Page 495 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

ACT III IT

Scene I IT

Enter in state, Cymbeline, Queen, Cloten, and Lords at one door, and at
another, Caius Lucius and Attendants.

CYMBELINE
Now say, what would Augustus Cæsar with us?

LUCIUS
When Julius Cæsar, (whose remembrance yet
Lives in men’s eyes, and will to ears and tongues

Be theme and hearing ever) was in this Britain
And conquer’d it, Cassibelan, thine uncle, [5]
(Famous in Cæsar’s praises, no whit less
Than in his feats deserving it) for him,

And his succession, granted Rome a tribute,
Yearly three thousand pounds; which (by thee) lately
Is left untender’d.

QUEEN
And, to kill the marvel, [10]

Shall be so ever.

CLOTEN

There be many Cæsars ere such another Julius: Britain’s a world by itself, and
we will nothing pay for wearing our own noses.

QUEEN
That opportunity, [15]
Which then they had to take from’s, to resume
We have again. Remember, sir, my liege,