WINTER'S TALE.

LITERARY AND HISTORICAL NOTICE. TO the story-book, or Pleasant History (as it is called) of Dorastus and Pewnia, written by Robert Greene, M.A

we ass 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 jealonsy and violent conduct of Leontes, forming a true portrait of Henry VIII. who generally made the law the engine of his passioos. 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, howe ever, with all its contradictions---with a mean fable, extravagantly conducted---is scarcely inferior

any of Shakspeare's plays. It contains much excellent seuriment, several strongly-marked characters, and a tissue of events fully justifying the title ;---for a jumble of ina probable 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 viodictive rage, is pot accompanied by any apparent circumstances to render it probable or natural. Paulina's character is novel, and very pleasingly imagined; and Hermione's defence is not loss 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 erer designed by cur poet. His songs are all ex. ceedingly spirited

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. LEONTES, King of Sicilia.

Servant to the old Shepherd. MAMILLIUS, his Son.

AUTOLYCUS, a Rogue. CAMILLO,

TIME, as Chorus. ANTIGONUS,

Sicilian Lords.
CLEOMENES,

HERMIONB, Queen to Leontes.
PION,
Another Sicilian Lord,

PERDITA, Daughter to Leontes and Hermione.

PAULINA, Wife to Antigonus.
ROGERO, a Sicilian Gentleman.
An Attendant on the young Prince Manillius. Two other Ladies,

EMILIA, a Lady,

} Attending the Queen. Officers of a Court of Judicature.

MOPSA, POLIXENES, King of Bohemia.

DORCAS,

Shepherdesses.
FLORIZEL, his Son.
ARCHIDAMUS, a Bohemian Lord.
A Mariner.

Lords, Ladies, and Attendants ; Satyrs for Jailer.

a dance. An old Shepherd, reputed jather of Perdita. Clown, his Son.

Shepherds, Shepherdesses, Guards, fc. SCENE--sometimes in Sicilia ; sometiines in Bohemia.

ACT 1.

have said, great difference betwixt our Bobemia,

and your Sicilia. SCENE 1.-Sicilia.-An Antechamber in Cam. I tbink, tbis coming summer, the king LEONTES' Palace.

of Sicilia ineans to pay Bonemia tbe visitation

which he justly owes him. Enter CAMILLO and ARCUIDAMUS.

Arch. Wbereid our entertainment shall shame Arch. If you shall chance, Camillo, to visit us, we will be justified in our loves : for, iu. Bohemia, on the like occasion wherein my deed, services are now on foot, you shall see as i Cain. 'Beseech you

Arch. Verily, I speak it in the freedom of my To you a charge and trouble : to save butb. knowledge : we cannot with such magnificence Farewell, our brother. in so rare-I know not what to say.--We will Leon. Tongue-tied, our queen 1 speak you. pive you sleepy drinks; that your senses, un- Her. I had thought, sir, to bave beld by intelligent of our insufficience, may, though they

peace, until cannot praise us, as little accuse us.

You bad drawn oaths from him, not to staj, Cam. You pay a great deal too dear, for what's

You, Sir, given freely.

Charge bim too coldly : Tell him, you are suit, Arch. Believe me, I speak as my understand. All in Bobemia's well : this satisfaction ing instructs me, and as mine honesty puts it to the by-gone day proclaim'd ; say this to biu, ulterance.

He's beat from bis best ward. Cam. Sicilia cannot show himself over-kind Leon. Well said, Hermione. to Bobemia. They were trained together in Her. To tell, belongs to see his son, were their childhoods; and there rooted betwixt them

strong : then such an affection, which cannot choose but Bot let him say so then, and let him go; branch now. Since their more mature dignities, But let him swear so, and be shall not stay, and royal necessities, made separation of their We'll thwack bim bence with distatis.society, their eucounters, though not personal, Yet of your royal presence (To POLIIESES.] bave been royally attornied, with interchange

I'll adventure of gifts, letters, loving embassies ; that they bave The borrow of a week. When at Bobenia seemed to be together, though absent; sbook You take my lord, I'll give him my coa is. hands, as over a vast;t and embraced, as it were,

sion, from the ends of opposed winds. The beavens To let him there a month, bebiud tbe gest continue their loves !

