Page images
PDF
EPUB

I lodge my wife; I'll go in couples with her;
Than when I feel, and see her, no further trust her;
For every woman in the world is false

[blocks in formation]

Good my lord,

Ant. It is for you we speak, not for ourselves: You are abus'd, and by some putter-on,

Leon.

That will be damn'd for't; 'would I knew the villain.
Cease; no more.
You smell this business with a sense as cold
As is a dead man's nose: I see't, and feel't,
As you feel doing thus; and see withal
The instruments that feel.

Ant.

If it be so,

We need no grave to bury honesty ;
There's not a grain of it, the face to sweeten
Of the whole dungy earth.

Leon.

What! lack I credit?

1 Lord. I had rather you did lack, than I, my lord, Upon this ground: and more it would content me To have her honour true, than your suspicion; Be blam'd for't how you might.

Leon. Why, what need we Commune with you of this? but rather follow Our forceful instigation? Our prerogative

Calls not your counsels; but our natural goodness
Imparts this which, if you (or stupified,
Or seeming so in skill,) cannot, or will not,
Relish as truth, like us; inform yourselves,
We need no more of your advice: the matter,
The loss, the gain, the ordering on't, is all
Properly ours.

Ant.

And I wish, my liege,

You had only in your silent judgment tried it,
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 touch'd conjecture, That lack'd sight only, nought for approbation3, 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, 'twere
Most piteous to be wild,) I have despatch'd in post,
To sacred Delphos, to Apollo's temple,
Cleomenes and Dion, whom you know

Of stuff'd 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 confin'd;
Lest that the treachery of the two, fled hence,
Be left her to perform. Come, follow us;
We are to speak in publick: 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 outer Room of a Prison.

Enter PAULINA and Attendants.

Paul. The keeper of the prison, call to him;

[Exit an Attendant. Let him have knowledge who I am.- Good lady!

3 Proof.

4 Of abilities more than sufficient.

No court in Europe is too good for thee,
What dost thou then in prison?

Now, good sir,

[blocks in formation]

Pray you, then,

And one whom much I honour.

Conduct me to the queen.

Keep. I may not, madam; to the contrary

I have express commandment.

Paul.

Here's ado,

To lock up honesty and honour from

The access of gentle visitors!

Is it lawful,

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

[ocr errors]

Keep. So please you, madam, to put

Apart these your attendants, I shall bring

Emilia forth.

Paul.

I pray now, call her.

Withdraw yourselves.

Keep.

[Exeunt Attend.

And, madam,

[Exit Keeper.

I must be present at your conference.
Paul. Well, be it so, pr'ythee.

Here's such ado to make no stain a stain,

As passes colouring.

Re-enter Keeper, 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 griefs,
(Which never tender lady hath borne greater,)
She is, something before her time, deliver❜d.
Paul. A boy?

Emil.

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

Much comfort in't: says, My poor prisoner,

I am innocent as you.

Paul.

I dare be sworn :

These dangerous unsafe lunes' o' 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-mouth'd, 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 th' loudest: 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: Please your ladyship To visit the next room, I'll presently

Acquaint the

queen of your most noble offer; Who, but to-day, hammer'd of this design; But durst not tempt a minister of honour, Lest she should be denied.

Paul.

Tell her, Emilia,

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

Emil.

Now be you blest for it! I'll to the queen: Please you, come something

nearer.

Keep. Madam, if't please the queen to send the babe,

5 Lunacies, fits of madness.

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 enfranchis'd: not a party to The anger of the king; nor guilty of, If any be, the trespass of the queen. Keep. I do believe it.

Paul.

Do not you fear: upon

Mine honour, I will stand 'twixt you and danger.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

A Room in the Palace.

Enter LEONTES, ANTIGONUS, Lords, and other Attendants.

Leon. Nor night, nor day, no rest: It is but weak

ness

To bear the matter thus; mere weakness, if
The cause were not in being;- part o'the cause,
She, the adultress ; for the harlot king
Is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank
And level of my brain, plot-proof: but she
I can hook to me: Say, that she were gone,
Given to the fire, a moiety of my rest
Might come to me again.

1 Atten.

[blocks in formation]

Who's there?

My lord? [Advancing.

He took good rest to-night :

'Tis hop'd, his sickness is discharg'd.

Leon.

His nobleness!

To see,

Conceiving the dishonour of his mother,

« PreviousContinue »