No Fear Shakespeare: The Winter's Tale: Act 2 Scene 3

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The Winter's Tale

William Shakespeare

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Original Text

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Read the Summary of The Winter's Tale.

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Original Text	Modern Text
A room in LEONTES ’ palace.	A room in LEONTES ’ palace.
Enter LEONTES , ANTIGONUS , Lords, and Servants	Enter LEONTES , ANTIGONUS , Lords, and Servants
LEONTES Nor night nor day no rest: it is but weakness To bear the matter thus; mere weakness. If The cause were not in being,—part o’ the cause, She the adulteress; for the harlot king 5 Is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank And level of my brain, plot-proof; but she I can hook to me: say that she were gone, Given to the fire, a moiety of my rest Might come to me again. Who’s there?	LEONTES Nor night nor day no rest: it is but weakness To bear the matter thus; mere weakness. If The cause were not in being,—part o’ the cause, She the adulteress; for the harlot king Is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank And level of my brain, plot-proof; but she I can hook to me: say that she were gone, Given to the fire, a moiety of my rest Might come to me again. Who’s there?
FIRST SERVANT 10 My lord?	FIRST SERVANT My lord?
LEONTES How does the boy?	LEONTES How does the boy?
FIRST SERVANT He took good rest to-night; ’Tis hoped his sickness is discharged.	FIRST SERVANT He took good rest to-night; ’Tis hoped his sickness is discharged.
LEONTES To see his nobleness! 15 Conceiving the dishonour of his mother, He straight declined, droop’d, took it deeply, Fasten’d and fix’d the shame on’t in himself, Threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep, And downright languish’d. Leave me solely: go, 20 See how he fares.	LEONTES To see his nobleness! Conceiving the dishonour of his mother, He straight declined, droop’d, took it deeply, Fasten’d and fix’d the shame on’t in himself, Threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep, And downright languish’d. Leave me solely: go, See how he fares.
Exit Servant	Exit Servant
Fie, fie! no thought of him: The thought of my revenges that way Recoil upon me: in himself too mighty, And in his parties, his alliance; let him be 25 Until a time may serve: for present vengeance, Take it on her. Camillo and Polixenes Laugh at me, make their pastime at my sorrow: They should not laugh if I could reach them, nor Shall she within my power.	Fie, fie! no thought of him: The thought of my revenges that way Recoil upon me: in himself too mighty, And in his parties, his alliance; let him be Until a time may serve: for present vengeance, Take it on her. Camillo and Polixenes Laugh at me, make their pastime at my sorrow: They should not laugh if I could reach them, nor Shall she within my power.
Enter PAULINA , with a child	Enter PAULINA , with a child
FIRST LORD 30 You must not enter.	FIRST LORD You must not enter.
PAULINA Nay, rather, good my lords, be second to me: Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas, Than the queen’s life? a gracious innocent soul, More free than he is jealous.	PAULINA Nay, rather, good my lords, be second to me: Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas, Than the queen’s life? a gracious innocent soul, More free than he is jealous.
ANTIGONUS 35 That’s enough.	ANTIGONUS That’s enough.
SECOND SERVANT Madam, he hath not slept tonight; commanded None should come at him.	SECOND SERVANT Madam, he hath not slept tonight; commanded None should come at him.
PAULINA Not so hot, good sir: I come to bring him sleep. ’Tis such as you, 40 That creep like shadows by him and do sigh At each his needless heavings, such as you Nourish the cause of his awaking: I Do come with words as medicinal as true, Honest as either, to purge him of that humour 45 That presses him from sleep.	PAULINA Not so hot, good sir: I come to bring him sleep. ’Tis such as you, That creep like shadows by him and do sigh At each his needless heavings, such as you Nourish the cause of his awaking: I Do come with words as medicinal as true, Honest as either, to purge him of that humour That presses him from sleep.
LEONTES What noise there, ho?	LEONTES What noise there, ho?
PAULINA No noise, my lord; but needful conference About some gossips for your highness.	PAULINA No noise, my lord; but needful conference About some gossips for your highness.
