He straight declin'd, droop'd, took it deeply; And down-right languish'd.-Leave me solely: go, See how he fares. [Exit Attend.]-Fie, fie! no thought of him;— 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 Atten. 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,- Do come with words as med'cinal 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, About some gossips for your highness. Leon. How? Away with that audacious lady: Antigonus, I charg'd 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, Leon. What, canst not rule her? Paul. From all dishonesty, he can: in this, Ant. Lo you now; you hear! 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 profess Leon. Good queen! Paul. Good queen, my lord, good queen: I say, good queen; And would by combat make her good, so were I 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; Here 'tis; commends it to your blessing. Leon. [Laying down the child. 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 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, [To Antigonus.] thou art womantir'd, unroosted By thy dame Partlet here,-take up the bastard; Take't up, I say; give't to thy crone. Paul. Unvenerable be thy hands, if thou For ever Tak'st up the princess, by that forced baseness Leon. He dreads his wife. Paul. So, I would, you did; then, 'twere past all Nor I; nor any, Ant. I am none, by this good light. Paul. 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, Leon. A callat, Of boundless tongue; who late hath beat her hus band, And now baits me!-That brat is none of mine; Hence with it; and, together with the dam, Paul. It is yours; And, might we lay the old proverb to your charge, The trick of his frown, his forehead: nay, the valley, 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 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, Paul. A most unworthy and unnatural lord Can do no more. Leon. Paul. I'll have thee burn'd. It is an heretick, that makes the fire, I care not: Not she, which burns in't. I'll not call you tyrant; But this most cruel usage of your queen (Not able to produce more accusation Than your own weak-hing'd fancy,) something savours Of tyranny, and will ignoble make you, Yea, scandalous to the world. Leon. Out of the chamber with her. On your allegiance, 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 A better guiding spirit!-What need these hands?— You, that are thus so tender o'er his follies, Will never do him good, not one of you. So, so:-Farewel; we are gone. [Exit. Leon. Thou, traitor, hast set on thy wife to this.My child? away with't!-even thou, that hast A heart so tender o'er it, take it hence, And see it instantly consum'd with fire; Even thou, and none but thou. Take it up straight: |