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Clown. Yes, forsooth; I wish you joy of the worm.
[Exit.
Re-enter Iras, with a Robe, Crown, &c.
Cleo. Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have
Immortal longings in me: Now no more
The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip:-
Yare, yare, good Iras; quick.-Methinks, I hear
Antony cali; I see him rouse himself
To praise my nobie act: I hear him mock
The luck of Cæsar, which the gods give men
To excuse their after wrath Husband, I come:
Now to that name my courage prove my title!
I am fire, and air; my other elements

I give to baser life. So, have you done?
Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips.
Farewell, kind Charmian; -Iras, long farewell.

them. Iras falls and dies.

[Kisses them.

Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall?
If thou and nature can so gently part,
The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch,
Which hurts, and is desir'd. Dost thou lie still?
If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world

It is not worth leave-taking.

Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I may Cleo.

The gods themselves do weep!

[sny

This proves me base:

If she first meet the curled Antony,

He'll make demand of her and spend that kiss,

Which is my heaven to have. Come, mortal wretch, [To the Asp, which she applies to her Breast.

With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate
Of life at once untie poor venomous fool,
Be angry, and despatch. O, couldst thou speak!
That I might hear thee call great Cæsar, ass
Unpolicied!

Char.

Cleo.

O eastern star!

Peace, peace!

Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,
That sucks the nurse asleep?
Char.

O, break! O, break!
Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle,-
O Antony! Nay, I will take thee too :-
[Applying another Asp to her Arm.
What, should I stay- [Falls on a Bed and dies.

Char. In this wild world?-So, fare thee well.-
Now hoast thee, death! in thy possession lies
A lass unparailei'd.-Downy windows, close;
And golden Phœbus never be beheld

Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry;
I'll mend it, and then play.

Enter the Guard, rushing in.

1 Guard. Where is the queen ? Char.

Speak softly, wake her not.

1 Guard. Cæsar hath sentChar.

Too slow a messenger.

[Applies the Asp.

O, come; apace, despatch: I partly feel thee.

Cymbeline, King of Britain.

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If they had swallow'd poison, 'twould appear
By external swelling but she looks like sleep,

As she would catch another Antony

In her strong toil of grace.
Dol.

Here, on her breast,
There is a vent of blood, and something blown;
The like is on her arm.

1 Guard. This is an aspic's trail: and these fig leaves Have slime upon them, such as the aspic leaves Upon the caves of Nile.

Cæs.

Most probable, That so she died; for her physician tells me, She hath pursu'd conclusions infinite Of easy ways to die. Take up her bed;

And bear her women from the monument:

She shall be buried by her Antony:

No grave upon the earth shall clip in it
A pair so famous. Iligh events as these
Strike those that make them and their story is
No less in pity, than his glory, which
Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall,
In solemn show, attend this funeral;
And then to Rome.--Come, Dolabeila, ser
High order in this great solemnity.

Cymbeline.

DRAMATIS PERSONE.

Cloten, Son to the Queen, by a former Husband.

Leonatus Posthumus, a Gentleman, Husband to

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[Exeunt

Imogen, Danghter 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, Soidiers, Messengers, and other Attendants.

SCENE, sometimes in Britain; sometimes in Italy.

Caius Lucius, General of the Roman Forces.

ACT I.

SCENE I. Britain. The Garden behind Cymbeline's Palace. Enter two Gentlemen.

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

2 Gent.

But what's the matter?

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

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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,

who, in the wars o'the time,

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As long a term as yet we have to live,

Imo. Nay, stay a little:

Died with their swords in hand; for which, their The loathness to depart would grow : Adieu!

father

(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;
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.

I honour him

Even out of your report. 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 them at three years old
I'the swathing clothes the other, from their nursery sery
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 conSo slackly guarded! And the search so slow, [vey'd! That could not 1 Gent.

could not trace them!

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,

Were you but riding forth to air yourself,

Such parting were too petty. Look here, love;
This diamond was my mother's: take it, heart;

But keep it till you woo another wife,

When Imogen is dead.

