Chapter 36

LINENOTES:Scene I.A room....]The Palace. Theobald. The Scene continues. Pope.Enter....]EnterHermione,Mamillius, Ladies:Leontes,Antigonus, Lords. Ff. (Lord. F2 F3 F4).[6,7]love ... lord?]As one line by S. Walker.[7]my lord]pray, my lordHanmermy good lordSteevens.[10]semicircle]cemicircleF1[11]Or]LikeHanmer.taught you this] Rowe.taught thisF1.taught thisF2 F3 F4.[13]are]F1.beF2 F3 F4.[18]you'ld]F3.you'ldF1 F2.you'lF4.you'llRowe.[23]shall't]shall itSteevens.[25, 26]for winter ... goblins]As one line in Hanmer.I have ... goblins]Arranged as by Dyce; as one line in Ff.[26]good sir]sirSteevens.[26, 28]sprites]Capell.sprightsFf.[31]Yond]Ff.Yon'Capell.[31, 32]Come ... ear]Arranged as in Capell; as one line in Ff.[32]give't]give itHanmer.[32]Enter....]Capell. Enter L., A., and Lords. Rowe. om. F1. Enter L. F2 F3 F4.[33]Scene II.Pope.[34]First Lord]Capell (and throughout the Scene). Lord. Ff.[36]Even]On evenHanmer.]blest]blessed thenSteevens conj.[40]drink, depart]drink; departFf.drink a partCollier MS.deep o'tStaunton conj.drain if deepJervis conj.[50]has]hathRowe.[51]pinch'd]perch'dJackson conj.[54]often hath no less prevail'd than so]hath prevailed oftentimes no less Than soHanmer.[55]command]commandementS. Walker conj.too well.]too well, too well.Anon. conj.[56]I am]I'mPope.[61][Some bear off Mamillius.Capell.[62]But I'ld]F4.But Il'dF1 F2 F3.I'd butHanmer.[68]honest, honourable]honest: honourableFf.honest-honourableS. Walker conj.[73]does]do'sFf.dothHanmer.sear]fearRowe (ed. 2).[76]be't]Ff.be itSteevens.it beId. (1793), corrected in MS.[84]Lest]LeastFf.[90]federary]feodaryCollier (ed. 2. Malone conj.).and one]one Hanmer.ay, and oneS. Walker conj.[91]shame]be asham'dHanmer.herself]herself with noneAnon. conj.[92]But ... principal]omitted by Capell.vile]Pope.vildFf.[92, 93]she's A bed-swerver]she Is a bed-swerverS. Walker conj. ending lines 90-93 atone ... herself ... she.[93]bed-swerver]bed-swarverFf.even]e'enS. Walker conj.[94]That vulgars]That vulgarRowe.The vulgarHanmer.bold'st]boldSteevens (1793).[99]then to]than toRowe (ed. 1).[100]No]No, noSteevens (1793).I mistake]I do mistakeHanmer.[103]her, to]Ff.her toPope.[104]her is]her'sS. Walker conj.afar off]F4.a farre-offF1 F2.afar-offF3.far off Pope.far ofTheobald.[105]But]InHanmer.[107]an aspect more favourable]aspect of more favourHanmer.[115][To the Guard.Capell.[124]you have]you'vePope.[125]Exit....]Theobald, om. Ff.[127]lest]F3 F4.leastF1 F2.[134]my stables]my stable-standHanmer.my stableRann.me stablesCollier (Collier MS.),my stablerormy stablersEdd. conj.[136]Than]Pope (ed. 2).ThenFf.See note (v).farther]F1.furtherF2 F3 F4.[141]abused and by]abus'd and byF1.abus'd byF2 F3 F4.abused byRowe.[143]I would ... him.]And I would—damn him;—Mitford conj.[143]land-damn]Land-damneF1.land-dammHanmer.laudanumFarmer conj.lambackCollier (ed. 2) (Collier MS.),half-damnHeath conj.live-damnS. Walker conj.landanorlantamorrantanHalliwell conj.See note (vi).[145]nine, and some five]Theobald.nine: and some fiueF1.nine: and sonnes fiveF2 F3.nine: and sons fiveF4.[147]'em]F3 F4.emF1 F2.themCapell.[149]glib]libGrey conj.unsibHeath conj.[152]but I do]IPope.[153][Laying hold of his arm.Hanmer. Sinking his brows. Johnson. Striking his brows. Steevens.[154]The ... so]The instruments of that you feel.Ant.If soHeath conj.that]IHanmer.[160]her]yourRowe (ed. 2).[162]of]F1.forF2 F3 F4.but]notHanmer.[167]a truth]as truthRowe (ed. 1).[169, 170]on't, is all Properly]Theobald.on't, Is all properlyFf.on't, Is properly allPope.on't are all ProperlyHanmer.[177]lack'd]lack'd,Staunton.[182]I have]I haueF1.I'veHanmer.[184]Cleomenes]Capell.CleominesFf (and throughout).Dion]F1.DeonF2 F3 F4.[187]me]me onHanmer.[193]have we]F1 F2.we haveF3 F4.[195]Lest]F4.LeastF1 F2 F3.[198][Aside]Hanmer.

LINENOTES:

Scene I.A room....]The Palace. Theobald. The Scene continues. Pope.

Enter....]EnterHermione,Mamillius, Ladies:Leontes,Antigonus, Lords. Ff. (Lord. F2 F3 F4).

[6,7]love ... lord?]As one line by S. Walker.

[7]my lord]pray, my lordHanmermy good lordSteevens.

[10]semicircle]cemicircleF1

[11]Or]LikeHanmer.taught you this] Rowe.taught thisF1.taught thisF2 F3 F4.

[13]are]F1.beF2 F3 F4.

[18]you'ld]F3.you'ldF1 F2.you'lF4.you'llRowe.

[23]shall't]shall itSteevens.

[25, 26]for winter ... goblins]As one line in Hanmer.

I have ... goblins]Arranged as by Dyce; as one line in Ff.

[26]good sir]sirSteevens.

[26, 28]sprites]Capell.sprightsFf.

[31]Yond]Ff.Yon'Capell.

[31, 32]Come ... ear]Arranged as in Capell; as one line in Ff.

[32]give't]give itHanmer.

[32]Enter....]Capell. Enter L., A., and Lords. Rowe. om. F1. Enter L. F2 F3 F4.

