Act I, Scene II — A room....] Capell. Scene opens to the Presence. Theobald…

Act I, Scene II — A room....] Capell. Scene opens to the Presence. Theobald

Camillo] om. Theobald.

and Attendants] Theobald, om. Ff.

[1] hath] have Capell.

[1, 2] been ... note] been (The shepherd's note,) Warburton.

[8] moe] more Rowe.

[9] a while] awhile Reed.

[11] I am] I'm Pope.

[12] absence;] absence, Ff.

[12, 13] that may blow No] there may blow Some Hanmer. may there blow No Warburton.

[12-14] that ... truly:] that ... truly! Steevens (Farmer conj.).

[14] truly] early Hanmer. tardily Capell.

[17] seven-night] seve'night F1 F2 F3. sev'night F4.

[19] beseech you, so.] 'beseech you! Hanmer. so, beseech you: Capell.

[20] world] F1 F3 F4. would F2.

[28] to have] to've Pope.

[29] You had] You 'ad Theobald.

[33] [He walks apart. Collier (Collier MS.).

[38] [To Polixenes. Rowe.

[40] give him] give you Hanmer (Warburton).

[41] behind] beyond Heath conj.

gest] F1 F2. guest F3 F4. just Theobald conj. geste Hanmer. list Heath conj.

[42] good deed,] (good-deed) F1. (good-heed) F2. (good heed) F3 F4. See note (i).

[44] lady she] lady should Collier (Egerton and Collier MSS.). lady-she Staunton.

[50] 'Verily''s] Staunton and Grant White. Verely 'is F1 F2. verily is F3 F4.

[65, 66] Was ... two?] As in Ff. In one line. Hanmer.

[70] nor dream'd] F1. no nor dream'd F2 F3 F4. neither dream'd Spedding conj.

[77] to's] to us Capell.

[80] Grace] Oh! Grace Hanmer. God's grace S. Walker conj.

boot] both Heath conj.

[81] lest] F4. least F1 F2 F3.

[88] dearest] dear'st S. Walker conj.

never] ne'er Pope.

[90] was't] 'twas Steevens (1778). was it Mason conj.

[91] cram's ... make's] cram us ... make us Capell.

[96] heat an acre. But to the goal;--] heat an Acre. But to th' Goale: Ff. (Goal F3 F4). heat an acre, but to th' goal. Warburton. clear an acre. But to the good: Collier (Collier MS.).

[100] spoke] F1 F2. spake F3 F4.

purpose:] Capell. purpose? Ff.

[104] And clap] F2} F3 F4. A clap F1. And clepe Rowe (ed. 2).

[105] 'Tis] Ff. This is Hanmer. It is Capell.

[106] I have] I've Pope.

[108] [Giving her hand to Pol. Capell.

[Aside.] Rowe.

[112] derive] F1. derives F2 F3 F4.

[113] bounty, fertile bosom] bounty's fertile bosom Hanmer. bounty:--fertile become Jackson conj.

[114] well] F1. we'l F2 F4. wee'l F3.

become] becomes Rowe (ed. 2).

't may] it may Steevens.

[117] looking-glass] glass S. Walker conj.

[119] Mamillius] Mamillus Rowe (ed. 2).

[121] hast] Capell. has't Ff.

[122] They ... captain,] As two lines in Capell, ending mine ... captain.

it is] it's Warburton. 't's Anon. conj.

[Wipes the boy's face, Hanmer. [Pulling the boy to him and wiping him. Capell.

[123] but] F1. om. F2 F3 F4.

[124] heifer] heycfer F1 F2.

[125] [Observing Polixenes and Hermione. Rowe.

[128] pash] bush Becket conj.

[129] full like] full, like Ff.

[132] o'er-dyed] o're-dy'd F1 F2 F3. o're di'd F4. our dead Collier (Collier MS.), oft dyed Staunton conj.

wind] winds Rowe (ed. 2).

[134] bourn] Capell. bourne Rowe. borne F1 F2. born F3 F4.

[135] were] is Hanmer.

[136] welkin eye] welking eye Rowe (ed. 2). welkin-eye Theobald.

[137] dam?--] dam? Rowe. dam, Ff.

[137, 138] may't be?--Affection, ... centre] Steevens. may't be? Affection, thy intention stabs to the center Capell. may't be Affection? ... centre Ff. may't be--Imagination! thou dost stab to th' center Rowe.

[138-146] Affection ... brows.] Erased in Collier MS.

[139] not so] F1. not be so F2 F3 F4. not to be so Hanmer.

held,] held? Staunton.

[140, 141] dreams;--how ... be?--With ... unreal] Rann (Theobald conj.). dreames (how ... be?) With ... unreal: F1 F2. dreams (how ... be?) With ... unreal, F3 F4. dreams--how ... be With ... unreal? Pope. dreams?--how! can this be?--With ... unreal Staunton.

[142] fellow'st] follow'st Rowe (ed. 2).

nothing] nothings Hanmer.

[147, 148] How, my lord! What ... brother?] Rann (Steevens). How? my lord? Leo. What ... brother? Ff. How? my lord? Leo. What ... my best brother? Rowe. How? my lord? What ... my best brother? Hanmer. Now, my lord? What ... brother? Capell. How is't, my lord? What ... brother? Long MS. How now, my lord? Leo. What ... brother? Singer MS. Ho, my lord! What ... brother? Dyce conj.

[148-150] What ... lord?] S. Walker arranges as three lines, ending with you, ... brow ... lord?

[148] is't] is it Rowe (ed. 2).

best] my best Rowe (ed. 2).

[150] Are you] Are not you Theobald. Are you not Hanmer.

earnest.] earnest, no.-- Capell.

[151] [Aside. Capell.

[151, 152] its ... Its] it's ... It's F1 F2. its ... It's F3 F4.

[154] methoughts] F4. me thoughts F1 F2 F3. my thoughts Collier (Egerton MS.), methought Staunton. See note (II).

recoil] F4. requoyle F1 F2. recoyl F3. recall Grey conj.

[157] its] it's Ff.

[158] ornaments ... do] Rowe. ornaments ... do's Ff (does F4). ornament ... does Capell.

do] Rowe. do's F1 F2 F3. does F4.

[161] eggs] ayes Becket conj.

[162] my lord] om. Hanmer.

[163] will!] Rowe. will: Ff.

be's] be his Capell.

[170] childness] childishness Pope.

[171] would] F1. should F2 F3 F4.

thick] think F4.

[177] would] will Theobald.

[180] [Aside] Aside, observing Her. Rowe (after line 182).

[183] neb] nib Rowe (ed. 2).

[185] [Exeunt....] Rowe.

[194] in's] in his Capell

[202-206] and 'tis ... baggage.] Put in the margin as spurious by Hanmer.

[202, 203] powerful, think it, From ... south:] Capell. powrefull: thinke it: From ... south, Ff.

[203-206] From east ... baggage.] Omitted by Warburton.

[204] know't] know it Capell (corrected in MS.).

[206] many ... on's] F1 F2 F3. many a ... one's F4. many a ... of's Rowe.

[208, 209] Why ... there?] S. Walker arranges as one line.

[208] they] F2 F3 F4. om. F1.

[209] What.] What? is Hanmer.

[211] Mamillius] Mamillus Rowe (ed. 2).

[Exit M.] Rowe.

[212] SCENE III. Pope.

[213] his anchor] the anchor Hanmer.

[215] petitions; made] petitions made; Pope.

[217] [Aside] Hanmer.

whispering, rounding] whisp'ring round Hanmer.

[218] is a so-forth] is a--so forth Rann (Mason conj.). is--and so forth Malone conj. is a sea-froth Jackson conj.

[224] is soaking] in soaking Grey conj.

[230, 231] Leon. Ha! Cam. Stays here longer. Leon. Ay] Leo. Ha? stays here, longer. Ay Hanmer. Leo. Ha? Cam. Bohemia stays here longer. Leo. Ay Capell.

[233] Satisfy!] Satisfie? Ff. Satisfie Theobald.

[235] I have] I've Pope.

[236] nearest things to] Ff. things nearest Pope, nearest things to S. Walker conj.

as well] with all Hanmer. as well as Capell conj.

[241] my lord!] Hanmer. (my Lord.) Ff. my lord. Pope. my lord-- Theobald.

[244] hoxes] Ff. hockles Hanmer.

[253] Among] F1. Amongst F2 F3 F4.

doings] F1. doing F2 F3 F4.

[254] forth. In] Theobald. forth in Ff.

my lord,] Theobald. (my Lord.) Ff. my Lord. Rowe.

[256] industriously] injuriously Hanmer.

[261] non-performance] Ff. now-performance Heath conj.

[266] its] it's Ff.

[267] Ha'] Ff. Have Capell.

[272] think] think it Theobald. think 't Hanmer. See note (III).

[273] wilt] Ff. wilt, Rowe.

[276] hobby-horse] Rowe (ed. 2). holy-horse Ff. hoby-horse Capell.

[277] puts to] buts tow Jackson conj.

[285] meeting] F4 meating F1 F2 F3. meting Thirlby conj.

[290] noon] F1. the noon F2 F3 F4. noon-day or high noon Anon. conj.

eyes] eyes else S. Walker conj.

[304] wife's] Rowe. wives Ff.

[307] her medal] Rowe. her medull F1 F2 F3. her medul F4. his medal Theobald. a medal Collier MS.

[309] bare] Theobald. bear Ff.

[312] ay] Capell. I Ff.

[316] gall'd] Ff. galled Steevens. gull'd Rann.

mightst] F1. thou mightst F2 F3 F4.

[318] Sir] Sure Collier (Collier MS.).

[321] Maliciously like] Maliciously, like F4. Maliciously, like a Rowe. Like a malicious Hanmer.

[323] So ... honourable.] So sovereignly (being honourable) Malone conj.

[323-325] So ... unsettled] S. Walker arranges as three lines, ending lov'd thee ... think ... unsettled. End 323 I have Spedding conj.]

[324] I have loved thee,-- Leon. Make that ... rot!] I haue lou'd thee, Leo. Make that ... rot: F1. I have lov'd thee. Leo. Make that ... rot: F2 F3 F4. Leo. I've lov'd thee.--Make 't ... rot: Theobald. So lov'd. Leo. Make that ... rot: Hanmer. Leo. I've lov'd thee. Mark this question, and go do't Heath conj. Leo. Make that thy question, and go rot! I have lov'd thee. Capell (Tyrwhitt conj.). Leo. Have I lov'd thee? Make that ... rot. Long MS.

[326, 327] vexation; sully The] vexation? sully The Theobald, vexation? Sully the Ff.

[329] thorns ... tails] and thorns ... and tails Hanmer.

nettles] nettles, pismires Anon. conj.

wasps;] wasps? or would I Capell.

[332] to't? ... this?] to't ... this? Hanmer.

[333] man] any man Long MS.

[337] for sealing] forsealing Anon. conj.

[341] blemish to her] blemish t' her S. Walker conj. reading lines 341, 342 as one line.

[364] Re-enter P.] Enter P. Ff.

Act I, Scene IV — Pope

[365] My] Me F2.

[366] Hail] Hoyle F2.

[376] my lord] om. Hanmer.

[377] do not] dare not Hanmer. om. Long MS.

Do you ... dare not? ... me:] do you ... dare not? ... me, Ff. You do ... dare not ... me: Hanmer. Do you ... dare not ... me? Capell.

[379] you do] F1 F2. do you F3 F4.

[384] with't] with it Rowe (ed. 2).

[389] I have] F1 F4. I F2 F3. I've Pope.

[391] are certainly a] Ff. are, certain, Capell.

thereto] om. Pope.

[392] Clerk-like] Ff. Clerk-like, Capell.

experienced] experienc'd F1. expedienc'd F2 F3 F4.

[404] toward] towards Rowe (ed. 2).

[405] to be] Ff. it be Theobald.

[406] I will] I'll Pope.

[410] utter it] utter't S. Walker conj.

me] I Collier MS.

[412] I am appointed him] F1 I appointed him F2 F3 F4. I am appointed Rowe. I am appointed, sir Hanmer. I am appointed by him Long MS. I appointed am Anon. MS. apud Halliwell.

[416] To vice] To 'ntice Heath conj.

[422, 424] shunn'd ... read] fear'd ... read of Anon. MS. apud Halliwell.

[424] his thought] this though Theobald. this thought Id. conj.

over] over! Jackson conj.

[432] I am] I'm Pope.

[433] 'tis] it is S. Walker conj., reading lines 431-433 as four lines, ending body ... sure ... question ... born.

[444] by] by't Hanmer.

[445, 446] mouth, thereon His] Capell. mouth; Thereon his Ff. mouth, His Hanmer. mouth, and thereon His S. Walker conj.

[448] places] paces Malone conj.

[451] jealousy] jealousy of his S. Walker conj.

[458] and] Heav'n Hanmer. God Singer conj.

[458, 459] comfort ... theme] consort ... throne Jackson conj. See note (IV).

[459] queen,] queen's; Warburton.

theme] theame F1 F2. theam F3 F4. dream Collier (Collier MS.).

[465] hour. Come] hour. Pol. Come Long MS.

Act II, Scene I — A room in LEONTES' palace

Enter HERMIONE, MAMILLIUS, and Ladies.

Her. Take the boy to you: he so troubles me, 'Tis past enduring.

First Lady. Come, my gracious lord, Shall I be your play-fellow?

Mam. No, I 'll none of you.

First Lady. Why, my sweet lord?

Mam. You'll kiss me hard, and speak to me as if 5 I were a baby still. I love you better.

Sec. 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, 10 Or a half-moon made with a pen.

Sec. Lady. Who taught you this?

Mam. I learn d it out of women's faces. Pray now What colour are your eyebrows?

First Lady. Blue, my lord.

Mam. Nay, that's a mock: I have seen a lady's nose That has been blue, but not her eyebrows.

First Lady. Hark ye; 15 The queen your mother rounds apace: we shall Present our services to a fine new prince One of these days; and then you'ld wanton with us, If we would have you.

Sec. Lady. She is spread of late Into a goodly bulk: good time encounter her! 20

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: I have one 25 Of sprites and goblins.

Her. Let's have that, good sir. 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 churchyard: I will tell it softly; 30 Yond crickets shall not hear it.

Her. Come on, then, And give't me in mine ear.

Enter LEONTES, with ANTIGONUS, Lords, and others.

Leon. Was he met there? his train? Camillo with him?

First Lord. Behind the tuft of pines I met them; never Saw I men scour so on their way: I eyed them 35 Even to their ships.

Leon. How blest am I In my just censure, in my true opinion! Alack, for lesser knowledge! how accursed In being so blest! There may be in the cup A spider steep'd, and one may drink, depart, 40 And yet partake no venom; for his knowledge Is not infected: but if one present The abhorr'd ingredient to his eye, make known How he hath drunk, he cracks his gorge, his sides, With violent hefts. I have drunk, and seen the spider. 45 Camillo was his help in this, his pander: There is a plot against my life, my crown; All's true that is mistrusted: that false villain Whom I employ'd was pre-employ'd by him: He has discover'd my design, and I 50 Remain a pinch'd thing; yea, a very trick For them to play at will. How came the posterns So easily open?

First Lord. By his great authority; Which often hath no less prevail'd than so On your command.

Leon. I know't too well. 55 Give me the boy: I am glad you did not nurse him: Though he does bear some signs of me, yet you Have too much blood in him.

Her. What is this? sport?

Leon. Bear the boy hence; he shall not come about her; Away with him! and let her sport herself 60 With that she's big with; for 'tis Polixenes Has made thee swell thus.

Her. But I'ld say he had not, And I'll be sworn you would believe my saying, Howe'er you lean to the nayward.

Leon. You, my lords, Look on her, mark her well; be but about 65 To say 'she is a goodly lady,' and The justice of your hearts will thereto add ''Tis pity she's not honest, honourable:' Praise her but for this her without-door form, Which on my faith deserves high speech, and straight 70 The shrug, the hum or ha, these petty brands That calumny doth use; O, I am out, That mercy does, for calumny will sear Virtue itself: these shrugs, these hums and ha's, When you have said 'she's goodly,' come between 75 Ere you can say 'she's honest:' but be't known, From him that has most cause to grieve it should be, She's an adulteress.

Her. Should a villain say so, The most replenish'd villain in the world, He were as much more villain: you, my lord, 80 Do but mistake.

Leon. You have mistook, my lady, Polixenes for Leontes: O thou thing! Which I 'll not call a creature of thy place, Lest barbarism, making me the precedent, Should a like language use to all degrees 85 And mannerly distinguishment leave out Betwixt the prince and beggar: I have said She's an adulteress; I have said with whom: More, she's a traitor and Camillo is A federary with her; and one that knows, 90 What she should shame to know herself But with her most vile principal, that she's A bed-swerver, even as bad as those That vulgars give bold'st titles; ay, and privy To this their late escape.

