Re-enterServant.315Serv.Master, there is three carters, three shepherds,three neat-herds,three swine-herds, that have made themselvesall men of hair, they call themselves Saltiers, andthey have a dance which the wenches say is a gallimaufry ofgambols, because they are not in't; but they themselves320are o' the mind, if it be not too rough for some that knowlittle but bowling, it will please plentifully.Shep.Away! we'll none on't: here has been too muchhomely foolery already. I know, sir, we weary you.Pol.You weary those that refresh us: pray, let's see325these four threes of herdsmen.Serv.One three of them, by their own report, sir, hathdanced before the king; and not the worst of the three butjumps twelve foot and a half by thesquier.Shep.Leave your prating: since these good men are330pleased, let them come in; but quickly now.Serv.Why,they stay at door, sir.[Exit.Herea dance of twelve Satyrs.Pol.O, father, you'll know more of thathereafter.[To Cam.]Is it not too far gone? 'Tis time to part them.He's simple and tells much. How now, fair shepherd!335Your heart is full of something that does takeYour mind from feasting. Sooth, when I was youngAndhandedlove as you do, I was wontTo load my she with knacks: I would have ransack'dThe pedlar's silken treasury and have pour'd it340To her acceptance; you have let him goAnd nothing marted with him. If your lassInterpretation should abuse and call thisYour lack of love or bounty, you were straitedFor areply, at leastif you makea careOf happy holding her.345Flo.Old sir, I knowShe prizes not such trifles as these are:The gifts she looks from me are pack'd and lock'dUp in my heart; which I have given already,But not deliver'd. O, hear me breathe mylife350Before this ancient sir,who, it should seem,Hath sometime loved! I take thy hand, this hand,As soft as dove's down and as white as it,OrEthiopian'stooth, or the fann'd snow that's boltedBy the northernblaststwice o'er.Pol.What follows this?355How prettily the young swain seems to washThe hand was fair before!I haveput you out:But to your protestation; let me hearWhat you profess.Flo.Do, and be witness to't.Pol.And this my neighbour too?Flo.And he, and more360Than he, and men, the earth,the heavens, and all:That, were I crown'd the most imperial monarch,Thereof most worthy, were I the fairest youthThat ever made eye swerve, hadforceand knowledgeMore than was ever man's, I would not prize them365Without her love; for her employ them all;Commend them and condemn them to her serviceOr to their own perdition.Pol.Fairly offer'd.Cam.This shows a sound affection.Shep.But, my daughter,Say you the like tohim?Per.I cannot speak370So well, nothing so well; no, nor mean better:By the pattern of mine own thoughts I cut outThe purity of his.Shep.Take hands, a bargain!And, friends unknown, you shall bear witness to't:I give my daughter to him, and will makeHer portion equal his.375Flo.O, that must beI' the virtue of your daughter: one being dead,I shall have more than you can dream of yet;Enough then foryourwonder. But, come on,Contract us 'fore these witnesses.Shep.Come, your hand;And, daughter, yours.380Pol.Soft, swain,awhile, beseech you;Have you a father?Flo.I have: but what of him?Pol.Knows he of this?Flo.He neither does nor shall.Pol.Methinks a fatherIs at the nuptial of his son a guest385That best becomes the table. Pray you once more,Is not your father grown incapableOf reasonable affairs? is he not stupidWith age and altering rheums? can he speak? hear?Know man from man?disputehis own estate?390Lies he not bed-rid? and again does nothingBut what he did being childish?Flo.No, good sir;He has his health and ampler strength indeedThan most have of his age.Pol.By my white beard,You offer him, if this be so, a wrong395Something unfilial: reasonmysonShould choose himself a wife, but as good reasonThe father, all whose joy is nothing elseBut fair posterity, should hold some counselIn such a business.Flo.I yield all this;400But for some other reasons, my grave sir,Which 'tis not fit you know, I not acquaintMy father of this business.Pol.Let him know't.Flo.He shall not.Pol.Prithee, let him.Flo.No, he must not.Shep.Let him, my son: he shall not need to grieveAt knowing of thy choice.405Flo.Come, come, he must not.Mark our contract.Pol.Mark your divorce, young sir,[Discoveringhimself.Whom son I dare not call; them art too baseTo beacknowledged:thou a sceptre's heir.That thusaffectsa sheep-hook! Thou old traitor,410I amsorry that by hanging thee I canBut shortenthy life one week. And them, fresh pieceOf excellent witchcraft,whoof force must knowThe royal fool themcopest with,—Shep.O, my heart!Pol.I'll have thy beauty scratch'd with briers, and made415More homely than thy state. For thee,fondboy,If I may ever know them dost but sighThat them no moreshaltsee this knack, as neverI mean thou shalt, we'll bar thee from succession;Not hold thee of our blood, no, not our kin,420Far thanDeucalion off: mark thou my words:Follow us to the court. Thou churl, for this time,Though full of our displeasure, yet we free theeFrom thedeadblow of it. Andyou, enchantment,—Worthy enough a herdsman; yea, him too,425That makes himself, but for our honour therein,Unworthythee,—ifever henceforth thouThese rural latches to his entrance open,Orhoophis body more with thy embraces,I will devise a death as cruel for theeAs thou art tenderto't.[Exit.430Per.Even here undone!I was not muchafeard;for once or twiceI was about to speak and tell him plainly,The selfsame sun that shines upon his courtHides not his visage from our cottage, but435Looksonalike.Will'tplease you, sir, be gone?I told you what would come of this: beseech you,Of your own state take care:this dream of mine,—Being now awake, I'll queen it no inch farther,But milk my ewes and weep.Cam.Why, how now, father!Speak ere thou diest.440Shep.I cannot speak, nor think,Nor dare to know that which I know.O sir!You have undone a man of fourscore three,That thought to fill his grave in quiet; yea,To die upon the bed my fatherdied,445To lie close by his honest bones: but nowSome hangman must put on my shroud and lay meWhere no priest shovels in dust. O cursedwretch,That knew'st this was the prince, and wouldst adventureTo mingle faith with him! Undone! undone!450If I might die within this hour, I have livedTo die when I desire.