Act I.

SCENE I. Antechamber in LEONTES' palace.

Enter CAMILLO and ARCHIDAMUS.

Arch. If you shall chance, Camillo, to visit Bohemia, on the like occasion whereon my services are now on foot, you shall see, as I have said, great difference betwixt our Bohemia and your Sicilia.

Cam. I think, this coming summer, the King of Sicilia 5 means to pay Bohemia the visitation which he justly owes him.

Arch. Wherein our entertainment shall shame us we will be justified in our loves; for indeed--

Cam. Beseech you,-- 10

Arch. Verily, I speak it in the freedom of my knowledge: we cannot with such magnificence--in so rare--I know not what to say. We will give you sleepy drinks, that your senses, unintelligent of our insufficience, may, though they cannot praise us, as little accuse us. 15

Cam. You pay a great deal too dear for what's given freely.

Arch. Believe me, I speak as my understanding instructs me and as mine honesty puts it to utterance.

Cam. Sicilia cannot show himself over-kind to Bohemia. 20 They were trained together in their childhoods; and there rooted betwixt them then such an affection, which cannot choose but branch now. Since their more mature dignities and royal necessities made separation of their society, their encounters, though not personal, have been royally 25 attorneyed with interchange of gifts, letters, loving embassies; that they have seemed to be together, though absent; shook hands, as over a vast; and embraced, as it were, from the ends of opposed winds. The heavens continue their loves! 30

Arch. I think there is not in the world either malice or matter to alter it. You have an unspeakable comfort of your young prince Mamillius: it is a gentleman of the greatest promise that ever came into my note.

Cam. I very well agree with you in the hopes of him: 35 it is a gallant child; one that indeed physics the subject, makes old hearts fresh: they that went on crutches ere he was born desire yet their life to see him a man.

Arch. Would they else be content to die?

Cam. Yes; if there were no other excuse why they 40 should desire to live.

Arch. If the king had no son, they would desire to live on crutches till he had one. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

SCENE I. Antechamber....] Theobald. A Palace. Rowe.

Bohemia] Bithynia Hanmer (and throughout).

coming] comming F1. common F2 F3 F4.

us] us, Theobald, us; Ff.

Verily] F3 F4. Verely F1 F2.

have] F2 F3 F4. hath F1.

royally] so royally Collier (Collier MS.).

gifts] F1 F3 F4. gift F2.

vast] F1. vast sea F2 F3 F4.

loves] love Hanmer.

Mamillius] Mamillus Rowe (ed. 2).

SCENE II. A room of state in the same.

Enter LEONTES, HERMIONE, MAMILLIUS, POLIXENES, CAMILLO, and Attendants.

Pol. Nine changes of the watery star hath been The shepherd's note since we have left our throne Without a burthen: time as long again Would be fill'd up, my brother, with our thanks; And yet we should, for perpetuity, 5 Go hence in debt: and therefore, like a cipher, Yet standing in rich place, I multiply With one 'We thank you,' many thousands moe That go before it.

Leon. Stay your thanks a while; And pay them when you part.

Pol. Sir, that's to-morrow. 10 I am question'd by my fears, of what may chance Or breed upon our absence; that may blow No sneaping winds at home, to make us say 'This is put forth too truly:' besides, I have stay'd To tire your royalty.

Leon. We are tougher, brother, 15 Than you can put us to't.

Pol. No longer stay.

Leon. One seven-night longer.

Pol. Very sooth, to-morrow.

Leon. We'll part the time between's, then: and in that I'll no gainsaying.

Pol. Press me not, beseech you, so. There is no tongue that moves, none, none i' the world, 20 So soon as yours could win me: so it should now, Were there necessity in your request, although 'Twere needful I denied it. My affairs Do even drag me homeward: which to hinder Were in your love a whip to me; my stay 25 To you a charge and trouble: to save both, Farewell, our brother.

Leon. Tongue-tied our queen? speak you.

Her. I had thought, sir, to have held my peace until You had drawn oaths from him not to stay. You, sir, Charge him too coldly. Tell him, you are sure 30 All in Bohemia's well; this satisfaction The by-gone day proclaim'd: say this to him, He's beat from his best ward.

