Cymbeline
Text Circles Dramatis Personae Synopsis All Definitions

Share
All
text
First folio
Modern text
Definitions
Key line
Enter Belarius, Guiderius, and Aruiragus.Enter Belarius, Guiderius, and Arviragus Cym III.iii.1
Bel. BELARIUS 
A goodly day, not to keepe house with such,A goodly day not to keep house with such Cym III.iii.1
Whose Roofe's as lowe as ours: Sleepe Boyes, this gateWhose roof's as low as ours! Stoop, boys: this gategate (n.)
entrance, doorway, portal		Cym III.iii.2
Instructs you how t'adore the Heauens; and bowes youInstructs you how t' adore the heavens; and bows you Cym III.iii.3
To a mornings holy office. The Gates of MonarchesTo a morning's holy office. The gates of monarchsoffice (n.)
task, service, duty, responsibility		Cym III.iii.4
Are Arch'd so high, that Giants may iet throughAre arched so high that giants may jet throughjet (v.)

old form: iet
strut, swagger, parade		Cym III.iii.5
And keepe their impious Turbonds on, withoutAnd keep their impious turbans on, withoutimpious (adj.)
lacking reverence towards God, wicked, irreligious		Cym III.iii.6
Good morrow to the Sun. Haile thou faire Heauen,Good morrow to the sun. Hail, thou fair heaven!morrow (n.)
morning		Cym III.iii.7
We house i'th'Rocke, yet vse thee not so hardlyWe house i'th' rock, yet use thee not so hardlyhardly (adv.)
severely, harshly, badly		Cym III.iii.8
use (v.)

old form: vse
treat, deal with, manage
As prouder liuers do.As prouder livers do. Cym III.iii.9.1
Guid. GUIDERIUS 
Haile Heauen.Hail, heaven! Cym III.iii.9.2
Aruir. ARVIRAGUS 
Haile Heauen.Hail, heaven! Cym III.iii.9.3
Bela. BELARIUS 
Now for our Mountaine sport, vp to yond hillNow for our mountain sport, up to yond hill!sport (n.)
exercise, athletic pastime		Cym III.iii.10
Your legges are yong: Ile tread these Flats. Consider,Your legs are young: I'll tread these flats. Consider,flat (n.)
low-lying land, plain, swampy ground		Cym III.iii.11
When you aboue perceiue me like a Crow,When you above perceive me like a crow, Cym III.iii.12
That it is Place, which lessen's, and sets off,That it is place which lessens and sets off,place (n.)
position, post, office, rank		Cym III.iii.13
set off (v.)
enhance, show to advantage, display by contrast
And you may then reuolue what Tales, I haue told you,And you may then revolve what tales I have told yourevolve (v.)

old form: reuolue
consider, ponder, meditate		Cym III.iii.14
Of Courts, of Princes; of the Tricks in Warre.Of courts, of princes; of the tricks in war.trick (n.)
practice, custom, current fashion		Cym III.iii.15
This Seruice, is not Seruice; so being done,This service is not service, so being done, Cym III.iii.16
But being so allowed. To apprehend thus,But being so allowed. To apprehend thus,apprehend (v.)
view, see, look		Cym III.iii.17
allow (v.)
acknowledge, grant, admit
Drawes vs a profit from all things we see:Draws us a profit from all things we see: Cym III.iii.18
And often to our comfort, shall we findeAnd often, to our comfort, shall we find Cym III.iii.19
The sharded-Beetle, in a safer holdThe sharded beetle in a safer holdhold (n.)
shelter, refuge, sanctuary		Cym III.iii.20
sharded (adj.)
living in dung; or: with scales
Then is the full-wing'd Eagle. Oh this life,Than is the full-winged eagle. O, this life Cym III.iii.21
Is Nobler, then attending for a checke:Is nobler than attending for a check:check (n.)

