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| Cymbeline |
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| Cymbeline
| Act 3, Scene 6
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Enter IMOGEN, in boy's clothesIMOGEN
I see a man's life is a tedious one:BELARIUS
I have tired myself, and for two nights together
Have made the ground my bed. I should be sick,
But that my resolution helps me. Milford,
When from the mountain-top Pisanio show'd thee,
Thou wast within a ken: O Jove! I think
Foundations fly the wretched; such, I mean,
Where they should be relieved. Two beggars told me
I could not miss my way: will poor folks lie,
That have afflictions on them, knowing 'tis
A punishment or trial? Yes; no wonder,
When rich ones scarce tell true. To lapse in fulness
Is sorer than to lie for need, and falsehood
Is worse in kings than beggars. My dear lord!
Thou art one o' the false ones. Now I think on thee,
My hunger's gone; but even before, I was
At point to sink for food. But what is this?
Here is a path to't: 'tis some savage hold:
I were best not to call; I dare not call:
yet famine,
Ere clean it o'erthrow nature, makes it valiant,
Plenty and peace breeds cowards: hardness ever
Of hardiness is mother. Ho! who's here?
If any thing that's civil, speak; if savage,
Take or lend. Ho! No answer? Then I'll enter.
Best draw my sword: and if mine enemy
But fear the sword like me, he'll scarcely look on't.
Such a foe, good heavens!
Exit, to the cave
Enter BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS
You, Polydote, have proved best woodman andGUIDERIUS
Are master of the feast: Cadwal and I
Will play the cook and servant; 'tis our match:
The sweat of industry would dry and die,
But for the end it works to. Come; our stomachs
Will make what's homely savoury: weariness
Can snore upon the flint, when resty sloth
Finds the down pillow hard. Now peace be here,
Poor house, that keep'st thyself!
I am thoroughly weary.ARVIRAGUS
I am weak with toil, yet strong in appetite.GUIDERIUS
There is cold meat i' the cave; we'll browse on that,BELARIUS
Whilst what we have kill'd be cook'd.
[Looking into the cave]GUIDERIUS
Stay; come not in.
But that it eats our victuals, I should think
Here were a fairy.
What's the matter, sir?BELARIUS
By Jupiter, an angel! or, if not,IMOGEN
An earthly paragon! Behold divineness
No elder than a boy!
Re-enter IMOGEN
Good masters, harm me not:GUIDERIUS
Before I enter'd here, I call'd; and thought
To have begg'd or bought what I have took:
good troth,
I have stol'n nought, nor would not, though I had found
Gold strew'd i' the floor. Here's money for my meat:
I would have left it on the board so soon
As I had made my meal, and parted
With prayers for the provider.
Money, youth?ARVIRAGUS
All gold and silver rather turn to dirt!IMOGEN
As 'tis no better reckon'd, but of those
Who worship dirty gods.
I see you're angry:BELARIUS
Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should
Have died had I not made it.
Whither bound?IMOGEN
To Milford-Haven.BELARIUS
What's your name?IMOGEN
Fidele, sir. I have a kinsman whoBELARIUS
Is bound for Italy; he embark'd at Milford;
To whom being going, almost spent with hunger,
I am fall'n in this offence.
Prithee, fair youth,GUIDERIUS
Think us no churls, nor measure our good minds
By this rude place we live in. Well encounter'd!
'Tis almost night: you shall have better cheer
Ere you depart: and thanks to stay and eat it.
Boys, bid him welcome.
Were you a woman, youth,ARVIRAGUS
I should woo hard but be your groom. In honesty,
I bid for you as I'd buy.
I'll make't my comfortIMOGEN
He is a man; I'll love him as my brother:
And such a welcome as I'd give to him
After long absence, such is yours: most welcome!
Be sprightly, for you fall 'mongst friends.
'Mongst friends,BELARIUS
If brothers.
Aside
Would it had been so, that they
Had been my father's sons! then had my prize
Been less, and so more equal ballasting
To thee, Posthumus.
He wrings at some distress.GUIDERIUS
Would I could free't!ARVIRAGUS
Or I, whate'er it be,BELARIUS
What pain it cost, what danger. God's!
Hark, boys.IMOGEN
Whispering
Great men,BELARIUS
That had a court no bigger than this cave,
That did attend themselves and had the virtue
Which their own conscience seal'd them--laying by
That nothing-gift of differing multitudes--
Could not out-peer these twain. Pardon me, gods!
I'd change my sex to be companion with them,
Since Leonatus's false.
It shall be so.GUIDERIUS
Boys, we'll go dress our hunt. Fair youth, come in:
Discourse is heavy, fasting; when we have supp'd,
We'll mannerly demand thee of thy story,
So far as thou wilt speak it.
Pray, draw near.ARVIRAGUS
The night to the owl and morn to the larkIMOGEN
less welcome.
Thanks, sir.ARVIRAGUS
I pray, draw near.
Exeunt
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| Cymbeline
| Act 3, Scene 6
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 | Ahoy Mates! We're happy to announce that 2006 is the year of Moby Dick. Join us before the mast! For more information, please check out Moby Dick or email Drake. Free downloadable copies are available at Moby Dick, and we hope that ye join us in discussing the novel at the Moby Dick Campfire. Invite yer friends! We would like to unite the world in reading what is perhaps the greatest work of fiction ever penned on the American shores. Written in the rich context of Shakespeare and the Bible, Moby Dick was Herman Melville's definitive masterpiece. If you've already read the epic, we invite you to read it again. And be sure to pick up Hamlet and the Bible throughout November, as the novel shall only be enhanced by the deeper context. The White Whale, symbolic of the truth and freedom which the greatest spirits in Western Civilization have ever pursued, yet swims free. Concerning Moby Dick, Melville wrote, "It ... is of the horrible texture of a fabric that should be woven of ships' cables and hausers. A Polar wind blows through it, & birds of prey hover over it. Warn all gentle fastidious people from so much as peeping into the book..." Moby Dick was the first "Great Book" posted at jollyroger.com, over six years ago, and Melville's masterpiece has inspired a lot of our poetry and prose. Check out Drake's new film at Moby Dick Film and Moby Dick.  Amazon Computers | |