SCENE I-The same.

Enter HERMIONE, MAMILLIUS, and LADIES.

Her. Take the boy to you: he so troubles me,

Tis past enduring.

1 Lady. Come, my gracious lord, Shall I be your playfellow?

Mam. No, I'll none of you.

1 Lady. Why, my sweet lord?

Mam. You'll kiss me hard; and speak to me I were a baby still.-I love you better. [as if 2 Lady. And why so, my good lord? Mam. Not for because [say, Your brows are blacker; yet black brows, they Become some women best; so that there be not Too much hair there, but in a semi-circle, Or half-moon made with a pen.

2 Lady. Who taught you this?

283 1 Lord. Behind the tuft of pines 1 met them;

never

Saw I men scour so on their way: I ey'd them Even to their ships.

Leon. How bless'd am I

In my just censure?* in my true opinion?Alack, for lesser knowledge!+ How accurs'd, In being so blest!-There may be in the cup A spider; steep'd, and one may drink; depart, And yet partake no venom; for his knowledge Is not infected: but if one present

The abhorr'd ingredient to his eye, make known How he hath drank, he cracks his gorge, his sides,

With violent hefts :-I have drank, and seen the spider.

Camillo was his help in this, his pander :-
There is a plot against my life, my crown;
All's true that is mistrusted:-that false villain,
Whom I employ'd, was pre-employ'd by him:
He has discover'd my design, and I
Remain a pinch'd thing; yea, a very trick
For them to play at will:--How came the pos-
So easily open?
[terns

Which often hath no less prevail'd than so,
1 Lord. By his great authority;
On your cominand.

Leon. I know't too well.

Give me the boy; I am glad, you did not nurse [you

him:

Have too much blood in him.
Though he does bear some signs of me, yet

Her. What is this? sport?

Leon. Bear the boy hence, he shall not come

about her;

Pray now

What colour are your eye-brows?

1 Lady. Blue, my lord.

Mam. Nay, that's a mock: I have seen a lady's nose

That has been blue, but not her eye-brows. 2 Lady. Hark ye: [shall The queen, your mother, rounds apace: we Present our services to a fine new prince, One of these days; and then you'd wanton with If we would have you.

[us,

1 Lady. She is spread of late
Into a goodly bulk: Good time encounter her!
Her. What wisdom stirs amongst you? Come,
Sir, now

I am for you again: Pray you, sit by us,
And tell's a tale.

Mam. Merry, or sad, shall't be?

Her. As merry as you will.

Mam. A sad tale's best for winter:

I have on of sprites and goblins.
Her. Let's have that, Sir.

[best

Come on, sit down :-Come on, and do your To fright me with your sprites: you're powerful

at it.

Mam. There was a man,

Her. Nay, come, sit down; then on.

Leon. You, my lords.

[ing,

Look on her, mark her well; be but about The justice of your hearts will thereto add, To say, she is a goodly lady, and 'Tis pity she's not honest, honourable: Praise her but for this her without-door form, (Which, on my faith, deserves high speech,) and straight

That calumny doth use:-O, I am out, The shrug, the hum, or ha; these pretty brands, That mercy does; for calumny will sear¶ Virtue itself:-these shrugs, these hums, and When you have said she's goodly, come be ha's, [tween, Ere you can say she's honest: But be it known, From him that has most cause to grieve it should be,

*

She's an adultress.

Her. Should a villain say so,

The most replenish'd villain in the world,
He were as much more villain: you, my lord,
Do but mistake.

Polixenes for Leontes: O thou thing,
Leon. You have mistook, my lady,
Which I'll not call a creature of thy place,
Lest barbarism, making me the precedent,
Should a like language use to all degrees,

it softly;

Yon crickets shall not hear it.

Her. Come on then,

And give't me in mine ear.

Enter LEONTES, ANTIGONUS, LORDS, and others.. Leon. Was he met there? his train? Camillo

with him?

A federary with her; and one that knows
What she would shame to know herself,
Butt with her most vile principal, that she's
A bed-swerver, even as bad as those
That vulgars give bold titles; ay, and privy
To this their late escape.

