Leon. Let be, let be. Would I were dead, but that methinks already- Would you not deem it breathed? and that those veins Pol. Masterly done: The very life seems warm upon her lip. Leon. The fixure of her eye has motion in't As we are mock'd with art. Paul. I'll draw the curtain; My lord's almost so far transported, that Leon. O sweet Paulina, Make me to think so twenty years together; The pleasure of that madness. Let't alone. Paul. I am sorry, Sir, I have thus far stirr'd you: but I could afflict you further. Leon. Do, Paulina; For this affliction has a taste as sweet As any cordial comfort.-Still, methinks, There is an air comes from her: What fine chisel Could ever yet cut breath? Let no man mock me, Paul. Good my lord, forbear: The ruddiness upon her lip is wet; You'll mar it, if you kiss it; stain your own Per. So long could I Stand by, a looker on. Paul. Either forbear, Quit presently the chapel; or resolve you For more amazement: If you can behold it, I'll make the statue move indeed; descend, And take you by the hand: but then you'll think (Which I protest against) I am assisted By wicked powers. Leon. What you can make her do, I am content to look on: what to speak, I am content to hear; for 'tis as easy To make her speak, as move. Paul. It is required, You do awake your faith: Then, all stand still; I am about, let them depart. Leon. Proceed; No foot shall stir. Paul. Music; awake her: strike. "Tis time; descend; be stone no more: approach; Strike all that look upon with marvel. Come; *As if. [Music. I'll fill your grave up: stir; nay, come away; [HERMIONE comes down from the pedestal. Start not her actions shall be holy, as, : You hear, my spell is lawful: do not shun her, You kill her double: Nay, present your hand: When she was young, you woo'd her; now, in age, Leon. O, she's warm! If this be magic, let it be an art Lawful as eating. Pol. She embraces him. Cam. She hangs about his neck; If she pertain to life, let her speak too. [Embracing her. Pol. Ay, and make't manifest where she has lived, Or, how stol'n from the dead? Paul. That she is living, Were it but told you, should be hooted at Like an old tale; but it appears she lives, Though yet she speak not. Mark a little while Please you to interpose, fair Madam; kneel, [Presenting PERDITA, who kneels to HERMIONE. Her. You gods, look down, And from your secret vials pour your graces Upon my daughter's head !-Tell me, mine own, Where hast thou been preserved? where lived? how found Thy father's court ? for thou shalt hear, that I,— Knowing by Paulina, that the oracle Gave hope thou wast in being,-have preserved Paul. There's time enough for that; Lest they desire, upon this push to trouble Will wing me to some wither'd bough; and there Lament till I am lost! Leon. O peace, Paulina; Thou shouldst a husband take by my consent, As I by thine, a wife: this is a match, And made between's by vows. Thou hast found mine; But how, is to be question'd: for I saw her, As I thought, dead; and have, in vain, said many A prayer upon her grave; I'll not seek far * Participate. And take her by the hand: whose worth, and honesty, By us, a pair of kings.-Let's from this place.- And son unto the king (whom heavens directing), [Exeunt. A MERCHANT, Friend to Antipho- JAILER, OFFICERS, and other Atlus of Syracuse. tendants. SCENE.-Ephesus АСТ І. SCENE I-A Hall in the DUKE's Palace. Enter DUKE, ÆGEON, Jailer, Officer, and other Attendants. Ege. Proceed, Solinus, to procure my fall, And, by the doom of death, end woes and all. I am not partial, to infringe our laws: The enmity and discord, which of late Sprung from the rancorous outrage of your duke Have seal'd his rigorous statutes with their bloods,- * Name of a coin. To admit no traffic to our adverse towns: Nay, more, If any, born at Ephesus, be seen At any Syracusan marts* and fairs, Come to the bay of Ephesus, he dies, To quit the penalty, and to ransom him. Ege. Yet this my comfort; when your words are done, Ege. A heavier task could not have been imposed, Yet, that the world may witness, that my end From whom my absence was not six months old, And, which was strange, the one so like the other, Of such a burden, male twins, both alike: A league from Epidamnum had we sail'd, * Markets. + Natural affection. |