The Winter's Tale

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Original text
Act V, Scene I
Enter Leontes, Cleomines, Dion, Paulina, Seruants: Florizel,Perdita.

Cleo.
Sir, you haue done enough, and haue perform'd
A Saint-like Sorrow: No fault could you make,
Which you haue not redeem'd; indeed pay'd downe
More penitence, then done trespas: At the last
Doe, as the Heauens haue done; forget your euill,
With them, forgiue your selfe.

Leo.
Whilest I remember
Her, and her Vertues, I cannot forget
My blemishes in them, and so still thinke of
The wrong I did my selfe: which was so much,
That Heire-lesse it hath made my Kingdome, and
Destroy'd the sweet'st Companion, that ere man
Bred his hopes out of,

Paul.
true. / Too true (my Lord:)
If one by one, you wedded all the World,
Or from the All that are, tooke something good,
To make a perfect Woman; she you kill'd,
Would be vnparallell'd.

Leo.
I thinke so. Kill'd?
She I kill'd? I did so: but thou strik'st me
Sorely, to say I did: it is as bitter
Vpon thy Tongue, as in my Thought. Now, good now,
Say so but seldome.

Cleo.
Not at all, good Lady:
You might haue spoken a thousand things, that would
Haue done the time more benefit, and grac'd
Your kindnesse better.

Paul.
You are one of those
Would haue him wed againe.

Dio.
If you would not so,
You pitty not the State, nor the Remembrance
Of his most Soueraigne Name: Consider little,
What Dangers, by his Highnesse faile of Issue,
May drop vpon his Kingdome, and deuoure
Incertaine lookers on. What were more holy,
Then to reioyce the former Queene is well?
What holyer, then for Royalties repayre,
For present comfort, and for future good,
To blesse the Bed of Maiestie againe
With a sweet Fellow to't?

Paul.
There is none worthy,
(Respecting her that's gone:) besides the Gods
Will haue fulfill'd their secret purposes:
For ha's not the Diuine Apollo said?
Is't not the tenor of his Oracle,
That King Leontes shall not haue an Heire,
Till his lost Child be found? Which, that it shall,
Is all as monstrous to our humane reason,
As my Antigonus to breake his Graue,
And come againe to me: who, on my life,
Did perish with the Infant. 'Tis your councell,
My Lord should to the Heauens be contrary,
Oppose against their wills. Care not for Issue,
The Crowne will find an Heire. Great Alexander
Left his to th' Worthiest: so his Successor
Was like to be the best.

Leo.
Good Paulina,
Who hast the memorie of Hermione
I know in honor: O, that euer I
Had squar'd me to thy councell: then, euen now,
I might haue look'd vpon my Queenes full eyes,
Haue taken Treasure from her Lippes.

Paul.
And left them
More rich, for what they yeelded.

Leo.
Thou speak'st truth:
No more such Wiues, therefore no Wife: one worse,
And better vs'd, would make her Sainted Spirit
Againe possesse her Corps, and on this Stage
(Where we Offendors now appeare) Soule-vext,
And begin, why to me?

Paul.
Had she such power,
She had iust such cause.

Leo.
She had, and would incense me
To murther her I marryed.

Paul.
I should so:
Were I the Ghost that walk'd, Il'd bid you marke
Her eye, and tell me for what dull part in't
You chose her: then Il'd shrieke, that euen your eares
Should rift to heare me, and the words that follow'd,
Should be, Remember mine.

Leo.
Starres, Starres,
And all eyes else, dead coales: feare thou no Wife;
Ile haue no Wife, Paulina.

Paul.
Will you sweare
Neuer to marry, but by my free leaue?

Leo.
Neuer (Paulina) so be bless'd my Spirit.

Paul.
Then good my Lords, beare witnesse to his Oath.

Cleo.
You tempt him ouer-much.

Paul.
Vnlesse another,
As like Hermione, as is her Picture,
Affront his eye.

Cleo.
Good Madame,

Paul.
I haue done.
Yet if my Lord will marry: if you will, Sir;
No remedie but you will: Giue me the Office
To chuse you a Queene: she shall not be so young
As was your former, but she shall be such
As (walk'd your first Queenes Ghost) it should take ioy
To see her in your armes.

Leo.
My true Paulina,
We shall not marry, till thou bidst vs.

Paul.
That
Shall be when your first Queene's againe in breath:
Neuer till then.
Enter a Seruant.

Ser.
One that giues out himselfe Prince Florizell,
Sonne of Polixenes, with his Princesse (she
The fairest I haue yet beheld) desires accesse
To your high presence.

Leo.
What with him? he comes not
Like to his Fathers Greatnesse: his approach
(So out of circumstance, and suddaine) tells vs,
'Tis not a Visitation fram'd, but forc'd
By need, and accident. What Trayne?

Ser.
But few,
And those but meane.

Leo.
His Princesse (say you) with him?

Ser.
I: the most peerelesse peece of Earth, I thinke,
That ere the Sunne shone bright on.

Paul.
Oh Hermione,
As euery present Time doth boast it selfe
Aboue a better, gone; so must thy Graue
Giue way to what's seene now. Sir, you your selfe
Haue said, and writ so; but your writing now
Is colder then that Theame: she had not beene,
Nor was not to be equall'd, thus your Verse
Flow'd with her Beautie once; 'tis shrewdly ebb'd,
To say you haue seene a better.

Ser.
Pardon, Madame:
The one, I haue almost forgot (your pardon:)
The other, when she ha's obtayn'd your Eye,
Will haue your Tongue too. This is a Creature,
Would she begin a Sect, might quench the zeale
Of all Professors else; make Proselytes
Of who she but bid follow.

Paul.
How? not women?

Ser.
Women will loue her, that she is a Woman
More worth then any Man: Men, that she is
The rarest of all Women.

Leo.
Goe Cleomines,
Your selfe (assisted with your honor'd Friends)
Bring them to our embracement.
Exit.
Still 'tis strange,
He thus should steale vpon vs.

