SCENE II.-The same. Enter at one side, LUCIUS, IACHIMO, and the Roman Army; Iach. This heaviness and guilt within my bosom In my profession? Knighthoods and honours, borne If that thy gentry, Britain, go before This lout, as he exceeds our lords, the odds Is, that we scarce are men, and you are gods. [Exit. The Battle continues; the Britons fly; CYMBELINE is taken: then enter to his rescue, BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVI RAGUS. Bel. Stand, stand! We have the advantage of the ground The lane is guarded: nothing routs us, but The villany of our fears. Gui. Arv. Stand, stand, and fight! Enter POSTHUMUS, and seconds the Britons: They rescue CYMBELINE, and exeunt. Then, enter LUCIUS, IACHIMO, and IMOGEN. Luc. Away, boy, from the troops, and save thyself: For friends kill friends, and the disorder's such As war were hood-wink'd. Iach. "Tis their fresh supplies. Luc. It is a day turn'd strangely or betimes Let's reinforce, or fly. SCENE III-Another Part of the Field. Enter POSTHUMUS and a British LORD. Lord. Cam'st thou from where they made the stand? Post. I did: Though you, it seems, come from the fliers. Lord. I did. Post. No blame be to you, Sir; for all was lost, [Exeunt. . With dead men, hurt behind, and cowards living Lord. Where was this lane? Post. Close by the battle, ditch'd, and wall'd with turf; Which gave advantage to an ancient soldier, An honest one, I warrant; who deserved So long a breeding, as his white beard came to, * Stand; Than those for preservation cased, or shame),† (For three performers are the file, when all The rest do nothing), with this word, stand, stand, Accommodated by the place, more charming, With their own nobleness (which could have turn'd A distaff to a lance), gilded pale looks, Part, shame, part, spirit renew'd; that some, turn'd coward But by example (O, a sin in war, Damn'd in the first beginners!) 'gan to look The way that they did, and to grin like lions A rout, confusion thick: Forthwith they fly Chickens, the way which they stoop'd eagles; slaves, The life o' the need; having found the back-door open Lord. This was strange chance: A narrow lane! an old man, and two boys! Post. Nay, do not wonder at it: You are made Rather to wonder at the things you hear, Than to work any. Will you rhyme upon't, Who dares not stand his foe, I'll be his friend: *Prisoner's base. + Modesty. * Bugbears. For if he'll do, as he is made to do, I know, he'll quickly fly my friendship too. Lord. Farewell, you are angry. Post. Still going ?-This is a lord! O noble misery! Enter two British CAPTAINS, and Soldiers. 1 Cap. So 'tis reported: But none of them can be found.-Stand! who is there? Who had not now been drooping here, if seconds Had answer'd him. Cap. Lay hands on him; a dog! A leg of Rome shall not return to tell What crows have peck'd them here: He brags his service As if he were of note: bring him to the king. [Exit. Enter CYMBELINE, attended; BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, ARVIRAGUS, PISANIO, and Roman Captives. The CAPTAINS present POSTHUMUS to CYMBELINE, who delivers him over to a JAILER: after which, all go out. SCENE IV-A Prison. Enter POSTHUMUS, and two JAILERS. 1 Jail. You shall not now be stolen, you have looks upon you; So, graze, as you find pasture. 2 Jail. Ay, or a stomach. [Exeunt JAILERS. Post. Most welcome, bondage! for thou art a way, I think, to liberty: Yet am I better Than one that's sick o' the gout: since he had rather By the sure physician, death; who is the key To unbar these locks. My conscience! thou art fetter'd More than my shanks, and wrists: You good gods, give me Then, free for ever! Is't enough, I am sorry? I know, you are more clement than vile men, You rather mine, being yours: And so, great powers, [He sleeps. Solemn music. Enter, as an Apparition, SICILIUS LEONATUS, Father to POSTHUMUS, an old Man, attired like a Warrior; leading in his hand an ancient Matron, his Wife, and Mother to POSTHUMUS, with music before them. Then, after other music, follow the two young LEONATI, Brothers to POSTHUMUS, with wounds, as they died in the wars. They circle POSTHUMUS round, as he lies sleeping. Sici. No more, thou thunder master, show With Mars fall out, with Juno chide, That thy adulteries Rates, and revenges. Hath my poor boy done aught but well, I died, whilst in the womb he stay'd Whose father then (as men report, Thou shouldst have been, and shielded him, Moth. Lucina lent not me her aid, But took me in my throes; That from me was Posthúmus ript, * Fetters. Sici. Great Nature, like his ancestry, That he deserved the praise o' the world, 1 Bro. When once he was mature for man, Or fruitful object be In eye of Imogen, that best Could deem his dignity? Moth. With marriage wherefore was he mock'd, Sici. Why did you suffer Iachimo, To taint his nobler heart and brain And to become the geck* and scorn 2 Bro. For this, from stiller seats we came, Our fealty, and Tenantius' right, With honour to maintain. 1 Bro. Like hardiment Posthúmus hath Then Jupiter, thou king of gods, Why hast thou thus adjourn'd The graces for his merits due; Being all to dolours turn'd? Sici. The crystal window ope; look out; Upon a valiant race, thy harsh And potent injuries: Moth. Since, Jupiter, our son is good, Take off his miseries. Sici. Peep through thy marble mansion; help! Or we poor ghosts will cry To the shining synod of the rest, Against thy deity. 2 Bro. Help, Jupiter; or we appeal, And from thy justice fly. JUPITER descends in Thunder and Lightning, sitting upon an Eagle: he throws a Thunder-bolt. The Ghosts fall on their knees. Jup. No 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? *The fool. |