ExitFLORIZELWhylookyousouponme?
Iambutsorry,notafeard;delay’d,Butnothingalter’d:whatIwas,Iam;
Morestrainingonforpluckingback,notfollowingMyleashunwillingly。CAMILLOGraciousmylord,Youknowyourfather’stemper:atthistimeHewillallownospeech,whichIdoguessYoudonotpurposetohim;andashardlyWillheendureyoursightasyet,Ifear:
Then,tillthefuryofhishighnesssettle,Comenotbeforehim。FLORIZELInotpurposeit。
Ithink,Camillo?CAMILLOEvenhe,mylord。PERDITAHowoftenhaveItoldyou’twouldbethus!
Howoftensaid,mydignitywouldlastButtill’twereknown!FLORIZELItcannotfailbutbyTheviolationofmyfaith;andthenLetnaturecrushthesideso’theearthtogetherAndmartheseedswithin!Liftupthylooks:
Frommysuccessionwipeme,father;I
Amheirtomyaffection。CAMILLOBeadvised。FLORIZELIam,andbymyfancy:ifmyreasonWilltheretobeobedient,Ihavereason;
Ifnot,mysenses,betterpleasedwithmadness,Dobiditwelcome。CAMILLOThisisdesperate,sir。FLORIZELSocallit:butitdoesfulfilmyvow;
Ineedsmustthinkithonesty。Camillo,NotforBohemia,northepompthatmayBethereatglean’d,forallthesunseesorThecloseearthwombsortheprofoundseahidesInunknownfathoms,willIbreakmyoathTothismyfairbeloved:therefore,Iprayyou,Asyouhaveeverbeenmyfather’shonour’dfriend,Whenheshallmissme,——as,infaith,ImeannotToseehimanymore,——castyourgoodcounselsUponhispassion;letmyselfandfortuneTugforthetimetocome。ThisyoumayknowAndsodeliver,IamputtoseaWithherwhomhereIcannotholdonshore;
AndmostopportunetoourneedIhaveAvesselridesfastby,butnotpreparedForthisdesign。WhatcourseImeantoholdShallnothingbenefityourknowledge,norConcernmethereporting。CAMILLOOmylord!
Iwouldyourspiritwereeasierforadvice,Orstrongerforyourneed。FLORIZELHark,PerditaDrawingherasideI’llhearyoubyandby。CAMILLOHe’sirremoveable,Resolvedforflight。NowwereIhappy,ifHisgoingIcouldframetoservemyturn,Savehimfromdanger,dohimloveandhonour,PurchasethesightagainofdearSiciliaAndthatunhappyking,mymaster,whomIsomuchthirsttosee。FLORIZELNow,goodCamillo;
IamsofraughtwithcuriousbusinessthatIleaveoutceremony。CAMILLOSir,IthinkYouhaveheardofmypoorservices,i’theloveThatIhaveborneyourfather?FLORIZELVerynoblyHaveyoudeserved:itismyfather’smusicTospeakyourdeeds,notlittleofhiscareTohavethemrecompensedasthoughton。CAMILLOWell,mylord,IfyoumaypleasetothinkIlovethekingAndthroughhimwhatisnearesttohim,whichisYourgraciousself,embracebutmydirection:
IfyourmoreponderousandsettledprojectMaysufferalteration,onminehonour,I’llpointyouwhereyoushallhavesuchreceivingAsshallbecomeyourhighness;whereyoumayEnjoyyourmistress,fromthewhom,Isee,There’snodisjunctiontobemade,butby——
Asheavensforefend!——yourruin;marryher,And,withmybestendeavoursinyourabsence,YourdiscontentingfatherstrivetoqualifyAndbringhimuptoliking。FLORIZELHow,Camillo,Maythis,almostamiracle,bedone?
ThatImaycalltheesomethingmorethanmanAndafterthattrusttothee。CAMILLOHaveyouthoughtonAplacewheretoyou’llgo?FLORIZELNotanyyet:
Butastheunthought—onaccidentisguiltyTowhatwewildlydo,soweprofessOurselvestobetheslavesofchanceandfliesOfeverywindthatblows。CAMILLOThenlisttome:
Thisfollows,ifyouwillnotchangeyourpurposeButundergothisflight,makeforSicilia,Andtherepresentyourselfandyourfairprincess,ForsoIseeshemustbe,’foreLeontes:
SheshallbehabitedasitbecomesThepartnerofyourbed。MethinksIseeLeontesopeninghisfreearmsandweepingHiswelcomesforth;askstheethesonforgiveness,As’twerei’thefather’sperson;kissesthehandsOfyourfreshprincess;o’erando’erdivideshim’Twixthisunkindnessandhiskindness;theoneHechidestohellandbidstheothergrowFasterthanthoughtortime。FLORIZELWorthyCamillo,WhatcolourformyvisitationshallI
Holdupbeforehim?CAMILLOSentbythekingyourfatherTogreethimandtogivehimcomforts。Sir,Themannerofyourbearingtowardshim,withWhatyouasfromyourfathershalldeliver,Thingsknownbetwixtusthree,I’llwriteyoudown:
ThewhichshallpointyouforthateverysittingWhatyoumustsay;thatheshallnotperceiveButthatyouhaveyourfather’sbosomthereAndspeakhisveryheart。FLORIZELIamboundtoyou:
Thereissomesapinthis。CAMILLOAcausemorepromisingThanawilddedicationofyourselvesTounpath’dwaters,undream’dshores,mostcertainTomiseriesenough;nohopetohelpyou,Butasyoushakeoffonetotakeanother;
Nothingsocertainasyouranchors,whoDotheirbestoffice,iftheycanbutstayyouWhereyou’llbeloathtobe:besidesyouknowProsperity’stheverybondoflove,WhosefreshcomplexionandwhosehearttogetherAfflictionalters。PERDITAOneoftheseistrue:
Ithinkafflictionmaysubduethecheek,Butnottakeinthemind。CAMILLOYea,sayyouso?
Thereshallnotatyourfather’shousethesesevenyearsBebornanothersuch。FLORIZELMygoodCamillo,SheisasforwardofherbreedingasSheisi’therearourbirth。CAMILLOIcannotsay’tispityShelacksinstructions,forsheseemsamistressTomostthatteach。PERDITAYourpardon,sir;forthisI’llblushyouthanks。FLORIZELMyprettiestPerdita!