old form: checke
reprimand, reproof, rebuke		Cym III.iii.22
attend (v.)
serve at court, wait on royalty
Richer, then doing nothing for a Babe:Richer than doing nothing for a robe, Cym III.iii.23
Prouder, then rustling in vnpayd-for Silke:Prouder than rustling in unpaid-for silk: Cym III.iii.24
Such gaine the Cap of him, that makes him fine,Such gain the cap of him that makes him fine,cap (n.)
[raising of a cap] salute, respect, approval		Cym III.iii.25
Yet keepes his Booke vncros'd: no life to ours.Yet keeps his book uncrossed: no life to ours.uncrossed (adj.)

old form: vncros'd
uncancelled, undeleted, not obliterated		Cym III.iii.26
Gui. GUIDERIUS 
Out of your proofe you speak: we poore vnfledg'dOut of your proof you speak: we poor unfledged,proof (n.)

old form: proofe
experience, actual practice, tried knowledge		Cym III.iii.27
Haue neuer wing'd from view o'th'nest; nor knowes notHave never winged from view o'th' nest; nor know not Cym III.iii.28
What Ayre's from home. Hap'ly this life is best,What air's from home. Haply this life is best – haply (adv.)

old form: Hap'ly
perhaps, maybe, by chance, with luck		Cym III.iii.29
(If quiet life be best) sweeter to youIf quiet life be best – sweeter to you Cym III.iii.30
That haue a sharper knowne. Well correspondingThat have a sharper known, well corresponding Cym III.iii.31
With your stiffe Age; but vnto vs, it isWith your stiff age; but unto us it isstiff (adj.)

old form: stiffe
unsupple, unathletic; or: lethargic, sluggish		Cym III.iii.32
A Cell of Ignorance: trauailing a bed,A cell of ignorance, travelling a-bed, Cym III.iii.33
A Prison, or a Debtor, that not daresA prison, or a debtor that not dares Cym III.iii.34
To stride a limit.To stride a limit.stride (v.)
go beyond, step over		Cym III.iii.35.1
Arui. ARVIRAGUS 
What should we speake ofWhat should we speak of Cym III.iii.35.2
When we are old as you? When we shall heareWhen we are old as you? When we shall hear Cym III.iii.36
The Raine and winde beate darke December? HowThe rain and wind beat dark December? How Cym III.iii.37
In this our pinching Caue, shall we discourseIn this our pinching cave shall we discoursepinching (adj.)
bitingly cold; or: narrowly restricting		Cym III.iii.38
discourse (v.)
talk, chat, converse
The freezing houres away? We haue seene nothing:The freezing hours away? We have seen nothing: Cym III.iii.39
We are beastly; subtle as the Fox for prey,We are beastly: subtle as the fox for prey,beastly (adj.)
beast-like, brutish, abominable		Cym III.iii.40
Like warlike as the Wolfe, for what we eate:Like warlike as the wolf for what we eat:like (adv.)
equally, similarly, also		Cym III.iii.41
Our Valour is to chace what flyes: Our CageOur valour is to chase what flies: our cage Cym III.iii.42
We make a Quire, as doth the prison'd Bird,We make a quire, as doth the prisoned bird,choir, quire (n.)
part of a church where the choir sings		Cym III.iii.43
And sing our Bondage freely.And sing our bondage freely. Cym III.iii.44.1
Bel. BELARIUS 
How you speake.How you speak! Cym III.iii.44.2
Did you but know the Citties Vsuries,Did you but know the city's usuries,usury (n.)

old form: Vsuries
way of dealing with money, financial practice		Cym III.iii.45
And felt them knowingly: the Art o'th'Court,And felt them knowingly: the art o'th' court,knowingly (adv.)
with knowledge, with worldly experience		Cym III.iii.46
feel (v.)
experience, live through [something]
art (n.)
artifice, artificial conduct; or: wile, trick
As hard to leaue, as keepe: whose top to climbeAs hard to leave as keep: whose top to climbkeep (v.)

old form: keepe
stay within, remain inside		Cym III.iii.47
Is certaine falling: or so slipp'ry, thatIs certain falling: or so slipp'ry that Cym III.iii.48
The feare's as bad as falling. The toyle o'th'Warre,The fear's as bad as falling: the toil o'th' war, Cym III.iii.49
A paine that onely seemes to seeke out dangerA pain that only seems to seek out dangerpain (n.)

