Chapter XXV: Act I

SCENE I. _Antechamber in_ LEONTES' _palace_.

_Enter_ CAMILLO _and_ ARCHIDAMUS.

_Arch._ If you shall chance, Camillo, to visit Bohemia,
on the like occasion whereon my services are now on foot,
you shall see, as I have said, great difference betwixt our
Bohemia and your Sicilia.

_Cam._ I think, this coming summer, the King of Sicilia 5
means to pay Bohemia the visitation which he justly owes
him.

_Arch._ Wherein our entertainment shall shame us we
will be justified in our loves; for indeed--

_Cam._ Beseech you,-- 10

_Arch._ Verily, I speak it in the freedom of my knowledge:
we cannot with such magnificence--in so rare--I
know not what to say. We will give you sleepy drinks,
that your senses, unintelligent of our insufficience, may,
though they cannot praise us, as little accuse us. 15

_Cam._ You pay a great deal too dear for what's given
freely.

_Arch._ Believe me, I speak as my understanding instructs
me and as mine honesty puts it to utterance.

_Cam._ Sicilia cannot show himself over-kind to Bohemia. 20
They were trained together in their childhoods; and there
rooted betwixt them then such an affection, which cannot
choose but branch now. Since their more mature dignities
and royal necessities made separation of their society,
their encounters, though not personal, have been royally 25
attorneyed with interchange of gifts, letters, loving embassies;
that they have seemed to be together, though absent;
shook hands, as over a vast; and embraced, as it were, from
the ends of opposed winds. The heavens continue their
loves! 30

_Arch._ I think there is not in the world either malice
or matter to alter it. You have an unspeakable comfort of
your young prince Mamillius: it is a gentleman of the greatest
promise that ever came into my note.

_Cam._ I very well agree with you in the hopes of him: 35
it is a gallant child; one that indeed physics the subject,
makes old hearts fresh: they that went on crutches ere he
was born desire yet their life to see him a man.

_Arch._ Would they else be content to die?

_Cam._ Yes; if there were no other excuse why they 40
should desire to live.

_Arch._ If the king had no son, they would desire to
live on crutches till he had one. [_Exeunt._

LINENOTES:

SCENE I. Antechamber....] Theobald. A Palace. Rowe.

[1] _Bohemia_] _Bithynia_ Hanmer (and throughout).

[5] _coming_] _comming_ F1. _common_ F2 F3 F4.

[8] _us_] _us_, Theobald, _us_; Ff.

[11] _Verily_] F3 F4. _Verely_ F1 F2.

[25] _have_] F2 F3 F4. _hath_ F1.

_royally_] _so royally_ Collier (Collier MS.).

[26] _gifts_] F1 F3 F4. _gift_ F2.

[28] _vast_] F1. _vast sea_ F2 F3 F4.

[30] _loves_] _love_ Hanmer.

[33] _Mamillius_] _Mamillus_ Rowe (ed. 2).

SCENE II. _A room of state in the same._

_Enter_ LEONTES, HERMIONE, MAMILLIUS, POLIXENES, CAMILLO,
_and_ Attendants.

_Pol._ Nine changes of the watery star hath been
The shepherd's note since we have left our throne
Without a burthen: time as long again
Would be fill'd up, my brother, with our thanks;
And yet we should, for perpetuity, 5
Go hence in debt: and therefore, like a cipher,
Yet standing in rich place, I multiply
With one 'We thank you,' many thousands moe
That go before it.

_Leon._ Stay your thanks a while;
And pay them when you part.

_Pol._ Sir, that's to-morrow. 10
I am question'd by my fears, of what may chance
Or breed upon our absence; that may blow
No sneaping winds at home, to make us say
'This is put forth too truly:' besides, I have stay'd
To tire your royalty.

_Leon._ We are tougher, brother, 15
Than you can put us to't.

_Pol._ No longer stay.

_Leon._ One seven-night longer.

_Pol._ Very sooth, to-morrow.

_Leon._ We'll part the time between's, then: and in that
I'll no gainsaying.

_Pol._ Press me not, beseech you, so.
There is no tongue that moves, none, none i' the world, 20
So soon as yours could win me: so it should now,
Were there necessity in your request, although
'Twere needful I denied it. My affairs
Do even drag me homeward: which to hinder
Were in your love a whip to me; my stay 25
To you a charge and trouble: to save both,
Farewell, our brother.

_Leon._ Tongue-tied our queen? speak you.

_Her._ I had thought, sir, to have held my peace until
You had drawn oaths from him not to stay. You, sir,
Charge him too coldly. Tell him, you are sure 30
All in Bohemia's well; this satisfaction
The by-gone day proclaim'd: say this to him,
He's beat from his best ward.

_Leon._ Well said, Hermione.