ButO,thethornswestandupon!Camillo,Preserverofmyfather,nowofme,Themedicineofourhouse,howshallwedo?
Wearenotfurnish’dlikeBohemia’sson,NorshallappearinSicilia。CAMILLOMylord,Fearnoneofthis:IthinkyouknowmyfortunesDoallliethere:itshallbesomycareTohaveyouroyallyappointedasifThesceneyouplayweremine。Forinstance,sir,Thatyoumayknowyoushallnotwant,oneword。
TheytalkasideRe—enterAUTOLYCUSAUTOLYCUSHa,ha!whatafoolHonestyis!andTrust,hisswornbrother,averysimplegentleman!Ihavesoldallmytrumpery;notacounterfeitstone,notaribbon,glass,pomander,brooch,table—book,ballad,knife,tape,glove,shoe—tie,bracelet,horn—ring,tokeepmypackfromfasting:theythrongwhoshouldbuyfirst,asifmytrinketshadbeenhallowedandbroughtabenedictiontothebuyer:
bywhichmeansIsawwhosepursewasbestinpicture;andwhatIsaw,tomygooduseI
remembered。Myclown,whowantsbutsomethingtobeareasonableman,grewsoinlovewiththewenches’song,thathewouldnotstirhispettitoestillhehadbothtuneandwords;whichsodrewtherestoftheherdtomethatalltheirothersensesstuckinears:youmighthavepinchedaplacket,itwassenseless;’twasnothingtogeldacodpieceofapurse;Icouldhavefiledkeysoffthathunginchains:nohearing,nofeeling,butmysir’ssong,andadmiringthenothingofit。SothatinthistimeoflethargyIpickedandcutmostoftheirfestivalpurses;andhadnottheoldmancomeinwithawhoo—bubagainsthisdaughterandtheking’ssonandscaredmychoughsfromthechaff,Ihadnotleftapursealiveinthewholearmy。
CAMILLO,FLORIZEL,andPERDITAcomeforwardCAMILLONay,butmyletters,bythismeansbeingthereSosoonasyouarrive,shallclearthatdoubt。FLORIZELAndthosethatyou’llprocurefromKingLeontes——CAMILLOShallsatisfyyourfather。PERDITAHappybeyou!
Allthatyouspeakshowsfair。CAMILLOWhohavewehere?
SeeingAUTOLYCUS
We’llmakeaninstrumentofthis,omitNothingmaygiveusaid。AUTOLYCUSIftheyhaveoverheardmenow,why,hanging。CAMILLOHownow,goodfellow!whyshakestthouso?Fearnot,man;here’snoharmintendedtothee。AUTOLYCUSIamapoorfellow,sir。CAMILLOWhy,besostill;here’snobodywillstealthatfromthee:yetfortheoutsideofthypovertywemustmakeanexchange;thereforediscasetheeinstantly,——thoumustthinkthere’sanecessityin’t,——andchangegarmentswiththisgentleman:thoughthepennyworthonhissidebetheworst,yetholdthee,there’ssomeboot。AUTOLYCUSIamapoorfellow,sir。
AsideIknowyewellenough。CAMILLONay,prithee,dispatch:thegentlemanishalfflayedalready。AUTOLYCUSAreyouinearnest,sir?
AsideIsmellthetrickon’t。FLORIZELDispatch,Iprithee。AUTOLYCUSIndeed,Ihavehadearnest:butIcannotwithconsciencetakeit。CAMILLOUnbuckle,unbuckle。
FLORIZELandAUTOLYCUSexchangegarmentsFortunatemistress,——letmyprophecyComehometoye!——youmustretireyourselfIntosomecovert:takeyoursweetheart’shatAndpluckito’eryourbrows,muffleyourface,Dismantleyou,and,asyoucan,dislikenThetruthofyourownseeming;thatyoumay——
ForIdofeareyesover——toshipboardGetundescried。PERDITAIseetheplaysoliesThatImustbearapart。CAMILLONoremedy。
Haveyoudonethere?FLORIZELShouldInowmeetmyfather,Hewouldnotcallmeson。CAMILLONay,youshallhavenohat。
GivingittoPERDITA
Come,lady,come。Farewell,myfriend。AUTOLYCUSAdieu,sir。FLORIZELOPerdita,whathavewetwainforgot!
Prayyou,aword。CAMILLO[Aside]WhatIdonext,shallbetotellthekingOfthisescapeandwhithertheyarebound;
WhereinmyhopeisIshallsoprevailToforcehimafter:inwhosecompanyIshallreviewSicilia,forwhosesightIhaveawoman’slonging。FLORIZELFortunespeedus!
Thusweseton,Camillo,tothesea—side。CAMILLOTheswifterspeedthebetter。
ExeuntFLORIZEL,PERDITA,andCAMILLOAUTOLYCUSIunderstandthebusiness,Ihearit:
tohaveanopenear,aquickeye,andanimblehand,isnecessaryforacut—purse;agoodnoseisrequisitealso,tosmelloutworkfortheothersenses。
Iseethisisthetimethattheunjustmandoththrive。
Whatanexchangehadthisbeenwithoutboot!
Whatabootisherewiththisexchange!Surethegodsdothisyearconniveatus,andwemaydoanythingextempore。Theprincehimselfisaboutapieceofiniquity,stealingawayfromhisfatherwithhisclogathisheels:ifIthoughtitwereapieceofhonestytoacquaintthekingwithal,Iwouldnotdo’t:Iholditthemoreknaverytoconcealit;
andthereinamIconstanttomyprofession。
Re—enterClownandShepherdAside,aside;hereismorematterforahotbrain:
everylane’send,everyshop,church,session,hanging,yieldsacarefulmanwork。ClownSee,see;whatamanyouarenow!