LEONTES How! 50 Away with that audacious lady! Antigonus, I charged thee that she should not come about me: I knew she would.	LEONTES How! Away with that audacious lady! Antigonus, I charged thee that she should not come about me: I knew she would.
ANTIGONUS I told her so, my lord, On your displeasure’s peril and on mine, 55 She should not visit you.	ANTIGONUS I told her so, my lord, On your displeasure’s peril and on mine, She should not visit you.
LEONTES What, canst not rule her?	LEONTES What, canst not rule her?
PAULINA From all dishonesty he can: in this, Unless he take the course that you have done, Commit me for committing honour, trust it, 60 He shall not rule me.	PAULINA From all dishonesty he can: in this, Unless he take the course that you have done, Commit me for committing honour, trust it, He shall not rule me.
ANTIGONUS La you now, you hear: When she will take the rein I let her run; But she’ll not stumble.	ANTIGONUS La you now, you hear: When she will take the rein I let her run; But she’ll not stumble.
PAULINA Good my liege, I come; 65 And, I beseech you, hear me, who profess Myself your loyal servant, your physician, Your most obedient counsellor, yet that dare Less appear so in comforting your evils, Than such as most seem yours: I say, I come 70 From your good queen.	PAULINA Good my liege, I come; And, I beseech you, hear me, who profess Myself your loyal servant, your physician, Your most obedient counsellor, yet that dare Less appear so in comforting your evils, Than such as most seem yours: I say, I come From your good queen.
LEONTES Good queen!	LEONTES Good queen!
PAULINA Good queen, my lord, Good queen; I say good queen; And would by combat make her good, so were I 75 A man, the worst about you.	PAULINA Good queen, my lord, Good queen; I say good queen; And would by combat make her good, so were I A man, the worst about you.
LEONTES Force her hence.	LEONTES Force her hence.
PAULINA Let him that makes but trifles of his eyes First hand me: on mine own accord I’ll off; But first I’ll do my errand. The good queen, 80 For she is good, hath brought you forth a daughter; Here ’tis; commends it to your blessing.	PAULINA Let him that makes but trifles of his eyes First hand me: on mine own accord I’ll off; But first I’ll do my errand. The good queen, For she is good, hath brought you forth a daughter; Here ’tis; commends it to your blessing.
Laying down the child	Laying down the child
LEONTES Out! A mankind witch! Hence with her, out o’ door: A most intelligencing bawd!	LEONTES Out! A mankind witch! Hence with her, out o’ door: A most intelligencing bawd!
PAULINA 85 Not so: I am as ignorant in that as you In so entitling me, and no less honest Than you are mad; which is enough, I’ll warrant, As this world goes, to pass for honest.	PAULINA Not so: I am as ignorant in that as you In so entitling me, and no less honest Than you are mad; which is enough, I’ll warrant, As this world goes, to pass for honest.
LEONTES 90 Traitors! Will you not push her out? Give her the bastard. Thou dotard! thou art woman-tired, unroosted By thy dame Partlet here. Take up the bastard; Take’t up, I say; give’t to thy crone.	LEONTES Traitors! Will you not push her out? Give her the bastard. Thou dotard! thou art woman-tired, unroosted By thy dame Partlet here. Take up the bastard; Take’t up, I say; give’t to thy crone.
PAULINA 95 [To Antigonus] For ever Unvenerable be thy hands, if thou Takest up the princess by that forced baseness Which he has put upon’t!	PAULINA [To Antigonus] For ever Unvenerable be thy hands, if thou Takest up the princess by that forced baseness Which he has put upon’t!
LEONTES He dreads his wife.	LEONTES He dreads his wife.
PAULINA 100 So I would you did; then ’twere past all doubt You’ld call your children yours.	PAULINA So I would you did; then ’twere past all doubt You’ld call your children yours.
LEONTES A nest of traitors!	LEONTES A nest of traitors!
ANTIGONUS I am none, by this good light.	ANTIGONUS I am none, by this good light.
