Thoudotard!thouartwoman—tired,unroostedBythydamePartlethere。Takeupthebastard;
Take’tup,Isay;give’ttothycrone。PAULINAForeverUnvenerablebethyhands,ifthouTakestuptheprincessbythatforcedbasenessWhichhehasputupon’t!LEONTESHedreadshiswife。PAULINASoIwouldyoudid;then’twerepastalldoubtYou’ldcallyourchildrenyours。LEONTESAnestoftraitors!ANTIGONUSIamnone,bythisgoodlight。PAULINANorI,noranyButonethat’shere,andthat’shimself,forheThesacredhonourofhimself,hisqueen’s,Hishopefulson’s,hisbabe’s,betraystoslander,Whosestingissharperthanthesword’s;
andwillnot——
For,asthecasenowstands,itisacurseHecannotbecompell’dto’t——onceremoveTherootofhisopinion,whichisrottenAseveroakorstonewassound。LEONTESAcallatOfboundlesstongue,wholatehathbeatherhusbandAndnowbaitsme!Thisbratisnoneofmine;
ItistheissueofPolixenes:
Hencewithit,andtogetherwiththedamCommitthemtothefire!PAULINAItisyours;
And,mightwelaytheoldproverbtoyourcharge,Solikeyou,’tistheworse。Behold,mylords,Althoughtheprintbelittle,thewholematterAndcopyofthefather,eye,nose,lip,Thetrickof’sfrown,hisforehead,nay,thevalley,Theprettydimplesofhischinandcheek,Hissmiles,Theverymouldandframeofhand,nail,finger:
Andthou,goodgoddessNature,whichhastmadeitSoliketohimthatgotit,ifthouhastTheorderingofthemindtoo,’mongstallcoloursNoyellowin’t,lestshesuspect,ashedoes,Herchildrennotherhusband’s!LEONTESAgrosshagAnd,lozel,thouartworthytobehang’d,Thatwiltnotstayhertongue。ANTIGONUSHangallthehusbandsThatcannotdothatfeat,you’llleaveyourselfHardlyonesubject。LEONTESOncemore,takeherhence。PAULINAAmostunworthyandunnaturallordCandonomore。LEONTESI’llha’theeburnt。PAULINAIcarenot:
Itisanhereticthatmakesthefire,Notshewhichburnsin’t。I’llnotcallyoutyrant;
Butthismostcruelusageofyourqueen,NotabletoproducemoreaccusationThanyourownweak—hingedfancy,somethingsavoursOftyrannyandwillignoblemakeyou,Yea,scandaloustotheworld。LEONTESOnyourallegiance,Outofthechamberwithher!WereIatyrant,Wherewereherlife?shedurstnotcallmeso,Ifshedidknowmeone。Awaywithher!PAULINAIprayyou,donotpushme;I’llbegone。
Looktoyourbabe,mylord;’tisyours:
JovesendherAbetterguidingspirit!Whatneedsthesehands?
You,thatarethussotendero’erhisfollies,Willneverdohimgood,notoneofyou。
So,so:farewell;wearegone。
ExitLEONTESThou,traitor,hastsetonthywifetothis。
Mychild?awaywith’t!Eventhou,thathastAheartsotendero’erit,takeithenceAndseeitinstantlyconsumedwithfire;
Eventhouandnonebutthou。Takeitupstraight:
Withinthishourbringmeword’tisdone,Andbygoodtestimony,orI’llseizethylife,Withwhatthouelsecall’stthine。IfthourefuseAndwiltencounterwithmywrath,sayso;
ThebastardbrainswiththesemyproperhandsShallIdashout。Go,takeittothefire;
Forthouset’stonthywife。ANTIGONUSIdidnot,sir:
Theselords,mynoblefellows,iftheyplease,Canclearmein’t。LordsWecan:myroyalliege,Heisnotguiltyofhercominghither。LEONTESYou’reliarsall。FirstLordBeseechyourhighness,giveusbettercredit:
Wehavealwaystrulyservedyou,andbeseechyouSotoesteemofus,andonourkneeswebeg,AsrecompenseofourdearservicesPastandtocome,thatyoudochangethispurpose,Whichbeingsohorrible,sobloody,mustLeadontosomefoulissue:weallkneel。LEONTESIamafeatherforeachwindthatblows:
ShallIliveontoseethisbastardkneelAndcallmefather?betterburnitnowThancurseitthen。Butbeit;letitlive。
Itshallnotneither。You,sir,comeyouhither;
YouthathavebeensotenderlyofficiousWithLadyMargery,yourmidwifethere,Tosavethisbastard’slife,——for’tisabastard,Sosureasthisbeard’sgrey,——whatwillyouadventureTosavethisbrat’slife?ANTIGONUSAnything,mylord,ThatmyabilitymayundergoAndnoblenessimpose:atleastthusmuch:
I’llpawnthelittlebloodwhichIhaveleftTosavetheinnocent:anythingpossible。LEONTESItshallbepossible。SwearbythisswordThouwiltperformmybidding。ANTIGONUSIwill,mylord。LEONTESMarkandperformit,see’stthou!forthefailOfanypointin’tshallnotonlybeDeathtothyselfbuttothylewd—tonguedwife,Whomforthistimewepardon。Weenjointhee,Asthouartliege—mantous,thatthoucarryThisfemalebastardhenceandthatthoubearitTosomeremoteanddesertplacequiteoutOfourdominions,andthattherethouleaveit,Withoutmoremercy,toitsownprotectionAndfavouroftheclimate。AsbystrangefortuneItcametous,Idoinjusticechargethee,Onthysoul’sperilandthybody’storture,ThatthoucommenditstrangelytosomeplaceWherechancemaynurseorendit。Takeitup。ANTIGONUSIsweartodothis,thoughapresentdeathHadbeenmoremerciful。Comeon,poorbabe:
SomepowerfulspiritinstructthekitesandravensTobethynurses!Wolvesandbears,theysayCastingtheirsavagenessasidehavedoneLikeofficesofpity。Sir,beprosperousInmorethanthisdeeddoesrequire!AndblessingAgainstthiscrueltyfightonthyside,Poorthing,condemn’dtoloss!
ExitwiththechildLEONTESNo,I’llnotrearAnother’sissue。
EnteraServantServantPleaseyourhighness,postsFromthoseyousenttotheoraclearecomeAnhoursince:CleomenesandDion,BeingwellarrivedfromDelphos,arebothlanded,Hastingtothecourt。FirstLordSopleaseyou,sir,theirspeedHathbeenbeyondaccount。LEONTESTwenty—threedaysTheyhavebeenabsent:’tisgoodspeed;foretellsThegreatApollosuddenlywillhaveThetruthofthisappear。Prepareyou,lords;
Summonasession,thatwemayarraignOurmostdisloyallady,for,asshehathBeenpubliclyaccused,soshallshehaveAjustandopentrial。WhileshelivesMyheartwillbeaburthentome。Leaveme,Andthinkuponmybidding。
ExeuntACTIIISCENEI。Asea—portinSicilia。EnterCLEOMENESandDIONCLEOMENESTheclimate’sdelicate,theairmostsweet,Fertiletheisle,thetemplemuchsurpassingThecommonpraiseitbears。DIONIshallreport,Formostitcaughtme,thecelestialhabits,MethinksIsoshouldtermthem,andthereverenceOfthegravewearers。O,thesacrifice!
Howceremonious,solemnandunearthlyItwasi’theoffering!CLEOMENESButofall,theburstAndtheear—deafeningvoiceo’theoracle,KintoJove’sthunder,sosurprisedmysense。
ThatIwasnothing。DIONIftheevento’thejourneyProveassuccessfultothequeen,——Obe’tso!——
Asithathbeentousrare,pleasant,speedy,Thetimeisworththeuseon’t。CLEOMENESGreatApolloTurnalltothebest!Theseproclamations,SoforcingfaultsuponHermione,Ilittlelike。DIONTheviolentcarriageofitWillclearorendthebusiness:whentheoracle,ThusbyApollo’sgreatdivineseal’dup,Shallthecontentsdiscover,somethingrareEventhenwillrushtoknowledge。Go:freshhorses!
