Shakespeare's Cymbeline Act 5 Scene 2

Cymbeline

Please see the bottom of the page for explanatory notes.

ACT V SCENE II	A Field of battle between the British and Roman camps.
	Enter, from one side, LUCIUS, IACHIMO, and the Roman Army: from the other side, the British Army; POSTHUMUS LEONATUS following, like a poor soldier. They march over and go out. Then enter again, in skirmish, IACHIMO and POSTHUMUS LEONATUS he vanquisheth and disarmeth IACHIMO and then leaves him.
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
	In my profession? Knighthoods and honours, 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
	[ Exit.
	The battle continues; the Britons fly ; CYMBELINE is taken: then enter, to his rescue, BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS.
BELARIUS	Stand, stand! We have the advantage of the ground;
	The lane is guarded: nothing routs us but
	The villany of our fears.
GUIDERIUS	\|
	\| Stand, stand, and fight!
ARVIRAGUS	\|
	Re-enter POSTHUMUS, and seconds the Britons: they rescue CYMBELINE, and exeunt. Then re-enter LUCIUS, and IACHIMO, with IMOGEN.
CAIUS LUCIUS	Away, boy, from the troops, and save thyself;
	For friends kill friends, and the disorder's such
	As war were hoodwink'd.	20
IACHIMO	'Tis their fresh supplies.
CAIUS LUCIUS	It is a day turn'd strangely: or betimes
	Let's reinforce, or fly.
	[ Exeunt.

Cymbeline, Act 5, Scene 3

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Explanatory Notes for Act 5, Scene 2
From Cymbeline. A.W. Verity. Cambridge, University Press.

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4. carl, churl, peasant.

16. hoodwink'd, blind-folded.

18. re-inforce; perhaps 'renew the attack.'

How to cite the explanatory notes:
Shakespeare, William. Cymbeline. Ed. A.W. Verity. Cambridge, University Press, 1899. Shakespeare Online. 10 Dec. 2013. < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/cymbel_5_2.html >.

How to cite the sidebar:
Mabillard, Amanda. Notes on Shakespeare. Shakespeare Online. 10 Dec. 2013. < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/cymbel_5_2.html >.

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