My lord's almost so far transported that O, sweet Paulina, Paul. I am sorry, sir, I have thus far stirr'd you : but · I could afflict you further. Leon. 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: Leon. No, not these twenty years. So long could I 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, (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: Proceed; [Music. 'Tis time ; descend; be stone no more : ap proach; 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 from the pedestal, 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, 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, And pray your mother's blessing.—Turn, good lady; Our Perdita is found. [Presenting Per., who kneels to HER. Her. 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 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. Paul. There's time enough for that; 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 My mate, that's never to be found again, Lament till I am lost. Leon. O peace, Paulina ; Thou shouldst a husband take by my consent, As I by thine, a wife: this is a match, 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 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. а What?-Look upon my brother :—both your pardons, That e'er I put between your holy looks My ill suspicion. This your son-in-law, And son unto the king, (whom heavens 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, since first We were dissever'd: hastily lead away. (Exeunt. |