Cleo. Not at all, good Lady; You might have spoke a thousand things, that would Have done the time more, benefit, and grac'd Your kindness better. Paul. You are one of those, You pity not the state, nor the remembrance With a sweet fellow to't? Paul. There is none worthy, Than to rejoice, the former Queen' is WELL?] The fpeaker is here giving reafons why the King fhould marry again. One reafon is, pity to the State; another, regard to the continuance of the royal family; and the third, comfort and confolation to the King's affliction.. All hitherto is plain, and becoming a Privy-counsellor. But now comes in, what he calls, a boly argument for it, and that is a rejoicing that the former Queen is well and at reft. To make this argument of force, we must conclude that the fpeaker went upon this opinion, that a widower can never heartily rejoice that his former wife is at reft, till he has got another. Without doubt Shakespeare wrote, 1 What were more holy, What, fays the fpeaker, can be a more holy motive to a new choice, than that it will glad the fpirit of the former Queen ? for he was of fo excellent a difpofition, that the happiness of the King and Kingdom, to be procured by it, will give her extreme pleafure. The poet goes upon the general opinion, that the fpirits of the happy in the other world are concerned for the condition of their furviving friends. WARBURTON. This emendation is one of thofe of which many may be made; it is fuch as we may with the authour had chofen, but which we cannot prove that he did chufe; the reafons for it are plaufible, but not cogent. Refpect Respecting her that's gone. Befides, the Gods Is't not the tenour of his oracle, That King Leontes fhall not have an heir, The crown will find an heir. Great Alexander Left his to th' worthieft; fo his fucceffor Was like to be the best. Leo. Good Paulina, Who haft the memory of Hermione, I know, in honour: Ö, that ever I Had fquar'd me to thy counfel! then, even now Paul. And left them More rich for what they yielded. Leo. Thou speak'st truth: 2 No more fuch wives, therefore no wife; one worse, And begin, Why to me? Paul. Had fhe fuch She had just cause. power, Leo. She had, and would incenfe me To murder her I married. Paul. I fhould fo, Were I the ghoft that walk'd; I'd bid you mark Her eye, and tell me, for what dull part in't You chofe her; then I'd fhriek, that even your ears Shou'd rift to hear me, and the words that follow'd Should be, Remember mine. Leo. Stars, ftars, And all eyes elfe, dead coals, Fear thou no wife, Paul. Will you swear Never to marry, but by my free leave? Leo. Never, Paulina; fo be bless'd my spirit! Paul. Unless another, As like Hermione as is her picture, Affront his eye. Cleo. Good Madam, pray, have done. Paul. Yet, if my Lord will marry.—If you will, Sir; No remedy, but you will; give me the office To chufe you a Queen; fhe fhall not be fo young As was your former; but fhe fhall be fuch, As, walk'd your first Queen's ghost, it should take joy To fee her in your arms. Leo. My true Paulina, We shall not marry, 'till thou bid'ft us. Paul. That Shall be, when your first Queen's again in breath: Never till then. To affront, is to meet. SCENE SCENE II. Enter a Gentleman. Gent. One that gives out himself prince Florizel, Leo. What with him? he comes not Gent. But few, And thofe but mean." Leo. His Princess, fay you, with him? Gent. Yes; the moft peerlefs piece of earth, I think, That e'er the fun fhone bright on. Paul. Oh Hermione, As every present time doth boast itself · Gent. Pardon, Madam; The one I have almost forgot, (your pardon) Of who fhe but bid follow. Paul. How? not women? Gent. Women will love her, that she is a woman More worth than any man: men, that she is The rarest of all women. Leo. Go, Cleomines; Yourself, affifted with your honour'd friends, Bring them to our embracement. He thus fhould fteal upon us. Paul. Had our Prince, [Exit Cleomines. Still 'tis ftrange Jewel of children, feen this hour, he had pair'd Leo. Pr'ythee, no more; cease; thou know'ft, Enter Florizel, Perdita, Cleomines, and others. Your mother was moft true to wedlock, Prince, His very air, that I fhould call you brother, Flo. |