old form: paine
effort, endeavour, exertion, labour		Cym III.iii.50
I'th'name of Fame, and Honor, which dyes i'th'search,I'th' name of fame and honour, which dies i'th' search, Cym III.iii.51
And hath as oft a sland'rous Epitaph,And hath as oft a sland'rous epitaphoft (adv.)
often		Cym III.iii.52
As Record of faire Act. Nay, many timesAs record of fair act. Nay, many times,act (n.)
activity, action, performance		Cym III.iii.53
Doth ill deserue, by doing well: what's worseDoth ill deserve by doing well: what's worse,ill (n.)
trouble, affliction, misfortune		Cym III.iii.54
deserve (v.)

old form: deserue
earn, win, receive
Must curt'sie at the Censure. Oh Boyes, this StorieMust court'sy at the censure. O boys, this storycensure (n.)
condemnation, blame, stricture		Cym III.iii.55
The World may reade in me: My bodie's mark'dThe world may read in me: my body's marked Cym III.iii.56
With Roman Swords; and my report, was onceWith Roman swords; and my report was oncereport (n.)
reputation, fame, renown		Cym III.iii.57
First, with the best of Note. Cymbeline lou'd me,First, with the best of note. Cymbeline loved me,note (n.)
reputation, distinction, standing		Cym III.iii.58
And when a Souldier was the Theame, my nameAnd when a soldier was the theme, my name Cym III.iii.59
Was not farre off: then was I as a TreeWas not far off: then was I as a tree Cym III.iii.60
Whose boughes did bend with fruit. But in one night,Whose boughs did bend with fruit. But in one night, Cym III.iii.61
A Storme, or Robbery (call it what you will)A storm, or robbery – call it what you will –  Cym III.iii.62
Shooke downe my mellow hangings: nay my Leaues,Shook down my mellow hangings, nay, my leaves, Cym III.iii.63
And left me bare to weather.And left me bare to weather. Cym III.iii.64.1
Gui. GUIDERIUS 
Vncertaine fauour.Uncertain favour! Cym III.iii.64.2
Bel. BELARIUS 
My fault being nothing (as I haue told you oft)My fault being nothing – as I have told you oft – oft (adv.)
often		Cym III.iii.65
But that two Villaines, whose false Oathes preuayl'dBut that two villains, whose false oaths prevailedfalse (adj.)
treacherous, traitorous, perfidious		Cym III.iii.66
Before my perfect Honor, swore to Cymbeline,Before my perfect honour, swore to Cymbeline Cym III.iii.67
I was Confederate with the Romanes: soI was confederate with the Romans: so Cym III.iii.68
Followed my Banishment, and this twenty yeeres,Followed my banishment, and this twenty years Cym III.iii.69
This Rocke, and these Demesnes, haue bene my World,This rock, and these demesnes, have been my world,demesne (n.)
(plural) territories, lands, dominions		Cym III.iii.70
Where I haue liu'd at honest freedome, payedWhere I have lived at honest freedom, paid Cym III.iii.71
More pious debts to Heauen, then in allMore pious debts to heaven than in all Cym III.iii.72
The fore-end of my time. But, vp to'th'Mountaines,The fore-end of my time. But up to th' mountains!time (n.)
lifetime, life		Cym III.iii.73
fore-end (n.)
early part, initial period
This is not Hunters Language; he that strikesThis is not hunter's language; he that strikes Cym III.iii.74
The Venison first, shall be the Lord o'th'Feast,The venison first shall be the lord o'th' feast, Cym III.iii.75
To him the other two shall minister,To him the other two shall minister, Cym III.iii.76
And we will feare no poyson, which attendsAnd we will fear no poison, which attendsattend (v.)
be present [at], be found [at]		Cym III.iii.77
attend (v.)
accompany, follow closely, go with
In place of greater State: / Ile meete you in the Valleyes. In place of greater state. I'll meet you in the valleys.state (n.)
splendour, magnificence, stateliness, dignity		Cym III.iii.78
Exeunt.Exeunt Guiderius and Arviragus Cym III.iii.78
How hard it is to hide the sparkes of Nature?How hard it is to hide the sparks of Nature! Cym III.iii.79
These Boyes know little they are Sonnes to'th'King,These boys know little they are sons to th' king, Cym III.iii.80
Nor Cymbeline dreames that they are aliue.Nor Cymbeline dreams that they are alive. Cym III.iii.81
They thinke they are mine, / And though train'd vp thus meanelyThey think they are mine, and though trained up thus meanly,meanly (adv.)

