Be left her to perform. Come, follow us; Ant. [Aside.] To laughter, as I take it, If the good truth were known. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same. The outer Room of a Prison. Enter PAULINA and Attendants. Paul. The keeper of the prison,-call to him; [Exit an Attendant. Let him have knowledge who I am.-Good lady! No court in Europe is too good for thee, What dost thou then in prison ?—Now, good sir, Re-enter Attendant, with the Keeper. Conduct me to the queen. Keep. I may not, madam; to the contrary I have express commandment. To lock up honesty and honour from The access of gentle visitors!-Is 't lawful, pray you, To see her women ? any of them? Emilia? Keep. So please you, madam, To put apart these your attendants, I Shall bring Emilia forth. I must be present at your conference. Paul. Well, be it so, prithee. Here's such ado to make no stain a stain, As passes colouring. [Exit Keeper. a In these speeches we follow the metrical arrangement of the original, which is certainly not improved by the botching which we find in all modern editions. Re-enter Keeper, with EMILIA. Dear gentlewoman, How fares our gracious lady? Emil. As well as one so great, and so forlorn, May hold together: on her frights, and griefs, (Which never tender lady hath borne greater,) She is, something before her time, deliver'd. Paul. A boy? Emil. A daughter; and a goodly babe, These dangerous unsafe lunes i' the king! beshrew them! The trumpet any more:-Pray you, Emilia, Persuades, when speaking fails. Emil. Most worthy madam, Your honour, and your goodness, is so evident, That your free undertaking cannot miss A thriving issue; there is no lady living So meet for this great errand: Please your ladyship Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer; Paul. Tell her, Emilia, I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from it, As boldness from my bosom, let it not be doubted I shall do good. Emil. Now be you bless'd for it! I'll to the queen: Please you, come something nearer. Having no warrant. Paul. You need not fear it, sir: This child was prisoner to the womb; and is, By law and process of great nature, thence Keep. I do believe it. Paul. Do not you fear; upon mine honour, I Will stand betwixt you and danger. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-The same. A Room in the Palace. Enter LEONTES, ANTIGONUS, Lords, and other Attendants. The cause were not in being;-part o' the cause, She, the adultress; for the harlot king Is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank Leon. How does the boy? 1 Attend. My lord! [Advancing. He took good rest to-night; 'T is hop'd his sickness is discharg'd. Leon. To see his nobleness! Conceiving the dishonour of his mother, He straight declin'd, droop'd, took it deeply; And downright languish'd.-Leave me solely:-go, See how he fares. [Exit Attend.]-Fie, fie! no thought of him; The very thought of my revenges that way Laugh at me; make their pastime at my sorrow : 1 Lord. Enter PAULINA, with a Child. You must not enter. Paul. Nay, rather, good my lords, be second to me: Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas, Than the queen's life? a gracious innocent soul; More free than he is jealous. Ant. That's enough. 1 Attend. Madam, he hath not slept to-night; commanded None should come at him. Paul. Not so hot, good sir; Do come with words as medicinal as true; Honest as either; to purge him of that humour Leon. What noise there, ho? Paul. No noise, my lord; but needful conference, About some gossips for your highness. Leon. How? Away with that audacious lady: Antigonus, I charg'd thee that she should not come about me; Ant. I told her so, my lord, On your displeasure's peril, and on mine, She should not visit you. a What. The original reads who, evidently a misprint. Leon. What, canst not rule her? Ant. Laa you now; you hear! When she will take the rein, I let her run; But she 'll not stumble. Paul. Leon. —I say, I come Good queen! Paul. Good queen, my lord, good queen: queen; And would by combat make her good, so were I Leon. Force her hence. Paul. Let him that makes but trifles of his eyes Leon. [Laying down the Child. Out! A mankind witch! Hence with her, out o' door: A most intelligencing bawd! a La. This is commonly printed lo. The words each mean look you; but la is used affectedly, or ironically, as in this case. b Comforting-encouraging. We have still "comforting and abetting," in legal language. • Mankind-masculine. Jonson has an example of this use of the word : "Pallas, now thee I call on, mankind maid." |