are going to see the queen's picture. Come, follow us: we'll be thy good masters. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-The same. A Room in Paulina's House. Enter LEONTES, POLIXENES, FLORIZEL, PERDITA, CAMILLO, PAULINA, Lords, and Attendants. Leon. O grave and good Paulina, the great comfort That I have had of thee! Paul. What, sovereign sir, I did not well, I meant well. All my services You have paid home: but that you have vouch safed, 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. tent In many singularities; but we saw not That which my daughter came to look upon, Paul. As she lived peerless, 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 undraws a curtain, and discovers a statue. I like your silence, it the more shows off Your wonder. liege. But yet speak;-first, you, my Comes it not something near? Leon. Her natural posture !— 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 So aged as this seems. Pol. O, not by much. Paul. So much the more our carver's excel lence; Which lets go by some sixteen years, and makes her As she lived now. Leon. As now she might have done, So much to my good comfort, as it is Now piercing to my soul. O, thus she stood, I am ashamed: does not the stone rebuke me, Per. 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, Paul. O, patience : The statue is but newly fix'd, the colour's Not dry. Cam. My lord, your sorrow was too sore laid on; Which sixteen winters cannot blow away, So many summers dry: scarce any joy But kill'd itself much sooner. Pol. Dear my brother, Let him that was the cause of this have power Paul. Indeed, my lord, If I had thought the sight of my poor image Would thus have wrought you, (for the stone is mine,) I'd not have show'd it. Leon. Do not draw the curtain. Paul. No longer shall you gaze on't; lest your fancy May think anon it moves. Leon. Let be, let be. Would I were dead, but that, methinks, al ready What was he that did make it ?--See, my lord, Would you not deem it breathed? and that those veins Did verily bear blood? Pol. Masterly done : The very life seems warm upon her lip. Leon. The fixure of her eye has motion in't, As we are mock'd with art. Paul. I'll draw the curtain; My lord's almost so far transported that Leon. 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. Paul. I am sorry, sir, I have thus far stirr'd you: but I could afflict Leon. you further. Do, Paulina; For this affliction has a taste as sweet As any cordial comfort.-Still, methinks, 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. Paul. Good my lord, forbear: The ruddiness upon her lip is wet; You'll mar it, if you kiss it; stain your own With oily painting. Shall I draw the curtain? Leon. No, not these twenty years. Per. Stand by, a looker-on. Paul. So long could I Either forbear, Quit presently the chapel; or resolve you (Which I protest against,) I am assisted By wicked powers. Leon. What you can make her do, I am content to look on: what to speak, I am content to hear; for 'tis as easy To make her speak, as move. Paul. It is required You do awake your faith. Then, all stand still: Or, those that think it is unlawful business I am about, let them depart. 'Tis time; descend; be stone no more: ap proach; Strike all that look upon with marvel. Come; You kill her double. Nay, present your hand: age, Is she become the suitor! Leon. O, she's warm! [Embracing her. If this be magic, let it be an art Lawful as eating. Pol. She embraces him. Cam. She hangs about his neck; If she pertain to life, let her speak too. Pol. Ay, and make 't manifest where she has lived, Or, how stolen from the dead! Paul. That she is living, 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, |