Script of Act II Cymbeline The play by William Shakespeare Introduction This section contains the script of Act II of Cymbeline the play by William Shakespeare. The enduring works of William Shakespeare feature many famous and well loved characters. Make a note of any unusual words that you encounter whilst reading the script of Cymbeline and check their definition in the Shakespeare Dictionary The script of Cymbeline is extremely long. To reduce the time to load the script of the play, and for ease in accessing specific sections of the script, we have separated the text of Cymbeline into Acts. Please click Cymbeline Script to access further Acts. Script / Text of Act II Cymbeline ACT II SCENE I. Britain. Before Cymbeline's palace.
Enter CLOTEN and two Lords CLOTEN Was there ever man had such luck! when I kissed the jack, upon an up-cast to be hit away! I had a hundred pound on't: and then a whoreson jackanapes must take me up for swearing; as if I borrowed mine oaths of him and might not spend them at my pleasure.
First Lord What got he by that? You have broke his pate with your bowl.
Second Lord [Aside] If his wit had been like him that broke it, it would have run all out.
CLOTEN When a gentleman is disposed to swear, it is not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths, ha?
Second Lord No my lord;
Aside
nor crop the ears of them.
CLOTEN Whoreson dog! I give him satisfaction? Would he had been one of my rank!
Second Lord [Aside] To have smelt like a fool.
CLOTEN I am not vexed more at any thing in the earth: a pox on't! I had rather not be so noble as I am; they dare not fight with me, because of the queen my mother: every Jack-slave hath his bellyful of fighting, and I must go up and down like a cock that nobody can match.
Second Lord [Aside] You are cock and capon too; and you crow, cock, with your comb on.
CLOTEN Sayest thou?
Second Lord It is not fit your lordship should undertake every companion that you give offence to.
CLOTEN No, I know that: but it is fit I should commit offence to my inferiors.
Second Lord Ay, it is fit for your lordship only.
CLOTEN Why, so I say.
First Lord Did you hear of a stranger that's come to court to-night?
CLOTEN A stranger, and I not know on't!
Second Lord [Aside] He's a strange fellow himself, and knows it not.
First Lord There's an Italian come; and, 'tis thought, one of Leonatus' friends.
CLOTEN Leonatus! a banished rascal; and he's another, whatsoever he be. Who told you of this stranger?
First Lord One of your lordship's pages.
CLOTEN Is it fit I went to look upon him? is there no derogation in't?
Second Lord You cannot derogate, my lord.
CLOTEN Not easily, I think.
Second Lord [Aside] You are a fool granted; therefore your issues, being foolish, do not derogate.
CLOTEN Come, I'll go see this Italian: what I have lost to-day at bowls I'll win to-night of him. Come, go.
Second Lord I'll attend your lordship.
Exeunt CLOTEN and First Lord
That such a crafty devil as is his mother Should yield the world this ass! a woman that Bears all down with her brain; and this her son Cannot take two from twenty, for his heart, And leave eighteen. Alas, poor princess, Thou divine Imogen, what thou endurest, Betwixt a father by thy step-dame govern'd, A mother hourly coining plots, a wooer More hateful than the foul expulsion is Of thy dear husband, than that horrid act Of the divorce he'ld make! The heavens hold firm The walls of thy dear honour, keep unshaked That temple, thy fair mind, that thou mayst stand, To enjoy thy banish'd lord and this great land!
Exit
SCENE II. Imogen's bedchamber in Cymbeline's palace: a trunk in one corner of it.
IMOGEN in bed, reading; a Lady attending
IMOGEN Who's there? my woman Helen?
Lady Please you, madam
IMOGEN What hour is it?
Lady Almost midnight, madam.
IMOGEN I have read three hours then: mine eyes are weak: Fold down the leaf where I have left: to bed: Take not away the taper, leave it burning; And if thou canst awake by four o' the clock, I prithee, call me. Sleep hath seized me wholly
Exit Lady
To your protection I commend me, gods. From fairies and the tempters of the night Guard me, beseech ye.
