_Pol._ How! caught of me! Make me not sighted like the basilisk: I have look'd on thousands, who have sped the better By my regard, but kill'd none so. Camillo,-- 390 As you are certainly a gentleman; thereto Clerk-like experienced, which no less adorns Our gentry than our parents' noble names, In whose success we are gentle,--I beseech you, If you know aught which does behove my knowledge 395 Thereof to be inform'd, imprison't not In ignorant concealment.
_Pol._ A sickness caught of me, and yet I well! I must be answer'd. Dost thou hear, Camillo, I conjure thee, by all the parts of man 400 Which honour does acknowledge, whereof the least Is not this suit of mine, that thou declare What incidency thou dost guess of harm Is creeping toward me; how far off, how near; Which way to be prevented, if to be; 405 If not, how best to bear it.
_Cam._ Sir, I will tell you; Since I am charged in honour and by him That I think honourable: therefore mark my counsel, Which must be ev'n as swiftly follow'd as I mean to utter it, or both yourself and me 410 Cry lost, and so good night!
_Cam._ He thinks, nay, with all confidence he swears, As he had seen't, or been an instrument 415 To vice you to't, that you have touch'd his queen Forbiddenly.
_Pol._ O, then my best blood turn To an infected jelly and my name Be yoked with his that did betray the Best! Turn then my freshest reputation to 420 A savour that may strike the dullest nostril Where I arrive, and my approach be shunn'd, Nay, hated too, worse than the great'st infection That e'er was heard or read!
_Cam._ Swear his thought over By each particular star in heaven and 425 By all their influences, you may as well Forbid the sea for to obey the moon, As or by oath remove or counsel shake The fabric of his folly, whose foundation Is piled upon his faith and will continue 430 The standing of his body.
_Cam._ I know not: but I am sure 'tis safer to Avoid what's grown than question how 'tis born. If therefore you dare trust my honesty, That lies enclosed in this trunk which you 435 Shall bear along impawn'd, away to-night! Your followers I will whisper to the business; And will by twos and threes at several posterns, Clear them o' the city. For myself, I'll put My fortunes to your service, which are here 440 By this discovery lost. Be not uncertain; For, by the honour of my parents, I Have utter'd truth: which if you seek to prove, I dare not stand by; nor shall you be safer Than one condemn'd by the king's own mouth, thereon 445 His execution sworn.