Andgraciousbetheissue!
ExeuntSCENEII。AcourtofJustice。EnterLEONTES,Lords,andOfficersLEONTESThissessions,toourgreatgriefwepronounce,Evenpushes’gainstourheart:thepartytriedThedaughterofaking,ourwife,andoneOfustoomuchbeloved。Letusbeclear’dOfbeingtyrannous,sincewesoopenlyProceedinjustice,whichshallhaveduecourse,Eventotheguiltorthepurgation。
Producetheprisoner。OfficerItishishighness’pleasurethatthequeenAppearinpersonhereincourt。Silence!
EnterHERMIONEguarded;PAULINAandLadiesattendingLEONTESReadtheindictment。Officer[Reads]Hermione,queentotheworthyLeontes,kingofSicilia,thouarthereaccusedandarraignedofhightreason,incommittingadulterywithPolixenes,kingofBohemia,andconspiringwithCamillototakeawaythelifeofoursovereignlordtheking,thyroyalhusband:thepretencewhereofbeingbycircumstancespartlylaidopen,thou,Hermione,contrarytothefaithandallegianceofatruesubject,didstcounselandaidthem,fortheirbettersafety,toflyawaybynight。HERMIONESincewhatIamtosaymustbebutthatWhichcontradictsmyaccusationandThetestimonyonmypartnootherButwhatcomesfrommyself,itshallscarcebootmeTosay’notguilty:’mineintegrityBeingcountedfalsehood,shall,asIexpressit,Besoreceived。Butthus:ifpowersdivineBeholdourhumanactions,astheydo,IdoubtnotthenbutinnocenceshallmakeFalseaccusationblushandtyrannyTrembleatpatience。You,mylord,bestknow,Wholeastwillseemtodoso,mypastlifeHathbeenascontinent,aschaste,astrue,AsIamnowunhappy;whichismoreThanhistorycanpattern,thoughdevisedAndplay’dtotakespectators。ForbeholdmeAfellowoftheroyalbed,whichoweAmoietyofthethroneagreatking’sdaughter,Themothertoahopefulprince,herestandingToprateandtalkforlifeandhonour’foreWhopleasetocomeandhear。Forlife,IprizeitAsIweighgrief,whichIwouldspare:forhonour,’Tisaderivativefrommetomine,AndonlythatIstandfor。IappealToyourownconscience,sir,beforePolixenesCametoyourcourt,howIwasinyourgrace,Howmeritedtobeso;sincehecame,WithwhatencountersouncurrentI
Havestrain’dtoappearthus:ifonejotbeyondTheboundofhonour,orinactorwillThatwayinclining,harden’dbetheheartsOfallthathearme,andmynear’stofkinCryfieuponmygrave!LEONTESIne’erheardyetThatanyofthesebolderviceswantedLessimpudencetogainsaywhattheydidThantoperformitfirst。HERMIONEThat’strueenough;
Through’tisasaying,sir,notduetome。LEONTESYouwillnotownit。HERMIONEMorethanmistressofWhichcomestomeinnameoffault,ImustnotAtallacknowledge。ForPolixenes,WithwhomIamaccused,IdoconfessIlovedhimasinhonourherequired,WithsuchakindofloveasmightbecomeAladylikeme,withaloveevensuch,Soandnoother,asyourselfcommanded:
WhichnottohavedoneIthinkhadbeeninmeBothdisobedienceandingratitudeToyouandtowardyourfriend,whoselovehadspoke,Evensinceitcouldspeak,fromaninfant,freelyThatitwasyours。Now,forconspiracy,Iknownothowittastes;thoughitbedish’dFormetotryhow:allIknowofitIsthatCamillowasanhonestman;
Andwhyheleftyourcourt,thegodsthemselves,WottingnomorethanI,areignorant。LEONTESYouknewofhisdeparture,asyouknowWhatyouhaveunderta’entodoin’sabsence。HERMIONESir,YouspeakalanguagethatIunderstandnot:
Mylifestandsinthelevelofyourdreams,WhichI’lllaydown。LEONTESYouractionsaremydreams;
YouhadabastardbyPolixenes,AndIbutdream’dit。Asyouwerepastallshame,——
Thoseofyourfactareso——sopastalltruth:
Whichtodenyconcernsmorethanavails;forasThybrathathbeencastout,liketoitself,Nofatherowningit,——whichis,indeed,Morecriminalintheethanit,——sothouShaltfeelourjustice,inwhoseeasiestpassageLookfornolessthandeath。HERMIONESir,spareyourthreats:
ThebugwhichyouwouldfrightmewithIseek。
Tomecanlifebenocommodity:
Thecrownandcomfortofmylife,yourfavour,Idogivelost;forIdofeelitgone,Butknownothowitwent。MysecondjoyAndfirst—fruitsofmybody,fromhispresenceIambarr’d,likeoneinfectious。MythirdcomfortStarr’dmostunluckily,isfrommybreast,Theinnocentmilkinitsmostinnocentmouth,Haledouttomurder:myselfoneverypostProclaimedastrumpet:withimmodesthatredThechild—bedprivilegedenied,which’longsTowomenofallfashion;lastly,hurriedHeretothisplace,i’theopenair,beforeIhavegotstrengthoflimit。Now,myliege,TellmewhatblessingsIhaveherealive,ThatIshouldfeartodie?Thereforeproceed。
Butyethearthis:mistakemenot;nolife,Iprizeitnotastraw,butforminehonour,WhichIwouldfree,ifIshallbecondemn’dUponsurmises,allproofssleepingelseButwhatyourjealousiesawake,Itellyou’Tisrigorandnotlaw。Yourhonoursall,Idorefermetotheoracle:
Apollobemyjudge!FirstLordThisyourrequestIsaltogetherjust:thereforebringforth,AndinApollosname,hisoracle。
ExeuntcertainOfficersHERMIONETheEmperorofRussiawasmyfather:
Othathewerealive,andherebeholdingHisdaughter’strial!thathedidbutseeTheflatnessofmymisery,yetwitheyesOfpity,notrevenge!
Re—enterOfficers,withCLEOMENESandDIONOfficerYouhereshallswearuponthisswordofjustice,Thatyou,CleomenesandDion,haveBeenbothatDelphos,andfromthencehavebroughtTheseal’d—uporacle,bythehanddeliver’dOfgreatApollo’spriest;andthat,sincethen,YouhavenotdaredtobreaktheholysealNorreadthesecretsin’t。CLEOMENESDIONAllthisweswear。LEONTESBreakupthesealsandread。Officer[Reads]Hermioneischaste;
Polixenesblameless;Camilloatruesubject;
Leontesajealoustyrant;hisinnocentbabetrulybegotten;
andthekingshalllivewithoutanheir,ifthatwhichislostbenotfound。LordsNowblessedbethegreatApollo!HERMIONEPraised!LEONTESHastthoureadtruth?OfficerAy,mylord;evensoAsitisheresetdown。LEONTESThereisnotruthatalli’theoracle:
Thesessionsshallproceed:thisismerefalsehood。
EnterServantServantMylordtheking,theking!LEONTESWhatisthebusiness?ServantOsir,Ishallbehatedtoreportit!
