MR. Pope supposed the story of this play to have been borrowed from a novel of Boccase; but he was mistaken, as an imitation of it is found in an old story-book entitled, Westward for Smelts. This imitation differs in as many particulars from the Italian novelist, as from Shakspeare, though they concar in the more considerable parts of the fable. It was published in a quarto pamphlet 1605. This is the only copy of it which I have hitherto seen.

There is a late entry of it in the books of the Stationer's Company, Jan. 1610, where it is said to have been written by Kitt of Kingston. STEEVENS.

Persons Represented.

Cymbeline, king of Britain.

Cloten, son to the queen by a former husband.

Leonatus Posthumus, a gentleman, husband to Imogen. Belarius, a banished lord, disguised under the name of Morgan.

Guiderius,) disguised under the names of Polydore and Arviragus,) Cadwal, supposed sons to Belárius. Philario, friend to Posthumus,)

Jachimo, friend to Philario,

Italians.

A French Gentleman, friend to Philario.

Caius Lucius, General of the Roman forces.
A Roman Captain. Two British Captains.
Pisanio, servant to Posthumus.

Cornelius, a Physician.

Two Gentlemen.

Two Gaolers.

Queen, wife to Cymbeline.

Imogen, daughter 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, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants.

SCENE, sometimes in Britain; sometimes in Italy.

CYM BELINE.

A C T I. SCENE I.

Britain. The Garden behind Cymbeline's Palace.

Enter two Gentlemen.

1. Gent. You do not meet a man, but

frowns: our bloods

No more obey the heavens, than our courtiers; 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.

2. rent. None but the king?

1. Gent. He, that hath lost her, too: so is the

queen,

That most desir'd the match: But not a courtier,
Although they wear their faces to the bent
Of the king's looks, hath a heart that is not
Glad at the thing they scowl at.

2. Gent. And why so?

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 banish'd,) is a creature such
As, to seek through the regions of the earth
For one his like, there would be something fail-

ing

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, sir, within himself; Crush 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 Cassibelan;
But had his titles by Tenantius, whom
He serv'd with glory and admir'd sussefs;
So gain'd the sur-addition, Leonatus ;
And had, besides this gentleman in question,
Two other sons; who, in the wars o'the time,