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A Mariner.

A Gaoler.

a

Clown, his Son.
AUTOLYCUS, a Rogue.
Time, the Chorus.

HERMIONE, Queen to Leontes.
PERDITA, Daughter to Leontes
and Hermione.

PAULINA, Wife to Antigonus.
EMILIA, a Lady attending the

Queen.

MOPSA,

Lord of

DORCAS,

An Old Shepherd, reputed

Father of Perdita.

Shepherdesses.

Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen, Officers, and Servants, Shepherds, and Shepherdesses, Guards, &c.

SCENE-Sometimes in SICILIA, sometimes in BOHEMIA.

ACT I.

SCENE I.-Sicilia.

An Ante-chamber in the

Palace of LEONTES.

Enter CAMILLO and ARCHIDAMUS.

Arch. If you shall chance, Camillo, to visit Bohemia, on the like occasion whereon my services are now on foot. VOU shell

great difference betwixt our Bohemia and your Sicilia.

Cam. I think this coming summer, the King of Sicilia means to pay Bohemia the visitation which he justly owes him.

Arch. Wherein our entertainment shall shame us, we will be justified in our loves: for, indeed— Cam. 'Beseech you—

Arch. Verily, I speak it in the freedom of my knowledge: we cannot with such magnificence-in so rare-I know not what to say.-We will give you sleepy drinks, that your senses, unintelligent of our insufficience, may, though they cannot praise us, as little accuse us.

Cam. You pay a great deal too dear for what's given freely.

Arch. Believe me, I speak as my understanding instructs me, and as mine honesty puts it to

utterance.

Cam. Sicilia cannot show himself over-kind to Bohemia. They were trained together in their childhoods; and there rooted betwixt them then such an affection, which cannot choose but branch Since their more mature dignities and royal ties made separation of their society, their

now.

attorneyed with interchange of gifts, letters, loving embassies, that they have seemed to be together though absent, shook hands as over a vast, and embraced, as it were, from the ends of opposed winds. The heavens continue their loves!

Arch. I think there is not in the world either malice or matter to alter it. You have an unspeakable comfort of your young Prince Mamillius: it is a gentleman of the greatest promise that ever came into my note.

Cam. I very well agree with you in the hopes of him. It is a gallant child; one that, indeed, physics the subject, makes old hearts fresh: they that went on crutches ere he was born 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 live.

Arch. If the king had no son, they would desire to live on crutches till he had one.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.-Sicilia. A Room of State in the Palace.

Enter LEONTES, POLIXENES, HERMIONE, MAMILLIUS, CAMILLO, and Attendants.

Pol. Nine changes of the watery star have been
The shepherd's note since we have left our throne
Without a burden: time as long again
Would be filled up, my brother, with our thanks,
And yet we should for perpetzity

Go hence in debt: and therefore, like a cipher,
Yet standing in rich place, I multiply

With one 'We thank you' many thousands more
That go before it.

Leon.

Stay your thanks awhile,

Sir, that's to-morrow

And pay them when you part.

Pol.

I am questioned by my fears of what may chance
Or breed upon our absence; that may blow
No sneaping winds at home to make us say,

This is put forth too truly!' Besides, I have stayed

To tire your royalty.

Pol.

No longer stay.

Leon. One seven-night longer.

Pol.

Very sooth, to-morrow.

Leon. We'll part the time between's then; and

in that,

I'll no gainsaying.

Pol.

Press me not, 'beseech you, so.

There is no tongue that moves, none, none i' the

world

So soon as yours, could win me; so it should now
Were there necessity in your request, although
'T were needful I denied it. My affairs
Do even drag me homeward; which to hinder
Were, in your love, a whip to me, my stay,
To you a charge and trouble: to save both,
Farewell, our brother.

Leon. Tongue-tied, our queen? speak you.

Her. I had thought, sir, to have held my peace until

You had drawn oaths 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 proclaimed. Say this to him,
He's beat from his best ward.

Leon

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