He throws upon the gross world's baser slaves: Biron. I can but say their protestation over, Biron. Let me say no, my liege, an if you I only swore, to study with your grace, And stay here in your court for turee years' space. Long. You swore to that, Biron, and to the rest. Biron. By yea and nay, sir, then I swore in What is the end of study? let me know. Biron. Things hid and barr'd, you mean, from King. Ay, that is study's godlike recompense. And train our intellects to vain delight. Which, with pain purchas'd, doth inherit pain: To seek the light of truth: while truth the Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look: So, ere you find where light in darkness lies, By fixing it upon a fairer eye; Small have continual plodders ever won, are. Too much to know, is, to know nought but And every godfather can give a name. Long. He weeds the corn, and still lets grow the weeding. Biron. The spring is near, when green geese Dum. How follows that? Fit in his place and time. Dum. In reason nothing. Before the birds have any cause to sing 7 Biron. No, my good lord; I have sworn to And, though I have for barbarism spoke more And bide the penance of each three years' Give me the paper, let me read the same: Biron. [Reads.] Item, That no woman shall come within a mile of my court.-Hath this been proclaim'd? Long. Four days ago. Biron. Let's see the penalty. [Reads.] On pain of losing her tongue.-Who devis'd this penalty? Long. Marry, that did I. Biron. Sweet lord, and why? Long. To fright them hence with that dread penalty. Biron. A dangerous law against gentility. [Reads.] Item. If any man be seen to talk with a woman within the term of three years, he shall endure such public shame as the rest of the court can possibly devise. This article, my liege, yourself must break; For, well you know, here comes in embassy The French King's daughter, with yourself to speak, A maid of grace, and complete majesty,About surrender up of Aquitain To her decrepit, sick, and bed-rid father: Therefore this article is made in vain, Or vainly comes the admired princess hither. King. What say you, lords? why, this was quite forgot. Biron. So study evermore is overshot; She must lie here on mere necessity. For every man with his affects is born: Not by might master'd, but by special grace; [Subscribes. Dum. Proceeded well, to stop all good pro-I am the last that will last keep his oath. ceeding! But, is there no quick recreation granted? King, Ay, that there is: our court, you know, With a refined traveller of Spain; Biron. Armado is a most illustrious wight, Aud, so to study, three years is but short. Enter Dull, with a Letter, and Costard. Biron. This is he. Dull. Signior Arme-Arme-commends you. 'There's villany abroad; this letter will tell you more. Cost. Sir, the contempts thereof are as touching me. King. A letter from the magnificent Armado. Biron. How low so ever the matter, I hope in God for high words. Long. A high hope for a low having: God grant us patience! Biron. To hear? or forbear hearing? Long. To hear meekly, sir, and to laugh derately; or to forbear both. birds best peck, and men sit down to that nou. rishment which is called supper. So much for the time when: Now for the ground which! which, I mean, I walked upon: it is yeleped thy park. Then for the place where; where I mean, I did encounter that obscene and most prepos terous event, that draweth from my snow-white ren the ebon-coloured ink, which here thou viewest, beholdest, surveyest, or seest: But to the place, where,-It standeth north-north east and by east from the west corner of thy curious-knotted garden: There did I see that low-spirited swain, that base minnow of thy mirth, Cost. Me. King-that unlettered small-knowing soul, King.