And mark what way I make: Come, good my encounter, which lames report to follow it, and unlord. [Exeunt. does description to do it. 2 Gent. What, pray you, became of Antigonus, SCENE II.-The same. Before the palace. En-that carried hence the child? ter Autolycus and a Gentleman. Aut. 'Beseech you, sir, were you present at this relation? 3 Gent. Like an old tale still; which will have matter to rehearse, though credit be asleep, and not an ear open: He was torn to pieces with a bear: this avouches the shepherd's son; who has not only his innocence (which seems much,) to jusPaulina knows. tify him, but a handkerchief, and rings, of his, that 1 Gent. What became of his bark, and his followers? 1 Gent. I was by at the opening of the fardel, heard the old shepherd deliver the manner how he found it: whereupon, after a little amazedness, we were all commanded out of the chamber; only this, methought I heard the shepherd say, he found the child. Aut. I would most gladly know the issue of it. 3 Gent. Wrecked, the same instant of their 1 Gent. I make a broken delivery of the business; master's death; and in the view of the shepherd: -But the changes I perceived in the king, and the child, were even then lost, when it was found. so that all the instruments, which aided to expose Camillo, were very notes of admiration: they seemed almost, with staring on one another, to tear But, O, the noble combat, that, 'twixt joy and sorthe cases of their eyes; there was speech in their row, was fought in Paulina! She had one eye dedumbness, language in their very gesture; they that the oracle was fulfilled: She lifted the princlined for the loss of her husband; another elevated looked, as they had heard of a world ransomed, or one destroyed: A notable passion of wonder ap- cess from the earth; and so locks her in embracing, peared in them: but the wisest beholder, that knew as if she would pin her to her heart, that she might no more but seeing, could not say, if the importance' no more be in danger of losing. were joy, or sorrow: but in the extremity of the audience of kings and princes; for by such was it 1 Gent. The dignity of this act was worth the one, it must needs be. Enter another Gentleman. Here comes a gentleman, that, happily, knows more: acted. 3 Gent. One of the prettiest touches of all, and that which angled for mine eyes (caught the water, though not the fish,) was, when at the relation of 2 Gent. Nothing but bonfires: The oracle is ful- to it, (bravely confessed, and lamented by the king,) the queen's death, with the manner how she came filled; the king's daughter is found: such a deal how attentiveness wounded his daughter: till, from of wonder is broken out within this hour, that bal-one sign of dolour to another, she did, with an lad-makers cannot be able to express it. Enter a third Gentleman. Here comes the lady Paulina's steward; he can deliver you more. How goes it now, sir? this news, which is called true, is so like an old tale, that the verity of it is in strong suspicion: Has the king found his heir? alas! I would fain say, bleed tears; for, I am sure, my heart wept blood. Who was most marble there, changed colour; some swooned, all sorrowed: ir all the world could have seen it, the wo had been universal. 1 Gent. Are they returned to the court? 3 Gent. No: the princess hearing of her mother's statue, which is in the keeping of Paulina,-a piece 3 Gent. Most true; if ever truth were pregnant many years in doing, and now newly performed by by circumstance: that, which you hear, you'll that rare Italian master, Julio Romano; who, had swear you see, there is such unity in the proofs. he himself eternity, and could put breath into his The mantle of queen Hermione:-her jewel about work, would beguile Nature of her custom, so perthe neck of it-the letters of Antigonus, found fectly he is her ape: he so near to Hermione hath with it, which they know to be his character:-the done Hermione, that, they say, one would speak to majesty of the creature, in resemblance of the her, and stand in hope of answer: thither, with all mother; the affection of nobleness, which nature greediness of affection, are they gone; and there shows above her breeding,-and many other evi-they intend to sup. dences, proclaim her, with all certainty, to be the 2 Gent. I thought, she had some great matter king's daughter. Did you see the meeting of the there in hand; for she hath privately, twice or two kings? thrice a day, ever since the death of Hermione, visited that removed house. Shall we thither, and I 2 Gent. No. 3 Gent. Then have you lost a sight, which was with our company piece the rejoicing? to be seen, cannot be spoken of. There might you 1 Gent. Who would be thence, that has the benehave beheld one joy crown another; so, and in fit of access? every wink of an eye, some new such manner, that, it seemed, sorrow wept to take grace will be born: our absence makes us unthrifty leave of them; for their joy waded in tears. There to our knowledge. Let's along. was casting up of eyes, holding up of hands; with (Exeunt Gentlemen. countenance of such distraction, that they were to Aut. Now, had I not the dash of my former life be known by garment, not by favour. Our king, in me, would preferment drop on my head. being ready to leap out of himself for joy of his brought the old man and his son aboard the prince; found daughter; as if that joy were now become told him, I heard him talk of a fardel, and I know a loss, cries, O, thy mother, thy mother! then asks not what: but he at that time, over-fond of the Bohemia forgiveness; then embraces his son-in-shepherd's daughter, (so he then took her to be,) law; then again worries he his daughter, with who began to be much sea-sick, and himself little clipping her now he thanks the old shepherd, better, extremity of weather continuing, this myswhich stands by, like a weather-beaten conduit of tery remained undiscovered. But 'tis all one to many kings' reigns. I never heard of such another me: for had I been the finder-out of this secret, it (1) The thing imported. (3) Countenance, features. (4) Embracing. Most petrified with wonder. (6) Remote. 