as much more and leave this

till I bring it you.

840

Aut. After I have done what I promised?

Shep. Ay, sir.

Aut. Well, give me the moiety. Are you a party

in this business?

Clo. In some sort, sir: but though my case be a

pitiful one, I hope I shall not be flayed out of it. Aut. O, that's the case of the shepherd's son: hang him, he 'll be made an example.

Clo. Comfort, good comfort!

We must to the king

and show our strange sights: he must know 'tis
none of your daughter nor my sister; we are 850
gone else. Sir, I will give you as much as this
old man does when the business is performed,
and remain, as he says, your pawn till it be
brought you.

Aut. I will trust you. Walk before toward the
sea-side; go on the right hand: I will but look
upon the hedge and follow you.

Clo. We are blest in this man, as I may say, even blest.

Shep. Let's before as he bids us: he was provided 860 [Exeunt Shepherd and Clown.

to do us good.

Aut. If I had a mind to be honest, I see Fortune

would not suffer me: she drops booties in my
mouth. I am courted now with a double oc-
casion, gold and a means to do the prince my
master good; which who knows how that may
turn back to my advancement? I will bring
these two moles, these blind ones, aboard him :
if he think it fit to shore them again and that
the complaint they have to the king concerns 870
him nothing, let him call me rogue for being so
far officious; for I am proof against that title
and what shame else belongs to 't. To him will
I present them: there may be matter in it.

[Exit.

Act Fifth.

Scene I.

A room in Leontes' palace.

Enter Leontes, Cleomenes, Dion, Paulina, and Servants. Cleo. Sir, you have done enough, and have perform'd A saint-like sorrow: no fault could you make, Which you have not redeem'd; indeed, paid down More penitence than done trespass at the last, Do as the heavens have done, forget your evil;

Leon.

Paul.

Leon.

Cleo.

With them forgive yourself.

Whilst I remember

Her and her virtues, I cannot forget

My blemishes in them, and so still think of
The wrong I did myself: which was so much,
That heirless it hath made my kingdom; and
Destroy'd the sweet'st companion that e'er man
Bred his hopes out of.

True, too true, my lord:
If, one by one, you wedded all the world,
Or from the all that are took something good,
To make a perfect woman, she you kill'd
Would be unparallel'd.

I think so.

Kill'd!

She I kill'd! I did so but thou strikest me
Sorely, to say I did; it is as bitter

10

Upon thy tongue as in my thought: now, good now,
Say so but seldom.

You might have spoken a thousand things that would
Have done the time more benefit and graced

Paul.

You pity not the state, nor the remembrance
Of his most sovereign name; consider little
What dangers, by his highness' fail of issue,
May drop upon his kingdom and devour
Incertain lookers on. What were more holy
Than to rejoice the former queen is well?
What holier than, for royalty's repair,
For present comfort and for future good,
To bless the bed of majesty again

With a sweet fellow to 't?

There is none worthy,

Respecting her that's gone. Besides, the gods
Will have fulfill'd their secret purposes;

For has not the divine Apollo said,

Is 't not the tenor of his oracle,

That King Leontes shall not have an heir

30

Till his lost child be found? which that it shall, 40

Is all as monstrous to our human reason
As my Antigonus to break his grave

And come again to me; who, on my

life,

Did perish with the infant. 'Tis your counsel
My lord should to the heavens be contrary,

Oppose against their wills. [To Leontes] Care not

for issue;

The crown will find an heir: great Alexander

Leon.

Paul.

Leon.

Left his to the worthiest; so his successor

Was like to be the best.

Paul.

Leon.

Paul.

Good Paulina,

Who hast the memory of Hermione,

I know, in honour, O, that ever I

50

Had squared me to thy counsel !-then, even now,
I might have look'd upon my queen's full eyes;
Have taken treasure from her lips,—

More rich for what they yielded.

And left them

Thou speak'st truth.

No more such wives; therefore, no wife: one worse,
And better used, would make her sainted spirit

Again possess her corpse, and on this stage,
Where we offenders now, appear soul-vex'd,
And begin, Why to me?'

She had just cause.

Had she such power, 60

She had; and would incense me

I should so.

To murder her I married.

Were I the ghost that walk'd, I'ld bid you mark
Her eye, and tell me for what dull part in 't
You chose her; then I'ld shriek, that even your ears
Should rift to hear me; and the words that follow'd