Mop. Is it true, think you?

A. Very true; and but a month old. Dor. Bless me from marrying a usurer! Aut. Here's the midwife's name to't, one mistress Taleporter; and five or six honest wives' that were present: Why should I carry lies abroad?

Mop. Pray you now, buy it.

Clo. Come on, lay it by: And let's first see more ballads; we'll buy the other things anon.

'themselves saltiers: and they have a dance which the wenches say is a gallimaufry of gambols, because they are not in't; but they themselves are o'the mind (if it be not too rough for some, that know little but bowling,) it will please plentifully. Shep. Away! we'll none on't; here has been too much humble foolery already :-I know, sir, we weary you.

Pol. You weary those that refresh us: Pray let's Aut. Here's another ballad, of a fish, that ap-sce these four threes of herdsmen. peared upon the coast, on Wednesday the fourscore Serv. One three of them, by their own report, of April, forty thousand fathom above water, and sir, hath danced before the king; and not the worst sung this ballad against the hard hearts of maids: of the three, but jumps twelve foot and a half by it was thought she was a woman, and was turned the squire."

into a cold fish, for she would not exchange flesh Shep. Leave your prating; since these good men with one that loved her: The ballad is very pitiful, are pleased, let them come in; but quickly now. and as true. Serv. Why, they stay at door, sir.

Dor. Is it true too, think you?

[Exil. Aut. Five justices' hands at it; and witnesses, Re-enter Servant, with twelve rustics, habited like more than my pack will hold. Satyrs. They dance, and then exeunt. Pol. O, father, you'll know more of that hereafter.

Clo. Lay it by too: Another.

Aut. This is a merry ballad; but a very pretty

one.

Mop. Let's have some merry ones.

Aut. Why this is a passing merry one; and goes o the tune of Two maids wooing a man: there's scarce a maid westward, but she sings it; 'tis in request, I can tell you.

Is it not too far gone?-'Tis time to part them.-
He's simple, and tells much. [Aside.]-How now,
fair shepherd?

Your heart is full of something, that does take
Your mind from feasting. Sooth, when I was young,
And handed love, as you do, I was wont

Mop. We can both sing it; if thou'lt bear a part, To load my she with knacks: I would have ranthou shalt hear; 'tis in three parts.

Dor. We had the tune on't a month ago.

sack'd

The pedler's silken treasury, and have pour'd it Aut. I can bear my part; you must know, 'tis To her acceptance; you have let him go,

my occupation: have at it with you.

SONG.

A. Get you hence, for I must go;

Where, it fits not you to know.

D. Whither? M. O, whither? D. Whither? M. It becomes thy oath full well,

Thou to me thy secrets tell:

D. Me too, let me go thither.

M. Or thou go'st to the grange, or mill:

D. If to either, thou dost ill.

A. Neither. D. What, neither? A. Neither.
D. Thou hast sworn my love to be;
M. Thou hast sworn it more to me:
Then, whither go'st? say, whither?

And nothing marted with him: if your lass
Interpretation should abuse; and call this
Your lack of love, or bounty: you were straited!'
For a reply, at least, if you make a care
Of happy holding her.

Flo.
Old sir, I know
She prizes not such trifles as these are:

The gifts, she looks from me, are pack'd and lock'd
Up in my heart; which I have given already,
But not deliver'd.-O, hear me breathe my life
Before this ancient sir, who, it should seem,
Hath sometime lov'd: I take thy hand; this hand,
As soft as dove's down, and as white as it;
Or Ethiopian's tooth, or the fann'd snow,
That's bolted by the northern blasts twice o'er.
Pol. What follows this?-

Clo. We'll have this song out anon by ourselves: How prettily the young swain seems to wash My father and the gentlemen are in sad' talk, and The hand, was fair before!-I have put you out:we'll not trouble them: Come, bring away thy But to your protestation; let me hear pack after me. Wenches, I'll buy for you both:-What you profess. Pedler, let's have the first choice.-Follow me, girls. Flo. Aut. And you shall pay well for 'em.

