For every inch of woman in the world, Ay, every dram of woman's flesh, is false, 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 That will be damn'd for't; 'would I knew the villain, I would land-damn him: Be she honour-flaw'd,— I have three daughters; the eldest is eleven; The second, and the third, nine, and some five; If this prove true, they'll pay for't:, by mine honour, I'll geld them all; fourteen they shall not see, To bring false generations: they are co-heirs And I had rather glib myself, than they Should not produce fair issue. Leon. Cease; no more. You smell this business with a sense as cold As you feel doing thus; and see withal 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. Leon. Why, what need we 4 Instigator. Commune with you of this? but rather follow Ant. And I wish, my liege, You had only in your silent judgment tried it, 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 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 Shall stop, or spur me. 1 Lord. Well done, my lord. Leon. Though I am satisfied, and need no more Than what I know, yet shall the oracle s Proof. Of abilities more than sufficient. Give rest to the minds of others; such as he, Come up to the truth: So have we thought it good, Ant. [Aside.] To laughter, as I take it, SCENE II. [Exeunt. 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! No court in Europe is too good for thee, 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, Pray you, then, And one whom much I honour, Paul. Conduct me to the queen. 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 Paul. I pray now, call her. Withdraw yourselves. Keep. [Exeunt Attend. And, madam, [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, As passes colouring. 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 Much comfort in't: says, My poor prisoner, 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 red-look'd anger be The trumpet any more :-Pray you, Emilia, my If she dares trust me with her little babe, I'll show't the king, and undertake to be Persuades, when speaking fails. Emil. Most worthy madam, Your honour, and your goodness, is so evident, That your free undertaking cannot miss A thriving issue; there is no lady living, So meet for this great errand: Please your ladyship Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer; Paul. Tell her, Emilia, I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from it, 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, |