Cam. Hail, most royal sir! Pol. What is the news i' the court? Cam. None rare, my lord. Pol. The king hath on him such a countenance, As he had lost some province, and a region, Lov'd as he loves himself: even now I met him With customary compliment; when he, Wafting his eyes to the contrary, and falling A lip of much contempt, speeds from me; and So leaves me, to consider what is breeding, That changes thus his manners. Cam. I dare not know, my lord. Pol. How! dare not? do not. Do you know, and dare not Be intelligent to me? "Tis thereabouts; For, to yourself, what you do know, you must; Cam. There is a sickness Which puts some of us in distemper; but Of you Pol. that yet are well. How! caught of me? Make me not sighted like the basilisk: I have look'd on thousands, who have sped the better In whose success 6 we are gentle, I beseech you, If you know aught which does behove my knowledge Thereof to be inform'd, imprison it not In ignorant concealment. Cam. I may not answer. Pol. A sickness caught of me, and yet I well! I must be answer'd.-Dost thou hear, Camillo, I conjure thee, by all the parts of man, Which honour does acknowledge,-whereof the least Is creeping toward me; how far off, how near; If not, how best to bear it. Cam. Sir, I'll tell you; Since I am charg'd in honour, and by him That I think honourable: Therefore, mark my counsel; Which must be even as swiftly follow'd, as Pol. On, good Camillo, Cam. I am appointed Him to murder you3. Pol. By whom, Camillo ? Cam. Pol. By the king. For what? Cam. He thinks, nay, with all confidence he swears, 6 For succession. 7 Gentle was opposed to simple; well born. As he had seen't, or been an instrument To vice you to't,-that you have touch'd his queen O, then my best blood turn To an infected jelly; and my name Be yok'd with his, that did betray the best! A savour, that may strike the dullest nostril Cam. Swear his thought over Pol. How should this grow? Cam. I know not: but, I am sure, 'tis safer to Avoid what's grown, than question how 'tis born. If therefore you dare trust my honesty,That lies enclosed in this trunk, which you Shall bear along impawn'd,-away to-night. Your followers I will whisper to the business; And will, by twos, and threes, at several posterns, Clear them o' the city: For myself, I'll put My fortunes to your service, which are here By this discovery lost. Be not uncertain; For, by the honour of my parents, I Have utter'd truth: which if you seek to prove, I dare not stand by; nor shall you be safer Than one condemn'd thereon His execution sworn. Pol. by the king's own mouth, I do believe thee: I saw his heart in his face. Give me thy hand; Still neighbour mine; My ships are ready, and Is for a precious creature: as she's rare, In that be made more bitter. Fear o'ershades me: The gracious queen, part of his theme, but nothing Of his ill-ta'en suspicion! Come, Camillo; I will respect thee as a father, if Thou bear'st my life off hence: Let us avoid. Cam. It is in mine authority, to command The keys of all the posterns: Please your highness To take the urgent hour: come, sir, away. [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I. The same. Enter HERMIONE, MAMILLIUS, and Ladies. Her. Take the boy to you: he so troubles me, 'Tis past enduring. 1 Lady. Come, my gracious lord, No, I'll none of you. Shall I be your play-fellow ? Mam. 1 Lady. Why, my sweet lord? Mam. You'll kiss me hard; and speak to me as if I were a baby still.-I love you better. Not for because 2 Lady. And why so, my good lord? Mam. Your brows are blacker; yet black brows, they say, Become some women best ; so that there be not Too much hair there, but in a semi-circle, Or half-moon made with a pen. 2 Lady. Who taught you this? Blue, my lord. Mam. I learn'd it out of women's faces.-Pray now What colour are your eye-brows? 1 Lady. Mam. Nay, that's a mock: I have seen a lady's nose That has been blue, but not her eye-brows. Hark ye: 2 Lady. The queen, your mother, rounds apace: we shall Present our services to a fine new prince, One of these days; and then you'd wanton with us, If we would have you. |