To be i'the field, and ask, what news, of me! No more a Briton, I have re-sum'd again Enter Two British Captains, and Soldiers. 1 Cap. Great Jupiter be prais'd! Lucius is taken: "Tis thought, the old man and his sons were angels. 2 Cap. There was a fourth man, in a silly habit, That gave the affront with them. 1 Cap. So 'tis reported: But none of them can be found.-Stand! who is there? Post. A Roman; Who had not now been drooping here, if seconds 2 Cap. Lay hands on him; a dog! A leg of Rome shall not return to tell What crows have peck'd them here: He brags his ser vice As if he were of note: bring him to the king. Enter CYMBELINE, attended; BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, ARVIRAGUS, PISANIO, and Roman Captives. The Captains present POSTHUMUS to CYMBELINE, who delivers him over to a Gaoler: after which, all go out. SCENE IV.-A Prison. Enter POSTHUMUS, and two Gaolers. 1 Gaol. You shall not now be stolen, you have locks [Exeunt Gaolers. Post. Most welcome, bondage! for thou art a way, I think, to liberty: Yet am I better Than one that's sick o'the gout: since he had rather Groan so in perpetuity, than be cur'd By the sure physician, death; who is the key To unbar these locks. My conscience! thou art fetter'd More than my shanks, and wrists: You, good gods, give me The penitent instrument, to pick that bolt, If of my freedom 'tis the main part, take I know, you are more clement than vile men, [He sleeps. Solemn Music. Enter, as an Apparition, SICILIUS LEONATUS, Father to POSTHUMUS, an old Man, attired like a Warrior; leading in his Hand an ancient Matron, his Wife, and Mother to POSTHUMUS, with Music before them. Then, after other Music, follow the Two young Leonati, Brothers to POSTHUMUS, with wounds, as they died in the Wars. They circle POSTHUMUS round, as he lies sleeping. Sici. No more, thou thunder-master, show With Mars fall out, With Juno chide, That thy adulteries Rates and revenges. Hath my poor boy done aught but well, I died, whilst in the womb he stay'd Attending Nature's law. Whose father then (as men report, Thou orphans' father art,) Thou should'st have been, and shielded him Moth. Lucina lent not me her aid, Sici. Great nature, like his ancestry, That he deserv'd the praise o'the world, As great Sicilius' heir. 1 Bro. When once he was mature for man, In Britain, where was he, That could stand up his parallel; Or fruitful object be In eye of Imogen, that best Could deem his dignity? Moth. With marriage wherefore was he mock'd, To be exil'd, and thrown From Leonati's seat, and cast From her his dearest one, Sici. Why did you suffer Iachimo, To taint his nobler heart and brain With needless jealousy; And to become the geck and scorn O'the other's villainy? 2 Bro. For this, from stiller seats we came, Our parents, and us twain, That, striking in our country's cause, Our fealty, and Tenantius' right, 1 Bro. Like hardiment Posthúmus hath The graces for his merits due; Sici. Thy crystal window ope; look out; Upon a valiant race, thy harsh And potent injuries: Moth. Since, Jupiter, our son is good, Take off his miseries. Sici. Peep through thy marble mansion; help! To the shining synod of the rest, Against thy deity. 2 Bro. Help, Jupiter; or we appeal, And from thy justice fly. JUPITER descends in Thunder and Lightning, sitting upon an Eagle: he throws a Thunder-bolt. The Ghosts fall on their knees. Jup. No more, you petty spirits of region low, Offend our hearing; hush!-How dare you ghosts, Accuse the thunderer, whose bolt you know, Sky-planted, batters all rebelling coasts? Poor shadows of Elysium, hence; and rest Upon your never-withering banks of flowers: |