Excerpt
andlt;Bandgt;ACT 1andlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Scene 1andlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Enter two Gentlemen.andlt;/Iandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;FIRST GENTLEMANandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;You do not meet a man but frowns. Our bloodsandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;No more obey the heavens than our courtiers'andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Still seem as does the King's.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;SECOND GENTLEMAN But what's the matter?andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;FIRST GENTLEMANandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;His daughter, and the heir of 's kingdom, whom andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;He purposed to his wife's sole son -- a widowandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;That late he married -- hath referred herselfandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Unto a poor but worthy gentleman. She's wedded,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Her husband banished, she imprisoned. Allandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Is outward sorrow, though I think the King andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Be touched at very heart.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;SECOND GENTLEMAN None but the King?andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;FIRST GENTLEMANandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;He that hath lost her, too. So is the Queen,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;That most desired the match. But not a courtier,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Although they wear their faces to the bent andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Of the King's looks, hath a heart that is notandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Glad at the thing they scowl at.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;SECOND GENTLEMAN And why so?andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;FIRST GENTLEMANandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;He that hath missed the Princess is a thingandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Too bad for bad report, and he that hath her -- andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;I mean, that married her, alack, good man!andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;And therefore banished -- is a creature suchandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;As, to seek through the regions of the earthandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;For one his like, there would be something failingandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;In him that should compare. I do not think andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;So fair an outward and such stuff withinandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Endows a man but he.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;SECOND GENTLEMAN You speak him far.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;FIRST GENTLEMANandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;I do extend him, sir, within himself,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Crush him together rather than unfold andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;His measure duly.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;SECOND GENTLEMAN What's his name and birth?andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;FIRST GENTLEMANandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;I cannot delve him to the root. His fatherandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Was called Sicilius, who did join his honorandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Against the Romans with Cassibelan, andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;But had his titles by Tenantius, whomandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;He served with glory and admired success,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;So gained the sur-addition Leonatus;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;And had, besides this gentleman in question,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Two other sons, who in the wars o' th' time andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Died with their swords in hand. For which their father,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Then old and fond of issue, took such sorrowandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;That he quit being; and his gentle lady,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Big of this gentleman our theme, deceased andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;As he was born. The King he takes the babe andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;To his protection, calls him Posthumus Leonatus,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Breeds him and makes him of his bedchamber,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Puts to him all the learnings that his timeandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Could make him the receiver of, which he tookandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;As we do air, fast as 'twas ministered, andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;And in 's spring became a harvest; lived in court -- andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Which rare it is to do -- most praised, most loved,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;A sample to the youngest, to th' more matureandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;A glass that feated them, and to the graverandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;A child that guided dotards. To his mistress, andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;For whom he now is banished, her own priceandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Proclaims how she esteemed him; and his virtueandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;By her election may be truly readandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;What kind of man he is.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;SECOND GENTLEMAN I honor him andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Even out of your report. But pray you tell me,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Is she sole child to th' King?andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;FIRST GENTLEMAN His only child.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;He had two sons -- if this be worth your hearing,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Mark it -- the eldest of them at three years old, andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;I' th' swathing clothes the other, from their nurseryandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Were stol'n, and to this hour no guess in knowledgeandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Which way they went.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;SECOND GENTLEMANand#160;and#160;How long is this ago?andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;FIRST GENTLEMANand#160;and#160;Some twenty years. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;SECOND GENTLEMANandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;That a king's children should be so conveyed,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;So slackly guarded, and the search so slowandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;That could not trace them!andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;FIRST GENTLEMAN Howsoe'er 'tis strange,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Or that the negligence may well be laughed at, andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Yet is it true, sir.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;SECOND GENTLEMANand#160;and#160;I do well believe you.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;FIRST GENTLEMANandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;We must forbear. Here comes the gentleman,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;The Queen and Princess.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Iandgt;They exit.andlt;/Iandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Enter the Queen, Posthumus, and Imogen.andlt;/Iandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;QUEENandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;No, be assured you shall not find me, daughter, andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;After the slander of most stepmothers,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Evil-eyed unto you. You're my prisoner, butandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Your jailer shall deliver you the keysandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;That lock up your restraint. -- For you, Posthumus,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;So soon as I can win th' offended king, andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;I will be known your advocate. Marry, yetandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;The fire of rage is in him, and 'twere goodandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;You leaned unto his sentence with what patienceandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Your wisdom may inform you.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;POSTHUMUS Please your Highness, andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;I will from hence today.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;QUEEN You know the peril.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pityingandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;The pangs of barred affections, though the Kingandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Hath charged you should not speak together. andlt;Iandgt;She exits.andlt;/Iandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;IMOGEN O,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrantandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Can tickle where she wounds! My dearest husband,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;I something fear my father's wrath, but nothing -- andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Always reserved my holy duty -- what andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;His rage can do on me. You must be gone,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;And I shall here abide the hourly shotandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Of angry eyes, not comforted to liveandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;But that there is this jewel in the worldandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;That I may see again. [andlt;Iandgt;She weeps.andlt;/Iandgt;] andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;POSTHUMUS My queen, my mistress!andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;O lady, weep no more, lest I give causeandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;To be suspected of more tendernessandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Than doth become a man. I will remainandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;The loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;My residence in Rome at one Philario's,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Who to my father was a friend, to meandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Known but by letter; thither write, my queen,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you send,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Though ink be made of gall.