Post.

How! how! another?

You gentle gods, give me but this I have,
And sear up my embracements from a next

With bonds of death!--Remain, remain thou here

[Putting on the Ring.

While sense can keep it on! And sweetest, fairest,
As I my poor self did exchange for you,
To your so infinite loss so, in our trifles

I still win of you: For my sake, wear this;

It is a manacle of love; I'll place it

Upon this fairest prisoner.

Imo.

[Putting a Bracelet on her Arm.

When shall we see again?

Post.

O, the gods!

Enter Cymbeline and Lords.

Alack, the king! [sight!

Cym. Thou basest thing, avoid! hence, from my

If, after this command, thou fraught the court
With thy unworthiness, thou diest: Away!
Thou art poison to my blood.

Post.

The gods protect you!

And bless the good remainders of the court!

I am gone.
Imo.

[Exit.

There cannot be a pinch in death

More sharp than this is.
Cym.

O disloyal thing,

That shouldst repair my youth: thou heapest
A year's age on me!
Imo.

I beseech you, sir,
Harm not yourself with your vexation; I
Am senseless of your wrath; a touch more rare

1 Gent. We must forbear: Here comes the gen- Subdues all pangs, all fears.

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Enter the Queen, Posthumus, and Imogen. Queen. No, be assur'd, you shall not find me, daugh [ter,

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, Posthumus,
So soon as I can win the 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 sentence, with what patience

Your wisdom may inform you.

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I would they were in Afric both together;
Myself by with a needle, that I might prick
The goer back. Why came you from your master?
Pis. On his command: He would not suffer me
To bring him to the haven: left these notes
Of what commands I should be subject to,
When it pleas'd you to employ me.
Queen.

This hath been

Your faithful servant: I dare lay mine honour,
He will remain so.
Pis.

I humbly thank your highness.

Queen. Pray, walk awhile. Imo.

About some half hour hence,

I pray you, speak with me you shall, at least,
Go see my lord aboard: for this time, leave me.
[Exeunt.

SCENE III. A public Place.
Enter Cloten and two Lords.

1 Lord. Sir, I would advise you to shift a shirt; the violence of action hath made you reek as a sacrifice: Where air comes out, air comes in there's none abroad so wholesome as that you vent.

Clo. If my shirt were bloody, then to shift it-Have I hurt him?

2 Lord. No, faith; not so much as his patience. [Aside.

1 Lord. Hurt him? his body's a passable carcass, if he be not hurt it is a thoroughfare for steel, if it be not hurt.

2 Lord. His steel was in debt; it went o'the back

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As he could make me with this eye or ear
Distinguish him from others, he did keep
The deck, with glove, or hat, or handkerchief,
Still waving, as the fits and stirs of his mind
Could best express how slow his soul sait'd on,
How swift his ship.

Imo.

Thou shouldst have made him

As little as a crow, or less, ere left
To after-eye him.
Pis.

Madam, so I did.

Imo. I would have broke mine eye-strings: crack'd To look upon him; till the diminution (them, but Of space had pointed him sharp as my needle: Nay, follow'd him, till he had melted from

The smallness of a gnat to air; and then

Have turn'd mine eye, and wept. But, good Pisanio, When shall we hear from him?

Pis.

With his next vantage.

Be assur'd, madam,

Imo. I did not take my leave of him, but had Most pretty things to say ere I could tell him, How I would think on him, at certain hours, Such thoughts, and such; or I could make him swear The shes of Italy should not betray

Mine interest, and his honour; or have charg'd him
At the sixth hour of morn, at noon, at midnight,
To encounter me with orisons, for then

I am in heaven for him; or ere I could
Give him that parting kiss, which I had set
Betwixt two charming words, comes in my father,
And, like the tyrannous breathing of the north,
Shakes all our buds from growing.

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Rome. An Apartment in Philario's House. Enter Philario, Iachimo, a Frenchman, a Dutchman, and a Spaniard.