Will you buy any tape,

Or lace for your cape,

My dainty duck, my dear-a?

Any silk, any thread,

Any toys for your head,

Of the new'st, and fin`st, fin'st wear-a?
Come to the pedler;

Money's a medler,

That doth utter2 all men's ware-a.

[Aside.

Do, and be witness to't.
Pol. And this my neighbour too?
Flo.
And he, and more
Than he, and men; the earth, the heavens, and all:
That,-were I crown'd the most imperial monarch,
Thereof most worthy; were I the fairest youth
That ever made eye swerve; had force, and know-
ledge,

More than was ever man's,-I would not prize them,
Without her love: for her, employ them all;
Commend them, and condemn them, to her service,

[Exeunt Clown, Autolycus, Dorcas, and Or to their own perdition.
Mopsa.

Enter a Servant.

Pol.
Fairly offer'd.
Cam. This shows a sound affection.
Shep.

Serv. Master, there is three carters, three shep-Say you the like to him? herds, three neat-herds, three swine-herds, that Per.

have made themselves all men of hair; they call So well, nothing so well;

(1) Serious.

(2) Vend.
Dressed themselves in habits imitating hair.
Satyrs. (5) Medley. (6) Foot-rule.

(7) Bought, trafficked.

But, my daughter,

I cannot speak no, nor mean better:

(8) Put to difficulties.

(9) The sieve used to separate flour from bran is

Icalled a bolting-cloth.

I'the virtue of your daughter: one being dead,
I shall have more than you can dream of yet;
Enough then for your wonder: But, come on,
Contract us 'fore these witnesses.
Shep.

And, daughter, yours.
Pol.

I was not much afeard: for once, or twice,
I was about to speak; and tell him plainly,
The self-same sun, that shines upon his court,
Hides not his visage from our cottage, but
Looks on alike.-Will't please you, sir, be gone?
[To Florizel.
I told you, what would come of this: 'Beseech you,
Of your own state take care: this dream of mine,-
Being now awake, I'll queen it no inch further,
He neither does, nor shall. But milk my ewes, and weep.

Come, your hand ;-
Soft, swain, a while, 'beseech you;
Have you a father?

Flo.

I have: But what of him?

Pol. Knows he of this?
Flo.

Pol. Methinks, a father

Is, at the nuptial of his son, a guest
That best becomes the table. Pray you, once more;
Is not your father grown incapable
Of reasonable affairs? is he not stupid

With age, and altering rheums? Can he speak?
hear?

Know man from man? dispute his own estate?'
Lies he not bed-rid? and again does nothing,
But what he did being childish?
Flo.
No, good sir;
He has his health, and ampler strength, indeed,
Than most have of his age.

Pol.
By my white beard,
You offer him, if this be so, a wrong
Something unfilial: Reason, my son,
Should choose himself a wife; but as good reason,
The father (all whose joy is nothing else
But fair posterity,) should hold some counsel
In such a business.

Flo.

I yield all this;

But, for some other reasons, my grave sir,
Which 'tis not fit you know, I not acquaint
My father of this business.

No, he must not.

Pol.

Flo.

Come, come, he must not :

Shep. Let him, my son; he shall not need to grieve
At knowing of thy choice.
Flo.
Mark our contract.
Pol.
Mark your divorce, young sir,
[Discovering himself.
Whom son I dare not call; thou art too base
To be acknowledg'd: Thou a sceptre's heir,
That thus affect'st a sheep-hook?-Thou old traitor,
I am sorry, that, by hanging thee, I can but
Shorten thy life one week.-And thou, fresh piece
Of excellent witchcraft; who, of force, must know
The royal fool thou cop'st with ;-
Shep.
Pol. I'll have thy beauty scratch'd with briers,
and made

O, my heart!

Why, how now, father?

