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?
I get no sleep, day or night: it's just weakness to accept this, mere weakness. If the cause didn't exist—part of the cause, she's the unfaithful woman; the unfaithful king is completely beyond my reach, out of the range and reach of my mind, impossible to catch. But her I can get to. Say that she were gone, given to the fire, a portion of my peace might come back to me. Who's there?
I can't sleep at all, day or night: it's just weakness to put up with this, sheer weakness. If the cause wasn't there—part of it, she's the adulterer; but the king who sleeps with her is completely beyond my reach, way out of my control, impossible to touch. But her I can get to. If she were gone, burned up, I might get some peace back. Who's there?
cant sleep its weakness kings too far but shes not if shes gone ill have peace
My lord.
My lord.
Yes, my lord?
yes?
How does the boy?
How is the boy?
How's the boy doing?
hows the boy?
He took good rest tonight;
’Tis hop’d his sickness is discharg’d.
He got good sleep during the night; we're hoping his sickness has cleared up.
He actually slept well last night; we're starting to hope the illness is done.
good sleep last night maybe sickness gone
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 nobility, understanding his mother's disgrace. He immediately declined, drooped, felt it deeply, sealed and fixed the shame on himself, threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep, and genuinely pined away. Leave me alone: go, see how he's doing.
To see him take it so hard, realizing what his mother's accused of. He just fell apart, wilted, took it to heart, locked it all up inside himself, lost his energy, his appetite, his sleep, and is just wasting away. Leave me be: go, check on how he's doing.
he took it hard mother disgraced him hes wilting losing sleep appetite check on him
Fie, fie! no thought of him.
The very thought of my revenges that way
Recoil upon me: in himself too mighty,
And in his parties, his alliance. Let him be,
Until a time may serve. For present vengeance,
Take it on her. Camillo and Polixenes
Laugh at me; make their pastime at my sorrow:
They should not laugh if I could reach them, nor
Shall she, within my power.
Stop, stop! Don't think about him. When I think about revenge in that direction, it rebounds on me—Polixenes is too powerful in himself and has too many allies behind him. Let him be for now, until a better moment comes. For my immediate revenge, I'll take it out on her. Camillo and Polixenes laugh at me and make entertainment from my suffering. They wouldn't laugh if I could reach them, and neither will she laugh while she's under my power.
Forget it, forget him. Thinking about revenge against Polixenes just backfires on me—he's too powerful and has too many supporters. I'll deal with him later. For now, I'll take my revenge on her. Camillo and Polixenes are laughing at me, making fun of my pain. If I could get to them I'd stop it, and the queen won't laugh either while I have power over her.
forget him revenge on him backfires he's too powerful with allies i'll get her instead camillo & polixenes mock me but she won't laugh while i have power
You must not enter.
You cannot go in.
You can't go in there.
cant go in
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, support me: Do you fear his violent anger more, sadly, than the queen's life? a gracious innocent soul, more generous than he is jealous.
No, actually, my lords, back me up here: Are you more scared of his anger, sadly, than about the queen's life? she's a gracious innocent woman, more generous than he is jealous.
support me lords queens innocent more generous than his jealousy
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 hasn't slept tonight; he ordered that no one should come to him.
Madam, he hasn't had any sleep; he told everyone no one's allowed near him.
he hasnt slept no one allowed near 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 harsh, good sir; I come to bring him sleep. It's people like you, that creep around him like shadows, and sigh at every unnecessary breath he takes—people like you that fuel what keeps him awake. I come with words as healing as truthful, honest as either, to clear him of that mood that drives away his sleep.
Not so serious, sir; I'm here to give him sleep. It's people like you who hover around him and sigh at every little movement he makes—people like you that keep the problem going. I come with words as healing and true as honest can be, to clear out that mood that's keeping him awake.
ill bring sleep people like u make it worse my words will heal and clear his mind
What noise there, ho?
What's that noise?
What was that sound?
whats that noise?
No noise, my lord; but needful conference
About some gossips for your highness.
No noise, my lord; but necessary conversation about some women for your highness.
No noise, my lord; just some necessary talk about some ladies for you.
no noise just talk about ur women
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.
How!
Away with that audacious lady! Antigonus,
I charg’d thee that she should not come about me.
I knew she would.
What! Get that bold woman out of here! Antigonus, I commanded you that she should not come near me. I knew she would.
What! Get that pushy woman out of here! Antigonus, I told you she shouldn't come near me. I knew she'd show up.
get her out i told u she cant come here i knew shed show up
I told her so, my lord,
On your displeasure’s peril and on mine,
She should not visit you.
I did tell her so, my lord, at risk of your anger and my own, she should not visit you.
I did tell her, my lord, and warned her that both you and I would be angry, but she shouldn't visit you.
i told her warned her about ur anger she shouldnt come
What, canst not rule her?
