And mark what way I make: Come, good my encounter, which lames report to follow it, and unlord. [Exeunt. does description to do it. 2 Gent. What, pray you, became of Antigonus, SCENE II.-The same. Before the palace. En-that carried hence the child? ter Autolycus and a Gentleman. A. 'Beseech you, sir, were you present at this relation? 1 Gent. I was by at the opening of the fardel, heard the old shepherd deliver the manner how he found it: whereupon, after a little amazedness, we were all commanded out of the chamber; only this, methought I heard the shepherd say, he found the child. 3 Gent. Like an old tale still; which will have matter to rehearse, though credit be asleep, and not an ear open: He was torn to pieces with a bear: this avouches the shepherd's son; who has not only his innocence (which seems much,) to jusPaulina knows. tify him, but a handkerchief, and rings, of his, that 1 Gent. What became of his bark, and his followers? Aut. I would most gladly know the issue of it. 3 Gent. Wrecked, the same instant of their 1 Gent. I make a broken delivery of the business; master's death; and in the view of the shepherd: -But the changes I perceived in the king, and the child, were even then lost, when it was found. so that all the instruments, which aided to expose Camillo, were very notes of admiration: they But, O, the noble combat, that, 'twixt joy and sorseemed almost, with staring on one another, to tear the cases of their eyes; there was speech in their row, was fought in Paulina! She had one eye dedumbness, language in their very gesture; they that the oracle was fulfilled: She lifted the princlined for the loss of her husband; another elevated looked, as they had heard of a world ransomed, or one destroyed: A notable passion of wonder ap- cess from the earth; and so locks her in embracing, peared in them; but the wisest beholder, that knew as if she would pin her to her heart, that she might no more but seeing, could not say, if the importance no more be in danger of losing. were joy, or sorrow: but in the extremity of the audience of kings and princes; for by such was it 1 Gent. The dignity of this act was worth the one, it must needs be. Enter another Gentleman. acted. 3 Gent. One of the prettiest touches of all, and that which angled for mine eyes (caught the water, Here comes a gentleman, that, happily, knows more: though not the fish,) was, when at the relation of The news, Rogero? the queen's death, with the manner how she came 2 Gent. Nothing but bonfires: The oracle is ful- to it, (bravely confessed, and lamented by the king,) filled; the king's daughter is found: such a deal how attentiveness wounded his daughter: till, from of wonder is broken out within this hour, that bal-one sign of dolour to another, she did, with an lad-makers cannot be able to express it. Enter a third Gentleman. Here comes the lady Paulina's steward; he can deliver you more. How goes it now, sir? this news, which is called true, is so like an old tale, that the verity of it is in strong suspicion: Has the king found his heir? alas! I would fain say, bleed tears; for, I am sure, my heart wept blood. Who was most marble there, changed colour; some swooned, all sorrowed: ir all the world could have seen it, the wo had been universal. 1 Gent. Are they returned to the court? 3 Gent. No: the princess hearing of her mother's statue, which is in the keeping of Paulina,-a piece 3 Gent. Most true; if ever truth were pregnant many years in doing, and now newly performed by by circumstance: that, which you hear, you'll that rare Italian master, Julio Romano; who, had swear you see, there is such unity in the proofs. he himself eternity, and could put breath into his The mantle of queen Hermione:-her jewel about work, would beguile Nature of her custom, so perthe neck of it-the letters of Antigonus, found fectly he is her ape: he so near to Hermione hath with it, which they know to be his character:-the done Hermione, that, they say, one would speak to majesty of the creature, in resemblance of the her, and stand in hope of answer: thither, with all mother; the affection of nobleness, which nature greediness of affection, are they gone; and there shows above her breeding, and many other evi- they intend to sup. dences, proclaim her, with all certainty, to be the king's daughter. Did you see the meeting of the two kings? 2 Gent. No. 2 Gent. I thought, she had some great matter there in hand; for she hath privately, twice or thrice a day, ever since the death of Hermione, visited that removed house. Shall we thither, and 3 Gent. Then have you lost a sight, which was with our company piece the rejoicing? to be seen, cannot be spoken of. There might you 1 Gent. Who would be thence, that has the benehave beheld one joy crown another; so, and in fit of access? every wink of an eye, some new such manner, that, it seemed, sorrow wept to take grace will be born: our absence makes us unthrifty leave of them; for their joy waded in tears. There to our knowledge. Let's along. was casting up of eyes, holding up of hands; with [Exeunt Gentlemen. countenance of such distraction, that they were to Aut. Now, had I not the dash of my former life be known by garment, not by favour. Our king, in me, would preferment drop on my head. I being ready to leap out of himself for joy of his brought the old man and his son aboard the prince; found daughter; as if that joy were now become told him, I heard him