[Exit.Flo.Why look you soupon me?I am but sorry, notafeard, delay'd,But nothing alter'd: what I was, I am;More straining on for plucking back, not followingMy leash unwillingly.455Cam.Gracious my lord,You knowyourfather's temper: at this timeHe will allow no speech, which I do guessYou do not purpose to him; and as hardlyWill he endure yoursight as yet, I fear:460Then, till the fury of his highness settle,Come not before him.Flo.I not purpose it.I think,Camillo?Cam.Even he, my lord.Per.How often have I told you 'twould be thus!How often said, my dignity would lastBut till 'twere known!465Flo.It cannotfailbut byThe violation of my faith; and thenLet nature crush the sides o' the earth togetherAnd mar the seeds within! Lift up thy looks:From my succession wipe me, father, IAm heir tomyaffection.470Cam.Be advised.Flo.I am, and by my fancy: if my reasonWill thereto be obedient, I have reason;If not, my senses,better pleased with madness,Do bid it welcome.Cam.This is desperate, sir.475Flo.So call it: but it does fulfil my vow;I needs must think it honesty. Camillo,Not for Bohemia, nor the pomp that mayBethereatglean'd; forallthe sun sees,orThe close earth wombs, or the profoundsea hides480In unknownfathoms, will I break my oathTo this my fair beloved: therefore, I pray you,As you have everbeen my father'shonour'dfriend,When he shall miss me,—as, in faith, I mean notTo see him any more,—cast your good counsels485Upon his passion: let myself and fortuneTug for the time to come. This you may knowAnd so deliver, I am put to seaWith herwhomhere I cannot hold on shore;And most opportune toourneed I have490A vessel rides fast by, but not preparedFor this design. What course I mean to holdShall nothing benefit your knowledge, norConcern me the reporting.Cam.O my lord!I would your spirit were easier for advice,Or stronger for your need.495Flo.Hark, Perdita.[Drawingher aside.I'll hear you by andby.Cam.He'sirremoveable,Resolvedfor flight. Now were I happy, ifHis going I could frame to serve my turn,Save him from danger, do him love and honour,500Purchase the sight again of dear SiciliaAnd that unhappy king, my master, whomI so much thirst to see.Flo.Now, good Camillo;I am so fraught withcuriousbusiness thatI leave outceremony.Cam.Sir, I think505You have heard of my poor services, i' the loveThat I have borne your father?Flo.Very noblyHave you deserved: it is my father's musicTo speak your deeds, not little of his careTo have them recompensed as thought on.Cam.Well, my lord,510If you may please to think I love the king,Andthrough him what isnearestto him, which isYour gracious self, embrace but my direction,If your more ponderous and settled projectMay sufferalteration, onmine honour515I'll point you where you shall have such receivingAs shall become your highness; where you mayEnjoy your mistress, from the whom, I see,There's no disjunction to be made, but byAs heavens forefend! your ruin; marry her,520And,with my best endeavours in your absence,Yourdiscontentingfatherstrive to qualifyAnd bringhim upto liking.Flo.How, Camillo,May this, almost a miracle, be done?That I may call thee something more than manAnd after that trust to thee.525Cam.Have you thought onA place whereto you'll go?Flo.Not any yet:But as the unthought-on accident is guiltyTowhat we wildly do, so we professOurselves to be the slaves of chance, and fliesOf every wind that blows.530Cam.Then list to me:This follows, if you will not change your purposeBut undergo this flight, make for Sicilia,And there present yourself and your fair princess,For so I see she must be, 'fore Leontes:535She shall be habited as it becomesThe partner of your bed. Methinks I seeLeontes opening his free arms and weepingHis welcomes forth;asksthee thesonforgiveness,As 'twere i' the father's person;kissesthe hands540Of your fresh princess; o'er and o'erdivideshim'Twixt his unkindness and his kindness; the oneHe chides to hell and bids the other growFaster than thought or time.Flo.Worthy Camillo,What colour for my visitation shall IHold up before him?545Cam.Sent by the king your fatherTo greet him and to give himcomforts. Sir,The manner of your bearing towards him, withWhat you as from your father shall deliver,Things known betwixt us three, I 'll write you down:550The which shall point you forth at everysittingWhat you must say; that he shall not perceiveBut that you have your father's bosom thereAnd speak his very heart.Flo.I am bound to you:There is some sap in this.Cam.A course more promising555Than a wild dedication of yourselvesTo unpath'd waters, undream'd shores, most certainTo miseries enough: no hope to help you,But as you shake off one to takeanother:Nothing so certain as your anchors,who560Do their best office, if they can but stay youWhere you'll be loath to be: besides you knowProsperity's the very bond of love,Whose fresh complexion and whose heart togetherAffliction alters.Per.One of these is true:565I think affliction may subdue the cheek,But not take in the mind.Cam.Yea, say you so?There shall not at your father's house these seven yearsBe'born another such.Flo.My good Camillo,She is as forward of her breeding asShe isi' the rear o' ourbirth.570Cam.I cannot say 'tis pityShe lacks instructions, for she seems a mistressTo most that teach.Per.Your pardon,sir; for thisI'll blush you thanks.Flo.My prettiest Perdita!But O, the thorns we stand upon! Camillo,575Preserver of my father, now of me,Themedicineof our house, how shall we do?We are not furnish'd like Bohemia's son,Nor shallappear in Sicilia.Cam.My lord,Fear none of this: I think you know my fortunes580Do all lie there: it shall be so my careTo have you royally appointed as ifThe scene you play weremine. For instance, sir,That you may know you shall not want, one word.[They talk aside.Re-enterAutolycus.Aut.Ha, ha! what a fool Honesty is! and Trust, his585sworn brother, a very simple gentleman! I have sold allmy trumpery; not a counterfeit stone, not a ribbon, glass,pomander,brooch,table-book, ballad, knife, tape, glove,shoe-tie, bracelet, horn-ring, to keep my pack fromfasting:theythrongwho should buy first, as if my trinkets had been590hallowed and brought a benediction to the buyer: by whichmeans I saw whose purse was best inpicture; and what Isaw, to my good use I remembered.My clown, who wantsbut something to be a reasonable man, grew so in love withthewenches'song, that he would not stir his pettitoes till595he had both tune and words; which so drew the rest of theherd to me, that all their other senses stuck inears:youmight have pinched a placket, it was senseless; 'twas nothingto geld a codpiece of a purse; Iwouldhavefiled keys offthat hung-in chains: no hearing, no feeling, but my sir's600song, and admiring thenothingof it. So that in this timeof lethargy I picked and cut most of their festival purses;and had not the old man come in with a whoo-bub againsthis daughter and the king's son and scared my choughsfrom the chaff, I had not left a purse alive in the whole army.[Camillo, Florizel, and Perdita come forward.605Cam.Nay, but my letters, by this means being thereSo soon as you arrive, shall clear that doubt.Flo.And those that you'll procure from KingLeontes—Cam.Shall satisfy your father.Per.Happy be you!All that you speak shows fair.Cam.Whohave we here?[Seeing Autolycus.610We'll make an instrument of this; omitNothing may give us aid.
