CYMBELINE.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

CYMBELINE, King of Britain.

CLOTEN, Son to the Queen by a former husband. POSTHUMUS LEONATUS, a gentleman, husband to Imogen.

BELARIUS, a banished lord, disguised under the name of Morgan.

GUIDERIUS,

sons to Cymbeline, disguised under the names of Polydore and Cadwal, supposed

ARVIRAGUS, sons to Morgan.

PHILARIO, friend to Posthumus,

IACHIMO, friend to Philario,

Italians.

CAIUS LUCIUS, general of the Roman forces.

PISANIO, servant to Posthumus.

CORNELIUS, a physician.

A Roman Captain.

Two British Captains.

A Frenchman, friend to Philario.

Two Lords of Cymbeline's court.

Two Gentlemen of the same.

Two Gaolers.

Queen, wife to Cymbeline.

IMOGEN, daughter to Cymbeline by a former queen.
HELEN, a lady attending on Imogen.

Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators. Tribunes, a Soothsayer, a Dutchman, a Spaniard, Musicians, Officers, Captains, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants.

Apparitions.

SCENE: Britain; Rome.

I Gentleman. You do not meet a man but frowns; our

bloods

No more obey the heavens than our courtiers

Still seem as does the king.

2 Gentleman.

But what 's the matter?

I Gentleman. His daughter, and the heir of 's 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 Gentleman.

None but the king?

I Gentleman. 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 Gentleman.

And why so?

I Gentleman. He that hath miss'd the princess is a thing Too bad for bad report; and he that hath her—

I mean, that married 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 failing
In him that should compare. I do not think
So fair an outward and such stuff within
Endows a man but he.

2 Gentleman.

You speak him far.

I Gentleman. I do extend him, sir, within himself, Crush him together rather than unfold

His measure duly.

2 Gentleman.

What's his name and birth?

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I Gentleman. 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 success,
So gain'd the sur-addition Leonatus;

And had, besides this gentleman in question,
Two other sons, who in the wars o' the time

Died with their swords in hand; for which their father,
Then old and fond of issue, took such sorrow

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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 Posthumus Leonatus,
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, fast as 't was minister'd,
And in 's spring became a harvest, liv'd in court-
Which rare it is to do—most prais'd, most lov'd,
A sample to the youngest, to the more mature
A glass that feated them, and to the graver
A child that guided dotards; to his mistress,
For whom he now is banish'd, her own price
Proclaims how she esteem'd him and his virtue;
By her election may be truly read

What kind of man he is.

2 Gentleman.

I honour him

Even out of your report. But, pray you, tell me,
Is she sole child to the king?

I Gentleman.

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 stol'n, and to this hour no guess in knowledge
Which way they went.

2 Gentleman.

How long is this ago?

I Gentleman. Some twenty years.

40

50

60

2 Gentleman. That a king's children should be so con

vey'd,

So slackly guarded, and the search so slow,

That could not trace them!

I Gentleman.

Howsoe'er 't is strange,

Or that the negligence may well be laugh'd at,

Yet is it true, sir.