1 Lady. She is spread of late Into a goodly bulk: Good time encounter her! now I am for you again: Pray you, sit by us, And tell 's a tale. Mam. Merry, or sad, shall't be? A sad tale's best for winter: Her. As merry as you will. I have one of sprites and goblins. Let's have that, sir. Her. Come on, sit down:-Come on, and do your best To fright me with your sprites: you're powerful at it. Mam. There was a man, Her. Nay, come, sit down; then on. Mam. Dwelt by a church-yard; -I will tell it softly; Yon crickets shall not hear it. Her. And give't me in mine ear. Come on then, Enter LEONTES, ANTIGONUS, Lords, and Others. Leon. Was he met there? his train? Camillo with him? 1 Lord. Behind the tuft of pines I met them; never Saw I men scour so on their way: I ey'd them Even to their ships. Leon. How bless'd am I In my just censure? in my true opinion? 2 Judgment. Alack, for lesser knowledge!' How accurs'd, The abhorr'd ingredient to his eye, make known spider. Camillo was his help in this, his pander :— Remain a pinch'd thing; yea, a very trick For them to play at will:-How came the posterns So easily open? 1 Lord. By his great authority; Which often hath no less prevail'd than so, On your command. Leon. I know't too well. Give me the boy; I am glad, you did not nurse him: Though he does bear some signs of me, yet you Have too much blood in him. Her. What is this? sport? Leon. Bear the boy hence, he shall not come about her; Away with him :-and let her sport herself 30 that my knowlege were less. + Spiders were esteemed poisonous in our author's time. 5 Heavings. 6 A thing pinched out of clouts, a puppet. But I'd say, he had not, Has made thee swell thus. Her. And, I'll be sworn, you would believe my saying, Howe'er you lean to the nayward. Leon. You, my lords, Look on her, mark her well; be but about To say, she is a goodly lady, and The justice of your hearts will thereto add, 'Tis pity she's not honest, honourable: Praise her but for this her without-door form, The shrug, the hum, or ha; these petty brands, That mercy does; for calumny will sear7 Virtue itself:-these shrugs, these hums, and ha's, When you have said, she's goodly, come between, you can say she's honest: But be it known, From him that has most cause to grieve it should be, She's an adultress. Ere Her. Should a villain say so, The most replenish'd villain in the world, He were as much more villain: you, my lord, Do but mistake. Leon. You have mistook, my lady, Polixenes for Leontes: O thou thing, 7 Brand as infamous She's an adultress; I have said with whom: A federary with her; and one that knows Her. Leon. No, no; if I mistake A school-boy's top.-Away with her to prison: Her. There's some ill planet reigns: I must be patient, till the heavens look With an aspect more favourable.-Good my lords, 8 Confederate. 9 Only. 1 Remotely guilty. 2 In merely speaking. The king's will be perform'd! Leon. Shall I be heard? [To the Guards. Her. Who is't, that goes with me?'Beseech your highness, My women may be with me; for, you see, My plight requires it. Do not weep, good fools; There is no cause: when you shall know, your mistress Has deserv'd prison, then abound in tears, As I come out: this action, I now go on, I never wish'd to see you sorry; now, I trust, I shall.- -My women, come; you have leave. Leon. Go, do our bidding; hence. [Exeunt Queen and Ladies. 1 Lord. 'Beseech your highness, call the queen again. Ant. Be certain what you do, sir; lest your justice Prove violence; in the which three great ones suffer, Yourself, your queen, your son. 1 Lord. For her, my lord,I dare my life lay down, and will do't, sir, Please you to accept it, that the queen is spotless I'the eyes of heaven, and to you; I mean, In this which you accuse her. If it prove Ant. I lodge my wife; I'll go in couples with her; Take my station. |