Page 788 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

Turn all to th’ best! These proclamations, [15]
So forcing faults upon Hermione,
I little like.

DION
The violent carriage of it
Will clear or end the business: when the Oracle

(Thus by Apollo’s great divine seal’d up)
Shall the contents discover, something rare [20]
Even then will rush to knowledge. Go: fresh horses!

And gracious be the issue.
Exeunt.

Scene II IT

Enter Leontes, Lords and Officers.

LEONTES

This sessions (to our great grief we pronounce)
Even pushes ’gainst our heart: the party tried
The daughter of a king, our wife, and one
Of us too much belov’d. Let us be clear’d
Of being tyrannous, since we so openly [5]

Proceed in justice, which shall have due course,
Even to the guilt or the purgation.
Produce the prisoner.

OFFICER
It is his highness’ pleasure that the queen

Appear in person, here in court. Silence! [10]

(Enter Hermione guarded; Paulina and Ladies attending.)

LEONTES
Read the indictment.

OFFICER