pity, yet it is necessary. An old sheep-whistling rogue, a ram-tender, to offer to have his daughter come into grace! Some say, he shall be stoned; but that death is too soft for him, say I Draw our throne into a sheep-cote! all deaths are too few, the sharpest too easy. Clo. Has the old man e'er a son, sir, do you hear, an't like you, sir? Leon. If, one by one, you wedded all the world, Paul. Aut. He has a son, who shall be flayed alive; then, 'nointed over with honey, set on the head of a wasps' nest; then stand, till he be three quarters and a dram dead: then recovered again with aquavitæ, or some other hot infusion: then, raw as he is, and in the hottest day prognostication proclaims, shall be set against a brick-wall, the sun looking with a southward eye upon him; where he is to beIf you would not so, hold him, with flies blown to death. But what talk You pity not the state, nor the remembrance we of these traitorly rascals, whose miseries are to Of his most sovereign dame; consider little, be smiled at, their offences being so capital? Tell What dangers, by his highness' fail of issue, me, (for you seem to be honest plain men,) what you May drop upon his kingdom, and devour have to the king: being something gently considered, Incertain lookers-on. What were more holy, I'll bring you where he is aboard, tender your per-Than to rejoice, the former queen is well? sons to his presence, whisper him in your behalfs; What holier, than,-for royalty's repair, and, if it be in man, besides the king, to effect your For present comfort and for future good,suits, here is man shall do it. To bless the bed of majesty again With a sweet fellow to't?" Clo. He seems to be of great authority; close with him, give him gold; and though authority be a stubborn bear, yet he is oft led by the nose with gold: show the inside of your purse to the outside of his hand, and no more ado: Remember stoned, and flayed alive. Paul. There is none worthy, Shep. An't please you, sir, to undertake the busi-That king Leontes shall not have an heir, Aut. After I have done what I promised? Aut. Well, give me the moiety :-Are you a party in this business? Clo. In some sort, sir: but though my case be a pitiful one, I hope I shall not be flayed out of it. Aut, O, that's the case of the shepherd's son :Hang him, he'll be made an example, Clo. Comfort, good comfort: we must to the king, and show our strange sights; he must know, 'tis none of your daughter, nor my sister; we are gone else. Sir, I will give you as much as this old man does, when the business is performed; and remain. as he says, your pawn, till it be brought you. Aut. I will trust you. Walk before toward the sea-side; go on the right hand; I will but look upon the hedge, and follow you. Clo. We are blessed in this man, as I may say, even blessed. Shep. Let's before, as he bids us: he was provided to do us good. [Exeunt Shep, and Clown. Aut. If I had a mind to be honest, I see, fortune would not suffer me; she drops booties in my mouth. I am courted now with a double occasion; gold, and a means to do the prince my master good; which, who knows how that may turn back to my advance ment? I will bring these two moles, these blind ones, aboard him if he think it fit to shore them again, and that the complaint they have to the king concerns him nothing, let him call me rogue, for being so far officious; for I am proof against that title, and what else shame belongs to it: To him will I present them, there may be matter in it. [Exit. ACT V. SCENE I. Sicilia. A Room in the Palace of Enter Leontes, Cleomenes, Dion, Paulina, and others. Cleo. Sir, you have done enough, and have per- A saint-like sorrow no fault could you make, Leon. Whilst I remember My blemishes in them; and so still think of True, too true, my lord: Till bis lost child be found? which, that it shall, Leon. Good Paulina,- And left them She had just cause. Leon. Never, Paulina; so be bless'd my spirit! As like Hermione, as is her picture, Cleo. Paul. Good madam, I have done. Leon. That Shall be, when your first queen's again in breath; His princess, say you, with him? Gent. Ay; the most peerless piece of earth, I think, That e'er the sun shone bright on. Paul. O Hermione, As every present time doth boast itself Pardon, madam : Of who she but bid follow. Yourself, assisted with your honour'd friends, Paul. Leon. Re-enter Cleomenes, with Florizel, Perdita, Your mother was most true to wedlock, prince; By his command Flo. The lands and waters 'twixt your throne and his Leon. O, my brother, Of my behind-hand slackness! Welcome hither, She came from Libya. Leon. Good my lord, Where the warlike Smalus, That noble honour'd lord, is fear'd, and lov'd? Lord. Most noble sir, That, which I shall report, will bear no credit, Were not the proof so nigh. Please you, great sir, Desires you to attach his son; who has Bohemia greets you from himself, by me: (His dignity and duty both cast off,) Fled from his father, from his hopes, and with Leon. Where's Bohemia ? speak. Lord. Here in the city; I now came from him. I speak amazedly; and it becomes My marvel, and my message. To your court Flo. Lord. Leon. He's with the king your father. Per. O, my poor father! The heaven sets spies upon us, will not have Our contract celebrated. Will come on very slowly. I am sorry, Most sorry, you have broken from his liking, Flo. Which he couats but a trifle. Paul. Sir, my liege, Your eye hath too much youth in't: not a month 'Fore your queen died, she was more worth such gazes Than what you look on now. Leon. I thought of her, Even in these looks I made.