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diff --git a/old/1286-h/1286-h.htm b/old/1286-h/1286-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f4d8192 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/1286-h/1286-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12212 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Tales From Shakespeare, by Charles Lamb and Mary Lamb</title> + +<style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + +body { margin-left: 20%; + margin-right: 20%; + text-align: justify; } + +h1, h2, h3, h4, h5 {text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-weight: +normal; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: .5em; margin-bottom: .5em;} + +h1 {font-size: 300%; + margin-top: 0.6em; + margin-bottom: 0.6em; + letter-spacing: 0.12em; + word-spacing: 0.2em; + text-indent: 0em;} +h2 {font-size: 150%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} +h3 {font-size: 130%; margin-top: 1em;} +h4 {font-size: 120%;} +h5 {font-size: 110%;} + +.no-break {page-break-before: avoid;} /* for epubs */ + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always; margin-top: 4em;} + +hr {width: 80%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + +p {text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: 0.25em; + margin-bottom: 0.25em; } + +p.poem {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-size: 90%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; } + +p.noindent {text-indent: 0% } + +pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +a:link {color:blue; text-decoration:none} +a:visited {color:blue; text-decoration:none} +a:hover {color:red} + +</style> + </head> + <body> + +<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Tales From Shakespeare, by Charles Lamb and Mary Lamb</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online +at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you +are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the +country where you are located before using this eBook. +</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Tales From Shakespeare</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Charles Lamb and Mary Lamb</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: April, 1998 [eBook #1286]<br /> +[Most recently updated: May 22, 2022]</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Dianne Bean and David Widger</div> +<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE ***</div> + +<h1>TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE</h1> + +<h2 class="no-break">By Charles And Mary Lamb</h2> + +<hr /> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<table summary="" style=""> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap00">PREFACE</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap01">THE TEMPEST</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap02">A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap03">THE WINTER’S TALE</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap04">MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap05">AS YOU LIKE IT</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap06">THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap07">THE MERCHANT OF VENICE</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap08">CYMBELINE</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap09">KING LEAR</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap10">MACBETH</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap11">ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap12">TAMING OF THE SHREW</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap13">THE COMEDY OF ERRORS</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap14">MEASURE FOR MEASURE</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap15">TWELFTH NIGHT; OR, WHAT YOU WILL</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap16">TIMON OF ATHENS</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap17">ROMEO AND JULIET</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap18">HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap19">OTHELLO</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#chap20">PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE</a></td> +</tr> + +</table> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap00"></a>PREFACE</h2> + <p> + The following Tales are meant to be submitted to the young reader as an + introduction to the study of Shakespeare, for which purpose his words are + used whenever it seemed possible to bring them in; and in whatever has + been added to give them the regular form of a connected story, diligent + care has been taken to select such words as might least interrupt the + effect of the beautiful English tongue in which he wrote: therefore, words + introduced into our language since his time have been as far as possible + avoided. + </p> + <p> + In those Tales which have been taken from the Tragedies, the young readers + will perceive, when they come to see the source from which these stories + are derived, that Shakespeare’s own words, with little alteration, + recur very frequently in the narrative as well as in the dialogue; but in + those made from the Comedies the writers found themselves scarcely ever + able to turn his words into the narrative form: therefore it is feared + that, in them, dialogue has been made use of too frequently for young + people not accustomed to the dramatic form of writing. But this fault, if + it be a fault, has been caused by an earnest wish to give as much of + Shakespeare’s own words as possible: and if the “He said” + and “She said,” the question and the reply, should sometimes + seem tedious to their young ears, they must pardon it, because it was the + only way in which could be given to them a few hints and little foretastes + of the great pleasure which awaits them in their elder years, when they + come to the rich treasures from which these small and valueless coins are + extracted; pretending to no other merit than as faint and imperfect stamps + of Shakespeare’s matchless image. Faint and imperfect images they + must be called, because the beauty of his language is too frequently + destroyed by the necessity of changing many of his excellent words into + words far less expressive of his true sense, to make it read something + like prose; and even in some few places, where his blank verse is given + unaltered, as hoping from its simple plainness to cheat the young readers + into the belief that they are reading prose, yet still his language being + transplanted from its own natural soil and wild poetic garden, it must + want much of its native beauty. + </p> + <p> + It has been wished to make these Tales easy reading for very young + children. To the utmost of their ability the writers have constantly kept + this in mind; but the subjects of most of them made this a very difficult + task. It was no easy matter to give the histories of men and women in + terms familiar to the apprehension of a very young mind. For young ladies, + too, it has been the intention chiefly to write; because boys being + generally permitted the use of their fathers’ libraries at a much + earlier age than girls are, they frequently have the best scenes of + Shakespeare by heart, before their sisters are permitted to look into this + manly book; and, therefore, instead of recommending these Tales to the + perusal, of young gentlemen who can read them so much better in the + originals, their kind assistance is rather requested in explaining to + their sisters such parts as are hardest for them to understand: and when + they have helped them to get over the difficulties, then perhaps they will + read to them (carefully selecting what is proper for a young sister’s + ear) some passage which has pleased them in one of these stories, in the + very words of the scene from which it is taken; and it is hoped they will + find that the beautiful extracts, the select passages, they may choose to + give their sisters in this way will be much better relished and understood + from their having some notion of the general story from one of these + imperfect abridgments;—which if they be fortunately so done as to + prove delight to any of the young readers, it is hoped that no worse + effect will result than to make them wish themselves a little older, that + they may be allowed to read the Plays at full length (such a wish will be + neither peevish nor irrational). When time and leave of judicious friends + shall put them into their hands, they will discover in such of them as are + here abridged (not to mention almost as many more, which are left + untouched) many surprising events and turns of fortune, which for their + infinite variety could not be contained in this little book, besides a + world of sprightly and cheerful characters, both men and women, the humor + of which it was feared would be lost if it were attempted to reduce the + length of them. + </p> + <p> + What these Tales shall have been to the YOUNG readers, that and much more + it is the writers’ wish that the true Plays of Shakespeare may prove + to them in older years—enrichers of the fancy, strengtheners of + virtue, a withdrawing from all selfish and mercenary thoughts, a lesson of + all sweet and honorable thoughts d actions, to teach courtesy, benignity, + generosity, humanity: for of examples, teaching these virtues, his pages + are full. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap01"></a>THE TEMPEST</h2> + <p> + There was a certain island in the sea, the only inhabitants of which were + an old man, whose name was Prospero, and his daughter Miranda, a very + beautiful young lady. She came to this island so young that she had no + memory of having seen any other human face than her father’s. + </p> + <p> + They lived in a cave or cell, made out of a rock; it was divided into + several apartments, one of which Prospero called his study; there he kept + his books, which chiefly treated of magic, a study at that time much + affected by all learned men: and the knowledge of this art he found very + useful to him; for being thrown by a strange chance upon this island, + which had been enchanted by a witch called Sycorax, who died there a short + time before his arrival, Prospero, by virtue of his art, released many + good spirits that Sycorax had imprisoned in the bodies of large trees, + because they had refused to execute her wicked commands. These gentle + spirits were ever after obedient to the will of Prospero. Of these Ariel + was the chief. + </p> + <p> + The lively little sprite Ariel had nothing mischievous in his nature, + except that he took rather too much pleasure in tormenting an ugly monster + called Caliban, for be owed him a grudge because he was the son of his old + enemy Sycorax. This Caliban, Prospero found in the woods, a strange + misshapen thing, far less human in form than an ape: he took him home to + his cell, and taught him to speak; and Prospero would have been very kind + to him, but the bad nature which Caliban inherited from his mother, + Sycorax, would not let him learn anything good or useful: therefore he was + employed like a slave, to fetch wood and do the most laborious offices; + and Ariel had the charge of compelling him to these services. + </p> + <p> + When Caliban was lazy and neglected his work, Ariel (who was invisible to + all eyes but Prospero’s) would come slyly and pinch him, and + sometimes tumble him down in the mire; and then Ariel, in the likeness of + an ape, would make mouths at him. Then swiftly changing his shape, in the + likeness of a hedgehog, he would lie tumbling in Caliban’s way, who + feared the hedgehog’s sharp quills would prick his bare feet. With a + variety of such-like vexatious tricks Ariel would often torment him, + whenever Caliban neglected the work which Prospero commanded him to do. + </p> + <p> + Having these powerful spirits obedient to his will, Prospero could by + their means command the winds, and the waves of the sea. By his orders + they raised a violent storm, in the midst of which, and struggling with + the wild sea-waves that every moment,threatened to swallow it up, he + showed his daughter a fine large ship, which he told her was full of + living beings like themselves. “O my dear father,” said she, + “if by your art you have raised this dreadful storm, have pity on + their sad distress. See! the vessel will be dashed to pieces. Poor souls! + they will all perish. If I had power I would sink the sea beneath the + earth, rather than the good ship should be destroyed, with all the + precious souls within her.” + </p> + <p> + “Be not amazed, daughter Miranda,” said Prospero; “there. + is no harm done. I have so ordered it, that no person in the ship shall + receive any hurt. What I have done has been in care of you, my dear child. + You are ignorant who you are, or where you came from, and you know no more + of me, but that I am your father and live in this poor cave. Can you + remember a time before you came to this cell? I think you cannot, for you + were not then three years of age.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly I can, sir,” replied Miranda. + </p> + <p> + “By what?” asked Prospero; “by any other house or + person? Tell me what you can remember, my child.” + </p> + <p> + Miranda said: “It seems to me like the recollection of a dream. But + had I not once four or five women who attended upon me?” Prospero + answered: “You had, and more. How is it that this still lives in + your mind? Do you remember how you came here?” “No, sir,” + said Miranda, “I remember nothing more.” + </p> + <p> + “Twelve years ago, Miranda,” continued Prospero, “I was + Duke of Milan, and you were a princess, and my only heir. had a younger + brother, whose name was Antonio, to whom I trusted everything; and as I + was fond of retirement and deep study I commonly left the management of my + state affairs to your uncle, my false brother (for so indeed he proved). + 1, neglecting all worldly ends, buried among my books, did dedicate whole + time to the bettering of my mind. My brother Antonio, being thus in + possession of my power, began to think himself the duke indeed. The + opportunity I gave him of making himself popular among my subjects + awakened in his bad nature a proud ambition to deprive me of my dukedom; + this he soon effected with the aid of the King of Naples, a powerful + prince, who was my enemy.” + </p> + <p> + “Wherefore,” said Miranda, “did they not that hour + destroy us?” + </p> + <p> + “My child,” answered her father, “they durst not, so + dear was the love that my people bore me. Antonio carried us on board a + ship, and when we were some leagues out at sea, he forced us into a small + boat, without either tackle, sail, or mast; there he left us, as he + thought, to perish. But a kind lord of my court, one Gonzalo, who loved + me, had privately placed in the boat water, provisions, apparel, and some + books which I prize above my dukedom.” + </p> + <p> + “O my father,” said Miranda, “what a trouble must I have + been to you then!” + </p> + <p> + “No, my love,”’ said Prospero, “you were a little + cherub that did preserve me.Your innocent smiles made me bear up against + my misfortunes. Our food lasted till we landed on this desert island, + since when my chief delight has been in teaching you, Miranda, and well + have you profited by my instructions.” + </p> + <p> + “Heaven thank you, my dear father,” said Miranda. “Now + pray tell me, sir, your reason for raising this sea-storm?” + </p> + <p> + “Know then,” said her father, “"that by means of this + storm, my enemies, the King of Naples and my cruel brother, are cast + ashore upon this island.” + </p> + <p> + Having so said, Prospero gently touched his daughter with his magic wand, + and she fell fast asleep; for the spirit Ariel just then presented himself + before his master., to give an account of the tempest, and how he had + disposed of the ship’s company, and though the spirits were always + invisible to Miranda, Prospero did not choose she should hear him holding + converse (as would seem to her) with the empty air. + </p> + <p> + “Well, my brave spirit,” said Prospero to Ariel, “how + have you performed your task?” + </p> + <p> + Ariel gave a lively description of the storm, and of the terrors of the + mariners, and how the king’s son, Ferdinand, was the first who + leaped into the sea; and his father thought he saw his dear son swallowed + up by the waves and lost. “But he is safe,” said Ariel, + “in a corner of the isle, sitting with his arms folded, sadly + lamenting the loss of the king, his father, whom he concludes drowned. Not + a hair of his head is injured, and his princely garments, though drenched + in the sea-waves, look fresher than before.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s my delicate Ariel,” said Prospero. “Bring + him hither: my daughter must see this young prince. Where is the king, and + my brother?” + </p> + <p> + “I left them,” answered Ariel, “searching for Ferdinand, + whom they have little hopes of finding, thinking they saw him perish. Of + the ship’s crew not one is missing; though each one thinks himself + the only one saved; and the ship, though invisible to them, is safe in the + harbor.” + </p> + <p> + “Ariel,” said Prospero, “thy charge is faithfully + performed; but there is more work yet.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there more work?” said Ariel. “Let me remind you, + master, you have promised me my liberty. I pray, remember, , I have done + you worthy service, told you no lies, made no mistakes, served you without + grudge or grumbling.” + </p> + <p> + “How now!” said Prospero. “You do not recollect what a + torment I freed you from. Have you forgot the wicked witch Sycorax, who + with age and envy was almost bent double? Where was she born? Speak; tell + me.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir, in Algiers,” said Ariel. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, was she so?” said Prospero. “I must recount what + you have been, which I find you do not remember. This bad witch, Sycorax, + for her witchcrafts, too terrible to enter human hearing, was banished + from Algiers, and here left by the sailors-; and because you were a spirit + too delicate to execute her wicked commands, she shut you up in a tree, + where I found you howling. This torment, remember, I did free you from.” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, dear master,” said Ariel, ashamed to seem + ungrateful; “I will obey your commands.” + </p> + <p> + “Do so,” said Prospero, “and I will set you free.” + He then gave orders what further he would have him do; and away went + Ariel, first to where he had left Ferdinand, and found him still sitting + on the grass in the same melancholy posture. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my young gentleman,” said Ariel, when he saw him, ‘I + will soon move you. You must be brought, I find, for the Lady Miranda to + have a sight of your pretty person. Come. sir,, follow me.” He then + began singing: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Full fathom five thy father lies; + Of his bones are coral made; + Those are pearls that were his eyes: + Nothing of him that doth fade, + But doth suffer a sea-change + Into something rich and strange. + Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell: + Hark! now I hear them—Ding-dong, bell.” + </pre> + <p> + This strange news of his lost father soon roused the prince from the + stupid fit into which he had fallen. He followed in amazement the sound of + Ariel’s voice, till it led him to Prospero and Miranda, who were + sitting under the shade of a large tree. Now Miranda had never seen a man + before, except her own father. + </p> + <p> + “Miranda,” said Prospero, “tell me what you are looking + at yonder.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, father,” said Miranda, in a strange surprise, “surely + that is a spirit. Lord! how it looks about! Believe me, sir, it is a + beautiful creature. Is it not a spirit?” + </p> + <p> + “No, girl,” answered her father; “it eats, and sleeps, + and has senses such as we have. This young man you see was in the ship. He + is somewhat altered by grief, or you might call him a handsome person. He + has lost his companions, and is wandering about to find them.” + </p> + <p> + Miranda, who thought all men had grave faces and gray beards like her + father, was delighted with the appearance of this beautiful young prince; + and Ferdinand, seeing such a lovely lady in this desert place, and from + the strange sounds he had heard, expecting nothing but wonders, thought be + was upon an enchanted island, and that Miranda was the goddess of the + place, and as such he began to address her. + </p> + <p> + She timidly answered, she was no goddess, but a simple maid and was going + to give him an account of herself, when Prospero interrupted her. He was + well pleased to find they admired each other, for he plainly perceived + they had (as we say) fallen in love at first sight: but to try Ferdinand’s + constancy, he resolved to throw some difficulties in their way: therefore, + advancing forward, be addressed the prince with a stern air, telling him, + he came to the island as a spy, to take it from him who was the lord of + it. “Follow me,” said be. “I will tie your neck and feet + together. You shall drink sea-water; shell-fish, withered roots, and husks + of acorns shall be your food.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Ferdinand, “I will resist such entertainment + till I see a more powerful enemy,” and drew his sword; but Prospero, + waving his magic wand, fixed him to the spot where he stood, so that he + had no power to move. + </p> + <p> + Miranda hung upon her father, saying: “Why are you so ungentle? Have + pity, I will be his surety. This is the second man I ever saw, and to me + he seems a true one.” + </p> + <p> + “Silence!” said the father. “One word more will make me + chide you, girl! What! an advocate for an impostor! You think there are no + more such fine men, having seen only him and Caliban. I tell you, foolish + girl, most men as far excel this as he does Calliban.” This he said + to prove his daughter’s constancy; and she replied: + </p> + <p> + “My affections are most humble. I have no wish to see a goodlier + man.” + </p> + <p> + “Come on, young man,” said Prospero to the prince; “you + have no power to disobey -me.” + </p> + <p> + “I have not indeed,” answered Ferdinand; and not knowing that + it was by magic he was deprived of all power of resistance, he was + astonished to kind himself so strangely compelled to follow Prospero: + looking back on Miranda as long as he could see her, he said, as he went + after Prospero into the cave: “My spirits are all bound up as if I + were in a dream; but this man’s threats, and the weakness which I + feel, would seem light to me if from my prison I might once a day behold + this fair maid.” + </p> + <p> + Prospero kept Ferdinand not long confined within the cell: he soon brought + out his prisoner, and set him a severe task to perform, taking care to let + his daughter know the hard labour he had imposed on him, and then + pretending to go into his study, he secretly watched them both. + </p> + <p> + Prospero had commanded Ferdinand to pile up some heavy logs of wood. Kings’ + sons not being much used to laborious work, Miranda soon after found her + lover almost dying with fatigue. “Alas!” said she, “do + not work so hard; my father is at his studies, he is safe for these three + hours; pray rest yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “O my dear lady,” said Ferdinand, “I dare not. I must + finish my task before I take my rest.” + </p> + <p> + “If you will sit down,” said Miranda, “I will carry your + logs the while.” But this Ferdinand would by no means agree to. + Instead of a help Miranda became a hindrance, for they began a long + conversation, so that the business of log-carrying went on very slowly. + </p> + <p> + Prospero, who had enjoined Ferdinand this task merely as a trial of his + love, was not at his books, as his daughter supposed, but was standing by + them invisible, to overhear what they said. + </p> + <p> + Ferdinand inquired her name, which she told, saying it was against her + father’s express command she did so. + </p> + <p> + Prospero only smiled at this first instance of his daughter’s + disobedience, for having by his magic art caused his daughter to fall in + love so suddenly, he was not angry that she showed her love by forgetting + to obey his commands. And he listened well pleased to a long speech of + Ferdinand’s, in which he professed to love her above all the ladies + he ever saw. + </p> + <p> + In answer to his praises of her beauty, which he said exceeded all the + women in the world, she replied: “I do not remember the face of any + woman, nor have I seen any more men than you, my good friend, and my dear + father. How features are abroad, I know not: but, believe me, sir, I would + not wish any companion in the world but you, nor can my imagination form + any shape but yours that I could like. But, sir, I fear I talk to you too + freely, and my father’s precepts I forget.” + </p> + <p> + At this Prospero smiled, and nodded his head, as much as to say: “This + goes on exactly as I could wish; my girl will be queen of Naples.” + </p> + <p> + And then Ferdinand, in another fine long speech (for young princes speak + in courtly phrases), told the innocent Miranda he was heir to the crown of + Naples, and that she should be his queen. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! sir,” said she, “I am a fool to weep at what I am + glad of. I will answer you in plain and holy innocence. I am your wife if + you will marry me.” + </p> + <p> + Prospero prevented Ferdinand’s thanks by appearing visible before + them. + </p> + <p> + “Fear nothing, my child,” said he; “I have overheard, + and approve of all you have said. And, Ferdinand, if I have too severely + used you, I will make you rich amends, by giving you my daughter. All your + vexations were but trials of your love, and you have nobly stood the test. + Then as my gift, which your true love has worthily purchased, take my + daughter, and do not smile that I boast she is above all praise.” He + then, telling them that he had business which required his presence, + desired they would sit down and talk together till he returned; and this + command Miranda seemed not at all disposed to disobey. + </p> + <p> + When Prospero left them, he called his spirit Ariel, who quickly appeared + before him, eager to relate what he had done with Prospero’s brother + and the king of Naples. Ariel said he had left them almost out of their + senses with fear, at the strange things he had caused them to see and + hear. When fatigued with wandering about, and famished for want of food, + he had suddenly set before them a delicious banquet, and then, just + as,they were going to eat, he appeared visible before them in the shape of + a harpy, a voracious monster with wings, and the feast vanished away. + Then, to their utter amazement, this seeming harpy spoke to them, + reminding them of their cruelty in driving Prospero from his dukedom, and + leaving him and his infant daughter to perish in the sea, saying, that for + this cause these terrors were suffered to afflict them. + </p> + <p> + The King of Naples, and Antonio the false brother, repented the injustice + they had done to Prospero; and Ariel told his master he was certain their + penitence was sincere, and that he, though a spirit, could not but pity + them. + </p> + <p> + “Then bring them hither, Ariel,” said Prospero: “if you, + who are but a spirit, feel for their distress, shall not I, who am a human + being like themselves, have compassion on them? Bring them quickly, my + dainty Ariel.” + </p> + <p> + Ariel soon returned with the king, Antonio, and old Gonzalo in their + train, who had followed him, wondering at the wild music he played in the + air to draw them on to his master’s presence. This Gonzalo was the + same who had so kindly provided Prospero formerly with books and + provisions, when his wicked brother left him, as he thought, to perish in + an open boat in the sea. + </p> + <p> + Grief and terror had so stupefied their senses that they did not know + Prospero. He first discovered himself to the good old Gonzalo, calling him + the preserver of his life; and then his brother and the king knew that he + was the injured Prospero. + </p> + <p> + Antonio, with tears and sad words of sorrow and true repentance, implored + his brother’s forgiveness, and the king expressed his sincere + remorse for having assisted Antonio to depose his brother: and Prospero + forgave them; and, upon their engaging to restore his dukedom, he said to + the King of Naples, “I have a gift in store for you, too”; + and, opening a door, showed him his son Ferdinand playing at chess with + Miranda. + </p> + <p> + Nothing could exceed the joy of the father and the son at this unexpected + meeting, for they each thought the other drowned in the storm. + </p> + <p> + “Oh wonder!” said Miranda, “what noble creatures these + are! It must surely be a brave world that has such people in it.” + </p> + <p> + The King of Naples was almost as much astonished at the beauty and + excellent graces of the young Miranda as his son had been. “Who is + this maid?” said he; “she seems the goddess that has parted + us, and brought us thus together.” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir,” answered Ferdinand, smiling to find his father had + fallen into the same mistake that he had done when he first saw Miranda, + “she is a mortal, but by immortal Providence she is mine; I chose + her when I could not ask you, my father, for your consent, not thinking + you were alive. She is the daughter this Prospero, who is the famous Duke + of Milan, of whose renown I have heard so much, but never saw him till + now: of him I have received a new life: he has made himself to me a second + father, giving me this dear lady.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I must be her father,” said the king; “but, oh, + how oddly will it sound, that I must ask my child forgiveness.” + </p> + <p> + “No more of that,” said Prospero: “let us not remember + our troubles past, since they so happily have ended.” And then + Prospero embraced his brother, and again assured him of his forgiveness; + and said that a wise overruling Providence had permitted that he should be + driven from his poor dukedom of Milan, that his daughter might inherit the + crown of Naples, for that by their meeting in this desert island it had + happened that the king’s son had loved Miranda. + </p> + <p> + These kind words which Prospero spoke, meaning to comfort his brother, so + filled Antonio with shame and remorse that be wept and was unable to + speak; and the kind old Gonzalo wept to see this joyful reconciliation, + and prayed for blessings on the young couple. + </p> + <p> + Prospero now told them that their ship was safe in the harbor, and the + sailors all on board her, and that he and his daughter would accompany + them home the next morning. “In the mean time,” says he, + “partake of such refreshments as my poor cave affords; and for your + evening’s entertainment I will relate the history of my life from my + first landing in this desert island.” He then called for Caliban to + prepare some food, and set the cave in order; and the company were + astonished at the uncouth form and savage appearance of this ugly monster, + who (Prospero said) was the only attendant he had to wait upon him. + </p> + <p> + Before Prospero left the island he dismissed Ariel from service, to the + great joy of that lively little spirit, who, though he had been a faithful + servant to his master, was always longing to enjoy his free liberty, to + wander uncontrolled in the air, like a wild bird, under green trees, among + pleasant fruits, and sweet-smelling flowers. + </p> + <p> + “My quaint Ariel,” said Prospero to the little sprite when he + made him free, “I shall miss you; yet you shall have your freedom.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, my dear master,” said Ariel; “but give me + leave to attend your ship home with prosperous gales, before you bid + farewell to the assistance of your faithful spirit; and then, master, when + I am free, how merrily I shall live!” Here Ariel sang this pretty + song: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Where the bee sucks, there suck !; + In a cowslip’s bell I lie: + There I crouch when owls do cry. + On the bat’s back I do fly + After summer merrily. + Merrily, merrily shall I live now + Under the blossom that hangs on the bough.” + </pre> + <p> + Prospero then buried deep in the earth his magical books and wand, for he + was resolved never more to make use of the magic art. And having thus + overcome his enemies, and being reconciled to his brother and the King of + Naples, nothing now remained to complete his happiness but to revisit his + native land, to take possession of his dukedom, and to witness the happy + nuptials of his daughter and Prince Ferdinand, which the king said should + be instantly celebrated with great splendor on their return to Naples. At + which place, under the safe convoy of the spirit Ariel they, after a + pleasant voyage, soon arrived. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap02"></a>A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM</h2> + <p> + There was a law in the city of Athens which gave to its citizens the power + of compelling their daughters to marry whomsoever they pleased; for upon a + daughter’s refusing to marry the man her father had chosen to be her + husband, the father was empowered by this law to cause her to be put to + death; but as fathers do not often desire the death of their own + daughters, even though they do happen to prove a little refractory, this + law was seldom or never put in execution, though perhaps the young ladies + of that city were not unfrequently threatened by their parents with the + terrors of it. + </p> + <p> + There was one instance, however, of an old man, whose name was Egeus, who + actually did come before Theseus (at that time the reigning Duke of + Athens), to complain that his daughter whom he had commanded to marry + Demetrius, a young man of a noble Athenian family, refused to obey him, + because she loved another young Athenian, named Lysander. Egeus demanded + justice of Theseus, and desired that this cruel law might be put in force + against his daughter. + </p> + <p> + Hermia pleaded in excuse for her disobedience that Demetrius had formerly + professed love for her dear friend Helena, and that Helena loved Demetrius + to distraction; but this honorable reason, which Hermia gave for not + obeying her father’s command, moved not the stern Egeus. + </p> + <p> + Theseus, though a great and merciful prince, had no power to alter the + laws of his country; therefore he could only give Hermia four days to + consider of it: and at the end of that time, if she still refused to marry + Demetrius, she was to be put to death. + </p> + <p> + When Hermia was dismissed from the presence of the duke, she went to her + lover Lysander and told him the peril she was in, and that she must either + give him up and marry Demetrius or lose her life in four days. + </p> + <p> + Lysander was in great affliction at hearing these evil tidings; but, + recollecting that be had an aunt who lived at some distance from Athens, + and that at the place where she lived the cruel law could not be put in + force against Hermia (this law not extending beyond the boundaries of the + city), he proposed to Hermia that she should steal out of her father’s + house that night, and go with him to his aunt’s house, where he + would marry her. “I will meet you,” said Lysander, “in + the wood a few miles without the city; in that delightful wood where we + have so often walked with Helena in the pleasant month of May.” + </p> + <p> + To this proposal Hermia joyfully agreed; and she told no one of her + intended flight but her friend Helena. Helena (as maidens will do foolish + things for love) very ungenerously resolved to go and tell this to + Demetrius, though she could hope no benefit from betraying her friend’s + secret but the poor pleasure of following her faithless lover to the wood; + for she well knew that Demetrius would go thither in pursuit of Hermia. + </p> + <p> + The wood in which Lysander and Hermia proposed to meet was the favorite + haunt of those little beings known by the name of “fairies.” + </p> + <p> + Oberon the king, and Titania the queen of the fairies, with all their tiny + train of followers, in this wood held their midnight revels. + </p> + <p> + Between this little king and queen of sprites there happened, at this + time, a sad disagreement; they never met by moonlight in the shady walk of + this pleasant wood but they were quarreling, till all their fairy elves + would creep into acorn-cups and hide themselves for fear. + </p> + <p> + The cause of this unhappy disagreement was Titania’s refusing give + Oberon a little changeling boy, whose mother had been Titania’s + friend; and upon her death the fairy queen stole the child from its nurse + and brought him up in the woods. + </p> + <p> + The night on which the lovers were to meet in this wood, as Titania was + walking with some of her maids of honor, she met Oberon attended by his + train of fairy courtiers. + </p> + <p> + “Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania,” said the fairy king. + </p> + <p> + The queen replied: “What, jealous Oberon, is it you? Fairies, skip + hence; I have forsworn his company.” + </p> + <p> + “Tarry, rash fairy,” said Oberon. “Am I not thy lord? + Why does Titania cross her Oberon? Give me your little changeling boy to + be my page.” + </p> + <p> + “Set your heart at rest,” answered the queen; “your + whole fairy kingdom buys not the boy of me.” She then left her lord + in great anger. + </p> + <p> + “Well, go your way,” said Oberon; “before the morning + dawns I will torment you for this injury.” + </p> + <p> + Oberon then sent for Puck, his chief favorite and privy counselor. + </p> + <p> + Puck (or, as he was sometimes called, Robin Goodfellow) was a shrewd and + knavish sprite, that used to play comical pranks in the neighboring + villages; sometimes getting into the dairies and skimming the milk, + sometimes plunging his light and airy form into the butter-churn, and + while he was dancing his fantastic shape in the churn, in vain the dairymaid + would labor to change her cream into butter. Nor had the village swains + any better success; whenever Puck chose to play his freaks in the brewing + copper, the ale was sure to be spoiled. When a few good neighbors were met + to drink some comfortable ale together, Puck would jump into the bowl of + ale in the likeness of a roasted crab, and when some old goody was going + to drink he would bob against her lips, and spill the ale over her + withered chin; and presently after, when the same old dame was gravely + seating herself to tell her neighbors a sad and melancholy story, Puck + would slip her three-legged stool from under her, and down toppled the + poor old woman, and then the old gossips would hold their sides and laugh + at her, and swear they never wasted a merrier hour. + </p> + <p> + “Come hither, Puck,” said Oberon to this little merry wanderer + of the night; “fetch me the flower which maids call ‘Love in, + Idleness’; the juice of that little purple flower laid on the + eyelids of those who sleep will make them, when they awake, dote on the + first thing they see. Some of the juice of that flower I will drop on the + eyelids of my Titania when she is asleep; and the first thing she looks + upon when she opens her eyes she will fall in love with, even though it be + a lion or a bear, a meddling monkey or a busy ape; and before I will take + this charm from off her sight, which I can do with another charm I know + of, I will make her give me that boy to be my page.” + </p> + <p> + Puck, who loved mischief to his heart, was highly diverted with this + intended frolic of his master, and ran to seek the flower; and while + Oberon was waiting the return of Puck he observed Demetrius and Helena + enter the wood: he overheard Demetrius reproaching Helena for following + him, and after many unkind words on his part, and gentle expostulations + from Helena, reminding him of his former love and professions of true + faith to her, he left her (as he said) to the mercy of the wild beasts, + and she ran after him as swiftly as she could. + </p> + <p> + The fairy king, who was always friendly to true lovers, felt great + compassion for Helena; and perhaps, as Lysander said they used to walk by + moonlight in this pleasant wood, Oberon might have seen Helena in those + happy times when she was beloved by Demetrius. However that might be, when + Puck returned with the little purple flower, Oberon said to his favorite: + “Take a part of this flower; there has been a sweet Athenian lady + here, who is in love with a disdainful youth; if you find him sleeping, + drop some of the love-juice in his eyes, but contrive to do it when she is + near him, that the first thing he sees when he awakes may be this despised + lady. You will know the man ]by the Athenian garments which be wears.” + </p> + <p> + Puck promised to manage this matter very dexterously: and then Oberon + went, unperceived by Titania, to her bower, where she was preparing to go + to rest. Her fairy bower was a bank, where grew wild thyme, cowslips, and + sweet violets, under a canopy of woodbine, musk-roses, and eglantine. + There Titania always slept some part of the night; her coverlet the + enameled skin of a snake, which, though a small mantle, was wide enough to + wrap a fairy in. + </p> + <p> + He found Titania giving orders to her fairies, how they were to employ + themselves while she slept. “Some of you,” said her Majesty, + “must kill cankers in the musk-rose buds, and some wage war with the + bats for their leathern wings, to make my small elves coats; and some of + you keep watch that the clamorous owl, that nightly boots, come not near + me: but first sing me to sleep.” Then they began to sing this song: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “You spotted snakes, with double tongue, + Thorny hedgehogs, be not seen; + Newts and blind-worms do no wrong; + Come not near our fairy queen: + + “Philomel, with melody, + Sing in our sweet lullaby; + Lulla, lulla, lullaby; lulla, lulla, lullaby; + Never harm, nor spell, nor charm, + Come our lovely lady nigh; + So, good night, with lullaby.” + </pre> + <p> + When the fairies had sung their queen asleep with this pretty lullaby, + they left her to perform the important services she had enjoined them. + Oberon then softly drew near his Titania and dropped some of the + love-juice on her eyelids, saying: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “What thou seest when thou dost wake, + Do it for thy true-love take.” + </pre> + <p> + But to return to Hermia, who made her escape out of her father’s + house that night, to avoid the death she was doomed to for refusing to + marry Demetrius. When she entered the wood, she found her dear Lysander + waiting for her, to conduct her to his aunt’s house; but before they + had passed half through the wood Hermia was so much fatigued that + Lysander, who was very careful of this dear lady, who had proved her + affection for him even by hazarding her life for his sake, persuaded her + to rest till morning on a bank of soft moss, and, lying down himself on + the ground at some little distance, they soon fell fast asleep. Here they + were found by Puck, who, seeing a handsome young man asleep, and + perceiving that his clothes were made in the Athenian fashion, and that a + pretty lady was sleeping near him, concluded that this must be the + Athenian maid and her disdainful lover whom Oberon had sent him to seek; + and he naturally enough conjectured that, as they were alone together, she + must be the first thing he would see when he awoke; so, without more ado, + he proceeded to pour some of the juice of the little purple flower into + his eyes. But it so fell out that Helena came that way, and, instead of + Hermia, was the first object Lysander beheld when he opened his eyes; and + strange to relate, so powerful was the love-charm, all his love for Hermia + vanished away and Lysander fell in love with Helena. + </p> + <p> + Had he first seen Hermia when he awoke, the blunder Puck committed would + have been of no consequence, for he could not love that faithful lady too + well; but for poor Lysander to be forced by a fairy love-charm to forget + his own true Hernia, and to run after another lady, and leave Hermia + asleep quite alone in a wood at midnight, was a sad chance indeed. + </p> + <p> + Thus this misfortune happened. Helena, as has been before related, + endeavored to keep pace with Demetrius when he ran away so rudely from + her; but she could not continue this unequal race long, men being always + better runners in a long race than ladies. Helena soon lost sight of + Demetrius; and as she was wandering about, dejected and forlorn, she + arrived at the place where Lysander was sleeping. “Ah!” said + she, “this is Lysander lying on the ground. Is he dead or asleep?” + Then, gently touching him, she said, “Good sir, if you are alive, + awake.” Upon this Lysander opened his eyes, and, the love-charm + beginning to work, immediately addressed her in terms of extravagant love + and admiration, telling her she as much excelled Hermia in beauty as a + dove does a raven, and that be would run through fire for her sweet sake; + and many more such lover-like speeches. Helena, knowing Lysander was her + friend Hermia’s lover, and that he was solemnly engaged to marry + her, was in the utmost rage when she heard herself addressed in this + manner; for she thought (as well she might) that Lysander was making a + jest of her. “Oh!” said she, “why was I born to be + mocked and scorned by every one? Is it not enough, is it not enough, young + man, that I can never get a sweet look or a kind word from Demetrius; but + you, sir, must pretend in this disdainful manner to court me? I thought, + Lysander, you were a lord of more true gentleness.” Saying these + words in great anger, she ran away; and Lysander followed her, quite + forgetful of his own Hermia, who was still asleep. + </p> + <p> + When Hermia awoke she was in a sad fright at finding herself alone. She + wandered about the wood, not knowing what was become of Lysander, or which + way to go to seek for him. In the mean time Demetrius, not being able to + find Hermia and his rival Lysander, and fatigued with his fruitless + search, was observed by Oberon fast asleep. Oberon had learned by some + questions he had asked of Puck that he had applied the lovecharm to the + wrong person’s eyes; and now, having found the person first + intended, he touched the eyelids of the sleeping Demetrius with the + love-juice, and he instantly awoke; and the first thing he saw being + Helena, he, as Lysander had done before, began to address love-speeches to + her; and just at that moment Lysander, followed by Hermia (for through + Puck’s unlucky mistake it was now become Hermia’s turn to run + after her lover), made his appearance; and then Lysander and Demetrius, + both speaking together, made love to Helena, they being each one under the + influence of the same potent charm. + </p> + <p> + The astonished Helena thought that Demetrius, Lysander, and her once dear + friend Hermia were all in a plot together to make a jest of her. + </p> + <p> + Hermia was as much surprised as Helena; she knew not why Lysander and + Demetrius, who both before loved her, were now become the lovers of + Helena, and to Hermia the matter seemed to be no jest. + </p> + <p> + The ladies, who before bad always been the dearest of friends, now fell to + high words together. + </p> + <p> + “Unkind. Hermia,” said Helena, “it is you have set + Lysander on to vex me with mock praises; and your other lover, Demetrius, + who used almost to spurn me with his foot, have you not bid him call me + goddess, nymph, rare, precious, and celestial? He would not speak thus to + me, whom he hates, if you did not set him on to make a jest of me. Unkind + Hermia, to join with men in scorning your poor friend. Have you forgot our + schoolday friendship? How often, Hermia, have we two, sitting on one + cushion, both singing one song, with our needles working the same flower, + both on the same sampler wrought; growing up together in fashion of a + double cherry, scarcely seeming parted! Hermia, it is not friendly in you, + it is not maidenly to join with men in scorning your poor friend.” + </p> + <p> + “I am amazed at your passionate words,” said Hermia: “I + scorn you not; it seems you scorn me.” + </p> + <p> + “Aye, do,” returned Helena, “persevere, counterfeit + serious looks, and make mouths at me when I turn my back; then wink at + each other, and hold the sweet jest up. If you had any pity, grace, or + manners, you would not use me thus.” + </p> + <p> + While Helena and Hermia were speaking these angry words to each other, + Demetrius and Lysander left them, to fight together in the wood for the + love of Helena. + </p> + <p> + When they found the gentlemen had left them, they departed, and once more + wandered weary in the wood in search of their lovers. + </p> + <p> + As soon as they were gone the fairy king, who with little Puck had been + listening to their quarrels, said to him, “This is your negligence, + Puck; or did you do this wilfully?” + </p> + <p> + “Believe me, king of shadows,” answered Puck, “it was a + mistake. Did not you tell me I should know the man by his Athenian + garments? However, I am not sorry this has happened, for I think their + jangling makes excellent sport.” + </p> + <p> + “You heard,” said Oberon, “that Demetrius and Lysander + are gone to seek a convenient place to fight in. I command you to overhang + the night with a thick fog, and lead these quarrelsome lovers so astray in’ + the dark that they shall not be able to find each other. Counterfeit each + of their voices to the other, and with bitter taunts provoke them to + follow you, while they think it is their rival’s tongue they hear. + See you do this, till they are so weary they can go no farther; and when + you find they are asleep, drop the juice of this other flower into + Lysander’s eyes, and when he awakes he will forget his new love for + Helena, and return to his old passion for Hermia; and then the two fair + ladies may each one be happy with the man she loves and they will think + all that has passed a vexatious dream. About this quickly, Puck, and I + will go and see what sweet love my Titania has found.” + </p> + <p> + Titania was still sleeping, and Oberon, seeing a clown near her who had + lost his way in the wood and was likewise asleep, “This fellow,” + said he, “shall be my Titania’s true love”; and clapping + an ass’s head over the clown’s, it seemed to fit him as well + as if it had grown upon his own shoulders. Though Oberon fixed the ass’s + head on very gently, it awakened him, and, rising up, unconscious of what + Oberon had done to him, he went toward the bower where the fairy queen + slept. + </p> + <p> + “Ah I what angel is that I see?” said Titania, opening her + eyes, and the juice of the little purple flower beginning to take effect. + “Are you as wise as you are beautiful?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, mistress,” said the foolish clown, “if I have wit + enough to find the way out of this wood, I have enough to serve my turn.” + </p> + <p> + “Out of the wood do not desire to go,” said the enamoured + queen. “I am a spirit of no common rate. I love you. Go with me, and + I will give you fairies to attend upon you.” + </p> + <p> + She then called four of her fairies. Their names were Peas-blossom, + Cobweb, Moth, and Mustard-seed. + </p> + <p> + “Attend,” said the queen, “upon this sweet gentleman. + Hop in his walks and gambol in his sight; feed him with grapes and + apricots, and steal for him the honey-bags from the bees. Come, sit with + me,” said she to the clown., “and let me play with your + amiable hairy cheeks, my beautiful ass! and kiss your fair large ears, my + gentle joy.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is Peas-blossom?” said the ass-headed clown, not much + regarding the fairy queen’s courtship, but very proud of his new + attendants. + </p> + <p> + “Here, sir,” said little Peas-blossom. + </p> + <p> + “Scratch my head,” said the clown. “Where is Cobweb?” + </p> + <p> + “Here, sir,” said Cobweb. + </p> + <p> + “Good Mr. Cobweb,” said the foolish clown, “kill me the + red humblebee on the top of that thistle yonder; and, good Mr. Cobweb, + bring me the honey-bag. Do not fret yourself too much in the action, Mr. + Cobweb, and take care the honey-bag break not; I should be sorry to have + you overflown with a honey-bag. Where is Mustard-seed?” + </p> + <p> + “Here, sir, “ said Mustard-seed. “What is your will?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” said the clown, “good Mr. Mustard-seed, but + to help Mr. Peas-blossom to scratch; I must go to a barber’s, Mr. + Mustard-seed, for methinks I am marvelous hairy about the face.” + </p> + <p> + “My sweet love,” said the queen, “what will you have to + eat? I have a venturous fairy shall seek the squirrel’s hoard, and + fetch you some new nuts.” + </p> + <p> + “I had rather have a handful of dried peas,”’ said the + clown, who with his ass’s head had got an ass’s appetite. + “But, I pray, let none of your people disturb me, for I have a mind + to sleep.” + </p> + <p> + “Sleep, then,” said the queen, “and I will wind you in + my arms. Oh, how I love you! how I dote upon you!” + </p> + <p> + When the fairy king saw the clown sleeping in the arms of his queen, he + advanced within her sight, and reproached her with having lavished her + favors upon an ass. + </p> + <p> + This she could not deny, as the clown was then sleeping within her arms, + with his ass’s head crowned by her with flowers. + </p> + <p> + When Oberon had teased her for some time, he again demanded the changeling + boy; which she, ashamed of being discovered by her lord with her new + favorite, did not dare to refuse him. + </p> + <p> + Oberon, having thus obtained the little boy he had so long wished for to + be his page, took pity on the disgraceful situation into which, by his + merry contrivance, he had brought his Titania, and threw some of the juice + of the other flower into her eyes; and the fairy queen immediately + recovered her senses, and wondered at her late dotage, saying how she now + loathed the sight of the strange monster. + </p> + <p> + Oberon likewise took the ass’s head from off the clown, and left him + to finish his nap with his own fool’s head upon his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + Oberon and his Titania being now perfectly reconciled, he related to her + the history of the lovers and their midnight quarrels, and she agreed to + go with him and see the end of their adventures. + </p> + <p> + The fairy king and queen found the lovers and their fair ladies, at no + great distance from one another, sleeping on a grass-plot; for Puck, to + make amends for his former mistake, had contrived with the utmost + diligence to bring them all to the same spot, unknown to one another; and + he bad carefully removed the charm from off the eyes of Lysander with the + antidote the fairy king gave to him. + </p> + <p> + Hermia first awoke, and, finding her lost Lysander asleep so near her, was + looking at him and wondering at his strange inconstancy. Lysander + presently opening his eyes, and seeing his dear Hermia, recovered his + reason which the fairy charm had before clouded, and with his reason his + love for Hermia; and they began to talk over the adventures of the night, + doubting if these things had really happened, or if they bad both been + dreaming the same bewildering dream. + </p> + <p> + Helena and Demetrius were by this time awake; and a sweet sleep having + quieted Helena’s disturbed and angry spirits, she listened with + delight to the professions of love which Demetrius still made to her, and + which, to her surprise as well as pleasure, she began to perceive were + sincere. + </p> + <p> + These fair night-wandering ladies, now no longer rivals, became once more + true friends; all the unkind words which had passed were forgiven, and + they calmly consulted together what was best to be done in their present + situation. It was soon agreed that, as Demetrius bad given up his + pretensions to Hermia, he should endeavor to prevail upon her father to + revoke the cruel sentence of death which had been passed against her. + Demetrius was preparing to return to Athens for this friendly purpose, + when they were surprised with the sight of Egeus, Hermia’s father, + who came to the wood in pursuit of his runaway daughter. + </p> + <p> + When Egeus understood that Demetrius would not now marry his daughter, he + no longer opposed her marriage with Lysander, but gave his consent that + they should be wedded on the fourth day from that time, being the same day + on which Hermia had been condemned to lose her life; and on that same day + Helena joyfully agreed to marry her beloved and now faithful Demetrius. + </p> + <p> + The fairy king and queen, who were invisible spectators of this + reconciliation, and now saw the happy ending of the lovers’ history, + brought about through the good offices of Oberon, received so much + pleasure that these kind spirits resolved to celebrate the approaching + nuptials with sports and revels throughout their fairy kingdom. + </p> + <p> + And now, if any are offended with this story of fairies and their pranks, + as judging it incredible and strange, they have only to think that they + have been asleep and dreaming, and that all these adventures were visions + which they saw in their sleep. And I hope none of my readers will be so + unreasonable as to be offended with a pretty, harmless Midsummer Night’s + Dream. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap03"></a>THE WINTER’S TALE</h2> + <p> + Leontes, King of Sicily, and his queen, the beautiful and virtuous + Hermione, once lived in the greatest harmony together. So happy was + Leontes in the love of this excellent lady that he had no wish + ungratified, except that he some times desired to see again and to present + to his queen his old companion and schoolfellow, Polixenes, King of + Bohemia. Leontes and Polixenes were brought up together from their + infancy, but being, by the death of their fathers, called to reign over + their respective kingdoms, they had not met for many years, though they + frequently interchanged gifts, letters, and loving embassies. + </p> + <p> + At length, after repeated invitations, Polixenes came from Bohemia to the + Sicilian court, to make his friend Leontes a visit. + </p> + <p> + At first this visit gave nothing but pleasure to Leontes. He recommended + the friend of his youth to the queen’s particular attention, and + seemed in the presence of his dear friend and old companion to have his + felicity quite completed. They talked over old times; their school-days + and their youthful pranks were remembered, and recounted to Hermione, who + always took a cheerful part in these conversations. + </p> + <p> + When, after a long stay, Polixenes was preparing to depart, Hermione, at + the desire of her husband, joined her entreaties to his that Polixenes + would prolong his visit. + </p> + <p> + And now began this good queen’s sorrow; for Polixenes, refusing to + stay at the request of Leontes, was won over by Hermione’s gentle + and persuasive words to put off his departure for some weeks longer. Upon + this, although Leontes had so long known the integrity and honorable + principles of his friend Polixenes, as well as the excellent disposition + of his virtuous queen, he was seized with an ungovernable jealousy. Every + attention Hermione showed to Polixenes, though by her husband’s + particular desire and merely to please him, increased the unfortunate king’s + jealousy; and from being a loving and a true friend, and the best and + fondest of husbands, Leontes became suddenly a savage and inhuman monster. + Sending for Camillo, one of the lords of his court, and telling him of the + suspicion he entertained, he commanded him to poison Polixenes. + </p> + <p> + Camillo was a good man, and he, well knowing that the jealousy of Leontes + had not the slightest foundation in truth, instead of poisoning Polixenes, + acquainted him with the king his master’s orders, and agreed to + escape with him out of the Sicilian dominions; and Polixenes, with the + assistance of Camillo, arrived safe in his own kingdom of Bohemia, where + Camillo lived from that time in the king’s court and became the + chief friend and favorite of Polixenes. + </p> + <p> + The flight of Polixenes enraged the jealous Leontes still more; he went to + the queen’s apartment, where the good lady was sitting with her + little son Mamillius, who was just beginning to tell one of his best + stories to amuse his mother, when the king entered and, taking the child + away, sent Hermione to prison. + </p> + <p> + Mamillius, though but a very young child, loved his mother tenderly; and + when he saw her so dishonored, and found she was taken from him to be put + into a prison, he took it deeply to heart and drooped and pined away by + slow degrees, losing his appetite and his sleep, till it was thought his + grief would kill him. + </p> + <p> + The king, when he had sent his queen to prison, commanded Cleomenes and + Dion, two Sicilian lords, to go to Delphos, there to inquire of the oracle + at the temple of Apollo if his queen had been unfaithful to him. + </p> + <p> + When Hermione had been a short time in prison she was brought to bed of a + daughter; and the poor lady received much comfort from the sight of her + pretty baby, and she said to it, “My poor little prisoner, I am as + innocent as you are.” + </p> + <p> + Hermione had a kind friend in the noble-spirited Paulina, who was the wife + of Antigonus, a Sicilian lord; and when the lady Paulina heard her royal + mistress was brought to bed she went to the prison where Hermione was + confined; and she said to Emilia, a lady who attended upon Hermione, + “I pray you, Emilia, tell the good queen, if her Majesty dare trust + me with her little babe, I will carry it to the king, its father: we do + not know how he may soften at the sight of his innocent child.” + </p> + <p> + “Most worthy madam,” replied Emilia, “I will acquaint + the queen with your noble offer. She was wishing to-day that she had any + friend who would venture to present the child to the king.” + </p> + <p> + “And tell her,” said Paulina. “that I will speak boldly + to Leontes in her defense.” + </p> + <p> + “May you be forever blessed,” said Emilia, “for your + kindness to our gracious queen!” + </p> + <p> + Emilia then went to Hermione, who joyfully gave up her baby to the care of + Paulina, for she had feared that no one would dare venture to present the + child to its father. + </p> + <p> + Paulina took the new-born infant and, forcing herself into the king’s + presence, notwithstanding her husband, fearing the king’s anger, + endeavored to prevent her, she laid the babe at its father’s feet; + and Paulina made a noble speech to the king in defense of Hermione, and + she reproached him severely for his inhumanity and implored him to have + mercy on his innocent wife and child. But Paulina’s spirited + remonstrances only aggravated Leontes’s displeasure, and he ordered + her husband Antigonus to take her from his presence. + </p> + <p> + When Paulina went away she left the little baby at its father’s + feet, thinking when he was alone with it he would look upon it and have + pity on its helpless innocence. + </p> + <p> + The good Paulina was mistaken, for no sooner was she gone than the + merciless father ordered Antigonus, Paulina’s husband, to take the + child and carry it out to sea and leave it upon some desert shore to + perish. + </p> + <p> + Antigonus, unlike the good Camillo, too well obeyed the orders of Leontes; + for he immediately carried the child on shipboard, and put out to sea, + intending to leave it on the first desert coast he could find. + </p> + <p> + So firmly was the king persuaded of the guilt of Hermione that he would + not wait for the return of Cleomenes and Dion; whom he had sent to consult + the oracle of Apollo at Delphos, but before the queen was recovered from + her lying-in, and from the grief for the loss of her precious baby, he had + her brought to a public trial before all the lords and nobles of his + court. And when all the great lords, the judges, and all the nobility of + the land were assembled together to try Hermione, and that unhappy queen + was standing as a prisoner before her subjects to receive their judgment, + Cleomenes and Dion entered the assembly and presented to the king the + answer of the oracle, sealed up; and Leontes commanded the seal to be + broken, and the words of the oracle to be read aloud, and these were the + words: + </p> + <p> + “Hermione is innocent, Polixenes blameless, Camillo a true subject, + Leontes a jealous tyrant, and the king shall live without an heir if that + which is lost be not found.” + </p> + <p> + The king would give no credit to the words of the oracle. He said it was a + falsehood invented by the queen’s friends, and be desired the judge + to proceed in the trial of the queen; but while Leontes was speaking a man + entered and told him that the Prince Mamillius, hearing his mother was to + be tried for her life, struck with grief and shame, had suddenly died. + </p> + <p> + Hermione, upon hearing of the death of this dear, affectionate child, who + had lost his life in sorrowing for her misfortune, fainted; and Leontes, + pierced to the heart by the news, began to feel pity for his unhappy + queen, and he ordered Paulina, and the ladies who were her attendants, to + take her away and use means for her recovery. Paulina soon returned and + told the king that Hermione was dead. + </p> + <p> + When Leontes heard that the queen was dead he repented of his cruelty to + her; and now that he thought his ill-usage had broken Hermione’s + heart, he believed her innocent; and now he thought the words of the + oracle were true, as he knew “if that which was lost was not found,” + which he concluded was his young daughter, he should be without an heir, + the young Prince Mamillius being dead; and he would give his kingdom now + to recover his lost daughter. And Leontes gave himself up to remorse and + passed many years in mournful thoughts and repentant grief. + </p> + <p> + The ship in which Antigonus carried the infant princess out to sea was + driven by a storm upon the coast of Bohemia, the very kingdom of the good + King Polixenes. Here Antigonus landed and here he left the little baby. + </p> + <p> + Antigonus never returned to Sicily to tell Leontes where he had left his + daughter, for, as he was going back to the ship, a bear came out of the + woods and tore him to pieces; a just punishment on him for obeying the + wicked order Leontes. + </p> + <p> + The child was dressed in rich clothes and jewels; for Hermione had made it + very fine when she sent it to Leontes, and Antigonus had pinned a paper to + its mantle, and the name of “Perdita” written thereon, and + words obscurely intimating its high birth and untoward fate. + </p> + <p> + This poor, deserted baby was found by a shepherd. He was a humane man, and + so he carried the little Perdita home to his wife, who nursed it tenderly. + But poverty tempted the shepherd to conceal the rich prize be had found; + therefore he left that part of the country, that no one might know where + he got his riches, and with part of Perdita’s jewels be bought herds + of sheep and became a wealthy shepherd. He brought up Perdita as his own + child, and she knew not she was any other than a shepherd’s + daughter. + </p> + <p> + The little Perdita grew up a lovely maiden; and though she had no better + education than that of a shepherd’s daughter, yet so did the natural + graces she inherited from her royal mother shine forth in her untutored + mind that no one, from her behavior, would have known she had not been + brought up in her father’s court. + </p> + <p> + Polixenes, the King of Bohemia, had an only son, whose name was Florizel. + As this young prince was hunting near the shepherd’s dwelling he saw + the old man’s supposed daughter; and the beauty, modesty, and + queenlike deportment of Perdita caused him instantly to fall in love with + her. He soon, under the name of Doricles, and in the disguise of a private + gentleman, became a constant visitor at the old shepherd’s house. + Florizel’s frequent absences from court alarmed Polixenes; and + setting people to watch his son, he discovered his love for the shepherd’s + fair daughter. + </p> + <p> + Polixenes then called for Camillo, the faithful Camillo, who had preserved + his life from the fury of Leontes, and desired that he would accompany him + to the house of the shepherd, the supposed father of Perdita. Polixenes + and Camillo, both in disguise, arrived at the old shepherd’s + dwelling while they were celebrating the feast of sheep-shearing; and + though they were strangers, yet at the sheep-shearing, every guest being + made welcome, they were invited to walk in and join in the general + festivity. + </p> + <p> + Nothing but mirth and jollity was going forward. Tables were spread and + fit great preparations were making for the rustic feast. Some lads and + lasses were dancing on the green before the house, while others of the + young men were buying ribands, gloves, and such toys of a peddler at the + door. + </p> + <p> + While this busy scene was going forward Florizel and Perdita sat quietly + in a retired corner, seemingly more pleased with the conversation of each + other than desirous of engaging in the sports and silly amusements of + those around them. + </p> + <p> + The king was so disguised that it was impossible his son could know him. + He therefore advanced near enough to hear the conversation. The simple yet + elegant manner in which Perdita conversed with his son did not a little + surprise Polixenes. He said to Camillo: + </p> + <p> + “This is the prettiest low-born lass I ever saw; nothing she does or + says but looks like something greater than herself, too noble for this + place.” + </p> + <p> + Camillo replied, “Indeed she is the very queen of curds and cream.” + </p> + <p> + “Pray, my good friend,” said the king to the old shepherd, + “what fair swain is that talking with your daughter?” + </p> + <p> + “They call him Doricles,” replied the shepherd. “He says + he loves my daughter; and, to speak truth, there is not a kiss to choose + which loves the other best. If young Doricles can get her, she shall bring + him that he little dreams of,” meaning the remainder of Perdita’s + jewels; which, after he had bought herds of sheep with part of them, he + had carefully hoarded up for her marriage portion. + </p> + <p> + Polixenes then addressed his son. “How now, young man!” said + he. “Your heart seems full of something that takes off your mind + from feasting. When I was young I used to load my love with presents; but + you have let the peddler go and have bought your lass no toy.” + </p> + <p> + The young prince, who little thought he was talking to the king his + father, replied, “Old sir, she prizes not such trifles; the gifts + which Perdita expects from me are locked up in my heart.” Then + turning to Perdita, he said to her, “Oh, hear me, Perdita, before + this ancient gentleman, who it seems was once himself a lover; he shall + hear what I profess.” Florizel then called upon the old stranger to + be a witness to a solemn promise of marriage which be made to Perdita, + saying to Polixenes, “I pray you, mark our contract.” + </p> + <p> + “Mark your divorce, young sir,” said the king, discovering + himself. Polixenes then reproached his son for daring to contract himself + to this low-born maiden, calling Perdita “shepherd’s brat, + sheep-hook,” and other disrespectful names, and threatening if ever + she suffered his son to see her again, he would put her, and the old + shepherd her father, to a cruel death. + </p> + <p> + The king then left them in great wrath, and ordered Camillo to follow him + with Prince Florizel. + </p> + <p> + When the king had departed, Perdita, whose royal nature was roused by + Polixenes’s reproaches, said, “Though we are all undone, I was + not much afraid; and once or twice I was about to speak and tell him + plainly that the selfsame sun which shines upon his palace hides not his + face from our cottage, but looks on both alike.” Then sorrowfully + she said, “But now I am awakened from this dream, I will queen it no + further. Leave me, sir. I will go milk my ewes and weep.” + </p> + <p> + The kind-hearted Camillo was charmed with the spirit and propriety of + Perdita’s behavior; and, perceiving that the young prince was too + deeply in love to give up his mistress at the command of his royal father, + he thought of a way to befriend the lovers and at the same time to execute + a favorite scheme he had in his mind. + </p> + <p> + Camillo had long known that Leontes, the King of Sicily, was become a true + penitent; and though Camillo was now the favored friend of King Polixenes, + he could not help wishing once more to see his late royal master and his + native home. He therefore proposed to Florizel and Perdita that they + should accompany him to the Sicilian court, where he would engage Leontes + should protect them till, through his mediation, they could obtain pardon + from Polixenes and his consent to their marriage. + </p> + <p> + To this proposal they joyfully agreed; and Camillo, who conducted + everything relative to their flight, allowed the old shepherd to go along + with them. + </p> + <p> + The shepherd took with him the remainder of Perdita’s jewels, her + baby clothes, and the paper which he had found pinned to her mantle. + </p> + <p> + After a prosperous voyage, Florizel and Perdita, Camillo and the old + shepherd, arrived in safety at the court of Leontes. Leontes, who still + mourned his dead Hermione and his lost child, received Camillo with great + kindness and gave a cordial welcome to Prince Florizel. But Perdita, whom + Florizel introduced as his princess, seemed to engross all Leontes’s + attention. Perceiving a resemblance between her and his dead queen + Hermione, his grief broke out afresh, and he said such a lovely creature + might his own daughter have been if he had not so cruelly destroyed her. + </p> + <p> + “And then, too,” said he to Florizel, “I lost the + society and friendship of your brave father, whom I now desire more than + my life once again to look upon.” + </p> + <p> + When the old shepherd heard how much notice the king had taken of Perdita, + and that he had lost a daughter who was exposed in infancy, he fell to + comparing the time when he found the little Perdita with the manner of its + exposure, the jewels and other tokens of its high birth; from all which it + was impossible for him not to conclude that Perdita and the king’s + lost daughter were the same. + </p> + <p> + Florizel and Perdita, Camillo and the faithful Paulina, were present when + the old shepherd related to the king the manner in which he had found the + child, and also the circumstance of Antigonus’s death, he having + seen the bear seize upon him. He showed the rich mantle in which Paulina + remembered Hermione had wrapped the child; and he produced a jewel which + she remembered Hermione had tied about Perdita’s neck; and he gave + up the paper which Paulina knew to be the writing of her husband. It could + not be doubted that Perdita was Leontes’s own daughter. But, oh, the + noble struggles of Paulina, between sorrow for her husband’s death + and joy that the oracle was fulfilled, in the king’s heir, his + long-lost daughter being found! When Leontes heard that Perdita was his + daughter, the great sorrow that he felt that Hermione was not living to + behold her child made him that he could say nothing for a long time but + “Oh, thy mother, thy mother!” + </p> + <p> + Paulina interrupted this joyful yet distressful scene with saying to + Leontes that she had a statue newly finished by that rare Italian master, + Julio Romano, which was such a perfect resemblance of the queen that would + his Majesty be pleased to go to her house and look upon it, be would be + almost ready to think it was Hermione herself. Thither then they all went; + the king, anxious to see the semblance of his Hermione, and Perdita + longing to behold what the mother she never saw did look like. + </p> + <p> + When Paulina drew back the curtain which concealed this famous statue, so + perfectly did it resemble Hermione that all the king’s sorrow was + renewed at the sight; for a long time he had no power to speak or move. + </p> + <p> + “I like your silence, my liege,” said Paulina; “it the + more shows your wonder. Is not this statue very like your queen?” + </p> + <p> + At length the king said: “Oh, thus she stood, even with such + majesty, when I first wooed her. But yet, Paulina, Hermione was not so + aged as this statue looks.” + </p> + <p> + Paulina replied: “So much the more the carver’s excellence, + who has made the statue as Hermione would have looked had she been living + now. But let me draw the curtain, sire, lest presently you think it moves.” + </p> + <p> + The king then said: “Do not draw the curtain. Would I were dead! + See, Carmillo, would you not think it breathed? Her eye seems to have + motion in it.” + </p> + <p> + “I must draw the curtain, my liege,” said Paulina. “You + are so transported, you will persuade yourself the statue lives.