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Act 5, Scene 1
Cymbeline Translation Act 5, Scene 2
Enter, from one side, LUCIUS, IACHIMO, and the Roman Army: from the other side, the British Army; POSTHUMUS LEONATUS following, like a poor soldier. They march over and go out. Then enter again, in skirmish, IACHIMO and POSTHUMUS LEONATUS he vanquisheth and disarmeth IACHIMO, and then leaves him
IACHIMO
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 Revengingly enfeebles me; or could this carl, A very drudge of nature's, have subdued me In my profession? Knighthoods and honours, borne As I wear mine, are titles but of scorn. If that thy gentry, Britain, go before This lout as he exceeds our lords, the odds Is that we scarce are men and you are gods.
IACHIMO
The sadness and guilt in my heart make me less of a man. I lied about a woman, the princess of this country, and the country's air in revenge makes me weak, or how else could this peasant, this manual laborer, be better at my job than I am? Knighthoods and honors like the ones I have are worth nothing except as insults to me. If your nobles, Britain, surpass this oaf in fighting even as he surpasses our own nobles, it would seem that we're barely men and you're gods.
Exit
The battle continues; the Britons fly; CYMBELINE is taken: then enter, to his rescue, BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS
BELARIUS
Stand, stand! We have the advantage of the ground; The lane is guarded: nothing routs us but The villany of our fears.
BELARIUS
Stand your ground! We have the advantage in this place. They can't sneak up on us in this alley. Nothing is making us run away except that we are afraid.
ARVIRAGUS
Stand, stand, and fight!
ARVIRAGUS
Stand your grounds and fight!
Re-enter POSTHUMUS LEONATUS, and seconds the Britons: they rescue CYMBELINE, and exeunt. Then re-enter LUCIUS, and IACHIMO, with IMOGEN
CAIUS LUCIUS
Away, boy, from the troops, and save thyself;For friends kill friends, and the disorder's suchAs war were hoodwink'd.
CAIUS LUCIUS
Run, boy, away from the army and save yourself. Friends are killing friends and it's as much of a mess as if we were all blindfolded.
IACHIMO
'Tis their fresh supplies.
IACHIMO
It's because they just got fresh troops.
CAIUS LUCIUS
It is a day turn'd strangely: or betimesLet's reinforce, or fly.
CAIUS LUCIUS
The day went unexpectedly. Let's reinforce the troops soon or run away.
Exeunt