talk of a fardel, and I know a loss, cries, O, thy mother, thy mother! then asks not what: but he at that time, over-fond of the Bohemia forgiveness; then embraces his son-in-shepherd's daughter, (so he then took her to be,) law; then again worries he his daughter, with who began to be much sea-sick, and himself little clipping her now he thanks the old shepherd, better, extremity of weather continuing, this myswhich stands by, like a weather-beaten conduit of tery remained undiscovered. But 'tis all one to many kings' reigns. I never heard of such another me: for had I been the finder-out of this secret, it (2) The thing imported. (3) Countenance, features. (4) Embracing. Most petrified with wonder. (6) Remote. would not have relished among my other discredits. It is a surplus of your grace, which never My life may last to answer. Enter Shepherd and Clown. Leon. O Paulina, Here come those I have done good to against my We honour you with trouble: But we came will, and already appearing in the blossoms of their To see the statue of our queen: your gallery fortune. Have we pass'd through, not without much content Shep. Come, boy; I am past more children; but In many singularities; but we saw not thy sons and daughters will be all gentlemen born. That which my daughter came to look upon, Clo. You are well met, sir: You denied to fight The statue of her mother. with me this other day, because I was no gentle- Paul. As she liv'd peerless, man born: See you these clothes? say, you see So her dead likeness, I do well believe, them not, and think me still no gentleman born: Excels whatever yet you look'd upon, you were best say, these robes are not gentlemen Or hand of man hath done; therefore I keep it born. Give me the lie; do; and try whether I am Lonely, apart: But here it is: prepare not now a gentleman born. To see the life as lively mock'd, as ever Still sleep mock'd death: behold; and say, 'tis well. [Paulina undraws a curtain, and discovers a statue. Aut. I know, you are now, sir, a gentleman born. Clo. Ay, and have been so any time these four hours. Shep. And so have I, boy. I like your silence, it the more shows off Clo. So you have:-but I was a gentleman born Your wonder: But yet speak ;-first, you, my licge. before my father: for the king's son took me by the Comes it not something near? hand, and called me, brother; and then the two Leon. Shep. We may live, son, to shed many more. Clo. Ay; or else 'twere hard luck, being in so preposterous estate as we are. O, not by much. Her natural posture!kings called my father, brother; and then the Chide me, dear stone; that I may say, indeed, prince, my brother, and the princess, my sister, Thou art Hermione: or, rather, thou art she, called my father, father; and so we wept: and In thy not chiding; for she was as tender, there was the first gentleman-like tears that ever As infancy, and grace.-But yet, Paulina, we shed. Hermione was not so much wrinkled; nothing So aged, as this seems. Pol. Paul. So much the more our carver's excellence: Which lets go by some sixteen years, and makes her As she liv'd now. Leon. As now she might have done, So much to my good comfort, as it is Now piercing to my soul. O, thus she stood, Even with such life of majesty, (warm life, As now it coldly stands,) when first I woo'd her! I am asham'd: Does not the stone rebuke me, For being more stone than it ?-0, royal piece, There's magic in thy majesty; which has My evils conjur'd to remembrance; and From thy adimiring daughter took the spirits, Aut. I humbly beseech you, sir, to pardon me all the faults I have committed to your worship, and to give me your good report to the prince my master. Shep. 'Pr'ythee, son, do; for we must be gentle, now we are gentlemen. Clo. Thou wilt amend thy life? Aut. Ay, an it like your good worship. Clo. Give me thy hand: I will swear to the prince, thou art as honest a true fellow as any is in Bohemia. Shep. You may say it, but not swear it. Clo. Not swear it, now I am a gentleman? Let Standing like stone with thee! boors and franklins' say it, I'll swear it. Per. And give me leave; Shep. How if it be false, son? And do not say, 'tis superstition, that Clo. If it be ne'er so false, a true gentleman may I kneel, and then implore her blessing.-Lady, swear it in the behalf of his friend:-And 'Dear queen, that ended when I but began, swear to the prince, thou art a tall fellow of thy Give me that hand of yours, to kiss. hands, and that thou wilt not be drunk; but I Paul. O, patience, know, thou art no tall-fellow of thy hands, and that The statue is but newly fixed, the colour's thou wilt be drunk; but I'll swear it: and I would, Not dry. thou would'st be a tall fellow of thy hands. Cam. My lord, your sorrow was too sore laid on: Aut. I will prove so, sir, to my power. Clo. Ay, by any means prove a tall fellow: if do not wonder, how thou darest venture to be drunk, not being a tall fellow, trust me not.-Hark! the kings and the princes, our kindred, are going Pol. to see the queen's picture. Come, follow us: we'll Let him, that was the cause of this, have power be thy good masters. [Exeunt. To take off so much grief from you, as he Will piece up in himself. Paul. SCENE III.