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What feast is toward in thine eternal cell,
feat thou so many princes, at a shot,
So bloodily hast struck?

1 Amb. The sight is dismal;

And our affairs from England come too late:

The ears are senseless, that should give us hearing,
To tell him, his commandment is fulfill'd,
That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead:
Where should we have our thanks?

Hor. Not from his mouth,

Had it the ability of life to thank you;

He never gave commandment for their death.
But since, so jump upon this bloody question,
You from the Polack wars, and you from Eng-
land,

Are here arrived; give order, that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the view;

And let me speak, to the yet unknowing world, How these things come about: so shall you hear I of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts;

Or accidental judgments, casual slaughters; deaths put on by cunning, and forced cause; And, in this upshot, purposes mistook

i.e The king's. By chance.

Polish.

Fall'n on the inventors' heads: all this can I
Truly deliver.

Fort. Let us haste to hear it,

And call the noblest to the audience.

For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune;
I have some rights of memory in this kingdom,
Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me.
Hor. Of that I shall have also cause to speak,
And from his mouth whose voice will draw on

more:

But let this same be presently perform'd

Even while men's minds are wild; lest more mischance,

On plots and errors, happen.

Fort Let four captains

Bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage;
For he was likely, had he been put on,

To have proved most royally: and, for his passage,
The soldier's music, and the rites of war,
Speak loudly for him.-

Take up the bodies:-Such a sight as this
Becomes the field, but here shews much amies.
Go, bid the soldiers shoot.
[A dead March.
[Exeunt, bearing off the dead Bodies; after which
a Peal of Ordnance is shot off.

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CYMBELINE, King of Britain.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

CLOTEN, Son to the Queen by a former Husband. LEONATUS POSтHUMUS, 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 Cad-
ARVIRAGUS, wall, supposed Sons to Belarius.
PHILARIO, Friend to Posthumus, Italians.
JACHIMO, Friend to Philario,

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
HELEN, Woman to Imogen.

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.

ACT I.

(Then old and fond of issue), took such sorrow, That he quit being; and his gentle lady,

SCENE 1.-Britain.-The Garden behind Cymbe- Big of this gentleman, our theme, deceased

line'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 purposed 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

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2 Gent. And why so?

1 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 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 t.

1 Gent. I do extend him, Sir, within himself; Crush him together, rather than unfold

His measure duly 1.

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 Cassibelan;
But had his titles by Tenantius, whom
He served with glory and admired 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

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As he was born. The king, he takes the babe
To his protection; calls him Posthumus;
Breeds him, and makes him of his bed-chamber:
Puts him to all the learnings that his time
Could make him the receiver of; which he took,
As we do air, fast as 'twas minister'd; and
In his spring became a harvest: lived in court,
(Which rare it is to do), most praised, most loved :
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.

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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 stolen: 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 so convey'd!

So slackly guarded! and the search so slow,
That could not trace them!

1 Gent. 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 queen, and princess. [Exeunt.

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Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant Can tickle where she wounds!-My dearest husband,

I something fear my father's wrath; but nothing (Always reserved 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,
Bat that there is this jewel in the world,
That I may see again.

Pest. My queen! my mistress!

0, 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,
And with mine eyes I'll drink the words
Though ink be made of gall.

Re-enter QUEEN.

Queen. Be brief, I pray you:

you send,

If the king come, I shall incur I know not
How much of his displeasure :-Yet l'll move him

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

Past. Should we be taking leave
As long a term as yet we have to live,
The lothness to depart would grow: Adieu !
Lao. Nay, stay a little:

[Aside.

[Exit.

Were you but riding forth to air yourself,
Sach 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 ?-
Yea gentle gods, give me but this I have,
And sear up my embracements from a next
With bonds of death!-Remain thon here

[Putting on the Ring.
While sense t can keep it on! And sweetest, fairest,
As I my poor self did exchange for you,
To your so infinite loss; so, in our trifles
I still win of you: for my sake, 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?

Enter CYMBELINE and LORDS.

Post. Alack, the king!

Cym. Thou basest thing, avoid! Hence, from my sight!

If, after this command, thou franghit the court
With thy unworthiness, thou diest: Away!
Thou art poison to my blood.

And bless the good remainders of the court!

Post. The gods protect you!

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[Exit.

Am senseless of your wrath; a touch more rare ý Sabdues all pangs, all fears.

Cym. Past grace? obedience ?

