Page 566 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

FIRST GAOLER

Your death has eyes in’s head then: I have not seen him so pictur’d: you must
either be directed by some that take [180] upon them to know, or to take
upon yourself that which I am sure you do not know, or jump the after-inquiry

on your own peril: and how you shall speed in your journey’s end, I think
you’ll never return to tell on. [185]

POSTHUMUS
I tell thee, fellow, there are none want eyes to direct them the way I am
going, but such as wink, and will not use them.

FIRST GAOLER
What an infinite mock is this, that a man should have the best use of eyes to
see the way of blindness! I am sure [190] hanging’s the way of winking.

Enter a Messenger.

MESSENGER
Knock off his manacles, bring your prisoner to the king.

POSTHUMUS
Thou bring’st good news, I am call’d to be made free. [195]

FIRST GAOLER
I’ll be hang’d then.

POSTHUMUS
Thou shalt be then freer than a gaoler; no bolts for the dead.
[Exeunt all but First Gaoler.]

FIRST GAOLER
Unless a man would marry a gallows, and beget young gibbets, I never saw

one so prone: yet, on [200] my conscience, there are verier knaves desire to
live, for all he be a Roman; and there be some of them too, that die against
their wills; so should I, if I were one. I would we were all of one mind, and

one mind good: O, there were desolation of gaolers and gallowses! I speak
[205] against my present profit, but my wish hath a preferment in’t.