What, can't you control her?
So you can't manage her?
cant u control ur wife?
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 wrong, he can. In this, unless he takes the path you have, prison me for doing what's right—trust me, he will not control me.
From everything wrong, he can. But in this, unless he locks me up for doing the right thing like you're doing—believe me, he won't control me.
hed lock me up for doing right like ur doing but hell never control me
La you now, you hear.
When she will take the rein I let her run;
But she’ll not stumble.
Look now, you hear. When she wants to run I give her the rein; but she won't stumble.
There you have it, you see. When she wants to go I let her; but she won't fall.
she runs true shell never 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 king, I come— and I ask you to hear me, I who claim to be your loyal servant, your doctor, your most obedient advisor, and yet one who dares to seem less so in supporting your troubles than those who appear most loyal—I say I come from your good queen.
My king, I'm here— and I'm asking you to listen to me, I who serve you loyally, who'm your doctor, your most obedient advisor, and yet who dares to seem less eager to help with your pain than those who just seem loyal—I'm saying I come from your good queen.
hear me my king im ur loyal servant ur doctor um from ur good queen
Good queen!
A good queen!
A good queen! (sarcastic)
sure, real 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 I would defend her honor in combat if I were a man, the lowest of your men.
Good queen, my lord, good queen: I'm telling you, good queen, and I would fight anyone for her honor if I were a man, even the worst of your soldiers.
shes good my lord id fight for her if i were a man
Force her hence.
Remove her by force
Throw her out
throw her out
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 any man who doesn't value his eyes Try to lay hands on me—I'll leave on my own terms, But first I must deliver my message. This good queen (She is good) has given you a daughter. Here she is; I give her your blessing.
Any man who doesn't care about his eyes can try to grab me—I'll go of my own accord anyway. But first, I have to finish what I came for: This good queen has given you a daughter. Here she is. Give her your blessing.
touch me and i'll scratch your eyes i'm leaving anyway the queen gave you a daughter
Out!
A mankind witch! Hence with her, out o’ door:
A most intelligencing bawd!
Out! A manly witch! Get her out the door: A most scheming procuress!
Get out! You're a masculine witch! Out the door: You're a scheming madame!
get out out the door schemer
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 of that as you are of that name for me; and no less honest than you are mad; which is enough, I'm sure, as this world goes, to pass for honest.
That's not true. I know as little about that as you know about that name you're calling me; and I'm just as honest as you are crazy; which is plenty, believe me, in this world, to count as honest.
im as honest as ur mad thats enough to be honest
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 force her out? Give her the bastard, you old fool! You're under your wife's control, dominated by your wife here. Take the bastard, take it, I say; give it to your old woman.
Traitors! Won't you throw her out? Give her the bastard, you fool! You're ruled by your wife, controlled by your woman here. Take the bastard, take it, now; hand it over to your old woman.
traitors take the bastard giving it to ur wife
For ever
Unvenerable be thy hands, if thou
Tak’st up the princess by that forced baseness
Which he has put upon ’t!
Forever may your hands be disgraced, if you take up the princess in that forced dishonor which he has put upon it!
Forever may your hands be cursed if you accept the princess with that forced shame that he's put on her!
curse ur hands if u accept this shame he put on her
He dreads his wife.
He's afraid of his wife.
He's scared of his wife.
hes scared of ur wife
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.
So I would you did; then ’twere past all doubt
You’d call your children yours.
I wish you were; then there'd be no doubt you'd call your children yours.
I wish you were; then you'd definitely claim your children as yours.
if u were scared of ur wife ued claim ur kids
A nest of traitors!
You're surrounded by betrayers!
Everyone here is against me!
ur all against me
I am none, by this good light.
I am not, I swear.
I'm not, I promise you.
i'm not
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.
Neither am I; no one but the man here himself. He betrays the sacred honor of himself, his queen, his son, and his baby to slander, whose sting cuts sharper than any sword. And he will not—for as things stand it's a curse he cannot be forced to do—once remove the rotten root of his jealous opinion.
Neither am I; only the man here himself. He's betraying everyone's honor—his own, his queen's, his son's, his baby's—to rumors that cut worse than swords. And he won't—he can't be forced to—get rid of that rotten jealousy he's built everything on.
only him, not us he's betraying everyone to his stupid rumors and won't change his mind
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 woman of endless tongue, who recently beat her husband, and now attacks me! This child is not mine; it's the son of Polixenes. Take it away, and together with the mother commit them both to the fire.
