| ACT II SCENE II | A prison. | |
| [Enter PAULINA, a Gentleman, and Attendants] |
| PAULINA | The keeper of the prison, call to him; |
| let him have knowledge who I am. |
[Exit Gentleman] |
| Good lady, |
| No court in Europe is too good for thee; |
| What dost thou then in prison? | 5 |
[Re-enter Gentleman, with the Gaoler] |
| Now, good sir, |
| You know me, do you not? |
| Gaoler | For a worthy lady |
| And one whom much I honour. |
| PAULINA | Pray you then, | 10 |
| Conduct me to the queen. |
| Gaoler | I may not, madam: |
| To the contrary I have express commandment. |
| PAULINA | Here's ado, |
| To lock up honesty and honour from | 15 |
| The access of gentle visitors! |
| Is't lawful, pray you, |
| To see her women? any of them? Emilia? |
| Gaoler | So please you, madam, |
| To put apart these your attendants, I | 20 |
| Shall bring Emilia forth. |
| PAULINA | I pray now, call her. |
| Withdraw yourselves. |
| [Exeunt Gentleman and Attendants] |
| Gaoler | And, madam, |
| I must be present at your conference. | 25 |
| PAULINA | Well, be't so, prithee. |
[Exit Gaoler] |
| Here's such ado to make no stain a stain |
| As passes colouring. |
[Re-enter Gaoler, with EMILIA] |
| Dear gentlewoman, |
| How fares our gracious lady? | 30 |
| EMILIA | As well as one so great and so forlorn |
| May hold together: on her frights and griefs, |
| Which never tender lady hath born greater, |
| She is something before her time deliver'd. |
| PAULINA | A boy? | 35 |
| EMILIA | A daughter, and a goodly babe, |
| Lusty and like to live: the queen receives |
| Much comfort in't; says 'My poor prisoner, |
| I am innocent as you.' |
| PAULINA | I dare be sworn | 40 |
| These dangerous unsafe lunes i' the king, |
| beshrew them! |
| He must be told on't, and he shall: the office |
| Becomes a woman best; I'll take't upon me: |
| If I prove honey-mouth'd let my tongue blister | 45 |
| And never to my red-look'd anger be |
| The trumpet any more. Pray you, Emilia, |
| Commend my best obedience to the queen: |
| If she dares trust me with her little babe, |
| I'll show't the king and undertake to be | 50 |
| Her advocate to the loud'st. We do not know |
| How he may soften at the sight o' the child: |
| The silence often of pure innocence |
| Persuades when speaking fails. |
| EMILIA | Most worthy madam, | 55 |
| Your honour and your goodness is so evident |
| That your free undertaking cannot miss |
| A thriving issue: there is no lady living |
| So meet for this great errand. Please your ladyship |
| To visit the next room, I'll presently | 60 |
| Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer; |
| Who but to-day hammer'd of this design, |
| But durst not tempt a minister of honour, |
| Lest she should be denied. |
| PAULINA | Tell her, Emilia. | 65 |
| I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from't |
| As boldness from my bosom, let 't not be doubted |
| I shall do good. |
| EMILIA | Now be you blest for it! |
| I'll to the queen: please you, | 70 |
| come something nearer. |
| Gaoler | Madam, if't please the queen to send the babe, |
| I know not what I shall incur to pass it, |
| Having no warrant. |
| PAULINA | You need not fear it, sir: | 75 |
| This child was prisoner to the womb and is |
| By law and process of great nature thence |
| Freed and enfranchised, not a party to |
| The anger of the king nor guilty of, |
| If any be, the trespass of the queen. | 80 |
| Gaoler | I do believe it. |
| PAULINA | Do not you fear: upon mine honour, |
| I will stand betwixt you and danger. |
| [Exeunt] |
The Winter's Tale: Plot Summary