[33]Scene II.Pope.

[34]First Lord]Capell (and throughout the Scene). Lord. Ff.

[36]Even]On evenHanmer.]blest]blessed thenSteevens conj.

[40]drink, depart]drink; departFf.drink a partCollier MS.deep o'tStaunton conj.drain if deepJervis conj.

[50]has]hathRowe.

[51]pinch'd]perch'dJackson conj.

[54]often hath no less prevail'd than so]hath prevailed oftentimes no less Than soHanmer.

[55]command]commandementS. Walker conj.

too well.]too well, too well.Anon. conj.

[56]I am]I'mPope.

[61][Some bear off Mamillius.Capell.

[62]But I'ld]F4.But Il'dF1 F2 F3.I'd butHanmer.

[68]honest, honourable]honest: honourableFf.honest-honourableS. Walker conj.

[73]does]do'sFf.dothHanmer.

sear]fearRowe (ed. 2).

[76]be't]Ff.be itSteevens.it beId. (1793), corrected in MS.

[84]Lest]LeastFf.

[90]federary]feodaryCollier (ed. 2. Malone conj.).

and one]one Hanmer.ay, and oneS. Walker conj.

[91]shame]be asham'dHanmer.

herself]herself with noneAnon. conj.

[92]But ... principal]omitted by Capell.

vile]Pope.vildFf.

[92, 93]she's A bed-swerver]she Is a bed-swerverS. Walker conj. ending lines 90-93 atone ... herself ... she.

[93]bed-swerver]bed-swarverFf.

even]e'enS. Walker conj.

[94]That vulgars]That vulgarRowe.The vulgarHanmer.

bold'st]boldSteevens (1793).

[99]then to]than toRowe (ed. 1).

[100]No]No, noSteevens (1793).

I mistake]I do mistakeHanmer.

[103]her, to]Ff.her toPope.

[104]her is]her'sS. Walker conj.

afar off]F4.a farre-offF1 F2.afar-offF3.far off Pope.far ofTheobald.

[105]But]InHanmer.

[107]an aspect more favourable]aspect of more favourHanmer.

[115][To the Guard.Capell.

[124]you have]you'vePope.

[125]Exit....]Theobald, om. Ff.

[127]lest]F3 F4.leastF1 F2.

[134]my stables]my stable-standHanmer.my stableRann.me stablesCollier (Collier MS.),my stablerormy stablersEdd. conj.

[136]Than]Pope (ed. 2).ThenFf.See note (v).

farther]F1.furtherF2 F3 F4.

[141]abused and by]abus'd and byF1.abus'd byF2 F3 F4.abused byRowe.

[143]I would ... him.]And I would—damn him;—Mitford conj.

[143]land-damn]Land-damneF1.land-dammHanmer.laudanumFarmer conj.lambackCollier (ed. 2) (Collier MS.),half-damnHeath conj.live-damnS. Walker conj.landanorlantamorrantanHalliwell conj.See note (vi).

[145]nine, and some five]Theobald.nine: and some fiueF1.nine: and sonnes fiveF2 F3.nine: and sons fiveF4.

[147]'em]F3 F4.emF1 F2.themCapell.

[149]glib]libGrey conj.unsibHeath conj.

[152]but I do]IPope.

[153][Laying hold of his arm.Hanmer. Sinking his brows. Johnson. Striking his brows. Steevens.

[154]The ... so]The instruments of that you feel.Ant.If soHeath conj.

that]IHanmer.

[160]her]yourRowe (ed. 2).

[162]of]F1.forF2 F3 F4.

but]notHanmer.

[167]a truth]as truthRowe (ed. 1).

[169, 170]on't, is all Properly]Theobald.on't, Is all properlyFf.on't, Is properly allPope.on't are all ProperlyHanmer.

[177]lack'd]lack'd,Staunton.

[182]I have]I haueF1.I'veHanmer.

[184]Cleomenes]Capell.CleominesFf (and throughout).

Dion]F1.DeonF2 F3 F4.

[187]me]me onHanmer.

[193]have we]F1 F2.we haveF3 F4.

[195]Lest]F4.LeastF1 F2 F3.

[198][Aside]Hanmer.

EnterPaulina,aGentleman,andAttendants.Paul.The keeper of the prison, call to him;Let him haveknowledgewhoI am.[Exit Gent.Good lady,No court in Europe is too good for thee;What dost thou then in prison?Re-enterGentleman,with theGaoler.Now, good sir,You know me,do you not?5Gaol.For a worthy ladyAnd one who much I honour.Paul.Pray you,then,Conduct me to the queen.Gaol.I may not, madam:To the contrary I have express commandment.Paul.Here's ado,10To lock up honesty and honour fromThe access of gentle visitors! Is't lawful,pray you.To see her women? any of them? Emilia?Gaol.So pleaseyou, madam,To putapartthese your attendants, IShall bring Emilia forth.15Paul.Ipray now, call her.Withdraw yourselves.[Exeunt Gentleman and Attendants.Gaol.And, madam,I must be present atyourconference.Paul.Well, be'tso, prithee.[Exit Gaoler.Here'ssuch ado to make no stain a stainAs passes colouring.Re-enterGaoler,withEmilia.20Dear gentlewoman,How faresourgracious lady?Emil.As well as one so great and so forlornMay hold together: on her frights and griefs,Which never tender lady hath borne greater,25She is something before her time deliver'd.Paul.A boy?Emil.A daughter; and a goodly babe,Lusty and like to live: the queen receivesMuch comfort in't; says 'My poor prisoner,I aminnocent as you.'Paul.I dare be sworn:30These dangerousunsafe lunes i' theking, beshrew them!He must be toldon't, andhe shall: the officeBecomes a woman best; I'll take't upon me:If I provehoney-mouth'd, let my tongue blister,And never to my red-look'd anger be35The trumpet any more. Pray you, Emilia,Commend my best obedience to the queen:If she dares trust me with her little babe,I'll show't the king and undertake to beHer advocate to the loud'st. We do not know40How he may soften at the sight o' the child:The silence often of pure innocencePersuades when speaking fails.Emil.Most worthy madam,Your honour and your goodness is so evident,That your free undertaking cannot miss45A thriving issue:there isno lady livingSo meet for this great errand. Please your ladyshipTo visit the next room, I'll presentlyAcquaint the queen of your most noble offer;Who but to-dayhammer'd ofthis design,50But durst not tempt a minister of honour,Lestshe should be denied.Paul.Tell her, Emilia,I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from'tAs boldness from my bosom,let'tnot be doubtedI shall do good.Emil.Now be you blest for it!55I'll to the queen: please you, come something nearer.Gaol.Madam, if't please the queen to send the babe,I know not what I shall incur to pass it,Having no warrant.Paul.You need not fear it, sir:This childwas prisoner to the womb and is60By law and process of great nature thenceFreed and enfranchised; not a party toThe anger of the king nor guilty of,If any be, the trespass of the queen.Gaol.I dobelieve it.65Paul.Do not you fear: upon mine honour, IWill standbetwixtyou and danger.[Exeunt.

