Page 856 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

The blessed gods
Purge all infection from our air whilst you
Do climate here! You have a holy father,
A graceful gentleman; against whose person [170]

(So sacred as it is) I have done sin,
For which, the heavens (taking angry note)
Have left me issueless: and your father’s blest
(As he from heaven merits it) with you,

Worthy his goodness. What might I have been, [175]
Might I a son and daughter now have look’d on,
Such goodly things as you!

Enter a Lord.

LORD
Most noble sir,

That which I shall report will bear no credit,
Were not the proof so nigh. Please you, great sir,
Bohemia greets you from himself, by me; [180]
Desires you to attach his son, who has −

His dignity and duty both cast off −
Fled from his father, from his hopes, and with
A shepherd’s daughter.

LEONTES
Where’s Bohemia? speak.

LORD
Here in your city; I now came from him. [185]

I speak amazedly, and it becomes
My marvel and my message. To your court
Whiles he was hast’ning − in the chase, it seems,
Of this fair couple − meets he on the way

The father of this seeming lady and [190]
Her brother, having both their country quitted
With this young prince.

FLORIZEL