The Winters Tale.I would Land‑damne him: be she honor‑flaw’d,I haue three daughters: the eldest is eleuen;The second, and the third, nine: and some fiue:
[750]
If this proue true, they’l pay for’t. By mine HonorIle gell’d em all: fourteene they shall not seeTo bring false generations: they are co‑heyres,And I had rather glib my selfe, then theyShould not produce faire issue.Leo.
[755]
Cease, no more:You smell this businesse with a sence as coldAs is a dead‑mans nose: but I do see’t, and feel’t,As you feele doing thus: and see withallThe Instruments that feele.Antig.
[760]
If it be so,We neede no graue to burie honesty,There’s not a graine of it, the face to sweetenOf the whole dungy‑earth.Leo.
What? lacke I credit?
Lord.
[765]
I had rather you did lacke then I (my Lord)Vpon this ground: and more it would content meTo haue her Honor true, then your suspitionBe blam’d for’t how you might.Leo.Why what neede we
[770]
Commune with you of this? but rather followOur forcefull instigation? Our prerogatiueCals not your Counsailes, but our naturall goodnesseImparts this: which, if you, or stupified,Or seeming so, in skill, cannot, or will not
[775]
Rellish a truth, like vs: informe your selues,We neede no more of your aduice: the matter,The losse, the gaine, the ord’ring on’t,Is all properly oursAntig.And I wish (my Liege)
[780]
You had onely in your silent iudgement tride it,Without more ouerture.Leo.How could that be?Either thou art most ignorant by age,Or thou wer’t borne a foole:
Camillo’s flight
[785]
Added to their Familiarity(Which was as grosse, as euer touch’d coniecture,That lack’d sight onely, nought for approbationBut onely seeing, all other circumstancesMade vp to’th deed) doth push‑on this proceeding.
[790]
Yet, for a greater confirmation(For in an Acte of this importance, 'twereMost pitteous to be wilde) I hane dispatch’d in post,To sacred
Delphos, to
Appollo’s Temple,
Cleomines and
Dion, whom you
know
[795]
Of stuff’d‑sufficiency: Now, from the OracleThey will bring all, whose spirituall counsaile hadShall stop, or spurre me. Haue I done well?Lord.
Well done (my Lord.)
Leo.Though I am satisfide, and neede no more
[800]
Then what I know, yet shall the OracleGiue rest to th’mindes of others; such as heWhose ignorant credulitie, will notCome vp to th’truth. So haue we thought it goodFrom our free person, she should be confinde,
[805]
Least that the treachery of the two, fled hence,Be left her to performe. Come follow vs,We are to speake in publique: for this businesseWill raise vs all.Antig.To laughter, as I take it,
Scena Secunda.
[Act 2, Scene 2]
Enter Paulina, a Gentleman, Gaoler,
Emilia.
Paul.The Keeper of the prison, call to him:Let him haue knowledge who I am. Good Lady,No Court in Europe is too good for thee,What dost thou then in prison? Now good Sir,
[815]
You know me, do you not?Gao.For a worthy Lady,And one, who much I honour.Pau.Pray you then,Conduct me to the Queene.Gao.
[820]
I may not (Madam)To the contrary I haue expresse commandment.Pau.Here’s a‑do, to locke vp honesty & honour fromTh’accesse of gentle visitors. Is’t lawfull pray youTo see her Women? Any of them?
Emilia?
Gao.
[825]
So please you (Madam)To put a‑part these your attendants, IShall bring
Emilia forth.
Pau.I pray now call her:With‑draw your selues.Gao.
[830]
And Madam,
I must be present at your Conference.
Pau.Well: be’t so: prethee.Heere’s such a‑doe, to make no staine, a staine,As passes colouring. Deare Gentlewoman,
[835]
How fares our gracious Lady?Emil.As well as one so great, and so forlorneMay hold together: On her frights, and greefes(Which neuer tender Lady hath borne greater)She is, something before her time, deliuer’d.Pau.
[840]
A boy?
Emil.A daughter, and a goodly babe,Lusty, and like to liue: the Queene receiuesMuch comfort in’t: Sayes, my poore prisoner,I am innocent as you,Pau.
[845]
I dare be sworne:These dangerous, vnsafe Lunes i’th’King, beshrew them:He must be told on’t, and he shall: the officeBecomes a woman best. Ile take’t vpon me,If I proue hony‑mouth’d, let my tongue blister.
