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Even for your son's sake; and, thereby, for | If you know aught which does behove my sealing

The injury of tongues, in courts and kingdoms Known and allied to yours.

Leon. 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 cupbearer; If from me he have wholesome beverage, Account me not your servant.

Leon. This is all:

Do't, and thou hast one half of my heart;
Do't not, thou split'st thine own.

Cam. I'll do't my lord.

Leon. 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 do this deed, Promotion follows: If I could find example Of thousands, that had struck anointed kings, And flourish'd after, I'd not do't: but since Nor brass, nor stone, nor parchment, bears not Let villany itself forswear't. I must [one. 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,

knowledge

Thereof to be inform'd, imprison it 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 does acknowledge, whereof

the least

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As he had seen't, or been an instrument
To vicet you to't,-that you have touch'd his
Forbiddenly.
[queen

Pol. O, then my best blood turn
To an infected jelly; and my name
Be yok'd with his, that did betray the best!
Turn then my freshest reputation to

My favour here begins to warp. Not speak?- A savour, that may strike the dullest nostril Good-day, Camillo.

Cam. Hail, most royal Sir!

Pol. What is the news i'the court?
Cam. None rare my lord.

Pol. The king hath on him such a countenance,

As he had lost some province, and a region, Lov'd as he loves himself; even now I met him With customary compliment; when he, Wafting his eyes to the 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 yourself, what you do know, you must;
And cannot say, you dare not. Good Camillo,
Your chang'd complexions are to me a mirror,
Which shows me mine chang'd to: for I must be
A party in this alteration, finding
Myself thus alter'd with it.

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: have look'd on thousands, who have sped the

better

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Where I arrive; and my approach be shunn'd, Nay, hated too, worse than the great'st infec That e'er was heard, or read!

Cam. Swear his thought over By each particular star in heaven, 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 fabric of his folly: whose foundation The standing of his body. Is pil'd upon his faith, and will continue

Pol. How should this grow?

[tion

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 lies 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 twos, and threes, at several pos

terns,

Clear them o'the city: For myself, 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 condemn'd by the king's own mouth,

His execution sworn. thereon

Pol. I do believe thee:

I saw his heart in his 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 jealousy

* I. e. I am the person appointed, &c.
+ Draw,
+ Settled belief.

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 does 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'ershades

. me:

Good expedition be my friend, and comfort
The gracious queen, part of his theme, but no-
thing

Of his ill-ta'en 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 1.-The same.

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 playfellow? Mam. No, I'll none of you.

1 Lady. Why, my sweet lord?

Mam. You'll kiss me hard; and speak to me
I were a baby still.-I love you better. [as if
2 Lady. And why so, my good lord?
Mam. Not for because
[say,
Your brows are blacker; yet black brows, they
Become some women best; so that there be not
Too much hair there, but in a semi-circle,
Or balf-moon made with a pen.

2 Lady. Who taught you this?

1 Lord. Behind the tuft of pines I met them;

never

Saw I men scour so on their way: I ey'd them
Even to their ships.

Leon. How bless'd 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 spidert steep'd, and one may drink; depart,
And yet partake no venom; for his knowledge
Is not infected: but if one present

The abhorr'd ingredient to his eye, make known
How he hath drank, he cracks his gorge, his
sides,

With violent hefts :-I have drank, 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 has discover'd my design, and I
Remain a pinch'd thing; yea, a very trick
For them to play at will:-How came the pos-
So easily open?
[terns

Which often hath no less prevail'd than so,
1 Lord. By his great authority;
On your command.

Leon. I know't too well.

Give me the boy; I am glad, you did not nurse
him:
[you

Have too much blood in him.
Though he does bear some signs of me, yet

Her. What is this? sport?

Leon. Bear the boy hence, he shall not come

Away with him :-and let her sport herself
about her;
With that she's big with; for 'tis Polixenes
Has made thee swell thus.

Her. But I'd say, he had not,

Mam. I learn'd it out of women's faces. Howe'er you lean to the nayward.

And, I'll be sworn, you would believe my say

Pray now

What colour are 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. 2 Lady. Hark ye:

[shall
The queen, your mother, rounds apace: we
Present our services to a fine new prince,
One of these days; and then you'd wanton with
If we would have you.
[us,

1 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, shall't be?

Her. As merry as you will.

Mam. A sad tale's best for winter:

I have one of sprites and goblins.
Her. Let's have that, Sir.

[best Come on, sit down:-Come on, and do your To fright me with your sprites: you're powerful

at it.

Mam. There was a man,

Her. Nay, come, sit down; then on.

Leon. You, my lords.

[ing,

Look on her, mark her well; be but about
The justice of your hearts will thereto add,
To say, she is a goodly lady, and
'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

That calumny doth use:-0, I am out,
The shrug, the hum, or ha; these pretty brands,
That mercy does; for calumny will sear¶
Virtue itself:-these shrugs, these hums, and
When you have said she's goodly, come be-
ha's,
[tween,
Ere you can say she's honest: But be it 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.

Leon. 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,

Mam. Dwelt by a church-yard;-I will tell And mannerly distinguishment leave out

it softly;

Yon crickets shall not hear it.

