Imo. No court, no father; nor no more ado
With that harsh, noble, simple, nothing:
That Cloten, whose love-suit hath been to me
As fearful as a siege.
Pis.

If not at court,
Then not in Britain must you bide.
Imo.

Where, then?
Hath Britain all the sun that shines? Day, night,
Are they not but in Britain? I'the world's volume
Our Britain seems as of it, but not in it;
In a great pool, a swan's nest; Pr'ythee, think
There's livers out of Britain.

Pis.
I am most glad
You think of other place. The ambassador,
Lucius the Roman, comes to Milford-Haven
To-morrow: Now, if you could wear a mind
Dark as your fortune is; and but disguise
That, which, to appear itself, must not yet be,
But by self-danger; you should tread a course
Pretty, and full of view: yea, haply, near
The residence of Posthumus: so nigh, at least,
That though his actions were not visible, yet
Report should render him hourly to your ear,
As truly as he moves.

O, for such means!

Imo. Though peril to my modesty, not death on't, I would adventure.

Pis.

Well then, here's the point:
You must forget to be a woman; change
Command into obedience; fear, and niceness,
(The handmaids of all women, or, more truly,
Woman its pretty self,) to a waggish courage;
Ready in gibes, quick-answered, saucy, and
As quarrellous as the weasel: nay, you must
Forget that rarest treasure of your cheek,
Exposing it (but, O, the harder heart!
Alack no remedy!) to the greedy touch
Of common-kissing Titan 6; and forget
Your troublesome and dainty trims, wherein
You make great Juno angry.
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
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 me7, rich; and I will never fail Beginning, nor supplyment.

Imo.

Thou art all the comfort The gods will diet me with. Pr'ythee, away: There's more to be considered; 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 miss'd, I be suspected of

Your carriage from the court. My noble mistress,
Here is a box; I had it from the queen;
What's in't is precious; if you are sick at sea,

6 The sun.

7 As for your subsistence abroad, you may rely on me.

Or stomach-qualm'd at land, a dram of this
Will drive away distemper. To some shade,
And fit you to your manhood:- - May the gods
Direct you to the best!
Imo.
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.

Cym.

Our subjects, sir, Will not endure his yoke; and for ourself To show less sovereignty than they, must needs Appear unkingly.

Luc.

So, sir, I desire of you

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. 'Tis not sleepy business; But must be look'd to speedily, and strongly.

Cym. Our expectation that it would be thus, Hath made us forward. But, my gentle queen, Where is our daughter? She hath not appear'd Before the Roman, nor to us hath tender'd The duty of the day: She looks us like A thing more made of malice, than of duty: We have noted it.-Call her before us; for We have been too slight in sufferance.

[Exit an Attendant. Queen. Royal sir, Since the exíle of Posthumus, most retir'd Hath her life been; the cure whereof, my lord, 'Tis time must do. 'Beseech your majesty, Forbear sharp speeches to her: she's a lady So tender of rebukes, that words are strokes, And strokes death to her.

Re-enter an Attendant.

Cym.
Can her contempt be answer'd?
Allen.

Where is she, sir? How Please you, sir, Her chambers are all lock'd; and there's no answer That will be given to the loud'st of noise we make.

Queen. My lord, when last I went to visit her,
She pray'd me to excuse her keeping close;
Whereto constrain'd by her infirmity,
She should that duty leave unpaid to you,
Which daily she was bound to proffer: this

She wish'd me to make known; but our great court
Made me to blame in memory.
Cym.
Her doors lock'd?
Not seen of late? Grant, heavens, that, which I fear,
Prove false !
[Erit.

Queen. Son, I say, follow the king.
Clo. That man of hers, Pisanio, her old servant,
I have not seen these two days.
Queen.

look after. [Exit CLOTEN.

Pisanio, thou that stand'st so for Posthúmus!
He hath a drug of mine: I pray, his absence
Proceed by swallowing that; for he believes
It is a thing most precious. But for her,
Where is she gone? Haply, despair hath seiz'd her;
Or, wing'd with fervour of her love, she's flown
To her desir'd Posthúmus: Gone she is
To death, or to dishonour; and my end
Can make good use of either: She being down,
I have the placing of the British crown.
Re-enter CLOTEN.

How now, my son?

Clo.

'Tis certain she is fled : Go in, and cheer the king; he rages; none Dare come about him.

Queen. All the better: May This night forestall him of the coming day! [Exit QUEEN. Clo. I love, and hate her: for she's fair and royal; And that she hath all courtly parts more exquisite Than lady, ladies, woman 8; from every one The best she hath, and she, of all compounded, Outsells them all: I love her therefore; But, Disdaining me, and throwing favours on The low Posthúmus, slanders so her judgment, That what's else rare, is chok'd; and, in that point, I will conclude to hate her, nay, indeed, To be reveng'd upon her

For, when fools

Enter PISANIO.

Shall-Who is here? What! are you packing, sirrah?
Come hither: Ay, you precious pandar! Villain,
Where is thy lady! In a word; or else
Thou art straightway with the fiends.

Pis.

Clo.

O, good my lord!
Where is thy lady? or, by Jupiter

I will not ask again. Close villain,
I'll have this secret from thy heart, or rip
Thy heart to find it. Is she with Posthúmus?
From whose so many weights of baseness cannot
A dram of worth be drawn.

Pis.
Alas, my lord,
How can she be with him? When was she missed?
He is in Rome.
Clo.
Where is she, sir? Come nearer ?
No further halting: satisfy me home,
What is become of her?

Pis. O, my all-worthy lord!
Clo.

