Who for Bohemia bend, to signify
Not only my success in Libya, sir,
But my arrival, and my wife's, in safety
Here, where we are.

The blessed gods

Leon.
Purge all infection from our air, whilst you
Do climate here! You have a holy father,
A graceful gentleman; against whose person,
So sacred as it is, I have done sin:

For which the heavens, taking angry note,
Have left me issueless; and your father 's bless'd,
(As he from heaven merits it,) with you,
Worthy his goodness. What might I have been,
Might I a son and daughter now have look'd on,
Such goodly things as you!

Lord.

Enter a Lord.

Most noble sir,

That which I shall report will bear no credit,

SCENE II.-The same. Before the Palace.
Enter Autolycus and a Gentleman.
Aut. 'Beseech you, sir, were you present at this
relation?

1 Gent. I was by at the opening of the fardel; heard
the old shepherd deliver the manner how he found
it: whereupon, after a little amazedness, we were
all commanded out of the chamber; only this, me
thought I heard the shepherd say, he found the child.
Aut. I would most gladly know the issue of it.
1 Gent. I make a broken delivery of the business:-
But the changes I perceived in the king and Camillo
were very notes of admiration: they seemed almost,
with staring on one another, to tear the cases of
their eyes; there was speech in their dumbness, lan-
guage in their very gesture; they looked as they
had heard of a world ransomed, or one destroyed:
A notable passion of wonder appeared in them: but
the wisest beholder, that knew no more but seeing,

Were not the proof so nigh. Please you, great sir, could not say if the importance were joy or sorrow:

Bohemia greets you from himself by ine:
Desires you to attach his son; who has

(His dignity and duty both cast off,)

Fled from his father, from his hopes, and with
A shepherd's daughter.

Leon.
Where 's Bohemia? speak.
Lord. Here in your city; I now came from him:
I speak amazedly; and it becomes

My marvel, and iny message. To your court
Whiles he was hast'ning, (in the chase, it seems,
Of this fair couple,) meets he on the way
The father of this seeming lady, and
Her brother, having both their country quitted
With this young prince.

Flo.
Camillo has betray'd me;
Whose honour, and whose honesty, till now,
Endur'd all weathers.
Lord.

Lay 't so to his charge:
He's with the king your father.
Leon.
Who? Camillo?
Lord. Camillo, sir; I spake with him; who now
Has these poor men in question. Never saw I
Wretches so quake: they kneel, they kiss the earth;
Forswear themselves as often as they speak:
Bohemia stops his ears, and threatens them
With divers deaths in death.

but in the extremity of the one it must needs be. Enter another Gentleman.

Here comes a gentleman, that, happily, knows more: The news, Rogero?

2 Gent. Nothing but bonfires: The oracle is fulfilled; the king's daughter is found: such a deal of wonder is broken out within this hour, that balladmakers cannot be able to express it.

Enter a third Gentleman.

Here comes the lady Paulina's steward; he can deliver you more.-How goes it now, sir? this news, which is called true, is so like an old tale, that the verity of it is in strong suspicion: Has the king found his heir?

3 Gent. Most true; if ever truth were pregnant by circumstance; that which you hear you 'll swear you see, there is such unity in the proofs. The mantle of queen Hermione:-her jewel about the neck of it: -the letters of Antigonus, found with it, which they know to be his character:-the majesty of the crea ture, in resemblance of the mother-the affection of nobleness, which nature shows above her breeding,-and many other evidences, proclaim her, with all certainty, to be the king's daughter. Did you O, my poor father!-see the meeting of the two kings? 2 Gent. No. 3 Gent. Then have you lost a sight, which was to be seen, cannot be spoken of. There might you have beheld one joy crown another; so, and in such manner, that it seemed sorrow wept to take leave of them; for their joy waded in tears. There was casting up of eyes, holding up of hands; with countenance of such distraction, that they were to be known

Per.
The heaven sets spies upon us, will not have
Our contract celebrated.

Leon.

You are married?

Flo. We are not, sir, nor are we like to be;
The stars, I see, will kiss the valleys first:-
The odds for high and low 's alike.
Leon.

My lord,

Is this the daughter of a king? Flo. She is,
When once she is my wife.
Leon. That once, I see, by your good father's
Will come on very slowly. I am sorry, [speed,
Most sorry, you have broken,from his liking,
Where you were tied in duty: and as sorry,
Your choice is not so rich in worth as beauty,
That you might well enjoy her.

