The Winter's Tale Page 9
and a pair of sweet gloves.
CLOWN Have I not told thee how I was cozened270 by the way
and lost all my money?
AUTOLYCUS And indeed, sir, there are cozeners abroad272:
therefore it behoves273 men to be wary.
CLOWN Fear not thou, man, thou shalt lose nothing here.
AUTOLYCUS I hope so, sir, for I have about me many parcels of
charge276.
CLOWN What hast here? Ballads?
MOPSA Pray now, buy some. I love a ballad in print alife278, for
then we are sure they are true.
AUTOLYCUS Here's one to a very doleful tune, how a usurer280's
wife was brought to bed of281 twenty money-bags at a burden
and how she longed to eat adders' heads and toads
carbonadoed283.
MOPSA Is it true, think you?
AUTOLYCUS Very true, and but a month old.
DORCAS Bless me from marrying a usurer!
AUTOLYCUS Here's the midwife's name to't, one Mistress Tale-porter287,
and five or six honest wives that were present. Why
should I carry lies abroad?
MOPSA Pray you now, buy it.
CLOWN Come on, lay it by291, and let's first see more ballads.
We'll buy the other things anon.
AUTOLYCUS Here's another ballad of a fish that appeared upon
the coast on Wednesday the fourscore294 of April, forty
thousand fathom above water, and sung this ballad against
the hard hearts of maids. It was thought she was a woman
and was turned into a cold fish for she would not exchange
flesh297 with one that loved her. The ballad is very pitiful and as
true.
DORCAS Is it true too, think you?
AUTOLYCUS Five justices'301 hands at it, and witnesses more than
my pack302 will hold.
CLOWN Lay it by too; another.
AUTOLYCUS This is a merry ballad, but a very pretty one.
MOPSA Let's have some merry ones.
AUTOLYCUS Why, this is a passing306 merry one and goes to the
tune of 'Two maids wooing a man'. There's scarce a maid
westward but she sings it. 'Tis in request308, I can tell you.
MOPSA We can both sing it. If thou'lt bear a part309, thou shalt
hear. 'Tis in three parts.
DORCAS We had the tune on't311 a month ago.
AUTOLYCUS I can bear my part. You must know 'tis my
occupation. Have at it with you313.
[They sing the] song
AUTOLYCUS Get you hence, for I must go
Where it fits not you to know.
DORCAS Whither?
MOPSA O, whither?
DORCAS Whither?
MOPSA It becomes thy oath full well,
Thou to me thy secrets tell.
DORCAS Me too, let me go thither.
MOPSA Or322 thou goest to th'grange or mill.
DORCAS If to either, thou dost ill323.
AUTOLYCUS Neither.
DORCAS What, neither?
AUTOLYCUS Neither.
DORCAS Thou hast sworn my love to be.
MOPSA Thou hast sworn it more to me.
Then whither goest? Say, whither?
CLOWN We'll have this song out anon330 by ourselves. My
father and the gentlemen are in sad331 talk, and we'll not
trouble them. Come, bring away thy pack after me.
Wenches, I'll buy for you both. Pedlar, let's have the first
choice. Follow me, girls.
[Exit with Dorcas and Mopsa]
AUTOLYCUS And you shall pay well for 'em.
Song Will you buy any tape,
Follows them, singing
Or lace for your cape,
My dainty duck, my dear-a?
Any silk, any thread,
Any toys340 for your head,
Of the new'st and finest, finest wear-a?
Come to the pedlar.
Money's a meddler.
That doth utter344 all men's ware-a.
Exit
[Enter Servant]
SERVANT Master, there is three carters345, three shepherds,
three neat-herds346, three swine-herds, that have made
themselves all men of hair. They call themselves Saltiers347, and
they have a dance which the wenches say is a gallimaufry of
gambols348, because they are not in't. But they themselves are
o'th'mind, if it be not too rough for some that know little but
bowling351, it will please plentifully.
SHEPHERD Away! We'll none on't; here has been too much
homely353 foolery already. I know, sir, we weary you.
POLIXENES You weary those that refresh us. Pray let's see these
four threes355 of herdsmen.
SERVANT One three of them, by their own report, sir, hath
danced before the king, and not the worst of the three but
jumps twelve foot and a half by th'square358.
SHEPHERD Leave your prating359. Since these good men are
pleased, let them come in. But quickly now.
SERVANT Why, they stay361 at door, sir.
Goes to the door
Here a dance of twelve Satyrs
To Shepherd
POLIXENES O, father362, you'll know more of that
hereafter.--
Is it not too far gone? 'Tis time to part them.
To Camillo
He's simple364 and tells much.--
How now, fair shepherd!
To Florizel
Your heart is full of something that does take
Your mind from feasting. Sooth, when I was young
And handed367 love as you do, I was wont
To load my she with knacks368. I would have ransacked
The pedlar's silken treasury and have poured it
To her acceptance. You have let him go
And nothing marted371 with him. If your lass
Interpretation should abuse372 and call this
Your lack of love or bounty373, you were straited
For a reply, at least if you make a care
Of happy holding her374.
