Had liv'd to put on this: so had you saved Me wretch, more worth your vengeance. But, alack, Against my lady's kingdom: 'Tis enough That, Britain, I have kill'd thy mistress; peace! Of these Italian weeds, and suit myself Myself I'll dedicate. Let me make men know 7 Incite, instigate. 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 Takes off my manhood: I have belied a lady, The princess of this country, and the air on't Revengingly enfeebles me; Or could this carl,8 A very drudge of nature's, have subdu'd me, In 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. 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, $ Clown. Gui. Arv. 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. 1 did: I did. Post. No blame be to you, sir; for all was lost, But that the heavens fought: The king himself Of his wings destitute, the army broken, And but the backs of Britons seen, all flying Through a strait lane; the enemy full-hearted, Lolling the tongue with slaughtering, having work.. More plentiful than tools to do't, struck down Some mortally, some slightly touch'd, some falling Merely through fear; that the strait pass was damm'd9 With dead men, hurt behind, and cowards living • Block'd up: To die with lengthen'd shame. Lord. Where was this lane? Post. Close by the battle, ditch'd, and wall'd with turf; Which gave advantage to an ancient soldier,- Than those for preservation cas'd, or shame,) (For three performers are the file, when all 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 country game called prison bars, vulgarly prison-bases A rout, confusion thick: Forthwith they fly The life o'the need; having found, the back-door open Lord. This was strange chance : A narrow lane! an old man, and two boys! Post. Nay, do not wonder at it: You are made Rather to wonder at the things you hear, Than to work any. Will you rhyme upon't, And vent it for a mockery? Here is one: Two boys, an old man twice a boy, a lane, Post. 'Lack, to what end? Who dares not stand his foe, I'll be his friend : For if he'll do, as he is made to do, 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, 2 Terrors. |