Act Ii.

SCENE I. A room in LEONTES' palace

Enter HERMIONE, MAMILLIUS, and Ladies.

Her. Take the boy to you: he so troubles me, 'Tis past enduring.

First Lady. Come, my gracious lord, Shall I be your play-fellow?

Mam. No, I 'll none of you.

First Lady. Why, my sweet lord?

Mam. You'll kiss me hard, and speak to me as if 5 I were a baby still. I love you better.

Sec. Lady. And why so, my lord?

Mam. Not for because Your brows are blacker; yet black brows, they say, Become some women best, so that there be not Too much hair there, but in a semicircle, 10 Or a half-moon made with a pen.

Sec. Lady. Who taught you this?

Mam. I learn d it out of women's faces. Pray now What colour are your eyebrows?

First Lady. Blue, my lord.

Mam. Nay, that's a mock: I have seen a lady's nose That has been blue, but not her eyebrows.

First Lady. Hark ye; 15 The queen your mother rounds apace: we shall Present our services to a fine new prince One of these days; and then you'ld wanton with us, If we would have you.

Sec. Lady. She is spread of late Into a goodly bulk: good time encounter her! 20

Her. What wisdom stirs amongst you? Come, sir, now I am for you again: pray you, sit by us, And tell's a tale.

Mam. Merry or sad shall't be?

Her. As merry as you will.

Mam. A sad tale's best for winter: I have one 25 Of sprites and goblins.

Her. Let's have that, good sir. Come on, sit down: come on, and do your best To fright me with your sprites; you're powerful at it.

Mam. There was a man--

Her. Nay, come, sit down; then on.

Mam. Dwelt by a churchyard: I will tell it softly; 30 Yond crickets shall not hear it.

Her. Come on, then, And give't me in mine ear.

Enter LEONTES, with ANTIGONUS, Lords, and others.

Leon. Was he met there? his train? Camillo with him?

First Lord. Behind the tuft of pines I met them; never Saw I men scour so on their way: I eyed them 35 Even to their ships.

Leon. How blest am I In my just censure, in my true opinion! Alack, for lesser knowledge! how accursed In being so blest! There may be in the cup A spider steep'd, and one may drink, depart, 40 And yet partake no venom; for his knowledge Is not infected: but if one present The abhorr'd ingredient to his eye, make known How he hath drunk, he cracks his gorge, his sides, With violent hefts. I have drunk, and seen the spider. 45 Camillo was his help in this, his pander: There is a plot against my life, my crown; All's true that is mistrusted: that false villain Whom I employ'd was pre-employ'd by him: He has discover'd my design, and I 50 Remain a pinch'd thing; yea, a very trick For them to play at will. How came the posterns So easily open?

First Lord. By his great authority; Which often hath no less prevail'd than so On your command.

Leon. I know't too well. 55 Give me the boy: I am glad you did not nurse him: Though he does bear some signs of me, yet you Have too much blood in him.

Her. What is this? sport?

Leon. Bear the boy hence; he shall not come about her; Away with him! and let her sport herself 60 With that she's big with; for 'tis Polixenes Has made thee swell thus.

Her. But I'ld say he had not, And I'll be sworn you would believe my saying, Howe'er you lean to the nayward.

Leon. You, my lords, Look on her, mark her well; be but about 65 To say 'she is a goodly lady,' and The justice of your hearts will thereto add ''Tis pity she's not honest, honourable:' Praise her but for this her without-door form, Which on my faith deserves high speech, and straight 70 The shrug, the hum or ha, these petty brands That calumny doth use; O, I am out, That mercy does, for calumny will sear Virtue itself: these shrugs, these hums and ha's, When you have said 'she's goodly,' come between 75 Ere you can say 'she's honest:' but be't known, From him that has most cause to grieve it should be, She's an adulteress.

Her. Should a villain say so, The most replenish'd villain in the world, He were as much more villain: you, my lord, 80 Do but mistake.

Leon. You have mistook, my lady, Polixenes for Leontes: O thou thing! Which I 'll not call a creature of thy place, Lest barbarism, making me the precedent, Should a like language use to all degrees 85 And mannerly distinguishment leave out Betwixt the prince and beggar: I have said She's an adulteress; I have said with whom: More, she's a traitor and Camillo is A federary with her; and one that knows, 90 What she should shame to know herself But with her most vile principal, that she's A bed-swerver, even as bad as those That vulgars give bold'st titles; ay, and privy To this their late escape.