Flo.
Dear, look up:
Though fortune, visible an enemy,
Should chase us, with my father, power no jot
Hath she to change our loves.-'Beseech you, sir,
Remember since you ow'd no more to time
Than I do now: with thought of such affections,
Step forth mine advocate; at your request,
My father will grant precious things as trifles.
Leon. Would he do so, I'd beg your precious mis-
Which he counts but a trifle.
[tress,
Paul.
Sir, my liege,
Your eye hath too much youth in 't: not a month
'Fore your queen died, she was more worth such
Than what you look on now.
[gazes
Leon.
I thought of her,
Even in these looks I made.-But your petition
[To Florizel.

Is yet unanswer'd: I will to your father;
Your honour not o'erthrown by your desires,
I am friend to them, and you: upon which errand
I now go toward him; therefore follow me,
And mark what way Í make: Come, good my lord.
[Exeunt,

by garment, not by favour. Our king, being ready to leap out of himself for joy of his found daughter; as if that joy were now become a loss, cries, O, thy mother, thy mother!' then asks Bohemia forgive. ness; then embraces his son-in-law; then again worries he his daughter, with clipping her; now he thanks the old shepherd, which stands by, like a weather-bitten conduit of many kings' reigns. I never heard of such another encounter, which lames report to follow it, and undoes description to do it. 2 Gent. What, pray you, became of Antigonus, that carried hence the child?

3 Gent. Like an old tale still; which will have matter to rehearse, though credit be asleep, and not an ear open: He was torn to pieces with a bear: this avouches the shepherd's son; who has not only his innocence (which seems much) to justify him, but a handkerchief, and rings, of his, that Paulina knows. [lowers?

1 Gent. What became of his bark, and his fol 3 Gent. Wracked, the same instant of their master's death; and in the view of the shepherd: so that all the instruments, which aided to expose the child, were even then lost, when it was found. But, O, the noble combat that, 'twixt joy and sorrow, was fought in Paulina! She had one eye declined for the loss of her husband; another elevated that the oracle was fulfilled: She lifted the princess from the earth; and so locks her in embracing, as if she would pin her to her heart, that she might no more be in danger of losing.

1 Gent. The dignity of this act was worth the audience of kings and princes; for by such was it acted. 3 Gent. One of the prettiest touches of all, and that which angled for mine eyes (caught the water, though not the fish), was, when at the relation of the queen's death, with the manner how she came to it, (bravely confessed, and lamented by the king,) how attentiveness wounded his daughter; till, from one sign of dolour to another, she did, with an 'alas! I would fain say, bleed tears; for, I am sure, my heart wept blood. Who was most marble there changed colour: some swooned, all sorrowed: if all the world could have seen it, the woe had been universal.

1 Gent. Are they returned to the court?

2 Cent. I thought she had some great matter there in hand; for she hath privately, twice or thrice a day, ever since the death of Hermione, visited that removed house. Shall we thither, and with our company piece the rejoicing?

Clo. Not swear it, now I am a gentleman? Let boors and franklins say it, I'll swear it. Shep. How if it be false, son? Clo. If it be ne'er so false, a true gentleman may swear it, in the behalf of his friend: And I'll swear to the prince, thou art a tall fellow of thy hands, and that thou wilt not be drunk; but I know, that thou art no tall fellow of thy hands, and that thou wilt be drunk; but I'll swear it: and I would thou would'st be a tall fellow of thy hands. Aut. I will prove so, sir, to my power. Clo. Ay, by any means prove a tall fellow: If I do not wonder how thou darest venture to be drunk, not being a tall fellow, trust me not.-Hark! the kings and the princes, our kindred, are going to see the queen's picture. Come, follow us: we'll be thy good masters. [Exeunt.

3 Gent. No: the princess hearing of her mother's statue, which is in the keeping of Paulina,-a piece many years in doing, and now newly performed by that rare Italian master, Julio Romano; who, had SCENEIII.-The same. A Room in Paulina's House. he himself eternity, and could put breath into his Enter Leontes, Polixenes, Florizel, Perdita, Camillo, work, would beguile nature of her custom, so per.. Paulina, Lords, and Attendants. fectly he is her ape: he so near to Hermione hath Leon. O grave and good Paulina, the great comfort done Hermione, that, they say, one would speak to That I have had of thee! her, and stand in hope of answer: thither, with all Paul. What, sovereign sir, greediness of affection, are they gone; and there I did not well, I meant well: All my services they intend to sup. You have paid home: but that you have vouchsaf'd With your crown'd brother, and these your contracted Heirs of your kingdoms, my poor house to visit; It is a surplus of your grace, which never My life may last to answer. Leon. O Paulina, We honour you with trouble: But we came To see the statue of our queen: your gallery Have we pass'd through, not without much content In many singularities; but we saw not That which my daughter came to look upon, The statue of her mother. Paul. As she liv'd peerless, So her dead likeness, I do well believe, Excels whatever yet you look'd upon, Or hand of man hath done; therefore I keep it Lonely, apart: But here it is: prepare To see the life as lively mock'd, as ever Still sleep mock'd death: behold; and say, 't is well. [Paulina undraws a curtain, and discovers a statue. I like your silence, it the more shows off Your wonder: But yet speak;-first, you, my liege. Comes it not something near?

