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What kind of man he is.

2 Gent.

I honour him

Even out of your report. But, 'pray you, tell me, Is she sole child to the king?

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 Were 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

vey'd!

So slackly guarded! And the search so slow,
That could not trace them!

1 Gent.

Howsoe'er '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

and princess.

queen,

[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
The fire of rage is in him; and 'twere good,
You lean'd unto his sentence, with what patience
Your wisdom may inform you.

Post.

I will from hence to-day.

Queen.

Please your highness,

You know the peril :

I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying

The pangs of barr'd affections; though the king
Hath charg'd you should not speak together.

Imo.

[Exit Queen.

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Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant
Can tickle where she wounds!-My dearest husband,
I something fear my father's wrath; but nothing,
(Always reserv'd my holy duty,)' what
His rage can do on me: You must be gone;
And I shall here abide the hourly shot
Of angry eyes; not comforted to live,
But that there is this jewel in the world,
That I may see again.

Post.

My queen! my mistress!

O, lady, weep no more; lest I give cause
To be suspected of more tenderness
Than doth become a man! I will remain

The loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth.
My residence in Rome at one Philario's;
Who to my father was a friend, to me
Known but by letter: thither write, my queen,
And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you send,
Though ink be made of gall.

Queen.

Re-enter Queen.

Be brief, I pray you:

' (Always reserv'd my holy duty,)] I say I do not fear my fa. ther, so far as I may say it without breach of duty.

If the king come, I shall incur I know not
How much of his displeasure: Yet I'll move him

To walk this way: I never do him wrong,
But he does buy my injuries, to be friends;
Pays dear for my offences.

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!
Imo. Nay, stay a little:

Were you but riding forth to air yourself,

Such parting were too petty. Look here, love;
This diamond was my mother's: take it, heart;
But keep it till you woo another wife,

When Imogen is dead.

Post.

How! how! another?You gentle gods, give me but this I have, And sear up my embracements from a next With bonds of death!-Remain thou here

[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; It is a manacle' of love; I'll place it

Upon this fairest prisoner.

Imo.

[Putting a Bracelet on her Arm.

When shall we see again?

And sear up-] i. e. close up.

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O, the gods!

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 signifies to continue in a state of action.

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
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

O disloyal thing,

That should'st repair my youth; thou heapest

A year's age on me!

Imo.

I beseech you, sir,

[Exit.

Harm not yourself with your vexation; I
Am senseless of your wrath; a touch more rare
Subdues all pangs, all fears.2

Cym.

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

grace.

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

queen!

my

Imo. O bless'd, that I might not! I chose an eagle, And did avoid a puttock.3

Cym. Thou took'st a beggar; would'st have made my throne

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Subdues all pangs, all fears.] i. e. a more exquisite feeling; a superior sensation.

3

a puttock.] A puttock is a mean degenerate species of hawk, too worthless to deserve training.

O thou vile one!

Sir,

Cym.
Imo.
It is your fault that I have lov'd Posthumus:
You bred him as my play-fellow; and he is
A man, worth any woman; overbuys me
Almost the sum he pays.*

Супь.

4

What!-art thou mad!

Imo. Almost, sir: Heaven restore me!-'Would

I were

A neat-herd's daughter! and my. Leonatus
Our neighbour shepherd's son!

Cym.

Re-enter Queen.

Thou foolish thing!

[To the Queen.

They were again together: you have done

Not after our command. Away with her,
And pen her up.

Queen.

'Beseech your patience:-Peace,

Dear lady daughter, peace;-Sweet sovereign,

Leave us to ourselves; and make yourself some

comfort

Out of your best advice."

Сут.

Nay, let her languish

[Exit.

A drop of blood a day; and, being aged,
Die of this folly!

Enter PISANIO.

Queen.

Fye!-you must give way: Here is your servant.-How now, sir? What news?

overbuys me

Almost the sum he pays.] So small is my value, and so great is his, that in the purchase he has made (for which he paid himself,) for much the greater part, and nearly the whole, of what he has given, he has nothing in return. The most minute portion of his worth would be too high a price for the wife he has acquired.

your best advice.] í. e. consideration, reflection.

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