REMARKS ON THE PLOT, THE FABLE, AND CONSTRUCTION OF CYMBELINE. MR. POPE supposed the story of this play to have been taken from a novel of Boccace; but he was mistaken, as an imitation of it is found in an old storybook entitled, Westward for Smelts. This imitation differs in as many particulars from the Italian novelist as from Shakspeare, though they concur in the more considerable parts of the fable. It was published in a quarto pamphlet 1603. This is the only copy of it which I have hitherto seen. STEEVENS. This play has many just sentiments, some natural dialogues, and some pleasing scenes, but they are obtained at the expence of much incongruity. To remark the folly of the fiction, the absurdity of the 170 conduct, the confusion of the names, and manners of different times, and the impossibility of the events in any system of life, were to waste criticism upon unresisting imbecility, upon faults too evident for detection, and too gross for aggravation. JOHNSON. 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 the name of Morgan. GUIDERIUS, disguised under the names of Polydore } Italians. 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 Gentlemen. Two Gaolers. QUEEN, wife to Cymbeline. IMOGEN, daughter to Cymbeline by a former queen. 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. 1 CYMBELINE. ACT I. SCENE 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 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; Is outward sorrow; though, I think, the king 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 |