fulfilled; She lifted the princess from the earth; and so locks her in embracing, as if she would pin her to her heart, that she might no more be in danger of losing. 1 Gent. The dignity of this act was worth the audience of kings and princes; for by such was it acted. 3 Gent. One of the prettiest touches of all, and that which angled for mine eyes (caught the water, though not the fish,) was, when at the relation of the queen's death, with the manner how she came to it, (bravely confessed, and lamented by the king,) how attentiveness wounded his daughter: till, from one sign of 2 dolour to another, she did, with an ulas! I would fain say, bleed tears; for, I am sure, my heart wept blood. Who was most marble there, changed colour; some swooned, all sorrowed: if all the world could have seen it, the woe had been universal. 1 Gent. Are they returned to the court? 3 Gent. No: the princess hearing of her mother's statue, which is in the keeping of Paulina, a piece many years in doing, and now newly performed by that rare Italian master, Julio Romano; who, had he himself eternity, and could put breath into his work, would beguile nature of her custom, so perfectly he is her ape: he so near to Hermione hath done Hermione, that, they say, one would speak to her, and stand in hope of answer: thither, with all greediness of affection, are they gone; and there they intend to sup. 2 Gent. I thought, she had some great matter there in hand; for she hath privately, twice or thrice a day, ever since the death of Hermione, visited that removed house. Shall we thither, and with our company piece the rejoicing? 1 Gent. Who would be thence, that has the benefit of access? every wink of an eye, some new grace will be born: our absence makes us unthrifty to our knowledge. Let's along. [Exeunt GENTLEMEN. Aut. Now, had I not the dash of my former life in me, would preferment drop on my head. I brought the old man and his son aboard the prince; told him, I heard him talk of a fardel, and I know not what: but he at that time, over-fond of the shepherd's daughter, (so he then took her to be,) who began to be much sea-sick, and himself little better, extremity of weather continuing, this mystery remained undiscovered. But 'tis all one to me: for had I been the finder-out of this secret, it would not have relished among my other discredits. Enter SHEPHERD and CLOWN. Here comes those I have done good to against my will, and already appearing in the blossoms of their fortune. Shep. Come, boy; I am past more children; but thy sons and daughters will be all gentlemen born. Cio. You are well met, Sir: You denied to fight with me this other day, because I was no gentleman born: See you these clothes? say, you see them not, and think me still no gentleman born: you were best say, these robes are not gentlemen born. Give me the lie; do; and try whether I am not now a gentleman born. Aut. I know, you are now, Sir, a gentleman Clo. Ay, and have been so any time these four hours. Shep. And so have I, boy. Clo. So you have:-but I was a gentleman born before my father: for the king's son took me by the hand, and called me, brother; and then the two kings called my father, brother; and then the prince, my brother, and the princess, my sister, called my father, father; and so we wept: and there was the first gentleman-like tears that ever we shed. Shep. We may live, son, to shed many more. Clo. Ay; or else 'twere hard luck, being in so preposterous estate as we are. Aut. I humbly beseech you, Sir, to pardon me all the faults I have committed to your worship, and to give me your good report to the prince my master. Shep. "Pr'ythee, son, do; for we must be gentle, now we are gentlemen. Clo. Thou wilt amend thy life? Aut. Ay, an it like your good worship. Clo. Give me thy hand: I will swear to the prince, thou art as honest a true fellow as any is in Bohemia. Shep. You may say it, but not swear it. Clo. Not swear it, now I am a gentleman? Let boors and franklins* say it, I'll swear it. Shep. How if it be false, son? Clo. If it be ne'er so false, a true gentleman may swear it, in the behalf of his friend :-And I'll swear to the prince, thou art a tall fellow of thy hands, and that thou wilt not be drunk; but I know, thou art no tall fellow of thy hands, and that thou wilt be drunk; but I'll swear it and I would, thou would'st be a tall fellow of thy hands. Aut. I will prove so, Sir, to my power. Clo. Ay, by any means prove a tall fellow: If I do not wonder, how thou darest venture to be drunk, not being a tall fellow, trust me not.-Hark! the kings and the princes, our kindred, are going to see the queen's picture. Come, follow us: we'll be thy good masters. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-The same.--A Room in PAULINA'S House. Enter LEONTES, POLIXENES, FLORIZEL, PERDITA, CAMILLO, PAULINA, Lords, and Attendunts. Leon. O grave and good Paulina, the great That I have had of thee! [comfort Paul. What, sovereign Sir, saf'd I did not well, I meant well: All my services, You have paid home: but that you have vouch[contracted With your crown'd brother, and these your Heirs of your kingdoms, my poor house to visit, It is a surplus of your grace, which never Leon. O Paulina, We honour you with trouble: But we came To see the statue of our queen: your gallery Have we pass'd through, not without much Lonely, apart: But here it is: prepare [PAULINA undraws a Curtain, and discovers a statue. I like your silence, it the more shows off Leon. Her natural posture!