WINTER'S TALE. LITERARY AND HISTORICAL NOTICE. An TO the story-book, or Pleasant History (as it is called) of Dorastus and Pawnia, written by Robert Greene, M.A we as 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, 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 nuities 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 it 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 exceedingly spirited. Another Sicilian Lord. ROGERO, a Sicilian Gentleman, Servant to the old Shepherd. AUTOLYCUS, a Rogue. TIME, as ('horus. HERMIONE, Queen to Leontes. PERDITA, Daughter to Leontes and Hermione. EMILIA, a Lady, An Attendant on the young Prince Mamillius. Two other Ladies, Attending the Queen. Officers of a Court of Judicature. POLIXENES, King of Bohemia. FLORIZEL, his Son. ARCHIDAMUS, a Bohemian Lord. A Mariner. Jailer. An old Shepherd, reputed jather of Perdita. Shepherds, Shepherdesses, Guards, &c. SCENE--sometimes in Sicilia; sometimes in Bohemia. ACT I. SCENE 1.-Sicilia.-An Antechamber in Enter CAMILLO and ARCHIDAMUS. have said, great difference betwixt our Bohemia, and your Sicilia. Cam. I think, this coming summer, the king of Sicilia means to pay Bonemia 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 Farewell, our brother. Arch. Verily, I speak it in the freedom of my | To you a charge and trouble: to save both, knowledge: we cannot with such magnificence in so rare-I know not what to say.--We will give you sleepy drinks; that your senses, unintelligent of our insufficience, may, though they cannot praise us, as little accuse us. Cam. You pay a great deal too dear, for what's given freely. Arch. Believe me, I speak as my understanding instructs me, and as mine honesty puts it to utterance. Leon. Tongue-tied, our queen ? speak you. You had drawn oaths from him, not to stay. Charge him too coldly: Tell him, you are sure, Leon. Well said, Hermione. Cam. Sicilia cannot show himself over-kind to Bohemia. They were trained together in their childhoods; and there rooted betwixt them then such an affection, which cannot choose but But let him say so then, and let him go; branch now. Since their more mature dignities, But let him swear so, and he shall not stay, and royal necessities, made separation of their We'll thwack him hence with distaffs.society, their encounters, though not personal, Yet of your royal presence [To POLIXENES.} have been royally attornied, with interchange I'll adventure of gifts, letters, loving embassies; that they have The borrow of a week. When at Bohemia seemed to be together, though absent; shook You take my lord, I'll give him my commishands, as over a vast; + and embraced, as it were, from the ends of opposed winds. The beavens continue their loves! sion, To let him there a month, behind the gest* Prefix'd for his parting: yet, good deed, † Leontes, Arch. I think, there is not in the world either malice, or matter, to alter it. You have an un-I love thee not a jar ‡ o'the clock behind speakable comfort of your young prince Mamil- What lady she her 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? Pol. 1 may not, verily. Her. Verily ! Cam. I very well agree with you in the hopes of him it is a gallant child; one that, indeed, physics the subject. makes old hearts fresh: they, that went on crutches ere he was born, desire yet their life, to see him a man. Arch. Would they else be content to die? Cam. Yes; if there were no other excuse why they should desire to live. Arch. If the king had no son, they would desire to live on crutches till he had one. [Exeunt. SCENE II-The same.-A Room of state in the Palace. been Enter LEONTES, POLIXENES, HERMIONE, MA- Go hence in debt: And therefore, like a cipher, Leon. Stay your thanks awhile; Pol. Sir, that's to-morrow. I am question'd by my fears, of what may Or breed upon our absence: That may blow Leon. We are tougher, brother, [stay'd Leon. We'll part the time between's then: and in that I'll no gain-saying. Pol. Press me not, 'beseech you, so; Do even drag me homeward: which to hinder, • Nobly supplied by substitution of embassies. You put me off with limber vows: But I, Should yet say, Sir, no going. Verily, Pol. Your guest then, madam : To be your prisoner, should import offending; Her. Not your jailer then, But your kind hostess. Come, I'll question you You were pretty lordings | then. Two lads, that thought there was no more be- But such a day to-morrow as to day, Her. Was not my lord the verier wag o'the Pol. We were as twinn'd lambs, that did frisk i'the sun, And bleat the one at the other: what we chang'd, Boldly, Not guilty; the imposition clear'd, Her. By this we gather, Pol. O my most sacred lady, Temptations have since then been born to as: Her. Grace to boot! Of this make no conclusion; lest you say, Gests were the names of the stages where the king appointed to lie, during a royal progress. A diminutive of lords. Indeed. 1 Tick. Setting aside original ein. Flimsy. The offences we have made you do, we'll an swer; If you first sinn'd with us, and that with us Leon. Is he won yet? Her. He'll stay, my lord. Leon. At my request, he would not. Hermione, my dearest, thou never spok'st To better purpose. Her. Never? Leon. Never, but once, Her. What have I twice said well? when was't before ? I pr'ythee, tell me : Cram us with praise, and make us As fat as tame things: One good deed, dying tongueless, Slaughters a thousand, waiting upon that. But once before I spoke to the purpose: When? Leon. Why, that was when Three crabbed months had sour'd themselves to death, Ere I could make thee open thy white hand, And clap thyself my love; then didst thou utter, I am your's for ever. [twice: Her. It is Grace, indeed.Why, lo you now, I have spoke to the purpose The one for ever earn'd a royal husband; The other, for some while a friend. [Giving her hand to POLIXENES. Leon. Too hot, too hot : [Aside. To mingle friendship far, is mingling bloods. I have tremor cordis on me :-my heart dances; But not for joy,-not joy.-This entertainment May a free face put on; derive a liberty From heartiness, from bounty, fertile bosom, And well become the agent; it may, I grant: But to be paddling palms, and pinching fingers, As now they are; and making practis'd smiles, As in a looking-glass ;-and then to sigh, as 'twere The mort o'the deer; † Oh! that is entertainment My bosom likes not, nor my brows.-Mamillius, Mam. Ay, my good lord. Why that's my bawcock. thy nose ? What, hast smutch'd They say, it's a copy out of mine. Come, captain, We must be neat; not neat, but cleanly, captain: [Observing POLIXENES and HERMIONE. Upon his palm --How now, you wanton calf? Art thou my calf? Mam. Yes, if you will, my lord. To be full like me :-yet, they say, we are Most dear'st! my collop! Can thy damn fmay't be? Affection! thy intention stabs the centre: With what's unreal thou coactive art, And fellow'st nothing: Then, 'tis very credent,* Thou may'st co-join with something; and thou dost; (And that beyond commission; and I find it,) Pol. What means Sicilia ? Her. He something seems unsettled. What cheer? how is't with you, best brother? As if you held a brow of much distraction: Leon. No, in good earnest.- Will you take eggs for money? I Leon. You will? why, happy man be his dole ! -My brother, Are you so fond of your young prince, as we |