1 Gent. The dignity of this act was worth the audience of Kings and Princes; for by fuch was it acted. 3 Gent. One of the prettieft touches of all, and that which angled for mine eyes, (caught the water, though not the fish,) was, when at the relation of the Queen's death, with the manner how fhe came to it, bravely confefs'd, and lamented by the King, how attentiveness wounded his daughter; 'till, from one fign of dolour to another, fhe did, with an, alas! I would fain fay, bleed tears; for I am fure, my heart wept blood. Who was most marble, there changed colour; fome fwooned, all forrowed; if all the world could have feen't, the woe had been univerfal. 1 Gent. Are they returned to the court? 3 Gent. No. The Princess hearing of her mother's ftatue, which is in the keeping of Paulina, a peace many years in doing, and now newly perform'd by (34) that rare Italian mafter, Julio Romano; who, had he himself eternity, and could put breath into his work, would beguile Nature of her cuftom, fo perfectly he is her ape he so near to Hermione hath done Hermione, that they fay, one would speak to her, and ftand in hope of anfwer. Thither with all greedinefs of affection are they gone, and there they intend to fup. 2 Gent. I thought, fhe had fome great matter there in hand, for the hath privately twice or thrice a-day, ever fince the death of Hermione, vifited that removed houfe. Shall we thither, and with our company piece the rejoycing? 1 Gent. Who would be thence, that has the benefit (34) that rare Italian mafter, Julio Romano;] All the encomiums, put together, that have been conferr'd on this excellent artist in painting and architecture, do not amount to the fine praise here given him by our author. He was born in the year 1492, liv'd just that circle of years, which our Shakespeare did, and dy'd eighteen years before the latter was born. Fine and generous, therefore, as this tribute of praise must be own'd, yet it was a ftrange abfurdity, fure, to thrust it into a tale, the action of which is fuppos'd within the period of heathenifm, and whilft the oracles of Apollo were confulted. This, however, was a known and wilful Anachronism; which might have flept in obfcurity, perhaps Mr. Pope will fay, had I not animadverted on it. 4 of accefs? every wink of an eye, fome new grace will be born: our absence makes us unthrifty to our knowledge. Let's along. [Exeunt. Aut. Now had not I the dash of my former life in me, would preferment drop on my head. I brought the old man and his fon aboard the Prince; told him, I heard them talk of a farthel, and I know not what; but he at that time, over fond of the fhepherd's daughter (so he then took her to be) who began to be much feafick, and himself little better, extremity of weather continuing, this mystery remained undiscover'd. But 'tis all one to me; for had I been the finder out of this fecret, it would not have relished among my other difcredits. Enter Shepherd and Clown. Here come those I have done good to against my will, and already appearing in the bloffoms of their fortune. Shep. Come, boy, I am paft more children; but thy fons and daughters will be all gentlemen born. Clo. You are well met, Sir; you denied to fight with me this other day, because I was no gentleman born: fee you these cloaths? fay, you see them not, and think me ftill no gentleman born. You were beft fay, thefe robes are not gentlemen born. Give me the lye; do, and try whether I am not now a gentleman born. Aut. I know you are now, Sir, a gentleman born. Clo. So you have; but I was a gentleman born before my father; for the King's fon took me by the hand, and call'd me brother; and then the two Kings call'd my father brother; and then the Prince my brother, and the Princess my fifter, call'd my father, father, and fo we wept; and there was the firft gentleman-like tears that ever we shed. Shep. We may live, fon, to fhed many more. Clo. Ay, or elfe 'twere hard luck, being in fo prepofterous eftate as we are. Aut. I humbly befeech you, Sir, to pardon me all the the faults I have committed to your worship, and to give me your good report to the Prince, my mafter. Shep. 'Pr'ythee, fon, do; for we must be gentle, now we are gentlemen. Clo. Thou wilt amend thy life? Aut. Ay, and it like your good worship. Clo. Give me thy hand; I will fwear to the Prince, thou art as honeft a true fellow as any is in Bohemia. Shep. You may fay it, but not swear it. Clo. Not fwear it, now I am a gentleman ? let boors and franklins fay it, I'll fwear it. Shep. How, if it be false, fon? : Clo. If it be ne'er fo falfe, a true gentleman may fwear it in the behalf of his friend and I'll fwear to the Prince, thou art a tall fellow of thy hands, and that thou wilt not be drunk; but I know, thou art no tall fellow of thy hands; and that thou wilt be drunk; but I'll fwear it; and, I would, thou would'st be a tall fellow of thy hands. Aut. I will prove fo, Sir, to my power. Clo. Ay, by any means to prove a tall fellow; if I do not wonder how thou dar'ft venture to be drunk, not being a tall fellow, truft me not. Hark, the Kings and the Princes, our kindred, are going to fee the Queen's picture. Come, follow us: we'll be thy good mafters. [Exeunt. SCENE changes to Paulina's House. Enter Leontes, Polixenes, Florizel, Perdita, Camillo, Paulina, Lords and Attendants. Leo. That I have had of thee! Grave and good Paulina, the great comfort Paul. What, fovereign Sir, I did not well, I meant well; all my fervices You have paid home. But that you have vouchfaf'd, Leo. |