1 Gentleman.
You do not meet a man but frowns. Our bloods
No more obey the heavens than our courtiers;
But seem as do's the king's.

2 Gent.
But what's the matter?

1 Gent.
His daughter, and the heir of's kingdom (whom
He purpos'd to his wife's sole son, a widow
That late he married) hath referr'd her self
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) but hath a heart that is not
Glad at the thing they scoul 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 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 him.

2 Gent.
You speak him fair.

1 Gent.
I do extend him, Sir, within himself,
Crush him together, rather than unfold
His measure fully.

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 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'th' time
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 theam, 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 learnings that his time

Could make him the receiver of, which he took
As we do air, fast as 'twas ministred.
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 young'st; to th' more mature,
A glass 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, ev'n out of your report.
But 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,
I'th' swathing cloaths the other, from their nursery
Were stol'n; 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!
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 gentleman,
The queen, and princess. [Exeunt.

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