Her. No, by my life, 95 Privy to none of this. How will this grieve you, When you shall come to clearer knowledge, that You thus have publish'd me! Gentle my lord, You scarce can right me throughly then to say You did mistake.

Leon. No; if I mistake 100 In those foundations which I build upon, The centre is not big enough to bear A school-boy's top. Away with her, to prison! He who shall speak for her is afar off guilty But that he speaks.

Her. There's some ill planet reigns: 105 I must be patient till the heavens look With an aspect more favourable. Good my lords, I am not prone to weeping, as our sex Commonly are; the want of which vain dew Perchance shall dry your pities: but I have 110 That honourable grief lodged here which burns Worse than tears drown: beseech you all, my lords, With thoughts so qualified as your charities Shall best instruct you, measure me; and so The king's will be perform'd!

Leon. Shall I be heard? 115

Her. Who is't that goes with me? Beseech your highness, My women may be with me; for you see My plight requires it. Do not weep, good fools; There is no cause: when you shall know your mistress Has deserved prison, then abound in tears 120 As I come out: this action I now go on Is for my better grace. Adieu, my lord: I never wish'd to see you sorry; now I trust I shall. My women, come; you have leave.

Leon. Go, do our bidding; hence! 125

First Lord. Beseech your highness, call the queen again.

Ant. Be certain what you do, sir, lest your justice Prove violence; in the which three great ones suffer, Yourself, your queen, your son.

First Lord. For her, my lord, I dare my life lay down and will do't, sir, 130 Please you to accept it, that the queen is spotless I' the eyes of heaven and to you; I mean, In this which you accuse her.

Ant. I fit prove She's otherwise, I'll keep my stables where I lodge my wife; I'll go in couples with her; 135 Than when I feel and see her no farther trust her; For every inch of woman in the world, Ay, every dram of woman's flesh is false, If she be.

Leon. Hold your peaces.

First Lord. Good my lord,--

Ant. It is for you we speak, not for ourselves: 140 You are abused and by some putter-on That will be damn'd for't; would I knew the villain, I would land-damn him. Be she honour-flaw'd, I have three daughters; the eldest is eleven; The second and the third, nine, and some five; 145 If this prove true, they'll pay for't: by mine honour, I'll geld 'em all; fourteen they shall not see, To bring false generations: they are co-heirs; And I had rather glib myself than they Should not produce fair issue.

Leon. Cease; no more. 150 You smell this business with a sense as cold As is a dead man's nose: but I do see't and feel't, As you feel doing thus; and see withal The instruments that feel.

Ant. I fit be so, We need no grave to bury honesty: 155 There's not a grain of it the face to sweeten Of the whole dungy earth.

Leon. What! lack I credit?

First Lord. I had rather you did lack than I, my lord, Upon this ground; and more it would content me To have her honour true than your suspicion, 160 Be blamed for't how you might.

Leon. Why, what need we Commune with you of this, but rather follow Our forceful instigation? Our prerogative Calls not your counsels, but our natural goodness Imparts this; which if you, or stupified 165 Or seeming so in skill, cannot or will not Relish a truth like us, inform yourselves We need no more of your advice: the matter, The loss, the gain, the ordering on't, is all Properly ours.

Ant. And I wish, my liege, 170 You had only in your silent judgement tried it, Without more overture.

Leon. How could that be? Either thou art most ignorant by age, Or thou wert born a fool. Camillo's flight, Added to their familiarity, 175 Which was as gross as ever touch'd conjecture, That lack'd sight only, nought for approbation But only seeing, all other circumstances Made up to the deed,--doth push on this proceeding: Yet, for a greater confirmation, 180 For in an act of this importance 'twere Most piteous to be wild, I have dispatch'd in post To sacred Delphos, to Apollo's temple, Cleomenes and Dion, whom you know Of stuff'd sufficiency: now from the oracle 185 They will bring all; whose spiritual counsel had, Shall stop or spur me. Have I done well?

First Lord. Well done, my lord.

Leon. Though I am satisfied and need no more Than what I know, yet shall the oracle 190 Give rest to the minds of others, such as he Whose ignorant credulity will not Come up to the truth. So have we thought it good From our free person she should be confined, Lest that the treachery of the two fled hence 195 Be left her to perform. Come, follow us; We are to speak in public; for this business Will raise us all.

