ACT II
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;
 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 Pray you then,
 Conduct me to the queen.

Gaoler I may not, madam:
 To the contrary I have express commandment.

PAULINA Here's ado,
 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,
 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,
 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,
 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 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 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:
 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,
 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 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
 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 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!
 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                   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,
 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]




 THE WINTER'S TALE


ACT II