instructs me, and as mine honesty puts it to utt ance. Cam. Siçilia cannot show himself over-kind Bohemia. They were trained together in the childhoods; and there rooted betwixt them th such an affection, which cannot choose but bran now. Since their more mature dignities, and roy necessities, made separation of their society, the encounters, though not personal, have been roya attornied', with interchange of gifts, letters, lovi embassies; that they have seemed to be togeth though absent: shook hands, as over a vast 2; a embraced, as it were, from the ends of oppos winds. The heavens continue their loves! Arch. I think, there is not in the world eith malice, or matter, to alter it. You have an u speakable comfort of your young prince, Mamilli it is a gentleman of the greatest promise, that ev came into my note. : Cam. I very well agree with you in the hopes him it is a gallant child; one that, indeed, ph sicks the subject 3, makes old hearts fresh: the that went on crutches ere he was born, desire y their life, to see him a man. Arch. Would they else be content to die? Cam. Yes; if there were no other excuse w they should desire to live. Arch. If the king had no son, they would desi to live on crutches till he had one. 1 Supplied by substitution of embassies. 2 Wide waste of country. 3 Affords a cordial to the state. [Exeu SCENE II. A Room of State in the Palace. Enter LEONTES, POLIXENES, HERMIONE, MAMILLIUS, CAMILLO, and Attendants. Pol. Nine changes of the wat'ry star have been The shepherd's note, since we have left our throne Without a burden: time as long again Would be fill'd up, my brother, with our thanks; Go hence in debt: And therefore, like a cipher, With one we-thank-you, many thousands more Leon. Stay your thanks awhile; Sir, that's to-morrow. And pay them when you part. Leon. Than you can put us to't. We are tougher, brother, No longer stay. Very sooth, to-morrow. Leon. One seven-night longer. Pol. Leon. We'll part the time between's then: and in that I'll no gain-saying. Pol. Press me not, 'beseech you, so : There is no tongue that moves, none, none i'the world, So soon as yours, could win me: so it should now, Were there necessity in your request, although Do even drag me homeward: which to hinder, Leon. Tongue-tied, our queen? speak you. You had drawn oaths from him, not to stay. You, sir, Charge him too coldly: Tell him, you are sure, The by-gone day proclaim'd; say this to him, Leon. Well said, Hermione. Her. To tell, he longs to see his son, were strong: But let him say so then, and let him go; But let him say so, and he shall not stay, Yet of your royal presence [To POLIXENES.] I'll adventure The borrow of a week. When at Bohemia Prefix'd for his parting: yet, good deed, Leontes, Pol. Her. Nay, but you will. Pol. Her. Verily ! You'll stay? No, madam. You put me off with limber vows: But I, Though you would seek to unsphere the stars with oaths, 5 Gests were the names of the stages where the King appointed to lie, during a royal progress. 6 Indeed. Should yet say, Sir, no going. Verily, As potent as a lord's. Will you go yet? Not like a guest; so you shall pay your fees, When you depart, and save your thanks. How say you? My prisoner? or my guest? by your dread verily, One of them you shall be. Pol. Your guest then, madam : To be your prisoner, should import offending; Which is for me less easy to commit, Than you to punish. Her. Not your gaoler then, But your kind hostess. Come, I'll question you Of my lord's tricks, and yours, when you were boys; You were pretty lordlings then. Pol. We were, fair queen, Two lads, that thought there was no more behind, But such a day to-morrow as to-day, And to be boy eternal. Her. Was not my lord the verier wag o' the two? Pol. We were as twinn'd lambs, that did frisk i' the sun, And bleat the one at the other: what we chang'd, Boldly, Not guilty; the imposition clear'd, Hereditary ours. Her. By this we gather, You have tripp'd since. 7 A diminutive of lords. Pol. O my most sacred lady, Temptations have since then been born to us: for In those unfledg'd days was my wife a girl; Your precious self had then not cross'd the eyes Of my young play-fellow. Her. Grace to boot! Of this make no conclusion; lest you say, Leon. Is he won yet? Her. He'll stay, my lord. Leon. At my request, he would not. Her. What? have I twice said well? when was't before? I pr'ythee, tell me : Cram us with praise, and make us As fat as tame things: One good deed, dying tongueless, Slaughters a thousand, waiting upon that. Or I mistake you: O, would her name were Grace! Leon. Why, that was when Three crabbed months had sour'd themselves to death, Ere I could make thee open thy white hand, |