| ACT II SCENE II | A prison. | |
| | Enter PAULINA, a Gentleman, and Attendants | |
| PAULINA | The keeper of the prison, call to him; | |
| | let him have knowledge who I am. | |
| | Exit Gentleman | |
| | Good lady, | |
| | No court in Europe is too good for thee; | 5 |
| | What dost thou then in prison? | |
| | Re-enter Gentleman, with the Gaoler | |
| | Now, good sir, | |
| | You know me, do you not? | |
| Gaoler | For a worthy lady | |
| | And one whom much I honour. | 10 |
| PAULINA | Pray you then, | |
| | Conduct me to the queen. | |
| Gaoler | I may not, madam: | |
| | To the contrary I have express commandment. | |
| PAULINA | Here's ado, | 15 |
| | To lock up honesty and honour from | |
| | The access of gentle visitors! | |
| | Is't lawful, pray you, | |
| | To see her women? any of them? Emilia? | |
| Gaoler | So please you, madam, | 20 |
| | To put apart these your attendants, I | |
| | Shall bring Emilia forth. | |
| PAULINA | I pray now, call her. | |
| | Withdraw yourselves. | |
| | Exeunt Gentleman and Attendants | |
| Gaoler | And, madam, | 25 |
| | I must be present at your conference. | |
| PAULINA | Well, be't so, prithee. | |
| | Exit Gaoler | |
| | Here's such ado to make no stain a stain | |
| | As passes colouring. | |
| | Re-enter Gaoler, with EMILIA | |
| | Dear gentlewoman, | 30 |
| | How fares our gracious lady? | |
| EMILIA | As well as one so great and so forlorn | |
| | May hold together: on her frights and griefs, | |
| | Which never tender lady hath born greater, | |
| | She is something before her time deliver'd. | 35 |
| PAULINA | A boy? | |
| EMILIA | A daughter, and a goodly babe, | |
| | Lusty and like to live: the queen receives | |
| | Much comfort in't; says 'My poor prisoner, | |
| | I am innocent as you.' | 40 |
| PAULINA | I dare be sworn | |
| | These dangerous unsafe lunes i' the king, | |
| | beshrew them! | |
| | He must be told on't, and he shall: the office | |
| | Becomes a woman best; I'll take't upon me: | 45 |
| | If I prove honey-mouth'd let my tongue blister | |
| | And never to my red-look'd anger be | |
| | The trumpet any more. Pray you, Emilia, | |
| | Commend my best obedience to the queen: | |
| | If she dares trust me with her little babe, | 50 |
| | I'll show't the king and undertake to be | |
| | Her advocate to the loud'st. We do not know | |
| | How he may soften at the sight o' the child: | |
| | The silence often of pure innocence | |
| | Persuades when speaking fails. | 55 |
| EMILIA | Most worthy madam, | |
| | Your honour and your goodness is so evident | |
| | That your free undertaking cannot miss | |
| | A thriving issue: there is no lady living | |
| | So meet for this great errand. Please your ladyship | 60 |
| | To visit the next room, I'll presently | |
| | Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer; | |
| | Who but to-day hammer'd of this design, | |
| | But durst not tempt a minister of honour, | |
| | Lest she should be denied. | 65 |
| PAULINA | Tell her, Emilia. | |
| | I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from't | |
| | As boldness from my bosom, let 't not be doubted | |
| | I shall do good. | |
| EMILIA | Now be you blest for it! | 70 |
| | I'll to the queen: please you, | |
| | come something nearer. | |
| Gaoler | Madam, if't please the queen to send the babe, | |
| | I know not what I shall incur to pass it, | |
| | Having no warrant. | 75 |
| PAULINA | You need not fear it, sir: | |
| | This child was prisoner to the womb and is | |
| | By law and process of great nature thence | |
| | Freed and enfranchised, not a party to | |
| | The anger of the king nor guilty of, | 80 |
| | If any be, the trespass of the queen. | |
| Gaoler | I do believe it. | |
| PAULINA | Do not you fear: upon mine honour, | |
| | I will stand betwixt you and danger. | |
| | Exeunt | |
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