O'er-borne i' the former wave: ten chac'd by one, 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, And vent it for a mockery? Here is one : Post. 'Lack to what end? Who dares not stand his foe, I'll be his friend; 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. [Exit. Post. Still going?-This is a lord. O noble misery! To be i' the field, and ask, what news, of me. To-day, how many would have given their honours To have sav'd their carcases? took heel to do't, And yet died too? I, in mine own woe charm'd, Could not find death where I did hear him groan, Nor feel him where he struck: being an ugly monster, "Tis strange he hides him in fresh cups, soft beds, Sweet words; or hath more ministers than we That draw his knives i' the war. him; Well, I will find For being now a favourer to the Briton, The mortal BUGS o' the field.] The mortal terrors of the field. See Vol. iii. p. 134 ; Vol. v. p. 323. In “Hamlet,” Vol. vii. p. 334, “bugs” and “goblins are coupled. But yield me to the veriest hind, that shall Enter Two British Captains, and Soldiers. 1 Cap. Great Jupiter be prais'd! Lucius is taken. 'Tis thought, the old man and his sons were angels. 2 Cap. There was a fourth man, in a silly habit, That gave th' affront with them. 1 Cap. So 'tis reported; But none of them can be found.-Stand! who is there? Post. A Roman, Who had not now been drooping here, if seconds Had answer'd him. 2 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. 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 out3. 3 after which, all go out.] It was not unusual on our old stage to begin a scene with a dumb show, as scene 2 of this Act; but it was by no means common to terminate a scene in this way. Ritson was evidently mistaken, when he said that "the business of the scene was entirely performed in dumb show," unless he considered the dumb show a scene by itself. SCENE IV. A Prison. Enter POSTHUMUS, and Two Jailers. 1 Jail. You shall not now be stolen; you have locks upon you: So, graze as you find pasture. 2 Jail. Ay, or a stomach. 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 Groan so in perpetuity, than be cur'd By the sure physician, death, who is the key T'unbar these locks. My conscience, thou art fetter'd More than my shanks, and wrists: you good gods, give me The penitent instrument to pick that bolt, You rather mine, being yours; and so, great powers, 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, Sici. Great nature, like his ancestry, That he deserv'd the praise o' the world, 1 Bro. When once he was mature for man, In Britain where was he, That could stand up his parallel, Or fruitful object be In eye of Imogen, that best Could deem his dignity? Moth. With marriage wherefore was he mock'd, From her his dearest one, . 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, Fell bravely, and were slain; Our fealty, and Tenantius' right, 1 Bro. Like hardiment Posthumus hath Why hast thou thus adjourn'd The graces for his merits due, Being all to dolours turn'd? Sici. Thy crystal window ope; look, look out: No longer exercise, And potent injuries. "Geck" is fool; and we have had 4 And to become the GECK and scorn] it before used by Shakespeare in "Twelfth Night," Vol. iii. p. 418. |