-that shallow vässal, King-which as I remember, hight Costard, King-sorted and consorted, contrary to thy King-with a child of our grandmother Eve, a female; or, for thy more sweet understanding, a woman. Him I (as my ever-esteemed duty pricks me on) have sent to thee, to receive the meed of punishment, by thy sweet grace's officer, Antony Dull; a man of good repute, carriage, bearing, and estimation. Dull. Me, an't shall please you; I am Antonv Dull. King. For Jaquenetta, (so is the weaker vessel called, which I apprehended with the aforesaid swain,) I keep her as a vessel of thy law's fury; and shall, at the least of thy sweet no tice, bring her to trial. Thine, in all complimo-ments of devoted and heart-burning heat of duty, DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO. Biron. This is not so well as I looked for, but Biron. Well, sir, be it as the style shall give us cause to climb in the merriness. Cost. The matter is to me, sir, as concerning Jaquenetta. The manner of it is, I was taken with the manner. Biron. lu what manner? Cost. In manner and form following, sir; all those three: I was seen with her in the manor house, sitting with her upon the form, and taken following her into the park; which, put together, is, in manner and form following. Now, sir, for the manner,-it is the manner of a man to speak to a woman:-for the form,-in some form. Biron. For the following, sir? King. Will you hear this letter with attention? King. [Reads.] Great deputy, the welkin's vicegerent, and sole dominator of Navarre, my soul's earth's God, and body's fostering patron, Cost. Not a word of Costard yet. the best that ever I heard. King. Ay, the best for the worst. But, sirrah, what say you to this? Cost. Sir, I confess the wench. King. Did you hear the proclamation? Cost. I do confess much of the hearing it, but little of the marking of it. King. It was proclaimed a year's imprison ment, to be taken with a wench. Cost. I was taken with none, sir; I was taken with a damosel. King. Well, it was proclaimed damosel. Cost. This was no damosel neither, sir; she was a virgin. King. It is so varied too; for it was proclaimed, virgin. Cost. If it were, I deny her virginity: I was taken with a maid. King. This maid will not serve your turn, sir. King. And Don Armado shall be your keeper. Cost. It may be so: but if he say it is so, he And go we, lords, to put in practice that is, in telling true, but so, so. King. Peace. Which each to other hath so strongly sworn- Cost. -be to me, and every man that dares Biron. I'll lay my head to any good man's hat, not fight! King. No words. scorn. Sirrah, come on. Cost.of other men's secrets, I beseech you. King. So it is, besieged with sable-coloured Cost. I suffer for the truth, sir; for true it is, melancholy, I did commend the black-oppress-I was taken with Jaquenetta, and Jaquenetta ing humour to the most wholesome physick of is a true girl; and therefore, Welcome the sour thy health-giving air; and, as I am a gentle- cup of prosperity! Affliction may one day smile man, betook myself to walk. The time when ? again, and till then, Sit thee down, sorrow! About the sixth hour; when beasts most graze, [Exeunt. SCENE II. Another part of the same. Enter Armado and Moth. Arm. Boy, what sign is it, when a man of great spirit grows melancholy? Moth. A great sign, sir, that he will look sad. Arm. Why sadness is one and the self-same thing, dear imp. Moth. No, no; O lord, sir, no. Arm. How canst thou part sadness and melancholy, my tender juvenal ? Moth. By a familiar demonstration of the working, my tough senior. Arm. Why tough senior? why tough senior? Moth. Why tender juvenal? why tender juvenal? Arm. I spoke it, tender juvenal, as a congruent epitheton, appertaining to thy young days, which we may nominate tender. Moth. And 1, tough senior, as an appertinent title to your old time, which we may name tough. Arm. Pretty, and apt. Moth. How mean you, sir? I pretty, and my saying apt? or I apt, and my saying pretty? Arm. Thou pretty, because little. Moth. Little pretty, because little: Wherefore apt7 Arm. And therefore apt, because quick. Moth. I will praise an eel with the same praise. Arm. I do say, thou art quick in answers; Moth. I am answered, sir. Moth. He speaks the mere contrary, crosses love not him. Aside. Arin. I have promised to study three years with the duke Moth. You may do it in an hour, sir. Moth, How many is one thrice told? of a tapster. Moth. You are a gentleman, and a gamester, sir. Arm. I confess both; they are both the varnish of a complete man. Moth. Then, I am sure, you know how much the gross sum of deuce-ace amounts to. Arm. It doth amount to one more than two. Moth. Why, sir, is this such a piece of study ? Moth. Hercules, master. Arm. Most