KEY FACTS
MAJOR PARTS (with percentages of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage): Leontes (20%/125/6), Paulina (10%/59/5), Camillo (9%/72/5), Autolycus (9%/67/3), Polixenes (8%/57/4), Florizel (6%/45/2), Hermione (6%/35/4), Clown (5%/64/4), Shepherd (4%/42/3), Perdita (4%/25/3), Antigonus (3%/19/3). An unusually large number of named parts have 20-30 lines, less than 1% of the text: Archidamus, Cleomenes, Dion, the boy Mamillius, Emilia, Dorcas, and Mopsa.
LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 75% verse, 25% prose.
DATE: 1611. Performed at the Globe May 1611; dance of satyrs apparently borrows from a court entertainment of January 1611; performed at court November 1611 and again for royal wedding celebrations in early 1613. Some scholars argue for 1609-10 on assumption that the satyrs' dance is a later interpolation, but theaters were closed because of plague for many months of these earlier years.
SOURCES: A dramatization of Robert Greene's prose romance Pandosto: The Triumph of Time (1588, also known as The History of Dorastus and Fawnia). The survival and revival of the queen is a Shakespearean innovation, influenced by the story in Ovid's Metamorphoses (book ten) in which Pygmalion's statue comes to life.
TEXT: First Folio of 1623 is only early printed text. Typeset from a transcription by Ralph Crane, professional scribe to the King's Men, it is very well printed, with remarkably few textual problems.
THE WINTER'S
TALE
Act 1 Scene 1 running scene 1
Location: Sicilia (now Sicily)
* * *
Enter Camillo and Archidamus
ARCHIDAMUS If you shall chance, Camillo, to visit Bohemia1,
on the like occasion2 whereon my services are now on foot,
you shall see, as I have said, great difference betwixt our
Bohemia and your Sicilia.
CAMILLO I think this coming summer the King of Sicilia
means to pay Bohemia6 the visitation which he justly owes
him.
ARCHIDAMUS Wherein our entertainment shall shame us, we
will be justified in our loves8, for indeed--
CAMILLO Beseech you--
ARCHIDAMUS Verily11, I speak it in the freedom of my knowledge11:
we cannot with such magnificence -- in so rare12 -- I know
not what to say. We will give you sleepy13 drinks, that your
senses, unintelligent of our insufficience14, may, though they
cannot praise us, as little accuse us.
CAMILLO You pay a great deal too dear for what's given freely.
ARCHIDAMUS Believe me, I speak as my understanding instructs
me and as mine honesty puts it to utterance.
CAMILLO Sicilia19 cannot show himself over-kind to Bohemia.
They were trained20 together in their childhoods and there
rooted betwixt them then such an affection which cannot
choose but branch22 now. Since their more mature dignities
and royal necessities23 made separation of their society,
their encounters, though not personal, have been royally
attorneyed25 with interchange of gifts, letters, loving embassies,
that they have seemed to be together, though absent, shook
hands, as over a vast27, and embraced, as it were, from the
ends of opposed winds28. The heavens continue their loves.
ARCHIDAMUS I think there is not in the world either malice or
matter to alter it. You have an unspeakable30 comfort of your
young prince Mamillius: it is a gentleman of the greatest
promise that ever came into my note32.
CAMILLO I very well agree with you in the hopes of him: it is a
gallant child; one that indeed physics the subject34, makes old
hearts fresh. They that went on crutches ere35 he was born
desire yet their life36 to see him a man.
ARCHIDAMUS Would they else37 be content to die?
CAMILLO Yes; if there were no other excuse why they should
desire to live.
ARCHIDAMUS If the king had no son, they would desire to live on
crutches till he had one.
Exeunt
Act 1 Scene 2 running scene 1 continues
* * *
Enter Leontes, Hermione, Mamillius, Polixenes, Camillo [and Attendants]
POLIXENES Nine changes of the wat'ry star1 hath been
The shepherd's note2 since we have left our throne
Without a burden3. Time as long again
Would be filled up, my brother, with our thanks.
And yet we should, for perpetuity5,
Go hence in debt: and therefore, like a cipher6,
Yet standing in rich place, I multiply
With one 'We thank you' many thousands moe8
That go before it.
LEONTES Stay10 your thanks a while,
And pay them when you part.
POLIXENES Sir, that's tomorrow.
I am questioned by my fears of what may chance
Or breed upon our absence, that may blow
No sneaping winds at home, to make us say
'This is put forth too truly'13. Besides, I have stayed
To tire your royalty.
LEONTES We are tougher, brother,
Than you can put us to't19.
POLIXENES No longer stay.
LEONTES One sev'nnight21 longer.
POLIXENES Very sooth22, tomorrow.
LEONTES We'll part the time between's23 then, and in that
I'll no gainsaying24.
POLIXENES Press me not, beseech you, so.
There is no tongue that moves, none, none i'th'world
So soon as yours could win me. So it should now,
'Twere needful29 I denied it. My affairs
Do even drag me homeward, which to hinder
Were in your love a whip to me31, my stay
To you a charge32 and trouble. To save both,
Farewell, our brother.
