The Works of William Shakespeare

speak!

Where they shall rest for ever.-Trumpets, Told him my pilgrimage: but his flaw'd heart, (Alack, too weak the conflict to support!) "Twixt two extremes of passion, joy and grief, Burst smilingly.

[Alarums. They fight. Edmund falls. Alb. Save him, save him! Gon.

This is practice, Gloster: By the law of arms, thou wast not bound to

answer

An unknown opposite; thou art not vanquish'd,
But cozen'd and beguil'd.

Alb.

Shut your mouth, dame;
Or with this paper shall I stop it :-hold, sir;
Thou worse than any name, read thine own
evil :-

No tearing, lady; I perceive you know it.
[Gives the letter to Edmund.
Gon. Say, if I do,-the laws are mine, not
Who can arraign me for't?
[thine
Alb.
Most monstrous!
Know'st thou this paper?
Gon.

Ask me not what I know.
[Exit.
Alb. Go after her she's desperate; govern
her.
[To an Officer, who goes out.
Edm. What have you charg'd me with, that
have I done;
[it out:
And more, much more; the time will bring
"Tis past, and so am I.-But what art thou,
That hast this fortune on me? If thou'rt noble,
I do forgive thee.
Edg.

Let's exchange charity.

Edm. This speech of yours hath mov'd me, And shall, perchance, do good: but speak you

on;

You look as you had something more to say.
Alb. If there be more, more woful, hold it in;
For I am almost ready to dissolve,
Hearing of this.

Edg. This would have seem'd a period
To such as love not sorrow; but another,
To amplify too much, would make much more,
And top extremity.

Whilst I was big in clamour, came there a man,
Who, having seen me in my worst estate,
Shunn'd my abhorr'd society; but then, finding
Who 'twas that so endur'd, with his strong arms
He fasten'd on my neck, and bellow'd out
As he'd burst heaven; threw him on my father;
Told the most piteous tale of Lear and him,
That ever ear receiv'd: which in recounting,
His grief grew puissant, and the strings of life
Began to crack: twice then the trumpet sound-
And there I left him, tranc'd.
[ed,
Alb.
But who was this?
Edg. Kent, sir, the banish'd Kent; who in
disguise

Follow'd his enemy king, and did him service

Enter a Gentleman hastily, with a bloody knife.
Gent. Help, help, O help!

I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund ; Improper for a slave.
If more, the more thou hast wrong'd me.
My name is Edgar, and thy father's son.
The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to plague us :

The dark and vicious place where thee he got,
Cost him his eyes.

Edm. Thou hast spoken right, 'tis true;
The wheel has come full circle; I am here.

Alb. Methought the very gait did prophesy
A royal nobleness :-I must embrace thee:
Let sorrow split my heart, if ever I
Did hate thee, or thy father!
Edg.
Worthy prince, I know't.
Alb. Where have you hid yourself?
How have you known the miseries of your

father?

Edg.
Alb.

What kind of help?
Speak, man.
Edg. What means that bloody knife?
Gent.
'Tis hot, it smokes ;

It came even from the heart of―O, she's dead!
Alb. Who dead? speak, man.

Gent. Your lady, sir, your lady: and her sis-
By her is poison'd; she hath confess'd it. [ter
Edm. I was contracted to them both: all
Now marry in an instant.
(three
Edg.
Here comes Kent.
Alb. Produce the bodies, be they alive or

dead![tremble. This judgment of the heavens, that makes us Edg. By nursing them, my lord.-List a Touches us not with pity. [Exit Gentleman. brief tale :

[burst!

Enter Kent.

O, is this he?

And, when 'tis told, O that my heart would
The bloody proclamation to escape, [ness! The time will not allow the compliment,
That follow'd me so near, (O, our lives' sweet- Which very manners urges.
That we the pain of death would hourly die, Kent.
I am come
Rather than die at once!) taught me to shift To bid my king and master aye good night:
Into a madman's rags; to assume a semblance Is he not here?
That very dogs disdain'd: and in this habit Alb.
Met I my father with his bleeding rings,
Their precious stones new lost: became his
guide,
[despair;
Led him, begg'd for him, sav'd him from
Never (O fault!) reveal'd myself unto him,
Until some half-hour past, when I was arm'd;
Not sure, though hoping, of this good success,
I ask'd his blessing, and from first to last

Great thing of us forgot!
Speak, Edmund, where's the king? and where's
Seest thou this object, Kent?
[Cordelia ?--
Kent. Alack, why thus?

[The bodies of Goneril and Regan are
brought in.

Edm.
Yet Edmund was belov'd:
The one the other poison'd for my sake,
And after slew herself,

Alb. Even so.-Cover their faces.