Paul.
Had our Prince
(Iewell of Children) seene this houre, he had payr'd
Well with this Lord; there was not full a moneth
Betweene their births.

Leo.
'Prethee no more; cease: thou know'st
He dyes to me againe, when talk'd-of: sure
When I shall see this Gentleman, thy speeches
Will bring me to consider that, which may
Vnfurnish me of Reason. They are come.
Enter Florizell, Perdita, Cleomines, and others.
Your Mother was most true to Wedlock, Prince,
For she did print your Royall Father off,
Conceiuing you. Were I but twentie one,
Your Fathers Image is so hit in you,
(His very ayre) that I should call you Brother,
As I did him, and speake of something wildly
By vs perform'd before. Most dearely welcome,
And your faire Princesse (Goddesse) oh: alas,
I lost a couple, that 'twixt Heauen and Earth
Might thus haue stood, begetting wonder, as
You (gracious Couple) doe: and then I lost
(All mine owne Folly) the Societie,
Amitie too of your braue Father, whom
(Though bearing Miserie) I desire my life
Once more to looke on him.

Flo.
By his command
Haue I here touch'd Sicilia, and from him
Giue you all greetings, that a King (at friend)
Can send his Brother: and but Infirmitie
(Which waits vpon worne times) hath something seiz'd
His wish'd Abilitie, he had himselfe
The Lands and Waters, 'twixt your Throne and his,
Measur'd, to looke vpon you; whom he loues
(He bad me say so) more then all the Scepters,
And those that beare them, liuing.

Leo.
Oh my Brother,
(Good Gentleman) the wrongs I haue done thee, stirre
Afresh within me: and these thy offices
(So rarely kind) are as Interpreters
Of my behind-hand slacknesse. Welcome hither,
As is the Spring to th' Earth. And hath he too
Expos'd this Paragon to th' fearefull vsage
(At least vngentle) of the dreadfull Neptune,
To greet a man, not worth her paines; much lesse,
Th' aduenture of her person?

Flo.
Good my Lord,
She came from Libia.

Leo.
Where the Warlike Smalus,
That Noble honor'd Lord, is fear'd, and lou'd?

Flo.
Most Royall Sir, / From thence: from him, whose Daughter
His Teares proclaym'd his parting with her: thence
(A prosperous South-wind friendly) we haue cross'd,
To execute the Charge my Father gaue me,
For visiting your Highnesse: My best Traine
I haue from your Sicilian Shores dismiss'd;
Who for Bohemia bend, to signifie
Not onely my successe in Libia (Sir)
But my arriuall, and my Wifes, in safetie
Here, where we are.

Leo.
The blessed Gods
Purge all Infection from our Ayre, whilest you
Doe Clymate here: you haue a holy Father,
A graceful Gentleman, against whose person
(So sacred as it is) I haue done sinne,
For which, the Heauens (taking angry note)
Haue left me Issue-lesse: and your Father's bless'd
(As he from Heauen merits it) with you,
Worthy his goodnesse. What might I haue been,
Might I a Sonne and Daughter now haue look'd on,
Such goodly things as you?
Enter a Lord.

Lord.
Most Noble Sir,
That which I shall report, will beare no credit,
Were not the proofe so nigh. Please you (great Sir)
Bohemia greets you from himselfe, by me:
Desires you to attach his Sonne, who ha's
(His Dignitie, and Dutie both cast off)
Fled from his Father, from his Hopes, and with
A Shepheards Daughter.

Leo.
Where's Bohemia? speake:

Lord.
Here, in your Citie: I now came from him.
I speake amazedly, and it becomes
My meruaile, and my Message. To your Court
Whiles he was hastning (in the Chase, it seemes,
Of this faire Couple) meetes he on the way
The Father of this seeming Lady, and
Her Brother, hauing both their Countrey quitted,
With this young Prince.

Flo.
Camillo ha's betray'd me;
Whose honor, and whose honestie till now,
Endur'd all Weathers.

Lord.
Lay't so to his charge:
He's with the King your Father.

Leo.
Who? Camillo?

Lord.
Camillo (Sir:) I spake with him: who now
Ha's these poore men in question. Neuer saw I
Wretches so quake: they kneele, they kisse the Earth;
Forsweare themselues as often as they speake:
Bohemia stops his eares, and threatens them
With diuers deaths, in death.

Perd.
Oh my poore Father:
The Heauen sets Spyes vpon vs, will not haue
Our Contract celebrated.

Leo.
You are marryed?

Flo.
We are not (Sir) nor are we like to be:
The Starres (I see) will kisse the Valleyes first:
The oddes for high and low's alike.

Leo.
My Lord,
Is this the Daughter of a King?

Flo.
She is,
When once she is my Wife.

Leo.
That once (I see) by your good Fathers speed,
Will come-on very slowly. I am sorry
(Most sorry) you haue broken from his liking,
Where you were ty'd in dutie: and as sorry,
Your Choice is not so rich in Worth, as Beautie,
That you might well enioy her.

Flo.
Deare, looke vp:
Though Fortune, visible an Enemie,
Should chase vs, with my Father; powre no iot
Hath she to change our Loues. Beseech you (Sir)
Remember, since you ow'd no more to Time
Then I doe now: with thought of such Affections,
Step forth mine Aduocate: at your request,
My Father will graunt precious things, as Trifles.

Leo.
Would he doe so, I'ld beg your precious Mistris,
Which he counts but a Trifle.

Paul.
Sir (my Liege)
Your eye hath too much youth in't: not a moneth
'Fore your Queene dy'd, she was more worth such gazes,
Then what you looke on now.

Leo.
I thought of her,
Euen in these Lookes I made. But your Petition
Is yet vn-answer'd: I will to your Father:
Your Honor not o're-throwne by your desires,
I am friend to them, and you: Vpon which Errand
I now goe toward him: therefore follow me,
And marke what way I make: Come good my Lord.
Exeunt.
Original text
Act V, Scene II
Enter Autolicus, and a Gentleman.

Aut.
Beseech you (Sir) were you present at this
Relation?

