Pol.
Nine changes of the watry Star hath been
The Shepherd's Note, since we have left our Throne
Without a Burthen, Time as long again
Would be fill'd up, my Brother, with our Thanks,
And yet we should, for perpetuity,
Go hence in Debt: And therefore, like a Cypher,
Yet standing in rich place, I multiply
With one, we thank you, many thousands more,
That go before it.

Leo.
Stay your Thanks a while,
And pay them when you part.

Pol.
Sir, that's to morrow:
I am question'd by my Fears of what may chance,
Or breed upon our absence, that may blow
No sneaping Winds at home, to make us say,

This is put forth too truly: Besides, I have stay'd
To tire your Royalty.

Leo.
We are tougher, Brother,
Than you can put us to't.

Pol.
No longer stay.

Leo.
One sev'n night longer.

Pol.
Very sooth, to morrow.

Leo.

We'll part the time between's then: and in that I'll no gain-saying.

Pol.
Press me not, 'beseech you, so;
There is no Tongue that moves; none, none i'th' World
So soon as yours, could win me: so it should now,
Were there necessity in your Request, altho'
'Twere needful I deny'd it. My Affairs
Do even drag me homeward; which to hinder,
Were, in your Love, a Whip to me; my stay,
To you a Charge and Trouble: To save both,
Farewel, our Brother.

Leo.
Tongue-ty'd, our Queen? speak you.

Her.
I had thought, Sir, to have held my peace, until
You had drawn Oaths from him, not to stay: You, Sir,
Charge him too coldly. Tell him, you are sure
All in Bohemia's well: This Satisfaction
The by-gone-day proclaim'd; say this to him,
He's beat from his best Ward.

Leo.
Well said, Hermione.

Her.
To tell, he longs to see his Son, were strong;
But let him say so then, and let him go;
But let him swear so, and he shall not stay,
We'll thwack him hence with Distaffs.
Yet of your Royal Presence, I'll adventure [To Polixenes.
The borrow of a Week. When at Bohemia
You take my Lord, I'll give him my Commission,
To let him there a Month, behind the Gest
Prefix'd for's parting: Yet, good heed, Leontes,
I love thee not a jar o'th' Clock behind
What Lady she her Lord. You'll stay?

Pol.
No, Madam.

Her.
Nay, but you will.

Pol.
I may not verily.

Her.
Verily?
You put me off with limber Vows; but I,
Tho' you would seek t'unsphere the Stars with Oaths,
Should yet say, Sir, no going: Verily
You shall not go; a Lady's verily is
As potent as a Lord's. Will you go yet?
Force me to keep you as a Prisoner,
Not like a Guest? So you shall pay your Fees
When you depart, and save your Thanks. How say you?
My Prisoner? or my Guest? by your dread verily,
One of them you shall be.

Pol.
Your Guest then, Madam:
To be your Prisoner, should import offending;
Which is for me less easie to commit,
Than you to punish.

Her.
Not your Goaler then,
But your kind Hostess; come, I'll question you
Of my Lord's Tricks and yours, when you were Boys:
You were pretty Lordings then?

Pol.
We were, fair Queen,
Two Lads, that thought there was no more behind,
But such a day to morrow, as to day,
And to be Boy eternal.

Her.
Was not my Lord
The verier Wag o'th' two?

Pol.
We were as twin'd Lambs, that did frisk i'th' Sun,
And bleat the one at th' other: What we chang'd,
Was Innocence for Innocence; we knew not
The Doctrine of ill-doing, no nor dream'd
That any did: Had we pursu'd that Life,
And our weak Spirits ne'er been higher rear'd
With stronger Blood, we should have answer'd Heav'n
Boldly, Not Guilty; the Imposition clear'd,
Hereditary ours.

Her.
By this we gather
You have tript since.

Pol.
O my most sacred Lady,
Temptations have since then been born to's; for
In those unfledg'd days, was my Wife a Girl;
Your precious self had then not cross'd the Eyes
Of my young Play-fellow.

Her.
Grace to boot:
Of this make no Conclusion, lest you say
Your Queen and I are Devils. Yet go on,
Th' Offences we have made you do, we'll answer,
If you first sinn'd with us, and that with us
You did continue Fault; and that you slipt not
With any but with us.

Leo.
Is he won yet?

Her.
He'll stay, my Lord.

Leo.
At my Request he would not:
Hermione, my dearest, thou never spok'st
To better Purpose.

Her.
Never?

Leo.
Never, but once.

Her.
What? have I twice said well? When was't before?
I prethee tell me; Cram's with Praise, and make's
As fat as tame things: One good Deed, dying tongueless,
Slaughters a thousand, waiting upon that.
Our Praises are our Wages. You may ride's
With one soft Kiss a thousand Furlongs, e'er
With Spur we heat an Acre. But to th'Goal:
My last good Deed was to intreat his stay;
What was my first? It has an elder Sister,
Or I mistake you: O, would her Name were Grace,
But once before I spake to th' purpose? when?
Nay, let me have't; I long.

Leo.
Why, that was when
Three crabbed Months had sowr'd themselves to Death,
E'er I could make thee open thy white hand,
And clap thy self, my Love; then didst thou utter,
I am your's for ever.

Her.
'Tis Grace indeed.
Why lo-you now; I have spoke to th' purpose twice;
The one for ever earn'd a Royal Husband;
Th' other, for some while a Friend.

Leo.
Too hot, too hot— [Aside.
To mingle Friendship far, is mingling Bloods.
I have Tremor Cordis on me—my Heart dances,
But not for Joy—not Joy—This Entertainment
May a free Face put on; derives a Liberty
From Heartiness, from Bounty, fertile Bosom,

And we'll become the Agent; 't may, I grant;
But to be padling Palms, and pinching Fingers,
As now they are, and making practis'd Smiles
As in a Looking-Glass—and then to sigh, as 'twere
The Mort o'th' Deer; oh, that is Entertainment
My Bosom likes not, nor my Brows—Mamillius,
Art thou my Boy?

Mam.
Ay, my good Lord.

Leo.
I fecks!
Why that's my Bawcock; what? has't smutch'd thy Nose?
They say it is a Copy out of mine. Come, Captain,
We must be neat; not Neat, but cleanly, Captain,
And yet the Steer, the Heifer, and the Calf,
Are all call'd Neat. Still Virginalling [Observing Polixenes and Hermione.
Upon his Palm—How now, you wanton Calf!
Art thou my Calf?

Mam.
Yes, if you will, my Lord.

Leo.
Thou want'st a rough Pash, and the Shoots that I have
To be full, like me. Yet they say we are
Almost as like as Eggs; Women say so,
That will say any thing; but were they false,
As o'er-dy'd Blacks, as Wind, as Waters; false
As Dice are to be wish'd, by one that fixes
No born 'twixt his and mine; yet were it true,
To say this Boy were like me. Come, Sir Page,
Look on me with your welkin Eye, sweet Villain.
Most dearest, my Collop—Can thy Dam? may't be—
Imagination! thou dost stab to th' Center.
Thou dost make possible things not be so held,
Communicat'st with Dreams—how can this be?
With what's unreal, thou coactive art,
And follow'st nothing. Then 'tis very credent,
Thou may'st co-join with something, and thou dost,
And that beyond commission, and I find it,
And that to the Infection of my Brains,
And hardning of my Brows.

Pol.
What means Sicilia?

Her.
He something seems unsetled.

Pol.
How? my Lord?

