Leon. A nest of traitors! Ant. I am none, by this good light. Paul. Nor I; nor any, But one, that's here; and that's himself: for he His hopeful son's, his babe's, betrays to slander, Whose sting is sharper than the sword's; and will not (For as the case now stands, it is a curse Leon. A callet Of boundless tongue; who late hath beat her hus band, And now baits me! This brat is none of mine; Hence with it; and, together with the dam, Paul. It is yours; And, might we lay th' old proverb to your charge, The trick of 's frown, his forehead; nay, the valley, The ordering of the mind too, 'mongst all colours Leon. A gross hag! And, lozel, thou art worthy to be hang'd, Ant. Hang all the husbands I'll not call you tyrant; It is an heretic that makes the fire, But this most cruel usage of your Queen (Not able to produce more accusation Than your own weak-hing'd fancy) something savours Yea, scandalous to the world. Leon. On your allegiance, Were I a tyrant, Out of the chamber with her. If she did know me one. Away with her. Paul. I pray you, do not push me; I'll be gone. Look to your babe, my lord; 'tis yours: Jove send her A better guiding spirit! - What need these hands? So, so. - Farewell; we are gone. [Exit. Leon. Thou, traitor, hast set on thy wife to this. My child! away with 't: even thou, that hast And see it instantly consum'd with fire; Even thou, and none but thou. Take it up straight: The bastard brains with these my proper hands For thou sett'st on thy wife. Ant. I did not, sir: These lords, my noble fellows, if they please, 1 & 2 Lord. We can, my royal liege; He is not guilty of her coming hither. 1 Lord. 'Beseech your Highness give us better credit; We have always truly serv'd you, and beseech' So to esteem of us; and on our knees we beg, (As recompense of our dear services, Past, and to come,) that you do change this pur pose; Which, being so horrible, so bloody, must Lead on to some foul issue. We all kneel. Leon. I am a feather for each wind that blows: Shall I live on, to see this bastard kneel And call me father? Than curse it then. hither; Better burn it now, But, be it; let it live. [To ANT.] You, sir, come you You, that have been so tenderly officious venture To save this brat's life? Ant. Any thing, my lord, Leon. It shall be possible. Swear by this sword, Thou wilt perform my bidding. Ant. I will, my lord. Leon. Mark, and perform it, see'st thou; for the fail Of any point in't shall not only be Death to thyself, but to thy lewd-tongu'd wife; Ant. I swear to do this, though a present death In more than this deed doth require! and blessing, Against this cruelty, fight on thy side, Poor thing, condemn'd to loss! Leon. Another's issue. [Exit, with the babe. No, I'll not rear 1 Attend. Please your Highness, posts, From those you sent to th' Oracle, are come An hour since. Cleomenes and Dion, Being well arriv'd from Delphos, are both landed, Hasting to th' Court. 1 Lord. So please you, sir, their speed Hath been beyond accompt. Leon. Twenty-three days They have been absent: 'tis good speed; foretells The truth of this appear. Prepare you, lords: Leave me; [Exeunt. THE ACT III. SCENE I. Sicilia. A Street. Enter CLEOMENES and DION. CLEOMENES. HE climate's delicate, the air most sweet, Fertile the isle, the Temple much surpassing The common praise it bears. Dion. I shall report, For most it caught me, the celestial habits, (Methinks I so should term them,) and the reverence Of the grave wearers. O, the sacrifice! How ceremonious, solemn, and unearthly It was i' th' offering! And the ear-deaf'ning voice o' th' Oracle, |