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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?

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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 marry'd 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.

2 Gent. What's his name, and birth?

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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,

40 Dy'd

Dy'd 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,
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 bed-chamber:
Puts to him all the learning 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,
Aglass that featur'd 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 election may be truly read,

What kind of man he is.

2 Gent. I honour him

Even out of your report. But, pray you, tell me, 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,

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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?

2

1 Gent.

1 Gent. Some twenty years.

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2 Gent. That a king's children should be so con

vey'd !

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

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 gentle

man,

The queen, and princess.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Enter the Queen, POSTHUMUS, IMOGEN, and Attendants.

Queen. No, be assur'd, you shall not find me,

daughter,

After the slander of most step-mothers,

Evil-ey'd unto you: you are my prisoner, but

Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys

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That lock up your restraint. For you, Posthumus,
So soon as I can win the offended king,
I will be known your advocate: marry, yet
The fire of rage is in him; and 'twere good,
You lean'd unto his sentence, with what patience
Your wisdom may inform you.

Post.

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I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying
The pangs of barr'd affections; though the king
Hath charg'd you should not speak together. [Exit.

Imo. O 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), 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.

Re-enter Queen.

Queen. Be brief, I pray you :

If the king come, I shall incur I know not

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How

How much of his displeasure :-Yet I'll move him

To walk this way: I never do him wrong,

[Aside.

But he does buy my injuries, to be friends;
Pays dear for my offences.

Post. Should we be taking leave

As long a term as yet we have to live,
The lothness to depart would grow: Adieu!
Imo. Nay, stay a little :

Were you but riding forth to air yourself,

[Exit.

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?

You gentle gods, give me but this I have,
And sear up my embracements from a next

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With bonds of death!-Remain, remain thou here

[Putting on the Ring.

While sense can keep it on! And sweetest, fairest, As I my poor self did exchange for you,

To you so infinite loss; so, in our trifles

I still win of you: For my sake, wear this;

It is a manacle of love; I'll place it

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