Leo.
What cheer? how is it with you, my best Brother?

Her.
You look as if you held a brow of much distraction.
Are you mov'd, my Lord?

Leo.
No, in good earnest.
How sometimes Nature will betray its Folly!
It's Tenderness! and make it self a Pastime
To harder Bosoms! Looking on the Lines
Of my Boy's Face, methoughts I did recoil
Twenty three Years, and saw my self unbreech'd,
In my green Velvet Coat; my Dagger muzzel'd,
Lest it should bite its Master, and so prove,
As Ornaments oft do, too dangerous;
How like, methought, I then was to this Kernel,
This Squash, this Gentleman. Mine honest Friend,
Will you take Eggs for Mony?

Mam.
No, my Lord, I'll fight.

Leo.
You will! why happy Man be's dole. My Brother,
Are you so fond of your young Prince, as we
Do seem to be of ours?

Pol.
If at home, Sir,
He's all Exercise, my Mirth, my Matter;
Now my sworn Friend, and then mine Enemy;
My Parasite, my Soldier, States-man, all;
He makes a July's day, short as December,
And with his varying Childness, cures in me
Thoughts, that should thick my Blood.

Leo.
So stands this Squire
Offic'd with me: We two will walk, my Lord,
And leave you to your graver steps. Hermione,
How thou lov'st us, shew in our Brother's welcome;
Let what is dear in Sicily be cheap:
Next to thy self, and my young Rover, he's
Apparent to my Heart.

Her.
If you would seek us,
We are yours i'th' Garden: shall's attend you there?

Leo.
To your own bents dispose you; you'd be found,
Be you beneath the Sky: I am angling now,
Tho' you perceive me not how I give Line,
Go to, go to. [Aside, observing Her.
How she holds up the Neb! the Bill to him!
And arms her with the boldness of a Wife [Exeunt Polix. Her. and Attendants. Manent Leo. Mam. and Cam.

To her allowing Husband. Gone already!
Inch thick, Knee deep; o'er Head and Ears a fork'd one.
Go play, Boy, play—Thy Mother plays, and I
Play too; but so disgrac'd a part, whose Issue
Will hiss me to my Grave: Contempt and Clamour
Will be my Knell. Go play, Boy, play—There have been,
Or I am much deceiv'd, Cuckolds e'er now;
And many a Man there is, even at this present,
Now while I speak this, holds his Wife by th' Arm,
That little thinks she has been sluic'd in his absence,
And his Pond fish'd by his next Neighbour, by
Sir Smile his Neighbour: Nay, there's comfort in't,
Whiles other Men have Gates, and those Gates open'd,
As mine, against their Will. Should all despair
That have revolted Wives, the tenth of Mankind
Would hang themselves. Physick for't, there's none:
It is a bawdy Planet, that will strike
Where 'tis predominant; and 'tis powerful: think it.
From East, West, North and South, be it concluded,
No Barricado for a Belly. Know't,
It will let in and out the Enemy,
With Bag and Baggage: Many a thousand of's
Have the Disease, and feel't not. How now, Boy?

Mam.
I am like you, they say.

Leo.
Why, that's some comfort.
What? Camillo there?

Cam.
Ay, my good Lord.

Leo.
Go play, Mamillius, thou'rt an honest Man: [Exit Mamillius.
Camillo, this great Sir will yet stay longer.

Cam.
You had much ado to make his Anchor hold,
When you cast out, it still came home,

Leo.
Didst note it?

Cam.
He would not stay at your Petitions, made
His business more material.

Leo.
Didst perceive it?
They're here with me already; whisp'ring, rounding:
Sicilia is a so-forth; 'tis far gone,
When I shall gust it last. How came't, Camillo,
That he did stay?

Cam.
At the good Queen's Entreaty.

Leo.
At the Queen's be't: Good should be pertinent;
But so it is, it is not. Was this taken
By any understanding Pate but thine?
For the Conceit is soaking, will draw in
More than the common Blocks, not noted, is't,
But of the finer Natures? By some Severals
Of Head-piece extraordinary? Lower Messes
Perchance are to this Business purblind? Say.

Cam.
Business, my Lord? I think most understand
Bohemia stays here longer.

Leo.
Ha?

Cam.
Stays here longer.

Leo.
I, but why?

Cam.
To satisfie your Highness, and the Entreaties
Of our most gracious Mistress.

Leo.
Satisfie?
Th' Entreaties of your Mistress? Satisfie?
Let that suffice. I have trusted thee, Camillo,
With all the nearest things to my Heart, as well
My Chamber-Councels, wherein, Priest like, thou
Hast cleans'd my Bosom: I, from thee departed
Thy Penitent reform'd; but we have been
Deceiv'd in thy Integrity, deceiv'd
In that which seems so.

Cam.
Be it forbid, my Lord.

Leo.
To bide upon't; thou art not honest; or,
If thou inclin'st that way, thou art a Coward,
Which hoxes Honesty behind, restraining
From Course requir'd; or else thou must be counted
A Servant grafted in my serious Trust,
And therein negligent; or else a Fool,
That seest a Game plaid home, the rich Stake drawn,
And tak'st it all for Jest.

Cam.
My gracious Lord,
I may be negligent, foolish and fearful,
In every one of these; no Man is free,
But that his Negligence, his Folly, Fear,
Amongst the infinite Doing of the World,
Sometimes puts forth in your Affairs, my Lord.
If ever I were wilful negligent,

It was my Folly; if industriously
I play'd the Fool, it was my Negligence,
Not weighing well the End; if ever fearful
To do a thing, where I the Issue doubted,
Whereof the Execution did cry out
Against the Non-performance, 'twas a Fear
Which oft infects the Wisest: These, my Lord,
Are such allow'd Infirmities, that Honesty
Is never free of. But beseech your Grace
Be plainer with me, let me know my Trespass
By its own Visage; if I then deny it,
'Tis none of mine.

Leo.
Ha'not you seen, Camillo?
(But that's past Doubt; you have, or your Eye-glass
Is thicker than a Cuckold's Horn) or heard?
(For to a Vision so apparent, Rumour
Cannot be mute) or Thought? (for Cogitation
Resides not in that Man, that do's not think)
My Wife is slippery? If thou wilt, confess,
Or else be impudently Negative,
To have nor Eyes, nor Ears, nor Thought, then say
My Wife's a Holy Horse, deserves a Name
As rank as any Flax-wench, that puts to
Before her Troth-plight: Say't and justify't.

Cam.
I would not be a Stander-by, to hear
My Soveraign Mistress clouded so, without
My present Vengeance taken; 'shrew my Heart,
You never spoke what did become you less
Than this, which to reiterate, were Sin
As deep as that, tho' true.

Leo.
Is Whispering nothing?
Is leaning Cheek to Cheek? Is meeting Noses?
Kissing with inside Lip? Stopping the Carreer
Of Laughter, with a Sigh? A Note infallible
Of breaking Honesty: horsing Foot on Foot?
Skulking in Corners? wishing Clocks more swift?
Hours Minutes? The Noon Midnight? and all Eyes
Blind with the Pin and Web, but theirs; theirs only,
That would unseen be wicked? Is this nothing?
Why then the World, and all that's in't is nothing;
The covering Sky is nothing, Bohemia nothing,

My Wife is nothing, nor nothing have these Nothings,
If this be nothing.

Cam.
Good my Lord, be cur'd
Of this diseas'd Opinion, and betimes,
For 'tis most dangerous.

Leo.
Say it be, 'tis true.

