Dion. If you would not so, You pity not the state, nor the remembrance Of his most sovereign dame; consider little, What dangers, by his highness' fail of issue, May drop upon his kingdom, and devour Incertain lookers-on. What were more holy Than to rejoice the former queen is well? What holier than,-for royalty's repair, For present comfort and for future good,To bless the bed of majesty again With a sweet fellow to 't? Paul. There is none worthy, Respecting her that 's gone. Besides, the gods Will have fulfill'd their secret purposes: For has not the divine Apollo said, Is 't not the tenor of his oracle, That king Leontes shall not have an heir Till his lost child be found? which, that it shall, Had squar'd me to thy counsel! then, even now, Paul. More rich, for what they yielded. Leon. And left them Thou speak'st truth. No more such wives; therefore, no wife: one worse, And better us'd, would make her sainted spirit Again possess her corpse; and, on this stage, (Where we offenders now,) appear, soul-vexed, And begin, Why to me?" Paul. Had she such power, She had just cause. Leon. Leon. Never, Paulina: so be bless'd my spirit! Paul. Then, good my lords, bear witness to his oath, Cleo. You tempt him over-much. Unless another, As like Hermione as is her picture, Cleo. That Paul. O Hermione, As every present time doth boast itself Above a better, gone, so must thy grave Give way to what 's seen now. Sir, you yourself Have said, and writ so, (but your writing now Is colder than that theme,) She had not been, Nor was not to be equall'd;'-thus your verse Flow'd with her beauty once; 't is shrewdly ebb'd, To say you have seen a better. Gent. Pardon, madam; The one I have almost forgot: (your pardon,) The other, when she has obtain'd your eye, Will have your tongue too. This is a creature, Would she begin a sect, might quench the zeal Of all professors else; make proselytes Of who she but bid follow. Paul. How? not women? Gent. Women will love her, that she is a woman, More worth than any man; men, that she is The rarest of all women. Leon. Go, Cleomenes; Yourself, assisted with your honour'd friends, Bring them to our embracement.-Still 't is strange, [Exeunt Cleomenes, Lords, and Gentleman. He thus should steal upon us. Paul. Had our prince (Jewel of children) seen this hour, he had pair'd Well with this lord; there was not full a month Between their births. Leon. Prithee, no more; cease; thou know'st, He dies to me again, when talk'd of: sure, When I shall see this gentleman, thy speeches Will bring me to consider that which may Unfurnish me of reason.-They are come. Re-enter Cleomenes, with Florizel, Perdita, and Your mother was most true to wedlock, prince; Amity too, of your brave father; whom, Flo. Leon. O, my brother, (Good gentleman!) the wrongs I have done thee stir Afresh within me; and these thy offices, So rarely kind, are as interpreters Of my behind-hand slackness!-Welcome hither, As is the spring to the earth. And hath he too Expos'd this paragon to the fearful usage (At least, ungentle,) of the dreadful Neptune, To greet a man not worth her pains; much less The adventure of her person? Flo. Good my lord, His tears proclaim'd his, parting with her: thence Who for Bohemia bend, to signify The blessed gods Leon. For which the heavens, taking angry note, Lord. Enter a Lord. Most noble sir, That which I shall report will bear no credit, SCENE II.-The same. Before the Palace. 1 Gent. I was by at the opening of the fardel; heard Were not the proof so nigh. Please you, great sir, could not say if the importance were joy or sorrow: Bohemia greets you from himself by ine: (His dignity and duty both cast off,) Fled from his father, from his hopes, and with Leon. My marvel, and iny message. To your court Flo. Lay 't so to his charge: but in the extremity of the one it must needs be. Enter another Gentleman. Here comes a gentleman, that, happily, knows more: The news, Rogero? 2 Gent. Nothing but bonfires: The oracle is fulfilled; the king's daughter is found: such a deal of wonder is broken out within this hour, that balladmakers cannot be able to express it. Enter a third Gentleman. Here comes the lady Paulina's steward; he can deliver you more.-How goes it now, sir? this news, which is called true, is so like an old tale, that the verity of it is in strong suspicion: Has the king found his heir? 3 Gent. Most true; if ever truth were pregnant by circumstance; that which you hear you 'll swear you see, there is such unity in the proofs. The mantle of queen Hermione:-her jewel about the neck of it: -the letters of Antigonus, found with it, which they know to be his character:-the majesty of the crea ture, in resemblance of the mother-the affection of nobleness, which nature shows above her breeding,-and many other evidences, proclaim her, with all certainty, to be the king's daughter. Did you O, my poor father!-see the meeting of the two kings? 