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 seaside; go on the right hand: I will but look upon the hedge and follow

you.

Clo. We are blest in this man, as I may say, even blest.

Shep. Let's before as he bids us: he was

provided to do us good.

[exeunt Shepherd 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 blind ones, aboard him if he think it fit to shore them again and that the complaint they have to the king concerns him nothing, let him call me rogue for being so far officious; for I am proof against that title and what shame else belongs to 't. To him will I present them: there may be matter in it.

:

[exit.

ACT V.

SCENE I. A room in LEONTES' palace.

Enter LEONTES, CLEOMENES, DION,
PAULINA, and Servants.

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

A saint-like sorrow: no fault could you make,

Which you have not redeem'd; indeed, paid

Her and her virtues, I cannot forget

My blemishes in them, and so still think of

The wrong I did myself: which was so much,

That heirless it hath made my kingdom;

and

Destroy'd the sweet'st companion that e'er

man

Bred his hopes out of.

Paul.

True, too true, my lord:

If, one by one, you wedded all the world, Or from the all that are took something

good,

To make a perfect woman, she you kill'd
Would be unparallel'd.

Leon.

I think so.

Kill'd!

She I kill'd! I did so: but thou strikest me Sorely, to say I did; it is as bitter

Upon thy tongue as in my thought: now, good now,

Say so but seldom.

Cleo.

Not at all, good lady:

You might have spoken a thousand things

that would

Have done the time more benefit and graced Your kindness better.

Paul.

You are one of those

Would have him wed again.

Dion. If you would not so, You pity not the state, nor the remembrance Of his most sovereign name; consider little What dangers, by his highness' fail of issue, May drop upon his kingdom and devour Incertain lookers on.

What were more holy

Than to rejoice the former queen is well?
What holier than, for royalty's repair,
For present comfort and for future good,
To bless the bed of majesty again

With a sweet fellow to 't?

Paul.

There is none worthy,

Respecting her that's gone. Besides, the gods
Will have fulfill'd their secret purposes;
For has not the divine Apollo said,

Is 't not the tenor of his oracle,

That King Leontes shall not have an heir

Till his lost child be found? which that it

shall,

Is all as monstrous to our human reason

As my Antigonus to break his grave

And come again to me; who, on my life, Did perish with the infant. "Tis your counsel My lord should to the heavens be contrary, Oppose against their wills. [to Leontes]

Care not for issue;