Sleeps. IACHIMO comes from the trunk
IACHIMO The crickets sing, and man's o'er-labour'd sense Repairs itself by rest. Our Tarquin thus Did softly press the rushes, ere he waken'd The chastity he wounded. Cytherea, How bravely thou becomest thy bed, fresh lily, And whiter than the sheets! That I might touch! But kiss; one kiss! Rubies unparagon'd, How dearly they do't! 'Tis her breathing that Perfumes the chamber thus: the flame o' the taper Bows toward her, and would under-peep her lids, To see the enclosed lights, now canopied Under these windows, white and azure laced With blue of heaven's own tinct. But my design, To note the chamber: I will write all down: Such and such pictures; there the window; such The adornment of her bed; the arras; figures, Why, such and such; and the contents o' the story. Ah, but some natural notes about her body, Above ten thousand meaner moveables Would testify, to enrich mine inventory. O sleep, thou ape of death, lie dull upon her! And be her sense but as a monument, Thus in a chapel lying! Come off, come off:
Taking off her bracelet
As slippery as the Gordian knot was hard! 'Tis mine; and this will witness outwardly, As strongly as the conscience does within, To the madding of her lord. On her left breast A mole cinque-spotted, like the crimson drops I' the bottom of a cowslip: here's a voucher, Stronger than ever law could make: this secret Will force him think I have pick'd the lock and ta'en The treasure of her honour. No more. To what end? Why should I write this down, that's riveted, Screw'd to my memory? She hath been reading late The tale of Tereus; here the leaf's turn'd down Where Philomel gave up. I have enough: To the trunk again, and shut the spring of it. Swift, swift, you dragons of the night, that dawning May bare the raven's eye! I lodge in fear; Though this a heavenly angel, hell is here.
Clock strikes
One, two, three: time, time!
Goes into the trunk. The scene closes
Scene III An ante-chamber adjoining Imogen's apartments.
Enter CLOTEN and Lords
First Lord Your lordship is the most patient man in loss, the most coldest that ever turned up ace.
CLOTEN It would make any man cold to lose.
First Lord But not every man patient after the noble temper of your lordship. You are most hot and furious when you win.
CLOTEN Winning will put any man into courage. If I could get this foolish Imogen, I should have gold enough. It's almost morning, is't not?
First Lord Day, my lord.
CLOTEN I would this music would come: I am advised to give her music o' mornings; they say it will penetrate.
Enter Musicians
Come on; tune: if you can penetrate her with your fingering, so; we'll try with tongue too: if none will do, let her remain; but I'll never give o'er. First, a very excellent good-conceited thing; after, a wonderful sweet air, with admirable rich words to it: and then let her consider.
SONG
Hark, hark! the lark at heaven's gate sings, And Phoebus 'gins arise, His steeds to water at those springs On chaliced flowers that lies; And winking Mary-buds begin To ope their golden eyes: With every thing that pretty is, My lady sweet, arise: Arise, arise.
CLOTEN So, get you gone. If this penetrate, I will consider your music the better: if it do not, it is a vice in her ears, which horse-hairs and calves'-guts, nor the voice of unpaved eunuch to boot, can never amend.
Exeunt Musicians
Second Lord Here comes the king.
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?
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.
QUEEN You are most bound to the king, Who lets go by no vantages that may Prefer you to his daughter. Frame yourself To orderly soliciting, and be friended With aptness of the season; make denials Increase your services; so seem as if You were inspired to do those duties which You tender to her; that you in all obey her, Save when command to your dismission tends, And therein you are senseless.
CLOTEN Senseless! not so.
Enter a Messenger
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.
Exeunt all but CLOTEN
CLOTEN If she be up, I'll speak with her; if not, Let her lie still and dream.
Knocks
By your leave, ho! I Know her women are about her: what If I do line one of their hands? 'Tis gold Which buys admittance; oft it doth; yea, and makes Diana's rangers false themselves, yield up Their deer to the stand o' the stealer; and 'tis gold Which makes the true man kill'd and saves the thief; Nay, sometime hangs both thief and true man: what Can it not do and undo? I will make One of her women lawyer to me, for I yet not understand the case myself.
