Open Source Shakespeare

The Winter's Tale

Act V

Scene 1. A room in LEONTES’ palace.

Scene 2. Before LEONTES’ palace.

Scene 3. A chapel in PAULINA’S house.

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Act V, Scene 1

A room in LEONTES’ palace.

       

[Enter LEONTES, CLEOMENES, DION, PAULINA, and Servants]

  • Cleomenes. Sir, you have done enough, and have perform'd 2820
    A saint-like sorrow: no fault could you make,
    Which you have not redeem'd; indeed, paid down
    More penitence than done trespass: at the last,
    Do as the heavens have done, forget your evil;
    With them forgive yourself. 2825
  • Leontes. Whilst I remember
    Her and her virtues, I cannot forget
    My blemishes in them, and so still think of
    The wrong I did myself; which was so much,
    That heirless it hath made my kingdom and 2830
    Destroy'd the sweet'st companion that e'er man
    Bred his hopes out of.
  • Paulina. True, too true, my lord:
    If, one by one, you wedded all the world,
    Or from the all that are took something good, 2835
    To make a perfect woman, she you kill'd
    Would be unparallel'd.
  • Leontes. I think so. Kill'd!
    She I kill'd! I did so: but thou strikest me
    Sorely, to say I did; it is as bitter 2840
    Upon thy tongue as in my thought: now, good now,
    Say so but seldom.
  • Cleomenes. Not at all, good lady:
    You might have spoken a thousand things that would
    Have done the time more benefit and graced 2845
    Your kindness better.
  • Paulina. You are one of those
    Would have him wed again.
  • Dion. If you would not so,
    You pity not the state, nor the remembrance 2850
    Of his most sovereign name; consider little
    What dangers, by his highness' fail of issue,
    May drop upon his kingdom and devour
    Incertain lookers on. What were more holy
    Than to rejoice the former queen is well? 2855
    What holier than, for royalty's repair,
    For present comfort and for future good,
    To bless the bed of majesty again
    With a sweet fellow to't?
  • Paulina. There is none worthy, 2860
    Respecting her that's gone. Besides, the gods
    Will have fulfill'd their secret purposes;
    For has not the divine Apollo said,
    Is't not the tenor of his oracle,
    That King Leontes shall not have an heir 2865
    Till his lost child be found? which that it shall,
    Is all as monstrous to our human reason
    As my Antigonus to break his grave
    And come again to me; who, on my life,
    Did perish with the infant. 'Tis your counsel 2870
    My lord should to the heavens be contrary,
    Oppose against their wills.
    [To LEONTES]
    Care not for issue;
    The crown will find an heir: great Alexander 2875
    Left his to the worthiest; so his successor
    Was like to be the best.
  • Leontes. Good Paulina,
    Who hast the memory of Hermione,
    I know, in honour, O, that ever I 2880
    Had squared me to thy counsel! then, even now,
    I might have look'd upon my queen's full eyes,
    Have taken treasure from her lips—
  • Paulina. And left them
    More rich for what they yielded. 2885
  • Leontes. Thou speak'st truth.
    No more such wives; therefore, no wife: one worse,
    And better used, would make her sainted spirit
    Again possess her corpse, and on this stage,
    Where we're offenders now, appear soul-vex'd, 2890
    And begin, 'Why to me?'
  • Paulina. Had she such power,
    She had just cause.
  • Leontes. She had; and would incense me
    To murder her I married. 2895
  • Paulina. I should so.
    Were I the ghost that walk'd, I'ld bid you mark
    Her eye, and tell me for what dull part in't
    You chose her; then I'ld shriek, that even your ears
    Should rift to hear me; and the words that follow'd 2900
    Should be 'Remember mine.'
  • Leontes. Stars, stars,
    And all eyes else dead coals! Fear thou no wife;
    I'll have no wife, Paulina.
  • Paulina. Will you swear 2905
    Never to marry but by my free leave?
  • Leontes. Never, Paulina; so be blest my spirit!
  • Paulina. Then, good my lords, bear witness to his oath.
  • Cleomenes. You tempt him over-much.
  • Paulina. Unless another, 2910
    As like Hermione as is her picture,
    Affront his eye.CLEOMENES. Good madam,—
  • Paulina. I have done.
    Yet, if my lord will marry,—if you will, sir,
    No remedy, but you will,—give me the office 2915
    To choose you a queen: she shall not be so young
    As was your former; but she shall be such
    As, walk'd your first queen's ghost,
    it should take joy
    To see her in your arms. 2920
  • Leontes. My true Paulina,
    We shall not marry till thou bid'st us.
  • Paulina. That
    Shall be when your first queen's again in breath;
    Never till then. 2925

