ACT III.

LINENOTES:Scene III.]Scene IV.Pope.A room....]Scene changes to the Palace. Theobald.Enter ... and Servants]Enter Leontes, Servants, Paulina, Antigonus and Lords. Ff.[2]weakness. If]Collier.weaknesse, ifFf.[3]being,—]being:Ff.[5]arm]aimField conj.[9]First Atten.[advancing] Capell. Ser. Ff. Enrer. F2. Enter. F3 F4. om. F1.[10,11]rest to-night; 'Tis hoped his]rest to night: 'tis hop'd HisFf.rest To-night tis hop'd hisHanmer.[14]declined]declin'd upon'tCapell.deeply]most deeplyHanmer.[18][Exit....]Theobald.[20]Recoil]RecoyleF1 F2.RecoylF3 F4.RecoilsHanmer.[21]And in ... be]F1. omitted in F2 F3 F4.And] om. Capell.alliance;]Alliance;F1.alliances,—Capell conj.[21, 22]let him be Until]let him Be 'tillHanmer.[26]Scene V.Pope.Enter P. ... child.]Rowe. Enter P. Ff.First Lord.]Malone. Lord. Ff.[30]That's enough.]Marked as aside by Capell.[31]Sec. Serv.]Ser. Ff. Atten. [within. Theobald. 2 A. Capell.[37]medicinal]med'cinalCapell.[39]What]F2 F3 F4.WhoF1.[49]trust it]trust meHanmer.[50]La you]La-youFf.Lo-youPope.[51]rein]Rowe.raineF1 F2.rainF3 F4.[53]professes]professRowe (ed. 2).[57]seem]seemsPope (ed. 2).[58, 59]Paul.Good ... say good queen]As one line in Capell.[59]I say good queen]As one line in Ff.[60]her]itHeath conj.good, so]Theobald,good so,Ff.good,Rowe (ed. 2).[61]the worst]on th' worstHanmer (Warburton).[66][Laying....]Rowe. om. Ff.[73][To Ant. Rowe.][74]thou art]that artCapell.woman-tired]woman-tyr'dF1 F2 F3.woman-tir'dF4.[75]thy dame]the dameRowe (ed. 2).[76]thy crone]thy croaneF1.the croaneF2 F3.the croanF4.[78]forced]falsedCollier conj.[85]his babe's]this babe'sCapell.[90]sound]F1.foundF2 F3 F4.[95]them]itCapell conj.[100]valley]valleysHanmer.[101]pretty]om. Hanmer.of his chin]of's chinDyce.his smiles]omitted by Capell.[109]That]ThouRowe (ed. 2).[Aside.Anon. conj.[113]ha' thee]have theeSteevens.[118]something]sometimesRowe.[120]the world]all the worldPope.[125]Jove]GodAnon. conj.her]himHeath conj.[126]better guiding]better-guidingS. Walker conj.needs]F1.needeF2.needF3 F4.[130]Scene VI.Pope.[131]with't!]with't?Ff.thou,]thou, thouTheobald.[137]what thou else call'st]all that'sHanmer, ending line 136 atseize.[141]set'st]sett'd'stHanmer.[142]These lords]The LordsHanmer.[143]Lords.]Ff. Lord. Rowe. 1. L. Capell.[143, 144]Lords.We can ... hither]Lords.We can.First Lord.My ... hitherAnon. conj.[146]First Lord.]1. L. Capell. Lord. Ff. Lords. Rowe.[147]We have]We'vePope.beseech you]Rowe.beseech'F1. beseech F2 F3 F4.[149]services]serviceHanmer, ending line 148 atknees.[152]we all kneel]Lords.We all kneelAnon. conj.[153]feather]F1 F2 F3.fatherF4.[157][To Ant.Rowe.[159]midwife]Mid-wifeFf.mild wifeRann (Capell conj.).[161]this]hisTheobald conj.thyCollier (Egerton MS.).[164]at least]F1.at lastF2 F3 F4.[166]any thing possible]what's possibleHanmer.[171]lewd-tongued]loud-tonguedAnon. conj.[177]more]F1.muchF2 F3 F4.its]F3 F4.itF1 F2.See note (vii).[181]strangely to some]to some strangerHanmer.[182]chance]F1 F2.changeF3 F4.[189-191]require! ... loss!]require; and ... side(Poor ... losse.) Ff.require; and ... side! Poor ... loss.—Theobald.[190]this]hisRoderick conj.[191][Exit ... child.]Rowe. Exit. Ff.rear]F3 F4.reareF1.rareF2.[192][Enter a Servant.]Ff. Enter a Messenger. Rowe. om. Capell.Serv.]Ff. Mes. Rowe. 2. A. Capell.[196]First Lord.]1. L. Capell. Lord. Ff.[197]account]F4.accomptF1 F2 F3.[198]'tis good speed; foretells]this good speed foretelsPope.foretells]and foretellsorit foretellsKeightley conj.

LINENOTES:

Scene III.]Scene IV.Pope.

A room....]Scene changes to the Palace. Theobald.

Enter ... and Servants]Enter Leontes, Servants, Paulina, Antigonus and Lords. Ff.

[2]weakness. If]Collier.weaknesse, ifFf.

[3]being,—]being:Ff.

[5]arm]aimField conj.

[9]First Atten.[advancing] Capell. Ser. Ff. Enrer. F2. Enter. F3 F4. om. F1.

[10,11]rest to-night; 'Tis hoped his]rest to night: 'tis hop'd HisFf.rest To-night tis hop'd hisHanmer.

