We'll borrow place of him :-Sir, by your leave: Ang. O my dread lord, I should be guiltier than my guiltiness, When I perceive, your grace, like power divine, Hath look'd upon my passes: Then, good prince, No longer session hold upon my shame. But let my trial be mine own confession; Immediate sentence then, and sequent death, Is all the grace I beg. Duke. Come bither, Mariana : Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman? Ang. I was, my lord. Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her instantly. Do you the office, friar; which consummate, Return him here again :-Go with him, Provost. [Exeunt ANGELO, MARIANA, PETER, and PROVOST. Escal. My lord, I am more amaz'd at his disThan at the strangeness of it. [honour. Duke. Come hither, Isabel : Your friar is now your prince: As I was then Isab. Oh! give me pardon, That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd Your unknown sovereignty. Duke. You are pardon'd, Isabel : Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power, That life is better life, past fearing death, [fort, 1 Re-enter ANGELO, MARIANA, PETER, and PROVOST. Isab. I do, my lord. Duke. For this new-married man, approaching here, Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd Although by confiscation they are our's, I crave no other, nor no better man. my part: Lend me your knees, and all my life to come Duke. Against all sense you do impórtune her: Should she kneel down, in mercy of this fact, Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break, And take her bence in horror. Mari. Isabel, Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me; [Kneeling Let him not die: My brother had but justice, A His act did not o'ertake his bad intent; That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no sub- Mari. Merely, my lord. Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, Duke. What's he? Prov. His name is Barnardine. Duke. I would thou had'st done so by Claudio. Go, fetch him hither; let me look upon him. [Exit PROVOst. Escal. I am sorry, one so learned, and so wise As you, lord Angelo, have still appear'd, Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood, And lack of temper'd judgment afterward. Ang. I am sorry that such sorrow I procure : And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart, That I crave death more willingly than mercy; 'Tis my deserving, and I do intreat it. Re-enter PROVOST, BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO, and JULIET. Duke. Which is that Barnardine ? Duke. There was a friar told me of this man : Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul That apprehends no further than this world," And squar'st thy life according. Thou'rt con. demn'd; But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all; N And pray thee, take this mercy to provide For better thnes to come :-Friar, advise him; | And he shall marry her: the nuptial finish’d, I leave him to your hand.-What muffled fellow's Let him be whipp'd and hang'd. that? Prov. This is another prisoner, that I sav'd, That should have died when Claudio lost vis head; As like almost to Claudio, as himself. Lucio. I beseech your highness, do not many me to a whore; Your highness said even now, 1 made you a duke: good my lord, do not recom› pense me, in making me a cuckold. Duke. Upon mine honour, thou shalt mary ber. [Unmufles CLAUDIO. Is he pardon'd: And, for your lovely sake, One all of luxury,+ an ass, a madman ; slanders I forgive; and therewithal Remit thy other forfeits: -Take him to prison: And see our pleasure berein executed. Lucio. Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, whipping, and banging. Duke. Sland'ring a prince deserves it.— store. Joy to you, Mariana!-love her, Angelo: ness : There's more behind, that is more gratulate.4 Lucio. 'Faith, my lord, I spoke it but accord-Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home ing to the trick: If you will hang me for it, you may, but I had rather it would please you, í might be whipp'd. Duke. Whipp'd first, Sir, and hang'd after.