CYMBELINE. DRAMATIS PERSONÆ CYMBELINE, king of Britain. former husband. A French Gentleman, friend to CAIUS LUCIUS, general of the BELARIUS, a banished lord, dis- Two British Captains. guised under the name of PISANIO, servant to Posthumus. CORNELIUS, a physician. sons to Cymbeline, Two Lords of Cymbeline's court. disguised under the Two Gentlemen of the same. names of Polydore Morgan. GUIDERIUS, ARVIRAGUS, Two Gaolers. Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, a Soothsayer, a Dutch Gentleman, a Spanish Gentleman, Musicians, Officers, Captains, Soldiers, Messengers, and Attendants. SCENE Apparitions. sometimes in Britain, sometimes in Italy. ACT I. SOENE I. Britain. The garden of CYMBELINE's palace. Enter two Gentlemen. First 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. Sec. Gent. But what's the matter? First Gent. His daughter, and the heir of 's 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 Sec. Gent. None but the king? First Gent. He that hath lost her too: so is the queen, Of the king's looks, hath a heart that is not Sec. Gent. And why so? First 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. Sec. Gent. You speak him far. First Gent. I do extend him, sir, within himself; Crush him together, rather than unfold His measure duly. 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; Died with their swords in hand; for which their father, And in 's spring became a harvest; liv'd in court What kind of man he is. I honour him Sec. Gent. First Gent. His only child. 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 'tis 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 gentleman, The queen, and princess. [Exeunt. Enter the Queen, POSTHUMUS, and IMOGEN. Queen. No, be assur'd you shall not find me, daughter, After the slander of most stepmothers, Evil-ey'd unto you: you're my prisoner, Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys but That lock up your restraint. For you, Posthúmus, I will be known your advocate: marry, yet Post. I will from hence to-day. Queen. Please your highness, I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying Imo. Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant Can tickle where she wounds! - My dearest husband, Always reserv'd my holy duty - what His rage can do on me: you must be gone; Post. My queen! my mistress! To be suspected of more tenderness The loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth: - [Exit. |