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, sweet Pauline,” said Leontes, “make me think so + twenty years together! Still methinks there is an air comes from her. What + fine chisel could ever yet cut breath? Let no man mock me, for I will kiss + her.” + </p> + <p> + “Good my lord, forbear!” said Paulina. “The ruddiness + upon her lip is wet; you will stain your own with oily painting. Shall I + draw the curtain?” + </p> + <p> + “No, not these twenty years,” said Leontes. + </p> + <p> + Perdita, who all this time bad been kneeling and beholding in silent + admiration the statue of her matchless mother, said now, “And so + long could I stay here, looking upon my dear mother.” + </p> + <p> + “Either forbear this transport,” said Paulina to Leontes, + “and let me draw the curtain or prepare yourself for more amazement. + I can make the statue move indeed; aye, and descend from off the pedestal + and take you by the hand. But then you will think, which I protest I am + not, that I am assisted by some wicked powers.” + </p> + <p> + “What you can make her do,” said the astonished king, “I + am content to look upon. What you can make her speak I am content to hear; + for it is as easy to make her speak as move.” + </p> + <p> + Paulina then ordered some slow and solemn music, which she had prepared + for the purpose, to strike up; and, to the amazement of all the beholders, + the statue came down from off the pedestal and threw its arms around + Leontes’s neck. The statue then began to speak, praying for + blessings on her husband and on her child, the newly found Perdita. + </p> + <p> + No wonder that the statue hung upon Leontes’s neck and blessed her + husband and her child. No wonder; for the statue was indeed Hermione + herself, the real, the living queen. + </p> + <p> + Paulina had falsely reported to the king the death of Hermione’ + thinking that the only means to preserve her royal mistress’s life; + and with the good Paulina Hermione had lived ever since, never choosing + Leontes should know she was living till she heard Perdita was found; for + though she had long forgiven the injuries which Leontes had done to + herself, she could not pardon his cruelty to his infant daughter. + </p> + <p> + His dead queen thus restored to life, his lost daughter found, the + long-sorrowing Leontes could scarcely support the excess of his own + happiness. + </p> + <p> + Nothing but congratulations and affectionate speeches were heard on all + sides. Now the delighted parents thanked Prince Florizel for loving their + lowly seeming daughter; and now they blessed the good old shepherd for + preserving their child. Greatly did Camillo and Paulina rejoice that they + had lived to see so good an end of all their faithful services. + </p> + <p> + And as if nothing should be wanting to complete this strange and + unlooked-for joy, King Polixenes himself now entered the palace. + </p> + <p> + When Polixenes first missed his son and Camillo, knowing that Camillo had + long wished to return to Sicily, he conjectured he should find the + fugitives here; and, following them with all speed, he happened to just + arrive at this the happiest moment of Leontes’s life. + </p> + <p> + Polixenes took a part in the general joy; he forgave his friend Leontes + the unjust jealousy he had conceived against him, and they once more loved + each other with all the warmth of their first boyish friendship. And there + was no fear that Polixenes would now oppose his son’s marriage with + Perdita. She was no “sheep-hook” now, but the heiress of the + crown of Sicily. + </p> + <p> + Thus have we seen the patient virtues of the long-suffering Hermione + rewarded. That excellent lady lived many years with her Leontes and her + Perdita, the happiest of mothers and of queens. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap04"></a>MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING</h2> + <p> + There lived in the palace at Messina two ladies, whose names were Hero and + Beatrice. Hero was the daughter, and Beatrice the niece, of Leonato, the + governor of Messina. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice was of a lively temper and loved to divert her cousin Hero, who + was of a more serious disposition, with her sprightly sallies. Whatever + was going forward was sure to make matter of mirth for the light-hearted + Beatrice. + </p> + <p> + At the time the history of these ladies commences some young men of high + rank in the army, as they were passing through Messina on their return + from a war that was just ended, in which they bad distinguished themselves + by their great bravery, came to visit Leonato. Among these were Don Pedro, + the Prince of Arragon, and his friend Claudio, who was a lord of Florence; + and with them came the wild and witty Benedick, and he was a lord of + Padua. + </p> + <p> + These strangers had been at Messina before, and the hospitable governor + introduced them to his daughter and his niece as their old friends and + acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + Benedick, the moment he entered the room, began a lively conversation with + Leonato and the prince. Beatrice, who liked not to be left out of any + discourse, interrupted Benedick with saying: + </p> + <p> + “I wonder that you will still be talking, Signor Benedick. Nobody + marks you.” + </p> + <p> + Benedick was just such another rattlebrain as Beatrice, yet he was not + pleased at this free salutation; he thought it did not become a well-bred + lady to be so flippant with her tongue; and he remembered, when he was + last at Messina, that Beatrice used to select him to make her merry jests + upon. And as there is no one who so little likes to be made a jest of as + those who are apt to take the same liberty themselves, so it was with + Benedick and Beatrice; these two sharp wits never met in former times but + a perfect war of raillery was kept up between them, and they always parted + mutually displeased with each other. Therefore, when Beatrice stopped him + in the middle of his discourse with telling him nobody marked what he was + saying, Benedick, affecting not to have observed before that she was + present, said: + </p> + <p> + “What, my dear Lady Disdain, are you yet living?” And now war + broke out afresh between them, and a long jangling argument ensued, during + which Beatrice, although she knew be had so well approved his valor in the + late war, said that she would eat all he had killed there; and observing + the prince take delight in Benedick’s conversation, she called him + “the prince’s jester.” This sarcasm sank deeper into the + mind of Benedick than all Beatrice had said before. The hint she gave him + that he was a coward, by saying she would eat all he bad killed, he did + not regard, knowing himself to be a brave man; but there is nothing that + great wits so much dread as the imputation of buffoonery, because the + charge comes sometimes a little too near the truth; therefore Benedick + perfectly hated Beatrice when she called him “the prince’s + jester.” + </p> + <p> + The modest lady Hero was silent before the noble guests; and while Claudio + was attentively observing the improvement which time had made in her + beauty, and was contemplating the exquisite graces of her fine figure (for + she was an admirable young lady), the prince was highly amused with + listening to the humorous dialogue between Benedick and Beatrice; and he + said in a whisper to Leonato: + </p> + <p> + “This is a pleasant-spirited young lady. She were an excellent wife + for Benedick.” + </p> + <p> + Leonato replied to this suggestion, “O my lord, my lord, if they + were but a week married, they would talk themselves mad!” + </p> + <p> + But though Leonato thought they would make a discordant pair, the prince + did not give up the idea of matching these two keen wits together. + </p> + <p> + When the prince returned with Claudio from the palace he found that the + marriage he had devised between Benedick and Beatrice was not the only one + projected in that good company, for Claudio spoke in such terms of Hero as + made the prince guess at what was passing in his heart; and he liked it + well, and he said to Claudio: + </p> + <p> + “Do you affect Hero?” + </p> + <p> + To this question Claudio replied, “O my lord, when I was last at + Messina I looked upon her with a soldier’s eye, that liked, but had + no leisure for loving; but now, in this happy time of peace, thoughts of + war have left their places vacant in my mind, and in their room come + thronging soft and delicate thoughts, all prompting me how fair young Hero + is, reminding me that I liked her before I went to the wars.” + </p> + <p> + Claudio’s confession of his love for Hero so wrought upon the prince + that be lost no time in soliciting the consent of Leonato to accept of + Claudio for a son-in-law. Leonato agreed to this proposal, and the prince + found no great difficulty in persuading the gentle Hero herself to listen + to the suit of the noble Claudio who was a lord of rare endowments and + highly accomplished, and Claudio, assisted by his kind prince, soon + prevailed upon Leonato to fix an early day for the celebration of his + marriage with Hero. + </p> + <p> + Claudio was to wait but a few days before he was to be married to his fair + lady; yet he complained of the interval being tedious, as indeed most + young men are impatient when they are waiting for the accomplishment of + any event they have set their hearts upon. The prince, therefore, to make + the time seem short to him, proposed as a kind of merry pastime that they + should invent some artful scheme to make Benedick and Beatrice fall in + love with each other. Claudio entered with great satisfaction into this + whim of the prince, and Leonato promised them his assistance, and even + Hero said she would do any modest office to help her cousin to a good + husband. + </p> + <p> + The device the prince invented was that the gentlemen should make Benedick + believe that Beatrice was in love with him, and that Hero should make + Beatrice believe that Benedick was in love with her. + </p> + <p> + The prince, Leonato, and Claudio began their operations first; and + watching upon an opportunity when Benedick was quietly seated reading in + an arbor, the prince and his assistants took their station among the trees + behind the arbor, so near that Benedick could not choose but hear all they + said; and after some careless talk the prince said: + </p> + <p> + “Come hither, Leonato. What was it you told me the other day—that + your niece Beatrice was in love with Signor Benedick? I did never think + that lady would have loved any man.” + </p> + <p> + “No, nor I neither, my lord,” answered Leonato. “It is + most wonderful that she should so dote on Benedick, whom she in all + outward behavior seemed ever to dislike.” + </p> + <p> + Claudio confirmed all this with saying that Hero bad told him Beatrice was + so in love with Benedick that she would certainly die of grief if he could + not be brought to love her; which Leonato and Claudio seemed to agree was + impossible, he having always been such a railer against all fair ladies, + and in particular against Beatrice. + </p> + <p> + The prince affected to harken to all this with great compassion for + Beatrice, and he said, “It were good that Benedick were told of + this.” + </p> + <p> + “To what end?” said Claudio. “He would but make sport of + it, and torment the poor lady worse.” + </p> + <p> + “And if he should,” said the prince, “it were a good + deed to hang him; for Beatrice is an excellent sweet lady, and exceeding + wise in everything but in loving Benedick.” + </p> + <p> + Then the prince motioned to his companions that they should walk on and + leave Benedick to meditate upon what he had overheard. + </p> + <p> + Benedick had been listening with great eagerness to this conversation; and + he said to himself, when be heard Beatrice loved him: “Is it + possible? Sits the wind in that corner?” And when they were gone, he + began to reason in this manner with himself: “This can be no trick! + They were very serious, and they have the truth from Hero, and seem to + pity the lady. Love me! Why, it must be requited! I did never think to + marry. But when I said I should die a bachelor, I did not think I should + live to be married. They say the lady is virtuous and fair. She is so. And + wise in everything but loving me. Why, that is no great argument of her + folly! But here comes Beatrice. By this day, she is a fair lady. I do spy + some marks of love in her.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice now approached him and said, with her usual tartness, “Against + my will I am sent to bid you come in to dinner.” + </p> + <p> + Benedick, who never felt himself disposed to speak so politely to her + before, replied, “Fair Beatrice, I thank you for your pains.” + And when Beatrice, after two or three more rude speeches, left him, + Benedick thought he observed a concealed meaning of kindness under the + uncivil words she uttered, and he said aloud: “If I do not take pity + on her, I am a villain. If I do not love her, I am a Jew. I will go get + her picture.” + </p> + <p> + The gentleman being thus caught in the net they had spread for him, it was + now Hero’s turn to play her part with Beatrice; and for this purpose + she sent for Ursula and Margaret, two gentlewomen who attended upon her, + and she said to Margaret: + </p> + <p> + “Good Margaret, run to the parlor; there you will find my cousin + Beatrice talking with the prince and Claudio. Whisper in her ear that I + and Ursula are walking in the orchard and that our discourse is all of + her. Bid her steal into that pleasant arbor, where honeysuckles, ripened + by the sun, like ungrateful minions, forbid the sun to enter.” + </p> + <p> + This arbor into which Hero desired Margaret to entice Beatrice was the + very same pleasant arbor where Benedick had so lately been an attentive + listener. + </p> + <p> + “I will make her come, I warrant, presently,” said Margaret. + </p> + <p> + Hero, then taking Ursula with her into the orchard, said to her: “Now, + Ursula, when Beatrice comes, we will walk up and down this alley, and our + talk must be only of Benedick, and when I name him, let it be your part to + praise him more than ever man did merit. My talk to you must be how + Benedick is in love with Beatrice. Now begin; for look where Beatrice like + a lapwing runs close by the ground, to hear our conference.” + </p> + <p> + They then began, Hero saying’, as if in answer to something which + Ursula had said: “No, truly, Ursula. She is too disdainful; her + spirits are as coy as wild birds of the rock.” + </p> + <p> + “But are you sure,” said Ursula, “that Benedick loves + Beatrice so entirely?” + </p> + <p> + Hero replied, “So says the prince and my lord Claudio, and they + entreated me to acquaint her with it; but I persuaded them, if they loved + Benedick, never to let Beatrice know of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” replied Ursula, “it were not good she knew + his love, lest she made sport of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, to say truth,” said Hero, never yet saw a man, how wise + soever, or noble, young,@ or rarely featured, but she would dispraise him.” + </p> + <p> + “Sure@ sure, such carping is not commendable,” said Ursula. + </p> + <p> + “No,” replied Hero, “but who dare tell her so? If I + should speak, she would mock me into air.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you wrong your cousin!” said Ursula. “She cannot be + so much without true judgment as to refuse so rare a gentleman as Signor + Benedick.” + </p> + <p> + “He hath an excellent good name,” said Hero. “Indeed, he + is the first man in Italy, always excepting my dear Claudio.” + </p> + <p> + And now, Hero giving her attendant a hint that it was time to change the + discourse, Ursula said, “And when are you to be married, madam?” + </p> + <p> + Hero then told her that she was to be married to Claudio the next day, and + desired she would go in with her and look at some new attire, as she + wished to consult with her on what she would wear on the morrow. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice, who had been listening with breathless eagerness to this + dialogue, when they went away exclaimed: “What fire is in mine ears? + Can this be true? Farewell, contempt and scorn, and maiden pride, adieu! + Benedick, love on! I will requite you, taming my wild heart to your loving + hand.” + </p> + <p> + It must have been a pleasant sight to see these old enemies converted into + new and loving friends, and to behold their first meeting after being + cheated into mutual liking by the merry artifice of the good-humored + prince. But a sad reverse in the fortunes of Hero must now be thought of. + The morrow, which was to have been her wedding-day, brought sorrow on the + heart of Hero and her good father, Leonato. + </p> + <p> + The prince had a half-brother, who came from the wars along with him to + Messina. This brother (his name was Don John) was a melancholy, + discontented man, whose spirits seemed to labor in the contriving of + villainies. He hated the prince his brother, and he hated Claudio because + he was the prince’s friend, and determined to prevent Claudio’s + marriage with Hero, only for the malicious pleasure of making Claudio and + the prince unhappy, for he knew the prince had set his heart upon this + marriage almost as much as Claudio himself; and to effect this wicked + purpose he employed one Borachio, a man as bad as himself, whom he + encouraged with the offer of a great reward. This Borachio paid his court + to Margaret, Hero’s attendant; and Don John, knowing this, prevailed + upon him to make Margaret promise to talk with him from her lady’s + chamber window that night, after Hero was asleep, and also to dress + herself in Hero’s clothes, the better to deceive Claudio into the + belief that it was Hero; for that was the end he meant to compass by this + wicked plot. + </p> + <p> + Don John then went to the prince and Claudio and told them that Hero was + an imprudent lady, and that she talked with men from her chamber window at + midnight. Now this was the evening before the wedding, and he offered to + take them that night where they should themselves hear Hero discoursing + with a man from her window; and they consented to go along with him, and + Claudio said: + </p> + <p> + “If I see anything to-night why I should not marry her, to-morrow in + the congregation, where I intended to wed her, there will I shame her.” + </p> + <p> + The prince also said, “And as I assisted you to obtain her, I will + join with you to disgrace her.” + </p> + <p> + When Don John brought them near Hero’s chamber that night, they saw + Borachio standing under the window, and they saw Margaret looking out of + Hero’s window and heard her talking with Borachio; and Margaret + being dressed in the same clothes they had seen Hero wear, the prince and + Claudio believed it was the lady Hero herself. + </p> + <p> + Nothing could equal the anger of Claudio when he had made (as be thought) + this discovery. All his love for the innocent Hero was at once converted + into hatred, and he resolved to expose her in the church, as he had said + he would, the next day; and the prince agreed to this, thinking no + punishment could be too severe for the naughty lady who talked with a man + from her window the very night before she was going to be married to the + noble Claudio. + </p> + <p> + The next day, when they were all met to celebrate the marriage, and + Claudio and Hero were standing before the priest, and the priest, or + friar, as he was called, was proceeding to pronounce the marriage + ceremony, Claudio, in the most passionate language, proclaimed the guilt + of the blameless Hero, who, amazed at the strange words he uttered, said, + meekly: + </p> + <p> + “Is my lord well, that he does speak so wide?” + </p> + <p> + Leonato, in the utmost horror, said to the prince, “My lord, why + speak not you?” + </p> + <p> + “What should I speak?” said the prince. “I stand + dishonored that have gone about to link my dear friend to an unworthy + woman. Leonato, upon my honor, myself, my brother, and this grieved + Claudio did see and bear her last night at midnight talk with a man at her + chamber window.” + </p> + <p> + Benedick, in astonishment at what he heard, said, “This looks not + like a nuptial.” + </p> + <p> + “True, O God!” replied the heart-struck Hero; and then this + hapless lady sank down in a fainting fit, to all appearance dead. + </p> + <p> + The prince and Claudio left the church without staying to see if Hero + would recover, or at all regarding the distress into which they had thrown + Leonato. So hard-hearted had their anger made them. + </p> + <p> + Benedick remained and assisted Beatrice to recover Hero from her swoon, + saying, “How does the lady?” + </p> + <p> + “Dead, I think,” replied Beatrice, in great agony, for she + loved her cousin; and, knowing her virtuous principles, she believed + nothing of what she had heard spoken against her. + </p> + <p> + Not so the poor old father. He believed the story of his child’s + shame, and it was piteous to hear him lamenting over her, as she lay like + one dead before him, wishing she might never more open her eyes. + </p> + <p> + But the ancient friar was a wise man and full of observation on human + nature, and he had attentively marked the lady’s countenance when + she heard herself accused and noted a thousand blushing shames to start + into her face, and then he saw an angel-like whiteness bear away those + blushes, and in her eye be saw a fire that did belie the error that the + prince did speak against her maiden truth, and he said to the sorrowing + father: + </p> + <p> + “Call me a fool; trust not my reading nor my observation; trust not + my age, my reverence, nor my calling, if this sweet lady lie not guiltless + here under some biting error.” + </p> + <p> + When Hero had recovered from the swoon into which she had fallen, the + friar said to her, “Lady, what man is he you are accused of?” + </p> + <p> + Hero replied, “They know that do accuse me; I know of none.” + Then turning to Leonato, she said, “O my father, if you can prove + that any man has ever conversed with me at hours unmeet, or that I + yesternight changed words with any creature, refuse me, hate me, torture + me to death.” + </p> + <p> + “There is,” said the friar, “some strange + misunderstanding in the prince and Claudio.” And then he counseled + Leonato that he should report that Hero was dead; and he said that the + deathlike swoon in which they had left Hero would make this easy of + belief; and he also advised him that he should put on mourning, and erect + a monument for her, and do all rites that appertain to a burial. + </p> + <p> + “What shall become of this?” said Leonato. “What will + this do?” + </p> + <p> + The friar replied: “This report of her death shall change slander + into pity; that is some good. But that is not all the good 1 hope for. + When Claudio shall hear she died upon hearing his words, the idea of her + life shall sweetly creep into his imagination. Then shall he mourn, if + ever love had interest in his heart, and wish that be had not so accused + her; yea, though he thought his accusation true.” + </p> + <p> + Benedick now said, “Leonato, let the friar advise you; and though + you know how well I love the prince and Claudio, yet on my honor I will + not reveal this secret to them.” + </p> + <p> + Leonato, thus persuaded, yielded; and he said, sorrowfully, “I am so + grieved that the smallest twine may lead me.” + </p> + <p> + The kind friar then led Leonato and Hero away to comfort and console them, + and Beatrice and Benedick remained alone; and this was the meeting from + which their friends, who contrived the merry plot against them, expected + so much diversion; those friends who were now overwhelmed with affliction + and from whose minds all thoughts of merriment seemed forever banished. + </p> + <p> + Benedick was the first who spoke, and he said, “Lady Beatrice, have + you wept all this while?” + </p> + <p> + “Yea, and I will weep awhile longer,” said Beatrice. + </p> + <p> + “Surely,” said. Benedick, “I do believe your fair cousin + is wronged.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” said Beatrice, “how much might that man deserve of + me who would right her!” + </p> + <p> + Benedick then said: “Is there any way to show such friendship? I do + love nothing in the world so well as you. Is not that strange?” + </p> + <p> + “It were as possible,” said Beatrice, “for me to say I + loved nothing in the world so well as you; but believe me not, and yet I + lie not. I confess nothing, nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin.” + </p> + <p> + “By my sword,” said Benedick, “you love me, and I + protest I love you. Come, bid me do anything for you.” + </p> + <p> + “Kill Claudio,” said Beatrice. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! not for the world,” said Benedick; for he loved his + friend Claudio and he believed he had been imposed upon. + </p> + <p> + “Is not Claudio a villain that has slandered, scorned, and + dishonored my cousin?” said Beatrice. “Oh, that I were a man!” + </p> + <p> + “Hear me, Beatrice!” said Benedick. + </p> + <p> + But Beatrice would hear nothing in Claudio’s defense, and she + continued to urge on Benedick to revenge her cousin’s wrongs; and + she said: “Talk with a man out of the window? a proper saying! Sweet + Hero! she is wronged; she is slandered; she is undone. Oh, that I were a + man for Claudio’s sake! or that I had any friend who would be a man + for my sake! But valor is melted into courtesies and compliments. I cannot + be a man with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving.” + </p> + <p> + “Tarry, good Beatrice,” said Benedick. “By this hand I + love you.” + </p> + <p> + “Use it for my love some other way than swearing by it,” said + Beatrice. + </p> + <p> + “Think you on your soul that Claudio has wronged Hero?” asked + Benedick. + </p> + <p> + “Yea,” answered Beatrice; CC as sure as I have a thought or a + soul.” + </p> + <p> + “Enough,” said Benedick. “I am engaged; I will challenge + him. I will kiss your hand, and so leave you. By this hand Claudio shall + render me a dear account! As you hear from me, so think of me. Go, comfort + your cousin.” + </p> + <p> + While Beatrice was thus powerfully pleading with Benedick, and working his + gallant temper, by the spirit of her angry words, to engage in the cause + of Hero and fight even with his dear friend Claudio, Leonato was + challenging the prince and Claudio to answer with their swords the injury + they had done his child, who, be affirmed, had died for grief. But they + respected his age and his sorrow, and they said: + </p> + <p> + “Nay, do not quarrel with us, good old man.” + </p> + <p> + And now came Benedick, and be also challenged Claudio to answer with his + sword the injury be had done to Hero; and Claudio and the prince said to + each other: + </p> + <p> + “Beatrice has set him on to do this.” + </p> + <p> + Claudio, nevertheless, must have accepted this challenge of Benedick had + not the justice of Heaven at the moment brought to pass a better proof of + the innocence of Hero than the uncertain fortune of a duel. + </p> + <p> + While the prince and Claudio were yet talking of the challenge of Benedick + a magistrate brought Borachio as a prisoner before the prince. Borachio + had been overheard talking with one of his companions of the mischief he + had been employed by Don John to do. + </p> + <p> + Borachio made a full confession to the prince in Claudio’s bearing + that it was Margaret dressed in her lady’s clothes that he had + talked with from the window, whom they had mistaken for the lady Hero + herself. and no doubt continued on the minds of Claudio and the prince of + the innocence of Hero. If a suspicion had remained it must have been + removed by the flight of Don John, who, finding his villainies were + detected, fled from Messina to avoid the just anger of his brother. + </p> + <p> + The heart of Claudio was sorely grieved when he found he bad falsely + accused Hero, who, he thought, died upon bearing his cruel words; and the + memory of his beloved Hero’s image came over him in the rare + semblance that he loved it first; and the prince, asking him if what he + heard did not run like iron through his soul, he answered that he felt as + if he had taken poison while Borachio was speaking. + </p> + <p> + And the repentant Claudio implored forgiveness of the old man Leonato for + the injury he had done his child; and promised that, whatever penance + Leonato would lay upon him for his fault in believing the false accusation + against his betrothed wife, for her dear sake he would endure it. + </p> + <p> + The penance Leonato enjoined him was to marry the next morning a cousin of + Hero’s, who, he said, was now his heir, and in person very like + Hero. Claudio, regarding the solemn promise he made to Leonato, said he + would marry this unknown lady, even though she were an Ethiop. But his + heart was very sorrowful, and he passed that night in tears and in + remorseful grief at the tomb which Leonato had erected for Hero. + </p> + <p> + When the morning came the prince accompanied Claudio to the church, where + the good friar and Leonato and his niece were already assembled, to + celebrate a second nuptial; and Leonato presented to Claudio his promised + bride. And she wore a mask, that Claudio might not discover her face. And + Claudio said to the lady in the mask: + </p> + <p> + “Give me your hand, before this holy friar. I am your husband, if + you will marry me.” + </p> + <p> + “And when I lived I was your other wife,” said this unknown + lady; and, taking off her mask, she proved to be no niece (as was + pretended), but Leonato’s very daughter, the lady Hero herself. We + may be sure that this proved a most agreeable surprise to Claudio, who + thought her dead, so that be could scarcely for joy believe his eyes; and + the prince, who was equally amazed at what he saw, exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “Is not this Hero, Hero that was dead?”’ + </p> + <p> + Leonato replied, “She died, my lord, but while her slander lived.” + </p> + <p> + The friar promised them an explanation of this seeming miracle, after the + ceremony was ended, and was proceeding to marry them when he was + interrupted by Benedick, who desired to be married at the same time to + Beatrice. Beatrice making some demur to this match, and Benedick + challenging her with her love for him, which he had learned from Hero, a + pleasant explanation took place; and they found they had both been tricked + into a belief of love, which had never existed, and had become lovers in + truth by the power of a false jest. But the affection which a merry + invention had cheated them into was grown too powerful to be shaken by a + serious explanation; and since Benedick proposed to marry, he was resolved + to think nothing to the purpose that the world could say against it; and + he merrily kept up the jest and swore to Beatrice that he took her but for + pity, and because he heard she was dying of love for him; and Beatrice + protested that she yielded but upon great persuasion, and partly to save + his life, for she heard he was in a consumption. So these two mad wits + were reconciled and made a match of it, after Claudio and Hero were + married; and to complete the history, Don John, the contriver of the + villainy, was taken in his flight and brought back to Messina; and a + @@brave punishment it was to this gloomy, discontented man to see the joy + and feastings which, by the disappointment of his plots, took place in the + palace in Messina. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap05"></a>AS YOU LIKE IT</h2> + <p> + During the time that France was divided into provinces (or dukedoms, as + they were called) there reigned in one of these provinces a usurper who + had deposed and banished his elder brother, the lawful duke. + </p> + <p> + The duke who was thus driven from his dominions retired with a few + faithful followers to the forest of Arden; and here the good duke lived + with his loving friends, who had put themselves into a voluntary exile for + his sake, while their land and revenues enriched the false usurper; and + custom soon made the life of careless ease they led here more sweet to + them than the pomp and uneasy splendor of a courtier’s life. Here + they lived like the old Robin Hood of England, and to this forest many + noble youths daily resorted from the court, and did fleet the time + carelessly, as they did who lived in the golden age. In the summer they + lay along under the fine shade of the large forest trees, marking the + playful sports of the wild deer; and so fond were they of these poor + dappled fools, who seemed to be the native inhabitants of the forest, that + it grieved them to be forced to kill them to supply themselves with + venison for their food. When the cold winds of winter made the duke feel + the change of his adverse fortune, he would endure it patiently, and say: + </p> + <p> + “These chilling winds which blow upon my body are true counselors; + they do not flatter, but represent truly to me my condition; and though + they bite sharply, their tooth is nothing like so keen as that of + unkindness and ingratitude. I find that howsoever men speak against + adversity, yet some sweet uses are to be extracted from it; like the + jewel, precious for medicine, which is taken from the head of the venomous + and despised toad.” + </p> + <p> + In this manner did the patient duke draw a useful moral from everything + that he saw; and by the help of this moralizing turn, in that life of his, + remote from public haunts, he could find tongues in trees, books in the + running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything. + </p> + <p> + The banished duke had an only daughter, named Rosalind, whom the usurper, + Duke Frederick, when he banished her father, still retained in his court + as a companion for his own daughter, Celia. A strict friendship subsisted + between these ladies, which the disagreement between their fathers did not + in the least interrupt, Celia striving by every kindness in her power to + make amends to Rosalind for the injustice of her own father in deposing + the father of Rosalind; and whenever the thoughts of her father’s + banishment, and her own dependence on the false usurper, made Rosalind + melancholy, Celia’s whole care was to comfort and console her. + </p> + <p> + One day, when Celia was talking in her usual kind manner to Rosalind, + saying, “I pray you, Rosalind, my sweet cousin, be merry,” a + messenger entered from the duke, to tell them that if they wished to see a + wrestling-match, which was just going to begin, they must come instantly + to the court before the palace; and Celia, thinking it would amuse + Rosalind, agreed to go and see it. + </p> + <p> + In those times wrestling, which is only practised now by country clowns, + was a favorite sport even in the courts of princes, and before fair ladies + and princesses. To this wrestling-match, therefore, Celia and Rosalind + went. They found that it was likely to prove a very tragical sight; for a + large and powerful man, who had been long practised in the art of + wrestling and had slain many men in contests of this kind, was just going + to wrestle with a very young man, who, from his extreme youth and + inexperience in the art, the beholders all thought would certainly be + killed. + </p> + <p> + When the duke saw Celia and Rosalind he said: “How now, daughter and + niece, are you crept hither to see the wrestling? You will take little + delight in it, there is such odds in the men. In pity to this young man, I + would wish to persuade him from wrestling. Speak to him, ladies, and see + if you can move him.” + </p> + <p> + The ladies were well pleased to perform this humane office, and first + Celia entreated the young stranger that he would desist from the attempt; + and then Rosalind spoke so kindly to him, and with such feeling + consideration for the danger he was about to undergo, that, instead of + being persuaded by her gentle words to forego his purpose, all his + thoughts were bent to distinguish himself by his courage in this lovely + lady’s eyes. He refused the request of Celia and Rosalind in such + graceful and modest words that they felt still more concern for him; he + concluded his refusal with saying: + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry to deny such fair and excellent ladies anything. But let + your fair eyes and gentle wishes go with me to my trial, wherein if I be + conquered there is one shamed that was never gracious; if I am killed, + there is one dead that is willing to die. I shall do my friends no wrong, + for I have none to lament me; the world no injury, for in it I have + nothing; for I only fill up a place in the world which may be better + supplied when I have made it empty.” + </p> + <p> + And now the wrestling-match began. Celia wished the young stranger might + not be hurt; but Rosalind felt most for him. The friendless state which he + said he was in, and that he wished to die, made Rosalind think that he + was, like herself, unfortunate; and she pitied him so much, and so deep an + interest she took in his danger while he was wrestling, that she might + almost be said at that moment to have fallen in love with him. + </p> + <p> + The kindness shown this unknown youth by these fair and noble ladies gave + him courage and strength, so that he performed wonders; and in the end + completely conquered his antagonist, who was so much hurt that for a while + he was unable to speak or move. + </p> + <p> + The Duke Frederick was much pleased with the courage and skill shown by + this young stranger; and desired to know his name and parentage, meaning + to take him under his protection. + </p> + <p> + The stranger said his name was Orlando, and that he was the youngest son + of Sir Rowland de Boys. + </p> + <p> + Sir Rowland de Boys, the father of Orlando, had been dead some years; but + when he was living he had been a true subject and dear friend of the + banished duke; therefore, when Frederick heard Orlando was the son of his + banished brother’s friend, all his liking for this brave young man + was changed into displeasure and he left the place in very ill humor. + Hating to bear the very name of any of his brother’s friends, and + yet still admiring the valor of the youth, he said, as he went out, that + he wished Orlando had been the son of any other man. + </p> + <p> + Rosalind was delighted to hear that her new favorite was the son of her + father’s old friend; and she said to Celia, “My father loved + Sir Rowland de Boys, and if I had known this young man was his son I would + have added tears to my entreaties before he should have ventured.” + </p> + <p> + The ladies then went up to him and, seeing him abashed by the sudden + displeasure shown by the duke, they spoke kind and encouraging words to + him; and Rosalind, when they were going away, turned back to speak some + more civil things to the brave young son of her father’s old friend, + and taking a chain from off her neck, she said: + </p> + <p> + “Gentleman, wear this for me. I am out of suits with fortune, or I + would give you a more valuable present.” + </p> + <p> + When the ladies were alone, Rosalind’s talk being still of Orlando, + Celia began to perceive her cousin had fallen in love with the handsome + young wrestler, and she said to Rosalind: + </p> + <p> + “Is it possible you should fall in love so suddenly?” + </p> + <p> + Rosalind replied, “The duke, my father, loved his father dearly.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” said Celia, “does it therefore follow that you + should love his son dearly?. For then I ought to hate him, for my father + hated his father; yet do not hate Orlando.” + </p> + <p> + Frederick, being enraged at the sight of Sir Rowland de Boys’s son, + which reminded him of the many friends the banished duke had among the + nobility, and having been for some time displeased with his niece because + the people praised her for her virtues and pitied her for her good father’s + sake, his malice suddenly broke out against her; and while Celia and + Rosalind were talking of Orlando, Frederick entered the room and with + looks full of anger ordered Rosalind instantly to leave the palace and + follow her father into banishment, telling Celia, who in vain pleaded for + her, that he had only suffered Rosalind to stay upon her account. + </p> + <p> + “I did not then,” said Celia, “entreat you to let her + stay, for I was too young at that time to value her; but now that I know + her worth, and that we so long have slept together, rose at the same + instant, learned, played, and eat together, I cannot live out of her + company.” + </p> + <p> + Frederick replied: “She is too subtle for you; her smoothness, her + very silence, and her patience speak to the people, and they pity her. You + are a fool to plead for her, for you will seem more bright and virtuous + when she is gone; therefore open not your lips in her favor, for the doom + which I have passed upon her is irrevocable.” + </p> + <p> + When Celia found she could not prevail upon her father to let Rosalind + remain with her, she generously resolved to accompany her; and, leaving + her father’s palace that night, she went along with her friend to + seek Rosalind’s father, the banished duke, in the forest of Arden. + </p> + <p> + Before they set out Celia considered that it would be unsafe for two young + ladies to travel in the rich clothes they then wore; she therefore + proposed that they should disguise their rank by dressing themselves like + country maids. Rosalind said it would be a still greater protection if one + of them was to be dressed like a man. And so it was quickly agreed on + between them that, as Rosalind was the tallest, she should wear the dress + of a young countryman, and Celia should be habited like a country lass, + and that they should say they were brother and sister; and Rosalind said + she would be called Ganymede, and Celia chose the name of Aliena. + </p> + <p> + In this disguise, and taking their money and jewels to defray their + expenses, these fair princesses set out on their long travel; for the + forest of Arden was a long way off, beyond the boundaries of the duke’s + dominions. + </p> + <p> + The lady Rosalind (or Ganymede, as she must now be called) with her manly + garb seemed to have put on a manly courage. The faithful friendship Celia + had shown in accompanying Rosalind so many weary miles made the new + brother, in recompense for this true love, exert a cheerful spirit, as if + he were indeed Ganymede, the rustic and stout-hearted brother of the + gentle village maiden, Aliena. + </p> + <p> + When at last they came to the forest of Arden they no longer found the + convenient inns and good accommodations they had met with on the road, + and, being in want of food and rest, Ganymede, who had so merrily cheered + his sister with pleasant speeches and happy remarks all the way, now owned + to Aliena that he was so weary he could find in his heart to disgrace his + man’s apparel and cry like a woman; and Aliena declared she could go + no farther; and then again Ganymede tried to recollect that it was a man’s + duty to comfort and console a woman, as the weaker vessel; and to seem + courageous to his new sister, he said: + </p> + <p> + “Come, have a good heart, my sister Aliena. We are now at the end of + our travel, in the forest of Arden.” + </p> + <p> + But feigned manliness and forced courage would no longer support them; + for, though they were in the forest of Arden, they knew not where to find + the duke. And here the travel of these weary ladies might have come to a + sad conclusion, for they might have lost themselves and perished for want + of food, but, providentially, as they were sitting on the grass, almost + dying with fatigue and hopeless of any relief, a countryman chanced to + pass that way, and Ganymede once more tried to speak with a manly + boldness, saying: + </p> + <p> + “Shepherd, if love or gold can in this desert place procure us + entertainment, I pray you bring us where we may rest ourselves; for this + young maid, my sister, is much fatigued with traveling, and faints for + want of food.” + </p> + <p> + The man replied that he was only a servant to a shepherd, and that his + master’s house was just going to be sold, and therefore they would + find but poor entertainment; but that if they would go with him they + should be welcome to what there was. They followed the man, the near + prospect of relief giving them fresh strength, and bought the house and + sheep of the shepherd, and took the man who conducted them to the shepherd’s + house to wait on them; and being by this means so fortunately provided + with a neat cottage, and well supplied with provisions, they agreed to + stay here till they could learn in what part of the forest the duke dwelt. + </p> + <p> + When they were rested after the fatigue of their journey, they began to + like their new way of life, and almost fancied themselves the shepherd and + shepherdess they feigned to be. Yet sometimes Ganymede remembered be had + once been the same Lady Rosalind who had so dearly loved the brave Orlando + because be was the son of old Sir Rowland, her father’s friend; and + though Ganymede thought that Orlando was many miles distant, even so many + weary miles as they had traveled, yet it soon appeared that Orlando was + also in the forest of Arden. And in this manner this strange event came to + pass. + </p> + <p> + Orlando was the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys, who, when he died, + left him (Orlando being then very young) to the care of his eldest + brother, Oliver, charging Oliver on his blessing to give his brother a + good education and provide for him as became the dignity of their ancient + house. Oliver proved an unworthy brother, and, disregarding the commands + of his dying father, he never put his brother to school, but kept him at + home untaught and entirely neglected. But in his nature and in the noble + qualities of his mind Orlando so much resembled his excellent father that, + without any advantages of education, he seemed like a youth who had been + bred with the utmost care; and Oliver so envied the fine person and + dignified manners of his untutored brother that at last he wished to + destroy him, and to effect this be set on people to persuade him to + wrestle with the famous wrestler who, as has been before related, had + killed so many men. Now it was this cruel brother’s neglect of him + which made Orlando say he wished to die, being so friendless. + </p> + <p> + When, contrary to the wicked hopes he had formed, his brother proved + victorious, his envy and malice knew no bounds, and he swore he would burn + the chamber where Orlando slept. He was overheard making his vow by one + that had been an old and faithful servant to their father, and that loved + Orlando because he resembled Sir Rowland. This old man went out to meet + him when he returned from the duke’s palace, and when he saw Orlando + the peril his dear young master was in made him break out into these + passionate exclamations: + </p> + <p> + “O my gentle master, my sweet master! O you memory of Old Sir + Rowland! Why are you virtuous? Why are you gentle, strong, and valiant? + And why would you be so fond to overcome the famous wrestler? Your praise + is come too swiftly home before you.” + </p> + <p> + Orlando, wondering what all this meant, asked him what was the matter. And + then the old man told him how his wicked brother, envying the love all + people bore him, and now hearing the fame he had gained by his victory in + the duke’s palace, intended to destroy him by setting fire to his + chamber that night, and in conclusion advised him to escape the danger he + was in by instant flight; and knowing Orlando had no money, Adam (for that + was the good old man’s name) had brought out with him his own little + hoard, and he said: + </p> + <p> + “I have five hundred crowns, the thrifty hire I saved under your + father and laid by to be provision for me when my old limbs should become + unfit for service. Take that, and He that doth the ravens feed be comfort + to my age! Here is the gold. All this I give to you. Let me be your + servant; though I look old I will do the service of a younger man in all + your business and necessities.” + </p> + <p> + “O good old man!” said Orlando, “how well appears in you + the constant service of the old world! You are not for the fashion of + these times. We will go along together, and before your youthful wages are + spent I shall light upon some means for both our maintenance.” + </p> + <p> + Together, then, this faithful servant and his loved master set out; and + Orlando and Adam traveled on, uncertain what course to pursue, till they + came to the forest of Arden, and there they found themselves in the same + distress for want of food that Ganymede and Aliena had been. They wandered + on, seeking some human habitation, till they were almost spent with hunger + and fatigue. + </p> + <p> + Adam at last said: “O my dear master, I die for want of food. I can + go no farther!” He then laid himself down, thinking to make that + place his grave, and bade his dear master farewell. + </p> + <p> + Orlando, seeing him in this weak state, took his old servant up in his + arms and carried him under the shelter of some pleasant trees; and he said + to him: “Cheerly, old Adam. Rest your weary limbs here awhile, and + do not talk of dying!” + </p> + <p> + Orlando then searched about to find some food, and he happened to arrive + at that part of the forest where the duke was; and he and his friends were + just going to eat their dinner, this royal duke being seated on the grass, + under no other canopy than the shady covert of some large trees. + </p> + <p> + Orlando, whom hunger had made desperate, drew his sword, intending to take + their meat by force, and said: “Forbear and eat no more. I must have + your food!” + </p> + <p> + The duke asked him if distress had made him so bold or if he were a rude + despiser of good manners. On this Orlando said he was dying with hunger; + and then the duke told him he was welcome to sit down and eat with them. + Orlando, hearing him speak so gently, put up his sword and blushed with + shame at the rude manner in which he had demanded their food. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, I pray you,” said he. “I thought that all + things had been savage here, and therefore I put on the countenance of + stern command; but whatever men you are that in this desert, under the + shade of melancholy boughs, lose and neglect the creeping hours of time, + if ever you have looked on better days, if ever you have been where bells + have knolled to church, if you have ever sat at any good man’s + feast, if ever from your eyelids you have wiped a tear and know what it is + to pity or be pitied, may gentle speeches now move you to do me human + courtesy!” + </p> + <p> + The duke replied: “True it is that we are men (as you say) who have + seen better days, and though we have now our habitation in this wild + forest, we have lived in towns and cities and have with holy bell been + knolled to church, have sat at good men’s feasts, and from our eyes + have wiped the drops which sacred pity has engendered; therefore sit you + down and take of our refreshment as much as will minister to your wants.” + </p> + <p> + “There is an old poor man,” answered Orlando, “who has + limped after me many a weary step in pure love, oppressed at once with two + sad infirmities, age and hunger; till he be satisfied I must not touch a + bit.” + </p> + <p> + “Go, find him out and bring him hither,” said the duke. + “We will forbear to eat till you return.” + </p> + <p> + Then Orlando went like a doe to find its fawn and give it food; and + presently returned, bringing Adam in his arms. + </p> + <p> + And the duke said, “Set down your venerable burthen; you are both + welcome.” + </p> + <p> + And they fed the old man and cheered his heart, and he revived and + recovered his health and strength again. + </p> + <p> + The duke inquired who Orlando was; and when he found that he was the son + of his old friend, Sir Rowland de Boys, be took him under his protection, + and Orlando and his old servant lived with the duke in the forest. + </p> + <p> + Orlando arrived in the forest not many days after Ganymede and Aliena came + there and (as has been before related) bought the shepherd’s + cottage. + </p> + <p> + Ganymede and Aliena were strangely surprised to find the name of Rosalind + carved on the trees, and love-sonnets fastened to them, all addressed to + Rosalind; and while they were wondering how this could be they met Orlando + and they perceived the chain which Rosalind had given him about his neck. + </p> + <p> + Orlando little thought that Ganymede was the fair Princess Rosalind who, + by her noble condescension and favor, had so won his heart that he passed + his whole time in carving her name upon the trees and writing sonnets in + praise of her beauty; but being much pleased with the graceful air of this + pretty shepherd-youth, he entered into conversation with him, and be + thought he saw a likeness in Ganymede to his beloved Rosalind, but that he + had none of the dignified deportment of that noble lady; for Ganymede + assumed the forward manners often seen in youths when they are between + boys and men, -and with much archness and humor talked to Orlando of a + certain lover, “who,” said she, “haunts our forest, and + spoils our young trees with carving Rosalind upon their barks; and he + hangs odes upon hawthorns, and elegies on brambles, all praising this same + Rosalind. If I could find this lover, I would give him some good counsel + that would soon cure him of his love.” + </p> + <p> + Orlando confessed that he was the fond lover of whom he spoke,, and asked + Ganymede to give him the good counsel he talked Of. The remedy Ganymede + proposed, and the counsel he gave him was that Orlando should come every + day to the cottage where he and his sister Aliena dwelt. + </p> + <p> + “And then,” said Ganymede, “I will feign myself to be + Rosalind, and you shall feign to court me in the same manner as you would + do if I was Rosalind, and then I will imitate the fantastic ways of + whimsical ladies to their lovers, till I make you ashamed of your love; + and this is the way I propose to cure you.” + </p> + <p> + Orlando had no great faith in the remedy, yet he agreed to come every day + to Ganymede’s cottage and feign a playful courtship; and every day + Orlando visited Ganymede and Aliena, and Orlando called the shepherd + Ganymede his Rosalind, and every day talked over all the fine words and + flattering compliments which young men delight to use when they court + their mistresses. It does not appear, however, that Ganymede made any + progress in curing Orlando of his love for Rosalind. + </p> + <p> + Though Orlando thought all this was but a sportive play (not dreaming that + Ganymede was his very Rosalind), yet the opportunity it gave him of saying + all the fond things he had in his heart pleased his fancy almost as well + as it did Ganymede’s, who enjoyed the secret jest in knowing these + fine love-speeches were all addressed to the right person. + </p> + <p> + In this manner many days passed pleasantly on with these young people; and + the good-natured Aliena, seeing it made Ganymede happy, let him have his + own way and was diverted at the mock-courtship, and did not care to remind + Ganymede that the Lady Rosalind had not yet made herself known to the duke + her father, whose place of resort in the forest they had learned from + Orlando. Ganymede met the duke one day, and had some talk with him, and + the duke asked of what parentage he came. Ganymede answered that he came + of as good parentage as he did, which made the duke smile, for he did not + suspect the pretty shepherd-boy came of royal lineage. Then seeing the + duke look well and happy, Ganymede was content to put off all further + explanation for a few days longer. + </p> + <p> + One morning, as Orlando was going to visit Ganymede, he saw a man lying + asleep on the ground, and a large green snake had twisted itself about his + neck. The snake, seeing Orlando approach, glided away among the bushes. + Orlando went nearer, and then he discovered a lioness lie crouching, with + her head on the ground, with a catlike watch, waiting until the sleeping + man awaked (for it is said that lions will prey on nothing that is dead or + sleeping). It seemed as if Orlando was sent by Providence to free the man + from the danger of the snake and lioness; but when Orlando looked in the + man’s face he perceived that the sleeper who was exposed to this + double peril was his own brother Oliver, who had so cruelly used him and + had threatened to destroy him by fire, and he was almost tempted to leave + him a prey to the hungry lioness; but brotherly affection and the + gentleness of his nature soon overcame his first anger against his + brother; and he drew his sword and attacked the lioness and slew her, and + thus preserved his brother’s life both from the venomous snake and + from the furious lioness; but before Orlando could conquer the lioness she + had torn one of his arms with her sharp claws. + </p> + <p> + While Orlando was engaged with the lioness, Oliver awaked, and, perceiving + that his brother Orlando, whom he had so cruelly treated, was saving him + from the fury of a wild beast at the risk of his own life, shame and + remorse at once seized him, and he repented of his unworthy conduct and + besought with many tears his brother’s pardon for the injuries he + had done him. Orlando rejoiced to see him so penitent, and readily forgave + him. They embraced each other and from that hour Oliver loved Orlando with + a true brotherly affection, though he had come to the forest bent on his + destruction. + </p> + <p> + The wound in Orlando’s arm having bled very much, he found himself + too weak to go to visit Ganymede, and therefore he desired his brother to + go and tell Ganymede, “whom,” said Orlando, “I in sport + do call my Rosalind,” the accident which had befallen him. + </p> + <p> + Thither then Oliver went, and told to Ganymede and Aliena how Orlando had + saved his life; and when he had finished the story of Orlando’s + bravery and his own providential escape he owned to them that he was + Orlando’s brother who had so cruelly used him; and then be told them + of their reconciliation. + </p> + <p> + The sincere sorrow that Oliver expressed for his offenses made such a + lively impression on the kind heart of Aliena that she instantly fell in + love with him; and Oliver observing how much she pitied the distress he + told her he felt for his fault, he as suddenly fell in love with her. But + while love was thus stealing into the hearts of Aliena and Oliver, he was + no less busy with Ganymede, who, hearing of the danger Orlando had been + in, and that he was wounded by the lioness, fainted; and when he recovered + he pretended that he had counterfeited the swoon in the imaginary + character of Rosalind, and Ganymede said to Oliver: + </p> + <p> + “Tell your brother Orlando how well I counterfeited a swoon.” + </p> + <p> + But Oliver saw by the paleness of his complexion that he did really faint, + and, much wondering at the weakness of the young man, he said, “Well, + if you did counterfeit, take a good heart and counterfeit to be a man.” + </p> + <p> + “So I do,” replied Ganymede, truly, “but I should have + been a woman by right.” + </p> + <p> + Oliver made this visit a very long one, and when at last he returned back + to his brother he had much news to tell him; for, besides the account of + Ganymede’s fainting at the hearing that Orlando was wounded, Oliver + told him how he had fallen in love with the fair shepherdess Aliena, and + that she had lent a favorable ear to his suit, even in this their first + interview; and he talked to his brother, as of a thing almost settled, + that he should marry Aliena, saying that he so well loved her that he + would live here as a shepherd and settle his estate and house at home upon + Orlando. + </p> + <p> + “You have my consent,” said Orlando. “Let your wedding + be to-morrow, and I will invite the duke and his friends. Go and persuade + your shepherdess to agree to this. She is now alone, for, look, here comes + her brother.” + </p> + <p> + Oliver went to Aliena, and Ganymede, whom Orlando had perceived + approaching, came to inquire after the health of his wounded friend. + </p> + <p> + When Orlando and Ganymede began to talk over the sudden love which had + taken place between Oliver and. Aliena, Orlando said be had advised his + brother to persuade his fair shepherdess to be married on the morrow, and + then he added how much he could wish to be married on the same day to his + Rosalind. + </p> + <p> + Ganymede, who well approved of this arrangement, said that if Orlando + really loved Rosalind as well as he professed to do, he should have his + wish; for on the morrow he would engage to make Rosalind appear in her own + person, and also that Rosalind should be willing to marry Orlando. + </p> + <p> + This seemingly wonderful event, which, as Ganymede was the Lady Rosalind, + he could so easily perform, be pretended he would bring to pass by the aid + of magic, which he said he had learned of an uncle who was a famous + magician. + </p> + <p> + The fond lover Orlando, half believing and half doubting what he heard, + asked Ganymede if he spoke in sober meaning. + </p> + <p> + “By my life I do,” said Ganymede. “Therefore put on your + best clothes, and bid the duke and your friends to your wedding, for if + you desire to be married to-morrow to Rosalind, she shall be here.” + </p> + <p> + The next morning, Oliver having obtained the consent of Aliena, they came + into the presence of the duke, and with them also came Orlando. + </p> + <p> + They being all assembled to celebrate this double marriage, and as yet + only one of the brides appearing, there was much of wondering and + conjecture, but they mostly thought that Ganymede was making a jest of + Orlando. + </p> + <p> + The duke, hearing that it was his own daughter that was to be brought in + this strange way, asked Orlando if he believed the shepherd-boy could + really do what he had promised; and while Orlando was answering that he + knew not what to think, Ganymede entered and asked the duke, if he brought + his daughter, whether he would consent to her marriage with Orlando. + </p> + <p> + “That I would,” said the duke, “if I had kingdoms to + give with her.” + </p> + <p> + Ganymede then said to Orlando, “And you say you will marry her if I + bring her here.” + </p> + <p> + “That I would,” said Orlando, “if I were king of many + kingdoms.” + </p> + <p> + Ganymede and Aliena then went out together, and, Ganymede throwing off his + male attire, and being once more dressed in woman’s apparel, quickly + became Rosalind without the power of magic; and Aliena, changing her + country garb for her own rich clothes, was with as little trouble + transformed into the lady Celia. + </p> + <p> + While they were gone, the duke said to Orlando that he thought the + shepherd Ganymede very like his daughter Rosalind; and Orlando said he + also had observed the resemblance. + </p> + <p> + They had no time to wonder how all this would end, for Rosalind and Celia, + in their own clothes, entered, and, no longer pretending that it was by + the power of magic that she came there, Rosalind threw herself on her + knees before her father and begged his blessing. It seemed so wonderful to + all present that she should so suddenly appear, that it might well have + passed for magic; but Rosalind would no longer trifle with her father, and + told him the story of her banishment, and of her dwelling in the forest as + a shepherd-boy, her cousin Celia passing as her sister. + </p> + <p> + The duke ratified the consent he had already given to the marriage; and + Orlando and Rosalind, Oliver and Celia, were married at the same time. And + though their wedding could not be celebrated in this wild forest with any + of the parade of splendor usual on such occasions, yet a happier + wedding-day was never passed. And while they were eating their venison + under the cool shade of the pleasant trees, as if nothing should be + wanting to complete the felicity of this good duke and the true lovers, an + unexpected messenger arrived to tell the duke the joyful news that his + dukedom was restored to him. + </p> + <p> + The usurper, enraged at the flight of his daughter Celia, and hearing that + every day men of great worth resorted to the forest of Arden to join the + lawful duke in his exile, much envying that his brother should be so + highly respected in his adversity, put himself at the head of a large + force and advanced toward the forest, intending to seize his brother and + put him with all his faithful followers to the sword; but by a wonderful + interposition of Providence this bad brother was converted from his evil + intention, for just as he entered the skirts of the wild forest he was met + by an old religious man, a hermit, with whom he had much talk and who in + the end completely turned his heart from his wicked design. Thenceforward + he became a true penitent, and resolved, relinquishing his unjust + dominion, to spend the remainder of his days in a religious house. The + first act of his newly conceived penitence was to send a messenger to his + brother (as has been related) to offer to restore to him his dukedom, + which be had usurped so long, and with it the lands and revenues of his + friends, the faithful followers of his adversity. + </p> + <p> + This joyful news, as unexpected as it was welcome, came opportunely to + heighten the festivity and rejoicings at the wedding of the princesses. + Celia complimented her cousin on this good, fortune which had happened to + the duke, Rosalind’s father, and wished her joy very sincerely, + though she herself was no longer heir to the dukedom, but by this + restoration which her father had made, Rosalind was now the heir, so + completely was the love of these two cousins unmixed with anything of + jealousy or of envy. + </p> + <p> + The duke had now an opportunity of rewarding those true friends who had + stayed with him in his banishment; and these worthy followers, though they + had patiently shared his adverse fortune, were very well pleased to return + in peace and prosperity, to the palace of their lawful duke. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap06"></a>THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA</h2> + <p> + There lived in the city of Verona two young gentlemen, whose names were + Valentine and Proteus, between whom a firm and uninterrupted friendship + had long subsisted. They pursued their studies together, and their hours + of leisure were always passed in each other’s company, except when + Proteus visited a lady he was in love with. And these visits to his + mistress,, and this passion of Proteus for the fair Julia, were the only + topics on which these two friends disagreed; for Valentine, not being + himself a lover, was sometimes a little weary of bearing his friend + forever talking of his Julia, and then he would laugh at Proteus, and in + pleasant terms ridicule the passion of love, and declare that no such idle + fancies should ever enter his head, greatly preferring (as he said) the + free and happy life he led to the anxious hopes and fears of the lover + Proteus. + </p> + <p> + One morning Valentine came to Proteus to tell him that they must for a + time be separated, for that he was going to Milan. Proteus, unwilling to + part with his friend, used many arguments to prevail upon Valentine not to + leave him. But Valentine said: + </p> + <p> + “Cease to persuade me, my loving Proteus. I will not, like a + sluggard, wear out my youth in idleness at home. Home-keeping youths have + ever homely wits. If your affection were not chained to the sweet glances + of your honored Julia, I would entreat you to accompany me, to see the + wonders of the world abroad; but since you are a lover, love on still, and + may your love be prosperous!” + </p> + <p> + They parted with mutual expressions of unalterable friendship. + </p> + <p> + “Sweet Valentine, adieu!” said Proteus. “Think on me + when you see some rare object worthy of notice in your travels, and wish + me partaker of your happiness.” + </p> + <p> + Valentine began his journey that same day toward Milan; and when his + friend had left him, Proteus sat down to write a letter to Julia, which he + gave to her maid Lucetta to deliver to her mistress. + </p> + <p> + Julia loved Proteus as well as he did her, but she was a lady of a noble + spirit, and she thought it did not become her maiden dignity too easily to + be won; therefore she affected to be insensible of his passion and gave + him much uneasiness in the prosecution of his suit. + </p> + <p> + And when Lucetta, offered the letter to Julia she would not receive it, + and chid her maid for taking letters from Proteus, and ordered her to + leave the room. But she so much wished to see what was written in the + letter that she soon called in her maid again; and when Lucetta returned + she said, “What o’clock is it?” + </p> + <p> + Lucetta, who knew her mistress more desired to see the letter than to know + the time of day, without answering her question again offered the rejected + letter. Julia, angry that her maid should thus take the liberty of seeming + to know what she really wanted, tore the letter in pieces and threw it on + the floor,, ordering her maid once more out of the room. As Lucetta was + retiring, she stopped to pick up the fragments of the torn letter; but + Julia, who meant not so to part with them, said, in pretended anger, + “Go, get you gone, and let the papers lie; you would be fingering + them to anger me.” + </p> + <p> + Julia then began to piece together as well as she could the torn + fragments. She first made out these words, “Love-wounded Proteus”; + and lamenting over these and such like loving words, which she made out + though they were all torn asunder, or, she said WOUNDED (the expression + “Love-wounded Proteus” giving her that idea), she talked to + these kind words, telling them she would lodge them in her bosom as in a + bed, till their wounds were healed, and that she would kiss each several + piece to make amends. + </p> + <p> + In this manner she went on talking with a pretty, ladylike childishness, + till, finding herself unable to make out the whole, and vexed at her own + ingratitude in destroying such sweet and loving words, as she called them, + she wrote a much kinder letter to Proteus than she had ever done before. + </p> + <p> + Proteus was greatly delighted at receiving this favorable answer to his + letter. And while he was reading it he exclaimed, “Sweet love! sweet + lines! sweet life!” + </p> + <p> + In the midst of his raptures he was interrupted by his father. “How + now?” said the old gentleman. “What letter are you reading + there?” + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” replied Proteus, “it is a letter from my + friend Valentine, at Milan.” + </p> + <p> + “Lend me the letter,” said his father. “Let me see what + news.