispatch indeed!
mis-And, when thou hast done this chare, I'll give thee

leave

To play till dooms-day.― Bring our crown and all! Wherefore's this noise? [Exit Iras. A noise within. Enter one of the guard.

Guard. Here is a rural fellow,

Not what you have reserv'd, nor what acknowledg'd,[That will not be denied your highness' presence;

Put we i'the roll of conquest: still be it yours,
Bestow it at your pleasure; and believe,
Caesar's no merchant, to make prize with you
Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheer'd;
Make not your thoughts your prisons: no, dear queen!
For we intend so to dispose you, as
Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep!
Our care and pity is so much upon you,
That we remain your friend; and so adieu!
Cleo. My master, and my lord!
Caes. Not so: adieu!

[Exeunt Caesar, and his train. Caes. He words me, girls, he words me, that I should

not

He brings you figs.

Cleo. Let him come in. How poor an instrument [Exit guard.

May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty.
My resolution's plac'd, and I have nothing
Of woman in me. Now from head to foot
I am marble-constant: now the fleeting moon
No planet is of mine.

Re-enter guard, with a Clown bringing a basket.
Guard. This is the man.

[Applying another asp to her arm.
What should I say - [Falls on a bed, und dies.

party that should desire you to touch him, for his O Antony!-Nay, I will take thee too! —
biting is immortal; those, that do die of it, do sel-
dom or never recover.

Char. In this wild world?

Cleo, Remember'st thou any that have died on't?
So, fare thee well! -
Clown. Very many, men and women too. I heard Now boast thee, death! in thy possession lies
of one of them no longer than yesterday: a very A lass unparallel'd. - Downy windows, close;
honest woman,
but something given to lie; as a And golden Phoebus never be beheld
woman should not do, but in the way of honesty: Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry;
how she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt, I'll mend it, and then play.
-truly, she makes a very good report o'the worm:
but he that will believe all that they say, shall
never be saved by half that they do. But this is
most fallible, the worm's an odd worm.
Cleo. Get thee hence; farewell!

Enter the guard, rushing in.

1 Guard. Where is the queen?
Char. Speak softly, wake her not.
1 Guard. Caesar hath sent-

Char. Too slow a messenger. (Applies the Asp.
O, come! apace, dispatch! I partly feel thee!
[Clown sets down the basket. 1 Guard. Approach, ho! All's not well! Caesar's

Clown. I wish you all joy o'the worm!
Cleo. Farewell!

Clown. You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind.

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 o'the worm! [Exit. Re-enter IRAS, with a robe, crown, etc. Cleo. Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have Immortal longings in me. Now no more The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip:Yare, yare, good Iras, quick!- Methinks, I hear Antony call; I see him rouse himself To praise my noble act; I hear him mock

The luck of Caesar, which the gods give men
To excuse their after wrath. Husband, I come!
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!
Farewell, kiud Charmian! - Iras, long farewell!
[Kisses them. Iras falls and dies.
Have I the aspick in my lips? Dost fall?
If thou and nature can so gently part,
The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch,
Which hurts, and is desir'd. Dost thou lie still?

If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world

It is not worthy leave-taking.

beguil'd.

2 Guard. There's Dolabella sent from Caesar;-
call him!

1 Guard. What work is here?- Charmian, is this
well done?

Char. It is well done, and fitting for a princess,
Descended of so many royal kings.
Ah, soldier!

Enter DOLABELLA.

[Dies

Dol. How goes it here?
2 Guard. All dead.
Dol. Caesar, 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. Away there, way for Caesar!

Enter CAESAR, and Attendants.
Dol. O, sir, you are too sure an augurer;
That, you did fear, is done.

Caes. Bravest at the last:

She levell'd at our purposes, and, being royal,
Took her own way. The manner of their deaths?
I do not see them bleed.

Dol. Who was last with them?

1 Guard. A simple countryman, that brought her figs,

This was his basket.

Caes. Poison'd then.
1 Guard. O Caesar,

This Charmian liv'd but now; she stood, and spake:
I found her trimming up the diadem
On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood,
And on the sudden dropp'd.

Caes. O noble weakness!

If they had swallow'd poison, 'would 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:

Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I may say, The like is on her arm.

The gods themselves do weep!