Theprinceyourson,withmereconceitandfearOfthequeen’sspeed,isgone。LEONTESHow!gone!ServantIsdead。LEONTESApollo’sangry;andtheheavensthemselvesDostrikeatmyinjustice。
HERMIONEswoonsHownowthere!PAULINAThisnewsismortaltothequeen:lookdownAndseewhatdeathisdoing。LEONTESTakeherhence:
Herheartisbuto’ercharged;shewillrecover:
Ihavetoomuchbelievedmineownsuspicion:
Beseechyou,tenderlyapplytoherSomeremediesforlife。
ExeuntPAULINAandLadies,withHERMIONE
Apollo,pardonMygreatprofaneness’gainstthineoracle!
I’llreconcilemetoPolixenes,Newwoomyqueen,recallthegoodCamillo,WhomIproclaimamanoftruth,ofmercy;
For,beingtransportedbymyjealousiesTobloodythoughtsandtorevenge,IchoseCamillofortheministertopoisonMyfriendPolixenes:whichhadbeendone,ButthatthegoodmindofCamillotardiedMyswiftcommand,thoughIwithdeathandwithRewarddidthreatenandencouragehim,Notdoing’tandbeingdone:he,mosthumaneAndfill’dwithhonour,tomykinglyguestUnclasp’dmypractise,quithisfortuneshere,Whichyouknewgreat,andtothehazardOfallencertaintieshimselfcommended,Noricherthanhishonour:howheglistersThoroughmyrust!andhowhispityDoesmydeedsmaketheblacker!
Re—enterPAULINAPAULINAWoethewhile!
O,cutmylace,lestmyheart,crackingit,Breaktoo。FirstLordWhatfitisthis,goodlady?PAULINAWhatstudiedtorments,tyrant,hastforme?
Whatwheels?racks?fires?whatflaying?boiling?
Inleadsoroils?whatoldornewertortureMustIreceive,whoseeveryworddeservesTotasteofthymostworst?ThytyrannyTogetherworkingwiththyjealousies,Fanciestooweakforboys,toogreenandidleForgirlsofnine,O,thinkwhattheyhavedoneAndthenrunmadindeed,starkmad!forallThyby—gonefoolerieswerebutspicesofit。
Thatthoubetray’dstPolixenes,’twasnothing;
Thatdidbutshowthee,ofafool,inconstantAnddamnableingrateful:norwas’tmuch,Thouwouldsthavepoison’dgoodCamillo’shonour,Tohavehimkillaking:poortrespasses,Moremonstrousstandingby:whereofIreckonThecastingforthtocrowsthybaby—daughterTobeornoneorlittle;thoughadevilWouldhaveshedwateroutoffireeredone’t:
Noris’tdirectlylaidtothee,thedeathOftheyoungprince,whosehonourablethoughts,Thoughtshighforonesotender,clefttheheartThatcouldconceiveagrossandfoolishsireBlemish’dhisgraciousdam:thisisnot,no,Laidtothyanswer:butthelast,——Olords,WhenIhavesaid,cry’woe!’thequeen,thequeen,Thesweet’st,dear’stcreature’sdead,andvengeancefor’tNotdropp’ddownyet。FirstLordThehigherpowersforbid!PAULINAIsayshe’sdead;I’llswear’t。IfwordnoroathPrevailnot,goandsee:ifyoucanbringTinctureorlustreinherlip,hereye,Heatoutwardlyorbreathwithin,I’llserveyouAsIwoulddothegods。But,Othoutyrant!
Donotrepentthesethings,fortheyareheavierThanallthywoescanstir;thereforebetaketheeTonothingbutdespair。AthousandkneesTenthousandyearstogether,naked,fasting,UponabarrenmountainandstillwinterInstormperpetual,couldnotmovethegodsTolookthatwaythouwert。LEONTESGoon,goonThoucanstnotspeaktoomuch;IhavedeservedAlltonguestotalktheirbitterest。FirstLordSaynomore:
Howe’erthebusinessgoes,youhavemadefaultI’theboldnessofyourspeech。PAULINAIamsorryfor’t:
AllfaultsImake,whenIshallcometoknowthem,Idorepent。Alas!Ihaveshow’dtoomuchTherashnessofawoman:heistouch’dTothenobleheart。What’sgoneandwhat’spasthelpShouldbepastgrief:donotreceiveafflictionAtmypetition;Ibeseechyou,ratherLetmebepunish’d,thathavemindedyouOfwhatyoushouldforget。Now,goodmyliegeSir,royalsir,forgiveafoolishwoman:
TheloveIboreyourqueen——lo,foolagain!——
I’llspeakofhernomore,norofyourchildren;
I’llnotrememberyouofmyownlord,Whoislosttoo:takeyourpatiencetoyou,AndI’llsaynothing。LEONTESThoudidstspeakbutwellWhenmostthetruth;whichIreceivemuchbetterThantobepitiedofthee。Prithee,bringmeTothedeadbodiesofmyqueenandson:
Onegraveshallbeforboth:uponthemshallThecausesoftheirdeathappear,untoOurshameperpetual。OnceadayI’llvisitThechapelwheretheylie,andtearsshedthereShallbemyrecreation:solongasnatureWillbearupwiththisexercise,solongIdailyvowtouseit。ComeandleadmeUntothesesorrows。
ExeuntSCENEIII。Bohemia。Adesertcountrynearthesea。EnterANTIGONUSwithaChild,andaMarinerANTIGONUSThouartperfectthen,ourshiphathtouch’duponThedesertsofBohemia?MarinerAy,mylord:andfearWehavelandedinilltime:theskieslookgrimlyAndthreatenpresentblusters。Inmyconscience,TheheavenswiththatwehaveinhandareangryAndfrownupon’s。ANTIGONUSTheirsacredwillsbedone!Go,getaboard;
Looktothybark:I’llnotbelongbeforeIcalluponthee。MarinerMakeyourbesthaste,andgonotToofari’theland:’tisliketobeloudweather;
Besides,thisplaceisfamousforthecreaturesOfpreythatkeepupon’t。ANTIGONUSGothouaway:
I’llfollowinstantly。MarinerIamgladatheartTobesorido’thebusiness。
ExitANTIGONUSCome,poorbabe:
Ihaveheard,butnotbelieved,thespiritso’thedeadMaywalkagain:ifsuchthingbe,thymotherAppear’dtomelastnight,forne’erwasdreamSolikeawaking。Tomecomesacreature,Sometimesherheadononeside,someanother;
Ineversawavesseloflikesorrow,Sofill’dandsobecoming:inpurewhiterobes,Likeverysanctity,shedidapproachMycabinwhereIlay;thricebow’dbeforeme,Andgaspingtobeginsomespeech,hereyesBecametwospouts:thefuryspent,anonDidthisbreak—fromher:’GoodAntigonus,Sincefate,againstthybetterdisposition,Hathmadethypersonforthethrower—outOfmypoorbabe,accordingtothineoath,PlacesremoteenoughareinBohemia,Thereweepandleaveitcrying;and,forthebabeIscountedlostforever,Perdita,Iprithee,call’t。ForthisungentlebusinessPutontheebymylord,thoune’ershaltseeThywifePaulinamore。’Andso,withshrieksShemeltedintoair。Affrightedmuch,IdidintimecollectmyselfandthoughtThiswassoandnoslumber。Dreamsaretoys:
Yetforthisonce,yea,superstitiously,Iwillbesquaredbythis。IdobelieveHermionehathsuffer’ddeath,andthatApollowould,thisbeingindeedtheissueOfKingPolixenes,itshouldherebelaid,Eitherforlifeordeath,upontheearthOfitsrightfather。Blossom,speedtheewell!
Therelie,andtherethycharacter:therethese;
Whichmay,iffortuneplease,bothbreedthee,pretty,Andstillrestthine。Thestormbegins;poorwretch,Thatforthymother’sfaultartthusexposedTolossandwhatmayfollow!WeepIcannot,Butmyheartbleeds;andmostaccursedamI
Tobebyoathenjoin’dtothis。Farewell!
Thedayfrownsmoreandmore:thou’rtliketohaveAlullabytoorough:IneversawTheheavenssodimbyday。Asavageclamour!
