Enter Emilia. Here's fuch ado to make no ftain a stain, Emil. As well as one fo great, and so forlorn, Emil. A daughter, and a goodly babe, I'm innocent as you. Pau. I dare be fworn: These dang'rous, unfafe lunes i'th' king, befhrew them! If I prove honey-mouth'd, let my tongue blifter, The trumpet any more! Pray you, Emilia, Emil. Moft worthy madam, Your honour and your goodness is so evident, A thriving iffue: there's no lady living So meet for this great errand. Please your ladyship Acquaint the But But durft not tempt a minifter of honour, Lest she should be deny'd. Pau. Tell her, Emilia, I'll use that tongue I have; if wit flow from't As boldness from my bofom, let't not be doubted Emil. Now be you bleft for it! I'll to the queen: please you, come fomething nearer. Having no warrant. Pau. You need not fear it, fir; The child was prifoner to the womb; and is, By law and procefs of great nature, thence Free'd and enfranchis'd; not a party to The anger of the king, nor guilty of, If any be, the trefpafs of the queen. Jai. I do believe it. Pau. Do not you fear; upon mine honour, I Will ftand 'twixt you and danger. [Exeunt. Enter Leontes, Antigonus, Lords, and other Attendants. Leo. VOR night, nor day, no reft: it is but weakness N°% To bear the matter thus; mere weaknefs, if The cause were not in being; part o'th' cause VOL. II. X X X Enter Atten. My lord. Enter an Attendant. Leo. How does the boy? Atten. He took good reft To-night; 'tis hop'd his fickness is discharg'd. Leo. To fee his noblenefs! Conceiving the dishonour of his mother, He straight declin'd, and droop'd, took it most deeply, Threw off his fpirit, his appetite, his fleep, And downright languifh'd. Leave me folely; go, See how he fares. —Fie, fie! no thought of him; [Ex. Attend. And in his parties, his alliance; let him Be till a time may serve: for present vengeance, Take it on her. Camillo and Polixenes Laugh at me, make their pastime at my forrow : SCENE V. Enter Paulina, with a child. Lord. You must not enter. Pau. Nay, rather, good my lords, be fecond to me: Fear you his tyrannous paffion more, alas, Than the queen's life? a gracious innocent soul, More free than he is jealous. Ant. That's enough. Atten. Madam, he hath not flept to-night; commanded None fhould come at him. Pau. Not fo hot, good fir; I come to bring him fleep. 'Tis such as you At At each his needlefs heavings, such as you Do come with words, as medicinal, as true; Leo. What noise there, ho? Pau. No noise, my lord, but needful conference, About fome goffips for your highness. Leo. How? Away with that audacious lady. Antigonus, I charg'd thee that she should not come about me: Ant. I told her fo, my lord, On your displeasure's peril, and on mine, Leo. What? canft not rule her? Pau. From all dishonesty he can; in this, Ant. Lo-you now, you hear: When she will take the rein, I let her run; Pau. Good my liege, I come And, I beseech you, hear me, who profess Than fuch as moft feem yours. I fay, I come Leo. Good queen! Pau. Good queen, my lord, Good queen, I fay, good queen; And would by combat make her good, so were I A man, the worst about you. Leo. Force her hence. X X X 2 Pau. Pau. Let him that makes but trifles of his eyes For fhe is good, hath brought you forth a daughter, Here 'tis ; commends it to your blessing. [laying down the child. Leo. Out! A mankind witch! hence with her out o' door: A most intelligencing bawd. Pau. Not fo; I am as ignorant in that as you, In fo entit❜ling me; and no lefs honest Than you are mad; which is enough, I'll warrant, Leo. Traitors! Will you not push her out? give her the bastard. Pau. For ever Unvenerable be thy hands, if thou Tak'ft up the princess, by that forced baseness Leo. He dreads his wife. [to Ant. Pau. So I would you did! then, 'twere past all doubt, You'd call your children yours. Leo. A neft of traitors! Ant. I am none, by this good light. Pau. Nor I; nor any, But one, that's here; and that's himself. For he, The facred honour of himself, his queen's, His hopeful fon's, his babe's, betrays to flander, Whose fting is sharper than the sword's; and will not He cannot be compell'd to't) once remove Leo. |