[14]declined]declin'd upon'tCapell.

deeply]most deeplyHanmer.

[18][Exit....]Theobald.

[20]Recoil]RecoyleF1 F2.RecoylF3 F4.RecoilsHanmer.

[21]And in ... be]F1. omitted in F2 F3 F4.

And] om. Capell.

alliance;]Alliance;F1.alliances,—Capell conj.

[21, 22]let him be Until]let him Be 'tillHanmer.

[26]Scene V.Pope.

Enter P. ... child.]Rowe. Enter P. Ff.

First Lord.]Malone. Lord. Ff.

[30]That's enough.]Marked as aside by Capell.

[31]Sec. Serv.]Ser. Ff. Atten. [within. Theobald. 2 A. Capell.

[37]medicinal]med'cinalCapell.

[39]What]F2 F3 F4.WhoF1.

[49]trust it]trust meHanmer.

[50]La you]La-youFf.Lo-youPope.

[51]rein]Rowe.raineF1 F2.rainF3 F4.

[53]professes]professRowe (ed. 2).

[57]seem]seemsPope (ed. 2).

[58, 59]Paul.Good ... say good queen]As one line in Capell.

[59]I say good queen]As one line in Ff.

[60]her]itHeath conj.

good, so]Theobald,good so,Ff.good,Rowe (ed. 2).

[61]the worst]on th' worstHanmer (Warburton).

[66][Laying....]Rowe. om. Ff.

[73][To Ant. Rowe.]

[74]thou art]that artCapell.

woman-tired]woman-tyr'dF1 F2 F3.woman-tir'dF4.

[75]thy dame]the dameRowe (ed. 2).

[76]thy crone]thy croaneF1.the croaneF2 F3.the croanF4.

[78]forced]falsedCollier conj.

[85]his babe's]this babe'sCapell.

[90]sound]F1.foundF2 F3 F4.

[95]them]itCapell conj.

[100]valley]valleysHanmer.

[101]pretty]om. Hanmer.

of his chin]of's chinDyce.

his smiles]omitted by Capell.

[109]That]ThouRowe (ed. 2).

[Aside.Anon. conj.

[113]ha' thee]have theeSteevens.

[118]something]sometimesRowe.

[120]the world]all the worldPope.

[125]Jove]GodAnon. conj.

her]himHeath conj.

[126]better guiding]better-guidingS. Walker conj.

needs]F1.needeF2.needF3 F4.

[130]Scene VI.Pope.

[131]with't!]with't?Ff.

thou,]thou, thouTheobald.

[137]what thou else call'st]all that'sHanmer, ending line 136 atseize.

[141]set'st]sett'd'stHanmer.

[142]These lords]The LordsHanmer.

[143]Lords.]Ff. Lord. Rowe. 1. L. Capell.

[143, 144]Lords.We can ... hither]Lords.We can.First Lord.My ... hitherAnon. conj.

[146]First Lord.]1. L. Capell. Lord. Ff. Lords. Rowe.

[147]We have]We'vePope.

beseech you]Rowe.beseech'F1. beseech F2 F3 F4.

[149]services]serviceHanmer, ending line 148 atknees.

[152]we all kneel]Lords.We all kneelAnon. conj.

[153]feather]F1 F2 F3.fatherF4.

[157][To Ant.Rowe.

[159]midwife]Mid-wifeFf.mild wifeRann (Capell conj.).

[161]this]hisTheobald conj.thyCollier (Egerton MS.).

[164]at least]F1.at lastF2 F3 F4.

[166]any thing possible]what's possibleHanmer.

[171]lewd-tongued]loud-tonguedAnon. conj.

[177]more]F1.muchF2 F3 F4.

its]F3 F4.itF1 F2.See note (vii).

[181]strangely to some]to some strangerHanmer.

[182]chance]F1 F2.changeF3 F4.

[189-191]require! ... loss!]require; and ... side(Poor ... losse.) Ff.require; and ... side! Poor ... loss.—Theobald.

[190]this]hisRoderick conj.

[191][Exit ... child.]Rowe. Exit. Ff.

rear]F3 F4.reareF1.rareF2.

[192][Enter a Servant.]Ff. Enter a Messenger. Rowe. om. Capell.

Serv.]Ff. Mes. Rowe. 2. A. Capell.

[196]First Lord.]1. L. Capell. Lord. Ff.

[197]account]F4.accomptF1 F2 F3.

[198]'tis good speed; foretells]this good speed foretelsPope.

foretells]and foretellsorit foretellsKeightley conj.

EnterCleomenesandDion.Cleo.The climate's delicate, the air most sweet,Fertile theisle, the temple much surpassingThe common praise it bears.Dion.I shall report,For most itcaught me, the celestial habits,5Methinks I so should term them, and the reverenceOf the grave wearers. O, the sacrifice!How ceremonious, solemn and unearthlyIt was i' the offering!Cleo.But of all, the burstAnd the ear-deafening voice o' the oracle,10Kin to Jove's thunder, so surprised my sense,That I was nothing.Dion.If the event o' the journeyProve as successful to the queen,—O be't so!—As it hath been to us rare, pleasant, speedy,Thetimeis worth the use on't.Cleo.Great Apollo15Turn all to the best! These proclamations,So forcing faults upon Hermione,I little like.Dion.The violent carriage of itWill clear or end the business: when the oracle,Thus by Apollo's great divine seal'd up,20Shall the contents discover, something rareEven then will rush to knowledge. Go: fresh horses!And gracious be the issue![Exeunt.

EnterCleomenesandDion.

