6

The part I came in. Fight I will no more,
But yield me to the verieft hind, that shall
Once touch my fhoulder. Great the flaughter is
Here made by th' Roman; great the answer be
Britons must take. For me, my ranfom's death;
On either fide I come to spend my breath;
Which neither here I'll keep, nor bear again,
But end it by fome means for Imogen.

Enter two British Captains, and Soldiers.

1 Cap. Great Jupiter be prais'd, Lucius is taken. 'Tis thought, the old man, and his fons, were angels. 2 Cap. There was a fourth man, in a filly habit, 7 That gave th' affront with them.

1 Cap. So 'tis reported;

But none of them can be found. Stand, who's there? Poft. A Roman

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 fhall not return to tell

What crows have peck'd them here. He brags his service,

As if he were of note; bring him to th' King.

Enter Cymbeline, Belarius, Guiderius, Arviragus, Pifanio, and Roman captives. The captains prefent Pofthumus to Cymbeline, who delivers him over to a Gaoler. After which, all go out.

6 -great the answer be] Anfwer, as once in this play before, is retaliation.

7 That gave th' affront with

them.] That is, that turned their faces to the enemy.

Bb 4

SCENE

1 Gaol, 8

Enter Pofthumus, and two Gaolers.

OU fhall not now be ftoll'n, you've

You

locks upon you;

So, graze, as you find pasture.

2 Gaol. Ay, or ftomach.

[Exeunt Gaolers.

Post. Moft welcome, bondage! for thou art a way. I think, to liberty; yet am I better

Than one that's fick o' th' gout, fince he had rather Groan fo in perpetuity than be cur'd

By th' fure phyfician, death; who is the key
T'unbar thefe locks. My confcience! thou art fetter'd
More than my shanks and wrifts; you good Gods,
give me

The penitent inftrument to pick that bolt;
Then, free for ever. Is 't enough, I'm sorry?
So children temp'ral fathers do appease;
Gods are more full of mercy. Mult I repent?
I cannot do it better than in gyves,

Defir'd, more than conftrain'd; ' to fatisfy,
I doff my freedom; 'tis the main part; take
No ftricter Render of me, than my all.

I know, you are more clement than vile men,
Who of their broken debtors take a third,

8 You shall not now be foll'n,] This wit of the Gaoler alludes to the cuftom of putting a lock on a horfe's leg, when he is turned to pafture.

9 -to fatisfy,
If of my freedom 'tis the main
part, take

No fricter render of me, than

A fixth,

A fixth, a tenth, letting them thrive again
On their abatement; that's not my defire;
For Imogen's dear life, take mine; and though
'Tis not fo dear, yet 'tis a life; you coin'd it.
'Tween man and man they weigh not every stamp,
Though light, take pieces for the figure's fake;
You rather, mine, being yours: and fo, great Powers,
If you will take this audit, take this life,

And cancel thofe cold bonds.
I'll fpeak to thee in filence.

Oh Imogen!

[He Лleeps.

2 Solemn mufick: Enter, as in an apparition, Sicilius Leonatus, father to Pofthumus, an old man, attired like a warrior; leading in bis band an ancient matron, kis wife, and mother to Pofthumus, with mufick before them. Then, after other mufick, follow the two young Leonati, brothers to Pofthumus, with wounds as they died in the wars. They circle Pofthumus round as he lies fleeping.

Sici. No more, thou thunder-mafter, fhew
Thy spite on mortal flies:

With Mars fall out, with Juno chide,

That thy Adulteries

Rates and revenges.

Hath my poor boy done aught but well,
Whose face I never faw?

I dy'd, whilft in the womb he stay'd,
Attending Nature's Law.
Whofe father, Jove! (as men report
Thou orphans' father art)

Thou shouldft have been, and shielded him
From his earth-vexing fmart.
Moth. Lucina lent not me her aid,
But took not me in my throes;
3 That from me my Pofthumus ript,
Came crying 'mongst his foes,

A thing of pity!

Sici. Great Nature, like his ancestry,
Moulded the ftuff fo fair;

That he deferv'd the praise o' th' world,

As great Sicilius' heir.

1 Bro. When once he was mature for man,

In Britain where was he,

That could ftand up his parallel,
Or fruitful object be

In eye of Imogen, that beft

Could deem his dignity?

Moth. With marriage wherefore was he mockt,

To be exil'd, and thrown

From Leonatus' feat, and caft
From her his dearest one?

And to become the geek and fcorn
O' th' other's villany?

2 Bro. From this, from ftiller feats we came,
Our parents, and us twain,
That, ftriking in our country's cause
Fell bravely and were flain;
Our fealty, and Tenantius' right,
With honour to maintain.

1 Bro. Like hardiment Pofibumus hath
To Cymbeline perform'd;
Then, Jupiter, thou King of Gods,
Why haft thou thus adjourn'd

The graces for his merits due,

Being all to dolours turn'd?

Sici. Thy cryftal window ope; look out;
No longer exercise,

Upon a valiant race thy harsh

And potent injuries.

Moth. Since, Jupiter, our fon is good,
Take off his miferies.

Sici. Peep through thy marble mansion, help!
Or we poor ghofts will cry

To th' fhining fynod of the reft

Against thy Deity.

2 Breth. Help, Jupiter, or we appeal, And from thy juftice fly.

Jupiter defcends in thunder and lightning, fitting upon an eagle; he throws a thunder-bolt. The ghosts fall on their knees.

Jupit. No more, you petty fpirits of region low,
Offend our hearing, hufh!-How dare you, Ghosts,
Accufe the Thunderer, whofe bolt you know,
Sky-planted, batters all rebelling coafts?
Poor fhadows of Elyfium, hence and reft
Upon your never-withering banks of flowers.

Be