Madam, he will;

Though he be honourable,- That I some lady trifles have reserv'd
Immoment toys, things of such dignity
As we greet modern friends withal: and say,
Some nobler token I have kept apart
For Livia, and Octavia, to induce
With one that I have bred 7 The gods! it smites
Their mediation; must I be unfolded

Which is the queen

Cleo. Nay, that is certain.
Iras. I'll never see it; for, I am sure, my nails
Are stronger than mine eyes.
Cleo.
Why, that's the way
To fool their preparation, and to conquer
Their most absurd intents.-Now, Charmian
Enter Charmian.

Antony call; I see him rouse himself
To praise my noble act; I hear him mock
The luck of Cesar, which the gods give men
To excuse their after wrath: Husband, I come;
Now to that name my courage prove my title!
I am fire, and air; my other elements
I give to baser life.-So,-have you done?
7-Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips.
Farewell, kind Charmian :-Iras, long farewell.
[Kisses them. Iras falls and dies.
Have I the aspick in my lips? Dost fall?
If thou and nature can so gently part,
The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch,
Which hurts, and is desir'd. Dost thou lie still?
If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world
It is not worth leave-taking.

Show me, my women, like a queen ;-Go fetch
My best attires;-I am again for Cydnus,
To meet Mark Antony :-Sirrah, Iras, go.
Now, noble Charmian, we'll despatch indeed :
And, when thou hast done this chare, I'll give

thee leave

To play till doomsday.-Bring our crown and all;
Wherefore's this noise?
[Exit Iras. A Noise within.
Enter one of the Guard.

Guard.
Here is a rural fellow,
That will not be denied your highness' presence;
He brings you figs.

ment

Cleo. Let him come in. How poor an instru-
[Exit Guard.
May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty.
My resolution's plac'd, and I have nothing
Of woman in me: Now from head to foot
I am marble constant: now the fleeting moon
No planet is of mine.

Re-enter Guard, with a Clown, bringing a
Basket.

Guard.
This is the man.
Cleo. Avoid, and leave him. [Exit Guard.
Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there,
That kills and pains not?

Clown. Truly I have him: but I would not be the party that should desire you to touch him, for his biting is immortal; those, that do die of it,

do seldom or never recover.

Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that

may say,

The gods themselves do weep!

Cleo.

This proves me base:
If she first meet the curled Antony,
He'll make demand of her; and spend that kiss,
Which is my heaven to have. *Come, mortal
wretch,

[To the Asp, which she applies to her
Breast.
With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate
Of life at once untie; poor venomous fool,
Be angry, and despatch. O, could'st thou speak!
That I might hear thee call great Cæsar, ass
Unpolicied:

O eastern star !

Char.
Cleo.
Peace, peace!
Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,
That sucks the nurse asleep?
Char.
O, break! O, break!
Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gr
tle,-

O Antony !-Nay, I will take thee too :What should I stay-[Falls on a Bed, and dies [Applying another Asp to her Arm Cleo. Remember'st thou any that have died on't? Char. In this wild world?-So fare thee wellClown. Very many, men and women too. I Now boast thee, death! in thy possession lies heard of one of them no longer than yesterday: A lass unparallel'd.-Downy windows, close; a very honest woman, but something given to And golden Phoebus never be beheld lie; as a woman should not do, but in the way of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry; of honesty :-how she died of the biting of it, I'll mend it, and then play. what pain she felt.-Truly, she makes a very good report o' the worm: But he that will believe all that they say, shall never be saved by half that they do. But this is most fallible, the worm's an odd worm.

Cleo. Get thee hence; farewell.

Clown. I wish you all joy of the worm.

Cleo. Farewell. [Clown sets down the Basket. Clown. You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind.

Cleo. Ay, ay; farewell.

Clown. Look you, the worm is not to be trusted, but in the keeping of wise people; for, indeed, there is no goodness in the worm.

Cleo. Take thou no care; it shall be heeded. Clown. Very good give it nothing, I pray you, for it is not worth the feeding.

Cleo. Will it eat me?

