ACT III. SCENE I.-Britain. A Room of State in CYMBELINE'S Palace. Enter CYMBELINE, Queen, CLOTEN, and Lords, at one Than in his feats deserving it,) for him, And his succession, granted Rome a tribute, Yearly three thousand pounds; which by thee lately Is left untender'd. Queen. And, to kill the marvel, Shall be so ever. Clo. There be many Cæsars, Ere such another Julius. Britain is A world by itself; and we will nothing pay, For wearing our own noses. Queen. That opportunity, Which then they had to take from us, to resume The kings your ancestors; together with With rocks unscaleable, and roaring waters; With sands, that will not bear your enemies' boats, But suck them up to the top-mast. A kind of conquest Cæsar made here; but made not here his brag Of, came, and saw, and overcame: with shame (The first that ever touch'd him,) he was carried From off our coast, twice beaten; and his shipping, (Poor ignorant baubles!) on our terrible seas, Like egg-shells mov'd upon their surges, crack'd As easily 'gainst our rocks: For joy whereof, The fam'd Cassibelan, who was once at point (0, giglot fortune!) to master Cæsar's sword, Made Lud's town with rejoicing fires bright, And Britons strut with courage. Clo. Come, there's no more tribute to be paid: Our kingdom is stronger than it was at that time; and, as I said, there is no more such Cæsars; other of them may have crooked noses; but, to owe such straight arms, none. Cym. Son, let your mother end. Clo. We have yet many among us can gripe as hard as Cassibelan: I do not say, I am one; but I have a hand.--Why tribute? why should we pay tribute? If Cæsar can hide the sun from us with a blanket, or put the moon in his pocket, we will pay him tribute for light; else, sir, no more tribute, pray you now. Cym. You must know, Till the injurious Romans did extort This tribute from us, we were free: Cæsar's ambition, Becomes a warlike people, whom we reckon Ordain'd our laws; (whose use the sword of Cæsar Luc. I am sorry, Cymbeline, That I am to pronounce Augustus Cæsar Receive it from me, then :-War, and confusion, Cym. Thou art welcome, Caius. Thy Cæsar knighted me; my youth I spent Luc. Let proof speak. Clo. His majesty bids you welcome. Make pastime with us a day, or two, longer: If you seek us afterwards in other terms, you shall find us in our salt-water girdle: if you beat us out of it, it is yours; if you fall in the adventure, our crows shall fare the better for you; and there's an end. Luc. So, sir. Cym. I know your master's pleasure, and he mine : All the remain is, welcome. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-Another Room in the same. Enter PISANIO. Pis. How! of adultery? Wherefore write you not What monster's her accuser ?---Leonatus ! O, master! what a strange infection Is fallen into thy ear? What false Italian Let me be counted serviceable. How look I, So much as this fact comes too? Do't: the letter That I have sent her, by her own command [Reading. Shall give thee opportunity :---O damn'd paper! Art thou a feodary for this act, and look'st Enter IMOGEN. I am ignorant in what I am commanded. Ino. How now, Pisanio? Pis. Madam, here is a letter from my lord. That knew the stars, as I his characters; All but in that !---Good wax, thy leave :---Bless'd be, Justice, and your father's wrath, should he take me in his dominion, could not be so cruel to me, as you, O the dearest of creatures, would not even renew me with your eyes. Take notice, that I am in Cambria, at MilfordHaven: What your own love will, out of this, advise you, follow. So, he wishes you all happiness, that remains loyal to his vow, and your, increasing in love, LEONATUS POSTHUMUS. O, for a horse with wings!---Hear'st thou, Pisanio? He is at Milford-Haven: Read, and tell me |