- Pol. O, not by much. Paul. So much the more our carver's excellence; Which lets go by some sixteen years, and makes her As she liv'd now. Leon. As now she might have done, I am asham'd: Does not the stone rebuke me, Per. And give me leave; And do not say, 'tis superstition, that I kneel, and then implore her blessing.-Lady, Dear queen, that ended when I but began, Give me that hand of yours, to kiss. Paul. O, patience, The statue is but newly fix'd, the colour's Cam. My lord, your sorrow was too sore laid My lord's almost so far transported, that Leon. O sweet Paulina, Make me to think so twenty years together; I could afflict you further. For this affliction has a taste as sweet Paul. Good my lord, forbear: The ruddiness upon her lip is wet; You'll mar it, if you kiss it; stain your own With oily painting: Shall I draw the curtain Leon. No, not these twenty years. Per. So long could I Stand by, a looker on. Paul. Either forbear, Quit presently the chapel; or resolve you (Which I protest against,) I am assisted Leon. What you can make her do, I am content to look on: what to speak, Puul. It is requir'd, You do awake your faith: Then, all stand still; Leon. Proceed; No foot shall stir. Paul. Music; awake her: strike.— [Music. Tis time; descend; be stone no more: approach; Strike all that look upon with marvel. Come; You kill her double: Nay, present your hand: Paul. No longer shall you gaze on't; lest Lawful as eating. your fancy May think anon, it moves. Leon. Let be, let be. Would I were dead, but that methinks al Pol. She embraces him. [age, [Embracing her. Cam. She hangs about his neck; If she pertain to life, let her speak too. Pol. Ay, and make't manifest where she has liv'd Or, how stol'n from the dead? Paul. That she is living, Were it but told you, should be hooted at Her. You gods, look down, And from your secret vials pour your graces Upon my daughter's head!""ell me, mine own Where hast thou been preserv'd? where liv'd? | But how, is to be question'd: for I saw her, how found [I,— As I thought, dead; and have, in vain, said Thy father's court? for thou shalt hear, that Paul. There's time enough for that; My mate, that's never to be found again, Leon. O peace, Paulina; Thou should'st a husband take by my consent, * You who by this discovery have gained what you desired + Participate. many A prayer upon her grave: I'll not seek far (For him, I partly know his mind,) to find thee An honourable husband:-Come, Camillo, And take her by the hand: whose worth, and honesty, Is richly noted; and here justified By us, a pair of kings.-Let's from this place.What?-Look upon my brother!-both your pardons, That e'er I put between your holy looks COMEDY OF ERRORS. PERSONS REPRESENTED. SOLINUS, Duke of Ephesus. EGZON, a Merchant of Syracuse. ANTIPHOLUS of Ephesus, ANTIPHOLUS of Syracuse, DROMIO of Ephesus, DROMIO of Syracuse, BALTHAZAR, a Merchant. ANGELO, a Goldsmith. A MERCHANT, Friend to Antipholus of Syra cuse. Twin Brothers, PINCH, a Schoolmaster, and a Conjuror. geon and Emi-EMILIA, Wife to Egeon, an Abbess at Ephesus. to each other. Twin Brothers, and Attendants on the two Antipholus's. Jailer. Officers, and other Attendants. SCENE, Ephesus. ACT 1. SCENE 1.-A Hall in the DUKE's Palace. Enter DUKE, ÆGEON, Jailer, Officer, and other Attendants. Æge. Proceed, Solinus, to procure my fall, Excludes all pity from our threat'ning looks. If any, born at Ephesus, be seen My woes end likewise with the evening sun. cause Why thou departedst from thy native home; Than I to speak my griefs unspeakable: old, I'll utter what my sorrow gives me leave. A league from Epidamnum had we sail'd. brac'd, Yet the incessant weepings of my wife, Forc'd me to seek delays for them and me. My wife, more careful for the latter-born, Duke. Nay, forward, old man, do not break For we may pity, though not pardon thee. We were encounter'd by a mighty rock; Our helpful ship was splitted in the midst, And would have reft* the fishers of their prey, course. Thus have you heard me sever'd from my bliss; Duke. And, for the sake of them thou sorrowest for, [care, Do me the favour to dilate at fu To bear the extremity of dire mishap! * Deprived. And passed sentence may not be recall'd, Ege. Hopeless, and helpless, doth Ægeon But to procrastinate his lifeless end. [Exeunt. SCENE II-A public Place. Enter ANTIPHOLUS and DROMIO of Syracuse, and a MERCHANT. Mer. Therefore, give out, you are of Epidamnum, Lest that your goods too soon be confiscate. Ant. S. Go bear it to the Centaur, where we host, And stay there, Dromio, till I come to thee. Till that, I'll view the manners of the town, Get thee away. Dro. S. Many a man would take you at your word, And go indeed, having so good a mean. [Exit DRO. S. When I am dull with care and melancholy, Ant. S. A trusty villain, Sir; that very oft, Lightens my humour with his merry jests. What, will you walk with me about the town, And then go to my inn, and dine with me? Mer. I am invited, Sir, to certain merchants, Of whom I hope to make much benefit; I crave your pardon. Soon, at five o'clock, Please you, I'll meet with you upon the mart, And afterwards consort you till bed-time; My present business calls me from you now. Ant. S. Farewell till then: I will go lose myself, And wander up and down, to view the city. Mer. Sir, I commend you to your own con. [Exit MERCHANT. Ant. S. He that commends me to mine own tent. |