Bel. Prythee, 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.

Guid. Were you a woinan, youth,
I should woe hard, but be your groom in honesty;
I bid for you, as I do 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'd give to him,
After long absence, such is yours. Most welcome!
Be sprightly, for you fall ’mongst friends.

Imo. (18) 'Mongst friends,
If brothers ;-'Would it had been so, that they
Had been my father's sons ! then had my prize [Aside.
Been less, and so more equal ballasting
To thee, Pofthumus.

Bel. He wrings at some distress.
Guid. 'Would I could free't!

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

[Whispering.
Imo. Great men,
That had a court no bigger than this cave,
That did attend themselves, and had the virtue

(18) Imo.

'Mongst Friends If Brothers, 'would it bad been so, that they

Had been my Father's Sons.] I cannot think this the Poet's Pointing, and therefore have ventur'd to reform it. Arviragus had said, he would love Imogen as a Brother, gives her a Welcome as such, and tells her, she is fall'n among Friends. Among Friends indeed, replies the very naturally, if I am to stand in the Rank of a Brother. Then ftriking into a private Retiection on having lost her own Brothers, the wishes, these Two kind Youths were but her Father's Sons,

Vol. VII.

M

Which

Which their own conscience seald them ; (19) laying by
That nothing-gift of defering multitudes,
Could not out-peer these twain.-Pardon me, Gods!.
I'd change my sex to be companion with them,
Since Leonatus is falfe.

Bel. It shall be fo :
Boys, we'll go dress our Hunt. Fair youth, come in ;
Discourse is heavy, fafting ; when we've supp'd,
We'll mannerly demand thee of thy ftory,
So far as thou wilt speak.
Guid. I

pray,

draw near. Arv. The night to th’owl, and morn to th' lark, less

welcome! Imo. Thanks, Sir. Arv. I pray, draw near.

[Exeunt.

SCENE changes to Rome.

Enter two Roman Senators, and Tribunës.

T

Sen. HIS is the tenor 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

(19)

-laying by
That Nothing-Gift of differing Multitudes,

Could not out-peer these twain.] The only Idea, that differing can here convey, is, variable, changing Multitudes; but then what is the Nothing-Gift which they are fuppos’d to bestow? The Poet must mean, that Court, that obsequious Adoration, which the shifting Vulgar pay to the Great, is a Tribute of no Price or Value. I am persuaded therefore, our Poet coin'd this Participle from the French Verb, and wrote

That Norbing-Gift of defering Multitudes, i. e. obsequious, paying Deference. -Deferer, Ceder par Ref-. peet a quelcun, obeir, condescendere, &c. Deferent, civil, jpectueux, &c. RICHELET.

Full

Full weak to undertake our war against
The fall'n-off Britons ; that we do incite
The gentry to this business. He creates
Lucius Pro-consul; (20) and to you, the tribunes,
For this immediate levy, he commends
His absolute commission. Long live Cæfar!

Tri. Is Lucius Gen'ral of the Forces ?
2 Sen. Ay.
Tri. Remaining now in Gallia?

i Sen. With those legions
Which I have spoke of, whereunto your Levy
Must be fuppliant: The words of your commission
Will tie you to the numbers and the time
Of their dispatch.
Tri. We will discharge our duty.

[Exeunt.

A CT IV.
SCENE, the Forest in Wales.

Enter Cloten alone.

I it

Am near to th' place where they should meet, if serve me! why should his mistress, who was made by him that made the tailor, not be fit too! the rather, (faving reverence of the word,) because, 'tis faid, a woman's

(20)

And to you, the Tribunes
For this immediate Levy, be commands

His absolute Commission.] Commands bis Commission is such a Phrase as Shakespeare would hardly have us'd. I have, by Mr. Warburton's Advice, ventured to subfti.

tute ;

be commends His absolute Commission. i. e, he recommends the Care of making this Levy to you; and gives you an absolute Commission for to doing.

fitness

M 2

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 lets young, more strong, not beneath him in fortunes, beyond him in the advantage of the time, above him in birth, alike converfant in general services and more remarkable in single oppositions; yet this imperseverant thing loves him in my despight. What mortality is ! Posthumus, thy head, which is now growing upon thy shoulders, shall within this hour be off, thy mistress enforc'l, 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 teftiness, shall turn all into my

commendations. My horse is ty'd up safe: out, sword, and to a fore 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 changes to the Front of the Cave. Enter Belarius, Guiderius, Arviragus, and Imogen,

from the Cave. Bel.

OU are not well: remain here in the cave;

We'll come tyou after hunting. Arv. Brother, stay here :

[To Imogen. Are we not brothers?

Imo. So man and man should be ; But clay and clay differs in dignity, Whose dust is both alike. I'm very

sick.
Guid. Go you to hunting, I'll abide with him.

Imo. So fick I am not, yet I am not well;
But not so citizen a wanton, as
To seem to die, ere fick: so please you, leave me;
Stick to your journal course; the breach of custom
Is breach of all. I'm ill, but your being by me
Cannot amend me. Society is no comfort
To one not fociable : I'm not very sick,
Since I can reason of it. Pray you, trust me here,

YoW

I'll rob none but myself; and let me die,
Stealing so poorly.

Guid. 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 fin 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 reasons without reason. The bier at door,
And a demand who is't shall die, I'd say,
“ My father, not this youth.”

Bil. O noble frain !
O worthiness of nature, breed of greatness !
Cowards father cowards, and base things fire the base:
Nature liath 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.

Arv. Brother, farewel.
Imo. I wish ye sport.
Arv. You health -fo please you, Sir.
Imo. These are kind creatures. Gods, what lies I've

heard !
Our courtiers say, all's favage, but at court :
Experience, oh, how thou disprov'it report,
Th' imperious seas breed monsters ; for the dish,
Poor tributary rivers as sweet fish;
I am fick still, heart-sick---Pisanio,
I'll now taste of thy drug. [Drinks out of the phial.

Guid. I could not stir him ;
He said, he was gentle, but unfortunate ;
Dishonestly aflicted, but yet honeft.

Arv. Thus did he answer me ; yet said, hereafter
I might know more.

Bel. To th’ field, to th' field :
We'll leave you for this time; go in and reft.

Arv. We'll not be long away.

Bel. Pray, be not sick,
For you must be our housewife.

M 3

Iiny.