MAMILLIUS Merry or sad shall't be?
HERMIONE As merry as you will.
MAMILLIUS A sad tale's best for winter: I have one
Of sprites and goblins.
HERMIONE Let's have that, good sir.
Come on, sit down: come on, and do your best
To fright me with your sprites; you're powerful at it.
MAMILLIUS There was a man--
HERMIONE Nay, come, sit down; then on.
MAMILLIUS Dwelt by a churchyard: I will tell it softly;
Yond crickets shall not hear it.
HERMIONE Come on, then,
And give't me in mine ear.
[Enter LEONTES, with ANTIGONUS, Lords and others]
LEONTES Was he met there? his train? Camillo with him?
First Lord Behind the tuft of pines I met them; never
Saw I men scour so on their way: I eyed them
Even to their ships.
LEONTES How blest am I
In my just censure, in my true opinion!
Alack, for lesser knowledge! how accursed
In being so blest! There may be in the cup
A spider steep'd, and one may drink, depart,
And yet partake no venom, for his knowledge
Is not infected: but if one present
The abhorr'd ingredient to his eye, make known
How he hath drunk, he cracks his gorge, his sides,
With violent hefts. I have drunk,
and seen the spider.
Camillo was his help in this, his pander:
There is a plot against my life, my crown;
All's true that is mistrusted: that false villain
Whom I employ'd was pre-employ'd by him:
He has discover'd my design, and I
Remain a pinch'd thing; yea, a very trick
For them to play at will.
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