Her. No, by my life, 95 Privy to none of this. How will this grieve you, When you shall come to clearer knowledge, that You thus have publish'd me! Gentle my lord, You scarce can right me throughly then to say You did mistake.

Leon. No; if I mistake 100 In those foundations which I build upon, The centre is not big enough to bear A school-boy's top. Away with her, to prison! He who shall speak for her is afar off guilty But that he speaks.

Her. There's some ill planet reigns: 105 I must be patient till the heavens look With an aspect more favourable. Good my lords, I am not prone to weeping, as our sex Commonly are; the want of which vain dew Perchance shall dry your pities: but I have 110 That honourable grief lodged here which burns Worse than tears drown: beseech you all, my lords, With thoughts so qualified as your charities Shall best instruct you, measure me; and so The king's will be perform'd!

Leon. Shall I be heard? 115

Her. Who is't that goes with me? Beseech your highness, My women may be with me; for you see My plight requires it. Do not weep, good fools; There is no cause: when you shall know your mistress Has deserved prison, then abound in tears 120 As I come out: this action I now go on Is for my better grace. Adieu, my lord: I never wish'd to see you sorry; now I trust I shall. My women, come; you have leave.

Leon. Go, do our bidding; hence! 125

[Exit Queen, guarded; with Ladies.

First Lord. Beseech your highness, call the queen again.

Ant. Be certain what you do, sir, lest your justice Prove violence; in the which three great ones suffer, Yourself, your queen, your son.

First Lord. For her, my lord, I dare my life lay down and will do't, sir, 130 Please you to accept it, that the queen is spotless I' the eyes of heaven and to you; I mean, In this which you accuse her.

Ant. I fit prove She's otherwise, I'll keep my stables where I lodge my wife; I'll go in couples with her; 135 Than when I feel and see her no farther trust her; For every inch of woman in the world, Ay, every dram of woman's flesh is false, If she be.

Leon. Hold your peaces.

First Lord. Good my lord,--

Ant. It is for you we speak, not for ourselves: 140 You are abused and by some putter-on That will be damn'd for't; would I knew the villain, I would land-damn him. Be she honour-flaw'd, I have three daughters; the eldest is eleven; The second and the third, nine, and some five; 145 If this prove true, they'll pay for't: by mine honour, I'll geld 'em all; fourteen they shall not see, To bring false generations: they are co-heirs; And I had rather glib myself than they Should not produce fair issue.

Leon. Cease; no more. 150 You smell this business with a sense as cold As is a dead man's nose: but I do see't and feel't, As you feel doing thus; and see withal The instruments that feel.

Ant. I fit be so, We need no grave to bury honesty: 155 There's not a grain of it the face to sweeten Of the whole dungy earth.

Leon. What! lack I credit?

First 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, 160 Be blamed 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 165 Or seeming so in skill, cannot or will not Relish a 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, 170 You had only in your silent judgement 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 flight, Added to their familiarity, 175 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, 180 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 185 They will bring all; whose spiritual counsel had, Shall stop or spur me. Have I done well?

First Lord. Well done, my lord.

Leon. Though I am satisfied and need no more Than what I know, yet shall the oracle 190 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 confined, Lest that the treachery of the two fled hence 195 Be left her to perform. Come, follow us; We are to speak in public; for this business Will raise us all.

Ant. [Aside] To laughter, as I take it, If the good truth were known. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

Act II, Scene I — A room....] The Palace. Theobald. The Scene continues. Pope

Enter....] Enter HERMIONE, MAMILLIUS, Ladies: LEONTES, ANTIGONUS, Lords. Ff. (Lord. F2 F3 F4).

[6,7] love ... lord?] As one line by S. Walker.

[7] my lord] pray, my lord Hanmer my good lord Steevens.

[10] semicircle] cemicircle F1

[11] Or] Like Hanmer. taught you this] Rowe. taught this F1. taught this F2 F3 F4.

[13] are] F1. be F2 F3 F4.

[18] you'ld] F3. you'ld F1 F2. you'l F4. you'll Rowe.

[23] shall't] shall it Steevens.

[25, 26.] for winter ... goblins] As one line in Hanmer.

I have ... goblins] Arranged as by Dyce; as one line in Ff.

[26] good sir] sir Steevens.

[26, 28.] sprites] Capell. sprights Ff.

[31] Yond] Ff. Yon' Capell.

[31, 32.] Come ... ear] Arranged as in Capell; as one line in Ff.

[32] give't] give it Hanmer.

[32] Enter....] Capell. Enter L., A., and Lords. Rowe. om. F1. Enter L. F2 F3 F4.

[33] SCENE II. Pope.

[34] First Lord] Capell (and throughout the Scene). Lord. Ff.

[36] Even] On even Hanmer.] blest] blessed then Steevens conj.

[40] drink, depart] drink; depart Ff. drink a part Collier MS. deep o't Staunton conj. drain if deep Jervis conj.

[50] has] hath Rowe.

[51] pinch'd] perch'd Jackson conj.

[54] often hath no less prevail'd than so] hath prevailed oftentimes no less Than so Hanmer.

[55] command] commandement S. Walker conj.

too well.] too well, too well. Anon. conj.

[56] I am] I'm Pope.

[61] [Some bear off Mamillius. Capell.

[62] But I'ld] F4. But Il'd F1 F2 F3. I'd but Hanmer.

[68] honest, honourable] honest: honourable Ff. honest-honourable S. Walker conj.

[73] does] do's Ff. doth Hanmer.

sear] fear Rowe (ed. 2).

[76] be't] Ff. be it Steevens. it be Id. (1793), corrected in MS.

[84] Lest] Least Ff.

[90.: federary] feodary Collier (ed. 2. Malone conj.).

and one] one Hanmer. ay, and one S. Walker conj.

[91] shame] be asham'd Hanmer.

herself] herself with none Anon. conj.

[92] But ... principal] omitted by Capell.

vile] Pope. vild Ff.

[92, 93] she's A bed-swerver] she Is a bed-swerver S. Walker conj. ending lines 90-93 at one ... herself ... she.

[93] bed-swerver] bed-swarver Ff.

even] e'en S. Walker conj.

[94] That vulgars] That vulgar Rowe. The vulgar Hanmer.

bold'st] bold Steevens (1793).

[99] then to] than to Rowe (ed. 1).

[100] No] No, no Steevens (1793).

I mistake] I do mistake Hanmer.

[103] her, to] Ff. her to Pope.

[104] her is] her's S. Walker conj.

afar off] F4. a farre-off F1 F2. afar-off F3. far off Pope. far of Theobald.

[105] But] In Hanmer.

[107] an aspect more favourable] aspect of more favour Hanmer.

[115] [To the Guard. Capell.

[124] you have] you've Pope.

[125] Exit....] Theobald, om. Ff.

[127] lest] F3 F4. least F1 F2.

[134] my stables] my stable-stand Hanmer. my stable Rann. me stables Collier (Collier MS.), my stabler or my stablers Edd. conj.

[136] Than] Pope (ed. 2). Then Ff. See note (v).

farther] F1. further F2 F3 F4.

[141] abused and by] abus'd and by F1. abus'd by F2 F3 F4. abused by Rowe.

[143] I would ... him.] And I would--damn him;-- Mitford conj.

[143] land-damn] Land-damne F1. land-damm Hanmer. laudanum Farmer conj. lamback Collier (ed. 2) (Collier MS.), half-damn Heath conj. live-damn S. Walker conj. landan or lantam or rantan Halliwell conj. See note (vi).

[145] nine, and some five] Theobald. nine: and some fiue F1. nine: and sonnes five F2 F3. nine: and sons five F4.

[147] 'em] F3 F4. em F1 F2. them Capell.

[149] glib] lib Grey conj. unsib Heath conj.

[152] but I do] I Pope.

[153] [Laying hold of his arm. Hanmer. Sinking his brows. Johnson. Striking his brows. Steevens.

[154] The ... so] The instruments of that you feel. Ant. If so Heath conj.

that] I Hanmer.

[160] her] your Rowe (ed. 2).

[162] of] F1. for F2 F3 F4.

but] not Hanmer.

[167] a truth] as truth Rowe (ed. 1).

[169, 170] on't, is all Properly] Theobald. on't, Is all properly Ff. on't, Is properly all Pope. on't are all Properly Hanmer.

[177] lack'd] lack'd, Staunton.

[182] I have] I haue F1. I've Hanmer.

[184] Cleomenes] Capell. Cleomines Ff (and throughout).

Dion] F1. Deon F2 F3 F4.

[187] me] me on Hanmer.

[193] have we] F1 F2. we have F3 F4.

[195] Lest] F4. Least F1 F2 F3.

[198] [Aside] Hanmer.

Act II, Scene II — A prison.

Enter PAULINA, a Gentleman, and Attendants.

Paul. The keeper of the prison, call to him; Let him have knowledge who I am. [Exit Gent. Good lady, No court in Europe is too good for thee; What dost thou then in prison?

Re-enter Gentleman, with the Gaoler.

Now, good sir, You know me, do you not?

Gaol. For a worthy lady 5 And one who much I honour.

Paul. Pray you, then, Conduct me to the queen.

Gaol. I may not, madam: To the contrary I have express commandment.

Paul. Here's ado, To lock up honesty and honour from 10 The access of gentle visitors! Is't lawful, pray you. To see her women? any of them? Emilia?

Gaol. So please you, madam, To put apart these your attendants, I Shall bring Emilia forth.

Paul. I pray now, call her. 15 Withdraw yourselves. [Exeunt Gentleman and Attendants.

Gaol. And, madam, I must be present at your conference.

Paul. Well, be't so, prithee. [Exit Gaoler. Here's such ado to make no stain a stain As passes colouring.

Re-enter Gaoler, with EMILIA.

Dear gentlewoman, 20 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. 25

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 i' the king, beshrew them! 30 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, 35 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 the loud'st. We do not know How he may soften at the sight o' the child: 40 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 45 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, 50 Lest she should be denied.

Paul. Tell her, Emilia,

I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from't As boldness from my bosom, let't not be doubted I shall do good.

Emil. Now be you blest for it! I'll to the queen: please you, come something nearer. 55

Gaol. 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: This child was prisoner to the womb and is By law and process of great nature thence 60 Freed and enfranchised; not a party to The anger of the king nor guilty of, If any be, the trespass of the queen.

Gaol. I do believe it.

Paul. Do not you fear: upon mine honour, I 65 Will stand betwixt you and danger. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

Scene ii.] Scene iii. Pope.

A prison.] Pope. Outer room of a prison. Capell.

Enter PAULINA....] Hanmer. Enter Paulina, a Gentleman, Gaoler, Emilia. Ff.

[2] knowledge] the knowledge Rowe.

[2, 6] who] F1. whom F2 F3 F4.

[Exit Gent.] Rowe (after line 1). om. Ff.

[4] Re-enter....] Rowe (after do you not?), om. Ff.

[7-10] Arranged as in Hanmer. Here's ... from, as one line in Ff. Capell ends the lines queen ... contrary ... ado, ... from.

[11-13] Hanmer ends the lines lawful ... them? ... madam.

[13] So please] If it so please Hanmer.

[14] apart] a-part F1 F2 F3. a part F4.

[15] pray now] F1. pray you now F2 F3 F4.

[16] [Exeunt Gent, and Attendants.] Exeunt Gent. &c. Theobald. om. Ff.

[17] your] all your Hanmer, ending the lines be ... well, well ... prithee.

[18] Well, be't] Well; be it Rowe. Well, well; Be it Hanmer.

[Exit G.] Exit Kee. Capell. om. Ff.

[19] Here's] Here is Capell, reading lines 18-21 as three, ending ado ... colouring ... lady?

[20] Re-enter....] Re-enter Keeper with E. Capell. Enter Emilia. F2 F3 F4. om. F1.

[21] our] one F2.

[29] I am] I'm Pope.

[30] unsafe] unsane Collier (Collier MS.).

lunes] lures Becket conj.

i' the] i' th' Ff. o' the Steevens.

[31] On't] of it Pope.

he shall] shall Rowe.

[33] honey-mouth'd] honey-mouth Warburton.

[45] there is] there's Hanmer.

[49] hammer'd of] hammered of Ff. hammer'd on Hanmer.

[51] Lest] Rowe. Least Ff.

[53] let't] F3 F4. le't F1 F2. let it Steevens.

[59] This child] The child Rowe.

[64-66] As two lines in Capell, ending upon ... danger.

[66] betwixt] 'twixt Pope.

Act II, Scene III — A room in LEONTES' palace

Enter LEONTES, ANTIGONUS, Lords, and Servants.

Leon. Nor night nor day no rest: it is but weakness To bear the matter thus; mere weakness. If The cause were not in being,--part o' the cause, She the adulteress; for the harlot king Is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank 5 And level of my brain, plot-proof; but she I can hook to me: say that she were gone, Given to the fire, a moiety of my rest Might come to me again. Who's there?

First Serv. My lord?

Leon. How does the boy?

First Serv. He took good rest to-night; 10 'Tis hoped his sickness is discharged.

Leon. To see his nobleness! Conceiving the dishonour of his mother, He straight declined, droop'd, took it deeply, Fasten'd and fix'd the shame on't in himself, 15 Threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep, And downright languish'd. Leave me solely: go, See how he fares. [Exit Serv.] Fie, fie! no thought of him: The very thought of my revenges that way Recoil upon me: in himself too mighty, 20 And in his parties, his alliance; let him be Until a time may serve: for present vengeance, Take it on her. Camillo and Polixenes Laugh at me, make their pastime at my sorrow: They should not laugh if I could reach them, nor 25 Shall she within my power.

Enter PAULINA, with a child.

First Lord. You must not enter.

Paul. Nay, rather, good my lords, be second to me: Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas, Than the queen's life? a gracious innocent soul, More free than he is jealous.

Ant. That's enough. 30

Sec. Serv. Madam, he hath not slept to-night; commanded None should come at him.

Paul. Not so hot, good sir: I come to bring him sleep. 'Tis such as you, That creep like shadows by him and do sigh At each his needless heavings, such as you 35 Nourish the cause of his awaking: I Do come with words as medicinal as true, Honest as either, to purge him of that humour That presses him from sleep.

Leon. What noise there, ho?

Paul. No noise, my lord; but needful conference 40 About some gossips for your highness.

Leon. How! Away with that audacious lady! Antigonus, I charged thee that she should not come about me: I knew she would.

Ant. I told her so, my lord, On your displeasure's peril and on mine, 45 She should not visit you.

Leon. What, canst not rule her?

Paul. From all dishonesty he can: in this, Unless he take the course that you have done, Commit me for committing honour, trust it, He shall not rule me.

Ant. La you now, you hear: 50 When she will take the rein I let her run; But she'll not stumble.

Paul. Good my liege, I come; And, I beseech you, hear me, who professes Myself your loyal servant, your physician, Your most obedient counsellor, yet that dares 55 Less appear so in comforting your evils, Than such as most seem yours: I say, I come From your good queen.

Leon. Good queen!

Paul. Good queen, my lord, Good queen; I say good queen; And would by combat make her good, so were I 60 A man, the worst about you.

Leon. Force her hence.

Paul. Let him that makes but trifles of his eyes First hand me: on mine own accord I'll off; But first I'll do my errand. The good queen, For she is good, hath brought you forth a daughter; 65 Here 'tis; commends it to your blessing. [Laying down the child.

Leon. Out! A mankind witch! Hence with her, out o' door: A most intelligencing bawd!

Paul. Not so: I am as ignorant in that as you In so entitling me, and no less honest 70 Than you are mad; which is enough, I 'll warrant, As this world goes, to pass for honest.

Leon. Traitors! Will you not push her out? Give her the bastard. Thou dotard! thou art woman-tired, unroosted By thy dame Partlet here. Take up the bastard; 75 Take't up, I say; give't to thy crone.

Paul. For ever Unvenerable be thy hands, if thou Takest up the princess by that forced baseness Which he has put upon't!

Leon. He dreads his wife.

Paul. So I would you did; then 'twere past all doubt 80 You'ld call your children yours.

Leon. A nest of traitors!

Ant. I am none, by this good light.

Paul. Nor I; nor any But one that's here, and that's himself; for he The sacred honour of himself, his queen's, His hopeful son's, his babe's, betrays to slander, 85 Whose sting is sharper than the sword's; and will not,-- For, as the case now stands, it is a curse He cannot be compell'd to't,--once remove The root of his opinion, which is rotten As ever oak or stone was sound.

Leon. A callat 90 Of boundless tongue, who late hath beat her husband And now baits me! This brat is none of mine; It is the issue of Polixenes: Hence with it, and together with the dam Commit them to the fire!

