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I will respect thee as a father, if

Remain a pinch'd thing ; yea, a very trick
Thou bear'st my life off hence. Let us avoid ! For them to play at will. -How came the posterns
Cam. It is in mine authority, to command

So easily open?
The keys of all the posterns. Please your highness 1 Lord. By his great authority,
To take the urgent hour. Come, sir, away! [Exeunt. Which often hath no less prevail'd than so,

On your command.

Leon. I know't too well.-
А ст II.

Give me the boy! I am glad, you did not nurse him :
SCENEI The same.

Though he does bear some sign of me, yet you
Enter HERMIONE, MAMillius, and Ladies. Have too much blood in him.
Her. Take the boy to you! he so troubles me, Her. What is this? sport?
'Tis past enda ring.

Leon.Bear the boy hence, he shall not come about her; 1 Lady. Come, my gracious lord !

Away with him!-and let her sport herself Shall I be your play-fellow?

With that she's big with; for 'tis Polixenes Mam. No, I'll none of you.

Has made thee swell thus. 1 Lady. Why, my sweet lord ?

Her. But I'd say, he had not,
Mam. You'll kiss me hard, and speak to me as if And, I'll be sworn, you would believe my saying,
I were a baby still.-I love you better.

Howe'er you lean to the nayward. 2 lady. And why so, my good lord ?

Leon. You, my lords,
Mam. Not for because

Look on her, mark her well; be but about
Your brows are blacker; yet black brows, they say, To say, she is a goodly lady, and
Recome some women best; so that there be not The justice of your hearts will thereto add,
Too much hair there, but in a semi-circle,

'Tis pity she's not honest, honourable; Or half moon made with a pen.

Praise her but for this her without-door form, 2 Lady. Who taught you this?

(Which, on my faith, deserves high speech ,) and Mam. I learn'd'it out of women's faces. — Pray now straight What colour are your eye-brows?

The shrug, the hum, or ha; these petty brands, 1 Lady. Blue, my lord.

That calumny doth use. —-0, I am out, Mam. Nay, that's a mock: I have seen a lady's nose That mercy does; for calumny will sear That has been blue, but not her eye-brows.

Virtue itself:-these shrugs, these hums, and ha's, 2 Lady. Hark ye:

When you have said, she's goodly, come between,
The queen, your mother, rounds apace: we shall Ere you can say, she's honest: but be it knowo
Present our services to a fine new prince,

Froin him, that has most cause to grieve it should be,
One of these days: and then you'd wanton with us, She's an adultress.
If we would have you.

Her. Should a villain say so, 1 Lady. She is spread of late

The most replenish'd villain in the world, Into a goodly bulk: good time encounter her! He were as much more villain ; you, my lord,

Iler. What wisdom stirs amongst you? Come sir, now Do but mistake. Tam for you again: pray you, sit by us,

Leon. You have mistook, my lady, And tell's a tale!

Polixenes for Leontes. O thou thing, Alam. Merry, or sad, shall't be?

Which I'll not call a creature of thy place, Iler. As merry as you will.

Lest barbarism, making me the precedent, Mam. A sad tale's best for winter;

Should a like language use to all degrees, I have one of sprites and goblins.

And mannerly distinguishment leave out
Her. Let's have that, sir.

Betwixt the prince and beggar!-- I have said,
Come on, sit down !- Come on, and do your best She's an adultress; I have said with whom:
To fright me with your sprites: you're powerful at it. More, she's a traitor; and Camillo is
Mam. There was a man,-

A federary with her, and one that knows,
Her. Nay, come, sit down ; then on !

What she should shame to know herself, Mam. Diwelt by a church-yard :- I will tellit softly; But with her most vile principal, that she's Yon crickets shall not hear it

A bed-swerver, even as bad as those, Her. Come on then,

That vulgars give bold titles ; ay, and privy
And givet me in mine ear!

