Paul. What, sovereign sir, services 459 I did not well, I meant well: All my You have paid home: but that you have vouchsaf'd, Leo. O Paulina, We honour you with trouble: But we came That which my daughter came to look upon, Paul. As she liv'd peerless, So her dead likeness, I do well believe, Or hand of man hath done; therefore I keep it 470 To see the life as lively mock'd, as ever Still sleep mock'd death: behold, and say, 'tis well. [PAULINA draws a Curtain, and discovers a Statue. I like your silence, it the more shews off Your wonder: But yet speak :-First you, my liege. Comes it not something near? Leo. Her natural posture ! Chide me, dear stone; that I may say, indeed, 481 Hermione Hermione was not so much wrinkled; nothing So aged, as this seems. Pol. Oh, not by much. Paul. So much the more our carver's excellence; Which lets go by some sixteen years, and makes her, As she liv'd now. Leo. As now she might have done, So much to my good comfort, as it is Now piercing to my soul. Oh, thus she stood; Per. And give me leave, And do not say, 'tis superstition, that I kneel, and then implore her blessing.-Lady, Give me that hand of your's, to kiss. Paul. Oh, patience ; The statue is but newly fix'd; the colour's Not dry. 492 500 510 Cam. My lord, your sorrow was too sore laid on ; Which sixteen winters cannot blow away, So many summers, dry: scarce any joy Did ever so long live; no sorrow, But kill'd itself much sooner. Pol. Pol. Dear my brother, Let him, that was the cause of this, have power Paul. Indeed, my lord, If I had thought, the sight of my poor image 520 Would thus have wrought you (for the stone is mine), I'd not have shew'd it. Leo. Do not draw the curtain. Paul. No longer shall you gaze on't; lest your fancy May think anon, it moves. Leo. Let be, let be. Would I were dead, but that, methinks, alreadyWhat was he, that did make it? See, my lord, 530 Would you not deem, it breath'd? and that those veins Did verily bear blood? Pol. Masterly done : The very life seems warm upon her lip. Leo. The fixure of her eye has motion, in't, As we were mock'd with art. Paul. I'll draw the curtain. My lord's almost so far transported, that Leo. O sweet Paulina, Make me to think so twenty years together: 540 Paul. Paul. I am sorry, sir, I have thus far stirr'd you; but I could afflict you further. Leo. Do, Paulina ; For this affliction has a taste as sweet As any cordial comfort. Still, methinks, There is an air comes from her. What fine chisel Could ever yet cut breath? let no man mock me, Paul. Good my lord, forbear: The ruddiness upon her lip is wet; You'll mar it, if you kiss it; stain your own Per. So long could I Stand by, a looker on. Paul. Either forbear, 551 560 Quit presently the chapel; or resolve you By wicked powers. Leo. What you can make her do, I am content to look on: what to speak, I am content to hear; for 'tis as easy To make her speak, as move. Paul. It is requir'd, You do awake your faith: Then, all stand still: 570 Or |