You think of other place. The embassador Lucius the Roman, comes to Milford Haven To-morrow: Now, if you could wear a mind Dark as your fortune is; and but disguise That, which, to appear itself, must not yet be, But by self danger; you should tread a course Pretty, and full of view; yea, haply near The residence of Posthumus: so nigh at least, be-That though his actions were not visible, yet Report shall render him hourly to your ear, As truly as he moves.

Will not endure his yoke: and for ourself
To show less sovereignty than they, must needs
Appear unkinglike.

Luc.

So, sir, I desire of you
A conduct over land, to Milford Haven.
Madam, all joy befall your grace, and you!
Cym. My lords, you are appointed for that office;
The due of honour in no point omit:-
So, farewell, noble Lucius.
Luc.
Your hand, my lord.
Clo. Receive it friendly; but from this time forth
I wear it as your enemy.
Luc.
Is yet to name the winner; Fare you well.
Cym. Leave not the worthy Lucius, good my
lords,

Sir, the event

Till he have cross'd the Severn.-Happiness!
[Exeunt Lucius, and Lords.
Queen. He goes hence frowning: but it ho-

nours us,

That we have given him cause.
Clo.
'Tis all the better
Your valiant Britons have their wishes in it.
Cym. Lucius hath wrote already to the emperor
How it goes here. It fits us therefore, ripely,
Our chariots and our horsemen be in readiness:
The powers that he already hath in Gallia
Will soon be drawn to head, from whence he

moves

His war for Britain.
Queen.

To her desir'd Posthumus: Gone she is
To death, or to dishonour; and my end
Can make good use of either: she being down,
I have the placing of the British crown.
Re-enter Cloten.

How now, my son ?
Clo.

"Tis certa n, she is fled;

Go in, and cheer the king: he rages; none
Dare come about him.
Queen.

All the better; May
This night forestall him of the coming day!
Exit Queen.
Clo. I love, and hate her; for she's fair and
royal;

And that she hath all courtly parts more exquisite
Than lady, ladies, woman; from every one
The best she hath, and she, of all compounded,
Outsells them all: I love her therefore; But,
Disdaining me, and throwing favours on
The low Posthumus, slanders so her judgment,
That what's else rare,is chok'd; and, in that point,
I will conclude to hate her, nay, indeed,
To be reveng'd upon her. For, when fools
Enter Pisanio.

Shall-Who is here? What! are you packing,
sirrah?

Come hither: Ah, you precious pander! Villain,
Where is thy lady? In a word: or else
Thou art straightway with the fiends.
Pis.

O, good my lord 1
Clo. Where is thy lady 7 or, by Jupiter,
I will not ask again. Close villain,
I'll have this secret from thy heart, or rip
Thy heart to find it. Is she with Posthumus?
From whose so many weights of baseness cannot
A dram of worth be drawn.
Pis.
Alas, my lord,
How can she be with him? When was she miss'd 7
He is in Rome.
Clo.
Where is she, sir? Come nearer;
No further halting: satisfy me home,
What is become of her?
Pis. O, my all-worthy lord!

'Tis not sleepy business;
But must be look'd to speedily, and strongly.
Cym. Our expectation that it would be thus,
Hath made us forward. But, my gentle queen,
Where is our daughter? She hath not appear'd
Before the Roman, nor to us hath tender'd
The duty of the day: She looks us like
A thing more made of malice, than of duty:
We have noted it.-Call her before us; for
We have been too slight in sufferance.
[Exit an Attendant.
Queen.
Since the exile of Posthumus, most retir'd
Hath her life been; the cure whereof, my lord,At the next word,-No more of worthy lord,-

Royal sir,

"Tis time must do. 'Beseech your majesty,
Forbear sharp speeches to her she's a lady
So tender of rebukes, that words are strokes,
And strokes death to her.

Re-enter an Attendant.
Cym.
Where is she, sir? How
Can her contempt be answer'd?
Al'en.
Please, you, sir,
Her chambers are all lock'd; and there's no

Made me to blame in memory.
Cym.
Her doors lock'd?
Not seen of late? Grant, heavens, that which I
Fear prove false !
[Exit.
Queen.
Son, I say, follow the king.
Clo. That man of hers, Pisano, her old servant,
I have not seen these two days.
Queen. Go, look after.- [Exit Cloten.
Pisanio, thon that stand'st so for Posthumus!-
He hath a drug of mine: I pray, his absence
Proceed by swallowing that; for he believes
It is a thing most precious. But for her,
Where is she gone? Haply, despair hath seized
her;
Or wing'd with fervour of her love, she's flown

Clo.
All-worthy villain !
Discover where thy mistress is, at once,

Speak, or thy silence on the instant is
Thy condemnation and thy death.
Pis.

Then, sir,

This paper is the history of my knowledge
Touching her flight. [Presenting a Letter.
Let's see 't-I will pursue her
Even to Augustus' throne.

