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The Winters Tale.

0

The Names of the Actors.

3370
Leontes, King of Sicillia.
3371
Mamillus, yong Prince of Sicillia.
3372
Camillo.
3373
Antigonus.
3374
Cleomines.
3375
Dion.Foure Lords of Sicillia.
3376
Hermione, Queene to Leontes.
3377
Perdita, Daughter to Leontes and Hermione.
3378
Paulina, wife to Antigonus.
3379
Emilia, a Lady.
3380
Polixenes, King of Bohemia.
3381
Florizell, Prince of Bohemia.
3382
Old Shepheard, reputed Father of Perdita.
3383
Clowne, his Sonne.
3384
Autolicus, a Rogue.
3385
Archidamus, a Lord of Bohemia.
3386
[Mariner.]
+1
[Gaoler.]
+2
Other Lords, [Ladies,] and Gentlemen, [Officers,] and Seruants.
3387
Shepheards, and [Mopsa, Dorcas, and other] Shephearddesses.
3388

Actus Primus. Scœna Prima.

1
Enter Camillo and Archidamus.
2
Arch.
3
If you shall chance (Camillo) to visit Bohemia, on
4
the like occasion whereon my seruices are now
5
on-foot, you shall see (as I haue said) great dif-
6
ference betwixt our Bohemia, and your Sicilia.
7
Cam. I thinke, this comming Summer, the King of
8
Sicilia meanes to pay Bohemia the Visitation, which hee
9
iustly owes him.
10
Arch. Wherein our Entertainment shall shame vs: we
11
will be iustified in our Loues: for indeed—
12
Cam. ’Beseech you
13
Arch. Verely I speake it in the freedome of my know-
14
ledge: we cannot with such magnificence—in so rare—
15
I know not what to sayWee will giue you sleepie
16
Drinkes, that your Sences (vn-intelligent of our insuffi-
17
cience) may, though they cannot prayse vs, as little ac-
18
cuse vs.
19
Cam. You pay a great deale to deare, for what’s giuen
20
freely.
21
Arch. ’Beleeue me, I speake as my vnderstanding in-
22
structs me, and as mine honestie puts it to vtterance.
23
Cam. Sicilia cannot shew himselfe ouer-kind to Bohe-
24
mia: They were trayn’d together in their Child-hoods;
25
and there rooted betwixt them then such an affection,
26
which cannot chuse but braunch now. Since their more
27
mature Dignities, and Royall Necessities, made seperati-
28
on of their Societie, their Encounters (though not Perso-
29
nall) hath been Royally attornyed with enter-change of
30
Gifts, Letters, louing Embassies, that they haue seem’d to
31
be together, though absent: shooke hands, as ouer a Vast;
32
and embrac’d as it were from the ends of opposed Winds.
33
The Heauens continue their Loues.
34
Arch. I thinke there is not in the World, either Malice
35
or Matter, to alter it. You haue an vnspeakable comfort
36
of your young Prince Mamillius: it is a Gentleman of the
37
greatest Promise, that euer came into my Note.
38
Cam. I very well agree with you, in the hopes of him:
39
it is a gallant Child; one, that (indeed) Physicks the Sub-
40
iect, makes old hearts fresh: they that went on Crutches
41
ere he was borne, desire yet their life, to see him a Man.
42
Arch. Would they else be content to die?
43
Cam. Yes; if there were no other excuse, why they should
44
desire to liue.
45
Arch. If the King had no Sonne, they would desire to
46
liue on Crutches till he had one.Exeunt.
47

Scœna Secunda.

48
Enter Leontes, Hermione, Mamillius, Polixenes, Camillo.
49
Pol. Nine Changes of the Watry-Starre hath been
50
The Shepheards Note, since we haue left our Throne
51
Without a Burthen: Time as long againe
52
Would be fill’d vp (my Brother) with our Thanks,
53
And yet we should, for perpetuitie,
54
Goe hence in debt: And therefore, like a Cypher
55
(Yet standing in rich place) I multiply
56
With one we thanke you, many thousands moe,
57
That goe before it.