Re-enterServant.315Serv.Master, there is three carters, three shepherds,three neat-herds,three swine-herds, that have made themselvesall men of hair, they call themselves Saltiers, andthey have a dance which the wenches say is a gallimaufry ofgambols, because they are not in't; but they themselves320are o' the mind, if it be not too rough for some that knowlittle but bowling, it will please plentifully.Shep.Away! we'll none on't: here has been too muchhomely foolery already. I know, sir, we weary you.Pol.You weary those that refresh us: pray, let's see325these four threes of herdsmen.Serv.One three of them, by their own report, sir, hathdanced before the king; and not the worst of the three butjumps twelve foot and a half by thesquier.Shep.Leave your prating: since these good men are330pleased, let them come in; but quickly now.Serv.Why,they stay at door, sir.[Exit.Herea dance of twelve Satyrs.Pol.O, father, you'll know more of thathereafter.[To Cam.]Is it not too far gone? 'Tis time to part them.He's simple and tells much. How now, fair shepherd!335Your heart is full of something that does takeYour mind from feasting. Sooth, when I was youngAndhandedlove as you do, I was wontTo load my she with knacks: I would have ransack'dThe pedlar's silken treasury and have pour'd it340To her acceptance; you have let him goAnd nothing marted with him. If your lassInterpretation should abuse and call thisYour lack of love or bounty, you were straitedFor areply, at leastif you makea careOf happy holding her.345Flo.Old sir, I knowShe prizes not such trifles as these are:The gifts she looks from me are pack'd and lock'dUp in my heart; which I have given already,But not deliver'd. O, hear me breathe mylife350Before this ancient sir,who, it should seem,Hath sometime loved! I take thy hand, this hand,As soft as dove's down and as white as it,OrEthiopian'stooth, or the fann'd snow that's boltedBy the northernblaststwice o'er.Pol.What follows this?355How prettily the young swain seems to washThe hand was fair before!I haveput you out:But to your protestation; let me hearWhat you profess.Flo.Do, and be witness to't.Pol.And this my neighbour too?Flo.And he, and more360Than he, and men, the earth,the heavens, and all:That, were I crown'd the most imperial monarch,Thereof most worthy, were I the fairest youthThat ever made eye swerve, hadforceand knowledgeMore than was ever man's, I would not prize them365Without her love; for her employ them all;Commend them and condemn them to her serviceOr to their own perdition.Pol.Fairly offer'd.Cam.This shows a sound affection.Shep.But, my daughter,Say you the like tohim?Per.I cannot speak370So well, nothing so well; no, nor mean better:By the pattern of mine own thoughts I cut outThe purity of his.Shep.Take hands, a bargain!And, friends unknown, you shall bear witness to't:I give my daughter to him, and will makeHer portion equal his.375Flo.O, that must beI' the virtue of your daughter: one being dead,I shall have more than you can dream of yet;Enough then foryourwonder. But, come on,Contract us 'fore these witnesses.Shep.Come, your hand;And, daughter, yours.380Pol.Soft, swain,awhile, beseech you;Have you a father?Flo.I have: but what of him?Pol.Knows he of this?Flo.He neither does nor shall.Pol.Methinks a fatherIs at the nuptial of his son a guest385That best becomes the table. Pray you once more,Is not your father grown incapableOf reasonable affairs? is he not stupidWith age and altering rheums? can he speak? hear?Know man from man?disputehis own estate?390Lies he not bed-rid? and again does nothingBut what he did being childish?Flo.No, good sir;He has his health and ampler strength indeedThan most have of his age.Pol.By my white beard,You offer him, if this be so, a wrong395Something unfilial: reasonmysonShould choose himself a wife, but as good reasonThe father, all whose joy is nothing elseBut fair posterity, should hold some counselIn such a business.Flo.I yield all this;400But for some other reasons, my grave sir,Which 'tis not fit you know, I not acquaintMy father of this business.Pol.Let him know't.Flo.He shall not.Pol.Prithee, let him.Flo.No, he must not.Shep.Let him, my son: he shall not need to grieveAt knowing of thy choice.405Flo.Come, come, he must not.Mark our contract.Pol.Mark your divorce, young sir,[Discoveringhimself.Whom son I dare not call; them art too baseTo beacknowledged:thou a sceptre's heir.That thusaffectsa sheep-hook! Thou old traitor,410I amsorry that by hanging thee I canBut shortenthy life one week. And them, fresh pieceOf excellent witchcraft,whoof force must knowThe royal fool themcopest with,—Shep.O, my heart!Pol.I'll have thy beauty scratch'd with briers, and made415More homely than thy state. For thee,fondboy,If I may ever know them dost but sighThat them no moreshaltsee this knack, as neverI mean thou shalt, we'll bar thee from succession;Not hold thee of our blood, no, not our kin,420Far thanDeucalion off: mark thou my words:Follow us to the court. Thou churl, for this time,Though full of our displeasure, yet we free theeFrom thedeadblow of it. Andyou, enchantment,—Worthy enough a herdsman; yea, him too,425That makes himself, but for our honour therein,Unworthythee,—ifever henceforth thouThese rural latches to his entrance open,Orhoophis body more with thy embraces,I will devise a death as cruel for theeAs thou art tenderto't.[Exit.430Per.Even here undone!I was not muchafeard;for once or twiceI was about to speak and tell him plainly,The selfsame sun that shines upon his courtHides not his visage from our cottage, but435Looksonalike.Will'tplease you, sir, be gone?I told you what would come of this: beseech you,Of your own state take care:this dream of mine,—Being now awake, I'll queen it no inch farther,But milk my ewes and weep.Cam.Why, how now, father!Speak ere thou diest.440Shep.I cannot speak, nor think,Nor dare to know that which I know.O sir!You have undone a man of fourscore three,That thought to fill his grave in quiet; yea,To die upon the bed my fatherdied,445To lie close by his honest bones: but nowSome hangman must put on my shroud and lay meWhere no priest shovels in dust. O cursedwretch,That knew'st this was the prince, and wouldst adventureTo mingle faith with him! Undone! undone!450If I might die within this hour, I have livedTo die when I desire.