EnterPaulina,aGentleman,andAttendants.

Paul.The keeper of the prison, call to him;Let him haveknowledgewhoI am.[Exit Gent.Good lady,No court in Europe is too good for thee;What dost thou then in prison?

Paul.The keeper of the prison, call to him;

Let him haveknowledgewhoI am.[Exit Gent.

Good lady,

No court in Europe is too good for thee;

What dost thou then in prison?

Re-enterGentleman,with theGaoler.

Now, good sir,You know me,do you not?

Now, good sir,

You know me,do you not?

5Gaol.For a worthy ladyAnd one who much I honour.

Gaol.For a worthy lady

And one who much I honour.

Paul.Pray you,then,Conduct me to the queen.

Paul.Pray you,then,

Conduct me to the queen.

Gaol.I may not, madam:To the contrary I have express commandment.

Gaol.I may not, madam:

To the contrary I have express commandment.

Paul.Here's ado,10To lock up honesty and honour fromThe access of gentle visitors! Is't lawful,pray you.To see her women? any of them? Emilia?

Paul.Here's ado,

To lock up honesty and honour from

The access of gentle visitors! Is't lawful,pray you.

To see her women? any of them? Emilia?

Gaol.So pleaseyou, madam,To putapartthese your attendants, IShall bring Emilia forth.

Gaol.So pleaseyou, madam,

To putapartthese your attendants, I

Shall bring Emilia forth.

15Paul.Ipray now, call her.Withdraw yourselves.[Exeunt Gentleman and Attendants.

Paul.Ipray now, call her.

Withdraw yourselves.[Exeunt Gentleman and Attendants.

Gaol.And, madam,I must be present atyourconference.

Gaol.And, madam,

I must be present atyourconference.

Paul.Well, be'tso, prithee.[Exit Gaoler.Here'ssuch ado to make no stain a stainAs passes colouring.

Paul.Well, be'tso, prithee.[Exit Gaoler.

Here'ssuch ado to make no stain a stain

As passes colouring.

Re-enterGaoler,withEmilia.

20Dear gentlewoman,How faresourgracious lady?

Dear gentlewoman,

How faresourgracious lady?

Emil.As well as one so great and so forlornMay hold together: on her frights and griefs,Which never tender lady hath borne greater,25She is something before her time deliver'd.

Emil.As well as one so great and so forlorn

May hold together: on her frights and griefs,

Which never tender lady hath borne greater,

She is something before her time deliver'd.

Paul.A boy?

Emil.A daughter; and a goodly babe,Lusty and like to live: the queen receivesMuch comfort in't; says 'My poor prisoner,I aminnocent as you.'

Emil.A daughter; and a goodly babe,

Lusty and like to live: the queen receives

Much comfort in't; says 'My poor prisoner,

I aminnocent as you.'

Paul.I dare be sworn:30These dangerousunsafe lunes i' theking, beshrew them!He must be toldon't, andhe shall: the officeBecomes a woman best; I'll take't upon me:If I provehoney-mouth'd, let my tongue blister,And never to my red-look'd anger be35The trumpet any more. Pray you, Emilia,Commend my best obedience to the queen:If she dares trust me with her little babe,I'll show't the king and undertake to beHer advocate to the loud'st. We do not know40How he may soften at the sight o' the child:The silence often of pure innocencePersuades when speaking fails.

Paul.I dare be sworn:

These dangerousunsafe lunes i' theking, beshrew them!

He must be toldon't, andhe shall: the office

Becomes a woman best; I'll take't upon me:

If I provehoney-mouth'd, let my tongue blister,

And never to my red-look'd anger be

The trumpet any more. Pray you, Emilia,

Commend my best obedience to the queen:

If she dares trust me with her little babe,

I'll show't the king and undertake to be

Her advocate to the loud'st. We do not know

How he may soften at the sight o' the child:

The silence often of pure innocence

Persuades when speaking fails.

Emil.Most worthy madam,Your honour and your goodness is so evident,That your free undertaking cannot miss45A thriving issue:there isno lady livingSo meet for this great errand. Please your ladyshipTo visit the next room, I'll presentlyAcquaint the queen of your most noble offer;Who but to-dayhammer'd ofthis design,50But durst not tempt a minister of honour,Lestshe should be denied.

Emil.Most worthy madam,

Your honour and your goodness is so evident,

That your free undertaking cannot miss

A thriving issue:there isno lady living

So meet for this great errand. Please your ladyship

To visit the next room, I'll presently

Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer;

Who but to-dayhammer'd ofthis design,

But durst not tempt a minister of honour,

Lestshe should be denied.

Paul.Tell her, Emilia,

I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from'tAs boldness from my bosom,let'tnot be doubtedI shall do good.

I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from't

As boldness from my bosom,let'tnot be doubted

I shall do good.

Emil.Now be you blest for it!55I'll to the queen: please you, come something nearer.

Emil.Now be you blest for it!

I'll to the queen: please you, come something nearer.

Gaol.Madam, if't please the queen to send the babe,I know not what I shall incur to pass it,Having no warrant.

Gaol.Madam, if't please the queen to send the babe,

I know not what I shall incur to pass it,

Having no warrant.

Paul.You need not fear it, sir:This childwas prisoner to the womb and is60By law and process of great nature thenceFreed and enfranchised; not a party toThe anger of the king nor guilty of,If any be, the trespass of the queen.

Paul.You need not fear it, sir:

This childwas prisoner to the womb and is

By law and process of great nature thence

Freed and enfranchised; not a party to

The anger of the king nor guilty of,

If any be, the trespass of the queen.