Imo. Past hope, and in despair; that way, past

grace.

Cym. That might'st have had the sole | son of my queen!

Imo.

bless'd, that I might not! I chose an eagle, And did avoid a puttock .

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Cym. Thou took'st a beggar; wouldst have made iny throne

A seat for baseness.

Imo. No; I rather added

A lustre to it.

Cym. O thou vile one!
Imo. Sir,

It is your fanlt that I have loved Posthumus:
You bred him as my playfellow; and he is
A man, worth any woman; overbuys me
Almost the sum le pays.

Cym. What-Art thou nad!

Imo. Almost, Sir: Heaven restore me!-'Would
I were

A neat-herd's daughter! and my Leonatus
Our neighbour shepherd's son !

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Your faithful servant: I dare lay mine honour
He will remain so.

Pis. I humbly thank your highness.
Queen. Pray, walk a while.

Imo. About some half hour bence,

I pray you, speak with me: you shall, at least, Go see my lord aboard: for this time, leave me. [Exeunt.

SCENE III-A public Place.

Enter CLOTEN, and two Lords.

1 Lord. Sir, I would advise you to shift a shirt; the violence of action hath made you reek as a sacrifice: where air comes out, air comes in: there's none abroad so wholesome as that you vent.

Clo. If my shirt were bloody, then to shift itHave I hurt him?

2 Lord. No, faith; not so much as his patience. [Aside.

1 Lord. Hurt him? his body's a passable carcase, if he be not hurt: it is a thoroughfare for steel, if it be not hurt.

2 Lord. His steel was in debt; it went o' the backside the town. [Aside.

Clo. The villain would not stand me.

2 Lord, No; but he fled forward still, toward your face. [Aside. 1 Lord. Stand you! You have land enough of your own but he added to your having: gave you some ground,

2 Lord. As many inches as you have oceans: Puppies! [Aside. Clo. I would, they had not come between us. 2 Lord. So would 1, till you had measured how [Aside. long a fool you were upon the ground.

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Clo. And that she should love this fellow, and refuse me!

is damn'd.

2 Lord. If it be a sin to make a true election, she [Aside. 1 Lord. Sir, as I told you always, her beauty and her brain go not together: she's a good sign, but I have seen small reflection of her wit t.

2 Lord. She shines not upon fools, lest the reflection should hurt her. [Aside. Clo. Come, I'll to my chamber: 'would there had been some hurt done!

2 Lord. I wish not so; unless it had been the fall of an ass, which is no great hurt. [Aside.

Clo. You'll go with us?

1 Lord. I'll attend your lordship. Clo. Nay, come, let's go together. 2 Lord. Well, my lord.

[Exeunt.

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And question'dst every sail: if he should write,
And I not have it, 'twere a paper lost

As offer'd mercy is. What was the last
That he spake to thee?

Pis. Twas, His queen, his queen!
Imo. Then waved his handkerchief?

Pis. And kiss'd it, madam.

Imo. Senseless linen! Happier therein than I!And that was all?

Pis. No, madam; for so long

As he could make me with this eye or ear
Distinguish him from others, he did keep

The deck, with glove, or hat, or handkerchief,
Still waving, as the fits and stirs of his mind
Could best express how slow his soul sail'd on,
How swift his ship.

Imo. Thou shouldst have made him
As little as a crow, or less, ere left

To after-eye him.

Pis. Madam, so I did.

L

crack'd them, but

he was then of a crescent note; expected to prove so worthy, as since he hath been allow'd the name of: but I could then have look'd on him without the help of admiration; though the catalogue of his endowments had been tabled by his side, and I to peruse him by items.

Phi. You speak of him when he was less furnish'd +, than now he is, with that which makes him both without and within.

French. I have seen him in France: we had very many there, could behold the sun with as firm eyes as he.

Iach. This matter of marrying his king's daughter (wherein he must be weigh'd rather by her value, than his own), words him, I doubt not, a great deal from the matter.

French. And then his banishment:

Iach. Ay, and the approbation of those, that weep this lamentable divorce, under her colours, are wonderfully to extend him; be it but to fortify her judgment, which else an easy battery quality. But how comes it, he is to sojourn with might lay flat, for taking a beggar without more you? How creeps acquaintance?

Phi. His father and I were soldiers together; to whom I have been often bound for no less than my life :

Enter POSTHUMUS.

