The Winter’s Tale: Act 3, Scene 2: First Folio
The Winter’s Tale. Act 3, Scene 2. Hermione
(This text is featured in our interview with Jolly Abraham) (and Miriam Laube.)
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1196 Since what I am to say, must be but that
1197 Which contradicts my Accusation, and
1198 The testimonie on my part, no other
1199 But what comes from my selfe, it shall scarce boot me
1200 To say, Not guiltie: mine Integritie
1201 Being counted Falsehood, shall (as I expresse it)
1202 Be so receiu’d. But thus, if Powres Diuine
1203 Behold our humane Actions (as they doe)
1204 I doubt not then, but Innocence shall make
1205 False Accusation blush, and Tyrannie
1206 Tremble at Patience. You (my Lord) best know
1207 (Whom least will seeme to doe so) my past life
1208 Hath beene as continent, as chaste, as true,
1209 As I am now vnhappy; which is more
1210 Then Historie can patterne, though deuis’d,
1211 And play’d, to take Spectators. For behold me,
1212 A Fellow of the Royall Bed, which owe
1213 A Moitie of the Throne: a great Kings Daughter,
1214 The Mother to a hopefull Prince, here standing
1215 To prate and talke for Life, and Honor, fore
1216 Who please to come, and heare. For Life, I prize it
1217 As I weigh Griefe (which I would spare:) For Honor,
1218 ‘Tis a deriuatiue from me to mine,
1219 And onely that I stand for. I appeale
1220 To your owne Conscience (Sir) before Polixenes
1221 Came to your Court, how I was in your grace,
1222 How merited to be so: Since he came,
1223 With what encounter so vncurrant, I
1224 Haue strayn’d t’ appeare thus; if one iot beyond
1225 The bound of Honor, or in act, or will
1226 That way enclining, hardned be the hearts
1227 Of all that heare me, and my neer’st of Kin
1228 Cry fie vpon my Graue.
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