Enter two Gentlemen.FIRST GENTLEMAN You do not meet a man but frowns. Our bloods No more obey the heavens than our courtiers’ Still seem as does the King’s.SECOND GENTLEMAN But what’s the matter?FIRST GENTLEMAN 5 His daughter, and the heir of ’s kingdom, whom He purposed to his wife’s sole son—a widow That late he married—hath referred herself Unto a poor but worthy gentleman. She’s wedded, Her husband banished, she imprisoned. All10 Is outward sorrow, though I think the King Be touched at very heart.SECOND GENTLEMAN None but the King?FIRST GENTLEMAN He that hath lost her, too. So is the Queen, That most desired the match. But not a courtier,15 Although they wear their faces to the bent Of the King’s looks, hath a heart that is not Glad at the thing they scowl at.SECOND GENTLEMAN And why so?FIRST GENTLEMAN He that hath missed the Princess is a thing20 Too bad for bad report, and he that hath her—
I mean, that married her, alack, good man! And therefore banished—is a creature such As, to seek through the regions of the Earth For one his like, there would be something failing25 In him that should compare. I do not think So fair an outward and such stuff within Endows a man but he.SECOND GENTLEMAN You speak him far.FIRST GENTLEMAN I do extend him, sir, within himself,30 Crush him together rather than unfold His measure duly.SECOND GENTLEMAN What’s his name and birth?FIRST GENTLEMAN I cannot delve him to the root. His father Was called Sicilius, who did join his honor35 Against the Romans with Cassibelan, But had his titles by Tenantius, whom He served with glory and admired success, So gained the sur-addition Leonatus; And had, besides this gentleman in question,40 Two other sons, who in the wars o’ th’ time 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,45 Big of this gentleman our theme, deceased As he was born. The King he takes the babe To his protection, calls him Posthumus Leonatus, Breeds him and makes him of his bedchamber, Puts to him all the learnings that his time50 Could make him the receiver of, which he took As we do air, fast as ’twas ministered, And in ’s spring became a harvest; lived in court— Which rare it is to do—most praised, most loved, A sample to the youngest, to th’ more mature
11
Cymbeline
ACT 1. SC. 1
55 A glass that feated them, and to the graver A child that guided dotards. To his mistress, For whom he now is banished, her own price Proclaims how she esteemed him; and his virtue By her election may be truly read60 What kind of man he is.SECOND GENTLEMAN I honor him Even out of your report. But pray you tell me, Is she sole child to th’ King?FIRST GENTLEMAN His only child.65 He had two sons—if this be worth your hearing, Mark it—the eldest of them at three years old, I’ th’ swathing clothes the other, from their nursery Were stol’n, and to this hour no guess in knowledge Which way they went.SECOND GENTLEMAN 70How long is this ago?FIRST GENTLEMAN Some twenty years.SECOND GENTLEMAN That a king’s children should be so conveyed, So slackly guarded, and the search so slow That could not trace them!FIRST GENTLEMAN 75 Howsoe’er ’tis strange, Or that the negligence may well be laughed at, Yet is it true, sir.SECOND GENTLEMAN I do well believe you.FIRST GENTLEMAN We must forbear. Here comes the gentleman,80 The Queen and Princess.They exit.Enter the Queen, Posthumus, and Imogen.QUEEN No, be assured you shall not find me, daughter, After the slander of most stepmothers, Evil-eyed unto you. You’re my prisoner, but Your jailer shall deliver you the keys
13
Cymbeline
ACT 1. SC. 1
85 That lock up your restraint.—For you, Posthumus, So soon as I can win th’ offended king, I will be known your advocate. Marry, yet The fire of rage is in him, and ’twere good You leaned unto his sentence with what patience90 Your wisdom may inform you.POSTHUMUS Please your Highness, I will from hence today.QUEEN You know the peril. I’ll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying95 The pangs of barred affections, though the King Hath charged you should not speak together.She exits.IMOGEN O, Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant Can tickle where she wounds! My dearest husband,100 I something fear my father’s wrath, but nothing— Always reserved 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 live105 But that there is this jewel in the world That I may see again.⌜She weeps.⌝POSTHUMUS My queen, my mistress! O lady, weep no more, lest I give cause To be suspected of more tenderness110 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,115 And with mine eyes I’ll drink the words you send, Though ink be made of gall.Enter Queen.QUEEN Be brief, I pray you. If the King come, I shall incur I know not
