May do a noble deed ! he brings me liberty, Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I may My resolution's plac'd, and I have nothing say, Of woman in me: Now from head to foot The gods themselves do weep! I am marble-constant: now the fleeting moon Clee. This proves me base : No planet is of mine. If she first meet the curled Antony, He'll make demand of her; and spend that kiss, Re-enter Guard, with a Clown bringing a basket. Which is my heaven to have. Come, nurtal Guard. This is the man. wretch, Cleo. Avoid, and leave him. [Erit Guard. [To the asp, which she applies to her breasi. Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there, With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate That kills and pains not ? Of life at once untie: poor venomous fool, Clown. Truly I have him · but I would not be Be angry, and despatch. O, could'st thou speak! the party that should desire you to touch him, for That I might hear thee call great Cæsar, ass his biting is immortal ; those, that do die of it, do Unpolicied! seldom or never recover. Char. O eastern star! Cleo. Remember'st thou any that have died on't ? Cleo. Peace, peace! Cloun. Very many, men and women too. I heard Dost thou not see my baby at my breast, of one of them no longer than yesterday : a very That sucks the nurse asleep? honest woman, but something given to lie; as a wo- Char. O, break! O, break. man should not do, but in the way of honesty : how Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as genshe died of the biting of it, what pain she felt, tle, Truly, she makes a very good report o' the worm : O Antony! -- Nay, I will take thee too : But he that will believe all that they say, shall never [Applying another asp to her arm. be saved by half that they do : But this is most fal- What should I stay - [Falls on a bed, and dies. lible, the worm's an odd worm. Char. In this wide world ? So, fare thee Cleo. Get thee hence; farewell. well. Clown. I wish you all joy of the worm. Now boast thee, death! in thy possession lies Cleo. Farewell. [Clown sets down the basket. A lass unparallel’d. — Downy windows, close ; Clown. You must think this, look you, that the And golden Phæbus never be beheld worm will do his kind. Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry; Cleo. Ay, ay; farewell. I'll mend it, and then play. Clown. Look you, the worm is not to be trusted, but in the keeping of wise people : for, indeed, Enter the Guard, rushing in. there is no goodness in the worm. 1 Guard. Where is the queen ? Cleo. Take thou no care ; it shall be heeded. Char. Speak softly, wake her not. Clown. Very good : give it nothing, I pray you, 1 Guard. Cæsar hath sent for it is not worth the feeding. Char. Too slow a messenger. Cleo. Will it eat me? [Applies the asp Clown. You must not think I am so simple, but I 0, come ; apace, despatch : I partly feel thee. know the devil himself will not eat a woman: I know, 1 Guard. Approach, ho! All's not well : Cæsar's that a woman is a dish for the gods, if the devil dress beguild. her not. But, truly, these same whoreson devils do 2 Guard. There's Dolabella sent from Cæsar; the gods great harm in their women; for in every call him. ten that they make, the devils mar five. | Guard. What work is here? Charmian, is Cleo. Well, get thee gone ; farewell. this well done? Clown. Yes, forsooth; I wish you joy of the Char. It is well done, and fitting for a princess [Exit. Descended of so many royal kings. [ Dies. Re-enter Iras, with a robe, crown, fc. Enter DOLABELLA. Cleo. Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have Dol. How goes it here? Immortal longings in me: Now no more 2 Guard. All dead. The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip : Dol. Cæsar, thy thoughts Yare, yare, good Iras; quick. — Methinks, I hear Touch their effects in this : Thyself art coming Antony call; I see him rouse himself To see perform’d the dreaded act, which thou To praise my noble act; I hear him mock So sought'st to hinder. The luck of Cæsar, which the gods give men Within. A way there, a way for Cæsar! To excuse their after wrath: Husband, I come : Enter Cæsar and Attendants. Dol. O, sir, you are too sure an augurer ; Ces. Bravest at the last : Farewell, kind Charmian; - - Iras, long farewell. She levell’d at our purposes, and, being royal, [Kisses them. Iras falls and dies. Took her own way. - The manner of their deaths ? Have I the aspick in my lips? Dost fall? I do not see them bleed. If thou and nature can so gently part, Dol. Who was last with them? The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch, i Guard. A simple countryman, that brought Which hurts, and is desir'd. Dost thou lie still ? her figs. If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world This was his basket. It is not worth leave-taking. C'es. Poison'd theni, worm. 1 Guard. O Cæsar, Have slime upon them, such as the aspick leaves This Charmian lived but now; she stood, and Upon the caves of Nile. spake: Caes. Most probable, I found her trimming up the diadem That so she died; for her physician tells me, On her dead mistress ; tremblingly she stood, She hath pursu'd conclusions infinite And on the sudden dropp'd. Of easy ways to die. - Take up her bed Cæs. O noble weakness' And bear her women from the monument : A pair so famous. High events as these Strike those that make them; and