If from me he have wholesome beverage, Account me not your servant.

Leon.

This is all; Do't, and thou hast the one half of my heart; Do't not, thou split'st thine own. Cam.

I'll do't, my lord. Leon. I will seem friendly, as thou hast advis'd me. [Exit.

Cam. O miserable lady!-But, for me, What case stand I in? I must be the poisoner Of good Polixenes: and my ground to do't Is the obedience to a master; one, Who, in rebellion with himself, will have All that are his, so too. To do this deed, Promotion follows: If I could find example Of thousands, that had struck anointed kings, And flourish'd after, I'd not do't: but since Nor brass nor stone, nor parchment, bears not Let villainy itself forswear't. I must [one, Forsake the court: to do't, or no, is certain To me a break-neck. Happy star, reign now! Here comes Bohemia.

Hail, most royal sir!

Pol. What is the news i' the court!
Cam.

None rare, my lord.

Pol. The king hath on him such a countenance, As he had lost some province, and a region, Lov'd as he loves himself: even now I met him With customary compliment; when he, Wafting his eyes to the contrary, and falling A lip of much contempt, speeds from me: and So leaves me, to consider what is breeding, That changes thus his manners.

Cam. I dare not know, my lord.

P. How! dare not? donot. Do you know, and Be intelligent to me? 'Tis thereabouts; [dare not For, to yourself, what you do know, you must; And cannot say, you dare not. Good Camillo, Your chang'd complexions are to me a mirror, Which shows me mine chang'd to: for I must be A party in this alteration, finding

Myself thus alter'd with it.

Cam.

There is a sickness
Which puts some of us in distemper; but
I cannot name the disease; and it is caught

Of you that yet are well.
Pol.

How? caught of me? Make me not sighted like the basilisk: [better I have look'd on thousands, who have sped the By my regard, but kill'd none so. Camillo,As you are certainly a gentleman; thereto Clerk-like, experienc'd, which no less adorns Our gentry, than our parents' noble names,

In whose success1 we are gentle, 2-I beseech you, If you know aught which does behove my knowThereof to be inform'd, imprison it not [ledge In ignorant concealment.

Cam.

I may not answer.

Pol. A sickness caught of me, and yet I well! I must be answer'd. - Dost thou hear, Camillo, I cónjure thee, by all the parts of man, [least Which honour does acknowledge, -whereof the 1 Succession, 2 Well born.

Pol.

By the king.

For what? C. He thinks, nay, with all confidence he Ashehad seen't, or been an instrument [swears, To vicel you to't, -that you have touch'd his Forbiddenly. [queen Pol. O, then my best blood turn To an infected jelly; and my name Be yok'd with his, that did betray the best! Turn then my freshest reputation to A savour, that may strike the dullest nostril Where I arrive; and my approach be shunn'd, Nay, hated too, worse than the great'st infection That e'er was heard, or read! Cam.

Swear his thought over

By each particular star in heaven, and
By all their influences, you may as well
Forbid the sea for to obey the moon,
As or, by oath, remove, or counsel, shake
The fabrick of his folly; whose foundation
Is pil'd upon his faith, and will continue
The standing of his body.
Pol.

How should this grow?

Cam. I know not: but, I am sure, 'tis safer to
Avoid what'sgrown, than question how 'tis born.
If therefore you dare trust my honesty, -
That lies enclosed in this trunk, which you
Shall bear along impawn'd,-away to-night.
Your followers I will whisper to the business;
And will, by twos, and threes, at several posterus,
Clear them o' the city: For myself, I'll put
My fortunes to your service, which are here
By this discovery lost. Be not uncertain;
For, by the honour of my parents, I
Have utter'd truth: which if you seek to prove,
I dare not stand by; nor shall you be safer
Than one condemn'd; by the king's own mouth,
Is execution sworn.
[thereon
Pol.
I do believe thee:
I saw his heart in his face. Give me thy hand;
Be pilot to me, and thy places shall

Still neighbour mine; My ships are ready, and
My people did expect my hence departure
Two days ago. This jealousy

Is for a precious creature: as she's rare,
Must it be great; and, as his person's mighty,
Must it be violent; and as he does conceive
He is dishonour'd by a man which ever
Profess'd to him, why, his revenges must
In that be made more bitter. Fearo'ershades me.
Good expedition be my friend, and comfort [ing
The gracious queen, part of his theme, but noth-

A spider steep'd, and one may drink, depart, And yet partake no venom; for his knowledge Is not infected: but if one present

The abhorr'd ingredient to his eye, make known How he hath drank, he cracks his gorge, his sides, With violent hefts 1:-I have drank, and seen the

spider.