Paul. It is yours; 95 And, might we lay the old proverb to your charge, So like you, 'tis the worse. Behold, my lords, Although the print be little, the whole matter And copy of the father, eye, nose, lip; The trick of's frown; his forehead; nay, the valley, 100 The pretty dimples of his chin and cheek; his smiles; The very mould and frame of hand, nail, finger: And thou, good goddess Nature, which hast made it So like to him that got it, if thou hast The ordering of the mind too, 'mongst all colours 105 No yellow in't, lest she suspect, as he does, Her children not her husband's!

Leon. A gross hag! And, lozel, thou art worthy to be hang'd, That wilt not stay her tongue.

Ant. Hang all the husbands That cannot do that feat, you'll leave yourself 110 Hardly one subject.

Leon. Once more, take her hence.

Paul. A most unworthy and unnatural lord Can do no more.

Leon. I'll ha' thee burnt.

Paul. I care not: It is an heretic that makes the fire, Not she which burns in't. I'll not call you tyrant; 115 But this most cruel usage of your queen-- Not able to produce more accusation Than your own weak-hinged fancy--something savours Of tyranny and will ignoble make you, Yea, scandalous to the world.

Leon. On your allegiance, 120 Out of the chamber with her! Were I a tyrant, Where were her life? she durst not call me so, If she did know me one. Away with her!

Paul. I pray you, do not push me; I'll be gone. Look to your babe, my lord; 'tis yours: Jove send her 125 A better guiding spirit! What needs 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. 130 My child? away with't! Even thou, that hast A heart so tender o'er it, take it hence And see it instantly consumed with fire; Even thou and none but thou. Take it up straight: Within this hour bring me word 'tis done, 135 And by good testimony, or I'll seize thy life, With what thou else call'st thine. If thou refuse And wilt encounter with my wrath, say so; The bastard brains with these my proper hands Shall I dash out. Go, take it to the fire; 140 For thou set'st on thy wife.

Ant. I did not, sir: These lords, my noble fellows, if they please, Can clear me in't.

Lords. We can: my royal liege, He is not guilty of her coming hither.

Leon. You're liars all. 145

First Lord. Beseech your highness, give us better credit: We have always truly served you; and beseech you So to esteem of us: and on our knees we beg, As recompense of our dear services Past and to come, that you do change this purpose, 150 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 155 Than curse it then. But be it; let it live. It shall not neither. You, sir, come you hither; You that have been so tenderly officious With Lady Margery, your midwife there, To save this bastard's life,--for 'tis a bastard, 160 So sure as this beard's grey,--what will you adventure 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 165 To save the innocent: any thing possible.

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 170 Death to thyself but to thy lewd-tongued wife, Whom for this time we pardon. We enjoin thee, As thou art liege-man to us, that thou carry This female bastard hence and that thou bear it To some remote and desert place quite out 175 Of our dominions, and that there thou leave it, Without more mercy, to its own protection And favour of the climate. As by strange fortune It came to us, I do in justice charge thee, On thy soul's peril and thy body's torture, 180 That thou commend it strangely to some place Where chance may nurse or end it. Take it up.

Ant. I swear to do this, though a present death Had been more merciful. Come on, poor babe: Some powerful spirit instruct the kites and ravens 185 To be thy nurses! Wolves and bears, they say, Casting their savageness aside have done Like offices of pity. Sir, be prosperous In more than this deed does require! And blessing Against this cruelty fight on thy side, 190 Poor thing, condemn'd to loss! [Exit with the child.

Leon. No, I'll not rear Another's issue.

Enter a Servant.

Serv. Please your highness, posts From those you sent to the oracle are come An hour since: Cleomenes and Dion, Being well arrived from Delphos, are both landed, 195 Hasting to the court.

First Lord. So please you, sir, their speed Hath been beyond account.

Leon. Twenty three days They have been absent: 'tis good speed; foretells The great Apollo suddenly will have The truth of this appear. Prepare you, lords; 200 Summon a session, that we may arraign Our most disloyal lady; for, as she hath Been publicly accused, so shall she have A just and open trial. While she lives My heart will be a burthen to me. Leave me, 205 And think upon my bidding. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

Act II, Scene III — ] SCENE IV. Pope

A room....] Scene changes to the Palace. Theobald.

Enter ... and Servants] Enter Leontes, Servants, Paulina, Antigonus and Lords. Ff.

[2] weakness. If] Collier. weaknesse, if Ff.

[3] being,--] being: Ff.

[5] arm] aim Field conj.

[9] First Atten. [advancing] Capell. Ser. Ff. Enrer. F2. Enter. F3 F4. om. F1.

[10,11] rest to-night; 'Tis hoped his] rest to night: 'tis hop'd His Ff. rest To-night tis hop'd his Hanmer.

[14] declined] declin'd upon't Capell.

deeply] most deeply Hanmer.

[18] [Exit....] Theobald.

[20] Recoil] Recoyle F1 F2. Recoyl F3 F4. Recoils Hanmer.

[21] And in ... be] F1. omitted in F2 F3 F4.

And] om. Capell.

alliance;] Alliance; F1. alliances,-- Capell conj.

[21, 22] let him be Until] let him Be 'till Hanmer.

[26] SCENE V. Pope.

Enter P. ... child.] Rowe. Enter P. Ff.

First Lord.] Malone. Lord. Ff.

[30] That's enough.] Marked as aside by Capell.

[31] Sec. Serv.] Ser. Ff. Atten. [within. Theobald. 2 A. Capell.

[37] medicinal] med'cinal Capell.

[39] What] F2 F3 F4. Who F1.

[49] trust it] trust me Hanmer.

[50] La you] La-you Ff. Lo-you Pope.

[51] rein] Rowe. raine F1 F2. rain F3 F4.

[53] professes] profess Rowe (ed. 2).

[57] seem] seems Pope (ed. 2).

[58, 59] Paul. Good ... say good queen] As one line in Capell.

[59] I say good queen] As one line in Ff.

[60] her] it Heath conj.

good, so] Theobald, good so, Ff. good, Rowe (ed. 2).

[61] the worst] on th' worst Hanmer (Warburton).

[66] [Laying....] Rowe. om. Ff.

[73] [To Ant. Rowe.

[74] thou art] that art Capell.

woman-tired] woman-tyr'd F1 F2 F3. woman-tir'd F4.

[75] thy dame] the dame Rowe (ed. 2).

[76] thy crone] thy croane F1. the croane F2 F3. the croan F4.

[78] forced] falsed Collier conj.

[85] his babe's] this babe's Capell.

[90] sound] F1. found F2 F3 F4.

[95] them] it Capell conj.

[100] valley] valleys Hanmer.

[101] pretty] om. Hanmer.

of his chin] of's chin Dyce.

his smiles] omitted by Capell.

[109] That] Thou Rowe (ed. 2).

[Aside. Anon. conj.

[113] ha' thee] have thee Steevens.

[118] something] sometimes Rowe.

[120] the world] all the world Pope.

[125] Jove] God Anon. conj.

her] him Heath conj.

[126] better guiding] better-guiding S. Walker conj.

needs] F1. neede F2. need F3 F4.

[130] SCENE VI. Pope.

[131] with't!] with't? Ff.

thou,] thou, thou Theobald.

[137] what thou else call'st] all that's Hanmer, ending line 136 at seize.

[141] set'st] sett'd'st Hanmer.

[142] These lords] The Lords Hanmer.

[143] Lords.] Ff. Lord. Rowe. 1. L. Capell.

[143, 144] Lords. We can ... hither] Lords. We can. First Lord. My ... hither Anon. conj.

[146] First Lord.] 1. L. Capell. Lord. Ff. Lords. Rowe.

[147] We have] We've Pope.

beseech you] Rowe. beseech' F1. beseech F2 F3 F4.

[149] services] service Hanmer, ending line 148 at knees.

[152] we all kneel] Lords. We all kneel Anon. conj.

[153] feather] F1 F2 F3. father F4.

[157] [To Ant. Rowe.

[159] midwife] Mid-wife Ff. mild wife Rann (Capell conj.).

[161] this] his Theobald conj. thy Collier (Egerton MS.).

[164] at least] F1. at last F2 F3 F4.

[166] any thing possible] what's possible Hanmer.

[171] lewd-tongued] loud-tongued Anon. conj.

[177] more] F1. much F2 F3 F4.

its] F3 F4. it F1 F2. See note (VII).

[181] strangely to some] to some stranger Hanmer.

[182] chance] F1 F2. change F3 F4.

[189-191] require! ... loss!] require; and ... side (Poor ... losse.) Ff. require; and ... side! Poor ... loss.-- Theobald.]

[190] this] his Roderick conj.

[191] [Exit ... child.] Rowe. Exit. Ff.

rear] F3 F4. reare F1. rare F2.

[192] [Enter a Servant.] Ff. Enter a Messenger. Rowe. om. Capell.

Serv.] Ff. Mes. Rowe. 2. A. Capell.

[196] First Lord.] 1. L. Capell. Lord. Ff.

[197] account] F4. accompt F1 F2 F3.

[198] 'tis good speed; foretells] this good speed foretels Pope.

foretells] and foretells or it foretells Keightley conj.

Act III, Scene I — A sea-port in Sicilia.

Enter CLEOMENES and DION.

Cleo. The climate's delicate, the air most sweet, Fertile the isle, 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 5 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, Kin to Jove's thunder, so surprised my sense, 10 That I was nothing.

Dion. If the event o' the journey Prove as successful to the queen,--O be't so!-- As it hath been to us rare, pleasant, speedy, The time is worth the use on't.

Cleo. Great Apollo Turn all to the best! These proclamations, 15 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 20 Even then will rush to knowledge. Go: fresh horses! And gracious be the issue! [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

Act III, Scene I — ] ACT II. SCENE IV. Theobald conj

A sea-port....] Edd. A part of Sicily near the seaside. Theobald. The same. A street in some town. Capell.

Enter C. and D.] Enter C., D., and an Attendant. S. Walker conj.

[2] isle] soil Hanmer (Warburton conj.).

[3] I shall report,] It shames report. Warburton.

[4] For most] Foremost Warburton.

it] they Hanmer.

[14] time ... use] use ... time Hanmer (Warburton).

Act III, Scene II — A court of Justice.

Enter LEONTES, Lords, and Officers.

Leon. This sessions, to our great grief we pronounce, Even pushes 'gainst our heart: the party tried The daughter of a king, our wife, and one Of us too much beloved. Let us be clear'd Of being tyrannous, since we so openly 5 Proceed in justice, which shall have due course, Even to the guilt or the purgation. Produce the prisoner.

Off. It is his highness' pleasure that the queen Appear in person here in court. Silence! 10

Enter HERMIONE guarded; PAULINA and Ladies attending.

Leon. Read the indictment.

Off. [reads] 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, 15 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 20 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, 25 Be so received. But thus, if powers divine Behold our human actions, as they do, I doubt not then but innocence shall make False accusation blush, and tyranny Tremble at patience. You, my lord, best know, 30 Who least will seem to do so, my past life Hath been as continent, as chaste, as true, As I am now unhappy; which is more Than history can pattern, though devised And play'd to take spectators. For behold me 35 A fellow of the royal bed, which owe A moiety of the throne, a great king's daughter, The mother to a hopeful prince, here standing To prate and talk for life and honour 'fore Who please to come and hear. For life, I prize it 40 As I weigh grief, which I would spare: for honour, 'Tis a derivative from me to mine, And only that I stand for. I appeal To your own conscience, sir, before Polixenes Came to your court, how I was in your grace, 45 How merited to be so; since he came, With what encounter so uncurrent I Have strain'd, to appear thus: if one jot beyond The bound of honour, or in act or will That way inclining, harden'd be the hearts 50 Of all that hear me, and my near'st of kin Cry fie upon my grave!

Leon. I ne'er heard yet That any of these bolder vices wanted Less impudence to gainsay what they did Than to perform it first.

Her. That's true enough; 55 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, With whom I am accused, I do confess 60 I loved him as in honour he required, With such a kind of love as might become A lady like me, with a love even such, So and no other, as yourself commanded: Which not to have done I think had been in me 65 Both disobedience and ingratitude 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 70 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, Wotting no more than I, are ignorant.

Leon. You knew of his departure, as you know 75 What you have underta'en to do in's absence.

Her. Sir, You speak a language that I understand not: My life stands in the level of your dreams, Which I'll lay down.

Leon. Your actions are my dreams; 80 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, 85 No father owning it,--which is, indeed, More criminal in thee than it,--so thou Shalt feel our justice, in whose easiest passage Look for no less than death.

Her. Sir, spare your threats: The bug which you would fright me with I seek. 90 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 And first-fruits of my body, from his presence 95 I am barr'd, like one infectious. My third comfort, Starr'd most unluckily, is from my breast, The innocent milk in it most innocent mouth, Haled out to murder: myself on every post Proclaimed a strumpet: with immodest hatred 100 The child-bed privilege denied, which 'longs To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried Here to this place, i' the open air, before I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege, Tell me what blessings I have here alive, 105 That I should fear to die? Therefore proceed. But yet hear this; mistake me not; no life, I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour, Which I would free, if I shall be condemn'd Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else 110 But what your jealousies awake, I tell you 'Tis rigour and not law. Your honours all, I do refer me to the oracle: Apollo be my judge!

First Lord. This your request Is altogether just: therefore bring forth, 115 And in Apollo's name, his oracle. [Exeunt certain Officers.

Her. The Emperor of Russia was my father: O that he were alive, and here beholding His daughter's trial! that he did but see The flatness of my misery, yet with eyes 120 Of pity, not revenge!

Re-enter Officers, with CLEOMENES and DION.

Off. You here shall swear upon this sword of justice, That you, Cleomenes and Dion, have Been both at Delphos, and from thence have brought This seal'd-up oracle, by the hand deliver'd 125 Of great Apollo's priest and that since then You have not dared to break the holy seal Nor read the secrets in't.

Cleo. Dion. All this we swear.

Leon. Break up the seals and read.

Off. [reads] Hermione is chaste; Polixenes blameless; 130 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.

Lords. Now blessed be the great Apollo!

Her. Praised!

Leon. Hast thou read truth?

Off. Ay, my lord; even so 135 As it is here set down.

Leon. There is no truth at all i' the oracle: The sessions shall proceed: this is mere falsehood.

Enter Servant.

Serv. My lord the king, the king!

Leon. What is the business?

Serv. O sir, I shall be hated to report it! 140 The prince your son, with mere conceit and fear Of the queen's speed, is gone.

Leon. How! gone!

Serv. Is dead.

Leon. Apollo's angry; and the heavens themselves Do strike at my injustice. [Hermione faints.] How now there!

Paul. This news is mortal to the queen: look down 145 And see what death is doing.

Leon. Take her hence: Her heart is but o'ercharged; she will recover: I have too much believed mine own suspicion: Beseech you, tenderly apply to her Some remedies for life. [Exeunt Paulina and Ladies, with Hermione.

Apollo, pardon 150 My great profaneness 'gainst thine oracle! I'll reconcile me to Polixenes; New woo my queen; recall the good Camillo, Whom I proclaim a man of truth, of mercy; For, being transported by my jealousies 155 To bloody thoughts and to revenge, I chose Camillo for the minister to poison My friend Polixenes: which had been done, But that the good mind of Camillo tardied My swift command, though I with death and with 160 Reward did threaten and encourage him, Not doing it and being done: he, most humane And fill'd with honour, to my kingly guest Unclasp'd my practice, quit his fortunes here, Which you knew great, and to the hazard 165 Of all incertainties himself commended, No richer than his honour: how he glisters Thorough my rust! and how his piety Does my deeds make the blacker!

Re-enter PAULINA.

Paul. Woe the while! O, cut my lace, lest my heart, cracking it, Break too! 170

First Lord. What fit is this, good lady?

Paul. What studied torments, tyrant, hast for me? What wheels? racks? fires? what flaying? boiling? In leads or oils? what old or newer torture Must I receive, whose every word deserves 175 To taste of thy most worst? Thy tyranny Together working with thy jealousies, Fancies too weak for boys, too green and idle For girls of nine, O, think what they have done And then run mad indeed, stark mad! for all 180 Thy by-gone fooleries were but spices of it. That thou betray'dst Polixenes, 'twas nothing; That did but show thee, of a fool, inconstant And damnable ingrateful: nor was't much, Thou wouldst have poison'd good Camillo's honour, 185 To have him kill a king; poor trespasses, More monstrous standing by: whereof I reckon The casting forth to crows thy baby-daughter To be or none or little; though a devil Would have shed water out of fire ere done't: 190 Nor is't directly laid to thee, the death Of the young prince, whose honourable thoughts, Thoughts high for one so tender, cleft the heart That could conceive a gross and foolish sire Blemish'd his gracious dam: this is not, no, 195 Laid to thy answer: but the last,--O lords, When I have said, cry 'woe!'--the queen, the queen, The sweet'st, dear'st creature's dead, and vengeance for't Not dropp'd down yet.

