do, to perform it directly and truly, I would think thee an honest man; thou shouldst neither want my means for thy relief nor my voice for thy preferment. Pisanio. Well, my good lord. 114 Cloten. Wilt thou serve me? for since patiently and constantly thou hast stuck to the bare fortune of that beggar Posthumus, thou canst not, in the course of gratitude, but be a diligent follower of mine; wilt thou serve me? Pisanio. Sir, I will. Cloten. Give me thy hand; here 's my purse. of thy late master's garments in thy possession? I 20 Hast any Pisanio. I have, my lord, at my lodging, the same suit he wore when he took leave of my lady and mistress. Cloten. The first service thou dost me, fetch that suit hither: let it be thy first service; go. Pisanio. I shall, my lord. [Exit. Cloten. Meet thee at Milford-Haven!-I forgot to ask him one thing; I'll remember 't anon.-Even there, thou villain Posthumus, will I kill thee. I would these garments were come. She said upon a time-the bitterness of it I now belch from my heart-that she held the very garment of Posthumus in more respect than my noble and natural person, together with the adornment of my qualities. With that suit upon my back, will I ravish her: first kill him, and in her eyes; there shall she see my valour, which will then be a torment to her contempt. He on the ground, my speech of insultment ended on his dead body, and when my lust hath dined,-which, as I say, to vex her I will execute in the clothes that she so praised,-to the court I'll knock her back, foot her home again. She hath despised me rejoicingly, and I'll be merry in my revenge.— Re-enter PISANIO, with the clothes. Be those the garments? Pisanio. Ay, my noble lord. 142 Cloten. How long is 't since she went to Milford-Haven? Pisanio. She can scarce be there yet. Cloten. Bring this apparel to my chamber; that is the second thing that I have commanded thee: the third is, that thou wilt be a voluntary mute to my design. Be but duteous, and true preferment shall tender itself to thee.-My revenge is now at Milford; would I had wings to follow it!— Come, and be true. [Exit. 153 Pisanio. Thou bid'st me to my loss; for true to thee [Exit. SCENE VI. Wales. Before the Cave of Belarius. Imogen. I see a man's life is a tedious one; When from the mountain-top Pisanio show'd thee, Foundations fly the wretched; such, I mean, Where they should be reliev'd. Two beggars told me 10 Here is a path to 't; 't is some savage hold. I were best not call; I dare not call: yet famine, Take or lend. Ho!-No answer? Then I'll enter. But fear the sword like me, he 'll scarcely look on 't. 20 [Exit, to the cave. Enter BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS. Belarius. You, Polydore, have prov'd best woodman and Are master of the feast: Cadwal and I Will play the cook and servant; 't is our match. But for the end it works to. Come; our stomachs Guiderius. I am throughly weary. 30 Arviragus. I am weak with toil, yet strong in appetite. Guiderius. There is cold meat i' the cave; we 'll browse on that, Whilst what we have kill'd be cook'd. Belarius. [Looking into the cave] Stay; come not in. But that it eats our victuals, I should think Here were a fairy. Guiderius. What's the matter, sir? Belarius. By Jupiter, an angel! or, if not, An earthly paragon!-Behold divineness No elder than a boy! 40 Re-enter IMOGEN. Imogen. 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, As I had made my meal, and parted With prayers for the provider. Guiderius. Money, youth? Arviragus. All gold and silver rather turn to dirt! As 't is no better reckon'd, but of those Who worship dirty gods. Imogen. I see you 're angry; Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should Have died had I not made it. Belarius. Imogen. To Milford-Haven. Whither bound? Imogen. Fidele, sir. I have a kinsman who Belarius. Prithee, fair youth, Think us no churls, nor measure our good minds Guiderius. Were you a woman, youth, I should woo hard but be your groom.-In honesty, I bid for you as I'd buy. Arviragus. I'll make 't my comfort He is a man; I'll love him as my brother; 50 60 70 And such a welcome as I'd give to him After long absence, such is yours.-Most welcome! Imogen. '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. Belarius. Guiderius. Would I could free 't! He wrings at some distress. Or I, whate'er it be, 80 Hark, boys. [Whispering. What pain it cost, what danger. Gods! Belarius. Imogen. Great men, That had a court no bigger than this cave, Could not out-peer these twain.—Pardon me, gods! Boys, we 'll go dress our hunt.-Fair youth, come in. We'll mannerly demand thee of thy story, So far as thou wilt speak it. Guiderius. Pray, draw near. 90 Arviragus. The night to the owl and morn to the lark less welcome. Imogen. Thanks, sir. Arviragus. I pray, draw near. [Exeunt. |