OU do not meet a man but frowns. Our bloods

No more obey the heavens than our courtiers;

But feem as do's the king's..

2 Gent. But what's the matter?

1 Gent. His daughter, and the heir of's kingdom (whom

He purpos'd to his wife's fole fon, a widow
That late he married) hath referr'd her felf
Unto a poor, but worthy gentleman.

She's wedded.

Her husband banifh'd; fhe imprifon'd. All
Is outward forrow, though I think the king
Be touch'd at very heart.

2 Gent. None but the king?

Gent. He that hath loft her too: fo is the queen,
A 3

That

But not a courtier,

That most defir'd the match.
(Although they wear their faces to the bent
Of the king's look) but hath a heart that is
Glad at the thing they fcoul at.

2 Gent. And why fo

1 Gent. He that hath mifs'd the princefs, is a thing Too bad for bad report: and he that hath her, (1 mean that marry'd her, alack good man! And therefore banish'd) is a creature fuch, As to feek through the regions of the earth For one his like, there would be fomething failing In him that fhould compare. I do not think, So fair an outward, and such stuff within Endows a man but him.

2 Gent. You speak him fair.

1 Gent. I do extend him, Sir, within himself, Crush him together, rather than unfold His meafure fully.

2 Gent. What's his name and birth?

1 Gent. I cannot delve him to the root: his father
Was call'd Sicilius, who did join his honour
Against the Romans, with Caffibelan,
But had his titles by Tenantius, whom
He ferv'd with glory and admir'd fuccefs;
So gain'd the fur-addition, Leonatus.

And had, befides this gentleman in question,
Two other fons; who in the wars o'th' time

Dy'd with their fwords in hand. For which their father,
(Then old and fond of iffue) 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 Pofthumus,
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, faft as 'twas miniftred.

His fpring became a harveft: liv'd in court
(Which rare it is to do,) moft prais'd, moit lev'd,
A fample so the young'ft; to th' more mature,

A glafs that featur'd them; and to the graver,
A child that guided dotards. To his miftrefs,
(For whom he now is banish'd) her own price
Proclaims how the efteem'd him and his virtue.
By her election may 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 fole child to the king?

1 Gent. His only child.

He had two fons (if this be worth your hearing,
Mark it) the eldest of them at three years old,

I'th' fwathing cloaths the other, from their nurfery
Were ftol'n; and to this hour, no guefs in knowledge
Which way they went.

2 Gent. How long is this ago?

1 Gent. Some twenty years.

2 Gent. That a king's children fhould be fo convey'd So flackly guarded, and the fearch fo flow

That could not trace them!

1 Gent. Howfoe'er 'tis ftrange,

Or that the negligence may well be laugh'd at,
Yet is it true, Sir.

2 Gent. I do well believe.

1 Gent. We must forbear. Here comes the gentleman, The queen, and princefs..

[Exeunt.

Enter the Queen, Pofthumus, Imogen, and attendants,

Queen. No, be affur'd you fhall not find me, daughter, After the flander of moft ftep-mothers,

I'll-ey'd unto you: you're my pris'ner, but
Your goaler fhall deliver you the keys

That lock up your reftraint. For you, Pofthumus,
So foon as I can win th' offended king,
I will be known your advocate: marry yet
The fire of rage is in him, and 'twere good
You lean'd unto his fentence, with what patience
Your wifdom may inform you.

Pof. Please your highnefs,

A 4

I will

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 fhould not fpeak together.

[Exit.
Imo. Diffembling courtefie! how fine this tyrant
Can tickle where the wounds! My deareft husband,
I fomething fear my father's wrath, but nothing
(Always referv'd my holy duty) what
His rage can do on me.
You must be gone,
And I fhall here abide the hourly fhot
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!

O lady, weep no more, left I give caufe
To be fufpected of more tenderness
Than doth become a man, I will remain
The loyall'ft husband, that did e'er plight troth.
My refidence 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 fhall incur I know not

How much of his displeasure-yet I'll move him

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

Poft. Should we be taking leave,

grow: adieu.

As long a term as yet we have to live,
The lothness to depart would
Imo. Nay, ftay a little →→
Were you but riding forth to air your felf,
Such parting were too petty. Look here, love,
This diamond was my mother's; take it, heart,

[Afide.

[Exit.

But