Ant. [Aside] To laughter, as I take it, If the good truth were known. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

SCENE I. A room....] The Palace. Theobald. The Scene continues. Pope.

Enter....] Enter HERMIONE, MAMILLIUS, Ladies: LEONTES, ANTIGONUS, Lords. Ff. (Lord. F2 F3 F4).

my lord] pray, my lord Hanmer my good lord Steevens.

semicircle] cemicircle F1

Or] Like Hanmer. taught you this] Rowe. taught this F1. taught this F2 F3 F4.

are] F1. be F2 F3 F4.

you'ld] F3. you'ld F1 F2. you'l F4. you'll Rowe.

shall't] shall it Steevens.

I have ... goblins] Arranged as by Dyce; as one line in Ff.

good sir] sir Steevens.

Yond] Ff. Yon' Capell.

give't] give it Hanmer.

Enter....] Capell. Enter L., A., and Lords. Rowe. om. F1. Enter L. F2 F3 F4.

SCENE II. Pope.

First Lord] Capell (and throughout the Scene). Lord. Ff.

Even] On even Hanmer.] blest] blessed then Steevens conj.

drink, depart] drink; depart Ff. drink a part Collier MS. deep o't Staunton conj. drain if deep Jervis conj.

has] hath Rowe.

pinch'd] perch'd Jackson conj.

often hath no less prevail'd than so] hath prevailed oftentimes no less Than so Hanmer.

command] commandement S. Walker conj.

too well.] too well, too well. Anon. conj.

I am] I'm Pope.

But I'ld] F4. But Il'd F1 F2 F3. I'd but Hanmer.

honest, honourable] honest: honourable Ff. honest-honourable S. Walker conj.

does] do's Ff. doth Hanmer.

sear] fear Rowe (ed. 2).

be't] Ff. be it Steevens. it be Id. (1793), corrected in MS.

Lest] Least Ff.

and one] one Hanmer. ay, and one S. Walker conj.

shame] be asham'd Hanmer.

herself] herself with none Anon. conj.

But ... principal] omitted by Capell.

vile] Pope. vild Ff.

bed-swerver] bed-swarver Ff.

even] e'en S. Walker conj.

That vulgars] That vulgar Rowe. The vulgar Hanmer.

bold'st] bold Steevens (1793).

then to] than to Rowe (ed. 1).

No] No, no Steevens (1793).

I mistake] I do mistake Hanmer.

her, to] Ff. her to Pope.

her is] her's S. Walker conj.

afar off] F4. a farre-off F1 F2. afar-off F3. far off Pope. far of Theobald.

But] In Hanmer.

an aspect more favourable] aspect of more favour Hanmer.

you have] you've Pope.

Exit....] Theobald, om. Ff.

lest] F3 F4. least F1 F2.

my stables] my stable-stand Hanmer. my stable Rann. me stables Collier (Collier MS.), my stabler or my stablers Edd. conj.

Than] Pope (ed. 2). Then Ff. See note (v).

farther] F1. further F2 F3 F4.

abused and by] abus'd and by F1. abus'd by F2 F3 F4. abused by Rowe.

I would ... him.] And I would--damn him;-- Mitford conj.

land-damn] Land-damne F1. land-damm Hanmer. laudanum Farmer conj. lamback Collier (ed. 2) (Collier MS.), half-damn Heath conj. live-damn S. Walker conj. landan or lantam or rantan Halliwell conj. See note (vi).

nine, and some five] Theobald. nine: and some fiue F1. nine: and sonnes five F2 F3. nine: and sons five F4.

'em] F3 F4. em F1 F2. them Capell.

glib] lib Grey conj. unsib Heath conj.

but I do] I Pope.

The ... so] The instruments of that you feel. Ant. If so Heath conj.

that] I Hanmer.

her] your Rowe (ed. 2).

of] F1. for F2 F3 F4.

but] not Hanmer.

a truth] as truth Rowe (ed. 1).

lack'd] lack'd, Staunton.

I have] I haue F1. I've Hanmer.

Cleomenes] Capell. Cleomines Ff (and throughout).

Dion] F1. Deon F2 F3 F4.

me] me on Hanmer.

have we] F1 F2. we have F3 F4.

Lest] F4. Least F1 F2 F3.