Cam.
No, no, my Lord.

Leo.
It is; you lie, you lie:
I say thou liest, Camillo, and I hate thee,
Pronounce thee a gross Lowt, a mindless Slave,
Or else a hovering Temporizer, that
Canst with thine Eyes at once see Good and Evil,
Inclining to them both: Were my Wife's Liver
Infected, as her Life, she would not live
The running of one Glass.

Cam.
Who do's infect her?

Leo.
Why he that wears her like her Medal, hanging
About his Neck, Bohemia; who, if I
Had Servants true about me, that bear Eyes
To see alike mine Honour, as their Profits,
Their own particular Thrifts, they would do that,
Which should undo more doing: I, and thou
His Cup-bearer, whom I from meaner Form
Have bench'd, and rear'd to worship, who may'st see
Plainly, as Heav'n sees Earth, and Earth sees Heav'n,
How I am gall'd, thou might'st be-spice a Cup,
To give mine Enemy a lasting Wink,
Which Draught to me were Cordial.

Cam.
Sir, my Lord,
I could do this, and that with no rash Potion,
But with a lingring Dram, that should not work
Maliciously, like a Poison; but I cannot
Believe this Crack to be in my dread Mistress,
So soveraignly being honourable.
I have lov'd thee.

Leo.
Make that thy Question, and go rot:
Do'st think I am so muddy, so unsetled,
To appoint my self in this Vexation?
Sully the Purity and Whiteness of my Sheets,
Which to preserve, is Sleep; which being spotted,
Is Goads, Thorns, Nettles, Tails of Wasps;

Give Scandal to the Blood o'th' Prince, my Son,
Who I do think is mine, and love as mine,
Without ripe moving to't? Would I do this?
Could Man so blench?

Cam.
I must believe you, Sir,
I do, and will fetch off Bohemia for't:
Provided, that when he's remov'd, your Highness
Will take again your Queen, as yours at first,
Even for your Son's sake, and thereby for sealing
The Injury of Tongues, in Courts and Kingdoms
Known and ally'd to yours.

Leo.
Thou dost advise me,
Even so as I mine own Course have set down:
I'll give no Blemish to her Honour, none.

Cam.
My Lord,
Go then; and with a Countenance as clear
As Friendship wears at Feasts, keep with Bohemia,
And with your Queen: I am his Cup-bearer,
If from me he have wholesome Beveridge,
Account me not your Servant.

Leo.
This is all.
Do't, and thou hast the one half of my Heart;
Do't not, thou split'st thine own.

Cam.
I'll do't, my Lord.

Leo.
I will seem friendly, as thou hast advis'd me. [Exit.

Cam.
O miserable Lady: But for me!
What Case stand I in? I must be the Poisoner
Of good Polixenes, and my Ground to do't,
Is the Obedience to a Master, one,
Who in Rebellion with himself, will have
All that are his, so too. To this Deed
Promotion follows. If I could find Example
Of Thousands that had struck anointed Kings,
And flourish'd after, I'ld not do't: But since
Nor Brass, nor Stone, nor Parchment bears not one,
Let Villany it self forswear't. I must
Forsake the Court: To do't, or no, is certain
To me a Break-neck. Happy Star, reign now.
Here comes Bohemia.

Enter Polixenes.

Pol.
This is strange: Methinks
My Favour here begins to warp. Not speak?
Good Day, Camillo.

Cam.
Hail, most Royal Sir.

Pol.
What is the News i'th' Court?

Cam.
None rare, my Lord.

Pol.
The King hath on him such a Countenance,
As had he lost some Province, and a Region
Lov'd, as he loves himself: Even now I met him
With customary Complement, when he
Wafting his Eyes to th' contrary, and falling
A Lip of much Contempt, speeds from me, and
So leaves me to consider what is Breeding,
That changes thus his Manners.

Cam.
I dare not know, my Lord.

Pol.
How, dare not? do not? Do you know, and dare not?
Be intelligent to me, 'tis thereabouts:
For to your self, what do you know, you must,
And cannot say, you dare not. Good Camillo,
Your chang'd Complexions are to me a Mirror,
Which shews me mine chang'd too; for I must be
A Party in this Alteration, finding
My self thus alter'd with't.

Cam.
There is a Sickness
Which puts some of us in distemper; but
I cannot name the Disease, and it is caught
Of you that yet are well.

Pol.
How caught of me?
Make me not sighted like the Basilisk.
I have look'd on Thousands, who have sped the better
By my Regard, but kill'd none so: Camillo,
As you are certainly a Gentleman, thereto
Clerk-like expedienc'd, which no less Adorns
Our Gentry, than our Parents noble Names,
In whose Success we are gentle: I beseech you,
If you know ought which do's behove my Knowledge
Thereof to be inform'd, imprison't not
In ignorant Concealment.

Cam.
I may not answer.

Pol.
A Sickness caught of me, and yet I well?
I must be answer'd. Dost thou hear, Camillo,
I conjure thee by all the Parts of Man,
Which Honour do's acknowledge, whereof the least
Is not this Suit of mine, that thou declare
What Incidency thou dost guess of Harm
Is creeping toward me; how far off, how near,
Which way to be prevented, if to be;
If not, how best to bear it.

Cam.
Sir, I will tell you,
Since I am charg'd in Honour, and by him
That I think honourable; therefore mark my Counsel,
Which must be ev'n as swiftly follow'd as
I mean to utter it; or both your self and me,
Cry lost, and so good Night.

Pol.
On, good Camillo?

Cam.
I am appointed to murder you.

Pol.
By whom, Camillo?

Cam.
By the King.

Pol.
For what?

Cam.
He thinks, nay with all Confidence he swears,
As he had seen't, or been an Instrument
To vice you to't, that you have toucht his Queen
Forbiddenly.

Pol.
Oh then, my best Blood turn
To an infected Gelly, and my Name
Be yoak'd with his that did betray the best:
Turn then my freshest Reputation to
A Savour, that may strike the dullest Nostril
Where I arrive; and my Approach be shun'd,
Nay hated too, worse than the great'st Infection
That e'er was heard, or read.

Cam.
Swear his Thought over
By each particular Star in Heav'n, and
By all their influences; you may as well
Forbid the Sea for to obey the Moon,
As or by Oath remove, or Counsel shake
The Fabrick of his Folly, whose Foundation
Is pyl'd upon his Faith, and will continue
The standing of his Body.

Pol.
How should this grow?

Cam.
I know not; but I am sure 'tis safer to
Avoid what's grown, than question how 'tis born.
If therefore you dare trust my Honesty,
That lyes inclosed in this Trunk, which you
Shall bear along impawn'd, away to Night;
Your Followers I will whisper to the Business,
And will by twoes, and threes, at several Posterns,
Clear them o'th' City. For my self, I'll put
My Fortunes to your Service, which are here
By this Discovery lost. Be not uncertain,
For by the Honour of my Parents, I
Have utter'd Truth; which if you seek to prove,
I dare not stand by; nor shall you be safer
Than one condemned by the King's own Mouth:
Thereon his Execution sworn.

Pol.
I do believe thee:
I saw his Heart in's Face. Give me thy Hand;
Be Pilot to me, and thy Places shall
Still neighbour mine. My Ships are ready, and
My People did expect my hence departure
Two Days ago. This Jealousie
Is for a precious Creature; as she's rare,
Must it be great; and, as his Person's mighty,
Must it be violent; and, as he do's conceive,
He is dishonour'd by a Man, which ever
Profess'd to him; Why his Revenges must
In that be made more bitter. Fear o'er-shades me:
Good Expedition be my Friend, and comfort
The gracious Queen, part of his Theam; but nothing
Of his ill-tane Suspicion. Come, Camillo,
I will respect thee as a Father, if
Thou bear'st my Life off hence. Let us avoid.

