Page 439 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

SECOND GENTLEMAN

And why so? [15]

FIRST GENTLEMAN
He that hath miss’d the princess is a thing
Too bad for bad report: and he that hath her
(I mean, that married her, alack good man,

And therefore banish’d) is a creature such
As, to seek through the regions of the earth [20]
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 he.

SECOND GENTLEMAN
You speak him far.

FIRST GENTLEMAN
I do extend him, sir, within himself, [25]
Crush him together, rather than unfold

His measure duly.

SECOND GENTLEMAN
What’s his name and birth?

FIRST GENTLEMAN
I cannot delve him to the root: his father
Was call’d Sicilius, who did join his honour
Against the Romans with Cassibelan, [30]

But had his titles by Tenantius, whom
He served with glory and admired 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 [35]
Died 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 theme) deceas’d