The play is not merely a series of beautiful pictures, or interesting episodes, such as we are accustomed to find in the productions of dramatists of less renown. Here, as elsewhere in Shakespeare, everything is subservient to the development of character. From this point of view every scene contributes its share to the dénouement, nor is there any falling off observable in the power of the artist; the master-hand is as discernible in these latest creations as in those of any earlier period. And he has put forth all his strength on the central figure of the drama, the matchless Imogen, to speak of whom is to sing one long pæan of praise, and whose very name is as full of music as her voice. In her is to be found everything that makes woman lovable, and there is no situation in which she is placed which does not reveal some fresh beauty in her character. EVANS: Henry Irving Shakespeare. In Cymbeline we may note what has presented itself in the plays of admitted inferiority, a recurrence of hints of motive and character that are fully worked out in more perfect pieces. This is sometimes an anticipation, but sometimes a memory; and possibly the appearance that Iachimo is a first idea of Iago, and Posthumus the crude conception of the passion of Othello, as Cymbeline of the weakness and tyranny of Lear, may be but fallacious. Indeed, the thought has sometimes occurred to me, that Shakespeare indulged himself designedly in this drama in playing with the same motives in less severe combination, and in falling back for relief, after the tension of his great tragic actions, upon the milder harmonies that might be evoked as truly from the selfsame themes. LLOYD: Critical Essays on the Plays of Shakespeare. DRAMATIS PERSONAE. CYMBELINE, king of Britain. CLOTEN, son to the Queen by a former husband. POSTHUMUS LEONATUS, a gentleman, husband to Imogen. Morgan. GUIDERIUS, sons to Cymbeline, disguised under the names of Polydore and Cadwal, supARVIRAGUS, posed sons to Morgan. PHILARIO, friend to Posthumus, } Italians. IACHIMO, friend to Philario, CAIUS LUCIUS, General of the Roman forces. PISANIO, servant to Posthumus. CORNELIUS, a physician. A Roman Captain. Two British Captains. A Frenchman, friend to Philario. Queen, wife to Cymbeline. IMOGEN, daughter to Cymbeline by a former queen. Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, a Soothsayer, a Dutchman, a Spaniard, Musicians, Officers, Captains, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants. Apparitions. SCENE: Britain: Rome. CYMBELINE. ACT FIRST. Scene I. Britain. The garden of Cymbeline's palace. First Gent. You do not meet a man but frowns: our bloods No more obey the heavens than our courtiers Still seem as does the king. Sec. Gent. But what's the matter? First Gent. His daughter, and the heir of 's kingdom, whom He purposed 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; Is outward sorrow; though I think the king Be touch'd at very heart. Sec. Gent. None but the king? Of the king's looks, hath a heart that is not Sec. Gent. And why so? First Gent. He that hath miss'd the princess is a thing Too bad for bad report: and he that hath her, ΙΟ I mean, that married her,-alack, good man!— Sec. Gent. You speak him far. First Gent. I do extend him, sir, within himself, His measure duly. Sec. Gent. What's his name and birth? First Gent. I cannot delve him to the root: his father 20 30 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, deceased 40 To his protection, calls him Posthumus Leonatus, 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 's spring became a harvest: lived in court Which rare it is to do-most praised, most loved: What kind of man he is. Sec. Gent. I honour him Even out of your report. But, pray you, tell me, First Gent. His only child. 50 He had two sons,-if this be worth your hearing, Sec. Gent. How long is this ago? First Gent. Some twenty years. Sec. Gent. That a king's children should be so convey'd! So slackly guarded! and the search so slow, That could not trace them! First Gent. Howsoe'er 'tis strange, Sec. Gent. I do well believe you. 61 First Gent. We must forbear: here comes the gentleman, The queen and princess. Enter the Queen, Posthumus and Imogen. [Exeunt. Queen. No, be assured you shall not find me, daughter, 70 After the slander of most stepmothers, |