i Gent. The .gnity of this act was worth the audience of kings and princes; for by such was it acted. Gent. One of the prettiest touches of all, and that which angled for mine eyes, (caught the water, though not the fish,) was, when at the relation of the queen's death, with the manner how she came to it, (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 it, the woe had been universal. 1 Gent. Are they returned to the court? 3 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 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 in hope of answer: thither, with all greediness of affection, are they gone; and there they intend to sup. 1 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? 3 Gent. Who would be thence, that has the benefit of access? every wink of an eye, some new grace will be born: our absence makes us unthrifty to 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 him talk of a fardel, and I know not what: but he at that time, overfond 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 continuing, this mystery remained undiscovered. 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 come those I have done good to against my will, and already appearing in the blossoms of their fortune. Shep. Come, boy; I am past more 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 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 gentlemen 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. nours. Shep. 'Pr'ythee, 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 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 would, thou would'st 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. THE SAME. A ROOM IN PAULINA'S Enter Leontes, Polixenes, Florizel, Perdita, Ca- Paul. What, sovereign sir, I did not well, I meant well: All my services, Heirs of your kingdoms, my poor house to visit, Leon. O Paulina, We honour you with trouble: but we came tent In many singularities; but we saw not Paul. As she liv'd peerless, Excels whatever yet you look'd upon, Or hand of man hath done; therefore I keep it Still sleep mock'd death: behold; and say, 'tis well. [Paulina undraws a curtain, and discovers a statue. I like your silence, it the more shows off Your wonder: But yet speak;-first, you, my liege. Comes it not something near? Leon. Her natural posture! Chide me, dear stone; that I may say, indeed, Pol. O, not by much. Paul. So much the more our carver's excellence; Which lets go by some sixteen years, and makes her As she liv'd now. Leon. As now she might have done, So much to my good comfort, as it is Now piercing to my soul. O, thus she stood, Even with such life of majesty, (warm life, As now it coldly stands,) when first I woo'd her! I am asham'd: Does not the stone rebuke me, For being more stone than it ?-O, royal piece, There's magic in thy majesty; which has My evils conjur'd to remembrance; and From thy admiring daughter took the spirits, Standing like stone with thee! Per. And give me leave; And do not say, 'tis superstition, that I kneel, and then implore her blessing.-Lady, Dear queen, that ended when I but began, Give me that hand of yours, to kiss. Paul. O, patience; Pol. Masterly done: The very life seems warm upon her lip. Paul. I'll draw the curtain ; My lord's almost so far transported, that Leon. O sweet Paulina, Make me to think so twenty years together; I could afflict you further. Leon. Do, Paulina; For this affliction has a taste as sweet As any cordial comfort.-Still, methinks, Paul. 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. So long could I Stand by, a looker ou. Paul. Either forbear, Quit presently the chapel; or resolve you Leon. 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. Paul. It is requir'd, You do awake your faith: Then, all stand still; Or those, that think it is unlawful business I am about, let them depart. Leon. Proceed; No foot shall stir. Paul. Music; awake her: strike.- [music. 'Tis time; descend; be stone no more; approach; Strike all that look upon with marvel. Come; I'll fill your grave up: stir; nay, come away; Bequeath to death your numbness, for from him Dear life redeems you.-You perceive, she stirs ; [Hermione comes down from the pedestal. Start not her actions shall be holy, as, You hear, my spell is lawful: do not shun her, 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 Is she become the suitor. Leon. O, she's warm! If this be magic, let it be an art Lawful as eating. Pol. She embraces him. [age, [embracing her. Cam. She hangs about his neck; If she pertain to life, let her speak too. liv'd, Or, how stolen from the dead? Thy father's court? for thou shalt hear, that I,- By us, a pair of kings.-Let's from this place.— Knowing by Paulina, that the oracle Gave hope thou wast in being,-have preserv'd Myself, to see the issue. Paul. 