s, King of Sicily, and his queen, the beautiful and virtuous
Hermione, once lived in the greatest harmony together. So happy was
Leontes in the love of this excellent lady, that he had no wish
ungratified, except that he sometimes desired to see again, and to
present to his queen, his old companion and school-fellow, Polixenes,
King of Bohemia. Leontes and Polixenes were brought up together from
their infancy, but being, by the death of their fathers, called to reign
over their respective kingdoms, they had not met for many years, though
they frequently interchanged gifts, letters, and loving embassies.
At length, after repeated invitations, Polixenes came from Bohemia to
the Sicilian court, to make his friend Leontes a visit.
At first this visit gave nothing but pleasure to Leontes. He recommended
the friend of his youth to the queen's particular attention, and seemed
in the presence of his dear friend and old companion to have his
felicity quite completed. They talked over old times; their school-days
and their youthful pranks were remembered, and recounted to Hermione,
who always took a cheerful part in these conversations.
When, after a long stay, Polixenes was preparing to depart, Hermione,
at the desire of her husband, joined her entreaties to his that
Polixenes would prolong his visit.
And now began this good queen's sorrow; for Polixenes refusing to stay
at the request of Leontes, was won over by Hermione's gentle and
persuasive words to put off his departure for some weeks longer. Upon
this, although Leontes had so long known the integrity and honourable
principles of his friend Polixenes, as well as the excellent disposition
of his virtuous queen, he was seized with an ungovernable jealousy.
Every attention Hermione showed to Polixenes, though by her husband's
particular desire, and merely to please him, increased the unfortunate
king's jealousy; and from being a loving and a true friend, and the best
and fondest of husbands, Leontes became suddenly a savage and inhuman
monster. Sending for Camillo, one of the lords of his court, and telling
him of the suspicion he entertained, he commanded him to poison
Polixenes.
Camillo was a good man; and he, well knowing that the jealousy of
Leontes had not the slightest foundation in truth, instead of poisoning
Polixenes, acquainted him with the king his master's orders, and agreed
to escape with him out of the Sicilian dominions; and Polixenes, with
the assist
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