Page 561 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

Whose father then (as men report
thou orphans’ father art) [40]
Thou shouldst have been, and shielded him
from this earth-vexing smart.

MOTHER
Lucina lent not me her aid,

but took me in my throes,
That from me was Posthumus ript, [45]
came crying ’mongst his foes,

A thing of pity!

SICILIUS

Great nature, like his ancestry,
moulded the stuff so fair,
That he deserved the praise o’ th’ world, [50]
as great Sicilius’ heir.

FIRST BROTHER
When once he was mature for man,

in Britain where was he
That could stand up his parallel,
or fruitful object be [55]

In eye of Imogen, that best
could deem his dignity?

MOTHER
With marriage wherefore was he mock’d
to be exil’d, and thrown
From Leonati seat, and cast [60]

from her his dearest one, Sweet Imogen?

SICILIUS
Why did you suffer Iachimo,
slight thing of Italy,
To taint his nobler heart and brain [65]

with needless jealousy;