| [Enter IMOGEN, in boy's clothes] | |
| 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 relieved. 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't: 'tis some savage hold: I were best not to 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! |
| [Exit, to the cave] | |
| [Enter BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS] | |
| BELARIUS | You, Polydote, have proved 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 savoury: weariness Can snore upon the flint, when resty 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 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! |
| [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, I have stol'n nought, nor would not, though I had found Gold strew'd i' 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're angry: Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should Have died had I not made it. |
| BELARIUS | Whither bound? |
| IMOGEN | To Milford-Haven. |
| BELARIUS | What's 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 fall'n in this offence. |
| BELARIUS | Prithee, 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. |
| 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 | He wrings at some distress. |
| GUIDERIUS | Would I could free't! |
| ARVIRAGUS | Or I, whate'er it be, What pain it cost, what danger. God's! |
| BELARIUS | Hark, boys. |
| [Whispering] | |
| IMOGEN | Great men, 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's false. |
| BELARIUS | 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. |
| 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] |