Clo.

Pis.

Or this, or perish. She's far enough; and what he learns by Aside. this,

Humph!

May prove his travel, not her danger.
Clo.
Pis. I'll write to my lord she's dead. O Imogen,
Safe may'st thou wander, safe return again!

Clo. Sirrah, is this letter true?

Aside.

Pis. Sir, as I think. Clo. It is Posthumus' hand; I know't,-Sirrah, if thou would'st 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 nei. ther want my means for thy relief, nor my voice for thy preferment.

Pis. Well, my good lord.

Clo. 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 7 Pis. Sir, I will.

Clo. Give me thy hand, here's my purse, Hast

any of thy late master's garments in thy pos-Such a foe, good heavens! Bession?

Pis. I have, my lord, at my lodging, the sam suit he wore when he took leave of my lady and mistress.

Clo. The first service thou dost me, fetch that suit hither let it be thy first service; go. Pis. I shall, my lord.

[She goes into the Care.

Enter Belarius, Guiderius, and Arviragus Bel. You, Polydore, have prov'd best woodman, and

here,

Poor house, that keep'st thyself!
Gui.

Are master of the feast: Cadwal, and I, [Exit. Will play the cook and servant; 'tis our match. Clo. Meet thee at Milford Haven :-I forgot to The sweat of industry would dry, and die, ask him one thing; I'll remember 't anon:-But for the end it works to. Come; our stomachs Even there, thou villain, Posthumus, will I keep Will make what's homely, savoury: Weariness thee. I would these garments were come. She Can snore upon the flint, when restie sloth nid upon a time (the bitterness of it I now Finds the down pillow hard.-Now, peace be belch from my heart,) 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. He on the ground, my speech of insultment ended on his dead body,-and when my lust hath dined, (which, as I say, to vex her, I will execute in the clothes that she so praised,) to the court I'll knock her back, foot her home again. She hath despised me rejoicingly, and I'll be merry in my revenge.

Re-enter Pisanio, with the Clothes.

Be those the garments?

Pis. Ay, my noble lord.

I am thoroughly 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.

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 másters, harm me not:

Clo. How long is 't since slie went to Milford Before I enter'd here, I call'd: and thought

Haven?

I

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

have stolen nought; nor would not, though I

had found

meat:

Gold strew'd o' the floor. Here's money for my
would have left it on the board, so soon
As I had made my meal; and parted
With prayers for the provider.

Pis. She can scarce be there yet. Clo. Bring this apparel to my chamber; that is the second thing that I have commanded thee: the third is, that thou wilt be a voluntary mute to my design. Be but duteous, and true preferment shall tender itself to thee.-My revenge is I now at Milford; 'Would, I had wings to follow it !-Come, and be true. [Exit. Pis. Thou bidd'st 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!

[Exit.

SCENE VI. Before the Cave of Belarius.

Enter Imogen, in Boy's Clothes.

Imo. 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 affliction 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 of 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 [on't.
But fear the sword like me, he'll scarcely look

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.
I see, you are angry:
Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should
Have died, had I not made it.
Bel.

I

Imo.

Whither bound 7
What is your name?
Imo. Fidele, sir: I have a kinsman, who
Is bound to Italy; he embark'd at Milford;
To whom being going, almost spent with hunger,
am fallen in this offence.
Bel.

Imo. To Milford Haven.
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 itBoye, bid him 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
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.

Ay.
"With those legions
Which I have spoke of whereunto your levy
Must be supplyant; The words of your com-

Tri. Remaining now in Gallia ?
1 Sen.

mission

Is breach of all. I am ill; but your being by me
Cannot amend me: Society is no comfort
To one not sociable: I am 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.

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?
Arv. 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

Doth miracle itself, lov'd before me.-
I am not their father: yet who this should be,
"Tis the ninth hour o' the morn.
Arv.

Imo. I wish ye sport.

Brother, farewell,

Arv.
Imo. [Aside. These are kind creatures. Gods,
what lies I have heard!

Your health.-So please you, sir.

Our courtiers say, all's savage, but at court:
Experience, O, thon 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

I could not stir him;
He said, he was gentle, but unfortunate;
Dishonestly afflicted, but yet honest.
Arv. Thus did he answer me: yet said, here-
after
I might know more.

Bel.
To the field, to the field :-
We'll leave you for this time; go in, and rest.
Arv. We'll not be long away.
Bel.

Pray, be not sick,

For you must be our housewife.
Imo.

I am bound to you.
Bel.

Well, or ill,

Clo. I am near to the place where they should
meet, if Pisanio have napped it truly. How fit
his garments serve me! Why should his mistress,
who was made by him that made the tailor, no:
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! Posthu-
mus, thy head, which now is growing upon thy
shoulders, shall within this hour be off; thy mis-
tress 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 turn all into my
commendations. My horse is tied up safe: Out, Arv.
sword, and to a sore purpose! Fortune, put them A smiling with a sigh: as if the sigh
into my hand! This is the very description of Was that it was, for not being such a smile;
their meeting-place; and the fellow dares not The sinile mocking the sigh, that it would fly
deceive mic.
[Exit. From so divine a temple, to commix

And so shalt be ever. [Erit Imo.
This youth, howe'er distress'd, appears, he hath
had
Good ancestors.

