_Leon._ You knew of his departure, as you know 75 What you have underta'en to do in's absence. _Her._ Sir, You speak a language that I understand not: My life stands in the level of your dreams, Which I'll lay down. _Leon._ Your actions are my dreams; 80 You had a bastard by Polixenes, And I but dream'd it. As you were past all shame,-- Those of your fact are so,--so past all truth: Which to deny concerns more than avails; for as Thy brat hath been cast out, like to itself, 85 No father owning it,--which is, indeed, More criminal in thee than it,--so thou Shalt feel our justice, in whose easiest passage Look for no less than death. _Her._ Sir, spare your threats: The bug which you would fright me with I seek. 90 To me can life be no commodity: The crown and comfort of my life, your favour, I do give lost; for I do feel it gone, But know not how it went. My second joy And first-fruits of my body, from his presence 95 I am barr'd, like one infectious. My third comfort, Starr'd most unluckily, is from my breast, The innocent milk in it most innocent mouth, Haled out to murder: myself on every post Proclaimed a strumpet: with immodest hatred 100 The child-bed privilege denied, which 'longs To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried Here to this place, i' the open air, before I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege, Tell me what blessings I have here alive, 105 That I should fear to die? Therefore proceed. But yet hear this; mistake me not; no life, I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour, Which I would free, if I shall be condemn'd Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else 110 But what your jealousies awake, I tell you 'Tis rigour and not law. Your honours all, I do refer me to the oracle: Apollo be my judge! _First Lord._ This your request Is altogether just: therefore bring forth, 115 And in Apollo's name, his oracle. [_Exeunt certain Officers._ _Her._ The Emperor of Russia was my father: O that he were alive, and here beholding His daughter's trial! that he did but see The flatness of my misery, yet with eyes 120 Of pity, not revenge! _Re-enter_ Officers, _with_ CLEOMENES _and_ DION. _Off_. You here shall swear upon this sword of justice, That you, Cleomenes and Dion, have Been both at Delphos, and from thence have brought This seal'd-up oracle, by the hand deliver'd 125 Of great Apollo's priest and that since then You have not dared to break the holy seal Nor read the secrets in't.