ACT II. SCENE I. The same. Enter HERMIONE, MAMILLIUS, and Ladies. Her. Take the boy to you: he so troubles me, 'Tis past enduring. 1. Lady. Come, my gracious Lord. Shall I be your play-fellow? Mam. No, I'll none of you. 1. Lady. Why, my sweet Lord? Mam. You'll kiss me hard; and speak to me as if I were a baby still. I love you better. 2. Lady. And why so, my good Lord? Mam. Not for because Your brows are blacker; yet black brows, they say, Or half-moon made with a pen. 2. Lady. Who taught you this? Mam. I learn'd it out of women's faces. What colour are your eye-brows? 1. Lady. Blue, my Lord. now - Pray Mam. Nay, that's a mock: I have seen a lady's nose That has been blue, but not her eye-brows 2. Lady. Hark ye: The Queen, your mother, rounds apace: we shall Present our services to a fine new Prince, One of these days; and then you'd wanton with us, If we would have you. 1. Lady. She is spread of late Into a goodly bulk: Good time encounter her! Her. What wisdom stirs amongst you? Come, Sir; I am for you again: Pray you, sit by us, Mam. Merry, or sad, shall't be? Mam. A sad tale's best for winter; Her. Let's have that, Sir. Come on, sit down: Come on, and do your best To fright me with your sprites; you're powerful at it. Mam. There was a man, Her. Nay, come, sit down; then on. Mam. Dwelt by a church-yard; I will tell it softly: You crickets shall not hear it. Her. Come on then, And give't me in mine ear. Enter LEONTES, ANTIGONUS, Lords, and Others." Leon. Was he met there? his train? Camillo with him ? 1. Lord. Behind the tuft of pines I met them; never Saw I men scour so on their way; I ey'd them Leon. How bless'd am I In my just censure? in my true opinion?. How accurs'd, In being so blest! There may be in the cup The abhor'd ingredient to his eye, make known spider. Camillo was his help in this, his pander: There There is a plot against my life, my crown; He has discover'd my design, and I Remain a pinch'd thing; yea, a very trick For them to play at will: How came the posterns So easily open? 1. Lord. By his great authority; Which often hath no less prevail'd than so, On your command. Leon. I know't too well. Give me the boy; I am glad, you did not nurse him: Her. What is this? sport? Leon. Bear the boy hence, he shall not come about her; Away with him: and let her sport herself With that she's big with; for 'tis Polixenes Her. But I'd say, he had not, And, I'll be sworn, you would believe my saying, Howe'er you lean to the nayward. Leon. You, my Lords, Look on her, mark her well; be but about To say, she is a goodly lady, and The justice of your hearts, will thereto add, (Which, on my faith, deserves high speech,) and straight The shrug, the hum, or ha; these petty brands, these shrugs, these hums, and ha's, When you have said, she's goodly, come between, VOL, VI. 8 Ere you can say she's honest: But it be known, From him that has most cause to grieve it should be, She's an adultress. Her. Should a villain say so, The most replenish'd villain in the world, Leon. You have mistook, my Lady, A federary with her; and one that knows That vulgars give bold titles; ay, and privy Her. No, by my life, Privy to none of this: How will this grieve you, Leon. No, no; if I mistake In those foundations which I build upon, A schoolboy's top. Away with her to prison He, who shall speak for her, is afar off guilty, But that he speaks. Her. There's some ill planet reigns: I must be patient, till the heavens look 4 With an aspect more favourable. Good my Lords, Shall best instruct you, measure me; The King's will be perform'd'! Leon. Shall I be heard? and so [To the guards. Her. 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, Is for my better grace. Adieu, my Lord: I trust, I shall My women, come; you have leave. Leon. Go, do our bidding; hence. [Exeunt QUEEN and LADIES. 1. Lord. 'Beseech your Highness, call the Queen again. Ant. Be certain what you do, Sir; lest your justice Prove violence; in the which three great ones suffer, Yourself, your Queen, your son. 1. Lord. For her, my Lord, I dare my life lay down, and will do't, Sir, Please you to accept it, that the Queen is spotless I'the eyes of heaven, and to you; I mean, In this which you accuse her. Ant. If it prove She's otherwise, I'll keep my stables where I lodge my wife; I'll go in couples with her; Than when I feel, and see her, no further trust her; |