Her. No, by my life,

Privy to none of this: How will this grieve you, [that When you shall come to clearer knowledge, You thus have publish'd me? Gentle my lord, You scarce can right me throughly then, to say You did mistake.

Leon. No, no; if I mistake

In those foundations which I build upon,
The centre is not big enough to bear

A school-boy's top.-Away with her to prison:
He, who shall speak for her, is afar off guilty,
But that he speaks.§

burns

Her. There's some ill planet reigns:
I must be patient, till the heavens look
With an aspect more favourable.-Good my
I am not prone to weeping, as our sex [lords,
Commonly are; the want of which vain dew,
Perchance, shall dry your pities: but I have
That honourable grief lodg'd here, which
lords,
Worse than tears drown: 'Beseech you all, my
With thoughts so qualified as your charities
Shall best instruct you, measure me ;-and so
The king's will be perform'd!
Leon. Shall I be heard? [To the Guards.
Her. Who is't, that goes with me?-'Beseech
your highness,

My women may be with me; for, you see,
My plight requires it. Do not weep, good
fools;
[mistress
There is no cause: when you shall know, your
Has deserv'd prison, then abound in tears,
As I come out: this action, I now go on,
Is for my better grace.-Adieu, my lord:
I never wish'd to see you sorry; now,
I trust, I shall.- -My women, come; you

have leave.

Leon. Go, do our bidding; hence. [Exeunt Queen and Ladies. 1 Lord. 'Beseech your highness, call the queen again.

Ant. Be certain what you do, Sir; lest your justice [suffer, Prove violence; in the which three great ones Yourself, your queen, your son.

1 Lord. For her, my lord,

I dare my life lay down, and will do't, Sir, Please you to accept it, that the queen is spotless

I'the eyes of heaven, and to you; I mean,
In this which you accuse her.

Ant. If it prove

She's otherwise, I'll keep my stables]] where
I lodge my wife; I'll go in couples with her;
Than when I feel, and see her, no further trust
For every inch of woman in the world, [her;
Ay, every dram of woman's flesh, is false,
If she be.

Leon. Hold your peaces.
1 Lord. Good my lord,-

Ant. It is for you we speak, not for ourselves:

You are abus'd, and by some putter-on, That will be damn'd for't; 'would I knew the villain, [flaw'd,

I would land-damn him: Be she honourI have three daughters; the eldest is eleven;

* Confederate. + Only. ↑ Remotely guilty. In merely speaking. Take my station.

¶ Instigator.

Ant. If it be so,

We need no grave to bury honesty ;
There's not a grain of it, the face to sweeten
Of the whole dungy earth.

Leon. What! lack I credit?

1 Lord. I had rather you did lack, than I my lord,

[mo Upon this ground: and more it would conten To have her honour true, than your suspicion Be blam'd for't how you might.

Leon. Why, what need we Commune with you of this? but rather follow Our forceful instigation? Our prerogative Calls not your counsels: but our natural good

ness

Imparts this: which, if you (or stupified,
Or seeming so in skill,) cannot, or will not,
Relish as truth, like us; inform yourselves,
We need no more of your advice: the matter,
The loss, the gain, the ordering on't, is all
Properly ours.

Ant. And I wish, my liege,

You had only in your silent judgement tried it,
Without more overture.

Leon. How could that be?
Either thou art most ignorant by age,
Or thou wert born a fool. Camillo's flight,
Added to their familiarity,

(Which was as gross as ever touch'd conjecture, That lack'd sight only, nought for approba tion,

But only seeing, all other circumstances Made up to the deed,) doth push on this proYet, for a greater confirmation, [ceeding. (For, in an act of this importance, 'twere Most piteous to be wild,) I have despatch'd ir post,

To sacred Delphos, to Apollo's temple,
Cleomenes and Dion, whom you know
Of stuff'd sufficiency: Now, from the oracle
They will bring all; whose spiritual counsel
had,
Shall stop, or spur me. Have I done well?
1 Lord. Well done, my lord.
Leon. Though I am satisfied, and need no

Let him have knowledge who I am.-Good lady!

