Speeches (Lines) for Cymbeline
in "Cymbeline"
Total: 81

1

I,1,157

Posthumus Leonatus. Alack, the king!

Cymbeline. Thou basest thing, avoid! hence, from my sight!
If after this command thou fraught the court
With thy unworthiness, thou diest: away!
Thou'rt poison to my blood.

2

I,1,166

Imogen. There cannot be a pinch in death
More sharp than this is.

Cymbeline. O disloyal thing,
That shouldst repair my youth, thou heap'st
A year's age on me.

3

I,1,173

Imogen. I beseech you, sir,
Harm not yourself with your vexation
I am senseless of your wrath; a touch more rare
Subdues all pangs, all fears.

Cymbeline. Past grace? obedience?

4

I,1,175

Imogen. Past hope, and in despair; that way, past grace.

Cymbeline. That mightst have had the sole son of my queen!

5

I,1,178

Imogen. O blest, that I might not! I chose an eagle,
And did avoid a puttock.

Cymbeline. Thou took'st a beggar; wouldst have made my throne
A seat for baseness.

6

I,1,182

Imogen. No; I rather added
A lustre to it.

Cymbeline. O thou vile one!

7

I,1,188

Imogen. Sir,
It is your fault that I have loved Posthumus:
You bred him as my playfellow, and he is
A man worth any woman, overbuys me
Almost the sum he pays.

Cymbeline. What, art thou mad?

8

I,1,192

Imogen. Almost, sir: heaven restore me! Would I were
A neat-herd's daughter, and my Leonatus
Our neighbour shepherd's son!

Cymbeline. Thou foolish thing!
[Re-enter QUEEN]
They were again together: you have done
Not after our command. Away with her,
And pen her up.

9

I,1,201

Queen. Beseech your patience. Peace,
Dear lady daughter, peace! Sweet sovereign,
Leave us to ourselves; and make yourself some comfort
Out of your best advice.

Cymbeline. Nay, let her languish
A drop of blood a day; and, being aged,
Die of this folly!

10

II,3,1018

Cloten. I am glad I was up so late; for that's the reason I
was up so early: he cannot choose but take this
service I have done fatherly.
[Enter CYMBELINE and QUEEN]
Good morrow to your majesty and to my gracious mother.

Cymbeline. Attend you here the door of our stern daughter?
Will she not forth?

11

II,3,1021

Cloten. I have assailed her with music, but she vouchsafes no notice.

Cymbeline. The exile of her minion is too new;
She hath not yet forgot him: some more time
Must wear the print of his remembrance out,
And then she's yours.

12

II,3,1039

Messenger. So like you, sir, ambassadors from Rome;
The one is Caius Lucius.

Cymbeline. A worthy fellow,
Albeit he comes on angry purpose now;
But that's no fault of his: we must receive him
According to the honour of his sender;
And towards himself, his goodness forespent on us,
We must extend our notice. Our dear son,
When you have given good morning to your mistress,
Attend the queen and us; we shall have need
To employ you towards this Roman. Come, our queen.

13

III,1,1411

(stage directions). [Enter in state, CYMBELINE, QUEEN, CLOTEN,]
and Lords at one door, and at another,
CAIUS LUCIUS and Attendants]

Cymbeline. Now say, what would Augustus Caesar with us?

14

III,1,1451

Cloten. 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 moe such Caesars: other of
them may have crook'd noses, but to owe such
straight arms, none.

Cymbeline. Son, let your mother end.

15

III,1,1458

Cloten. 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
Caesar 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.

Cymbeline. You must know,
Till the injurious Romans did extort
This tribute from us, we were free:
Caesar's ambition,
Which swell'd so much that it did almost stretch
The sides o' the world, against all colour here
Did put the yoke upon 's; which to shake off
Becomes a warlike people, whom we reckon
Ourselves to be.

16

III,1,1468

Cloten. [with Lords] We do.

