SCENE II.
A prison.
Enter Paulina, and Gentleman.
Paul.
The keeper of the prison,—call to him;
[Exit Gentleman.
Let him have knowledge who I am.—Good lady!
No court in Europe is too good for thee,
What dost thou then in prison?—Now, good sir,
Re-enter Gentleman, with the Keeper.
You know me, do you 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 you now,
Call her: Withdraw yourselves.
[Exeunt Gent.
Keep.
And, madam, I must
Be present at your conference.
Paul.
Well, be it so, pr'ythee. Here is such ado,
[Exit Keeper.
To make no stain a stain, as passes colouring.
Re-enter Keeper, with Emilia.
Dear gentlewoman, how fares our gracious lady?
-- 330 --
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 am innocent as you.
Paul.
I dare be sworn:—
These dangerous unsafe lunes o'the king5 note
! beshrew them!
He must be told on't, and he shall: the office
Becomes a woman best; I'll tak't upon me:
If I prove honey-mouth'd, let my tongue blister;
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 shew'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,
-- 331 --
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 deny'd.
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 doubted
I shall do good.
Emil.
Now be you blest for it!
I'll to the queen: please you, come something nearer.
Keep.
Madam, if't please the queen to send 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
Free'd 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 danger.
[Exeunt.
Samuel Johnson [1778], The plays of William Shakspeare. In ten volumes. With the corrections and illustrations of various commentators; to which are added notes by Samuel Johnson and George Steevens. The second edition, Revised and Augmented (Printed for C. Bathurst [and] W. Strahan [etc.], London) [word count] [S10901].
