4IF you shall chance (Camillo) to visit Bohemia, on

5the like occasion whereon my seruices are now

6on-foot, you shall see (as I haue said) great dif-

7ference betwixt our Bohemia, and your Sicilia.

8Cam. I thinke, this comming Summer, the King of

9Sicilia meanes to pay Bohemia the Visitation, which hee

10iustly owes him.

11Arch. Wherein our Entertainment shall shame vs: we

12will be iustified in our Loues: for indeed---

13Cam. 'Beseech you---

14Arch. Verely I speake it in the freedome of my know-

15ledge: we cannot with such magnificence--- in so rare---

16I know not what to say--- Wee will giue you sleepie

17Drinkes, that your Sences (vn-intelligent of our insuffi-

18cience) may, though they cannot prayse vs, as little ac-

19cuse vs.

20Cam. You pay a great deale to deare, for what's giuen

21freely.

22Arch. 'Beleeue me, I speake as my vnderstanding in-

23structs me, and as mine honestie puts it to vtterance.

24Cam. Sicilia cannot shew himselfe ouer-kind to Bohe-

25mia: They were trayn'd together in their Child-hoods;

26and there rooted betwixt them then such an affection,

27which cannot chuse but braunch now. Since their more

28mature Dignities, and Royall Necessities, made seperati-

29on of their Societie, their Encounters (though not Perso-

30nall) hath been Royally attornyed with enter-change of

31Gifts, Letters, louing Embassies, that they haue seem'd to

32be together, though absent: shooke hands, as ouer a Vast;

33and embrac'd as it were from the ends of opposed Winds.

34The Heauens continue their Loues.

35Arch. I thinke there is not in the World, either Malice

36or Matter, to alter it. You haue an vnspeakable comfort

37of your young Prince Mamillius: it is a Gentleman of the

38greatest Promise, that euer came into my Note.

39Cam. I very well agree with you, in the hopes of him:

40it is a gallant Child; one, that (indeed) Physicks the Sub-

41iect, makes old hearts fresh: they that went on Crutches

42ere he was borne, desire yet their life, to see him a Man.

43Arch. Would they else be content to die?

44Cam. Yes; if there were no other excuse, why they should

45desire to liue.

46Arch. If the King had no Sonne, they would desire to

47liue on Crutches till he had one. Exeunt.

50Pol. Nine Changes of the Watry-Starre hath been

51The Shepheards Note, since we haue left our Throne

52Without a Burthen: Time as long againe

53Would be fill'd vp (my Brother) with our Thanks,

54And yet we should, for perpetuitie,

55Goe hence in debt: And therefore, like a Cypher

56(Yet standing in rich place) I multiply

57With one we thanke you, many thousands moe,

58That goe before it.

59Leo. Stay your Thanks a while,

60And pay them when you part.

61Pol. Sir, that's to morrow:

62I am question'd by my feares, of what may chance,

63Or breed vpon our absence, that may blow

64No sneaping Winds at home, to make vs say,

65This is put forth too truly: besides, I haue stay'd

66To tyre your Royaltie.

67Leo. We are tougher (Brother)

68Then you can put vs to't.

69Pol. No longer stay.

70Leo. One Seue' night longer.

71Pol. Very sooth, to morrow.

72Leo. Wee'le part the time betweene's then: and in that

73Ile no gaine-saying.

74Pol. Presse me not ('beseech you) so:

75There is no Tongue that moues; none, none i'th' World

76So soone as yours, could win me: so it should now,

77Were there necessitie in your request, although

78'Twere needfull I deny'd it. My Affaires

79Doe euen drag me home-ward: which to hinder,

80Were (in your Loue) a Whip to me; my stay,

81To you a Charge, and Trouble: to saue both,

82Farewell (our Brother.)

83Leo. Tongue-ty'd our Queene? speake you.

84Her. I had thought (Sir) to haue held my peace, vntill

85You had drawne Oathes from him, not to stay: you (Sir)

86Charge him too coldly. Tell him, you are sure

87All in Bohemia's well: this satisfaction,

88The by-gone-day proclaym'd, say this to him,

89He's beat from his best ward.

90Leo. Well said, Hermione.

91Her. To tell, he longs to see his Sonne, were strong:

92But let him say so then, and let him goe;

93But let him sweare so, and he shall not stay,

94Wee'l thwack him hence with Distaffes.

95Yet of your Royall presence, Ile aduenture

96The borrow of a Weeke. When at Bohemia

97You take my Lord, Ile giue him my Commission,

98To let him there a Moneth, behind the Gest

99Prefix'd for's parting: yet (good-deed) Leontes,

100I loue thee not a Iarre o'th' Clock, behind

101What Lady she her Lord. You'le stay?

102Pol. No, Madame.

103Her. Nay, but you will?

104Pol. I may not verely.

105Her. Verely?

106You put me off with limber Vowes: but I,

107Though you would seek t' vnsphere the Stars with Oaths,

108Should yet say, Sir, no going: Verely

109You shall not goe; a Ladyes Verely 'is

110As potent as a Lords. Will you goe yet?

111Force me to keepe you as a Prisoner,

112Not like a Guest: so you shall pay your Fees

113When you depart, and saue your Thanks. How say you?

114My Prisoner? or my Guest? by your dread Verely,

115One of them you shall be.

116Pol. Your Guest then, Madame:

117To be your Prisoner, should import offending;

118Which is for me, lesse easie to commit,

119Then you to punish.

120Her. Not your Gaoler then,

121But your kind Hostesse. Come, Ile question you

122Of my Lords Tricks, and yours, when you were Boyes:

123You were pretty Lordings then?

124Pol. We were (faire Queene)

125Two Lads, that thought there was no more behind,

126But such a day to morrow, as to day,

127And to be Boy eternall.

128Her. Was not my Lord

129The veryer Wag o'th' two?

130Pol. We were as twyn'd Lambs, that did frisk i'th' Sun,

131And bleat the one at th' other: what we chang'd,

132Was Innocence, for Innocence: we knew not

133The Doctrine of ill-doing, nor dream'd

134That any did: Had we pursu'd that life,

135And our weake Spirits ne're been higher rear'd

136With stronger blood, we should haue answer'd Heauen

137Boldly, not guilty; the Imposition clear'd,

138Hereditarie ours.

139Her. By this we gather

140You haue tript since.

141Pol. O my most sacred Lady,

142Temptations haue since then been borne to's: for

143In those vnfledg'd dayes, was my Wife a Girle;

144Your precious selfe had then not cross'd the eyes

145Of my young Play-fellow.

146Her. Grace to boot:

147Of this make no conclusion, least you say

148Your Queene and I are Deuils: yet goe on,

149Th' offences we haue made you doe, wee'le answere,

150If you first sinn'd with vs: and that with vs

151You did continue fault; and that you slipt not

152With any, but with vs.

153Leo. Is he woon yet?

154Her. Hee'le stay (my Lord.)

155Leo. At my request, he would not:

156Hermione (my dearest) thou neuer spoak'st

157To better purpose.

158Her. Neuer?

159Leo. Neuer, but once.

160Her.What? haue I twice said well? when was't before?

161I prethee tell me: cram's with prayse, and make's

162As fat as tame things: One good deed, dying tonguelesse,

163Slaughters a thousand, wayting vpon that.

164Our prayses are our Wages. You may ride's

165With one soft Kisse a thousand Furlongs, ere

166With Spur we heat an Acre. But to th' Goale:

167My last good deed, was to entreat his stay.

168What was my first? it ha's an elder Sister,

169Or I mistake you: O, would her Name were Grace.

170But once before I spoke to th' purpose? when?

171Nay, let me haue't: I long.

172Leo. Why, that was when

173Three crabbed Moneths had sowr'd themselues to death,

174Ere I could make thee open thy white Hand:

175A clap thy selfe, my Loue; then didst thou vtter,

176I am yours for euer.

177Her. 'Tis Grace indeed.

178Why lo-you now; I haue spoke to th' purpose twice:

179The one, for euer earn'd a Royall Husband;

180Th' other, for some while a Friend.

181Leo. Too hot, too hot:

182To mingle friendship farre, is mingling bloods.

183I haue Tremor Cordis on me: my heart daunces,

184But not for ioy; not ioy. This Entertainment

185May a free face put on: deriue a Libertie

186From Heartinesse, from Bountie, fertile Bosome,

187And well become the Agent: 't may; I graunt:

188But to be padling Palmes, and pinching Fingers,

189As now they are, and making practis'd Smiles

190As in a Looking-Glasse; and then to sigh, as 'twere

191The Mort o'th' Deere: oh, that is entertainment

192My Bosome likes not, nor my Browes. Mamillius,

193Art thou my Boy?

194Mam. I, my good Lord.

195Leo. I'fecks:

196Why that's my Bawcock: what? has't smutch'd thy Nose?

197They say it is a Coppy out of mine. Come Captaine,

198We must be neat; not neat, but cleanly, Captaine:

199And yet the Steere, the Heycfer, and the Calfe,

200Are all call'd Neat. Still Virginalling

201Vpon his Palme? How now (you wanton Calfe)

202Art thou my Calfe?

203Mam. Yes, if you will (my Lord.)

204Leo. Thou want'st a rough pash, & the shoots that I haue

205To be full, like me: yet they say we are

206Almost as like as Egges; Women say so,

207(That will say any thing.) But were they false

208As o're-dy'd Blacks, as Wind, as Waters; false

209As Dice are to be wish'd, by one that fixes

210No borne 'twixt his and mine; yet were it true,

211To say this Boy were like me. Come (Sir Page)

212Looke on me with your Welkin eye: sweet Villaine,

213Most dear'st, my Collop: Can thy Dam, may't be

214Affection? thy Intention stabs the Center.

215Thou do'st make possible things not so held,

216Communicat'st with Dreames (how can this be?)

217With what's vnreall: thou coactiue art,

218And fellow'st nothing. Then 'tis very credent,

219Thou may'st co-ioyne with something, and thou do'st,

220(And that beyond Commission) and I find it,

221(And that to the infection of my Braines,

222And hardning of my Browes.)

223Pol. What meanes Sicilia?

224Her. He something seemes vnsetled.

225Pol. How? my Lord?

226Leo. What cheere? how is't with you, best Brother?

227Her. You look as if you held a Brow of much distraction:

228Are you mou'd (my Lord?)

