Ch. 145: SCENE VI. Wales. Before the cave of Belarius.

SCENE VI. Wales. Before the cave of Belarius. ****

Enter Imogen alone, in boy’s clothes.

IMOGEN.

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 show’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

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 fulness

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. _]