Enter another Gentleman.

Here comes a gentleman, that, happily, knows more: the news, Rogero?

2 Gent. Nothing but bonfires: the Oracle is fulfill'd; the King's Daughter is found; fuch a deal of wonder is broken out within this hour, that balladmakers cannot be able to express it.

Enter another Gentleman.

Here comes the lady Paulina's Steward, he can deliver you more. How goes it now, Sir? this news, which is call'd true, is fo like an old Tale, that the verity of it is in ftrong fufpicion; has the King found his Heir?

3 Gent. Most true, if ever truth were pregnant by circumstance: That which you hear, you'll fwear you fee, there is fuch unity in the proofs. The mantle of Queen Hermione,- her jewel about the neck of it, the letters of Antigonus found with it, which they know to be his character, the Majefty of the Creature, in refemblance of the mother, the affection of noblenefs, which nature fhews above her breeding,- and many other evidences proclaim her with all certainty to be the King's daughter. Did you see the meeting of the two Kings?

2 Gent. No.

3 Gent. Then have you loft a fight, which was to be seen, cannot be spoken of. There might you have beheld one joy crown another, fo and in fuch manner, that it feem'd, forrow wept to take leave of them, for their joy waded in tears. There was cafting up of eyes, holding up of hands, with countenance of fuch distraction, that they were to be known by garment, not by favour. Our King being ready to leap out of himself, for joy of his found daughter, as if that joy were now become a lofs, cries, oh, thy mother, thy mother! then asks Bohemia forgiveness; then embraces his fon-in-law; then again worries he his daughter, with clipping her. Now he thanks the old thep

fhepherd, who ftands by, like a weather-beaten Conduit of many King's Reigns. I never heard of fuch another encounter, which lames report to follow it, and undoes description to do it.

2 Gent. What, prav you, became of Antigonus, that carry'd hence the child?

3 Gent. Like an old Tale ftill, which will have matters to rehearse, tho' Credit be afleep, and not an ear open; he was torn to pieces with a bear; this avouches the thepherd's fon, who has not only his innocence, which feems much, to justifie him, but a handkerchief and rings of his, that Paulina knows.

1 Gent. What became of his bark, and his followers?

3 Gent. Wrackt the fame inftant of their master's death, and in the view of the fhepherd; fo that all the inftruments, which aided to expofe the child, were even then loft, when it was found. But, oh, the noble combat, that 'twixe joy and forrow was fought in Paulina! She had one eye declin'd for the lofs of her husband, another elevated that the Oracle was fulfill'd. She lifted the Princefs from the earth, and fo locks her in embracing, as if fhe would pin her to her heart, that the might no more be in danger of lofing

I Gent. The dignity of this Act was worth the audience of Kings and Princes; for by fuch was it acted..

3 Gent. One of the prettiest touches of all, and that which angled for mine eyes, (caught the water, though not the fith,) was, when at the relation of the Queen's death, with the manner how fhe came to it, bravely confefs'd, and lamented by the King, how attentivenefs wounded his daughter; 'till, from one fign of dolour to another, the did, with an, alas! I would fain fay, bleed tears; for I am fure, my heart wept blood. Who was moft marble, there changed colour; fome fwooned, all forrowed; if all the world could have feen't, the woe had been univerfal.

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

many

many years in doing, and now newly perform'd by (34) that rare Italian mafter, Julio Romano; who, had he himself Eternity, and could put breath into his Work, would beguile Nature of her Cuftom, fo perfectly he is her ape: He fo near to Hermione hath done Hermione, that they say, one would fpeak to her, and stand in hope of answer. Thither with all greediness of affection are they gone, and there they intend to fup.

2 Gent. I thought, fhe had fome great matter there in hand, for the hath privately twice or thrice a-day, ever fince the death of Hermione, vifited that removed house. Shall we thither, and with our company piece the rejoycing?

I Gent. Who would be thence, that has the benefit of access? every wink of an eye, fome new grace will be born: our abfence makes us unthrifty to our knowledge. Let's along. [Exeunt.

Aut. Now had not I the dafh of my former life in me, would Preferment drop on my head. I brought the old man and his fon aboard the Prince; told him, I heard them talk of a fardel, and I know not what; but he at that time, over-fond of the shepherd's daughter (fo he then took her to be) who began to be much fea-fick, and himself little better, extremity of weather continuing, this myftery remained undiscover'd. But 'tis all one to me; for had I been the finder out of this Secret, it would not have relished among my other difcredits.

