Cymbeline

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 Dramatis Personae CYMBELINE, king of Britain. CLOTEN, son to the Queen by a former husband. POSTHUMUS LEONATUS, a gentleman, husband to Imogen. BELARIUS, a banished lord, disguised under the name of Morgan. GUIDERIUS ARVIRAGUS sons to Cymbeline, disguised under the names of Polydote and Cadwal, supposed sons to Morgan. PHILARIO, friend to Posthumus IACHIMO, friend to Philario Italians. CAIUS LUCIUS, general of the Roman forces. PISANIO, servant to Posthumus. CORNELIUS, a physician. A Roman Captain. Two British Captains. A Frenchman, friend to Philario. Two Lords of Cymbeline's court. Two Gentlemen of the same. Two Gaolers. QUEEN, wife to Cymbeline. IMOGEN, daughter to Cymbeline by a former queen. HELEN, a lady attending on Imogen. Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, a Soothsayer, a Dutchman, a Spaniard, Musicians, Officers, Captains, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants. Apparitions. SCENE Britain; Rome. CYMBELINE ACT I SCENE I. Britain. The garden of Cymbeline's palace. SCENE II. The same. A public place. Enter CLOTEN and two LordsFirst Lordthere's none abroad so wholesome as that you vent. CLOTEN If my shirt were bloody, then to shift it. Have I hurt him? Second Lordbackside the town. CLOTEN The villain would not stand me. Second LordAside As many inches as you have oceans. Puppies! CLOTEN I would they had not come between us. Second Lorda fool you were upon the ground. CLOTEN And that she should love this fellow and refuse me! Second Lordreflection should hurt her. CLOTEN Come, I'll to my chamber. Would there had been some hurt done! Second Lordof an ass, which is no great hurt. CLOTEN You'll go with us? First LordI'll attend your lordship. CLOTEN Nay, come, let's go together. SCENE III. A room in Cymbeline's palace. SCENE IV. Rome. Philario's house. SCENE V. Britain. A room in Cymbeline's palace. SCENE VI. The same. Another room in the palace. ACT II SCENE I. Britain. Before Cymbeline's palace. Enter CLOTEN and two Lords CLOTEN Was there ever man had such luck! when I kissed the jack, upon an up-cast to be hit away! I had a hundred pound on't: and then a whoreson jackanapes must take me up for swearing; as if I borrowed mine oaths of him and might not spend them at my pleasure. Second Lordit would have run all out. CLOTEN When a gentleman is disposed to swear, it is not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths, ha? Second Lordnor crop the ears of them. CLOTEN Whoreson dog! I give him satisfaction? Would he had been one of my rank! Second LordAside To have smelt like a fool. CLOTEN I am not vexed more at any thing in the earth: a pox on't! I had rather not be so noble as I am; they dare not fight with me, because of the queen my mother: every Jack-slave hath his bellyful of fighting, and I must go up and down like a cock that nobody can match. Second Lordcock, with your comb on. CLOTEN Sayest thou? Second Lordcompanion that you give offence to. CLOTEN No, I know that: but it is fit I should commit offence to my inferiors. Second LordAy, it is fit for your lordship only. CLOTEN Why, so I say. First LordDid you hear of a stranger that's come to court to-night? CLOTEN A stranger, and I not know on't! First LordLeonatus' friends. CLOTEN Leonatus! a banished rascal; and he's another, whatsoever he be. Who told you of this stranger? First LordOne of your lordship's pages. CLOTEN Is it fit I went to look upon him? is there no derogation in't? Second LordYou cannot derogate, my lord. CLOTEN Not easily, I think. Second Lordissues, being foolish, do not derogate. CLOTEN Come, I'll go see this Italian: what I have lost to-day at bowls I'll win to-night of him. Come, go. SCENE II. Imogen's bedchamber in Cymbeline's palace: a trunk in one corner of it. Scene III An ante-chamber adjoining Imogen's apartments. Enter CLOTEN and LordsFirst Lordmost coldest that ever turned up ace. CLOTEN It would make any man cold to lose. First Lordyour lordship. You are most hot and furious when you win. CLOTEN Winning will put any man into courage. If I could get this foolish Imogen, I should have gold