2 Gent. No. 3 Gent. Then have you lost a sight, which was to be seen, cannot be spoken of. There might you have beheld one joy crown another; so, and in such manner, that it seemed sorrow wept to take leave of them; for their joy waded in tears. There was casting up of eyes, holding up of hands; with countenance of such distraction, that they were to be known Per. Leon. You are married? Flo. We are not, sir, nor are we like to be; My lord, Is this the daughter of a king? Flo. She is, Flo. Is yet unanswer'd: I will to your father; by garment, not by favour. Our king, being ready to leap out of himself for joy of his found daughter; as if that joy were now become a loss, cries, O, thy mother, thy mother!' then asks Bohemia forgive. ness; then embraces his son-in-law; then again worries he his daughter, with clipping her; now he thanks the old shepherd, which stands by, like a weather-bitten conduit of many kings' reigns. I never heard of such another encounter, which lames report to follow it, and undoes description to do it. 2 Gent. What, pray you, became of Antigonus, that carried hence the child? 3 Gent. Like an old tale still; which will have matter to rehearse, though credit be asleep, and not an ear open: He was torn to pieces with a bear: this avouches the shepherd's son; who has not only his innocence (which seems much) to justify him, but a handkerchief, and rings, of his, that Paulina knows. [lowers? 1 Gent. What became of his bark, and his fol 3 Gent. Wracked, the same instant of their master's death; and in the view of the shepherd: so that all the instruments, which aided to expose the child, were even then lost, when it was found. But, O, the noble combat that, 'twixt joy and sorrow, was fought in Paulina! She had one eye declined for the loss of her husband; another elevated that the oracle was fulfilled: She lifted the princess from the earth; and so locks her in embracing, as if she would pin her to her heart, that she might no more be in danger of losing. 1 Gent. The dignity of this act was worth the audience of kings and princes; for by such was it acted. 3 Gent. One of the prettiest touches of all, and that which angled for mine eyes (caught the water, though not the fish), was, when at the relation of the queen's death, with the manner how she came to it, (bravely confessed, and lamented by the king,) how attentiveness wounded his daughter; till, from one sign of dolour to another, she did, with an 'alas! I would fain say, bleed tears; for, I am sure, my heart wept blood. Who was most marble there changed colour: some swooned, all sorrowed: if all the world could have seen it, the woe had been universal. 1 Gent. Are they returned to the court? 2 Cent. I thought she had some great matter there in hand; for she hath privately, twice or thrice a day, ever since the death of Hermione, visited that removed house. Shall we thither, and with our company piece the rejoicing? Clo. Not swear it, now I am a gentleman? Let boors and franklins say it, I'll swear it. Shep. How if it be false, son? Clo. If it be ne'er so false, a true gentleman may swear it, in the behalf of his friend: And I'll swear to the prince, thou art a tall fellow of thy hands, and that thou wilt not be drunk; but I know, that thou art no tall fellow of thy hands, and that thou wilt be drunk; but I'll swear it: and I would thou would'st be a tall fellow of thy hands. Aut. I will prove so, sir, to my power. Clo. Ay, by any means prove a tall fellow: If I do not wonder how thou darest venture to be drunk, not being a tall fellow, trust me not.-Hark! the kings and the princes, our kindred, are going to see the queen's picture. Come, follow us: we'll be thy good masters. [Exeunt. 3 Gent. No: the princess hearing of her mother's statue, which is in the keeping of Paulina,-a piece many years in doing, and now newly performed by that rare Italian master, Julio Romano; who, had SCENEIII.-The same. A Room in Paulina's House. he himself eternity, and could put breath into his Enter Leontes, Polixenes, Florizel, Perdita, Camillo, work, would beguile nature of her custom, so per.. Paulina, Lords, and Attendants. fectly he is her ape: he so near to Hermione hath Leon. O grave and good Paulina, the great comfort done Hermione, that, they say, one would speak to That I have had of thee! her, and stand in hope of answer: thither, with all Paul. What, sovereign sir, greediness of affection, are they gone; and there I did not well, I meant well: All my services they intend to sup. You have paid home: but that you have vouchsaf'd With your crown'd brother, and these your contracted Heirs of your kingdoms, my poor house to visit; It is a surplus of your grace, which never My life may last to answer. Leon. O Paulina, We honour you with trouble: But we came To see the statue of our queen: your gallery Have we pass'd through, not without much content In many singularities; but we saw not That which my daughter came to look upon, The statue of her mother. Paul. As she liv'd peerless, So her dead likeness, I do well believe, Excels whatever yet you