For better times to come :-Friar, advise him; I leave him to your hand.-What muffled fellow's that? Prov. This is another prisoner, that I sav'd, That should have died when Claudio lost bis head; As like almost to Claudio, as himself. [Unmufles CLAUDIO. Duke. If he be like your brother, for his sake [To ISABELLA. Is he pardon'd: And, for your lovely sake, One all of luxury, an ass, a madman ; Lucio. 'Faith, my lord, I spoke it but according to the trick: If you will hang me for it, you may, but I had rather it would please you, I might be whipp'd. Duke. Whipp'd first, Sir, and hang'd after.— Proclaim it, Provost, round about the city; If any woman's wrong'd by this lewd fellow, (As I have heard him swear himself, there's one Whom he begot with child,) let her appear, + Incontinence. Thoughtless practice. • Requites. And he shall marry her: the nuptial finish'd, Lucio. I beseech your bighness, do not marry me to a whore; Your highness said even now, made you a duke: good my lord, do not recom pense me, in making me a cuckold. Duke. Upon mine honour, thou shalt mur her. Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithaf Lucio. Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, whipping, and banging. Duke. Sland'ring a prince deserves it.— She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you r store. Joy to you, Mariana !-love her, Angelo: ness: There's more behind, that is more gratulate. So, bring us to our palace; where we'll show WINTER'S TALE. LITERARY AND HISTORICAL NOTICE. TO the story-book, or Pleasant History (as it is called) of Dorastus and Fawnia, written by Robert Greene, M.A we are indebted for Shakspeare's Winter's Tale. The parts of Antigonus, Paulina, and Autolycus, are of the poet's own invention; and many circumstances of the novel are omitted in the drama. Mr. Walpole ranks it among the historic plays of Shakspeare, and says it was certainly presented, (in compliment to Queen Elizabeth) as an indirect apology for her mother, Anne Boleyn; the unreasonable jealousy and violent conduct of Leontes, forming a true portrait of Henry VIII. who generally made the law the engine of his passions. Several passages, it must be confessed, strongly favour this plausible conjecture, and seem to apply to the real history much closer than to the fable. But Malone and Sir William Blackstone refer to other passages, which would strengthen a contrary opinion; to one, in particular, which could scarcely be in. tended for the ear of her, who had put the Queen of Scots to death. It was, however, probably written immediately upon Elizabeth's death; nor could it fail of being very agreeable to James her successor. An nattention to dramatic rules, so common with Shakspeare, is perhaps more glaringly apparent in this than in any other of his productions; and Pope and Dryden have made it the subject of some ill-advised censure. But had Shakspeare been acquainted with these rules, (which he certainly was not,) the exquisite talent displayed in his writings, is a sufficient apology for the freedom with which he has set them aside. His inexhaustible genius was not to be restrained, nor the restless disposition of an English audience to be gratified, by a close and reverent adherence to the classical uuities of the stage. Hence such a breach in time and probability, as producing, at a rustic festival, a lovely woman, fit to be married, who but a few minutes before, had been deposited on the sea-shore, an infant in swaddling clothes. Hence the celerity with which seas are crossed, countries traversed, battles fought, and marriages accomplished. The Winter's Tale, however, with all its contradictions---with a mean fable, extravagantly conducted---is scarcely inferior to any of Shakspeare's plays. It contains much excellent sentiment, several strongly-marked characters, and a tissue of events fully justifying the title ;---for a jumble of improbable incidents, some merry and some sad, is the legitimate feature of a Christmas story. Still it must be observed, that though the origin and progress of jealousy are always unaccountable, the sudden transition of Leontes from a state of perfect friendship and affection to that of hatred and vindictive rage, is not accompanied by any apparent circumstances to render it probable or natural. Paulina's character is novel, and very pleasingly imagined; and Hermione's defence is not less beautiful and pathetic than its prototype in Henry VIII. Autolycus, the king of beggars and of pedlars, is one of the most arch and amusing scoundrels ever designed by our poet. His songs are all exceedingly spirited. An old Shepherd, reputed jather of Perdita. Servant to the old Shepherd, TIME, as Chorus. HERMIONE, Queen to Leontes. PERDITA, Daughter to Leontes and Hermione. EMILIA, a Lady, } Two other Ladies, Attending the Queen. MOPSA, DORCAS, } Shepherdesses. Lords, Ladies, and Attendants; Satyrs for a dance. Shepherds, Shepherdesses, Guards, &c. SCENE--sometimes in Sicilia; sometimes in Bohemia. ACT I. SCENE 1.