SCENE I.- Antechamber in Leontes' palace. Enter Camillo and Archidamus. Arch. If you shall chance, Camillo, to visit Bohemia, on the like occasion whereon my services are now on foot, you shall see, as I have said, great difference betwixt our Bohemia and your Sicilia. Cam. I think, this coming summer, the King of Sicilia means to pay Bohemia the visitation which he justly owes him.

Arch. Wherein our entertainment shall shame us we will be justified in our loves; for indeed Cam. Beseech you,—

Arch. Verily, I speak it in the freedom of my knowledge: we cannot with such magnificence in so rare-I know not what to say. We will give you sleepy drinks, that your senses, unintelligent of our insufficience, may, 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 understanding instructs me and as mine honesty puts it to utterance. 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 branch now. Since their more mature dignities and royal necessities made separation of their society, their encounters, though not personal, have been royally attorneyed with interchange of gifts, letters, loving embassies; that they have seemed to be together, though absent, shook 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 unspeakable 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 had no son, they would desire to live on crutches till he had one. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.-A room of state in the same. Enter Leontes, Hermione, Mamillius, Polixenes, Camillo, and Attendants. Pol. Nine changes of the watery star hath been The shepherd's note since we have left our throne Without a burthen: time as long again Would be fill'd up, my brother, with our thanks; And yet we should, for perpetuity, Go hence in debt: and therefore, like a cipher, Yet standing in rich place, I multiply With one 'We thank you' many thousands moe That go before it. Leon. Stay your thanks awhile; And pay them when you part. Pol.

Sir, that 's to-morrow. I am question'd by my fears, of what may chance Or breed upon our absence; that may blow No sneaping winds at home, to make us say 'This is put forth too truly:' besides, I have stay'd To tire your royalty. We are tougher, brother,

Leon.

Than you can put us to 't.
Pol.
No longer stay.
Leon. One seven-night longer.
Pol.
Very sooth, to-morrow.
Leon. We'll part the time between 's then; and
in that
I'll no gainsaying.
Pol.
Press me not, beseech you, so.
There is no tongue that moves, none, none i' the
world,

So soon as yours could win me: so it should now,
Were there necessity in your request, although
'T were needful I denied it. My affairs
Do even drag me homeward: which to hinder
Were in your love a whip to me; my stay
To you a charge and trouble: to save both,
Farewell, our brother.

Leon. Tongue-tied our queen? speak you. Her. I had thought, sir, to have held my peace until [sir, You had drawn oaths from him not to stay. You, Charge him too coldly. Tell him, you are sure All in Bohemia 's well; this satisfaction The by-gone day proclaim'd: say this to him, He's beat from his best ward.

Leon.

Well said, Hermione. Her. To tell, he longs to see his son, were strong: But let him say so then, and let him go; But let him swear so, and he shall not stay, We'll thwack him hence with distaffs. Yet of your royal presence I'll adventure The borrow of a week. When at Bohemia You take my lord, I'll give him my commission To let him there a month behind the gest Prefix'd for 's parting: yet, good deed, Leontes, I love thee not a jar o' the clock behind What lady-she her lord. You'll stay? Pol.

Her. Nay, but you will? Pol.

Her. Verily!

No, madam.

I may not, verily.

[oaths,

You put me off with limber vows; but I,
Though you would seek to unsphere the stars with
Should yet say, 'Sir, no going. Verily,
You shall not go: a lady's Verily ''s
As potent as a lord's. Will you go yet?
Force me to keep you as a prisoner,
Not like a guest; so you shall pay your fees [you?
When you depart, and save your thanks. How say
My prisoner? or my guest? by your dread Verily,'
One of them you shall be.
Pol.
Your guest, then, madam:
To be your prisoner should import offending;
Which is for me less easy to commit
Than you to punish.

Her.

Not your gaoler, then,

But your kind hostess. Come, I'll question you
Of my lord's tricks and yours when you were boys:
You were pretty lordings then?
Pol.

We were, fair queen,
Two lads that thought there was no more behind
But such a day to-morrow as to-day,
And to be boy eternal.

Her.

Was not my lord

[the sun,

The verier wag o' the two?

