REFERENCES DESCRIPTIVE OF THE

PLATES.

CYMBELINE.

Two introductory scenes have been found necessary to explain the story—Belarius stealing the children ; and the second marriage of CYMBELINE. The former to show the connexion between GUIDERIUS and ARVIRAGUS, and CYMBELINE; the latter to give the relative situations of the principal characters at the commencement of the play.

Shakspeare has rendered a few deviations from strict costume absolutely necessary; but care has been taken that such deviations are as slight as possible, and in such a course as alone was practicable, viz. importations from Rome.

B 2

BELARIUS and EURIPHILE stealing GUIDERIUS

and ARVIRAGUS, sons of CYMBELINE.

“ BEL. At three and two years old I stole these babes.

Act III. S. 3.

Their nurse, Euriphile, Whom for the theft I wedded, stole these children Upon my banishment.”

Act V. S. 5.

IMOGEN is left sleeping on the couch,

II.

The marriage of CYMBELINE with the mother of

CLOTEN.

POSTHUMUS is ingratiating himself with IMOGEN,

and CLOTEN receiving the first impression.

CYMBELINE.

III.

The banishment of POSTHUMUS.

“ Post. . . . . . For my sake, wear this.

(Putting on a bracelet.)

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. Імо.

There cannot be a pinch in death More sharp than this is.”

Act I. S. 2. The QUEEN is seen as the instigator of CYMBELINE'S cruelty; and CLOTEN meditating his attack on POSTHUMUS.

IV.

POSTHUMUS wager with IACHIMO.

“ Post. I shall but lend my diamond till your return. Let there be covenants drawn between us. My mistress exceeds in goodness the kugeness of your unworthy thinking. I dare you to this match: here's my ring."

Act I. S. 5.

IACHIMO's attempt on IMOGEN.

“ Lach. Let me my service tender on your lips.

IMO.. - Away! I do condemn mine ears, that have So long attended thee.

Thou wrong'st a gentleman, who is as far
From thy report, as thou from honour; and
Solicit'st here a lady, that disdains
Thee and the devil alike.”

Act I. S. 7.

VI.

IACHIMO stealing IMOGEN's bracelet.

“ Iach. O sleep, thou ape of death, lie dull upon her! And be her sense but as a monument Thus in a chapel lying !-Come off, come off !As slippery as the Gordian knot was hard.'Tis mine."

Act II. S. 2.

VII.

CLOTEN tendering his services to IMOGEN.

6 CLOTEN. ... Still, I swear I love you:

Imo. If you but said so, 'twere as deep with me.
If you swear still, your recompense is still,
That I regard it not."

CYMBELINE.

VIII.

IACHIMO produces the bracelet as testimony of his having

won his wager.

“Iach. 'I beg but leave to air this jewel: See !-
And now 'tis up again : It must be married
To that your diamond; I 'll keep them.

Jove!
Once more let me behold it: Is it that
Which I left with her?”

Act II. S. 4.

PISANIO having, by the order of POSTHUMUS, induced IMOGEN to go to Milford Haven to meet him, shows the letter in which POSTHUMUS commands her death.

“ Imo. reads. • Let thine own hands take away her life: I shall give thee opportunities at Milford Haven,' &c.

Pis....... No, 'tis slander;
Whose edge is sharper than the sword; whose tongue
Out-venoms all the worms of the Nile.”

Act III. S. 4.