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- Edition: The Winter's Tale
The Winter's Tale (Modern)
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1667[4.3]
When daffodils begin to peer
4.3.131681I have served Prince Florizel, and in my time wore 1682three-pile, but now I am out of service.
But shall I go mourn for that, my dear?
4.3.221691My traffic is sheets. When the kite builds, look to 1692lesser linen. My father named me Autolycus, who 1693being as I am littered under Mercury, was likewise a 1694snapper-up of unconsidered trifles. With die and drab, 1695I purchased this caparison, and my revenue is the silly 1696cheat. Gallows and knock are too powerful on 1697the highway. Beating and hanging are terrors to me. 1698For the life to come, I sleep out the thought of it. A 1699prize, a prize!
Let me see, every 'leven wether tods, every 1702tod yields pound and odd shilling. Fifteen hundred 1703shorn, what comes the wool to?
[Aside] If the springe hold, the cock's mine.
I cannot do't without counters. [Taking out a list] Let me see,1706what am I to buy for our sheep-shearing feast? Three 1707pound of sugar, five pound of currants, rice. What 1708will this sister of mine do with rice? But my father hath 1709made her mistress of the feast, and she lays it on. She 1710hath made me four-and-twenty nosegays for the 1711shearers -- three-man song men, all, and very good ones -- but 1712they are most of them means and basses but one 1713puritan amongst them, and he sings psalms to hornpipes. 1714I must have saffron to color the warden pies; mace; 1715dates, none -- that's out of my note; nutmegs, seven; 1716a race or two of ginger, but that I may beg; four 1717pound of prunes and as many of raisins o'th'sun.
[Groveling on the ground] Oh, that ever I was born.
I'th'name of me --
Oh, help me, help me! Pluck but off these 1721rags, and then, death, death!
Alack, poor soul, thou hast need of more rags 1723to lay on thee rather than have these off.
O sir, the loathsomeness of them offend me1725more than the stripes I have received, which are mighty 1726ones and millions.
Alas, poor man, a million of beating may come 1728to a great matter.
I am robbed, sir, and beaten; my money and 1730apparel ta'en from me, and these detestable things put 1731upon me.
What, by a horseman or a footman?
A footman, sweet sir, a footman.
Indeed, he should be a footman by the garments 1735he has left with thee. If this be a horseman's coat, it 1736hath seen very hot service. Lend me thy hand. I'll help 1737thee. Come, lend me thy hand.
4.3.35.1[Helps Autolycus to stand]
Oh, good sir, tenderly, Oh!
Alas, poor soul!
Oh, good sir, softly, good sir! I fear, sir, my 1741shoulder blade is out.
How now? Canst stand?
Softly, dear sir! Good sir, softly! [Picking Clown's pocket] You have done 1744me a charitable office.
Dost lack any money? I have a little money for 1746thee.
No, good sweet sir. No, I beseech you, sir. I have 1748a kinsman not past three quarters of a mile hence, unto 1749whom I was going. I shall there have money or any 1750thing I want. Offer me no money I pray you; that kills 1751my heart.
What manner of fellow was he that robbed 1753you?
A fellow, sir, that I have known to go about 1755with troll-my-dames. I knew him once a servant of the 1756prince. I cannot tell, good sir, for which of his 1757virtues it was, but he was certainly whipped out of the 1758court.
His vices you would say. There's no virtue whipped 1760out of the court: they cherish it to make it stay there, 1761and yet it will no more but abide.
Vices I would say, sir. I know this man well. 1763He hath been since an ape-bearer, then a process-server -- 1764a bailiff. Then he compassed a motion of the prodigal 1765son and married a tinker's wife within a mile where 1766my land and living lies, and, having flown over 1767many knavish professions, he settled only in rogue. Some 1768call him Autolycus.
Out upon him! Prig, for my life, prig! He haunts 1770wakes, fairies, and bearbaitings.
Very true, sir, he, sir, he. That's the rogue that 1772put me into this apparel.
Not a more cowardly rogue in all Bohemia. If 1774you had but looked big and spit at him, he'd have 1775run.
I must confess to you, sir, I am no fighter. I am 1777false of heart that way, and that he knew, I warrant him.
How do you now?
Sweet sir, much better than I was. I can stand 1780and walk. I will even take my leave of you and pace 1781softly towards my kinsman's.
Shall I bring thee on the way?
No, good-faced sir, no, sweet sir.
Then fare thee well. I must go buy spices for our 1785sheep-shearing.
4.3.55.1Exit.
Prosper you, sweet sir. Your purse is not hot 1787enough to purchase your spice. I'll be with you at your 1788sheep-shearing too. If I make not this cheat bring out 1789another and the shearers prove sheep, let me be unrolled 1790and my name put in the book of virtue!
4.3.56.1[Sings]
Jog on, jog on, the footpath way,
4.3.60.1Exit