-The same. A room in Paulina's house. Enter Leontes, Polixenes, Florizel, Perdita, Camillo, Paulina, Lords, and Attendants. Leon. O grave and good Paulina, the great comfort That I have had of thee! Paul. Heirs of your kingdoms, my poor house to visit, If I had thought, the sight I'd not have show'd it. Dear my brother, of my poor image Do not draw the curtain. Paul. No longer shall you gaze on't; lest your fancy May think anon, it moves. Leon. Let be, let be. Would I were dead, but that methinks already➡ What was he, that did make it ?-See, my lord, (3) Worked, agitated. So long could I Either forbear, Quit presently the chapel; or resolve you For more amazement: If you can behold it, I'll make the statue move indeed; descend, And take you by the hand: but then you'll think (Which I protest against,) I am assisted By wicked powers. Leon. What you can make her do, I am content to look on: what to speak, I am content to hear; for 'tis as easy To make her speak, as move. Paul. It is requir'd, You do awake your faith: Then, all stand still; Leon. No foot shall stir. Paul. Procced; Music: awake her: strike [Music. 'Tis time; descend; be stone no more; approach; Strike all that look upon with marvel. Come; I'll fill your grave up: stir; nay, come away; Bequeath to death your numbness, for from him Dear life redeems you.-You perceive, she stirs : [Hermione comes down from the pedestal. Start not: her actions shall be holy, as, You hear, my spell is lawful: do not shun her, Until you see her die again; for then You kill her double: Nay, present your hand: When she was young, you woo'd her; now, in age,| Is she become the suitor. Leon. O, she's warm! [Embracing her. If this be magic, let it be an art Lawful as eating. She embraces him. Cam. She hangs about his neck; If she pertain to life, let her speak too. Pol. Ay, and make't manifest where she has liv'd, Or, how stol'n from the dead. Our Perdita is found. [Presenting Per. who kneels to Her. Her. You gods, look down, And from your sacred vials pour your graces Upon my daughter's head!-Tell me, mine own, Where hast thou been preserv'd? where liv'd? how found Thy father's court? for thou shalt hear, that I,- Paul. There's time enough for that; Lest they desire, upon this push to trouble Your joys with like relation.-Go together, You precious winners all; your exultation Partake to every one. I, an old turtle, Will wing me to some wither'd bough; and there My mate, that's never to be found again, Lament till I am lost. Leon. And made between's by vows. Thou hast found mine; But how, is to be question'd: for I saw her, As I thought, dead; and have, in vain, said many A prayer upon her grave: I'll not seek far (For him, I partly know his mind,) to find thee An honourable husband:-Come, Camillo, And take her by the hand: whose worth, and honesty, Is richly noted; and here justified By us, a pair of kings.-Let's from this place.What?-Look upon my brother :-both your pardons, That e'er I put between your holy looks [Exe. This play, as Dr. Warburton justly observes, is, with all its absurdities, very entertaining. The character of Autolycus is naturally conceived, and strongly represented. JOHNSON. (1) i. e. Though her eye be fixed, it seems to have (3) You who by this discovery have gained what motion in it. COMEDY OF ERRORS. Selinus, duke of Ephesus. Antipholus of Ephesus, Dromio of Ephesus, Dromio of Syracuse, Balthazar, a merchant. Angelo, a goldsmith. PERSONS REPRESENTED. twin brothers, and sons A merchant, friend to Antipholus of Syracuse. to Egeon and Emi-Emilia, wife to Egeon, an abbess at Ephesus. twin brothers, and atten-Luce, her servant. dants on the two Anti-A courtezan. pholus's. Gaoler, officers, and other attendants. Scene, Ephesus. CT I. SCENE I-A hall in the Duke's Palace. Duke, Ægeon, Gaoler, officer, and other unts. Egeon. PROCEED, Solinus, to procure my fall, Unto a woman, happy but for me, And by me too, had not our hap been bad. Enter With her I liv'd in joy; our wealth increas'd, attend-By prosperous voyages I often made And, by the doom of death, end woes and all. If any, born at Ephesus, be seen His goods confiscate to the duke's dispose: My woes end likewise with the evening sun. ge. A heavier task could not have been im- Than I to speak my griefs unspeakable: To Epidamnum, till my factor's death; And, which was strange, the one so like the other, Of such a burden, male twins, both alike: A league from Epidamnum had we sail'd, Fixing our eyes on whom our care was fix'd, But ere they came,-Ô, let me say no more! Try all the friends thou hast in Ephesus; Gaol. I will, my lord. Ege. Hopeless, and helpless, doth Ægeon wend," But to procrastinate his lifeless end. [Exeunt. SCENE II-A public place. Enter Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse, and a Merchant. Mer. Therefore, give out you are of Epidamnum, Lest that your goods too soon be confiscate. Duke. Nay, forward, old man, do not break off This very day, a Syracusan merchant so; For we may pity, though not pardon thee. guests; Duke. And, for the sake of them thou sorrowest for, Do me the favour to dilate at full What hath befall'n of them, and thee, till now. To bear the extremity of dire mishap! (2) Clear, completely. Is apprehended for arrival here; Ant. S. Go bear it to the Centaur, where we host, Dro. S. Many a man would take you at your word, And go indeed, having so good a mean. Mer. I am invited, sir, to certain merchants, content, Commends me to the thing I cannot get. Here comes the almanac of my true date,-- too late: The capon burns, the pig falls from the spit; Ant. S. Stop in your wind, sir; tell me this, I pray; Where have you left the money that I gave you? |