Cleo.The climate's delicate, the air most sweet,Fertile theisle, the temple much surpassingThe common praise it bears.

Cleo.The climate's delicate, the air most sweet,

Fertile theisle, the temple much surpassing

The common praise it bears.

Dion.I shall report,For most itcaught me, the celestial habits,5Methinks I so should term them, and the reverenceOf the grave wearers. O, the sacrifice!How ceremonious, solemn and unearthlyIt was i' the offering!

Dion.I shall report,

For most itcaught me, the celestial habits,

Methinks I so should term them, and the reverence

Of the grave wearers. O, the sacrifice!

How ceremonious, solemn and unearthly

It was i' the offering!

Cleo.But of all, the burstAnd the ear-deafening voice o' the oracle,10Kin to Jove's thunder, so surprised my sense,That I was nothing.

Cleo.But of all, the burst

And the ear-deafening voice o' the oracle,

Kin to Jove's thunder, so surprised my sense,

That I was nothing.

Dion.If the event o' the journeyProve as successful to the queen,—O be't so!—As it hath been to us rare, pleasant, speedy,Thetimeis worth the use on't.

Dion.If the event o' the journey

Prove as successful to the queen,—O be't so!—

As it hath been to us rare, pleasant, speedy,

Thetimeis worth the use on't.

Cleo.Great Apollo15Turn all to the best! These proclamations,So forcing faults upon Hermione,I little like.

Cleo.Great Apollo

Turn all to the best! These proclamations,

So forcing faults upon Hermione,

I little like.

Dion.The violent carriage of itWill clear or end the business: when the oracle,Thus by Apollo's great divine seal'd up,20Shall the contents discover, something rareEven then will rush to knowledge. Go: fresh horses!And gracious be the issue![Exeunt.

Dion.The violent carriage of it

Will clear or end the business: when the oracle,

Thus by Apollo's great divine seal'd up,

Shall the contents discover, something rare

Even then will rush to knowledge. Go: fresh horses!

And gracious be the issue![Exeunt.

LINENOTES:Act III. Scene I.]Act II. Scene IV.Theobald conj.A sea-port....]Edd. A part of Sicily near the seaside. Theobald. The same. A street in some town. Capell.Enter C. and D.]Enter C., D., and an Attendant. S. Walker conj.[2]isle]soilHanmer (Warburton conj.).[3]I shall report,]It shames report.Warburton.[4]For most]ForemostWarburton.it]theyHanmer.[14]time ... use]use ... timeHanmer (Warburton).

LINENOTES:

Act III. Scene I.]Act II. Scene IV.Theobald conj.

A sea-port....]Edd. A part of Sicily near the seaside. Theobald. The same. A street in some town. Capell.

Enter C. and D.]Enter C., D., and an Attendant. S. Walker conj.

[2]isle]soilHanmer (Warburton conj.).

[3]I shall report,]It shames report.Warburton.

[4]For most]ForemostWarburton.

it]theyHanmer.

[14]time ... use]use ... timeHanmer (Warburton).

