He cannot be compell'd to't,) once remove Leon. A callat,1 Of boundless tongue: who late hath beat her hus band, And now baits me!-This brat is none of mine; Hence with it; and, together with the dam, Paul. It is yours; And, might we lay the old proverb to your charge, So like you, 'tis the worse.-Behold, my lords, Although the print be little, the whole matter And copy of the father: eye, nose, lip, The trick of his frown, his forehead; nay, the valley, The pretty dimples of his chin, and cheek; his smiles; The very mould and frame of hand, nail, finger: :-- The ordering of the mind too, 'mongst all colours Leon. And, lozel,3 thou art worthy to be hang'd, That wilt not stay her tongue. Ant. A gross hag! Hang all the husbands Once more, take her hence. That cannot do that feat, you'll leave yourself Paul. A most unworthy and unnatural lord Can do no more. Leon. Paul. I'll have thee burn'd. It is a heretic, that makes the fire, I care not: Not she, which burns in't. I'll not call you tyrant; (2) The colour of jealousy. (1) Trull. But this most cruel usage of your queen (Not able to produce more accusation Than your own weak-hing'd fancy,) something savours Of tyranny, and will ignoble make you, Leon. Paul. I pray you, do not push me; I'll be gone. Look to your babe, my lord; 'tis yours: Jove send her A better guiding spirit!-What need these hands?You that are thus so tender o'er his follies, Will never do him good, not one of you. [Exit. Leon. Thou, traitor, hast set on thy wife to this.My child? away with't!-even thou, that hast A heart so tender o'er it, take it hence, And see it instantly consum'd with fire; Even thou, and none but thou. Take it up straight: For thou sett'st on thy wife. Ant. I did not, sir: These lords, my noble fellows, if they please, Can clear me in't. 1 Lord. We can; my royal liege, He is not guilty of her coming hither. Leon. You are liars all. 1 Lord. 'Beseech your highness, give us better credit: We have always truly serv'd you; and beseech So to esteem of us: And on our knees we beg (As recompense of our dear services, Past, and to come,) that you do change this pur pose; Which, being so horrible, so bloody, must Leon. I am a feather for each wind that blows:- It shall not neither.-You, sir, come you hither; [To Antigonus. You, that have been so tenderly officious venture To save this brat's life? Ant. Any thing, my lord, And nobleness impose: at least, thus much; Ant. I will, my lord. Leon. Mark, and perform it; (seest thou?) for the fail Of any point in't shall not only be Death to thyself, but to thy lewd-tongu'd wife; This female bastard hence; and that thou bear it (1) It was anciently a practice to swear by the cross at the hilt of a sword. That thou commend it strangely to some place,' Where chance may nurse, or end it: Take it up. Ant. I swear to do this, though a present death Had been more merciful.-Come on, poor babe : Some powerful spirit instruct the kites and ravens, To be thy nurses! Wolves, and bears, they say, Casting their savageness aside, have done Like offices of pity.-Sir, be prosperous In more than this deed doth require! and blessing, Poor thing, condemn'd to loss! [Ex. with the child. Another's issue. 1 Atten. Please your highness, posts, From those you sent to the oracle, are come An hour since: Cleomenes and Dion, Being well arriv'd from Delphos, are both landed, Hasting to the court. 1 Lord. So please you, sir, their speed Hath been beyond account. Leon. Twenty-three days They have been absent: 'Tis good speed; foretels, The great Apollo suddenly will have 'The truth of this appear. Prepare you, lords; Leave me; ACT III. SCENE 1-The same. A street in some Town. Enter Cleomenes and Dion. Cleo. The climate's delicate; the air most sweet; (1) i. e. Commit it to some place as a stranger. Fertile the isle; the temple much surpassing The common praise it bears. Dion. I shall report, For most it caught me, the celestial habits (Methinks, I so should term them,) and the reve rence Of the grave wearers. O, the sacrifice! C'co. But, of all, the burst Dion. Cleo. I little like. Dion. The violent carriage of it Will clear, or end the business: When the oracle, (Thus by Apollo's great divine seal'd up,) Shall the contents discover, something rare, Even then will rush to knowledge. horses ; And gracious be the issue! -Go, fresh SCENE II.-The same. A court of justice. Leontes, Lords, and Officers, appear properly seated. Leon. This sessions (to our great grief, we pro nounce,) Even pushes 'gainst our heart: The party tried, The daughter of a king; our wife; and one of us too much belov'd.-Let us be clear'd (1) i. e. Our journey has recompensed us the time we spent in it. |