Leon. (examining them.)
Now these again! not one with strings on—This is
Too bad, by Jove! Oh! how I miss the missis;
She would my shirts examine ere I wore 'em,
Mending my things almost before I tore 'em.
Sticking sometimes at work the whole day through for me,
Now I have but a housekeeper to do for me.
The difference in them let my wardrobe show,
One all stitch stitch, the other but so-so;
I once had shirts in plenty, but somehow
It seems all dickey with my linen now. (calls.)
Paulina, my good woman! Enter Paulina, L.

Paul.
Well, now then?

Leon.
Here are my collars with no strings again!

Paul.
I can't be always sewing strings on,

Leon. (wildly.)
No,
Of course not, but sometimes you might be though.

Paul.
You're always grumbling.

Leon.
Don't say that now, pray!

Paul.
Expect to have clean collars every day!

Leon.
Nay, but consider,

Paul. (snatching collars.)
Give those things to me,
I'll get you one when you have company—
There's no one coming here to-day. (a loud knock at the door.

Leon.
Halloa! Attendant brings in card on a waiter, L. H.
“Prince Florizel!” Who's he I'd like to know?

Paul.
Say you're not in.

Leon.
A prince, such slight to put on!

Paul.
You know there's nought for dinner, but cold mutton.

Leon.
He's here. Enter Florizel and Perdita, L.

Flor.
Great king I trust you'll pardon us
Coming upon you unexpected thus.

Leon.
Sir, you are welcome heartily, walk in—

Paul. (aside to Attendant.)
Send for a pound of ham and beef—cut thin.

Flor.
Just landed from a long sea trip I am
With my young bride—

Paul. (calling back Attendant who is going.)
Two pounds of beef and ham. Exit Attendant, L.

Flor.
I come, sir, in my father's name,

Leon.
I see.
But may I ask you what his name might be.

Flor.
Polixenes!

Leon.
Polixenes, my brother! (shaking him by the hand.
How is your father, boy—and how's your mother?

Flor.
Well, thank you—(aside.) Oh, my hand he nearly wrings off.

Leon. (to Perdita.)
And you, dear, go up stairs and take your things off.

Per.
Sir, this most kind reception—

Leon.
Sweetest creature, (starts aside.)
What heav'nly beauty dwells in every feature?

Paul. (tapping him on shoulder.)
Now then,

Leon. (taking her by the hand.)
One moment—deem it not amiss,
But, might I ask the favour of— (another loud knocking.
Who's this? Enter Attendant, L.

Attendant.
Your majesty here's—

Polixenes runs in L., pushing past, followed by Camillo.

Polix.
Stand aside, slave—So
I've caught you, eh?

Flor.
The gov'nor! here's a go!

Leon.
Polixenes!

Polix.
Leontes! Best of friends! (they embrace.

Per. (aside.)
Here then my dream of bliss for ever ends.

Leon.
Can you forgive me then—Camillo too?
Come back once more—old fellow how d'ye do?
I am so glad to see you all—(dances about.)

Polix. (L. C.)
But hold,
'Tis time that we our bus'ness here unfold.
Come hither, boy!

Flor. (R.—leading Perdita forward.)
Well, here we are.

Polix.
We?

Flor.
We!

Leon. (L.)
As fair a couple as I'd wish to see.

Polix.
Peace!

Leon.
What's the matter?

Polix.
He's a traitor!

Leon.
What?
And that sweet princess—

Polix. (scornfully.)
Princess!

Leon.
Is she not?

Polix.
Leontes, she's a low-bred shepherd's daughter.

Leon. (looking at her.)
No? Well, she's not so pretty as I thought her.

Flor. (to him.)
Sir, plead for us. (both kneel.)

Leon.
I couldn't think of it.
Tear them asunder, guards! Enter Time, L.

Time.
Here, stop a bit!

Leon.
What means this interruption?

Time.
Stay, you'll see. Enter Blocus, L., carrying a bundle.

Time.
So—come at last. Here, give those things to me.

Take this—(offering bundle to Leontes.) thus all your late proceedings quashing;

Leon.
Sir, you're mistaken: we don't take in washing. (he turns away.

Time.
Come here, fair maid. (to Perdita.) Now all of you give ear,
While I the mystery of her birth make clear.

SONG,—Time, Air, “When the fair land of Poland.”—Bohemian Girl.
When this fair one on cold land without e'er a roof,
  But the sky was left helpless, alone,
This worthy old man, (of the fact I have proof,)
  Took her home—brought her up as his own.
One morn came a stranger, his fancy she caught,
  In two words, 'twas the youth at your side,
With palaver as usual the maiden he sought,
  She was wooed—she was won for his bride.
Her birth is noble, as of the best,
Among you all let this attest. (gives bundle to Leontes, C. Enter Autolycus at back, L. H.

Leon. (opening it.)
What do I see? a lot of baby's frocks!

Paul.
See, see, sir! don't you know those worsted socks?
These pinafores too! Oh, those stripes and checks—
And see one marked—Read, sir!— (holds up a baby's shirt.

Leon.
Leontes Rex!

Paul.
'Tis she—our Perdita! I shall go wild—
Leontes! Sir, it is your long-lost child! (she throws Perdita across into Leontes' arms.

Leon.
My child! I feel with joy my heart will burst. (looking at her.)
She's ten times prettier than I thought at first.

Flor.
When you've quite done with her—

Polix. (crossing to R. C., embraces Perdita, and hands her over to Florizel.)
Hah! that's your style.
I meant that he should have her all the while.

Leon. (to Blocus.)
Friend, for your goodness to her you shall find

Me not ungrateful. (holding out his hand.)

Aut. (taking it.)
Sir, you're very kind.
We've done the best we could for her.

Blocus. (aside to him.)
How we?

Aut.
Well never mind, old fellow—say 'twas me.

Leon.
I thank you both.

Aut.
That's right. I don't see why
I shouldn't have a finger in the pie. (shaking hands with Polixenes.
And how are you, sir—feel yourself the thing?

Polix.
Quite well.

Aut.
That's right. A civil sort of king! (Polixenes crosses to L.

Paul.
Your Majesties, if you will condescend
In my poor house the evening to spend,
I've something there to show you.

Leon.
Eh, what is it?

Paul.
Something that you will own is worth a visit.
A statue I've had years in preparation.
This day is fixed for its inauguration.

Leon.
But why this day?

Paul.
The oracles decree it
Should remain covered till this maid could see it.

Per.
Till I could see it?

Paul.
Ask no questions, dear.
You soon shall learn. Come, all of you.

Aut.
Hear, hear!

CONCERTED PIECE.—Autolycus, Leontes, Polixenes, Perdita, and Florizel. Air, “Statty Fair.” Aut.
  I'll make one! Leon.
And so will I! Polix.
  I, too, will be there, oh! Per.
And I'm all curiosity
  To see this statue fair, oh! Flor.
Statues in the streets abound,
  As you are aware, oh!
Never yet, tho' one I've found,
  To call a statue fair, oh! All.
Let's be off, this sight to see,
  Good ones are so rare, oh!

Novel at the least will be,
  To see a statue fair, oh! Exeunt, L. H.

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