EnterLeontes, Lords,andOfficers.Leon.Thissessions, to our great grief wepronounce,Evenpushes 'gainst our heart: the party triedThe daughter of a king, our wife, and oneOf us too much beloved. Let us be clear'd5Of being tyrannous, since we so openlyProceed in justice, which shall have due course,Even to the guilt or the purgation.Produce the prisoner.Off.It is his highness' pleasure that the queen10Appear in person here in court.Silence!EnterHermioneguarded;PaulinaandLadiesattending.Leon.Read the indictment.Off.[reads]Hermione, queen to the worthy Leontes, king ofSicilia, thou art here accused and arraigned of high treason, in committingadultery with Polixenes, king of Bohemia, and conspiring15with Camillo to take away the life of our sovereign lord the king,thy royal husband: the pretence whereof being bycircumstancespartly laid open, thou, Hermione, contrary to the faith and allegianceof a true subject, didst counsel and aid them, for their better safety,to fly away by night.20Her.Since what I am to say must be but thatWhich contradicts my accusation andThe testimony on my part no otherBut what comes from myself, it shall scarce boot meTo say 'not guilty:' mine integrity25Being counted falsehood, shall, as I express it,Be so received. But thus, if powers divineBehold our human actions, as they do,I doubt not then but innocence shall makeFalseaccusationblush, and tyranny30Tremble at patience. You, my lord, best know,Wholeast will seem to do so, my past lifeHath been as continent, as chaste, as true,As I am now unhappy; which is moreThan history can pattern, though devised35And play'd to take spectators. For behold meA fellow of the royal bed, whichoweA moiety of the throne, a great king's daughter,The mother to a hopeful prince, here standingToprateand talk for life and honour 'fore40Who please to come and hear. For life, I prize itAs I weighgrief,which I would spare: for honour,'Tis a derivative from me to mine,And only that I stand for. I appealTo your own conscience, sir, before Polixenes45Came to your court, how I was in your grace,How merited to be so; since he came,With what encounter so uncurrent IHavestrain'd,to appear thus: if one jot beyondTheboundof honour, or in act or will50That way inclining, harden'd be the heartsOf all that hear me, and my near'st of kinCry fie upon my grave!Leon.I ne'er heard yetThat any ofthesebolder vices wantedLess impudence to gainsay what they didThan to perform it first.55Her.That'strue enough;Though 'tis a saying, sir, not due to me.Leon.You will not own it.Her.More thanmistress ofWhichcomes to me in name of fault, I must notAt all acknowledge. For Polixenes,60With whom I am accused, I do confessI loved him as in honour he required,With such a kind of love as might becomeA lady like me, with a love even such,So and no other, as yourself commanded:65Which not to have done I think had been in meBoth disobedience and ingratitudeTo you andtowardyourfriend; whose love had spoke,Evensince it could speak, from an infant, freelyThat it was yours. Now, for conspiracy,70I know not how it tastes; though it be dish'dFor me to try how: all I know of itIs that Camillo was an honest man;And why he left your court, the gods themselves,Wotting no more than I, are ignorant.75Leon.You knew of his departure, as youknowWhat you have underta'en to do in's absence.Her.Sir,You speak a language that I understand not:My life stands in the level of your dreams,Which I'll lay down.80Leon.Your actions are my dreams;You had a bastard by Polixenes,And I but dream'd it. As you were past all shame,—Those of yourfactare so,—so past alltruth:Which to denyconcerns more than avails;for as85Thybrat hath beencast out,liketo itself,No father owning it,—which is, indeed,More criminal in thee than it,—so thouShalt feel our justice, in whose easiest passageLook for no less than death.Her.Sir, spare your threats:90The bug which you would frightmewith I seek.To me can life be no commodity:The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,But know not how it went. My second joy95Andfirst-fruits of my body, from his presenceI ambarr'd, like one infectious. My third comfort,Starr'd most unluckily, is from my breast,The innocent milk initmost innocent mouth,Haled out to murder: myself on every post100Proclaimed astrumpet: with immodest hatredThe child-bed privilege denied, which 'longsTo women of all fashion; lastly, hurriedHere to this place, i' the open air, beforeI have got strength oflimit. Now, my liege,105Tell me what blessings I have here alive,That I should fear to die? Therefore proceed.But yet hear this; mistake me not;no life,I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,Which I would free, if I shall be condemn'd110Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping elseBut what your jealousies awake, I tell you'Tis rigour and not law. Your honours all,I do refer me to the oracle:Apollo be my judge!First Lord.This yourrequest115Is altogether just: therefore bring forth,And in Apollo's name, his oracle.[Exeuntcertain Officers.Her.The Emperor of Russia was my father:O that he were alive, and here beholdingHis daughter's trial! that he did but see120The flatness of my misery, yet with eyesOf pity, not revenge!Re-enterOfficers,withCleomenesandDion.Off. You here shall swear uponthissword of justice,That you, Cleomenes and Dion, haveBeen both at Delphos, and from thence have brought125This seal'd-up oracle, by the hand deliver'dOf great Apollo's priest and that since thenYou have not dared to break the holy sealNor read the secrets in't.Cleo. Dion.All this we swear.Leon.Break up the seals and read.130Off.[reads]Hermione ischaste; Polixenes blameless;Camillo a true subject; Leontes a jealous tyrant; his innocent babe trulybegotten; and the king shall live without an heir, if that which is lostbe not found.Lords.Now blessed be the great Apollo!Her.Praised!Leon.Hast thou read truth?135Off.Ay,my lord; even soAsit ishere set down.Leon.There is notruthat all i' the oracle:Thesessionsshall proceed: this is mere falsehood.EnterServant.Serv.My lord the king, the king!Leon.What is the business?140Serv.O sir, I shall be hated to report it!The prince your son, with mere conceit and fearOf the queen's speed, is gone.Leon.How! gone!Serv.Is dead.Leon.Apollo's angry; and the heavens themselvesDo strike at my injustice.[Hermione faints.]How now there!145Paul.This news is mortal to the queen: look downAnd see what death is doing.Leon.Take her hence:Her heart is but o'ercharged; she will recover:I have too much believed mine own suspicion:Beseech you, tenderly apply to herSome remedies forlife.[ExeuntPaulina and Ladies, with Hermione.150Apollo, pardonMy great profaneness 'gainst thine oracle!I'll reconcile me to Polixenes;New woo my queen; recall the good Camillo,Whom I proclaim a man of truth, of mercy;155For, being transported by my jealousiesTo bloody thoughts and to revenge, I choseCamillo for the minister to poisonMy friend Polixenes: which had been done,But that the good mind of Camillo tardied160My swift command, though I with death and withReward did threaten and encourage him,Not doing it and being done: he, most humaneAnd fill'd with honour, to my kingly guestUnclasp'd my practice, quit his fortunes here,165Which you knewgreat, and to thehazardOf all incertainties himself commended,No richer than his honour: how he glistersThorough myrust! and how his pietyDoes my deeds make theblacker!Re-enterPaulina.Paul.Woe the while!O, cut my lace,lestmy heart, cracking it,170Break too!First Lord.What fit is this, good lady?Paul.What studied torments, tyrant, hast for me?What wheels?racks? fires?whatflaying? boiling?Inleads or oils? what old ornewertorture175Must I receive, whoseeveryword deservesTo taste of thy most worst? Thy tyrannyTogether working with thy jealousies,Fancies too weak for boys, too green and idleFor girls of nine, O, think what they have done180And then run mad indeed, stark mad! for allThy by-gone fooleries werebutspicesofit.That thou betray'dst Polixenes, 'twas nothing;That did but showthee, of a fool,inconstantAnddamnable ingrateful:nor was't much,185Thou wouldst have poison'd good Camillo's honour,To have him kill a king; poor trespasses,More monstrous standing by: whereof I reckonThe casting forthto crows thybaby-daughterTo be or none or little; though a devil190Would have shed water out of fire ere done't:Nor is't directly laid to thee, the deathOf the young prince, whose honourable thoughts,Thoughts high for one so tender, cleft the heartThat could conceive a gross and foolish sire195Blemish'd his gracious dam: this is not, no,Laid to thy answer: but the last,—O lords,When I have said, cry 'woe!'—the queen, the queen,Thesweet'st, dear'stcreature's dead, and vengeance for'tNot dropp'd down yet.First Lord.The higher powers forbid!200Paul.I say she's dead, I'll swear't. If word nor oathPrevail not, go and see: if you can bringTincture or lustre in her lip, her eye,Heat outwardly or breath within, I'll serve youAs I would do the gods. But, O thou tyrant!205Donot repent these things, for they areheavierThan all thywoescan stir: therefore betake theeTo nothing but despair. A thousand kneesTen thousand years together, naked, fasting,Upon a barren mountain, and still winter210In storm perpetual, could not move the godsTo look that way thou wert.Leon.Go on, go on:Thou canst not speak too much; I have deservedAll tongues to talk their bitterest.First Lord.Say no more:Howe'er the business goes, you have made faultI' the boldness of your speech.215Paul.I am sorry for't:All faults I make, when I shall come to know them,I do repent. Alas!I haveshow'd too muchThe rashness of a woman: he is touch'dTo the noble heart. What's gone and what's past help220Should be past grief: do notreceiveafflictionAtmy petition;I beseechyou, ratherLet me be punish'd, that have minded youOf what you should forget. Now, good my liege,Sir, royal sir, forgive a foolish woman:225The love I bore your queen, lo, fool again!I'll speak of her no more, nor of your children;I'll not remember you of my own lord,Who islost too:take yourpatienceto you,And I'll say nothing.Leon.Thou didst speak but well230When most the truth; which I receive much betterThan to be pitied of thee. Prithee, bring meTo the dead bodies of my queen and son:One grave shall be for both; upon them shallThe causes of their death appear, unto235Our shame perpetual. Once a day I'll visitThe chapel where they lie, and tears shed thereShall be my recreation: so long as natureWillbear up with this exercise, so longI daily vow to use it. Come and lead me240Tothesesorrows.[Exeunt.

