Cymbeline (Modern)
Peer Reviewed
1[1.1]
¶
Enter two Gentlemen
No more obey the heavens ¶than our courtiers'
| ¶Still seem as does the King's. | |
| ¶2 Gentleman | |
| But what's the matter? | |
¶1 Gentleman His daughter, and the heir of's kingdom (whom
10He purposed to his wife's sole son, a widow
¶That late he married), hath referred herself
¶Unto a poor but worthy gentleman. She's wedded,
¶Her husband banished, she imprisoned: all
¶Is outward sorrow, though I think the King
| 15Be touched at very heart. | |
| ¶2 Gentleman | |
| None but the King? | |
¶1 Gentleman He that hath lost her too; so is the Queen,
¶That most desired the match. But not a courtier,
¶Although they wear their faces to the bent
20Of the King's looks, hath a heart that is not
| ¶Glad at the thing they scowl at. | |
| ¶2 Gentleman | |
| And why so? | |
¶1 Gentleman He that hath missed the princess is a thing
¶Too bad for bad report, and he that hath her --
25I mean that married her, alack, good man,
¶And therefore banished -- 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
30So fair an outward and such stuff within
| ¶Endows a man but he. | |
| ¶2 Gentleman | |
| You speak him far. | |
¶1 Gentleman I do extend him, sir, within himself;
¶Crush him together rather than unfold
| 35His measure duly. | |
| ¶2 Gentleman | |
| What's his name and birth? | |
¶1 Gentleman I cannot delve him to the root. His father
¶Was called Sicilius, who did join his honor
¶Against the Romans with Cassibelan;
40But had his titles by Tenantius, whom
¶He served with glory and admired success,
¶So gained the sur-addition "Leonatus";
¶And had, besides this gentleman in question,
¶Two other sons, who in the wars o'th' time
45Died 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, deceased
¶As he was born. The King, he takes the babe
50To his protection; calls him Posthumus Leonatus;
¶Breeds him and makes him of his bed-chamber;
¶Puts to him all the learnings that his time
¶Could make him the receiver of, which he took
¶As we do air, fast as 'twas ministered;
55And in's spring became a harvest: lived in court
¶(Which rare it is to do) most praised, most loved;
¶A sample to the youngest; to th' more mature,
¶A glass that feated them; and to the graver,
¶A child that guided dotards. To his mistress,
60For whom he now is banished, her own price
¶Proclaims how she esteemed him; and his virtue
¶By her election may be truly read
| What kind of man he is. | |
| ¶2 Gentleman | |
| I honor him | |
Even out of your report. ¶But pray you tell me,
| Is she sole child to th' King? | |
| 651 Gentleman | |
| His only child. | |
¶He had two sons (if this be worth your hearing,
¶Mark it); the eldest of them at three years old,
¶I'th' swathing clothes the other, from their nursery
¶Were stolen, and to this hour no guess in knowledge
| 70Which way they went. | |
| ¶2 Gentleman | |
| How long is this ago? | |
¶1 Gentleman Some twenty years.
¶2 Gentleman That a king's children should be so conveyed,
¶So slackly guarded, and the search so slow
| 75That could not trace them! | |
| ¶1 Gentleman | |
| Howsoe'er 'tis strange | |
¶Or that the negligence may well be laughed at,
| ¶Yet is it true, sir. | |
| ¶2 Gentleman | |
| I do well believe you. | |
801 Gentleman We must forbear. Here comes the gentleman,
¶The Queen, and princess.
Exeunt