First Lord. The higher powers forbid!

Paul. I say she's dead, I'll swear't. If word nor oath 200 Prevail not, go and see: if you can bring Tincture or lustre in her lip, her eye, Heat outwardly or breath within, I'll serve you As I would do the gods. But, O thou tyrant! Do not repent these things, for they are heavier 205 Than all thy woes can stir: therefore betake thee To nothing but despair. A thousand knees Ten thousand years together, naked, fasting, Upon a barren mountain, and still winter In storm perpetual, could not move the gods 210 To look that way thou wert.

Leon. Go on, go on: Thou canst not speak too much; I have deserved All tongues to talk their bitterest.

First Lord. Say no more: Howe'er the business goes, you have made fault I' the boldness of your speech.

Paul. I am sorry for't: 215 All faults I make, when I shall come to know them, I do repent. Alas! I have show'd too much The rashness of a woman: he is touch'd To the noble heart. What's gone and what's past help Should be past grief: do not receive affliction 220 At my petition; I beseech you, rather Let me be punish'd, that have minded you Of what you should forget. Now, good my liege, Sir, royal sir, forgive a foolish woman: The love I bore your queen, lo, fool again! 225 I'll speak of her no more, nor of your children; I'll not remember you of my own lord, Who is lost too: take your patience to you, And I'll say nothing.

Leon. Thou didst speak but well When most the truth; which I receive much better 230 Than to be pitied of thee. Prithee, bring me To the dead bodies of my queen and son: One grave shall be for both; upon them shall The causes of their death appear, unto Our shame perpetual. Once a day I'll visit 235 The chapel where they lie, and tears shed there Shall be my recreation: so long as nature Will bear up with this exercise, so long I daily vow to use it. Come and lead me To these sorrows. [Exeunt. 240

LINENOTES:

Act III, Scene II — A court....] Scene represents a Court of Justice. Theobald.]

Enter...] Enter Leontes, Lords, Officers: Hermione (as to her Triall), Ladies: Cleomines, Dion. Ff.

At the upper End, a Throne; Lords, on either Hand, Judges, and other Officers, seated; People attending. Enter Leontes, and train of Lords, to his Throne. Capell.

[1] sessions] session Theobald.

pronounce] pronounce it Keightley conj.

[2] Even] Ever Anon. conj.

[10] Silence!] See note (VIII).

Enter...] Hermione is brought in, guarded; Pauline, and Ladies, attending. Theobald. om. Ff.

[12] Off. [reads]. Capell. Officer. Ff.

[16] circum stances] F1. circumstance F2 F3 F4.

[29] accusation] F1. accusations F2 F3 F4.

[31] Who] Rowe. Whom Ff.

[36] owe] owes Steevens (1785).

[39] prate] plead Keightley conj.

[41] grief] See note (IX).

which .. spare:] (which ... spare) Ff.

[47, 48] I Have] have I Hanmer.

I Have strain'd] have I Been stain'd Johnson conj. I Have stray'd Collier (Mason conj.).

[49] bound] bounds Rowe.

[53] these] those F4.

[55] That's] That is Rowe.

[57] mistress of] I'm mistress of Hanmer. misreport or misprision Anon. conj. A line omitted. Anon. conj.

[58] Which] What Rowe. That Seymour conj.

[67] toward] F1 F2. towards F3 F4.

friend] F1. friends F2 F3 F4.

[68] Even] Ever Long MS.

[75, 76] know What you] know what You S. Walker conj., reading lines 75-77 as two lines, ending know what ... Sir.

[83] fact] pack Johnson conj. sect Farmer conj. pact Anon. conj.

fact are so,--so past] fact are] so you're past] Hanmer.

[84] Which to deny] To deny Capell.

[84, 85] for as ... itself] As two lines in Steevens (1793), ending as ... itself.

[85] brat hath been] brat's Hanmer, reading for as ... itself as one line.

like] left Keightley conj.

[90] me] we Capell (corrected in MS.).

[95] And] The Rowe (ed. 2).

[96] I am] I'm Pope.

[98] it] Ff. its Rowe. See note (VII).

[100] strumpet: ... hatred] strumpet ... hatred; Hanmer.

[104] limit] F1 F2. limbs F3 F4. limbs. And Hanmer. limb. And Johnson conj.

[107] no life,] no! life, Hanmer. my life, Grant White. for life, Keightley conj.

[114] SCENE III. Pope.

[116] [Exeunt....] Capell. om. Ff.

[121] Re-enter....] Re-enter Officers, with C. and D., bringing in the Oracle. Capell. Enter Dion and Cleomenes. F2 F3 F4 (at line 114). om. F1.

[122] this] F1. the F2 F3 F4.

[130] [reads] Capell.

chaste] cast F2.

[135, 136] Ay ... down] Arranged as in Capell; as one line in Ff.

[136] it is] om. Hanmer.

[137] truth] the truth Hanmer. true Jervis conj.

[138] sessions] session Theobald.

Enter Servant.] Rowe. om. Ff. Enter a Gentleman, hastily. Capell.

[144] H. faints.] Rowe.

How now there!] How now there? Ff. _How now? there!_Johnson.

[148] SCENE IV. Pope.

[150] [Exeunt....] Malone. Exeunt.... Rowe (after line 148). om. Ff.

[165] great] to be great Anon. conj.

hazard] F1. certain hazard F2 F3 F4. fearful hazard Rann conj. doubtful hazard Malone conj. hazarding Anon. conj.

[168] Thorough my] Malone. Through my F1. Through my dark F2 F3 F4.

[169] SCENE V. Pope.

Re-enter P.] Re-enter P., hastily. Capell. Enter P. Rowe. om. Ff.

[170] lest] F3 F4. least F1 F2.

[171, 193, 213] First Lord.] 1. L. Capell. Lord. Ff.

[173] racks? fires?] what racks? what fires? Keightley conj.

flaying? boiling?] F1. flaying?] boyling? burning, F2 F3 F4. flaying, rather! boiling Capell. flaying, burning, boiling Collier MS.

[174] leads or oils] lead or oil S. Walker conj.

newer] F1. new F2 F3 F4.

[175] every] F1. very F2 F3 F4.

[181] but] om. Theobald.

of] F1. for F2 F3 F4.

[183] thee, of a fool,] Ff. thee of a soul Theobald. thee off, a fool, Warburton.

[184] damnable] damnably Long MS.

ingrateful] ungrateful Rann.

[188] to crows] of crows F4.

thy] F1. the F2 F3 F4.

[198] sweet'st, dear'st] sweetest Hanmer.

[205] Do] F1. Dot F2. Dost F3 F4.

[205, 206] Do ... stir:] Dost ... stir? Pope.

[206] woes] vows Hanmer.

[217] I have] I've Pope.

[220] receive] revive Staunton conj.

[221] my petition] my relation Singer conj. repetition Collier (Collier MS.).

petition; ... you,] F1. petition ... you, F2 F3 F4. petition,... you; Rowe.

[228] Who is] Who's S. Walker conj.

take your] take you your Rowe (ed. 2).

[228, 229] to you, And I'll] to you, and I will S. Walker conj. to you, sir, And I'll Keightley conj.

[238-240] Will ... sorrows] Johnson ends these lines at exercise ... come, ... sorrows.

[240] To] Unto S. Walker conj.

sorrows] my sorrows Hanmer.

Act III, Scene III — Bohemia. A desert country near the sea.

Enter ANTIGONUS with a Child, and a Mariner.

Ant. Thou art perfect, then, our ship hath touch'd upon The deserts of Bohemia?

Mar. Ay, my lord; and fear We have landed in ill time: the skies look grimly And threaten present blusters. In my conscience, The heavens with that we have in hand are angry 5 And frown upon's.

Ant. Their sacred wills be done! Go, get aboard; Look to thy bark: I'll not be long before I call upon thee.

Mar. Make your best haste, and go not 10 Too far i' the land: 'tis like to be loud weather; Besides, this place is famous for the creatures Of prey that keep upon't.

Ant. Go thou away: I'll follow instantly.

Mar. I am glad at heart To be so rid o' the business. [Exit.

Ant. Come, poor babe: 15 I have heard, but not believed, the spirits o' the dead May walk again: if such thing be, thy mother Appear'd to me last night, for ne'er was dream So like a waking. To me comes a creature, Sometimes her head on one side, some another; 20 I never saw a vessel of like sorrow, So fill'd and so becoming: in pure white robes, Like very sanctity, she did approach My cabin where I lay; thrice bow'd before me, And gasping to begin some speech, her eyes 25 Became two spouts: the fury spent, anon Did this break from her: 'Good Antigonus, Since fate, against thy better disposition, Hath made thy person for the thrower-out Of my poor babe, according to thine oath, 30 Places remote enough are in Bohemia, There weep and leave it crying; and, for the babe Is counted lost for ever, Perdita, I prithee, call't. For this ungentle business, Put on thee by my lord, thou ne'er shalt see 35 Thy wife Paulina more.' And so, with shrieks, She melted into air. Affrighted much, I did in time collect myself, and thought This was so and no slumber. Dreams are toys: Yet for this once, yea, superstitiously, 40 I will be squared by this. I do believe Hermione hath suffer'd death; and that Apollo would, this being indeed the issue Of King Polixenes, it should here be laid, Either for life or death, upon the earth 45 Of its right father. Blossom, speed thee well! There lie, and there thy character: there these; Which may, if fortune please, both breed thee, pretty, And still rest thine. The storm begins: poor wretch, That for thy mother's fault art thus exposed 50 To loss and what may follow! Weep I cannot, But my heart bleeds; and most accursed am I To be by oath enjoin'd to this. Farewell! The day frowns more and more: thou'rt like to have A lullaby too rough: I never saw 55 The heavens so dim by day. A savage clamour! Well may I get aboard! This is the chase: I am gone for ever. [Exit, pursued by a bear.

Enter a Shepherd.

Shep. I would there were no age between ten and three-and-twenty, or that youth would sleep out the rest; for there 60 is nothing in the between but getting wenches with child, wronging the ancientry, stealing, fighting--Hark you now! Would any but these boiled brains of nineteen and two-and-twenty hunt this weather? They have scared away two of my best sheep, which I fear the wolf will sooner find 65 than the master: if any where I have them, 'tis by the sea-side, browzing of ivy. Good luck, an't be thy will! what have we here? Mercy on's, a barne; a very pretty barne! A boy or a child, I wonder? A pretty one; a very pretty one: sure, some scape: though I am not bookish, yet I 70 can read waiting-gentlewoman in the scape. This has been some stair-work, some trunk-work, some behind-door-work: they were warmer that got this than the poor thing is here. I'll take it up for pity: yet I'll tarry till my son come; he hallooed but even now. Whoa, ho, hoa! 75

Enter Clown.

Clo. Hilloa, loa!

Shep. What, art so near? If thou'lt see a thing to talk on when thou art dead and rotten, come hither. What ailest thou, man?

Clo. I have seen two such sights, by sea and by land! 80 but I am not to say it is a sea, for it is now the sky: betwixt the firmament and it you cannot thrust a bodkin's point.

Shep. Why, boy, how is it?

Clo. I would you did but see how it chafes, how it rages, how it takes up the shore! but that's not to the point. O, 85 the most piteous cry of the poor souls! sometimes to see 'em, and not to see 'em; now the ship boring the moon with her main-mast, and anon swallowed with yest and froth, as you'ld thrust a cork into a hogshead. And then for the land-service, to see how the bear tore out his shoulder-bone; 90 how he cried to me for help and said his name was Antigonus, a nobleman. But to make an end of the ship, to see how the sea flap-dragoned it: but, first, how the poor souls roared, and the sea mocked them; and how the poor gentleman roared and the bear mocked him, both roaring louder 95 than the sea or weather.

Shep. Name of mercy, when was this, boy?

Clo. Now, now: I have not winked since I saw these sights: the men are not yet cold under water, nor the bear half dined on the gentleman: he's at it now. 100

Shep. Would I had been by, to have helped the old man!

Clo. I would you had been by the ship side, to have helped her: there your charity would have lacked footing.

Shep. Heavy matters! heavy matters! but look thee here, boy. Now bless thyself: thou mettest with things dying, I 105 with things new-born. Here's a sight for thee; look thee, a bearing-cloth for a squire's child! look thee here; take up, take up, boy; open't. So, let's see: it was told me I should be rich by the fairies. This is some changeling: open't. What's within, boy? 110

Clo. You're a made old man: if the sins of your youth are forgiven you, you're well to live. Gold! all gold!

Shep. This is fairy gold, boy, and 'twill prove so: up with't, keep it close: home, home, the next way. We are lucky, boy; and to be so still requires nothing but secrecy. 115 Let my sheep go: come, good boy, the next way home.

Clo. Go you the next way with your findings. I'll go see if the bear be gone from the gentleman and how much he hath eaten: they are never curst but when they are hungry: if there be any of him left, I'll bury it. 120

Shep. That's a good deed. If thou mayest discern by that which is left of him what he is, fetch me to the sight of him.

Clo. Marry, will I; and you shall help to put him i'the ground.

Shep.'Tis a lucky day, boy, and we'll do good deeds on't. 125 [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

Act III, Scene III — ] SCENE VI. Pope

Bohemia. A desert.... ] Malone. om. Ff. A desert Country; the Sea at a little distance. Rowe.

[Enter A.... ] Rowe. Enter Antigonus, a Mariner, Babe, Shepherd, and Clown. Ff.

[2] my lord] om. Hanmer.

[3] We have] We've Pope.

[6] upon's] upon us Capell.

Go, get] go get F1. get F2 F3 F4. get thee Rowe.

[9] upon] on Hanmer.

[14] I am] I'm Pope.

[19] a waking] awaking Anon. conj.

[20] on] F1. is on F2 F3 F4.

some] some' Capell.

another] on other Anon. conj.

[22] becoming] becomming F1. o'er-running Collier (Collier MS.).

[29] thrower-out] thower-out F1.

[32] weep] wend Collier (Collier MS.).

[39] so] sooth Warburton conj.

[44] Polixenes] Polexenus F2.

[46] its] it's Ff.

[Laying down the child. Rowe.

[47] [Laying down a bundle. Johnson.

[48] please ... pretty] please, both breed thee (pretty) Ff. please, both breed thee pretty, Reed (1813). please both breed thee, (pretty!) Staunton.

pretty] pretty one Rowe.

[54] thou'rt] thou art F4.

[58] Enter....] Ff. Enter an old Shepherd. Rowe. Enter a Shepherd. Crooke. Collier MS.

[59] SCENE VII. Pope.

ten] thirteen Hanmer. sixteen Edd. conj. See note (X).

[64] scared] scarr'd Ff.

[67] an't] Pope (ed. 2). and't Ff.

thy will] F1. the will F2 F3 F4.

[68] here?] here? [taking up the child. Rowe.

[69] boy] god Grant White.

child] maid child Keightley conj.

[75] hallooed] hallow'd F1 F2 F3. hollow'd F4.

[76] Enter Clown.] Ff. Dyce puts it after hither, line 78.

Clo.] Clo. [within. Dyce. Clo. [without. Staunton.

[85] takes] rakes Hanmer.

[87] and not] and then not Capell.

[89] for] om. Rowe (ed. 2).

[89, 90] for the land-service] the land-service Rowe (ed. 2). the land-sight Hanmer.

[100] gentleman] old gentleman Malone conj.

[101] the old man] the nobleman Theobald. tho' old man Jackson conj.

[102] would] would not Theobald conj.

ship] ship's Collier.

[103] [Aside. Theobald.

[105] mettest] met'st F1 F2 F3. meet'st F4.

[111] made] Theobald (L. H. conj.). mad Ff.

[112] you're] you are F4.

[113] 'twill] will Theobald.

[114] with't] with it Rowe (ed. 2).

[122] sight] fight F1. See note (XI).

Act IV, Scene I

Enter TIME, the Chorus.

