My prisoner? or my guest! by your dread "Verily," Pol. Your guest, then, madam: To be your prisoner should import offending; Than you to punish. Her. Not your gaoler, then, But your kind hostess. Come, I'll question you Of my lord's tricks and yours when you were boys: Pol. We were, fair queen, Two lads that thought there was no more behind But such a day to-morrow as to-day, And to be boy eternal. Her. Was not my lord The verier wag o' the two? 60 Pol. We were as twinn'd lambs that did frisk i' the sun, And bleat the one at the other: what we changed Was innocence for innocence; we knew not The doctrine of ill-doing, nor dream'd That any did. Had we pursued that life, And our weak spirits ne'er been higher rear'd With stronger blood, we should have answer'd heaven Hereditary ours. Her. By this we gather You have tripp'd since. Pol. Her. Leon. Is he won yet? Her. He'll stay, my lord. Leon. At my request he would not, Hermione, my dearest, thou never spokest To better purpose. Her. Leon. Never? Never, but once. 70 80 Her. What! have I twice said well? when wast 't before? 91 I prithee tell me cram's with praise, and make 's Or I mistake you: O, would her name were Grace! Leon. Why, that was when Three crabbed months had sour'd themselves to death, And clap thyself my love: then didst thou utter Her. "Tis grace indeed. Why, lo you now, I have spoke to the purpose twice: The other for some while a friend. Leon. Mam. Leon. Ay, my good lord. I' fecks! 100 110 120 Why, that's my bawcock. What, hast smutch'd thy nose? They say it is a copy out of mine. Come, captain, We must be neat; not neat, but cleanly, captain: And yet the steer, the heifer and the calf Are all call'd neat.-Still virginalling Upon his palm !-How now, you wanton calf ! Art thou my calf? Mam. Yes, if you will, my lord. Leon. Thou want'st a rough pash and the shoots that I have, To be full like me yet they say we are Almost as like as eggs; women say so, 130 That will say any thing: but were they false Look on me with your welkin eye: sweet villain ! Communicatest with dreams;-how can this be?— And fellow'st nothing: then 'tis very credent Thou may'st co-join with something; and thou dost, And that to the infection of my brains And hardening of my brows. Pol. What means Sicilia ? How, my lord! Her. He something seems unsettled. What cheer? how is't with you, best brother? As if you held a brow of much distraction : You look Leon. 140 150 As ornaments oft do, too dangerous: How like, methought, I then was to this kernel, This squash, this gentleman. Mine honest friend, 160 Will you take eggs for money? Mam. No, my lord, I'll fight. Leon. You will! why, happy man be's dole! My brother, Are you so fond of your young prince as we Do seem to be of ours? If at home, sir, Pol. 170 So stands this squire Officed with me: we two will walk, my lord, And leave you to your graver steps. Hermione, Next to thyself and my young rover, he's Her. If you would seek us, We are yours i' the garden: shall's attend you there? Leon. To your own bents dispose you: you'll be found, Be you beneath the sky. [Aside] I am angling now, Though you perceive me not how I give line. Go to, go to ! How she holds up the neb, the bill to him! And arms her with the boldness of a wife To her allowing husband! 180 [Exeunt Polixenes, Hermione, and Attendants. Inch-thick, knee-deep, o'er head and ears a fork'd one! Play too, but so disgraced a part, whose issue Will hiss me to my grave: contempt and clamour Will be my knell. Go, play, Loy, play. There have been, Or I am much deceived, cuckolds ere now; And many a man there is, even at this present, Where 'tis predominant; and 'tis powerful, think it, It will let in and out the enemy How now, boy! With bag and baggage: many thousand on's What, Camillo there? Cam. Ay, my good lord. 191 200 Why, that's some comfort. 210 Leon. Go play, Mamillius: thou'rt an honest man. [Exit Mamillius. Camillo, this great sir will yet stay longer. When you cast out, it still came home. Leon. Didst note it? Cam. He would not stay at your petitions; made His business more material. Leon. Didst perceive it? [Aside] They're here with me already, whispering, round ing "Sicilia is a so-forth :" 'tis far gone, When I shall gust it last. How came't, Camillo, That he did stay? Cam. At the good queen's entreaty. 220 Leon. At the queen's be't: "good" should be pertinent; But, so it is, it is not. Was this taken By any understanding pate but thine? For thy conceit is soaking, will draw in More than the common blocks: not noted, is't, Of head-piece extraordinary? lower messes Cam. Business, my lord! I think most understand Leon. Cam. Leon. Ay, but why? Ha! Cam. To satisfy your highness and the entreaties Of our most gracious mistress. Leon. Satisfy! The entreaties of your mistress! satisfy! In that which seems so. Cam. Be it forbid, my lord! Leon. To bide upon't, thou art not honest, or, If thou inclinest that way, thou art a coward, Which hoxes honesty behind, restraining From course required; or else thou must be counted A servant grafted in my serious trust And therein negligent; or else a fool That seest a game play'd home, the rich stake drawn, Cam. My gracious lord, I may be negligent, foolish and fearful; 240 250 |