Thereisnootherwaybuttotellthekingshe’sachangelingandnoneofyourfleshandblood。ShepherdNay,buthearme。ClownNay,buthearme。ShepherdGoto,then。ClownShebeingnoneofyourfleshandblood,yourfleshandbloodhasnotoffendedtheking;andsoyourfleshandbloodisnottobepunishedbyhim。
Showthosethingsyoufoundabouther,thosesecretthings,allbutwhatshehaswithher:thisbeingdone,letthelawgowhistle:Iwarrantyou。ShepherdIwilltellthekingall,everyword,yea,andhisson’sprankstoo;who,Imaysay,isnohonestman,neithertohisfathernortome,togoabouttomakemetheking’sbrother—in—law。ClownIndeed,brother—in—lawwasthefarthestoffyoucouldhavebeentohimandthenyourbloodhadbeenthedearerbyIknowhowmuchanounce。AUTOLYCUS[Aside]Verywisely,puppies!ShepherdWell,letustotheking:thereisthatinthisfardelwillmakehimscratchhisbeard。AUTOLYCUS[Aside]Iknownotwhatimpedimentthiscomplaintmaybetotheflightofmymaster。ClownPrayheartilyhebeatpalace。AUTOLYCUS[Aside]ThoughIamnotnaturallyhonest,Iamsosometimesbychance:letmepocketupmypedlar’sexcrement。
TakesoffhisfalsebeardHownow,rustics!whitherareyoubound?ShepherdTothepalace,anitlikeyourworship。AUTOLYCUSYouraffairsthere,what,withwhom,theconditionofthatfardel,theplaceofyourdwelling,yournames,yourages,ofwhathaving,breeding,andanythingthatisfittingtobeknown,discover。ClownWearebutplainfellows,sir。AUTOLYCUSAlie;youareroughandhairy。Letmehavenolying:itbecomesnonebuttradesmen,andtheyoftengiveussoldiersthelie:butwepaythemforitwithstampedcoin,notstabbingsteel;thereforetheydonotgiveusthelie。ClownYourworshiphadliketohavegivenusone,ifyouhadnottakenyourselfwiththemanner。ShepherdAreyouacourtier,an’tlikeyou,sir?AUTOLYCUSWhetheritlikemeorno,Iamacourtier。
Seestthounottheairofthecourtintheseenfoldings?
hathnotmygaitinitthemeasureofthecourt?
receivesnotthynosecourt—odorfromme?reflectI
notonthybasenesscourt—contempt?Thinkestthou,forthatIinsinuate,ortoazefromtheethybusiness,Iamthereforenocourtier?Iamcourtiercap—a—pe;andonethatwilleitherpushonorpluckbackthybusinessthere:whereuponIcommandtheetoopenthyaffair。ShepherdMybusiness,sir,istotheking。AUTOLYCUSWhatadvocatehastthoutohim?ShepherdIknownot,an’tlikeyou。ClownAdvocate’sthecourt—wordforapheasant:
sayyouhavenone。ShepherdNone,sir;Ihavenopheasant,cocknorhen。AUTOLYCUSHowblessedarewethatarenotsimplemen!
Yetnaturemighthavemademeastheseare,ThereforeIwillnotdisdain。ClownThiscannotbebutagreatcourtier。ShepherdHisgarmentsarerich,buthewearsthemnothandsomely。ClownHeseemstobethemorenobleinbeingfantastical:
agreatman,I’llwarrant;Iknowbythepickingon’steeth。AUTOLYCUSThefardelthere?what’si’thefardel?
Whereforethatbox?ShepherdSir,thereliessuchsecretsinthisfardelandbox,whichnonemustknowbuttheking;andwhichheshallknowwithinthishour,ifImaycometothespeechofhim。AUTOLYCUSAge,thouhastlostthylabour。ShepherdWhy,sir?AUTOLYCUSThekingisnotatthepalace;heisgoneaboardanewshiptopurgemelancholyandairhimself:
for,ifthoubeestcapableofthingsserious,thoumustknowthekingisfullofgrief。ShepardSo’tissaid,sir;abouthisson,thatshouldhavemarriedashepherd’sdaughter。AUTOLYCUSIfthatshepherdbenotinhand—fast,lethimfly:
thecursesheshallhave,thetorturesheshallfeel,willbreakthebackofman,theheartofmonster。ClownThinkyouso,sir?AUTOLYCUSNothealoneshallsufferwhatwitcanmakeheavyandvengeancebitter;butthosethataregermanetohim,thoughremovedfiftytimes,shallallcomeunderthehangman:whichthoughitbegreatpity,yetitisnecessary。Anoldsheep—whistlingroguearam—tender,tooffertohavehisdaughtercomeintograce!Somesayheshallbestoned;butthatdeathistoosoftforhim,sayIdrawourthroneintoasheep—cote!alldeathsaretoofew,thesharpesttooeasy。ClownHastheoldmane’erason,sir,doyouhear。an’tlikeyou,sir?AUTOLYCUSHehasason,whoshallbeflayedalive;
then’nointedoverwithhoney,setontheheadofawasp’snest;thenstandtillhebethreequartersandadramdead;thenrecoveredagainwithaqua—vitaeorsomeotherhotinfusion;then,rawasheis,andinthehottestdayprognosticationproclaims,shallbebesetagainstabrick—wall,thesunlookingwithasouthwardeyeuponhim,whereheistobeholdhimwithfliesblowntodeath。Butwhattalkweofthesetraitorlyrascals,whosemiseriesaretobesmiledat,theiroffencesbeingsocapital?Tellme,foryouseemtobehonestplainmen,whatyouhavetotheking:beingsomethinggentlyconsidered,I’llbringyouwhereheisaboard,tenderyourpersonstohispresence,whisperhiminyourbehalfs;andifitbeinmanbesidesthekingtoeffectyoursuits,hereismanshalldoit。ClownHeseemstobeofgreatauthority:closewithhim,givehimgold;andthoughauthoritybeastubbornbear,yetheisoftledbythenosewithgold:
showtheinsideofyourpursetotheoutsideofhishand,andnomoreado。Remember’stoned,’and’flayedalive。’ShepherdAn’tpleaseyou,sir,toundertakethebusinessforus,hereisthatgoldIhave:I’llmakeitasmuchmoreandleavethisyoungmaninpawntillI