Time. I, that please some, try all, both joy and terror Of good and bad, that makes and unfolds error, Now take upon me, in the name of Time, To use my wings. Impute it not a crime To me or my swift passage, that I slide 5 O'er sixteen years and leave the growth untried Of that wide gap, since it is in my power To o'erthrow law and in one self-born hour To plant and o'erwhelm custom. Let me pass The same I am, ere ancient'st order was 10 Or what is now received: I witness to The times that brought them in; so shall I do To the freshest things now reigning and make stale The glistering of this present, as my tale Now seems to it. Your patience this allowing, 15 I turn my glass and give my scene such growing As you had slept between: Leontes leaving, The effects of his fond jealousies so grieving That he shuts up himself, imagine me, Gentle spectators, that I now may be 20 In fair Bohemia; and remember well, I mentioned a son o' the king's, which Florizel I now name to you; and with speed so pace To speak of Perdita, now grown in grace Equal with wondering: what of her ensues 25 I list not prophesy; but let Time's news Be known when 'tis brought forth. A shepherd's daughter, And what to her adheres, which follows after, Is the argument of Time. Of this allow, If ever you have spent time worse ere now; 30 If never, yet that Time himself doth say He wishes earnestly you never may. [Exit.

LINENOTES:

Act IV, Scene I — ] Actus Quartus, Scena Prima. Ff. om. Warburton. ACT IV. Capell. See note (XII)

[1-32] Spurious. Heath conj.

[2] makes and unfolds] Ff. make and unfold Rowe. mask and unfold Theobald.

[6] growth] gulf Warburton.

[7-9] gap, since ... custom. Let] gap. Since ... custom, let Lloyd conj.

[11] witness] witness'd Capell.

[17, 18, 19] leaving, ... jealousies ... himself, imagine] leaving,--jealousies ... himself;--imagine Staunton. leaving ... jealousies, ... himself. Imagine F1. leaving ... jealousies, ... himself, imagine F2 F3 F4.

[18] The] To the Keightley conj.

[19, 20] imagine me, ... that I] imagine we ... that you Johnson conj.

[22] I mentioned] F1. I mention here F2 F3 F4. There is Hanmer. I mention'd Capell.

which] whom Pope.

Act IV, Scene II — Bohemia. The palace of POLIXENES

Enter POLIXENES and CAMILLO.

Pol. I pray thee, good Camillo, be no more importunate: 'tis a sickness denying thee any thing; a death to grant this.

Cam. It is fifteen years since I saw my country: though I have for the most part been aired abroad, I desire to lay my bones there. Besides, the penitent king, my 5 master, hath sent for me; to whose feeling sorrows I might be some allay, or I o'erween to think so, which is another spur to my departure.

Pol. As thou lovest me, Camillo, wipe not out the rest of thy services by leaving me now: the need I have of thee, 10 thine own goodness hath made; better not to have had thee than thus to want thee: thou, having made me businesses, which none without thee can sufficiently manage, must either stay to execute them thyself, or take away with thee the very services thou hast done; which if I have not enough 15 considered, as too much I cannot, to be more thankful to thee shall be my study; and my profit therein, the heaping friendships. Of that fatal country, Sicilia, prithee speak no more; whose very naming punishes me with the remembrance of that penitent, as thou callest him, and reconciled 20 king, my brother; whose loss of his most precious queen and children are even now to be afresh lamented. Say to me, when sawest thou the Prince Florizel, my son? Kings are no less unhappy, their issue not being gracious, than they are in losing them when they have approved their virtues. 25

Cam. Sir, it is three days since I saw the prince. What his happier affairs may be, are to me unknown: but I have missingly noted, he is of late much retired from court and is less frequent to his princely exercises than formerly he hath appeared. 30

Pol. I have considered so much, Camillo, and with some care; so far, that I have eyes under my service which look upon his removedness; from whom I have this intelligence, that he is seldom from the house of a most homely shepherd; a man, they say, that from very nothing, and beyond 35 the imagination of his neighbours, is grown into an unspeakable estate.

Cam. I have heard, sir, of such a man, who hath a daughter of most rare note: the report of her is extended more than can be thought to begin from such a cottage. 40

Pol. That's likewise part of my intelligence; but, I fear, the angle that plucks our son thither. Thou shalt accompany us to the place; where we will, not appearing what we are, have some question with the shepherd; from whose simplicity I think it not uneasy to get the cause of 45 my son's resort thither. Prithee, be my present partner in this business, and lay aside the thoughts of Sicilia.

Cam. I willingly obey your command.

Pol. My best Camillo! We must disguise ourselves. [Exeunt.

LINENOTES:

Act IV, Scene II — ] Scena Secunda. Ff

The palace of Polixenes.]? Court of Bohemia. Pope. A room in Polixenes' Palace. Capell.

[3] fifteen] sixteen Hanmer.

[12] businesses] business Rowe (ed. 2).

[17] my] thy Long MS.

[17, 18] heaping friendships] heaping friendship Hanmer. reaping friendships Warburton.

[28] missingly] (missingly) Ff. musingly Hanmer. missing him Warburton.

[32] care; so far,] Capell. care, so farre, F1 F2 F3. care so far, F4.

[41] part] a part Theobald.

[41, 42] but, I fear, the angle] but (I fear) the Angle Ff. and, I fear, the Engle Theobald, and, I fear, the angle Hanmer. but, I fear the angle Steevens.

[46] thither] thether F1.

[49] Exeunt.] Rowe. Exit. Ff.

Act IV, Scene III — A road near the Shepherd's cottage

Enter AUTOLYCUS, singing.

When daffodils begin to peer, With heigh! the doxy over the dale, Why, then comes in the sweet o' the year; For the red blood reigns in the winter's pale.

The white sheet bleaching on the hedge, 5 With heigh! the sweet birds, O, how they sing! Doth set my pugging tooth on edge; For a quart of ale is a dish for a king.

The lark, that tirra-lyra chants, With heigh! with heigh! the thrush and the jay, 10 Are summer songs for me and my aunts, While we lie tumbling in the hay.

I have served Prince Florizel and in my time wore three-pile; but now I am out of service:

But shall I go mourn for that, my dear? 15 The pale moon shines by night: And when I wander here and there, I then do most go right.

If tinkers may have leave to live, And bear the sow-skin budget, 20 Then my account I well may give, And in the stocks avouch it.

My traffic is sheets; when the kite builds, look to lesser linen. My father named me Autolycus; who being, as I am, littered under Mercury, was likewise a snapper-up of 25 unconsidered trifles. With die and drab I purchased this caparison, and my revenue is the silly cheat. Gallows and knock are too powerful on the highway: beating and hanging are terrors to me: for the life to come, I sleep out the thought of it. A prize! a prize! 30

Enter Clown.

Clo. Let me see: every 'leven wether tods; every tod yields pound and odd shilling; fifteen hundred shorn, what comes the wool to?

Ant. [Aside] If the springe hold, the cock's mine.

Clo. I cannot do't without counters. Let me see; what 35 am I to buy for our sheep-shearing feast? Three pound of sugar; five pound of currants; rice--what will this sister of mine do with rice? But my father hath made her mistress of the feast, and she lays it on. She hath made me four and twenty nosegays for the shearers, three-man song-men 40 all, and very good ones; but they are most of them means and bases; but one puritan amongst them, and he sings psalms to hornpipes. I must have saffron to colour the warden pies; mace; dates, none, that's out of my note; nutmegs, seven; a race or two of ginger, but that I may 45 beg; four pound of prunes, and as many of raisins o' the sun.

Ant. O that ever I was born! [Grovelling on the ground.

Clo. I' the name of me--

Ant. O, help me, help me! pluck but off these rags; and then, death, death! 50

Clo. Alack, poor soul! thou hast need of more rags to lay on thee, rather than have these off.

Ant. O sir, the loathsomeness of them offends me more than the stripes I have received, which are mighty ones and millions. 55

Clo. Alas, poor man! a million of beating may come to a great matter.

Ant. I am robbed, sir, and beaten; my money and apparel ta'en from me, and these detestable things put upon me.

Clo. What, by a horseman, or a footman? 60

Ant. A footman, sweet sir, a footman.

Clo. Indeed, he should be a footman by the garments he has left with thee: if this be a horseman's coat, it hath seen very hot service. Lend me thy hand, I'll help thee: come, lend me thy hand. 65

Ant. O, good sir, tenderly, O!

Clo. Alas, poor soul!

Ant. O, good sir, softly, good sir! I fear, sir, my shoulder-blade is out.

Clo. How now! canst stand? 70

Ant. Softly, dear sir [picks his pocket]; good sir, softly. You ha' done me a charitable office.

Clo. Dost lack any money? I have a little money for thee.

Ant. No, good sweet sir; no, I beseech you, sir: I have 75 a kinsman not past three quarters of a mile hence, unto whom I was going; I shall there have money, or any thing I want: offer me no money, I pray you; that kills my heart.

Clo. What manner of fellow was he that robbed you?

Ant. A fellow, sir, that I have known to go about with 80 troll-my-dames: I knew him once a servant of the prince: I cannot tell, good sir, for which of his virtues it was, but he was certainly whipped out of the court.

Clo. His vices, you would say; there's no virtue whipped out of the court: they cherish it to make it stay there; 85 and yet it will no more but abide.

Aut. Vices I would say, sir. I know this man well: he hath been since an ape-bearer; then a process-server, a bailiff; then he compassed a motion of the Prodigal Son, and married a tinker's wife within a mile where my land 90 and living lies; and, having flown over many knavish professions, he settled only in rogue: some call him Autolycus.

Clo. Out upon him! prig, for my life, prig: he haunts wakes, fairs and bear-baitings.

Aut. Very true, sir; he, sir, he; that's the rogue that 95 put me into this apparel.

Clo. Not a more cowardly rogue in all Bohemia: if you had but looked big and spit at him, he'ld have run.

Aut. I must confess to you, sir, I am no fighter: I am false of heart that way; and that he knew, I warrant him. 100

Clo. How do you now?

Aut. Sweet sir, much better than I was; I can stand and walk: I will even take my leave of you, and pace softly towards my kinsman's.

Clo. Shall I bring thee on the way? 105

Aut. No, good-faced sir; no, sweet sir.

Clo. Then fare thee well: I must go buy spices for our sheep-shearing.

Aut. Prosper you, sweet sir! [Exit Clown.] Your purse is not hot enough to purchase your spice. I'll be with you 110 at your sheep-shearing too: if I make not this cheat bring out another and the shearers prove sheep, let me be unrolled and my name put in the book of virtue!

Song. Jog on, jog on, the foot-path way, And merrily hent the stile-a: 115 A merry heart goes all the day, Your sad tires in a mile-a. [Exit.

LINENOTES:

Act IV, Scene III — ] Scena Tertia. Ff. SCENE II. Warburton

A road....] Malone. om. Ff. The country. Pope. Fields near the Shepherd's. Capell.

[1] daffodils] Johnson. daffadils Ff.

[3, 4] comes ... For ... reigns in the winter's] comes ... For ... reigns o'er the winter's Hanmer. come ... 'Fore ... reins in the winter Warburton. comes ... For ... runs in the winter Thirlby conj. comes ... For ... runs in the winters Mason conj.

[6] heigh] Hey Ff.

[7] pugging] progging Hanmer. prigging Collier MS.

on] Theobald. an Ff.

[9] that] with Rowe (ed. 2).

tirra-lyra] tirra-Lyra F1 F2. tirra Lyra F3. tirra Lycra F4.

[10] With heigh! with heigh!] With heigh, with heigh F2 F3 F4. With heigh, F1. With heigh ho! S. Walker conj.

[18] most go] go most Pope.

[20] sow-skin] show-skin? F4.

budget] Rowe. bowget Ff.

[24, 25] Autolycus; who ... was likewise] Autolicus, being littered under Mercury, who, as I am, was likewise Theobald.]

[26] this] F1. om. F2 F3 F4.

[27] silly] sly Hanmer.

[28] knock] knocks Hanmer.

[28, 29] beating and hanging] hanging and beating Collier conj.

[31] SCENE III. Warburton.

'leven wether] 'leven weather Capell. Leaven-weather Ff. eleven weather Rowe. eleventh-weather Hanmer. living wether Malone conj.

tod] F1. told F2 F3 F4.

[32] pound and odd] a pound and one odd Hanmer.

[34] [Aside] Rowe.

[35] counters] Capell. compters Ff.

[37] sugar] sugar [reading out of a Note. Capell.

currants] Rowe. currence Ff.

[40] three-man] they're men or they're main or thrum-men Theobald conj.

[42] amongst] among F4.

[46] prunes] Pope. Prewyns Ff. pruns Rowe (ed. 1). pruins Id. (ed. 2).

raisins] Pope. reysons F1 F2. reasons F3 F4. rasins Rowe.

[47] [Grovelling....] Rowe.

[48] me--] Rowe. me. Ff. the-- Theobald conj. om. Johnson conj. See note (XIII).

[53] offends] F2 F3 F4. offend F1.

[59] detestable] derestable F1.

[65] [Helping.... Rowe. om. Ff.

[71] [picks....] Capell. om. Ff.

Cuts his purse. Collier (Collier MS.).

[72] ha'] ha Ff.

[81] troll-my-dames] troll-madams Hanmer.

him] him him F2.

[89] a bailiff] to a bailiff Edd. conj.

compassed] compos'd Long MS.

[90] where] of where Keightley conj.

[92] rogue] a rogue Warburton.

[101] do you] do you do F4.

[105] the way] thy way F4.

[107] fare thee well] fartheewell F1. farewell F2. farewel F3 F4.

buy] F1. to buy F2 F3 F4.

[109] [Exit Clown.] Capell. Exit. Ff (after line 108).

[112, 113] unrolled] unrold Ff. enrolled Collier (Collier MS.). unrogued W. N. L. (N. and Q.). conj.

[115] hent] hend Hanmer.

[115-117] stile-a ... mile-a] stile, o ... mile, o The Dancing Master (1650). stil-e ... mil-e Lewis conj.

Act IV, Scene IV — The Shepherd's cottage

Enter FLORIZEL and PERDITA.

Flo. These your unusual weeds to each part of you Do give a life: no shepherdess, but Flora Peering in April's front. This your sheep-shearing Is as a meeting of the petty gods, And you the queen on't.

Per. Sir, my gracious lord, 5 To chide at your extremes it not becomes me: O, pardon, that I name them! Your high self, The gracious mark o' the land, you have obscured With a swain's wearing, and me, poor lowly maid, Most goddess-like prank'd up: but that our feasts 10 In every mess have folly and the feeders Digest it with a custom, I should blush To see you so attired, sworn, I think, To show myself a glass.

Flo. I bless the time When my good falcon made her flight across 15 Thy father's ground.

Per. Now Jove afford you cause! To me the difference forges dread; your greatness Hath not been used to fear. Even now I tremble To think your father, by some accident, Should pass this way as you did: O, the Fates! 20 How would he look, to see his work, so noble, Vilely bound up? What would he say? Or how Should I, in these my borrow'd flaunts, behold The sternness of his presence?

Flo. Apprehend Nothing but jollity. The gods themselves, 25 Humbling their deities to love, have taken The shapes of beasts upon them: Jupiter Became a bull, and bellow'd; the green Neptune A ram, and bleated; and the fire-robed god, Golden Apollo, a poor humble swain, 30 As I seem now. Their transformations Were never for a piece of beauty rarer, Nor in a way so chaste, since my desires Run not before mine honour, nor my lusts Burn hotter than my faith.

Per. O, but, sir, 35 Your resolution cannot hold, when 'tis Opposed, as it must be, by the power of the king: One of these two must be necessities, Which then will speak, that you must change this purpose, Or I my life.

Flo. Thou dearest Perdita, 40 With these forced thoughts, I prithee, darken not The mirth o' the feast. Or I'll be thine, my fair, Or not my father's. For I cannot be Mine own, nor any thing to any, if I be not thine. To this I am most constant, 45 Though destiny say no. Be merry, gentle; Strangle such thoughts as these with any thing That you behold the while. Your guests are coming: Lift up your countenance, as it were the day Of celebration of that nuptial which 50 We two have sworn shall come.

Per. O lady Fortune, Stand you auspicious!

Flo. See, your guests approach: Address yourself to entertain them sprightly, And let's be red with mirth.

Enter Shepherd, Clown, MOPSA, DORCAS, and others, with POLIXENES and CAMILLO disguised.

Shep. Fie, daughter! when my old wife lived, upon 55 This day she was both pantler, butler, cook, Both dame and servant; welcomed all, served all; Would sing her song and dance her turn; now here, At upper end o' the table, now i' the middle; On his shoulder, and his; her face o' fire 60 With labour and the thing she took to quench it, She would to each one sip. You are retired, As if you were a feasted one and not The hostess of the meeting: pray you, bid These unknown friends to's welcome; for it is 65 A way to make us better friends, more known. Come, quench your blushes and present yourself That which you are, mistress o' the feast: come on, And bid us welcome to your sheep-shearing, As your good flock shall prosper.

Per. [To Pol.] Sir, welcome: 70 It is my father's will I should take on me The hostess-ship o' the day. [To Cam.] You're welcome, sir. Give me those flowers there, Dorcas. Reverend sirs, For you there's rosemary and rue; these keep Seeming and savour all the winter long: 75 Grace and remembrance be to you both, And welcome to our shearing!

