Reference: 2C2v - Comedies, p. [304]
Scœna Tertia.
[Act 5, Scene 3]
Enter Leontes, Polixenes, Florizell,
Perdita, Camillo,
Paulina: Hermione (like a Statue:) Lords, &c.
Leo.
O graue and good
That I haue had of thee?
Paul.
What (Soueraigne Sir)
I did not well, I meant well: all my Seruices
You haue pay’d home. But that you haue vouchsaf’d
(With your Crown’d Brother, and these your contracted
Heires of your Kingdomes) my poore House to visit;
It is a surplus of your Grace, which neuer
My life may last to answere.
Leo.
O
We honor you with trouble: but we came
To see the Statue of our Queene. Your Gallerie
Haue we pass’d through, not without much content
In many singularities; but we saw not
That which my Daughter came to looke vpon,
The Statue of her Mother.
Paul.
As she liu’d peerelesse,
So her dead likenesse I doe well beleeue
Excells what euer yet you look’d vpon,
Or hand of Man hath done: therefore I keepe it
Louely, apart. But here it is: prepare
To see the Life as liuely mock’d, as euer
Still Sleepe mock’d Death: behold, and say 'tis well.
I like your silence, it the more shewes‑off
Your wonder: but yet speake, first you (my Liege)
Comes it not something neere?
Leo.
Her naturall Posture.
Chide me (deare Stone) that I may say indeed
Thou art
In thy not chiding: for she was as tender
As Infancie, and Grace. But yet (
So aged as this seems.
Pol.
Paul.
So much the more our Caruers excellence,
Which lets goe‑by some sixteene yeeres, and makes her
As she liu’d now.
Leo.
As now she might haue done,
So much to my good comfort, as it is
Now piercing to my Soule. Oh, thus she stood,
Euen with such Life of Maiestie (warme Life,
As now it coldly stands) when first I woo’d her.
I am asham’d: Do’s not the Stone rebuke me,
For being more Stone then it? Oh Royall Peece:
There’s Magick in thy Maiestie, which ha’s
My Euils coniur’d to remembrance; and
From thy admiring Daughter tooke the Spirits,
Standing like Stone with thee.
Perd.
And giue me leaue,
And doe not say 'tis Superstition, that
I kneele, and then implore her Blessing. Lady,
Deere Queene, that ended when I but began,
Giue me that hand of yours, to kisse.
Paul.
O, patience:
The Statue is but newly fix’d; the Colour’s
Not dry.
Cam.
My Lord, your Sorrow was too sore lay’d‑on,
Which sixteene Winters cannot blow away,
So many Summers dry: scarce any Ioy
Did euer so long liue; no Sorrow,
But kill’d it selfe much sooner.
Pol.
Deere my Brother,
Let him, that was the cause of this, haue powre
To take‑off so much griefe from you, as he
Will peece vp in himself.
Paul.
Indeed my Lord,
If I had thought the sight of my poore Image
Would thus haue wrought you (for the Stone is mine)
Il’d not haue shew’d it.
Leo.
Paul.
Leo.
Let be, let be:
Would I were dead, but that me thinkes alreadie.
(What was he that did make it?) See (my Lord)
Would you not deeme it breath’d? and that those veines
Did verily beare blood?
Pol.
'Masterly done:
The very Life seemes warme vpon her Lippe.
Leo.
The fixure of her Eye ha’s motion in’t,
As we are mock’d with Art.
Paul.
Ile draw the Curtaine:
My Lord’s almost so farre transported, that
Hee’le thinke anon it liues.
Leo.
Oh sweet
Make me to thinke so twentie yeeres together:
No setled Sences of the World can match
The pleasure of that madnesse. Let’t alone.
Paul.
I am sorry (Sir) I haue thus farre stir’d you: but
I could afflict you farther.
Leo.
Doe
For this Affliction ha’s a taste as sweet
As any Cordiall comfort. Still me thinks
There is an ayre comes from her. What fine Chizzell
Could euer yet cut breath? Let no man mock me,
For I will kisse her.
Paul.
Good my Lord, forbeare:
The ruddinesse vpon her Lippe, is wet:
You’le marre it, if you kisse it; stayne your owne
With Oyly Painting: shall I draw the Curtaine.
Leo.
Perd.
So long could I
Stand‑by, a looker‑on.
Paul.