Clown. You must not think I am so simple, but I know the devil himself will not eat a woman: I know that a woman is a dish for the gods, if the devil dress her not. But, truly, these same whoreson devils do the gods great harm in their women; for in every ten that they make, the devils mar five.

Cleo. Well, get thee gone; farewell.
Clown. Yes, forsooth; I wish you joy of the
[Exit

worm.

Dol.

Enter Dolabella.
Dol. How goes it here?
All dead.
2 Guard.
Cesar, thy thought
Touch their effects in this: Thyself art coming
To see perform'd the dreaded act, which thoa
So sought'st to hinder.
Within.
A way there, a way for Cesar!
Enter Cæsar, and Attendants.
Dol. 0, sir, you are too sure an augurer;
That you did fear, is done.
Bravest at the last
She levell'd at our purposes, and, being royal,
Took her own way.-The manner of their deaths?
I do not see them bleed.
Dol

Re-enter Iras, with a Robe, Crown, &c.
Cleo. Give me my robe, put on my crown; I Cas.

have

Immortal longings in me: now no more
The Juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip:
Yare, yare, good Iras ; quick.-Methinks, I hear

Who was last with them?

1 Guard. A simple countryman, that brought| 1 Guard. This is an aspick's trail: and these her figs;

This was his basket.
Cœs.

1 Guard.

Poison'd then.

O Cæsar,

This Charmian lived but now; she stood, and
spake:

I found her trimming up the diadem
On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood,
And on the sudden dropp'd.
Cæs.
O noble weakness!-
If they had swallow'd poison, 'twould appear
By external swelling: but she looks like sleep,
As she would catch another Antony
In her strong toil of grace.
Dol.
Here, on her breast,
There is a vent of blood, and something blown
The like is on her arm.

fig-leaves

Have slime upon them, such as the aspick leaves
Upon the caves of Nile.
Cæs.

Most probable,

That so she died; for her physician tells me,
She hath pursu'd conclusions infinite
Of easy ways to die.-Take up her bed;
And bear her women from the monument :-
She shall be buried by her Antony:
No grave upon the earth shall clip in it
A pair so famous. High events as these
Strike those that make them: and their story is
No less in pity, than his glory, which
Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall,
In solemn show, attend this funeral;
And then to Rome.-Come, Dolabella, see
High order in this great solemnity.

CYMBELINE.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

CYMBELINE, King of Britain.
CLOTEN, Son to the Queen by a former Hus-
band.

LEONATUS POSTHUMUS, a Gentleman,
Husband to Imogen.
BELARIUS, a banished Lord, disguised under
the name of Morgan.

GUIDERIUS,
ARVIRAGUS,

Sons to Cymbeline, disguised under the names of Polydore, and Cadwal, supposed Sons to Belarius. PHILARIO, Friend to Posthumus, IACHIMO, Friend to Philario,

Italians.

A French Gentleman, Friend to Philario.
CAIUS LUCIUS, General of the Roman Forces.

[Exeunt.

A Roman Captain. Two British Captains.
PISANIO, Servant to Posthumus.
CORNELIUS, a Physician.
Two Gentlemen.
Two Goalers.

Queen, Wife to Cymbeline.
IMOGEN, Daughter to Cymbeline by a former
HELEN, Woman to Imogen.
Queen.

Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, Ap.
paritions, a Soothsayer, a Dutch Gentleman,
a Spanish Gentleman, Musicians, Officers,
Captains, Soldiers, Messengers, and other At
tendants.

SCENE-sometimes in Britain; sometimes in Italy.

ACT I.

So fair an outward, and such stuff within,

SCENE I. Britain. The Garden behind Cym- Endows a man but he.

beline's Palace.

Enter Two Gentlemen.

1 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's.
2 Gent.

But what's the matter? 1 Gent. His daughter, and the heir of his king. dom, whom

He purpos'd to his wife's sole son (a widow
That late he married,) hath referi'd herself

2 Gent. You speak him far.

1 Gent. I do extend him, sir, within himself; Crush him together, rather than unfold His measure duly. 2 Gent.

What's his name, and birth?

