Her. Sir, You speak a language that I understand not: Leon. Your actions are my dreams; You had a bastard by Polixenes, And I but dream'd it:-As you were past all shame, (Those of your fact are so,) so past all truth: Which to deny, concerns more than avails: For as Thy brat hath been cast out, like to itself, Her. Sir, spare your threats; The bug, which you would fright me with, I seek. To me can life be no commodity: The crown and comfort of my life, your favour, I do give lost; for I do feel it gone, But know not how it went: My second joy, The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth, That I should fear to die? Therefore, proceed. Apollo be my judge. 1 Lord. This your request Is altogether just: therefore, bring forth, [Exeunt certain Officers. Her. The emperor of Russia was my father: O, that he were alive, and here beholding His daughter's trial! that he did but see The flatness of my misery; yet with eyes Of pity, not revenge! Re-enter Officers, with Cleomenes and Dion. Offi. You here shall swear upon this sword of justice, That you, Cleomenes and Dion, have Been both at Delphos; and from thence have brought This seal'd-up oracle, by the hand deliver'd Of great Apollo's priest; and that, since then, You have not dar'd to break the holy seal, Nor read the secrets in't. Cleo. Dion. All this we swear. Leon. Break up the seals, and read. Offi. [reads.] Hermione is chaste, Polixenes blameless, Camillo a true subject, Leontes a jealous tyrant, his innocent babe truly begotten; and the king shall live without an heir, if that, which is lost, be not found. Lords. Now blessed be the great Apollo! Leon. There is no truth at all i'the oracle: The sessions shall proceed; this is mere falsehood. Enter a Servant, hastily. Ser. My lord the king, the king! Leon. What is the business? Ser. O sir, I shall be hated to report it: The prince your son, with mere conceit and fear Of the queen's speed, is gone. Leon. Ser. How! gone? Is dead. Leon. Apollo's angry; and the heavens them selves Do strike at my injustice. [Hermione faints.] How now there? Paul. This news is mortal to the queen:-Look down, And see what death is doing. Leon. Take her hence: Her heart is but o'ercharg'd; she will recover.→ I have too much believ'd mine own suspicion:'Beseech you, tenderly apply to her Some remedies for life.-Apollo, pardon [Exeunt Paulina and ladies, with Hermione. My great profaneness 'gainst thine oracle!- New woo my queen; recall the good Camillo; To bloody thoughts and to revenge, I chose My friend Polixenes: which had been done, No richer than his honour:-How he glisters Paul. Re-enter Paulina. Woe the while! O, cut my lace; lest my heart, cracking it, Break too! 1 Lord. What fit is this, good lady? Paul. What studied torments, tyrant, hast for me? What wheels? racks? fires? What flaying? boiling, E Fancies too weak for boys, too green and idle Not dropp'd down yet. 1 Lord. The higher powers forbid! Paul. I say, she's dead; I'll swear't: if word, nor oath, Prevail not, go and see: if you can bring Heat outwardly, or breath within, I'll serve you |