The Winter's Tale (Modern)
Not Peer Reviewed
¶
[2.2]
820
Enter Paulina, a Gentleman [and attendants]
¶Paulina The keeper of the prison, call to him.
| ¶Let him have knowledge who I am. | |
[Exit Gentleman] | |
| Good lady, | |
¶No court in Europe is too good for thee.
| ¶What dost thou then in prison? | |
[Enter Jailer and Gentleman] | |
| Now, good sir, | |
| 825You know me, do you not? | |
| ¶Jailer | |
| For a worthy lady, | |
| ¶And one who much I honor. | |
| ¶Paulina | |
| Pray you then, | |
| ¶Conduct me to the queen. | |
| 830Jailer | |
| I may not, madam. | |
¶To the contrary I have express commandment.
¶Paulina Here's ado, to lock up honesty and honor from
¶Th' access of gentle visitors. Is't lawful pray you
¶To see her women? Any of them? Emilia?
835Jailer So please you, madam,
¶To put apart these your attendants, I
| ¶Shall bring Emilia forth. | |
| ¶Paulina | |
| I pray now call her; | |
| ¶Withdraw yourselves. | |
[Exeunt Gentleman and attendants] | |
| 840Jailer | |
| And, madam, | |
¶I must be present at your conference.
¶Here's such ado to make no stain a stain
| ¶As passes coloring. | |
[Enter Jailer and Emilia.] | |
| Dear gentlewoman, | |
845How fares our gracious lady?
¶Emilia As well as one so great and so forlorn
¶May hold together; on her frights and griefs,
¶Which never tender lady hath borne greater,
¶She is something before her time delivered.
| 850Paulina | |
| A boy? | |
| ¶Emilia | |
| A daughter, and a goodly babe, | |
¶Lusty and like to live; the Queen receives
¶Much comfort in't, says, "my poor prisoner,
| ¶I am innocent as you." | |
| 855Paulina | |
| I dare be sworn, | |
¶These dangerous, unsafe lunes i'th' King, beshrew them!
¶He must be told on't, and he shall. The office
¶Becomes a woman best. I'll take't upon me.
¶If I prove honey-mouthed, let my tongue blister
860And never to my red-looked anger be
¶The trumpet any more. Pray you, Emilia,
¶Commend my best obedience to the Queen;
¶If she dares trust me with her little babe,
¶I'll show't the King and undertake to be
865Her advocate to th' loudest. We do not know
¶How he may soften at the sight o'th'child.
¶The silence often of pure innocence
| ¶Persuades when speaking fails. | |
| ¶Emilia | |
| Most worthy madam, | |
870Your honor and your goodness is so evident
¶That your free undertaking cannot miss
¶A thriving issue; there is no lady living
¶So meet for this great errand. Please your Ladyship
¶To visit the next room, I'll presently
875Acquaint the Queen of your most noble offer,
¶Who but today hammered of this design,
¶But durst not tempt a minister of honor
| ¶Lest she should be denied. | |
| ¶Paulina | |
| Tell her, Emilia, | |
880I'll use that tongue I have; if wit flow from't
¶As boldness from my bosom, le't not be doubted
| ¶I shall do good. | |
| ¶Emilia | |
| Now be you blest for it! | |
¶I'll to the Queen. Please you come something nearer.
¶I know not what I shall incur to pass it,
| ¶Having no warrant. | |
| ¶Paulina | |
| You need not fear it, sir, | |
¶This child was prisoner to the womb and is
890By law and process of great nature thence
¶Freed and enfranchised, not a party to
¶The anger of the King, nor guilty of,
¶If any be, the trespass of the Queen.
¶Jailer I do believe it.
895Paulina Do not you fear! Upon mine honor, I
¶Will stand betwixt you and danger.
Exeunt.