Enter Shepherd and Clown.

Here come those I have done good to against my will,

(34) that rare Italian Mafter, Julio Romano;] All the Encomiums, put together, that have been conferr'd on this excellent Artift in Painting and Architecture, do not amount to the fine Praise here given him by our Author. He was born in the Year 1492, liv'd juft that Circle of Years which our Shakespeare did, and dy'd Eighteen Years before the Latter was born. Fine and generous, therefore, as this Tribute of Praise muft be own'd, yet it was a ftrange Abfurdity, fure, to thrust it into a Tale, the Action of which is fuppos'd within the Period of Heathenism, and whilft the Oracles of Apollo were confulted. This, however, was a known and wilful Anachronifm; which might have flept in Obfcurity, perhaps Mr Pope will fay, had I not animadverted on it.

and

and already appearing in the bloffoms of their for

tune.

Shep. Come, boy, I am past more children; but thy fons and daughters will be all gentlemen born.

Clo. You are well met, Sir; you denied to fight with me this other day, because I was no gentleman born: fee you these cloaths? fay, you fee them not, and think me ftill no gentleman born. You were best say, these robes are not gentlemen born. Give me the lie; do, and try whether I am not now a gentleman born.

Aut. I know you are now, Sir, a gentleman born. Clo. Ay, and have been so any time these four hours. Shep. And fo have I, boy.

Clo. So you have; but I was a gentleman born before my father; for the King's fon took me by the hand, and call'd me brother; and then the two Kings call'd my father brother; and then the Prince my brother, and the Princess my fifter, call'd my father, father, and fo we wept; and there was the firft gentleman-like tears that ever we shed.

Shep. We may live, fon, to fhed many more.

Clo. Ay, or elfe 'twere hard luck, being in fo prepofterous eftate as we are.

Aut. I humbly befeech 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 mafter.

Shep. 'Pry'thee, son, do; for we must be gentle, now we are gentlemen.

Clo. Thou wilt amend thy life?

Aut. Ay, and it like your good Worship.

Clo. Give me thy hand; I will fwear to the Prince, thou art as honeft a true fellow as any is in Bohemia. Shep. You may fay it, but not swear it.

Clo. Not fwear it, now I am a gentleman? let boors and franklins say it, I'll fwear it.

Shep. How if it be false, son?

Clo. If it be ne'er fo falfe, a true gentleman may fwear it in the behalf of his friend: and I'll fwear to the Prince, thou art a tall fellow of thy hands, and

that thou wilt not be drunk; but I know, thou art no tall fellow of thy hands; and that thou wilt be drunk; but I'll fwear it; and, I would, thou would'st be a tall fellow of thy hands.

Aut. I will prove fo, Sir, to my power.

Clo. Ay, by any means to prove a tall fellow; if I do not wonder how thou dar'ft venture to be drunk, not being a tall fellow, trust me not. Hark, the Kings and the Princes, our kindred, are going to see the Queen's Picture. Come, follow us: we'll be thy good [Exeunt. SCENE changes to Paulina's Houfe.

mafters.

Enter Leontes, Polixenes, Florizel, Perdita, Camillo, Paulina, Lords and Attendants.

Leo.That I have had of thee!

grave and good Paulina, the great comfort

Pau. What, fovereign Sir,

I did not well, I meant well; all my fervices
You have paid home. But that you have vouchfaf'd,
With your crown'd brother, and these your contracted
Heirs of your Kingdoms, my poor House to vifit;
It is a furplus of your Grace, which never
My life may laft to answer.

Leo. O Paulina,

We honour you with trouble; but we came
To fee the Statue of our Queen. Your Gallery

Have we pass'd through, not without much content,

In many fingularities; but we saw not

That, which my daughter came to look upon,
The Statue of her mother.

Pau. As the liv'd peerless,

So her dead likeness, I do well believe,

Excels whatever yet you look'd upon,

Or hand of man hath done; therefore I keep it
Lovely, apart. But here it is; prepare

To fee the life as lively mock'd, as ever

Still Sleep mock'd Death; behold, and fay, 'tis well! [Paulina draws a curtain, and difcovers Hermione ftanding like a ftatue.

I