Enter a Servant.

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

Serv. He hath ribands 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, caddises," "cambrics, lawns: why, he sings them over, as they 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. Pr'ythee, bring him in; and let him approach singing.

Per. Forewarn him, that he use no scurrilous words in his tunes.

Clo. You have of these pedlers, that have more in 'em than you'd think, sister.

Per. Ay, good brother, or go about to think,
Enter Autolycus, singing.

Lawn, as white as driven snow;
Cyprus, 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: 10
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;
Buy, lads, or else your lasses cry;
Come, buy, &c.

Clo. If I were not in love with Mopsa, thou should'st take no money of me; but being enthrall'd as I am, it will also be the bondage of certain ribands and gloves.

Mop. I was promis'd 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 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 Serv. O master, if you did but hear the pedler their faces? Is there not milking-time, when you at the door, you would never dance again after a are going to-bed, or kiln-hole,'' to whistle off these 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.

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: no milliner can so fit his customers with gloves: he has the prettiest love-songs for maids; 30 without bawdry, which is strange; with such delicate burdens of dildos and fadings; jump her and thump her; and where some stretch-mouth'd rascal would, as it were, mean mischief, and break a foul 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.

secrets; but you must be tittle-tattling before all our guests? 'Tis well they are whispering: Clamour your tongues, 12 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 way, and lost all my money?

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

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

Aut. I hope so, sir; for I have about me many parcels of change.

Clo. What hast here? ballads?

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

Aut. Here's one to a very doleful tune, How a usurer's wife was brought to-bed of twenty money. bags at a burden; and how she longed to eat adders' heads, and toads carbonadocd.

(10) Amber, of which necklaces were made fit to perfume a lady's chamber.

(11) Fire-place for drying malt; still a noted gossiping-place.

(12) Ring a dumb peal.

(19) A lace to wear about the head or waist.

Pol. You weary those that refresh us : Pray let's Aut. Here's another ballad, of a fish, that ap- see these four threes of herdsmen. peared upon the coast, on Wednesday the fourscore Serv. One three of them, by their own report. of April, forty thousand fathom above water, and sir, hath danced before the king; and not the worst sung this ballad against the hard hearts of maids: of the three, but jumps twelve foot and a half by it was thought she was a woman, and was turned the squire."

into a cold ash, for she would not exchange flesh Shep. Leave your prating; since these good men with one that loved her: The ballad is very pitiful, are pleased, let them come in; but quickly now. Serv. Why, they stay at door, sir. [Exit. Aut. Five justices' hands at it; and witnesses, Re-enter Servant, with twelve rustics, habited like more than my pack will hold. Satyrs. They dance, and then exeunt.

Aut. Why this is a passing merry one; and goes to the tune of Two maids wooing a man: there's Your heart is full of something, that does take scarce a maid westward, but she sings it; 'tis in Your mind from feasting. Sooth, when I was young, request, I can tell you. And handed love, as you do, I was wont

Mop. We can both sing it; if thou'lt bear a part, To load my she with knacks: I would have ranthou shalt hear; 'tis in three parts.

The pedler's silken treasury, and have pour'd it

Aut. I can bear my part; you must know, 'tis To her acceptance; you have let him go,

More than was ever man's,-I would not prize them,
Without her love: for her, employ them all;
Commend them, and condemn them, to her service,

[Exeunt Clown, Autolycus, Dorcas, and Or to their own perdition.

Pol.
Fairly offer'd.
Cam. This shows a sound affection.
Shep.

Serv. Master, there is three carters, three shep-Say you the like to him? herds, three neat-herds, three swine-herds, that Per.

- have made themselves all men of hair; they call So well, nothing so well;

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;--
Soft, swain, a while, 'beseech you;

And, daughter, yours.
Pol.

Have you a father?

Flo.

Worthy enough a herdsman; yea, him too,
That makes himself, but for our honour therein,
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.

Per.

[Exit.

Even here undone !
I was not much afeard: for once, or twice,
I was about to speak; and tell him plainly,
The self-same sun, that shines upon his court,
Hides not his visage from our cottage, but
Looks on alike.-Will't please you, sir, be gone?
[To Florizel.
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 further,
He neither does, nor shall. But milk my ewes, and weep.

I have: But what of him?
Pol. Knows he of this?
Flo.

Pol. Methinks, a father

Is, at the nuptial of his son, a guest
That best becomes the table. Pray you, once more;
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?1
Lies he not bed-rid? and again does nothing,
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,
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.

No, he must not.

Pol.

Flo.

Come, come, he must not :

Shep. Let him, my son; he shall not need to grieve
At knowing of thy choice.
Flo.
Mark our contract.
Pol.
Mark your divorce, young sir,
[Discovering himself.
Whom son I dare not call; thou art too base
To be acknowledg'd: Thou a sceptre's heir,
That thus affect'st a sheep-hook?-Thou old traitor,
I am sorry, that, by hanging thee, I can but
Shorten thy life one week.-And thou, fresh piece
Of excellent witchcraft; who, of force, must know
The royal fool thou cop'st with ;-
Shep.
Pol. I'll have thy beauty scratch'd with briers,
and made

O, my heart!

Why, how now, father?

Cam.
Speak, ere thou diest.
Shep.
I cannot speak, nor think,
Nor dare to know that which I know.-O, sir,
[To Florizel.