LEONTES Tongue-tied, our queen? Speak you.
HERMIONE I had thought, sir, to have held my peace until
You had drawn oaths from him not to stay. You, sir,
Charge37 him too coldly. Tell him you are sure
All in Bohemia's well: this satisfaction
The bygone day38 proclaimed. Say39 this to him,
He's beat from his best ward40.
LEONTES Well said, Hermione.
HERMIONE To tell42, he longs to see his son, were strong.
But43 let him say so then, and let him go.
But let him swear so, and he shall not stay,
We'll thwack him hence with distaffs45.--
Yet of your royal presence I'll adventure46
To Polixenes
The borrow of a week. When at Bohemia
You take48 my lord, I'll give him my commission
To let him there a month behind the gest
Prefixed for's parting49.-- Yet, good deed50, Leontes,
I love thee not a jar51 o'th'clock behind
What lady she her lord.-- You'll stay?
POLIXENES No, madam.
HERMIONE Nay, but you will?
POLIXENES I may not, verily.
HERMIONE Verily?
You put me off with limber vows57. But I,
Though you would seek t'unsphere the stars58 with oaths,
Should yet say 'Sir, no going.' Verily,
You shall not go; a lady's 'Verily' is
As potent as a lord's. Will you go yet?
Force me to keep you as a prisoner,
Not like a guest: so you shall pay your fees
When you depart63, and save your thanks. How say you?
My prisoner? Or my guest? By your dread65 'Verily',
One of them you shall be.
POLIXENES Your guest, then, madam.
To be your prisoner should import offending68,
Which i
s for me less easy to commit
Than you to punish.
HERMIONE Not your jailer, then,
But your kind hostess. Come, I'll question you
Of73 my lord's tricks and yours when you were boys.
You were pretty lordings74 then?
POLIXENES We were, fair queen,
Two lads that thought there was no more behind76
But such a day tomorrow as today,
And to be boy eternal.
HERMIONE Was not my lord
The verier wag80 o'th'two?
POLIXENES We were as twinned lambs that did frisk i'th'sun,
And bleat the one at th'other. What we changed82
Was innocence for innocence. We knew not
The doctrine of ill-doing, nor dreamed
That any did. Had we pursued that life,
And our weak spirits ne'er been higher reared
With stronger blood86, we should have answered heaven
Boldly 'Not guilty', the imposition cleared
Hereditary ours88.
HERMIONE By this we gather
You have tripped91 since.
POLIXENES O, my most sacred lady,
Temptations have since then been born to's93. For
In those unfledged94 days was my wife a girl;
Your precious self had then not crossed the eyes
Of my young playfellow96.
HERMIONE Grace to boot!97
Of this make no conclusion98, lest you say
Your queen and I are devils. Yet go on.
Th'offences we have made you do we'll answer100,
If you first sinned with us101, and that with us
You did continue fault, and that you slipped not
With any but with us.
LEONTES Is he won yet?
HERMIONE He'll stay, my lord.
LEONTES At my request he would not.--
Aside?
Hermione, my dearest, thou never spok'st
To better purpose.
HERMIONE Never?
LEONTES Never, but once.
HERMIONE What? Have I twice said well? When was't before?
I prithee tell me. Cram's112 with praise, and make's
As fat as tame things113. One good deed dying tongueless
Slaughters a thousand waiting upon that114.
Our praises are our wages. You may ride's115
With one soft kiss a thousand furlongs116 ere
With spur we heat an acre. But to th'goal:
My last good deed was to entreat his stay:
What was my first? It has an elder sister119,
Or I mistake you -- O, would120 her name were Grace! --
But once before I spoke to th'purpose: when?
Nay, let me have't: I long.
LEONTES Why, that was when
Three crabbed124 months had soured themselves to death,
Ere I could make thee open thy white hand
And clap126 thyself my love; then didst thou utter
'I am yours for ever.'
HERMIONE 'Tis grace indeed.--
Why, lo129 you now, I have spoke to th'purpose twice:
To Polixenes?
The one forever earned a royal husband;
Th'other for some while a friend131.
Takes Polixenes' hand
LEONTES Too hot, too hot!
Aside
To mingle friendship far is mingling bloods133.
I have tremor cordis134 on me: my heart dances,
But not for joy, not joy. This entertainment135
May a free136 face put on, derive a liberty
From heartiness137, from bounty, fertile bosom,
And well become the agent138. 'T may, I grant.
But to be paddling palms and pinching fingers139,
As now they are, and making practised140 smiles,
As in a looking-glass, and then to sigh, as 'twere
The mort142 o'th'deer -- O, that is entertainment
My bosom likes not, nor my brows143.-- Mamillius,
Art thou my boy?
MAMILLIUS Ay, my good lord.
LEONTES I' fecks!146
Why, that's my bawcock147. What? Hast smutched thy nose?--
They say it is a copy out of mine.-- Come, captain,
Aside?
We must be neat149; not neat, but cleanly, captain.