Gent.1.
I was by at the opening of the Farthell,
heard the old Shepheard deliuer the manner how he
found it: Whereupon (after a little amazednesse) we were
all commanded out of the Chamber: onely this (me thought)
I heard the Shepheard say, he found the Child.

Aut.
I would most gladly know the issue of it.

Gent.1.
I make a broken deliuerie of the
Businesse; but the changes I perceiued in the King, and
Camillo, were very Notes of admiration: they seem'd
almost, with staring on one another, to teare the Cases of
their Eyes. There was speech in their dumbnesse, Language
in their very gesture: they look'd as they had
heard of a World ransom'd, or one destroyed: a notable
passion of Wonder appeared in them: but the wisest
beholder, that knew no more but seeing, could not say, if
th' importance were Ioy, or Sorrow; but in the extremitie
of the one, it must needs be.
Enter another Gentleman.
Here comes a Gentleman, that happily knowes more: The
Newes, Rogero.

Gent.2.
Nothing but Bon-fires: the Oracle
is fulfill'd: the Kings Daughter is found: such a deale of
wonder is broken out within this houre, that Ballad-makers
cannot be able to expresse it.
Enter another Gentleman.
Here comes the Lady Paulina's Steward, hee can deliuer
you more. How goes it now (Sir.) This Newes (which is
call'd true) is so like an old Tale, that the veritie of it is in
strong suspition: Ha's the King found his Heire?

Gent.3.
Most true, if euer Truth were pregnant
by Circumstance: That which you heare, you'le sweare
you see, there is such vnitie in the proofes. The Mantle of
Queene Hermiones: her Iewell about the Neck of it: the
Letters of Antigonus found with it, which they know to
be his Character: the Maiestie of the Creature, in resemblance
of the Mother: the Affection of Noblenesse, which
Nature shewes aboue her Breeding, and many other
Euidences, proclayme her, with all certaintie, to be the Kings
Daughter. Did you see the meeting of the two Kings?

Gent.2.
No.

Gent.3.
Then haue you lost a Sight which
was to bee seene, cannot bee spoken of. There might you
haue beheld one Ioy crowne another, so and in such
manner, that it seem'd Sorrow wept to take leaue of
them: for their Ioy waded in teares. There was casting vp
of Eyes, holding vp of Hands, with Countenance of such
distraction, that they were to be knowne by Garment, not
by Fauor. Our King being ready to leape out of himselfe,
for ioy of his found Daughter; as if that Ioy were now
become a Losse, cryes, Oh, thy Mother, thy Mother: then
askes Bohemia forgiuenesse, then embraces his Sonne-in-Law:
then againe worryes he his Daughter, with clipping
her. Now he thanks the old Shepheard (which stands by,
like a Weather-bitten Conduit, of many Kings Reignes.) I
neuer heard of such another Encounter; which lames
Report to follow it, and vndo's description to doe it.

Gent.2.
What, 'pray you, became of Antigonus,
that carryed hence the Child?

Gent.3.
Like an old Tale still, which will
haue matter to rehearse, though Credit be asleepe, and not
an eare open; he was torne to pieces with a Beare: This
auouches the Shepheards Sonne; who ha's not onely his
Innocence (which seemes much) to iustifie him, but a
Hand-kerchief and Rings of his, that Paulina knowes.

Gent.1.
What became of his Barke, and his
Followers?

Gent.3.
Wrackt the same instant of their
Masters death, and in the view of the Shepheard: so that
all the Instruments which ayded to expose the Child, were
euen then lost, when it was found. But oh the Noble
Combat, that 'twixt Ioy and Sorrow was fought in
Paulina. Shee had one Eye declin'd for the losse of her
Husband, another eleuated, that the Oracle was fulfill'd:
Shee lifted the Princesse from the Earth, and so locks her
in embracing, as if shee would pin her to her heart, that
shee might no more be in danger of loosing.

Gent.1.
The Dignitie of this Act was worth
the audience of Kings and Princes, for by such was it
acted.

Gent.3.
One of the prettyest touches of all,
and that which angl'd for mine Eyes (caught the Water,
though not the Fish) was, when at the Relation of the
Queenes death (with the manner how shee came to't,
brauely confess'd, and lamented by the King) how
attentiuenesse wounded his Daughter, till (from one signe
of dolour to another) shee did (with an Alas) I would
faine say, bleed Teares; for I am sure, my heart wept blood.
Who was most Marble, there changed colour: some
swownded, all sorrowed: if all the World could haue seen't,
the Woe had beene vniuersall.

Gent.1.
Are they returned to the Court?

Gent.3.
No: The Princesse hearing of her
Mothers Statue (which is in the keeping of Paulina) a
Peece many yeeres in doing, and now newly perform'd, by
that rare Italian Master, Iulio Romano, who (had he
himselfe Eternitie, and could put Breath into his Worke)
would beguile Nature of her Custome, so perfectly he is
her Ape: He so neere to Hermione, hath done Hermione,
that they say one would speake to her, and stand in hope
of answer. Thither (with all greedinesse of affection) are
they gone, and there they intend to Sup.

Gent.2.
I thought she had some great
matter there in hand, for shee hath priuately, twice or
thrice a day, euer since the death of Hermione, visited
that remoued House. Shall wee thither, and with our
companie peece the Reioycing?

Gent.1.
Who would be thence, that ha's the
benefit of Accesse? euery winke of an Eye, some new Grace
will be borne: our Absence makes vs vnthriftie to our
Knowledge. Let's along.
Exit.

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 Sonne aboord the Prince; told him, I
heard them talke of a Farthell, and I know not what: but he
at that time ouer-fond of the Shepheards Daughter (so he
then tooke her to be) who began to be much Sea-sick,
and himselfe little better, extremitie of Weather
continuing, this Mysterie remained vndiscouer'd. But 'tis
all one to me: for had I beene the finder-out of this
Secret, it would not haue rellish'd among my other
discredits.
Enter Shepheard and Clowne.
Here come those I haue done good to against my will,
and alreadie appearing in the blossomes of their Fortune.

Shep.
Come Boy, I am past moe Children: but thy
Sonnes and Daughters will be all Gentlemen borne.