Arv.

How angel-like he sings! Gui. But his neat cookery! He cut our roots in characters:

And sauc'd our broths, as Juno had been sick,
And he her dieter.
Nobly he yokes

A thing

[Exeunt Belarius and Arviragus.
Clo.
Soft! What are you
That fly me thus? some villain mountaineers?
I have heard of such. What slave art thou?
Gui.
More slavish did I ne'er, than answering
A slave, without a knock.
Clo.
Thou art a robber,
A law-breaker, a villain: Yield thee, thiet.
Gui. To who? to thee? What art thou ? Have
not I

An arm as big as thine 7 a heart as big?
Thy words, I grant, are bigger; for I wear not
My dagger in my mouth. Say, what thou art;
Why I should yield to thee

Clo.

Thou villain base,

Know'st me not by my clothes?
Gui.

Thou precious varlet,

No, nor thy tailor, rascal,
Who is thy grandfather; he made those clothes.
Which, as it seerns, make thee.
Clo.
My tailor made them not.
Gui.
Hence then, and thank
The man that gave them thee. Thou art some fool;
1 am loath to beat thee.
Clo.
Thou injurious thief,
Hear but my name, and tremble."
Gui.

Clo. Cloten, thou villain.

What's thy name?

Gui. Cloten, thou double villain, be thy name, I cannot tremble at it; were't toad, or adder, spider, "Twould move me sooner. Clo.

To thy further fear, Nay, to thy mere confusion, thou shalt know

I'm son to the queen.
Gui.

I'm sorry for't; not seeming

Art not afeard?

So worthy as thy birth.

Clo.

Yet I not doing this, the fool had borne
My head, as I do his.
Bel.

What hast thou done?

Gui. I am perfect, what: cut off one Cioten's
head.

Son to the queen, after his own report;
Who call'd me traitor, mountaineer: and swore,
With his own single hand he'd take us in,
Displace our heads, where (thank the gods!)
they grow,
And set them on Lud's town.
Bel.

We are all undone.
Gui. Why, worthy father, what have we to
lose,
But, that he swore to take, our lives? The law
Protects not us: Then why should we be tender
To let an arrogant piece of flesh threat us;
Play judge, and executioner, all himself;
For we do fear the law 7 What company.
Discover you abroad?

Was nothing but mutation; ay, and that
From one bad thing to worse; not frenzy, not
Absolute madness could so far have rav'd,
To bring him here alone: Although, perhaps,
It may be heard at court, that such as we
Cave here, hunt here, are outlaws, and in time
May make some stronger head: the which he
hearing

(As it is like him,) might break out, and swear
He'd fetch us in; yet is't not probable
To come alone, either he so undertaking,
Or they so suffering: then on good ground we
fear,

If we do fear this body hath a tail
More perilous than the head.
Arv.

Let ordinance

Come as the gods foresay it: howsoe'er,
My brother hath done well.
Bel.

I had no mind
To hunt this day: the boy Fidele's sickness
Did make my way long forth.

Gui.
With his own sword,
Which he did wave against my throat, I have
ta'en

His head from him: I'll throw't into the creek Gui. Those that I reverence, those I fear; the Behind our rock; and let it to the sea, wise;

At fools I laugh, not fear them.
Clo.
Die the death:
When I have slain thee with my proper hand,
I'll follow those that even now fled hence,
And on the gates of Lud's town set your heads:
Yield, rustick mountaineer. [Exeunt, fighting.

Enter Belarius and Arviragus.

Bel. No company's abroad.

Arv. None in the world: You did mistake him,

sure.

Bel. I cannot tell: Long is it since I saw him, But time hath nothing blurr'd those lines of fa

vour

And tell the fishes, he's the queen's son, Cloten:
That's all I reck.
Erit

Bel

I fear, 'twill be reveng':
'Would, Polydore, thou had'st not done't!
though valour
Becomes thee well enough.
Arv.
'Would, I had done't,
So the revenge alone pursued me!-Polydore,
I love thee brotherly; but envy much,
Thou hast robb'd me of this deed: I'would, re-
venges,

That possible strength might meet, would seek
us through,
And put us to our answer.
Bel.
Well, 'tis done :--
We'll hunt no more to-day, nor seek for danger
Where there's no profit. I pr'ythee, to our rock;
You and Fidele play the cooks: I'll stay
Till hasty Polydore return, and bring him
In this place we left them: To dinner presently.

Which then he wore; the snatches in his voice,
And burst of speaking, were as his : I am ab-
solute,

"Twas very Cloten. Arv.