Enter LUCIUS, IACHIMO, the Soothsayer, and other Roman Prisoners, guarded; POSTHUMUS behind, and IMOGEN. Thou com❜st not, Caius, now for tribute; that Luc. Consider, sir, the chance of war: the day Was yours by accident; had it gone with us, We should not, when the blood was cool, have threaten'd Our prisoners with the sword. But since the gods A So tender over his occasions, true, So feat, so nurse-like: 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, spare no blood beside. Cym. I have surely seen him: His favour is familiar to me. Boy, thou hast look'd thyself into my grace, And art mine own.-I know not why, nor wherefore, Yea, though thou do demand a prisoner, 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 Luc. The boy disdains me, He leaves me, scorns me: Briefly die their joys, That place them on the truth of girls and boys.Why stands he so perplex'd? Cym. What would'st thou, boy? I love thee more and more; think more and more What's best to ask. Know'st him thou look'st on? speak, Wilt have him live? Is he thy kin? thy friend? Imo. He is a Roman; no more kin to me, Than I to your highness; who, being born your vassal, Am something nearer. Cym. Wherefore ey'st him so? Imo. I'll tell you, sir, in private, if you please To give me hearing. Cym. Ay, with all my heart, And lend my best attention. What's thy name? Cym. Thou art my good youth, my page; Not more resembles: That sweet rosy lad, Bel. Peace, peace! see further; he eyes us not; forbear; Creatures may be alike: were't 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: Since she is living, let the time run on, To good, or bad. [Aside. [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; Winnow the truth from falsehood.-On, speak to him. Imo. My boon is, that this gentleman may render Of whom he had this ring. Post. What's that to him? Cym. That diamond upon your finger, say, How came it yours? [Aside. 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 villainy I got this ring; 'twas Leonatus' jewel: Whom thou didst banish; and (which more may grieve thee, As it doth me,) a nobler sir ne'er liv'd 'Twixt sky and ground. Wilt thou hear more, my lord? Cym. All that belongs to this. Jach. 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 should'st live while nature will, Iach. Upon a time, (unhappy was the clock For beauty, that made barren the swell'd boast Loves woman for; besides, that hook of wiving, Cym. I stand on fire: Come to the matter. Iach. All too soon I shall, Unless thou would'st grieve quickly.-This Posthú mus, (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. Iach. Your daughter's chastity--there it begins! He spake of her as Dian had hot dreams, And she alone were cold: Whereat, I, wretch! In suit the place of his bed, and win this ring Than I did truly find her, stakes this ring; 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!-O, give me cord, or knife, or poison, |