58
Leo. Stay your Thanks a while,
59
And pay them when you part.
60
Pol. Sir, that’s to morrow:
61
I am question’d by my feares, of what may chance,
62
Or breed vpon our absence, that may blow
63
No sneaping Winds at home, to make vs say,
64
This is put forth too truly: besides, I haue stay’d
65
To tyre your Royaltie.
66
Leo. We are tougher (Brother)
67
Then you can put vs to’t.
68
Pol. No longer stay.
69
Leo. One Seue’night longer.
70
Pol. Very sooth, to morrow.
71
Leo. Wee’le part the time betweene’s then: and in that
72
Ile no gaine-saying.
73
Pol. Presse me not (’beseech you) so:
74
There is no Tongue that moues; none, none i’th’World
75
So soone as yours, could win me: so it should now,
76
Were there necessitie in your request, although
77
’Twere needfull I deny’d it. My Affaires
78
Doe euen drag me home-ward: which to hinder,
79
Were (in your Loue) a Whip to me; my stay,
80
To you a Charge, and Trouble: to saue both,
81
Farewell (our Brother.)
82
Leo. Tongue-ty’d our Queene? speake you.
83
Her. I had thought (Sir) to haue held my peace, vntill
84
You had drawne Oathes from him, not to stay: you (Sir)
85
Charge him too coldly. Tell him, you are sure
86
All in Bohemia’s well: this satisfaction,
87
The by-gone-day proclaym’d, say this to him,
88
He’s beat from his best ward.
89
Leo. Well said, Hermione.
90
Her. To tell, he longs to see his Sonne, were strong:
91
But let him say so then, and let him goe;
92
But let him sweare so, and he shall not stay,
93
Wee’l thwack him hence with Distaffes.
94
Yet of your Royall presence, Ile aduenture
95
The borrow of a Weeke. When at Bohemia
96
You take my Lord, Ile giue him my Commission,
97
To let him there a Moneth, behind the Gest
98
Prefix’d for’s parting: yet (good-deed) Leontes,
99
I loue thee not a Iarre o’th’ Clock, behind
100
What Lady she her Lord. You’le stay?
101
Pol. No, Madame.
102
Her. Nay, but you will?
103
Pol. I may not verely.
104
Her. Verely?
105
You put me off with limber Vowes: but I,
106
Though you would seek t’vnsphere the Stars with Oaths,
107
Should yet say, Sir, no going: Verely
108
You shall not goe; a Ladyes Verely’ is
109
As potent as a Lords. Will you goe yet?
110
Force me to keepe you as a Prisoner,
111
Not like a Guest: so you shall pay your Fees
112
When you depart, and saue your Thanks. How say you?
113
My Prisoner? or my Guest? by your dread Verely,
114
One of them you shall be.
115
Pol. Your Guest then, Madame:
116
To be your Prisoner, should import offending;
117
Which is for me, lesse easie to commit,
118
Then you to punish.
119
Her. Not your Gaoler then,
120
But your kind Hostesse. Come, Ile question you
121
Of my Lords Tricks, and yours, when you were Boyes:
122
You were pretty Lordings then?
123
Pol. We were (faire Queene)
124
Two Lads, that thought there was no more behind,
125
But such a day to morrow, as to day,
126
And to be Boy eternall.
127
Her. Was not my Lord
128
The veryer Wag o’th’ two?
129
Pol. We were as twyn’d Lambs, that did frisk i’th’ Sun,
130
And bleat the one at th’other: what we chang’d,
131
Was Innocence, for Innocence: we knew not
132
The Doctrine of ill-doing, nor dream’d
133
That any did: Had we pursu’d that life,
134
And our weake Spirits ne’re been higher rear’d
135
With stronger blood, we should haue answer’d Heauen
136
Boldly, not guilty; the Imposition clear’d,
137
Hereditarie ours.
138
Her. By this we gather
139
You haue tript since.
