Emil.

Paul.

These dangerous unsafe lunes i' the king, beshrew

them!

He must be told on 't, and he shall: the office
Becomes a woman best; I'll take 't upon me:
If I prove honey-mouth'd, let my tongue blister,
And never to my red-look'd anger be

The trumpet any more. Pray you, Emilia,
Commend my best obedience to the

queen :
If she dares trust me with her little babe,

I'll show't the king and undertake to be
Her advocate to the loud'st. We do not know
How he may soften at the sight o' the child:
The silence often of pure innocence

Persuades when speaking fails.

30

40

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.

Tell her, Emilia,

50

Emil.

I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from 't
As boldness from my bosom, let 't not be doubted
I shall do good.

Now be you blest for it!
I'll to the queen: please you, come something nearer.
Gaol. Madam, if 't please the queen to send the babe,
I know not what I shall incur to pass it,

Paul.

Having no warrant.

You need not fear it, sir:
This child was prisoner to the womb, and is
By law and process of great nature thence
Freed and enfranchised; not a party to
The anger of the king, nor guilty of,
If any be, the trespass of the queen.

Gaol. I do believe it.

Paul. Do not you fear: upon mine honour, I
Will stand betwixt you and danger.

60

[Exeunt.

Scene III.

A room in Leontes' palace.

Enter Leontes, Antigonus, Lords, and Servants. Leon. Nor night nor day no rest: it is but weakness To bear the matter thus; mere weakness.

If

The cause were not in being,-part o' the cause,
She the adulteress; for the harlot king

Is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank
And level of my brain, plot-proof; but she,
I can hook to me: say that she were gone,
Given to the fire, a moiety of my rest
Might come to me again.

First Serv.

Leon. How does the boy?

First Serv.

Who's there?

My lord?

He took good rest to-night; 10

'Tis hoped his sickness is discharged.

Leon. To see his nobleness!

Conceiving the dishonour of his mother,

He straight declined, droop'd, took it deeply,
Fasten'd and fix'd the shame on 't in himself,
Threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep,

And downright languish'd. Leave me solely go,
See how he fares. [Exit Serv.] Fie, fie! no thought

of him :

The very thought of my revenges that way
Recoil upon me: in himself too mighty,
And in his parties, his alliance; let him be
Until a time may serve: for present vengeance,
Take it on her. Camillo and Polixenes

Laugh at me, make their pastime at my sorrow :

20

They should not laugh if I could reach them, nor
Shall she within my power.

First Lord.

Enter Paulina, with a child.

You must not enter.

Paul. Nay, rather, good my lords, be second to me:
Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas,
Than the queen's life? a gracious innocent soul,
More free than he is jealous.

Ant.

That's enough.

Sec. Serv. Madam, he hath not slept to-night; com

Paul.

Leon.

manded

None should come at him.

Not so hot, good sir:
I come to bring him sleep. 'Tis such as you,
That creep like shadows by him, and do sigh
At each his needless heavings, such as you
Nourish the cause of his awaking: I

Do come with words as medicinal as true,

Honest as either, to purge him of that humour
That presses him from sleep.

30

What noise there, ho? Paul. No noise, my lord; but needful conference About some gossips for your highness.

Leon.

40

How!

Ant.

Leon.

Away with that audacious lady! Antigonus,
I charged thee that she should not come about me:
I knew she would.

I told her so, my lord,

On your displeasure's peril and on mine,
She should not visit you.

What, canst not rule her?

Paul. From all dishonesty he can in this,

Ant.

Paul.

Leon.

Paul.

Unless he take the course that you have done,
Commit me for committing honour, trust it,
He shall not rule me.

La you now, you hear:
When she will take the rein I let her run;
But she 'll not stumble.

Good my liege, I come;
And, I beseech you, hear me, who professes
Myself your loyal servant, your physician,
Your most obedient counsellor, yet that dares
Less appear so in comforting your evils,
Than such as most seem yours: I say, I come
From your good queen.

Good queen!

50

Good queen, my lord,

Good queen; I say good queen;

And would by combat make her good, so were I 60