bringityou。AUTOLYCUSAfterIhavedonewhatIpromised?ShepherdAy,sir。AUTOLYCUSWell,givemethemoiety。Areyouapartyinthisbusiness?ClownInsomesort,sir:butthoughmycasebeapitifulone,IhopeIshallnotbeflayedoutofit。AUTOLYCUSO,that’sthecaseoftheshepherd’sson:hanghim,he’llbemadeanexample。ClownComfort,goodcomfort!Wemusttothekingandshowourstrangesights:hemustknow’tisnoneofyourdaughternormysister;wearegoneelse。Sir,I
willgiveyouasmuchasthisoldmandoeswhenthebusinessisperformed,andremain,ashesays,yourpawntillitbebroughtyou。AUTOLYCUSIwilltrustyou。Walkbeforetowardthesea—side;
goontherighthand:Iwillbutlookuponthehedgeandfollowyou。ClownWeareblestinthisman,asImaysay,evenblest。ShepherdLet’sbeforeashebidsus:hewasprovidedtodousgood。
ExeuntShepherdandClownAUTOLYCUSIfIhadamindtobehonest,IseeFortunewouldnotsufferme:shedropsbootiesinmymouth。
Iamcourtednowwithadoubleoccasion,goldandameanstodotheprincemymastergood;whichwhoknowshowthatmayturnbacktomyadvancement?Iwillbringthesetwomoles,theseblindones,aboardhim:
ifhethinkitfittoshorethemagainandthatthecomplainttheyhavetothekingconcernshimnothing,lethimcallmerogueforbeingsofarofficious;forIamproofagainstthattitleandwhatshameelsebelongsto’t。TohimwillIpresentthem:theremaybematterinit。
ExitACTVSCENEI。AroominLEONTES’palace。EnterLEONTES,CLEOMENES,DION,PAULINA,andServantsCLEOMENESSir,youhavedoneenough,andhaveperform’dAsaint—likesorrow:nofaultcouldyoumake,Whichyouhavenotredeem’d;indeed,paiddownMorepenitencethandonetrespass:atthelast,Doastheheavenshavedone,forgetyourevil;
Withthemforgiveyourself。LEONTESWhilstIrememberHerandhervirtues,IcannotforgetMyblemishesinthem,andsostillthinkofThewrongIdidmyself;whichwassomuch,ThatheirlessithathmademykingdomandDestroy’dthesweet’stcompanionthate’ermanBredhishopesoutof。PAULINATrue,tootrue,mylord:
If,onebyone,youweddedalltheworld,Orfromtheallthataretooksomethinggood,Tomakeaperfectwoman,sheyoukill’dWouldbeunparallel’d。LEONTESIthinkso。Kill’d!
SheIkill’d!Ididso:butthoustrikestmeSorely,tosayIdid;itisasbitterUponthytongueasinmythought:now,goodnow,Saysobutseldom。CLEOMENESNotatall,goodlady:
YoumighthavespokenathousandthingsthatwouldHavedonethetimemorebenefitandgracedYourkindnessbetter。PAULINAYouareoneofthoseWouldhavehimwedagain。DIONIfyouwouldnotso,Youpitynotthestate,northeremembranceOfhismostsovereignname;considerlittleWhatdangers,byhishighness’failofissue,MaydropuponhiskingdomanddevourIncertainlookerson。WhatweremoreholyThantorejoicetheformerqueeniswell?
Whatholierthan,forroyalty’srepair,Forpresentcomfortandforfuturegood,ToblessthebedofmajestyagainWithasweetfellowto’t?PAULINAThereisnoneworthy,Respectingherthat’sgone。Besides,thegodsWillhavefulfill’dtheirsecretpurposes;
ForhasnotthedivineApollosaid,Is’tnotthetenorofhisoracle,ThatKingLeontesshallnothaveanheirTillhislostchildbefound?whichthatitshall,IsallasmonstroustoourhumanreasonAsmyAntigonustobreakhisgraveAndcomeagaintome;who,onmylife,Didperishwiththeinfant。’TisyourcounselMylordshouldtotheheavensbecontrary,Opposeagainsttheirwills。
ToLEONTES
Carenotforissue;
Thecrownwillfindanheir:greatAlexanderLefthistotheworthiest;sohissuccessorWasliketobethebest。LEONTESGoodPaulina,WhohastthememoryofHermione,Iknow,inhonour,O,thateverI
Hadsquaredmetothycounsel!then,evennow,Imighthavelook’duponmyqueen’sfulleyes,Havetakentreasurefromherlips——PAULINAAndleftthemMorerichforwhattheyyielded。LEONTESThouspeak’sttruth。
Nomoresuchwives;therefore,nowife:oneworse,Andbetterused,wouldmakehersaintedspiritAgainpossesshercorpse,andonthisstage,Wherewe’reoffendersnow,appearsoul—vex’d,Andbegin,’Whytome?’PAULINAHadshesuchpower,Shehadjustcause。LEONTESShehad;andwouldincensemeTomurderherImarried。PAULINAIshouldso。
WereItheghostthatwalk’d,I’ldbidyoumarkHereye,andtellmeforwhatdullpartin’tYouchoseher;thenI’ldshriek,thatevenyourearsShouldrifttohearme;andthewordsthatfollow’dShouldbe’Remembermine。’LEONTESStars,stars,Andalleyeselsedeadcoals!Fearthounowife;
I’llhavenowife,Paulina。PAULINAWillyouswearNevertomarrybutbymyfreeleave?LEONTESNever,Paulina;sobeblestmyspirit!PAULINAThen,goodmylords,bearwitnesstohisoath。CLEOMENESYoutempthimover—much。PAULINAUnlessanother,AslikeHermioneasisherpicture,Affronthiseye。CLEOMENESGoodmadam,——PAULINAIhavedone。
Yet,ifmylordwillmarry,——ifyouwill,sir,Noremedy,butyouwill,——givemetheofficeTochooseyouaqueen:sheshallnotbesoyoungAswasyourformer;butsheshallbesuchAs,walk’dyourfirstqueen’sghost,itshouldtakejoyToseeherinyourarms。LEONTESMytruePaulina,Weshallnotmarrytillthoubid’stus。PAULINAThatShallbewhenyourfirstqueen’sagaininbreath;