Prefix'd for his parting : yet, good deed, t LeArch. I think, there is not in the world either

ontes, malice, or matter, to alter it. You bave an un. I love thee not a jar o'the clock behind speakable comfort of your young prince Mamil. What lady sbe ber lord.-You'll stay ! lius; it is a gentleman of the greatest promise, Pol. No, madam. that ever came into my note.

Her. Nay, but you will ! Cam. I very well agree with you in the hopes Pol. I may not, verily. of him : it is a gallant child ; one that, indeed, Her. Verily! physics the subject. I makes old hearts fresh: You put me off with limber ý rows: But I, they, that went on crutches ere he was born, Though you would seek to unsphere the stars desire yet their life, to see him a man.

with oaths, Arch. Would they else be content to die? Should yet say, Sir, no going. Verily,

Cam. Yes ; if there were no other excuse why you shall not go ; a lady's verily is they should desire to live.

As potent as a lord's. Will you go yet? Arch. If the king bad no son, they would de- Force me to keep you as a prisoner, sire to live ou crutches till be had one.

Not like a guest ; so you shall pay your fees, [Exeunt. When you depart, and save your thanks. How say you

(venly, SCENE II.- The same.- A Room of state in My prisoner ? or my guest ? by your dicad the Palace.

One of them you shall be.

Pol. Your guest then, madam : Enter LEONTES, POLIXENES, HERMIONE, NA- To be your prisoner, should import offending; MILLIUS, CAMILLO, und Attendants.

Which is for me less easy to commit, Pol. Niue changes of the wat'ry star bave Than you to punisk. been

(throne Her. Not your jailer then, The sbepherd's note, since we bave left our But your kind hostess. Come, I'll question you Witbout a burden : time as long again

of my lord's tricks, and your's, wbeu you see Would be fill'd up, my brother, with our thanks;

boys ; And yet we should, for perpetuity,

You were pretty lordings | then.
Go bence in debt; And therefore, like a cipher, Pol. We were, fair queen,
Yet stauding in rich place, I multiply,

Two lads, tbat thought there was no more beWith one we-thank-you, mauy thousands more

biod, That go before it.

But such a day to-morrow as to day, Leon, Stay your thanks awhile ;

And to be boy eterual. And pay them when you part.

Her. Wis not my lord the ferier wag o'tbe Pol. Sir, that's iomorrow.

two? I am question d by my fears, of what may Pol. We were as twind'd lambs, that did frisk charice,

i'the sun, Or breed upon our absence : That may blow And bleat the one at the other : what we chang', No sneaping ý winds at home, to make us say, Was innocence for innocence; we kuew bot This is put forth too truly? Besides, I have the doctrine of ill-doing, no, nor drean'd To tire your royalty.

(stay'a That any did : Had we pus sued that life, Leon. We are tougher, brother,

And our weak spirits ne'er been bizher lear'd Thau you can put us to't.

With stronger blood, we should have ausser'd Pol. No longer stay.

heaven Leon. One seven-night longer.

Boldly, Not guilty, the imposition clear'd, Pol. Very sooth, to-morrow.

Hereditary our's. I Leon. We'll part the time between's then : Her. By this we gather, and in that

You bave tripp'd since. I'll no gain-saying.

Pol. O my most sacred lady, Pol. Press me not, 'beseech you, 80 ;

Templations bave since then been born to us : There is no tongue that moves, none, none i'the In those untledg'd days was my wife a girl ; (for world,

(now, Your precious self had then not cross'd the eyes So soon as your's, could wiu me : so it should of my young playfellow, Were there necessity in your request, although Her. Grace to boot ! "Twere needful I denied it. My affairs

of this make no conclusion ; lest you say, Do even drag me homeward : which to hinder, Your queen and I are devils : Yet, go on; Were, in your love, a whip to me ; my stay,

• Gests were the names of the stages *here the lang

appointed to lie, during a royal progress. • Nobly supplied by substitution of embassies.