[Enter a Gentleman]

  • Gentleman. One that gives out himself Prince Florizel,
    Son of Polixenes, with his princess, she
    The fairest I have yet beheld, desires access
    To your high presence. 2930
  • Leontes. What with him? he comes not
    Like to his father's greatness: his approach,
    So out of circumstance and sudden, tells us
    'Tis not a visitation framed, but forced
    By need and accident. What train? 2935
  • Gentleman. But few,
    And those but mean.
  • Leontes. His princess, say you, with him?
  • Gentleman. Ay, the most peerless piece of earth, I think,
    That e'er the sun shone bright on. 2940
  • Paulina. O Hermione,
    As every present time doth boast itself
    Above a better gone, so must thy grave
    Give way to what's seen now! Sir, you yourself
    Have said and writ so, but your writing now 2945
    Is colder than that theme, 'She had not been,
    Nor was not to be equall'd;'—thus your verse
    Flow'd with her beauty once: 'tis shrewdly ebb'd,
    To say you have seen a better.
  • Gentleman. Pardon, madam: 2950
    The one I have almost forgot,—your pardon,—
    The other, when she has obtain'd your eye,
    Will have your tongue too. This is a creature,
    Would she begin a sect, might quench the zeal
    Of all professors else, make proselytes 2955
    Of who she but bid follow.
  • Paulina. How! not women?
  • Gentleman. Women will love her, that she is a woman
    More worth than any man; men, that she is
    The rarest of all women. 2960
  • Leontes. Go, Cleomenes;
    Yourself, assisted with your honour'd friends,
    Bring them to our embracement. Still, 'tis strange
    [Exeunt CLEOMENES and others]
    He thus should steal upon us. 2965
  • Paulina. Had our prince,
    Jewel of children, seen this hour, he had pair'd
    Well with this lord: there was not full a month
    Between their births.
  • Leontes. Prithee, no more; cease; thou know'st 2970
    He dies to me again when talk'd of: sure,
    When I shall see this gentleman, thy speeches
    Will bring me to consider that which may
    Unfurnish me of reason. They are come.
    [Re-enter CLEOMENES and others, with FLORIZEL and PERDITA] 2975
    Your mother was most true to wedlock, prince;
    For she did print your royal father off,
    Conceiving you: were I but twenty-one,
    Your father's image is so hit in you,
    His very air, that I should call you brother, 2980
    As I did him, and speak of something wildly
    By us perform'd before. Most dearly welcome!
    And your fair princess,—goddess!—O, alas!
    I lost a couple, that 'twixt heaven and earth
    Might thus have stood begetting wonder as 2985
    You, gracious couple, do: and then I lost—
    All mine own folly—the society,
    Amity too, of your brave father, whom,
    Though bearing misery, I desire my life
    Once more to look on him. 2990
  • Florizel. By his command
    Have I here touch'd Sicilia and from him
    Give you all greetings that a king, at friend,
    Can send his brother: and, but infirmity
    Which waits upon worn times hath something seized 2995
    His wish'd ability, he had himself
    The lands and waters 'twixt your throne and his
    Measured to look upon you; whom he loves—
    He bade me say so—more than all the sceptres
    And those that bear them living. 3000
  • Leontes. O my brother,
    Good gentleman! the wrongs I have done thee stir
    Afresh within me, and these thy offices,
    So rarely kind, are as interpreters
    Of my behind-hand slackness. Welcome hither, 3005
    As is the spring to the earth. And hath he too
    Exposed this paragon to the fearful usage,
    At least ungentle, of the dreadful Neptune,
    To greet a man not worth her pains, much less
    The adventure of her person? 3010
  • Florizel. Good my lord,
    She came from Libya.
  • Leontes. Where the warlike Smalus,
    That noble honour'd lord, is fear'd and loved?
  • Florizel. Most royal sir, from thence; from him, whose daughter 3015
    His tears proclaim'd his, parting with her: thence,
    A prosperous south-wind friendly, we have cross'd,
    To execute the charge my father gave me
    For visiting your highness: my best train
    I have from your Sicilian shores dismiss'd; 3020
    Who for Bohemia bend, to signify
    Not only my success in Libya, sir,
    But my arrival and my wife's in safety
    Here where we are.
  • Leontes. The blessed gods 3025
    Purge all infection from our air whilst you
    Do climate here! You have a holy father,
    A graceful gentleman; against whose person,
    So sacred as it is, I have done sin:
    For which the heavens, taking angry note, 3030
    Have left me issueless; and your father's blest,
    As he from heaven merits it, with you
    Worthy his goodness. What might I have been,
    Might I a son and daughter now have look'd on,
    Such goodly things as you! 3035