229Leo. No, in good earnest.

230How sometimes Nature will betray it's folly?

231It's tendernesse? and make it selfe a Pastime

232To harder bosomes? Looking on the Lynes

233Of my Boyes face, me thoughts I did requoyle

234Twentie three yeeres, and saw my selfe vn-breech'd,

235In my greene Veluet Coat; my Dagger muzzel'd,

236Least it should bite it's Master, and so proue

237(As Ornaments oft do's) too dangerous:

238How like (me thought) I then was to this Kernell,

239This Squash, this Gentleman. Mine honest Friend,

240Will you take Egges for Money?

241Mam. No (my Lord) Ile fight.

242Leo. You will: why happy man be's dole. My Brother

243Are you so fond of your young Prince, as we

244Doe seeme to be of ours?

245Pol. If at home (Sir)

246He's all my Exercise, my Mirth, my Matter;

247Now my sworne Friend, and then mine Enemy;

248My Parasite, my Souldier: States-man; all:

249He makes a Iulyes day, short as December,

250And with his varying child-nesse, cures in me

251Thoughts, that would thick my blood.

252Leo. So stands this Squire

253Offic'd with me: We two will walke (my Lord)

254And leaue you to your grauer steps. Hermione,

255How thou lou'st vs, shew in our Brothers welcome;

256Let what is deare in Sicily, be cheape:

257Next to thy selfe, and my young Rouer, he's

258Apparant to my heart.

259Her. If you would seeke vs,

260We are yours i'th' Garden: shall's attend you there?

261Leo. To your owne bents dispose you: you'le be found,

262Be you beneath the Sky: I am angling now,

263(Though you perceiue me not how I giue Lyne)

264Goe too, goe too.

265How she holds vp the Neb? the Byll to him?

266And armes her with the boldnesse of a Wife

267To her allowing Husband. Gone already,

268Ynch-thick, knee-deepe; ore head and eares a fork'd one.

269Goe play (Boy) play: thy Mother playes, and I

270Play too; but so disgrac'd a part, whose issue

271Will hisse me to my Graue: Contempt and Clamor

272Will be my Knell. Goe play (Boy) play, there haue been

273(Or I am much deceiu'd) Cuckolds ere now,

274And many a man there is (euen at this present,

275Now, while I speake this) holds his Wife by th' Arme,

276That little thinkes she ha's been sluyc'd in's absence,

277And his Pond fish'd by his next Neighbor (by

278Sir Smile, his Neighbor:) nay, there's comfort in't,

279Whiles other men haue Gates, and those Gates open'd

280(As mine) against their will. Should all despaire

281That haue reuolted Wiues, the tenth of Mankind

282Would hang themselues. Physick for't, there's none:

283It is a bawdy Planet, that will strike

284Where 'tis predominant; and 'tis powrefull: thinke it:

285From East, West, North, and South, be it concluded,

286No Barricado for a Belly. Know't,

287It will let in and out the Enemy,

288With bag and baggage: many thousand on's

289Haue the Disease, and feele't not. How now Boy?

290Mam. I am like you say.

291Leo. Why, that's some comfort.

292What? Camillo there?

293Cam. I, my good Lord.

294Leo. Goe play (Mamillius) thou'rt an honest man:

295Camillo, this great Sir will yet stay longer.

296Cam. You had much adoe to make his Anchor hold,

297When you cast out, it still came home.

298Leo. Didst note it?

299Cam. He would not stay at your Petitions, made

300His Businesse more materiall.

301Leo. Didst perceiue it?

302They're here with me already; whisp'ring, rounding:

303Sicilia is a so-forth: 'tis farre gone,

304When I shall gust it last. How cam't (Camillo)

305That he did stay?

306Cam. At the good Queenes entreatie.

307Leo. At the Queenes be't: Good should be pertinent,

308But so it is, it is not. Was this taken

309By any vnderstanding Pate but thine?

310For thy Conceit is soaking, will draw in

311More then the common Blocks. Not noted, is't,

312But of the finer Natures? by some Seueralls

313Of Head-peece extraordinarie? Lower Messes

314Perchance are to this Businesse purblind? say.

315Cam.Businesse, my Lord? I thinke most vnderstand

316Bohemia stayes here longer.

317Leo. Ha?

318Cam. Stayes here longer.

319Leo. I, but why?

320 Cam. To satisfie your Highnesse, and the Entreaties

321Of our most gracious Mistresse.

322Leo. Satisfie?

323Th' entreaties of your Mistresse? Satisfie?

324Let that suffice. I haue trusted thee (Camillo)

325With all the neerest things to my heart, as well

326My Chamber-Councels, wherein (Priest-like) thou

327Hast cleans'd my Bosome: I, from thee departed

328Thy Penitent reform'd: but we haue been

329Deceiu'd in thy Integritie, deceiu'd

330In that which seemes so.

331Cam. Be it forbid (my Lord.)

332Leo. To bide vpon't: thou art not honest: or

333If thou inclin'st that way, thou art a Coward,

334Which hoxes honestie behind, restrayning

335From Course requir'd: or else thou must be counted

336A Seruant, grafted in my serious Trust,

337And therein negligent: or else a Foole,

338That seest a Game play'd home, the rich Stake drawne,

339And tak'st it all for ieast.

340Cam. My gracious Lord,

341I may be negligent, foolish, and fearefull,

342In euery one of these, no man is free,

343But that his negligence, his folly, feare,

344Among the infinite doings of the World,

345Sometime puts forth in your affaires (my Lord.)

346If euer I were wilfull-negligent,

347It was my folly: if industriously

348I play'd the Foole, it was my negligence,

349Not weighing well the end: if euer fearefull

350To doe a thing, where I the issue doubted,

351Whereof the execution did cry out

352Against the non-performance, 'twas a feare

353Which oft infects the wisest: these (my Lord)

354Are such allow'd Infirmities, that honestie

355Is neuer free of. But beseech your Grace

356Be plainer with me, let me know my Trespas

357By it's owne visage; if I then deny it,

358'Tis none of mine.

359Leo. Ha' not you seene Camillo?

360(But that's past doubt: you haue, or your eye-glasse

361Is thicker then a Cuckolds Horne) or heard?

362(For to a Vision so apparant, Rumor

363Cannot be mute) or thought? (for Cogitation

364Resides not in that man, that do's not thinke)

Aa2 My

365My Wife is slipperie? If thou wilt confesse,

366Or else be impudently negatiue,

367To haue nor Eyes, nor Eares, nor Thought, then say

368My Wife's a Holy-Horse, deserues a Name

369As ranke as any Flax-Wench, that puts to

370Before her troth-plight: say't, and iustify't.

371Cam. I would not be a stander-by, to heare

372My Soueraigne Mistresse clouded so, without

373My present vengeance taken: 'shrew my heart,

374You neuer spoke what did become you lesse

375Then this; which to reiterate, were sin

376As deepe as that, though true.

377Leo. Is whispering nothing?

378Is leaning Cheeke to Cheeke? is meating Noses?

379Kissing with in-side Lip? stopping the Cariere

380Of Laughter, with a sigh? (a Note infallible

381Of breaking Honestie) horsing foot on foot?

382Skulking in corners? wishing Clocks more swift?

383Houres, Minutes? Noone, Mid-night? and all Eyes

384Blind with the Pin and Web, but theirs; theirs onely,

385That would vnseene be wicked? Is this nothing?

386Why then the World, and all that's in't, is nothing,

387The couering Skie is nothing, Bohemia nothing,

388My Wife is nothing, nor Nothing haue these Nothings,

389If this be nothing.

390Cam. Good my Lord, be cur'd

391Of this diseas'd Opinion, and betimes,

392For 'tis most dangerous.

393Leo. Say it be, 'tis true.

394Cam. No, no, my Lord.

395Leo. It is: you lye, you lye:

396I say thou lyest Camillo, and I hate thee,

397Pronounce thee a grosse Lowt, a mindlesse Slaue,

398Or else a houering Temporizer, that

399Canst with thine eyes at once see good and euill,

400Inclining to them both: were my Wiues Liuer

401Infected (as her life) she would not liue

402The running of one Glasse.

403Cam. Who do's infect her?

404Leo. Why he that weares her like her Medull, hanging

405About his neck (Bohemia) who, if I

406Had Seruants true about me, that bare eyes

407To see alike mine Honor, as their Profits,

408(Their owne particular Thrifts) they would doe that

409Which should vndoe more doing: I, and thou

410His Cup-bearer, whom I from meaner forme

411Haue Bench'd, and rear'd to Worship, who may'st see

412Plainely, as Heauen sees Earth, and Earth sees Heauen,

413How I am gall'd, might'st be-spice a Cup,

414To giue mine Enemy a lasting Winke:

415Which Draught to me, were cordiall.

416Cam. Sir (my Lord)

417I could doe this, and that with no rash Potion,

418But with a lingring Dram, that should not worke

419Maliciously, like Poyson: But I cannot

420Beleeue this Crack to be in my dread Mistresse

421(So soueraignely being Honorable.)

422I haue lou'd thee,

423Leo. Make that thy question, and goe rot:

424Do'st thinke I am so muddy, so vnsetled,

425To appoint my selfe in this vexation?

426Sully the puritie and whitenesse of my Sheetes

427(Which to preserue, is Sleepe; which being spotted,

428Is Goades, Thornes, Nettles, Tayles of Waspes)

429Giue scandall to the blood o'th' Prince, my Sonne,

430(Who I doe thinke is mine, and loue as mine)

431Without ripe mouing to't? Would I doe this?

432Could man so blench?

433Cam. I must beleeue you (Sir)

434I doe, and will fetch off Bohemia for't:

435Prouided, that when hee's remou'd, your Highnesse

436Will take againe your Queene, as yours at first,

437Euen for your Sonnes sake, and thereby for sealing

438The Iniurie of Tongues, in Courts and Kingdomes

439Knowne, and ally'd to yours.

440Leo. Thou do'st aduise me,

441Euen so as I mine owne course haue set downe:

442Ile giue no blemish to her Honor, none.

443Cam. My Lord,

444Goe then; and with a countenance as cleare

445As Friendship weares at Feasts, keepe with Bohemia,

446And with your Queene: I am his Cup-bearer,

447If from me he haue wholesome Beueridge,

448Account me not your Seruant.