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; 35 But let him swear so, and he shall not stay, We'll thwack him hence with distaffs. Yet of your royal presence I'll adventure The borrow of a week. When at Bohemia You take my lord, I'll give him my commission 40 To let him there a month behind the gest Prefix'd for's parting: yet, good deed, Leontes, I love thee not a jar o' the clock behind What lady she her lord. You 'll stay?

Pol. No, madam.

Her. Nay, but you will?

Pol. I may not, verily. 45

Her. 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''s 50 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,' 55 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 60 Of my lord's tricks and yours when you were boys: You were pretty lordings then?

Pol. We were, fair queen, Two lads that thought there was no more behind But such a day to-morrow as to-day, And to be boy eternal.

Her. Was not my lord 65 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 changed Was innocence for innocence; we knew not The doctrine of ill-doing, nor dream'd 70 That any did. Had we pursued that life, And our weak spirits ne'er been higher rear'd With stronger blood, we should have answer'd heaven Boldly 'not guilty;' the imposition clear'd Hereditary ours.

Her. By this we gather 75 You have tripp'd since.

Pol. O my most sacred lady! Temptations have since then been born to's: for In those unfledged days was my wife a girl; Your precious self had then not cross'd the eyes Of my young play-fellow.

Her. Grace to boot! 80 Of this make no conclusion, lest you say Your queen and I are devils: yet go on; The offences we have made you do we'll answer, If you first sinn'd with us and that with us You did continue fault and that you slipp'd not 85 With any but with us.

Leon. Is he won yet?

Her. He'll stay, my lord.

Leon. At my request he would not. Hermione, my dearest, thou never spokest To better purpose.

Her. Never?

Leon. Never, but once.

Her. What! have I twice said well? when was't before? 90 I prithee tell me; cram's with praise, and make's As fat as tame things: one good deed dying tongueless Slaughters a thousand waiting upon that. Our praises are our wages: you may ride's With one soft kiss a thousand furlongs ere 95 With spur we heat an acre. But to the goal: My last good deed was to entreat his stay: What was my first? it has an elder sister, Or I mistake you: O, would her name were Grace! But once before I spoke to the purpose: when? 100 Nay, let me have't; I long.

Leon. Why, that was when 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 'I am yours for ever.'

Her. 'Tis Grace indeed. 105 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.

Leon. [Aside] Too hot, too hot! To mingle friendship far is mingling bloods. I have tremor cordis on me: my heart dances; 110 But not for joy; not joy. This entertainment May a free face put on, derive a liberty From heartiness, from bounty, fertile bosom, And well become the agent; 't may, I grant; But to be paddling palms and pinching fingers, 115 As now they are, and making practised smiles, As in a looking-glass, and then to sigh, as 'twere The mort o' the deer; O, that is entertainment My bosom likes not, nor my brows! Mamillius, Art thou my boy?

Mam. Ay, my good lord.

Leon. I' fecks! 120 Why, that's my bawcock. What, hast smutch'd thy nose? They say it is a copy out of mine. Come, captain, We must be neat; not neat, but cleanly, captain: And yet the steer, the heifer and the calf Are all call'd neat.--Still virginalling 125 Upon his palm!--How now, you wanton calf! Art thou my calf?

Mam. Yes, if you will, my lord.

Leon. Thou want'st a rough pash and the shoots that I have. To be full like me: yet they say we are Almost as like as eggs; women say so, 130 That will say any thing: but were they false As o'er-dyed 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, 135 Look on me with your welkin 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, Communicatest with dreams;--how can this be?-- 140 With what's unreal them coactive art, And fellow'st nothing: then 'tis very credent Thou mayst co-join with something; and thou dost, And that beyond commission, and I find it, And that to the infection of my brains 145 And hardening of my brows.

Pol. What means Sicilia?

Her. He something seems unsettled.

Pol. How, my lord! What cheer? how is't with you, best brother?

Her. You look As if you held a brow of much distraction: Are you moved, my lord?

Leon. No, in good earnest. 150 How sometimes nature will betray its folly, Its tenderness, and make itself a pastime To harder bosoms! Looking on the lines Of my boy's face, methoughts I did recoil Twenty-three years, and saw myself unbreech'd, 155 In my green velvet coat, my dagger muzzled, Lest it should bite its master, and so prove, As ornaments oft do, too dangerous: How like, methought, I then was to this kernel, This squash, this gentleman. Mine honest friend, 160 Will you take eggs for money?