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Enter Queen.andlt;/Iandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;QUEEN Be brief, I pray you.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;If the King come, I shall incur I know notandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;How much of his displeasure. [andlt;andlt;Iandgt;Aside.andlt;/Iandgt;andgt;] Yet I'll move himandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;To walk this way. I never do him wrongandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;But he does buy my injuries, to be friends, andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Pays dear for my offenses. [andlt;Iandgt;She exits.andlt;/Iandgt;]andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;POSTHUMUS Should we be taking leaveandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;As long a term as yet we have to live,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;The loathness to depart would grow. Adieu.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;IMOGENand#160;and#160;Nay, stay a little! andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Were you but riding forth to air yourself,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Such parting were too petty. Look here, love:andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;This diamond was my mother's. [andlt;Iandgt;She offers aandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;ring.andlt;/Iandgt;] Take it, heart,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;But keep it till you woo another wife andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;When Imogen is dead.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;POSTHUMUS How, how? Another?andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;You gentle gods, give me but this I have,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;And cere up my embracements from a nextandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;With bonds of death. [andlt;Iandgt;He puts the ring on his finger.andlt;/Iandgt;] andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Remain, remain thou here,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;While sense can keep it on. -- And sweetest, fairest,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;As I my poor self did exchange for youandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;To your so infinite loss, so in our triflesandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;I still win of you. For my sake, wear this. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;[andlt;Iandgt;He offers a bracelet.andlt;/Iandgt;]andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;It is a manacle of love. I'll place itandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Upon this fairest prisoner. [andlt;Iandgt;He puts it on her wrist.andlt;/Iandgt;]andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;IMOGEN O the gods!andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;When shall we see again?andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Enter Cymbeline and Lords.andlt;/Iandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;POSTHUMUS Alack, the King. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;CYMBELINEandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Thou basest thing, avoid hence, from my sight!andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;If after this command thou fraught the courtandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;With thy unworthiness, thou diest. Away!andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Thou 'rt poison to my blood.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;POSTHUMUS The gods protect you, andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;And bless the good remainders of the court.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;I am gone. andlt;Iandgt;He exits.andlt;/Iandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;IMOGEN There cannot be a pinch in deathandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;More sharp than this is.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;CYMBELINE O disloyal thing andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;That shouldst repair my youth, thou heap'standlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;A year's age on me.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;IMOGEN I beseech you, sir,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Harm not yourself with your vexation.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;I am senseless of your wrath. A touch more rare andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Subdues all pangs, all fears.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;CYMBELINE Past grace? Obedience?andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;IMOGENandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Past hope and in despair; that way past grace.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;CYMBELINEandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;That mightst have had the sole son of my queen!andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;IMOGENandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;O, blessand#232;d that I might not! I chose an eagle andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;And did avoid a puttock.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;CYMBELINEandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Thou took'st a beggar, wouldst have made my throneandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;A seat for baseness.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;IMOGEN No, I rather addedandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;A luster to it.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;CYMBELINE O thou vile one!andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;IMOGEN Sir,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;It is your fault that I have loved Posthumus.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;You bred him as my playfellow, and he isandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;A man worth any woman, overbuys me andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Almost the sum he pays.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;CYMBELINEandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;What, art thou mad?andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;IMOGENandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Almost, sir. Heaven restore me! Would I wereandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;A neatherd's daughter, and my Leonatusandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Our neighbor shepherd's son. [andlt;Iandgt;She weeps.andlt;/Iandgt;]andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;CYMBELINEandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Thou foolish thing! andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Enter Queen.andlt;/Iandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;They were again together. You have doneandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Not after our command. Away with herandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;And pen her up.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;QUEENandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Beseech your patience. -- Peace, andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Dear lady daughter, peace. -- Sweet sovereign,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Leave us to ourselves, and make yourself some comfortandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Out of your best advice.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;CYMBELINE andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Nay, let her languishandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;A drop of blood a day, and being aged andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;f0 Die of this folly. andlt;Iandgt;He exits, andlt;with Lords.andgt;andlt;/Iandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;QUEENandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Fie, you must give way.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Enter Pisanio.andlt;/Iandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Here is your servant. -- How now, sir? What news?andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;PISANIOandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;My lord your son drew on my master.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;QUEEN Ha? andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;No harm, I trust, is done?andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;PISANIO andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt; There might have been,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;But that my master rather played than foughtandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;And had no help of anger. They were partedandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;By gentlemen at hand.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;QUEEN I am very glad on 't.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;IMOGENandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Your son's my father's friend; he takes his partandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;To draw upon an exile. O, brave sir!andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;I would they were in Afric both together,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Myself by with a needle, that I might prick andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;The goer-back. -- Why came you from your master?andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;PISANIOandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;On his command. He would not suffer meandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;To bring him to the haven, left these notesandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Of what commands I should be subject toandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;When 't pleased you to employ me.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;QUEEN, [andlt;Iandgt;to Imogenandlt;/Iandgt;] This hath beenandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Your faithful servant. I dare lay mine honorandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;He will remain so.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;PISANIOandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;I humbly thank your Highness.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;QUEEN, [andlt;Iandgt;to Imogenandlt;/Iandgt;]andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Pray, walk awhile.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;IMOGEN, [andlt;Iandgt;to Pisanioandlt;/Iandgt;] About some half hour hence,andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Pray you, speak with me. You shall at leastandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Go see my lord aboard. For this time leave me.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Iandgt;They exit.andlt;/Iandgt;