449Leo. This is all:

450Do't, and thou hast the one halfe of my heart;

451Do't not, thou splitt'st thine owne.

452Cam. Ile do't, my Lord.

453Leo. I wil seeme friendly, as thou hast aduis'd me.

454Cam. O miserable Lady. But for me,

455What case stand I in? I must be the poysoner

456Of good Polixenes, and my ground to do't,

457Is the obedience to a Master; one,

458Who in Rebellion with himselfe, will haue

459All that are his, so too. To doe this deed,

460Promotion followes: If I could find example

461Of thousand's that had struck anoynted Kings,

462And flourish'd after, Il'd not do't: But since

463Nor Brasse, nor Stone, nor Parchment beares not one,

464Let Villanie it selfe forswear't. I must

465Forsake the Court: to do't, or no, is certaine

466To me a breake-neck. Happy Starre raigne now,

467Here comes Bohemia. Enter Polixenes.

468Pol. This is strange: Me thinkes

469My fauor here begins to warpe. Not speake?

470Good day Camillo.

471Cam. Hayle most Royall Sir.

472Pol. What is the Newes i'th' Court?

473Cam. None rare (my Lord.)

474Pol. The King hath on him such a countenance,

475As he had lost some Prouince, and a Region

476Lou'd, as he loues himselfe: euen now I met him

477With customarie complement, when hee

478Wafting his eyes to th' contrary, and falling

479A Lippe of much contempt, speedes from me, and

480So leaues me, to consider what is breeding,

481That changes thus his Manners.

482Cam. I dare not know (my Lord.)

483Pol. How, dare not? doe not? doe you know, and dare not?

484Be intelligent to me, 'tis thereabouts:

485For to your selfe, what you doe know, you must,

486And cannot say, you dare not. Good Camillo,

487Your chang'd complexions are to me a Mirror,

488Which shewes me mine chang'd too: for I must be

489A partie in this alteration, finding

490My selfe thus alter'd with't.

491Cam. There is a sicknesse

492Which puts some of vs in distemper, but

493I cannot name the Disease, and it is caught

494Of you, that yet are well.

495Pol. How caught of me?

496Make me not sighted like the Basilisque.

497I haue look'd on thousands, who haue sped the better

498By my regard, but kill'd none so: Camillo,

499As you are certainely a Gentleman, thereto

500Clerke-like experienc'd, which no lesse adornes

501Our Gentry, then our Parents Noble Names,

502In whose successe we are gentle: I beseech you,

503If you know ought which do's behoue my knowledge,

504Thereof to be inform'd, imprison't not

505In ignorant concealement.

506 Cam. I may not answere.

507Pol. A Sicknesse caught of me, and yet I well?

508I must be answer'd. Do'st thou heare Camillo,

509I coniure thee, by all the parts of man,

510Which Honor do's acknowledge, whereof the least

511Is not this Suit of mine, that thou declare

512What incidencie thou do'st ghesse of harme

513Is creeping toward me; how farre off, how neere,

514Which way to be preuented, if to be:

515If not, how best to beare it.

516Cam. Sir, I will tell you,

517Since I am charg'd in Honor, and by him

518That I thinke Honorable: therefore marke my counsaile,

519Which must be eu'n as swiftly followed, as

520I meane to vtter it; or both your selfe, and me,

521Cry lost, and so good night.

522Pol. On, good Camillo.

523Cam. I am appointed him to murther you.

524Pol. By whom, Camillo?

525Cam. By the King.

526Pol. For what?

527Cam. He thinkes, nay with all confidence he sweares,

528As he had seen't, or beene an Instrument

529To vice you to't, that you haue toucht his Queene

530Forbiddenly.

531Pol. Oh then, my best blood turne

532To an infected Gelly, and my Name

533Be yoak'd with his, that did betray the Best:

534Turne then my freshest Reputation to

535A sauour, that may strike the dullest Nosthrill

536Where I arriue, and my approch be shun'd,

537Nay hated too, worse then the great'st Infection

538That ere was heard, or read.

539Cam. Sweare his thought ouer

540By each particular Starre in Heauen, and

541By all their Influences; you may as well

542Forbid the Sea for to obey the Moone,

543As (or by Oath) remoue, or (Counsaile) shake

544The Fabrick of his Folly, whose foundation

545Is pyl'd vpon his Faith, and will continue

546The standing of his Body.

547Pol. How should this grow?

548Cam. I know not: but I am sure 'tis safer to

549Auoid what's growne, then question how 'tis borne.

550If therefore you dare trust my honestie,

551That lyes enclosed in this Trunke, which you

552Shall beare along impawnd, away to Night,

553Your Followers I will whisper to the Businesse,

554And will by twoes, and threes, at seuerall Posternes,

555Cleare them o'th' Citie: For my selfe, Ile put

556My fortunes to your seruice (which are here

557By this discouerie lost.) Be not vncertaine,

558For by the honor of my Parents, I

559Haue vttred Truth: which if you seeke to proue,

560I dare not stand by; nor shall you be safer,

561Then one condemnd by the Kings owne mouth:

562Thereon his Execution sworne.

563Pol. I doe beleeue thee:

564I saw his heart in's face. Giue me thy hand,

565Be Pilot to me, and thy places shall

566Still neighbour mine. My Ships are ready, and

567My people did expect my hence departure

568Two dayes agoe. This Iealousie

569Is for a precious Creature: as shee's rare,

570Must it be great; and, as his Person's mightie,

571Must it be violent: and, as he do's conceiue,

572He is dishonor'd by a man, which euer

573Profess'd to him: why his Reuenges must

574In that be made more bitter. Feare ore-shades me:

575Good Expedition be my friend, and comfort

576The gracious Queene, part of his Theame; but nothing

577Of his ill-ta'ne suspition. Come Camillo,

578I will respect thee as a Father, if

579Thou bear'st my life off, hence: Let vs auoid.

580Cam. It is in mine authoritie to command

581The Keyes of all the Posternes: Please your Highnesse

582To take the vrgent houre. Come Sir, away. Exeunt.

586Her. Take the Boy to you: he so troubles me,

587'Tis past enduring.

588Lady. Come (my gracious Lord)

589Shall I be your play-fellow?

590Mam. No, Ile none of you.

591Lady. Why (my sweet Lord?)

592Mam. You'le kisse me hard, and speake to me, as if

593I were a Baby still. I loue you better.

594 2. Lady. And why so (my Lord?)

595Mam. Not for because

596Your Browes are blacker (yet black-browes they say

597Become some Women best, so that there be not

598Too much haire there, but in a Cemicircle,

599Or a halfe-Moone, made with a Pen.)

6002. Lady. Who taught 'this?

601Mam. I learn'd it out of Womens faces: pray now,

602What colour are your eye-browes?

603Lady. Blew (my Lord.)

604Mam. Nay, that's a mock: I haue seene a Ladies Nose

605That ha's beene blew, but not her eye-browes.

606Lady. Harke ye,

607The Queene (your Mother) rounds apace: we shall

608Present our seruices to a fine new Prince

609One of these dayes, and then youl'd wanton with vs,

610If we would haue you.

6112. Lady. She is spread of late

612Into a goodly Bulke (good time encounter her.)

613Her. What wisdome stirs amongst you? Come Sir, now

614I am for you againe: 'Pray you sit by vs,

615And tell's a Tale.

616Mam. Merry, or sad, shal't be?

617Her. As merry as you will.

618Mam. A sad Tale's best for Winter:

619I haue one of Sprights, and Goblins.

620Her. Let's haue that (good Sir.)

621Come-on, sit downe, come-on, and doe your best,

622To fright me with your Sprights: you're powrefull at it.

Aa3 Mam. There

623Mam. There was a man.

624Her. Nay, come sit downe: then on.

625Mam. Dwelt by a Church-yard: I will tell it softly,

626Yond Crickets shall not heare it.

627Her. Come on then, and giu't me in mine eare.

628Leon. Was hee met there? his Traine? Camillo with

629him?

630Lord. Behind the tuft of Pines I met them, neuer

631Saw I men scowre so on their way: I eyed them

632Euen to their Ships.

633Leo. How blest am I

634In my iust Censure? in my true Opinion?

635Alack, for lesser knowledge, how accurs'd,

636In being so blest? There may be in the Cup

637A Spider steep'd, and one may drinke; depart,

638And yet partake no venome: (for his knowledge

639Is not infected) but if one present

640Th' abhor'd Ingredient to his eye, make knowne

641How he hath drunke, he cracks his gorge, his sides

642With violent Hefts: I haue drunke, and seene the Spider.

643Camillo was his helpe in this, his Pandar:

644There is a Plot against my Life, my Crowne;

645All's true that is mistrusted: that false Villaine,

646Whom I employ'd, was pre-employ'd by him:

647He ha's discouer'd my Designe, and I

648Remaine a pinch'd Thing; yea, a very Trick

649For them to play at will: how came the Posternes

650So easily open?

651Lord. By his great authority,

652Which often hath no lesse preuail'd, then so,

653On your command.

654Leo. I know't too well.

655Giue me the Boy, I am glad you did not nurse him:

656Though he do's beare some signes of me, yet you

657Haue too much blood in him.

658Her. What is this? Sport?

659Leo. Beare the Boy hence, he shall not come about her,

660Away with him, and let her sport her selfe

661With that shee's big-with, for 'tis Polixenes

662Ha's made thee swell thus.

663Her. But Il'd say he had not;

664And Ile be sworne you would beleeue my saying,

665How e're you leane to th' Nay-ward.

666Leo. You (my Lords)

667Looke on her, marke her well: be but about

668To say she is a goodly Lady, and

669The iustice of your hearts will thereto adde

670'Tis pitty shee's not honest: Honorable;

671Prayse her but for this her without-dore-Forme,

672(Which on my faith deserues high speech) and straight

673The Shrug, the Hum, or Ha, (these Petty-brands

674That Calumnie doth vse; Oh, I am out,

675That Mercy do's, for Calumnie will seare

676Vertue it selfe) these Shrugs, these Hum's, and Ha's,

677When you haue said shee's goodly, come betweene,

678Ere you can say shee's honest: But be't knowne

679(From him that ha's most cause to grieue it should be)

680Shee's an Adultresse.