look'd upon, Or hand of man hath done; therefore I keep it Lonely, apart: But here it is: prepare To see the life as lively mock'd, as ever Still sleep mock'd death: behold; and say, 't is well. [Paulina undraws a curtain, and discovers a statue. I like your silence, it the more shows off Your wonder: But yet speak;-first, you, my liege. Comes it not something near? 1 Gent. Who would be thence that has the benefit of access? every wink of an eye, some new grace will be born: our absence makes us unthrifty to our knowledge. Let's along. [Exeunt Gentlemen. Aut. Now, had I not the dash of my former life in me, would preferment drop on my head. I brought the old man and his son aboard the prince: told him, I heard them talk of a fardel, and I know not what; but he at that time, over-fond of the shepherd's daughter, (so he then took her to be,) who began to be much sea-sick, and himself little better, extremity of weather continuing, this mystery remained undiscovered. But 't is all one to me; for had I been the finder out of this secret, it would not have relished among my other discredits. Enter Shepherd and Clown. Here come those I have done good to against my will, and already appearing in the blossoms of their fortune. Shep. Come, boy; I am past more children, but thy sons and daughters will be all gentlemen born. Clo. You are well met, sir: You denied to fight with me this other day, because I was no gentleman born: See you these clothes? say, you see them not, and think me still no gentleman born: you were best say these robes are not gentlemen born. Give me the lie; do; and try whether I am not now a gentleman born. Aut. I know you are now, sir, a gentleman born. Clo. Ay, and have been so any time these four hours. Shep. And so have I, boy. Clo. So you have:-but I was a gentleman born before my father: for the king's son took me by the hand, and called me, brother; and then the two kings called my father, brother; and then the prince, my brother, and the princess, my sister, called my father, father; and so we wept: and there was the first gentleman-like tears that ever we shed. Leon. Leon. As now she might have done, And give me leave; Shep. We may live, son, to shed many more. Aut. I humbly beseech you, sir, to pardon me all Clo. Thou wilt amend thy life. Aut. Ay, an it like your good worship. O, patience: Cam. My lord, your sorrow was too sore laid on; Dear my brother, Paul. Start not: her actions shall be holy, as, Let be, let be. [veins Masterly done: As any cordial comfort.-Still, methinks, Good my lord, forbear: Per. So long could I What can you make her do, It is requir'd You do awake your faith: Then, all stand still: No foot shall stir. Paul. Proceed; Music; awake her: strike.-Music. 'Tis time; descend; be stone no more: approach; Strike all that look upon with marvel. Coine; I'll fill your grave up: stir; nay, come away; Bequeath to death your numbness, for from him Dear life redeems you.-You perceive she stirs ; [Hermione comes down from the pedestal. Cam. She hangs about his neck; There 's time enough for that; Leon. O peace, Paulina; Is richly noted; and here justified By us, a pair of kings.-Let 's from this place.- KING JOHN. PRINCE HENRY, his son; afterwards King Henry III. ARTHUR, Duke of Bretagne, son of Geffrey, late Duke of Bretagne, the elder brother of King John. WILLIAM MARESHALL, Earl of Pembroke. GEFFREY FITZ-PETER, Earl of Essex, chief justiciary of England. [Salisbury. WILLIAM LONGSWORD, Earl of PERSONS REPRESENTED. ROBERT FAULCONBRIDGE, son JAMES GURNEY, servant to Lady PETER of Pomiret, a prophet. ROBERT BIGOT, Earlof Norfolk. MELUN, a French lord. Enter King John, Queen Elinor, Pembroke, Essex, Chat. Thus, after greeting, speaks the king of [France, The borrow'd majesty of England here. Chat. Philip of France, in right and true behalf To Ireland, Poictiers, Anjou, Touraine, Maine: K. John. What follows if we disallow of this? Controlment for controlment: so answer France. [Exeunt Chatillon and Pembroke. Eli. What now, my son? have I not ever said, How that ambitious Constance would not cease, Tiil she had kindled France, and all the world, Upon the right and party of her son? This might have been prevented, and made whole, Enter the Sheriff of Northamptonshire, who Essex. My liege, here is the strangest controversy, ELINOR, the widow of King Henry II., and mother of King John. CONSTANCE, mother to Arthur. BLANCH, daughter to Alphonso, King of Castile, and niece to King John. Lady FAULCONBRIDGE, mother to the Bastard and Robert Faulconbridge. Lords, Ladies, Citizens of Angiers, Sheriff, Heralds, Officers, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants. That e'er I heard: Shall I produce the men? This expedition's charge.-What men are you? Rob. The son and heir to that same Faulconbridge. Eli. Out on thee, rude man! thou dost shame thy mother, And wound her honour with this diffidence. I give Heaven thanks I was not like to thee. us here! Eli. He hath a trick of Coeur-de-Lion's face; |