Page 497 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

Did put the yoke upon’s; which to shake off
Becomes a warlike people, whom we reckon
Ourselves to be.

CLOTEN and LORDS
We do.

CYMBELINE
Say then to Cæsar,

Our ancestor was that Mulmutius which
Ordain’d our laws, whose use the sword of Cæsar [55]
Hath too much mangled; whose repair, and franchise,
Shall (by the power we hold) be our good deed,

Though Rome be therefore angry. Mulmutius made our laws,
Who was the first of Britain which did put
His brows within a golden crown, and call’d [60]
Himself a king.

LUCIUS
I am sorry, Cymbeline,

That I am to pronounce Augustus Cæsar
(Cæsar, that hath moe kings his servants than
Thyself domestic officers) thine enemy:

Receive it from me, then. War and confusion [65]
In Cæsar’s name pronounce I ’gainst thee: look
For fury, not to be resisted. Thus defied,
I thank thee for myself.

CYMBELINE
Thou art welcome, Caius.

Thy Cæsar knighted me; my youth I spent
Much under him; of him I gather’d honour, [70]
Which he to seek of me again, perforce,
Behoves me keep at utterance. I am perfect

That the Pannonians and Dalmatians for
Their liberties are now in arms: a precedent
Which not to read would show the Britons cold: [75]
So Cæsar shall not find them.