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ARVIRAGUS, and Cadwal, fuppofed fens to Belarius. IMOGEN, Daughter to Cymbeline by a former Queth.
PHILARIO, an Italian, friend to Pofthumus.
IACHIMO, friend to Philario.

HELEN, Woman to Imogen.

Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, a Tribune, Apparitions, a Soothsayer, Captains, Soldiers, Messengers, and

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Cymbeline's Palace in Britain.

Enter two Gentlemen.

ου

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

2 Gent. And why fo?

I Gent. He that hath mifs'd the princefs, is a thing

x Gent. You do not meet a man, but frowns: Too bad for bad report, and he that hath her,

our bloods

No more obey the heavens, than our courtiers',
Still feem, as does the king's 1.

2 Gent. But what's the matter?

1 Gent. His daughter, and the heir of his king-
dom, whom

He purpos'd to his wife's fole son, (a widow,
That late he married) hath referr'd herself
Unto a poor, but worthy gentleman: She's wedded;
Her husband banifh'd; the imprison'd: all
Is outward forrow; though, I think, the king
Be touch'd at very heart.

2 Gent. None but the king?

Equeen,

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

!

(I mean, that marry'd her,alack, good man !-
And therefore banifh'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 such stuff within,
Endows a man but he.

2 Gent. You speak him far.

1 Gent. I do extend him, fir, within himself2; Crufh him together, rather than unfold His measure duly.

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

1 Dr. Johnfon obferves, that this paffage is fo difficult, that commentators may differ concerning it without animofity or fhame ;-that the lines stand as they were originally written, and that a paraphrase, such as the licentious and abrupt expreffions of our author too frequently require, will make emendation unneceffary. We do not met a man but frowns; our bloods-our countenances, which, in popular speech, are faid to be regulated by the temper of the blood,- -no more obey the laws of heaven,-which direct us to appear what we really are,- than our courtiers; that is, than the bloods of our courtiers; but our bloods, like theirs, fill feem, as doth the king's. Mr Steevens is of opinion, that blood appears to be used for inclination; and Mr. Tyrwhitt propoles to make the paffage clear by a very flight alteration, only leaving out the laft letter; "You do not meet a man but frowns: our bloods no more obey the heavens than our courtiers ftill feem, as does the king. --That is, Sull look as the king does." The meaning is, My praife, however extenjive, is within his merit.

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He ferv'd with glory and admir'd fuccefs;
So gain'd the fur-addition, Leonatus :

And had, befides this gentleman in question,
Two other fons; who, in the wars o' the 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 Pofthumus;
Breeds him, and makes him of his bed-chamber;
Puts to him all the learning that his time
Could make him the receiver of; which he took,
As we do air, faft as 'twas minifter'd; and
In his fpring became a harvest: Liv'd in court,
(Which rare it is to do) most prais'd, most lov'd:
A fample to the youngeft; to the more mature,
A glafs that feated them; and to the graver,
A child that guided dotards: to his mistress,
For whom he now is banifh'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.

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. [Ex

Imo. O diffembling courtesy! How fine this tyre
Can tickle where the wounds!--My dearest hafband,
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 caufe
To be fufpected of more tenderness
Than doth become a man! I will remain
The loyal'ft 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 queer,
And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you fend,
Though ink be made of gall.
Re-enter Queen.

Queen. Be brief, I pray you :

If the king come, I fhall incur I know not
But, pray you, tell me, How much of his displeasure :—Yet, I'll move him

2 Gent. I honour him Even out of your report. Is the 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' the fwathing clothes the other, from their nurfery
Wereftolen; and to this hour, no guefs in knowledge
Which way they went.

2 Gent. How long is this ago?

1 Gent. Some twenty years.

[vey'd

!

2 Gent. That a king's children fhould be fo conSo flackly guarded! And the fearch fo flow, That could not trace them!

Gent. Howfoe'er 'tis ftrange,

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

2 Gent. I do well believe you.

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Poft. Should we be taking leave
As long a term as yet we have to live,
The lothnefs to depart would grow: Adieu!
Imo. Nay, ftay a little :

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.

Poft. How how! another

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

1 Gent. We must forbear: Here comes the With bonds of death !-Remain, remain then here

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[Putting on the ring.
While fenfe can keep it on! And fweetert, faire,
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;
s.It is a manacle of love; I'll place it

SCENE II.
Enter the Queen, Pofthumus, Imogen, and attendant ̧
Queen. No, be affur'd, you shall not find me,
daughter,

After the flander of moft ftep-mothers,
Evil-ey'd unto you: you are my prifoner, but
Your gaoler fhall deliver you the keys
That lock up your restraint. For you, Pofthumus,
So foon 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 fentence, with what patience

Your wifdom may inform you.

Pol. Please your highness,

I will from hence to-day.

Queen. You know the peril :

[Putting a bacelet on ber arm

Upon this fairest prifoner.
Imo. O, the gods
When fhall we fee again?

Enter Cymbeline, and Lords.
Poft. Alack, the king!

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

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1. e. a clafs that formed them: meaning, a model, by the contemplation and inspection of which they formed their manners.

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Imo. There cannot be a pinch in death

More tharp than this.

Cym. O difloyal thing,

That should't repair my youth; thou heapest
A year's age on me!

Imo. I befeech you, fir,

Harm not yourself with your vexation; I

Am fenfelefs of your wrath; a touch more rare! Subdues all pangs, all fears.

Cym. Patt grace? obedience?

ING. Paft hope, and in defpair; that way, paft grace.

Cym. That might'it have had the fole fon of my queen!

