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[Exit.

Re-enter IRAs, with a Robe, Crown, &c. Cleo. Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have Immortal longings in me: Now no more The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip:Yare, yare, 33) good Iras; quick. Methinks, l'hear Antony call; I see him rouse himself To praise my noble act; I hear him mock The luck of Cæsar, 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? 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? 34) Dost fall? 35) 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.

Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I 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; 36) and spend that kiss, Which is my heaven to have. Come, mortal wretch, 37) [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! 38)

Char.

Cleo.

O eastern star!

Peace, peace!

Dost thou not see my baby at my breast, That sucks the nurse asleep?

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Char. O, break! O, break! Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle, O Antony! - Nay, I will take thee too: [Applying another Asp to her arm. What should I stay - [Falls on a bed, and dies. Char. In this wild world? So, fare thee well. Now boast thee, death! in thy possession lies

-

A lass unparallel'd. Downy windows, close; 39) And golden Phoebus never be beheld

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1 Guard. 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.

Cas. 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: 41) The like is on her arm.

1 Guard. This is an aspick's trail: and these fig-leaves Have slime upon them, such as the aspick leaves Upon the caves of Nile.

Most probable,

Cas.
That so she died; for her physician tells me,
She hath pursu'd conclusions infinite 42)
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 43) 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, 44) which
Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall,
In solemn show, attend this funeral;
And then to Rome. O Come, Dolabella, see
High order in this great solemnity.

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[Exeunt.

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ACT I.

1 Gent. I cannot delve him to the root: His father Was call'd Sicilius, who did join his honour,

SCENE I. Britain. The Garden behind Cym- Against the Romans, with Cassibelan;

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. 1)
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?

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.

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But had his titles by Tenantius, 3) 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 father
(Then old and fond of issue,) took such sorrow,
That he quit being! and his gentle lady,
Bid of this gentleman, our theme, deceas'd
As he was born. The king, he takes the babe
To his protection; call him Posthumus;
Breeds him, and makes him of his bed-chamber:
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: 4)
A sample to the youngest; to the more mature,
A glass that feated them; 5) and to the graver,
A child that guided dotards: to his mistress, 6)
For whom he now is banish'd, her own price
Proclaims how she esteem'd him and his virtue;
By her election may be truly read,
What kind of man he is.
2 Gent.

I honour him
But, 'pray you, tell me,

Even out of your report. Is she sole child to the king? 1 Gent. His only child. He had two sons, (if this be worth your hearing, Mark it,) the eldest of them at three years old, I' the swathing clothes the other, from their nursery 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!

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Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant
Can tickle where she wounds! - My dearest husband,
I something fear my father's wrath; but nothing,
(Always reserv'd my holy duty,) 8) 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 live,
But that there is this jewel in the world,
That I may see again.

Post.
My queen! my mistress!
O, lady, weep no more; lest I 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,
And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you send,
Though ink be made of gall.

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Cym.

Re-enter QUEEN.

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Thou foolish thing! They were again together: you have done

[To the QUEEN. 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 some comfort Out of your best advice. 16) Cym.

Nay, let her languish A drop of blood a day; and, being aged, Die of this folly!

Queen.

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[Exit.

Fye! you must give way: Here is your servant. How now, sir? What news? Pis. My lord your son drew on my master. Queen.

No harm, I trust, is done?

45

Ha!

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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?
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.

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2 Lord. His steel was in debt; it went o'the back side the town. [Aside. 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.

Clo. The villain would not stand me.

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. 1 Lord. Sir, as I told you always, her beauty and her brain go not together: 17) she's a good sign, but I have seen small reflection of her wit. 18) 2 Lord. She shines not upon fools, lest the reflection 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.

Clo. You'll go with us?

1 Lord. I'll attend your lordship.

Clo. Nay, come, let's go together. 2 Lord. Well, my lord.

[Aside.

SCENE IV.

A Room in Cymbeline's Palace. Enter IMOGEN and PISANIO.

Imo. I would thou grew'st unto the shores o’the haven,

And question'dst every sail: if he should write,
An I not have it, 'twere a paper lost,

As offer'd mercy is. 19) 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 I!
And that was all?
Pis.

No, madam; for so long
As he could make me with this eye or ear
The deck, with glove, or hat, or handkerchief,
Distinguish him from others, he did keep
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.

As little as a crow, To after-eye him.

Pis.

Thou should'st have made him or less, ere left

Madam, so I did.

Imo. I would have broke mine eye-strings; crack'd

them, but

To look upon him; till the diminution

Of

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.
Be assur'd, madam,

space had pointed him sharp as my needle:

With his next vantage. 2o)

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

Mine interest, and his honour; or have charg'd him,
At the sixth hour of morn, at noon, at midnight,
To encounter me with orisons, 21) for then
I am in heaven for him; or ere I could
Betwixt two charming words, comes in my father,
Give him that parting kiss, which I had set
And, like the tyrannous breathing of the north,
Shakes all our buds from growing.

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

Iach. Believe it, sir: I have seen him in Britain: he was then of a crescent note; expected to prove so worthy, as since he hath been allowed the name of: but I could then have looked on him without the help of admiration; though the catalogue of his [Exeunt. endowments had been tabled by his side, and I to peruse him by items.

