Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: The Winter's Tale (Modern)
  • Editor: Hardin Aasand
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-367-0

    Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Hardin Aasand
    Not Peer Reviewed

    The Winter's Tale (Modern)

    [2.2]
    820Enter 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.
    Paulina
    Well, be't so, prithee.
    [Exit Jailer]
    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.
    885Jailer
    [To Paulina] Madam, if't please the Queen to send the babe,
    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.