EnterLeontes, Lords,andOfficers.

Leon.Thissessions, to our great grief wepronounce,Evenpushes 'gainst our heart: the party triedThe daughter of a king, our wife, and oneOf us too much beloved. Let us be clear'd5Of being tyrannous, since we so openlyProceed in justice, which shall have due course,Even to the guilt or the purgation.Produce the prisoner.

Leon.Thissessions, to our great grief wepronounce,

Evenpushes 'gainst our heart: the party tried

The daughter of a king, our wife, and one

Of us too much beloved. Let us be clear'd

Of being tyrannous, since we so openly

Proceed in justice, which shall have due course,

Even to the guilt or the purgation.

Produce the prisoner.

Off.It is his highness' pleasure that the queen10Appear in person here in court.Silence!

Off.It is his highness' pleasure that the queen

Appear in person here in court.Silence!

EnterHermioneguarded;PaulinaandLadiesattending.

Leon.Read the indictment.

Off.[reads]Hermione, queen to the worthy Leontes, king ofSicilia, thou art here accused and arraigned of high treason, in committingadultery with Polixenes, king of Bohemia, and conspiring15with Camillo to take away the life of our sovereign lord the king,thy royal husband: the pretence whereof being bycircumstancespartly laid open, thou, Hermione, contrary to the faith and allegianceof a true subject, didst counsel and aid them, for their better safety,to fly away by night.

Off.[reads]Hermione, queen to the worthy Leontes, king of

Sicilia, thou art here accused and arraigned of high treason, in committing

adultery with Polixenes, king of Bohemia, and conspiring

with Camillo to take away the life of our sovereign lord the king,

thy royal husband: the pretence whereof being bycircumstances

partly laid open, thou, Hermione, contrary to the faith and allegiance

of a true subject, didst counsel and aid them, for their better safety,

to fly away by night.

20Her.Since what I am to say must be but thatWhich contradicts my accusation andThe testimony on my part no otherBut what comes from myself, it shall scarce boot meTo say 'not guilty:' mine integrity25Being counted falsehood, shall, as I express it,Be so received. But thus, if powers divineBehold our human actions, as they do,I doubt not then but innocence shall makeFalseaccusationblush, and tyranny30Tremble at patience. You, my lord, best know,Wholeast will seem to do so, my past lifeHath been as continent, as chaste, as true,As I am now unhappy; which is moreThan history can pattern, though devised35And play'd to take spectators. For behold meA fellow of the royal bed, whichoweA moiety of the throne, a great king's daughter,The mother to a hopeful prince, here standingToprateand talk for life and honour 'fore40Who please to come and hear. For life, I prize itAs I weighgrief,which I would spare: for honour,'Tis a derivative from me to mine,And only that I stand for. I appealTo your own conscience, sir, before Polixenes45Came to your court, how I was in your grace,How merited to be so; since he came,With what encounter so uncurrent IHavestrain'd,to appear thus: if one jot beyondTheboundof honour, or in act or will50That way inclining, harden'd be the heartsOf all that hear me, and my near'st of kinCry fie upon my grave!