140
Pol. O my most sacred Lady,
141
Temptations haue since then been borne to’s: for
142
In those vnfledg’d dayes, was my Wife a Girle;
143
Your precious selfe had then not cross’d the eyes
144
Of my young Play-fellow.
145
Her. Grace to boot:
146
Of this make no conclusion, least you say
147
Your Queene and I are Deuils: yet goe on,
148
Th’offences we haue made you doe, wee’le answere,
149
If you first sinn’d with vs: and that with vs
150
You did continue fault; and that you slipt not
151
With any, but with vs.
152
Leo. Is he woon yet?
153
Her. Hee’le stay (my Lord.)
154
Leo. At my request, he would not:
155
Hermione (my dearest) thou neuer spoak’st
156
To better purpose.
157
Her. Neuer?
158
Leo. Neuer, but once.
159
Her. What? haue I twice said well? when was’t before?
160
I prethee tell me: cram’s with prayse, and make’s
161
As fat as tame things: One good deed, dying tonguelesse,
162
Slaughters a thousand, wayting vpon that.
163
Our prayses are our Wages. You may ride’s
164
With one soft Kisse a thousand Furlongs, ere
165
With Spur we heat an Acre. But to th’Goale:
166
My last good deed, was to entreat his stay.
167
What was my first? it ha’s an elder Sister,
168
Or I mistake you: O, would her Name were Grace.
169
But once before I spoke to th’ purpose? when?
170
Nay, let me haue’t: I long.
171
Leo. Why, that was when
172
Three crabbed Moneths had sowr’d themselues to death,
173
Ere I could make thee open thy white Hand:
174
A clap thy selfe, my Loue; then didst thou vtter,
175
I am yours for euer.
176
Her. ’Tis Grace indeed.
177
Why lo-you now; I haue spoke to th’ purpose twice:
178
The one, for euer earn’d a Royall Husband;
179
Th’other, for some while a Friend.
180
Leo. Too hot, too hot:
181
To mingle friendship farre, is mingling bloods.
182
I haue Tremor Cordis on me: my heart daunces,
183
But not for ioy; not ioy. This Entertainment
184
May a free face put on: deriue a Libertie
185
From Heartinesse, from Bountie, fertile Bosome,
186
And well become the Agent: ’t may; I graunt:
187
But to be padling Palmes, and pinching Fingers,
188
As now they are, and making practis’d Smiles
189
As in a Looking-Glasse; and then to sigh, as ’twere
190
The Mort o’th’Deere: oh, that is entertainment
191
My Bosome likes not, nor my Browes. Mamillius,
192
Art thou my Boy?
193
Mam. I, my good Lord.
194
Leo. I’fecks:
195
Why that’s my Bawcock: what? has’t smutch’d thy Nose?
196
They say it is a Coppy out of mine. Come Captaine,
197
We must be neat; not neat, but cleanly, Captaine:
198
And yet the Steere, the Heycfer, and the Calfe,
199
Are all call’d Neat. Still Virginalling
200
Vpon his Palme? How now (you wanton Calfe)
201
Art thou my Calfe?
202
Mam. Yes, if you will (my Lord.)
203
Leo. Thou want’st a rough pash, & the shoots that I haue
204
To be full, like me: yet they say we are
205
Almost as like as Egges; Women say so,
206
(That will say any thing.) But were they false
207
As o’re-dy’d Blacks, as Wind, as Waters; false
208
As Dice are to be wish’d, by one that fixes
209
No borne ’twixt his and mine; yet were it true,
210
To say this Boy were like me. Come (Sir Page)
211
Looke on me with your Welkin eye: sweet Villaine,
212
Most dear’st, my Collop: Can thy Dam, may’t be
213
Affection? thy Intention stabs the Center.
214
Thou do’st make possible things not so held,
215
Communicat’st with Dreames (how can this be?)
216
With what’s vnreall: thou coactiue art,
217
And fellow’st nothing. Then ’tis very credent,
218
Thou may’st co-ioyne with something, and thou do’st,
219
(And that beyond Commission) and I find it,
220
(And that to the infection of my Braines,
221
And hardning of my Browes.)