Cam.
Speak, ere thou diest.
Shep.
I cannot speak, nor think,
Nor dare to know that which I know.-O, sir,
[To Florizel.

You have undone a man of fourscore three,
That thought to fill his grave in quiet; yea,
To die upon the bed my father died,
To lie close by his honest bones: but now
Some hangman must put on my shroud, and lay me
Where no priest shovels-in dust.-O cursed wretch!
[To Perdita.
That knew'st this was the prince, and would'st
adventure

To mingle faith with him.-Undone! undone !
If I might die within this hour, I have liv'd
To die when I desire.

Flo.

[Exit.
Why look you so upon me?
I am but sorry, not afeard; delay'd,
But nothing alter'd: What I was, I'am:
More straining on, for plucking back; not following
My leash unwillingly.

Cam.

Gracious my lord,

You know your father's temper: at this time
He will allow no speech,-which, I do guess,
You do not purpose to him ;-and as hardly
Will he endure your sight as yet, I fear:
Then, till the fury of his highness settle,
Come not before him.
Flo.

I think, Camillo.

Cam.

I not purpose it.

Even he, my lord.

Per. How often have I told you, 'twould be thus?
How often said, my dignity would last
But till 'twere known?

More homely than thy state.-For thee, fond boy,-If not, my senses, better pleas'd with madness,

If I may ever know, thou dost but sigh,

Do bid it welcome.

I

Cam.

That thou no more shalt see this knack, (as never
I mean thou shalt,) we'll bar thee from succession;
Not hold thee of our blood, no, not our kin,
Far than Deucalion off:-Mark thou my words;
Follow us to the court.-Thou churl, for this time,
Though full of our displeasure, yet we free thee
From the dread blow of it.-And you, enchant- In unknown fathoms, will I break my oath

This is desperate, sir.
Flo. So call it: but it does fulfil my vow;
needs must think it honesty. Camillo,
Not for Bohemia, nor the pomp that may
Be thereat glean'd; for all the sun sees, or
The close earth wombs, or the profound seas hide

ment

(1) Talk over his affairs. (2) Further.

To this my fair belov'd: Therefore, I pray you,

(3) Doors. (4) A leading string. (5) Love.

membered. My clown (who wants but something Cam. What I do next, shall be, to tell the king to be a reasonable man,) grew so in love with the

Flo.

[Aside.

Fortune speed us!

wenches' song, that he would not stir his pettitoes, Of this escape, and whither they are bound; till he had both tune and words; which so drew the Wherein my hope is, I shall so prevail, rest of the herd to me, that all their other senses To force him after: in whose company stuck in ears: you might have pinched a placket, I shall review Sicilia; for whose sight it was senseless; 'twas nothing, to geld a cod-piece I have a woman's longing. of a purse; I would have filed keys off, that hung in chains: no hearing, no feeling, but my sir's song, Thus we set on, Camillo, to the sea-side. and admiring the nothing of it. So that, in this time Cam. The swifter speed, the better. of lethargy, I picked and cut most of their festival [Exeunt Florizel, Perdita, and Camillo. purses and had not the old man come in with a Aut. I understand the business, I hear it: To whoobub against his daughter and the king's son, have an open ear, a quick eye, and a nimble hand, and scared my choughs' from the chaff, I had not is necessary for a cut-purse; a good nose is requileft a purse alive in the whole army. site also, to smell out work for the other senses. [Camillo, Florizel, and Perdita, come forward. I see, this is the time that the unjust man doth Cam. Nay, but my letters by this means being thrive. What an exchange had this been without boot? what a boot is here, with this exchange? Sure the gods do this year connive at us, and we

there

So soon as you arrive, shall clear that doubt.

Leontes,

Cam. Sall satisfy your father.
Per.

Flo. And those that you'll procure from king may do any thing extempore. The prince himselt is about a piece of iniquity; stealing away from his father, with his clog at his heels: If I thought it were not a piece of honesty to acquaint the king withal, I would do't: I hold it the more knavery to conceal it: and therein am I constant to my profession.

