Complete Works of William Shakespeare

Augustus lives to think on't: And so much
For my peculiar care. This one thing only
I will entreat; My boy, a Briton born,
Let him be ransom'd: never master had
A page so kind, so duteous, diligent,
So tender over his occasions, true,

So feat,9 so nurselike: let his virtue join

With my request, which, I'll make bold, your high

ness

Cannot deny he hath done no Briton harm,
Though he have serv'd a Roman: save him, sir,
And spare no blood beside.
Cym.

I have surely seen him:
His favor is familiar to me.-
Boy, thou hast look'd thyself into my grace,
And art mine own.-I know not why, nor where-
fore,

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."

Imo.
No, no: alack!
There's other work in hand; I see a thing
Bitter to me as death: your life, good master,
Must shuffle for itself.

Am something nearer.
Cym.

Wherefore ey'st him so? Imo. I'll tell you, sir, in private, if you please To give me hearing.

Ay, with all my heart,

Cym.
And lend my best attention. What's thy name?
Imo. Fidele, sir.

Cym. Thou art, my good youth, my page;
I'll be thy master: Walk with me; speak freely.
[CYMBELINE and IMOGEN converse apart.
Bel. Is not this boy revived from death?
Arv.
One sand another
Not more resembles: That sweet rosy lad,
Who died, and was Fidele:-What think you?
Gui. The same dead thing alive.

Bel. Peace, peace! see further, he eyes us not;
forbear:

Creatures may be alike: were he, I am sure
He would have spoke to us.
Gui.
But we saw him dead.
Bel. Be silent; let's see further.
Pis.

It is my mistress:
[Aside.
Since she is living, let the time run on,
To good, or bad.

[CYMBELINE and IMOGEN come forward.
Cym.
Come, stand thou by our side;
Make thy demand aloud.-Sir, [To IACH.] step you
forth;

Give answer to this boy, and do it freely:
Or, by our greatness, and the grace of it,
Which is our honor, bitter torture shall
Winnow the truth from falsehood.-On, speak to
him.

Into. My boon is, that this gentleman may render
Of whom he had this ring.
Post.
What's that to him?

[Aside.
Cym. That diamond upon your finger, say,
How came it yours?

Iach. Thou'lt torture me to leave unspoken that
Which, to be spoke, would torture thee.
Cym.

How! me?
Iach.I am glad to be constrain'd to utter that which
Torments me to conceal. By villany

I got this ring; 'twas Leonatus' jewel;

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, (accurs'd
The mansion where!) 'twas a feast, (0, would
Our viands had been poison'd! or, at least,
Those which I heav'd to head!) the good Posthú-

mus,

(What should I say? he was too good to be
Where ill men were; and was the best of all
Amongst the rar'st of good ones,) sitting sadly,
Hearing us praise our loves of Italy

For beauty that made barren the swell'd boast
Of him that best could speak: for feature, laming
The shrine of Venus, or straight-pight Minerva,
Postures beyond brief nature: for condition,
A shop of all the qualities that man
Loves women for; besides, that hook of wiving,
Fairness which strikes the eye:—

Cym.

Come to the matter.

Iach.

I stand on fire:

All too soon I shall,

Unless thou wouldst grieve quickly.-This Post-
húmus

(Most like a noble lord in love, and one
That had a royal lover) took his hint:
And, not dispraising whom we prais'd, (therein
He was as calm as virtue,) he began

His mistress' picture; which by his tongue being
made,

And then a mind put in't, either our brags
Were crack'd of kitchen trulls, or his description
Prov'd us unspeaking sots.

Cym.

Nay, nay, to the purpose.
Jach. 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 wager'd with him
Pieces of gold, 'gainst this which then he wore
Upon his honor'd finger, to attain

In suit the place of his bed, and win this ring
By her's and mine adultery: he, true knight,
No lesser of her honor confident
Than I did truly find her, stakes this ring;
And would so, had it been a carbuncle
Of Phoebus' wheel, and might so safely, had it
Been all the worth of his car. Away to Britain
Post I in this design: Well may you, sir,
Remember me at court, where I was taught
Of your chaste daughter the wide difference
'Twixt amorous and villanous. Being thus quench'd
Of hope, not longing, mine Italian brain
'Gan in your duller Britain operate
Most vilely; for my 'vantage, excellent;
And, to be brief, my practice so prevail'd,
That I return'd with simular proof enough
To make the noble Leonatus mad,
By wounding his belief in her renown
With tokens thus, and thus; averring notes
Of chamber-hanging, pictures, this her bracelet,
(0, cunning, how I got it!) nay, some marks
Of secret on her person, that he could not
But think her bond of chastity quite crack'd,
I having ta'en the forfeit. Whereupon,-
Methinks I see him now,-
Post.