[Exit.Flo.Why look you soupon me?I am but sorry, notafeard, delay'd,But nothing alter'd: what I was, I am;More straining on for plucking back, not followingMy leash unwillingly.455Cam.Gracious my lord,You knowyourfather's temper: at this timeHe will allow no speech, which I do guessYou do not purpose to him; and as hardlyWill he endure yoursight as yet, I fear:460Then, till the fury of his highness settle,Come not before him.Flo.I not purpose it.I think,Camillo?Cam.Even he, my lord.Per.How often have I told you 'twould be thus!How often said, my dignity would lastBut till 'twere known!465Flo.It cannotfailbut byThe violation of my faith; and thenLet nature crush the sides o' the earth togetherAnd mar the seeds within! Lift up thy looks:From my succession wipe me, father, IAm heir tomyaffection.470Cam.Be advised.Flo.I am, and by my fancy: if my reasonWill thereto be obedient, I have reason;If not, my senses,better pleased with madness,Do bid it welcome.Cam.This is desperate, sir.475Flo.So call it: but it does fulfil my vow;I needs must think it honesty. Camillo,Not for Bohemia, nor the pomp that mayBethereatglean'd; forallthe sun sees,orThe close earth wombs, or the profoundsea hides480In unknownfathoms, will I break my oathTo this my fair beloved: therefore, I pray you,As you have everbeen my father'shonour'dfriend,When he shall miss me,—as, in faith, I mean notTo see him any more,—cast your good counsels485Upon his passion: let myself and fortuneTug for the time to come. This you may knowAnd so deliver, I am put to seaWith herwhomhere I cannot hold on shore;And most opportune toourneed I have490A vessel rides fast by, but not preparedFor this design. What course I mean to holdShall nothing benefit your knowledge, norConcern me the reporting.Cam.O my lord!I would your spirit were easier for advice,Or stronger for your need.495Flo.Hark, Perdita.[Drawingher aside.I'll hear you by andby.Cam.He'sirremoveable,Resolvedfor flight. Now were I happy, ifHis going I could frame to serve my turn,Save him from danger, do him love and honour,500Purchase the sight again of dear SiciliaAnd that unhappy king, my master, whomI so much thirst to see.Flo.Now, good Camillo;I am so fraught withcuriousbusiness thatI leave outceremony.Cam.Sir, I think505You have heard of my poor services, i' the loveThat I have borne your father?Flo.Very noblyHave you deserved: it is my father's musicTo speak your deeds, not little of his careTo have them recompensed as thought on.Cam.Well, my lord,510If you may please to think I love the king,Andthrough him what isnearestto him, which isYour gracious self, embrace but my direction,If your more ponderous and settled projectMay sufferalteration, onmine honour515I'll point you where you shall have such receivingAs shall become your highness; where you mayEnjoy your mistress, from the whom, I see,There's no disjunction to be made, but byAs heavens forefend! your ruin; marry her,520And,with my best endeavours in your absence,Yourdiscontentingfatherstrive to qualifyAnd bringhim upto liking.Flo.How, Camillo,May this, almost a miracle, be done?That I may call thee something more than manAnd after that trust to thee.525Cam.Have you thought onA place whereto you'll go?Flo.Not any yet:But as the unthought-on accident is guiltyTowhat we wildly do, so we professOurselves to be the slaves of chance, and fliesOf every wind that blows.530Cam.Then list to me:This follows, if you will not change your purposeBut undergo this flight, make for Sicilia,And there present yourself and your fair princess,For so I see she must be, 'fore Leontes:535She shall be habited as it becomesThe partner of your bed. Methinks I seeLeontes opening his free arms and weepingHis welcomes forth;asksthee thesonforgiveness,As 'twere i' the father's person;kissesthe hands540Of your fresh princess; o'er and o'erdivideshim'Twixt his unkindness and his kindness; the oneHe chides to hell and bids the other growFaster than thought or time.Flo.Worthy Camillo,What colour for my visitation shall IHold up before him?545Cam.Sent by the king your fatherTo greet him and to give himcomforts. Sir,The manner of your bearing towards him, withWhat you as from your father shall deliver,Things known betwixt us three, I 'll write you down:550The which shall point you forth at everysittingWhat you must say; that he shall not perceiveBut that you have your father's bosom thereAnd speak his very heart.Flo.I am bound to you:There is some sap in this.Cam.A course more promising555Than a wild dedication of yourselvesTo unpath'd waters, undream'd shores, most certainTo miseries enough: no hope to help you,But as you shake off one to takeanother:Nothing so certain as your anchors,who560Do their best office, if they can but stay youWhere you'll be loath to be: besides you knowProsperity's the very bond of love,Whose fresh complexion and whose heart togetherAffliction alters.Per.One of these is true:565I think affliction may subdue the cheek,But not take in the mind.Cam.Yea, say you so?There shall not at your father's house these seven yearsBe'born another such.Flo.My good Camillo,She is as forward of her breeding asShe isi' the rear o' ourbirth.570Cam.I cannot say 'tis pityShe lacks instructions, for she seems a mistressTo most that teach.Per.Your pardon,sir; for thisI'll blush you thanks.Flo.My prettiest Perdita!But O, the thorns we stand upon! Camillo,575Preserver of my father, now of me,Themedicineof our house, how shall we do?We are not furnish'd like Bohemia's son,Nor shallappear in Sicilia.Cam.My lord,Fear none of this: I think you know my fortunes580Do all lie there: it shall be so my careTo have you royally appointed as ifThe scene you play weremine. For instance, sir,That you may know you shall not want, one word.[They talk aside.Re-enterAutolycus.Aut.Ha, ha! what a fool Honesty is! and Trust, his585sworn brother, a very simple gentleman! I have sold allmy trumpery; not a counterfeit stone, not a ribbon, glass,pomander,brooch,table-book, ballad, knife, tape, glove,shoe-tie, bracelet, horn-ring, to keep my pack fromfasting:theythrongwho should buy first, as if my trinkets had been590hallowed and brought a benediction to the buyer: by whichmeans I saw whose purse was best inpicture; and what Isaw, to my good use I remembered.My clown, who wantsbut something to be a reasonable man, grew so in love withthewenches'song, that he would not stir his pettitoes till595he had both tune and words; which so drew the rest of theherd to me, that all their other senses stuck inears:youmight have pinched a placket, it was senseless; 'twas nothingto geld a codpiece of a purse; Iwouldhavefiled keys offthat hung-in chains: no hearing, no feeling, but my sir's600song, and admiring thenothingof it. So that in this timeof lethargy I picked and cut most of their festival purses;and had not the old man come in with a whoo-bub againsthis daughter and the king's son and scared my choughsfrom the chaff, I had not left a purse alive in the whole army.[Camillo, Florizel, and Perdita come forward.605Cam.Nay, but my letters, by this means being thereSo soon as you arrive, shall clear that doubt.Flo.And those that you'll procure from KingLeontes—Cam.Shall satisfy your father.Per.Happy be you!All that you speak shows fair.Cam.Whohave we here?[Seeing Autolycus.610We'll make an instrument of this; omitNothing may give us aid.
Re-enterServant.
Re-enterServant.
315Serv.Master, there is three carters, three shepherds,three neat-herds,three swine-herds, that have made themselvesall men of hair, they call themselves Saltiers, andthey have a dance which the wenches say is a gallimaufry ofgambols, because they are not in't; but they themselves320are o' the mind, if it be not too rough for some that knowlittle but bowling, it will please plentifully.
