As, to feek through the regions of the earth
For one his like, there would be fomething failing
In him that fhould compare. I do not think,
So fair an outward, and fuch stuff within,
Endows a man but he.

2 Gent. You fpeak him far.

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

2 Gent. What's his name, and birth?

I 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 He ferv'd with glory and admir'd fuccefs; Sa 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 fand 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 minister'd; and In his fpring became a harvest: Liv'd in court (Which rare it is to do), moft prais'd, moft lov'd: A fample to the youngest; to the more mature, A glafs that featur'd them; and to the graver, A child that guided dotards: to his mistress, For whom he is now banish'd-her own price

Proclaims

Proclaims how fhe esteem'd him and his virtue;
By her election may be truly read,
What kind of man he is.

2 Gent. I honour him

Even out of your report. But, pray you, tell me,
Is fhe 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 nursery
Were ftolen; and to this hour, no guefs in knowledge
Which way they went.

2 Gent. How long is this ago?

1 Gent. Some twenty years.

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

I 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.

1 Gent. We must forbear: Here comes the gentlemen, The queen, and princess.

SCENE II.

[Exeunt.

Enter the Queen, POSTHUMOS, IMOGEN, and At

tendants.

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

After the flander of moft step-mothers,

Evil-ey'd unto you: you are my prisoner, 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 wisdom may inform you.

Poft. Please your highnefs,

I will from hence to-day.

Queen. You know the peril :

I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying
The pangs of barr'd affections; though the king
Hath charg'd you fhould not fpeak together. [Exit.
Imo. O diffembling courtefy! How fine this tyrant
Can tickle where the wounds!-My dearest husband,
I fomething fear my father's wrath; but nothing
(Always referv'd my holy duty), what

His rage can do 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 mistrefs!

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 hufband 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 queen,
And with mine eyes I'll drink the words
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

you fend,

How

How much of his displeasure :-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.

Poft. Should we be taking leave

As long a term as yet we have to live,
The lothnefs to depart would

Imo. Nay, ftay a little:

grow:

Adieu !

Were you but riding forth to air yourself,

[Afide

[Exit,

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

With bonds of death!-Remain, remain thou here

[Putting on the ring. While fenfe can keep it on! And sweetest, fairest, As I my poor felf did exchange for you, To your fo infinite lofs; fo, in our trifles

I still win of you: For my fake, wear this;
It is a manacle of love; I'll place it

[Putting a bracelet on her arm.

Upon this faireft prisoner.

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

fight!

If, after this command, thou fraught the court

With thy unworthiness, thou dy't: Away!
Thou art poifon to my blood.

Poft. The gods protect you!

And blefs the good remainders of the court!

I am gone.

Imo. There cannot be a pinch in death More fharp than this is.

Cym. O difloyal thing,

That fhould'st repair my youth; thou heapest
A year's age on me!

Imo. I beseech you, fir,

[Exit.

Harm not yourself with your vexation; I
Am fenfelefs of your wrath; a touch more rare
Subdues all pangs, all fears.

Cym. Paft grace? obedience?

Imo. Paft hope, and in defpair; that way, paft grace. Cym. That might'st have had the fole fon of my queen!

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

Gym. Thou took'ft a beggar; would'st have made my throne

A feat for bafeness.

Imo. No; I rather added

A luftre to it.

Cym. O thou vile one!

Imo. Sir,

1

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
Almoft the fum he pays.

Cym. What!-art thou mad?

Imo. Almoft, fir: Heaven restore me !-'Would I

A neat-herd's daughter! and my Leonatus

[were

Our