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Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I may | Touch their effects in this: Thyself art coming

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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 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;
And golden Phœbus never be beheld

Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry;
I'll mend it, and then play.

Enter the Guard, rushing in.

1 Guard. Where is the queen ? Char.

Speak softly, wake her not.

1 Guard. Cæsar hath sentChar.

Too slow a messenger. [Applies the Asp.

O, come: apace, despatch: I partly feel thee.

Guard.

1 Approach, ho!

beguil'd.

call him.

All's not well: Cæsar's

2 Guard. There's Dolabella sent from Cæsar;

1 Guard. What work is here?-Charmian, is

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3 Unpolitic, to leave me to myself.

Dol. How goes it here?

2 Guard.

All dead.

To see perform'd the dreaded act, which thou
So sought'st to hinder.
[Within.]
A way there, way for Cæsar!

Enter CESAR, and Attendants.

Dol. O, sir, you are too sure an augurer; That you did fear, is done.

Cæs.

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.

Who was last with them!

1 Guard. A simple countryman, that brought her figs; This was his basket. Cæs.

1 Guard.

Poison'd then.

O Cæsar, This Charmian liv'd 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!

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That so she died; for her physician tells me,
She hath pursued 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.

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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 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.

Inclination, natural disposition.
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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 Sicilius, who did join his honor,
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

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 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: Lived 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 banished, her own price
Proclaims how she esteem'd him and his virtue;

1. e. You praise him extensively.
3 My praise, however extensive, is within his merit.
Formed their manners.
The father of Cymbeline.

By her election may be truly read, What kind of man he is.

2 Gent.

Even out of your report.

I honor him

How much of his displeasure: Yet I'll move him [Aside.

To walk this way: I never do him wrong, But, 'pray you, tell me, But he does buy my injuries, to be friends;

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 nur

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Pays dear for my offences. Post.

[Exit. Should we be taking leave

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

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.

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A year's age on me! Imo.

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

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made my throne

A seat for baseness.
Imo.

No; I rather added

A lustre to it.

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It is your fault that I have loved Posthumus:

You bred him as my playfellow; and he is

A man, worth any woman; overbuys me
Almost the sum he pays.

Cym.

What!-art thou mad?

Imo. Almost, sir; Heaven restore me!-'Would
I were

A neat-herd's daughter! and my Leonatus
Our neighbor shepherd's son!

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CYMBELINE.

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."

Сут.

A drop of blood a day; and, being aged,

Die of this folly!

Queen.

Clo. And that she should love this fellow, and

refuse me!

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

1 Lord. Sir, as I told you always, her beauty and her brain go not together: She's a good sign, but I have seen small reflection of her wit.

2 Lord. She shines not upon fools, lest the reflec[Aside. tion should hurt her.

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

Nay, let her languish

of an ass, which is no great hurt.

[Exit.

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.

Enter PISANIO.

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?
Pis.

[Aside.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.- A Room in Cymbeline's Palace.

Enter IMOGEN and PISANIO.

Ha!

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

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 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.

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

And I not have it, 'twere a paper lost

As offer'd mercy is. What was the last

That he spake to thee?

Pis.

"Twas, His queen, his queen!

Imo. Then waved 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
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

This hath been Could best express how slow his soul sail'd on,

Your faithful servant; I dare lay mine honor,

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.

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: there's none abroad so wholesome as that you vent.

Clo. If my shirt were bloody, then to shift itHave I hurt him?

2 Lord. No, faith; not so much as his patience. [Aside.

1 Lord. Hurt him? his body's a passable carcass, 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. Clo. The villain would not stand me.

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How swift his ship.

Imo.

Thou shouldst 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 assured, 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 The shes of Italy should not betray

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

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[Aside. Desires your highness' company.

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.

Consideration.

To understand the force of this idea, it should be remembered that anciently almost every sign had a motto, or some attempt at a witticism underneath it. Meet me with reciprocal prayer * Opportunity.

Imo. Those things I bid you do, get them de- | out last night, where each of us fell in praise of our

spatch'd.I will attend the queen. Pis.

Madam, I shall.

[Exeunt.

SCENE V.-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:

country mistresses: This gentleman at that time vouching (and upon warrant of bloody affirmation) his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, constant, qualified, and less attemptable, than any the rarest of our ladies in France.

lach. 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. Iach. You must not so far prefer her 'fore ours

of Italy.

Post. Being so far provoked as I was in France,

he was then of a crescent note, expected to prove I would abate her nothing; though I profess my.

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 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 both without and within.

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 deal from the matter.

French. And then his banishment:

Iach. Ay, and the approbation of those, that weep this lamentable divorce, under her colors, 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. 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; 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.

Post. By your pardon, sir, I was then a young traveller: rather shunn'd to go even with what I heard, than in my every action to be guided by others' experiences: 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, 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, suffer the report. It was much like an argument that fell

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self her adorer, not her friend."

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 out-lustres many I have beheld, I could not but believe she excelled many: but I have not seen the most precious diamond that is, nor you the lady.

Post. I praised her, as I rated her: so do I my

stone.

lach. What do you esteem it at! Post. More than the world enjoys. lach. Either your unparagoned mistress is dead, or she's out-prized 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 grace, I will keep.

lach. You may wear her in title yours: but, you know, strange fowl light upon neighboring 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-way accomplished courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and last.

Post. Your Italy contains none so accomplished a courtier, to convince the honor of my mistress; if, in the holding or loss of that, you term her frail. I do nothing doubt, you have store of thieves; not withstanding I fear not my ring.

Phi. Let us leave here, gentlemen.

Post. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy sig. nior, I thank him, makes no stranger of me; we are familiar at first.

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

Post. No, no.

lach. I dare, thereon, 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 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 neighbor's, on the approbation of what I have spoke.

Lover.

* Overcome.

4 Proof.

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