No court in Europe is too good for thee, [Sir, What dost thou then in prison?-Now, good Re-enter Attendant, with the KEEPER.

You know me, do yor not?

Keep. For a worthy lady,

And one whom much I honour.
Paul. Pray you, then,
Conduct me to the queen.

Keep. I may not, madam; to the contrary

I have express commandment.

Paul. Here's ado,

To lock up honesty and honour from

The access of gentle visitors!Is it lawful, Pray you, to see her women? any of them? Emilia?

Keep. So please you, madam, to put Apart these your attendants, I shall bring Emilia forth.

Paul. I pray now, call her.

Withdraw yourselves.

Keep. And, madam,

[Exeunt Attend.

I must be present at your conference.
Paul. Well, be it so, pr'ythee.

[Exit KEEPER. Here's such ado to make no stain a stain, As passes colouring.

Re-enter KEEPER, with EMILIA.

Dear gentlewoman, how fares our gracious lady?

Emil. As well as one so great, and so forlorn,

May hold together: On her frights, and griefs, (Which never tender lady hath borne greater, She is, something before her time, deliver❜d. Paul. A boy?

Emil. A daughter; and a goodly babe, Lusty, and like to live: the queen receives Much comfort in't: says, My poor prisoner, I um innocent as you.

Paul. I dare be sworn.

These dangerous unsafe lunes* o'the king! beshrew them!

[ter;

He must be told on't, and he shall: the office
Becomes a woman best; I'll take't upon me:
If I prove honey-mouth'd, let my tongue blis-
And never to my red-look'd anger be
The trumpet any more:-Pray you, Emilia,
Commend my best obedience to the queen;
If she dares trust me with her little babe,
I'll show't the king, and undertake to be
Her advocate to th loudest: We do not know
How he may soften at the sight o'the child;
The silence often of pure innocence
Persuades, when speaking fails.

Emil. Most worthy madam,

Your honour, and your goodness, is so evident,
That your free undertaking cannot miss
A thriving issue; there is no lady living,
So meet for this great errand: Please your
ladyship

To visit the next room, I'll presently
Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer;
Who, but to-day, hammer'd of this design;
But durst not tempt a minister of honour,
Lest she should be denied.

Paul. Tell her, Emilia,

I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from it,
As boldness from my bosom, let it not be
I shall do good.
[doubted

Emil. Now be you bless'd for it! I'll to the queen: Please you, come something nearer.

* Frenzies.

Keep. Madam, if't please the queer to sen the babe,

I know not what I shall incur, to pass it,
Having no warrant.

Paul. You need not fear it, Sir:

The child was prisoner to the womb; and is,
By law and process of great nature, thence
Freed and enfranchis'd: not a party to
The anger of the king; nor guilty of,
If any be, the trespass of the queen.
Keep. I do believe it.

Paul. Do not you fear: upon

Mine honour, I will stand 'twixt you and [Exeunt.

danger.

cause,

She, the adultress;-for the harlot king
Is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank
And level of my brain, plot-proof: but she
I can hook to me: Say, that she were gone,
Given to the fire, a moiety of my rest
Might come to me again.- -Who's there?
1 Atten. My lord?
[Advancing,

Leon. How does the boy?
1 Atten. He took good rest to-night;
"Tis hop'd, his sickness is discharg'd.
Leon. To see,
His nobleness!

Conceiving the dishonour of his mother,
He straight declin'd, droop'd, took it deeply;
Fasten'd and fix'd the shame on't in himself;
Threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep,
And downright languish'd.-Leave me sole-
ly:t-go,

See how he fares. [Exit Attend.]—Fie, fie! no thought of him;

The very thought of my revenges that way
Recoil upon me: in himself too mighty;
And in his parties, his alliance,-Let him be,
Until a time may serve: for present vengeance,
Take it on her. Camillo and Polixenes [row:
Laugh at me; make their pastime at my sor-
They should not laugh, if I could reach them;
Shall she, within my power.

Enter PAULINA, with a Child.

[nor

Ant. That's enough.