222
Pol. What meanes Sicilia?
223
Her. He something seemes vnsetled.
224
Pol. How? my Lord?
225
Leo. What cheere? how is’t with you, best Brother?
226
Her. You look as if you held a Brow of much distraction:
227
Are you mou’d (my Lord?)
228
Leo. No, in good earnest.
229
How sometimes Nature will betray it’s folly?
230
It’s tendernesse? and make it selfe a Pastime
231
To harder bosomes? Looking on the Lynes
232
Of my Boyes face, me thoughts I did requoyle
233
Twentie three yeeres, and saw my selfe vn-breech’d,
234
In my greene Veluet Coat; my Dagger muzzel’d,
235
Least it should bite it’s Master, and so proue
236
(As Ornaments oft do’s) too dangerous:
237
How like (me thought) I then was to this Kernell,
238
This Squash, this Gentleman. Mine honest Friend,
239
Will you take Egges for Money?
240
Mam. No (my Lord) Ile fight.
241
Leo. You will: why happy man be’s dole. My Brother
242
Are you so fond of your young Prince, as we
243
Doe seeme to be of ours?
244
Pol. If at home (Sir)
245
He’s all my Exercise, my Mirth, my Matter;
246
Now my sworne Friend, and then mine Enemy;
247
My Parasite, my Souldier: States-man; all:
248
He makes a Iulyes day, short as December,
249
And with his varying child-nesse, cures in me
250
Thoughts, that would thick my blood.
251
Leo. So stands this Squire
252
Offic’d with me: We two will walke (my Lord)
253
And leaue you to your grauer steps. Hermione,
254
How thou lou’st vs, shew in our Brothers welcome;
255
Let what is deare in Sicily, be cheape:
256
Next to thy selfe, and my young Rouer, he’s
257
Apparant to my heart.
258
Her. If you would seeke vs,
259
We are yours i’th’Garden: shall’s attend you there?
260
Leo. To your owne bents dispose you: you’le be found,
261
Be you beneath the Sky: I am angling now,
262
(Though you perceiue me not how I giue Lyne)
263
Goe too, goe too.
264
How she holds vp the Neb? the Byll to him?
265
And armes her with the boldnesse of a Wife
266
To her allowing Husband. Gone already,
267
Ynch-thick, knee-deepe; ore head and eares a fork’d one.
268
Goe play (Boy) play: thy Mother playes, and I
269
Play too; but so disgrac’d a part, whose issue
270
Will hisse me to my Graue: Contempt and Clamor
271
Will be my Knell. Goe play (Boy) play, there haue been
272
(Or I am much deceiu’d) Cuckolds ere now,
273
And many a man there is (euen at this present,
274
Now, while I speake this) holds his Wife by th’Arme,
275
That little thinkes she ha’s been sluyc’d in’s absence,
276
And his Pond fish’d by his next Neighbor (by
277
Sir Smile, his Neighbor:) nay, there’s comfort in’t,
278
Whiles other men haue Gates, and those Gates open’d
279
(As mine) against their will. Should all despaire
280
That haue reuolted Wiues, the tenth of Mankind
281
Would hang themselues. Physick for’t, there’s none:
282
It is a bawdy Planet, that will strike
283
Where ’tis predominant; and ’tis powrefull: thinke it:
284
From East, West, North, and South, be it concluded,
285
No Barricado for a Belly. Know’t,
286
It will let in and out the Enemy,
287
With bag and baggage: many thousand on’s
288
Haue the Disease, and feele’t not. How now Boy?
289
Mam. I am like you say.
290
Leo. Why, that’s some comfort.
291
What? Camillo there?
292
Cam. I, my good Lord.
293
Leo. Goe play (Mamillius) thou’rt an honest man:
294
Camillo, this great Sir will yet stay longer.
295
Cam. You had much adoe to make his Anchor hold,
296
When you cast out, it still came home.
