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Title: Love’s Labour’s Lost (published 1595) Author: William Shakespeare (died 1616)
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Ferdinand, King of Navarre, and his three noble companions, the Lords Berowne, Dumaine, and Longaville, take an oath not to give in to the company of women. They devote themselves to three years of study and fasting; Berowne agrees somewhat more hesitantly than the others. The King declares that no woman should come within a mile of the court. Don Adriano de Armado, a Spaniard visiting the court, writes a letter to tell the King of a tryst between Costard and Jaquenetta. After the King sentences Costard, Don Armado confesses his own love for Jaquenetta to his page, Moth. Don Armado writes Jaquenetta a letter and asks Costard to deliver it.
The Princess of France and her ladies arrive, wishing to speak to the King regarding the cession of Aquitaine, but must ultimately make their camp outside the court due to the decree. In visiting the Princess and her ladies at their camp, the King falls in love with the Princess, as do the lords with the ladies. Berowne gives Costard a letter to deliver to the lady Rosaline, which Costard switches with Don Armado's letter that was meant for Jaquenetta. Jaquenetta consults two scholars, Holofernes and Sir Nathaniel, who conclude that the letter is written by Berowne and instruct her to tell the King.
The King and his lords lie in hiding and watch one another as each subsequently reveals their feelings of love. The King ultimately chastises the lords for breaking the oath, but Berowne reveals that the King is likewise in love with the Princess. Jaquenetta and Costard enter with Berowne's letter and accuse him of treason. Berowne confesses to breaking the oath, explaining that the only study worthy of mankind is that of love, and he and the other men collectively decide to relinquish the vow. Arranging for Holofernes to entertain the ladies later, the men then dress as Muscovites and court the ladies in disguise. The Queen's courtier Boyet, having overheard their planning, helps the ladies trick the men by disguising themselves as each other. When the lords return as themselves, the ladies taunt them and expose their ruse.
Impressed by the ladies' wit, the men apologize, and when all identities are righted, they watch Holofernes, Sir Nathaniel, Costard, Moth and Don Armado present the Nine Worthies. The four lords and Boyet heckle the play, saving their sole praise for Costard, and Don Armado and Costard almost come to blows when Costard reveals mid-pageant that Don Armado has got Jaquenetta pregnant. Their spat is interrupted by news that the Princess's father has died. The Princess makes plans to leave at once, and she and her ladies, readying for mourning, declare that the men must wait a year and a day to prove their loves lasting. Don Armado announces he will swear a similar oath to Jaquenetta and then presents the nobles with a song.
Armado, the Braggart, also known as Don Adriano de Armado
Boy, Armado’s Page, also known as Mote
Jaquenetta, the Wench
Costard, the Clown or Swain
Dull, the Constable
Holofernes, the Pedant, or schoolmaster
Nathaniel, the Curate
Forester
Monsieur Marcade, a messenger from France
Lords, Blackamoors, Musicians
ACT 1
Scene 1
Enter Ferdinand, King of Navarre, Berowne, Longaville, and Dumaine.
KING line 0001Let fame, that all hunt after in their lives, line 0002Live registered upon our brazen tombs, line 0003And then grace us in the disgrace of death, line 0004When, spite of cormorant devouring time, 5line 0005Th’ endeavor of this present breath may buy line 0006That honor which shall bate his scythe’s keen edge line 0007And make us heirs of all eternity. line 0008Therefore, brave conquerors, for so you are line 0009That war against your own affections 10line 0010And the huge army of the world’s desires, line 0011Our late edict shall strongly stand in force. line 0012Navarre shall be the wonder of the world; line 0013Our court shall be a little academe, line 0014Still and contemplative in living art. 15line 0015You three, Berowne, Dumaine, and Longaville, line 0016Have sworn for three years’ term to live with me, line 0017My fellow scholars, and to keep those statutes line 0018That are recorded in this schedule here.
He holds up a scroll.
line 0019Your oaths are passed, and now subscribe your 20line 0020names, line 0021That his own hand may strike his honor down Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 9line 0022That violates the smallest branch herein. line 0023If you are armed to do as sworn to do, line 0024Subscribe to your deep oaths, and keep it too. LONGAVILLE 25line 0025I am resolved. ’Tis but a three years’ fast. line 0026The mind shall banquet though the body pine. line 0027Fat paunches have lean pates, and dainty bits line 0028Make rich the ribs but bankrout quite the wits.
He signs his name.
DUMAINE line 0029My loving lord, Dumaine is mortified. 30line 0030The grosser manner of these world’s delights line 0031He throws upon the gross world’s baser slaves. line 0032To love, to wealth, to pomp I pine and die, line 0033With all these living in philosophy.
He signs his name.
BEROWNE line 0034I can but say their protestation over. 35line 0035So much, dear liege, I have already sworn, line 0036That is, to live and study here three years. line 0037But there are other strict observances: line 0038As not to see a woman in that term, line 0039Which I hope well is not enrollèd there; 40line 0040And one day in a week to touch no food, line 0041And but one meal on every day besides, line 0042The which I hope is not enrollèd there; line 0043And then to sleep but three hours in the night, line 0044And not be seen to wink of all the day— 45line 0045When I was wont to think no harm all night, line 0046And make a dark night too of half the day— line 0047Which I hope well is not enrollèd there. line 0048O, these are barren tasks, too hard to keep, line 0049Not to see ladies, study, fast, not sleep. KING 50line 0050Your oath is passed to pass away from these. Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 11BEROWNE line 0051Let me say no, my liege, an if you please. line 0052I only swore to study with your Grace line 0053And stay here in your court for three years’ space. LONGAVILLE line 0054You swore to that, Berowne, and to the rest. BEROWNE 55line 0055By yea and nay, sir. Then I swore in jest. line 0056What is the end of study, let me know? KING line 0057Why, that to know which else we should not know. BEROWNE line 0058Things hid and barred, you mean, from common line 0059sense. KING 60line 0060Ay, that is study’s godlike recompense. BEROWNE line 0061Come on, then, I will swear to study so, line 0062To know the thing I am forbid to know: line 0063As thus—to study where I well may dine, line 0064When I to feast expressly am forbid; 65line 0065Or study where to meet some mistress fine line 0066When mistresses from common sense are hid; line 0067Or having sworn too hard-a-keeping oath, line 0068Study to break it, and not break my troth. line 0069If study’s gain be thus, and this be so, 70line 0070Study knows that which yet it doth not know. line 0071Swear me to this, and I will ne’er say no. KING line 0072These be the stops that hinder study quite, line 0073And train our intellects to vain delight. BEROWNE line 0074Why, all delights are vain, and that most vain 75line 0075Which with pain purchased doth inherit pain: line 0076As painfully to pore upon a book line 0077To seek the light of truth, while truth the while Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 13line 0078Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look. line 0079Light seeking light doth light of light beguile. 80line 0080So, ere you find where light in darkness lies, line 0081Your light grows dark by losing of your eyes. line 0082Study me how to please the eye indeed line 0083By fixing it upon a fairer eye, line 0084Who dazzling so, that eye shall be his heed 85line 0085And give him light that it was blinded by. line 0086Study is like the heaven’s glorious sun, line 0087That will not be deep-searched with saucy looks. line 0088Small have continual plodders ever won, line 0089Save base authority from others’ books. 90line 0090These earthly godfathers of heaven’s lights, line 0091That give a name to every fixèd star, line 0092Have no more profit of their shining nights line 0093Than those that walk and wot not what they are. line 0094Too much to know is to know naught but fame, 95line 0095And every godfather can give a name. KING line 0096How well he’s read to reason against reading. DUMAINE line 0097Proceeded well, to stop all good proceeding. LONGAVILLE line 0098He weeds the corn, and still lets grow the weeding. BEROWNE line 0099The spring is near when green geese are a-breeding. DUMAINE 100line 0100How follows that? line 0101BEROWNEFit in his place and time. DUMAINE line 0102In reason nothing. line 0103BEROWNESomething then in rhyme. KING line 0104Berowne is like an envious sneaping frost 105line 0105That bites the firstborn infants of the spring. Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 15BEROWNE line 0106Well, say I am. Why should proud summer boast line 0107Before the birds have any cause to sing? line 0108Why should I joy in any abortive birth? line 0109At Christmas I no more desire a rose 110line 0110Than wish a snow in May’s new-fangled shows, line 0111But like of each thing that in season grows. line 0112So you, to study now it is too late, line 0113Climb o’er the house to unlock the little gate. KING line 0114Well, sit you out. Go home, Berowne. Adieu. BEROWNE 115line 0115No, my good lord, I have sworn to stay with you. line 0116And though I have for barbarism spoke more line 0117Than for that angel knowledge you can say, line 0118Yet, confident, I’ll keep what I have sworn line 0119And bide the penance of each three years’ day. 120line 0120Give me the paper. Let me read the same, line 0121And to the strictest decrees I’ll write my name. KING line 0122How well this yielding rescues thee from shame. line 0123BEROWNEreadsItem, That no woman shall come within line 0124a mile of my court. Hath this been proclaimed? 125line 0125LONGAVILLEFour days ago. line 0126BEROWNELet’s see the penalty. Reads:On pain of line 0127losing her tongue. Who devised this penalty? line 0128LONGAVILLEMarry, that did I. line 0129BEROWNESweet lord, and why? LONGAVILLE 130line 0130To fright them hence with that dread penalty. BEROWNE line 0131A dangerous law against gentility. line 0132Reads: Item, If any man be seen to talk with a line 0133woman within the term of three years, he shall endure line 0134such public shame as the rest of the court can possible 135line 0135devise. Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 17line 0136This article, my liege, yourself must break, line 0137For well you know here comes in embassy line 0138The French king’s daughter with yourself to speak— line 0139A maid of grace and complete majesty— 140line 0140About surrender up of Aquitaine line 0141To her decrepit, sick, and bedrid father. line 0142Therefore this article is made in vain, line 0143Or vainly comes th’ admirèd princess hither. KING line 0144What say you, lords? Why, this was quite forgot. BEROWNE 145line 0145So study evermore is overshot. line 0146While it doth study to have what it would, line 0147It doth forget to do the thing it should. line 0148And when it hath the thing it hunteth most, line 0149’Tis won as towns with fire—so won, so lost. KING 150line 0150We must of force dispense with this decree. line 0151She must lie here on mere necessity. BEROWNE line 0152Necessity will make us all forsworn line 0153Three thousand times within this three years’ line 0154space; 155line 0155For every man with his affects is born, line 0156Not by might mastered, but by special grace. line 0157If I break faith, this word shall speak for me: line 0158I am forsworn on mere necessity. line 0159So to the laws at large I write my name, 160line 0160And he that breaks them in the least degree line 0161Stands in attainder of eternal shame. line 0162Suggestions are to other as to me, line 0163But I believe, although I seem so loath, line 0164I am the last that will last keep his oath.
He signs his name.
165line 0165But is there no quick recreation granted? Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 19KING line 0166Ay, that there is. Our court, you know, is haunted line 0167With a refinèd traveler of Spain, line 0168A man in all the world’s new fashion planted, line 0169That hath a mint of phrases in his brain; 170line 0170One who the music of his own vain tongue line 0171Doth ravish like enchanting harmony, line 0172A man of compliments, whom right and wrong line 0173Have chose as umpire of their mutiny. line 0174This child of fancy, that Armado hight, 175line 0175For interim to our studies shall relate line 0176In high-born words the worth of many a knight line 0177From tawny Spain lost in the world’s debate. line 0178How you delight, my lords, I know not, I, line 0179But I protest I love to hear him lie, 180line 0180And I will use him for my minstrelsy. BEROWNE line 0181Armado is a most illustrious wight, line 0182A man of fire-new words, fashion’s own knight. LONGAVILLE line 0183Costard the swain and he shall be our sport, line 0184And so to study three years is but short.
Enter Dull, a Constable, with a letter, and Costard.
