Ant. It is for you we speak, not for ourselves: You are abus'd, and by some putter-on, That will be damn'd for't; 'would, I knew the villain, Leon. Cease; no more. You smell this business with a sense as cold As is a dead man's nose: but I do see't, and feel't, As you feel doing thus; and see withal The instruments that feel 15. Ant. If it be so, We need no grave to bury honesty; There's not a grain of it, the face to sweeten Leon. What! lack I credit? 1 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. Leon. Why, what need we 13 I would land-damn him.' Johnson interprets this: "I will damn or condemn him to quit the land.' It may have meant to encompass him by land, ensnare him: and then it should be printed land-damm: we have words of the same formation, as land-lockt, &c. Hanmer's interpretation from lant or land urine wants support. Mr. Nares thinks that it suits best with the gross complexion of the whole speech. 14 Glib or lib, i. e. castrate. 15 I see and feel my disgrace, as you, Antigonus, now feel my doing this to you, and as you now see the instruments that feel, i. e. my fingers. Leontes must here be supposed to touch or lay hold of Antigonus. Commune with you of this? but rather follow Calls not your counsels; but our natural goodness Ant. And I wish, my liege, You had only in your silent judgment tried it, Leon. How could that be? Either thou art most ignorant by age, Or thou wert born a fool. Camillo's flight, (Which was as gross as ever touch'd conjecture, That lack'd sight only, nought for approbation 17, But only seeing, all other circumstances Made up to the deed) doth push on this proceeding: (For, in an act of this importance, 'twere Of stuff'd sufficiency 18: Now, from the oracle Leon. Though I am satisfied, and need no more Than what I know, yet shall the oracle Give rest to the minds of others; such as he, 16 The old copy reads a truth. Rowe made the correction. 17 i. e. proof. i. e. of abilities more than sufficient. Come up to the truth: So have we thought it good, Ant. [Aside.] To laughter, as I take it, SCENE II. [Exeunt. The same. The outer Room of a Prison. Enter PAULINA and Attendants. Paul. The keeper of the prison,-call to him; [Exit an Attendant. Let him have knowledge who I am,-Good lady! No court in Europe is too good for thee, What dost thou then in prison?-Now, good sir, Re-enter Attendant, with the Keeper. You know me, do you not? Keeper. And one whom much I honour. Paul. Conduct me to the queen. For a worthy lady, Pray you, then, Keep. I may not, madam; to the contrary I have express commandment. Paul. Here's ado, To lock up honesty and honour from The access of gentle visitors!- Is it lawful, Keep. So please you, madam, to put Paul. I pray now, call her. Withdraw yourselves. Keep. [Exeunt Attend. And, madam, [Exit Keeper. I must be present at your conference. Here's such ado to make no stain a stain, As passes colouring. Re-enter Keeper, with EMILIA. Dear gentlewoman, how fares our gracious lady? Emil. A daughter; and a goodly babe, Lusty, and like to live: the queen receives Much comfort in't: says, My poor prisoner, I am innocent as you. Paul. I dare be sworn: These dangerous unsafe lunes1 o'the king! beshrew them! He must be told on't, and he shall: the office upon me: 1 Lunes. This word has not been found in any other English writer; but it is used in old French for frenzy, lunacy, folly. A similar expression occurs in The Revenger's Tragedy, 1608: 'I know it was but some peevish moon in him.' In As You Like It, we have the expression, a moonish youth. How he may soften at the sight o' the child; Persuades, when speaking fails. Emil. 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. · Paul. Tell her, Emilia, I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from it, As boldness from my bosom, let it not be doubted I shall do good. Emil. Now be you blest for it! I'll to the queen: Please you, come something nearer. Keep. Madam, if't please the queen to send the babe, I know not what I shall incur, to Having no warrant. pass it, You need not fear it, sir: Paul. The anger of the king; nor guilty of, Paul. Do not you fear: upon Mine honour, I will stand 'twixt you and danger. VOL. IV. E [Exeunt. |