ENGLISH HISTORY AS TOLD BY ENGLISH POETS CYMBELINE WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE CUNOBELINUS, king of the Trinovantes, was the most powerful of the British chiefs known to Roman historians. He was grandson to the Cassivelaunus who had fought successfully against Julius Cæsar. One of his sons, Caractacus, for nine years defied the Roman army that, under Aulus Plautius, finally conquered the Britons. There is no further historical basis for Shakespeare's play. The scene represents the reception (43 A.D.) of Caius Lucius, the emissary of the emperor, at the court of Cymbeline. Lucius demands a renewal of the tribute paid to Julius Cæsar, and regards Cymbeline's refusal as amounting to a declaration of war. ACT III SCENE I. BRITAIN. A Room of State in Cymbeline's Palace. (Enter, at one side, Cymbeline, Queen, Cloten, and Lords; at the other, Caius Lucius and Attendants.) Cym. Now say, what would Augustus Cæsar with us? Luc. When Julius Cæsar - whose remembrance yet Lives in men's eyes, and will to ears and tongues Famous in Cæsar's praises no whit less Than in his feats deserving it, — for him And his succession granted Rome a tribute Yearly three thousand pounds; which by thee lately Is left untender'd. Queen. Shall be so ever. Clo. And, to kill the marvel, There be many Cæsars Ere such another Julius. Britain is A world by itself; and we will nothing pay Queen. That opportunity Which then they had to take from 's, to resume The kings your ancestors; together with The natural bravery of your isle, which stands With rocks unscalable and roaring waters, With sands that will not bear your enemies' boats, But suck them up to the top-mast. A kind of con quest Cæsar made here; but made not here his brag From off our coast, twice beaten; and his shipping 1 fickle. |