Even pushes against our heart: The party tried, Offi. It is his highness' pleasure, that the queen Appear in person here in court.-Silence! HERMIONE is brought in, guarded; PAULINA and Ladies, attending. Leon. Read the indictment. Offi. Hermione, queen to the worthy Leontes, king of Sicilia, thou art here accused and arraigned of high treason, in committing adultery with Polixenes, king of Bohemia; and conspiring with Camillo to take away the life of our sovereign lord the king, thy royal husband: the pretence whereof being by circumstances partly laid open, thou, Hermione, contrary to the faith and allegiance of a true subject, didst counsel and aid them, for their better safety, to fly away by night. Her. Since what I am to say, must be but that Which contradicts my accusation; and The testimony on my part, no other But what comes from myself; it shall scarce boot me To say, Not guilty: mine integrity, Being counted falsehood, shall, as I express it, Be so receiv'd. But thus,-If powers divine Behold our human actions, (as they do,) I doubt not then, but innocence shall make Tremble at patience.-You, my lord, best know, A moiety of the throne, a great king's daughter, And only that I stand for. I appeal To your own conscience, sir, before Polixenes Have strain'd, to appear thus 28: if one jot beyond Leon. I ne'er heard yet, That any of these bolder vices wanted Less impudence to gainsay what they did, Her. That's true enough: Though, 'tis a saying, sir, not due to me. Leon. You will not own it. Her. More than mistress of, Which comes to me in name of fault, I must not At all acknowledge. For Polixenes, A lady like me; with a love, even such, To you, and toward your friend; whose love had spoke, Even since it could speak, from an infant freely, That it was yours. Now, for conspiracy, I know not how it tastes; though it be dish'd For me to try how all I know of it, : Is, that Camillo was an honest man ; And, why he left your court, the gods themselves, Leon. You knew of his departure, as you know 30 Sir, You speak a language that I understand not: Leon. Your actions are my dreams; You had a bastard by Polixenes, And I but dream'd it:- As you were past all shame, (Those of your fact are so,) so past all truth: Which to deny, concerns more than avails: For as Thy brat hath been cast out, like to itself, Her. Sir, spare your threats; The bug, which you would fright me with, I seck. To me can life be no commodity: The crown and comfort of my life, your favour, I do give lost; for I do feel it gone, But know not how it went: My second joy, I am barr'd, like one infectious: My third comfort, The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth, Upon surmises; all proofs sleeping else, Apollo be my judge. 1 Lord. This your request Is altogether just: therefore, bring forth, [Exeunt certain Officers. Her. The emperor of Russia was my father: Re-enter Officers, with CLEOMENES and DION. Offi. You here shall swear upon this sword of justice, That you, Cleomenes and Dion, have Been both at Delphos; and from thence have brought Cleo. Dion. All this we swear. Leon. Break up the seals, and read. Offi. [reads.] Hermione is chaste, Polixenes blameless, Camillo a true subject, Leontes a jealous tyrant, his innocent babe truly begotten: and the king shall live without an heir, if that, which is lost, be not found. |