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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 feek 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.

Gent. I do extend him, fir, 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;
But had his titles by Tenantius, whom
He serv'd with glory and admir'd success;
So gain'd the fur-addition, Leonatus:
And had, besides this gentleman in question,
Two other fons; who, in the wars o' the time,
Died with their swords in hand; for which, their father
(Then old and fond of issue,) took fuch forrow,
That he quit being; and his gentle lady,
Big of this gentleman, our theme, deceas'd
As he was born. The king, he takes the babe
To his protection; calls him Pofthumus;
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 'twas minister'd; and
In his spring became a harvest: Liv'd in court,
(Which rare it is to do,) most prais'd, most lov'd:

A fample

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,
For whom he now is banish'd,-her own price
Proclaims how the esteem'd him and his virtue;
By her election may be truly read,

What kind of man he is.

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Even out of your report. But, 'pray you, tell me,

Is she sole child to the king?

1 Gent.

His only child.

He had two fons, (if this be worth your hearing,
Mark it,) the eldest of them at three years old,

I' the swathing clothes the other, from their nurfery

Were stolen; and to this hour, no guess in knowledge

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 flackly guarded! And the search so slow,

That could not trace them!

Gent.

Howsoe'er 'tis strange,

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

Yet is it true, fir.

2 Gent.

I do well believe you.

1 Gent. We must forbear: Here comes the gentleman,

The queen, and princess.

[Exeunt.

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SCENE

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SCENE II.

The fame.

Enter the Queen, Posthumus, and Imogen. Queen. No, be affur'd, you shall not find me, daughter,

After the flander of most step-mothers,
Evil-ey'd unto you: you are my prifoner, but
Your gaoler fhall deliver you the keys
That lock up your reftraint. For you, Posthumus,
So foon as I can win the offended king,
I will be known your advocate: marry, yet
The fire of rage is in him; and 'twere good,
You lean'd unto his sentence, with what patience
Your wisdom may inform you.

Polt.

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

Hath charg'd you should not speak together.

Imo.

1

[Exit Queen.

0

Diffembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant
Can tickle where she wounds!- My dearest husband,
I fomething fear my father's wrath; but nothing,

(Always referv'd my holy duty,) what

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 fee again.

Poft. Poft.

My queen! my mistress!

O, lady, weep no more; lest I give caufe
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 refidence 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 fend,
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:-Yet I'll move him

To walk this way: I never do him wrong,

[Afide.

But he does buy my injuries, to be friends;

Pays dear for my offences.

[Exit.

Poft.

Should we be taking leave

As long a term as yet we have to live,

The loathness to depart would grow: Adieu!

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.

Poft.

How! how! another?

You gentle gods, give me but this I have,
And fear up my embracements from a next

With bonds of death!-Remain, remain thou here.

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While sense can keep it on! And sweetest, fairest,

As I my poor felf did exchange for you,

To your so infinite loss; so, in our trifles
I still win of you: For my fake, wear this;

It is a manacle of love; I'll place it

Upon this fairest prifoner. (Putting a bracelet on her arm.

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Cym. Thou basest thing, avoid! hence, from my fight!

If, after this command, thou fraught the court

With thy unworthiness, thou diest: Away!

Thou art poison to my blood.

Poft.

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 should'st repair my youth; thou heapest

A year's age on me!

Imo.

I beseech you, fir,

Harm not yourself with your vexation; I

Am senseless of your wrath; a touch more rare

Subdues all pangs, all fears.

Cym.

Paft grace? obedience ?

[Exit.

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.

1

Сут.

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