Camillo was his help in this, his pander:-
There is a plot against my life, my crown;
All's true that is mistrusted:-that false villain,
Whom I employed, was pre-employ'd by him:
He has discover'd my design, and I
Remain a pinch'd thing2; yea, a very trick
For them to play at will:-Howcame the posterns
So easily open?

1 Lord.
By his great authority;
Which often hath no less prevail'd than so,
On your command.
Leon.

I know't too well.

L. Bear the boy hence, he shall not come about Away with him: for 'tis Polixenes [her; Has made thee thus. Her.

But I'd say, he had not, And, I'll be sworn, you would believe my saying, Howe'er you lean to the nayward. You, my lords,

Leon.

Look on her, mark her well; be but about
To say, she is a goodly lady, and

The justice of your hearts will thereto add,
'Tis pity she's not honest, honourable:
Praise her but for this her without-door form,
(Which, on my faith, deserves high speech,) and
straight

The shrug, the hum, or ha; these petty brands,
That calumny doth use:-O, I am out,

That mercy does; for calumny will sear3 [ha's,
Virtue itself:-These shrugs, these hums, and
When you have said, she's goodly, come between,
Ere you can say she's honest: But be it known,
From him that has most cause to grieve it should
She's an adultress.
Her.

[be,

Should a villain say so, The most replenish'd villain in the world, He were as much more villain: you, my lord, Do but mistake. Leon.

You have mistook, my lady,

Polixenes for Leontes: O thou thing,
Which I'll not call a creature of thy place,
Lest barbarism, making me the precedent,
Should a like language use to all degrees,
And mannerly distinguishment leave out
Betwixt the prince and beggar! I have said,
She's an adultress; I have said with whom:
More, she's a traitor; and Camillo is
A federary with her; and one that knows
What she should shame to know herself;
She's even as bad as those

That vulgars give bold'st titles, ay and privy
To this their late escape.

Her.

No, by my life, Privy to none of this: How will this grieve you, When you shall come to clearer knowledge, that 1 Heavings. 2 Puppet. 3 Brand. 4 Confederate.

Shall I be heard?

Her. Who is't that goes with me? 'Beseech your highness,

My women may be with me; for, you see,

My plight requires it. Do not weep, good fools; There is no cause: when you shall know your mistress

Has deserv'd prison, then abound in tears,
As I come out: this action, I now go on,
Is for my better grace.-Adieu, my lord:
I never wish'd to see you sorry; now,

I trust, I shall. My women, come; you have Leon. Go do our bidding; hence. [leave. [Exeunt Queen and Ladies.

1 Lord. 'Beseech your highness, call the queen again.

i. Be certain what you do, sir; lest your justice Prove violence; in the which three great ones Yourself, your queen, your son. [suffer, For her, my lord,

1 Lord.

I dare my life lay down, and will do't, sir, Please you to accept it, that the queen is spotless I' the eyes of heaven, and to you; I mean,

In this which you accuse her.

Ant.

If it prove She's otherwise, I'll keep my stables where I lodge my wife; I'll go in couples with her; Than when I feel, and see her, no further trust For every woman in the world is false, If she be.

Leon. Hold your peaces. 1 Lord.

[her;

Good my lord, Ant. It is for you we speak, not for ourselves: You are abus'd, and by some putter on3; Would I knew the villain.