Cam.
It is in mine Authority to command
The Keys of all the Posterns: Please your Highness
To take the urgent Hour. Come, Sir, away. [Exeunt.

ACT II. SCENE I. 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 Play-fellow?

Mam.
No, I'll none of you.

1 Lady.
Why, my sweet Lord?

Mam.
You'll kiss me hard, and speak to me, as if
I were a Baby still. I love you better.

2 Lady.
And why so, my Lord?

Mam.
Not for because
Your Brows are blacker; yet black Brows, they say,
Become some Women best, so that there be not
Too much Hair there, but in a Semicircle,
Or a Half-Moon made with a Pen.

2 Lady.
Who taught you this?

Mam.
I learn'd it out of Womens Faces: Pray now,
What Colour be 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.

1 Lady.
Hark ye,
The Queen, your Mother, rounds apace: We shall
Present our Services to a fine new Prince
One of these Days, and then you'll wanton with us,
If we would have you.

2 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, shal't be?

Her.
As merry as you will.

Mam.
A sad Tale's best for Winter.
I have one of Sprights and Goblins.

Her.
Let's have that, good Sir.

Come on, sit down. Come on, and do your best,
To fright me with your Sprights: You're powerful at it.

Mam.
There was a Man.

Her.
Nay, come sit down; then on.

Mam.
Dwelt by a Church yard: I will tell it softly;
Yond Crickets shall not hear it.

Her.
Come on then, and giv't me in mine Ear. Enter Leontes, Antigonus, and Lords.

Leo.
Was he met there? his Train? Camillo with him?

Lord.
Behind the Tuft of Pines I met them, never
Saw I Men scowr so on their way: I ey'd them
Even to their Ships.

Leo.
How blest 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
Th' abhorr'd Ingredient to his Eye, make known
How he hath drunk, he cracks his Gorge, his Sides
With violent Hefts. I have drunk, 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 hath discover'd my Design, and I
Remain a pinch'd Thing; yea, a very Trick
For them to play at will: How came the Posterns
So easily open?

Lord.
By his great Authority,
Which often have no less prevail'd, than so
On your Command.

Leo.
I know't too well.
Give me the Boy, I am glad you did not nurse him,
Though he do's bear some Signs of me, yet you
Have too much Blood in him.

Her.
What is this? Sport?

Leo.
Bear the Boy hence, he shall not come about her,
Away with him, and let her sport her self

With that she's big with, for 'tis Polixenes
Has made thee swell thus.

Her.
But I'ld say he had not;
And I'll be sworn you would believe my Saying,
How e'er you lean to th' Nayward.

Leo.
You, my Lords,
Look on her, mark her well; be but about
To say she is a goodly Lady, and
The Justice of your Hearts will thereto add,
'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
The Shrug, the Hum, or Ha, these Petty-brands
That Calumny doth use: Oh I am out,
That Mercy do's, for Calumny will sear
Virtue it self, these Shrugs, these Hum s, and Ha's,
When you have said she's goodly, come between
E'er you can say she's honest: But be't 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.

Leo.
You have mistook, my Lady,
Polixenes for Leontes. O thou thing,
Which I'll not call a Creature of thy Place,
Lest Barbarism, making me the Precedent,
Should a like Language use to all Degrees,
And mannerly Distinguishment leave out,
Betwixt the Prince and Beggar. I have said
She's an Adultress, I have said with whom:
More; She's a Traitor, and Camillo is
A Federary with her, and one that knows
What she should shame to know her self,
But with her most vild Principal; that she's
A Bed Swarver, even as bad as those
That Vulgar give bold'st Titles; ay, and privy
To this their late Escape.

Her.
No, by my Life,
Privy to none of this: How will this grieve you,

When you shall come to clearer Knowledge, that
You thus have publish'd me? Gentle, my Lord,
You scarce can right me throughly than to say
You did mistake.

Leo.
No, if I mistake
In those Foundations which I build upon,
The Center is not big enough to bear
A School-boy's Top. Away with her, to Prison:
He who shall speak of her, is afar off guilty,
But that he speaks.

Her.
There's some ill Planet reigns;
I must be patient, 'till the Heav'ns look
With an Aspect more favourable. Good my Lords,
I am not prone to weeping, as our Sex
Commonly are, the want of which vain Dew
Perchance shall dry your Pities; but I have
That honourable Grief lodg'd here, which burns
Worse than Tears drown: 'Beseech you all, my Lords,
With Thoughts so qualified as your Charities
Shall best instruct you, measure me; and so
The King's Will be perform'd.

Leo.
Shall I be heard?

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,
There is no cause; when you shall know your Mistress
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.

Leo.
Go, do our bidding; hence.

Lord.
Beseech your Highness call the Queen again.

Ant.
Be certain what you do, Sir, lest your Justice
Prove Violence, in the which three great ones suffer,
Your self, your Queen, your Son.

Lord.
For her, my Lord,
I dare my Life lay down, and will do't, Sir,
Please you t'accept it, that the Queen is spotless
I'th' Eyes of Heav'n, and to you, I mean
In this which you accuse her.

Ant.
If it prove
She's otherwise, I'll keep my Stable where
I lodge my Wife, I'll go in Couples with her:
Then when I feel, and see her, no further trust her;
For every Inch of Woman in the World,
I, every Dram of Woman's Flesh is false,
If she be.

Leo.
Hold your Peaces.

Lord.
Good my Lord.

Ant.
It is for you we speak, not for our selves:
You are abused by some Putter on,
That will be damn'd for't; would I knew the Villain,
I would Land-damn him: Be she Honour-flaw'd,
I have three Daughters; the Eldest is eleven;
The second, and the third, nine; and Sons five;
If this prove true, they'll pay for't. By mine Honour
I'll geld 'em all: Fourteen they shall not see
To bring false Generations: They are Co-heirs,
I had rather glib my self, than they
Should not produce fair Issue.

Leo.
Cease, no more:
You smell this Business with a Sense as cold
As is a dead Man's Nose; but I do see't, and feel't,
As you feel doing thus; and see withal
The Instruments that feel.

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.

Leo.
What? lack I credit?

Lord.
I had rather you did lack than I, my Lord,
Upon this Ground; and more it would content me
To have her Honour true, than your Suspicion;
Be blam'd for't how you might.

Leo.
Why what need we
Commune with you for this? But rather follow
Our forceful Instigation? Our Prerogative
Calls not your Counsels, but our natural Goodness
Imparts this; which, if you, or stupified,
Or seeming so, in skill, cannot, or will not

Relish a Truth, like us: Inform your selves,
We need no more of your Advice: The Matter,
The Loss, the Gain, the ord'ring on't,
Is all properly ours.

Ant.
And I wish, my Liege,
You had only in your silent Judgment try'd it,
Without more Overture.

Leo.
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 Approbation,
But only seeing all other Circumstances
Made up to th' Deed) doth push on this Proceeding;
Yet for a greater Confirmation,
For in an Act of this Importance, 'twere
Most pitious to be wild, I have dispatch'd in Post,
To sacred Delphos, to Apollo's Temple,
Cleomines and Deon, 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?

