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- William Shakespeare: Cymbeline, Act III, Scene VI
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Scene VIWales. Before the cave of BelariusEnter Imogen, in boy’s clothesImogenI 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 relieved. 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’t: ’tis some savage hold: I were best not to 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!Exit, to the caveEnter Belarius, Guiderius, and ArviragusBelariusYou, Polydote, have proved best woodman and Are master of the feast: Cadwal and I Will play the cook and servant; ’tis our match: The sweat of industry would dry and die, But for the end it works to. Come; our stomachs Will make what’s homely savoury: weariness Can snore upon the flint, when resty sloth Finds the down pillow hard. Now peace be here, Poor house, that keep’st thyself!GuideriusI am thoroughly weary.ArviragusI am weak with toil, yet strong in appetite.GuideriusThere is cold meat i’ the cave; we’ll browse on that, Whilst what we have kill’d be cook’d.BelariusLooking into the caveStay; come not in. But that it eats our victuals, I should think Here were a fairy.GuideriusWhat’s the matter, sir?BelariusBy Jupiter, an angel! or, if not, An earthly paragon! Behold divineness No elder than a boy!Re-enter ImogenImogenGood masters, harm me not: Before I enter’d here, I call’d; and thought To have begg’d or bought what I have took: good troth, I have stol’n nought, nor would not, though I had found Gold strew’d i’ the floor. Here’s money for my meat: I would have left it on the board so soon As I had made my meal, and parted With prayers for the provider.GuideriusMoney, youth?ArviragusAll gold and silver rather turn to dirt! As ’tis no better reckon’d, but of those Who worship dirty gods.ImogenI see you’re angry: Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should Have died had I not made it.BelariusWhither bound?ImogenTo Milford-Haven.BelariusWhat’s your name?ImogenFidele, sir. I have a kinsman who Is bound for Italy; he embark’d at Milford; To whom being going, almost spent with hunger, I am fall’n in this offence.BelariusPrithee, fair youth, Think us no churls, nor measure our good minds By this rude place we live in. Well encounter’d! ‘Tis almost night: you shall have better cheer Ere you depart: and thanks to stay and eat it. Boys, bid him welcome.GuideriusWere you a woman, youth, I should woo hard but be your groom. In honesty, I bid for you as I’d buy.ArviragusI’ll make’t my comfort He is a man; I’ll love him as my brother: And such a welcome as I’d give to him After long absence, such is yours: most welcome! Be sprightly, for you fall ‘mongst friends.Imogen’Mongst friends, If brothers.AsideWould it had been so, that they Had been my father’s sons! then had my prize Been less, and so more equal ballasting To thee, Posthumus.BelariusHe wrings at some distress.GuideriusWould I could free’t!ArviragusOr I, whate’er it be, What pain it cost, what danger. God’s!BelariusHark, boys.WhisperingImogenGreat men, 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’s false.BelariusIt 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.GuideriusPray, draw near.ArviragusThe night to the owl and morn to the lark less welcome.ImogenThanks, sir.ArviragusI pray, draw near.Exeunt
William Shakespeare: Cymbeline, Act III
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William Shakespeare: Cymbeline, Act IV, Scene II
- William Shakespeare: Cymbeline, Act IV, Scene II
TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
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The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
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Current Events This Week: January 2023
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Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
- Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
- The Twelve Dancing Princesses
- Current Events This Week: January 2023
- African Americans by the Numbers
- Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
- The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
