Imo.
I see a man's life is a tedious one:
I have ^note tired ^note myself; and for two nights together
Have made the ground ^note 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 ^note lie,
That have afflictions ^note on them, knowing 'tis
A punishment or trial? Yes; no ^note 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 ^note one o' the false ones: now I think on thee,
My hunger's gone; but even before, I was ^note
At point to sink for food. But what is this?
Here is a path to't: 'tis some savage hold:
I were best ^note not call; I dare not call: yet famine,
Ere clean it ^note o'erthrow nature, makes ^note it valiant.
Plenty and peace breeds ^note cowards; hardness ever
Of hardiness is mother. Ho! who's here?

If any thing ^note that's civil, speak; if savage,
Take or lend ^note. ^note Ho! ^note No answer? then I'll enter.
Best draw my sword; and if ^note mine enemy
But fear the sword like me, he'll scarcely look on't.
Such ^note a foe, good ^note heavens! ^note [Exit, to the cave. ^{note note}Enter Belarius, Guiderius, and Arviragus.

Bel.
You, Polydore ^note, 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 ^note sloth
Finds the down pillow hard. Now, peace be here, ^note
Poor house, that keep'st thyself!

Gui.
I am ^note throughly weary.

Arv.
I am ^note weak with toil, yet strong in appetite.

Gui.
There is cold meat i' the cave; we'll browse on that, ^note
Whilst what we have ^note kill'd be cook'd.

Bel. [Looking into the cave ^note]
Stay; come not in.
But that it eats our victuals, I should think
Here ^note 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! Re-enter Imogen. ^note

Imo.
Good masters ^note, 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 ^note found
Gold strew'd i' the ^note 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 ^note
With prayers ^note for the provider.

Gui.
Money, youth? ^note

Arv.
All gold and silver rather turn to dirt ^note!
As 'tis no better reckon'd, but of those
Who worship dirty gods.

Imo.
I see you're ^note angry:
Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should
Have died had I not made it.

Bel.
Whither ^note bound?

Imo.
To Milford-Haven ^note.

Bel.
What's ^note your name?

Imo.
Fidele, sir. I have a kinsman who
Is bound for Italy; he embark'd ^note at Milford;
To whom being going, almost spent with hunger,
I am ^note fall'n in this offence.

Bel.
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.

Gui.
Were you a woman, youth,
I should woo hard but be your groom. In honesty, ^note
I bid for you as I'ld ^note 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'ld give to him
After long absence, such is yours ^note: most welcome!
Be sprightly, for you fall 'mongst friends.

Imo.
'Mongst friends,
If brothers. ^note [Aside ^note] Would it had been so, that they
Had been my father's sons! then had my prize ^note
Been less, and so more equal ballasting ^note
To thee, Posthumus.

Bel.
He wrings at some distress.

Gui.
Would I could free't!

Arv.
Or I; whate'er it be,
What pain it cost, what danger! Gods!

Bel.
Hark, boys. [Whispering. ^note

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 ^note multitudes ^note—
Could not out-peer ^note these twain. Pardon me, gods!
I'ld change my sex to be companion with them, ^note
Since Leonatus's false. ^{note note}

Bel.
It shall be so.
Boys, we'll go dress our hunt. Fair youth ^note, come in:
Discourse is heavy, fasting; when we have ^note supp'd,
We'll mannerly demand thee of thy story,
So far as thou wilt speak it ^note.

Gui.
Pray ^note, draw near.

Arv.
The night to the owl and morn to the lark less welcome. ^note

Imo.
Thanks, sir.

Arv.
I pray, draw near. ^note [Exeunt. ^note

Previous section

Next section