What, mak'st thou me a dullard in this act? Imo. Your blessing, sir. [Kneeling. Bel. Though you did love this youth, I blame ye not; You had a motive for't. Cym. [To GUI. and ARV. My tears that fall, Prove holy water on thee! Imogen, Thy mother's dead. Imo. I am sorry for't, my lord. Cym. O, she was naught; and 'long of her it was, That we meet here so strangely. But her son Is gone, we know not how, nor where. Pis. Now fear is from me, I'll speak troth. Upon my lady's missing, came to me My lord, Lord Cloten, With his sword drawn; foamed at the mouth, and swore, If I discovered not which way she was gone, It was my instant death. By accident, I had a feigned letter of my master's Then in my pocket; which directed him To seek her on the mountains near to Milford; I further know not. Gui. I slew him there. Cym. Let me end the story: 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 Were nothing princelike; for he did provoke me With language that would make me spurn the sea, If it could so roar to me. I cut off's head; Cym. I am sorry for thee; By thine own tongue thou art condemned, and must Endure our law. Thou art dead. This man is better than the man he slew, As well descended as thyself; and hath More of thee merited than a band of Clotens Had ever scar for.-Let his arms alone; [To the Guard. They were not born for bondage. Cym. Why, old soldier, Wilt thou undo the worth thou art unpaid for, As good as we ? Arv. We will die all three; In that he spake too far. Arv. Ours. Gui. And our good his. Bel. Your danger is Have at it, then. By leave;-thou hadst, great king, a subject, who Was called Belarius. Сут. A banished traitor. Bel. What of him? he is He it is, that hath Assumed this age:1 indeed, a banished man; I know not how, a traitor. 1 As there is no reason to imagine that Belarius had assumed the appearance of being older than he really was, it must have a reference to Cym. Take him hence; The whole world shall not save him. Bel. First pay me for the nursing of thy sons; As I have received it. Cym. Not too hot; Nursing of my sons! Bel. I am too blunt and saucy. Here's my knee. Ere I arise, I will prefer my sons; Then, spare not the old father. Mighty sir, Cym. How! my issue? Bel. So sure as you your father's. I, old Morgan, The more of you 'twas felt, the more it shaped the different appearance which he now makes in comparison with that when Cymbeline last saw him. 1 The old copy reads "neere offence;" the emendation is by Mr. Tyrwhitt. Belarius means to say, "My crime, my punishment, and all the treason that I committed, originated in, and were founded on, your caprice only." Fall on their heads like dew! for they are worthy Cym. A pair of worthier sons. Bel. Your younger princely son; he, sir, was lapped Cym. Guiderius had Upon his neck a mole, a sanguine star; It was a mark of wonder. Bel. This is he; Who hath upon him still that natural stamp. O, what am I Cym. Imo. No, my lord; I have got two worlds by't.-O my gentle brothers, Have we thus met? O, never say hereafter, But I am truest speaker: you called me brother, When I was but your sister; I you brothers, When you were so indeed. Cym. Did you e'er meet? Arv. Ay, my good lord. 1 "Thy tears give testimony to the sincerity of thy relation; and I have the less reason to be incredulous, because the actions which you have done within my knowledge are more incredible than the story which you relate." The king reasons very justly. Gui. And at first meeting loved; Continued so, until we thought he died. ment Hath to it circumstantial branches, which Distinction should be rich in.2-Where? how lived you? And when came you to serve our Roman captive? How parted with your brothers? how first met them? Why fled you from the court? and whither? These, And your three motives to the battle, with 3 I know not how much more, should be demanded; See, From chance to chance; but nor the time, nor place, And she, like harmless lightning, throws her eye [TO BELARIUS. Imo. You are my father too; and did relieve me, To see this gracious season. Cym. All o'erjoyed, Save these in bonds; let them be joyful too, For they shall taste our comfort. Imo. I will yet do you service. Luc. My good master, Happy be you! Cym. The forlorn soldier, that so nobly fought, He would have well becomed this place, and graced The thankings of a king. 1 Fierce is vehement, rapid. 2 i. e. which ought to be rendered distinct by an ample narrative. 3 "Your three motives" means "the motives of you three." 4 Intergatories was frequently used for interrogatories. |