Cymbeline, King of Britain: Act 5, Scene 2 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 5, Scene 2 of Cymbeline, King of Britain from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Enter Lucius, Iachimo, and the Roman army at one door, and the Briton army at another, Leonatus Posthumus following like a poor soldier. They march over and go out. Then enter again, in skirmish, Iachimo and Posthumus. He vanquisheth and disarmeth Iachimo, and then leaves him.	Lucius, Iachimo, and the Roman army enter on one side of the stage; the British army enters on the other. Posthumus follows.
IACHIMO The heaviness and guilt within my bosom Takes off my manhood. I have belied a lady, The Princess of this country, and the air on ’t Revengingly enfeebles me; or could this carl, A very drudge of nature’s, have subdued me 5 In my profession? Knighthoods and honors, borne As I wear mine, are titles but of scorn. If that thy gentry, Britain, go before This lout as he exceeds our lords, the odds Is that we scarce are men and you are gods. 10 He exits	Iachimo loses his sword to Posthumus (in disguise) and feels guilty about pretending to hook up with Posthumus's girl. After Posthumus has left, Iachimo says he feels bad for slandering Imogen's good name. He figures that he is like all Romans—mere mortals—unlike British, who men are gods.
The battle continues. The Britons fly; Cymbeline is taken. Then enter, to his rescue, Belarius as Morgan, Guiderius as Polydor, and Arviragus as Cadwal. BELARIUS, as Morgan Stand, stand! We have th’ advantage of the ground. The lane is guarded. Nothing routs us but The villainy of our fears. GUIDERIUS, AS POLYDOR, AND ARVIRAGUS, AS CADWAL Stand, stand, and fight! Enter Posthumus, and seconds the Britons. They rescue Cymbeline and exit. Then enter Lucius, Iachimo, and Imogen as Fidele. LUCIUS, to Fidele Away, boy, from the troops, and save thyself, 15 For friends kill friends, and the disorder’s such As war were hoodwinked. IACHIMO ’Tis their fresh supplies. LUCIUS It is a day turned strangely. Or betimes Let’s reinforce, or fly. 20 They exit.	The battle rages on, and Cymbeline is overtaken. It's Belarius, Guiderius, and Arviragus to the rescue. The three men rescue Cymbeline. Then Posthumus enters along with more British peeps. Lucius realizes he and the Romans are defeated.