The Winter's Tale

by William Shakespeare

  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,