185line 0185DULLWhich is the Duke’s own person? line 0186BEROWNEThis, fellow. What wouldst? line 0187DULLI myself reprehend his own person, for I am his line 0188Grace’s farborough. But I would see his own line 0189person in flesh and blood. 190line 0190BEROWNEThis is he. line 0191DULLto KingSignior Arm-, Arm-, commends you. line 0192There’s villainy abroad. This letter will tell you line 0193more.He gives the letter to the King. line 0194COSTARDSir, the contempts thereof are as touching 195line 0195me. line 0196KINGA letter from the magnificent Armado. Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 21line 0197BEROWNEHow low soever the matter, I hope in God line 0198for high words. line 0199LONGAVILLEA high hope for a low heaven. God grant 200line 0200us patience! line 0201BEROWNETo hear, or forbear hearing? line 0202LONGAVILLETo hear meekly, sir, and to laugh moderately, line 0203or to forbear both. line 0204BEROWNEWell, sir, be it as the style shall give us cause 205line 0205to climb in the merriness. line 0206COSTARDThe matter is to me, sir, as concerning line 0207Jaquenetta. The manner of it is, I was taken with line 0208the manner. line 0209BEROWNEIn what manner? 210line 0210COSTARDIn manner and form following, sir, all those line 0211three. I was seen with her in the manor house, line 0212sitting with her upon the form, and taken following line 0213her into the park, which, put together, is “in manner line 0214and form following.” Now, sir, for the manner. 215line 0215It is the manner of a man to speak to a woman. For line 0216the form—in some form. line 0217BEROWNEFor the “following,” sir? line 0218COSTARDAs it shall follow in my correction, and God line 0219defend the right. 220line 0220KINGWill you hear this letter with attention? line 0221BEROWNEAs we would hear an oracle. line 0222COSTARDSuch is the sinplicity of man to hearken after line 0223the flesh. line 0224KINGreadsGreat deputy, the welkin’s vicegerent and 225line 0225sole dominator of Navarre, my soul’s earth’s god, and line 0226body’s fost’ring patron— line 0227COSTARDNot a word of Costard yet. line 0228KINGreadsSo it is— line 0229COSTARDIt may be so, but if he say it is so, he is, in 230line 0230telling true, but so. line 0231KINGPeace. line 0232COSTARDBe to me, and every man that dares not fight. Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 23line 0233KINGNo words. line 0234COSTARDOf other men’s secrets, I beseech you. 235line 0235KINGreadsSo it is, besieged with sable-colored melancholy, line 0236I did commend the black oppressing humor line 0237to the most wholesome physic of thy health-giving air; line 0238and, as I am a gentleman, betook myself to walk. The line 0239time when? About the sixth hour, when beasts most 240line 0240graze, birds best peck, and men sit down to that line 0241nourishment which is called supper. So much for the line 0242time when. Now for the ground which—which, I line 0243mean, I walked upon. It is yclept thy park. Then for the line 0244place where—where, I mean, I did encounter that 245line 0245obscene and most prepost’rous event that draweth line 0246from my snow-white pen the ebon-colored ink, which line 0247here thou viewest, beholdest, surveyest, or seest. But to line 0248the place where. It standeth north-north-east and by line 0249east from the west corner of thy curious-knotted 250line 0250garden. There did I see that low-spirited swain, that line 0251base minnow of thy mirth,— line 0252COSTARDMe? line 0253KINGreadsthat unlettered, small-knowing soul,— line 0254COSTARDMe? 255line 0255KINGreadsthat shallow vassal,— line 0256COSTARDStill me? line 0257KINGreadswhich, as I remember, hight Costard,— line 0258COSTARDO, me! line 0259KINGreadssorted and consorted, contrary to thy 260line 0260established proclaimed edict and continent canon, line 0261which with—O with—but with this I passion to say line 0262wherewith— line 0263COSTARDWith a wench. line 0264KINGreadswith a child of our grandmother Eve, a 265line 0265female; or, for thy more sweet understanding, a line 0266woman: him, I, as my ever-esteemed duty pricks line 0267me on, have sent to thee, to receive the meed of line 0268punishment by thy sweet Grace’s officer, Anthony Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 25line 0269Dull, a man of good repute, carriage, bearing, and 270line 0270estimation. line 0271DULLMe, an ’t shall please you. I am Anthony Dull. line 0272KINGreadsFor Jaquenetta—so is the weaker vessel line 0273called which I apprehended with the aforesaid line 0274swain—I keep her as a vessel of thy law’s fury, and 275line 0275shall, at the least of thy sweet notice, bring her to trial. line 0276Thine, in all compliments of devoted and heartburning line 0277heat of duty, line 0278Don Adriano de Armado. line 0279BEROWNEThis is not so well as I looked for, but the 280line 0280best that ever I heard. line 0281KINGAy, the best, for the worst. To Costard. But, line 0282sirrah, what say you to this? line 0283COSTARDSir, I confess the wench. line 0284KINGDid you hear the proclamation? 285line 0285COSTARDI do confess much of the hearing it, but little line 0286of the marking of it. line 0287KINGIt was proclaimed a year’s imprisonment to be line 0288taken with a wench. line 0289COSTARDI was taken with none, sir. I was taken with a 290line 0290damsel. line 0291KINGWell, it was proclaimed “damsel.” line 0292COSTARDThis was no damsel neither, sir. She was a line 0293virgin. line 0294BEROWNEIt is so varied too, for it was proclaimed 295line 0295“virgin.” line 0296COSTARDIf it were, I deny her virginity. I was taken line 0297with a maid. line 0298KINGThis “maid” will not serve your turn, sir. line 0299COSTARDThis maid will serve my turn, sir. 300line 0300KINGSir, I will pronounce your sentence: you shall line 0301fast a week with bran and water. line 0302COSTARDI had rather pray a month with mutton and line 0303porridge. Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 27line 0304KINGAnd Don Armado shall be your keeper. 305line 0305My Lord Berowne, see him delivered o’er, line 0306And go we, lords, to put in practice that line 0307Which each to other hath so strongly sworn.
King, Longaville, and Dumaine exit.
BEROWNE line 0308I’ll lay my head to any goodman’s hat, line 0309These oaths and laws will prove an idle scorn. 310line 0310Sirrah, come on. line 0311COSTARDI suffer for the truth, sir; for true it is I was line 0312taken with Jaquenetta, and Jaquenetta is a true line 0313girl. And therefore welcome the sour cup of prosperity. line 0314Affliction may one day smile again, and till 315line 0315then, sit thee down, sorrow.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Armado and Mote, his page.
line 0316ARMADOBoy, what sign is it when a man of great spirit line 0317grows melancholy? line 0318BOYA great sign, sir, that he will look sad. line 0319ARMADOWhy, sadness is one and the selfsame thing, 5line 0320dear imp. line 0321BOYNo, no. O Lord, sir, no! line 0322ARMADOHow canst thou part sadness and melancholy, line 0323my tender juvenal? line 0324BOYBy a familiar demonstration of the working, my 10line 0325tough signior. line 0326ARMADOWhy “tough signior”? Why “tough signior”? line 0327BOYWhy “tender juvenal”? Why “tender juvenal”? line 0328ARMADOI spoke it “tender juvenal” as a congruent line 0329epitheton appertaining to thy young days, which 15line 0330we may nominate “tender.” Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 29line 0331BOYAnd I “tough signior” as an appurtenant title to line 0332your old time, which we may name “tough.” line 0333ARMADOPretty and apt. line 0334BOYHow mean you, sir? I pretty and my saying apt, or 20line 0335I apt and my saying pretty? line 0336ARMADOThou pretty because little. line 0337BOYLittle pretty, because little. Wherefore apt? line 0338ARMADOAnd therefore apt, because quick. line 0339BOYSpeak you this in my praise, master? 25line 0340ARMADOIn thy condign praise. line 0341BOYI will praise an eel with the same praise. line 0342ARMADOWhat, that an eel is ingenious? line 0343BOYThat an eel is quick. line 0344ARMADOI do say thou art quick in answers. Thou 30line 0345heat’st my blood. line 0346BOYI am answered, sir. line 0347ARMADOI love not to be crossed. line 0348BOYasideHe speaks the mere contrary; crosses love line 0349not him. 35line 0350ARMADOI have promised to study three years with the line 0351Duke. line 0352BOYYou may do it in an hour, sir. line 0353ARMADOImpossible. line 0354BOYHow many is one thrice told? 40line 0355ARMADOI am ill at reckoning. It fitteth the spirit of a line 0356tapster. line 0357BOYYou are a gentleman and a gamester, sir. line 0358ARMADOI confess both. They are both the varnish of a line 0359complete man. 45line 0360BOYThen I am sure you know how much the gross line 0361sum of deuce-ace amounts to. line 0362ARMADOIt doth amount to one more than two. line 0363BOYWhich the base vulgar do call “three.” line 0364ARMADOTrue. 50line 0365BOYWhy, sir, is this such a piece of study? Now here is line 0366“three” studied ere you’ll thrice wink. And how Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 31line 0367easy it is to put “years” to the word “three” and line 0368study “three years” in two words, the dancing horse line 0369will tell you. 55line 0370ARMADOA most fine figure. line 0371BOYasideTo prove you a cipher. line 0372ARMADOI will hereupon confess I am in love; and as it line 0373is base for a soldier to love, so am I in love with a line 0374base wench. If drawing my sword against the 60line 0375humor of affection would deliver me from the line 0376reprobate thought of it, I would take desire prisoner line 0377and ransom him to any French courtier for a line 0378new-devised curtsy. I think scorn to sigh; methinks line 0379I should outswear Cupid. Comfort me, boy. What 65line 0380great men have been in love? line 0381BOYHercules, master. line 0382ARMADOMost sweet Hercules! More authority, dear line 0383boy, name more; and, sweet my child, let them be line 0384men of good repute and carriage. 70line 0385BOYSamson, master; he was a man of good carriage, line 0386great carriage, for he carried the town gates on his line 0387back like a porter, and he was in love. line 0388ARMADOO, well-knit Samson, strong-jointed Samson; line 0389I do excel thee in my rapier as much as thou didst 75line 0390me in carrying gates. I am in love too. Who was line 0391Samson’s love, my dear Mote? line 0392BOYA woman, master. line 0393ARMADOOf what complexion? line 0394BOYOf all the four, or the three, or the two, or one of 80line 0395the four. line 0396ARMADOTell me precisely of what complexion. line 0397BOYOf the sea-water green, sir. line 0398ARMADOIs that one of the four complexions? line 0399BOYAs I have read, sir, and the best of them too. 85line 0400ARMADOGreen indeed is the color of lovers. But to line 0401have a love of that color, methinks Samson had line 0402small reason for it. He surely affected her for her line 0403wit. Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 33line 0404BOYIt was so, sir, for she had a green wit. 90line 0405ARMADOMy love is most immaculate white and red. line 0406BOYMost maculate thoughts, master, are masked line 0407under such colors. line 0408ARMADODefine, define, well-educated infant. line 0409BOYMy father’s wit and my mother’s tongue, assist 95line 0410me. line 0411ARMADOSweet invocation of a child, most pretty and line 0412pathetical. BOY line 0413If she be made of white and red, line 0414Her faults will ne’er be known, 100line 0415For blushing cheeks by faults are bred, line 0416And fears by pale white shown. line 0417Then if she fear, or be to blame, line 0418By this you shall not know, line 0419For still her cheeks possess the same 105line 0420Which native she doth owe. line 0421A dangerous rhyme, master, against the reason of line 0422white and red. line 0423ARMADOIs there not a ballad, boy, of “The King and line 0424the Beggar”? 110line 0425BOYThe world was very guilty of such a ballad some line 0426three ages since, but I think now ’tis not to be found; line 0427or if it were, it would neither serve for the writing line 0428nor the tune. line 0429ARMADOI will have that subject newly writ o’er, that I 115line 0430may example my digression by some mighty precedent. line 0431Boy, I do love that country girl that I took in line 0432the park with the rational hind Costard. She deserves line 0433well. line 0434BOYasideTo be whipped—and yet a better love than 120line 0435my master. line 0436ARMADOSing, boy. My spirit grows heavy in love. line 0437BOYasideAnd that’s great marvel, loving a light line 0438wench. Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 35line 0439ARMADOI say sing. 125line 0440BOYForbear till this company be past.
