3 Gent. Then have you loft a fight, which was to be seen, cannot be spoken of. There might you have beheld one joy crown another, fo and in fuch manner, that it feem'd, forrow wept to take leave of them, for their joy waded in tears. There was cafting up of eyes, holding up of hands, with countenance of fuch diftraction, that they were to be known by garment, not by favour. Our King being ready to leap out of himself, for joy of his found daughter; as if that joy were now become a lofs, cries, Oh, thy mother, thy mother! then asks Bohemia forgivenefs; then embraces his fon-in-law; then again worries he his daughter, with clipping her. Now he thanks the old fhepherd, who ftands by, like a weather-beaten conduit of many Kings' reigns. I never heard of fuch another encounter, which lames report to follow it, and undoes description to do it.

2 Gent. What, pray you, became of Antigonus, that carry'd hence the child?

3 Gent. Like an old tale ftill, which will have matters to rehearse, tho' credit be afleep, and not an ear open; he was torn to pieces with a bear; this avouches the shepherd's fon, who has not only his innocence, which feems much to justify him, but a handkerchief and rings of his, that Paulina knows.

I Gent. What became of his bark, and his followers?

3 Gent. Wreckt the fame inftant of their master's death, and in the view of the fhepherd; fo that all the inftruments, which aided to expofe the child, were even then loft, when it was found. But, oh, the noble combat, that 'twixt joy and forrow was fought in Paulina! She had one eye declin'd for the lofs of her husband, another elevated that the Oracle was fulfilled. She lifted the Princess from the earth, and so locks her in embracing, as if he would pin her to her heart, that fhe might no more be in danger of lofing.

1 Gent. The dignity of this act was worth the audience of Kings and Princes; for by fuch was it acted.

3 Gent. One of the prettieft touches of all, and that which angled for mine eyes, (caught the water, tho' not the fish) was, when at the relation of the Queen's death, with the manner how she came to it, bravely confefs'd, and lamented by the King, how attentiveness wounded his daughter; 'till, from one fign of dolour to another, fhe did, with an alas! I would fain fay, bleed tears; for, I am fure, my heart wept blood. Who was moft marble, there changed colour; fome fwooned, all forrowed; if all the world could have feen't, the woe had been univerfal.

1 Gent. Are they returned to the court?

3 Gent. No. The Princefs hearing of her mother's statue, which is in the keeping of Paulina, a piece many years in doing, and now newly performed by that rare Italian master, Giulio Romano; who, had he him

6 That rare Italian Mafter, Giulio Romano ;] All the Encomiums, put together, that have been conferred on this excellent Artift in Painting and Architecture, do not amount to the fine Praife here given him by our Author. He was born in the Year 1492, liv'd juft that Circle of Years which our ShakeSpeare did, and died eighteen Years before the latter was born. Fine and generous, therefore, as this Tribute of Praise must be own'd, yet it was a strange Abfurdity, fure, to thrust it into a Tale, the Action of which is fuppofed within the Period of Heathenifm, and whilft the Oracles of Apollo were confulted. This, however, was a known and wilful Anachronism; which might have flept in Obfcurity, perhaps,

Mr. Pope will fay, had I not animadverted on it. THEOB.

That rare Italian mafter, Julio Romano, &c.] Mr. Theobald fays, All the encomiums put toge ther, that have been conferred on this excellent artift in painting and architecture, do not amount to the fine praife here given him by our Author. But he is ever the unluckieft of all criticks when he paffes judgment on beauties and defects. The paffage happens to be quite unworthy Shakespeare. 1. He makes his fpeaker fay, that was Julio Romano the God of Nature, he would outdo Nature. For this is the plain meaning of the words, had he himself eternity, and could put breath into his work, he would beguile Nature of her cuftom. 2dly, He makes of this famous Painter, a

Statuary;

himself eternity, and could put breath into his work, would beguile nature of her cuftom, fo perfectly he is her ape: He fo near to Hermione hath done Hermione, that they say, one would fpeak to her, and ftand in hope of answer. Thither with all greediness of affection are they gone, and there they intend to fup.

