Arch. Believe me, I speak as my under- 20 standing instructs me and as mine honesty puts it to utterance. 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 branch now. Since their more mature dignities and royal necessities made separation of their society, their encounters, though not personal, have been royally attorneyed with interchange 30 of gifts, letters, loving embassies; that they have seemed to be together, though absent, shook hands, as over a vast, and embraced, as it were, from the ends of opposed winds. The heavens continue their loves! Arch. I think there is not in the world either malice or matter to alter it. You have an unspeakable comfort of your young prince Mamillius it is a gentleman of the greatest promise that ever came into my note. 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. 26. which, as. 33. vast, boundless sea (or sea of which the bounds are invisible). 38. of, in. [Exeunt. 40. note, knowledge. 50 43. the subject, (collective) the king's subjects. SCENE II. A room of state in the same. Enter LEONTES, HERMIONE, MAMILLIUS, Pol. Nine changes of the watery star hath The shepherd's note since we have left our throne Would be fill'd up, my brother, with our thanks; Go hence in debt and therefore, like a cipher, With one 'We thank you' many thousands moe Leon. Stay your thanks a while; And pay them when you part. Pol. Sir, that 's to-morrow. I am question'd by my fears, of what may chance ΙΟ equivalent wish that they may not,'-that no sneaping winds, etc. 13. sneaping, nipping. 14. This is put forth too truly,' this foreboding is too well justified. Leon. We'll part the time between's then; and in that I'll no gainsaying. Pol. Press me not, beseech you, so. There is no tongue that moves, none, none i' the So soon as yours could win me: so it should now, Do even drag me homeward: which to hinder Leon. Tongue-tied our queen? speak you. Her. I had thought, sir, to have held my peace until You had drawn oaths from him not to stay. You, sir, Charge him too coldly. Tell him, you are sure Leon. Well said, Hermione. Her. To tell, he longs to see his son, were strong: But let him say so then, and let him go; But let him swear so, and he shall not stay, Yet of your royal presence I'll adventure 20 30 You take my lord, I'll give him my commission 40 To let him there a month behind the gest 18. 's, us. 33. ward, posture (in fencing). 39. at, in. 40. commission, warrant. 41. To let him, to permit him to remain. 41. gest (Fr. gîte, 'lodging'), an appointed stage or restingplace in a royal progress; hence the time appointed for resuming the journey. Prefix'd for 's parting: yet, good deed, Leontes, Pol. Her. Nay, but you will? Pol. Her. Verily ! No, madam. I may not, verily. You put me off with limber vows; but I, Though you would seek to unsphere the stars with oaths, Should yet say 'Sir, no going.' Verily, Not like a guest; so you shall pay your fees say you? How My prisoner? or my guest? by your dread 'Verily,' One of them you shall be. Pol. Your guest, then, madam: To be your prisoner should import offending; Which is for me less easy to commit Than you to punish. Her. Not your gaoler, then, 50 But your kind hostess. Come, I'll question you 60 Of my lord's tricks and yours when you were boys: You were pretty lordings then? Pol. We were, fair queen, Two lads that thought there was no more behind And to be boy eternal. Her. Was not my lord 42. good deed, in verity. 43. jar, tick. 47. limber, pliant. 53. pay your fees, the fees 44. What lady-she, any paid by prisoners on their libera woman of rank. tion from prison. The verier wag o' the two? Pol. We were as twinn'd lambs that did frisk i' the sun, Boldly 'not guilty;' the imposition clear'd Temptations have since then been born to 's; for Her. Grace to boot! Of this make no conclusion, lest you say You did continue fault and that you slipp'd not Leon. Is he won yet? 70 80 74. the imposition clear'd hereditary ours, setting aside the 'original sin' we inherit as men. 76. sacred, royal. 80. Grace to boot, Grace aid us! |