Enter Clown (Costard,) Constable (Dull,) and Wench (Jaquenetta.)
line 0441DULLto ArmadoSir, the Duke’s pleasure is that you line 0442keep Costard safe, and you must suffer him to take line 0443no delight, nor no penance, but he must fast three line 0444days a week. For this damsel, I must keep her at the 130line 0445park. She is allowed for the dey-woman. Fare you line 0446well. line 0447ARMADOasideI do betray myself with blushing.— line 0448Maid. line 0449JAQUENETTAMan. 135line 0450ARMADOI will visit thee at the lodge. line 0451JAQUENETTAThat’s hereby. line 0452ARMADOI know where it is situate. line 0453JAQUENETTALord, how wise you are. line 0454ARMADOI will tell thee wonders. 140line 0455JAQUENETTAWith that face? line 0456ARMADOI love thee. line 0457JAQUENETTASo I heard you say. line 0458ARMADOAnd so, farewell. line 0459JAQUENETTAFair weather after you. 145line 0460DULLCome, Jaquenetta, away.
Dull and Jaquenetta exit.
line 0461ARMADOto CostardVillain, thou shalt fast for thy line 0462offenses ere thou be pardoned. line 0463COSTARDWell, sir, I hope when I do it I shall do it on line 0464a full stomach. 150line 0465ARMADOThou shalt be heavily punished. line 0466COSTARDI am more bound to you than your fellows, line 0467for they are but lightly rewarded. line 0468ARMADOto BoyTake away this villain. Shut him up. line 0469BOYCome, you transgressing slave, away. Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 37155line 0470COSTARDto ArmadoLet me not be pent up, sir. I will line 0471fast being loose. line 0472BOYNo, sir, that were fast and loose. Thou shalt to line 0473prison. line 0474COSTARDWell, if ever I do see the merry days of 160line 0475desolation that I have seen, some shall see. line 0476BOYWhat shall some see? line 0477COSTARDNay, nothing, Master Mote, but what they line 0478look upon. It is not for prisoners to be too silent in line 0479their words, and therefore I will say nothing. I thank 165line 0480God I have as little patience as another man, and line 0481therefore I can be quiet.
Costard and Boy exit.
line 0482ARMADOI do affect the very ground (which is base) line 0483where her shoe (which is baser) guided by her foot line 0484(which is basest) doth tread. I shall be forsworn 170line 0485(which is a great argument of falsehood) if I love. line 0486And how can that be true love which is falsely line 0487attempted? Love is a familiar; love is a devil. There is line 0488no evil angel but love, yet was Samson so tempted, line 0489and he had an excellent strength; yet was Solomon 175line 0490so seduced, and he had a very good wit. Cupid’s line 0491butt-shaft is too hard for Hercules’ club, and therefore line 0492too much odds for a Spaniard’s rapier. The first line 0493and second cause will not serve my turn; the line 0494passado he respects not, the duello he regards not. 180line 0495His disgrace is to be called “boy,” but his glory is to line 0496subdue men. Adieu, valor; rust, rapier; be still, line 0497drum, for your manager is in love. Yea, he loveth. line 0498Assist me, some extemporal god of rhyme, for I am line 0499sure I shall turn sonnet. Devise wit, write pen, for I 185line 0500am for whole volumes in folio.
He exits.
ACT 2
Scene 1
Enter the Princess of France, with three attending Ladies (Rosaline, Maria, and Katherine), Boyet and other Lords.
BOYET line 0501Now, madam, summon up your dearest spirits. line 0502Consider who the King your father sends, line 0503To whom he sends, and what’s his embassy. line 0504Yourself, held precious in the world’s esteem, 5line 0505To parley with the sole inheritor line 0506Of all perfections that a man may owe, line 0507Matchless Navarre; the plea of no less weight line 0508Than Aquitaine, a dowry for a queen. line 0509Be now as prodigal of all dear grace 10line 0510As nature was in making graces dear line 0511When she did starve the general world besides line 0512And prodigally gave them all to you. PRINCESS line 0513Good Lord Boyet, my beauty, though but mean, line 0514Needs not the painted flourish of your praise. 15line 0515Beauty is bought by judgment of the eye, line 0516Not uttered by base sale of chapmen’s tongues. line 0517I am less proud to hear you tell my worth line 0518Than you much willing to be counted wise line 0519In spending your wit in the praise of mine. 20line 0520But now to task the tasker: good Boyet, Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 43line 0521You are not ignorant all-telling fame line 0522Doth noise abroad Navarre hath made a vow, line 0523Till painful study shall outwear three years, line 0524No woman may approach his silent court. 25line 0525Therefore to ’s seemeth it a needful course, line 0526Before we enter his forbidden gates, line 0527To know his pleasure, and in that behalf, line 0528Bold of your worthiness, we single you line 0529As our best-moving fair solicitor. 30line 0530Tell him the daughter of the King of France line 0531On serious business craving quick dispatch, line 0532Importunes personal conference with his Grace. line 0533Haste, signify so much, while we attend, line 0534Like humble-visaged suitors, his high will. BOYET 35line 0535Proud of employment, willingly I go. PRINCESS line 0536All pride is willing pride, and yours is so.
Boyet exits.
line 0537Who are the votaries, my loving lords, line 0538That are vow-fellows with this virtuous duke? A LORD line 0539Lord Longaville is one. 40line 0540PRINCESSKnow you the man? MARIA line 0541I know him, madam. At a marriage feast line 0542Between Lord Perigort and the beauteous heir line 0543Of Jaques Falconbridge, solemnizèd line 0544In Normandy, saw I this Longaville. 45line 0545A man of sovereign parts he is esteemed, line 0546Well fitted in arts, glorious in arms. line 0547Nothing becomes him ill that he would well. line 0548The only soil of his fair virtue’s gloss, line 0549If virtue’s gloss will stain with any soil, 50line 0550Is a sharp wit matched with too blunt a will, line 0551Whose edge hath power to cut, whose will still wills line 0552It should none spare that come within his power. Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 45PRINCESS line 0553Some merry mocking lord, belike. Is ’t so? MARIA line 0554They say so most that most his humors know. PRINCESS 55line 0555Such short-lived wits do wither as they grow. line 0556Who are the rest? KATHERINE line 0557The young Dumaine, a well-accomplished youth, line 0558Of all that virtue love for virtue loved. line 0559Most power to do most harm, least knowing ill; 60line 0560For he hath wit to make an ill shape good, line 0561And shape to win grace though he had no wit. line 0562I saw him at the Duke Alanson’s once, line 0563And much too little of that good I saw line 0564Is my report to his great worthiness. ROSALINE 65line 0565Another of these students at that time line 0566Was there with him, if I have heard a truth. line 0567Berowne they call him, but a merrier man, line 0568Within the limit of becoming mirth, line 0569I never spent an hour’s talk withal. 70line 0570His eye begets occasion for his wit, line 0571For every object that the one doth catch line 0572The other turns to a mirth-moving jest, line 0573Which his fair tongue, conceit’s expositor, line 0574Delivers in such apt and gracious words 75line 0575That agèd ears play truant at his tales, line 0576And younger hearings are quite ravishèd, line 0577So sweet and voluble is his discourse. PRINCESS line 0578God bless my ladies, are they all in love, line 0579That every one her own hath garnishèd 80line 0580With such bedecking ornaments of praise? A LORD line 0581Here comes Boyet. Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 47
Enter Boyet.
line 0582PRINCESSNow, what admittance, lord? BOYET line 0583Navarre had notice of your fair approach, line 0584And he and his competitors in oath 85line 0585Were all addressed to meet you, gentle lady, line 0586Before I came. Marry, thus much I have learned: line 0587He rather means to lodge you in the field, line 0588Like one that comes here to besiege his court, line 0589Than seek a dispensation for his oath 90line 0590To let you enter his unpeopled house.
Enter King of Navarre, Longaville, Dumaine, and Berowne.
line 0591Here comes Navarre. line 0592KINGFair Princess, welcome to the court of Navarre. line 0593PRINCESS“Fair” I give you back again, and “welcome” line 0594I have not yet. The roof of this court is too 95line 0595high to be yours, and welcome to the wide fields too line 0596base to be mine. KING line 0597You shall be welcome, madam, to my court. PRINCESS line 0598I will be welcome, then. Conduct me thither. KING line 0599Hear me, dear lady. I have sworn an oath. PRINCESS 100line 0600Our Lady help my lord! He’ll be forsworn. KING line 0601Not for the world, fair madam, by my will. PRINCESS line 0602Why, will shall break it, will and nothing else. KING line 0603Your Ladyship is ignorant what it is. Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 49PRINCESS line 0604Were my lord so, his ignorance were wise, 105line 0605Where now his knowledge must prove ignorance. line 0606I hear your Grace hath sworn out housekeeping. line 0607’Tis deadly sin to keep that oath, my lord, line 0608And sin to break it. line 0609But pardon me, I am too sudden bold. 110line 0610To teach a teacher ill beseemeth me. line 0611Vouchsafe to read the purpose of my coming, line 0612And suddenly resolve me in my suit.
She gives him a paper.
KING line 0613Madam, I will, if suddenly I may. PRINCESS line 0614You will the sooner that I were away, 115line 0615For you’ll prove perjured if you make me stay.
They walk aside while the King reads the paper.
BEROWNEto Rosaline line 0616Did not I dance with you in Brabant once? ROSALINE line 0617Did not I dance with you in Brabant once? BEROWNE line 0618I know you did. line 0619ROSALINEHow needless was it then 120line 0620To ask the question. line 0621BEROWNEYou must not be so quick. ROSALINE line 0622’Tis long of you that spur me with such questions. BEROWNE line 0623Your wit’s too hot, it speeds too fast; ’twill tire. ROSALINE line 0624Not till it leave the rider in the mire. BEROWNE 125line 0625What time o’ day? line 0626ROSALINEThe hour that fools should ask. line 0627BEROWNENow fair befall your mask. Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 51line 0628ROSALINEFair fall the face it covers. line 0629BEROWNEAnd send you many lovers. 130line 0630ROSALINEAmen, so you be none. line 0631BEROWNENay, then, will I be gone. KINGcoming forward with the Princess line 0632Madam, your father here doth intimate line 0633The payment of a hundred thousand crowns, line 0634Being but the one half of an entire sum 135line 0635Disbursèd by my father in his wars. line 0636But say that he or we, as neither have, line 0637Received that sum, yet there remains unpaid line 0638A hundred thousand more, in surety of the which line 0639One part of Aquitaine is bound to us, 140line 0640Although not valued to the money’s worth. line 0641If then the King your father will restore line 0642But that one half which is unsatisfied, line 0643We will give up our right in Aquitaine, line 0644And hold fair friendship with his Majesty. 145line 0645But that, it seems, he little purposeth; line 0646For here he doth demand to have repaid line 0647A hundred thousand crowns, and not demands, line 0648On payment of a hundred thousand crowns, line 0649To have his title live in Aquitaine— 150line 0650Which we much rather had depart withal, line 0651And have the money by our father lent, line 0652Than Aquitaine, so gelded as it is. line 0653Dear Princess, were not his requests so far line 0654From reason’s yielding, your fair self should make 155line 0655A yielding ’gainst some reason in my breast, line 0656And go well satisfied to France again. PRINCESS line 0657You do the King my father too much wrong, line 0658And wrong the reputation of your name, line 0659In so unseeming to confess receipt 160line 0660Of that which hath so faithfully been paid. Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 53KING line 0661I do protest I never heard of it; line 0662And if you prove it, I’ll repay it back line 0663Or yield up Aquitaine. line 0664PRINCESSWe arrest your word.— 165line 0665Boyet, you can produce acquittances line 0666For such a sum from special officers line 0667Of Charles his father. line 0668KINGSatisfy me so. BOYET line 0669So please your Grace, the packet is not come 170line 0670Where that and other specialties are bound. line 0671Tomorrow you shall have a sight of them. KING line 0672It shall suffice me; at which interview line 0673All liberal reason I will yield unto. line 0674Meantime receive such welcome at my hand 175line 0675As honor (without breach of honor) may line 0676Make tender of to thy true worthiness. line 0677You may not come, fair princess, within my gates, line 0678But here without you shall be so received line 0679As you shall deem yourself lodged in my heart, 180line 0680Though so denied fair harbor in my house. line 0681Your own good thoughts excuse me, and farewell. line 0682Tomorrow shall we visit you again. PRINCESS line 0683Sweet health and fair desires consort your Grace. KING line 0684Thy own wish wish I thee in every place.
