The Winter's Tale

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The Winters Tale.

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.]

[Gaoler.]

Other Lords, [Ladies,] and Gentlemen, [Officers,] and Seruants.

3387

Shepheards, and [Mopsa, Dorcas, and other] Shephearddesses.

3388

Actus Primus. Scœna Prima.

Enter Camillo and Archidamus.

Arch.

If you shall chance (Camillo) to visit Bohemia, on

the like occasion whereon my seruices are now

on-foot, you shall see (as I haue said) great dif-

ference betwixt our Bohemia, and your Sicilia.

Cam. I thinke, this comming Summer, the King of

Sicilia meanes to pay Bohemia the Visitation, which hee

iustly owes him.

Arch. Wherein our Entertainment shall shame vs: we

will be iustified in our Loues: for indeed—

Cam. ’Beseech you—

Arch. Verely I speake it in the freedome of my know-

ledge: we cannot with such magnificence—in so rare—

I know not what to say—Wee will giue you sleepie

Drinkes, that your Sences (vn-intelligent of our insuffi-

cience) may, though they cannot prayse vs, as little ac-

cuse vs.

Cam. You pay a great deale to deare, for what’s giuen

freely.

Arch. ’Beleeue me, I speake as my vnderstanding in-

structs me, and as mine honestie puts it to vtterance.

Cam. Sicilia cannot shew himselfe ouer-kind to Bohe-

mia: They were trayn’d together in their Child-hoods;

and there rooted betwixt them then such an affection,

which cannot chuse but braunch now. Since their more

mature Dignities, and Royall Necessities, made seperati-

on of their Societie, their Encounters (though not Perso-

nall) hath been Royally attornyed with enter-change of

Gifts, Letters, louing Embassies, that they haue seem’d to

be together, though absent: shooke hands, as ouer a Vast;

and embrac’d as it were from the ends of opposed Winds.

The Heauens continue their Loues.

Arch. I thinke there is not in the World, either Malice

or Matter, to alter it. You haue an vnspeakable comfort

of your young Prince Mamillius: it is a Gentleman of the

greatest Promise, that euer came into my Note.

Cam. I very well agree with you, in the hopes of him:

it is a gallant Child; one, that (indeed) Physicks the Sub-

iect, makes old hearts fresh: they that went on Crutches

ere he was borne, desire yet their life, to see him a Man.

Arch. Would they else be content to die?

Cam. Yes; if there were no other excuse, why they should

desire to liue.

Arch. If the King had no Sonne, they would desire to

liue on Crutches till he had one.Exeunt.

Scœna Secunda.

Enter Leontes, Hermione, Mamillius, Polixenes, Camillo.

Pol. Nine Changes of the Watry-Starre hath been

The Shepheards Note, since we haue left our Throne

Without a Burthen: Time as long againe

Would be fill’d vp (my Brother) with our Thanks,

And yet we should, for perpetuitie,

Goe hence in debt: And therefore, like a Cypher

(Yet standing in rich place) I multiply

With one we thanke you, many thousands moe,

That goe before it.

Leo. Stay your Thanks a while,

And pay them when you part.

Pol. Sir, that’s to morrow:

I am question’d by my feares, of what may chance,

Or breed vpon our absence, that may blow

No sneaping Winds at home, to make vs say,

This is put forth too truly: besides, I haue stay’d

To tyre your Royaltie.

Leo. We are tougher (Brother)

Then you can put vs to’t.

Pol. No longer stay.

Leo. One Seue’night longer.

Pol. Very sooth, to morrow.

Leo. Wee’le part the time betweene’s then: and in that

Ile no gaine-saying.

Pol. Presse me not (’beseech you) so:

There is no Tongue that moues; none, none i’th’World

So soone as yours, could win me: so it should now,

Were there necessitie in your request, although

’Twere needfull I deny’d it. My Affaires

Doe euen drag me home-ward: which to hinder,

Were (in your Loue) a Whip to me; my stay,

To you a Charge, and Trouble: to saue both,

Farewell (our Brother.)

Leo. Tongue-ty’d our Queene? speake you.

Her. I had thought (Sir) to haue held my peace, vntill

You had drawne Oathes from him, not to stay: you (Sir)

Charge him too coldly. Tell him, you are sure

All in Bohemia’s well: this satisfaction,

The by-gone-day proclaym’d, say this to him,

He’s beat from his best ward.

Leo. Well said, Hermione.

Her. To tell, he longs to see his Sonne, were strong:

But let him say so then, and let him goe;

But let him sweare so, and he shall not stay,

Wee’l thwack him hence with Distaffes.

Yet of your Royall presence, Ile aduenture

The borrow of a Weeke. When at Bohemia

You take my Lord, Ile giue him my Commission,

To let him there a Moneth, behind the Gest

Prefix’d for’s parting: yet (good-deed) Leontes,

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

Of Laughter, with a sigh? (a Note infallible

380

Of breaking Honestie) horsing foot on foot?

381

Skulking in corners? wishing Clocks more swift?

382

Houres, Minutes? Noone, Mid-night? and all Eyes

383

Blind with the Pin and Web, but theirs; theirs onely,

384

That would vnseene be wicked? Is this nothing?

385

Why then the World, and all that’s in’t, is nothing,

386

The couering Skie is nothing, Bohemia nothing,

387

My Wife is nothing, nor Nothing haue these Nothings,

388

If this be nothing.

389

Cam. Good my Lord, be cur’d

390

Of this diseas’d Opinion, and betimes,

391

For ’tis most dangerous.

392

Leo. Say it be, ’tis true.

393

Cam. No, no, my Lord.

394

Leo. It is: you lye, you lye:

395

I say thou lyest Camillo, and I hate thee,

396

Pronounce thee a grosse Lowt, a mindlesse Slaue,

397

Or else a houering Temporizer, that

398

Canst with thine eyes at once see good and euill,

399

Inclining to them both: were my Wiues Liuer

400

Infected (as her life) she would not liue

401

The running of one Glasse.

402

Cam. Who do’s infect her?

403

Leo. Why he that weares her like her Medull, hanging

404

About his neck (Bohemia) who, if I

405

Had Seruants true about me, that bare eyes

406

To see alike mine Honor, as their Profits,

407

(Their owne particular Thrifts) they would doe that

408

Which should vndoe more doing: I, and thou

409

His Cup-bearer, whom I from meaner forme

410

Haue Bench’d, and rear’d to Worship, who may’st see

411

Plainely, as Heauen sees Earth, and Earth sees Heauen,

412

How I am gall’d, might’st be-spice a Cup,

413

To giue mine Enemy a lasting Winke:

414

Which Draught to me, were cordiall.

415

Cam. Sir (my Lord)

416

I could doe this, and that with no rash Potion,

417

But with a lingring Dram, that should not worke

418

Maliciously, like Poyson: But I cannot

419

Beleeue this Crack to be in my dread Mistresse

420

(So soueraignely being Honorable.)

421

I haue lou’d thee,

422

Leo. Make that thy question, and goe rot:

423

Do’st thinke I am so muddy, so vnsetled,

424

To appoint my selfe in this vexation?

425

Sully the puritie and whitenesse of my Sheetes

426

(Which to preserue, is Sleepe; which being spotted,

427

Is Goades, Thornes, Nettles, Tayles of Waspes)

428

Giue scandall to the blood o’th’ Prince, my Sonne,

429

(Who I doe thinke is mine, and loue as mine)

430

Without ripe mouing to’t? Would I doe this?

431

Could man so blench?

432

Cam. I must beleeue you (Sir)

433

I doe, and will fetch off Bohemia for’t:

434

Prouided, that when hee’s remou’d, your Highnesse

435

Will take againe your Queene, as yours at first,

436

Euen for your Sonnes sake, and thereby for sealing

437

The Iniurie of Tongues, in Courts and Kingdomes

438

Knowne, and ally’d to yours.

439

Leo. Thou do’st aduise me,

440

Euen so as I mine owne course haue set downe:

441

Ile giue no blemish to her Honor, none.

442

Cam. My Lord,

443

Goe then; and with a countenance as cleare

444

As Friendship weares at Feasts, keepe with Bohemia,

445

And with your Queene: I am his Cup-bearer,

446

If from me he haue wholesome Beueridge,

447

Account me not your Seruant.

448

Leo. This is all:

449

Do’t, and thou hast the one halfe of my heart;

450

Do’t not, thou splitt’st thine owne.

451

Cam. Ile do’t, my Lord.

452

Leo. I wil seeme friendly, as thou hast aduis’d me.Exit

453

Cam. O miserable Lady. But for me,

454

What case stand I in? I must be the poysoner

455

Of good Polixenes, and my ground to do’t,

456

Is the obedience to a Master; one,

457

Who in Rebellion with himselfe, will haue

458

All that are his, so too. To doe this deed,

459

Promotion followes: If I could find example

460

Of thousand’s that had struck anoynted Kings,

461

And flourish’d after, Il’d not do’t: But since

462

Nor Brasse, nor Stone, nor Parchment beares not one,

463

Let Villanie it selfe forswear’t. I must

464

Forsake the Court: to do’t, or no, is certaine

465

To me a breake-neck. Happy Starre raigne now,

466

Here comes Bohemia.Enter Polixenes.

467

Pol. This is strange: Me thinkes

468

My fauor here begins to warpe. Not speake?

469

Good day Camillo.

470

Cam. Hayle most Royall Sir.

471

Pol. What is the Newes i’th’ Court?

472

Cam. None rare (my Lord.)

473

Pol. The King hath on him such a countenance,

474

As he had lost some Prouince, and a Region

475

Lou’d, as he loues himselfe: euen now I met him

476

With customarie complement, when hee

477

Wafting his eyes to th’ contrary, and falling

478

A Lippe of much contempt, speedes from me, and

479

So leaues me, to consider what is breeding,

480

That changes thus his Manners.

481

Cam. I dare not know (my Lord.)

482

Pol. How, dare not? doe not? doe you know, and dare not?

483

Be intelligent to me, ’tis thereabouts:

484

For to your selfe, what you doe know, you must,

485

And cannot say, you dare not. Good Camillo,

486

Your chang’d complexions are to me a Mirror,

487

Which shewes me mine chang’d too: for I must be

488

A partie in this alteration, finding

489

My selfe thus alter’d with’t.

490

Cam. There is a sicknesse

491

Which puts some of vs in distemper, but

492

I cannot name the Disease, and it is caught

493

Of you, that yet are well.

494

Pol. How caught of me?

495

Make me not sighted like the Basilisque.

496

I haue look’d on thousands, who haue sped the better

497

By my regard, but kill’d none so: Camillo,

498

As you are certainely a Gentleman, thereto

499

Clerke-like experienc’d, which no lesse adornes

500

Our Gentry, then our Parents Noble Names,

501

In whose successe we are gentle: I beseech you,

502

If you know ought which do’s behoue my knowledge,

503

Thereof to be inform’d, imprison’t not

504

In ignorant concealement.

505

Cam. I may not answere.

506

Pol. A Sicknesse caught of me, and yet I well?

507

I must be answer’d. Do’st thou heare Camillo,

508

I coniure thee, by all the parts of man,

509

Which Honor do’s acknowledge, whereof the least

510

Is not this Suit of mine, that thou declare

511

What incidencie thou do’st ghesse of harme

512

Is creeping toward me; how farre off, how neere,

513

Which way to be preuented, if to be:

514

If not, how best to beare it.

515

Cam. Sir, I will tell you,

516

Since I am charg’d in Honor, and by him

517

That I thinke Honorable: therefore marke my counsaile,

518

Which must be eu’n as swiftly followed, as

519

I meane to vtter it; or both your selfe, and me,

520

Cry lost, and so good night.

521

Pol. On, good Camillo.

522

Cam. I am appointed him to murther you.

523

Pol. By whom, Camillo?

524

Cam. By the King.

525

Pol. For what?

526

Cam. He thinkes, nay with all confidence he sweares,

527

As he had seen’t, or beene an Instrument

528

To vice you to’t, that you haue toucht his Queene

529

Forbiddenly.

530

Pol. Oh then, my best blood turne

531

To an infected Gelly, and my Name

532

Be yoak’d with his, that did betray the Best:

533

Turne then my freshest Reputation to

534

A sauour, that may strike the dullest Nosthrill

535

Where I arriue, and my approch be shun’d,

536

Nay hated too, worse then the great’st Infection

537

That ere was heard, or read.

538

Cam. Sweare his thought ouer

539

By each particular Starre in Heauen, and

540

By all their Influences; you may as well

541

Forbid the Sea for to obey the Moone,

542

As (or by Oath) remoue, or (Counsaile) shake

543

The Fabrick of his Folly, whose foundation

544

Is pyl’d vpon his Faith, and will continue

545

The standing of his Body.

546

Pol. How should this grow?

547

Cam. I know not: but I am sure ’tis safer to

548

Auoid what’s growne, then question how ’tis borne.

549

If therefore you dare trust my honestie,

550

That lyes enclosed in this Trunke, which you

551

Shall beare along impawnd, away to Night,

552

Your Followers I will whisper to the Businesse,

553

And will by twoes, and threes, at seuerall Posternes,

554

Cleare them o’th’ Citie: For my selfe, Ile put

555

My fortunes to your seruice (which are here

556

By this discouerie lost.) Be not vncertaine,

557

For by the honor of my Parents, I

558

Haue vttred Truth: which if you seeke to proue,

559

I dare not stand by; nor shall you be safer,

560

Then one condemnd by the Kings owne mouth:

561

Thereon his Execution sworne.

562

Pol. I doe beleeue thee:

563

I saw his heart in’s face. Giue me thy hand,

564

Be Pilot to me, and thy places shall

565

Still neighbour mine. My Ships are ready, and

566

My people did expect my hence departure

567

Two dayes agoe. This Iealousie

568

Is for a precious Creature: as shee’s rare,

569

Must it be great; and, as his Person’s mightie,

570

Must it be violent: and, as he do’s conceiue,

571

He is dishonor’d by a man, which euer

572

Profess’d to him: why his Reuenges must

573

In that be made more bitter. Feare ore-shades me:

574

Good Expedition be my friend, and comfort

575

The gracious Queene, part of his Theame; but nothing

576

Of his ill-ta’ne suspition. Come Camillo,

577

I will respect thee as a Father, if

578

Thou bear’st my life off, hence: Let vs auoid.

579

Cam. It is in mine authoritie to command

580

The Keyes of all the Posternes: Please your Highnesse

581

To take the vrgent houre. Come Sir, away.Exeunt.

582

Actus Secundus. Scena Prima.

583

Enter Hermione, Mamillius, Ladies: Leontes,

584

Antigonus, Lords.

585

Her. Take the Boy to you: he so troubles me,

586

’Tis past enduring.

587

Lady. Come (my gracious Lord)

588

Shall I be your play-fellow?

589

Mam. No, Ile none of you.

590

Lady. Why (my sweet Lord?)

591

Mam. You’le kisse me hard, and speake to me, as if

592

I were a Baby still. I loue you better.

593

2. Lady. And why so (my Lord?)

594

Mam. Not for because

595

Your Browes are blacker (yet black-browes they say

596

Become some Women best, so that there be not

597

Too much haire there, but in a Cemicircle,

598

Or a halfe-Moone, made with a Pen.)

599

2. Lady. Who taught’this?

600

Mam. I learn’d it out of Womens faces: pray now,

601

What colour are your eye-browes?

602

Lady. Blew (my Lord.)

603

Mam. Nay, that’s a mock: I haue seene a Ladies Nose

604

That ha’s beene blew, but not her eye-browes.

605

Lady. Harke ye,

606

The Queene (your Mother) rounds apace: we shall

607

Present our seruices to a fine new Prince

608

One of these dayes, and then youl’d wanton with vs,

609

If we would haue you.

610

2. Lady. She is spread of late

611

Into a goodly Bulke (good time encounter her.)

612

Her. What wisdome stirs amongst you? Come Sir, now

613

I am for you againe: ’Pray you sit by vs,

614

And tell’s a Tale.

615

Mam. Merry, or sad, shal’t be?

616

Her. As merry as you will.

617

Mam. A sad Tale’s best for Winter:

618

I haue one of Sprights, and Goblins.

619

Her. Let’s haue that (good Sir.)

620

Come-on, sit downe, come-on, and doe your best,

621

To fright me with your Sprights: you’re powrefull at it.

622

Mam. There was a man.

623

Her. Nay, come sit downe: then on.

624

Mam. Dwelt by a Church-yard: I will tell it softly,

625

Yond Crickets shall not heare it.

626

Her. Come on then, and giu’t me in mine eare.

627

Leon. Was hee met there? his Traine? Camillo with

628

him?

629

Lord. Behind the tuft of Pines I met them, neuer

630

Saw I men scowre so on their way: I eyed them

631

Euen to their Ships.

632

Leo. How blest am I

633

In my iust Censure? in my true Opinion?

634

Alack, for lesser knowledge, how accurs’d,

635

In being so blest? There may be in the Cup

636

A Spider steep’d, and one may drinke; depart,

637

And yet partake no venome: (for his knowledge

638

Is not infected) but if one present

639

Th’abhor’d Ingredient to his eye, make knowne

640

How he hath drunke, he cracks his gorge, his sides

641

With violent Hefts: I haue drunke, and seene the Spider.

642

Camillo was his helpe in this, his Pandar:

643

There is a Plot against my Life, my Crowne;

644

All’s true that is mistrusted: that false Villaine,

645

Whom I employ’d, was pre-employ’d by him:

646

He ha’s discouer’d my Designe, and I

647

Remaine a pinch’d Thing; yea, a very Trick

648

For them to play at will: how came the Posternes

649

So easily open?

650

Lord. By his great authority,

651

Which often hath no lesse preuail’d, then so,

652

On your command.

653

Leo. I know’t too well.

654

Giue me the Boy, I am glad you did not nurse him:

655

Though he do’s beare some signes of me, yet you

656

Haue too much blood in him.

657

Her. What is this? Sport?

658

Leo. Beare the Boy hence, he shall not come about her,

659

Away with him, and let her sport her selfe

660

With that shee’s big-with, for ’tis Polixenes

661

Ha’s made thee swell thus.

662

Her. But Il’d say he had not;

663

And Ile be sworne you would beleeue my saying,

664

How e’re you leane to th’Nay-ward.

665

Leo. You (my Lords)

666

Looke on her, marke her well: be but about

667

To say she is a goodly Lady, and

668

The iustice of your hearts will thereto adde

669

’Tis pitty shee’s not honest: Honorable;

670

Prayse her but for this her without-dore-Forme,

671

(Which on my faith deserues high speech) and straight

672

The Shrug, the Hum, or Ha, (these Petty-brands

673

That Calumnie doth vse; Oh, I am out,

674

That Mercy do’s, for Calumnie will seare

675

Vertue it selfe) these Shrugs, these Hum’s, and Ha’s,

676

When you haue said shee’s goodly, come betweene,

677

Ere you can say shee’s honest: But be’t knowne

678

(From him that ha’s most cause to grieue it should be)

679

Shee’s an Adultresse.

680

Her. Should a Villaine say so,

681

(The most replenish’d Villaine in the World)

682

He were as much more Villaine: you (my Lord)

683

Doe but mistake.