Mam. No, my lord, I'll fight.

Leon. You will! why, happy man be's dole! My brother, Are you so fond of your young prince, as we Do seem to be of ours?

Pol. If at home, sir, 165 He's all my exercise, my mirth, my matter: Now my sworn friend, and then mine enemy; My parasite, my soldier, statesman, all: He makes a July's day short as December; And with his varying childness cures in me 170 Thoughts that would thick my blood.

Leon. So stands this squire Officed with me: we two will walk, my lord, And leave you to your graver steps. Hermione, How thou lovest us, show in our brother's welcome; Let what is dear in Sicily be cheap: 175 Next to thyself and my young rover, he's Apparent to my heart.

Her. If you would seek us, We are yours i' the garden: shall's attend you there?

Leon. To your own bents dispose you: you'll be found, Be you beneath the sky. [Aside] I am angling now, 180 Though you perceive me not how I give line. Go to, go to! How she holds up the neb, the bill to him! And arms her with the boldness of a wife To her allowing husband! [Exeunt Polixenes, Hermione, and Attendants.

Gone already! 185 Inch-thick, knee-deep, o'er head and ears a fork'd one! Go, play, boy, play: thy mother plays, and I Play too; but so disgraced a part, whose issue Will hiss me to my grave: contempt and clamour Will be my knell. Go, play, boy, play. There have been, 190 Or I am much deceived, cuckolds ere now; And many a man there is, even at this present, Now while I speak this, holds his wife by the arm, That little thinks she has been sluiced in's absence And his pond fish'd by his next neighbour, by 195 Sir Smile, his neighbour: nay, there's comfort in't Whiles other men have gates and those gates open'd, As mine, against their will. Should all despair That have revolted wives, the tenth of mankind Would hang themselves. Physic for't there is none; 200 It is a bawdy planet, that will strike Where 'tis predominant; and 'tis powerful, think it, From east, west, north and south: be it concluded, No barricado for a belly; know't; It will let in and out the enemy 205 With bag and baggage: many thousand on's Have the disease, and feel't not. How now, boy!

Mam. I am like you, they say.

Leon. Why, that's some comfort. What, Camillo there?

Cam. Ay, my good lord. 210

Leon. Go play, Mamillius; thou'rt an honest man. [Exit Mamillius.

Camillo, this great sir will yet stay longer.

Cam. You had much ado to make his anchor hold: When you cast out, it still came home.

Leon. Didst note it?

Cam. He would not stay at your petitions; made 215 His business more material.

Leon. Didst perceive it? [Aside] They're here with me already; whispering, rounding 'Sicilia is a so-forth:' 'tis far gone, When I shall gust it last. How came't, Camillo, That he did stay?

Cam. At the good queen's entreaty. 220

Leon. At the queen's be't: 'good' should be pertinent; But, so it is, it is not. Was this taken By any understanding pate but thine? For thy conceit is soaking, will draw in More than the common blocks: not noted, is't, 225 But of the finer natures? by some severals Of head-piece extraordinary? lower messes Perchance are to this business purblind? say.

Cam. Business, my lord! I think most understand Bohemia stays here longer.

Leon. Ha!

Cam. Stays here longer. 230

Leon. Ay, but why?

Cam. To satisfy your highness, and the entreaties Of our most gracious mistress.

Leon. Satisfy! The entreaties of your mistress! satisfy! Let that suffice. I have trusted thee, Camillo, 235 With all the nearest things to my heart, as well My chamber-councils; wherein, priest-like, thou Hast cleansed my bosom, I from thee departed Thy penitent reform'd: but we have been Deceived in thy integrity, deceived 240 In that which seems so.

Cam. Be it forbid, my lord!

Leon. To bide upon't, thou art not honest; or, If thou inclinest that way, thou art a coward, Which hoxes honesty behind, restraining From course required; or else thou must be counted 245 A servant grafted in my serious trust And therein negligent; or else a fool That seest a game play'd home, the rich stake drawn, And takest it all for jest.