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
Some hangman must put on my shroud, and lay me
Where no priest shovels-in dust.-O cursed wretch!
[To Perdita.
That knew'st this was the prince, and would'st
adventure

To mingle faith with him.-Undone! undone!
If I might die within this hour, I have liv'd
To die when I desire.

Flo.

[Exit.
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,

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,
Come not before him.
Flo.

I not purpose it.

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?

More homely than thy state.--For thee, fond boy,-If not, my senses, better pleas'd with madness,

If I may ever know, thou dost but sigh,

Do bid it welcome.

I

Cam.

That thou 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,
Far2 than Deucalion off:-Mark thou my words;
Follow us to the court.-Thou churl, for this time,
Though full of our displeasure, yet we free thee
From the dread blow of it.-And you, enchant- In unknown fathoms, will I break my oath

This is desperate, sir.
Flo. So call it: but it does fulfil my vow;
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 seas hide

ment

(1) Talk over his affairs. (2) Further.

To this my fair belov'd: Therefore, I pray you,

(3) Doors. (4) A leading string. (5) Love.

membered. My clown (who wants but something Cam. What I do next, shall be, to tell the king to be a reasonable man,) grew so in love with the

wenches' song, that he would not stir his pettitoes, Of this escape, and whither they are bound;
till he had both tune and words; which so drew the Wherein my hope is, I shall so prevail,
rest of the herd to me, that all their other senses To force him after: in whose company
stuck in ears: you might have pinched a placket, I shall review Sicilia; for whose sight
it was senseless; 'twas nothing, to geld a cod-piece I have a woman's longing.
of a purse; I would have filed keys off, that hung

Flo.

[Aside.

Fortune speed us!-

Cam. The swifter speed, the better.

in chains: no hearing, no feeling, but my sir's song, Thus we set on, Camillo, to the sea-side.
and admiring the nothing of it. So that, in this time
of lethargy, I picked and cut most of their festival
purses: and had not the old man come in with a
whoobub 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.

[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 cut-purse; a good nose is requisite also, to smell out work for the other senses. [Camillo, Florizel, and Perdita, come forward. I see, this is the time that the unjust man doth Cam. Nay, but my letters by this means being thrive. What an exchange had this been without

there

So soon as you arrive, shall clear that doubt.
Flo. And those that you'll procure from king
Leontes,-

Cam. Sall satisfy your father.
Per.

All that you speak, shows fair.
Cam.

boot? what a boot is here, with this exchange? Sure the gods do this year connive at us, and we may do any thing extempore. The prince himself is about a piece of iniquity; stealing away from his father, with his clog at his heels: "If I thought Happy be you! it were not a piece of honesty to acquaint the king withal, I would do't: I hold it the more knavery to conceal it: and therein am I constant to my profession.

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

Enter Clown and Shepherd. Aside, aside;-here is more matter for a hot brain: Aut. If they have overheard me now,--why Every lane's end, every shop, church, session, hanghanging. [Aside. ing, yields a careful man work.

Cam. How now, good fellow? Why shakest Clo. See, see; what a man you are now! there thou so? Fear not, man; here's no harm intended is no other way, but to tell the king she's a changeto thee. ling, and none of your flesh and blood. Shep. Nay, but hear me. Clo. Nay, but hear me. Shep. Go to then.

Aut. I am a poor fellow, sir.

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

Clo. She being none of your flesh and blood, instantly (thou must think there's necessity in't,) your flesh and blood has not offended the king and change garments with this gentleman: Though and, so, your flesh and blood is not to be punished the pennyworth, on his side, be the worst, yet hold by him. Show those things you found about her thee, there's some boot.2 those secret things, all but what she has with her: Aut. I am a poor fellow, sir:-I know ye well This being done, let the law go whistle; I warrant enough. [Aside. you. Cam. Nay, pr'ythee, despatch: the gentleman is half flayed already.

Aut. Are you in earnest, sir ?—I smell the trick [Aside.

of it.

Flo. Despatch, I pr'ythee. Aut. Indeed, I have had earnest; but I cannot with conscience take it.

Cam. Unbuckle, unbuckle.-

[Flo. and Aut. exchange garments.
Fortunate mistress,-let my prophecy
Come home to you!-You must retire yourself
Into some covert: take your sweetheart's hat,
And pluck it o'er your brows: muffle your face;
Dismantle you: and as you can, disliken
The truth of your own seeming; that you may
(For I do fear eyes over you,) to shipboard
Get undescried.
I see the play so lies,

Per.

That I must bear a part.
Cam.

Have you done there?

Flo.

No remedy.-
Should I now meet my father,

He would not call me son.

Nay, you shall have

Cam.
No hat:-Come, lady, come.-Farewell, my friend.
Aut. Adieu, sir.

Flo. O Perdita, what have we twain forgot?
Pray you, a word.
They converse apart.

(1) Birds. (2) Something over and above. (3) Stripped. (4) Bundle, parcel.

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 furthest off you could have been to him; and then your blood had been the dearer, by I know how much an ounce. Aut. Very wisely; puppies! [Aside.

Shep. Well; let us to the king; there is that in this fardel, will make him scratch his beard. Aut. I know not what impediment this complaint may be to the flight of my master.

Clo. 'Pray heartily he be at palace.

Aut. Though I am not naturally honest, I am se sometimes by chance:-Let me pocket up my pedler's 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, 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 soldiers the lie: but we pay them for it with stamped coin, not stabbing steel; therefore they do not give us the lie.