Online Read Free Novel
  • Home
  • Romance & Love
  • Fantasy
  • Science Fiction
  • Mystery & Detective
  • Thrillers & Crime
  • Actions & Adventure
  • History & Fiction
  • Horror
  • Western
  • Humor

    Cymbeline

    Prev Next


      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 time154 — 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 eyes159; there shall she see my valour, which will then be a

      torment to her contempt. He on the ground, my speech of

      insultment161 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 knock163 her back,

      foot164 her home again. She hath despised me rejoicingly, and

      I’ll be merry in my revenge.—

      Enter Pisanio

      With Posthumus’ clothes

      Be those the garments?

      PISANIO    Ay, my noble lord.

      CLOTEN    How long is’t since she went to Milford Haven?

      PISANIO    She 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 mute172 to my design. Be but duteous,

      and true preferment shall tender173 itself to thee. My revenge is

      now at Milford: would I had wings to follow it. Come, and be

      true.

      Exit

      PISANIO    Thou bid’st me to my loss176: for true to thee

      Were to prove false, which I will never be,

      To him that is most true.178 To Milford go,

      And find not her whom thou pursuest. Flow, flow,

      You heavenly blessings, on her. This fool’s speed

      Be crossed with slowness; labour be his meed.181

      Exit

      Act 3 Scene 6

      running scene 11

      Enter Innogen alone

      In boy’s clothes

      INNOGEN    I see a man’s life is a tedious one:

      I have tired2 myself, and for two nights together

      Have made the ground my bed. I should be sick,

      But that my resolution helps me. Milford,

      When from the mountain-top Pisanio showed thee,

      Thou wast within a ken.6 O Jove, I think

      Foundations fly the wretched7: such, I mean,

      Where they should be relieved. Two beggars told me

      I could not miss my way. Will poor folks lie,

      That have afflictions on them, knowing ’tis

      A punishment or trial?11 Yes; no wonder,

      When rich ones scarce tell true. To lapse in fullness12

      Is sorer13 than to lie for need, and falsehood

      Is worse in kings than beggars. My dear lord,

      Thou art on15e o’th’false ones. Now I think on thee

      My hunger’s gone; but even before16, I was

      At point17 to sink for food. But what is this?

      Here is a path to’t: ’tis some savage hold18:

      I were best19 not call; I dare not call: yet famine,

      Ere clean it o’erthrow nature20, makes it valiant.

      Plenty and peace breeds cowards: hardness ever21

      Of hardiness is mother. Ho! Who’s here?

      If anything that’s civil, speak: if savage,

      Take or lend.24 Ho! No answer? Then I’ll enter.

      Best25 draw my sword; and if mine enemy

      Draws

      But fear the sword like me, he’ll scarcely look on’t.

      Such a foe, good heavens!27

      Exit [into the cave]

      Enter Belarius, Guiderius and Arviragus

      BELARIUS    You, Polydore, have proved best woodman28 and

      Are master of the feast: Cadwal and I

      Will play the cook and servant: ’tis our match.30

      The sweat of industry would dry and die31

      But for the end it works to. Come, our stomachs

      Will make what’s homely33 savoury: weariness

      Can snore upon the flint when resty sloth34

      Finds the down35 pillow hard. Now peace be here,

      Poor house, that keep’st thyself.36

      GUIDERIUS    I am throughly37 weary.

      ARVIRAGUS    I am weak with toil, yet strong in appetite.

      GUIDERIUS    There is cold meat i’th’cave, we’ll browse39 on that

      Whilst what we have killed be cooked.

      Looks into the cave

      BELARIUS    Stay; come not in:

      But that it eats our victuals42, I should think

      Here were a fairy.

      GUIDERIUS    What’s the matter, sir?

      BELARIUS    By Jupiter, an angel! Or if not,

      An earthly paragon.46 Behold divineness

      No elder than a boy.

      Enter Innogen

      INNOGEN    Good masters, harm me not:

      Before I entered here, I called, and thought

      To have begged or bought what I have took: good troth50,

      I have stol’n nought51, nor would not, though I had found

      Gold strewed i’th’floor.52 Here’s money for my meat:

      Offers money

      I would have left it on the board so53 soon

      As I had made my meal, and parted54

      With prayers for the provider.

      GUIDERIUS    Money, youth?

      ARVIRAGUS    All gold and silver rather turn to dirt,

      As ’tis no better reckoned but of58 those

      Who worship dirty gods.

      INNOGEN    I see you’re angry:

      Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should61

      Have died had I not made62 it.

      BELARIUS    Whither bound?63

      INNOGEN    To Milford Haven.

      BELARIUS    What’s your name?

      INNOGEN    Fidele66, sir: I have a kinsman who

      Is bound for Italy; he embarked at Milford,

      To whom being going, almost spent68 with hunger,

      I am fall’n in69 this offence.

