Page 514 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

CYMBELINE

Lucius hath wrote already to the emperor
How it goes here. It fits us therefore ripely
Our chariots and our horsemen be in readiness:

The powers that he already hath in Gallia
Will soon be drawn to head, from whence he moves [25]
His war for Britain.

QUEEN
’Tis not sleepy business,
But must be look’d to speedily, and strongly.

CYMBELINE
Our expectation that it would be thus

Hath made us forward. But, my gentle queen,
Where is our daughter? She hath not appear’d [30]
Before the Roman, nor to us hath tender’d

The duty of the day. She looks us like
A thing more made of malice than of duty,
We have noted it. Call her before us, for
We have been too slight in sufferance.
[Exit an Attendant.]

QUEEN

Royal sir, [35]
Since the exile of Posthumus, most retir’d
Hath her life been: the cure whereof, my lord,
’Tis time must do. Beseech your majesty,

Forbear sharp speeches to her. She’s a lady
So tender of rebukes that words are strokes, [40]
And strokes death to her.

Re-enter Attendant.

CYMBELINE
Where is she, sir? How

Can her contempt be answer’d?