Indeed

Tick.

Flimy, Wide waste of country.

I Adiminutive of lords. 1 Affords a cordial to the state.

Nipping I Setting aside original ein.

839 The offences we have made you do, we'll an-, Most dear'st! my collop !--Can thy dam swer;

may't be ?
If you tirst sinn'd with us, and that with us Affection ! thy intention stabs the centre :
You did continue fault, and that you slipp'd not | Thou dost make possible, things not so held
With any but with 113.

Communicat'st with dreains ; --(How can this
Leon. Is he won yet?

be 1) -
Her. He'll stay, my lord.

With what's unreal thou coactive art,
Leon. At my request, he would not.

And fellow'st nothing : Then, 'lis very credent,
Hermione, my dearest, thou never spok'st Thou may'st co-join with something; and thou
To better purpose.

dost; Her. Never ?

(And that beyond commission; and I find it.) Leon. Never, but once,

And that to the infection of my brains,
Her. What ? have I twice said well? when And hardening of my brows.
was't before 3

Pol. What means Sicilia ?
I pr’ythee, tell me : Cram as with praise, and Her. He something seems unsettled.
make us

Pol. How, my lord ?
As fat as tame things : One good deed, dying What cheer 1 bow is't with you, best brother !
tongueless,

Her. You look,
Slaughters a thousand, waiting upon tbat. As if you beld a brow of much distraction :
Our praises are our wages : You may ride us, Are you mov'd, my lord ?
With one soft kiss, a thousand furlongs, ere Leon. No, in good earnest.-
With spur we heat an acre. But to the jail :- How sometimes nature will betray its folly
My last good was, to entreat his stay ;

Its tenderness, and make itself a pastime
What was my first ? it bas an elder sister, To harder bosoins ! Looking on the lines
Or I mistake you : Oh! would her name were of my boy's face, methought, I did recoil
Grace !

Twenty-three years ; and saw myself unbreech'd,
But once before I spoke to the purpose : When ? lo my green velvet coat ; my dagger muzzled,
Nay, let me have't; I long.

Lest it should bite its master, and so prove, Leon. Why, that was wben

As ornaments oft do, too dangerous. Three crabbed months had sour'd themselves to How like, methought, I then was to this kernel, death,

This quash, t this gentleman : Mine honest
Ere I could make tbee open thy white hand,

friend,
And clap thyself my love ; then didst thou utter, Will you take eggs for money ? I
I am your's for ever.

Mam. No, my lord, I'll fight.
Her. It is Grace, indeed.-

(twice : Leon. Yon will ? why, bappy man be bis Why, lo you now, I have spoke to the purpose

dole ! 6-My brother, The one for ever earn'd a royal busband ; Are you so fond of your young prince, as we The other, for some while a friend.

Do seem to be of our's ? (Giving her hand to POLIXENES. Pol. If at home, Sir, Leon. Too hot, too hot :

(Aside. He's all my exercise, my mirth, my matter:
To mingle friendship far, is mingling bloods. Now my sworn friend, and then mine eneiny ;
1-have tremor cordis on me :--my heart dances; My parasite, iny soldier, statesman, all:
But not for joy, not joy.--This entertainment He makes a July's day short as December;
May a free face put on ; derive a liberty

And with his varying childness, cures in me
From heartiness, from bounty, fertile bosom, Thoughts that would thick my blood.
And well become the agent; it may, I grant : Leon. So stands this squire
But to be paddling palms, and pinching fingers, Offic'd with me : We two will walk, my lord,
As now they are ; and making practis'd smiles, And leave you to your graver steps.-Hermione,
As in a looking-glass ;-and then to sigla, as How tbou lov'st us, show in our brother's wel
'were

come ;
The mort o'the deer ; + Ob! that is entertain. Let what is dear in Sicily, be cheap :
ment

Next to thyself, and my young rover, he's
My bosom likes not, nor my brows.-- Mamillius, Apparent to my heart.
Art thou my boy 3

Her. If you would seek us,
Mam. Ay, my good lord.

