_Cam._ You pay a great deal too dear for what's given freely.
_Arch._ Believe me, I speak as my understanding instructs me and as mine honesty puts it to utterance.
_Cam._ Sicilia cannot show himself over-kind to Bohemia. 20 They were trained together in their childhoods; and there rooted betwixt them then such an affection, which cannot choose but branch now. Since their more mature dignities and royal necessities made separation of their society, their encounters, though not personal, have been royally 25 attorneyed with interchange of gifts, letters, loving embassies; that they have seemed to be together, though absent; shook hands, as over a vast; and embraced, as it were, from the ends of opposed winds. The heavens continue their loves! 30
_Arch._ I think there is not in the world either malice or matter to alter it. You have an unspeakable comfort of your young prince Mamillius: it is a gentleman of the greatest promise that ever came into my note.
_Cam._ I very well agree with you in the hopes of him: 35 it is a gallant child; one that indeed physics the subject, makes old hearts fresh: they that went on crutches ere he was born desire yet their life to see him a man.
_Arch._ Would they else be content to die?
_Cam._ Yes; if there were no other excuse why they 40 should desire to live.
_Arch._ If the king had no son, they would desire to live on crutches till he had one. [_Exeunt._
SCENE I. Antechamber....] Theobald. A Palace. Rowe.
[1] _Bohemia_] _Bithynia_ Hanmer (and throughout).
[5] _coming_] _comming_ F1. _common_ F2 F3 F4.
_royally_] _so royally_ Collier (Collier MS.).
[33] _Mamillius_] _Mamillus_ Rowe (ed. 2).
_Enter_ LEONTES, HERMIONE, MAMILLIUS, POLIXENES, CAMILLO, _and_ Attendants.
_Pol._ Nine changes of the watery star hath been The shepherd's note since we have left our throne Without a burthen: time as long again Would be fill'd up, my brother, with our thanks; And yet we should, for perpetuity, 5 Go hence in debt: and therefore, like a cipher, Yet standing in rich place, I multiply With one 'We thank you,' many thousands moe That go before it.
_Leon._ Stay your thanks a while; And pay them when you part.
_Pol._ Sir, that's to-morrow. 10 I am question'd 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:' besides, I have stay'd To tire your royalty.