The Winters Tale | Page 8

be answer'd.--Dost thou hear, Camillo, I conjure thee, by all the parts of man Which honour does acknowledge,--whereof the least Is not this suit of mine,--that thou declare What incidency thou dost guess of harm Is creeping toward me; how far off, how near; Which way to be prevented, if to be; If not, how best to bear it.
CAMILLO. Sir, I will tell you; Since I am charg'd in honour, and by him That I think honourable: therefore mark my counsel, Which must be ev'n as swiftly follow'd as I mean to utter it, or both yourself and me Cry lost, and so goodnight!
POLIXENES. On, good Camillo.
CAMILLO. I am appointed him to murder you.
POLIXENES. By whom, Camillo?
CAMILLO. By the king.
POLIXENES. For what?
CAMILLO. He thinks, nay, with all confidence he swears, As he had seen 't or been an instrument To vice you to't, that you have touch'd his queen Forbiddenly.
POLIXENES. O, then my best blood turn To an infected jelly, and my name Be yok'd with his that did betray the best! Turn then my freshest reputation to A savour that may strike the dullest nostril Where I arrive, and my approach be shunn'd, Nay, hated too, worse than the great'st infection That e'er was heard or read!
CAMILLO. Swear his thought over By each particular star in heaven and By all their influences, you may as well Forbid the sea for to obey the moon As, or by oath remove, or counsel shake The fabric of his folly, whose foundation Is pil'd upon his faith, and will continue The standing of his body.
POLIXENES. How should this grow?
CAMILLO. I know not: but I am sure 'tis safer to Avoid what's grown than question how 'tis born. If, therefore you dare trust my honesty,-- That lies enclosed in this trunk, which you Shall bear along impawn'd,--away to-night. Your followers I will whisper to the business; And will, by twos and threes, at several posterns, Clear them o' the city: for myself, I'll put My fortunes to your service, which are here By this discovery lost. Be not uncertain; For, by the honour of my parents, I Have utter'd truth: which if you seek to prove, I dare not stand by; nor shall you be safer Than one condemn'd by the king's own mouth, thereon His execution sworn.
POLIXENES. I do believe thee; I saw his heart in his face. Give me thy hand; Be pilot to me, and thy places shall Still neighbour mine. My ships are ready, and My people did expect my hence departure Two days ago.--This jealousy Is for a precious creature: as she's rare, Must it be great; and, as his person's mighty, Must it be violent; and as he does conceive He is dishonour'd by a man which ever Profess'd to him, why, his revenges must In that be made more bitter. Fear o'ershades me; Good expedition be my friend, and comfort The gracious queen, part of this theme, but nothing Of his ill-ta'en suspicion! Come, Camillo; I will respect thee as a father, if Thou bear'st my life off hence: let us avoid.
CAMILLO. It is in mine authority to command The keys of all the posterns: please your highness To take the urgent hour: come, sir, away.
[Exeunt.]

ACT II.
SCENE I. Sicilia. A Room in the Palace.
[Enter HERMIONE, MAMILLIUS, and Ladies.]
HERMIONE. Take the boy to you: he so troubles me, 'Tis past enduring.
FIRST LADY. Come, my gracious lord, Shall I be your playfellow?
MAMILLIUS. No, I'll none of you.
FIRST LADY. Why, my sweet lord?
MAMILLIUS. You'll kiss me hard, and speak to me as if I were a baby still.--I love you better.
SECOND LADY. And why so, my lord?
MAMILLIUS. Not for because Your brows are blacker; yet black brows, they say, Become some women best; so that there be not Too much hair there, but in a semicircle Or a half-moon made with a pen.
SECOND LADY. Who taught you this?
MAMILLIUS. I learn'd it out of women's faces.--Pray now, What colour are your eyebrows?
FIRST LADY. Blue, my lord.
MAMILLIUS. Nay, that's a mock: I have seen a lady's nose That has been blue, but not her eyebrows.
FIRST LADY. Hark ye: The queen your mother rounds apace. We shall Present our services to a fine new prince One of these days; and then you'd wanton with us, If we would have you.
SECOND LADY. She is spread of late Into a goodly bulk: good time encounter her!
HERMIONE. What wisdom stirs amongst you? Come, sir, now I am for you again: pray you sit by us, And tell's a tale.
MAMILLIUS. Merry or sad shall't be?
HERMIONE. As merry as you will.
MAMILLIUS. A sad tale's best for winter. I have one Of sprites and goblins.
HERMIONE. Let's have that, good sir. Come on, sit down;--come on, and do your best To fright me with your sprites: you're powerful at