Cymbeline. Say, then, to Caesar,
Our ancestor was that Mulmutius which
Ordain'd our laws, whose use the sword of Caesar
Hath too much mangled; whose repair and franchise
Shall, by the power we hold, be our good deed,
Though Rome be therefore angry: Mulmutius made our laws,
Who was the first of Britain which did put
His brows within a golden crown and call'd
Himself a king.

17

III,1,1485

Caius Lucius. I am sorry, Cymbeline,
That I am to pronounce Augustus Caesar—
Caesar, that hath more kings his servants than
Thyself domestic officers—thine enemy:
Receive it from me, then: war and confusion
In Caesar's name pronounce I 'gainst thee: look
For fury not to be resisted. Thus defied,
I thank thee for myself.

Cymbeline. Thou art welcome, Caius.
Thy Caesar knighted me; my youth I spent
Much under him; of him I gather'd honour;
Which he to seek of me again, perforce,
Behoves me keep at utterance. I am perfect
That the Pannonians and Dalmatians for
Their liberties are now in arms; a precedent
Which not to read would show the Britons cold:
So Caesar shall not find them.

18

III,1,1503

Caius Lucius. So, sir.

Cymbeline. I know your master's pleasure and he mine:
All the remain is 'Welcome!'

19

III,5,1944

(stage directions). [Enter CYMBELINE, QUEEN, CLOTEN, LUCIUS,]
Lords, and Attendants]

Cymbeline. Thus far; and so farewell.

20

III,5,1949

Caius Lucius. Thanks, royal sir.
My emperor hath wrote, I must from hence;
And am right sorry that I must report ye
My master's enemy.

Cymbeline. Our subjects, sir,
Will not endure his yoke; and for ourself
To show less sovereignty than they, must needs
Appear unkinglike.

21

III,5,1957

Queen. And you!

Cymbeline. My lords, you are appointed for that office;
The due of honour in no point omit.
So farewell, noble Lucius.

22

III,5,1965

Caius Lucius. Sir, the event
Is yet to name the winner: fare you well.

Cymbeline. Leave not the worthy Lucius, good my lords,
Till he have cross'd the Severn. Happiness!

23

III,5,1972

Cloten. 'Tis all the better;
Your valiant Britons have their wishes in it.

Cymbeline. Lucius hath wrote already to the emperor
How it goes here. It fits us therefore ripely
Our chariots and our horsemen be in readiness:
The powers that he already hath in Gallia
Will soon be drawn to head, from whence he moves
His war for Britain.

24

III,5,1980

Queen. 'Tis not sleepy business;
But must be look'd to speedily and strongly.

Cymbeline. Our expectation that it would be thus
Hath made us forward. But, my gentle queen,
Where is our daughter? She hath not appear'd
Before the Roman, nor to us hath tender'd
The duty of the day: she looks us like
A thing more made of malice than of duty:
We have noted it. Call her before us; for
We have been too slight in sufferance.

25

III,5,1997

(stage directions). [Re-enter Attendant]

Cymbeline. Where is she, sir? How
Can her contempt be answer'd?

26

III,5,2009

Queen. My lord, when last I went to visit her,
She pray'd me to excuse her keeping close,
Whereto constrain'd by her infirmity,
She should that duty leave unpaid to you,
Which daily she was bound to proffer: this
She wish'd me to make known; but our great court
Made me to blame in memory.

Cymbeline. Her doors lock'd?
Not seen of late? Grant, heavens, that which I fear
Prove false!

27

IV,3,2825

(stage directions). [Enter CYMBELINE, Lords, PISANIO, and Attendants]

Cymbeline. Again; and bring me word how 'tis with her.
[Exit an Attendant]
A fever with the absence of her son,
A madness, of which her life's in danger. Heavens,
How deeply you at once do touch me! Imogen,
The great part of my comfort, gone; my queen
Upon a desperate bed, and in a time
When fearful wars point at me; her son gone,
So needful for this present: it strikes me, past
The hope of comfort. But for thee, fellow,
Who needs must know of her departure and
Dost seem so ignorant, we'll enforce it from thee
By a sharp torture.