PAULINA Nor I, nor any 105 But one that’s here, and that’s himself, for he The sacred honour of himself, his queen’s, His hopeful son’s, his babe’s, betrays to slander, Whose sting is sharper than the sword’s; and will not— 110 For, as the case now stands, it is a curse He cannot be compell’d to’t—once remove The root of his opinion, which is rotten As ever oak or stone was sound.	PAULINA Nor I, nor any But one that’s here, and that’s himself, for he The sacred honour of himself, his queen’s, His hopeful son’s, his babe’s, betrays to slander, Whose sting is sharper than the sword’s; and will not— For, as the case now stands, it is a curse He cannot be compell’d to’t—once remove The root of his opinion, which is rotten As ever oak or stone was sound.
LEONTES A callat 115 Of boundless tongue, who late hath beat her husband And now baits me! This brat is none of mine; It is the issue of Polixenes: Hence with it, and together with the dam Commit them to the fire!	LEONTES A callat Of boundless tongue, who late hath beat her husband And now baits me! This brat is none of mine; It is the issue of Polixenes: Hence with it, and together with the dam Commit them to the fire!
PAULINA 120 It is yours; And, might we lay the old proverb to your charge, So like you, ’tis the worse. Behold, my lords, Although the print be little, the whole matter And copy of the father, eye, nose, lip, 125 The trick of’s frown, his forehead, nay, the valley, The pretty dimples of his chin and cheek, His smiles, The very mould and frame of hand, nail, finger: And thou, good goddess Nature, which hast made it 130 So like to him that got it, if thou hast The ordering of the mind too, ’mongst all colours No yellow in’t, lest she suspect, as he does, Her children not her husband’s!	PAULINA It is yours; And, might we lay the old proverb to your charge, So like you, ’tis the worse. Behold, my lords, Although the print be little, the whole matter And copy of the father, eye, nose, lip, The trick of’s frown, his forehead, nay, the valley, The pretty dimples of his chin and cheek, His smiles, The very mould and frame of hand, nail, finger: And thou, good goddess Nature, which hast made it So like to him that got it, if thou hast The ordering of the mind too, ’mongst all colours No yellow in’t, lest she suspect, as he does, Her children not her husband’s!

Original Text	Modern Text
A room in LEONTES ’ palace.	A room in LEONTES ’ palace.
Enter LEONTES , ANTIGONUS , Lords, and Servants	Enter LEONTES , ANTIGONUS , Lords, and Servants
LEONTES Nor night nor day no rest: it is but weakness To bear the matter thus; mere weakness. If The cause were not in being,—part o’ the cause, She the adulteress; for the harlot king 5 Is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank And level of my brain, plot-proof; but she I can hook to me: say that she were gone, Given to the fire, a moiety of my rest Might come to me again. Who’s there?	LEONTES Nor night nor day no rest: it is but weakness To bear the matter thus; mere weakness. If The cause were not in being,—part o’ the cause, She the adulteress; for the harlot king Is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank And level of my brain, plot-proof; but she I can hook to me: say that she were gone, Given to the fire, a moiety of my rest Might come to me again. Who’s there?
FIRST SERVANT 10 My lord?	FIRST SERVANT My lord?
LEONTES How does the boy?	LEONTES How does the boy?
FIRST SERVANT He took good rest to-night; ’Tis hoped his sickness is discharged.	FIRST SERVANT He took good rest to-night; ’Tis hoped his sickness is discharged.
LEONTES To see his nobleness! 15 Conceiving the dishonour of his mother, He straight declined, droop’d, took it deeply, Fasten’d and fix’d the shame on’t in himself, Threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep, And downright languish’d. Leave me solely: go, 20 See how he fares.	LEONTES To see his nobleness! Conceiving the dishonour of his mother, He straight declined, droop’d, took it deeply, Fasten’d and fix’d the shame on’t in himself, Threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep, And downright languish’d. Leave me solely: go, See how he fares.