Knocks
By your leave.
Enter a Lady
Lady Who's there that knocks?
CLOTEN A gentleman.
Lady No more?
CLOTEN Yes, and a gentlewoman's son.
Lady That's more Than some, whose tailors are as dear as yours, Can justly boast of. What's your lordship's pleasure?
CLOTEN Your lady's person: is she ready?
Lady Ay, To keep her chamber.
CLOTEN There is gold for you; Sell me your good report.
Lady How! my good name? or to report of you What I shall think is good?--The princess!
Enter IMOGEN
CLOTEN Good morrow, fairest: sister, your sweet hand.
Exit Lady
IMOGEN Good morrow, sir. You lay out too much pains For purchasing but trouble; the thanks I give Is telling you that I am poor of thanks And scarce can spare them.
CLOTEN Still, I swear I love you.
IMOGEN If you but said so, 'twere as deep with me: If you swear still, your recompense is still That I regard it not.
CLOTEN This is no answer.
IMOGEN But that you shall not say I yield being silent, I would not speak. I pray you, spare me: 'faith, I shall unfold equal discourtesy To your best kindness: one of your great knowing Should learn, being taught, forbearance.
CLOTEN To leave you in your madness, 'twere my sin: I will not.
IMOGEN Fools are not mad folks.
CLOTEN Do you call me fool?
IMOGEN As I am mad, I do: If you'll be patient, I'll no more be mad; That cures us both. I am much sorry, sir, You put me to forget a lady's manners, By being so verbal: and learn now, for all, That I, which know my heart, do here pronounce, By the very truth of it, I care not for you, And am so near the lack of charity-- To accuse myself--I hate you; which I had rather You felt than make't my boast.
CLOTEN You sin against Obedience, which you owe your father. For The contract you pretend with that base wretch, One bred of alms and foster'd with cold dishes, With scraps o' the court, it is no contract, none: And though it be allow'd in meaner parties-- Yet who than he more mean?--to knit their souls, On whom there is no more dependency But brats and beggary, in self-figured knot; Yet you are curb'd from that enlargement by The consequence o' the crown, and must not soil The precious note of it with a base slave. A hilding for a livery, a squire's cloth, A pantler, not so eminent.
IMOGEN Profane fellow Wert thou the son of Jupiter and no more But what thou art besides, thou wert too base To be his groom: thou wert dignified enough, Even to the point of envy, if 'twere made Comparative for your virtues, to be styled The under-hangman of his kingdom, and hated For being preferred so well.
CLOTEN The south-fog rot him!
IMOGEN He never can meet more mischance than come To be but named of thee. His meanest garment, That ever hath but clipp'd his body, is dearer In my respect than all the hairs above thee, Were they all made such men. How now, Pisanio!
Enter PISANIO
CLOTEN 'His garment!' Now the devil--
IMOGEN To Dorothy my woman hie thee presently--
CLOTEN 'His garment!'
IMOGEN I am sprited with a fool. Frighted, and anger'd worse: go bid my woman Search for a jewel that too casually Hath left mine arm: it was thy master's: 'shrew me, If I would lose it for a revenue Of any king's in Europe. I do think I saw't this morning: confident I am Last night 'twas on mine arm; I kiss'd it: I hope it be not gone to tell my lord That I kiss aught but he.
PISANIO 'Twill not be lost.
IMOGEN I hope so: go and search.
Exit PISANIO
CLOTEN You have abused me: 'His meanest garment!'
IMOGEN Ay, I said so, sir: If you will make't an action, call witness to't.
CLOTEN I will inform your father.
IMOGEN Your mother too: She's my good lady, and will conceive, I hope, But the worst of me. So, I leave you, sir, To the worst of discontent.
Exit
CLOTEN I'll be revenged: 'His meanest garment!' Well.
Exit
CYMBELINE
SCENE IV. Rome. Philario's house.
Enter POSTHUMUS and PHILARIO POSTHUMUS LEONATUS Fear it not, sir: I would I were so sure To win the king as I am bold her honour Will remain hers.
