O, such an another sleep, that I might see But such another man!

If it might please you,

Dol. Cleo. His face was as the heavens; and therein stuck [and lighted A sun and moon; which kept their course, The little O, the earth. Dol. Most sovereign creature,Cleo. His legs bestrid the ocean: his rear'd

Cleo. Think you, there was, or might be, As this I dream'd of? [such a man Dol. Gentle madam, no. Cleo. You lie, up to the hearing of the gods; But, if there be, or ever were one such, It's past the size of dreaming: Nature wants stuff

[gine To vie strange forms with fancy; yet, to imaAn Antony, were nature's piece 'gainst fancy, Condemning shadows quite. Dol. Hear me, good madam: Your loss is as yourself, great; and you bear it As answering to the weight: 'Would I might O'ertake pursued success, but I do feel, [never By the rebound of yours, a grief that shoots My very heart at root.

Cleo. I thank you, sir. Know you, what Cæsar means to do with me; Dol. I am loath to tell you what I would Cleo. Nay, pray you, sir,- [you knew. Dol. Though he be honourable,Cleo. He'll lead me then in triumph? Dol. Madam, he will;

I know it.

A benefit in this change; but if you seek
To lay on me a cruelty, by taking
Antony's course, you shall bereave yourself
Of my good purposes, and put your children
To that destruction which I'll guard them from,
If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave.

Cleo. And may, through all the world: 'tis yours and we [shall Your 'scutcheons, and your signs of conquest, Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord. [patra.

Ces. You shall advise me in all for Cleo Cleo. This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels,

I am possess'd of: 'tis exactly valued;
Not petty things admitted.-Where's Seleucus?
Sel. Here, madam.
[my lord,
Cleo. This is my treasurer; let him speak,
Upon his peril, that I have reserved
To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.
Sel. Madam,

I had rather seel my lips, than, to my peril,
Speak that which is not.
Cleo.
What have I kept back?
Set. Enough to purchase what you have
made known.

Cas. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra; I approve
Your wisdom in the deed.
Cleo.
See, Cæsar! O, behold,
How pomp is follow'd! mine will now be
yours;
[mine.
And, should we shift estates, yours would be
The ingratitude of this Seleucus does [trust
Even make me wild:-O slave, of no more
Than love that's hired!-What, goest thou
back? thou shalt
[eyes,
Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine
Though they had wings; Slave, soul-less vil-
O rarely || base!
[lain, dog!
Cæs. Good queen, let us entreat you.
Cleo. O Cæsar, what a wounding shame is
That thou, vouchsafing here to visit me, [this;
Doing the honour of thy lordliness
To one so meek, that mine own servant should
Parcel the sum of my disgraces by
Addition of his envy! Say, good Cæsar,
That I some lady trifles have reserved,
Immoment toys, things of such dignity
As we greet modern friends** withal; and say,
Some nobler token I have kept apart
For Livia ++, and Octavia ‡, to induce
Their mediation; must I be unfolded
With one that I have bred? The gods! It
smites me

**Common.

ft Cæsar's wife.

Sew up. il Uncommonly. His sister.

Beneath the fall I have.

Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits
Through the ashes of my chance :-Wert thou
Thou wouldst have mercy on me. [a man,
Cæs.
Forbear, Seleucus.
[Exit SELEUCUS.
Cleo. Be it known, that we, the greatest,
are misthought

For things that others do; and, when we fall,
We answer others' merits + in our name,
Are therefore to be pitied.

Cæs.

knowledged,

Cleopatra,

Not what you have reserved, nor what ac
[yours,
Put we i'the roll of conquest: still be it
Bestow it at your pleasure; and believe,
Cæsar's no merchant, to make prize with you
Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be
cheer'd ;
[queen;
Make not your thoughts your prisons: no, dear
For we intend so to dispose you, as
Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep:
Our care and pity is so much upon you,
That we remain your friend; And so adieu.
Cleo. My master, and my lord!
Cas.

Not so Adieu. [Exeunt CÆSAR, and his Train. Cleo. He words me, girls, he words me, that I should not

Be noble to myself: but hark thee, Charmian.
[Whispers CHARMIAN.
Iras. Finish, good lady; the bright day is
And we are for the dark.
[done,
Cleo..
Hie thee again:
I have spoke already, and it is provided;
Go, put it to the haste.
Char.

