SEC GENT.

What's his name and birth?

FIRST 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,
Then old and fond of issue, took such sorrow
That he quit being, and his gentle lady,
Big of this gentleman, our theme, deceased
As he was born. The king he takes the babe

To his protection, calls him Posthumus Leonatus,
Breeds him and makes him of his bed-chamber:
Puts to him all the learnings that his time
Could make him the receiver of; which he took,
As we do air, fast as 't was minister'd,

And in 's 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,

31 Tenantius] the father of Cymbeline, and nephew of Cassibelan, whom he succeeded on the throne.

33 sur-addition] surname. "Addition" usually means title of honour. 37 fond of issue] infatuated with his children.

49 A glass that feated them] A glass that formed them; it offered them a

model of accomplishment.

50 to his mistress] as to his mistress.

30

40

50

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.

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

FIRST 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 nursery
Were stolen, and to this hour no guess in knowl-

edge

Which way they went.

SEC GENT.

How long is this ago?

FIRST GENT. Some twenty years.

SEC. GENT. That a king's children should be so

convey❜d!

So slackly guarded! and the search so slow,

That could not trace them!

FIRST GENT.

Howsoe'er 't is strange,

Or that the negligence may well be laugh'd at,

Yet is it true, sir.

SEC. GENT. I do well believe you.

FIRST GENT. We must forbear: here comes the gen

51 her own price] the value or esteem she put upon him.

[Exeunt.

63 convey'd] stolen. Cf. M. Wives, I, iii, 27: “Convey' the wise it [i. e.,

'steal'] call. 'Steal!' foh! a fico for the phrase."

60

Enter the Queen, POSTHUMUS and IMOGEN

QUEEN. NO, be assured you shall not find me,

daughter,

After the slander of most stepmothers,

Evil-eyed unto you: you 're my prisoner, but
Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys

That lock up your restraint. For you, Posthumus,
So soon as I can win the offended king,

I will be known your advocate: marry, yet
The fire of rage is in him, and 't were good

You lean'd unto his sentence with what patience
Your wisdom may inform you.

POST.

I will from hence to-day.

QUEEN.

70

Please your highness,

You know the peril.

80

I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying
The pangs of barr'd affections, though the king
Hath charged you should not speak together.

[Exit.

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

70] Here the Folios begin Scene ii. Editors generally follow Rowe in omitting that scenic division, but the two following scenic divisions of the Folios, which Rowe rejected, are commonly retained.

78 lean'd unto] submitted to.

87 Always . . . duty] As far as the obligation of filial piety permits me to say this.

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!
O 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 you send,
Though ink be made of gall.

QUEEN.

Re-enter Queen

Be brief, I pray you:

If the king come, I shall incur I know not

How much of his displeasure. [Aside] Yet I'll move him
To walk this way: I never do him wrong
But he does buy my injuries, to be friends;
Pays dear for my offences.

POST.

[Exit.

Should we be taking leave

As long a term as yet we have to live,
The loathness to depart would grow.

Adieu!

105 he does friends] he pays (with some new act of attention) the wrongs I do him, in order to continue friends with me.

90

100

IMO. Nay, stay a little:

Were you but riding forth to air yourself,
Such 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?

You gentle gods, give me but this I have,

And sear up my embracements from a next

With bonds of death! [Putting on the ring.] Remain, remain thou here

While sense 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?

POST.

Enter CYMBELINE and Lords

Alack, the king!

CYM. Thou basest thing, avoid! hence, from my sight! If after this command thou fraught the court

116-117 sear up

bonds of death] wither or burn up my embraces of a second wife in the swathing cloths of the dead. The word sear obviously suggests "cere cloths" (i. e., waxed winding sheets), the bonds or bands of death.

126 fraught] burden, load; the word is commonly used by Shakespeare and contemporaries as a transitive verb.

110

120