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no news, my lord,” said Proteus, greatly alarmed, + “but that he writes how well beloved he is of the Duke of Milan, who + daily graces him with favors, and how he wishes me with him, the partner + of his fortune.” + </p> + <p> + “And how stand you affected to his wish?” asked the father. + </p> + <p> + “As one relying on your lordship’s will and not depending on + his friendly wish,” said Proteus. + </p> + <p> + Now it had happened that Proteus’s father had just been talking with + a friend on this very subject. His friend had said he wondered his + lordship suffered his son to spend his youth at home while most men were + sending their sons to seek preferment abroad. + </p> + <p> + “Some,” said he, “to the wars, to try their fortunes + there, and some to discover islands far away, and some to study in foreign + universities. And there is his companion Valentine; he is gone to the Duke + of Milan’s court. Your son is fit for any of these things, and it + will be a great disadvantage to him in his riper age not to have traveled + in his youth.” + </p> + <p> + Proteus’s father thought the advice of his friend was very good, and + upon Proteus telling him that Valentine “wished him with him, the + partner of his fortune,” he at once determined to send his son to + Milan; and without giving Proteus any reason for this sudden resolution, + it being the usual habit of this positive old gentleman to command his + son, not reason with him, he said: + </p> + <p> + “My will is the same as Valentine’s wish.” And seeing + his son look astonished, he added: “Look not amazed, that I so + suddenly resolve you shall spend some time in the Duke of Milan’s + court; for what I will I will, and there is an end. Tomorrow be in + readiness to go. Make no excuses, for I am peremptory.” + </p> + <p> + Proteus knew it was of no use to make objections to his father, who never + suffered him to dispute his will; and he blamed himself for telling his + father an untruth about Julia’s letter, which had brought upon him + the sad necessity of leaving her. + </p> + <p> + Now that Julia found she was going to lose Proteus for so long a time she + no longer pretended indifference; and they bade each other a mournful + farewell, with many vows of love and constancy. Proteus and Julia + exchanged rings, which they both promised to keep forever in remembrance + of each other; and thus, taking a sorrowful leave, Proteus set out on his + journey to Milan, the abode of his friend Valentine. + </p> + <p> + Valentine was in reality, what Proteus had feigned to his father, in high + favor with the Duke of Milan; and another event had happened to him of + which Proteus did not even dream, for Valentine had given up the freedom + of which he used so much to boast, and was become as passionate a lover as + Proteus. + </p> + <p> + She who had wrought this wondrous change in Valentine was the Lady Silvia, + daughter of the Duke of Milan, and she also loved him; but they concealed + their love from the duke, because, although he showed much kindness for + Valentine and invited him every day to his palace, yet he designed to + marry his daughter to a young courtier whose name was Thurio. Silvia + despised this Thurio, for he had none of the fine sense and excellent + qualities of Valentine. + </p> + <p> + These two rivals, Thurio and Valentine, were one day on a visit to Silvia, + and Valentine was entertaining Silvia with turning everything Thurio said + into ridicule, when the duke himself entered the room and told Valentine + the welcome news of his friend Proteus’s arrival. + </p> + <p> + Valentine said, “If I had wished a thing, it would have been to have + seen him here!” And then he highly praised Proteus to the duke, + saying, “My lord, though I have been a truant of my time, yet hath + my friend made use and fair advantage of his days, and is complete in + person and in mind, in all good grace to grace a gentleman.” + </p> + <p> + “Welcome him, then, according to his worth,” said the duke. + “Silvia, I speak to you, and you, Sir Thurio; for Valentine, I need + not bid him do so.” + </p> + <p> + They were here interrupted by the entrance of Proteus, and Valentine + introduced him to Silvia, saying, “Sweet lady, entertain him to be + my fellow-servant to your ladyship.” + </p> + <p> + When Valentine and Proteus had ended their visit, and were alone together, + Valentine said: + </p> + <p> + “Now tell me how all does from whence you came? How does your lady, + and how thrives your love?” + </p> + <p> + Proteus replied: “My tales of love used to weary you. I know you joy + not in a love discourse.” + </p> + <p> + “Aye, Proteus,” returned Valentine, “but that life is + altered now. I have done penance for condemning love. For in revenge of my + contempt of love, love has chased sleep from my enthralled eyes. O gentle + Proteus, Love is a mighty lord, and hath so humbled me that I confess + there is no woe like his correction nor no such joy on earth as in his + service. I now like no discourse except it be of love. Now I can break my + fast, dine, sup, and sleep upon the very name of love.” + </p> + <p> + This acknowledgment of the change which love had made in, the disposition + of Valentine was a great triumph to his friend Proteus. But “friend” + Proteus must be called no longer, for the same all-powerful deity Love, of + whom they were speaking (yea, even while they were talking of the change + he had made in Valentine), was working in the heart of Proteus; and he, + who had till this time been a pattern of true love and perfect friendship, + was now, in one short interview with Silvia, become a false friend and a + faithless lover; for at the first sight of Silvia all his love for Julia + vanished away like a dream, nor did his long friendship for Valentine + deter him from endeavoring to supplant him in her affections; and + although, as it will always be, when people of dispositions naturally good + become unjust, be bad many scruples before he determined to forsake Julia + and become the rival of Valentine, yet be at length overcame his sense of + duty and yielded himself up, almost without remorse, to his new unhappy + passion. + </p> + <p> + Valentine imparted to him in confidence the whole history of his love, and + how carefully they had concealed it from the duke her father, and told him + that, despairing of ever being able to obtain his consent, he had + prevailed upon Silvia to leave her father’s palace that night and go + with him to Mantua; then he showed Proteus a ladder of ropes by help of + which he meant to assist Silvia to get out of one of the windows of the + palace after it was dark. + </p> + <p> + Upon hearing this faithful recital of his friend’s dearest secrets, + it is hardly possible to be believed, but so it was that Proteus resolved + to go to the duke and disclose the whole to him. + </p> + <p> + This false friend began his tale with many artful speeches to the duke, + such as that by the laws of friendship he ought to conceal what he was + going to reveal, but that the gracious favor the duke had shown him, and + the duty he owed his grace, urged him to tell that which else no worldly + good should draw from him. He then told all he had heard from Valentine, + not omitting the ladder of ropes and the manner in which Valentine meant + to conceal them under a long cloak. + </p> + <p> + The duke thought Proteus quite a miracle of integrity, in that he + preferred telling his friend’s intention rather than he would + conceal an unjust action; highly commended him, and promised him not to + let Valentine know from whom he had learned this intelligence, but by some + artifice to make Valentine betray the secret himself. For this purpose the + duke awaited the coming of Valentine in the evening, whom he soon saw + hurrying toward the palace, and he perceived somewhat was wrapped within + his cloak, which he concluded was the rope ladder. + </p> + <p> + The duke, upon this, stopped him, saying, “Whither away so fast, + Valentine?” + </p> + <p> + “May it please your grace,” said Valentine, “there is a + messenger that stays to bear my letters to my friends, and I am going to + deliver them.” + </p> + <p> + Now this falsehood of Valentine’s had no better success in the event + than the untruth Proteus told his father. + </p> + <p> + “Be they of much import?” said the duke. + </p> + <p> + “No more, my lord,” said Valentine, “than to tell my + father I am well and happy at your grace’s court.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay then,” said the duke, “no matter; stay with me + awhile. I wish your counsel about some affairs that concern me nearly.” + </p> + <p> + He then told Valentine an artful story, as a prelude to draw his secret + from him, saying that Valentine knew he wished to match his daughter with + Thurio, but that she was stubborn and disobedient to his commands. + </p> + <p> + “Neither regarding,” said he, “that she is my child nor + fearing me as if I were her father. And I may say to thee this pride of + hers has drawn my love from her. I had thought my age should have been + cherished by her childlike duty. I now am resolved to take a wife, and + turn her out to whosoever will take her in. Let her beauty be her wedding + dower, for me and my possessions she esteems not.” + </p> + <p> + Valentine, wondering where all this would end, made answer, “And + what would your grace have me to do in all this?” + </p> + <p> + “Why,” said the duke, “the lady I would wish to marry is + nice and coy and does not much esteem my aged eloquence. Besides, the + fashion of courtship is much changed since I was young. Now I would + willingly have you to be my tutor to instruct me how I am to woo.” + </p> + <p> + Valentine gave him a general idea of the modes of courtship then practised + by young men when they wished to win a fair lady’s love, such as + presents, frequent visits, and the like. + </p> + <p> + The duke replied to this that the lady did refuse a present which he sent + her, and that she was so strictly kept by her father that no man might + have access to her by day. + </p> + <p> + “Why, then,” said Valentine, “you must visit her by + night.” + </p> + <p> + “But at night,” said the artful duke, who was now coming to + the drift of his discourse, “her doors are fast locked.” + </p> + <p> + Valentine then unfortunately proposed that the duke should get into the + lady’s chamber at night by means of a ladder of ropes,, saying he + would procure him one fitting for that purpose; and in conclusion advised + him to conceal this ladder of ropes under such a cloak as that which he + now wore. + </p> + <p> + “Lend me your cloak,” said the duke, who had feigned this long + story on purpose to have a pretense to get off the cloak; so upon saying + these words he caught hold of Valentine’s cloak and, throwing it + back, he discovered not only the ladder of ropes but also a letter of + Silvia’s, which he instantly opened and read; and this letter + contained a full account of their intended elopement. The duke, after + upbraiding Valentine for his ingratitude in thus returning the favor he + had shown him, by endeavoring to steal away his daughter, banished him + from the court and city of Milan forever, and Valentine was forced to + depart that night without even seeing Silvia. + </p> + <p> + While Proteus at Milan was thus injuring Valentine, Julia at Verona was + regretting the absence of Proteus; and her regard for him at last so far + overcame her sense of propriety that she resolved to leave Verona and seek + her lover at Milan; and to secure herself from danger on the road she + dressed her maiden Lucetta and herself in men’s clothes,-. and they + set out in this disguise, and arrived at Milan soon after Valentine was + banished from that, city through the treachery of Proteus. + </p> + <p> + Julia entered Milan about noon, and she took up her abode at an inn; and, + her thoughts being all on her dear Proteus, she entered into conversation + with the innkeeper—or host, as he was called—thinking by that + means to learn some news of Proteus. + </p> + <p> + The host was greatly pleased that this handsome young gentleman (as he + took her to be), who from his appearance be concluded was of high rank, + spoke so familiarly to him, and, being a good-natured man, he was sorry to + see him look so melancholy; and to amuse his young guest he offered to + take him to hear some fine music, with which, he said, a gentleman that + evening was going to serenade his mistress. + </p> + <p> + The reason Julia looked so very melancholy was, that she did not well know + what Proteus would think of the imprudent step she had taken, for she knew + he had loved her for her noble maiden pride and dignity of character, and + she feared she should lower herself in his esteem; and this it was that + made her wear a sad and thoughtful countenance. + </p> + <p> + She gladly accepted the offer of the host to go with him and hear the + music; for she secretly hoped she might meet Proteus by the way. + </p> + <p> + But when she came to the palace whither the host conducted a very + different effect was produced to what the kind host intended; for there, + to her heart’s sorrow, she beheld her lover, the inconstant Proteus, + serenading the Lady Silvia with music, and addressing discourse of love + and admiration to her. And Julia overheard Silvia from a window talk with + Proteus, and reproach him for forsaking his own true lady, and for his + ingratitude his friend Valentine; and then Silvia left the window, not + choosing to listen to his music and his fine speeches; for she was a + faithful lady to her banished Valentine, and abhorred the ungenerous + conduct of his false friend, Proteus. + </p> + <p> + Though Julia was in despair at what she had just witnessed, yet did she + still love the truant Proteus; and hearing that he had lately parted with + a servant, she contrived, with the assistance of her host, the friendly + innkeeper, to hire herself to Proteus as a page; and Proteus knew not she + was Julia, and he sent her with letters and presents to her rival, Silvia, + and he even sent by her the very ring she gave him as a parting gift at + Verona. + </p> + <p> + When she went to that lady with the ring she was most glad to find that + Silvia utterly rejected the suit of Proteus; and Julia—or the page + Sebastian, as she was called, entered into conversation with Silvia about + Proteus’s first love, the forsaken Lady Julia. She putting in (as + one may say) a good word for herself, said she knew Julia; as well she + might, being herself the Julia of whom she spoke; telling how fondly Julia + loved her master, Proteus, and how his unkind neglect would grieve her. + And then she with a pretty equivocation went on: “Julia is about my + height, and of my complexion, the color of her eyes and hair the same as + mine.” And indeed Julia looked a most beautiful youth in her boy’s + attire. + </p> + <p> + Silvia was moved to pity this lovely lady who was so sadly forsaken by the + man she loved; and when Julia offered the ring which Proteus had sent, + refused it, saying: + </p> + <p> + “The more shame for him that he sends me that ring. I will not take + it, for I have often heard him say his Julia gave it to him. I love thee, + gentle youth, for pitying her, poor lady! Here is a purse; I give it you + for Julia’s sake.” + </p> + <p> + These comfortable words coming from her kind rival’s tongue cheered + the drooping heart of the disguised lady. + </p> + <p> + But to return to the banished Valentine, who scarce knew which way to bend + his course, being unwilling to return home to his father a disgraced and + banished man. As he was wandering over a lonely forest, not far distant + from Milan, where he had left his heart’s dear treasure, the Lady + Silvia, he was set upon by robbers, who demanded his money. + </p> + <p> + Valentine told them that he was a man crossed by adversity, that be was + going into banishment, and that he had no money, the clothes he had on + being all his riches. + </p> + <p> + The robbers, hearing that he was a distressed man, and being struck with + his noble air and manly behavior, told him if he would live with them and + be their chief, or captain, they would put themselves under his command; + but that if he refused to accept their offer they would kill him. + </p> + <p> + Valentine, who cared little what became of himself, said he would consent + to live with them and be their captain, provided they did no outrage on + women or poor passengers. + </p> + <p> + Thus the noble Valentine became, like Robin Hood, of whom we read in + ballads, a captain of robbers and outlawed banditti; and in this situation + he was found by Silvia, and in this manner it came to pass. + </p> + <p> + Silvia, to avoid a marriage with Thurio, whom her father insisted upon her + no longer refusing, came at last to the resolution of following Valentine + to Mantua, at which place she had heard her lover had taken refuge; but in + this account she was misinformed, for he still lived in the forest among + the robbers, hearing the name of their captain, but taking no part in + their depredations, and using the authority which they had imposed upon + him in no other way than to compel them to show compassion to the + travelers they robbed. + </p> + <p> + Silvia contrived to effect her escape from her father’s palace in + company with a worthy old gentleman whose name was Eglamour, whom she took + along with her for protection on the road. She had to pass through the + forest where Valentine and the banditti dwelt; and one of these robbers + seized on Silvia, and would also have taken Eglamour, but he escaped. + </p> + <p> + The robber who had taken Silvia, seeing the terror she was in, bade her + not be alarmed, for that he was only going to carry her to a cave where + his captain lived, and that she need not be afraid, for their captain had + an honorable mind and always showed humanity to women. Silvia found little + comfort in hearing she was going to be carried as a prisoner before the + captain of a lawless banditti. + </p> + <p> + “O Valentine,” she cried, “this I endure for thee!” + </p> + <p> + But as the robber was conveying her to the cave of his captain he was + stopped by Proteus, who, still attended by Julia in the disguise of a + page, having heard of the flight of Silvia, had traced her steps to this + forest. Proteus now rescued her from the hands the robber; but scarce had + she time to thank him for the service he had done her before be began to + distress her afresh with his love suit; and while he was rudely pressing + her to consent to marry him, and his page (the forlorn Julia) was standing + beside him in great anxiety of mind, fearing lest the great service which + Proteus had just done to Silvia should win her to show him some favor, + they were all strangely surprised with the sudden appearance of Valentine, + who, having heard his robbers had taken a lady prisoner, came to console + and relieve her. + </p> + <p> + Proteus was courting Silvia, and he was so much ashamed of being caught by + his friend that he was all at once seized with penitence and remorse; and + he expressed such a lively sorrow for the injuries he had done to + Valentine that Valentine, whose nature was noble and generous, even to a + romantic degree, not only forgave and restored him to his former place in + his friendship, but in a sudden flight of heroism he said: + </p> + <p> + “I freely do forgive you; and all the interest I have in Silvia I + give it up to you.” + </p> + <p> + Julia, who was standing beside her master as a page, hearing this strange + offer, and fearing Proteus would not be able with this new-found virtue to + refuse Silvia, fainted; and they were all employed in recovering her, else + would Silvia have been offended at being thus made over to Proteus, though + she could scarcely think that Valentine would long persevere in this + overstrained and too generous act of friendship. When Julia recovered from + the fainting fit, she said: + </p> + <p> + “I had forgot, my master ordered me to deliver this ring to Silvia.” + </p> + <p> + Proteus, looking upon the ring, saw that it was the one he gave to Julia + in return for that which he received from her and which he had sent by the + supposed page to Silvia. + </p> + <p> + “How is this?” said he. “This is Julia’s ring. How + came you by it, boy?” + </p> + <p> + Julia answered, “Julia herself did give it me, and Julia herself + hath brought it hither.” + </p> + <p> + Proteus, now looking earnestly upon her, plainly perceived that the page + Sebastian was no other than the Lady Julia herself; and the proof she had + given of her constancy and true love so wrought in him that his love for + her returned into his heart, and he took again his own dear lady and + joyfully resigned all pretensions to the Lady Silvia to Valentine, who had + so well deserved her. + </p> + <p> + Proteus and Valentine were expressing their happiness in their + reconciliation, and in the love of their faithful ladies, when they were + surprised with the sight of the Duke of Milan and Thurio, who came there + in pursuit of Silvia. + </p> + <p> + Thurio first approached, and attempted to seize Silvia, saying, “Silvia + is mine.” + </p> + <p> + Upon this Valentine said to him in a very spirited manner: “Thurio, + keep back. If once again you say that Silvia is yours, you shall embrace + your death. Here she stands, take but possession of her with a touch! I + dare you but to breathe upon my love.” + </p> + <p> + Hearing this threat, Thurio, who was a great coward, drew back, and said + he cared not for her and that none but a fool would fight for a girl who + loved him not. + </p> + <p> + The duke, who was a very brave man himself, said now, in great anger, + “The more base and degenerate in you to take such means for her as + you have done and leave her on such slight conditions.” + </p> + <p> + Then turning to Valentine he said: “I do applaud your spirit, + Valentine, and think you worthy of an empress’s love. You shall have + Silvia, for you have well deserved her.” + </p> + <p> + Valentine then with great humility kissed the duke’s hand and + accepted the noble present which he had made him of his daughter with + becoming thankfulness, taking occasion of this joyful minute to entreat + the good-humored duke to pardon the thieves with whom he had associated in + the forest, assuring him that when reformed and restored to society there + would be found among them many good, and fit for great employment; for the + most of them had been banished, like Valentine, for state offenses, rather + than for any black crimes they had been guilty of. To this the’ + ready duke consented. And now nothing remained but that Proteus, the false + friend, was ordained, by way of penance for his love-prompted faults, to + be present at the recital of the whole story of his loves and falsehoods + before the duke. And the shame of the recital to his awakened conscience + was judged sufficient punishment; which being done, the lovers, all four, + returned back to Milan, and their nuptials were solemnized in the presence + of the duke, with high triumphs and feasting. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap07"></a>THE MERCHANT OF VENICE</h2> + <p> + Shylock, the Jew, lived at Venice. He was a usurer who had amassed an + immense fortune by lending money at great interest to Christian merchants. + Shylock, being a hard-hearted man, exacted the payment of the money he + lent with such severity that he was much disliked by all good men, and + particularly by Antonio, a young merchant of Venice; and Shylock as much + hated Antonio, because he used to lend money to people in distress, and + would never take any interest for the money he lent; therefore there was + great enmity between this covetous Jew and the generous merchant Antonio. + Whenever Antonio met Shylock on the Rialto, (or Exchange) he used to + reproach him with his usuries and hard dealings, which the Jew would bear + with seeming patience, while he secretly meditated revenge. + </p> + <p> + Antonio was the kindest man that lived, the best conditioned, and had the + most unwearied spirit in doing courtesies; indeed, he was one in whom the + ancient Roman honor more appeared than in any that drew breath in Italy. + He was greatly beloved by all his fellow-citizens; but the friend who was + nearest and dearest to his heart was Bassanio, a noble Venetian, who, + having but a small patrimony, had nearly exhausted his little fortune by + living in too expensive a manner for his slender means, at young men of + high rank with small fortunes are too apt to do. Whenever Bassanio wanted + money Antonio assisted him; and it seemed as if they had but one heart and + one purse between them. + </p> + <p> + One day Bassanio came to Antonio and told him that he wished to repair his + fortune by a wealthy marriage with a lady whom he dearly loved, whose + father, that was lately dead, had left her sole heiress to a large estate; + and that in her father’s lifetime he used to visit at her house, + when he thought he had observed this lady had sometimes from her eyes sent + speechless messages that seemed to say he would be no unwelcome suitor; + but not having money to furnish himself with an appearance befitting the + lover of so rich an heiress, he besought Antonio to add to the many favors + he had shown him by lending him three thousand ducats. + </p> + <p> + Antonio had no money by him at that time to lend his friend; but expecting + soon to have. some ships come home laden with merchandise, he said he + would go to Shylock, the rich moneylender, and borrow the money upon the + credit of those ships. + </p> + <p> + Antonio and Bassanio went together to Shylock, and Antonio asked the Jew + to lend him three thousand ducats upon any interest he should require, to + be paid out of the merchandise contained in his ships at sea. + </p> + <p> + On this, Shylock thought within himself: “If I can once catch him on + the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. He hates our + Jewish nation; he lends out money gratis; and among the merchants he rails + at me and my well-earned bargains, which he calls interest. Cursed be my + tribe if I forgive him!” + </p> + <p> + Antonio, finding be was musing within himself and did not answer, and + being impatient for the money, said: + </p> + <p> + “Shylock, do you hear? Will you lend the money?” + </p> + <p> + To this question the Jew replied: “Signor Antonio, on the Rialto + many a time and often you have railed at me about my moneys and my + usuries, and I have borne it with a patient shrug, for sufferance is the + badge of all our tribe; and then you have called me unbeliever, cutthroat + dog, and spit upon my Jewish garments, and spurned at me with your foot, + as if I was a cur. Well, then, it now appears you need my help, and you + come to me and say, ‘Shylock, lend me moneys.’ Has a dog + money? Is it possible a cur should lend three thousand ducats? Shall I + bend low and say, ‘Fair sir, you spit upon me on Wednesday last; + another time you called me dog, and for these courtesies I am to lend you + moneys.”’ + </p> + <p> + Antonio replied: “I am as like to call you so again, to spit on you + again, and spurn you, too. If you will lend me this money, lend it not to + me as to a friend, but rather lend it to me as to an enemy, that, if I + break, you may with better face exact the penalty.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, look you,” said Shylock, “how you storm! I would + be friends with you and have your love. I will forget the shames you have + put upon me. I will supply your wants and take no interest for my money.” + </p> + <p> + This seemingly kind offer greatly surprised Antonio; and then Shylock, + still pretending kindness and that all he did was to gain Antonio’s + love, again said he would lend him the three thousand ducats, and take no + interest for his money; only Antonio should go with him to a lawyer and + there sign in merry sport a bond that, if he did not repay the money by a + certain day, he would forfeit a pound of flesh, to be cut off from any + part of his body that Shylock pleased. + </p> + <p> + “Content,” said Antonio. “I will sign to this bond, and + say there is much kindness in the Jew.” + </p> + <p> + Bassanio said Antonio should not sign to such a bond for him; but still + Antonio insisted that he would sign it, for that before the day of payment + came his ships would return laden with many times the value of the money. + </p> + <p> + Shylock, hearing this debate, exclaimed: “O Father Abraham, what + suspicious people these Christians are! Their own hard dealings teach them + to suspect the thoughts of others. I pray you tell me this, Bassanio: if + he should break his day, what should I gain by the exaction of the + forfeiture? A pound of man’s flesh, taken from a man, is not so + estimable, profitable, neither, as the flesh of mutton or beef. I say, to + buy his favor I offer this friendship: if he will take it, so; if not, + adieu.” + </p> + <p> + At last, against the advice of Bassanio, who, notwithstanding all the Jew + had said of his kind intentions, did not like his friend should run the + hazard of this shocking penalty for his sake, Antonio signed the bond, + thinking it really was (as the Jew said) merely in sport. + </p> + <p> + The rich heiress that Bassanio wished to marry lived near Venice, at a + place called Belmont. Her name was Portia, and in the graces of her person + and her mind she was nothing inferior to that Portia, of whom we read, who + was Cato’s daughter and the wife of Brutus. + </p> + <p> + Bassanio being so kindly supplied with money by his friend Antonio, at the + hazard of his life, set out for Belmont with a splendid train and attended + by a gentleman of the name of Gratiano. + </p> + <p> + Bassanio proving successful in his suit, Portia in a short time consented + to accept of him for a husband. + </p> + <p> + Bassanio confessed to Portia that he had no fortune and that his high + birth and noble ancestry were all that he could boast of; she, who loved + him for his worthy qualities and had riches enough not to regard wealth in + a husband, answered, with a graceful modesty, that she would wish herself + a thousand times more fair, and ten thousand times more rich, to be more + worthy of him; and then the accomplished Portia prettily dispraised + herself and said she was an unlessoned girl, unschooled, unpractised, yet + not so old but that she could learn, and that she would commit her gentle + spirit to be directed and governed by him in all things; and she said: + “Myself and what is mine to you and yours is now converted. But + yesterday, Bassanio, I was the lady of this fair mansion, queen of myself, + and mistress over these servants; and now this house, these servants, and + myself are yours, my lord; I give them with this ring,” presenting a + ring to Bassanio. + </p> + <p> + Bassanio was so overpowered with gratitude and wonder at the gracious + manner in which the rich and noble Portia accepted of a man of his humble + fortunes that he could not express his joy + </p> + <p> + and reverence to the dear lady who so honored him, by anything but broken + words of love and thankfulness; and, taking the ring, he vowed never to + part with it. + </p> + <p> + Gratiano and Nerissa, Portia’s waiting-maid, were in attendance upon + their lord and lady when Portia so gracefully promised to become the + obedient wife of Bassanio; and Gratiano, wishing Bassanio and the generous + lady joy, desired permission to be married at the same time. + </p> + <p> + “With all my heart, Gratiano,” said Bassanio, “if you + can get a wife.” + </p> + <p> + Gratiano then said that he loved the Lady Portia’s fair + waiting-gentlewoman, Nerissa, and that she had promised to be his wife if + her lady married Bassanio. Portia asked Nerissa if this was true. Nerissa + replied: + </p> + <p> + “Madam, it is so, if you approve of it.” + </p> + <p> + Portia willingly consenting, Bassanio pleasantly said: + </p> + <p> + “Then our wedding-feast shall be much honored by your marriage, + Gratiano.” + </p> + <p> + The happiness of these lovers was sadly crossed at this moment by the + entrance of a messenger, who brought a letter from Antonio containing + fearful tidings. When Bassanio read Antonio’s letter, Portia feared + it was to tell him of the death of some dear friend, he looked so pale; + and, inquiring what was the news which bad so distressed him, he said: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, sweet Portia, here are a few of the unpleasantest words that + ever blotted paper! Gentle lady, when I first imparted my love to you, I + freely told you all the wealth I had ran in my veins; but I should have + told you that I had less than nothing, being in debt.” + </p> + <p> + Bassanio then told Portia what has been here related, of his borrowing the + money of Antonio, and of Antonio’s procuring it of Shylock the Jew, + and of the bond by which Antonio had engaged to forfeit a pound of flesh + if it was not repaid by a certain day: and then Bassanio read Antonio’s + letter, the words of which were: + </p> + <p> + Sweet Bassanio, my ships are all lost, my bond to the Jew is forfeited, + and since in paying it is impossible I should live, I could wish, to see + you at my death; notwithstanding, use your pleasure. If your love for me + do not persuade you to come, let not my letter.’ + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my dear love,” said Portia, “despatch all business + and begone; you shall have gold to pay the money twenty times over, before + this kind friend shall lose a hair by my Bassanio’s fault; and as + you are so dearly bought, I will dearly love you.” + </p> + <p> + Portia then said she would be married to Bassanio before he set out, to + give him a legal right to her money; and that same day they were married, + and Gratiano was also married to Nerissa; and Bassanio and Gratiano, the + instant they were married, set out in great haste for Venice, where + Bassanio found Antonio in prison. + </p> + <p> + The day of payment being past, the cruel Jew would not accept of the money + which Bassanio offered him, but insisted upon having a pound of Antonio’s + flesh. A day was appointed to try this shocking cause before the Duke of + Venice, and Bassanio awaited in dreadful suspense the event of the trial. + </p> + <p> + When Portia parted with her husband she spoke cheeringly to him and bade + him bring his dear friend along with him when he returned; yet she feared + it would go hard with Antonio, and when she was left alone she began to + think and consider within herself if she could by any means be + instrumental in saving the life of her dear Bassanio’s friend. And + notwithstanding when she wished to honor her Bassanio she had said to him, + with such a meek and wifelike grace, that she would submit in all things + to be governed by his superior wisdom, yet being now called forth into + action by the peril of her honored husband’s friend, she did nothing + doubt her own powers, and by the sole guidance of her own true and perfect + judgment at once resolved to go herself to Venice and speak in Antonio’s + defense. + </p> + <p> + Portia had a relation who was a counselor in the law; to this gentleman, + whose name was Bellario, she wrote, and, stating the case to him, desired + his opinion, and that with his advice he would also send her the dress + worn by a counselor. When the messenger returned he brought letters from + Bellario of advice how to proceed, and also everything necessary for her + equipment. + </p> + <p> + Portia dressed herself and her maid Nerissa in men’s apparel, and, + putting on the robes of a counselor, she took Nerissa along with her as + her clerk; setting out immediately, they arrived at Venice on the very day + of the trial. The cause was just going to be heard before the Duke and + Senators of Venice in the Senate House when Portia entered this high court + of justice and presented a letter from Bellario, in which that learned + counselor wrote to the duke, saying he would have come himself to plead + for Antonio but that he was prevented by sickness, and he requested that + the learned young Doctor Balthasar (so he called Portia) might be + permitted to plead in his stead. This the Duke granted, much wondering at + the youthful appearance of the stranger, who was prettily disguised by her + counselor’s robes and her large wig. + </p> + <p> + And now began this important trial. Portia looked around her and she saw + the merciless Jew; and she saw Bassanio, but he knew her not in her + disguise. He was standing beside Antonio, in an agony of distress and fear + for his friend. + </p> + <p> + The importance of the arduous task Portia had engaged in gave this tender + lady courage, and she boldly proceeded in the duty she had undertaken to + perform. And first of all she addressed herself to Shylock; and allowing + that he had a right by the Venetian law to have the forfeit expressed in + the bond, she spoke so sweetly of the noble quality of MERCY as would have + softened any heart but the unfeeling Shylock’s, saying that it + dropped as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath; and how + mercy was a double blessing, it blessed him that gave and him that + received it; and how it became monarchs better than their crowns, being an + attribute of God Himself; and that earthly power came nearest to God’s + in proportion as mercy tempered justice; and she bade Shylock remember + that as we all pray for mercy, that same prayer should teach us to show + mercy. Shylock only answered her by desiring to have the penalty forfeited + in the bond. + </p> + <p> + “Is he not able to pay the money?” asked Portia. + </p> + <p> + Bassanio then offered the Jew the payment of the three thousand ducats as + many times over as he should desire; which Shylock refusing, and still + insisting upon having a pound of Antonio’s flesh, Bassanio begged + the learned young counselor would endeavor to wrest the law a little, to + save Antonio’s life. But Portia gravely answered that laws once + established never be altered. Shylock, hearing Portia say that the law + might not be altered, it seemed to him that she was pleading in his favor, + and he said: + </p> + <p> + “A Daniel is come to judgment! O wise young judge, how I do honor + you! How much elder are you than your looks!” + </p> + <p> + Portia now desired Shylock to let her look at the bond; and when she had + read it she said: “This bond is forfeited, and by this the Jew may + lawfully claim a pound of flesh, to be by him cut off nearest Antonio’s + heart.” Then she said to Shylock, “Be merciful; take the money + and bid me tear the bond.” + </p> + <p> + But no mercy would the cruel Shylock show; and he said, “By my soul, + I swear there is no power in the tongue of man to alter me.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, then, Antonio,” said Portia, “you must prepare + your bosom for the knife.” And while Shylock was sharpening a long + knife with great eagerness to cut off the pound of flesh, Portia said to + Antonio, “Have you anything to say?” + </p> + <p> + Antonio with a calm resignation replied that he had but little to say, for + that he had prepared his mind for death. Then he said to Bassanio: + </p> + <p> + “Give me your hand, Bassanio! Fare you well! Grieve not that I am + fallen into this misfortune for you. Commend me to your honorable wife and + tell her how I have loved you!” + </p> + <p> + Bassanio in the deepest affliction replied: “Antonio, I am married + to a wife who is as dear to me as life itself; but life itself, my wife, + and all the world are not esteemed with me above your life. I would lose + all, I would sacrifice all to this devil here, to deliver you.” + </p> + <p> + Portia hearing this, though the kind-hearted lady was not at all offended + with her husband for expressing the love he owed to so true a friend as + Antonio in these strong terms, yet could not help answering: + </p> + <p> + “Your wife would give you little thanks, if she were present, to + hear you make this offer.” + </p> + <p> + And then Gratiano, who loved to copy what his lord did, thought he must + make a speech like Bassanio’s, and he said, in Nerissa’s + hearing, who was writing in her clerk’s dress by the side of Portia: + </p> + <p> + “I have a wife whom I protest I love. I wish she were in heaven if + she could but entreat some power there to change the cruel temper of this + currish Jew.” + </p> + <p> + “It is well you wish this behind her back, else you would have but + an unquiet house,” said Nerissa. + </p> + <p> + Shylock now cried out, impatiently: “We trifle time. I pray + pronounce the sentence.” + </p> + <p> + And now all was awful expectation in the court, and every heart was full + of grief for Antonio. + </p> + <p> + Portia asked if the scales were ready to weigh the flesh; and she said to + the Jew, “Shylock, you must have some surgeon by, lest he bleed to + death.” + </p> + <p> + Shylock, whose whole intent was that Antonio should bleed to death, said, + “It is not so named in the bond.” + </p> + <p> + Portia replied: “It is not so named in the bond, but what of that? + It were good you did so much for charity.” + </p> + <p> + To this all the answer Shylock would make was, “I cannot find it; it + is not in the bond.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said Portia, “a pound of Antonio’s flesh + is thine. The law allows it and the court awards it. And you may cut this + flesh from off his breast. The law allows it and the court awards it.” + </p> + <p> + Again Shylock exclaimed: “O wise and upright judge! A Daniel is come + to judgment!” And then he sharpened his long knife again, and + looking eagerly on Antonio, he said, “Come, prepare!” + </p> + <p> + “Tarry a little, Jew,” said Portia. “There is something + else. This bond here gives you no drop of blood; the words expressly are, + ‘a pound of flesh.’ If in the cutting off the pound of flesh + you shed one drop of Christian blood, your lands and goods are by the law + to be confiscated to the state of Venice.” + </p> + <p> + Now as it was utterly impossible for Shylock to cut off the pound of flesh + without shedding some of Antonio’s blood, this wise discovery of + Portia’s, that it was flesh and not blood that was named in the + bond, saved the life of Antonio; and all admiring the wonderful sagacity + of the young counselor who had so happily thought of this expedient, + plaudits resounded from every part of the Senate House; and Gratiano + exclaimed, in the words which Shylock had used: + </p> + <p> + “O wise and upright judge! Mark, Jew, a Daniel is come to judgment!” + </p> + <p> + Shylock, finding himself defeated in his cruel intent, said, with a + disappointed look, that he would take the money. And Bassanio, rejoiced + beyond measure at Antonio’s unexpected deliverance, cried out: + </p> + <p> + “Here is the money!” + </p> + <p> + But Portia stopped him, saying: “Softly; there is no haste. The Jew + shall have nothing but the penalty. Therefore prepare, Shylock, to cut off + the flesh; but mind you shed no blood; nor do not cut off more nor less + than just a pound; be it more or less by one poor scruple, nay, if the + scale turn but by the weight of a single hair, you are condemned by the + laws of Venice to die, and all your wealth is forfeited to the state.” + </p> + <p> + “Give me my money and let me go,” said Shylock. + </p> + <p> + “I have it ready,” said Bassanio. “Here it is.” + </p> + <p> + Shylock was going to take the money, when Portia again stopped him, + saying: “Tarry, Jew. I have yet another hold upon you. By the laws + of Venice your wealth is forfeited to the state for having conspired + against the life of one of its citizens, and your life lies at the mercy + of the duke; therefore, down on your knees and ask him to pardon you.” + </p> + <p> + The duke then said to Shylock: “That you may see the difference of + our Christian spirit, I pardon you your life before you ask it. Half your + wealth belongs to Antonio, the other half comes to the state.” + </p> + <p> + The generous Antonio then said that he would give up his share of Shylock’s + wealth if Shylock would sign a deed to make it over at his death to his + daughter and her husband; for Antonio knew that the Jew had an only + daughter who had lately married against his consent a young Christian + named Lorenzo, a friend of Antonio’s, which had so offended Shylock + that he had disinherited her. + </p> + <p> + The Jew agreed to this; and being thus disappointed in his revenge and + despoiled of his riches, he said: “I am ill. Let me go home. Send + the deed after me, and I will sign over half my riches to my daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “Get thee gone, then,” said the duke, “and sign it; and + if you repent your cruelty and turn Christian, the state will forgive you + the fine of the other half of your riches.” + </p> + <p> + The duke now released Antonio and dismissed the court. He then highly + praised the wisdom and ingenuity of the young counselor and invited him + home to dinner. + </p> + <p> + Portia, who meant to return to Belmont before her husband, replied, + “I humbly thank your Grace, but I must away directly.” + </p> + <p> + The duke said he was sorry he had not leisure to stay and dine with him, + and, turning to Antonio, he added, “Reward this gentleman; for in my + mind you are much indebted to him.” + </p> + <p> + The duke and his senators left the court; and then Bassanio said to + Portia: “Most worthy gentleman, I and my friend Antonio have by your + wisdom been this day acquitted of grievous penalties, and I beg you will + accept of the three thousand ducats due unto the Jew.” + </p> + <p> + “And we shall stand indebted to you over and above,” said + Antonio, “in love and service evermore.” + </p> + <p> + Portia could not be prevailed upon to accept the money. But upon Bassanio + still pressing her to accept of some reward, she said: + </p> + <p> + “Give me your gloves. I will wear them for your sake.” And + then Bassanio taking off his gloves, she espied the ring which she had + given him upon his finger. Now it was the ring the wily lady wanted to get + from him to make a merry jest when she saw her Bassanio again, that made + her ask him for his gloves; and she said, when she saw the ring, “And + for your love, I will take this ring from you.” + </p> + <p> + Bassanio was sadly distressed that the counselor should ask him for the + only thing he could not part with, and he replied, in great confusion, + that be could not give him that ring, because it was his wife’s gift + and he had vowed never to part with it; but that he would give him the + most valuable ring in Venice, and find it out by proclamation. + </p> + <p> + On this Portia affected to be affronted, and left the court, saying, + “You teach me, sir, how a beggar should be answered.” + </p> +<p> +“Dear Bassanio,” said Antonio, “let him have the ring. Let My +love and the great service he has done for me be valued against your +wife’s displeasure.” Bassanio, ashamed to appear so ungrateful, +yielded, and sent Gratiano after Portia with the ring; and then the +“clerk” Nerissa, who had also given Gratiano a ring, begged his +ring, and Gratiano (not choosing to be outdone in generosity by his lord) gave +it to her. And there was laughing among these ladies to think, when they got +home, how they would tax their husbands with giving away their rings and swear +that they had given them as a present to some woman. +</p> + <p> + Portia, when she returned, was in that happy temper of mind which never + fails to attend the consciousness of having performed a good action. Her + cheerful spirits enjoyed everything she saw: the moon never seemed to + shine so bright before; and when that pleasant moon was hid behind a + cloud, then a light which she saw from her house at Belmont as well + pleased her charmed fancy, and she said to Nerissa: + </p> + <p> + “That light we see is burning in my hall. How far that little candle + throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.” And + hearing the sound of music from her house, she said, “Methinks that + music sounds much sweeter than by day.” + </p> + <p> + And now Portia and Nerissa entered the house, and, dressing themselves in + their own apparel, they awaited the arrival of their husbands, who soon + followed them with Antonio; and Bassanio presenting his dear friend to the + Lady Portia, the congratulations and welcomings of that lady were hardly + over when they perceived Nerissa and her husband quarreling in a corner of + the room. + </p> + <p> + “A quarrel already?” said Portia. “What is the matter?” + </p> + <p> + Gratiano replied, “Lady, it is about a paltry gilt ring that Nerissa + gave me, with words upon it like the poetry on a cutler’s knife: + ‘Love me, and leave me not.’” + </p> + <p> + “What does the poetry or the value of the ring signify?” said + Nerissa. “You swore to me, when I gave it to you, that you would + keep it till the hour of death; and now you say you gave it to the lawyer’s + clerk. I know you gave it to a woman.” + </p> + <p> + “By this hand,” replied Gratiano, “I gave it to a youth, + a kind Of boy, a little scrubbed boy, no higher than yourself; be was + clerk to the young counselor that by his wise pleading saved Antonio’s + life. This prating boy begged it for a fee, and I could not for my life + deny him.” + </p> + <p> + Portia said: “You were to blame, Gratiano, to part with your wife’s + first gift. I gave my Lord Bassanio a ring, and I am sure be would not + part with it for all the world.” + </p> + <p> + Gratiano, in excuse for his fault, now said, “My Lord Bassanio gave + his ring away to the counselor, and then the boy, his clerk, that took + some pains in writing, he begged my ring.” + </p> + <p> + Portia, hearing this, seemed very angry and reproached Bassanio for giving + away her ring; and she said Nerissa had taught her what to believe, and + that she knew some woman had the ring. Bassanio was very unhappy to have + so offended his dear lady, and he said with great earnestness: + </p> + <p> + “No, by my honor, no woman had it, but a civil doctor who refused + three thousand ducats of me and begged the ring, which when I denied him + he went displeased away. What could I do, sweet Portia? I was so beset + with shame for my seeming ingratitude that I was forced to send the ring + after him. Pardon me, good lady. Had you been there, I think you would + have begged the ring of me to give the worthy doctor.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said Antonio, “I am the unhappy cause of these + quarrels.” + </p> + <p> + Portia bid Antonio not to grieve at that, for that be was welcome + notwithstanding; and then Antonio said: + </p> + <p> + “I once did lend my body for Bassanio’s sake; and but for him + to whom your husband gave the ring I should have now been dead. I dare be + bound again, my soul upon the forfeit, your lord will never more break his + faith with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you shall be his surety,” said Portia. “Give him + this ring and bid him keep it better than the other.” + </p> + <p> + When Bassanio looked at this ring be was strangely surprised to find it + was the same he gave away; and then Portia told him how she was the young + counselor, and Nerissa was her clerk; and Bassanio found, to his + unspeakable wonder and delight, that it was by the noble courage and + wisdom of his wife that Antonio’s life was saved. + </p> + <p> + And Portia again welcomed Antonio, and gave him letters which by some + chance had fallen into her hands, which contained an account of Antonio’s + ships, that were supposed lost, being safely arrived in the harbor. So + these tragical beginnings of this rich merchant’s story were all + forgotten in the unexpected good fortune which ensued; and there was + leisure to laugh at the comical adventure of the rings and the husbands + that did not know their own wives, Gratiano merrily swearing, in a sort of + rhyming speech, that— + </p> +<p class="poem"> + While he lived, he’d fear no other thing<br /> + So sore, as keeping safe Nerissa’s ring. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap08"></a>CYMBELINE</h2> + <p> + During the time of Augustus Caesar, Emperor of Rome, there reigned in + England (which was then called Britain) a king whose name was Cymbeline. + </p> + <p> + Cymbeline’s first wife died when his three children (two sons and a + daughter) were very young. Imogen, the eldest of these children, was + brought up in her father’s court; but by a strange chance the two + sons of Cymbeline were stolen out of their nursery when the eldest was but + three years of age and the youngest quite an infant; and Cymbeline could + never discover what was become of them or by whom they were conveyed away. + </p> + <p> + Cymbeline was twice married. His second wife was a wicked, plotting woman, + and a cruel stepmother to Imogen, Cymbeline’s daughter by his first + wife. + </p> + <p> + The queen, though she hated Imogen, yet wished her to marry a son of her + own by a former husband (she also having been twice married), for by this + means she hoped upon the death of Cymbeline to place the crown of Britain + upon the head of her son Cloten; for she knew that, if the king’s + sons were not found, the Princess Imogen must be the king’s heir. + But this design was prevented by Imogen herself, who married without the + consent or even knowledge of her father or the queen. + </p> + <p> + Posthumus (for that was the name of Imogen’s husband) was the best + scholar and most accomplished gentleman of that age. His father died + fighting in the wars for Cymbeline, and soon after his birth his mother + died also for grief at the loss of her husband. + </p> + <p> + Cymbeline, pitying the helpless state of this orphan, took Posthumus + (Cymbeline having given him that name because he was born after his father’s + death), and educated him in his own court. + </p> + <p> + Imogen and Posthumus were both taught by the same masters, and were + playfellows from their infancy; they loved each other tenderly when they + were children, and, their affection continuing to increase with their + years, when they grew up they privately married. + </p> + <p> + The disappointed queen soon learned this secret, for she kept spies + constantly in watch upon the actions of her stepdaughter, and she + immediately told the king of the marriage of Imogen with Posthumus. + </p> + <p> + Nothing could exceed the wrath of Cymbeline when he heard that his + daughter had been so forgetful of her high dignity as to marry a subject. + He commanded Posthumus to leave Britain and banished him from his native + country forever. + </p> + <p> + The queen, who pretended to pity Imogen for the grief she suffered at + losing her husband, offered to procure them a private meeting before + Posthumus set out on his journey to Rome, which place he had chosen for + his residence in his banishment. This seeming kindness she showed the + better to succeed in her future designs in regard to her son Cloten, for + she meant to persuade Imogen, when her husband was gone, that her marriage + was not lawful, being contracted without the consent of the king. + </p> + <p> + Imogen and Posthumus took a most affectionate leave of each other. Imogen + gave her husband a diamond ring which had been her mother’s, and + Posthumus promised never to part with the ring; and he fastened a bracelet + on the arm of his wife, which he begged she would preserve with great + care, as a token of his love; they then bade each other farewell, with + many vows of everlasting love and fidelity. + </p> + <p> + Imogen remained a solitary and dejected lady in her father’s court, + and Posthumus arrived at Rome, the place he had chosen for his banishment. + </p> + <p> + Posthumus fell into company at Rome with some gay young men of different + nations, who were talking freely of ladies, each one praising the ladies + of his own country and his own mistress. Posthumus, who had ever his own + dear lady in his mind, affirmed that his wife, the fair Imogen, was the + most virtuous, wise, and constant lady in the world. + </p> + <p> + One of those gentlemen, whose name was Iachimo, being offended that a lady + of Britain should be so praised above the Roman ladies, his country-women, + provoked Posthumus by seeming to doubt the constancy of his so highly + praised wife; and at length, after much altercation, Posthumus consented + to a proposal of Iachimo’s that he (Iachimo) should go to Britain + and endeavor to gain the love of the married Imogen. They then laid a + wager that if Iachimo did not succeed in this wicked design he was to + forfeit a large sum of money; but if he could win Imogen’s favor, + and prevail upon her to give him the bracelet which Posthumus had so + earnestly desired she would keep as a token of his love, then the wager + was to terminate with Posthumus giving to Iachimo the ring which was + Imogen’s love present when she parted with her husband. Such firm + faith had Posthumus in the fidelity of Imogen that he thought he ran no + hazard in this trial of her honor. + </p> + <p> + Iachimo, on his arrival in Britain, gained admittance and a courteous + welcome from Imogen, as a friend of her husband; but when he began to make + professions of love to her she repulsed him with disdain, and he soon + found that he could have no hope of succeeding in his dishonorable design. + </p> + <p> + The desire Iachimo had to win the wager made him now have recourse to a + stratagem to impose upon Posthumus, and for this purpose he bribed some of + Imogen’s attendants and was by them conveyed into her bedchamber, + concealed in a large trunk, where he remained shut up till Imogen.was + retired to rest and had fallen asleep; and then, getting out of the trunk, + he examined the chamber with great attention, and wrote down everything he + saw there, and particularly noticed a mole which he observed upon Imogen’s + neck, and then softly unloosing the bracelet from her arm, which Posthumus + had given to her, he retired into the chest again; and the next day he set + off for Rome with great expedition, and boasted to Posthumus that Imogen + had given him the bracelet, and likewise permitted him to pass a night in + her chamber. And in this manner Iachimo told his false tale: “Her + bedchamber,” said he, “was hung with tapestry of silk and + silver, the story was the proud Cleopatra when she met her Anthony, a + piece of work most bravely wrought.” + </p> + <p> + “This is true,” said Posthumus; “but this you might have + heard spoken of without seeing.” + </p> + <p> + “Then the chimney,” said Iachimo, “is south of the + chamber, and the chimneypiece is Diana bathing; never saw I figures + livelier expressed.” “This is a thing you might have likewise + heard,” said Posthumus; “for it is much talked of.” + </p> + <p> + Iachimo as accurately described the roof of the chamber; and added, + “I had almost forgot her andirons; they were two winking Cupids made + of silver, each on one foot standing.’” He then took out the + bracelet, and said: “Know you this jewel, sir? She gave me this. She + took it from her arm. I see her yet; her pretty action did outsell her + gift, and yet enriched it, too. She gave it me, and said, SHE PRIZED IT + ONCE.” He last of all described the mole he had observed upon her + neck. + </p> + <p> + Posthumus, who had heard the whole of this artful recital in an agony of + doubt, now broke out into the most passionate exclamations against Imogen. + He delivered up the diamond ring to Iachimo which he had agreed to forfeit + to him if he obtained the bracelet from Imogen. + </p> + <p> + Posthumus then in a jealous rage wrote to Pisanio, a gentleman of Britain, + who was one of Imogen’s attendants, and had long been a faithful + friend to Posthumus; and after telling him what proof he had of his wife’s + disloyalty, he desired Pisanio would take Imogen to Milford Haven, a + seaport of Wales, and there kill her. And at the same time he wrote a + deceitful letter to Imogen, desiring her to go with Pisanio, for that, + finding he could live no longer without seeing her, though he was + forbidden upon pain of death to return to Britain, he would come to + Milford Haven, at which place he begged she would meet him. She, good, + unsuspecting lady, who loved her husband above all things, and desired + more than her life to see him, hastened her departure with Pisanio, and + the same night she received the letter she set out. + </p> + <p> + When their journey was nearly at an end, Pisanio, who, though faithful to + Posthumus, was not faithful to serve him in an evil deed, disclosed to + Imogen the cruel order he had received. + </p> + <p> + Imogen, who, instead of meeting a loving and beloved husband, found + herself doomed by that husband to suffer death, was afflicted beyond + measure. + </p> + <p> + Pisanio persuaded her to take comfort and wait with patient fortitude for + the time when Posthumus should see and repent his injustice. In the mean + time, as she refused in her distress to return to her father’s + court, he advised her to dress herself in boy’s clothes for more + security in traveling; to which advice she agreed, and thought in that + disguise she would go over to Rome and see her husband, whom, though he + had used her so barbarously, she could no-t forget to love. + </p> + <p> + When Pisanio had provided her with her new apparel he left her to her + uncertain fortune, being obliged to return to court; but before he + departed he gave her a vial of cordial, which he said the queen had given + him as a sovereign remedy in all disorders. + </p> + <p> + The queen, who hated Pisanio because he was a friend to Imogen and + Posthumus, gave him this vial, which she supposed contained poison, she + having ordered her physician to give her some poison, to try its effects + (as she said) upon animals; but the physician, knowing her malicious + disposition, would not trust her with real poison, but gave her a drug + which would do no other mischief than causing a person to sleep with every + appearance of death for a few hours. This mixture, which Pisanio thought a + choice cordial, he gave to Imogen, desiring her, if she found herself ill + upon the road, to take it; and so, with blessings and prayers for her + safety and happy deliverance from her undeserved troubles, he left her. + </p> + <p> + Providence strangely directed Imogen’s steps to the dwelling of her + two brothers who had been stolen away in their infancy. Bellarius, who + stole them away, was a lord in the court of Cymbeline, and, having been + falsely accused to the king of treason and banished from the court, in + revenge he stole away the two sons of Cymbeline and brought them up in a + forest, where he lived concealed in a cave. He stole them through revenge, + but he soon loved them as tenderly as if they had been his own children, + educated them carefully, and they grew up fine youths, their princely + spirits leading them to bold and daring actions; and as they subsisted by + hunting, they were active and hardy, and were always pressing their + supposed father to let them seek their fortune in the wars. + </p> + <p> + At the cave where these youths dwelt it was Imogen’s fortune to + arrive. She had lost her way in a large forest through which .her road lay + to Milford Haven (from which she meant to embark for Rome); and being + unable to find any place where she could purchase food, she was, with + weariness and hunger, almost dying; for it is not merely putting on a man’s + apparel that will enable a young lady, tenderly brought up, to bear the + fatigue of wandering about lonely forests like a man.. Seeing this cave, + she entered, hoping to find some one within of whom she could procure + food. She found the cave empty, but, looking about, she discovered some + cold meat, and her hunger was so pressing that she could not wait for an + invitation, but sat down and began to eat. + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” said she, talking to herself, “I see a man’s + life is a tedious one. How tired am I! For two nights together I have made + the ground my bed. My resolution helps me, or I should be sick. When + Pisanio showed me Milford Haven from the mountain-top, how near it seemed!” + Then the thoughts of her husband and his cruel mandate came across her, + and she said, “My dear Posthumus, thou art a false one!” + </p> + <p> + The two brothers of Imogen, who had been hunting with their reputed + father, Bellarius, were by this time returned home. Bellarius had given + them the names of Polydore and Cadwal, and they knew no better, but + supposed that Bellarius was their father; but the real names of these + princes were Guiderius and Arviragus. + </p> + <p> + Bellarius entered the cave first, and, seeing Imogen, stopped them, + saying: “ Come not in yet. It eats our victuals, or I should think + it was a fairy.” + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter, sir?” said the young men. + </p> + <p> + “By Jupiter!” said Bellarius, again, “there is an angel + in the cave, or if not, an earthly paragon.” So beautiful did Imogen + look in her boy’s apparel. + </p> + <p> + She, hearing the sound of voices, came forth from the cave and addressed + them in these words: “Good masters, do not harm me. Before I entered + your cave I had thought to have begged or bought what I have eaten. + Indeed, I have stolen nothing, nor would I, though I had found gold + strewed on the floor. Here is money for my meat, which I would have left + on the board when I had made my meal, and parted with prayers for the + provider.” + </p> + <p> + They refused her money with great earnestness. + </p> + <p> + “I see you are angry with me,” said the timid Imogen; “but, + sirs, if you kill me for my fault, know that I should have died if I had + not made it.” + </p> + <p> + “Whither are you bound,” asked Bellarius, “and what is + your name?” + </p> + <p> + “Fidele is my name,” answered Imogen. “I have a kinsman + who is bound for Italy; he embarked at Milford Haven, to whom being going, + almost spent with hunger, I am fallen into this offense.” + </p> + <p> + “Prithee, fair youth,” said old Bellarius, “do not think + us churls, nor measure our good minds by this rude place we live in. You + are well encountered; it is almost night. You shall have better cheer + before you depart, and thanks to stay and eat it. Boys, bid him welcome.” + </p> + <p> + The gentle youths, her brothers, then welcomed Imogen to their cave with + many kind expressions, saying they would love her (or, as they said, HIM) + as a brother; and they entered the cave, where (they having killed venison + when they were hunting) Imogen delighted them with her neat housewifery, + assisting them in preparing their supper; for, though it is not the custom + now for young women of high birth to understand cookery, it was then, and + Imogen excelled in this useful art; and, as her brothers prettily + expressed it, Fidele cut their roots in characters, and sauced their + broth, as if Juno had been sick and Fidele were her dieter. + </p> + <p> + “And then,” said Polydore to his brother, “how + angel-like he sings!” + </p> + <p> + They also remarked to each other that though Fidele smiled so sweetly, yet + so sad a melancholy did overcloud his lovely face, as if grief and + patience had together taken possession of him. + </p> + <p> + For these her gentle qualities (or perhaps it was their near relationship, + though they knew it not) Imogen (or, as the boys called her, Fidele) + became the doting-piece of her brothers, and she scarcely less loved them, + thinking that but for the memory of her dear Posthumus she could live and + die in the cave with these wild forest youths; and she gladly consented to + stay with them till she was enough rested from the fatigue of traveling to + pursue her way to Milford Haven. + </p> + <p> + When the venison they had taken was all eaten and they were going out to + hunt for more, Fidele could not accompany them because she was unwell. + Sorrow, no doubt, for her husband’s + </p> + <p> + cruel usage, as well as the fatigue of wandering in the forest, was the + cause of her illness. + </p> + <p> + They then bid her farewell, and went to their hunt, praising all the way + the noble parts and graceful demeanor of the youth Fidele. + </p> + <p> + Imogen was no sooner left alone than she recollected the cordial Pisanio + had given her, and drank it off, and presently fell into a sound and + deathlike sleep. + </p> + <p> + When Bellarius and her brothers returned from hunting, Polydore went first + into the cave, and, supposing her asleep, pulled off his heavy shoes, that + he might tread softly and not awake her (so did true gentleness spring up + in the minds of these princely foresters); but he soon discovered that she + could not be awakened by any noise, and concluded her to be dead, and + Polydore lamented over her with dear and brotherly regret, as if they had + never from their infancy been parted. + </p> + <p> + Bellarius also proposed to carry her out into the forest, and there + celebrate her funeral with songs and solemn dirges, as was then the + custom. + </p> + <p> + Imogen’s two brothers then carried her to a shady covert, and there, + laying her gently on the grass, they sang repose to her departed spirit, + and, covering her over with leaves and flowers, Polydore said: + </p> + <p> + “While summer lasts and I live here, Fidele, I will daily strew thy + grave. The pale primrose, that flower most like thy face; the bluebell, + like thy clear veins; and the leaf of eglantine, which is not sweeter than + was thy breath-all these will I strew over thee. Yea, and the furred moss + in winter, when there are no flowers to cover thy sweet corse.” + </p> + <p> + When they had finished her funeral obsequies they departed, very + sorrowful. + </p> + <p> + Imogen had not been long left alone when, the effect of the sleepy drug + going off, she awaked, and easily shaking off the slight covering of + leaves and flowers they had thrown over her, she arose, and, imagining she + had been dreaming, she said: + </p> + <p> + “I thought I was a cave-keeper and cook to honest creatures. How + came I here covered with flowers?” + </p> + <p> + Not being able to find her way back to the cave, and seeing nothing of her + new companions, she concluded it was certainly all a dream; and once more + Imogen set out on her weary pilgrimage, hoping at last she should find her + way to Milford Haven, and thence get a passage in some ship bound for + Italy; for all her thoughts were still with her husband, Posthumus, whom + she intended to seek in the disguise of a page. + </p> + <p> + But great events were happening at this time, of which Imogen knew + nothing; for a war had suddenly broken out between the Roman Emperor + Augustus Caesar and Cymbeline, the King of Britain; and a Roman army had + landed to invade Britain, and was advanced into the very forest over which + Imogen was journeying. With this army came Posthumus. + </p> + <p> + Though Posthumus came over to Britain with the Roman army, he did not mean + to fight on their side against his own countrymen, but intended to join + the army of Britain and fight in the cause of his king who had banished + him. + </p> + <p> + He still believed Imogen false to him; yet the death of her he had so + fondly loved, and by his own orders, too (Pisanio having written him a + letter to say he had obeyed his command, and that Imogen was dead), sat + heavy on his heart, and therefore he returned to Britain, desiring either + to be slain in battle or to be put to death by Cymbeline for returning + home from banishment. + </p> + <p> + Imogen, before she reached Milford Haven, fell into the hands of the Roman + army, and, her presence and deportment recommending her, she was made a + page to Lucius, the Roman general. + </p> + <p> + Cymbeline’s army now advanced to meet the enemy, and when they + entered this forest Polydore and Cadwal joined the king’s army. The + young men were eager to engage in acts of valor, though they little + thought they were going to fight for their own royal father; and old + Bellarius went with them to the battle. + </p> + <p> + He had long since repented of the injury he had done to Cymbeline in + carrying away his sons; and, having been a warrior in his youth, he gladly + joined the army to fight for the king he had so injured. + </p> + <p> + And now a great battle commenced between the two armies, and the Britons + would have been defeated, and Cymbeline himself killed, but for the + extraordinary valor of Posthumus and Bellarius and the two sons of + Cymbeline. They rescued the king and saved his life, and so entirely + turned the fortune of the day that the Britons gained the victory. + </p> + <p> + When the battle was over, Posthumus, who had not found the death he sought + for, surrendered himself up to one of the officers of Cymbeline, willing + to suffer the death which was to be his punishment if he returned from + banishment. + </p> + <p> + Imogen and the master she served were taken prisoners and brought before + Cymbeline, as was also her old enemy, Iachimo, who was an officer in the + Roman army. And when these prisoners were before the king, Posthumus was + brought in to receive his sentence of death; and at this strange juncture + of time Bellarius with Polydore and Cadwal were also brought before + Cymbeline, to receive the rewards due to the great services they had by + their valor done for the king. Pisanio, being one of the king’s + attendants, was likewise present. + </p> + <p> + Therefore there were now standing in the king’s presence (but with + very different hopes and fears) Posthumus and Imogen, with her new master + the Roman general; the faithful servant Pisanio and the false friend + Iachimo; and likewise the two lost sons of Cymbeline, with Bellarius, who + had stolen them away. + </p> + <p> + The Roman general was the first who spoke; the rest stood silent before + the king, though there was many a beating heart among them. + </p> + <p> + Imogen saw Posthumus, and knew him, though he was in the disguise of a + peasant; but he did not know her in her male attire. And she knew Iachimo, + and she saw a ring on his finger which she perceived to be her own., but + she did not know him as yet to have been the author of all her troubles; + and she stood before her own father a prisoner of war. + </p> + <p> + Pisanio knew Imogen, for it was he who had dressed her in the garb of a + boy. “It is my mistress,” thought he. “Since she is + living, let the time run on to good or bad.” Bellarius knew her, + too, and softly said to Cadwal, “Is not this boy revived from death?” + </p> + <p> + “One sand,” replied Cadwal, “does not more resemble + another than that sweet, rosy lad is like the dead Fidele.” + </p> + <p> + “The same dead thing alive,” said Polydore. + </p> + <p> + “Peace, peace,” said Bellarius. “If it were he, I am + sure be would have spoken to us.” + </p> + <p> + “But we saw him dead,”, again whispered Polydore. + </p> + <p> + “Be silent,” replied Bellarius. + </p> + <p> + Posthumus waited in silence to hear the welcome sentence of his own death; + and he resolved not to disclose to the king that he had saved his life in + the battle, lest that should move Cymbeline to pardon him. + </p> + <p> + Lucius, the Roman general, who had taken Imogen under his protection as + his page, was the first (as has been before said) who spoke to the king. + He was a man of high courage and noble and this was his speech to the + king: + </p> + <p> + “I hear you take no ransom for your prisoners, but doom them all to + death. I am a Roman, and with a Roman heart will suffer, death. But there + is one thing for which I would entreat.” Then bringing Imogen before + the king, he said: “This boy is a Briton born. Let him be ransomed. + He is my page. Never master had a page so kind, so duteous, so diligent on + all occasions, so true, so nurselike. He hath done no Briton wrong, though + he hath served a Roman. Save him, if you spare no one beside.” + </p> + <p> + Cymbeline looked earnestly on his daughter Imogen. He knew her not in that + disguise; but it seemed that all-powerful Nature spake in his heart, for + he said: “I have surely seen him; his face appears familiar to me. I + know not why or wherefore I say, live, boy, but I give you your life; and + ask of me what boon you will and I will grant it you. Yea, even though it + be the life of the noblest prisoner I have.” + </p> + <p> + “I humbly thank your Highness,” said Imogen. + </p> + <p> + What was then called granting a boon was the same as a promise to give any + one thing, whatever it might be,. that the person on whom that favor was + conferred chose to ask for. + </p> + <p> + They all were attentive to hear what thing the page would ask for; and + Lucius, her master, said to her: + </p> + <p> + “I do not beg my life, good lad, but I know that is what you will + ask for.