Nor night nor day no rest: it is but weakness
To bear the matter thus, mere weakness. If
The cause were not in being,—part o’ th’ cause,
She th’ adultress; for the harlot king
Is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank
And level of my brain, plot-proof. But she
I can hook to me. Say that she were gone,
Given to the fire, a moiety of my rest
Might come to me again. Who’s there?
Nor night nor day no rest: it is but weakness To bear the matter thus, mere weakness. If The cause were not in being,—part o’ th’ cause, She th’ adultress; for the harlot king Is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank And level of my brain, plot-proof. But she I can hook to me. Say that she were gone, Given to the fire, a moiety of my rest Might come to me again. Who’s there?
Nor night nor day no rest: it's but weakness To bear the matter thus, mere weakness. If The cause were not in being,—part o’ th’ cause, She th’ adultress; for the harlot king Is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank And level of my brain, plot-proof. But she I can hook to me. Say that she were gone, Given to the fire, a moiety of my rest Might come to me again. Who’s there?
nor night nor day no rest it is but weakness to bear the matter thus mere weakness if the cause were not in being
My lord.
My lord.
My lord.
my lord
How does the boy?
How does the boy?
How does the boy?
how does the boy?
He took good rest tonight;
’Tis hop’d his sickness is discharg’d.
He took good rest tonight; ’Tis hop’d his sickness is discharg’d.
He took good rest tonight; ’Tis hop’d his sickness is discharg’d.
he took good rest tonight ’tis hop’d his sickness is discharg’d
To see his nobleness,
Conceiving the dishonour of his mother.
He straight declin’d, droop’d, took it deeply,
Fasten’d and fix’d the shame on’t in himself,
Threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep,
And downright languish’d. Leave me solely: go,
See how he fares.
To see his nobleness, Conceiving the dishonour of his mother. He straight declin’d, droop’d, took it deeply, Fasten’d and fix’d the shame on’t in himself, Threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep, And downright languish’d. Leave me solely: go, See how he fares.
To see his nobleness, Conceiving the dishonour of his mother. He straight declin’d, droop’d, took it deeply, Fasten’d and fix’d the shame on’t in himself, Threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep, And downright languish’d. Leave me solely: go, See how he fares.
to see his nobleness conceiving the dishonour of his mother he straight declin’d droop’d
You must not enter.
You must not enter.
You must not enter.
you must not enter
The scene's central argument is epistemological: what counts as evidence? Paulina arrives with a living baby who is demonstrably Leontes's daughter — eye, nose, lip, forehead, the trick of his frown, all itemized with forensic care. This is visible, physical, irrefutable evidence. Leontes cannot be moved by it. He looks at evidence of his own face and sees Polixenes. The tragedy of the scene isn't that Paulina fails to make a good argument — it's that no argument, however good, can reach a closed system. Leontes has constructed an interpretive framework that processes every possible piece of evidence as confirmation. Paulina's very boldness is proof of her conspiracy. The baby's resemblance to Leontes is a trick of nature, or worse, a coincidence. His lords' unanimous support for Hermione is collective treachery. Nothing can falsify his belief because he has made his belief unfalsifiable. Paulina's failure is not a failure of rhetoric — it's a demonstration that rhetoric itself is helpless against this kind of epistemic closure.
Nay, rather, good my lords, be second to me:
Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas,
Than the queen’s life? a gracious innocent soul,
More free than he is jealous.
no, rather, good my lords, be second to me: Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas, Than the queen’s life? a gracious innocent soul, More free than he is jealous.
no, rather, good my lords, be second to me: Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas, Than the queen’s life? a gracious innocent soul, More free than he is jealous.
rather good my lords be second to me
That’s enough.
That’s enough.
That’s enough.
that’s enough
The Servant here is the voice of institutional caution — politely announcing that no one was meant to enter before Paulina simply walks past everyone. Watch for how servants in this play consistently fail to stop anyone who is determined enough.
Madam, he hath not slept tonight; commanded
None should come at him.
Madam, he has not slept tonight; commanded None should come at him.
Madam, he hasn't slept tonight; commanded None should come at him.
he has not slept tonight commanded none should come at him
Not so hot, good sir;
I come to bring him sleep. ’Tis such as you,
That creep like shadows by him, and do sigh
At each his needless heavings,—such as you
Nourish the cause of his awaking. I
Do come with words as med’cinal as true,
Honest as either, to purge him of that humour
That presses him from sleep.