[Enter a Lord]

  • Lord. Most noble sir,
    That which I shall report will bear no credit,
    Were not the proof so nigh. Please you, great sir,
    Bohemia greets you from himself by me; 3040
    Desires you to attach his son, who has—
    His dignity and duty both cast off—
    Fled from his father, from his hopes, and with
    A shepherd's daughter.
  • Leontes. Where's Bohemia? speak. 3045
  • Lord. Here in your city; I now came from him:
    I speak amazedly; and it becomes
    My marvel and my message. To your court
    Whiles he was hastening, in the chase, it seems,
    Of this fair couple, meets he on the way 3050
    The father of this seeming lady and
    Her brother, having both their country quitted
    With this young prince.
  • Florizel. Camillo has betray'd me;
    Whose honour and whose honesty till now 3055
    Endured all weathers.
  • Lord. Lay't so to his charge:
    He's with the king your father.
  • Leontes. Who? Camillo?
  • Lord. Camillo, sir; I spake with him; who now 3060
    Has these poor men in question. Never saw I
    Wretches so quake: they kneel, they kiss the earth;
    Forswear themselves as often as they speak:
    Bohemia stops his ears, and threatens them
    With divers deaths in death. 3065
  • Perdita. O my poor father!
    The heaven sets spies upon us, will not have
    Our contract celebrated.
  • Leontes. You are married?
  • Florizel. We are not, sir, nor are we like to be; 3070
    The stars, I see, will kiss the valleys first:
    The odds for high and low's alike.
  • Leontes. My lord,
    Is this the daughter of a king?
  • Florizel. She is, 3075
    When once she is my wife.
  • Leontes. That 'once' I see by your good father's speed
    Will come on very slowly. I am sorry,
    Most sorry, you have broken from his liking
    Where you were tied in duty, and as sorry 3080
    Your choice is not so rich in worth as beauty,
    That you might well enjoy her.
  • Florizel. Dear, look up:
    Though Fortune, visible an enemy,
    Should chase us with my father, power no jot 3085
    Hath she to change our loves. Beseech you, sir,
    Remember since you owed no more to time
    Than I do now: with thought of such affections,
    Step forth mine advocate; at your request
    My father will grant precious things as trifles. 3090
  • Leontes. Would he do so, I'ld beg your precious mistress,
    Which he counts but a trifle.
  • Paulina. Sir, my liege,
    Your eye hath too much youth in't: not a month
    'Fore your queen died, she was more worth such gazes 3095
    Than what you look on now.
  • Leontes. I thought of her,
    Even in these looks I made.
    [To FLORIZEL]
    But your petition 3100
    Is yet unanswer'd. I will to your father:
    Your honour not o'erthrown by your desires,
    I am friend to them and you: upon which errand
    I now go toward him; therefore follow me
    And mark what way I make: come, good my lord. 3105

[Exeunt]


       

Act V, Scene 2

Before LEONTES’ palace.

