Cymbeline

Share
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 himselfeBut 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 flyingAnd 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.)

old form: full-heart'd
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 workeLolling the tongue with slaught'ring, having workloll (v.)
hang down loosely, thrust out
Cym V.iii.8
More plentifull, then Tooles to doo't: strooke downeMore plentiful than tools to do't, struck downtool (n.)

old form: Tooles
weapon, sword
Cym V.iii.9
Some mortally, some slightly touch'd, some fallingSome mortally, some slightly touched, some fallingtouch (v.)

old form: touch'd
wound, hurt, injure
Cym V.iii.10
Meerely through feare, that the strait passe was damm'dMerely through fear, that the strait pass was dammedmerely (adv.)

old form: Meerely
purely, for no other reason than
Cym V.iii.11
pass (n.)

old form: passe
passage, crossing, thoroughfare
strait (adj.)
narrow, cramped, confined
With deadmen, hurt behinde, and Cowards liuingWith dead men, hurt behind, and cowards livingbehind (adv.)

old form: behinde
in the back
Cym V.iii.12
To dye with length'ned shame.To die with lengthened shame.lengthened (adj.)

old form: length'ned
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 SoldiourWhich gave advantage to an ancient soldier – ancient, aunchient (adj.)
time-worn, experienced, renowned
Cym V.iii.15
(An honest one I warrant) who deseru'dAn honest one, I warrant – who deservedhonest (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 runHe, with two striplings – lads more like to runlike (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 base
rural boys' chasing game involving running between bases (safe homes)
Cym V.iii.20
With faces fit for Maskes, or rather fayrerWith 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 shameshame (n.)
modesty, decorum, seemliness
Cym V.iii.22
case (v.)

old form: cas'd
cover, protect, enclose
Made good the passage, cryed to those that fled.Made good the passage, cried to those that fled,make good
hold, 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.)

old form: fleete
[of souls] leave, pass away, fly off
Or we are Romanes, and will giue you thatOr we are Romans, and will give you that Cym V.iii.26
Like beasts, which you shun beastly, and may saueLike beasts which you shun beastly, and may savesave (v.)

old form: saue
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.)

old form: frowne
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 allFor three performers are the file when allfile (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 CharmingAccommodated by the place, more charming,charm (v.)
persuade, convince, win over
Cym V.iii.32
accommodate (v.)

old form: Accomodated
aid, help, give an advantage
With their owne Noblenesse, which could haue turn'dWith 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, gilded

old form: guilded
bring colour to, brighten, illuminate
Cym V.iii.34
distaff (n.)

old form: Distaffe
device for weaving, spindle
Part shame, part spirit renew'd, that some turn'd cowardPart 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 lookeDamned in the first beginners – 'gan to looklook (v.)

old form: lookes
face, turn towards
Cym V.iii.37
The way that they did, and to grin like LyonsThe way that they did, and to grin like lions Cym V.iii.38
Vpon the Pikes o'th'Hunters. Then beganneUpon the pikes o'th' hunters. Then beganpike, pick (n.)
weapon with a long handle ending in a spearhead
Cym V.iii.39
A stop i'th'Chaser; a Retyre: AnonA stop i'th' chaser; a retire: anonchaser (n.)
pursuer, hunter
Cym V.iii.40
retire (n.)

old form: Retyre
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 flyeA rout, confusion thick: forthwith they flythick (adj.)

old form: thicke
quick, rapid, fast
Cym V.iii.41
confusion (n.)
destruction, overthrow, ruin
Chickens, the way which they stopt Eagles: SlauesChickens, the way which they stooped eagles: slaves,stoop (v.)

old form: stopt
[falconry] swoop, descend swiftly
Cym V.iii.42
The strides the Victors made: and now our CowardsThe strides they victors made: and now our cowards Cym V.iii.43
Like Fragments in hard Voyages becameLike fragments in hard voyages becamehard (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 openThe life o'th' need: having found the back-door openneed (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 FriendsSome 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.)

old form: Ore-borne
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 growneThose 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.)

old form: mortall
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 madeNay, 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 wrought

old form: worke
perform, 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.)

old form: Mock'rie
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 miseryStill 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 HonoursToday 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 heel

old form: Tooke heele
take to one's heels, run away
Cym V.iii.67
And yet dyed too. I, in mine owne woe charm'dAnd yet died too! I, in mine own woe charmed,charm (v.)

old form: charm'd
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 weSweet words; or hath moe ministers than weminister (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 againeNo 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 shallBut yield me to the veriest hind that shallhind (n.)

old form: Hinde
boor, fellow, rustic, peasant
Cym V.iii.77
very (adj.)
[intensifying] thoroughgoing, absolute
Once touch my shoulder. Great the slaughter isOnce touch my shoulder. Great the slaughter is Cym V.iii.78
Heere made by'th'Romane; great the Answer beHere made by th' Roman; great the answer beanswer (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 Soldierscaptain (n.)

old form: Captaines
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.)

old form: gaue
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 SecondsWho had not now been drooping here if secondssecond (n.)
(plural) reinforcements, reserves, back-up
Cym V.iii.90
Had answer'd him.Had answered him.answer (v.)

old form: answer'd
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 tellA leg of Rome shall not return to tell Cym V.iii.92
What Crows haue peckt them here: he brags his seruiceWhat crows have pecked them here: he brags his servicebrag (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 toand 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
 Previous Act V, Scene III Next  
x

Jump directly to