Her. Come on then,

And give't me in mine ear.

Enter LEONTES, ANTIGONUS, LORDS, and others.

Leon. Was he met there? his train? Camillo

with him?

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

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Privy to none of this: How will this grieve [that When you shall come to clearer knowledge, You thus have publish'd me? Gentle my lord, You scarce can right me throughly then, to say You did mistake.

Leon. No, no; if I mistake

In those foundations which I build upon,
The centre is not big enough to bear

A school-boy's top.-Away with her to prison:
He, who shall speak for her, is afar off guilty,
But that he speaks.§

burns

Her. There's some ill planet reigns:
I must be patient, till the heavens look
With an aspect more favourable.-Good my
I am not prone to weeping, as our sex [lords,
Commonly are; the want of which vain dew,
Perchance, shall dry your pities: but I have
That honourable grief lodg'd here, which
[lords,
Worse than tears drown: 'Beseech you all, my
With thoughts so qualified as your charities
Shall best instruct you, measure me ;-and so
The king's will be perform'd!
Leon. Shall I be heard? [To the Guards.
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;
[mistress
There is no cause: when you shall know, your
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.

Leon. Go, do our bidding; hence. [Exeunt Queen and Ladies. 1 Lord. 'Beseech your highness, call the queen again.

Ant. Be certain what you do, Sir; lest your justice [suffer, Prove violence; in the which three great ones Yourself, your queen, your son.

1 Lord. For her, my lord,

I dare my life lay down, and will do't, Sir, Please you to accept it, that the queen is spotless

I'the eyes of heaven, and to you; I mean,
In this which you accuse her.

Ant. If it prove

She's otherwise, I'll keep my stables|| where
I lodge my wife; I'll go in couples with her;
Than when I feel, and see her, no further trust
For every inch of woman in the world, [her;
Ay, every dram of woman's flesh, is false,
If she be.

Leon. Hold your peaces.

1 Lord. Good my lord,

Ant. It is for you we speak, not for ourselves :

You are abus'd, and by some putter-on,¶
That will be damn'd for't; 'would I knew the
villain,
[flaw'd,-
I would land-damn him: Be she honour-
I have three daughters; the eldest is eleven;
Remotely guilty.
In merely speaking. Take my station.
Instigator.

* Confederate. + Only.

The second, and the third, nine, and some five; If this prove true, they'll pay for't: by mine honour,

I'll geld them all; fourteen they shall not see, To bring false generations: they are co-heirs; And I had rather glib myself, than they Should not produce fair issue.

Leon. Cease; no more.

You smell this business with a sense as cold
As is a dead man's nose: I 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.

Leon. What! lack I credit?

1 Lord. I had rather you did lack, than I my lord,

[me Upon this ground: and more it would content To have her honour true, than your suspicion; Be blam'd for't how you might.

Leon. Why, what need we Commune with you of this? but rather follow Our forceful instigation? Our prerogative Calls not your counsels: but our natural good.

ness

Imparts this: which, if you (or stupified, Or seeming so in skill,) cannot, or will not, Relish as truth, like us; inform yourselves, We need no more of your advice: the matter, The loss, the gain, the ordering on't, is all Properly ours.

Ant. And I wish, my liege,

You had only in your silent judgement tried it, Without more overture.

Leon. 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 approba tion,*

But only seeing, all other circumstances Made up to the deed,) doth push on this proYet, for a greater confirmation, [ceeding: (For, in an act of this importance, 'twere Most piteous to be wild,) I have despatch'd in post,

To sacred Delphos, to Apollo's temple,
Cleomenes and Dion, 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? 1 Lord. Well done, my lord.

Leon. Though I am satisfied, and need no

more

[good,

Than what I know, yet shall the oracle
Give rest to the minds of others; such as he,,
Whose ignorant credulity will not
Come up to the truth: So have we thought it
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 public: for this business
Will raise us all.

Ant. [Aside.] To laughter, as I take it,
If the good truth were known.
[Excunt.
SCENE 11.-The same. The outer Room of a

Prison.

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Keep. And, madam,

[Exeunt Attend.

I must be present at your conference.

Paul. Well, be it so, pr'ythee.

[Exit KEEPER. Here's such ado to make no stain a stain, As passes colouring.

Re-enter KEEPER, with EMILIA. 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 borne greater,) She is, something before her time, deliver'd. Paul. 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.

Paul. I dare be sworn.

These dangerous unsafe lunes o'the king!

beshrew them!

[ter;

He must be told on't, and he shall: the office
Becomes a woman best; I'll take't upon me:
If I prove honey-mouth'd, let my tongue blis-
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 show't the king, and undertake to be
Her advocate to th loudest: We do not know
How he may soften at the sight o'the child;
The silence often of pure innocence
Persuades, when speaking fails.

Emil. Most worthy madam,

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Your honour, and your goodness, is so evident,
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, hammer'd of this design;
But durst not tempt a minister of honour,
Lest she should be denied.

Paul. Tell her, Emilia,

I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from it,
As boldness from my bosom, let it not be
I shall do good.
[doubted

Emil. Now be you bless'd for it! I'll to the queen: Please you, come something nearer.

