Prince, thou art as honest a true fellow as any is in Bohemia. Shep. You may say it, but not swear it. Clown. Not swear it, now I am a gentleman? Let boors and franklins say it, I'll swear it. Shep. How if it be false, son? Clown. If it be ne'er so false, a true gentleman may swear it, in the behalf of his friend: And I'll swear to the Prince, thou art a tall fellow of thy hands, and that thou wilt not be drunk; but I know, thou art no tall fellow of thy hands, and that thou wilt be drunk; but I'll swear it: and I would, thou would'st be a tall fellow of thy hands. Aut. I will prove so, Sir, to my power. Clown. Ay, by any means prove a tall fellow: If I do not wonder, how thou darest venture to be drunk, not being a tall fellow, trust me not. Hark! the Kings and the Princes, our kindred, are going to see the Queen's picture. Come, follow us: we'll be thy good masters. [Exeunt. The same. A Room in Paulina's House. Enter LEONTES, POLIXENES, FLORIZEL, PERDITA, CAMILLO, PAULINA, Lords, and Attendants. Leon. O grave and good Paulina, comfort the great That I have had of thee! Paul. What, sovereign Sir, my services, You have paid home: but that you have vouchsaf'd, With your crown'd brother, and these your con tracted Heirs of your kingdoms, my poor house to visit, Leon. O Paulina, We honour you with trouble: But we came Paul. As she liv'd peerless, So her dead likeness, I do well believe, Or hand of man hath done; therefore I keep it To see the life as lively mock'd, as ever Still sleep mock'd death: hehold; and say, 'tis well. [PAULINA undraws a curtain, and discovers a statue. I like your silence, it the more shows off Comes it not something near? Leon. Her natural posture! Chide me, dear stone; that I may say, indeed, In thy not chiding; for she was as tender, As infancy, and grace. But yet, Paulina, Hermione was not so much wrinkled, nothing So aged, as this seems. Pol. O, not by much. Paul. So much the more our carver's excellence; Which lets go by some sixteen years, and makes her As she liv'd now. Leon. As now she might have done, So much to my good comfort, as it is Now Now piercing to my soul. O, thus she stood, Per. And give me leave; And do not say, 'tis superstition, that Paul. O, patience; The statue is but newly fix'd, the colour's Lady, Cam. My Lord, your sorrow was to sore laid on; Which sixteen winters cannot blow away, So many summers, dry: scarce any joy Did ever so long live; no sorrow, But kill'd itself much sooner. Pol. Dear my brother, Let him, that was the cause of this, have power Will piece up in himself. Paul. Indeed, my Lord, If I had thought, the sight of my poor image I'd not have show'd it. Leon. Do not draw the curtain. mine,) Paul. No longer shall you gaze on't; lest your May think anon, it moves. Leon. Let be, let be. VOL. VI. fancy 13 Would I were dead, but that, methinks, already What was he, that did make it? See, my Lord, Would you not deem, it breath'd? and that those Did verily bear blood? Pol. Masterly done: veins The very life seems warm upon her lip. Leon. The fixture of her eye has motion in't, As we are mock'd with art. Paul. I'll draw the curtain; My Lord's almost so far transported, that Leon. O sweet Paulina, Make me to think so twenty years together; I could afflict you further. Leon. Do, Paulina; but For this affliction has a taste as sweet As any cordial comfort. Still, methinks, There is an air comes from her: What fine chizzel Could ever yet cut breath? Let no man mock me, For I will kiss her. Paul. Good my Lord, forbear: The ruddiness upon her lip is wet; You'll mar it, if you kiss it; stain your own Per. So long could I Stand by, a looker on. Paul. Either forbear, Quit presently he chapel; or resolve you And take you by the hand: but then you'll think, (Which I protest against,) I am assisted By wicked powers. Leon. What you can make her do, I am content to look on: what to speak, Paul. It is requir'd, You do awake your faith: Then, all stand still; I am about, let them depart. Leon. Proceed; No foot shall stir. Paul. Musick; awake her strike. [Musick. 'Tis time; descend; be stone no more; approach; Strike all that look upon with marvel. Come; I'll fill your grave up: stir; nay, come away; Bequeath to death your numbness, for from him Dear life redeems you. You perceive, she stirs : [HERMIONE Comes down from the pedestal. Start not her actions shall be holy, as, You hear, my spell is lawful: do not shun her, You kill her double: Nay, present your hand: Is she become the suitor. Leon. O, she's warm! If this be magick, les it be an art Lawful as eating. Pol. She embraces him. age, [Embracing her. Cam. She hangs about his neck; If she pertain to life, let her speak too. Pol. Ay, and make't manifest where she has liv'd: Or, how stol'n from the dead? Paul. That she is living, |