Leon. Didst note it? | My wife is slippery? If thou wilt consess, To have nor eyes, nor ears, nor thought,) then say, Leon. Didst perceive it? My wife's a hobbyhorse ; deserves a name They're here with me already; whispering, round- As rank as any flax-wench, that puts to ing, Before her troth-plight : say it, and justify it. Sicilia is a so-forth: 'Tis far gone, Cam. I would not be a stander-by, to hear When I shall gust it last. How came't, Camillo, My sovereign mistress clouded so, without That he did stay? My present vengeance taken : 'Shrew my heart, Cam. At the good queen's entreaty. You never spoke what did become you less Leon. At the queen's, be't: good, should be per- Than this; which to reiterate, were sin tinent? As deep as that, though true. But so it is, it is not. Was this taken Leon. Is whispering nothing ? By any understanding pate but thine ? Is leaning cheek to cheek? is meeting noses ? For thy conceit is soaking, will draw in Kissing with inside lip? stopping the career More than the common blocks: Not noted, is't, Of laughter with a sigh? (a note infallible But of the finer natures ? by some severals, Of breaking honesty :) horsing foot on foot ? Of head piece extraordinary ? lower messes, Skulking in corners ? wishing clocks more swift? Perchance are to this business purblind : say. Hours, minutes ? noon, midnight? and all eyes Cam. Business, my lord ? I think, most under blind stand With the pin and web, but theirs, theirs only, Bohemia stays here longer. That would unseen be wicked ? is this nothing? Leon. Ha? Why, then the world, and all that's in't, is nothing; Cam. Stays here longer. The covering sky is nothing ; Bohemia nothing; Leon. Ay, but why? My wife is nothing; nor nothing have these nothings, Cam. To satisfy your highness, and the entreaties If this be nothing. Of our most gracious mistress. Cam. Good my lord, be cur'd Leon. Satisfy Of this diseas'd opinion, and betimes; Leon. Say, it be ; 'tis true. With all the nearest things to my heart, as well Cam. No, no, my lord. My chamber-councils : wherein, priest-like, thou Leon. It is ; you lie, you lie : Hast cleans'd my bosom ; I from thee departed I say, thou liest, Camillo, and I hate thee; Thy penitent reform’d: but we have been Pronounce thee a gross lout, a mindless slave; Deceiv’d in thy integrity, deceiv'd Or else a hovering temporizer, that In that which seems so. Canst with thine eyes at once see good and evil, Сат. Be it forbid, my lord ! Inclining to them both: Were my wife's liver Leon. To bide upon't;— Thou art not honest : or, Infected as her life, she would not live If thou inclin'st that way, thou art a coward ; The running of one glass. Which hores honesty behind, restraining Cam. Who does infect her? From course requir'd: Or else thou must be counted Leon. Why he, that wears her like her medal, A servant, grafted in my serious trust, hanging And therein negligent : or else a fool, About his neck, Bohemia : Who- if I That seest a game play'd home, the rich stake drawn, / Had servants true about me : that bare eyes And tak'st it all for jest. To see alike mine honour as their profits, Сат. My gracious lord, Their own particular thrifts, — they would do that I may be negligent, foolish, and fearful; Which should undo more doing: Ay, and thou, In every one of these no man is free, His cupbearer, — whom I from meaner form But that his negligence, his folly, fear, Have bench'd and rear'd to worship; who may'st see Amongst the infinite doings of the world, Plainly, as heaven sees earth, and earth sees heaven, Sometime puts forth : In your affairs, my lord, How I am galled, — might'st bespice a cup, If ever I were wilful-negligent, To give mine enemy a lasting wink; It was my folly ; if industriously Which draught to me were cordial. I play'd the fool, it was my negligence, Cam. Sir, my lord, Not weighing well the end ; if ever fearful I could do this; and that with no rash potion, To do a thing, where I the issue doubted, But with a ling'ring dram, that should not work Whereof the execution did cry out Maliciously like poison : But I cannot Against the non-performance, 'twas a fear Believe this crack to be in my dread mistress, Which oft affects the wisest : these, my lord, So sovereignly being honourable. Are such allow'd'infirmities, that honesty I have lov'd thee, Is never free of. But, 'beseech your grace, Leon. Make't thy question, and go rot Be plainer with me: let me know my trespass Dost think, I am so muddy, so