Pol. We were as twinn'd lambs that did frisk i'
And bleat the one at the other: what we changed
Was innocence for innocence; we knew not
The doctrine of ill-doing, nor dream'd
That any did. Had we pursued that life,
And our weak spirits ne'er been higher rear'd
With stronger blood, weshould have answer'd heaven
Boldly not guilty; the imposition clear'd
Hereditary ours.

Her.
By this we gather
You have tripp'd since.
Pol.

O my most sacred lady!
Temptations have since then been born to 's; for
In those unfledged days was my wife a girl;
Your precious self had then not cross'd the eyes
Of my young play-fellow.
Grace to boot!

Her.

Of this make no conclusion, lest you say
Your queen and I are devils: yet go on;
The offences we have made you do we 'll answer,
If you first sinn'd with us and that with us
You did continue fault and that you slipp'd not
With any but with us.

Leon.

Is he won yet?

Her. He'll stay, my lord. Leon.

Her. What! have I twice said well? when was 't before?

I prithee tell me; cram 's with praise and make 's
As fat as tame things: one good deed dying tongue-
Slaughters a thousand waiting upon that. [less
Our praises are our wages: you may ride 's
With one soft kiss a thousand furlongs ere
With spur we heat an acre. But to the goal:
My last good deed was to entreat his stay:
What was my first? it has an elder sister,
Or I mistake you: O, would her name were Grace!
But once before I spoke to the purpose: when?
Nay, let me have 't; I long.

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 yours forever.'

Her. 'Tis grace indeed. Why, lo you now, I have spoke to the purpose twice: The one for ever earn'd a royal husband; The other for some while a friend. Leon. [Aside] Too hot, too hot! 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; 't may. I grant; But to be paddling palms and pinching fingers, As now they are, and making practised smiles, As in a looking-glass, and then to sigh, as 't were The mort o' the deer; O, that is entertainment My bosom likes not, nor my brows! Mamillius, Art thou my boy?

To be full like me: yet they say we are
Almost as like as eggs; women say so,
That will say any thing: but were they false
As o'er-dyed blacks, as wind, as waters, false
As dice are to be wish'd by one that fixes
No bourn 'twixt his and mine, yet were it true
To say this boy were like me. Come, sir page,
Look on me with your welkin eye: sweet villain!
Most dear'st! my collop! Can thy dam?-may't
Affection! thy intention stabs the centre: [be?—
Thou dost make possible things not so held,
Communicatest with dreams;-how can this be?—
With what's unreal thou coactive art,
And fellow'st nothing: then 't is very credent
Thou mayst co-join with something; and thou dost,
And that beyond commission, and I find it,
And that to the infection of my brains
And hardening of my brows.
Pol.

What means Sicilia?
Her. He something seems unsettled.
Pol.

How, my lord! What cheer? how is 't with you, best brother?

Are you moved, my lord?

Leon. No, in good earnest. How sometimes nature will betray its folly,

Its tenderness, and make itself a pastime
To harder bosoms! Looking on the lines
Of my boy's face, methoughts I did recoil
Twenty-three years, and saw myself unbreech'd,
In my green velvet coat, my dagger muzzled,
Lest it should bite its master, and so prove,
As ornaments oft do, too dangerous:
How like, methought, I then was to this kernel,
This squash, this gentleman. Mine honest friend,
Will you take eggs for money?

Mam. No, my lord, I'll fight.

[brother, My

Leon. You will! why, happy man be 's dole! Are you so fond of your young prince as we Do seem to be of ours? Pol. If at home, sir, He's all my exercise, my mirth, my matter, Now my sworn friend and then mine enemy, My parasite, my soldier, statesman, all: He makes a July's day short as December, And with his varying childness cures in me Thoughts that would thick my blood. Leon. So stands this squire Officed with me: we two will walk, my lord, And leave you to your graver steps. Hermione, How thou lovest us, show in our brother's welcome; Let what is dear in Sicily be cheap: Next to thyself and my young rover, he 's Apparent to my heart.

Her.

If you would seek us,

We are yours i' the garden: shall 's attend you there? Leon. To your own bents dispose you: you'll be found,

Be you beneath the sky. [Aside] I am angling now,
Though you perceive me not how I give line.
Go to, go to!

How she holds up the neb, the bill to him!
And arms her with the boldness of a wife
To her allowing husband!