_Her._ To tell, he longs to see his son, were strong:
But let him say so then, and let him go; 35
But let him swear so, and he shall not stay,
We'll thwack him hence with distaffs.
Yet of your royal presence I'll adventure
The borrow of a week. When at Bohemia
You take my lord, I'll give him my commission 40
To let him there a month behind the gest
Prefix'd for's parting: yet, good deed, Leontes,
I love thee not a jar o' the clock behind
What lady she her lord. You 'll stay?

_Pol._ No, madam.

_Her._ Nay, but you will?

_Pol._ I may not, verily. 45

_Her._ Verily!
You put me off with limber vows; but I,
Though you would seek to unsphere the stars with oaths,
Should yet say 'Sir, no going.' Verily,
You shall not go: a lady's 'Verily''s 50
As potent as a lord's. Will you go yet?
Force me to keep you as a prisoner,
Not like a guest; so you shall pay your fees
When you depart, and save your thanks. How say you?
My prisoner? or my guest? by your dread 'Verily,' 55
One of them you shall be.

_Pol._ Your guest, then, madam:
To be your prisoner should import offending;
Which is for me less easy to commit
Than you to punish.

_Her._ Not your gaoler, then,
But your kind hostess. Come, I'll question you 60
Of my lord's tricks and yours when you were boys:
You were pretty lordings then?

_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 65
The verier wag o' the two?

_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 70
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
Boldly 'not guilty;' the imposition clear'd
Hereditary ours.

_Her._ By this we gather 75
You have tripp'd since.

_Pol._ O my most sacred lady!
Temptations have since then been born to's: for
In those unfledged days was my wife a girl;
Your precious self had then not cross'd the eyes
Of my young play-fellow.

_Her._ Grace to boot! 80
Of this make no conclusion, lest you say
Your queen and I are devils: yet go on;
The offences we have made you do we'll answer,
If you first sinn'd with us and that with us
You did continue fault and that you slipp'd not 85
With any but with us.

_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._ Never?

_Leon._ Never, but once.

_Her._ What! have I twice said well? when was't before? 90
I prithee tell me; cram's with praise, and make's
As fat as tame things: one good deed dying tongueless
Slaughters a thousand waiting upon that.
Our praises are our wages: you may ride's
With one soft kiss a thousand furlongs ere 95
With spur we heat an acre. But to the goal:
My last good deed was to entreat his stay:
What was my first? it has an elder sister,
Or I mistake you: O, would her name were Grace!
But once before I spoke to the purpose: when? 100
Nay, let me have't; I long.

_Leon._ Why, that was when
Three crabbed months had sour'd themselves to death,
Ere I could make thee open thy white hand,
And clap thyself my love: then didst thou utter
'I am yours for ever.'

_Her._ 'Tis Grace indeed. 105
Why, lo you now, I have spoke to the purpose twice:
The one for ever earn'd a royal husband;
The other for some while a friend.

_Leon._ [_Aside_] Too hot, too hot!
To mingle friendship far is mingling bloods.
I have tremor cordis on me: my heart dances; 110
But not for joy; not joy. This entertainment
May a free face put on, derive a liberty
From heartiness, from bounty, fertile bosom,
And well become the agent; 't may, I grant;
But to be paddling palms and pinching fingers, 115
As now they are, and making practised smiles,
As in a looking-glass, and then to sigh, as 'twere
The mort o' the deer; O, that is entertainment
My bosom likes not, nor my brows! Mamillius,
Art thou my boy?

_Mam._ Ay, my good lord.

_Leon._ I' fecks! 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 125
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
As o'er-dyed blacks, as wind, as waters, false
As dice are to be wish'd by one that fixes
No bourn 'twixt his and mine, yet were it true
To say this boy were like me. Come, sir page, 135
Look on me with your welkin eye: sweet villain!
Most dear'st! my collop! Can thy dam?--may't be?--
Affection! thy intention stabs the centre:
Thou dost make possible things not so held,
Communicatest with dreams;--how can this be?-- 140
With what's unreal them coactive art,
And fellow'st nothing: then 'tis very credent
Thou mayst co-join with something; and thou dost,
And that beyond commission, and I find it,
And that to the infection of my brains 145
And hardening of my brows.

_Pol._ What means Sicilia?

_Her._ He something seems unsettled.

_Pol._ How, my lord!
What cheer? how is't with you, best brother?

_Her._ You look
As if you held a brow of much distraction:
Are you moved, my lord?

_Leon._ No, in good earnest. 150
How sometimes nature will betray its folly,
Its tenderness, and make itself a pastime
To harder bosoms! Looking on the lines
Of my boy's face, methoughts I did recoil
Twenty-three years, and saw myself unbreech'd, 155
In my green velvet coat, my dagger muzzled,
Lest it should bite its master, and so prove,
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?

