TPTT The Winter's Tale: ACT II
Introduction
ACT I
ACT II
SCENE I. A room in LEONTES' palace.
SCENE II. A prison.
SCENE III. A room in LEONTES' palace.
ACT III
ACT IV
ACT V
About the Play
Feedback
  Search:   
for:

Amazon Honor System Click Here to Pay Learn More
SCENE II. A prison.
Enter PAULINA, a Gentleman, and Attendants
PAULINA
      The keeper of the prison, call to him;
      let him have knowledge who I am.

Exit Gentleman

      Good lady,
      No court in Europe is too good for thee;
5     What dost thou then in prison?

Re-enter Gentleman, with the Gaoler

      Now, good sir,
      You know me, do you not?
Gaoler
      For a worthy lady
      And one whom much I honour.
PAULINA
10    Pray you then,
      Conduct me to the queen.
Gaoler
      I may not, madam:
      To the contrary I have express commandment.
PAULINA
      Here's ado,
15    To lock up honesty and honour from
      The access of gentle visitors!
      Is't lawful, pray you,
      To see her women? any of them? Emilia?
Gaoler
      So please you, madam,
20    To put apart these your attendants, I
      Shall bring Emilia forth.
PAULINA
      I pray now, call her.
      Withdraw yourselves.
Exeunt Gentleman and Attendants
Gaoler
      And, madam,
25    I must be present at your conference.
PAULINA
      Well, be't so, prithee.

Exit Gaoler

      Here's such ado to make no stain a stain
      As passes colouring.

Re-enter Gaoler, with EMILIA

      Dear gentlewoman,
30    How fares our gracious lady?
EMILIA
      As well as one so great and so forlorn
      May hold together: on her frights and griefs,
      Which never tender lady hath born greater,
      She is something before her time deliver'd.
PAULINA
35    A boy?
EMILIA
      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.'
PAULINA
40    I dare be sworn
      These dangerous unsafe lunes i' the king,
      beshrew them!
      He must be told on't, and he shall: the office
      Becomes a woman best; I'll take't upon me:
45    If I prove honey-mouth'd let my tongue blister
      And never to my red-look'd anger be
      The trumpet any more. Pray you, Emilia,
      Commend my best obedience to the queen:
      If she dares trust me with her little babe,
50    I'll show't the king and undertake to be
      Her advocate to the loud'st. We do not know
      How he may soften at the sight o' the child:
      The silence often of pure innocence
      Persuades when speaking fails.
EMILIA
55    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
60    To visit the next room, I'll presently
      Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer;
      Who but to-day hammer'd of this design,
      But durst not tempt a minister of honour,
      Lest she should be denied.
PAULINA
65    Tell her, Emilia.
      I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from't
      As boldness from my bosom, let 't not be doubted
      I shall do good.
EMILIA
      Now be you blest for it!
70    I'll to the queen: please you,
      come something nearer.
Gaoler
      Madam, if't please the queen to send the babe,
      I know not what I shall incur to pass it,
      Having no warrant.
PAULINA
75    You need not fear it, sir:
      This child was prisoner to the womb and is
      By law and process of great nature thence
      Freed and enfranchised, not a party to
      The anger of the king nor guilty of,
80    If any be, the trespass of the queen.
Gaoler
      I do believe it.
PAULINA
      Do not you fear: upon mine honour,
      I will stand betwixt you and danger.
Exeunt
Return to top of page ... or ... Go to next scene