Cam. My gracious lord, I may be negligent, foolish and fearful; 250 In every one of these no man is free, But that his negligence, his folly, fear, Among the infinite doings of the world, Sometime puts forth. In your affairs, my lord, If ever I were wilful-negligent, 255 It was my folly; if industriously I play'd the fool, it was my negligence, Not weighing well the end; if ever fearful To do a thing, where I the issue doubted, Whereof the execution did cry out 260 Against the non-performance, 'twas a fear Which oft infects the wisest: these, my lord, Are such allow'd infirmities that honesty Is never free of. But, beseech your Grace, Be plainer with me; let me know my trespass 265 By its own visage: if I then deny it, 'Tis none of mine.

Leon. Ha' not you seen, Camillo,-- But that's past doubt, you have, or your eye-glass Is thicker than a cuckold's horn,--or heard,-- For to a vision so apparent rumour 270 Cannot be mute,--or thought,--for cogitation Resides not in that man that does not think,-- My wife is slippery? If thou wilt confess, Or else be impudently negative, To have nor eyes nor ears nor thought, then say 275 My wife's a hobby-horse; deserves a name As rank as any flax-wench that puts to Before her troth-plight: say't and justify't.

Cam. I would not be a stander-by to hear My sovereign mistress clouded so, without 280 My present vengeance taken: 'shrew my heart, You never spoke what did become you less Than this; which to reiterate were sin As deep as that, though true.

Leon. Is whispering nothing? Is leaning cheek to cheek? is meeting noses? 285 Kissing with inside lip? stopping the career Of laughter with a sigh?--a note infallible Of breaking honesty;--horsing foot on foot? Skulking in corners? wishing clocks more swift? Hours, minutes? noon, midnight? and all eyes 290 Blind with the pin and web but theirs, theirs only, That would unseen be wicked? is this nothing? Why, then the world and all that's in't is nothing; The covering sky is nothing; Bohemia nothing; My wife is nothing; nor nothing have these nothings, 295 If this be nothing.

Cam. Good my lord, be cured Of this diseased opinion, and betimes; For 'tis most dangerous.

Leon. Say it be, 'tis true.

Cam. No, no, my lord.

Leon. It is; you lie, you lie: I say thou liest, Camillo, and I hate thee, 300 Pronounce thee a gross lout, a mindless slave, Or else a hovering temporizer, that Canst with thine eyes at once see good and evil, Inclining to them both: were my wife's liver Infected as her life, she would not live 305 The running of one glass.

Cam. Who does infect her?

Leon. Why, he that wears her like her medal, hanging About his neck, Bohemia: who, if I Had servants true about me, that bare eyes To see alike mine honour as their profits, 310 Their own particular thrifts, they would do that Which should undo more doing: ay, and thou, His cup-bearer,--whom I from meaner form Have bench'd and rear'd to worship, who mayst see Plainly as heaven sees earth and earth sees heaven, 315 How I am gall'd,--mightst bespice a cup, To give mine enemy a lasting wink; Which draught to me were cordial.

Cam. Sir, my lord, I could do this, and that with no rash potion, But with a lingering dram, that should not work 320 Maliciously like poison: but I cannot Believe this crack to be in my dread mistress, So sovereignly being honourable. I have loved thee,--

Leon. Make that thy question, and go rot! Dost think I am so muddy, so unsettled, 325 To appoint myself in this vexation; sully The purity and whiteness of my sheets, Which to preserve is sleep, which being spotted Is goads, thorns, nettles, tails of wasps; Give scandal to the blood o' the prince my son, 330 Who I do think is mine and love as mine, Without ripe moving to't? Would I do this? Could man so blench?

Cam. I must believe you, sir: I do; and will fetch off Bohemia for't; Provided that, when he's removed, your highness 335 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 I mine own course have set down: 340 I'll give no blemish to her honour, none.

Cam. My lord, Go then; and with a countenance as clear As friendship wears at feasts, keep with Bohemia And with your queen. I am his cup-bearer: 345 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; Do't not, thou splitt'st thine own.

Cam. I'll do't, my lord.

Leon. I will seem friendly, as thou hast advised me. 350 [Exit.