28

IV,3,2849

First Lord. Good my liege,
The day that she was missing he was here:
I dare be bound he's true and shall perform
All parts of his subjection loyally. For Cloten,
There wants no diligence in seeking him,
And will, no doubt, be found.

Cymbeline. The time is troublesome.
[To PISANIO]
We'll slip you for a season; but our jealousy
Does yet depend.

29

IV,3,2857

First Lord. So please your majesty,
The Roman legions, all from Gallia drawn,
Are landed on your coast, with a supply
Of Roman gentlemen, by the senate sent.

Cymbeline. Now for the counsel of my son and queen!
I am amazed with matter.

30

IV,3,2865

First Lord. Good my liege,
Your preparation can affront no less
Than what you hear of: come more, for more
you're ready:
The want is but to put those powers in motion
That long to move.

Cymbeline. I thank you. Let's withdraw;
And meet the time as it seeks us. We fear not
What can from Italy annoy us; but
We grieve at chances here. Away!

31

V,5,3365

(stage directions). [Enter CYMBELINE, BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, ARVIRAGUS,]
PISANIO, Lords, Officers, and Attendants]

Cymbeline. Stand by my side, you whom the gods have made
Preservers of my throne. Woe is my heart
That the poor soldier that so richly fought,
Whose rags shamed gilded arms, whose naked breast
Stepp'd before larges of proof, cannot be found:
He shall be happy that can find him, if
Our grace can make him so.

32

V,5,3376

Belarius. I never saw
Such noble fury in so poor a thing;
Such precious deeds in one that promises nought
But beggary and poor looks.

Cymbeline. No tidings of him?

33

V,5,3379

Pisanio. He hath been search'd among the dead and living,
But no trace of him.

Cymbeline. To my grief, I am
The heir of his reward;
[To BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS]
which I will add
To you, the liver, heart and brain of Britain,
By whom I grant she lives. 'Tis now the time
To ask of whence you are. Report it.

34

V,5,3390

Belarius. Sir,
In Cambria are we born, and gentlemen:
Further to boast were neither true nor modest,
Unless I add, we are honest.

Cymbeline. Bow your knees.
Arise my knights o' the battle: I create you
Companions to our person and will fit you
With dignities becoming your estates.
[Enter CORNELIUS and Ladies]
There's business in these faces. Why so sadly
Greet you our victory? you look like Romans,
And not o' the court of Britain.

35

V,5,3401

Cornelius. Hail, great king!
To sour your happiness, I must report
The queen is dead.

Cymbeline. Who worse than a physician
Would this report become? But I consider,
By medicine life may be prolong'd, yet death
Will seize the doctor too. How ended she?

36

V,5,3411

Cornelius. With horror, madly dying, like her life,
Which, being cruel to the world, concluded
Most cruel to herself. What she confess'd
I will report, so please you: these her women
Can trip me, if I err; who with wet cheeks
Were present when she finish'd.

Cymbeline. Prithee, say.

37

V,5,3416

Cornelius. First, she confess'd she never loved you, only
Affected greatness got by you, not you:
Married your royalty, was wife to your place;
Abhorr'd your person.

Cymbeline. She alone knew this;
And, but she spoke it dying, I would not
Believe her lips in opening it. Proceed.

38

V,5,3424

Cornelius. Your daughter, whom she bore in hand to love
With such integrity, she did confess
Was as a scorpion to her sight; whose life,
But that her flight prevented it, she had
Ta'en off by poison.

Cymbeline. O most delicate fiend!
Who is 't can read a woman? Is there more?

39

V,5,3439

Cornelius. More, sir, and worse. She did confess she had
For you a mortal mineral; which, being took,
Should by the minute feed on life and lingering
By inches waste you: in which time she purposed,
By watching, weeping, tendance, kissing, to
O'ercome you with her show, and in time,
When she had fitted you with her craft, to work
Her son into the adoption of the crown:
But, failing of her end by his strange absence,
Grew shameless-desperate; open'd, in despite
Of heaven and men, her purposes; repented
The evils she hatch'd were not effected; so
Despairing died.

