Wales. Before the Cave of Belarius.
 Enter INNOGEN, dressed in boy's clothes.

Innogen	I see a man's life is a tedious one.
	I have tired 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 showed thee,
	Thou wast within a ken. O Jove, I think
	Foundations fly the wretched; such, I mean,
	Where they should be relieved. Two beggars told me
	I could not miss my way. Will poor folks 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'th' 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't. 'Tis some savage hold;
	I were best not call; I dare not call; yet famine,
	Ere clean it o'erthrow nature, makes it valiant.
	Plenty and peace breeds cowards, hardness ever
	Of hardiness is mother. Ho! - who's here?
	If anything 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!
													[Exit into the cave.

	Enter BELARIUS, GUIDERIUS, and ARVIRAGUS.

Belarius	You, Polydore, have proved best woodman, and
	Are master of the feast. Cadwal and I
	Will play the cook and servant; 'tis our match.
	The sweat and industry would dry and die
	But for the end it works to. Come, our stomachs
	Will make what's homely savoury. Weariness
	Can snore upon the flint when restive sloth
	Finds the down pillow hard. Now, peace be here,
	Poor house, that keep'st thyself!

Guiderius											I am throughly weary.

Arviragus	I am weak with toil, yet strong in appetite.

Guiderius	There is cold meat i'th' cave; we'll browse on that
	Whilst what we have killed be cooked.

Belarius						[Looking into the cave.] Stay, come not in!
	But that it eats our victuals I should think
	Here were a fairy.

Guiderius								What's the matter, sir?

Belarius	By Jupiter, an angel; or, if not,
	An earthly paragon. Behold divineness
	No elder than a boy!

                     Re-enter INNOGEN, from the cave.

Innogen									Good masters, harm me not.
	Before I entered here I called, and thought
	To have begged, or bought, what I have took. Good troth,
	I have stol'n naught, nor would not, though I had found
	Gold strewed i'th' 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.

Guiderius											Money, youth?

Arviragus	All gold and silver rather turn to dirt,
	As 'tis no better reckoned but of those
	Who worship dirty gods.

Innogen									I see you're angry.
	Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should
	Have died had I not made it.

Belarius											Whither bound?

Innogen	To Milford Haven.

Belarius								What's your name?

Innogen	Fidele, sir. I have a kinsman who
	Is bound for Italy; he embarked at Milford;
	To whom being going, almost spent with hunger,
	I am fall'n in this offence.

Belarius										Prithee, fair youth,
	Think us no churls, nor measure our good minds
	By this rude place we live in. Well encountered!
	'Tis almost night; you shall have better cheer
	Ere you depart, and thanks to stay and eat it.
	Boys, bid him welcome.

Guiderius								Were you a woman, youth,
	I should woo hard, but be your groom. In honesty
	I bid for you as I do buy.

Arviragus										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.

Innogen											'Mongst friends,
	If brothers. [Aside.] 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.

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 together.
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'll 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.