He exits with Dumaine, Longaville, and Attendants.
185line 0685BEROWNEto RosalineLady, I will commend you to line 0686my own heart. line 0687ROSALINEPray you, do my commendations. I would line 0688be glad to see it. line 0689BEROWNEI would you heard it groan. Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 55190line 0690ROSALINEIs the fool sick? line 0691BEROWNESick at the heart. line 0692ROSALINEAlack, let it blood. line 0693BEROWNEWould that do it good? line 0694ROSALINEMy physic says “ay.” 195line 0695BEROWNEWill you prick ’t with your eye? line 0696ROSALINENo point, with my knife. line 0697BEROWNENow God save thy life. line 0698ROSALINEAnd yours from long living. line 0699BEROWNEI cannot stay thanksgiving.He exits.
Enter Dumaine.
DUMAINEto Boyet 200line 0700Sir, I pray you, a word. What lady is that same? BOYET line 0701The heir of Alanson, Katherine her name. DUMAINE line 0702A gallant lady, monsieur. Fare you well.He exits.
Enter Longaville.
LONGAVILLEto Boyet line 0703I beseech you, a word. What is she in the white? BOYET line 0704A woman sometimes, an you saw her in the light. LONGAVILLE 205line 0705Perchance light in the light. I desire her name. BOYET line 0706She hath but one for herself; to desire that were a line 0707shame. line 0708LONGAVILLEPray you, sir, whose daughter? line 0709BOYETHer mother’s, I have heard. 210line 0710LONGAVILLEGod’s blessing on your beard! line 0711BOYETGood sir, be not offended. She is an heir of line 0712Falconbridge. line 0713LONGAVILLENay, my choler is ended. She is a most line 0714sweet lady. Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 57215line 0715BOYETNot unlike, sir, that may be.
Longaville exits.
Enter Berowne.
line 0716BEROWNEto BoyetWhat’s her name in the cap? line 0717BOYETRosaline, by good hap. line 0718BEROWNEIs she wedded or no? line 0719BOYETTo her will, sir, or so. 220line 0720BEROWNEYou are welcome, sir. Adieu. line 0721BOYETFarewell to me, sir, and welcome to you.
Berowne exits.
MARIA line 0722That last is Berowne, the merry madcap lord. line 0723Not a word with him but a jest. line 0724BOYETAnd every jest but 225line 0725a word. PRINCESS line 0726It was well done of you to take him at his word. BOYET line 0727I was as willing to grapple as he was to board. KATHERINE line 0728Two hot sheeps, marry. line 0729BOYETAnd wherefore not ships? 230line 0730No sheep, sweet lamb, unless we feed on your lips. KATHERINE line 0731You sheep and I pasture. Shall that finish the jest? BOYET line 0732So you grant pasture for me.He tries to kiss her. line 0733KATHERINENot so, gentle beast, line 0734My lips are no common, though several they be. BOYET 235line 0735Belonging to whom? line 0736KATHERINETo my fortunes and me. PRINCESS line 0737Good wits will be jangling; but, gentles, agree, line 0738This civil war of wits were much better used line 0739On Navarre and his bookmen, for here ’tis abused. Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 59BOYET 240line 0740If my observation, which very seldom lies, line 0741By the heart’s still rhetoric, disclosèd wi’ th’ eyes, line 0742Deceive me not now, Navarre is infected. line 0743PRINCESSWith what? BOYET line 0744With that which we lovers entitle “affected.” 245line 0745PRINCESSYour reason? BOYET line 0746Why, all his behaviors did make their retire line 0747To the court of his eye, peeping thorough desire. line 0748His heart like an agate with your print impressed, line 0749Proud with his form, in his eye pride expressed. 250line 0750His tongue, all impatient to speak and not see, line 0751Did stumble with haste in his eyesight to be; line 0752All senses to that sense did make their repair, line 0753To feel only looking on fairest of fair. line 0754Methought all his senses were locked in his eye, 255line 0755As jewels in crystal for some prince to buy, line 0756Who, tend’ring their own worth from where they line 0757were glassed, line 0758Did point you to buy them along as you passed. line 0759His face’s own margent did quote such amazes 260line 0760That all eyes saw his eyes enchanted with gazes. line 0761I’ll give you Aquitaine, and all that is his, line 0762An you give him for my sake but one loving kiss. PRINCESSto her Ladies line 0763Come, to our pavilion. Boyet is disposed. BOYET line 0764But to speak that in words which his eye hath 265line 0765disclosed. line 0766I only have made a mouth of his eye line 0767By adding a tongue which I know will not lie. MARIA line 0768Thou art an old lovemonger and speakest skillfully. Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 61KATHERINE line 0769He is Cupid’s grandfather, and learns news of him. ROSALINE 270line 0770Then was Venus like her mother, for her father is line 0771but grim. BOYET line 0772Do you hear, my mad wenches? line 0773MARIANo. line 0774BOYETWhat then, do 275line 0775you see? MARIA line 0776Ay, our way to be gone. line 0777BOYETYou are too hard for me.
They all exit.
ACT 3
Scene 1
Enter Braggart Armado and his Boy.
line 0778ARMADOWarble, child, make passionate my sense of line 0779hearing. line 0780BOYsingsConcolinel. line 0781ARMADOSweet air. Go, tenderness of years.He hands over a key. 5line 0782Take this key, give enlargement to the line 0783swain, bring him festinately hither. I must employ line 0784him in a letter to my love. line 0785BOYMaster, will you win your love with a French line 0786brawl? 10line 0787ARMADOHow meanest thou? Brawling in French? line 0788BOYNo, my complete master, but to jig off a tune at the line 0789tongue’s end, canary to it with your feet, humor it line 0790with turning up your eyelids, sigh a note and sing a line 0791note, sometimes through the throat as if you 15line 0792swallowed love with singing love, sometimes line 0793through the nose as if you snuffed up love by line 0794smelling love; with your hat penthouse-like o’er the line 0795shop of your eyes, with your arms crossed on your line 0796thin-belly doublet like a rabbit on a spit; or your 20line 0797hands in your pocket like a man after the old line 0798painting; and keep not too long in one tune, but a line 0799snip and away. These are compliments, these are line 0800humors; these betray nice wenches that would be line 0801betrayed without these, and make them men of Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 6725line 0802note—do you note me?—that most are affected line 0803to these. line 0804ARMADOHow hast thou purchased this experience? line 0805BOYBy my penny of observation. line 0806ARMADOBut O— but O—. 30line 0807BOY“The hobby-horse is forgot.” line 0808ARMADOCall’st thou my love “hobby-horse”? line 0809BOYNo, master. The hobby-horse is but a colt, aside line 0810and your love perhaps a hackney.—But have you line 0811forgot your love? 35line 0812ARMADOAlmost I had. line 0813BOYNegligent student, learn her by heart. line 0814ARMADOBy heart and in heart, boy. line 0815BOYAnd out of heart, master. All those three I will line 0816prove. 40line 0817ARMADOWhat wilt thou prove? line 0818BOYA man, if I live; and this “by, in, and without,” line 0819upon the instant: “by” heart you love her, because line 0820your heart cannot come by her; “in” heart you love line 0821her, because your heart is in love with her; and 45line 0822“out” of heart you love her, being out of heart that line 0823you cannot enjoy her. line 0824ARMADOI am all these three. line 0825BOYAnd three times as much more, aside and yet line 0826nothing at all. 50line 0827ARMADOFetch hither the swain. He must carry me a line 0828letter. line 0829BOYA message well sympathized—a horse to be ambassador line 0830for an ass. line 0831ARMADOHa? Ha? What sayest thou? 55line 0832BOYMarry, sir, you must send the ass upon the horse, line 0833for he is very slow-gaited. But I go. line 0834ARMADOThe way is but short. Away! line 0835BOYAs swift as lead, sir. line 0836ARMADOThy meaning, pretty ingenious? 60line 0837Is not lead a metal heavy, dull, and slow? Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 69BOY line 0838Minime, honest master, or rather, master, no. ARMADO line 0839I say lead is slow. line 0840BOYYou are too swift, sir, to say so. line 0841Is that lead slow which is fired from a gun? 65line 0842ARMADOSweet smoke of rhetoric! line 0843He reputes me a cannon, and the bullet, that’s line 0844he.— line 0845I shoot thee at the swain. line 0846BOYThump, then, and I flee.
He exits.
ARMADO 70line 0847A most acute juvenal, voluble and free of grace. line 0848By thy favor, sweet welkin, I must sigh in thy face. line 0849Most rude melancholy, valor gives thee place. line 0850My herald is returned.
Enter Boy and Clown Costard.
line 0851BOYA wonder, master! 75line 0852Here’s a costard broken in a shin. ARMADO line 0853Some enigma, some riddle. Come, thy l’envoi begin. line 0854COSTARDNo egma, no riddle, no l’envoi, no salve in line 0855the mail, sir. O, sir, plantain, a plain plantain! No line 0856l’envoi, no l’envoi, no salve, sir, but a plantain. 80line 0857ARMADOBy virtue, thou enforcest laughter; thy silly line 0858thought, my spleen. The heaving of my lungs line 0859provokes me to ridiculous smiling. O pardon me, line 0860my stars! Doth the inconsiderate take salve for line 0861l’envoi, and the word l’envoi for a salve? BOY 85line 0862Do the wise think them other? Is not l’envoi a salve? ARMADO line 0863No, page, it is an epilogue or discourse to make plain Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 71line 0864Some obscure precedence that hath tofore been sain. line 0865I will example it: line 0866The fox, the ape, and the humble-bee 90line 0867Were still at odds, being but three. line 0868There’s the moral. Now the l’envoi. line 0869BOYI will add the l’envoi. Say the moral again. ARMADO line 0870The fox, the ape, and the humble-bee line 0871Were still at odds, being but three. BOY 95line 0872Until the goose came out of door line 0873And stayed the odds by adding four. line 0874Now will I begin your moral, and do you follow with line 0875my l’envoi. line 0876The fox, the ape, and the humble-bee 100line 0877Were still at odds, being but three. ARMADO line 0878Until the goose came out of door, line 0879Staying the odds by adding four. line 0880BOYA good l’envoi, ending in the goose. Would you line 0881desire more? COSTARD 105line 0882The boy hath sold him a bargain—a goose, that’s line 0883flat.— line 0884Sir, your pennyworth is good, an your goose be fat. line 0885To sell a bargain well is as cunning as fast and line 0886loose. 110line 0887Let me see: a fat l’envoi—ay, that’s a fat goose. ARMADO line 0888Come hither, come hither. How did this argument line 0889begin? BOY line 0890By saying that a costard was broken in a shin. line 0891Then called you for the l’envoi. Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 73115line 0892COSTARDTrue, and I for a plantain. Thus came your line 0893argument in. Then the boy’s fat l’envoi, the goose line 0894that you bought; and he ended the market. line 0895ARMADOBut tell me, how was there a costard broken line 0896in a shin? 120line 0897BOYI will tell you sensibly. line 0898COSTARDThou hast no feeling of it, Mote. I will speak line 0899that l’envoi. line 0900I, Costard, running out, that was safely within, line 0901Fell over the threshold and broke my shin. 125line 0902ARMADOWe will talk no more of this matter. line 0903COSTARDTill there be more matter in the shin. line 0904ARMADOSirrah Costard, I will enfranchise thee. line 0905COSTARDO, marry me to one Frances! I smell some line 0906l’envoi, some goose, in this. 130line 0907ARMADOBy my sweet soul, I mean, setting thee at line 0908liberty, enfreedoming thy person. Thou wert immured, line 0909restrained, captivated, bound. line 0910COSTARDTrue, true; and now you will be my purgation, line 0911and let me loose. 135line 0912ARMADOI give thee thy liberty, set thee from durance, line 0913and, in lieu thereof, impose on thee nothing but line 0914this: bear this significant to the country maid line 0915Jaquenetta. He gives him a paper. There is remuneration line 0916giving him a coin, for the best ward of 140line 0917mine honor is rewarding my dependents.—Mote, line 0918follow.He exits. line 0919BOYLike the sequel, I. Signior Costard, adieu.