their story is Dol. Here, on her breast, No less in pity, than his glory, which There is a vent of blood, and something blown : Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall, The like is on her anın. In solemn show, attend this funeral ; 1 Guard. This is an aspick's trail : and these fig- And then to Rome. Come, Dolabella, see leaves High order in this great solemnity. (Exeunt CYMBELINE. PERSONS REPRESENTED. CYMBELINE, King of Britain. Two British Captains. Two Gentlemen. of Morgan. GUIDERIUS, sons to Cymbeline, disguised under the Queen, wife to Cymbeline. ARVIRAGUS, names of Polydore and Cadwal, Imogen, daughter to Cymbeline by a former qura. supposed sons to Belarius. HELEN, woman to Imogen. IACHIMO, friend to Philario, Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, Appu. A French Gentleman, friend to Philario. ritions, a Soothsayer, a Dutch Gentleman, a Caius Lucius, general of the Roman Forces. Spanish Gentleman, Musicians, Officers, Captains, A Roman Captain. Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants. } Italians. ACT I. SCENE I. - Britain. The Garden behind Too bad for bad report: and he that hath ber, Cymbeline's Palace. (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 1 Gent. You do not meet a man, but frowns : For one his like, there would be something failin: our bloods In him that should compare. I do not think, No more obey the heavens, than our courtiers; So fair an outward, and such stuff within, Still seem, as does the king's. Endows a man but he. 2 Gent. But what's the matter ? 2 Gent. You speak him far. I Gent. His daughter, and the heir of his king- 1 Gent. I do extend him, sir, within himself; dom, whom Crush him together, rather than unfold 2 Gent. What's his name, and birth? Unto a poor, but worthy, gentleman: She's wedded; 1 Gent. I cannot delve him to the root : His Her husband banish'd; she imprison'd : all father Is outward sorrow; though, I think, the king Was call'd Sicilius, who did join his honour, Be touch'd at very heart. Against the Romans, with Cassibelan, 2 Gent. None but the king ? But had his titles by Tenantius, whom So gain’d the sur-addition, Leonatus : Two other sons, who, in the wars o'the time, Died with their swords in hand; for which, their Glad at the thing they scowl at. father 2 Gent. And why so? (Then old and fond of issue,) took such sorrow, 1 Gent. He that hath miss'd the princess, is a That he quit being; and his gentle lady, thing Big of this gentleman, our theme, deceas'd As he was born. The king, he takes the babe Post. My queen! my mistress! O, lady, weep no more ; lest I give cause Than doth become a man! I will remain Could make him the receiver of; which he took, The loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth. As we do air, fast as 'twas minister'd; and My residence in Rome, at one Philario's; In his spring became a harvest : Liv'd in court, Who to my father was a friend, to me (Which rare it is to do,) most prais'd, most lov'd : Known but by letter : thither write, my queen, A sample to the youngest ; to the more mature, land with mine eyes I'll drink the words you send, A glass that feated them; and to the graver, Though ink be made of gall. A child that guided dotards : to his mistress, For whom he now is banish’d, - her own price Re-enter QUEEN. Proclaiins how she esteem'd him and his virtue; Queen. Be brief, I pray you : By her election may be truly read. If the king come, I shall incur I know not What kind of man he is. How much of his displeasure: Yet I'll move him 2 Gent. I honour him [Asidc. Even out of your report. But, 'pray you, tell me, To walk this way: I never do him wrong, Is she sole child to the king ? But he does buy my injuries, to be friends; 1 Gent. His only child. Pays dear for my offences. [Erit. He had two sons, (if this be worth your hearing, Post. Should we be taking leave Mark it,) the eldest of them at three years old, As long a term as yet we have to live, l'the swathing clothes the other, from their nursery The loathness to depart would grow : Adieu ! Were stolen ; and to this hour no guess in know- Imo. Nay, stay a little : ledge Were you but riding forth to air yourself, Which way they went. Such parting were too petty. Look here, love ; 2 Gent. How long is this ago ? This diamond was my mother's : take it, heart; i Gent. Some twenty years. But keep it till you woo another wife, Post. How ! how! another? And sear up my embracements from a next 1 Gent. Howsoe'er 'tis strange, With bonds of death! Remain thou here Or that the negligence may well be laugh'd at, (Putting on the fing. Yet is it true, sir. While sense can keep it on! And sweetest, fairest, 2 Gent I do well believe you. As I my poor self did exchange for you, 1 Gent. We must forbear: Here comes the queen, To your so infinite loss; so, in our trifles and princess. [Exeunt. I still win of you : For my sake, wear this; It is a manacle of love; I'll place it Upon this fairest prisoner. [Putting a bracelet on lier arm: Enter the Queen, POSTHUMUS, and Imogen. Imo. O, the gods ! Enter CYMBELINE and Lords. Post: Alack, the king ! Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys Cym. Thou basest thing, avoid ! hence, from my That lock up your restraint. For you, Posthumus, sight! So soon as I can win the offended king, If, after this command, thou fraught the court I will be known your advocate : marry, yet With thy unworthiness, thou diest : Away! The fire of rage is in him; and 'twere good, Thou art poison to my blood. You lean'd unto his sentence, with what patience Post. The gods protect you ! Your wisdom may inform you. And bless the good remainders of the court ! [Erit. I will from hence to-day. Imo. There cannot be a pinch in death Queen. You know the peril : More sharp than this is. I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying Cym. O disloyal thing, The pangs of barr'd affections; though the king That should'st repair my youth ; thou heapest Hath charg'd you shou'à 200 speak together. A year's age on me! [Erit QUEEN. Imo. . I bescech you, sir, Im'. O Harm not yourself with your vexation ; I Disseinbling courtesy! How fine this tyrant Am senseless of your wrath ; a touch more rare Can tickle where she wounds ! — My dearest hus- Subdues all pangs, all fears. band, Cym. Past grace ? obedience > I something fear my father's wrath; but nothing, Imo. Past hope, and in despair ; that way, past (Always reserv'd my holy duty,) what grace. His rage can do on me : You must be gone; Cym. That might'st have had the sole son of my And I shall here abide the hourly shot Of angry eyes ; not comforted to live, Imo. O bless'd, that I might not ! I chose an But that there is this jewel in the world, eagle, That I may see again. And did avoid a puttock. queen! No; your face. cym. Thou took'st a beggar; would'st have | fice: Where air comes out, air comes in : there's made my throne none abroad so wholesome as that you vent. A seat for baseness. Clo. If my shirt were bloody, then to shift itImo. I rather added Have I hurt him? A lustre to it. 2 Lord. No, faith ; not so much as his patience. Сут. O thou vile one! [ Aside. Imo. Sir, 1 Lord. Hurt him ? his body's a passable carcass, It is your fault that I have lov'd Posthumus : if he be not hurt : it is a thoroughfare for steel, if You bred him as my playfellow; and he is it be not hurt. A man, worth any woman ; overbuys me 2 Lord. His steel was in debt: it went o'the back Almost the sum he pays. side the town. [Asiste Cym. What! - art thou mad ? Clo. The villain would not stand me. Imo. Almost, sir: Heaven restore me!--'Would 2 Lord. No; but he fled forward still, toward I were (Aside. A neat-herd's daughter! and my Leonatus 1 I.ord. Stand you! You have land enough of Our neighbour shepherd's son ! your own : but he added to your having ; gave you some ground. Re-enter QUEEN 2 Lord. As many inches as you have oceans : Сут. . Thou foolish thing! Puppies ! [Aside. They were again together : you have done Clo. I would, they had not come between us. [To the QUEEN. 2 Lord. So would I, till you had measured how Not after our command. Away with her, long a fool you were upon the ground [ Aside. And pen her up. Clo. And that she should love this fellow, and Queen. 'Beseech your patience : - Peace, refuse me! Dear lady daughter, peace ; - Sweet sovereign, 2 Lord. If it be a sin to make a true election, Leave us to ourselves; and make yourself some she is damned. [dside. comfort 1 Lord. Sir, as I told you always, her beauty and Out of your best advice. her brain go not together : She's a good sign, but Cym. Nay, let her languish I have seen small reflection of her wit. A drop of blood a day; and, being aged, 2 Lord. She shines not upon fools, lest the reDie of this folly! [Exit. flection should hurt her. Aside. Clo. Come, I'll to my chamber : 'Would there Enter Pisanio. had been some hurt done! 2 Lord. I wish not so; unless it had been the fall Queen. Fye! you must give way : Ilere is your servant. How now, sir ? What of an ass, which is no great hurt. (Aside. Clo. You'll go with us? news? 1 Lord. I'll attend your lordship. Pis. My lord your son drew on my master. Queen. Ha ! Clo. Nay, come, let's go together. Ereunt. There might have been, But that my master rather play'd than fought, SCENE IV. A Room in Cymbeline's Palace. And had no help of anger : they were parted Enter I 310GEN and PISANIO. Imo. I would thou grew'st unto the shores o'the haven, Imo. Your son's my father's friend ; he takes his And question’dst every sail : if he should write, part. And I not have it, 'twere a paper lost, As offer'd mercy is. What was the last That he spake to thee ? Myself by with a needle, that I might prick Pis. 'Twas, His queen, his queen! The goer back. — Why came you from your master ? Pis. On his command: He would not suffer me Inno. Then wav'd his handkerchief? And kiss'd it, mniam. To bring him to the haven : left these notes Imo. Senseless linen! happier therein than 1!-Of what commands I should be subject to, And that was all ? When it pleas'd you to employ me. Pis. No, madam ; for so long Queen. This hath been 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, Could best express how slow his soul sail'd on, I pray you, speak with me : you shall, at least, Imo. . Thou should'st have made hiir Go see my lord aboard : for this time, leave me. [Exeunt. As little as a <row, or less, ere left Madam, so I did. Imo. I would have broke mine eye-strings; crack'd them, but Enter CLOTEN and Two Lords. To look upon him ; till the diminution 1 Lord. Sir, I would advise you to shift a shirt; Of space had pointed him sharp as my peculle the violence of action hath made you reek as a sacri. Nay, follow'd him, till he had melted from |