Her.Since what I am to say must be but that

Which contradicts my accusation and

The testimony on my part no other

But what comes from myself, it shall scarce boot me

To say 'not guilty:' mine integrity

Being counted falsehood, shall, as I express it,

Be so received. But thus, if powers divine

Behold our human actions, as they do,

I doubt not then but innocence shall make

Falseaccusationblush, and tyranny

Tremble at patience. You, my lord, best know,

Wholeast will seem to do so, my past life

Hath been as continent, as chaste, as true,

As I am now unhappy; which is more

Than history can pattern, though devised

And play'd to take spectators. For behold me

A fellow of the royal bed, whichowe

A moiety of the throne, a great king's daughter,

The mother to a hopeful prince, here standing

Toprateand talk for life and honour 'fore

Who please to come and hear. For life, I prize it

As I weighgrief,which I would spare: for honour,

'Tis a derivative from me to mine,

And only that I stand for. I appeal

To your own conscience, sir, before Polixenes

Came to your court, how I was in your grace,

How merited to be so; since he came,

With what encounter so uncurrent I

Havestrain'd,to appear thus: if one jot beyond

Theboundof honour, or in act or will

That way inclining, harden'd be the hearts

Of all that hear me, and my near'st of kin

Cry fie upon my grave!

Leon.I ne'er heard yetThat any ofthesebolder vices wantedLess impudence to gainsay what they didThan to perform it first.

Leon.I ne'er heard yet

That any ofthesebolder vices wanted

Less impudence to gainsay what they did

Than to perform it first.

55Her.That'strue enough;Though 'tis a saying, sir, not due to me.

Her.That'strue enough;

Though 'tis a saying, sir, not due to me.

Leon.You will not own it.

Her.More thanmistress ofWhichcomes to me in name of fault, I must notAt all acknowledge. For Polixenes,60With whom I am accused, I do confessI loved him as in honour he required,With such a kind of love as might becomeA lady like me, with a love even such,So and no other, as yourself commanded:65Which not to have done I think had been in meBoth disobedience and ingratitudeTo you andtowardyourfriend; whose love had spoke,Evensince it could speak, from an infant, freelyThat it was yours. Now, for conspiracy,70I know not how it tastes; though it be dish'dFor me to try how: all I know of itIs that Camillo was an honest man;And why he left your court, the gods themselves,Wotting no more than I, are ignorant.

Her.More thanmistress of

Whichcomes to me in name of fault, I must not

At all acknowledge. For Polixenes,

With whom I am accused, I do confess

I loved him as in honour he required,

With such a kind of love as might become

A lady like me, with a love even such,

So and no other, as yourself commanded:

Which not to have done I think had been in me

Both disobedience and ingratitude

To you andtowardyourfriend; whose love had spoke,

Evensince it could speak, from an infant, freely

That it was yours. Now, for conspiracy,

I know not how it tastes; though it be dish'd

For me to try how: all I know of it

Is that Camillo was an honest man;

And why he left your court, the gods themselves,

Wotting no more than I, are ignorant.

75Leon.You knew of his departure, as youknowWhat you have underta'en to do in's absence.

Leon.You knew of his departure, as youknow

What you have underta'en to do in's absence.

Her.Sir,You speak a language that I understand not:My life stands in the level of your dreams,Which I'll lay down.

Her.Sir,

You speak a language that I understand not:

My life stands in the level of your dreams,

Which I'll lay down.

80Leon.Your actions are my dreams;You had a bastard by Polixenes,And I but dream'd it. As you were past all shame,—Those of yourfactare so,—so past alltruth:Which to denyconcerns more than avails;for as85Thybrat hath beencast out,liketo itself,No father owning it,—which is, indeed,More criminal in thee than it,—so thouShalt feel our justice, in whose easiest passageLook for no less than death.

Leon.Your actions are my dreams;

You had a bastard by Polixenes,

And I but dream'd it. As you were past all shame,—

Those of yourfactare so,—so past alltruth:

Which to denyconcerns more than avails;for as

Thybrat hath beencast out,liketo itself,

No father owning it,—which is, indeed,

More criminal in thee than it,—so thou

Shalt feel our justice, in whose easiest passage

Look for no less than death.

Her.Sir, spare your threats:90The bug which you would frightmewith I seek.To me can life be no commodity:The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,But know not how it went. My second joy95Andfirst-fruits of my body, from his presenceI ambarr'd, like one infectious. My third comfort,Starr'd most unluckily, is from my breast,The innocent milk initmost innocent mouth,Haled out to murder: myself on every post100Proclaimed astrumpet: with immodest hatredThe child-bed privilege denied, which 'longsTo women of all fashion; lastly, hurriedHere to this place, i' the open air, beforeI have got strength oflimit. Now, my liege,105Tell me what blessings I have here alive,That I should fear to die? Therefore proceed.But yet hear this; mistake me not;no life,I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,Which I would free, if I shall be condemn'd110Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping elseBut what your jealousies awake, I tell you'Tis rigour and not law. Your honours all,I do refer me to the oracle:Apollo be my judge!

Her.Sir, spare your threats:

The bug which you would frightmewith I seek.

To me can life be no commodity:

The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,

I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,

But know not how it went. My second joy

Andfirst-fruits of my body, from his presence

I ambarr'd, like one infectious. My third comfort,

Starr'd most unluckily, is from my breast,

The innocent milk initmost innocent mouth,

Haled out to murder: myself on every post

Proclaimed astrumpet: with immodest hatred

The child-bed privilege denied, which 'longs

To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried

Here to this place, i' the open air, before

I have got strength oflimit. Now, my liege,

Tell me what blessings I have here alive,

That I should fear to die? Therefore proceed.

But yet hear this; mistake me not;no life,

I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,

Which I would free, if I shall be condemn'd

Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else

But what your jealousies awake, I tell you

'Tis rigour and not law. Your honours all,

I do refer me to the oracle:

Apollo be my judge!