To this their late escape.
Enter Leostes, Antigonus, Lords, and others. Iler. No, by my life,
Leon.Was he met there? his train? Camillo with him? Privy to none of this. How will this grieve you,
1 Lord. Behind the tuft of pines I met them; never When you shall come to clearer knowledge, that
Saw Imen scour so on their way: I ey'd them You thus have publish'd me? Gentle my lord,
Even to their ships.

You scarce can right me throughly then, to say
Leon. How bless'd am I

You did mistake. In my just censure? in my true opinion?

Leon. No, no; if I mistake
Alack, for lesser knowledge!-How accurs'd, In those foundations, which I build upon,
lu being so blest! - There may be in the cup

The center is not big enough to bear
A spider steep'd, and one may drink; depart, A school-boy's top. Away with her to prison !
Aud yet partake no venom; for his knowledge He, who shall speak for her, is afar off guilty,
Is not infected : but if ove present

But that he speaks.
The abhorr'd ingredient to his eye, make known, ller. There's some ill planet reigns:
How he hath drank, he cracks his gorge, his sides,

I must be patient, till the heavens look
With violent hefts:-Ihave drank,and seen the spider. With an aspect more favourable.—Good my lords,
Camillo was his help in this, his pander !

I am not prone to weeping, as our sex
There is a plot against my life, my crown;

Commonly are; the want of which rain dew, All's true, that is mistrusted:- that false villain, Perehance, shalldry your pities: but I have Whom I employ'd, was pre-employ'd by him : That honourable grief lodgd here, which burns He has discover'd my design, and i

Worse, than tears drown. "Beseech you all, my lords,

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With thoughts so qualified, as your charities Either thou art most ignorant by age,
Shall best instruct you, measure me; – and so Or thou wert born a fool. Camillo's flight,
The king's will be perform'd!

Added to their familiarity,
Leon. Shall I be heard ?

[To the Guards. (Which was as gross, as ever touch'd conjecture, Her. Whois't, that goes with me?— 'Beseech your That lack'd sight only, nought for approbation, highness,

But only seeing, all other circumstances
My women may be with me; for, you see,

Made up to the deed,) doth push on his proceeding:
My plight requires it. Do not weep, good fools ! Yet, for a greater confirmation,
There is

is no cause; when you shall know, your mistress (For, in an act of this importance, 'twere
Had deserv'd prison, then abound in tears,

Most piteous to be wild, ) I have despatch'd in post,
As I come out; this action I now go on,

To sacred Delphos, to Apollo's temple,
Is for my better grace. --Adieu, my lord :

Cleomenes and Dion, whom you know
I never wish'd to see you sorry; now,

Of stuff'd sufliciency: now, from the oracle
I trust, I shall. - My womeo, come! you have leave. They will bring all; whose spiritual counsel had,
Leon. Go, do your bidding; hence !

Shall stop or spur me. Have I done well?
(Exeunt Queen and Ladies. 1 Lord. Well done, my lord.
1 Lord.'Beseech your highness,call the queen again! Leon. Though I am satisfied, and need no more
Ant. Be certain what you do, sir; lest your justice Than what I know, yet shall the oracle
Prove violence; in the which three great ones suffer, Giverest to the minds of others; such as he,
Yourself, your queen, your son.

Whose ignorant credulity will not 1 Lord. For her, my lord,

Come up to the truth. So have we thought it good,
I dare my life lay down, and will do't, sir,

From our free person she should be confin'd:
Picase you to accept it, that the queen is spotless Lest that the treachery of the two, fled hence,
I'the eyes of heaven, and to you; I mean,

Be left her to perform. Come, follow us !
In this which you accuse her.

We are to speak in public: for this business
Ant. If it prove

Will raise us all.
She's otherwise, I'll keep my stables, where

Ant. [-Aside.] To laughter, as I take it,
I lodge my wife : I'll go in couples with her;

If the good truth were known.

[Exeunt. Than when I feel, and see her, no further trust her; For every inch of woman in the world,

SCENE II. --- The same. The outer room of a prison.
Ay, every dram of woman's flesh, is false,

Enter Paulina and Attendants.
If she be.

