Leon. The fixure of her eye has motion in 't,
As we are mock'd with art.

Paul.

Leon.

I'll draw the curtain:

My lord's almost so far transported that

He'll think anon it lives.

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. Paul. I am sorry, sir, I have thus far stirr'd you: but I could afflict you farther.

Leon.

Paul

Do, Paulina ;

For this affliction has a taste as sweet

As any cordial comfort. Still, methinks,

70

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.

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.

Paul,

Stand by, a looker on.

So long could I

Either forbear,

80

Leon.

Paul.

Leon.

Paul.

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.

What you can make her do,

I am content to look on: what to speak,

I am content to hear; for 'tis as easy
To make her speak as move.

It is required

You do awake your faith. Then all stand still;
On those that think it is unlawful business

:

I am about, let them depart.

No foot shall stir.

Proceed:

90

Music, awake her; strike! [Music. 'Tis time; descend; be stone no more; approach; Strike all that look upon with marvel. Come, 100 I'll fill your grave up: stir, nay, come away,

Bequeath to death your
Dear life redeems you.

numbness, for from him

You perceive she stirs :

[Hermione comes down.

Start not; her actions shall be holy as

You hear my spell is lawful: do not shun her

Leon.

Pol.

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?

O, she's warm!

ΠΙΟ

If this be magic, let it be an art

Lawful as eating.

She embraces him.

Cam. She hangs about his neck:

If she pertain to life let her speak too.

Pol. Ay, and make 't manifest where she has lived,
Or how stolen from the dead.

Paul.

Her.

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 lady;
Our Perdita is found.

You gods, look down,
And from your sacred vials pour your graces

121

Upon my daughter's head! Tell me, mine own,
Where hast thou been preserved? where lived? how

found

Thy father's court? for thou shalt hear that I,

Paul.

Leon.

Knowing by Paulina that the oracle

Gave hope thou wast in being, have preserved
Myself to see the issue.

130

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.

O, peace, Paulina !
Thou shouldst a husband take by my consent,
As I by thine a wife: this is a match,

And made between's by vows.

mine;

Thou hast found

But how, is to be question'd; for I saw her,

As I thought, dead; and have in vain said many 140

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 pardons,

That e'er I put between your

holy looks

My ill suspicion. This your son-in-law,

And son unto the king, whom heavens directing, 150
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.