The Works of William Shakespeare

Cleo. Be it known, that we, the greatest, are misthought

For things that others do; and, when we fall,

Which towards you are most gentle, you shall We answer others' merits in our name,

find

A benefit in this change; but if you seek

130

To lay on me a cruelty, by taking
Antony's course, you shall bereave yourself
Of my good purposes, and put your children
To that destruction which I'll guard them from,
If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave.

Cleo. And may, through all the world: 'tis
yours; and we,

Your scutcheons and your signs of conquest, shall Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord.

Cas. You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra.
Cleo. This is the brief of money, plate, and
jewels,

I am possess'd of: 'tis exactly valued;
Not petty things admitted. Where's Seleucus?
Sel. Here, madam.

141

Cleo. This is my treasurer: let him speak, my lord,

Upon his peril, that I have reserved

To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.
Sel. Madam,

I had rather seal my lips, than, to my peril,
Speak that which is not.

Cleo.
What have I kept back?
Sel. Enough to purchase what you have made
known.

Cas. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra; I approve Your wisdom in the deed.

Cleo. See, Cæsar! O, behold, 150 How pomp is follow'd! mine will now be yours; And, should we shift estates, yours would be mine. The ingratitude of this Seleucus does Even make me wild: O slave, of no more trust Than love that's hired! What, goest thou back? thou shalt

Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine

Are therefore to be pitied.

queen;

For we intend so to dispose you as
Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep:
Our care and pity is so much upon you,
That we remain your friend; and so, adieu.
Cleo. My master, and my lord!
Cæs.
Not so.

Adieu. 190 [Flourish. Exeunt Cæsar and his train. Cleo. He words me, girls, he words me, that I should not

Be noble to myself: but, hark thee, Charmian.
[Whispers Charmian.
Iras. Finish, good lady; the bright day is done,
And we are for the dark.
Cleo.
Hie thee again:
I have spoke already, and it is provided;
Go put it to the haste.
Char.

Madam, I will. Re-enter DOLABELLA. Dol. Where is the queen? Char.

Behold, sir. [Exit. Dolabella!

Cleo.
Dol. Madam, as thereto sworn by your com-
mand,

Which my love makes religion to obey,
I tell you this: Cæsar through Syria
Intends his journey; and within three days
You with your children will he send before:
Make your best use of this: I have perform'd
Your pleasure and my promise.
Cleo.

I shall remain your debtor.

Dolabella,

200

Dol. I your servant. Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Cæsar. Cleo. Farewell, and thanks. [Exit Dolabella. Now, Iras, what think'st thou? Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown In Rome, as well as I: mechanic slaves With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths, Rank of gross diet, shall we be enclouded, And forced to drink their vapour.

Iras.

The gods forbid ! Cleo. Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras: saucy

lictors

Will catch at us, like strumpets; and scald

rhymers

Ballad us out o' tune: the quick comedians Extemporally will stage us, and present

Guard.

[Exit Iras. A noise within. Enter a Guardsman.

Here is a rural fellow
That will not be denied your highness' presence:
He brings you figs.

Cleo. Let him come in. [Exit Guardsman.
What poor an instrument
May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty.
My resolution's placed, and I have nothing
Of woman in me: now from head to foot

I am marble-constant; now the fleeting moon 240
No planet is of mine.

Re-enter Guardsman, with Clown bringing in
a basket.
Guard.
This is the man.
Cleo. Avoid, and leave him.
[Exit Guardsman.
Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there,
That kills and pains not?

Clown. Truly, I have him: but I would not be the party that should desire you to touch him, for his biting is immortal; those that do die of it do seldom or never recover.

Cleo. Rememberest thou any that have died on't?

249

Clown. Very many, men and women too. I heard of one of them no longer than yesterday: a very honest woman, but something given to lie; as a woman should not do, but in the way of honesty: how she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt: truly, she makes a very good report o' the worm; but he that will believe all that they say, shall never be saved by half that they do but this is most fallible, the worm's an odd worm.

260

Cleo. Get thee hence; farewell.
Clown. I wish you all joy of the worm.
[Setting down his basket.

Cleo. Farewell.

Clown. You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind.

Cleo. Ay, ay; farewell.

Re-enter IRAS with a robe, crown, &c.
Cleo. Give me my robe, put on my crown; |
I have

Immortal longings in me: now no more
The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip:
Yare, yare, good Iras; quick. Methinks I hear
Antony call; I see him rouse himself

To praise my noble act; I hear him mock
The luck of Cæsar, which the gods give men 28
To excuse their after wrath: husband, I come:
Now to that name my courage prove my title!
I am fire and air; my other elements
I give to baser life. So; have you done?
Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips.
Farewell, kind Charmian; Iras, long farewell
Kisses them. Iras falls and dies
Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall?
If thou and nature can so gently part,
The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch,
Which hurts, and is desired. Dost thou lie still!
If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world
It is not worth leave-taking.

300 Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I

may say,

The gods themselves do weep!

Cleo.

This proves me base:
If she first meet the curled Antony,
He'll make demand of her, and spend that kiss
Which is my heaven to have. Come, thou mor
tal wretch,

[To an asp, which she applies to her breast.
With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate
Of life at once untie: poor venomous fool,
Be angry, and dispatch. O, couldst thou speak,
That I might hear thee call great Cæsar ass 310
Unpolicied!