Gaol.I dobelieve it.

65Paul.Do not you fear: upon mine honour, IWill standbetwixtyou and danger.[Exeunt.

Paul.Do not you fear: upon mine honour, I

Will standbetwixtyou and danger.[Exeunt.

LINENOTES:Scene ii.]Scene iii.Pope.A prison.]Pope. Outer room of a prison. Capell.EnterPaulina....]Hanmer. Enter Paulina, a Gentleman, Gaoler, Emilia. Ff.[2]knowledge]the knowledgeRowe.[2, 6]who]F1.whomF2 F3 F4.[Exit Gent.]Rowe (after line 1). om. Ff.[4]Re-enter....]Rowe (afterdo you not?), om. Ff.[7-10]Arranged as in Hanmer.Here's ... from,as one line in Ff. Capell ends the linesqueen ... contrary ... ado, ... from.[11-13]Hanmer ends the lineslawful ... them? ... madam.[13]So please]If it so pleaseHanmer.[14]apart]a-partF1 F2 F3.a partF4.[15]pray now]F1.pray you nowF2 F3 F4.[16][Exeunt Gent, and Attendants.]Exeunt Gent. &c. Theobald. om. Ff.[17]your]all yourHanmer, ending the linesbe ... well, well ... prithee.[18]Well, be't]Well; be itRowe.Well, well; Be itHanmer.[Exit G.]Exit Kee. Capell. om. Ff.[19]Here's]Here isCapell, reading lines 18-21 as three, endingado ... colouring ... lady?[20]Re-enter....]Re-enter Keeper with E. Capell. Enter Emilia. F2 F3 F4. om. F1.[21]our]oneF2.[29]I am]I'mPope.[30]unsafe]unsaneCollier (Collier MS.).lunes]luresBecket conj.i' the]i' th'Ff.o' theSteevens.[31]On't]of itPope.he shall]shallRowe.[33]honey-mouth'd]honey-mouthWarburton.[45]there is]there'sHanmer.[49]hammer'd of]hammered ofFf.hammer'd onHanmer.[51]Lest]Rowe.LeastFf.[53]let't]F3 F4.le'tF1 F2.let itSteevens.[59]This child]The childRowe.[64-66]As two linesin Capell, endingupon ... danger.[66]betwixt]'twixtPope.

LINENOTES:

Scene ii.]Scene iii.Pope.

A prison.]Pope. Outer room of a prison. Capell.

EnterPaulina....]Hanmer. Enter Paulina, a Gentleman, Gaoler, Emilia. Ff.

[2]knowledge]the knowledgeRowe.

[2, 6]who]F1.whomF2 F3 F4.

[Exit Gent.]Rowe (after line 1). om. Ff.

[4]Re-enter....]Rowe (afterdo you not?), om. Ff.

[7-10]Arranged as in Hanmer.Here's ... from,as one line in Ff. Capell ends the linesqueen ... contrary ... ado, ... from.

[11-13]Hanmer ends the lineslawful ... them? ... madam.

[13]So please]If it so pleaseHanmer.

[14]apart]a-partF1 F2 F3.a partF4.

[15]pray now]F1.pray you nowF2 F3 F4.

[16][Exeunt Gent, and Attendants.]Exeunt Gent. &c. Theobald. om. Ff.

[17]your]all yourHanmer, ending the linesbe ... well, well ... prithee.

[18]Well, be't]Well; be itRowe.Well, well; Be itHanmer.

[Exit G.]Exit Kee. Capell. om. Ff.

[19]Here's]Here isCapell, reading lines 18-21 as three, endingado ... colouring ... lady?

[20]Re-enter....]Re-enter Keeper with E. Capell. Enter Emilia. F2 F3 F4. om. F1.

[21]our]oneF2.

[29]I am]I'mPope.

[30]unsafe]unsaneCollier (Collier MS.).

lunes]luresBecket conj.

i' the]i' th'Ff.o' theSteevens.

[31]On't]of itPope.

he shall]shallRowe.

[33]honey-mouth'd]honey-mouthWarburton.

[45]there is]there'sHanmer.

[49]hammer'd of]hammered ofFf.hammer'd onHanmer.

[51]Lest]Rowe.LeastFf.

[53]let't]F3 F4.le'tF1 F2.let itSteevens.

[59]This child]The childRowe.

[64-66]As two linesin Capell, endingupon ... danger.

[66]betwixt]'twixtPope.

