Page images
PDF
EPUB

Boys, bid him welcome.

Gui.

Were you a woman, youth,

I should woo hard, but be your groom.-In honesty,

I bid for you, as I'd buy.

Aro.
He is a man; I'll love him as my brother:-
And such a welcome as I'd give to him,

I'll make't my comfort,

After long absence, such as yours:-Most welcome! Be sprightly, for you fall 'mongst friends.

Imo.

'Mongst friends! 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.

Bel.

Gui. 'Would, I could free't!

Arv.

He wrings at some distress."

Or I; whate'er it be,

Hark, boys. [Whispering.

What pain it cost, what danger! Gods!

Bel.

Imo. 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,7)

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,

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. `

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,

[blocks in formation]

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 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
Of their despatch.

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.

[blocks in formation]

Tri.

We will discharge our duty.

[Exeunt.

9

ACT IV.

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 '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 oppositions: yet this imperseverant 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

I

2

for- i. e. because.

in single oppositions:] In single combat.

imperseverant-] Imperseverant may mean no more than perseverant, like imbosomed, impassioned, immasked.

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 meeting-place; 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.

Aro.

Are we not brothers?

Imo.

Brother, stay here: [To IMOGEN.

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.
Imo. So sick I am not ;-yet I am not well:

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. Pray you, trust me here: I'll rob none but myself; and let me die,

Stealing so poorly.

3 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.

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?

Aro. 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.

Bel.
O noble strain! [Aside.
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.

Aro.

Brother, farewell.

You health.

So please you, sir.

Imo. I wish ye sport.

Aro.

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!

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.
He said, he was gentle, but unfortunate;
Dishonestly afflicted, but yet honest.

I could not stir him:5

Aro. Thus did he answer me: yet said, hereafter

* The imperious seas-] Imperious was used by Shakspeare for imperial.

6 ―

5 I could not stir him :] Not move him to tell his story. gentle, but unfortunate;] Gentle, is well-born, of birth above the vulgar.

« PreviousContinue »