He serv'd with glory and admir'd success: And had, besides this gentleman in question, Died with their swords in hand; for which their father (Then old and fond of issue,) took such sorrow, 6 sion of Britain, he agreed to pay an annual tribute to Rome. After his death, Tenantius, Lud's younger son (his elder brother Androgeus having fled to Rome) was established on the throne, of which they had been unjustly deprived by their uncle. Ac cording to some authorities, Tenantius quietly paid the tribute stipulated by Cassibelan; according to others, he refused to pay it, and warred with the Romans. Shakspeare supposes the latter to be the truth. (Which rare it is to do,) most prais'd, most lov'd:] This encomium is high and artful. To be at once in any great degree loved and praised, is truly rare. JOHNSON. 5 A glass that feated them;] A glass that formed them; a model by the contemplation and inspection of which they formed their manners. Feat Minsheu interprets, fine, neat, brave. 6 to his mistress,] Means as to his mistress. What kind of man he is. 2 Gent. I honour him But, 'pray you, tell me, Even out of your report. 1 Gent. His only child. He had two sons, (if this be worth your hearing, Mark it,) the eldest of them at three years old, I' the swathing clothes the other, from their nursery Where 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 con yey'd ! So slackly guarded! And the search so slow, 1 Gent. Howsoe'er 'tis strange, Or that the negligence may well be laugh'd at, 2 Gent. I do well believe you. 1 Gent. We must forbear; Here comes the queen, and princess. [Exeunt. SCENE II. The same. Enter the Queen, POSTHUMUS, and IMOGEN. Queen. No, be assur'd, you shall not find me, daughter, After the slander of most step-mothers, Evil-ey'd unto you: you are my prisoner, but Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys That lock up your restraint. For you, Posthúmus, So soon as I can win the offended king, I will be known your advocate: marry, yet Post. I will from hence to-day. Queen. Please your highness, You know the peril : I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying Imo. Exit Queen. Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant Post. Than doth become a man! I will remain Queen. Re-enter Queen. Be brief, I pray you: 7 (Always reserv'd my holy duty,)] I say I do not fear my father, so far as I may say it without breach of duty. If the king come, I shall incur I know not To walk this way: I never do him wrong, Post. [Aside. [Exit. Should we be taking leave As long a term as yet we have to live, The loathness to depart would grow: Adieu! Were you but riding forth to air yourself, Post. 8 How! how! another? You gentle gods, give me but this I have, [Putting 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; Upon this fairest prisoner. Imo. [Putting a Bracelet on her Arm. O, the gods! When shall we see again? 8 And sear up-] i. e. close up. 9 While sense can keep it on!] i. e. while sense can maintain its operations; while sense continues to have its usual power. To keep on significs to continue in a state of action. 1 a manacle-] A manacle properly means what we now call a hand-cuff Post. Enter CYMBELINE and Lords. Alack, the king! Cym. Thou basest thing, avoid! hence, from my sight! If, after this command, thou fraught the court Post. I am gone. Imo. The gods protect you! [Exit. There cannot be a pinch in death More sharp than this is. Cym. O disloyal thing, That should'st repair my youth; thou heapest Imo. I beseech you, sir, Сут. Past grace? obedience? Imo. Past hope, and in despair; that way, past grace. Cym. That might'st have had the sole son of my queen! Imo. Obless'd, that I might not! I chose an eagle, And did avoid a puttock.3 3 Cym. Thou took'st a beggar; would'st have made my throne A seat for baseness. Imo. A lustre to it, a touch more rare No; I rather added Subdues all pangs, all fears.] i. e, a more exquisite feeling; a superior sensation. 3a puttock.] A puttock is a mean degenerate species of hawk, too worthless to deserve training. |