Madam, I will.
Re-enter DOLABELLA.
Dol. Where is the queen?
Char. Behold, sir. [Exit CHARMIAN.
Cleo.
Dolabella?

Dol. Madam, as thereto sworn by your com-
Which my love makes religion to obey, [mand,
I tell you this: Cæsar through Syria
Intends his journey; and, within three days,
You with your children will ne send before:
Make your best use of this: I have perform'd
Your pleasure, and my promise.
Cleo.

Dolabella,

I shall remain your debtor.
Dol.
I your servant.
Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Cæsar.
Cleo. Farewell, and thanks. [Exit DoL.]
Now, Iras what think'st thou ?
Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shall be shown
In Rome as well as I: mechanic slaves
With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall
Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths,
Rank of gross diet, shall we be enclouded,
And forced to drink their vapour.

Iras. The gods forbid! Cleo. Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras: Saucy lictors [rhymers Will catch at us, like strumpets; and scald Ballad us out o'tune: the quick comedians

+ Merits or demerits. + Beadles. Job of work. ** Inconstant.

May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty.
My resolution's placed, and I have nothing
Of woman in me: Now from head to foot
I am marble-constant: now the fleeting** moon
No lanet is of mine.

Re-enter Guard, with a Clown bringing a
basket.
Guard.
This is the man.
Cleo. Avoid, and leave him. [Exit Guard.
Hast thou the pretty worm † of Nilus there,
That kills and pains not?

Clown. Truly I have him: but I would not be the party that should desire you to touch him, for his biting is immortal; those, that do die of it, do seldom or never recover.

Cleo. Remember'st thou any that have died on't?

Clown. Very many, men and women too. I heard of one of them no longer than yesterday: a very honest woman, but something given to lie; as a woman should not do, but in the way of honesty: how she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt.-Truly, she makes a very good report of the worm: But he that will believe all that they say, shall never be saved by half that they do: But this is most fallible, the worm's an odd

worm.

Cleo. Get thee hence; farewell.
Clown. I wish you all joy of the worm.
Cleo. Farewell.

[Clown sets down the Basket. Clown. You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind.

Cleo. Ay, ay; farewell.

Clown. Look you, the worm is not to be trusted, but in the keeping of wise people; for indeed, there is no goodness in the worm.

Lively. Female characters were played tt Serpent. #Act according to his nature

Cleo. Take thou no care; it shall be heeded. Clown. Very good give it nothing, I pray you, for it is not worth the feeding.

Cleo. Will it eat me?

Clown. You must not think I am so simple, but I know the devil himself will not eat a woman: I know, that a woman is a dish for the gods, if the devil dress her not. But, truly, these same whoreson devils do the gods great harm in their women; for in every ten that they make, the devils mar five.

Cleo. Well, get thee gone; farewell. Clown. Yes, forsooth; I wish you joy of the worm. [Exit. Re-enter IRAs, with a Robe, Crown, &c. Cleo. Give me my robe, put on my crown; I Immortal longings in me: Now no more [have The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip: Yare, yare, good Iras; quick.-Methinks I Antony call; I see him rouse himself [hear 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. [well. Farewell, kind Charmian;-Iras, long fare[Kisses them. IRAS falls and dies. Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall? If thou and nature can so gently part, The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch, [still? Which hurts, and is desired. Dost thou lie If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world It is not worth leave-taking.

Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that The gods themselves do weep! [I may say, Cleo. This proves me base: If she first meet the curled Antony, He'll make demand of her; and spend that kiss [wretch, Which is my heaven to have. Come, mortal [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, couldst thou
speak!

That I might hear thee call great Cæsar, ass
Unpolicied t!

Char.

Cleo.

O eastern star!

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, & 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 Phoebus never be beheld

Make haste.

[Dies.

Dol.

[deaths? Who was last with them? 1 Guard. A simple countryman, that brought This was his basket. [her figs; Cæs. O Cæsar,

Poison'd then.

I Guard. This Charmian lived but now; she stood, and I found her trimming up the diadem [spake: 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; The like is on her arm. [fig-leaves 1 Guard. This is an aspic's trail: and these Have slime upon them, such as the aspic leaves Upon the caves of Nile.

