He serv'd with glory and admir'd success: And had, besides this gentleman in question, (Then old and fond of issue,) took such sorrow, 5 6 sion of Britain, he agreed to pay an annual tribute to Rome. After his death, Tenantius, Lud's younger son (his elder brother Androgeus having fled to Rome) was established on the throne, of which they had been unjustly deprived by their uncle. ` According to some authorities, Tenantius quietly paid the tribute stipulated by Cassibelan; according to others, he refused to pay it, and warred with the Romans. Shakspeare supposes the latter to be the truth. Liv'd in court, (Which rare it is to do,) most prais'd, most lov'd:] This encomium is high and artful. To be at once in any great degree loved and praised, is truly rare. JOHNSON. A glass that feated them;] A glass that formed them; a model by the contemplation and inspection of which they formed their manners. Feat Minsheu interprets, fine, neat, brave. to his mistress,] means-as to his mistress. What kind of man he is. 2 Gent. I honour him But, 'pray you, tell me, Even out of your report. 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 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, 2 Gent. I do well believe you. 1 Gent. We must forbear: Here comes the queen, and princess. SCENE II. The same. [Exeunt. 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 That lock up your restraint. For you, Posthúmus, I will be known your advocate: marry, yet Post. I will from hence to-day. Queen. Please your highness, You know the peril : I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying Imo. [Exit Queen. Ο Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant Post. My queen! my mistress! The loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth. Re-enter Queen. Queen. Be brief, I pray you: ' (Always reserv'd my holy duty,)] I say I do not fear my father, so far as I may say it without breach of duty. If the king come, I shall incur I know not [Aside. [Exit. Should we be taking leave To walk this way: I never do him wrong, Post. As long a term as yet we have to live, The loathness to depart would grow: Adieu! Were you but riding forth to air yourself, Such parting were too petty. Look here, love; 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 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 Upon this fairest prisoner. Imo. [Putting a Bracelet on her Arm. O, the gods! When shall we see again? 8 And sear up-] i. e. close up. 9 While sense can keep it on!] i. e. while sense can maintain its operations; while sense continues to have its usual power. To keep on signifies to continue in a state of action. 1 a manacle-] A manacle properly means what we now call a hand-cuff. Post. Enter CYMBELINE and Lords. Alack, the king! Cym. Thou basest thing, avoid! hence, from my sight! If, after this command, thou fraught the court Post. I am gone. Imo. There cannot be a pinch in death I beseech you, sir, [Exit. Harm not yourself with your vexation; I Cym. Past grace? obedience? Imo. Past hope, and in despair; that way, past grace. Cym. That might'st have had the sole son of my queen! Imo. O bless'd, that I might not! I chose an eagle, And did avoid a puttock.3 Cym. Thou took'st a beggar; would'st have made my throne A seat for baseness. Imo. A lustre to it. a touch more rare No; I rather added Subdues all pangs, all fears.] i. e. a more exquisite feeling; a superior sensation. a puttock.] A puttock is a mean degenerate species of hawk, too worthless to deserve training. |