681Her. Should a Villaine say so,

682(The most replenish'd Villaine in the World)

683He were as much more Villaine: you (my Lord)

684Doe but mistake.

685Leo. You haue mistooke (my Lady)

686Polixenes for Leontes: O thou Thing,

687(Which Ile not call a Creature of thy place,

688Least Barbarisme (making me the precedent)

689Should a like Language vse to all degrees,

690And mannerly distinguishment leaue out,

691Betwixt the Prince and Begger:) I haue said

692Shee's an Adultresse, I haue said with whom:

693More; shee's a Traytor, and Camillo is

694A Federarie with her, and one that knowes

695What she should shame to know her selfe,

696But with her most vild Principall: that shee's

697A Bed-swaruer, euen as bad as those

698That Vulgars giue bold'st Titles; I, and priuy

699To this their late escape.

700Her. No (by my life)

701Priuy to none of this: how will this grieue you,

702When you shall come to clearer knowledge, that

703You thus haue publish'd me? Gentle my Lord,

704You scarce can right me throughly, then, to say

705You did mistake.

706Leo. No: if I mistake

707In those Foundations which I build vpon,

708The Centre is not bigge enough to beare

709A Schoole-Boyes Top. Away with her, to Prison:

710He who shall speake for her, is a farre-off guiltie,

711But that he speakes.

712Her. There's some ill Planet raignes:

713I must be patient, till the Heauens looke

714With an aspect more fauorable. Good my Lords,

715I am not prone to weeping (as our Sex

716Commonly are) the want of which vaine dew

717Perchance shall dry your pitties: but I haue

718That honorable Griefe lodg'd here, which burnes

719Worse then Teares drowne: 'beseech you all (my Lords)

720With thoughts so qualified, as your Charities

721Shall best instruct you, measure me; and so

722The Kings will be perform'd.

723Leo. Shall I be heard?

724Her. Who is't that goes with me? 'beseech your Highnes

725My Women may be with me, for you see

726My plight requires it. Doe not weepe (good Fooles)

727There is no cause: When you shall know your Mistris

728Ha's deseru'd Prison, then abound in Teares,

729As I come out; this Action I now goe on,

730Is for my better grace. Adieu (my Lord)

731I neuer wish'd to see you sorry, now

732I trust I shall: my Women come, you haue leaue.

733Leo. Goe, doe our bidding: hence.

734Lord. Beseech your Highnesse call the Queene againe.

735Antig. Be certaine what you do (Sir) least your Iustice

736Proue violence, in the which three great ones suffer,

737Your Selfe, your Queene, your Sonne.

738Lord. For her (my Lord)

739I dare my life lay downe, and will do't (Sir)

740Please you t' accept it, that the Queene is spotlesse

741I'th' eyes of Heauen, and to you (I meane

742In this, which you accuse her.)

743Antig. If it proue

744Shee's otherwise, Ile keepe my Stables where

745I lodge my Wife, Ile goe in couples with her:

746Then when I feele, and see her, no farther trust her:

747For euery ynch of Woman in the World,

748I, euery dram of Womans flesh is false,

749If she be.

750Leo. Hold your peaces.

751Lord. Good my Lord.

752Antig. It is for you we speake, not for our selues:

753You are abus'd, and by some putter on,

754That will be damn'd for't: would I knew the Villaine,

755I would Land-damne him: be she honor-flaw'd,

756I haue three daughters: the eldest is eleuen;

757The second, and the third, nine: and some fiue:

758If this proue true, they'l pay for't. By mine Honor

759Ile gell'd em all: fourteene they shall not see

760To bring false generations: they are co-heyres,

761And I had rather glib my selfe, then they

762Should not produce faire issue.

763Leo. Cease, no more:

764You smell this businesse with a sence as cold

765As is a dead-mans nose: but I do see't, and feel't,

766As you feele doing thus: and see withall

767The Instruments that feele.

768Antig. If it be so,

769We neede no graue to burie honesty,

770There's not a graine of it, the face to sweeten

771Of the whole dungy-earth.

772Leo. What? lacke I credit?

773Lord. I had rather you did lacke then I (my Lord)

774Vpon this ground: and more it would content me

775To haue her Honor true, then your suspition

776Be blam'd for't how you might.

777Leo. Why what neede we

778Commune with you of this? but rather follow

779Our forcefull instigation? Our prerogatiue

780Cals not your Counsailes, but our naturall goodnesse

781Imparts this: which, if you, or stupified,

782Or seeming so, in skill, cannot, or will not

783Rellish a truth, like vs: informe your selues,

784We neede no more of your aduice: the matter,

785The losse, the gaine, the ord'ring on't,

786Is all properly ours.

787Antig. And I wish (my Liege)

788You had onely in your silent iudgement tride it,

789Without more ouerture.

790Leo. How could that be?

791Either thou art most ignorant by age,

792Or thou wer't borne a foole: Camillo's flight

793Added to their Familiarity

794(Which was as grosse, as euer touch'd coniecture,

795That lack'd sight onely, nought for approbation

796But onely seeing, all other circumstances

797Made vp to'th deed) doth push-on this proceeding.

798Yet, for a greater confirmation

799(For in an Acte of this importance, 'twere

800Most pitteous to be wilde) I haue dispatch'd in post,

801To sacred Delphos, to Appollo's Temple,

802Cleomines and Dion, whom you know

803Of stuff'd-sufficiency: Now, from the Oracle

804They will bring all, whose spirituall counsaile had

805Shall stop, or spurre me. Haue I done well?

806Lord. Well done (my Lord.)

807Leo. Though I am satisfide, and neede no more

808Then what I know, yet shall the Oracle

809Giue rest to th' mindes of others; such as he

810Whose ignorant credulitie, will not

811Come vp to th' truth. So haue we thought it good

812From our free person, she should be confinde,

813Least that the treachery of the two, fled hence,

814Be left her to performe. Come follow vs,

815We are to speake in publique: for this businesse

816Will raise vs all.

817Antig. To laughter, as I take it,

818If the good truth, were knowne. Exeunt

821Paul. The Keeper of the prison, call to him:

822Let him haue knowledge who I am. Good Lady,

823No Court in Europe is too good for thee,

824What dost thou then in prison? Now good Sir,

825You know me, do you not?

826Gao. For a worthy Lady,

827And one, who much I honour.

828Pau. Pray you then,

829Conduct me to the Queene.

830Gao. I may not (Madam)

831To the contrary I haue expresse commandment.

832Pau. Here's a-do, to locke vp honesty & honour from

833Th' accesse of gentle visitors. Is't lawfull pray you

834To see her Women? Any of them? Emilia?

835Gao. So please you (Madam)

836To put a-part these your attendants, I

837Shall bring Emilia forth.

838Pau. I pray now call her:

839With-draw your selues.

840Gao. And Madam,

841I must be present at your Conference.

842Pau. Well: be't so: prethee.

843Heere's such a-doe, to make no staine, a staine,

844As passes colouring. Deare Gentlewoman,

845How fares our gracious Lady?

846Emil. As well as one so great, and so forlorne

847May hold together: On her frights, and greefes

848(Which neuer tender Lady hath borne greater)

849She is, something before her time, deliuer'd.

850Pau. A boy?

851Emil. A daughter, and a goodly babe,

852Lusty, and like to liue: the Queene receiues

853Much comfort in't: Sayes, my poore prisoner,

854I am innocent as you,

855Pau. I dare be sworne:

856These dangerous, vnsafe Lunes i'th' King, beshrew them:

857He must be told on't, and he shall: the office

858Becomes a woman best. Ile take't vpon me,

859If I proue hony-mouth'd, let my tongue blister.

860And neuer to my red-look'd Anger bee

861The Trumpet any more: pray you (Emilia)

862Commend my best obedience to the Queene,

863If she dares trust me with her little babe,

864I'le shew't the King, and vndertake to bee

865Her Aduocate to th' lowd'st. We do not know

866How he may soften at the sight o'th' Childe:

867The silence often of pure innocence

868Perswades, when speaking failes.

869Emil. Most worthy Madam,

870Your honor, and your goodnesse is so euident,

871That your free vndertaking cannot misse

872A thriuing yssue: there is no Lady liuing

873So meete for this great errand; please your Ladiship

874To visit the next roome, Ile presently

875Acquaint the Queene of your most noble offer,

876Who, but to day hammered of this designe,

877But durst not tempt a minister of honour

878Least she should be deny'd.

879Paul. Tell her (Emilia)

880Ile vse that tongue I haue: If wit flow from't

881As boldnesse from my bosome, le't not be doubted

882I shall do good,

883Emil. Now be you blest for it.

884Ile to the Queene: please you come something neerer.

885Gao. Madam, if't please the Queene to send the babe,

886I know not what I shall incurre, to passe it,

887Hauing no warrant.

888Pau. You neede not feare it (sir)

889This Childe was prisoner to the wombe, and is

890By Law and processe of great Nature, thence

891Free'd, and enfranchis'd, not a partie to

892The anger of the King, nor guilty of

893(If any be) the trespasse of the Queene.

894Gao. I do beleeue it.

895Paul. Do not you feare: vpon mine honor, I

896Will stand betwixt you, and danger. Exeunt

900Leo. Nor night, nor day, no rest: It is but weaknesse

901To beare the matter thus: meere weaknesse, if

902The cause were not in being: part o'th cause,

903She, th' Adultresse: for the harlot-King

904Is quite beyond mine Arme, out of the blanke

905And leuell of my braine: plot-proofe: but shee,

906I can hooke to me: say that she were gone,

907Giuen to the fire, a moity of my rest

908Might come to me againe. Whose there?

909Ser. My Lord.

910Leo. How do's the boy?

911Ser. He tooke good rest to night: 'tis hop'd

912His sicknesse is discharg'd.

913Leo. To see his Noblenesse,

914Conceyuing the dishonour of his Mother.

915He straight declin'd, droop'd, tooke it deeply,

916Fasten'd, and fix'd the shame on't in himselfe:

917Threw-off his Spirit, his Appetite, his Sleepe,

918And down-right languish'd. Leaue me solely: goe,

919See how he fares: Fie, fie, no thought of him,

920The very thought of my Reuenges that way

921Recoyle vpon me: in himselfe too mightie,

922And in his parties, his Alliance; Let him be,

923Vntill a time may serue. For present vengeance

924Take it on her: Camillo, and Polixenes

925Laugh at me: make their pastime at my sorrow:

926They should not laugh, if I could reach them, nor

927Shall she, within my powre.