_Pol._ If at home, sir, 165
He's all my exercise, my mirth, my matter:
Now my sworn friend, and then mine enemy;
My parasite, my soldier, statesman, all:
He makes a July's day short as December;
And with his varying childness cures in me 170
Thoughts that would thick my blood.

_Leon._ So stands this squire
Officed with me: we two will walk, my lord,
And leave you to your graver steps. Hermione,
How thou lovest us, show in our brother's welcome;
Let what is dear in Sicily be cheap: 175
Next to thyself and my young rover, he's
Apparent to my heart.

_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, 180
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!
[_Exeunt Polixenes, Hermione, and Attendants._

Gone already! 185
Inch-thick, knee-deep, o'er head and ears a fork'd one!
Go, play, boy, play: thy mother plays, and I
Play too; but so disgraced a part, whose issue
Will hiss me to my grave: contempt and clamour
Will be my knell. Go, play, boy, play. There have been, 190
Or I am much deceived, cuckolds ere now;
And many a man there is, even at this present,
Now while I speak this, holds his wife by the arm,
That little thinks she has been sluiced in's absence
And his pond fish'd by his next neighbour, by 195
Sir Smile, his neighbour: nay, there's comfort in't
Whiles other men have gates and those gates open'd,
As mine, against their will. Should all despair
That have revolted wives, the tenth of mankind
Would hang themselves. Physic for't there is none; 200
It is a bawdy planet, that will strike
Where 'tis predominant; and 'tis powerful, think it,
From east, west, north and south: be it concluded,
No barricado for a belly; know't;
It will let in and out the enemy 205
With bag and baggage: many thousand on's
Have the disease, and feel't not. How now, boy!

_Mam._ I am like you, they say.

_Leon._ Why, that's some comfort.
What, Camillo there?

_Cam._ Ay, my good lord. 210

_Leon._ Go play, Mamillius; thou'rt an honest man.
[_Exit Mamillius._

Camillo, this great sir will yet stay longer.

_Cam._ You had much ado to make his anchor hold:
When you cast out, it still came home.

_Leon._ Didst note it?

_Cam._ He would not stay at your petitions; made 215
His business more material.

_Leon._ Didst perceive it?
[_Aside_] They're here with me already; whispering, rounding
'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, 225
But of the finer natures? by some severals
Of head-piece extraordinary? lower messes
Perchance are to this business purblind? say.

_Cam._ Business, my lord! I think most understand
Bohemia stays here longer.

_Leon._ Ha!

_Cam._ Stays here longer. 230

_Leon._ Ay, but why?

_Cam._ To satisfy your highness, and the entreaties
Of our most gracious mistress.

_Leon._ Satisfy!
The entreaties of your mistress! satisfy!
Let that suffice. I have trusted thee, Camillo, 235
With all the nearest things to my heart, as well
My chamber-councils; wherein, priest-like, thou
Hast cleansed my bosom, I from thee departed
Thy penitent reform'd: but we have been
Deceived in thy integrity, deceived 240
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 245
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,
And takest it all for jest.

_Cam._ My gracious lord,
I may be negligent, foolish and fearful; 250
In every one of these no man is free,
But that his negligence, his folly, fear,
Among the infinite doings of the world,
Sometime puts forth. In your affairs, my lord,
If ever I were wilful-negligent, 255
It was my folly; if industriously
I play'd the fool, it was my negligence,
Not weighing well the end; if ever fearful
To do a thing, where I the issue doubted,
Whereof the execution did cry out 260
Against the non-performance, 'twas a fear
Which oft infects the wisest: these, my lord,
Are such allow'd infirmities that honesty
Is never free of. But, beseech your Grace,
Be plainer with me; let me know my trespass 265
By its own visage: if I then deny it,
'Tis none of mine.

_Leon._ Ha' not you seen, Camillo,--
But that's past doubt, you have, or your eye-glass
Is thicker than a cuckold's horn,--or heard,--
For to a vision so apparent rumour 270
Cannot be mute,--or thought,--for cogitation
Resides not in that man that does not think,--
My wife is slippery? If thou wilt confess,
Or else be impudently negative,
To have nor eyes nor ears nor thought, then say 275
My wife's a hobby-horse; deserves a name
As rank as any flax-wench that puts to
Before her troth-plight: say't and justify't.

_Cam._ I would not be a stander-by to hear
My sovereign mistress clouded so, without 280
My present vengeance taken: 'shrew my heart,
You never spoke what did become you less
Than this; which to reiterate were sin
As deep as that, though true.

_Leon._ Is whispering nothing?
Is leaning cheek to cheek? is meeting noses? 285
Kissing with inside lip? stopping the career
Of laughter with a sigh?--a note infallible
Of breaking honesty;--horsing foot on foot?
Skulking in corners? wishing clocks more swift?
Hours, minutes? noon, midnight? and all eyes 290
Blind with the pin and web but theirs, theirs only,
That would unseen be wicked? is this nothing?
Why, then the world and all that's in't is nothing;
The covering sky is nothing; Bohemia nothing;
My wife is nothing; nor nothing have these nothings, 295
If this be nothing.

