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ANTIGONUS. If it be so,

We need no grave to bury honesty;
There's not a grain of it the face to sweeten

Of the whole dungy earth.
LEONTES. What! Lack I credit?

FIRST LORD. I had rather you did lack than I, my lord,
Upon this ground; and more it would content me

To have her honour true than your suspicion,
Be blam'd for't how you might.

LEONTES. Why, what need we
Commune with you of this, but rather follow

Our forceful instigation? Our prerogative
Calls not your counsels; but our natural goodness

Imparts this; which, if you- or stupified
Or seeming so in skill- cannot or will not

Relish a truth like us, inform yourselves
We need no more of your advice. The matter,

The loss, the gain, the ord'ring on't, is all
Properly ours.

ANTIGONUS. And I wish, my liege,
You had only in your silent judgment tried it,

Without more overture.
LEONTES. How could that be?

Either thou art most ignorant by age,
Or thou wert born a fool. Camillo's flight,

Added to their familiarity-
Which was as gross as ever touch'd conjecture,

That lack'd sight only, nought for approbation
But only seeing, all other circumstances

Made up to th' deed- doth push on this proceeding.
Yet, for a greater confirmation-

For, in an act of this importance, 'twere
Most piteous to be wild- I have dispatch'd in post

To sacred Delphos, to Apollo's temple,
Cleomenes and Dion, whom you know

Of stuff'd sufficiency. Now, from the oracle
They will bring all, whose spiritualcounsel had,

Shall stop or spur me. Have I done well?
FIRST LORD. Well done, my lord.

LEONTES. Though I am satisfied, and need no more
Than what I know, yet shall the oracle

Give rest to th' minds of others such as he
Whose ignorantcredulity will not

Come up to th' truth. So have we thought it good
From our free person she should be confin'd,

Lest that the treachery of the two fled hence
Be left her to perform. Come, follow us;

We are to speak in public; for this business
Will raise us all.

ANTIGONUS. [Aside] To laughter, as I take it,
If the good truth were known.

Exeunt
SCENE II.

Sicilia. A prison
Enter PAULINA, a GENTLEMAN, and ATTENDANTS

PAULINA. The keeper of the prison- call to him;
Let him have knowledge who I am. Exit GENTLEMAN

Good lady!
No court in Europe is too good for thee;

What dost thou then in prison?
Re-enter GENTLEMAN with the GAOLER

Now, good sir,
You know me, do you not?

GAOLER. For a worthy lady,
And one who much I honour.

PAULINA. Pray you, then,
Conduct me to the Queen.

GAOLER. I may not, madam;
To the contrary I have express commandment.

PAULINA. Here's ado, to lock up honesty and honour from
Th' access of gentle visitors! Is't lawful, pray you,

To see her women- any of them? Emilia?
GAOLER. So please you, madam,

To put apart these your attendants,
Shall bring Emilia forth.

PAULINA. I pray now, call her.
Withdraw yourselves. Exeunt ATTENDANTS

GAOLER. And, madam,
I must be present at your conference.

PAULINA. Well, be't so, prithee. Exit GAOLER
Here's such ado to make no stain a stain

As passes colouring.
Re-enter GAOLER, with EMILIA

Dear gentlewoman,
How fares our gracious lady?

EMILIA. As well as one so great and so forlorn
May hold together. On her frights and griefs,

Which never tender lady hath borne greater,
She is, something before her time, deliver'd.

PAULINA. A boy?
EMILIA. A daughter, and a goodly babe,

Lusty, and like to live. The Queen receives
Much comfort in't; says 'My poor prisoner,

I am as innocent as you.'
PAULINA. I dare be sworn.

