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When from the mountain-top Pisanio show'd thee, Thou wast within a ken: O Jove! I think, 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 ful

ness

Is sorer, than to lie for need; and falsehood
Is worse in kings, than beggars.-My dear lord!
Thou art 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 it: '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 !

[She goes into the Cave.

Enter BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS.

Bel. You, Polydore, have prov'd best woodman, 1

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

1 Best hunter.

2 Agreement.

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

Finds the down pillow hard. - Now, peace be here,

Poor house, that keep'st thyself!

Gui.

I'm throughly weary.

Arv. I am weak with toil, yet strong in appetite. Gui. There is cold meat i'the cave; we'll browze

on that,

Whilst what we have kill'd be cook'd.

Bel.

T

Stay; come not in: [Looking in.

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!

Enter IMOGEN.

Imo. 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,

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

found

Gold strew'd o'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 !

As 'tis no better reckon'd, but of those

Who worship dirty gods.

Imo.

I see, you are angry:

Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should

Have died, had I not made it.

Bel.

Imo. To Milford-Haven, sir.

Bel.

Whither bound?

What is your name?

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 am fallen in this offence.

Bel.

Pr'ythee, fair youth, 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 ho

nesty,

I bid for you, as I'd buy.
Arv.

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 wel

come!

Be sprightly, for you fall 'mongst friends.

Imo.

'Mongst friends!

If brothers?-'Would it had been so, that

they

prize

Had been my father's sons! then had my Aside.

Been less; and so more equal ballasting

To thee, Posthumus.

Bel.

Gui. 'Would, I could free't!

He wrings at some distress.

3 In, for into.

1

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 4 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 have 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 the owl, and morn to the lark,

less welcome.

Imo. Thanks, sir.
Arv.

I pray, draw near. [Exeunt.

SCENE VII.

Rome.

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 'Gainst the Pannonians and Dalmatians; And that the legions now in Gallia are Full weak to undertake our wars against

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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.

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

Of their despatch.

Tri.

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SCENE I.- The Forest, near the Cave.

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 made by him that made the tailor, not be fit too? the rather (saving reverence of the word) for 5 '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

5 i. e. Because.

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