_Cam._ Good my lord, be cured
Of this diseased opinion, and betimes;
For 'tis most dangerous.

_Leon._ Say it be, 'tis true.

_Cam._ No, no, my lord.

_Leon._ It is; you lie, you lie:
I say thou liest, Camillo, and I hate thee, 300
Pronounce thee a gross lout, a mindless slave,
Or else a hovering temporizer, that
Canst with thine eyes at once see good and evil,
Inclining to them both: were my wife's liver
Infected as her life, she would not live 305
The running of one glass.

_Cam._ Who does infect her?

_Leon._ Why, he that wears her like her medal, hanging
About his neck, Bohemia: who, if I
Had servants true about me, that bare eyes
To see alike mine honour as their profits, 310
Their own particular thrifts, they would do that
Which should undo more doing: ay, and thou,
His cup-bearer,--whom I from meaner form
Have bench'd and rear'd to worship, who mayst see
Plainly as heaven sees earth and earth sees heaven, 315
How I am gall'd,--mightst bespice a cup,
To give mine enemy a lasting wink;
Which draught to me were cordial.

_Cam._ Sir, my lord,
I could do this, and that with no rash potion,
But with a lingering dram, that should not work 320
Maliciously like poison: but I cannot
Believe this crack to be in my dread mistress,
So sovereignly being honourable.
I have loved thee,--

_Leon._ Make that thy question, and go rot!
Dost think I am so muddy, so unsettled, 325
To appoint myself in this vexation; sully
The purity and whiteness of my sheets,
Which to preserve is sleep, which being spotted
Is goads, thorns, nettles, tails of wasps;
Give scandal to the blood o' the prince my son, 330
Who I do think is mine and love as mine,
Without ripe moving to't? Would I do this?
Could man so blench?

_Cam._ I must believe you, sir:
I do; and will fetch off Bohemia for't;
Provided that, when he's removed, your highness 335
Will take again your queen as yours at first,
Even for your son's sake; and thereby for sealing
The injury of tongues in courts and kingdoms
Known and allied to yours.

_Leon._ Thou dost advise me
Even so as I mine own course have set down: 340
I'll give no blemish to her honour, none.

_Cam._ My lord,
Go then; and with a countenance as clear
As friendship wears at feasts, keep with Bohemia
And with your queen. I am his cup-bearer: 345
If from me he have wholesome beverage,
Account me not your servant.

_Leon._ This is all:
Do't and thou hast the one half of my heart;
Do't not, thou splitt'st thine own.

_Cam._ I'll do't, my lord.

_Leon._ I will seem friendly, as thou hast advised me. 350
[_Exit._

_Cam._ O miserable lady! But, for me,
What case stand I in? I must be the poisoner
Of good Polixenes: and my ground to do't
Is the obedience to a master, one
Who, in rebellion with himself, will have 355
All that are his so too. To do this deed,
Promotion follows. If I could find example
Of thousands that had struck anointed kings
And flourish'd after, I'ld not do't; but since
Nor brass nor stone nor parchment bears not one, 360
Let villany itself forswear't. I must
Forsake the court: to do't, or no, is certain
To me a break-neck. Happy star reign now!
Here comes Bohemia.

_Re-enter_ POLIXENES.

_Pol._ This is strange: methinks
My favour here begins to warp. Not speak? 365
Good day, Camillo.

_Cam._ Hail, most royal sir!

_Pol._ What is the news i' the court?

_Cam._ None rare, my lord.

_Pol._ The king hath on him such a countenance
As he had lost some province and a region
Loved as he loves himself: even now I met him 370
With customary compliment; when he,
Wafting his eyes to the contrary and falling
A lip of much contempt, speeds from me and
So leaves me, to consider what is breeding
That changes thus his manners. 375

_Cam._ I dare not know, my lord.

_Pol._ How! dare not! do not. Do you know, and dare not?
Be intelligent to me: 'tis thereabouts;
For, to yourself, what you do know, you must,
And cannot say, you dare not. Good Camillo, 380
Your changed complexions are to me a mirror
Which shows me mine changed too; for I must be
A party in this alteration, finding
Myself thus alter'd with't.

_Cam._ There is a sickness
Which puts some of us in distemper; but 385
I cannot name the disease; and it is caught
Of you that yet are well.

_Pol._ How! caught of me!
Make me not sighted like the basilisk:
I have look'd on thousands, who have sped the better
By my regard, but kill'd none so. Camillo,-- 390
As you are certainly a gentleman; thereto
Clerk-like experienced, which no less adorns
Our gentry than our parents' noble names,
In whose success we are gentle,--I beseech you,
If you know aught which does behove my knowledge 395
Thereof to be inform'd, imprison't not
In ignorant concealment.

