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Here, on her breast, There is a vent of blood, and something blown: The like is on her arm.

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This play keeps curiosity always busy, and the passions always interested. The continual hurry of the action, the variety of incidents, and the quick

1 Guard. This is an aspic's trail: and these fig- succession of one personage to another, call the leaves Have slime upon them, such as the aspic leaves Upon the caves of Nile.

Cas.

Most probable,

That so she died; for her physician tells me,
She hath pursu'd conclusions infinite
Of easy ways to die. Take up her bed;

And bear her women from the monument:

She shall be buried by her Antony:

No grave upon the earth shall clip3 in it
A pair so famous. High events as these
Strike those that make them and their story is
No less in pity, than his glory, which
Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall,

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mind forward without intermission, from the first act to the last. But the power of delighting is derived principally from the frequent changes of the scene; for, except the feminine arts, some of which are too low, which distinguish Cleopatra, nocharacter is very strongly discriminated. Upton, who did not easily miss what he desired to find, has discovered that the language of Antony is, with great skill and learning, ning, made pompous and superb, according to his real practice. But I think his dietion not distinguishable from that of others: the most tumid speech in the play is that which Cæsar makes to Octavia.

The events, of which the principal are described according to history, are produced without any art of connection or care of disposition.

JOHNSON.

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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 :

You do not meet a man but frowns: our bloods' So gain'd the sur-addition, Leonatus:

No more obey the heavens, than our courtiers;
Still seem, as does the king's.
2 Gent.

But what's the matter?

1 Gent. His daughter, and the heir of his king-
dom, 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;
Her husband banish'd; she imprison'd: all
Is outward sorrow; though, I think, the king
Be touch'd at very heart.

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 Glad at the thing they scowl at.

2 Gent.

And why so?

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, deceas'd
As he was born. The king, he takes the babe
To his protection; calls him Posthumus;
Breeds him, and makes him of his bed-chamber:
Puts him to 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 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

1 Gent. He that hath miss'd the princess, is a Proclaims how she esteem'd him and his virtue;

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.

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1 Gent. I do extend him, sir, within himself; Crush him together, rather than unfold

(1) Inclination, natural disposition.
(2) i. e. You praise him extensively.
(3) My praise, however extensive, is within his

merit.

By her election may be truly read,
What kind of man he is.
2 Gent.

I honour him

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2 Gent. That a king's children should be so con- | You gentle gods, give me but this I have,

vey'd! So slackly guarded! And the search so slow, That could not trace them! 1 Gent.

Howsoe'r 'tis 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 queen, and princess.

[Exeunt.

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And sear up' my embracements from a next With bonds of death!-Remain thou here

[Pulting on the ring.

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.

Imo.

When shall we see again?

Post.

[Putting a bracelet on her arm. O, the gods!

Alack, the king !

Enter Cymbeline and Lords.

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

sight!

If, after this command, thou fraught the court
With thy unworthiness, thou diest: Away!
Thou art poison to my blood.
Post.

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.

[Erit.

O disloyal thing,

That should'st repair my youth: thou heapest
A year's age on me!
Imo.

I beseech you, sir,

Harm not yourself with your vexation; I
Am senseless of your wrath; a touch more rare
Subdues all pangs, all fears.
Cym.

Past grace? obedience?

Imo. Past hope and in despair; that way, past grace.

Cym. That might'st have had the soles son of

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