Act 5, scene 4
Scene 4
Synopsis:
Posthumus, in
chains, falls asleep and is visited by the ghosts of his dead family and
by the god Jupiter, who assures the ghosts that Posthumus will
eventually be fine. Jupiter also leaves a written message for Posthumus
predicting the future—a message that Posthumus, on waking, cannot
interpret. A messenger brings word that Posthumus is to be brought to
the victorious Cymbeline.
Enter Posthumus in chains, and two Jailers.
...
Posthumus lies down and sleeps.
Solemn music. Enter, as in an apparition, Sicilius
Leonatus, father to Posthumus, an old man attired like
a warrior; leading in his hand an ancient matron, his
wife and mother to Posthumus, with music before
them. Then, after other music, follows the two young
Leonati, brothers to Posthumus, with wounds as they
died in the wars. They circle Posthumus round as he
lies sleeping.
SICILIUS: No more, thou Thunder-master, show
Thy spite on mortal flies.
With Mars fall out, with Juno chide,
That thy adulteries
Rates and revenges.
Hath my poor boy done aught but well,
Whose face I never saw?
I died whilst in the womb he stayed,
Attending nature’s law;
Whose father then—as men report
Thou orphans’ father art—
Thou shouldst have been, and shielded him
From this earth-vexing smart.
MOTHER: Lucina lent not me her aid,
But took me in my throes,
That from me was Posthumus ripped,
Came crying ’mongst his foes,
A thing of pity.
SICILIUS: Great Nature, like his ancestry,
Molded the stuff so fair
That he deserved the praise o’ th’ world
As great Sicilius’ heir.
FIRST BROTHER: When once he was mature for man,
In Britain where was he
That could stand up his parallel
Or fruitful object be
In eye of Imogen, that best
Could deem his dignity?
MOTHER: With marriage wherefore was he mocked,
To be exiled and thrown
From Leonati seat, and cast
From her, his dearest one,
Sweet Imogen?
SICILIUS : Why did you suffer Iachimo,
Slight thing of Italy,
To taint his nobler heart and brain
With needless jealousy,
And to become the geck and scorn
O’ th’ other’s villainy?
SECOND BROTHER: For this, from stiller seats we came,
Our parents and us twain,
That striking in our country’s cause
Fell bravely and were slain,
Our fealty and Tenantius’ right
With honor to maintain.
FIRST BROTHER: Like hardiment Posthumus hath
To Cymbeline performed.
Then, Jupiter, thou king of gods,
Why hast thou thus adjourned
The graces for his merits due,
Being all to dolors turned?
SICILIUS: Thy crystal window ope; look out.
No longer exercise
Upon a valiant race thy harsh
And potent injuries.
MOTHER: Since, Jupiter, our son is good,
Take off his miseries.
SICILIUS: Peep through thy marble mansion. Help,
Or we poor ghosts will cry
To th’ shining synod of the rest
Against thy deity.
BROTHERS: Help, Jupiter, or we appeal
And from thy justice fly.
Jupiter descends in thunder and lightning, sitting upon
an eagle. He throws a thunderbolt. The Ghosts fall on
their knees.
JUPITER : No more, you petty spirits of region low,
Offend our hearing! Hush. How dare you ghosts
Accuse the Thunderer, whose bolt, you know,
Sky-planted, batters all rebelling coasts.
Poor shadows of Elysium, hence, and rest
Upon your never-withering banks of flowers.
Be not with mortal accidents oppressed.
No care of yours it is; you know ’tis ours.
Whom best I love I cross, to make my gift,
The more delayed, delighted. Be content.
Your low-laid son our godhead will uplift.
His comforts thrive, his trials well are spent.
Our Jovial star reigned at his birth, and in
Our temple was he married. Rise, and fade.
He shall be lord of Lady Imogen,
And happier much by his affliction made.
He hands Sicilius a tablet.
This tablet lay upon his breast, wherein
Our pleasure his full fortune doth confine.
And so away. No farther with your din
Express impatience, lest you stir up mine.—
Mount, eagle, to my palace crystalline.Ascends.
SICILIUS: He came in thunder. His celestial breath
Was sulphurous to smell. The holy eagle
Stooped as to foot us. His ascension is
More sweet than our blest fields; his royal bird
Preens the immortal wing and cloys his beak,
As when his god is pleased.
ALL :Thanks, Jupiter.
SICILIUS: The marble pavement closes; he is entered
His radiant roof. Away, and, to be blest,
Let us with care perform his great behest.
He places the tablet on Posthumus’ breast. They vanish.
POSTHUMUS, waking ...