Leontes
We’ll part the time between’s then; and in that
I’ll no gainsaying.
Polixenes
Press me not, beseech you, so.
So soon as yours could win me. So it should now,
Were there necessity in your request, although
’Twere needful I denied it. My affairs
Do even drag me homeward; which to hinder
To you a charge and trouble. To save both,
Farewell, our brother.
Leontes
Tongue-tied, our Queen? Speak you.
Hermione
I had thought, sir, to have held my peace until
You had drawn oaths from him not to stay. You, sir,
All in Bohemia’s well – this satisfaction
The by-gone day proclaim’d. Say this to him,
He’s beat from his best ward.
Leontes
Well said, Hermione.
Hermione
To tell he longs to see his son were strong;
But let him swear so, and he shall not stay;
We’ll thwack him hence with distaffs.
[To POLIXENES] Yet of your royal presence I’ll adventure
The borrow of a week. When at Bohemia
To let him there a month behind the gest
Prefix’d for’s parting. – Yet, good deed, Leontes,
I love thee not a jar o’ th’ clock behind
What lady she her lord. – You’ll stay?
Polixenes
No, madam.
Hermione
Nay, but you will?
Polixenes
Hermione
Verily!
You put me off with limber vows; but I,
Though you would seek t’ unsphere the stars with oaths,
Should yet say ‘Sir, no going’. Verily,
You shall not go; a lady’s ‘verily’ is
Force me to keep you as a prisoner,
Not like a guest; so you shall pay your fees
When you depart, and save your thanks. How say you?
My prisoner or my guest? By your dread ‘verily’,
One of them you shall be.
Polixenes
To be your prisoner should import offending;
Which is for me less easy to commit