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Enter CLOTEN alone

CLOTEN.

I am near to th' place where they should meet, if Pisanio

have mapp'd 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 imperceiverant

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 her 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, 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. Wales. Before the cave of BELARIUS

Enter, from the cave, BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, ARVIRAGUS, and IMOGEN

BELARIUS.

[To IMOGEN] You are not well. Remain here in the cave;

We'll come to you after hunting.

ARVIRAGUS.

[To IMOGEN] Brother, stay here.

Are we not brothers?

IMOGEN.

So man and man should be;

But clay and clay differs in dignity,

Whose dust is both alike. I am very sick.

GUIDERIUS.

Go you to hunting; I'll abide with him.

IMOGEN.

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

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.

GUIDERIUS.

I love thee; I have spoke it.

How much the quantity, the weight as much

As I do love my father.

BELARIUS.

What? how? how?

ARVIRAGUS.

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.'

BELARIUS.

[Aside] O noble strain!

O worthiness of nature! breed of greatness!

Cowards father cowards and base things sire base.

Nature hath meal and bran, contempt and grace.

I'm not their father; yet who this should be

Doth miracle itself, lov'd before me.-

'Tis the ninth hour o' th' morn.

ARVIRAGUS.

Brother, farewell.

IMOGEN.

I wish ye sport.

ARVIRAGUS.

Your health. [To BELARIUS] So please you, sir.

IMOGEN.

[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!

Th' 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. [Swallows some]

GUIDERIUS.

I could not stir him.

He said he was gentle, but unfortunate;

Dishonestly afflicted, but yet honest.

ARVIRAGUS.

Thus did he answer me; yet said hereafter

I might know more.

BELARIUS.

To th' field, to th' field!

We'll leave you for this time. Go in and rest.

ARVIRAGUS.

We'll not be long away.

BELARIUS.

Pray be not sick,

For you must be our huswife.

IMOGEN.

Well, or ill,

I am bound to you.

BELARIUS.

And shalt be ever. Exit IMOGEN into the cave

This youth, howe'er distress'd, appears he hath had

Good ancestors.

ARVIRAGUS.

How angel-like he sings!

GUIDERIUS.

But his neat cookery! He cut our roots