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." -both your What? Look upon my brother: pardons, That e'er I put between your holy looks Calchas, a Trojan Priest, taking part with the Greeks. Pandaus, Uncle to Cressida. Margarelon, a Bastard Son of Priam Agamemnon, the Grecian General Menelaus, his Brother Nestor, Diomedes, Patroclus, Grecian Commanders. Thersites, a deformed and scurrilous Grecian. Alexander, Servant to Cressida. Servant to Troilus; Servant to Paris; Servant to Diomedes Helen, Wife to Menelaus. Andromache, Wife to Hector. Cassandra, Daughter to Priam: a Prophetess. Trojan and Greek Soldiers, and Attendants. SCENE.-Troy, and the Grecian Camp before it. ACT I. SCENE I. TROY: BEFORE PRIAM'S PALACE. Enter Troilus, armed; and Pandurus. Tro. CALL here my varlet, I'll unarm again: Why should I war without the walls of Troy, That find such cruel battle here within? Each Trojan, that is master of his heart, Let him to field; Troilus, alas! hath none. Pan. Will this geer ne'er be mended? Tro. The Greeks are strong, and skilful to Fierce to their skill, and to their fierceness valiant; Pan. Well, I have told you enough of this: for my part, I'll not meddle nor make no further. He, that will have a cake out of the wheat, must tarry the grinding. Tro. Have I not tarried? Tro. Patience herself, what goddess o'er she be, Doth lesser blench at sufferance than I do. At Priam's royal table do I sit: And, when fair Cressid comes into my thoughts, So, traitor!-when she comes!-When is she thence Pan. Well, she look'd yesternight fairer than ever I saw her look, or any woman else. Tro. I was about to tell thee,-When my heart,― As wedged with a sigh, would rive in twain; Pan. An her hair were not somewhat darker than Helen's, (well, go to,) there were no more comparison between the women,-But, for my Pan. Ay, the grinding; but you must tarry part, she is my kinswoman; I would not, as they the bolting. Tro. Have I not tarried? term it, praise her, But I would somebody bad heard her talk yesterday, as I did. I will not Pan. Ay, the bolting; but you must tarry dispraise your sister Cassandra's wit; butthe leavening. Tro. Still have I tarried. Pan. Ay, to the leavening: but here's yet in the word-hereafter, the kneading the making of the cake, the heating of the oven, and the baking; nay, you must stay the cooling too, or you may chance to burn your lips. Tro. O Pandarus! I tell thee, Pandarus,— When I do tell thee, There my hopes lie drown', Reply not in how many fathoms deep They lie indrench'd. I tell thee, I am mad In Cressid's love: Thou answer'st, She is fair; Pour'st in the open ulcer of my heart Her eyes, her hair, her cheeks, her galt, her voice; Handlest in thy discourse, O, that her hand, The cygnet's down is harsh, and spirit of sense me, Tro. By whom, Æneas? Tro. Let Paris bleed: 'tis but a scar to scorn; Paris is gor'd with Menelaus' horn. [alarum. Ene. Hark! what good sport is out of town to-day! [may.-. Tro. Better at home, if would I might, were As true thou tell'st me, when I say I love her: But, to the sport abroad;—Are you bound thither? Pan. I speak no more than truth. Pan. 'Faith, I'll not meddle in't. Let her be Tro. Good Pandarus! how now, Pandarus? Pan. I have had my labour for my travel; ill-thought on of her, and ill-thought on of you: gone between and between, but small thanks for my labour. Ene. In all swift haste. SCENE II. THE SAME. A STREET. [exeunt Enter Cressida and Alexander. Tro. What, art thou angry, Pandarus? what, And to the field goes he; where every flower Pan. Because she is kin to me, therefore, she's Tro. Say I, she is not fair? Pan. I do not care whether you do or no. Sho's a fool to stay behind her father; let her to the Greeks; and so I'll tell her the next time I see her for my part, I'll meddle nor make no more in the matter. Tro. Pandarus,— Tro. Sweet Pandarus, Pan. Pray you, speak no more to me; I will leave all as I found it, and there an end. [er. Pan. ;-alarum. Fools on both sides! Helen must needs be fair, Ene. How now, prince Troilus? wherefore Tro. Because not there; this woman's answer For womanish it is to be from thence. Ene. That Paris is return'd home, and hurt. Cres. What was his cause of anger? A lord of Trojan blood, nephew to Hector; Cres. Good; and what of him? Alex. They say he is a very man per se, Cres. So do all men; unless they are drunk, sick, or have no legs. Alex. This man, lady, bath robbed many beasts of their particular additions; he is as valiant as the lion, churlish as the bear, slow as the elephant: a man, into whom nature hath so crowded humours, that his valour is crushed into folly, his folly sauced with discretion: there is no man hath a virtue, that he hath not a glimpse of; nor any man an attaint, but he carries some stain of it: he is melancholy without cause, and merry against the hair; he hath the joints of every thing; but every thing so out of joint, that he is a gouty Briareus, many hands and no use; or purblind Argus, all eyes and no sight. Cres. But how should this man, that makes me smile, make Hector angry? Alex. They say, he yesterday coped Hector in the battle, and struck him down: the disdain and shame whereof hath ever since kept Hector fasting and waking. Enter Pandarus. Cres. Who comes here? Alex. Madam, your uncle Pandarus. Alex. As may be in the world, lady. Cres. Good morrow, uncle Pandarus. Cres. This morning, uucle. |