Foundations fly the wretched; such, I mean,
Where they should be reliev'd. Two beggars told me
I could not miss my way; will poor folks lie,
That have afflictions on them, knowing 'tis
A punishment or trial? Yes; no wonder,
When rich ones scarce tell true: to lapse in fullness
Is sorer than to lie for need; and falsehood
Is worse in kings than beggars. My dear lord!
Thou'rt one o' the false ones: now I think on thee
My hunger's gone; but even before, I was
At point to sink for food.-But what is this?
Here is a path to't: 'tis some savage hold :
I were best not call; I dare not call: yet famine,
Ere clean it o'erthrow nature, makes it valiant.
Plenty and peace breeds cowards; hardness ever
Of hardiness is mother.- Ho! who's here?
If any thing that's civil, speak; if savage,

Take or lend. Ho!- No answer? then I'll enter.
Best draw my sword; and if mine enemy
But fear the sword like me, he'll scarcely look on't.
Such a foe, good heavens !
[Goes into the cave.

Enter BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS.

Bel. You, Polydore, have prov'd best woodman, and Are master of the feast: Cadwal and I

Will play the cook and servant; 'tis our match :

The sweat of industry would dry and die,

But for the end it works to. Come; our stomachs
Will make what's homely savory: weariness
Can snore upon the flint, when resty sloth

Finds the down-pillow hard.- Now, peace be here,
Poor house, that keep'st thyself!

Gui.

I'm throughly weary. Arv. I'm weak with toil, yet strong in appetite. Gui. There is cold meat i' the cave; we'll browse on that, Whilst what we have kill'd be cook'd.

Bel.

Stay; come not in. [Looking into the cave.

But that it eats our victuals, I should think

Here were a fairy.

Gui.

What's the matter, sir? Bel. By Jupiter, an angel! or, if not,

An earthly paragon!- Behold divineness
No elder than a boy !

Re-enter IMOGEN.

Imo. Good masters, harm me not:

Before I enter'd here, I call'd; and thought

T' have begg'd or bought what I have took: good troth,
I have stol'n naught; nor would not, though I had found
Gold strew'd i' 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! And 'tis no better reckon'd, but of those

Who worship dirty gods.

Imo.

I see you're angry:

Know, if

you kill me for my fault, I should

Have died had I not made it.

Bel.

Imo. To Milford-Haven.

Bel. What's your name?

Whither bound ?

Imo. Fidele, sir. I have a kinsman who
Is bound for Italy; he embark'd at Milford;
To whom being going, almost spent with hunger,
I'm fall'n in this offense.

Prithee, fair youth,

Bel.
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.

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. [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.

He wrings at some distress.

Gui. Would I could free't!
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 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've 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 the lark, less

welcome.

Imo. Thanks, sir.

Arv. I pray, draw near.

SCENE VII. Rome. A public place.

Enter two Senators and Tribunes.

[Exeunt.

First 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 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 commends
His absolute commission. Long live Cæsar!
First Tri. Is Lucius general of the forces?
Sec. Sen.

Ay.

First Tri. Remaining now in Gallia ?

First 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 dispatch.

First Tri.

We will discharge our duty. [Exeunt.

ACT IV.

SCENE 1. Britain. Wales: the forest near the cave of

BELARIUS.

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 ir ade 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 her face: and all this done, spurn her home to her father; who may happily 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. The same. Before the cave of BELARIUS. Enter, from the cave, BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, ARVIRA GUS, and IMOGEN.

Bel. [to Imogen] You are not well remain here in the

cave;

We'll come to you after hunting.

Arv. [to Imogen] Are we not brothers?

Imo.

Brother, stay here :

So man and man should be;

But clay and clay differs in dignity,

Whose dust is both alike. I'm 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'm ill; but your being by me
Cannot amend me ; society is no comfort
To one not sociable: I'm 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,

66

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'm not their father; yet who this should be,

Doth miracle itself, lov'd before me.

'Tis the ninth hour o' the morn.

Arv.

Brother, farewell.