[Exeunt Polixenes, Hermione, and Attendants.
Gone already!
Inch-thick, knee-deep, o'er head and ears a fork'd
Go, play, boy, play: thy mother plays, and I [one!
Play too, but so disgraced a part, whose issue
Will hiss me to my grave; contempt and clamour
Will be my knell. Go, play, boy, play. There have
Or I am much deceived, cuckolds ere now; [been,
And many a man there is, even at this present,
Now while I speak this, holds his wife by the arm,
That little thinks she has been sluiced in 's absence
And his pond fish'd by his next neighbor, by
Sir Smile, his neighbour: nay, there 's comfort in 't
Whiles other men have gates and those gates open'd,
As mine, against their will. Should all despair
That have revolted wives, the tenth of mankind
Would hang themselves. Physic for 't there is none;
It is a bawdy planet, that will strike

Where 't is predominant; and 't is powerful, think it, From east, west, north and south: be it concluded, No barricado for a belly; know 't;

It will let in and out the enemy

With bag and baggage: many thousand on 's
Have the disease, and feel 't not. How now, boy!
Mam. I am like you, they say.
Leon.

What, Camillo there?

man.

Why, that's some comfort.

Cam. Ay, my good lord. Leon. Go play, Mamillius; 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. Leon. Didst note it? Cam. He would not stay at your petitions; made His business more material. Leon. Didst perceive it? [Aside] They 're here with me already, whispering, 'Sicilia is a so-forth:' 't is far gone, [rounding

When I shall gust it last. How came 't, Camillo,
That he did stay?
Cam.
At the good queen's entreaty.
Leon. At the queen's be 't: 'good' should be per-
But, so it is, it is not. Was this taken [tinent;
By any understanding pate but thine?
For thy conceit is soaking, will draw in
More than the common blocks: not noted, is 't,
But of the finer natures? by some severals
Of head-piece extraordinary? lower messes
Perchance are to this business purblind? say.
Cam. Business, my lord! I think most understand
Bohemia stays here longer.

Leon. Cam.

Leon. Ay, but why?

Ha!

Stays here longer.

Cam. To satisfy your highness and the entreaties Of our most gracious mistress.

Leon.

Satisfy!

The entreaties of your mistress! satisfy!
Let that suffice. I have trusted thee, Camillo,
With all the nearest things to my heart, as well
My chamber-councils, wherein, priest-like, thou
Hast cleansed my bosom, I from thee departed
Thy penitent reform'd: but we have been
Deceived in thy integrity, deceived
In that which seems so.
Cam.

Be it forbid, my lord!
Leon. To bide upon 't, thou art not honest, or,
If thou inclinest that way, thou art a coward,
Which boxes honesty behind, restraining
From course required; or else thou must be counted
A servant grafted in my serious trust
And therein negligent; or else a fool
That seest a game play'd home, the rich stake drawn,
And takest it all for jest.

Cam.
My gracious lord,
I may be negligent, foolish and fearful;
In every one of these no man is free,
But that his negligence, his folly, fear,
Among the infinite doings of the world,
Sometime puts forth. In your affairs, my lord,
If ever I were wilful-negligent,
It was my folly; if industriously

I play'd the fool, it was my negligence,
Not weighing well the end; if ever fearful
To do a thing, where I the issue doubted,
Whereof the execution did cry out
Against the non-performance, 't was a fear
Which oft infects the wisest: these, my lord,
Are such allow'd infirmities that honesty
Is never free of. But, beseech your grace,
Be plainer with me; let me know my trespass
By its own visage: if I then deny it,
"T is none of mine.

Leon.
Ha' not you seen, Camillo,-
But that 's past doubt, you have, or your eye-glass
Is thicker than a cuckold's horn,-or heard,-
For to a vision so apparent rumour
Cannot be mute,—or thought,-for cogitation
Resides not in that man that does not think,-
My wife is slippery? If thou wilt confess,
Or else be impudently negative,

To have nor eyes nor ears nor thought, then say
My wife's a hobby-horse, deserves a name
As rank as any flax-wench that puts to
Before her troth-plight: say 't and justify 't.

Cam. I would not be a stander-by to hear
My sovereign mistress clouded so, without
My present vengeance taken: 'shrew my heart,
You never spoke what did become you less
Than this; which to reiterate were sin
As deep as that, though true.

Leon.
Is whispering nothing?
Is leaning cheek to cheek? is meeting noses?
Kissing with inside lip? stopping the career
Of laughing with a sigh ?-a note infallible

Pol.