Lord.
Well done, my Lord.

Leo.
Tho' I am satisfy'd, and need no more
Than what I know; yet shall the Oracle
Give rest to th' Minds of others; such as he,
Whose ignorant Credulity will not
Come up to th' Truth. So we have thought it good
From our free Person, she should be confin'd,
Lest that the Treachery of the two, fled hence,
Be left her to perform. Come, follow us,
We are to speak in publick; for this Business
Will raise us all.

Ant.
To Laughter, as I take it.
If the good Truth were known. [Exeunt.

SCENE II. Enter Paulina and a Gentleman.

Paul.
The Keeper of the Prison, call to him: [Exit Gent.
Let him have the Knowledge whom I am. Good Lady,
No Court in Europe is too good for thee;
W hat dost thou then in Prison? Now, good Sir,
You know me, do you not? [Re-enter Gentleman with the Goaler.

Goa.
For a worthy Lady,
And one, whom much I honour.

Pau.
Pray you then,
Conduct me to the Queen.

Goa.
I may not, Madam,
To the contrary I have express Commandment.

Pau.
Here's a-do to lock up Honesty and Honour from
Th' Access of gentle Visitors! Is't lawful pray you
To see the Women? Any of them? Emilia?

Goa.
So please you, Madam,
To put a-part these your Attendants, I
Shall bring Emilia forth.

Pau.
I pray you now call her:
Withdraw your selves.

Goa.
And, Madam,
I must be present at your Conference.

Pau.
Well; be it so: Prethee. Enter Emilia.
Here's such a-do to make no Stain a Stain,
As passes colouring. 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 born greater,
She is, something before her Time, deliver'd.

Pau.
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.

Pau.
I dare be sworn:

These dangerous, unsafe Lunes i'th' King, beshrew them,
He must be told on't, and shall; the Office
Becomes a Woman best. I'll take it 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' loud'st. We do not know
How he may soften at the Sight o'th' 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 hammered of this Design,
But durst not tempt a Minister of Honour,
Lest she should be deny'd.

Pau.
Tell her, Emilia,
I'll use that Tongue I have; if Wit flow from't,
As boldness from my Bosom, let't not be doubted
I shall do good.

Emil.
Now be you blest for it:
I'll to the Queen: Please you come something nearer.

Goa.
Madam, if't please the Queen to send the Babe,
I know not what I shall incur to pass it,
Having no Warrant.

Pau.
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.

Goa.
I do believe it.

Pau.
Do not you fear; upon mine Honour, I
Will stand betwixt you and Danger. [Exeunt.

SCENE III. Enter Leontes, Antigonus, Lords, and other Attendants.

Leo.
Nor Night, nor Day, no rest; it is but Weakness
To bear the Matter thus; mear Weakness, if
The Cause were not in Being; part o'th' Cause,
She, th' 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? Enter an Attendant.

Atten.
My Lord.

Leo.
How do's the Boy?

Atten.
He took good rest to Night; 'tis hop'd
His Sickness is discharg'd.

Leo.
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 down-right languish'd. Leave me solely; go,
See how he fares. Fie, fie, no Thought of him,
The very Thought of my Revenges that way
Recoyl upon me; in himself too Mighty;
Until a Time may serve, for present Vengeance
Take it on her. Camillo, and Polixenes
Laugh at me, make their Pastime at my Sorrow;
They should not laugh, if I could reach them, nor
Shall she, within my Power. Enter Paulina with a Child.

Lord.
You must not enter.

Pau.
Nay rather, good my Lords, be second to me:
Fear you his tyrannous Passion more, alas,
Than the Queen's Life? A gracious innocent Soul,
More free than he is jealous.

Ant.
That's enough.

Atten.
Madam, he hath not slept to Night; commanded
None should come near him.

Pau.
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 medicinal, as true;
Honest, as either, to purge him of that Humour,
That presses him from Sleep.

Leo.
What noise there, ho?

Pau.
No noise, my Lord, but needful Conference,
About some Gossips for your Highness.

Leo.
How?
Away with that audacious Lady. Antigonus,
I charg'd thee that she should not come about me,
I knew she would.

Ant.
I told her so, my Lord,
On your Displeasures peril and on mine,
She should not visit you.

Leo.
What? canst not rule her?

Pau.
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.
La-you now, you hear,
When she will take the Rein, I let her run,
But she'll not stumble.

Pau.
Good my Liege, I come—
And I beseech you hear me, who professes
My self your loyal Servant, your Physician,
Your most obedient Counsellor: Yet that dares
Less appear so, in comforting your Evils,
Than such as most seem yours. I say, I come
From your good Queen.

Leo.
Good Queen?

Pau.
Good Queen, my Lord, good Queen,
I say, good Queen;
And would, by Combate, make her good, were I
A Man, the worst about you.

Leo.
Force her hence.

Pau.
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.

Leo.
Out!
A mankind Witch! Hence with her, out o'door:
A most intelligencing Bawd.

Pau.
Not so,
I am as ignorant in that as you,
In so entit'ling me; and no less honest
Than you are mad; which is enough, I'll warrant,
As this World goes, to pass for honest.

Leo.
Traitors!
Will you not push her out? Give her the Bastard. [To Ant.
Thou Dotard, thou art Woman-tyr'd; unroosted
By thy Dame Partlet here. Take up the Bastard,
Take't up, I say, give't to the Croan.

Pau.
For ever
Unvenerable be thy Hands, if thou
Take'st up the Princess, by that forced Baseness
Which he has put upon't.

Leo.
He dreads his Wife.

Pau.
So I would you did: then 'twere past all doubt
You'ld call your Children yours.

Leo.
A Nest of Traitors!

Ant.
I am none, by this good Light.

Pau.
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 Sons, his Babes betrays to Slander,
Whose Sting is sharper than the Swords; 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 found.

Leo.
A Callat
Of boundless Tongue, who late hath beat her Husband,
And now baits me. This Brat is none of mine.
It is the Issue of Polixenes.
Hence with it, and together with the Dam,
Commit them to the Fire.

Pau.
It is yours;
And, might we lay th' old Proverb to your Charge,
So like you, 'tis the worse. Behold, my Lords,
Altho' the Print be little, the whole Matter
And Copy of the Father; Eye, Nose, Lip,
The trick of's Frown, his Forehead, nay, the Valley,
The pretty Dimples of his Chin, and Cheek, his Smiles,
The very Mold, and frame of his 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 Yellow in't, lest she suspect, as he does,
Her Children, not her Husbands.

Leo.
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 your self
Hardly one Subject.

Leo.
Once more take her hence.

Pau.
A most unworthy and unnatural Lord
Can do no more.

Leo.
I'll ha' thee burnt.

Pau.
I care not;
It is an Heretick that makes the Fire,
Not she which burns in't. I'll not call you Tyrant;
But this most cruel Usage of your Queen
(Not able to produce more Accusation
Than your own weak-hing'd Fancy) sometimes savours
Of Tyranny, and will ignoble make you,
Yea, scandalous to the World.

Leo.
On your Allegiance,
Out of the Chamber with her. Were I a Tyrant,
Where were her Life? She durst not call me so,
If she did know me one. Away with her.

Pau.
I pray you do not push me, I'll be gone.
Look to your Babe, my Lord, 'tis yours; Jove send her
A better guiding Spirit. What need these Hands?
You that are thus so tender o'er his Follies,
Will never do him good, not one of you.
So, so: Farewel, we are gone. [Exit.