15
Cymbeline
ACT 1. SC. 1
How much of his displeasure. (⌜Aside.⌝) Yet I’ll move120 him To walk this way. I never do him wrong But he does buy my injuries, to be friends, Pays dear for my offenses.⌜She exits.⌝POSTHUMUS Should we be taking leave125 As long a term as yet we have to live, The loathness to depart would grow. Adieu.IMOGEN Nay, stay a little! Were you but riding forth to air yourself, Such parting were too petty. Look here, love:130 This diamond was my mother’s. (⌜She offers a
ring.⌝) Take it, heart, But keep it till you woo another wife When Imogen is dead.POSTHUMUS How, how? Another?135 You gentle gods, give me but this I have, And cere up my embracements from a next With bonds of death.(⌜He puts the ring on his finger.⌝) Remain, remain thou here, While sense can keep it on.—And sweetest, fairest,140 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.⌜He offers a bracelet.⌝ It is a manacle of love. I’ll place it Upon this fairest prisoner.⌜He puts it on her wrist.⌝IMOGEN 145 O the gods! When shall we see again?Enter Cymbeline and Lords.POSTHUMUS Alack, the King.CYMBELINE Thou basest thing, avoid hence, from my sight! If after this command thou fraught the court150 With thy unworthiness, thou diest. Away! Thou ’rt poison to my blood.
17
Cymbeline
ACT 1. SC. 1
POSTHUMUS The gods protect you, And bless the good remainders of the court. I am gone.He exits.IMOGEN 155 There cannot be a pinch in death More sharp than this is.CYMBELINE O disloyal thing That shouldst repair my youth, thou heap’st A year’s age on me.IMOGEN 160 I beseech you, sir, Harm not yourself with your vexation. I am senseless of your wrath. A touch more rare Subdues all pangs, all fears.CYMBELINE Past grace? Obedience?IMOGEN 165 Past hope and in despair; that way past grace.CYMBELINE That mightst have had the sole son of my queen!IMOGEN O, blessèd that I might not! I chose an eagle And did avoid a puttock.CYMBELINE Thou took’st a beggar, wouldst have made my throne170 A seat for baseness.IMOGEN No, I rather added A luster to it.CYMBELINE O thou vile one!IMOGEN Sir,175 It is your fault that I have loved Posthumus. You bred him as my playfellow, and he is A man worth any woman, overbuys me Almost the sum he pays.CYMBELINE What, art thou mad?IMOGEN 180 Almost, sir. Heaven restore me! Would I were A neatherd’s daughter, and my Leonatus Our neighbor shepherd’s son.⌜She weeps.⌝
19
Cymbeline
ACT 1. SC. 1
CYMBELINE Thou foolish thing!Enter Queen. They were again together. You have done185 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 some190 comfort Out of your best advice.CYMBELINE Nay, let her languish A drop of blood a day, and being aged Die of this folly.He exits, ⌜with Lords.⌝QUEEN 195 Fie, you must give way.Enter Pisanio. Here is your servant.—How now, sir? What news?PISANIO My lord your son drew on my master.QUEEN Ha? No harm, I trust, is done?PISANIO 200 There might have been, But that my master rather played than fought And had no help of anger. They were parted By gentlemen at hand.QUEEN I am very glad on ’t.IMOGEN 205 Your son’s my father’s friend; he takes his part To draw upon an exile. O, brave sir! I would they were in Afric both together, Myself by with a needle, that I might prick The goer-back.—Why came you from your master?PISANIO 210 On his command. He would not suffer me To bring him to the haven, left these notes
21
Cymbeline
ACT 1. SC. 2
Of what commands I should be subject to When ’t pleased you to employ me.QUEEN, ⌜to Imogen⌝ This hath been215 Your faithful servant. I dare lay mine honor He will remain so.PISANIO I humbly thank your Highness.QUEEN, ⌜to Imogen⌝ Pray, walk awhile.IMOGEN, ⌜to Pisanio⌝ About some half hour hence,220 Pray you, speak with me. You shall at least Go see my lord aboard. For this time leave me.They exit.
Cymbeline