-Sicilia.-An Antechamber in Enter CAMILLO and ARCHIDAMUS. have said, great difference betwixt our Bohemia, and your Sicilia. Cam. I think, this coming summer, the king of Sicilia means to pay Bonemia the visitation which he justly owes him. Arch. Wherein our entertainment shall shame us, we will be justified in our loves: for, in deed, Can. 'Beseech you,- Arch. Verily, I speak it in the freedom of my | To you a charge and trouble: to save both, knowledge: we cannot with such magnificence- Farewell, our brother. in so rare-I know not what to say.--We will Leon. Tongue-tied, our queen ↑ speak you give you sleepy drinks; that your senses, un- Her. I had thought, Sir, to have bead my intelligent of our insufficience, inay, though they cannot praise us, as little accuse us. Cam. You pay a great deal too dear, for what's given freely. Arch. Believe me, I speak as my understand. ing instructs me, and as mine honesty puts it to ulterance. peace, until You had drawn oaths from him, not to stay. Charge him too coldly: Tell him, you are suce, Leon. Well said, Hermione. Her. To tell, he longs to see his son, were strong: Cam. Sicilia cannot show himself over-kind to Bohemia. They were trained together in their childhoods; and there rooted betwixt them then such an affection, which cannot choose but But let him say so then, and let him go; branch now. Since their more mature dignities, But let him swear so, and be shall not stay, and royal necessities, made separation of their We'll thwack him bence with distaffs.society, their encounters, though not personal, Yet of your royal presence [To POLIVINIS have been royally attornied, with interchange I'll adventure of gifts, letters, loving embassies; that they have The borrow of a week. When at Bobenia seemed to be together, though absent; shook You take my lord, I'll give him my coRIES hands, as over a vast ; and embraced, as it were, from the ends of opposed winds. The heavens continue their loves! Arch. I think, there is not in the world either malice, or matter, to alter it. You have an un-I speakable comfort of your young prince Mamillius; it is a gentleman of the greatest promise, that ever came into my note. Cam. I very well agree with you in the hopes of him it is a gallant child; one that, indeed, physics the subject, makes old hearts fresh: they, that went on crutches ere he was born, desire yet their life, to see him a man. Arch. Would they else be content to die? Cam. Yes; if there were no other excuse why they should desire to live. Arch. If the king bad no son, they would desire to live on crutches till he had one. [Exeunt. SCENE II-The same.-A Room of state in the Palace. Eater LEONTES, POLIXENES, HERMIONE, MA- Go hence in debt: And therefore, like a cipher, Leon. Stay your thanks awhile; I am question'd by my fears, of what may Or breed upon our absence: That may blow Leon. We are tougher, brother, [stay'd Leon. We'll part the time between's then: and in that I'll no gain-saying. Pol. Press me not, 'beseech yon, so; There is no tongue that moves, none, none i'the Do even drag me homeward: which to binder, Nobly supplied by substitution of embassies." sion, To let him there a month, behind the gest* Prefix'd for his parting: yet, good deed, • Leontes, love thee not a jar o'the clock behind Her. Nay, but you will? You put me off with limber § vows: But 1, Should yet say, Sir, no going. Verily, My prisoner? or my guest! by your wa Pol. Your guest then, inadam : To be your prisoner, should import offending ; Her. Not your jailer then, But your kind hostess. Come, I'll question yea You were pretty lordings then. Two lads, that thought there was no more be bind, But such a day to-morrow as to day, Her. Was not my lord the verier wag othe two? Pol. We were as twin'd lambs, that dad fisk i'the sun, And bleat the one at the other: what we chanetj. Boldly, Not guilty; the imposition clearˆd, Her. By this we gather, Pol. O my most sacred lady, Templations have since then been born to rs: Her. Grace to boot! Of this make no conclusion; lest you say, • Gests were the names of the stages where the king Leon. Is he won yet? Her. He'll stay, my lord. Leon. At my request, he would not. Hermione, my dearest, thou never spok'st To better purpose. Her. Never ? Leon. Never, but once, Her. What have I twice said well? when was't before? I pr'ythee, tell me : Cram us with praise, and make us As fat as tame things: One good deed, dying tongueless, Slaughters a thousand, waiting upon that. But once before I spoke to the purpose: When? Leon. Why, that was when Three crabbed months had sour'd themselves to death, Ere I could make thee open thy white hand, And clap thyself my love; then didst thou utter, I am your's for ever. Her. It is Grace, indeed.