Cam. O miserable lady! But, for me, What case stand I in? I must be the poisoner Of good Polixenes: and my ground to do't Is the obedience to a master, one Who, in rebellion with himself, will have 355 All that are his so too. To do this deed, Promotion follows. If I could find example Of thousands that had struck anointed kings And flourish'd after, I'ld not do't; but since Nor brass nor stone nor parchment bears not one, 360 Let villany itself forswear't. I must Forsake the court: to do't, or no, is certain To me a break-neck. Happy star reign now! Here comes Bohemia.

Re-enter POLIXENES.

Pol. This is strange: methinks My favour here begins to warp. Not speak? 365 Good day, Camillo.

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 Loved as he loves himself: even now I met him 370 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. 375

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, And cannot say, you dare not. Good Camillo, 380 Your changed complexions are to me a mirror Which shows me mine changed too; for I must be A party in this alteration, finding Myself thus alter'd with't.

Cam. There is a sickness Which puts some of us in distemper; but 385 I cannot name the disease; and it is caught Of you that yet are well.

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,-- 390 As you are certainly a gentleman; thereto Clerk-like experienced, which no less adorns Our gentry than our parents' noble names, In whose success we are gentle,--I beseech you, If you know aught which does behove my knowledge 395 Thereof to be inform'd, imprison't 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 400 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; Which way to be prevented, if to be; 405 If not, how best to bear it.

Cam. Sir, I will tell you; Since I am charged in honour and by him That I think honourable: therefore mark my counsel, Which must be ev'n as swiftly follow'd as I mean to utter it, or both yourself and me 410 Cry lost, and so good night!

Pol. On, good Camillo.

Cam. I am appointed him to murder you.

Pol. By whom, Camillo?

Cam. By the king.

Pol. For what?

Cam. He thinks, nay, with all confidence he swears, As he had seen't, or been an instrument 415 To vice you to't, that you have touch'd his queen Forbiddenly.

Pol. O, then my best blood turn To an infected jelly and my name Be yoked with his that did betray the Best! Turn then my freshest reputation to 420 A savour that may strike the dullest nostril Where I arrive, and my approach be shunn'd, Nay, hated too, worse than the great'st infection That e'er was heard or read!

Cam. Swear his thought over By each particular star in heaven and 425 By all their influences, you may as well Forbid the sea for to obey the moon, As or by oath remove or counsel shake The fabric of his folly, whose foundation Is piled upon his faith and will continue 430 The standing of his body.

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 435 Shall bear along impawn'd, away to-night! Your followers I will whisper to the business; And will by twos and threes at several posterns, Clear them o' the city. For myself, I'll put My fortunes to your service, which are here 440 By this discovery lost. Be not uncertain; For, by the honour of my parents, I Have utter'd truth: which if you seek to prove, I dare not stand by; nor shall you be safer Than one condemn'd by the king's own mouth, thereon 445 His execution sworn.

Pol. I do believe thee: I saw his heart in's face. Give me thy hand: Be pilot to me and thy places shall Still neighbour mine. My ships are ready and My people did expect my hence departure 450 Two days ago. This jealousy Is for a precious creature: as she's rare, Must it be great; and, as his person's mighty, Must it be violent; and as he does conceive He is dishonour'd by a man which ever 455 Profess'd to him, why, his revenges must In that be made more bitter. Fear o'ershades me: Good expedition be my friend, and comfort The gracious queen, part of his theme, but nothing Of his ill-ta'en suspicion! Come, Camillo; 460 I will respect thee as a father if Thou bear'st my life off hence: let us avoid.

Cam. It is in mine authority to command The keys of all the posterns: please your highness To take the urgent hour. Come, sir, away. [Exeunt. 465

LINENOTES:

SCENE II. A room....] Capell. Scene opens to the Presence. Theobald.

Camillo] om. Theobald.

and Attendants] Theobald, om. Ff.

hath] have Capell.

moe] more Rowe.

a while] awhile Reed.

I am] I'm Pope.

absence;] absence, Ff.

truly] early Hanmer. tardily Capell.

seven-night] seve'night F1 F2 F3. sev'night F4.

beseech you, so.] 'beseech you! Hanmer. so, beseech you: Capell.

world] F1 F3 F4. would F2.

to have] to've Pope.