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, alas!” said Imogen. “I have other work in hand, + good master. Your life I cannot ask for.” + </p> + <p> + This seeming want of gratitude in the boy astonished the Roman general. + </p> + <p> + Imogen then, fixing her eye on Iachimo, demanded no other boon than this: + that Iachimo should be made to confess whence he had the ring he wore on + his finger. + </p> + <p> + Cymbeline granted her this boon, and threatened Iachimo with the torture + if he did not confess how he came by the diamond ring on his finger. + </p> + <p> + Iachimo then made a full acknowledgment of all his villainy, in telling, + as has been before related, the whole story of his wager with Posthumus + and how he had succeeded in imposing upon is credulity. + </p> + <p> + What Posthumus felt at hearing this proof of the innocence of his lady + cannot be expressed. He instantly came forward and confessed to Cymbeline + the cruel sentence which he had enjoined Pisanio to execute upon the + princess, exclaiming, wildly: + </p> + <p> + “O Imogen, my queen, my life, my wife! O Imogen, Imogen, Imogen!” + </p> + <p> + Imogen could not see her beloved husband in this distress without + discovering herself, to the unutterable joy of Posthumus, who was thus + relieved from a weight of guilt and woe, and restored to the good graces + of the dear lady he had so cruelly treated. + </p> + <p> + Cymbeline, almost as much overwhelmed as he with joy, at finding his lost + daughter so strangely recovered, received her to her former place in his + fatherly affection, and not only gave her husband Posthumus his life, but + consented to acknowledge him for his son-in-law. + </p> + <p> + Bellarius chose this time of joy and reconciliation to make his + confession. He presented Polydore and Cadwal to the king, telling him they + were his two lost sons, Guiderius and Arviragus. + </p> + <p> + Cymbeline forgave old Bellarius; for who could think of punishments at a + season of such universal happiness? To find his daughter living, and his + lost sons in the persons of his young deliverers, that he had seen so + bravely fight in his defense, was unlooked-for joy indeed! + </p> + <p> + Imogen was now at leisure to perform good services for her late master, + the Roman general, Lucius, whose life the king, her father, readily + granted at her request; and by the mediation of the same Lucius a peace + was concluded between the Romans and the Britons which was kept inviolate + many years. + </p> + <p> + How Cymbeline’s wicked queen, through despair of bringing her + projects to pass, and touched with remorse of conscience, sickened and + died, having first lived to see her foolish son Cloten slain in a quarrel + which he had provoked, are events too tragical to interrupt this happy + conclusion by more than merely touching upon. It is sufficient that all + were made happy who were deserving; and even the treacherous Iachimo, in + consideration of his villainy having missed its final aim, was dismissed + without punishment. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap09"></a>KING LEAR</h2> + <p> + Lear, King of Britain, had three daughters: Goneril, wife to the Duke of + Albany; Regan, wife to the Duke of Cornwall; and Cordelia, a young maid, + for whose love the King of France and Duke of Burgundy were joint suitors, + and were at this time making stay for that purpose in the court of Lear. + </p> + <p> + The old king, worn out with age and the fatigues of government, he being + more than fourscore years old, determined to take no further part in state + affairs, but to leave the management to younger strengths, that he might + have time to prepare for death, which must at no long period ensue. With + this intent he called his three daughters to him, to know from their own + lips which of them loved him best, that he might part his kingdom among + them in such proportions as their affection for him should seem to + deserve. + </p> + <p> + Goneril, the eldest, declared that she loved her father more than words + could give out, that he was dearer to her than the light of her own eyes, + dearer than life and liberty, with a deal of such professing stuff, which + is easy to counterfeit where there is no real love, only a few fine words + delivered with confidence being wanted in that case. The king, delighted + to hear from her own mouth this assurance of her love, and thinking truly + that her heart went with it, in a fit of fatherly fondness bestowed upon + her and her husband one-third of his ample kingdom. + </p> + <p> + Then calling to him his second daughter he demanded what she had to say. + Regan, who was made of the same hollow metal as her sister, was not a whit + behind in her professions, but rather declared that what her sister had + spoken came short of the love which she professed to bear for his + Highness; in so much that she found all other joys dead in comparison with + the pleasure which she took in the love of her dear king and father. + </p> + <p> + Lear blessed himself in having such loving children, as he thought; and + could do no less, after the handsome assurances which Regan had made, than + bestow a third of his kingdom upon her and her husband, equal in size to + that which he had already given away to Goneril. + </p> + <p> + Then turning to his youngest daughter, Cordelia, whom he called his joy, + he asked what she had to say,thinking no doubt that she would glad his + ears with the same loving speeches which her sisters had uttered, or + rather that her expressions would be so much stronger than theirs, as she + had always been his darling, and favored by him above either of them. But + Cordelia, disgusted with the flattery of her sisters, whose hearts she + knew were far from their lips, and seeing that all their coaxing speeches + were only intended to wheedle the old king out of his dominions, that they + and their husbands might reign in his lifetime, made no other reply but + this—that she loved his Majesty according to her duty, neither more + nor less. + </p> + <p> + The king, shocked with this appearance of ingratitude in his favorite + child, desired her to consider her words and to mend her speech, lest it + should mar her fortunes. + </p> + <p> + Cordelia then told her father that he was her father, that he had given + her breeding, and loved her; that she returned those duties back as was + most fit, and did obey him, love him, and most honor him. But that she + could not frame her mouth to such large speeches as her sisters had done, + or promise to love nothing else in the world. Why had her sisters husbands + if (as they said) they had no love for anything but their father? If she + should ever wed, she was sure the lord to whom she gave her husband would + want half her love, half of her care and duty; she should never marry like + her sisters, to love her father all. + </p> + <p> + Cordelia, who in earnest loved her old father even almost extravagantly as + her sisters pretended to do, would have plainly told him so at any other + time, in more daughter-like and loving terms, and without these + qualifications, which did indeed sound a little ungracious; but after the + crafty, flattering speeches of her sisters, which she had seen draw such + extravagant rewards, she thought the handsomest thing she could do was to + love and be silent. This put her affection out of suspicion of mercenary + ends, and showed that she loved, but not for gain; and that her + professions, the less ostentatious they were, had so much the more of + truth and sincerity than her sisters’. + </p> + <p> + This plainness of speech, which Lear called pride, so enraged the old + monarch—who in his best of times always showed much of spleen and + rashness, and in whom the dotage incident to old age had so clouded over + his reason that he could not discern truth from flattery, nor a gaypainted + speech from words that came from the heart—that in a fury of + resentment he retracted the third part of his kingdom which yet remained, + and which he had reserved for Cordelia, and gave it away from her, sharing + it equally between her two sisters and their husbands, the Dukes of Albany + and Cornwall, whom he now called to him and in presence of all his + courtiers, bestowing a coronet between them, invested them jointly with + all the power, revenue, and execution of government, only retaining to + himself the name of king; all the rest of royalty he resigned, with this + reservation, that himself, with a hundred knights for his attendants, was + to be maintained by monthly course in each of his daughters’ palaces + in turn. + </p> + <p> + So preposterous a disposal of his kingdom, so little guided by reason, and + so much by passion, filled all his courtiers with astonishment and sorrow; + but none of them had the courage to interpose between this incensed king + and his wrath, except the Earl of Kent, who was beginning to speak a good + word for Cordelia, when the passionate Lear on pain of death commanded him + to desist; but the good Kent was not so to be repelled. He had been ever + loyal to Lear, whom he had honored as a king, loved as a father, followed + as a master; and he had never esteemed his life further than as a pawn to + wage against his royal master’s enemies, nor feared to lose it when + Lear’s safety was the motive; nor, now that Lear was most his own + enemy, did this faithful servant of the king forget his old principles, + but manfully opposed Lear to do Lear good; and was unmannerly only because + Lear was mad. He had been a most faithful counselor in times past to the + king, and he besought him now that he would see with his eyes (as he had + done in many weighty matters) and go by his advice still, and in his best + consideration recall this hideous rashness; for he would answer with his + life his judgment that Lear’s youngest daughter did not love him + least, nor were those empty-hearted whose low sound gave no token of + hollowness. When power bowed to flattery, honor was bound to plainness. + For Lear’s threats, what could he do to him whose life was already + at his service? That should not hinder duty from speaking. + </p> + <p> + The honest freedom of this good Earl of Kent only stirred up the king’s + wrath the more, and, like a frantic patient who kills his physician and + loves his mortal disease, he banished this true servant, and allotted him + but five days to make his preparations for departure; but if on the sixth + his hated person was found within the realm of Britain, that moment was to + be his death. And Kent bade farewell to the king, and said that, since he + chose to show himself in such fashion, it was but banishment to stay + there; and before he went he recommended Cordelia to the protection of the + gods, the maid who had so rightly thought and so discreetly spoken; and + only wished that her sisters’ large speeches might be answered with + deeds of love; and then he went, as he said, to shape his old course to a + new country. + </p> + <p> + The King of France and Duke of Burgundy were now called in to hear the + determination of Lear about his youngest daughter, and to know whether + they would persist in their courtship to Cordelia, now that she was under + her father’s displeasure and had no fortune but her own person to + recommend her. And the Duke of Burgundy declined the match, and would not + take her to wife upon such conditions. But the King of France, + understanding what the nature of the fault had been which had lost her the + love of her father—that it was only a tardiness of speech and the + not being able to frame her tongue to flattery like her sisters—took + this young maid by the hand and, saying that her virtues were a dowry + above a kingdom, bade Cordelia to take farewell of her sisters and of her + father, though he had been unkind, and she should go with him and be Queen + of him and of fair France, and reign over fairer possessions than her + sisters. And he called the Duke of Burgundy, in contempt, a waterish duke, + because his love for this young maid had in a moment run all away like + water. + </p> + <p> + Then Cordelia with weeping eyes took leave of her sisters, and besought + them to love their father well and make good their professions; and they + sullenly told her not to prescribe to them, for they knew their duty, but + to strive to content her husband, who had taken her (as they tauntingly + expressed it) as Fortune’s alms. And Cordelia with a heavy heart + departed, for she knew the cunning of her sisters and she wished her + father in better hands than she was about to leave him in. + </p> + <p> + Cordelia was no sooner gone than the devilish dispositions of her sisters + began to show themselves ‘in their true colors. Even before the + expiration of the first month, which Lear was to spend by agreement ,with + his , daughter, Goneril, the old king began to find out the difference + between promises and performances. This wretch, having got from her father + all that he had to bestow, even to the giving away of the crown from off + his head, began to grudge even those small remnants of royalty which the + old man had reserved to himself, to please his fancy with the idea of + being still a king. She could not bear to see him and his knights. Every + time she met her father she put on a frowning countenance; and when the + old man wanted to speak with her she would feign sickness or anything to + get rid of the sight of him, for it was plain that she esteemed his old + age a useless burden and his attendants an unnecessary expense; not only + she herself slackened in her expressions of duty to the king, but by her + example, and (it is to be feared) not without her private instructions, + her very servants affected to treat him with neglect, and would either + refuse to obey his orders or still more contemptuously pretend not to hear + them. Lear could not but perceive this alteration in the behavior of his + daughter, but he shut his eyes against it as long as he could, as people + commonly are unwilling to believe the unpleasant consequences which their + own mistakes and obstinacy have brought upon them. + </p> + <p> + True love and fidelity are no more to be estranged by ILL, than falsehood + and hollow-heartedness can be conciliated by GOOD, USAGE. This eminently + appears in the instance of the good Earl of Kent, who, though banished by + Lear, and his life made forfeit if he were found in Britain, chose to stay + and abide all consequences as long as there was a chance of his being + useful to the king his master. See to what mean shifts and disguises poor + loyalty is forced to submit sometimes; yet it counts nothing base or + unworthy so as it can but do service where it owes an obligation! In the + disguise of a serving-man, all his greatness and pomp laid aside, this + good earl proffered his services to the king, who, not knowing him to be + Kent in that disguise, but pleased with a certain plainness, or rather + bluntness, in his answers, which the earl put on (so different from that + smooth, oily flattery which he had so much reason to be sick of, having + found the effects not answerable in his daughter), a bargain was quickly + struck, and Lear took Kent into his service by the name of Caius, as he + called himself, never suspecting him to be his once great favorite, the + high and mighty Earl of Kent. + </p> + <p> + This Caius quickly found means to show his fidelity and love to his royal + master, for, Goneril’s steward that same day behaving in a + disrespectful manner to Lear, and giving him saucy looks and language, as + no doubt he was secretly encouraged to do by his mistress, Caius, not + enduring to hear so open an affront put upon his Majesty, made no more + ado, but presently tripped up his heels and laid the unmannerly slave in + the kennel; for which friendly service Lear became more and more attached + to him. + </p> + <p> + Nor was Kent the only friend Lear had. In his degree, and as far as so + insignificant a personage could show his love, the poor fool, or jester, + that had been of his palace while Lear had a palace, as it was the custom + of kings and great personages at that time to keep a fool (as he was + called) to make them sport after serious business—this poor fool + clung to Lear after he had given away his crown, and by his witty sayings + would keep up his good-humor, though he could not refrain sometimes from + jeering at his master for his imprudence in uncrowning himself and giving + all away to his daughters; at which time, as he rhymingly expressed it, + these daughters— + </p> +<p class="poem"> +“For sudden joy did weep,<br/> +Â Â Â Â And I for sorrow sung,<br/> +That such a king should play bo-peep<br/> +Â Â Â Â And go the fools among.” +</p> + <p> + And in such wild sayings, and scraps of songs, of which he had plenty, + this pleasant, honest fool poured out his heart even in the presence of + Goneril herself, in many a bitter taunt and jest which cut to the quick, + such as comparing the king to the hedgesparrow, who feeds the young of the + cuckoo till they grow old enough, and then has its head bit off for its + pains; and saying that an ass may know when the cart draws the horse + (meaning that Lear’s daughters, that ought to go behind, now ranked + before their father); and that Lear was no longer Lear, but the shadow of + Lear. For which free speeches he was once or twice threatened to be + whipped. + </p> + <p> + The coolness and falling off of respect which Lear had begun to perceive + were not all which this foolish fond father was to suffer from his + unworthy daughter. She now plainly told him that his staying in her palace + was inconvenient so long as he insisted upon keeping up an establishment + of a hundred knights; that this establishment was useless and expensive + and only served to fill her court with riot and feasting; and she prayed + him that he would lessen their number and keep none but old men about him, + such as himself, and fitting his age. + </p> + <p> + Lear at first could not believe his eyes or ears, nor that it was his + daughter who spoke so unkindly. He could not believe that she who had + received a crown from him could seek to cut off his train and grudge him + the respect due to his old age. But she persisting in her undutiful + demand, the old man’s rage was so excited that he called her a + detested kite and said that she spoke an untruth; and so indeed she did, + for the hundred knights were all men of choice behavior and sobriety of + manners, skilled in all particulars of duty, and not given to rioting or + feasting, as she said. And he bid his horses to be prepared, for he would + go to his other daughter, Regan, he and his hundred knights; and he spoke + of ingratitude, and said it was a marble-hearted devil, and showed more + hideous in a child than the sea-monster. And he cursed his eldest + daughter, Goneril, so as was terrible to hear, praying that she might + never have a child, or, if she had, that it might live to return that + scorn and contempt upon her which she had shown to him; that she might + feel how sharper than a serpent’s tooth it was to have a thankless + child. And Goneril’s husband, the Duke of Albany, beginning to + excuse himself for any share which Lear might suppose he had in the + unkindness, Lear would not hear him out, but in a rage ordered his horses + to be saddled and set out with his followers for the abode of Regan, his + other daughter. And Lear thought to himself how small the fault of + Cordelia (if it was a fault) now appeared in comparison with her sister’s, + and he wept; and then he was ashamed that such a creature as Goneril + should have so much power over his manhood as to make him weep. + </p> + <p> + Regan and her husband were keeping their court in great pomp and state at + their palace; and Lear despatched his servant Caius with letters to his + daughter, that she might be prepared for his reception, while he and his + train followed after. But it seems that Goneril had been beforehand with + him, sending letters also to Regan, accusing her father of waywardness and + ill-humors, and advising her not to receive so great a train as he was + bringing with him. This messenger arrived at the same time with Caius, and + Caius and he met, and who should it be but Caius’s old enemy the + steward, whom he had formerly tripped up by the heels for his saucy + behavior to Lear. Caius not liking the fellow’s look, and, + suspecting what he came for, began to revile him and challenged him to + fight, which the fellow refusing, Caius, in a fit of honest passion, beat + him soundly, as such a mischief-maker and carrier of wicked messages + deserved; which coming to the ears of Regan and her husband, they ordered + Caius to be put in the stocks, though he was a messenger from the king her + father and in that character demanded the highest respect. So that the + first thing the king saw when he entered the castle was his faithful + servant Caius sitting in that disgraceful situation. + </p> + <p> + This was but a bad omen of the reception which he was to expect; but a + worse followed when, upon inquiry for his daughter and her husband, he was + told they were weary with traveling all night and could not see him; and + when, lastly, upon his insisting in a positive and angry manner to see + them, they came to greet him, whom should he see in their company but the + hated Goneril, who had come to tell her own story and set her sister + against the king her father! + </p> + <p> + This sight much moved the old man, and still more to see Regan take her by + the hand; and he asked Goneril if she was not ashamed to look upon his old + white beard. And Regan advised him to go home again with Goneril, and live + with her peaceably, dismissing half of his attendants, and to ask her + forgiveness; for he was old and wanted discretion, and must be ruled and + led by persons that had more discretion than himself. And Lear showed how + preposterous that would sound, if he were to go down on his knees and beg + of his own daughter for food and raiment; and he argued against such an + unnatural dependence, declaring his resolution never to return with her, + but to stay where he was with Regan, he and his hundred knights; for he + said that she had not forgot the half of the kingdom which he had endowed + her with, and that her eyes were not fierce like Goneril’s, but mild + and kind. And he said that rather than return to Goneril, with half his + train cut off, he would go over to France and beg a wretched pension of + the king there, who had married his youngest daughter without a portion. + </p> + <p> + But he was mistaken in expecting kinder treatment of Regan than he had + experienced from her sister Goneril. As if willing to outdo her sister in + unfilial behavior, she declared that she thought fifty knights too many to + wait upon him; that five-and-twenty were enough. Then Lear, nigh + heartbroken, turned to Goneril and said that he would go back with her, + for her fifty doubled five-and-twenty, and so her love was twice as much + as Regan’s. But Goneril excused herself, and said, what need of so + many as five-and twenty? or even ten? or five? when he might be waited + upon by her servants or her sister’s servants? So these two wicked + daughters, as if they strove to exceed each other in cruelty to their old + father, who had been so good to them, by little and little would have + abated him of all his train, all respect (little enough for him that once + commanded a kingdom) which was left him to show that he had once been a + king! Not that a splendid train is essential to happiness, but from a king + to a beggar is a hard change, from commanding millions to be without one + attendant; and it was the ingratitude in his daughters’ denying more + than what he would suffer by the want of it, which pierced this poor king + to the heart; in so much that, with this double ill-usage, and vexation + for having so foolishly given away a kingdom, his wits began to be + unsettled, and while he said he knew not what, he vowed revenge against + those unnatural hags and to make examples of them that should be a terror + to the earth! + </p> + <p> + While he was thus idly threatening what his weak arm could never execute, + night came on, and a loud storm of thunder and lightning with rain; and + his daughters still persisting in their resolution not to admit his + followers, he called for his horses, and chose rather to encounter the + utmost fury of the storm abroad than stay under the same roof with these + ungrateful daughters; and they, saying that the injuries which wilful men + procure to themselves are their just punishment, suffered him to go in + that condition and shut their doors upon him. + </p> + <p> + The winds were high, and the rain and storm increased, when the old man + sallied forth to combat with the elements, less sharp than his daughters’ + unkindness. For many miles about there was scarce a bush; and there upon a + heath, exposed to the fury of the storm in a dark night, did King Lear + wander out, and defy the winds and the thunder; and he bid the winds to + blow the earth into the sea, or swell the waves of the sea till they + drowned the earth, that no token might remain of any such ungrateful + animal as man. The old king was now left with no other companion than the + poor fool, who still abided with him, with his merry conceits striving to + outjest misfortune, saying it was but a naughty night to swim in, and + truly the king had better go in and ask his daughter’s blessing: + </p> +<p class="poem"> +But he that has a little tiny wit—<br/> +Â Â Â Â With heigh ho, the wind and the rain,—<br/> +Must make content with his fortunes fit<br/> +Â Â Â Â Though the rain it raineth every day, +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +and swearing it was a brave night to cool a lady’s pride. +</p> + + <p> + Thus poorly accompanied, this once great monarch was found by his + ever-faithful servant the good Earl of Kent, now transformed to Caius, who + ever followed close at his side, though the king did not know him to be + the earl; and be said: + </p> + <p> + “Alas, sir, are you here? Creatures that love night love not such + nights as these. This dreadful storm has driven the beasts to their + hiding-places. Man’s nature cannot endure the affliction or the + fear.” + </p> + <p> + And Lear rebuked him and said these lesser evils were not felt where a + greater malady was fixed. When the mind is at ease the body has leisure to + be delicate, but the tempest in his mind did take all feeling else from + his senses but of that which beat at his heart. And he spoke of filial + ingratitude, and said it was all one as if the mouth should tear the hand + for lifting food to it; for parents were hands and food and everything to + children. + </p> + <p> + But the good Caius still persisting in his entreaties that the king would + not stay out in the open air, at last persuaded him to enter a little + wretched hovel which stood upon the heath, where the fool first entering, + suddenly ran back terrified, saying that he had seen a spirit. But upon + examination this spirit proved to be nothing more than a poor Bedlam + beggar who had crept into this deserted hovel for shelter, and with his + talk about devils frighted the fool, one of those poor lunatics who are + either mad, or feign to be so, the better to extort charity from the + compassionate country people, who go about the country calling themselves + poor Tom and poor Turlygood, saying, “Who gives anything to poor + Tom?” sticking pins and nails and sprigs of rosemary into their arms + to make them bleed; and with horrible actions, partly by prayers, and + partly with lunatic curses, they move or terrify the ignorant country folk + into giving them alms. This poor fellow was such a one; and the king, + seeing him in so wretched a plight, with nothing but a blanket about his + loins to cover his nakedness, could not be persuaded but that the fellow + was some father who had given all away to his daughters and brought + himself to that pass; for nothing, he thought, could bring a man to such + wretchedness but the having unkind daughters. + </p> + <p> + And from this and many such wild speeches which he uttered the good Caius + plainly perceived that he was not in his perfect mind, but that his + daughters’ ill-usage had really made him go mad. And now the loyalty + of this worthy Earl of Kent showed itself in more essential services than + he had hitherto found opportunity to perform. For with the assistance of + some of the king’s attendants who remained loyal he had the person + of his royal master removed at daybreak to the castle of Dover, where his + own friends and influence, as Earl of Kent, chiefly lay; and himself, + embarking for France, hastened to the court of Cordelia, and did there in + such moving terms represent the pitiful condition of her royal father, and + set out in such lively colors the inhumanity of her sisters, that this + good and loving child with many tears besought the king, her husband, that + he would give her leave to embark for England, with a sufficient power to + subdue these cruel daughters and their husbands and restore the old king, + her father, to his throne; which being granted, she set forth, and with a + royal army landed at Dover. + </p> + <p> + Lear, having by some chance escaped from the guardians which’ the + good Earl of Kent had put over him to take care of him in his lunacy, was + found by some of Cordelia’s train, wandering about the fields near + Dover, in a pitiable condition, stark mad, and singing aloud to himself, + with a crown upon his head which he had made of straw and nettles and + other wild weeds that he had picked up in the corn-fields. By the advice + of the physicians, Cordelia, though earnestly desirous of seeing her + father, was prevailed upon to put off the meeting till, by sleep and the + operation of herbs which they gave him, he should be restored to greater + composure. By the aid of these skilful physicians, to whom Cordelia + promised all her gold and jewels for the recovery of the old king, Lear + was soon in a condition to see his daughter. + </p> + <p> + A tender sight it was to see the meeting between this father and daughter; + to see the struggles between the joy of this poor old king at beholding + again his once darling child, and the shame at receiving such filial + kindness from her whom he had cast off for so small a fault in his + displeasure; both these passions struggling with the remains of his + malady, which in his half-crazed brain sometimes made him that he scarce + remembered where he was or who it was tb at so kindly kissed him and spoke + to him. And then he would beg the standers-by not to laugh at him if he + were mistaken in thinking this lady to be his daughter Cordelia! And then + to see him fall on his knees to beg pardon of his child; and she, good + lady, kneeling all the while to ask a blessing of him, and telling him + that it did not become him to kneel, but it was her duty, for she was his + child, his true and very child Cordelia! And she kissed him (as she said) + to kiss away all her sisters’ unkindness, and said that they might + be ashamed of themselves, to turn their old kind father with his white + beard out into the cold air, when her enemy’s dog, though it had bit + her (as she prettily expressed it), should have stayed by her fire such a + night as that, and warmed himself. And she told her father how she had + come from France with purpose to bring him assistance; and he said that + she must forget and forgive, for he was old and foolish and did not know + what he did; but that to be sure she had great cause not to love him, but + her sisters had none. And Cordelia said that she had no cause, no more + than they had. + </p> + <p> + So we will leave this old king in the protection of his dutiful and loving + child, where, by the help of sleep and medicine, she and her physicians at + length succeeded in winding up the untuned and jarring senses which the + cruelty of his other daughters had so violently shaken. Let us return to + say a word or two about those cruel daughters. + </p> + <p> + These monsters of ingratitude, who had been so false to their old father, + could not be expected to prove more faithful to their own husbands. They + soon grew tired of paying even the appearance of duty and affection, and + in an open way showed they had fixed their loves upon another. It happened + that the object of their guilty loves was the same. It was Edmund, a + natural son of the late Earl of Gloucester, who by his treacheries had + succeeded in disinheriting his brother Edgar, the lawful heir, from his + earldom, and by his wicked practices was now earl himself; a wicked man, + and a fit object for the love of such wicked creatures as Goneril and + Regan. It falling out about this time that the Duke of Cornwall, Regan’s + husband, died, Regan immediately declared her intention of wedding this + Earl of Gloucester, which rousing the jealousy of her sister, to whom as + well as to Regan this wicked earl had at sundry times professed love, + Goneril found means to make away with her sister by poison; but being + detected in her practices, and imprisoned by her husband, the Duke of + Albany, for this deed, and for her guilty passion for the earl which had + come to his ears, she, in a fit of disappointed love and rage, shortly put + an end to her own life. Thus the justice of Heaven at last overtook these + wicked daughters. + </p> + <p> + While the eyes of all men were upon this event, admiring the justice + displayed in their deserved deaths, the same eyes were suddenly taken off + from this sight to admire at the mysterious ways of the same power in the + melancholy fate of the young and virtuous daughter, the Lady Cordelia, + whose good deeds did seem to deserve a more fortunate conclusion. But it + is an awful truth that innocence and piety are not always successful in + this world. The forces which Goneril and Regan had sent out under the + command of the bad Earl of Gloucester were victorious, and Cordelia, by + the practices of this wicked earl, who did not like that any should stand + between him and the throne, ended her life in prison. Thus heaven took + this innocent lady to itself in her young years, after showing her to the + world an illustrious example of filial duty. Lear did not long survive + this kind child. + </p> + <p> + Before he died, the good Earl of Kent, who had still attended his old + master’s steps from the first of his daughters’ ill-usage to + this sad period of his decay, tried to make him understand that it was he + who had followed him under the name of Caius; but Lear’s care-crazed + brain at that time could not comprehend how that could be, or how Kent and + Caius could be the same person, so Kent thought it needless to trouble him + with explanations at such a time; and, Lear soon after expiring, this + faithful servant to the king, between age and grief for his old master’s + vexations, soon followed him to the grave. + </p> + <p> + How the judgment of Heaven overtook the bad Earl of Gloucester, whose + treasons were discovered, and himself slain in single combat with his + brother, the lawful earl, and how Goneril’s husband, the Duke of + Albany, who was innocent of the death of Cordelia, and had never + encouraged his lady in her wicked proceedings against her father, ascended + the throne of Britain after the death of Lear, it is needless here to + narrate, Lear and his three daughters being dead, whose adventures alone + concern our story. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap10"></a>MACBETH</h2> + <p> + When Duncan the Meek reigned King of Scotland there lived a great thane, + or lord, called Macbeth. This Macbeth was a near kinsman to the king, and + in great esteem at court for his valor and conduct in the wars, an example + of which he had lately given in defeating a rebel army assisted by the + troops of Norway in terrible numbers. + </p> + <p> + The two Scottish generals, Macbeth and Banquo, returning victorious from + this great battle, their way lay over a blasted heath, where they were + stopped by the strange appearance of three figures like women, except that + they had beards, and their withered skins and wild attire made them look + not like any earthly creatures. Macbeth first addressed them, when they, + seemingly offended, laid each one her choppy finger upon her skinny lips, + in token of silence; and the first of them saluted Macbeth with the title + of Thane of Glamis. The general was not a little startled to find himself + known by such creatures; but how much more, when the second of them + followed up that salute by giving him the title of Thane of Cawdor, to + which honor he had no pretensions; and again the third bid him, “All + hail! that shalt be king hereafter!” Such a prophetic greeting might + well amaze him, who knew that while the king’s sons lived he could + not hope to succeed to the throne. Then turning to Banquo, they pronounced + him, in a sort of riddling terms, to be LESSER THAN MACBETH, AND GREATER! + NOT SO HAPPY, BUT MUCH HAPPIER! and prophesied that though he should never + reign, yet his sons after him should be kings in Scotland. They then + turned into air and vanished; by which the generals knew them to be the + weird sisters, or witches. + </p> + <p> + While they stood pondering on the strangeness of this adventure there + arrived certain messengers from the king, who were empowered by him to + confer upon Macbeth the dignity of Thane of Cawdor. An event so + miraculously corresponding with the prediction of the witches astonished + Macbeth, and he stood wrapped in amazement, unable to make reply to the + messengers; and in that point of time swelling hopes arose in his mind + that the prediction of the third witch might in like manner have its + accomplishment, and that he should one day reign king in Scotland. + </p> + <p> + Turning to Banquo, he said, “Do you not hope that your children + shall be kings, when what the witches promised to me has so wonderfully + come to pass?” + </p> + <p> + “That hope,” answered the general, “might enkindle you + to aim at the throne; but oftentimes these ministers of darkness tell us + truths in little things, to betray us into deeds of greatest consequence.” + </p> + <p> + But the wicked suggestions of the witches had sunk too deep into the mind + of Macbeth to allow him to attend to the warnings of the good Banquo. From + that time he bent all his thoughts how to compass the throne of Scotland. + </p> + <p> + Macbeth had a wife, to whom he communicated the strange prediction of the + weird sisters and its partial accomplishment. She was a bad, ambitious + woman, and so as her husband and herself could arrive at greatness she + cared not much by what means. She spurred on the reluctant purpose of + Macbeth, who felt compunction at the thoughts of blood, and did not cease + to represent the murder of the king as a step absolutely necessary to the + fulfilment of the flattering prophecy. + </p> + <p> + It happened at this time that the king, who out of his royal condescension + would oftentimes visit his principal nobility upon gracious terms, came to + Macbeth’s house, attended by his two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, + and a numerous train of thanes and attendants, the more to honor Macbeth + for the triumphal success of his wars. + </p> + <p> + The castle of Macbeth was pleasantly situated and the air about it was + sweet and wholesome, which appeared by the nests which the martlet, or + swallow, had built under all the jutting friezes and buttresses of the + building, wherever it found a place of advantage; for where those birds + most breed and haunt the air is observed to be delicate. The king entered, + well pleased with the place, and not less so with the attentions and + respect of his honored hostess, Lady Macbeth, who had the art of covering + treacherous purposes with smiles, and could look like the innocent flower + while she was indeed serpent under it. + </p> + <p> + The king, being tired with his journey, went early to bed, and in his + state-room two grooms of his chamber (as was the custom) beside him. He + had been unusually pleased with his reception, and had made presents + before he retired to his principal ; and among the rest had sent a diamond + to Lady Macbeth, greeting the name of his most kind hostess. + </p> + <p> + Now was the middle of night, when over half the world nature seems dead, + and wicked dreams abuse men’s minds asleep, and none but the wolf + and the murderer are abroad. This was the time when Lady Macbeth waked to + plot the murder of the king. She would not have undertaken a deed so + abhorrent to her sex but that she feared her husband’s nature, that + it was too full of the milk of human kindness to do a contrived murder. + She knew him to be ambitious, but withal to be scrupulous, and not yet + prepared for that height of crime which commonly in the end accompanies + inordinate ambition. She had won him to consent to the murder, but she + doubted his resolution; and she feared that the natural tenderness of his + disposition (more humane than her own) would come between and defeat the + purpose. So with her own hands armed with a dagger she approached the king’s + bed, having taken care to ply the grooms of his chamber so with wine that + they slept intoxicated and careless of their charge. There lay Duncan in a + sound sleep after the fatigues of his journey, and as she viewed him + earnestly there was something in his face, as he slept, which resembled + her own father, and she had not the courage to proceed. + </p> + <p> + She returned to confer with her husband. His resolution had begun to + stagger. He considered that there were strong reasons against the deed. In + the first place, he was not only a subject, but a near kinsman to the + king; and he had been his host and entertainer that day, whose duty, by + the laws of hospitality, it was to shut the door against his murderers, + not bear the knife himself. Then he considered how just and merciful a + king this Duncan had been, how clear of offense to his subjects, how + loving to his nobility, and in particular to him; that such kings are the + peculiar care of Heaven, and their subjects doubly bound to revenge their + deaths. Besides, by the favors of the king, Macbeth stood high in the + opinion of all sorts of men, and how would those honors be stained by the + reputation of so foul a murder! + </p> + <p> + In these conflicts of the mind Lady Macbeth found her husband inclining to + the better part and resolving to proceed no further. But she, being a + woman not easily shaken from her evil purpose, began to pour in at his + ears words which infused a portion of her own spirit into his mind, + assigning reason upon reason why he should not shrink from what he had + undertaken; how easy the deed was; how soon it would be over; and how the + action of one short night would give to all their nights and days to come + sovereign sway and royalty! Then she threw contempt on his change of + purpose, and accused him of fickleness and cowardice; and declared that + she had given suck, and knew how tender it was to love the babe that + milked her, but she would, while it was smiling in her face, have plucked + it from her breast and dashed its brains out if she had so sworn to do it + as he had sworn to perform that murder. Then she added, how practicable it + was to lay the guilt of the deed upon the drunken, sleepy grooms. And with + the valor of her tongue she so chastised his sluggish resolutions that he + once more summoned up courage to the bloody business. + </p> + <p> + So, taking the dagger in his hand, he softly stole in the dark to the room + where Duncan lay; and as he went he thought he saw another dagger in the + air, with the handle toward him, and on the blade and at the point of it + drops of blood; but when be tried to grasp at it it was nothing but air, a + mere phantasm proceeding from his own hot and oppressed brain and the + business he had in hand. + </p> + <p> + Getting rid of this fear, he entered the king’s room, whom he + despatched with one stroke of his dagger. just as he had done the murder + one of the grooms who slept in the chamber laughed in his sleep, and the + other cried, “Murder,” which woke them both. + </p> + <p> + But they said a short prayer; one of them said, “God less us!” + and the other answered, “Amen”; and addressed themselves to + sleep again. Macbeth, who stood listening to them, tried to say “Amen” + when the fellow said “God bless us!” but, though he had most + need of a blessing, the word stuck in his throat and he could not + pronounce it. + </p> + <p> + Again he thought he heard a voice which cried: “Sleep no more! + Macbeth doth murder sleep, the innocent sleep, that nourishes life.” + Still it cried, “Sleep no more!” to all the house. “Glamis + hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more, Macbeth + shall sleep no more.” + </p> + <p> + With such horrible imaginations Macbeth returned to his listening wife, + who began to think he had failed of his purpose and that the deed was + somehow frustrated. He came in so distracted a state that she reproached + him with his want of firmness and sent him to wash his hands of the blood + which stained them, while she took his dagger, with purpose to stain the + cheeks of the grooms with blood, to make it seem their guilt. + </p> + <p> + Morning came, and with it the discovery of the murder, which could not be + concealed; and though Macbeth and his lady made great show of grief, and + the proofs against the grooms (the dagger being produced against them and + their faces smeared with blood) were sufficiently strong, yet the entire + suspicion fell upon Macbeth, whose inducements to such a deed were so much + more forcible than such poor silly grooms could be supposed to have; and + Duncan’s two sons fled. Malcolm, the eldest, sought for refuge in + the English court; and the youngest, Donalbain, made his escape to + Ireland. + </p> + <p> + The king’s sons, who should have succeeded him, having thus vacated + the throne, Macbeth as next heir was crowned king, and thus the prediction + of the weird sisters was literally accomplished. + </p> + <p> + Though placed so high, Macbeth and his queen could not forget the prophecy + of the weird sisters that, though Macbeth should be king, yet not his + children, but the children of Banquo, should be kings after him. The + thought of this, and that they had defiled their hands with blood, and + done so great crimes, only to place the posterity of Banquo upon the + throne, so rankled within them that they determined to put to death both + Banquo and his son, to make void the predictions of the weird sisters, + which in their own case had been so remarkably brought to pass. + </p> + <p> + For this purpose they made a great supper, to which they invited all the + chief thanes; and among the rest, with marks of particular respect, Banquo + and his son Fleance were invited. The way by which Banquo was to pass to + the palace at night was beset by murderers appointed by Macbeth, who + stabbed Banquo; but in the scuffle Fleance escaped. From that Fleance + descended a race of monarchs who afterward filled the Scottish throne, + ending with James the Sixth of Scotland and the First of England, under + whom the two crowns of England and Scotland were united. + </p> + <p> + At supper, the queen, whose manners were in the highest degree affable and + royal, played the hostess with a gracefulness and attention which + conciliated every one present, and Macbeth discoursed freely with his + thanes and nobles, saying that all that was honorable in the country was + under his roof, if he had but his good friend Banquo present, whom yet he + hoped he should rather have to chide for neglect than to lament for any + mischance. just at these words the ghost of Banquo, whom he had caused to + be murdered, entered the room and placed himself on the chair which + Macbeth was about to occupy. Though Macbeth was a bold man, and one that + could have faced the devil without trembling, at this horrible sight his + cheeks turned white with fear and he stood quite unmanned, with his eyes + fixed upon the ghost. His queen and all the nobles, who saw nothing, but + perceived him gazing (as they thought) upon an empty chair, took it for a + fit of distraction; and she reproached him, whispering that it was but the + same fancy which made him see the dagger in the air when he was about to + kill Duncan. But Macbeth continued to see the ghost, and gave no heed to + all they could say, while he addressed it with distracted words, yet so + significant that his queen, fearing the dreadful secret would be + disclosed, in great haste dismissed the guests, excusing the infirmity of + Macbeth as disorder he was often troubled with. + </p> + <p> + To such dreadful fancies Macbeth was subject. His queen and he had their + sleeps afflicted with terrible dreams, and the blood of Banquo troubled + them not more than the escape of Fleance, whom now they looked upon as + father to a line of kings who should keep their posterity out of the + throne. With these miserable thoughts they found no peace, and Macbeth + determined once more to seek out the weird sisters and know from them the + worst. + </p> + <p> + He sought them in a cave upon the heath, where they, who knew by foresight + of his coming, were engaged in preparing their dreadful charms by which + they conjured up infernal spirits to reveal to them futurity. Their horrid + ingredients were toads, bats, and serpents, the eye of a newt and the + tongue of a dog, the leg of a lizard and the wing of the night-owl, the + scale of a dragon, the tooth of a wolf, the maw of the ravenous salt-sea + shark, the mummy of a witch, the root of the poisonous hemlock (this to + have effect must be digged in the dark), the gall of a goat, and the liver + of a Jew, with slips of the yew-tree that roots itself in graves, and the + finger of a dead child. All these were set on to boil in a great kettle, + or caldron, which, as fast as it grew too hot, was cooled with a baboon’s + blood. To these they poured in the blood of a sow that had eaten her + young, and they threw into the flame the grease that had sweaten from a + murderer’s gibbet. By these charms they bound the infernal spirit to + answer their questions. + </p> + <p> + It was demanded of Macbeth whether he would have his doubts resolved by + them or by their masters, the spirits. + </p> + <p> + He, nothing daunted by the dreadful ceremonies which be saw, boldly + answered: “Where are they? Let me see them.” + </p> + <p> + And they called the spirits, which were three. And the first arose in the + likeness of an armed head, and he called Macbeth by name and bid him + beware of the Thane of Fife; for which caution Macbeth thanked him; for + Macbeth had entertained a jealousy of Macduff, the Thane of Fife. + </p> + <p> + And the second spirit arose in the likeness of a bloody child, and he + called Macbeth by name and bid him have no fear, but laugh to scorn the + power of man, for none of woman born should have power to hurt him; and he + advised him to be bloody, bold, and resolute. + </p> + <p> + “Then live, Macduff!” cried the king. “What need I fear + thee? But yet I will make assurance doubly sure. Thou shalt not live, that + I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies, and sleep in spite of thunder.” + </p> + <p> + That spirit being dismissed, a third arose in the form of a child crowned, + with a tree in his hand. He called Macbeth by name and comforted him + against conspiracies, saying that he should never be vanquished until the + wood of Birnam to Dunsinane hill should come against him. + </p> + <p> + “Sweet bodements! good!” cried Macbeth; “who can unfix + the forest, and move it from its earth-bound roots? I see I shall live the + usual period of man’s life, and not be cut off by a violent death. + But my heart throbs to know one thing. Tell me, if your art can tell so + much, if Banquo’s issue shall ever reign in this kingdom?” + </p> + <p> + Here the caldron sank into the ground, and a noise of music was heard, and + eight shadows, like kings, passed by Macbeth, and Banquo last, who bore a + glass which showed the figures of many more, and Banquo, all bloody, + smiled upon Macbeth, and pointed to them; by which Macbeth knew that these + were the posterity of Banquo, who should reign after him in Scotland; and + the witches, with a sound of soft music, and with dancing, making a show + of duty and welcome to Macbeth, vanished. And from this time the thoughts + of Macbeth were all bloody and dreadful. The first thing he heard when he + got out of the witches’ cave was that Macduff, Thane of Fife, had + fled to England to join the army which was forming against him under + Malcolm, the eldest son of the late king, with intent to displace Macbeth + and set Malcolm, the right heir, upon the throne. Macbeth, stung with + rage, set upon the castle of Macduff and put his wife and children, whom + the thane had left behind, to the sword, and extended the slaughter to all + who claimed the least relationship to Macduff. + </p> + <p> + These and such-like deeds alienated the minds of all his chief nobility + from him. Such as could fled to join with Malcolm and Macduff, who were + now approaching with a powerful army which they had raised in England; and + the rest secretly wished success to their arms, though, for fear of + Macbeth, they could take no active part. His recruits went on slowly. + Everybody hated the tyrant; nobody loved or honored him; but all suspected + him; and he began to envy the condition of Duncan, whom he had murdered, + who slept soundly in his grave, against whom treason had done its worst. + Steel nor poison, domestic malice nor foreign levies, could hurt him any + longer. + </p> + <p> + While these things were acting, the queen, who had been the sole partner + in his wickedness, in whose bosom he could sometimes seek a momentary + repose from those terrible dreams which afflicted them both nightly, died, + it is supposed, by her own hands, unable to bear the remorse of guilt and + public hate; by which event he was left alone, without a soul to love or + care for him, or a friend to whom he could confide his wicked purposes. + </p> + <p> + He grew careless of life and wished for death; but the near approach of + Malcolm’s army roused in him what remained of his ancient courage, + and he determined to die (as he expressed it) “with armor on his + back.” Besides this, the hollow promises of the witches had filled + him with a false confidence, and he remembered the sayings of the spirits, + that none of woman born was to hurt him, and that he was never to be + vanquished till Birnam wood should come to Dunsinane, which he thought + could never be. So he shut himself up in his castle, whose impregnable + strength was such as defied a siege. Here he sullenly waited the approach + of Malcolm. When, upon a day, there came a messenger to him, pale and + shaking with fear, almost unable to report that which he had seen; for he + averred, that as he stood upon his watch on the hill he looked toward + Birnam, and to his thinking the wood began to move! + </p> + <p> + “Liar and slave!” cried Macbeth. “If thou speakest + false, thou shalt hang alive upon the next tree, till famine end thee. If + thy tale be true, I care not if thou dost as much by me”; for + Macbeth now began to faint in resolution, and to doubt the equivocal + speeches of the spirits. He was not to fear till Birnam wood should come + to Dunsinane; and now a wood did move! “However,” said he, + “if this which he avouches be true, let us arm and out. There is no + flying hence, nor staying here. I begin to be weary of the sun, and wish + my life at an end.” With these desperate speeches he sallied forth + upon the besiegers, who had now come up to the castle. + </p> + <p> + The strange appearance which had given the messenger an idea of a wood + moving is easily solved. When the besieging army marched through the wood + of Birnam, Malcolm, like a skilful general, instructed his soldiers to hew + down every one a bough and bear it before him, by way of concealing the + true numbers of his host. This marching of the soldiers with boughs had at + a distance the appearance which had frightened the messenger. Thus were + the words of the spirit brought to pass, in a sense different from that in + which Macbeth had understood them, and one great hold of his confidence + was gone. + </p> + <p> + And now a severe skirmishing took place, in which Macbeth, though feebly + supported by those who called themselves his friends, but in reality hated + the tyrant and inclined to the party of Malcolm and Macduff, yet fought + with the extreme of rage and valor, cutting to pieces all who were opposed + to him, till he came to where Macduff was fighting. Seeing Macduff, and + remembering the caution of the spirit who had counseled him to avoid + Macduff, above all men, he would have turned, but Macduff, who had been + seeking him through the whole fight, opposed his turning, and a fierce + contest ensued, Macduff giving him many foul reproaches for the murder of + his wife and children. Macbeth, whose soul was charged enough with blood + of that family already, would still have declined the combat; but Macduff + still urged him to it, calling him tyrant, murderer, hell-hound, and + villain. + </p> + <p> + Then Macbeth remembered the words of the spirit, how none of woman born + should hurt him; and, smiling confidently, he said to Macduff: + </p> + <p> + “Thou losest thy labor, Macduff. As easily thou mayest impress the + air with thy sword as make me vulnerable. I bear a charmed life, which + must not yield to one of woman born.” + </p> + <p> + “Despair thy charm,” said Macduff, “and let that lying + spirit whom thou hast served tell thee that Macduff was never born of + woman, never as the ordinary manner of men is to be born, but was untimely + taken from his mother.” + </p> + <p> + “Accursed be the tongue which tells me so,” said the trembling + Macbeth, who felt his last hold of confidence give way; “and let + never man in future believe the lying equivocations of witches and + juggling spirits who deceive us in words which have double senses, and, + while they keep their promise literally, disappoint our hopes with a + different meaning. I will not fight with thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Then live!” said the scornful Macduff. “We will have a + show of thee, as men show monsters, and a painted board, on which all be + written, ‘Here men may see the tyrant!’” + </p> + <p> + “Never,” said Macbeth, whose courage returned with despair. + “I will not live to kiss the ground before young Malcolm’s + feet to be baited with the curses of the rabble. Though Birnam wood be + come to Dunsinane, and thou opposed to me, who wast born of woman, yet + will I try the last.” + </p> + <p> + With these frantic words he threw himself upon Macduff, who, after a + severe struggle, in the end overcame him, and, cutting off his head, made + a present of it to the young and lawful king, Malcolm, who took upon him + the government which, by the machinations of the usurper, he had so long + been deprived of, and ascended the throne of Duncan the Meek among the + acclamations of the nobles and the people. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap11"></a>ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL</h2> + <p> + Bertram, Count of Rousillon, had newly come to his title and estate by the + death of his father. The King of France loved the father of Bertram, and + when he heard of his death he sent for his son to come immediately to his + royal court in Paris, intending, for the friendship he bore the late + count, to grace young Bertram with his especial favor and protection. + </p> + <p> + Bertram was living with his mother, the widowed countess, when Lafeu, an + old lord of the French court, came to conduct him to the king. The King of + France was an absolute monarch and the invitation to court was in the form + of a royal mandate, or positive command, which no subject, of what high + dignity soever, might disobey; therefore, though the countess, in parting + with this dear son, seemed a second time to bury her husband, whose loss + she had so lately mourned, yet she dared not to keep him a single day, but + gave instant orders for his departure. Lafeu, who came to fetch him, tried + to comfort the countess for the loss of her late lord and her son’s + sudden absence; and he said, in a courtier’s flattering manner, that + the king was so kind a prince, she would find in his Majesty a husband, + and that he would be a father to her son; meaning only that the good king + would befriend the fortunes of Bertram. Lafeu told the countess that the + king had fallen into a sad malady, which was pronounced by his physicians + to be incurable. The lady expressed great sorrow on hearing this account + of the king’s ill health, and said she wished the father of Helena + (a young gentlewoman who was present in attendance upon her) were living + that she doubted not he could have cured his Majesty of his disease. And + she told Lafeu something of the history of Helena, saying she was the only + daughter of the famous physician, Gerard de Narbon, and that he had + recommended his daughter to her care when he was dying, so that since his + death she had taken Helena under her protection; then the countess praised + the virtuous disposition and excellent qualities of Helena, saying she + inherited these virtues from her worthy father. While she was speaking, + Helena wept in sad and mournful silence, which made the countess gently + reprove her for too much grieving for her father’s death. + </p> + <p> + Bertram now bade his mother farewell. The countess parted with this dear + son with tears and many blessings, and commended him to the care of Lafeu, + saying: + </p> + <p> + “Good my lord, advise him, for he is an unseasoned courtier.” + </p> + <p> + Bertram’s last words were spoken to Helena, but they were words of + mere civility, wishing her happiness; and he concluded his short farewell + to her with saying: + </p> + <p> + “Be comfortable to my mother, your mistress, and make much of her.” + </p> + <p> + Helena had long loved Bertram, and when she wept in sad and mournful + silence the tears she shed were not for Gerard de Narbon.. Helena loved + her father, but in the present feeling of a deeper love, the object of + which she was about to lose, she had forgotten the very form and features + of her dead father, her imagination presenting no image to her mind but + Bertram’s. + </p> + <p> + Helena had long loved Bertram, yet she always remembered that he was the + Count of Rousillon, descended from the most ancient family in France. She + of humble birth. Her parents of no note at all. His ancestors all noble. + And therefore she looked up to the high-born Bertram as to her master and + to her dear lord, and dared not form any wish but to live his servant, + and, so living, to die his vassal. So great the distance seemed to her + between his height of dignity and her lowly fortunes that she would say: + </p> + <p> + “It were all one that I should love a bright particular star, and + think to wed it, Bertram is so far above me.” + </p> + <p> + Bertram’s absence filled her eyes with tears and her heart with + sorrow; for though she loved without hope, yet it was a pretty comfort to + her to see him every hour, and Helena would sit and look upon his dark + eye, his arched brow, and the curls of his fine hair till she seemed to + draw his portrait on the tablet of her heart, that heart too capable of + retaining the memory of every line in the features of that loved face. + </p> + <p> + Gerard de Narbon, when he died, left her no other portion than some + prescriptions of rare and well-proved virtue, which, by deep study and + long experience in medicine, he had collected as sovereign and almost + infallible remedies. Among the rest there was one set down as an approved + medicine for the disease under which Lafeu said the king at that time + languished; and when Helena heard of the king’s complaint, she, who + till now had been so humble and so hopeless, formed an ambitious project + in her mind to go herself to Paris and undertake the cure of the king. But + though Helena was the possessor of this choice prescription, it was + unlikely, as the king as well as his physicians was of opinion that his + disease was incurable, that they would give credit to a poor unlearned + virgin if she should offer to perform a cure. The firm hopes that Helena + had of succeeding, if she might be permitted to make the trial, seemed + more than even her father’s skill warranted, though he was the most + famous physician of his time; for she felt a strong faith that this good + medicine was sanctified by all the luckiest stars in heaven to be the + legacy that should advance her fortune, even to the high dignity of being + Count Rousillon’s wife. + </p> + <p> + Bertram had not been long gone when the countess was informed by her + steward that he had overheard Helena talking to herself, and that he + understood, from some words she uttered, she was in love with Bertram and + thought of following him to Paris. The countess dismissed the steward with + thanks, and desired him to tell Helena she wished to speak with her. What + she had just heard of Helena brought the remembrance of days long past + into the mind of the countess; those days, probably, when her love for + Bertram’s father first began; and she said to herself: + </p> + <p> + “Even so it was with me when I was young. Love is a thorn that + belongs to the rose of youth; for in the season of youth, if ever we are + Nature’s children, these faults are ours, though then we think not + they are faults.” + </p> + <p> + While the countess was thus meditating on the loving errors of her own + youth, Helena entered, and she said to her, “Helena, you know I am a + mother to you.” + </p> + <p> + Helena replied, “You are my honorable mistress.” + </p> + <p> + “You are my daughter,” said the countess again. “I say I + am your mother. Why do you start and look pale at my words?” + </p> + <p> + With looks of alarm and confused thoughts, fearing the countess suspected + her love, Helena still replied, “Pardon me, madam, you are not my + mother; the Count Rousillon cannot be my brother, nor I your daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet, Helena,” said the countess, “you might be my + daughter-in-law; and I am afraid that is what you mean to be, the words + MOTHER and DAUGHTER so disturb you. Helena, do you love my son?” + </p> + <p> + “Good madam, pardon me,” said the affrighted Helena. + </p> + <p> + Again the countess repeated her question. “Do you love my son?” + </p> + <p> + “Do not you love him, madam?” said Helena. + </p> + <p> + The countess replied: “Give me not this evasive answer, Helena. + Come, come, disclose the state of your affections, for your love has to + the full appeared.” + </p> + <p> + Helena, on her knees now, owned her love, and with shame and terror + implored the pardon of her noble mistress; and with words expressive of + the sense she had of the inequality between their fortunes she protested + Bertram did not know she loved him, comparing her humble, unaspiring love + to a poor Indian who adores the sun that looks upon his worshiper but + knows of him no more. The countess asked Helena if she had not lately an + intent to go to Paris. Helena owned the design she had formed in her mind + when she heard Lafeu speak of the king’s illness. + </p> + <p> + “This was your motive for wishing to go to Paris,” said the + countess, “was it? Speak truly.” + </p> + <p> + Helena honestly answered, “My lord your son made me to think of + this; else Paris. and the medicine and the king had from the conversation + of my thoughts been absent then.” + </p> + <p> + The countess heard the whole of this confession without saying a word + either of approval or of blame, but she strictly questioned Helena as to + the probability of the medicine being useful to the king. She found that + it was the most prized by Gerard de Narbon of all he possessed, and that + he had given it to his daughter on his death-bed; and remembering the + solemn promise she had made at that awful hour in regard to this young + maid, whose destiny, and the life of the king himself, seemed to depend on + the execution of a project (which, though conceived by the fond + suggestions of a loving maiden’s thoughts, the countess knew not but + it might be the unseen workings of Providence to bring to pass the + recovery of the king and to lay the foundation of the future fortunes of + Gerard de Narbon’s daughter), free leave she gave to Helena to + pursue her own way, and generously furnished her with ample means and + suitable attendants; and Helena set out for Paris with the blessings of + the countess and her kindest wishes for her success. + </p> + <p> + Helena arrived at Paris, and by the assistance of her friend, the old Lord + Lafeu, she obtained an audience of the king. She had still many + difficulties to encounter, for the king was not easily prevailed on to try + the medicine offered him by this fair young doctor. But she told him she + was Gerard de Narbon’s daughter (with whose fame the king was well + acquainted), and she offered the precious medicine as the darling treasure + which contained the essence of all her father’s long experience and + skill, and she boldly engaged to forfeit her life if it failed to restore + his Majesty to perfect health in the space of two days. The king at length + consented to try it, and in two days’ time Helena was to lose her + fife if the king did not recover; but if she succeeded, he promised to + give her the choice of any man throughout all France (the princes only + excepted) whom she could like for a husband; the choice of a husband being + the fee Helena demanded if she cured the king of his disease. + </p> + <p> + Helena did not deceive herself in the hope she conceived of the efficacy + of her father’s medicine. Before two days were at an end the king + was restored to perfect health, and he assembled all the young noblemen of + his court together, in order to confer the promised reward of a husband + upon his fair physician; and he desired Helena to look round on this + youthful parcel of noble bachelors and choose her husband. Helena was not + slow to make her choice, for among these young lords she saw the Count + Rousillon, and, turning to Bertram, she said: + </p> + <p> + “This is the man. I dare not say, my lord, I take you, but I give me + and my service ever whilst I live into your guiding power.