Saw I men scour so on their way: I ey'd them Leo. How bless'd am I In my just censure! in my true opinion! [Hermione rises. There is a plot against my life, my crown; [She leads Mamillius to R. He has discover'd my design, and I Remain a pinch'd thing; yea, a very trick For them to play at will. How came the posterns So easily open? Pho. By his great authority; Which often hath no less prevail'd than so, On your command. Leo. I know't too well. Give me the boy; [To Her.] I'm glad you did not nurse him: Though he does bear some signs of me, yet you Have too much blood in him. Her. (R.) What is this?-sport? Leo. (c.) Bear the boy hence :-he shall not come about her : Away with him. [Hermione retires up to her seat.-Thasius leads. Mamillius off, L. Look on her, mark her well: be but about To say 66 she is a goodly lady," and The justice of your hearts will thereto add, ""Tis pity she's not honest, honourable :" Praise her but for this her without-door form, (Which on my faith deserves high speech) and straight The shrug, the hum, or ha-these petty brands That calumny doth use-O, I am out That mercy does; for calumny will sear Virtue itself: [She returns to the R.] These shrugs, these hums, and ha's, When you have said, she's goodly, come between, Ere you can say, she's honest: But be it known From him, that has most cause to grieve it should be, She's an adulteress. Her. (R.) Should a villain say so, The most replenish'd villain in the world, He were as much more villain :-You, my lord, Leo. You have mistook, my lady, A feodary with her; and one that knows, A bed swerver; Ay, and privy To this their late escape. Her. No, by my life, Privy to none of this. How will this grieve you, Leo. No, no; if I mistake In those foundations which I build upon, [Goes back. A school-boy's top. Away with her to prison: But that he speaks. [She throws herself on Sofa. Her. [Rises, and comes forward R. c.] There's some ill planet reigns: I must be patient, till the heavens look With an aspect more favourable. Good, my lords, I am not prone to weeping, as our sex Commonly are; the want of which vain dew, Perchance, shall dry your pities: [To Guards, &c. on the L.] but I have That honourable grief lodg'd here, which burns Worse than tears drown: 'Beseech you all, my lords, With thoughts so qualified as your charities Shall best instruct you, measure me ;—and so The king's will be perform'd. Leo. Shall I be heard? Her. (c.) Who is't, that goes with me?--'Beseech your highness, [To Leontes. My women may be with me; for, you see, My plight requires it. Do not weep, good fools; [To her Ladies, R. There is no cause: when you shall know your mistress Has deserv'd prison, then abound in tears: This action, I now go on, Is for my better grace. (R.) Adieu, my lord: I never wish'd to see you sorry; now, I trust I shall. My women, come-you have leave. [Retires to back ground. [Exit Hermione, followed by Emilia, Lamai, Hero, Officers, and Guards, R. Pho. (L.) 'Beseech your highness, call the queen again. Ant. (L.) For her, my lord, I dare my life lay down, and will do't, sir, Please you to accept it, that the queen is spotless. Leo. Hold your peaces. Ant. It is for you we speak, not for ourselves; You are abus'd, and by some putter-on That will be damn'd for't; Be she honour-flaw'd I have three daughters; the eldest is eleven ; To bring false generations. Leo. Cease; no more: You smell this business with a sense as cold As is a dead man's nose; but I do see't, And feel't, as you feel doing thus; [Striking his hands together, and coming forward, c.] 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. Leo. What! lack I credit? Ant. I had rather you did lack, than I, my lord, Leo. (c.) Either thou art most ignorant by age, C Which was as gross as ever touch'd conjecture, Yet, for a greater confirmation, (For, in an act of this importance, 'twere Leo. Though I am satisfied, and need no more 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, Lest that the treachery of the two, fled hence, Leo. (L.) We need no more of your advice: the matter. The loss, the gain, the ordering on't, is all Properly ours: we'll spare your wisdom, sir. [Exeunt Leontes and Phocion, L. Ant. And I wish, my liege, You had only in your silent judgment tried it Without more overture. SCENE II.-A Prison. [Exit, R. Enter PAULINA and two GENTLemen, r. Pau. (c.) The keeper of the prison call to him; Let him have knowledge who I am. Good lady! [Exit Gentleman, L. No court in Europe is too good for thee; Enter GENTLEMAN, with the KEEper, l. Now, good sir, You know me-do you not? Kee. (L. c.) I may not, madam; to the contrary I have express commandment. Pau. Here's ado, To lock up honesty and honour from The access of gentle visitors!—Is it lawful, Kee. So please you, madam, to put Apart these your attendants, I shall bring Emilia forth. Pau. I pray you now call her. Withdraw yourselves. Kee. And, madam, [Exeunt the two Gentlemen, L. I must be present at your conference. [Exit Keeper, L. Here's such ado to make no stain a stain, Enter the KEEPER and EMILIA, L. Dear gentlewoman, how fares our gracious lady? Emi. A daughter; and a goodly babe, I am innocent as you.' Pau. I dare be sworn : These dangerous unsafe lunes of the king! beshrew them! Commend my best obedience to the queen; Emi. Most worthy madam, Your honour, and your goodness, is so evident, |