In whose success 1 we are gentle; 2-I beseech you,

If

you know aught which does behove my knowlege

Thereof to be inform'd, imprison it not

In ignorant concealment.

Cam.

I may not answer.

Pol. A sickness caught of me, and yet I well! I must be answer'd.-Dost thou hear, Camillo ?

I conjure thee, by all the parts of man,

Which honor does acknowlege,-whereof the least
Is not this suit of mine ;-that thou declare
What incidency thou dost guess of harm
Is creeping toward me; how far off, how near;
Which way to be prevented, if to be;

If not, how best to bear it.

Cum.

Sir, I'll tell you;

Since I am charged in honor, and by him

That I think honorable: therefore, mark my coun

sel;

Which must be even as swiftly follow'd, as

I mean to utter it; or both yourself and me
Cry, 'Lost,' and so good-night.

Pol.

3

On, good Camillo. Cam. I am appointed him 3 to murder you. Pol. By whom, Camillo ?

Cam.

Pol.

By the king.

For what?

1 Succession.

2 Gentle is here opposed to simple: well-born.

3 The person appointed.

Cam. He thinks, nay, with all confidence he

swears,

As he had seen 't, or been an instrument

To vice 1 you to 't,—that you have touch'd his queen Forbiddenly.

Pol.

O, then my best blood turn

To an infected jelly; and my name

Be yoked with his, that did betray the best!?
Turn then my freshest reputation to

A savor, that may strike the dullest nostril
Where I arrive; and my approach be shunn'd,
Nay, hated too, worse than the greatest infection
That e'er was heard or read!

Cam.
By each particular star in heaven, and
By all their influences, you may as well
Forbid the sea for to obey the moon,
As or, by oath, remove, or counsel, shake
The fabric of his folly, whose foundation
Is piled upon his faith, and will continue
The standing of his body.

Swear his thought over

Pol.

How should this grow?

Cam. I know not: but, I am sure, 'tis safer to Avoid what's grown, than question how 'tis born. If therefore you dare trust my honesty,That lies enclosed in this trunk, which you Shall bear along impawn'd,-away to-night. Your followers I will whisper to the business;

1 Draw.

2 i. e. Judas Iscariot.

And will, by twos and threes, at several posterns,
Clear them o' the city. For myself, I'll put
My fortunes to your service, which are here
By this discovery lost. Be not uncertain;
For, by the honor of my parents, I

Have utter'd truth; which if you seek to prove,
I dare not stand by; nor shall you be safer
Than one condemn'd by the king's own mouth,
thereon

His execution sworn.

Pol.

I do believe thee:

I saw his heart in his face. Give me thy hand;
Be pilot to me, and thy places shall
Still neighbor mine. My ships are ready, and
My people did expect my hence departure
Two days ago. This jealousy

Is for a precious creature: as she's rare,
Must it be great; and, as his person's mighty,
Must it be violent; and, as he does conceive
He is dishonor'd by a man which ever
Profess'd to him, why, his revenges must

In that be made more bitter. Fear o'ershades me: Good expedition be my friend, and comfort

The gracious queen, part of his theme, but nothing Of his ill-ta'en suspicion! Come, Camillo;

I will respect thee as a father, if

Thou bear'st my life off hence.

Let us avoid.

Cam. It is in mine authority to command

The keys of all the posterns. Please your highness

To take the urgent hour: come, sir,

away.

[Exeunt.

ACT II.

SCENE I.

The same.

Enter HERMIONE, MAMILLIUS, and LADIES.

Her. Take the boy to you: he so troubles me,

Tis past enduring.

1 Lady.

Come, my gracious lord:

No, I'll none of you.

Shall I be your play-fellow ?

Mam.

1 Lady. Why, my sweet lord?

Mam. You'll kiss me hard, and speak to me as if

I were a baby still.-I love you

better.

2 Lady. And why so, my lord?

Mam. Not for because

Your brows are blacker; yet black brows, they say, Become some women best; so that there be not

Too much hair there, but in a semicircle,

Or half-moon made with a pen.

2 Lady.

Who taught you this?

Mam. I learn'd it out of women's faces.-Pray

now

What color are your eye-brows?

1 Lady.

Blue, my lord.

Mam. Nay, that's a mock: I have seen a lady's

nose

That has been blue, but not her eye-brows.

2 Lady.

Hark ye:

The queen, your mother, rounds apace: we shall
Present our services to a fine new prince,

One of these days; and then you'd wanton with

1 Lady.

Into a goodly bulk.

She is spread of late

Good time encounter her!

Her. What wisdom stirs amongst you? Come,

sir, now

I am for you again. Pray you, sit by us,

And tell's a tale.

Mam.

Merry or sad shall 't be?

Her. As merry as you will.
Mam.

A sad tale's best for winter:

Let's have that, good sir.

I have one of sprites and goblins.

Her. Come on; sit down.-Come on, and do your best To fright me with your sprites; you're powerful

at it.

Mam. There was a man,

Her.

Nay, come, sit down; then on.

Mam. Dwelt by a church-yard:-I will tell it

softly;

Yon crickets shall not hear it.

Her.

And give 't me in mine ear.

Come on then,

Enter LEONTES, antigonus, lORDS, and others.

Leon. Was he met there? his train? Camillo

with him?