Lord.
This your request
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 tryal; 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.

Offi.

Hermione is chaste, 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?

Offi.
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.

Previous section

Next section