Clow.
You are well met (Sir:) you deny'd to fight with
mee this other day, because I was no Gentleman borne.
See you these Clothes? say you see them not, and thinke
me still no Gentleman borne: You were best say these
Robes are not Gentlemen borne. Giue me the Lye: doe: and
try whether I am not now a Gentleman borne.

Aut.
I know you are now (Sir) a Gentleman borne.

Clow.
I, and haue been so any time these foure houres.

Shep.
And so haue I, Boy.

Clow.
So you haue: but I was a Gentleman borne before
my Father: for the Kings Sonne tooke me by the hand, and
call'd mee Brother: and then the two Kings call'd my
Father Brother: and then the Prince (my Brother) and the
Princesse (my Sister) call'd my Father, Father; and so wee
wept: and there was the first Gentleman-like teares that
euer we shed.

Shep.
We may liue (Sonne) to shed many more.

Clow.
I: or else 'twere hard luck, being in so
preposterous estate as we are.

Aut.
I humbly beseech you (Sir) to pardon me all
the faults I haue committed to your Worship, and to giue
me your good report to the Prince my Master.

Shep.
'Prethee Sonne doe: for we must be gentle, now
we are Gentlemen.

Clow.
Thou wilt amend thy life?

Aut.
I, and it like your good Worship.

Clow.
Giue me thy hand: I will sweare to the Prince, thou
art as honest a true Fellow as any is in Bohemia.

Shep.
You may say it, but not sweare it.

Clow.
Not sweare it, now I am a Gentleman? Let Boores
and Francklins say it, Ile sweare it.

Shep.
How if it be false (Sonne?)

Clow.
If it be ne're so false, a true Gentleman may
sweare it, in the behalfe of his Friend: And Ile sweare to the
Prince, thou art a tall Fellow of thy hands, and that thou
wilt not be drunke: but I know thou art no tall Fellow of
thy hands, and that thou wilt be drunke: but Ile sweare it,
and I would thou would'st be a tall Fellow of thy hands.

Aut.
I will proue so (Sir) to my power.

Clow.
I, by any meanes proue a tall Fellow: if I do not
wonder, how thou dar'st venture to be drunke, not being
a tall Fellow, trust me not. Harke, the Kings and
Princes (our Kindred) are going to see the Queenes
Picture. Come, follow vs: wee'le be thy good Masters.
Exeunt.
Original text
Act V, Scene III
Enter Leontes, Polixenes, Florizell, Perdita, Camillo,
Paulina: Hermione (like a Statue:) Lords, &c.

Leo.
O graue and good Paulina, the great comfort
That I haue had of thee?

Paul.
What (Soueraigne Sir)
I did not well, I meant well: all my Seruices
You haue pay'd home. But that you haue vouchsaf'd
(With your Crown'd Brother, and these your contracted
Heires of your Kingdomes) my poore House to visit;
It is a surplus of your Grace, which neuer
My life may last to answere.

Leo.
O Paulina,
We honor you with trouble: but we came
To see the Statue of our Queene. Your Gallerie
Haue we pass'd through, not without much content
In many singularities; but we saw not
That which my Daughter came to looke vpon,
The Statue of her Mother.

Paul.
As she liu'd peerelesse,
So her dead likenesse I doe well beleeue
Excells what euer yet you look'd vpon,
Or hand of Man hath done: therefore I keepe it
Louely, apart. But here it is: prepare
To see the Life as liuely mock'd, as euer
Still Sleepe mock'd Death: behold, and say 'tis well.
I like your silence, it the more shewes-off
Your wonder: but yet speake, first you (my Liege)
Comes it not something neere?

Leo.
Her naturall Posture.
Chide me (deare Stone) that I may say indeed
Thou art Hermione; or rather, thou art she,
In thy not chiding: for she was as tender
As Infancie, and Grace. But yet (Paulina)
Hermione was not so much wrinckled, nothing
So aged as this seemes.

Pol.
Oh, not by much.

Paul.
So much the more our Caruers excellence,
Which lets goe-by some sixteene yeeres, and makes her
As she liu'd now.

Leo.
As now she might haue done,
So much to my good comfort, as it is
Now piercing to my Soule. Oh, thus she stood,
Euen with such Life of Maiestie (warme Life,
As now it coldly stands) when first I woo'd her.
I am asham'd: Do's not the Stone rebuke me,
For being more Stone then it? Oh Royall Peece:
There's Magick in thy Maiestie, which ha's
My Euils coniur'd to remembrance; and
From thy admiring Daughter tooke the Spirits,
Standing like Stone with thee.

Perd.
And giue me leaue,
And doe not say 'tis Superstition, that
I kneele, and then implore her Blessing. Lady,
Deere Queene, that ended when I but began,
Giue me that hand of yours, to kisse.

Paul.
O, patience:
The Statue is but newly fix'd; the Colour's
Not dry.

Cam.
My Lord, your Sorrow was too sore lay'd-on,
Which sixteene Winters cannot blow away,
So many Summers dry: scarce any Ioy
Did euer so long liue; no Sorrow,
But kill'd it selfe much sooner.

Pol.
Deere my Brother,
Let him, that was the cause of this, haue powre
To take-off so much griefe from you, as he
Will peece vp in himselfe.

Paul.
Indeed my Lord,
If I had thought the sight of my poore Image
Would thus haue wrought you (for the Stone is mine)
Il'd not haue shew'd it.

Leo.
Doe not draw the Curtaine.

Paul.
No longer shall you gaze on't, least your Fancie
May thinke anon, it moues.

Leo.
Let be, let be:
Would I were dead, but that me thinkes alreadie.
(What was he that did make it?) See (my Lord)
Would you not deeme it breath'd? and that those veines
Did verily beare blood?

Pol.
'Masterly done:
The very Life seemes warme vpon her Lippe.

Leo.
The fixure of her Eye ha's motion in't,
As we are mock'd with Art.

Paul.
Ile draw the Curtaine:
My Lord's almost so farre transported, that
Hee'le thinke anon it liues.