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, then,” said the king, “young Bertram, take her; + she is your wife.” + </p> + <p> + Bertram did not hesitate to declare his dislike to this present of the + king’s of the self-offered Helena, who, he said, was a poor + physician’s daughter, bred at his father’s charge, and now + living a dependent on his mother’s bounty. + </p> + <p> + Helena heard him speak these words of rejection and of scorn, and she said + to the king: “That you are well, my lord, I am glad. Let the rest + go.” + </p> + <p> + But the king would not suffer his royal command to be so slighted, for the + power of bestowing their nobles in marriage was one of the many privileges + of the kings of France, and that same day Bertram was married to Helena, a + forced and uneasy marriage to Bertram, and of no promising hope to the + poor lady, who, though she gained the noble husband she had hazarded her + life to obtain, seemed to have won but a splendid blank, her husband’s + love not being a gift in the power of the King of France to bestow. + </p> + <p> + Helena was no sooner married than she was desired by Bertram to apply to + the king for him for leave of absence from court; and when she brought him + the king’s permission for his departure, Bertram told her that he + was not prepared for this sudden marriage, it had much unsettled him, and + therefore she must not wonder at the course he should pursue. If Helena + wondered not, she grieved when she found it was his intention to leave + her. He ordered her to go home to his mother. When Helena heard this + unkind command, she replied: + </p> + <p> + “Sir, I can nothing say to this but that I am your most obedient + servant, and shall ever with true observance seek to eke out that desert + wherein my homely stars have failed to equal my great fortunes.” + </p> + <p> + But this humble speech of Helena’s did not at all move the haughty + Bertram to pity his gentle wife, and he parted from her without even the + common civility of a kind farewell. + </p> + <p> + Back to the countess then Helena returned. She had accomplished the + purport of her journey, she had preserved the life of the king, and she + had wedded her heart’s dear lord, the Count Rousillon; but she + returned back a dejected lady to her noble mother-in-law, and as soon as + she entered the house she received a letter from Bertram which almost + broke her heart. + </p> + <p> + The good countess received her with a cordial welcome, as if she had been + her son’s own choice and a lady of a high degree, and she spoke kind + words to comfort her for the unkind neglect of Bertram in sending his wife + home on her bridal day alone. But this gracious reception failed to cheer + the sad mind of Helena, and she said: + </p> + <p> + “Madam, my lord is gone, forever gone.” She then read these + words out of Bertram’s letter: + </p> + <p> + “When you can get the ring from my finger, which never shall come + off, then call me husband, but in such a Then I write a Never.” + </p> + <p> + “This is a dreadful sentence!” said Helena. + </p> + <p> + The countess begged her to have patience, and said, now Bertram was gone, + she should be her child and that she deserved a lord that twenty such rude + boys as Bertram might tend upon, and hourly call her mistress. But in vain + by respectful condescension and kind flattery this matchless mother tried + to soothe the sorrows of her daughter-in-law. + </p> + <p> + Helena still kept her eyes fixed upon the letter, and cried out in an + agony of grief, “TILL I HAVE NO WIFE, I HAVE NOTHING IN FRANCE.” + The countess asked her if she found those words in the letter. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, madam,” was all poor Helena could answer. + </p> + <p> + The next morning Helena was missing. She left a letter to be delivered to + the countess after she was gone, to acquaint her with the reason of her + sudden absence. In this letter she informed her that she was so much + grieved at having driven Bertram from his native country and his home, + that to atone for her offense, she had undertaken a pilgrimage to the + shrine of St. Jaques le Grand, and concluded with requesting the countess + to inform her son that the wife he so hated had left his house forever. + </p> + <p> + Bertram, when he left Paris, went to Florence, and there became an officer + in the Duke of Florence’s army, and after a successful war, in which + he distinguished himself by many brave actions, Bertram received letters + from his mother containing the acceptable tidings that Helena would no + more disturb him; and he was preparing to return home, when Helena + herself, clad in her pilgrim’s weeds, arrived at the city of + Florence. + </p> + <p> + Florence was a city through which the pilgrims used to pass on their way + to St. Jaques le Grand; and when Helena arrived at this city she heard + that a hospitable widow dwelt there who used to receive into her house the + female pilgrims that were going to visit the shrine of that saint, giving + them lodging and kind entertainment. To this good lady, therefore, Helena + went, and the widow gave her a courteous welcome and invited her to see + whatever was curious in that famous city, and told her that if she would + like to see the duke’s army she would take her where she might have + a full view of it. + </p> + <p> + “And you will see a countryman of yours,” said the widow. + “His name is Count Rousillon, who has done worthy service in the + duke’s wars.” Helena wanted no second invitation, when she + found Bertram was to make part of the show. She accompanied her hostess; + and a sad and mournful pleasure it was to her to look once more upon her + dear husband’s face. + </p> + <p> + “Is he not a handsome man?” said the widow. + </p> + <p> + “I like him well,” replied Helena, with great truth. + </p> + <p> + All the way they walked the talkative widow’s discourse was all of + Bertram. She told Helena the story of Bertram’s marriage, and how he + had deserted the poor lady his wife and entered into the duke’s army + to avoid living with her. To this account of her own misfortunes Helena + patiently listened, and when it was ended the history of Bertram was not + yet done, for then the widow began another tale, every word of which sank + deep into the mind of Helena; for the story she now told was of Bertram’s + love for her daughter. + </p> + <p> + Though Bertram did not like the marriage forced on him by the king, it + seems he was not insensible to love, for since he had been stationed with + the army at Florence he had fallen in love with Diana, a fair young + gentlewoman, the daughter of this widow who was Helena’s hostess; + and every night, with music of all sorts, and songs composed in praise of + Diana’s beauty, he would come under her window and solicit her love; + and all his suit to her was that she would permit him to visit her by + stealth after the family were retired to rest. But Diana would by no means + be persuaded to grant this improper request, nor give any encouragement to + his suit, knowing him to be a married man; for Diana had been brought up + under the counsels of a prudent mother, who, though she was now in reduced + circumstances, was well born and descended from the noble family of the + Capulets. + </p> + <p> + All this the good lady related to Helena, highly praising the virtuous + principles of her discreet daughter, which she said were entirely owing to + the excellent education and good advice she had given her; and she further + said that Bertram had been particularly importunate with Diana to admit + him to the visit he so much desired that night, because he was going to + leave Florence early the next morning. + </p> + <p> + Though it grieved Helena to hear of Bertram’s love for the widow’s + daughter, yet from this story the ardent mind of Helena conceived a + project (nothing discouraged at the ill success of her former one) to + recover her truant lord. She disclosed to the widow that she was Helena, + the deserted wife of Bertram, and requested that her kind hostess and her + daughter would suffer this visit from Bertram to take place, and allow her + to pass herself upon Bertram for Diana, telling them her chief motive for + desiring to have this secret meeting with her husband was to get a ring + from him, which, he had said, if ever she was in possession of he would + acknowledge her as his wife. + </p> + <p> + The widow and her daughter promised to assist her in this affair, partly + moved by pity for this unhappy, forsaken wife and partly won over to her + interest by the promises of reward which Helena made them, giving them a + purse of money in earnest of her future favor. In the course of that day + Helena caused information to be sent to Bertram that she was dead, hoping + that, when he thought himself free to make a second choice by the news of + her death, he would offer marriage to her in her feigned character of + Diana. And if she could obtain the ring and this promise, too, she doubted + not she should make some future good come of it. + </p> + <p> + In the evening, after it was dark, Bertram was admitted into Diana’s + chamber, and Helena was there ready to receive him. The flattering + compliments and love discourse he addressed to Helena were precious sounds + to her though she knew they were meant for Diana; and Bertram was so well + pleased with her that he made her a solemn promise to be her husband, and + to love her forever; which she hoped would be prophetic of a real + affection, when he should know it was his own wife, the despised Helena, + whose conversation had so delighted him. + </p> + <p> + Bertram never knew how sensible a lady Helena was, else perhaps he would + not have been so regardless of her; and seeing her every day, he had + entirely over looked her beauty; a face we are accustomed to see + constantly losing the effect which is caused by the first sight either of + beauty or of plainness; and of her understanding it was impossible he + should judge, because she felt such reverence, mixed with her love for + him, that she was always silent in his presence. But now that her future + fate, and the happy ending of all her love-projects, seemed to depend on + her leaving a favorable impression on the mind of Bertram from this night’s + interview, she exerted all her wit to please him; and the simple graces of + her lively conversation and the endearing sweetness of her manners so + charmed Bertram that be vowed she should be his wife. Helena begged the + ring from off his finger as a token of his regard, and he gave it to her; + and in return for this ring, which it was of such importance to her to + possess, she gave him another ring, which was one the king had made her a + present of. Before it was light in the morning she sent Bertram away; and + he immediately set out on his journey toward his mother’s house. + </p> + <p> + Helena prevailed on the widow and Diana to accompany her to Paris, their + further assistance being necessary to the full accomplishment of the plan + she had formed. When they arrived there, they found the king was gone upon + a visit to the Countess of Rousillon, and Helena followed the king with + all the speed she could make. + </p> + <p> + The king was still in perfect health, and his gratitude to her who had + been the means of his recovery was so lively in his mind that the moment + he saw the Countess of Rousillon he began to talk of Helena, calling her a + precious jewel that was lost by the folly of her son; but seeing the + subject distressed the countess, who sincerely lamented the death of + Helena, he said: + </p> + <p> + “My good lady, I have forgiven and forgotten all.” + </p> + <p> + But the good-natured old Lafeu, who was present, and could not bear that + the memory of his favorite Helena should be so lightly passed over, said, + “This I must say, the young lord did great offense to his Majesty, + his mother, and his lady; but to himself he did the greatest wrong of all, + for he has lost a wife whose beauty astonished all eyes, whose words took + all ears captive, whose deep perfection made all hearts wish to serve her.” + </p> + <p> + The king said: “Praising what is lost makes the remembrance dear. + Well—call him hither”; meaning Bertram, who now presented + himself before the king, and on his expressing deep sorrow for the + injuries he had done to Helena the king, for his dead father’s and + his admirable mother’s sake, pardoned him and restored him once more + to his favor. But the gracious countenance of the king was soon changed + toward him, for he perceived that Bertram wore the very ring upon his + finger which he had given to Helena; and he well remembered that Helena + had called all the saints in heaven to witness she would never part with + that ring unless she sent it to the king himself upon some great disaster + befalling her; and Bertram, on the king’s questioning him how he + came by the ring, told an improbable story of a lady throwing it to him + out of a window, and denied ever having seen Helena since the day of their + marriage. The king, knowing Bertram’s dislike to his wife, feared he + had destroyed her, and he ordered his guards to seize Bertram, saying: + </p> + <p> + “I am wrapt in dismal thinking, for I fear the life of Helena was + foully snatched.” + </p> + <p> + At this moment Diana and her mother entered and presented a petition to + the king, wherein they begged his Majesty to exert his royal power to + compel Bertram to marry Diana, he having made her a solemn promise of + marriage. Bertram, fearing the king’s anger, denied he had made any + such promise; and then Diana produced the ring (which Helena had put into + her hands) to confirm the truth of her words; and she said that she had + given Bertram the ring he then wore, in exchange for that, at the time he + vowed to marry her. On hearing this the king ordered the guards to seize + her also; and, her account of the ring differing from Bertram’s, the + king’s suspicions were confirmed, and he said if they did not + confess how they came by this ring of Helena’s they should be both + put to death. Diana requested her mother might be permitted to fetch the + jeweler of whom she bought the ring, which, being granted, the widow went + out, and presently returned, leading in Helena herself. + </p> + <p> + The good countess, who in silent grief had beheld her son’s danger, + and had even dreaded that the suspicion of his having destroyed his wife + might possibly be true, finding her dear Helena, whom she loved with even + a maternal affection, was still living, felt a delight she was hardly able + to support; and the king, scarce believing for joy that it was Helena, + said: + </p> + <p> + “Is this indeed the wife of Bertram that I see?” + </p> + <p> + Helena, feeling herself yet an unacknowledged wife, replied, “No, my + good lord, it is but the shadow of a wife you see; the name and not the + thing.” + </p> + <p> + Bertram cried out: “Both, both! Oh pardon!” + </p> + <p> + “O my lord,” said Helena, “when I personated this fair + maid I found you wondrous kind; and look, here is your letter!” + reading to him in a joyful tone those words which she had once repeated so + sorrowfully, “WHEN FROM MY FINGER YOU CAN GET THIS RING—This + is done; it was to me you gave the ring. Will you be mine, now you are + doubly won?” + </p> + <p> + Bertram replied, “If you can make it plain that you were the lady I + talked with that night I will love you dearly, ever, ever dearly.” + </p> + <p> + This was no difficult task, for the widow and Diana came with Helena to + prove this fact; and the king was so well pleased with Diana for the + friendly assistance she had rendered the dear lady he so truly valued for + the service she had done him that he promised her also a noble husband, + Helena’s history giving him a hint that it was a suitable reward for + kings to bestow upon fair ladies when they perform notable services. + </p> + <p> + Thus Helena at last found that her father’s legacy was indeed + sanctified by the luckiest stars in heaven; for she was now the beloved + wife of her dear Bertram, the daughter-in-law of her noble mistress, and + herself the Countess of Rousillon. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap12"></a>TAMING OF THE SHREW</h2> + <p> + Katharine, the Shrew, was the eldest daughter of Baptista, a rich + gentleman of Padua. She was a lady of such an ungovernable spirit and + fiery temper, such a loud-tongued scold, that she was known in Padua by no + other name than Katharine the Shrew. It seemed very unlikely, indeed + impossible, that any gentleman would ever be found who would venture to + marry this lady, and therefore Baptista was much blamed for deferring his + consent to many excellent offers that were made to her gentle sister + Bianca, putting off all Bianca’s suitors with this excuse, that when + the eldest sister was fairly off his bands they should have free leave to + address young Bianca. + </p> + <p> + It happened, however, that a gentleman, named Petruchio, came to Padua + purposely to look out for a wife, who, nothing discouraged by these + reports of Katharine’s temper, and hearing she was rich and + handsome, resolved upon marrying this famous termagant, and taming her + into a meek and manageable wife. And truly none was so fit to set about + this herculean labor as Petruchio, whose spirit was as high as Katharine’s, + and he was a witty and most happy-tempered humorist, and withal so wise, + and of such a true judgment, that he well knew how to feign a passionate + and furious deportment when his spirits were so calm that himself could + have laughed merrily at his own angry feigning, for his natural temper was + careless and easy; the boisterous airs he assumed when he became the + husband of Katharine being but in sport, or, more properly speaking, + affected by his excellent discernment, as the only means to overcome, in + her own way, the passionate ways of the furious Katharine. + </p> + <p> + A-courting, then, Petruchio went to Katharine the Shrew; and first of all + he applied to Baptista, her father, for leave to woo his GENTLE DAUGHTER + Katharine, as Petruchio called her, saying, archly, that, having heard of + her bashful modesty and mild behavior, he had come from Verona to solicit + her love. Her father, though he wished her married, was forced to confess + Katharine would ill answer this character, it being soon apparent of what + manner of gentleness she was composed, for her music-master rushed into + the room to complain that the gentle Katharine, his pupil, had broken his + head with her lute for presuming to find fault with her performance; + which, when Petruchio heard, he said: + </p> + <p> + “It is a brave wench. I love her more than ever, and long to have + some chat with her.” And hurrying the old gentleman for a positive + answer, he said: “My business is in haste, Signor Baptista. I cannot + come every day to woo. You knew my father. He is dead, and has left me + heir to all his lands and goods. Then tell me, if I get your daughter’s + love, what dowry you will give with her.” + </p> + <p> + Baptista thought his manner was somewhat blunt for a lover; but, being + glad to get Katharine married, he answered that he would give her twenty + thousand crowns for her dowry, and half his estate at his death. So this + odd match was quickly agreed on and Baptista went to apprise his shrewish + daughter of her lover’s addresses, and sent her in to Petruchio to + listen to his suit. + </p> + <p> + In the mean time Petruchio was settling with himself the mode of courtship + be should pursue; and he said: “I will woo her with some spirit when + she comes. If she rails at me, why, then I will tell her she sings as + sweetly as a nightingale; and if she frowns, I will say she looks as clear + as roses newly washed with dew. If she will not speak a word, I will + praise the eloquence of her language; and if she bids me leave her, I will + give her thanks as if she bid me stay with her a week.” + </p> + <p> + Now the stately Katharine entered, and Petruchio first addressed her with: + </p> + <p> + “Good morrow, Kate, for that is your name, I hear.” + </p> + <p> + Katharine, not liking this plain salutation, said, disdainfully, “They + call me Katharine who do speak to me.” + </p> + <p> + “You lie,” replied the lover; “for you are called plain + Kate, and bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the Shrew; but, Kate, you are the + prettiest Kate in Christendom, and therefore, Kate, hearing your mildness + praised in every town, I am come to woo you for my wife.” + </p> + <p> + A strange courtship they made of it. She in loud and angry terms showing + him how justly she had gained the name of Shrew, while he still praised + her sweet and courteous words, till at length, hearing her father coming, + he said (intending to make as quick a wooing as possible): + </p> + <p> + “Sweet Katharine, let us set this idle chat aside, for your father + has consented that you shall be my wife, your dowry is agreed on, and + whether you will or no I will marry you.” + </p> + <p> + And now Baptista entering, Petruchio told him his daughter had received + him kindly and that she had promised to be married the next Sunday. This + Katharine denied, saying she would rather see him hanged on Sunday, and + reproached her father for wishing to wed her to such a madcap ruffian as + Petruchio. Petruchio desired her father not to regard her angry words, for + they had agreed she should seem reluctant before him, but that when they + were alone he had found her very fond and loving; and he said to her: + </p> + <p> + “Give me your hand, Kate. I will go to Venice to buy you apparel + against our wedding-day. Provide the feast, father, bid the wedding + guests. I will be sure to bring rings, fine array, and rich clothes, that + my Katharine may be fine. And kiss me, Kate, for we will be married on + Sunday.” + </p> + <p> + On the Sunday all the wedding guests were assembled, but they waited long + before Petruchio came, and Katharine wept for vexation to think that + Petruchio had only been making a jest of her. At last, however, he + appeared; but he brought none of the bridal finery be had promised + Katharine, nor was he dressed himself like a bridegroom, but in strange, + disordered attire, as if he meant to make a sport of the serious business + he came about; and his servant and the very horses on which they rode were + in like manner in mean and fantastic fashion habited. + </p> + <p> + Petruchio could not be persuaded to change his dress. He said Katharine + was to be married to him, and not to his clothes. And, finding it was in + vain to argue with him, to the church they went, he still behaving in the + same mad way, for when the priest asked Petruchio if Katharine should be + his wife, he swore so loud that she should, that, all amazed, the priest + let fall his book, and as he stooped to take it up this mad-brained + bridegroom gave him such a cuff that down fell the priest and his book + again. And all the while they were being married he stamped and swore so + that the high-spirited Katharine trembled and shook with fear. After the + ceremony was over, while they were yet in the church, he called for wine, + and drank a loud health to the company, and threw a sop which was at the + bottom of the glass full in the sexton’s face, giving no other + reason for this strange act than that the sexton’s beard grew thin + and hungerly, and seemed to ask the sop as he was drinking. Never sure was + there such a mad marriage; but Petruchio did but put this wildness on the + better to succeed in the plot he had formed to tame his shrewish wife. + </p> + <p> + Baptista had provided a sumptuous marriage feast, but when they returned + from church, Petruchio, taking hold of Katharine, declared his intention + of carrying his wife home instantly, and no remonstrance of his + father-in-law, or angry words of the enraged Katharine, could make him + change his purpose. He claimed a husband’s right to dispose of his + wife as he pleased, and away he hurried Katharine off; he seeming so + daring and resolute that no one dared attempt to stop him. + </p> + <p> + Petruchio mounted his wife upon a miserable horse, lean and lank, which he + had picked out for the purpose, and, himself and his servant no better + mounted, they journeyed on through rough and miry ways, and ever when this + horse of Katharine’s stumbled he would storm and swear at the poor + jaded beast, who could scarce crawl under his burthen, as if he had been + the most passionate man alive. + </p> + <p> + At length, after a weary journey, during which Katharine had heard nothing + but the wild ravings of Petruchio at the servant and the horses, they + arrived at his house. Petruchio welcomed her kindly to her home, but he + resolved she should have neither rest nor food that night. The tables were + spread, and supper soon served; but Petruchio, pretending to find fault + with every dish, threw the meat about the floor, and ordered the servants + to remove it away; and all this he did, as he said, in love for his + Katharine, that she might not eat meat that was not well dressed. And when + Katharine, weary and supperless, retired to rest, he found the same fault + with the bed, throwing the pillows and bedclothes about the room, so that + she was forced to sit down in a chair, where, if, she chanced to drop + asleep, she was presently awakened by the loud voice of her husband + storming at the servants for the ill-making of his wife’s + bridal-bed. + </p> + <p> + The next day Petruchio pursued the same course, still speaking kind words + to Katharine, but, when she attempted to eat, finding fault with + everything that was set before her, throwing the breakfast on the floor as + he had done the supper; and Katharine, the haughty Katharine, was fain to + beg the servants would bring her secretly a morsel of food; but they, + being instructed by Petruchio, replied they dared not give her anything + unknown to their master. + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” said she, “did he marry me to famish me? Beggars + that come to my father’s door have food given them. But I, who never + knew what it was to entreat for anything, am starved for want of food, + giddy for want of sleep, with oaths kept waking, and with brawling fed; + and that which vexes me more than all, he does it under the name of + perfect love, pretending that if I sleep or eat, it were present death to + me.” + </p> + <p> + Here the soliloquy was interrupted by the entrance of Petruchio. He, not + meaning she should be quite starved, had brought her a small portion of + meat, and he said to her: + </p> + <p> + “How fares my sweet Kate? Here, love, you see how diligent I am. I + have dressed your meat myself. I am sure this kindness merits thanks. + What, not a word? Nay, then you love not the meat, and all the pains I + have taken is to no purpose.” He then ordered the servant to take + the dish away. + </p> + <p> + Extreme hunger, which had abated the pride of Katharine, made her say, + though angered to the heart, “I pray you let it stand.” + </p> + <p> + But this was not all Petruchio intended to bring her to, and he replied, + “The poorest service is repaid with thanks, and so shall mine before + you touch the meat.” + </p> + <p> + On this Katharine brought out a reluctant “I thank you, sir.” + </p> + <p> + And now he suffered her to make a slender meal, saying: “Much good + may it do your gentle heart, Kate. Eat apace! And now, my honey love, we + will return to your father’s house and revel it as bravely as the + best, with silken coats and caps and golden rings, with ruffs and scarfs + and fans and double change of finery.” And to make her believe be + really intended to give her these gay things, he called in a tailor and a + haberdasher, who brought some new clothes he had ordered for her, and + then, giving her plate to the servant to take away, before she had half + satisfied her hunger, he said: + </p> + <p> + “What, have you dined?” + </p> + <p> + The haberdasher presented a cap, saying, “Here is the cap your + worship bespoke.” On which Petruchio began to storm afresh, saying + the cap was molded in a porringer and that it was no bigger than a cockle + or walnut shell, desiring the haberdasher to take it away and make it + bigger. + </p> + <p> + Katharine said, “I will have this; all gentlewomen wear such caps as + these.” + </p> + <p> + “When you are gentle,” replied Petruchio, “you shall + have one, too, and not till then.” + </p> + <p> + The meat Katharine had eaten had a little revived her fallen spirits, and + she said: “Why, sir, I trust I may have leave to speak, and speak I + will. I am no child, no babe. Your betters have endured to hear me say my + mind; and if you cannot, you had better stop your ears.” + </p> + <p> + Petruchio would not hear these angry words, for he had happily discovered + a better way of managing his wife than keeping up a jangling argument with + her; therefore his answer was: + </p> + <p> + “Why, you say true; it is a paltry cap, and I love you for not + liking it.” + </p> + <p> + “Love me, or love me not,” said Katharine, “I like the + cap, and I will have this cap or none.” + </p> + <p> + “You say you wish to see the gown,” said Petruchio, still + affecting to misunderstand her. + </p> + <p> + The tailor then came forward and showed her a fine gown he had made for + her. Petruchio, whose intent was that she should have neither cap nor + gown, found as much fault with that. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, mercy, Heaven!” said he, “what stuff is here! What, + do you call this a sleeve? it is like a demi-cannon, carved up and down + like an apple tart.” + </p> + <p> + The tailor said, “You bid me make it according to the fashion of the + times”; and Katharine said she never saw a better-fashioned gown. + This was enough for Petruchio, and privately desiring these people might + be paid for their goods, and excuses made to them for the seemingly + strange treatment he bestowed upon them, he with fierce words and furious + gestures drove the tailor and the haberdasher out of the room; and then, + turning to Katharine, he said: + </p> + <p> + “Well, come, my Kate, we will go to your father’s even in + these mean garments we now wear.” + </p> + <p> + And then he ordered his horses, affirming they should reach Baptista’s + house by dinner-time, for that it was but seven o’clock. Now it was + not early morning, but the very middle of the day, when he spoke this; + therefore Katharine ventured to say, though modestly, being almost + overcome by the vehemence of his manner: + </p> + <p> + “I dare assure you, sir, it is two o’clock, and will be + suppertime before we get there.” + </p> + <p> + But Petruchio meant that she should be so completely subdued that she + should assent to everything he said before he carried her to her father; + and therefore, as if he were lord even of the sun and could command the + hours, he said it. should be what time he pleased to have it, before beset + forward. “For,” he said, “whatever I say or do, you + still are crossing it. I will not go to-day, and when I go, it shall be + what o’clock I say it is.” + </p> + <p> + Another day Katharine was forced to practise her newly found obedience, + and not till he had brought her proud spirit to such a perfect subjection + that she dared not remember there was such a word as contradiction would + Petruchio allow her to go to her father’s house; and even while they + were upon their journey thither she was in danger of being turned back + again, only because she happened to hint it was the sun when he affirmed + the moon shone brightly at noonday. + </p> + <p> + “Now, by my mother’s son,” said be, “and that is + myself, it shall be the moon, or stars, or what I list, before I journey + to your father’s house.” He then made as if he were going back + again. But Katharine, no longer Katharine the Shrew, but the obedient + wife, said, “Let us go forward, I pray, now we have come so far, and + it shall be the sun, or moon, or what you please; and if you please to + call it a rush candle henceforth, I vow it shall be so for me.” + </p> + <p> + This he was resolved to prove, therefore he said again, “I say it is + the moon.” + </p> + <p> + “I know it is the moon,” replied Katharine. + </p> + <p> + “You lie. It is the blessed sun,” said Petruchio. + </p> + <p> + “Then it is the blessed sun,” replied Katharine; “but + sun it is not when you say it is not. What you will have it named, even so + it is, and so it ever shall be for Katharine.” + </p> + <p> + Now then he suffered her to proceed on her journey; but further to try if + this yielding humor would last, he addressed an old gentleman they met on + the road as if he had been a young woman, saying to him, “Good + morrow, gentle mistress”; and asked Katharine if she had ever beheld + a fairer gentlewoman, praising the red and white of the old man’s + cheeks, and comparing his eyes to two bright stars; and again he addressed + him, saying, “Fair, lovely maid, once more good day to you!” + and said to his wife, “Sweet Kate, embrace her for her beauty’s + sake.” + </p> + <p> + The now completely vanquished Katharine quickly adopted her husband’s + opinion, and made her speech in like sort to the old gentleman, saying to + him: “Young budding virgin, you are fair and fresh and sweet. + Whither are you going, and where is your dwelling? Happy are the parents + of so fair a child.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, how now, Kate,” said Petruchio. “I hope you are + not mad. This is a man, old and wrinkled, faded and withered, and not a + maiden, as you say he is.” + </p> + <p> + On this Katharine said, “Pardon me, old gentleman; the sun has so + dazzled my eyes that everything I look on seemeth green. Now I perceive + you are a reverend father. I hope you will pardon me for my sad mistake.” + </p> + <p> + “Do, good old grandsire,” said Petruchio, “and tell us + which way you are traveling. We shall be glad of your good company, if you + are going our way.” + </p> + <p> + The old gentleman replied: “Fair sir, and you, my merry mistress, + your strange encounter has much amazed me. My name is Vincentio, and I am + going to visit a son of mine who lives at Padua.” + </p> + <p> + Then Petruchio knew the old gentleman to be the father of Lucentio, a + young gentleman who was to be married to Baptista’s younger + daughter, Bianca, and he made Vincentio very happy by telling him the rich + marriage his son was about to make; and they all journeyed on pleasantly + together till they came to Baptista’s house, where there was a large + company assembled to celebrate the wedding of Bianca and Lucentio, + Baptista having willingly consented to the marriage of Bianca when he had + got Katharine off his hands. + </p> + <p> + When they entered, Baptista welcomed them to the wedding feast, and there + was present also another newly married pair. + </p> + <p> + Lucentio, Bianca’s husband, and Hortensio, the other new-married + man, could not forbear sly jests, which seemed to hint at the shrewish + disposition of Petruchio’s wife, and these fond bridegrooms seemed + highly pleased with the mild tempers of the ladies they had chosen, + laughing at Petruchio for his less fortunate choice. Petruchio took little + notice of their jokes till the ladies were retired after dinner, and then + he perceived Baptista himself joined in the laugh against him, for when + Petruchio affirmed that his wife would prove more obedient than theirs, + the father of Katharine said, “Now, in good sadness, son Petruchio, + I fear you have got the veriest shrew of all.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Petruchio, “I say no, and therefore, for + assurance that I speak the truth, let us each one send for his wife, and + he whose wife is most obedient to come at first when she is sent for shall + win a wager which we will propose.” + </p> + <p> + To this the other two husbands willingly consented, for they were + confident that their gentle wives would prove more obedient than the + headstrong Katharine, and they proposed a wager of twenty crowns. But + Petruchio merrily said he would lay as much as that upon his hawk or + hound, but twenty times as much upon his wife. Lucentio and Hortensio + raised the wager to a hundred crowns, and Lucentio first sent his servant + to desire Bianca would come to him. But the servant returned, and said: + </p> + <p> + “Sir, my mistress sends you word she is busy and cannot come.” + </p> + <p> + “How,” said Petruchio, “does she say she is busy and + cannot come? Is that an answer for a wife?” + </p> + <p> + Then they laughed at him, and said it would be well if Katharine did not + send him a worse answer. And now it was Hortensio’s turn to send for + his wife; and be said to his servant, “Go, and entreat my wife to + come to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh ho! entreat her!” said Petruchio. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, then, she needs must come.” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid, sir,” said Hortensio, “your wife will not + be entreated.” But presently this civil husband looked a little + blank when the servant returned without his mistress; and he said to him: + </p> + <p> + “How now? Where is my wife?” + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said the servant, “my mistress says you have some + goodly jest in hand, and therefore she will not come. She bids you come to + her.” + </p> + <p> + “Worse and worse!” said Petruchio. And then he sent his + servant, saying, “Sirrah, go to your mistress and tell her I command + her to come to me.” + </p> + <p> + The company had scarcely time to think she would not obey this summons + when Baptista, all in amaze, exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “Now, by my holidame, here comes Katharine!” + </p> + <p> + And she entered, saying meekly to Petruchio, “What is your will, + sir, that you send for me?” + </p> + <p> + “Where is your sister and Hortensio’s wife?” said he. + </p> + <p> + Katharine replied, “They sit conferring by the parlor fire.” + </p> + <p> + “Go, fetch them hither!” said Petruchio. + </p> + <p> + Away went Katharine without reply to perform her husband’s command. + </p> + <p> + “Here is a wonder,” said Lucentio, “if you talk of a + wonder.” + </p> + <p> + “And so it is,” said Hortensio. “I marvel what it bodes.” + </p> + <p> + “Marry, peace it bodes,” said Petruchio, “and love, and + quiet life, and right supremacy; and, to be short, everything that is + sweet and happy.” + </p> + <p> + Katharine’s father, overjoyed to see this reformation in his + daughter, said: “Now, fair befall thee, son Petruchio! You have won + the wager, and I will add another twenty thousand crowns to her dowry, as + if she were another daughter, for she is changed as if she had never been.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Petruchio, “I will win the wager better yet, + and show more signs of her new-built virtue and obedience.” + Katharine now entering with the two ladies, he continued: “See where + she comes, and brings your froward wives as prisoners to her womanly + persuasion. Katharine, that cap of yours does not become you; off with + that bauble, and throw it underfoot.” + </p> + <p> + Katharine instantly took off her cap and threw it down. + </p> + <p> + “Lord!” said Hortensio’s wife, “may I never have a + cause to sigh till I am brought to such a silly pass!” + </p> + <p> + And Bianca, she, too, said, “Fie! What foolish duty call you this?” + </p> + <p> + On this Bianca’s husband said to her, “I wish your duty were + as foolish, too! The wisdom of your duty, fair Bianca, has cost me a + hundred crowns since dinner-time.” + </p> + <p> + “The more fool you,” said Bianca, “for laying on my + duty.” + </p> + <p> + “Katharine,” said Petruchio, “I charge you tell these + headstrong women what duty they owe their lords and husbands.” + </p> + <p> + And to the wonder of all present, the reformed shrewish lady spoke as + eloquently in praise of the wifelike duty of obedience as she had + practised it implicitly in a ready submission to Petruchio’s will. + And Katharine once more became famous in Padua, not as heretofore as + Katharine the Shrew, but as Katharine the most obedient and duteous wife + in Padua. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap13"></a>THE COMEDY OF ERRORS</h2> + <p> + The states of Syracuse and Ephesus being at variance, there was a cruel + law made at Ephesus, ordaining that if any merchant of Syracuse was seen + in the city of Ephesus he was to be put to death, unless he could pay a + thousand marks for the ransom of his life. + </p> + <p> + Aegeon, an old merchant of Syracuse, was discovered in the streets of + Ephesus, and brought before the duke, either to pay this heavy fine or + receive sentence of death. + </p> + <p> + Aegeon had no money to pay the fine, and the duke, before he pronounced + the sentence of death upon him, desired him to relate the history of his + life, and to tell for what cause he had ventured to come to the city of + Ephesus, which it was death for any Syracusan merchant to enter. + </p> + <p> + Aegeon said that he did not fear to die, for sorrow had made him weary of + his life, but that a heavier task could not have been imposed upon him + than to relate the events of his unfortunate life. He then began his own + history, in the following words: + </p> + <p> + “I was born at Syracuse, and brought up to the profession of a + merchant. I married a lady, with whom I lived very happily, but, being + obliged to go to Epidamnum, I was detained there by my business six + months, and then, finding I should be obliged to stay some time longer, I + sent for my wife, who, as soon as she arrived, was brought to bed of two + sons, and what was very strange, they were both so exactly alike that it + was impossible to distinguish the one from the other. At the same time + that my wife was brought to bed of these twin boys a poor woman in the inn + where my wife lodged was brought to bed of two sons, and these twins were + as much like each other as my two sons were. The parents of these children + being exceeding poor, I bought the two boys and brought them up to attend + upon my sons. + </p> + <p> + “My sons were very fine children, and my wife was not a little proud + of two such boys; and she daily wishing to return home, I unwillingly + agreed, and in an evil hour we got on shipboard, for we had not sailed + above a league from Epidamnum before a dreadful storm arose, which + continued with such violence that the sailors, seeing no chance of saving + the ship, crowded into the boat to save their own lives, leaving us alone + in the ship, which we every moment expected would be destroyed by the fury + of the storm. + </p> + <p> + “The incessant weeping of my wife and the piteous complaints of the + pretty babes, who, not knowing what to fear, wept for fashion, because + they saw their mother weep, filled me with terror for them, though I did + not for myself fear death; and all my thoughts were bent to contrive means + for their safety. I tied my youngest son to the end of a small spire mast, + such as seafaring men provide against storms; at the other end I bound the + youngest of the twin slaves, and at the same time I directed my wife how + to fasten the other children in like manner to another mast. She thus + having the care of the eldest two children, and I of the younger two, we + bound ourselves separately to these masts with the children; and but for + this contrivance we had all been lost, for the ship split on a mighty rock + and was dashed in pieces; and we, clinging to these slender masts, were + supported above the water, where I, having the care of two children, was + unable to assist my wife, who, with the other children, was soon separated + from me; but while they were yet in my sight they were taken up by a boat + of fishermen, from Corinth (as I supposed), and, seeing them in safety, I + had no care but to struggle with the wild sea-waves, to preserve my dear + son and the youngest slave. At length we, in our turn, were taken up by a + ship, and the sailors, knowing me, gave us kind welcome and assistance and + landed us in safety at Syracuse; but from that sad hour I have never known + what became of my wife and eldest child. + </p> + <p> + “My youngest son, and now my only care, when he was eighteen years + of age, began to be inquisitive after his mother and his brother, and + often importuned me that he might take his attendant, the young slave, who + had also lost his brother, and go in search of them. At length I + unwillingly gave consent, for, though I anxiously desired to hear tidings + of my wife and eldest son, yet in sending my younger one to find them I + hazarded the loss of him also. It is now seven years since my son left me; + five years have I passed in traveling through the world in search of him. + I have been in farthest Greece, and through the bounds of Asia, and, + coasting homeward, I landed here in Ephesus, being unwilling to leave any + place unsought that harbors men; but this day must end the story of my + life, and happy should I think myself in my death if I were assured my + wife and sons were living.” + </p> + <p> + Here the hapless Aegeon ended the account of his misfortunes; and the + duke, pitying this unfortunate father who had brought upon himself this + great peril by his love for his lost son, said if it were not against the + laws, which his oath and dignity did not permit him to alter, he would + freely pardon him; yet, instead of dooming him to instant death, as the + strict letter of the law required, he would give him that day to try if he + could beg or borrow the money to pay the fine. + </p> + <p> + This day of grace did seem no great favor to Aegeon, for, not knowing any + man in Ephesus, there seemed to him but little chance that any stranger + would lend or give him a thousand marks to pay the fine; and, helpless and + hopeless of any relief, he retired from the presence of the duke in the + custody of a jailer. + </p> + <p> + Aegeon supposed he knew no person in Ephesus; but at the time he was in + danger of losing his life through the careful search he was making after + his youngest son that son, and his eldest son also, were in the city of + Ephesus. + </p> + <p> + Aegeon’s sons, besides being exactly alike in face and person, were + both named alike, being both called Antipholus, and the two twin slaves + were also both named Dromio. Aegeon’s youngest son, Antipholus of + Syracuse, he whom the old man had come to Ephesus to seek, happened to + arrive at Ephesus with his slave Dromio that very same day that Aegeon + did; and he being also a merchant of Syracuse, he would have been in the + same danger that his father was, but by good fortune he met a friend who + told him the peril an old merchant of Syracuse was in, and advised him to + pass for a merchant of Epidamnum. This Antipholus agreed to do, and he was + sorry to hear one of his own countrymen was in this danger, but he little + thought this old merchant was his own father. + </p> + <p> + The eldest son of Aegeon (who must be called Antipholus of Ephesus, to + distinguish him from his brother Antipholus of Syracuse) had lived at + Ephesus twenty years, and, being a rich man, was well able to have paid + the money for the ransom of his father’s life; but Antipholus knew + nothing of his father, being so young when he was taken out of the sea + with his mother by the fishermen that he only remembered he had been so + preserved; but he had no recollection of either his father or his mother, + the fishermen who took up this Antipholus and his mother and the young + slave Dromio having carried the two children away from her (to the great + grief of that unhappy lady), intending to sell them. + </p> + <p> + Antipholus and Dromio were sold by them to Duke Menaphon, a famous + warrior, who was uncle to the Duke of Ephesus, and he carried the boys to + Ephesus when he went to visit the duke, his nephew. + </p> + <p> + The Duke of Ephesus, taking a liking to young Antipholus, when he grew up + made him an officer in his army, in which he distinguished himself by his + great bravery in the wars, where he saved the life of his patron, the + duke, who rewarded his merit by marrying him to Adriana, a rich lady of + Ephesus, with whom he was living (his slave Dromio still attending him) at + the time his father came there. + </p> + <p> + Antipholus of Syracuse, when he parted with his friend, who, advised him + to say he came from Epidamnum, gave his slave Dromio some money to carry + to the inn where he intended to dine, and in the mean time he said he + would walk about and view the city and observe the manners of the people. + </p> + <p> + Dromio was a pleasant fellow, and when Antipholus was dull and melancholy + he used to divert himself with the odd humors and merry jests of his + slave, so that the freedoms of speech he allowed in Dromio were greater + than is usual between masters and their servants. + </p> + <p> + When Antipholus of Syracuse had sent Dromio away, he stood awhile thinking + over his solitary wanderings in search of his mother and his brother, of + whom in no place where he landed could he hear the least tidings; and he + said sorrowfully to himself, “I am like a drop of water in the + ocean. which, seeking to find its fellow drop, loses itself in the wide + sea, So I, unhappily, to find a mother and a brother, do lose myself.” + </p> + <p> + While he was thus meditating on his weary travels, which had hitherto been + so useless, Dromio (as he thought) returned. Antipholus, wondering that he + came back so soon, asked him where he had left the money. Now it was not + his own Dromio, but the twin-brother that lived with Antipholus of + Ephesus, that he spoke to. The two Dromios and the two Antipholuses were + still as much alike as Aegeon had said they were in their infancy; + therefore no wonder Antipholus thought it was his own slave returned, and + asked him why he came back so soon. + </p> + <p> + Dromio replied: “My mistress sent me to bid you come to dinner. The + capon burns, and the pig falls from the spit, and the meat will be all + cold if you do not come home.” + </p> + <p> + “These jests are out of season,” said Antipholus. “Where + did you leave the money?” + </p> + <p> + Dromio still answering that his mistress had sent him to fetch Antipholus + to dinner, “What mistress?” said Antipholus. + </p> + <p> + “Why, your worship’s wife, sir!” replied Dromio. + </p> + <p> + Antipholus having no wife, he was very angry with Dromio, and said: + “Because I familiarly sometimes chat with you, you presume to jest + with me in this free manner. I am not in a sportive humor now. Where is + the money? We being strangers here, how dare you trust so great a charge + from your own custody?” + </p> + <p> + Dromio, hearing his master, as he thought him, talk of their being + strangers, supposing Antipholus was jesting, replied, merrily: “I + pray you, sir, jest as you sit at dinner. I had no charge but to fetch you + home to dine with my mistress and her sister.” + </p> + <p> + Now Antipholus lost all patience, and beat Dromio, who ran home and told + his mistress that his master had refused to come to dinner and said that + he had no wife. + </p> + <p> + Adriana, the wife of Antipholus of Ephesus, was very angry when she heard + that her husband said he had no wife; for she was of a jealous temper, and + she said her husband meant that he loved another lady better than herself; + and she began to fret, and say unkind words of jealousy and reproach of + her husband; and her sister Luciana, who lived with her, tried in vain to + persuade her out of her groundless suspicions. + </p> + <p> + Antipholus of Syracuse went to the inn, and found Dromio with the money in + safety there, and, seeing his own Dromio, he was going again to chide him + for his free jests, when Adriana came up to him, and, not doubting but it + was her husband she saw, she began to reproach him for looking strange + upon her (as well he might, never having seen this angry lady before); and + then she told him how well he loved her before they were married, and that + now he loved some other lady instead of her. + </p> + <p> + “How comes it now, my husband,” said she, “oh, how comes + it that I have lost your love?” + </p> + <p> + “Plead you to me, fair dame?” said the astonished Antipholus. + </p> + <p> + It was in vain he told her he was not her husband and that he had been in + Ephesus but two hours. She insisted on his going home with her, and + Antipholus at last, being unable to get away, went with her to his brother’s + house, and dined with Adriana and her sister, the one calling him husband + and the other brother, he, all amazed, thinking he must have been married + to her in his sleep, or that he was sleeping now. And Dromio, who followed + them, was no less surprised, for the cook-maid, who was his brother’s + wife, also claimed him for her husband. + </p> + <p> + While Antipholus of Syracuse was dining with his brother’s wife, his + brother, the real husband, returned home to dinner with his slave Dromio; + but the servants would not open the door, because their mistress had + ordered them not to admit any company; and when they repeatedly knocked, + and said they were Antipholus and Dromio, the maids laughed at them, and + said that Antipholus was at dinner with their mistress, and Dromio was in + the kitchen, and though they almost knocked the door down, they could not + gain admittance, and at last Antipholus went away very angry, and + strangely surprised at, hearing a gentleman was dining with his wife. + </p> + <p> + When Antipholus of Syracuse had finished his dinner, he was so perplexed + at the lady’s still persisting in calling him husband, and at + hearing that Dromio had also been claimed by the cookmaid, that he left + the house as soon as he could find any pretense to get away; for though he + was very much pleased with Luciana, the sister, yet the jealous-tempered + Adriana he disliked very much, nor was Dromio at all better satisfied with + his fair wife in the kitchen; therefore both master and man were glad to + get away from their new wives as fast as they could. + </p> + <p> + The moment Antipholus of Syracuse had left the house he was met by a + goldsmith, who, mistaking him, as Adriana had done, for Antipholus of + Ephesus, gave him a gold chain, calling him by his name; and when + Antipholus would have refused the chain, saying it did not belong to him, + the goldsmith replied he made it by his own orders, and went away, leaving + the chain in the hands of Antipholus, who ordered his man Dromio to get + his things on board a ship, not choosing to stay in a place any longer + where he met with such strange adventures that he surely thought himself + bewitched. + </p> + <p> + The goldsmith who had given the chain to the wrong Antipholus was arrested + immediately after for a sum of money he owed; and Antipholus, the married + brother, to whom the goldsmith thought he had given the chain, happened to + come to the place where the officer was arresting the goldsmith, who, when + he saw Antipholus, asked him to pay for the gold chain he had just + delivered to him, the price amounting to nearly the same sum as that for + which he had been arrested. Antipholus denying the having received the + chain, and the goldsmith persisting to declare that he had but a few + minutes before given it to him, they disputed this matter a long time, + both thinking they were right; for Antipholus knew the goldsmith never + gave him the chain, and so like were the two brothers, the goldsmith was + as certain he had delivered the chain into his hands, till at last the + officer took the goldsmith away to prison for the debt he owed, and at the + same time the goldsmith made the officer arrest Antipholus for the price + of the chain; so that at the conclusion of their dispute Antipholus and + the merchant were both taken away to prison together. + </p> + <p> + As Antipholus was going to prison, he met Dromio of Syracuse, his brother’s + slave, and, mistaking him for his own, he ordered him to go to Adriana his + wife, and tell her to send the money for which he was arrested. Dromio, + wondering that his master should send him back to the strange house where + he dined, and from which he had just before been in such haste to depart, + did not dare to reply, though he came to tell his master the ship was + ready to sail, for he saw Antipholus was in no humor to be jested with. + Therefore he went away, grumbling within himself that he must return to + Adriana’s house, “Where,” said he, “Dowsabel + claims me for a husband. But I must go, for servants must obey their + masters’ commands.” + </p> + <p> + Adriana gave him the money, and as Dromio was returning he met Antipholus + of Syracuse, who was still in amaze at the surprising adventures he met + with, for, his brother being well known in Ephesus, there was hardly a man + he met in the streets but saluted him as an old acquaintance. Some offered + him money which they said was owing to him, some invited him to come and + see them, and some gave him thanks for kindnesses they said he had done + them, all mistaking him for his brother. A tailor showed him some silks he + had bought for him, and insisted upon taking measure of him for some + clothes. + </p> + <p> + Antipholus began to think he was among a nation of sorcerers and witches, + and Dromio did not at all relieve his master from his bewildered thoughts + by asking him how he got free from the officer who was carrying him to + prison, and giving him the purse of gold which Adriana had sent to pay the + debt with. This talk of Dromio’s of the arrest and of a prison, and + of the money he had brought from Adriana, perfectly confounded Antipholus, + and he said, “This fellow Dromio is certainly distracted, and we + wander here in illusions,” and, quite terrified at his own confused + thoughts, he cried out, “Some blessed power deliver us from this + strange place!” + </p> + <p> + And now another stranger came up to him, and she was a lady, and she, too, + called him Antipholus, and told him he had dined with her that day, and + asked him for a gold chain which she said he had promised to give her. + Antipholus now lost all patience, and, calling her a sorceress, he denied + that he had ever promised her a chain, or dined with her, or had even seen + her face before that moment. The lady persisted in affirming he had dined + with her and had promised her a chain, which Antipholus still denying, she + further said that she had given him a valuable ring, and if he would not + give her the gold chain, she insisted upon having her own ring again. On + this Antipholus became quite frantic, and again calling her sorceress and + witch, and denying all knowledge of her or her ring, ran away from her, + leaving her astonished at his words and his wild looks, for nothing to her + appeared more certain than that he had dined with her, and that she had + given him a ring in consequence of his promising to make her a present of + a gold chain. But this lady had fallen into the same mistake the others + had done, for she had taken him for his brother; the married Antipholus + had done all the things she taxed this Antipholus with. + </p> + <p> + When the married Antipholus was denied entrance into his house (those + within supposing him to be already there) be had gone away very angry, + believing it to be one of his wife’s jealous freaks, to which she + was very subject, and, remembering that she had often falsely accused him + of visiting other ladies, he, to be revenged on her for shutting him out + of his own house, determined to go and dine with this lady, and she + receiving him with great civility, and his wife having so highly offended + him, Antipholus promised to give her a gold chain which he had intended as + a present for his wife; it was the same chain which the goldsmith by + mistake had given to his brother. The lady liked so well the thoughts of + having a fine gold chain that she gave the married Antipholus a ring; + which when, as she supposed (taking his brother for him), he denied, and + said he did not know her, and left her in such a wild passion, she began + to think he was certainly out of his senses; and presently she resolved to + go and tell Adriana that her husband was mad. And while she was telling it + to Adriana he came, attended by the jailer (who allowed him to come home + to get the money to pay the debt), for the purse of money which Adriana + had sent by Dromio and he had delivered to the other Antipholus. + </p> + <p> + Adriana believed the story the lady told her of her husband’s + madness must be true when he reproached her for shutting him out of his + own house; and remembering how he had protested all dinner-time that he + was not her husband and had never been in Ephesus till that day, she had + no doubt that he was mad; she therefore paid the jailer the money, and, + having discharged him, she ordered her servants to bind her husband with + ropes, and had him conveyed into a dark room, and sent for a doctor to + come and cure him of his madness, Antipholus all the while hotly + exclaiming against this false accusation, which the exact likeness he bore + to his brother had brought upon him. But his rage only the more confirmed + them in the belief that he was mad; and Dromio persisting in the same + story, they bound him also and took him away along with his master. + </p> + <p> + Soon after Adriana had put her husband into confinement a servant came to + tell her that Antipholus and Dromio must have broken loose from their + keepers, for that they were both walking at liberty in the next street. On + hearing this Adriana ran out to fetch him home, taking some people with + her to secure her husband again; and her sister went along with her. When + they came to the gates of a convent in their neighborhood, there they saw + Antipholus and Dromio, as they thought, being again deceived by the + likeness of the twin brothers. + </p> + <p> + Antipholus of Syracuse was still beset with the perplexities this likeness + had brought upon him. The chain which the goldsmith had given him was + about his neck, and the goldsmith was reproaching him for denying that he + had it and refusing to pay for it, and Antipholus was protesting that the + goldsmith freely gave him the chain in the morning, and that from that + hour he had never seen the goldsmith again. + </p> + <p> + And now Adriana came up to him and claimed him as her lunatic husband who + had escaped from his keepers, and the men she brought with her were going + to lay violent hands on Antipholus and Dromio; but they ran into the + convent, and Antipholus begged the abbess to give him shelter in her + house. + </p> + <p> + And now came out the lady abbess herself to inquire into the cause of this + disturbance. She was a grave and venerable lady, and wise to judge of what + she saw, and she would not too hastily give up the man who had sought + protection in her house; so she strictly questioned the wife about the + story she told of her husband’s madness, and she said: + </p> + <p> + “What is the cause of this sudden distemper of your husband’s? + Has he lost his wealth at sea? Or is it the death of some dear friend that + has disturbed his mind?” + </p> + <p> + Adriana replied that no such things as these had been the cause. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” said the abbess, “he has fixed his affections + on some other lady than you, his wife, and that has driven him to this + state.” + </p> + <p> + Adriana said she had long thought the love of some other lady was the + cause of his frequent absences from home. + </p> + <p> + Now it was not his love for another, but the teasing jealousy of his wife’s + temper, that often obliged Antipholus to leave his home; and the abbess + (suspecting this from the vehemence of Adriana’s manner), to learn + the truth, said: + </p> + <p> + “You should have reprehended him for this.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, so I did,” replied Adriana. + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said the abbess, “but perhaps not enough.” + </p> + <p> + Adriana, willing to convince the abbess that she had said enough to + Antipholus on this subject, replied: “It was the constant subject of + our conversation; in bed I would not let him sleep for speaking of it. At + table I would not let him eat for speaking of it. When I was alone with + him I talked of nothing else; and in company I gave him frequent hints of + it. Still all my talk was how vile and bad it was in him to love any lady + better than me.” + </p> + <p> + The lady abbess, having drawn this full confession from the jealous + Adriana, now said: “And therefore comes it that your husband is mad. + The venomous clamor of a jealous woman is a more deadly poison than a mad + dog’s tooth. It seems his sleep was hindered by your railing; no + wonder that his head is light; and his meat was sauced with your + upbraidings; unquiet meals make ill digestions, and that has thrown him + into this fever. You say his sports were disturbed by your brawls; being + debarred from the enjoyment of society and recreation, what could ensue + but dull melancholy and comfortless despair? The consequence is, then, + that your jealous fits have made your husband mad.” + </p> + <p> + Luciana would have excused her sister, saying she always reprehended her + husband mildly; and she said to her sister, “Why do you hear these + rebukes without answering them?” + </p> + <p> + But the abbess had made her so plainly perceive her fault that she could + only answer, “She has betrayed me to my own reproof.” + </p> + <p> + Adriana, though ashamed of her own conduct, still insisted on having her + husband delivered up to her; but the abbess would suffer no person to + enter her house, nor would she deliver up this unhappy man to the care of + the jealous wife, determining herself to use gentle means for his + recovery, and she retired into her house again, and ordered her gates to + be shut against them. + </p> + <p> + During the course of this eventful day, in which so many errors had + happened from the likeness the twin brothers bore to each other, old + Aegeon’s day of grace was passing away, it being now near sunset; + and at sunset he was doomed to die if he could not pay the money. + </p> + <p> + The place of his execution was near this convent, and here he arrived just + as the abbess retired into the convent; the duke attending in person, + that, if any offered to pay the money, he might be present to pardon him. + </p> + <p> + Adriana stopped this melancholy procession, and cried out to the duke for + justice, telling him that the abbess had refused to deliver up her lunatic + husband to her care. While she was speaking, her real husband and his + servant, Dromio, who had got loose, came before the duke to demand + justice, complaining that his wife had confined him on a false charge of + lunacy, and telling in what manner he had broken his bands and eluded the + vigilance of his keepers. Adriana was strangely surprised to see her + husband when she thought he had been within the convent. + </p> + <p> + Aegeon, seeing his son, concluded this was the son who had left him to go + in search of his mother and his brother, and he felt secure that this dear + son would readily pay the money demanded for his ransom. He therefore + spoke to Antipholus in words of fatherly affection, with joyful hope that + he should now be released. But, to the utter astonishment of Aegeon, his + son denied all knowledge of him, as well he might, for this Antipholus had + never seen his father since they were separated in the storm in his + infancy. But while the poor old Aegeon was in vain endeavoring to make his + son acknowledge him, thinking surely that either his griefs and the + anxieties he had suffered had so strangely altered him that his son did + not know him or else that he was ashamed to acknowledge his father in his + misery—in the midst of this perplexity the lady abbess and the other + Antipholus and Dromio came out, and the wondering Adriana saw two husbands + and two Dromios standing before her. + </p> + <p> + And now these riddling errors, which had so perplexed them all, were + clearly made out. When the duke saw the two Antipholuses and the two + Dromios both so exactly alike, he at once conjectured aright of these + seeming mysteries, for he remembered the story Aegeon had told him in the + morning; and he said these men must be the two sons of Aegeon and their + twin slaves. + </p> + <p> + But now an unlooked-for joy indeed completed the history of Aegeon; and + the tale he had in the morning told in sorrow, and under sentence of + death, before the setting sun went down was brought to a happy conclusion, + for the venerable lady abbess made herself known to be the long-lost wife + of Aegeon and the fond mother of the two Antipholuses. + </p> + <p> + When the fishermen took the eldest Antipholus and Dromio away from her, + she entered a nunnery, and by her wise and virtuous conduct she was at + length made lady abbess of this convent and in discharging the rites of + hospitality to an unhappy stranger she had unknowingly protected her own + son. + </p> + <p> + Joyful congratulations and affectionate greetings between these + long-separated parents and their children made them for a while forget + that Aegeon was yet under sentence of death. When they were become a + little calm, Antipholus of Ephesus offered the duke the ransom money for + his father’s life; but the duke freely pardoned Aegeon, and would + not take the money. And the duke went with the abbess and her newly found + husband and children into the convent, to hear this happy family discourse + at leisure of the blessed ending of their adverse fortunes. And the two + Dromios’ humble joy must not be forgotten; they had their + congratulations and greetings, too, and each Dromio pleasantly + complimented his brother on his good looks, being well pleased to see his + own person (as in a glass) show so handsome in his brother. + </p> + <p> + Adriana had so well profited by the good counsel of her mother-in-law that + she never after cherished unjust suspicions nor was jealous of her + husband. + </p> + <p> + Antipholus of Syracuse married the fair Luciana, the sister of his brother’s + wife; and the good old Aegeon, with his wife and sons, lived at Ephesus + many years. Nor did the unraveling of these perplexities so entirely + remove every ground of mistake for the future but that sometimes, to + remind them of adventures past, comical blunders would happen, and the one + Antipholus, and the one Dromio, be mistaken for the other, making + altogether a pleasant and diverting Comedy of Errors. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap14"></a>MEASURE FOR MEASURE</h2> + <p> + In the city of Vienna there once reigned a duke of such a mild and gentle + temper that he suffered his subjects to neglect the laws with impunity; + and there was in particular one law the existence of which was almost + forgotten, the duke never having put it in force during his whole reign. + This was a law dooming any man to the punishment of death who should live + with a woman that was not his wife; and this law, through the lenity of + the duke, being utterly disregarded, the holy institution of marriage + became neglected, and complaints were every day made to the duke by the + parents of the young ladies in Vienna that their daughters had been + seduced from their protection and were living as the companions of single + men. + </p> + <p> + The good duke perceived with sorrow this growing evil among his subjects; + but he thought that a sudden change in himself from the indulgence he had + hitherto shown, to the strict severity requisite to check this abuse, + would make his people (who had hitherto loved him) consider him as a + tyrant; therefore he determined to absent himself awhile from his dukedom + and depute another to the full exercise of his power, that the law against + these dishonorable lovers might be put in effect, without giving offense + by an unusual severity in his own person. + </p> + <p> + Angelo, a man who bore the reputation of a saint in Vienna for his strict + and rigid life, was chosen by the duke as a fit person to undertake this + important charge; and when the duke imparted his design to Lord Escalus, + his chief counselor, Escalus said: + </p> + <p> + “If any man in Vienna be of worth to undergo such ample grace and + honor, it is Lord Angelo.” + </p> + <p> + And now the duke departed from Vienna under pretense of making a journey + into Poland, leaving Angelo to act as the lord deputy in his absence; but + the duke’s absence was only a feigned one, for he privately returned + to Vienna, habited like a friar, with the intent to watch unseen the + conduct of the saintly-seeming Angelo. + </p> + <p> + It happened just about the time that Angelo was invested with his new + dignity that a gentleman, whose name was Claudio, had seduced a young lady + from her parents; and for this offense, by command of the new lord deputy, + Claudio was taken up and committed to prison, and by virtue of the old law + which had been so long neglected Angelo sentenced Claudio to be beheaded. + Great interest was made for the pardon of young Claudio, and the good old + Lord Escalus himself interceded for him. + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” said he, “this gentleman whom I would save had + an honorable father, for whose sake I pray you pardon the young man’s + transgression.” + </p> + <p> + But Angelo replied: “We must not make a scarecrow of the law, + setting it up to frighten birds of prey, till custom, finding it harmless, + makes it their perch and not their terror. Sir, he must die.” + </p> + <p> + Lucio, the friend of Claudio, visited him in the prison, and Claudio said + to him: “I pray you, Lucio, do me this kind service. Go to my sister + Isabel, who this day proposes to enter the convent of Saint Clare; + acquaint her with the danger of my state; implore her that she make + friends with the strict deputy; bid her go herself to Angelo. I have great + hopes in that; for she can discourse with prosperous art, and well she can + persuade; besides, there is a speechless dialect in youthful sorrow such + as moves men.” + </p> + <p> + Isabel, the sister of Claudio, had, as he said, that day entered upon her + novitiate in the convent, and it was her intent, after passing through her + probation as a novice, to take the veil, and she was inquiring of a nun + concerning the rules of the convent when they heard the voice of Lucio, + who, as he entered that religious house, said, “Peace be in this + place!” + </p> + <p> + “Who is it that speaks?” said Isabel. + </p> + <p> + “It is a man’s voice,” replied the nun. “Gentle + Isabel, go to him, and learn his business; you may, I may not. When you + have taken the veil, you must not speak with men but in the presence of + the prioress; then if you speak you must not show your face, or if you + show your face you must not speak.” + </p> + <p> + “And have you nuns no further privileges?” said Isabel. + </p> + <p> + “Are not these large enough?” replied the nun. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, truly,” said Isabel. “I speak not as desiring + more, but rather wishing a more strict restraint upon the sisterhood, the + votarists of Saint Clare.” + </p> + <p> + Again they heard the voice of Lucio, and the nun said: “He calls + again. I pray you answer him.” + </p> + <p> + Isabel then went out to Lucio, and in answer to his salutation, said: + “Peace and Prosperity! Who is it that calls?” + </p> + <p> + Then Lucio, approaching her with reverence, said: “Hail, virgin, if + such you be, as the roses on your cheeks proclaim you are no less! Can you + bring me to the sight of Isabel, a novice of this place, and the fair + sister to her unhappy brother Claudio?” + </p> + <p> + “Why her unhappy brother?” said Isabel, “let me ask! for + I am that Isabel and his sister.” + </p> + <p> + “Fair and gentle lady,” he replied, “your brother kindly + greets you by me; he is in prison.” + </p> + <p> + “Woe is me! for what?” said Isabel. + </p> + <p> + Lucio then told her Claudio was imprisoned for seducing a young maiden. + “Ah,” said she, “I fear it is my cousin Juliet.” + </p> + <p> + Juliet and Isabel were not related, but they called each other cousin in + remembrance of their school-days’ friendship; and as Isabel knew + that Juliet loved Claudio, she feared she had been led by her affection + for him into this transgression. + </p> + <p> + “She it is,” replied Lucio. + </p> + <p> + “Why, then, let my brother marry Juliet,” said Isabel. + </p> + <p> + Lucio replied that Claudio would gladly marry Juliet, but that the lord + deputy had sentenced him to die for his offense. “Unless,” + said he, “you have the grace by your fair prayer to soften Angelo, + and that is my business between you and your poor brother.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” said Isabel, “what poor ability is there in me + to do him good? I doubt I have no power to move Angelo.” + </p> + <p> + “Our doubts are traitors,” said Lucio, “and make us lose + the good we might often win, by fearing to attempt it. Go to Lord Angelo! + When maidens sue and kneel and weep men give like gods.” + </p> + <p> + “I will see what I can do said Isabel. “I will but stay to + give the prioress notice of the affair, and then I will go to Angelo. + Commend me to my brother. Soon at night I will send him word of my + success.” + </p> + <p> + Isabel hastened to the palace and threw herself on her knees before + Angelo, saying, “I am a woeful suitor to your Honor, if it will + please your Honor to hear me.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what is your suit?” said Angelo. + </p> + <p> + She then made her petition in the most moving terms for her brother’s + life. + </p> + <p> + But Angelo said, “Maiden, there is no remedy; your brother is + sentenced, and he must die.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, just but severe law!” said Isabel. “I had a brother + then. Heaven keep your Honor!” and she was about to depart. + </p> + <p> + But Lucio, who had accompanied her, said: “Give it not over so; + return to him again, entreat him, kneel down before him, hang upon his + gown. You are too cold; if you should need a pin, you could not with a + more tame tongue desire it.” + </p> + <p> + Then again Isabel on her knees implored for mercy. + </p> + <p> + “He is sentenced,” said Angelo. “It is too late.” + </p> + <p> + “Too late!” said Isabel. “Why, no! I that do speak a + word may call it back again. Believe this, my lord, no ceremony that to + great ones belongs, not the king’s crown, nor the deputed sword, the + marshal’s truncheon, nor the judge’s robe, becomes them with + one half so good a grace as mercy does.” + </p> + <p> + “Pray you begone,” said Angelo. + </p> + <p> + But still Isabel entreated; and she said: “If my brother had been as + you, and you as he, you might have slipped like him, but he, like you, + would not have been so stern. I would to Heaven I had your power and you + were Isabel. Should it then be thus? No, I would tell you what it were to + be a judge, and what a prisoner.” + </p> + <p> + “Be content, fair maid!” said Angelo: “it is the law, + not I, condemns your brother. Were he my kinsman, my brother, or my son, + it should be thus with him. He must die to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow?” said Isabel. “Oh, that is sudden! Spare + him, spare him. He is not prepared for death. Even for our kitchens we + kill the fowl in season; shall we serve Heaven with less respect than we + minister to our gross selves? Good, good, my lord, bethink you, none have + died for my brother’s offense, though many have committed it. So you + would be the first that gives this sentence and he the first that suffers + it. Go to your own bosom, my lord; knock there, and ask your heart what it + does know that is like my brother’s fault; if it confess a natural + guiltiness such as his is, let it not sound a thought against my brother’s + life!” + </p> + <p> + Her last words more moved Angelo than all she had before said, for the + beauty of Isabel had raised a guilty passion in his heart and he began to + form thoughts of dishonorable love, such as Claudio’s crime had + been, and the conflict in his mind made him to turn away from Isabel; but + she called him back, saying: “Gentle my lord, turn back. Hark, how I + will bribe you. Good my lord, turn back!” + </p> + <p> + “How! bribe me?” said Angelo, astonished that she should think + of offering him a bribe. + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said Isabel, “with such gifts that Heaven itself + shall share with you; not with golden treasures, or those glittering + stones whose price is either rich or poor as fancy values them, but with + true prayers that shall be up to Heaven before sunrise—prayers from + preserved souls, from fasting maids whose minds are dedicated to nothing + temporal.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, come to me to-morrow,” said Angelo. + </p> + <p> + And for this short respite of her brother’s life, and for this + permission that she might be heard again, she left him with the joyful + hope that she should at last prevail over his stern nature. And as she + went away she said: “Heaven keep your Honor safe! Heaven save your + Honor!” Which, when Angelo heard, he said within his heart, “Amen, + I would be saved from thee and from thy virtues.” And then, + affrighted at his own evil thoughts, he said: “What is this? What is + this? Do I love her, that I desire to hear her speak again and feast upon + her eyes? What is it I dream on? The cunning enemy of mankind, to catch a + saint, with saints does bait the hook. Never could an immodest woman once + stir my temper, but this virtuous woman subdues me quite. Even till now, + when men were fond, I smiled and wondered at them.” + </p> + <p> + In the guilty conflict in his mind Angelo suffered more that night than + the prisoner he had so severely sentenced; for in the prison Claudio was + visited by the good duke, who, in his friar’s habit, taught the + young man the way to heaven, preaching to him the words of penitence and + peace. But Angelo felt all the pangs of irresolute guilt, now wishing to + seduce Isabel from the paths of innocence and honor, and now suffering + remorse and horror for a crime as yet but intentional. But in the end his + evil thoughts prevailed; and he who had so lately started at the offer of + a bribe resolved to tempt this maiden with so high a bribe as she might + not be able to resist, even with the precious gift of her dear brother’s + life. + </p> + <p> + When Isabel came in the morning Angelo desired she might be admitted alone + to his presence; and being there, he said to her, if she would yield to + him her virgin honor and transgress even as Juliet had done with Claudio, + he would give her her brother’s life. + </p> + <p> + “For,” said he, “I love you, Isabel.” + </p> + <p> + “My brother,” said Isabel, “did so love Juliet, and yet + you tell me he shall die for it.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” said Angelo, “Claudio shall not die if you will + consent to visit me by stealth at night, even as Juliet left her father’s + house at night to come to Claudio.” + </p> + <p> + Isabel, in amazement at his words, that he should tempt her to the same + fault for which he passed sentence upon her brother, said, “I would + do as much for my poor brother as for myself; that is, were I under + sentence of death, the impression of keen whips I would wear as rubies, + and go to my death as to a bed that longing I had been sick for, ere I + would yield myself up to this shame.” And then she told him she + hoped he only spoke these words to try her virtue. + </p> + <p> + But he said, “Believe me, on my honor, my words express my purpose.” + </p> + <p> + Isabel, angered to the heart to hear him use the word honor to express + such dishonorable purposes, said: “Ha! little honor to be much + believed; and most pernicious purpose. I will proclaim thee, Angelo, look + for it! Sign me a present pardon for my brother, or I will tell the world + aloud what man thou art!” + </p> + <p> + “Who will believe you, Isabel?” said Angelo; “my + unsoiled name, the austereness of my life, my word vouched against yours, + will outweigh your accusation. Redeem your brother by yielding to my will, + or he shall die to-morrow. As for you, say what you can, my false will + overweigh your true story. Answer me to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “To whom should I complain? Did I tell this, who would believe me?” + said Isabel, as she went toward the dreary prison where her brother was + confined. When she arrived there her brother was in pious conversation + with the duke, who in his friar’s habit had also visited Juliet and + brought both these guilty lovers to a proper sense of their fault; and + unhappy Juliet with tears and a true remorse confessed that she was more + to blame than Claudio, in that she willingly consented to his dishonorable + solicitations. + </p> + <p> + As Isabel entered the room where Claudio was confined, she said, “Peace + be here, grace, and good company!” + </p> + <p> + “Who is there?” said the disguised duke. “Come in; the + wish deserves a welcome.” + </p> + <p> + “My business is a word or two with Claudio,” said Isabel. + </p> + <p> + Then the duke left them together, and desired the provost who had the + charge of the prisoners to place him where he might overhear their + conversation. + </p> + <p> + “Now, sister, what is the comfort?” said Claudio. + </p> + <p> + Isabel told him he must prepare for death on the morrow. + </p> + <p> + “Is there no remedy?” said Claudio. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, brother,” replied Isabel, “there is; but such a + one as if you consented to it would strip your honor from you and leave + you naked.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me know the point,” said Claudio. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I do fear you, Claudio!” replied his sister; “and I + quake, lest you should wish to live, and more respect the trifling term of + six or seven winters added to your life than your perpetual honor! Do you + dare to die? The sense of death is most in apprehension, and the poor + beetle that we tread upon feels a pang as great as when a giant dies.” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you give me this shame?” said Claudio. “Think + you I can fetch a resolution from flowery tenderness? If I must die, I + will encounter darkness as a bride and hug it in my arms.” + </p> + <p> + “There spoke my brother,” said Isabel; “there my father’s + grave did utter forth a voice! Yes, you must die; yet would you think it, + Claudio, this outward sainted deputy, if I would yield to him my virgin + honor, would grant your life? Oh, were it but my life, I would lay it down + for your deliverance as frankly as a pin!” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks, dear Isabel,” said Claudio. + </p> + <p> + “Be ready to die to-morrow,” said Isabel. + </p> + <p> + “Death is a fearful thing,” said Claudio. + </p> + <p> + “And shamed life a hateful,” replied his sister. + </p> + <p> + But the thoughts of death now overcame the constancy of Claudio’s + temper, and terrors, such as the guilty only at their deaths do know, + assailing him, he cried out: “Sweet sister, let me live! The sin you + do to save a brother’s life, nature dispenses with the deed so far + that it becomes a virtue.” + </p> + <p> + “O faithless coward! O dishonest wretch!” said Isabel. “Would + you preserve your life by your sister’s shame? Oh, fie, fie, fie! I + thought, my brother, you had in you such a mind of honor that, had you + twenty heads to render up on twenty blocks, you would have yielded them up + all before your sister should stoop to such dishonor.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, hear me, Isabel!” said Claudio. + </p> + <p> + But what he would have said in defense of his weakness in desiring to live + by the dishonor of his virtuous sister was interrupted by the entrance of + the duke; who said: + </p> + <p> + “Claudio, I have overheard what has passed between you and your + sister. Angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her; what he said, has + only been to make trial of her virtue. She, having the truth of honor in + her, has given him that gracious denial which he is most ill glad to + receive. There is no hope that he will pardon you; therefore pass your + hours in prayer, and make ready for death.” + </p> + <p> + Then Claudio repented of his weakness, and said: “Let me ask my + sister’s pardon! I am so out of love with life that I will sue to be + rid of it.” And Claudio retired, overwhelmed with shame and sorrow + for his fault. + </p> + <p> + The duke, being now alone with Isabel, commended her virtuous resolution, + saying, “The hand that made you fair has made you good.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” said Isabel, “how much is the good duke deceived + in Angelo! If ever he return, and I can speak to him, I will discover his + government.” Isabel knew not that she was even now making the + discovery she threatened. + </p> + <p> + The duke replied: “That shall not be much amiss; yet as the matter + now stands, Angelo will repel your accusation; therefore lend an attentive + ear to my advisings. I believe that you may most righteously do a poor + wronged lady a merited benefit, redeem your brother from the angry law, do + no stain to your own most gracious person, and much please the absent + duke, if peradventure he shall ever return to have notice of this + business.” + </p> + <p> + Isabel said she had a spirit to do anything he desired, provided it was + nothing wrong. + </p> + <p> + “Virtue is bold and never fearful,” said the duke: and then he + asked her, if she had ever heard of Mariana, the sister of Frederick, the + great soldier who was drowned at sea. + </p> + <p> + “I have heard of the lady,” said Isabel, “and good words + went with her name.” + </p> + <p> + “This lady,” said the duke, “is the wife of Angelo; but + her marriage dowry was on board the vessel in which her brother perished, + and mark how heavily this befell to the poor gentlewoman! for, besides the + loss of a most noble and renowned brother, who in his love toward her was + ever most kind and natural, in the wreck of her fortune she lost the + affections of her husband, the well-seeming Angelo, who, pretending to + discover some dishonor in this honorable lady (though the true cause was + the loss of her dowry), left her in her tears and dried not one of them + with his comfort. His unjust unkindness, that in all reason should have + quenched her love, has, like an impediment in the current, made it more + unruly, and Mariana loves her cruel husband with the full continuance of + her first affection.” + </p> + <p> + The duke then more plainly unfolded his plan. It was that Isabel should go + to Lord Angelo and seemingly consent to come to him as he desired at + midnight; that by this means she would obtain the promised pardon; and + that Mariana should go in her stead to the appointment, and pass herself + upon Angelo in the dark for Isabel. + </p> + <p> + “Nor, gentle daughter,” said the feigned friar, “fear + you to this thing. Angelo is her husband, and to bring them thus together + is no sin. + </p> + <p> + Isabel, being pleased with this project, departed to do as he directed + her; and he went to apprise Mariana of their intention. He had before this + time visited this unhappy lady in his assumed character, giving her + religious instruction and friendly consolation, at which times he had + learned her sad story from her own lips; and now she, looking upon him as + a holy man, readily consented to be directed by him in this undertaking. + </p> + <p> + When Isabel returned from her interview with Angelo, to the house of + Mariana, where the duke had appointed her to meet him, he said: “Well + met, and in good time. What is the news from this good deputy?” + </p> + <p> + Isabel related the manner in which she had settled the affair. “Angelo,” + said she, “has a garden surrounded with a brick wall, on the western + side of which is a vineyard, and to that vineyard is a gate.” And + then she showed to the duke and Mariana two keys that Angelo had given + her; and she said: “This bigger key opens the vineyard gate; this + other a little door which leads from the vineyard to the garden. There I + have made my promise at the dead of the night to call upon him, and have + got from him his word of assurance for my brother’s life. I have + taken a due and wary note of the place; and with whispering and most + guilty diligence he showed me the way twice over.” + </p> + <p> + “Are there no other tokens agreed upon between you, that Mariana + must observe?” said the duke. + </p> + <p> + “No, none,” said Isabel, “only to go when it is dark. I + have told him my time can be but short; for I have made him think a + servant comes along with me, and that this servant is persuaded I come + about my brother.” + </p> + <p> + The duke commended her discreet management, and she, turning to Mariana, + said, “Little have you to say to Angelo, when you depart from him, + but soft and low, REMEMBER NOW MY BROTHER!” + </p> + <p> + Mariana was that night conducted to the appointed place by Isabel, who + rejoiced that she had, as she supposed, by this device preserved both her + brother’s life and her own honor. But that her brother’s life + was safe the duke was not well satisfied, and therefore at midnight he + again repaired to the prison, and it was well for Claudio that he did so, + else would Claudio have that night been beheaded; for soon after the duke + entered the prison an order came from the cruel deputy commanding that + Claudio should be beheaded and his head sent to him by five o’clock + in the morning. But the duke persuaded the provost to put off the + execution of Claudio, and to deceive Angelo by sending him the head of a + man who died that morning in the prison. And to prevail upon the provost + to agree to this, the duke, whom still the provost suspected not to be + anything more or greater than he seemed, showed the provost a letter + written with the duke’s hand, and sealed with his seal, which when + the provost saw, he concluded this friar must have some secret order from + the absent duke, and therefore he consented to spare Claudio; and he cut + off the dead man’s head and carried it to Angelo. + </p> + <p> + Then the duke in his own name wrote to Angelo a letter saying that certain + accidents had put a stop to his journey and that he should be in Vienna by + the following morning, requiring Angelo to meet him at the entrance of the + city, there to deliver up his authority; and the duke also commanded it to + be proclaimed that if any of his subjects craved redress for injustice + they should exhibit their petitions in the street on his first entrance + into the city. + </p> + <p> + Early in the morning Isabel came to the prison, and the duke, who there + awaited her coming, for secret reasons thought it good to tell her that + Claudio was beheaded; therefore when Isabel inquired if Angelo had sent + the pardon for her brother, he said: + </p> + <p> + “Angelo has released Claudio from this world. His head is off and + sent to the deputy.” + </p> + <p> + The much-grieved sister cried out, “O unhappy Claudio, wretched + Isabel, injurious world, most wicked Angelo!” + </p> + <p> + The seeming friar bid her take comfort, and when she was become a little + calm he acquainted her with the near prospect of the duke’s return + and told her in what manner she should proceed in preferring her complaint + against Angelo; and he bade her not fear if the cause should seem to go + against her for a while. Leaving Isabel sufficiently instructed, he next + went to Mariana and gave her counsel in what manner she also should act. + </p> + <p> + Then the duke laid aside his friar’s habit, and in his own royal + robes, amid a joyful crowd of his faithful subjects assembled to greet his + arrival, entered the city of Vienna, where he was met by Angelo, who + delivered up his authority in the proper form. And there came Isabel, in + the manner of a petitioner for redress, and said: + </p> + <p> + “Justice, most royal duke! I am the sister of one Claudio, who, for + the seducing a young maid, was condemned to lose his head. I made my suit + to lord Angelo for my brother’s pardon. It were needless to tell + your Grace how I prayed and kneeled, how he repelled me, and how I + replied; for this was of much length. The vile conclusion I now begin with + grief and pain to utter. Angelo would not, but by my yielding to his + dishonorable love, release my brother; and after much debate within myself + my sisterly remorse overcame my virtue, and I did yield to him. But the + next morning betimes, Angelo, forfeiting his promise, sent a warrant for + my poor brother’s head!” + </p> + <p> + The duke affected to disbelieve her story; and Angelo said that grief for + her brother’s death, who had suffered by the due course of the law, + had disordered her senses. + </p> + <p> + And now another suitor approached, which was Mariana; and Mariana said: + “Noble prince, as there comes light from heaven and truth from + breath, as there is sense in truth and truth in virtue, I am this man’s + wife, and, my good lord, the words of Isabel are false, for the night she + says she was with Angelo I passed that night with him in the garden-house. + As this is true let me in safety rise, or else forever be fixed here a + marble monument.” + </p> + <p> + Then did Isabel appeal for the truth of what she had said to Friar + Lodowick, that being the name the duke had assumed in his disguise. Isabel + and Mariana had both obeyed his instructions in what they said, the duke + intending that the innocence of Isabel should be plainly proved in that + public manner before the whole city of Vienna; but Angelo little thought + that it was from such a cause that they thus differed in their story, and + he hoped from their contradictory evidence to be able to clear himself + from the accusation of Isabel; and he said, assuming the look of offended + innocence: + </p> + <p> + “I did but smile till now; but, good my lord, my patience here is + touched, and I perceive these poor, distracted women are but the + instruments of some greater one who sets them on. Let me have way, my + lord, to find this practice out.” + </p> + <p> + “Aye, with all my heart,” said the duke, “and punish + them to the height of your pleasure. You, Lord Escalus, sit with Lord + Angelo, lend him your pains to discover this abuse; the friar is sent for + that set them on, and when he comes do with your injuries as may seem best + in any chastisement. I for a while will leave you, but stir not you, Lord + Angelo, till you have well determined upon this slander.” The duke + then went away, leaving Angelo well pleased to be deputed judge and umpire + in his own cause. But the duke was absent only while he threw off his + royal robes and put on his friar’s habit; and in that disguise again + he presented himself before Angelo and Escalus. And the good old Escalus, + who thought Angelo had been falsely accused, said to the supposed friar, + “Come, sir, did you set these women on to slander Lord Angelo?” + </p> + <p> + He replied: “Where is the duke? It is he who should hear me speak.” + </p> + <p> + Escalus said: “The duke is in us, and we will hear you. Speak + justly.” + </p> + <p> + “Boldly, at least,” retorted the friar; and then he blamed the + duke for leaving the cause of Isabel in the hands of him she had accused, + and spoke so freely of many corrupt practices he had observed while, as he + said, he had been a looker-on in Vienna, that, Escalus threatened, him + with the torture for speaking words against the state and for censuring + the conduct of the duke, and ordered him to be taken away to prison. Then, + to the amazement of all present, and to the utter confusion of Angelo, the + supposed friar threw off his disguise, and they saw it was the duke + himself. + </p> + <p> + The duke first addressed Isabel. He said to her: “Come hither, + Isabel. Your friar is now your prince, but with my habit I have not + changed my heart. I am still devoted to your service.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, give me pardon,” said Isabel, “that I, your vassal, + have employed and troubled your unknown sovereignty.” + </p> + <p> + He answered that he had most need of forgiveness from her for not having + prevented the death of her brother for not yet would he tell her that + Claudio was living; meaning first to make a further trial of her goodness. + </p> + <p> + Angelo now knew the duke had been a secret witness of his bad deeds, and + be said: “O my dread lord, I should be guiltier than my guiltiness, + to think I can be undiscernible, when I perceive your Grace, like power + divine, has looked upon my actions. Then, good prince, no longer prolong + my shame, but let my trial be my own confession. Immediate sentence and + death is all the grace I beg.” + </p> + <p> + The duke replied: “Angelo, thy faults are manifest. We do condemn + thee to the very block where Claudio stooped to death, and with like haste + away with him; and for his possessions, Mariana, we do instate and widow + you withal, to buy you a better husband.” + </p> + <p> + “O my dear lord,” said Mariana, “I crave no other, nor + no better man!” And then on her knees, even as Isabel had begged the + life of Claudio, did this kind wife of an ungrateful husband beg the life + of Angelo; and she said: “Gentle my liege, O good my lord! Sweet + Isabel, take my part! Lend me your knees and all my life to come I will + lend you all my life, to do you service!” + </p> + <p> + The duke said: “Against all sense you importune her. Should Isabel + kneel down to beg for mercy, her brother’s ghost would break his + paved bed and take her hence in horror.” + </p> + <p> + Still Mariana said: “Isabel, sweet Isabel, do but kneel by me, hold + up your hand, say nothing! I will speak all. They say best men are molded + out of faults, and for the most part become much the better for being a + little bad. So may my husband. O Isabel! will you not lend a knee?” + </p> + <p> + The duke then said, “He dies for Claudio.” But much pleased + was the good duke when his own Isabel, from whom he expected all gracious + and honorable acts, kneeled down before him, and said: “Most + bounteous sir, look, if it please you, on this man condemned, as if my + brother lived. I partly think a due sincerity governed his deeds till he + did look on me. Since it is so, let him not die! My brother had but + justice in that he did the thing for which he died.” + </p> + <p> + The duke, as the best reply he could make to this noble petitioner for her + enemy’s life, sending for Claudio from his prisonhouse, where he lay + doubtful of his destiny, presented to her this lamented brother living; + and he said to Isabel: “Give me your hand, Isabel. For your lovely + sake I pardon Claudio. Say you will be mine, and he shall be my brother, + too.” + </p> + <p> + By this time Lord Angelo perceived he was safe; and the duke, observing + his eye to brighten up a little, said: + </p> + <p> + “Well, Angelo, look that you love your wife; her worth has obtained + your pardon. Joy to you, Mariana! Love her, Angelo! I have confessed her + and know her virtue.” + </p> + <p> + Angelo remembered, when dressed in a little brief authority, how hard his + heart had been, and felt how sweet is mercy. + </p> + <p> + The duke commanded Claudio to marry Juliet, and offered himself again to + the acceptance of Isabel, whose virtuous and noble conduct had won her + prince’s heart. Isabel, not having taken the veil, was free to + marry; and the friendly offices, while hid under the disguise of a humble + friar, which the noble duke had done for her, made her with grateful joy + accept the honor he offered her; and when she became Duchess of Vienna the + excellent example of the virtuous Isabel worked such a complete + reformation among the young ladies of that city, that from that time none + ever fell into the transgression of Juliet, the repentant wife of the + reformed Claudio. And the mercy-loving duke long reigned with his beloved + Isabel, the happiest of husbands and of princes. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap15"></a>TWELFTH NIGHT; OR, WHAT YOU WILL</h2> + <p> + Sebastian and his sister Viola, a young gentleman and lady of Messaline, + were twins, and (which was accounted a great wonder) from their birth they + so much resembled each other that, but for the difference in their dress, + they could not be known apart. They were both born in one hour, and in one + hour they were both in danger of perishing, for they were shipwrecked on + the coast of Illyria, as they were making a sea-voyage together. The ship + on board of which they were split on a rock in a violent storm, and a very + small number of the ship’s company escaped with their lives. The + captain of the vessel, with a few of the sailors that were saved, got to + land in a small boat, and with them they brought Viola safe on shore, + where she, poor lady, instead of rejoicing at her own deliverance, began + to lament her brother’s loss; but the captain comforted her with the + assurance that he had seen her brother, when the ship split, fasten + himself to a strong mast, on which, as long as he could see anything of + him for the distance, he perceived him borne up above the waves. Viola was + much consoled by the hope this account gave her, and now considered bow + she was to dispose of herself in a strange country, so far from home; and + she asked the captain if he knew anything of Illyria. + </p> + <p> + “Aye, very well, madam,” replied the captain, “for I was + born not three hours’ travel from this place.” + </p> + <p> + “Who governs here?” said Viola. The captain told her Illyria + was governed by Orsino, a duke noble in nature as well as dignity. + </p> + <p> + Viola said, she had heard her father speak of Orsino, and that he was + unmarried then. + </p> + <p> + “And he is so now,” said the captain; “or was so very + late for, but a month ago, I went from here, and then it was the general + talk (as you know what great ones do, the people will prattle of) that + Orsino sought the love of fair Olivia, a virtuous maid, the daughter of a + count who died twelve months ago, leaving Olivia to the protection of her + brother, who shortly after died also; and for the love of this dear + brother, they say, she has abjured the sight and company of men.” + </p> + <p> + Viola, who was herself in such a sad affliction for her brother’s + loss, wished she could live with this lady who so tenderly mourned a + brother’s death. She asked the captain if be could introduce her to + Olivia, saying she would willingly serve this lady. But he replied this + would be a hard thing to accomplish, because the Lady Olivia would admit + no person into her house since her brother’s death, not even the + duke himself. Then Viola formed another project in her mind, which was, in + a man’s habit, to serve the Duke Orsino as a page. It was a strange + fancy in a young lady to put on male attire and pass for a boy; but the + forlorn and unprotected state of Viola, who was young and of uncommon + beauty, alone, and in a foreign land, must plead her excuse. + </p> + <p> + She having observed a fair behavior in the captain, and that he showed a + friendly concern for her welfare, intrusted him with her design, and he + readily engaged to assist her. Viola gave him money and directed him to + furnish her with suitable apparel, ordering her clothes to be made of the + same color and in the same fashion her brother Sebastian used to wear, and + when she was dressed in her manly garb she looked so exactly like her + brother that some strange errors happened by means of their being mistaken + for each other, for, as will afterward appear, Sebastian was also saved. + </p> + <p> + Viola’s good friend, the captain, when he had transformed this + pretty lady into a gentleman, having some interest at court, got her + presented to Orsino under the feigned name of Cesario. The duke was + wonderfully pleased with the address and graceful deportment of this + handsome youth, and made Cesario one of his pages, that being the office + Viola wished to obtain; and she so well fulfilled the duties of her new + station, and showed such a ready observance and faithful attachment to her + lord, that she soon became his most favored attendant. To Cesario Orsino + confided the whole history of his love for the lady Olivia. To Cesario he + told the long and unsuccessful suit he had made to one who, rejecting his + long services and despising his person, refused to admit him to her + presence; and for the love of this lady who had so unkindly treated him + the noble Orsino, forsaking the sports of the field and all manly + exercises in which he used to delight, passed his hours in ignoble sloth, + listening to the effeminate sounds of soft music, gentle airs, and + passionate love-songs; and neglecting the company of the wise and learned + lords with whom he used to associate, he was now all day long conversing + with young Cesario. Unmeet companion no doubt his grave courtiers thought + Cesario was for their once noble master, the great Duke Orsino. + </p> + <p> + It is a dangerous matter for young maidens to be the confidantes of + handsome young dukes; which Viola too soon found, to her sorrow, for all + that Orsino told her he endured for Olivia she presently perceived she + suffered for the love of him, and much it moved her wonder that Olivia + could be so regardless of this her peerless lord and master, whom she + thought no one could behold without the deepest admiration, and she + ventured gently to hint to Orsino, that it was a pity he should affect a + lady who was so blind to his worthy qualities; and she said: + </p> + <p> + “If a lady were to love you, my lord, as you love Olivia (and + perhaps there may be one who does), if you could not love her in return) + would you not tell her that you could not love, and must she not be + content with this answer?” + </p> + <p> + But Orsino would not admit of this reasoning, for he denied that it was + possible for any woman to love as he did. He said no woman’s heart + was big enough to hold so much love, and therefore it was unfair to + compare the love of any lady for him to his love for Olivia. Now, though + Viola had the utmost deference for the duke’s opinions, she could + not help thinking this was not quite true, for she thought her heart had + full as much love in it as Orsino’s had; and she said: + </p> + <p> + “Ah, but I know, my lord.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you know, Cesario?” said Orsino. + </p> + <p> + “Too well I know,” replied Viola, “what love women may + owe to men. They are as true of heart as we are. My father had a daughter + loved a man, as I perhaps, were I a woman, should love your lordship.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is her history?” said Orsino. + </p> + <p> + “A blank, my lord,” replied Viola. “She never told her + love, but let concealment, like a worm in the bud, feed on her damask + cheek. She pined in thought, and with a green and yellow melancholy she + sat like Patience on a monument, smiling at Grief.” + </p> + <p> + The duke inquired if this lady died of her love, but to this question + Viola returned an evasive answer; as probably she had feigned the story, + to speak words expressive of the secret love and silent grief she suffered + for Orsino. + </p> + <p> + While they were talking, a gentleman entered whom the duke had sent to + Olivia, and he said, “So please you, my lord, I might not be + admitted to the lady, but by her handmaid she returned you this answer: + Until seven years hence the element itself shall not behold her face; but + like a cloistress she will walk veiled, watering her chamber with her + tears for the sad remembrance of her dead brother.” + </p> + <p> + On hearing this the duke exclaimed, “Oh, she that has a heart of + this fine frame, to pay this debt of love to a dead brother, how will she + love when the rich golden shaft has touched her heart!” + </p> + <p> + And then he said to Viola: “You know, Cesario, I have told you all + the secrets of my heart; therefore, good youth, go to Olivia’s + house. Be not denied access; stand at her doors and tell her there your + fixed foot shall grow till you have audience.” + </p> + <p> + “And if I do speak to her, my lord, what then?” said Viola. + </p> +<p> +“Oh, then,” replied Orsino, “unfold to her the passion of my +love. Make a long discourse to her of my dear faith. It will well become you to +act my woes, for she will attend more to you than to one of graver +aspect.” +</p> + +<p> +Away then went Viola; but not willingly did she undertake this courtship, for +she was to woo a lady to become a wife to him she wished to marry; but, having +undertaken the affair, she performed it with fidelity, and Olivia soon heard +that a youth was at her door who insisted upon being admitted to her presence. +</p> + <p> + “I told him,” said the servant, “that you were sick. He + said he knew you were, and therefore he came to speak with you. I told him + that you were asleep. He seemed to have a foreknowledge of that, too, and + said that therefore he must speak with you. What is to be said to him, + lady? for he seems fortified against all denial, and will speak with you, + whether you will or no.” + </p> + <p> + Olivia, curious to see who this peremptory messenger might be, desired be + might be admitted, and, throwing her veil over her face, she said she + would once more hear Orsino’s embassy, not doubting but that he came + from the duke, by his importunity. Viola, entering, put on the most manly + air she could assume, and, affecting the fine courtier language of great + men’s pages, she said to the veiled lady: + </p> + <p> + “Most radiant, exquisite, and matchless beauty, I pray you tell me + if you are the lady of the house; for I should be sorry to cast away my + speech upon another; for besides that it is excellently well penned, I + have taken great pains to learn it.” + </p> + <p> + “Whence come you, sir?” said Olivia. + </p> + <p> + “I can say little more than I have studied,” replied Viola, + and that question is out of my part.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you a comedian?” said Olivia. + </p> + <p> + “No,” replied Viola; “and yet I am not that which I + play,” meaning that she, being a woman, feigned herself to be a man. + And again she asked Olivia if she were the lady of the house. + </p> + <p> + Olivia said she was; and then Viola, having more curiosity to see her + rival’s features than haste to deliver her master’s message, + said, “Good madam, let me see your face.” With this bold + request Olivia was not averse to comply, for this haughty beauty, whom the + Duke Orsino had loved so long in vain, at first sight conceived a passion + for the supposed page, the humble Cesario. + </p> + <p> + When Viola asked to see her face, Olivia said, “Have you any + commission from your lord and master to negotiate with my face?” And + then, forgetting her determination to go veiled for seven long years, she + drew aside her veil, saying: “But I will draw the curtain and show + the picture. Is it not well done?” + </p> + <p> + Viola replied: “It is beauty truly mixed; the red and white upon + your cheeks is by Nature’s own cunning hand laid on. You are the + most cruel lady living if you lead these graces to the grave and leave the + world no copy.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, sir,” replied Olivia, “I will not be so cruel. The + world may have an inventory of my beauty. As, item, two lips, indifferent + red; item, two gray eyes with lids to them; one neck; one chin; and so + forth. Were you sent here to praise me?” + </p> + <p> + Viola replied, “I see what you are: you are too proud, but you are + fair. My lord and master loves you. Oh, such a love could but be + recompensed though you were crowned the queen of beauty; for Orsino loves + you with adoration and with tears, with groans that thunder love, and + sighs of fire.” + </p> + <p> + “Your lord,” said Olivia, “knows well my mind. I cannot + love him; yet I doubt not he is virtuous; I know him to be noble and of + high estate, of fresh and spotless youth. All voices proclaim him learned, + courteous, and valiant; yet I cannot love him. He might have taken his + answer long ago.” + </p> + <p> + “If I did love you as my master does,” said Viola, “I + would make me a willow cabin at your gates, and call upon your name. I + would write complaining sonnets on Olivia, and sing them in the dead of + the night. Your name should sound among the hills, and I would make Echo, + the babbling gossip of the air, cry out OLIVIA. Oh, you should not rest + between the elements of earth and air, but you should pity me.” + </p> + <p> + “You might do much,” said Olivia. “What is your + parentage?’” + </p> + <p> + Viola replied: “Above my fortunes, yet my state is well. I am a + gentleman.” + </p> + <p> + Olivia now reluctantly dismissed Viola, saying: “Go to your master + and tell him I cannot love him. Let him send no more, unless perchance you + come again to tell me how he takes it.” + </p> + <p> + And Viola departed, bidding the lady farewell by the name of Fair Cruelty. + When she was gone Olivia repeated the words, ABOVE MY FORTUNES, YET MY + STATE IS WELL. I AM A GENTLEMAN. And she said aloud, “I will be + sworn he is; his tongue, his face, his limbs, action, and spirit plainly + show he is a gentleman.” And then she wished Cesario was the duke; + and, perceiving the fast hold he had taken on her affections, she blamed + herself for her sudden love; but the gentle blame which people lay upon + their own faults has no deep root, and presently the noble lady Olivia so + far forgot the inequality between, her fortunes and those of this seeming + page, as well as the maidenly reserve which is the chief ornament of a + lady’s character, that she resolved to court the love of young + Cesario, and sent a servant after him with a diamond ring, under the + pretense that he had left it with her as a present from Orsino. She hoped + by thus artfully making Cesario a present of the ring she should give him + some intimation of her design; and truly it did make Viola suspect; for, + knowing that Orsino had sent no ring by her, she began to recollect that + Olivia’s looks and manner were expressive of admiration, and she + presently guessed her master’s mistress had fallen in love with her. + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” said she, “the poor lady might as well love a + dream. Disguise I see is wicked, for it has caused Olivia to breathe as + fruitless sighs for me as I do for Orsino.” + </p> + <p> + Viola returned to Orsino’s palace, and related to her lord the ill + success of the negotiation, repeating the command of Olivia that the duke + should trouble her no more. Yet still the duke persisted in hoping that + the gentle Cesario would in time be able to persuade her to show some + pity, and therefore he bade him he should go to her again the next day. In + the mean time, to pass away the tedious interval, he commanded a song + which he loved to be sung; and he said: + </p> + <p> + “My good Cesario, when I heard that song last night, methought it + did relieve my passion much. Mark it, Cesario, it is old and plain. The + spinsters and the knitters when they sit in the sun, and the young maids + that weave their thread with bone, chant this song. It is silly, yet I + love it, for it tells of the innocence of love in the old times.” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + SONG + + Come away, come away, Death, + And in sad cypress let me be laid; + Fly away, fly away, breath, + I am slain by a fair cruel maid. +My shroud of white stuck all with yew, O prepare it! +My part of death no one so true did share it. + Not a flower, not a flower sweet, + On my black coffin let there be strewn: + Not a friend, not a friend greet + My poor corpse, where my bones shall be thrown. +A thousand thousand sighs to save, lay me O where +Sad true lover never find my grave, to weep there! +</pre> + <p> + Viola did not fail to mark the words of the old song, which in such true + simplicity described the pangs of unrequited love, and she bore testimony + in her countenance of feeling what the song expressed. Her sad looks were + observed by Orsino, who said to her: + </p> + <p> + “My life upon it, Cesario, though you are so young, your eye has + looked upon some face that it loves. Has it not, boy?” + </p> + <p> + “A little, with your leave,” replied Viola. + </p> + <p> + “And what kind of woman, and of what age is she?” said Orsino. + </p> + <p> + “Of your age and of your complexion, my lord,” said Viola; + which made the duke smile to hear this fair young boy loved a woman so + much older than himself and of a man’s dark complexion; but Viola + secretly meant Orsino, and not a woman like him. + </p> + <p> + When Viola made her second visit to Olivia she found no difficulty in + gaining access to her. Servants soon discover when their ladies delight to + converse with handsome young messengers; and the instant Viola arrived the + gates were thrown wide open, and the duke’s page was shown into + Olivia’s apartment with great respect. And when Viola told Olivia + that she was come once more to plead in her lord’s behalf, this lady + said: + </p> + <p> + “I desired you never to speak of him again; but if you would + undertake another suit, I had rather hear you solicit, than music from the + spheres.” + </p> + <p> + This was pretty plain speaking, but Olivia soon explained herself still + more plainly, and openly confessed her love; and when she saw displeasure + with perplexity expressed in Viola’s face, she said: “Oh, what + a deal of scorn looks beautiful in the contempt and anger of his lip! + Cesario, by the roses of the spring, by maidhood, honor, and by truth, I + love you so that, in spite of your pride, I have neither wit nor reason to + conceal my passion.” + </p> + <p> + But in vain the lady wooed. Viola hastened from her presence, threatening + never more to come to plead Orsino’s love; and all the reply she + made to Olivia’s fond solicitation was, a declaration of a + resolution NEVER TO LOVE ANY WOMAN. + </p> + <p> + No sooner had Viola left the lady than a claim was made upon her valor. A + gentleman, a rejected suitor of Olivia, who had learned how that lady had + favored the duke’s messenger, challenged him to fight a duel. What + should poor Viola do, who, though she carried a man-like outside, had a + true woman’s heart and feared to look on her own sword? + </p> + <p> + When, she saw her formidable rival advancing toward her with his sword + drawn she began to think of confessing that she was a woman; but she was + relieved at once from her terror, and the shame of such a discovery, by a + stranger that was passing by, who made up to them, and as if he had been + long known to her and were her dearest friend said to her opponent: + </p> + <p> + “If this young gentleman has done offense, I will take the fault on + me; and if you offend him, I will for his sake defy you.” + </p> + <p> + Before Viola had time to thank him for his protection, or to inquire the + reason of his kind interference, her new friend met with an enemy where + his bravery was of no use to him; for the officers of justice coming up in + that instant, apprehended the stranger in the duke’s name, to answer + for an offense he had committed some years before; and he said to Viola: + </p> + <p> + “This comes with seeking you.” And then he asked her for a + purse, saying: “Now my necessity makes me ask for my purse, and it + grieves me much more for what I cannot do for you than for what befalls + myself. You stand amazed, but be of comfort.” + </p> + <p> + His words did indeed amaze Viola, and she protested she knew him not, nor + had ever received a purse from him; but for the kindness he had just shown + her she offered him a small sum of money, being nearly the whole she + possessed. And now the stranger spoke severe things, charging her with + ingratitude and unkindness. He said: + </p> + <p> + “This youth whom you see here I snatched from the jaws of death, and + for his sake alone I came to Illyria and have fallen into this danger.” + </p> + <p> + But the officers cared little for harkening to the complaints of their + prisoner, and they hurried him off, saying, “What is that to us?” + And as he was carried away, he called Viola by the name of Sebastian, + reproaching the supposed Sebastian for disowning his friend, as long as he + was within hearing. When Viola heard herself called Sebastian, though the + stranger was taken away too hastily for her to ask an explanation, she + conjectured that this seeming mystery might arise from her being mistaken + for her brother, and she began to cherish hopes that it was her brother + whose life this man said he had preserved. And so indeed it was. The + stranger, whose name was Antonio, was a sea-captain. He had taken + Sebastian up into his ship when, almost exhausted with fatigue, he was + floating on the mast to which he had fastened himself in the storm. + Antonio conceived such a friendship for Sebastian that he resolved to + accompany him whithersoever he went; and when the youth expressed a + curiosity to visit Orsino’s court, Antonio, rather than part from + him, came to Illyria, though he knew, if his person should be known there, + his life would be in danger, because in a sea-fight he had once + dangerously wounded the Duke Orsino’s nephew. This was the offense + for which he was now made a prisoner. + </p> + <p> + Antonio and Sebastian had landed together but a few hours before Antonio + met Viola. He had given his purse to Sebastian, desiring him to use it + freely if he saw anything he wished to purchase, telling him he would wait + at the inn while Sebastian went to view the town; but, Sebastian not + returning at the time appointed, Antonio had ventured out to look for him, + and, priest made Orsino believe that his page had robbed him of the + treasure he prized above his life. But thinking that it was past recall, + he was bidding farewell to his faithless mistress, and the YOUNG + DISSEMBLER, her husband, as he called Viola, warning her never to come in + his sight again, when (as it seemed to them) a miracle appeared! for + another Cesario entered, and addressed Olivia as his wife. This new + Cesario was Sebastian, the real husband of Olivia; and when their wonder + had a little ceased at seeing two persons with the same face, the same + voice, and the same habit, the brother and sister began to question each + other; for Viola could scarce be persuaded that her brother was living, + and Sebastian knew not how to account for the sister he supposed drowned + being found in the habit of a young man. But Viola presently acknowledged + that she was indeed Viola, and his sister, under that disguise. + </p> + <p> + When all the errors were cleared up which the extreme likeness between + this brother and sister had occasioned, they laughed at the Lady Olivia + for the pleasant mistake she had made in falling in love with a woman; and + Olivia showed no dislike to her exchange, when she found she had wedded + the brother instead of the sister. + </p> + <p> + The hopes of Orsino were forever at an end by this marriage of Olivia, and + with his hopes, all his fruitless love seemed to vanish away, and all his + thoughts were fixed on the event of his favorite, young Cesario, being + changed into a fair lady. He viewed Viola with great attention, and he + remembered how very handsome he had always thought Cesario was, and he + concluded she would look very beautiful in a woman’s attire; and + then he remembered how often she had said SHE LOVED HIM, which at the time + seemed only the dutiful expressions of a faithful page; but now he guessed + that something more was meant, for many of her pretty sayings, which were + like riddles to him, came now into his mind, and he no sooner remembered + all these things than he resolved to make Viola his wife; and he said to + her (he still could not help calling her CESARIO and BOY): + </p> + <p> + “Boy, you have said to me a thousand times that you should never + love a woman like to me, and for the faithful service you have done for me + so much beneath your soft and tender breeding, and since you have called + me master so long, you shall now be your master’s mistress, and + Orsino’s true duchess.” + </p> + <p> + Olivia, perceiving Orsino was making over that heart, which she had so + ungraciously rejected, to Viola, invited them to enter her house and + offered the assistance of the good priest who had married her to Sebastian + in the morning to perform the same ceremony in the remaining part of the + day for Orsino and Viola. Thus the twin brother and sister were both + wedded on the same day, the storm and shipwreck which had separated them + being the means of bringing to pass their high and mighty fortunes., Viola + was the wife of Orsino, the Duke of Illyria, and Sebastian the husband of + the rich and noble countess, the Lady Olivia. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap16"></a>TIMON OF ATHENS</h2> + <p> + Timon, a lord of Athens, in the enjoyment of a princely fortune, affected + a humor of liberality which knew no limits. His almost infinite wealth + could not flow in so fast but he poured it out faster upon all sorts and + degrees of people. Not the poor only tasted of his bounty, but great lords + did not disdain to rank themselves among his dependents and followers. His + table was resorted to by all the luxurious feasters, and his house was + open to all comers and goers at Athens. His large wealth combined with his + free and prodigal nature to subdue all hearts to his love; men of all + minds and dispositions tendered their services to Lord Timon, from the + glass-faced flatterer whose face reflects as in a mirror the present humor + of his patron, to the rough and unbending cynic who, affecting a contempt + of men’s persons and an indifference to worldly things, yet could + not stand out against the gracious manners and munificent soul of Lord + Timon, but would come (against his nature) to partake of his royal + entertainments and return most rich in his own estimation if he had + received a nod or a salutation from Timon. + </p> + <p> + If a poet had composed a work which wanted a recommendatory introduction + to the world, he had no more to do but to dedicate it to Lord Timon, and + the poem was sure of sale, besides a present purse from the patron, and + daily access to his house and table. If a painter had a picture to dispose + of he had only to take it to Lord Timon and pretend to consult his taste + as to the merits of it; nothing more was wanting to persuade the liberal- + hearted lord to buy it. If a jeweler had a stone of price, or a mercer + rich, costly stuffs, which for their costliness lay upon his hands, Lord + Timon’s house was a ready mart always open, where they might get off + their wares or their jewelry at any price, and the good-natured lord would + thank them into the bargain, as if they had done him a piece of courtesy + in letting him have the refusal of such precious commodities. So that by + this means his house was thronged with superfluous purchases, of no use + but to swell uneasy and ostentatious pomp; and his person was still more + inconveniently beset with a crowd of these idle visitors, lying poets, + painters, sharking tradesmen, lords, ladies, needy courtiers, and + expectants, who continually filled his lobbies, raining their fulsome + flatteries in whispers in his ears, sacrificing to him with adulation as + to a God, making sacred the very stirrup by which he mounted his horse, + and seeming as though they drank the free air but through his permission + and bounty. + </p> + <p> + Some of these daily dependents were young men of birth who (their means + not answering to their extravagance) had been put in prison by creditors + and redeemed thence by Lord Timon; these young prodigals thenceforward + fastened upon his lordship, as if by common sympathy he were necessarily + endeared to all such spendthrifts and loose livers, who, not being able to + follow him in his wealth, found it easier to copy him in prodigality and + copious spending of what was their own. One of these flesh-flies was + Ventidius, for whose debts, unjustly contracted, Timon but lately had paid + down the sum of five talents. + </p> + <p> + But among this confluence, this great flood of visitors, none were more + conspicuous than the makers of presents and givers of gifts. It was + fortunate for these men if Timon took a fancy to a dog or a horse, or any + piece of cheap furniture which was theirs. The thing so praised, whatever + it was, was sure to be sent the next morning with the compliments of the + giver for Lord Timon’s acceptance, and apologies for the + unworthiness of the gift; and this dog or horse, or whatever it might be, + did not fail to produce from Timon’s bounty, who would not be + outdone in gifts, perhaps twenty dogs or horses, certainly presents of far + richer worth, as these pretended donors knew well enough, and that their + false presents were but the putting out of so much money at large and + speedy interest. In this way Lord Lucius had lately sent to Timon a + present of four milk-white horses, trapped in silver, which this cunning + lord had observed Timon upon some occasion to commend; and another lord, + Lucullus, had bestowed upon him in the same pretended way of free gift a + brace of greyhounds whose make and fleetness Timon had been heard to + admire; these presents the easy-hearted lord accepted without suspicion of + the dishonest views of the presenters; and the givers of course were + rewarded with some rich return, a diamond or some jewel of twenty times + the value of their false and mercenary donation. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes these creatures would go to work in a more direct way, and with + gross and palpable artifice, which yet the credulous Timon was too blind + to see, would affect to admire and praise something that Timon possessed, + a bargain that he had bought, or some late purchase, which was sure to + draw from this yielding and soft-hearted lord a gift of the thing + commended, for no service in the world done for it but the easy expense of + a little cheap and obvious flattery. In this way Timon but the other day + had given to one of these mean lords the bay courser which he himself rode + upon, because his lordship had been pleased to say that it was a handsome + beast and went well; and Timon knew that no man ever justly praised what + he did not wish to possess. For Lord Timon weighed his friends’ + affection with his own, and so fond was he of bestowing, that be could + have dealt kingdoms to these supposed friends and never have been weary. + </p> + <p> + Not that Timon’s wealth all went to enrich these wicked flatterers; + he could do noble and praiseworthy actions; and when a servant of his once + loved the daughter of a rich Athenian, but could not hope to obtain her by + reason that in wealth and rank the maid was so far above him, Lord Timon + freely bestowed upon his servant three Athenian talents, to make his + fortune equal with the dowry which the father of the young maid demanded + of him who should be her husband. But for the most part, knaves and + parasites had the command of his fortune, false friends whom he did not + know to be such, but, because they flocked around his person, he thought + they must needs love him; and because they smiled and flattered him, he + thought surely that his conduct was approved by all the wise and good. And + when be was feasting in the midst of all these flatterers and mock + friends, when they were eating him up and draining his fortunes dry with + large draughts of richest wines drunk to his health and prosperity, be + could not perceive the difference of a friend from a flatterer, but to his + deluded eyes (made proud with the sight) it seemed a precious comfort to + have so many like brothers commanding one another’s fortunes (though + it was his own fortune which paid all the costs), and with joy they would + run over at the spectacle of such, as it appeared to him, truly festive + and fraternal meeting. + </p> + <p> + But while he thus outwent the very heart of kindness, and poured out his + bounty, as if Plutus, the god of gold, had been but his steward; while + thus he proceeded without care or stop, so senseless of expense that he + would neither inquire how he could maintain it nor cease his wild flow of + riot—his riches, which were not infinite, must needs melt away + before a prodigality which knew no limits. But who should tell him so? His + flatterers? They had an interest in shutting his eyes. In vain did his + honest steward Flavius try to represent to him his condition, laying his + accounts before him, begging of him, praying of him, with an importunity + that on any other occasion would have been unmannerly in a servant, + beseeching him with tears to look into the state of his affairs. Timon + would still put him off, and turn the discourse to something else; for + nothing is so deaf to remonstrance as riches turned to poverty, nothing is + so unwilling to believe its situation, nothing so incredulous to its own + true state, and hard to give credit to a reverse. Often had this good + steward, this honest creature, when all the rooms of Timon’s great + house had been choked up with riotous feeders at his master’s cost, + when the floors have wept with drunken spilling of wine, and every + apartment has blazed with lights and resounded with music and feasting, + often had he retired by himself to some solitary spot, and wept faster + than the wine ran from the wasteful casks within, to see the mad bounty of + his lord, and to think, when the means were gone which brought him praises + from all sorts of people, how quickly the breath would be gone of which + the praise was made; praises won in feasting would be lost in fasting, and + at one cloud of winter-showers these flies would disappear. + </p> + <p> + But now the time was come that Timon could shut his ears no longer to the + representations of this faithful steward. Money must be had; and when he + ordered Flavius to sell some of his land for that purpose, Flavius + informed him, what he had in vain endeavored at several times before to + make him listen to, that most of his land was already sold or forfeited, + and that all he possessed at present was not enough to pay the one-half of + what he owed. Struck with wonder at this presentation, Timon hastily + replied: + </p> + <p> + “My lands extend from Athens to Lacedoemon.” + </p> + <p> + “O my good lord,” said Flavius, “the world is but a + world, and has bounds. Were it all yours to give in a breath, how quickly + were it gone!” + </p> + <p> + Timon consoled himself that no villainous bounty had yet come from him, + that if he had given his wealth away unwisely, it had not been bestowed to + feed his vices, but to cherish his friends; and he bade the kind-hearted + steward (who was weeping) to take comfort in the assurance that his master + could never lack means while he had so many noble friends; and this + infatuated lord persuaded himself that he had nothing to do but to send + and borrow, to use every man’s fortune (that had ever tasted his + bounty) in this extremity, as freely as his own. Then with a cheerful + look, as if confident of the trial, he severally despatched messengers to + Lord Lucius, to Lords Lucullus and Sempronius, men upon whom he had + lavished his gifts in past times without measure or moderation; and to + Ventidius, whom he had lately released out of prison by paying his debts, + and who, by the death of his father, was now come into the possession of + an ample fortune and well enabled to requite Timon’s courtesy; to + request of Ventidius the return of those five talents which he had paid + for him, and of each of those noble lords the loan of fifty talents; + nothing doubting that their gratitude would supply his wants (if he needed + it) to the amount of five hundred times fifty talents. + </p> + <p> + Lucullus was the first applied to. This mean lord had been dreaming + overnight of a silver bason and cup, and when Timon’s servant was + announced his sordid mind suggested to him that this was surely a making + out of his dream, and that Timon had sent him such a present. But when he + understood the truth of the matter, and that Timon wanted money, the + quality of his faint and watery friendship showed itself, for with many + protestations he vowed to the servant that he had long foreseen the ruin + of his master’s affairs, and many a time had he come to dinner to + tell him of it, and had come again to supper to try to persuade him to + spend less, but he would take no counsel nor warning by his coming. And + true it was that he had been a constant attender (as he said) at Timon’s + feasts, as he had in greater things tasted his bounty; but that he ever + came with that intent, or gave good counsel or reproof to Timon, was a + base, unworthy lie, which he suitably followed up with meanly offering the + servant a bribe to go home to his master and tell him that be had not + found Lucullus at home. + </p> + <p> + As little success had the messenger who was sent to Lord Lucius. This + lying lord, who was full of Timon’s meat and enriched almost to + bursting with Timon’s costly presents, when he found the wind + changed, and the fountain of so much bounty suddenly stopped, at first + could hardly believe it; but on its being confirmed he affected great + regret that he should not have it in his power to serve Lord Timon, for, + unfortunately (which was a base falsehood), he had made a great purchase + the day before, which had quite disfurnished him of the means at present, + the more beast he, he called himself, to put it out of his power to serve + so good a friend; and he counted it one of his greatest afflictions that + his ability should fail him to pleasure such an honorable gentleman. + </p> + <p> + Who can call any man friend that dips in the same dish with him? Just of + this metal is every flatterer. In the recollection of everybody Timon had + been a father to this Lucius, had kept up his credit with his purse; Timon’s + money had gone to pay the wages of his servants, to pay the hire of the + laborers who had sweat to build the fine houses which Lucius’s pride + had made necessary to him. Yet—-oh, the monster which man makes + himself when he proves ungrateful!