Original: No more, you petty spirits of region low,
Modern: Enough, you minor spirits from the underworld,

Original: Offend our hearing; hush! How dare you ghosts
Modern: Stop bothering me with your complaints; be quiet! How dare you dead souls

Original: Accuse the thunderer, whose bolt, you know,
Modern: Criticize Jupiter, whose lightning bolt, as you well know,

Original: Sky-planted batters all rebelling coasts?
Modern: Strikes down from heaven and destroys anyone who rebels?

Original: Poor shadows of Elysium, hence, and rest
Modern: You pale shades from the land of the dead, go back now, and rest

Original: Upon your never-withering banks of flowers:
Modern: On your eternally blooming flower-covered shores:

Original: Be not with mortal accidents opprest;
Modern: Don’t trouble yourselves with the problems of living people;

Original: No care of yours it is; you know ‘tis ours.
Modern: It’s not your concern; you know it’s mine to handle.

Original: Whom best I love I cross; to make my gift,
Modern: Those I love most I test with obstacles; to make my reward,

Original: The more delay’d, delighted.
Modern: More appreciated the longer they wait for it.

Original: Be content;
Modern: Be satisfied;

Original: Your low-laid son our godhead will uplift:
Modern: Your son who lies low now will be raised up by my divine power:

Original: His comforts thrive, his trials well are spent.
Modern: His blessings will flourish, and his hardships are almost over.

Original: Our Jovial star reign’d at his birth, and in
Modern: Jupiter’s star ruled when he was born, and in

Original: Our temple was he married. Rise, and fade.
Modern: My temple he was married. Now rise up, and disappear.

Original: He shall be lord of lady Imogen,
Modern: He will be the husband of lady Imogen,

Original: And happier much by his affliction made.
Modern: And made much happier because of the suffering he’s endured.

Original: This tablet lay upon his breast, wherein
Modern: Place this written message on his chest, in which

Original: Our pleasure his full fortune doth confine:
Modern: My will contains his complete destiny:

Original: and so, away: no further with your din
Modern: And now, go away: don’t annoy me any longer with your noise

Original: Express impatience, lest you stir up mine.
Modern: And show your frustration, or you’ll awaken my anger.

Original: Mount, eagle, to my palace crystalline.
Modern: Fly upward, eagle, to my crystal palace in the heavens.

In Act 5, Scene 5 of “Cymbeline,” the final and longest scene of the play brings all the characters together at Cymbeline’s court for a grand resolution. The scene opens with Cymbeline, his captains, and Roman prisoners including Lucius, Iachimo, and the disguised Imogen (still dressed as the boy Fidele). Belarius, Guiderius, and Arviragus are also present, having distinguished themselves in battle. Cymbeline knights the three men for their valor, though he does not yet know their true identities. Cornelius enters to report the Queen’s death and her deathbed confession of her evil plots, including her plan to poison Cymbeline and place her son Cloten on the throne. Lucius pleads for mercy for his page Fidele, which Cymbeline grants, and Imogen (as Fidele) requests that Iachimo explain how he obtained the ring he wears—the very ring Posthumus gave her.

Iachimo confesses his entire deception, explaining how he tricked Posthumus into believing Imogen had been unfaithful by hiding in a trunk in her bedchamber and stealing evidence. Posthumus, overcome with remorse for having ordered Imogen’s death, reveals himself and strikes the boy Fidele (actually Imogen) when she approaches him. Pisanio administers what he believes is a restorative, and Imogen reveals her true identity. The reunited couple reconciles, and further revelations follow: Guiderius admits to killing Cloten, which would normally warrant execution, but Belarius reveals that Guiderius and Arviragus are actually Cymbeline’s long-lost sons, stolen in infancy. The soothsayer interprets earlier prophecies as fulfilled, Posthumus reveals that the poor soldier who helped save Cymbeline was himself, and Cymbeline pardons all offenders. The play concludes with Cymbeline agreeing to pay tribute to Rome and declaring peace, ordering sacrifices and celebrations throughout Britain.

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.