EnterLeontes,Antigonus, Lords,andServants.Leon.Nor night nor day no rest: it is but weaknessTo bear the matter thus; mereweakness. IfThe cause were not inbeing,—part o' the cause,She the adulteress; for the harlot king5Is quite beyond minearm, out of the blankAnd level of my brain, plot-proof; but sheI can hook to me: say that she were gone,Given to the fire, a moiety of my restMight come to me again. Who's there?First Serv.My lord?Leon.How does theboy?10First Serv.He took goodrest to-night;'Tis hoped his sickness is discharged.Leon.To see his nobleness!Conceiving the dishonour of his mother,He straightdeclined, droop'd, took itdeeply,15Fasten'd and fix'd the shame on't in himself,Threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep,And downright languish'd. Leave me solely: go,See how he fares.[ExitServ.]Fie, fie! no thought of him:The very thought of my revenges that way20Recoilupon me: in himself too mighty,And inhis parties, hisalliance;let him beUntil a time may serve: for present vengeance,Take it on her. Camillo and PolixenesLaugh at me, make their pastime at my sorrow:25They should not laugh if I could reach them, norShall she within mypower.EnterPaulina,with a child.First Lord.You must not enter.Paul.Nay, rather, good my lords, be second to me:Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas,Than the queen's life? a gracious innocent soul,More free than he is jealous.30Ant.That's enough.Sec. Serv.Madam, he hath not slept to-night; commandedNone should come at him.Paul.Not so hot, good sir:I come to bring him sleep. 'Tis such as you,That creep like shadows by him and do sigh35At each his needless heavings, such as youNourish the cause of his awaking: IDo come with words asmedicinalas true,Honest as either, to purge him of that humourThat presses him from sleep.Leon.Whatnoise there, ho?40Paul.No noise, my lord; but needful conferenceAbout some gossips for your highness.Leon.How!Away with that audacious lady! Antigonus,I charged thee that she should not come about me:I knew she would.Ant.I told her so, my lord,45On your displeasure's peril and on mine,She should not visit you.Leon.What, canst not rule her?Paul.From all dishonesty he can: in this,Unless he take the course that you have done,Commit me for committing honour,trust it,He shall not rule me.50Ant.La younow, you hear:When she will take thereinI let her run;But she'll not stumble.Paul.Good my liege, I come;And, I beseech you, hear me, whoprofessesMyself your loyal servant, your physician,55Your most obedient counsellor, yet that daresLess appear so in comforting your evils,Than such as mostseemyours: I say, I comeFrom your good queen.Leon.Good queen!Paul.Good queen,my lord,Good queen;I say good queen;60And would by combat makehergood, sowere IA man,the worstabout you.Leon.Force her hence.Paul.Let him that makes but trifles of his eyesFirst hand me: on mine own accord I'll off;But first I'll do my errand. The good queen,65For she is good, hath brought you forth a daughter;Here 'tis; commends it to your blessing.[Layingdown the child.Leon.Out!A mankind witch! Hence with her, out o' door:A most intelligencing bawd!Paul.Not so:I am as ignorant in that as you70In so entitling me, and no less honestThan you are mad; which is enough, I 'll warrant,As this world goes, to pass for honest.Leon.Traitors!Will you not push her out? Give her the bastard.Thou dotard!thou artwoman-tired, unroosted75Bythy damePartlet here. Take up the bastard;Take't up, I say; give't tothy crone.Paul.For everUnvenerable be thy hands, if thouTakest up the princess by thatforcedbasenessWhich he has put upon't!Leon.He dreads his wife.80Paul.So I would you did; then 'twere past all doubtYou'ld call your children yours.Leon.A nest of traitors!Ant.I am none, by this good light.Paul.Nor I; nor anyBut one that's here, and that's himself; for heThe sacred honour of himself, his queen's,85His hopeful son's,his babe's, betrays to slander,Whose sting is sharper than the sword's; and will not,—For, as the case now stands, it is a curseHe cannot be compell'd to't,—once removeThe root of his opinion, which is rottenAs ever oak or stone wassound.90Leon.A callatOf boundless tongue, who late hath beat her husbandAnd now baits me! This brat is none of mine;It is the issue of Polixenes:Hence with it, and together with the damCommitthemto the fire!95Paul.It is yours;And, might we lay the old proverb to your charge,So like you, 'tis the worse. Behold, my lords,Although the print be little, the whole matterAnd copy of the father, eye, nose, lip;100The trick of's frown; his forehead; nay, thevalley,Theprettydimplesof his chinand cheek;his smiles;The very mould and frame of hand, nail, finger:And thou, good goddess Nature, which hast made itSo like to him that got it, if thou hast105The ordering of the mind too, 'mongst all coloursNo yellow in't, lest she suspect, as he does,Her children not her husband's!Leon.A gross hag!And, lozel, thou art worthy to be hang'd,That wilt not stay her tongue.Ant.Hang all the husbands110Thatcannot do that feat, you'll leaveyourselfHardly one subject.Leon.Once more, take her hence.Paul.A most unworthy and unnatural lordCan do no more.Leon.I'llha' theeburnt.Paul.I care not:It is an heretic that makes the fire,115Not she which burns in't. I'll not call you tyrant;But this most cruel usage of your queen—Not able to produce more accusationThan your own weak-hinged fancy—somethingsavoursOf tyranny and will ignoble make you,Yea, scandalous tothe world.120Leon.On your allegiance,Out of the chamber with her! Were I a tyrant,Where were her life? she durst not call me so,If she did know me one. Away with her!Paul.I pray you, do not push me; I'll be gone.125Look to your babe, my lord; 'tis yours:JovesendherAbetter guidingspirit! Whatneedsthese hands?You, that are thus so tender o'er his follies,Will never do him good, not one of you.So, so: farewell; we are gone.[Exit.130Leon.Thou,traitor, hast set on thy wife to this.My child? awaywith't!Eventhou, that hastA heart so tender o'er it, take it henceAnd see it instantly consumed with fire;Even thou and none but thou. Take it up straight:135Within this hour bring me word 'tis done,And by good testimony, or I'll seize thy life,Withwhat thou else call'stthine. If thou refuseAnd wilt encounter with my wrath, say so;The bastard brains with these my proper hands140Shall I dash out. Go, take it to the fire;For thouset'ston thy wife.Ant.I did not, sir:These lords, my noble fellows, if they please,Can clear me in't.Lords.We can:my royal liege,He is not guilty of her coming hither.145Leon.You're liars all.First Lord.Beseech your highness, give us better credit:We havealways truly served you; andbeseech youSo to esteem of us: and on our knees we beg,As recompense of our dearservices150Past and to come, that you do change this purpose,Which being so horrible, so bloody, mustLead on to some foul issue:we all kneel.Leon.I am afeatherfor each wind that blows:Shall I live on to see this bastard kneel155And call me father? better burn it nowThan curse it then. But be it; let it live.It shall not neither. You, sir, come youhither;You that have been so tenderly officiousWith Lady Margery, yourmidwifethere,160To save this bastard's life,—for 'tis a bastard,So sure asthisbeard's grey,—what will you adventureTo save this brat's life?Ant.Any thing, my lord,That my ability may undergo,And nobleness impose:at leastthus much:165I'll pawn the little blood which I have leftTo save the innocent:any thing possible.Leon.It shall be possible. Swear by this swordThou wilt perform my bidding.Ant.I will, my lord.Leon.Mark and perform it: seest thou? for the fail170Of any point in't shall not only beDeath to thyself but to thylewd-tonguedwife,Whom for this time we pardon. We enjoin thee,As thou art liege-man to us, that thou carryThis female bastard hence and that thou bear it175To some remote and desert place quite outOf our dominions, and that there thou leave it,Withoutmoremercy, toitsown protectionAnd favour of the climate. As by strange fortuneIt came to us, I do in justice charge thee,180On thy soul's peril and thy body's torture,That thou commend itstrangely to someplaceWherechancemay nurse or end it. Take it up.Ant.I swear to do this, though a present deathHad been more merciful. Come on, poor babe:185Some powerful spirit instruct the kites and ravensTo be thy nurses! Wolves and bears, they say,Casting their savageness aside have doneLike offices of pity. Sir, be prosperousIn more than this deed doesrequire! And blessing190Againstthiscruelty fight on thy side,Poor thing, condemn'd to loss![Exit with the child.Leon.No, I'll notrearAnother's issue.Enter aServant.Serv.Please your highness, postsFrom those you sent to the oracle are comeAn hour since: Cleomenes and Dion,195Being well arrived from Delphos, are both landed,Hasting to the court.First Lord.So please you, sir, their speedHath been beyondaccount.Leon.Twenty three daysThey have been absent:'tis good speed;foretellsThe great Apollo suddenly will have200The truth of this appear. Prepare you, lords;Summon a session, that we may arraignOur most disloyal lady; for, as she hathBeen publicly accused, so shall she haveA just and open trial. While she lives205My heart will be a burthen to me. Leave me,And think upon my bidding.[Exeunt.

