Aut. I will prove fo, fir, to my power. Clo. Ay, by any means prove a tall fellow: If I do not wonder, how thou dar'ft venture to be drunk, not being a tall fellow, truft me not.-Hark! the kings and the princes, our kindred, are going to fee the queen's picture. Come, follow us: we'll be thy good mafters. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Paulina's Houfe. Enter Leontes, Polixenes, Florizel, Perdita, Camillo, Paulina, Lords, and Attendants. Leo. O grave and good Paulina, the great comfort That I have had of thee! Paul. What, fovereign fir, I did not well, I meant well: All my services, Leo. O Paulina, We honour you with trouble: But we came Have we pafs'd through, not without much content Paul. As fhe liv'd peerless, So her dead likeness, I do well believe, Or hand of man hath done; therefore I keep it To To fee the life as lively mock'd, as ever Still fleep mock'd death: behold; and fay, 'tis well. [Paulina draws a curtain, and discovers a ftatue. I like your filence, it the more fhews off Your wonder: But yet speak ;-firft, you, my liege. Leo. Her natural posture !— Chide me, dear ftone; that I may say, indeed, Pol. Oh, not by much. Paul. So much the more our carver's excellence; Which lets go by fome fixteen years, and makes her As fhe liv'd now. Leo. As now fhe might have done, So much to my good comfort, as it is Now piercing to my foul. Oh, thus she stood, Per. And give me leave; And do not fay, 'tis fuperftition, that I kneel, and then implore her bleffing.-Lady, The statue is but newly fix'd, the colour's Not dry. Cam. My lord, your forrow was too fore laid on; So many fummers, dry: fcarce any joy Pol. Dear my brother, power Let him, that was the cause of this, have Paul. Indeed, my lord, If I had thought, the fight of my poor image Leo. Do not draw the curtain. Paul. No longer fhall you gaze on't; left your fancy May think anon, it moves. Leo. Let be, let be. Would I were dead, but that, methinks, ' already-- Would you not deem, it breath'd? and that those veins Pol. Mafterly done: The very life seems warm upon her lip. t Leo. The fixure of her eye has motion in't, So are we mock'd with art. Paul. I'll draw the curtain; My lord's almost so far transported, that He'll think anon, it lives. Leo. O fweet Paulina, Make me to think fo twenty years together; • already]-'tis on the point to move. The fixure of her eye bas motion in't, fo are we]-The fix'd gaze of her eye hath all the appearance of tremulous motion imparted to it by the artist-As we are mock'd. VOL. II. No fettled fenfes of the world can match The pleasure of that madness. Let't alone. Paul. I am forry, fir, I have thus far stirr'd you: but I could afflict you further. Leo. Do, Paulina For this affliction has a taste as sweet As any cordial comfort.-Still, methinks, There is an air comes from her: What fine chizzel Paul. Good my lord, forbear: The ruddinefs upon her lip is wet; You'll mar it, if you kifs it; ftain your own Per. So long could I Stand by, a looker on. Paul. Either forbear, Quit presently the chapel; or refolve you And take you by the hand: but then you'll think, By wicked powers. Leo. What you can make her do, I am content to look on: what to speak, I am content to hear; for 'tis as easy Paul. It is requir'd, You do awake your faith: Then, all stand still Or, thofe, that think it is unlawful business I am about, let them depart. Leo. Proceed; No foot fhall ftir. Paul. Mufick; awake her: ftrike. [Mufick. 'Tis time; defcend; be stone no more: approach; Start not; her actions fhall be holy, as, You kill her double: Nay, prefent your hand : When she was young, you woo'd her; now, in age, Leo. Oh, fhe's warm! If this be magick, let it be an art Lawful as eating. Pol. She embraces him. Cam. She hangs about his neck; If fhe pertain to life, let her fpeak too. [Embracing ber. Pol. Ay, and make't manifeft where she has liv'd, Or how ftol'n from the dead? Paul. That she is living, Were it but told you, should be hooted at Like an old tale; but it appears, the lives, Though yet the speak not. Mark a little while.- [Presenting Perdita, who kneels to Hermione. Her. You gods, look down, And from your facred vials pour your graces Upon my daughter's head !-Tell me, mine own, Knowing by Paulina, that the oracle ▪ look upon]—look on you. Gave |