684

Leo. You haue mistooke (my Lady)

685

Polixenes for Leontes: O thou Thing,

686

(Which Ile not call a Creature of thy place,

687

Least Barbarisme (making me the precedent)

688

Should a like Language vse to all degrees,

689

And mannerly distinguishment leaue out,

690

Betwixt the Prince and Begger:) I haue said

691

Shee’s an Adultresse, I haue said with whom:

692

More; shee’s a Traytor, and Camillo is

693

A Federarie with her, and one that knowes

694

What she should shame to know her selfe,

695

But with her most vild Principall: that shee’s

696

A Bed-swaruer, euen as bad as those

697

That Vulgars giue bold’st Titles; I, and priuy

698

To this their late escape.

699

Her. No (by my life)

700

Priuy to none of this: how will this grieue you,

701

When you shall come to clearer knowledge, that

702

You thus haue publish’d me? Gentle my Lord,

703

You scarce can right me throughly, then, to say

704

You did mistake.

705

Leo. No: if I mistake

706

In those Foundations which I build vpon,

707

The Centre is not bigge enough to beare

708

A Schoole-Boyes Top. Away with her, to Prison:

709

He who shall speake for her, is a farre-off guiltie,

710

But that he speakes.

711

Her. There’s some ill Planet raignes:

712

I must be patient, till the Heauens looke

713

With an aspect more fauorable. Good my Lords,

714

I am not prone to weeping (as our Sex

715

Commonly are) the want of which vaine dew

716

Perchance shall dry your pitties: but I haue

717

That honorable Griefe lodg’d here, which burnes

718

Worse then Teares drowne: ’beseech you all (my Lords)

719

With thoughts so qualified, as your Charities

720

Shall best instruct you, measure me; and so

721

The Kings will be perform’d.

722

Leo. Shall I be heard?

723

Her. Who is’t that goes with me? ’beseech your Highnes

724

My Women may be with me, for you see

725

My plight requires it. Doe not weepe (good Fooles)

726

There is no cause: When you shall know your Mistris

727

Ha’s deseru’d Prison, then abound in Teares,

728

As I come out; this Action I now goe on,

729

Is for my better grace. Adieu (my Lord)

730

I neuer wish’d to see you sorry, now

731

I trust I shall: my Women come, you haue leaue.

732

Leo. Goe, doe our bidding: hence.

733

Lord. Beseech your Highnesse call the Queene againe.

734

Antig. Be certaine what you do (Sir) least your Iustice

735

Proue violence, in the which three great ones suffer,

736

Your Selfe, your Queene, your Sonne.

737

Lord. For her (my Lord)

738

I dare my life lay downe, and will do’t (Sir)

739

Please you t’accept it, that the Queene is spotlesse

740

I’th’ eyes of Heauen, and to you (I meane

741

In this, which you accuse her.)

742

Antig. If it proue

743

Shee’s otherwise, Ile keepe my Stables where

744

I lodge my Wife, Ile goe in couples with her:

745

Then when I feele, and see her, no farther trust her:

746

For euery ynch of Woman in the World,

747

I, euery dram of Womans flesh is false,

748

If she be.

749

Leo. Hold your peaces.

750

Lord. Good my Lord.

751

Antig. It is for you we speake, not for our selues:

752

You are abus’d, and by some putter on,

753

That will be damn’d for’t: would I knew the Villaine,

754

I would Land-damne him: be she honor-flaw’d,

755

I haue three daughters: the eldest is eleuen;

756

The second, and the third, nine: and some fiue:

757

If this proue true, they’l pay for’t. By mine Honor

758

Ile gell’d em all: fourteene they shall not see

759

To bring false generations: they are co-heyres,

760

And I had rather glib my selfe, then they

761

Should not produce faire issue.

762

Leo. Cease, no more:

763

You smell this businesse with a sence as cold

764

As is a dead-mans nose: but I do see’t, and feel’t,

765

As you feele doing thus: and see withall

766

The Instruments that feele.

767

Antig. If it be so,

768

We neede no graue to burie honesty,

769

There’s not a graine of it, the face to sweeten

770

Of the whole dungy-earth.

771

Leo. What? lacke I credit?

772

Lord. I had rather you did lacke then I (my Lord)

773

Vpon this ground: and more it would content me

774

To haue her Honor true, then your suspition

775

Be blam’d for’t how you might.

776

Leo. Why what neede we

777

Commune with you of this? but rather follow

778

Our forcefull instigation? Our prerogatiue

779

Cals not your Counsailes, but our naturall goodnesse

780

Imparts this: which, if you, or stupified,

781

Or seeming so, in skill, cannot, or will not

782

Rellish a truth, like vs: informe your selues,

783

We neede no more of your aduice: the matter,

784

The losse, the gaine, the ord’ring on’t,

785

Is all properly ours.

786

Antig. And I wish (my Liege)

787

You had onely in your silent iudgement tride it,

788

Without more ouerture.

789

Leo. How could that be?

790

Either thou art most ignorant by age,

791

Or thou wer’t borne a foole: Camillo’s flight

792

Added to their Familiarity

793

(Which was as grosse, as euer touch’d coniecture,

794

That lack’d sight onely, nought for approbation

795

But onely seeing, all other circumstances

796

Made vp to’th deed) doth push-on this proceeding.

797

Yet, for a greater confirmation

798

(For in an Acte of this importance, ’twere

799

Most pitteous to be wilde) I haue dispatch’d in post,

800

To sacred Delphos, to Appollo’s Temple,

801

Cleomines and Dion, whom you know

802

Of stuff’d-sufficiency: Now, from the Oracle

803

They will bring all, whose spirituall counsaile had

804

Shall stop, or spurre me. Haue I done well?

805

Lord. Well done (my Lord.)

806

Leo. Though I am satisfide, and neede no more

807

Then what I know, yet shall the Oracle

808

Giue rest to th’mindes of others; such as he

809

Whose ignorant credulitie, will not

810

Come vp to th’truth. So haue we thought it good

811

From our free person, she should be confinde,

812

Least that the treachery of the two, fled hence,

813

Be left her to performe. Come follow vs,

814

We are to speake in publique: for this businesse

815

Will raise vs all.

816

Antig. To laughter, as I take it,

817

If the good truth, were knowne.Exeunt

818

Scena Secunda.

819

Enter Paulina, a Gentleman, Gaoler, Emilia.

820

Paul. The Keeper of the prison, call to him:

821

Let him haue knowledge who I am. Good Lady,

822

No Court in Europe is too good for thee,

823

What dost thou then in prison? Now good Sir,

824

You know me, do you not?

825

Gao. For a worthy Lady,

826

And one, who much I honour.

827

Pau. Pray you then,

828

Conduct me to the Queene.

829

Gao. I may not (Madam)

830

To the contrary I haue expresse commandment.

831

Pau. Here’s a-do, to locke vp honesty & honour from

832

Th’accesse of gentle visitors. Is’t lawfull pray you

833

To see her Women? Any of them? Emilia?

834

Gao. So please you (Madam)

835

To put a-part these your attendants, I

836

Shall bring Emilia forth.

837

Pau. I pray now call her:

838

With-draw your selues.

839

Gao. And Madam,

840

I must be present at your Conference.

841

Pau. Well: be’t so: prethee.

842

Heere’s such a-doe, to make no staine, a staine,

843

As passes colouring. Deare Gentlewoman,

844

How fares our gracious Lady?

845

Emil. As well as one so great, and so forlorne

846

May hold together: On her frights, and greefes

847

(Which neuer tender Lady hath borne greater)

848

She is, something before her time, deliuer’d.

849

Pau. A boy?

850

Emil. A daughter, and a goodly babe,

851

Lusty, and like to liue: the Queene receiues

852

Much comfort in’t: Sayes, my poore prisoner,

853

I am innocent as you.

854

Pau. I dare be sworne:

855

These dangerous, vnsafe Lunes i’th’King, beshrew them:

856

He must be told on’t, and he shall: the office

857

Becomes a woman best. Ile take’t vpon me,

858

If I proue hony-mouth’d, let my tongue blister.

859

And neuer to my red-look’d Anger bee

860

The Trumpet any more: pray you (Emilia)

861

Commend my best obedience to the Queene,

862

If she dares trust me with her little babe,

863

I’le shew’t the King, and vndertake to bee

864

Her Aduocate to th’lowd’st. We do not know

865

How he may soften at the sight o’th’Childe:

866

The silence often of pure innocence

867

Perswades, when speaking failes.

868

Emil. Most worthy Madam,

869

Your honor, and your goodnesse is so euident,

870

That your free vndertaking cannot misse

871

A thriuing yssue: there is no Lady liuing

872

So meete for this great errand; please your Ladiship

873

To visit the next roome, Ile presently

874

Acquaint the Queene of your most noble offer,

875

Who, but to day hammered of this designe,

876

But durst not tempt a minister of honour

877

Least she should be deny’d.

878

Paul. Tell her (Emilia)

879

Ile vse that tongue I haue: If wit flow from’t

880

As boldnesse from my bosome, le’t not be doubted

881

I shall do good.

882

Emil. Now be you blest for it.

883

Ile to the Queene: please you come something neerer.

884

Gao. Madam, if’t please the Queene to send the babe,

885

I know not what I shall incurre, to passe it,

886

Hauing no warrant.

887

Pau. You neede not feare it (sir)

888

This Childe was prisoner to the wombe, and is

889

By Law and processe of great Nature, thence

890

Free’d, and enfranchis’d, not a partie to

891

The anger of the King, nor guilty of

892

(If any be) the trespasse of the Queene.

893

Gao. I do beleeue it.

894

Paul. Do not you feare: vpon mine honor, I

895

Will stand betwixt you, and danger.Exeunt

896

Scæna Tertia.

897

Enter Leontes, Seruants, Paulina, Antigonus,

898

and Lords.

899

Leo. Nor night, nor day, no rest: It is but weaknesse

900

To beare the matter thus: meere weaknesse, if

901

The cause were not in being: part o’th’cause,

902

She, th’Adultresse: for the harlot-King

903

Is quite beyond mine Arme, out of the blanke

904

And leuell of my braine: plot-proofe: but shee,

905

I can hooke to me: say that she were gone,

906

Giuen to the fire, a moity of my rest

907

Might come to me againe. Whose there?

908

Ser. My Lord.

909

Leo. How do’s the boy?

910

Ser. He tooke good rest to night: ’tis hop’d

911

His sicknesse is discharg’d.

912

Leo. To see his Noblenesse,

913

Conceyuing the dishonour of his Mother.

914

He straight declin’d, droop’d, tooke it deeply,

915

Fasten’d, and fix’d the shame on’t in himselfe:

916

Threw-off his Spirit, his Appetite, his Sleepe,

917

And down-right languish’d. Leaue me solely: goe,

918

See how he fares: Fie, fie, no thought of him,

919

The very thought of my Reuenges that way

920

Recoyle vpon me: in himselfe too mightie,

921

And in his parties, his Alliance; Let him be,

922

Vntill a time may serue. For present vengeance

923

Take it on her: Camillo, and Polixenes

924

Laugh at me: make their pastime at my sorrow:

925

They should not laugh, if I could reach them, nor

926

Shall she, within my powre.

927

Enter Paulina.

928

Lord. You must not enter.

929

Paul. Nay rather (good my Lords) be second to me:

930

Feare you his tyrannous passion more (alas)

931

Then the Queenes life? A gracious innocent soule,

932

More free, then he is iealous.

933

Antig. That’s enough.

934

Ser. Madam; he hath not slept to night, commanded

935

None should come at him.

936

Pau. Not so hot (good Sir)

937

I come to bring him sleepe. ’Tis such as you

938

That creepe like shadowes by him, and do sighe

939

At each his needlesse heauings: such as you

940

Nourish the cause of his awaking. I

941

Do come with words, as medicinall, as true;

942

(Honest, as either;) to purge him of that humor,

943

That presses him from sleepe.

944

Leo. Who noyse there, hoe?

945

Pau. No noyse (my Lord) but needfull conference,

946

About some Gossips for your Highnesse.

947

Leo. How?

948

Away with that audacious Lady. Antigonus,

949

I charg’d thee that she should not come about me,

950

I knew she would.

951

Ant. I told her so (my Lord)

952

On your displeasures perill, and on mine,

953

She should not visit you.

954

Leo. What? canst not rule her?

955

Paul. From all dishonestie he can: in this

956

(Vnlesse he take the course that you haue done)

957

Commit me, for committing honor, trust it,

958

He shall not rule me.

959

Ant. La-you now, you heare,

960

When she will take the raine, I let her run,

961

But shee’l not stumble.

962

Paul. Good my Liege, I come:

963

And I beseech you heare me, who professes

964

My selfe your loyall Seruant, your Physitian,

965

Your most obedient Counsailor: yet that dares

966

Lesse appeare so, in comforting your Euilles,

967

Then such as most seeme yours. I say, I come

968

From your good Queene.

969

Leo. Good Queene?

970

Paul. Good Queene (my Lord) good Queene,

971

I say good Queene,

972

And would by combate, make her good so, were I

973

A man, the worst about you.

974

Leo. Force her hence.

975

Pau. Let him that makes but trifles of his eyes

976

First hand me: on mine owne accord, Ile off,

977

But first, Ile do my errand. The good Queene

978

(For she is good) hath brought you forth a daughter,

979

Heere ’tis. Commends it to your blessing.

980

Leo. Out:

981

A mankinde Witch? Hence with her, out o’dore:

982

A most intelligencing bawd.

983

Paul. Not so:

984

I am as ignorant in that, as you,

985

In so entit’ling me: and no lesse honest

986

Then you are mad: which is enough, Ile warrant

987

(As this world goes) to passe for honest.

988

Leo. Traitors;

989

Will you not push her out? Giue her the Bastard,

990

Thou dotard, thou art woman-tyr’d: vnroosted

991

By thy dame Partlet heere. Take vp the Bastard,

992

Take’t vp, I say: giue’t to thy Croane.

993

Paul. For euer

994

Vnvenerable be thy hands, if thou

995

Tak’st vp the Princesse, by that forced basenesse

996

Which he ha’s put vpon’t.

997

Leo. He dreads his Wife.

998

Paul. So I would you did: then ’twere past all doubt

999

Youl’d call your children, yours.

1000

Leo. A nest of Traitors.

1001

Ant. I am none, by this good light.

1002

Pau. Nor I: nor any

1003

But one that’s heere: and that’s himselfe: for he,

1004

The sacred Honor of himselfe, his Queenes,

1005

His hopefull Sonnes, his Babes, betrayes to Slander,

1006

Whose sting is sharper then the Swords; and will not

1007

(For as the case now stands, it is a Curse

1008

He cannot be compell’d too’t) once remoue

1009

The Root of his Opinion, which is rotten,

1010

As euer Oake, or Stone was sound.

1011

Leo. A Callat

1012

Of boundlesse tongue, who late hath beat her Husband,

1013

And now bayts me: This Brat is none of mine,

1014

It is the Issue of Polixenes.

1015

Hence with it, and together with the Dam,

1016

Commit them to the fire.

1017

Paul. It is yours:

1018

And might we lay th’old Prouerb to your charge,

1019

So like you,’tis the worse. Behold (my Lords)

1020

Although the Print be little, the whole Matter

1021

And Coppy of the Father: (Eye, Nose, Lippe,

1022

The trick of’s Frowne, his Fore-head, nay, the Valley,

1023

The pretty dimples of his Chin, and Cheeke; his Smiles:

1024

The very Mold, and frame of Hand, Nayle, Finger.)

1025

And thou good Goddesse Nature, which hast made it

1026

So like to him that got it, if thou hast

1027

The ordering of the Mind too,’mongst all Colours

1028

No Yellow in’t, least she suspect, as he do’s,

1029

Her Children, not her Husbands.

1030

Leo. A grosse Hagge:

1031

And Lozell, thou art worthy to be hang’d,

1032

That wilt not stay her Tongue.

1033

Antig. Hang all the Husbands

1034

That cannot doe that Feat, you’le leaue your selfe

1035

Hardly one Subiect.

1036

Leo. Once more take her hence.

1037

Paul. A most vnworthy, and vnnaturall Lord

1038

Can doe no more.

1039

Leo. Ile ha’ thee burnt.

1040

Paul. I care not:

1041

It is an Heretique that makes the fire,

1042

Not she which burnes in’t. Ile not call you Tyrant:

1043

But this most cruell vsage of your Queene

1044

(Not able to produce more accusation

1045

Then your owne weake-hindg’d Fancy) somthing sauors

1046

Of Tyrannie, and will ignoble make you,

1047

Yea, scandalous to the World.

1048

Leo. On your Allegeance,

1049

Out of the Chamber with her. Were I a Tyrant,

1050

Where were her life? she durst not call me so,

1051

If she did know me one. Away with her.

1052

Paul. I pray you doe not push me, Ile be gone.

1053

Looke to your Babe (my Lord) ’tis yours: Ioue send her

1054

A better guiding Spirit. What needs these hands?

1055

You that are thus so tender o’re his Follyes,

1056

Will neuer doe him good, not one of you.

1057

So, so: Farewell, we are gone.Exit.

1058

Leo. Thou (Traytor) hast set on thy Wife to this.

1059

My Child? away with’t? euen thou, that hast

1060

A heart so tender o’re it, take it hence,

1061

And see it instantly consum’d with fire.

1062

Euen thou, and none but thou. Take it vp straight:

1063

Within this houre bring me word ’tis done,

1064

(And by good testimonie) or Ile seize thy life,

1065

With what thou else call’st thine: if thou refuse,

1066

And wilt encounter with my Wrath, say so;

1067

The Bastard-braynes with these my proper hands

1068

Shall I dash out. Goe, take it to the fire,

1069

For thou sett’st on thy Wife.

1070

Antig. I did not, Sir:

1071

These Lords, my Noble Fellowes, if they please,

1072

Can cleare me in’t.

1073

Lords. We can: my Royall Liege,

1074

He is not guiltie of her comming hither.

1075

Leo. You’re lyers all.

1076

Lord. Beseech your Highnesse, giue vs better credit:

1077

We haue alwayes truly seru’d you, and beseech’

1078

So to esteeme of vs: and on our knees we begge,

1079

(As recompence of our deare seruices

1080

Past, and to come) that you doe change this purpose,

1081

Which being so horrible, so bloody, must

1082

Lead on to some foule Issue. We all kneele.

1083

Leo. I am a Feather for each Wind that blows:

1084

Shall I liue on, to see this Bastard kneele,

1085

And call me Father? better burne it now,

1086

Then curse it then. But be it: let it liue.

1087

It shall not neyther. You Sir, come you hither:

1088

You that haue beene so tenderly officious

1089

With Lady Margerie, your Mid-wife there,

1090

To saue this Bastards life; for ’tis a Bastard,

1091

So sure as this Beard’s gray. What will you aduenture,

1092

To saue this Brats life?

1093

Antig. Any thing (my Lord)

1094

That my abilitie may vndergoe,

1095

And Noblenesse impose: at least thus much;

1096

Ile pawne the little blood which I haue left,

1097

To saue the Innocent: any thing possible.

1098

Leo. It shall be possible: Sweare by this Sword

1099

Thou wilt performe my bidding.

