Thus (by Apollo's great divine seal'd up,) horses ; And gracious be the issue! SCENE II. The same. A Court of Justice. Go,-fresh [Exeunt. LEONTES, Lords, and Officers, appear properly seated. Leon. This sessions (to our great grief, we pro nounce,) Even pushes 'gainst our heart: The party tried, Produce the prisoner. Offi. It is his highness' pleasure, that the queen Appear in person here in court.- Silence! HERMIONE is brought in, guarded; PAULINA and Ladies, attending. Leon. Read the indictment. Offi. Hermione, queen to the worthy Leontes, king of Sicilia, thou art here accused and arraigned of high treason, in committing adultery with Polixénes, king of Bohemia; and conspiring with Camillo to take 3 Equal. 2 Equal. away the life of our sovereign lord the king, thy royal husband; the pretence whereof being by circumstances partly laid open, thou, Hermione, contrary to the faith and allegiance of a true subject, didst council and aid them, for their better safety, to fly away by night, Her. Since what I am to say, must be but that Which contradicts my accusation; and The testimony on my part, no other But what comes from myself; it shall scarce boot me To say, Not guilty: mine integrity, 5 Being counted falsehood, shall, as I express it, Be so receiv'd. But thus,-If powers divine I doubt not then, but innocence shall make Tremble at patience.-You, my lord, best know, A moiety of the throne, a great king's daughter, And only that I stand for. I appeal To your own conscience, sir, before Polixenes 4 Scheme laid. s Treachery. 6 Own, possess. How merited to be so; since he came, Have strain'd, to appear thus: if one jot beyond Leon. I ne'er heard yet, Less impudence to gainsay what they did, Her. That's true enough; Though 'tis a saying, sir, not due to me. Leon. You will not own it. Her. More than mistress of, Which comes to me in name of fault, I must not At all acknowledge. For Polixenes, (With whom I am accus'd,) I do confess, I lov'd him, as in honour he requir'd; Το you, and toward your friend; whose love had spoke, Even since it could speak, from an infant, freely, I know not how it tastes; though it be dish'd Is, that Camillo was an honest man; And, why he left your court, the gods themselves, Wotting no more than I, are ignorant. Leon. You knew of his departure, as you know What you have underta'en to do in his absence. Her. Sir, You speak a language that I understand not: Leon. Your actions are my dreams; You had a bastard by Polixenes, And I but dream'd it :-As you were past all shame, 6 (Those of your fact are so,) so past all truth: Which to deny, concerns more than avails: Thy brat hath been cast out, like to itself, Her. Sir, spare your threats; The bug, which you would fright me with, I seek. The crown and comfort of my life, your favour, But know not how it went: My second joy, I am barr'd, like one infectious: My third comfort, The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth, 5 Is within the reach. 6 They who have done like you. 7 Ill-starred; born under an inauspicious planet. The child-bed privilege denied, which 'longs Apollo be my judge. 1 Lord. This your request Is altogether just: therefore, bring forth, [Exeunt certain Officers. Her. The emperor of Russia was my father: Re-enter Officers with CLEOMENES and DION. Offi. You here shall swear upon this sword of justice, That 8 i. e. The degree of strength which it is customary toacquire before women are suffered to go abroad after childbearing. |