Paul. I care not: It is an heretick, that makes the fire, Not she, which burns in't. I'll not call you tyrant; But this most cruel usage of your queen (Not able to produce more accusation Than your own weak-hing'd fancy,) something sa vours Of tyranny, and will ignoble make you, Yea, scandalous to the world. Leon. On your allegiance, Out of the chamber with her. Were I tyrant, Paul. I pray you, do not push me; I'll be gone. Look to your babe, my lord; 'tis yours: Jove send her A better guiding spirit!-What need these hands!You, that are thus so tender o'er his follies, Will never do him good, not one of you. So, so:-Farewell; we are gone. [Exit. Leon. Thou, traitor, hast set on thy wife to this. straight: My child? away with't!-even thou, that hast Shall I dash out. Go, take it to the fire; For thou sett'st on thy wife. Ant. I did not, sir: These lords, my noble fellows, if they please, 1 Lord. We can; my royal liege, He is not guilty of her coming hither. Leon. You are liars all. 1 Lord. 'Beseech your highness, give us better credit: We have always truly serv'd you; and 'beseech So to esteem of us: And on our knees we beg, (As recompence of our dear services, Past, and to come,) that you do change this purpose; Which, being so horrible, so bloody, must Lead on to some foul issue: We all kneel. Leon. I am a feather for each wind that blows: Shall I live on, to see this bastard kneel And call me father? Better burn it now, Than curse it then. But, be it; let it live: It shall not neither.-You, sir, come you hither; [To Antigonus. You, that have been so tenderly officious ture To save this brat's life? Ant. Any thing, my lord, That my ability may undergo, And nobleness impose: at least, thus much; I'll pawn the little blood which I have left, Leon. It shall be possible: Swear by this sword, Thou wilt perform my bidding. Ant. I will, my lord. Leon. Mark, and perform it; (seest thou?) for the fail Of any point in't shall not only be Death to thyself but to thy lewd-tongued wife; Ant. I swear to do this; though a present death In more than this deed does require! and blessing, Against this cruelty, fight on thy side, Poor thing, condemn'd to loss! [Exit, with the child. Leon. Another's issue. 1 Atten. No, I'll not rear Please your highness, posts, From those you sent to the oracle, are come An hour since: Cleomenes and Dion, Being well arriv'd from Delphos, are both landed, Hasting to the court. 1 Lord. So please you, sir, their speed Twenty-three days Hath been beyond account. Leon. They have been absent: 'Tis good speed; foretels, The great Apollo suddenly will have The truth of this appear. Prepare you, lords; Leave me; ACT III. SCENE I. The same. [Exeunt. A Street in some Town. Enter CLEOMENES and DION. Cleo. The climate's delicate; the air most sweet, Fertile the isle 26; the temple much surpassing The common praise it bears. Dion. I shall report. For most it caught me, the celestial habits, (Methinks, I so should term them,) and the reverence Of the grave wearers. O, the sacrifice! How ceremonious, solemn, and unearthly It was i'the offering! Cleo. But, of all, the burst And the ear-deafening voice o'the oracle, That I was nothing. Dion. If the event o'the journey Prove as successful to the queen,-O, be't so!— The time is worth the use on't. Cleo. Great Apollo, Turn all to the best! These proclamations, So forcing faults upon Hermione, I little like. Dion. The violent carriage of it Will clear, or end, the business: When the oracle, (Thus by Apollo's great divine seal'd up,) Shall the contents discover, something rare, Even then will rush to knowledge.-Go,-fresh horses; And gracious be the issue! [Exeunt. SCENE II. The same. A Court of Justice. LEONTES, Lords, and Officers, appear properly seated. Leon. This sessions (to our great grief, we pronounce,) |