Cam.

What incidency thou dost guess of harm

Is creeping toward me; how far off, how near;
Which way to be prevented, if to be;

If not, how best to bear it.

Sir, I will tell you;

Since I am charged in honour and by him
That I think honourable: therefore mark my counsel,
Which must be ev'n as swiftly follow'd as

I mean to utter it, or both yourself and me
Cry lost, and so good night!

Pol.
On, good Camillo.
Cam. I am appointed him to murder you.

Pol. By whom, Camillo ?

Cam.

Pol.

By the king.

For what?

Cam. He thinks, nay, with all confidence he swears,
As he had seen 't, or been an instrument

Pol.

you

410

To vice you to 't, that have touch'd his queen
Forbiddenly.

O then, my best blood turn
To an infected jelly, and my name

Be yoked with his that did betray the Best!
Turn then my freshest reputation to
A savour that may strike the dullest nostril
Where I arrive, and my approach be shunn❜d,

420

Cam.

Pol.

Nay, hated too, worse than the great'st infection
That e'er was heard or read!

Swear his thought over

By each particular star in heaven and
By all their influences, you may as well
Forbid the sea for to obey the moon,
As or by oath remove or counsel shake
The fabric of his folly, whose foundation
Is piled upon his faith, and will continue
The standing of his body.

How should this grow? Cam. I know not: but I am sure 'tis safer to

430

Avoid what's grown than question how 'tis born.
If therefore you dare trust my honesty,
That lies enclosed in this trunk which you
Shall bear along impawn'd, away to-night!
Your followers I will whisper to the business;
And will by twos and threes at several posterns,
Clear them o' the city. For myself, I'll put
My fortunes to your service, which are here
By this discovery lost. Be not uncertain;
For, by the honour of my parents,
I

Have utter'd truth: which if you seek to prove,
I dare not stand by; nor shall you be safer

440

That one condemn'd by the king's own mouth, thereon

Pol.

His execution sworn.

I do believe thee:

I saw his heart in 's face.

Give me thy hand:

Be pilot to me and thy places shall

Still neighbour mine. My ships are ready, and
My people did expect my hence departure
Two days ago. This jealousy

Is for a precious creature: as she's rare,
Must it be great; and, as his person's mighty,
Must it be violent; and as he does conceive
He is dishonour'd by a man which ever
Profess'd to him, why, his revenges must

450

In that be made more bitter. Fear o'ershades me:
Good expedition be my friend, and comfort
The gracious queen, part of his theme, but nothing
Of his ill-ta'en suspicion! Come, Camillo; 460
I will respect thee as a father if

Thou bear'st my life off hence: let us avoid.
Cam. It is in mine authoity to command

The keys of all the posterns: please your highness
To take the urgent hour. Come, sir away.

Act Second.

Scene I.

A room in Leontes' palace.

Enter Hermione, Mamillius, and Ladies.

Her. Take the boy to you: he so troubles me,

'Tis past enduring.

First Lady. Come, my gracious lord,

Mam.

Shall I be your playfellow?

No, I'll none of you.

First Lady. Why, my sweet lord?

Mam. You'll kiss me hard, and speak to me as if
I were a baby still. I love you

Sec. Lady. And why so, my lord?

Mam.

better.

Not for because

Your brows are blacker; yet black brows, they say,
Become some women best, so that there be not

Too much hair there, but in a semicircle,

Or a half-moon made with a pen.

Sec. Lady.

ΙΟ

Who taught you this!

Mam. I learn'd it out of women's faces.

What colour are your eyebrows?

First Lady.

Pray now

Blue, my lord.

Mam. Nay, that's a mock: I have seen a lady's nose That has been blue, but not her eyebrows.

First Lady.

Hark ye;

The queen your mother rounds apace: we shall
Present our services to a fine new prince

One of these days; and then you 'ld wanton with us,
If we would have you.

Sec. Lady.

She is spread of late

Into a goodly bulk: good time encounter her! 20 Her. What wisdom stirs amongst you? Come, sir, now I am for you again: pray you, sit by us,

Mam.

And tell's a tale.

Merry or sad shall 't be?

Her. As merry as you will

Mam. A sad tale 's best for winter: I have one

Her.

Of sprites and goblins.

Let's have that, good sir.
Come on, sit down: come on, and do your best
To fright me with your sprites; you 're powerful

at it.

Mam. There was a man

Her.

Nay, come, sit down; then on.

Mam. Dwelt by a churchyard: I will tell it softly; 30 Yond crickets shall not hear it.

Her.

Come on, then,