enough. It's almost morning, is't not? First LordDay, my lord. CLOTEN I would this music would come: I am advised to give her music o' mornings; they say it will penetrate. Enter Musicians Come on; tune: if you can penetrate her with your fingering, so; we'll try with tongue too: if none will do, let her remain; but I'll never give o'er. First, a very excellent good-conceited thing; after, a wonderful sweet air, with admirable rich words to it: and then let her consider. SONG Hark, hark! the lark at heaven's gate sings, And Phoebus 'gins arise, His steeds to water at those springs On chaliced flowers that lies; And winking Mary-buds begin To ope their golden eyes: With every thing that pretty is, My lady sweet, arise: Arise, arise. CLOTEN So, get you gone. If this penetrate, I will consider your music the better: if it do not, it is a vice in her ears, which horse-hairs and calves'-guts, nor the voice of unpaved eunuch to boot, can never amend. Second LordHere comes the king. CLOTEN I am glad I was up so late; for that's the reason I was up so early: he cannot choose but take this service I have done fatherly. Enter CYMBELINE and QUEEN Good morrow to your majesty and to my gracious mother. CYMBELINEWill she not forth? CLOTEN I have assailed her with music, but she vouchsafes no notice. QUEENAnd therein you are senseless. CLOTEN Senseless! not so. CYMBELINETo employ you towards this Roman. Come, our queen. Exeunt all but CLOTEN CLOTEN If she be up, I'll speak with her; if not, Let her lie still and dream. Knocks By your leave, ho! I Know her women are about her: what If I do line one of their hands? 'Tis gold Which buys admittance; oft it doth; yea, and makes Diana's rangers false themselves, yield up Their deer to the stand o' the stealer; and 'tis gold Which makes the true man kill'd and saves the thief; Nay, sometime hangs both thief and true man: what Can it not do and undo? I will make One of her women lawyer to me, for I yet not understand the case myself. Knocks By your leave. LadyWho's there that knocks? CLOTEN A gentleman. LadyNo more? CLOTEN Yes, and a gentlewoman's son. LadyCan justly boast of. What's your lordship's pleasure? CLOTEN Your lady's person: is she ready? LadyTo keep her chamber. CLOTEN There is gold for you; Sell me your good report. Enter IMOGEN CLOTEN Good morrow, fairest: sister, your sweet hand. IMOGENAnd scarce can spare them. CLOTEN Still, I swear I love you. IMOGENThat I regard it not. CLOTEN This is no answer. IMOGENShould learn, being taught, forbearance. CLOTEN To leave you in your madness, 'twere my sin: I will not. IMOGENFools are not mad folks. CLOTEN Do you call me fool? IMOGENYou felt than make't my boast. CLOTEN You sin against Obedience, which you owe your father. For The contract you pretend with that base wretch, One bred of alms and foster'd with cold dishes, With scraps o' the court, it is no contract, none: And though it be allow'd in meaner parties-- Yet who than he more mean?--to knit their souls, On whom there is no more dependency But brats and beggary, in self-figured knot; Yet you are curb'd from that enlargement by The consequence o' the crown, and must not soil The precious note of it with a base slave. A hilding for a livery, a squire's cloth, A pantler, not so eminent. IMOGENFor being preferred so well. CLOTEN The south-fog rot him! Enter PISANIO CLOTEN 'His garment!' Now the devil-- IMOGENTo Dorothy my woman hie thee presently-- CLOTEN 'His garment!' Exit PISANIO CLOTEN You have abused me: 'His meanest garment!' IMOGENIf you will make't an action, call witness to't. CLOTEN I will inform your father. Exit CLOTEN I'll be revenged: 'His meanest garment!' Well. SCENE IV. Rome. Philario's house. SCENE V. Another room in Philario's house. ACT III SCENE I. Britain. A hall in Cymbeline's palace. Enter in state, CYMBELINE, QUEEN, CLOTEN, and Lords at one door, and at another, CAIUS LUCIUS and AttendantsQUEENShall be so ever. CLOTEN There be many Caesars, Ere such another Julius. Britain is A world by itself; and we will nothing pay For wearing our own noses. QUEENAnd Britons strut with courage. CLOTEN Come, there's no more tribute to be paid: our