Not so hot, good sir; I come to bring him sleep. ’Tis such as you, That creep like shadows by him, and do sigh At each his needless heavings,—such as you Nourish the cause of his awaking. I Do come with words as med’cinal as true, Honest as either, to purge him of that humour That presses him from sleep.
Not so hot, good sir; I come to bring him sleep. ’Tis such as you, That creep like shadows by him, and do sigh At each his needless heavings,—such as you Nourish the cause of his awaking. I Do come with words as med’cinal as true, Honest as either, to purge him of that humour That presses him from sleep.
not so hot good sir i come to bring him sleep ’tis such as you
What noise there, ho?
What noise there, ho?
What noise there, ho?
what noise there
No noise, my lord; but needful conference
About some gossips for your highness.
No noise, my lord; but needful conference About some gossips for your highness.
No noise, my lord; but needful conference About some gossips for your highness.
no noise my lord but needful conference about some gossips for your
How!
Away with that audacious lady! Antigonus,
I charg’d thee that she should not come about me.
I knew she would.
How! Away with that audacious lady! Antigonus, I charg’d you that she should not come about me. I knew she would.
How! Away with that audacious lady! Antigonus, I charg’d you that she should not come about me. I knew she would.
how! away with that audacious lady! antigonus i charg’d you that she should not come about me i knew she would
I told her so, my lord,
On your displeasure’s peril and on mine,
She should not visit you.
I told her so, my lord, On your displeasure’s peril and on mine, She should not visit you.
I told her so, my lord, On your displeasure’s peril and on mine, She should not visit you.
i told her so my lord on your displeasure’s peril and on mine she should not visit you
What, canst not rule her?
What, canst not rule her?
What, canst not rule her?
canst not rule her?
From all dishonesty he can. In this,
Unless he take the course that you have done,
Commit me for committing honour—trust it,
He shall not rule me.
From all dishonesty he can. In this, Unless he take the course that you have done, Commit me for committing honour—trust it, He shall not rule me.
From all dishonesty he can. In this, Unless he take the course that you have done, Commit me for committing honour—trust it, He shall not rule me.
from all dishonesty he can in this unless he take the course that you have done commit me for committing honour—trust it
La you now, you hear.
When she will take the rein I let her run;
But she’ll not stumble.
La you now, you hear. When she will take the rein I let her run; But she’ll not stumble.
La you now, you hear. When she will take the rein I let her run; But she’ll not stumble.
la you now you hear when she will take the rein i let her run but she’ll not stumble
Good my liege, I come,—
And, I beseech you hear me, who professes
Myself your loyal servant, your physician,
Your most obedient counsellor, yet that dares
Less appear so, in comforting your evils,
Than such as most seem yours—I say I come
From your good queen.
Good my liege, I come,— And, I beseech you hear me, who professes Myself your loyal servant, your physician, Your most obedient counsellor, yet that dares Less appear so, in comforting your evils, Than such as most seem yours—I say I come From your good queen.
Good my liege, I come,— And, I beseech you hear me, who professes Myself your loyal servant, your physician, Your most obedient counsellor, yet that dares Less appear so, in comforting your evils, Than such as most seem yours—I say I come From your good queen.
good my liege i come i beseech you hear me
Good queen!
Good queen!
Good queen!
good queen!
Good queen, my lord, good queen: I say, good queen,
And would by combat make her good, so were I
A man, the worst about you.
Good queen, my lord, good queen: I say, good queen, And would by combat make her good, so were I A man, the worst about you.
Good queen, my lord, good queen: I say, good queen, And would by combat make her good, so were I A man, the worst about you.
good queen my lord good queen
Force her hence.
Force her hence.
Force her hence.
force her hence
Let him that makes but trifles of his eyes
First hand me: on mine own accord I’ll off;
But first I’ll do my errand. The good queen,
(For she is good) hath brought you forth a daughter;
Here ’tis; commends it to your blessing.
Let him that makes but trifles of his eyes First hand me: on mine own accord I’ll off; But first I’ll do my errand. The good queen, (For she is good) has brought you forth a daughter; Here ’tis; commends it to your blessing.
Let him that makes but trifles of his eyes First hand me: on mine own accord I’ll off; But first I’ll do my errand. The good queen, (For she is good) has brought you forth a daughter; Here ’tis; commends it to your blessing.
let him that makes but trifles of his on mine own accord i’ll off but first i’ll do my errand the good queen
Out!
