Original: I see a man’s life is a tedious one;
Modern: I realize that a man’s life can be really exhausting and difficult;

Original: I have tir’d myself, and for two nights together
Modern: I’ve worn myself out, and for two nights in a row

Original: Have made the ground my bed; I should be sick
Modern: I’ve slept on the ground; I should be getting sick

Original: But that my resolution helps me. Milford,
Modern: But my determination keeps me going. Milford,

Original: When from the mountain-top Pisanio show’d thee,
Modern: When Pisanio pointed you out to me from the mountaintop,

Original: Thou wast within a ken. O Jove! I think
Modern: You were within sight. Oh God! I think

Original: Foundations fly the wretched; such, I mean,
Modern: Basic support abandons those who are suffering; I mean those

Original: Where they should be reliev’d. Two beggars told me
Modern: Who should be getting help. Two beggars told me

Original: I could not miss my way; will poor folks lie,
Modern: I couldn’t lose my way; but do poor people lie,

Original: That have afflictions on them, knowing ‘tis
Modern: Even when they’re suffering, knowing that lying is

Original: A punishment or trial? Yes; no wonder,
Modern: A sin or test from God? Yes; it’s no surprise,

Original: When rich ones scarce tell true. To lapse in fulness
Modern: When rich people hardly ever tell the truth. To sin when you have plenty

Original: Is sorer than to lie for need, and falsehood
Modern: Is worse than lying because you’re desperate, and lying

Original: Is worse in kings than beggars. My dear lord!
Modern: Is worse when kings do it than when beggars do. My dear husband!

Original: Thou art one o’ the false ones. Now I think on thee,
Modern: You are one of the liars. Now when I think about you,

Original: My hunger’s gone, but even before I was
Modern: My hunger disappears, but just before this I was

Original: At point to sink for food. But what is this?
Modern: About to collapse from starvation. But what is this?

Original: Here is a path to ‘t; ‘tis some savage hold;
Modern: Here’s a path leading to it; it’s some kind of rough shelter;

Original: I were best not call, I dare not call, yet famine,
Modern: I probably shouldn’t call out, I’m afraid to call out, but hunger,

Original: Ere clean it o’erthrow nature, makes it valiant.
Modern: Before it completely destroys a person, makes them brave.

Original: Plenty and peace breeds cowards, hardness ever
Modern: Having plenty and living in peace creates cowards, but hardship always

Original: Of hardiness is mother. Ho! Who’s here?
Modern: Is the mother of toughness. Hello! Who’s here?

Original: If any thing that’s civil, speak; if savage,
Modern: If anyone civilized is there, speak up; if you’re wild,

Original: Take or lend. Ho! No answer? Then I’ll enter.
Modern: Take what you want or help me out. Hello! No answer? Then I’m coming in.

Original: Best draw my sword; and if mine enemy
Modern: I’d better draw my sword; and if my enemy

Original: But fear the sword like me, he’ll scarcely look on ‘t.
Modern: Is as afraid of swords as I am, he’ll barely even look at it.

Original: Such a foe, good heavens!
Modern: What kind of enemy is that, good Lord!

In Act III, Scene vi of Cymbeline, Imogen (disguised as the young man Fidele) arrives in the Welsh mountains, exhausted and hungry from her arduous journey. She discovers a cave and finds food that has been left outside, wondering about the charitable souls who might have provided it. Desperate from her travels and unable to continue without sustenance, she decides to take some of the food, hoping to repay the kindness when she is able, and then seeks shelter within the cave to rest.

The scene establishes Imogen’s dire physical state as she flees from the court and her stepmother’s machinations. Her discovery of the cave and the mysterious provision of food sets up her encounter with the cave’s inhabitants, Belarius and the two young men Guiderius and Arviragus (unbeknownst to her, her own brothers who were stolen as infants). The scene demonstrates Imogen’s vulnerability in her male disguise while showing her maintaining her moral character even in desperate circumstances, as she expresses gratitude and a desire to repay those who have unknowingly aided her.

Cymbeline tells the story of King Cymbeline of Britain, whose daughter Imogen secretly marries Posthumus Leonatus against her father’s wishes. Cymbeline banishes Posthumus to Rome, where he boasts of Imogen’s virtue and fidelity. The cunning Iachimo wagers that he can seduce Imogen and prove her unfaithful. When his direct attempts fail, Iachimo hides in a trunk in Imogen’s bedchamber, emerges while she sleeps, and steals her bracelet while noting intimate details of her body and room.

Returning to Rome with his false evidence, Iachimo convinces Posthumus that Imogen has been unfaithful. Enraged, Posthumus orders his servant Pisanio to kill Imogen. Instead, Pisanio reveals the plot to Imogen and helps her escape by disguising her as a young man named Fidele. She flees to the Welsh mountains, where she unknowingly encounters her long-lost brothers, Guiderius and Arviragus, who were kidnapped as infants and raised by the banished lord Belarius.

Meanwhile, Cymbeline’s evil Queen (Imogen’s stepmother) plots to poison Imogen and place her own son Cloten on the throne. Cloten pursues Imogen to Wales, where Guiderius kills him in combat. The Queen’s physician Cornelius has secretly given her a sleeping potion instead of poison, but when Imogen takes it believing it to be medicine, she falls into a death-like sleep beside Cloten’s headless corpse, whom she mistakes for Posthumus upon awakening.

The play culminates when Roman forces invade Britain. During the battle, the disguised Imogen serves the Romans while her unknown brothers and Belarius fight for Britain. After Britain’s victory, all deceptions are revealed: Iachimo confesses his lies, the Queen dies after admitting her evil plots, Imogen’s true identity and virtue are established, the royal brothers are restored to their father, and Posthumus and Imogen are reunited. Cymbeline makes peace with Rome and pardons all offenders.