1 Gent. Who would be thence that has the benefit of access? every wink of an eye, some new grace will be born: our absence makes us unthrifty to our knowledge. Let's along. [Exeunt Gentlemen. Aut. Now, had I not the dash of my former life in me, would preferment drop on my head. I brought the old man and his son aboard the prince: told him, I heard them talk of a fardel, and I know not what; but he at that time, over-fond of the shepherd's daughter, (so he then took her to be,) who began to be much sea-sick, and himself little better, extremity of weather continuing, this mystery remained undiscovered. But 't is all one to me; for had I been the finder out of this secret, it would not have relished among my other discredits.

Enter Shepherd and Clown.

Here come those I have done good to against my will, and already appearing in the blossoms of their fortune.

Shep. Come, boy; I am past more children, but thy sons and daughters will be all gentlemen born. Clo. You are well met, sir: You denied to fight with me this other day, because I was no gentleman born: See you these clothes? say, you see them not, and think me still no gentleman born: you were best say these robes are not gentlemen born. Give me the lie; do; and try whether I am not now a gentleman born.

Aut. I know you are now, sir, a gentleman born. Clo. Ay, and have been so any time these four hours.

Shep. And so have I, boy.

Clo. So you have:-but I was a gentleman born before my father: for the king's son took me by the hand, and called me, brother; and then the two kings called my father, brother; and then the prince, my brother, and the princess, my sister, called my father, father; and so we wept: and there was the first gentleman-like tears that ever we shed.

Leon.
Her natural posture l-
Chide me, dear stone; that I may say, indeed,
Thou art Hermione: or, rather, thou art she,
In thy not chiding; for she was as tender
As infancy, and grace.-But yet, Paulina,
Hermione was not so much wrinkled; nothing
So aged, as this seems. Pol. O, not by much.
Paul. So much the more our carver's excellence;
Which lets go by some sixteen years, and makes her
As she liv'd now.

Leon.

As now she might have done,
So much to my good comfort, as it is
Now piercing to my soul. O, thus she stood,
Even with such lite of majesty, (warm life,
As now it coldly stands,) when first I woo'd her!
I am asham'd: Does not the stone rebuke me,
For being more stone than it ?-O, royal piece,
There's magic in thy majesty, which has
My evils conjur'd to remembrance; and
From thy admiring daughter took the spirits,
Standing like stone with thee!
Per.

And give me leave;
And do not say 't is superstition, that
I kneel, and then implore her blessing.-Lady,
Dear queen, that ended when I but began,
Give me that hand of yours to kiss.

Shep. We may live, son, to shed many more.
Clo. Ay; or else 't were hard luck; being in so pre-Paul.
posterous estate as we are.

Aut. I humbly beseech you, sir, to pardon me all
the faults I have committed to your worship, and to
give me your good report to the prince my master.
Shep. Frithee, son, do; for we must be gentle,
now we are gentlemen.

Clo. Thou wilt amend thy life.

Aut. Ay, an it like your good worship.
Clo. Give me thy hand: I will swear to the prince,
thou art as honest a true fellow as any is in Bohemia.
Shep. You may say it, but not swear it.

O, patience:
The statue is but newly fix'd, the colour 's
Not dry.

Cam. My lord, your sorrow was too sore laid on;
Which sixteen winters cannot blow away,
So many summers dry: scarce any joy
Did ever so long live; no sorrow,
But kill'd itself much sooner.
Pol.

Dear my brother,
Let him that was the cause of this have power
To take off so much of grief from you, as he
Will piece up in himself.

Paul.
Indeed, my lord,
If I had thought the sight of my poor image
Would thus have wrought you (for the stone is mine),
I'd not have show'd it.
Leon.
Do not draw the curtain.
Paul. No longer shall you gaze on 't; lest your
May think anon it moves.
[fancy
Leon.
Would I were dead, but that, methinks, already-Lawful as eating. Pol. She embraces him.
What was he that did make it ?-See, my lord,
Would you not deem it breath'd? and that those
Did verily bear blood?
Pol.

