How far 't is thither. If one of mean affairs May plod it in a week, why may not I Glide thither in a day? Then, true Pisanio,- But in a fainter kind,-O, not like me, For mine 's beyond beyond!-say, and speak thick,- How we may steal from hence, and for the gap How many score of miles may we well ride Pisanio. One score 'twixt sun and sun, Madam, 's enough for you,-and too much too. Imogen. Why, one that rode to 's execution, man, Could never go so slow; I have heard of riding wagers, That run i' the clock's behalf.—But this is foolery.— She 'll home to her father; and provide me presently A franklin's housewife. Pisanio. Madam, you 're best consider. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Wales: a Mountainous Country with a Cave. Enter, from the cave, BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUs. Guiderius. Arviragus. Hail, heaven! Hail, heaven! Belarius. Now for our mountain sport. Up to yond hill! Your legs are young; I'll tread these flats. Consider, That it is place which lessens and sets off; And you may then revolve what tales I have told you O, this life Is nobler than attending for a check, Richer than doing nothing for a bribe, Such gain the cap of him who makes 'em fine, IO 20 Guiderius. Out of your proof you speak; we, poor unfledg'd, 30 40 Have never wing'd from view o' the nest, nor know not If quiet life be best; sweeter to you That have a sharper known, well corresponding What should we speak of Belarius. How you speak! And felt them knowingly; the art o' the court, Is certain falling, or so slippery that The fear 's as bad as falling; the toil o' the war, A pain that only seems to seek out danger I' the name of fame and honour; which dies i' the search, And hath as oft a slanderous epitaph As record of fair act; nay, many times, what's worse, Doth ill deserve by doing well; Whose boughs did bend with fruit; but in one night, A storm or robbery, call it what you will, Shook down my mellow hangings, nay, my leaves, Guiderius. Uncertain favour! Belarius. My fault being nothing-as I have told you oft― But that two villains, whose false oaths prevail'd Before my perfect honour, swore to Cymbeline I was confederate with the Romans: so Follow'd my banishment, and this twenty years This rock and these demesnes have been my world; The fore-end of my time.—But up to the mountains! And we will fear no poison, which attends In place of greater state. I'll meet you in the valleys.[Exeunt Guiderius and Arviragus. How hard it is to hide the sparks of nature! These boys know little they are sons to the king; Nor Cymbeline dreams that they are alive. 70 80 They think they are mine; and though train'd up thus meanly I' the cave wherein they bow, their thoughts do hit The roofs of palaces, and nature prompts them In simple and low things to prince it much 90 The princely blood flows in his cheek, he sweats, Strikes life into my speech and shows much more At three and two years old, I stole these babes, Thou reft'st me of my lands.-Euriphile, Thou wast their nurse; they took thee for their mother, Myself, Belarius, that am Morgan call'd, They take for natural father.—The game is up. SCENE IV. Near Milford-Haven. Enter PISANIO and IMOGEN. 100 [Exit. Imogen. Thou told'st me, when we came from horse, the place Was near at hand.—Ne'er long'd my mother so To see me first, as I have now.-Pisanio! man! Where is Posthumus? What is in thy mind, That makes thee stare thus? Wherefore breaks that sigh Beyond self-explication; put thyself Vanquish my staider senses. What's the matter? But keep that countenance still.-My husband's hand! ΙΟ |