Serv.Master, there is three carters, three shepherds,
three neat-herds,three swine-herds, that have made themselves
all men of hair, they call themselves Saltiers, and
they have a dance which the wenches say is a gallimaufry of
gambols, because they are not in't; but they themselves
are o' the mind, if it be not too rough for some that know
little but bowling, it will please plentifully.
Shep.Away! we'll none on't: here has been too muchhomely foolery already. I know, sir, we weary you.
Shep.Away! we'll none on't: here has been too much
homely foolery already. I know, sir, we weary you.
Pol.You weary those that refresh us: pray, let's see325these four threes of herdsmen.
Pol.You weary those that refresh us: pray, let's see
these four threes of herdsmen.
Serv.One three of them, by their own report, sir, hathdanced before the king; and not the worst of the three butjumps twelve foot and a half by thesquier.
Serv.One three of them, by their own report, sir, hath
danced before the king; and not the worst of the three but
jumps twelve foot and a half by thesquier.
Shep.Leave your prating: since these good men are330pleased, let them come in; but quickly now.
Shep.Leave your prating: since these good men are
pleased, let them come in; but quickly now.
Serv.Why,they stay at door, sir.[Exit.Herea dance of twelve Satyrs.
Serv.Why,they stay at door, sir.[Exit.
Herea dance of twelve Satyrs.
Pol.O, father, you'll know more of thathereafter.[To Cam.]Is it not too far gone? 'Tis time to part them.He's simple and tells much. How now, fair shepherd!335Your heart is full of something that does takeYour mind from feasting. Sooth, when I was youngAndhandedlove as you do, I was wontTo load my she with knacks: I would have ransack'dThe pedlar's silken treasury and have pour'd it340To her acceptance; you have let him goAnd nothing marted with him. If your lassInterpretation should abuse and call thisYour lack of love or bounty, you were straitedFor areply, at leastif you makea careOf happy holding her.
Pol.O, father, you'll know more of thathereafter.
[To Cam.]Is it not too far gone? 'Tis time to part them.
He's simple and tells much. How now, fair shepherd!
Your heart is full of something that does take
Your mind from feasting. Sooth, when I was young
Andhandedlove as you do, I was wont
To load my she with knacks: I would have ransack'd
The pedlar's silken treasury and have pour'd it
To her acceptance; you have let him go
And nothing marted with him. If your lass
Interpretation should abuse and call this
Your lack of love or bounty, you were straited
For areply, at leastif you makea care
Of happy holding her.
345Flo.Old sir, I knowShe prizes not such trifles as these are:The gifts she looks from me are pack'd and lock'dUp in my heart; which I have given already,But not deliver'd. O, hear me breathe mylife350Before this ancient sir,who, it should seem,Hath sometime loved! I take thy hand, this hand,As soft as dove's down and as white as it,OrEthiopian'stooth, or the fann'd snow that's boltedBy the northernblaststwice o'er.
Flo.Old sir, I know
She prizes not such trifles as these are:
The gifts she looks from me are pack'd and lock'd
Up in my heart; which I have given already,
But not deliver'd. O, hear me breathe mylife
Before this ancient sir,who, it should seem,
Hath sometime loved! I take thy hand, this hand,
As soft as dove's down and as white as it,
OrEthiopian'stooth, or the fann'd snow that's bolted
By the northernblaststwice o'er.
Pol.What follows this?355How prettily the young swain seems to washThe hand was fair before!I haveput you out:But to your protestation; let me hearWhat you profess.
Pol.What follows this?
How prettily the young swain seems to wash
The hand was fair before!I haveput you out:
But to your protestation; let me hear
What you profess.
Flo.Do, and be witness to't.
Flo.Do, and be witness to't.
Pol.And this my neighbour too?
Pol.And this my neighbour too?
Flo.And he, and more360Than he, and men, the earth,the heavens, and all:That, were I crown'd the most imperial monarch,Thereof most worthy, were I the fairest youthThat ever made eye swerve, hadforceand knowledgeMore than was ever man's, I would not prize them365Without her love; for her employ them all;Commend them and condemn them to her serviceOr to their own perdition.
Flo.And he, and more
Than he, and men, the earth,the heavens, and all:
That, were I crown'd the most imperial monarch,
Thereof most worthy, were I the fairest youth
That ever made eye swerve, hadforceand knowledge
More than was ever man's, I would not prize them
Without her love; for her employ them all;
Commend them and condemn them to her service
Or to their own perdition.
Pol.Fairly offer'd.
Pol.Fairly offer'd.
Cam.This shows a sound affection.
Cam.This shows a sound affection.
Shep.But, my daughter,Say you the like tohim?
Shep.But, my daughter,
Say you the like tohim?
Per.I cannot speak370So well, nothing so well; no, nor mean better:By the pattern of mine own thoughts I cut outThe purity of his.
Per.I cannot speak
So well, nothing so well; no, nor mean better:
By the pattern of mine own thoughts I cut out
The purity of his.
Shep.Take hands, a bargain!And, friends unknown, you shall bear witness to't:I give my daughter to him, and will makeHer portion equal his.
Shep.Take hands, a bargain!
And, friends unknown, you shall bear witness to't:
I give my daughter to him, and will make
Her portion equal his.
375Flo.O, that must beI' the virtue of your daughter: one being dead,I shall have more than you can dream of yet;Enough then foryourwonder. But, come on,Contract us 'fore these witnesses.
Flo.O, that must be
I' the virtue of your daughter: one being dead,
I shall have more than you can dream of yet;
Enough then foryourwonder. But, come on,
Contract us 'fore these witnesses.
Shep.Come, your hand;And, daughter, yours.
Shep.Come, your hand;
And, daughter, yours.
380Pol.Soft, swain,awhile, beseech you;Have you a father?
Pol.Soft, swain,awhile, beseech you;
Have you a father?
Flo.I have: but what of him?
Flo.I have: but what of him?
Pol.Knows he of this?
Pol.Knows he of this?
Flo.He neither does nor shall.
Flo.He neither does nor shall.
Pol.Methinks a fatherIs at the nuptial of his son a guest385That best becomes the table. Pray you once more,Is not your father grown incapableOf reasonable affairs? is he not stupidWith age and altering rheums? can he speak? hear?Know man from man?disputehis own estate?390Lies he not bed-rid? and again does nothingBut what he did being childish?
Pol.Methinks a father
Is at the nuptial of his son a guest
That best becomes the table. Pray you once more,
Is not your father grown incapable
Of reasonable affairs? is he not stupid
With age and altering rheums? can he speak? hear?
Know man from man?disputehis own estate?