All that you speak, shows fair.

Cum.

Happy be you!
Who have we here?
[Seeing Autolycus.
We'll make an instrument of this; omit
Nothing may give us aid.

Enter Clown and Shepherd. Aside, aside;-here is more matter for a hot brain: Aut. If they have overheard me now,why Every lane's end, every shop, church, session, hanghanging. [Aside. ing, yields a careful man work.

Cam. How now, good fellow? Why shakest Clo. See, see; what a man you are now! there thou so? Fear not, man; here's no harm intended to thee.

Aut. I am a poor fellow, sir.

is no other way, but to tell the king she's a change-
ling, and none of your flesh and blood.
Shep. Nay, but hear me.
Clo. Nay, but hear me.
Shep. Go to then.

Cam. Why, be so still; here's nobody will steal that from thee: Yet, for the outside of thy poverty, we must make an exchange: therefore, discase thee Clo. She being none of your flesh and blood, instantly (thou must think there's necessity in't,) your flesh and blood has not offended the king and change garments with this gentleman: Though and, so, your flesh and blood is not to be punished the pennyworth, on his side, be the worst, yet hold by him. Show those things you found about her; thee, there's some boot.2 those secret things, all but what she has with her: Aut. I am a poor fellow, sir:-I know ye well This being done, let the law go whistle; I warrant enough. Aside. you. Cam. Nay, pr'ythee, despatch: the gentleman Shep. I will tell the king all, every word, yea, is half flayed already. and his son's pranks too; who, I may say, is no

Aut. Are you in earnest, sir ?—I smell the trick honest man neither to his father, nor to me, to go [Aside. about to make me the king's brother-in-law.

of it.—

Flo. Despatch, I pr'ythee.

Aut. Indeed, have had earnest; but I cannot with conscience take it.

Cam. Unbuckle, unbuckle.

[Flo. and Aut. exchange garments.
Fortunate mistress,-let my prophecy
Come home to you!-You must retire yourself
Into some covert: take your sweetheart's hat,
And pluck it o'er your brows: muffle your face;
Dismantle you: and as you can, disliken
The truth of your own seeming; that you may
(For I do fear eyes over you,) to shipboard
Get undescried."

Per.

I see the play so lies,

That I must bear a part.

No remedy.-
Should I now meet my father,

He would not call me son.

Cam.

Nay, you shall have

No hat:-Come, lady, come.—Farewell, my friend.
Aut. Adieu, sir.

Flo. O Perdita, what have we twain forgot?
Fray you, a word.
They converse apart.

(1) Birds.
(2) Something over and above.
73) Stripped. (4) Bundle, parcel.

Clo. Indeed, brother-in-law was the furthest off you could have been to him; and then your blood had been the dearer, by I know how much an ounce. Aut. Very wisely; puppies! [Aside.

Shep. Well; let us to the king; there is that in this fardel, will make him scratch his beard. Aut. I know not what impediment this complaint may be to the flight of my master.

Clo. 'Pray heartily he be at palace.

Aut. Though I am not naturally honest, I am so sometimes by chance:-Let me pocket up my pedler's excrement. [Takes off his false beard.] How now, rustics? wnither are you bound?

Shep. To the palace, an it like your worship.

Aut. Your affairs there? what? with whom? the condition of that fardel, the place of your dwelling, your names, your ages, of what having, breeding, and any thing that is fitting to be known, discover.

Clo. We are but plain fellows, sir.

Aut. A lie; you are rough and hairy: Let me have no lying; it becomes none but tradesmen, and they often give us soldiers the lie: but we pay them for it with stamped coin, not stabbing steel; therefore they do not give us the lie.

