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time (the bitterness of it I now belch from my heart), that she held the very garment of Posthumus in more respect than my noble and natural person, together with the adornment of my qualities. With that suit upon my back, will I ravish her: First kill him, and in her eyes; there shall she see my valour, which will then be a torment to her contempt. He on the ground, my speech of insultment ended on his dead body-and when my lust hath dined (which, as I say, to vex her, I will execute in the clothes that she so prais'd), to the court I'll knock her back, foot her home again. She hath despis'd me rejoicingly, and merry in my revenge.

I'll be

Re-enter PISANIO, with the Clothes.

Be those the garments ?

Pis. Ay, my noble lord.

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Clot. How long is't since she went to MilfordHaven?

Pis. She can scarce be there yet.

Clot. Bring this apparel to my chamber; that is the second thing that I have commanded thee: the third is, that thou wilt be a voluntary mute to my design. Be but duteous, and true preferment shall tender itself to thee. My revenge is now at Milford; Would I had wings to follow it!-Come, and be true. [Exit.

.. Pis. Thou bidd'st me to my loss: for, true to thee, Were to provę false, which I will never be, To him that is most true.-To Milford go,

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And find not her whom thou pursu'st. Flow, flow, You heavenly blessings, on her! This fool's speed Be crost with slowness; labour be his meed! [Exit.

SCENE VI.

The Forest and Cave. Enter IMOGEN, in Boy's Clothes.

Imo. I see, a man's life is a tedious one: I have tir'd myself; and for two nights together Have made the ground my bed. I should be sick, But that my resolution helps me.-Milford, When from the mountain top Pisanio shew'd thee, Thou wast within a ken: O Jove, I think, Foundations fly the wretched: such, I mean, Where they should be reliev'd. Two beggars told

me,

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I could not miss my way: Will poor folk lie,
That have afflictions on them; knowing 'tis
A punishment, or trial? Yes: no wonder,
When rich ones scarce tell true: To lapse in fullness
Is sorer, than to lie for need; and falsehood
Is worse in kings, than beggars.—My dear lord!
Thou art 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?
Here is a path to it: 'Tis some savage hold:
I were best not call; I dare not call: yet famine,
Ere clean it o'erthrow nature, makes it valiant.

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Plenty,

Plenty, and peace, breeds cowards; hardness ever
Of hardiness is mother. Ho! who's here?
If any thing that's civil, speak; if savage,
Take, or lend.—Ho!—No answer? then I'll enter.
Best draw my sword; and if mine enemy

But fear the sword like me, he'll scarcely look on't.
Such a foe, good heavens ! [She goes into the Cave.

Enter BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS.

Bel, You, Polydore, 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 die,

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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!

Guid. I am throughly weary.

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Arv. I am weak with toil, yet strong in appetite. Guid. There is cold meat i'the cave; we'll brouze

on that,

Whilst what we have kill'd be cook'd.

Bel. Stay; come not in

:

[Looking in.

But that it eats our victuals, I should think

Here were a fairy.

Guid. What's the matter, sir?

Bel. By Jupiter, an angel! or, if not,

An

An earthly paragon !-Behold divineness

No elder than a boy !

Enter IMOGEN.

Imo. Good masters, harm me not:

Before I enter'd here, I call'd; and thought

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To have begg'd, or bought, what I have took: Good troth,

I have stolen nought; nor would not, though I had

found

Gold strew'd o'the 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
With prayers for the provider.

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Guid. 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 are angry:

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.

Bel. What is your name?

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 am fallen in this offence.

Bel. Pr'ythee, fair youth,

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Think us no churls; nor measure our good minds

H

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By

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 woman, youth,

I should woo hard, but be your groom.-In honesty I bid for you, as I'd buy.

Arv. I'll mak't my comfort,

He is a man; I'll love him as my brother :

And such a welcome as I'd give to him,

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After long absence, such is your's:-Most welcome! Be sprightly, for you fall 'mongst friends.

Imo. 'Mongst friends!

If brothers?-'Would it had been so, that

they

Had been my father's sons! then had my prize
Been less; and so more equal ballasting

To thee, Posthumus.

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.

Imo. Great men,

[Aside.

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[Whispering.

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 multitudes),
Could not out-peer these twain. Pardon me, gods!
I'd change my sex to be companion with them,

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Since

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