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CYMBELINE.

A

TRAGEDY.

VOL. VI.

H

CYMBELIN E, King of Britain.

Cloten, Son to the Queen by a former husband.

Leonatus Pofthumus, a gentleman in love with the Princess, and privately married to her.

Guiderius, Difguis'd under the names of Paladour and CadArviragus, wal, fuppofed fons to Bellarius.

Bellarius, a banish'd Lord, difguis'd under the name of
Morgan.

Philario, an Italian, Friend to Pofthumus.
Iachimo, Friend to Philario.

Caius Lucius, Ambassador from Rome:
Pifanio, Servant to Pofthumus.

A French Gentleman, Friend to Philario.
Cornelius, a Doctor, Servant to the Queen.
Two Gentlemen.

Queen, Wife to Cymbeline.

Imogen, Daughter to Cymbeline by a former Queen.
Helen, Woman to Imogen.

Lords, Ladies, a Soothsayer, Captains, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants.

SCENE, for fome part of the first and fecond Acts, lyes in Rome; for the reft of the Play in Britain.

Story partly taken from Boccace's Decameron, day 2. nov. 9. little befides the names being biftorical.

ΡΟ ΡΣ.

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OU do not meet a man but frowns. Our ''looks,`

2

No more obey the 'heart ev'n than our courtiers,

But feem as 'do 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 banish'd, fhe imprifon'd.
All's outward forrow, though I think the King
Be touch'd at very heart.

2 Gent. None but the King?

1 Gent. He that hath loft her too: fo is the Queen, That moft defir'd the match. But not a courtier, (Although they wear their faces to the bent

Of the King's looks) but hath a heart that is
Glad at the thing they fcoul at.

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2 Gent.

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2 Gent. And why fo?

1 Gent. He that hath mifs'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 baih'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 should compare. I do not think,
So fair an outward, and fuch stuff within
Endows a man but him.

2 Gent. You speak him 'far.

1 Gent. Is 'don't extend him, Sir; within himself Crufh him together rather, than unfold

His measure 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 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 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 theme, deceas'd,
As he was born. The King, he takes the babe
To his protection, calls him Poftbumus,
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: "'he liv'd in Court
(Which rare it is to do,) moft prais'd, moft lov'd,
A fample to the young'ft; to the more mature,

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A glafs

A glafs that featur'd them; and to the graver,
A child that guided dotards. 7'For his mistress,
(For whom he now is banish'd) her own price
Proclaims how fhe 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 fhe fole child to the King? 1 Gent. His only child.

He had two fons, (if this be worth your hearing,
Mark it) the eldeft of them at three years old,
I'th' fwathing cloaths the other, from their nursery
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 search so flow

That could not trace them!

1 Gent. Howfoe'er 'tis ftrange,

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

2 Gent. I do well believe you.

1 Gent. We muft forbear. Here comes the gentleman, The Queen, and Princess.

[Exeunt.

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Enter the Queen, Pofthumus, Imogen, and Attendants. Queen. No, be affur'd you fhall not find me, daughter, After the flander of most step-mothers,

Ill-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

H 3

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