Either forbeare,
Quit presently the Chappell, or resolue you
For more amazement: if you can behold it,
Ile make the Statue moue indeed; descend,
And take you by the hand: but then you’le thinke
(Which I protest against) I am assisted
By wicked Powers.
Leo.
What you can make her doe,
I am content to looke on: what to speake,
I am content to heare: for 'tis as easie
To make her speake, as moue.
Paul.
It is requir’d
You doe awake your Faith: then, all stand still:
On: those that thinke it is vnlawfull Businesse
I am about, let them depart.
Leo.
Proceed:
No foot shall stire.
Paul.
Musick; awake her: Strike:
'Tis time: descend: be Stone no more: approach:
Strike all that looke vpon with meruaile: Come:
Ile fill your Graue vp: stirre: nay, come away:
Bequeath to Death your numnesse: (for from him,
Deare Life redeemes you) you perceiue she stirres:
Start not: her Actions shall be holy, as
You heare my Spell is lawfull: doe not shun her,
Vntill you see her dye againe; 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?
Leo.
Oh, she’s warme:
If this be Magick, let it be an Art
Lawfull as Eating.
Pol.
Cam.
She hangs about his necke,
If she pertaine to life, let her speake too.
Pol.
I, and make it manifest where she ha’s liu’d,
Or how stolne from the dead?
Paul.
That she is liuing,
Were it but told you, should be hooted at
Like an old Tale: but it appeares she liues,
Though yet she speake not. Marke a little while:
Please you to interpose (faire Madam) kneele,
And pray your Mothers blessing: turne good Lady,
Our
Her.
You Gods looke downe,
And from your sacred Viols poure your graces
Vpon my daughters head: Tell me (mine owne)
Where hast thou bin preseru’d? Where liu’d? How found
Thy Fathers Court? For thou shalt heare that I
Knowing by
Gaue hope thou wast in being, haue preseru’d
My selfe, to see the yssue.
Paul.
There’s time enough for that,
Least they desire (vpon this push) to trouble
Your ioyes, with like Relation. Go together
You precious winners all: your exultation
Partake to euery one: I (an old Turtle)
Will wing me to some wither’d bough, and there
My Mate (that’s neuer to be found againe)
Lament, till I am lost.
Leo.
O peace
Thou shouldst a husband take by my consent,
As I by thine a Wife. This is a Match,
And made betweene’s by Vowes. Thou hast found mine,
But how, is to be question’d: for I saw her
(As I thought) dead: and haue (in vaine) said many
A prayer vpon her graue. Ile not seeke farre
(For him, I partly know his minde) to finde thee
An honourable husband. Come
And take her by the hand: whose worth, and honesty
Is richly noted: and heere iustified
By Vs, a paire of Kings. Let’s from this place.
What? looke vpon my Brother: both your pardons,
That ere I put betweene your holy looks
My ill suspition: This your Son‑in‑law,
And Sonne vnto the King, whom heauens directing
Is troth‑plight to your daughter. Good
Leade vs from hence, where we may leisurely
Each one demand, and answere to his part
Perform’d in this wide gap of Time, since first
We were disseuer’d: Hastily lead away.
Exeunt.
Paulina: Hermione (like a Statue:) Lords, &c.
[3135]
Paulina, the great comfort
[3140]
Paulina,
[3145]
[3150]
[3155]
[3160]
Hermione; or rather, thou art she,
[3165]
Paulina)
Hermionewas not so much wrinckled, nothing
Oh, not by much.
[3170]
[3175]
[3180]
[3185]
[3190]
[3195]
[3200]
Doe not draw the Curtaine.
[3205]
No longer shall you gaze on’t, least your Fancie
May thinke anon, it moues.
[3210]
[3215]
Paulina,
[3220]
[3225]
Paulina:
[3230]
[3235]
No: not these twentie yeeres.
[3240]
[3245]
[3250]
[3255]
[3260]
[3265]
[3270]
She embraces him.
[3275]
[3280]
Perditais found.