929Lord. You must not enter.

930Paul. Nay rather (good my Lords) be second to me:

931Feare you his tyrannous passion more (alas)

932Then the Queenes life? A gracious innocent soule,

933More free, then he is iealous.

934Antig. That's enough.

935Ser. Madam; he hath not slept to night, commanded

936None should come at him.

937Pau. Not so hot (good Sir)

938I come to bring him sleepe. 'Tis such as you

939That creepe like shadowes by him, and do sighe

940At each his needlesse heauings: such as you

941Nourish the cause of his awaking. I

942Do come with words, as medicinall, as true;

943(Honest, as either;) to purge him of that humor,

944That presses him from sleepe.

945Leo. Who noyse there, hoe?

946Pau. No noyse (my Lord) but needfull conference,

947About some Gossips for your Highnesse.

948Leo. How?

949Away with that audacious Lady. Antigonus,

950I charg'd thee that she should not come about me,

951I knew she would.

952Ant. I told her so (my Lord)

953On your displeasures perill, and on mine,

954She should not visit you.

955Leo. What? canst not rule her?

956Paul. From all dishonestie he can: in this

957(Vnlesse he take the course that you haue done)

958Commit me, for committing honor, trust it,

959He shall not rule me:

960Ant. La-you now, you heare,

961When she will take the raine, I let her run,

962But shee'l not stumble.

963Paul. Good my Liege, I come:

964And I beseech you heare me, who professes

965My selfe your loyall Seruant, your Physitian,

966Your most obedient Counsailor: yet that dares

967Lesse appeare so, in comforting your Euilles,

968Then such as most seeme yours. I say, I come

969From your good Queene.

970Leo. Good Queene?

971Paul. Good Queene (my Lord) good Queene,

972I say good Queene,

973And would by combate, make her good so, were I

974A man, the worst about you.

975Leo. Force her hence.

976Pau. Let him that makes but trifles of his eyes

977First hand me: on mine owne accord, Ile off,

978But first, Ile do my errand. The good Queene

979(For she is good) hath brought you forth a daughter,

980Heere 'tis. Commends it to your blessing.

981Leo. Out:

982A mankinde Witch? Hence with her, out o' dore:

983A most intelligencing bawd.

984Paul. Not so:

985I am as ignorant in that, as you,

986In so entit'ling me: and no lesse honest

987Then you are mad: which is enough, Ile warrant

988(As this world goes) to passe for honest:

989Leo. Traitors;

990Will you not push her out? Giue her the Bastard,

991Thou dotard, thou art woman-tyr'd: vnroosted

992By thy dame Partlet heere. Take vp the Bastard,

993Take't vp, I say: giue't to thy Croane.

994Paul. For euer

995Vnvenerable be thy hands, if thou

996Tak'st vp the Princesse, by that forced basenesse

997Which he ha's put vpon't.

998Leo. He dreads his Wife.

999Paul. So I would you did: then 'twere past all dout

1000Youl'd call your children, yours.

1001Leo. A nest of Traitors.

1002Ant. I am none, by this good light.

1003Pau. Nor I: nor any

1004But one that's heere: and that's himselfe: for he,

1005The sacred Honor of himselfe, his Queenes,

1006His hopefull Sonnes, his Babes, betrayes to Slander,

1007Whose sting is sharper then the Swords; and will not

1008(For as the case now stands, it is a Curse

1009He cannot be compell'd too't) once remoue

1010The Root of his Opinion, which is rotten,

1011As euer Oake, or Stone was sound.

1012Leo. A Callat

1013Of boundlesse tongue, who late hath beat her Husband,

1014And now bayts me: This Brat is none of mine,

1015It is the Issue of Polixenes.

1016Hence with it, and together with the Dam,

1017Commit them to the fire.

1018Paul. It is yours:

1019And might we lay th' old Prouerb to your charge,

1020So like you, 'tis the worse. Behold (my Lords)

1021Although the Print be little, the whole Matter

1022And Coppy of the Father: (Eye, Nose, Lippe,

1023The trick of's Frowne, his Fore-head, nay, the Valley,

1024The pretty dimples of his Chin, and Cheeke; his Smiles:

1025The very Mold, and frame of Hand, Nayle, Finger.)

1026And thou good Goddesse Nature, which hast made it

1027So like to him that got it, if thou hast

1028The ordering of the Mind too, 'mongst all Colours

1029No Yellow in't, least she suspect, as he do's,

1030Her Children, not her Husbands.

1031Leo. A grosse Hagge:

1032And Lozell, thou art worthy to be hang'd,

1033That wilt not stay her Tongue.

1034Antig. Hang all the Husbands

1035That cannot doe that Feat, you'le leaue your selfe

1036Hardly one Subiect.

1037Leo. Once more take her hence.

1038Paul. A most vnworthy, and vnnaturall Lord

1039Can doe no more.

1040Leo. Ile ha' thee burnt.

1041Paul. I care not:

1042It is an Heretique that makes the fire,

1043Not she which burnes in't. Ile not call you Tyrant:

1044But this most cruell vsage of your Queene

1045(Not able to produce more accusation

1046Then your owne weake-hindg'd Fancy) something sauors

1047Of Tyrannie, and will ignoble make you,

1048Yea, scandalous to the World.

1049Leo. On your Allegeance,

1050Out of the Chamber with her. Were I a Tyrant,

1051Where were her life? she durst not call me so,

1052If she did know me one. Away with her.

1053Paul. I pray you doe not push me, Ile be gone.

1054Looke to your Babe (my Lord) 'tis yours: Ioue send her

1055A better guiding Spirit. What needs these hands?

1056You that are thus so tender o're his Follyes,

1057Will neuer doe him good, not one of you.

1058So, so: Farewell, we are gone. Exit.

1059Leo. Thou (Traytor) hast set on thy Wife to this.

1060My Child? away with't? euen thou, that hast

1061A heart so tender o're it, take it hence,

1062And see it instantly consum'd with fire.

1063Euen thou, and none but thou. Take it vp straight:

1064Within this houre bring me word 'tis done,

1065(And by good testimonie) or Ile seize thy life,

1066With what thou else call'st thine: if thou refuse,

1067And wilt encounter with my Wrath, say so;

1068The Bastard-braynes with these my proper hands

1069Shall I dash out. Goe, take it to the fire,

1070For thou sett'st on thy Wife.

1071Antig. I did not, Sir:

1072These Lords, my Noble Fellowes, if they please,

1073Can cleare me in't.

1074Lords. We can: my Royall Liege,

1075He is not guiltie of her comming hither.

1076Leo. You're lyers all.

1077Lord. Beseech your Highnesse, giue vs better credit:

1078We haue alwayes truly seru'd you, and beseech'

1079So to esteeme of vs: and on our knees we begge,

1080(As recompence of our deare seruices

1081Past, and to come) that you doe change this purpose,

1082Which being so horrible, so bloody, must

1083Lead on to some foule Issue. We all kneele.

1084Leo. I am a Feather for each Wind that blows:

1085Shall I liue on, to see this Bastard kneele,

1086And call me Father? better burne it now,

1087Then curse it then. But be it: let it liue.

1088It shall not neyther. You Sir, come you hither:

1089You that haue beene so tenderly officious

1090With Lady Margerie, your Mid-wife there,

1091To saue this Bastards life; for 'tis a Bastard,

1092So sure as this Beard's gray. What will you aduenture,

1093To saue this Brats life?

1094Antig. Any thing (my Lord)

1095That my abilitie may vndergoe,

1096And Noblenesse impose: at least thus much;

1097Ile pawne the little blood which I haue left,

1098To saue the Innocent: any thing possible.

1099Leo. It shall be possible: Sweare by this Sword

1100Thou wilt performe my bidding.

1101Antig. I will (my Lord.)

1102Leo. Marke, and performe it: seest thou? for the faile

1103Of any point in't, shall not onely be

1104Death to thy selfe, but to thy lewd-tongu'd Wife,

1105(Whom for this time we pardon) We enioyne thee,

1106As thou art Liege-man to vs, that thou carry

1107This female Bastard hence, and that thou beare it

1108To some remote and desart place, quite out

1109Of our Dominions; and that there thou leaue it

1110(Without more mercy) to it owne protection,

1111And fauour of the Climate: as by strange fortune

1112It came to vs, I doe in Iustice charge thee,

1113On thy Soules perill, and thy Bodyes torture,

1114That thou commend it strangely to some place,

1115Where Chance may nurse, or end it: take it vp.

1116Antig. I sweare to doe this: though a present death

1117Had beene more mercifull. Come on (poore Babe)

1118Some powerfull Spirit instruct the Kytes and Rauens

1119To be thy Nurses. Wolues and Beares, they say,

1120(Casting their sauagenesse aside) haue done

1121Like offices of Pitty. Sir, be prosperous

1122In more then this deed do's require; and Blessing

1123Against this Crueltie, fight on thy side

1124(Poore Thing, condemn'd to losse.) Exit.

1125Leo. No: Ile not reare

1126Anothers Issue. Enter a Seruant.

1127Seru. Please' your Highnesse, Posts

1128From those you sent to th' Oracle, are come

1129An houre since: Cleomines and Dion,

1130Being well arriu'd from Delphos, are both landed,

1131Hasting to th' Court.

1132Lord. So please you (Sir) their speed

1133Hath beene beyond accompt.

1134Leo. Twentie three dayes

1135They haue beene absent: 'tis good speed: fore-tells

1136The great Apollo suddenly will haue

1137The truth of this appeare: Prepare you Lords,

1138Summon a Session, that we may arraigne

1139Our most disloyall Lady: for as she hath

1140Been publikely accus'd, so shall she haue

1141A iust and open Triall. While she liues,

1142My heart will be a burthen to me. Leaue me,

1143And thinke vpon my bidding. Exeunt.

1146Cleo. The Clymat's delicate, the Ayre most sweet,

1147Fertile the Isle, the Temple much surpassing

1148The common prayse it beares.

1149Dion. I shall report,

1150For most it caught me, the Celestiall Habits,

1151(Me thinkes I so should terme them) and the reuerence

1152Of the graue Wearers. O, the Sacrifice,

1153How ceremonious, solemne, and vn-earthly

1154It was i'th' Offring?