Paul. The keeper of the prison,-call to him;
L-on. Hold your peaces!

(Exit an Attendant, 1 Lord. Good my lord,

Let him have knowledge, who I am.-Good lady!
Ant. It is for you we speak, not for ourselves : No court in Europe is too good for thee;
You are abus'd, and by some putter-on,

What dost thou then in prison ?-Now, good sir,
That will be damn'd for't; 'would I knew the villain, Re-enter Attendant, with the Keeper.
I would land-damn him. Be she honour-flaw'd, - You know me, do you not?
I have three daughters; the eldest is eleven;

Keep. For a worthy lady,
The second, and the third, nine and some five; And one whom I much honour.
If this prove true, they'll pay for't: by mine honour, Paul. Pray you then,
I'll geld them all; fourteen they shall not see, Conduct me to the queen!
To bring false generations: they are co-heirs; Kcep. I may not, madam; to the contrary
And I had rather glib myself, than they

I have express commandment.
Should not produce fair issue.

Paul. Here's ado,
Leon. Cease; no more!

To lock up honesty and honour from
You smell this business with a sense as cold,

The access of gentle visitors !- Is it lawful,
As is a read man's nose: I sce't, and feel't,

Pray you, to see her women? any of them ?
As you feel doing thus ; and see withal

Emilia?
Theinstruimcuts that feel.

Keep. So please you, madam, to pnt
Ant. liit be so,

Apart these your attendants, I shall bring
We need no grave to bury honesty;

Emilia forth.
There's not a grain of it, the face to sweeten

Paul. I pray now, call her!
Of the whole dungy earth.

Withdraw yourselves !

(Exeunt Attend. Leon. What! lack I credit?

Keep. And, madam,
1 Lord. I had rather you dil lack, than I, my lord, I must be present at your conference.
Upon this ground : and more it would content me Paul. Well, be it so, pr’ythee. [Exit Keeper.
To have her honour true, than your suspicion;

Here's such ado to make nostain a stain,
Be blam’d for't how you might.

As passes colouring.
Leon. Why, what need we

Re-enter Keeper, with Emilia.
Commune with you of this? but rather follow Dear gentlewoman, how fares our gracious lady?
Our forceful instigation ? Our prerogative

Emil. As well, as one su great, and so forlorn,
Calls not your counsels; but our natural goodness May hold together: on her frights, and griefs,
Imparts this: which, - if you, (or stupified,

(Which never tender lady hath borne greater,)
Or seeming so in skill,) cannot, or will not,

She is, something before her time, deliver'd.
Relish as truth, like us; inform yourselves,

Paul. A boy?
We need no more of your advise: the matter,

Emil. A daughter; and a goodly babe,
The loss, the gain, the orderiog on't, is all

Lusty, and like to live: the queen receives
Properly ours.

Much comfort in't: says, My poor prisoner,
Ant. And I wish, my liege,

I am innocent, as you.
You had only in your silent judgement tried it,

Paul. I dare be sworn :
Without more overture.

These dangerous unsafe lunes o'the king! beshrew
Leon. How could that be?

them!

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He must be told on't, and he shall: the office They should not laugh, if I could reach them ; nor
Becomes a woman best ; I'll take't upon me.

Shall she, within my power.
If I prove honey-mouth’d, let my tongue blister,

Enter Paulina, with a Child.
And never to my red-look”d anger be

1 Lord. You must not enter.
The trumpet any more!-Pray you, Emilia,

Paul. Nay, rather, good my lords, be second to me!
Commend niy best obedience to the queen!

F'ear you his tyrannous passion more, alas, • If she dares trust me with her little babe,

Than the queen's life? a gracious innocent soul,
I'll show't the king, and undertake to be

More free, than he is jealous !
Her advocate to th’ loudest: we do not know,

Ant. That's enough.
How he may soften at the sight o'thc child ;

1 Atten. Madam, he hath not slept to-night, com-
The silence often of pure innocence

manded,
Persuades, when speaking fails.

