(To Innogen) 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.
INNOGEN ’Mongst friends
If brothers. (Aside) Would it had been so that they
Had been my father’s sons. Then had my price
Been less, and so more equal ballasting
To thee, Posthumus.
The three men speak apart
BELARIUS
He wrings at some distress.
GUIDERIUS
Would I could free’t.
ARVIRAGUS
Or I, whate’er it be,
What pain it cost, what danger. Gods!
BELARIUS
Hark, boys.
They whisper
INNOGEN (aside) Great men
That had a court no bigger than this cave,
That did attend themselves and had the virtue
Which their own conscience sealed them, laying by
That nothing-gift of differing multitudes,
Could not outpeer these twain. Pardon me, gods,
I’d change my sex to be companion with them,
Since Leonatus’ false.
BELARIUS
It shall be so.
Boys, we’ll go dress our hunt. Fair youth, come in.
Discourse is heavy, fasting. When we have supped
We’ll mannerly demand thee of thy story,
So far as thou wilt speak it.
GUIDERIUS
Pray draw near.
ARVIRAGUS
The night to th’ owl and morn to th’ lark less welcome.
INNOGEN
Thanks, sir.
ARVIRAGUS I pray draw near.
Exeunt into the cave
3.7 Enter two Roman Senators, and Tribunes
FIRST SENATOR
This 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
Full weak to undertake our wars against
The fall’n-off Britons, that we do incite
The gentry to this business. He creates
Lucius pro-consul, and to you the tribunes,
For this immediate levy, he commends
His absolute commission. Long live Caesar!
A TRIBUNE
Is Lucius general of the forces?
SECOND SENATOR
Ay.
A TRIBUNE
Remaining now in Gallia?
FIRST SENATOR
With those legions
Which I have spoke of, whereunto your levy
Must be supplyant. The words of your commission
Will tie you to the numbers and the time
Of their dispatch.
A TRIBUNE
We will discharge our duty.
Exeunt
4.1 Enter Cloten, in Posthumus’ suit
CLOTEN I am near to th’ place where they should meet, if Pisanio have mapped 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 vainglory 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 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 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
4.2 Enter Belarius, Guiderius, Arviragus, and Innogen dressed as a man, from the cave
BELARIUS (to Innogen)
You are not well. Remain here in the cave.
We’ll come to you from hunting.
ARVIRAGUS (to Innogen)
Brother, stay here.
Are we not brothers?
INNOGEN
So man and man should be,
But clay and clay differs in dignity,
Whose dust is both alike. I am very sick.
GUIDERIUS (to Belarius and Arviragus)
Go you to hunting. I’ll abide with him.
INNOGEN
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, loved before me.
(Aloud) ‘Tis the ninth hour o’th’ morn.
ARVIRAGUS (to Innogen)
Brother, farewell.
INNOGEN
I wish ye sport.
ARVIRAGUS
You health.—So please you, sir.
INNOGEN (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!