Exit Servant	Exit Servant
Fie, fie! no thought of him: The thought of my revenges that way Recoil upon me: in himself too mighty, And in his parties, his alliance; let him be 25 Until a time may serve: for present vengeance, Take it on her. Camillo and Polixenes Laugh at me, make their pastime at my sorrow: They should not laugh if I could reach them, nor Shall she within my power.	Fie, fie! no thought of him: The thought of my revenges that way Recoil upon me: in himself too mighty, And in his parties, his alliance; let him be Until a time may serve: for present vengeance, Take it on her. Camillo and Polixenes Laugh at me, make their pastime at my sorrow: They should not laugh if I could reach them, nor Shall she within my power.
Enter PAULINA , with a child	Enter PAULINA , with a child
FIRST LORD 30 You must not enter.	FIRST LORD You must not enter.
PAULINA Nay, rather, good my lords, be second to me: Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas, Than the queen’s life? a gracious innocent soul, More free than he is jealous.	PAULINA Nay, rather, good my lords, be second to me: Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas, Than the queen’s life? a gracious innocent soul, More free than he is jealous.
ANTIGONUS 35 That’s enough.	ANTIGONUS That’s enough.
SECOND SERVANT Madam, he hath not slept tonight; commanded None should come at him.	SECOND SERVANT Madam, he hath not slept tonight; commanded None should come at him.
PAULINA Not so hot, good sir: I come to bring him sleep. ’Tis such as you, 40 That creep like shadows by him and do sigh At each his needless heavings, such as you Nourish the cause of his awaking: I Do come with words as medicinal as true, Honest as either, to purge him of that humour 45 That presses him from sleep.	PAULINA Not so hot, good sir: I come to bring him sleep. ’Tis such as you, That creep like shadows by him and do sigh At each his needless heavings, such as you Nourish the cause of his awaking: I Do come with words as medicinal as true, Honest as either, to purge him of that humour That presses him from sleep.
LEONTES What noise there, ho?	LEONTES What noise there, ho?
PAULINA No noise, my lord; but needful conference About some gossips for your highness.	PAULINA No noise, my lord; but needful conference About some gossips for your highness.
LEONTES How! 50 Away with that audacious lady! Antigonus, I charged thee that she should not come about me: I knew she would.	LEONTES How! Away with that audacious lady! Antigonus, I charged thee that she should not come about me: I knew she would.
ANTIGONUS I told her so, my lord, On your displeasure’s peril and on mine, 55 She should not visit you.	ANTIGONUS I told her so, my lord, On your displeasure’s peril and on mine, She should not visit you.
LEONTES What, canst not rule her?	LEONTES What, canst not rule her?
PAULINA From all dishonesty he can: in this, Unless he take the course that you have done, Commit me for committing honour, trust it, 60 He shall not rule me.	PAULINA From all dishonesty he can: in this, Unless he take the course that you have done, Commit me for committing honour, trust it, He shall not rule me.
ANTIGONUS La you now, you hear: When she will take the rein I let her run; But she’ll not stumble.	ANTIGONUS La you now, you hear: When she will take the rein I let her run; But she’ll not stumble.
PAULINA Good my liege, I come; 65 And, I beseech you, hear me, who profess Myself your loyal servant, your physician, Your most obedient counsellor, yet that dare Less appear so in comforting your evils, Than such as most seem yours: I say, I come 70 From your good queen.	PAULINA Good my liege, I come; And, I beseech you, hear me, who profess Myself your loyal servant, your physician, Your most obedient counsellor, yet that dare Less appear so in comforting your evils, Than such as most seem yours: I say, I come From your good queen.
LEONTES Good queen!	LEONTES Good queen!
PAULINA Good queen, my lord, Good queen; I say good queen; And would by combat make her good, so were I 75 A man, the worst about you.	PAULINA Good queen, my lord, Good queen; I say good queen; And would by combat make her good, so were I A man, the worst about you.
LEONTES Force her hence.	LEONTES Force her hence.
PAULINA Let him that makes but trifles of his eyes First hand me: on mine own accord I’ll off; But first I’ll do my errand. The good queen, 80 For she is good, hath brought you forth a daughter; Here ’tis; commends it to your blessing.	PAULINA Let him that makes but trifles of his eyes First hand me: on mine own accord I’ll off; But first I’ll do my errand. The good queen, For she is good, hath brought you forth a daughter; Here ’tis; commends it to your blessing.