unsettled, By its own visage: if I then deny it, To appoint myself in this vexation ? sully 'Tis none of mine. The purity and whiteness of my sheets, Leon. Have not you seen, Camillo, Which to preserve, is sleep; which being spotted, (But that's past doubt: you have; or your eye-glass Is goads, thorns, nettles, tails of wasps ? Is thicker than a cuckold's horn ;) or heard, Give scandal to the blood o'the prince my son, (For, to a vision so apparent, rumour Who, I do think is mine, and love as mine; Cannot be mute,) or thought, (for cogitation Without ripe moving to't? - World I do this? Resides not in that man, that does not think it,) Could man so blench? me. Cam. . I must believe you, sir; As you are certainly a gentleman ; thereto I do; and will fetch off Bohemia fort: Clerk-like, experienc'd, which no less adorns In ignorant concealment. Cam. I may not answer. Eren so as I mine own course have set down : Pol. A sickness caught of me, and yet I well! I'll give no blemish to her honour, none. I must be answer'd. Dost thou hear, Camillo, Cam. My lord, I conjure thee, by all the parts of man, Go then; and with a countenance as clear Which honour does acknowledge, whereof the As friendship wears at feasts, keep with Bohemia, least And with your queen: I am his cupbearer; Is not this suit of mine, that thou declare If from me he have wholesome beverage, What incidency thou dost guess of harm Account me not your servant. Is creeping toward me; how far off, how near; Leon. This is all : Which way to be prevented, if to be ; Cam. Sir, I'll tell you ; Cam. I'll do't, my lord. Since I am charg'd in honour, and by him Leon. I will seem friendly, as thou hast advis’d That I think honourable: Therefore, mark my [Erit. counsel; Pol. On, good Camillo. Who, in rebellion with himself, will have Cam. I am appointed him to murder you. All that are his, so too. - To do this deed, Pol. By whoin, Camillo? Promotion follows: If I could find example Cam. By the king. Of thousands, that had struck anointed kings, Pol. For what? And flourish'd after, I'd not do't: but since Cam. He thinks, nay, with all confidence he Nor brass, nor stone, nor parchment, bears not one, swears, Let villainy itself forswear't. I must As he had seen't or been an instrument Forsake the court : to do't, or no, is certain To vice you to't, - that you have touch'd his queen To me a break-neck. Happy star, reign now ! Forbiddenly. Here comes Bohemia. Pol. 0, then my best blood turn To an infected jelly ; and my name Be yok'd with his, that did betray the best ! This is strange! methinks, Turn then my freshest reputation to My favour here begins to warp. Not speak ? A savour, that may strike the dullest nostri! Good-day, Camillo. Where I arrive ; and my approach be shunn'd, Сат. Hail, most royal sir ! Nay, hated too, worse than the great'st infection Pol. What is the news i' the court ? That e'er was heard, or read ! Swear his thought over As or, by oath, remove, or counsel, shake Wafting his eyes to the contrary, and falling The fabrick of his folly ; whose foundation A lip of much contempt, speeds from me; and Is pil'd upon his faith, and will continue Sn leaves me, to consider what is breeding, The standing of his body. That changes thus his manners. Pol. How should this grow ? Cam. I dare not know, my lord. Cam. I know not : but, I am sure, 'tis safer to Pol. How ! dare not? do not. Do you know, Avoid what's grown, than question how 'tis born. and dare not If therefore you dare trust my honesty, Be intelligent to me? 'Tis thereabouts ; That lies enclosed in this trunk, which you For, to yourself, what you do know, you must; Shall bear along impawn'd, - away to-night. And cannot say, you dare not. Good Camillo, Your followers I will whisper to the business : Your chang'd complexions are to me a mirror, And will, by twos, and threes, at several posterns, Which shows me mine chang'd too : for I must be Clear them o' the city : For myself, I'll put A party in this alteration, finding My fortunes to your service, which are here Myself thus alter'd with it. By this discovery lost. Be not uncertain ; Cam. There is a sickness For, by the honour of my parents, I Which puts some of us in distemper ; but Have utter'd trulis : which if you seek to prove, I cannot name the disease ; and it is caught I dare not stand by; nor shall you be safer Of you that yet are well. Than one condemn’d by the king's own mouth, Pol. How! caught of me? thereon Make me not sighted like the basilisk: His execution sworn. I bave look'd on thousands, who have sped the better Pol. I do believe thes; By my regard, but kill'd none so. Camillo, I saw his heart in his face. Give me thy hanil ; Be pilot to me, and thy places shall In that be made more bitter. Fear o'ershades me: Still neighbour mine : My ships are ready, and Good expedition be my friend, and comfort My people did expect my hence departure The gracious queen, part of his theme, but nothing Two days ago - This jealousy Of his ill-ta'en suspicion! Come, Camillo ; I will respect thee as a father; if Cam. It is in mine authority, to command The keys of all the posterns : Please your highness Profess'd to hiin, why, his revenges must To take the urgent hour : come, sir, away. (Exeunt. ACT II. never now nose Hark ye: SCENE I. - The same. 1 Lord. Behind the tuft of pines I met them; Enter HERMIONE, MAMillius, and Ladies. Saw I men scour so on their way: I ey'd them Her. Take the boy to you: he so troubles me, Even to their ships. 'Tis past enduring. Leon. How bless'd am I 1 Lady. Come, my gracious lord. In my just censure ! in my true opinion ! Shall I be your play-fellow ? Alack, for lesser knowledge !. How accurs'd, Mam. No, I'll none of you. In being so blest ! There may be in the cup 1 Lady. Why, my sweet lord ? A spider steep'd, and one may drink ; depart, Mam. You'll kiss me hard; and speak to me as if And yet partake no venom; for his knowledge I were a baby still. - I love you better. Is not infected : but if one present 2 Lady. And why so, my good lord ? The abhorr'd ingredient to his eye, make known Mam. Not for because How he hath drank, he cracks his gorge, his sides, Your brows are blacker; yet black brows, they say, With violent hefts : - I have drank, and seen the Become some women best; so that there be not spider. Too much hair there, but in a semi-circle, Camillo was his help in this, his pander : Or half-moon made with a pen. There is a plot against my life, my crown; 2 Lady. Who taught you this? All's true that is mistrusted : - that false villain, Mam. I learn’d it out of women's faces. - Pray Whom I employ'd, was pre-employ'd by him : He has discover'd my design, and I What colour are your eye-brows ? Remain a pinch'd thing ; yea, a very trick 1 Lady, Blue, my lord. For them to play at will : – How came the pos. Mam. Nay, that's a mock: I have seen a lady's terns So easily open? That has been blue, but not her eye-brows. 1 Lord. By his great authority; 2 Lady. Which often hath no less prevail'd than so, Leon. I know't too well. One of these days; and then you'd wanton with us, Give me the boy; I am glad, you did not nurse If we would have you. 1 Lady. She is spread of late Though he does bear some signs of me, yet you Into a goodly bulk : Good time encounter her! Have too much blood in him. Her. What wisdom stirs amongst you ? Come, Her. What is this? sport? sir, now Leon. Bear the boy hence, he shall not come I am for you again : Pray you, sit by us, about her ; And tell 's a tale. Away with him: — and let her sport herself Mam. Merry, or sad, shall’t be ? With that she's big with ; for 'tis Polixenes Has made thee swell thus. But I'd say, he had not, I have one of sprites and goblins. And, I'll be sworn, you would believe my saying, Her. Let's have that, sir. Howe'er you lean to the nayward. Come on, sit down : Come on, and do your best Leon. You, my lords To fright me with your sprites : you're powerful | Look on her, mark her well; be but about To say, she is a goodly lady, and Mam. There was a man, The justice of your hearts will thereto add, Her. Nay, come, sit down; then on. 'Tis pty, she's not honest, honourable : Mam. Dwelt by a church-yard ; - I will tell it | Praise her but for this her without-door form, softly; (Wbich, on my faith, deserves high-speech,) and Yon crickets shall not hear it. straight Her. Come on then, The shrug, the hum, or ha; these petty brands, And give't me in mine ear. That calumny doth use : - -0, I am out, That mercy does ; for calumny will sear Enter LEONTES, ANTIGONUS, Lords, and others. Virtue itself: - these shrugs, these hums, and ha's, Leon. Was he met there? his train ? Camillo | When you have said, she's goodly, come between, with him? Ere you can say she's honest : But be it known, him : at it. From him that has most cause to grieve it should be, l’the eyes of heaven, and to you ; I mrin, In this which you accuse her. Ant. L' it prove The most replenish'd villain in the world, She's otherwise, I'll