This work may freely be distributed on condition that it not be
modified or altered in any way.</P>
</FM>
<PERSONAE>
<TITLE>Dramatis Personae</TITLE>
<PERSONA>CYMBELINE, king of Britain.</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>CLOTEN, son to the Queen by a former husband.</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>POSTHUMUS LEONATUS, a gentleman, husband to Imogen.</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>BELARIUS, a banished lord, disguised under the name of Morgan.</PERSONA>
<PGROUP>
<PERSONA>GUIDERIUS</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>ARVIRAGUS</PERSONA>
<GRPDESCR>sons to Cymbeline, disguised under the names of Polydote and Cadwal, supposed sons to Morgan.</GRPDESCR>
</PGROUP>
<PGROUP>
<PERSONA>PHILARIO, friend to Posthumus</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>IACHIMO, friend to Philario </PERSONA>
<GRPDESCR>Italians.</GRPDESCR>
</PGROUP>
<PERSONA>CAIUS LUCIUS, general of the Roman forces.</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>PISANIO, servant to Posthumus.</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>CORNELIUS, a physician.</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>A Roman Captain. </PERSONA>
<PERSONA>Two British Captains.</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>A Frenchman, friend to Philario.</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>Two Lords of Cymbeline's court.</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>Two Gentlemen of the same.</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>Two Gaolers.</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>QUEEN, wife to Cymbeline.</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>IMOGEN, daughter to Cymbeline by a former queen.</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>HELEN, a lady attending on Imogen.</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, a Soothsayer, a Dutchman, a Spaniard, Musicians, Officers, Captains, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants.</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>Apparitions.</PERSONA>
</PERSONAE>
<SCNDESCR>SCENE Britain; Rome.</SCNDESCR>
<PLAYSUBT>CYMBELINE</PLAYSUBT>
<ACT><TITLE>ACT I</TITLE>
<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE I. Britain. The garden of Cymbeline's palace.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter two Gentlemen</STAGEDIR>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Gentleman</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You do not meet a man but frowns: our bloods</LINE>
<LINE>No more obey the heavens than our courtiers</LINE>
<LINE>Still seem as does the king.</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Gentleman</SPEAKER>
<LINE>But what's the matter?</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Gentleman</SPEAKER>
<LINE>His daughter, and the heir of's kingdom, whom</LINE>
<LINE>He purposed to his wife's sole son--a widow</LINE>
<LINE>That late he married--hath referr'd herself</LINE>
<LINE>Unto a poor but worthy gentleman: she's wedded;</LINE>
<LINE>Her husband banish'd; she imprison'd: all</LINE>
<LINE>Is outward sorrow; though I think the king</LINE>
<LINE>Be touch'd at very heart.</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Gentleman</SPEAKER>
<LINE>None but the king?</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Gentleman</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He that hath lost her too; so is the queen,</LINE>
<LINE>That most desired the match; but not a courtier,</LINE>
<LINE>Although they wear their faces to the bent</LINE>
<LINE>Of the king's look's, hath a heart that is not</LINE>
<LINE>Glad at the thing they scowl at.</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Gentleman</SPEAKER>
<LINE>And why so?</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Gentleman</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He that hath miss'd the princess is a thing</LINE>
<LINE>Too bad for bad report: and he that hath her--</LINE>
<LINE>I mean, that married her, alack, good man!</LINE>
<LINE>And therefore banish'd--is a creature such</LINE>
<LINE>As, to seek through the regions of the earth</LINE>
<LINE>For one his like, there would be something failing</LINE>
<LINE>In him that should compare. I do not think</LINE>
<LINE>So fair an outward and such stuff within</LINE>
<LINE>Endows a man but he.</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Gentleman</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You speak him far.</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Gentleman</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I do extend him, sir, within himself,</LINE>
<LINE>Crush him together rather than unfold</LINE>
<LINE>His measure duly.</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Gentleman</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What's his name and birth?</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Gentleman</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I cannot delve him to the root: his father</LINE>
<LINE>Was call'd Sicilius, who did join his honour</LINE>
<LINE>Against the Romans with Cassibelan,</LINE>
<LINE>But had his titles by Tenantius whom</LINE>
<LINE>He served with glory and admired success,</LINE>
<LINE>So gain'd the sur-addition Leonatus;</LINE>
<LINE>And had, besides this gentleman in question,</LINE>
<LINE>Two other sons, who in the wars o' the time</LINE>
<LINE>Died with their swords in hand; for which</LINE>
<LINE>their father,</LINE>
<LINE>Then old and fond of issue, took such sorrow</LINE>
<LINE>That he quit being, and his gentle lady,</LINE>
<LINE>Big of this gentleman our theme, deceased</LINE>
<LINE>As he was born. The king he takes the babe</LINE>
<LINE>To his protection, calls him Posthumus Leonatus,</LINE>
<LINE>Breeds him and makes him of his bed-chamber,</LINE>
<LINE>Puts to him all the learnings that his time</LINE>
<LINE>Could make him the receiver of; which he took,</LINE>
<LINE>As we do air, fast as 'twas minister'd,</LINE>
<LINE>And in's spring became a harvest, lived in court--</LINE>
<LINE>Which rare it is to do--most praised, most loved,</LINE>
<LINE>A sample to the youngest, to the more mature</LINE>
<LINE>A glass that feated them, and to the graver</LINE>
<LINE>A child that guided dotards; to his mistress,</LINE>
<LINE>For whom he now is banish'd, her own price</LINE>
<LINE>Proclaims how she esteem'd him and his virtue;</LINE>
<LINE>By her election may be truly read</LINE>
<LINE>What kind of man he is.</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Gentleman</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I honour him</LINE>
<LINE>Even out of your report. But, pray you, tell me,</LINE>