A mankind witch! Hence with her, out o’ door:
A most intelligencing bawd!
Out! A mankind witch! Hence with her, out o’ door: A most intelligencing bawd!
Out! A mankind witch! Hence with her, out o’ door: A most intelligencing bawd!
out! a mankind witch! hence with her out o’ door a most intelligencing bawd!
Antigonus is in an impossible position throughout 2-3. He cannot challenge Leontes's legal authority to make this order. He cannot refuse to act without being killed — and Paulina killed with him. He cannot take the baby's side without the baby being burned. His only leverage is the oath he swears: he commits to carry out the king's command — not to burn the baby, but to abandon it. This is the best possible outcome from where he stands. Antigonus is not a coward; he's a man making the best calculation available to him. The deep tragedy is that the calculation is correct — the baby survives — and Antigonus pays for it with his life. His prayer to the kites and ravens, asking them to nurse the child, is the most sincere speech in the scene: a good man trying to do what he can while following orders that will destroy him. Shakespeare rarely gives us moral complexity this quiet.
Not so.
I am as ignorant in that as you
In so entitling me; and no less honest
Than you are mad; which is enough, I’ll warrant,
As this world goes, to pass for honest.
Not so. I am as ignorant in that as you In so entitling me; and no less honest Than you are mad; which is enough, I’ll warrant, As this world goes, to pass for honest.
Not so. I'm as ignorant in that as you In so entitling me; and no less honest Than you're mad; which is enough, I’ll warrant, As this world goes, to pass for honest.
not so i am as ignorant in that as you in so entitling me and no less honest than you are mad which is enough
Traitors!
Will you not push her out? [_To Antigonus._] Give her the bastard,
Thou dotard! Thou art woman-tir’d, unroosted
By thy Dame Partlet here. Take up the bastard,
Take’t up, I say; give’t to thy crone.
Traitors! Will you not push her out? Give her the bastard, you dotard! you art woman-tir’d, unroosted By your Dame Partlet here. Take up the bastard, Take’t up, I say; give’t to your crone.
Traitors! Will you not push her out? Give her the bastard, you dotard! you art woman-tir’d, unroosted By your Dame Partlet here. Take up the bastard, Take’t up, I say; give’t to your crone.
traitors! will you not push her out? give you dotard! you art woman-tir’d unroosted by your dame partlet here take up the bastard
For ever
Unvenerable be thy hands, if thou
Tak’st up the princess by that forced baseness
Which he has put upon ’t!
For ever Unvenerable be your hands, if you Tak’st up the princess by that forced baseness Which he has put upon ’t!
For ever Unvenerable be your hands, if you Tak’st up the princess by that forced baseness Which he has put upon ’t!
for ever unvenerable be your hands if you tak’st up the princess by that
He dreads his wife.
He dreads his wife.
He dreads his wife.
he dreads his wife
So I would you did; then ’twere past all doubt
You’d call your children yours.
So I would you did; then ’twere past all doubt You’d call your children yours.
So I would you did; then ’twere past all doubt You’d call your children yours.
so i would you did then ’twere past all doubt you’d call your
A nest of traitors!
A nest of traitors!
A nest of traitors!
a nest of traitors!
I am none, by this good light.
I am none, by this good light.
I'm none, by this good light.
i am none by this good light
Nor I; nor any
But one that’s here, and that’s himself. For he
The sacred honour of himself, his queen’s,
His hopeful son’s, his babe’s, betrays to slander,
Whose sting is sharper than the sword’s; and will not,
(For, as the case now stands, it is a curse
He cannot be compell’d to’t) once remove
The root of his opinion, which is rotten
As ever oak or stone was sound.
Nor I; nor any But one that’s here, and that’s himself. For he The sacred honour of himself, his queen’s, His hopeful son’s, his babe’s, betrays to slander, Whose sting is sharper than the sword’s; and will not, (For, as the case now stands, it is a curse He cannot be compell’d to’t) once remove The root of his opinion, which is rotten As ever oak or stone was sound.
