heavy, and vengeance bitter; but those that are germane to him, though remov'd fifty times, shall all come under the hangman: which though it be great pity, yet it is necessary. An old sheep-whistling rogue, a ram-tender, to offer to have his daughter come into grace! Some say he shall be ston'd; but that death is too soft for him, say I. Draw our throne into a sheep-cote! all deaths are too few, the sharpest too easy. Clo. Has the old man e'er a son, sir, do you hear, an't like you, sir? Aut. He has a son, who shall be flay'd alive; then, 'nointed over with honey, set on the head of a wasp's nest; then stand, till he be three quarters and a dram dead; then recover'd again with aqua-vitæ, or some other hot infusion; then, raw as he is, and in the hottest day prognostication proclaims, shall he be set against a brick wall, the sun looking with a southward eye upon him, where he is to behold him with flies blown to death. But what talk we of these traitorly rascals, whose miseries are to be smil'd at, their offences being so capital? Tell me (for you seem to be honest plain men) what you have to the King: being something gently consider'd, I'll bring you where he is aboard, tender your persons to his presence, whisper him in your behalfs: and, if it be in man, besides the King, to effect your suits, here is man shall do it. Clo. He seems to be of great authority: close with him, give him gold; and though authority be a stubborn bear, yet he is oft led by the nose with gold; shew the inside of your purse to the outside of his hand, and no more ado. Remember, ston'd and flay'd alive! Shep. An't please you, sir, to undertake the business for us, here is that gold I have: I'll make it as much more; and leave this young man in pawn till I bring it you. Aut. After I have done what I promised? Shep. Ay, sir. Aut. Well, give me the moiety. Are you a party in this business? Clo. In some sort, sir: but though my case be a pitiful one, I hope I shall not be flay'd out of it. Aut. O, that's the case of the shepherd's son: Hang him, he'll be made an example. Clo. Comfort, good comfort: we must to the King, and shew our strange sights: he must know 'tis none of your daughter, nor my sister; we are gone else. Sir, I will give you as much as this old man does, when the business is perform'd; and remain, as he says, your pawn till it be brought you. Aut. I will trust you. Walk before toward the sea-side: go on the right hand; I will but look upon the hedge, and follow you. Clo. We are bless'd in this man, as I may say, even bless'd. Shep. Let's before, as he bids us: he was provided to do us good. [Exeunt Shepherd and Clown. Aut. If I had a mind to be honest, I see Fortune would not suffer me; she drops booties in my mouth. I am courted now with a double occasion; gold, and a means to do the Prince my master good; which, who knows how that may turn back to my advancement? I will bring these two moles, these blind ones, aboard him; if he think it fit to shore them again, and that the complaint they have to the King concerns him nothing, let him call me rogue for being so far officious; for I am proof against that title, and what shame else belongs to 't. To him will I present them; there may be matter in it. [Exit. ACT V. SCENE I.Sicilia. A Room in the Palace of LEONTES. Enter LEONTES, CLEOMENES, DION, PAULINA, and others. SIR CLEOMENES. IR, you have done enough, and have perform'd A saint-like sorrow. No fault could you make Which you have not redeem'd; indeed, paid down More penitence than done trespass! At the last Do, as the Heavens have done; forget your evil; With them, forgive yourself. Leon. Whilst I remember Her, and her virtues, I cannot forget Paul. True, too true, my lord: If, one by one, you wedded all the world, Or, from the all that are, took something good, Would be unparallel'd. Leon. I think so. Kill'd! She I kill'd! I did so; but thou strik'st me Sorely, to say I did: it is as bitter Upon thy tongue as in my thought. Now, good now, Say so but seldom. Cleo. Not at all, good lady; You might have spoken a thousand things that would Have done the time more benefit, and grac'd Your kindness better. Paul. You are one of those Would have him wed again. If you would not so, Dion. With a sweet fellow to 't? Paul. Respecting her that's gone. There is none worthy, Will have fulfill'd their secret purposes: Is't not the tenor of his oracle, That King Leontes shall not have an heir As my Antigonus to break his grave, Did perish with the infant. 'Tis your counsel The Crown will find an heir. Great Alexander Left his to th' worthiest; so his successor Was like to be the best. Leon. Good Paulina, Who hast the memory of Hermione, I know, in honour, - O, that ever I Had squar'd me to thy counsel! then, even now, I might have look'd upon my Queen's full eyes, Have taken treasure from her lips, Paul. More rich for what they yielded. Leon. And left them Thou speak'st truth. No more such wives; therefore, no wife: one worse, And begin, Why to me?' I should so: Paul. Were I the ghost that walk'd, I'd bid you mark Her eye; and tell me for what dull part in 't You chose her; then I'd shriek, that even your ears Should rift to hear me; and the words that follow'd Should be, Remember mine!' Leon. Stars, stars, And all eyes else dead coals! - Fear thou no wife, I'll have no wife, Paulina. Paul. Will you swear Never to marry, but by my free leave? Leon. Never, Paulina! so be bless'd my spirit! Paul. Then, good my lords, bear witness to his |