EnterLeontes,Antigonus, Lords,andServants.

Leon.Nor night nor day no rest: it is but weaknessTo bear the matter thus; mereweakness. IfThe cause were not inbeing,—part o' the cause,She the adulteress; for the harlot king5Is quite beyond minearm, out of the blankAnd level of my brain, plot-proof; but sheI can hook to me: say that she were gone,Given to the fire, a moiety of my restMight come to me again. Who's there?

Leon.Nor night nor day no rest: it is but weakness

To bear the matter thus; mereweakness. If

The cause were not inbeing,—part o' the cause,

She the adulteress; for the harlot king

Is quite beyond minearm, out of the blank

And level of my brain, plot-proof; but she

I can hook to me: say that she were gone,

Given to the fire, a moiety of my rest

Might come to me again. Who's there?

First Serv.My lord?

Leon.How does theboy?

10First Serv.He took goodrest to-night;'Tis hoped his sickness is discharged.

First Serv.He took goodrest to-night;

'Tis hoped his sickness is discharged.

Leon.To see his nobleness!Conceiving the dishonour of his mother,He straightdeclined, droop'd, took itdeeply,15Fasten'd and fix'd the shame on't in himself,Threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep,And downright languish'd. Leave me solely: go,See how he fares.[ExitServ.]Fie, fie! no thought of him:The very thought of my revenges that way20Recoilupon me: in himself too mighty,And inhis parties, hisalliance;let him beUntil a time may serve: for present vengeance,Take it on her. Camillo and PolixenesLaugh at me, make their pastime at my sorrow:25They should not laugh if I could reach them, norShall she within mypower.

Leon.To see his nobleness!

Conceiving the dishonour of his mother,

He straightdeclined, droop'd, took itdeeply,

Fasten'd and fix'd the shame on't in himself,

Threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep,

And downright languish'd. Leave me solely: go,

See how he fares.[ExitServ.]Fie, fie! no thought of him:

The very thought of my revenges that way

Recoilupon me: in himself too mighty,

And inhis parties, hisalliance;let him be

Until a time may serve: for present vengeance,

Take it on her. Camillo and Polixenes

Laugh at me, make their pastime at my sorrow:

They should not laugh if I could reach them, nor

Shall she within mypower.

EnterPaulina,with a child.

First Lord.You must not enter.

Paul.Nay, rather, good my lords, be second to me:Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas,Than the queen's life? a gracious innocent soul,More free than he is jealous.

Paul.Nay, rather, good my lords, be second to me:

Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas,

Than the queen's life? a gracious innocent soul,

More free than he is jealous.

30Ant.That's enough.

Ant.That's enough.

Sec. Serv.Madam, he hath not slept to-night; commandedNone should come at him.

Sec. Serv.Madam, he hath not slept to-night; commanded

None should come at him.

Paul.Not so hot, good sir:I come to bring him sleep. 'Tis such as you,That creep like shadows by him and do sigh35At each his needless heavings, such as youNourish the cause of his awaking: IDo come with words asmedicinalas true,Honest as either, to purge him of that humourThat presses him from sleep.

Paul.Not so hot, good sir:

I come to bring him sleep. 'Tis such as you,

That creep like shadows by him and do sigh

At each his needless heavings, such as you

Nourish the cause of his awaking: I

Do come with words asmedicinalas true,

Honest as either, to purge him of that humour

That presses him from sleep.

Leon.Whatnoise there, ho?

40Paul.No noise, my lord; but needful conferenceAbout some gossips for your highness.

Paul.No noise, my lord; but needful conference

About some gossips for your highness.

Leon.How!Away with that audacious lady! Antigonus,I charged thee that she should not come about me:I knew she would.

Leon.How!

Away with that audacious lady! Antigonus,

I charged thee that she should not come about me:

I knew she would.

Ant.I told her so, my lord,45On your displeasure's peril and on mine,She should not visit you.

Ant.I told her so, my lord,

On your displeasure's peril and on mine,

She should not visit you.

Leon.What, canst not rule her?

Paul.From all dishonesty he can: in this,Unless he take the course that you have done,Commit me for committing honour,trust it,He shall not rule me.

Paul.From all dishonesty he can: in this,

Unless he take the course that you have done,

Commit me for committing honour,trust it,

He shall not rule me.

50Ant.La younow, you hear:When she will take thereinI let her run;But she'll not stumble.

Ant.La younow, you hear:

When she will take thereinI let her run;

But she'll not stumble.

Paul.Good my liege, I come;And, I beseech you, hear me, whoprofessesMyself your loyal servant, your physician,55Your most obedient counsellor, yet that daresLess appear so in comforting your evils,Than such as mostseemyours: I say, I comeFrom your good queen.

Paul.Good my liege, I come;

And, I beseech you, hear me, whoprofesses

Myself your loyal servant, your physician,

Your most obedient counsellor, yet that dares

Less appear so in comforting your evils,

Than such as mostseemyours: I say, I come

From your good queen.

Leon.Good queen!

Paul.Good queen,my lord,Good queen;I say good queen;60And would by combat makehergood, sowere IA man,the worstabout you.

Paul.Good queen,my lord,

Good queen;I say good queen;

And would by combat makehergood, sowere I

A man,the worstabout you.

Leon.Force her hence.

Paul.Let him that makes but trifles of his eyesFirst hand me: on mine own accord I'll off;But first I'll do my errand. The good queen,65For she is good, hath brought you forth a daughter;Here 'tis; commends it to your blessing.[Layingdown the child.