FLORIZEL Old sir, I know
She prizes not such trifles as these are.
The gifts she looks378 from me are packed and locked
Up in my heart, which I have given already,
But not delivered380. O, hear me breathe my life
Before this ancient sir, whom, it should seem,
Hath sometime382 loved.-- I take thy hand, this hand,
To Perdita
As soft as dove's down and as white as it,
Or Ethiopian's tooth, or the fanned snow that's bolted384
By th'northern blasts385 twice o'er.
Takes her hand
POLIXENES What follows this?
How prettily th'young swain seems to wash387
The hand was388 fair before! I have put you out.
But to389 your protestation: let me hear
What you profess.
FLORIZEL Do, and be witness to't.
POLIXENES And this my neighbour too?
FLORIZEL And he, and more
Than he, and men, the earth, the heavens, and all;
That were I crowned the most imperial monarch,
Thereof396 most worthy, were I the fairest youth
That ever made eye swerve, had force and knowledge
More than was ever man's, I would not prize them
Without her love; for her employ them all,
Commend them and condemn them to her service
Or to their own perdition400.
POLIXENES Fairly offered.
CAMILLO This shows a sound affection.
SHEPHERD But, my daughter,
Say you the like to him?
PERDITA I cannot speak
So well, nothing so well. No,
nor mean better.
By th'pattern of mine own thoughts I cut out
The purity of his408.
SHEPHERD Take hands, a bargain!
And, friends unknown, you shall bear witness to't.
I give my daughter to him, and will make
Her portion413 equal his.
FLORIZEL O, that must be
I'th'virtue of your daughter: one being dead415,
I shall have more than you can dream of yet,
Enough then for your wonder. But come on,
Contract us 'fore these witnesses418.
SHEPHERD Come, your hand.
And, daughter, yours.
POLIXENES Soft421, swain, awhile, beseech you.
Have you a father?
FLORIZEL I have, but what of him?
POLIXENES Knows he of this?
FLORIZEL He neither does nor shall.
POLIXENES Methinks a father
Is at the nuptial of his son a guest
That best becomes428 the table. Pray you once more,
Is not your father grown incapable
Of429 reasonable affairs? Is he not stupid
With age and alt'ring rheums431? Can he speak? Hear?
Know man from man? Dispute432 his own estate?
Lies he not bed-rid? And again does nothing
But what he did being childish433?
FLORIZEL No, good sir.
He has his health and ampler strength indeed
Than most have of his age.
POLIXENES By my white beard,
You offer him, if this be so, a wrong
Something unfilial440. Reason my son
Should choose himself a wife, but as good reason
The father, all whose joy is nothing else
But fair posterity443, should hold some counsel
In such a business.
FLORIZEL I yield445 all this.
But for some other reasons, my grave sir,
Which 'tis not fit you know, I not acquaint
My father of this business.
POLIXENES Let him know't.
FLORIZEL He shall not.
POLIXENES Prithee let him.
FLORIZEL No, he must not.
SHEPHERD Let him, my son. He shall not need to grieve
At knowing of thy choice.
FLORIZEL Come, come, he must not.
Mark456 our contract.
Takes off disguise
POLIXENES Mark your divorce, young sir,
Whom son I dare not call. Thou art too base
To be acknowledged. Thou a sceptre's heir,
That thus affects460 a sheep-hook!-- Thou, old
To Shepherd
traitor,
I am sorry that by hanging thee I can
But shorten thy life one week.-- And thou, fresh
To Perdita
piece
Of excellent463 witchcraft, who of force must know
The royal fool thou cop'st with464--
SHEPHERD O, my heart!
POLIXENES I'll have thy beauty scratched with briers and made
More homely467 than thy state.-- For thee, fond boy,
To Florizel
If I may ever know thou dost but sigh
That thou no more shalt see this knack469, as never
I mean thou shalt, we'll bar thee from succession470,
Not hold thee of our blood471, no, not our kin,
Far than Deucalion off472. Mark thou my words.
Follow us to the court.-- Thou churl473, for this time,
To Shepherd
Though full of our displeasure, yet we free thee
To Perdita
From the dead blow of it475.-- And you,
enchantment,--
Worthy enough a herdsman -- yea, him476 too,
That makes himself, but for our honour therein,
Unworthy thee477 -- if ever henceforth thou
These rural latches479 to his entrance open,
Or hoop his body more with thy embraces,
I will devise a death as cruel for thee
As thou art tender482 to't.
Exit
PERDITA Even here undone483!
I was not much afeard, for once or twice
I was about to speak and tell him plainly,
The selfsame sun that shines upon his court
Hides not his visage487 from our cottage but
Looks on alike488.-- Will't please you, sir, be gone?
To Florizel
I told you what would come of this. Beseech you
Of your own state take care. This dream of mine --
Being now awake, I'll queen it no inch further,
But milk my ewes and weep.
CAMILLO Why, how now, father!
Speak ere thou diest.
