Two other fons; who, in the wars o' th' time, Dy'd with their fwords in hand: For which, their father, Then old and fond of iffue, took fuch forrow, Breeds him, and makes him of his bed-chamber; 4 And in 's fpring became a harvest: 3 liv'd in Court, 3- -lv'd in Court, Which rare it is to do, most prais'd, moft lov'd,] This encomium is high and artful. To be at once in any great degree loved and praifed is truly rare. 4 A glas that featur'd them;] Such is the reading in all the modern editions, I know not by whom firft fubftituted, for A glass that feared them :I have difplaced featur'd, though it can plead long prefcription, because I am inclined to think that feared has the better title. Mirrour was a favourite word in that age, for an example, or a pattern, by noting which the anneis were to be formed, I as dress is regulated by looking in a glass. When Don Belliarus is ftiled the mirrour of knighthood, the idea given is not that of a glafs in which every knight may behold his own refemblance, but an example to be viewed by knights as often as a glafs is looked upon by girls, to be viewed, that they may know, not what they are, but what they ought to be. Such a glafs may fear the more viature, as difplaying excellencies which they have arrived at maturity without attaining. To fear, is here, as in other places, to fright. 2 Gent. 2 Gent. I honour him, Ev'n out of your report. But pray you tell me, 1 Gent. His only child. He had two fons, if this be worth your hearing, 2 Gent. How long is this ago? 1 Gent. Some twenty years. 2 Gent. That a King's children fhould be fo con- So flackly guarded, and the fearch fo flow 1 Gent. Howfoe'er 'tis ftrange, Or that the negligence may well be laugh'd at, 2 Gent. I do well believe you. I Gent. We must forbear. Here comes the Gentle man, The Queen, and Princess. SCENE [Exeunt. I. Enter the Queen, Pofthumus, Imogen, and Attendants. Queen. No, be affur'd, you fhall not find me, daughter, After the flander of most step-mothers, Evil-ey'd unto you. You're my pris'ner, but That lock'd up your reftraint. For you, Pofthumus, I will be known your advocate; marry, yet, may inform you. S 3 Poft. Poft. Please your Highness, I will from hence to-day. Queen. You know the peril : I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying His rage can do on me. Poft. My Queen! my Miftrefs! O lady, weep no more, left I give cause Than doth become a man. I will remain C Known but by letter. Thither write, my Queen, Re-enter Queen. Queen. Be brief, I pray you; If the King come, I fhall incur I know not How much of his difpleasure. Yet I'll move him 5 Always refera'd my holy duty, -] I fay I do not fear my father, fo far as I may fay it without breach of duty. Though ink be made of gall.] [Afide. Shakespeare, even in this poor conceit, has confounded the vegetable calls ufed in ink, with the animal gall, fuppofed to be bitter. Το To walk this way; I never do him wrong, Poft. Should we be taking leave, As long a term as yet we have to live, The lothness to depart would grow,—Adieu! Were you but riding forth to air yourself, [Exit. Such Parting were too petty. Look here, Love, When Imogen is dead. Poft. How, how, another! You gentle Gods, give me but this I have, With bonds of death. Remain, remain thou here [Putting on the ring. I still win of you. For my fake, wear this; Upon this faireft pris'ner. Imo. O, the Gods! When fhall we see again? Putting a bracelet on her arm, Enter Cymbeline, and Lords. Poft. Alack, the King! Cym. Thou bafeft thing, avoid! hence! from my fight! If, after this Command, thou fraught the Court S 4 Thou'rt 1 Thou 'rt poifon to my blood. Poft. The Gods protect you, And bless the good remainders of the Court! I'm gone. Imo. There cannot be a pinch in death Cym. O difloyal thing, That shouldft repair my youth, thou heap'st Imo. I beseech you, Sir, Harm not yourfelf with your Vexation; I'm fenfelefs of your wrath; [Exit Imo. Paft hope, and in defpair; that way, paft grace. Cym. Thou might'ft have had the fole fon of Queen. my Imo. O, bleft, that I might not! I chose an eagle, And did avoid a puttock. Cym. Thou took'st a beggar; wouldst have made my Throne Subdues all pangs, all fears.] Rare is ufed often for eminently good; but I do not remember any paffage in which it stands for eminently bad. May we read, -a touch more near. Cura Deam propior luctufque domesticus angit. OVID. Shall we try again, -a touch more rear. Crudum vulnus. But of this I know not any example. There is yet another interpretation, which perhaps will remove the difficulty. A touch more rare, may mean, a nobler paffion. 9-a puttock.] A kite. |