We are your's i'the garden : Sball's attend you
Leon. l'fecks ?

there?
Why that's my bawcock. What, bast smutch'd Leon. To your own bents dispose you : you'll
thy nose 1

be found,
Tbey say, it's a copy out of mine. Come, cap. Be you beneath the sky :-I am angling now
tain,

Though you perceive me not how I give line.
We must be neat; pot neat, but cleanly, captain : Go to, go to i
And yet the steer, the heifer, and the call,

(A side. Observing POLIXENES and HERAre all callid, neat.-Still virxinalling $

MIONE.
(Observing PolIXENES and HERMIONE. How she holds up the neb, f the bill to him !
Upon his palm ?-How now, you wanton call ? And arms her with the boldness of a wife
Art thou my calf?

To her allowing ** husland ! Gone already ;
Mam. Yes, if you will, my lord.

Inch-thick, knee-deep; o'er head and ears a
Leon, Thou want'st a rough pasli, and the

fork'd one. It shoots that I have,

(Ereunt POLIXENES, HERMIONE, and To be full like me :-yet, they say, we are

Attendants.
Almost as like as eggs; women say so,

Go, play, boy, play ;-thy mother plays, and I
That will say any thing : But were they false

Play ton; but so disgrac'd a part, whose issne
As o'er-died blacks, as wind, as waters; false Will hiss me to my grave; contempt aud cla-
As dice are to be wish’d, by one that lives

niour
No bourn iwixt bis and mine ; yet were it will be my knell.--Go, play, boy, play ; --There

have been,
To say this boy were like mr:--Come, Sir page, Or I am much deceiv'd, cuckolds ere now ;
Look on me with yonr selkin ** eye: Sweet And many a man there is, even at tbis present,
villain !

Now, while I speak this, bolds his wife by the • Trembling of the heart.

arm,
+ The tune played at the death of the deer.

Hearty fellow.
I. e. Playing with her fingers as if on a spindet. • Credible. + Peacod. # Will you be cajo ed.
Thou wantest a rough head, and the budding horns

May his share of life be a happy one.
that I have

I Heir apparent, next claimant.

Mouth.
I Boundary.

• Blue.
** Approving

1 A horned one.

1

true

That little thinks she has been sluc'd in his ab- | Amongst the infinite doings of the world, sence,

Sometime puts forth : In your affairs, my lorda And bis poud fisb'd by his next neighbour, by If ever I were wilful-negligent, Sir Smile, bis neighbour : nay, there's comfort It was my folly; if industriously in't,

(open'd, ! play'd ibe fool, it was my negligence, Whiles other men have gates ; and those gates Not weighing well the end ; if ever fearful As mine, against their will : Should all despair, To do a thing, where I the issue doubled, That have revolted wives, the tenth of mankind Whereof the execution did cry out Would hang themselves. Physic for't there is against the non-performance, 'twas a fear none ;

Which oft affects the wisest: these, my lord ; It is a bawdy planet, that will strike

Are such allow'd infirunities, that honesty Where 'ris predominant ; and 'tis powerful, think Is never free of. But, 'beseech your grace, it,

(cluded, Be plainer with me ; let me know my trespas from east, west, north, and south : Be it con- By its own visage : if I then deny it, No barricado for a belly ; know it ;

'Tis none of mine. It will let in and out the enemy,

Leon. Have not you seen, Camillo, With bag and baggage : many a thousand of us (But that's past doubt : you bave ; or your eye. Have the disease, and feel't not. - Huw now,

glass boy?

Is thicker than a cuckold's horn :) or heard, Mam. I'am like you, they say.

(For, to a vision so apparent, rumour Leon. Why that's some comfort.

Cannot be mute,) or thought, (for cogitation Wbat! Camillo there?

Resides not in that man, that does not think it,) Cam. Ay, my good lord.

My wife is slippery? If thou wilt confess, Leon. Go play, Mamillius ; thou’rt an honest (or else be impudently negative, man.

(Exit MAMILLIUS. To have nor eyes, nor ears, nor thought,) tbca Camillo, this great Sir will yet stay longer.

say, Cam. You had much ado to make bis aucbor My wife's a hobby-horse : deserves a pame bold;

As rank as any flax-wench, that puts to When you cast ont, it still came home.