Lies he not bed-rid? and again does nothing
But what he did being childish?
Flo.No, good sir;He has his health and ampler strength indeedThan most have of his age.
Flo.No, good sir;
He has his health and ampler strength indeed
Than most have of his age.
Pol.By my white beard,You offer him, if this be so, a wrong395Something unfilial: reasonmysonShould choose himself a wife, but as good reasonThe father, all whose joy is nothing elseBut fair posterity, should hold some counselIn such a business.
Pol.By my white beard,
You offer him, if this be so, a wrong
Something unfilial: reasonmyson
Should choose himself a wife, but as good reason
The father, all whose joy is nothing else
But fair posterity, should hold some counsel
In such a business.
Flo.I yield all this;400But for some other reasons, my grave sir,Which 'tis not fit you know, I not acquaintMy father of this business.
Flo.I yield all this;
But for some other reasons, my grave sir,
Which 'tis not fit you know, I not acquaint
My father of this business.
Pol.Let him know't.
Pol.Let him know't.
Flo.He shall not.
Flo.He shall not.
Pol.Prithee, let him.
Pol.Prithee, let him.
Flo.No, he must not.
Flo.No, he must not.
Shep.Let him, my son: he shall not need to grieveAt knowing of thy choice.
Shep.Let him, my son: he shall not need to grieve
At knowing of thy choice.
405Flo.Come, come, he must not.Mark our contract.
Flo.Come, come, he must not.
Mark our contract.
Pol.Mark your divorce, young sir,[Discoveringhimself.Whom son I dare not call; them art too baseTo beacknowledged:thou a sceptre's heir.That thusaffectsa sheep-hook! Thou old traitor,410I amsorry that by hanging thee I canBut shortenthy life one week. And them, fresh pieceOf excellent witchcraft,whoof force must knowThe royal fool themcopest with,—
Pol.Mark your divorce, young sir,[Discoveringhimself.
Whom son I dare not call; them art too base
To beacknowledged:thou a sceptre's heir.
That thusaffectsa sheep-hook! Thou old traitor,
I amsorry that by hanging thee I can
But shortenthy life one week. And them, fresh piece
Of excellent witchcraft,whoof force must know
The royal fool themcopest with,—
Shep.O, my heart!
Shep.O, my heart!
Pol.I'll have thy beauty scratch'd with briers, and made415More homely than thy state. For thee,fondboy,If I may ever know them dost but sighThat them no moreshaltsee this knack, as neverI mean thou shalt, we'll bar thee from succession;Not hold thee of our blood, no, not our kin,420Far thanDeucalion off: mark thou my words:Follow us to the court. Thou churl, for this time,Though full of our displeasure, yet we free theeFrom thedeadblow of it. Andyou, enchantment,—Worthy enough a herdsman; yea, him too,425That makes himself, but for our honour therein,Unworthythee,—ifever henceforth thouThese rural latches to his entrance open,Orhoophis body more with thy embraces,I will devise a death as cruel for theeAs thou art tenderto't.[Exit.
Pol.I'll have thy beauty scratch'd with briers, and made
More homely than thy state. For thee,fondboy,
If I may ever know them dost but sigh
That them no moreshaltsee this knack, as never
I mean thou shalt, we'll bar thee from succession;
Not hold thee of our blood, no, not our kin,
Far thanDeucalion off: mark thou my words:
Follow us to the court. Thou churl, for this time,
Though full of our displeasure, yet we free thee
From thedeadblow of it. Andyou, enchantment,—
Worthy enough a herdsman; yea, him too,
That makes himself, but for our honour therein,
Unworthythee,—ifever henceforth thou
These rural latches to his entrance open,
Orhoophis body more with thy embraces,
I will devise a death as cruel for thee
As thou art tenderto't.[Exit.
430Per.Even here undone!I was not muchafeard;for once or twiceI was about to speak and tell him plainly,The selfsame sun that shines upon his courtHides not his visage from our cottage, but435Looksonalike.Will'tplease you, sir, be gone?I told you what would come of this: beseech you,Of your own state take care:this dream of mine,—Being now awake, I'll queen it no inch farther,But milk my ewes and weep.
Per.Even here undone!
I was not muchafeard;for once or twice
I was about to speak and tell him plainly,
The selfsame sun that shines upon his court
Hides not his visage from our cottage, but
Looksonalike.Will'tplease you, sir, be gone?
I told you what would come of this: beseech you,
Of your own state take care:this dream of mine,—
Being now awake, I'll queen it no inch farther,
But milk my ewes and weep.
Cam.Why, how now, father!Speak ere thou diest.
Cam.Why, how now, father!
Speak ere thou diest.
440Shep.I cannot speak, nor think,Nor dare to know that which I know.O sir!You have undone a man of fourscore three,That thought to fill his grave in quiet; yea,To die upon the bed my fatherdied,445To lie close by his honest bones: but nowSome hangman must put on my shroud and lay meWhere no priest shovels in dust. O cursedwretch,That knew'st this was the prince, and wouldst adventureTo mingle faith with him! Undone! undone!450If I might die within this hour, I have livedTo die when I desire.[Exit.
Shep.I cannot speak, nor think,
Nor dare to know that which I know.O sir!
You have undone a man of fourscore three,
That thought to fill his grave in quiet; yea,
To die upon the bed my fatherdied,
To lie close by his honest bones: but now
Some hangman must put on my shroud and lay me
Where no priest shovels in dust. O cursedwretch,
That knew'st this was the prince, and wouldst adventure
To mingle faith with him! Undone! undone!
If I might die within this hour, I have lived
To die when I desire.[Exit.
Flo.Why look you soupon me?I am but sorry, notafeard, delay'd,But nothing alter'd: what I was, I am;More straining on for plucking back, not followingMy leash unwillingly.
Flo.Why look you soupon me?
I am but sorry, notafeard, delay'd,
But nothing alter'd: what I was, I am;
More straining on for plucking back, not following
My leash unwillingly.
455Cam.Gracious my lord,You knowyourfather's temper: at this timeHe will allow no speech, which I do guessYou do not purpose to him; and as hardlyWill he endure yoursight as yet, I fear:460Then, till the fury of his highness settle,Come not before him.
Cam.Gracious my lord,
You knowyourfather's temper: at this time
He will allow no speech, which I do guess
You do not purpose to him; and as hardly
Will he endure yoursight as yet, I fear:
Then, till the fury of his highness settle,
Come not before him.
Flo.I not purpose it.I think,Camillo?
Flo.I not purpose it.
I think,Camillo?
Cam.Even he, my lord.
Cam.Even he, my lord.
Per.How often have I told you 'twould be thus!How often said, my dignity would lastBut till 'twere known!
