GAOLER.
I do believe it.
PAULINA.
Do not you fear: upon mine honour, I
Will stand betwixt you and danger.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE III. The same. A Room in the Palace.
Enter Leontes, Antigonus, Lords and other Attendants.
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’ th’ cause,
She th’ adultress; 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 ATTENDANT.
My lord.
LEONTES.
How does the boy?
FIRST ATTENDANT.
He took good rest tonight;
’Tis hop’d his sickness is discharg’d.
LEONTES.
To see his nobleness,
Conceiving the dishonour of his mother.
He straight declin’d, 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.