The Tragedy of Cymbeline

ACT FIRST

Scene One

[Britain. The Garden of 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.

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 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. Gent..

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?

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1. Gent. He that hath miss'd the princess is a

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. 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?

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24

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1. Gent. I cannot delve him to the root: his father 28
Was called 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

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

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To his protection; calls him Posthumus Leonatus;
Breeds him and makes him of his bedchamber;
Puts to him all the learnings that his time
Could make him the receiver of; which he took,

22 him

compare: him chosen for comparison

24 speak him far: go far in sounding his praise
25 extend him within himself; cf. n.
29 join his honour: honorably join
33 sur-addition: surname

40 |

44

30, 31 Cf. n. 43 time: years

As we do air, fast as 'twas 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. Gent.

Even out of your report.

I honour him,

But pray you, tell me,

Is she sole child to the king?

His only child.

1. Gent. He had two sons,-if this be worth your hearing, Mark it,—the eldest of them at three years old,

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I' the swathing clothes the other, from their nursery Were stol'n; and to this hour no guess in knowledge 60 Which way they went.

2. Gent.

How long is this ago?

1. Gent. Some twenty years.

2. Gent. That a king's children should be so convey'd,

So slackly guarded, and the search so slow,

That could not trace them!

1. Gent.

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Howsoe'er 'tis strange,

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

Yet is it true, sir.

2. Gent.

I do well believe you.

1. Gent. We must forbear. Here comes the gentle

man,

49 feated: formed

51 her own price: what she is willing to pay in suffering

53 election: choice

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59 swathing: swaddling

68 forbear: withdraw

The queen, and princess.

Exeunt.

Enter the Queen, Posthumus, and Imogen.

Queen. No, be assur'd you shall not find me, daughter,

After the slander of most step-mothers,

Evil-ey'd unto you; you're my prisoner, but
Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys

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That lock up your restraint. For you, Posthumus,
So soon 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 sentence with what patience
Your wisdom may inform you.

Post.

I will from hence to-day.

Queen.

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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.
Imo.

Dissembling courtesy. How fine this tyrant

Exit.

84

Can tickle where she wounds! My dearest husband,
I something fear my father's wrath; but nothing,—
Always reserv'd my holy duty,-what

His rage can do on me. You must be gone;
And I shall here abide the hourly shot
Of angry eyes, not comforted to live,

But that there is this jewel in the world
That I may see again.

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with the ill repute 79 inform: teach 84 fine: delicately

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O lady, weep no more, lest I give cause
To be suspected of more tenderness
Than doth become a man. I will remain
The loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth.
My residence in Rome at one Philario's,

Who to my father was a friend, to me

Known but by letter; thither write, my queen,

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And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you send, 100
Though ink be made of gall.

Queen.

Enter Queen.

Be brief, I pray you;

If the king come, I shall incur I know not

How much of his displeasure. [Aside.] Yet I'll move

him

To walk this way. I never do him wrong
But he does buy my injuries, to be friends
Pays dear for my offences.

Post.

104

[Exit.]

Should we be taking leave

As long a term as yet we have to live,
The loathness to depart would grow. Adieu!

Imo. Nay, stay 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.

Post.

How! how! another?

You gentle gods, give me but this I have,

And cere up my embracements from a next

With bands of death!-Remain, remain thou here

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