1 Atten. Madam, he hath not slept to-night; None should come at him. [commanded}

Paul. Not so hot, good Sir;

I come to bring him sleep. "Tis such as you,-
That creep like shadows by him, and do sigh
At each his needless heavings,--such as you
Nourish the cause of his awaking: I
Do come with words as med'cinal as true;
Honest, as either; to purge him of that hu-
That presses him from sleep.
[mour
Leon. What noise there, ho?
Paul. No noise, my lord; but needful con-
ference,

Away with that audacious lady: Antigonus, I charg'd thee, that she should not come about I knew, she would.

Ant. I told her so, my lord,

On your displeasure's peril, and on mine,
She should not visit you.

Leon. What, canst not rule her?

:

[me;

Paul. From all dishonesty, he can in this, (Unless he take the course that you have done, Commit me, for committing honour,) trust it, He shall not rule me.

Ant. Lo you now; you hear!

When she will take the rein, I let her run;
But she'll not stumble.

Paul. Good my liege, I come,—
And, I beseech you, hear me, who profess
Myself your loyal servant, your physician,
Your most obedient counsellor; yet that dare
Less appear so, in comforting your evils,*
Than such as most seems yours:-1 say, I
From your good queen.

!

[come

Leon. Good queen Paul. Good queen, my lord, good queen: I say, good queen;

And would by combat make her good, so were I A man, the worst about you.

Leon. Force her hence.

Paul. Let him, that makes but trifles of his

eyes,

First hand me: on mine own accord, I'll off; But, first, I'll do my errand.-The good queen For she is good, hath brought you forth a daughter;

Here 'tis; commends it to your blessing. Laying down the Child.

Leon. Out!

I am as ignorant in that, as you
In so entitling me: and no less honest
Than you are mad; which is enough, I'll war-
rant,

As this world goes, to pass for honest.
Leon. Traitors!
[tard:-
Will you not push her out? Give her the bas-
Thou, dotard, [To ANTIGONUS.] thou art wo-
man-tir'd, unroosted

Paul. It is yours;

[charge, And, might we lay the old proverb to your So like you, 'tis the worse.-Behold, my lords, Although the print be little, the whole matter And copy of the father: eye, nose, lip, The trick of his frown, his forehead; nay, th valley, [smiles; The pretty dimples of his chin, and cheek; hi The very mould and frame of hand, nail, finger And, thou, good goddess nature, which hast made it

So like to him that got it, if thou hast The ordering of the mind too, 'mongst all colours

No yellowt in't; lest she suspect, as he does, Her children not her husband's!

Leon. A gross hag!

And, lozel, thou art worthy to be hang'd,
That wilt not stay her tongue.

Ant. Hang all the husbands,

That cannot do that feat, you'll leave yourself Hardly one subject.

Leon. Once more, take her hence,

Paul. A most unworthy and unnatural lord Can do no more.

Leon. I'll have thee burn'd.
Paul. I care not:

It is a heritic, that makes the fire, [tyrant;
Not she, which burns in't. I'll not call you
But this most cruel usage of your queen
(Not able to produce more accusation
Than your own weak-hing'd fancy,) something

Unvenerable be thy hands, if thou

Tak'st up the princess, by that forced¶ baseness Which he has put upon't?

Leon. He dreads his wife.

Paul. So, I would, you did; then, 'twere past all doubt,

You'd call your children yours.
Leon. A nest of traitors!

Ant. I am none, by this good light.
Paul. Nor I; nor any,

But one, that's here; and that's himself: for he
The sacred honour of himself, his queen's,
His hopeful son's, his babe's, betrays to slander,
Whose sting is sharper than the sword's; and
will not

(For, as the case now stands, it is a curse
He cannot be compell'd to't,) once remove
The root of his opinion, which is rotten,
As ever oak, or stone, was sound.

My child? away with't!-even thou, that hast
A heart so tender o'er it, take it hence,
And see it instantly consum'd with fire';
Even thou, and none but thou. Take it up

These lords, my noble fellows, if they please, Can clear me in't.

1 Lord. We can; my royal liege, He is not guilty of her coming hither.