Gent.
One that gives out himself prince Florizel,
Son of Polixenes, with his princess (she,
The fairest I have yet beheld) desires access
To your high presence.

Leo.
What with him? he comes not
Like to his father's greatness; his approach,
So out of circumstance and sudden, tells us,
'Tis not a visitation fram'd, but forc'd
By need and accident. What train?

Gent.
But few,
And those but mean.

Leo.
His princess, say you, with him?

Gent.
Yes; the most peerless piece of earth, I think,
That e'er the sun shone bright on.

Pau.
Oh Hermione,
As every present time doth boast itself
Above a better, gone; ^{2 note}so must thy grave
Give way to what's seen now. Sir, you yourself
Have said, and writ so; but your writing now
Is colder than that theme; she had not been,
Nor was she to be equall'd; thus your verse
Flow'd with her beauty once; 'tis shrewdly ebb'd,
To say, you've seen a better.

Gent.
Pardon, Madam;
The one I have almost forgot, (your pardon)
The other, when she has obtain'd your eye,
Will have your tongue too. This is a creature,
Would she begin a sect, might quench the zeal
Of all professors else, make proselites
Of who she but bid follow.

Pau.
How? not women?

Gent.
Women will love her, that she is a woman
More worth than any man: men, that she is
The rarest of all women.

Leo.
Go, Cleomines;
Yourself (assisted with your honour'd friends)
Bring them to our embracement. Still 'tis strange
He thus should steal upon us. [Exit Cleo.

Pau.
Had our prince
(Jewel of children) seen this hour, he had pair'd
Well with this lord; there was not full a month
Between their births.

Leo.
Pr'ythee, no more; cease; thou know'st,
He dies to me again, when talk'd of: sure,
When I shall see this gentleman, thy speeches
Will bring me to consider that which may
Unfurnish me of reason. They are come.

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