<LINE>Is she sole child to the king?</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Gentleman</SPEAKER>
<LINE>His only child.</LINE>
<LINE>He had two sons: if this be worth your hearing,</LINE>
<LINE>Mark it: the eldest of them at three years old,</LINE>
<LINE>I' the swathing-clothes the other, from their nursery</LINE>
<LINE>Were stol'n, and to this hour no guess in knowledge</LINE>
<LINE>Which way they went.</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Gentleman</SPEAKER>
<LINE>How long is this ago?</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Gentleman</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Some twenty years.</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Gentleman</SPEAKER>
<LINE>That a king's children should be so convey'd,</LINE>
<LINE>So slackly guarded, and the search so slow,</LINE>
<LINE>That could not trace them!</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Gentleman</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Howsoe'er 'tis strange,</LINE>
<LINE>Or that the negligence may well be laugh'd at,</LINE>
<LINE>Yet is it true, sir.</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Gentleman</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I do well believe you.</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Gentleman</SPEAKER>
<LINE>We must forbear: here comes the gentleman,</LINE>
<LINE>The queen, and princess.</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
<STAGEDIR>Enter the QUEEN, POSTHUMUS LEONATUS, and IMOGEN</STAGEDIR>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>QUEEN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>No, be assured you shall not find me, daughter,</LINE>
<LINE>After the slander of most stepmothers,</LINE>
<LINE>Evil-eyed unto you: you're my prisoner, but</LINE>
<LINE>Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys</LINE>
<LINE>That lock up your restraint. For you, Posthumus,</LINE>
<LINE>So soon as I can win the offended king,</LINE>
<LINE>I will be known your advocate: marry, yet</LINE>
<LINE>The fire of rage is in him, and 'twere good</LINE>
<LINE>You lean'd unto his sentence with what patience</LINE>
<LINE>Your wisdom may inform you.</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POSTHUMUS LEONATUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Please your highness,</LINE>
<LINE>I will from hence to-day.</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>QUEEN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You know the peril.</LINE>
<LINE>I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying</LINE>
<LINE>The pangs of barr'd affections, though the king</LINE>
<LINE>Hath charged you should not speak together.</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>IMOGEN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O</LINE>
<LINE>Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant</LINE>
<LINE>Can tickle where she wounds! My dearest husband,</LINE>
<LINE>I something fear my father's wrath; but nothing--</LINE>
<LINE>Always reserved my holy duty--what</LINE>
<LINE>His rage can do on me: you must be gone;</LINE>
<LINE>And I shall here abide the hourly shot</LINE>
<LINE>Of angry eyes, not comforted to live,</LINE>
<LINE>But that there is this jewel in the world</LINE>
<LINE>That I may see again.</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POSTHUMUS LEONATUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>My queen! my mistress!</LINE>
<LINE>O lady, weep no more, lest I give cause</LINE>
<LINE>To be suspected of more tenderness</LINE>
<LINE>Than doth become a man. I will remain</LINE>
<LINE>The loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth:</LINE>
<LINE>My residence in Rome at one Philario's,</LINE>
<LINE>Who to my father was a friend, to me</LINE>
<LINE>Known but by letter: thither write, my queen,</LINE>
<LINE>And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you send,</LINE>
<LINE>Though ink be made of gall.</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<STAGEDIR>Re-enter QUEEN</STAGEDIR>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>QUEEN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Be brief, I pray you:</LINE>
<LINE>If the king come, I shall incur I know not</LINE>
<LINE>How much of his displeasure.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Aside</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Yet I'll move him</LINE>
<LINE>To walk this way: I never do him wrong,</LINE>
<LINE>But he does buy my injuries, to be friends;</LINE>
<LINE>Pays dear for my offences.</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POSTHUMUS LEONATUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Should we be taking leave</LINE>
<LINE>As long a term as yet we have to live,</LINE>
<LINE>The loathness to depart would grow. Adieu!</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>IMOGEN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nay, stay a little:</LINE>
<LINE>Were you but riding forth to air yourself,</LINE>
<LINE>Such parting were too petty. Look here, love;</LINE>
<LINE>This diamond was my mother's: take it, heart;</LINE>
<LINE>But keep it till you woo another wife,</LINE>
<LINE>When Imogen is dead.</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POSTHUMUS LEONATUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>How, how! another?</LINE>
<LINE>You gentle gods, give me but this I have,</LINE>
<LINE>And sear up my embracements from a next</LINE>
<LINE>With bonds of death!</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Putting on the ring</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Remain, remain thou here</LINE>
<LINE>While sense can keep it on. And, sweetest, fairest,</LINE>
<LINE>As I my poor self did exchange for you,</LINE>
<LINE>To your so infinite loss, so in our trifles</LINE>
<LINE>I still win of you: for my sake wear this;</LINE>
<LINE>It is a manacle of love; I'll place it</LINE>
<LINE>Upon this fairest prisoner.</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<STAGEDIR>Putting a bracelet upon her arm</STAGEDIR>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>IMOGEN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O the gods!</LINE>
<LINE>When shall we see again?</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<STAGEDIR>Enter CYMBELINE and Lords</STAGEDIR>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POSTHUMUS LEONATUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Alack, the king!</LINE>
</SPEECH>
<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CYMBELINE</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Thou basest thing, avoid! hence, from my sight!</LINE>
<LINE>If after this command thou fraught the court</LINE>