Per.How often have I told you 'twould be thus!
How often said, my dignity would last
But till 'twere known!
465Flo.It cannotfailbut byThe violation of my faith; and thenLet nature crush the sides o' the earth togetherAnd mar the seeds within! Lift up thy looks:From my succession wipe me, father, IAm heir tomyaffection.
Flo.It cannotfailbut by
The violation of my faith; and then
Let nature crush the sides o' the earth together
And mar the seeds within! Lift up thy looks:
From my succession wipe me, father, I
Am heir tomyaffection.
470Cam.Be advised.
Cam.Be advised.
Flo.I am, and by my fancy: if my reasonWill thereto be obedient, I have reason;If not, my senses,better pleased with madness,Do bid it welcome.
Flo.I am, and by my fancy: if my reason
Will thereto be obedient, I have reason;
If not, my senses,better pleased with madness,
Do bid it welcome.
Cam.This is desperate, sir.
Cam.This is desperate, sir.
475Flo.So call it: but it does fulfil my vow;I needs must think it honesty. Camillo,Not for Bohemia, nor the pomp that mayBethereatglean'd; forallthe sun sees,orThe close earth wombs, or the profoundsea hides480In unknownfathoms, will I break my oathTo this my fair beloved: therefore, I pray you,As you have everbeen my father'shonour'dfriend,When he shall miss me,—as, in faith, I mean notTo see him any more,—cast your good counsels485Upon his passion: let myself and fortuneTug for the time to come. This you may knowAnd so deliver, I am put to seaWith herwhomhere I cannot hold on shore;And most opportune toourneed I have490A vessel rides fast by, but not preparedFor this design. What course I mean to holdShall nothing benefit your knowledge, norConcern me the reporting.
Flo.So call it: but it does fulfil my vow;
I needs must think it honesty. Camillo,
Not for Bohemia, nor the pomp that may
Bethereatglean'd; forallthe sun sees,or
The close earth wombs, or the profoundsea hides
In unknownfathoms, will I break my oath
To this my fair beloved: therefore, I pray you,
As you have everbeen my father'shonour'dfriend,
When he shall miss me,—as, in faith, I mean not
To see him any more,—cast your good counsels
Upon his passion: let myself and fortune
Tug for the time to come. This you may know
And so deliver, I am put to sea
With herwhomhere I cannot hold on shore;
And most opportune toourneed I have
A vessel rides fast by, but not prepared
For this design. What course I mean to hold
Shall nothing benefit your knowledge, nor
Concern me the reporting.
Cam.O my lord!I would your spirit were easier for advice,Or stronger for your need.
Cam.O my lord!
I would your spirit were easier for advice,
Or stronger for your need.
495Flo.Hark, Perdita.[Drawingher aside.I'll hear you by andby.
Flo.Hark, Perdita.[Drawingher aside.
I'll hear you by andby.
Cam.He'sirremoveable,Resolvedfor flight. Now were I happy, ifHis going I could frame to serve my turn,Save him from danger, do him love and honour,500Purchase the sight again of dear SiciliaAnd that unhappy king, my master, whomI so much thirst to see.
Cam.He'sirremoveable,
Resolvedfor flight. Now were I happy, if
His going I could frame to serve my turn,
Save him from danger, do him love and honour,
Purchase the sight again of dear Sicilia
And that unhappy king, my master, whom
I so much thirst to see.
Flo.Now, good Camillo;I am so fraught withcuriousbusiness thatI leave outceremony.
Flo.Now, good Camillo;
I am so fraught withcuriousbusiness that
I leave outceremony.
Cam.Sir, I think505You have heard of my poor services, i' the loveThat I have borne your father?
Cam.Sir, I think
You have heard of my poor services, i' the love
That I have borne your father?
Flo.Very noblyHave you deserved: it is my father's musicTo speak your deeds, not little of his careTo have them recompensed as thought on.
Flo.Very nobly
Have you deserved: it is my father's music
To speak your deeds, not little of his care
To have them recompensed as thought on.
Cam.Well, my lord,510If you may please to think I love the king,Andthrough him what isnearestto him, which isYour gracious self, embrace but my direction,If your more ponderous and settled projectMay sufferalteration, onmine honour515I'll point you where you shall have such receivingAs shall become your highness; where you mayEnjoy your mistress, from the whom, I see,There's no disjunction to be made, but byAs heavens forefend! your ruin; marry her,520And,with my best endeavours in your absence,Yourdiscontentingfatherstrive to qualifyAnd bringhim upto liking.
Cam.Well, my lord,
If you may please to think I love the king,
Andthrough him what isnearestto him, which is
Your gracious self, embrace but my direction,
If your more ponderous and settled project
May sufferalteration, onmine honour
I'll point you where you shall have such receiving
As shall become your highness; where you may
Enjoy your mistress, from the whom, I see,
There's no disjunction to be made, but by
As heavens forefend! your ruin; marry her,
And,with my best endeavours in your absence,
Yourdiscontentingfatherstrive to qualify
And bringhim upto liking.
Flo.How, Camillo,May this, almost a miracle, be done?That I may call thee something more than manAnd after that trust to thee.
Flo.How, Camillo,
May this, almost a miracle, be done?
That I may call thee something more than man
And after that trust to thee.
525Cam.Have you thought onA place whereto you'll go?
Cam.Have you thought on
A place whereto you'll go?
Flo.Not any yet:But as the unthought-on accident is guiltyTowhat we wildly do, so we professOurselves to be the slaves of chance, and fliesOf every wind that blows.
Flo.Not any yet:
But as the unthought-on accident is guilty
Towhat we wildly do, so we profess
Ourselves to be the slaves of chance, and flies
Of every wind that blows.
530Cam.Then list to me:This follows, if you will not change your purposeBut undergo this flight, make for Sicilia,And there present yourself and your fair princess,For so I see she must be, 'fore Leontes:535She shall be habited as it becomesThe partner of your bed. Methinks I seeLeontes opening his free arms and weepingHis welcomes forth;asksthee thesonforgiveness,As 'twere i' the father's person;kissesthe hands540Of your fresh princess; o'er and o'erdivideshim'Twixt his unkindness and his kindness; the oneHe chides to hell and bids the other growFaster than thought or time.
Cam.Then list to me:
This follows, if you will not change your purpose
But undergo this flight, make for Sicilia,
And there present yourself and your fair princess,
For so I see she must be, 'fore Leontes:
She shall be habited as it becomes
The partner of your bed. Methinks I see
Leontes opening his free arms and weeping
His welcomes forth;asksthee thesonforgiveness,
As 'twere i' the father's person;kissesthe hands
Of your fresh princess; o'er and o'erdivideshim
'Twixt his unkindness and his kindness; the one
He chides to hell and bids the other grow
Faster than thought or time.