Cleo. This proves me base:

If she first meet the curled Antony,

He'll make demaud of her: and spend that kiss,
Which is my heaven to have. Come, mortal wretch!
[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 dispatch! O, could'st thou speak!
That I might hear thee call great Caesar, ass
Unpolicied!

Char. O eastern star!

Cleo. Peace, peace!

Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,

That sucks the nurse asleep?

Char. O, break! O, break!

1 Guard.This is an aspick's trail: and these fig-leaves
Have slime upon them, such as the aspick leaves
Upon the caves of Nile.
Caes. Most probable,

That so she died; for her physician tells me,
She hath pursu'd 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

Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle, High order in this great solemnity!

[Exeunt

Bersons of the Drama.

CYMBELINE, king of Britain.
CLOTEN, Son to the queen by a former husband.
LEONATUS POSTHUMUS, a gentleman, husband to Iso-

GEN.

PISANIO, servant to Posthumus. CORNELIUS, a Physician.

Two Gentlemen.

BELARIUS, a banished lord, disguised under the Two Gaolers. name of Morgan.

GUIDERIUS, ARVIRAGUS,

sons to Cymbeline, disguised under the Queen, wife to Cymbeline,
names of Polydore and Cadwal, sup-HELEN, woman to Imogen.
IMOGEN, daughter to Cymbeline by a former queen.
posed sons to Belarius.

Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, Apparitions, a Sothsayer, a Dutch Gentleman, Spanish Gentleman, Musicians, Officers, Captains, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attend

ants.

SCENE,-Sometimes in Britain; sometimes in Italy.

АСТ I.

Big of this gentleman, our theme, deceas'd
As he was born. The king, he takes the babe

Britain. The garden behind CYMBE- To his protection; calls him Posthumus;

LINE'S palace.

Enter two Gentlemen.

1 Gent. 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.

2 Gent. But what's the matter?

1 Gent. His daughter, and the heir of's kingdom,

whom

He purpos'd to his wife's sole son, (a widow,
That late he married,) hath referr'd herself
Unto a poor but worthy gentleman. She's wedded;
Her husband banish'd; she imprison'd: all
Is outward sorrow; though, I think, the king
Be touch'd at very heart.

2 Gent. None but the king?

1 Gent. He, that hath lost her, too: so is the queen, That most desir'd the match: but not a courtier, 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?

1 Gent. He, that hath miss'd the princess, is a thing 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,
So fair an outward, and such stuff within,
Endows a man but he.

2 Gent. You speak him far. 1

1 Gent. I do extend him, sir, within himself; Crush him together, rather than unfold His measure duly.

2 Gent. What's his name, and birth?

1 Gent. I cannot delve him to the root. His father

Was call'd Sicilius, who did join his honour

Against the Romans with Cassibelan;

But had his titles by Tenantius, whom
He serv'd with glory and admir'd success;
So gain'd the sur-addition, Leopatus:
And had, besides this gentleman in question,
Two other sons, who, in the wars o'the 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,

Breeds him, and makes him of his bed-chamber:
Put him to all the learnings, that his time
Could make him the receiver of, which he took,
As we do air, fast as 'twas minister'd; and
In his spring became a harvest: liv'd in court,
(Which rare it is to do,) most prais'd, most lov'd:
A sample to the youngest; to the more mature,
A glass that feated them; and to the graver,
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 virtue;
By her election may be truly read,
What kind of man he is.

SCENE II. - The same.

[Exeunt.

Enter the Queen, POSTHUMUS, and IMOGEN. Queen. No, be assur'd, you shall not find me, daughter,

After the slander of most step-mothers,
Evil-ey'd unto you: you are my prisoner, but
Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys,
That lock up your restraint. For you, Posthúmus,
So soon as I can win the offended king,

I will be known your advocate: marry, yet,
The fire of rage is in him; and 'twere good,
You lean'd unto his sentence, with what patience

Exit Queen.

Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant
Can tickle where she wounds! My dearest husband,
I something fear my father's wrath, but nothing,
(Always reserv'd 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,
But that there is this jewel in the world,
That I may see again.

Post. My queen! my mistress!

O, lady, weep no more! lest I give cause
To be suspected of more tenderness,
Than 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,
And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you send,
Though ink be made of gall.

Re-enter Queen.

Queen. 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

To walk this way: I never do him wrong,
But he does buy my injuries, to be friends;
Pays dear for my offences.