keep my stables where He were as much more villain : you, my lord, I lodge my wife ; I'll go in couples with her ; Do but mistake. Than when I feel, and see her, no further trust lier Leon. You have mistook, my lady, For every inch of woman in the world, Polixenes for Leontes : O thou thing, Ay, every dram of woman's flesh, is false, Which I'll not call a creature of thy place, If she be. Lest barbarism, making me the precedent, Leon. Hold your peaces. Should a like language use to all degrees, 1 Lord. Good my lord, And mannerly distinguishment leave out Ant. It is for you we speak, not for ourselves : Betwixt the prince and beggar ! - I have said, You are abus'd, and by some putter-on, She's an adultress; I have said, with whom : That will be damn'd for't ; 'would I knew the vil. More, she's a traitor ; and Camillo is lain, A federary with her; and one that knows I would land-damn him: Be she honour-flaw'd, What she should shame to know herself, I have three daughters ; the eldest is eleven ; But with her most vile principal, that she's The second, and the third, nine, and some five; A bed-swerver, even as bad as those If this prove true, they'll pay for’t: by mine liv. That vulgars give bold titles; ay, and privy nour, To this their late escape. I'll geld them all : fourteen they shall not see, Her. No, by my life, To bring false generations : they are co-heirs ; Privy to none of this : How will this grieve you, And I had rather glib myself, than they When you shall come to clearer knowledge, that Should not produce fair issue. You thus have publish'd me? Gentle my lord, Leon. Cease; no more. You scarce can right me throughly then, to say You smell this business with a sense as cold You did mistake. As is a dead man's nose : I see't, and feel't, . Leon. No, no; if I mistake As you feel doing thus; and see withal In those foundations which I build upon, The instruments that feel. The center is not big enough to bear Ant. If it be so, Of the whole dungy earth. What! lack I credit ? I must be patient, till the heavens look 1 Lord. I had rather you did lack, than I, my With an aspéct more favourable. — Good my lords, lord, I am not prone to weeping, as our sex Upon this ground : and more it would content me Commonly are ; the want of which vain dew, To have her honour true, than your suspicion ; Perchance, shall dry your pities : but I have Be blam'd for't how you might. That honourable grief lodg'd here, which burns Leon. Why, what need ne Worse than tears drown : ’Beseech you all, my Commune with you of this ? but rather follow lords, Our forceful instigation ? Our prerogative With thoughts so qualified as your charities Calls not your counsels ; but our natural goodness Shall best instruct you, measure me; -- and so Imparts this : which - if you (or stupified, The king's will be perform'd! Or seeming so in skill,) cannot, or will not, Leon. Shall I be heard ? Relish as truth, like us; inform yourselves, [To the Guards. We need no more of your advice : the matter, Her. Who is't, that goes with me ? — 'Beseech The loss, the gain, the ordering on't, is all your highness, Properly ours. My women may be with me; for, you see, And I wish, my liege, My plight requires it. Do not weep, good fools; You had only in your silent judgment tried it, There is no cause : when you shall know, your Without more overture. mistress Leon. How could that be? Has deserv'd prison ; then abound in tears, Either thou art most ignorant by age, As I come out : this action, I now go on, Or thou wert born a fool. Camillo's flight, Is for my better grace. Adieu, my lord ; Added to their familiarity, I never wish'd to see you sorry; now, (Which was as gross as ever touch'd conjecture, I trust, I shall. My women, come; you have That lack'd sight only, nought for approbation, leave. But only seeing, all other circumstances Leon. Go, do our bidding; hence. Made up to the deed,) doth push on this proceeding. [Exeunt Queen and Ladies. Yet, for a greater confirmation, 1 Lord. 