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Cymbeline, king of Britain.

Cloten, son to the queen by a former husband. Leonatus Posthumus, a gentleman, husband to Imogen.

Belarius, a banished lord, disguised under the name of Morgan.

Guiderius,

sons to Cymbeline, disguised under the names of Polydore and Cad

wal, supposed sons to Belarius.

Arviragus,

Philario, friend to Posthumus,
Iachimo, friend to Philario,

}

Italians.

A French Gentleman, friend to Philario.
Caius Lucius, general of the Roman forces.
A Roman Captain. Two British Captains.
Pisanio, servant to Posthumus.

Cornelius, a physician.

Two Gentlemen.

Two Gaolers.

Queen, wife to Cymbeline.

Imogen, daughter to Cymbeline, by a former queen. Helen, woman to Imogen.

Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, Apparitions, a Soothsayer, a Dutch Gentleman, a Spanish Gentleman, Musicians, Officers, Captains, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attend

ants.

Scene, sometimes in Britain; sometimes in Italy.

CYMBELINE.

АСТ І.

SCENE I. Britain. The garden behind Cymbeline's palace.

Enter Two Gentlemen.

1 Gentleman.

You do not meet a man, but frowns: our bloods*
No more obey the heavens, than our courtiers;
Still seem, as does the king's.

2 Gent.

But what's the matter?

1 Gent. His daughter, and the heir of his kingdon,

whom

He purpos'd to his wife's sole son (a widow,

That late he married), hath referr'd herself
Unto a poor but worthy gentleman: She's wedded;
Her husband banish'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?

* Inclination, natural disposition.

1 Gent. He, that hath lost her, too: so is the

queen,

That most desir'd the match: But not a courtier,
Although they wear their faces to the bent

Of the king's looks, hath a heart that is not
Glad at the thing they scowl at.

2 Gen.

And why so?

1 Gent. He that hath miss'd the princess, is a thing Too bad for bad report: and he that hath her, (I mean, that married her,-alack, good man!And therefore banish'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 he.

2 Gent.

You speak him far*.

1 Gent. I do extend him, sir, within himself; Crush him together, rather than unfold

His measure duly t.

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 Cassibelan;
But had his titles by Tenantius, whom
He serv'd with glory and admir'd success:
So gain'd the sur-addition, Leonatus:
And had, besides this gentleman in question,
Two other sons, who, in the wars o'the time,

Died with their swords in hand; for which their fa

ther

(Then old and fond of issue), took such sorrow,
That he quit being; and his gentle lady,

Big of this gentleman, our theme, deceas'd
As he was born. The king, he takes the babe
To his protection; calls him Posthumus;

i. e. You praise him extensively.

+ My praise, howeverextensive, is within his merit. The father of Cymbeline.

Breeds him, and makes him of his bed-chamber:
Puts him to all the learnings that his time
Could make him the receiver of; which he took,
As we do air, fast as 'twas minister'd; and
In his spring became a harvest: Liv'd in court,
(Which rare it is to do), most prais'd, most lov'd:
A sample to the youngest; to the more mature,
A glass that feated them; and to the graver,
A child that guided dotards: to his mistress,
For whom he now is banish'd,-her own price
Proclaims how she esteem'd him and his virtue;
By her election may be truly read,

What kind of man he is.

2 Gent.

Even out of your report.

I honour him

But, 'pray you, tell me,

Is she sole child to the king?

1 Gent. His only child. He had two sons (if this be worth your hearing, Mark it), the eldest of thein at three years old, I' the swathing clothes the other, from their nursery Were stolen: and to this hour, no guess 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 should be so con

vey'd !

So slackly guarded! And the search so slow,

That could not trace them!

1 Gent.

Howsoe'er 'tis strange,

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

2 Gent.

I do well believe you.

1 Gent. We must forbear: Here comes the queen,

and princess.

* Formed their manners.

[Exeunt

VOL. VII.

L

SCENE II.

The same.

Enter the Queen, Posthumus, and Imogen.

Queen. No, be assur'd, you shall not find me, daughter,

After the slander of most step-mothers,

Evil-ey'd unto you: you are my prisoner, but
Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys

That lock up your restraint. For

you,

So soon as I can win the offended king,

Posthumus,

I will be known your advocate: marry, yet
The fire of rage is in him; and 'twere good,
You lean'd unto his sentence, with what patience
Your wisdom may inform you.

Post.

I will from hence to-day.

Queen.

Please your highness,

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.

Imo.

[Exit Queen.

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Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant
Can tickle where she wounds!-My dearest hus-

band,

I something fear my father's wrath; but nothing
(Always reserv'd my holy duty), what

His rage can do on me: You must 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 see again.

Post.

My queen! my mistress!

O, lady, weep no more; lest I give cause

To be suspected of more tenderness

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