WellmayIgetaboard!Thisisthechase:
Iamgoneforever。
Exit,pursuedbyabearEnteraShepherdShepherdIwouldtherewerenoagebetweensixteenandthree—and—twenty,orthatyouthwouldsleepouttherest;forthereisnothinginthebetweenbutgettingwencheswithchild,wrongingtheancientry,stealing,fighting——Harkyounow!Wouldanybuttheseboiledbrainsofnineteenandtwo—and—twentyhuntthisweather?Theyhavescaredawaytwoofmybestsheep,whichIfearthewolfwillsoonerfindthanthemaster:ifanywhereIhavethem,’tisbytheseaside,browsingofivy。Goodluck,an’tbethywillwhathavewehere!Mercyon’s,abarneaveryprettybarne!Aboyorachild,Iwonder?A
prettyone;averyprettyone:sure,some’scape:
thoughIamnotbookish,yetIcanreadwaiting—gentlewomaninthe’scape。Thishasbeensomestair—work,sometrunk—work,somebehind—door—work:theywerewarmerthatgotthisthanthepoorthingishere。I’lltakeitupforpity:yetI’lltarrytillmysoncome;hehallooedbutevennow。Whoa,ho,hoa!
EnterClownClownHilloa,loa!ShepherdWhat,artsonear?Ifthou’ltseeathingtotalkonwhenthouartdeadandrotten,comehither。
Whatailestthou,man?ClownIhaveseentwosuchsights,byseaandbyland!
butIamnottosayitisasea,foritisnowthesky:betwixtthefirmamentandityoucannotthrustabodkin’spoint。ShepherdWhy,boy,howisit?ClownIwouldyoudidbutseehowitchafes,howitrages,howittakesuptheshore!butthat’snotthepoint。O,themostpiteouscryofthepoorsouls!
sometimestosee’em,andnottosee’em;nowtheshipboringthemoonwithhermain—mast,andanonswallowedwithyestandfroth,asyou’ldthrustacorkintoahogshead。Andthenfortheland—service,toseehowthebeartoreouthisshoulder—bone;howhecriedtomeforhelpandsaidhisnamewasAntigonus,anobleman。Buttomakeanendoftheship,toseehowtheseaflap—dragonedit:but,first,howthepoorsoulsroared,andtheseamockedthem;andhowthepoorgentlemanroaredandthebearmockedhim,bothroaringlouderthantheseaorweather。ShepherdNameofmercy,whenwasthis,boy?ClownNow,now:IhavenotwinkedsinceIsawthesesights:themenarenotyetcoldunderwater,northebearhalfdinedonthegentleman:he’satitnow。ShepherdWouldIhadbeenby,tohavehelpedtheoldman!ClownIwouldyouhadbeenbytheshipside,tohavehelpedher:thereyourcharitywouldhavelackedfooting。ShepherdHeavymatters!heavymatters!butlooktheehere,boy。Nowblessthyself:thoumettestwiththingsdying,Iwiththingsnewborn。Here’sasightforthee;lookthee,abearing—clothforasquire’schild!looktheehere;takeup,takeup,boy;
open’t。So,let’ssee:itwastoldmeIshouldberichbythefairies。Thisissomechangeling:
open’t。What’swithin,boy?ClownYou’reamadeoldman:ifthesinsofyouryouthareforgivenyou,you’rewelltolive。Gold!
allgold!ShepherdThisisfairygold,boy,and’twillproveso:upwith’t,keepitclose:home,home,thenextway。
Wearelucky,boy;andtobesostillrequiresnothingbutsecrecy。Letmysheepgo:come,goodboy,thenextwayhome。ClownGoyouthenextwaywithyourfindings。
I’llgoseeifthebearbegonefromthegentlemanandhowmuchhehatheaten:theyarenevercurstbutwhentheyarehungry:iftherebeanyofhimleft,I’llburyit。ShepherdThat’sagooddeed。Ifthoumayestdiscernbythatwhichisleftofhimwhatheis,fetchmetothesightofhim。ClownMarry,willI;andyoushallhelptoputhimi’theground。Shepherd’Tisaluckyday,boy,andwe’lldogooddeedson’t。
ExeuntACTIVSCENEI:
EnterTime,theChorusTimeI,thatpleasesome,tryall,bothjoyandterrorOfgoodandbad,thatmakesandunfoldserror,Nowtakeuponme,inthenameofTime,Tousemywings。ImputeitnotacrimeTomeormyswiftpassage,thatIslideO’ersixteenyearsandleavethegrowthuntriedOfthatwidegap,sinceitisinmypowerToo’erthrowlawandinoneself—bornhourToplantando’erwhelmcustom。LetmepassThesameIam,ereancient’storderwasOrwhatisnowreceived:IwitnesstoThetimesthatbroughtthemin;soshallIdoTothefreshestthingsnowreigningandmakestaleTheglisteringofthispresent,asmytaleNowseemstoit。Yourpatiencethisallowing,IturnmyglassandgivemyscenesuchgrowingAsyouhadsleptbetween:Leontesleaving,TheeffectsofhisfondjealousiessogrievingThatheshutsuphimself,imagineme,Gentlespectators,thatInowmaybeInfairBohemia,andrememberwell,Imentionedasono’theking’s,whichFlorizelInownametoyou;andwithspeedsopaceTospeakofPerdita,nowgrowningraceEqualwithwondering:whatofherensuesIlistnotprophecy;butletTime’snewsBeknownwhen’tisbroughtforth。
Ashepherd’sdaughter,Andwhattoheradheres,whichfollowsafter,IstheargumentofTime。Ofthisallow,Ifeveryouhavespenttimeworseerenow;
Ifnever,yetthatTimehimselfdothsayHewishesearnestlyyounevermay。
ExitSCENEII。Bohemia。ThepalaceofPOLIXENES。EnterPOLIXENESandCAMILLOPOLIXENESIpraythee,goodCamillo,benomoreimportunate:
’tisasicknessdenyingtheeanything;adeathtograntthis。CAMILLOItisfifteenyearssinceIsawmycountry:
thoughIhaveforthemostpartbeenairedabroad,I
desiretolaymybonesthere。Besides,thepenitentking,mymaster,hathsentforme;towhosefeelingsorrowsImightbesomeallay,orIo’erweentothinkso,whichisanotherspurtomydeparture。POLIXENESAsthoulovestme,Camillo,wipenotouttherestofthyservicesbyleavingmenow:theneedIhaveoftheethineowngoodnesshathmade;betternottohavehadtheethanthustowantthee:thou,havingmademebusinesseswhichnonewithouttheecansufficientlymanage,musteitherstaytoexecutethemthyselfortakeawaywiththeetheveryservicesthouhastdone;whichifIhavenotenoughconsidered,astoomuchIcannot,tobemorethankfultotheeshallbemystudy,andmyprofitthereintheheapingfriendships。Ofthatfatalcountry,Sicilia,pritheespeaknomore;whoseverynamingpunishesmewiththeremembranceofthatpenitent,asthoucallesthim,andreconciledking,mybrother;whoselossofhismostpreciousqueenandchildrenareevennowtobeafreshlamented。
Saytome,whensawestthouthePrinceFlorizel,myson?Kingsarenolessunhappy,theirissuenotbeinggracious,thantheyareinlosingthemwhentheyhaveapprovedtheirvirtues。CAMILLOSir,itisthreedayssinceIsawtheprince。Whathishappieraffairsmaybe,aretomeunknown:
butI
havemissinglynoted,heisoflatemuchretiredfromcourtandislessfrequenttohisprincelyexercisesthanformerlyhehathappeared。POLIXENESIhaveconsideredsomuch,Camillo,andwithsomecare;sofarthatIhaveeyesundermyservicewhichlookuponhisremovedness;fromwhomIhavethisintelligence,thatheisseldomfromthehouseofamosthomelyshepherd;aman,theysay,thatfromverynothing,andbeyondtheimaginationofhisneighbours,isgrownintoanunspeakableestate。CAMILLOIhaveheard,sir,ofsuchaman,whohathadaughterofmostrarenote:thereportofherisextendedmorethancanbethoughttobeginfromsuchacottage。POLIXENESThat’slikewisepartofmyintelligence;
but,I
fear,theanglethatplucksoursonthither。Thoushaltaccompanyustotheplace;wherewewill,notappearingwhatweare,havesomequestionwiththeshepherd;fromwhosesimplicityIthinkitnotuneasytogetthecauseofmyson’sresortthither。
Prithee,bemypresentpartnerinthisbusiness,andlayasidethethoughtsofSicilia。CAMILLOIwillinglyobeyyourcommand。POLIXENESMybestCamillo!Wemustdisguiseourselves。
ExeuntSCENEIII。AroadneartheShepherd’scottage。EnterAUTOLYCUS,singingAUTOLYCUSWhendaffodilsbegintopeer,Withheigh!thedoxyoverthedale,Why,thencomesinthesweeto’theyear;
Fortheredbloodreignsinthewinter’spale。
Thewhitesheetbleachingonthehedge,Withheigh!thesweetbirds,O,howtheysing!