297
Leo. Didst note it?
298
Cam. He would not stay at your Petitions, made
299
His Businesse more materiall.
300
Leo. Didst perceiue it?
301
They’re here with me already; whisp’ring, rounding:
302
Sicilia is a so-forth: ’tis farre gone,
303
When I shall gust it last. How cam’t (Camillo)
304
That he did stay?
305
Cam. At the good Queenes entreatie.
306
Leo. At the Queenes be’t: Good should be pertinent,
307
But so it is, it is not. Was this taken
308
By any vnderstanding Pate but thine?
309
For thy Conceit is soaking, will draw in
310
More then the common Blocks. Not noted, is’t,
311
But of the finer Natures? by some Seueralls
312
Of Head-peece extraordinarie? Lower Messes
313
Perchance are to this Businesse purblind? say.
314
Cam. Businesse, my Lord? I thinke most vnderstand
315
Bohemia stayes here longer.
316
Leo. Ha?
317
Cam. Stayes here longer.
318
Leo. I, but why?
319
Cam. To satisfie your Highnesse, and the Entreaties
320
Of our most gracious Mistresse.
321
Leo. Satisfie?
322
Th’entreaties of your Mistresse? Satisfie?
323
Let that suffice. I haue trusted thee (Camillo)
324
With all the neerest things to my heart, as well
325
My Chamber-Councels, wherein (Priest-like) thou
326
Hast cleans’d my Bosome: I, from thee departed
327
Thy Penitent reform’d: but we haue been
328
Deceiu’d in thy Integritie, deceiu’d
329
In that which seemes so.
330
Cam. Be it forbid (my Lord.)
331
Leo. To bide vpon’t: thou art not honest: or
332
If thou inclin’st that way, thou art a Coward,
333
Which hoxes honestie behind, restrayning
334
From Course requir’d: or else thou must be counted
335
A Seruant, grafted in my serious Trust,
336
And therein negligent: or else a Foole,
337
That seest a Game play’d home, the rich Stake drawne,
338
And tak’st it all for ieast.
339
Cam. My gracious Lord,
340
I may be negligent, foolish, and fearefull,
341
In euery one of these, no man is free,
342
But that his negligence, his folly, feare,
343
Among the infinite doings of the World,
344
Sometime puts forth in your affaires (my Lord.)
345
If euer I were wilfull-negligent,
346
It was my folly: if industriously
347
I play’d the Foole, it was my negligence,
348
Not weighing well the end: if euer fearefull
349
To doe a thing, where I the issue doubted,
350
Whereof the execution did cry out
351
Against the non-performance, ’twas a feare
352
Which oft infects the wisest: these (my Lord)
353
Are such allow’d Infirmities, that honestie
354
Is neuer free of. But beseech your Grace
355
Be plainer with me, let me know my Trespas
356
By it’s owne visage; if I then deny it,
357
’Tis none of mine.
358
Leo. Ha’ not you seene Camillo?
359
(But that’s past doubt: you haue, or your eye-glasse
360
Is thicker then a Cuckolds Horne) or heard?
361
(For to a Vision so apparant, Rumor
362
Cannot be mute) or thought? (for Cogitation
363
Resides not in that man, that do’s not thinke)
364
My Wife is slipperie? If thou wilt confesse,
365
Or else be impudently negatiue,
366
To haue nor Eyes, nor Eares, nor Thought, then say
367
My Wife’s a Holy-Horse, deserues a Name
368
As ranke as any Flax-Wench, that puts to
369
Before her troth-plight: say’t, and iustify’t.
370
Cam. I would not be a stander-by, to heare
371
My Soueraigne Mistresse clouded so, without
372
My present vengeance taken: ’shrew my heart,
373
You neuer spoke what did become you lesse
374
Then this; which to reiterate, were sin
375
As deepe as that, though true.
376
Leo. Is whispering nothing?
377
Is leaning Cheeke to Cheeke? is meating Noses?
378
Kissing with in-side Lip? stopping the Cariere
379