Cam. Gracious my Lord, You know my Fathers temper: at this time He will allow no speech: (which I do ghesse You do not purpose to him:) and as hardly Will he endure your sight, as yet I feare; Then till the fury of his Highnesse settle Come not before him

Flo. I not purpose it: I thinke Camillo

Cam. Euen he, my Lord

Per. How often haue I told you 'twould be thus? How often said my dignity would last But till 'twer knowne? Flo. It cannot faile, but by The violation of my faith, and then Let Nature crush the sides o'th earth together, And marre the seeds within. Lift vp thy lookes: From my succession wipe me (Father) I Am heyre to my affection

Cam. Be aduis'd

Flo. I am: and by my fancie, if my Reason Will thereto be obedient: I haue reason: If not, my sences better pleas'd with madnesse, Do bid it welcome

Cam. This is desperate (sir.) Flo. So call it: but it do's fulfill my vow: I needs must thinke it honesty. Camillo, Not for Bohemia, nor the pompe that may Be thereat gleaned: for all the Sun sees, or The close earth wombes, or the profound seas, hides In vnknowne fadomes, will I breake my oath To this my faire belou'd: Therefore, I pray you, As you haue euer bin my Fathers honour'd friend, When he shall misse me, as (in faith I meane not To see him any more) cast your good counsailes Vpon his passion: Let my selfe, and Fortune Tug for the time to come. This you may know, And so deliuer, I am put to Sea With her, who heere I cannot hold on shore: And most opportune to her neede, I haue A Vessell rides fast by, but not prepar'd For this designe. What course I meane to hold Shall nothing benefit your knowledge, nor Concerne me the reporting

Cam. O my Lord, I would your spirit were easier for aduice, Or stronger for your neede

Flo. Hearke Perdita, Ile heare you by and by

Cam. Hee's irremoueable, Resolu'd for flight: Now were I happy if His going, I could frame to serue my turne, Saue him from danger, do him loue and honor, Purchase the sight againe of deere Sicillia, And that vnhappy King, my Master, whom I so much thirst to see

Flo. Now good Camillo, I am so fraught with curious businesse, that I leaue out ceremony

Cam. Sir, I thinke You haue heard of my poore seruices, i'th loue That I haue borne your Father? Flo. Very nobly Haue you deseru'd: It is my Fathers Musicke To speake your deeds: not little of his care To haue them recompenc'd, as thought on

Cam. Well (my Lord) If you may please to thinke I loue the King, And through him, what's neerest to him, which is Your gracious selfe; embrace but my direction, If your more ponderous and setled proiect May suffer alteration. On mine honor, Ile point you where you shall haue such receiuing As shall become your Highnesse, where you may Enioy your Mistris; from the whom, I see There's no disiunction to be made, but by (As heauens forefend) your ruine: Marry her, And with my best endeuours, in your absence, Your discontenting Father, striue to qualifie And bring him vp to liking

Flo. How Camillo May this (almost a miracle) be done? That I may call thee something more then man, And after that trust to thee

Cam. Haue you thought on A place whereto you'l go? Flo. Not any yet: But as th' vnthought-on accident is guiltie To what we wildely do, so we professe Our selues to be the slaues of chance, and flyes Of euery winde that blowes

William Shakespeare
Classic Literature Library

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