Ay, so thou dost,
[Coming forward
Italian fiend!-Ah me, most credulous fool,
Egregious murderer, thief, any thing
That's due to all the villains past, in being,
To come!-0, give me cord, or knife, or poison,
Some upright justicer! Thou, king, send out
For torturers ingenious: It is I

That all the abhorred things o' the earth amend,
By being worse than they. I am Posthumus,
That kill'd thy daughter:-villain-like, I lie;
That caus'd a lesser villain than myself,
A sacrilegious thief, to do't: the temple

Whom thou didst banish; and (which more may Of virtue was she; yea, and she herself.s

grieve thee,

Ready, dexterous.

1 Countenance.

• Sink into dejection.

Not only the temple of virtue, but virtue herself.

Spit, and throw stones, cast mire upon me, set
The dogs o' the street to bay me: every villain
Be call'd Posthúmus Leonatus; and
Be villany less than 'twas!-0 Imogen!
My queen, my life, my wife! O Imogen,
Imogen, Imogen!

Imo.
Peace, my lord; hear, hear-
Post. Shall's have a play of this? thou scornful
page,

There lies thy part. [Striking her: she falls.
Pis.
O, gentlemen, help, help
Mine and your mistress:-0, my lord Posthumus!
You ne'er kill'd Imogen till now:-Help, help!-
Mine honor'd lady!

Cym.
Does the world go round?
Post. How come these staggers on me?
Pis.
Wake, my mistress!
Cym. If this be so, the gods do mean to strike me
To death with mortal joy.
Pis.

How fares my mistress? Imo. O, get thee from my sight; Thou gav'st me poison: dangerous fellow, hence! Breathe not where princes are. Cym.

Pis. Lady,

The tune of Imogen!

The gods throw stones of sulphur at me, if
That box I gave you was not thought by me
A precious thing; I had it from the queen.
Cym. New matter still?
Imo.
Cor.

It poison'd me.

O gods!I left out one thing which the queen confess'd, Which must approve thee honest: If Pisanio Have, said she, given his mistress that confection Which I gave him for a cordial, she is serv'd As I would serve a rat. Cym.

What's this, Cornelius?
Cor. The queen, sir, very oft importun'd me
To temper poisons for her; still pretending
The satisfaction of her knowledge only
In killing creatures vile, as cats and dogs,
Of no esteem: I, dreading that her purpose
Was of more danger, did compound for her
A certain stuff, which being ta'en, would cease
The present power of life; but in short time,
All offices of nature should again

Do their due functions.-Have you ta'en of it?
Imo. Most like I did, for I was dead.
Bel.

There was our error.

My boys,

This is sure, Fidele.

Gui.
Imo. Why did you throw your wedded lady from
you?

Think, that you are upon a rock; and now
Throw me again.

Post.

Till the tree die! Cym.

[Embracing him. Hang there like fruit, my soul,

How now, my flesh, my child? What, mak'st thou me a dullard in this act? Wilt thou not speak to me?

Imo.

Your blessing, sir. [Kneeling. Bel. Though you did love this youth, I blame you not;

You had a motive for't.

[To GUIDERIUS and ARVIRAGUS. Cym. 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 truth. Upon my lady's missing, came to me With his sword drawn; foam'd at the mouth, and

swore,

My lord, Lord Cloten,

If I discover'd 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 see her on the mountains near to Milford,
Where, in a frenzy, in my master's garments,
Which he enforced from me, away he posts
With unchaste purpose, and with oath to violate
My lady's honor: what became of him,
I further know not.

Gui.

I slew him there.

Let me end the story:

Marry, the gods forefend !5

Cym. I would not thy good deeds should from my lips Pluck a hard sentence: pr'ythee, valiant youth, Deny't again. Gui. I have spoke it, and I did it. Cym. He was a prince.

Gui. A most uncivil one: The wrongs he did me Were nothing prince-like; 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; And am right glad, he is not standing here To tell this tale of mine. Cym.

I am sorry for thee: By thine own tongue thou art condemn'd, and must Endure our law: Thou art dead. That headless man

This man is better than the man he slew,
As well descended as thyself; and hath
More of thee inerited, than a band of Clotens
Had ever scar for.-Let his arms alone;

They were not born for bondage.
Cym.

[To the Guard.
Why, old soldier,
Wilt thou undo the worth thou art unpaid for,
By tasting of our wrath? How of descent
As good as we?
Arv.
In that he spake too far.
Cym. And thou shalt die for't.
Bel.
We will die all three:
But I will prove, that two of us are as good
As I have given out him.-My sons, I must,
For mine own part, unfold a dangerous speech,
Though, haply, well for you.