None should come at him.
Emil. Most worthy madam,

Paul. Not so hot, good sir !
Your honour, and your goodness, is so evident, I come to bring him sleep. 'Tis such as you,
That your free undertaking cannot miss

That creep like shadows by him, and do sigh
A thriving issue ; there is no lady living,

At each his needless heavings,-- such as you,
So meet for this great errand. Please your ladysbip Nourish the cause of his awaking: I
To visit the next room, I'll presently

Do come with words as med'cinal, as true,
Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer; Honest, as either, to purge him of that humour,
Who, but to-day, hammer'd of this design,

That presses him from sleep.
But durst not tempt a minister of honour,

Leon. What noise there, ho?
Lest she should be denied.

Paul. No noise, my lord; but needful conference,
Paul. Tell her, Emilia,

About some gossips for your highness.
I'll use that tongue, I have : if wit flow from it,

Leon. How?-
As boldness from my bosom, let it not be doubted, Away with that audacious lady! Antigonus,
I shall do good.

I charg'd thee, that she should not come about me;
Emil. Now be you blest for it!

I knew, she would.
I'll to the queen. Please you, come something nearer. Ant. I told her so, my lord,

Keep. Madam, ift please the queen to send the babe, On your displeasure's peril, and on mine,
I know not, what I shall incur,to pass it,

She should not visit you.
Having no warrant.

Leon. What, canst not rule her?
Paul. You need not fear it, sir:

Paul. From all dishonesty, he can: in this,
The child was prisoner to the womb, and is, (Unless he take the course, that you have done,
By law and process of great nature, thence

Commit me, for committing honour,) trust it,
Free'd and enfranchis’d: not a party to

He shall not rule me.
The
anger of the king, nor guilty of,

Ant. Lo you now! you hear.
If any be, the trespass of the queen,

When she will take the rein, I let her run;
Keep. I do believe it.

But she'll not stumble.
Paul. Do not you fear: upon

Paul. Good my liege, I come, –
Mine honour, I will stand 'twist you and danger. And I beseech you, hear me, who profess

(Exeunt Myself your loyal servant, your physician,

Your most obedient counsellor; yet that dares
SCENE III.- The same. A room in the palace. Less appear so, in comforting your evils,
Enter Leontes, Anticorus, Lords, and other Atten- Than such, as most seem yours :—I say, i come
dants.

From your good queen.
Leon. Nor night, nor day, no rest! It is but weakness, Leon. Good queen!
To bear the matter thus; mere weakness, if

Paul. Good queen, my lord, good queen :I say, good
The cause were not in being ;-part o'the cause,

queen:
She, the adultress ;- for the harlot king

And would by combat make her good, so were I
Is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank

Aman, the worst about you.
And level of my brain, plot-proof: but she

Leon. Force her hence!
I can hook to me. Say, that she were gone,

Paul. Let him, that makes but trifles of his eyes,
Given to the fire, a moiety of my rest

First hand me! On mine own accord, I'll off;
Might come to me again. - Who's there?

But, first, I'll do mine errand.— The good queen,
1 Atten. My lord ?

[Advancing. For she is good, hath brought you forth a daughter.
Leon. How does the boy?

Here'tis; commends it to your blessing.
1 Atten. He took good rest to-night;
'Tishop'd, his sickness is discharg'd.

