He straight declin'd, droop'd, took it deeply; The very thought of my revenges that way Laugh at me; make their pastime at my sorrow: 1 Lord. Enter PAULINA, with a Child. You must not enter. Paul. Nay, rather, good my lords, be second to me: Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas, Ant. That's enough. 1 Atten. Madam, he hath not slept to-night; com manded None should come at him. Paul. Not so hot, good sir; I come to bring him sleep. "Tis such as you, That creep like shadows by him, and do sigh At each his needless heavings, - such as you Nourish the cause of his awaking: I Do come with words as med'cinal as true; Honest, as either; to purge him of that humour, That presses him from sleep. Leon. What noise there, ho? 6 Alone. Paul. No noise, my lord; but needful conference, About some gossips for your highness. How? Leon. Away with that audacious lady: Antigonus, I charg'd thee, that she should not come about me; I knew, she would. Ant. I told her so, my lord, Leon. What, canst not rule her? Ant. Paul. Good my liege, I come, Leon. Good queen ! Paul. Good queen, my lord, good queen: I say, good queen ; And would by combat make her good, so were I Leon. Force her hence. Paul. Let him, that makes but trifles of his eyes, First hand me on mine own accord, I'll off; But, first, I'll do my errand. The good queen, For she is good, hath brought you forth a daughter; Here 'tis; commends it to your blessing. [Laying down the Child. Out! Leon. 7 Abetting your ill courses. 8 Lowest. A very witch! Hence with her, out o' door: A most intelligencing bawd! Paul. Not so: I am as ignorant in that, as you In so entitling me: and no less honest Than you are mad; which is enough, I'll warrant, As this world goes, to pass for honest. Leon. Traitors! Will you not push her out? Give her the bastard : Thou, dotard, [To ANTIGONUS.] thou art womantir'd, unroosted By thy dame Partlet here, - take up the bastard; Take't up, I say; give't to thy crone. ' Paul. Unvenerable be thy hands, if thou For ever Tak'st up the princess, by that forced' baseness Leon. He dreads his wife. Paul. So, I would, you did; then, 'twere past all doubt, You'd call your children yours. Leon. A nest of traitors! light. Ant. I am none, by this good Paul. Nor I; nor any, But one, that's here; and that's himself: for he The sacred honour of himself, his queen's, His hopeful son's, his babe's, betrays to slander, Whose sting is sharper than the sword's; and will not (For, as the case now stands, it is a curse A callat 3, 9 Pecked by a woman; hen-pecked. I Worn-out old woman. * Forced is false; uttered with violence to truth. ✓ Trull. Of boundless tongue; who late hath beat her hus band, And now baits me!- This brat is none of mine; It is the issue of Polixenes: Hence with it; and, together with the dam, Paul. It is yours; And, might we lay the old proverb to your charge, The trick of his frown, his forehead; nay, the valley, The pretty dimples of his chin, and cheek; his smiles; The very mould and frame of hand, nail, finger: The ordering of the mind too, 'mongst all colours Leon. Ant. Hang all the husbands, That cannot do that feat, you'll leave yourself Hardly one subject. Leon. Once more, take her hence. Leon. Paul. I'll have thee burn'd. It is an heretick, that makes the fire, I care not Not she, which burns in't, I'll not call you tyrant; But this most cruel usage of your queen (Not able to produce more accusation Than your own weak-hing'd fancy,) something savours 4 The colour of jealousy. 5 Worthless fellow. Of tyranny, and will ignoble make you, Leon. On your allegiance, Out of the chamber with her. Were I a tyrant, Where were her life? she durst not call me so, If she did know me one. Away with her. Paul. I pray you, do not push me; I'll be gone. Look to your babe, my lord; 'tis yours: Jove send her A better guiding spirit! hands? What need these You, that are thus so tender o'er his follies, So, so:- Farewell; we are gone. you. [Exit. Leon. Thou, traitor, hast set on thy wife to this.My child? away with't! even thou, that hast A heart so tender o'er it, take it hence, And see it instantly consum'd with fire; Even thou, and none but thou. Take it up straight: Ant. I did not, sir: These lords, my noble fellows, if they please, Can clear me in't. 1 Lord. We can; my royal liege, He is not guilty of her coming hither. Leon. You are liars all. Lord. 'Beseech your highness, give us better credit : We have always truly serv'd you; and beseech So to esteem of us: And on our knees we beg, (As recompense of our dear services, Past, and to come,) that you do change this pur pose; |