First pay me for the nursing of thy sons;
And let it be confiscate all, so soon
As I have receiv'd it.
Cym.
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,
These two young gentlemen, that call me father,
And think they are my sons, are none of mine;
They are the issue of your loins, my liege,
And blood of your begetting.
Cym.

How! my issue?
Bel. So sure as you your father's. I, old Morgan,
Am that Belarius whom you sometime banish'd.
Your pleasure was my mere offence,my punishment
Itself, and all my treason: that I suffer'd,
Was all the harm I did. These gentle princes
(For such, and so they are) these twenty years
Have I train'd up: those arts they have, as I
Could put into them; my breeding was, sir, as
Your highness knows. Their nurse, Euriphile,
Whom for the theft I wedded, stole these children
Upon my banishment: I mov'd her to't:
Having receiv'd the punishment before,
For that which I did then: Beaten for loyalty
Excited me to treason: Their dear loss,
The more of you 'twas felt, the more it shaped
Unto my end of stealing them. But, gracious sir,
Here are your sons again; and I must lose
Two of the sweet'st companions in the world:-
The benediction of these covering heavens
Fall on their heads like dew! for they are worthy
To inlay heaven with stars.

Cym. Thou weep'st, and speak'st. The service, that you three have done, is more Unlike than this thou tell'st: I lost my children; If these be they, I know not how to wish A pair of worthier sons.

Hath to it circumstantial branches, which Distinction should be rich in.6-Where? how liv'd 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
I know not how much more, should be demanded;
And all the other by-dependencies,
From chance to chance; but nor the time, nor place,
Will serve long interrogatories. See,
Posthmus anchors upon Imogen;

And she, like harmless lightning, throws her eye
On him, her brothers, me, her master; hitting
Each object with joy; the counterchange
Is severally in all. Let's quit this ground,
And smoke the temple with our sacrifices.-
Thou art my brother; So we'll hold thee ever.

[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.

My good master,

Happy be you!

Cym. The forlorn soldier, that so nobly fought, He would have well becom'd this place, and graced The thankings of a king.

Post.

I am, sir,

The soldier that did company these three
In poor beseeming; 'twas a fitment for
The purpose I then follow'd;-That I was he,
Speak, lachimo: I had you down, and might'
Have made you finish.
lach.

I am down again:

[Kneeling.

But now my heavy conscience sinks my knee,
As then your force did. Take that life, 'beseech you,
Which I so often owe: but, your ring first;
And here the bracelet of the truest princess,
That ever swore her faith.

Post.

Kneel not to me:

The power that I have on you, is to spare you; The malice towards you, to forgive you: Live, And deal with others better.

Cym.

We'll learn our freeness of a son-in-law; Pardon's the word to all.

Arv.

Nobly doom'd:

You holp us, sir,

As you did mean indeed to be our brother;
Joy'd are we, that you are.

Post. Your servant, princes.-Good my lord of
Rome,

Call forth your soothsaver. As I slept, methought,
Great Jupiter, upon his eagle back,

Appear'd to me, with other sprightly shows7
Of mine own kindred: when I waked, I found
This label on my bosom; whose containing
Is so from sense and hardness, that I can
Make no collection of it; let him show
His skill in the construction.
Luc.

Sooth. Here, my good lord.
Luc.

Philarmonus,—

Read, and declare the meaning.

Sooth. [Reads.] When as a lion's whelp shall, to himself unknown, without seeking find, and be embraced by a piece of tender air; and when from a stately cedar shall be lopp'd branches, which, being dead many years, shall after revive, be jointed to the old stock, and freshly grow; then shall Postflourish in peace and plenty. humus end his miseries, Britain be fortunate, and

Thou, Leonatus, art the lion's whelp;
The fit and apt construction of thy name,
Being Leo-natus, doth import so much:
The piece of tender air, thy virtuous daughter,
[To CYMBELINE.
Which we call mollis aër; and mollis aër
We term it mulier: which mulier I divine,
Is this most constant wife; who, even now,
Answering the letter of the oracle,
Unknown to you, unsought, were clipp'ds about
With this most tender air.

Well, My peace we will begin :-And, Caius Lucius, And to the Roman empire; promising Although the victor, we submit to Cæsar, To pay our wonted tribute, from the which We were dissuaded by our wicked queen; Whom heavens, in justice, (both on her and hers,) Have laid most heavy hand.

Sooth. The fingers of the powers above do tune The harmony of this peace. The vision Which I made known to Lucius, ere the stroke Of this yet scarce-cold battle, at this instant Is full accomplish'd: For the Roman eagle, From south to west on wing soaring aloit, Lessen'd herself, and in the beams o' the sun So vanish'd: which foreshow'd our princely eagle, The imperial Cæsar, should again unite His favor with the radiant Cymbeline, Which shines here in the west.

