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The Winter’s Tale - Act 3, scene 1
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Last updated: Thu, Apr 21, 2016
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The Winter’s Tale - Act 3, scene 1Act 3, scene 1
Scene 1
Synopsis:
The couriers, en route from Delphos with the oracle’s response, discuss the ceremony they observed and express their hopes for Hermione’s good fortune.
Enter Cleomenes and Dion.CLEOMENES
1175 The climate’s delicate, the air most sweet,
1176 Fertile the isle, the temple much surpassing
1177 The common praise it bears.
DION 1178 I shall report,
1179 5 For most it caught me, the celestial habits—
1180 Methinks I so should term them—and the reverence
1181 Of the grave wearers. O, the sacrifice,
1182 How ceremonious, solemn, and unearthly
1183 It was i’ th’ off’ring!
CLEOMENES 1184 10 But of all, the burst
1185 And the ear-deaf’ning voice o’ th’ oracle,
1186 Kin to Jove’s thunder, so surprised my sense
1187 That I was nothing.
DION 1188 If th’ event o’ th’ journey
1189 15 Prove as successful to the Queen—O, be ’t so!—
1190 As it hath been to us rare, pleasant, speedy,
1191 The time is worth the use on ’t.
CLEOMENES 1192 Great Apollo
1193 Turn all to th’ best! These proclamations,
1194 20 So forcing faults upon Hermione,
1195 I little like.
DION 1196 The violent carriage of it
1197 Will clear or end the business when the oracle,
p.
89
1198
Thus by Apollo’s great divine sealed up,1199 25 Shall the contents discover. Something rare
1200 Even then will rush to knowledge. Go. Fresh horses;
1201 And gracious be the issue.
They exit.