As all the tuned spheres, and that to friends;
But when he meant to quail and shake the orb,
He was as rattling thunder. For his bounty,
There was no winter in't; an autumn 'twas,
That grew the more by reaping: His delights
Were dolphin-like: they show'd his back above
The element they liv'd in: In his livery
Walk'd crowns and crownets; realms and islands
As plates dropp'd from his pocket. [were]
Dol.
Cleopatra,-
Cleo. Think you, there was, or might be, such
As this I dream'd of?
[a man
Dol.
Gentle madam, no.
Cleo. You lie, up to the hearing of the gods.
But, if there be, or ever were one such,
It's past the size of dreaming: Nature wants stuff
Tovie strange forms with fancy; yet, to imagine
An Antony, were nature's piece 'gainst fancy,
Condemning shadows quite.

Dol.
Hear me, good madam:
Your loss is as yourself, great; and you bear it
As answering to the weight: 'Would, I might
O'ertake pursu'd success, but I do feel, [never
By the rebound of yours, a grief that shoots
My very heart at root.

Cleo. This is my treasurer; let him speak, my
Upon his peril, that I have reserv'd [lord,
To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.
Sel. Madam,

I had rather seal my lips, than, to my peril,
Speak that which is not.

Cleo.
What have I kept back?
Sel. Enough to purchase what you have made

known.

thou shalt

Cas. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra! I approve Your wisdom in the deed. Cleo. See, Cæsar! O, behold How pomp is follow'd! mine will now be yours; And, should we shift estates, yours would be The ingratitude of this Seleucus does [mine. Even make me wild:-O slave, of no more trust Than love that's hir'd!-What, go'st thou back? [eyes, Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine Though they had wings: Slave,soul-less villain, O rarely base! [dog! Cas. Good queen, let ns entreat you. Cleo. O Cæsar, what a wounding shame is this, That thou, vouchsafing here to visit me, Doing the honour of thy lordliness Cleo. I thank you, sir, To one so meek, that mine own servant should Know you, what Cæsar means to do with me? Parcel the sum of my disgraces by Dol. I am loath to tell you what I would you Addition of his envy! Say, good Cæsar, Cleo. Nay, pray you, sir,[knew. That I some lady trifles have reserv'd, Dol. Though he be honourable,-Immoment toys, things of such dignity Cleo. He'll lead me then in triumph? As we greet modern friends withal: and say, Dol. Madam, he will; Some nobler token I have kept apart For Livia, and Octavia, to induce Their mediation; must I be unfolded With one that I have bred? The gods! it smites Beneath the fall I have. 'Pr'ythee, go hence; [To SELEUCUS. Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits Through the ashes of my chance.-Wert thou a Thou would'st have mercy on me. [man, Cæs. Forbear, Seleucus. [Exit SELEUCUS.

I know it.

Within. Make way there,-Cæsar.
Enter CESAR, GALLUS, PROCULEIUS, MECENAS,
SELEUCUS, and Attendants.

Cæs.
Of Egypt?
Dol.

Cas.

Which is the queen
'Tis the emperor, madam.
[CLEOPATRA kneels.
Arise,

You shall not kneel:

I pray you, rise; rise, Egypt.
Cleo,

Sir, the gods
Will have it thus; my master and my lord
I must obey.

Cæs.

Take to you no hard thoughts:
The record of what injuries you did us,
Though written in our flesh, we shall remember
As things but done by chance.

Cleo.
Sole sir o' the world,
I cannot project mine own cause so well
To make it clear; but do confess, I have
Been laden with like frailties, which before
Have often sham'd our sex.
Cæs.

Cleopatra, know,
We will extenuate, rather than enforce;
If you apply yourself to our intents [find
(Which towards you are most gentle), you shall
A benefit in this change; but if you seek
To lay on me a cruelty, by taking
Antony's course, you shall bereave yourself
Of my good purposes, and put your children
To that destruction which I'll guard them from,
If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave.

Cleo. And may, through all the world; 'tis
yours: and we

[me

Cleo. Be it known that we, the greatest, are

misthought

For things that others do; and, when we fall,
We answer others' merits in our name,
Are therefore to be pitied.

Cœs.

Cleopatra,

Not what you have reserv'd, nor what acknow-
ledg'd,

Put we i' the roll of conquest: still be it yours,
Bestow it at your pleasure; and believe,
Cæsar's no merchant, to make prize with you
Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be
cheer'd;
Lqueen;
Make not your thoughts your prisons: no, dear
For we intend so to dispose you, as
Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep,
Our care and pity is so much upon you,
That we remain your friend; and so adieu.
Cleo. My master, and my lord!
Cæs.

