CYMBELINE. ACT I. SCENE 1.-Britain. The Garden behind CYMBELINE's Palace. Enter two Gentlemen. 1 Gent. You do not meet a man, but frowns: our bloods 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 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 marry'd her,—alack, good man!— [1] We do not meet a man but frowns; our bloods-our countenances, which, in popular speech, are said to be regulated by the temper of the blood, no more obey the laws of heaven,-which direct us to appear what we really are, than our courtiers-that is, than the bloods of our courtiers; but our bloods, like theirs-still seem, as doth the king's. JOHNS. 2 Gent. You speak him far.2 1 Gent. I do extend him, sir, within himself;s 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 And had, besides this gentleman in question, Died with their swords in hand; for which their father [2] You praise him extensively. STEEV. [3] I extend him within himself: my praise, however extensive, is within his merit. JOHNS. [4] Tenantius was the father of Cymbeline, and nephew of Cassibelan, being the younger son of his elder brother Lud, king of the southern part of Britain; on whose death Cassibelan was admitted king. Cassibelan repulsed the Romans on their first attack, but being vanquished by Julius Cæsar on his second invasion of Britain, he agreed to pay an annual tribute to Rome. After his death, Tenantius, Lud's younger son (his elder brother Androgeus having fled to Rome) was established on the throne, of which they had been unjustly deprived by their uncle. According to some authorities, Tenantius quietly paid the tribute stipulated by Cassibelan; according to others, he refused to pay it, and warred with the Romans. Shakspeare supposes the lat. ter to be the truth. Holinshed, who furnished our poet with these facts, furnished him also with the name of Sicilius, who was admitted king of Britain, A.M. 3659. The name of Leonatus he found in Sidney's Arcadia. Leonatus is there the legitimate son of the blind king of Paphlagonia, on whose story the episode of Gloster, Edgar, and Edmund, is formed in King Lear. MAL. [5] This encomium is high and artful. To be at once in any great degree loved and praised is truly rare. JOHNS. [6] A glass that formed them; a model, by the contemplation and inspec tion of which they formed their manners. JOHNS. For whom he now is banish'd,-her own price What kind of man he is. 2 Gent. I honour him Even out of your report. But, 'pray you, tell me, 1 Gent. His only child. He had two sons, (if this be worth your hearing, 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, 2 Gent. I do well believe you. 1 Gent. We must forbear: Here comes the queen, and princess. The same. SCENE II. [Exeunt. Enter the Queen, POSTHUMUS, and IMOGEN. Queen. No, be assur'd,you shall not find me,daughter, After the slander of most step-mothers, Evil-ey'd unto you: you are my prisoner, but Posthumus, I will be known your advocate: marry, yet Post. Please your highness, I will from hence to-day. I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying The pangs of barr'd affections; though the king [Exit. Imo. O Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant Can tickle where she wounds!-My dearest husband, I something fear my father's wrath; but nothing, (Always reserv'd my holy duty,)7 what His rage can do on me: You must be gone ; Post. My queen! my mistress ! O, lady, weep no more; lest I give cause Than doth become a man! I will remain The loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth. Known but by letter: thither write, my queen, Re-enter Queen. Queen. Be brief, I pray you: If the king come, I shall incur I know not How much of his displeasure :-Yet I'll move him [Asi. But he does buy my injuries, to be friends; Post. Should we be taking leave As long a term as yet we have to live, The loathness to depart would grow: Adieu! Were you but riding forth to air yourself, Such parting were too petty. Look here, love ; When Imogen is dead. Post. How! how! another?— You gentle gods, give me but this I have, [Exit. [Putting on the ring. [7] I say I do not fear my father, so far as I may say it without breach of duty. JOHNS. [8] To sear up, is properly to close up by burning; but in this passage the poet may have dropped that idea, and used the word simply for to close up. STEEV. While sense can keep it on? And sweetest, fairest, Cym. Thou basest thing, avoid! hence,from my sight! If, after this command, thou fraught the court With thy unworthiness, thou diest: Away! Thou art poison to my blood. Post. The gods protect you! And bless the good remainders of the court! I am gone. Imo. There cannot be a pinch in death More sharp than this is. Cym. O disloyal thing, That shouldst repair my youth; thou heapest A year's age on me! Imo. I beseech you, sir, Harm not yourself with your vexation; I Am senseless of your wrath; a touch more rare Subdues 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. O bless'd, that I might not! I chose an eagle, And did avoid a puttock.' Cym. Thou took'st a beggar; wouldst have made my throne A seat for baseness. Imo. No; I rather added A lustre to it. Cym. O thou vile one! Imo. Sir, It is your fault that I have lov'd Posthumus: You bred him as my play-fellow; and he is [9] While sense can maintain its operations; while sense continues to have power. STEEV. [1] A puttock-a kite. 25 JOHNS: VOL. VII. |