1100

Antig. I will (my Lord.)

1101

Leo. Marke, and performe it: seest thou? for the faile

1102

Of any point in’t, shall not onely be

1103

Death to thy selfe, but to thy lewd-tongu’d Wife,

1104

(Whom for this time we pardon) We enioyne thee,

1105

As thou art Liege-man to vs, that thou carry

1106

This female Bastard hence, and that thou beare it

1107

To some remote and desart place, quite out

1108

Of our Dominions; and that there thou leaue it

1109

(Without more mercy) to it owne protection,

1110

And fauour of the Climate: as by strange fortune

1111

It came to vs, I doe in Iustice charge thee,

1112

On thy Soules perill, and thy Bodyes torture,

1113

That thou commend it strangely to some place,

1114

Where Chance may nurse, or end it: take it vp.

1115

Antig. I sweare to doe this: though a present death

1116

Had beene more mercifull. Come on (poore Babe)

1117

Some powerfull Spirit instruct the Kytes and Rauens

1118

To be thy Nurses. Wolues and Beares, they say,

1119

(Casting their sauagenesse aside) haue done

1120

Like offices of Pitty. Sir, be prosperous

1121

In more then this deed do’s require; and Blessing

1122

Against this Crueltie, fight on thy side

1123

(Poore Thing, condemn’d to losse.)Exit.

1124

Leo. No: Ile not reare

1125

Anothers Issue.Enter a Seruant.

1126

Seru. Please’ your Highnesse, Posts

1127

From those you sent to th’Oracle, are come

1128

An houre since: Cleomines and Dion,

1129

Being well arriu’d from Delphos, are both landed,

1130

Hasting to th’Court.

1131

Lord. So please you (Sir) their speed

1132

Hath beene beyond accompt.

1133

Leo. Twentie three dayes

1134

They haue beene absent: ’tis good speed: fore-tells

1135

The great Apollo suddenly will haue

1136

The truth of this appeare: Prepare you Lords,

1137

Summon a Session, that we may arraigne

1138

Our most disloyall Lady: for as she hath

1139

Been publikely accus’d, so shall she haue

1140

A iust and open Triall. While she liues,

1141

My heart will be a burthen to me. Leaue me,

1142

And thinke vpon my bidding.Exeunt.

1143

Actus Tertius. Scena Prima.

1144

Enter Cleomines and Dion.

1145

Cleo. The Clymat’s delicate, the Ayre most sweet,

1146

Fertile the Isle, the Temple much surpassing

1147

The common prayse it beares.

1148

Dion. I shall report,

1149

For most it caught me, the Celestiall Habits,

1150

(Me thinkes I so should terme them) and the reuerence

1151

Of the graue Wearers. O, the Sacrifice,

1152

How ceremonious, solemne, and vn-earthly

1153

It was i’th’Offring?

1154

Cleo. But of all, the burst

1155

And the eare-deaff’ning Voyce o’th’Oracle,

1156

Kin to Ioues Thunder, so surpriz’d my Sence,

1157

That I was nothing.

1158

Dio. If th’euent o’th’Iourney

1159

Proue as successefull to the Queene (O be’t so)

1160

As it hath beene to vs, rare, pleasant, speedie,

1161

The time is worth the vse on’t.

1162

Cleo. Great Apollo

1163

Turne all to th’best: these Proclamations,

1164

So forcing faults vpon Hermione,

1165

I little like.

1166

Dio. The violent carriage of it

1167

Will cleare, or end the Businesse, when the Oracle

1168

(Thus by Apollo’s great Diuine seal’d vp)

1169

Shall the Contents discouer: something rare

1170

Euen then will rush to knowledge. Goe: fresh Horses,

1171

And gracious be the issue.Exeunt.

1172

Scœna Secunda.

1173

Enter Leontes, Lords, Officers: Hermione (as to her

1174

Triall) Ladies: Cleomines, Dion.

1175

Leo. This Sessions (to our great griefe we pronounce)

1176

Euen pushes ’gainst our heart. The partie try’d,

1177

The Daughter of a King, our Wife, and one

1178

Of vs too much belou’d. Let vs be clear’d

1179

Of being tyrannous, since we so openly

1180

Proceed in Iustice, which shall haue due course,

1181

Euen to the Guilt, or the Purgation:

1182

Produce the Prisoner.

1183

Officer. It is his Highnesse pleasure, that the Queene

1184

Appeare in person, here in Court.Silence.

1185

Leo. Reade the Indictment.

1186

Officer. Hermione, Queene to the worthy Leontes, King of

1187

Sicilia, thou art here accused and arraigned of High Trea-

1188

son, in committing Adultery with Polixenes King of Bohemia,

1189

and conspiring with Camillo to take away the Life of our Soue-

1190

raigne Lord the King, thy Royall Husband: the pretence whereof

1191

being by circumstances partly layd open, thou (Hermione) con-

1192

trary to the Faith and Allegeance of a true Subiect didst coun-

1193

saile and ayde them, for their better safetie, to flye away by

1194

Night.

1195

Her. Since what I am to say, must be but that

1196

Which contradicts my Accusation, and

1197

The testimonie on my part, no other

1198

But what comes from my selfe, it shall scarce boot me

1199

To say, Not guiltie: mine Integritie

1200

Being counted Falsehood, shall (as I expresse it)

1201

Be so receiu’d. But thus, if Powres Diuine

1202

Behold our humane Actions (as they doe)

1203

I doubt not then, but Innocence shall make

1204

False Accusation blush, and Tyrannie

1205

Tremble at Patience. You (my Lord) best know

1206

(Whom least will seeme to doe so) my past life

1207

Hath beene as continent, as chaste, as true,

1208

As I am now vnhappy; which is more

1209

Then Historie can patterne, though deuis’d,

1210

And play’d, to take Spectators. For behold me,

1211

A Fellow of the Royall Bed, which owe

1212

A Moitie of the Throne: a great Kings Daughter,

1213

The Mother to a hopefull Prince, here standing

1214

To prate and talke for Life, and Honor, fore

1215

Who please to come, and heare. For Life, I prize it

1216

As I weigh Griefe (which I would spare:) For Honor,

1217

’Tis a deriuatiue from me to mine,

1218

And onely that I stand for. I appeale

1219

To your owne Conscience (Sir) before Polixenes

1220

Came to your Court, how I was in your grace,

1221

How merited to be so: Since he came,

1222

With what encounter so vncurrant, I

1223

Haue strayn’d t’appeare thus; if one iot beyond

1224

The bound of Honor, or in act, or will

1225

That way enclining, hardned be the hearts

1226

Of all that heare me, and my neer’st of Kin

1227

Cry fie vpon my Graue.

1228

Leo. I ne’re heard yet,

1229

That any of these bolder Vices wanted

1230

Lesse Impudence to gaine-say what they did,

1231

Then to performe it first.

1232

Her. That’s true enough,

1233

Though ’tis a saying (Sir) not due to me.

1234

Leo. You will not owne it.

1235

Her. More then Mistresse of,

1236

Which comes to me in name of Fault, I must not

1237

At all acknowledge. For Polixenes

1238

(With whom I am accus’d) I doe confesse

1239

I lou’d him, as in Honor he requir’d:

1240

With such a kind of Loue, as might become

1241

A Lady like me; with a Loue, euen such,

1242

So, and no other, as your selfe commanded:

1243

Which, not to haue done, I thinke had been in me

1244

Both Disobedience, and Ingratitude

1245

To you, and toward your Friend, whose Loue had spoke,

1246

Euen since it could speake, from an Infant, freely,

1247

That it was yours. Now for Conspiracie,

1248

I know not how it tastes, though it be dish’d

1249

For me to try how: All I know of it,

1250

Is, that Camillo was an honest man;

1251

And why he left your Court, the Gods themselues

1252

(Wotting no more then I) are ignorant.

1253

Leo. You knew of his departure, as you know

1254

What you haue vnderta’ne to doe in’s absence.

1255

Her. Sir,

1256

You speake a Language that I vnderstand not:

1257

My Life stands in the leuell of your Dreames,

1258

Which Ile lay downe.

1259

Leo. Your Actions are my Dreames.

1260

You had a Bastard by Polixenes,

1261

And I but dream’d it: As you were past all shame,

1262

(Those of your Fact are so) so past all truth;

1263

Which to deny, concernes more then auailes: for as

1264

Thy Brat hath been cast out, like to it selfe,

1265

No Father owning it (which is indeed

1266

More criminall in thee, then it) so thou

1267

Shalt feele our Iustice; in whose easiest passage,

1268

Looke for no lesse then death.

1269

Her. Sir, spare your Threats:

1270

The Bugge which you would fright me with, I seeke:

1271

To me can Life be no commoditie;

1272

The crowne and comfort of my Life (your Fauor)

1273

I doe giue lost, for I doe feele it gone,

1274

But know not how it went. My second Ioy,

1275

And first Fruits of my body, from his presence

1276

I am bar’d, like one infectious. My third comfort

1277

(Star’d most vnluckily) is from my breast

1278

(The innocent milke in it most innocent mouth)

1279

Hal’d out to murther. My selfe on euery Post

1280

Proclaym’d a Strumpet: With immodest hatred

1281

The Child-bed priuiledge deny’d, which longs

1282

To Women of all fashion. Lastly, hurried

1283

Here, to this place, i’th’ open ayre, before

1284

I haue got strength of limit. Now (my Liege)

1285

Tell me what blessings I haue here aliue,

1286

That I should feare to die? Therefore proceed:

1287

But yet heare this: mistake me not: no Life,

1288

(I prize it not a straw) but for mine Honor,

1289

Which I would free: if I shall be condemn’d

1290

Vpon surmizes (all proofes sleeping else,

1291

But what your Iealousies awake) I tell you

1292

’Tis Rigor, and not Law. Your Honors all,

1293

I doe referre me to the Oracle:

1294

Apollo be my Iudge.

1295

Lord. This your request

1296

Is altogether iust: therefore bring forth

1297

(And in Apollo’s Name) his Oracle.

1298

Her. The Emperor of Russia was my Father.

1299

Oh that he were aliue, and here beholding

1300

His Daughters Tryall: that he did but see

1301

The flatnesse of my miserie; yet with eyes

1302

Of Pitty, not Reuenge.

1303

Officer. You here shal sweare vpon this Sword of Iustice,

1304

That you (Cleomines and Dion) haue

1305

Been both at Delphos, and from thence haue brought

1306

This seal’d-vp Oracle, by the Hand deliuer’d

1307

Of great Apollo’s Priest; and that since then,

1308

You haue not dar’d to breake the holy Seale,

1309

Nor read the Secrets in’t.

1310

Cleo. Dio. All this we sweare.

1311

Leo. Breake vp the Seales, and read.

1312

Officer. Hermione is chast, Polixenes blamelesse, Camillo

1313

a true Subiect, Leontes a iealous Tyrant, his innocent Babe

1314

truly begotten, and the King shall liue without an Heire, if that

1315

which is lost, be not found.

1316

Lords. Now blessed be the great Apollo.

1317

Her. Praysed.

1318

Leo. Hast thou read truth?

1319

Offic. I (my Lord) euen so as it is here set downe.

1320

Leo. There is no truth at all i’th’Oracle:

1321

The Sessions shall proceed: this is meere falsehood.

1322

Ser. My Lord the King: the King?

1323

Leo. What is the businesse?

1324

Ser. O Sir, I shall be hated to report it.

1325

The Prince your Sonne, with meere conceit, and feare

1326

Of the Queenes speed, is gone.

1327

Leo. How? gone?

1328

Ser. Is dead.

1329

Leo. Apollo’s angry, and the Heauens themselues

1330

Doe strike at my Iniustice. How now there?

1331

Paul. This newes is mortall to the Queene: Look downe

1332

And see what Death is doing.

1333

Leo. Take her hence:

1334

Her heart is but o’re-charg’d: she will recouer.

1335

I haue too much beleeu’d mine owne suspition:

1336

’Beseech you tenderly apply to her

1337

Some remedies for life. Apollo pardon

1338

My great prophanenesse ’gainst thine Oracle.

1339

Ile reconcile me to Polixenes,

1340

New woe my Queene, recall the good Camillo

1341

(Whom I proclaime a man of Truth, of Mercy:)

1342

For being transported by my Iealousies

1343

To bloody thoughts, and to reuenge, I chose

1344

Camillo for the minister, to poyson

1345

My friend Polixenes: which had been done,

1346

But that the good mind of Camillo tardied

1347

My swift command: though I with Death, and with

1348

Reward, did threaten and encourage him,

1349

Not doing it, and being done: he (most humane,

1350

And fill’d with Honor) to my Kingly Guest

1351

Vnclasp’d my practise, quit his fortunes here

1352

(Which you knew great) and to the hazard

1353

Of all Incertainties, himselfe commended,

1354

No richer then his Honor: How he glisters

1355

Through my Rust? and how his Pietie

1356

Do’s my deeds make the blacker?

1357

Paul. Woe the while:

1358

O cut my Lace, least my heart (cracking it)

1359

Breake too.

1360

Lord. What fit is this? good Lady?

1361

Paul. What studied torments (Tyrant) hast for me?

1362

What Wheeles? Racks? Fires? What flaying? boyling?

1363

In Leads, or Oyles? What old, or newer Torture

1364

Must I receiue? whose euery word deserues

1365

To taste of thy most worst. Thy Tyranny

1366

(Together working with thy Iealousies,

1367

Fancies too weake for Boyes, too greene and idle

1368

For Girles of Nine) O thinke what they haue done,

1369

And then run mad indeed: starke-mad: for all

1370

Thy by-gone fooleries were but spices of it.

1371

That thou betrayed’st Polixenes, ’twas nothing,

1372

(That did but shew thee, of a Foole, inconstant,

1373

And damnable ingratefull:) Nor was’t much,

1374

Thou would’st haue poyson’d good Camillo’s Honor,

1375

To haue him kill a King: poore Trespasses,

1376

More monstrous standing by: whereof I reckon

1377

The casting forth to Crowes, thy Baby-daughter,

1378

To be or none, or little; though a Deuill

1379

Would haue shed water out of fire, ere don’t:

1380

Nor is’t directly layd to thee, the death

1381

Of the young Prince, whose honorable thoughts

1382

(Thoughts high for one so tender) cleft the heart

1383

That could conceiue a grosse and foolish Sire

1384

Blemish’d his gracious Dam: this is not, no,

1385

Layd to thy answere: but the last: O Lords,

1386

When I haue said, cry woe: the Queene, the Queene,

1387

The sweet’st, deer’st creature’s dead: & vengeance for’t

1388

Not drop’d downe yet.

1389

Lord. The higher powres forbid.

1390

Pau. I say she’s dead: Ile swear’t. If word, nor oath

1391

Preuaile not, go and see: if you can bring

1392

Tincture, or lustre in her lip, her eye

1393

Heate outwardly, or breath within, Ile serue you

1394

As I would do the Gods. But, O thou Tyrant,

1395

Do not repent these things, for they are heauier

1396

Then all thy woes can stirre: therefore betake thee

1397

To nothing but dispaire. A thousand knees,

1398

Ten thousand yeares together, naked, fasting,

1399

Vpon a barren Mountaine, and still Winter

1400

In storme perpetuall, could not moue the Gods

1401

To looke that way thou wer’t.

1402

Leo. Go on, go on:

1403

Thou canst not speake too much, I haue deseru’d

1404

All tongues to talke their bittrest.

1405

Lord. Say no more;

1406

How ere the businesse goes, you haue made fault

1407

I’th boldnesse of your speech.

1408

Pau. I am sorry for’t;

1409

All faults I make, when I shall come to know them,

1410

I do repent: Alas, I haue shew’d too much

1411

The rashnesse of a woman: he is toucht

1412

To th’Noble heart. What’s gone, and what’s past helpe

1413

Should be past greefe: Do not receiue affliction

1414

At my petition; I beseech you, rather

1415

Let me be punish’d, that haue minded you

1416

Of what you should forget. Now (good my Liege)

1417

Sir, Royall Sir, forgiue a foolish woman:

1418

The loue I bore your Queene (Lo, foole againe)

1419

Ile speake of her no more, nor of your Children:

1420

Ile not remember you of my owne Lord,

1421

(Who is lost too:) take your patience to you,

1422

And Ile say nothing.

1423

Leo. Thou didst speake but well,

1424

When most the truth: which I receyue much better,

1425

Then to be pittied of thee. Prethee bring me

1426

To the dead bodies of my Queene, and Sonne,

1427

One graue shall be for both: Vpon them shall

1428

The causes of their death appeare (vnto

1429

Our shame perpetuall) once a day, Ile visit

1430

The Chappell where they lye, and teares shed there

1431

Shall be my recreation. So long as Nature

1432

Will beare vp with this exercise, so long

1433

I dayly vow to vse it. Come, and leade me

1434

To these sorrowes.Exeunt

1435

Scæna Tertia.

1436

Enter Antigonus, a Marriner, Babe, Sheepe-

1437

heard, and Clowne.

1438

Ant. Thou art perfect then, our ship hath toucht vpon

1439

The Desarts of Bohemia.

1440

Mar. I (my Lord) and feare

1441

We haue Landed in ill time: the skies looke grimly,

1442

And threaten present blusters. In my conscience

1443

The heauens with that we haue in hand, are angry,

1444

And frowne vpon’s.

1445

Ant. Their sacred wil’s be done: go get a-boord,

1446

Looke to thy barke, Ile not be long before

1447

I call vpon thee.

1448

Mar. Make your best haste, and go not

1449

Too-farre i’th Land:’tis like to be lowd weather,

1450

Besides this place is famous for the Creatures

1451

Of prey, that keepe vpon’t.

1452

Antig. Go thou away,

1453

Ile follow instantly.

1454

Mar. I am glad at heart

1455

To be so ridde o’th businesse.Exit

1456

Ant. Come, poore babe;

1457

I haue heard (but not beleeu’d) the Spirits o’th’dead

1458

May walke againe: if such thing be, thy Mother

1459

Appear’d to me last night: for ne’re was dreame

1460

So like a waking. To me comes a creature,

1461

Sometimes her head on one side, some another,

1462

I neuer saw a vessell of like sorrow

1463

So fill’d, and so becomming: in pure white Robes

1464

Like very sanctity she did approach

1465

My Cabine where I lay: thrice bow’d before me,

1466

And (gasping to begin some speech) her eyes

1467

Became two spouts; the furie spent, anon

1468

Did this breake from her. Good Antigonus,

1469

Since Fate (against thy better disposition)

1470

Hath made thy person for the Thrower-out

1471

Of my poore babe, according to thine oath,

1472

Places remote enough are in Bohemia,

1473

There weepe, and leaue it crying: and for the babe

1474

Is counted lost for euer, Perdita

1475

I prethee call’t: For this vngentle businesse

1476

Put on thee, by my Lord, thou ne’re shalt see

1477

Thy Wife Paulina more: and so, with shriekes

1478

She melted into Ayre. Affrighted much,

1479

I did in time collect my selfe, and thought

1480

This was so, and no slumber: Dreames, are toyes,

1481

Yet for this once, yea superstitiously,

1482

I will be squar’d by this. I do beleeue

1483

Hermione hath suffer’d death, and that

1484

Apollo would (this being indeede the issue

1485

Of King Polixenes) it should heere be laide

1486

(Either for life, or death) vpon the earth

1487

Of it’s right Father. Blossome, speed thee well,

1488

There lye, and there thy charracter: there these,

1489

Which may if Fortune please, both breed thee (pretty)

1490

And still rest thine. The storme beginnes, poore wretch,

1491

That for thy mothers fault, art thus expos’d

1492

To losse, and what may follow. Weepe I cannot,

1493

But my heart bleedes: and most accurst am I

1494

To be by oath enioyn’d to this. Farewell,

1495

The day frownes more and more: thou’rt like to haue

1496

A lullabie too rough: I neuer saw

1497

The heauens so dim, by day. A sauage clamor?

