Leo. No, if I mistake

In these foundations which I build upon,
The centre is not big enough to bear

A school-boy's top. Away with her to prison;
He, who shall speak for her, is far off guilty,
But that he speaks.

Her. There's some ill planet reigns:

I must be patient, 'till the heavens look

With an aspect more favourable. Good my lords, I am not prone to weeping, as our sex

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Commonly are, the want of which vain dew,
Perchance, shall dry your pities: but I have
That honourable grief lodg'd here, which burns
Worse than tears drown: 'Beseech you all, my lords,
With thoughts so qualified as your charities
Shall best instruct you, measure me; and so

The king's will be perform'd !

Leo. Shall I be heard?

Her. Who is't that goes with me? 'beseech your highness,

My women may be with me; for, you see,

My plight requires it. Do not weep, good fools ;

[To her Ladies. There is no cause: when you shall know, your mis.

tress

Hath deserv'd prison, then abound in tears,
As I come out this action, I now go on,
Is for my better grace. Adieu, my lord,
I never wish'd to see you sorry; now,

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I trust,

I trust, I shall.My women-come; you have

leave.

Leo. Go, do our bidding; hence.

[Exit Queen, guarded; and Ladies. Lord. 'Beseech your highness, call the queen again. Ant. Be certain what you do, sir; lest your justice Prove violence; in the which three great ones suffer, Yourself, your queen, your son.

Lord. For her, my lord,

I dare my life lay down, and will do't, sir,

Please you to accept it, that the queen is spotless
I'the eyes of heaven, and to you; I mean,

In this which you accuse her.

Ant. If it prove

She's otherwise, I'll keep my stable where

I lodge my wife; I'll go in couples with her ;

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Than when I feel and see her, no further trust her; For every inch of woman in the world,

Ay, every dram of woman's flesh, is false,

If she be.

Leo. Hold your peaces.

Lord. Good my lord

Ant. It is for you we speak, not for ourselves : You are abus'd, and by some putter on,

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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 'em 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.

Leo. Cease; no more:

You smell this business with a sense as cold

As is a dead man's nose: I see't and feel't;
As you feel doing thus; and see withal
The instruments that feel.

Ant. If it be so,

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[Striking his Brows.

We need no grave to bury honesty ;

There's not a grain of it, the face to sweeten

Of the whole dungy earth.

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.

Leo. Why, what need we

Commune with you of this? but rather follow
Our forceful instigation? Our prerogative
Calls not your counsels; but our natural goodness
Imparts this which, if you (or stupified,
Or seeming so in skill) cannot, or will not
Relish as truth, like us; inform yourselves,
We need no more of your advice: the matter,
The loss, the gain, the ord'ring on't, is all
Properly ours.

Ant. And I wish, my liege,

D

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220

You

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You had only in your silent judgment try'd it,
Without more overture.

Leo. 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

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Made up to the deed), do push on this proceeding: Yet, for a greater confirmation

(For, in an act of this importance, 'twere

Most piteous to be wild), I have dispatch'd in post,
To sacred Delphos, to Apollo's temple,
Cleomenes and Dion, whom you know

Of stuff'd sufficiency: Now, from the oracle
They will bring all; whose spiritual counsel had,
Shall stop, or spur me. Have I done well?
Lord. Well done, my lord.

Leo. Though I am satisfy'd, and need no more

Than what I know, yet shall the oracle
Give rest to the minds of others; such as he,
Whose ignorant credulity will not

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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,
Be left her to perform. Come, follow us,
We are to speak in public: for this business
Will raise us all.

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Ant.

Ant. [Aside.] To laughter, as I take it,

If the good truth were known.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

A Prison. Enter PAULINA, and Gentleman.

Paul. The keeper of the prison-call to him ;

[Exit Gentleman. Good lady! No court in Europe is too good for thee; What dost thou then in prison? Now, good sir.

Let him have knowledge who I am.

Re-enter Gentleman, with the Gaoler.

You know me, do you not?

Gaol. For a worthy lady,

And one whom much I honour.

Paul. Pray you then,

Conduct me to the queen.

Gaol. 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

Pray you to see her women? any of them?'
Emilia ?

Gaol. So please you, madam,
To put apart these your attendants, I
Shall bring Emilia forth,

Dij

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Paul.