Nevertillthen。
EnteraGentlemanGentlemanOnethatgivesouthimselfPrinceFlorizel,SonofPolixenes,withhisprincess,sheThefairestIhaveyetbeheld,desiresaccessToyourhighpresence。LEONTESWhatwithhim?hecomesnotLiketohisfather’sgreatness:hisapproach,Sooutofcircumstanceandsudden,tellsus’Tisnotavisitationframed,butforcedByneedandaccident。Whattrain?GentlemanButfew,Andthosebutmean。LEONTESHisprincess,sayyou,withhim?GentlemanAy,themostpeerlesspieceofearth,Ithink,Thate’erthesunshonebrighton。PAULINAOHermione,AseverypresenttimedothboastitselfAboveabettergone,somustthygraveGivewaytowhat’sseennow!Sir,youyourselfHavesaidandwritso,butyourwritingnowIscolderthanthattheme,’Shehadnotbeen,Norwasnottobeequall’d;’——thusyourverseFlow’dwithherbeautyonce:’tisshrewdlyebb’d,Tosayyouhaveseenabetter。GentlemanPardon,madam:
TheoneIhavealmostforgot,——yourpardon,——
Theother,whenshehasobtain’dyoureye,Willhaveyourtonguetoo。Thisisacreature,Wouldshebeginasect,mightquenchthezealOfallprofessorselse,makeproselytesOfwhoshebutbidfollow。PAULINAHow!notwomen?GentlemanWomenwillloveher,thatsheisawomanMoreworththananyman;men,thatsheisTherarestofallwomen。LEONTESGo,Cleomenes;
Yourself,assistedwithyourhonour’dfriends,Bringthemtoourembracement。Still,’tisstrangeExeuntCLEOMENESandothersHethusshouldstealuponus。PAULINAHadourprince,Jewelofchildren,seenthishour,hehadpair’dWellwiththislord:therewasnotfullamonthBetweentheirbirths。LEONTESPrithee,nomore;cease;thouknow’stHediestomeagainwhentalk’dof:sure,WhenIshallseethisgentleman,thyspeechesWillbringmetoconsiderthatwhichmayUnfurnishmeofreason。Theyarecome。
Re—enterCLEOMENESandothers,withFLORIZELandPERDITA
Yourmotherwasmosttruetowedlock,prince;
Forshedidprintyourroyalfatheroff,Conceivingyou:wereIbuttwenty—one,Yourfather’simageissohitinyou,Hisveryair,thatIshouldcallyoubrother,AsIdidhim,andspeakofsomethingwildlyByusperform’dbefore。Mostdearlywelcome!
Andyourfairprincess,——goddess!——O,alas!
Ilostacouple,that’twixtheavenandearthMightthushavestoodbegettingwonderasYou,graciouscouple,do:andthenIlost——
Allmineownfolly——thesociety,Amitytoo,ofyourbravefather,whom,Thoughbearingmisery,IdesiremylifeOncemoretolookonhim。FLORIZELByhiscommandHaveIheretouch’dSiciliaandfromhimGiveyouallgreetingsthataking,atfriend,Cansendhisbrother:and,butinfirmityWhichwaitsuponworntimeshathsomethingseizedHiswish’dability,hehadhimselfThelandsandwaters’twixtyourthroneandhisMeasuredtolookuponyou;whomheloves——
Hebademesayso——morethanallthesceptresAndthosethatbearthemliving。LEONTESOmybrother,Goodgentleman!thewrongsIhavedonetheestirAfreshwithinme,andthesethyoffices,Sorarelykind,areasinterpretersOfmybehind—handslackness。Welcomehither,Asisthespringtotheearth。AndhathhetooExposedthisparagontothefearfulusage,Atleastungentle,ofthedreadfulNeptune,Togreetamannotworthherpains,muchlessTheadventureofherperson?FLORIZELGoodmylord,ShecamefromLibya。LEONTESWherethewarlikeSmalus,Thatnoblehonour’dlord,isfear’dandloved?FLORIZELMostroyalsir,fromthence;fromhim,whosedaughterHistearsproclaim’dhis,partingwithher:thence,Aprosperoussouth—windfriendly,wehavecross’d,ToexecutethechargemyfathergavemeForvisitingyourhighness:mybesttrainIhavefromyourSicilianshoresdismiss’d;
WhoforBohemiabend,tosignifyNotonlymysuccessinLibya,sir,Butmyarrivalandmywife’sinsafetyHerewhereweare。LEONTESTheblessedgodsPurgeallinfectionfromourairwhilstyouDoclimatehere!Youhaveaholyfather,Agracefulgentleman;againstwhoseperson,Sosacredasitis,Ihavedonesin:
Forwhichtheheavens,takingangrynote,Haveleftmeissueless;andyourfather’sblest,Ashefromheavenmeritsit,withyouWorthyhisgoodness。WhatmightIhavebeen,MightIasonanddaughternowhavelook’don,Suchgoodlythingsasyou!
EnteraLordLordMostnoblesir,ThatwhichIshallreportwillbearnocredit,Werenottheproofsonigh。Pleaseyou,greatsir,Bohemiagreetsyoufromhimselfbyme;
Desiresyoutoattachhisson,whohas——
Hisdignityanddutybothcastoff——
Fledfromhisfather,fromhishopes,andwithAshepherd’sdaughter。LEONTESWhere’sBohemia?speak。LordHereinyourcity;Inowcamefromhim:
Ispeakamazedly;anditbecomesMymarvelandmymessage。ToyourcourtWhileshewashastening,inthechase,itseems,Ofthisfaircouple,meetsheonthewayThefatherofthisseemingladyandHerbrother,havingboththeircountryquittedWiththisyoungprince。FLORIZELCamillohasbetray’dme;
WhosehonourandwhosehonestytillnowEnduredallweathers。LordLay’tsotohischarge:
He’swiththekingyourfather。LEONTESWho?Camillo?LordCamillo,sir;Ispakewithhim;whonowHasthesepoormeninquestion。NeversawI
Wretchessoquake:theykneel,theykisstheearth;
Forswearthemselvesasoftenastheyspeak:
Bohemiastopshisears,andthreatensthemWithdiversdeathsindeath。PERDITAOmypoorfather!