1 Lo. I had rather you did lack, than I, my lord, 1 Partly guilty.

Upon this ground: and more it would content me
To have her honour true, than your suspicion;
Be blam'd for't how you might.
Leon.
Why, what need we
Commune with you of this? but rather follow
Our forceful instigation? Our prerogative
Call not your counsels; but our natural goodness
Imparts this: which, if you (or stupified,
Or seeming so in skill,) cannot, or will not,
Relish as truth, like us; inform yourselves,
We need no more of your advice: the matter,
The loss, the gain, the ordering on't, is all
Properly ours,

Ant.

And I wish, my liege, You had only in your silent judgment tried it, Without more overture. Leon.

How could that be?

Either thou art most ignorant by age,
Or thou wert born a fool. Camillo's flight,
Added to their familiarity,

(Which was as gross as ever touch'd conjecture,
That lack'd sight only, nought for approbation,i
But only seeing, all other circumstances
Made up to the deed,) doth push on this proceed-
Yet, for a greater confirmation,
[ing:
(For, in an act of this importance, 'twere
Most piteous to be wild,) I have despatch'd in
To sacred Delphos, to Apollo's temple, [post,
Cleomenes and Dion, whom you know

Of stuff'd sufficiency2: Now, from the oracle They will bring all; whose spiritual counsel had, Shall stop or spur me. Have I done well?

1 Lord. Well done, my lord.

Leon. Though I am satisfied, and need no more Than what I know, yet shall the oracle Give rest to the minds of others: such as he, Whose ignorant credulity will not Come up to the truth: So have we thought it good, From our free person she should be confin'd; Lest that the treachery of the two, fled hence, Be left her to perform. Come, follow us; We are to speak in publick: for this business Will raise us all.

Ant. [Aside.] To laughter, as I take it, If the good truth were known.

[Exeunt.

To lock up honesty and honour from The access of gentle visitors! Is it lawful, 2. Of abilities more than enough.

Withdraw yourselves.

Keep.

[Exeunt Attend.

And, madam, I must be present at your conference. Paul. Well, be it so, pr'ythee. [Exit Keeper. Here's such ado to make no stain a stain, As passes colouring.

Re-enter Keeper, with Emilia. Dear gentlewoman, how fares our gracious lady? Emil. As well as one so great, and so forlorn, May hold together: On her frights and griefs, (Which never tender lady hath borne greater,) She is, something before her time, deliver'd.

Paul. A boy!

Emil. A daughter, and a goodly babe, Lusty, and like to live: the queen receives Much comfort in't: says, My poor prisoner, I am innocent as you.

Paul.

I dare be sworn :

These dangerous unsafe lunes1 o' the king! beshrew them!

He must be told on't, and he shall: the office
Becomes a woman best; I'll take't upon me;
If I prove honey-mouth'd let my tongue blister;
And never to my red-look'd anger be
The trumpet any more: Pray you, Emilia,
Commend my best obedience to the queen;
If she dares trust me with her little babe,
I'll show't the king, and undertake to be
Her advocate to the loudest: We do not know
How he may soften at the sight o' the child;
The silence often of pure innocence
Persuades, when speaking fails.

Emil.

Most worthy madam, Your honour, and your goodness, is so evident, That your free undertaking cannot miss A thriving issue; there is no lady living, So meet for this great errand: Please your ladyTo visit the next room, I'll presently [ship Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer; Who, but to-day, hammer'd of this design; But durst not tempt a minister of honour, Lest she should be denied.

Paul.

Tell her, Emilia,

I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from it, As boldness from my bosom, let it not be doubted I shall do good.

Emil.

Now be you blest for it! [nearer. I'll to the queen: Please you, come something K. Madam, if't please the queen to send the I know not what I shall incur, to pass it, [babe, Having no warrant.

Paul.

You need not fear it, sir: The child was prisoner to the womb; and is, By law and process of great nature, thence Freed and enfranchis'd: not a party to The anger of the king; nor guilty of, If any be, the trespass of the queen.

Keep. I do believe it.

Paul.

Do not you fear: upon Mine honour, I will stand 'twixt you and danger. [Exeunt. 1 Mad fita.

SCENE III.-A ROOM IN THE PALACE, Enter Leontes, Antigonus, Lords, and other Attendants.

