The Bodleian First Folio

A digital facsimile of the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, Bodleian Arch. G c.7.



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Reference: 2A4r - Comedies, p. 283

Left Column


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 Honor Ile gell’d em all: fourteene they shall not see To bring false generations: they are co‑heyres, And I had rather glib my selfe, then they Should not produce faire issue.
Leo.
[755]
Cease, no more: You smell this businesse with a sence as cold As is a dead‑mans nose: but I do see’t, and feel’t, As you feele doing thus: and see withall The 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 sweeten Of 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 me To haue her Honor true, then your suspition Be blam’d for’t how you might.
Leo. Why what neede we
[770]
Commune with you of this? but rather follow Our forcefull instigation? Our prerogatiue Cals not your Counsailes, but our naturall goodnesse Imparts 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 ours
Antig. 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 approbation But onely seeing, all other circumstances Made vp to’th deed) doth push‑on this proceeding.
[790]
Yet, for a greater confirmation (For in an Acte of this importance, 'twere Most 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 Oracle They will bring all, whose spirituall counsaile had Shall 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 Oracle Giue rest to th’mindes of others; such as he Whose ignorant credulitie, will not Come vp to th’truth. So haue we thought it good From 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 businesse Will raise vs all.
Antig. To laughter, as I take it,
[810]
If the good truth, were knowne.
Exeunt

Right Column


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 from Th’accesse of gentle visitors. Is’t lawfull pray you To see her Women? Any of them? Emilia? Gao.
[825]
So please you (Madam) To put a‑part these your attendants, I Shall 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 forlorne May 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 receiues Much 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 office Becomes 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 bee The 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 know How he may soften at the sight o’th’Childe: The silence often of pure innocence Perswades, when speaking failes.
Emil. Most worthy Madam,
[860]
Your honor, and your goodnesse is so euident, That your free vndertaking cannot misse A thriuing yssue: there is no Lady liuing So meete for this great errand; please your Ladiship To 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 honour Least she should be deny’d.
Pau

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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 from Th’accesse of gentle visitors. Is’t lawfull pray you To see her Women? Any of them? Emilia? Gao.
[825]
So please you (Madam) To put a‑part these your attendants, I Shall 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 forlorne May 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 receiues Much 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 office Becomes 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 bee The 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 know How he may soften at the sight o’th’Childe: The silence often of pure innocence Perswades, when speaking failes.
Emil. Most worthy Madam,
[860]
Your honor, and your goodnesse is so euident, That your free vndertaking cannot misse A thriuing yssue: there is no Lady liuing So meete for this great errand; please your Ladiship To 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 honour Least she should be deny’d.
Paul. Tell her ( Emilia)
[870]
Ile vse that tongue I haue: If wit flow from’t As boldnesse from my bosome, le’t not be doubted I 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, thence Free’d, and enfranchis’d, not a partie to The anger of the King, nor guilty of (If any be) the trespasse of the Queene.
Gao.

I do beleeue it.

Paul.
[885]

Do not you feare: vpon mine honor, I

Will stand betwixt you, and danger.

Exeunt
 

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   <head type="supplied">[Act 2, Scene 2]</head>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Paulina, a Gentleman, Gaoler, Emilia.</stage>
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      <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>
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      <speaker rend="italic">Gao.</speaker>
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      <speaker rend="italic">Pau.</speaker>
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      <l n="827">Shall bring<hi rend="italic">Emilia</hi>forth.</l>
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      <l n="828">I pray now call her:</l>
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      <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>
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   <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>
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      <speaker rend="italic">Pau.</speaker>
      <p n="840">A boy?</p>
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   <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>
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      <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>
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   <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>

                                
                            

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