Theheavensetsspiesuponus,willnothaveOurcontractcelebrated。LEONTESYouaremarried?FLORIZELWearenot,sir,norareweliketobe;
Thestars,Isee,willkissthevalleysfirst:
Theoddsforhighandlow’salike。LEONTESMylord,Isthisthedaughterofaking?FLORIZELSheis,Whenoncesheismywife。LEONTESThat’once’Iseebyyourgoodfather’sspeedWillcomeonveryslowly。Iamsorry,Mostsorry,youhavebrokenfromhislikingWhereyouweretiedinduty,andassorryYourchoiceisnotsorichinworthasbeauty,Thatyoumightwellenjoyher。FLORIZELDear,lookup:
ThoughFortune,visibleanenemy,Shouldchaseuswithmyfather,powernojotHathshetochangeourloves。Beseechyou,sir,RemembersinceyouowednomoretotimeThanIdonow:withthoughtofsuchaffections,Stepforthmineadvocate;atyourrequestMyfatherwillgrantpreciousthingsastrifles。LEONTESWouldhedoso,I’ldbegyourpreciousmistress,Whichhecountsbutatrifle。PAULINASir,myliege,Youreyehathtoomuchyouthin’t:notamonth’Foreyourqueendied,shewasmoreworthsuchgazesThanwhatyoulookonnow。LEONTESIthoughtofher,EvenintheselooksImade。
ToFLORIZEL
ButyourpetitionIsyetunanswer’d。Iwilltoyourfather:
Yourhonournoto’erthrownbyyourdesires,Iamfriendtothemandyou:uponwhicherrandInowgotowardhim;thereforefollowmeAndmarkwhatwayImake:come,goodmylord。
ExeuntSCENEII。BeforeLEONTES’palace。EnterAUTOLYCUSandaGentlemanAUTOLYCUSBeseechyou,sir,wereyoupresentatthisrelation?FirstGentlemanIwasbyattheopeningofthefardel,heardtheoldshepherddeliverthemannerhowhefoundit:
whereupon,afteralittleamazedness,wewereallcommandedoutofthechamber;onlythismethoughtI
heardtheshepherdsay,hefoundthechild。AUTOLYCUSIwouldmostgladlyknowtheissueofit。FirstGentlemanImakeabrokendeliveryofthebusiness;
butthechangesIperceivedinthekingandCamillowereverynotesofadmiration:theyseemedalmost,withstaringononeanother,totearthecasesoftheireyes;therewasspeechintheirdumbness,languageintheirverygesture;theylookedastheyhadheardofaworldransomed,oronedestroyed:anotablepassionofwonderappearedinthem;butthewisestbeholder,thatknewnomorebutseeing,couldnotsayiftheimportancewerejoyorsorrow;butintheextremityoftheone,itmustneedsbe。
EnteranotherGentlemanHerecomesagentlemanthathaplyknowsmore。
Thenews,Rogero?SecondGentlemanNothingbutbonfires:theoracleisfulfilled;
theking’sdaughterisfound:suchadealofwonderisbrokenoutwithinthishourthatballad—makerscannotbeabletoexpressit。
EnterathirdGentlemanHerecomestheLadyPaulina’ssteward:hecandeliveryoumore。Howgoesitnow,sir?thisnewswhichiscalledtrueissolikeanoldtale,thattheverityofitisinstrongsuspicion:hasthekingfoundhisheir?ThirdGentlemanMosttrue,ifevertruthwerepregnantbycircumstance:thatwhichyouhearyou’llswearyousee,thereissuchunityintheproofs。ThemantleofQueenHermione’s,herjewelabouttheneckofit,thelettersofAntigonusfoundwithitwhichtheyknowtobehischaracter,themajestyofthecreatureinresemblanceofthemother,theaffectionofnoblenesswhichnatureshowsaboveherbreeding,andmanyotherevidencesproclaimherwithallcertaintytobetheking’sdaughter。Didyouseethemeetingofthetwokings?SecondGentlemanNo。ThirdGentlemanThenhaveyoulostasight,whichwastobeseen,cannotbespokenof。Theremightyouhavebeheldonejoycrownanother,soandinsuchmannerthatitseemedsorrowwepttotakeleaveofthem,fortheirjoywadedintears。Therewascastingupofeyes,holdingupofhands,withcountenancesofsuchdistractionthattheyweretobeknownbygarment,notbyfavour。Ourking,beingreadytoleapoutofhimselfforjoyofhisfounddaughter,asifthatjoywerenowbecomealoss,cries’O,thymother,thymother!’thenasksBohemiaforgiveness;thenembraceshisson—in—law;thenagainworrieshehisdaughterwithclippingher;nowhethankstheoldshepherd,whichstandsbylikeaweather—bittenconduitofmanykings’reigns。Ineverheardofsuchanotherencounter,whichlamesreporttofollowitandundoesdescriptiontodoit。SecondGentlemanWhat,prayyou,becameofAntigonus,thatcarriedhencethechild?ThirdGentlemanLikeanoldtalestill,whichwillhavemattertorehearse,thoughcreditbeasleepandnotanearopen。Hewastorntopieceswithabear:thisavouchestheshepherd’sson;whohasnotonlyhisinnocence,whichseemsmuch,tojustifyhim,butahandkerchiefandringsofhisthatPaulinaknows。FirstGentlemanWhatbecameofhisbarkandhisfollowers?ThirdGentlemanWreckedthesameinstantoftheirmaster’sdeathandintheviewoftheshepherd:sothatalltheinstrumentswhichaidedtoexposethechildwereeventhenlostwhenitwasfound。ButO,thenoblecombatthat’twixtjoyandsorrowwasfoughtinPaulina!Shehadoneeyedeclinedforthelossofherhusband,anotherelevatedthattheoraclewasfulfilled:sheliftedtheprincessfromtheearth,andsolocksherinembracing,asifshewouldpinhertoherheartthatshemightnomorebeindangeroflosing。FirstGentlemanThedignityofthisactwasworththeaudienceofkingsandprinces;forbysuchwasitacted。ThirdGentlemanOneoftheprettiesttouchesofallandthatwhichangledformineeyes,caughtthewaterthoughnotthefish,waswhen,attherelationofthequeen’sdeath,withthemannerhowshecameto’tbravelyconfessedandlamentedbytheking,howattentivenesswoundedhisdaughter;till,fromonesignofdolourtoanother,shedid,withan’Alas,’
Iwouldfainsay,bleedtears,forIamsuremyheartweptblood。Whowasmostmarbletherechangedcolour;someswooned,allsorrowed:ifalltheworldcouldhaveseen’t,thewoehadbeenuniversal。FirstGentlemanAretheyreturnedtothecourt?ThirdGentlemanNo:theprincesshearingofhermother’sstatue,whichisinthekeepingofPaulina,——apiecemanyyearsindoingandnownewlyperformedbythatrareItalianmaster,JulioRomano,who,hadhehimselfeternityandcouldputbreathintohiswork,wouldbeguileNatureofhercustom,soperfectlyheisherape:hesoneartoHermionehathdoneHermionethattheysayonewouldspeaktoherandstandinhopeofanswer:thitherwithallgreedinessofaffectionaretheygone,andtheretheyintendtosup。SecondGentlemanIthoughtshehadsomegreatmatterthereinhand;
forshehathprivatelytwiceorthriceaday,eversincethedeathofHermione,visitedthatremovedhouse。Shallwethitherandwithourcompanypiecetherejoicing?FirstGentlemanWhowouldbethencethathasthebenefitofaccess?