PHILARIO What means do you make to him?
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS Not any, but abide the change of time, Quake in the present winter's state and wish That warmer days would come: in these sear'd hopes, I barely gratify your love; they failing, I must die much your debtor.
PHILARIO Your very goodness and your company O'erpays all I can do. By this, your king Hath heard of great Augustus: Caius Lucius Will do's commission throughly: and I think He'll grant the tribute, send the arrearages, Or look upon our Romans, whose remembrance Is yet fresh in their grief.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS I do believe, Statist though I am none, nor like to be, That this will prove a war; and you shall hear The legions now in Gallia sooner landed In our not-fearing Britain than have tidings Of any penny tribute paid. Our countrymen Are men more order'd than when Julius Caesar Smiled at their lack of skill, but found their courage Worthy his frowning at: their discipline, Now mingled with their courages, will make known To their approvers they are people such That mend upon the world.
Enter IACHIMO
PHILARIO See! Iachimo!
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS The swiftest harts have posted you by land; And winds of all the comers kiss'd your sails, To make your vessel nimble.
PHILARIO Welcome, sir.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS I hope the briefness of your answer made The speediness of your return.
IACHIMO Your lady Is one of the fairest that I have look'd upon.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS And therewithal the best; or let her beauty Look through a casement to allure false hearts And be false with them.
IACHIMO Here are letters for you.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS Their tenor good, I trust.
IACHIMO 'Tis very like.
PHILARIO Was Caius Lucius in the Britain court When you were there?
IACHIMO He was expected then, But not approach'd.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS All is well yet. Sparkles this stone as it was wont? or is't not Too dull for your good wearing?
IACHIMO If I had lost it, I should have lost the worth of it in gold. I'll make a journey twice as far, to enjoy A second night of such sweet shortness which Was mine in Britain, for the ring is won.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS The stone's too hard to come by.
IACHIMO Not a whit, Your lady being so easy.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS Make not, sir, Your loss your sport: I hope you know that we Must not continue friends.
IACHIMO Good sir, we must, If you keep covenant. Had I not brought The knowledge of your mistress home, I grant We were to question further: but I now Profess myself the winner of her honour, Together with your ring; and not the wronger Of her or you, having proceeded but By both your wills.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS If you can make't apparent That you have tasted her in bed, my hand And ring is yours; if not, the foul opinion You had of her pure honour gains or loses Your sword or mine, or masterless leaves both To who shall find them.
IACHIMO Sir, my circumstances, Being so near the truth as I will make them, Must first induce you to believe: whose strength I will confirm with oath; which, I doubt not, You'll give me leave to spare, when you shall find You need it not.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS Proceed.
IACHIMO First, her bedchamber,-- Where, I confess, I slept not, but profess Had that was well worth watching--it was hang'd With tapesty of silk and silver; the story Proud Cleopatra, when she met her Roman, And Cydnus swell'd above the banks, or for The press of boats or pride: a piece of work So bravely done, so rich, that it did strive In workmanship and value; which I wonder'd Could be so rarely and exactly wrought, Since the true life on't was--
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS This is true; And this you might have heard of here, by me, Or by some other.
IACHIMO More particulars Must justify my knowledge.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS So they must, Or do your honour injury.
IACHIMO The chimney Is south the chamber, and the chimney-piece Chaste Dian bathing: never saw I figures So likely to report themselves: the cutter Was as another nature, dumb; outwent her, Motion and breath left out.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS This is a thing Which you might from relation likewise reap, Being, as it is, much spoke of.
IACHIMO The roof o' the chamber With golden cherubins is fretted: her andirons-- I had forgot them--were two winking Cupids Of silver, each on one foot standing, nicely Depending on their brands.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS This is her honour! Let it be granted you have seen all this--and praise Be given to your remembrance--the description Of what is in her chamber nothing saves The wager you have laid.
IACHIMO Then, if you can,
Showing the bracelet
Be pale: I beg but leave to air this jewel; see! And now 'tis up again: it must be married To that your diamond; I'll keep them.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS Jove! Once more let me behold it: is it that Which I left with her?
