As 'tis no better reckoned, but of those

Who worship dirty gods.

Imo.

I see you are angry.

Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should

Have died had I not made it.

Bel.

Imo. To Milford-Haven.

Bel.

Whither bound?

What is your name?

Imo. Fidele, sir. I have a kinsman, who
Is bound for Italy; he embarked at Milford;
To whom being going, almost spent with hunger,
I am fallen in this offence.

Bel.
Pr'ythee, fair youth,
Think us no churls; nor measure our good minds
By this rude place we live in. Well encountered!
'Tis almost night: you shall have better cheer
Ere you depart; and thanks, to stay and eat it.-
Boys, bid him welcome.

Gui.

Were you a woman, youth,

I should woo hard, but be your groom.-In honesty, I bid for you, as I'd buy.

I'll make't my comfort

Arv.
He is a man; I'll love him as my brother;-

And such a welcome as I'd give to him,

After long absence, such is yours.-Most welcome!

Be sprightly, for you fall 'mongst friends.

Imo.

'Mongst friends,

If brothers!-'Would it had been so, that`

they

Had been my father's sons! then had my Aside.

prize 2

Been less; and so more equal ballasting

To thee, Posthumus.

Bel.

3

He wrings at some distress.

Gui. 'Would I could free't!

1 In for into.

2 Prize, prise, and price, were confounded, or used indiscriminately by our ancestors. Prize here is evidently used for value, estimation.

3 To wring is to writhe.

Arv.

Or I; whate'er it be,

What pain it cost, what danger! Gods!

Bel.

Imo. Great men,

Hark, boys. [Whispering.

That had a court no bigger than this cave,
That did attend themselves, and had the virtue
Which their own conscience sealed them, (laying by
That nothing gift of differing1 multitudes,)

Could not outpeer these twain.

Pardon me, gods! I'd change my sex to be companion with them, Since Leonatus' false.2

Bel.

It shall be so;

Boys, we'll go dress our hunt.-Fair youth, come in: Discourse is heavy, fasting; when we have supped, We'll mannerly demand thee of thy story,

So far as thou wilt speak it.

Gui.

Pray draw near.

Arv. The night to the owl, and morn to the lark,

less welcome.

Imo. Thanks, sir.

Arv.

I pray, draw near.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VII. Rome.

Enter two Senators and Tribunes.

1 Sen. This is the tenor of the emperor's writ;
That since the common men are now in action
'Gainst the Pannonians and Dalmatians;

And that the legions now in Gallia are
Full weak to undertake our wars against
The fallen-off Britons; that we do incite
The gentry to this business.

He creates

1 Differing multitudes are varying or wavering multitudes.

2 Malone says, "As Shakspeare has used in other places Menelaus' tent, and thy mistress' ear for "Menelauses tent," and "thy mistresses ear: "it is probable that he used "since Leonatus' false" for "since Leonatus is false."

Lucius proconsul; and to you, the tribunes,
For this immediate levy, he commands
His absolute commission. Long live Cæsar!
Tri. Is Lucius general of the forces?
2 Sen.

Tri. Remaining now in Gallia?

1 Sen.

Ay,

With those legions Which I have spoke of, whereunto your levy Must be supplyant. The words of your commission Will tie you to the numbers, and the time

Of their despatch.

Tri.

SCENE I. The Forest, near the Cave.

Enter CLOTEN.

Clo. I am near to the place where they should meet, if Pisanio have mapped it truly. How fit his garments serve me! Why should his mistress, who was made by him that made the tailor, not be fit too? the rather, (saving reverence of the word,) for 'tis said a woman's fitness comes by fits. Therein I must play the workman. I dare speak it to myself, (for it is not vain-glory for a man and his glass to confer: in his own chamber, I mean,) the lines of my body are as well drawn as his; no less young, more strong, not beneath him in fortunes, beyond him in the advantage of the time, above him in birth, alike conversant in general services, and more remarkable in single oppositions; yet this imperseverant thing loves him in

3

4

1 He commands the commission to be given you.

2 i. e. cause.

3 "In single combat."

4 Imperseverant probably means no more than perseverant, like imbosomed, impassioned, immasked.

my despite. What mortality is! Posthumus, thy head, which now is growing upon thy shoulders, shall within this hour be off; thy mistress enforced; thy garments cut to pieces before thy face: and all this done, spurn her home to her father; who may, haply, be a little angry for my so rough usage: but my mother, having power of his testiness, shall turn all into my commendations. My horse is tied up safe: out, sword, and to a sore purpose! Fortune, put them into my hand! This is the very description of their meetingplace; and the fellow dares not deceive me.

SCENE II. Before the Cave.

[Exit.

Enter, from the Cave, BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, ARVIRAGUS, and IMOGEN.

Bel. You are not well; [To IMOGEN ;] remain here

But clay and clay differs in dignity,

Whose dust is both alike. I am very sick.
Gui. Go you to hunting. I'll abide with him.
Imo. So sick I am not; yet I am not well;

But not so citizen a wanton, as

To seem to die, ere sick. So please you leave me ; Stick to your journal course; the breach of custom Is breach of all. I am ill; but your being by me

Cannot amend me.
To one not sociable.

Society is no comfort
I'm not very sick,

1 Warburton thought we should read, "before her face."

2 Keep your daily course uninterrupted; if the stated plan of life is

once broken, nothing follows but confusion.

Since I can reason of it. Pray you, trust me here.
I'll rob none but myself; and let me die,

Stealing so poorly.

Gui.

I love thee; I have spoke it.

How much the quantity, the weight as much,
As I do love my father.

Bel.

What? how? how?
Arv. If it be sin to say so, sir, I yoke me
In my good brother's fault. I know not why
I love this youth; and I have heard you say,
Love's reason's without reason; the bier at door,
And a demand who is't shall die, I'd say,
My father, not this youth.

[Aside.

Bel.
O noble strain!
O worthiness of nature! breed of greatness!
Cowards father cowards, and base things sire base:
Nature hath meal, and bran; contempt and grace.

I am not their father; yet who this should be,
Doth miracle itself, loved before me.-

'Tis the ninth hour o' the morn.

Arv.

Imo. I wish ye sport.

Arv.

Brother, farewell.

You health.

So please you, sir.

Gods,

Imo. [Aside.] These are kind creatures.

what lies I have heard!

Our courtiers say, all's savage, but at court;

Experience, O, thou disprov'st report!

The imperious1 seas breed monsters; for the dish,
Poor tributary rivers as sweet fish.

I am sick still; heart-sick.-Pisanio,
I'll now taste of thy drug.

Gui.

I could not stir him;

He said he was gentle, but unfortunate;
Dishonestly afflicted, but yet honest.

Arv. Thus did he answer me; yet said, hereafter

I might know more.

1 Imperious has here its usual meaning of proud, haughty. See Troilus and Cressida, Act iv. Sc. 5.

2 "I could not move him to tell his story." Gentle is of a gentle race or rank, well born.