You had] You 'ad Theobald.

give him] give you Hanmer (Warburton).

behind] beyond Heath conj.

gest] F1 F2. guest F3 F4. just Theobald conj. geste Hanmer. list Heath conj.

good deed,] (good-deed) F1. (good-heed) F2. (good heed) F3 F4. See note (i).

lady she] lady should Collier (Egerton and Collier MSS.). lady-she Staunton.

'Verily''s] Staunton and Grant White. Verely 'is F1 F2. verily is F3 F4.

nor dream'd] F1. no nor dream'd F2 F3 F4. neither dream'd Spedding conj.

to's] to us Capell.

Grace] Oh! Grace Hanmer. God's grace S. Walker conj.

boot] both Heath conj.

lest] F4. least F1 F2 F3.

dearest] dear'st S. Walker conj.

never] ne'er Pope.

was't] 'twas Steevens (1778). was it Mason conj.

cram's ... make's] cram us ... make us Capell.

heat an acre. But to the goal;--] heat an Acre. But to th' Goale: Ff. (Goal F3 F4). heat an acre, but to th' goal. Warburton. clear an acre. But to the good: Collier (Collier MS.).

spoke] F1 F2. spake F3 F4.

purpose:] Capell. purpose? Ff.

And clap] F2} F3 F4. A clap F1. And clepe Rowe (ed. 2).

'Tis] Ff. This is Hanmer. It is Capell.

I have] I've Pope.

derive] F1. derives F2 F3 F4.

bounty, fertile bosom] bounty's fertile bosom Hanmer. bounty:--fertile become Jackson conj.

well] F1. we'l F2 F4. wee'l F3.

become] becomes Rowe (ed. 2).

't may] it may Steevens.

looking-glass] glass S. Walker conj.

Mamillius] Mamillus Rowe (ed. 2).

hast] Capell. has't Ff.

They ... captain,] As two lines in Capell, ending mine ... captain.

it is] it's Warburton. 't's Anon. conj.

but] F1. om. F2 F3 F4.

heifer] heycfer F1 F2.

pash] bush Becket conj.

full like] full, like Ff.

o'er-dyed] o're-dy'd F1 F2 F3. o're di'd F4. our dead Collier (Collier MS.), oft dyed Staunton conj.

wind] winds Rowe (ed. 2).

bourn] Capell. bourne Rowe. borne F1 F2. born F3 F4.

were] is Hanmer.

welkin eye] welking eye Rowe (ed. 2). welkin-eye Theobald.

dam?--] dam? Rowe. dam, Ff.

not so] F1. not be so F2 F3 F4. not to be so Hanmer.

held,] held? Staunton.

fellow'st] follow'st Rowe (ed. 2).

nothing] nothings Hanmer.

is't] is it Rowe (ed. 2).

best] my best Rowe (ed. 2).

Are you] Are not you Theobald. Are you not Hanmer.

earnest.] earnest, no.-- Capell.

methoughts] F4. me thoughts F1 F2 F3. my thoughts Collier (Egerton MS.), methought Staunton. See note (II).

recoil] F4. requoyle F1 F2. recoyl F3. recall Grey conj.

its] it's Ff.

ornaments ... do] Rowe. ornaments ... do's Ff (does F4). ornament ... does Capell.

do] Rowe. do's F1 F2 F3. does F4.

eggs] ayes Becket conj.

my lord] om. Hanmer.

will!] Rowe. will: Ff.

be's] be his Capell.

childness] childishness Pope.

would] F1. should F2 F3 F4.

thick] think F4.

would] will Theobald.

neb] nib Rowe (ed. 2).

in's] in his Capell

know't] know it Capell (corrected in MS.).

many ... on's] F1 F2 F3. many a ... one's F4. many a ... of's Rowe.

they] F2 F3 F4. om. F1.

What.] What? is Hanmer.

Mamillius] Mamillus Rowe (ed. 2).

SCENE III. Pope.

his anchor] the anchor Hanmer.

petitions; made] petitions made; Pope.

whispering, rounding] whisp'ring round Hanmer.

is a so-forth] is a--so forth Rann (Mason conj.). is--and so forth Malone conj. is a sea-froth Jackson conj.

is soaking] in soaking Grey conj.

Satisfy!] Satisfie? Ff. Satisfie Theobald.

