May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty. Re-enter Guard, with a Clown bringing a basket. Cleo. Avoid, and leave him. Clown. Truly I have him but I would not be the party that should desire you to touch him, for his biting is immortal; those, that do die of it, do seldom or never recover. Cleo. Remember'st thou any that have died on't? Clown. Very many, men and women too. I heard of one of them no longer than yesterday: a very honest woman, but something given to lie; as a woman should not do, but in the way of honesty: how she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt, 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. Clown. I wish you all joy of the worm. [Clown sets down the basket. Clown. You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind. Cleo. Ay, ay; farewell. Now boast thee, death! in thy possession lies Enter the Guard, rushing in. 1 Guard. Where is the queen ? Char. 1 Guard. Cæsar hath sentChar. Speak softly, wake her not. Too slow a messenger. [Applies the asp. O, come; apace, despatch: I partly feel thee. 1 Guard. Approach, ho! All's not well: Cæsar's beguil❜d. 2 Guard. There's Dolabella sent from Cæsar; call him. 1 Guard. What work is here? this well done? Charmian, is Char. It is well done, and fitting for a princess Descended of so many royal kings. Ah, soldier! Enter DOLABELLA. Dol. How goes it here? 2 Guard. All dead. Dol. [Dies. 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, a way for Cæsar! Enter CESAR and Attendants. Dol. O, sir, you are too sure an augurer ; That you did fear, is done. Cæs. Bravest at the last: She levell'd at our purposes, and, being royal, 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. CES. Poison'd then. Have slime upon them, such as the aspick leaves Cæs. That so she died; for her physician tells me, Our army shall, CYMBELINE. CYMBELINE, King of Britain. PERSONS REPRESENTED. CLOTEN, son to the Queen by a former husband. BELARIUS, a banished lord, disguised under the name GUIDERIUS, sons to Cymbeline, disguised under the PHILARIO, friend to Posthumus,} Italians. IACHIMO, friend to Philario, A French Gentleman, friend to Philario. Two British Captains. QUEEN, wife to Cymbeline. Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, Appa SCENE,-sometimes in BRITAIN; sometimes in ITALY. 1 Gent. He that hath miss'd the princess, is a thing Too bad for bad report: and he that hath her, 2 Gent. You speak him far. 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 Was call'd Sicilius, who did join his honour, So gain'd the sur-addition, Leonatus : father (Then old and fond of issue,) took such sorrow, As he was born. The king, he takes the babe What kind of man he is. Enter the QUEEN, POSTHUMUS, and IMOGEN. Queen. No, be assur'd, you shall not find me, daughter, After the slander of most step-mothers, That lock up your restraint. For you, Posthúmus, I will be known your advocate: marry, yet I will from hence to-day. Please your highness, You know the peril : --I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying The pangs of barr'd affections; though the king Hath charg'd you shou1 not speak together. [Exit QUEEN. 0 Im 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; If the king come, I shall incur I know not To walk this way: I never do him wrong, Post. [Aside. [Erit. Were you but riding forth to air yourself, Post. How! how! another?- When shall we see again? It is your fault that I have lov'd Posthumus: Cym. What! -art thou mad? Imo. Almost, sir: Heaven restore me !-'Would I were A neat-herd's daughter! and my Leonatus Our neighbour shepherd's son ! Re-enter QUEEN Cym. Thou foolish thing! They were again together: you have done Not after our command. [To the QUEEN. Away with her, And pen her up. Queen. 'Beseech your patience : - Peace, comfort Out of your best advice. Cym. Nay, let her languish 2 Lord. His steel was in debt: it went o'the back side 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 wit. 2 Lord. She shines not upon fools, lest the re[Exit.flection should hurt her. [Aside. Clo. Come, I'll to my chamber: 'Would there had been some hurt done! And question'dst every sail: if he should write, "Twas, His queen, his queen ! Pis. |