Leo.
Oh sweet Paulina,
Make me to thinke so twentie yeeres together:
No setled Sences of the World can match
The pleasure of that madnesse. Let't alone.

Paul.
I am sorry (Sir) I haue thus farre stir'd you: but
I could afflict you farther.

Leo.
Doe Paulina:
For this Affliction ha's a taste as sweet
As any Cordiall comfort. Still me thinkes
There is an ayre comes from her. What fine Chizzell
Could euer yet cut breath? Let no man mock me,
For I will kisse her.

Paul.
Good my Lord, forbeare:
The ruddinesse vpon her Lippe, is wet:
You'le marre it, if you kisse it; stayne your owne
With Oyly Painting: shall I draw the Curtaine.

Leo.
No: not these twentie yeeres.

Perd.
So long could I
Stand-by, a looker-on.

Paul.
Either forbeare,
Quit presently the Chappell, or resolue you
For more amazement: if you can behold it,
Ile make the Statue moue indeed; descend,
And take you by the hand: but then you'le thinke
(Which I protest against) I am assisted
By wicked Powers.

Leo.
What you can make her doe,
I am content to looke on: what to speake,
I am content to heare: for 'tis as easie
To make her speake, as moue.

Paul.
It is requir'd
You doe awake your Faith: then, all stand still:
On: those that thinke it is vnlawfull Businesse
I am about, let them depart.

Leo.
Proceed:
No foot shall stirre.

Paul.
Musick; awake her: Strike:
'Tis time: descend: be Stone no more: approach:
Strike all that looke vpon with meruaile: Come:
Ile fill your Graue vp: stirre: nay, come away:
Bequeath to Death your numnesse: (for from him,
Deare Life redeemes you) you perceiue she stirres:

Start not: her Actions shall be holy, as
You heare my Spell is lawfull: doe not shun her,
Vntill you see her dye againe; for then
You kill her double: Nay, present your Hand:
When she was young, you woo'd her: now, in age,
Is she become the Suitor?

Leo.
Oh, she's warme:
If this be Magick, let it be an Art
Lawfull as Eating.

Pol.
She embraces him.

Cam.
She hangs about his necke,
If she pertaine to life, let her speake too.

Pol.
I, and make it manifest where she ha's liu'd,
Or how stolne from the dead?

Paul.
That she is liuing,
Were it but told you, should be hooted at
Like an old Tale: but it appeares she liues,
Though yet she speake not. Marke a little while:
Please you to interpose (faire Madam) kneele,
And pray your Mothers blessing: turne good Lady,
Our Perdita is found.

Her.
You Gods looke downe,
And from your sacred Viols poure your graces
Vpon my daughters head: Tell me (mine owne)
Where hast thou bin preseru'd? Where liu'd? How found
Thy Fathers Court? For thou shalt heare that I
Knowing by Paulina, that the Oracle
Gaue hope thou wast in being, haue preseru'd
My selfe, to see the yssue.

Paul.
There's time enough for that,
Least they desire (vpon this push) to trouble
Your ioyes, with like Relation. Go together
You precious winners all: your exultation
Partake to euery one: I (an old Turtle)
Will wing me to some wither'd bough, and there
My Mate (that's neuer to be found againe)
Lament, till I am lost.

Leo.
O peace Paulina:
Thou shouldst a husband take by my consent,
As I by thine a Wife. This is a Match,
And made betweene's by Vowes. Thou hast found mine,
But how, is to be question'd: for I saw her
(As I thought) dead: and haue (in vaine) said many
A prayer vpon her graue. Ile not seeke farre
(For him, I partly know his minde) to finde thee
An honourable husband. Come Camillo,
And take her by the hand: whose worth, and honesty
Is richly noted: and heere iustified
By Vs, a paire of Kings. Let's from this place.
What? looke vpon my Brother: both your pardons,
That ere I put betweene your holy lookes
My ill suspition: This your Son-in-law,
And Sonne vnto the King, whom heauens directing
Is troth-plight to your daughter. Good Paulina,
Leade vs from hence, where we may leysurely
Each one demand, and answere to his part
Perform'd in this wide gap of Time, since first
We were disseuer'd: Hastily lead away.
Exeunt.
Modern text
Act V, Scene I
Enter Leontes, Cleomenes, Dion, Paulina, and others

CLEOMENES
Sir, you have done enough, and have performed
A saint-like sorrow. No fault could you make
Which you have not redeemed; indeed, paid down
More penitence than done trespass. At the last,
Do as the heavens have done, forget your evil;
With them forgive yourself.

LEONTES
Whilst I remember
Her and her virtues, I cannot forget
My blemishes in them, and so still think of
The wrong I did myself; which was so much
That heirless it hath made my kingdom and
Destroyed the sweet'st companion that e'er man
Bred his hopes out of.

PAULINA
True, too true, my lord.
If one by one you wedded all the world,
Or from the all that are took something good
To make a perfect woman, she you killed
Would be unparalleled.

LEONTES
I think so. Killed!
She I killed! I did so; but thou strik'st me
Sorely to say I did. It is as bitter
Upon thy tongue as in my thought. Now, good now,
Say so but seldom.

CLEOMENES
Not at all, good lady.
You might have spoken a thousand things that would
Have done the time more benefit and graced
Your kindness better.

PAULINA
You are one of those
Would have him wed again.

DION
If you would not so,
You pity not the state, nor the remembrance
Of his most sovereign name; 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?

PAULINA
There is none worthy,
Respecting her that's gone. Besides the gods
Will have fulfilled 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
Is all as monstrous to our human reason
As my Antigonus to break his grave
And come again to me; who, on my life,
Did perish with the infant. 'Tis your counsel
My lord should to the heavens be contrary,
Oppose against their wills. (To Leontes) Care not for issue.
The crown will find an heir. Great Alexander
Left his to th' worthiest; so his successor
Was like to be the best.

LEONTES
Good Paulina,
Who hast the memory of Hermione,
I know, in honour, O that ever I
Had squared me to thy counsel! Then even now
I might have looked upon my queen's full eyes,
Have taken treasure from her lips –

PAULINA
And left them
More rich for what they yielded.