1155Cleo. But of all, the burst

1156And the eare-deaff'ning Voyce o'th' Oracle,

1157Kin to Ioues Thunder, so surpriz'd my Sence,

1158That I was nothing.

1159Dio. If th' euent o'th' Iourney

1160Proue as successefull to the Queene (O be't so)

1161As it hath beene to vs, rare, pleasant, speedie,

1162The time is worth the vse on't.

1163Cleo. Great Apollo

1164Turne all to th' best: these Proclamations,

1165So forcing faults vpon Hermione,

1166I little like.

1167Dio. The violent carriage of it

1168Will cleare, or end the Businesse, when the Oracle

1169(Thus by Apollo's great Diuine seal'd vp)

1170Shall the Contents discouer: something rare

1171Euen then will rush to knowledge. Goe: fresh Horses,

1172And gracious be the issue. Exeunt.

1176Leo. This Sessions (to our great griefe we pronounce)

1177Euen pushes 'gainst our heart. The partie try'd,

1178The Daughter of a King, our Wife, and one

1179Of vs too much belou'd. Let vs be clear'd

1180Of being tyrannous, since we so openly

1181Proceed in Iustice, which shall haue due course,

1182Euen to the Guilt, or the Purgation:

1183Produce the Prisoner.

1184Officer. It is his Highnesse pleasure, that the Queene

1185Appeare in person, here in Court. Silence.

1186Leo. Reade the Indictment.

1196Her. Since what I am to say, must be but that

1197Which contradicts my Accusation, and

1198The testimonie on my part, no other

1199But what comes from my selfe, it shall scarce boot me

1200To say, Not guiltie: mine Integritie

1201Being counted Falsehood, shall (as I expresse it)

1202Be so receiu'd. But thus, if Powres Diuine

1203Behold our humane Actions (as they doe)

1204I doubt not then, but Innocence shall make

1205False Accusation blush, and Tyrannie

1206Tremble at Patience. You (my Lord) best know

1207(Whom least will seeme to doe so) my past life

1208Hath beene as continent, as chaste, as true,

1209As I am now vnhappy; which is more

1210Then Historie can patterne, though deuis'd,

1211And play'd, to take Spectators. For behold me,

1212A Fellow of the Royall Bed, which owe

1213A Moitie of the Throne: a great Kings Daughter,

1214The Mother to a hopefull Prince, here standing

1215To prate and talke for Life, and Honor, fore

1216Who please to come, and heare. For Life, I prize it

1217As I weigh Griefe (which I would spare:) For Honor,

1218'Tis a deriuatiue from me to mine,

1219And onely that I stand for. I appeale

1220To your owne Conscience (Sir) before Polixenes

1221Came to your Court, how I was in your grace,

1222How merited to be so: Since he came,

1223With what encounter so vncurrant, I

1224Haue strayn'd t' appeare thus; if one iot beyond

1225The bound of Honor, or in act, or will

1226That way enclining, hardned be the hearts

1227Of all that heare me, and my neer'st of Kin

1228Cry fie vpon my Graue.

1229Leo. I ne're heard yet,

1230That any of these bolder Vices wanted

1231Lesse Impudence to gaine-say what they did,

1232Then to performe it first.

1233Her. That's true enough,

1234Though 'tis a saying (Sir) not due to me.

1235Leo. You will not owne it.

1236Her. More then Mistresse of,

1237Which comes to me in name of Fault, I must not

1238At all acknowledge. For Polixenes

1239(With whom I am accus'd) I doe confesse

1240I lou'd him, as in Honor he requir'd:

1241With such a kind of Loue, as might become

1242A Lady like me; with a Loue, euen such,

1243So, and no other, as your selfe commanded:

1244Which, not to haue done, I thinke had been in me

1245Both Disobedience, and Ingratitude

1246To you, and toward your Friend, whose Loue had spoke,

1247Euen since it could speake, from an Infant, freely,

1248That it was yours. Now for Conspiracie,

1249I know not how it tastes, though it be dish'd

1250For me to try how: All I know of it,

1251Is, that Camillo was an honest man;

1252And why he left your Court, the Gods themselues

1253(Wotting no more then I) are ignorant.

1254Leo. You knew of his departure, as you know

1255What you haue vnderta'ne to doe in's absence.

1256Her. Sir,

1257You speake a Language that I vnderstand not:

1258My Life stands in the leuell of your Dreames,

1259Which Ile lay downe.

1260Leo. Your Actions are my Dreames.

1261You had a Bastard by Polixenes,

1262And I but dream'd it: As you were past all shame,

1263(Those of your Fact are so) so past all truth;

1264Which to deny, concernes more then auailes: for as

1265Thy Brat hath been cast out, like to it selfe,

1266No Father owning it (which is indeed

1267More criminall in thee, then it) so thou

1268Shalt feele our Iustice; in whose easiest passage,

1269Looke for no lesse then death.

1270Her. Sir, spare your Threats:

1271The Bugge which you would fright me with, I seeke:

1272To me can Life be no commoditie;

1273The crowne and comfort of my Life (your Fauor)

1274I doe giue lost, for I doe feele it gone,

1275But know not how it went. My second Ioy,

1276And first Fruits of my body, from his presence

1277I am bar'd, like one infectious. My third comfort

1278(Star'd most vnluckily) is from my breast

1279(The innocent milke in it most innocent mouth)

1280Hal'd out to murther. My selfe on euery Post

1281Proclaym'd a Strumpet: With immodest hatred

1282The Child-bed priuiledge deny'd, which longs

1283To Women of all fashion. Lastly, hurried

1284Here, to this place, i'th' open ayre, before

1285I haue got strength of limit. Now (my Liege)

1286Tell me what blessings I haue here aliue,

1287That I should feare to die? Therefore proceed:

1288But yet heare this: mistake me not: no Life,

1289(I prize it not a straw) but for mine Honor,

1290Which I would free: if I shall be condemn'd

1291Vpon surmizes (all proofes sleeping else,

1292But what your Iealousies awake) I tell you

1293'Tis Rigor, and not Law. Your Honors all,

1294I doe referre me to the Oracle:

1295Apollo be my Iudge.

1296Lord. This your request

1297Is altogether iust: therefore bring forth

1298(And in Apollo's Name) his Oracle.

1299Her. The Emperor of Russia was my Father.

1300Oh that he were aliue, and here beholding

1301His Daughters Tryall: that he did but see

1302The flatnesse of my miserie; yet with eyes

1303Of Pitty, not Reuenge.

1304Officer. You here shal sweare vpon this Sword of Iustice,

1305That you (Cleomines and Dion) haue

1306Been both at Delphos, and from thence haue brought

1307This seal'd-vp Oracle, by the Hand deliuer'd

1308Of great Apollo's Priest; and that since then,

1309You haue not dar'd to breake the holy Seale,

1310Nor read the Secrets in't.

1311 Cleo. Dio. All this we sweare.

1312Leo. Breake vp the Seales, and read.

1317Lords. Now blessed be the great Apollo.

1318Her. Praysed.

1319Leo. Hast thou read truth?

1320Offic. I (my Lord) euen so as it is here set downe.

1321Leo. There is no truth at all i'th' Oracle:

1322The Sessions shall proceed: this is meere falsehood.

1323Ser. My Lord the King: the King?

1324Leo. What is the businesse?

1325Ser. O Sir, I shall be hated to report it.

1326The Prince your Sonne, with meere conceit, and feare

1327Of the Queenes speed, is gone.

1328Leo. How? gone?

1329Ser. Is dead.

1330Leo. Apollo's angry, and the Heauens themselues

1331Doe strike at my Iniustice. How now there?

1332Paul. This newes is mortall to the Queene: Look downe

1333And see what Death is doing.

1334Leo. Take her hence:

1335Her heart is but o're-charg'd: she will recouer.

1336I haue too much beleeu'd mine owne suspition:

1337'Beseech you tenderly apply to her

1338Some remedies for life. Apollo pardon

1339My great prophanenesse 'gainst thine Oracle.

1340Ile reconcile me to Polixenes,

1341New woe my Queene, recall the good Camillo

1342(Whom I proclaime a man of Truth, of Mercy:)

1343For being transported by my Iealousies

1344To bloody thoughts, and to reuenge, I chose

1345Camillo for the minister, to poyson

1346My friend Polixenes: which had been done,

1347But that the good mind of Camillo tardied

1348My swift command: though I with Death, and with

1349Reward, did threaten and encourage him,

1350Not doing it, and being done: he (most humane,

1351And fill'd with Honor) to my Kingly Guest

1352Vnclasp'd my practise, quit his fortunes here

1353(Which you knew great) and to the hazard

1354Of all Incertainties, himselfe commended,

1355No richer then his Honor: How he glisters

1356Through my Rust? and how his Pietie

1357Do's my deeds make the blacker?

1358Paul. Woe the while:

1359O cut my Lace, least my heart (cracking it)

1360Breake too.

1361Lord. What fit is this? good Lady?

1362 Paul. What studied torments (Tyrant) hast for me?

1363What Wheeles? Racks? Fires? What flaying? boyling?

1364In Leads, or Oyles? What old, or newer Torture

1365Must I receiue? whose euery word deserues

1366To taste of thy most worst. Thy Tyranny

1367(Together working with thy Iealousies,

1368Fancies too weake for Boyes, too greene and idle

1369For Girles of Nine) O thinke what they haue done,

1370And then run mad indeed: starke-mad: for all

1371Thy by-gone fooleries were but spices of it.

1372That thou betrayed'st Polixenes, 'twas nothing,

1373(That did but shew thee, of a Foole, inconstant,

1374And damnable ingratefull:) Nor was't much.

1375Thou would'st haue poyson'd good Camillo's Honor,

1376To haue him kill a King: poore Trespasses,

1377More monstrous standing by: whereof I reckon

1378The casting forth to Crowes, thy Baby-daughter,

1379To be or none, or little; though a Deuill

1380Would haue shed water out of fire, ere don't;

1381Nor is't directly layd to thee, the death

1382Of the young Prince, whose honorable thoughts

1383(Thoughts high for one so tender) cleft the heart

1384That could conceiue a grosse and foolish Sire

1385Blemish'd his gracious Dam: this is not, no,

1386Layd to thy answere: but the last: O Lords,

1387When I haue said, cry woe: the Queene, the Queene,

1388The sweet'st, deer'st creature's dead: & vengeance for't

1389Not drop'd downe yet.