I have] I've Pope.

nearest things to] Ff. things nearest Pope, nearest things to S. Walker conj.

as well] with all Hanmer. as well as Capell conj.

my lord!] Hanmer. (my Lord.) Ff. my lord. Pope. my lord-- Theobald.

hoxes] Ff. hockles Hanmer.

Among] F1. Amongst F2 F3 F4.

doings] F1. doing F2 F3 F4.

forth. In] Theobald. forth in Ff.

my lord,] Theobald. (my Lord.) Ff. my Lord. Rowe.

industriously] injuriously Hanmer.

non-performance] Ff. now-performance Heath conj.

its] it's Ff.

Ha'] Ff. Have Capell.

think] think it Theobald. think 't Hanmer. See note (III).

wilt] Ff. wilt, Rowe.

hobby-horse] Rowe (ed. 2). holy-horse Ff. hoby-horse Capell.

puts to] buts tow Jackson conj.

meeting] F4 meating F1 F2 F3. meting Thirlby conj.

noon] F1. the noon F2 F3 F4. noon-day or high noon Anon. conj.

eyes] eyes else S. Walker conj.

wife's] Rowe. wives Ff.

her medal] Rowe. her medull F1 F2 F3. her medul F4. his medal Theobald. a medal Collier MS.

bare] Theobald. bear Ff.

ay] Capell. I Ff.

gall'd] Ff. galled Steevens. gull'd Rann.

mightst] F1. thou mightst F2 F3 F4.

Sir] Sure Collier (Collier MS.).

Maliciously like] Maliciously, like F4. Maliciously, like a Rowe. Like a malicious Hanmer.

So ... honourable.] So sovereignly (being honourable) Malone conj.

I have loved thee,-- Leon. Make that ... rot!] I haue lou'd thee, Leo. Make that ... rot: F1. I have lov'd thee. Leo. Make that ... rot: F2 F3 F4. Leo. I've lov'd thee.--Make 't ... rot: Theobald. So lov'd. Leo. Make that ... rot: Hanmer. Leo. I've lov'd thee. Mark this question, and go do't Heath conj. Leo. Make that thy question, and go rot! I have lov'd thee. Capell (Tyrwhitt conj.). Leo. Have I lov'd thee? Make that ... rot. Long MS.

thorns ... tails] and thorns ... and tails Hanmer.

nettles] nettles, pismires Anon. conj.

wasps;] wasps? or would I Capell.

to't? ... this?] to't ... this? Hanmer.

man] any man Long MS.

for sealing] forsealing Anon. conj.

blemish to her] blemish t' her S. Walker conj. reading lines 341, 342 as one line.

Re-enter P.] Enter P. Ff.

SCENE IV. Pope.

My] Me F2.

Hail] Hoyle F2.

my lord] om. Hanmer.

do not] dare not Hanmer. om. Long MS.

Do you ... dare not? ... me:] do you ... dare not? ... me, Ff. You do ... dare not ... me: Hanmer. Do you ... dare not ... me? Capell.

you do] F1 F2. do you F3 F4.

with't] with it Rowe (ed. 2).

I have] F1 F4. I F2 F3. I've Pope.

are certainly a] Ff. are, certain, Capell.

thereto] om. Pope.

Clerk-like] Ff. Clerk-like, Capell.

experienced] experienc'd F1. expedienc'd F2 F3 F4.

toward] towards Rowe (ed. 2).

to be] Ff. it be Theobald.

I will] I'll Pope.

utter it] utter't S. Walker conj.

me] I Collier MS.

I am appointed him] F1 I appointed him F2 F3 F4. I am appointed Rowe. I am appointed, sir Hanmer. I am appointed by him Long MS. I appointed am Anon. MS. apud Halliwell.

To vice] To 'ntice Heath conj.

his thought] this though Theobald. this thought Id. conj.

over] over! Jackson conj.

I am] I'm Pope.

'tis] it is S. Walker conj., reading lines 431-433 as four lines, ending body ... sure ... question ... born.

by] by't Hanmer.

places] paces Malone conj.

jealousy] jealousy of his S. Walker conj.

and] Heav'n Hanmer. God Singer conj.

queen,] queen's; Warburton.

theme] theame F1 F2. theam F3 F4. dream Collier (Collier MS.).

hour. Come] hour. Pol. Come Long MS.