LEONTES
Thou speak'st truth.
No more such wives, therefore no wife: one worse,
And better used, would make her sainted spirit
Again possess her corpse, and on this stage,
Where we offenders move, appear soul-vexed,
And begin, ‘ Why to me?’

PAULINA
Had she such power,
She had just cause.

LEONTES
She had, and would incense me
To murder her I married.

PAULINA
I should so.
Were I the ghost that walked, I'd bid you mark
Her eye, and tell me for what dull part in't
You chose her; then I'd shriek, that even your ears
Should rift to hear me; and the words that followed
Should be ‘ Remember mine.’

LEONTES
Stars, stars,
And all eyes else dead coals! Fear thou no wife;
I'll have no wife, Paulina.

PAULINA
Will you swear
Never to marry but by my free leave?

LEONTES
Never, Paulina, so be blest my spirit!

PAULINA
Then, good my lords, bear witness to his oath.

CLEOMENES
You tempt him overmuch.

PAULINA
Unless another,
As like Hermione as is her picture,
Affront his eye.

CLEOMENES
Good madam –

PAULINA
I have done.
Yet if my lord will marry – if you will, sir,
No remedy, but you will – give me the office
To choose you a queen: she shall not be so young
As was your former, but she shall be such
As, walked your first queen's ghost, it should take joy
To see her in your arms.

LEONTES
My true Paulina,
We shall not marry till thou bid'st us.

PAULINA
That
Shall be when your first queen's again in breath;
Never till then.
Enter a Gentleman

GENTLEMAN
One that gives out himself Prince Florizel,
Son of Polixenes, with his princess – she
The fairest I have yet beheld – desires access
To your high presence.

LEONTES
What with him? He comes not
Like to his father's greatness. His approach
So out of circumstance and sudden tells us
'Tis not a visitation framed, but forced
By need and accident. What train?

GENTLEMAN
But few,
And those but mean.

LEONTES
His princess, say you, with him?

GENTLEMAN
Ay, the most peerless piece of earth, I think,
That e'er the sun shone bright on.

PAULINA
O Hermione,
As every present time doth boast itself
Above a better gone, so must thy grave
Give way to what's seen now. (To the Gentleman) 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, equalled; thus your verse
Flowed with her beauty once. 'Tis shrewdly ebbed
To say you have seen a better.

GENTLEMAN
Pardon, madam.
The one I have almost forgot – your pardon;
The other, when she has obtained 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.

PAULINA
How? Not women!

GENTLEMAN
Women will love her that she is a woman
More worth than any man; men that she is
The rarest of all women.

LEONTES
Go, Cleomenes:
Yourself, assisted with your honoured friends,
Bring them to our embracement.
Exeunt Cleomenes and others
Still, 'tis strange
He thus should steal upon us.

PAULINA
Had our prince,
Jewel of children, seen this hour, he had paired
Well with this lord: there was not full a month
Between their births.

LEONTES
Prithee, no more! Cease! Thou know'st
He dies to me again when talked 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.
Enter Florizel, Perdita, Cleomenes, and others
Your mother was most true to wedlock, Prince:
For she did print your royal father off,
Conceiving you. Were I but twenty-one,
Your father's image is so hit in you,
His very air, that I should call you brother,
As I did him, and speak of something wildly
By us performed before. Most dearly welcome,
And your fair princess – goddess! O! Alas,
I lost a couple that 'twixt heaven and earth
Might thus have stood, begetting wonder, as
You, gracious couple, do. And then I lost –
All mine own folly – the society,
Amity too, of your brave father, whom,
Though bearing misery, I desire my life
Once more to look on him.

FLORIZEL
By his command
Have I here touched Sicilia, and from him
Give you all greetings that a king, at friend,
Can send his brother; and but infirmity,
Which waits upon worn times, hath something seized
His wished ability, he had himself
The lands and waters 'twixt your throne and his
Measured to look upon you, whom he loves –
He bade me say so – more than all the sceptres
And those that bear them living.

LEONTES
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 behindhand slackness! – Welcome hither
As is the spring to th' earth! And hath he too
Exposed this paragon to th' fearful usage,
At least ungentle, of the dreadful Neptune
To greet a man not worth her pains, much less
Th' adventure of her person?

FLORIZEL
Good my lord,
She came from Libya.

LEONTES
Where the warlike Smalus,
That noble, honoured lord, is feared and loved?

FLORIZEL
Most royal sir, from thence; from him whose daughter
His tears proclaimed his, parting with her; thence,
A prosperous south wind friendly, we have crossed,
To execute the charge my father gave me
For visiting your highness. My best train
I have from your Sicilian shores dismissed;
Who for Bohemia bend, to signify
Not only my success in Libya, sir,
But my arrival, and my wife's, in safety
Here where we are.

LEONTES
The blessed gods
Purge all infection from our air whilst you
Do climate here! You have a holy father,
A graceful gentleman, against whose person,
So sacred as it is, I have done sin:
For which the heavens, taking angry note,
Have left me issueless; and your father's blessed,
As he from heaven merits it, with you,
Worthy his goodness. What might I have been,
Might I a son and daughter now have looked on,
Such goodly things as you!
Enter a Lord

LORD
Most noble sir,
That which I shall report will bear no credit,
Were not the proof so nigh. Please you, great sir,
Bohemia greets you from himself by me;
Desires you to attach his son, who has –
His dignity and duty both cast off –
Fled from his father, from his hopes, and with
A shepherd's daughter.

LEONTES
Where's Bohemia? Speak.

LORD
Here in your city: I now came from him.
I speak amazedly, and it becomes
My marvel and my message. To your court
Whiles he was hast'ning – in the chase, it seems,
Of this fair couple – meets he on the way
The father of this seeming lady, and
Her brother, having both their country quitted
With this young prince.

FLORIZEL
Camillo has betrayed me;
Whose honour and whose honesty till now
Endured all weathers.

LORD
Lay't so to his charge.
He's with the King your father.

