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 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 the owl, and morn to the lark, Enter Two Senators and Tribunes. 1 Sen. 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 fallen-off Britons; that we do incite 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. 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 5 '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 5 i. e. Because. 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! 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 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. Are we not brothers? Imo. Brother, stay here: [TO IMOGEN. So man and man should be; But clay and clay differs in dignity, Whose dust is both alike. I am very sick. 6 In single combat. But not so citizen a wanton, as To seem to die, ere sick : So please you, leave me; Since I can reason of it. Pray you, trust me here: 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. O noble strain! [Aside. 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'the morn. Arv. Imo. I wish ye sport. Arv. Brother, farewell. You, health. So please you, 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! sir. Gods, The imperious seas breed monsters; for the dish, 7 Keep your daily course. 8 Imperial. Poor tributary rivers as sweet fish. Gui. I could not stir him; He said, he was gentle 9, but unfortunate; Dishonestly afflicted, but yet honest. Arv. Thus did he answer me: yet said, hereafter I might know more. Bel. To the field, to the field: Bel. For you must be our housewife. I am bound to you. Bel. Pray, be not sick, Well, or ill, And so shalt be ever. [Exit IMOGEN. This youth, howe'er distress'd, appears, he hath had Good ancestors. Arv. How angel-like he sings! Gui. But his neat cookery! He cut our roots in characters; And sauc'd our broths, as Juno had been sick, Nobly he yokes A smiling with a sigh: as if the sigh Was that it was, for not being such a smile; With winds that sailors rail at. Gui. I do note, That grief and patience, rooted in him both, Arv. 1 Grow, patience! 9 Well-born. Spurs are the roots of trees. |