Nor I; nor any But one that’s here, and that’s himself. For he The sacred honour of himself, his queen’s, His hopeful son’s, his babe’s, betrays to slander, Whose sting is sharper than the sword’s; and won't, (For, as the case now stands, it's a curse He can't be compell’d to’t) once remove The root of his opinion, which is rotten As ever oak or stone was sound.
nor any but one that’s here and that’s himself for he the sacred honour of himself
A callat
Of boundless tongue, who late hath beat her husband,
And now baits me! This brat is none of mine;
It is the issue of Polixenes.
Hence with it, and together with the dam
Commit them to the fire.
A callat Of boundless tongue, who late has beat her husband, And now baits me! This brat is none of mine; It is the issue of Polixenes. Hence with it, and together with the dam Commit them to the fire.
A callat Of boundless tongue, who late has beat her husband, And now baits me! This brat is none of mine; It is the issue of Polixenes. Hence with it, and together with the dam Commit them to the fire.
a callat of boundless tongue who late has beat her husband and now baits me! this brat is none of mine it is the issue of polixenes
It is yours;
And, might we lay th’ old proverb to your charge,
So like you ’tis the worse. Behold, my lords,
Although the print be little, the whole matter
And copy of the father: eye, nose, lip,
The trick of ’s frown, his forehead; nay, the valley,
The pretty dimples of his chin and cheek; his smiles;
The very mould and frame of hand, nail, finger:
And thou, good goddess Nature, which hast made it
So like to him that got it, if thou hast
The ordering of the mind too, ’mongst all colours
No yellow in ’t, lest she suspect, as he does,
Her children not her husband’s!
It is yours; And, might we lay th’ old proverb to your charge, So like you ’tis the worse. Behold, my lords, Although the print be little, the whole matter And copy of the father: eye, nose, lip, The trick of ’s frown, his forehead; no, the valley, The pretty dimples of his chin and cheek; his smiles; The very mould and frame of hand, nail, finger: And you, good goddess Nature, which have made it So like to him that got it, if you have The ordering of the mind too, ’mongst all colours No yellow in ’t, lest she suspect, as he does, Her children not her husband’s!
It is yours; And, might we lay th’ old proverb to your charge, So like you ’tis the worse. Behold, my lords, Although the print be little, the whole matter And copy of the father: eye, nose, lip, The trick of ’s frown, his forehead; no, the valley, The pretty dimples of his chin and cheek; his smiles; The very mould and frame of hand, nail, finger: And you, good goddess Nature, which have made it So like to him that got it, if you have The ordering of the mind too, ’mongst all colours No yellow in ’t, lest she suspect, as he does, Her children not her husband’s!
it is yours might we lay th’ old proverb to your charge so like you ’tis the worse
A gross hag!
And, losel, thou art worthy to be hang’d
That wilt not stay her tongue.
A gross hag! And, losel, you art worthy to be hang’d That wilt not stay her tongue.
A gross hag! And, losel, you art worthy to be hang’d That wilt not stay her tongue.
a gross hag! and you art worthy to be hang’d that wilt
Hang all the husbands
That cannot do that feat, you’ll leave yourself
Hardly one subject.
Hang all the husbands That cannot do that feat, you’ll leave yourself Hardly one subject.
Hang all the husbands That can't do that feat, you’ll leave yourself Hardly one subject.
hang all the husbands that cannot do that feat you’ll leave yourself hardly one subject
Once more, take her hence.
Once more, take her hence.
Once more, take her hence.
once more take her hence
A most unworthy and unnatural lord
Can do no more.
A most unworthy and unnatural lord Can do no more.
A most unworthy and unnatural lord Can do no more.
a most unworthy and unnatural lord can do no more
I’ll have thee burnt.
I’ll have you burnt.
I’ll have you burnt.
i’ll have you burnt
I care not.
It is an heretic that makes the fire,
Not she which burns in ’t. I’ll not call you tyrant;
But this most cruel usage of your queen,
Not able to produce more accusation
Than your own weak-hing’d fancy, something savours
Of tyranny, and will ignoble make you,
Yea, scandalous to the world.
I care not. It is an heretic that makes the fire, Not she which burns in ’t. I’ll not call you tyrant; But this most cruel usage of your queen, Not able to produce more accusation Than your own weak-hing’d fancy, something savours Of tyranny, and will ignoble make you, Yea, scandalous to the world.