LEONTES
Who? Camillo?

LORD
Camillo, sir; I spake with him; who now
Has these poor men in question. Never saw I
Wretches so quake: they kneel, they kiss the earth;
Forswear themselves as often as they speak;
Bohemia stops his ears, and threatens them
With divers deaths in death.

PERDITA
O my poor father!
The heaven sets spies upon us, will not have
Our contract celebrated.

LEONTES
You are married?

FLORIZEL
We are not, sir, nor are we like to be.
The stars, I see, will kiss the valleys first:
The odds for high and low's alike.

LEONTES
My lord,
Is this the daughter of a king?

FLORIZEL
She is,
When once she is my wife.

LEONTES
That ‘ once,’ I see by your good father's speed,
Will come on very slowly. I am sorry,
Most sorry, you have broken from his liking,
Where you were tied in duty; and as sorry
Your choice is not so rich in worth as beauty,
That you might well enjoy her.

FLORIZEL
Dear, look up.
Though Fortune, visible an enemy,
Should chase us, with my father, power no jot
Hath she to change our loves. Beseech you, sir,
Remember since you owed no more to Time
Than I do now. With thought of such affections
Step forth mine advocate: at your request
My father will grant precious things as trifles.

LEONTES
Would he do so, I'd beg your precious mistress,
Which he counts but a trifle.

PAULINA
Sir, my liege,
Your eye hath too much youth in't. Not a month
'Fore your queen died she was more worth such gazes
Than what you look on now.

LEONTES
I thought of her
Even in these looks I made. But your petition
Is yet unanswered. I will to your father.
Your honour not o'erthrown by your desires,
I am friend to them and you; upon which errand
I now go toward him. Therefore follow me,
And mark what way I make. Come, good my lord.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act V, Scene II
Enter Autolycus and a Gentleman

AUTOLYCUS
Beseech you, sir, were you present at this
relation?

FIRST GENTLEMAN
I was by at the opening of the fardel,
heard the old shepherd deliver the manner how he
found it; whereupon, after a little amazedness, we were
all commanded out of the chamber. Only this methought
I heard the shepherd say: he found the child.

AUTOLYCUS
I would most gladly know the issue of it.

FIRST GENTLEMAN
I make a broken delivery of the
business; but the changes I perceived in the King and
Camillo were very notes of admiration. They seemed
almost, with staring on one another, to tear the cases of
their eyes. There was speech in their dumbness, language
in their very gesture. They looked as they had
heard of a world ransomed, or one destroyed. A notable
passion of wonder appeared in them; but the wisest
beholder that knew no more but seeing could not say if
th' importance were joy or sorrow: but in the extremity
of the one it must needs be.
Enter another Gentleman
Here comes a gentleman that haply knows more. The
news, Rogero?

SECOND GENTLEMAN
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 ballad-makers
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?

THIRD GENTLEMAN
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's; 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 creature 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 see the meeting of the two kings?

SECOND GENTLEMAN
No.

THIRD GENTLEMAN
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 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 forgiveness; 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.

SECOND GENTLEMAN
What, pray you, became of Antigonus,
that carried hence the child?

THIRD GENTLEMAN
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.

FIRST GENTLEMAN
What became of his bark and his
followers?

THIRD GENTLEMAN
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.

FIRST GENTLEMAN
The dignity of this act was worth
the audience of kings and princes, for by such was it
acted.

THIRD GENTLEMAN
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't
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't,
the woe had been universal.

FIRST GENTLEMAN
Are they returned to the court?

THIRD GENTLEMAN
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 he
himself eternity and could put breath into his work,
would beguile Nature of her custom, so perfectly he is
her ape: he so near to Hermione hath done Hermione
that they say one would speak to her and stand in hope
of answer. Thither with all greediness of affection are
they gone, and there they intend to sup.

SECOND GENTLEMAN
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?

FIRST GENTLEMAN
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

AUTOLYCUS
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 overfond 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 'tis
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.

SHEPHERD
Come, boy, I am past more children; but thy
sons and daughters will be all gentlemen born.

CLOWN
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.

AUTOLYCUS
I know you are now, sir, a gentleman born.

CLOWN
Ay, and have been so any time these four hours.

SHEPHERD
And so have I, boy.

CLOWN
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 gentlemanlike tears that
ever we shed.

SHEPHERD
We may live, son, to shed many more.

CLOWN
Ay, or else 'twere hard luck, being in so
preposterous estate as we are.

AUTOLYCUS
I humbly beseech you, sir, to pardon me all
the faults I have committed to your worship, and to give
me your good report to the Prince my master.

SHEPHERD
Prithee, son, do: for we must be gentle, now
we are gentlemen.

CLOWN
Thou wilt amend thy life?

AUTOLYCUS
Ay, an it like your good worship.

CLOWN
Give me thy hand. I will swear to the Prince thou
art as honest a true fellow as any is in Bohemia.

SHEPHERD
You may say it, but not swear it.

CLOWN
Not swear it, now I am a gentleman? Let boors
and franklins say it, I'll swear it.

SHEPHERD
How if it be false, son?

CLOWN
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 thou art no tall fellow of
thy hands, and that thou wilt be drunk. But I'll swear it,
and I would thou wouldst be a tall fellow of thy hands.

AUTOLYCUS
I will prove so, sir, to my power.

CLOWN
Ay, by any means prove a tall fellow. If I do not
wonder how thou dar'st 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
Modern text
Act V, Scene III
Enter Leontes, Polixenes, Florizel, Perdita, Camillo,
Paulina, Lords, and Attendants

LEONTES
O grave and good Paulina, the great comfort
That I have had of thee!

PAULINA
What, sovereign sir,
I did not well, I meant well. All my services
You have paid home: but that you have vouchsafed,
With your crowned 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.

LEONTES
O Paulina,
We honour you with trouble. But we came
To see the statue of our queen: your gallery
Have we passed 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.

