First folio
| Modern text
| Definitions
| Key line
| |
Enter Posthumus, and a Britaine Lord. | Enter Posthumus and a Briton Lord | | Cym V.iii.1 | |
Lor. | LORD | | | |
Cam'st thou from where they made the stand? | Cam'st thou from where they made the stand? | | Cym V.iii.1.1 | |
Post. | POSTHUMUS | | | |
I did, | I did, | | Cym V.iii.1.2 | |
Though you it seemes come from the Fliers? | Though you it seems come from the fliers. | | Cym V.iii.2.1 | |
Lo, | LORD | | | |
I did. | I did. | | Cym V.iii.2.2 | |
Post. | POSTHUMUS | | | |
No blame be to you Sir, for all was lost, | No blame be to you, sir, for all was lost, | | Cym V.iii.3 | |
But that the Heauens fought: the King himselfe | But that the heavens fought: the king himself | | Cym V.iii.4 | |
Of his wings destitute, the Army broken, | Of his wings destitute, the army broken, | | Cym V.iii.5 | |
And but the backes of Britaines seene; all flying | And but the backs of Britons seen; all flying | | Cym V.iii.6 | |
Through a strait Lane, the Enemy full-heart'd, | Through a straight lane; the enemy full-hearted, | full-hearted (adj.)full of courage, totally confident | Cym V.iii.7 | |
| | lane (n.)path, passage, way | | |
| | strait (adj.)narrow, cramped, confined | | |
Lolling the Tongue with slaught'ring: hauing worke | Lolling the tongue with slaught'ring, having work | loll (v.)hang down loosely, thrust out | Cym V.iii.8 | |
More plentifull, then Tooles to doo't: strooke downe | More plentiful than tools to do't, struck down | tool (n.)weapon, sword | Cym V.iii.9 | |
Some mortally, some slightly touch'd, some falling | Some mortally, some slightly touched, some falling | touch (v.)wound, hurt, injure | Cym V.iii.10 | |
Meerely through feare, that the strait passe was damm'd | Merely through fear, that the strait pass was dammed | merely (adv.)purely, for no other reason than | Cym V.iii.11 | |
| | pass (n.)passage, crossing, thoroughfare | | |
| | strait (adj.)narrow, cramped, confined | | |
With deadmen, hurt behinde, and Cowards liuing | With dead men, hurt behind, and cowards living | behind (adv.)in the back | Cym V.iii.12 | |
To dye with length'ned shame. | To die with lengthened shame. | lengthened (adj.)prolonged, lasting throughout life | Cym V.iii.13.1 | |
Lo. | LORD | | | |
Where was this Lane? | Where was this lane? | lane (n.)path, passage, way | Cym V.iii.13.2 | |
Post. | POSTHUMUS | | | |
Close by the battell, ditch'd, & wall'd with turph, | Close by the battle, ditched, and walled with turf – | | Cym V.iii.14 | |
Which gaue aduantage to an ancient Soldiour | Which gave advantage to an ancient soldier – | ancient, aunchient (adj.)time-worn, experienced, renowned | Cym V.iii.15 | |
(An honest one I warrant) who deseru'd | An honest one, I warrant – who deserved | honest (adj.)honourable, respectable, upright | Cym V.iii.16 | |
| | warrant (v.)assure, promise, guarantee, confirm | | |
So long a breeding, as his white beard came to, | So long a breeding as his white beard came to, | breeding (n.)ancestry, parentage, noble lineage | Cym V.iii.17 | |
In doing this for's Country. Athwart the Lane, | In doing this for's country. Athwart the lane, | | Cym V.iii.18 | |
He, with two striplings (Lads more like to run | He, with two striplings – lads more like to run | like (adv.)likely, probable / probably | Cym V.iii.19 | |
The Country base, then to commit such slaughter, | The country base than to commit such slaughter, | country baserural boys' chasing game involving running between bases (safe homes) | Cym V.iii.20 | |
With faces fit for Maskes, or rather fayrer | With faces fit for masks, or rather fairer | | Cym V.iii.21 | |
Then those for preseruation cas'd, or shame) | Than those for preservation cased, or shame – | shame (n.)modesty, decorum, seemliness | Cym V.iii.22 | |
| | case (v.)cover, protect, enclose | | |
