Two Gaolers. Appear, Act V. sc. 4. QUEEN, wife to Cymbeline. Appears, Act I. sc. 2; sc. 6. Act II. sc. 3. Act III. sc. 1; sc. 5. IMOGEN, daughter to Cymbeline, by a former Queen. Appears, Act I. sc. 2; sc. 4; sc. 7. Act II. sc. 2; sc. 3. HELEN, woman to Imogen. Appears, Act II. sc. 2. Act V. sc. 5. Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, Apparitions, a Soothsayer, Musicians, Officers, Captains, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants. SCENE, SOMETIMES IN BRITAIN; SOMETIMES IN ROME 'The Tragedie of Cymbeline' was first printed in the folio collection of 1623. The play is very carefully divided into acts and scenes-ar arrangement which is sometimes wanting in other plays of this edition. Printed as Cymbeline' must have been from a manuscript, the text, although sometimes difficult, presents few examples of absolute error. 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. 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 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, 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 Was call'd Sicilius, who did join his honour, Against the Romans, with Cassibelan; Died with their swords in hand; for which, their father He had two sons, (if this be worth your hearing, I' the swathing clothes the other, from their nursery 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 't is 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 gentleman, The queen, and princess. SCENE II-The same. Enter the QUEEN, POSTHUMUS, and IMOGEN. [Exeunt. 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 Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys That lock up your restraint. For you, Posthumus, I will be known your advocate: marry, yet POST. 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 [Exit QUEEN. IMO. O dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant His rage can do on me: You must be gone; Of angry eyes; not comforted to live, POST. My queen! my mistress! O, lady, weep no more; lest I give cause Than doth become a man! I will remain Known but by letter: thither write, my queen, And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you send, QUEEN. Re-enter QUEEN. Be brief, I pray you: [Aside. [Exit. If the king come, I shall incur I know not POST. Should we be taking leave IMO. Nay, stay a little: Were you but riding forth to air yourself, POST. How! how! another? You gentle gods, give me but this I have, With bonds of death!-Remain, remain thou here. While sense can keep it on! And sweetest, fairest, To your so infinite loss; so, in our trifles, |