1390Lord. The higher powres forbid.

1391Pau. I say she's dead: Ile swear't. If word, nor oath

1392Preuaile not, go and see: if you can bring

1393Tincture, or lustre in her lip, her eye

1394Heate outwardly, or breath within, Ile serue you

1395As I would do the Gods. But, O thou Tyrant,

1396Do not repent these things, for they are heauier

1397Then all thy woes can stirre: therefore betake thee

1398To nothing but dispaire. A thousand knees,

1399Ten thousand yeares together, naked, fasting,

1400Vpon a barren Mountaine, and still Winter

1401In storme perpetuall, could not moue the Gods

1402To looke that way thou wer't.

1403Leo. Go on, go on:

1404Thou canst not speake too much, I haue deseru'd

1405All tongues to talke their bittrest.

1406Lord. Say no more;

1407How ere the businesse goes, you haue made fault

1408I'th boldnesse of your speech.

1409Pau. I am sorry for't;

1410All faults I make, when I shall come to know them,

1411I do repent: Alas, I haue shew'd too much

1412The rashnesse of a woman: he is toucht

1413To th' Noble heart. What's gone, and what's past helpe

1414Should be past greefe: Do not receiue affliction

1415At my petition; I beseech you, rather

1416Let me be punish'd, that haue minded you

1417Of what you should forget. Now (good my Liege)

1418Sir, Royall Sir, forgiue a foolish woman:

1419The loue I bore your Queene (Lo, foole againe)

1420Ile speake of her no more, nor of your Children:

1421Ile not remember you of my owne Lord,

1422(Who is lost too:) take your patience to you,

1423And Ile say nothing.

1424Leo. Thou didst speake but well,

1425When most the truth: which I receyue much better,

1426Then to be pittied of thee. Prethee bring me

1427To the dead bodies of my Queene, and Sonne,

1428One graue shall be for both: Vpon them shall

1429The causes of their death appeare (vnto

1430Our shame perpetuall) once a day, Ile visit

1431The Chappell where they lye, and teares shed there

1432Shall be my recreation. So long as Nature

1433Will beare vp with this exercise, so long

1434I dayly vow to vse it. Come, and leade me

1435To these sorrowes. Exeunt

1439Ant. Thou art perfect then, our ship hath toucht vpon

1440The Desarts of Bohemia.

1441 Mar. I (my Lord) and feare

1442We haue Landed in ill time: the skies looke grimly,

1443And threaten present blusters. In my conscience

1444The heauens with that we haue in hand, are angry,

1445And frowne vpon's.

1446Ant. Their sacred wil's be done: go get a-boord,

1447Looke to thy barke, Ile not be long before

1448I call vpon thee.

1449Mar. Make your best haste, and go not

1450Too-farre i'th Land: 'tis like to be lowd weather,

1451Besides this place is famous for the Creatures

1452Of prey, that keepe vpon't.

1453Antig. Go thou away,

1454Ile follow instantly.

1455Mar. I am glad at heart

1456To be so ridde o'th businesse. Exit

1457Ant. Come, poore babe;

1458I haue heard (but not beleeu'd) the Spirits o'th' dead

1459May walke againe: if such thing be, thy Mother

1460Appear'd to me last night: for ne're was dreame

1461So like a waking. To me comes a creature,

1462Sometimes her head on one side, some another,

1463I neuer saw a vessell of like sorrow

1464So fill'd, and so becomming: in pure white Robes

1465Like very sanctity she did approach

1466My Cabine where I lay: thrice bow'd before me,

1467And (gasping to begin some speech) her eyes

1468Became two spouts; the furie spent, anon

1469Did this breake from her. Good Antigonus,

1470Since Fate (against thy better disposition)

1471Hath made thy person for the Thrower-out

1472Of my poore babe, according to thine oath,

1473Places remote enough are in Bohemia,

1474There weepe, and leaue it crying: and for the babe

1475Is counted lost for euer, Perdita

1476I prethee call't: For this vngentle businesse

1477Put on thee, by my Lord, thou ne're shalt see

1478Thy Wife Paulina more: and so, with shriekes

1479She melted into Ayre. Affrighted much,

1480I did in time collect my selfe, and thought

1481This was so, and no slumber: Dreames, are toyes,

1482Yet for this once, yea superstitiously,

1483I will be squar'd by this. I do beleeue

1484Hermione hath suffer'd death, and that

1485Apollo would (this being indeede the issue

1486Of King Polixenes) it should heere be laide

1487(Either for life, or death) vpon the earth

1488Of it's right Father. Blossome, speed thee well,

1489There lye, and there thy charracter: there these,

1490Which may if Fortune please, both breed thee (pretty)

1491And still rest thine. The storme beginnes, poore wretch,

1492That for thy mothers fault, art thus expos'd

1493To losse, and what may follow. Weepe I cannot,

1494But my heart bleedes: and most accurst am I

1495To be by oath enioyn'd to this. Farewell,

1496The day frownes more and more: thou'rt like to haue

1497A lullabie too rough: I neuer saw

1498The heauens so dim, by day. A sauage clamor?

1499Well may I get a-boord: This is the Chace,

1500I am gone for euer. Exit pursued by a Beare.

1501Shep. I would there were no age betweene ten and

1502three and twenty, or that youth would sleep out the rest:

1503for there is nothing (in the betweene) but getting wen-

1504ches with childe, wronging the Auncientry, stealing,

1505fighting, hearke you now: would any but these boylde-

1506braines of nineteene, and two and twenty hunt this wea-

1507ther? They haue scarr'd away two of my best Sheepe,

1508which I feare the Wolfe will sooner finde then the Mai-

1509ster; if any where I haue them, 'tis by the sea-side, brou-

1510zing of Iuy. Good-lucke (and't be thy will) what haue

1511we heere? Mercy on's, a Barne? A very pretty barne; A

1512boy, or a Childe I wonder? (A pretty one, a verie prettie

1513one) sure some Scape; Though I am not bookish, yet I

1514can reade Waiting-Gentlewoman in the scape: this has

1515beene some staire-worke, some Trunke-worke, some be-

1516hinde-doore worke: they were warmer that got this,

1517then the poore Thing is heere. Ile take it vp for pity, yet

1518Ile tarry till my sonne come: he hallow'd but euen now.

1519Whoa-ho-hoa.

1521Clo. Hilloa, loa.

1522Shep. What? art so neere? If thou'lt see a thing to

1523talke on, when thou art dead and rotten, come hither:

1524what ayl'st thou, man?

1525Clo. I haue seene two such sights, by Sea & by Land:

1526but I am not to say it is a Sea, for it is now the skie, be-

1527twixt the Firmament and it, you cannot thrust a bodkins

1528point.

1529Shep. Why boy, how is it?

1530Clo. I would you did but see how it chafes, how it ra-

1531ges, how it takes vp the shore, but that's not to the point:

1532Oh, the most pitteous cry of the poore soules, sometimes

1533to see 'em, and not to see 'em: Now the Shippe boaring

1534the Moone with her maine Mast, and anon swallowed

1535with yest and froth, as you'ld thrust a Corke into a hogs-

1536head. And then for the Land-seruice, to see how the

1537Beare tore out his shoulder-bone, how he cride to mee

1538for helpe, and said his name was Antigonus, a Nobleman:

1539But to make an end of the Ship, to see how the Sea flap-

1540dragon'd it: but first, how the poore soules roared, and

1541the sea mock'd them: and how the poore Gentleman roa-

1542red, and the Beare mock'd him, both roaring lowder

1543then the sea, or weather.

1544Shep. Name of mercy, when was this boy?

1545Clo. Now, now: I haue not wink'd since I saw these

1546sights: the men are not yet cold vnder water, nor the

1547Beare halfe din'd on the Gentleman: he's at it now.

1548Shep. Would I had bin by, to haue help'd the olde

1549man.

1550Clo. I would you had beene by the ship side, to haue

1551help'd her; there your charity would haue lack'd footing.

1552Shep. Heauy matters, heauy matters: but looke thee

1553heere boy. Now blesse thy selfe: thou met'st with things

1554dying, I with things new borne. Here's a sight for thee:

1555Looke thee, a bearing-cloath for a Squires childe: looke

1556thee heere, take vp, take vp (Boy:) open't: so, let's see, it

1557was told me I should be rich by the Fairies. This is some

1558Changeling: open't: what's within, boy?

1559Clo. You're a mad olde man: If the sinnes of your

1560youth are forgiuen you, you're well to liue. Golde, all

1561Gold.

1562Shep. This is Faiery Gold boy, and 'twill proue so: vp

1563with't, keepe it close: home, home, the next way. We

1564are luckie (boy) and to bee so still requires nothing but

1565secrecie. Let my sheepe go: Come (good boy) the next

1566way home.

1567Clo. Go you the next way with your Findings, Ile go

1568see if the Beare bee gone from the Gentleman, and how

1569much he hath eaten: they are neuer curst but when they

1570are hungry: if there be any of him left, Ile bury it.

1571Shep. That's a good deed: if thou mayest discerne by

1572that which is left of him, what he is, fetch me to th' sight

1573of him.

1574Clowne. 'Marry will I: and you shall helpe to put him

1575i'th' ground.

1576Shep. 'Tis a lucky day, boy, and wee'l do good deeds

1577on't. Exeunt

1580Time. I that please some, try all: both ioy and terror

1581Of good, and bad: that makes, and vnfolds error,

1582Now take vpon me (in the name of Time)

1583To vse my wings: Impute it not a crime

1584To me, or my swift passage, that I slide

1585Ore sixteene yeeres, and leaue the growth vntride

1586Of that wide gap, since it is in my powre

1587To orethrow Law, and in one selfe-borne howre

1588To plant, and ore-whelme Custome. Let me passe

1589The same I am, ere ancient'st Order was,

1590Or what is now receiu'd. I witnesse to

1591The times that brought them in, so shall I do

1592To th' freshest things now reigning, and make stale

1593The glistering of this present, as my Tale

1594Now seemes to it: your patience this allowing,

1595I turne my glasse, and giue my Scene such growing

1596As you had slept betweene: Leontes leauing

1597Th' effects of his fond iealousies, so greeuing

1598That he shuts vp himselfe. Imagine me

1599(Gentle Spectators) that I now may be

1600In faire Bohemia, and remember well,

1601I mentioned a sonne o'th' Kings, which Florizell

1602I now name to you: and with speed so pace

1603To speake of Perdita, now growne in grace

1604Equall with wond'ring. What of her insues

1605I list not prophesie: but let Times newes

1606Be knowne when 'tis brought forth. A shepherds daugh-(ter

1607And what to her adheres, which followes after,

1608Is th' argument of Time: of this allow,

1609If euer you haue spent time worse, ere now:

1610If neuer, yet that Time himselfe doth say,

1611He wishes earnestly, you neuer may. Exit.