—this Lucius now denied to Timon a + sum which, in respect of what Timon had bestowed on him, was less than + charitable men afford to beggars. + </p> + <p> + Sempronius, and every one of these mercenary lords to whom Timon applied + in their turn, returned the same evasive answer or direct denial; even + Ventidius, the redeemed and now rich Ventidius, refused to assist him with + the loan of those five talents which Timon had not lent but generously + given him in his distress. + </p> + <p> + Now was Timon as much avoided in his poverty as he had been courted and + resorted to in his riches. Now the same tongues which had been loudest in + his praises, extolling him as bountiful, liberal, and open-handed, were + not ashamed to censure that very bounty as folly, that liberality as + profuseness, though it had shown itself folly in nothing so truly as in + the selection of such unworthy creatures as themselves for its objects. + Now was Timon’s princely mansion forsaken and become a shunned and + hated place, a place for men to pass by, not a place, as formerly, where + every passenger must stop and taste of his wine and good cheer; now, + instead of being thronged with feasting and tumultuous guests, it was + beset with impatient and clamorous creditors, usurers, extortioners, + fierce and intolerable in their demands, pleading bonds, interest, + mortgages; iron-hearted men that would take no denial nor putting off, + that Timon’s house was now his jail, which he could not pass, nor go + in nor out for them; one demanding his due of fifty talents, another + bringing in a bill of five thousand crowns, which, if he would tell out + his blood by drops and pay them so, he had not enough in his body to + discharge, drop by drop. + </p> + <p> + In this desperate and irremediable state (as it seemed) of his affairs, + the eyes of all men were suddenly surprised at a new and incredible luster + which this setting sun put forth. Once more Lord Timon proclaimed a feast, + to which he invited his accustomed guests—lords, ladies, all that + was great or fashionable in Athens. Lord Lucius and Lucullus came, + Ventidius, Sempronius, and the rest. Who more sorry now than these fawning + wretches, when they found (as they thought) that Lord Timon’s + poverty was all pretense and had been only put on to make trial of their + loves, to think that they should not have seen through the artifice at the + time and have had the cheap credit of obliging his lordship? Yet who more + glad to find the fountain of that noble bounty which they had thought + dried up, still fresh and running? They came dissembling, protesting, + expressing deepest sorrow and shame, that when his lordship sent to them + they should have been so unfortunate as to want the present means to + oblige so honorable a friend. But Timon begged them not to give such + trifles a thought, for he had altogether forgotten it. And these base, + fawning lords, though they had denied him money in his adversity, yet + could not refuse their presence at this new blaze of his returning + prosperity. For the swallow follows not summer more willingly than men of + these dispositions follow the good fortunes of the great, nor more + willingly leaves winter than these shrink from the first appearance of a + reverse. Such summer birds are men. But now with music and state the + banquet of smoking dishes was served up; and when the guests had a little + done admiring whence the bankrupt Timon could find means to furnish so + costly a feast, some doubting whether the scene which they saw was real, + as scarce trusting their own eyes, at a signal given the dishes were + uncovered and Timon’s drift appeared. Instead of those varieties and + far-fetched dainties which they expected, that Timon’s epicurean + table in past times had so liberally presented, now appeared under the + covers of these dishes a preparation more suitable to Timon’s + poverty—nothing but a little smoke and lukewarm water, fit feast for + this knot of mouth-friends, whose professions were indeed smoke, and their + hearts lukewarm and slippery as the water with which Timon welcomed his + astonished guests, bidding them, “Uncover, dogs, and lap;” + and, before they could recover their surprise, sprinkling it in their + faces, that they might have enough, and throwing dishes and all after + them, who now ran huddling out, lords, ladies, with their caps snatched up + in haste, a splendid confusion, Timon pursuing them, still calling them + what they were, “smooth smiling parasites, destroyers under the mask + of courtesy, affable wolves, meek bears, fools of fortune, feast-friends, + time-flies.” They, crowding out to avoid him, left the house more + willingly than they had entered it; some losing their gowns and caps, and + some their jewels in the hurry, all glad to escape out of the presence of + such a mad lord, and from the ridicule of his mock banquet. + </p> + <p> + This was the last feast which ever Timon made, and in it he took farewell + of Athens and the society of men; for, after that, he betook himself to + the woods, turning his back upon the hated city and upon all mankind, + wishing the walls of that detestable city might sink, and the houses fall + upon their owners, wishing all plagues which infest humanity—war, + outrage, poverty, diseases—might fasten upon its inhabitants, + praying the just gods to confound all Athenians, both young and old, high + and low; so wishing, he went to the woods, where he said he should find + the unkindest beast much kinder than mankind. He stripped himself naked, + that he might retain no fashion of a man, and dug a cave to live in, and + lived solitary in the manner of a beast, eating the wild roots and + drinking water, flying from the face of his kind, and choosing rather to + herd with wild beasts, as more harmless and friendly than man. + </p> + <p> + What a change from Lord Timon the rich, Lord Timon the delight of mankind, + to Timon the naked, Timon the man-hater! Where were his flatterers now? + Where were his attendants and retinue? Would the bleak air, that + boisterous servitor, be his chamberlain, to put his shirt on warm? Would + those stiff trees that had outlived the eagle turn young and airy pages to + him, to skip on his errands when he bade them? Would the cool brook, when + it was iced with winter, administer to him his warm broths and caudles + when sick of an overnight’s surfeit? Or would the creatures that + lived in those wild woods come and lick his hand and flatter him? + </p> + <p> + Here on a day, when he was digging for roots, his poor sustenance, his + spade struck against something heavy, which proved to be gold, a great + heap which some miser had probably buried in a time of alarm, thinking to + have come again and taken it from its prison, but died before the + opportunity had arrived, without making any man privy to the concealment; + so it lay, doing neither good nor harm, in the bowels of the earth, its + mother, as if it had never come thence, till the accidental striking of + Timon’s spade against it once more brought it to light. + </p> + <p> + Here was a mass of treasure which, if Timon had retained his old mind, was + enough to have purchased him friends and flatterers again; but Timon was + sick of the false world and the sight of gold was poisonous to his eyes; + and he would have restored it to the earth, but that, thinking of the + infinite calamities which by means of gold happen to mankind, how the + lucre of it causes robberies, oppression, injustice, briberies, violence, + and murder, among men, he had a pleasure in imagining (such a rooted + hatred did he bear to his species) that out of this heap, which in digging + he had discovered, might arise some mischief to plague mankind. And some + soldiers passing through the woods near to his cave at that instant, which + proved to be a part of the troops of the Athenian captain Alcibiades, who, + upon some disgust taken against the senators of Athens (the Athenians were + ever noted to be a thankless and ungrateful people, giving disgust to + their generals and best friends), was marching at the head of the same + triumphant army which he had formerly headed in their defense, to war + against them. Timon, who liked their business well, bestowed upon their + captain the gold to pay his soldiers, requiring no other service from him + than that he should with his conquering army lay Athens level with the + ground, and burn, slay, kill all her inhabitants; not sparing the old men + for their white beards, for (he said) they were usurers, nor the young + children for their seeming innocent smiles, for those (he said) would + live, if they grew up, to be traitors; but to steel his eyes and ears + against any sights or sounds that might awaken compassion; and not to let + the cries of virgins, babes, or mothers hinder him from making one + universal massacre of the city, but to confound them all in his conquest; + and when he had conquered, he prayed that the gods would confound him + also, the conqueror. So thoroughly did Timon hate Athens, Athenians, and + all mankind. + </p> + <p> + While he lived in this forlorn state, leading a life more brutal than + human, he was suddenly surprised one day with the appearance of a man + standing in an admiring posture at the door of his cave. It was Flavius, + the honest steward, whom love and zealous affection to his master had led + to seek him out at his wretched dwelling and to offer his services; and + the first sight of his master, the once noble Timon, in that abject + condition, naked as he was born, living in the manner of a beast among + beasts, looking like his own sad ruins and a monument of decay, so + affected this good servant that he stood speechless, wrapped up in horror + and confounded. And when he found utterance at last to his words, they + were so choked with tears that Timon had much ado to know him again, or to + make out who it was that had come (so contrary to the experience he had + had of mankind) to offer him service in extremity. And being in the form + and shape of a man, he suspected him for a traitor, and his tears for + false; but the good servant by so many tokens confirmed the truth of his + fidelity, and made it clear that nothing but love and zealous duty to his + once dear master had brought him there, that Timon was forced to confess + that the world contained one honest man; yet, being in the shape and form + of a man, be could not look upon his man’s face without abhorrence, + or hear words uttered from his man’s lips without loathing; and this + singly honest man was forced to depart, because he was a man, and because, + with a heart more gentle and compassionate than is usual to man, he bore + man’s detested form and outward feature. + </p> + <p> + But greater visitants than a poor steward were about to interrupt the + savage quiet of Timon’s solitude. For now the day was come when the + ungrateful lords of Athens sorely repented the injustice which they had + done to the noble Timon. For Alcibiades, like an incensed wild boar, was + raging at the walls of their city, and with his hot siege threatened to + lay fair Athens in the dust. And now the memory of Lord Timon’s + former prowess and military conduct came fresh into their forgetful minds, + for Timon had been their general in past times, and a valiant and expert + soldier, who alone of all the Athenians was deemed able to cope with a + besieging army such as then threatened them, or to drive back the furious + approaches of Alcibiades. + </p> + <p> + A deputation of the senators was chosen in this emergency to wait upon + Timon. To him they come in their extremity, to whom, when he was in + extremity, they had shown but small regard; as if they presumed upon his + gratitude whom they had disobliged, and had derived a claim to his + courtesy from their own most discourteous and unpiteous treatment. + </p> + <p> + Now they earnestly beseech him, implore him with tears, to return and save + that city from which their ingratitude had so lately driven him; now they + offer him riches, power, dignities,, satisfaction for past injuries, and + public honors, and the public love; their persons, lives, and fortunes to + be at his disposal, if he will but come back and save them. But Timon the + naked, Timon the man-hater, was no longer Lord Timon, the lord of bounty, + the flower of valor, their defense in war, their ornament in peace. If + Alcibiades killed his countrymen, Timon cared not. If he sacked fair + Athens, and slew her old men and her infants, Timon would rejoice. So he + told them; and that there was not a knife in the unruly camp which he did + not prize above the reverendest throat in Athens. + </p> + <p> + This was all the answer he vouchsafed to the weeping, disappointed + senators; only at parting he bade them commend him to his countrymen, and + tell them that to ease them of their griefs and anxieties, and to prevent + the consequences of fierce Alcibiades’s wrath, there was yet a way + left, which he would teach them, for he had yet so much affection left for + his dear countrymen as to be willing to do them a kindness before his + death. These words a little revived the senators, who hoped that his + kindness for their city was returning. Then Timon told them that he had a + tree, which grew near his cave, which he should shortly have occasion to + cut down, and he invited all his friends in Athens, high or low , of + whatsoever degree, who wished to shun affliction, to come and take a taste + of his tree before he cut it down; meaning that they might come and hang + themselves on it and escape affliction that way. + </p> + <p> + And this was the last courtesy, of all his noble bounties, which Timon + showed to mankind, and this the last sight of him which his countrymen + had, for not many days after, a poor soldier, passing by the sea-beach + which was at a little distance from the woods which Timon frequented, + found a tomb on the verge of the sea, with an inscription upon it + purporting that it was the grave of Timon the man-hater, who “While + he lived, did hate all living men, and, dying, wished a plague might + consume all caitiffs left!” + </p> + <p> + Whether he finished his life by violence, or whether mere distaste of life + and the loathing he had for mankind brought Timon to his conclusion, was + not clear, yet all men admired the fitness of his epitaph and the + consistency of his end, dying, as he had lived, a hater of mankind. And + some there were who fancied a conceit in the very choice which he had made + of the sea-beach for his place of burial, where the vast sea might weep + forever upon his grave, as in contempt of the transient and shallow tears + of hypocritical and deceitful mankind. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap17"></a>ROMEO AND JULIET</h2> + <p> + The two chief families in Verona were the rich Capulets and the Montagues. + There had been an old quarrel between these families, which was grown to + such a height, and so deadly was the enmity between them, that it extended + to the remotest kindred, to the followers and retainers of both sides, in + so much that a servant of the house of Montague could not meet a servant + of the house of Capulet, nor a Capulet encounter with a Montague by + chance, but fierce words and sometimes bloodshed ensued; and frequent were + the brawls from such accidental meetings, which disturbed the happy quiet + of Verona’s streets. + </p> + <p> + Old Lord Capulet made a great supper, to which many fair ladies and many + noble guests were invited. All the admired beauties of Verona were + present, and all comers were made welcome if they were not of the house of + Montague. At this feast of Capulets, Rosaline, beloved of Romeo, son to + the old Lord Montague, was present; and though it was dangerous for a + Montague to be seen in this assembly, yet Benvolio, a friend of Romeo, + persuaded the young lord to go to this assembly in the disguise of a mask, + that he might see his Rosaline, and, seeing her, compare her with some + choice beauties of Verona, who (he said) would make him think his swan a + crow. Romeo had small faith in Benvolio’s words; nevertheless, for + the love of Rosaline, he was persuaded to go. For Romeo was a sincere and + passionate lover, and one that lost his sleep for love and fled society to + be alone, thinking on Rosaline, who disdained him and never requited his + love with the least show of courtesy or affection; and Benvolio wished to + cure his friend of this love by showing him diversity of ladies and + company. To this feast of Capulets, then, young Romeo, with Benvolio and + their friend Mercutio, went masked. Old Capulet bid them welcome and told + them that ladies who had their toes unplagued with corns would dance with + them. And the old man was light-hearted and merry, and said that he had + worn a mask when he was young and could have told a whispering tale in a + fair lady’s ear. And they fell to dancing, and Romeo was suddenly + struck with the exceeding beauty of a lady who danced there, who seemed to + him to teach the torches to burn bright, and her beauty to show by night + like a rich jewel worn by a blackamoor; beauty too rich for use, too dear + for earth! like a snowy dove trooping with crows (he said), so richly did + her beauty and perfections shine above the ladies her companions. While he + uttered these praises he was overheard by Tybalt, a nephew of Lord + Capulet, who knew him by his voice to be Romeo. And this Tybalt, being of + a fiery and passionate temper, could not endure that a Montague should + come under cover of a mask, to fleer and scorn (as he said) at their + solemnities. And he stormed and raged exceedingly, and would have struck + young Romeo dead. But his uncle, the old Lord Capulet, would not suffer + him to do any injury at that time, both out of respect to his guests and + because Romeo had borne himself like a gentleman and all tongues in Verona + bragged of him to be a virtuous and well-governed youth. Tybalt, forced to + be patient against his will, restrained himself, but swore that this vile + Montague should at another time dearly pay for his intrusion. + </p> + <p> + The dancing being done, Romeo watched the place where the lady stood; and + under favor of his masking habit, which might seem to excuse in part the + liberty, he presumed in the gentlest manner to take her by the hand, + calling it a shrine, which if he profaned by touching it, he was a + blushing pilgrim and would kiss it for atonement. + </p> + <p> + “Good pilgrim,” answered the lady, “your devotion shows + by far too mannerly and too courtly. Saints have hands which pilgrims may + touch but kiss not.” + </p> + <p> + “Have not saints lips, and pilgrims, too?” said Romeo. + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said the lady, “lips which they must use in + prayer.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, then, my dear saint,” said Romeo, “hear my prayer, + and grant it, lest I despair.” + </p> + <p> + In such like allusions and loving conceits they were engaged when the lady + was called away to her mother. And Romeo, inquiring who her mother was, + discovered that the lady whose peerless beauty he was so much struck with + was young Juliet, daughter and heir to the Lord Capulet, the great enemy + of the Montagues; and that he had unknowingly engaged his heart to his + foe. This troubled him, but it could not dissuade him from loving. As + little rest had Juliet when she found that the gentle man that she had + been talking with was Romeo and a Montague, for she had been suddenly smit + with the same hasty and inconsiderate passion for Romeo which he had + conceived for her; and a prodigious birth of love it seemed to her, that + she must love her enemy and that her affections should settle there, where + family considerations should induce her chiefly to hate. + </p> + <p> + It being midnight, Romeo with his companions departed; but they soon + missed him, for, unable to stay away from the house where he had left his + heart, he leaped the wall of an orchard which was at the back of Juliet’s + house. Here he had not been long, ruminating on his new love, when Juliet + appeared above at a window, through which her exceeding beauty seemed to + break like the light of the sun in the east; and the moon, which shone in + the orchard with a faint light, appeared to Romeo as if sick and pale with + grief at the superior luster of this new sun. And she leaning her cheek + upon her hand, he passionately wished himself a glove upon that hand, that + he might touch her cheek. She all this while thinking herself alone, + fetched a deep sigh, and exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “Ah me!” + </p> + <p> + Romeo, enraptured to bear her speak, said, softly and unheard by her, + “Oh, speak again, bright angel, for such you appear, being over my + head, like a winged messenger from heaven whom mortals fall back to gaze + upon.” + </p> + <p> + She, unconscious of being overheard, and full of the new passion which + that night’s adventure had given birth to, called upon her lover by + name (whom she supposed absent). “O Romeo, Romeo!” said she, + “wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name, for + my sake; or if thou wilt not, be but my sworn love, and I no longer will + be a Capulet.” + </p> + <p> + Romeo, having this encouragement, would fain have spoken, but he was + desirous of hearing more; and the lady continued her passionate discourse + with herself (as she thought), still chiding Romeo for being Romeo and a + Montague, and wishing him some other name, or that he would put away that + hated name, and for that name which was no part of himself he should take + all herself. At this loving word Romeo could no longer refrain, but, + taking up the dialogue as if her words had been addressed to him + personally, and not merely in fancy, he bade her call him Love, or by + whatever other name she pleased, for he was no longer Romeo, if that name + was displeasing to her. Juliet, alarmed to hear a man’s voice in the + garden, did not at first know who it was that by favor of the night and + darkness had thus stumbled upon the discovery of her secret; but when he + spoke again, though her ears had not yet drunk a hundred words of that + tongue’s uttering, yet so nice is a lover’s hearing that she + immediately knew him to be young Romeo, and she expostulated with him on + the danger to which he had exposed himself by climbing the orchard walls, + for if any of her kinsmen should find him there it would be death to him, + being a Montague. + </p> + <p> + “Alack!” said Romeo, “there is more peril in your eye + than in twenty of their swords. Do you but look kind upon me, lady, and I + am proof against their enmity. Better my life should be ended by their + hate than that hated life should be prolonged to live without your love.” + </p> + <p> + “How came you into this place,” said Juliet, “and by + whose direction?” + </p> + <p> + “Love directed me,” answered Romeo. “I am no pilot, yet + ‘wert thou as far apart from me as that vast shore which is washed + with the farthest sea, I should venture for such merchandise.” + </p> + <p> + A crimson blush came over Juliet’s face, yet unseen by Romeo by + reason of the night, when she reflected upon the discovery which she had + made, yet not meaning to make it, of her love to Romeo. She would fain + have recalled her words, but that was impossible; fain would she have + stood upon form, and have kept her lover at a distance, as the custom of + discreet ladies is, to frown and be perverse and give their suitors harsh + denials at first; to stand off, and affect a coyness or indifference where + they most love, that their lovers may not think them too lightly or too + easily won; for the difficulty of attainment increases the value of the + object. But there was no room in her case for denials, or puttings off, or + any of the customary arts of delay and protracted courtship. Romeo had + heard from her own tongue, when she did not dream that he was near her, a + confession of her love. So with an honest frankness which the novelty of + her situation excused she confirmed the truth of what he had before heard, + and, addressing him by the name of FAIR MONTAGUE (love can sweeten a sour + name), she begged him not to impute her easy yielding to levity or an + unworthy mind, but that he must lay the fault of it (if it were a fault) + upon the accident of the night which had so strangely discovered her + thoughts. And she added, that though her behavior to him might not be + sufficiently prudent, measured by the custom of her sex, yet that she + would prove more true than many whose prudence was dissembling, and their + modesty artificial cunning. + </p> + <p> + Romeo was beginning to call the heavens to witness that nothing was + farther from his thoughts than to impute a shadow of dishonor to such an + honored lady, when she stopped him, begging him not to swear; for although + she joyed in him, yet she had no joy of that night’s contract—it + was too rash, too unadvised, too sudden. But he being urgent with her to + exchange a vow of love with him that night, she said that she already had + given him hers before he requested it, meaning, when he overheard her + confession; but she would retract what she then bestowed, for the pleasure + of giving it again, for her bounty was as infinite as the sea, and her + love as deep. From this loving conference she was called away by her + nurse, who slept with her and thought it time for her to be in bed, for it + was near to daybreak; but, hastily returning, she said three or four words + more to Romeo the purport of which was, that if his love was indeed + honorable, and his purpose marriage, she would send a messenger to him + to-morrow to appoint a time for their marriage, when she would lay all her + fortunes at his feet and follow him as her lord through the world. While + they were settling this point Juliet was repeatedly called for by her + nurse, and went in and returned, and went and returned again, for she + seemed as jealous of Romeo going from her as a young girl of her bird, + which she will let hop a little from her hand and pluck it back with a + silken thread; and Romeo was as loath to part as she, for the sweetest + music to lovers is the sound of each other’s tongues at night. But + at last they parted, wishing mutually sweet sleep and rest for that night. + </p> + <p> + The day was breaking when they parted, and Romeo, who was too full of + thoughts of his mistress and that blessed meeting to allow him to sleep, + instead of going home, bent his course to a monastery hard by, to find + Friar Lawrence. The good friar was already up at his devotions, but, + seeing young Romeo abroad so early, he conjectured rightly that he had not + been abed that night, but that some distemper of youthful affection had + kept him waking. He was right in imputing the cause of Romeo’s + wakefulness to love, but he made a wrong guess at the object, for he + thought that his love for Rosaline had kept him waking. But when Romeo + revealed his new passion for Juliet, and requested the assistance of the + friar to marry them that day, the holy man lifted up his eyes and hands in + a sort of wonder at the sudden change in Romeo’s affections, for he + had been privy to all Romeo’s love for Rosaline and his many + complaints of her disdain; and he said that young men’s love lay not + truly in their hearts, but in their eyes. But Romeo replying that he + himself had often chidden him for doting on Rosaline, who could not love + him again, whereas Juliet both loved and was beloved by him, the friar + assented in some measure to his reasons; and thinking that a matrimonial + alliance between young Juliet and Romeo might happily be the means of + making up the long breach between the Capulets and the Montagues, which no + one more lamented than this good friar who was a friend to both the + families and had often interposed his mediation to make up the quarrel + without effect; partly moved by policy, and partly by his fondness for + young Romeo, to whom he could deny nothing, the old man consented to join + their hands in marriage. + </p> + <p> + Now was Romeo blessed indeed, and Juliet, who knew his intent from a + messenger which she had despatched according to promise, did not fail to + be early at the cell of Friar Lawrence, where their hands were joined in + holy marriage, the good friar praying the heavens to smile upon that act, + and in the union of this young Montague and young Capulet, to bury the old + strife and long dissensions of their families. + </p> + <p> + The ceremony being over, Juliet hastened home, where she stayed, impatient + for the coming of night, at which time Romeo promised to come and meet her + in the orchard, where they had met the night before; and the time between + seemed as tedious to her as the night before some great festival seems to + an impatient child that has got new finery which it may not put on till + the morning. + </p> + <p> + That same day, about noon, Romeo’s friends, Benvolio and Mercutio, + walking through the streets of Verona, were met by a party of the Capulets + with the impetuous Tybalt at their head. This was the same angry Tybalt + who would have fought with Romeo at old Lord Capulet’s feast. He, + seeing Mercutio, accused him bluntly of associating with Romeo, a + Montague. Mercutio, who had as much fire and youthful blood in him as + Tybalt, replied to this accusation with some sharpness; and in spite of + all Benvolio could say to moderate their wrath a quarrel was beginning + when, Romeo himself passing that way, the fierce Tybalt turned from + Mercutio to Romeo, and gave him the disgraceful appellation of villain. + Romeo wished to avoid a quarrel with Tybalt above all men, because he was + the kinsman of Juliet and much beloved by her; besides, this young + Montague had never thoroughly entered into the family quarrel, being by + nature wise and gentle, and the name of a Capulet, which was his dear lady’s + name, was now rather a charm to allay resentment than a watchword to + excite fury. So he tried to reason with Tybalt, whom he saluted mildly by + the name of GOOD CAPULET, as if he, though a Montague, had some secret + pleasure in uttering that name; but Tybalt, who hated all Montagues as he + hated hell, would hear no reason, but drew his weapon; and Mercutio, who + knew not of Romeo’s secret motive for desiring peace with Tybalt, + but looked upon his present forbearance as a sort of calm dishonorable + submission, with many disdainful words provoked Tybalt to the prosecution + of his first quarrel with him; and Tybalt and Mercutio fought, till + Mercutio fell, receiving his death’s wound while Romeo and Benvolio + were vainly endeavoring to part the combatants. Mercutio being dead, Romeo + kept his temper no longer, but returned the scornful appellation of + villain which Tybalt had given him, and they fought till Tybalt was slain + by Romeo. This deadly broil falling out in the midst of Verona at noonday, + the news of it quickly brought a crowd of citizens to the spot and among + them the Lords Capulet and Montague, with their wives; and soon after + arrived the prince himself, who, being related to Mercutio, whom Tybalt + had slain, and having had the peace of his government often disturbed by + these brawls of Montagues and Capulets, came determined to put the law in + strictest force against those who should be found to be offenders. + Benvolio, who had been eye-witness to the fray, was commanded by the + prince to relate the origin of it; which he did, keeping as near the truth + as he could without injury to Romeo, softening and excusing the part which + his friends took in it. Lady Capulet, whose extreme grief for the loss of + her kinsman Tybalt made her keep no bounds in her revenge, exhorted the + prince to do strict justice upon his murderer, and to,pay no attention to + Benvolio’s representation, who, being Romeo’s friend and a + Montague, spoke partially. Thus she pleaded against her new son-in-law, + but she knew not yet that he was her son-in-law and Juliet’s + husband. On the other hand was to be seen Lady Montague pleading for her + child’s life, and arguing with some justice that Romeo had done + nothing worthy of punishment in taking the life of Tybalt, which was + already forfeited to the law by his having slain Mercutio. The prince, + unmoved by the passionate exclamations of these women, on a careful + examination of the facts pronounced his sentence, and by that sentence + Romeo was banished from Verona. + </p> + <p> + Heavy news to young Juliet, who had been but a few hours a bride and now + by this decree seemed everlastingly divorced! When the tidings reached + her, she at first gave way to rage against Romeo, who had slain her dear + cousin. She called him a beautiful tyrant, a fiend angelical, a ravenous + dove, a lamb with a wolf’s nature, a serpent-heart hid with a + flowering face, and other, like contradictory names, which denoted the + struggles in her mind between her love and her resentment. But in the end + love got the mastery, and the tears which she shed for grief that Romeo + had slain her cousin turned to drops of joy that her husband lived whom + Tybalt would have slain. Then came fresh tears, and they were altogether + of grief for Romeo’s banishment. That word was more terrible to her + than the death of many Tybalts. + </p> + <p> + Romeo, after the fray, had taken refuge in Friar Lawrence’s cell, + where he was first made acquainted with the prince’s sentence, which + seemed to him far more terrible than death. To him it appeared there was + no world out of Verona’s walls, no living out of the sight of + Juliet. Heaven was there where Juliet lived, and all beyond was purgatory, + torture, hell. The good friar would have applied the consolation of + philosophy to his griefs; but this frantic young man would hear of none, + but like a madman he tore his hair and threw himself all along upon the + ground, as he said, to take the measure of his grave. From this unseemly + state he was roused by a message from his dear lady which a little revived + him; and then the friar took the advantage to expostulate with him on the + unmanly weakness which he had shown. He had slain Tybalt, but would he + also slay himself, slay his dear lady, who lived but in his life? The + noble form of man, he said, was but a shape of wax when it wanted the + courage which should keep it firm. The law had been lenient to him that + instead of death, which he had incurred, had pronounced by the prince’s + mouth only banishment. He had slain Tybalt, but Tybalt would have slain + him-there was a sort of happiness in that. Juliet was alive and (beyond + all hope) had become his dear wife; therein he was most happy. All these + blessings, as the friar made them out to be, did Romeo put from him like a + sullen misbehaved wench. And the friar bade him beware, for such as + despaired (he said) died miserable. Then when Romeo was a little calmed he + counseled him that he should go that night and secretly take his leave of + Juliet, and thence proceed straightway to Mantua, at which place he should + sojourn till the friar found fit occasion to publish his marriage, which + might be a joyful means of reconciling their families; and then he did not + doubt but the prince would be moved to pardon him, and he would return + with twenty times more joy than he went forth with grief. Romeo was + convinced by these wise counsels of the friar, and took his leave to go + and seek his lady, proposing to stay with her that night, and by daybreak + pursue his journey alone to Mantua; to which place the good friar promised + to send him letters from time to time, acquainting him with the state of + affairs at home. + </p> + <p> + That night Romeo passed with his dear wife, gaining secret admission to + her chamber from the orchard in which he had heard her confession of love + the night before. That had been a night of unmixed joy and rapture; but + the pleasures of this night and the delight which these lovers took in + each other’s society were sadly allayed with the prospect of parting + and the fatal adventures of the past day. The unwelcome daybreak seemed to + come too soon, and when Juliet heard the morning song of the lark she + would have persuaded herself that it was the nightingale, which sings by + night; but it was too truly the lark which sang, and a discordant and + unpleasing note it seemed to her; and the streaks of day in the east too + certainly pointed out that it was time for these lovers to part. Romeo + took his leave of his dear wife with a heavy heart, promising to write to + her from Mantua every hour in the day; and when he had descended from her + chamber window, as he stood below her on the ground, in that sad + foreboding state of mind in which she was, he appeared to her eyes as one + dead in the bottom of a tomb. Romeo’s mind misgave him in like + manner. But now he was forced hastily to depart, for it was death for him + to be found within the walls of Verona after daybreak. + </p> + <p> + This was but the beginning of the tragedy of this pair of star- crossed + lovers. Romeo had not been gone many days before the old Lord Capulet + proposed a match for Juliet. The husband he had chosen for her, not + dreaming that she was married already, was Count Paris, a gallant, young, + and noble gentleman, no unworthy suitor to the young Juliet if she had + never seen Romeo. + </p> + <p> + The terrified Juliet was in a sad perplexity at her father’s offer. + She pleaded her youth unsuitable to marriage, the recent death of Tybalt, + which had left her spirits too weak to meet a husband with any face of + joy, and how indecorous it would show for the family of the Capulets to be + celebrating a nuptial feast when his funeral solemnities were hardly over. + She pleaded every reason against the match but the true one, namely, that + she was married already. But Lord Capulet was deaf to all her excuses, and + in a peremptory manner ordered her to get ready, for by the following + Thursday she should be married to Paris. And having found her a husband, + rich, young, and noble, such as the proudest maid in Verona might joyfully + accept, he could not bear that out of an affected coyness, as he construed + her denial, she should oppose obstacles to her own good fortune. + </p> + <p> + In this extremity Juliet applied to the friendly friar, always a counselor + in distress, and he asking her if she had resolution to undertake a + desperate remedy, and she answering that she would go into the grave alive + rather than marry Paris, her own dear husband living, he directed her to + go home, and appear merry, and give her consent to marry Paris, according + to her father’s desire, and on the next night, which was the night + before the marriage, to drink off the contents of a vial which he then + gave her, the effect of which would be that for two-and-forty hours after + drinking it she should appear cold and lifeless, and when the bridegroom + came to fetch her in the morning he would find her to appearance dead; + that then she would be borne, as the manner in that country was, uncovered + on a bier, to be buried in the family vault; that if she could put off + womanish fear, and consent to this terrible trial, in forty-two hours + after swallowing the liquid (such was its certain operation) she would be + sure to awake, as from a dream; and before she should awake he would let + her husband know their drift, and he should come in the night and bear her + thence to Mantua. Love, and the dread of marrying Paris, gave young Juliet + strength to undertake this horrible adventure; and she took the vial of + the friar, promising to observe his directions. + </p> + <p> + Going from the monastery, she met the young Count Paris, and, modestly + dissembling, promised to become his bride. This was joyful news to the + Lord Capulet and his wife. It seemed to put youth into the old man; and + Juliet, who had displeased him exceedingly by her refusal of the count, + was his darling again, now she promised to be obedient. All things in the + house were in a bustle against the approaching nuptials. No cost was + spared to prepare such festival rejoicings as Verona had never before + witnessed. + </p> + <p> + On the Wednesday night Juliet drank off the potion. She had many + misgivings lest the friar, to avoid the blame which might be imputed to + him for marrying her to Romeo, had given her poison; but then he was + always known for a holy man. Then lest she should awake before the time + that Romeo was to come for her; whether the terror of the place, a vault + full of dead Capulets’ bones, and where Tybalt, all bloody, lay + festering in his shroud, would not be enough to drive her distracted. + Again she thought of all the stories she had heard of spirits haunting the + places where their bodies were bestowed. But then her love for Romeo and + her aversion for Paris returned, and she desperately swallowed the draught + and became insensible. + </p> + <p> + When young Paris came early in the morning with music to awaken his bride, + instead of a living Juliet her chamber presented the dreary spectacle of a + lifeless corse. What death to his hopes! What confusion then reigned + through the whole house! Poor Paris lamenting his bride, whom most + detestable death had beguiled him of, had divorced from him even before + their hands were joined. But still more piteous it was to hear the + mournings of the old Lord and Lady Capulet, who having but this one, one + poor loving child to rejoice and solace in, cruel death had snatched her + from their sight, just as these careful parents were on the point of + seeing her advanced (as they thought) by a promising and advantageous + match. Now all things that were ordained for the festival were turned from + their properties to do the office of a black funeral. The wedding cheer + served for a sad burial feast, the bridal hymns were changed for sullen + dirges, the sprightly instruments to melancholy.bells, and the flowers + that should have been strewed in the bride’s path now served but to + strew her corse. Now, instead of a priest to marry her, a priest was + needed to bury her, and she was borne to church indeed, not to augment the + cheerful hopes of the living, but to swell the dreary numbers of the dead. + </p> + <p> + Bad news, which always travels faster than good, now brought the dismal + story of his Juliet’s death to Romeo, at Mantua, before the + messenger could arrive who was sent from Friar Lawrence to apprise him + that these were mock funerals only, and but the shadow and representation + of death, and that his dear lady lay in the tomb but for a short while, + expecting when Romeo would come to release her from that dreary mansion. + Just before, Romeo had been unusually joyful and light-hearted. He had + dreamed in the night that he was dead (a strange dream, that gave a dead + man leave to think) and that his lady came and found him dead, and + breathed such life with kisses in his lips that he revived and was an + emperor! And now that a messenger came from Verona, he thought surely it + was to confirm some good news which his dreams had presaged. But when the + contrary to this flattering vision appeared, and that it was his lady who + was dead in truth, whom he could not revive by any kisses, he ordered + horses to be got ready, for he determined that night to visit Verona and + to see his lady in her tomb. And as mischief is swift to enter into the + thoughts of desperate men, he called to mind a poor apothecary, whose shop + in Mantua he had lately passed, and from the beggarly appearance of the + man, who seemed famished, and the wretched show in his show of empty boxes + ranged on dirty shelves, and other tokens of extreme wretchedness, he had + said at the time (perhaps having some misgivings that his own disastrous + life might haply meet with a conclusion so desperate): + </p> + <p> + “If a man were to need poison, which by the law of Mantua it is + death to sell, here lives a poor wretch who would sell it him.” + </p> + <p> + These words of his now came into his mind and he sought out the + apothecary, who after some pretended scruples, Romeo offering him gold, + which his poverty could not resist, sold him a poison which, if he + swallowed, he told him, if he had the strength of twenty men, would + quickly despatch him. + </p> + <p> + With this poison he set out for Verona, to have a sight of his dear lady + in her tomb, meaning, when he had satisfied his sight, to swallow the + poison and be buried by her side. He reached Verona at midnight, and found + the churchyard in the midst of which was situated the ancient tomb of the + Capulets. He had provided a light, and a spade, and wrenching-iron, and + was proceeding to break open the monument when he was interrupted by a + voice, which by the name of VILE MONTAGUE bade him desist from his + unlawful business. It was the young Count Paris, who had come to the tomb + of Juliet at that unseasonable time of night to strew flowers and to weep + over the grave of her that should have been his bride. He knew not what an + interest Romeo had in the dead, but, knowing him to be a Montague and (as + he supposed) a sworn foe to all the Capulets, he judged that he was come + by night to do some villainous shame to the dead bodies; therefore in an + angry tone he bade him desist; and as a criminal, condemned by the laws of + Verona to die if he were found within the walls of the city, he would have + apprehended him. Romeo urged Paris to leave him, and warned him by the + fate of Tybalt, who lay buried there, not to provoke his anger or draw + down another sin upon his head by forcing him to kill him. But the count + in scorn refused his warning, and laid hands on him as a felon, which, + Romeo resisting, they fought, and Paris fell. When Romeo, by the help of a + light, came to see who it was that he had slain, that it was Paris, who + (he learned in his way from Mantua) should have married Juliet, he took + the dead youth by the hand, as one whom misfortune had made a companion, + and said that he would bury him in a triumphal grave, meaning in Juliet’s + grave, which he now opened. And there lay his lady, as one whom death had + no power upon to change a feature or complexion, in her matchless beauty; + or as if death were amorous, and the lean, abhorred monster kept her there + for his delight; for she lay yet fresh and blooming, as she had fallen to + sleep when she swallowed that benumbing potion; and near her lay Tybalt in + his bloody shroud, whom Romeo seeing, begged pardon of his lifeless corse, + and for Juliet’s sake called him COUSIN, and said that he was about + to do him a favor by putting his enemy to death. Here Romeo took his last + leave of his lady’s lips, kissing them; and here he shook the burden + of his cross stars from his weary body, swallowing that poison which the + apothecary had sold him, whose operation was fatal and real, not like that + dissembling potion which Juliet had swallowed, the effect of which was now + nearly expiring, and she about to awake to complain that Romeo had not + kept his time, or that he had come too soon. + </p> + <p> + For now the hour was arrived at which the friar had promised that she + should awake; and he, having learned that his letters which he had sent to + Mantua, by some unlucky detention of the messenger, had never reached + Romeo, came himself, provided with a pickax and lantern, to deliver the + lady from her confinement; but he was surprised to find a light already + burning in the Capulets’ monument, and to see swords and blood near + it, and Romeo and Paris lying breathless by the monument, + </p> + <p> + Before he could entertain a conjecture, to imagine how these fatal + accidents had fallen out, Juliet awoke out of her trance, and, seeing the + friar near her, she remembered the place where she was, and the occasion + of her being there, and asked for Romeo, but the friar, hearing a noise, + bade her come out of that place of death and of unnatural sleep, for a + greater power than they could contradict had thwarted their intents; and, + being frightened by the noise of people coming, he fled. But when Juliet + saw the cup closed in her true love’s hands, she guessed that poison + had been the cause of his end, and she would have swallowed the dregs if + any had been left, and she kissed his still warm lips to try if any poison + yet did hang upon them; then hearing a nearer noise of people coming, she + quickly unsheathed a dagger which she wore, and, stabbing herself, died by + her true Romeo’s side. + </p> + <p> + The watch by this time had come up to the place. A page belonging to Count + Paris, who had witnessed the fight between his master and Romeo, had given + the alarm, which had spread among the citizens, who went up and down the + streets of Verona confusedly exclaiming, “A Paris! a Romeo! a + Juliet!” as the rumor had imperfectly reached them, till the uproar + brought Lord Montague and Lord Capulet out of their beds, with the prince, + to inquire into the causes of the disturbance. The friar had been + apprehended by some of the watch, coming from the churchyard, trembling, + sighing, and weeping in a suspicious manner. A great multitude being + assembled at the Capulets’ monument, the friar was demanded by the + prince to deliver what he knew of these strange and disastrous accidents. + </p> + <p> + And there, in the presence of the old Lords Montague and Capulet, he + faithfully related the story of their children’s fatal love, the + part he took in promoting their marriage, in the hope in that union to end + the long quarrels between their families; how Romeo, there dead, was + husband to Juliet, and Juliet, there dead, was Romeo’s faithful + wife; how, before he could find a fit opportunity to divulge their + marriage, another match was projected for Juliet, who, to avoid the crime + of a second marriage, swallowed the sleeping-draught (as he advised), and + all thought her dead; how meantime he wrote to Romeo to come and take her + thence when the force of the potion should cease, and by what unfortunate + miscarriage of the messenger the letters never reached Romeo. Further than + this the friar could not follow the story, nor knew more than that, coming + himself to deliver Juliet from that place of death, he found the Count + Paris and Romeo slain. The remainder of the transactions was supplied by + the narration of the page who had seen Paris and Romeo fight, and by the + servant who came with Romeo from Verona, to whom this faithful lover had + given letters to be delivered to his father in the event of his death, + which made good the friar’s words, confessing his marriage with + Juliet, imploring the forgiveness of his parents, acknowledging the buying + of the poison of the poor apothecary and his intent in coming to the + monument to die and lie with Juliet. All these circumstances agreed + together to clear the friar from any hand he could be supposed to have in + these complicated slaughters, further than as the unintended consequences + of his own well-meant, yet too artificial and subtle contrivances. + </p> + <p> + And the prince, turning to these old lords, Montague and Capulet, rebuked + them for their brutal and irrational enmities, and showed them what a + scourge Heaven had laid upon such offenses, that it had found means even + through the love of their children to punish their unnatural hate. And + these old rivals, no longer enemies, agreed to bury their long strife in + their children’s graves; and Lord Capulet requested Lord Montague to + give him his hand, calling him by the name of brother, as if in + acknowledgment of the union of their families by the marriage of the young + Capulet and Montague; and saying that Lord Montague’s hand (in token + of reconcilement) was all he demanded for his daughter’s jointure. + But Lord Montague said he would give him more, for he would raise her a + statue of pure gold that, while Verona kept its name, no figure should be + so esteemed for its richness and workmanship as that of the true and + faithful Juliet. And Lord Capulet in return said that he would raise + another statue to Romeo. So did these poor old lords, when it was too + late, strive to outgo each other in mutual courtesies; while so deadly had + been their rage and enmity in past times that nothing but the fearful + overthrow of their children (poor sacrifices to their quarrels and + dissensions) could remove the rooted hates and jealousies of the noble + families. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap18"></a>HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK</h2> + <p> + Gertrude, Queen of Denmark, becoming a widow by the sudden death of King + Hamlet, in less than two months after his death married his brother + Claudius, which was noted by all people at the tim for a strange act of + indiscretion, or unfeelingness, or worse; for this Claudius did no way + resemble her late husband in the qualities of his person or his mind, but + was as contemptible in outward appearance as he was base and unworthy in + disposition; and suspicions did not fail to arise in the minds of some + that he had privately made away with his brother, the late king, with the + view of marrying his widow and ascending the throne of Denmark, to the + exclusion of young Hamlet, the son of the buried king and lawful successor + to the throne. + </p> + <p> + But upon no one did this unadvised action of the queen make such + impression as upon this young prince, who loved and venerated the memory + of his dead father almost to idolatry, and, being of a nice sense of honor + and a most exquisite practiser of propriety himself, did sorely take to + heart this unworthy conduct of his mother Gertrude; in so much that, + between grief for his father’s death and shame for his mother’s + marriage, this young prince was overclouded with a deep melancholy, and + lost all his mirth and all his good looks; all his customary pleasure in + books forsook him, his princely exercises and sports, proper to his youth, + were no longer acceptable; he grew weary of the world, which seemed to him + an unweeded garden, where all the wholesome flowers were choked up and + nothing but weeds could thrive. Not that the prospect of exclusion from + the throne, his lawful inheritance, weighed so much upon his spirits, + though that to a young and high-minded prince was a bitter wound and a + sore indignity; but what so galled him and took away all his cheerful + spirits was that his mother had shown herself so forgetful to his father’s + memory, and such a father! who had been to her so loving and so gentle a + husband! and then she always appeared as loving and obedient a wife to + him, and would hang upon him as if her affection grew to him. And now + within two months, or, as it seemed to young Hamlet, less than two months, + she had married again, married his uncle, her dear husband’s + brother, in itself a highly improper and unlawful marriage, from the + nearness of relationship, but made much more so by the indecent haste with + which it was concluded and the unkingly character of the man whom she had + chosen to be the partner of her throne and bed. This it was which more + than the loss of ten kingdoms dashed the spirits and brought a cloud over + the mind of this honorable young prince. + </p> + <p> + In vain was all that his mother Gertrude or the king could do to contrive + to divert him; he still appeared in court in a suit of deep black, as + mourning for the king his father’s death, which mode of dress he had + never laid aside, not even in compliment to his mother upon the day she + was married, nor could he be brought to join in any of the festivities or + rejoicings of that (as appeared to him) disgraceful day. + </p> + <p> + What mostly troubled him was an uncertainty about the manner of his father’s + death. It was given out by Claudius that a serpent had stung him; but + young Hamlet had shrewd suspicions that Claudius himself was the serpent; + in plain English, that he had murdered him for his crown, and that the + serpent who stung his father did now sit on the throne. + </p> + <p> + How far he was right in this conjecture and what he ought to think of his + mother, how far she was privy to this murder and whether by her consent or + knowledge, or without, it came to pass, were the doubts which continually + harassed and distracted him. + </p> + <p> + A rumor had reached the ear of young Hamlet that an apparition, exactly + resembling the dead king his father, had been seen by the soldiers upon + watch, on the platform before the palace at midnight, for two or three + nights successively. The figure came constantly clad in the same suit of + armor, from head to foot, which the dead king was known to have worn. And + they who saw it (Hamlet’s bosom friend Horatio was one) agreed in + their testimony as to the time and manner of its appearance that it came + just as the clock struck twelve; that it looked pale, with a face more of + sorrow than of anger; that its beard was grisly, and the color a SABLE + SILVERED, as they had seen it in his lifetime; that it made no answer when + they spoke to it; yet once they thought it lifted up its head and + addressed itself to motion, as if it were about to speak; but in that + moment the morning cock crew and it shrank in haste away, and vanished out + of their sight. + </p> + <p> + The young prince, strangely amazed at their relation, which was too + consistent and agreeing with itself to disbelieve, concluded that it was + his father’s ghost which they had seen, and determined to take his + watch with the soldiers that night, that he might have a chance of seeing + it; for he reasoned with himself that such an appearance did not come for + nothing, but that the ghost had something to impart, and though it had + been silent hitherto, yet it would speak to him. And he waited with + impatience for the coming of night. + </p> + <p> + When night came he took his stand with Horatio, and Marcellus, one of the + guard, upon the platform, where this apparition was accustomed to walk; + and it being a cold night, and the air unusually raw and nipping, Hamlet + and Horatio and their companion fell into some talk about the coldness of + the night, which was suddenly broken off by Horatio announcing that the + ghost was coming. + </p> + +<p> +At the sight of his father’s spirit Hamlet was struck with a sudden +surprise and fear.’ He at first called upon the angels and heavenly +ministers to defend them, for he knew not whether it were a good spirit or bad, +whether it came for good or evil; but he gradually assumed more courage; and +his father (as it seemed to him) looked upon him so piteously, and as it were +desiring to have conversation with him, and did in all respects appear so like +himself as he was when he lived, that Hamlet could not help addressing him. He +called him by his name, “Hamlet, King, Father!” and conjured him +that he would tell the reason why he had left his grave, where they had seen +him quietly bestowed, to come again and visit the earth and the moonlight; and +besought him that he would let them know if there was anything which they could +do to give peace to his spirit. And the ghost beckoned to Hamlet, that he +should go with him to some more removed place where they might be alone; and +Horatio and Marcellus would have dissuaded the young prince from following it, +for they feared lest it should be some evil spirit who would tempt him to the +neighboring sea or to the top of some dreadful cliff, and there put on some +horrible shape which might deprive the prince of his reason. But their counsels +and entreaties could not alter Hamlet’s determination, who cared too +little about life to fear the losing of it; and as to his soul, he said, what +could the spirit do to that, being a thing immortal as itself? And he felt as +hardy as a lion, and, bursting from them, who did all they could to hold him, +he followed whithersoever the spirit led him. +</p> + +<p> +And when they were alone together, the spirit broke silence and told him that +he was the ghost of Hamlet, his father, who had been cruelly murdered, and he +told the manner of it; that it was done by his own brother Claudius, +Hamlet’s uncle, as Hamlet had already but too much suspected, for the +hope of succeeding to his bed and crown. That as he was sleeping in his garden, +his custom always in the afternoon, his treasonous brother stole upon him in +his sleep and poured the juice of poisonous henbane into his ears, which has +such an antipathy to the life of man that, swift as quicksilver, it courses +through all the veins of the body, baking up the blood and spreading a +crust-like leprosy all over the skin. Thus sleeping, by a brother’s hand +he was cut off at once from his crown, his queen, and his life; and he adjured +Hamlet, if he did ever his dear father love, that he would revenge his foul +murder. And the ghost lamented to his son that his mother should so fall off +from virtue as to prove false to the wedded love of her first husband and to +marry his murderer; but he cautioned Hamlet, howsoever he proceeded in his +revenge against his wicked uncle, by no means to act any violence against the +person of his mother, but to leave her to Heaven, and to the stings and thorns +of conscience. And Hamlet promised to observe the ghost’s direction in +all things, and the ghost vanished. +</p> + + <p> + And when Hamlet was left alone he took up a solemn resolution that all he + had in his memory, all that he had ever learned by books or observation, + should be instantly forgotten by him, and nothing live in his brain but + the memory of what the ghost had told him and enjoined him to do. And + Hamlet related the particulars of the conversation which had passed to + none but his dear friend Horatio; and he enjoined both to him and + Marcellus the strictest secrecy as to what they had seen that night. + </p> + <p> + The terror which the sight of the ghost had left upon the senses of + Hamlet, he being weak and dispirited before, almost unhinged his mind and + drove him beside his reason. And he, fearing that it would continue to + have this effect, which might subject him to observation and set his uncle + upon his guard, if he suspected that he was meditating anything against + him, or that Hamlet really knew more of his father’s death than he + professed, took up a strange resolution, from that time to counterfeit as + if he were really and truly mad; thinking that he would be less an object + of suspicion when his uncle should believe him incapable of any serious + project, and that his real perturbation of mind would be best covered and + pass concealed under a disguise of pretended lunacy. + </p> + <p> + From this time Hamlet affected a certain wildness and strangeness in his + apparel, his speech, and behavior, and did so excellently counterfeit the + madman that the king and queen were both deceived, and not thinking his + grief for his father’s death a sufficient cause to produce such a + distemper, for they knew not of the appearance of the ghost, they + concluded that his malady was love and they thought they had found out the + object. + </p> + <p> + Before Hamlet fell into the melancholy way which has been related he had + dearly loved a fair maid called Ophelia, the daughter of Polonius, the + king’s chief counselor in affairs of state. He had sent her letters + and rings, and made many tenders of his affection to her, and importuned + her with love in honorable fashion; and she had given belief to his vows + and importunities. But the melancholy which he fell into latterly had made + him neglect her, and from the time he conceived the project of + counterfeiting madness he affected to treat her with unkindness and a sort + of rudeness; but she, good lady, rather than reproach him with being false + to her, persuaded herself that it was nothing but the disease in his mind, + and no settled unkindness, which had made him less observant of her than + formerly; and she compared the faculties of his once noble mind and + excellent understanding, impaired as they were with the deep melancholy + that oppressed him, to sweet bells which in themselves are capable of most + exquisite music, but when jangled out of tune, or rudely handled, produce + only a harsh and unpleasing sound. + </p> + <p> + Though the rough business which Hamlet had in hand, the revenging of his + father’s death upon his murderer, did not suit with the playful + state of courtship, or admit of the society of so idle a passion as love + now seemed to him, yet it could not hinder but that soft thoughts of his + Ophelia would come between, and in one of these moments, when he thought + that his treatment of this gentle lady had been unreasonably harsh, he + wrote her a letter full of wild starts of passion, and in extravagant + terms, such as agreed with his supposed madness, but mixed with some + gentle touches of affection, which could not but show to this honored lady + that a deep love for her yet lay at the bottom of his heart. He bade her + to doubt the stars were fire, and to doubt that the sun did move, to doubt + truth to be a liar, but never to doubt that he loved; with more of such + extravagant phrases. This letter Ophelia dutifully showed to her father, + and the old man thought himself bound to communicate it to the king and + queen, who from that time supposed that the true cause of Hamlet’s + madness was love. And the queen wished that the good beauties of Ophelia + might be the happy cause of his wildness, for so she hoped that her + virtues might happily restore him to his accustomed way again, to both + their honors. + </p> + <p> + But Hamlet’s malady lay deeper than she supposed, or than could be + so cured. His father’s ghost, which he had seen, still haunted his + imagination, and the sacred injunction to revenge his murder gave him no + rest till it was accomplished. Every hour of delay seemed to him a sin and + a violation of his father’s commands. Yet how to compass the death + of the king, surrounded as he constantly was with his guards, was no easy + matter. Or if it had been, the presence of the queen, Hamlet’s + mother, who was generally with the king, was a restraint upon his purpose, + which he could not break through. Besides, the very circumstance that the + usurper was his mother’s husband, filled him with some remorse and + still blunted the edge of his purpose. The mere act of putting a + fellow-creature to death was in itself odious and terrible to a + disposition naturally so gentle as Hamlet’s was. His very + melancholy, and the dejection of spirits he had so long been ill, produced + an irresoluteness and wavering of purpose which kept him from proceeding + to extremities. Moreover, he could not help having some scruples upon his + mind, whether the spirit which he had seen was indeed his father, or + whether it might not be the devil, who he had heard has power to take any + form he pleases, and who might have assumed his father’s shape only + to take advantage of his weakness and his melancholy, to drive him to the + doing of so desperate an act as murder. And he determined that he would + have more certain grounds to go upon than a vision, or apparition, which + might be a delusion. + </p> + <p> + While he was in this irresolute mind there came to the court certain + players, in whom Hamlet formerly used to take delight, and particularly to + hear one of them speak a tragical speech, describing the death of old + Priam, King of Troy, with the grief of Hecuba his queen. Hamlet welcomed + his old friends, the players, and remembering how that speech had formerly + given him pleasure, requested the player to repeat it; which he did in so + lively a manner, setting forth the cruel murder of the feeble old king, + with the destruction of his people and city by fire, and the mad grief of + the old queen, running barefoot up and down the palace, with a poor clout + upon that head where a crown had been, and with nothing but a blanket upon + her loins, snatched up in haste, where she had worn a royal robe; that not + only it drew tears from all that stood by, who thought they saw the real + scene, so lively was it represented, but even the player himself delivered + it with a broken voice and real tears. This put Hamlet upon thinking, if + that player could so work himself up to passion by a mere fictitious + speech, to weep for one that he had never seen, for Hecuba, that had been + dead so many hundred years, how dull was he, who having a real motive and + cue for passion, a real king and a dear father murdered, was yet so little + moved that his revenge all this while had seemed to have slept in dull and + muddy forgetfulness! and while he meditated on actors and acting, and the + powerful effects which a good play, represented to the life, has upon the + spectator, he remembered the instance of some murderer, who, seeing a + murder on the stage, was by the mere force of the scene and resemblance of + circumstances so affected that on the spot he confessed the crime which he + had committed. And he determined that these players should play something + like the murder of his father before his uncle, and he would watch + narrowly what effect it might have upon him, and from his looks he would + be able to gather with more certainty if he were the murderer or not. To + this effect he ordered a play to be prepared, to the representation of + which he invited the king and queen. + </p> + <p> + The story of the play was of a murder done in Vienna upon a duke. The duke’s + name was Gonzago, his wife’s Baptista. The play showed how one + Lucianus, a near relation to the duke, poisoned him in his garden for his + estate, and how the murderer in a short time after got the love of Gonzago’s + wife. + </p> + <p> + At the representation of this play, the king, who did not know the trap + which was laid for him, was present, with his queen and the whole court; + Hamlet sitting attentively near him to observe his looks. The play began + with a conversation between Gonzago and his wife, in which the lady made + many protestations of love, and of never marrying a second husband if she + should outlive Gonzago, wishing she might be accursed if she ever took a + second husband, and adding that no woman did so but those wicked women who + kill their first husbands. Hamlet observed the king his uncle change color + at this expression, and that it was as bad as wormwood both to him and to + the queen. But when Lucianus, according to the story, came to poison + Gonzago sleeping in the garden, the strong resemblance which it bore to + his own wicked act upon the late king, his brother, whom he had poisoned + in his garden, so struck upon the conscience of this usurper that he was + unable to sit out the rest of the play, but on a sudden calling for lights + to his chamber, and affecting or partly feeling a sudden sickness, he + abruptly left the theater. The king being departed, the play was given + over. Now Hamlet had seen enough to be satisfied that the words of the + ghost were true and no illusion; and in a fit of gaiety, like that which + comes over a man who suddenly has some great doubt or scruple resolved, he + swore to Horatio that he would take the ghost’s word for a thousand + pounds. But before he could make up his resolution as to what measures of + revenge he should take, now he was certainly informed that his uncle was + his father’s murderer, he was sent for by the queen his mother, to a + private conference in her closet. + </p> + <p> + It was by desire of the king that the queen sent for Hamlet, that she + might signify to her son how much his late behavior had displeased them + both, and the king, wishing to know all that passed at that conference, + and thinking that the too partial report of a mother might let slip some + part of Hamlet’s words, which it might much import the king to know, + Polonius, the old counselor of state, was ordered to plant himself behind + the hangings in the queen’s closet, where he might, unseen, hear all + that passed. This artifice was particularly adapted to the disposition of + Polonius, who was a man grown old in crooked maxims and policies of state, + and delighted to get at the knowledge of matters in an indirect and + cunning way. + </p> + <p> + Hamlet being come to his mother, she began to tax him in the roundest way + with his actions and behavior, and she told him that he had given great + offense to HIS FATHER, meaning the king, his uncle, whom, because he had + married her, she called Hamlet’s father. Hamlet, sorely indignant + that she should give so dear and honored a name as father seemed to him to + a wretch who was indeed no better than the murderer of his true father, + with some sharpness replied: + </p> + <p> + “Mother, YOU have much offended MY FATHER.” + </p> + <p> + The queen said that was but an idle answer. + </p> + <p> + “As good as the question deserved,” said Hamlet. + </p> + <p> + The queen asked him if he had forgotten who it was he was speaking to. + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” replied Hamlet, “I wish I could forget. You are + the queen, your husband’s brother’s wife; and you are my + mother. I wish you were not what you are.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, then,” said the queen, “if you show me so little + respect, I will set those to you that can speak,” and was going to + send the king or Polonius to him. + </p> + <p> + But Hamlet would not let her go, now he had her alone, till he had tried + if his words could not bring her to some sense of her wicked life; and, + taking her by the wrist, he held her fast, and made her sit down. She, + affrighted at his earnest manner, and fearful lest in his lunacy he should + do her a mischief, cried out; and a voice was heard from behind the + hangings, “Help, help’ the queen!” which Hamlet hearing, + and verily thinking that it was the king himself there concealed, he drew + his sword and stabbed at the place where the voice came from, as he would + have stabbed a rat that ran there, till, the voice ceasing, he concluded + the person to be dead. But when he dragged forth the body it was not the + king, but Polonius, the old, officious counselor, that had planted himself + as a spy behind the hangings. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, me!” exclaimed the queen, “what a rash and bloody + deed have you done!” + </p> + <p> + “A bloody deed, mother,” replied Hamlet, “but not so bad + as yours, who killed a king, and married his brother.” + </p> + <p> + Hamlet had gone too far to leave off here. He was now in the humor to + speak plainly to his mother, and he pursued it. And though the faults of + parents are to be tenderly treated by their children, yet in the case of + great crimes the son may have leave to speak even to his own mother with + some harshness, so as that harshness is meant for her good and to turn her + from her wicked ways, and not done for the purpose of upbraiding. And now + this virtuous prince did in moving terms represent to the queen the + heinousness of her offense in being so forgetful of the dead king, his + father, as in so short a space of time to marry with his brother and + reputed murderer. Such an act as, after the vows which she had sworn to + her first husband, was enough to make all vows of women suspected and all + virtue to be accounted hypocrisy, wedding contracts to be less than + gamesters’ oaths, and religion to be a mockery and a mere form of + words. He said she had done such a deed that the heavens blushed at it, + and the earth was sick of her because of it. And he showed her two + pictures, the one of the late king, her first husband, and the other of + the present king, her second husband, and he bade her mark the difference; + what a grace was on the brow of his father, how like a god he looked! the + curls of Apollo, the forehead of Jupiter, the eye of Mars, and a posture + like to Mercury newly alighted on some heaven-kissing hill! this man, he + said, HAD BEEN her husband. And then be showed her whom she had got in his + stead; how like a blight or a mildew he looked, for so he had blasted his + wholesome brother. And the queen was sore ashamed that he should so turn + her eyes inward upon her soul, which she now saw so black and deformed. + And he asked her how she could continue to live with this man, and be a + wife to him, who had murdered her first husband and got the crown by as + false means as a thief—and just as he spoke the ghost of his father, + such as he was in his lifetime and such as he had lately seen it, entered + the room, and Hamlet, in great terror, asked what it would have; and the + ghost said that it came to remind him of the revenge he had promised, + which Hamlet seemed to have forgot; and the ghost bade him speak to his + mother, for the grief and terror she was in would else kill her. It then + vanished, and was seen by none but Hamlet, neither could he by pointing to + where it stood, or by any description, make his mother perceive it, who + was terribly frightened all this while to hear him conversing, as it + seemed to her, with nothing; and she imputed it to the disorder of his + mind. But Hamlet begged her not to flatter her wicked soul in such a + manner as to think that it was his madness, and not her own offenses, + which had brought his father’s spirit again on the earth. And he + bade her feel his pulse, how temperately it beat, not like a madman’s. + And he begged of her, with tears, to confess herself to Heaven for what + was past, and for the future to avoid the company of the king and be no + more as a wife to him; and when she should show herself a mother to him, + by respecting his father’s memory, he would ask a blessing of her as + a son. And she promising to observe his directions, the conference ended. + </p> + <p> + And now Hamlet was at leisure to consider who it was that in his + unfortunate rashness he had killed; and when he came to see that it was + Polonius, the father of the Lady Ophelia whom he so dearly loved, he drew + apart the dead body, and, his spirits being now a little quieter, he wept + for what he had done. + </p> + <p> + The unfortunate death of Polonius gave the king a pretense for sending + Hamlet out of the kingdom. He would willingly have put him to death, + fearing him as dangerous; but he dreaded the people, who loved Hamlet, and + the queen, who, with all her faults, doted upon the prince, her son. So + this subtle king, under pretense of providing for Hamlet’s safety, + that he might not be called to account for Polonius’s death, caused + him to be conveyed on board a ship bound for England, under the care of + two courtiers, by whom he despatched letters to the English court, which + in that time was in subjection and paid tribute to Denmark, requiring, for + special reasons there pretended, that Hamlet should be put to death as + soon as he landed on English ground. Hamlet, suspecting some treachery, in + the nighttime secretly got at the letters, and, skilfully erasing his own + name, he in the stead of it put in the names of those two courtiers, who + had the charge of him, to be put to death; then sealing up the letters, he + put them into their place again. Soon after the ship was attacked by + pirates, and a sea-fight commenced, in the course of which Hamlet, + desirous to show his valor, with sword in hand singly boarded the enemy’s + vessel; while his own ship, in a cowardly manner, bore away; and leaving + him to his fate, the two courtiers made the best of their way to England, + charged with those letters the sense of which Hamlet had altered to their + own deserved destruction. + </p> + <p> + The pirates who had the prince in their power showed themselves gentle + enemies, and, knowing whom they had got prisoner, in the hope that the + prince might do them a good turn at court in recompense for any favor they + might show him, they set Hamlet on shore at the nearest port in Denmark. + From that place Hamlet wrote to the king, acquainting him with the strange + chance which had brought him back to his own country and saying that on + the next day he should present himself before his Majesty. When he got + home a sad spectacle offered itself the first thing to his eyes. + </p> + <p> + This was the funeral of the young and beautiful Ophelia, his once dear + mistress. The wits of this young lady had begun to turn ever since her + poor father’s death. That he should die a violent death, and by the + hands of the prince whom she loved, so affected this tender young maid + that in a little time she grew perfectly distracted, and would go about + giving flowers away to the ladies of the court, and saying that they were + for her father’s burial, singing songs about love and about death, + and sometimes such as had no meaning at all, as if she had no memory of + what happened to her. There was a willow which grew slanting over a brook, + and reflected its leaves on the stream. To this brook she came one day + when she was unwatched, with garlands she had been making, mixed up of + daisies and nettles, flowers and weeds together, and clambering up to bang + her garland upon the boughs of the willow, a bough broke and precipitated + this fair young maid, garland, and all that she had gathered, into the + water, where her clothes bore her up for a while, during which she chanted + scraps of old tunes, like one insensible to her own distress, or as if she + were a creature natural to that element; but long it was not before her + garments, heavy with the wet, pulled her in from her melodious singing to + a muddy and miserable death. It was the funeral of this fair maid which + her brother Laertes was celebrating, the king and queen and whole court + being present, when Hamlet arrived. He knew not what all this show + imported, but stood on one side, not inclining to interrupt the ceremony. + He saw the flowers strewed upon her grave, as the custom was in maiden + burials, which the queen herself threw in; and as she threw them she said: + </p> + <p> + “Sweets to the sweet! I thought to have decked thy bride bed, sweet + maid, not to have strewed thy grave. Thou shouldst have been my Hamlet’s + wife.” + </p> + <p> + And he heard her brother wish that violets might spring from her grave; + and he saw him leap into the grave all frantic with grief, and bid the + attendants pile mountains of earth upon him, that he might be buried with + her. And Hamlet’s love for this fair maid came back to him, and he + could not bear that a brother should show so much transport of grief, for + he thought that he loved Ophelia better than forty thousand brothers. Then + discovering himself, he leaped into the grave where Laertes was, all as + frantic or more frantic than he, and Laertes, knowing him to be Hamlet, + who had been the cause of his father’s and his sister’s death, + grappled him by the throat as an enemy, till the attendants parted them; + and Hamlet, after the funeral, excused his hasty act in throwing himself + into the grave as if to brave Laertes; but he said he could not bear that + any one should seem to outgo him in grief for the death of the fair + Ophelia. And for the time these two noble youths seemed reconciled. + </p> + <p> + But out of the grief and anger of Laertes for the death of his father and + Ophelia the king, Hamlet’s wicked uncle, contrived destruction for + Hamlet. He set on Laertes, under cover of peace and reconciliation, to + challenge Hamlet to a friendly trial of skill at fencing, which Hamlet + accepting, a day was appointed to try the match. At this match all the + court was present, and Laertes, by direction of the king, prepared a + poisoned weapon. Upon this match great wagers were laid by the courtiers, + as both Hamlet and Laertes were known to excel at this sword play; and + Hamlet, taking up the foils, chose one, not at all suspecting the + treachery of Laertes, or being careful to examine Laertes’s weapon, + who, instead of a foil or blunted sword, which the laws of fencing + require, made use of one with a point, and poisoned. At first Laertes did + but play with Hamlet, and suffered him to gain some advantages, which the + dissembling king magnified and extolled beyond measure, drinking to Hamlet’s + success and wagering rich bets upon the issue. But after a few pauses + Laertes, growing warm, made a deadly thrust at Hamlet with his poisoned + weapon, and gave him a mortal blow. Hamlet, incensed, but not knowing,the + whole of the treachery, in the scuffle exchanged his own innocent weapon + for Laertes’s deadly one, and with a thrust of Laertes’s own + sword repaid Laertes home, who was thus justly caught in his own + treachery. In this instant the queen shrieked out that she was poisoned. + She had inadvertently drunk out of a bowl which the king had prepared for + Hamlet, in case that, being warm in fencing, he should call for drink; + into this the treacherous king had infused a deadly poison, to make sure + of Hamlet, if Laertes had failed. He had forgotten to warn the queen of + the bowl, which she drank of, and immediately died, exclaiming with her + last breath that she was poisoned. Hamlet, suspecting some treachery, + ordered the doors to be shut while he sought it out. Laertes told him to + seek no farther, for he was the traitor; and feeling his life go away with + the wound which Hamlet had given him, he made confession of the treachery + he had used and how he had fallen a victim to it: and he told Hamlet of + the envenomed point, and said that Hamlet had not half an hour to live, + for no medicine could cure him; and begging forgiveness of Hamlet, he + died, with his last words accusing the king of being the contriver of the + mischief. When Hamlet saw his end draw near, there being yet some venom + left upon the sword, he suddenly turned upon his false uncle and thrust + the point of it to his heart, fulfilling the promise which he had made to + his father’s spirit, whose injunction was now accomplished and his + foul murder revenged upon the murderer. Then Hamlet, feeling his breath + fail and life departing, turned to his dear friend Horatio, who had been + spectator of this fatal tragedy; and with his dying breath requested him + that he would live to tell his story to the world (for Horatio had made a + motion as if he would slay himself to accompany the prince in death), and + Horatio promised that he would make a true report as one that was privy to + all the circumstances. And, thus satisfied, the noble heart of Hamlet + cracked; and Horatio and the bystanders with many tears commended the + spirit of this sweet prince to the guardianship of angels. For Hamlet was + a loving and a gentle prince and greatly beloved for his many noble and + princelike qualities; and if he had lived, would no doubt have proved a + most royal and complete king to Denmark. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap19"></a>OTHELLO</h2> + <p> + Brabantio, the rich senator of Venice, had a fair daughter, the gentle + Desdemona. She was sought to by divers suitors, both on account of her + many virtuous qualities and for her rich expectations. But among the + suitors of her own clime and complexion she saw none whom she could + affect, for this noble lady, who regarded the mind more than the features + of men, with a singularity rather to be admired than imitated had chosen + for the object of her affections a Moor, a black, whom her father loved + and often invited to his house. + </p> + <p> + Neither is Desdemona to be altogether condemned for the unsuitableness of + the person whom she selected for her lover. Bating that Othello was black, + the noble Moor wanted nothing which might recommend him to the affections + of the greatest lady. He was a soldier, and a brave one; and by his + conduct in bloody wars against the Turks had risen to the rank of general + in the Venetian service, and was esteemed and trusted by the state. + </p> + <p> + He had been a traveler, and Desdemona (as is the manner of ladies) loved + to hear him tell the story of his adventures, which he would run through + from his earliest recollection; the battles, sieges, and encounters which + he had passed through; the perils he had been exposed to by land and by + water; his hair-breadth escapes, when he had entered a breach or marched + up to the mouth of a cannon; and how he had been taken prisoner by the + insolent enemy, and sold to slavery; how he demeaned himself in that + state, and how he escaped: all these accounts, added to the narration of + the strange things he had seen in foreign countries, the vast wilderness + and romantic caverns, the quarries, the rocks and mountains whose heads + are in the clouds; of the savage nations, the cannibals who are + man-eaters, and a race of people in Africa whose heads do grow beneath + their shoulders. These travelers’ stories would so enchain the + attention of Desdemona that if she were called off at any time by + household affairs she would despatch with all haste that business, and + return, and with a greedy ear devour Othello’s discourse. And once + he took advantage of a pliant hour and drew from her a prayer that he + would tell her the whole story of his life at large, of which she had + heard so much, but only by parts. To which he consented, and beguiled her + of many a tear when he spoke of some distressful stroke which his youth + had suffered. + </p> + <p> + His story being done, she gave him for his pains a world of sighs. She + swore a pretty oath that it was all passing strange, and pitiful, wondrous + pitiful. She wished (she said) she had not heard it, yet she wished that + Heaven had made her such a man; and then she thanked him, and told him, if + he had a friend who loved her, he had only to teach him how to tell his + story and that would woo her. Upon this hint, delivered not with more + frankness than modesty, accompanied with certain bewitching prettiness and + blushes, which Othello could not but understand, he spoke more openly of + his love, and in this golden opportunity gained the consent of the + generous Lady Desdemona privately to marry him. + </p> + <p> + Neither Othello’s color nor his fortune was such that it could be + hoped Brabantio would accept him for a son-in-law. He had left his + daughter free; but he did expect that, as the manner of noble Venetian + ladies was, she would choose erelong a husband of senatorial rank or + expectations; but in this he was deceived. Desdemona loved the Moor, + though he was black, and devoted her heart and fortunes to his valiant + parts and qualities. So was her heart subdued to an implicit devotion to + the man she had selected for a husband that his very color, which to all + but this discerning lady would have proved an insurmountable objection, + was by her esteemed above all the white skins and clear complexions of the + young Venetian nobility, her suitors. + </p> + <p> + Their marriage, which, though privately carried, could not long be kept a + secret, came to the ears of the old man, Brabantio, who appeared in a + solemn council of the senate as an accuser of the Moor Othello, who by + spells and witchcraft (he maintained) had seduced the affections of the + fair Desdemona to marry him, without the consent of her father, and + against the obligations of hospitality. + </p> + <p> + At this juncture of time it happened that the state of Venice had + immediate need of the services of Othello, news having arrived that the + Turks with mighty preparation had fitted out a fleet, which was bending + its course to the island of Cyprus, with intent to regain that strong post + from the Venetians, who then held it; in this emergency the state turned + its eyes upon Othello, who alone was deemed adequate to conduct the + defense of Cyprus against the Turks. So that Othello, now summoned before + the senate, stood in their presence at once as a candidate for a great + state employment and as a culprit charged with offenses which by the laws + of Venice were made capital. + </p> + <p> + The age and senatorial character of old Brabantio commanded a most patient + hearing from that grave assembly; but the incensed father conducted his + accusation with so much intemperance, producing likelihoods and + allegations for proofs, that, when Othello was called upon for his + defense, he had only to relate a plain tale of the course of his love; + which he did with such an artless eloquence, recounting the whole story of + his wooing as we have related it above, and delivered his speech with so + noble a plainness (the evidence of truth) that the duke, who sat as chief + judge, could not help confessing that a tale so told would have won his + daughter, too, and the spells and conjurations which Othello had used in + his courtship plainly appeared to have been no more than the honest arts + of men in love, and the only witchcraft which he had used the faculty of + telling a soft tale to win a lady’s ear. + </p> + <p> + This statement of Othello was confirmed by the testimony of the Lady + Desdemona herself, who appeared in court and, professing a duty to her + father for life and education, challenged leave of him to profess a yet + higher duty to her lord and husband, even so much as her mother had shown + in preferring him (Brabantio) above HER father. + </p> + <p> + The old senator, unable to maintain his plea, called the Moor to him with + many expressions of sorrow, and, as an act of necessity, bestowed upon him + his daughter, whom, if he had been free to withhold her (he told him), he + would with all his heart have kept from him; adding that he was glad at + soul that he had no other child, for this behavior of Desdemona would have + taught him to be a tyrant and hang clogs on them for her desertion. + </p> + <p> + This difficulty being got over, Othello, to whom custom had rendered the + hardships of a military life as natural as food and rest are to other men, + readily undertook the management of the wars in Cyprus; and Desdemona, + preferring the honor of her lord (though with danger) before the + indulgence of those idle delights in which new-married people usually + waste their time, cheerfully consented to his going. + </p> + <p> + No sooner were Othello and his lady landed in Cyprus than news arrived + that a desperate tempest had dispersed the Turkish fleet, and thus the + island was secure from any immediate apprehension of an attack. But the + war which Othello was to suffer was now beginning; and the enemies which + malice stirred up against his innocent lady proved in their nature more + deadly than strangers or infidels. + </p> + <p> + Among all the general’s friends no one possessed the confidence of + Othello more entirely than Cassio. Michael Cassio was a young soldier, a + Florentine, gay, amorous, and of pleasing address, favorite qualities with + women; he was handsome and eloquent, and exactly such a person as might + alarm the jealousy of a man advanced in years (as Othello in some measure + was) who had married a young and beautiful wife; but Othello was as free + from jealousy as he was noble, and as incapable of suspecting as of doing + a base action. He had employed this Cassio in his love affair with + Desdemona, and Cassio had been a sort of go-between in his suit; for + Othello, fearing that himself had not those soft parts of conversation + which please ladies, and finding these qualities in his friend, would + often depute Cassio to go (as he phrased it) a-courting for him, such + innocent simplicity being rather an honor than a blemish to the character + of the valiant Moor. So that no wonder if, next to Othello himself (but at + far distance, as beseems a virtuous wife), the gentle Desdemona loved and + trusted Cassio. Nor had the marriage of this couple made any difference in + their behavior to Michael Cassio. He frequented their house, and his free + and rattling talk was no unpleasing variety to Othello, who was himself of + a more serious temper; for such tempers are observed often to delight in + their contraries, as a relief from the oppressive excess of their own; and + Desdemona and Cassio would talk and laugh together, as in the days when he + went a-courting for his friend. + </p> + <p> + Othello had lately promoted Cassio to be the lieutenant, a place of trust, + and nearest to the general’s person. This promotion gave great + offense to Iago, an older officer who thought he had a better claim than + Cassio, and would often ridicule Cassio as a fellow fit only for the + company of ladies and one that knew no more of the art of war or how to + set an army in array for battle than a girl. Iago hated Cassio, and he + hated Othello as well for favoring Cassio as for an unjust suspicion, + which he had lightly taken up against Othello, that the Moor was too fond + of Iago’s wife Emilia. From these imaginary provocations the + plotting mind of Iago conceived a horrid scheme of revenge, which should + involve Cassio, the Moor, and Desdemona in one common ruin. + </p> + <p> + Iago was artful, and had studied human nature deeply, and he knew that of + all the torments which afflict the mind of man (and far beyond bodily + torture) the pains of jealousy were the most intolerable and had the + sorest sting. If he could succeed in making Othello jealous of Cassio he + thought it would be an exquisite plot of revenge and might end in the + death of Cassio or Othello, or both; he cared not. + </p> + <p> + The arrival of the general and his lady in Cyprus, meeting with news of + the dispersion of the enemy’s fleet, made a sort of holiday in the + island. Everybody gave himself up to feasting and making merry. Wine + flowed in abundance, and cups went round to the health of the black + Othello and his lady the fair Desdemona. + </p> + <p> + Cassio had the direction of the guard that night, with a charge from + Othello to keep the soldiers from excess in drinking, that no brawl might + arise to fright the inhabitants or disgust them with the new-landed + forces. That night Iago began his deep-laid plans of mischief. Under color + of loyalty and love to the general, he enticed Cassio to make rather too + free with the bottle (a great fault in an officer upon guard). Cassio for + a time resisted, but he could not long hold out against the honest freedom + which Iago knew how to put on, but kept swallowing glass after glass (as + Iago still plied him with drink and encouraging songs), and Cassio’s + tongue ran over in praise of the Lady Desdemona, whom he again and again + toasted, affirming that she was a most exquisite lady. Until at last the + enemy which he put into his mouth stole away his brains; and upon some + provocation given him by a fellow whom Iago had set on, swords were drawn, + and Montano, a worthy officer, who interfered to appease the dispute, was + wounded in the scuffle. The riot now began to be general, and Iago, who + had set on foot the mischief, was foremost in spreading the alarm, causing + the castle bell to be rung (as if some dangerous mutiny instead of a + slight drunken quarrel had arisen). The alarm-bell ringing awakened + Othello, who, dressing in a hurry and coming to the scene of action, + questioned Cassio of the cause. + </p> + <p> + Cassio was now come to himself, the effect of the wine having a little + gone off, but was too much ashamed to reply; and Iago, pretending a great + reluctance to accuse Cassio, but, as it were, forced into it by Othello, + who insisted to know the truth, gave an account of the whole matter + (leaving out his own share in it, which Cassio was too far gone to + remember) in such a manner as, while he seemed to make Cassio’s + offense less, did indeed make it appear greater than it was. The result + was that Othello, who was a strict observer of discipline, was compelled + to take away Cassio’s place of lieutenant from him. + </p> + <p> + Thus did Iago’s first artifice succeed completely; he had now + undermined his hated rival and thrust him,out of his place; but a further + use was hereafter to be made of the adventure of this disastrous night. + </p> + <p> + Cassio, whom this misfortune had entirely sobered, now lamented to his + seeming friend Iago that he should have been such a fool as to transform + himself into a beast. He was undone, for how could he ask the general for + his place again? He would tell him he was a drunkard. He despised himself. + Iago, affecting to make light of it, said that he, or any man living, + might be drunk upon occasion; it remained now to make the best of a bad + bargain. The general’s wife was now the general, and could do + anything with Othello; that he were best to apply to the Lady Desdemona to + mediate for him with her lord; that she was of a frank, obliging + disposition and would readily undertake a good office of this sort and set + Cassio right again in the general’s favor; and then this crack in + their love would be made stronger than ever. A good advice of Iago, if it + had not been given for wicked purposes, which will after appear. + </p> + <p> + Cassio did as Iago advised him, and made application to the Lady + Desdemona, who was easy to be won over in any honest suit; and she + promised Cassio that she should be his solicitor with her lord, and rather + die than give up his cause. This she immediately set about in so earnest + and pretty a manner that Othello, who was mortally offended with Cassio, + could not put her off. When he pleaded delay, and that it was too soon to + pardon such an offender, she would not be beat back, but insisted that it + should be the next night, or the morning after, or the next morning to + that at farthest. Then she showed how penitent and humbled poor Cassio + was, and that his offense did not deserve so sharp a check. And when + Othello still hung back: + </p> + <p> + “What! my lord,” said she, “that I should have so much + to do to plead for Cassio, Michael Cassio, that came a-courting for you, + and oftentimes, when I have spoken in dispraise of you has taken your + part! I count this but a little thing to ask of you. When I mean to try + your love indeed I shall ask a weighty matter.” + </p> + <p> + Othello could deny nothing to such a pleader, and only requesting that + Desdemona would leave the time to him, promised to receive Michael Cassio + again in favor. + </p> + <p> + It happened that Othello and Iago had entered into the room where + Desdemona was, just as Cassio, who had been imploring her intercession, + was departing at the opposite door; and Iago, who was full of art, said in + a low voice, as if to himself, “I like not that.” Othello took + no great notice of what he said; indeed, the conference which immediately + took place with his lady put it out of his head; but he remembered it + afterward. For when Desdemona was gone, Iago, as if for mere satisfaction + of his thought, questioned Othello whether Michael Cassio, when Othello + was courting his lady, knew of his love. To this the general answering in + the affirmative, and adding, that he had gone between them very often + during the courtship, Iago knitted his brow, as if he had got fresh light + on some terrible matter, and cried, “Indeed!” This brought + into Othello’s mind the words which Iago had let fall upon entering + the room and seeing Cassio with Desdemona; and he began to think there was + some meaning in all this, for he deemed Iago to be a just man, and full of + love and honesty, and what in a false knave would be tricks in him seemed + to be the natural workings of an honest mind, big with something too great + for utterance. And Othello prayed Iago to speak what he knew and to give + his worst thoughts words. + </p> + <p> + “And what,” said Iago, “if some thoughts very vile + should have intruded into my breast, as where is the palace into which + foul things do not enter?” Then Iago went on to say, what a pity it + were if any trouble should arise to Othello out of his imperfect + observations; that it would not be for Othello’s peace to know his + thoughts; that people’s good names were not to be taken away for + slight suspicions; and when Othello’s curiosity was raised almost to + distraction with these hints and scattered words, Iago, as if in earnest + care for Othello’s peace of mind, besought him to beware of + jealousy. With such art did this villain raise suspicions in the unguarded + Othello, by the very caution which he pretended to give him against + suspicion. + </p> + <p> + “I know,” said Othello, “that my wife is fair, loves + company and feasting, is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances well; + but where virtue is, these qualities are virtuous. I must have proof + before I think her dishonest.” + </p> + <p> + Then Iago, as if glad that Othello was slow to believe ill of his lady, + frankly declared that he had no proof, but begged Othello to see her + behavior well, when Cassio was by; not to be jealous nor too secure + neither, for that he (Iago) knew the dispositions of the Italian ladies, + his country-women, better than Othello could do; and that in Venice the + wives let Heaven see many pranks they dared not show their husbands. Then + he artfully insinuated that Desdemona deceived her father in marrying with + Othello, and carried it so closely that the poor old man thought that + witchcraft had been used. Othello was much moved with this argument, which + brought the matter home to him, for if she had deceived her father why + might she not deceive her husband? + </p> + <p> + Iago begged pardon for having moved him; but Othello, assuming an + indifference, while he was really shaken with inward grief at Iago’s + words, begged him to go on, which Iago did with many apologies, as if + unwilling to produce anything against Cassio, whom he called his friend. + He then came strongly to the point and reminded Othello how Desdemona had + refused many suitable matches of her own clime and complexion, and had + married him, a Moor, which showed unnatural in her and proved her to have + a headstrong will; and when her better judgment returned, how probable it + was she should fall upon comparing Othello with the fine forms and clear + white complexions of the young Italians her countrymen. He concluded with + advising Othello to put off his reconcilement with Cassio a little longer, + and in the mean while to note with what earnestness Desdemona should + intercede in his behalf; for that much would be seen in that. So + mischievously did this artful villain lay his plots to turn the gentle + qualities of this innocent lady into her destruction, and make a net for + her out of her own goodness to entrap her, first setting Cassio on to + entreat her mediation, and then out of that very mediation contriving + stratagems for her ruin. + </p> + <p> + The conference ended with Iago’s begging Othello to account his wife + innocent until he had more decisive proof; and Othello promised to be + patient; but from that moment the deceived Othello never tasted content of + mind. Poppy, nor the juice of mandragora, nor all the sleeping potions in + the world, could ever again restore to him that sweet rest which he had + enjoyed but yesterday. His occupation sickened upon him. He no longer took + delight in arms. His heart, that used to be roused at the sight of troops + and banners and battle array, and would stir and leap at the sound of a + drum or a trumpet or a neighing war-horse, seemed to have lost all that + pride and ambition which are a soldier’s virtue; and his military + ardor and all his old joys forsook him. Sometimes he thought his wife + honest, and at times he thought her not so; sometimes he thought Iago + just, and at times he thought him not so; then he would wish that he had + never known of it; he was not the worse for her loving Cassio, so long as + he knew it not. Torn to pieces with these distracting thoughts, he once + laid hold on Iago’s throat and demanded proof of Desdemona’s + guilt, or threatened instant death for his having belied her. Iago, + feigning indignation that his honesty should be taken for a vice, asked + Othello if he had not sometimes seen a handkerchief spotted with + strawberries in his wife’s hand. Othello answered that he had given + her such a one, and that it was his first gift. + </p> + <p> + “That same handkerchief,” said Iago, “did I see Michael + Cassio this day wipe his face with.” + </p> + <p> + “If it be as you say,” said Othello, “I will not rest + till a wide revenge swallow them up; and first, for a token of your + fidelity, I expect that Cassio shall be put to death within three days; + and for that fair devil [meaning his lady] I will withdraw and devise some + swift means of death for her.” + </p> + <p> + Trifles light as air are to the jealous proofs as strong as holy writ. A + handkerchief of his wife’s seen in Cassio’s hand was motive + enough to the deluded Othello to pass sentence of death upon them both, + without once inquiring how Cassio came by it. Desdemona had never given + such a present to Cassio, nor would this constant lady have wronged her + lord with doing so naughty a thing as giving his presents to another man; + both Cassio and, Desdemona were innocent of any offense against Othello; + but the wicked Iago, whose spirits never slept in contrivance of villainy, + had made his wife (a good, but a weak woman) steal this handkerchief from + Desdemona, under pretense of getting the work copied, but in reality to + drop it in Cassio’s way, where he might find it, and give a handle + to Iago’s suggestion that it was Desdemona’s present. + </p> + <p> + Othello, soon after meeting his wife, pretended that he had a headache (as + he might indeed with truth), and desired her to lend him her handkerchief + to hold to his temples. She did so. + </p> + <p> + “Not this,” said Othello, “but that handkerchief I gave + you.” + </p> + <p> + Desdemona had it not about her (for indeed it was stolen, as we have + related). + </p> + <p> + “How?” said Othello, “this is a fault indeed. That + handkerchief an Egyptian woman gave to my mother; the woman was a witch + and could read people’s thoughts. She told my mother while she kept + it it would make her amiable and my father would love her; but if she lost + it or gave it away, my father’s fancy would turn and he would loathe + her as much as he had loved her. She, dying, gave it to me, and bade me, + if I ever married, to give it to my wife. I did so. Take heed of it. Make + it a darling as precious as your eye.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it possible?” said the frighted lady. + </p> + <p> + “‘Tis true,” continued Othello; “it is a magical + handkerchief; a sibyl that had lived in the world two hundred years, in a + fit of prophetic fury worked it; the silkworms that furnished the silk + were hallowed, and it was dyed in a mummy of maidens’ hearts + conserved.” + </p> + <p> + Desdemona, hearing the wondrous virtues of the handkerchief, was ready to + die with fear, for she plainly perceived she had lost it, and with it, she + feared, the affections of her husband. Then Othello started and looked as + if he were going to do some rash thing, and still he demanded the + handkerchief, which when she could not produce, she tried to divert her + husband from too serious thoughts, and cheerfully told him she saw all his + talk about the handkerchief was only to put her off from her suit about + Michael Cassio, whom she went on to praise (as Iago had foretold), till + Othello in perfect distraction burst out of the room, and then Desdemona, + though unwillingly, began to suspect that her lord was jealous. + </p> + <p> + What cause she could have ministered to him she knew not, and then she + accused herself for accusing the noble Othello, and thought, to be sure, + that some untoward news from Venice or some state troubles had puddled his + spirits and made his temper not so sweet as formerly. And she said, + “Men are not gods, and we must not look for that observance from + them when they are married which they show us on the bridal day.” + And she beshrewed herself for so unkindly judging of his unkindness. + </p> + <p> + Again Othello and Desdemona met, and he accused her more plainly of being + unfaithful and of loving another man, but he did not name whom. And + Othello wept, and Desdemona said, “Alas! the heavy day! why do you + weep?” And Othello told her he could have borne all sorts of evils + with fortitude—poverty, and disease, and disgrace—but her + infidelity had broken his heart. And he called her a weed that looked so + fair and smelled so sweet that the sense ached at it; and wished she had + never been born. And when he had left her this innocent lady was so + stupefied with wonder at her lord’s untrue suspicion of her that a + weightlike sleep came over her, and she only desired her attendant to make + her bed and to lay her wedding-sheets upon it, saying that when people + teach their babes they do it by gentle means and easy tasks, and Othello + might have chid her so; for in good faith she was but a child when she was + chidden. And this was all the complaint which this gentle lady made. + </p> + <p> + Desdemona being retired to bed, expecting her lord would follow her, soon + fell into a slumber, the effect of her troubled spirits, when Othello + entered the chamber, full of the black purpose which he had meditated, of + putting his lady to death. But when he saw her asleep he thought he would + not shed her blood, nor scar that white skin of hers, more white than + alabaster. But he was resolved she should die, else (as he said) she would + live to betray, more men as she had done him. Then he kissed her for the + last time (as he said), and that kiss was so sweet that he must needs kiss + her again; and he wept, but he said they were cruel tears. + </p> + <p> + Desdemona was awakened with his kisses, and she looked upon Othello, and + she saw him gnaw his under lip and roll his eyes, and she knew he was + always fatal when he looked so; and he bade her prepare for death and to + say her prayers, for he would not kill her soul. And this innocent wife, + as she lay at his mercy, begged for compassion and to know her fault, and + then he named Cassio, and the handkerchief which (he said) she had given + him; and as the guiltless lady was proceeding to clear herself he suddenly + would hear no more, but, covering her up in the bedclothes, stifled her + till she died. + </p> + <p> + In this instant of time was brought into the house Cassio, wounded and + bleeding, whom Iago had set one of his creatures on to assassinate; but + the fellow not succeeding in his attempt to kill Cassio (whom he wounded, + but not mortally), and being him- self killed by Iago to prevent + discovery, in his pockets were found certain letters, which made the guilt + of Iago, and the innocence of Cassio, clear beyond all doubt; and Cassio + now came to beg pardon of Othello, and to ask wherein he had offended him, + that he had employed Iago to murder him. + </p> + <p> + This discovery was as a thunderstroke to Othello, who now plainly saw that + he was no better than a murderer, and that his wife (poor innocent lady) + had been ever faithful to him; the extreme anguish of which discovery + making life insupportable, he fell upon his sword, and throwing himself + upon the body of his dear injured lady, expired. + </p> + <p> + These rash acts raised much passion of horror and amazement in the + bystanders, for Othello had borne a fair reputation, and till he was + wrought upon by the arts of a villain, which his own noble nature never + gave him leave to suspect, he was a loving and a doting husband. He had + loved not wisely, but too well; and his manly eyes (when be learned his + mistake), though not used to weep on every small occasion, dropped tears + as fast as the Arabian trees their gum. And when he was dead all his + former merits and his valiant acts were remembered. Nothing now remained + for his successor but to put the utmost censure of the law in force + against Iago, who was executed with strict tortures; and to send word to + the state of Venice of the lamentable death of their renowned general. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap20"></a>PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE</h2> + <p> + Pericles, Prince of Tyre, became a voluntary exile from his dominions, to + avert the dreadful calamities which Antiochus, the wicked emperor of + Greece, threatened to bring upon his subjects and city of Tyre, in revenge + for a discovery which the prince had made of a shocking deed which the + emperor had done in secret; as commonly it proves dangerous to pry into + the hidden crimes of great ones. Leaving the government of his people in + the hands of his able and honest minister, Helicanus, Pericles set sail + from Tyre, thinking to absent himself till the wrath of Antiochus, who was + mighty, should be appeased. + </p> + <p> + The first place which the prince directed his course to was Tarsus, and + hearing that the city of Tarsus was at that time suffering under a severe + famine, he took with him a store of provisions for its relief. On his + arrival he found the city reduced to the utmost distress; and, he coming + like a messenger from heaven with his unhoped-for succor, Cleon, the + governor of Tarsus, welcomed him with boundless thanks. Pericles had not + been here many days before letters came from his faithful minister, + warning him that it was not safe for him to stay at Tarsus, for Antiochus + knew of his abode, and by secret emissaries despatched for that purpose + sought his life. Upon receipt of these letters Pericles put out to sea + again, amid the blessings and prayers of a whole people who had been fed + by his bounty. + </p> + <p> + He had not sailed far when his ship was overtaken by a dreadful storm, and + every man on board perished except Pericles, who was cast by the sea waves + naked on an unknown shore, where he had not wandered long before he met + with some poor fishermen, who invited him to their homes, giving him + clothes and provisions. The fishermen told Pericles the name of their + country was Pentapolis, and that their king was Simonides, commonly called + the good Simonides, because of his peaceable reign and good government. + From them he also learned that King Simonides had a fair young daughter, + and that the following day was her birthday, when a grand tournament was + to be held at court, many princes and knights being come from all parts to + try their skill in arms for the love of Thaisa, this fair princess. While + the prince was listening to this account, and secretly lamenting the loss + of his good armor, which disabled him from making one among these valiant + knights, another fisherman brought in a complete suit of armor that he had + taken out of the sea with his fishing-net, which proved to be the very + armor he had lost. When Pericles beheld his own armor he said: “Thanks, + Fortune; after all my crosses you give me somewhat to repair myself This + armor was bequeathed to me by my dead father, for whose dear sake I have + so loved it that whithersoever I went I still have kept it by me, and the + rough sea that parted it from me, having now become calm, hath given it + back again, for which I thank it, for, since I have my father’s gift + again, I think my shipwreck no misfortune.” + </p> + <p> + The next day Pericles, clad in his brave father’s armor, repaired to + the royal court of Simonides, where he performed wonders at the + tournament, vanquishing with ease all the brave knights and valiant + princes who contended with him in arms for the honor of Thaisa’s + love. When brave warriors contended at court tournaments for the love of + kings’ daughters, if one proved sole victor over all the rest, it + was usual for the great lady for whose sake these deeds of valor were + undertaken to bestow all her respect upon the conqueror, and Thaisa did + not depart from this custom, for she presently dismissed all the princes + and knights whom Pericles had vanquished, and distinguished him by her + especial favor and regard, crowning him with the wreath of victory, as + king of that day’s happiness; and Pericles became a most passionate + lover of this beauteous princess from the first moment he beheld her. + </p> + <p> + The good Simonides so well approved of the valor and noble qualities of + Pericles, who was indeed a most accomplished gentleman and well learned in + all excellent arts, that though he knew not the rank of this royal + stranger (for Pericles for fear of Antiochus gave out that he was a + private gentleman of Tyre), yet did not Simonides disdain to accept of the + valiant unknown for a son-in-law, when he perceived his daughter’s + affections were firmly fixed upon him. + </p> + <p> + Pericles had not been many months married to Thaisa before he received + intelligence that his enemy Antiochus was dead, and that his subjects of + Tyre, impatient of his long absence, threatened to revolt and talked of + placing Helicanus upon his vacant throne. This news came from Helicanus + himself, who, being a loyal subject to his royal master, would not accept + of the high dignity offered him, but sent to let Pericles know their + intentions, that he might return home and resume his lawful right. It was + matter of great surprise and joy to Simonides to find that his son-in-law + (the obscure knight) was the renowned Prince of Tyre; yet again he + regretted that he was not the private gentleman he supposed him to be, + seeing that he must now part both with his admired son-in-law and his + beloved daughter, whom he feared to trust to the perils of the sea, + because Thaisa was with child; and Pericles himself wished her to remain + with her father till after her confinement; but the poor lady so earnestly + desired to go with her husband that at last they consented, hoping she + would reach Tyre before she was brought to bed. + </p> + <p> + The sea was no friendly element to unhappy Pericles, for long before they + reached Tyre another dreadful tempest arose, which so terrified Thaisa + that she was taken ill, and in a short space of time her nurse, Lychorida, + came to Pericles with a little child in her arms, to tell the prince the + sad tidings that his wife died the moment her little babe was born. She + held the babe toward its father, saying: + </p> + <p> + “Here is a thing too young for such a place. This is the child of + your dead queen.” + </p> + <p> + No tongue can tell the dreadful sufferings of Pericles when he heard his + wife was dead. As soon as he could speak he said: + </p> + <p> + “O you gods, why do you make us love your goodly gifts and then + snatch those gifts away?” + </p> + <p> + “Patience, good sir,” said Lychorida, “here is all that + is left alive of our dead queen, a little daughter, and for your child’s + sake be more manly. Patience, good sir, even for the sake of this precious + charge.” + </p> + <p> + Pericles took the newborn infant in his arms, and he said to the little + babe: “Now may your life be mild, for a more blusterous birth had + never babe! May your condition be mild and gentle, for you have had the + rudest welcome that ever prince’s child did meet with! May that + which follows be happy, for you have had as chiding a nativity as fire, + air, water, earth, and heaven could make to herald you from the womb! Even + at the first, your loss,” meaning in the death of her mother, + “is more than all the joys, which you shall find upon this earth to + which you are come a new visitor, shall be able to recompense.” + </p> + <p> + The storm still continuing to rage furiously, and the sailors having a + superstition that while a dead body remained in the ship the storm would + never cease, they came to Pericles to demand that his queen should be + thrown overboard; and they said: + </p> + <p> + “What courage, sir? God save you!” + </p> + <p> + “Courage enough,” said the sorrowing prince. “I do not + fear the storm; it has done to me its worst; yet for the love of this poor + infant, this fresh new seafarer, I wish the storm was over.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said the sailors, “your queen must overboard. The + sea works high, the wind is loud, and the storm will not abate till the + ship be cleared of the dead.” + </p> + <p> + Though Pericles knew how weak and unfounded this superstition was, yet he + patiently submitted, saying: “As you think meet. Then she must + overboard, most wretched queen!” + </p> + <p> + And now this unhappy prince went to take a last view of his dear wife, and + as he looked on his Thaisa he said: “A terrible childbed hast thou + had, my dear; no light, no fire; the unfriendly elements forget thee + utterly, nor have I time to bring thee hallowed to thy grave, but must + cast thee scarcely coffined into the sea, where for a monument upon thy + bones the humming waters must overwhelm thy corpse, lying with simple + shells. O Lychorida, bid Nestor bring me spices, ink, and paper, my casket + and my jewels, and bid Nicandor bring me the satin coffin. Lay the babe + upon the pillow, and go about this suddenly, Lychorida, while I say a + priestly farewell to my Thaisa.” + </p> + <p> + They brought Pericles a large chest, in which (wrapped in a satin shroud) + he placed his queen, and sweet-smelling spices he strewed over her, and + beside her he placed rich jewels, and a written paper telling who she was + and praying if haply any one should find the chest which contained the + body of his wife they would give her burial; and then with his own hands + he cast the chest into the sea. When the storm was over, Pericles ordered + the sailors to make for Tarsus. “For,” said Pericles, “the + babe cannot hold out till we come to Tyre. At Tarsus I will leave it at + careful nursing.” + </p> + <p> + After that tempestuous night when Thaisa was thrown into the sea, and + while it was yet early morning, as Cerimon, a worthy gentleman of Ephesus + and a most skilful physician, was standing by the seaside, his servants + brought to him a chest, which they said the sea waves had thrown on the + land. + </p> + <p> + “I never saw,” said one of them, “so huge a billow as + cast it on our shore.” + </p> + <p> + Cerimon ordered the chest to be conveyed to his own house, and when it was + opened he beheld with wonder the body of a young and lovely lady; and the + sweet-smelling spices and rich casket of jewels made him conclude it was + some great person who was thus strangely entombed. Searching farther, he + discovered a paper, from which he learned that the corpse which lay as + dead before him had been a queen, and wife to Pericles, Prince of Tyre; + and much admiring at the strangeness of that accident, and more pitying + the husband who had lost this sweet lady, he said: “If you are + living, Pericles, you have a heart that even cracks with woe.” Then, + observing attentively Thaisa’s face, he saw how fresh and unlike + death her looks were, and he said, “They were too hasty that threw + you into the sea”; for he did not believe her to be dead. He ordered + a fire to be made, and proper cordials to be brought, and soft music to be + played, which might help to calm her amazed spirits if she should revive; + and he said to those who crowded round her, wondering at what they saw, + “O, I pray you, gentlemen, give her air; this queen will live; she + has not been entranced above five hours; and see, she begins to blow into + life again; she is alive; behold, her eyelids move; this fair creature + will live to make us weep to hear her fate.” + </p> + <p> + Thaisa had never died, but after the birth of her little baby had fallen + into a deep swoon which made all that saw her conclude her to be dead; and + now by the care of this kind gentleman she once more revived to light and + life; and, opening her eyes, she said: + </p> + <p> + “Where am I? Where is my lord? What world is this?” + </p> + <p> + By gentle degrees Cerimon let her understand what had befallen her; and + when he thought she was enough recovered to bear the sight he showed her + the paper written by her husband, and the jewels; and she looked on the + paper and said: + </p> + <p> + “It is my lord’s writing. That I was shipped at sea I well + remember, but whether there delivered of my babe, by the holy gods I + cannot rightly say; but since my wedded lord I never shall see again, I + will put on a vestal livery and never more have joy.” + </p> + <p> + “Madam,” said Cerimon, “if you purpose as you speak, the + temple of Diana is not far distant from hence; there you may abide as a + vestal. Moreover, if you please, a niece of mine shall there attend you.” + This proposal was accepted with thanks by Thaisa; and when she was + perfectly recovered, Cerimon placed her in the temple of Diana, where she + became a vestal or priestess of that goddess, and passed her days in + sorrowing for her husband’s supposed loss, and in the most devout + exercises of those times. + </p> + <p> + Pericles carried his young daughter (whom he named Marina, because she was + born at sea) to Tarsus, intending to leave her with Cleon, the governor of + that city, and his wife Dionysia, thinking, for the good he had done to + them at the time of their famine, they would be kind to his little + motherless daughter. When Cleon saw Prince Pericles and heard of the great + loss which had befallen him he said, “Oh, your sweet queen, that it + had pleased Heaven you could have brought her hither to have blessed my + eyes with the sight of her!” + </p> + <p> + Pericles replied: “We must obey the powers above us. Should I rage + and roar as the sea does in which my Thaisa has, yet the end must be as it + is. My gentle babe, Marina here, I must charge your charity with her. I + leave her the infant of your care, beseeching you to give her princely + training.” And then turning to Cleon’s wife, Dionysia, he + said, “Good madam, make me blessed in your tare in bringing up my + child.” + </p> + <p> + And she answered, “I have a child myself who shall not be more dear + to my respect than yours, my lord.” + </p> + <p> + And Cleon made the like promise, saying: “Your noble services, + Prince Pericles, in feeding my whole people with your corn (for which in + their prayers they daily remember you) must in your child be thought on. + If I should neglect your child, my whole people that were by you relieved + would force me to my duty; but if to that I need a spur, the gods revenge + it on me and mine to the end of generation.” + </p> + <p> + Pericles, being thus assured that his child would be carefully attended + to, left her to the protection of Cleon and his wife Dionysia, and with + her he left the nurse, Lychorida. When he went away the little Marina knew + not her loss, but Lychorida wept sadly at parting with her royal master. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no tears, Lychorida,” said Pericles; “no tears; + look to your little mistress, on whose grace you may depend hereafter.” + </p> + <p> + Pericles arrived in safety at Tyre, and was once more settled in the quiet + possession of his throne, while his woeful queen, whom he thought dead, + remained at Ephesus. Her little babe Marina, whom this hapless mother had + never seen, was brought up by Cleon in a manner suitable to her high + birth. He gave her the most careful education, so that by the time Marina + attained the age of fourteen years the most deeply learned men were not + more studied in the learning of those times than was Marina. She sang like + one immortal, and danced as goddess-like, and with her needle she was so + skilful that she seemed to compose nature’s own shapes in birds, + fruits, or flowers, the natural roses being scarcely more like to each + other than they were to Marina’s silken flowers. But when she had + gained from education all these graces which made her the general wonder, + Dionysia, the wife of Cleon, became her mortal enemy from jealousy, by + reason that her own daughter, from the slowness of her mind, was not able + to attain to that perfection wherein Marina excelled; and finding that all + praise was bestowed on Marina, while her daughter, who was of the same age + and had been educated with the same care as Marina, though not with the + same success, was in comparison disregarded, she formed a project to + remove Marina out of the way, vainly imagining that her untoward daughter + would be more respected when Marina was no more seen. To encompass this + she employed a man to murder Marina, and she well timed her wicked design, + when Lychorida, the faithful nurse, had just died. Dionysia was + discoursing with the man she had commanded to commit this murder when the + young Marina was weeping over the dead Lychorida. Leonine, the man she + employed to do this bad deed, though he was a very wicked man, could + hardly be persuaded to undertake it, so had Marina won all hearts to love + her. He said: + </p> + <p> + “She is a goodly creature!” + </p> + <p> + “The fitter then the gods should have her,” replied her + merciless enemy. “Here she comes weeping for the death of her nurse + Lychorida. Are you resolved to obey me?” + </p> + <p> + Leonine, fearing to disobey her, replied, “I am resolved.” And + so, in that one short sentence, was the matchless Marina doomed to an + untimely death. She now approached, with a basket of flowers in her hand, + which she said she would daily strew over the grave of good Lychorida. The + purple violet and the marigold should as a carpet hang upon her grave, + while summer days did last. + </p> + <p> + “Alas for met” she said, “poor unhappy maid, born in a + tempest, when my mother died. This world to me is like a lasting storm, + hurrying me from my friends.” + </p> + <p> + “How now, Marina,” said the dissembling Dionysia, “do + you weep alone? How does it chance my daughter is not with you? Do not + sorrow for Lychorida; you have a nurse in me. Your beauty is quite changed + with this unprofitable woe. Come, give me your flowers—the sea air + will spoil them—and walk with Leonine; the air is fine, and will + enliven you. Come, Leonine, take her by the arm and walk with her.” + </p> + <p> + “No, madam,” said Marina, “I pray you let me not deprive + you of your servant”; for Leonine was one of Dionysia’s + attendants. + </p> + <p> + “Come, come,” said this artful woman, who wished for a + pretense to leave her alone with Leonine, “I love the prince, your + father, and I love you. We every day expect your father here; and when he + comes and finds you so changed by grief from the paragon of beauty we + reported you, he will think we have taken no care of you. Go, I pray you, + walk, and be cheerful once again. Be careful of that excellent complexion + which stole the hearts of old and young.” + </p> + <p> + Marina, being thus importuned, said, “Well, I will go, but yet I + have no desire to it.” + </p> + <p> + As Dionysia walked away she said to Leonine, “Remember what I have + said!” shocking words, for their meaning was that he should remember + to kill Marina. + </p> + <p> + Marina looked toward the sea, her birthplace, and said, “Is the wind + westerly that blows?” + </p> + <p> + “Southwest,” replied Leonine. + </p> + <p> + “When I was born the wind was north,” said she; and then the + storm and tempest and all her father’s sorrows, and her mother’s + death, came full into her mind, and she said, “My father, as + Lychorida told me, did never fear, but cried, COURAGE, GOOD SEAMEN, to the + sailors, galling his princely hands with the ropes, and, clasping to the + masts, he endured a sea that almost split the deck.” + </p> + <p> + “When was this?” said Leonine. + </p> + <p> + “When I was born,” replied Marina. “Never were wind and + waves more violent.” And then she described the storm, the action of + the sailors, the boatswain’s whistle, and the loud call of the + master, which,” said she, “trebled the confusion of the ship.” + </p> + <p> + Lychorida had so often recounted to Marina the story of her hapless birth + that these things seemed ever present to her imagination. But here Leonine + interrupted her with desiring her to say her prayers. “What mean + you?” said Marina, who began to fear, she knew not why. + </p> + <p> + “If you require a little space for prayer, I grant it,” said + Leonine; “but be not tedious; the gods are quick of ear and I am + sworn to do my work in haste.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you kill me?” said Marina. “Alas! why?” + </p> + <p> + “To satisfy my lady,” replied Leonine. + </p> + <p> + “Why would she have me killed?” said Marina. “Now, as I + can remember, I never hurt her in all my life. I never spake bad word nor + did any ill turn to any living creature. Believe me now, I never killed a + mouse nor hurt a fly. I trod upon a worm once against my will, but I wept + for it. How have I offended?” + </p> + <p> + The murderer replied, “My commission is not to reason on the deed, + but to do it.” And he was just going to kill her when certain + pirates happened to land at that very moment, who, seeing Marina, bore her + off as a prize to their ship. + </p> + <p> + The pirate who had made Marina his prize carried her to Mitylene and sold + her for a slave, where, though in that humble condition, Marina soon + became known throughout the whole city of Mitylene for her beauty and her + virtues, and the person to whom she was sold became rich by the money she + earned for him. She taught music, dancing, and fine needleworks, and the + money she got by her scholars she gave to her master and mistress; and the + fame of her learning and her great industry came to the knowledge of + Lysimachus, a young nobleman who was governor of Mitylene, and Lysimachus + went himself to the house where Marina dwelt, to see this paragon of + excellence whom all the city praised so highly. Her conversation delighted + Lysimachus beyond measure, for, though he had heard much of this admired + maiden, he did not expect to find her so sensible a lady, so virtuous, and + so good, as he perceived Marina to be; and he left her, saying he hoped + she would persevere in her industrious and virtuous course, and that if + ever she heard from him again it should be for her good. Lysimachus + thought Marina such a miracle for sense, fine breeding, and excellent + qualities, as well as for beauty and all outward graces, that he wished to + marry her, and, notwithstanding her humble situation, he hoped to find + that her birth was noble; but whenever when they asked her parentage she + would sit still and weep. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, at Tarsus, Leonine, fearing the anger of Dionysia, told her he + had killed Marina; and that wicked woman gave out that she was dead, and + made a pretended funeral for her, and erected a stately monument; and + shortly after Pericles, accompanied by his loyal minister Helicanus, made + a voyage from Tyre to Tarsus, on purpose to see his daughter, intending to + take her home with him. And he never having beheld her since he left her + an infant in the care of Cleon and his wife, how did this good prince + rejoice at the thought of seeing this dear child of his buried queen! But + when they told him Marina was dead, and showed the monument they had + erected for her, great was the misery this most wretched father endured, + and, not being able to bear the sight of that country where his last hope + and only memory of his dear Thaisa was entombed, he took ship and hastily + departed from Tarsus. From the day he entered the ship a dull and heavy + melancholy seized him. He never spoke, and seemed totally insensible to + everything around him. + </p> + <p> + Sailing from Tarsus to Tyre, the ship in its course passed by Mitylene, + where Marina dwelt; the governor of which place, Lysimachus, observing + this royal vessel from the shore, and desirous of knowing who was on + board, went in a barge to the side of the ship, to satisfy his curiosity. + Helicanus received him very courteously and told him that the ship came + from Tyre, and that they were conducting thither Pericles, their prince. + “A man sir,” said Helicanus, “who has not spoken to any + one these three months, nor taken any sustenance, but just to prolong his + grief; it would be tedious to repeat the whole ground of his distemper, + but the main springs from the loss of a beloved daughter and a wife.” + </p> + <p> + Lysimachus begged to see this afflicted prince, and when he beheld + Pericles he saw he had been once a goodly person, and he said to him: + “Sir king, all hail! The gods preserve you! Hail, royal sir!” + </p> + <p> + But in vain Lysimachus spoke to him. Pericles made no answer, nor did he + appear to perceive any stranger approached. And then Lysimachus bethought + him of the peerless maid Marina, that haply with her sweet tongue she + might win some answer from the silent prince; and with the consent of + Helicanus he sent for Marina, and when she entered the ship in which her + own father sat motionless with grief, they welcomed her on board as if + they had known she was their princess; and they cried: + </p> + <p> + “She is a gallant lady.” + </p> + <p> + Lysimachus was well pleased to hear their commendations, and he said: + </p> + <p> + “She is such a one that, were I well assured she came of noble + birth, I would wish no better choice and think me rarely blessed in a + wife.” And then he addressed her in courtly terms, as if the lowly + seeming maid had been the high-born lady he wished to find her, calling + her FAIR AND BEAUTIFUL MARINA, telling her a great prince on board that + ship had fallen into a sad and mournful silence; and, as if Marina had the + power of conferring health and felicity, he begged she would undertake to + cure the royal stranger of his melancholy. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said Marina, “I will use my utmost skill in his + recovery, provided none but I and my maid be suffered to come near him.” + </p> + <p> + She, who at Mitylene had so carefully concealed her birth, ashamed to tell + that one of royal ancestry was now a slave, first began to speak to + Pericles of the wayward changes in her own fate, telling him from what a + high estate herself had fallen. As if she had known it was her royal + father she stood before, all the words she spoke were of her own sorrows; + but her reason for so doing was that she knew nothing more wins the + attention of the unfortunate than the recital of some sad calamity to + match their own. The sound of her sweet voice aroused the drooping prince; + he lifted up his eyes, which had been so long fixed and motionless; and + Marina, who was the perfect image of her mother, presented to his amazed + sight the features of his dead queen. The long silent prince was once more + heard to speak. + </p> + <p> + “My dearest wife,” said the awakened Pericles, “was like + this maid, and such a one might my daughter have been. My queen’s + square brows, her stature to an inch, as wand-like straight, as + silver-voiced, her eyes as jewel-like. Where do you live, young maid? + Report your parentage. I think you said you had been tossed from wrong to + injury, and that you thought your griefs would equal mine, if both were + opened.” + </p> + <p> + “Some such thing I said,” replied Marina, “and said no + more than what my thoughts did warrant me as likely.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me your story,” answered Pericles. “If I find you + have known the thousandth part of my endurance you have borne your sorrows + like a man and I have suffered like a girl; yet you do look like Patience + gazing on kings’ graves and smiling extremely out of act. How lost + you your name, my most kind virgin? Recount your story, I beseech you. + Come, sit by me.” + </p> + <p> + How was Pericles surprised when she said her name was MARINA, for he knew + it was no usual name, but had been invented by himself for his own child + to signify SEA-BORN. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I am mocked,” said he, “and you are sent hither by + some incensed god to make the world laugh at me.” + </p> + <p> + “Patience, good sir,” said Marina, “or I must cease + here.” + </p> + <p> + “Na@,” said Pericles, “I will be patient. You little + know how you do startle me, to call yourself Marina.” + </p> + <p> + “The name,” she replied, “was given me by one that had + some power, my father and a king.” + </p> + <p> + “How, a king’s daughter!” said Pericles, “and + called Marina! But are you flesh and blood? Are you no fairy? Speak on. + Where were you born, and wherefore called Marina?” + </p> + <p> + She replied: “I was called Marina because I was born at sea. My + mother was the daughter of a king; she died the minute I was born, as my + good nurse Lychorida has often told me, weeping. The king, my father, left + me at Tarsus till the cruel wife of Cleon sought to murder me. A crew of + pirates came and rescued me and brought me here to Mitylene. But, good + sir, why do you weep? It may be you think me an impostor. But indeed, sir, + I am the daughter to King Pericles, if good King Pericles be living.” + </p> + <p> + Then Pericles, terrified as he seemed at his own sudden joy, and doubtful + if this could be real, loudly called for his attendants, who rejoiced at + the sound of their beloved king’s voice; and he said to Helicanus: + </p> + <p> + “O Helicanus, strike me, give me a gash, put me to present pain, + lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me overbear the shores of my + mortality. Oh, come hither, thou that wast born at sea, buried at Tarsus, + and found at sea again. O Helicanus, down on your knees, thank the holy + gods! This is Marina. Now blessings on thee, my child! Give me fresh + garments, mine own Helicanus! She is not dead at Tarsus as she should have + been by the savage Dionysia. She shall tell you all, when you shall kneel + to her and call her your very Princess. Who is this?” (observing + Lysimachus for the first time). + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said Helicanus, “it is the governor of Mitylene, + who, hearing of your melancholy, came to see you.” + </p> + <p> + “I embrace you, sir,” said Pericles. “Give me my robes! + I am well with beholding. O Heaven bless my girl! But hark, what music is + that?”—for now, either sent by some kind god or by his own + delighted fancy deceived, he seemed to hear soft music. + </p> + <p> + “My lord, I hear none,” replied Helicanus. + </p> + <p> + “None?” said Pericles. “Why, it is the music of the + spheres.” + </p> + <p> + As there was no music to be heard, Lysimachus concluded that the sudden + joy had unsettled the prince’s understanding, and he said, “It + is not good to cross him; let him have his way.” And then they told + him they heard the music; and he now complaining of a drowsy slumber + coming over him, Lysimachus persuaded him to rest on a couch, and, placing + a pillow under his head, he, quite overpowered with excess of joy, sank + into a sound sleep, and Marina watched in silence by the couch of her + sleeping parent. + </p> + <p> + While he slept, Pericles dreamed a dream which made him resolve to go to + Ephesus. His dream was that Diana, the goddess of the Ephesians, appeared + to him and commanded him to go to her temple at Ephesus, and there before + her altar to declare the story of his life and misfortunes; and by her + silver bow she swore that if he performed her injunction he should meet + with some rare felicity. When he awoke, being miraculously refreshed, he + told his dream, and that his resolution was to obey the bidding of the + goddess. + </p> + <p> + Then Lysimachus invited Pericles to come on shore and refresh himself with + such entertainment as he should find at Mitylene, which courteous offer + Pericles accepting, agreed to tarry with him for the space of a day or + two. During which time we may well suppose what feastings, what + rejoicings, what costly shows and entertainments the governor made in + Mitylene to greet the royal father of his dear Marina, whom in her obscure + fortunes he had so respected. Nor did Pericles frown upon Lysimachus’s + suit, when he understood how he had honored his child in the days of her + low estate, and that Marina showed herself not averse to his proposals; + only he made it a condition, before he gave his consent, that they should + visit with him the shrine of the Ephesian Diana; to whose temple they + shortly after all three undertook a voyage; and, the goddess herself + filling their sails with prosperous winds, after a few weeks they arrived + in safety at Ephesus. + </p> + <p> + There was standing near the altar of the goddess, when Pericles with his + train entered the temple, the good Cerimon (now grown very aged), who had + restored Thaisa, the wife of Pericles, to life; and Thaisa, now a + priestess of the temple, was standing before the altar; and though the + many years he had passed in sorrow for her loss had much altered Pericles, + Thaisa thought she knew her husband’s features, and when he + approached the altar and began to speak, she remembered his voice, and + listened to his words with wonder and a joyful amazement. And these were + the words that Pericles spoke before the altar: + </p> + <p> + “Hail, Diana! to perform thy just commands I here confess myself the + Prince of Tyre, who, frighted from my country, at Pentapolis wedded the + fair Thaisa. She died at sea in childbed, but brought forth a maid-child + called Marina. She at Tarsus was nursed with Dionysia, who at fourteen + years thought to kill her, but her better stars brought her to Mitylene, + by whose shores as I sailed her good fortunes brought this maid on board, + where by her most clear remembrance she made herself known to be my + daughter.” + </p> + <p> + Thaisa, unable to bear the transports which his words had raised in her, + cried out, “You are, you are, O royal Pericles” and fainted. + </p> + <p> + “What means this woman?” said Pericles. “She dies! + Gentlemen, help.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said Cerimon, “if you have told Diana’s + altar true, this is your wife.” + </p> + <p> + “Reverend gentleman, no,” said Pericles. “I threw her + overboard with these very arms.” + </p> + <p> + Cerimon then recounted how, early one tempestuous morning, this lady was + thrown upon the Ephesian shore; how, opening the coffin, he found therein + rich jewels and a paper; how, happily, he recovered her and placed her + here in Diana’s temple. + </p> + <p> + And now Thaisa, being restored from her swoon, said: “O my lord, are + you not Pericles? Like him you speak, like him you are. Did you not name a + tempest, a birth, and death?” + </p> + <p> + He, astonished, said, “The voice of dead Thaisa!” + </p> + <p> + “That Thaisa am I,” she replied, “supposed dead and + drowned.” + </p> + <p> + “O true Diana!” exclaimed Pericles, in a passion of devout + astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “And now,” said Thaisa, “I know you better. Such a ring + as I see on your finger did the king my father give you when we with tears + parted from him at Pentapolis.” + </p> + <p> + “Enough, you gods!” cried Pericles. “Your present + kindness makes my past miseries sport. Oh, come, Thaisa, be buried a + second time within these arms.” + </p> + <p> + And Marina said, “My heart leaps to be gone into my mother’s + bosom.” + </p> + <p> + Then did Pericles show his daughter to her mother, saying, “Look who + kneels here, flesh of thy flesh, thy burthen at sea, and called Marina + because she was yielded there.” + </p> + <p> + “Blessed and my own!” said Thaisa. And while she hung in + rapturous joy over her child Pericles knelt before the altar, saying: + </p> + <p> + “Pure Diana, bless thee for thy vision. For this I will offer + oblations nightly to thee.” + </p> + <p> + And then and there did Pericles, with the consent of Thaisa, solemnly + affiance their daughter, the virtuous Marina, to the well-deserving + Lysimachus in marriage. + </p> + <p> + Thus have we seen in Pericles, his queen, and daughter, a famous example + of virtue assailed by calamity (through the sufferance of Heaven, to teach + patience and constancy to men), under the same guidance becoming finally + successful and triumphing over chance and change. In Helicanus we have + beheld a notable pattern of truth, of faith, and loyalty, who, when he + might have succeeded to a throne, chose rather to recall the rightful + owner to his possession than to become great by another’s wrong. In + the worthy Cerimon, who restored Thaisa to life, we are instructed how + goodness, directed by knowledge, in bestowing benefits upon mankind + approaches to the nature of the gods. It only remains to be told that + Dionysia, the wicked wife of Cleon, met with an end proportionable to her + deserts. The inhabitants of Tarsus, when her cruel attempt upon Marina was + known, rising in a body to revenge the daughter of their benefactor, and + setting fire to the palace of Cleon, burned both him and her and their + whole household, the gods seeming well pleased that so foul a murder, + though but intentional and never carried into act, should be punished in a + way befitting its enormity. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE ***</div> +<div style='text-align:left'> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will +be renamed. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United +States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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