I care not. It is an heretic that makes the fire, Not she which burns in ’t. I’ll not call you tyrant; But this most cruel usage of your queen, Not able to produce more accusation Than your own weak-hing’d fancy, something savours Of tyranny, and will ignoble make you, Yea, scandalous to the world.
i care not it is an heretic that makes the fire not she which burns in ’t i’ll not call you tyrant
On your allegiance,
Out of the chamber with her! Were I a tyrant,
Where were her life? She durst not call me so,
If she did know me one. Away with her!
On your allegiance, Out of the chamber with her! Were I a tyrant, Where were her life? She durst not call me so, If she did know me one. Away with her!
On your allegiance, Out of the chamber with her! Were I a tyrant, Where were her life? She durst not call me so, If she did know me one. Away with her!
on your allegiance out of the chamber with her! were i a tyrant where were her life? she durst not call me so if she did know me one
I pray you, do not push me; I’ll be gone.
Look to your babe, my lord; ’tis yours: Jove send her
A better guiding spirit! What needs these hands?
You that are thus so tender o’er his follies,
Will never do him good, not one of you.
So, so. Farewell; we are gone.
I pray you, do not push me; I’ll be gone. Look to your babe, my lord; ’tis yours: Jove send her A better guiding spirit! What needs these hands? You that are thus so tender o’er his follies, Will never do him good, not one of you. So, so. Farewell; we are gone.
I pray you, don't push me; I’ll be gone. Look to your babe, my lord; ’tis yours: Jove send her A better guiding spirit! What needs these hands? You that are thus so tender o’er his follies, Will never do him good, not one of you. So, so. Farewell; we are gone.
i pray you do not push me i’ll be gone look to your babe
The oracle of Apollo has been set up across two scenes now: Leontes announced dispatching Cleomenes and Dion in 2-1, and the scene ends with news of their return. The oracle is a peculiarity in this play — Shakespeare uses it as a deus ex machina he telegraphs well in advance, which means the audience knows divine intervention is coming. But the oracle's function isn't to resolve the plot through magic. Its function is to test whether Leontes is capable of hearing the truth when it comes from the most unimpeachable source imaginable. His queen's word wasn't enough. His lords' unanimous testimony wasn't enough. His own daughter's face wasn't enough. Will Apollo's sealed oracle be enough? The answer — that Leontes will call it 'mere falsehood' — is the play's most devastating moment. Keep that in mind as Cleomenes and Dion approach.
Thou, traitor, hast set on thy wife to this.
My child? Away with’t. Even thou, that hast
A heart so tender o’er it, take it hence,
And see it instantly consum’d with fire;
Even thou, and none but thou. Take it up straight:
Within this hour bring me word ’tis done,
And by good testimony, or I’ll seize thy life,
With that thou else call’st thine. If thou refuse
And wilt encounter with my wrath, say so;
The bastard brains with these my proper hands
Shall I dash out. Go, take it to the fire;
For thou set’st on thy wife.
you, traitor, have set on your wife to this. My child? Away with’t. Even you, that have A heart so tender o’er it, take it hence, And see it instantly consum’d with fire; Even you, and none but you. Take it up straight: Within this hour bring me word ’tis done, And by good testimony, or I’ll seize your life, With that you else call’st yours. If you refuse And wilt encounter with my wrath, say so; The bastard brains with these my proper hands Shall I dash out. Go, take it to the fire; For you set’st on your wife.
you, traitor, have set on your wife to this. My child? Away with’t. Even you, that have A heart so tender o’er it, take it hence, And see it instantly consum’d with fire; Even you, and none but you. Take it up straight: Within this hour bring me word ’tis done, And by good testimony, or I’ll seize your life, With that you else call’st yours. If you refuse And wilt encounter with my wrath, say so; The bastard brains with these my proper hands Shall I dash out. Go, take it to the fire; For you set’st on your wife.
traitor have set on your wife to this my child? away with’t
I did not, sir:
These lords, my noble fellows, if they please,
Can clear me in ’t.
LORDS
We can: my royal liege,
He is not guilty of her coming hither.
I did not, sir: These lords, my noble fellows, if they please, Can clear me in ’t. LORDS We can: my royal liege, He is not guilty of her coming here.
I didn't, sir: These lords, my noble fellows, if they please, Can clear me in ’t. LORDS We can: my royal liege, He is not guilty of her coming here.
i did not these lords my noble fellows
You’re liars all.
You’re liars all.
You’re liars all.
you’re liars all
Beseech your highness, give us better credit:
We have always truly serv’d you; and beseech
So to esteem of us. And on our knees we beg,
As recompense of our dear services
Past and to come, that you do change this purpose,
Which being so horrible, so bloody, must
Lead on to some foul issue. We all kneel.