sweet Hercules-More authority, dear boy, name more; and, sweet my child, let then be men of good repute and carriage. Moth. Samson, master: he was a man of good carriage, great carriage! for he carried the town-gates on his back, like a porter: and he was in love. Arm. O well-knit Samson! strong jointed Samson! I do excel thee in my rapier, as much as thou didst me in carrying gates. I am in love too,-Who was Samson's love, my dear Moth 7 Moth. A woman, master. Arm. Of what complexion 7 Moth. Of all the four, or the three, or the two; or one of the four. Arm. Tell me precisely of what complexion? Arm. Is that one of the four complexions? Moth. As I have read, sir; and the best of them too. Arm. Green, indeed, is the colour of lovers: but to have a love of that colour, methinks, Samson had small reason for it. He, surely, affected her for her wit Moth. It was so, sir; for she had a green wit. Arm. My love is most immaculate white and red. Moth. Most maculate thoughts, master, are masked under such colours. Arm. Define, define, well-educated infant. Moth. My father's wit, and my inother's tongue, assist me! Arm. Sweet invocation of a child; most pretty, and pathetical! Moth. If she be made of white and red, Her faults will ne'er be known; A dangerous rhyme, master, against the reason Arm. Is there not a ballad, boy, of the King and the Beggar? Moth. The world was very guilty of such a ballad some three ages since: but, I think, now 'tis not to be found; or, if it were, it would neither serve for the writing, nor the tune. Arm. I will have the subject newly writ o'er, that I may example my digression by some mighty precedent. Boy, 1 do love that country girl, that I took in the park with the rational hind Costard: she deserves well. Moth. To be whipped; and yet a better love than my master. [Aside. Arm. Sing, boy: my spirit grows heavy in love. Moth. And that's great marvel, loving a light wench. Arm. I say, sing. Moth. Forbear, till this company be past. Enter Dull, Costard, and Jaquenetta. Dull. Sir, the duke's pleasure is, that you keep Costard safe: and you must let him take no delight, nor no penance; but a' must fast three days a-week: For this damsel, I must keep her at the park; she is allowed for the day-woman. Fare you well. Arm. I do betray myself with blushing.-Maid. Arm. I will visit thee at the lodge. Arm. I know where it is situate. [Exeunt Dull and Jaquenetta. Arm. Thou shalt be heavily punished. Cost. I am more bound to you, than your fellows, for they are but lightly rewarded. Arm. Take away this villain; shut him up. Moth. Come, you transgressing slave; away. Cost. Let ine not be pent up, sir; I will fast, being loose. Moth. No, sir; that were fast and loose: thou shalt to prison. Cost. Well, if ever I do see the merry days of desolation that I have seen, some shall seeMoth. What shall some see ? Boyet. Proud of employment, willingly 1 go. [Exit. Prin. All pride is willing pride, and yours is so, Who are the votaries, my loving lords, That are vow-fellows with this virtuous duke ? 1 Lord. Longaville is one. Prin. Know you the man? Mar. I know him, madam; at a marriage feast, Between lord Perigort and the beauteous heir Of Jacques Falconbridge, solemnized In Norinandy, saw 1 this Longaville: Cost. Nay, nothing, master Moth, but what A man of sovereign parts he is esteem'd; they look upon. It is not for prisoners to be Well fitted in the arts, glorious in arms: too silent in their words; and, therefore, I will Nothing becomes him ill, that he would well. say nothing: I thank God, have as little pa-The only soil of his fair virtue's gloss tience as another man; and, therefore, I can be (If virtue's gloss will stain with any soil,) quiet. [Exeunt Moth and Costard. Is a sharp wit match'd with too blunt a will; Whose edge hath power to cut, whose will still Arm. I do affect the very ground, which is base, where her shoe, which is baser, guided by her foot, which is basest, doth tread. I shall be forsworn (which is a great argument of falsehood,) if I love: And how can that be true love, which is falsely attempted? Love is a familiar: love is a devil: there is no evil angel but love. Yet Samson was so tempted: and he had an excellent strength: yet was Solomon