Would I were dead, but that, methinks, already
What was he, that did make it? fee, my Lord,

Would you not deem, it breath'd; and that those veins Did verily bear blood?

Pol. Masterly done!

The very life feems warm upon her lip.

Leo. The fixure of her eye has motion in't, As we were mock'd with art.

Paul. I'll draw the curtain.

14

My Lord's almoft fo far transported, that
He'll think anon, it lives.

Leo. O fweet Paulina,

Make me to think fo twenty years together:
No fettled fenfes of the world can match
The pleasure of that madness. Let't alone.

Paul. I'm forry, Sir, I have thus far ftirr'd you; but

I could afflict you further.

Leo. Do, Paulina;

For this affliction has a tafte as sweet

As any cordial comfort. Still, methinks,

There is an air comes from her.

What fine chizzel

Could ever yet cut breath? let no man mock me,

For I will kifs her.

Paul. Good my Lord, forbear;

The ruddinefs upon her lip is wet;

You'll marr it, if you kiss it; ftain your own
With oily painting; fhall I draw the curtain?
Leo. No, not these twenty years.

Per. So long could I
Stand by, a looker on.

Paul. Either forbear,

Quit presently the chapel, or refolve you

For more amazement; if you can behold it,

I'll make the statue move, indeed; defcend,

And take you by the hand; but then you'll think,
Which I protest against, I am affifted

By wicked powers.

Leo. What you can make her do,

I am content to look on; what to speak,
I am content to hear; for 'tis as easie

1

Te

To make her speak, as move.

Paul. It is requir'd,

You do awake your faith; then, all stand still:
And those, that think it is unlawful business
I am about, let them depart.

Leo. Proceed;

No foot fhall ftir.

Paul. Mufick; awake her: ftrike;

[Mufick.

'Tis time, defcend; be ftone no more; approach,
Strike all that look upon with marvel. Come,
I'll fill your grave up: ftir; nay, come away:
Bequeath to death your numnefs; for from him
Dear life redeems you; you perceive, she stirs;

[Hermione comes down.
Start not; her actions fhall be holy, as,
You hear, my fpell is lawful; do not fhun her,
Until you fee her die again, for then

You kill her double. Nay, prefent your hand;
When he was young, you woo'd her; now in age,
Is fhe become the fuitor.

Leo. Oh; fhe's warm;

If this be magick, let it be an art

Lawful as eating.

Pol. She embraces him.

Cam. She hangs about his neck;

If the pertain to life, let her fpeak too.

[Embracing her.

Pol. Ay, and make it manifest where fhe has liv'd, Or how ftol'n from the dead?

Paul. That he is living,

Were it but told you, fhould be hooted at
Like an old tale; but it appears, fhe lives,
Tho' yet she speak not. Mark a little while.
Please you to interpofe, fair Madam, kneel.

And pray your mother's bleffing; turn, good Lady :
Our Perdita is found.

[Prefenting Perdita, who kneels to Herm.

Her. You Gods, look down,

And from your facred vials pour your graces
Upon my daughter's head; tell me, mine own,

Where haft thou been preferv'd? where liv'd? how found

Thy

Thy father's court; for thou fhalt hear, that I,
Knowing by Paulina that the Oracle
Gave hope thou waft in being, have preferv'd
Myself, to see the iffue.

Paul. There's time enough for That;
Left they defire, upon this pufh, to trouble
Your joys with like relation. Go together,
You precious winners all, your exultation
Partake to every one; I, an old turtle,
Will wing me to fome wither'd bough, and there
My mate, that's never to be found again,
Lament 'till I am loft.

Leo. O peace, Paulina:

Thou should'ft a husband take by my confent,
As I by thine, a wife. This is a match,

And made between's by vows. Thou haft found mine, But how, is to be question'd; for I saw her,

As I thought, dead; and have, in vain, faid many prayer upon her grave. I'll not seek far

A

(For him, I partly know his mind) to find thee

An honourable husband. Come, Camillo,

And take her by the hand; whofe worth and honesty
Is richly noted; and here juftified

By us, a pair of Kings. Let's from this place.
What? look upon my brother: Both your pardons,
That e'er I put between your holy looks

My ill fufpicion: this, your fon-in-law,

And fon unto the King- whom heav'ns directing,
Is troth-plight to your daughter. Good Paulina,
Lead us from hence, where we may leisurely
Each one demand, and answer to his part
Perform'd in this wide gap of time, fince first
We were diffever'd. Haftily lead away. [Exeunt omnes.

33

THE