[3285]
Paulina, that the Oracle
[3290]
[3295]
Paulina:
[3300]
[3305]
Camillo,
[3310]
Paulina,
[3315]
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="3">
<head rend="center">Scœna Tertia.</head>
<head type="supplied">[Act 5, Scene 3]</head>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Leontes, Polixenes, Florizell, Perdita, Camillo,
<lb/>Paulina: Hermione (like a Statue:) Lords, &c.</stage>
<sp who="#F-wt-leo">
<speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
<l n="3135">O graue and good<hi rend="italic">Paulina</hi>, the great comfort</l>
<l n="3136">That I haue had of thee?</l>
</sp>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0322-0.jpg" n="302"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Paul.</speaker>
<l n="3137">What (Soueraigne Sir)</l>
<l n="3138">I did not well, I meant well: all my Seruices</l>
<l n="3139">You haue pay’d home. But that you haue vouchsaf’d</l>
<l n="3140">(With your Crown’d Brother, and these your contracted</l>
<l n="3141">Heires of your Kingdomes) my poore House to visit;</l>
<l n="3142">It is a surplus of your Grace, which neuer</l>
<l n="3143">My life may last to answere.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-leo">
<speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
<l n="3144">O<hi rend="italic">Paulina</hi>,</l>
<l n="3145">We honor you with trouble: but we came</l>
<l n="3146">To see the Statue of our Queene. Your Gallerie</l>
<l n="3147">Haue we pass’d through, not without much content</l>
<l n="3148">In many singularities; but we saw not</l>
<l n="3149">That which my Daughter came to looke vpon,</l>
<l n="3150">The Statue of her Mother.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Paul.</speaker>
<l n="3151">As she liu’d peerelesse,</l>
<l n="3152">So her dead likenesse I doe well beleeue</l>
<l n="3153">Excells what euer yet you look’d vpon,</l>
<l n="3154">Or hand of Man hath done: therefore I keepe it</l>
<l n="3155">Louely, apart. But here it is: prepare</l>
<l n="3156">To see the Life as liuely mock’d, as euer</l>
<l n="3157">Still Sleepe mock’d Death: behold, and say 'tis well.</l>
<l n="3158">I like your silence, it the more shewes‑off</l>
<l n="3159">Your wonder: but yet speake, first you (my Liege)</l>
<l n="3160">Comes it not something neere?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-leo">
<speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
<l n="3161">Her naturall Posture.</l>
<l n="3162">Chide me (deare Stone) that I may say indeed</l>
<l n="3163">Thou art<hi rend="italic">Hermione</hi>; or rather, thou art she,</l>
<l n="3164">In thy not chiding: for she was as tender</l>
<l n="3165">As Infancie, and Grace. But yet (<hi rend="italic">Paulina</hi>)</l>
<l n="3166">
<hi rend="italic">Hermione</hi>was not so much wrinckled, nothing</l>
<l n="3167">So aged as this seems.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pol">
<speaker rend="italic">Pol.</speaker>
<p n="3168">Oh, not by much.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Paul.</speaker>
<l n="3169">So much the more our Caruers excellence,</l>
<l n="3170">Which lets goe‑by some sixteene yeeres, and makes her</l>
<l n="3171">As she liu’d now.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-leo">
<speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
<l n="3172">As now she might haue done,</l>
<l n="3173">So much to my good comfort, as it is</l>
<l n="3174">Now piercing to my Soule. Oh, thus she stood,</l>
<l n="3175">Euen with such Life of Maiestie (warme Life,</l>
<l n="3176">As now it coldly stands) when first I woo’d her.</l>
<l n="3177">I am asham’d: Do’s not the Stone rebuke me,</l>
<l n="3178">For being more Stone then it? Oh Royall Peece:</l>
<l n="3179">There’s Magick in thy Maiestie, which ha’s</l>
<l n="3180">My Euils coniur’d to remembrance; and</l>
<l n="3181">From thy admiring Daughter tooke the Spirits,</l>
<l n="3182">Standing like Stone with thee.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-per">
<speaker rend="italic">Perd.</speaker>
<l n="3183">And giue me leaue,</l>
<l n="3184">And doe not say 'tis Superstition, that</l>
<l n="3185">I kneele, and then implore her Blessing. Lady,</l>
<l n="3186">Deere Queene, that ended when I but began,</l>
<l n="3187">Giue me that hand of yours, to kisse.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Paul.</speaker>
<l n="3188">O, patience:</l>
<l n="3189">The Statue is but newly fix’d; the Colour’s</l>
<l n="3190">Not dry.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-cam">
<speaker rend="italic">Cam.</speaker>
<l n="3191">My Lord, your Sorrow was too sore lay’d‑on,</l>
<l n="3192">Which sixteene Winters cannot blow away,</l>
<l n="3193">So many Summers dry: scarce any Ioy</l>