Pis. I'll write to my lord she's dead. O Imogen, Safe may'st thou wander, safe return again! [Aside. Clo. Sirrah, is this letter true? Pis. Sir, as I think. Clo. It is Posthumus' hand; I know't.-Sirrah, if thou wouldst not be a villain, but do me true service; undergo those employments, wherein I should have cause to use thee, with a serious industry,- that is, what villainy soe'er I bid thee do, to perform it, directly and truly, I would think thee an honest man: thou shouldest neither want my means for thy relief, nor my voice for thy preferment.

Clo. Meet thee at Milford-Haven: -I forgot to ask him one thing: I'll remember't anon: — — Even there, thou villain, Posthumus, will I kill thee. - I would these garments were come. She said upon a time, that she held the very garment of Posthu mus in more respect than my noble and natural person, together with the adornment of my qualities. With that suit upon my back, will I ravish her: First kill him, and in her eyes; there shall she see my valour, which will then be a torment to her contempt. She hath despised me rejoicingly, and I'll be merry in my revenge.

Re-enter PISANIO, with the Clothes. Be those the garments?

Pis. Ay, my noble lord.

Clo. How long is't since she went to MilfordHaven?

Pis. She can scarce be there yet.

Clo. Bring this apparel to my chamber; that is the second thing that I have commanded thee: the third is, that thou shalt be a voluntary mute to my design. Be but duteous, and true preferment shall tender itself to thee. - My revenge is now at Milford; 'Would I had wings to follow it! - Come, and be true. [Erit.

Than any lady, than all ladies, than all womankind.

[Exit.

Imo. I see a man's life is a tedious one; I have tired myself; and for two nights together Have made the ground my bed. I should be sick, But that my resolution helps me. — Milford, When from the mountain-top Pisanio show'd thee, Thou wast within a ken: O Jove! I think, Foundations fly the wretched: such, I mean, Where they should be reliev'd. Two beggars told me, I could not miss my way: Will poor folks lie, That have afflictions on them? knowing 'tis A punishment, or trial? Yes; no wonder, When rich ones scarce tell true: To lapse in fulness Is sorer, than to lie for need; and falsehood Is worse in kings than beggars. My dear lord! Thou art one o' the false ones: Now I think on thee, My hunger's gone; but even before, I was At point to sink for food. But what is this? Here is a path to it: 'Tis some savage hold: I were best not call: I dare not call: yet famine, Ere clean it o'erthrow nature, makes it valiant. Plenty, and peace, breeds cowards; hardness ever Of hardiness is mother. - Ho! who's here? If any thing that's civil, speak; if savage, Take, or lend. - Ho'- No answer? then I'll enter. Best draw my sword: and if mine enemy But fear the sword like me, he'll scarcely look on't. Such a foe, good heavens! [She goes into the Cave. Enter BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS. Bel. You, Polydore, have prov'd best woodman 9,

and

Are master of the feast: Cadwal, and I,
Will play the cook and servant; 'tis our match 1:
The sweat of industry would dry, and die,
But for the end it works to. Come; our stomachs
Will make what's homely, savory: Weariness
Can snore upon the flint, when restive sloth
Finds the down pillow hard- Now, peace be here,
Poor house, that keep'st thyself!
Gui.

I am thoroughly weary. Arv. I am weak with toil, yet strong in appetite. Gui. There is cold meat i' the cave; we'll browze on that,

Whilst what we have kill'd be cook'd.
Bel.

Stay; come not in : [Looking in.

But that it eats our victuals, I should think Here were a fairy.

Imo

Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should
Have died, had I not made it.
Bel.

Imo. To Milford-Haven, sir.

Imo. Great men,

Hark, boys. [Whispering.

That had a court no bigger than this cave,
That did attend themselves, and had the virtue
Which their own conscience seal'd them, (laying by
That nothing gift of differing multitudes,)
Could not out-peer these twain. Pardon me, gods!
I'd change my sex to be companion with them,
Since Leonatus false.
It shall be so:
Boys, we'll go dress our hunt.-Fair youth, come in:
Discourse is heavy, fasting; when we have supp'd,
We'll mannerly demand thee of thy story,
So far as thou wilt speak it.

Bel.

Gui.

Pray, draw near.

Arv. The night to the owl, and morn to the lark,

less welcome. Imo. Thanks, sir.

Arv.

I pray draw near. [Exeunt.

Enter two Senators and Tribunes.

1 Sen. This is the tenour of the emperor's writ: That since the common men are now in action

'Gainst the Pannonians and Dalmatians :
And that the legions now in Gallia are
Full weak to undertake our wars against
The fallen-off Britons; that we do incite
The gentry to this businsss: He creates
Lucius pro-consul: and to you the tribunes,
2 In, for into.

Bel.

What hast thou done? Gui. I am perfect, what: cut off one Cloten's head, Son to the queen, after his own report; Who call'd me traitor, mountaineer; and swore, With his own single hand he'd take us in o, Displace our heads, where (thank the gods!) they grow,

And set them on Lud's town.

Bel. We are all undone. Gui. Why, worthy father, what have we to lose, But, that he swore to take, our lives? The law Protects not us: Then why should we be tender, To let an arrogant piece of flesh threat us; Play judge, and executioner, all himself; For we do fear the law? What company Discover you abroad?

No single soul

Bel. Can we set eye on, but, in all safe reason, He must have some attendants. Though his humour Was nothing but mutation; ay, and that From one bad thing to worse; not frenzy, not Absolute madness could so far have rav'd, To bring him here alone: Although, perhaps, It may be heard at court, that such as we Cave here, hunt here, are outlaws, and in time May make some stronger head: the which he hearing, (As it is like him,) might break out and swear He'd fetch us in; yet is't not probable To come alone, either he so undertaking, Or they so suffering: then on good ground we fear, If we do fear this body hath a tail More perilous than the head.