kingdom is stronger than it was at that time; and, as I said, there is no moe such Caesars: other of them may have crook'd noses, but to owe such straight arms, none. CYMBELINESon, let your mother end. CLOTEN We have yet many among us can gripe as hard as Cassibelan: I do not say I am one; but I have a hand. Why tribute? why should we pay tribute? If Caesar can hide the sun from us with a blanket, or put the moon in his pocket, we will pay him tribute for light; else, sir, no more tribute, pray you now. CYMBELINEOurselves to be. CLOTEN Lords We do. CAIUS LUCIUSLet proof speak. CLOTEN His majesty bids you welcome. Make pastime with us a day or two, or longer: if you seek us afterwards in other terms, you shall find us in our salt-water girdle: if you beat us out of it, it is yours; if you fall in the adventure, our crows shall fare the better for you; and there's an end. SCENE II. Another room in the palace. SCENE III. Wales: a mountainous country with a cave. SCENE IV. Country near Milford-Haven. SCENE V. A room in Cymbeline's palace. Enter CYMBELINE, QUEEN, CLOTEN, LUCIUS, Lords, and AttendantsCAIUS LUCIUSYour hand, my lord. CLOTEN Receive it friendly; but from this time forth I wear it as your enemy. QUEENThat we have given him cause. CLOTEN 'Tis all the better; Your valiant Britons have their wishes in it. QUEENSon, I say, follow the king. CLOTEN That man of hers, Pisanio, her old servant, have not seen these two days. QUEENHow now, my son! CLOTEN 'Tis certain she is fled. Go in and cheer the king: he rages; none Dare come about him. Exit CLOTEN I love and hate her: for she's fair and royal, And that she hath all courtly parts more exquisite Than lady, ladies, woman; from every one The best she hath, and she, of all compounded, Outsells them all; I love her therefore: but Disdaining me and throwing favours on The low Posthumus slanders so her judgment That what's else rare is choked; and in that point I will conclude to hate her, nay, indeed, To be revenged upon her. For when fools Shall-- Enter PISANIO Who is here? What, are you packing, sirrah? Come hither: ah, you precious pander! Villain, Where is thy lady? In a word; or else Thou art straightway with the fiends. PISANIOO, good my lord! CLOTEN Where is thy lady? Or, by Jupiter,-- I will not ask again. Close villain, I'll have this secret from thy heart, or rip Thy heart to find it. Is she with Posthumus? From whose so many weights of baseness cannot A dram of worth be drawn. PISANIOHe is in Rome. CLOTEN Where is she, sir? Come nearer; No further halting: satisfy me home What is become of her. PISANIOO, my all-worthy lord! CLOTEN All-worthy villain! Discover where thy mistress is at once, At the next word: no more of 'worthy lord!' Speak, or thy silence on the instant is Thy condemnation and thy death. Presenting a letter CLOTEN Let's see't. I will pursue her Even to Augustus' throne. PISANIOMay prove his travel, not her danger. CLOTEN Hum! PISANIOSafe mayst thou wander, safe return again! CLOTEN Sirrah, is this letter true? PISANIOSir, as I think. CLOTEN It is Posthumus' hand; I know't. Sirrah, if thou wouldst not be a villain, but do me true service, undergo those employments wherein I should have cause to use thee with a serious industry, that is, what villany soe'er I bid thee do, to perform it directly and truly, I would think thee an honest man: thou shouldst neither want my means for thy relief nor my voice for thy preferment. PISANIOWell, my good lord. CLOTEN Wilt thou serve me? for since patiently and constantly thou hast stuck to the bare fortune of that beggar Posthumus, thou canst not, in the course of gratitude, but be a diligent follower of mine: wilt thou serve me? PISANIOSir, I will. CLOTEN Give me thy hand; here's my purse. Hast any of thy late master's garments in thy possession? PISANIOwore when he took leave of my lady and mistress. CLOTEN The first service thou dost me, fetch that suit hither: let it be thy lint service; go. Exit CLOTEN Meet thee at Milford-Haven!