He exits.
COSTARD line 0920My sweet ounce of man’s flesh, my incony Jew! line 0921Now will I look to his remuneration. He looks at the coin. 145line 0922“Remuneration”! O, that’s the Latin word for line 0923three farthings. Three farthings—remuneration. Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 75line 0924“What’s the price of this inkle?” “One penny.” “No, line 0925I’ll give you a remuneration.” Why, it carries it! line 0926Remuneration. Why, it is a fairer name than “French 150line 0927crown.” I will never buy and sell out of this word.
Enter Berowne.
line 0928BEROWNEMy good knave Costard, exceedingly well line 0929met. line 0930COSTARDPray you, sir, how much carnation ribbon line 0931may a man buy for a remuneration? 155line 0932BEROWNEWhat is a remuneration? line 0933COSTARDMarry, sir, halfpenny farthing. line 0934BEROWNEWhy then, three farthing worth of silk. line 0935COSTARDI thank your Worship. God be wi’ you.
He begins to exit.
line 0936BEROWNEStay, slave, I must employ thee. 160line 0937As thou wilt win my favor, good my knave, line 0938Do one thing for me that I shall entreat. line 0939COSTARDWhen would you have it done, sir? line 0940BEROWNEThis afternoon. line 0941COSTARDWell, I will do it, sir. Fare you well. 165line 0942BEROWNEThou knowest not what it is. line 0943COSTARDI shall know, sir, when I have done it. line 0944BEROWNEWhy, villain, thou must know first. line 0945COSTARDI will come to your Worship tomorrow line 0946morning. 170line 0947BEROWNEIt must be done this afternoon. Hark, slave, line 0948it is but this: line 0949The Princess comes to hunt here in the park, line 0950And in her train there is a gentle lady. line 0951When tongues speak sweetly, then they name her 175line 0952name, line 0953And Rosaline they call her. Ask for her, line 0954And to her white hand see thou do commend Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 77line 0955This sealed-up counsel. There’s thy guerdon. line 0956He gives him money.Go. 180line 0957COSTARDGardon. He looks at the money. O sweet line 0958gardon! Better than remuneration, a ’levenpence line 0959farthing better! Most sweet gardon. I will do it, sir, line 0960in print. Gardon! Remuneration!He exits. BEROWNE line 0961And I forsooth in love! I that have been love’s whip, 185line 0962A very beadle to a humorous sigh, line 0963A critic, nay, a nightwatch constable, line 0964A domineering pedant o’er the boy, line 0965Than whom no mortal so magnificent. line 0966This wimpled, whining, purblind, wayward boy, 190line 0967This Signior Junior, giant dwarf, Dan Cupid, line 0968Regent of love rhymes, lord of folded arms, line 0969Th’ anointed sovereign of sighs and groans, line 0970Liege of all loiterers and malcontents, line 0971Dread prince of plackets, king of codpieces, 195line 0972Sole imperator and great general line 0973Of trotting paritors—O my little heart! line 0974And I to be a corporal of his field line 0975And wear his colors like a tumbler’s hoop! line 0976What? I love, I sue, I seek a wife? 200line 0977A woman, that is like a German clock, line 0978Still a-repairing, ever out of frame, line 0979And never going aright, being a watch, line 0980But being watched that it may still go right. line 0981Nay, to be perjured, which is worst of all. 205line 0982And, among three, to love the worst of all, line 0983A whitely wanton with a velvet brow, line 0984With two pitch-balls stuck in her face for eyes. line 0985Ay, and by heaven, one that will do the deed line 0986Though Argus were her eunuch and her guard. 210line 0987And I to sigh for her, to watch for her, line 0988To pray for her! Go to. It is a plague Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 79line 0989That Cupid will impose for my neglect line 0990Of his almighty dreadful little might. line 0991Well, I will love, write, sigh, pray, sue, groan. 215line 0992Some men must love my lady, and some Joan.
He exits.
ACT 4
Scene 1
Enter the Princess, a Forester, her Ladies, Boyet and her other Lords.
PRINCESS line 0993Was that the King that spurred his horse so hard line 0994Against the steep uprising of the hill? FORESTER line 0995I know not, but I think it was not he. PRINCESS line 0996Whoe’er he was, he showed a mounting mind.— 5line 0997Well, lords, today we shall have our dispatch. line 0998Or Saturday we will return to France.— line 0999Then, forester, my friend, where is the bush line 1000That we must stand and play the murderer in? FORESTER line 1001Hereby, upon the edge of yonder coppice, 10line 1002A stand where you may make the fairest shoot. PRINCESS line 1003I thank my beauty, I am fair that shoot, line 1004And thereupon thou speakst “the fairest shoot.” FORESTER line 1005Pardon me, madam, for I meant not so. PRINCESS line 1006What, what? First praise me, and again say no? 15line 1007O short-lived pride. Not fair? Alack, for woe! Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 85FORESTER line 1008Yes, madam, fair. line 1009PRINCESSNay, never paint me now. line 1010Where fair is not, praise cannot mend the brow. line 1011Here, good my glass, take this for telling true.
She gives him money.
20line 1012Fair payment for foul words is more than due. FORESTER line 1013Nothing but fair is that which you inherit. PRINCESS line 1014See, see, my beauty will be saved by merit. line 1015O heresy in fair, fit for these days! line 1016A giving hand, though foul, shall have fair praise. 25line 1017But come, the bow. He hands her a bow. Now line 1018mercy goes to kill, line 1019And shooting well is then accounted ill. line 1020Thus will I save my credit in the shoot: line 1021Not wounding, pity would not let me do ’t; 30line 1022If wounding, then it was to show my skill, line 1023That more for praise than purpose meant to kill. line 1024And out of question so it is sometimes: line 1025Glory grows guilty of detested crimes, line 1026When for fame’s sake, for praise, an outward part, 35line 1027We bend to that the working of the heart; line 1028As I for praise alone now seek to spill line 1029The poor deer’s blood, that my heart means no ill. BOYET line 1030Do not curst wives hold that self sovereignty line 1031Only for praise’ sake when they strive to be 40line 1032Lords o’er their lords? PRINCESS line 1033Only for praise; and praise we may afford line 1034To any lady that subdues a lord.
Enter Clown Costard.
Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 87BOYET line 1035Here comes a member of the commonwealth. line 1036COSTARDGod dig-you-den all! Pray you, which is the 45line 1037head lady? line 1038PRINCESSThou shalt know her, fellow, by the rest that line 1039have no heads. line 1040COSTARDWhich is the greatest lady, the highest? line 1041PRINCESSThe thickest and the tallest. COSTARD 50line 1042The thickest and the tallest: it is so, truth is line 1043truth. line 1044An your waist, mistress, were as slender as my wit, line 1045One o’ these maids’ girdles for your waist should be line 1046fit. 55line 1047Are not you the chief woman? You are the thickest line 1048here. line 1049PRINCESSWhat’s your will, sir? What’s your will? line 1050COSTARDI have a letter from Monsieur Berowne to line 1051one Lady Rosaline. PRINCESS 60line 1052O, thy letter, thy letter! He’s a good friend of mine. line 1053Stand aside, good bearer.—Boyet, you can carve. line 1054Break up this capon. line 1055BOYETtaking the letterI am bound to serve. line 1056This letter is mistook; it importeth none here. 65line 1057It is writ to Jaquenetta. line 1058PRINCESSWe will read it, I swear. line 1059Break the neck of the wax, and everyone give ear. line 1060BOYETreads.By heaven, that thou art fair is most line 1061infallible, true that thou art beauteous, truth itself 70line 1062that thou art lovely. More fairer than fair, beautiful line 1063than beauteous, truer than truth itself, have commiseration line 1064on thy heroical vassal. The magnanimous and line 1065most illustrate King Cophetua set eye upon the pernicious line 1066and indubitate beggar Zenelophon; and he it 75line 1067was that might rightly say “Veni, vidi, vici,” which to Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 89line 1068annothanize in the vulgar (O base and obscure vulgar!) line 1069videlicet, “He came, see, and overcame”: He line 1070came, one; see, two; overcame, three. Who came? The line 1071King. Why did he come? To see. Why did he see? To 80line 1072overcome. To whom came he? To the beggar. What line 1073saw he? The beggar. Who overcame he? The beggar. line 1074The conclusion is victory. On whose side? The line 1075King’s. The captive is enriched. On whose side? The line 1076beggar’s. The catastrophe is a nuptial. On whose side? line 107785The King’s—no, on both in one, or one in both. I am line 1078the King, for so stands the comparison; thou the line 1079beggar, for so witnesseth thy lowliness. Shall I command line 1080thy love? I may. Shall I enforce thy love? I could. line 1081Shall I entreat thy love? I will. What shalt thou 90line 1082exchange for rags? Robes. For tittles? Titles. For thyself? line 1083Me. Thus expecting thy reply, I profane my lips on thy line 1084foot, my eyes on thy picture, and my heart on thy every line 1085part. line 1086Thine, in the dearest design of industry, 95line 1087Don Adriano de Armado. line 1088Thus dost thou hear the Nemean lion roar line 1089’Gainst thee, thou lamb, that standest as his prey. line 1090Submissive fall his princely feet before, line 1091And he from forage will incline to play. 100line 1092But if thou strive, poor soul, what art thou then? line 1093Food for his rage, repasture for his den. PRINCESS line 1094What plume of feathers is he that indited this letter? line 1095What vane? What weathercock? Did you ever hear line 1096better? BOYET 105line 1097I am much deceived but I remember the style. PRINCESS line 1098Else your memory is bad, going o’er it erewhile. BOYET line 1099This Armado is a Spaniard that keeps here in court, Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 91line 1100A phantasime, a Monarcho, and one that makes line 1101sport 110line 1102To the Prince and his bookmates. line 1103PRINCESSto CostardThou, fellow, a word. line 1104Who gave thee this letter? line 1105COSTARDI told you: my lord. PRINCESS line 1106To whom shouldst thou give it? 115line 1107COSTARDFrom my lord to my line 1108lady. line 1109PRINCESSFrom which lord to which lady? COSTARD line 1110From my Lord Berowne, a good master of mine, line 1111To a lady of France that he called Rosaline. PRINCESS 120line 1112Thou hast mistaken his letter. Come, lords, away. line 1113To Rosaline. Here, sweet, put up this; ’twill be line 1114thine another day.
The Princess, Katherine, Lords, and Forester exit. Boyet, Rosaline, Maria, and Costard remain.
BOYET line 1115Who is the shooter? Who is the shooter? line 1116ROSALINEShall I 125line 1117teach you to know? BOYET line 1118Ay, my continent of beauty. line 1119ROSALINEWhy, she that bears the bow. line 1120Finely put off. BOYET line 1121My lady goes to kill horns, but if thou marry, 130line 1122Hang me by the neck if horns that year miscarry. line 1123Finely put on. ROSALINE line 1124Well, then, I am the shooter. line 1125BOYETAnd who is your deer? Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 93ROSALINE line 1126If we choose by the horns, yourself come not near. 135line 1127Finely put on, indeed. MARIA line 1128You still wrangle with her, Boyet, and she strikes at line 1129the brow. BOYET line 1130But she herself is hit lower. Have I hit her now? line 1131ROSALINEShall I come upon thee with an old saying, 140line 1132that was a man when King Pippen of France was a line 1133little boy, as touching the hit it? line 1134BOYETSo I may answer thee with one as old, that was a line 1135woman when Queen Guinover of Britain was a little line 1136wench, as touching the hit it. ROSALINEsings 145line 1137Thou canst not hit it, hit it, hit it, line 1138Thou canst not hit it, my good man. BOYETsings line 1139An I cannot, cannot, cannot, line 1140An I cannot, another can.
