The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 3 of 9]Shakespeare, William
General
The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 3 of 9]
Shakespeare, William
English drama
_Cam._ I must believe you, sir:
I do; and will fetch off Bohemia for't;
Provided that, when he's removed, your highness 335
Will take again your queen as yours at first,
Even for your son's sake; and thereby for sealing
The injury of tongues in courts and kingdoms
Known and allied to yours.
_Leon._ Thou dost advise me
Even so as I mine own course have set down: 340
I'll give no blemish to her honour, none.
_Cam._ My lord,
Go then; and with a countenance as clear
As friendship wears at feasts, keep with Bohemia
And with your queen. I am his cup-bearer: 345
If from me he have wholesome beverage,
Account me not your servant.
_Leon._ This is all:
Do't and thou hast the one half of my heart;
Do't not, thou splitt'st thine own.
_Cam._ I'll do't, my lord.
_Leon._ I will seem friendly, as thou hast advised me. 350
[_Exit._
_Cam._ O miserable lady! But, for me,
What case stand I in? I must be the poisoner
Of good Polixenes: and my ground to do't
Is the obedience to a master, one
Who, in rebellion with himself, will have 355
All that are his so too. To do this deed,
Promotion follows. If I could find example
Of thousands that had struck anointed kings
And flourish'd after, I'ld not do't; but since
Nor brass nor stone nor parchment bears not one, 360
Let villany itself forswear't. I must
Forsake the court: to do't, or no, is certain
To me a break-neck. Happy star reign now!
Here comes Bohemia.
_Re-enter_ POLIXENES.
_Pol._ This is strange: methinks
My favour here begins to warp. Not speak? 365
Good day, Camillo.
_Cam._ Hail, most royal sir!
_Pol._ What is the news i' the court?
_Cam._ None rare, my lord.
_Pol._ The king hath on him such a countenance
As he had lost some province and a region
Loved as he loves himself: even now I met him 370
With customary compliment; when he,
Wafting his eyes to the contrary and falling
A lip of much contempt, speeds from me and
So leaves me, to consider what is breeding
That changes thus his manners. 375
_Cam._ I dare not know, my lord.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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