joy and sorrow was fought in Paulina! She had 80 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. First Gent. The dignity of this act was worth the audience of kings and princes; for by such was

it acted.

Third Gent. One of the prettiest touches of all and that which angled for mine eyes, caught the 90 water though not the fish, was when, at the relation of the queen's death, with the manner how she came to 't 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 't, the woe had been universal. First Gent. Are they returned to the court? Third 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

100

performed by that rare Italian master, Julio Romano, who, had he himself eternity and could put breath into his work, would beguile Nature of her custom, so perfectly he is her ape: he so near to Hermione hath done Hermione, that they say one would speak to her and stand 110 in hope of answer:-thither with all greediness of affection are they gone,and there they intend to sup. Sec. Gent. 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?

First Gent. Who would be thence that has the bene-
fit of access? every wink of an eye, some new grace
will be born: our absence makes us unthrifty to 120
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 con-

tinuing, this mystery remained undiscovered. 130
But 'tis 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 comes those I have done good to against
my will, and already appearing in the blossoms
of their fortune.

Shep. Come, boy; I am past moe 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 140
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 gentleman
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 150 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. Shep. We may live, son, to shed many more. Clo. Ay; or else 'twere hard luck, being in so pre

posterous estate as we are.

Aut. I humbly beseech you, sir, to pardon me all 160 the faults I have committed to your worship,

and to give me your good report to the prince
my master.

Shep. Prithee, 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.

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

170

hands and that thou wilt not be drunk; but I know thou art no tall fellow of thy hands and that thou wilt be drunk: but I'll swear it, and I 180 would thou wouldst 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.

Scene III,

A chapel in Paulina's house.

Enter Leontes, Polixenes, Florizel, Perdita, Camillo,
Paulina, Lords, and Attendants.

Leon. O grave and good Paulina, the great comfort
That I have had of thee!

Paul.

What, sovereign sir,
I did not well, I meant well. All my services
You have paid home: but that you have vouchsafed
With your crown'd brother and these your contracted