Made good the passage, cryed to those that fled. | Made good the passage, cried to those that fled, | make goodhold, secure, make sure of | Cym V.iii.23 | |
Our Britaines hearts dye flying, not our men, | ‘ Our Britain's harts die flying, not our men: | hart (n.)male deer | Cym V.iii.24 | |
To darknesse fleete soules that flye backwards; stand, | To darkness fleet souls that fly backwards; stand, | stand (v.)make a stand [against], fight, resist | Cym V.iii.25 | |
| | fleet (v.)[of souls] leave, pass away, fly off | | |
Or we are Romanes, and will giue you that | Or we are Romans, and will give you that | | Cym V.iii.26 | |
Like beasts, which you shun beastly, and may saue | Like beasts which you shun beastly, and may save | save (v.)prevent, avoid, avert | Cym V.iii.27 | |
| | beastly (adv.)like an animal, in a beastly manner | | |
But to looke backe in frowne: Stand, stand. These three, | But to look back in frown: stand, stand!’ These three, | frown (n.)fierce look, severe face | Cym V.iii.28 | |
Three thousand confident, in acte as many: | Three thousand confident, in act as many – | | Cym V.iii.29 | |
For three performers are the File, when all | For three performers are the file when all | file (n.)rank of soldiers, formation | Cym V.iii.30 | |
The rest do nothing. With this word stand, stand, | The rest do nothing – with this word ‘ Stand, stand,’ | | Cym V.iii.31 | |
Accomodated by the Place; more Charming | Accommodated by the place, more charming, | charm (v.)persuade, convince, win over | Cym V.iii.32 | |
| | accommodate (v.)aid, help, give an advantage | | |
With their owne Noblenesse, which could haue turn'd | With their own nobleness, which could have turned | | Cym V.iii.33 | |
A Distaffe, to a Lance, guilded pale lookes; | A distaff to a lance, gilded pale looks; | gild (v.), past forms gilt, gildedbring colour to, brighten, illuminate | Cym V.iii.34 | |
| | distaff (n.)device for weaving, spindle | | |
Part shame, part spirit renew'd, that some turn'd coward | Part shame, part spirit renewed, that some, turned coward | | Cym V.iii.35 | |
But by example (Oh a sinne in Warre, | But by example – O, a sin in war, | | Cym V.iii.36 | |
Damn'd in the first beginners) gan to looke | Damned in the first beginners – 'gan to look | look (v.)face, turn towards | Cym V.iii.37 | |
The way that they did, and to grin like Lyons | The way that they did, and to grin like lions | | Cym V.iii.38 | |
Vpon the Pikes o'th'Hunters. Then beganne | Upon the pikes o'th' hunters. Then began | pike, pick (n.)weapon with a long handle ending in a spearhead | Cym V.iii.39 | |
A stop i'th'Chaser; a Retyre: Anon | A stop i'th' chaser; a retire: anon | chaser (n.)pursuer, hunter | Cym V.iii.40 | |
| | retire (n.)retreat, withdrawal | | |
| | stop (n.)[in managing a horse] pulling-up, sudden checking of a career | | |
| | anon (adv.)soon, shortly, presently | | |
A Rowt, confusion thicke: forthwith they flye | A rout, confusion thick: forthwith they fly | thick (adj.)quick, rapid, fast | Cym V.iii.41 | |
| | confusion (n.)destruction, overthrow, ruin | | |
Chickens, the way which they stopt Eagles: Slaues | Chickens, the way which they stooped eagles: slaves, | stoop (v.)[falconry] swoop, descend swiftly | Cym V.iii.42 | |
The strides the Victors made: and now our Cowards | The strides they victors made: and now our cowards | | Cym V.iii.43 | |
Like Fragments in hard Voyages became | Like fragments in hard voyages became | hard (adj.)painful, harrowing, tough | Cym V.iii.44 | |
| | fragment (n.)scrap of food, left-over | | |
The life o'th'need: hauing found the backe doore open | The life o'th' need: having found the back-door open | need (n.)time of necessity, needy situation, emergency | Cym V.iii.45 | |
| | life (n.)means of life, way of survival | | |
Of the vnguarded hearts: heauens, how they wound, | Of the unguarded hearts, heavens, how they wound! | | Cym V.iii.46 | |
Some slaine before some dying; some their Friends | Some slain before, some dying, some their friends | | Cym V.iii.47 | |
