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Cymbeline - Act 4, scene 3
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Cymbeline - Act 4, scene 3Act 4, scene 3
Scene 3
Synopsis:
Cymbeline finds himself alone in the face of the Roman attack, with Imogen and Cloten both missing and the queen desperately ill.
Enter Cymbeline, Lords, Pisanio, ⌜and Attendants.⌝CYMBELINE
2718 Again, and bring me word how ’tis with her.
⌜An Attendant exits.⌝
2719 A fever, with the absence of her son;
2720 A madness, of which her life’s in danger. Heavens,
2721 How deeply you at once do touch me! Imogen,
2722 5 The great part of my comfort, gone; my queen
2723 Upon a desperate bed, and in a time
2724 When fearful wars point at me; her son gone,
2725 So needful for this present. It strikes me past
2726 The hope of comfort.—But for thee, fellow,
2727 10 Who needs must know of her departure and
2728 Dost seem so ignorant, we’ll enforce it from thee
2729 By a sharp torture.
PISANIO 2730 Sir, my life is yours.
2731 I humbly set it at your will. But for my mistress,
2732 15 I nothing know where she remains, why gone,
2733 Nor when she purposes return. Beseech your
2734 Highness,
2735 Hold me your loyal servant.
LORD 2736 Good my liege,
2737 20 The day that she was missing, he was here.
2738 I dare be bound he’s true and shall perform
2739 All parts of his subjection loyally. For Cloten,
2740 There wants no diligence in seeking him,
2741 And will no doubt be found.
CYMBELINE 2742 25 The time is troublesome.
2743 ⌜To Pisanio.⌝ We’ll slip you for a season, but our jealousy
2744 Does yet depend.
LORD 2745 So please your Majesty,
2746 The Roman legions, all from Gallia drawn,
2747 30 Are landed on your coast with a supply
2748 Of Roman gentlemen by the Senate sent.
p.
193
CYMBELINE 2749 Now for the counsel of my son and queen!
2750 I am amazed with matter.
LORD 2751 Good my liege,
2752 35 Your preparation can affront no less
2753 Than what you hear of. Come more, for more you’re
2754 ready.
2755 The want is but to put those powers in motion
2756 That long to move.
CYMBELINE 2757 40 I thank you. Let’s withdraw,
2758 And meet the time as it seeks us. We fear not
2759 What can from Italy annoy us, but
2760 We grieve at chances here. Away.
They exit. ⌜Pisanio remains.⌝
PISANIO
2761 I heard no letter from my master since
2762 45 I wrote him Imogen was slain. ’Tis strange.
2763 Nor hear I from my mistress, who did promise
2764 To yield me often tidings. Neither know I
2765 What is ⌜betid⌝ to Cloten, but remain
2766 Perplexed in all. The heavens still must work.
2767 50 Wherein I am false I am honest; not true, to be true.
2768 These present wars shall find I love my country,
2769 Even to the note o’ th’ King, or I’ll fall in them.
2770 All other doubts, by time let them be cleared.
2771 Fortune brings in some boats that are not steered.
He exits.