_Cam._ I may not answer.

_Pol._ A sickness caught of me, and yet I well!
I must be answer'd. Dost thou hear, Camillo,
I conjure thee, by all the parts of man 400
Which honour does acknowledge, whereof the least
Is not this suit of mine, that thou declare
What incidency thou dost guess of harm
Is creeping toward me; how far off, how near;
Which way to be prevented, if to be; 405
If not, how best to bear it.

_Cam._ Sir, I will tell you;
Since I am charged in honour and by him
That I think honourable: therefore mark my counsel,
Which must be ev'n as swiftly follow'd as
I mean to utter it, or both yourself and me 410
Cry lost, and so good night!

_Pol._ On, good Camillo.

_Cam._ I am appointed him to murder you.

_Pol._ By whom, Camillo?

_Cam._ By the king.

_Pol._ For what?

_Cam._ He thinks, nay, with all confidence he swears,
As he had seen't, or been an instrument 415
To vice you to't, that you have touch'd his queen
Forbiddenly.

_Pol._ O, then my best blood turn
To an infected jelly and my name
Be yoked with his that did betray the Best!
Turn then my freshest reputation to 420
A savour that may strike the dullest nostril
Where I arrive, and my approach be shunn'd,
Nay, hated too, worse than the great'st infection
That e'er was heard or read!

_Cam._ Swear his thought over
By each particular star in heaven and 425
By all their influences, you may as well
Forbid the sea for to obey the moon,
As or by oath remove or counsel shake
The fabric of his folly, whose foundation
Is piled upon his faith and will continue 430
The standing of his body.

_Pol._ How should this grow?

_Cam._ I know not: but I am sure 'tis safer to
Avoid what's grown than question how 'tis born.
If therefore you dare trust my honesty,
That lies enclosed in this trunk which you 435
Shall bear along impawn'd, away to-night!
Your followers I will whisper to the business;
And will by twos and threes at several posterns,
Clear them o' the city. For myself, I'll put
My fortunes to your service, which are here 440
By this discovery lost. Be not uncertain;
For, by the honour of my parents, I
Have utter'd truth: which if you seek to prove,
I dare not stand by; nor shall you be safer
Than one condemn'd by the king's own mouth, thereon 445
His execution sworn.

_Pol._ I do believe thee:
I saw his heart in's face. Give me thy hand:
Be pilot to me and thy places shall
Still neighbour mine. My ships are ready and
My people did expect my hence departure 450
Two days ago. This jealousy
Is for a precious creature: as she's rare,
Must it be great; and, as his person's mighty,
Must it be violent; and as he does conceive
He is dishonour'd by a man which ever 455
Profess'd to him, why, his revenges must
In that be made more bitter. Fear o'ershades me:
Good expedition be my friend, and comfort
The gracious queen, part of his theme, but nothing
Of his ill-ta'en suspicion! Come, Camillo; 460
I will respect thee as a father if
Thou bear'st my life off hence: let us avoid.

_Cam._ It is in mine authority to command
The keys of all the posterns: please your highness
To take the urgent hour. Come, sir, away. [_Exeunt._ 465

LINENOTES:

SCENE II. A room....] Capell. Scene opens to the Presence. Theobald.

Camillo] om. Theobald.

and Attendants] Theobald, om. Ff.

[1] _hath_] _have_ Capell.

[1, 2] _been ... note_] _been_ (_The shepherd's note_,) Warburton.

[8] _moe_] _more_ Rowe.

[9] _a while_] _awhile_ Reed.

[11] _I am_] _I'm_ Pope.

[12] _absence_;] _absence_, Ff.

[12, 13] _that may blow No_] _there may blow Some_ Hanmer. _may there
blow No_ Warburton.

[12-14] _that ... truly_:] _that ... truly!_ Steevens (Farmer conj.).

[14] _truly_] _early_ Hanmer. _tardily_ Capell.

[17] _seven-night_] _seve'night_ F1 F2 F3. _sev'night_ F4.

[19] _beseech you, so._] _'beseech you!_ Hanmer. _so, beseech you_:
Capell.

[20] _world_] F1 F3 F4. _would_ F2.

[28] _to have_] _to've_ Pope.

[29] _You had_] _You 'ad_ Theobald.

[33] [He walks apart. Collier (Collier MS.).

[38] [To Polixenes. Rowe.

[40] _give him_] _give you_ Hanmer (Warburton).

[41] _behind_] _beyond_ Heath conj.

_gest_] F1 F2. _guest_ F3 F4. _just_ Theobald conj. _geste_ Hanmer.
_list_ Heath conj.

[42] _good deed,_] (_good-deed_) F1. (_good-heed_) F2. (_good heed_)
F3 F4. See note (i).