Dothsetmypuggingtoothonedge;
Foraquartofaleisadishforaking。
Thelark,thattirra—lyrachants,Withheigh!withheigh!thethrushandthejay,Aresummersongsformeandmyaunts,Whilewelietumblinginthehay。
IhaveservedPrinceFlorizelandinmytimeworethree—pile;butnowIamoutofservice:
ButshallIgomournforthat,mydear?
Thepalemoonshinesbynight:
AndwhenIwanderhereandthere,Ithendomostgoright。
Iftinkersmayhaveleavetolive,Andbearthesow—skinbudget,ThenmyaccountIwellmay,give,Andinthestocksavouchit。
Mytrafficissheets;whenthekitebuilds,looktolesserlinen。MyfathernamedmeAutolycus;whobeing,asIam,litteredunderMercury,waslikewiseasnapper—upofunconsideredtrifles。WithdieanddrabIpurchasedthiscaparison,andmyrevenueisthesillycheat。Gallowsandknockaretoopowerfulonthehighway:beatingandhangingareterrorstome:forthelifetocome,Isleepoutthethoughtofit。Aprize!aprize!
EnterClownClownLetmesee:every’levenwethertods;
everytodyieldspoundandoddshilling;fifteenhundredshorn。whatcomesthewoolto?AUTOLYCUS[Aside]
Ifthespringehold,thecock’smine。ClownIcannotdo’twithoutcounters。Letmesee;whatamItobuyforoursheep—shearingfeast?Threepoundofsugar,fivepoundofcurrants,rice,——whatwillthissisterofminedowithrice?Butmyfatherhathmadehermistressofthefeast,andshelaysiton。Shehathmademefourandtwentynose—gaysfortheshearers,three—man—song—menall,andverygoodones;buttheyaremostofthemmeansandbases;
butonepuritanamongstthem,andhesingspsalmstohorn—pipes。Imusthavesaffrontocolourthewardenpies;mace;dates?——none,that’soutofmynote;
nutmegs,seven;araceortwoofginger,butthatI
maybeg;fourpoundofprunes,andasmanyofraisinso’thesun。AUTOLYCUSOthateverIwasborn!
GrovellingonthegroundClownI’thenameofme——AUTOLYCUSO,helpme,helpme!pluckbutofftheserags;andthen,death,death!ClownAlack,poorsoul!thouhastneedofmoreragstolayonthee,ratherthanhavetheseoff。AUTOLYCUSOsir,theloathsomenessofthemoffendsmemorethanthestripesIhavereceived,whicharemightyonesandmillions。ClownAlas,poorman!amillionofbeatingmaycometoagreatmatter。AUTOLYCUSIamrobbed,sir,andbeaten;mymoneyandapparelta’enfromme,andthesedetestablethingsputuponme。ClownWhat,byahorseman,orafootman?AUTOLYCUSAfootman,sweetsir,afootman。ClownIndeed,heshouldbeafootmanbythegarmentshehasleftwiththee:ifthisbeahorseman’scoat,ithathseenveryhotservice。Lendmethyhand,I’llhelpthee:come,lendmethyhand。AUTOLYCUSO,goodsir,tenderly,O!ClownAlas,poorsoul!AUTOLYCUSO,goodsir,softly,goodsir!Ifear,sir,myshoulder—bladeisout。ClownHownow!canststand?AUTOLYCUS[Pickinghispocket]
Softly,dearsir;goodsir,softly。Youha’donemeacharitableoffice。ClownDostlackanymoney?Ihavealittlemoneyforthee。AUTOLYCUSNo,goodsweetsir;no,Ibeseechyou,sir:Ihaveakinsmannotpastthreequartersofamilehence,untowhomIwasgoing;Ishalltherehavemoney,oranythingIwant:offermenomoney,Iprayyou;
thatkillsmyheart。ClownWhatmanneroffellowwashethatrobbedyou?AUTOLYCUSAfellow,sir,thatIhaveknowntogoaboutwithtroll—my—dames;Iknewhimonceaservantoftheprince:Icannottell,goodsir,forwhichofhisvirtuesitwas,buthewascertainlywhippedoutofthecourt。ClownHisvices,youwouldsay;there’snovirtuewhippedoutofthecourt:theycherishittomakeitstaythere;andyetitwillnomorebutabide。AUTOLYCUSVices,Iwouldsay,sir。Iknowthismanwell:hehathbeensinceanape—bearer;thenaprocess—server,abailiff;thenhecompassedamotionoftheProdigalSon,andmarriedatinker’swifewithinamilewheremylandandlivinglies;
and,havingflownovermanyknavishprofessions,hesettledonlyinrogue:somecallhimAutolycus。ClownOutuponhim!prig,formylife,prig:
hehauntswakes,fairsandbear—baitings。AUTOLYCUSVerytrue,sir;he,sir,he;that’stheroguethatputmeintothisapparel。ClownNotamorecowardlyrogueinallBohemia:
ifyouhadbutlookedbigandspitathim,he’ldhaverun。AUTOLYCUSImustconfesstoyou,sir,Iamnofighter:
Iamfalseofheartthatway;andthatheknew,I
warranthim。ClownHowdoyounow?AUTOLYCUSSweetsir,muchbetterthanIwas;I
canstandandwalk:Iwilleventakemyleaveofyou,andpacesoftlytowardsmykinsman’s。ClownShallIbringtheeontheway?AUTOLYCUSNo,good—facedsir;no,sweetsir。ClownThenfaretheewell:Imustgobuyspicesforoursheep—shearing。AUTOLYCUSProsperyou,sweetsir!
ExitClownYourpurseisnothotenoughtopurchaseyourspice。
I’llbewithyouatyoursheep—shearingtoo:
ifI
makenotthischeatbringoutanotherandtheshearersprovesheep,letmebeunrolledandmynameputinthebookofvirtue!
SingsJogon,jogon,thefoot—pathway,Andmerrilyhentthestile—a:
Amerryheartgoesalltheday,Yoursadtiresinamile—a。
ExitSCENEIV。TheShepherd’scottage。EnterFLORIZELandPERDITAFLORIZELTheseyourunusualweedstoeachpartofyouDogivealife:noshepherdess,butFloraPeeringinApril’sfront。Thisyoursheep—shearingIsasameetingofthepettygods,Andyouthequeenon’t。PERDITASir,mygraciouslord,Tochideatyourextremesitnotbecomesme:
O,pardon,thatInamethem!Yourhighself,Thegraciousmarko’theland,youhaveobscuredWithaswain’swearing,andme,poorlowlymaid,Mostgoddess—likeprank’dup:butthatourfeastsIneverymesshavefollyandthefeedersDigestitwithacustom,IshouldblushToseeyousoattired,sworn,Ithink,Toshowmyselfaglass。FLORIZELIblessthetimeWhenmygoodfalconmadeherflightacrossThyfather’sground。PERDITANowJoveaffordyoucause!