— The head of Ragozine for Claudio's: So, bring us to our palace; where we'll show WINTER'S TALE. LITERARY AND HISTORICAL NOTICE. TO the story-book, or Pleasant History (as it is called) of Dorastus and Pawnia, written by Robert Greene, M.A ) we are indebted for Shakspeare's Winter's Tale. The parts of Antigonus, Paulina, and Autolycus, are of the poet's own invention; and many circumstances of the novel are omitted in the drama. Mr. Walpole ranks it among the historic plays of Shakspeare, and says it was certainly presented, (in compliment to Queen Elizabeth) as an indirect apology for her mother, Anne Boleyn; the unreasonable jealousy and violent conduct of Leontes, forming a true portrait of Henry VIII. who generally made the law the engine of his pass" sions. Several passages, it must be confessed, strongly favour this plausible conjecture, and seem to apply to the real history much closer than to the fable. But Malone and Sir William Blackstone refer to other passages, which would strengthen a contrary opinion; to one, in particular, which could scarcely be in. tended for the ear of her, who had put the Queen of Scots to death. It was, however, probably written immediately upon Elizabeth's death; nor could it fail of being very agreeable to James her successor. Ant inattention to dramatic rules, so common with Shakspeare, is perhaps more glaringly apparent in this than" in any other of his productions; and Pope and Dryden have made it the subject of some ill-advised censure. But had Shakspeare been acquainted with these rules, (which he certainly was not,) the exquisite talent displayed in his writings, is a sufficient apology for the freedom with which he has set them aside. Hi inexhaustible genius was not to be restrained, nor the restless disposition of an English audience to be gratified, by a close and reverent adherence to the classical unities of the stage. Hence such a breach in time and probability, as producing, at a rustic festival, a lovely woman, fit to be married, who but a few minutes before, had been deposited on the sea-shore, an infant in swaddling clothes. Hence the celerity with which seas are crossed, countries traversed, battles fought, and marriages accomplished. The Winter's Tale, however, with all its contradictions---with a mean fable, extravagantly conducted---is scarcely inferior to any of Shakspeare's plays. It contains much excellent sentiment, several strongly-marked characters, and a tissue of events fully justifying the title ;---for a jumble of improbable incidents, some merry and some sad, is the Jegitimate feature of a Christmas story. Still it must be observed, that though the origin and progress of jealousy are always unaccountable, the sudden transition of Leontes from a state of perfect friendship and affection to that of hatred and vindictive rage, is not accompanied by any apparent circumstances to render it probable or natural. Paulina's character is novel, and very pleasingly imagined; and Hermione's defence is not less beautiful and pathetic than its prototype in Henry VIII. Autolycus, the king of beggars and of pedlars, is one of the most arch and amusing scoundrels ever designed by our poet. His songs are all exceedingly spirited. An old Shepherd, reputed jather of Perdita. HERMIONE, Queen to Leontes. PERDITA, Daughter to Leontes and Hermione. Two other Ladies, EMILIA, a Lady MOPSA, Attending the Queen. Shepherdesses. Lords, Ladies, and Attendants; Satyrs for a dance. Shepherds, Shepherdesses, Guards, &c. SCENE--sometimes in Sicilia; sometimes in Bohemia. ACT I. SCENE 1.-Sicilia.-An Antechamber in Enter CAMILLO and ARCHIDAMUS. have said, great difference betwixt our Bohemia, and your Sicilia. Cam. I think, this coming summer, the king of Sicilia means to pay Bonemia the visitation which he justly owes him. Arch. Wherein our entertainment shall shame us, we will be justified in our loves: for, in deed, Cam. 'Beseech you,- Arch. Verily, I speak it in the freedom of my knowledge: we cannot with such martificence in so rare-I know not what to say. We will give you sleepy drinks; that your senses, unintelligent of our insufficience, may, though they cannot praise us, as little accuse us. Cun. You pay a great deal too dear, for what's given freely. Arch. Believe me, I speak as my understanding instructs me, and as mine honesty puts it to utterance. To you a charge and trouble: to save both, Leon. Tongue-tied, our queen? speak you. You bad drawn oaths from him, not to stay. Charge him too coldly: Tell him, you are sure, Leon. Well said, Hermione. strong: But let him say so then, and let him go; Cam. Sicilia cannos show himself over-kind to Bohemia. They were trained together in their childhoods; and there rooted betwixt them then such an affection, which cannot choose but branch now. Since their more mature dignities, and royal necessities, made separation of their society, their encounters, though not personal, have been royally attornied, with interchange of gifts, letters, loving embassies; that they have The borrow of a week. When at Bobenia seemed to be together, though absent; shook You take my lord, I'll give him my commisbands, as over a vast ; and embraced, as it were, sion, from the ends of opposed winds. The heavens continue their loves! Arch. I think, there is not in the world either malice, or matter, to alter it. You have an un-I speakable comfort of your young prince Mamillius; it is a gentleman of the greatest promise, that ever came into my note. Cam. I very well agree with you in the hopes of him it is a gallant child; one that, indeed, physics the subject, I makes old hearts fresh: they, that went on crutches ere he was born, desire yet their life, to see him a man. Arch. Would they else be content to die? Cam. Yes; if there were no other excuse why they should desire to live. Arch. If the king had no son, they would desire to live on crutches till he had one. [Exeunt. SCENE II-The same.