Without more overture.

Leon.

How could that be!

Either thou art most ignorant by age,

Or thou wert born a fool. Camillo's flight,
Added to their familiarity-

Which was as gross as ever touched conjecture,
They lacked sight only, nought for approbation,
But only seeing, all other circumstances

Made up to the deed-doth push on this proceeding:
Yet, for a greater confirmation,—

For in an act of this importance 't were

Most piteous to be wild-I have despatched in post,
To sacred Delphos, to Apollo's temple,
Cleomenes and Dion, whom you know

Of stuffed sufficiency. Now, from the oracle
They will bring all; whose spiritual counsel had,
Shall stop, or spur me.
Have I done well?

1 Lord. Well done, my lord.

Leon. Though I am satisfied, and need no more

Than what I know, yet shall the oracle

Give rest to the minds of others such as he

Whose ignorant credulity will not

Come up to the truth. So have we thought it good

From our free person she should be confined,
Lest that the treachery of the two fled hence
Be left her to perform. Come, follow us:

We are to speak in public; for this business
Will raise us all.

Ant. [Aside.] To laughter, as I take it,
If the good truth were known.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.-The Same. The outer Room of a

Prison.

Enter PAULINA and Attendants.

Paul. The keeper of the prison,-call to him; Let him have knowledge who I am.--Good lady!

[Exit an Attendant.

No court in Europe is too good for thee !

What dost thou then in prison ?—

Conduct me to the queen.

Gaoler. I may not, madam: to the contrary

I have express commandment.

Paul.

Here's ado,

To lock up honesty and honour from

THE WINTER S TALE.

The access of gentle visitors !--Is 't lawful,

Pray you, to see her women? any of them?
Emilia?

Gaoler. So please you, madam,

To put apart these your attendants, I

Shall bring Emilia forth.

Paul.

Withdraw yourselves.

I pray now, call her.— [Exeunt Attendants.

Gaoler.

And, madam,

I must be

present

at your

conference.

[Exit Gaoler.

Paul. Well, le't so, pr'ythee.

Here's such ado to make no stain a stain

As passes colouring.

Re-enter Gaoler, with EMILIA

Dear gentlewoman,

How fares our gracious lady?

Emil. As well as one so great and so forlorn, May hold together. On her frights and griefsWhich never tender lady hath borne greaterShe is, something before her time, delivered. Paul. A boy?

Emil.

A daughter; and a goodly babe, Lusty, and like to live: the queen receives

Paul.

I dare be sworn:—

These dangerous, unsafe lunes i' the king, beshrew

them!

He must be told on 't, and he shall the office
Becomes a woman best; I'll take 't upon me.
If I prove honey-mouthed let my tongue blister,
And never to my red-looked anger be

The trumpet any more.-Pray you, Emilia,
Commend my best obedience to the queen;
If she dares trust me with her little babe,
I'll show 't the king, and undertake to be
Her advocate to the loud'st.

We do not know

How he may soften at the sight o' the child;

The silence often of pure innocence

Persuades, when speaking fails.

Emil.

Most worthy madam,

Your honour, and your goodness is so evident,
That your free undertaking cannot miss

A thriving issue: there is no lady living
So meet for this great errand.

ship

Please your lady

To visit the next room, I'll presently
Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer,
Who, but to-day, hammered of this design,
But durst not tempt a minister of honour,

Lest she should be deni 1

Paul.

Tell her, Emilia,

I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from 't, As boldness from my bosom, let 't not be doubted I shall do good.

Emil.

Now, be you

blest for it!

I'll to the queen.-Please you, come something

nearer.

Gaoler. Madam, if 't please the queen to send the

babe,

I know not what I shall incur to pass it,

Having no warrant.

Paul.

You need not fear it, sir:

The child was prisoner to the womb, and is,
By law and process of great nature, thence
Freed and enfranchised; not a party to
The anger of the king, nor guilty of,
If any be, the trespass of the queen.

Gaoler. I do believe it.

Paul. Do not you fear: upon mine honour, I

Will stand betwixt you and danger.

[Exeunt