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?
i Lord. I had rather you did lack, than I, my lord,
Upon this ground: and more it would content me
To have her honour true, than
your suspicion; Be blam'd 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 stupified,
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,
You had only in your silent judgment tried it,
Without more overture.
Leon.
How could that be?
Either thou art most ignorant by age,
Or thou wert born a fool. Camillo's fight,
Added to their familiarity,
(Which was as gross as ever touch'd conjecture,
That lack'd sight only, nought for approbation,
But only seeing, all other circumstances
Made up to the deed,) doth push on this proceeding :
Yet, for a greater confirmation,
(For, in an act of this importance, 'twere
Most piteous to be wild,) I have dispatch'd in post,
To sacred Delphos, to Apollo's temple,
Cleomenes and Dion, whom you know
Of stuff'd sufficiency: Now, from the oracle
They will bring all ; whose spiritual counsel had,
Shall stop, or spur me. Have I done well?
1 Lord. Well done, my lord.
Leon. Though I am satisfied, and need no more Than what I know, yet shall the oracle Give rest to the minds of others; such as he, Whose ignorant credulity will not Come up to the truth: So have we thought it good, From our free person she should be confind; Lest that the treachery of the two, fled hence, Be left her to perform. Come, follow us; We are to speak in publick: for this business Will raise us all.
Ant. [Aside.] To laughter, as I take it, If the good truth were known.
[Exeunt.
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?
Keep.
For a worthy lady,
And one whom much I honour.
Paul.
Pray you then,
Conduct me to the queen.
Keep. I may not, madam: to the contrary
I have express commandment.
Paul.
Here's ado,
To lock up honesty and honour from
The access of gentle visitors!
—Is it lawful,
Pray you, to see her women? any of them?
Emilia?
Keep. So please you, madam, to put Apart these your attendants, I shall bring Emilia forth.
Paul. I pray you now, call her. Withdraw yourselves,
[Exeunt Attend. Keep. .
And, madam, I must be
your
conference Paul. Well, be it so, pr'ythee. [Exit Keeper. Here's such ado to make no stain a stain, As passes colouring.
Re-enter Keeper, with Emilia.
Dear gentlewoman, how fares our gracious lady?
Emil. As well as one so great, and so forlorn,
May hold together: On her frights, and griefs,
(Which never tender lady hath borne greater)
She is, something before her time, deliver'd.
Paul. A boy?
Emil.
A daughter; and a goodly babe,
Lusty, and like to live: the queen receives
Much comfort in't: says, My poor prisoner,
I am innocent as you.
Paul.
I dare be sworn:
These dangerous unsafe lunes o'the king 20! beshrew
them!
He must be told on't, and he shall: the office
Becomes a woman best; I'll take't upon me:
If I prove honey-mouth'd, let my tongue blister ;
And never to my red-look'd anger be
The trumpet any more:—Pray you, Emilia,
Commend my best obedience to the queen;
If she dares trust me with her little babe,
I'll show't the king, and undertake to be
Her advocate to th' loudest: We do not know
How he may soften at the sight o'the child;
The silence often of pure innocence
Persuades, when speaking fails.
Emil.
Most worthy madam.
Your honour, and your goodness, is so evident,
That your free undertaking cannot miss
A thriving issue; there is no lady living,
So meet for this great errand: Please your ladyship
To visit the next room, I'll presently
Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer;
Who, but to-day, hammer'd of this design;
But durst not tempt a minister of honour,
Lest she should be denied.
Paul.
Tell her, Emilia,
I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from it,
As boldness from my bosom, let it not be doubted
I shall do good.
Emil. 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.
You need not fear it, sir:
The child was prisoner to the womb; and is,
By law and process of great nature, thence
Free'd and enfranchis'd: not a party to
The anger of the king; nor guilty of,
If any be, the trespass of the queen.
Keep. I do believe it.
Paul.
Do not you fear; upon
Mine honour, I will stand 'twixt you and danger.
[Exeunt. SCENE III.
Enter Leontes, ANTIGONUS, Lords, and other
Attendants. Leon. Nor night, nor day, no rest: It is but weakness
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