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Cymbeline Translation Act 4, Scene 4

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Original

Translation

Enter BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS.

BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS enter.

GUIDERIUS

The noise is round about us.

GUIDERIUS

There's noise all around us.

BELARIUS

Let us from it.

BELARIUS

Let's run from it.

ARVIRAGUS

What pleasure, sir, find we in life, to lock itFrom action and adventure?

ARVIRAGUS

What is the point of a life safe from fighting and adventures?

GUIDERIUS

Nay, what hope Have we in hiding us? This way, the Romans Must or for Britons slay us, or receive us For barbarous and unnatural revolts During their use, and slay us after.

GUIDERIUS

And what hope do we have in being able to hide? This way, either the Romans will kill us for being Britons, or use us to start a violent rebellion and kill us afterwards.

BELARIUS

Sons, We'll higher to the mountains; there secure us. To the king's party there's no going: newness Of Cloten's death—we being not known, not muster'd Among the bands—may drive us to a render Where we have lived, and so extort from's that Which we have done, whose answer would be death Drawn on with torture.

BELARIUS

Sons, let's go higher up the mountains and find a safe place there. We can't join the king's side. Cloten's recent death and us not being known by anyone in the army may force us to reveal where we used to live and what we did. The result would be that we would be tortured to death.

GUIDERIUS

This is, sir, a doubtIn such a time nothing becoming you,Nor satisfying us.

GUIDERIUS

That's a dishonorable fear for you to have, and we don't agree.

ARVIRAGUS

It is not likely That when they hear the Roman horses neigh, Behold their quarter'd fires, have both their eyes And ears so cloy'd importantly as now, That they will waste their time upon our note, To know from whence we are.

ARVIRAGUS

It isn't likely that when they can hear the Roman horses neighing, see their campfires, and have so many important things to look at and listen to, that they will waste time wondering where we came from.

BELARIUS

O, I am known Of many in the army: many years, Though Cloten then but young, you see, not wore him From my remembrance. And, besides, the king Hath not deserved my service nor your loves; Who find in my exile the want of breeding, The certainty of this hard life; aye hopeless To have the courtesy your cradle promised, But to be still hot summer's tamings and The shrinking slaves of winter.

BELARIUS

Oh, many people in the army know me. After many years, although Cloten was very young then, you see, I could still recognize him. And besides, the king hasn't deserved my help or for you to love him. By exiling me he forced you to be badly raised and to live this hard life. You can't have the noble training you should have by birth, but instead have to work in the heat of summer and the cold of winter.

GUIDERIUS

Than be so Better to cease to be. Pray, sir, to the army: I and my brother are not known; yourself So out of thought, and thereto so o'ergrown, Cannot be question'd.

GUIDERIUS

It would be better to die than to live like that. Please sir, let's go to the army. No one knows me and my brother. They've forgotten you so completely that no one will question you.

ARVIRAGUS

By this sun that shines, I'll thither: what thing is it that I never Did see man die! scarce ever look'd on blood, But that of coward hares, hot goats, and venison! Never bestrid a horse, save one that had A rider like myself, who ne'er wore rowel Nor iron on his heel! I am ashamed To look upon the holy sun, to have The benefit of his blest beams, remaining So long a poor unknown.

ARVIRAGUS

By the sun, I'm going. How is it that I have never seen a man die? I've hardly seen blood, except of cowardly hares, lustful goats, and deer! I've never ridden a horse, except one that was used to a rider like me who has never worn a spur! I am ashamed to look at the holy sun, to be given the gift of its blessed beams, while remaining unknown and poor for so long.

GUIDERIUS

By heavens, I'll go: If you will bless me, sir, and give me leave, I'll take the better care, but if you will not, The hazard therefore due fall on me by The hands of Romans!

GUIDERIUS

I'll go, by the gods. If you give me your blessing and permission, sir, I'll be better off, but if you don't want to, I'll take my chances fighting the Romans!

ARVIRAGUS

So say I amen.

ARVIRAGUS

I say the same thing.

BELARIUS

No reason I, since of your lives you set So slight a valuation, should reserve My crack'd one to more care. Have with you, boys! If in your country wars you chance to die, That is my bed too, lads, an there I'll lie: Lead, lead.

BELARIUS

There's no reason for me, since you care so little about your lives, to take care of my old one. Let's go, boys! If you happen to die in your country's war, then I will too. Lead on.

Aside

To himself.

The time seems long; their bloodthinks scorn,Till it fly out and show them princes born.

They're impatient. Their noble blood will now reveal itself proving them to be princes.

Exeunt

They exit.