Guid. Let me end his story: 'Twas I, that slew him. Cym. Marry, the gods forefend! I would not thy good deeds should from my lips Guid. I have spoke it, and I did it. Guid. 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.—Bind the offender, And take him from our presence. [guards advance. This man is better than the man he slew, More of thee merited, than a band of Clotens Had ever scar for.— Let his arms alone; They were not born for bondage. Cym. Why, old soldier, [To the GUARDS. Wilt thou undo the worth thou art unpaid for, As good as we? Bel. I am too blunt, and saucy: Here's my knee: Mighty sir, These two young gentlemen, that call me father, Posthumus, Imogen, and Pisanio, come forward, 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 Cym. Thou weep'st, and speak'st.— I lost my children; If these be they, I know not how to wish Bel. This is he; Who hath upon him still that natural stamp: Cym. Bless'd may you be, That, after this strange starting from your orbs, You may reign in them now!—Oh, Imogen, Imog. No, my lord; I have got two worlds by't.—Oh, my gentle brothers, But I am truest speaker: you call'd me brother, When you were so indeed. Cym. Did you e'er meet?— Arv. Ay, my good lord. Guid. And at first meeting lov'd. Cym. Oh, rare instinct! When shall I hear all through ?—How liv'd you? where? And when came you to serve our Roman captive? Will serve our long intergatories.—See, And she, like harmless lightning, throws her eye Save these in bonds; let them be joyful too, For they shall taste our comfort.— [guards take off their Chains. The forlorn soldier, that so nobly fought, He would have well becom'd this place, and grac'd The thankings of a king. Post. I am, sir, The soldier that did company these three The purpose I then follow'd:—That I was he, Iach. I am down again: But now my heavy conscience sinks my knee, But, your ring first; And here the bracelet of the truest princess, That ever swore her faith:- Now take that life, 'beseech you, Which I so often owe. Post. Kneel not to me: [Kneels. The power that I have on you, is to spare you; Cym. Nobly doom'd: We'll learn our freeness of a son-in-law; Pardon's the word to all.—Laud we the gods; And let our crooked smokes climb to their nostrils From our bless'd altars!—Set we forward: Let Friendly together: so through Lud's town march : Ere bloody hands were wash'd, with such a peace. [Exeunt omnes.—Drums and Trumpets. THE END. |