Is bound for Italy: he embark'd at Milford;
To whom being going, almost spent with hunger,
I am fall'n 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 encounter'd.
'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 do buy.

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.

I'll make 't my comfort,

Most welcome.

Be sprightly; for you fall 'mongst friends.

Imo.

'Mongst friends,

If brothers.[Aside.] Would it had been so, that

they

Had been my father's sons: then had my prize

Been less; and so more equal ballasting

To thee, Posthumus.

Bel.

Gui. Would I could free 't!
Arv.

He wrings at some distress.

Or I; whate'er it be,

Hark, boys. [Whispering.

What pain it cost, what danger. Gods!
Bel.

Imo. Great men,

That had a court no bigger than this cave,

That did attend themselves, and had the virtue Which their own conscience seal'd them, (laying by

That nothing-gift of differing multitudes,)

Pardon me, gods!

Could not out-peer these twain. Pardon me,

I'd change my sex to be companion with them,
Since Leonatus false.

Bel.

It shall be so.

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

So far as thou wilt speak it.

Gui.

Pray, draw near.

Arv. The night to th' owl, and morn to th' lark,

Enter two Senators and Tribunes.

1 Senator. This is the tenour 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 fall'n-off Britons, that we do incite
The gentry to this business. He creates
Lucius Pro-consul; and to you, the Tribunes,
For this immediate levy he commands
His absolute commission. Long live Cæsar!
Tribunes. 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 suppliant: the words of your commission Will tie you to the numbers, and the time

Of their dispatch.

Tri.

We will discharge our duty.

[Exeunt

ACT IV.

SCENE I. — Wales. The Forest near the Cave of Belarius.

I

Enter CLOten.

CLOTEN.

AM near to th' place where they should meet, if Pisanio have mapp'd 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 imperceiverant thing loves him in 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,

happely, 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 meeting-place; and the fellow dares not deceive me. [Exit.

SCENE II.

Before the Cave of Belarius.

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: society is no comfort

To one not sociable. I am not very sick,

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.

Bel.

[Aside.] 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, lov'd before me.

'Tis the ninth hour o' th' morn.

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!

Th' imperious 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.

[Swallows some.

[Apart to ARV.] 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.

Bel.

To th' field, to th' field!

We'll leave you for this time; go in, and rest.
Arv. We'll not be long away.

!