instruments, which aided to expose the child, were even then lost, when it was found. But, O! the noble combat, that 'twixt joy and sorrow was fought in Paulina! She had one eye declined for the loss of her husband, another elevated that the oracle was fulfilled: she lifted the princess from the earth, and so locks her in embracing, as if she would pin her to her heart, that she might no more be in danger of losing her. 1 Gent. The dignity of this act was worth the audience of kings and princes, for by such was it acted. 3 Gent. One of the prettiest touches of all, and that which angled for mine eyes (caught the water, though not the fish) was, when at the relation of the queen's death, (with the manner how she came to 't, heavily1 confessed, and lamented by the king) how attentiveness wounded his daughter; till, from one sign of dolour to another, she did, with an alas! I would fain say, bleed tears: for, I am sure, my heart wept blood.. Who was most marble there changed colour; some swooned, all sorrowed if all the world could have seen it, the woe had been universal. 1 Gent. Are they returned to the court? 3 Gent. No: the princess hearing of her mother's statue, which is in the keeping of Paulina,-a piece many years in doing, and now newly performed by that rare Italian master, Julio Romano; who, had he himself eternity and could put breath into his work, would beguile nature of her custom, so perfectly he is her ape he so near to Hermione hath done Hermione, that, they say, one would speak to her, and stand in hope of answer. Thither with all greediness of affection, are they gone, and there they intend to sup. 2 Gent. I thought, she had some great matter there in hand, for she hath privately, twice or thrice a day, ever since the death of Hermione, visited that removed house. Shall we thither, and with our company piece the rejoicing? 1 Gent. Who would be thence, that has the benefit of access? every wink of an eye, some new grace will be born: our absence makes us unthrifty to our knowledge. Let's along. Aut. Now, had I not the dash me, would preferment drop on 1 bravely in f. e. [Exeunt Gentlemen. of my former life in my head. I brought the old man and his son aboard the prince; told him I heard them talk of a fardel, and I know not what ; but he at that time, over-fond of the shepherd's daughter, (so he then took her to be) who began to be much sea-sick, and himself little better, extremity of weather continuing, this mystery remained undiscovered. But 't is all one to me; for had I been the finder out of this secret, it would not have relished among my other discredits. Enter Shepherd and Clown,' in new apparel. Here come those I have done good to against my will, and already appearing in the blossoms of their fortune. Shep. Come, boy; I am past more children; but thy sons and daughters will be all gentlemen born. Clo. You are well met, sir. You denied to fight with me this other day, because I was no gentleman born: see you these clothes? say, you see them not, and think me still no gentleman born: you were best say, these robes are not gentlemen born. Give me the lie, do, and try whether I am not now a gentleman born. Aut. I know, you are now, sir, a gentleman born. Clo. Ay, and have been so any time these four hours. Shep. And so have I, boy. Clo. So you have;-but I was a gentleman born before my father, for the king's son took me by the hand, and called me, brother; and then the two kings called my father, brother; and then the prince, my brother, and the princess, my sister, called my father, father; and so we wept: and there was the first gentleman-like tears that ever we shed. Shep. We may live, son, to shed many more. Clo. Ay; or else 't were hard luck, being in so preposterous estate as we are. Aut. I humbly beseech you, sir, to pardon me all the faults I have committed to your worship, and to give me your good report to the prince my master. Shep. Pr'ythee, son, do; for we must be gentle, now we are gentlemen. Clo. Thou wilt amend thy life? Aut. Ay, an it like your good worship. Clo. Give me thy hand: I will swear to the prince, thou art as honest a true fellow as any is in Bohemia. Shep. You may say it, but not swear it. 1 The rest of this direction is not in f. e. Clo. Not swear it, now I am a gentleman? Let boors and franklins say it, I'll swear it. Shep. How if it be false, son? Clo. If it be ne'er so false, a true gentleman may swear it in the behalf of his friend:-And I'll swear to the prince, thou art a tall' fellow of thy hands, and that thou wilt not be drunk; but I know, thou art no tall fellow of thy hands, and that thou wilt be drunk; but I'll swear it, and I would thou wouldst be a tall fellow of thy hands. Aut. I will prove so, sir, to my power. Clo. Ay, by any means prove a tall fellow: if I do not wonder how thou darest venture to be drunk, not being a tall fellow, trust me not.-[Trumpets.2] Hark! the kings and the princes, our kindred, are going to see the queen's picture. Come, follow us: we'll be thy good masters. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-The Same. A Chapel in PAULINA'S House. Enter LEONTES, POLIXENES, FLORIZEL, PERDITA, Leon. O! grave and good Paulina, the great comfort That I have had of thee! Paul. What, sovereign sir, I did not well, I meant well. All my services, You have paid home; but that you have vouchsaf'd, With your crown'd brother, and these your contracted Heirs of your kingdoms, my poor house to visit, It is a surplus of your grace, which never My life may last to answer. O Paulina ! Leon. Have we pass'd through, not without much content. That which my daughter came to look upon, The statue of her mother. Paul. As she liv'd peerless, So her dead likeness, I do well believe, Or hand of man hath done; therefore I keep it 1 Brave, fine. 2 Not in f. e. 't is well. To see the life as lively mock'd, as ever I like your silence: it the more shows off Your wonder; but yet speak:-first you, my liege. Leon. Pol. O! not by much. Paul. So much the more our carver's excellence; Which lets go by some sixteen years, and makes her As she liv'd now. Leon. As now she might have done, Now piercing to my soul. O! thus she stood, Per. And give me leave, And do not say 't is superstition, that [Kneeling. I kneel, and thus implore her blessing.-Lady, Paul. O, patience! The statue is but newly fix'd; the colour's Not dry. Cam. My lord, your sorrow was too sore laid on, Which sixteen winters cannot blow away, So many summers dry: scarce any joy Did ever so long live; no sorrow, But kill'd itself much sooner. Pol. Dear my brother, 1 The rest of this direction is not in f. e. 2 Not in f. e. Let him that was the cause of this, have power Paul. Indeed, my lord, If I had thought, the sight of my poor image Would thus have wrought you, (for the stone is mine) I'd not have show'd it. [Offers to draw.1 Leon. Do not draw the curtain. Paul. No longer shall you gaze on 't, lest your fancy May think anon it moves. Leon. Let be, let be! Would I were dead, but that, methinks, already I am but dead, stone looking upon stone2. What was he that did make it ?-See, my lord, Would you not deem it breath'd, and that those veins Did verily bear blood? Pol. Masterly done: The very life seems warm upon her lip. Leon. The fixture of her eye has motion in 't, As we are mock'd with art. Paul. My lord's almost so far transported, that He'll think anon it lives. I'll draw the curtain. [Offers again to draw. O, sweet Paulina ! Leon. No settled senses of the world can match The pleasure of that madness. Let't alone. Paul. I am sorry, sir, I have thus far stirr'd you; but I could afflict you farther. Leon. Do, Paulina, For this affliction has a taste as sweet As any cordial comfort.-Still, methinks, There is an air comes from her: what fine chisel Paul. Good my lord, forbear. [She stays him.* The ruddiness upon her lip is wet: You'll mar it, if you kiss it; stain your own Per. 1 2 Not in f. e. 2 This line is not in f. e. are not in f. e. So long could I 34 These directions |