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 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 look) but hath a heart that is
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.
^{2 note}You speak him far.

1 Gent.
^{3 note}

2 Gent.
What's his name and birth?

1 Gent.
I cannot delve him to the root: his father
Was called Sicillius, 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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