Bel.

He wrings at some distress. 6

Gui. 'Would I could free't!
Aro.

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,7)

Could not out-peer these twain. Pardon me, gods!
I'd change my sex to be companion with them,
Since Leonatus false.

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.

Aro. The night to the owl, and morn to the lark, less

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

6 He wrings at some distress.] i. e. writhes with anguish. 7 That nothing gift of differing multitudes,)] The poet must mean, that court, that obsequious adoration, which the shifting vulgar pay to the great, is a tribute of no price or value.

'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
The gentry to this business: He creates
Lucius pro-consul: and to you the tribunes,
For this immediate levy, he commands
His absolute commission. Long live Cæsar!
Tri. Is Lucius general of the forces?
2 Sen.

8

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

Clo. I am near to the place where thy 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

8 and to you the tribunes,

For this immediate levy, he commands

His absolute commission.] He commands the commission to be given to you. So we say, I ordered the materials to the workmen. for] i. e. because.

9

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 imperseverant 2 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 meetingplace; 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?

1

21

Brother, stay here:

[To IMOGEN.

-in single oppositions :] In single combat.

imperseverant] Imperseverant may mean no more than

perseverant, like imbosomed, impassioned, immasked.

Imo.

So man and man should be;

But clay and clay differs in dignity,

Whose dust is both alike. I am very sick.

Gui. Go you to hunting,

I'll abide with him.

yet I am not well:

Imo. So sick I am not;
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 am ill; but your being by me
Cannot amend me: Society is no comfort

3

To one not sociable: I'm not very sick,
Since I can reason of it.
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?

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.

[Aside.

Bel.
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 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, sir.

$ Stick to your journal course: the breach of custom

Is breach of all.] Keep your daily course uninterrupted; if the stated plan of life is once broken, nothing follows but confusion.

Imo. [aside.] These are kind creatures. Gods, what lies I have heard!

Our courtiers say, all's savage,

but at court:

Experience, O, thou disprov'st report!

4

The imperious seas breed monsters; for the dish,
Poor tributary rivers as sweet fish.

I am sick still; heart-sick:- Pisanio,

I'll now taste of thy drug.

Gui.

I could not stir him:5

He said, he was gentle, 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;

We'll leave you for this time; go in, and rest.

Aro. We'll not be long away.

Bel.

For you must be our housewife.

Imo.

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.

Aro.

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,

A smiling with a sigh: as if the sigh

Was that it was, for not being such a smile;

4 The imperious seas

-] Imperious was used by Shakspeare for

imperial.

5 I could not stir him:] Not move him to tell his story.

6

gentle, but unfortunate;] Gentle, is well-born, of birth above the vulgar.