Iach. Believe it, sir: I have seen him in Britain: he was then of a crescent note: expected to prove so worthy, as since he hath been allowed the name of: but I could then have looked on him without the help of admiration; though the catalogue of his endowments had been tabled by his side, and I to peruse him by items.

Phi. You speak of him when he was less furnished, than now he is, with that which makes him both without and within.

French. I have seen him in France: we had very many there, could behold the sun with as firm eyes as he.

Iach. This matter of marrying his king's daughter (wherein he must be weighed rather by her value than his own), words him, I doubt not, a great deal from the matter.

French. And then his banishment:Iach. Ay, and the approbation of those, that weep this lamentable divorce, under her colours, are wonderfully to extend him; be it but to fortify her judgment, which else an easy battery might lay flat, for taking a beggar without more quality. But how comes it, he is to sojourn with you? How creeps acquaintance?

Phi. His father and I were soldiers together; to whom I have been often bound for no less than my life:

Enter Posthumus.

Here comes the Briton: Let him be so entertained amongst you, as suits, with gentlemen of your knowing, to a stranger of his quality.-I beseech you all, be better known to this gentleman; whom I commend to you, as a noble friend of mine: How worthy he is, I will leave to appear hereafter, rather than story him in his own hearing.

French. Sir, we have known together in Orleans. Post. Since when I have been debtor to you for courtesies, which I will be ever to pay, and yet pay still.

French. Sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindness: I was glad I did atone my countryman and you; it had been pity, you should have been put together with so mortal a purpose, as then each bore, upon importance of so slight and trivial a nature.

Post. By your pardon, sir, I was then a young traveller; rather shunn'd to go even with what I heard, than in my every action to be guided by others' experiences: but, upon my mended judgment (if I offend not to say it is mended), my quarrel was not altogether slight.

French. 'Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrement of swords and by such two, that would, by all likelihood, have confounded one the other, or have fallen both.

Iach. Can we, with manners, ask what was the difference?

French. Safely, I think 'twas a contention in public, which may, without contradiction, suffer the report. It was much like an argument that fell out last night, where each of us fell in praise of our country mistresses: This gentleman at that time vouching (and upon warrant of bloody affirmation), his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, constantqualified, and less attemptible, than any the rarest

of our ladies in France.

Lach. That lady is not now living; or this gentleman's opinion, by this, worn out.

Post. She holds her virtue still, and I my mind: Iach. You must not so far prefer her 'fore ours of Italy.

Post. Being so far provoked as I was in France, 1 would abate her nothing; though I profess myself her adorer, not her friend.

Iach. As fair, and as good (a kind of hand-in-hand comparison), had been something too fair, and too good, for any lady in Britany. by. If she went before

others I have seen, as that diamond of yours outlustres many I have beheld, I could not but believe she excelled many but I have not seen the most precious diamond that is, nor you the lady.

Post. I praised her, as I rated her: so do I my stone. Iach. What do you esteem it at.

Post. More than the world enjoys.

Iach. Either your unparagoned mistress is dead, or she's outpriz'd by a trifle.

Post. You are mistaken: the one may be sold, or given; if there were wealth enough for the purchase, or merit for the gift: the other is not a thing for sale, and only the gift of the gods.

Iach. Which the gods have given you?

Post. Which, by their graces, I I will keep.

Iach. You may wear her in title yours: but, you know, strange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. Your ring may be stolen too so, of your brace of unprizeable estimations, the one is but frail, and the other casual; a cunning thief, or a that-way accomplished courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and last.

Post. Your Italy contains none so accomplished a courtier, to convince the honour of my mistress; if,

in the holding or loss of that, you term her frail. Í do nothing doubt, you have store of thieves; notwithstanding, I fear not my ring.

Phi. Let us leave here, gentlemen.

Post. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy signior, I thank him, makes no stranger of me; we are familiar at first.

lach. With five times so much conversation, I should get ground of your fair mistress: make her go back, even to the yielding; had I admittance, and opportunity to friend.