SCENE II. A prison.

Enter PAULINA, a Gentleman, and Attendants.

Paul. The keeper of the prison, call to him; Let him have knowledge who I am. [Exit Gent. Good lady, No court in Europe is too good for thee; What dost thou then in prison?

Re-enter Gentleman, with the Gaoler.

Now, good sir, You know me, do you not?

Gaol. For a worthy lady 5 And one who much I honour.

Paul. Pray you, then, Conduct me to the queen.

Gaol. I may not, madam: To the contrary I have express commandment.

Paul. Here's ado, To lock up honesty and honour from 10 The access of gentle visitors! Is't lawful, pray you. To see her women? any of them? Emilia?

Gaol. So please you, madam, To put apart these your attendants, I Shall bring Emilia forth.

Paul. I pray now, call her. 15 Withdraw yourselves. [Exeunt Gentleman and Attendants.

Gaol. And, madam, I must be present at your conference.

Paul. Well, be't so, prithee. [Exit Gaoler. Here's such ado to make no stain a stain As passes colouring.

Re-enter Gaoler, with EMILIA.

Dear gentlewoman, 20 How fares our gracious lady?

Emil. As well as one so great and so forlorn May hold together: on her frights and griefs, Which never tender lady hath borne greater, She is something before her time deliver'd. 25

Paul. A boy?

Emil. A daughter; and a goodly babe, Lusty and like to live: the queen receives Much comfort in't; says 'My poor prisoner, I am innocent as you.'

Paul. I dare be sworn: These dangerous unsafe lunes i' the king, beshrew them! 30 He must be told on't, and he shall: the office Becomes a woman best; I'll take't upon me: If I prove honey-mouth'd, let my tongue blister, And never to my red-look'd anger be The trumpet any more. Pray you, Emilia, 35 Commend my best obedience to the queen: If she dares trust me with her little babe, I'll show't the king and undertake to be Her advocate to the loud'st. We do not know How he may soften at the sight o' the child: 40 The silence often of pure innocence Persuades when speaking fails.

Emil. Most worthy madam, Your honour and your goodness is so evident, That your free undertaking cannot miss A thriving issue: there is no lady living 45 So meet for this great errand. Please your ladyship To visit the next room, I'll presently Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer; Who but to-day hammer'd of this design, But durst not tempt a minister of honour, 50 Lest she should be denied.

Paul. Tell her, Emilia,

I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from't As boldness from my bosom, let't not be doubted I shall do good.

Emil. Now be you blest for it! I'll to the queen: please you, come something nearer. 55

Gaol. Madam, if't please the queen to send the babe, I know not what I shall incur to pass it, Having no warrant.

Paul. You need not fear it, sir: This child was prisoner to the womb and is By law and process of great nature thence 60 Freed and enfranchised; not a party to The anger of the king nor guilty of, If any be, the trespass of the queen.

Gaol. I do believe it.

Paul. Do not you fear: upon mine honour, I 65 Will stand betwixt you and danger. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

Scene ii.] Scene iii. Pope.

A prison.] Pope. Outer room of a prison. Capell.

Enter PAULINA....] Hanmer. Enter Paulina, a Gentleman, Gaoler, Emilia. Ff.

knowledge] the knowledge Rowe.

Re-enter....] Rowe (after do you not?), om. Ff.

So please] If it so please Hanmer.

apart] a-part F1 F2 F3. a part F4.

pray now] F1. pray you now F2 F3 F4.

your] all your Hanmer, ending the lines be ... well, well ... prithee.

Well, be't] Well; be it Rowe. Well, well; Be it Hanmer.

Here's] Here is Capell, reading lines 18-21 as three, ending ado ... colouring ... lady?

Re-enter....] Re-enter Keeper with E. Capell. Enter Emilia. F2 F3 F4. om. F1.

our] one F2.

I am] I'm Pope.

unsafe] unsane Collier (Collier MS.).

lunes] lures Becket conj.

i' the] i' th' Ff. o' the Steevens.

On't] of it Pope.

he shall] shall Rowe.

honey-mouth'd] honey-mouth Warburton.

there is] there's Hanmer.

hammer'd of] hammered of Ff. hammer'd on Hanmer.

Lest] Rowe. Least Ff.

let't] F3 F4. le't F1 F2. let it Steevens.

This child] The child Rowe.

betwixt] 'twixt Pope.