1498

Well may I get a-boord: This is the Chace,

1499

I am gone for euer.Exit pursued by a Beare.

1500

Shep. I would there were no age betweene ten and

1501

three and twenty, or that youth would sleep out the rest:

1502

for there is nothing (in the betweene) but getting wen-

1503

ches with childe, wronging the Auncientry, stealing,

1504

fighting, hearke you now: would any but these boylde-

1505

braines of nineteene, and two and twenty hunt this wea-

1506

ther? They haue scarr’d away two of my best Sheepe,

1507

which I feare the Wolfe will sooner finde then the Mai-

1508

ster; if any where I haue them, ’tis by the sea-side, brou-

1509

zing of Iuy. Good-lucke (and’t be thy will) what haue

1510

we heere? Mercy on’s, a Barne? A very pretty barne; A

1511

boy, or a Childe I wonder? (A pretty one, a verie prettie

1512

one) sure some Scape; Though I am not bookish, yet I

1513

can reade Waiting-Gentlewoman in the scape: this has

1514

beene some staire-worke, some Trunke-worke, some be-

1515

hinde-doore worke: they were warmer that got this,

1516

then the poore Thing is heere. Ile take it vp for pity, yet

1517

Ile tarry till my sonne come: he hallow’d but euen now.

1518

Whoa-ho-hoa.

1519

Enter Clowne.

1520

Clo. Hilloa, loa.

1521

Shep. What? art so neere? If thou’lt see a thing to

1522

talke on, when thou art dead and rotten, come hither:

1523

what ayl’st thou, man?

1524

Clo. I haue seene two such sights, by Sea & by Land:

1525

but I am not to say it is a Sea, for it is now the skie, be-

1526

twixt the Firmament and it, you cannot thrust a bodkins

1527

point.

1528

Shep. Why boy, how is it?

1529

Clo. I would you did but see how it chafes, how it ra-

1530

ges, how it takes vp the shore, but that’s not to the point:

1531

Oh, the most pitteous cry of the poore soules, sometimes

1532

to see ’em, and not to see ’em: Now the Shippe boaring

1533

the Moone with her maine Mast, and anon swallowed

1534

with yest and froth, as you’ld thrust a Corke into a hogs-

1535

head. And then for the Land-seruice, to see how the

1536

Beare tore out his shoulder-bone, how he cride to mee

1537

for helpe, and said his name was Antigonus, a Nobleman:

1538

But to make an end of the Ship, to see how the Sea flap-

1539

dragon’d it: but first, how the poore soules roared, and

1540

the sea mock’d them: and how the poore Gentleman roa-

1541

red, and the Beare mock’d him, both roaring lowder

1542

then the sea, or weather.

1543

Shep. Name of mercy, when was this boy?

1544

Clo. Now, now: I haue not wink’d since I saw these

1545

sights: the men are not yet cold vnder water, nor the

1546

Beare halfe din’d on the Gentleman: he’s at it now.

1547

Shep. Would I had bin by, to haue help’d the olde

1548

man.

1549

Clo. I would you had beene by the ship side, to haue

1550

help’d her; there your charity would haue lack’d footing.

1551

Shep. Heauy matters, heauy matters: but looke thee

1552

heere boy. Now blesse thy selfe: thou met’st with things

1553

dying, I with things new borne. Here’s a sight for thee:

1554

Looke thee, a bearing-cloath for a Squires childe: looke

1555

thee heere, take vp, take vp (Boy:) open’t: so, let’s see, it

1556

was told me I should be rich by the Fairies. This is some

1557

Changeling: open’t: what’s within, boy?

1558

Clo. You’re a mad olde man: If the sinnes of your

1559

youth are forgiuen you, you’re well to liue. Golde, all

1560

Gold.

1561

Shep. This is Faiery Gold boy, and ’twill proue so: vp

1562

with’t, keepe it close: home, home, the next way. We

1563

are luckie (boy) and to bee so still requires nothing but

1564

secrecie. Let my sheepe go: Come (good boy) the next

1565

way home.

1566

Clo. Go you the next way with your Findings, Ile go

1567

see if the Beare bee gone from the Gentleman, and how

1568

much he hath eaten: they are neuer curst but when they

1569

are hungry: if there be any of him left, Ile bury it.

1570

Shep. That’s a good deed: if thou mayest discerne by

1571

that which is left of him, what he is, fetch me to th’sight

1572

of him.

1573

Clowne. ’Marry will I: and you shall helpe to put him

1574

i’th’ground.

1575

Shep. ’Tis a lucky day, boy, and wee’l do good deeds

1576

on’t.Exeunt

1577

Actus Quartus. Scena Prima.

1578

Enter Time, the Chorus.

1579

Time. I that please some, try all: both ioy and terror

1580

Of good, and bad: that makes, and vnfolds error,

1581

Now take vpon me (in the name of Time)

1582

To vse my wings: Impute it not a crime

1583

To me, or my swift passage, that I slide

1584

Ore sixteene yeeres, and leaue the growth vntride

1585

Of that wide gap, since it is in my powre

1586

To orethrow Law, and in one selfe-borne howre

1587

To plant, and ore-whelme Custome. Let me passe

1588

The same I am, ere ancient’st Order was,

1589

Or what is now receiu’d. I witnesse to

1590

The times that brought them in, so shall I do

1591

To th’freshest things now reigning, and make stale

1592

The glistering of this present, as my Tale

1593

Now seemes to it: your patience this allowing,

1594

I turne my glasse, and giue my Scene such growing

1595

As you had slept betweene: Leontes leauing

1596

Th’effects of his fond iealousies, so greeuing

1597

That he shuts vp himselfe. Imagine me

1598

(Gentle Spectators) that I now may be

1599

In faire Bohemia, and remember well,

1600

I mentioned a sonne o’th’Kings, which Florizell

1601

I now name to you: and with speed so pace

1602

To speake of Perdita, now growne in grace

1603

Equall with wond’ring. What of her insues

1604

I list not prophesie: but let Times newes

1605

Be knowne when ’tis brought forth. A shepherds daughter

1606

And what to her adheres, which followes after,

1607

Is th’argument of Time: of this allow,

1608

If euer you haue spent time worse, ere now:

1609

If neuer, yet that Time himselfe doth say,

1610

He wishes earnestly, you neuer may.Exit.

1611

Scena Secunda.

1612

Enter Polixenes, and Camillo.

1613

Pol. I pray thee (good Camillo) be no more importu-

1614

nate: ’tis a sicknesse denying thee any thing: a death to

1615

grant this.

1616

Cam. It is fifteene yeeres since I saw my Countrey:

1617

though I haue (for the most part) bin ayred abroad, I de-

1618

sire to lay my bones there. Besides, the penitent King

1619

(my Master) hath sent for me, to whose feeling sorrowes

1620

I might be some allay (or I oreweene to thinke so) which

1621

is another spurre to my departure.

1622

Pol. As thou lou’st me (Camillo) wipe not out the rest

1623

of thy seruices, by leauing me now: the neede I haue of

1624

thee, thine owne goodnesse hath made: better not to

1625

haue had thee, then thus to want thee, thou hauing made

1626

me Businesses, (which none (without thee) can suffici-

1627

ently manage) must either stay to execute them thy selfe,

1628

or take away with thee the very seruices thou hast done:

1629

which if I haue not enough considered (as too much I

1630

cannot) to bee more thankefull to thee, shall bee my stu-

1631

die, and my profite therein, the heaping friendshippes.

1632

Of that fatall Countrey Sicillia, prethee speake no more,

1633

whose very naming, punnishes me with the remembrance

1634

of that penitent (as thou calst him) and reconciled King

1635

my brother, whose losse of his most precious Queene &

1636

Children, are euen now to be a-fresh lamented. Say to

1637

me, when saw’st thou the Prince Florizell my son? Kings

1638

are no lesse vnhappy, their issue, not being gracious, then

1639

they are in loosing them, when they haue approued their

1640

Vertues.

1641

Cam. Sir, it is three dayes since I saw the Prince: what

1642

his happier affayres may be, are to me vnknowne: but I

1643

haue (missingly) noted, he is of late much retyred from

1644

Court, and is lesse frequent to his Princely exercises then

1645

formerly he hath appeared.

1646

Pol. I haue considered so much (Camillo) and with

1647

some care, so farre, that I haue eyes vnder my seruice,

1648

which looke vpon his remouednesse: from whom I haue

1649

this Intelligence, that he is seldome from the house of a

1650

most homely shepheard: a man (they say) that from very

1651

nothing, and beyond the imagination of his neighbors,

1652

is growne into an vnspeakable estate.

1653

Cam. I haue heard (sir) of such a man, who hath a

1654

daughter of most rare note: the report of her is extended

1655

more, then can be thought to begin from such a cottage.

1656

Pol. That’s likewise part of my Intelligence: but (I

1657

feare) the Angle that pluckes our sonne thither. Thou

1658

shalt accompany vs to the place, where we will (not ap-

1659

pearing what we are) haue some question with the shep-

1660

heard; from whose simplicity, I thinke it not vneasie to

1661

get the cause of my sonnes resort thether. ’Prethe be my

1662

present partner in this busines, and lay aside the thoughts

1663

of Sicillia.

1664

Cam. I willingly obey your command.

1665

Pol. My best Camillo, we must disguise our selues.Exit

1666

Scena Tertia.

1667

Enter Autolicus singing.

1668

When Daffadils begin to peere,

1669

With heigh the Doxy ouer the dale,

1670

Why then comes in the sweet o’the yeere,

1671

For the red blood raigns in ye winters pale.

1672

The white sheete bleaching on the hedge,

1673

With hey the sweet birds, O how they sing:

1674

Doth set my pugging tooth an edge,

1675

For a quart of Ale is a dish for a King.

1676

The Larke, that tirra-Lyra chaunts,

1677

With heigh, the Thrush and the Iay:

1678

Are Summer songs for me and my Aunts

1679

While we lye tumbling in the hay.

1680

I haue seru’d Prince Florizell, and in my time wore three

1681

pile, but now I am out of seruice.

1682

But shall I go mourne for that (my deere)

1683

the pale Moone shines by night:

1684

And when I wander here, and there

1685

I then do most go right.

1686

If Tinkers may haue leaue to liue,

1687

and beare the Sow-skin Bowget,

1688

Then my account I well may giue,

1689

and in the Stockes auouch-it.

1690

My Trafficke is sheetes: when the Kite builds, looke to

1691

lesser Linnen. My Father nam’d me Autolicus, who be-

1692

ing (as I am) lytter’d vnder Mercurie, was likewise a

1693

snapper-vp of vnconsidered trifles: With Dye and drab,

1694

I purchas’d this Caparison, and my Reuennew is the silly

1695

Cheate. Gallowes, and Knocke, are too powerfull on

1696

the Highway. Beating and hanging are terrors to mee:

1697

For the life to come, I sleepe out the thought of it. A

1698

prize, a prize.

1699

Enter Clowne.

1700

Clo. Let me see, euery Leauen-weather toddes, euery

1701

tod yeeldes pound and odde shilling: fifteene hundred

1702

shorne, what comes the wooll too?

1703

Aut. If the sprindge hold, the Cocke’s mine.

1704

Clo. I cannot do’t without Compters. Let mee see,

1705

what am I to buy for our Sheepe-shearing-Feast? Three

1706

pound of Sugar, fiue pound of Currence, Rice: What

1707

will this sister of mine do with Rice? But my father hath

1708

made her Mistris of the Feast, and she layes it on. Shee

1709

hath made-me four and twenty Nose-gayes for the shea-

1710

rers (three-man song-men, all, and very good ones) but

1711

they are most of them Meanes and Bases; but one Puri-

1712

tan amongst them, and he sings Psalmes to horne-pipes.

1713

I must haue Saffron to colour the Warden Pies, Mace:

1714

Dates, none: that’s out of my note: Nutmegges, seuen;

1715

a Race or two of Ginger, but that I may begge: Foure

1716

pound of Prewyns, and as many of Reysons o’th Sun.

1717

Aut. Oh, that euer I was borne.

1718

Clo. I’th’name of me.

1719

Aut. Oh helpe me, helpe mee: plucke but off these

1720

ragges: and then, death, death.

1721

Clo. Alacke poore soule, thou hast need of more rags

1722

to lay on thee, rather then haue these off.

1723

Aut. Oh sir, the loathsomnesse of them offend mee,

1724

more then the stripes I haue receiued, which are mightie

1725

ones and millions.

1726

Clo. Alas poore man, a million of beating may come

1727

to a great matter.

1728

Aut. I am rob’d sir, and beaten: my money, and ap-

1729

parrell tane from me, and these detestable things put vp-

1730

on me.

1731

Clo. What, by a horse-man, or a foot-man?

1732

Aut. A footman (sweet sir) a footman.

1733

Clo. Indeed, he should be a footman, by the garments

1734

he has left with thee: If this bee a horsemans Coate, it

1735

hath seene very hot seruice. Lend me thy hand, Ile helpe

1736

thee. Come, lend me thy hand.

1737

Aut. Oh good sir, tenderly, oh.

1738

Clo. Alas poore soule.

1739

Aut. Oh good sir, softly, good sir: I feare (sir) my

1740

shoulder-blade is out.

1741

Clo. How now? Canst stand?

1742

Aut. Softly, deere sir: good sir, softly: you ha done

1743

me a charitable office.

1744

Clo. Doest lacke any mony? I haue a little mony for

1745

thee.

1746

Aut. No, good sweet sir: no, I beseech you sir: I haue

1747

a Kinsman not past three quarters of a mile hence, vnto

1748

whome I was going: I shall there haue money, or anie

1749

thing I want: Offer me no money I pray you, that killes

1750

my heart.

1751

Clow. What manner of Fellow was hee that robb’d

1752

you?

1753

Aut. A fellow (sir) that I haue knowne to goe about

1754

with Troll-my-dames: I knew him once a seruant of the

1755

Prince: I cannot tell good sir, for which of his Ver-

1756

tues it was, but hee was certainely Whipt out of the

1757

Court.

1758

Clo. His vices you would say: there’s no vertue whipt

1759

out of the Court: they cherish it to make it stay there;

1760

and yet it will no more but abide.

1761

Aut. Vices I would say (Sir.) I know this man well,

1762

he hath bene since an Ape-bearer, then a Processe-seruer

1763

(a Bayliffe) then hee compast a Motion of the Prodigall

1764

sonne, and married a Tinkers wife, within a Mile where

1765

my Land and Liuing lyes; and (hauing flowne ouer ma-

1766

ny knauish professions) he setled onely in Rogue: some

1767

call him Autolicus.

1768

Clo. Out vpon him: Prig, for my life Prig: he haunts

1769

Wakes, Faires, and Beare-baitings.

1770

Aut. Very true sir: he sir hee: that’s the Rogue that

1771

put me into this apparrell.

1772

Clo. Not a more cowardly Rogue in all Bohemia; If

1773

you had but look’d bigge, and spit at him, hee’ld haue

1774

runne.

1775

Aut. I must confesse to you (sir) I am no fighter: I am

1776

false of heart that way, & that he knew I warrant him.

1777

Clo. How do you now?

1778

Aut. Sweet sir, much better then I was: I can stand,

1779

and walke: I will euen take my leaue of you, & pace soft-

1780

ly towards my Kinsmans.

1781

Clo. Shall I bring thee on the way?

1782

Aut. No, good fac’d sir, no sweet sir.

1783

Clo. Then fartheewell, I must go buy Spices for our

1784

sheepe-shearing.Exit.

1785

Aut. Prosper you sweet sir. Your purse is not hot e-

1786

nough to purchase your Spice: Ile be with you at your

1787

sheepe-shearing too: If I make not this Cheat bring out

1788

another, and the sheerers proue sheepe, let me be vnrold,

1789

and my name put in the booke of Vertue.

1790

Song.

Iog-on, Iog-on, the foot-path way,

1791

And merrily hent the Stile-a:

1792

A merry heart goes all the day,

1793

Your sad tyres in a Mile-a.Exit.

1794

Scena Quarta.

1795

Enter Florizell, Perdita, Shepherd, Clowne, Polixenes, Ca-

1796

millo, Mopsa, Dorcas, Seruants, Autolicus.

1797

Flo. These your vnvsuall weeds, to each part of you

1798

Do’s giue a life: no Shepherdesse, but Flora

1799

Peering in Aprils front. This your sheepe-shearing,

1800

Is as a meeting of the petty Gods,

1801

And you the Queene on’t.

1802

Perd. Sir: my gracious Lord,

1803

To chide at your extreames, it not becomes me:

1804

(Oh pardon, that I name them:) your high selfe

1805

The gracious marke o’th’Land, you haue obscur’d

1806

With a Swaines wearing: and me (poore lowly Maide)

1807

Most Goddesse-like prank’d vp: But that our Feasts

1808

In euery Messe, haue folly; and the Feeders

1809

Digest with a Custome, I should blush

1810

To see you so attyr’d: sworne I thinke,

1811

To shew my selfe a glasse.

1812

Flo. I blesse the time

1813

When my good Falcon, made her flight a-crosse

1814

Thy Fathers ground.

1815

Perd. Now Ioue affoord you cause:

1816

To me the difference forges dread (your Greatnesse

1817

Hath not beene vs’d to feare:) euen now I tremble

1818

To thinke your Father, by some accident

1819

Should passe this way, as you did: Oh the Fates,

1820

How would he looke, to see his worke, so noble,

1821

Vildely bound vp? What would he say? Or how

1822

Should I (in these my borrowed Flaunts) behold

1823

The sternnesse of his presence?

1824

Flo. Apprehend

1825

Nothing but iollity: the Goddes themselues

1826

(Humbling their Deities to loue) haue taken

1827

The shapes of Beasts vpon them. Iupiter,

1828

Became a Bull, and bellow’d: the greene Neptune

1829

A Ram, and bleated: and the Fire-roab’d-God

1830

Golden Apollo, a poore humble Swaine,

1831

As I seeme now. Their transformations,

1832

Were neuer for a peece of beauty, rarer,

1833

Nor in a way so chaste: since my desires

1834

Run not before mine honor: nor my Lusts

1835

Burne hotter then my Faith.

1836

Perd. O but Sir,

1837

Your resolution cannot hold, when ’tis

1838

Oppos’d (as it must be) by th’powre of the King:

1839

One of these two must be necessities,

1840

Which then will speake, that you must change this purpose,

1841

Or I my life.

