She's otherwise, I'll keep my stables where I lodge my wife; I'll go in couples with her; Ay, every dram of woman's flesh, is false, Leon. Hold your peaces. 1 Lord. Good my lord, Ant. It is for you we speak, not for ourselves. You are abused, and by some putter-on, That will be damned for't; 'would I knew the villain, I have three daughters; the eldest is eleven; Leon. Cease; no more. You smell this business with a sense as cold As is a dead man's nose; but I do see't and feel't The instruments that feel. Ant. If it be so, We need no grave to bury honesty; There's not a grain of it, the face to sweeten Of the whole dungy earth. Leon. What, lack I credit? 1 Lord. I had rather you did lack, than I, my lord, upon this ground: and more it would content me To have her honor true, than your suspicion; 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 stupefied, Or seeming so in skill) cannot, or will not, Relish as 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, Leon. How could that be? Either thou art most ignorant by age, Or thou wert born a fool. Camillo's flight, (Which was as gross as ever touched conjecture, Made up to the deed,) doth push on this proceeding. (For, in an act of this importance, 'twere Most piteous to be wild,) I have despatched in post, Cleomenes and Dion, whom you know Of stuffed sufficiency. Now from the oracle 1 Lord. Well done, my lord. Leon. Though I am satisfied, and need no more Give rest to the minds of others; such as he, Come up to the truth. So have we thought it good, Ant. [Aside.] To laughter, as I take it, [Exeunt. SCENE II. The same. The outer Room of a Prison. Enter PAULINA and Attendants. Paul. The keeper of the prison,-call to him; [Exit an Attendant. Let him have knowledge who I am.-Good lady! No court in Europe is too good for thee; What dost thou then in prison?-Now, good sir, Re-enter Attendant, with the Keeper. You know me, do you not? Keeper. And one whom I much honor. Paul. Conduct me to the queen. For a worthy lady, Pray you, then, Keep. I may not, madam; to the contrary I have express commandment. Paul. Here's ado, To lock up honesty and honor from The access of gentle visitors!Is it lawful, Keep. So please you, madam, to put Paul. I pray now, call her. Withdraw yourselves. Keep. And, madam, [Exeunt Attend. [Exit Keeper. I must be present at your conference. Re-enter Keeper, with EMILIA. Dear gentlewoman, how fares our gracious lady? Emil. I dare be sworn. These dangerous, unsafe lunes o' the king! beshrew them! Most worthy madam, Emil. A thriving issue; there is no lady living So meet for this great errand. Please your ladyship Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer; Paul. I'll use that tongue I have. Tell her, Emilia, If wit flow from it, Now be you blest for it! I'll to the queen. Please you, come something nearer. Keep. Madam, if't please the queen to send the babe, I know not what I shall incur to pass it, Having no warrant. Paul. Do not you fear; upon SCENE III. The same. A Room in the Palace. Enter LEONTES, ANTIGONUS, Lords, and other Attendants. 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, Leon. How does the boy? 1 Attend. My lord! [Advancing. He took good rest to-night; "Tis hoped his sickness is discharged. Leon. His nobleness! To see Conceiving the dishonor of his mother, He straight declined, drooped, took it deeply; The very thought of my revenges that way go, Laugh at me; make their pastime at my sorrow. 1 Lord. Enter PAULINA, with a Child. 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; Ant. That's enough. 1 Attend. Madam, he hath not slept to-night; com manded None should come at him. Paul. Do come with words as med'cinal as true; Leon. What noise there, ho! Paul. No noise, my lord; but needful conference About some gossips for your highness. Leon. How? Away with that audacious lady. Antigonus, I charged thee, that she should not come about me; Ant. I told her so, my lord, On your displeasure's peril, and on mine, Leon. What, canst not rule her? Paul. From all dishonesty, he can. In this, |