(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!