-But your petition [To Florizel. Is yet unanswer'd I will to your father; Your honour not o'erthrown by your desires, I am a friend to them, and you: upon which errand SCENE II. The same. Before the Palace. relation ? 1 Gent. I was by at the opening of the fardel, heard the old shepherd deliver the manuer how he found it: whereupon, after a little amazedness, we were all commanded out of the chamber; only this, methought I heard the shepherd say, he found the child. Aut. I would most gladly know the issue of it. Here comes a gentleman, that, happily, knows more : would pin her to her heart, that she might no more be in danger of losing. 1 Gent. The dignity of this act was worth the audience of kings and princes; for by such was it acted. 3 Gent. One of the prettiest touches of all, and that which angled for mine eyes, (caught the water, though not the fish,) was, when at the relation of the queen's death, with the manner how she came to it, (bravely confessed, and lamented by the king,) how attentiveness wounded his daughter: till, from one sign of dolour to another, she did, with an alas! I would fain say, bleed tears; for, I am sure, my heart wept blood. Who was most marble there, changed colour; some swooned, all sorrowed: if all the world could have seen it, the woe had been universal. 1 Gent. Are they returned to the court? 3 Gent. No: the princess hearing of her mother's statue, which is in the keeping of Paulina,-a piece many years in doing, and now newly performed by that rare Italian master, Julio Romano; who, had he himself eternity, and could put breath into his work, would beguile Nature of her custom, so perfectly he is her ape: he so near to Hermione bath done Hermione, that, they say, one would speak to her, and stand in hope of answer: thither, with all greediness of affection are they gone; and there they intend to sup. 2 Gent. I thought, she had some great matter there in hand; for she hath privately, twice or thrice a day, ever since the death of Hermione, visited that 2 Gent. Nothing but bonfires: The oracle is ful-removed house. Shall we thither, and with our comfilled; the king's daughter is found: such a deal of wonder is broken out within this hour, that bailadmakers cannot be able to express it. Enter a third Gentleman. Here comes the lady Paulina's steward; he can deliver you more. How goes it now, sir? this news, which is called true, is so like an old tale, that the verity of it is in strong suspicion: Has the king found his heir? pany piece the rejoicing? 1 Gent. Who would be thence, that has the benefit of access every wink of an eye, some new grace will be born; our absence makes us unthrifty to our knowledge. Let's along. [Exeunt Gentlemen. Aut. Now, had I not the dash of my former life in me, would preferment drop on my head. I brought the old man and his son aboard the prince; told him, I heard him talk of a fardel, and I know not what but he at that time, over-fond of the shepherd's 3 Gent. Most true; if ever truth were pregnant by daughter, (so he then took her to be,) who began to circumstance that, which you hear, you'll swear you be much sea-sick, and himself little better, extremity see, there is such unity in the proofs. The mantle of of weather continuing, this mystery remained undisqueen Hermione :-her jewel about the neck of it:-covered. But 'tis all one to me for had I been the the letters of Antigonus, found with it, which they finder-out of this secret, it would not have relished know to be his character:-the majesty of the crea- among my other discredits. ture, in resemblance of the mother;-the affection of nobleness, which nature shows above her breeding,and many other evidences, proclaim her, with all certainty, to be the king's daughter. Did you see the meeting of the two kings? 2 Gent. No. 3 Gent. Then have you lost a sight which was to be seen, cannot be spoken of. There might you have beheld one joy crown another; so, and in such manner, that, it seemed, sorrow wept to take leave of them; for their joy waded in tears. There was casting up of eyes, holding up of hands; with countenance of such distraction, that they were to be known by garment, not by favour. Our king, being ready to leap out of himself for joy of his found daughter; as if that joy were now become a loss, cries, O, thy mother, thy mother! then asks Bohemia forgiveness; then embraces his son-in-law; then again worries he his daughter, with clipping her; now he thanks the old shepherd, which stands by, like a weather-bitten conduit of many kings' reigns. I never heard of such another encounter, which lames report to follow it, and undoes description to do it. 2 Gent. What, pray you, became of Antigonus, that carried hence the child? 3 Gent. Like an old tale still; which will have matter to rehearse, though credit be asleep, and not an ear open: He was torn to pieces with a bear: this avouches the shepherd's son; who has not only his innocence (which seems much,) to justify him, but a handkerchief, and rings, of his, that Paulina knows. 1 Gent. What became of his bark, and his followers? 