Clo. Your worship had like to have given us one, me (for you seem to be honest plain men,) what if you had not taken yourself with the manner.' you have to the king: being something gently conShep. Are you a courtier, an't like you, sir? sidered, I'll bring you where he is aboard, tender Aul. Whether it like me, or no, I am a courtier. your persons to his presence, whisper him in your See'st thou not the air of the court, in these enfold- behalf's; and, if it be in man, besides the king to ings hath not my gait in it the measure of the effect your suits, here is man shall do it. court?" receives not thy nose court-odour from Clo. He seems to be of great authority; close ine? reflect I not on thy baseness, court-contempt? with him, give him gold; and though authority be Think'st thou, for that I insinuate, or toze from a stubborn bear, yet he is oft led by the nose with thee thy business, I am therefore no courtier? I am gold: show the inside of your purse to the outside courtier, cap-a-pé; and one that will either push of his hand, and no more ado: Remember stoned, on, or pluck back, thy business there: whereupon and flayed alive. I command thee to open thy affair.

Shep. My business, sir, is to the king.
Aut. What advocate hast thou to him?
Shep. I know not, an't like you.

Clo. Advocate's the court-word for a pheasant; say, you have none.

Shep. None, sir; I have no pheasant, cock nor hen.
Aut. How bless'd are we, that are not simple
men!

Yet nature might have made me as these are,
Therefore I'll not disdain.

Clo. This cannot be but a great courtier.
Shep. His garments are rich, but he wears them
not handsomely.

Clo He seems to be the more noble in being fantastical; a great man, I'll warrant; I know by the picking on's teeth.

Aut. The fardel there? what's i'the fardel? Wherefore that box?

Shep. Sir, there lies such secrets in this fardel, and box, which none must know but the king; and which he shall know within this hour, if I may come to the speech of him.

Aut. Age, thou hast lost thy labour.
Shep. Why, sir?

Aut. The king is not at the palace; he is gone aboard a new ship to purge melancholy, and air himself: For, if thou be'st capable of things serious, thou must know, the king is full of grief.

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 flayed 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 show 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 performed; 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 blessed in this man, as I may say, even blessed.

Shep. Let's before, as he bids us: he was provided to do us good. [Exeunt Shep. 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 Aut. If that shepherd be not in hand-fast, let blind ones, aboard him: if he think it fit to shore him fly; the curses he shall have, the tortures he them again, and that the complaint they have to the shall feel, will break the back of man, the heart of king concerns him nothing, let him call me rogue,

Shep. So 'tis said, sir; about his son, that should have married a shepherd's daughter.

monster.

Clo. Think you so, sir?

Aut. Not he alone shall suffer what wit can make heavy, and vengeance bitter; but those that are germane to him, though removed 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 stoned; 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?

for being so far officious; for I am proof against that title, and what else shame belongs to't: To him will I present them, there may be matter in it.

ACT V.

[Exit.

SCENE I-Sicilia. A room in the palace of Leontes. Enter Leontes, Cleomenes, Dion, Paulina, and others.

Cleo. Sir, you have done enough, and have perform'd

A saint-like sorrow no fault could you make, Aut. He has a son, who shall be flayed alive; Which you have not redeem'd; indeed, paid down then, 'nointed over with honey, set on the head of More penitence, than done trespass: At the last, a wasp's nest; then stand, till he be three-quarters Do, as the heavens have done; forget your evil; and a dram dead: then recovered again with aqua- With them, forgive yourself. vitæ, or some other hot infusion: then, raw as he Leon.

Whilst I remember

is, and in the hottest day prognostication proclaims, Her, and her virtues, I cannot forget shall be set against a brick wall, the sun looking My blemishes in them; and so still think of with a southward eye upon him; where he is to be- The wrong I did myself: which was so much, hold him, with flies blown to death. But what talk That heirless it hath made my kingdom; and we of these traitorly rascals, whose miseries are to Destroy'd the sweet'st companion, that e'er mar. be smiled at, their offences being so capital? Tell Bred his hopes out of.

(3) In the fact, (2) The stately tread of courtiers.

Cajole or force.

(4)

(5) The hottest day foretold in the almanac. (6) Being handsomely bribed.