old form: meanely
humbly, in a lowly manner		Cym III.iii.82
train up (v.)

old form: train'd vp
bring up, rear, educate
I'th' Caue, whereon the Bowe their thoughts do hit,I'th' cave wherein they bow, their thoughts do hit Cym III.iii.83
The Roofes of Palaces, and Nature prompts themThe roofs of palaces, and Nature prompts them Cym III.iii.84
In simple and lowe things, to Prince it, muchIn simple and low things to prince it, muchprince (v.)
behave like a prince, act royally		Cym III.iii.85
Beyond the tricke of others. This Paladour,Beyond the trick of others. This Polydore,trick (n.)

old form: tricke
way, knack, skill		Cym III.iii.86
The heyre of Cymbeline and Britaine, whoThe heir of Cymbeline and Britain, who Cym III.iii.87
The King his Father call'd Guiderius. Ioue,The king his father called Guiderius – Jove!Jove (n.)
[pron: johv] alternative name for Jupiter, the Roman supreme god		Cym III.iii.88
When on my three-foot stoole I sit, and tellWhen on my three-foot stool I sit, and tellthree-foot (adj.)
three-legged		Cym III.iii.89
The warlike feats I haue done, his spirits flye outThe warlike feats I have done, his spirits fly out Cym III.iii.90
Into my Story: say thus mine Enemy fell,Into my story: say ‘ Thus mine enemy fell, Cym III.iii.91
And thus I set my foote on's necke, euen thenAnd thus I set my foot on's neck,’ even then Cym III.iii.92
The Princely blood flowes in his Cheeke, he sweats,The princely blood flows in his cheek, he sweats, Cym III.iii.93
Straines his yong Nerues, and puts himselfe in postureStrains his young nerves, and puts himself in posturenerve (n.)

old form: Nerues
sinew, ligament, muscle		Cym III.iii.94
That acts my words. The yonger Brother Cadwall,That acts my words. The younger brother, Cadwal, Cym III.iii.95
Once Aruiragus, in as like a figureOnce Arviragus, in as like a figurefigure (n.)
role, part, character		Cym III.iii.96
Strikes life into my speech, and shewes much moreStrikes life into my speech, and shows much more Cym III.iii.97
His owne conceyuing. Hearke, the Game is rows'd,His own conceiving. Hark, the game is roused!rouse (v.)

old form: rows'd
[hunting] startle from a lair, draw out		Cym III.iii.98
game (n.)
quarry, object of the chase
conceiving (n.)

old form: conceyuing
imagination, insight, mental creativity
Oh Cymbeline, Heauen and my Conscience knowesO Cymbeline, heaven and my conscience knows Cym III.iii.99
Thou didd'st vniustly banish me: whereonThou didst unjustly banish me: whereon, Cym III.iii.100
At three, and two yeeres old, I stole these Babes,At three and two years old, I stole these babes, Cym III.iii.101
Thinking to barre thee of Succession, asThinking to bar thee of succession assuccession (n.)
successors, heirs		Cym III.iii.102
Thou refts me of my Lands. Euriphile,Thou refts me of my lands. Euriphile,reave (v.), past form reft
rob, deprive		Cym III.iii.103
Thou was't their Nurse, they took thee for their mother,Thou wast their nurse, they took thee for their mother, Cym III.iii.104
And euery day do honor to her graue:And every day do honour to her grave: Cym III.iii.105
My selfe Belarius, that am Mergan call'dMyself, Belarius, that am Morgan called, Cym III.iii.106
They take for Naturall Father. The Game is vp. They take for natural father. The game is up. Cym III.iii.107
Exit.Exit Cym III.iii.107
 Previous Act III, Scene III Next  
SHAKESPEARE'S WORDS © 2022 DAVID CRYSTAL & BEN CRYSTAL
x

Jump directly to