** 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 Sinelts. This imi. tation differs in as many particulars from the Italian novelist, as from Shakspeare, though they coñoor in the more considerable parts of the fable. It was published in a quarto paniphlet 1603. This is the only copy of it which I have hitherto seen.

There is a late entry of it in the books of the Sta. tioner's Company, Jan. 1619, where it is said to have been written by Kitt of Kingston. STEEVENS.

1

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 thë name of

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

Italians.
Iachimo, friend to Philario,)
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 Gentlenien.
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.

C Y M B E L I N E.

A C Τ Ι.

SCE N E 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 king.

doin, whom He purpos'd to his wife's sole son, (a widow, That late he married,) hath referi'd herself

ded;

marry'd her,

Unto a poor, but worthy, gentleman; She's wed-
Her husband banish'd; she imprison'd: all
Is Ollward sorrow; though, I think, the king
Be touch'd at very heart.

2. (ent. 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, Ali bough they wear their faces to the bent Of the king's looks, bath a heart that is not Glad at the thing they scowl at.

2. Gent. And why so ? 1. Gent. He that hath miss'd the priņcess, is a

thing Too bad for bad report: and be that hath her, (I mean, that

alack, good man!
And therefore banisb’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? Genț. I cannot delve bim 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 sussess; So gaind the sur-addition, Leonatus ; And bad, besides this gentleman in question, Two other sons; who, in the wars o'the time,