Laying down the child	Laying down the child
LEONTES Out! A mankind witch! Hence with her, out o’ door: A most intelligencing bawd!	LEONTES Out! A mankind witch! Hence with her, out o’ door: A most intelligencing bawd!
PAULINA 85 Not so: I am as ignorant in that as you In so entitling me, and no less honest Than you are mad; which is enough, I’ll warrant, As this world goes, to pass for honest.	PAULINA Not so: I am as ignorant in that as you In so entitling me, and no less honest Than you are mad; which is enough, I’ll warrant, As this world goes, to pass for honest.
LEONTES 90 Traitors! Will you not push her out? Give her the bastard. Thou dotard! thou art woman-tired, unroosted By thy dame Partlet here. Take up the bastard; Take’t up, I say; give’t to thy crone.	LEONTES Traitors! Will you not push her out? Give her the bastard. Thou dotard! thou art woman-tired, unroosted By thy dame Partlet here. Take up the bastard; Take’t up, I say; give’t to thy crone.
PAULINA 95 [To Antigonus] For ever Unvenerable be thy hands, if thou Takest up the princess by that forced baseness Which he has put upon’t!	PAULINA [To Antigonus] For ever Unvenerable be thy hands, if thou Takest up the princess by that forced baseness Which he has put upon’t!
LEONTES He dreads his wife.	LEONTES He dreads his wife.
PAULINA 100 So I would you did; then ’twere past all doubt You’ld call your children yours.	PAULINA So I would you did; then ’twere past all doubt You’ld call your children yours.
LEONTES A nest of traitors!	LEONTES A nest of traitors!
ANTIGONUS I am none, by this good light.	ANTIGONUS I am none, by this good light.
PAULINA Nor I, nor any 105 But one that’s here, and that’s himself, for he The sacred honour of himself, his queen’s, His hopeful son’s, his babe’s, betrays to slander, Whose sting is sharper than the sword’s; and will not— 110 For, as the case now stands, it is a curse He cannot be compell’d to’t—once remove The root of his opinion, which is rotten As ever oak or stone was sound.	PAULINA Nor I, nor any But one that’s here, and that’s himself, for he The sacred honour of himself, his queen’s, His hopeful son’s, his babe’s, betrays to slander, Whose sting is sharper than the sword’s; and will not— For, as the case now stands, it is a curse He cannot be compell’d to’t—once remove The root of his opinion, which is rotten As ever oak or stone was sound.
LEONTES A callat 115 Of boundless tongue, who late hath beat her husband And now baits me! This brat is none of mine; It is the issue of Polixenes: Hence with it, and together with the dam Commit them to the fire!	LEONTES A callat Of boundless tongue, who late hath beat her husband And now baits me! This brat is none of mine; It is the issue of Polixenes: Hence with it, and together with the dam Commit them to the fire!
PAULINA 120 It is yours; And, might we lay the old proverb to your charge, So like you, ’tis the worse. Behold, my lords, Although the print be little, the whole matter And copy of the father, eye, nose, lip, 125 The trick of’s frown, his forehead, nay, the valley, The pretty dimples of his chin and cheek, His smiles, The very mould and frame of hand, nail, finger: And thou, good goddess Nature, which hast made it 130 So like to him that got it, if thou hast The ordering of the mind too, ’mongst all colours No yellow in’t, lest she suspect, as he does, Her children not her husband’s!	PAULINA It is yours; And, might we lay the old proverb to your charge, So like you, ’tis the worse. Behold, my lords, Although the print be little, the whole matter And copy of the father, eye, nose, lip, The trick of’s frown, his forehead, nay, the valley, The pretty dimples of his chin and cheek, His smiles, The very mould and frame of hand, nail, finger: And thou, good goddess Nature, which hast made it So like to him that got it, if thou hast The ordering of the mind too, ’mongst all colours No yellow in’t, lest she suspect, as he does, Her children not her husband’s!