Cymbeline. Heard you all this, her women?

40

V,5,3441

First Lady. We did, so please your highness.

Cymbeline. Mine eyes
Were not in fault, for she was beautiful;
Mine ears, that heard her flattery; nor my heart,
That thought her like her seeming; it had
been vicious
To have mistrusted her: yet, O my daughter!
That it was folly in me, thou mayst say,
And prove it in thy feeling. Heaven mend all!
[Enter LUCIUS, IACHIMO, the Soothsayer, and other]
Roman Prisoners, guarded; POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
behind, and IMOGEN]
Thou comest not, Caius, now for tribute that
The Britons have razed out, though with the loss
Of many a bold one; whose kinsmen have made suit
That their good souls may be appeased with slaughter
Of you their captives, which ourself have granted:
So think of your estate.

41

V,5,3477

Caius Lucius. Consider, sir, the chance of war: the day
Was yours by accident; had it gone with us,
We should not, when the blood was cool,
have threaten'd
Our prisoners with the sword. But since the gods
Will have it thus, that nothing but our lives
May be call'd ransom, let it come: sufficeth
A Roman with a Roman's heart can suffer:
Augustus lives to think on't: and so much
For my peculiar care. This one thing only
I will entreat; my boy, a Briton born,
Let him be ransom'd: never master had
A page so kind, so duteous, diligent,
So tender over his occasions, true,
So feat, so nurse-like: let his virtue join
With my request, which I make bold your highness
Cannot deny; he hath done no Briton harm,
Though he have served a Roman: save him, sir,
And spare no blood beside.

Cymbeline. I have surely seen him:
His favour is familiar to me. Boy,
Thou hast look'd thyself into my grace,
And art mine own. I know not why, wherefore,
To say 'live, boy:' ne'er thank thy master; live:
And ask of Cymbeline what boon thou wilt,
Fitting my bounty and thy state, I'll give it;
Yea, though thou do demand a prisoner,
The noblest ta'en.

42

V,5,3497

Caius Lucius. The boy disdains me,
He leaves me, scorns me: briefly die their joys
That place them on the truth of girls and boys.
Why stands he so perplex'd?

Cymbeline. What wouldst thou, boy?
I love thee more and more: think more and more
What's best to ask. Know'st him thou look'st on? speak,
Wilt have him live? Is he thy kin? thy friend?

43

V,5,3504

Imogen. He is a Roman; no more kin to me
Than I to your highness; who, being born your vassal,
Am something nearer.

Cymbeline. Wherefore eyest him so?

44

V,5,3507

Imogen. I'll tell you, sir, in private, if you please
To give me hearing.

Cymbeline. Ay, with all my heart,
And lend my best attention. What's thy name?

45

V,5,3510

Imogen. Fidele, sir.

Cymbeline. Thou'rt my good youth, my page;
I'll be thy master: walk with me; speak freely.

46

V,5,3527

(stage directions). [CYMBELINE and IMOGEN come forward]

Cymbeline. Come, stand thou by our side;
Make thy demand aloud.
[To IACHIMO]
Sir, step you forth;
Give answer to this boy, and do it freely;
Or, by our greatness and the grace of it,
Which is our honour, bitter torture shall
Winnow the truth from falsehood. On, speak to him.

47

V,5,3538

Posthumus Leonatus. [Aside] What's that to him?

Cymbeline. That diamond upon your finger, say
How came it yours?

48

V,5,3542

Iachimo. Thou'lt torture me to leave unspoken that
Which, to be spoke, would torture thee.

Cymbeline. How! me?

49

V,5,3550

Iachimo. I am glad to be constrain'd to utter that
Which torments me to conceal. By villany
I got this ring: 'twas Leonatus' jewel;
Whom thou didst banish; and—which more may
grieve thee,
As it doth me—a nobler sir ne'er lived
'Twixt sky and ground. Wilt thou hear more, my lord?