Rosaline exits.
COSTARD line 1141By my troth, most pleasant. How both did fit it! MARIA 150line 1142A mark marvelous well shot, for they both did hit line 1143it. BOYET line 1144A mark! O, mark but that mark. “A mark,” says my line 1145lady. line 1146Let the mark have a prick in ’t to mete at, if it may 155line 1147be. MARIA line 1148Wide o’ the bow hand! I’ faith, your hand is out. COSTARD line 1149Indeed, he must shoot nearer, or he’ll ne’er hit the line 1150clout. Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 95BOYETto Maria line 1151An if my hand be out, then belike your hand is in. COSTARD 160line 1152Then will she get the upshoot by cleaving the pin. MARIA line 1153Come, come, you talk greasily. Your lips grow foul. COSTARDto Boyet line 1154She’s too hard for you at pricks, sir. Challenge her line 1155to bowl. BOYET line 1156I fear too much rubbing. Good night, my good owl.
Boyet and Maria exit.
COSTARD 165line 1157By my soul, a swain, a most simple clown. line 1158Lord, Lord, how the ladies and I have put him line 1159down. line 1160O’ my troth, most sweet jests, most incony vulgar line 1161wit, 170line 1162When it comes so smoothly off, so obscenely, as it line 1163were, so fit. line 1164Armado o’ th’ one side, O, a most dainty man! line 1165To see him walk before a lady and to bear her fan. line 1166To see him kiss his hand, and how most sweetly he 175line 1167will swear. line 1168And his page o’ t’ other side, that handful of wit! line 1169Ah heavens, it is a most pathetical nit.
Shout within.
line 1170Sola, sola!
He exits.
Scene 2
Enter Dull the Constable, Holofernes the Pedant, and Nathaniel the Curate.
line 1171NATHANIELVery reverend sport, truly, and done in the line 1172testimony of a good conscience. Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 97line 1173HOLOFERNESThe deer was, as you know, sanguis, in line 1174blood, ripe as the pomewater, who now hangeth 5line 1175like a jewel in the ear of caelo, the sky, the welkin, line 1176the heaven, and anon falleth like a crab on the face line 1177of terra, the soil, the land, the earth. line 1178NATHANIELTruly, Master Holofernes, the epithets are line 1179sweetly varied, like a scholar at the least. But, sir, I 10line 1180assure you, it was a buck of the first head. line 1181HOLOFERNESSir Nathaniel, haud credo. line 1182DULL’Twas not a haud credo, ’twas a pricket. line 1183HOLOFERNESMost barbarous intimation! Yet a kind of line 1184insinuation, as it were, in via, in way, of explication; 15line 1185facere, as it were, replication, or rather, ostentare, to line 1186show, as it were, his inclination, after his undressed, line 1187unpolished, uneducated, unpruned, untrained, or line 1188rather unlettered, or ratherest, unconfirmed fashion, line 1189to insert again my haud credo for a deer. 20line 1190DULLI said the deer was not a haud credo, ’twas a line 1191pricket. line 1192HOLOFERNESTwice-sod simplicity, bis coctus! line 1193O thou monster ignorance, how deformed dost thou line 1194look! NATHANIEL 25line 1195Sir, he hath never fed of the dainties that are bred line 1196in a book. line 1197He hath not eat paper, as it were; he hath not drunk line 1198ink. His intellect is not replenished. He is only an line 1199animal, only sensible in the duller parts. 30line 1200And such barren plants are set before us that we line 1201thankful should be— line 1202Which we of taste and feeling are—for those parts line 1203that do fructify in us more than he. line 1204For as it would ill become me to be vain, indiscreet, 35line 1205or a fool, line 1206So were there a patch set on learning, to see him in line 1207a school. Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 99line 1208But omne bene, say I, being of an old father’s mind: line 1209Many can brook the weather that love not the wind. DULL 40line 1210You two are bookmen. Can you tell me by your wit line 1211What was a month old at Cain’s birth that’s not line 1212five weeks old as yet? line 1213HOLOFERNESDictynna, goodman Dull, Dictynna, line 1214goodman Dull. 45line 1215DULLWhat is “dictima”? NATHANIEL line 1216A title to Phoebe, to Luna, to the moon. HOLOFERNES line 1217The moon was a month old when Adam was no line 1218more. line 1219And raught not to five weeks when he came to 50line 1220fivescore. line 1221Th’ allusion holds in the exchange. line 1222DULL’Tis true indeed. The collusion holds in the line 1223exchange. line 1224HOLOFERNESGod comfort thy capacity! I say, th’ allusion 55line 1225holds in the exchange. line 1226DULLAnd I say the pollution holds in the exchange, for line 1227the moon is never but a month old. And I say besides line 1228that, ’twas a pricket that the Princess killed. line 1229HOLOFERNESSir Nathaniel, will you hear an extemporal 60line 1230epitaph on the death of the deer? And, to humor line 1231the ignorant, call I the deer the Princess killed a line 1232pricket. line 1233NATHANIELPerge, good Master Holofernes, perge, so it line 1234shall please you to abrogate scurrility. 65line 1235HOLOFERNESI will something affect the letter, for it line 1236argues facility. line 1237The preyful princess pierced and pricked line 1238a pretty pleasing pricket, line 1239Some say a sore, but not a sore till now made 70line 1240sore with shooting. Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 101line 1241The dogs did yell. Put “l” to “sore,” then sorel line 1242jumps from thicket, line 1243Or pricket sore, or else sorel. The people fall line 1244a-hooting. 75line 1245If sore be sore, then “L” to “sore” makes fifty line 1246sores o’ sorel. line 1247Of one sore I an hundred make by adding but one line 1248more “L.” line 1249NATHANIELA rare talent. 80line 1250DULLasideIf a talent be a claw, look how he claws line 1251him with a talent. line 1252HOLOFERNESThis is a gift that I have, simple, simple— line 1253a foolish extravagant spirit, full of forms, line 1254figures, shapes, objects, ideas, apprehensions, motions, 85line 1255revolutions. These are begot in the ventricle line 1256of memory, nourished in the womb of pia mater, line 1257and delivered upon the mellowing of occasion. But line 1258the gift is good in those in whom it is acute, and I line 1259am thankful for it. 90line 1260NATHANIELSir, I praise the Lord for you, and so may line 1261my parishioners, for their sons are well tutored by line 1262you, and their daughters profit very greatly under line 1263you. You are a good member of the line 1264commonwealth. 95line 1265HOLOFERNESMehercle, if their sons be ingenious, line 1266they shall want no instruction; if their daughters be line 1267capable, I will put it to them. But Vir sapis qui pauca line 1268loquitur. A soul feminine saluteth us.
Enter Jaquenetta and the Clown Costard.
line 1269JAQUENETTAto NathanielGod give you good morrow, 100line 1270Master Person. line 1271HOLOFERNESMaster Person, quasi pierce one. And line 1272if one should be pierced, which is the one? line 1273COSTARDMarry, Master Schoolmaster, he that is likeliest line 1274to a hogshead. Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 103105line 1275HOLOFERNESOf piercing a hogshead! A good luster line 1276of conceit in a turf of earth; fire enough for a flint, line 1277pearl enough for a swine. ’Tis pretty, it is well. line 1278JAQUENETTAto NathanielGood Master Parson, be so line 1279good as read me this letter. It was given me by 110line 1280Costard, and sent me from Don Armado. I beseech line 1281you, read it.
She hands Nathaniel a paper, which he looks at.
HOLOFERNES line 1282Facile precor gelida quando peccas omnia sub umbra. line 1283Ruminat— line 1284and so forth. Ah, good old Mantuan! I may speak of 115line 1285thee as the traveler doth of Venice: line 1286Venetia, Venetia, line 1287Chi non ti vede, non ti pretia. line 1288Old Mantuan, old Mantuan! Who understandeth line 1289thee not, loves thee not. He sings.Ut, re, sol, la, 120line 1290mi, fa.To Nathaniel. Under pardon, sir, what are line 1291the contents? Or rather, as Horace says in his— line 1292Looking at the letter. What, my soul, verses? line 1293NATHANIELAy, sir, and very learned. line 1294HOLOFERNES Let me hear a staff, a stanza, a verse, 125line 1295Lege, domine. NATHANIELreads line 1296If love make me forsworn, how shall I swear to love? line 1297Ah, never faith could hold, if not to beauty vowed! line 1298Though to myself forsworn, to thee I’ll faithful prove. line 1299Those thoughts to me were oaks, to thee like osiers 130line 1300bowed. line 1301Study his bias leaves and makes his book thine eyes, line 1302Where all those pleasures live that art would line 1303comprehend. line 1304If knowledge be the mark, to know thee shall suffice. 135line 1305Well-learnèd is that tongue that well can thee line 1306commend. Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 105line 1307All ignorant that soul that sees thee without wonder; line 1308Which is to me some praise that I thy parts admire. line 1309Thy eye Jove’s lightning bears, thy voice his dreadful 140line 1310thunder, line 1311Which, not to anger bent, is music and sweet fire. line 1312Celestial as thou art, O, pardon love this wrong, line 1313That sings heaven’s praise with such an earthly tongue. line 1314HOLOFERNESYou find not the apostrophus, and so 145line 1315miss the accent. Let me supervise the canzonet. line 1316He takes the paper. Here are only numbers ratified, line 1317but, for the elegancy, facility, and golden cadence of line 1318poesy—caret. Ovidius Naso was the man. And why line 1319indeed “Naso,” but for smelling out the odoriferous 150line 1320flowers of fancy, the jerks of invention? Imitari is line 1321nothing: so doth the hound his master, the ape his line 1322keeper, the tired horse his rider.—But damosella line 1323virgin, was this directed to you? line 1324JAQUENETTAAy, sir, from one Monsieur Berowne, one 155line 1325of the strange queen’s lords. line 1326HOLOFERNESI will overglance the superscript: “To line 1327the snow-white hand of the most beauteous Lady line 1328Rosaline.” I will look again on the intellect of the line 1329letter for the nomination of the party writing to 160line 1330the person written unto: “Your Ladyship’s in all line 1331desired employment, Berowne.” Sir Nathaniel, this line 1332Berowne is one of the votaries with the King, and line 1333here he hath framed a letter to a sequent of the line 1334stranger queen’s: which accidentally, or by the way 165line 1335of progression, hath miscarried. To Jaquenetta. line 1336Trip and go, my sweet. Deliver this paper into the line 1337royal hand of the King. It may concern much. Stay line 1338not thy compliment. I forgive thy duty. Adieu. line 1339JAQUENETTAGood Costard, go with me.—Sir, God 170line 1340save your life. line 1341COSTARDHave with thee, my girl.
Costard and Jaquenetta exit.
Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 107line 1342NATHANIELSir, you have done this in the fear of God line 1343very religiously; and, as a certain Father saith— line 1344HOLOFERNESSir, tell not me of the Father. I do fear 175line 1345colorable colors. But to return to the verses: did line 1346they please you, Sir Nathaniel? line 1347NATHANIELMarvelous well for the pen. line 1348HOLOFERNESI do dine today at the father’s of a certain line 1349pupil of mine, where if, before repast, it shall 180line 1350please you to gratify the table with a grace, I will, line 1351on my privilege I have with the parents of the line 1352foresaid child or pupil, undertake your ben venuto; line 1353where I will prove those verses to be very unlearned, line 1354neither savoring of poetry, wit, nor invention. 185line 1355I beseech your society. line 1356NATHANIELAnd thank you too; for society, saith the line 1357text, is the happiness of life. line 1358HOLOFERNESAnd certes the text most infallibly concludes line 1359it. To Dull. Sir, I do invite you too. You shall 190line 1360not say me nay. Pauca verba. Away! The gentles are line 1361at their game, and we will to our recreation.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Berowne with a paper in his hand, alone.
line 1362BEROWNEThe King, he is hunting the deer; I am line 1363coursing myself. They have pitched a toil; I am line 1364toiling in a pitch—pitch that defiles. Defile! A foul line 1365word. Well, “set thee down, sorrow”; for so they 5line 1366say the fool said, and so say I, and I the fool. Well line 1367proved, wit. By the Lord, this love is as mad as Ajax. line 1368It kills sheep, it kills me, I a sheep. Well proved line 1369again, o’ my side. I will not love. If I do, hang me. I’ line 1370faith, I will not. O, but her eye! By this light, but for 10line 1371her eye I would not love her; yes, for her two eyes. Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 109line 1372Well, I do nothing in the world but lie, and lie in my line 1373throat. By heaven, I do love, and it hath taught me to line 1374rhyme, and to be melancholy. And here is part of my line 1375rhyme, and here my melancholy. Well, she hath one 15line 1376o’ my sonnets already. The clown bore it, the fool line 1377sent it, and the lady hath it. Sweet clown, sweeter line 1378fool, sweetest lady. By the world, I would not care a line 1379pin, if the other three were in. Here comes one with line 1380a paper. God give him grace to groan.
He stands aside.
The King entereth with a paper.
20line 1381KINGAy me! line 1382BEROWNEasideShot, by heaven! Proceed, sweet line 1383Cupid. Thou hast thumped him with thy birdbolt line 1384under the left pap. In faith, secrets! KINGreads line 1385So sweet a kiss the golden sun gives not 25line 1386To those fresh morning drops upon the rose line 1387As thy eyebeams, when their fresh rays have smote line 1388The night of dew that on my cheeks down flows. line 1389Nor shines the silver moon one-half so bright line 1390Through the transparent bosom of the deep 30line 1391As doth thy face, through tears of mine, give light. line 1392Thou shin’st in every tear that I do weep. line 1393No drop but as a coach doth carry thee; line 1394So ridest thou triumphing in my woe. line 1395Do but behold the tears that swell in me, 35line 1396And they thy glory through my grief will show. line 1397But do not love thyself; then thou wilt keep line 1398My tears for glasses, and still make me weep. line 1399O queen of queens, how far dost thou excel line 1400No thought can think, nor tongue of mortal tell.
40line 1401How shall she know my griefs? I’ll drop the paper. line 1402Sweet leaves, shade folly. Who is he comes here? Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 111
Enter Longaville, with papers. The King steps aside.
line 1403What, Longaville, and reading! Listen, ear. BEROWNEaside line 1404Now, in thy likeness, one more fool appear! line 1405LONGAVILLEAy me! I am forsworn. BEROWNEaside 45line 1406Why, he comes in like a perjure, wearing papers! KINGaside line 1407In love, I hope! Sweet fellowship in shame. BEROWNEaside line 1408One drunkard loves another of the name. LONGAVILLE line 1409Am I the first that have been perjured so? BEROWNEaside line 1410I could put thee in comfort: not by two that I know. 50line 1411Thou makest the triumviry, the corner-cap of line 1412society, line 1413The shape of love’s Tyburn, that hangs up simplicity. LONGAVILLE line 1414I fear these stubborn lines lack power to move. line 1415Reads. O sweet Maria, empress of my love— 55line 1416These numbers will I tear and write in prose.
He tears the paper.
BEROWNEaside line 1417O, rhymes are guards on wanton Cupid’s hose. line 1418Disfigure not his shop! line 1419LONGAVILLEtaking another paperThis same shall go. He reads the sonnet. line 1420Did not the heavenly rhetoric of thine eye, 60line 1421’Gainst whom the world cannot hold argument, line 1422Persuade my heart to this false perjury? line 1423Vows for thee broke deserve not punishment. line 1424A woman I forswore, but I will prove, line 1425Thou being a goddess, I forswore not thee. 65line 1426My vow was earthly, thou a heavenly love. Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 113line 1427Thy grace being gained cures all disgrace in me. line 1428Vows are but breath, and breath a vapor is. line 1429Then thou, fair sun, which on my Earth dost line 1430shine, 70line 1431Exhal’st this vapor-vow; in thee it is. line 1432If broken, then, it is no fault of mine. line 1433If by me broke, what fool is not so wise line 1434To lose an oath to win a paradise? BEROWNEaside line 1435This is the liver vein, which makes flesh a deity, 75line 1436A green goose a goddess. Pure, pure idolatry. line 1437God amend us, God amend. We are much out o’ th’ line 1438way. LONGAVILLE line 1439By whom shall I send this?—Company? Stay.
He steps aside.
Enter Dumaine, with a paper.
BEROWNEaside line 1440All hid, all hid—an old infant play. 80line 1441Like a demigod here sit I in the sky, line 1442And wretched fools’ secrets heedfully o’ereye. line 1443More sacks to the mill. O heavens, I have my wish. line 1444Dumaine transformed! Four woodcocks in a dish. line 1445DUMAINEO most divine Kate! 85line 1446BEROWNEasideO most profane coxcomb! DUMAINE line 1447By heaven, the wonder in a mortal eye! BEROWNEaside line 1448By Earth, she is not, corporal. There you lie. DUMAINE line 1449Her amber hairs for foul hath amber quoted. BEROWNEaside line 1450An amber-colored raven was well noted. DUMAINE 90line 1451As upright as the cedar. Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 115line 1452BEROWNEasideStoop, I say. line 1453Her shoulder is with child. line 1454DUMAINEAs fair as day. BEROWNEaside line 1455Ay, as some days, but then no sun must shine. DUMAINE 95line 1456O, that I had my wish! line 1457LONGAVILLEasideAnd I had mine! line 1458KINGasideAnd mine too, good Lord! BEROWNEaside line 1459Amen, so I had mine. Is not that a good word? DUMAINE line 1460I would forget her, but a fever she 100line 1461Reigns in my blood, and will remembered be. BEROWNEaside line 1462A fever in your blood? Why, then incision line 1463Would let her out in saucers! Sweet misprision. DUMAINE line 1464Once more I’ll read the ode that I have writ. BEROWNEaside line 1465Once more I’ll mark how love can vary wit. DUMAINEreads his sonnet. 105line 1466On a day—alack the day!— line 1467Love, whose month is ever May, line 1468Spied a blossom passing fair, line 1469Playing in the wanton air. line 1470Through the velvet leaves the wind, 110line 1471All unseen, can passage find; line 1472That the lover, sick to death, line 1473Wished himself the heaven’s breath. line 1474“Air,” quoth he, “thy cheeks may blow. line 1475Air, would I might triumph so!” 115line 1476But, alack, my hand is sworn line 1477Ne’er to pluck thee from thy thorn. Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 117line 1478Vow, alack, for youth unmeet, line 1479Youth so apt to pluck a sweet. line 1480Do not call it sin in me 120line 1481That I am forsworn for thee— line 1482Thou for whom Jove would swear line 1483Juno but an Ethiope were, line 1484And deny himself for Jove, line 1485Turning mortal for thy love. 125line 1486This will I send, and something else more plain line 1487That shall express my true love’s fasting pain. line 1488O, would the King, Berowne, and Longaville line 1489Were lovers too! Ill to example ill line 1490Would from my forehead wipe a perjured note, 130line 1491For none offend where all alike do dote. LONGAVILLEcoming forward line 1492Dumaine, thy love is far from charity, line 1493That in love’s grief desir’st society. line 1494You may look pale, but I should blush, I know, line 1495To be o’er-heard and taken napping so. KINGcoming forward 135line 1496To Longaville. Come, sir, you blush! As his, your line 1497case is such. line 1498You chide at him, offending twice as much. line 1499You do not love Maria? Longaville line 1500Did never sonnet for her sake compile, 140line 1501Nor never lay his wreathèd arms athwart line 1502His loving bosom to keep down his heart? line 1503I have been closely shrouded in this bush line 1504And marked you both, and for you both did blush. line 1505I heard your guilty rhymes, observed your fashion, 145line 1506Saw sighs reek from you, noted well your passion. line 1507“Ay, me!” says one. “O Jove!” the other cries. line 1508One, her hairs were gold, crystal the other’s eyes. line 1509To Longaville. You would for paradise break faith line 1510and troth, Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 119150line 1511To Dumaine. And Jove, for your love, would line 1512infringe an oath. line 1513What will Berowne say when that he shall hear line 1514Faith infringed, which such zeal did swear? line 1515How will he scorn, how will he spend his wit! 155line 1516How will he triumph, leap, and laugh at it! line 1517For all the wealth that ever I did see, line 1518I would not have him know so much by me. BEROWNEcoming forward line 1519Now step I forth to whip hypocrisy. line 1520Ah, good my liege, I pray thee pardon me. 160line 1521Good heart, what grace hast thou thus to reprove line 1522These worms for loving, that art most in love? line 1523Your eyes do make no coaches; in your tears line 1524There is no certain princess that appears. line 1525You’ll not be perjured, ’tis a hateful thing! 165line 1526Tush, none but minstrels like of sonneting! line 1527But are you not ashamed? Nay, are you not, line 1528All three of you, to be thus much o’ershot? line 1529To Longaville. You found his mote, the King your line 1530mote did see, 170line 1531But I a beam do find in each of three. line 1532O, what a scene of fool’ry have I seen, line 1533Of sighs, of groans, of sorrow, and of teen! line 1534O me, with what strict patience have I sat, line 1535To see a king transformèd to a gnat! 175line 1536To see great Hercules whipping a gig, line 1537And profound Solomon to tune a jig, line 1538And Nestor play at pushpin with the boys, line 1539And critic Timon laugh at idle toys. line 1540Where lies thy grief, O tell me, good Dumaine? 180line 1541And gentle Longaville, where lies thy pain? line 1542And where my liege’s? All about the breast! line 1543A caudle, ho! line 1544KINGToo bitter is thy jest. line 1545Are we betrayed thus to thy overview? Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 121BEROWNE 185line 1546Not you to me, but I betrayed by you. line 1547I, that am honest, I, that hold it sin line 1548To break the vow I am engagèd in. line 1549I am betrayed by keeping company line 1550With men like you, men of inconstancy. 190line 1551When shall you see me write a thing in rhyme? line 1552Or groan for Joan? or spend a minute’s time line 1553In pruning me? When shall you hear that I line 1554Will praise a hand, a foot, a face, an eye, line 1555A gait, a state, a brow, a breast, a waist, 195line 1556A leg, a limb—
Enter Jaquenetta, with a paper, and Clown Costard.
Berowne begins to exit.
line 1557KINGSoft, whither away so fast? line 1558A true man, or a thief, that gallops so? BEROWNE line 1559I post from love. Good lover, let me go. JAQUENETTA line 1560God bless the King. 200line 1561KINGWhat present hast thou there? COSTARD line 1562Some certain treason. line 1563KINGWhat makes treason here? COSTARD line 1564Nay, it makes nothing, sir. line 1565KINGIf it mar nothing neither, 205line 1566The treason and you go in peace away together. JAQUENETTA line 1567I beseech your Grace, let this letter be read. line 1568Our person misdoubts it. ’Twas treason, he said. KING line 1569Berowne, read it over.
Berowne reads the letter.
line 1570To Jaquenetta.Where hadst thou it? Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 123210line 1571JAQUENETTAOf Costard. line 1572KINGto CostardWhere hadst thou it? line 1573COSTARDOf Dun Adramadio, Dun Adramadio.
Berowne tears the paper.
