HERE'S some ill planet reigns: I must be patient, till the heavens look With an aspect more favourable.-Good my lords, I am not prone to weeping, as our sex Commonly are; the want of which vain dew, Perchance, shall dry your pities; but I have The king's will be perform'd ! Leontes. Shall I be heard? [To the Guards. Hermione. 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 deserv'd prison, then abound in tears, As I come out this action, I now go on, I trust, I shall.—My women, come; you have leave. SCENE II. Emilia. As well as one so great, and so forlorn, Emilia. A daughter; and a goodly babe, Lusty, and like to live; the queen receives I am innocent as you. Paulina. I dare be sworn : These dangerous unsafe lunes o' the king! beshrew them! The trumpet any more :—Pray you, Emilia, Persuades, when speaking fails. Emilia. 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 Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer; Paulina. Tell her, Emilia, I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from it, Emilia. Now be you blest for it! I'll to the queen: Please you, come something nearer. Keeper. Madam, if 't please the queen to send the babe, I know not what I shall incur, to pass it, Having no warrant. Paulina. You need not fear it, sir: The child was prisoner to the womb; and is, Paulina. Do not you fear; upon Mine honour, I will stand 'twixt you and danger. SCENE III. Paulina. Good my liege, I come, And, I beseech you, hear me, who profess Your most obedient counsellor; yet that dare Less appear so, in comforting your evils, Than such as most seem yours :-I say, I come From your good queen. Leontes. Good queen! Paulina. Good queen, my lord, good queen: I say, good queen ; And would by combat make her good, so were I A man, the worst about you. Leontes. Force her hence. Paulina. Let him, that makes but trifles of his eyes, First hand me: on mine own accord, I'll off; But, first, I'll do my errand.-The good queen, Paulina. It is yours; And, might we lay the old proverb to your charge, And copy of the father; eye, nose, lip, : The trick of his frown, his forehead; nay, the valley, The ordering of the mind too, 'mongst all colours Her children not her husband's ! ACT III. SCENE II. Hermione. 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 As I am now unhappy; which is more A moiety of the throne, as 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,33 And only that I stand for. I appeal To your own conscience, sir, before Polixenes With what encounter so uncurrent I Have strain'd, to appear thus: if one jot beyond Leontes. I never heard yet, That any of these bolder vices wanted |