Cymbeline by William Shakespeare
Act 4 - Scene 3
A room in Cymbeline’s palace.
Cymbeline : Again; and bring me word how 'tis with her.
[p][Exit an
Attendant]
[p]A fever with the absence of her son,
[p]A madness, of
which her life's in danger. Heavens,
[p]How deeply you at once do
touch me! Imogen,
[p]The great part of my comfort, gone; my
queen
[p]Upon a desperate bed, and in a time
[p]When fearful wars
point at me; her son gone,
[p]So needful for this present: it strikes
me, past
[p]The hope of comfort. But for thee, fellow,
[p]Who needs
must know of her departure and
[p]Dost seem so ignorant, we'll enforce
it from thee
[p]By a sharp torture.
Pisanio : Sir, my life is yours;
[p]I humbly set it at your will; but, for my
mistress,
[p]I nothing know where she remains, why gone,
[p]Nor when
she purposes return. Beseech your highness,
[p]Hold me your loyal
servant.
First Lord : Good my liege,
[p]The day that she was missing he was here:
[p]I dare
be bound he's true and shall perform
[p]All parts of his subjection
loyally. For Cloten,
[p]There wants no diligence in seeking
him,
[p]And will, no doubt, be found.
Cymbeline : The time is troublesome.
[p][To PISANIO]
[p]We'll slip you for a
season; but our jealousy
[p]Does yet depend.
First Lord : So please your majesty,
[p]The Roman legions, all from Gallia
drawn,
[p]Are landed on your coast, with a supply
[p]Of Roman
gentlemen, by the senate sent.
Cymbeline : Now for the counsel of my son and queen!
[p]I am amazed with matter.
First Lord : Good my liege,
[p]Your preparation can affront no less
[p]Than what
you hear of: come more, for more
[p]you're ready:
[p]The want is but
to put those powers in motion
[p]That long to move.
Cymbeline : I thank you. Let's withdraw;
[p]And meet the time as it seeks us. We
fear not
[p]What can from Italy annoy us; but
[p]We grieve at chances
here. Away!
Pisanio : I heard no letter from my master since
[p]I wrote him Imogen was
slain: 'tis strange:
[p]Nor hear I from my mistress who did
promise
[p]To yield me often tidings: neither know I
[p]What is betid
to Cloten; but remain
[p]Perplex'd in all. The heavens still must
work.
[p]Wherein I am false I am honest; not true, to be
true.
[p]These present wars shall find I love my country,
[p]Even to
the note o' the king, or I'll fall in them.
[p]All other doubts, by
time let them be clear'd:
[p]Fortune brings in some boats that are not
steer'd.
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Next: Act 4 - Scene 4
