Cam. Sir, my Lord, I could do this; and that with no rash potion, Leon. Make't thy question, and go rot! Give scandal to the blood o'the Prince my son, Cam. I must believe you, Sir; I do; and will fetch off Bohemia for't: Provided, that when he's remov'd, your Highness Will take again your Queen, as yours at first; Even for your son's sake; and, thereby, for sealing The injury of tongues, in courts and kingdoms Known and allied to yours. Leon. Thou dost advise me, Even so as mine own course have set down: I'll give no blemish to her honour, none. Cam. My I ord, Go then; and with a countenance as clear As friendship wears at feasts, keep with Bohemia, And with your Queen: I am his cupbearer; If from me he have wholesome beverage, Account me not your servant. Leon. This is all: Do't, and thou hast the one half of my heart; Cam. I'll do't, my Lord. Leon. I will seem friendly, as thou hast advis'd me. Cam. O miserable lady! But, for me, What case stand I in? I must be the poisoner Who, in rebellion with himself, will have [Exit. Of thousands, that had struck anointed Kings, Forsake the court: to do't or no, is certain To me a break-neck. Happy star, reign now! Enter POLIXENES. Pol. This is strange! methinks, My favour here begins to warp. Not speak? Cam. Hail, most royal Sir! Pol. What is the news i'the court? Cam. None rare, my Lord. Pol. The King hath on him such a countenance, As he had lost some province, and a region, Lov'd as he loves himself: even now I met him With customary compliment: when he, Wafting his eyes to the contrary, and falling A lip of much contempt, speeds from me; and So leaves me, to consider what is breeding, That changes thus his manners. Cam. I dare not know, my Lord. Pol. How! dare not? do not. Do you know, and dare not Be intelligent to me? 'Tis thereabouts; For, to yourself, what you do know, you must; Cam. There is a sickness Which puts some of us in distemper; but Pol. How! caught of me? Make me not sighted like the basilisk: I have look'd on thousands, who have sped the better By my regard, but kill'd none so. Camillo, I beseech you, ledge Thereof to be inform'd, imprison it not In ignorant concealment. Cam. I may not answer. Pol. A sickness caught of me, and yet I well! I must be answer'd. Dost thou hear, Camillo, I conjure thee, by all the parts of man, Which honour does acknowledge, whereof the least Is not this suit of mine, that thou declare What incidency thou dost guess of harm Is creeping toward me; how far off, how near; If not, how best to bear it. Cam. Sir, I'll tell you; Since I am charg'd in honour, and by him That I think honourable: Therefore, mark my counsel; Which must be even as swiftly follow'd, as Pol. On, good Camillo. Cam. I am appointed him to murder you. Cam. By the King. Pol. For what? Cam. He thinks, nay, with all confidence he To vice you to't, - swears, that you have touch'd his Queen Pol. O, then my best blood turn To an infected jelly; and my name Be yok'd with his, that did betray the best! A savour, that may strike the dullest nostril Cam. Swear his thought over By each particular star in heaven, and Pol. How should this grow? Cam. I know not: but, I am sure, 'tis safer to Avoid what's grown, than question how 'tis born. If therefore you dare trust my honesty, That lies enclosed in this trunk, which you Have utter'd truth: which if you seek to prove, Than one condemn'd by the King's own mouth. thereon His execution sworn. Pol. I do believe thee: I saw his heart in his face. Give me thy hand; Still neighbour mine: My ships are ready, and Is for a precious creature: as she's rare, Must it be great; and, as his person's mighty, In that be made more bitter. Fear o'ershades me: I will respect thee as a father, if Thou bear'st my life off hence: Let us avoid. Cam. It is in mine authorithy, to command The keys of all the posterns: Please your Highness To take the urgent hour: come, Sir, away. [Exeunt. |