Imo. O bleft, that I might not! I chofe an eagle, And did avoid a puttock 2.

Cyn. Thou took it a beggar; would't have made my throne

A feat for bafenefs.

Imo. No; I rather added

A luftre to it.

Cym. O thou vile one!
Imo. Sir,

It is your fault that I have lov'd Pofthumus :
You bred him as my play-fellow; and he is
A man worth any woman; over-buys me
Aimoft the fum he pays.

Gy. What?-art thou mad?
[I were
İmo. Almost, fir :--Heaven restore me!--'Would
A neat-herd's daughter! and my Leonatus
Our neighbour thepherd's fon!

·Re-enter Queen.

Cym. Thou foolish thing!

They were again together: you have done

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Ct. If my thirt were bloody, then to shift itHave I hurt him?

2 Lord. No, faith; not fo much as his patience. [Afid.

1 Lord. Hurt him? his body's a paffable carcafs, if he be not hurt it is a thorough-fare for steel, if it be not hurt.

2 Lord. His fteel was in debt; it went o' the back-fide of the town

Clot. The villain would not stand me.

2 Lord. No; but he fled forward ftill, toward your face. [Alide.

1 Lord. Stand you! You have land enough of your own: but he added to your having; gave you fome ground.

2 Lord. As many inches as you have oceans: Puppies! [Alide. Clot. I would, they had not come between us. 2 Lord. So would I, 'till you had measur'd how long a fool you were upon the ground. Afide. Clot. And that the fhould love this fellow and

[Exit. refute me!

Here is your fervant.--How now, fir? What news? Pf. My lord your fon drew on my maiter. Duren. Ha!

No harm, I truft, is done?

Pif. There might have been,

But that my mafter rather play'd than fought,
And had no help of anger: they were parted
By gentlemen at hand.

acen. I am very glad on't.

Imo. Your fon's my father's friend; he takes his part.-

To draw upon an exile !-O brave fir!

I would they were in Africk both together;

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2 Lord. If it be a fin to make a true election, he is damn'd, [-Nide. Lord. Sir, as I told you always, her beraty and her brain go not together: She's a good figu 2, but I have feen small reflection of her wit.

2 Lord. She fhines not upon fools, lett the reflection fhould hurt her. [Alide.

Clot. Come, I'll to my chamber: 'Would there had been fome hurt done!

2 Lord. I with not fo; unless it had been the fall of an afs, which is no great hurt.

Cit. You'll go with us?

I Lord. I'll attend your lordship. Clot. Nay, come, let's go together. 2 Lord. Well, my lord.

[Afide.

[Exeunt.

I A touch more rare, may mean a nobler paffion, or a more exquisite feeling, a fuperior fenfation., A kite. 3 Sign here means fair outward thew. Mr. Steevens adds, that to understand the whole force of Shakipeate's idea, it fhould be remember'd, that anciently almost every pa had a motto, or fome attempt at a witticifm, underneath it.

SCENE

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Pif. 'Twas, His queen, his queen!'

Ima. Then wav'd his handkerchief?

Pif. And kifs'd it, madam.

SCENE V.
Rome.

An Apartment in Philario's House. Enter Philario, Iachimo, and a Frenchman. Iach. Believe it, fir: I have feen him in Britain: he was then of á crefcent note; expected to prove fo worthy, as fince he has been allowed the name of: but I could then have look'd cabo without the help of admiration; though the cr logue of his endowments had been tabied by bs fide, and I to perufe him by items.

Phil. You fpeak of him when he was lefs fr

Imo. Senfelefs linen! happier therein than Inish'd, than now he is, with that which makes • And that was all?

Pif. No, madam; for fo long

As he could make me with this eye, or ear,
Diftinguish him from others, he did keep
The deck, with glove, or hat, or handkerchief,
Still waving, as the fits and ftirs of his mind
Could beft exprefs how flow his foul fail'd on,
How fwift his ship.

Imo. Thou fhouldst have made him

As little as a crow, or lefs, ere left

To after-eye him.

Pif. Madam, fo I did.

him both without and within.

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

Iach. This matter of marrying his king's daugh ter (wherein he must be weigh'd rather by her value, than his own) words him, I doubt nut, 2 great deal from the matter 5.

French. And then his banishment.

lach. Ay, and the approbations of thofe, tha weep this lamentable divorce, under her codes", are wonderfully to extend him; be it but to fur

Imo. I would have broke mine eye-strings;tify her judgment, which elfe an eafy battery might

crack'd them, but

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lay flat, for taking a beggar without more quay. But how comes it, he is to fojourn with you?— How creeps acquaintance?

Phil. His father and I were foldiers together to whom I have been often bound for no leis tan

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Paft. Since when I have been debtor to you for courtefies, which I will be ever to pay, and y pay ftill.

French. Sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindaefs; I was glad I did atone7 my countryman and y =; it had been pity, you should have been put toge. ther with fo mortal a purpose, as then each IG upon importance of fo flight and trivial a nature.

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

The meaning is, that the lofs of that paper would prove as fatal to her, as the lofs of a pardon to a condemn'd criminal. 2 Dr. Johnton remarks, that the diminution of space, is the di▼ of which space is the caufe. Trees are killed by a blaft of lightning, that is, by Mating, not bigad lightning. 31. c. next opportunity. 4 Make is here uled in the fenfe in which we fay, T will make or mar you. 51. e. makes the defcription of him very diftant from the truth. by her influence. 7 To atone guilies in this place to reconcile. 8 Tha is, I was then will og ta take for my direction the experience of others, more than such intelligence as I had gathered Eyed

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