everywinkofaneyesomenewgracewillbeborn:
ourabsencemakesusunthriftytoourknowledge。
Let’salong。
ExeuntGentlemenAUTOLYCUSNow,hadInotthedashofmyformerlifeinme,wouldprefermentdroponmyhead。Ibroughttheoldmanandhissonaboardtheprince:toldhimI
heardthemtalkofafardelandIknownotwhat:butheatthattime,overfondoftheshepherd’sdaughter,sohethentookhertobe,whobegantobemuchsea—sick,andhimselflittlebetter,extremityofweathercontinuing,thismysteryremainedundiscovered。But’tisallonetome;forhadI
beenthefinderoutofthissecret,itwouldnothaverelishedamongmyotherdiscredits。
EnterShepherdandClownHerecomethoseIhavedonegoodtoagainstmywill,andalreadyappearingintheblossomsoftheirfortune。ShepherdCome,boy;Iampastmoechildren,butthysonsanddaughterswillbeallgentlemenborn。ClownYouarewellmet,sir。Youdeniedtofightwithmethisotherday,becauseIwasnogentlemanborn。
Seeyoutheseclothes?sayyouseethemnotandthinkmestillnogentlemanborn:youwerebestsaytheserobesarenotgentlemenborn:givemethelie,do,andtrywhetherIamnotnowagentlemanborn。AUTOLYCUSIknowyouarenow,sir,agentlemanborn。ClownAy,andhavebeensoanytimethesefourhours。ShepherdAndsohaveI,boy。ClownSoyouhave:butIwasagentlemanbornbeforemyfather;fortheking’ssontookmebythehand,andcalledmebrother;andthenthetwokingscalledmyfatherbrother;andthentheprincemybrotherandtheprincessmysistercalledmyfatherfather;
andsowewept,andtherewasthefirstgentleman—liketearsthateverweshed。ShepherdWemaylive,son,toshedmanymore。ClownAy;orelse’twerehardluck,beinginsopreposterousestateasweare。AUTOLYCUSIhumblybeseechyou,sir,topardonmeallthefaultsIhavecommittedtoyourworshipandtogivemeyourgoodreporttotheprincemymaster。ShepherdPrithee,son,do;forwemustbegentle,nowwearegentlemen。ClownThouwiltamendthylife?AUTOLYCUSAy,anitlikeyourgoodworship。ClownGivemethyhand:IwillsweartotheprincethouartashonestatruefellowasanyisinBohemia。ShepherdYoumaysayit,butnotswearit。ClownNotswearit,nowIamagentleman?Letboorsandfranklinssayit,I’llswearit。ShepherdHowifitbefalse,son?ClownIfitbene’ersofalse,atruegentlemanmayswearitinthebehalfofhisfriend:andI’llsweartotheprincethouartatallfellowofthyhandsandthatthouwiltnotbedrunk;butIknowthouartnotallfellowofthyhandsandthatthouwiltbedrunk:butI’llswearit,andIwouldthouwouldstbeatallfellowofthyhands。AUTOLYCUSIwillproveso,sir,tomypower。ClownAy,byanymeansproveatallfellow:
ifIdonotwonderhowthoudarestventuretobedrunk,notbeingatallfellow,trustmenot。Hark!thekingsandtheprinces,ourkindred,aregoingtoseethequeen’spicture。Come,followus:we’llbethygoodmasters。
ExeuntSCENEIII。AchapelinPAULINA’Shouse。EnterLEONTES,POLIXENES,FLORIZEL,PERDITA,CAMILLO,PAULINA,Lords,andAttendantsLEONTESOgraveandgoodPaulina,thegreatcomfortThatIhavehadofthee!PAULINAWhat,sovereignsir,IdidnotwellImeantwell。AllmyservicesYouhavepaidhome:butthatyouhavevouchsafed,Withyourcrown’dbrotherandtheseyourcontractedHeirsofyourkingdoms,mypoorhousetovisit,Itisasurplusofyourgrace,whichneverMylifemaylasttoanswer。LEONTESOPaulina,Wehonouryouwithtrouble:butwecameToseethestatueofourqueen:yourgalleryHavewepass’dthrough,notwithoutmuchcontentInmanysingularities;butwesawnotThatwhichmydaughtercametolookupon,Thestatueofhermother。PAULINAAsshelivedpeerless,Soherdeadlikeness,Idowellbelieve,Excelswhateveryetyoulook’duponOrhandofmanhathdone;thereforeIkeepitLonely,apart。Buthereitis:prepareToseethelifeaslivelymock’daseverStillsleepmock’ddeath:behold,andsay’tiswell。
PAULINAdrawsacurtain,anddiscoversHERMIONEstandinglikeastatueIlikeyoursilence,itthemoreshowsoffYourwonder:butyetspeak;first,you,myliege,Comesitnotsomethingnear?LEONTESHernaturalposture!
Chideme,dearstone,thatImaysayindeedThouartHermione;orrather,thouartsheInthynotchiding,forshewasastenderAsinfancyandgrace。Butyet,Paulina,Hermionewasnotsomuchwrinkled,nothingSoagedasthisseems。POLIXENESO,notbymuch。PAULINASomuchthemoreourcarver’sexcellence;
WhichletsgobysomesixteenyearsandmakesherAsshelivednow。LEONTESAsnowshemighthavedone,Somuchtomygoodcomfort,asitisNowpiercingtomysoul。O,thusshestood,Evenwithsuchlifeofmajesty,warmlife,Asnowitcoldlystands,whenfirstIwoo’dher!