      BELARIUS    Prithee, fair youth,

      Think us no churls71: nor measure our good minds

      By this rude72 place we live in. Well encountered!

      ’Tis almost night: you shall have better cheer73

      Ere you depart, and thanks74 to stay and eat it.

      Boys, bid him welcome.

      GUIDERIUS    Were you a woman, youth,

      I should woo hard but be your groom in honesty77:

      Ay, bid for you as I’d buy.78

      ARVIRAGUS    I’ll make’t my comfort

      He is a man, I’ll love him as my brother:

      And such a welcome as I’d give to him

      After long absence, such is yours. Most welcome!

      Be sprightly83, for you fall ’mongst friends.

      INNOGEN    ’Mongst friends84

      Aside

      If brothers.— Would it had been so that they

      Had been my father’s sons, then had my prize86

      Been less, and so more equal ballasting

      To thee, Posthumus.

      BELARIUS    He wrings89 at some distress.

      GUIDERIUS    Would I could free’t.90

      ARVIRAGUS    Or I, whate’er it be,

      What pain it cost, what danger. Gods!

      They whisper aside

      BELARIUS    Hark, boys.

      To herself

      INNOGEN    Great men

      That had a court no bigger than this cave,

      That did attend
    themselves96 and had the virtue

      Which their own conscience sealed them — laying by97

      That nothing-gift of differing multitudes98 —

      Could not out-peer these twain.99 Pardon me, gods,

      I’d change my sex to be companion with them,

      Since Leonatus’101 false.

      BELARIUS    It shall be so:

      Boys, we’ll go dress our hunt.103 Fair youth, come in:

      Discourse is heavy, fasting104: when we have supped

      We’ll mannerly demand105 thee of thy story,

      So far as thou wilt speak it.

      GUIDERIUS    Pray draw near.

      ARVIRAGUS    The night to th’owl and morn to th’lark less welcome.108

      INNOGEN    Thanks, sir.

      ARVIRAGUS    I pray draw near.

      Exeunt

      Act 3 Scene 7

      running scene 12

      Enter two Roman Senators and Tribunes

      FIRST SENATOR    This is the tenor of the emperor’s writ1:

      That since the common men2 are now in action

      Gainst the Pannonians and Dalmatians3,

      And that the legions now in Gallia are

      Full5 weak to undertake our wars against

      The fall’n-off Britons, that we do incite6

      The gentry to this business. He creates

      Lucius proconsul: and to you the tribunes,

      For this immediate levy, he commands9

      His absolute commission.10 Long live Caesar!

      TRIBUNE    Is Lucius general of the forces?

      SECOND SENATOR    Ay.

      TRIBUNE    Remaining now in Gallia?

      FIRST SENATOR    With those legions

      Which I have spoke of, whereunto your levy

      Must be supplyant16: the words of your commission

      Will tie you to the numbers and the time

      Of their dispatch.

      TRIBUNE    We will discharge our duty.

      Exeunt

      Act 4 Scene 1

      running scene 13

      Enter Cloten alone

      CLOTEN    I am near to th’place where they should meet, if

      Pisanio have mapped it truly. How fit2 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 of4

      the word — for ’tis said a woman’s fitness comes by fits.5

      Therein I must play the workman.6 I dare speak it to myself,

      for it is not vainglory for a man and his glass7 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 time10, above

      him in birth, alike conversant in general services11, and more

      remarkable in single oppositions; yet this imperceiverant12

      thing loves him in my despite. What mortality13 is! Posthumus,

      thy head, which now is growing upon thy shoulders, shall

      within this hour be off, thy mistress enforced15, thy garments

      cut to pieces before thy face: and all this done, spurn16 her

      home to her father, who may haply17 be a little angry for my so

      rough usage: but my mother, having power of his testiness18,

      shall turn all into my commendations.19 My horse is tied up

      Draws

      safe. Out, sword, and to a sore purpose! Fortune20 put

      them into my hand. This is the very description of their

      meeting-place, and the fellow dares not deceive me.

      Exit

      Act 4 Scene 2

      running scene 14

      Enter Belarius, Guiderius, Arviragus and Innogen from the cave

      Innogen disguised as Fidele

      To Innogen

      BELARIUS    You are not well: remain here in the cave,

      We’ll come to you after hunting.

      To Innogen

      ARVIRAGUS    Brother, stay here:

      Are we not brothers?

      INNOGEN    So man and man should be,

      But clay and clay differs in dignity,

      Whose dust is both alike. I am very sick.

      GUIDERIUS    Go you to hunting, I’ll abide with him.

