Post. I am merrier to die than thou art to live. Gaol. Indeed, sir, he that sleeps feels not the tooth-ache: but a man that were to sleep your sleep, and a hangman to help him to bed, I think he would change places with his officer; for, look you, sir, you know not which way you shall go. Post. Yes, indeed do I, fellow. Gaol. Your death has eyes in's head then; I have not seen him so pictured: you must either be directed by some that take upon them to know; or take upon yourself that which I am sure you do not know; or jump the after-inquiry on your own peril and how you shall speed in your journey's end, I think you'll never return to tell one. Post. I tell thee, fellow, there are none want eyes to direct them the way I am going, but such as wink, and will not use them. Gaol. What an infinite mock is this, that a man should have the best use of eyes, to see the way of blindness! I am sure hanging's the way of winking. Enter a Messenger. Mess. Knock off his manacles; bring your prisoner to the king. Post. Thou bringest good news: I am called to be made free. Gaol. I'll be hanged, then. Post. Thou shalt be then freer than a gaoler; no bolts for the dead. [Exeunt POSTHUMUS and Messenger. Gaol. Unless a man would marry a gallows, and beget young gibbets, I never saw one so prone. Yet, on my conscience, there are verier knaves desire to live, for all he be a Roman : and there be some of them too that die against their wills; so should I, if I were one. I would we were all of one mind, and one mind good; O, there were desolation of gaolers and gallowses! I speak against my present profit; but my wish hath a preferment in 't. [Exeunt. SCENE V.-CYMBELINE'S Tent. Enter CYMBELINE, BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, ARVIRAGUS, PISANIO, Lords, Officers, and Attendants. Cym. Stand by my side, you whom the gods have made Preservers of my throne. Woe is my heart That the poor soldier that so richly fought, Whose rags shamed gilded arms, whose naked breast Stepped before targe of proof, cannot be found: To sour your happiness, I must report Cym. Whom worse than a physician Would this report become? But I consider, By medicine life may be prolonged, yet death Will seize the doctor too. How ended she? Cor. With horror, madly dying, like her life; Which, being cruel to the world, concluded Most cruel to herself. What she confessed I will report, so please you: these her women Can trip me, if I err; who, with wet cheeks, Were present when she finished. O most delicate fiend! Cym. For you a mortal mineral; which, being took, Were not in fault, for she was beautiful; To have mistrusted her: yet, O my daughter! Enter LUCIUS, IACHIMO, the Soothsayer, and other Roman prisoners, guarded: POSTHUMUS behind, and IMOGEN. Thou com'st not, Caius, now for tribute; that The Britons have razed out, though with the loss Of many a bold one; whose kinsmen have made suit That their good souls may be appeased with slaughter Of you their captives, which ourself have granted: So think of your estate. Luc. Consider, sir, the chance of war: the day Was yours by accident; had it gone with us, We should not, when the blood was cool, have threatened Our prisoners with the sword. But since the gods Cannot deny he hath done no Briton harm, Cym. I have surely seen him; His favour is familiar to me.Boy, thou hast looked thyself into my grace, And art mine own. I know not why nor wherefore To say live, boy: ne'er thank thy master; live: And ask of Cymbeline what boon thou wilt, Fitting my bounty and thy state, I'll give it; Yea, though thou do demand a prisoner, The noblest ta'en. Imo. I humbly thank your highness. Luc. I do not bid thee beg my life, good lad; And yet I know thou wilt. Cym. Ay, with all my heart, And lend my best attention. What's thy name? Imo. Fidele, sir. Cym. Thou art, my good youth, my page; Not more resembles that sweet rosy lad Gui. The same dead thing alive. Bel. Peace, peace! see further; he eyes us not; Torments me to conceal. By villany I got this ring: 'twas Leonatus' jewel; Whom thou didst banish; and (which more may grieve thee, As it doth me) a nobler sir ne'er lived 'Twixt sky and ground. Wilt thou hear more, my lord? Cym. All that belongs to this. Iach. That paragon, thy daughter, For whom my heart drops blood, and my false spirits Quail to remember,-Give me leave; I faint. Cym. My daughter! what of her? Renew thy strength: I had rather thou shouldst live while nature will, Than die ere I hear more: strive, man, and speak. Iach. Upon a time (unhappy was the clock That struck the hour!)-it was in Rome (accursed The mansion where!)-'t was at a feast (O 'would Our viands had been poisoned! or, at least, Those which I heaved to head!)—the good Posthumus (What should I say? he was too good to be For beauty that made barren the swelled boast Loves woman for; besides, that hook of wiving, Cym. And then a mind put in 't, either our brags Were cracked of kitchen trulls, or his description Proved us unspeaking sots. Cym. Nay, nay, to the purpose. Iach. Your daughter's chastity-there it begins! He spake of her as Dian had hot dreams, And she alone were cold: whereat, I, wretch! Made scruple of his praise; and wagered with him Pieces of gold, 'gainst this, which then he wore Upon his honoured finger, to attain In suit the place of his bed, and win this ring Than I did truly find her, stakes this ring; quenched Being thus Of hope, not longing, mine Italian brain [Coming forward. That all the abhorréd things o' the earth amend, Cor. The queen, sir, very oft importuned me Do their due functions.-Have you ta'en of it? Cym. Marry, the gods forefend! I would not thy good deeds should from my lips Gui. Gui. A most uncivil one. The wrongs he did me for thee: Cym. I am sorry By thine own tongue thou art condemned, and must Endure our law: thou art dead. Imo. That headless man A banished traitor. Assumed this age: indeed, a banished man; I know not how a traitor. The whole world shall not save him. First pay me for the nursing of thy sons; And let it be confiscate all, so soon As I have received it. Ere I arise, I will prefer my sons; Then spare not the old father. Mighty sir, Itself, and all my treason; that I suffered, |