And yet the steer150, the heifer and the calf
Are all called neat.-- Still virginalling
Aside
Upon his palm151?-- How now, you wanton152 calf!
Art thou my calf?
MAMILLIUS Yes, if you will, my lord.
LEONTES Thou want'st155 a rough pash and the shoots that I have
To be full156 like me.-- Yet they say we are
Aside?
Almost as like as eggs; women say so,
That will say anything. But were they false
As o'er-dyed blacks159, as wind, as waters, false
As dice are to be wished by one that fixes
No bourn 'twixt his and mine161, yet were it true
To say this boy were like me.-- Come, sir page,
To Mamillius
Look on me with your welkin163 eye. Sweet villain!
Most dear'st, my collop164! Can thy dam, may't be
Affection165?-- Thy intention stabs the centre.
Aside?
Thou dost make possible things not so held166,
Communicat'st with dreams -- how can this be? --
With what's unreal thou coactive art168,
And fellow'st169 nothing. Then 'tis very credent
Thou mayst co-join170 with something, and thou dost,
And that beyond commission171, and I find it,
And that to the infection of my brains
And hard'ning of my brows173.
POLIXENES What means Sicilia174?
HERMIONE He something seems175 unsettled.
POLIXENES How, my lord?
LEONTES What cheer? How is't with you, best brother?
HERMIONE You look as if you held a brow of much distraction.
Are you moved179, my lord?
LEONTES No, in good earnest.--
How sometimes nature will betray its folly,
Aside?
Its tenderness, and make itself a pastime
To harder bosoms182!-- Looking on the lines
Of my boy's face, methoughts I did recoil
Twenty-three years, and saw myself unbreeched185,
In my green velvet coat; my dagger muzzled186,
Lest it should bite its master, and so prove,
As ornaments oft do, too dangerous.
How like, methought, I then was to this kernel,
This squash190, this gentleman.-- Mine honest friend,
To Mamillius
Will you take eggs for money191?
MAMILLIUS No, my lord, I'll fight.
LEONTES You will? Why, happy man be's dole193! My brother,
Are you so fond of your young prince as we
Do seem to be of ours?
POLIXENES If at home, sir,
He's all my exercise197, my mirth, my matter;
Now my sworn friend and then mine enemy;
My parasite199, my soldier, statesman, all.
He makes a July's day short as December,
And with his varying childness201 cures in me
Thoughts that would thick my blood202.
LEONTES So stands this squire
Officed204 with me. We two will walk, my lord,
And leave you to your graver205 steps.-- Hermione,
How thou lovest us, show in our brother's welcome.
Let what is dear207 in Sicily be cheap.
Next to thyself and my young rover208, he's
Apparent209 to my heart.
HERMIONE If you would seek us,
We are yours i'th'garden: shall's attend211 you there?
LEONTES To your own bents212 dispose you: you'll be found,
B
e you beneath the sky.-- I am angling now,
Aside
Though you perceive me not how I give line.
Go to215, go to!
How she holds up the neb, the bill216 to him!
And arms her with the boldness of a wife
To her allowing husband217!
[Exeunt Polixenes, Hermione and Attendants]
Gone already?
Inch-thick, knee-deep, o'er head and ears a forked219 one!--
Go, play, boy, play. Thy mother plays220, and I
Play too, but so disgraced a part221, whose issue
Will hiss222 me to my grave. Contempt and clamour
Will be my knell223. Go play, boy, play.-- There have been,
Or I am much deceived, cuckolds224 ere now.
And many a man there is, even at this present,
Now while I speak this, holds his wife by th'arm,
That little thinks she has been sluiced227 in's absence
And his pond228 fished by his next neighbour, by
Sir Smile, his neighbour. Nay, there's comfort in't
Whiles other men have gates230 and those gates opened,
As mine, against their will. Should all despair
That have revolted232 wives, the tenth of mankind
Would hang themselves. Physic233 for't there's none:
It is a bawdy234 planet, that will strike
Where 'tis predominant235; and 'tis powerful, think it,
From east, west, north and south. Be it concluded,
No barricado for a belly237. Know't,
It will let in and out the enemy
With bag and baggage239. Many thousand on's
Have the disease, and feel't not.-- How now, boy?
MAMILLIUS I am like you, they say.
LEONTES Why that's some comfort. What, Camillo there?
CAMILLO Ay, my good lord.
Comes forward
LEONTES Go play, Mamillius, thou'rt an honest man.--
[Exit Mamillius]
Camillo, this great sir will yet stay longer.
CAMILLO You had much ado246 to make his anchor hold:
When you cast out, it still came home247.
LEONTES Didst note it?
CAMILLO He would not stay at your petitions249, made
His business more material250.
LEONTES Didst perceive it?--
They're here with me already252, whisp'ring, rounding
Aside
'Sicilia is a so-forth253.' 'Tis far gone
When I shall gust254 it last.-- How came't, Camillo,
To Camillo
That he did stay?
CAMILLO At the good queen's entreaty.
LEONTES At the queen's be't. 'Good' should be pertinent257,
But so it is258, it is not. Was this taken