I Gent. 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 feek through the regions of the earth
For one his like, there would be fomething 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, fir, 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 Caffibelan;
But had his titles by Tenantius, whom
He ferv'd with glory and admir'd fuccefs;
So gain'd the fur-addition, Leonatus :
And had, befides this gentleman in question,

Two other fons; who, in the wars o' the time,

Died with their fwords in hand; for which, their father
(Then old and fond 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 learnings 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,) most prais'd, most lov'd:

A fample

A fample 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 the esteem'd him and his virtue;
By her election may be truly read,

What kind of man he is.

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

His only child.

I Gent.
He had two fons, (if this be worth your hearing,
Mark it,) the eldest of them at three years old,

I' the fwathing clothes the other, from their nurfery
Were ftolen; and to this hour, no guess 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 should be fo convey'd ! So flackly guarded! And the search so slow,

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 gentleman, The queen, and princess.

[Exeunt,

SCENE II.

The fame.

Enter the Queen, POSTHUMUS, and IMOGEN.

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 reftraint. 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.

Polt.

I will from hence to-day.

Queen.

Please your highness,

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 should not speak together.

Imo.

Diffembling courtefy! How fine this tyrant

[Exit Queen.

Can tickle where the wounds!-My deareft husband,
I fomething fear my father's wrath; but nothing,
(Always referv'd my holy duty,) what

His

rage can do on 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.

Poft.
My queen! my mistress!
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 husband 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 you fend,
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

How much of his displeasure :-Yet I'll move him

[Afide.

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

[Exit.

Poft.

Should we be taking leave

As long a term as yet we have to live,

The loathness to depart would grow: Adieu!

Imo. Nay, ftay 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.

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

While fenfe can keep it on! And fweeteft, faireft,
As I my poor felf did exchange for you,
To your fo infinite lofs; fo, in our trifles
I ftill win of you: For my fake, wear this;
It is a manacle of love; I'll place it

Upon this fairest prisoner. [Putting a bracelet on her arm.
Imo.
O, the gods!

When shall we see again?

Poft.

Enter CYMBELINE, and Lords.

Alack, the king!

Cym. Thou baseft thing, avoid! hence, from my fight! If, after this command, thou fraught the court

With thy unworthinefs, thou diest: Away!
Thou art poifon to my blood.

Harm not yourself with your vexation; I

Am fenfeless of your wrath; a touch more rare
Subdues all pangs, all fears.

Cym.

Paft grace? obedience?

Imo. Paft hope, and in despair; that way, paft grace. Cym. That might'st have had the fole fon of my queen! Imo. O blefs'd, that I might not! I chose an eagle, And did avoid a puttock.

Cym.