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!

[Aside.

Cym. Thou foolish thing!-
They were again together: you have done
[To the Queen.
Not after our command. Away with her,
And pen her up!

Queen. Bescech your patience! - Peace,
[Exit. Dear lady daughter, peace! -Sweet sovereign,
Leave us to ourselves; and make yourself some
comfort

Were you but riding forth to air yourself,
Such parting were too petty. Look here, love!
This diamond was my mother's: take it, heart!
But keep it till you woo another wife,
When Imogen is dead.

Post. 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 thou here,

[Putting on the ring.
While sense can keep it on! And sweetest, fairest,
As 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;
It is a manacle of love; I'll place it
Upon this fairest prisoner.

Out of your best advice.

Cym. Nay, let her languish

A drop of blood a-day; and, being aged,
Die of this folly!

Enter PISANIO.

Queen. Fye!—you must give way!
Here is your servant.

[Exit

How now, sir? What news? Pis. My lord, your son, drew on my master. Queen, Ha!

No harm, I trust, is done?

Pis. There might have been,

But that my master rather play'd, than fought,
And had no help of anger: they were parted
By gentlemen at hand.

Queen. I am very glad on't.

Imo. Your son's my father's friend; he takes his part.

[Putting a bracelet on her rm. To draw upon an exile! O brave sir!

Imo. O, the gods!
When shall we see again?

Enter CYMBELINE and Lords.

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!
Pis. On 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 it pleas'd 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 me!

[Exeunt.

SCENE III. — A public place. Enter CLOTEN, and two Lords.

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 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.

The smallness of a gnat to air; and then
Have turn'd mine eye, and wept.- But, good Pi-
sanio,

When shall we hear from him?
Pis. Be assur'd, madam,
With his next vantage.

Imo. I did not take my leave of him, but had
Most pretty things to say: ere I could tell him,
How I would think on him, at certain hours,
Such thoughts, and such; or I could make him swear,
The shes of Italy should not betray

Mine interest, and his honour; or have charg'd him
At the sixth hour of morn, at noon, at miduight,
To encounter me with orisons, for then
[4side. I am in heaven for him; or ere I could
Give him that parting kiss, which I had set

2 Lord. His steel was in debt; it went o'the backside the town.

Clo. The villain would not stand me.

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: pup-Desires your highness' company.
pies!

2 Lord. No; but he fled forward still, toward your Betwixt two charming words, comes in my father,
And, like the tyrannous breathing of the north,
Shakes all our buds from growing.
Enter a Lady.
Lady. The queen, madam,

[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 wit.

Imo. Those things I bid you do, get them dispatch'd!—

will attend the queen. Pis. Madam, I shall ! SCFNE V.

[Exeunt.

Rome. An apartment in PHILARIO'S house.

Enter PHILARIO, IACHIMO, a Frenchman, a Dutchman. and a Spaniard.

Iach. Believe it, sir: I have seen him in Britain: he was then of a crescent note; expected to prove 2 Lord. She shines not upon fools, lest the reflec-so worthy, as since he hath been allowed the name tion should hurt her. [Aside. of: but I could then have looked on him without the help of admiration; though the catalogue of his endowments had been tabled by his side, and I to peruse him by items.

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.

SCENE IV. — A room in CYMBELINE's palace.

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,
And I not have it, 'twere a paper lost

As offer'd mercy is. What was the last

That he spake to thee?

Pis. 'Twas, His queen, his queen!
Imo. Then wav'd his handkerchief?

Pis. And kiss'd it, madam.

Imo. Senseless linen! happier therein than I!And that was all?

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 aud stirs of his mind
Could best express how slow his soul sail'd on,
How swift his ship.

Imo. Thou should'st have made him

As little, as a crow, or less, ere left

To after-eye him.

Pis. Madam, so I did.

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 have 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:

Lach. Ay, and the approbation of those, that weep this lamentable divorce, under her 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: ---

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Imo. I would have broke mine eye-strings; crack'd Post. Since when I have been debtor to you for

them, but

To look upon him; till the diminution

Of space had pointed him sharp as my needle: Nay, follow'd him, till he had melted from

courtesies, which I will be ever to pay, and yet pay still. French. Sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindness: I was glad I did atone my countryman and you; it had been pity, you should have been put together with

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