Here comes the Briton: let him be so entertain'd amongst you, as suits, with gentlemen of your knowing, to a stranger of his quality.-I beseech you all, be better known to this gentleman; whom I commend to you, as a noble friend of mine: how worthy he is, I will leave to appear hereafter, rather than story him in his own hearing.

French Sir, we have known together in Orleans. Post. Since when I have been debtor to you for courtesies, which I will be ever to pay, and yet pay still.

French. Sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindness: I was glad I did atone my countryman and you; it had been pity, you should have been pot together with so mortal a purpose, as then each bore, upon

Imo. I would have broke mine eye strings; importance of so slight and trivial a nature.

To look upon him; till the diminution

Of

space had pointed him sharp as my needle:

Nay, follow'd him, till he had melted from

The smallness of a gnat to air; and then

Post By your pardon, Sir, I was then a young traveller; rather shunn'd to go even with what I heard, than in my every action to be guided by others' experience: but, upon my mended judg ment (if I offend not to say it is mended), my quar.

Have turn'd mine eye, and wept.-But, good Pi- rel was not altogether slight.

sanio,

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French. 'Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrement of swords; and by such two, that would, by all likelihood, have confounded one the other, or have fallen both.

Iach. Can we, with manners, ask what was the difference?

French. Safely, I think: 'twas a contention in public, which may, without contradiction, suffer the report. It was much like an argument that fell out last night, where each of us fell in praise of our country mistresses: this gentleman at that time Vouching (and upon warrant of bloody affirmation), his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, constant-qualified, and less attemptible, than any the rarest of our ladies in France.

man's opinion, by this, worn out.
Iach. That lady is not now living; or this gentle-

Post. She holds her virtue still, and I my mind.
Iach. You must not so far prefer her 'fore ours of
Italy.

Post. Being so far provoked as I was in France, I would abate her nothing; though I profess my. self her adorer, not her friend ++.

lach. As fair, and as good (a kind of hand-inhand comparison), had been something too fair, and too good, for any lady in Britany. If she went before others I have seen, as that diamond of yours out-lustres many I have beheld, I could not but believe she excell'd many but I have not seen the most precious diamond that is, nor you the lady.

Post. I praised her, as I rated her; so do I my

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Post. More than the world enjoys.

lach. Either your unparagon'd mistress is dead, or she's outprized by a trifle.

Post. You are mistaken: the one may be sold, or given; if there were wealth enough for the purchase, or merit for the gift: the other is not a ing for sale, and only the gift of the gods. lech. Which the gods have given you? Pest. Which, by their graces, I will keep. lach. You may wear her in title yours; but, you know, strange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. Your ring may be stolen too: so, of your brace of prizeable estimations, the one is but frail, and the other casual; a cunning thief, or a that-wayaccomplish'd courtier, would hazard the winning beth of first and last.

Post. Your Italy contains none so accomplish'd a courtier, to convince the honour of my mis tress; if, in the holding or loss of that, you term her frail. I do nothing doubt, you have store of thieves; notwithstanding, I fear not my ring. Phi. Let us leave here, gentlemen.

Post. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy signior, I thank him, makes no stranger of me; we are familiar at first.

lach. With five times so much conversation, I should get ground of your fair mistress: make her back, even to the yielding; had I admittance, And opportunity to friend, Post. No, no.

Jach. I dare, thereon, pawn the moiety of my estate to your ring; which, in my opinion, o'ervalues it something: but I make my wager rather against your confidence, than her reputation: and, to bar your offence herein too, I durst attempt it against any lady in the world." Post. You are a great deal abused ✦ in too bold a persuasion, and I doubt not you sustain what you're worthy of, by your attempt.

lach. What's that?

Post. A repulse: though your attempt, as you call it, deserve more; a punishment too. Phi. Gentlemen, enough of this: it came in too suddenly; let it die as it was born, and, I pray you, be better acquainted.

lach. 'Would I had put my estate, and my neigh. bour's, on the approbation of what I have spoke. Post. What lady would you choose to assail? lach. Yours; whom in constancy, you think, stands so safe. I will lay you ten thousand ducats to your ring, that, commend me to the court where your lady is, with no more advantage than the opportunity of a second conference, and I will bring from thence that honour of hers, which you ima

gine so reserved.