SCENE III. A room in LEONTES' palace.

Enter LEONTES, ANTIGONUS, Lords, and Servants.

Leon. Nor night nor day no rest: it is but weakness To bear the matter thus; mere weakness. If The cause were not in being,--part o' the cause, She the adulteress; for the harlot king Is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank 5 And level of my brain, plot-proof; but she I can hook to me: say that she were gone, Given to the fire, a moiety of my rest Might come to me again. Who's there?

First Serv. My lord?

Leon. How does the boy?

First Serv. He took good rest to-night; 10 'Tis hoped his sickness is discharged.

Leon. To see his nobleness! Conceiving the dishonour of his mother, He straight declined, droop'd, took it deeply, Fasten'd and fix'd the shame on't in himself, 15 Threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep, And downright languish'd. Leave me solely: go, See how he fares. [Exit Serv.] Fie, fie! no thought of him: The very thought of my revenges that way Recoil upon me: in himself too mighty, 20 And in his parties, his alliance; let him be Until a time may serve: for present vengeance, Take it on her. Camillo and Polixenes Laugh at me, make their pastime at my sorrow: They should not laugh if I could reach them, nor 25 Shall she within my power.

Enter PAULINA, with a child.

First Lord. You must not enter.

Paul. Nay, rather, good my lords, be second to me: Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas, Than the queen's life? a gracious innocent soul, More free than he is jealous.

Ant. That's enough. 30

Sec. Serv. Madam, he hath not slept to-night; commanded None should come at him.

Paul. Not so hot, good sir: I come to bring him sleep. 'Tis such as you, That creep like shadows by him and do sigh At each his needless heavings, such as you 35 Nourish the cause of his awaking: I Do come with words as medicinal as true, Honest as either, to purge him of that humour That presses him from sleep.

Leon. What noise there, ho?

Paul. No noise, my lord; but needful conference 40 About some gossips for your highness.

Leon. How! Away with that audacious lady! Antigonus, I charged thee that she should not come about me: I knew she would.

Ant. I told her so, my lord, On your displeasure's peril and on mine, 45 She should not visit you.

Leon. What, canst not rule her?

Paul. From all dishonesty he can: in this, Unless he take the course that you have done, Commit me for committing honour, trust it, He shall not rule me.

Ant. La you now, you hear: 50 When she will take the rein I let her run; But she'll not stumble.

Paul. Good my liege, I come; And, I beseech you, hear me, who professes Myself your loyal servant, your physician, Your most obedient counsellor, yet that dares 55 Less appear so in comforting your evils, Than such as most seem yours: I say, I come From your good queen.

Leon. Good queen!

Paul. Good queen, my lord, Good queen; I say good queen; And would by combat make her good, so were I 60 A man, the worst about you.

Leon. Force her hence.

Paul. Let him that makes but trifles of his eyes First hand me: on mine own accord I'll off; But first I'll do my errand. The good queen, For she is good, hath brought you forth a daughter; 65 Here 'tis; commends it to your blessing. [Laying down the child.

Leon. Out! A mankind witch! Hence with her, out o' door: A most intelligencing bawd!

Paul. Not so: I am as ignorant in that as you In so entitling me, and no less honest 70 Than you are mad; which is enough, I 'll warrant, As this world goes, to pass for honest.

Leon. Traitors! Will you not push her out? Give her the bastard. Thou dotard! thou art woman-tired, unroosted By thy dame Partlet here. Take up the bastard; 75 Take't up, I say; give't to thy crone.

Paul. For ever Unvenerable be thy hands, if thou Takest up the princess by that forced baseness Which he has put upon't!

Leon. He dreads his wife.

Paul. So I would you did; then 'twere past all doubt 80 You'ld call your children yours.

Leon. A nest of traitors!

Ant. I am none, by this good light.

Paul. Nor I; nor any But one that's here, and that's himself; for he The sacred honour of himself, his queen's, His hopeful son's, his babe's, betrays to slander, 85 Whose sting is sharper than the sword's; and will not,-- For, as the case now stands, it is a curse He cannot be compell'd to't,--once remove The root of his opinion, which is rotten As ever oak or stone was sound.

Leon. A callat 90 Of boundless tongue, who late hath beat her husband And now baits me! This brat is none of mine; It is the issue of Polixenes: Hence with it, and together with the dam Commit them to the fire!