SHEPHERD I cannot speak, nor think
Nor dare to know that which I know.-- O, sir,
To Florizel
You have undone a man of fourscore three497,
That thought to fill his grave in quiet498, yea,
To die upon the bed my father died,
To lie close by his honest bones; but now
Some hangman must put on my shroud and lay me
Where no priest shovels in dust502.-- O cursed wretch,
To Perdita
That knew'st this was the prince, and wouldst adventure503
To mingle faith504 with him! Undone, undone!
If I might die within this hour, I have lived
To die when I desire.
Exit
FLORIZEL Why look you so upon me?
I am but sorry, not afeard. Delayed,
But nothing altered. What I was, I am.
More straining on for plucking back510, not following
My leash unwillingly.
CAMILLO Gracious my lord,
You know your father's temper. At this time
He will allow no speech -- which I do guess
You do not purpose515 to him -- and as hardly
Will he endure your sight as yet, I fear.
Then, till the fury of his highness settle,
Come not before him.
FLORIZEL I not purpose it.
I think, Camillo?520
CAMILLO Even he, my lord.
May remove his disguise
PERDITA How often have I told you 'twould be thus!
How often said, my dignity523 would last
But524 till 'twere known!
FLORIZEL It cannot fail but by
The violation of my faith526, and then
Let nature crush the sides o'th'earth together
And mar the seeds528 within! Lift up thy looks.
From my succession wipe529 me, father. I
Am heir to my affection.
CAMILLO Be advised531.
FLORIZEL I am, and by my fancy532. If my reason
Will thereto be obedient, I have reason.
If not, my senses, better pleased with madness,
Do bid it welcome.
CAMILLO This is desperate536, sir.
FLORIZEL So call it, but it does fulfil my vow.
I needs must think it honesty538. Camillo,
Not for Bohemia, nor the pomp539 that may
Be thereat gleaned, for all the sun sees or
The close541 earth wombs or the profound seas hides
In unknown fathoms, will I break my oath
To this my fair beloved: therefore, I pray you
As you have ever been my father's honoured friend,
When he shall miss me -- as, in faith, I mean not
To see him any more -- cast your good counsels
Upon his passion547. Let myself and fortune
Tug548 for the time to come. This you may know,
And so deliver549, I am put to sea
With her whom here I cannot hold on shore.
And most opportune to her need, I have
A vessel rides fast by552, but not prepared
For this design. What course I
mean to hold553
Shall nothing benefit your knowledge, nor
Concern me the reporting554.
CAMILLO O, my lord,
I would your spirit were easier for advice557,
Or stronger for your need.
FLORIZEL Hark, Perdita.--
Takes her aside
I'll hear you by and by.
To Camillo
CAMILLO He's irremovable561,
Aside
Resolved for flight. Now were I happy, if
His going I could frame to serve my turn563,
Save him from danger, do him love and honour,
Purchase565 the sight again of dear Sicilia
And that unhappy king, my master, whom
I so much thirst to see.
FLORIZEL Now, good Camillo,
I am so fraught569 with curious business that
I leave out ceremony570.
CAMILLO Sir, I think
You have heard of my poor572 services, i'th'love
That I have borne your father?
FLORIZEL Very nobly
Have you deserved. It is my father's music
To speak your deeds, not little of his care
To have them recompensed as thought on576.
CAMILLO Well, my lord,
If you may please to think I love the king
And through him what's nearest to him, which is
Your gracious self, embrace but my direction581,
If your more ponderous582 and settled project
May suffer alteration583. On mine honour,
I'll point you where you shall have such receiving584
As shall become your highness, where you may
Enjoy586 your mistress, from the whom I see,
There's no disjunction587 to be made, but by --
As heavens forfend588! -- your ruin. Marry her,
And, with my best endeavours in your absence,
Your discontenting590 father strive to qualify
And bring him up to liking591.
FLORIZEL How, Camillo,
May this, almost a miracle, be done?
That I may call thee something more than man
And after that trust to595 thee.
CAMILLO Have you thought on596
A place whereto you'll go?
FLORIZEL Not any yet,
But as th'unthought-on accident is guilty
To what we wildly do599, so we profess
Ourselves to be the slaves of chance and flies
Of every wind that blows601.
CAMILLO Then list603 to me.
This follows, if you will not change your purpose
But undergo this flight: make for Sicilia,
And there present yourself and your fair princess,
For so I see she must be, 'fore Leontes;
She shall be habited608 as it becomes
The partner of your bed. Methinks I see
Leontes opening his free arms and weeping
His welcomes forth, asks thee there 'Son, forgiveness',
As 'twere i'th'father's person612, kisses the hands
Of your fresh princess; o'er and o'er divides him
'Twixt his unkindness and his kindness613. Th'one
He chides to hell and bids the other grow
Faster than thought or time.
FLORIZEL Worthy Camillo,
What colour618 for my visitation shall I
Hold up before him?
CAMILLO Sent by the king your father
To greet him and to give him comforts. Sir,
The manner of your bearing622 towards him, with
What you as623 from your father shall deliver --
Things known betwixt us three -- I'll write you down,