SCENE II. A Plain, between the British and Roman Camps. Enter POSTHUMUS, with a bloody Handkerchief. Post. Yea, bloody cloth, I'll keep thee; for I wish'd Thou should'st be colour'd thus. You married ones, Every good servant does not all commands: A Briton peasant: so I'll fight Against the part I come with; so I'll die [Drums, Trumpets, &c. [Drums, Trumpets, &c.—Exitą SCENE III. The Field of Battle. Alarums, An Engagement between the Britons and the Romansthe Britons are repulsed. Enter POSTHUMUS and IACHIMO, fighting-IACHIMO is disarmed. Post. Or yield thee, Roman, or thou diest! Post. No; take thy life, and mend it. [Exit. 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, A very drudge of nature's, have subdued me In my profession? Knighthoods and honours, borne As I wear mine, are titles but of scorn. With Heaven against me, what is sword or shield? . My guilt, my guilt o'erpowers me, and I yield. [Drums, Trumpets, &c.-Exit. An Engagement between the Britons and the Romans, in which the Romans fly before BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS and ARVIRAGUS. SCENE IV. The Forest, near the Cave. Drums, Trumpets, &c. Enter PISANIO and MADAN. Mad. This is a day turn'd strangely. Though you, it seems, come from the fliers. Pisanio. No blame be to you, sir; for all was lost, And but the backs of Britons seen, all flying With dead men, hurt behind, and cowards living Mad. Where was this lane? Pisanio. Close by the battle, ditch'd, and wall'd with turf; Which gave advantage to an ancient soldier ; Like beasts, which you shun beastly; and may save, But to look back in frown: stand, stand!"-These Accommodated by the place, gilded pale looks; Part, shame; part, spirit renew'd; that some, turn'd coward, But by example, 'gan to look The way that they did, and to grin like lions A stop Then began Mad. This was strange chance. An old man, two boys, and a poor rustic! Pisanio. Nay, do not wonder :-go with me, and see These wonders, sir, and join the general joy. [Drums, Trumpets, &c.-Exeunt. SCENE V. Another Part of the Forest. Enter POSTHUMUS. Post. To-day, how many would have given their honours To have saved their carcasses? took heel to do't, And yet died too?-I, in mine own woe charm'd, Could not find death, where I did hear him groan; Nor feel him, where he struck. Well, I will find him: No more a Briton, I have resumed again [Exit. SCENE VI. CYMBELINE's Tent. A Retreat sounded. CYMBELINE, BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, ARVIRAGUS, PISANIO, and BRITISH SOLDIERS, discovered. Cym. 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, Our grace can make him so... Bel. I never saw Such noble fury in so poor a thing. |