Paul. It is yours; 95 And, might we lay the old proverb to your charge, So like you, 'tis the worse. Behold, my lords, Although the print be little, the whole matter And copy of the father, eye, nose, lip; The trick of's frown; his forehead; nay, the valley, 100 The pretty dimples of his chin and cheek; his smiles; The very mould and frame of hand, nail, finger: And thou, good goddess Nature, which hast made it So like to him that got it, if thou hast The ordering of the mind too, 'mongst all colours 105 No yellow in't, lest she suspect, as he does, Her children not her husband's!

Leon. A gross hag! And, lozel, thou art worthy to be hang'd, That wilt not stay her tongue.

Ant. Hang all the husbands That cannot do that feat, you'll leave yourself 110 Hardly one subject.

Leon. Once more, take her hence.

Paul. A most unworthy and unnatural lord Can do no more.

Leon. I'll ha' thee burnt.

Paul. I care not: It is an heretic that makes the fire, Not she which burns in't. I'll not call you tyrant; 115 But this most cruel usage of your queen-- Not able to produce more accusation Than your own weak-hinged fancy--something savours Of tyranny and will ignoble make you, Yea, scandalous to the world.

Leon. On your allegiance, 120 Out of the chamber with her! Were I a tyrant, Where were her life? she durst not call me so, If she did know me one. Away with her!

Paul. I pray you, do not push me; I'll be gone. Look to your babe, my lord; 'tis yours: Jove send her 125 A better guiding spirit! What needs these hands? You, that are thus so tender o'er his follies, Will never do him good, not one of you. So, so: farewell; we are gone. [Exit.

Leon. Thou, traitor, hast set on thy wife to this. 130 My child? away with't! Even thou, that hast A heart so tender o'er it, take it hence And see it instantly consumed with fire; Even thou and none but thou. Take it up straight: Within this hour bring me word 'tis done, 135 And by good testimony, or I'll seize thy life, With what thou else call'st thine. If thou refuse And wilt encounter with my wrath, say so; The bastard brains with these my proper hands Shall I dash out. Go, take it to the fire; 140 For thou set'st on thy wife.

Ant. I did not, sir: These lords, my noble fellows, if they please, Can clear me in't.

Lords. We can: my royal liege, He is not guilty of her coming hither.

Leon. You're liars all. 145

First Lord. Beseech your highness, give us better credit: We have always truly served you; and beseech you So to esteem of us: and on our knees we beg, As recompense of our dear services Past and to come, that you do change this purpose, 150 Which being so horrible, so bloody, must Lead on to some foul issue: we all kneel.

Leon. I am a feather for each wind that blows: Shall I live on to see this bastard kneel And call me father? better burn it now 155 Than curse it then. But be it; let it live. It shall not neither. You, sir, come you hither; You that have been so tenderly officious With Lady Margery, your midwife there, To save this bastard's life,--for 'tis a bastard, 160 So sure as this beard's grey,--what will you adventure To save this brat's life?

Ant. Any thing, my lord, That my ability may undergo, And nobleness impose: at least thus much: I'll pawn the little blood which I have left 165 To save the innocent: any thing possible.

Leon. It shall be possible. Swear by this sword Thou wilt perform my bidding.

Ant. I will, my lord.

Leon. Mark and perform it: seest thou? for the fail Of any point in't shall not only be 170 Death to thyself but to thy lewd-tongued wife, Whom for this time we pardon. We enjoin thee, As thou art liege-man to us, that thou carry This female bastard hence and that thou bear it To some remote and desert place quite out 175 Of our dominions, and that there thou leave it, Without more mercy, to its own protection And favour of the climate. As by strange fortune It came to us, I do in justice charge thee, On thy soul's peril and thy body's torture, 180 That thou commend it strangely to some place Where chance may nurse or end it. Take it up.

Ant. I swear to do this, though a present death Had been more merciful. Come on, poor babe: Some powerful spirit instruct the kites and ravens 185 To be thy nurses! Wolves and bears, they say, Casting their savageness aside have done Like offices of pity. Sir, be prosperous In more than this deed does require! And blessing Against this cruelty fight on thy side, 190 Poor thing, condemn'd to loss! [Exit with the child.

Leon. No, I'll not rear Another's issue.

Enter a Servant.