Not so; Adieu. [Exeunt CEBAR and his Train. Cleo. He words me, girls, he words me, that I

should not

Be noble to myself; but hark thee, Charmian.
[Whispers CHARMIAN.
Iras. Finish, good lady: the bright day is done,
And we are for the dark.

Cleo,

Your 'scutcheons, and your signs of conquest,
shall
lord.
Hang in what place you please. Here, my good.
Hie thee again •
Cas. You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra. I have spoke already, and it is provided;
Cleo. This is the brief of money, plate, and Go, put it to the haste.

I am possessed of; 'tis exactly valued; [jewels,
Not petty things admitted.-Where's Seleucus?
Set. Here, madam.

Char,

Madam, I will,
Re-enter DOLABELLA.
Dol. Where is the queen?

Char.
Cleo.

Behold, sir. [Exit CHARMIAN. J of honesty: how she died of the biting of it,
Dolabella?
what pain she felt.-Truly, she makes a very
good report o' the worm: But he that will be-
lieve all that they say, shall never be saved by
half that they do. But this is most fallible, the
worm's an odd worm.

Dol. Madam, as thereto sworn by your com-
mand,

Which my love makes religion to obey,
I tell you this: Cæsar through Syria
Intends his journey; and, within three days,
You with your children will he send before:
Make your best use of this: I have perform'd
Your pleasure and my promise.

I shall remain your debtor.
Dal.
I your servant.
Adieu, good queen: I must attend on Cæsar.
Cleo. Farewell, and thanks. [Exit DOL] Now,
Iras, what think'st thou?

Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shall be shown
In Rome, as well as I: mechanick slaves
With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall
Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths,
Rank of gross diet, shall we be enclouded,
And forc'd to drink their vapour.
Iras.
The gods forbid!
Cleo. Nay,'tis most certain, Iras: Saucy lictors
Will catch at us, like strumpets; and scald
rhymers

Ballad us out o' tune: the quick comedians
Extemporally will stage us, and present
Our Alexandrian revels; Antony

Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see
Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness
I' the posture of a whore.

Iras.

O the good gods!

Cleo. Get thee hence; farewell.

Clown. I wish you all joy of the worm.
Cleo. Farewell. [Clown sets down the Basket.
Clown. You must think this, look you, that
the worm will do his kind.

Cleo. Ay, ay: farewell.

Clown. Look you, the worm is not to be trusted, but in the keeping of wise people; for, indeed, there is no goodness in the worm.

Cleo. Take thou no care; it shall be heeded.
Clown. Very good: give it nothing, I pray
you, for it is not worth the feeding.
Cleo. Will it eat me?

Clown. You must not think I am so simple, but I know the devil himself will not eat a woman: I know that a woman is a dish for the

gods, if the devil dress her not. But, truly,
these same whordson devils do the gods great
harm in their women; for in every ten that
they make, the devils mar five.

Cleo. Well, get thee gone; farewell.
Clown. Yes, forsooth; I wish you joy of the
[Exit.

worm.

Re-enter IRAs, with a Robe, Crown, &c.
Cleo, Give me my robe, put on my crown; I
Immortal longings in me: now no more [have
The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip:-
Yare, yare, good Iras; quick.--Methinks, I lear
Antony call; I see him rouse himself
To praise my noble act; I hear him mock
The luck of Caesar, which the gods give men

Cleo. Nay, that is certain. Iras. I'll never see it: for, I am sure, my nails Are stronger than mine eyes. Cleo. Why, that's the To fool their preparation, and to conquer Their most absurd intents.-Now, Charmian?-To excuse their after wrath: Husband, I come:

Enter CHARMIAN.

way

[Exit IRAS. A noise within. Enter one of the Guard.

Now to that name my courage prove my title!
I am fire, and air; my other elements
I give to baser life. So,-have you done?
Come then, and take the last warmth of my
lips.

Farewell, kind Charmian:-Iras, long farewell.
[Kisses them. IRAs falls and dies.
Have I the aspick in my lips? Dost fall?
If thou and nature can so gently part,
The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch,
Which hurts, and is desir'd. Dost thou lie still?
If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world
It is not worth leave-taking.

Guard. Here is a rural fellow, That will not be denied your highness' presence; He brings you figs, Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I Cleo. Let him come in. How poor an instru-The gods themselves do weep! [may say, Cleo. This proves me base: If she first meet the curled Antony, He'll make demand of her; and spend that kiss, Which is my heaven to have. Come, mortal wretch,

ment

[Exit Guard.

May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty.
My resolution's plac'd, and I have nothing
Of woman in me: Now from head to foot
I am marble constant: now the fleeting moon
No planet is of mine.
Re-enter Guard, with a Clown, bringing a Basket.