[44] _lady she_] _lady should_ Collier (Egerton and Collier MSS.).
_lady-she_ Staunton.

[50] _'Verily''s_] Staunton and Grant White. _Verely 'is_ F1 F2.
_verily is_ F3 F4.

[65, 66] _Was ... two?_] As in Ff. In one line. Hanmer.

[70] _nor dream'd_] F1. _no nor dream'd_ F2 F3 F4. _neither dream'd_
Spedding conj.

[77] _to's_] _to us_ Capell.

[80] _Grace_] _Oh! Grace_ Hanmer. _God's grace_ S. Walker conj.

_boot_] _both_ Heath conj.

[81] _lest_] F4. _least_ F1 F2 F3.

[88] _dearest_] _dear'st_ S. Walker conj.

_never_] _ne'er_ Pope.

[90] _was't_] _'twas_ Steevens (1778). _was it_ Mason conj.

[91] _cram's ... make's_] _cram us ... make us_ Capell.

[96] _heat an acre. But to the goal_;--] _heat an Acre. But to th'
Goale_: Ff. (_Goal_ F3 F4). _heat an acre, but to th' goal._
Warburton. _clear an acre. But to the good_: Collier (Collier MS.).

[100] _spoke_] F1 F2. _spake_ F3 F4.

_purpose:_] Capell. _purpose?_ Ff.

[104] _And clap_] F2} F3 F4. _A clap_ F1. _And clepe_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[105] _'Tis_] Ff. _This is_ Hanmer. _It is_ Capell.

[106] _I have_] _I've_ Pope.

[108] [Giving her hand to Pol. Capell.

[Aside.] Rowe.

[112] _derive_] F1. _derives_ F2 F3 F4.

[113] _bounty, fertile bosom_] _bounty's fertile bosom_ Hanmer.
_bounty:--fertile become_ Jackson conj.

[114] _well_] F1. _we'l_ F2 F4. _wee'l_ F3.

_become_] _becomes_ Rowe (ed. 2).

_'t may_] _it may_ Steevens.

[117] _looking-glass_] _glass_ S. Walker conj.

[119] _Mamillius_] _Mamillus_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[121] _hast_] Capell. _has't_ Ff.

[122] _They ... captain,_] As two lines in Capell, ending _mine ...
captain._

_it is_] _it's_ Warburton. _'t's_ Anon. conj.

[Wipes the boy's face, Hanmer. [Pulling the boy to him and wiping him.
Capell.

[123] _but_] F1. om. F2 F3 F4.

[124] _heifer_] _heycfer_ F1 F2.

[125] [Observing Polixenes and Hermione. Rowe.

[128] _pash_] _bush_ Becket conj.

[129] _full like_] _full, like_ Ff.

[132] _o'er-dyed_] _o're-dy'd_ F1 F2 F3. _o're di'd_ F4. _our dead_
Collier (Collier MS.), _oft dyed_ Staunton conj.

_wind_] _winds_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[134] _bourn_] Capell. _bourne_ Rowe. _borne_ F1 F2. _born_ F3 F4.

[135] _were_] _is_ Hanmer.

[136] _welkin eye_] _welking eye_ Rowe (ed. 2). _welkin-eye_ Theobald.

[137] _dam?_--] _dam?_ Rowe. _dam_, Ff.

[137, 138] _may't be?--Affection, ... centre_] Steevens. _may't be?
Affection, thy intention stabs to the center_ Capell. _may't be
Affection? ... centre_ Ff. _may't be--Imagination! thou dost stab to
th' center_ Rowe.

[138-146] _Affection ... brows._] Erased in Collier MS.

[139] _not so_] F1. _not be so_ F2 F3 F4. _not to be so_ Hanmer.

_held,_] _held?_ Staunton.

[140, 141] _dreams;--how ... be?--With ... unreal_] Rann (Theobald
conj.). _dreames (how ... be?) With ... unreal_: F1 F2. _dreams (how
... be?) With ... unreal_, F3 F4. _dreams--how ... be With ...
unreal_? Pope. _dreams?--how! can this be?--With ... unreal_ Staunton.

[142] _fellow'st_] _follow'st_ Rowe (ed. 2).

_nothing_] _nothings_ Hanmer.

[147, 148] _How, my lord! What ... brother?_] Rann (Steevens). _How?
my lord?_ Leo. _What ... brother?_ Ff. _How? my lord?_ Leo. _What ...
my best brother?_ Rowe. _How? my lord? What ... my best brother?_
Hanmer. _Now, my lord? What ... brother?_ Capell. _How is't, my lord?
What ... brother?_ Long MS. _How now, my lord?_ Leo. _What ...
brother?_ Singer MS. _Ho, my lord! What ... brother?_ Dyce conj.