L. Nornight, nor day, no rest: It is but weakness To bear the matter thus; mere weakness, if The cause were not in being; part o' the cause, She, the adultress; for the harlot king Is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank And level of my brain, plot-proof: but she I can hook to me: Say, that she were gone, Given to the fire, a moiety of my rest Might come to me again. Who's there? 1 Atten. [Advancing.] My lord? Leon. How does the boy? 1 Atten.

He took good rest to-night:

'Tis hop'd, his sickness is discharg'd. Leon.

I come to bring him sleep. 'Tis such as you,-
That creep like shadows by him, and do sigh
At each his needless heaving, such as you
Nourish the cause of his awaking: I

Do come with words as med'cinal as true;
Honest, as either; to purge him of that humour,
That presses him from sleep.
Leon.

What noise there, ho?
P. No noise, my lord; but needful conference,
About some gossips for your highness.
Leon.

How? Away with that audacious lady: Antigonus, I charg'd thee, that she should not come about I knew, she would. [me; Ant.

I told her so, my lord, On your displeasure's peril, and on mine, She should not visit you. Leon. What, canst not rule her? Paul. From all dishonesty, he can; in this, (Unless he take the course that you have done, Commit me, for committing honour,) trust it, He shall not rule me.

Ant.

But she'll not stumble. Paul.

Leon.

Good queen!

Paul. Good queen, my lord, good queen: I say good queen;

And would by combat make her good, so were I
A man, the worst about you.
Leon.
Force her hence,

Pau. Let him, that makes but trifles of his eyes,
First hand me on mine own accord, I'll off;
But first, I'll do my errand. The good queen,
Forshe is good, hath brought you forth a daugh-
Here 'tis; commends it to your blessing. [ter;
[Laying down the Child.
Leon.
Out!

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

Paul.

Not so:

[smiles;

valley; The pretty dimples of his chin, and cheek; his The very mould and frame of hand, nail, finger:And thou, good goddess nature, which hast made So like to him that got it, if thou hast [it The ordering of the mind too, 'mongst all colours No yellow1 in't; lest she suspect as he does, Her children not her husband's! Leon.

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

Hang all the husbands That cannot do that feat, you'll leave yourself Hardly one subject. Once more, take her hence.

Leon.

Paul. A most unworthy and unnatural lord, Can do no more. I'll have thee burn'd.

Leon.

Paul.

I care not:

It is an heretick, that makes the fire,
Not she, which burns in't. I'll not call you tyrant;
But this most cruel usage of your queen
(Not able to produce more accusation

Than your own weak-hing'd fancy,) something
Of tyranny, and will ignoble make you, [savours
Yea, scandalous to the world.

Leon.

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

send her

Paul. I pray you, do not push me; I'll be gone. Look to your babe, my lord; 'tis yours: Jove hands?A better guiding spirit! What need these You, that are thus so tender o'er his follies, Will never do him good, not one of you. So, so:-Farewell; we are gone.

[Exit.

Le. Thou, traitor, hast set on thy wife to this.My child? away with't! even thou, thou hast A heart so tender o'er it, take it hence, And see it instantly consum'd with fire; Even thou, and none but thou. Take it upstraight: Within this hour bring me word 'tis done, (And by good testimony,) or I'll seize thy life, With what thou else call'st thine: If thou refuse, And wilt encounter with my wrath, say so; The bastard brains with these my proper hands Shall I dash out. Go, take it to the fire; For thou sett'st on thy wife.

We can; my royal liege,

He is not guilty of her coming hither.
Leon. You are liars all.

[credit:

1 Lord. 'Beseech your highness, give us better We have always truly serv'd you; and beseech So to esteem of us: And on our knees we beg, (As recompense of our dear services, Past, and to come,) that you do change this purWhich being so horrible, so bloody, must [pose; Lead on to some foul issue: We all kneel.

Le. I am a feather for each wind that blows:Shall I live on, to see this bastard kneel And call me father? Better burn it now, Than curse it then. 1 Jealousy.

But, be it; let it live: 2 Worthless fellow.