Of the king's looks) but hath a heart that is not
Glad at the thing they fcoul at.

2 Gent. And why fo?

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 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 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 fair.

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

His measure fully.

2 Gent. What's his name and birth?

I 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 success;
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 swords in hand. For which their father,
(Then old and fond of iffue) took such sorrow
That he quit being; and his gentle lady
Big of this gentleman, our theam, deceas'd,
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

7

1

Could

Could make him the receiver of, which he took
As we do air, faft as 'twas miniftred.

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 young'st; to th' more mature,
A glass that featur'd 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 the esteem'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 she sole 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' swathing cloaths the other, from their nursery
Were ftol❜n; 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 fo convey'd! So flackly guarded, and the search so flow

That could not trace them!--

1 Gent. Howfoe'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 gentleman,

The queen, and princess.

[Exeunt.

SCENE

Enter the Queen, Pofthumus, Imogen, and attendants.

Queen. No, be affur'd you shall not find me, daughter, After the flander of most step-mothers,

Pofthumus,

I'll-ey'd unto you: you're my pris'ner, but
Your goaler fhall deliver you the keys
That lock up your restraint. For you,
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 wisdom may inform you.

Poft. Please your highness,

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.

Imo. Diffembling courtefie! how fine this tyrant.
Can tickle where the wounds! My dearest 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.cause

[Exit.

To be fufpected of more tenderness

Then doth become a man. I will remain

The

The loyall'st 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 send,
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

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,

[Afide.

[Exit.

As long a term as yet we have to live,

The lothness to depart would grow: adieu.
Imo. Nay, ftay 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; take it, heart,

But keep it 'till you woo another wife,

When Imogen is dead.

Poft. How, how? another!

You gentle gods, give me but this I have,

And fear up my embracements from a next

With bonds of death. Remain, remain thou here!

[Putting on the ring.

While sense can keep thee on: and sweetest, fairest,

As I my poor felf did exchange for you

To your

fo infinite lofs; fo in our trifles

I ftill win of you. For my fake wear this,

It is a manacle of love, I'll place it [Putting a bracelet on her arm.

Upon

Upon this faireft pris'ner.
Imo. O the gods!

When shall we see again?

SCENE

III.

Enter Cymbeline, and lords.

Poft. Alack, the king!

Cym. Thou baseft thing, avoid, hence, from my fight:
If after this command thou fraught the court

With thy unworthiness, thou dy'ft. Away!
Thou'rt poison to my blood.

Poft. The gods protect you,

And bless the good remainders of the court!
I'm gone.

Imo. There cannot be a pinch in death
More fharp than this is.

Cym. O disloyal thing,

That should'st repair my youth, thou heap'st

A year's age on me.

Imo. I befeech you, Sir,

Harm not your self with your vexation,

I'm senseless of your wrath; a touch more rare

Subdues all pangs, all fears.

Cym. Paft grace? obedience?

Imo. Paft hope, and in despair; that way past grace.
Cym. Thou might'st have had the fole fon of my queen.
Imo. O bleft that I might not! I chose an eagle,

And did avoid a † puttock.

[Exit.

Cym. Thou took'st a beggar; would'st have made my throne A feat for baseness.

Imo. No, I rather added

A luftre to it.

† a fort of Kite.

Cym.