Page 789 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

Hermione, queen to the worthy Leontes, king of Sicilia, thou art here accused
and arraigned of high treason, in committing adultery with Polixenes, king of
Bohemia, and conspiring with Camillo to take away the [15] life our sovereign
lord the king, thy royal husband: the pretence whereof being by

circumstances partly laid open, thou, Hermione, contrary to the faith and
allegiance of a true subject, didst counsel and aid them, for their better
safety, to fly away by night. [20]

HERMIONE
Since what I am to say, must be but that

Which contradicts my accusation, and
The testimony on my part, no other
But what comes from myself, it shall scarce boot me
To say ‘not guilty’: mine integrity, [25]
Being counted falsehood, shall, as I express it,

Be so receiv’d. But thus, if powers divine
Behold our human actions (as they do),
I doubt not then but innocence shall make

False accusation blush, and tyranny [30]
Tremble at patience. You, my lord, best know
(Who least will seem to do so) my past life
Hath been as continent, as chaste, as true,
As I am now unhappy; which is more

Than history can pattern, though devis’d [35]
And play’d to take spectators. For behold me,
A fellow of the royal bed, which owe

A moiety of the throne, a great king’s daughter,
The mother to a hopeful prince, here standing
To prate and talk for life and honour ’fore [40]
Who please to come and hear. For life, I prize it
As I weigh grief (which I would spare): for honour,

’Tis a derivative from me to mine,
And only that I stand for. I appeal
To your own conscience, sir, before Polixenes [45]

Came to your court, how I was in your grace,
How merited to be so; since he came,
With what encounter so uncurrent I
Have strain’d t’appear thus: if one jot beyond