1842

Flo. Thou deer’st Perdita,

1843

With these forc’d thoughts, I prethee darken not

1844

The Mirth o’th’Feast: Or Ile be thine (my Faire)

1845

Or not my Fathers. For I cannot be

1846

Mine owne, nor any thing to any, if

1847

I be not thine. To this I am most constant,

1848

Though destiny say no. Be merry (Gentle)

1849

Strangle such thoughts as these, with any thing

1850

That you behold the while. Your guests are comming:

1851

Lift vp your countenance, as it were the day

1852

Of celebration of that nuptiall, which

1853

We two haue sworne shall come.

1854

Perd. O Lady Fortune,

1855

Stand you auspicious.

1856

Flo. See, your Guests approach,

1857

Addresse your selfe to entertaine them sprightly,

1858

And let’s be red with mirth.

1859

Shep. Fy (daughter) when my old wife liu’d: vpon

1860

This day, she was both Pantler, Butler, Cooke,

1861

Both Dame and Seruant: Welcom’d all: seru’d all,

1862

Would sing her song, and dance her turne: now heere

1863

At vpper end o’th Table; now, i’th middle:

1864

On his shoulder, and his: her face o’fire

1865

With labour, and the thing she tooke to quench it

1866

She would to each one sip. You are retyred,

1867

As if you were a feasted one: and not

1868

The Hostesse of the meeting: Pray you bid

1869

These vnknowne friends to’s welcome, for it is

1870

A way to make vs better Friends, more knowne.

1871

Come, quench your blushes, and present your selfe

1872

That which you are, Mistris o’th’Feast. Come on,

1873

And bid vs welcome to your sheepe-shearing,

1874

As your good flocke shall prosper.

1875

Perd. Sir, welcome:

1876

It is my Fathers will, I should take on mee

1877

The Hostesseship o’th’day: you’re welcome sir.

1878

Giue me those Flowres there (Dorcas.) Reuerend Sirs,

1879

For you, there’s Rosemary, and Rue, these keepe

1880

Seeming, and sauour all the Winter long:

1881

Grace, and Remembrance be to you both,

1882

And welcome to our Shearing.

1883

Pol. Shepherdesse,

1884

(A faire one are you:) well you fit our ages

1885

With flowres of Winter.

1886

Perd. Sir, the yeare growing ancient,

1887

Not yet on summers death, nor on the birth

1888

Of trembling winter, the fayrest flowres o’th season

1889

Are our Carnations, and streak’d Gilly-vors,

1890

(Which some call Natures bastards) of that kind

1891

Our rusticke Gardens barren, and I care not

1892

To get slips of them.

1893

Pol. Wherefore (gentle Maiden)

1894

Do you neglect them.

1895

Perd. For I haue heard it said,

1896

There is an Art, which in their pidenesse shares

1897

With great creating-Nature.

1898

Pol. Say there be:

1899

Yet Nature is made better by no meane,

1900

But Nature makes that Meane: so ouer that Art,

1901

(Which you say addes to Nature) is an Art

1902

That Nature makes: you see (sweet Maid) we marry

1903

A gentler Sien, to the wildest Stocke,

1904

And make conceyue a barke of baser kinde

1905

By bud of Nobler race. This is an Art

1906

Which do’s mend Nature: change it rather, but

1907

The Art it selfe, is Nature.

1908

Perd. So it is.

1909

Pol. Then make you Garden rich in Gilly’vors,

1910

And do not call them bastards.

1911

Perd. Ile not put

1912

The Dible in earth, to set one slip of them:

1913

No more then were I painted, I would wish

1914

This youth should say ’twer well: and onely therefore

1915

Desire to breed by me. Here’s flowres for you:

1916

Hot Lauender, Mints, Sauory, Mariorum,

1917

The Mary-gold, that goes to bed with’Sun,

1918

And with him rises, weeping: These are flowres

1919

Of middle summer, and I thinke they are giuen

1920

To men of middle age. Y’are very welcome.

1921

Cam. I should leaue grasing, were I of your flocke,

1922

And onely liue by gazing.

1923

Perd. Out alas:

1924

You’ld be so leane, that blasts of Ianuary

1925

Would blow you through and through. Now (my fairst Friend,

1926

I would I had some Flowres o’th Spring, that might

1927

Become your time of day: and yours, and yours,

1928

That weare vpon your Virgin-branches yet

1929

Your Maiden-heads growing: O Proserpina,

1930

For the Flowres now, that (frighted) thou let’st fall

1931

From Dysses Waggon: Daffadils,

1932

That come before the Swallow dares, and take

1933

The windes of March with beauty: Violets (dim,

1934

But sweeter then the lids of Iuno’s eyes,

1935

Or Cytherea’s breath) pale Prime-roses,

1936

That dye vnmarried, ere they can behold

1937

Bright Phœbus in his strength (a Maladie

1938

Most incident to Maids:) bold Oxlips, and

1939

The Crowne Imperiall: Lillies of all kinds,

1940

(The Flowre-de-Luce being one.) O, these I lacke,

1941

To make you Garlands of) and my sweet friend,

1942

To strew him o’re, and ore.

1943

Flo. What? like a Coarse?

1944

Perd. No, like a banke, for Loue to lye, and play on:

1945

Not like a Coarse: or if: not to be buried,

1946

But quicke, and in mine armes. Come, take your flours,

1947

Me thinkes I play as I haue seene them do

1948

In Whitson-Pastorals: Sure this Robe of mine

1949

Do’s change my disposition:

1950

Flo. What you do,

1951

Still betters what is done. When you speake (Sweet)

1952

I’ld haue you do it euer: When you sing,

1953

I’ld haue you buy, and sell so: so giue Almes,

1954

Pray so: and for the ord’ring your Affayres,

1955

To sing them too. When you do dance, I wish you

1956

A waue o’th Sea, that you might euer do

1957

Nothing but that: moue still, still so:

1958

And owne no other Function. Each your doing,

1959

(So singular, in each particular)

1960

Crownes what you are doing, in the present deeds,

1961

That all your Actes, are Queenes.

1962

Perd. O Doricles,

1963

Your praises are too large: but that your youth

1964

And the true blood which peepes fairely through’t,

1965

Do plainly giue you out an vnstain’d Shepherd

1966

With wisedome, I might feare (my Doricles)

1967

You woo’d me the false way.

1968

Flo. I thinke you haue

1969

As little skill to feare, as I haue purpose

1970

To put you to’t. But come, our dance I pray,

1971

Your hand (my Perdita:) so Turtles paire

1972

That neuer meane to part.

1973

Perd. Ile sweare for ’em.

1974

Pol. This is the prettiest Low-borne Lasse, that euer

1975

Ran on the greene-sord: Nothing she do’s, or seemes

1976

But smackes of something greater then her selfe,

1977

Too Noble for this place.

1978

Cam. He tels her something

1979

That makes her blood looke on’t: Good sooth she is

1980

The Queene of Curds and Creame.

1981

Clo. Come on: strike vp.

1982

Dorcas. Mopsa must be your Mistris: marry Garlick

1983

to mend her kissing with.

1984

Mop. Now in good time.

1985

Clo. Not a word, a word, we stand vpon our manners,

1986

Come, strike vp.

1987

Heere a Daunce of Shepheards and

1988

Shephearddesses.

1989

Pol. Pray good Shepheard, what faire Swaine is this,

1990

Which dances with your daughter?

1991

Shep. They call him Doricles, and boasts himselfe

1992

To haue a worthy Feeding; but I haue it

1993

Vpon his owne report, and I beleeue it:

1994

He lookes like sooth: he sayes he loues my daughter,

1995

I thinke so too; for neuer gaz’d the Moone

1996

Vpon the water, as hee’l stand and reade

1997

As ’twere my daughters eyes: and to be plaine,

1998

I thinke there is not halfe a kisse to choose

1999

Who loues another best.

2000

Pol. She dances featly.

2001

Shep. So she do’s any thing, though I report it

2002

That should be silent: If yong Doricles

2003

Do light vpon her, she shall bring him that

2004

Which he not dreames of.Enter Seruant.

2005

Ser. O Master: if you did but heare the Pedler at the

2006

doore, you would neuer dance againe after a Tabor and

2007

Pipe: no, the Bag-pipe could not moue you: hee singes

2008

seuerall Tunes, faster then you’l tell money: hee vtters

2009

them as he had eaten ballads, and all mens eares grew to

2010

his Tunes.

2011

Clo. He could neuer come better: hee shall come in:

2012

I loue a ballad but euen too well, if it be dolefull matter

2013

merrily set downe: or a very pleasant thing indeede, and

2014

sung lamentably.

2015

Ser. He hath songs for man, or woman, of all sizes:

2016

No Milliner can so fit his customers with Gloues: he has

2017

the prettiest Loue-songs for Maids, so without bawdrie

2018

(which is strange,) with such delicate burthens of Dil-

2019

do’s and Fadings: Iump-her, and thump-her; and where

2020

some stretch-mouth’d Rascall, would (as it were) meane

2021

mischeefe, and breake a fowle gap into the Matter, hee

2022

makes the maid to answere, Whoop, doe me no harme good

2023

man: put’s him off, slights him, with Whoop, doe mee no

2024

harme good man.

2025

Pol. This is a braue fellow.

2026

Clo. Beleeue mee, thou talkest of an admirable con-

2027

ceited fellow, has he any vnbraided Wares?

2028

Ser. Hee hath Ribbons of all the colours i’th Raine-

2029

bow; Points, more then all the Lawyers in Bohemia, can

2030

learnedly handle, though they come to him by th’ grosse:

2031

Inckles, Caddysses, Cambrickes, Lawnes: why he sings

2032

em ouer, as they were Gods, or Goddesses: you would

2033

thinke a Smocke were a shee-Angell, he so chauntes to

2034

the sleeue-hand, and the worke about the square on’t.

2035

Clo. Pre’thee bring him in, and let him approach sin-

2036

ging.

2037

Perd. Forewarne him, that he vse no scurrilous words

2038

in’s tunes.

2039

Clow. You haue of these Pedlers, that haue more in

2040

them, then youl’d thinke (Sister.)

2041

Perd. I, good brother, or go about to thinke.

2042

Enter Autolicus singing.

2043

Lawne as white as driuen Snow,

2044

Cypresse blacke as ere was Crow,

2045

Gloues as sweete as Damaske Roses,

2046

Maskes for faces, and for noses:

2047

Bugle-bracelet, Necke-lace Amber,

2048

Perfume for a Ladies Chamber:

2049

Golden Quoifes, and Stomachers

2050

For my Lads, to giue their deers:

2051

Pins, and poaking-stickes of steele.

2052

What Maids lacke from head to heele:

2053

Come buy of me, come: come buy, come buy,

2054

Buy Lads, or else your Lasses cry: Come buy.

2055

Clo. If I were not in loue with Mopsa, thou shouldst

2056

take no money of me, but being enthrall’d as I am, it will

2057

also be the bondage of certaine Ribbons and Gloues.

2058

Mop. I was promis’d them against the Feast, but they

2059

come not too late now.

2060

Dor. He hath promis’d you more then that, or there

2061

be lyars.

2062

Mop. He hath paid you all he promis’d you: ’May be

2063

he has paid you more, which will shame you to giue him

2064

againe.

2065

Clo. Is there no manners left among maids? Will they

2066

weare their plackets, where they should bear their faces?

2067

Is there not milking-time? When you are going to bed?

2068

Or kill-hole? To whistle of these secrets, but you must

2069

be tittle-tatling before all our guests? ’Tis well they are

2070

whispring: clamor your tongues, and not a word more.

2071

Mop. I haue done; Come you promis’d me a tawdry-

2072

lace, and a paire of sweet Gloues.

2073

Clo. Haue I not told thee how I was cozen’d by the

2074

way, and lost all my money.

2075

Aut. And indeed Sir, there are Cozeners abroad, ther-

2076

fore it behooues men to be wary.

2077

Clo. Feare not thou man, thou shalt lose nothing here.

2078

Aut. I hope so sir, for I haue about me many parcels

2079

of charge.

2080

Clo. What hast heere? Ballads?

2081

Mop. Pray now buy some: I loue a ballet in print, a

2082

life, for then we are sure they are true.

2083

Aut. Here’s one, to a very dolefull tune, how a Vsu-

2084

rers wife was brought to bed of twenty money baggs at

2085

a burthen, and how she long’d to eate Adders heads, and

2086

Toads carbonado’d.

2087

Mop. Is it true, thinke you?

2088

Aut. Very true, and but a moneth old.

2089

Dor. Blesse me from marrying a Vsurer.

2090

Aut. Here’s the Midwiues name to’t: one Mist. Tale-

2091

Porter, and fiue or six honest Wiues, that were present.

2092

Why should I carry lyes abroad?

2093

Mop. ’Pray you now buy it.

2094

Clo. Come-on, lay it by: and let’s first see moe Bal-

2095

lads: Wee’l buy the other things anon.

2096

Aut. Here’s another ballad of a Fish, that appeared

2097

vpon the coast, on wensday the fourescore of April, fortie

2098

thousand fadom aboue water, & sung this ballad against

2099

the hard hearts of maids: it was thought she was a Wo-

2100

man, and was turn’d into a cold fish, for she wold not ex-

2101

change flesh with one that lou’d her: The Ballad is very

2102

pittifull, and as true.

2103

Dor. Is it true too, thinke you.

2104

Autol. Fiue Iustices hands at it, and witnesses more

2105

then my packe will hold.

2106

Clo. Lay it by too; another.

2107

Aut. This is a merry ballad, but a very pretty one.

2108

Mop. Let’s haue some merry ones.

2109

Aut. Why this is a passing merry one, and goes to the

2110

tune of two maids wooing a man: there’s scarse a Maide

2111

westward but she sings it: ’tis in request, I can tell you.

2112

Mop. We can both sing it: if thou’lt beare a part, thou

2113

shalt heare, ’tis in three parts.

2114

Dor. We had the tune on’t, a month agoe.

2115

Aut. I can beare my part, you must know ’tis my oc-

2116

cupation: Haue at it with you:

2117

Song

Get you hence, for I must goe

2118

Aut. Where it fits not you to know.

2119

Dor. Whether?

2120

Mop. O whether?

2121

Dor. Whether?

2122

Mop. It becomes thy oath full well,

2123

Thou to me thy secrets tell.

2124

Dor: Me too: Let me go thether:

2125

Mop: Or thou goest to th’ Grange, or Mill,

2126

Dor: If to either thou dost ill,

2127

Aut: Neither.

2128

Dor: What neither?

2129

Aut: Neither:

2130

Dor: Thou hast sworne my Loue to be,

2131

Mop: Thou hast sworne it more to mee.

2132

Then whether goest? Say whether?

2133

Clo. Wee’l haue this song out anon by our selues: My

2134

Father, and the Gent. are in sad talke, & wee’ll not trouble

2135

them: Come bring away thy pack after me, Wenches Ile

2136

buy for you both: Pedler let’s haue the first choice; folow

2137

me girles.Aut. And you shall pay well for ’em.

2138

Song.

Will you buy any Tape, or Lace for your Cape?

2139

My dainty Ducke, my deere-a?

2140

Any Silke, any Thred, any Toyes for your head

2141

Of the news’t, and fins’t, fins’t weare-a.

2142

Come to the Pedler, Money’s a medler,

2143

That doth vtter all mens ware-a.Exit

2144

Seruant. Mayster, there is three Carters, three Shep-

2145

herds, three Neat-herds, three Swine-herds yt haue made

2146

themselues all men of haire, they cal themselues Saltiers,

2147

and they haue a Dance, which the Wenches say is a gal-

2148

ly-maufrey of Gambols, because they are not in’t: but

2149

they themselues are o’th’minde (if it bee not too rough

2150

for some, that know little but bowling) it will please

2151

plentifully.

2152

Shep. Away: Wee’l none on’t; heere has beene too

2153

much homely foolery already. I know (Sir) wee wea-

2154

rie you.

2155

Pol. You wearie those that refresh vs: pray let’s see

2156

these foure-threes of Heardsmen.

2157

Ser. One three of them, by their owne report (Sir,)

2158

hath danc’d before the King: and not the worst of the

2159

three, but iumpes twelue foote and a halfe by th’squire.

2160

Shep. Leaue your prating, since these good men are

2161

pleas’d, let them come in: but quickly now.

2162

Ser. Why, they stay at doore Sir.

2163

Heere a Dance of twelue Satyres.

2164

Pol. O Father, you’l know more of that heereafter:

2165

Is it not too farre gone? ’Tis time to part them,

2166

He’s simple, and tels much. How now (faire shepheard)

2167

Your heart is full of something, that do’s take

2168

Your minde from feasting. Sooth, when I was yong,

2169

And handed loue, as you do; I was wont

2170

To load my Shee with knackes: I would haue ransackt

2171

The Pedlers silken Treasury, and haue powr’d it

2172

To her acceptance: you haue let him go,

2173

And nothing marted with him. If your Lasse

2174

Interpretation should abuse, and call this

2175

Your lacke of loue, or bounty, you were straited

2176

For a reply at least, if you make a care

2177

Of happie holding her.

2178

Flo. Old Sir, I know

2179

She prizes not such trifles as these are:

2180

The gifts she lookes from me, are packt and lockt

2181

Vp in my heart, which I haue giuen already,

2182

But not deliuer’d. O heare me breath my life

2183

Before this ancient Sir, whom (it should seeme)

2184

Hath sometime lou’d: I take thy hand, this hand,

2185

As soft as Doues-downe, and as white as it,

2186

Or Ethyopians tooth, or the fan’d snow, that’s bolted

2187

By th’Northerne blasts, twice ore.

2188

Pol. What followes this?

2189

How prettily th’yong Swaine seemes to wash

2190

The hand, was faire before? I haue put you out,

2191

But to your protestation: Let me heare

2192

What you professe.

2193

Flo. Do, and be witnesse too’t.

2194

Pol. And this my neighbour too?

2195

Flo. And he, and more

2196

Then he, and men: the earth, the heauens, and all;

2197

That were I crown’d the most Imperiall Monarch

2198

Thereof most worthy: were I the fayrest youth

2199

That euer made eye swerue, had force and knowledge

2200

More then was euer mans, I would not prize them

2201

Without her Loue; for her, employ them all,

2202

Commend them, and condemne them to her seruice,

2203

Or to their owne perdition.

2204

Pol. Fairely offer’d.

2205

Cam. This shewes a sound affection.

2206

Shep. But my daughter,

2207

Say you the like to him.

2208

Per. I cannot speake

2209

So well, (nothing so well) no, nor meane better

2210

By th’patterne of mine owne thoughts, I cut out

2211

The puritie of his.

2212

Shep. Take hands, a bargaine;

2213

And friends vnknowne, you shall beare witnesse to’t:

2214

I giue my daughter to him, and will make

2215

Her Portion, equall his.

2216

Flo. O, that must bee

2217

I’th Vertue of your daughter: One being dead,

2218

I shall haue more then you can dreame of yet,

2219

Enough then for your wonder: but come-on,

2220

Contract vs fore these Witnesses.

2221

Shep. Come, your hand:

2222

And daughter, yours.

2223

Pol. Soft Swaine a-while, beseech you,

2224

Haue you a Father?