300 WINTER'S TALE. would not have relished among my other discredits. It is a surplus of your grace, which never My life may last to answer. O Paulina, Leon. Enter Shepherd and Clown. Here come those I have done good to against my We honour you with trouble: But we came will, and already appearing in the blossoms of their To see the statue of our queen: your gallery Have we pass'd through, not without much content fortune. Shep. Come, boy; I am past more children; but In many singularities; but we saw not thy sons and daughters will be all gentlemen born. That which my daughter came to look upon, Clo. You are well met, sir: You denied to fight The statue of her mother. with me this other day, because I was no gentle Paul. As she liv'd peerless, man bern: See you these clothes? say, you see So her dead likeness, I do well believe, them not, and think me still no gentleman born: Excels whatever yet you look'd upon, you were best say, these robes are not gentlemen Or hand of man hath done; therefore I keep it born. Give me the lie; do; and try whether I am Lonely, apart: But here it is: prepare not now a gentleman born. Aut. I know, you are now, sir, a gentleman born. hours. I To see the life as lively mock'd, as ever Leon. like your silence, it the more shows off Shep. And so have I, boy. Clo. So you have:-but I was a gentleman born Your wonder: But yet speak ;-first, you, my liege. Her natural posture!before my father: for the king's son took me by the Comes it not something near? hand, and called me, brother; and then the two kings called my father, brother; and then the Chide me, dear stone; that I may say, indeed, prince, my brother, and the princess, my sister, Thou art Hermione: or, rather, thou art she, called my father, father; and so we wept: and In thy not chiding; for she was as tender, there was the first gentleman-like tears that ever As infancy, and grace.-But yet, Paulina, Hermione was not so much wrinkled; nothing we shed. So aged, as this seems. Pol. Shep. We may live, son, to shed many more. Clo. Ay; or else 'twere hard luck, being in so preposterous estate as we are. Aut. I humbly bescech you, sir, to pardon me all the faults I have committed to your worship, and to give me your good report to the prince my master. Shep. 'Pr'ythee, son, do; for we must be gentle, now we are gentlemen. Leon. O, not by much. Paul. So much the more our carver's excellence? Which lets go by some sixteen years, and makes her As she liv'd now. As now she might have done, So much to my good comfort, as it is Now piercing to my soul. O, thus she stood, Even with such life of majesty, (warm life, As now it coldly stands,) when first I woo'd her! I am asham'd: Does not the stone rebuke me, For being more stone than it ?-0, royal piece, There's magic in thy majesty; which has My evils conjur'd to remembrance; and From thy admiring daughter took the spirits, Shep. You may say it, but not swear it. Clo. Not swear it, now I am a gentleman? Let Standing like stone with thee! boors and franklins' say it, I'll swear it. Shep. How if it be false, son? Clo. Thou wilt amend thy life? Aut. Ay, ap it like your good worship. Clo. Give me thy hand: I will swear to the prince, thou art as honest a truc fellow as any is in Bohemia. Clo. If it be ne'er so false, a true gentleman may swear it in the behalf of his friend:-And I'll swear to the prince, thou art a tall fellow of thy hands, and that thou wilt not be drunk; but I know, thou art no tall-fellow of thy hands, and that thou wilt be drunk; but I'll swear it: and I would, thou would'st be a tall fellow of thy hands. I I Per. And give me leave; And do not say, 'tis superstition, that O, patience, Cam. My lord, your sorrow was too sore laid on: Dear my brother, Aut. I will prove so, sir, to my power. Clo. Ay, by any means prove a tall fellow: if do not wonder, how thou darest venture to be drunk, not being a tall fellow, trust me not.-Hark! the kings and the princes, our kindred, are going Pol. to see the queen's picture. Come, follow us: we'll Let him, that was the cause of this, have power [Exeunt. To take off so much grief from you, as he be thy good masters. Will piece up in himself. Paul. If I had thought, the sight Would thus have wrought mine,) SCENE III-The same. A room in Paulina's house. Enter Leontes, Polixenes, Florizel, Perdita, Camillo, Pauiina, Lords, and Attendants. Leon. O grave and good Paulina, the great comfort That I have had of thee! What, sovereign sir, Heirs of your kingdoms, my poor house to visit, I'd not have show'd it. Leon. Do not draw the curtain. Let be, let be. (3) Worked, agitated. Would you not deem, it breath'd? and that those Pol. veins So long could I Either forbear, Quit presently the chapel; or resolve you For more amazement: If you can behold it, I'll make the statue move indeed; descend, And take you by the hand: but then you'll think (Which I protest against,) I am assisted By wicked powers. Leon. What you can make her do, I am content to look on: what to speak, I am content to hear; for 'tis as easy To make her speak, as move. It is requir'd, Paul. You do awake your faith: Then, all stand still; Or those, that think it is unlawful business I am about, let them depart. Leon. No foot shall stir. Paul. Procced; Music: awake her: strike [Music. 