[to do,

Lear. He's a good fellow, I can tell you that;

rotten.

Edm. I pant for life-some good I mean He'll strike, and quickly too :-He's dead and Despite of mine own nature. Quickly send,Be brief in it,-to the castle; for my writ Is on the life of Lear, and on Cordelia :Nay, send in time.

Run, run, O run!

Alb. Edg. To whom, my lord ?-Who has the Thy token of reprieve. [office? send Edm. Well thought on: take my sword, Give it the captain. Alb.

Haste thee, for thy life. [Exit Edgar. Edm. He hath commission from thy wife | To hang Cordelia in the prison, and [and me To lay the blame upon her own despair, That she fordid herself.

Alb. The gods defend her!-Bear him hence a while. [Edmund is borne off. Enter Lear, with Cordelia dead in his arms; Edgar, Officer, and others.

Lear. Howl, howl, howl, howl!-O, you

are men of stones!

Had I your tongues and cyes, I'd use them so That heaven's vault should crack.-She's gone for ever!

I know when one is dead, and when one lives;
She's dead as earth. Lend me a looking-glass;
If that her breath shall mist or stain the stone,
Why, then she lives.

Kent.
Is this the promis'd end?
Edg. Or image of that horror?
Alb.

Fall, and cease! Lear. This feather stirs she lives! if it be So,

It is a chance which does redeem all sorrows
That ever I have felt.

Kent. [Kneeling.] O, my good master!
Lear. Pr'ythee, away.

Edg.
'Tis noble Kent, your friend.
Lear. A plague upon you, murderers,

traitors all!

[ever!

I might have sav'd her; now, she's gone for
Cordelia, Cordelia ! stay a little. Ha!
What is't thou say'st?-Her voice was ever soft,
Gentle, and low; an excellent thing in

I have seen the day, with my good biting faulchion

I would have made them skip : I am old now, And these same crosses spoil me.-Who are you? [straight. Mine eyes are not o' the best :-I'll tell you Kent. If fortune brag of two she lov'd and One of them we behold. [hated, Lear. This is a dull sight-are you not Kent?

Kent.

The same,

Kent. No, my good lord: I am the very Lear. I'll see that straight.

[man

Kent. That, from your first of difference and Have follow'd your sad steps.

[decay,

Lear.

You are welcome hither.

Kent. Nor no man else.-All's cheerless,

dark, and deadly;

Your eldest daughters have fordone themselves, And desperately are dead.

Lear. Ay, so I think. Alb. He knows not what he says; and vain That we present us to him. Edg.

Very bootless.

[is it,

Enter an Officer. Off. Edmund is dead, my lord. Alb. That's but a trifle here.You lords, and noble friends, know our intent. What comfort to this great decay may come, Shall be applied for us, we will resign, During the life of this old majesty, To him our absolute power :-[To Edgar and Kent.] you, to your rights;

With boot, and such addition as your honours Have more than merited.-All friends shall

Do you see this? Look on her,-look,-her Look there, look there!

[Dies. Edg. He faints!--My lord, my lord!Kent. Break, heart; I pr'ythee, break! Edg. Look up, my lord. Kent. Vex not his ghost: O, let him pass! he hates him,

That would upon the rack of this tough world
Stretch him out longer.
Edg.
He is gone indeed.
Kent. The wonder is he hath endur'd so
He but usurp'd his life.
[long :
Alb. Bear them from hence.-Our present
business

Is general woe. [To Kent and Edgar.]
Friends of my soul, you twain [tain.
Rule in this realm, and the gorg'd state sus-
Kent. I have a journey, sir, shortly to go;
My master calls me, I must not say no.

Alb. The weight of this sad time we must

obey,

Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say. The oldest hath borne most: we, that are young,

Your servant Kent. Where is your servant Shall never see so much, nor live so long.

Caius ?

[Exeunt, with a dead march.

CYMBELINE.

Cymbeline, King of Britain.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

A Roman Captain.

Cloten, Son to the Queen by a former Husband. Two British Captains. Leonatus Posthumus, a gentleman, Husband Pisanio, Servant to Posthumus. to Imogen. Cornelius, a Physician. Belarius, a banished Lord, disguised under the Two Lords of Cymbeline's Court. name of Morgan. Two Gentlemen of the same. Sons to Cymbeline, disguised Two Gaolers. under the names of Polydore Queen, Wife to Cymbeline. Arviragus, and Cadwal, supposed Sons to Imogen, Daughter to Cymbeline by a former

Guiderius,

Belarius.

Philario, Friend to Posthumus, } Italians.

Iachimo, Friend to Philario,

A French Gentleman, Friend to Philario.
Caius Lucius, General of the Roman Forces.