--I forgot to ask him one thing; I'll remember't anon:--even there, thou villain Posthumus, will I kill thee. I would these garments were come. She said upon a time--the bitterness of it I now belch from my heart--that she held the very garment of Posthumus in more respect than my noble and natural person together with the adornment of my qualities. With that suit upon my back, will I ravish her: first kill him, and in her eyes; there shall she see my valour, which will then be a torment to her contempt. He on the ground, my speech of insultment ended on his dead body, and when my lust hath dined,--which, as I say, to vex her I will execute in the clothes that she so praised,--to the court I'll knock her back, foot her home again. She hath despised me rejoicingly, and I'll be merry in my revenge. Re-enter PISANIO, with the clothes Be those the garments? PISANIOAy, my noble lord. CLOTEN How long is't since she went to Milford-Haven? PISANIOShe can scarce be there yet. CLOTEN Bring this apparel to my chamber; that is the second thing that I have commanded thee: the third is, that thou wilt be a voluntary mute to my design. Be but duteous, and true preferment shall tender itself to thee. My revenge is now at Milford: would I had wings to follow it! Come, and be true. SCENE VI. Wales. Before the cave of Belarius. SCENE VII. Rome. A public place. ACT IV SCENE I. Wales: near the cave of Belarius. Enter CLOTEN CLOTEN I am near to the place where they should meet, if Pisanio have mapped it truly. How fit his garments serve me! Why should his mistress, who was made by him that made the tailor, not be fit too? the rather--saving reverence of the word--for 'tis said a woman's fitness comes by fits. Therein I must play the workman. I dare speak it to myself--for it is not vain-glory for a man and his glass to confer in his own chamber--I mean, the lines of my body are as well drawn as his; no less young, more strong, not beneath him in fortunes, beyond him in the advantage of the time, above him in birth, alike conversant in general services, and more remarkable in single oppositions: yet this imperceiverant thing loves him in my despite. What mortality is! Posthumus, thy head, which now is growing upon thy shoulders, shall within this hour be off; thy mistress enforced; thy garments cut to pieces before thy face: and all this done, spurn her home to her father; who may haply be a little angry for my so rough usage; but my mother, having power of his testiness, shall turn all into my commendations. My horse is tied up safe: out, sword, and to a sore purpose! Fortune, put them into my hand! This is the very description of their meeting-place; and the fellow dares not deceive me. SCENE II. Before the cave of Belarius.BELARIUSWho's there? Enter CLOTEN CLOTEN I cannot find those runagates; that villain Hath mock'd me. I am faint. Exeunt BELARIUS and ARVIRAGUS CLOTEN Soft! What are you That fly me thus? some villain mountaineers? I have heard of such. What slave art thou? GUIDERIUSA slave without a knock. CLOTEN Thou art a robber, A law-breaker, a villain: yield thee, thief. GUIDERIUSWhy I should yield to thee? CLOTEN Thou villain base, Know'st me not by my clothes? GUIDERIUSWhich, as it seems, make thee. CLOTEN Thou precious varlet, My tailor made them not. GUIDERIUSI am loath to beat thee. CLOTEN Thou injurious thief, Hear but my name, and tremble. GUIDERIUSWhat's thy name? CLOTEN Cloten, thou villain. GUIDERIUS'Twould move me sooner. CLOTEN To thy further fear, Nay, to thy mere confusion, thou shalt know I am son to the queen. GUIDERIUSSo worthy as thy birth. CLOTEN Art not afeard? GUIDERIUSAt fools I laugh, not fear them. CLOTEN Die the death: When I have slain thee with my proper hand, I'll follow those that even now fled hence, And on the gates of Lud's-town set your heads: Yield, rustic mountaineer. BELARIUSIs oft the cause of fear. But, see, thy brother. Re-enter GUIDERIUS, with CLOTEN'S headGUIDERIUSARVIRAGUSAnd renowned be thy grave! Re-enter BELARIUS, with the body of CLOTEN SCENE III. A room in Cymbeline's palace. SCENE IV. Wales: before the cave of Belarius. ACT V SCENE I. Britain. The Roman camp. SCENE II. Field of battle between the British and Roman camps. SCENE III. Another part of the field. SCENE IV. A British prison. SCENE V. Cymbeline's tent.