'Tis time; descend; be stone no more; approach; Strike all that look upon with marvel. Come; I'll fill your grave up: stir; nay, come away; Bequeath to death your numbness, for from him Dear life redeems you.-You perceive, she stirs : [Hermione comes down from the pedestal. Start not: her actions shall be holy, as, You hear, my spell is lawful: do not shun her, Until you see her die again; for then You kill her double: Nay, present your hand: When she was young, you woo'd her; now, in age, Is she become the suitor. Leon. O, she's warm! [Embracing her. If this be magic, let it be an art Lawful as eating. (1) i. e. Though her eye be fixed, it seems to have motion in it. (2) As if, She embraces him. Cam. She hangs about his neck; Or, how stol'n from the dead. Our Perdita is found. There's time enough for that; Lest they desire, upon this push to trouble Your joys with like relation.-Go together, You precious winners all; your exultation Partakes to every one. I, an old turtle, Will wing me to some wither'd bough; and there My mate, that's never to be found again, Lament till I am lost. Leon. O peace, Paulina; Thou should'st a husband take by my consent, As I by thine, a wife: this is a match, And made between's by vows. Thou hast found mine; But how, is to be question'd: for I saw her, As I thought, dead; and have, in vain, said many A prayer upon her grave: I'll not seek far (For him, I partly know his mind,) to find thee An honourable husband:-Come, Camillo, And take her by the hand: whose worth, and honesty, Is richly noted; and here justified By us, a pair of kings.-Let's from this place.What?-Look upon my brother :-both your pardons, That e'er I put between your holy looks COMEDY OF ERRORS. Solinus, duke of Ephesus. Antipholus of Ephesus, Dromio of Ephesus, Dromio of Syracuse, Balthazar, a merchant. Angelo, a goldsmith. PERSONS REPRESENTED. twin brothers, and sons A merchant, friend to Antipholus of Syracuse. to Egeon and Emi- Emilia, wife to Egeon, an abbess at Ephesus. twin brothers, and atten-Luce, her servant. dants on the two Anti-A courtezan. pholus's. CT I. SCENE I-A hall in the Duke's Palace. Duke, Ægeon, Gaoler, officer, and other ants. Egeon. PROCEED, Solinus, to procure my fall, Gaoler, officers, and other attendants. Scene, Ephesus. Unto a woman, happy but for me, And by me too, had not our hap been bad. Enter With her I liv'd in joy; our wealth increas'd, attend- By prosperous voyages I often made And, by the doom of death, end woes and all. If any, born at Ephesus, be seen His goods confiscate to the duke's dispose: My woes end likewise with the evening sun. Than I to speak my griefs unspeakable: To Epidamnum, till my factor's death; A league from Epidamnum had we sail'd, Fixing our eyes on whom our care was fix'd, But ere they came,-O, let me say no more! Try all the friends thou hast in Ephesus; Gaol. I will, my lord. Ege. Hopeless, and helpless, doth Ægeon wend,' But to procrastinate his lifeless end. [Exeunt. SCENE II-A public place. Enter Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse, and a Merchant. Mer. Therefore, give out you are of Epidamnum, Lest that your goods too soon be confiscate. Duke. Nay, forward, old man, do not break off This very day, a Syracusan merchant For we may pity, though not pardon thee. ge. O, had the gods done so, I had not now Worthily term'd them merciless to us! For, ere the ships could meet by twice five leagues, We were encounter'd by a mighty rock; Which being violently borne upon, Our helpful ship was splitted in the midst, So that, in this unjust divorce of us, Fortune had left to both of us alike What to delight in, what to sorrow for. Her part, poor soul! seeming as burdened With lesser weight, but not with lesser wo, Was carried with more speed before the wind; And in our sight they three were taken up By fishermen of Corinth, as we thought. At length, another ship had seized on us; And, knowing whom it was their hap to save, Gave helpful welcome to their shipwreck'd And would have reft' the fishers of their prey, Had not their bark been very slow of sail, And therefore homeward did they bend their course. Thus have you heard me sever'd from my bliss; That by misfortunes was my life prolong'd, To tell sad stories of my own mishaps. guests; Duke. And, for the sake of them thou sorrowest for, .Do me the favour to dilate at full What hath befall'n of them, and thee, till now. To bear the extremity of dire mishap! Is apprehended for arrival here; Ant. S. Go bear it to the Centaur, where we host, Dro. S. Many a man would take you at your word, And go indeed, having so good a mean. Mer. I am invited, sir, to certain merchants, content, : Commends me to the thing I cannot get. Here comes the almanac of my true date,- too late: The capon burns, the pig falls from the spit; Ant. S. Stop in your wind, sir; tell me this, I pray; Where have you left the money that I gave you? |