Aut. I will prove so, sir, to my power. Clo. Ay, by any means prove a tall fellow. If I do not wonder how thou darest venture to be drunk, not being a tall fellow, trust me not.-Hark! the kings and the princes, our kindred, are going to see the queen's picture. Come, follow us; we'll be thy good masters. [Exeunt. SCENE III. The same. A Room in Paulina's House. Enter LEONTES, POLIXENES, FLORIZEL, PERDITA, Camillo, PAULINA, Lords and Attendants. Leon. O grave and good Paulina, the great comfort That I have had of thee! Paul. What, sovereign sir, I did not well, I meant well. All my services, You have paid home: but that you have vouchsafed, My life may last to answer. Leon. O, Paulina, We honor you with trouble. But we came To see the statue of our queen: your gallery Have we passed through, not without much content That which my daughter came to look upon, The statue of her mother. Paul. As she lived peerless, So her dead likeness, I do well believe, Excels whatever yet you looked upon, Or hand of man hath done; therefore I keep it To see the life as lively mocked, as ever Still sleep mocked death. Behold; and say, tis well. Your wonder. But yet speak;-first you, my liege, Her natural posture!— Leon. VOL. II.-10 N Pol. O, not by much. Paul. So much the more our carver's excellence; Which lets go by some sixteen years, and makes her As she lived now. Leon. As now she might have done Now piercing to my soul. O, thus she stood, As now it coldly stands,) when first I wooed her! Per. And give me leave; And do not say, 'tis superstition, that I kneel, and then implore her blessing.-Lady, Give me that hand of yours, to kiss. Paul. O patience; The statue is but newly fixed; the color's Not dry. Cam. My lord, your sorrow was too sore laid on; Which sixteen winters cannot blow away, So many summers, dry; scarce any joy Did ever so long live; no sorrow, But killed itself much sooner. Pol. Dear my brother, Let him, that was the cause of this, have power Will piece up in himself. Paul. Indeed, my lord, If I had thought the sight of my poor image Would thus have wrought you, (for the stone is mine,> I'd not have showed it. Leon. Do not draw the curtain. Paul. No longer shall you gaze on't; lest your fancy May think anon it moves. Leon. Let be, let be. 'Would I were dead, but that, methinks, already What was he that did make it?-See, my lord, Would you not deem, it breathed? and that those veins Did verily bear blood? Pol. Masterly done. The very life seems warm upon her lip. Leon. The fixture of her eye has motion in't, As we are mocked with art. Paul. I'll draw the curtain: My lord's almost so far transported, that He'll think anon it lives. Leon. Paul. I am sorry, sir, I have thus far stirred you; but I could afflict you further. Leon. As any cordial comfort.-Still, methinks, There is an air comes from her. What fine chisel Paul. Good my lord, forbear. You'll mar it, if you kiss it; stain your own Per. So long could 1 Either forbear, Quit presently the chapel; or resolve you By wicked powers. Leon. What you can make her do, I am content to look on; what to speak, I am content to hear; for 'tis as easy To make her speak, as move. Paul. It is required, You do awake your faith. Then, all stand still, Or those that think it is unlawful business I am about, let them depart. Leon. No foot shall stir. Paul. Proceed; Music; awake her: strike. 'Tis time; descend; be stone no more; approach; Strike all that look upon with marvel. Come: I'll fill your grave up: stir; nay, come away; [Music. Bequeath to death your numbness, for from him [HERMIONE comes down from the pedestal. Start not: her actions shall be holy, as, You hear, my spell is lawful. Do not shun her, You kill her double. Nay, present your hand. Leon. O, she's warm! If this be magic, let it be an art Lawful as eating. Pol. She embraces him. Cam. She hangs about his neck; If she pertain to life, let her speak too. [Embracing her. Pol. Ay, and mak't manifest where she has lived, Paul. And pray your mother's blessing.-Turn, good lady; Her. [Presenting PER., who kneels to HER. You gods, look down, And from your sacred vials pour your graces Upon my daughter's head!-Tell me, mine own, Knowing by Paulina that the oracle Gave hope, thou wast in being-have preserved Paul. Will wing me to some withered bough; and there Lament till I am lost. Leon. O peace, Paulina; Thou shouldst a husband take by my consent, As I by thine, a wife. This is a match, And made between's by vows. Thou hast found mine; But how, is to be questioned; for I saw her, As I thought, dead; and have in vain said many And take her by the hand; whose worth, and honesty, Is richly noted; and here justified By us, a pair of kings.-Let's from this place.What?-Look upon, my brother.-Both your pardons, That e'er I put between your holy looks My ill suspicion.-This your son-in-law, And son unto the king, (whom Heavens directing,) [Exeunt. |