These dangerous unsafe lunes i' th' King, beshrew them!
He must be told on't, and he shall. The office

Becomes a woman best; I'll take't upon me;
If I prove honey-mouth'd, let my tongue blister,

And never to my red-look'd anger be
The trumpet any more. Pray you, Emilia,

Commend my best obedience to the Queen;
If she dares trust me with her little babe,

I'll show't the King, and undertake to be
Her advocate to th' loud'st. We do not know

How he may soften at the sight o' th' child:
The silence often of pure innocence

Persuades when speaking fails.
EMILIA. Most worthy madam,

Your honour and your goodness is so evident
That your free undertaking cannot miss

A thriving issue; there is no lady living
So meet for this great errand. Please your ladyship

To visit the next room, I'll presently
Acquaint the Queen of your most noble offer

Who but to-day hammer'd of this design,
But durst not tempt a minister of honour,

Lest she should be denied.
PAULINA. Tell her, Emilia,

I'll use that tongue I have; if wit flow from't
As boldness from my bosom, let't not be doubted

I shall do good.
EMILIA. Now be you blest for it!

I'll to the Queen. Please you come something nearer.
GAOLER. Madam, if't please the Queen to send the babe,

I know not what I shall incur to pass it,
Having no warrant.

PAULINA. You need not fear it, sir.
This child was prisoner to the womb, and is

By law and process of great Nature thence
Freed and enfranchis'd- not a party to

The anger of the King, nor guilty of,
If any be, the trespass of the Queen.

GAOLER. I do believe it.
PAULINA. Do not you fear. Upon mine honour, I

Will stand betwixt you and danger. Exeunt
SCENE III.

Sicilia. The palace of LEONTES
Enter LEONTES, ANTIGONUS, LORDS, and SERVANTS

LEONTES. Nor night nor day no rest! It is but weakness
To bear the matter thus- mere weakness. If

The cause were not in being- part o' th' cause,
She, th' adultress; for the harlot king

Is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank
And level of my brain, plot-proof; but she

I can hook to me- say that she were gone,
Given to the fire, a moiety of my rest

Might come to me again. Who's there?
FIRST SERVANT. My lord?

LEONTES. How does the boy?
FIRST SERVANT. He took good rest to-night;

'Tis hop'd his sickness is discharg'd.
LEONTES. To see his nobleness!

Conceiving the dishonour of his mother,
He straight declin'd, droop'd, took it deeply,

Fasten'd and fix'd the shame on't in himself,
Threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep,

And downright languish'd. Leave me solely. Go,
See how he fares. [Exit SERVANT] Fie, fie! no thought of him!

The very thought of my revenges that way
Recoil upon me- in himself too mighty,

And in his parties, his alliance. Let him be,
Until a time may serve; for present vengeance,

Take it on her. Camillo and Polixenes
Laugh at me, make their pastime at my sorrow.

They should not laugh if I could reach them; nor
Shall she, within my pow'r.

Enter PAULINA, with a CHILD
FIRST LORD. You must not enter.

PAULINA. Nay, rather, good my lords, be second to me.
Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas,

Than the Queen's life? A graciousinnocent soul,
More free than he is jealous.

ANTIGONUS. That's enough.
SECOND SERVANT. Madam, he hath not slept to-night; commanded

None should come at him.
PAULINA. Not so hot, good sir;

I come to bring him sleep. 'Tis such as you,
That creep like shadows by him, and do sigh

At each his needless heavings- such as you
Nourish the cause of his awaking: I

Do come with words as medicinal as true,
Honest as either, to purge him of that humour

That presses him from sleep.
LEONTES. What noise there, ho?

PAULINA. No noise, my lord; but needful conference
About some gossips for your Highness.

LEONTES. How!
Away with that audacious lady! Antigonus,

I charg'd thee that she should not come about me;
I knew she would.

ANTIGONUS. I told her so, my lord,
On your displeasure's peril, and on mine,

She should not visit you.
LEONTES. What, canst not rule her?

PAULINA. From all dishonesty he can: in this,
Unless he take the course that you have done-

Commit me for committing honour- trust it,
He shall not rule me.

ANTIGONUS. La you now, you hear!
When she will take the rein, I let her run;



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