Ore-borne i'th'former waue, ten chac'd by one, | O'er-borne i'th' former wave, ten chased by one, | overbear (v.)overwhelm, overcome, overpower | Cym V.iii.48 | |
Are now each one the slaughter-man of twenty: | Are now each one the slaughterman of twenty: | slaughterman, slaughter-man (n.)executioner, slayer, murderer | Cym V.iii.49 | |
Those that would dye, or ere resist, are growne | Those that would die, or ere resist, are grown | | Cym V.iii.50 | |
The mortall bugs o'th'Field. | The mortal bugs o'th' field. | mortal (adj.)fatal, deadly, lethal | Cym V.iii.51.1 | |
| | field (n.)field of battle, battleground, field of combat | | |
| | bug (n.)object of terror, terrifying force | | |
Lord. | LORD | | | |
This was strange chance: | This was strange chance: | | Cym V.iii.51.2 | |
A narrow Lane, an old man, and two Boyes. | A narrow lane, an old man, and two boys. | | Cym V.iii.52 | |
Post. | POSTHUMUS | | | |
Nay, do not wonder at it: you are made | Nay, do not wonder at it: you are made | | Cym V.iii.53 | |
Rather to wonder at the things you heare, | Rather to wonder at the things you hear | | Cym V.iii.54 | |
Then to worke any. Will you Rime vpon't, | Than to work any. Will you rhyme upon't, | work (v.), past form wroughtperform, do, carry out | Cym V.iii.55 | |
And vent it for a Mock'rie? Heere is one: | And vent it for a mock'ry? Here is one: | mockery (n.)subject of ridicule, object of derision | Cym V.iii.56 | |
| | vent (v.)utter, express, air, proclaim | | |
"Two Boyes, an Oldman (twice a Boy) a Lane, | Two boys, an old man twice a boy, a lane, | | Cym V.iii.57 | |
"Preseru'd the Britaines, was the Romanes bane. | Preserved the Britons, was the Romans' bane. | bane (n.)ruin, woe, destruction | Cym V.iii.58 | |
Lord. | LORD | | | |
Nay, be not angry Sir. | Nay, be not angry, sir. | | Cym V.iii.59.1 | |
Post. | POSTHUMUS | | | |
Lacke, to what end? | 'Lack, to what end? | | Cym V.iii.59.2 | |
Who dares not stand his Foe, Ile be his Friend: | Who dares not stand his foe, I'll be his friend: | stand (v.)make a stand [against], fight, resist | Cym V.iii.60 | |
For if hee'l do, as he is made to doo, | For if he'll do as he is made to do, | | Cym V.iii.61 | |
I know hee'l quickly flye my friendship too. | I know he'll quickly fly my friendship too. | | Cym V.iii.62 | |
You haue put me into Rime. | You have put me into rhyme. | | Cym V.iii.63.1 | |
Lord. | LORD | | | |
Farewell, you're angry. | Farewell, you're angry. | | Cym V.iii.63.2 | |
Exit. | Exit Lord | | Cym V.iii.63 | |
Post. | POSTHUMUS | | | |
Still going? This is a Lord: Oh Noble misery | Still going? This is a lord! O noble misery, | | Cym V.iii.64 | |
To be i'th'Field, and aske what newes of me: | To be i'th' field, and ask ‘ what news?’ of me! | field (n.)field of battle, battleground, field of combat | Cym V.iii.65 | |
To day, how many would haue giuen their Honours | Today how many would have given their honours | | Cym V.iii.66 | |
To haue sau'd their Carkasses? Tooke heele to doo't, | To have saved their carcasses? Took heel to do't, | take heeltake to one's heels, run away | Cym V.iii.67 | |
And yet dyed too. I, in mine owne woe charm'd | And yet died too! I, in mine own woe charmed, | charm (v.)overcome, subdue, take over [as if by a charm] | Cym V.iii.68 | |
| | too (adv.)anyway, in any case | | |
Could not finde death, where I did heare him groane, | Could not find death where I did hear him groan, | | Cym V.iii.69 | |
Nor feele him where he strooke. Being an vgly Monster, | Nor feel him where he struck. Being an ugly monster, | | Cym V.iii.70 | |
'Tis strange he hides him in fresh Cups, soft Beds, | 'Tis strange he hides him in fresh cups, soft beds, | | Cym V.iii.71 | |
Sweet words; or hath moe ministers then we | Sweet words; or hath moe ministers than we | minister (n.)messenger, agent, servant | Cym V.iii.72 | |