First Lord.This yourrequest115Is altogether just: therefore bring forth,And in Apollo's name, his oracle.[Exeuntcertain Officers.

First Lord.This yourrequest

Is altogether just: therefore bring forth,

And in Apollo's name, his oracle.[Exeuntcertain Officers.

Her.The Emperor of Russia was my father:O that he were alive, and here beholdingHis daughter's trial! that he did but see120The flatness of my misery, yet with eyesOf pity, not revenge!

Her.The Emperor of Russia was my father:

O that he were alive, and here beholding

His daughter's trial! that he did but see

The flatness of my misery, yet with eyes

Of pity, not revenge!

Re-enterOfficers,withCleomenesandDion.

Off. You here shall swear uponthissword of justice,That you, Cleomenes and Dion, haveBeen both at Delphos, and from thence have brought125This seal'd-up oracle, by the hand deliver'dOf great Apollo's priest and that since thenYou have not dared to break the holy sealNor read the secrets in't.

Off. You here shall swear uponthissword of justice,

That you, Cleomenes and Dion, have

Been both at Delphos, and from thence have brought

This seal'd-up oracle, by the hand deliver'd

Of great Apollo's priest and that since then

You have not dared to break the holy seal

Nor read the secrets in't.

Cleo. Dion.All this we swear.

Leon.Break up the seals and read.

130Off.[reads]Hermione ischaste; Polixenes blameless;Camillo a true subject; Leontes a jealous tyrant; his innocent babe trulybegotten; and the king shall live without an heir, if that which is lostbe not found.

Off.[reads]Hermione ischaste; Polixenes blameless;

Camillo a true subject; Leontes a jealous tyrant; his innocent babe truly

begotten; and the king shall live without an heir, if that which is lost

be not found.

Lords.Now blessed be the great Apollo!

Her.Praised!

Leon.Hast thou read truth?

135Off.Ay,my lord; even soAsit ishere set down.

Off.Ay,my lord; even so

Asit ishere set down.

Leon.There is notruthat all i' the oracle:Thesessionsshall proceed: this is mere falsehood.

Leon.There is notruthat all i' the oracle:

Thesessionsshall proceed: this is mere falsehood.

EnterServant.

Serv.My lord the king, the king!

Leon.What is the business?

140Serv.O sir, I shall be hated to report it!The prince your son, with mere conceit and fearOf the queen's speed, is gone.

Serv.O sir, I shall be hated to report it!

The prince your son, with mere conceit and fear

Of the queen's speed, is gone.

Leon.How! gone!

Serv.Is dead.

Leon.Apollo's angry; and the heavens themselvesDo strike at my injustice.[Hermione faints.]How now there!

Leon.Apollo's angry; and the heavens themselves

Do strike at my injustice.[Hermione faints.]How now there!

145Paul.This news is mortal to the queen: look downAnd see what death is doing.

Paul.This news is mortal to the queen: look down

And see what death is doing.

Leon.Take her hence:Her heart is but o'ercharged; she will recover:I have too much believed mine own suspicion:Beseech you, tenderly apply to herSome remedies forlife.[ExeuntPaulina and Ladies, with Hermione.150Apollo, pardonMy great profaneness 'gainst thine oracle!I'll reconcile me to Polixenes;New woo my queen; recall the good Camillo,Whom I proclaim a man of truth, of mercy;155For, being transported by my jealousiesTo bloody thoughts and to revenge, I choseCamillo for the minister to poisonMy friend Polixenes: which had been done,But that the good mind of Camillo tardied160My swift command, though I with death and withReward did threaten and encourage him,Not doing it and being done: he, most humaneAnd fill'd with honour, to my kingly guestUnclasp'd my practice, quit his fortunes here,165Which you knewgreat, and to thehazardOf all incertainties himself commended,No richer than his honour: how he glistersThorough myrust! and how his pietyDoes my deeds make theblacker!

Leon.Take her hence:

Her heart is but o'ercharged; she will recover:

I have too much believed mine own suspicion:

Beseech you, tenderly apply to her

Some remedies forlife.

[ExeuntPaulina and Ladies, with Hermione.

Apollo, pardon

My great profaneness 'gainst thine oracle!

I'll reconcile me to Polixenes;

New woo my queen; recall the good Camillo,

Whom I proclaim a man of truth, of mercy;

For, being transported by my jealousies

To bloody thoughts and to revenge, I chose

Camillo for the minister to poison

My friend Polixenes: which had been done,

But that the good mind of Camillo tardied

My swift command, though I with death and with

Reward did threaten and encourage him,

Not doing it and being done: he, most humane

And fill'd with honour, to my kingly guest

Unclasp'd my practice, quit his fortunes here,

Which you knewgreat, and to thehazard

Of all incertainties himself commended,

No richer than his honour: how he glisters

Thorough myrust! and how his piety

Does my deeds make theblacker!

Re-enterPaulina.

Paul.Woe the while!O, cut my lace,lestmy heart, cracking it,170Break too!

Paul.Woe the while!

O, cut my lace,lestmy heart, cracking it,

Break too!

First Lord.What fit is this, good lady?