A loudmouth woman who hit her husband the other day, and now she's attacking me! This child isn't mine; it's Polixenes' son. Take it away, and throw the mother in the fire too.
shes a loudmouth this isnt my child polixenes bastard burn them both
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's yours; and if we could use the old saying against you, it looks so much like you it's worse. Look, my lords, although the features are small, the whole character and image of the father: eye, nose, lip, the way of his frown, his forehead; and that hollow, the pretty dimples of his chin and cheek; his smiles; the very shape and structure of his hand, nail, finger: and you, good goddess Nature, who have made it so like him who created it, if you also control the mind, among all traits keep no jealousy in it, in case she suspects, as he does, her children aren't her husband's!
It's yours; and if we could throw that old saying in your face, it looks so much like you that's the problem. Look, my lords, though the features are small, it's completely the father's image: the eyes, nose, lips, the way he frowns, his forehead; and that valley, those cute dimples on his chin and cheeks; his smile; the very shape of his hand, nails, fingers: and you, good Nature, who made him so like his father, if you also shape his mind, among all the traits put no jealousy in it, so he won't suspect, like his father does, that his kids aren't really his!
its ur baby looks just like u has ur eyes nose chin dimples smile all u even personality
A gross hag!
And, losel, thou art worthy to be hang’d
That wilt not stay her tongue.
A vile old woman! and you, worthless man, deserve to be hanged for not stopping her mouth.
A disgusting old woman! and you, you worthless fool, deserve hanging for not shutting her up.
vile witch u deserve death for not shutting her up
Hang all the husbands
That cannot do that feat, you’ll leave yourself
Hardly one subject.
Hang all husbands who can't do that, you'll leave yourself hardly any subjects.
Hang every husband who can't keep his wife quiet, you'll have almost no subjects left.
hang every husband who cant silence his wife youd have no one left
Once more, take her hence.
Once more, get her out of here.
Once more, throw her out.
get her out now
A most unworthy and unnatural lord
Can do no more.
An unworthy and unnatural lord can do nothing more.
An awful and unnatural lord has nothing left to say.
ur unworthy thats all
I’ll have thee burnt.
I'll have you burned.
I'll burn you.
ill burn u
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 don't care. it's the heretic who makes the fire, not the one who burns in it. I won't call you tyrant; but this cruel treatment of your queen, with nothing more to accuse her of than your own weak, unstable fantasy, has something of tyranny in it, and will make you dishonorable, yes, shameful in the eyes of the world.
I don't care. It's the person who makes the fire who's the heretic, not the one being burned in it. I won't call you a tyrant; but the way you're treating your queen, with nothing to accuse her of except your own weak fantasy, looks an awful lot like tyranny, and it'll make you worthless and shameful everywhere.
i dont care u dont have real proof just fantasy this is tyranny shame on u
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!
Under penalty of your loyalty to me, out of this room! If I were a tyrant, where would she be alive? She would not dare call me that, if she knew I was one. Away with her!
On your oath to me, get out of here! If I was a real tyrant, would she still be alive? She wouldn't dare say it, if she knew I really was. Get her out!
get out of here now if i was real tyrant shed be dead shes lucky
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.
Please don't push me; I'm leaving. Look after your baby, my lord; it's yours. May heaven send her a better guide! Why do these hands need to touch her? You who accommodate his mistakes will never help him, not one of you. So be it. Farewell; we're leaving.
Don't push me, I'm leaving. Take care of your baby, my lord—it's yours. God give her a better guide! Why are they doing this? You men who enable his madness won't help him, none of you. So much for that. Goodbye; let's go.
don't push me i'm leaving it's your baby god help her you won't help him farewell
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 put your wife up to this. My child? Take it away. Even you, who have a tender heart for it, take it away and see it burned immediately; even you, and no one else. Take it now: within an hour bring me word it's done, and with solid proof, or I'll take your life, and everything you call yours. If you refuse and face my anger, say so; I will smash the bastard's brains with these hands of mine. Go, take it to burn; because you've put your wife up to this.
You, traitor, you got your wife to do this. My child? Get rid of it. Even though you, with your soft heart, would do it, take it away and have it burned right now; even you alone. Take it up: within an hour come back and tell me it's done, and bring proof, or I'll kill you, and take everything you have. If you won't and you want to fight my anger, just say so; I'll crush the bastard's skull with my own hands. Go, burn it; because your wife put me up to this.
u put ur wife up to this take the child burn it in an hour prove it or die if u refuse ill crush it myself
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.
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 companions, if they wish, can clear me of it. LORDS We can: my royal lord, he is not guilty of her coming here.
I didn't, sir: these lords, my good friends, if they want, can prove I didn't. LORDS We can: my king, he didn't bring her here.
i didnt sir these lords can prove it
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.
We ask your highness, give us more credit: we have always served you truly; and we ask that you think that of us. And on our knees we beg, as reward for our faithful service past and future, that you change this plan, which being so horrible, so violent, must lead to some terrible consequence. We all kneel.