Post. No, no.

Iach. I dare, thereon, pawn the moiety of my estate to your ring; which, in my opinion, o'ervalues it something: But I make my wager rather against your confidence, than her reputation: and, to bar your offence herein too, I durst attempt it against

any lady in the world.

Post. You are a great deal abused in too bold a persuasion; and I doubt not you sustain what you're worthy of, by your attempt.

Iach. What's that?

Post. A repulse: Though your attempt, as you call

it, deserve more; a punishment too.

Phi. Gentlemen, enough of this: it came in too suddenly; let it die as it was born, and I pray you, be better acquainted.

Iach. 'Would I had put my estate, and my neighbour's, on the approbation of what I have spoke. Post. What lady lady would you choose to assail?

Iach. Yours; whom in constancy, you think, stands so safe. I will lay you ten thousand ducats to your ring, that, commend me to the court where your lady is, with no more advantage than the opportunity of a second conference, and I will bring from thence that honour of hers, which you imagine so reserved.

Post. I will wage against your gold, gold to it: my ring I hold dear as my finger; 'tis part of it.

Iach. You are a friend, and therein the wiser. If you buy ladies' flesh at a million a dram, you cannot preserve it from tainting: But, I see, you have some religion in you, that you fear.

Post. This is but a custom in your tongue; you bear a graver purpose, I hope.

Iach. I am the master of my speeches; and would undergo what's spoken, I swear.

Post. Will you?-I shall but lend my diamond till your return: Let there be covenants drawn between us: My mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness of your unworthy thinking: I dare you to this match: here's my ring.

Phi. I will have it no lay.

Iach. By the gods it is one: -If I bring you no sufficient testimony that I have enjoyed the dearest bodily part of of you your mistress, my ten thousand ducats are yours; so is your diamond too. If I come off, and leave her in such honour as you have trust in, she your jewel, this your jewel, and my gold are yours:-provided, I have your commendation, for my more free entertainment.

Post. I embrace these conditions; let us have articles betwixt us:-only, thus far you shall answer. If you make your voyage upon her, and give me directly to understand you have prevailed, I am no further your enemy, she is not worth our debate: if she remain unseduced (you not making it appear otherwise), for your ill opinion, and the assault you have made to her chastity, you shall answer me with your sword.

Iach. Your hand; a covenant: We will have these things set down by lawful counsel, and straight away for Britain; lest the bargain should catch cold, and starve: I will fetch my gold, and have our two wagers recorded.

Post. Agreed. (Exeunt Posthumus and Iachimo. French. Will this hold, think you? Phi. Signior lachimo will not from it. Pray, let us follow 'em.

SCENE VI.

[Exeunt.

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Thou ask'st me such a question: Have I not been

Thy pupil long? Hast thou not learn'd me how
To make perfumes? distil? preserve? yea, so,
That our great king himself doth woo me oft
For my confections? Having thus far proceeded
(Unless thou think'st me devilish), is't not meet
That I did amplify my judgment in

Other conclusions; I will try the forces
Of these thy compounds on such creatures as
We count not worth the hanging (but none human),
To try the vigour of them, and apply
Allayments to their act; and by them gather

Their several virtues, and effects.

Cor.

Your highness

Shall from this practice but make hard your heart:

Besides, the seeing these effects will be
Both noisome and infectious.
Queen.

O, content thee,

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Hark thee, a word.

[To Pisanio.

Cor. [Aside] I do not like her. She doth think, she has Strange lingering poisons: I do know her spirit, And will not trust one of her malice with

A drug of such damn'd nature: Those, she has,

Will stopify and dull the sense awhile:
Which first, perchance, she'll prove on cats, and dogs;
Then afterward up higher; but there is

No danger in what show of death it makes,
More than the locking up the spirits a time,
To be more fresh, reviving. She is fool'd
With a most false effect; and I the truer,

So to be false with her.

Queen.

Until I send for thee. Cor.

