I dare my life lay down, and will do 't, Sir, Ant. If it prove She's otherwife, I'll keep my ftable-stand * where Ay, every dram of woman's flesh is false, Leo. Hold your peaces. Lord. Good my Lord, Ant. It is for you we speak, not for ourselves: You are abus'd, and by fome putter-on, That will be damn'd for 't; 'would I knew the villain, I would land-dam him. Be fhe honour-flaw'd, I have three daughters; the eldest is eleven; The fecond and the third, nine, and fome five; If this prove true, they'll pay for 't. By mine honour, Leo. Ceafe; no more: You fmell this bufinefs with a fenfe as cold As you feel doing thus; and fee withal The inftruments that feel. Ant. If it be fo, [Laying hold of his arm. We need no grave to bury honefty; There's not a grain of it, the face to sweeten Of the whole dungy earth. Leo. What? lack I credit? Lord. I had rather you did lack than I, my Lord, Stable-ftand is a term of the foreft-laws, and fignifies a place where a deer-ftealer fixes his ftand, and keeps watch for the purpose of killing deer as they pafs by. From the place it came to be applied alfo to the perfon, and any man taken in a foreft in that fituation, with a gun or bow in his hand, was presumed to be an offender, and had the name of a stable-stand. Upon this ground; and more it would content me Leo. Why, what need we Commune with you of this? but rather follow Ant. And I wish, my Liege, You had only in your filent judgment try'd it, Leo. How could that be? Either thou art moft ignorant by age, Or thou wert born a fool. Added to their familiarity, Camillo's flight, (Which was as grofs as ever touch'd conjecture, That lack'd fight only, nought for approbation* But only feeing; all other circumstances Made up to th' deed), doth push on this proceeding. Yet for a greater confirmation, (For in an act of this importance 'twere Moft piteous to be wild), I have dispatch'd in post, Leo. Tho' I am fatisfy'd, and need no more Than what I know, yet shall the oracle Come up to th' truth. So have we thought it good * Approbation here signifies proof. We are to fpeak in public; for this business Will raife us all. Ant. To laughter, as I take it, If the good truth were known. [Afide. [Exeunt. Changes to a prifon. Enter Paulina, and a Gentleman, with other attendants. Paul. The keeper of the prifon, Let him have knowledge who I am. call to him. [Exit Gentleman. Good Lady, No court in Europe is too good for thee; What doft thou then in prifon? Now, good Sir, Re-enter Gentleman, with the Goaler. Goa. For a worthy Lady, And one whom much I honour. Paul. Pray you then Conduct me to the Queen. Goa. I may not, Madam; To the contrary I have exprefs commandment. Paul. Here's ado to lock up honefty and honour Th' accefs of gentle vifitors! Is 't lawful, pray you, Goa. So please you, Madam, To put apart these your attendants, I Shall bring Emilia forth. Paul. I pray you now, call her. Withdraw yourselves. Goa. And, Madam, I must be present at your conference. Enter Emilia. [Exeunt Gent. &c. Here's fuch ado to make no ftain a stain, Emil. As well as one fo great and fo forlorn May hold together; on her frights and griefs, (Which never tender lady hath borne greater), She is fomething before her time deliver'd. Emil. A daughter, and a goodly babe, Paul. I dare be fworn. Thefe dangerous, unfafe lunes i' th' King! befhrew them, The trumpet any more! Pray you, Æmilia, Emil. Moft worthy Madam, Your honour and your goodnefs is fo evident, So meet for this great errand. Pleafe your Ladyfhip Acquaint the Queen of your moft noble offer, Left fhe fhould be deny'd. Paul. Tell her, Æmilia, I'll use that tongue I have; if wit flow from 't, Emil. Now be you blefs'd for it! I'll to the Queen: please you, come fomething nearer. Goa. Madam, if 't please the Queen to fend the babe, I know not what I fhall incur to pafs it, Having no warrant. Paul. You need not fear it, Sir; The child was prifoner to the womb, and is Free'd and infranchis'd; not a party to Paul. Do not you fear; upon mine honour I [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Changes to the palace. [nefs Enter Leontes, Antigonus, Lords, and other attendants. Atten. My Lord. Leo. How do's the boy? Atten. He took good reft to-night; 'tis hop'd His fickness is discharg'd. Leo. To fee his nobleness! Conceiving the difhonour of his mother, Recoil upon me; in himself too mighty, Laugh at me; make their pastime at my forrow: They should not laugh, if I could reach them; nor |