For every inch of woman in the world, If she be. Leon. 1 Lord. Hold your peaces. Good my lord, Ant. It is for you we speak, not for ourselves : You are abus'd, and by some putter-on,4 The second, and the third, nine, and some five; Should not produce fair issue. Leon. Cease; no more. You smell this business with a sense as cold The instruments that feel. Ant. If it be so, We need no grave to bury honesty ; There's not a grain of it, the face to sweeten Of the whole dungy earth. Leon. What! lack I credit? 1 Lord. I had rather you did lack, than I, my lord, Upon this ground: and more it would content me To have her honour true, than your suspicion; Be blam'd for't how you might. Why, what need we Leon. 4 Instigator. Commune with you of this? but rather follow You had only in your silent judgment tried it, Without more overture. Leon. How could that be? Either thou art most ignorant by age, Or thou wert born a fool. Camillo's flight, Added to their familiarity, (Which was as gross as ever touch'd conjecture, That lack'd sight only, nought for approbation, But only seeing, all other circumstances 5 Made up to the deed,) doth push on this proceeding: Yet, for a greater confirmation, (For, in an act of this importance, 'twere Most piteous to be wild,) I have despatch'd in post, To sacred Delphos, to Apollo's temple, Cleomenes and Dion, whom you know Of stuff'd sufficiency: Now, from the oracle Leon. Though I am satisfied, and need no more Than what I know, yet shall the oracle 5 Proof. Of abilities more than sufficient. Give rest to the minds of others; such as he, Whose ignorant credulity will not Come up to the truth: So have we thought it good, From our free person she should be confin'd; Lest that the treachery of the two, fled hence, We are to speak in publick: for this business Ant. [Aside.] To laughter, as I take it, [Exeunt. SCENE II. The same. The outer Room of a Prison. Enter PAULINA and Attendants. 1 Paul, The keeper of the prison,-call to him; [Exit an Attendant. Let him have knowledge who I am.-Good lady! What dost thou then in prison ?-Now, good sir, Re-enter Attendant, with the Keeper. You know me, do you not? Keep. For a worthy lady, And one whom much I honour, Conduct me to the queen. Pray you, then, Keep. I may not, madam; to the contrary I have express commandment. Paul. Here's ado, To lock up honesty and honour from The access of gentle visitors! Is it lawful, Keep. So please you, madam, to put [Exit Keeper. I must be present at your conference. Paul. Well, be it so, pr'ythee. Here's such ado to make no stain a stain, Re-enter Keeper, with EMILIA. Dear gentlewoman, how fares our gracious lady? Emil. A daughter; and a goodly babe, Lusty, and like to live: the queen receives I am innocent as you. Paul. I dare be sworn: These dangerous unsafe lunes o' the king! beshrew them! He must be told on't, and he shall: the office And never to my red-look'd anger be If she dares trust me with her little babe, I'll show't the king, and undertake to be Her advocate to th' loudest: We do not know The silence often of pure innocence Emil. Most worthy madam, Your honour, and your goodness, is so evident, So meet for this great errand: Please your ladyship Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer; Lest she should be denied. Paul. Tell her, Emilia, I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from it, As boldness from my bosom, let it not be doubted I shall do good. Emil. Now be you blest for it! I'll to the queen: Please you, come something nearer. Keep. Madam, if't please the queen to send the babe, I know not what I shall incur, to pass it, Having no warrant. Paul. You need not fear it, sir: The child was prisoner to the womb; and is, By law and process of great nature, thence |