Post. I will wage against your gold, gold to it: my ring I hold dear as my finger; 'tis part of it. Jach. You are a friend, and therein the wiser. If you buy ladies' flesh at a million a dram, you cannot preserve it from tainting: but, I see, you Save some religion in you, that you fear.

Post. This is but a custom in your tongue; you bear a graver purpose, I hope.

Tach. I am the master of my speeches; and Would undergo what's spoken, I swear.

till

Post. Will you?-I shall but lend my diamond your return:-Let there be covenants drawn between us: my mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness of your unworthy thinking: I dare you to this match: here's my ring.

Phi. I will have it no lay.

lach. By the gods it is one :-If I bring you no sufficient testimony that I have enjoy'd the dearest bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand dacats are yours; so is your diamond too. If I Come off, and leave her in such honour as you

have trust in, she your jewel, this your jewel, and my gold are yours:-provided, I have your commendation 6, for my more free entertainment. Post. I embrace these conditions; let us have articles betwixt us :-only, thus far you shall an swer. If you make your voyage upon her, and give me directly to understand you have prevailed, I am no further your enemy, she is not worth our debate: if she remain unseduced (you not making it appear otherwise), for your ill opinion, and the assault you have made to her chastity, you shall answer me with your sword. Jach. Your hand; a covenant: we will have Proof.

• Overcome.

+ Deceived. Recommendation.

these things set down by lawful counsel, and straight away for Britain; lest the bargain should catch cold, and starve: I will fetch my gold, and have our two wagers recorded.

Post. Agreed. [Exeunt Posthumus and Iuchimo. French. Will this hold, think you?

Phi. Signior Iachimo will not from it. Pray, let us follow 'em. [Exeunt.

SCENE VI.-Britain.-A Room in Cymbeline's Palace. 1

Enter QUEEN, LADIES, and CORNELIUS. Queen. Whiles yet the dew's on ground, gather those flowers;

Make haste: who has the note of them? 1 Lady I, madam. Queen. Despatch.[Exeunt Ladies. Now, master doctor; have you brought those drugs?

madam:

Cor. Pleaseth your highness, ay: here they are, But I beseech your grace, (without offence; [Presenting a small Box. My conscience bids me ask); wherefore you have Commanded of me these most poisonous compounds, which are the movers of a languishing death; But, though slow, deadly?

Queen. I do wonder, doctor,

Thou ask'st me such a question: have I not been
Thy pupil long? Hast thou not learn'd me how
To make perfumes? distil? preserve? Yea, so,
That our great king himself doth woo me oft
For my contections? Having thus far proceeded
That I did amplify my judgment in
(Unless thou think'st me devilish), is't not meet

Other conclusions ? I will try the forces
We count not worth the hanging (but none hu
Of these thy compounds on such creatures as
man),

Allayments to their act; and by them gather
To try the vigour of them, and apply
Their several virtues, and effects.

Cor. Your highness

Shall from this practice but make hard your heart:
Besides, the seeing these effects will be
Both noisome and infectious.

Queen. O, content thee.

Enter PISANIO.

[Aside.

Here comes a flattering rascal; upon him
Will I first work: he's for his master,
And enemy to my son.-How now, Pisanio?-
Doctor, your service for this time is ended;
Take your own way.

Cor. I do suspect you, madam;
But you shall do no harm.

[Aside [To Pisanio.

Queen. Hark thee, a word.Cor. [Aside.] I do not like her. She doth think, she has

Strange lingering poisons: I do know her spirit,

And will not trust one of her malice with
A drug of such damn'd nature: those, she has,
Will stupify and dull the sense awhile;
Which first, perchance, she'll prove on cats, and
dogs;
Then afterward up higher; but there is
No danger in what show of death it makes,
More than the locking up the spirits a time,
To be more fresh, reviving. She is fool'd
With a most false effect; and I the truer,
So to be false with her.

Queen. No further service, doctor,
Until I send for thee.

Cor. I humbly take my leave.
[Exit.
Queen. Weeps she still, say'st thou? Dost thou
think, in time

She will not quench; and let instructions enter
Where folly now possesses? Do thou work;
When thou shalt bring me word, she loves my son,
I'll tell thee, on the instant, thou art then
As great as is thy master: greater; for
His fortunes all lie speechless, and his name
Is at last gasp: return he cannot, nor
Continue where he is to shift his being t,
Is to exchange one misery with another;
And every day, that comes, comes to decay
A day's work in him: What shalt thou expect,
To be depender on a thing that leans?

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