My purpose would prove well. It cannot be, Some villain, ay, and singular in his art, No, on my life. Pis. Imo. Dead to my husband? Pis. 1 If you'll back to the court,— Imo. No court, no father; nor no more ado With that harsh, noble, simple, nothing; That Cloten, whose love-suit hath been to me As fearful as a siege. Pis. If not at court, Where then? Then not in Britain must you bide. Imo. Hath Britain all the sun that shines? Day, night, Are they not but in Britain? I' the world's volume Our Britain seems as of it, but not in it; In a great pool, a swan's nest. Pr'ythee, think There's livers out of Britain. Pis. You think of other place. The ambassador, Lucius the Roman, comes to Milford-Haven To-morrow. Now, if you could wear a mind Dark as your fortune is; 2 and but disguise That, which, to appear itself, must not yet be, I am most glad 1 This line requires some word of two syllables to complete the measure. Steevens proposed to read : "With that harsh, noble, simple, nothing, Cloten ; That Cloten," &c. 2 To wear a dark mind is to carry a mind impenetrable to the search of others. The next lines are obscure. "You must (says Pisanio) disguise that greatness which, to appear hereafter in its proper form, cannot yet appear without great danger to itself." VOL. VI. 35 But by self-danger; you should tread a course Imo. Pis. Well, then, here's the point. You must forget to be a woman; change Imo. Nay, be brief. I see into thy end, and am almost A man already. Pis. First, make yourself but like one. Fore-thinking this, I have already fit ('Tis in my cloak-bag) doublet, hat, hose, all From youth of such a season, 'fore noble Lucius Wherein you are happy,3 (which you'll make him know, 1 Full of view appears to mean of ample prospect, affording a complete view of circumstances which it is your interest to know. 2 This character of the weasel is not mentioned by naturalists. Weasels were formerly, it appears, kept in houses instead of cats, for the purpose of killing vermin. 3 i. e. wherein you are accomplished. Your means abroad And, doubling that, most holy. The gods will diet me with. Thou art all the comfort There's more to be considered; but we'll even 2 All that good time will give us. I am soldier to,3 and will abide it with A prince's courage. Away, I pr'ythee. Pis. Well, madam, we must take a short farewell; Lest, being missed, I be suspected of Your carriage from the court. My noble mistress, Imo. Amen; I thank thee. [Exeunt. SCENE V. A Room in Cymbeline's Palace. Enter CYMBELINE, Queen, CLOTEN, LUCIUS, and Lords. Cym. Thus far; and so, farewell. Luc. Thanks, royal sir. My emperor hath wrote; I must from hence; And am right sorry, that I must report ye Cym. Our subjects, sir, Will not endure his yoke; and for ourself To show less sovereignty than they, must needs Luc. So, sir, I desire of you A conduct over land, to Milford-Haven. Madam, all joy befall your grace, and you! 4 1 "As for your subsistence abroad, you may rely on me." 2 We'll make our work even with our time; we'll do what time will allow. 3 i. e. equal to, or have ability for it. 4 We should, apparently, read "his grace and you," or "your grace and yours." Cym. My lords, you are appointed for that office; The due of honor in no point omit.— So, farewell, noble Lucius. Luc. Your hand, my lord. Clo. Receive it friendly; but from this time forth I wear it as your enemy. Luc. Sir, the event Is yet to name the winner; fare you well. Cym. Leave not the worthy Lucius, good my lords, Till he have crossed the Severn.-Happiness! [Exeunt LUCIUS and Lords. Queen. He goes hence frowning; but it honors us, That we have given him cause. Clo. 'Tis all the better: Your valiant Britons have their wishes in it. Cym. Lucius hath wrote already to the emperor Will soon be drawn to head, from whence he moves Queen. But must be looked to speedily, and strongly. 'Tis not sleepy business; that it would be thus, Cym. Our expectation Hath made us forward. But, my gentle queen, Where is our daughter? She hath not appeared [Exit an Attendant. Royal sir, Queen. Cym. Re-enter an Attendant. Where is she, sir? How Can her contempt be answered? Please you, sir, Atten. She should that duty leave unpaid to you, She wished me to make known; but our great court Cym. Her doors locked? Not seen of late? Grant, Heavens, that which I Queen. [Exit. Son, I say, follow the king. Clo. That man of hers, Pisanio, her old servant, I have not seen these two days. Queen. Go, look after. [Exit CLOTEN. Pisanio, thou that stand'st so for Posthumus!- Where is she gone? Haply, despair hath seized her; To her desired Posthumus. Gone she is To death or to dishonor; and my end Can make good use of either. She being down, Re-enter CLOTEN. How now, my son? Clo. 'Tis certain, she is fled; Go in, and cheer the king. He rages; none Dare come about him. 1 The first folio reads lowd. |