       

[Enter AUTOLYCUS and a Gentleman]

  • Autolycus. Beseech you, sir, were you present at this relation?
  • First Gentleman. I was by at the opening of the fardel, heard the old
    shepherd deliver the manner how he found it: 3110
    whereupon, after a little amazedness, we were all
    commanded out of the chamber; only this methought I
    heard the shepherd say, he found the child.
  • Autolycus. I would most gladly know the issue of it.
  • First Gentleman. I make a broken delivery of the business; but the 3115
    changes I perceived in the king and Camillo were
    very notes of admiration: they seemed almost, with
    staring on one another, to tear the cases of their
    eyes; there was speech in their dumbness, language
    in their very gesture; they looked as they had heard 3120
    of a world ransomed, or one destroyed: a notable
    passion of wonder appeared in them; but the wisest
    beholder, that knew no more but seeing, could not
    say if the importance were joy or sorrow; but in the
    extremity of the one, it must needs be. 3125
    [Enter another Gentleman]
    Here comes a gentleman that haply knows more.
    The news, Rogero?
  • Second Gentleman. Nothing but bonfires: the oracle is fulfilled; the
    king's daughter is found: such a deal of wonder is 3130
    broken out within this hour that ballad-makers
    cannot be able to express it.
    [Enter a third Gentleman]
    Here comes the Lady Paulina's steward: he can
    deliver you more. How goes it now, sir? this news 3135
    which is called true is so like an old tale, that
    the verity of it is in strong suspicion: has the king
    found his heir?
  • Third Gentleman. Most true, if ever truth were pregnant by
    circumstance: that which you hear you'll swear you 3140
    see, there is such unity in the proofs. The mantle
    of Queen Hermione's, her jewel about the neck of it,
    the letters of Antigonus found with it which they
    know to be his character, the majesty of the
    creature in resemblance of the mother, the affection 3145
    of nobleness which nature shows above her breeding,
    and many other evidences proclaim her with all
    certainty to be the king's daughter. Did you see
    the meeting of the two kings?
  • Second Gentleman. No. 3150
  • Third Gentleman. Then have you lost a sight, which was to be seen,
    cannot be spoken of. There might you have beheld one
    joy crown another, so and in such manner that it
    seemed sorrow wept to take leave of them, for their
    joy waded in tears. There was casting up of eyes, 3155
    holding up of hands, with countenances of such
    distraction that they were to be known by garment,
    not by favour. Our king, being ready to leap out of
    himself for joy of his found daughter, as if that
    joy were now become a loss, cries 'O, thy mother, 3160
    thy mother!' then asks Bohemia forgiveness; then
    embraces his son-in-law; then again worries he his
    daughter with clipping her; now he thanks the old
    shepherd, which stands by like a weather-bitten
    conduit of many kings' reigns. I never heard of such 3165
    another encounter, which lames report to follow it
    and undoes description to do it.
  • Second Gentleman. What, pray you, became of Antigonus, that carried
    hence the child?
  • Third Gentleman. Like an old tale still, which will have matter to 3170
    rehearse, though credit be asleep and not an ear
    open. He was torn to pieces with a bear: this
    avouches the shepherd's son; who has not only his
    innocence, which seems much, to justify him, but a
    handkerchief and rings of his that Paulina knows. 3175
  • First Gentleman. What became of his bark and his followers?
  • Third Gentleman. Wrecked the same instant of their master's death and
    in the view of the shepherd: so that all the
    instruments which aided to expose the child were
    even then lost when it was found. But O, the noble 3180
    combat that 'twixt joy and sorrow was fought in
    Paulina! She had one eye declined for the loss of
    her husband, another elevated that the oracle was
    fulfilled: she lifted the princess from the earth,
    and so locks her in embracing, as if she would pin 3185
    her to her heart that she might no more be in danger
    of losing.
  • First Gentleman. The dignity of this act was worth the audience of
    kings and princes; for by such was it acted.
  • Third Gentleman. One of the prettiest touches of all and that which 3190
    angled for mine eyes, caught the water though not
    the fish, was when, at the relation of the queen's
    death, with the manner how she came to't bravely
    confessed and lamented by the king, how
    attentiveness wounded his daughter; till, from one 3195
    sign of dolour to another, she did, with an 'Alas,'
    I would fain say, bleed tears, for I am sure my
    heart wept blood. Who was most marble there changed
    colour; some swooned, all sorrowed: if all the world
    could have seen 't, the woe had been universal. 3200
  • First Gentleman. Are they returned to the court?
  • Third Gentleman. No: the princess hearing of her mother's statue,
    which is in the keeping of Paulina,—a piece many
    years in doing and now newly performed by that rare
    Italian master, Julio Romano, who, had he himself 3205
    eternity and could put breath into his work, would
    beguile Nature of her custom, so perfectly he is her
    ape: he so near to Hermione hath done Hermione that
    they say one would speak to her and stand in hope of
    answer: thither with all greediness of affection 3210
    are they gone, and there they intend to sup.
  • Second Gentleman. I thought she had some great matter there in hand;
    for she hath privately twice or thrice a day, ever
    since the death of Hermione, visited that removed
    house. Shall we thither and with our company piece 3215
    the rejoicing?
  • First Gentleman. Who would be thence that has the benefit of access?
    every wink of an eye some new grace will be born:
    our absence makes us unthrifty to our knowledge.
    Let's along. 3220