Paul.What studied torments, tyrant, hast for me?What wheels?racks? fires?whatflaying? boiling?Inleads or oils? what old ornewertorture175Must I receive, whoseeveryword deservesTo taste of thy most worst? Thy tyrannyTogether working with thy jealousies,Fancies too weak for boys, too green and idleFor girls of nine, O, think what they have done180And then run mad indeed, stark mad! for allThy by-gone fooleries werebutspicesofit.That thou betray'dst Polixenes, 'twas nothing;That did but showthee, of a fool,inconstantAnddamnable ingrateful:nor was't much,185Thou wouldst have poison'd good Camillo's honour,To have him kill a king; poor trespasses,More monstrous standing by: whereof I reckonThe casting forthto crows thybaby-daughterTo be or none or little; though a devil190Would have shed water out of fire ere done't:Nor is't directly laid to thee, the deathOf the young prince, whose honourable thoughts,Thoughts high for one so tender, cleft the heartThat could conceive a gross and foolish sire195Blemish'd his gracious dam: this is not, no,Laid to thy answer: but the last,—O lords,When I have said, cry 'woe!'—the queen, the queen,Thesweet'st, dear'stcreature's dead, and vengeance for'tNot dropp'd down yet.

Paul.What studied torments, tyrant, hast for me?

What wheels?racks? fires?whatflaying? boiling?

Inleads or oils? what old ornewertorture

Must I receive, whoseeveryword deserves

To taste of thy most worst? Thy tyranny

Together working with thy jealousies,

Fancies too weak for boys, too green and idle

For girls of nine, O, think what they have done

And then run mad indeed, stark mad! for all

Thy by-gone fooleries werebutspicesofit.

That thou betray'dst Polixenes, 'twas nothing;

That did but showthee, of a fool,inconstant

Anddamnable ingrateful:nor was't much,

Thou wouldst have poison'd good Camillo's honour,

To have him kill a king; poor trespasses,

More monstrous standing by: whereof I reckon

The casting forthto crows thybaby-daughter

To be or none or little; though a devil

Would have shed water out of fire ere done't:

Nor is't directly laid to thee, the death

Of the young prince, whose honourable thoughts,

Thoughts high for one so tender, cleft the heart

That could conceive a gross and foolish sire

Blemish'd his gracious dam: this is not, no,

Laid to thy answer: but the last,—O lords,

When I have said, cry 'woe!'—the queen, the queen,

Thesweet'st, dear'stcreature's dead, and vengeance for't

Not dropp'd down yet.

First Lord.The higher powers forbid!

200Paul.I say she's dead, I'll swear't. If word nor oathPrevail not, go and see: if you can bringTincture or lustre in her lip, her eye,Heat outwardly or breath within, I'll serve youAs I would do the gods. But, O thou tyrant!205Donot repent these things, for they areheavierThan all thywoescan stir: therefore betake theeTo nothing but despair. A thousand kneesTen thousand years together, naked, fasting,Upon a barren mountain, and still winter210In storm perpetual, could not move the godsTo look that way thou wert.

Paul.I say she's dead, I'll swear't. If word nor oath

Prevail not, go and see: if you can bring

Tincture or lustre in her lip, her eye,

Heat outwardly or breath within, I'll serve you

As I would do the gods. But, O thou tyrant!

Donot repent these things, for they areheavier

Than all thywoescan stir: therefore betake thee

To nothing but despair. A thousand knees

Ten thousand years together, naked, fasting,

Upon a barren mountain, and still winter

In storm perpetual, could not move the gods

To look that way thou wert.

Leon.Go on, go on:Thou canst not speak too much; I have deservedAll tongues to talk their bitterest.

Leon.Go on, go on:

Thou canst not speak too much; I have deserved

All tongues to talk their bitterest.

First Lord.Say no more:Howe'er the business goes, you have made faultI' the boldness of your speech.

First Lord.Say no more:

Howe'er the business goes, you have made fault

I' the boldness of your speech.

215Paul.I am sorry for't:All faults I make, when I shall come to know them,I do repent. Alas!I haveshow'd too muchThe rashness of a woman: he is touch'dTo the noble heart. What's gone and what's past help220Should be past grief: do notreceiveafflictionAtmy petition;I beseechyou, ratherLet me be punish'd, that have minded youOf what you should forget. Now, good my liege,Sir, royal sir, forgive a foolish woman:225The love I bore your queen, lo, fool again!I'll speak of her no more, nor of your children;I'll not remember you of my own lord,Who islost too:take yourpatienceto you,And I'll say nothing.

Paul.I am sorry for't:

All faults I make, when I shall come to know them,

I do repent. Alas!I haveshow'd too much

The rashness of a woman: he is touch'd

To the noble heart. What's gone and what's past help

Should be past grief: do notreceiveaffliction

Atmy petition;I beseechyou, rather

Let me be punish'd, that have minded you

Of what you should forget. Now, good my liege,

Sir, royal sir, forgive a foolish woman:

The love I bore your queen, lo, fool again!

I'll speak of her no more, nor of your children;

I'll not remember you of my own lord,

Who islost too:take yourpatienceto you,

And I'll say nothing.

Leon.Thou didst speak but well230When most the truth; which I receive much betterThan to be pitied of thee. Prithee, bring meTo the dead bodies of my queen and son:One grave shall be for both; upon them shallThe causes of their death appear, unto235Our shame perpetual. Once a day I'll visitThe chapel where they lie, and tears shed thereShall be my recreation: so long as natureWillbear up with this exercise, so longI daily vow to use it. Come and lead me240Tothesesorrows.[Exeunt.

Leon.Thou didst speak but well

When most the truth; which I receive much better

Than to be pitied of thee. Prithee, bring me

To the dead bodies of my queen and son:

One grave shall be for both; upon them shall

The causes of their death appear, unto

Our shame perpetual. Once a day I'll visit

The chapel where they lie, and tears shed there

Shall be my recreation: so long as nature

Willbear up with this exercise, so long

I daily vow to use it. Come and lead me

Tothesesorrows.[Exeunt.

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