Cym. Laud we the gods; And let our crooked smokes climb to their nostrils From our bless'd altars! Publish we this peace To all our subjects. Set we forward: Let

A Roman and a British ensign wave

Friendly together: so through Lud's town march:
And in the temple of great Jupiter

Our peace we'll ratify; seal it with feasts.-
Set on there:-Never was a war did cease,
Ere bloody hands were wash'd, with such a peace.
[Exeunt.

No wither'd witch shall here be seen,
No goblins lead their nightly crew:
The female fays shall haunt the green,
And dress thy grave with pearly dew.

The red-breast oft at evening hours

Shall kindly lend his little ait, With hoary moss, and gather'd flowers, To deck the ground where thou art laid.

When howling winds, and beating rain,
In tempests shake the sylvan cell;
Or midst the chase on every plain,

The tender thought on thee shall dwell,

Each lonely scene shall thee restore; For thee the tear be duly shed: Belov'd, till life could charm no more; And mourn'd, till pity's self be dead.

TITUS ANDRONICUS.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

SATURNINUS, Son to the late Emperor of Rome, | EMILIUS, a noble Roman.
and afterwards declared Emperor himself.
BASSIANUS, Brother to Saturninus; in love with
Lavinia.

TITUS ANDRONICUS, a noble Roman, General
against the Goths.

MARCUS ANDRONICUS, Tribune of the People; and Brother to Titus.

ALARBUS, CHIRON,

Sons to Tamora.

AARON, a Moor, beloved by Tamora.

A Captain, Tribune, Messenger, and Clown; Ro

mans.

Goths, and Romans.

TAMORA, Queen of the Goths.

LAVINIA, Daughter to Titus Andronicus.
A Nurse, and a black Child.

Kinsmen of Titus, Senators, Tribunes, Officers,
Soldiers, and Attendants.

SCENE, Rome; and the Country near it.

SCENE I-Rome. Before the Capitol.

ACT I.

That, with his sons, a terror to our foes, Hath yok'd a nation strong, train'd up in arms. The Tomb of the Andronici appearing: the Tri-Ten years are spent, since first he undertook bunes and Senators aloft, as in the Senate.-This cause of Rome, and chastised with arms Enter, below, SATURNINUS and his Followers, on one side; and BASSIANUS and his Followers, on the other; with Drum and Colors.

Sat. Noble patricians, patrons of my right, Defend the justice of my cause with arms; And, countrymen, my loving followers, Plead my successive title' with your swords; I am his first-born son, that was the last That ware the imperial diadem of Rome; Then let my father's honors live in me, Nor wrong mine age with this indignity. Bas. Romans,-friends, followers, favorers my right,

If ever Bassianus, Cæsar's son,

Our enemies' pride: Five times he hath return'd
Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant sons
In coffins from the field;

And now at last, laden with honor's spoils,
Returns the good Andronicus to Rome,
Renowned Titus, flourishing in arms.

Let us entreat,-By honor of his name,
Whom, worthily, you would have now succeed,
And in the Capitol and senate's right,
Whom you pretend to honor and adore,-
That you withdraw you, and abate your strength:
of Dismiss your followers, and, as suitors should,
Plead your deserts in peace and humbleness.

Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome,
Keep then this passage to the Capitol;
And suffer not dishonor to approach
The imperial seat, to virtue consecrate,
To justice, continence, and nobility:
But let desert in pure election shine;
And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice.
Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS aloft, with the Crown.
Marc. Princes that strive by factions, and by
friends,

Ambitiously for rule and empery,

Know, that the people of Rome, for whom we stand A special party, have by their common voice,

In election for the Roman empery,

Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Píus,

For many good and great deserts to Rome;

A nobler man, a braver warrior,

Lives not this day within the city walls:

He by the senate is accited? home,

From weary wars against the barbarous Goths;

i.e. My title to the succession.

2 Summoned.

Sat. How fair the tribune speaks to calm my thoughts!

Bas. Marcus Andronicus, so do I affy In thy uprightness and integrity, And so I love and honor thee and thine, Thy nobler brother Titus and his sons, And her, to whom my thoughts are humbled all, Gracious Lavinia, Rome's rich ornament, That I will here dismiss my loving friends; And to my fortunes, and the people's favor, Commit my cause in balance to be weigh'd.

[Exeunt the Followers of BASSIANUS. Sat. Friends, that have been thus forward in my right,

I thank you all, and here dismiss you all;
And to the love and favor of my country
Commit myself, my person, and the cause.

[Exeunt the Followers of SATURNINUS.
Rome, be as just and gracious unto me,
As I am confident and kind to thee.-
Open the gates, and let me in.

Bas. Tribunes! and me, a poor competitor. [SAT. and BAS. go into the Capitol, and exeunt with Senators, MARCUS, &c.

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