The good-natured clown, really believing the fel low's tale, and not in the least dreaming it was Autolicus himself he was helping, gave him assistance; ard, while he was in the act of raising him from the ground, the arch rogue picked his pocket of the well stored purse he was going to market with. Full of pretended gratitude for his kindness, and positively forbidding him to put his hand in his pocket to afford him any relief, Autolicus limped away, as he said, to a relation, who lived at some little distance, and Polidor proceeded on his journey, whistling along; nor did he discover till he got to the village, that he was without a single penny to pay for his purchases, so that Perdita's feast suffered some little from the rencontre between the shrewd Autolicus and the simple Polidor. The morning came, and all was mirth and gaiety. Perdita, in her simple attire, looked like a goddess; and Florizel, in his lowly garb, looked nothing less than princely. While their sports were going on, two strangers appeared amongst them, who were cordially welcomed by Perdita, Polidor, and the old shepherd. These strangers were Polixenes and Camillo, so well disguised that Florizel had not the slightest suspicion of them. Polixenes was so much delighted with the innocence and beauty of Perdita that he lamented the necessity of interfering in the happiness of his son and this lovely shepherdess; but the dignity of his throne was at stake. When the ceremony of marriage was about to commence, he stepped between the lovers, and, by the authority of a father, commanded them to proceed no further: ordering Florizel to return to his obedience; and threatening the old shepherd and his son with punishment, nay even death, if they suffered the Prince to remain one hour under their roof. He then departed, leaving Camillo to follow with his undutiful son. The scene of happiness was now changed; the old shepherd reproached Florizel and Perdita with cruelty, and gave himself up to despair under the king's displeasure.. Perdita looked piteously upon the prince, as if she would have gazed her soul away; but he bade her "be of comfort ;" (said) "he was sorry, not afraid; delayed, but nothing altered; what he had been, he was still and ever would be ;" and then told Camillo, that "not for all Bohemia, for all its pomp, and wealth and grandeur, for all that the sun shone upon, that the wide earth enclosed, or the fathomless seas hid, would he break his oath to his fair beloved." He entreated him to "sooth his father's sorrow for his loss, as he would never more behold him; that he was now put to sea with her whom on shore he was not permitted to retain, and must take the hazard of his future fortune." Camillo, who loved the Prince, was desirous of serving him; and thought he knew a means by which he could promote his interest, and at the same time gratify himself. Polixenes highly valued Camillo, not only as the preserver of his life, but years spent in his society had furnished so many testimonies of his worth, that he loved and venerated him for his virtues, exclusive of his own obligations. Camillo had been as happy in Bohemia as a banished man could be; but his mind at intervals reverted to the place of his birth, and he longed to revisit the scenes of his infancy. This feeling, as he advanced in years, became more powerful; and, having received an invitation from his repentant master, to return again, he languished to behold him, and to grant. that forgiveness which he had deigned to solicit. He had, therefore, entreated the permission of Polixenes to return, but in vain; for so highly did he prize his society, he could not be prevailed upon to consent to his departure. An idea now crossed his mind, to persuade Florizel to visit the court of Sicilia; for which purpose he would furnish him with papers, so as to enable him to pass upon Leontes as having been sent by his father, with kind remembrances, and solicitations for a renewal of friendship; he would also supply him with means to appear as the Prince of Bohemia. The anxious lover rejoiced at this proposal; and nothing remained but to procure disguises, lest prying curiosity should watch their steps. Good fortune happily furnished Florizel with all due expedition. The waggish rogue Autolicus, who, disguised as a pedlar, had made a good harvest among the merry makers, half tipsy came reeling along, hiccupping and singing Lawn, as white as driven snow; Come, buy of me, come, come buy, come buy. *** Camillo immediately assailed the drunken pedlar, bidding him strip. Poor Autolicus, supposing himself discovered, and that he would be forthwith com mitted to prison for his evil deed, trembled violently, and was on the point of begging mercy: but a little observation served to convince him that his fears were without cause; for though he knew the Prince and his friend, they evidently were ignorant of him, and he willingly embraced the offer of exchanging his pedlar's dress for Florizel's gay bridal suit. Perdita also wrapped herself up in an old mantle belonging to her nurse, slouching a large hat over her face; and, thus disguised, they got safe to the ship, without suspicion of any one, save the shrewd Autolicus, who for a few moments thought of making the departure of the Prince and his bride known to the King, and for this piece of service intending to stipulate for his own pardon but the rank honesty of such a proceeding displeased him; and as his business was knavery, he determined to remain true to the profession, and so gave up his intention. While he was thus deliberating, he saw the old shepherd and his son advancing, and stepped aside to listen to their conversation. They were venting their griefs in loud lamentations, terrified at the King's anger, and the punishment which might possibly await them. Polidor was urging his father to hasten to court and lay at the King's feet the box containing the proofs that Perdita was no child of his, and that not being of their flesh and blood, they ought not in justice to be punished for her sins. Autolicus, divesting his chin of his Jew's beard, advanced with a pompous and lordly air, demanding their business at court; and, in his endeavour to prevail upon them to entrust the box and fardel to his charge, impressed them with terror of the King's vengeance; informing them that every branch of the old shepherd's family, who had impudently suffered his daughter to attempt to thrust her plebian nose into court, would be hung-ay, marry,-if they had beat so much blood appertaining to him in their veins as would lay upon a pin's point, they would be hung; that the shepherd himself would probably be stoned to death, only that was too soft a punishment; and the villain Polidor would be flayed alive, rubbed over with honey, and then left in the sun to be frizzled. The poor old man and his son trembled violently, their teeth chattered with fright; thinking, however, that the fardel was their only hope of safety, they would not part with that, but gave all the gold they had, and the promise of more, if Autolicus would intercede for them with the King. Autolicus, as a matter of prodigious favour, took their money, and lured them on board the Prince's ship, for the purpose of paying his court to him. They had set sail before Autolicus dared venture to discover himself; and when he did, Florizel and Perdita were both too ill (never having been at sea before) to attend to him, the old shepherd and his son, glad to be in safety, gave themselves little more trouble about the matter; they should escape the King's vengeance, and that was all they desired. A favourable wind soon wafted them to the shores of Sicilia, where Florizel and Perdita, equipping themselves with such dignity as became them, prepared to visit Leontes. One universal gloom had overspread the court of Sicilia ever since the fatal period of Hermione's death: no ray of joy had ever displayed itself in the mind of Leontes; and his only pleasure was to sit and converse with the Lady Paulina, about his wife and children. Paulina cherished in him the idea of his infant being found; and on this hope he fed, this only hope which rendered life endurable. Years passed on, and his courtiers had never dared to propose a second marriage; but it became at length necessary such a proposition should be made. The King was sinking into premature decay; the throne would be left without an heir; and the kingdom ex |