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We'll borrow place of him :-Sir, by your leave:
[To ANGELO.
Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence,
That yet can do thee office? If thou hast,
Rely upon it till my tale be heard,
And hold no longer out.

Ang. O my dread lord,

I should be guiltier than my guiltiness,
To think I can be undiscernible,

When I perceive, your grace, like power divine, Hath look'd upon my passes: Then, good prince,

No longer session hold upon my shame.
But let my trial be mine own confession;
Immediate sentence then, and sequent death,
Is all the grace I beg.

Duke. Come hither, Mariana :—

Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman? Ang. I was, my lord.

Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her in

stantly.

Do you the office, friar; which consummate, Return him here again :-Go with him, Provost. [Exeunt ANGELO, MARIANA, PETER, and PROVOST.

Escal. My lord, I am more amaz'd at his disThan at the strangeness of it. [honour.

Duke. Come hither, Isabel :

Your friar is now your prince: As I was then
Advértising, and holy to your business,
Not changing heart with habit, I am still
Attorney'd at your service.

Isab. Oh! give me pardon,

That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd Your unknown sovereignty.

Duke. You are pardon'd, Isabel :
And now, dear maid, be you as free to us.
Your brother's death, I know, sits at your heart;
And you may marvel, why I obscur'd myself,
Labouring to save his life; and would not
rather

Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power,
Than let him so be lost: O most kind maid,
It was the swift celerity of his death,
Which I did think with slower foot came on,
That brain'd my purpose: But, peace be with
him!

That life is better life, past fearing death,
Than that which lives to fear: make it your com-
So happy is your brother.

[fort,

Re-cnter ANGELO, MARIANA, PETER, and PROVOST.

Isab. I do, my lord.

Duke. For this new-married man, approaching here,

Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd
Your well-defended honour, you must pardon
For Mariana's sake: but as he adjudg'd your
(Being criminal, in double violation [brother,
Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach,
Thereon dependent, for your brother's life,)
The very mercy of the law cries out
Most audible, even from his proper tongue,
An Angelo for Claudio, death for death.
Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure;
Like doth quit like, and Measure still for Mea-

sure.

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Mari. Isabel,

Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me ;
Hold up your hands, say nothing, I'll speak all.
They say, best men are moulded ont of faults;
And, for the most, become much more the better
For being a little bad: so may my husband.
O Isabel! will you not lend a knee?
Duke. He dies for Claudio's death.
Isab. Most bounteous Sir,
[Kneeling
Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd,
As if my brother liv'd: I partly think,

A due sincerity govern'd his deeds,
Till he did look on me; since it is so,

Let him not die: My brother had but justice,
In that he did the thing for which he died:
For Angelo,

His act did not o'ertake his bad intent;
And mast be buried but as an intent
That perish'd by the way thoughts are no sub-
Intents but merely thoughts.
[jects;

Mari. Merely, my lord.
Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I

say.

I have bethought me of another fault :
Provost, how came it, Claudio was beheaded
At an unusual hour?

Prov. It was commanded so.

Duke. Had you a special warrant for the deed? Prov. No, my good lord; it was by private message.

Duke. For which I do discharge you of your Give up your keys. [office :

Prov. Pardon me, nobles lord:

I thought it was a fault, but knew it not;
Yet did repent me, after more advice: +
For testimony whereof, one in the prison
That should by private order else have died,
I have reserv'd alive.

Duke. What's he?

Prov. His name is Barnardine. Duke. I would thou had'st done so by Claudio. Go, fetch him hither; let me look upon him. [Exit PROVOST. Escal. I am sorry, one so learned, and so wise As you, lord Angelo, have still appear'd, Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood, And lack of temper'd judgment afterward.

Ang. I am sorry that such sorrow I procure : And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart, That I crave death more willingly than mercy; 'Tis my deserving, and I do intreat it.

Re-enter PROVOST, BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO, and JULIET.

Duke. Which is that Barnardine ?
Prov. This, my lord.

Duke. There was a friar told me of this

man:

Sirrab, thou art said to have a stubborn soul That apprehends no further than this world, And squar'st thy life according. Thou'rt con demn'd;

But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all; And pray thee, take this mercy to provide

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For better times to come:Friar, advise him; | And he shall marry her: the nuptial finish'd, I leave him to your hand.-What muffled fellow's Let him be whipp'd and hang'd. that?

Prov. This is another prisoner, that I sav'd, That should have died when Claudio lost nis head; As like almost to Claudio, as himself.

[Unmufles CLAUDIO. Duke. If he be like your brother, for his sake [To ISABELLA.

Is he pardon'd: And, for your lovely sake,
Give me your hand, and say you will be mine,
He is my brother too: But fitter time for that.
By this, lord Angelo perceives he's safe;
Methinks, I see a quick'ning in his eye-
Well, Angelo, your evil quits you weil :
Look that you love your wife; her worth, worth
I find an apt remission in myself: [your's.
And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon ;-
You, sirrab, [To Lucio.] that knew me for a
fool, a coward,

One all of luxury,+ an ass, a madman ;
Wherein bave I so deserved of you,
That you extol me thus?