IACHIMO Sir--I thank her--that: She stripp'd it from her arm; I see her yet; Her pretty action did outsell her gift, And yet enrich'd it too: she gave it me, and said She prized it once.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS May be she pluck'd it off To send it me.
IACHIMO She writes so to you, doth she?
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS O, no, no, no! 'tis true. Here, take this too;
Gives the ring
It is a basilisk unto mine eye, Kills me to look on't. Let there be no honour Where there is beauty; truth, where semblance; love, Where there's another man: the vows of women Of no more bondage be, to where they are made, Than they are to their virtues; which is nothing. O, above measure false!
PHILARIO Have patience, sir, And take your ring again; 'tis not yet won: It may be probable she lost it; or Who knows if one of her women, being corrupted, Hath stol'n it from her?
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS Very true; And so, I hope, he came by't. Back my ring: Render to me some corporal sign about her, More evident than this; for this was stolen.
IACHIMO By Jupiter, I had it from her arm.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS Hark you, he swears; by Jupiter he swears. 'Tis true:--nay, keep the ring--'tis true: I am sure She would not lose it: her attendants are All sworn and honourable:--they induced to steal it! And by a stranger!--No, he hath enjoyed her: The cognizance of her incontinency Is this: she hath bought the name of whore thus dearly. There, take thy hire; and all the fiends of hell Divide themselves between you!
PHILARIO Sir, be patient: This is not strong enough to be believed Of one persuaded well of--
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS Never talk on't; She hath been colted by him.
IACHIMO If you seek For further satisfying, under her breast-- Worthy the pressing--lies a mole, right proud Of that most delicate lodging: by my life, I kiss'd it; and it gave me present hunger To feed again, though full. You do remember This stain upon her?
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS Ay, and it doth confirm Another stain, as big as hell can hold, Were there no more but it.
IACHIMO Will you hear more?
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS Spare your arithmetic: never count the turns; Once, and a million!
IACHIMO I'll be sworn--
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS No swearing. If you will swear you have not done't, you lie; And I will kill thee, if thou dost deny Thou'st made me cuckold.
IACHIMO I'll deny nothing.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS O, that I had her here, to tear her limb-meal! I will go there and do't, i' the court, before Her father. I'll do something--
Exit
PHILARIO Quite besides The government of patience! You have won: Let's follow him, and pervert the present wrath He hath against himself.
IACHIMO With an my heart.
Exeunt
SCENE V. Another room in Philario's house.
Enter POSTHUMUS LEONATUS POSTHUMUS LEONATUS Is there no way for men to be but women Must be half-workers? We are all bastards; And that most venerable man which I Did call my father, was I know not where When I was stamp'd; some coiner with his tools Made me a counterfeit: yet my mother seem'd The Dian of that time so doth my wife The nonpareil of this. O, vengeance, vengeance! Me of my lawful pleasure she restrain'd And pray'd me oft forbearance; did it with A pudency so rosy the sweet view on't Might well have warm'd old Saturn; that I thought her As chaste as unsunn'd snow. O, all the devils! This yellow Iachimo, in an hour,--wast not?-- Or less,--at first?--perchance he spoke not, but, Like a full-acorn'd boar, a German one, Cried 'O!' and mounted; found no opposition But what he look'd for should oppose and she Should from encounter guard. Could I find out The woman's part in me! For there's no motion That tends to vice in man, but I affirm It is the woman's part: be it lying, note it, The woman's; flattering, hers; deceiving, hers; Lust and rank thoughts, hers, hers; revenges, hers; Ambitions, covetings, change of prides, disdain, Nice longing, slanders, mutability, All faults that may be named, nay, that hell knows, Why, hers, in part or all; but rather, all; For even to vice They are not constant but are changing still One vice, but of a minute old, for one Not half so old as that. I'll write against them, Detest them, curse them: yet 'tis greater skill In a true hate, to pray they have their will: The very devils cannot plague them better.
Exit Script of Act II Cymbeline by William Shakespeare Personae |