'Beseech you highness, call the queen (For, in an act of this importance, 'twere again.' Most piteous to be wild,) I have dispatch'd in post, Ant. Be certain what you do, sir ; lest your | To sacred Delphos, to Apollo's temple, justice Cleomenes and Dion, whom you know Prove violence : in the which three great ones suffer, of stuff’d sufficiency: Now, from the oracle Yourself, your queen, your son. They will bring all ; whose spiritual counsel lad, 1 Lord. For her, my lord, - Shall stop, or spur me. Have I done well ? I dare my life lay down, and will do't, sir, 1 Lord. Well done, my lord. Please you to accept it, that the queen is spotless Leon. Though I am satisfied, and need no more Ant. nearer. Than what I know, yet shall the oracle The silence often of pure innocence Give rest to the minds of others; such as he, Persuades, when speaking fails. Whose ignorant credulity will not Emil. Most worthy madam, Come up to the truth: So have we thought it good, Your honour, and your goodness, is so evident, From our free person she should be confin’d; That your free undertaking cannot miss Lest that the treachery of the two, fled hence, A thriving issue; there is no lady living, Be left her to perform. Come, follow us; So meet for this great errand : Please your ladyshup We are to speak in publick; for this business To visit the next room, I'll presently Will raise us all. Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer; Ant. [Aside.) To laughter, as I take it, Who, but to-day, lammer'd of this design; If the good truth were known. [Ereunt. But durst not tempt a minister of honour, Lest she should be denied. SCENE II. The same. The ouler Room of a Paul. Tell her, Emilia, Prison. I'll use that tongue I have : if wit flow from it, As boldness froin my bosom, let it not be doubted Enter PAULINA and Attendants. I shall do good. Paul. The keeper of the prison, - call to him ; Emil. Now be you blest for it! (Erit an Attendant. I'll to the queen : Please you, come something Let him have knowledge who I am. — Good lady! No court in Europe is too good for thee, Keep Madam, if 't please the queen to send th What dost thou then in prison ? Now, good sir, babe, I know not what I shall incur, to pass it, Re-enter Attendant, with the Keeper. Having no warrant. You know me, do you not ? Paul. You need not fear it, sir : Keep. For a worthy lady, The child was prisoner to the womb; and is, And one whom much I honour. By law and process of great nature, thence Paul. Pray you then, Free'd and enfranchis'd: not a party to The anger of the king; nor guilty of, Keep. I do believe it. Here's ado, Do not you fear : upon To lock up honesty and honour from Mine honour, I will stand 'twixt you and danger. The access of gentle visitors ! - - Is it lawful, (Ereunt. Pray you, to see her women ? any of them ? Emilia ? SCENE III. The same. A Room in the Keep. So please you, madam, to put Palace, Enter LEONTES, ANTIGONUS, Lords, and other Attendants. (Exeunt Attend. Leon. Nor night nor day, no rest : It is but Keep. . And, madam, weakness I must be present at your conference. To bear the matter thus ; mere weakness, if Paul. Well, be it so, pry’thee. (Exil Keeper. The cause were not in being ; - part o'the cause, Here's such ado to make no stain a stain, She, the adultress; for the harlot king As passes colouring. 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, Emil. As well as one so great, and so forlorn, Might come to me again. - Who's there? May hold together : on her frights, and griefs, 1 Allen. My lord ? (Which never tender lady hath borne greater,) [ Advancing She is, something before her time, deliver'd. Leon. How does the boy ? Paul. A boy? 1 Allen. He took good rest to-night; Emil. A daughter; and a goodly babe, 'Tis hop'd, his sickness is discharg'd. Lusty, and like to live : the queen receives Leon. Much comfort in't : says, My poor prisoner, His nobleness! Conceiving the dishonour of his mother, He straight declin’d, droop'd, took it deeply; These dangerous unsafe lunes o'the king! beshrew Fasten'd and fix'd the shame on't in himseif; them! Threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep, He must be told on't, and he shall : the office And downright languish’d. Leave me solely. Becomes a woman best ; I'll take't upon me : go, If I prove honey-mouth'd, let my tongue blister ; See how he fares. [Erit Attend.] – Fye, fye! no And never to iny red-look'd thought of him ; The trumpet any more:- Pray you, Emilia, The very thought of my revenges that way Commend my best obedience to the queen ; Recoil upon me: in himself 100 mighty : If she dares trust me with her little babe, And in his parties, his alliance, Let him be. I'll show't the king, and undertake to be Until a time may serve : for present vengeance, Her advocate to th' loudest: We do not know Take it on her. Camillo and Polixenes How he may soften at the sight o'the child ; Laugh at me; make their pastime at my sorrow To see, anger be |