with him, give him gold; and though authority be a stubborn bear, yet he is oft led by the nose with gold: show the inside of your purse to the outside of his hand, and no more ado: Remember, stoned, and flayed alive. Shep. An't please you, Sir, to undertake the business for us, here is that gold I have: I'll make it as much more; and leave this young man in pawn, till I bring it you, Aut. After I have done what I promised? Shep. Ay, Sir. Aut. Well, give me the moiety: party in this business? Are you a Clown. In some sort, Sir: but though my case be a pitiful one, I hope I shall not be flay'd out of it. Aut. O, that's the case of the shepherd's son: Hang him, he'll be made an example. Clown. Comfort, good comfort: We must to the King, and show our strange sights: he must know, tis none of your daughter, nor my sister; we are gone else. Sir, I will give you as much as this old man docs, when the business is perform'd; and remain, as he says, your pawn, till it be brought you. Aut. I will trust you. Walk before toward the sea-side; go on the right hand; I will but look upon the hedge, and follow you. Clown. We are bless'd in this man, as I may say, even bless'd. Shep. Let's before, as he bids us: he was provided to do us good. [Exeunt Shepherd and Clown. Aut. If I had a mind to be honest, I see, fortune would not suffer me; she drops booties in my mouth. I am courted now with a double occasion; gold, and a means to do the Prince my master good; which, who knows how that may turn back to my advance advancement? I will bring these two moles, these blind ones, aboard him: if he think it fit to shore them again, and that the complaint they have to the King concerns him nothing, let him call me, rogue, for being so far officious; for I am proof against that title, and what shame else belongs to't: To him will I present them, there may be matter in it. [Exit. A CT V. SCENE I. Sicilia. A Room in the Palace of Leontes. Enter LEONTES, CLEOMENES, DION, PAULINA, and others. Cle. Sir, you have done enough, and have perform'd A saint-like sorrow: no fault could you make, Which you have not redeem'd; indeed, paid down More penitence, than done trespass: At the last, Do, as the heavens have done; forget your evil; With them, forgive yourself. Leon. Whilst I remember Her, and her virtues, I cannot forget My blemishes in them; and so still think of Paul. True, too true, my Lord: VOL. VI. 12 Or, from the all that are, took something good, Leon. I think so. Kill'd! She I kill'd? I did so: but thou strikest me Upon thy tongue, as in my thought: Now, good Say so but seldom. Cleo. Not at all, good Lady: now, You might have spoken a thousand things, that would Have done the time more benefit, and grac'd Your kindness better. Paul. You are one of those, You pity not the state, nor the remembrance Paul. There is none worthy, Respecting her that's gone. Besides, the gods For has not the divine Apollo said, Is't not the tenour of his oracle, That King Leontes shall not have an heir, Till his lost child be found? which, that it shall, Is all as monstrous to our human reason, As my Antigonus to break his grave, And come again to me; who, on my life, Leon. Good Paulina, Who hast the memory of Hermione, I know, in honour, O, that ever I Had squar'd me to thy counsel! then, even now, Paul. And left them More rich, for what they yielded. Leon. Thou speak'st truth. No more such wives; therefore, no wife: one worse, Paul. Had she such power, She had just cause. Leon. She had; and would incense me To murder her I married. Paul. I should so: Were I the ghost that walk'd, I'd bid you mark You chose her: then I'd shriek, that even your ears Leon. Stars, very stars, And all eyes else, dead coals! I'll have no wife, Paulina. fear thou no wife Paul. Will you swear Never to marry, but by my free leave? Leon. Never, Paulina; so be bless'd my spirit! Paul. Then, good my Lords, bear witness to his oath. Cleon. You tempt him over-much. As like Hermione as is her picture, Cleon. Good Madam, Paul. I have done. Yet, if my Lord will marry, if you will, Sir, No remedy, but you will; give me the office To choose you a Queen: she shall not be so young As, walk'd your first Queen's ghost, it should take To see her in your arms. Leon. My true Paulina, joy We shall not marry, till thou bid'st us. Paul. That Shall be, when your first Queen's again in breath; Enter a Gentleman. Gent. One that gives out himself Prince Florizel, Son of Polixenes, with his Princess, (she The fairest I have yet beheld,) desires access Leon. What with him? he comes not And those but mean. |