tom, so perfectly he is her ape: he so near to Hermione hath done Hermione, that they say one would speak to her, and stand in hope of answer:-thither with all greediness of affection are they gone; and there they intend to sup. 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, visited that removed house. Shall we thither, and with our company piece the rejoicing? 1 Gent. Who would be thence that has the benefit of access? every wink of an eye some new grace will be born: our absence makes us unthrifty to our knowledge. Let's along. [Exeunt Gentlemen. 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 son aboard the prince; told him I heard them talk of a fardel, and I know not what; but he at that time over-fond of the shepherd's daughter, so he then took her to be,-who began to be much sea-sick and himself little better, extremity of weather continuing, this mystery remained undiscovered. But 'tis all one to me; for had I been the finder-out of this secret, it would not have relished among my other discredits. Here come those I have done good to against my will, and already appearing in the blossoms of their fortune. Enter Shepherd and Clown. Shep. Come, boy; I am past more children, but thy sons 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. See you these clothes? say you see them not, and think me still no gentleman born: you were best say these robes are not gentlemen born. Give me the lie, 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 so any time these four hours. Shep. And so have I, boy! Clo. So you have:-—but I was a gentleman born before my father; for the king's son took me by the hand and called me brother; and then the two kings called my father brother; and then the prince, my brother, and the princess, my sister, called my father father; and so we wept: and there was the first gentleman-like tears that ever we shed. Shep. We may live, son, to shed many more. Clo. Ay; or else 'twere hard luck, being in so prepos terous estate as we are. Aut. I humbly beseech 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, son, 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. Give me thy hand: I will swear 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 swear it, now I am a gentleman? Let boors and franklins say it, I'll swear it. Shep. How if it be false, son? Clo. 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 wouldst be a tall fellow of thy hands. Aut. I will prove so, sir, to my power. Clo. 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. SCENE III.-The same. A Room in PAULINA'S House. Enter LEONTES, POLIXENES, FLORIZEL, PERDITA, Camillo, PAULINA, Lords, and Attendants. Leon. O grave and good Paulina, the great comfort That I have had of thee! Paul. What, sovereign sir, I did not well, I meant well. All my services You have paid home: but that you have vouchsaf'd, It is a surplus of your grace which never My life may last to answer. Leon. O Paulina, We honour you with trouble:--but we came In many singularities; but we saw not Paul. Excels whatever yet you look'd upon, 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: behold; and say 'tis well. [PAULINA undraws a curtain, and discovers HERMIONE standing as a statue. I like your silence,-it the more shows off Your wonder: but yet speak;-first, you, my liege. Leon. Her natural posture!— Chide me, dear stone, that I may say indeed, Pol. O, not by much. Paul. So much the more our carver's excellence; Leon. Now piercing to my soul. O, thus she stood, As now it coldly stands,-when first I woo'd her! Per. And give me leave; And do not say 'tis superstition, that I kneel, and then implore her blessing.-Lady, Give me that hand of yours to kiss. Paul. O, patience! The statue is but newly fix'd, the colour's Not dry. Cam. My lord, your sorrow was too sore laid on, Which sixteen winters cannot blow away, 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, Would thus have wrought you, for the stone is mine,- Leon. Do not draw the curtain. Paul. No longer shall you gaze on 't; lest your fancy May think anon it moves. Leon. Let be, let be. Would I were dead, but that, methinks, already— Would you not deem it breath'd? and that those veins Pol. Masterly done: The very life seems warm upon her lip. Leon. The fixure of her eye has motion in 't, As we are mock'd with art. Paul. I'll draw the curtain: Leon. No settled senses of the world can match The pleasure of that madness. Let 't alone. Paul. I am sorry, sir, I have thus far stirr'd you: but I could afflict you further. Leon. Do, Paulina; For this affliction has a taste as sweet As any cordial comfort.-Still, methinks, There is an air comes from her: what fine chisel Paul. Good my lord, forbear: You'll mar it if you kiss it; stain your own Per. Stand by, a looker-on. So long could I Quit presently the chapel, or resolve you And take you by the hand: but then you'll think,— By wicked powers. Leon. What you can make her do, I am content to look on: what to speak, To make her speak as move. It is requir'd You do awake your faith. Then all stand still; I am about, let them depart. Music, awake her: strike! Come; "Tis time; descend; be stone no more; approach; [Music. [HERMIONE Comes down from the pedestal. You kill her double. Nay, present your hand: Leon. O, she's warm! If this be magic, let it be an art Lawful as eating. Pol. She embraces him. Cam. She hangs about his neck: If she pertain to life, let her speak too. [Embracing her. Pol. Ay, and make 't manifest where she has liv'd, Or how stol'n from the dead. Paul. That she is living, Were it but told you, should be hooted at Like an old tale; but it appears she lives, Though yet she speak not. Mark a little while. Please you to interpose, fair madam: kneel, And pray your mother's blessing.-Turn, good lady; Our Perdita is found. [Presenting PER., who kneels to HER. You gods, look down, Her. |