2 Gent. I thought, she had some great matter there in hand, for she hath privately twice or thrice a-day, ever since the death of Hermione, vifited that removed house. Shall we thither, and with our company piece the rejoycing?

1 Gent. +Who would be thence, that has the benefit of access? every wink of an eye, fome new grace will be born: our abfence makes us unthrifty to our knowledge. Let's along. [Exeunt.

Aut. Now had I not the dash of my former life in me, would preferment drop on my head. I brought the old man and his fon aboard the Prince; told him, I heard them talk of a farthel, and I know not what; but he at that time, overfond of the fhepherd's daughter, (fo he then took her to be) who began to be much fea-fick, and himself little better, extremity of wea

Statuary; I fuppofe confounding him with Michael Angelo; but, what is worst of all, a painter of ftatues, like Mrs. Salmon of her wax work. WARBURTON.

Poor Theobald's encomium of this paffage is not very happily conceived or expreffed, nor is the paffage of any eminent excellence; yet a little candour will clear Shakespeare from part of the impropriety imputed to him. By Eternity he means only Immortality, or that part of Eternity which is to come; to we talk of eternal renown and eternal infamy. Immortality may fubfift without Divinity, and therefore the meaning only is,

ther continuing, this mystery remained undiscovered. But 'tis all one to me; for had I been the finder out of this fecret, it would not have relish'd among my other difcredits.

SCENE VI.

Enter Shepherd and Clown.

Here come those I have done good to against my will, and already appearing in the bloffoms of their fortune. Shep. Come, boy, I am past more children; but thy fons and daughters will be all gentlemen born.

Clo. You are well met, Sir; you denied to fight with me this other day, because I was no gentleman born fee you these cloaths? fay, you see them not, and think me ftill no gentleman born. You were best say, these robes are not gentlemen born. Give me the lye; do, and try whether I am not now a gentleman born.

Aut. I know you are now, Sir, a gentleman born. Clo. Ay, and have been fo any time these four hours. Shep. And fo have I, boy.

Clo. So you have; but I was a gentleman born before my father; for the King's fon took me by the hand, and call'd me brother; and then the two Kings call'd my father brother; and then the Prince my brother, and the Princess my fifter, call'd my father, father, and fo we wept; and there was the firft gentleman-like tears that ever we shed.

Shep. We may live, fon, to fhed many more. Clo. Ay, or elfe 'twere hard luck, being in fo prepofterous estate as we are.

Aut. I humbly befeech you, Sir, to pardon me all the faults I have committed to your worship, and to give me your good report to the Prince, my master. Shep. 'Pr'ythee, fon, do; for we must be gentle, now we are gentlemen.

Clo. Thou wilt amend thy life?

Aut. Ay, an it like your good worship.

Clo.

Clo. Give me thy hand; I will fwear to the Prince, thou art as honest a true fellow as any is in Bohemia. Shep. You may say it, but not swear it.

Clo. Not fwear it, now I am a gentleman ? let boors and * franklins fay it, I'll fwear it.

Shep. How if it be false, son?

Clo. If it be ne'er fo falfe, a true gentleman may fwear it in the behalf of his friend: and I'll fwear to the Prince, thou art a tall fellow of thy hands, and that thou wilt not be drunk; but I know, thou art not tall fellow of thy hands; and that thou wilt be drunk; but I'll fwear it; and, I would, thou would'st be a tall fellow of thy hands.

Aut. I will prove fo, Sir, to my power.

Clo. Ay, by any means prove a tall fellow; if I do not wonder how thou dar'it venture to be drunk, not being a tall fellow, truft me not. Hark, the Kings and the Princes, our kindred, are going to fee the Queen's picture. Come, follow us: we'll be thy

good mafters.

SCENE VII.

[Exeunt.

Changes to Paulina's House.

Enter Leontes, Polixenes, Florizel, Perdita, Camillo,

Paul. What, fovereign Sir!

I did not well, I meant well; all my fervices
You have paid home. But that you have vouchfaf'd,
With your crown'd brother, and these your contracted
Heirs of your kingdoms, my poor house to visit,

-franklin, is a freeholder,

or yeoman, a man above a vil-word used for fout.

lain, but not a gentleman.

Tall, in that time, was the