Tomethedifferenceforgesdread;yourgreatnessHathnotbeenusedtofear。EvennowItrembleTothinkyourfather,bysomeaccident,Shouldpassthiswayasyoudid:O,theFates!
Howwouldhelook,toseehisworksonobleVilelyboundup?Whatwouldhesay?OrhowShouldI,inthesemyborrow’dflaunts,beholdThesternnessofhispresence?FLORIZELApprehendNothingbutjollity。Thegodsthemselves,Humblingtheirdeitiestolove,havetakenTheshapesofbeastsuponthem:JupiterBecameabull,andbellow’d;thegreenNeptuneAram,andbleated;andthefire—robedgod,GoldenApollo,apoorhumbleswain,AsIseemnow。TheirtransformationsWereneverforapieceofbeautyrarer,Norinawaysochaste,sincemydesiresRunnotbeforeminehonour,normylustsBurnhotterthanmyfaith。PERDITAO,but,sir,Yourresolutioncannothold,when’tisOpposed,asitmustbe,bythepoweroftheking:
Oneofthesetwomustbenecessities,Whichthenwillspeak,thatyoumustchangethispurpose,OrImylife。FLORIZELThoudearestPerdita,Withtheseforcedthoughts,Iprithee,darkennotThemirtho’thefeast。OrI’llbethine,myfair,Ornotmyfather’s。ForIcannotbeMineown,noranythingtoany,ifIbenotthine。TothisIammostconstant,Thoughdestinysayno。Bemerry,gentle;
StranglesuchthoughtsasthesewithanythingThatyoubeholdthewhile。Yourguestsarecoming:
Liftupyourcountenance,asitwerethedayOfcelebrationofthatnuptialwhichWetwohaveswornshallcome。PERDITAOladyFortune,Standyouauspicious!FLORIZELSee,yourguestsapproach:
Addressyourselftoentertainthemsprightly,Andlet’sberedwithmirth。
EnterShepherd,Clown,MOPSA,DORCAS,andothers,withPOLIXENES
andCAMILLOdisguisedShepherdFie,daughter!whenmyoldwifelived,uponThisdayshewasbothpantler,butler,cook,Bothdameandservant;welcomedall,servedall;
Wouldsinghersonganddanceherturn;nowhere,Atupperendo’thetable,nowi’themiddle;
Onhisshoulder,andhis;herfaceo’fireWithlabourandthethingshetooktoquenchit,Shewouldtoeachonesip。Youareretired,AsifyouwereafeastedoneandnotThehostessofthemeeting:prayyou,bidTheseunknownfriendsto’swelcome;foritisAwaytomakeusbetterfriends,moreknown。
Come,quenchyourblushesandpresentyourselfThatwhichyouare,mistresso’thefeast:comeon,Andbiduswelcometoyoursheep—shearing,Asyourgoodflockshallprosper。PERDITA[ToPOLIXENES]Sir,welcome:
Itismyfather’swillIshouldtakeonmeThehostess—shipo’theday。
ToCAMILLO
You’rewelcome,sir。
Givemethoseflowersthere,Dorcas。Reverendsirs,Foryouthere’srosemaryandrue;thesekeepSeemingandsavourallthewinterlong:
Graceandremembrancebetoyouboth,Andwelcometoourshearing!POLIXENESShepherdess,Afaironeareyou——wellyoufitouragesWithflowersofwinter。PERDITASir,theyeargrowingancient,Notyetonsummer’sdeath,noronthebirthOftremblingwinter,thefairestflowerso’theseasonAreourcarnationsandstreak’dgillyvors,Whichsomecallnature’sbastards:ofthatkindOurrusticgarden’sbarren;andIcarenotTogetslipsofthem。POLIXENESWherefore,gentlemaiden,Doyouneglectthem?PERDITAForIhavehearditsaidThereisanartwhichintheirpiednesssharesWithgreatcreatingnature。POLIXENESSaytherebe;
YetnatureismadebetterbynomeanButnaturemakesthatmean:so,overthatartWhichyousayaddstonature,isanartThatnaturemakes。Yousee,sweetmaid,wemarryAgentlersciontothewildeststock,AndmakeconceiveabarkofbaserkindBybudofnoblerrace:thisisanartWhichdoesmendnature,changeitrather,butTheartitselfisnature。PERDITASoitis。POLIXENESThenmakeyourgardenrichingillyvors,Anddonotcallthembastards。PERDITAI’llnotputThedibbleinearthtosetoneslipofthem;
NomorethanwereIpaintedIwouldwishThisyouthshouldsay’twerewellandonlythereforeDesiretobreedbyme。Here’sflowersforyou;
Hotlavender,mints,savoury,marjoram;
Themarigold,thatgoestobedwi’thesunAndwithhimrisesweeping:theseareflowersOfmiddlesummer,andIthinktheyaregivenTomenofmiddleage。You’reverywelcome。CAMILLOIshouldleavegrazing,wereIofyourflock,Andonlylivebygazing。PERDITAOut,alas!
You’dbesolean,thatblastsofJanuaryWouldblowyouthroughandthrough。
Now,myfair’stfriend,IwouldIhadsomeflowerso’thespringthatmightBecomeyourtimeofday;andyours,andyours,ThatwearuponyourvirginbranchesyetYourmaidenheadsgrowing:OProserpina,Fortheflowersnow,thatfrightedthoulet’stfallFromDis’swaggon!daffodils,Thatcomebeforetheswallowdares,andtakeThewindsofMarchwithbeauty;violetsdim,ButsweeterthanthelidsofJuno’seyesOrCytherea’sbreath;paleprimrosesThatdieunmarried,eretheycanbeholdBightPhoebusinhisstrength——amaladyMostincidenttomaids;boldoxlipsandThecrownimperial;liliesofallkinds,Theflower—de—lucebeingone!O,theseIlack,Tomakeyougarlandsof,andmysweetfriend,Tostrewhimo’erando’er!FLORIZELWhat,likeacorse?PERDITANo,likeabankforlovetolieandplayon;
Notlikeacorse;orif,nottobeburied,Butquickandinminearms。Come,takeyourflowers:
MethinksIplayasIhaveseenthemdoInWhitsunpastorals:surethisrobeofmineDoeschangemydisposition。FLORIZELWhatyoudoStillbetterswhatisdone。Whenyouspeak,sweet。
I’ldhaveyoudoitever:whenyousing,I’ldhaveyoubuyandsellso,sogivealms,Prayso;and,fortheorderingyouraffairs,Tosingthemtoo:whenyoudodance,IwishyouAwaveo’thesea,thatyoumighteverdoNothingbutthat;movestill,stillso,Andownnootherfunction:eachyourdoing,Sosingularineachparticular,Crownswhatyouaredoinginthepresentdeed,Thatallyouractsarequeens。PERDITAODoricles,Yourpraisesaretoolarge:butthatyouryouth,Andthetruebloodwhichpeepethfairlythrough’t,Doplainlygiveyououtanunstain’dshepherd,WithwisdomImightfear,myDoricles,Youwoo’dmethefalseway。FLORIZELIthinkyouhaveAslittleskilltofearasIhavepurposeToputyouto’t。Butcome;ourdance,Ipray:
Yourhand,myPerdita:soturtlespair,Thatnevermeantopart。PERDITAI’llswearfor’em。POLIXENESThisistheprettiestlow—bornlassthateverRanonthegreen—sward:nothingshedoesorseemsButsmacksofsomethinggreaterthanherself,Toonobleforthisplace。CAMILLOHetellshersomethingThatmakesherbloodlookout:goodsooth,sheisThequeenofcurdsandcream。ClownComeon,strikeup!DORCASMopsamustbeyourmistress:marry,garlic,Tomendherkissingwith!MOPSANow,ingoodtime!ClownNotaword,aword;westanduponourmanners。
Come,strikeup!
