Bel.
You, Paladour, 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 dye,
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! [Exit, to the Cave.

Gui.
I am throughly weary.

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

Gui.
There is cold meat i'the cave; we'll brouze on that,
Whilst what we have kill'd be cook'd. Re-enter Belarius.

Bel.
Stay; come not 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 masters ^note, harm me not:
Before I enter'd here, I call'd; and thought
To have beg'd, or bought, what I have took: Good troth,

I have stoln nought; nor would not, though I had found
Gold strew'd o'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 so
With prayers for the provider.

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.

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

Bel.
Whither bound?

Imo.
To Milford-Haven, sir.

Bel.
What is 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 faln in this offence.

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 it.—
Boys, bid him welcome.

Gui.
Were you a woman, youth,
I should woo hard, but be your groom in honesty;
I'd bid for you, as I'd buy ^note.

Arv.
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.

&clquo;Imo.
&clquo;'mongst ^note friends!&crquo;
&clquo;If brothers?—'Would it had been so, that they&crquo;
&clquo;Had been my father's sons! then had my price ^note&crquo;
&clquo;Been less; and so more equal ballancing ^note&crquo;
&clquo;To thee, Posthumus.&crquo;

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. [talks with them apart.

&clquo;Imo.
&clquo;Great men,
&clquo;That had a court no bigger than this cave,&crquo;
&clquo;That did attend themselves, and had the virtue&crquo;
&clquo;Which their own conscience seal'd them, (laying by&crquo;
&clquo;That nothing gift ^note14Q1281 of differing multitudes)&crquo;
&clquo;Could not out-peer ^note these twain. Pardon me, gods!&crquo;
&clquo;I'd change my sex to be companion with them,&crquo;
&clquo;Since Leonatus is false.&crquo;

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

Gui.
Pray, draw near.

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

Imo.
Thanks, sir.

Arv.
I pray, draw near. [Exeunt.

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