[850]
And neuer to my red‑look’d Anger beeThe Trumpet any more: pray you (
Emilia)
Commend my best obedience to the Queene,If she dares trust me with her little babe,I’le shew’t the King, and vndertake to bee
[855]
Her Aduocate to th’lowd’st. We do not knowHow he may soften at the sight o’th’Childe:The silence often of pure innocencePerswades, when speaking failes.Emil.Most worthy Madam,
[860]
Your honor, and your goodnesse is so euident,That your free vndertaking cannot misseA thriuing yssue: there is no Lady liuingSo meete for this great errand; please your LadishipTo visit the next roome, Ile presently
[865]
Acquaint the Queene of your most noble offer,Who, but to day hammered of this designe,But durst not tempt a minister of honourLeast she should be deny’d.Pau
Scena Secunda.
[Act 2, Scene 2]
Enter Paulina, a Gentleman, Gaoler,
Emilia.
Paul.The Keeper of the prison, call to him:Let him haue knowledge who I am. Good Lady,No Court in Europe is too good for thee,What dost thou then in prison? Now good Sir,
[815]
You know me, do you not?Gao.For a worthy Lady,And one, who much I honour.Pau.Pray you then,Conduct me to the Queene.Gao.
[820]
I may not (Madam)To the contrary I haue expresse commandment.Pau.Here’s a‑do, to locke vp honesty & honour fromTh’accesse of gentle visitors. Is’t lawfull pray youTo see her Women? Any of them?
Emilia?
Gao.
[825]
So please you (Madam)To put a‑part these your attendants, IShall bring
Emilia forth.
Pau.I pray now call her:With‑draw your selues.Gao.
[830]
And Madam,
I must be present at your Conference.
Pau.Well: be’t so: prethee.Heere’s such a‑doe, to make no staine, a staine,As passes colouring. Deare Gentlewoman,
[835]
How fares our gracious Lady?Emil.As well as one so great, and so forlorneMay hold together: On her frights, and greefes(Which neuer tender Lady hath borne greater)She is, something before her time, deliuer’d.Pau.
[840]
A boy?
Emil.A daughter, and a goodly babe,Lusty, and like to liue: the Queene receiuesMuch comfort in’t: Sayes, my poore prisoner,I am innocent as you,Pau.
[845]
I dare be sworne:These dangerous, vnsafe Lunes i’th’King, beshrew them:He must be told on’t, and he shall: the officeBecomes a woman best. Ile take’t vpon me,If I proue hony‑mouth’d, let my tongue blister.
[850]
And neuer to my red‑look’d Anger beeThe Trumpet any more: pray you (
Emilia)
Commend my best obedience to the Queene,If she dares trust me with her little babe,I’le shew’t the King, and vndertake to bee
[855]
Her Aduocate to th’lowd’st. We do not knowHow he may soften at the sight o’th’Childe:The silence often of pure innocencePerswades, when speaking failes.Emil.Most worthy Madam,
[860]
Your honor, and your goodnesse is so euident,That your free vndertaking cannot misseA thriuing yssue: there is no Lady liuingSo meete for this great errand; please your LadishipTo visit the next roome, Ile presently
[865]
Acquaint the Queene of your most noble offer,Who, but to day hammered of this designe,But durst not tempt a minister of honourLeast she should be deny’d.Paul.Tell her (
Emilia)
[870]
Ile vse that tongue I haue: If wit flow from’tAs boldnesse from my bosome, le’t not be doubtedI shall do good,Emil.Now be you blest for it.Ile to the Queene: please you come something neerer.Gao.
[875]
Madam, if’t please the Queene to send the babe,I know not what I shall incurre, to passe it,Hauing no warrant.Pau.You neede not feare it (sir)This Childe was prisoner to the wombe, and is
[880]
By Law and processe of great Nature, thenceFree’d, and enfranchis’d, not a partie toThe anger of the King, nor guilty of(If any be) the trespasse of the Queene.Gao.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="2">
<head rend="center">Scena Secunda.</head>
<head type="supplied">[Act 2, Scene 2]</head>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Paulina, a Gentleman, Gaoler, Emilia.</stage>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Paul.</speaker>
<l n="811">The Keeper of the prison, call to him:</l>
<l n="812">Let him haue knowledge who I am. Good Lady,</l>
<l n="813">No Court in Europe is too good for thee,</l>
<l n="814">What dost thou then in prison? Now good Sir,</l>
<l n="815">You know me, do you not?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-gao">
<speaker rend="italic">Gao.</speaker>
<l n="816">For a worthy Lady,</l>
<l n="817">And one, who much I honour.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Pau.</speaker>
<l n="818">Pray you then,</l>
<l n="819">Conduct me to the Queene.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-gao">
<speaker rend="italic">Gao.</speaker>
<l n="820">I may not (Madam)</l>
<l n="821">To the contrary I haue expresse commandment.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Pau.</speaker>
<l n="822">Here’s a‑do, to locke vp honesty & honour from</l>