PAULINA
As she lived peerless,
So her dead likeness I do well believe
Excels whatever yet you looked upon,
Or hand of man hath done; therefore I keep it
Lonely, apart. But here it is: prepare
To see the life as lively mocked as ever
Still sleep mocked death. Behold, and say 'tis well!
Paulina draws a curtain and reveals Hermione, standing
like 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?

LEONTES
Her natural posture!
Chide me, dear stone, that I may say indeed
Thou art Hermione; or rather, thou art she
In thy not chiding, for she was as tender
As infancy and grace. But yet, Paulina,
Hermione was not so much wrinkled, nothing
So aged as this seems.

POLIXENES
O, not by much!

PAULINA
So much the more our carver's excellence,
Which lets go by some sixteen years and makes her
As she lived now.

LEONTES
As now she might have done,
So much to my good comfort as it is
Now piercing to my soul. O, thus she stood,
Even with such life of majesty – warm life,
As now it coldly stands – when first I wooed her!
I am ashamed. Does not the stone rebuke me
For being more stone than it? O royal piece!
There's magic in thy majesty, which has
My evils conjured to remembrance, and
From thy admiring daughter took the spirits,
Standing like stone with thee.

PERDITA
And give me leave,
And do not say 'tis superstition, that
I kneel and then implore her blessing. Lady,
Dear queen, that ended when I but began,
Give me that hand of yours to kiss!

PAULINA
O, patience!
The statue is but newly fixed, the colour's
Not dry.

CAMILLO
My lord, your sorrow was too sore laid on,
Which sixteen winters cannot blow away,
So many summers dry. Scarce any joy
Did ever so long live; no sorrow
But killed itself much sooner.

POLIXENES
Dear my brother,
Let him that was the cause of this have power
To take off so much grief from you as he
Will piece up in himself.

PAULINA
Indeed, my lord,
If I had thought the sight of my poor image
Would thus have wrought you – for the stone is mine –
I'd not have showed it.

LEONTES
Do not draw the curtain.

PAULINA
No longer shall you gaze on't, lest your fancy
May think anon it moves.

LEONTES
Let be, let be!
Would I were dead but that methinks already –
What was he that did make it? See, my lord:
Would you not deem it breathed, and that those veins
Did verily bear blood?

POLIXENES
Masterly done!
The very life seems warm upon her lip.

LEONTES
The fixture of her eye has motion in't
As we are mocked with art.

PAULINA
I'll draw the curtain.
My lord's almost so far transported that
He'll think anon it lives.

LEONTES
O sweet Paulina,
Make me to think so twenty years together!
No settled senses of the world can match
The pleasure of that madness. Let't alone.

PAULINA
I am sorry, sir, I have thus far stirred you; but
I could afflict you farther.

LEONTES
Do, Paulina:
For this affliction has a taste as sweet
As any cordial comfort. Still methinks
There is an air comes from her. What fine chisel
Could ever yet cut breath? Let no man mock me,
For I will kiss her.

PAULINA
Good my lord, forbear.
The ruddiness upon her lip is wet:
You'll mar it if you kiss it; stain your own
With oily painting. Shall I draw the curtain?

LEONTES
No, not these twenty years.

PERDITA
So long could I
Stand by, a looker-on.

PAULINA
Either forbear,
Quit presently the chapel, or resolve you
For more amazement. If you can behold it,
I'll make the statue move indeed, descend
And take you by the hand: but then you'll think –
Which I protest against – I am assisted
By wicked powers.

LEONTES
What you can make her do
I am content to look on; what to speak
I am content to hear; for 'tis as easy
To make her speak as move.

PAULINA
It is required
You do awake your faith. Then all stand still;
Or those that think it is unlawful business
I am about, let them depart.

LEONTES
Proceed.
No foot shall stir.

PAULINA
Music, awake her, strike!
Music
'Tis time: descend; be stone no more; approach;
Strike all that look upon with marvel. Come,
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 descends
Start not: her actions shall be holy as
You hear my spell is lawful. (To Leontes) Do not shun her
Until you see her die again, for then
You kill her double. Nay, present your hand.
When she was young you wooed her: now, in age,
Is she become the suitor?

LEONTES
O, she's warm!
If this be magic, let it be an art
Lawful as eating.

POLIXENES
She embraces him.

CAMILLO
She hangs about his neck.
If she pertain to life, let her speak too.

POLIXENES
Ay, and make it manifest where she has lived,
Or how stol'n from the dead.

PAULINA
That she is living,
Were it but told you, should be hooted at
Like an old tale: but it appears she lives,
Though yet she speak not. Mark a little while.
(To Perdita) Please you to interpose, fair madam; kneel,
And pray your mother's blessing. Turn, good lady:
Our Perdita is found.

HERMIONE
You gods, look down,
And from your sacred vials pour your graces
Upon my daughter's head! Tell me, mine own,
Where hast thou been preserved? Where lived? How found
Thy father's court? For thou shalt hear that I,
Knowing by Paulina that the oracle
Gave hope thou wast in being, have preserved
Myself to see the issue.

PAULINA
There's time enough for that,
Lest they desire upon this push to trouble
Your joys with like relation. Go together,
You precious winners all; your exultation
Partake to everyone. I, an old turtle,
Will wing me to some withered bough, and there
My mate, that's never to be found again,
Lament till I am lost.

LEONTES
O, peace, Paulina!
Thou shouldst a husband take by my consent,
As I by thine a wife. This is a match,
And made between's by vows. Thou hast found mine –
But how is to be questioned: for I saw her,
As I thought, dead; and have in vain said many
A prayer upon her grave. I'll not seek far –
For him, I partly know his mind – to find thee
An honourable husband. Come, Camillo,
And take her by the hand; whose worth and honesty
Is richly noted, and here justified
By us, a pair of kings. Let's from this place.
(To Hermione) What! Look upon my brother. Both your pardons
That e'er I put between your holy looks
My ill suspicion. This' your son-in-law,
And son unto the King, whom heavens directing,
Is troth-plight to your daughter. Good Paulina,
Lead us from hence, where we may leisurely
Each one demand and answer to his part
Performed in this wide gap of time since first
We were dissevered. Hastily lead away.
Exeunt
x

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