      INNOGEN    So sick I am not, yet I am not well:

      But not so citizen a wanton10 as

      To seem to die ere11 sick: so please you, leave me,

      Stick to your journal course: the breach of custom12

      Is breach of all. I am ill, but your being by me

      Cannot amend me. Society14 is no comfort

      To one not sociable: I am not very sick,

      Since I can reason of16 it: pray you trust me here,

      I’ll rob none17 but myself, and let me die,

      Stealing so poorly.18

      GUIDERIUS    I love thee: I have spoke it,

      How much the quantity, the weight20 as much,

      As I do love my father.

      BELARIUS    What? How? How?

      ARVIRAGUS    If it be sin to say so, sir, I yoke me23

      In my good brother’s fault: I know not why

      I love this youth, and I have heard you say

      Love’s reason’s without reason. The bier at door26,

      And a demand who is’t shall die, I’d say

      ‘My father, not this youth.’

      Aside

      BELARIUS    O noble strain!29

      O worthiness of nature, breed30 of greatness!

      Cowards father cowards, and base things sire base:

      Nature hath meal and bran32, contempt and grace.

      I’m not their father, yet who this should be33

      Doth miracle itself, loved before me.—

      Aloud

      ’Tis the ninth hour o’th’morn.

      ARVIRAGUS    Brother, farewell.

      INNOGEN    I wish ye sport.

      ARVIRAGUS    You health.— So please you, sir.38

      Aside

      INNOGEN    These are kind creatures.

      Gods, what lies I have heard!

      Our courtiers say all’s savage but41 at court;

      Experience, O, thou disprov’st report!

      Th’imperious seas breeds monsters; for the dish

      Poor tributary44 rivers as sweet fish:

      I am sick still, heart-sick. Pisanio,

      I’ll now taste of thy drug.

      Drinks

      GUIDERIUS    I could not stir47 him:

      He said he was gentle48, but unfortunate;

      Dishonestly afflicted49, but yet honest.

      ARVIRAGUS    Thus did he answer me, yet said hereafter

      I might know more.

      BELARIUS    To th’field52, to th’field!

      We’ll leave you for this time, go in and rest.

      ARVIRAGUS    We’ll not be long away.

      BELARIUS    Pray be not sick,

      For you must be our housewife.

      INNOGEN    Well or ill,

      I am bound58 to you.

      Exit [into the cave]

      BELARIUS    And shalt be ever.

      This youth, howe’er distressed60, appears he hath had

      Good ancestors.

      ARVIRAGUS    How angel-like he sings!

      GUIDERIUS    But his neat cookery! He cut our roots in characters63,

      And sauced our broths as Juno64 had been sick

      And he her dieter.65

      ARVIRAGUS    Nobly he yokes66

      A smiling with a sigh, as if the sigh

      Was that68 it was for not being such a smile:

      The smile mocking the sigh, that it would fly

      From so divine a temple, to commix70

      With winds that sailors rail71 at.

      GUIDERIUS �
    ��  I do note

      That grief and patience, rooted in him both,

      Mingle their spurs74 together.

      ARVIRAGUS    Grow patience75,

      And let the stinking elder, grief, untwine

      His perishing root with77 the increasing vine.

      BELARIUS    It is great morning.78 Come away.— Who’s there?

      Enter Cloten

      CLOTEN    I cannot find those runagates79, that villain

      Hath mocked80 me. I am faint.

      BELARIUS    ‘Those runagates’?

      Means he not us? I partly know him, ’tis

      Cloten, the son o’th’queen. I fear some ambush.

      I saw him not these many years, and yet

      I know ’tis he. We are held85 as outlaws: hence!

      GUIDERIUS    He is but86 one: you and my brother search

      What companies87 are near: pray you away,

      Let me alone with him.

      [Exeunt Belarius and Arviragus]

      CLOTEN    Soft89, what are you

      That fly90 me thus? Some villain mountaineers?

      I have heard of such. What slave art thou?

      GUIDERIUS    A thing

      More slavish did I ne’er than answering

      A slave without a knock.94

      CLOTEN    Thou art a robber,

      A law-breaker, a villain: yield thee, thief.

      GUIDERIUS    To who? To thee? What art thou? Have not I

      An arm as big as thine? A heart as big?

      Thy words I grant are bigger, for I wear not99

      My dagger in my mouth. Say what thou art,

      Why I should yield to thee?

      CLOTEN    Thou villain base,

      Know’st me not by my clothes?103

      GUIDERIUS    No, nor thy tailor, rascal,

      Who is thy grandfather: he made those clothes,

      Which, as it seems, make thee.

      CLOTEN    Thou precious varlet107,

      My tailor made them not.

      GUIDERIUS    Hence, then, and thank

      The man that gave them thee. Thou art some fool,

      I am loath111 to beat thee.

      CLOTEN    Thou injurious112 thief,

      Hear but my name, and tremble.

      GUIDERIUS    What’s thy name?

      CLOTEN    Cloten, thou villain.

      GUIDERIUS    Cloten, thou double villain be thy name,

     


    Prev Next
Online Read Free Novel Copyright 2016 - 2025