Death to thyself, but to thy lew'd-tongu'd wife; Ant. I swear to do this, though a present death In more than this deed doth require! and blessing, Poor thing, condemn'd to loss! [Exit, with the Child. No, I'll not rear Leon. Another's issue. 1 Atten. Please your highness, posts, From those you sent to the oracle, are come Being well arriv'd from Delphos, are both landed, 1 Lord. So please you, sir, their speed Hath been beyond account. Twenty-three days The truth of this appear. Prepare you, lords; [Exeunt. SCENE 1. The same. A Street in some Town. 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 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 surpris'd my sense, Dion. Cleo. Great Apollo, Turn all to the best! These proclamations, I little like. Dion. The violent carriage of it Will clear, or end the business: When the oracle, Even then will rush to knowledge.-G fresh horses;And gracious be the issue! [Exeunt, SCENE 11. The same. A Court of Justice. LEONTES, Lords, and Officers, appear properly seated. Offi. It is his highness' pleasure, that the queen HERMIONE is brought in guarded; PAULINA and Ladies, attending. Leon. Read the indictment. Offi. Hermione, queen to the worthy Leontes, king of Sicilia, thou art here accused and arraigned of high treason, in committing adultery with Polixenes, king of Bohemia; and conspiring with Camillo to take away the life of our sovereign lord the king, thy royal husband; the pretence whereof being by circumstances partly laid open, thou, Hermione, contrary to the faith and allegiance of a true subject, didst counsel and aid them, for their better safety, to fly away by night. Her. Since what I am to say, must be but that Which contradicts my accusation; and The testimony on my part, no other But what comes from myself; it shall scarce boot me Being counted falsehood, shall, as I express it, I doubt not then, but innocence shall make Tremble at patience.-You, my lord, best know, A moiety of the throne, a great king's daughter, And only that I stand for. I appeal To your own conscience, sir, before Polixenes Have strain'd, to appear thus: if one jot beyond Leon. Her. Her. That's true enough; More than mistress of, Which comes to me in name of fault, I must not (With whom I am accus'd,) I do confess, To you, and toward your friend; whose love had spoke, I know not how it tastes; though it be dish'd Is, that Camillo was an honest man; And, why he left your court, the gods themselves, Leon. You knew of his departure, as you know You speak a language that I understand not : Leon. Your actions are my dreams; You had a bastard by Polixenes, And I but dream'd it:-As you were past all shame, (Those of your fact are so,) so past all truth: Which to deny, concerns more than avails: For as Thy brat hath been cast out, like to itself, Shalt feel our justice; in whose easiest passage, Her. Sir, spare your threats : The bug, which you would fright me with, I seek. 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, |