An earthly paragon!--Behold divineness No elder than a boy! Enter IMOGEN. Imo. Good masters, harm me not: Before I enter'd here, I call'd; and thought To have begg'd, or bought, what I have took: Good troth, I have stolen nought; nor would not, though I had found Gold strew'd o'the floor. Here's money for my meat: I would have left it on the board, so soon As I had made my meal; and parted With prayers for the provider. Gui. Money, youth? Arv. All gold and silver rather turn to dirt! As 'tis no better reckon'd, 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. Whither bound? Imo. To Milford-Haven, sir. Bel. What is your name? Imo. Fidele, sir: I have a kinsman, who 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.- Gui. Were you a woman, youth, I should woo hard, but be your groom.-In honesty, I bid for you, as I'd buy. Aro. I'll make't my comfort, 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 as 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 prize Been less; and so more equal ballasting To thee, Posthumus. Bel. He wrings at some distress. Gui. 'Would, I could free't! Aro. Or I; whate'er it be, What pain it cost, what danger! Gods! Bel. Hark, boys. Imo. Great men, That had a court no bigger than this cave, Aside. [Whispering. That did attend themselves, and had the virtue Which their own conscience seal'd them, (laying by That nothing gift of differing multitudes,) Could not out-peer these twain. Pardon me, gods! 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, So far as thou wilt speak it. Gui. Pray, draw near. Arc. The night to the owl, and morn to the lark, less welcome. Imo. Thanks, sir. Aro. I pray, draw near. [Exeunt. SCENE VII.-Rome. Enter two Senators and Tribunes. 1 Sen. This is the tenour of the emperor's writ; Tri. Remaining now in Gallia? 1 Sen. 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. We will discharge our duty. [Exeunt. ACT IV. 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 vainglory, 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 my despite. What mortality is! Posthuinus, 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 meeting-place; and the fellow dares not deceive me. [Exit. SCENE II.-Before the Cave. Enter, from the Cave, BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, ARviRAGUS, and IMOGEN. Bel. You are not well: [To IMOGEN.] remain here in the cave; We'll come to you after hunting. Arv. Brother, stay here: Are we not brothers ? Imo. So man and man should be ; But clay and clay differs in dignity, [TO IMOGEN, Whose dust is both alike. I am very sick. To seem to die, ere sick: So please you, leave me ; To one not sociable: I'm not very sick, I'll rob none but myself; Stealing so poorly. Pray you, trust me here: and let me die, 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? |