QUOTES FROM THE BARD

PLAY: Cymbeline
ACT/SCENE: 5.4
SPEAKER: Firt Jailer
CONTEXT:
FIRST JAILER
Indeed, sir, he that sleeps feels not the
tooth-ache: but a man that were to sleep your
sleep, and a hangman to help him to bed, I think he
would change places with his officer; for, look you,
sir, you know not which way you shall go.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Yes, indeed do I, fellow.
FIRST JAILER
Your death has eyes in ‘s head then; I have not seen
him so pictured: you must either be directed by
some that take upon them to know, or do 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 one.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
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 JAILER
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 hanging’s the way of winking.

DUTCH:
Inderdaad, vriend, wie slaapt voelt zijn kiespijn niet;
maar een man, die uwen slaap moet slapen, met den
beul om hem in bed te helpen, die zou, denk ik, wel
willen ruilen met zijn bedienaar; want ziet ge, vriend,
gij weet toch niet, waar ge heen gaat.

MORE:
Jump=Hazard, risk
Speed=Succeed
Wink=Close eyes
Compleat:
To speed=Voortspoeden, voorspoedig zyn, wel gelukken
Wink=Knikken, winken, blikken

Topics: death, punishment, risk