Leo.
Thou, Traitor, hast set on thy Wife to this.
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 straight:
Within this hour bring me word 'tis done,
And by good Testimony, or I'll seize thy Life,
With what thou else call'st thine: If thou refuse,
And wilt encounter with my Wrath, say so;
The Bastard-brains with these my proper Hands
Shall I dash out: Go take it to the Fire,
For thou sett'st on thy Wife.

Ant.
I did not, Sir:
These Lords, my noble Fellows, if they please,
Can clear me in't.

Lord.
We can, my Royal Liege,
He is not guilty of her coming hither,

Leo.
You're Liars all,

Lords.
'Beseech your Highness give us better Credit.
We have always truly serv'd you, and beseech you
So to esteem of us: And on our Knees we beg,
(As Recompence of our dear Services
Past, and to come) that you do change this purpose,
Which being so horrible, so bloody, must
Lead on to some foul Issue. We all kneel—

Leo.
I am a Father for each Wind that blows:
Shall I live on, to see this Bastard kneel,
And call me Father? better burn it now,
Than curse it then. But be it; let it live:
It shall not neither. You Sir, come you hither; [To Ant.
You that have been so tenderly officious
With Lady Margery, your Midwife there,
To save this Bastard's Life; for 'tis a Bastard,
So sure as this Beard's grey: What will you adventure,
To save this Brat's Life?

Ant.
Any thing, my Lord,
That my Ability may undergo,
And Nobleness impose: At least thus much;
I'll pawn the little Blood which I have left,
To save the Innocent; any thing possible.

Leo.
It shall be possible; swear by this Sword
Thou wilt perform my bidding.

Ant.
I will, my Lord.

Leo.
Mark and perform it; seest thou? for the fail
Of any point in't, shall not only be
Death to thy self, but to thy lewd-tongu'd Wife,
Whom for this time we pardon. We enjoin thee,
As thou art Liege-man to us, that thou carry
This female Bastard hence, and that thou bear it
To some remote and desart Place, quite out
Of our Dominions; and that there thou leave it,
Without much Mercy, to its own Protection,
And favour of the Climate; as by strange Fortune
It came to us, I do in Justice charge thee,
On thy Soul's Peril, and thy Body's Torture,
That thou commend it strangely to some place,
Where Chance may nurse or end it. Take it up.

Ant.
I swear to do this; tho' a present Death
Had been more merciful. Come on, poor Babe,
Some powerful Spirit instruct the Kites and Ravens
To be thy Nurses. Wolves and Bears, they say,
(Casting their Savageness aside) have done
Like offices of Pity. Sir, be prosperous
In more than this Deed does require; and Blessing,
Against this Cruelty, fight on thy side,
Poor thing condemn d to Loss. [Exit with the Child.

Leo.
No; I'll not rear
Another's Issue. Enter a Messenger.

Mes.
Please your Highness, Posts
From those you sent to th' Oracle, are come
An hour since. Cleomines and Dion,
Being well arriv'd from Delphos, are both landed,
Hasting to th' Court.

Lord.
So please you, Sir, their speed
Hath been beyond Account.

Leo.
Twenty three days
They have been absent: 'tis good speed; foretels
The great Apollo suddenly will have
The truth of this appear. Prepare you Lords,
Summon a Session, that we may Arraign

Our most disloyal Lady; for as she hath
Been publickly accus'd, so shall she have
A just and open Trial. While she lives
My Heart will be a Burthen to me. Leave me,
And think upon my Bidding. [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I. Enter Cleomines and Dion.

Cleo.
The Climate's delicate, the Air most sweet,
Fertile the Isle, the Temple much surpassing
The common Praise it bears.

Dion.
I shall report,
For most it caught me, the Celestial Habits,
Methinks I so should term them, and the Reverence
Of the grave Wearers. O, the Sacrifice;
How ceremonious, solemn, and unearthly
It was i'th' Offering!

Cleo.
But of all, the Burst
And the Ear-deafning Voice o'th' Oracle,
Kin to Jove's Thunder, so surpris'd my Sense,
That I was nothing.

Dio.
If th' Event o'th' Journey
Prove as successful to the Queen (O be't so)
As it hath been to us, rare, pleasant, speedy;
The time is worth the use on't.

Cleo.
Great Apollo,
Turn all to th' best! These Proclamations,
So forcing Faults upon Hermione,
I little like.

Dio.
The violent Carriage of it
Will clear, or end the Business, when the Oracle,
Thus by Apollo's great Divine seal'd up,
Shall the Contents discover: Something rare
Even then will rush to Knowledge. Go; fresh Horses,
And gracious be the Issue. [Exeunt.

SCENE II. Enter Leontes, Lords, Officers, Hermione, as to her Trial, with Paulina and Ladies.

Leo.
This Sessions, to our great Grief, we pronounce,
Even pushes 'gainst our Heart. The Party try'd,
The Daughter of a King our Wife, and one
Of us too much belov'd, let us be clear'd
Of being tyrannous, since we so openly
Proceed in Justice, which shall have due Course,
Even to the Guilt, or the Purgation.
Produce the Prisoner.

Offi.
It is his Highness Pleasure, that the Queen
Appear in Person here in Court. Silence!

Leo.
Read the Indictment.

Offi.

Hermione, Queen to the worthy Leontes, King of Sicilia, thou art here accused and arraigned of High Treason, in committing Adultery with Polixenes King of Bohemia, and conspiring with Camillo to take away the Life of our Soveraign Lord the King, thy Royal Husband; the Pretence whereof being by Circumstance partly laid open, thou Hermione, contrary to the Faith and Allegiance of a true Subject, didst counsel and aid them, for their better safety, to fly away by Night.

Her.
Since what I am to say, must be but that
Which contradicts my Accusation, and
The Testimony on my Part, no other
But what comes from my self, it shall scarce boot me
To say, Not guilty: Mine Integrity
Being counted Falshood, shall, as I express it,
Be so receiv'd. But thus, if Powers Divine
Behold our Human Actions, as they do,
I doubt not then, but Innocence shall make
False Accusations blush, and Tyranny
Tremble at Patience. You, my Lord, best know,
Who least will seem to do so, my past Life
Hath been as continent, as chast, and true,
As I am now unhappy; which is more
Than History can pattern, tho' devis'd,

And play'd to take Spectators. For behold me,
A Fellow of the Royal Bed, which owe
A Moiety of the Throne: A great King's Daughter,
The Mother to a hopeful Prince, here standing
To prate and talk for Life, and Honour, fore
Who please to come and hear. For Life, I prize it
‘As I weigh Grief (which I would spare:) For Honour,
'Tis a derivative from me to mine,
And only that I stand for. I appeal
To your own Conscience, Sir, before Polixenes
Came to your Court, how I was in your Grace,
How merited to be so; since he came,
With what encounter so uncurrent I
Have strain'd t'appear thus; if one jot beyond
The bounds of Honour, or in act, or will,
That way enclining, hardned be the Hearts
Of all that hear me, and my near'st of Kin
Cry fie upon my Grave.

Leo.
I ne'er heard yet
That any of those bolder Vices wanted
Less Impudence to gain-say what they did,
Than to perform it first.

Her.
That is true enough,
Tho' 'tis a saying, Sir, not due to me.

Leo.
You will not own it.

