← 2.2
Act 2, Scene 3 — The same. A Room in the Palace.
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The argument Paulina forces the newborn princess into the king's presence; Leontes rages, orders the baby destroyed, and when lords intercede he sentences Antigonus to abandon it in a remote wilderness — then hears the oracle messengers have arrived.
Enter Leontes, Antigonus, Lords and other Attendants.
LEONTES ≋ verse

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

"Out of the blank / And level of my brain, plot-proof" 'Blank' is the center of an archery target; 'level' means aim. Polixenes is beyond the range of Leontes's plots — out of the country, protected. Hermione, still present, is the available target.
"Given to the fire" Burning was the punishment for heresy and treason — Leontes is literally contemplating executing his innocent, recently-delivered queen for a crime she didn't commit. The casualness of it is what chills.
FIRST ATTENDANT

My lord.

My lord.

My lord.

my lord

LEONTES

How does the boy?

How does the boy?

How does the boy?

how does the boy?

FIRST ATTENDANT ≋ verse

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

LEONTES ≋ verse

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

[_Exit First Attendant._]
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.
Enter Paulina carrying a baby, with Antigonus, lords and servants.
FIRST LORD

You must not enter.

You must not enter.

You must not enter.

you must not enter

PAULINA ≋ verse

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

ANTIGONUS

That’s enough.

That’s enough.

That’s enough.

that’s enough

First appearance
SERVANT

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.

SERVANT ≋ verse

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

PAULINA ≋ verse

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

LEONTES

What noise there, ho?

What noise there, ho?

What noise there, ho?

what noise there

PAULINA ≋ verse

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

"needful conference / About some gossips for your highness" 'Gossips' were godparents — from 'godsibs,' people bound to a child by spiritual kinship. Paulina frames her intrusion as an administrative necessity.
LEONTES ≋ verse

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

ANTIGONUS ≋ verse

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

LEONTES

What, canst not rule her?

What, canst not rule her?

What, canst not rule her?

canst not rule her?

PAULINA ≋ verse

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

ANTIGONUS ≋ verse

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

PAULINA ≋ verse

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

LEONTES

Good queen!

Good queen!

Good queen!

good queen!

PAULINA ≋ verse

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

LEONTES

Force her hence.

Force her hence.

Force her hence.

force her hence

PAULINA ≋ verse

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

[_Laying down the child._]
LEONTES ≋ verse

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!

"A mankind witch" 'Mankind' here means 'mannish' or 'unfeminine' — Leontes is calling Paulina unwomanly for having the audacity to act. The insult is both gendered and ironic: her 'mannishness' is exactly what is needed here.
"A most intelligencing bawd" 'Intelligencing' means spy or secret agent; 'bawd' is a procurer. Leontes accuses Paulina of being Hermione's go-between in her alleged adultery — a grotesque misreading of what is happening in front of him.
PAULINA ≋ verse

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

LEONTES

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

"Thou art woman-tir'd, unroosted / By thy Dame Partlet here" 'Woman-tir'd' means harassed by a woman; 'Dame Partlet' was the stock name for a domineering hen in fable — Leontes is calling Paulina a bossy chicken and Antigonus a rooster she's knocked off his perch.
PAULINA ≋ verse

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

LEONTES

He dreads his wife.

He dreads his wife.

He dreads his wife.

he dreads his wife

PAULINA ≋ verse

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

Why it matters One of the play's sharpest lines — Paulina implies that a husband who respected his wife's fidelity the way a man 'afraid of his wife' would, wouldn't be questioning paternity.
LEONTES

A nest of traitors!

A nest of traitors!

A nest of traitors!

a nest of traitors!

ANTIGONUS

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

PAULINA ≋ verse

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

LEONTES ≋ verse

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

"A callat / Of boundless tongue" 'Callat' is a word for a scold or a prostitute — Leontes is combining both insults.
PAULINA ≋ verse

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

"No yellow in 't, lest she suspect, as he does, / Her children not her husband's" Yellow was the Elizabethan color of jealousy (as in 'yellow-eyed jealousy'). Paulina is praying that the baby not inherit Leontes's jealous temperament — a devastating insult wearing the form of a maternal prayer.
LEONTES ≋ verse

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

ANTIGONUS ≋ verse

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

LEONTES

Once more, take her hence.

Once more, take her hence.

Once more, take her hence.

once more take her hence

PAULINA ≋ verse

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

LEONTES

I’ll have thee burnt.

I’ll have you burnt.

I’ll have you burnt.

i’ll have you burnt

PAULINA ≋ verse

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

"It is an heretic that makes the fire, / Not she which burns in 't" Paulina inverts the logic of burning for heresy: the heretic is the one with the wrong belief, not the victim. If Leontes is wrong about Hermione — which he is — then his burning her would make him the heretic.
Why it matters Paulina's most concentrated statement of the entire play's argument: it is the accuser, not the accused, who commits the real crime.
LEONTES ≋ verse

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

PAULINA ≋ verse

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

[_Exit._]
LEONTES ≋ verse

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

ANTIGONUS ≋ verse

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

LEONTES

You’re liars all.

You’re liars all.

You’re liars all.

you’re liars all

FIRST LORD ≋ verse

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

LEONTES

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

ANTIGONUS ≋ verse

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

LEONTES ≋ verse

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

ANTIGONUS

I will, my lord.

I will, my lord.

I will, my lord.

i will my lord

LEONTES ≋ verse

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

🎭 Dramatic irony Leontes sends Antigonus to abandon the baby in a 'remote and desert place' — unaware that he's setting in motion the sixteen-year gap that will end with his daughter restoring everything he's destroying.
ANTIGONUS ≋ verse

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

"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" Antigonus is calling on the ancient tradition of wild animals nursing abandoned royal children — Romulus and Remus were nursed by a wolf. The appeal to wild-animal compassion against human cruelty is desperately ironic: a bear will shortly kill the man making this prayer.
[_Exit with the child._]
LEONTES ≋ verse

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

Enter a Servant.
SERVANT ≋ verse

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

FIRST LORD ≋ verse

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

LEONTES ≋ verse

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

🎭 Dramatic irony Leontes interprets the messengers' quick return as divine eagerness to confirm his case. The oracle will confirm the opposite — and he will call it false.
[_Exeunt._]

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.

Continue to 3.1 →