[Exeunt Gentlemen]

  • Autolycus. Now, had I not the dash of my former life in me,
    would preferment drop on my head. I brought the old
    man and his son aboard the prince: told him I heard
    them talk of a fardel and I know not what: but he 3225
    at that time, overfond of the shepherd's daughter,
    so he then took her to be, who began to be much
    sea-sick, and himself little better, extremity of
    weather continuing, this mystery remained
    undiscovered. But 'tis all one to me; for had I 3230
    been the finder out of this secret, it would not
    have relished among my other discredits.
    [Enter Shepherd and Clown]
    Here come those I have done good to against my will,
    and already appearing in the blossoms of their fortune. 3235
  • Old Shepherd. Come, boy; I am past moe children, but thy sons and
    daughters will be all gentlemen born.
  • Clown. You are well met, sir. You denied to fight with me
    this other day, because I was no gentleman born.
    See you these clothes? say you see them not and 3240
    think me still no gentleman born: you were best say
    these robes are not gentlemen born: give me the
    lie, do, and try whether I am not now a gentleman born.
  • Autolycus. I know you are now, sir, a gentleman born.
  • Clown. Ay, and have been so any time these four hours. 3245
  • Old Shepherd. And so have I, boy.
  • Clown. So you have: but I was a gentleman born before my
    father; for the king's son took me by the hand, and
    called me brother; and then the two kings called my
    father brother; and then the prince my brother and 3250
    the princess my sister called my father father; and
    so we wept, and there was the first gentleman-like
    tears that ever we shed.
  • Old Shepherd. We may live, son, to shed many more.
  • Clown. Ay; or else 'twere hard luck, being in so 3255
    preposterous estate as we are.
  • Autolycus. I humbly beseech you, sir, to pardon me all the
    faults I have committed to your worship and to give
    me your good report to the prince my master.
  • Old Shepherd. Prithee, son, do; for we must be gentle, now we are 3260
    gentlemen.
  • Clown. Thou wilt amend thy life?
  • Autolycus. Ay, an it like your good worship.
  • Clown. Give me thy hand: I will swear to the prince thou
    art as honest a true fellow as any is in Bohemia. 3265
  • Old Shepherd. You may say it, but not swear it.
  • Clown. Not swear it, now I am a gentleman? Let boors and
    franklins say it, I'll swear it.
  • Old Shepherd. How if it be false, son?
  • Clown. If it be ne'er so false, a true gentleman may swear 3270
    it in the behalf of his friend: and I'll swear to
    the prince thou art a tall fellow of thy hands and
    that thou wilt not be drunk; but I know thou art no
    tall fellow of thy hands and that thou wilt be
    drunk: but I'll swear it, and I would thou wouldst 3275
    be a tall fellow of thy hands.
  • Autolycus. I will prove so, sir, to my power.
  • Clown. Ay, by any means prove a tall fellow: if I do not
    wonder how thou darest venture to be drunk, not
    being a tall fellow, trust me not. Hark! the kings 3280
    and the princes, our kindred, are going to see the
    queen's picture. Come, follow us: we'll be thy
    good masters.