Cymbeline. All that belongs to this.

50

V,5,3554

Iachimo. That paragon, thy daughter,—
For whom my heart drops blood, and my false spirits
Quail to remember—Give me leave; I faint.

Cymbeline. My daughter! what of her? Renew thy strength:
I had rather thou shouldst live while nature will
Than die ere I hear more: strive, man, and speak.

51

V,5,3573

Iachimo. Upon a time,—unhappy was the clock
That struck the hour!—it was in Rome,—accursed
The mansion where!—'twas at a feast,—O, would
Our viands had been poison'd, or at least
Those which I heaved to head!—the good Posthumus—
What should I say? he was too good to be
Where ill men were; and was the best of all
Amongst the rarest of good ones,—sitting sadly,
Hearing us praise our loves of Italy
For beauty that made barren the swell'd boast
Of him that best could speak, for feature, laming
The shrine of Venus, or straight-pight Minerva.
Postures beyond brief nature, for condition,
A shop of all the qualities that man
Loves woman for, besides that hook of wiving,
Fairness which strikes the eye—

Cymbeline. I stand on fire:
Come to the matter.

52

V,5,3586

Iachimo. All too soon I shall,
Unless thou wouldst grieve quickly. This Posthumus,
Most like a noble lord in love and one
That had a royal lover, took his hint;
And, not dispraising whom we praised,—therein
He was as calm as virtue—he began
His mistress' picture; which by his tongue
being made,
And then a mind put in't, either our brags
Were crack'd of kitchen-trolls, or his description
Proved us unspeaking sots.

Cymbeline. Nay, nay, to the purpose.

53

V,5,3645

Pisanio. O, gentlemen, help!
Mine and your mistress! O, my lord Posthumus!
You ne'er kill'd Imogen til now. Help, help!
Mine honour'd lady!

Cymbeline. Does the world go round?

54

V,5,3648

Pisanio. Wake, my mistress!

Cymbeline. If this be so, the gods do mean to strike me
To death with mortal joy.

55

V,5,3654

Imogen. O, get thee from my sight;
Thou gavest me poison: dangerous fellow, hence!
Breathe not where princes are.

Cymbeline. The tune of Imogen!

56

V,5,3659

Pisanio. Lady,
The gods throw stones of sulphur on me, if
That box I gave you was not thought by me
A precious thing: I had it from the queen.

Cymbeline. New matter still?

57

V,5,3667

Cornelius. O gods!
I left out one thing which the queen confess'd.
Which must approve thee honest: 'If Pisanio
Have,' said she, 'given his mistress that confection
Which I gave him for cordial, she is served
As I would serve a rat.'

Cymbeline. What's this, Comelius?

58

V,5,3688

Posthumus Leonatus. Hang there like a fruit, my soul,
Till the tree die!

Cymbeline. How now, my flesh, my child!
What, makest thou me a dullard in this act?
Wilt thou not speak to me?

59

V,5,3695

Belarius. [To GUIDERIUS and ARVIRAGUS] Though you did love
this youth, I blame ye not:
You had a motive for't.

Cymbeline. My tears that fall
Prove holy water on thee! Imogen,
Thy mother's dead.

60

V,5,3699

Imogen. I am sorry for't, my lord.

Cymbeline. O, she was nought; and long of her it was
That we meet here so strangely: but her son
Is gone, we know not how nor where.

61

V,5,3718

Guiderius. Let me end the story:
I slew him there.

Cymbeline. Marry, the gods forfend!
I would not thy good deeds should from my lips
Pluck a bard sentence: prithee, valiant youth,
Deny't again.

62

V,5,3723

Guiderius. I have spoke it, and I did it.

Cymbeline. He was a prince.