Start not: her actions shall be holy, as,
You hear, my spell is lawful: do not shun her,
Until you see her die again; for then
You kill her double: Nay, present your hand:
When she was young you woo'd her; now, in age,
Is she become the suitor? Leon. O, she 's warm!
[Embracing her.
If this be magic, let it be an art

Let be, let be.

[veins

Masterly done:
The very life seems warm upon her lip.
Leon. The fixure of her eye has motion in 't,
As we are mock'd with art.
Paul.
I'll draw the curtain;
My lord 's almost so far transported that
He'll think anor it lives.
Leon.
O sweet Paulina,
Make me to think so twenty years together;
No settled senses of the world can match
The pleasure of that madness. Let 't alone. [but
Paul. I am sorry, sir, I have thus far stirr'd you:
I could afflict you further. Leon. Do, Paulina;
For this affliction has a taste as sweet

As any cordial comfort.-Still, methinks,
There is an air comes from her: What fine chisel
Could ever yet cut breath? Let no man mock me,
For I will kiss her.
Paul.

Good my lord, forbear:
The ruddiness upon her lip is wet;
You ll mar it, if you kiss it; stain your own
With oily painting: Shall I draw the curtain?
Leon. No, not these twenty years.

Per.

So long could I
Stand by, a looker-on. Paul. Either forbear,
Quit presently the chapel; or resolve you
For more amazement. If you can behold it,
I'll make the statue move indeed; descend,
And take you by the hand: but then you 'll think,
(Which I protest against,) I am assisted
By wicked powers.
Leon.

What can you make her do,
I am content to look on: what to speak,
I am content to hear; for 't is as easy
To make her speak, as move.
Paul.

It is requir'd

You do awake your faith: Then, all stand still:
On: Those that think it is unlawful business
I am about, let them depart.
Leon.

No foot shall stir.

Paul.

Proceed;

Music; awake her: strike.-Music. 'Tis time; descend; be stone no more: approach; Strike all that look upon with marvel. Coine; I'll fill your grave up: stir; nay, come away; Bequeath to death your numbness, for from him Dear life redeems you.-You perceive she stirs ; [Hermione comes down from the pedestal.

Cam. She hangs about his neck;
If she pertain to life, let her speak too.
Pol. Ay, and make 't manifest where she has liv'd,
Or, how stol'n from the dead?
Paul.
That she is living,
Were it but told you, should be hooted at
Like an old tale; but it appears she lives,
Though yet she speak not. Mark a little while.-
Please you to interpose, fair madam; kneel,
And pray your mother's blessing.-Turn, good
Our Perdita is found.
[lady;

There 's time enough for that;
Lest they desire, upon this push to trouble
Your joys with like relation. Go together,
You precious winners all; your exultation
Partake to every one. I, an old turtle,
Will wing me to some wither'd bough, and there
My mate, that 's never to be found again,
Lament till I am lost.

Leon.

O peace, Paulina;
Thou should'st a husband take by my consent,
As I by thine, a wife: this is a match,
And made between 's by vows. Thou hast found
But how, is to be question'd: for I saw her, [mine;
As I thought, dead; and have, in vain, said many
A prayer upon her grave: I'll not seek far
(For him, I partly know his mind,) to find thee
An honourable husband :-Come, Camillo,
And take her by the hand: whose worth, and
honesty,

Is richly noted; and here justified

By us, a pair of kings.-Let 's from this place.-
What? Look upon my brother:-both your par-
That e'er I put between your holy looks [dons,
My ill suspicion. This your son-in-law,
And son unto the king, (whom heavens directing,)
Is troth-plight to your daughter.-Good Paulina,
Lead us from hence; where we may leisurely
Each one demand, and answer to his part
Perform'd in this wide gap of time, since first
We were dissever'd: Hastily lead away. [Exeunt.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

ROBERT FAULCONBRIDGE, son
of Sir Robert Faulconbridge.
PHILIP FAULCONBRIDGE, his
half-brother, bastard son to
King Richard I.

JAMES GURNEY, servant to Lady
Faulconbridge.

PETER of Pomiret, a prophet.
PHILIP, King of France.
LEWIS, the Dauphin.
ARCHDUKE OF AUSTRIA.
Cardinal PANDULPH, the Pope's
legate.

ROBERT BIGOT, Earlof Norfolk. MELUN, a French lord.
HUBERT DE BURGH, chamber- CHATILLON, ambassador from
lain to the King.
France to King John.