[Exeunt]


       

Act V, Scene 3

A chapel in PAULINA’S house.

       

[Enter LEONTES, POLIXENES, FLORIZEL, PERDITA,] [p]CAMILLO, PAULINA, Lords, and Attendants]

  • Leontes. O grave and good Paulina, the great comfort
    That I have had of thee!
  • Paulina. What, sovereign sir,
    I did not well I meant well. All my services 3290
    You have paid home: but that you have vouchsafed,
    With your crown'd brother and these your contracted
    Heirs of your kingdoms, my poor house to visit,
    It is a surplus of your grace, which never
    My life may last to answer. 3295
  • Leontes. O Paulina,
    We honour you with trouble: but we came
    To see the statue of our queen: your gallery
    Have we pass'd through, not without much content
    In many singularities; but we saw not 3300
    That which my daughter came to look upon,
    The statue of her mother.
  • Paulina. As she lived peerless,
    So her dead likeness, I do well believe,
    Excels whatever yet you look'd upon 3305
    Or hand of man hath done; therefore I keep it
    Lonely, apart. But here it is: prepare
    To see the life as lively mock'd as ever
    Still sleep mock'd death: behold, and say 'tis well.
    [PAULINA draws a curtain, and discovers HERMIONE] 3310
    standing like a statue]
    I like your silence, it the more shows off
    Your wonder: but yet speak; first, you, my liege,
    Comes it not something near?
  • Leontes. Her natural posture! 3315
    Chide me, dear stone, that I may say indeed
    Thou art Hermione; or rather, thou art she
    In thy not chiding, for she was as tender
    As infancy and grace. But yet, Paulina,
    Hermione was not so much wrinkled, nothing 3320
    So aged as this seems.
  • Polixenes. O, not by much.
  • Paulina. So much the more our carver's excellence;
    Which lets go by some sixteen years and makes her
    As she lived now. 3325
  • Leontes. As now she might have done,
    So much to my good comfort, as it is
    Now piercing to my soul. O, thus she stood,
    Even with such life of majesty, warm life,
    As now it coldly stands, when first I woo'd her! 3330
    I am ashamed: does not the stone rebuke me
    For being more stone than it? O royal piece,
    There's magic in thy majesty, which has
    My evils conjured to remembrance and
    From thy admiring daughter took the spirits, 3335
    Standing like stone with thee.
  • Perdita. And give me leave,
    And do not say 'tis superstition, that
    I kneel and then implore her blessing. Lady,
    Dear queen, that ended when I but began, 3340
    Give me that hand of yours to kiss.
  • Paulina. O, patience!
    The statue is but newly fix'd, the colour's Not dry.
  • Camillo. My lord, your sorrow was too sore laid on,
    Which sixteen winters cannot blow away, 3345
    So many summers dry; scarce any joy
    Did ever so long live; no sorrow
    But kill'd itself much sooner.
  • Polixenes. Dear my brother,
    Let him that was the cause of this have power 3350
    To take off so much grief from you as he
    Will piece up in himself.
  • Paulina. Indeed, my lord,
    If I had thought the sight of my poor image
    Would thus have wrought you,—for the stone is mine— 3355
    I'ld not have show'd it.
  • Leontes. Do not draw the curtain.
  • Paulina. No longer shall you gaze on't, lest your fancy
    May think anon it moves.
  • Leontes. Let be, let be. 3360
    Would I were dead, but that, methinks, already—
    What was he that did make it? See, my lord,
    Would you not deem it breathed? and that those veins
    Did verily bear blood?
  • Polixenes. Masterly done: 3365
    The very life seems warm upon her lip.
  • Leontes. The fixture of her eye has motion in't,
    As we are mock'd with art.
  • Paulina. I'll draw the curtain:
    My lord's almost so far transported that 3370
    He'll think anon it lives.
  • Leontes. O sweet Paulina,
    Make me to think so twenty years together!
    No settled senses of the world can match
    The pleasure of that madness. Let 't alone. 3375
  • Paulina. I am sorry, sir, I have thus far stirr'd you: but
