thou wouldst not be a villain, but do me true service, undergo those employments, wherein I should have cause to use thee, with a serious industry,—that is, what villainy soe'er I bid thee do, to perform it, directly and truly, I would think thee an honest man: thou shouldest neither want my means for thy relief, nor my voice for thy preferment.

Pisanio. Well, my good lord.

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.

Hast

Cloten. Give me thy hand, here's my purse. any of thy late master's garments in thy possession? Pisanio. I have, my lord, at my lodgings, 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, 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. 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.

Cloten. How long is't since she went to MilfordHaven?

Pisanio. She can scarce be there yet.

VOL. V.

2 H

Cloten. Bring this apparel to my chamber; that is the second thing that I have commanded thee: the third is, that thou shalt 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. [Exist

Pisanio. Thou bids't me to my loss: for true to thee, Were to prove false, which I will never be, To him that is most true-To Milford go, And find not her whom thou pursu'st. Flow, flow, You heavenly blessings, on her! This fool's speed Be cross'd with slowness; labour be his meed!

SCENE VI. Before the Cave of BELARIUS.

Enter IMOGEN, in Boy's Clothes.

[Exit

Imogen. I see a man's life is a tedious one;
I have tired myself; and for two nights together
Have made the ground my bed. I should be sick,
But that my resolution helps me.--Milford,
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 fulness
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 anything 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.

Belarius. You, Polydore, have prov'd best woodman," 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,

But for the end it works to. Come; our stomachs
Will make what's homely savory: Weariness
Can snore upon the flint, when restive sloth
Finds the down pillow hard-Now, peace be here,
Poor house, that keep'st thyself!

Guiderius.

I am thoroughly weary. Arviragus. I am weak with toil, yet strong in appetite. Guiderius. There is cold meat i' the cave; we'll browze on that,

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

Belarius.

Stay; come not in: [Looking 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!

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,

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.

Guiderius.

Money, youth?

Arviragus. All gold and silver rather turn to dirt As 'tis no better reckon'd, but of those

Who worship dirty gods.

Imogen.

I see you are angry:

Whither bound?

Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should
Have died, had I not made it.

Belarius.

Imogen. To Milford-Haven, sir.
Belarius.

What is your name?
Imogen. 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.

Belarius.

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.

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:

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

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

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

prize

Been less; and so more equal ballasting

!

To thee, Posthúmus.

2. In, for into.

Belarius.

He wrings at some distress.

Guiderius. 'Would I could free 't!

Arviragus.

Or I; whate'er it be,

What pain it cost, what danger! Gods!

Belarius.

Imogen. 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,)

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.

Guiderius.

Pray, draw near.

Arviragus. The night to the owl, and morn to the

lark, less welcome.

Imogen. Thanks, sir.

Arviragus.

I pray draw near.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VII.-ROME.

Enter two SENATORS and TRIBUNES.

1 Senator. 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 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! Tribunes. Is Lucius general of the forces?