Guard.

This is the man.

Cleo. Avoid, and leave him. [Exit Guard. Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there, That kills and pains not?

Clown, Truly I have him: but I would not be the party that should desire you to touch him, for his biting is immortal; those, that do die of it, do seldom or never recover.

Cleo. Remember'st thou any that have died,

on't?

O, break! O, break! Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle,

Clown. Very many, men and women too. I heard of one of them no longer than yesterday; O Antony-Nay, I will take thee too:

a very honest woman, but something given to

[Applying another Asp to her Ariz.

lie; as a woman should not do, but in the way What should I stay- [Fails on a Bel, and dies.

Char. In this wild world ?-So fare thee Took her own way.-The manner of their well.I do not see them bleed. [deaths? Now boast thee, death! in thy possession lies Dol. Who was last with them? A lass unparallel'd.-Downy windows, close; 1 Guard. A simple countryman, that brought And golden Phoebus never be beheld This was his basket. [her figs; Poison'd then.

Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry;
I'il mend it, and then play.

Enter the Guard, rushing in.

Cas.

1 Guard.

O Cæsar,

This Charmian lived but now; she stood, and I found her trimming up the diadem [spake: Speak softly, wake her not. On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood, And on the sudden dropp'd.

1 Guard. Where is the queen? Char.

1 Guard. Cæsar hath sentChar.

Too slowa messenger. [Applies the Asp. O, come; apace, despatch; I partly feel thee. 1 Guard. Approach, ho! All's not well: Casar's beguil'd. [-call him. 2 Guard. There's Dolabella sent from Cæsar: 1 Guard. What work is here ?-Charmian, is

this well done?

Char. It is well done, and fitting for a princess
Descended of so many royal kings.
Ah, soldier
[Dies.

Cas.

O noble weakness!--
If they had swallow'd poison, 'twould appear
By external swelling; but she looks like sleep,
As she would catch another Antony
In her strong toil of grace.

Dol.

llere, on her breast, There is a vent of blood, and something blown: [fig-leaves Have slime upon them, such as the aspick leaves 1 Guard. This is an aspick's trail: and these Upon the caves of Nile.

The like is on her arm.

Cas.

Most probable,
That so she died; for her physician tells me,
She hath pursu'd conclusions infinite
Of easy ways to die.-Take up her bed;
And bear her women from the monument :---
She shall be buried by her Antony:
No grave upon the earth shall clip in it
A pair so famous. High events as these
Strike those that make them: and their story is
No less in pity, than his glory, which
Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall,
In solemn show, attend this funeral;
And then to Rome.-Come, Dolabella, see
High order in this great solemnity. [Exeunt.

Cymbeline.

Persons Represented.

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.

Sons to Cymbeline,disguised under GUIDERIUS, the names of Polydore and Cad

ARVIRAGUS,

wal, supposed Sons to Belarius.
PHILARIO, Friend to Posthumus,
Italians.
IACHIMO, 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 toCymbeline by a former Queen.
HELEN, Woman to Imogen.

Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, Ap-
paritions, a Soothsayer, a Dutch Gentleman,
a Spanish Gentleman, Musicians, Officers,
Captains, Soldiers, Messengers, and other At-
tendants.

SCENE-sometimes in Britain; sometimes in Italy.

He purpos'd to his wife's sole son (a widow
That late he married), hath referred herself
Unto a poor but worthy gentleman: She's wed-
ded;

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? 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 fair.

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? 1 Gent. I cannot delve him to the root: His father

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

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.

Post.

My queen! my mistress!

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,O, lady, weep no more; lest I give cause
Died with their swords in hand; for which their To be suspected of more tenderness
father
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 you
Though ink be made of gall.
[send,

(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
To his protection; calls him Posthumus:
Breeds him, and makes him of his bedchamber:
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: 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.

I honour him

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

1 Gent.

His only child.
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
[ledge
Were stolen: and to this hour, no guess in know-
Which way they went.
2 Gent.

nursery

How long is this ago? 1 Gent. Some twenty years. [convey'd! 2 Gent. That a king's children should be so 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'dat,

Yet is it true, sir.

2 Gent.

I do well believe you.

How! how! another?

you gentle gods, give me but this I have,
With bonds of death!-Remain, remain thou
And sear up my embracements from a next
[Putting on the Ring.
While sense can keep it on! And sweetest,fairest,
To your so infinite loss; so, in our trifles
As I my poor self did exchange for you,
I still win of you: For my sake, were this;
It is a manacle of love; I'll place it
Upon this fairest prisoner.

1 Gent. We must forbear: Here comes the When shali we see again?" queen and princess.