Enter Cymbeline, Lords, Pisanio, and Attendants. CYMBELINE
Again, and bring me word how ’tis with her. An Attendant exits.
A fever, with the absence of her son;
A madness, of which her life’s in danger. Heavens,
How deeply you at once do touch me! Imogen,
The great part of my comfort, gone; my queen 5
Upon a desperate bed, and in a time
When fearful wars point at me; her son gone,
So needful for this present. It strikes me past
The hope of comfort.—But for thee, fellow,
Who needs must know of her departure and 10
Dost seem so ignorant, we’ll enforce it from thee
By a sharp torture.
PISANIO Sir, my life is yours.
I humbly set it at your will. But for my mistress,
I nothing know where she remains, why gone, 15
Nor when she purposes return. Beseech your
Highness,
Hold me your loyal servant. | Back at the palace, Cymbeline asks for a report on his wife. It seems that the Queen became sick after her son left. Cymbeline thinks it's just because Cloten is gone.
Cymbeline threatens to torture Pisanio in order to get news on Cloten's disappearance. |
LORD Good my liege,
The day that she was missing, he was here. 20
I dare be bound he’s true and shall perform
All parts of his subjection loyally. For Cloten,
There wants no diligence in seeking him,
And will no doubt be found. CYMBELINE The time is troublesome. 25
To Pisanio. We’ll slip you for a season, but our jealousy
Does yet depend. | Luckily, a lord steps in and confirms that Pisanio was there with him the day Cloten went missing. |
LORD So please your Majesty,
The Roman legions, all from Gallia drawn,
Are landed on your coast with a supply 30
Of Roman gentlemen by the Senate sent. CYMBELINE
Now for the counsel of my son and queen!
I am amazed with matter. LORD Good my liege,
Your preparation can affront no less 35
Than what you hear of. Come more, for more you’re
ready.
The want is but to put those powers in motion
That long to move. CYMBELINE I thank you. Let’s withdraw, 40
And meet the time as it seeks us. We fear not
What can from Italy annoy us, but
We grieve at chances here. Away. They exit. Pisanio remains. | Fair enough, says Cymbeline, but what should he do about the Roman invasion? With his stepson detained, he's not sure what he should do.
The counselors tell Cymbeline that he's already ready for war, so he should just go through with it.
Cymbeline agrees and departs. |
PISANIO
I heard no letter from my master since
I wrote him Imogen was slain. ’Tis strange. 45
Nor hear I from my mistress, who did promise
To yield me often tidings. Neither know I
What is betid to Cloten, but remain
Perplexed in all. The heavens still must work.
Wherein I am false I am honest; not true, to be true. 50
These present wars shall find I love my country,
Even to the note o’ th’ King, or I’ll fall in them.
All other doubts, by time let them be cleared.
Fortune brings in some boats that are not steered. He exits. | Alone on stage, Pisanio thinks aloud. He says it's weird that he hasn't heard anything from Imogen or from his master. He wrote to Posthumus saying that Imogen was dead, but he hasn't heard back. |