    I could afflict you farther.
  • Leontes. Do, Paulina;
    For this affliction has a taste as sweet
    As any cordial comfort. Still, methinks, 3380
    There is an air comes from her: what fine chisel
    Could ever yet cut breath? Let no man mock me,
    For I will kiss her.
  • Paulina. Good my lord, forbear:
    The ruddiness upon her lip is wet; 3385
    You'll mar it if you kiss it, stain your own
    With oily painting. Shall I draw the curtain?
  • Leontes. No, not these twenty years.
  • Perdita. So long could I
    Stand by, a looker on. 3390
  • Paulina. Either forbear,
    Quit presently the chapel, or resolve you
    For more amazement. If you can behold it,
    I'll make the statue move indeed, descend
    And take you by the hand; but then you'll think— 3395
    Which I protest against—I am assisted
    By wicked powers.
  • Leontes. What you can make her do,
    I am content to look on: what to speak,
    I am content to hear; for 'tis as easy 3400
    To make her speak as move.
  • Paulina. It is required
    You do awake your faith. Then all stand still;
    On: those that think it is unlawful business
    I am about, let them depart. 3405
  • Leontes. Proceed:
    No foot shall stir.
  • Paulina. Music, awake her; strike!
    [Music]
    'Tis time; descend; be stone no more; approach; 3410
    Strike all that look upon with marvel. Come,
    I'll fill your grave up: stir, nay, come away,
    Bequeath to death your numbness, for from him
    Dear life redeems you. You perceive she stirs:
    [HERMIONE comes down] 3415
    Start not; her actions shall be holy as
    You hear my spell is lawful: do not shun her
    Until you see her die again; for then
    You kill her double. Nay, present your hand:
    When she was young you woo'd her; now in age 3420
    Is she become the suitor?
  • Leontes. O, she's warm!
    If this be magic, let it be an art
    Lawful as eating.
  • Polixenes. She embraces him. 3425
  • Camillo. She hangs about his neck:
    If she pertain to life let her speak too.
  • Polixenes. Ay, and make't manifest where she has lived,
    Or how stolen from the dead.
  • Paulina. That she is living, 3430
    Were it but told you, should be hooted at
    Like an old tale: but it appears she lives,
    Though yet she speak not. Mark a little while.
    Please you to interpose, fair madam: kneel
    And pray your mother's blessing. Turn, good lady; 3435
    Our Perdita is found.
  • Hermione. You gods, look down
    And from your sacred vials pour your graces
    Upon my daughter's head! Tell me, mine own.
    Where hast thou been preserved? where lived? how found 3440
    Thy father's court? for thou shalt hear that I,
    Knowing by Paulina that the oracle
    Gave hope thou wast in being, have preserved
    Myself to see the issue.
  • Paulina. There's time enough for that; 3445
    Lest they desire upon this push 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 some wither'd bough and there 3450
    My mate, that's never to be found again,
    Lament till I am lost.
  • Leontes. O, peace, Paulina!
    Thou shouldst a husband take by my consent,
    As I by thine a wife: this is a match, 3455
    And made between's by vows. Thou hast found mine;
    But how, is to be question'd; for I saw her,
    As I thought, dead, and have in vain said many
    A prayer upon her grave. I'll not seek far—
    For him, I partly know his mind—to find thee 3460
    An honourable husband. Come, Camillo,
    And take her by the hand, whose worth and honesty
    Is richly noted and here justified
    By us, a pair of kings. Let's from this place.
    What! look upon my brother: both your pardons, 3465
    That e'er I put between your holy looks
    My ill suspicion. This is your son-in-law,
    And son unto the king, who, heavens directing,
    Is troth-plight to your daughter. Good Paulina,
    Lead us from hence, where we may leisurely 3470
    Each one demand an answer to his part
    Perform'd in this wide gap of time since first
    We were dissever'd: hastily lead away.

[Exeunt]