Before ber troth-plight : say it, and justify it. Leon. Didst note it?

Cam. I would not be a stander-by, to hear Cam. He would not stay at your petitious; My sovereign mistress clouded so, withont Ilis business more material.

(Wade My present vengeance taken : 'Sbrew my heart, Leon. Didst perceive it?

You never spoke what did become you less They're here with me already; whispering, Tban this ; which to reiterate, were sin rounding,

As deep as that, though true. Sicilia is a so-forth: 'Tis far gone,

Leon. Is wbispering nothing ? When I shall gust t it last.-How came't, Cainillo, Is leaning cheek to cheek ? is meeting noses? That he did stay?

Kissing with inside lip stopping the career Cam. At the good queen's entreaty.

Of laughter with a sigh ? (a note infallible Leon. At the quecu's, be't: good, should be of breaking honesty :) horsing foot on foot ? pertinent;

Skulking in corners ? wishing clocks more swin! But so it is, it is not. Was this taken

Hours, minutes 1 noon, midnight and all eyes By any uuderstanding pate but thine ?

blind For thy conceit is soaking, will draw in

With the pin and web, but their's, their's only, More than the common blocks :--Not noted, is't, That would unseen be wicked ? Is this nothiug i But of the finer natures ? by some severals, Why, then the world, and all that's in't, is to. of head-piece extraordinary ? lower messes, I

thing; Perchance, are to this business purbliud : say. The covering sky is nothing: Bohemia nothing ; Cam. Business, my lord ? I think, most un- My wife is nothing ; nor nothing have these toderstand

things Bobemia stays were longer.

If this be nothing. Leon. Ha ?

Cam. Good my lord, be cur'd Cam. Slays here louger.

of this diseas'd opinion, and betimes ; Leon. Ay, but why?

For 'tis most dangerous. Cam. To satisfy your highness, and the Leon. Say, it be ; 'tis true. treaties

Cam. No, no, my lord. of our most gracious mistress.

Leon. It is ; you lie, you lie : Leon. Satisfy

I say thou liest, Canillo, aud I bate thee : The entreaties of your mistress ? ---satisfy ?- Pronounce thee a gross lout, a mindless slave ; Let that suffice. I have trusted thee, Camillo, Or else a bovering temporizer, that With all the nearest things to my heart, as well Canst with thine eyes at once see good and evil, My chamber-councils : wberein, priest-like, thou Inclining to them both : Were my wife's liver Hast cleans'd my bosom ; I from thee departed Infected as her life, she would not live Thy penitent reforı'd : but we have been The running of one glass. + Deceiv'd in thy integrity, deceiv'd

Cam. Who does iufect ber? In that which seems so.

Leon. Why be, that wears her like her medal, Cam. Be it forbid, my lord !

hanging Leon. To bide upon't ;-Thou art not honest : About his neck, Bobemia : Who-iri or,

Had servants true about me : that bare eyes If thou inclin'st that way, thou art a coward ; To see alike mine honour as their profits, Which hoxes 6 honesty behind, restraining Their own particular thrifts,-they would do From course requir'd: Or else thou must be

that counted

Which should undo more doing: Ay, and thou, A servant, grafted in my serious trust,

His cup-bearer,-whom I from meaner form And therein negligent ; or else a fool,

Have bench'd, and rear'd to worship; who That seest a game play'd home, the rich stake

may'st see

(beaven, drawn,

Plainly, as beaven sees earth, and earth sees And tak'st it all for jest.

How I am galled,-might'st bespice a cup, Cam. My gracious lord,

To give mine enemy a lasting wink ; I may be negligent, foolish, and fearful ;

Which draugtut to me were cordial In every one of these no man is free,

Cam. Sir, my lord, But that nis negligence, his folly, fear, I could do this; and that with no rash potion,

• Toron ad in the ear was to tell secretly. + Tasle. 1 Interiors in ank. • Disorders of the eve.

: Hourglass To hox is to hanıstning.

: Hasty.

en