Page 770 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

HERMIONE

Who is’t that goes with me? Beseech your highness,
My women may be with me, for you see
My plight requires it. Do not weep, good fools,

There is no cause: when you shall know your mistress
Has deserv’d prison, then abound in tears [120]
As I come out: this action I now go on
Is for my better grace. Adieu, my lord:
I never wish’d to see you sorry; now

I trust I shall. My women, come; you have leave.

LEONTES
Go, do our bidding: hence! [125]
(Exit Queen, guarded; with Ladies.)

A LORD
Beseech your highness, call the queen again.

ANTIGONUS
Be certain what you do, sir, lest your justice

Prove violence, in the which three great ones suffer,
Yourself, your queen, your son.

A LORD
For her, my lord,
I dare my life lay down, and will do’t, sir, [130]
Please you t’ accept it, that the queen is spotless

I’ th’ eyes of heaven, and to you − I mean
In this which you accuse her.

ANTIGONUS
If it prove
She’s otherwise, I’ll keep my stables where

I lodge my wife; I’ll go in couples with her; [135]
Than when I feel and see her no farther trust her:
For every inch of woman in the world,
Ay, every dram of woman’s flesh is false,

If she be.