<l n="3194">Did euer so long liue; no Sorrow,</l>
<l n="3195">But kill’d it selfe much sooner.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pol">
<speaker rend="italic">Pol.</speaker>
<l n="3196">Deere my Brother,</l>
<l n="3197">Let him, that was the cause of this, haue powre</l>
<l n="3198">To take‑off so much griefe from you, as he</l>
<l n="3199">Will peece vp in himself.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Paul.</speaker>
<l n="3200">Indeed my Lord,</l>
<l n="3201">If I had thought the sight of my poore Image</l>
<l n="3202">Would thus haue wrought you (for the Stone is mine)</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="3203">Il’d not haue shew’d it.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-leo">
<speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
<p n="3204">Doe not draw the Curtaine.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Paul.</speaker>
<p n="3205">No longer shall you gaze on’t, least your Fancie
<lb n="3206"/>May thinke anon, it moues.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-leo">
<speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
<l n="3207">Let be, let be:</l>
<l n="3208">Would I were dead, but that me thinkes alreadie.</l>
<l n="3209">(What was he that did make it?) See (my Lord)</l>
<l n="3210">Would you not deeme it breath’d? and that those veines</l>
<l n="3211">Did verily beare blood?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pol">
<speaker rend="italic">Pol.</speaker>
<l n="3212">'Masterly done:</l>
<l n="3213">The very Life seemes warme vpon her Lippe.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-leo">
<speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
<l n="3214">The fixure of her Eye ha’s motion in’t,</l>
<l n="3215">As we are mock’d with Art.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Paul.</speaker>
<l n="3216">Ile draw the Curtaine:</l>
<l n="3217">My Lord’s almost so farre transported, that</l>
<l n="3218">Hee’le thinke anon it liues.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-leo">
<speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
<l n="3219">Oh sweet<hi rend="italic">Paulina</hi>,</l>
<l n="3220">Make me to thinke so twentie yeeres together:</l>
<l n="3221">No setled Sences of the World can match</l>
<l n="3222">The pleasure of that madnesse. Let’t alone.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Paul.</speaker>
<l n="3223">I am sorry (Sir) I haue thus farre stir’d you: but</l>
<l n="3224">I could afflict you farther.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-leo">
<speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
<l n="3225">Doe<hi rend="italic">Paulina</hi>:</l>
<l n="3226">For this Affliction ha’s a taste as sweet</l>
<l n="3227">As any Cordiall comfort. Still me thinks</l>
<l n="3228">There is an ayre comes from her. What fine Chizzell</l>
<l n="3229">Could euer yet cut breath? Let no man mock me,</l>
<l n="3230">For I will kisse her.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Paul.</speaker>
<l n="3231">Good my Lord, forbeare:</l>
<l n="3232">The ruddinesse vpon her Lippe, is wet:</l>
<l n="3233">You’le marre it, if you kisse it; stayne your owne</l>
<l n="3234">With Oyly Painting: shall I draw the Curtaine.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-leo">
<speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
<p n="3235">No: not these twentie yeeres.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-per">
<speaker rend="italic">Perd.</speaker>
<l n="3236">So long could I</l>
<l n="3237">Stand‑by, a looker‑on.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Paul.</speaker>
<l n="3238">Either forbeare,</l>
<l n="3239">Quit presently the Chappell, or resolue you</l>
<l n="3240">For more amazement: if you can behold it,</l>
<l n="3241">Ile make the Statue moue indeed; descend,</l>
<l n="3242">And take you by the hand: but then you’le thinke</l>
<l n="3243">(Which I protest against) I am assisted</l>
<l n="3244">By wicked Powers.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-leo">
<speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
<l n="3245">What you can make her doe,</l>
<l n="3246">I am content to looke on: what to speake,</l>
<l n="3247">I am content to heare: for 'tis as easie</l>
<l n="3248">To make her speake, as moue.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Paul.</speaker>
<l n="3249">It is requir’d</l>
<l n="3250">You doe awake your Faith: then, all stand still:</l>
<l n="3251">On: those that thinke it is vnlawfull Businesse</l>
<l n="3252">I am about, let them depart.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-leo">
<speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
