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.

Gui.

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

45

To have begg'd or bought what I have took.
Good troth,

I have stolen nought, nor would not, though I had

found

Gold strew'd i' the floor.

meat.

Here's money for my

50

I would have left it on the board so soon
As I had made my meal, and parted with
Prayers for the provider.

Money, youth?

55

Arv. All gold and silver rather turn to dirt!
As '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?

60

Imo. Fidele, sir. I have a kinsman who

Is bound for Italy; he embark'd at Milford;

Bel.

Gui.

Arv.

Imo.

Bel.

To whom being going, almost spent with hunger,
I am fall'n in this offence.

Prithee, fair youth,

Think us no churls, nor measure our good minds 65
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.

Were you a woman, youth,
I should woo hard but be your groom. In honesty,
I bid for you as I'd buy.

72.

I'll make't my comfort
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.

'Mongst friends,

If brothers. [Aside.] Would it had been so, that

76

they Had been my father's sons! Then had my prize Been less, and so more equal ballasting

To thee, Posthumus.

Gui. Would I could free't!

Arv.

Bel.

He wrings at some distress.

Or I, whate'er it be, 80

What pain it cost, what danger. Gods!

Hark, boys. [Whispering.]

Imo. Great men,

Bel.

Gui.

That had a court no bigger than this cave,

86

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.

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.

Pray, draw near.

Arv. The night to the owl and morn to the lark less

welcome.

Imo. Thanks, sir.

Arv. I pray, draw near.

95

Exeunt.

SCENE VII

[Rome. A public place.]

Enter two Roman 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

5

The fallen-off Britons, that we do incite The gentry to this business. He creates Lucius proconsul; and to you the tribunes, For this immediate levy, he commends His absolute commission. Long live Cæsar! 1. Tri. Is Lucius general of the forces? 2. Sen.

1. Tri. Remaining now in Gallia ? 1. Sen.

Ay.

10

With those legions

Which I have spoke of, whereunto your levy
Must be supplyant. The words of your commis-

sion

Will tie you to the numbers and the time
Of their dispatch.

1. Tri.

We will discharge our duty.

15

Exeunt.

ACT FOURTH

SCENE I

[Wales. Near the cave of Belarius.]

Enter Cloten.

5

10

Clo. I am near to the place where they should meet, if Pisanio have mapp'd 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 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 15 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