[twice: Why, lo you now, I have spoke to the purpose The one for ever earn'd a royal husband; The other, for some while a friend. [Giving her hand to POLIXENES. Leon: Too hot, too hot : [Aside. To mingle friendship far, is mingling bloods. I have tremor cordis on me :-my heart dances; But not for joy,-not joy.-This entertainment May a free face put on; derive a liberty From heartiness, from bounty, fertile bosom, And well become the agent; it may, I grant: But to be paddling palins, and pinching fingers, As now they are; and making practis'd smiles, As in a looking-glass ;-and then to sigh, as 'twere The mort o'the deer; Oh! that is entertain They say, it's a copy out of mine. Come, captain, We must be neat; not neat, but cleanly, captain: [Observing POLIXENES and HERMIONE. Upon his palm ?-How now, you wanton calf? Art thou my calf? Mam. Yes, if you will, my lord. To be full like me :-yet, they say, we are Most dear'st! my collop!-Can thy dam ?— may't be? Affection thy intention stabs the centre: With what's unreal thou coactive art, And fellow'st nothing: Then, 'tis very credent, Thou may'st co-join with something; and thou dost; (And that beyond commission; and I find it,) Pol. What means Sicilia ? Her. He something seems unsettled. What cheer? how is't with you, best brother? As if you held a brow of much distraction: Leon. No, in good earnest.- Will you take eggs for money? ↑ Mam. No, my lord, I'll fight. Leon. You will? why, happy man be his dole !5-My brother, Are you so fond of your young prince, as we [Aside. Observing POLIXENES and HERHow she holds up the neb, the bill to him! And arms her with the boldness of a wife To her allowing husband! Gone already; Inch-thick, knee-deep; o'er head and cars a fork'd one. tt [Exeunt POLIXENES, HERMIONE, and Attendants. Go, play, boy, play-thy mother plays, and I Play too; but so disgrac'd a part, whose issue Will hiss me to my grave; contempt and cla mour will be my knell.-Go, play, boy, play;- There have been, Or I am much deceiv'd, cuckolds ere now; • Credible. + Peacod. Will you be cajoled. May his share of life be a happy one. Heir apparent, next claimant. ¶ Moyth. Approving. 11 A horned one. That little thinks she has been slut'd in his absence, And his pond fish'd by his next neighbour, by none; It is a bawdy planet, that will strike Where 'tis predominant; and 'tis powerful, think it, [cluded, From east, west, north, and south: Be it conNo barricado for a belly; know it; It will let in and out the enemy, With bag and baggage: many a thousand of us Have the disease, and feel't not. -How now, boy? Mam. I am like you, they say. Leon. Why that's some comfort.What! Camillo there? Cam. Ay, my good lord. man. Leon. Go play, Mamillias; thou'rt an honest (Exit MAMILLIUS. Camillo, this great Sir will yet stay longer. Cam. You had much ado to make his anchor hold; When you cast out, it still came home. Cam. He would not stay at your petitions; His business more material. [made whispering, Leon. Didst perceive it ?They're here with me already; rounding, Sicilia is a so-jorth: 'Tis far gone, Amongst the infinite doings of the world, Leon. Have not you seen, Camille, (But that's past doubt: you have ; of your eyeglass Is thicker than a cuckold's horn :) or beard, My wife's a hobby-horse: deserves a same Cam. I would not be a stander-by, to bear Leon. Is whispering nothing? When I shall gust it last.-How came't, Camillo, Is leaning cheek to cheek ? is meeting noses ↑ That he did stay? Cam. At the good queen's entreaty. Kissing with inside lip! stopping the career Of laughter with a sigh ? (a note infalible Leon. At the queen's, be't: good, should be of breaking honesty :) horsing foot on foot ! pertinent; But so it is, it is not. Was this faken More than the common blocks :-Not noted, is't, Bohemia stays here longer. Skulking in corners ? wishing clocks more <:11 Hours, minutes? noon, midnight! and all eyes blind With the pin and web, but their's, their's only, That would unseen be wicked! Is this mothe Why, then the world, and all that's in't, is 20thing; The covering sky is nothing: Bobemia noflring; My wife is nothing; nor nothing have these wothings If this be nothing. Cam. Good my lord, be cur'd Of this diseas'd opinion, and betitnes ; Leon. Say, it be; 'tis true. Cam. No, no, my lord. Leon. It is; you lie, you lie : I say thou liest, Camillo, and I hate thee: Cam. Who does infect her? Leon. Why he, that wears her like her medal, hanging About his neck, Bohemia: Who-if 1 Had servants true about me: that bare eyes |