Cam. Sicilia cannot show himself overkind 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 attornied, 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.-The same. A room of state in the palace. Enter LEONTES, POLIXENES, HERMIONE, MA MILLIUS, CAMILLO, and Attendants. Pol. Nine changes of the wat'ry star have been The shepherd's note, since we have left our throne Without a burden: 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 more, 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 Were there necessity in your request, although Leon. Tongue-tied, our queen? speak you. Her. I had thought, sir, to have held my peace until You had drawn oaths from him, not to stay. Charge him too coldly: Tell him, you are sure, 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 ; adventure The borrow of a week. When at Bohemia Her. Nay, but you will? You put me off with limber vows: But I, Though you would seek to unsphere the stars with oaths, Should yet say, Sir, no going. Verily, 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; Her. Not your gaoler then, But your kind hostess. Come, I'll question you lord's tricks, and yours, when you were boys; Of my You were pretty lordlings then. Pol. We were, fair queen, Ere I could make thee open thy white hand, Why, lo Two lads, that thought there was no more be- The one for ever earn'd a royal husband; hind, Pol. We were as twinn'd lambs, that did frisk f'the sun, And bleat the one at the other: what we chang'd, Boldly, Not guilty; the imposition clear'd, Her. By this we gather, Pol. O my most sacred lady, Temptations have since then been born to us; for In those unfledg'd days was my wife a girl; Your precious self had not then cross'd the eyes Of my young play-fellow. Her. Grace to boot! Of this make no conclusion; lest you say, 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. Or I mistake you: O, would her name were 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, | The other, for some while a friend. [Giving her hand to Polirenes. 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 palms, and pinching fingers, As now they are; and making practis'd smiles, As in a looking-glass ;-and then to sigh, as They say, it's a copy out of mine. Come, 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 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? Her. You look,' As if you held a brow of much distraction: Leon. No, in good earnest, How sometimes nature will betray its folly, How like, methought, I then was to this kernel, This quash, this gentleman:-Mine honest friend, Will you take eggs for money? Mam. No, my lord, I'll fight. Leon. You will? why, happy man be's dole! My brother, Are you so fond of your young prince, as we Do seem to be of curs? Pol. If at home, sir, be found, Be you beneath the sky :-I am angling now, Though you perceive me not how I give line. Go to, go to! Aside. Observing Polixenes and Hermione. How 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 ears a fork'd one. [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 clamour Will be my knell.-Go, play, boy, play;— There have been, Or I am much deceiv'd, cuckolds ere now; That little thinks she has been sluic'd in's ab sence, 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, From cast, west, north, and south: Be it concluded, No barricado for a belly; know it; 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. Cam. He would not stay at your petitions; made His business more material. Leon. Didst perceive it ? They're here with me already; whispering, rounding, Sicilia is a so-forth: 'Tis far gone, 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 But so it is, it is not. Was this taken Bohemia stays here longer. Cam. Stays here longer. Cam. To satisfy your highness, and the en- 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 That would unseen be wicked? is this nothing? Why, then the world, and all that's in't, is no Hast cleans'd my bosom; I from thee departed | With the pin and web, but theirs, theirs only, Cam. Be it forbid, my lord! Leon. To bide upon't;-Thou art not ho nest: or, If thou inclin'st that way, thou art a coward; A servant, grafted in my serious trust, That seest a game play'd home, the rich stake drawn, And tak'st it all for jest. Cam. My gracious lord, I may be negligent, foolish, and fearful; Leon. Have not you seen, Camillo, (But that's past doubt: you have; or your eyeglass 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 it,) 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 hobbyhorse; deserves a name Leon. Is whispering nothing? Is leaning cheek to cheek? is meeting noses? thing; The covering sky is nothing; Bohemia nothing; My wife is nothing; nor nothing have these nothings, If this be nothing. Cam. Good my lord, be cur'd Leon. Say, it be; 'tis true. Leon. It is; you lie, you lie : I say, thou liest, Camillo, and I hate thee; Canst with thine eyes at once see good and evil, Cam. Who docs infect her? Leon. Why, he that wears her like her medal, hanging About his neck, Bohemia; who—if I Which should undo more doing: Ay, and thou, Plainly, as heaven sees earth, and earth sees heaven, How I am galled,-might'st bespice a cup, Cam. Sir, my lord, I could do this; and that with no rash potion, Leon. Make't thy question, and go rot! |