Clo. Ay, by any means prove a tall fellow: If I do not wonder, how thou darest venture to be drunk, not being a tall fellow, trust me not.-Hark! the kings and the princes, our kindred, are going to see the queen's picture. Come, follow us; we'll be thy good masters. [Exeunt. SCENE III. The same. A room in Paulina's house. Enter Leontes, Polixenes, Florizel, Perdita, Camillo, Paulina, Lords, and Attendants. Leon. O grave and good Paulina, the great com fort That I have had of thee ! Paul. What, sovereign sir, I did not well, I meant well: All my services, You have paid home: but that you have vouchsaf'd With your crown'd brother, and these your con tracted Heirs of your kingdoms, my poor house to visit, Leon. O Paulina, We honour you with trouble: But we came That which my daughter came to look upon, Paul. As she liv'd peerless, So her dead likeness, I do well believe, Excels whatever yet you look'd upon, Or hand of man hath done; therefore I keep it To see the life as lively mock'd, as ever Still sleep mock'd death: behold; and say, 'tis well. [Paulina undraws a curtain, and discovers a statue. I like your silence, it the more shows off Leon. Pol. O, not by much. Paul. So much the more our carver's excellence; Which lets go by some sixteen years, and makes her As she liv'd now. Leon. As now she might have done, So much to my good comfort, as it is Now piercing to my soul. O, thus she stood, As now it coldly stands,) when first I woo'd her! Per. And give me leave; And do not say, 'tis superstition, that I kneel, and then implore her blessing.-Lady, Give me that hand of yours, to kiss. Paul. O, patience, The statue is but newly fix'd, the colour's Cam. My lord, your sorrow was too sore laid on ; Which sixteen winters cannot blow away, So many summers, dry: scarce any joy Did ever so long live; no sorrow, But kill'd itself much sooner. Pol. Dear my brother, Let him, that was the cause of this, have power To take off so much grief from you, as he Paul. Indeed, my lord, If I had thought, the sight of my poor image Would thus have wrought* you (for the stone is mine,) I'd not have show'd it. Leon. Do not draw the curtain. Paul. No longer shall you gaze on't; lest your fancy May think anon, it moves. Leon. Let be, let be. Would I were dead, but that methinks alreadyWhat was he, that did make it ?-See, my lord, Would you not deem, it breath'd? and that those veins Did verily bear blood? Pol. Masterly done: The very life seems warm upon her lip. Leon. The fixure of her eye has motion in't†, As we are mock'd with art. Paul. I'll draw the curtain; My lord's almost so far transported, that Leon. Paul. I am sorry, sir, I have thus far stirr'd you : but I could afflict you further. Leon. 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 chizzel Could ever yet cut breath? Let no man mock me, For I will kiss her. * Worked, agitated. ti. e. Though her eye be fixed, it seems to have motion in it. Paul. Good my lord, forbear: The ruddiness upon her lip is wet; Per. Stand by, a looker on. So long could I Either forbear, Quit presently the chapel; or resolve you By wicked powers. Leon. What you can make her do, I am content to look on: what to speak, To make her speak, as move. Paul. It is requir'd, You do awake your faith: Then, all stand still; I am about, let them depart. Leon. No foot shall stir. Paul. Proceed; Musick; awake her strike [Musick. "Tis time; descend; be stone no more: approach; Strike all that look upon with marvel. Come; I'll fill your grave up stir; nay, come away; Bequeath to death your numbness, for from him Dear life redeems you.-You perceive, she stirs : [Hermione comes down from the pedestal. Start not her actions shall be holy, as, You hear, my spell is lawful: do not shun her, Until you see her die again; for then You kill her double: Nay, present your hand : Leon. O, she's warm! If this be magick, let it be an art in age, [Embracing her. Lawful as eating. Pol. She embraces him. Cam. She hangs about his neck; If she pertain to life, let her speak too. Pol. Ay, and make't manifest where she has liv'd, Or, how stol'n from the dead? Paul. That she is living, Were it but told you, should be hooted at Like an old tale; but it appears, she lives, Though yet she speak not. Mark a little while.Please you to interpose, fair madam; kneel, And pray your mother's blessing.-Turn, good lady; Our Perdita is found. Her. [Presenting Perdita, who kneels to Hermione. You gods, look down, And from your sacred vials pour your graces Upon my daughter's head!-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,- Gave hope thou wast in being,-have preserv'd Paul. Will wing me to some wither'd bough; and there Leon. O peace, Paulina ; mine; Thou hast found But how, is to be question'd: for I saw her, * You who by this discovery have gained what you desired. |