For them to play at will:-How came the posterns So easily open? 1 Lord. By his great authority; Which often hath no less prevail'd than so, On your command. Leon. I know't too well. Give me the boy; I am glad you did not nurse him: Have too much blood in him. Her. What is this? sport? Leon. Bear the boy hence, he shall not come about her; Away with him :-and let her sport herself With that she's big with; for 'tis Polixenes Has made thee swell thus. Her. But I'd say, he had not, And I'll be sworn, you would believe my saying, Leon. You, my lords, Look on her, mark her well; be but about To say, she is a goodly lady, and The justice of your hearts will thereto add, 'Tis pity she's not honest, honourable: Praise her but for this her without-door form (Which, on my faith, deserves high speech), and straight The shrug, the hum, or ha; these pretty brands, That calumny doth use: -Ó, I am out, That mercy does; for calumny will sear* Virtue itself:-these shrugs, these hums, and ha's, From him that has most cause to grieve it should be, Her. Should a villain say so, The most replenish'd villain in the world, Leon. You have mistook, my lady, Her. No, by my life, Leon. No, no; if I mistake In those foundations which I build upon, A school-boy's top.-Away with her to prison: Her. There's some ill planet reigns: Shall best instruct you, measure me; and so The king's will be perform'd! Leon. Shall I be heard? [To the Guards. Her. Who is't, that goes with me ?-'Beseech your highness, My women may be with me; for, you see, My plight requires it. Do not weep, good fools; There is no cause: when you shall know your mistress Has deserved prison, then abound in tears, As I come out: this action, I now go on, Is for my better grace.-Adieu, my lord: I trust, I shall.- -My women, come; you have leave. [Exeunt QUEEN and LADIES. 1 Lord. 'Beseech your highness, call the queen again. Ant. Be certain what you do, Sir; lest your justice Prove violence; in the which three great ones suffer, Yourself, your queen, your son. 1 Lord. For her, my lord, I dare my life lay down, and will do't, Sir, Please you to accept it, that the queen is spotless I' the eyes of heaven, and to you; I mean, In this which you accuse her. Ant. If it prove. She's otherwise, I'll keep my stables where I lodge my wife; I'll go in couples with her; Than when I feel, and see her, no further trust her; For every inch of woman in the world, Ay, every dram of woman's flesh, is false, If she be. * Remotely guilty. + In merely speaking. Leon. Hold your peaces. 1 Lord. Good my lord, Ant. It is for you we speak, not for ourselves: That will be damn'd for't; would I knew the villain, Leon. Cease; no more. You smell this business with a sense as cold As you feel doing thus; and see withal Ant. If it be so, We need no grave to bury honesty; Leon. What! lack I credit ? 1 Lord. I had rather you did lack, than I, my lord, Leon. Why, what need we Commune with you of this? but rather follow Ant. And I wish, my liege, You had only in your silent judgment tried it, Leon. How could that be? Either thou art most ignorant by age, Or thou wert born a fool. Camillo's flight, Added to their familiarity (Which was as gross as ever touch'd conjecture, That lack'd sight only, nought for approbation,‡ But only seeing, all other circumstances Made up to the deed), doth push on this proceeding: Yet for a greater confirmation * Instigator. + Damn him from the land. Landam him; Gloucestershire word for rate soundly. (Halliwell.) + Proof. (For, in an act of this importance, 'twere Most piteous to be wild), I have despatch'd in post, Of stuff'd sufficiency:* Now, from the oracle Leon. Though I am satisfied, and need no more Come up to the truth: So have we thought it good, Ant. [Aside.] To laughter, as I take it, If the good truth were known. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same. The outer Room of a Prison. Enter PAULINA and Attendants Paul. The keeper of the prison,-call to him; [Exit an Attendant. Let him have knowledge who I am.-Good lady! Re-enter Attendant with the KEEPER. You know me, do you not? Keep. For a worthy lady, And one whom much I honour. Paul. Pray you, then, Conduct me to the queen. Keep. I may not, Madam; to the contrary I have express commandment. Paul. Here's ado, To lock up honesty and honour from The access of gentle visitors!Is it lawful, Keep. So please you, Madam, to put Paul. I pray now, call her. Withdraw yourselves. Keep. And, Madam, I must be present at your conference. *Of abilities more than sufficient. [Exeunt Attend. [Exit KEEPER. Paul. Well, be it so, pr'ythee. Re-enter KEEPER, with EMILIA. Dear gentlewoman, how fares our gracious lady? Emil. A daughter; and a goodly babe, Paul. I dare be sworn. These dangerous unsafe lunes* o' the king! beshrew them! Emil. Most worthy Madam, Your honour, and your goodness, is so evident, A thriving issue; there is no lady living, So meet for this great errand: Please your ladyship To visit the next room, I'll presently Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer; Paul. Tell her, Emilia, I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from it, Emil. Now be you bless'd for it! I'll to the queen: Please you, come something nearer. Having no warrant. Paul. You need not fear it, Sir: The child was prisoner to the womb; and is, * Frenzies. |