Music。HereadanceofShepherdsandShepherdessesPOLIXENESPray,goodshepherd,whatfairswainisthisWhichdanceswithyourdaughter?ShepherdTheycallhimDoricles;andboastshimselfTohaveaworthyfeeding:butIhaveitUponhisownreportandIbelieveit;
Helookslikesooth。Hesayshelovesmydaughter:
Ithinksotoo;fornevergazedthemoonUponthewaterashe’llstandandreadAs’tweremydaughter’seyes:and,tobeplain。
IthinkthereisnothalfakisstochooseWholovesanotherbest。POLIXENESShedancesfeatly。ShepherdSoshedoesanything;thoughIreportit,Thatshouldbesilent:ifyoungDoriclesDolightuponher,sheshallbringhimthatWhichhenotdreamsof。
EnterServantServantOmaster,ifyoudidbuthearthepedlaratthedoor,youwouldneverdanceagainafteratabourandpipe;no,thebagpipecouldnotmoveyou:hesingsseveraltunesfasterthanyou’lltellmoney;
heuttersthemashehadeatenballadsandallmen’searsgrewtohistunes。ClownHecouldnevercomebetter;heshallcomein。I
loveaballadbuteventoowell,ifitbedolefulmattermerrilysetdown,oraverypleasantthingindeedandsunglamentably。ServantHehathsongsformanorwoman,ofallsizes;nomillinercansofithiscustomerswithgloves:
hehastheprettiestlove—songsformaids;sowithoutbawdry,whichisstrange;withsuchdelicateburthensofdildosandfadings,’jumpherandthumpher;’andwheresomestretch—mouthedrascalwould,asitwere,meanmischiefandbreakafoulgapintothematter,hemakesthemaidtoanswer’Whoop,domenoharm,goodman;’putshimoff,slightshim,with’Whoop,domenoharm,goodman。’POLIXENESThisisabravefellow。ClownBelieveme,thoutalkestofanadmirableconceitedfellow。Hasheanyunbraidedwares?ServantHehathribbonsofanthecoloursi’
therainbow;
pointsmorethanallthelawyersinBohemiacanlearnedlyhandle,thoughtheycometohimbythegross:inkles,caddisses,cambrics,lawns:why,hesings’emoverastheyweregodsorgoddesses;
youwouldthinkasmockwereashe—angel,hesochantstothesleeve—handandtheworkaboutthesquareon’t。ClownPritheebringhimin;andlethimapproachsinging。PERDITAForewarnhimthatheusenoscurrilouswordsin’stunes。
ExitServantClownYouhaveofthesepedlars,thathavemoreinthemthanyou’ldthink,sister。PERDITAAy,goodbrother,orgoabouttothink。
EnterAUTOLYCUS,singingAUTOLYCUSLawnaswhiteasdrivensnow;
Cyprusblackase’erwascrow;
Glovesassweetasdamaskroses;
Masksforfacesandfornoses;
Buglebracelet,necklaceamber,Perfumeforalady’schamber;
Goldenquoifsandstomachers,Formyladstogivetheirdears:
Pinsandpoking—sticksofsteel,Whatmaidslackfromheadtoheel:
Comebuyofme,come;comebuy,comebuy;
Buylads,orelseyourlassescry:Comebuy。ClownIfIwerenotinlovewithMopsa,thoushouldsttakenomoneyofme;butbeingenthralledasIam,itwillalsobethebondageofcertainribbonsandgloves。MOPSAIwaspromisedthemagainstthefeast;
buttheycomenottoolatenow。DORCASHehathpromisedyoumorethanthat,ortherebeliars。MOPSAHehathpaidyouallhepromisedyou;
maybe,hehaspaidyoumore,whichwillshameyoutogivehimagain。ClownIstherenomannersleftamongmaids?
willtheyweartheirplacketswheretheyshouldbeartheirfaces?Istherenotmilking—time,whenyouaregoingtobed,orkiln—hole,towhistleoffthesesecrets,butyoumustbetittle—tattlingbeforeallourguests?’tiswelltheyarewhispering:clamouryourtongues,andnotawordmore。MOPSAIhavedone。Come,youpromisedmeatawdry—laceandapairofsweetgloves。ClownHaveInottoldtheehowIwascozenedbythewayandlostallmymoney?AUTOLYCUSAndindeed,sir,therearecozenersabroad;
thereforeitbehovesmentobewary。ClownFearnotthou,man,thoushaltlosenothinghere。AUTOLYCUSIhopeso,sir;forIhaveaboutmemanyparcelsofcharge。ClownWhathasthere?ballads?MOPSAPraynow,buysome:Iloveaballadinprinto’
life,forthenwearesuretheyaretrue。AUTOLYCUSHere’sonetoaverydolefultune,howausurer’swifewasbroughttobedoftwentymoney—bagsataburthenandhowshelongedtoeatadders’headsandtoadscarbonadoed。MOPSAIsittrue,thinkyou?AUTOLYCUSVerytrue,andbutamonthold。DORCASBlessmefrommarryingausurer!AUTOLYCUSHere’sthemidwife’snameto’t,oneMistressTale—porter,andfiveorsixhonestwivesthatwerepresent。WhyshouldIcarryliesabroad?MOPSAPrayyounow,buyit。ClownComeon,layitby:andlet’sfirstseemoeballads;we’llbuytheotherthingsanon。AUTOLYCUSHere’sanotherballadofafish,thatappeareduponthecoastonWednesdaythefour—scoreofApril,fortythousandfathomabovewater,andsungthisballadagainstthehardheartsofmaids:itwasthoughtshewasawomanandwasturnedintoacoldfishforshewouldnotexchangefleshwithonethatlovedher:theballadisverypitifulandastrue。DORCASIsittruetoo,thinkyou?AUTOLYCUSFivejustices’handsatit,andwitnessesmorethanmypackwillhold。ClownLayitbytoo:another。AUTOLYCUSThisisamerryballad,butaveryprettyone。MOPSALet’shavesomemerryones。AUTOLYCUSWhy,thisisapassingmerryoneandgoestothetuneof’Twomaidswooingaman:’there’sscarceamaidwestwardbutshesingsit;’tisinrequest,Icantellyou。MOPSAWecanbothsingit:ifthou’ltbearapart,thoushalthear;’tisinthreeparts。DORCASWehadthetuneon’tamonthago。AUTOLYCUSIcanbearmypart;youmustknow’tismyoccupation;haveatitwithyou。
SONGAUTOLYCUSGetyouhence,forImustgoWhereitfitsnotyoutoknow。DORCASWhither?MOPSAO,whither?DORCASWhither?MOPSAItbecomesthyoathfullwell,Thoutomethysecretstell。DORCASMetoo,letmegothither。MOPSAOrthougoesttotheorangeormill。DORCASIftoeither,thoudostill。AUTOLYCUSNeither。DORCASWhat,neither?AUTOLYCUSNeither。DORCASThouhastswornmylovetobe。MOPSAThouhastswornitmoretome:
Thenwhithergoest?say,whither?ClownWe’llhavethissongoutanonbyourselves:
myfatherandthegentlemenareinsadtalk,andwe’llnottroublethem。Come,bringawaythypackafterme。Wenches,I’llbuyforyouboth。Pedlar,let’shavethefirstchoice。Followme,girls。
ExitwithDORCASandMOPSAAUTOLYCUSAndyoushallpaywellfor’em。
FollowssingingWillyoubuyanytape,Orlaceforyourcape,Mydaintyduck,mydear—a?