2225

Flo. I haue: but what of him?

2226

Pol. Knowes he of this?

2227

Flo. He neither do’s, nor shall.

2228

Pol. Me-thinkes a Father,

2229

Is at the Nuptiall of his sonne, a guest

2230

That best becomes the Table: Pray you once more

2231

Is not your Father growne incapeable

2232

Of reasonable affayres? Is he not stupid

2233

With Age, and altring Rheumes? Can he speake? heare?

2234

Know man, from man? Dispute his owne estate?

2235

Lies he not bed-rid? And againe, do’s nothing

2236

But what he did, being childish?

2237

Flo. No good Sir:

2238

He has his health, and ampler strength indeede

2239

Then most haue of his age.

2240

Pol. By my white beard,

2241

You offer him (if this be so) a wrong

2242

Something vnfilliall: Reason my sonne

2243

Should choose himselfe a wife, but as good reason

2244

The Father (all whose ioy is nothing else

2245

But faire posterity) should hold some counsaile

2246

In such a businesse.

2247

Flo. I yeeld all this;

2248

But for some other reasons (my graue Sir)

2249

Which ’tis not fit you know, I not acquaint

2250

My Father of this businesse.

2251

Pol. Let him know’t.

2252

Flo. He shall not.

2253

Pol. Prethee let him.

2254

Flo. No, he must not.

2255

Shep. Let him (my sonne) he shall not need to greeue

2256

At knowing of thy choice.

2257

Flo. Come, come, he must not:

2258

Marke our Contract.

2259

Pol. Marke your diuorce (yong sir)

2260

Whom sonne I dare not call: Thou art too base

2261

To be acknowledge. Thou a Scepters heire,

2262

That thus affects a sheepe-hooke? Thou, old Traitor,

2263

I am sorry, that by hanging thee, I can

2264

But shorten thy life one weeke. And thou, fresh peece

2265

Of excellent Witchcraft, whom of force must know

2266

The royall Foole thou coap’st with.

2267

Shep. Oh my heart.

2268

Pol. Ile haue thy beauty scratcht with briers & made

2269

More homely then thy state. For thee (fond boy)

2270

If I may euer know thou dost but sigh,

2271

That thou no more shalt neuer see this knacke (as neuer

2272

I meane thou shalt) wee’l barre thee from succession,

2273

Not hold thee of our blood, no not our Kin,

2274

Farre then Deucalion off: (marke thou my words)

2275

Follow vs to the Court. Thou Churle, for this time

2276

(Though full of our displeasure) yet we free thee

2277

From the dead blow of it. And you Enchantment,

2278

Worthy enough a Heardsman: yea him too,

2279

That makes himselfe (but for our Honor therein)

2280

Vnworthy thee. If euer henceforth, thou

2281

These rurall Latches, to his entrance open,

2282

Or hope his body more, with thy embraces,

2283

I will deuise a death, as cruell for thee

2284

As thou art tender to’t.Exit.

2285

Perd. Euen heere vndone:

2286

I was not much a-fear’d: for once, or twice

2287

I was about to speake, and tell him plainely,

2288

The selfe-same Sun, that shines vpon his Court,

2289

Hides not his visage from our Cottage, but

2290

Lookes on alike. Wilt please you (Sir) be gone?

2291

I told you what would come of this: Beseech you

2292

Of your owne state take care: This dreame of mine

2293

Being now awake, Ile Queene it no inch farther,

2294

But milke my Ewes, and weepe.

2295

Cam. Why how now Father,

2296

Speake ere thou dyest.

2297

Shep. I cannot speake, nor thinke,

2298

Nor dare to know, that which I know: O Sir,

2299

You haue vndone a man of fourescore three,

2300

That thought to fill his graue in quiet: yea,

2301

To dye vpon the bed my father dy’de,

2302

To lye close by his honest bones; but now

2303

Some Hangman must put on my shrowd, and lay me

2304

Where no Priest shouels-in dust. Oh cursed wretch,

2305

That knew’st this was the Prince, and wouldst aduenture

2306

To mingle faith with him. Vndone, vndone:

2307

If I might dye within this houre, I haue liu’d

2308

To die when I desire.Exit.

2309

Flo. Why looke you so vpon me?

2310

I am but sorry, not affear’d: delaid,

2311

But nothing altred: What I was, I am:

2312

More straining on, for plucking backe; not following

2313

My leash vnwillingly.

2314

Cam. Gracious my Lord,

2315

You know my Fathers temper: at this time

2316

He will allow no speech: (which I do ghesse

2317

You do not purpose to him:) and as hardly

2318

Will he endure your sight, as yet I feare;

2319

Then till the fury of his Highnesse settle

2320

Come not before him.

2321

Flo. I not purpose it:

2322

I thinke Camillo.

2323

Cam. Euen he, my Lord.

2324

Per. How often haue I told you ’twould be thus?

2325

How often said my dignity would last

2326

But till ’twer knowne?

2327

Flo. It cannot faile, but by

2328

The violation of my faith, and then

2329

Let Nature crush the sides o’th earth together,

2330

And marre the seeds within. Lift vp thy lookes:

2331

From my succession wipe me (Father) I

2332

Am heyre to my affection.

2333

Cam. Be aduis’d.

2334

Flo. I am: and by my fancie, if my Reason

2335

Will thereto be obedient: I haue reason:

2336

If not, my sences better pleas’d with madnesse,

2337

Do bid it welcome.

2338

Cam. This is desperate (sir.)

2339

Flo. So call it: but it do’s fulfill my vow:

2340

I needs must thinke it honesty. Camillo,

2341

Not for Bohemia, nor the pompe that may

2342

Be thereat gleaned: for all the Sun sees, or

2343

The close earth wombes, or the profound seas, hides

2344

In vnknowne fadomes, will I breake my oath

2345

To this my faire belou’d: Therefore, I pray you,

2346

As you haue euer bin my Fathers honour’d friend,

2347

When he shall misse me, as (in faith I meane not

2348

To see him any more) cast your good counsailes

2349

Vpon his passion: Let my selfe, and Fortune

2350

Tug for the time to come. This you may know,

2351

And so deliuer, I am put to Sea

2352

With her, who heere I cannot hold on shore:

2353

And most opportune to her neede, I haue

2354

A Vessell rides fast by, but not prepar’d

2355

For this designe. What course I meane to hold

2356

Shall nothing benefit your knowledge, nor

2357

Concerne me the reporting.

2358

Cam. O my Lord,

2359

I would your spirit were easier for aduice,

2360

Or stronger for your neede.

2361

Flo. Hearke Perdita,

2362

Ile heare you by and by.

2363

Cam. Hee’s irremoueable,

2364

Resolu’d for flight: Now were I happy if

2365

His going, I could frame to serue my turne,

2366

Saue him from danger, do him loue and honor,

2367

Purchase the sight againe of deere Sicillia,

2368

And that vnhappy King, my Master, whom

2369

I so much thirst to see.

2370

Flo. Now good Camillo,

2371

I am so fraught with curious businesse, that

2372

I leaue out ceremony.

2373

Cam. Sir, I thinke

2374

You haue heard of my poore seruices, i’th loue

2375

That I haue borne your Father?

2376

Flo. Very nobly

2377

Haue you deseru’d: It is my Fathers Musicke

2378

To speake your deeds: not little of his care

2379

To haue them recompenc’d, as thought on.

2380

Cam. Well (my Lord)

2381

If you may please to thinke I loue the King,

2382

And through him, what’s neerest to him, which is

2383

Your gracious selfe; embrace but my direction,

2384

If your more ponderous and setled proiect

2385

May suffer alteration. On mine honor,

2386

Ile point you where you shall haue such receiuing

2387

As shall become your Highnesse, where you may

2388

Enioy your Mistris; from the whom, I see

2389

There’s no disiunction to be made, but by

2390

(As heauens forefend) your ruine: Marry her,

2391

And with my best endeuours, in your absence,

2392

Your discontenting Father, striue to qualifie

2393

And bring him vp to liking.

2394

Flo. How Camillo

2395

May this (almost a miracle) be done?

2396

That I may call thee something more then man,

2397

And after that trust to thee.

2398

Cam. Haue you thought on

2399

A place whereto you’l go?

2400

Flo. Not any yet:

2401

But as th’vnthought-on accident is guiltie

2402

To what we wildely do, so we professe

2403

Our selues to be the slaues of chance, and flyes

2404

Of euery winde that blowes.

2405

Cam. Then list to me:

2406

This followes, if you will not change your purpose

2407

But vndergo this flight; make for Sicillia,

2408

And there present your selfe, and your fayre Princesse,

2409

(For so I see she must be) ’fore Leontes;

2410

She shall be habited, as it becomes

2411

The partner of your Bed. Me thinkes I see

2412

Leontes opening his free Armes, and weeping

2413

His Welcomes forth: asks thee there Sonne forgiuenesse,

2414

As ’twere i’th’Fathers person: kisses the hands

2415

Of your fresh Princesse; ore and ore diuides him,

2416

’Twixt his vnkindnesse, and his Kindnesse: th’one

2417

He chides to Hell, and bids the other grow

2418

Faster then Thought, or Time.

2419

Flo. Worthy Camillo,

2420

What colour for my Visitation, shall I

2421

Hold vp before him?

2422

Cam. Sent by the King your Father

2423

To greet him, and to giue him comforts. Sir,

2424

The manner of your bearing towards him, with

2425

What you (as from your Father) shall deliuer,

2426

Things knowne betwixt vs three, Ile write you downe,

2427

The which shall point you forth at euery sitting

2428

What you must say: that he shall not perceiue,

2429

But that you haue your Fathers Bosome there,

2430

And speake his very Heart.

2431

Flo. I am bound to you:

2432

There is some sappe in this.

2433

Cam. A Course more promising,

2434

Then a wild dedication of your selues

2435

To vnpath’d Waters, vndream’d Shores; most certaine,

2436

To Miseries enough: no hope to helpe you,

2437

But as you shake off one, to take another:

2438

Nothing so certaine, as your Anchors, who

2439

Doe their best office, if they can but stay you,

2440

Where you’le be loth to be: besides you know,

2441

Prosperitie’s the very bond of Loue,

2442

Whose fresh complexion, and whose heart together,

2443

Affliction alters.

2444

Perd. One of these is true:

2445

I thinke Affliction may subdue the Cheeke,

2446

But not take-in the Mind.

2447

Cam. Yea? say you so?

2448

There shall not, at your Fathers House, these seuen yeeres

2449

Be borne another such.

2450

Flo. My good Camillo,

2451

She’s as forward, of her Breeding, as

2452

She is i’th’ reare’our Birth.

2453

Cam. I cannot say, ’tis pitty

2454

She lacks Instructions, for she seemes a Mistresse

2455

To most that teach.

2456

Perd. Your pardon Sir, for this,

2457

Ile blush you Thanks.

2458

Flo. My prettiest Perdita.

2459

But O, the Thornes we stand vpon: (Camillo)

2460

Preseruer of my Father, now of me,

2461

The Medicine of our House: how shall we doe?

2462

We are not furnish’d like Bohemia’s Sonne,

2463

Nor shall appeare in Sicilia.

2464

Cam. My Lord,

2465

Feare none of this: I thinke you know my fortunes

2466

Doe all lye there: it shall be so my care,

2467

To haue you royally appointed, as if

2468

The Scene you play, were mine. For instance Sir,

2469

That you may know you shall not want: one word.

2470

Enter Autolicus.

2471

Aut. Ha, ha, what a Foole Honestie is? and Trust (his

2472

sworne brother) a very simple Gentleman. I haue sold

2473

all my Tromperie: not a counterfeit Stone, not a Ribbon,

2474

Glasse, Pomander, Browch, Table-booke, Ballad, Knife,

2475

Tape, Gloue, Shooe-tye, Bracelet, Horne-Ring, to keepe

2476

my Pack from fasting: they throng who should buy first,

2477

as if my Trinkets had beene hallowed, and brought a be-

2478

nediction to the buyer: by which meanes, I saw whose

2479

Purse was best in Picture; and what I saw, to my good

2480

vse, I remembred. My Clowne (who wants but some-

2481

thing to be a reasonable man) grew so in loue with the

2482

Wenches Song, that hee would not stirre his Petty-toes,

2483

till he had both Tune and Words, which so drew the rest

2484

of the Heard to me, that all their other Sences stucke in

2485

Eares: you might haue pinch’d a Placket, it was sence-

2486

lesse; ’twas nothing to gueld a Cod-peece of a Purse: I

2487

would haue fill’d Keyes of that hung in Chaynes: no

2488

hearing, no feeling, but my Sirs Song, and admiring the

2489

Nothing of it. So that in this time of Lethargie, I pickd

2490

and cut most of their Festiuall Purses: And had not the

2491

old-man come in with a Whoo-bub against his Daugh-

2492

ter, and the Kings Sonne, and scar’d my Chowghes from

2493

the Chaffe, I had not left a Purse aliue in the whole

2494

Army.

2495

Cam. Nay, but my Letters by this meanes being there

2496

So soone as you arriue, shall cleare that doubt.

2497

Flo. And those that you’le procure from King Leontes?

2498

Cam. Shall satisfie your Father.

2499

Perd. Happy be you:

2500

All that you speake, shewes faire.

2501

Cam. Who haue we here?

2502

Wee’le make an Instrument of this: omit

2503

Nothing may giue vs aide.

2504

Aut. If they haue ouer-heard me now: why hanging.

2505

Cam. How now (good Fellow)

2506

Why shak’st thou so? Feare not (man)

2507

Here’s no harme intended to thee.

2508

Aut. I am a poore Fellow, Sir.

2509

Cam. Why, be so still: here’s no body will steale that

2510

from thee: yet for the out-side of thy pouertie, we must

2511

make an exchange; therefore dis-case thee instantly (thou

2512

must thinke there’s a necessitie in’t) and change Garments

2513

with this Gentleman: Though the penny-worth (on his

2514

side) be the worst, yet hold thee, there’s some boot.

2515

Aut. I am a poore Fellow, Sir: (I know ye well

2516

enough.)

2517

Cam. Nay prethee dispatch: the Gentleman is halfe

2518

fled already.

2519

Aut. Are you in earnest, Sir? (I smell the trick on’t.)

2520

Flo. Dispatch, I prethee.

2521

Aut. Indeed I haue had Earnest, but I cannot with

2522

conscience take it.

2523

Cam. Vnbuckle, vnbuckle.

2524

Fortunate Mistresse (let my prophecie

2525

Come home to ye:) you must retire your selfe

2526

Into some Couert; take your sweet-hearts Hat

2527

And pluck it ore your Browes, muffle your face,

2528

Dis-mantle you, and (as you can) disliken

2529

The truth of your owne seeming, that you may

2530

(For I doe feare eyes ouer) to Ship-boord

2531

Get vndescry’d.

2532

Perd. I see the Play so lyes,

2533

That I must beare a part.

2534

Cam. No remedie:

2535

Haue you done there?

2536

Flo. Should I now meet my Father,

2537

He would not call me Sonne.

2538

Cam. Nay, you shall haue no Hat:

2539

Come Lady, come: Farewell (my friend.)

2540

Aut. Adieu, Sir.

2541

Flo. O Perdita: what haue we twaine forgot?

2542

’Pray you a word.

2543

Cam. What I doe next, shall be to tell the King

2544

Of this escape, and whither they are bound;

2545

Wherein, my hope is, I shall so preuaile,

2546

To force him after: in whose company

2547

I shall re-view Sicilia; for whose sight,

2548

I haue a Womans Longing.

2549

Flo. Fortune speed vs:

2550

Thus we set on (Camillo) to th’Sea-side.

2551

Cam. The swifter speed, the better.Exit.

2552

Aut. I vnderstand the businesse, I heare it: to haue an

2553

open eare, a quick eye, and a nimble hand, is necessary for

2554

a Cut-purse; a good Nose is requisite also, to smell out

2555

worke for th’other Sences. I see this is the time that the

2556

vniust man doth thriue. What an exchange had this been,

2557

without boot? What a boot is here, with this exchange?

2558

Sure the Gods doe this yeere conniue at vs, and we may

2559

doe any thing extempore. The Prince himselfe is about

2560

a peece of Iniquitie (stealing away from his Father, with

2561

his Clog at his heeles:) if I thought it were a peece of ho-

2562

nestie to acquaint the King withall, I would not do’t: I

2563

hold it the more knauerie to conceale it; and therein am

2564

I constant to my Profession.

2565

Enter Clowne and Shepheard.

2566

Aside, aside, here is more matter for a hot braine: Euery

2567

Lanes end, euery Shop, Church, Session, Hanging, yeelds

2568

a carefull man worke.

2569

Clowne. See, see: what a man you are now? there is no

2570

other way, but to tell the King she’s a Changeling, and

2571

none of your flesh and blood.

2572

Shep. Nay, but heare me.

2573

Clow. Nay; but heare me.

2574

Shep. Goe too then.

2575

Clow. She being none of your flesh and blood, your

2576

flesh and blood ha’s not offended the King, and so your

2577

flesh and blood is not to be punish’d by him. Shew those

2578

things you found about her (those secret things, all but

2579

what she ha’s with her:) This being done, let the Law goe

2580

whistle: I warrant you.

2581

Shep. I will tell the King all, euery word, yea, and his

2582

Sonnes prancks too; who, I may say, is no honest man,

2583

neither to his Father, nor to me, to goe about to make me

2584

the Kings Brother in Law.

2585

Clow. Indeed Brother in Law was the farthest off you

2586

could haue beene to him, and then your Blood had beene

2587

the dearer, by I know how much an ounce.

2588

Aut. Very wisely (Puppies.)

2589

Shep. Well: let vs to the King: there is that in this

2590

Farthell, will make him scratch his Beard.

2591

Aut. I know not what impediment this Complaint

2592

may be to the flight of my Master.

2593

Clo. ’Pray heartily he be at’ Pallace.

2594

Aut. Though I am not naturally honest, I am so some-

2595

times by chance: Let me pocket vp my Pedlers excre-

2596

ment. How now (Rustiques) whither are you bound?

2597

Shep. To th ’ Pallace (and it like your Worship.)

2598

Aut. Your Affaires there? what? with whom? the

2599

Condition of that Farthell? the place of your dwelling?

2600

your names? your ages? of what hauing? breeding, and

2601

any thing that is fitting to be knowne, discouer?

2602

Clo. We are but plaine fellowes, Sir.

2603

Aut. A Lye; you are rough, and hayrie: Let me haue

2604

no lying; it becomes none but Trades-men, and they of-

2605

ten giue vs (Souldiers) the Lye, but wee pay them for it

2606

with stamped Coyne, not stabbing Steele, therefore they

2607

doe not giue vs the Lye.

2608

Clo. Your Worship had like to haue giuen vs one, if

2609

you had not taken your selfe with the manner.

2610

Shep. Are you a Courtier, and’t like you Sir?