Beseech your highness, give us better credit: We have always truly serv’d you; and beseech So to esteem of us. And on our knees we beg, As recompense of our dear services Past and to come, that you do change this purpose, Which being so horrible, so bloody, must Lead on to some foul issue. We all kneel.
Beseech your highness, give us better credit: We have always truly serv’d you; and beseech So to esteem of us. And on our knees we beg, As recompense of our dear services Past and to come, that you do change this purpose, Which being so horrible, so bloody, must Lead on to some foul issue. We all kneel.
beseech your highness give us better credit we have always truly serv’d you and beseech so to esteem of us
I am a feather for each wind that blows.
Shall I live on to see this bastard kneel
And call me father? better burn it now
Than curse it then. But be it; let it live.
It shall not neither. [_To Antigonus._] You, sir, come you hither,
You that have been so tenderly officious
With Lady Margery, your midwife, there,
To save this bastard’s life—for ’tis a bastard,
So sure as this beard’s grey. What will you adventure
To save this brat’s life?
I am a feather for each wind that blows. Shall I live on to see this bastard kneel And call me father? better burn it now Than curse it then. But be it; let it live. It shall not neither. You, sir, come you here, You that have been so tenderly officious With Lady Margery, your midwife, there, To save this bastard’s life—for ’tis a bastard, So sure as this beard’s grey. What will you adventure To save this brat’s life?
I'm a feather for each wind that blows. Shall I live on to see this bastard kneel And call me father? better burn it now Than curse it then. But be it; let it live. It shall not neither. You, sir, come you here, You that have been so tenderly officious With Lady Margery, your midwife, there, To save this bastard’s life—for ’tis a bastard, So sure as this beard’s grey. What will you adventure To save this brat’s life?
i am a feather for each wind that blows shall i live on to see this bastard but be it let it live
Anything, my lord,
That my ability may undergo,
And nobleness impose: at least thus much:
I’ll pawn the little blood which I have left
To save the innocent. Anything possible.
Anything, my lord, That my ability may undergo, And nobleness impose: at least thus much: I’ll pawn the little blood which I have left To save the innocent. Anything possible.
Anything, my lord, That my ability may undergo, And nobleness impose: at least thus much: I’ll pawn the little blood which I have left To save the innocent. Anything possible.
anything my lord that my ability may undergo and nobleness impose
It shall be possible. Swear by this sword
Thou wilt perform my bidding.
It shall be possible. Swear by this sword you wilt perform my bidding.
It shall be possible. Swear by this sword you wilt perform my bidding.
it shall be possible swear by this sword you wilt perform my bidding
I will, my lord.
I will, my lord.
I will, my lord.
i will my lord
Mark, and perform it, seest thou? for the fail
Of any point in’t shall not only be
Death to thyself, but to thy lewd-tongu’d wife,
Whom for this time we pardon. We enjoin thee,
As thou art liegeman to us, that thou carry
This female bastard hence, and that thou bear it
To some remote and desert place, quite out
Of our dominions; and that there thou leave it,
Without more mercy, to it own protection
And favour of the climate. As by strange fortune
It came to us, I do in justice charge thee,
On thy soul’s peril and thy body’s torture,
That thou commend it strangely to some place
Where chance may nurse or end it. Take it up.
Mark, and perform it, seest you? for the fail Of any point in’t shall not only be Death to thyself, but to your lewd-tongu’d wife, Whom for this time we pardon. We enjoin you, As you art liegeman to us, that you carry This female bastard hence, and that you bear it To some remote and desert place, quite out Of our dominions; and that there you leave it, Without more mercy, to it own protection And favour of the climate. As by strange fortune It came to us, I do in justice charge you, On your soul’s peril and your body’s torture, That you commend it strangely to some place Where chance may nurse or end it. Take it up.
