Even then will rush to knowledge. Go, fresh horses; [Exeunt. Leo. SCENE II. A court of justice. Leontes, Lords, and Officers, appear properly feated. "T HIS feffion, to our great grief, we pronounce, Even pushes 'gainft our heart: the party try'd, Of us too much belov'd: let us be clear'd Of being tyrannous, fince we fo openly Produce the prisoner. Offi. It is his highness' pleasure, that the queen Hermione is brought in guarded; Paulina and Ladies. Leo. Read the indictment. Offi. Hermione, queen to the worthy Leontes, king of Sicilia, thou art here accufed and arraigned of high treafon, in committing adultery with Polixenes king of Bithynia, and confpiring with Camillo to take away the life of our fovereign lord the king, thy royal husband; the pretence whereof being by circumstances partly lay'd open, thou, Hermione, contrary to the faith and allegiance of a true fubject, didft counfel and aid them, for their better fafety, to fly away by night. Her. Since what I am to say, must be but that Which contradicts my accufation, and The teftimony on my part no other But what comes from myself, it shall scarce boot me To fay, not guilty: mine integrity Being counted falshood, shall, as I express it, Be Be fo receiv'd. But thus: if powers divine Tremble at patience. You, my lord, best know, A moiety of the throne, a great king's daughter, And only that I ftand for. I appeal To your own confcience, fir, before Polixenes Leo. I never heard yet That any of those bolder vices wanted Lefs impudence to gainfay what they did Than to perform it first. Her. That's true enough, Though 'tis a saying, fir, not due to me. Leo. You will not own it. Her. More than I'm mistress of, Which comes to me in name of fault, I must not At all acknowledge. For Polixenes, To you, and towards your friend; whofe love had spoke, That it was yours. Now, for confpiracy, I know not how it taftes, though it be dish'd Is, that Camillo was an honeft man; And why he left your court, the gods themselves, Leo. You knew of his departure, as you know You speak a language that I understand not: Leo. Your actions are my dreams. You had a bastard by Polixenes, And I but dream'd it: as you are past all fhame, More criminal in thee than it) so thou Shalt feel our justice; in whose easiest paffage Her. Sir, spare your threats; The bug, which you would fright we with, I seek : The crown and comfort of my life, your favour, I do give loft, for I do feel it gone, But know not how it went. My fecond joy, Apollo be my judge. SCENE III. Enter Dion, and Cleomines. Lord. This your request Is altogether juft; therefore bring forth, Her. The emperor of Russia was my father: Of pity, not revenge! Offi. You here fhall fwear upon the fword of juftice, That you, Cleomines and Dion, have Been Been both at Delphos, and from thence have brought Cleo. Dion. All this we fwear. Leo. Break up the feals, and read. Offi. Hermione is chafte, Polixenes blameless, Camillo a true fubject, Leontes a jealous tyrant, his innocent babe truly begotten; and the king fhall live without an heir, if that which is loft be not found. Lords. Now bleffed be the great Apollo ! Her. Praised! Leo. Haft thou read the truth? Offi. Ay, my lord, even fo as here fet down. Enter Servant. Ser. My lord the king, the king! Leo. What is the business? Ser. O fir, I fhall be hated to report it. The prince your fon, with mere conceit and fear Leo. How gone? Ser. Is dead. Leo. Apollo's angry; and the heaven's themselves Do ftrike at my injuftice. How now there? [Her. faints. Pau. This news is mortal to the queen: look down, And fee what death is doing. Leo. Take her hence; Her heart is but o'er-charg'd; fhe will recover. [Exeunt Paulina and Ladies with Hermione. SCENE |