Will clear, or end, the business: When the oracle, (Thus by Apollo's great divine seal'd up,) Shall the contents discover, something rare Even then will rush to knowledge.-Go,-fresh horses;And gracious be the issue! [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same. A Court of Justice. LEONTES, Lords, and Officers, appear properly seated. Leon. This sessions (to our great grief, we pronounce,) Even pushes 'gainst our heart: The party tried, The daughter of a king; our wife; and one Of us too much belov'd.-Let us be clear'd Of being tyrannous, since we so openly Proceed in justice; which shall have due course, Even to the guilt, or the purgation. Produce the prisoner. Offi. It is his highness' pleasure, that the queen Appear in person here in court.-Silence! HERMIONE is brought in, guarded; PAULINA and Ladies attending. Leon. Read the indictment. Offi. Hermione, queen to the worthy Leontes, king of Sicilia, thou art here accused and arraigned of high treason, in committing adultery with Polixenes, king of Bohemia; and conspiring with Camillo to take away the life of our sovereign lord the king, thy royal husband: the pretence whereof being by circumstances partly laid open, thou, Hermione, contrary to the faith and allegiance of a true subject, didst counsel and aid them, for their better safety, to fly away by night. Her. Since what I am to say, must be but that Which contradicts my accusation; and The testimony on my part, no other But what comes from myself; it shall scarce boot me Being counted falsehood, shall, as I express it, I doubt not then, but innocence shall make Tremble at patience.-You, my lord, best know, A moiety of the throne, a great king's daughter, Who please to come and hear. For life, I prize it As I weigh grief, which I would spare: for honour, "Tis a derivative from me to mine, And only that I stand for. I appeal To your own conscience, sir, before Polixenes Have strain'd, to appear thus: if one jot beyond Cry, Fye upon my grave! Leon. I ne'er heard yet, That any of these bolder vices wanted Less impudence to gainsay what they did, Her. That's true enough; Though 'tis a saying, sir, not due to me. Leon. You will not own it. Her. More than mistress of, Which comes to me in name of fault, I must not I lov'd him, as in honour he requir'd; A lady like me; with a love, even such, To you, and toward your friend; whose love had spoke, I know not how it tastes; though it be dish'd Is, that Camillo was an honest man; And, why he left your court, the gods themselves, Leon. You knew of his departure, as you know You speak a language that I understand not: My life stands in the level of your dreams, Leon. Your actions are my dreams; You had a bastard by Polixenes, And I but dream'd it:-As you were past all shame, Thy brat hath been cast out, like to itself, Her. Sir, spare your threats; The bug, which you would fright me with, I seek. The crown and comfort of my life, your favour, But know not how it went: My second joy, The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth, I prize it not a straw :-but for mine honour, Upon surmises; all proofs sleeping else, Apollo be my judge. 1 Lord. This your request Is altogether just: therefore, bring forth, [Exeunt certain Officers. Her. The emperor of Russia was my father: O, that he were alive, and here beholding His daughter's trial! that he did but see The flatness of my misery; yet with eyes Of pity, not revenge! Re-enter Officers, with CLEOMENES and DION. Offi. You here shall swear upon this sword of justice, That you, Cleomenes and Dion, have Been both at Delphos; and from thence have brought Of great Apollo's priest; and that, since then, Cleo. Dion. All this we swear. Leon. Break up the seals, and read. Offi. [Reads.] Hermione is chaste, Polixenes blameless, Camillo a true subject, Leontes a jealous tyrant, his innocent babe truly begotten; and the king shall live without an heir, if that, which is lost, be not found. Lords. Now blessed be the great Apollo! Her. Praised! Leon. Hast thou read truth? |