And yet we should, for perpetuity, Go hence in debt: And therefore, like a cipher, With one we-thank-you, many thousands more Leon. Stay your thanks awhile; Sir, that's to-morrow. And pay them when you part. Pol. I am question'd by my fears, of what may chance, Leon. We are tougher, brother, Than you can put us to❜t. Leon. One seven-night longer. No longer stay. Very sooth, to-morrow. Pol. Leon. We'll part the time between's then: and in that I'll no gainsaying. Pol. Press me not, 'beseech you, so; Do even drag me homeward: which to hinder, Leon. Tongue-tied, our queen? speak you. The by-gone day proclaim'd; say this to him, Leon. Well said, Hermione, Her. To tell, he longs to see his son, were strong: But let him say so then, and let him go; But let him swear so, and he shall not stay, We'll thwack him bence with distaffs. Yet of your royal presence [To Polixenes.] I'll adventure You take my lord, I'll give him my commission, Pol. Her. Nay, but you will? Pol. Her. Verily! No, madam. I may not, verily. You put me off with limber vows: But I, Though you would seek to unsphere the stars with oaths, Should yet say, Sir, no going. Verily, You shall not go; a lady's verily is As potent as a lord's. Will you go yet? Force me to keep you as a prisoner, Not like a guest; so you shall pay your fees, When you depart, and save your thanks. How say you? My prisoner? or my guest? by your dread verily, One of them you shall be. Pol. Your guest, then, madam : To be your prisoner, should import offending; Which is for me less easy to commit, Than you to punish. Her. Not your gaoler then, But your' kind hostess. Come, I'll question you Pol. And to be boy eternal. Her. Was not my lord the verier wag o'the two? Pol. We were as twinn'd lambs, that did frisk i'the sun, And bleat the one at the other: what we chang'd, Was innocence for innocence; we knew not The doctrine of ill-doing, no, nor dream'd That any did: Had we pursued that life, And our weak spirits ne'er been higher rear'd Hereditary ours. Her. By this we gather, You have tripp'd since. Her. Grace to boot! Leon. Is he won yet? Her. He'll stay, my lord. Leon. Hermione, my dearest, thou never spok'st To better purpose. Her. Leon. At my request, he would not. Never, but once. Never? Her. What? have I twice said well? when was't before? I pr'ythee, tell me: Cram as with praise, and make us As fat as tame things: One good deed, dying tongueless, Slaughters a thousand, waiting upon that. Our praises are our wages; You may ride us, My last good was, to entreat his stay; What was my first? it has an elder sister, Or I mistake you: O, would her name were Grace! Nay, let me hav't; I long. When? Why, that was when Leon. Three crabbed months had sour'd themselves to death, Ere I could make thee open thy white hand, And clap thyself my love; then didst thou utter, It is Grace, indeed. Why, lo you now, I have spoke to the purpose twice: The one for ever earn'd a royal husband; The other, for some while a friend. [Giving her Hand to Polixenes. Too hot, too hot : [Aside. Leon. Mam. Leon. I'fecks? Why, that's my bawcock. What, hast smutch'd thy nose? They say, it's a copy out of mine. Come, captain, 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. [I bave, Leon. Thou want'st a rough pash, and the shoots that To be full like me :-yet, they say, we are Almost as like as eggs; women say so, That will say any thing: But were they false As o'er-died blacks, as wind, as waters; false As dice are to be wish'd, by one that fixes No bourn 'twixt his and mine; yet were it true To say this boy were like me.-Come, sir page, Look on me with your welk in eye: Sweet villain! Most dear'st! my collop! Can thy dam?-may't be? Affection! thy intention stabs the centre: Thou dost make possible, things not so held, And fellow'st nothing? Then, 'tis very credent, And hardening of my brows. Pol. What means Sicilia? How, my lord? Her. He something seems unsettled. What cheer? how is't with you, best brother? As if you held a brow of much distraction: You look, Leon. How like, methought, I then was to this kernel, Mam. No, my lord, I'll fight. [brother, Leon. You will? why, happy man be his dole!-My Are you so fond of your young prince, as we Do seem to be of ours? Pol. |