Keep. I may not, madam; to the contrary I have express commandment. Paul. Here's ado, To lock up honesty and honor from The access of gentle visitors!Is it lawful, Keep. So please you, madam, to put I pray now, call her. Paul. Keep. And, madam, I must be present at your conference. [Exeunt Attend. [Exit Keeper. Paul. Well, be it so, pr'ythee. Re-enter Keeper, with EMILIA. Dear gentlewoman, how fares our gracious lady? Emil. I dare be sworn. These dangerous, unsafe lunes o' the king! beshrew them! Most worthy madam, Emil. 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; Lest she should be denied. Paul. Emil. Now be you blest for it! I'll to the queen. Please you, come something nearer. Keep. Madam, if't please the queen to send the babe, I know not what I shall incur to pass it, Having no warrant. Paul. Do not you fear; upon SCENE III. The same. A Room in the Palace. Enter LEONTES, ANTIGONUS, Lords, and other Attendants. Leon. Nor night, nor day, no rest. It is but weakness To bear the matter thus; mere weakness, if The cause were not in being;-part o' the cause, Leon. How does the boy? 1 Attend. My lord! [Advancing. He took good rest to-night; 'Tis hoped his sickness is discharged. Leon. His nobleness! To see Conceiving the dishonor of his mother, He straight declined, drooped, took it deeply; And downright languished.-Leave me solely;-go, See how he fares. [Exit Attend.]-Fie, fie! no thought of him; The very thought of my revenges that way Laugh at me; make their pastime at my sorrow. 1 Lord. Enter PAULINA, with a Child. You must not enter. Paul. Nay, rather, good my lords, be second to me. Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas, Than the queen's life? a gracious, innocent soul; Ant. That's enough. 1 Attend. Madam, he hath not slept to-night; com manded None should come at him. Paul. Do come with words as med'cinal as true; Leon. Leon. How? Away with that audacious lady. Antigonus, I charged thee, that she should not come about me; I told her so, my lord, Ant. Leon. In this, (Unless he take the course that you have done, Commit me, for committing honor,) trust it, He shall not rule me. Ant. Paul. Good my liege, I come, And, I beseech you, hear me, who profess Than such as most seem yours; -I say, I come Leon. Good queen! Paul. Good queen, my lord, good queen: I say, good queen; And would by combat make her good, so were I Leon. Force her hence. Paul. Let him that makes but trifles of his eyes, But, first, I'll do my errand.-The good queen- Leon. [Laying down the Child. Out! A mankind witch! Hence with her, out o' door! I am as ignorant in that, as you In so entitling me; and no less honest Than you are mad; which is enough, I'll warrant, Leon. Traitors! Will you not push her out? Give her the bastard.Thou dotard [To ANTIGONUS.] thou art woman-tired, un roosted By thy dame Partlet here.-Take up the bastard; Paul. Unvenerable be thy hands, if thou Forever Tak'st up the princess, by that forced baseness Which he has put upon't! Leon. He dreads his wife. Paul. So I would you did; then, 'twere past all doubt, You'd call your children yours. Leon. A nest of traitors! Nor I; nor any, Ant. I am none, by this good light. His hopeful son's, his babe's, betrays to slander, Leon. A callat, Of boundless tongue; who late hath beat her husband, And now baits me!-This brat is none of mine; It is the issue of Prolixenes. Hence with it; and, together with the dam, Commit them to the fire. Paul. It is yours; And, might we lay the old proverb to your charge, The trick of his frown, his forehead; nay, the valley, The ordering of the mind too, 'mongst all colors Leon. A gross hag! Hang all the husbands And, lozel, thou art worthy to be hanged, Ant. That cannot do that feat, you'll leave yourself Hardly one subject. Leon. Once more, take her hence. Paul. A most unworthy and unnatural lord Can do no more. Leon. Paul. I'll have thee burned. It is a heretic that makes the fire, I care not. Not she which burns in't. I'll not call you tyrant; (Not able to produce more accusation Than your own weak-hinged fancy) something savors |