Pol. Shepherdess, A fair one are you, well you fit our ages With flowers of winter.

Per. Sir, the year growing ancient, Not yet on summer's death, nor on the birth 80 Of trembling winter, the fairest flowers o' the season Are our carnations and streak'd gillyvors, Which some call nature's bastards: of that kind Our rustic garden's barren; and I care not To get slips of them.

Pol. Wherefore, gentle maiden, 85 Do you neglect them?

Per. For I have heard it said There is an art which in their piedness shares With great creating nature.

Pol. Say there be; Yet nature is made better by no mean, But nature makes that mean: so, over that art 90 Which you say adds to nature, is an art That nature makes. You see, sweet maid, we marry A gentler scion to the wildest stock, And make conceive a bark of baser kind By bud of nobler race: this is an art 95 Which does mend nature, change it rather, but The art itself is nature.

Per. So it is.

Pol. Then make your garden rich in gillyvors, And do not call them bastards.

Per. I'll not put The dibble in earth to set one slip of them; 100 No more than were I painted I would wish This youth should say 'twere well, and only therefore Desire to breed by me. Here's flowers for you; Hot lavender, mints, savory, marjoram; The marigold, that goes to bed wi' the sun 105 And with him rises weeping: these are flowers Of middle summer, and I think they are given To men of middle age. You're very welcome.

Cam. I should leave grazing, were I of your flock, And only live by gazing.

Per. Out, alas! 110 You'ld be so lean, that blasts of January Would blow you through and through. Now, my fair'st friend, I would I had some flowers o' the spring that might Become your time of day; and yours, and yours, That wear upon your virgin branches yet 115 Your maidenheads growing: O Proserpina, For the flowers now, that frighted thou let'st fall From Dis's waggon! daffodils, That come before the swallow dares, and take The winds of March with beauty; violets dim 120 But sweeter than the lids of Juno's eyes Or Cytherea's breath; pale primroses, That die unmarried, ere they can behold Bright Phoebus in his strength, a malady Most incident to maids; bold oxlips and 125 The crown imperial; lilies of all kinds, The flower-de-luce being one! O, these I lack, To make you garlands of; and my sweet friend, To strew him o'er and o'er!

Flo. What, like a corse?

Per. No, like a bank for love to lie and play on; 130 Not like a corse; or if, not to be buried, But quick and in mine arms. Come, take your flowers: Methinks I play as I have seen them do In Whitsun pastorals: sure this robe of mine Does change my disposition.

Flo. What you do 135 Still betters what is done. When you speak, sweet, I'ld have you do it ever: when you sing, I'ld have you buy and sell so, so give alms, Pray so; and, for the ordering your affairs, To sing them too: when you do dance, I wish you 140 A wave o' the sea, that you might ever do Nothing but that; move still, still so, And own no other function: each your doing, So singular in each particular, Crowns what you are doing in the present deeds, 145 That all your acts are queens.

Per. O Doricles, Your praises are too large: but that your youth, And the true blood which peeps fairly through 't, Do plainly give you out an unstain'd shepherd, With wisdom I might fear, my Doricles, 150 You woo'd me the false way.

Flo. I think you have As little skill to fear as I have purpose To put you to't. But come; our dance, I pray: Your hand, my Perdita: so turtles pair, That never mean to part.

Per. I'll swear for'em. 155

Pol. This is the prettiest low-born lass that ever Ran on the green-sward: nothing she does or seems But smacks of something greater than herself, Too noble for this place.

Cam. He tells her something That makes her blood look out: good sooth, she is 160 The queen of curds and cream.

Clo. Come on, strike up!

Dor. Mopsa must be your mistress: marry, garlic, To mend her kissing with!

Mop. Now, in good time!

Clo. Not a word, a word; we stand upon our manners. Come, strike up! 165 [Music. Here a dance of Shepherds and Shepherdesses.

Pol. Pray, good shepherd, what fair swain is this Which dances with your daughter?

Shep. They call him Doricles; and boasts himself To have a worthy feeding: but I have it Upon his own report and I believe it; 170 He looks like sooth. He says he loves my daughter: I think so too; for never gazed the moon Upon the water, as he'll stand and read As 'twere my daughter's eyes: and, to be plain, I think there is not half a kiss to choose 175 Who loves another best.

Pol. She dances featly.

Shep. So she does any thing; though I report it, That should be silent: if young Doricles Do light upon her, she shall bring him that Which he not dreams of. 180

Enter Servant.

Serv. O master, if you did but hear the pedlar at the door, you would never dance again after a tabor and pipe; no, the bagpipe could not move you: he sings several tunes faster than you'll tell money; he utters them as he had eaten ballads and all men's ears grew to his tunes. 185

Clo. He could never come better; he shall come in. I love a ballad but even too well, if it be doleful matter merrily set down, or a very pleasant thing indeed and sung lamentably.

Serv. He hath songs for man or woman, of all sizes; 190 no milliner can so fit his customers with gloves: he has the prettiest love-songs for maids; so without bawdry, which is strange; with such delicate burthens of dildos and fadings, 'jump her and thump her;' and where some stretch-mouthed rascal would, as it were, mean mischief and break a foul 195 gap into the matter, he makes the maid to answer 'Whoop, do me no harm, good man;' puts him off, slights him, with 'Whoop, do me no harm, good man.'

Pol. This is a brave fellow.

Clo. Believe me, thou talkest of an admirable conceited 200 fellow. Has he any unbraided wares?

Serv. He hath ribbons of all the colours i' the rainbow; points more than all the lawyers in Bohemia can learnedly handle, though they come to him by the gross: inkles, caddisses, cambrics, lawns: why, he sings 'em over as they 205 were gods or goddesses; you would think a smock were a she-angel, he so chants to the sleeve-hand and the work about the square on't.

Clo. Prithee bring him in; and let him approach singing.

Per. Forewarn him that he use no scurrilous words in's 210 tunes. [Exit Servant.

Clo. You have of these pedlars, that have more in them than you'ld think, sister.

Per. Ay, good brother, or go about to think.

Enter AUTOLYCUS, singing.

Lawn as white as driven snow; 215 Cypress black as e'er was crow; Gloves as sweet as damask roses; Masks for faces and for noses; Bugle bracelet, necklace amber, Perfume for a lady's chamber; 220 Golden quoifs and stomachers, For my lads to give their dears; Pins and poking-sticks of steel, What maids lack from head to heel: Come buy of me, come; come buy, come buy; 225 Buy, lads, or else your lasses cry: Come buy.

Clo. If I were not in love with Mopsa, thou shouldst take no money of me; but being enthralled as I am, it will also be the bondage of certain ribbons and gloves. 230

Mop. I was promised them against the feast; but they come not too late now.

Dor. He hath promised you more than that, or there be liars.

Mop. He hath paid you all he promised you: may be, he 235 has paid you more, which will shame you to give him again.

Clo. Is there no manners left among maids? will they wear their plackets where they should bear their faces? Is there not milking-time, when you are going to bed, or kiln-hole, to whistle off these secrets, but you must be tittle-tattling 240 before all our guests? 'tis well they are whispering: clamour your tongues, and not a word more.

Mop. I have done. Come, you promised me a tawdry-lace and a pair of sweet gloves.

Clo. Have I not told thee how I was cozened by the 245 way and lost all my money?

Ant. And indeed, sir, there are cozeners abroad; therefore it behoves men to be wary.

Clo. Fear not thou, man, thou shall lose nothing here.

Ant. I hope so, sir; for I have about me many parcels 250 of charge.

Clo. What hast here? ballads?

Mop. Pray now, buy some: I love a ballad in print o' life, for then we are sure they are true.

Ant. Here's one to a very doleful tune, how a usurer's 255 wife was brought to bed of twenty money-bags at a burthen and how she longed to eat adders' heads and toads carbonadoed.

Mop. Is it true, think you?

Ant. Very true, and but a month old. 260

Dor. Bless me from marrying a usurer!

Ant. Here's the midwife's name to't, one Mistress Tale-porter, and five or six honest wives that were present. Why should I carry lies abroad?

Mop. Pray you now, buy it. 265

Clo. Come on, lay it by: and let's first see moe ballads; we'll buy the other things anon.

Ant. Here's another ballad of a fish, that appeared upon, the coast on Wednesday the fourscore of April, forty thousand fathom above water, and sung this ballad against the 270 hard hearts of maids: it was thought she was a woman, and was turned into a cold fish for she would not exchange flesh with one that loved her: the ballad is very pitiful and as true.

Dor. Is it true too, think you?

Ant. Five justices' hands at it, and witnesses more 275 than my pack will hold.

Clo. Lay it by too: another.

Ant. This is a merry ballad, but a very pretty one.

Mop. Let's have some merry ones.

Ant. Why, this is a passing merry one and goes to the 280 tune of 'Two maids wooing a man:' there's scarce a maid westward but she sings it; 'tis in request, I can tell you.

Mop. We can both sing it: if thou'lt bear a part, thou shalt hear; 'tis in three parts.

Dor. We had the tune on't a month ago. 285

Ant. I can bear my part; you must know 'tis my occupation: have at it with you.

SONG.

A. Get you hence, for I must go Where it fits not you to know. D.. Whither? M. O, whither? D. Whither? 290 M. It becomes thy oath full well, Thou to me thy secrets tell: D. Me too, let me go thither.

M. Or thou goest to the grange or mill: D. If to either, thou dost ill. 295 A. Neither. D. What, neither? A. Neither. D. Thou hast sworn my love to be; M. Thou hast sworn it more to me: Then whither goest? say, whither?

Clo. We'll have this song out anon by ourselves: my 300 father and the gentlemen are in sad talk, and we'll not trouble them. Come, bring away thy pack after me. Wenches, I'll buy for you both. Pedlar, let's have the first choice. Follow me, girls. [Exit with Dorcas and Mopsa.

Ant. And you shall pay well for 'em. [Follows singing. 305

Will you buy any tape, Or lace for your cape, My dainty duck, my dear-a? Any silk, any thread, Any toys for your head, 310 Of the new'st, and finest, finest wear-a? Come to the pedlar; Money's a medler, That doth utter all men's ware-a. [Exit.

Re-enter Servant.

Serv. Master, there is three carters, three shepherds, 315 three neat-herds, three swine-herds, that have made themselves all men of hair, they call themselves Saltiers, and they have a dance which the wenches say is a gallimaufry of gambols, because they are not in't; but they themselves are o' the mind, if it be not too rough for some that know 320 little but bowling, it will please plentifully.

Shep. Away! we'll none on't: here has been too much homely foolery already. I know, sir, we weary you.

Pol. You weary those that refresh us: pray, let's see these four threes of herdsmen. 325

Serv. One three of them, by their own report, sir, hath danced before the king; and not the worst of the three but jumps twelve foot and a half by the squier.

Shep. Leave your prating: since these good men are pleased, let them come in; but quickly now. 330

Serv. Why, they stay at door, sir. [Exit.

Here a dance of twelve Satyrs.

Pol. O, father, you'll know more of that hereafter. [To Cam.] Is it not too far gone? 'Tis time to part them. He's simple and tells much. How now, fair shepherd! Your heart is full of something that does take 335 Your mind from feasting. Sooth, when I was young And handed love as you do, I was wont To load my she with knacks: I would have ransack'd The pedlar's silken treasury and have pour'd it To her acceptance; you have let him go 340 And nothing marted with him. If your lass Interpretation should abuse and call this Your lack of love or bounty, you were straited For a reply, at least if you make a care Of happy holding her.

Flo. Old sir, I know 345 She prizes not such trifles as these are: The gifts she looks from me are pack'd and lock'd Up in my heart; which I have given already, But not deliver'd. O, hear me breathe my life Before this ancient sir, who, it should seem, 350 Hath sometime loved! I take thy hand, this hand, As soft as dove's down and as white as it, Or Ethiopian's tooth, or the fann'd snow that's bolted By the northern blasts twice o'er.

Pol. What follows this? How prettily the young swain seems to wash 355 The hand was fair before! I have put you out: But to your protestation; let me hear What you profess.

Flo. Do, and be witness to't.

Pol. And this my neighbour too?

Flo. And he, and more Than he, and men, the earth, the heavens, and all: 360 That, were I crown'd the most imperial monarch, Thereof most worthy, were I the fairest youth That ever made eye swerve, had force and knowledge More than was ever man's, I would not prize them Without her love; for her employ them all; 365 Commend them and condemn them to her service Or to their own perdition.

Pol. Fairly offer'd.

Cam. This shows a sound affection.

Shep. But, my daughter, Say you the like to him?

Per. I cannot speak So well, nothing so well; no, nor mean better: 370 By the pattern of mine own thoughts I cut out The purity of his.

Shep. Take hands, a bargain! And, friends unknown, you shall bear witness to't: I give my daughter to him, and will make Her portion equal his.

Flo. O, that must be 375 I' the virtue of your daughter: one being dead, I shall have more than you can dream of yet; Enough then for your wonder. But, come on, Contract us 'fore these witnesses.

Shep. Come, your hand; And, daughter, yours.

Pol. Soft, swain, awhile, beseech you; 380 Have you a father?

Flo. I have: but what of him?

Pol. Knows he of this?

Flo. He neither does nor shall.

Pol. Methinks a father Is at the nuptial of his son a guest That best becomes the table. Pray you once more, 385 Is not your father grown incapable Of reasonable affairs? is he not stupid With age and altering rheums? can he speak? hear? Know man from man? dispute his own estate? Lies he not bed-rid? and again does nothing 390 But what he did being childish?

Flo. No, good sir; He has his health and ampler strength indeed Than most have of his age.

Pol. By my white beard, You offer him, if this be so, a wrong Something unfilial: reason my son 395 Should choose himself a wife, but as good reason The father, all whose joy is nothing else But fair posterity, should hold some counsel In such a business.

Flo. I yield all this; But for some other reasons, my grave sir, 400 Which 'tis not fit you know, I not acquaint My father of this business.

Pol. Let him know't.

Flo. He shall not.

Pol. Prithee, let him.

Flo. No, he must not.

Shep. Let him, my son: he shall not need to grieve At knowing of thy choice.

Flo. Come, come, he must not. 405 Mark our contract.

Pol. Mark your divorce, young sir, [Discovering himself. Whom son I dare not call; them art too base To be acknowledged: thou a sceptre's heir. That thus affects a sheep-hook! Thou old traitor, I am sorry that by hanging thee I can 410 But shorten thy life one week. And them, fresh piece Of excellent witchcraft, who of force must know The royal fool them copest with,--

Shep. O, my heart!

Pol. I'll have thy beauty scratch'd with briers, and made More homely than thy state. For thee, fond boy, 415 If I may ever know them dost but sigh That them no more shalt see this knack, as never I mean thou shalt, we'll bar thee from succession; Not hold thee of our blood, no, not our kin, Far than Deucalion off: mark thou my words: 420 Follow us to the court. Thou churl, for this time, Though full of our displeasure, yet we free thee From the dead blow of it. And you, enchantment,-- Worthy enough a herdsman; yea, him too, That makes himself, but for our honour therein, 425 Unworthy thee,--if ever henceforth thou These rural latches to his entrance open, Or hoop his body more with thy embraces, I will devise a death as cruel for thee As thou art tender to't. [Exit.

Per. Even here undone! 430 I was not much afeard; for once or twice I was about to speak and tell him plainly, The selfsame sun that shines upon his court Hides not his visage from our cottage, but Looks on alike. Will't please you, sir, be gone? 435 I told you what would come of this: beseech you, Of your own state take care: this dream of mine,-- Being now awake, I'll queen it no inch farther, But milk my ewes and weep.

Cam. Why, how now, father! Speak ere thou diest.

Shep. I cannot speak, nor think, 440 Nor dare to know that which I know. O sir! You have undone a man of fourscore three, That thought to fill his grave in quiet; yea, To die upon the bed my father died, To lie close by his honest bones: but now 445 Some hangman must put on my shroud and lay me Where no priest shovels in dust. O cursed wretch, That knew'st this was the prince, and wouldst adventure To mingle faith with him! Undone! undone! If I might die within this hour, I have lived 450 To die when I desire. [Exit.

Flo. Why look you so upon me? I am but sorry, not afeard, delay'd, But nothing alter'd: what I was, I am; More straining on for plucking back, not following My leash unwillingly.

Cam. Gracious my lord, 455 You know your father's temper: at this time He will allow no speech, which I do guess You do not purpose to him; and as hardly Will he endure your sight as yet, I fear: Then, till the fury of his highness settle, 460 Come not before him.

Flo. I not purpose it. I think, Camillo?

Cam. Even he, my lord.

