2 Cap. There was a fourth man, in a filly habit, That gave th'affront with them. 1 Cap. So 'tis reported; But none of 'em can be found. Stand, who is there? Who had not now been drooping here, if feconds 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 fervice As if he were of note; bring him to th' King. [Exeunt. Enter Pofthumus, and two Goalers. 1 Goal. YOU fhall not now be ftol'n, you've locks Than one that's fick o'th' gout, fince he had rather By th' fure phyfician, death; who is the key Defir'd, more than constrain'd; to fatisfie, z If of ... old edit. Warb. emend. I I know you are more clement than vile men, Who of their broken debtors take a third, 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 old bonds. Oh Imogen! I'll speak to thee in filence. [He fleeps. **** Here follows a Vifion, a Mafque, and a Prophecy, which interrupt the Fable without the leaft neceffity, and unmeasurably lengthen this Act. I think it plainly foifted in afterwards for meer show, and apparently not of Shakespear. ttt Pope. Solemn mufick: Enter as in an apparition, Sicilius Leonatus, father : te Posthumus, an old man, attired like a warrior, leading in his hand an ancient Matron, bis 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 lyes fleeping. Sici. No more thou thunder-mafter Shew thy fpite, on mortal flies: With Mars fall out, with Juno chide, that thy adulteries Hath my poor boy done ought but well, Whofe face I never faw? I dy'd, whilst in the womb he ftay'd, Whofe father, Jove! (as men report Thou fhould't have been, and fhielded him From his earth-vexing fmart. Moth. Lucina lent not me her aid, But took me in my throes, That from me my Pofibumus ript, A thing of pity! Sici. Enter Cymbeline, Bellarius, Guiderius, Arviragus, Pifanio, and Lords. Cym. Tand by my fide, you whom the Gods have made Prefervers of my throne.. Wo is my heart, Sici. Great nature, like his ancestry, That he deferv'd the praise o'th' world, 1 Bro. When once he was mature for man, That could ftand up his parallel, Or rival object be, In eye of Imogen, that beft Could deem his dignity? Moth. With marriage therefore was he mockt To be exil'd, and thrown From Leonatus' feat, and caft From her his dearest one; Sweet Imogen! Sici. Why did you fuffer Iachime, Slight thing of Italy, To taint his noble heart and brain With needlefs jealoufie, And to become the geck and fcorn O'th' other's villainy? 2 Bro. For this, from ftiller feats we came, That ftriking in our country's caufe, Fell bravely and were flain, Our fealty and Tenantius' right, With honour to maintain. 1 Bro. Like hardiment Pofthumus hath Then Jupiter, thou King of Gods, The graces for his merits due, That the poor foldier that fo richly fought, (Whofe rags fham'd gilded arms, whofe naked breaft Sici. Thy chryftal window ope; look out; No longer exercise, Upon a valiant race, thy harsh And potent injuries. Moth. Since, Jupiter, our fon is good, Sici. Peep through thy marble manfion, help, To th' fhining fynod of the rest, 2 Breth. Help, Jupiter, or we appeal, Jupiter defcends in thunder and lightning, fitting upon an eagle; he throws a thunder-bolt. The Ghofts fall on their knees. Jup. No more you petty fpirits of region low No care of yours it is, you know 'tis ours. And happier much by his affliction made. [Jupiter drops a tablet. Our pleasure, his full fortune, doth confine, Express impatience, left you ftir up mine; All. Thanks, Jupiter. [Afcends. Şici Stept before fhields of proof,) cannot be found: Sici. The marble pavement closes, he is enter'd Poft. Sleep, thou haft been a grandfire, and begot A mother, and two brothers. But, oh fcorn! That have this golden chance, and know not why: Nobler than that it covers. Let thy effects [Reads.] [Vanish. Hen as the lion's help fhall, to himself unknown, without feeking W find, and be embrac'd by a piece of tender air; and when from a fately cedar fhall be lopt branches, which being dead many years, shall after revive, be jointed to the old flock, and freshly grow, then shall Pofthumus end his miferies, Britain be fortunate, and flourish in peace and plenty. 'Tis ftill a dream; or elfe fuch ftuff as mad-men Tongue, and brain not: do either both, or nothing; Or fenfelefs fpeaking, or a fpeaking fuch. As fenfe cannot untie. But what it is, The action of my life is like it, which I'll keep If but for fympathy. Enter Goaler. Goal. Come, Sir, are you ready for death? Poft. Over-roafted rather: ready long ago. Goal. Hanging is the word, Sir; if you be ready for that, you are well cookt. Poft. So if I prove a good repaft to the fpectators, the dish pays the fhot. Goal. A heavy reckoning for you, Sir, but the comfort is, you shall be called to no more payments, fear no more tavern bills, which are often the sadness of parting, as the procuring of mirth; you come in faint for want of meat, depart reeling with too much drink; forry that |