Shakespeare Portal

Act 4, Scene 3

A room in Cymbeline's palace.

  1. [Enter CYMBELINE, Lords, PISANIO, and Attendants]
  2. Cymbeline
  3. 2679 Again; and bring me word how 'tis with her.
  4. [Exit an Attendant]
  5. Cymbeline
  6. 2680 A fever with the absence of her son,
  7. 2681 A madness, of which her life's in danger. Heavens,
  8. 2682 How deeply you at once do touch me! Imogen,
  9. 2683 The great part of my comfort, gone; my queen
  10. 2684 Upon a desperate bed, and in a time
  11. 2685 When fearful wars point at me; her son gone,
  12. 2686 So needful for this present: it strikes me, past
  13. 2687 The hope of comfort. But for thee, fellow,
  14. 2688 Who needs must know of her departure and
  15. 2689 Dost seem so ignorant, we'll enforce it from thee
  16. 2690 By a sharp torture.
  17. Pisanio
  18. 2691 Sir, my life is yours;
  19. 2692 I humbly set it at your will; but, for my mistress,
  20. 2693 I nothing know where she remains, why gone,
  21. 2694 Nor when she purposes return. Beseech your highness,
  22. 2695 Hold me your loyal servant.
  23. First Lord
  24. 2696 Good my liege,
  25. 2697 The day that she was missing he was here:
  26. 2698 I dare be bound he's true and shall perform
  27. 2699 All parts of his subjection loyally. For Cloten,
  28. 2700 There wants no diligence in seeking him,
  29. 2701 And will, no doubt, be found.
  30. Cymbeline
  31. 2702 The time is troublesome.
  32. [To PISANIO]
  33. Cymbeline
  34. 2703 We'll slip you for a season; but our jealousy
  35. 2704 Does yet depend.
  36. First Lord
  37. 2705 So please your majesty,
  38. 2706 The Roman legions, all from Gallia drawn,
  39. 2707 Are landed on your coast, with a supply
  40. 2708 Of Roman gentlemen, by the senate sent.
  41. Cymbeline
  42. 2709 Now for the counsel of my son and queen!
  43. 2710 I am amazed with matter.
  44. First Lord
  45. 2711 Good my liege,
  46. 2712 Your preparation can affront no less
  47. 2713 Than what you hear of: come more, for more
  48. 2714 you're ready:
  49. 2715 The want is but to put those powers in motion
  50. 2716 That long to move.
  51. Cymbeline
  52. 2717 I thank you. Let's withdraw;
  53. 2718 And meet the time as it seeks us. We fear not
  54. 2719 What can from Italy annoy us; but
  55. 2720 We grieve at chances here. Away!
  56. [Exeunt all but PISANIO]
  57. Pisanio
  58. 2721 I heard no letter from my master since
  59. 2722 I wrote him Imogen was slain: 'tis strange:
  60. 2723 Nor hear I from my mistress who did promise
  61. 2724 To yield me often tidings: neither know I
  62. 2725 What is betid to Cloten; but remain
  63. 2726 Perplex'd in all. The heavens still must work.
  64. 2727 Wherein I am false I am honest; not true, to be true.
  65. 2728 These present wars shall find I love my country,
  66. 2729 Even to the note o' the king, or I'll fall in them.
  67. 2730 All other doubts, by time let them be clear'd:
  68. 2731 Fortune brings in some boats that are not steer'd.
  69. [Exit]