[148-150] _What ... lord?_] S. Walker arranges as three lines, ending
_with you, ... brow ... lord?_

[148] _is't_] _is it_ Rowe (ed. 2).

_best_] _my best_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[150] _Are you_] _Are not you_ Theobald. _Are you not_ Hanmer.

_earnest._] _earnest, no.--_ Capell.

[151] [Aside. Capell.

[151, 152] _its ... Its_] _it's ... It's_ F1 F2. _its ... It's_ F3 F4.

[154] _methoughts_] F4. _me thoughts_ F1 F2 F3. _my thoughts_ Collier
(Egerton MS.), _methought_ Staunton. See note (II).

_recoil_] F4. _requoyle_ F1 F2. _recoyl_ F3. _recall_ Grey conj.

[157] _its_] _it's_ Ff.

[158] _ornaments ... do_] Rowe. _ornaments ... do's_ Ff (_does_ F4).
_ornament ... does_ Capell.

_do_] Rowe. _do's_ F1 F2 F3. _does_ F4.

[161] _eggs_] _ayes_ Becket conj.

[162] _my lord_] om. Hanmer.

[163] _will!_] Rowe. _will:_ Ff.

_be's_] _be his_ Capell.

[170] _childness_] _childishness_ Pope.

[171] _would_] F1. _should_ F2 F3 F4.

_thick_] _think_ F4.

[177] _would_] _will_ Theobald.

[180] [Aside] Aside, observing Her. Rowe (after line 182).

[183] _neb_] _nib_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[185] [Exeunt....] Rowe.

[194] _in's_] _in his_ Capell

[202-206] _and 'tis ... baggage._] Put in the margin as spurious by
Hanmer.

[202, 203] _powerful, think it, From ... south:_] Capell. _powrefull:
thinke it: From ... south,_ Ff.

[203-206] _From east ... baggage._] Omitted by Warburton.

[204] _know't_] _know it_ Capell (corrected in MS.).

[206] _many ... on's_] F1 F2 F3. _many a ... one's_ F4. _many a ...
of's_ Rowe.

[208, 209] _Why ... there?_] S. Walker arranges as one line.

[208] _they_] F2 F3 F4. om. F1.

[209] _What._] _What? is_ Hanmer.

[211] _Mamillius_] _Mamillus_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[Exit M.] Rowe.

[212] SCENE III. Pope.

[213] _his anchor_] _the anchor_ Hanmer.

[215] _petitions; made_] _petitions made;_ Pope.

[217] [Aside] Hanmer.

_whispering, rounding_] _whisp'ring round_ Hanmer.

[218] _is a so-forth_] _is a--so forth_ Rann (Mason conj.). _is--and
so forth_ Malone conj. _is a sea-froth_ Jackson conj.

[224] _is soaking_] _in soaking_ Grey conj.

[230, 231] Leon. _Ha!_ Cam. _Stays here longer._ Leon. _Ay_] Leo. _Ha?
stays here, longer. Ay_ Hanmer. Leo. _Ha?_ Cam. _Bohemia stays here
longer._ Leo. _Ay_ Capell.

[233] _Satisfy!_] _Satisfie?_ Ff. _Satisfie_ Theobald.

[235] _I have_] _I've_ Pope.

[236] _nearest things to_] Ff. _things nearest_ Pope, _nearest things
to_ S. Walker conj.

_as well_] _with all_ Hanmer. _as well as_ Capell conj.

[241] _my lord!_] Hanmer. (_my Lord._) Ff. _my lord._ Pope. _my
lord--_ Theobald.

[244] _hoxes_] Ff. _hockles_ Hanmer.

[253] _Among_] F1. _Amongst_ F2 F3 F4.

_doings_] F1. _doing_ F2 F3 F4.

[254] _forth. In_] Theobald. _forth in_ Ff.

_my lord,_] Theobald. (_my Lord._) Ff. _my Lord._ Rowe.

[256] _industriously_] _injuriously_ Hanmer.

[261] _non-performance_] Ff. _now-performance_ Heath conj.

[266] _its_] _it's_ Ff.

[267] _Ha'_] Ff. _Have_ Capell.

[272] _think_] _think it_ Theobald. _think 't_ Hanmer. See note (III).

[273] _wilt_] Ff. _wilt,_ Rowe.

[276] _hobby-horse_] Rowe (ed. 2). _holy-horse_ Ff. _hoby-horse_
Capell.

[277] _puts to_] _buts tow_ Jackson conj.

[285] _meeting_] F4 _meating_ F1 F2 F3. _meting_ Thirlby conj.

[290] _noon_] F1. _the noon_ F2 F3 F4. _noon-day_ or _high noon_ Anon.
conj.

_eyes_] _eyes else_ S. Walker conj.

[304] _wife's_] Rowe. _wives_ Ff.