Mark, and perform it, seest you? for the fail Of any point in’t shall not only be Death to thyself, but to your lewd-tongu’d wife, Whom for this time we pardon. We enjoin you, As you art liegeman to us, that you carry This female bastard hence, and that you bear it To some remote and desert place, quite out Of our dominions; and that there you leave it, Without more mercy, to it own protection And favour of the climate. As by strange fortune It came to us, I do in justice charge you, On your soul’s peril and your body’s torture, That you commend it strangely to some place Where chance may nurse or end it. Take it up.
and perform it seest you? for the fail of any point but to your lewd-tongu’d wife
I swear to do this, though a present death
Had been more merciful. Come on, poor babe:
Some powerful spirit instruct the kites and ravens
To be thy nurses! Wolves and bears, they say,
Casting their savageness aside, have done
Like offices of pity. Sir, be prosperous
In more than this deed does require! And blessing
Against this cruelty, fight on thy side,
Poor thing, condemn’d to loss!
I swear to do this, though a present death Had been more merciful. Come on, poor babe: Some powerful spirit instruct the kites and ravens To be your nurses! Wolves and bears, they say, Casting their savageness aside, have done Like offices of pity. Sir, be prosperous In more than this deed does require! And blessing Against this cruelty, fight on your side, Poor thing, condemn’d to loss!
I swear to do this, though a present death Had been more merciful. Come on, poor babe: Some powerful spirit instruct the kites and ravens To be your nurses! Wolves and bears, they say, Casting their savageness aside, have done Like offices of pity. Sir, be prosperous In more than this deed does require! And blessing Against this cruelty, fight on your side, Poor thing, condemn’d to loss!
i swear to do this though a present death had been more merciful come on poor babe
No, I’ll not rear
Another’s issue.
No, I’ll not rear Another’s issue.
No, I’ll not rear Another’s issue.
i’ll not rear another’s issue
Please your highness, posts
From those you sent to th’ oracle are come
An hour since: Cleomenes and Dion,
Being well arriv’d from Delphos, are both landed,
Hasting to th’ court.
Please your highness, posts From those you sent to th’ oracle are come An hour since: Cleomenes and Dion, Being well arriv’d from Delphos, are both landed, Hasting to th’ court.
Please your highness, posts From those you sent to th’ oracle are come An hour since: Cleomenes and Dion, Being well arriv’d from Delphos, are both landed, Hasting to th’ court.
please your highness posts from those you sent to th’ oracle cleomenes and dion being well arriv’d from delphos
So please you, sir, their speed
Hath been beyond account.
So please you, sir, their speed has been beyond account.
So please you, sir, their speed has been beyond account.
so please you their speed has been beyond account
Twenty-three days
They have been absent: ’tis good speed; foretells
The great Apollo suddenly will have
The truth of this appear. Prepare you, lords;
Summon a session, that we may arraign
Our most disloyal lady; for, as she hath
Been publicly accus’d, so shall she have
A just and open trial. While she lives,
My heart will be a burden to me. Leave me,
And think upon my bidding.
Twenty-three days They have been absent: ’tis good speed; foretells The great Apollo suddenly will have The truth of this appear. Prepare you, lords; Summon a session, that we may arraign Our most disloyal lady; for, as she has Been publicly accus’d, so shall she have A just and open trial. While she lives, My heart will be a burden to me. Leave me, And think upon my bidding.
Twenty-three days They have been absent: ’tis good speed; foretells The great Apollo suddenly will have The truth of this appear. Prepare you, lords; Summon a session, that we may arraign Our most disloyal lady; for, as she has Been publicly accus’d, so shall she have A just and open trial. While she lives, My heart will be a burden to me. Leave me, And think upon my bidding.
twenty-three days they have been absent ’tis good speed foretells the great apollo suddenly will have the prepare you
The Reckoning
This is the scene where Paulina and Leontes have their full collision, and it is extraordinary — a woman armed only with a baby and her tongue facing down a king with absolute power and absolute delusion. Paulina wins every exchange and loses the war. By the end, the baby is being carried to an unknown fate and Leontes, instead of being moved, has only hardened. The scene ends with a flicker of hope — the oracle is arriving — but the audience watches a man ordering an infant destroyed and knows that hope may come too late.
If this happened today…
A corporate whistleblower who has been blocked from every normal channel bursts into the board room with a file of evidence during the CEO's morning briefing. The CEO, unslept and paranoid, calls security. She refuses to leave until she's said her piece. Every board member tells the CEO he should at least look at the file. He calls the board members liars, threatens to fire them, and announces that the whistleblower herself must destroy the evidence or he'll have her prosecuted. One board member finally extracts a deal: instead of destroying the evidence, he'll be the one to send it to a third-party arbiter. The CEO agrees — partly because the auditors he commissioned to validate his own story are already on their way back with their findings.