Leon, Out!
Leon. To see

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

A most intelligencing bawd!
Conceiving the dishonour of his mother,

Paul. Not so!
He straight declin'd, droop'd, took it deeply; I am as ignorant in that, as you
Fasten’d and fix'd the shame on't in himself; In so entitling me: and no less honest,
Threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep,

Than you are mad; which is enough, i'll warrant,
And downright languish’d.-Leave me solely:-go As this world goes; to pass for honest.
See, how he fares? (Exit Attend.] – Fye, fye! no Leon. Traitors!
thought of him;-

Will you not push her out? Give her the bastard !
The very thought of my revenges that way

Thou, dotard: (To Antigonus.] thou art wom

omantir'd,
Recoil upon me: in himself too mighty;

unroosted
And in his parties, his alliance.- Let him be, By thy dame Partlet here -take up the bastard:
Uutil a time may serve: for present vengeance, Take't up, I say; give't to thy crone !
Take it on her. Camillo and Polixenes

Paul. For ever
Laugh at me,

make their pastime at my sorrow: Unvenerable be thy hands, if thou

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Tak’st up the priacess, by that forced baseness, The bastard brains with these my proper hands
Which he has put upon't!

Shall I dash out. Go take it to the fire!
Leon. He dreads his wife.

For thou sett'ston thy wife.
Paul.So, I would, you did; then 'twere past all doubt, Ant. I did not, sir:
You'd call your children yours.

These lords, my noble fellows, if they please,
Leon, A nest of traitors!

Can clear mein't.
Ant. I am none, by this good light !

1 Lord. We can, my royal liege:
Paul. Norl; nor any,

He is not guilty of her coming hither.
But one, that's here; and that's himself: for he Leon. You are liars all.
The sacred honour of himself, his queen's,

1 Lord.'Beseech your highness,give us better credit !
His hopeful son’s, his babe's, betrays to slander, We have always truly serv'd you; and beseech
Whose sting is sharper, than the sword's; and will pot So to esteem of us. And on our knees we beg,
(For, as the case now stands, it is a curse,

(As recompense of our dear services, He cannot be compellid to't,) once remove

Past, and to come, )that you do change this purpose,
The root of his opinion, which is rotten,

Which, being so horrible, so bloody, must
As ever oak, or stone, was sound,

Lead on to some foul issue. We all kueel.
Leon. A callat,

Leon. I am a feather for each wind that blows :-
Of boundless tongue, who late hath beat her husband, Shall I live on, to see this bastard kneel
And now baits me!- This brat is none of mine; And call me father? Better burn it now,
It is the issue of Polixenes.

Than curse it then. But, be it; let it live!
Hence with it, and, together with the dam !

It shall not neither, - You, sir, come you hither!
Commit them to the fire !

To Antigonus.
Paul. It is yours;

You, that have been so tenderly oflicious
And, might we lay the old proverb to your charge, With lady Margery, your midwife, there,
So like you, 'tis the worse.-Behold, my lords, To save this bastard's life:- for 'tis a bastard,
Although the print be little, the whole matter So sure as this beard's grey, — what will you adventure
And copy of the father; eye, nose, lin,

To save this brat's life?
The trick of his frown, his forehead; nay, the valley, Ant. Any thing, my lord,
The pretty dimples of his chin, and cheek; his smiles; That my ability may undergo,
The very mould and frame of hand, nail, finger!- And nobleness impose: at least, thus mich;
And thou, good goddess nature, which hast made it I'll pawn the little blood which I have left,
So like to him, that got it, if thou hast

To save the innocent: any thing possible.
The ordering of the mind too, 'mongst all colours Leon. It shall be possible. Swear by this sword,
No yellow in't; lest she suspect, as he does, Thou wilt perform my bidding.
Her children not her husband's!

Ant. I will, my lord.
Leon. A gross hag!--

Leon. Mark, and perform it;(see'st thou ?) for the fail
And, lozel, thou art worthy to be hang’d,

Of any pointin't shall not only be
That wilt not stay her tongne.

Death to thyself, but to thy lewd-tongu'd wife,
Ant. Hang all the husbands,

Whom, for this time, we pardon. We enjoin thee,
That cannot do that feat, you'll leave yourself As thou art liegeman to us, that thou carry
Hardly one subject.

This female bastard hence, and that thou bear it
Leon. Once more, take her hence !

To some remote and desert place, quite out
Paul. A most unworthy and unnatural lord

Of our dominions; and that there thou leave it,
Can do no more.