SCENE 1.-Britain.

Helen, Woman to Imogen.

[Queen

Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, Apparitions, a Soothsayer, Musicians, Officers, Captains, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants.

SCENE, Sometimes in Britain, sometimes in Italy.

ACT I.

2 Gen.
You speak him far.
The Garden of Cymbe- Crush him together, rather than unfold
I Gen. I do extend him, sir, within himself;

line's Palace.

Enter two Gentlemen.

1 Gen. You do not meet a man but frowns:
our bloods

No more obey the heavens, than our courtiers
Still seem as does the king.
2 Gen.
But what's the matter?
1 Gen. His daughter, and the heir of 's king-
dom, whom

He purpos'd to his wife's sole son, (a widow
That late he married,) hath referr'd herself
Unto a poor but worthy gentleman: she's
wedded;

Her husband banish'd; she imprison'd: all

His measure duly.

2 Gen.

What's his name, and birth? I Gen. I cannot delve him to the root: his father

Was called Sicilius, who did join his honour,
Against the Romans, with Cassibelan;
But had his titles by Tenantius, whom
He serv'd with glory and admir'd success;
So gain'd the sur-addition, Leonatus:
And had, besides this gentleman in question,
Two other sons, who, in the wars o' the time,
Died with their swords in hand; for which
their father

(Then old and fond of issue) took such sorrow,

Is outward sorrow; though, I think, the king That he quit being; and his gentle lady, Be touch'd at very heart. Big of this gentleman, our theme, deceas'd 2 Gen. None but the king? As he was born. The king he takes the babe 1 Gen. He that hath lost her, too: so is the To his protection; calls him Posthumus

[courtier,

Leonatus ;

[chamber:

queen, That most desir'd the match: but not a Breeds him, and makes him of his bedAlthough they wear their faces to the bent Puts to him all the learnings that his time Of the king's looks, hath a heart that is not Could make him the receiver of; which he Glad at the thing they scowl at. As we do air, fast as 'twas minister'd; [took, 2 Gen. And why so? And in his spring became a harvest: liv'd in 1 Gen. He that hath miss'd the princess is a thing

court

(Which rare it is to do) most prais'd, most [mature,

Too bad for bad report: and he that hath her,
(I mean that married her,—alack, good man!—A
And therefore banish'd,) is a creature such
As, to seek through the regions of the earth
For one his like, there would be something
failing

In him that should compare. I do not think
So fair an outward, and such stuff within,
Endows a man but he.

lov'd:

sample to the youngest; to the more
A glass that feated them and to the graver,
A child that guided dotards: to his mistress,
For whom he now is banish'd,--her own price
Proclaims how she esteem'd him and his virtue;
By her election may be truly read
What kind of man he is.
2 Gen.

I honour him,

Even out of your report. But, pray you, tell And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you
Is she sole child to the king?
[me, Though ink be made of gall.
Re-enter Queen.

I Gen. His only child. He had two sons, (if this be worth your hearing, Mark it,) the eldest of them at three years old, I the swathing clothes the other, from their nursery

Were stolen; and to this hour no guess in Which way they went. [knowledge 2 Gen. How long is this ago? 1 Gen. Some twenty years.

2 Gen. That a king's children should be so convey'd !

So slackly guarded! and the search so slow, That could not trace them!

I Gen. Howsoe'er 'tis strange, Or that the negligence may well be laugh'd at, Yet is it true, sir. 2 Gen. I do well believe you. [gentleman, 1 Gen. We must forbear: here comes the The queen, and princess. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.-The Same.

Enter the Queen, Posthumus, and Imogen. Queen. No, be assur'd, you shall not find me, daughter,

Queen.

[send, Be brief, I pray you :

As I my poor self did exchange for you,
To your so infinite loss; so in our trifles
I still win of you: for my sake, wear this;
It is a manacle of love; I'll place it
Post-Upon this fairest prisoner.

After the slander of most stepmothers,
Evil-ey'd unto you: you are my prisoner, but
Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys
That lock up your restraint. For you,
humus,

So soon as I can win the offended king,
I will be known your advocate: marry, yet
The fire of rage is in him; and 'twere good,
You lean'd unto his sentence, with what
Your wisdom may inform you. [patience
Post.
Please your highness,

I will from hence to-day.
Queen.
You know the peril :-
I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying
The pangs of barr'd affections; though the
king

Hath charg'd you should not speak together.
[Exit Queen.
Imo.
O
Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant
Can tickle where she wounds !-My dearest
husband,

[thing

I something fear my father's wrath; but no-
(Always reserv'd my holy duty) what
His rage can do on me: you must be gone;
And I shall here abide the hourly shot
Of angry eyes; not comforted to live,
But that there is this jewel in the world,
That I may see again.

