hands, as over a vast,† and embraced, as it were, from the ends of opposed winds. The heavens continue their loves! *Performed by agents. †Gulf. Arch. I think there is not in the world either malice or matter to alter it. You have an unspeakable comfort of your young prince Mamillius: it is a gentleman of the greatest promise that ever came into my note. 40 Cam. I very well agree with you in the hopes of him: it is a gallant child; one that indeed physics the subject, makes old hearts fresh: they that went on crutches ere he was born desire yet their life to see him a man. Arch. Would they else be content to die? Cam. Yes; if there were no other why they should desire to live. excuse Arch. If the king had no son, they would desire to live on crutches till he had one. 50 [Exeunt. SCENE II. A room of state in the same. Enter LEONTES, HERMIONE, MAMILLIUS, Pol. Nine changes of the watery star hath been The shepherd's note since we have left our throne Without a burthen: 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 moe Leon. Stay your thanks a while; Sir, that's to-morrow. And pay them when you part. Pol. ΙΟ I am question'd by my fears, of what may chance' stay'd To tire your royalty. *Nipping. and in that I'll no gainsaying. Pol. Press me not, beseech you, so. There is no tongue that moves, none, none i' the world, 20 So soon as yours could win me: so it should now, 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 30 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 swear so, and he shall not stay, Yet of your royal presence I'll adventure You take my lord, I'll give him my commission 40 To let him there a month behind the gest* *Period. Her. Nay, but you will? †Indeed. tTick. No, madam. Pol. Her. Verily! I may not, verily. You put me off with limber vows; but I, Though you would seek to unsphere the stars with oaths, Should yet say 'Sir, no going.' Verily, You shall not go: a lady's 'Verily' 's 50 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; Than you to punish. Not your gaoler, then, 59 Her. But your kind hostess. Come, I'll question you Of my lord's tricks and yours when you were boys: You were pretty lordings 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 changed Was innocence for innocence; we knew not 70 The doctrine of ill-doing, nor dream'd heaven Boldly 'not guilty;' the imposition clear'd Her. You have tripp'd since. Pol. By this we gather O my most sacred lady! Temptations have since then been born to's; for In those unfledged 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 Your queen and I are devils: yet go on; The offences we have made you do we'll answer, If you first sinn'd with us and that with us You did continue fault and that you slipp'd not With any but with us. Leon. Is he won yet? Her. He'll stay, my lord. Leon. 80 At my request he would not. Hermione, my dearest, thou never spokest To better purpose. Her. Leon. Never? Never, but once. Her. What! have I twice said well? when was't before? 90 I prithee tell me; cram's with praise, and make's As fat as tame things: one good deed dying tongueless Slaughters a thousand waiting upon that. But once before I spoke to the purpose: when? Leon. Why, that was when 101 Three crabbed months had sour'd themselves to death, Ere I could make thee open thy white hand And clap thyself my love: then didst thou utter 'I am yours for ever.' Her. 'Tis grace indeed. Why, lo you now, I have spoke to the purpose twice: The one for ever earn'd a royal husband; The other for some while a friend. Leon. From heartiness, from bounty, fertile bosom, Mam. Ay, my good lord. *Death. I' fecks!* 120 Why, that's my bawcock.† What, hast smutch'd thy nose? *In faith. †Fine fellow. They say it is a copy out of mine. Come, cap tain, We must be neat; not neat, but cleanly, cap tain: And yet the steer, the heifer and the calf Are all call'd neat.-Still virginalling‡ Upon his palm!-How now, you wanton calf! Art thou my calf? Mam. Playing as on a spinnet. Yes, if you will, my lord. Leon. Thou want'st a rough pash* and the shoots that I have, *Face. 130 To be full like me: yet they say we are 141 |