Iamashamed:doesnotthestonerebukemeForbeingmorestonethanit?Oroyalpiece,There’smagicinthymajesty,whichhasMyevilsconjuredtoremembranceandFromthyadmiringdaughtertookthespirits,Standinglikestonewiththee。PERDITAAndgivemeleave,Anddonotsay’tissuperstition,thatIkneelandthenimploreherblessing。Lady,Dearqueen,thatendedwhenIbutbegan,Givemethathandofyourstokiss。PAULINAO,patience!
Thestatueisbutnewlyfix’d,thecolour’sNotdry。CAMILLOMylord,yoursorrowwastoosorelaidon,Whichsixteenwinterscannotblowaway,Somanysummersdry;scarceanyjoyDideversolonglive;nosorrowButkill’ditselfmuchsooner。POLIXENESDearmybrother,LethimthatwasthecauseofthishavepowerTotakeoffsomuchgrieffromyouasheWillpieceupinhimself。PAULINAIndeed,mylord,IfIhadthoughtthesightofmypoorimageWouldthushavewroughtyou,——forthestoneismine——
I’ldnothaveshow’dit。LEONTESDonotdrawthecurtain。PAULINANolongershallyougazeon’t,lestyourfancyMaythinkanonitmoves。LEONTESLetbe,letbe。
WouldIweredead,butthat,methinks,already——
Whatwashethatdidmakeit?See,mylord,Wouldyounotdeemitbreathed?andthatthoseveinsDidverilybearblood?POLIXENESMasterlydone:
Theverylifeseemswarmuponherlip。LEONTESThefixtureofhereyehasmotionin’t,Aswearemock’dwithart。PAULINAI’lldrawthecurtain:
Mylord’salmostsofartransportedthatHe’llthinkanonitlives。LEONTESOsweetPaulina,Makemetothinksotwentyyearstogether!
NosettledsensesoftheworldcanmatchThepleasureofthatmadness。Let’talone。PAULINAIamsorry,sir,Ihavethusfarstirr’dyou:butIcouldafflictyoufarther。LEONTESDo,Paulina;
ForthisafflictionhasatasteassweetAsanycordialcomfort。Still,methinks,Thereisanaircomesfromher:whatfinechiselCouldeveryetcutbreath?Letnomanmockme,ForIwillkissher。PAULINAGoodmylord,forbear:
Theruddinessuponherlipiswet;
You’llmaritifyoukissit,stainyourownWithoilypainting。ShallIdrawthecurtain?LEONTESNo,notthesetwentyyears。PERDITASolongcouldI
Standby,alookeron。PAULINAEitherforbear,Quitpresentlythechapel,orresolveyouFormoreamazement。Ifyoucanbeholdit,I’llmakethestatuemoveindeed,descendAndtakeyoubythehand;butthenyou’llthink——
WhichIprotestagainst——IamassistedBywickedpowers。LEONTESWhatyoucanmakeherdo,Iamcontenttolookon:whattospeak,Iamcontenttohear;for’tisaseasyTomakeherspeakasmove。PAULINAItisrequiredYoudoawakeyourfaith。Thenallstandstill;
On:thosethatthinkitisunlawfulbusinessIamabout,letthemdepart。LEONTESProceed:
Nofootshallstir。PAULINAMusic,awakeher;strike!
Music’Tistime;descend;bestonenomore;approach;
Strikeallthatlookuponwithmarvel。Come,I’llfillyourgraveup:stir,nay,comeaway,Bequeathtodeathyournumbness,forfromhimDearliferedeemsyou。Youperceiveshestirs:
HERMIONEcomesdownStartnot;heractionsshallbeholyasYouhearmyspellislawful:donotshunherUntilyouseeherdieagain;forthenYoukillherdouble。Nay,presentyourhand:
Whenshewasyoungyouwoo’dher;nowinageIsshebecomethesuitor?LEONTESO,she’swarm!
Ifthisbemagic,letitbeanartLawfulaseating。POLIXENESSheembraceshim。CAMILLOShehangsabouthisneck:
Ifshepertaintolifeletherspeaktoo。POLIXENESAy,andmake’tmanifestwhereshehaslived,Orhowstolenfromthedead。PAULINAThatsheisliving,Wereitbuttoldyou,shouldbehootedatLikeanoldtale:butitappearsshelives,Thoughyetshespeaknot。Markalittlewhile。
Pleaseyoutointerpose,fairmadam:kneelAndprayyourmother’sblessing。Turn,goodlady;
OurPerditaisfound。HERMIONEYougods,lookdownAndfromyoursacredvialspouryourgracesUponmydaughter’shead!Tellme,mineown。
Wherehastthoubeenpreserved?wherelived?
howfoundThyfather’scourt?forthoushalthearthatI,KnowingbyPaulinathattheoracleGavehopethouwastinbeing,havepreservedMyselftoseetheissue。PAULINAThere’stimeenoughforthat;
LesttheydesireuponthispushtotroubleYourjoyswithlikerelation。Gotogether,Youpreciouswinnersall;yourexultationPartaketoeveryone。I,anoldturtle,Willwingmetosomewither’dboughandthereMymate,that’snevertobefoundagain,LamenttillIamlost。LEONTESO,peace,Paulina!
Thoushouldstahusbandtakebymyconsent,AsIbythineawife:thisisamatch,Andmadebetween’sbyvows。Thouhastfoundmine;
Buthow,istobequestion’d;forIsawher,AsIthought,dead,andhaveinvainsaidmanyAprayeruponhergrave。I’llnotseekfar——
Forhim,Ipartlyknowhismind——tofindtheeAnhonourablehusband。Come,Camillo,Andtakeherbythehand,whoseworthandhonestyIsrichlynotedandherejustifiedByus,apairofkings。Let’sfromthisplace。
What!lookuponmybrother:bothyourpardons,Thate’erIputbetweenyourholylooksMyillsuspicion。Thisisyourson—in—law,Andsonuntotheking,who,heavensdirecting,Istroth—plighttoyourdaughter。GoodPaulina,Leadusfromhence,wherewemayleisurelyEachonedemandananswertohispartPerform’dinthiswidegapoftimesincefirstWeweredissever’d:hastilyleadaway。