CYMBELINE
Page: 36

The action of my life is like it, which
I'll keep, if but for sympathy.

[Re-enter GAOLER.]

GAOLER.
Come, sir, are you ready for death?

POSTHUMUS.
Over-roasted rather; ready long ago.

GAOLER.
Hanging is the word, sir If you be ready for that, you are
well cook'd.

POSTHUMUS.
So, if I prove a good repast to the spectators, the dish
pays the shot.

GAOLER.
A heavy reckoning for you, sir. But the comfort is, you shall
be called to no more payments, fear no more tavern-bills,
which are often the sadness of parting, as the procuring of
mirth. You come in faint for want of meat, depart reeling with
too much drink; sorry that you have paid too much, and sorry that
you are paid too much; purse and brain both empty; the brain the
heavier for being too light, the purse too light, being drawn of
heaviness. O, of this contradiction you shall now be quit. O, the
charity of a penny cord! It sums up thousands in a trice. You
have no true debitor and creditor but it; of what's past, is, and
to come, the discharge. Your neck, sir, is pen, book, and counters;
so the acquittance follows.

POSTHUMUS.
I am merrier to die than thou art to live.

GAOLER.
Indeed, sir, he that sleeps feels not the toothache; 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.
Yes, indeed do I, fellow.

GAOLER.
Your Death has eyes in's head, then; I have not seen him so
pictur'd. You must either be directed by some that take upon them
to know, or to 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.
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.

GAOLER.
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.

[Enter a MESSENGER.]