I could not miss my way: will poor folks lie, That have afflictions on them, knowing 't is2 A punishment or trial? Yes; no wonder, When rich ones scarce tell true: to lapse in fulness Is sorer3 than to lie for need; and falsehood Is worse in kings than beggars.-My dear lord! Thou 'rt one o' 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? 1 Foundations, fixed places. 2 'Tis, i.e. the afflictions are. 3 Sorer, a heavier crime. 4 Even before, just before. Imo. Fidele, sir. I have a kinsman who Is bound for Italy; he embark'd at Milford; To whom being going, almost spent with hunger, I'm 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! "T is 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 bid for you as I do buy.] I see you're angry: 7 In, into. Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should 1 Woodman, hunter. 2 Match, agreement. * Resty, disinclined to move, lazy. 4 Keep'st, guardest. Parted, departed. 6 Of, by. 8 To him, i.e. to my brother. 9 My prize, i.e. the prize Posthumus had in me. 10 Out-peer, surpass. 11 Our hunt, i.e. the game killed in hunting. 90 SCENE I. Britain. Wales: the forest near the cave of Belarius. Enter CLOTEN. Clo. I am near to the 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 't is 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! Post humus, 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 happily 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. SCENE II. [Exit. The same. Before the cave Enter, from the cave, BELARIUS, Guiderius, Bel. [To Imogen] You are not well: remain here in the cave; We'll come to you after hunting. Imo. Brother, stay here: So man and man should be; But clay and clay differs in dignity, The manthat gavethem thee. Thou art somefool; I'm loth to beat thee. 76 Clo. A law-breaker, a villain: yield thee, thief. An arm as big as thine? a heart as big? Clo. Thou injurious1 thief, Hear but my name, and tremble. Gui. What's thy name? Clo. Cloten, thou villain. Gui. Cloten, thou double villain, be thy name, I cannot tremble at it: were it Toad, or Adder, Spider, "T would move me sooner. Clo. 90 To thy further fear, Nay, to thy mere2 confusion, thou shalt know I'm son to the queen. Thou precious varlet, Hence, then, and thank |