<l n="3253">Proceed:</l>
<l n="3254">No foot shall stire.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Paul.</speaker>
<l n="3255">Musick; awake her: Strike:</l>
<l n="3256">'Tis time: descend: be Stone no more: approach:</l>
<l n="3257">Strike all that looke vpon with meruaile: Come:</l>
<l n="3258">Ile fill your Graue vp: stirre: nay, come away:</l>
<l n="3259">Bequeath to Death your numnesse: (for from him,</l>
<l n="3260">Deare Life redeemes you) you perceiue she stirres:</l>
<l n="3261">Start not: her Actions shall be holy, as</l>
<l n="3262">You heare my Spell is lawfull: doe not shun her,</l>
<l n="3263">Vntill you see her dye againe; for then</l>
<l n="3264">You kill her double: Nay, present your Hand:</l>
<l n="3265">When she was young, you woo’d her: now, in age,</l>
<l n="3266">Is she become the Suitor?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-leo">
<speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
<l n="3267">Oh, she’s warme:</l>
<l n="3268">If this be Magick, let it be an Art</l>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0323-0.jpg" n="303"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<l n="3269">Lawfull as Eating.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pol">
<speaker rend="italic">Pol.</speaker>
<p n="3270">She embraces him.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-cam">
<speaker rend="italic">Cam.</speaker>
<l n="3271">She hangs about his necke,</l>
<l n="3272">If she pertaine to life, let her speake too.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pol">
<speaker rend="italic">Pol.</speaker>
<l n="3273">I, and make it manifest where she ha’s liu’d,</l>
<l n="3274">Or how stolne from the dead?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Paul.</speaker>
<l n="3275">That she is liuing,</l>
<l n="3276">Were it but told you, should be hooted at</l>
<l n="3277">Like an old Tale: but it appeares she liues,</l>
<l n="3278">Though yet she speake not. Marke a little while:</l>
<l n="3279">Please you to interpose (faire Madam) kneele,</l>
<l n="3280">And pray your Mothers blessing: turne good Lady,</l>
<l n="3281">Our<hi rend="italic">Perdita</hi>is found.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="3282">You Gods looke downe,</l>
<l n="3283">And from your sacred Viols poure your graces</l>
<l n="3284">Vpon my daughters head: Tell me (mine owne)</l>
<l n="3285">Where hast thou bin preseru’d? Where liu’d? How found</l>
<l n="3286">Thy Fathers Court? For thou shalt heare that I</l>
<l n="3287">Knowing by<hi rend="italic">Paulina</hi>, that the Oracle</l>
<l n="3288">Gaue hope thou wast in being, haue preseru’d</l>
<l n="3289">My selfe, to see the yssue.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Paul.</speaker>
<l n="3290">There’s time enough for that,</l>
<l n="3291">Least they desire (vpon this push) to trouble</l>
<l n="3292">Your ioyes, with like Relation. Go together</l>
<l n="3293">You precious winners all: your exultation</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="3294">Partake to euery one: I (an old Turtle)</l>
<l n="3295">Will wing me to some wither’d bough, and there</l>
<l n="3296">My Mate (that’s neuer to be found againe)</l>
<l n="3297">Lament, till I am lost.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-leo">
<speaker rend="italic">Leo.</speaker>
<l n="3298">O peace<hi rend="italic">Paulina</hi>:</l>
<l n="3299">Thou shouldst a husband take by my consent,</l>
<l n="3300">As I by thine a Wife. This is a Match,</l>
<l n="3301">And made betweene’s by Vowes. Thou hast found mine,</l>
<l n="3302">But how, is to be question’d: for I saw her</l>
<l n="3303">(As I thought) dead: and haue (in vaine) said many</l>
<l n="3304">A prayer vpon her graue. Ile not seeke farre</l>
<l n="3305">(For him, I partly know his minde) to finde thee</l>
<l n="3306">An honourable husband. Come<hi rend="italic">Camillo</hi>,</l>
<l n="3307">And take her by the hand: whose worth, and honesty</l>
<l n="3308">Is richly noted: and heere iustified</l>
<l n="3309">By Vs, a paire of Kings. Let’s from this place.</l>
<l n="3310">What? looke vpon my Brother: both your pardons,</l>
<l n="3311">That ere I put betweene your holy looks</l>
<l n="3312">My ill suspition: This your Son‑in‑law,</l>
<l n="3313">And Sonne vnto the King, whom heauens directing</l>
<l n="3314">Is troth‑plight to your daughter. Good<hi rend="italic">Paulina</hi>,</l>
<l n="3315">Leade vs from hence, where we may leisurely</l>
<l n="3316">Each one demand, and answere to his part</l>
<l n="3317">Perform’d in this wide gap of Time, since first</l>
<l n="3318">We were disseuer’d: Hastily lead away.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
</div>