Cymbeline. A TRAGEDY, BY WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. ACCURATELY PRINTED FROM THE TEXT OF MR. STEEVENS'S LAST EDITION. PERSONS REPRESENTED. Cymbeline, King of Britain. 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. Guiderius, disguised under the names of Polydore Arviragus, and Cadwal, supposed sons to Belarius. Philario, friend to Posthumus, Iachimo, friend to Philario, Italians. A French Gentleman, friend to Philario. Cornelius, a Physician. Two Gentlemen. Two Gaolers. Queen, wife to Cymbeline. Imogen, daughter to Cymbeline by a former queen. Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, Apparitions, a Soothsayer, a Dutch Gentleman, a Spanish Gentleman, Musicians, Officers, Captains, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants. SCENE, sometimes in Britain; sometimes in Italy. 1 Gent. You do not meet a man, but frowns: No more obey the heavens, than our courtiers; 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, 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 B 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, Endows a man but he. 2 Gent. You speak him far. 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, father (Then old and fond of issue,) took such sorrow, To his protection; calls him Posthumus; Puts to him all the learnings that his time. In his spring became a harvest: Liv'd in court, What kind of man he is. 2 Gent. I honour him Even out of your report. But, 'pray you, tell 1 Gent. His only child. me, He had two sons, (if this be worth your hearing, Which way they went. 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, |