2611

Aut. Whether it like me, or no, I am a Courtier. Seest

2612

thou not the ayre of the Court, in these enfoldings? Hath

2613

not my gate in it, the measure of the Court? Receiues not

2614

thy Nose Court-Odour from me? Reflect I not on thy

2615

Basenesse, Court-Contempt? Think’st thou, for that I

2616

insinuate, at toaze from thee thy Businesse, I am there-

2617

fore no Courtier? I am Courtier Cap-a-pe; and one that

2618

will eyther push-on, or pluck-back, thy Businesse there:

2619

whereupon I command thee to open thy Affaire.

2620

Shep. My Businesse, Sir, is to the King.

2621

Aut. What Aduocate ha’st thou to him?

2622

Shep. I know not (and’t like you.)

2623

Clo. Aduocate’s the Court-word for a Pheazant: say

2624

you haue none.

2625

Shep. None, Sir: I haue no Pheazant Cock, nor Hen.

2626

Aut. How blessed are we, that are not simple men?

2627

Yet Nature might haue made me as these are,

2628

Therefore I will not disdaine.

2629

Clo. This cannot be but a great Courtier.

2630

Shep. His Garments are rich, but he weares them not

2631

handsomely.

2632

Clo. He seemes to be the more Noble, in being fanta-

2633

sticall: A great man, Ile warrant; I know by the picking

2634

on’s Teeth.

2635

Aut. The Farthell there? What’s i’th’ Farthell?

2636

Wherefore that Box?

2637

Shep. Sir, there lyes such Secrets in this Farthell and

2638

Box, which none must know but the King, and which hee

2639

shall know within this houre, if I may come to th’ speech

2640

of him.

2641

Aut. Age, thou hast lost thy labour.

2642

Shep. Why Sir?

2643

Aut. The King is not at the Pallace, he is gone aboord

2644

a new Ship, to purge Melancholy, and ayre himselfe: for

2645

if thou bee’st capable of things serious, thou must know

2646

the King is full of griefe.

2647

Shep. So ’tis said (Sir:) about his Sonne, that should

2648

haue marryed a Shepheards Daughter.

2649

Aut. If that Shepheard be not in hand-fast, let him

2650

flye; the Curses he shall haue, the Tortures he shall feele,

2651

will breake the back of Man, the heart of Monster.

2652

Clo. Thinke you so, Sir?

2653

Aut. Not hee alone shall suffer what Wit can make

2654

heauie, and Vengeance bitter; but those that are Iermaine

2655

to him (though remou’d fiftie times) shall all come vnder

2656

the Hang-man: which, though it be great pitty, yet it is

2657

necessarie. An old Sheepe-whistling Rogue, a Ram-ten-

2658

der, to offer to haue his Daughter come into grace? Some

2659

say hee shall be ston’d: but that death is too soft for him

2660

(say I:) Draw our Throne into a Sheep-Coat? all deaths

2661

are too few, the sharpest too easie.

2662

Clo. Ha’s the old-man ere a Sonne Sir (doe you heare)

2663

and’t like you, Sir?

2664

Aut. Hee ha’s a Sonne: who shall be flayd aliue, then

2665

’noynted ouer with Honey, set on the head of a Waspes

2666

Nest, then stand till he be three quarters and a dram dead:

2667

then recouer’d againe with Aquavite, or some other hot

2668

Infusion: then, raw as he is (and in the hotest day Progno-

2669

stication proclaymes) shall he be set against a Brick-wall,

2670

(the Sunne looking with a South-ward eye vpon him;

2671

where hee is to behold him, with Flyes blown to death.)

2672

But what talke we of these Traitorly-Rascals, whose mi-

2673

series are to be smil’d at, their offences being so capitall?

2674

Tell me (for you seeme to be honest plaine men) what you

2675

haue to the King: being something gently consider’d, Ile

2676

bring you where he is aboord, tender your persons to his

2677

presence, whisper him in your behalfes; and if it be in

2678

man, besides the King, to effect your Suites, here is man

2679

shall doe it.

2680

Clow. He seemes to be of great authoritie: close with

2681

him, giue him Gold; and though Authoritie be a stub-

2682

borne Beare, yet hee is oft led by the Nose with Gold:

2683

shew the in-side of your Purse to the out-side of his

2684

hand, and no more adoe. Remember ston’d, and flay’d

2685

aliue.

2686

Shep. And’t please you (Sir) to vndertake the Businesse

2687

for vs, here is that Gold I haue: Ile make it as much

2688

more, and leaue this young man in pawne, till I bring it

2689

you.

2690

Aut. After I haue done what I promised?

2691

Shep. I Sir.

2692

Aut. Well, giue me the Moitie: Are you a partie in

2693

this Businesse?

2694

Clow. In some sort, Sir: but though my case be a pit-

2695

tifull one, I hope I shall not be flayd out of it.

2696

Aut. Oh, that’s the case of the Shepheards Sonne:

2697

hang him, hee’le be made an example.

2698

Clow. Comfort, good comfort: We must to the King,

2699

and shew our strange sights: he must know ’tis none of

2700

your Daughter, nor my Sister: wee are gone else. Sir, I

2701

will giue you as much as this old man do’s, when the Bu-

2702

sinesse is performed, and remaine (as he sayes) your pawne

2703

till it be brought you.

2704

Aut. I will trust you. Walke before toward the Sea-

2705

side, goe on the right hand, I will but looke vpon the

2706

Hedge, and follow you.

2707

Clow. We are bless’d, in this man: as I may say, euen

2708

bless’d.

2709

Shep. Let’s before, as he bids vs: he was prouided to

2710

doe vs good.

2711

Aut. If I had a mind to be honest, I see Fortune would

2712

not suffer mee: shee drops Booties in my mouth. I am

2713

courted now with a double occasion: (Gold, and a means

2714

to doe the Prince my Master good; which, who knowes

2715

how that may turne backe to my aduancement?) I will

2716

bring these two Moales, these blind-ones, aboord him. If

2717

he thinke it fit to shoare them againe, and that the Com-

2718

plaint they haue to the King, concernes him nothing, let

2719

him call me Rogue, for being so farre officious, for I am

2720

proofe against that Title, and what shame else belongs

2721

to’t: To him will I present them, there may be matter in

2722

it.Exeunt.

2723

Actus Quintus. Scena Prima.

2724

Enter Leontes, Cleomines, Dion, Paulina, Seruants:

2725

Florizel, Perdita.

2726

Cleo. Sir, you haue done enough, and haue perform’d

2727

A Saint-like Sorrow: No fault could you make,

2728

Which you haue not redeem’d; indeed pay’d downe

2729

More penitence, then done trespas: At the last

2730

Doe, as the Heauens haue done; forget your euill,

2731

With them, forgiue your selfe.

2732

Leo. Whilest I remember

2733

Her, and her Vertues, I cannot forget

2734

My blemishes in them, and so still thinke of

2735

The wrong I did my selfe: which was so much,

2736

That Heire-lesse it hath made my Kingdome, and

2737

Destroy’d the sweet’st Companion, that ere man

2738

Bred his hopes out of, true.

2739

Paul. Too true (my Lord:)

2740

If one by one, you wedded all the World,

2741

Or from the All that are, tooke something good,

2742

To make a perfect Woman; she you kill’d,

2743

Would be vnparallell’d.

2744

Leo. I thinke so. Kill’d?

2745

She I kill’d? I did so: but thou strik’st me

2746

Sorely, to say I did: it is as bitter

2747

Vpon thy Tongue, as in my Thought. Now, good now,

2748

Say so but seldome.

2749

Cleo. Not at all, good Lady:

2750

You might haue spoken a thousand things, that would

2751

Haue done the time more benefit, and grac’d

2752

Your kindnesse better.

2753

Paul. You are one of those

2754

Would haue him wed againe.

2755

Dio. If you would not so,

2756

You pitty not the State, nor the Remembrance

2757

Of his most Soueraigne Name: Consider little,

2758

What Dangers, by his Highnesse faile of Issue,

2759

May drop vpon his Kingdome, and deuoure

2760

Incertaine lookers on. What were more holy,

2761

Then to reioyce the former Queene is well?

2762

What holyer, then for Royalties repayre,

2763

For present comfort, and for future good,

2764

To blesse the Bed of Maiestie againe

2765

With a sweet Fellow to’t?

2766

Paul. There is none worthy,

2767

(Respecting her that’s gone:) besides the Gods

2768

Will haue fulfill’d their secret purposes:

2769

For ha’s not the Diuine Apollo said?

2770

Is’t not the tenor of his Oracle,

2771

That King Leontes shall not haue an Heire,

2772

Till his lost Child be found? Which, that it shall,

2773

Is all as monstrous to our humane reason,

2774

As my Antigonus to breake his Graue,

2775

And come againe to me: who, on my life,

2776

Did perish with the Infant. ’Tis your councell,

2777

My Lord should to the Heauens be contrary,

2778

Oppose against their wills. Care not for Issue,

2779

The Crowne will find an Heire. Great Alexander

2780

Left his to th’ Worthiest: so his Successor

2781

Was like to be the best.

2782

Leo. Good Paulina,

2783

Who hast the memorie of Hermione

2784

I know in honor: O, that euer I

2785

Had squar’d me to thy councell: then, euen now,

2786

I might haue look’d vpon my Queenes full eyes,

2787

Haue taken Treasure from her Lippes.

2788

Paul. And left them

2789

More rich, for what they yeelded.

2790

Leo. Thou speak’st truth:

2791

No more such Wiues, therefore no Wife: one worse,

2792

And better vs’d, would make her Sainted Spirit

2793

Againe possesse her Corps, and on this Stage

2794

(Where we Offendors now appeare) Soule-vext,

2795

And begin, why to me?

2796

Paul. Had she such power,

2797

She had iust such cause.

2798

Leo. She had, and would incense me

2799

To murther her I marryed.

2800

Paul. I should so:

2801

Were I the Ghost that walk’d, Il’d bid you marke

2802

Her eye, and tell me for what dull part in’t

2803

You chose her: then Il’d shrieke, that euen your eares

2804

Should rift to heare me, and the words that follow’d,

2805

Should be, Remember mine.

2806

Leo. Starres, Starres,

2807

And all eyes else, dead coales: feare thou no Wife;

2808

Ile haue no Wife, Paulina.

2809

Paul. Will you sweare

2810

Neuer to marry, but by my free leaue?

2811

Leo. Neuer (Paulina) so be bless’d my Spirit.

2812

Paul. Then good my Lords, beare witnesse to his Oath.

2813

Cleo. You tempt him ouer-much.

2814

Paul. Vnlesse another,

2815

As like Hermione, as is her Picture,

2816

Affront his eye.

2817

Cleo. Good Madame, I haue done.

2818

Paul. Yet if my Lord will marry: if you will, Sir;

2819

No remedie but you will: Giue me the Office

2820

To chuse you a Queene: she shall not be so young

2821

As was your former, but she shall be such

2822

As (walk’d your first Queenes Ghost) it should take ioy

2823

To see her in your armes.

2824

Leo. My true Paulina,

2825

We shall not marry, till thou bidst vs.

2826

Paul. That

2827

Shall be when your first Queene’s againe in breath:

2828

Neuer till then.

2829

Enter a Seruant.

2830

Ser. One that giues out himselfe Prince Florizell,

2831

Sonne of Polixenes, with his Princesse (she

2832

The fairest I haue yet beheld) desires accesse

2833

To your high presence.

2834

Leo. What with him? he comes not

2835

Like to his Fathers Greatnesse: his approach

2836

(So out of circumstance, and suddaine) tells vs,

2837

’Tis not a Visitation fram’d, but forc’d

2838

By need, and accident. What Trayne?

2839

Ser. But few,

2840

And those but meane.

2841

Leo. His Princesse (say you) with him?

2842

Ser. I: the most peerelesse peece of Earth, I thinke,

2843

That ere the Sunne shone bright on.

2844

Paul. Oh Hermione,

2845

As euery present Time doth boast it selfe

2846

Aboue a better, gone; so must thy Graue

2847

Giue way to what’s seene now. Sir, you your selfe

2848

Haue said, and writ so; but your writing now

2849

Is colder then that Theame: she had not beene,

2850

Nor was not to be equall’d, thus your Verse

2851

Flow’d with her Beautie once; ’tis shrewdly ebb’d,

2852

To say you haue seene a better.

2853

Ser. Pardon, Madame:

2854

The one, I haue almost forgot (your pardon:)

2855

The other, when she ha’s obtayn’d your Eye,

2856

Will haue your Tongue too. This is a Creature,

2857

Would she begin a Sect, might quench the zeale

2858

Of all Professors else; make Proselytes

2859

Of who she but bid follow.

2860

Paul. How? not women?

2861

Ser. Women will loue her, that she is a Woman

2862

More worth then any Man: Men, that she is

2863

The rarest of all Women.

2864

Leo. Goe Cleomines,

2865

Your selfe (assisted with your honor’d Friends)

2866

Bring them to our embracement. Still ’tis strange,

2867

He thus should steale vpon vs.Exit.

2868

Paul. Had our Prince

2869

(Iewell of Children) seene this houre, he had payr’d

2870

Well with this Lord; there was not full a moneth

2871

Betweene their births.

2872

Leo. ’Prethee no more; cease: thou know’st

2873

He dyes to me againe, when talk’d-of: sure

2874

When I shall see this Gentleman, thy speeches

2875

Will bring me to consider that, which may

2876

Vnfurnish me of Reason. They are come.

2877

Enter Florizell, Perdita, Cleomines, and others.

2878

Your Mother was most true to Wedlock, Prince,

2879

For she did print your Royall Father off,

2880

Conceiuing you. Were I but twentie one,

2881

Your Fathers Image is so hit in you,

2882

(His very ayre) that I should call you Brother,

2883

As I did him, and speake of something wildly

2884

By vs perform’d before. Most dearely welcome,

2885

And your faire Princesse (Goddesse) oh: alas,

2886

I lost a couple, that ’twixt Heauen and Earth

2887

Might thus haue stood, begetting wonder, as

2888

You (gracious Couple) doe: and then I lost

2889

(All mine owne Folly) the Societie,

2890

Amitie too of your braue Father, whom

2891

(Though bearing Miserie) I desire my life

2892

Once more to looke on him.

2893

Flo. By his command

2894

Haue I here touch’d Sicilia, and from him

2895

Giue you all greetings, that a King (at friend)

2896

Can send his Brother: and but Infirmitie

2897

(Which waits vpon worne times) hath something seiz’d

2898

His wish’d Abilitie, he had himselfe

2899

The Lands and Waters, ’twixt your Throne and his,

2900

Measur’d, to looke vpon you; whom he loues

2901

(He bad me say so) more then all the Scepters,

2902

And those that beare them, liuing.

2903

Leo. Oh my Brother,

2904

(Good Gentleman) the wrongs I haue done thee, stirre

2905

Afresh within me: and these thy offices

2906

(So rarely kind) are as Interpreters

2907

Of my behind-hand slacknesse. Welcome hither,

2908

As is the Spring to th’Earth. And hath he too

2909

Expos’d this Paragon to th’fearefull vsage

2910

(At least vngentle) of the dreadfull Neptune,

2911

To greet a man, not worth her paines; much lesse,

2912

Th’aduenture of her person?

2913

Flo. Good my Lord,

2914

She came from Libia.

2915

Leo. Where the Warlike Smalus,

2916

That Noble honor’d Lord, is fear’d, and lou’d?

2917

Flo. Most Royall Sir,

2918

From thence: from him, whose Daughter

2919

His Teares proclaym’d his parting with her: thence

2920

(A prosperous South-wind friendly) we haue cross’d,

2921

To execute the Charge my Father gaue me,

2922

For visiting your Highnesse: My best Traine

2923

I haue from your Sicilian Shores dismiss’d;

2924

Who for Bohemia bend, to signifie

2925

Not onely my successe in Libia (Sir)

2926

But my arriuall, and my Wifes, in safetie

2927

Here, where we are.

2928

Leo. The blessed Gods

2929

Purge all Infection from our Ayre, whilest you

2930

Doe Clymate here: you haue a holy Father,

2931

A gracefull Gentleman, against whose person

2932

(So sacred as it is) I haue done sinne,

2933

For which, the Heauens (taking angry note)

2934

Haue left me Issue-lesse: and your Father’s bless’d

2935

(As he from Heauen merits it) with you,

2936

Worthy his goodnesse. What might I haue been,

2937

Might I a Sonne and Daughter now haue look’d on,

2938

Such goodly things as you?

2939

Enter a Lord.

2940

Lord. Most Noble Sir,

2941

That which I shall report, will beare no credit,

2942

Were not the proofe so nigh. Please you (great Sir)

2943

Bohemia greets you from himselfe, by me:

2944

Desires you to attach his Sonne, who ha’s

2945

(His Dignitie, and Dutie both cast off)

2946

Fled from his Father, from his Hopes, and with

2947

A Shepheards Daughter.

2948

Leo. Where’s Bohemia? speake.

2949

Lord. Here, in your Citie: I now came from him.

2950

I speake amazedly, and it becomes

2951

My meruaile, and my Message. To your Court

2952

Whiles he was hastning (in the Chase, it seemes,

2953

Of this faire Couple) meetes he on the way

2954

The Father of this seeming Lady, and

2955

Her Brother, hauing both their Countrey quitted,

2956

With this young Prince.

2957

Flo. Camillo ha’s betray’d me;

2958

Whose honor, and whose honestie till now,

2959

Endur’d all Weathers.

2960

Lord. Lay’t so to his charge:

2961

He’s with the King your Father.

2962

Leo. Who? Camillo?

2963

Lord. Camillo (Sir:) I spake with him: who now

2964

Ha’s these poore men in question. Neuer saw I

2965

Wretches so quake: they kneele, they kisse the Earth;

2966

Forsweare themselues as often as they speake:

2967

Bohemia stops his eares, and threatens them

2968

With diuers deaths, in death.

2969

Perd. Oh my poore Father:

2970

The Heauen sets Spyes vpon vs, will not haue

2971

Our Contract celebrated.

2972

Leo. You are marryed?

2973

Flo. We are not (Sir) nor are we like to be:

2974

The Starres (I see) will kisse the Valleyes first:

2975

The oddes for high and low’s alike.

2976

Leo. My Lord,

2977

Is this the Daughter of a King?

2978

Flo. She is,

2979

When once she is my Wife.

2980

Leo. That once (I see) by your good Fathers speed,

2981

Will come-on very slowly. I am sorry

2982

(Most sorry) you haue broken from his liking,

2983

Where you were ty’d in dutie: and as sorry,

2984

Your Choise is not so rich in Worth, as Beautie,

2985

That you might well enioy her.

2986

Flo. Deare, looke vp:

2987

Though Fortune, visible an Enemie,

2988

Should chase vs, with my Father; powre no iot

2989

Hath she to change our Loues. Beseech you (Sir)

2990

Remember, since you ow’d no more to Time

2991

Then I doe now: with thought of such Affections,

2992

Step forth mine Aduocate: at your request,

2993

My Father will graunt precious things, as Trifles.

2994

Leo. Would he doe so, I’ld beg your precious Mistris,

2995

Which he counts but a Trifle.

2996

Paul. Sir (my Liege)

2997

Your eye hath too much youth in’t: not a moneth

2998

’Fore your Queene dy’d, she was more worth such gazes,

2999

Then what you looke on now.

