She, th' adult'ress; for the harlot King Might come to me again. 1 Attendant. - Who's there? My lord! Leon. How does the boy? 1 Attend. [Advancing. He took good rest to-night; 'Tis 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, thought of him; Fie, fie! no The very thought of my revenges that way And in his parties, his alliance. Let him be, Until a time may serve for present vengeance, Take it on her. Camillo and Polixenes Laugh at me; make their pastime at my sorrow: They should not laugh if I could reach them; nor Shall she, within my power. 1 Lord. Enter PAULINA, with a babe. 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; I come to bring him sleep. 'Tis such as you, Nourish the cause of his awaking: I Do come, with words as medicinal as true, Honest as either, to purge him of that humour That presses him from sleep. Leon. What noise there, ho? Paul. No noise, my lord; but needful confer ence, 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: I knew she would. Ant. I told her so, my lord, What, canst not rule her? On your displeasure's peril, and on mine, Leon. Paul. From all dishonesty he can: in this, (Unless he take the course that you have done, Commit me, for committing honour,) trust it, He shall not rule me. Ant. La you now; you hear! When she will take the rein, I let her run; Paul. Good my liege, I come, And, I beseech you, hear me, who professes Than such as most seem yours, —I say, I come Leon. Good Queen! Paul. Good Queen, my lord, good Queen: I say, good Queen; And would by combat make her good, so were I A man the worst about you. Leon. Force her hence. Paul. Let him that makes but trifles of his eyes First hand me: on mine own accord, I'll off; But, first, I'll do my errand. - The good Queen, For she is good, hath brought you forth a daughter: Here 'tis; commends it to your blessing. Leon. [Laying down the babe. Out! A mankind witch! Hence with her, out o' door: A most intelligencing bawd! Paul. Not so: I am as ignorant in that, as you In so entitling me: and no less honest Than you are mad; which is enough, I'll warrant, As this world goes, to pass for honest. Leon. Traitors! Will you not push her out? Give her the bastard: Thou dotard, [to ANTIGONUS,] thou art woman-tir'd, unroosted By thy Dame Partlet here: take up the bastard; For ever Take 't up, I say; give 't to thy crone. Paul. Unvenerable be thy hands if thou Tak'st up the Princess, by that forced baseness Which he has put upon 't! Leon. He dreads his wife. Paul. So I would you did; then 'twere past all doubt You'd call your children yours. A nest of traitors! Leon. Ant. I am none, by this good light. Paul. Nor I; nor any, But one, that's here; and that's himself: for he His hopeful son's, his babe's, betrays to slander, not (For as the case now stands, it is a curse Leon. A callet Of boundless tongue; who late hath beat her hus band, And now baits me! - This brat is none of mine; It is the issue of Polixenes : Hence with it; and, together with the dam, Commit them to the fire. Paul. And, might we lay th' old So like you, 'tis the worse. It is yours; proverb to your charge, Behold, my lords, Although the print be little, the whole matter The trick of 's frown, his forehead; nay, the valley, The ordering of the mind too, 'mongst all colours Leon. A gross hag! And, lozel, thou art worthy to be hang'd, I'll not call you tyrant; It is an heretic that makes the fire, But this most cruel usage of your Queen (Not able to produce more accusation Than your own weak-hing'd fancy) something savours Of tyranny, and will ignoble make you, Yea, scandalous to the world. Leon. Out of the chamber with her. Where were her life? she On your allegiance, Were I a tyrant, durst not call me so Away with her. If she did know me one. her A better guiding spirit! - What need these hands? - Will never do him good, not one of you. [ Exit. Leon. Thou, traitor, hast set on thy wife to this. My child! away with 't: even thou, that hast A heart so tender o'er it, take it hence, And see it instantly consum'd with fire; Even thou, and none but thou. Take it up straight: |