Leon. 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 as truth, like us; inform yourselves, We need no more of your advice: the matter, The loss, the gain, the ordering on 't, is all Properly ours. Ant. And I wish, my liege, You had only in your silent judgment tried it, Without more overture. Leon. How could that be? Either thou art most ignorant by age, Or thou wert born a fool. Camillo's flight, (Which was as gross as ever touch'd conjecture, That lack'd sight only, nought for approbation, But only seeing, all other circumstances Made up to the deed) doth push on this proceeding: Yet, for a greater confirmation, (For, in an act of this importance, 'twere To sacred Delphos, to Apollo's temple, Leon. Though I am satisfied, and need no more Come up to the 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. Ant. [Aside.] To laughter, as I take it, If the good truth were known. [Exeunt. SCENE II. The same. The outer Room of a Prison. Enter PAULINA and Attendants. Paul. The keeper of the prison, call to him; [Exit an Attendant. Let him have knowledge who I am,-Good lady! No court in Europe is too good for thee, What dost thou then in prison?-Now, good sir, Re-enter Attendant, with the Keeper. You know me, do you not? Keep. For a worthy lady, And one whom much I honour. Paul. Conduct me to the queen. Pray you, then, Keep. I may not, madam; to the contrary I have express commandment. Paul. Here's ado, To lock up honesty and honour from The access of gentle visitors!Is it lawful, Keep. So please you, madam, to put Paul. I pray now, call her. Withdraw yourselves. Кеер. [Exeunt Attend. And, madam, I must be present at your conference. Paul. Well, be it so, pr'ythee. [Exit Keeper. Here's such ado to make no stain a stain, As passes colouring. Re-enter Keeper, with EMILIA. Dear gentlewoman, how fares our gracious lady? Emil. A daughter; and a goodly babe, Lusty, and like to live: the queen receives Much comfort in 't: says, My poor prisoner, I am innocent as you. Paul. I dare be sworn: These dangerous unsafe lunes o' the king! beshrew them! He must be told on 't, and he shall: the office The trumpet any more:-'Pray you, Emilia, Emil. 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 lady-. ship 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. Paul. Tell her, Emilia, I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from it, As boldness from my bosom, let it not be doubted I shall do good. Emil. Now be you blest for it! I'll to the queen: Please you, come something nearer. Keep. Madam, if't please the queen to send the babe, I know not what I shall incur, to pass it, Paul. You need not fear it, sir: The child was prisoner to the womb; and is, Paul. Do not you fear; upon Mine honour, I will stand 'twixt you and danger. [Exeunt. SCENE III. The same. A Room in the Palace. Enter LEONTES, ANTIGONUS, Lords, and other Attendants. Leon. Nor night, nor day, no rest: It is but To bear the matter thus; mere weakness, if Leon. How does the boy? 1 Attend. My lord! [Advancing. He took good rest to-night. 'Tis hop'd his sickness is discharg'd. Leon. His nobleness! To see, Conceiving the dishonour of his mother, go, See how he fares. [Exit Attend.]-Fye, fye! no thought of him; The very thought of my revenges that way 1 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. 1 Attend. Madam, he hath not slept to-night; commanded None should come at him. Paul. 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 med'cinal as true; Honest, as either: to purge him of that humour, That presses him from sleep. Leon. What noise there, ho? Paul. No noise, my lord, but needful con ference About some gossips for your highness. Leon. How? Away with that audacious lady: Antigonus, I charg'd thee, that she should not come about me; I knew she would. I told her so, my lord, Ant. Leon. What, canst not rule her? Paul. 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. Ant. Lo you now, you hear! When she will take the rein, I let her run; But she'll not stumble. Paul. Good my liege, I come,-And, I beseech you, hear me, who profess Myself your loyal servant, your physician, Your most obedient counsellor; yet that dare Less appear so, in comforting your evils, Than such as most seem yours:-I say, I come From your good queen. Leon. Good queen! Paul. Good queen, my lord, good queen: I say, good queen; And would by combat make her good, so were I the worst about you. A man, Leon. Force her hence. Paul. Let him, that makes but trifles of his |