Without more mercy, to its own protection,
Leon. I'll have thee burn'd.

And favour of the climate. As by strange fortune
Paul. I care not:

It came to us, I do in justice charge thee,
It is an heretic that makes the fire,

On thy soul's peril, and thy body's torture, –
Not she, which burns in't. I'll not call thee tyrant ; That thou commend it strangely to some place,
But this most cruel usage of your queen

Where chance may nurse, or end it. Take it up! (Not able to produce more accusation,

Ant. I swear to do this, though a present death Than your own weak-hing'd fancy,) something sa- Had been more merciful. — Come on, poor babe!

Some powerful spirit instruct the kites and

ravens, Of tyranny, and will ignoble make you,

To be thy nurses! Wolves, and bears, they say,
Yea, scandalous to the world.

Casting their savageness aside, have done
Leon. On your allegiance,

Like offices of pity. --Sir, be prosperous
Out of the chamber with her! Were I a tyrant, In more, than this deed doth require!--and blessing,
Where were her life? she durst not call me so, Against this cruelty, fighton thy side,
If she did know me one. Away with her!

Poor thing, condemn’d to loss! (Exit with the Child.
Paul. I pray you, do not push me! I'll be gone. Leon. No, I'll not rear
Look to your babe, my lord; 'tis yours: Jove send her Another's issue.
A better guiding spirit! -What need these hands ?- 1 Atten. Please your highnese, posts
You, that are thus so tender o'er his follies,

From those you sent to the oracle, are come
Will never do him good, not one of you.

An hour since: Cleomenes and Dion,
So, so: - farewell! we are gone.

[Exit. Being well arriv'd from Delphos, are both landed,
Leon. Thou, traitor, hast set on thy wife to this. Hasting to the court.
My child ? away with't!- Even thou, that hast 1 Lord. So please you, sir, their speed
A heart so tender o'erit, take it hence,

Hath been beyond account.
And see it instantly consum'd with fire;

Leon. Twenty-three days
Even thou, and none but thon! Take it up straight: They have been absent. 'Tis good speed; foretels,
Within this hour bring me word 'tis done,

The great Apollo suddenly will have
(And by good testimony,) or I'll seize thy life, The truth of this appear. Prepare you, lords;
With what thou else call'st thine. If thou refuse, Summon a session, that we may arraign
And wilt encounter with my wrath, say so;

Our most disloyal lady! for, as she hath

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Been publicly accus'd, so shall she have

|(Who least will seem to do so,) my past life A just and open trial. While she lives,

Hath been as continent, as chaste, as true, My heart will be a burden to me. Leave me,

As I am now unhappy; which is more, And think upon my bidding!

[Lxeunt. Than history can pattern, though devis'd,

And play'd, to take spectators ; for behold me,

A fellow of the royal bed, which owe
А ст III.

A moiety of the throne, a great king's daughter,
SCENE I. - The same.. A street in some town. The mother to a hopeful prince, here standing,
Enter CLEOMENES and Dios.

To prate and talk for life, and honbur, 'fore
Cleo. The climate's delicate, the air most sweet, Who please to come and hear. For life, I prize it,
Fertile the isle, the temple much surpassing As I weigh grief, which I would spare: for honour,
The common praise it bears.

'Tis a derivative from me to mine,
Dron. I shall report,

And only that I stand for. I appeal
For most it caught me, the celestial habits,

To your own conscience, sir, before Polixenes
(Methinks, I so should term them,) and the reverence Came to your court, how I was in your grace,
Of the grave wearers. 0, the sacrifice !

How merited to be so; since he came,
How ceremonious, solemn, and unearthly,

With what encounter so uncurrent I
It was i’the offering!

Have strain'd, to appear thus: if one jot beyond
Cleo. But, of all, the burst

The bound of honour, or, in act, or will,
And the ear-deafening voice o'the oracle,

That way inclining; harden'd be the hearts
Kin to Jove's thunder, so surpris'd my sense, Of all that hear me, and my near'st of kin
That I was nothing.

