T GENTLEMAN,
OU do not ineet a man.but frowns. Our

blood's
No more obey the heavens than our

courtiers ;'
But seem as do's the king's..

2 Gent. But what's the matter?
i Gent, His daughter, and the heir of's kingdom
He purposd to his wife's sole son, a widow
That late he married ) hath referr'd her felf
Unto a poor, but worthy gentleman.
She's wedded.'
Her husband banilh'd; she imprison'd. All
Is outward sorrow, though I think the king
Be touch'd at very heart.
2 Gent. None but the king ?
Gent. He that hath lost her too: fo is the queen,
A 3

That

(whom the

a

That most defir'd the match. But not a courtier,
Although they wear their faces to the bent
Of the king's look ) but hath a heart that is
Glad at the thing they scoul at.

2 Gent. And why so ?

i Gent. He that hath miss'd the princess, is a thing Too bad for bad report: and he that hath her, (I mean that marry'd her, alack good man! And therefore banith'd) is a creature such, As to seek through the regions of the earth For one his like, there would be something failing In him that should compare. I do not think, So fair an outward, and such stuff within Endows a man but him, 2 Gent. You speak him falr.

Gent. I do extend him, Sir, within himself,
Crash him together, rather than unfold
His measure fully.

2 Gent. What's his name and birth ?

> Gent. I cannot delve him to the root : his fatlier Was callid Sicilius, who did join his honour Against the Romans, with Calibelan, But had his titles by Tenantius, whom He sery'd with glory and admir'd success; So gaind the fur-addition, Leonatus, And had, besides this gentleman in question, Two other sons; who in the wars o'th' time Dy'd with their swords in hand. For which their father, (Then old and fond of issue) took fuch forrow That he quit being; and his gentle lady Big of this gentleman, our theam, deceas', As he was born. The king, he takes the babe To his protection, calls him Posthumus, Breeds him, and makes him of his bed-chamber, Puts to him all the learnings that his time Could make him the receiver of, which he took As we do air, fast as 'twas miniftred. His spring became a harvest: liv'd in court (Which rare it is to do,) moft prais’d, moit lov'd, A sample so the yomg'it; to th' more meture,

A glass that featur'd them; and to the graver,
A child that guided dotards, To his mistress,
(For whom he now is banishd) her own price
Proclaims how the esteem'd him and his virtue.
By her election inay be truly read
What kind of man he is.

2. Gent. I honour him ev'n out of your report, But tell me, is the sole child to the king ?

1 Gent. His only child. He had two fons (if this be worth your hearing, Mark it )‘the eldelt of them at three years old, I'th' swathing cloaths the other, from their nursery Were ftolin, and to this hour, no guess in knowledge Which way they went.

2 Gent. How long is this ago? i Gent. Some twenty years.

2 Gent. That a king's children should be so convey'd ! So Nackly guarded, and the fearch fo flow That could not trace them!

i Gent. Howsoe'er 'tis strange, Or that the negligence may well be laugh'd at, Yet is it frue, Sir.

2 Gept. I do well believe.

i Gent. We must forbear. Here comes the gentleman, The queen, and princess,

[ Exeunt. SCENE II. Enter the Queen, Posthumus, Imogea, and attendants,

Queen. No, be assur'd you shall not find me, daughter,
After the slander of mot ftep-mothers,
I'll-ey'd unto you: you're my pris'ner, but
Your goaler shall deliver you the keys
That fock up your restraint. For you, Pofthumus,

,
So soon as I can win th' offended king,
I will be known your advocate: marry yet
The fire of rage is in him, and 'were good
You lean'd unto his fentence, with what patience
Your wisdom may inform you.
Pol. Please your highness,

I wa

A 4

I will from hence to-day.

Queen. You know the peril :
I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying
The pangs of barr'd affections, though the king
Hath charg'd you should not speak together. (Exit.

Imo. Dissembling courtesie ! how fine this tyrant
Can tickle where she wounds! My deareft husband,
I something fear my father's wrath, but nothing
(Always reservd my holy duty ) what
His rage can do on mę.

You muft be gone,
And I shall here abide the hourly shot
Of angry eyes: not comforted to live,
But that there is this jewel in the world,
That I may fee again,

Poft. My queen! my mistress !

lady, weep no more, left I give cause
To be suspected of more tenderness
Than doth become a man. I will remain
The loyall'ft husband, that did e'er plight troth.
My residence in Rome, at one Philario's,
Who to my father was a friend, to me
Known but by letter ; thither write, my queen,
And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you

fend, Though ink be made of gall.

Re-enter Queen.
Queen. Be brief, I pray you;
If the king come, I shall incur I know not
How much of his displeasure--yet I'll move him

[4side.
To walk this way; I never do him wrong,
But he does buy my injuries to be friends,
Pays dear for

my
offences.

(Exit.
Poft. Should we be taking leave,
As long a term as yet we have to live,
The lothness to depart would grow: adieu.

Imo. Nay, tay a little
Were you but riding forth to air your self,
Such parting were too petty. Look here, love,
This diamond was my mother's; takonit, heart,

But