No further service, doctor,

I humbly take my leave. (Exit. Qucen. Weeps she still, say'st thou? Dost thou think, in time

She will not quench; and let instructions enter
Where folly now possesses? Do thou work:
When thou shalt bring me word, she loves my son,
I'll tell thee, on the instant, thou art then
As great as is thy master: greater; for
His fortunes all lie speechless, and his name
Is at last gasp: Return he cannot, nor
Continue where he is to shift his being,
Is to exchange one misery with another;
And every day, that comes, comes to decay
A day's work in him: What shalt thou expect,
To be depender on a thing that leans:
Who cannot be new built, nor has no friends,

[The Queen drops a Box: Pisanio takes it up.

So much as but to prop him?-Thou tak'st up
Thou know'st not what; but take it for thy labour
It is a thing I made, which hath the king
Five times redeem redeem'd from death : I do not know
What is more cordial:-Nay, I pr'ythee, take it;
It is an earnest of a further good
That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how

The case stands with her; do't, as from thyself.
Think what a chance thou changest on; but think
Thou hast thy mistress still; to boot, my son,

Who shall take notice of thee I'll move the king
To any shape of thy preferment, such

As thou'lt desire; and then myself, I chiefly,
That set thee on to this desert, am bound

To load thy merit richly. Call my women:

:

Think on my words. [Exit Pisanio.]-A sly and

constant knave:

Not to be shak'd: the agent for his master;
And the remembrancer of her, to hold

The hand fast to her lord. I have given him that,
Which, if he take, shall quite unpeople her
Of liegers for her sweet; and which she, after,
Except she bend her humour, shall be assur'd

Re-enter Pisanio and Ladies.

To taste of too. So, so; -well done, well done:
The violets, cowslips, and the primroses,

Bear to my closet: Fare thee well, Pisanio;
Think on my words. [Exeunt Queen and Ladies.
Pis.

And shall do:

But when to my good lord I prove untrue,

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Imo. Continues well my lord? His health, 'beseech Iach. Well, madam. [you?

Imo. Is he dispos'd to mirth? I hope, he is.
Iach. Exceeding pleasant; none a stranger there

So merry and so gamesome he is call'd
The Briton reveller.
Imo.

When he was here,
He did incline to sadness; and oft times
Not kno
Iach.

knowing why.

1 never saw him sad. There is a Frenchman his companion, one An eminent monsieur, that, it seems, much loves

A Gallian girl at home: he furnaces

The thick sighs from him; whiles the jolly Briton (Yourlord, I mean), laughs from's free lungs, cries, O!

Can my sides hold, to think, that man, who knows

By history, report, or his own proof,

What woman is, yea, what she cannot choose
But must be,-will his free hours languish for
Assured bondage?
Imo.

Will my lord say so?

I'll choke myself: there's all I'll do for you. [Exit. It is a recreation to be by,

SCENE VII. Another Room in the same.

Enter Imogen.

Imo. A father cruel, and a step-dame false;

A foolish suitor to a wedded lady,
That hath her husband banish'd:-0, that husband!
My supreme crown of grief! and those repeated
Vexations of it! Had I been thief-stolen,
As my two brothers, happy! but most miserable
Is the desire that's glorious: Blessed be those,
How mean soe'er, that have their honest wills,
Which seasons comfort. Who may this be? Fie!
Enter Pisanio and Iachimo.

Pis. Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome;

Comes from my lord with letters.

Iach.

Change you, madam.

The worthy Leonatus is in safety,

And greets your highness dearly. (Presents a Letter.
Imo.
Thanks, good sir:

You are kindly welcome.

Iach. Ay, madam; with his eyes in flood with [laughter, And hear him mock the Frenchman: But, heavens Some men are much to blame. [know, Imo.

Not he, I hope. Iach. Not he: But yet heaven's bounty towards him might

Be us'd more thankfully. In himself, 'tis much; In you, which I count his, beyond all talents,Whilst I am bound to wonder, I am bound

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