That cravens* my weak hand. Come, here's my heart; Something's afore't:-Soft, soft; we'll no defence; Corrupters of my faith! you shall no more Do feel the treason sharply, yet the traitor And thou, Posthúmus, thou that didst set up Pis. O gracious lady, Since I receiv'd command to do this business, Imo. Do't, and to bed then. Pis. I'll wake mine eye-balls blind first. Wherefore then Imo. Didst undertake it? Why hast thou abus'd So many miles, with a pretence? this place? Mine action, and thine own? our horses' labour? The time inviting thee? the perturb'd court, For my being absent; whereunto I never Purpose return? Why hast thou gone so far, To be unbent, when thou hast ta'en thy stand, The elected deer before thee? Pis. * Cowards. + The writings. But to win time Feedest or preyest on. To lose so bad employment: in the which Imo. Pis. I thought you would not back again. Bringing me here to kill me. Pis. Then, madam, Most like; Not so, neither: But if I were as wise as honest, then My purpose would prove well. It cannot be, Some villain, ay, and singular in his art, Hath done you both this cursed injury. Imo. Some Roman courtezan. Pis. No, on my life. I'll give but notice you are dead, and send him Imo. Why, good fellow, What shall I do the while? Where bide? How live? Or in my life what comfort, when I am Dead to my husband? If you'll back to the court, Imo. No court, no father; nor no more ado Pis. If not at court, Then not in Britain must you bide. Imo. Where then? Hath Britain all the sun that shines? Day, night, In a great pool, a swan's nest; Pr'ythee, think I am most glad Pis. Imo. Pis. Imo. Nay, be brief: I see into thy end, and am almost A man already. Pis. First, make yourself but like one. Fore-thinking this, I have already fit ("Tis in my cloak-bag,) doublet, hat, hose, all That answer to them: Would you, in their serving, And with what imitation you can borrow From youth of such a season, 'fore noble Lucius Present yourself, desire his service, tell him * The sun. Wherein you are happy* (which you'll make him know, If that his head have ear in musick,) doubtless, With joy he will embrace you; for he's honourable, And, doubling that, most holy. Your means abroad You have met, rich; and I will never fail Beginning, nor supplement. Imo. Thou art all the comfort The gods will diet me with. Pr'ythee, away: There's more to be consider'd; but we'll even All that good time will give us: This attempt I'm soldier to ‡, and will abide it with A prince's courage. Away, I pr'ythee. Pis. Well, madam, we must take a short farewell: Lest, being missed, I be suspected of Your carriage from the court. My noble mistress, Amen: I thank thee. [Exeunt. SCENE V. A room in Cymbeline's palace. Enter Cymbeline, Queen, Cloten, Lucius, and Lords. Cym. Thus far; and so farewell. Luc. Thanks, royal sir. My emperor hath wrote; I must from hence; And am right sorry, that I must report ye My master's enemy. * i. e. Wherein you are accomplished. + As for your subsistence abroad, you may rely on me. + Equal to. Cym. Our subjects, sir, Will not endure his yoke; and for ourself Luc. So, sir, I desire of you A conduct over land, to Milford-Haven.- Cym. My lords, you are appointed for that office; The due of honour in no point omit: So, farewell, noble Lucius. Luc. Your hand, my lord. Clo. Receive it friendly: but from this time forth I wear it as your enemy. Luc. Sir, the event Is yet to name the winner; Fare you well. Cym. Leave not the worthy Lucius, good my lords, Till he have cross'd the Severn.-Happiness! [Exeunt Lucius, and Lords. Queen. He goes hence frowning: but it honours us, That we have given him cause. Clo. "Tis all the better; Your valiant Britons have their wishes in it. Cym. Lucius hath wrote already to the emperor How it goes here. It fits us therefore, ripely, Our chariots and our horsemen be in readiness : The powers that he already hath in Gallia Will soon be drawn to head, from whence he moves His war for Britain. Queen. Cym. Our expectation that it would be thus, [Exit an Attendant. |