The Masculine Romance of Roman Britain: Cymbeline and Early Modern English Nationalism | I
I
The Queen's great patriotic speech in 3.1 has long been a stumbling block in interpretations of Cymbeline. Combining appeals to native topography, history, and legendary origins, it recalls the highest moments of Elizabethan nationalism: 7
… Remember, sir, my liege,
The kings your ancestors, together with
The natural bravery of your isle, which stands
As Neptune's park, ribb'd and pal'd in
With rocks unscaleable and roaring waters,
With sands that will not bear your enemies'
boats,
But suck them up to th' topmast. A kind of
conquest
Caesar made here, but made not here his brag
Of "Came, and saw, and overcame:" with
shame
(The first that ever touch'd him) he was
carried
From off our coast, twice beaten: and his
shipping
(Poor ignorant baubles!) on our terrible seas,
Like egg-shells mov'd upon their surges,
...
[The entire page is 1907 words long]
Navigate