* Frenzies.

Keep. Madam, if't please the queen to sen the babe,

I know not what I shall incur, to pass it,
Having no warrant.

Paul. You need not fear it, Sir:

The child was prisoner to the womb; and is,
By law and process of great nature, thence
Freed and enfranchis'd: not a party to
The anger of the king; nor guilty of,
If any be, the trespass of the queen.
Keep. I do believe it.

Paul. Do not you fear: upon

Mine honour, I will stand 'twixt you and danger. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.-The same.-A Room in the

Palace.

Enter LEONTES, ANTIGONUS, LORDS, and other ATTENDANTS.

Leon. Nor night, nor day, no rest: It is but weakness

To bear the matter thus; mere weakness, if The cause were not in being;-part o'the

cause,

She, the 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?
1 Atten. My lord?
[Advancing.

Leon. How does the boy?

1 Atten. He took good rest to-night; "Tis hop'd, his sickness is discharg'd. Leon. To see, Conceiving the dishonour of his mother, His nobleness! 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 downright languish'd.-Leave me soler ly:t-go,

See how he fares. [Exit Attend.]-Fie, fie! no thought of him;

The very thought of my revenges that way
Recoil upon me: in himself too mighty;
And in his parties, his alliance,-Let him be,
Until a time may serve: for present vengeance,
Take it on her. Camillo and Polixenes [row:
Laugh at me; make their pastime at my sor-
They should not laugh, if I could reach them;
Shall she, within my power.
[nor

Enter PAULINA, with a Child.

1 Lord. You must not enter.

Paul. Nay, rather, good my lords, be second

to me:

Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas,
Than the queen's life? a gracious innocent
More free, than he is jealous.
[soul;

Ant. That's enough.

1 Atten. Madam, he hath not slept to-night; None should come at him. [commanded

Paul. 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 med'cinal as true;
Honest, as either; to purge him of that hu-
That presses him from sleep.
[mour,

Leon. What noise there, ho?
Paul. No noise, my lord; but needful con-
ference,

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Away with that audacious lady: Antigonus,
I charg'd thee, that she should not come about
I knew, she would.

Ant. I told her so, my lord,

On your displeasure's peril, and on mine,
She should not visit you.

Leon. What, canst not rule her?

[me;

Paul. 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. Lo you now; you hear!

When she will take the rein, I let her run;
But she'll not stumble.

Paul. Good my liege, I come,-
And, I beseech you, hear me, who profess
Myself your loyal servant, your physician,
Your most obedient counsellor; yet that dare
Less appear so, in comforting your evils,*
Than such as most seems yours:-I say, I
From your good queen.
Leon. Good queen!

[come

Paul. Good queen, my lord, good queen: I
say, good queen;

And would by combat make her good, so were I
A man, the worst about you.

Leon. Force her hence.

Paul. Let him, that makes but trifles of his

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A mankind witch! Hence with her, out o'
A most intelligencing bawd!

Paul. Not so:

[door:

I am as ignorant in that, as you
In so entitling me: and no less honest
Than you are mad; which is enough, I'll war-
rant,

As this world goes, to pass for honest.
Leon. Traitors!
[tard:-
Will you not push her out? Give her the bas-
Thou, dotard, [To ANTIGONUS.] thou art wo-
man-tir'd, unroosted

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Paul. It is yours;

[charge,
And, might we lay the old proverb to your
So like you, 'tis the worse.-Behold, my lords,
Although the print be little, the whole matter
And copy of the father: eye, nose, lip,
The trick of his frown, his forehead; nay, the
valley,
[smiles;
The pretty dimples of his chin, and cheek; his
The very mould and frame of 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 yellowt in't; lest she suspect, as he does,
Her children not her husband's!

Leon. 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 yourself
Hardly one subject.

Leon. Once more, take her hence,

Paul. A most unworthy and unnatural lord
Can do no more.

Leon. I'll have thee burn'd.
Paul. I care not:

It is a heritic, that makes the fire, [tyrant;
Not she, which burns in't. I'll not call you
But this most cruel usage of your queen
(Not able to produce more accusation
Than your own weak-hing'd fancy,) something

savours

Of tyranny, and will ignoble make you,
Yea, scandalous to the world.

Leon. 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.
Paul. I pray you, do not push me; I'll be
gone.
[send her
Look to your babe, my lord; 'tis yours: Jove
A better guiding spirit!-What need these
hands?-

By thy dame Partlet here, take up the bas-You, that are thus so tender o'er his follies,
Take't up, I say; give't to thy crone. [tard; Will never do him good, not one of you.
Paul. For ever
So, so:-Farewell; we are gone.

Unvenerable be thy hands, if thou

Tak'st up the princess, by that forced¶ baseness
Which he has put upon't?

Leon. He dreads his wife.

[Exit.

Leon. 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,

Paul. So, I would, you did; then, 'twere And see it instantly consum'd with fire;

past all doubt,

You'd call your children yours.

Leon. A nest of traitors!

Ant. I am none, by this good light.
Paul. 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 son's, his babe's, betrays to slander,
Whose sting is sharper than the sword's; 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 sound.

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