Her. He'll stay, my lord. Leo. (L. C.) At my request he would not.Hermione, my dearest, thou never spok'st To better purpose. Her. Never? Leon. Never, but once. [Polixenes crosses to R. C. Her. What, have I twice said well? When was't before? I prithee, tell me. One good deed, dying tongueless, Slaughters a thousand, waiting upon that: But once before I spoke to the purpose: When ! Leo. Why, that was when Three crabbed months had sour'd themselves to death, Ere I could make thee open thy white hand, And clepe thyself my love; then didst thou utter, "I am yours for ever." Her. [Turning to Leontes.] Why, lo you now, I have spoke to the purpose twice: The one for ever earn'd a royal husband; [Turns away, R.-- Gives her hand to Polixenes. Art thou my boy? Mum. Ay, my good lord. Leo. (L.) I'fecks! [Apart to Mamillius, L. Why, that's my bawcock. What, hast smutch'd thy nose?--- B They say, it's a copy out of mine.-Come, captain, And yet the steer, the heifer, and the calf, Are all call'd neat.-Still virginalling Upon his palm! How now, you wanton calf? Mam. Yes, if you will, my lord. Leo. Thou want'st a rough pash, and the shoots that To be full like me :-yet, they say we are Almost as like as eggs; women say so, That will say any thing: But they were false As wind, as waters; Yet were it true To say, this boy were like me. [Lifting up Mamilllus.] Look on me with your welkin eye.--Sweet villain ! Pol. [Looking at Leontes.] What means Sicilia ? Her. He something seems unsettled. Pol. (R. C.) How, my lord? [Coming forward. Leo. What cheer? How is't with you, best brother? As if you held a brow of much distraction : Are you mov'd, my lord? Leon. [Looking round to the R.] No, in good earnest.— Its tenderness; and make itself a pastime How like, methought, I then was to this kernel, Will you take eggs for money? Mam. No, my lord, I'll fight. [To Mamillius. Leo. You will?---why, happy man be his dole !----My brother, [To Polixenes. Are you so fond of your young prince, as we Do seem to be of our's? Pol. If at home, sir, He's all my exercise, my mirth, my matter; Offic'd with me :-We too will walk, my lord, Her. If you would seek us, We are yours in the garden: Shall's attend you there? Leo. To your own bents dispose you; you'll be found, Be you beneath the sky. 1 am angling now, [To Mamillius. Though you perceive me not how I give line. [Exeunt Hermione and Polixenes (R.) followed by all the Court, except Leontes, Mamillius, and Camillo. Go to-go to! [Goes R. and looks after them.-Mamillius stands L. How she holds up the neb, the bill to him! And arms her with the boldness of a wife To her allowing husband! (c.) Gone already; Inch-thick, knee-deep; o'er head and ears a fork'd one. Go play, boy, play; [Mamillius goes to him, c.] thy mother plays, and I Play too; but so disgrac'd a part, whose issue Will hiss me to my grave; contempt and clamour been, Or I am much deceiv'd, cuckolds ere now; And many a man there is, even at this present, Now, while I speak this, holds his wife by the arm, That little thinks she has Should all despair That have revolted wives, the tenth of mankind Would hang themselves.-Physic for't there is none; Where 'tis predominant; and 'tis powerful, think it, Many a thousand of us Have the disease, and feel't not.-How Leo. Why, that's some comfort. What? Camillo there? Cam. (L.) Ay, my good lord Leo. Go play, Mamillius; thou'rt an honest man. [Exit Mamillius. Camillo, this great sir will yet stay longer. Cam. (c.) You had much ado to make his anchor hold. When you cast out, it still came home. Leo. (c.) Didst note it? Cam. He would not stay at your petitions; made His business more material. Leo. Didst perceive it? They're here with me already; whispering, rounding, "Sicilia is a so forth :" "Tis far gone, When I shall gust it last. How cam't, Camillo, That he did stay? Cam. At the good Queen's entreaty. Leo. At the Queen's, be't: good should be pertinent; But so it is, is it not? Was this taken By any understanding pate but thine? For thy conceit is soaking, will draw in More than the common blocks ;-Not noted, is't, Of head-piece extraordinary? Lower messes, Perchance, are to this business purblind? say, Cam. Business, my lord? I think most understand, Bohemia stays here longer. Leo. Ha? Cam. Stays here longer. Leo. Ay, but why? Cam. To satisfy your highness, and the entreaties Of our most gracious mistress. Leo. Satisfy The entreaties of your mistress?-Satisfy!- In that which seems so. Cam. Be it forbid, my lord! Leo. To bide upon't; thou art not honest: or, From course requir'd: Or else thou must be counted And therein negligent: or else a fool, That seest a game play'd home, the rich stake drawn, Cam. In your affairs, my lord, I play'd the fool, it was my negligence. Which oft infects the wisest: these, my lord, Leon. Have you not seen, Camillo, (But that's past doubt: you have ;) Or heard, (For to a vision so apparent, rumour Cannot be mute ;) or thought, (for cogitation (Or else be impudently negative, To have nor eyes, nor ears, nor thought,) then say, As rank as any flax-wench, that puts to Before her troth-plight: say it, and justify it. Cam. (R. c.) I would not be a stander-by, to hear My present vengeance taken: 'Shrew my heart, Leo. (L. c.) Is whispering nothing Is leaning cheek to cheek? is meeting noses? Skulking in corners? wishing clocks more swift? 013 |