What crows have peck'd them here: Hebrags his service 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 upon you; So, graze, as you find pasture. 2 Gaol. Ay, or a stomach. [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 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, 8 Enter Cymbeline, &c.] This is the only instance in these plays of the business of the scene being entirely performed in dumb show. The direction must have proceeded from the players, as it is perfectly unnecessary, and our author has elsewhere [in Hamlet] expressed his contempt of such mummery. RITSON. Gods are more full of mercy. Must I repent? I cannot do it better than in gyves, You rather mine, being yours: And so, great powers, [He sleeps. Solemn Musick 9. 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 Musick before them. Then, after other Musick, 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. 9 Solemn musick, &c.] It is the universal opinion that this vision, masque, and prophecy, were the interpolation of the players. One would think that, Shakspeare's style being too refined for his audiences, the managers had employed some playwright of the old school to regale them with a touch of " King Cambyses' vein." The margin would be too honourable a place for so impertinent an interpolation. Hath my poor boy done aught but well, I died, whilst in the womb he stay'd Whose father then (as men report, 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, 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' seat, and cast From her his dearest one, Sici. Why did you suffer Iachimo, To taint his nobler heart and brain With needless jealousy; 9 And to become the geck and scorn O'the other's villainy? 9 And to become the geck:] A geck is a fool. 2 Bro. For this, from stiller seats we came, 1 Bro. Like hardiment Posthumus 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! Or we poor ghosts will cry 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. : fall on their knees. The Ghosts 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: Be not with mortal accidents opprest; No care of yours it is; you know, 'tis ours. Whom best I love, I cross; to make my gift, Our temple was he married. — Rise, and fade! — He shall be lord of lady Imogen, And happier much by his affliction made. More sweet than our bless'd fields: his royal bird All. Thanks, Jupiter! Sici. The marble pavement closes, he is enter'd His radiant roof: Away! and, to be blest, Let us with care perform his great behest, [Ghosts vanish. Post. [waking.] Sleep, thou hast been a grandsire, and begot A father to me: and thou hast created A mother, and two brothers: But (O scorn!) That have this golden chance, and know not why. to foot us:] i. e. to grasp us in his pounces. |