Her.
More than Mistress of;
What comes to me in name of fault, I must not
At all acknowledge. For Polixenes,
With whom I am accus'd, I do confess
I lov'd him, as in Honour he requir'd;
With such a kind of Love, as might become
A Lady like me; with a Love, even such,
So and no other, as your self commanded:
Which not to have done, I think had been in me
Both Disobedience and Ingratitude
To you, and towards your Friends; whose Love had spoke,
Even since it could speak, from an Infant, freely,
That it was yours. Now for Conspiracy,
I know not how it tasts, tho' it be dish'd
For me to try how; all I know of it,

Is, that Camillo was an honest Man;
And why he left your Court, the Gods themselves,
Wotting no more than I, are ignorant.

Leo.
You knew of his departure, as you know
What you have underta'en to do in's absence.

Her.
Sir,
You speak a Language that I understand not;
My Life stands in the level of your Dreams,
Which I'll lay down.

Leo.
Your Actions are my Dreams,
You had a Bastard by Polixenes,
And I but dream'd it: As you were past all Shame,
(Those of your Fact are so) so past all Truth;
Which to deny, concerns more than avails: For as
Thy Brat hath been cast out, like to it self,
No Father owning it, (which is indeed
More criminal in thee, than it) so thou
Shalt feel our Justice, in whose easiest Passage
Look for no less than Death.

Her.
Sir, spare your Threats;
The Bug which you would fright me with, I seek:
To me can Life be no Commodity,
The Crown and Comfort of my Life, your Favour,
I do give lost, for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. My second Joy,
And First-fruits of my Body, from his Presence
I am barr'd like one infectious. My third Comfort,
Star'd most unluckily, is from my Breast
(The innocent Milk in its most innocent Mouth)
Hal'd out to Murder; my self on every Post
Proclaim'd a Strumpet; with immodest Hatred
The Child-bed Privilege deny'd which 'longs
To Women of all Fashion: Lastly, hurried
Here, to this place, i'th' open Air, before
I have got strength of Limbs. Now, my Liege,
Tell me what Blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die? Therefore proceed:
But yet hear this; mistake me not; no Life,
I prize it not a Straw, but for mine Honour,
Which I would free: If I shall be condemn'd

Upon Surmises, all Proofs sleeping else,
But what your Jealousies awake, I tell you
'Tis Rigour, and not Law. Your Honours all,
I do refer me to the Oracle:
Apollo be my Judge.

Lord.
This your Request Enter Dion and Cleomines.
Is altogether just; therefore bring forth,
And in Apollo's Name, his Oracle.

Her.
The Emperor of Russia was my Father,
Oh that he were alive, and here beholding
His Daughter's Trial; that he did but see
The flatness of my Misery; yet with Eyes
Of Pity, not Revenge.

Officer.
You here shall swear upon the Sword of Justice,
That you, Cleomines and Dion, have
Been both at Delphos, and from thence have brought
This seal'd-up Oracle, by the hand deliver'd
Of great Apollo's Priest; and that since then,
You have not dar'd to break the holy Seal,
Nor read the Secrets in't.

Cleo. Dion.

All this we swear.

Leo.

Break up the Seals and read.

Officer.

Hermione is Chast, Polixenes blameless, Camillo a true Subject, Leontes a jealous Tyrant, his innocent Babe truly begotten, and the King shall live without an Heir, if that which is lost be not found.

Lords.

Now blessed be the great Apollo.

Her.

Praised.

Leo.

Hast thou read the Truth?

Offic.
Ay, my Lord, even so as it is here set down.

Leo.
There is no Truth at all i'th' Oracle;
The Sessions shall proceed; this is meer Falshood. Enter Servant.

Ser.
My Lord the King; the King.

Leo.
What is the Business?

Ser.
O Sir, I shall be hated to Report it.
The Prince your Son, with meer conceit and fear
Of the Queen's speed, is gone.

Leo.
How, gone?

Ser.
Is dead.

Leo.
Apollo's angry, and the Heav'ns themselves
Do strike at my Injustice. How now there? [Her. faints.

Pau.
This News is mortal to the Queen: Look down
And see what Death is doing.

Leo.
Take her hence;
Her Heart is but o'er-charg'd; she will recover. [Exeunt Paulina and Ladies with Hermione.
I have too much believ'd mine own Suspicion;
'Beseech you tenderly apply to her
Some Remedies for Life. Apollo, pardon
My great Prophaness 'gainst thine Oracle.
I'll reconcile me to Polixenes,
New woo my Queen, recal the good Camillo
(Whom I proclaim a Man of Truth, of Mercy)
For being transported by my Jealousies
To bloody Thoughts and to Revenge, I chose
Camillo for the Minister, to poison
My Friend Polixenes; which had been done,
But that the good Mind of Camillo tardied
My swift command; tho' I with Death, and with
Reward did threaten and encourage him,
Not doing it, and being done; he (most Human,
And fill'd with Honour) to my kingly Guest
Unclasp'd my Practice, quit his Fortunes here,
Which you knew great, and to the certain hazard
Of all Uncertainties, himself commended,
No richer than his Honour: How he glisters
Through my dark Rust! And how his Piety
Does my Deeds make the blacker! Enter Paulina.

Pau.
Woe the while:
O cut my Lace, lest my Heart, cracking it,
Break too.

Lord.
What Fit is this, good Lady?

Pau.
What studied Torments, Tyrant, hast for me?
What Wheels? Racks? Fires? What Flaying? Boiling? Burning,
In Leads or Oils? What old or new Torture
Must I receive? whose very word deserves
To tast of thy most worst. Thy Tyranny,

(Together working with thy Jealousies,
Fancies too weak for Boys, too green and idle
For Girls of nine) O think what they have done,
And then run mad indeed; stark mad; for all
Thy by-gone Fooleries were but Spices for it.
That thou betray'dst Polixenes, 'twas nothing,
That did but shew thee, of a Fool, inconstant,
And damnable ingrateful: Nor was't much,
Thou would'st have poison'd good Camillo's Honour,
To have him kill a King: Poor Trespasses,
More monstrous standing by: Wherefore I reckon
The casting forth to Crows thy Baby-daughter,
To be, or none, or little; tho' a Devil
Would have shed Water out of Fire, e'er don't:
Nor is't directly laid to thee, the Death
Of the young Prince, whose honourable Thoughts
(Thoughts high for one so tender) cleft the Heart
That could conceive a gross and foolish Sire,
Blemish'd his gracious Dam: This is not, no,
Laid to thy Answer; but the last: O Lords,
When I have said, cry Woe, the Queen, the Queen,
The sweetest dearest Creature's Dead; and Vengeance for't
Not drop'd down yet.

Lord.
The higher Powers forbid.

Pau.
I say she's dead; I'll swear't. If Word, nor Oath
Prevail not, go and see: If you can bring
Tincture, or Lustre in her Lip, her Eye,
Heat outwardly, or Breath within, I'll serve you
As I would do the Gods. But, O thou Tyrant!
Dost not repent these things, for they are heavier
Than all thy Woes can stir; therefore betake thee
To nothing but Despair. A thousand Knees,
Ten thousand Years together, naked, fasting,
Upon a barren Mountain, and still Winter
In Storm perpetual, could not move the Gods
To look that way thou wert.

Leo.
Go on, go on:
Thou canst not speak too much, I have deserv'd
All Tongues to talk their bitterest.