Char. O eastern star!
Cleo.
Peace, peace!
Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,
That sucks the nurse asleep?
Char.
O, break! O, break'
Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as
gentle,-
Antony-Nay, I will take thee too:

O
[Applying another asp to her arm.
What should I stay---
(Dies.
Char. In this vile world? So, fare thee well.
Now boast thee, death, in thy possession lies
A lass unparallel'd. Downy windows, close;
And golden Phoebus never be beheld
Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry:

Clown. Look you, the worm is not to be I'll mend it, and then play.

320

First Guard. This is an aspic's trail: and these fig-leaves

Have slime upon them, such as the aspic leaves Upon the caves of Nile.

Most probable

360

Cies. That so she died; for her physician tells me She hath pursued conclusions infinite Of easy ways to die. Take up her bed; And bear her women from the monument: She shall be buried by her Antony: No grave upon the earth shall clip in it A pair so famous. High events as these Strike those that make them; and their story is No less in pity than his glory which Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall In solemn show attend this funeral; And then to Rome. Come, Dolabella, see High order in this great solemnity.

[Exeunt.

palace.

Enter two Gentlemen.

First Gent. You do not meet a man but frowns: our bloods

No more obey the heavens than our courtiers
Still seem as does the king.

Sec. Gent.
But what's the matter?
First Gent. His daughter, and the heir of 's
kingdom, whom

He purposed to his wife's sole son-a widow
That late he married-hath referr'd herself
Unto a poor but worthy gentleman: she's wedded;
Her husband banish'd; she imprison'd: all
Is outward sorrow; though I think the king
Be touch'd at very heart.

None but the king? He that hath lost her too; so is

That most desired the match; but not a courtier,
Although they wear their faces to the bent
Of the king's looks, hath a heart that is not
Glad at the thing they scowl at.

Two British Captains.

A Frenchman, friend to Philario. Two Lords of Cymbeline's court. Two Gentlemen of the same. Two Gaolers.

Queen, wife to Cymbeline.

IMOGEN, daughter to Cymbeline by a former

queen.

HELEN, a lady attending on Imogen.

Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, a Soothsayer, a Dutchman, a Spaniard, Mus cians, Officers, Captains, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants.

Sec. Gent.

Apparitions.

SCENE: Britain; Rome.

What's his name and birth? First Gent. I cannot delve him to the root:

his father

Was call'd Sicilius, who did join his honour
Against the Romans with Cassibelan,
But had his titles by Tenantius whom
He served with glory and admired success,
So gain'd the sur-addition Leonatus:
And had, besides this gentleman in question,
Two other sons, who in the wars o' the time
Died with their swords in hand; for which their
father,

Then old and fond of issue, took such sorrow
That he quit being, and his gentle lady,
Big of this gentleman our theme, deceased
As he was born. The king he takes the babe 40
To his protection, calls him Posthumus Leonatus, |
Breeds him and makes him of his bed-chamber,
Puts to him all the learnings that his time
Could make him the receiver of; which he took,
As we do air, fast as 'twas minister'd,
And in's spring became a harvest, lived in court— |
Which rare it is to do-most praised, most loved,
A sample to the youngest, to the more mature
A glass that feated them, and to the graver
A child that guided dotards; to his mistress,
For whom he now is banish'd, her own price
Proclaims how she esteem'd him and his virtue;
By her election may be truly read
What kind of man he is.

Sec. Gent.

I honour him

Even out of your report. But, pray you, tell Is she sole child to the king?

me,

First Gent. His only child. He had two sons: if this be worth your hearing, Mark it: the eldest of them at three years old, I' the swathing-clothes the other, from their nur

sery

Were stol'n, and to this hour no guess in knowledge Which way they went.

Queen.

Re-enter QUEEN,

Be brief, I pray you: 101
If the king come, I shall incur I know not
How much of his displeasure. [Aside] Yet I'll
move him

To walk this way: I never do him wrong,
But he does buy my injuries, to be friends;
Pays dear for my offences.
[Exit.
Post.
Should we be taking leave
As long a term as yet we have to live,
The loathness to depart would grow. Adieu!
Imo. Nay, stay a little:

Were you but riding forth to air yourself, 110
Such parting were too petty. Look here, love;

You gentle gods, give me but this I have,
And sear up my embracements from a next
With bonds of death! [Putting on the ring.]
Remain, remain thou here

While sense can keep it on. And, sweetest, fairest,

As I my poor self did exchange for you,
To your so infinite loss, so in our trifles
I still win of you: for my sake wear this;
It is a manacle of love; I'll place it
Upon this fairest prisoner.

120

[Putting a bracelet upon her arm. Imo. O the gods! When shall we see again?

Enter CYMBELINE and Lords.
Post.
Alack, the king!
Cym. Thou basest thing, avoid! hence, from
my sight!

If after this command thou fraught the court
With thy unworthiness, thou diest: away!
Thou'rt poison to my blood.

Post.
The gods protect you!
And bless the good remainders of the court!
I am gone.
[Exit.
Imo. There cannot be a pinch in death
More sharp than this is.
Cym.

O disloyal thing,

That shouldst repair my youth, thou heap'st A year's age on me.

Imo.

I beseech you, sir, Harm not yourself with your vexation:

130

I am senseless of your wrath; a touch more rare
Subdues all pangs, all fears.
Cym.

Past grace? obedience? Imo. Past hope, and in despair; that way, past

grace.

They were again together: you have done Not after our command. Away with her, And pen her up.

Queen. Beseech your patience. Peace, Dear lady daughter, peace! Sweet sovereign,

« Edellinen Jatka »

-kirjat

The Works of William Shakespeare, Nide 1