Enter Paulina, with a Child. Lord. You must not enter. Paul. Nay, rather, good my lords, be fecond to me: Fear you his tyrannous paffion more, alas, Than the Queen's life? a gracious innocent foul, Ant. That's enongh. Atten. [within] Madam, he hath not flept to night; commanded, None fhould come at him. Paul. Not fo hot, good Sir; I come to bring him fleep. 'Tis fuch as you Do come with words, as medicinal, as true; Leo. What noise there, ho? Paul. No noife, my Lord, but needful conference, About fome goffips for your Highness. Leo. How? Away with that audacious lady. Antigonus, I charg'd thee, that she should not come about me; Ant. I told her fo, my Lord, On your displeasure's peril and on mine, Leo. What? can't not rule her? Paul. From all dishonesty he can; in this, Ant. Lo-you now, you hear, When the will take the rein, I let her run, Paul. Good my Liege, I come Your Your moft obedient counsellor: yet that dares Than fuch as moft feems yours. I fay, I come Leo. Good Queen? Paul. Good Queen, my Lord, And would by combat make her good, fo were I Leo. Force her hence. Paul. Let him, that makes but trifles of his eyes,. Leo. Out! [Laying down the Child. A mankind witch! hence with her, out 'door : Paul. Not fo; I am as ignorant in That, as you In fo intit'ling me; and no less honest,. Than you are mad; which is enough, I'll warrant, Leo.. Traitors! Will you not push her out? give her the bastard. Paul. For ever Unvenerable be thy hands, if thou Take'ft up the Princess, by that forced bafenefs Leo. He dreads his wife.. Paul. So I would, you did : then 'cwere paft all doubt, You'd call your children yours. Leo. A neft of traytors! Ant. I am none, by this good light.. Paul. Nor I; nor any M. 3 But But one that's here; and that's himself. For he His hopeful fon's, his babe's, betrays to flander, Leo. A callat Of boundless tongue, who late hath beat her husband, And now baits me! It is the iffue of Polixenes. This brat is none of mine; Hence with it, and together with the dam, Paul. It is yours; And, might we lay th' old proverb to your charge, The trick of's frown, his forehead, nay, the valley, The ordering of the mind too, 'mongst all colours Leo. A grofs hag! And, lozel, thou art worthy to be hang'd, Ant. Hang all the husbands, That cannot do that feat, you'll leave yourself Hardly one fubject. Leo. Once more, take her hence. Paul. A moft unworthy and unnatural lord Can do no more. Leo. I'll ha' thee burnt. Paul. I care not; It is an heretick that makes the fire, Not she which burns in't. I'll not call you tyrant, But But this most cruel ufage of your Queen (Not able to produce more accufation Than your own weak-hing'd fancy) fomething favours Of tyranny; and will ignoble make you, Yea, fcandalous to the world. Leo. On your allegiance, 1 Out of the chamber with her. Were I a tyrant, Paul I pray you, do not pufh me, I'll be gone. [Exit. ftrait: Leo. Thou, traitor, haft fet on thy wife to this. Ant. I did not, Sir: Thefe lords, my noble fellows, if they pleafe, Lords. We can; my royal Liege, He is not guilty of her coming hither: Leo. You're liars all. Lords. 'Befeech your Highnefs, give us better credit. Paft, and to come) that you do change this purpose, Lead on to fome foul iffue. We all kneel Leo. I am a feather for each wind that blows: Shall I live on, to fee this baftard kneel And call me father? better burn it now, Than curfe it then. But be it; let it live: You, Sir, come you hither; You, that have been fo tenderly officious [To Antigonus. To fave this ballard's life; (for 'tis a bastard, So fare as this beard's gray) what will you adventure Ant. Any thing, my Lord, That my abi'ity may undergo, And nobleness impofe: at leaft, thus much; Ant. I will, my Lord: Leo. Mark and perform it; feeft thou? for the fail Death to thyfelf, but to thy lewd tongu'd wife, T Againft |