Lord.
Say no more,
Howe'er the business goes, you have made fault
I'th' boldness of your Speech

Pau.
I am sorry for't.
All faults I make, when I shall come to know them,
I do repent: Alas, I have shew'd two much
The Rashness of a Woman; he is touch'd
To th' noble Heart. What's gone, and what's past help,
Should be past Grief. Do not receive Affliction
At my Petition, I beseech you; rather
Let me be punish'd, that have minded you
Of what you should forget. Now, good my Liege,
Sir, Royal Sir, forgive a foolish Woman.
The Love I bore your Queen (lo, Fool again)
I'll speak of her no more, nor of your Children:
I'll not remember you of my own Lord,
Who is lost too. Take your patience to you,
And I'll say nothing.

Leo.
Thou didst speak but well,
When most the Truth; which I receive much better
Than to be pitied of thee. Prethee bring me
To the dead Bodies of my Queen and Son,
One Grave shall be for both. Upon them shall
The Causes of their Death appear, unto
Our shame perpetual; once a day I'll visit
The Chappel where they lye, and Tears shed there
Shall be my Recreation. So long as Nature
Will bear up with this Exercise, so long
I daily vow to use it. Come and lead me
To these Sorrows. [Exeunt. SCENE III. A desart Country; the Sea at a little distance. Enter Antigonus with a Child, and a Mariner.

Ant.

Thou art perfect then, our Ship hath touch'd upon The Desarts of Bohemia.

Mar.
Ay, my Lord, and fear
We have landed in ill time: The Skies look grimly,
And threaten present Blusters. In my Conscience,
The Heav'ns with that we have in hand are angry,
And frown upon's.

Ant.
Their sacred Wills be done; get thee Aboard,
Look to thy Bark, I'll not be long before
I call upon thee.

Mar.
Make your best haste, and go not
Too far i'th Land; 'tis like to be loud Weather.
Besides, this place is famous for the Creatures
Of prey, that keep upon't.

Ant.
Go thou away.
I'll follow instantly.

Mar.
I am glad at heart
To be so rid o'th' Business. [Exit.

Ant.
Come, poor Babe;
I have heard, but not believ'd, the Spirits o'th' Dead
May walk again: if such thing be, thy Mother
Appear'd to me last Night; for ne'er was Dream
So like a waking. To me comes a Creature,
Sometimes her Head on one side, some another,
I never saw a Vessel of like Sorrow
So fill'd, and so becoming; in pure white Robes,
Like very Sanctity, she did approach
My Cabbin where I lay; thrice bow'd before me,
And, gasping to begin some Speech, her Eyes
Became two Spouts; the fury spent, anon
Did this break from her. Good Antigonus,
Since Fate, against thy better Disposition,
Hath made thy Person for the thrower-out
Of my poor Babe, according to thine Oath,
Places remote enough are in Bohemia,
There weep, and leave it crying; and for the Babe
Is counted lost for ever ever, Perdita
I prethee call't. For this ungentle business
Put on thee, by my Lord, thou ne'er shalt see
Thy Wife Paulina more. And so, with shrieks,
She melted into Air. Affrighted much,
I did in time collect my self, and thought
This was so, and no slumber: Dreams are Toys,
Yet for this once, yea superstitiously,
I will be squar'd by this. I do believe
Hermione hath suffer'd Death, and that
Apollo would, this being indeed the Issue

Of King Polixenes, it should here be laid,
Either for Life or Death, upon the Earth
Of its right Father Blossom, speed thee well, [Laying down the Child.
There lye, and there thy Character: There these,
Which may, if Fortune please, both breed thee, Pretty one,
And still rest thine. The Storm begins poor Wretch,
That for thy Mother's fault, art thus expos'd
To loss, and what may follow. Weep I cannot,
But my Heart bleeds: and most accurst am I
To be by Oath enjoin'd to this. Farewel.
The Day frowns more and more; thou art like to have
A lullaby too rough: I never saw
The Heav'ns so dim by Day. A savage Clamour!
Well may I get aboard: This is the Chace,
I am gone for ever. [Exit pursued by a Bear. Enter an old Shepherd.

Shep.

I would there were no Age between ten and three and twenty, or that Youth would sleep out the rest: For there is nothing, in the between, but getting Wenches with Child, wronging the Ancientry, stealing, fighting— Hark you now—would any but these boil'd Brains of nineteen, and two and twenty, Hunt this Weather? They have scar'd away two of my best Sheep, which I fear the Wolf will sooner find than the Master; if any where I have them, 'tis by the Sea-side, brouzing of Ivy. Good luck, and't be the will, what have we here? [Taking up the Child.] Mercy on's, a Barn! a very pretty Barn! a Boy or a Child, I wonder! a pretty one, a very pretty one, sure some 'scape: Tho' I am not Bookish, yet I can read Waiting-Gentlewoman in the 'scape. This has been some Stair-work, some Trunk-work, some behind-door-work: They were warmer that got this, than the poor thing is here. I'll take it up for pity, yet I'll tarry 'till my Son come: He hollow'd but even now. Whoa, ho-hoa.

Clo.

Hilloa, loa.

Shep.

What, art so near? If thou'lt see a thing to talk on when thou art dead and rotten, come hither. What ail'st thou, Man?

Clo.

I have seen two such sights, by Sea and by Land; but I am not to say it is a Sea, for it is now the Sky, betwixt the Firmament and it, you cannot thrust a Bodkin's point.

Shep.

Why, Boy, how is it?

Clo.

I would you did but see how it chafes, how it rages, how it takes up the Shore; but that's not to the point; Oh the most piteous cry of the poor Souls, sometimes to see 'em, and not to see 'em: Now the Ship boaring the Moon with her Main-mast, and anon swallow'd with Yest and Froth, as you'ld thrust a Cork into a Hogshead. And then for the Land-service, to see how the Bear tore out his Shoulder-bone, how he cry'd to me for help, and said his Name was Antigonus, a Nobleman. But to make an end of the Ship, to see how the Sea flap-dragon'd it. But first, how the poor Souls roar'd, and the Sea mock'd them. And how the poor Gentleman roar'd, and the Bear mock'd him, both roaring louder than the Sea, or Weather.

Shep.

Name of Mercy, when was this, Boy?

Clo.

Now, now, I have not winked since I saw these sights, the Men are not cold under Water, nor the Bear half dined on the Gentleman; he's at it now.

Shep.

Would I had been by to have help'd the old Man.

Clo.

I would you had been by the Ship-side, to have helped her, there your Charity would have lack'd footing.

Shep.

Heavy Matters, heavy Matters; but look thee here, Boy. Now bless thy self; thou meet'st with things dying, I with things new born. Here is a sight for thee; Look thee, a Bearing-cloath for a Squire's Child! Look thee here, take up, take up, Boy, open't, so, let's see, it was told me I should be rich by the Fairies. This is some Changling; open't, what is within, Boy?

Clo.

You're a mad old Man; If the Sins of your Youth are forgiven you, you are well to live. Gold, all Gold.

Shep.

This is Fairy Gold, Boy, and 'twill prove so. Up with't, keep it close: Home, home, the next way. We are lucky, Boy, and to be so still requires nothing but Secresie.

Let my Sheep go: Come, good Boy, the next way home.

Clo.

Go you the next way with your Findings, I'll go see if the Bear be gone from the Gentleman, and how much he hath eaten: They are never Curst, but when they are hungry: If there be any of him left, I'll bury it.

Shep.

That's a good Deed; if thou may'st discern by that which is left of him, what he is, fetch me to th'sight of him.

Clo.

Marry will I, and you shall help to put him i'th' Ground.

Shep.

'Tis a lucky Day, Boy, and we'll do good Deeds on't.