-A Room of state in the Palace. Enter LEONTES, POLIXENES, HERMIONE, MA- Go hence in debt: And therefore, like a cipher, Leon. Stay your thanks awhile; Pol. Sir, that's to-morrow. I am question'd by my fears, of what may Or breed upon our absence: That may blow Leon. We are tougher, brother, Than you can put us to't. Pol. No longer stay. Leon. One seven-night longer. [stay'd Leon. We'll part the time between's then: and in that I'll no gain-saying. Pol. Press me not, 'beseech you, so; There is no tongue that moves, none, none i'the Do even drag me homeward: which to hinder, To let him there a month, behind the gest Prefix'd for his parting; yet, good decil, ↑ Leontes, love thee not a jar o'the clock behind Her. Nay, but you will? You put me off with limber § vows: But I, Should yet say, Sir, no going. Verily, Pol. Your guest then, madam: To be your prisoner, should import offending; Her. Not your jailer then, But your kind hostess. Come, I'll question you You were pretty lordings then. Two lads, that thought there was no more be hind, But such a day to-morrow as to-day, Her. Was not my lord the verier wag othe Pol. We were as twinn'd lambs, that did frisk i'the sun, And bleat the one at the other: what we chang'd, Boldly, Not guilty; the imposition clear'd, Her. By this we gather, Pol. O my most sacred lady, Temptations have since then been born to us: Her. Grace to boot! $ Nipping Setting aside original tin. + Flimsy. Leon. Is he won yet? Her. He'll stay, my lord. Leon. At my request, he would not. Hermione, my dearest, thou never spok'st To better purpose. Her. Never ? Leon. Never, but once, Her. What have I twice said well? when was't before? I pr'ythee, tell me : Cram us with praise, and make us As fat as tame things: One good deed, dying tongueless, Slanghters a thousand, waiting upon that. But once before I spoke to the purpose: When? Leon. Why, that was when Three crabbed mouths bad sour'd themselves to death, Ere I could make thee open thy white hand, And clap thyself my love; then didst thou utter, I am your's for ever. Her. It is Grace, indeed.[twice: Why, lo you now, I have spoke to the purpose The one for ever earn'd a royal husband; The other, for some while a friend. (Giving her hand to POLIXENES. Leon. Too hot, too hot: [Aside. To mingle friendship far, is mingling bloods. I have tremor cordis on me my heart dances; Bat not for joy,-not joy.-This entertainment May a free face put on; derive a liberty From heartiness, from bounty, fertile bosom, And well become the agent; it may, I grant: But to be paddling paltns, and pinching fingers, As now they are; and making practis'd smiles, As in a looking-glass ;-and then to sigh, as "twere The mort o'the deer; + Ob! that is entertain ment My bosom likes not, nor my brows.-Mamillius, Mam. Ay, my good lord. Why that's my bawcock. What, hast smutch'd thy nose ? They say, it's a copy out of mine. Come, captain, We must be neat; not neat, but cleanly, captain: And yet the steer, the heifer, and the calf, «Are all call'd, neat.-Still virginalling [Observing POLIXENES and HERMIONE. Upon his palm -How now, you wanton calf? Art thou my calf? Mam. Yes, if you will, my lord. D1 Leon. Thou want'st a rough pash, and the sboots that I have, || 1 To be full like me :-yet, they say, we are true Most dear'st ! my collop!-Can thy dam!— may't be? Affection! thy intention stabs the centre : With what's unreal thon coactive art, And fellow'st nothing: Then, 'tis very credent, Thou may'st co-join with something; and thou dost; (And that beyond commission; and I find it,) Pol. What means Sicilia ? Her. He something seems unsettled. What cheer? how is't with you, best brother ? As if you held a brow of much distraction: Leon. No, in good earnest.- Will you take eggs for money? ↑ will be my knell.-Go, play, boy, play;-There have been, Or I am much deceiv'd, cuckolds ere now; • Credible. + Peacod. 黑 Will you be eajo.ed. May his share of life be a happy one. Heir apparent, next claimant. Mouth. Approving. tt A horned one. |