<l n="823">Th’accesse of gentle visitors. Is’t lawfull pray you</l>
<l n="824">To see her Women? Any of them?<hi rend="italic">Emilia</hi>?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-gao">
<speaker rend="italic">Gao.</speaker>
<l n="825">So please you (Madam)</l>
<l n="826">To put a‑part these your attendants, I</l>
<l n="827">Shall bring<hi rend="italic">Emilia</hi>forth.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Pau.</speaker>
<l n="828">I pray now call her:</l>
<l n="829">With‑draw your selues.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-gao">
<speaker rend="italic">Gao.</speaker>
<p n="830">And Madam,
<lb n="831"/>I must be present at your Conference.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Pau.</speaker>
<l n="832">Well: be’t so: prethee.</l>
<l n="833">Heere’s such a‑doe, to make no staine, a staine,</l>
<l n="834">As passes colouring. Deare Gentlewoman,</l>
<l n="835">How fares our gracious Lady?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-emi">
<speaker rend="italic">Emil.</speaker>
<l n="836">As well as one so great, and so forlorne</l>
<l n="837">May hold together: On her frights, and greefes</l>
<l n="838">(Which neuer tender Lady hath borne greater)</l>
<l n="839">She is, something before her time, deliuer’d.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Pau.</speaker>
<p n="840">A boy?</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-emi">
<speaker rend="italic">Emil.</speaker>
<l n="841">A daughter, and a goodly babe,</l>
<l n="842">Lusty, and like to liue: the Queene receiues</l>
<l n="843">Much comfort in’t: Sayes, my poore prisoner,</l>
<l n="844">I am innocent as you,</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Pau.</speaker>
<l n="845">I dare be sworne:</l>
<l n="846">These dangerous, vnsafe Lunes i’th’King, beshrew them:</l>
<l n="847">He must be told on’t, and he shall: the office</l>
<l n="848">Becomes a woman best. Ile take’t vpon me,</l>
<l n="849">If I proue hony‑mouth’d, let my tongue blister.</l>
<l n="850">And neuer to my red‑look’d Anger bee</l>
<l n="851">The Trumpet any more: pray you (<hi rend="italic">Emilia</hi>)</l>
<l n="852">Commend my best obedience to the Queene,</l>
<l n="853">If she dares trust me with her little babe,</l>
<l n="854">I’le shew’t the King, and vndertake to bee</l>
<l n="855">Her Aduocate to th’lowd’st. We do not know</l>
<l n="856">How he may soften at the sight o’th’Childe:</l>
<l n="857">The silence often of pure innocence</l>
<l n="858">Perswades, when speaking failes.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-emi">
<speaker rend="italic">Emil.</speaker>
<l n="859">Most worthy Madam,</l>
<l n="860">Your honor, and your goodnesse is so euident,</l>
<l n="861">That your free vndertaking cannot misse</l>
<l n="862">A thriuing yssue: there is no Lady liuing</l>
<l n="863">So meete for this great errand; please your Ladiship</l>
<l n="864">To visit the next roome, Ile presently</l>
<l n="865">Acquaint the Queene of your most noble offer,</l>
<l n="866">Who, but to day hammered of this designe,</l>
<l n="867">But durst not tempt a minister of honour</l>
<l n="868">Least she should be deny’d.</l>
</sp>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0304-0.jpg" n="284"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Paul.</speaker>
<l n="869">Tell her (<hi rend="italic">Emilia</hi>)</l>
<l n="870">Ile vse that tongue I haue: If wit flow from’t</l>
<l n="871">As boldnesse from my bosome, le’t not be doubted</l>
<l n="872">I shall do good,</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-emi">
<speaker rend="italic">Emil.</speaker>
<l n="873">Now be you blest for it.</l>
<l n="874">Ile to the Queene: please you come something neerer.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-gao">
<speaker rend="italic">Gao.</speaker>
<l n="875">Madam, if’t please the Queene to send the babe,</l>
<l n="876">I know not what I shall incurre, to passe it,</l>
<l n="877">Hauing no warrant.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Pau.</speaker>
<l n="878">You neede not feare it (sir)</l>
<l n="879">This Childe was prisoner to the wombe, and is</l>
<l n="880">By Law and processe of great Nature, thence</l>
<l n="881">Free’d, and enfranchis’d, not a partie to</l>
<l n="882">The anger of the King, nor guilty of</l>
<l n="883">(If any be) the trespasse of the Queene.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-gao">
<speaker rend="italic">Gao.</speaker>
<p n="884">I do beleeue it.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-wt-pau">
<speaker rend="italic">Paul.</speaker>
<p n="885">Do not you feare: vpon mine honor, I
<lb n="886"/>Will stand betwixt you, and danger.</p>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt</stage>
</div>