1 Gent. I cannot delve him to the root: His
father

Was call'd Sicilins, who did join his honour
Against the Romans, with Cassibelan;
But had his titles by Tenantius, whom
He serv'd with glory and admir'd success;
So gain'd the sur-addition, Leonatus:

Unto a poor but worthy gentleman: She's wed-And had, besides this gentleman in question,

ded;

Her husband banish'd; she imprison'd; all

Is outward sorrow; though, I think, the king
Be touch'd at very heart.

2 Gent.

7

None but the king
1 Gent. He, that hath lost her, too: so is the
queen,

That most desir'd the match: But not a courtier,
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.

2 Gent.

And why so? 1 Gent. He that hath miss'd the princess, is a thing

Too bad for bad report: and he that hath her,
(I mean, that married her,-alack, good man -
And therefore banish'd,) is a creature such
As, to seek through the regions of the earth
For one his like, there would be something failing
In him that should compare. I do not think,

Two other sons, who, in the wars of the time,
Died with their swords in hand; for which their
father

(Then old and fond of issue) took such sorrow,
l'hat he quit being; and his gentle lady,
Big of this gentleman, our theme, deceas'd
As he was born. The king, he takes the babe
To his protection; calls him Posthumus:
Breeds him, and makes him of his bedchamber:
Puts him to 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 his spring became a harvest: Liv'd in court
(Which rare it is to do) most prais'd, most lov'd:
A sample to the youngest; to the more mature
A glass that feated them; and to the graver,
A child that guided dotards; to his mistress,
For whom he now is banish'd,-her own price
Proclaims how she esteem'd him and his virtue
By her clection may be truly read,

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
convey'd !

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

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!
queen and princess.
[Exeunt.

My queen! my mistress!
O, lady, weep no more: lest 1 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,

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 7-
You gentle gods, give me but this I have,
And sear up my embracements from a next
With bonds of death!-Remain, remain thot
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; Pil place it
Upon this fairest prisoner.

Imo.

[Putting a Bracelet on her Arm ⚫O, the gods!

When shall we see again!

Enter Cymbeline and Lords.

Post.
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.
The gods protect you!
And bless the good remainders of the court!

Post.

I am gone.
Imo.

[Erit. There cannot be a pinch in death

More sharp than this is.
That should'st repair my
Cym
A year's age on me!

Imo.

youth; thou heapest O disloyal thing,

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

Cym.

Thou foolish thing!

And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you They were again together: you have done

Queen.
Be brief, I pray you:
If the king come, I shall incur I know not
How much of his displeasure:-Yet l'll move
[Aside.

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.

[Exit.

comfort

Nay, let her languish A drop of blood a day; and, being aged, Should we be taking leave Die of this folly! As long a term as yet we have to live, The loathness to depart would grow: Adieu! Imo. Nay, stay a little

Here is your servant.-How now. sir? What And I not have it, 'twere a paper lost news?

Pis. My lord your son drew on my master.

Queen.

No harm, I trust, is done?

Ha!

Pis.
There might have been,
But that my master rather play'd than fought,
And had no help of anger: they were parted
By gentlemen at hand.
Queen.
I am very glad on 't.
Imo. Your son's my father's friend: he takes
his part.-

To draw upon an exile !-O brave sir!-
I would they were in Africk both together;
Myself by with a needle, that I might prick
The goer back.-Why came you from your
master?

Pis. On his command: He would not suffer me
To bring him to the haven: left these notes
Of what commands I should be subject to,
When it pleas'd you to employ me.
Queen.
This hath been
Your faithful servant: I dare lay mine honour,
He will remain so.
Pis.
I humbly thank your highness.
Queen. Pray, walk a while.
Imo.

About some half hour hence,
I pray you, speak with me: you shall, at least,
Go see my lord aboard: for this time, leave me.
[Exeunt.

SCENE III. A public Place.
Enter Cloten, and Two Lords.

As offer'd mercy is. What was the last.
That he spake to thee?

