The Bodleian First Folio

Reference: bbb6r - Tragedies, p. 399

Left Column

The Tragedy of Cymbeline. Make no Collection of it. Let him shew His skill in the construction. Luc. Philarmonus. Sooth.

[3630]

Heere, my good Lord. Luc. Read, and declare the meaning. Reades.

WHen as a Lyons whelpe, shall to himselfe vnknown, with

out seeking finde, and bee embrac'd by a peece of tender

Ayre: And when from a stately Cedar shall be lopt branches,

[3635]

which being dead many yeares, shall after reuiue, bee ioynted to

the old Stocke, and freshly grow, then shall Posthumus end his

miseries, Britaine be fortunate, and flourish in Peace and Plen

tie.

Thou Leonatus art the Lyons Whelpe,

[3640]

The fit and apt Construction of thy name Being Leonatus, doth import so much: The peece of tender Ayre, thy vertuous Daughter, Which we call Mollis Aer, and Mollis Aer We terme it Mulier; which Mulier I diuine

[3645]

Is this most constant Wife, who euen now Answering the Letter of the Oracle, Vnknowne to you vnsought, were clipt about With this most tender Aire. Cym. This hath some seeming. Sooth.

[3650]

The lofty Cedar, Royall Cymbeline Personates thee: And thy lopt Branches, point Thy two Sonnes forth: who by Belarius stolne For many yeares thought dead, are now reuiu'd To the Maiesticke Cedar ioyn'd; whose Issue

Image

[full image]

Right Column

[3655]

Promises Britaine, Peace and Plenty. Cym. Well, My Peace we will begin: And Caius Lucius, Although the Victor, we submit to Cæsar, And to the Romane Empire; promising

[3660]

To pay our wonted Tribute, from the which We were disswaded by our wicked Queene, Whom heauens in Iustice both on her, and hers, Haue laid most heauy hand. Sooth. The fingers of the Powres aboue, do tune

[3665]

The harmony of this Peace: the Vision Which I made knowne to Lucius ere the stroke Of yet this scarse‑cold‑Battaile, at this instant Is full accomplish'd. For the Romaine Eagle From South to West, on wing soaring aloft

[3670]

Lessen'd her selfe, and in the Beames o'th'Sun So vanish'd; which fore‑shew'd our Princely Eagle Th'Imperiall Cæsar, should againe vnite His Fauour, with the Radiant Cymbeline, Which shines heere in the West. Cym.

[3675]

Laud we the Gods, And let our crooked Smoakes climbe to their Nostrils From our blest Altars. Publish we this Peace To all our Subiects. Set we forward: Let A Roman, and a Brittish Ensigne waue

[3680]

Friendly together: so through Luds‑Towne march, And in the Temple of great Iupiter Our Peace wee'l ratifie: Seale it with Feasts. Set on there: Neuer was a Warre did cease (Ere bloodie hands were wash'd) with such a Peace. Exeunt.

The Bodleian First Folio

A digital facsimile of the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, Bodleian Arch. G c.7.

Text and Image

Reference: bbb6r - Tragedies, p. 399