Per. How often have I told you 'twould be thus! How often said, my dignity would last But till 'twere known!

Flo. It cannot fail but by 465 The violation of my faith; and then Let nature crush the sides o' the earth together And mar the seeds within! Lift up thy looks: From my succession wipe me, father, I Am heir to my affection.

Cam. Be advised. 470

Flo. I am, and by my fancy: if my reason Will thereto be obedient, I have reason; If not, my senses, better pleased with madness, Do bid it welcome.

Cam. This is desperate, sir.

Flo. So call it: but it does fulfil my vow; 475 I needs must think it honesty. Camillo, Not for Bohemia, nor the pomp that may Be thereat glean'd; for all the sun sees, or The close earth wombs, or the profound sea hides In unknown fathoms, will I break my oath 480 To this my fair beloved: therefore, I pray you, As you have ever been my father's honour'd friend, When he shall miss me,--as, in faith, I mean not To see him any more,--cast your good counsels Upon his passion: let myself and fortune 485 Tug for the time to come. This you may know And so deliver, I am put to sea With her whom here I cannot hold on shore; And most opportune to our need I have A vessel rides fast by, but not prepared 490 For this design. What course I mean to hold Shall nothing benefit your knowledge, nor Concern me the reporting.

Cam. O my lord! I would your spirit were easier for advice, Or stronger for your need.

Flo. Hark, Perdita. 495 [Drawing her aside. I'll hear you by and by.

Cam. He's irremoveable, Resolved for flight. Now were I happy, if His going I could frame to serve my turn, Save him from danger, do him love and honour, Purchase the sight again of dear Sicilia 500 And that unhappy king, my master, whom I so much thirst to see.

Flo. Now, good Camillo; I am so fraught with curious business that I leave out ceremony.

Cam. Sir, I think You have heard of my poor services, i' the love 505 That I have borne your father?

Flo. Very nobly Have you deserved: it is my father's music To speak your deeds, not little of his care To have them recompensed as thought on.

Cam. Well, my lord, If you may please to think I love the king, 510 And through him what is nearest to him, which is Your gracious self, embrace but my direction, If your more ponderous and settled project May suffer alteration, on mine honour I'll point you where you shall have such receiving 515 As shall become your highness; where you may Enjoy your mistress, from the whom, I see, There's no disjunction to be made, but by As heavens forefend! your ruin; marry her, And, with my best endeavours in your absence, 520 Your discontenting father strive to qualify And bring him up to liking.

Flo. How, Camillo, May this, almost a miracle, be done? That I may call thee something more than man And after that trust to thee.

Cam. Have you thought on 525 A place whereto you'll go?

Flo. Not any yet: But as the unthought-on accident is guilty To what we wildly do, so we profess Ourselves to be the slaves of chance, and flies Of every wind that blows.

Cam. Then list to me: 530 This follows, if you will not change your purpose But undergo this flight, make for Sicilia, And there present yourself and your fair princess, For so I see she must be, 'fore Leontes: She shall be habited as it becomes 535 The partner of your bed. Methinks I see Leontes opening his free arms and weeping His welcomes forth; asks thee the son forgiveness, As 'twere i' the father's person; kisses the hands Of your fresh princess; o'er and o'er divides him 540 'Twixt his unkindness and his kindness; the one He chides to hell and bids the other grow Faster than thought or time.

Flo. Worthy Camillo, What colour for my visitation shall I Hold up before him?

Cam. Sent by the king your father 545 To greet him and to give him comforts. Sir, The manner of your bearing towards him, with What you as from your father shall deliver, Things known betwixt us three, I 'll write you down: The which shall point you forth at every sitting 550 What you must say; that he shall not perceive But that you have your father's bosom there And speak his very heart.

Flo. I am bound to you: There is some sap in this.

Cam. A course more promising Than a wild dedication of yourselves 555 To unpath'd waters, undream'd shores, most certain To miseries enough: no hope to help you, But as you shake off one to take another: Nothing so certain as your anchors, who Do their best office, if they can but stay you 560 Where you'll be loath to be: besides you know Prosperity's the very bond of love, Whose fresh complexion and whose heart together Affliction alters.

Per. One of these is true: I think affliction may subdue the cheek, 565 But not take in the mind.

Cam. Yea, say you so? There shall not at your father's house these seven years Be'born another such.

Flo. My good Camillo, She is as forward of her breeding as She is i' the rear o' our birth.

Cam. I cannot say 'tis pity 570 She lacks instructions, for she seems a mistress To most that teach.

Per. Your pardon, sir; for this I'll blush you thanks.

Flo. My prettiest Perdita! But O, the thorns we stand upon! Camillo, Preserver of my father, now of me, 575 The medicine of our house, how shall we do? We are not furnish'd like Bohemia's son, Nor shall appear in Sicilia.

Cam. My lord, Fear none of this: I think you know my fortunes Do all lie there: it shall be so my care 580 To have you royally appointed as if The scene you play were mine. For instance, sir, That you may know you shall not want, one word. [They talk aside.

Re-enter AUTOLYCUS.

Aut. Ha, ha! what a fool Honesty is! and Trust, his sworn brother, a very simple gentleman! I have sold all 585 my trumpery; not a counterfeit stone, not a ribbon, glass, pomander, brooch, table-book, ballad, knife, tape, glove, shoe-tie, bracelet, horn-ring, to keep my pack from fasting: they throng who should buy first, as if my trinkets had been hallowed and brought a benediction to the buyer: by which 590 means I saw whose purse was best in picture; and what I saw, to my good use I remembered. My clown, who wants but something to be a reasonable man, grew so in love with the wenches' song, that he would not stir his pettitoes till he had both tune and words; which so drew the rest of the 595 herd to me, that all their other senses stuck in ears: you might have pinched a placket, it was senseless; 'twas nothing to geld a codpiece of a purse; I would have filed keys off that hung-in chains: no hearing, no feeling, but my sir's song, and admiring the nothing of it. So that in this time 600 of lethargy I picked and cut most of their festival purses; and had not the old man come in with a whoo-bub against his daughter and the king's son and scared my choughs from the chaff, I had not left a purse alive in the whole army. [Camillo, Florizel, and Perdita come forward.

Cam. Nay, but my letters, by this means being there 605 So soon as you arrive, shall clear that doubt.

Flo. And those that you'll procure from King Leontes--

Cam. Shall satisfy your father.

Per. Happy be you! All that you speak shows fair.

Cam. Who have we here? [Seeing Autolycus. We'll make an instrument of this; omit 610 Nothing may give us aid.

Aut. If they have overheard me now, why, hanging.

Cam. How now, good fellow! why shakest thou so? Fear not, man; here's no harm intended to thee.

Aut. I am a poor fellow, sir. 615

Cam. Why, be so still; here's nobody will steal that from thee: yet for the outside of thy poverty we must make an exchange; therefore discase thee instantly,--thou must think there's a necessity in't,--and change garments with this gentleman: though the pennyworth on his side be 620 the worst, yet hold thee, there's some boot.

Aut. I am a poor fellow, sir. [Aside] I know ye well enough.

Cam. Nay, prithee, dispatch: the gentleman is half flayed already. 625

Aut. Are you in earnest, sir? [Aside] I smell the trick on't.

Flo. Dispatch, I prithee.

Aut. Indeed, I have had earnest; but I cannot with conscience take it. 630

Cam. Unbuckle, unbuckle. [Florizel and Autolycus exchange garments. Fortunate mistress,--let my prophecy Come home to ye!--you must retire yourself Into some covert: take your sweetheart's hat And pluck it o'er your brows, muffle your face, 635 Dismantle you, and, as you can, disliken The truth of your own seeming; that you may-- For I do fear eyes over--to shipboard Get undescried.

Per. I see the play so lies That I must bear a part. 640

Cam. No remedy. Have you done there?

Flo. Should I now meet my father, He would not call me son.

Cam. Nay, you shall have no hat. [Giving it to Perdita. Come, lady, come. Farewell, my friend.

Aut. Adieu, sir.

Flo. O Perdita, what have we twain forgot! Pray you, a word. 645

Cam. [Aside] What I do next, shall be to tell the king Of this escape and whither they are bound; Wherein my hope is I shall so prevail To force him after: in whose company I shall review Sicilia, for whose sight 650 I have a woman's longing.

Flo. Fortune speed us! Thus we set on, Camillo, to the sea-side.

Cam. The swifter speed the better. [Exeunt Florizel, Perdita, and Camillo.

Aut. I understand the business, I hear it: to have an open ear, a quick eye, and a nimble hand, is necessary for a 655 cut-purse; a good nose is requisite also, to smell out work for the other senses. I see this is the time that the unjust man doth thrive. What an exchange had this been without boot! What a boot is here with this exchange! Sure the gods do this year connive at us, and we may do any thing 660 extempore. The prince himself is about a piece of iniquity, stealing away from his father with his clog at his heels: if I thought it were a piece of honesty to acquaint the king withal, I would not do't: I hold it the more knavery to conceal it; and therein am I constant to my profession. 665

Re-enter Clown and Shepherd.

Aside, aside; here is more matter for a hot brain: every lane's end, every shop, church, session, hanging, yields a careful man work.

Clo. See, see; what a man you are now! There is no other way but to tell the king she's a changeling and none 670 of your flesh and blood.

Shep. Nay, but hear me.

Clo. Nay, but hear me.

Shep. Go to, then.

Clo. She being none of your flesh and blood, your flesh 675 and blood has not offended the king; and so your flesh and blood is not to be punished by him. Show those things you found about her, those secret things, all but what she has with her: this being done, let the law go whistle: I warrant you. 680

Shep. I will tell the king all, every word, yea, and his son's pranks too; who, I may say, is no honest man, neither to his father nor to me, to go about to make me the king's brother-in-law.

Clo. Indeed, brother-in-law was the farthest off you 685 could have been to him and then your blood had been the dearer by I know how much an ounce.

Aut. [Aside] Very wisely, puppies!

Shep. Well, let us to the king: there is that in this fardel will make him scratch his beard. 690

Aut. [Aside] I know not what impediment this complaint may be to the flight of my master.

Clo. Pray heartily he be at palace.

Aut. [Aside] Though I am not naturally honest, I am so sometimes by chance: let me pocket up my pedlar's 695 excrement. [Takes off his false beard.] How now, rustics! whither are you bound?

Shep. To the palace, an it like your worship.

Aut. Your affairs there, what, with whom, the condition of that fardel, the place of your dwelling, your names, 700 your ages, of what having, breeding, and any thing that is fitting to be known, discover.

Clo. We are but plain fellows, sir.

Aut. A lie; you are rough and hairy. Let me have no lying: it becomes none but tradesmen, and they often give us 705 soldiers the lie: but we pay them for it with stamped coin, not stabbing steel; therefore they do not give us the lie.

Clo. Your worship had like to have given us one, if you had not taken yourself with the manner.

Shep. Are you a courtier, an't like you, sir? 710

Aut. Whether it like me or no, I am a courtier. Seest thou not the air of the court in these enfoldings? hath not my gait in it the measure of the court? receives not thy nose court-odour from me? reflect I not on thy baseness court-contempt? Thinkest thou, for that I insinuate, or 715 toaze from thee thy business, I am therefore no courtier? I am courtier cap-a-pe; and one that will either push on or pluck back thy business there: whereupon I command thee to open thy affair.

Shep. My business, sir, is to the king. 720

Aut. What advocate hast thou to him?

Shep. I know not, an't like you.

Clo. Advocate's the court-word for a pheasant: say you have none.

Shep. None, sir; I have no pheasant, cock nor hen. 725

Aut. How blessed are we that are not simple men! Yet nature might have made me as these are, Therefore I will not disdain.

Clo. This cannot be but a great courtier.

Shep. His garments are rich, but he wears them not 730 handsomely.

Clo. He seems to be the more noble in being fantastical: a great man, I'll warrant; I know by the picking on's teeth,

Aut. The fardel there? what's i' the fardel? Wherefore that box? 735

Shep. Sir, there lies such secrets in this fardel and box, which none must know but the king; and which he shall know within this hour, if I may come to the speech of him.

Aut. Age, thou hast lost thy labour.

Shep. Why, sir? 740

Aut. The king is not at the palace; he is gone aboard a new ship to purge melancholy and air himself: for, if thou beest capable of things serious, thou must know the king is full of grief.

Shep. So 'tis said, sir; about his son, that should have 745 married a shepherd's daughter.

Aut. If that shepherd be not in hand-fast, let him fly: the curses he shall have, the tortures he shall feel, will break the back of man, the heart of monster.

Clo. Think you so, sir? 750

Aut. Not he alone shall suffer what wit can make heavy and vengeance bitter; but those that are germane to him, though removed fifty times, shall all come under the hangman: which though it be great pity, yet it is necessary. An old sheep-whistling rogue, a ram-tender, to offer to have his 755 daughter come into grace! Some say he shall be stoned; but that death is too soft for him, say I: draw our throne into a sheep-cote! all deaths are too few, the sharpest too easy.

Clo. Has the old man e'er a son, sir, do you hear, an't like you, sir? 760

Ant. He has a son, who shall be flayed alive; then 'nointed over with honey, set on the head of a wasp's nest; then stand till he be three quarters and a dram dead; then recovered again with aqua-vitae or some other hot infusion; then, raw as he is, and in the hottest day prognostication 765 proclaims, shall he be set against a brick-wall, the sun looking with a southward eye upon him, where he is to behold him with flies blown to death. But what talk we of these traitorly rascals, whose miseries are to be smiled at, their offences being so capital? Tell me, for you seem to be 770 honest plain men, what you have to the king: being something gently considered, I'll bring you where he is aboard, tender your persons to his presence, whisper him in your behalfs; and if it be in man besides the king to effect your suits, here is man shall do it. 775

Clo. He seems to be of great authority: close with him, give him gold; and though authority be a stubborn bear, yet he is oft led by the nose with gold: show the inside of your purse to the outside of his hand, and no more ado. Remember 'stoned,' and 'flayed alive.' 780

Shep. An't please you, sir, to undertake the business for us, here is that gold I have: I'll make it as much more and leave this young man in pawn till I bring it you.

Aut. After I have done what I promised?

Shep. Ay, sir. 785

Aut. Well, give me the moiety. Are you a party in this business?

Clo. In some sort, sir: but though my case be a pitiful one, I hope I shall not be flayed out of it.

Aut. O, that's the case of the shepherd's son: hang 790 him, he'll be made an example.

Clo. Comfort, good comfort! We must to the king and show our strange sights: he must know 'tis none of your daughter nor my sister; we are gone else. Sir, I will give you as much as this old man does when the business is 795 performed, and remain, as he says, your pawn till it be brought you.

Aut. I will trust you. Walk before toward the sea-side; go on the right hand: I will but look upon the hedge and follow you. 800

Clo. We are blest in this man, as I may say, even blest.

Shep. Let's before as he bids us: he was provided to do us good. [Exeunt Shepherd and Clown.

Aut. If I had a mind to be honest, I see Fortune would 805 not suffer me: she drops booties in my mouth. I am courted now with a double occasion, gold and a means to do the prince my master good; which who knows how that may turn back to my advancement? I will bring these two moles, these blind ones, aboard him: if he think it fit to 810 shore them again and that the complaint they have to the king concerns him nothing, let him call me rogue for being so far officious; for I am proof against that title and what shame else belongs to't. To him will I present them: there may be matter in it. [Exit. 815

LINENOTES:

Act IV, Scene IV — ] SCENE III. Capell

The Shepherd's cottage.] The prospect of a Shepherd's Cotte. Theobald. A Room in the Shepherd's House. Capell.

Enter F. and P.] Rowe. Enter F., P., Shepherd, Clowne, Polixenes, Camillo, Mopsa, Dorcas, Servants, Autolicus. Ff.

[2] Do] Theobald. Do's Ff. Does Rowe.

[4] Is as] Is Rowe.

a meeting] F1. a merry meeting F2 F3 F4.

[5] Sir] Sure Collier (Collier MS.).

[12] Digest it] F2 F3 F4. Digest F1.

[12, 13] custom, I should blush ... think,] custom (sworn I think) To see you so attired, I should blush Steevens conj.

[13] sworn] F3 F4. sworne F1 F2. swoon Hanmer (Theobald conj.). scorn Mitford conj. so worn Collier (Jackson conj.).

[13, 14] sworn, I think ... glass] swoon, I think, To see myself i' the glass Theobald conj. and more I think ... a glass Ingleby conj. frown, I think, ... a glass or sorely shrink ... i' th' glass or more, I think ... a glass or more, I think ... i' th' glass Bailey conj.

[22] Vilely] Hanmer. Vildly Ff.

[28] the green] sea green Anon. conj.