63

V,5,3730

Guiderius. A most incivil one: the wrongs he did me
Were nothing prince-like; for he did provoke me
With language that would make me spurn the sea,
If it could so roar to me: I cut off's head;
And am right glad he is not standing here
To tell this tale of mine.

Cymbeline. I am sorry for thee:
By thine own tongue thou art condemn'd, and must
Endure our law: thou'rt dead.

64

V,5,3735

Imogen. That headless man
I thought had been my lord.

Cymbeline. Bind the offender,
And take him from our presence.

65

V,5,3745

Belarius. Stay, sir king:
This man is better than the man he slew,
As well descended as thyself; and hath
More of thee merited than a band of Clotens
Had ever scar for.
[To the Guard]
Let his arms alone;
They were not born for bondage.

Cymbeline. Why, old soldier,
Wilt thou undo the worth thou art unpaid for,
By tasting of our wrath? How of descent
As good as we?

66

V,5,3750

Arviragus. In that he spake too far.

Cymbeline. And thou shalt die for't.

67

V,5,3761

Belarius. Have at it then, by leave.
Thou hadst, great king, a subject who
Was call'd Belarius.

Cymbeline. What of him? he is
A banish'd traitor.

68

V,5,3766

Belarius. He it is that hath
Assumed this age; indeed a banish'd man;
I know not how a traitor.

Cymbeline. Take him hence:
The whole world shall not save him.

69

V,5,3772

Belarius. Not too hot:
First pay me for the nursing of thy sons;
And let it be confiscate all, so soon
As I have received it.

Cymbeline. Nursing of my sons!

70

V,5,3780

Belarius. I am too blunt and saucy: here's my knee:
Ere I arise, I will prefer my sons;
Then spare not the old father. Mighty sir,
These two young gentlemen, that call me father
And think they are my sons, are none of mine;
They are the issue of your loins, my liege,
And blood of your begetting.

Cymbeline. How! my issue!

71

V,5,3802

Belarius. So sure as you your father's. I, old Morgan,
Am that Belarius whom you sometime banish'd:
Your pleasure was my mere offence, my punishment
Itself, and all my treason; that I suffer'd
Was all the harm I did. These gentle princes—
For such and so they are—these twenty years
Have I train'd up: those arts they have as I
Could put into them; my breeding was, sir, as
Your highness knows. Their nurse, Euriphile,
Whom for the theft I wedded, stole these children
Upon my banishment: I moved her to't,
Having received the punishment before,
For that which I did then: beaten for loyalty
Excited me to treason: their dear loss,
The more of you 'twas felt, the more it shaped
Unto my end of stealing them. But, gracious sir,
Here are your sons again; and I must lose
Two of the sweet'st companions in the world.
The benediction of these covering heavens
Fall on their heads like dew! for they are worthy
To inlay heaven with stars.

Cymbeline. Thou weep'st, and speak'st.
The service that you three have done is more
Unlike than this thou tell'st. I lost my children:
If these be they, I know not how to wish
A pair of worthier sons.

72

V,5,3815

Belarius. Be pleased awhile.
This gentleman, whom I call Polydore,
Most worthy prince, as yours, is true Guiderius:
This gentleman, my Cadwal, Arviragus,
Your younger princely son; he, sir, was lapp'd
In a most curious mantle, wrought by the hand
Of his queen mother, which for more probation
I can with ease produce.

Cymbeline. Guiderius had
Upon his neck a mole, a sanguine star;
It was a mark of wonder.

73

V,5,3822

Belarius. This is he;
Who hath upon him still that natural stamp:
It was wise nature's end in the donation,
To be his evidence now.

Cymbeline. O, what, am I
A mother to the birth of three? Ne'er mother
Rejoiced deliverance more. Blest pray you be,
That, after this strange starting from your orbs,
may reign in them now! O Imogen,
Thou hast lost by this a kingdom.

74

V,5,3834

Imogen. No, my lord;
I have got two worlds by 't. O my gentle brothers,
Have we thus met? O, never say hereafter
But I am truest speaker you call'd me brother,
When I was but your sister; I you brothers,
When ye were so indeed.

