:

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

Cymbeline, King of Britain.

Cloten, son to the Queen by a former husband.

Leonatus Posthumus, a gentleman, husband to Imogen.
Belarius, a banished lord, disguised under the name of

Morgan.

Guiderius, sons to Cymbeline, disguised under the
names of Polydore and Cadwal, sup-
Arviragus,
posed 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.
A Roman Captain. Two British Captains.
Pisanio, servant to Posthumus.

Cornelius, a physician.

Two Gentlemen.

Two: Gaplers,

:

Queen, wife to Cymbeline.
Imogen, daughter to Cymbeline by a former Queen.
Helen, woman to Imogen.

Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, Apparitions,
a Soothsayer, a Dutch Gentleman, a Spanish Gen-
tleman, Musicians, Officers, Captains, Soldiers, Mes-
sengers, and other Attendants.

SCENE, sometimes in Britain; sometimes in Italy.

CYMBELINE.

ACT I.

SCENE I. Britain. The Garden behind Cymbeline's

Palace.

Enter Two Gentlemen.

1 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.

2 Gent.

But what's the matter?

1 Gent. His daughter, and the heir of his kingdom, whom

He purpos'd to his wife's sole son, (a widow,
That late he married,) hath referr'd herself
Unto a poor but worthy gentleman: She's wedded;
Her husband banish'd; she imprison'd: all
Is outward sorrow; though I think, the king

Be touch'd at very heart.

2 Gent.

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?

I Inclination, natural disposition.
B 2

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, So fair an outward, and such stuff within,

Endows a man but he.

2 Gent.

You speak him far.*

1 Gent. I do extend him, sir, within himself;

Crush him together, rather than unfold

His measure duly.3

2 Gent.

What's his name, and birth?

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

Was call'd Sicilius, 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 :
And had, besides this gentleman in question,
Two other sons, who, in the wars o'the time,
Died with their swords in hand; for which their fa-

ther

(Then old and fond of issue,) took such sorrow,
That 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;

2 i. e. You praise him extensively.
3 My praise, however extensive, is within his merit.
The father of Cymbeline.