Anysilk,anythread,Anytoysforyourhead,Ofthenew’standfinest,finestwear—a?
Cometothepedlar;
Money’samedler。
Thatdothutterallmen’sware—a。
ExitRe—enterServantServantMaster,thereisthreecarters,threeshepherds,threeneat—herds,threeswine—herds,thathavemadethemselvesallmenofhair,theycallthemselvesSaltiers,andtheyhaveadancewhichthewenchessayisagallimaufryofgambols,becausetheyarenotin’t;buttheythemselvesareo’themind,ifitbenottooroughforsomethatknowlittlebutbowling,itwillpleaseplentifully。ShepherdAway!we’llnoneon’t:herehasbeentoomuchhomelyfooleryalready。Iknow,sir,wewearyyou。POLIXENESYouwearythosethatrefreshus:pray,let’sseethesefourthreesofherdsmen。ServantOnethreeofthem,bytheirownreport,sir,hathdancedbeforetheking;andnottheworstofthethreebutjumpstwelvefootandahalfbythesquier。ShepherdLeaveyourprating:sincethesegoodmenarepleased,letthemcomein;butquicklynow。ServantWhy,theystayatdoor,sir。
ExitHereadanceoftwelveSatyrsPOLIXENESO,father,you’llknowmoreofthathereafter。
ToCAMILLO
Isitnottoofargone?’Tistimetopartthem。
He’ssimpleandtellsmuch。
ToFLORIZEL
Hownow,fairshepherd!
YourheartisfullofsomethingthatdoestakeYourmindfromfeasting。Sooth,whenIwasyoungAndhandedloveasyoudo,IwaswontToloadmyshewithknacks:Iwouldhaveransack’dThepedlar’ssilkentreasuryandhavepour’ditToheracceptance;youhavelethimgoAndnothingmartedwithhim。IfyourlassInterpretationshouldabuseandcallthisYourlackofloveorbounty,youwerestraitedForareply,atleastifyoumakeacareOfhappyholdingher。FLORIZELOldsir,IknowSheprizesnotsuchtriflesastheseare:
Thegiftsshelooksfrommearepack’dandlock’dUpinmyheart;whichIhavegivenalready,Butnotdeliver’d。O,hearmebreathemylifeBeforethisancientsir,who,itshouldseem,Hathsometimeloved!Itakethyhand,thishand,Assoftasdove’sdownandaswhiteasit,OrEthiopian’stooth,orthefann’dsnowthat’sboltedBythenorthernblaststwiceo’er。POLIXENESWhatfollowsthis?
HowprettilytheyoungswainseemstowashThehandwasfairbefore!Ihaveputyouout:
Buttoyourprotestation;letmehearWhatyouprofess。FLORIZELDo,andbewitnessto’t。POLIXENESAndthismyneighbourtoo?FLORIZELAndhe,andmoreThanhe,andmen,theearth,theheavens,andall:
That,wereIcrown’dthemostimperialmonarch,Thereofmostworthy,wereIthefairestyouthThatevermadeeyeswerve,hadforceandknowledgeMorethanwaseverman’s,IwouldnotprizethemWithoutherlove;forheremploythemall;
CommendthemandcondemnthemtoherserviceOrtotheirownperdition。POLIXENESFairlyoffer’d。CAMILLOThisshowsasoundaffection。ShepherdBut,mydaughter,Sayyoutheliketohim?PERDITAIcannotspeakSowell,nothingsowell;no,normeanbetter:
BythepatternofmineownthoughtsIcutoutThepurityofhis。ShepherdTakehands,abargain!
And,friendsunknown,youshallbearwitnessto’t:
Igivemydaughtertohim,andwillmakeHerportionequalhis。FLORIZELO,thatmustbeI’thevirtueofyourdaughter:onebeingdead,Ishallhavemorethanyoucandreamofyet;
Enoughthenforyourwonder。But,comeon,Contractus’forethesewitnesses。ShepherdCome,yourhand;
And,daughter,yours。POLIXENESSoft,swain,awhile,beseechyou;
Haveyouafather?FLORIZELIhave:butwhatofhim?POLIXENESKnowsheofthis?FLORIZELHeneitherdoesnorshall。POLIXENESMethinksafatherIsatthenuptialofhissonaguestThatbestbecomesthetable。Prayyouoncemore,IsnotyourfathergrownincapableOfreasonableaffairs?ishenotstupidWithageandalteringrheums?canhespeak?hear?
Knowmanfromman?disputehisownestate?
Lieshenotbed—rid?andagaindoesnothingButwhathedidbeingchildish?FLORIZELNo,goodsir;
HehashishealthandamplerstrengthindeedThanmosthaveofhisage。POLIXENESBymywhitebeard,Youofferhim,ifthisbeso,awrongSomethingunfilial:reasonmysonShouldchoosehimselfawife,butasgoodreasonThefather,allwhosejoyisnothingelseButfairposterity,shouldholdsomecounselInsuchabusiness。FLORIZELIyieldallthis;
Butforsomeotherreasons,mygravesir,Which’tisnotfityouknow,InotacquaintMyfatherofthisbusiness。POLIXENESLethimknow’t。FLORIZELHeshallnot。POLIXENESPrithee,lethim。FLORIZELNo,hemustnot。ShepherdLethim,myson:heshallnotneedtogrieveAtknowingofthychoice。FLORIZELCome,come,hemustnot。
Markourcontract。POLIXENESMarkyourdivorce,youngsir,DiscoveringhimselfWhomsonIdarenotcall;thouarttoobaseTobeacknowledged:thouasceptre’sheir,Thatthusaffect’stasheep—hook!Thouoldtraitor,IamsorrythatbyhangingtheeIcanButshortenthylifeoneweek。Andthou,freshpieceOfexcellentwitchcraft,whoofforcemustknowTheroyalfoolthoucopestwith,——ShepherdO,myheart!POLIXENESI’llhavethybeautyscratch’dwithbriers,andmadeMorehomelythanthystate。Forthee,fondboy,IfImayeverknowthoudostbutsighThatthounomoreshaltseethisknack,asneverImeanthoushalt,we’llbartheefromsuccession;
Notholdtheeofourblood,no,notourkin,FarthanDeucalionoff:markthoumywords:
Followustothecourt。Thouchurl,forthistime,Thoughfullofourdispleasure,yetwefreetheeFromthedeadblowofit。Andyou,enchantment。——
Worthyenoughaherdsman:yea,himtoo,Thatmakeshimself,butforourhonourtherein,Unworthythee,——ifeverhenceforththouTheserurallatchestohisentranceopen,Orhoophisbodymorewiththyembraces,IwilldeviseadeathascruelfortheeAsthouarttenderto’t。
ExitPERDITAEvenhereundone!
Iwasnotmuchafeard;foronceortwiceIwasabouttospeakandtellhimplainly,TheselfsamesunthatshinesuponhiscourtHidesnothisvisagefromourcottagebutLooksonalike。Will’tpleaseyou,sir,begone?
Itoldyouwhatwouldcomeofthis:beseechyou,Ofyourownstatetakecare:thisdreamofmine,——
Beingnowawake,I’llqueenitnoinchfarther,Butmilkmyewesandweep。CAMILLOWhy,hownow,father!
Speakerethoudiest。ShepherdIcannotspeak,northinkNordaretoknowthatwhichIknow。Osir!
Youhaveundoneamanoffourscorethree,Thatthoughttofillhisgraveinquiet,yea,Todieuponthebedmyfatherdied,Tolieclosebyhishonestbones:butnowSomehangmanmustputonmyshroudandlaymeWherenopriestshovelsindust。Ocursedwretch,Thatknew’stthiswastheprince,andwouldstadventureTominglefaithwithhim!Undone!undone!
IfImightdiewithinthishour,IhavelivedTodiewhenIdesire。