I like your silence; it the more shows off Leo. [L. in amazement.] Her natural posture! O, thus she stood, Even with such life of majesty, When first I woo'd her!— I am asham'd.— O, royal piece, There's magic in thy majesty; which has Per. (R.) And give me leave; And do not say, 'tis superstition, that Leo. O, masterpiece of art! nature's deceiv'd My penitence is all afloat again. Pol. Dear my brother, Let him, that was the cause of this, have power Will piece up in himself. Pau. Indeed, my lord, If I had thought, the sight of my poor image I'd not have show'd it. Leo. Do not draw the curtain. Pau. No longer shall you gaze on't; lest your fancy May think anon, it moves. Leo. Let be, let be. 'Would I were dead-but that, methinks, already— What was he that did make it ?-See, my lord, Would you not deem, it breath'd ?-and that those veins Did verily bear blood? Pau. I'll draw the curtain; My lord's almost so far transported, that He'll think anon, it lives. Leo. Make me think so twenty years together; No settled senses of the world can match The pleasure of that madness.-Let 't alone. Pau. I am sorry, sir, I have thus far stirr'd you; but I could afflict you further. Leo. Do, Paulina; For this affliction has a taste as sweet As any cordial comfort.-Still, methinks, There is an air comes from her:-What fine chisel Pau. Good my lord, forbear: The ruddiness upon her lip is wet; Shall I draw the curtain? Leo. No, not these twenty years. Stand by, a looker-on. Pau. Either forbear Quit presently the chapel, or resolve you I'll make the statue move indeed: descend, And take you by the hand: but then you'll think, (Which I protest against,) I am assisted By wicked powers. Leo. What you can make her do, I am content to look on; what to speak, To make her speak, as move. Pau. It is requir'd, You do awake your faith: Then, all stand still; Leo. Proceed: No foot shall stir. Pau. Music-awake her-strike. "Tis time; descend; be stone no more: approach; Strike all that look upon with marvel.-Come. [Solemn music.-Hermione turns towards Leontes. Leo. Heavenly powers! [Music.-Hermione descends from the Pedestal. Pau. (R. c.) Start not; her actions shall be holy, as, You hear, my spell is lawful: Nay, present your hand. Leo. (R. C.) Support me, Heaven! If this be more than visionary bliss, My reason cannot hold.-My queen, my wife? But speak to me, and turn me wild with transport. I cannot hold me longer from those arms. She is warm-she lives! Per. O, Florizel ! Leo. Her beating heart meets mine, and fluttering owns Its long-lost half: these tears, that choke her voice, Are hot and moist-it is Hermione ! Pol. O, make it manifest where she has liv'd, Or, how stolen from the dead. Pau. Mark a little while Please you to interpose, fair madam; [To Perdita.] kneel, And pray your mother's blessing.-Turn, good lady; Our Perdita is found: [Presents Perdita.-Hermione catches her in her arms. And with her found A princely husband; whose instinct of royalty, Her. You gods, look down, [Perdita and Florizel kneel. And from your sacred phials pour your graces Leo. Hark, hark! she speaks O pipe, through sixteen winters dumb! then deem'd As nature's song, tun'd to the according spheres! Leo. O, my Hermione! have I deserv'd That tender name?-Be witness, holy powers, If penitence may cleanse the soul from guilt, Leontes' tears have wash'd his crimes away. If thanks unfeign'd be all that you require, Most bounteous gods, for happiness like mine, Read in my heart, your mercy's not in vain! Her. No more, my best lov'd lord :-be all that's pass'd Buried in this enfolding, and forgiven. Leo. Thou matchless saint!-Thou paragon of virtue !. Per. Thus let me bow, and kiss that honour'd hand. Her. Thou, Perdita, my long-lost child, that fill'st My measure up of bliss-tell me, mine own, Where hast thou been preserv'd? where liv'd? how found Thy father's court? for thou shalt hear, that I Knowing by Paulina, that the oracle Gave hope thou wast in being-have preserv'd Pau. (R.) There's time enough for that; Lest they desire, upon this push, to trouble, Will wing me to some wither'd bough; and there Leo. (c.) No, no, Paulina; Live bless'd with blessing others.-My PolixenesWhat? Look upon my brother: (Polixenes advances from the L.)-both your pardons, That e'er I put between your holy looks My ill suspicion.-Come, our good Camillo, Are richly noted, and here justified By us, a pair of kings-And, my best queen, And son unto the king, by Heaven's directing Per. (R. C.) I am all shame, And ignorance itself, how to put on And yield a patch'd behaviour, That ill becomes this presence :-I shall learn, I trust I shall with meekness:-but I feel Ab, happy that I do!-a love, a heart, Unalter'd to my prince, my Florizel. Flo. (R. C.) Be still my queen of May, my shepherdess; Rule in my heart; my wishes be thy subjects, And harmless as thy sheep. Leo. Now, good Paulina, Lead us from hence; where we may leisurely Then thank the righteous gods, Who after tossing in a frightful storm, Guide us to port, and cheerful beams display, Attendants, THE END Attendants. PAUL. FLOR. PER. HER. LEON. POL. CLEO. CAM. R.] [L. |