1614Pol. I pray thee (good Camillo) be no more importu-

1615nate: 'tis a sicknesse denying thee any thing: a death to

1616grant this.

1617Cam. It is fifteene yeeres since I saw my Countrey:

1618though I haue (for the most part) bin ayred abroad, I de-

1619sire to lay my bones there. Besides, the penitent King

1620(my Master) hath sent for me, to whose feeling sorrowes

1621I might be some allay, or I oreweene to thinke so) which

1622is another spurre to my departure.

1623Pol. As thou lou'st me (Camillo) wipe not out the rest

1624of thy seruices, by leauing me now: the neede I haue of

1625thee, thine owne goodnesse hath made: better not to

1626haue had thee, then thus to want thee, thou hauing made

1627me Businesses, (which none (without thee) can suffici-

1628ently manage) must either stay to execute them thy selfe,

1629or take away with thee the very seruices thou hast done:

1630which if I haue not enough considered (as too much I

1631cannot) to bee more thankefull to thee, shall bee my stu-

1632die, and my profite therein, the heaping friendshippes.

1633Of that fatall Countrey Sicillia, prethee speake no more,

1634whose very naming, punnishes me with the remembrance

Bb of

1635of that penitent (as thou calst him) and reconciled King

1636my brother, whose losse of his most precious Queene &

1637Children, are euen now to be a-fresh lamented. Say to

1638me, when saw'st thou the Prince Florizell my son? Kings

1639are no lesse vnhappy, their issue, not being gracious, then

1640they are in loosing them, when they haue approued their

1641Vertues.

1642Cam. Sir, it is three dayes since I saw the Prince: what

1643his happier affayres may be, are to me vnknowne: but I

1644haue (missingly) noted, he is of late much retyred from

1645Court, and is lesse frequent to his Princely exercises then

1646formerly he hath appeared.

1647Pol. I haue considered so much (Camillo) and with

1648some care, so farre, that I haue eyes vnder my seruice,

1649which looke vpon his remouednesse: from whom I haue

1650this Intelligence, that he is seldome from the house of a

1651most homely shepheard: a man (they say) that from very

1652nothing, and beyond the imagination of his neighbors,

1653is growne into an vnspeakable estate.

1654Cam. I haue heard (sir) of such a man, who hath a

1655daughter of most rare note: the report of her is extended

1656more, then can be thought to begin from such a cottage

1657Pol. That's likewise part of my Intelligence: but (I

1658feare) the Angle that pluckes our sonne thither. Thou

1659shalt accompany vs to the place, where we will (not ap-

1660pearing what we are) haue some question with the shep-

1661heard; from whose simplicity, I thinke it not vneasie to

1662get the cause of my sonnes resort thether. 'Prethe be my

1663present partner in this busines, and lay aside the thoughts

1664of Sicillia.

1665Cam. I willingly obey your command.

1666Pol. My best Camillo, we must disguise our selues. Exit

1681I haue seru'd Prince Florizell, and in my time wore three

1682pile, but now I am out of seruice.

1691My Trafficke is sheetes: when the Kite builds, looke to

1692lesser Linnen. My Father nam'd me Autolicus, who be-

1693ing (as I am) lytter'd vnder Mercurie, was likewise a

1694snapper-vp of vnconsidered trifles: With Dye and drab,

1695I purchas'd this Caparison, and my Reuennew is the silly

1696Cheate. Gallowes, and Knocke, are too powerfull on

1697the Highway. Beating and hanging are terrors to mee:

1698For the life to come, I sleepe out the thought of it. A

1699prize, a prize.

1701Clo. Let me see, euery Leauen-weather toddes, euery

1702tod yeeldes pound and odde shilling: fifteene hundred

1703shorne, what comes the wooll too?

1704Aut. If the sprindge hold, the Cocke's mine.

1705Clo. I cannot do't without Compters. Let mee see,

1706what am I to buy for our Sheepe-shearing-Feast? Three

1707pound of Sugar, fiue pound of Currence, Rice: What

1708will this sister of mine do with Rice? But my father hath

1709made her Mistris of the Feast, and she layes it on. Shee

1710hath made-me four and twenty Nose-gayes for the shea-

1711rers (three-man song-men, all, and very good ones) but

1712they are most of them Meanes and Bases; but one Puri-

1713tan amongst them, and he sings Psalmes to horne-pipes.

1714I must haue Saffron to colour the Warden Pies, Mace:

1715Dates, none: that's out of my note: Nutmegges, seuen;

1716a Race or two of Ginger, but that I may begge: Foure

1717pound of Prewyns, and as many of Reysons o'th Sun.

1718Aut. Oh, that euer I was borne.

1719Clo. I'th' name of me.

1720Aut. Oh helpe me, helpe mee: plucke but off these

1721ragges: and then, death, death.

1722Clo. Alacke poore soule, thou hast need of more rags

1723to lay on thee, rather then haue these off.

1724Aut. Oh sir, the loathsomnesse of them offend mee,

1725more then the stripes I haue receiued, which are mightie

1726ones and millions.

1727Clo. Alas poore man, a million of beating may come

1728to a great matter.

1729Aut. I am rob'd sir, and beaten: my money, and ap-

1730parrell tane from me, and these detestable things put vp-

1731on me.

1732Clo. What, by a horse-man, or a foot-man?

1733Aut. A footman (sweet sir) a footman.

1734Clo. Indeed, he should be a footman, by the garments

1735he has left with thee: If this bee a horsemans Coate, it

1736hath seene very hot seruice. Lend me thy hand, Ile helpe

1737thee. Come, lend me thy hand.

1738Aut. Oh good sir, tenderly, oh.

1739Clo. Alas poore soule.

1740Aut. Oh good sir, softly, good sir: I feare (sir) my

1741shoulder-blade is out.

1742Clo. How now? Canst stand?

1743Aut. Softly, deere sir: good sir, softly: you ha done

1744me a charitable office.

1745Clo. Doest lacke any mony? I haue a little mony for

1746thee.

1747Aut. No, good sweet sir: no, I beseech you sir: I haue

1748a Kinsman not past three quarters of a mile hence, vnto

1749whome I was going: I shall there haue money, or anie

1750thing I want: Offer me no money I pray you, that killes

1751my heart.

1752Clow. What manner of Fellow was hee that robb'd

1753you?

1754Aut. A fellow (sir) that I haue knowne to goe about

1755with Troll-my-dames: I knew him once a seruant of the

1756Prince: I cannot tell good sir, for which of his Ver-

1757tues it was, but hee was certainely Whipt out of the

1758Court.

1759Clo. His vices you would say: there's no vertue whipt

1760out of the Court: they cherish it to make it stay there;

1761and yet it will no more but abide.

1762Aut. Vices I would say (Sir.) I know this man well,

1763he hath bene since an Ape-bearer, then a Processe-seruer

1764(a Bayliffe) then hee compast a Motion of the Prodigall

1765sonne, and married a Tinkers wife, within a Mile where

1766my Land and Liuing lyes; and (hauing flowne ouer ma-

1767ny knauish professions) he setled onely in Rogue: some

1768call him Autolicus.

1769Clo. Out vpon him: Prig, for my life Prig: he haunts

1770Wakes, Faires, and Beare-baitings.

1771Aut. Very true sir: he sir hee: that's the Rogue that

1772put me into this apparrell.

1773Clo. Not a more cowardly Rogue in all Bohemia; If

1774you had but look'd bigge, and spit at him, hee'ld haue

1775runne.

1776Aut. I must confesse to you (sir) I am no fighter: I am

1777false of heart that way, & that he knew I warrant him.

1778Clo. How do you now?

1779Aut. Sweet sir, much better then I was: I can stand,

1780and walke: I will euen take my leaue of you, & pace soft-

1781ly towards my Kinsmans.

1782Clo. Shall I bring thee on the way?

1783Aut. No, good fac'd sir, no sweet sir.

1784Clo. Then fartheewell, I must go buy Spices for our

1785sheepe-shearing. Exit.

1786Aut. Prosper you sweet sir. Your purse is not hot e-

1787nough to purchase your Spice: Ile be with you at your

1788sheepe-shearing too: If I make not this Cheat bring out

1789another, and the sheere

rs proue sheepe, let me be vnrold,

1790and my name put in the booke of Vertue.

1798Flo. These your vnvsuall weeds, to each part of you

1799Do's giue a life: no Shepherdesse, but Flora

1800Peering in Aprils front. This your sheepe-shearing,

1801Is as a meeting of the petty Gods,

1802And you the Queene on't.

1803Perd. Sir: my gracious Lord,

1804To chide at your extreames, it not becomes me:

1805(Oh pardon, that I name them:) your high selfe

1806The gracious marke o'th' Land, you haue obscur'd

1807With a Swaines wearing: and me (poore lowly Maide)

1808Most Goddesse-like prank'd vp: But that our Feasts

1809In euery Messe, haue folly; and the Feeders

1810Digest with a Custome, I should blush

1811To see you so attyr'd: sworne I thinke,

1812To shew my selfe a glasse.

1813Flo. I blesse the time

1814When my good Falcon, made her flight a-crosse

1815Thy Fathers ground.

1816Perd. Now Ioue affoord you cause:

1817To me the difference forges dread (your Greatnesse

1818Hath not beene vs'd to feare:) euen now I tremble

1819To thinke your Father, by some accident

1820Should passe this way, as you did: Oh the Fates,

1821How would he looke, to see his worke, so noble,

1822Vildely bound vp? What would he say? Or how

1823Should I (in these my borrowed Flaunts) behold

1824The sternnesse of his presence?