She's otherwise, I'll keep my stables where I lodge my wife; I'll go in couples with her; Than when I feel, and see her, no further trust her; Ay, every dram of woman's flesh, is false, Leon. Hold your peaces. 1 Lord. Good my lord, Ant. It is for you we speak, not for ourselves. That will be damned for't; 'would I knew the villain, Leon. Cease; no more. You smell this business with a sense as cold/ As is a dead man's nose; but I do see't and feel't The instruments that feel. Ant. If it be so, We need no grave to bury honesty; There's not a grain of it, the face to sweeten Of the whole dungy earth. Leon. What, lack I credit? 1 Lord. I had rather you did lack, than I, my lord, upon this ground: and more it would content me To have her honor true, than your suspicion; Be blamed for't how you might. Leon. Ant. Leon. How could that be? Either thou art most ignorant by age, (Which was as gross as ever touched conjecture, Made up to the deed,) doth push on this proceeding. Yet, for a greater confirmation, (For, in an act of this importance, 'twere Of stuffed sufficiency. Now from the oracle will bring all; whose spiritual counsel, had, Leon. Though I am satisfied, and need no more Than what I know, yet shall the oracle Give rest to the minds of others; such as he, Whose ignorant credulity will not From Come up to the truth. So have we thought it gocd, Ant. [Aside.] To laughter, as I take it, If the good truth were known. [Exeunt. SCENE II. The same. The outer Room of a Prison. Enter PAULINA and Attendants. Paul. The keeper of the prison, to him; [Exit an Attendant. Let him have knowledge who I am.-Good lady! No Re-enter Attendant, with the Keeper. You know me, do you not? Keeper. And one whom I much honor. Paul. Conduct me to the queen. For a worthy lady, Pray you, then, Keep. I may not, madam; to the contrary I have express commandment. Paul. Here's ado, To lock up honesty and honor from The access of gentle visitors!Is it lawful, Keep. So please you, madam, to put Apart these your attendants, I shall bring Paul. I pray now, call her. Keep. And, madam, [Exeunt Attend. [Exit Keeper. I must be present at your conference. Re-enter Keeper, with EMILIA. Dear gentlewoman, how fares our gracious lady? Emil. I am innocent as you. I dare be sworn. These dangerous, unsafe lunes o' the king! beshrew them! If I prove honey-mouthed, let my tongue blister; Persuades, when speaking fails. Emil. Most worthy madam, Your honor, and your goodness, is so evident, A thriving issue; there is no lady living So meet for this great errand. Please your ladyship Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer; Paul. I'll use that tongue I have. As boldness from my bosom, I shall do good. Emil. I'll to the queen. Tell her, Emilia, If wit flow from it, Now be you blest for it! Please you, come something nearer. Keep. Madam, if't please the queen to send the babe, not what I shall incur to pass it, I know Having no warrant. Paul. You need not fear it, sir. The child was prisoner to the womb; and is, Paúl. Do not you fear; upon Mine honor, I will stand 'twixt you and danger. [Exeunt. SCENE III. The same. A Room in the Palace. Enter LEONTES, ANTIGONUS, Lords, and other Attendants. 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 adult'ress;-for the harlot king Is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank 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 come to me again. Might -Who's there? 1 Attend. My lord! [Advancing. He took good rest to-night; "Tis hoped his sickness is discharged. Leon. His nobleness! To see Conceiving the dishonor of his mother, He straight declined, drooped, took it deeply; And downright languished.-Leave me solely;-go, The very thought of my revenges that way Laugh at me; make their pastime at my sorrow. 1 Lord. Enter PAULINA, with a Child. 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. 1 Attend. Madam, he hath not slept to-night; com manded None should come at him. Paul. Do come with words as med'cinal as true; Leon. Leon. How? Away with that audacious lady. Antigonus, I charged thee, that she should not come about me; Ant. I told her so, my lord, On your displeasure's peril, and on mine, Leon. In this, |