Paul.Let him that makes but trifles of his eyes

First hand me: on mine own accord I'll off;

But first I'll do my errand. The good queen,

For she is good, hath brought you forth a daughter;

Here 'tis; commends it to your blessing.

[Layingdown the child.

Leon.Out!A mankind witch! Hence with her, out o' door:A most intelligencing bawd!

Leon.Out!

A mankind witch! Hence with her, out o' door:

A most intelligencing bawd!

Paul.Not so:I am as ignorant in that as you70In so entitling me, and no less honestThan you are mad; which is enough, I 'll warrant,As this world goes, to pass for honest.

Paul.Not so:

I am as ignorant in that as you

In so entitling me, and no less honest

Than you are mad; which is enough, I 'll warrant,

As this world goes, to pass for honest.

Leon.Traitors!Will you not push her out? Give her the bastard.Thou dotard!thou artwoman-tired, unroosted75Bythy damePartlet here. Take up the bastard;Take't up, I say; give't tothy crone.

Leon.Traitors!

Will you not push her out? Give her the bastard.

Thou dotard!thou artwoman-tired, unroosted

Bythy damePartlet here. Take up the bastard;

Take't up, I say; give't tothy crone.

Paul.For everUnvenerable be thy hands, if thouTakest up the princess by thatforcedbasenessWhich he has put upon't!

Paul.For ever

Unvenerable be thy hands, if thou

Takest up the princess by thatforcedbaseness

Which he has put upon't!

Leon.He dreads his wife.

80Paul.So I would you did; then 'twere past all doubtYou'ld call your children yours.

Paul.So I would you did; then 'twere past all doubt

You'ld call your children yours.

Leon.A nest of traitors!

Ant.I am none, by this good light.

Paul.Nor I; nor anyBut one that's here, and that's himself; for heThe sacred honour of himself, his queen's,85His hopeful son's,his babe's, betrays to slander,Whose sting is sharper than the sword's; and will not,—For, as the case now stands, it is a curseHe cannot be compell'd to't,—once removeThe root of his opinion, which is rottenAs ever oak or stone wassound.

Paul.Nor I; nor any

But one that's here, and that's himself; for he

The sacred honour of himself, his queen's,

His hopeful son's,his babe's, betrays to slander,

Whose sting is sharper than the sword's; and will not,—

For, as the case now stands, it is a curse

He cannot be compell'd to't,—once remove

The root of his opinion, which is rotten

As ever oak or stone wassound.

90Leon.A callatOf boundless tongue, who late hath beat her husbandAnd now baits me! This brat is none of mine;It is the issue of Polixenes:Hence with it, and together with the damCommitthemto the fire!

Leon.A callat

Of boundless tongue, who late hath beat her husband

And now baits me! This brat is none of mine;

It is the issue of Polixenes:

Hence with it, and together with the dam

Committhemto the fire!

95Paul.It is yours;And, might we lay the old proverb to your charge,So like you, 'tis the worse. Behold, my lords,Although the print be little, the whole matterAnd copy of the father, eye, nose, lip;100The trick of's frown; his forehead; nay, thevalley,Theprettydimplesof his chinand cheek;his smiles;The very mould and frame of hand, nail, finger:And thou, good goddess Nature, which hast made itSo like to him that got it, if thou hast105The ordering of the mind too, 'mongst all coloursNo yellow in't, lest she suspect, as he does,Her children not her husband's!

Paul.It is yours;

And, might we lay the old proverb to your charge,

So like you, 'tis the worse. Behold, my lords,

Although the print be little, the whole matter

And copy of the father, eye, nose, lip;

The trick of's frown; his forehead; nay, thevalley,

Theprettydimplesof his chinand cheek;his smiles;

The very mould and frame of hand, nail, finger:

And thou, good goddess Nature, which hast made it

So like to him that got it, if thou hast

The ordering of the mind too, 'mongst all colours

No yellow in't, lest she suspect, as he does,

Her children not her husband's!

Leon.A gross hag!And, lozel, thou art worthy to be hang'd,That wilt not stay her tongue.

Leon.A gross hag!

And, lozel, thou art worthy to be hang'd,

That wilt not stay her tongue.

Ant.Hang all the husbands110Thatcannot do that feat, you'll leaveyourselfHardly one subject.

Ant.Hang all the husbands

Thatcannot do that feat, you'll leaveyourself

Hardly one subject.

Leon.Once more, take her hence.

Paul.A most unworthy and unnatural lordCan do no more.

Paul.A most unworthy and unnatural lord

Can do no more.

Leon.I'llha' theeburnt.

Paul.I care not:It is an heretic that makes the fire,115Not she which burns in't. I'll not call you tyrant;But this most cruel usage of your queen—Not able to produce more accusationThan your own weak-hinged fancy—somethingsavoursOf tyranny and will ignoble make you,Yea, scandalous tothe world.

Paul.I care not:

It is an heretic that makes the fire,

Not she which burns in't. I'll not call you tyrant;

But this most cruel usage of your queen—

Not able to produce more accusation

Than your own weak-hinged fancy—somethingsavours

Of tyranny and will ignoble make you,

Yea, scandalous tothe world.

120Leon.On your allegiance,Out of the chamber with her! Were I a tyrant,Where were her life? she durst not call me so,If she did know me one. Away with her!

Leon.On your allegiance,

Out of the chamber with her! Were I a tyrant,

Where were her life? she durst not call me so,

If she did know me one. Away with her!

Paul.I pray you, do not push me; I'll be gone.125Look to your babe, my lord; 'tis yours:JovesendherAbetter guidingspirit! Whatneedsthese hands?You, that are thus so tender o'er his follies,Will never do him good, not one of you.So, so: farewell; we are gone.[Exit.

Paul.I pray you, do not push me; I'll be gone.

Look to your babe, my lord; 'tis yours:Jovesendher

Abetter guidingspirit! Whatneedsthese hands?

You, that are thus so tender o'er his follies,

Will never do him good, not one of you.

So, so: farewell; we are gone.[Exit.

130Leon.Thou,traitor, hast set on thy wife to this.My child? awaywith't!Eventhou, that hastA heart so tender o'er it, take it henceAnd see it instantly consumed with fire;Even thou and none but thou. Take it up straight:135Within this hour bring me word 'tis done,And by good testimony, or I'll seize thy life,Withwhat thou else call'stthine. If thou refuseAnd wilt encounter with my wrath, say so;The bastard brains with these my proper hands140Shall I dash out. Go, take it to the fire;For thouset'ston thy wife.