Pis.
"Twas, His queen, his queen!
Imo. Then wav'd his handkerchief?
Pis.

And kiss'd it, madam.
Imo. Senseless linen! happier therein than 1!-
And that was all?

Pis.

No, madam; for so long
As he could make me with this eye or ear
Distinguish him from others, he did keep
The deck, with glove, or hat, or handkerchief,
Still waving, as the fits and stirs of his mind
Could best express how slow his soul sail'd on,
How swift his ship.

Imo.

Thou should'st have made him
As little as a crow, or less, ere left
To after-eye him.
Pis.

Madam, so I did.
Imo. I would have broke mine eye-strings;
crack'd them, but

To look upon him; till the diminution
Of space had pointed him sharp as my needle:
Nay, follow'd him, till he had melted from
The smallness of a gnat to air; and then
Have turn'd mine eye, and wept.-But, good
Pisanio,

When shall we hear from him?

Pis.

With his next vantage.

Be assur'd, madam,

Imo. I did not take my leave of him, but had Most pretty things to say: ere I could tell him, How I would think on him, at certain hours, Such thoughts, and such; or I could make him

swear

1 Lord. Sir, I would advise you to shift a shirt; the violence of action hath made you reek as a sacrifice: Where air comes out, air comes in: The shes of Italy should not betray there's none abroad so wholesome as that you Mine interest, and his honour; or have charg'd

vent.

him,

Clo. If my shirt were bloody, then to shift it-At the sixth hour of morn, at noon, at midnight
Have I hurt him?
To encounter me with orisons, for then
am in heaven for him; or ere I could
Give him that parting kiss, which I had set
Betwixt two charraing words, comes in my

2 Lord. No, faith: not so much as his patience.I
Aside.
1 Lord. Hurt him? his body's a passable car-
cass, if he be not hurt: it is a thoroughfare for
steel, if it be not hurt.

2 Lord. His steel was in debt; it went o' the backside the town. [Aside. Clo. The villain would not stand me. 2 Lord. No; but he fled forward still, toward your face. Aside. 1 Lord. Stand you! you have land enough of your own: but he added to your having; gave you some ground.

2 Lord. As many inches as you have oceans: Puppies! [Aside.

- Clo. I would, they had not come between us. 2 Lord. So would I, till you had measured how long a fool you were upon the ground. [Aside. Clo. And that she should love this fellow, and refuse me!

2 Lord. If it be a sin to make a true election, she is damned.

[Aside.

Rome. An Apartment in Philario's House. Enter Philario, Iachimo, a Frenchman, a Dutchman, and a Spaniard.

Iach. Believe it, sir: 1 have seen him in Britain: he was then of a crescent note, expected 1 Lord. Sir, as I told you always, her beauty to prove so worthy, as since he hath been allowed and her brain go not together: She's a good sign, the name of: but I could then have looked on him but I have seen small reflection of her wit. 2 Lord. She shines not upon fools, lest the re-logue of his endowments had been tabled by his without the help of admiration: though the cataflection should hurt her. [Aside. Clo. Come, I'll to my chamber: 'Would there had been some hurt done!

2 Lord. I wish not so; unless it had been the fall of an ass, which is no great hurt. [Aside. Clo You will go with us?

1 Lord. I'll attend your lordship. Clo. Nay, come, let's go together. 2 Lord. Well, my lord.

[Exeunt. SCENE IV. A Room in Cymbeline's Palace. Enter Imogen and Pisanio.

Imo. I would thou grew'st unto the shore's o' the haven,

And question'dst every sail: if he should write,

side, and I to peruse him by items.

Phi. You speak of him when he was less furhim both without and within. nished, than now he is, with that which makes

French. I have seen him in France: we had very many there, could behold the sun with as firm eyes as he.

Tach. This matter of marrying his king's daughter (wherein he must be weighed rather by her value, than his own,) words him, I doubt not, a great deal from the matter.

French. And then his banishment:Tach. Ay, and the approbation of those, that weep this lamentable divorce, under her colours are wonderfully to extend him; be it but to for