Cry Fye upon my grave!
Dion, If the event o’the journey

Leon. Inc'er heard yet,
Prove as successful to the queen, -0, be't so! – That any of these bolder vices wanted
As it hath been to us, rare, pleasant, speedy, Less impudence, to gainsay what they did,
The time is worth the use on't.

Than to perform it first.
Cleo. Great Apollo,

Her. That's true enough;
Turn all to the best! These proclamations,

Though 'tis a saying, sir, not due to me.
So forcing faults upon Hermione,

Leon. You will not own it.
I little like.

Her. More than mistress of,
Dion. The violent carriage of it

Which comes to me in name of fault, I must not
Will clear, or end, the business. When the oracle, At all acknowledge. For Polixenes,
(Thus by Apollo's great divine seal'd up)

(With whom I am accus’d,) I do confess,
Shallthe contents discover, some-thing rare Ilov'd him, as in honour he requir'd;
Even then will rush to knowledge. -Go,-fresh horses!- With such a kind of love, as might become
And gracious be the issue!

(Exeunt. A lady, like me; with a love, even such,

So, aud no other, as yourself commanded:
SCENE II. — The same. A court of justice. Which not to have done, I think, had been in me
Leontes,Lords, and Officers, appear properly seated. Both disobedience and ingratitude

Leon. This sessions(to our great grief;we pronounce,) To you,and toward your friend, whose love had spoke,
Even pushes 'gainst our heart: the party tried, Even since it could speak, from an infant, freely,
The daughter of a king, our wife, and one That it was yours. Now, for conspiracy,
Of us too much belov’d. - Let us be clear'd

I know not, how it tastes; though it be dish'd
of being tyrannous, since we so openly

For me, to try how: all I know of it
Procecd in justice; which shall have due course, Is, that Camillo was an honest man;
Even to the guilt, or the purgation.

And, why he left your court, the gods themselves,
Produce the prisoner!

Wotting no more than I, are ignorant.
Offi. It is his highness' pleasure, that the queen Leon. You knew of his departure, as you know,
Appear in person here in court. – Silence!

What

you

have unterta'en to do in's absence.
Hermione is brought in, guarded; Paulina and La-Her. Sir,
dies, attending.

You speak a language, that [understand not:
Leon. Read the indictment!

My life stands in the level of your dreams,
Offi

. Hermione, queen to the worthy Leontes, king Which I'll lay down.
of Sicilia, thou art here accused and arraigned of Leon. Your actions are my dreams;
high treason, in committing adultery with Polixenes, You had a bastard by Polixenes,
king of Bohemia, and conspiring with Camillo to And I but dream'd it

. — As you were past all shame,
take away the life of our sovereign lord the king, thy (Those of your fact are so,) so past all truth:
royal husband: che pretence whereof being by circum- Which to deny, concerns more, than avails:
stances partly laid open, thou, Hermione, contrary For as
to the faith and allegiance of a true subject, didst Thy brat hath been, cast out, like to itself,
counsel and aid them, for their better safety, to fly No father owning it, (which is, indeed,
away by night.

More criminal in thee, than it,)so thou
Her. Since what I am to say, must be but that, Shalt feel our justice; in whose easiest passage,
Which contradicts my accusation, and

Look for no less than death!
The testimony on my part, no other

Her, Sir, spare your threats!
But what comes from myself, it shall scarce boot me The bug, which you would fright me with, I seek.
To say, Not guilty ; mine integrity

To me can life be no commodity :
Being counted falsehood, shall, as I express it, The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
Be so receiv'd. But thus, - If powers divine I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,
Behold our human actions, (as they do,)

But know not, how it went. My second joy,
I doubt not then, but innocence shall make

And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
False accusation blush, and tyranny

I am barr’d, like one infectious. My third comfort,
Tremble at patience. - You, my lord, best know, Starr'd most unluckily, is from my breast,

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