Cæs. Most probable, 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. [Exeunt.

Enfold.

Graceful appearance.

Cymbeline'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.

2 Gent. But what's the matter? 1 Gent. His daughter, and the heir of his kingdom, whom

He purposed 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, [tier, That most desired the match: But not a courAlthough 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?

Endows a man but he.

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 honour,
Against the Romans, with Cassibelan;
But had his titles by Tenantius ý, whom
He served with glory and admired success:
So gain'd the sur-addition, Leonatus :
And had, besides this gentleman in question,
Two other sous, who, in the wars o'the time,
Died with their swords in hand; for which
their father

[row,

(Then old and fond of issue,) took such sorThat he quit being; and his gentle lady, Big of this gentleman, our theme, deceased As he was born. The king, he takes the babe To his protection; calls him Posthumus; [ber: Breeds him, and makes him of his bed-cham Puts him to all the learnings that his time Could make him the receiver of; which be took, As we do air, fast as 'twas minister'd; and his spring became a harvest: Lived in floved:

court, (Which rare it is to do,) most praised, most A sample to the youngest; to the more ma ture,

A glass that feated || 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 vir. By her election may be truly read, [tue; What kind of man be is.

[me,

2 Gent. I honour him Even out of your report. But, 'pray you, tell Is she sole child to the king? 1 Gent. His only child. [ing, He had two sons, (if this be worth your hearMark it,) the eldest of them at three years old, I' the swathing clothes the other, from their nursery [knowledge Were stolen and to this hour, no guess in Which way they went. 2 Gent.

How long is this ago? 1 Gent. Some twenty years. [convey'd! 2 Gent. That a king's children should be so 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 laughed at, Yet is it true, sir. 2 Gent. I do well believe you. 1 Gent. We must forbear: Here comes the queen, and princess. [Exeunt.

SCENE II. The same.
Enter the Queen, POSTHUMUS, and IMOGEN.
Queen. No, be assured, you shall not find
me, daughter,

After the slander of most step-mothers,
Evil-eyed unto you: you are my prisoner, but
Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys [mus,
That lock up your restraint. For you, Posthú
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 pa-
Your wisdom may inform you. [tience.
Post.
Please your highness,

I will from hence to-day.
Queen.

You know the peril :-
I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying
The pangs of barr'd affections; though the
king

Hath charged you should not speak together.
[Exit Queen.
Imo.
0
Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant
Can tickle were she wounds! My dearest
husband,
[thing,

I something fear my father's wrath; but no-
(Always reserved 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;

• Close up, A more exquisite feeling.

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
Though ink be made of gall.
[send,
Re-enter Queen.

Queen. Be brief, I pray you : If the king come, I shall incur I know not How much of his displeasure: yet I'll move him [Aside.

To walk this way: I never do him wrong,
But he does buy my injuries, to be friends;
Pays dear for my offences.
[Exit.
Post.
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.
Post.

How! how! another 3You gentle gods, give me but this I have, And sear up my embracements from a next With bonds of death!-Remain thou here. [Putting on the Ring. While sense t can keep it on! And sweetest, fairest,

As I my poor self did exchange for you,
To your 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
Upon this fairest prisoner.

[Putting a Bracelet on her Arm. O, the gods! When shall we see again?

Imo.

Enter CYMBELINE and Lords.
Post.
Alack, the king!
Cym. Thou basest thing, avoid! hence, from
my sight!

If, after this command, thou fraught the court
With thy unworthiness, thou diest: Away!
Thou art poison to my blood.
Post.
The gods protect you!
And bless the good remainders of the court!
I am gone.
[Exit.
Imo. There cannot be a pinch in death
More sharp than this is.
Cym.

O disloyal thing,
That shouldst repair my youth; thou heapest
A year's age on me!
Imo.

Cym.

I beseech you, sir, Harm not yourself with your vexation; Am senseless of your wrath; a touch more Subdues all pangs, all fears. [rare's Past grace? obedience? Imo. Past hope, and in despair; that way, past grace. [of my queen; Cym. That might'st have had the sole son Imo. O bless'd, that I might not! I chose an And did avoid a puttock¶.

[eagle,

Cym. Thou took'st a beggar; wouldst have made my throne A seat for baseness.