The Winter's Tale Part 3

LEONTES. Cease; no more.

You smell this business with a sense as cold As is a dead man's nose; but I do see't and feel't As you feel doing thus; and see withal The instruments that feel.

ANTIGONUS. If it be so, We need no grave to bury honesty; There's not a grain of it the face to sweeten Of the whole dungy earth.

LEONTES. What! Lack I credit?

FIRST LORD. I had rather you did lack than I, my lord, Upon this ground; and more it would content me To have her honour true than your suspicion, Be blam'd for't how you might.

LEONTES. Why, what need we Commune with you of this, but rather follow Our forceful instigation? Our prerogative Calls not your counsels; but our natural goodness Imparts this; which, if you- or stupified Or seeming so in skill- cannot or will not Relish a truth like us, inform yourselves We need no more of your advice. The matter, The loss, the gain, the ord'ring on't, is all Properly ours.

ANTIGONUS. And I wish, my liege, You had only in your silent judgment tried it, Without more overture.

LEONTES. How could that be?

Either thou art most ignorant by age, Or thou wert born a fool. Camillo's flight, Added to their familiarity- Which was as gross as ever touch'd conjecture, That lack'd sight only, nought for approbation But only seeing, all other circ.u.mstances Made up to th' deed- doth push on this proceeding.

Yet, for a greater confirmation- For, in an act of this importance, 'twere Most piteous to be wild- I have dispatch'd in post To sacred Delphos, to Apollo's temple, Cleomenes and Dion, whom you know Of stuff'd sufficiency. Now, from the oracle They will bring all, whose spiritual counsel had, Shall stop or spur me. Have I done well?

FIRST LORD. Well done, my lord.

LEONTES. Though I am satisfied, and need no more Than what I know, yet shall the oracle Give rest to th' minds of others such as he Whose ignorant credulity will not Come up to th' truth. So have we thought it good From our free person she should be confin'd, Lest that the treachery of the two fled hence Be left her to perform. Come, follow us; We are to speak in public; for this business Will raise us all.

ANTIGONUS. [Aside] To laughter, as I take it, If the good truth were known.

Exeunt

SCENE II.

Sicilia. A prison

Enter PAULINA, a GENTLEMAN, and ATTENDANTS

PAULINA. The keeper of the prison- call to him; Let him have knowledge who I am. Exit GENTLEMAN Good lady!

No court in Europe is too good for thee; What dost thou then in prison?

Re-enter GENTLEMAN with the GAOLER

Now, good sir, You know me, do you not?

GAOLER. For a worthy lady, And one who much I honour.

PAULINA. Pray you, then, Conduct me to the Queen.

GAOLER. I may not, madam; To the contrary I have express commandment.

PAULINA. Here's ado, to lock up honesty and honour from Th' access of gentle visitors! Is't lawful, pray you, To see her women- any of them? Emilia?

GAOLER. So please you, madam, To put apart these your attendants, Shall bring Emilia forth.

PAULINA. I pray now, call her.

Withdraw yourselves. Exeunt ATTENDANTS GAOLER. And, madam, I must be present at your conference.

PAULINA. Well, be't so, prithee. Exit GAOLER Here's such ado to make no stain a stain As pa.s.ses colouring.

Re-enter GAOLER, with EMILIA

Dear gentlewoman, How fares our gracious lady?

EMILIA. As well as one so great and so forlorn May hold together. On her frights and griefs, Which never tender lady hath borne greater, She is, something before her time, deliver'd.

PAULINA. A boy?

EMILIA. A daughter, and a goodly babe, l.u.s.ty, and like to live. The Queen receives Much comfort in't; says 'My poor prisoner, I am as innocent as you.'

PAULINA. I dare be sworn.

These dangerous unsafe lunes i' th' 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 th' loud'st. We do not know How he may soften at the sight o' th' child: The silence often of pure innocence Persuades when speaking fails.

EMILIA. 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 n.o.ble offer Who but to-day hammer'd of this design, But durst not tempt a minister of honour, Lest she should be denied.

PAULINA. Tell her, Emilia, 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.

EMILIA. Now be you blest for it!

I'll to the Queen. Please you come something nearer.

GAOLER. Madam, if't please the Queen to send the babe, I know not what I shall incur to pa.s.s it, Having no warrant.

PAULINA. 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 enfranchis'd- not a party to The anger of the King, nor guilty of, If any be, the trespa.s.s of the Queen.

GAOLER. I do believe it.

PAULINA. Do not you fear. Upon mine honour, I Will stand betwixt you and danger. Exeunt

SCENE III.

Sicilia. The palace of LEONTES

Enter LEONTES, ANTIGONUS, LORDS, and SERVANTS

LEONTES. 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' th' cause, She, th' adultress; 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. Who's there?

FIRST SERVANT. My lord?

LEONTES. How does the boy?

FIRST SERVANT. He took good rest to-night; 'Tis hop'd his sickness is discharg'd.

LEONTES. To see his n.o.bleness!

Conceiving the dishonour of his mother, He straight declin'd, droop'd, took it deeply, Fasten'd and fix'd the shame on't in himself, Threw off his spirit, his appet.i.te, his sleep, And downright languish'd. Leave me solely. Go, See how he fares. [Exit SERVANT] 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.

They should not laugh if I could reach them; nor Shall she, within my pow'r.

Enter PAULINA, with a CHILD

FIRST LORD. You must not enter.

PAULINA. Nay, rather, good my lords, be second to me.

Fear you his tyrannous pa.s.sion more, alas, Than the Queen's life? A gracious innocent soul, More free than he is jealous.

ANTIGONUS. That's enough.

SECOND SERVANT. Madam, he hath not slept to-night; commanded None should come at him.

PAULINA. 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.

LEONTES. What noise there, ho?

PAULINA. No noise, my lord; but needful conference About some gossips for your Highness.

LEONTES. How!

Away with that audacious lady! Antigonus, I charg'd thee that she should not come about me; I knew she would.

ANTIGONUS. I told her so, my lord, On your displeasure's peril, and on mine, She should not visit you.

LEONTES. What, canst not rule her?

PAULINA. From all dishonesty he can: in this, Unless he take the course that you have done- Commit me for committing honour- trust it, He shall not rule me.

ANTIGONUS. La you now, you hear!

When she will take the rein, I let her run; But she'll not stumble.

PAULINA. 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.

LEONTES. Good Queen!

PAULINA. Good Queen, my lord, good Queen- I say good Queen; And would by combat make her good, so were I A man, the worst about you.

LEONTES. Force her hence.

PAULINA. Let him that makes but trifles of his eyes First hand me. On mine own accord I'll off; But first I'll do my errand. The good Queen, For she is good, hath brought you forth a daughter; Here 'tis; commends it to your blessing.

[Laying down the child]

LEONTES. Out!

A mankind witch! Hence with her, out o' door!

A most intelligencing bawd!