so seduced; and he had a very good wit. Cupid's butt-shaft is too hard for Hercules' club, and therefore too much odds for a Spaniard's rapier. The first and second cause will not serve my turn; the passado he respects not, the duello he regards not: his disgrace is to be called boy; but his glory is to subdue men. Adieu, valour! rust, rapier! be still, drum! for your manager is in love; yea, he loveth. Assist me, some extemporal god of rhyme, for I am sure, I shall turn sonneteet. Devise, wit; write, pen; for 1 am for whole volumes in folio. Exit. ACT II. wills It should none spare that come within his power. know. Prin. Such short-liv'd wits do wither as they Kath. The young Dumain, a well-accomplish'd Ros. Another of these students at that time SCENE I. Another part of the same. A Pa- For every object that the one doth catch, vilion and Tents at a distance. Enter the Princess of France, Rosaline, Maria, Katharine, Boyet, Lords, and other Attendants. Boyet. Now, madam, summon up your dearest Consider who the king your father sends; Of all perfections that a man may owe, Prin. Good lord Boyet, my beauty, though but Needs not the painted flourish of your praise; Doth noise abroad, Navarre hath made a vow, Tell him, the daughter of the king of France, The other turns to a mirth-moving jest; Prin. Why, will shall break it; will, and nothing else. King. Your ladyship is ignorant what it is. Prin. Were my lord so, his ignorance were wise, Where now his knowledge must prove ignorance. 1 hear your grace hath sworn-out house-keeping: "Tis deadly sin to keep that oath, my lord, And sin to break it: But pardon me, I am too sudden-bold; [Gives a Paper. once ? Ros. Did not I dance with you in Brabant once ? Biron. I know you did. To ask the question! How needless was it then You must not be so quick. Roe. 'Tis 'long of you that spur me with such questions. Biron. Your wit's too hot, it speeds too fast, 'twill tire. Ros. Not till it leave the rider in the mire. Ros. The hour that fools should ask. Biron. Now fair befall your mask! King. Madam, your father here doth intimate The payment of a hundred thousand crowns; Being but the one half of an entire sum, Disbursed by my father in his wars. But say, that he, or we (as neither have,) One part of Aquitain is bound to us, Although not valued to the money's worth. A hundred thousand crowns; and not demands, To have his title live in Aquitain; Which we much rather had depart withal, Dear princess, were not his requests so far From reason's yielding, your fair self should make A yielding 'gainst some reason, in my breast, Prin. You do the king my father too much wrong, And wrong the reputation of your name, Of that which hath so faithfully been paid. Prin. come, Satisfy me 80. Where that and other specialties are bound; Mean time, receive such welcome at my hand, Prin. Sweet health and fair desires consort Ros. 'Pray you, do my commendations; 1 Biron. Will you prick't with your eye? Biron. I cannot stay thanksgiving [Retiring. Dum. Sir, I pray you, a word: What lady is that same ? Boyet. The heir of Alencon, Rosaline her name. Dum. A gallant larly! Monsieur, fare you well. [Erit. Long. I beseech you a word; What is she in the white? Boyet. A woman sometimes, an you saw her in the light. Long. Perchance, light in the light: I desire her name. Boyet. She hath but one for herself; to desire that were a shame. Long. 'Pray you, sir, whose daughter 7 Boyet. Not unlike, sir; that may be. [Erit Long. Biron. What's her name, in the cap? Biron. You are welcome, sir; adieu! Boyet. Farewell to me, sir, and welcome to you. [Erit Biron.-Ladies unmask. Mar. That last is Biron, the merry mad-cap lord: Not a word with him but a jest. And every jest but a word. Prin. It was well done of you to take him at his word. Boyet. I was as willing to grapple, as he was to board. Mar. Two hot sheeps, marry! Boyet. And wherefore not ships? No sheep, sweet lamb, unless we feed on your lips. Mar. You sheep, and I pasture; Shall that finish the jest? Boyet. So you grant pasture for me. [Offering to kiss her. Mar. Not so, gentle beast: My lips are no common, though several they be. Boyet. Belonging to whom? To my fortunes and me. Prin. Good wits will be jangling; but, gentles, Mar. |