Phi. You speak of him when he was less furnished,

than now he is, with that which makes him 22) both || lieve she excelled many: but I have not seen the without and within. most precious diamond that is, nor you the lady. Post. I praised her as I rated her: so do I my

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

Iach. 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 Ideal from the matter. 23)

French. And then his banishment:

Iach. Ay, and the approbation of those that weep this lamentable divorce, under her colours, 24) are wonderfully to extend him; be it but to fortify her judgment, which else an easy battery might lay flat, for taking a beggar without more quality. 25) But how comes it, he is to sojourn with you? How creeps acquaintance?

Phi. His father and I were soldiers together; to whom I have been often bound for no less than my life:

Enter POSTHUMUS.

Here comes the Briton: Let him be so entertained amongst you, as suits, with gentlemen of your knowing, to a stranger of his quality. I beseech you all, be better known to this gentleman; whom I commend to you, as a noble friend of mine: How worthy he is, I will leave to appear hereafter, rather than story him in his own hearing.

French. Sir, we have known together in Orleans. Post. Since when I have been debtor to you for courtesies, which I will be ever to pay, and yet pay still.

French. Sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindness: I was glad I did atone my countryman and you; 26) it had been pity, you should have been put together with so mortal a purpose, as then each bore, upon importance of so slight and trivial a nature. 27) Post. By your pardon, sir, I was then a young traveller: rather shunned to go even with what I heard, than in my every action to be guided by others' experiences: 28) but, upon my mended judgment, (if I offend not to say it is mended,) my quarrel was not altogether slight.

French. 'Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrement of swords; and by such two, that would, by all likelihood, have confounded one the other, 29) or have fallen both.

Iach. Can we, with manners, ask what was the difference?

French. Safely, I think: 'twas a contention in public, which may, without contradiction, 3o) suffer the report. It was much like an argument that fell out last night, where each of us fell in praise of our country mistresses: This gentleman at that time vouching, (and upon warrant of bloody affirmation,)|| his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, constantqualified, and less attemptible, than any the rarest of our ladies in France.

Iach. That lady is not now living; or this gentleman's opinion, by this, worn out.

Post. She holds her virtue still, and I my mind. lach. You must not so far prefer her 'fore ours of Italy.

Post. Being so far provoked as I was in France, I would abate her nothing; though I profess myself her adorer, not her friend. 31)

Iach. As fair, and as good, (a kind of hand-inhand comparison,) had been something too fair, and too good, for any lady in Britany. If she went before others I have seen, as that diamond of yours outlustres many I have beheld, I could not but be

stone.

Iach. What do you esteem it at!
Post. More than the world enjoys.

Iach. Either your unparagoned mistress is dead, or she's outprized by a trifle.

Post. You are mistaken: the one may be sold, or given; if there were wealth enough for the purchase, or merit for the gift: the other is not a thing for sale, and only the gift of the gods. Iach. Which the gods have given you? Post. Which, by their graces, I will keep. Iach. You may wear her in title yours: but, you know, strange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. Your ring may be stolen too: so, of your brace of unprizeable estimations, the one is but frail, and the other casual; a cunning thief, or a that-wayaccomplished courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and last.

Post. Your Italy contains none so accomplished a courtier, to convince 32) the honour of my mistress; if, in the holding or loss of that, you term her frail. I do nothing doubt, you have store of thieves; notwithstanding I fear not my ring. Phi. Let us leave here, gentlemen. Post. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy signior, I thank him, makes no stranger of me; we are familiar at first.

Iach. With five times so much conversation, I should get ground of your fair mistress: make her go back, even to the yielding; had I admittance, and opportunity to friend.

Post. No, no.

Iach. I dare, thereupon, pawn the moiety of my estate to your ring; which, in my opinion, o'ervalues it something: But I make my wager rather against your confidence, than her reputation: and, to bar your offence herein too, I durst attempt it against any lady in the world.

Post. You are a great deal abused 33) in too bold a persuasion; and I doubt not you sustain what you're worthy of, by your attempt.

Iach. What's that?

Post. A repulse: Though your attempt, as you call it, deserve more; a punishment too.

Phi. Gentlemen, enough of this: it came in too suddenly; let it die as it was born, and, I pray you, be better acquainted.

Iach. 'Would I had put my estate, and my neighbour's, on the approbation 34) of what I have spoke. Post. What lady would you choose to assail? Iach. Yours; whom in constancy, you think, stands so safe. I will lay you ten thousand ducats to your ring, that, commend me to the court where your lady is, with no more advantage than the opportunity of a second conference, and I will bring from thence that honour of hers, which you imagine so reserved.

Post. I will wage against your gold, gold to it: my ring I hold dear as my finger; 'tis part of it. Iach. You are a friend, and therein the wiser. If you buy ladies' flesh at a million a dram, you cannot preserve it from tainting: But, I see, you have some religion in you, that you fear.

Post. This is but a custom in your tongue; you bear a graver purpose, I hope. Iach. I am the master of my speeches; and would undergo what's spoken, I swear. Post. Will you? I shall but lend my diamond till your return: Let there be covenants drawn between us: My mistress exceeds in goodness the

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