[307] _her medal_] Rowe. _her medull_ F1 F2 F3. _her medul_ F4. _his
medal_ Theobald. _a medal_ Collier MS.

[309] _bare_] Theobald. _bear_ Ff.

[312] _ay_] Capell. _I_ Ff.

[316] _gall'd_] Ff. _galled_ Steevens. _gull'd_ Rann.

_mightst_] F1. _thou mightst_ F2 F3 F4.

[318] _Sir_] _Sure_ Collier (Collier MS.).

[321] _Maliciously like_] _Maliciously, like_ F4. _Maliciously, like
a_ Rowe. _Like a malicious_ Hanmer.

[323] _So ... honourable._] _So sovereignly_ (_being honourable_)
Malone conj.

[323-325] _So ... unsettled_] S. Walker arranges as three lines,
ending _lov'd thee ... think ... unsettled._ End 323 _I have_ Spedding
conj.]

[324] _I have loved thee,--_ Leon. _Make that ... rot!_] _I haue lou'd
thee,_ Leo. _Make that ... rot:_ F1. _I have lov'd thee._ Leo. _Make
that ... rot:_ F2 F3 F4. Leo. _I've lov'd thee.--Make 't ... rot:_
Theobald. _So lov'd._ Leo. _Make that ... rot:_ Hanmer. Leo. _I've
lov'd thee. Mark this question, and go do't_ Heath conj. Leo. _Make
that thy question, and go rot! I have lov'd thee._ Capell (Tyrwhitt
conj.). Leo. _Have I lov'd thee? Make that ... rot._ Long MS.

[326, 327] _vexation; sully The_] _vexation? sully The_ Theobald,
_vexation? Sully the_ Ff.

[329] _thorns ... tails_] _and thorns ... and tails_ Hanmer.

_nettles_] _nettles, pismires_ Anon. conj.

_wasps;_] _wasps? or would I_ Capell.

[332] _to't? ... this?_] _to't ... this?_ Hanmer.

[333] _man_] _any man_ Long MS.

[337] _for sealing_] _forsealing_ Anon. conj.

[341] _blemish to her_] _blemish t' her_ S. Walker conj. reading lines
341, 342 as one line.

[364] Re-enter P.] Enter P. Ff.

SCENE IV. Pope.

[365] _My_] _Me_ F2.

[366] _Hail_] _Hoyle_ F2.

[376] _my lord_] om. Hanmer.

[377] _do not_] _dare not_ Hanmer. om. Long MS.

_Do you ... dare not? ... me:_] _do you ... dare not? ... me,_ Ff.
_You do ... dare not ... me:_ Hanmer. _Do you ... dare not ... me?_
Capell.

[379] _you do_] F1 F2. _do you_ F3 F4.

[384] _with't_] _with it_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[389] _I have_] F1 F4. _I_ F2 F3. _I've_ Pope.

[391] _are certainly a_] Ff. _are, certain,_ Capell.

_thereto_] om. Pope.

[392] _Clerk-like_] Ff. _Clerk-like,_ Capell.

_experienced_] _experienc'd_ F1. _expedienc'd_ F2 F3 F4.

[404] _toward_] _towards_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[405] _to be_] Ff. _it be_ Theobald.

[406] _I will_] _I'll_ Pope.

[410] _utter it_] _utter't_ S. Walker conj.

_me_] _I_ Collier MS.

[412] _I am appointed him_] F1 _I appointed him_ F2 F3 F4. _I am
appointed_ Rowe. _I am appointed, sir_ Hanmer. _I am appointed by him_
Long MS. _I appointed am_ Anon. MS. apud Halliwell.

[416] _To vice_] _To 'ntice_ Heath conj.

[422, 424] _shunn'd ... read_] _fear'd ... read of_ Anon. MS. apud
Halliwell.

[424] _his thought_] _this though_ Theobald. _this thought_ Id. conj.

_over_] _over!_ Jackson conj.

[432] _I am_] _I'm_ Pope.

[433] _'tis_] _it is_ S. Walker conj., reading lines 431-433 as four
lines, ending _body ... sure ... question ... born._

[444] _by_] _by't_ Hanmer.

[445, 446] _mouth, thereon His_] Capell. _mouth; Thereon his_ Ff.
_mouth, His_ Hanmer. _mouth, and thereon His_ S. Walker conj.

[448] _places_] _paces_ Malone conj.

[451] _jealousy_] _jealousy of his_ S. Walker conj.

[458] _and_] _Heav'n_ Hanmer. _God_ Singer conj.

[458, 459] _comfort ... theme_] _consort ... throne_ Jackson conj. See
note (IV).

[459] _queen,_] _queen's;_ Warburton.

_theme_] _theame_ F1 F2. _theam_ F3 F4. _dream_ Collier (Collier MS.).

[465] _hour. Come_] _hour._ Pol. _Come_ Long MS.