As does a Briton peasant: so I'll fight Against the part I come with; so I'll die Myself I'll dedicate. Let me make men know [Exit. SCENE II. The same. Enter, at one side, LUCIUS, IACHIMO, and the Roman Army; at the other side, the British Army; LEONATUS POSTHUMUS following it, like a poor Soldier. They march over, and go out. Alarums. Then enter again in skirmish, IACHIMO and POSTHUMUS: he vanquisheth and disarmeth IACHIMO, and then leaves him. Iach. The heaviness and guilt within my bosom In 8 my profession? Knighthoods and honours, borne As I wear mine, are titles but of scorn. If that thy gentry, Britain, go before This lout, as he exceeds our lords, the odds Is, that we scarce are men, and you are gods. [Exit. bandman. this carl,] Carl or churl, (ceonl, Sax.) is a clown or hus The Battle continues; the Britons fly; CYMBELINE is taken; then enter, to his rescue, BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS. Bel. Stand, stand! We have the advantage of the ground; The lane is guarded; nothing routs us, but The villainy of our fears. Stand, stand, and fight! Enter POSTHUMUS, and seconds the Britons: They rescue CYMBELINE, and exeunt. Then, enter LUCIUS, IACHIMO, and IMOGEN. Luc. Away, boy, from the troops, and save thyself: For friends kill friends, and the disorder's such As war were hood-wink'd. Iach. 'Tis their fresh supplies. [Exeunt. Luc. It is a day turn'd strangely: Or betimes Let's re-enforce, or fly. SCENE III. Another part of the Field. Enter POSTHUMUS and a British Lord. Lord. Cam'st thou from where they made the stand? Though you, it seems, come from the fliers. Lord. I did; I did. Post. No blame be to you, sir; for all was lost, Merely through fear; that the strait pass was damm'd Lord. Where was this lane? Post. Close by the battle, ditch'd, and wall'd with turf: Which gave advantage to an ancient soldier, Like beasts, which you shun beastly; and may save, (For three performers are the file, when all The rest do nothing,) with this word, stand, stand, With their own nobleness, (which could have turn'd Part, shame, part, spirit renew'd; that some, turn'd coward But by example (O, a sin in war, Damn'd in the first beginners!) 'gan to look A rout, confusion thick: Forthwith, they fly 9 The country base,] i. e. a rustick game called prison-bars, vulgarly prison-base. · for preservation cas'd, or shame,)] Shame for modesty. Chickens, the way which they stoop'd eagles; slaves, The strides they victors made: And now our cowards (Like fragments in hard voyages,) became The life o'the need; having found the back-door open Lord. Post. Nay, do not wonder at it 3: You are made Post. I know, he'll quickly fly my friendship too. Lord. Farewell; you are angry. [Exit. Post. Still going? - This is a lord! O noble misery! To be i'the field, and ask, what news, of me! To-day, how many would have given their honours To have sav'd their carcasses? took heel to do't, And yet died too? I, in mine own woe charm'd, • Nay, do not wonder at it :] Posthumus first bids him not wonder, then tells him in another mode of reproach, that wonder is all that he was made for. 4- I, in mine own woe, charm'd,] Alluding to the common superstition of charms being powerful enough to keep men unhurt in battle. It was derived from our Saxon ancestors, and so is common Could not find death, where I did hear him groan; Well, I will find him: For being now a favourer to the Roman, 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.7 So 'tis reported: 6 Stand! who is there? Who had not now been drooping here, if seconds Had answer'd him. 2 Cap. Lay hands on him; a dog! A leg of Rome shall not return to tell to us with the Germans, who are above all other people given to this superstition. 5 great the answer be ] Answer, as once in this play before, is retaliation. 6 — a silly habit,] Silly is simple or rustick. 7 That gave the affront with them.] That is, that turned their faces to the enemy. |