[31, 32] now. Their ... beauty rarer,] Rowe. now. Their ... beauty, rarer, Ff. now:--Their ... beauty rarer,-- Dyce.

[33] in a way] any way Collier (Ritson conj.).

[35] faith] faith does Keightley conj.

sir] F1. deere sir F2. dear sir F3 F4.

[38] must be necessities] necessities must be Hanmer.

[40] dearest] F3 F4. deer'st F1. deerest F2.

[46] gentle] gentlest Hanmer. girl Collier (Collier MS.).

[49] your] you F4.

it were] 'twere Pope.

[54] Enter....] Enter All. F2 F3 F4 (after auspicious! line 52). om. F1.

[55] SCENE V. Pope.

[60] and] and on Keightley conj.

[61] thing] things F4.

[68] come on] Pol. Come on Theobald conj.

[70] [To Pol.] Sir, welcome] Malone. Sir, welcome, Ff. Sirs, welcome [To Polix. and Cam. Rowe. Sirs, you're welcome [To Pol. and Cam. Hanmer. Welcome, sir Capell.

[72] [To Cam.] Malone.

sir] sirs Rowe.

[76] to you] unto you Pope.

[78, 79] well ... winter.] will ... winter? Staunton conj.

[81] fairest] fair'st S. Walker conj.

[82] gillyvors] Gilly-vors Ff. giily-flowers Rowe. See note (XIV).

[83] call] cail F2.

[84] garden's] F2 F3 F4. gardens F1.

[90] over] o'er Capell. ever or e'er Anon. conj. even Craik conj.

[93] scion] Steevens (1793). sien Ff. scyon Pope, scyen Capell. cyon Steevens (1778).

wildest] wilder Anon. conj.

[98] your] you F1.

gillyvors] Gilly 'vors Ff. gillyflowers Rowe.

[104] mints] mint S. Walker conj. (withdrawn).

[105] wi' the] Capell. with' Ff. with th' Rowe.

[108] You're] Y'are Ff.

very welcome] welcome F4.

[112] my fair'st friend] Ff. my fairest friends Rowe (ed. 2). fairest friend Hanmer.

[118] Dis's] Dysses F1. Disses F2 F3 F4.

daffodils] early daffodils Hanmer. golden daffodils Coleridge conj. yellow daffodils Keightley conj.

[125] bold] gold Hanmer.

[127] flower-de-luce] flower-de-lis Rowe.

[134] Whitsun] Johnson. Whitson Ff. Whitsund' Hanmer.

[137, 138] I'ld] F1 F2 F3. I'le F4. I'll Rowe.

[142] move] but so move Keightley conj.

still so] still so, my fair Capell.

[142, 143] still so, And own no] still so, and own No Malone.

[145] you are] you're Pope.

deeds] deed Spedding conj.

[146] queens] queen's Singer.

[148] peeps ... through't] F3 F4. peepes ... through't F1 F2. peeps forth ... through it Rowe. peeps so ... through t' Capell. fairly peeps through it Steevens (1793). peeps ... through it Collier. through it ... peeps Staunton conj. peepeth ... through't Anon. conj.

[152] to fear] in fear Hanmer.

[155, 156] Per. I'll ... 'em. Pol. This] Pol. [Aside] I'll ... This Johnson conj.

[155] I'll swear] Elsewhere Jackson conj.

for 'em] for them [Music. Dance forming. Capell. for one Rann (Theobald and Ritson conj.).

[157] green-sward] Steevens. greensord Ff.

seems] says Collier (Collier MS.). deems Anon. conj.

[160] makes ... out] wakes her blood: look on't Collier (Collier MS.).

look out] Theobald. look on't Ff.

[162, 163] Arranged as in Capell. As prose in Ff.

marry, garlic, To ... with!] marry Garlick to ... with. Ff. marry, garlick to ... with-- Johnson.

[165] strike up] strike up, pipers Capell, ending lines 166, 167 at what ... daughter?

[165] [Music.] Malone. om. Ff.

[166] Pray] I pray Hanmer. Pray you S. Walker conj.

[167] Which] Who Pope.

[168] and boasts] and he boasts Rowe. he boasts Capell. 'a boasts Steevens conj.

[169] feeding] breeding Hanmer.

but I have it] I have it but Hunter conj.

[176] Who loves another] Which loves the other Hanmer. Who loves the other Mason conj.

[177] So she] She Warburton.

[181] SCENE VI. Pope.

[185] grew] grow Rowe (ed. 2).

[193] fadings] fapings Rowe (ed. 2). fa-dings Theobald.

[196] gap] jape Singer (Collier MS.).

[200] admirable conceited] Ff. admirable-conceited Theobald.

[201] unbraided] braided Johnson conj. embroided Collier (Collier MS.).

wares] warres F2.

[206] or] and Pope.

[207] sleeve-hand] sleeve-band Hanmer. Silesia or sleasie holland Peck conj.

[211] Exit....] Capell.

[212] them] 'em Warburton.

[216] Cypress] Cyprus Rowe (ed. 2).

[219] Bugle bracelet] Bugle-bracelets F4.

[225] come;] come buy; Keightley conj.

[226, 227] Buy ... Come buy.] Buy ... Come buy, &c. Theobald. As one line in Ff.

[238] bear] wear Warburton.

[239, 240] kiln-hole] Malone. kill-hole Ff.

[240] whistle off] Hanmer. whistle of Ff. whisper off Collier MS.

[242] clamour] charm Hanmer. chamber Jackson conj. chommer Cornish conj. clammer Keightley conj. chawmer Singer conj.

[253] ballad] F3 F4. ballet F1 F2.

[253, 254] o' life] o'-life Collier, a life Ff. or a life Rowe (ed. 2). a'-life Malone.

[256] of] F1 F2. with F3 F4.

burthen] birth Anon. conj.

[262] midwife's] Rowe. midwives Ff.

[263] wives] wives' Steevens. See note (xv).

[266] moe] more Rowe (ed. 2).

[268] ballad of] Ff. ballad, Of Capell.

[269] Wednesday] Wensday F1 F2.

[270] fathom] Johnson, fadom Ff.

[272] cold] cod Anon conj.

[288] SONG] See note (XVI).

[289] Where it] Whither Collier (Collier MS.).

[290, 299] whither] F4. whether F1 F2 F3.

[293] thither] F3 F4. thether F1 F2.

[301] gentlemen] Rowe. Gent. Ff.

[304] Exit....] Dyce om. Ff. Exeunt Cl., A., D., and M. Rowe (after line 314).

[305] [Follows singing.] Edd. Song. Ff.

[306-314] As six lines in Ff.

[306] buy] by Pope (ed. i).

[307] cape] crpe F1.

[309] Any ... any] And ... and Theobald.

[311] wear-a] ware-a Rowe.

[315] SCENE VII. Pope.

Re-enter....] Enter a Servant. Rowe.

Master] Mayster F1.

there is] there are Rowe.

carters] goatherds Theobald.

[316] three swine-herds] and three swine-herds Rowe.

[328] squier] squire Ff. square Rowe. See note (XVII).

[331] Serv. Why ... sir] Ff. Omitted by Rowe and all Edd. before Capell.

[Exit.] Capell.

Here....] Ff. Enter twelve Rusticks, presenting Satyrs. Company seat themselves. Dance, and Exeunt Rusticks. Capell.

[332, 333] Pol. O, father ... Is it] Flo. O, father ... hereafter (Here a dance of twelve Satyrs). Pol. Is it Hanmer.

[332] [Aside. Johnson. [Rising from beside the Shepherd. Capell.

[333] [To Cam.] Edd [Aside. Capell.

[337] handed] handled Collier (Collier MS.).

[344] reply, at least] reply, at least, Theobald, reply at least, Ff.

a care] care Theobald.

[349] life] love Theobald.

[350] who] whom F1.

[353, 354] Or ... o'er] Arranged as in F1. In F2 F3 F4 line 353 ends at snow.

[353] Ethiopian's] Ethiop's Dyce conj. Ethiop Lettsom conj.

[354] blasts] F1. blast F2 F3 F4.

[356] I have] I've Pope.

[360] the heavens] and heavens F4.

[363] force] sense Collier MS.

[369] him?] Rowe. him. Ff.

[378] your] you F4.

[380] awhile, beseech you;] Capell. a-while, beseech you, F1. a-while; 'beseech you, F2 F3 F4.

[389] dispute] compute Johnson conj. dispose Collier MS. dispense Anon. conj.

[395] my] the Anon. conj.

[406] [Discovering ...] Rowe.

[408] acknowledged] acknowledge F1.

[409] affects] Ff. affect'st Pope.

[410] I am] I'm Pope.

[410, 411] can But shorten] can but Shorten Warburton.

[412] who] whom F1.

[413] copest with,--] coap'st with-- Pope. coap'st with. Ff.

Shep.] Per. Theobald conj.

[415] fond] found F4.

[417] shalt] Rowe. shalt never Ff. See note (XVIII).

[420] Far than] F4. Farre then F1. Farre than F2 F3. Less than Hanmer. Far' than Warburton. Far as Capell (Johnson conj.). Farther than Heath conj. Far'r than Grant White.

[423] dead] dread Anon. conj.

you] your F3 F4. thou Anon. conj.

[426] thee,--if] thee. If Ff.

[428] hoop] hoope Pope. hope Ff.

[430] to't] to it Rowe.

[Exit.] Rowe.

Act IV, Scene VIII — Pope

[431] afeard] afraid Rowe.

[435] on] on both Malone conj. on all

Singer (Hunter conj.). on's Anon. conj.

Will't] Hanmer. Wilt Ff.

[To Flo. Rowe.

[437] this dream of mine,--] Johnson. this dream of mine, Ff. from this my dream Hanmer. as for this dream of mine,-- Capell conj.

[441] [To Flo. Rowe.

[444] died] died on Keightley conj.

[447] [To Perdita. Rowe.

[451] SCENE IX. Pope.

upon me] om. Steevens conj.

[452] afeard] afraid Rowe.

[456] your] my F1.

[459] sight as yet] Hanmer. sight, as yet Ff.

[462] Camillo?] Camillo?-- Johnson. Camillo. Ff. Camillo-- Theobald.

[465] fail] fall Anon. conj.

[469] my] thy Capell.

[473] better pleased with madness,] F1. better (pleas'd with madness) F2 F3 F4.

[478] thereat] thereout Hanmer.

all] F1. all that F2 F3 F4.

or] om. Long MS.

[479] sea hides] Capell. seas hides F1. seas hide F2 F3 F4.

[480] fathoms] Johnson. fadomes Ff.

[482] As you have ever] Ff. As you have e'er Malone. As y' have e'er S. Walker conj.

honour'd] F1. om. F2 F3 F4.

[488] whom] F2 F3 F4. who F1.

[489] our] Theobald. her Ff. the Capell.

[495] [Drawing....] Capell.

[496] [To Camillo. Theobald.

irremoveable] immovable Anon. conj.

[497] Resolved] Rosolv'd F2.

[503] curious] serious Collier MS.

[504] [Going. Malone. See note (XIX).

[511] through him what is] Hanmer. through him, what's Ff. thorough him, what's Theobald.

nearest] near'st S. Walker conj.

[514] alteration, on] alteration. On F1. alteration: On F2 F3 F4.

[520] And] I'll Long MS.

[521] discontenting] discontented Rowe.

strive to qualify] I'll strive to qualifie Rowe (ed. 2). I will strive To qualifie Hanmer.

[522] him up] om. Rowe.

[528] To] Of Rowe. Towards Hanmer.

[538] asks] ask Long MS.

thee the son] F3 F4. thee there Sonne F1 F2. there the son Ritson conj.

[539] kisses] kiss Long MS.

[540] divides] divide Long MS.

[546] comforts] comfort Anon conj.

[550] sitting] fitting Theobald. sifting Thirlby conj.

[558, 559] another: Nothing] another Nothing Hanmer.

[559] who] which Hanmer.

[569] She is] Pope. She's Ff.

[570] She is i' the rear o' our birth] Rowe (ed. 2). She is i' th' reare 'our birth F1 F2 F3. She is i' th' reare 'our birth F4. She is i' the rear o' her birth Rowe (ed. 1). I' th' rear of birth Hanmer. She is i' th' rear of birth Johnson. She is i' the rear our birth Boswell. She is i' th' rear'f our birth Grant White.

[572] sir; for this] Hanmer. sir, for this, F1. sir, for this, F2 F3 F4.

[576] medicine] medecin Theobald conj.

[578] appear in Sicilia.] appeare in Sicilia. F1. appeare in Sicily. F2. appear in Sicily. F3 F4. appear in Sicily-- Rowe. appear in Sicilia-- Boswell. appear't in Sicilia. Collier (Collier MS.). appear so in Sicilia. Staunton conj.

[582] mine] true Collier MS.

[583] [They talk aside.] Rowe.

[587] brooch] Steevens. browch Ff. broch Capell.

[588] fasting] F1. fastning F2 F3 F4.

[589] throng] thronged Collier (Collier MS.).

[591] picture] pasture Anon. conj.

[592] My clown] My good clown Rowe.

[594] wenches'] Johnson. wenches Ff.

[596] ears] their ears Rann (Mason conj.).

[598] would] could Long MS.

filed keys off] F3 F4. fill'd keyes of F1 F2.

[600] nothing] noting Anon. conj.

[604] [Camillo....] Theobald.

[607] Leontes--] Rowe. Leontes? Ff.

[609] Who] Whom Collier.

[Seeing A.] Theobald.

[612] [Aside. Theobald.

[613, 614] As three lines in Ff, ending fellow ... man ... thee; as prose first in Malone.

[613] why] come, why Hanmer. wherefore Capell, reading 613, 614 as two lines of verse.

[619] a necessity] necessity Steevens.

[621] [Giving money. Dyce.

[622, 626] [Aside]. Indicated by brackets in Ff.

[624] dispatch ... gentleman is] now dispatch ... gentleman 'S Capell, reading as verse.

[625] flayed] fled Ff. flead Rowe.

[631] [Florizel....] Capell.

[635] your] thy Boswell.

[638] over] over you Rowe. ever Collier (Egerton and Collier MS.). overt Jervis conj.

[642, 643] no hat ... friend] As one line in Hanmer.

[642] [Giving....] Capell.

[643] Adieu, sir.] Adieu, sir. [retiring, Capell.

[645] [Talking with her aside. Capell.

[646] [Aside] Rowe.

[649] whose] his Anon. conj.

[653] [Exeunt....] Capell. Exit Ff. Exit Flo and Per. (after 652). Exit (after line 653) Rowe.

[654] SCENE XI. Pope.

hear] heard Hanmer.

[663, 664] thought it were ... would not do't] thought it were not ... would do't Hanmer. thought not it were ... would do't Capell.

[665] Re-enter....] Dyce. Enter.... Ff.

[666] here is] F1 F2. here's F3 F4.

[677] those] these Theobald.

[687] know] know not Hanmer.

[688] [Aside] Rowe.

[690, 700] fardel] Steevens. Farthell F1 F2 F3. Farthel F4. And passim.

[691, 694] [Aside] So marked by Capell.

[693] at palace] at 'Pallace F1. at Pallace F2 F3 F4. at the palace Rowe. See note (XX).

[696] [Takes off....] Steevens (1793).

[698] an] Hanmer. and Ff.

[701] ages] age Rowe (ed. 2).

[702] to be] for to be Rowe (ed. 2).

[707] not stabbing] note-stabbing Theobald conj.

not give] give Hanmer.

[709] manner] manour Hanmer.

[710] an't] Hanmer. and't F1 F2 F3. and' F4. and Rowe.

[715] or] F2 F3 F4. at F1. to Capell. and Malone. See note (XXI).

[718] pluck] push Rowe (ed. 2).

[722, 759, 781] an't] Hanmer. and't Ff.

[723] pheasant] present Kenrick conj.

[725] pheasant, cock] Capell. pheazant cock, Ff (pheasant F4).

[726] blessed] Ff. bless'd Pope.

[729] be but] but be Hanmer.

[732] to be] to me S. Walker conj.

[733] on's] of's Capell conj.

[734] fardel] Steevens. Farthell F1 F2. Farthel F3 F4.

[747] hand-fast] band, fast Grant White conj.

[752] germane] Iermaine F1 F2. Jermain F3 F4.

[763] then stand] there stand Capell.

[774] behalfs] behalf F4.

[775] man] F1 F2. a man F3 F4. the man Long MS.

[799] look] F3 F4. looke F1 F2. leake Theobald conj.

[801, 802] blest] bless'd Ff.

[804] Exeunt S. and C.] Rowe. Exeunt. F2 F3 F4. om. F1.

[809] back] luck Collier (Collier MS.).

[815] [Exit.] Rowe. [Exeunt. Ff.