Leon.Thou,traitor, hast set on thy wife to this.

My child? awaywith't!Eventhou, that hast

A heart so tender o'er it, take it hence

And see it instantly consumed with fire;

Even thou and none but thou. Take it up straight:

Within this hour bring me word 'tis done,

And by good testimony, or I'll seize thy life,

Withwhat thou else call'stthine. If thou refuse

And wilt encounter with my wrath, say so;

The bastard brains with these my proper hands

Shall I dash out. Go, take it to the fire;

For thouset'ston thy wife.

Ant.I did not, sir:These lords, my noble fellows, if they please,Can clear me in't.

Ant.I did not, sir:

These lords, my noble fellows, if they please,

Can clear me in't.

Lords.We can:my royal liege,He is not guilty of her coming hither.

Lords.We can:my royal liege,

He is not guilty of her coming hither.

145Leon.You're liars all.

Leon.You're liars all.

First Lord.Beseech your highness, give us better credit:We havealways truly served you; andbeseech youSo to esteem of us: and on our knees we beg,As recompense of our dearservices150Past and to come, that you do change this purpose,Which being so horrible, so bloody, mustLead on to some foul issue:we all kneel.

First Lord.Beseech your highness, give us better credit:

We havealways truly served you; andbeseech you

So to esteem of us: and on our knees we beg,

As recompense of our dearservices

Past and to come, that you do change this purpose,

Which being so horrible, so bloody, must

Lead on to some foul issue:we all kneel.

Leon.I am afeatherfor each wind that blows:Shall I live on to see this bastard kneel155And call me father? better burn it nowThan curse it then. But be it; let it live.It shall not neither. You, sir, come youhither;You that have been so tenderly officiousWith Lady Margery, yourmidwifethere,160To save this bastard's life,—for 'tis a bastard,So sure asthisbeard's grey,—what will you adventureTo save this brat's life?

Leon.I am afeatherfor each wind that blows:

Shall I live on to see this bastard kneel

And call me father? better burn it now

Than curse it then. But be it; let it live.

It shall not neither. You, sir, come youhither;

You that have been so tenderly officious

With Lady Margery, yourmidwifethere,

To save this bastard's life,—for 'tis a bastard,

So sure asthisbeard's grey,—what will you adventure

To save this brat's life?

Ant.Any thing, my lord,That my ability may undergo,And nobleness impose:at leastthus much:165I'll pawn the little blood which I have leftTo save the innocent:any thing possible.

Ant.Any thing, my lord,

That my ability may undergo,

And nobleness impose:at leastthus much:

I'll pawn the little blood which I have left

To save the innocent:any thing possible.

Leon.It shall be possible. Swear by this swordThou wilt perform my bidding.

Leon.It shall be possible. Swear by this sword

Thou wilt perform my bidding.

Ant.I will, my lord.

Leon.Mark and perform it: seest thou? for the fail170Of any point in't shall not only beDeath to thyself but to thylewd-tonguedwife,Whom for this time we pardon. We enjoin thee,As thou art liege-man to us, that thou carryThis female bastard hence and that thou bear it175To some remote and desert place quite outOf our dominions, and that there thou leave it,Withoutmoremercy, toitsown protectionAnd favour of the climate. As by strange fortuneIt came to us, I do in justice charge thee,180On thy soul's peril and thy body's torture,That thou commend itstrangely to someplaceWherechancemay nurse or end it. Take it up.

Leon.Mark and perform it: seest thou? for the fail

Of any point in't shall not only be

Death to thyself but to thylewd-tonguedwife,

Whom for this time we pardon. We enjoin thee,

As thou art liege-man to us, that thou carry

This female bastard hence and that thou bear it

To some remote and desert place quite out

Of our dominions, and that there thou leave it,

Withoutmoremercy, toitsown protection

And favour of the climate. As by strange fortune

It came to us, I do in justice charge thee,

On thy soul's peril and thy body's torture,

That thou commend itstrangely to someplace

Wherechancemay nurse or end it. Take it up.

Ant.I swear to do this, though a present deathHad been more merciful. Come on, poor babe:185Some powerful spirit instruct the kites and ravensTo be thy nurses! Wolves and bears, they say,Casting their savageness aside have doneLike offices of pity. Sir, be prosperousIn more than this deed doesrequire! And blessing190Againstthiscruelty fight on thy side,Poor thing, condemn'd to loss![Exit with the child.

Ant.I swear to do this, though a present death

Had been more merciful. Come on, poor babe:

Some powerful spirit instruct the kites and ravens

To be thy nurses! Wolves and bears, they say,

Casting their savageness aside have done

Like offices of pity. Sir, be prosperous

In more than this deed doesrequire! And blessing

Againstthiscruelty fight on thy side,

Poor thing, condemn'd to loss![Exit with the child.

Leon.No, I'll notrearAnother's issue.

Leon.No, I'll notrear

Another's issue.

Enter aServant.

Serv.Please your highness, postsFrom those you sent to the oracle are comeAn hour since: Cleomenes and Dion,195Being well arrived from Delphos, are both landed,Hasting to the court.

Serv.Please your highness, posts

From those you sent to the oracle are come

An hour since: Cleomenes and Dion,

Being well arrived from Delphos, are both landed,

Hasting to the court.

First Lord.So please you, sir, their speedHath been beyondaccount.

First Lord.So please you, sir, their speed

Hath been beyondaccount.

Leon.Twenty three daysThey have been absent:'tis good speed;foretellsThe great Apollo suddenly will have200The truth of this appear. Prepare you, lords;Summon a session, that we may arraignOur most disloyal lady; for, as she hathBeen publicly accused, so shall she haveA just and open trial. While she lives205My heart will be a burthen to me. Leave me,And think upon my bidding.[Exeunt.

Leon.Twenty three days

They have been absent:'tis good speed;foretells

The great Apollo suddenly will have

The truth of this appear. Prepare you, lords;

Summon a session, that we may arraign

Our most disloyal lady; for, as she hath

Been publicly accused, so shall she have

A just and open trial. While she lives

My heart will be a burthen to me. Leave me,

And think upon my bidding.[Exeunt.

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