Cymbeline. Did you e'er meet?

75

V,5,3839

Cornelius. By the queen's dram she swallow'd.

Cymbeline. O rare instinct!
When shall I hear all through? This fierce
abridgement
Hath to it circumstantial branches, which
Distinction should be rich in. Where? how lived You?
And when came you to serve our Roman captive?
How parted with your brothers? how first met them?
Why fled you from the court? and whither? These,
And your three motives to the battle, with
I know not how much more, should be demanded;
And all the other by-dependencies,
From chance to chance: but nor the time nor place
Will serve our long inter'gatories. See,
Posthumus anchors upon Imogen,
And she, like harmless lightning, throws her eye
On him, her brother, me, her master, hitting
Each object with a joy: the counterchange
Is severally in all. Let's quit this ground,
And smoke the temple with our sacrifices.
[To BELARIUS]
Thou art my brother; so we'll hold thee ever.

76

V,5,3862

Imogen. You are my father too, and did relieve me,
To see this gracious season.

Cymbeline. All o'erjoy'd,
Save these in bonds: let them be joyful too,
For they shall taste our comfort.

77

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Caius Lucius. Happy be you!

Cymbeline. The forlorn soldier, that so nobly fought,
He would have well becomed this place, and graced
The thankings of a king.

78

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Posthumus Leonatus. Kneel not to me:
The power that I have on you is, to spare you;
The malice towards you to forgive you: live,
And deal with others better.

Cymbeline. Nobly doom'd!
We'll learn our freeness of a son-in-law;
Pardon's the word to all.

79

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Soothsayer. [Reads] 'When as a lion's whelp shall, to himself
unknown, without seeking find, and be embraced by a
piece of tender air; and when from a stately cedar
shall be lopped branches, which, being dead many
years, shall after revive, be jointed to the old
stock, and freshly grow; then shall Posthumus end
his miseries, Britain be fortunate and flourish in
peace and plenty.'
Thou, Leonatus, art the lion's whelp;
The fit and apt construction of thy name,
Being Leonatus, doth import so much.
[To CYMBELINE]
The piece of tender air, thy virtuous daughter,
Which we call 'mollis aer;' and 'mollis aer'
We term it 'mulier:' which 'mulier' I divine
Is this most constant wife; who, even now,
Answering the letter of the oracle,
Unknown to you, unsought, were clipp'd about
With this most tender air.

Cymbeline. This hath some seeming.

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Soothsayer. The lofty cedar, royal Cymbeline,
Personates thee: and thy lopp'd branches point
Thy two sons forth; who, by Belarius stol'n,
For many years thought dead, are now revived,
To the majestic cedar join'd, whose issue
Promises Britain peace and plenty.

Cymbeline. Well
My peace we will begin. And, Caius Lucius,
Although the victor, we submit to Caesar,
And to the Roman empire; promising
To pay our wonted tribute, from the which
We were dissuaded by our wicked queen;
Whom heavens, in justice, both on her and hers,
Have laid most heavy hand.

81

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Soothsayer. The fingers of the powers above do tune
The harmony of this peace. The vision
Which I made known to Lucius, ere the stroke
Of this yet scarce-cold battle, at this instant
Is full accomplish'd; for the Roman eagle,
From south to west on wing soaring aloft,
Lessen'd herself, and in the beams o' the sun
So vanish'd: which foreshow'd our princely eagle,
The imperial Caesar, should again unite
His favour with the radiant Cymbeline,
Which shines here in the west.

Cymbeline. Laud we the gods;
And let our crooked smokes climb to their nostrils
From our blest altars. Publish we this peace
To all our subjects. Set we forward: let
A Roman and a British ensign wave
Friendly together: so through Lud's-town march:
And in the temple of great Jupiter
Our peace we'll ratify; seal it with feasts.
Set on there! Never was a war did cease,
Ere bloody hands were wash'd, with such a peace.