Previous
Act 4, Scene 2
Cymbeline Translation Act 4, Scene 3
Enter CYMBELINE, Lords, PISANIO, and Attendants
CYMBELINE
Again; and bring me word how 'tis with her.
CYMBELINE
Go back, and report to me how she's feeling.
Exit an Attendant
CYMBELINE
A fever with the absence of her son, A madness, of which her life's in danger. Heavens, How deeply you at once do touch me! Imogen, The great part of my comfort, gone; my queen Upon a desperate bed, and in a time When fearful wars point at me; her son gone, So needful for this present: it strikes me, past The hope of comfort. But for thee, fellow, Who needs must know of her departure and Dost seem so ignorant, we'll enforce it from thee By a sharp torture.
CYMBELINE
She got feverish after her son disappeared, went crazy, and might die. Gods, you're so cruel to me all at once! Imogen, my main source of comfort, is gone. My queen is sick in bed, and I'm about to go to war. Her son is necessary for that, but he's gone. I don't have any hope left. You, you must know something about where she went even though you're acting ignorant. We'll get it out of you by some horrible torture.
PISANIO
Sir, my life is yours; I humbly set it at your will; but, for my mistress, I nothing know where she remains, why gone, Nor when she purposes return. Beseech your highness, Hold me your loyal servant.
PISANIO
Sir, my life belongs to you. You can do whatever you want with it. But as for my mistress, I don't know where she is, why she left, or when she plans to come back. Please, your highness, believe I'm a loyal servant to you.
Ask LitCharts AI:
The answer to your questions
Get instant explanations to your questions about anything we cover.
Powered by LitCharts content and AI.
Learn More
Powered by LitCharts content and AI.
Ask LitCharts AI:
The answer to your questions
Ask LitCharts AI:
The answer to your questions
Learn More
FIRST LORD
Good my liege, The day that she was missing he was here: I dare be bound he's true and shall perform All parts of his subjection loyally. For Cloten, There wants no diligence in seeking him, And will, no doubt, be found.
FIRST LORD
Your highness, he was here the day she went missing. I promise he's honest and will do his duty loyally. As for Cloten, we're doing everything we can to find him and I'm sure we will.
CYMBELINE
The time is troublesome.
CYMBELINE
This is a hard time.
To PISANIO
We'll slip you for a season; but our jealousyDoes yet depend.
I'll let you go for now, but you're not necessarily getting out of being punished.
FIRST LORD
So please your majesty, The Roman legions, all from Gallia drawn, Are landed on your coast, with a supply Of Roman gentlemen, by the senate sent.
FIRST LORD
Your majesty, the Roman legions have left Gallia and landed on your coast, along with some Roman nobles sent by the senate.
CYMBELINE
Now for the counsel of my son and queen!I am amazed with matter.
CYMBELINE
I wish my son and queen were here to advise me! I don't know what to do.
FIRST LORD
Good my liege, Your preparation can affront no less Than what you hear of: come more, for more you're ready: The want is but to put those powers in motion That long to move.
FIRST LORD
Your highness, you were prepared for this many troops. If more arrive, you're ready for them too. You only have to give your waiting troops their marching orders.
CYMBELINE
I thank you. Let's withdraw; And meet the time as it seeks us. We fear not What can from Italy annoy us; but We grieve at chances here. Away!
CYMBELINE
Thank you. Let's leave, and do what we need to. I'm not afraid of how Italy can annoy us. But I'm sad about what's happened here. Let's go!
Exeunt all but PISANIO
PISANIO
I heard no letter from my master since I wrote him Imogen was slain: 'tis strange: Nor hear I from my mistress who did promise To yield me often tidings: neither know I What is betid to Cloten; but remain Perplex'd in all. The heavens still must work. Wherein I am false I am honest; not true, to be true. These present wars shall find I love my country, Even to the note o' the king, or I'll fall in them. All other doubts, by time let them be clear'd: Fortune brings in some boats that are not steer'd.
PISANIO
I haven't heard anything from my master since I wrote to him that Imogen was killed. It's strange. I haven't heard from my mistress either, even though she promised to write to me often. Nor do I know what happened to Cloten. I'm puzzled about everything. The gods have to work this out. By lying I'm being honest. In this coming war I will show I love my country as much as the king does, or I'll die in it. Let time answer any other questions. Luck sometimes brings boats safely to shore that don't have anyone steering them.
Exit