Serv. Please your highness, posts From those you sent to the oracle are come An hour since: Cleomenes and Dion, Being well arrived from Delphos, are both landed, 195 Hasting to the court.

First Lord. So please you, sir, their speed Hath been beyond account.

Leon. Twenty three days They have been absent: 'tis good speed; foretells The great Apollo suddenly will have The truth of this appear. Prepare you, lords; 200 Summon a session, that we may arraign Our most disloyal lady; for, as she hath Been publicly accused, so shall she have A just and open trial. While she lives My heart will be a burthen to me. Leave me, 205 And think upon my bidding. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

SCENE III.] SCENE IV. Pope.

A room....] Scene changes to the Palace. Theobald.

Enter ... and Servants] Enter Leontes, Servants, Paulina, Antigonus and Lords. Ff.

weakness. If] Collier. weaknesse, if Ff.

being,--] being: Ff.

arm] aim Field conj.

First Atten. [advancing] Capell. Ser. Ff. Enrer. F2. Enter. F3 F4. om. F1.

declined] declin'd upon't Capell.

deeply] most deeply Hanmer.

Recoil] Recoyle F1 F2. Recoyl F3 F4. Recoils Hanmer.

And in ... be] F1. omitted in F2 F3 F4.

And] om. Capell.

alliance;] Alliance; F1. alliances,-- Capell conj.

SCENE V. Pope.

Enter P. ... child.] Rowe. Enter P. Ff.

First Lord.] Malone. Lord. Ff.

That's enough.] Marked as aside by Capell.

Sec. Serv.] Ser. Ff. Atten. [within. Theobald. 2 A. Capell.

medicinal] med'cinal Capell.

What] F2 F3 F4. Who F1.

trust it] trust me Hanmer.

La you] La-you Ff. Lo-you Pope.

rein] Rowe. raine F1 F2. rain F3 F4.

professes] profess Rowe (ed. 2).

seem] seems Pope (ed. 2).

I say good queen] As one line in Ff.

her] it Heath conj.

good, so] Theobald, good so, Ff. good, Rowe (ed. 2).

the worst] on th' worst Hanmer (Warburton).

thou art] that art Capell.

woman-tired] woman-tyr'd F1 F2 F3. woman-tir'd F4.

thy dame] the dame Rowe (ed. 2).

thy crone] thy croane F1. the croane F2 F3. the croan F4.

forced] falsed Collier conj.

his babe's] this babe's Capell.

sound] F1. found F2 F3 F4.

them] it Capell conj.

valley] valleys Hanmer.

pretty] om. Hanmer.

of his chin] of's chin Dyce.

his smiles] omitted by Capell.

That] Thou Rowe (ed. 2).

ha' thee] have thee Steevens.

something] sometimes Rowe.

the world] all the world Pope.

Jove] God Anon. conj.

her] him Heath conj.

better guiding] better-guiding S. Walker conj.

needs] F1. neede F2. need F3 F4.

SCENE VI. Pope.

with't!] with't? Ff.

thou,] thou, thou Theobald.

what thou else call'st] all that's Hanmer, ending line 136 at seize.

set'st] sett'd'st Hanmer.

These lords] The Lords Hanmer.

Lords.] Ff. Lord. Rowe. 1. L. Capell.

First Lord.] 1. L. Capell. Lord. Ff. Lords. Rowe.

We have] We've Pope.

beseech you] Rowe. beseech' F1. beseech F2 F3 F4.

services] service Hanmer, ending line 148 at knees.

we all kneel] Lords. We all kneel Anon. conj.

feather] F1 F2 F3. father F4.

midwife] Mid-wife Ff. mild wife Rann (Capell conj.).

this] his Theobald conj. thy Collier (Egerton MS.).

at least] F1. at last F2 F3 F4.

any thing possible] what's possible Hanmer.

lewd-tongued] loud-tongued Anon. conj.

more] F1. much F2 F3 F4.

its] F3 F4. it F1 F2. See note (VII).

strangely to some] to some stranger Hanmer.

chance] F1 F2. change F3 F4.

this] his Roderick conj.

rear] F3 F4. reare F1. rare F2.

Serv.] Ff. Mes. Rowe. 2. A. Capell.

First Lord.] 1. L. Capell. Lord. Ff.

account] F4. accompt F1 F2 F3.

'tis good speed; foretells] this good speed foretels Pope.

foretells] and foretells or it foretells Keightley conj.