Flo.Worthy Camillo,What colour for my visitation shall IHold up before him?
Flo.Worthy Camillo,
What colour for my visitation shall I
Hold up before him?
545Cam.Sent by the king your fatherTo greet him and to give himcomforts. Sir,The manner of your bearing towards him, withWhat you as from your father shall deliver,Things known betwixt us three, I 'll write you down:550The which shall point you forth at everysittingWhat you must say; that he shall not perceiveBut that you have your father's bosom thereAnd speak his very heart.
Cam.Sent by the king your father
To greet him and to give himcomforts. Sir,
The manner of your bearing towards him, with
What you as from your father shall deliver,
Things known betwixt us three, I 'll write you down:
The which shall point you forth at everysitting
What you must say; that he shall not perceive
But that you have your father's bosom there
And speak his very heart.
Flo.I am bound to you:There is some sap in this.
Flo.I am bound to you:
There is some sap in this.
Cam.A course more promising555Than a wild dedication of yourselvesTo unpath'd waters, undream'd shores, most certainTo miseries enough: no hope to help you,But as you shake off one to takeanother:Nothing so certain as your anchors,who560Do their best office, if they can but stay youWhere you'll be loath to be: besides you knowProsperity's the very bond of love,Whose fresh complexion and whose heart togetherAffliction alters.
Cam.A course more promising
Than a wild dedication of yourselves
To unpath'd waters, undream'd shores, most certain
To miseries enough: no hope to help you,
But as you shake off one to takeanother:
Nothing so certain as your anchors,who
Do their best office, if they can but stay you
Where you'll be loath to be: besides you know
Prosperity's the very bond of love,
Whose fresh complexion and whose heart together
Affliction alters.
Per.One of these is true:565I think affliction may subdue the cheek,But not take in the mind.
Per.One of these is true:
I think affliction may subdue the cheek,
But not take in the mind.
Cam.Yea, say you so?There shall not at your father's house these seven yearsBe'born another such.
Cam.Yea, say you so?
There shall not at your father's house these seven years
Be'born another such.
Flo.My good Camillo,She is as forward of her breeding asShe isi' the rear o' ourbirth.
Flo.My good Camillo,
She is as forward of her breeding as
She isi' the rear o' ourbirth.
570Cam.I cannot say 'tis pityShe lacks instructions, for she seems a mistressTo most that teach.
Cam.I cannot say 'tis pity
She lacks instructions, for she seems a mistress
To most that teach.
Per.Your pardon,sir; for thisI'll blush you thanks.
Per.Your pardon,sir; for this
I'll blush you thanks.
Flo.My prettiest Perdita!But O, the thorns we stand upon! Camillo,575Preserver of my father, now of me,Themedicineof our house, how shall we do?We are not furnish'd like Bohemia's son,Nor shallappear in Sicilia.
Flo.My prettiest Perdita!
But O, the thorns we stand upon! Camillo,
Preserver of my father, now of me,
Themedicineof our house, how shall we do?
We are not furnish'd like Bohemia's son,
Nor shallappear in Sicilia.
Cam.My lord,Fear none of this: I think you know my fortunes580Do all lie there: it shall be so my careTo have you royally appointed as ifThe scene you play weremine. For instance, sir,That you may know you shall not want, one word.[They talk aside.
Cam.My lord,
Fear none of this: I think you know my fortunes
Do all lie there: it shall be so my care
To have you royally appointed as if
The scene you play weremine. For instance, sir,
That you may know you shall not want, one word.[They talk aside.
Re-enterAutolycus.
Re-enterAutolycus.
Aut.Ha, ha! what a fool Honesty is! and Trust, his585sworn brother, a very simple gentleman! I have sold allmy trumpery; not a counterfeit stone, not a ribbon, glass,pomander,brooch,table-book, ballad, knife, tape, glove,shoe-tie, bracelet, horn-ring, to keep my pack fromfasting:theythrongwho should buy first, as if my trinkets had been590hallowed and brought a benediction to the buyer: by whichmeans I saw whose purse was best inpicture; and what Isaw, to my good use I remembered.My clown, who wantsbut something to be a reasonable man, grew so in love withthewenches'song, that he would not stir his pettitoes till595he had both tune and words; which so drew the rest of theherd to me, that all their other senses stuck inears:youmight have pinched a placket, it was senseless; 'twas nothingto geld a codpiece of a purse; Iwouldhavefiled keys offthat hung-in chains: no hearing, no feeling, but my sir's600song, and admiring thenothingof it. So that in this timeof lethargy I picked and cut most of their festival purses;and had not the old man come in with a whoo-bub againsthis daughter and the king's son and scared my choughsfrom the chaff, I had not left a purse alive in the whole army.[Camillo, Florizel, and Perdita come forward.
Aut.Ha, ha! what a fool Honesty is! and Trust, his
sworn brother, a very simple gentleman! I have sold all
my trumpery; not a counterfeit stone, not a ribbon, glass,
pomander,brooch,table-book, ballad, knife, tape, glove,
shoe-tie, bracelet, horn-ring, to keep my pack fromfasting:
theythrongwho should buy first, as if my trinkets had been
hallowed and brought a benediction to the buyer: by which
means I saw whose purse was best inpicture; and what I
saw, to my good use I remembered.My clown, who wants
but something to be a reasonable man, grew so in love with
thewenches'song, that he would not stir his pettitoes till
he had both tune and words; which so drew the rest of the
herd to me, that all their other senses stuck inears:you
might have pinched a placket, it was senseless; 'twas nothing
to geld a codpiece of a purse; Iwouldhavefiled keys off
that hung-in chains: no hearing, no feeling, but my sir's
song, and admiring thenothingof it. So that in this time
of lethargy I picked and cut most of their festival purses;
and had not the old man come in with a whoo-bub against
his daughter and the king's son and scared my choughs
from the chaff, I had not left a purse alive in the whole army.
[Camillo, Florizel, and Perdita come forward.
605Cam.Nay, but my letters, by this means being thereSo soon as you arrive, shall clear that doubt.
Cam.Nay, but my letters, by this means being there
So soon as you arrive, shall clear that doubt.
Flo.And those that you'll procure from KingLeontes—
Flo.And those that you'll procure from KingLeontes—
Cam.Shall satisfy your father.
Cam.Shall satisfy your father.
Per.Happy be you!All that you speak shows fair.
Per.Happy be you!
All that you speak shows fair.
Cam.Whohave we here?[Seeing Autolycus.610We'll make an instrument of this; omitNothing may give us aid.
Cam.Whohave we here?[Seeing Autolycus.
We'll make an instrument of this; omit
Nothing may give us aid.