within it houses for themselves and hovels for their cattle."-Lib. iv. But Cymbeline was one of the most wealthy and powerful of the ancient British kings. His capital was Camulodunum, supposed to be Maldon or Colchester. It was the first Roman colony in this island, and a place of great magnificence. We have not therefore to assume that ornament would be misplaced in it. Though the walls of Imogen's chamber, still subjecting the poetical to the exact, might by some be considered as proper to be of rude stone or wood, it may very fairly be supposed that it was decorated with the rich hangings and the other tasteful appendages described by Iachimo *-the presents of the Roman emperors, with whom Cymbeline and his ancestors had been in amity, or procured from the Greek and Phoenician merchants, who were constantly in commercial intercourse with Britain. (See, for fuller information on this subject, The Costume of the Original Inhabitants of the British Isles,' by S. R. Meyrick, LL.D., and Chas. Hamilton Smith, Esq.; fol. Lond. 1821.) But, after all, a play such as Cymbeline, is not to be viewed through the medium only of the literal and the probable. In its poetical aspect it essentially disregards the few facts respecting the condition of the Britons delivered down by the classic historians. Shakspere in this followed the practice of every writer of the romantic school. The costume (including scenery) had better want conformity with Strabo, than be out of harmony with Shakspere. • The "andirons" and "chimney piece" belong to the age of Elizabeth. But Shakspere, when he commits what we call anachronisms, uses what is familiar to render intelligible what would otherwise be cbscure and remote. thus: "You do not meet a man but frowns. Still seem, as do's the king's." In several editions courtiers is sometimes printed as the genitive case; sometimes is cut off from the verb seem by a semicolon, and the king's is retained as the genitive case. This we have ventured to alter to king, as Tyrwhitt suggested. As we have punctuated the passage, we think it presents no difficulty. Blood is used by Shakspere for natural disposition, as in All's Well that Ends Well Now his important blood will nought deny The meaning of the passage then is-You do not meet a man but frowns: our bloods do not more obey the heavens than our courtiers still seem as the king seems. As is afterwards expressed -"they wear their faces to the bent Of the king's looks." 1 Gent. His daughter, and the heir of his kingdom, whom He purpos'd to his wife's sole son, (a widow, Her husband banish'd; she imprison'd: all 2 Gent, None but the king? 1 Gent. He that hath lost her, too: so is the 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 honour, (Then old and fond of issue,) took such sorrow a You carry your praise far. Extend is here used in the same sense as in the fifth Scene of this Act: "His banishment, and the approbation of those that weep this lamentable divorce are wonderfully to extend him." The Gentleman says-I do extend himappreciate his good qualities-but only within the real limits of what they are: instead of unfolding his measure duly, I crush him together-compress his excellence. Malone thinks that the term extend is originally legal. An extent, according to Blackstone, is an order to the sheriff to appraise lands or goods to their full extended value. It is a well-known term in old Scotch law, meaning nearly the same as a census or valuation. So the folio. The variorum editors rejected the second name, reading "To his protection; calls him Posthumus." To make a line of ten syllables-as if dramatic rhythm had no irregularities-they have destroyed the sense. The name of Posthumus Leonatus was given to connect the child with the memory of his father, and to mark the circumstance of his being born after his father's death. d Puts to him is the original reading, which has been sometimes corrupted into puts him to. e We arrange these two lines, as in the folio. Some modern editors read "As we do air, fast as 't was minister'd, and f Feated. Johnson says, "a glass that formed them." But feat is used by Shakspere for nice, exact, with propriety-as in The Tempest "And look how well my garments sit upon me " Howsoe'er 't is 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. a SCENE II.-The same. [Exeunt. Enter the QUEEN, POSTHUMUS, and IMOGEN. Queen. No, be assur'd, you shall not find me, daughter, After the slander of most step-mothers, Post. I will from hence to-day. Queen. Please your highness, You know the peril :I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying The pangs of barr'd affections; though the king and, consequently, the glass which feats the mature who look upon Posthumus, is "the mark and glass, copy and book," which renders their appearance and deportment as proper as his own. a The most important person (with reference to this conversation) who was coming is Posthumus-"the gentle man." The editors, however, quietly drop him, reading"We must forbear: here comes the queen, and princess." What can justify such capricious alterations of the text? Hath charg'd you should not speak together. [Exit QUEEN. Imo. O dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant Can tickle where she wounds! - My dearest husband, I something fear my father's wrath; but nothing (Always reserv'd my holy duty,) what His rage can do on me: You must be gone; Post. My queen! my mistress! O, lady, weep no more; lest I give cause To walk this way: I never do him wrong, a [Exit. Were you but riding forth to air yourself, Post. How how! another ?- [Putting on the ring. While sense can keep it on! And sweetest, fairest, As I my poor self did exchange for you, *This sentence is obscure; but the meaning of the crafty Queen appears to be, that the kindness of her hsband, even when she is doing him wrong, purchases injuries as if they were benefits. Harm not yourself with your vexation; I Am senseless of your wrath; a touch more rare' Subdues all pangs, all fears. а Cym. past grace. Cym. That might'st have had the sole son of my queen! Imo. O bless'd, that I might not! I chose an eagle, And did avoid a puttock.b Cym. Thou took'st a beggar; would'st have made my throne |