| | mo, moe (adj.)more [in number] | | |
That draw his kniues i'th'War. Well I will finde him: | That draw his knives i'th' war. Well, I will find him: | | Cym V.iii.73 | |
For being now a Fauourer to the Britaine, | For being now a favourer to the Briton, | | Cym V.iii.74 | |
No more a Britaine, I haue resum'd againe | No more a Briton, I have resumed again | | Cym V.iii.75 | |
The part I came in. Fight I will no more, | The part I came in. Fight I will no more, | | Cym V.iii.76 | |
But yeeld me to the veriest Hinde, that shall | But yield me to the veriest hind that shall | hind (n.)boor, fellow, rustic, peasant | Cym V.iii.77 | |
| | very (adj.)[intensifying] thoroughgoing, absolute | | |
Once touch my shoulder. Great the slaughter is | Once touch my shoulder. Great the slaughter is | | Cym V.iii.78 | |
Heere made by'th'Romane; great the Answer be | Here made by th' Roman; great the answer be | answer (n.)retaliation, armed response | Cym V.iii.79 | |
Britaines must take. For me, my Ransome's death, | Britons must take. For me, my ransom's death: | | Cym V.iii.80 | |
On eyther side I come to spend my breath; | On either side I come to spend my breath, | spend (v.)use up, wear out, exhaust, bring to an end | Cym V.iii.81 | |
Which neyther heere Ile keepe, nor beare agen, | Which neither here I'll keep nor bear again, | | Cym V.iii.82 | |
But end it by some meanes for Imogen. | But end it by some means for Innogen. | | Cym V.iii.83 | |
Enter two Captaines, and Soldiers. | Enter two British Captains and Soldiers | captain (n.)commander, chief, leader | Cym V.iii.84.1 | |
1 | FIRST CAPTAIN | | | |
Great Iupiter be prais'd, Lucius is taken, | Great Jupiter be praised, Lucius is taken: | Jupiter, Jove (n.)Roman supreme god; associated with the heavens and the weather, especially thunder and lightning; husband of Juno | Cym V.iii.84 | |
'Tis thought the old man, and his sonnes, were Angels. | 'Tis thought the old man, and his sons, were angels. | | Cym V.iii.85 | |
2 | SECOND CAPTAIN | | | |
There was a fourth man, in a silly habit, | There was a fourth man, in a silly habit, | habit (n.)dress, clothing, costume | Cym V.iii.86 | |
| | silly (adj.)simple, lowly, humble | | |
That gaue th'Affront with them. | That gave th' affront with them. | give (v.)deal out, make, carry out | Cym V.iii.87.1 | |
| | affront (n.)assault, attack, onslaught | | |
1 | FIRST CAPTAIN | | | |
So 'tis reported: | So 'tis reported: | | Cym V.iii.87.2 | |
But none of 'em can be found. Stand, who's there? | But none of 'em can be found. Stand! Who's there? | stand (v.)stop, halt | Cym V.iii.88 | |
Post. | POSTHUMUS | | | |
A Roman, | A Roman, | | Cym V.iii.89 | |
Who had not now beene drooping heere, if Seconds | Who had not now been drooping here if seconds | second (n.)(plural) reinforcements, reserves, back-up | Cym V.iii.90 | |
Had answer'd him. | Had answered him. | answer (v.)act along with, sustain, respond to | Cym V.iii.91.1 | |
2 | SECOND CAPTAIN | | | |
Lay hands on him: a Dogge, | Lay hands on him: a dog, | | Cym V.iii.91.2 | |
A legge of Rome shall not returne to tell | A leg of Rome shall not return to tell | | Cym V.iii.92 | |
What Crows haue peckt them here: he brags his seruice | What crows have pecked them here: he brags his service | brag (v.)talk with pride [about], sound off [about] | Cym V.iii.93 | |
As if he were of note: bring him to'th'King. | As if he were of note: bring him to th' king. | note (n.)reputation, distinction, standing | Cym V.iii.94 | |
Enter Cymbeline, Belarius, Guiderius, Aruiragus, Pisanio, | Enter Cymbeline, Belarius, Guiderius, Arviragus, Pisanio, | | Cym V.iii.95.1 | |
and Romane Captiues. The Captaines present Posthumus to | and Roman Captives. The Captains present Posthumus to | | Cym V.iii.95.2 | |
Cymbeline, who deliuers him ouer to a Gaoler. | Cymbeline, who delivers him over to a Gaoler | | Cym V.iii.95.3 | |
| Exeunt | | Cym V.iii.95 | |