3000

Leo. I thought of her,

3001

Euen in these Lookes I made. But your Petition

3002

Is yet vn-answer’d: I will to your Father:

3003

Your Honor not o’re-throwne by your desires,

3004

I am friend to them, and you: Vpon which Errand

3005

I now goe toward him: therefore follow me,

3006

And marke what way I make: Come good my Lord.

3007

Exeunt.

3008

Scœna Secunda.

3009

Enter Autolicus, and a Gentleman.

3010

Aut. Beseech you (Sir) were you present at this Re-

3011

lation?

3012

Gent.1. I was by at the opening of the Farthell, heard

3013

the old Shepheard deliuer the manner how he found it:

3014

Whereupon (after a little amazednesse) we were all com-

3015

manded out of the Chamber: onely this (me thought) I

3016

heard the Shepheard say, he found the Child.

3017

Aut. I would most gladly know the issue of it.

3018

Gent.1. I make a broken deliuerie of the Businesse;

3019

but the changes I perceiued in the King, and Camillo, were

3020

very Notes of admiration: they seem’d almost, with sta-

3021

ring on one another, to teare the Cases of their Eyes.

3022

There was speech in their dumbnesse, Language in their

3023

very gesture: they look’d as they had heard of a World

3024

ransom’d, or one destroyed: a notable passion of Won-

3025

der appeared in them: but the wisest beholder, that knew

3026

no more but seeing, could not say, if th’importance were

3027

Ioy, or Sorrow; but in the extremitie of the one, it must

3028

needs be.Enter another Gentleman.

3029

Here comes a Gentleman, that happily knowes more:

3030

The Newes, Rogero.

3031

Gent.2. Nothing but Bon-fires: the Oracle is fulfill’d:

3032

the Kings Daughter is found: such a deale of wonder is

3033

broken out within this houre, that Ballad-makers cannot

3034

be able to expresse it.Enter another Gentleman.

3035

Here comes the Lady Paulina’s Steward, hee can deliuer

3036

you more. How goes it now (Sir.) This Newes (which

3037

is call’d true) is so like an old Tale, that the veritie of it is

3038

in strong suspition: Ha’s the King found his Heire?

3039

Gent.3. Most true, if euer Truth were pregnant by

3040

Circumstance: That which you heare, you’le sweare

3041

you see, there is such vnitie in the proofes. The Mantle

3042

of Queene Hermiones: her Iewell about the Neck of it:

3043

the Letters of Antigonus found with it, which they know

3044

to be his Character: the Maiestie of the Creature, in re-

3045

semblance of the Mother: the Affection of Noblenesse,

3046

which Nature shewes aboue her Breeding, and many o-

3047

ther Euidences, proclayme her, with all certaintie, to be

3048

the Kings Daughter. Did you see the meeting of the

3049

two Kings?

3050

Gent.2. No.

3051

Gent.3. Then haue you lost a Sight which was to bee

3052

seene, cannot bee spoken of. There might you haue be-

3053

held one Ioy crowne another, so and in such manner, that

3054

it seem’d Sorrow wept to take leaue of them: for their

3055

Ioy waded in teares. There was casting vp of Eyes, hol-

3056

ding vp of Hands, with Countenance of such distraction,

3057

that they were to be knowne by Garment, not by Fauor.

3058

Our King being ready to leape out of himselfe, for ioy of

3059

his found Daughter; as if that Ioy were now become a

3060

Losse, cryes, Oh, thy Mother, thy Mother: then askes

3061

Bohemia forgiuenesse, then embraces his Sonne-in-Law:

3062

then againe worryes he his Daughter, with clipping her.

3063

Now he thanks the old Shepheard (which stands by, like

3064

a Weather-bitten Conduit, of many Kings Reignes.) I

3065

neuer heard of such another Encounter; which lames Re-

3066

port to follow it, and vndo’s description to doe it.

3067

Gent.2. What, ’pray you, became of Antigonus, that

3068

carryed hence the Child?

3069

Gent.3. Like an old Tale still, which will haue matter

3070

to rehearse, though Credit be asleepe, and not an eare o-

3071

pen; he was torne to pieces with a Beare: This auouches

3072

the Shepheards Sonne; who ha’s not onely his Innocence

3073

(which seemes much) to iustifie him, but a Hand-kerchief

3074

and Rings of his, that Paulina knowes.

3075

Gent.1. What became of his Barke, and his Fol-

3076

lowers?

3077

Gent.3. Wrackt the same instant of their Masters

3078

death, and in the view of the Shepheard: so that all the

3079

Instruments which ayded to expose the Child, were euen

3080

then lost, when it was found. But oh the Noble Combat,

3081

that ’twixt Ioy and Sorrow was fought in Paulina. Shee

3082

had one Eye declin’d for the losse of her Husband, ano-

3083

ther eleuated, that the Oracle was fulfill’d: Shee lifted the

3084

Princesse from the Earth, and so locks her in embracing,

3085

as if shee would pin her to her heart, that shee might no

3086

more be in danger of loosing.

3087

Gent.1. The Dignitie of this Act was worth the au-

3088

dience of Kings and Princes, for by such was it acted.

3089

Gent.3. One of the prettyest touches of all, and that

3090

which angl’d for mine Eyes (caught the Water, though

3091

not the Fish) was, when at the Relation of the Queenes

3092

death (with the manner how shee came to’t, brauely con-

3093

fess’d, and lamented by the King) how attentiuenesse

3094

wounded his Daughter, till (from one signe of dolour to

3095

another) shee did (with an Alas) I would faine say, bleed

3096

Teares; for I am sure, my heart wept blood. Who was

3097

most Marble, there changed colour: some swownded, all

3098

sorrowed: if all the World could haue seen’t, the Woe

3099

had beene vniuersall.

3100

Gent.1. Are they returned to the Court?

3101

Gent.3. No: The Princesse hearing of her Mothers

3102

Statue (which is in the keeping of Paulina) a Peece many

3103

yeeres in doing, and now newly perform’d, by that rare

3104

Italian Master, Iulio Romano, who (had he himselfe Eter-

3105

nitie, and could put Breath into his Worke) would be-

3106

guile Nature of her Custome, so perfectly he is her Ape:

3107

He so neere to Hermione, hath done Hermione, that they

3108

say one would speake to her, and stand in hope of answer.

3109

Thither (with all greedinesse of affection) are they gone,

3110

and there they intend to Sup.

3111

Gent.2. I thought she had some great matter there in

3112

hand, for shee hath priuately, twice or thrice a day, euer

3113

since the death of Hermione, visited that remoued House.

3114

Shall wee thither, and with our companie peece the Re-

3115

ioycing?

3116

Gent.1. Who would be thence, that ha’s the benefit

3117

of Accesse? euery winke of an Eye, some new Grace

3118

will be borne: our Absence makes vs vnthriftie to our

3119

Knowledge. Let’s along.Exit.

3120

Aut. Now (had I not the dash of my former life in

3121

me) would Preferment drop on my head. I brought the

3122

old man and his Sonne aboord the Prince; told him, I

3123

heard them talke of a Farthell, and I know not what: but

3124

he at that time ouer-fond of the Shepheards Daughter (so

3125

he then tooke her to be) who began to be much Sea-sick,

3126

and himselfe little better, extremitie of Weather conti-

3127

nuing, this Mysterie remained vndiscouer’d. But ’tis all

3128

one to me: for had I beene the finder-out of this Secret,

3129

it would not haue rellish’d among my other discredits.

3130

Enter Shepheard and Clowne.

3131

Here come those I haue done good to against my will,

3132

and alreadie appearing in the blossomes of their For-

3133

tune.

3134

Shep. Come Boy, I am past moe Children: but thy

3135

Sonnes and Daughters will be all Gentlemen borne.

3136

Clow. You are well met (Sir:) you deny’d to fight

3137

with mee this other day, because I was no Gentleman

3138

borne. See you these Clothes? say you see them not,

3139

and thinke me still no Gentleman borne: You were best

3140

say these Robes are not Gentlemen borne. Giue me the

3141

Lye: doe: and try whether I am not now a Gentleman

3142

borne.

3143

Aut. I know you are now (Sir) a Gentleman borne.

3144

Clow. I, and haue been so any time these foure houres.

3145

Shep. And so haue I, Boy.

3146

Clow. So you haue: but I was a Gentleman borne be-

3147

fore my Father: for the Kings Sonne tooke me by the

3148

hand, and call’d mee Brother: and then the two Kings

3149

call’d my Father Brother: and then the Prince (my Bro-

3150

ther) and the Princesse (my Sister) call’d my Father, Father;

3151

and so wee wept: and there was the first Gentleman-like

3152

teares that euer we shed.

3153

Shep. We may liue (Sonne) to shed many more.

3154

Clow. I: or else ’twere hard luck, being in so preposte-

3155

rous estate as we are.

3156

Aut. I humbly beseech you (Sir) to pardon me all the

3157

faults I haue committed to your Worship, and to giue

3158

me your good report to the Prince my Master.

3159

Shep. ’Prethee Sonne doe: for we must be gentle, now

3160

we are Gentlemen.

3161

Clow. Thou wilt amend thy life?

3162

Aut. I, and it like your good Worship.

3163

Clow. Giue me thy hand: I will sweare to the Prince,

3164

thou art as honest a true Fellow as any is in Bohemia.

3165

Shep. You may say it, but not sweare it.

3166

Clow. Not sweare it, now I am a Gentleman? Let

3167

Boores and Francklins say it, Ile sweare it.

3168

Shep. How if it be false (Sonne?)

3169

Clow. If it be ne’re so false, a true Gentleman may

3170

sweare it, in the behalfe of his Friend: And Ile sweare to

3171

the Prince, thou art a tall Fellow of thy hands, and that

3172

thou wilt not be drunke: but I know thou art no tall Fel-

3173

low of thy hands, and that thou wilt be drunke: but Ile

3174

sweare it, and I would thou would’st be a tall Fellow of

3175

thy hands.

3176

Aut. I will proue so (Sir) to my power.

3177

Clow. I, by any meanes proue a tall Fellow: if I do not

3178

wonder, how thou dar’st venture to be drunke, not being

3179

a tall Fellow, trust me not. Harke, the Kings and the Prin-

3180

ces (our Kindred) are going to see the Queenes Picture.

3181

Come, follow vs: wee’le be thy good Masters.Exeunt.

3182

Scæna Tertia.

3183

Enter Leontes, Polixenes, Florizell, Perdita, Camillo,

3184

Paulina: Hermione (like a Statue:) Lords, &c.

3185

Leo. O graue and good Paulina, the great comfort

3186

That I haue had of thee?

3187

Paul. What (Soueraigne Sir)

3188

I did not well, I meant well: all my Seruices

3189

You haue pay’d home. But that you haue vouchsaf’d

3190

(With your Crown’d Brother, and these your contracted

3191

Heires of your Kingdomes) my poore House to visit;

3192

It is a surplus of your Grace, which neuer

3193

My life may last to answere.

3194

Leo. O Paulina,

3195

We honor you with trouble: but we came

3196

To see the Statue of our Queene. Your Gallerie

3197

Haue we pass’d through, not without much content

3198

In many singularities; but we saw not

3199

That which my Daughter came to looke vpon,

3200

The Statue of her Mother.

3201

Paul. As she liu’d peerelesse,

3202

So her dead likenesse I doe well beleeue

3203

Excells what euer yet you look’d vpon,

3204

Or hand of Man hath done: therefore I keepe it

3205

Louely, apart. But here it is: prepare

3206

To see the Life as liuely mock’d, as euer

3207

Still Sleepe mock’d Death: behold, and say ’tis well.

3208

I like your silence, it the more shewes-off

3209

Your wonder: but yet speake, first you (my Liege)

3210

Comes it not something neere?

3211

Leo. Her naturall Posture.

3212

Chide me (deare Stone) that I may say indeed

3213

Thou art Hermione; or rather, thou art she,

3214

In thy not chiding: for she was as tender

3215

As Infancie, and Grace. But yet (Paulina)

3216

Hermione was not so much wrinckled, nothing

3217

So aged as this seemes.

3218

Pol. Oh, not by much.

3219

Paul. So much the more our Caruers excellence,

3220

Which lets goe-by some sixteene yeeres, and makes her

3221

As she liu’d now.

3222

Leo. As now she might haue done,

3223

So much to my good comfort, as it is

3224

Now piercing to my Soule. Oh, thus she stood,

3225

Euen with such Life of Maiestie (warme Life,

3226

As now it coldly stands) when first I woo’d her.

3227

I am asham’d: Do’s not the Stone rebuke me,

3228

For being more Stone then it? Oh Royall Peece:

3229

There’s Magick in thy Maiestie, which ha’s

3230

My Euils coniur’d to remembrance; and

3231

From thy admiring Daughter tooke the Spirits,

3232

Standing like Stone with thee.

3233

Perd. And giue me leaue,

3234

And doe not say ’tis Superstition, that

3235

I kneele, and then implore her Blessing. Lady,

3236

Deere Queene, that ended when I but began,

3237

Giue me that hand of yours, to kisse.

3238

Paul. O, patience:

3239

The Statue is but newly fix’d; the Colour’s

3240

Not dry.

3241

Cam. My Lord, your Sorrow was too sore lay’d-on,

3242

Which sixteene Winters cannot blow away,

3243

So many Summers dry: scarce any Ioy

3244

Did euer so long liue; no Sorrow,

3245

But kill’d it selfe much sooner.

3246

Pol. Deere my Brother,

3247

Let him, that was the cause of this, haue powre

3248

To take-off so much griefe from you, as he

3249

Will peece vp in himselfe.

3250

Paul. Indeed my Lord,

3251

If I had thought the sight of my poore Image

3252

Would thus haue wrought you (for the Stone is mine)

3253

Il’d not haue shew’d it.

3254

Leo. Doe not draw the Curtaine.

3255

Paul. No longer shall you gaze on’t, least your Fancie

3256

May thinke anon, it moues.

3257

Leo. Let be, let be:

3258

Would I were dead, but that me thinkes alreadie.

3259

(What was he that did make it?) See (my Lord)

3260

Would you not deeme it breath’d? and that those veines

3261

Did verily beare blood?

3262

Pol. ’Masterly done:

3263

The very Life seemes warme vpon her Lippe.

3264

Leo. The fixure of her Eye ha’s motion in’t,

3265

As we are mock’d with Art.

3266

Paul. Ile draw the Curtaine:

3267

My Lord’s almost so farre transported, that

3268

Hee’le thinke anon it liues.

3269

Leo. Oh sweet Paulina,

3270

Make me to thinke so twentie yeeres together:

3271

No setled Sences of the World can match

3272

The pleasure of that madnesse. Let’t alone.

3273

Paul. I am sorry (Sir) I haue thus farre stir’d you: but

3274

I could afflict you farther.

3275

Leo. Doe Paulina:

3276

For this Affliction ha’s a taste as sweet

3277

As any Cordiall comfort. Still me thinkes

3278

There is an ayre comes from her. What fine Chizzell

3279

Could euer yet cut breath? Let no man mock me,

3280

For I will kisse her.

3281

Paul. Good my Lord, forbeare:

3282

The ruddinesse vpon her Lippe, is wet:

3283

You’le marre it, if you kisse it; stayne your owne

3284

With Oyly Painting: shall I draw the Curtaine.

3285

Leo. No: not these twentie yeeres.

3286

Perd. So long could I

3287

Stand-by, a looker-on.

3288

Paul. Either forbeare,

3289

Quit presently the Chappell, or resolue you

3290

For more amazement: if you can behold it,

3291

Ile make the Statue moue indeed; descend,

3292

And take you by the hand: but then you’le thinke

3293

(Which I protest against) I am assisted

3294

By wicked Powers.

3295

Leo. What you can make her doe,

3296

I am content to looke on: what to speake,

3297

I am content to heare: for ’tis as easie

3298

To make her speake, as moue.

3299

Paul. It is requir’d

3300

You doe awake your Faith: then, all stand still:

3301

On: those that thinke it is vnlawfull Businesse

3302

I am about, let them depart.

3303

Leo. Proceed:

3304

No foot shall stirre.

3305

Paul. Musick; awake her: Strike:

3306

’Tis time: descend: be Stone no more: approach:

3307

Strike all that looke vpon with meruaile: Come:

3308

Ile fill your Graue vp: stirre: nay, come away:

3309

Bequeath to Death your numnesse: (for from him,

3310

Deare Life redeemes you) you perceiue she stirres:

3311

Start not: her Actions shall be holy, as

3312

You heare my Spell is lawfull: doe not shun her,

3313

Vntill you see her dye againe; for then

3314

You kill her double: Nay, present your Hand:

3315

When she was young, you woo’d her: now, in age,

3316

Is she become the Suitor?

3317

Leo. Oh, she’s warme:

3318

If this be Magick, let it be an Art

3319

Lawfull as Eating.

3320

Pol. She embraces him.

3321

Cam. She hangs about his necke,

3322

If she pertaine to life, let her speake too.

3323

Pol. I, and make it manifest where she ha’s liu’d,

3324

Or how stolne from the dead?

3325

Paul. That she is liuing,

3326

Were it but told you, should be hooted at

3327

Like an old Tale: but it appeares she liues,

3328

Though yet she speake not. Marke a little while:

3329

Please you to interpose (faire Madam) kneele,

3330

And pray your Mothers blessing: turne good Lady,

3331

Our Perdita is found.

3332

Her. You Gods looke downe,

3333

And from your sacred Viols poure your graces

3334

Vpon my daughters head: Tell me (mine owne)

3335

Where hast thou bin preseru’d? Where liu’d? How found

3336

Thy Fathers Court? For thou shalt heare that I

3337

Knowing by Paulina, that the Oracle

3338

Gaue hope thou wast in being, haue preseru’d

3339

My selfe, to see the yssue.

3340

Paul. There’s time enough for that,

3341

Least they desire (vpon this push) to trouble

3342

Your ioyes, with like Relation. Go together

3343

You precious winners all: your exultation

3344

Partake to euery one: I (an old Turtle)

3345

Will wing me to some wither’d bough, and there

3346

My Mate (that’s neuer to be found againe)

3347

Lament, till I am lost.

3348

Leo. O peace Paulina:

3349

Thou shouldst a husband take by my consent,

3350

As I by thine a Wife. This is a Match,

3351

And made betweene’s by Vowes. Thou hast found mine,

3352

But how, is to be question’d: for I saw her

3353

(As I thought) dead: and haue (in vaine) said many

3354

A prayer vpon her graue. Ile not seeke farre

3355

(For him, I partly know his minde) to finde thee

3356

An honourable husband. Come Camillo,

3357

And take her by the hand: whose worth, and honesty

3358

Is richly noted: and heere iustified

3359

By Vs, a paire of Kings. Let’s from this place.

3360

What? looke vpon my Brother: both your pardons,

3361

That ere I put betweene your holy lookes

3362

My ill suspition: This your Son-in-law,

3363

And Sonne vnto the King, whom heauens directing

3364

Is troth-plight to your daughter. Good Paulina,

3365

Leade vs from hence, where we may leysurely

3366

Each one demand, and answere to his part

3367

Perform’d in this wide gap of Time, since first

3368

We were disseuer’d: Hastily lead away.Exeunt.

3369

FINIS.

3389