Act IIScene II
The same. The outer Room of a Prison
Enter Paulina, a Gentleman and Attendants.
Paulina
The keeper of the prison, call to him;Let him have knowledge who I am.
Exit the Gentleman.
Good lady!No court in Europe is too good for thee;What dost thou then in prison?
Enter Gentleman with the Gaoler.
Now, good sir,You know me, do you not?
Gaoler
For a worthy ladyAnd one who much I honour.
Paulina
Pray you then,Conduct me to the queen.
Gaoler
I may not, madam.To the contrary I have express commandment.
Paulina
Here’s ado, to lock up honesty and honour fromTh’ access of gentle visitors! Is’t lawful, pray you,To see her women? any of them? Emilia?
Gaoler
So please you, madam,To put apart these your attendants, IShall bring Emilia forth.
Paulina
I pray now, call her.Withdraw yourselves.
Exeunt Gentleman and Attendants.
Gaoler
And, madam,I must be present at your conference.
Paulina
Well, be’t so, prithee.
Exit Gaoler.
Here’s such ado to make no stain a stainAs passes colouring.
Re-enter Gaoler with Emilia.
Dear gentlewoman,How fares our gracious lady?
Emilia
As well as one so great and so forlornMay hold together: on her frights and griefs,(Which never tender lady hath borne greater)She is, something before her time, deliver’d.
Paulina
A boy?
Emilia
A daughter; and a goodly babe,Lusty, and like to live: the queen receivesMuch comfort in ’t; says “My poor prisoner,I am as innocent as you.”
Paulina
I dare be sworn.These dangerous unsafe lunes i’ th’ king, beshrew them!He must be told on’t, and he shall: the officeBecomes a woman best. I’ll take’t upon me.If I prove honey-mouth’d, let my tongue blister,And never to my red-look’d anger beThe trumpet any more. Pray you, Emilia,Commend my best obedience to the queen.If she dares trust me with her little babe,I’ll show’t the king, and undertake to beHer advocate to th’ loud’st. We do not knowHow he may soften at the sight o’ th’ child:The silence often of pure innocencePersuades, when speaking fails.
Emilia
Most worthy madam,Your honour and your goodness is so evident,That your free undertaking cannot missA thriving issue: there is no lady livingSo meet for this great errand. Please your ladyshipTo visit the next room, I’ll presentlyAcquaint the queen of your most noble offer,Who but today hammer’d of this design,But durst not tempt a minister of honour,Lest she should be denied.
Paulina
Tell her, Emilia,I’ll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from ’tAs boldness from my bosom, let’t not be doubtedI shall do good.
Emilia
Now be you blest for it!I’ll to the queen: please you come something nearer.
Gaoler
Madam, if ’t please the queen to send the babe,I know not what I shall incur to pass it,Having no warrant.
Paulina
You need not fear it, sir:This child was prisoner to the womb, and is,By law and process of great nature thenceFreed and enfranchis’d: not a party toThe anger of the king, nor guilty of,If any be, the trespass of the queen.
Gaoler
I do believe it.
Paulina
Do not you fear: upon mine honour, IWill stand betwixt you and danger.
Exeunt.