Cymbeline. Act V. Scene II. William Shakespeare. 1914. The Oxford Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (1564–1616). The Oxford Shakespeare. 1914.

Cymbeline

Act V. Scene II.


Field of Battle between the British and Roman Camps.

Enter, from one door, LUCIUS, IACHIMO, and the Roman Army; the British at another; LEONATUS POSTHUMUS following like a poor soldier. They march over and go out. Alarums. Then enter again in skirmish, IACHIMO and POSTHUMUS; he vanquisheth and disarmeth IACHIMO, and then leaves him.
Iach. The heaviness and guilt within my bosom
Takes off my manhood: I have belied a lady,
The princess of this country, and the air on ’t	5
Revengingly enfeebles me; or could this carl,
A very drudge of nature’s, have subdu’d me
In my profession? Knighthoods and honours, borne
As I wear mine, are titles but of scorn.
If that thy gentry, Britain, go before	10
This lout as he exceeds our lords, the odds
Is that we scarce are men and you are gods. [Exit.

The battle continues; the Britons fly; CYMBELINE is taken; then enter, to his rescue, BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS.
Bel. Stand, stand! We have the advantage of the ground.
The lane is guarded; nothing routs us but	15
The villany of our fears.
Gui. & Arv. Stand, stand, and fight!

Re-enter POSTHUMUS, and seconds the Britons; they rescue CYMBELINE, and exeunt. Then, re-enter LUCIUS, IACHIMO, and IMOGEN.
Luc. Away, boy, from the troops, and save thyself;
For friends kill friends, and the disorder’s such	20
As war were hoodwink’d.
Iach. ’Tis their fresh supplies.
Luc. It is a day turn’d strangely: or betimes
Let’s re-inforce, or fly. [Exeunt.