SCENE II. The same. A Room of state in the Palace. Enter LEONTES, POLIXEN ES, 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; And pay them when you part. Pol. Sir, that's to-morrow. I am question'd by my fears, of what may chance, Leon. We'll part the time between's then: and in that + Nipping. 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 "Twere needful I denied it. My affairs Do even drag me homeward: which to hinder, Leon. Tongue-tied, our queen? speak you. Her. I had thought, sir, to have held my peace, until You had drawn oaths from him, not to stay. You, sir, 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, We'll thwack him hence with distaffs. Yet of your royal presence [To POLIXENES.] I'll adventure The borrow of a week. When at Bohemia 5 Gests were the names of the stages where the King ap pointed to lie, during a royal progress. 6 Indeed. I love thee not a jar o' the clock behind 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 is As potent as a lord's. Will you go yet? Force me to keep you as a prisoner, 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; 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? ? Tick. • Flimsy. 9 A diminutive of lords. Pol. We were as twinn'd lambs, that did frisk i the sun, And bleat the one at the other; what we chang'd, Temptations have since then been born to us: for Her. Grace to boot! Of this make no conclusion; lest you say, Your queen and I are devils: 'Yet; go on; You did continue fault, and that you slipp'd 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 tongue less, Slaughters a thousand, waiting upon that. Our praises are our wages: You may ride us, My last good was, to entreat his stay; What was my first? it has an elder sister, Or I mistake you: O, would her name were Grace! But once before I spoke to the purpose: When? Nay, let me have't; I long. Leon. Why, that was when 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, Her. It is Grace, indeed. Why, lo you now, I have spoke to the purpose The one for ever earn'd a royal husband; The other, for some while a friend. Leon. [Giving her hand to POLIXEN Es. To mingle friendship far, is mingling bloods. Trembling of the heart. |