Post.
My queen! my mistress!
O lady, weep no more, lest I give cause
To be suspected of more tenderness

Than doth become a man! I will remain
The loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth:
My residence in Rome at one Philario's ;
Who to my father was a friend, to me
Known but by letter: thither write, my queen,

Imo.

[Putting a bracelet on her arm.
O the gods!

When shall we see again?
Enter Cymbeline and Lords.
Post.
Alack, the king!
Cym. Thou basest thing, avoid! hence,
from my sight!
If after this command thou fraught the court
With thy unworthiness, thou diest: away!
Thou'rt poison to my blood.

Post.
The gods protect you!
And bless the good remainders of the court!
am gone.
[Exit.
Imo. There cannot be a pinch in death
More sharp than this is.
Cym.

O disloyal thing, That shouldst repair my youth; thou heapest A year's age on me! Imo. I beseech you, sir, Harm not yourself with your vexation: I am senseless of your wrath; a touch more Subdues all pangs, all fears. [rare Past grace? obedience?

Сут.

Imo. Past hope, and in despair; that way,

past grace. [my queen! Cym. That mightst have had the sole son of Imo. O bless'd, that I might not! I chose And did avoid a puttock.

[an eagle,

[made my throne

Cym. Thou took'st a beggar; wouldst have A seat for baseness.

Imo.

A lustre to it.

Cym.

No; I rather added

O thou vile one!

Re-enter Queen.

Cym.
Thou foolish thing!—
They were again together: you have done
Not after our command. Away with her,
And pen her up.
Queen. Beseech your patience.-Peace,
Dear lady daughter, peace !-Sweet sovereign,
Leave us to ourselves; and make yourself
Out of your best advice. [some comfort
Сут.
Nay, let her languish
A drop of blood a day; and, being agèd,
Die of this folly! [Exeunt Cym. and Lords.
Queen.
Fie! you must give way:
Enter Pisanio.
[news?
Here is your servant.-How now, sir! What
Pis. My lord your son drew on my master.
Queen.
Ha!

No harm, I trust, is done?
Pis.
There might have been,
But that my master rather play'd than fought,
And had no help of anger: they were parted
By gentlemen at hand."

Queen.
I am very glad on't.
Imo. Your son's my father's friend; he
takes his part.-

To draw upon an exile !-O brave sir!-
I would they were in Afric both together;
Myself by with a needle, that I might prick
The goer back.-Why came you from your
master?
[me

Pis. On his command: he would not suffer To bring him to the haven: left these notes Of what commands I should be subject to, When it pleas'd you to employ me. Queen. This hath been Your faithful servant : I dare lay mine honour, He will remain so.

I Lord. Hurt him? his body's a passable carcass, if he be not hurt: it is a thoroughfare for steel, if it be not hurt.

2 Lord. [Aside.] His steel was in debt; it went o' the backside the town.

Clo. The villain would not stand me. 2 Lord. [Aside.] No; but he fled forward still, toward your face.

1 Lord. Stand you! You have land enough of your own: but he added to your having; gave you some ground.

2 Lord. [Aside.] As many inches as you have oceans. Puppies!

Clo. I would they had not come between us. 2 Lord. [Aside.] So would I, till you had measured how long a fool you were upon the ground.

Clo. And that she should love this fellow, and refuse me !

2 Lord. [Aside.] If it be a sin to make a true election, she is damned.

I Lord. Sir, as I told you always, her beauty and her brain go not together: she's a good sign, but I have seen small reflection of her wit.

2 Lord. [Aside.] She shines not upon fools, lest the reflection should hurt her.

Clo. Come, I'll to my chamber. Would there had been some hurt done!

2 Lord. [Aside.] I wish not so; unless it had been the fall of an ass, which is no great Clo. You'll go with us?

1 Lord. I'll attend your lordship. Clo. Nay, come, let's go together. 2 Lord. Well, my lord.

SCENE IV.-Britain.

[burt.

[Exeunt.

A Room in Cymbe

line's Palace.

Enter Imogen and Pisanio.

Imo. I would thou grew'st unto the shores of the haven,

And question'dst every sail: if he should write,
And I not have it, 'twere a paper lost,
As offer'd mercy is. What was the last
That he spake to thee?

Pis.

It was, His queen, his queen! Imo. Then wav'd his handkerchief? Pis. And kiss'd it, madam. Imo. Senseless linen! happier therein than I! And that was all?

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The Works of William Shakespeare: Life, Glossary, &c : Reprinted ..., Band 1