Paulina Flashcards
To learn Paulina's lines in Act 5, scene 3 of the Winter's Tale
LEONTES
O grave and good Paulina, the great comfort that I have had of thee!
What, sovereign sir,
I did not well, I meant well. All my services
you have paid home. But that you have vouchsafed,
With your crowned brother and these your contracted
Heirs of your kingdoms, my poor house to visit, it is a surplus of your grace wich never
My life my last to answer.
LEONTES
…That which my daughter came to look upon, the statue of her mother.
As she lived peerless,
So her dead likeness, I do well believe,
Excels whatever yet you looked upon
Or hand of man hath done. Therefore I keep It
Lonely, apart. But here it is. Prepare
To see the life as lively mocked as ever
Still sleep mocked death. Behold, and say tis well.
(pause)
I like your silence. It the more shows off
Your wonder. But yet speak. First you, my liege.
Comes it not something near?
POLIXENES
O, not by much!
So much the more our carver’s exellence,
Which lets go by some sixteen years and makes her
As she lived now.
PERDITA
…Dear queen, that ended when I but began,
Give me that hand of yours to kiss.
O, patience!
The statue is but newly fixed; the color’s
Not dry.
POLIXENES
…As he will piece up in himself.
Indeed, my lord,
If I had thought the sight of my poor image
Would thus have wrought you-for the stone is
mine-
I’d not have showed it.
LEONTES
Do not draw the curtain.
No longer shall you gaze on’t, lest your fancy
May think anon it moves.
LEONTES
…As we are mocked with art.
I’ll draw the curtain.
My lord’s almost so far transported that
He’ll think anon it lives.
LEONTES
…The pleasure of that madness. Let’t alone.
I am sorry, sir, I have thus far stirred you, but
I could afflict you farther.
…For I will kiss her.
Good my lord, forbear.
The ruddiness upon her lip is wet.
You’ll mar it if you kiss it, stain your own
With oily painting. Shall I draw the curtain?
PERDITA
So long could I stand by, a looker-on.
Either forbear,
Quit presently the chapel, or resolve you
For more amazement. If you can behold it,
I’ll make the statue move indeed, descend
And take you by the hand. But then you’ll think—
Which I protest against—I am assisted
By wicked powers.
LEONTES
…To make her speak as move.
It is required
You do awake your faith. Then all stand still—
Or those that think it is unlawful business
I am about, let them depart.
LEONTES
Proceed.
No foot shall stir.
Music, awake her! Strike!
Music sounds.
’Tis time. Descend. Be stone no more. Approach.
Strike all that look upon with marvel. Come,
I’ll fill your grave up. Stir, nay, come away.
Bequeath to death your numbness, for from him
Dear life redeems you. - You percieve she stirs.
(Hermione descends.)
Start not. Her actions shall be holy as
You hear my spell is lawful. Do not shun her
Until you see her die again, for then
You kill her double.
Nay, present your hand.
When she was young, you wooed her; now in age
Is she become the suitor?
POLIXENES
…Or how stol’n from the dead.
That she is living,
Were it but told you, should be hooted at
Like an old tale, but it appears she lives,
Though yet she speak not. Mark a little while.
(To Perdita.)
Please you to interpose, fair madam.
Kneel
And pray your mother’s blessing.
(To Hermione.)
Turn, good lady.
Our Perdita is found.
HERMIONE
…have preserved
Myself to see the issue.
There’s time enough for that,
Lest they desire upon this push to trouble
Your joys with like relation. Go together,
You precious winners all. Your exaltation
Partake to everyone. I, an old turtle,
Will wing me to some withered bough and there
My mate, that’s never to be found again,
Lament till I am lost.
