e noble combat that 'twixt joy and sorrow was fought in
Paulina! She had one eye declined for the loss of her husband,
another elevated that the oracle was fulfilled: she lifted the
princess from the earth, and so locks her in embracing, as if she
would pin her to her heart, that she might no more be in danger
of losing.

FIRST GENTLEMAN.
The dignity of this act was worth the audience of kings and
princes; for by such was it acted.

THIRD GENTLEMAN.
One of the prettiest touches of all, and that which angled for
mine eyes,--caught the water, though not the fish,--was, when
at the relation of the queen's death, with the manner how she
came to it,--bravely confessed and lamented by the king,--how
attentivenes wounded his daughter; till, from one sign of dolour
to another, she did with an 'Alas!'--I would fain say, bleed
tears; for I am sure my heart wept blood. Who was most marble
there changed colour; some swooned, all sorrowed: if all the
world could have seen it, the woe had been universal.

FIRST GENTLEMAN.
Are they returned to the court?

THIRD GENTLEMAN.
No: the princess hearing of her mother's statue, which is in the
keeping of Paulina,--a piece many years in doing and now newly
performed by that rare Italian master, Julio Romano, who, had
he himself eternity, and could put breath into his work, would
beguile nature of her custom, so perfectly he is her ape: he so
near to Hermione hath done Hermione that they say one would speak
to her and stand in hope of answer:--thither with all greediness
of affection are they gone; and there they intend to sup.

SECOND GENTLEMAN.
I thought she had some great matter there in hand; for she
hath privately twice or thrice a day, ever since the death of
Hermione, visited that removed house. Shall we thither, and with
our company piece the rejoicing?

FIRST GENTLEMAN.
Who would be thence that has the benefit of access? every wink
of an eye some new grace will be born: our absence makes us
unthrifty to our knowledge. Let's along.

[Exeunt GENTLEMEN.]

AUTOLYCUS.
Now, had I not the dash of my former life in me, would preferment
drop on my head. I brought the old man and his son aboard the
prince; told him I heard them talk of a fardel and I know not
what; but he at that time over-fond of the shepherd's daughter,--
so he then took her to be,--who began to be much sea-sick, and
himself little better, extremity of weather continuing, this
mystery remained undiscover'd. B