3 Gent. Wrecked, the same instant of their master's death; and in the view of the shepherd: so that all the instruments, which aided to expose the child, were even then lost, when it was found. But, O, the noble combat, that, 'twixt joy and sorrow, was fought in Paulina! She had one eye declined for the loss of her husband; another elevated that the oracle was fulfilled: She lifted the princess from the earth; and so locks her in embracing, as if she Enter Shepherd and Clown. Here come those I have done good to against my will, and already appearing in the blossoms of their fortune. Shep. Come, boy; I am past more children; but thy sons and daughters will be all gentlemen born. Clo. You are well met, sir: You denied to tight with me this other day, because I was no gentleman born: See you these clothes? say, you see them not, and think me still no gentleman born: you were best say, these robes are not gentlemen born. Give me the lie; do; and try whether I am not now a gentleman born. Aut. I know, you are now, sir, a gentleman born. Clo. Ay, and have been so any time these four hours. Shep. And so have I, boy. Clo. So you have:-but I was a gentleman born before my father: for the king's son took me by the hand, aud cailed me, brother; and then the two kings called my father, brother; and then the prince, my brother, and the princess, my sister, called my father, father; and so we wept: and there was the first gentleman-like tears that ever we shed. Shep. We may live, son, to shed many more. Clo. Ay; or else 'twere hard luck, being in so preposterous estate as we are. Aut. I humbly beseech you, sir, to pardon me all the faults I have committed to your worship, and to give me your good report to the prince my master. Shep. Pr'ythee, son, do; for we must be gentle, now we are gentlemen. Clo. Thou wilt amend thy life? Aut. Ay, an it like your good worship. Clo. Not swear it, now I am a gentleman? Let boors and franklins say it, I'll swear it. Shep. How if it be false, son? Clo. If it be ne'er so false, a true gentleman may swear it, in the behalf of his friend :-And I'll swear to the prince, thou art a tall fellow of thy hands, and that thou wilt not be drunk; but I know, thou art no tall fellow of thy hands, and that thou wilt be drunk; but I'll swear it and I would, thou wouldst be a tall fellow of thy hands. Aut. I will prove so, sir, to my power. Clo. Ay, by any means prove a tall fellow: If I do not wonder, how thou darest venture to be drunk, not being a tall fellow, trust me not.-Hark! the kings and the princes, our kindred, are going to see the queen's picture. Come, follow us: we'll be thy good masters. [Exeunt. SCENE III. I did not well, I meant well: All my services, Leon. O Paulina, That which my daughter came to look upon, Paul. Or hand of man hath done; therefore I keep it I like your silence, it the more shows off Leon. Her natural postare! Chide me, dear stone; that I may say, indeed, Thou art Hermione: or, rather, thou art she, In thy not chiding; for she was as tender, As infancy, and grace. But yet, Paulina, Hermione was not so much wrinkled; nothing So aged, as this seems. Pol. O, not by much. Paul. So much the more our carver's excellence; Which lets go by some sixteen years, and makes her As she liv'd now. Leon. As now it coldly stands,) when first I woo'd her! Per. And give me leave; And do not say, 'tis superstition, that I kneel, and then implore her blessing.-Lady, Dear queen, that ended when I but began, Give me that hand of yours, to kiss. Paul. O, patience, The statue is but newly fix'd, the colour's Not dry. Leon. Let be, let be. Would I were dead, but that methinks already-- Do, Paulina ; Paul. Good my lord, forbear; The ruddiness upon her lip is wet; You'll mar it, if you kiss it; stain your own With oily painting: Shall I draw the curtain? Leon. No, not these twenty years. Per. Stand by, a looker on. Paul." So long could I Either forbear, Paul. Music; awake her: strike-[ Music. 'Tis time; descend; be stone no more: approach; Strike all that look upon with marvel. Come; I'll fill your grave up: stir; nay, come away; Bequeath to death your numbness, for from him Dear life redeems you. You perceive, she stirs : [Hermione comes down from the Pedestal. Start not her actions shall be holy, as, You hear, my spell is lawful: do not shun her, Until you see her die again; for then You kill her double: Nay, present your hand: When she was young, you woo'd her; now, in age, Is she become the suitor. Cam. She hangs about his neck; If she pertain to life, let her speak too. Pol. Ay, and make't manifest where she has liv'd, 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, And pray your mother's blessing.-Turn, good lady; Cam. My lord, your sorrow was too sore laid on; Our Perdita is found. Which sixteen winters cannot blow away, So many summers, dry: scarce any joy Did ever so long live; no sorrow, And take her by the hand: whose worth, and honesty, By us, a pair of kings. Let's from this place.-- Comedy of Errors. Solinus, Duke of Ephesus. Dromio of Ephesus, Angelo, a Goldsmith. DRAMATIS PERSONE. A Merchant, Friend to Antipholus of Syracuse. Twin Brothers, and Sons to ACT 1. Gaoler, Officers, and other Attendants. SCENE, Ephesus. SCENE 1. A Hall in the Duke's Palace. Enter Duke, Ægeon, Gaoler, Officers, and other Attendants. Age. PROCEED, Solinus, to procure my fall, Duke. Merchant of Syracusa, plead no more; Sprung from the rancorous outrage of your duke Had made provision for her following me, Of such a burden, male twins, both alike: A league from Epidamnum had we sail'd, Have seal'd his rigorous statutes with their bloods,We came aboard: If any, born at Ephesus, be seen His goods confiscate to the duke's dispose: Unto a woman, happy but for me, From whom my absence was not six months old, A doubtful warrant of immediate death; Which, though myself would gladly have embrac'd, But ere they came,-0, let me say no more! Duke. Nay, forward, old man, do not break off so ; For we may pity, though not pardon thee. Ege. O, had the gods done so, I had not now Worthily term'd them merciless to us! |