Lucio. 'Faith, my lord, I spoke it but according to the trick: If you will hang me for it, you may, but I had rather it would please you, Í might be whipp'd.

Duke. Whipp'd first, Sir, and hang'd after.— Proclaim it, Provost, round about the city; If any woman's wrong'd by this lewd fellow, (As I have heard him swear himself, there's one Whom he begot with child,) let her appear, + Incontinence. Thoughtless practice.

• Requites.

Lucio. I beseech your highness, do not mariy me to a whore; Your highness said even now, I made you a duke: good my lord, do not recom. pense me, in making me a cuckold.

Duke. Upon mine honour, thou shalt mair
her.

Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal
Remit thy other forfeits : •-Take him to prison:
And see our pleasure berein executed.

Lucio. Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, whipping, and hanging.

Duke. Sland'ring a prince deserves it.-
She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you re-
store.-

Joy to you, Mariana !-love ber, Angelo :
I have confess'd her, and I know her virtue.-
Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much good-

ness:

There's more behind, that is more gratulate.+
Thanks, Provost, for thy care and secrecy ;
We shall employ thee in a worthier place :-
Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home
The head of Ragozine for Claudio's:
The offence pardons itself.-Dear Isabel,
I bave a motion much imports your good;
Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline,
What's mine is your's, and what is your's is
mine :-

So, bring us to our palace; where we'll show
What's yet behind, that's meet you all should
know.
[Exeunt.

Punishments.

↑ To reward.

THA

PUBLIC LIBRA

ASTOR

TILE

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WINTER'S TALE.

LITERARY AND HISTORICAL NOTICE.

TO the story-book, or Pleasant History (as it is called) of Dorastus and Pawnia, written by Robert Greene, M.A we are indebted for Shakspeare's Winter's Tale. The parts of Antigonus, Paulina, and Autolycus, are of the poet's own invention; and many circumstances of the novel are omitted in the drama. Mr. Walpole ranks it among the historic plays of Shakspeare, and says it was certainly presented, (in compliment to Queen Elizabeth) as an indirect apology for her mother, Anne Boleyn; the unreasonable jealousy and violent conduct of Leontes, forming a true portrait of Henry VIII. who generally made the law the engine of his passions. Several passages, it must be confessed, strongly favour this plausible conjecture, and seem to apply to the real history much closer than to the fable. But Malone and Sir William Blackstone refer to other passages, which would strengthen a contrary opinion; to one, in particular, which could scarcely be in. tended for the ear of her, who had put the Queen of Scots to death. It was, however, probably written immediately upon Elizabeth's death; nor could it fail of being very agreeable to James her successor. An inattention to dramatic rules, so common with Shakspeare, is perhaps more glaringly apparent in this than in any other of his productions; and Pope and Dryden have made it the subject of some ill-advised censure. But had Shakspeare been acquainted with these rules, (which he certainly was not,) the exquisite talent displayed in his writings, is a sufficient apology for the freedom with which he has set them aside. His inexhaustible genius was not to be restrained, nor the restless disposition of an English audience to be gratified, by a close and reverent adherence to the classical unities of the stage. Hence such a breach in time and probability, as producing, at a rustic festival, a lovely woman, fit to be married, who but a few minutes before, had been deposited on the sea-shore, an infant in swaddling clothes. Hence the celerity with which seas are crossed, countries traversed, battles fought, and marriages accomplished. The Winter's Tale, however, with all its contradictions---with a mean fable, extravagantly conducted---is scarcely inferior to any of Shakspeare's plays. It contains much excellent sentiment, several strongly-marked characters, and a tissue of events fully justifying the title ;---for a jumble of improbable incidents, some merry and some sad, is the legitimate feature of a Christmas story. Still it must be observed, that though the origin and progress of jealousy are always unaccountable, the sudden transition of Leontes from a state of perfect friendship and affection to that of hatred and vindictive rage, is not accompanied by any apparent circumstances to render at probable or natural. Paulina's character is novel, and very pleasingly imagined; and Hermione's defence is not less beautiful and pathetic than its prototype in Henry VIII. Autolycus, the king of beggars and of pedlars, is one of the most arch and amusing scoundrels ever designed by cur poet. His songs are all ex. ceedingly spirited.

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An old Shepherd, reputed father of Perdita.
Clown, his Son.

Servant to the old Shepherd.
AUTOLYCUS, a Rogue.
TIME, as Chorus.

HERMIONE, Queen to Leontes.

PERDITA, Daughter to Leontes and Hermione.
PAULINA, Wife to Antigonus.

EMILIA, a Lady,

Two other Ladies, Attending the Queen.

MOPSA,
DORCAS,

Shepherdesses.

Lords, Ladies, and Attendants; Satyrs for a dance.

Shepherds, Shepherdesses, Guards, &c.

SCENE--sometimes in Sicilia; sometimes in Bohemia.

ACT I.

SCENE 1.-Sicilia.-An 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, in deed,

Cam. 'Beseech you -

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