O, then my best blood turn
To an infected jelly and my name

Be yoked with his that did betray the Best!
Turn then my freshest reputation to

A savour that may strike the dullest nostril
Where I arrive, and my approach be shunn'd,
Nay, hated too, worse than the great'st infection
That e'er was heard or read!

Cam.
Swear his thought over
By each particular star in heaven and
By all their influences, you may as well
Forbid the sea for to obey the moon
As or by oath remove or counsel shake
The fabric of his folly, whose foundation
Is piled upon his faith and will continue
The standing of his body.
Pol.
How should this grow?
Cam. I know not; but I am sure 't is safer to
Avoid what's grown than question how 't is born.
If therefore you dare trust my honesty,
That lies enclosed in this trunk which you
Shall bear along impawn'd, away to-night!
Your followers I will whisper to the business,
And will by twos and threes at several posterns
Clear them o' the city. For myself, I'll put
My fortunes to your service, which are here

I saw his heart in 's face. Give me thy hand:
Be pilot to me and thy places shall
Still neighbour mine. My ships are ready and
My people did expect my hence departure
Two days ago. This jealousy

Is for a precious creature: as she 's rare,
Must it be great, and as his person 's mighty,
Must it be violent, and as he does conceive
He is dishonour'd by a man which ever
Profess'd to him, why, his revenges must
In that be made more bitter. Fear o'ershades me:
Good expedition be my friend, and comfort
The gracious queen, part of his theme, but nothing
Of his ill-ta'en suspicion! Come, Camillo;
I will respect thee as a father if

Thou bear'st my life off hence: let us avoid.
Cam. It is in mine authority to command
The keys of all the posterns: please your highness
To take the urgent hour. Come, sir, away. [Exeunt.

Come, my gracious lord,

No, I'll none of you.

First Lady. Why, my sweet lord? Mam. You'll kiss me hard and speak to me as if I were a baby still. I love you better. See. Lady. And why so, my lord? Mam. Not for because Your brows are blacker; yet black brows, they say, Become some women best, so that there be not Too much hair there, but in a semicircle, Or a half-moon made with a pen. Sec. Lady. Who taught you this? Mam. I learnt it out of women's faces. Pray now What colour are your eyebrows? First Lady.

Blue, my lord.

Mam. Nay, that's a mock: I have seen a lady's

nose

That has been blue, but not her eyebrows.
First Lady.

Hark ye;
The queen your mother rounds apace: we shall
Present our services to a fine new prince
One of these days; and then you 'ld wanton with us,
If we would have you.
Sec. Lady.
She is spread of late
Into a goodly bulk: good time encounter her!
Her. What wisdom stirs amongst you? Come,
I am for you again: pray you, sit by us, [sir, now
And tell's a tale.
Mam.

Merry or sad shall 't be? Her. As merry as you will. Mam. A sad tale 's best for winter: have one Of sprites and goblins. Her.

Let's have that, good sir. Come on, sit down: come on, and do your best To fright me with your sprites; you're powerful Mam. There was a man[at it. Her. Nay, come, sit down; then on. Mam. Dwelt by a churchyard: I will tell it softly; Youd crickets shall not hear it.

And give 't me in mine ear.

Come on, then,

Enter Leontes, with Antigonus, Lords, and others.

Leon. Was he met there? his train? Camillo with him? [never First Lord. Behind the tuft of pines I met them; Saw I men scour so on their way: I eyed them Even to their ships.

Leon.

How blest am I In my just censure, in my true opinion! Alack, for lesser knowledge! how accursed In being so blest! There may be in the cup A spider steep'd, and one may drink, depart, And yet partake no venom, for his knowledge Is not infected: but if one present The abhorr'd ingredient to his eye, make known How he hath drunk, he cracks his gorge, his sides, With violent hefts. I have drunk, and seen the Camillo was his help in this, his pander: [spider. There is a plot against my life, my crown; All's true that is mistrusted: that false villain Whom I employ'd was pre-employ'd by him: He has discover'd my design, and I Remain a pinch'd thing; yea, a very trick For them to play at will. How came the posterns So easily open?

First 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
With that she 's big with; for 't is Polixenes
Has made thee swell thus.
Her.
But I'ld say he had not,
And I'll be sworn you would believe my saying,
Howe'er you lean to the nayward.
Leon.

You, my lords,