Your highness, believe us more: we've always served you honestly; and we ask that you believe that. And on our knees we beg, as payment for all the loyal service we've given and will give, that you give up this plan, which is so horrible and bloody it must lead to something terrible. We all beg you on our knees.
believe us weve always served u please change ur mind this plan is too horrible well all get punished
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'm like a feather blown by each wind. Shall I live to see this bastard kneel and call me father? better to burn it now than curse it later. But let it be; let it live. it will not either. You, sir, come over here, you who have been so tenderly helpful with Lady Midwife, your midwife, there, to save this bastard's life—for it's a bastard, as sure as this beard is gray. What will you risk to save this brat's life?
I'm blown around like a feather by every wind. Would I live to see this bastard child kneel and call me father? better to burn it now than have it curse me later. But okay; let it live. actually it won't. You, sir, come here, you who've been so kindly helping with the midwife, your helper, there, to keep this bastard alive—because it's a bastard, as sure as my beard is gray. What are you willing to risk to save this brat's life?
im unstable better burn it than have it curse me what will u risk to save this bastard?
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 can manage, and honor requires: at least this much: I'll risk what little life I have left to save the innocent. Anything possible.
Anything, my lord, that I'm able to do, and that my honor allows: at least this: I'll put what little life I have left on the line to save the innocent child. Anything possible.
anything my lord ill risk everything to save the innocent
It shall be possible. Swear by this sword
Thou wilt perform my bidding.
It will be possible. Swear by this sword you will do what I command.
It will happen. Swear on this sword you'll do what I tell you.
swear on this sword you'll obey me
I will, my lord.
Yes, your highness, I swear to it.
Yes, my lord, I promise you.
yes ill do it
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.
Pay attention, and do it, do you hear? if you fail in any part of it, it will not just be death to you, but to your gossiping wife, whom for now we pardon. We command you, as your loyalty to me, that you take this female bastard away, and that you carry it to some distant and deserted place, completely outside our kingdom; and that there you leave it, without mercy, to the protection of the weather. As by strange fate it came to us, I order you, on your soul's risk and your body's torture, that you give it to some place where chance may feed it or end it. Take it up.
Listen, and do it, you hear? if you mess up any part of this, it won't just mean your death, but your talkative wife's too, whom we're letting go for now. We're ordering you, by your loyalty to me, to take this baby girl away, and carry it to some far and empty place, way outside our lands; and leave it there, with no mercy, on its own to face the weather. Since by strange luck it got to us, I'm commanding you, on your soul and with torture to your body, that you leave it in some place where chance might keep it alive or let it die. Take it.
take it somewhere remote outside our kingdom leave it to nature no mercy if u fail ill torture u both
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 immediate death would have been more merciful. Come, poor baby: some mighty spirit teach the birds and ravens to be your nurses! Wolves and bears, they say, putting their fierceness aside, have done similar acts of compassion. Sir, prosper in more than this deed requires! And may blessing fight on your side against this cruelty, poor thing, condemned to loss!
I swear to do it, though death right now would be kinder. Come, little baby: may some powerful spirit teach the birds and ravens to care for you! Wolves and bears, they say, can drop their wildness and do similar merciful things. Sir, may you thrive in more than this task deserves! And may blessing protect you against this cruelty, poor baby, sentenced to be abandoned!
i swear ill do it may spirits protect u may wolves & bears show mercy blessed baby abandoned
No, I’ll not rear
Another’s issue.
No, I will not raise another's child.
No, I won't raise someone else's kid.
no im not raising his kid
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.
Your highness, messengers from those you sent to the oracle have arrived within the hour: Cleomenes and Dion, having arrived well from Delphos, have both landed, hurrying to the court.
Your highness, messengers from the oracle you sent them to have come back within the hour: Cleomenes and Dion, have made it back from Delphos and landed, hurrying to court.
messengers from oracle arrived cleomenes & dion back from delphos heading to court
So please you, sir, their speed
Hath been beyond account.
If it please you, sir, their speed has been extraordinary.
If you please, sir, they've traveled unbelievably fast.
they traveled fast
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've been gone: that's good speed; it suggests that the great Apollo will quickly reveal the truth of this. Get ready, lords; call a session so we can bring our most disloyal lady to trial; for, as she has been publicly accused, so shall she have a fair and open trial. While she lives, my heart will be heavy. Leave me, and think about what I've commanded.
Twenty-three days they've been away: that's fast; which means Apollo will soon reveal the truth of all this. Get prepared, lords; call a court session so we can put our most unfaithful lady on trial; for as she's been accused publicly, she'll have a fair and open hearing. As long as she lives, I'll be miserable. Leave me now, and remember what I've ordered.
twenty three days oracle will prove truth hold her trial fair & open shell be judged until then im broken
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.