KINGto Berowne line 1574How now, what is in you? Why dost thou tear it? BEROWNE line 1575A toy, my liege, a toy. Your Grace needs not fear it. LONGAVILLE 215line 1576It did move him to passion, and therefore let’s hear line 1577it. DUMAINEpicking up the papers line 1578It is Berowne’s writing, and here is his name. BEROWNEto Costard line 1579Ah, you whoreson loggerhead, you were born to do line 1580me shame.— 220line 1581Guilty, my lord, guilty. I confess, I confess. line 1582KINGWhat? BEROWNE line 1583That you three fools lacked me fool to make up line 1584the mess. line 1585He, he, and you—and you, my liege—and I 225line 1586Are pickpurses in love, and we deserve to die. line 1587O, dismiss this audience, and I shall tell you more. DUMAINE line 1588Now the number is even. line 1589BEROWNETrue, true, we are four. line 1590Pointing to Jaquenetta and Costard. Will these 230line 1591turtles be gone? line 1592KINGHence, sirs. Away. COSTARD line 1593Walk aside the true folk, and let the traitors stay.
Jaquenetta and Costard exit.
BEROWNE line 1594Sweet lords, sweet lovers, O, let us embrace. line 1595As true we are as flesh and blood can be. Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 125235line 1596The sea will ebb and flow, heaven show his face; line 1597Young blood doth not obey an old decree. line 1598We cannot cross the cause why we were born; line 1599Therefore of all hands must we be forsworn. KING line 1600What, did these rent lines show some love of thine? BEROWNE 240line 1601Did they, quoth you? Who sees the heavenly line 1602Rosaline line 1603That, like a rude and savage man of Ind line 1604At the first op’ning of the gorgeous East, line 1605Bows not his vassal head and, strucken blind, 245line 1606Kisses the base ground with obedient breast? line 1607What peremptory eagle-sighted eye line 1608Dares look upon the heaven of her brow line 1609That is not blinded by her majesty? KING line 1610What zeal, what fury, hath inspired thee now? 250line 1611My love, her mistress, is a gracious moon, line 1612She an attending star scarce seen a light. BEROWNE line 1613My eyes are then no eyes, nor I Berowne. line 1614O, but for my love, day would turn to night! line 1615Of all complexions the culled sovereignty 255line 1616Do meet as at a fair in her fair cheek. line 1617Where several worthies make one dignity, line 1618Where nothing wants that want itself doth seek. line 1619Lend me the flourish of all gentle tongues— line 1620Fie, painted rhetoric! O, she needs it not! 260line 1621To things of sale a seller’s praise belongs. line 1622She passes praise. Then praise too short doth blot. line 1623A withered hermit, fivescore winters worn, line 1624Might shake off fifty, looking in her eye. line 1625Beauty doth varnish age, as if newborn, Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 127265line 1626And gives the crutch the cradle’s infancy. line 1627O, ’tis the sun that maketh all things shine! KING line 1628By heaven, thy love is black as ebony. BEROWNE line 1629Is ebony like her? O word divine! line 1630A wife of such wood were felicity. 270line 1631O, who can give an oath? Where is a book, line 1632That I may swear beauty doth beauty lack line 1633If that she learn not of her eye to look? line 1634No face is fair that is not full so black. KING line 1635O, paradox! Black is the badge of hell, 275line 1636The hue of dungeons and the school of night, line 1637And beauty’s crest becomes the heavens well. BEROWNE line 1638Devils soonest tempt, resembling spirits of light. line 1639O, if in black my lady’s brows be decked, line 1640It mourns that painting and usurping hair 280line 1641Should ravish doters with a false aspect: line 1642And therefore is she born to make black fair. line 1643Her favor turns the fashion of the days, line 1644For native blood is counted painting now. line 1645And therefore red, that would avoid dispraise, 285line 1646Paints itself black to imitate her brow. DUMAINE line 1647To look like her are chimney-sweepers black. LONGAVILLE line 1648And since her time are colliers counted bright. KING line 1649And Ethiopes of their sweet complexion crack. DUMAINE line 1650Dark needs no candles now, for dark is light. BEROWNE 290line 1651Your mistresses dare never come in rain, line 1652For fear their colors should be washed away. Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 129KING line 1653’Twere good yours did, for, sir, to tell you plain, line 1654I’ll find a fairer face not washed today. BEROWNE line 1655I’ll prove her fair, or talk till doomsday here. KING 295line 1656No devil will fright thee then so much as she. DUMAINE line 1657I never knew man hold vile stuff so dear. LONGAVILLEshowing his shoe line 1658Look, here’s thy love; my foot and her face see. BEROWNE line 1659O, if the streets were pavèd with thine eyes. line 1660Her feet were much too dainty for such tread. DUMAINE 300line 1661O vile! Then as she goes, what upward lies line 1662The street should see as she walked overhead. KING line 1663But what of this? Are we not all in love? BEROWNE line 1664Nothing so sure, and thereby all forsworn. KING line 1665Then leave this chat, and, good Berowne, now prove 305line 1666Our loving lawful, and our faith not torn. DUMAINE line 1667Ay, marry, there, some flattery for this evil. LONGAVILLE line 1668O, some authority how to proceed, line 1669Some tricks, some quillets, how to cheat the devil. DUMAINE line 1670Some salve for perjury. 310line 1671BEROWNEO, ’tis more than need. line 1672Have at you, then, affection’s men-at-arms! line 1673O, we have made a vow to study, lords, line 1674And in that vow we have forsworn our books. Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 131line 1675For when would you, my liege, or you, or you, 315line 1676In leaden contemplation have found out line 1677Such fiery numbers as the prompting eyes line 1678Of beauty’s tutors have enriched you with? line 1679Other slow arts entirely keep the brain line 1680And therefore, finding barren practicers, 320line 1681Scarce show a harvest of their heavy toil. line 1682But love, first learnèd in a lady’s eyes, line 1683Lives not alone immurèd in the brain, line 1684But with the motion of all elements line 1685Courses as swift as thought in every power, 325line 1686And gives to every power a double power, line 1687Above their functions and their offices. line 1688It adds a precious seeing to the eye. line 1689A lover’s eyes will gaze an eagle blind. line 1690A lover’s ear will hear the lowest sound, 330line 1691When the suspicious head of theft is stopped. line 1692Love’s feeling is more soft and sensible line 1693Than are the tender horns of cockled snails. line 1694Love’s tongue proves dainty Bacchus gross in taste. line 1695For valor, is not love a Hercules, 335line 1696Still climbing trees in the Hesperides? line 1697Subtle as Sphinx, as sweet and musical line 1698As bright Apollo’s lute strung with his hair. line 1699And when love speaks, the voice of all the gods line 1700Make heaven drowsy with the harmony. 340line 1701Never durst poet touch a pen to write line 1702Until his ink were tempered with love’s sighs. line 1703O, then his lines would ravish savage ears line 1704And plant in tyrants mild humility. line 1705From women’s eyes this doctrine I derive. 345line 1706They sparkle still the right Promethean fire. line 1707They are the books, the arts, the academes line 1708That show, contain, and nourish all the world. line 1709Else none at all in ought proves excellent. Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 133line 1710Then fools you were these women to forswear, 350line 1711Or, keeping what is sworn, you will prove fools. line 1712For wisdom’s sake, a word that all men love, line 1713Or for love’s sake, a word that loves all men, line 1714Or for men’s sake, the authors of these women, line 1715Or women’s sake, by whom we men are men, 355line 1716Let us once lose our oaths to find ourselves, line 1717Or else we lose ourselves to keep our oaths. line 1718It is religion to be thus forsworn, line 1719For charity itself fulfills the law, line 1720And who can sever love from charity? KING 360line 1721Saint Cupid, then, and, soldiers, to the field! BEROWNE line 1722Advance your standards, and upon them, lords. line 1723Pell-mell, down with them. But be first advised line 1724In conflict that you get the sun of them. LONGAVILLE line 1725Now to plain dealing. Lay these glozes by. 365line 1726Shall we resolve to woo these girls of France? KING line 1727And win them, too. Therefore let us devise line 1728Some entertainment for them in their tents. BEROWNE line 1729First, from the park let us conduct them thither. line 1730Then homeward every man attach the hand 370line 1731Of his fair mistress. In the afternoon line 1732We will with some strange pastime solace them, line 1733Such as the shortness of the time can shape; line 1734For revels, dances, masques, and merry hours line 1735Forerun fair love, strewing her way with flowers. KING 375line 1736Away, away! No time shall be omitted line 1737That will betime and may by us be fitted. Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 135BEROWNE line 1738Allons! Allons! Sowed cockle reaped no corn, line 1739And justice always whirls in equal measure. line 1740Light wenches may prove plagues to men forsworn; 380line 1741If so, our copper buys no better treasure.
They exit.
ACT 5
Scene 1
Enter Holofernes the Pedant, Nathaniel the Curate, and Dull the Constable.
line 1742HOLOFERNESSatis quid sufficit. line 1743NATHANIELI praise God for you, sir. Your reasons at line 1744dinner have been sharp and sententious, pleasant line 1745without scurrility, witty without affection, audacious 5line 1746without impudency, learned without opinion, line 1747and strange without heresy. I did converse this line 1748quondam day with a companion of the King’s, who line 1749is intituled, nominated, or called Don Adriano de line 1750Armado. 10line 1751HOLOFERNESNovi hominem tanquam te. His humor line 1752is lofty, his discourse peremptory, his tongue filed, line 1753his eye ambitious, his gait majestical, and his general line 1754behavior vain, ridiculous, and thrasonical. He is line 1755too picked, too spruce, too affected, too odd, as it 15line 1756were, too peregrinate, as I may call it. line 1757NATHANIELA most singular and choice epithet.
Draw out his table book.
line 1758HOLOFERNESHe draweth out the thread of his verbosity line 1759finer than the staple of his argument. I abhor line 1760such fanatical phantasimes, such insociable and 20line 1761point-devise companions, such rackers of orthography, line 1762as to speak “dout,” fine, when he should line 1763say “doubt”; “det” when he should pronounce Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 141line 1764“debt”—d, e, b, t, not d, e, t. He clepeth a calf line 1765“cauf,” half “hauf,” neighbor vocatur “nebor”; 25line 1766neigh abbreviated ne. This is abhominable—which line 1767he would call “abominable.” It insinuateth me of line 1768insanie. Ne intelligis, domine? To make frantic, line 1769lunatic. line 1770NATHANIELLaus Deo, bone intelligo. 30line 1771HOLOFERNESBone? Bone for bene? Priscian a little line 1772scratched; ’twill serve.
Enter Armado the Braggart, Boy, and Costard.
line 1773NATHANIELVidesne quis venit? line 1774HOLOFERNESVideo, et gaudeo. line 1775ARMADOChirrah. 35line 1776HOLOFERNESQuare “chirrah,” not “sirrah”? line 1777ARMADOMen of peace, well encountered. line 1778HOLOFERNESMost military sir, salutation. line 1779BOYaside to CostardThey have been at a great feast line 1780of languages and stolen the scraps. 40line 1781COSTARDaside to BoyO, they have lived long on the line 1782almsbasket of words. I marvel thy master hath not line 1783eaten thee for a word, for thou art not so long by the line 1784head as honorificabilitudinitatibus. Thou art easier line 1785swallowed than a flapdragon. 45line 1786BOYaside to CostardPeace, the peal begins. line 1787ARMADOto HolofernesMonsieur, are you not line 1788lettered? line 1789BOYYes, yes, he teaches boys the hornbook.—What is line 1790a, b spelled backward, with the horn on his head? 50line 1791HOLOFERNESBa, pueritia, with a horn added. line 1792BOYBa, most silly sheep, with a horn.—You hear his line 1793learning. line 1794HOLOFERNESQuis, quis, thou consonant? line 1795BOYThe last of the five vowels, if you repeat them; or 55line 1796the fifth, if I. line 1797HOLOFERNESI will repeat them: a, e, i— Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 143line 1798BOYThe sheep. The other two concludes it: o, u. line 1799ARMADONow by the salt wave of the Mediterraneum, line 1800a sweet touch, a quick venue of wit! Snip, snap, 60line 1801quick and home. It rejoiceth my intellect. True line 1802wit. line 1803BOYOffered by a child to an old man—which is line 1804wit-old. line 1805HOLOFERNESWhat is the figure? What is the figure? 65line 1806BOYHorns. line 1807HOLOFERNESThou disputes like an infant. Go whip thy line 1808gig. line 1809BOYLend me your horn to make one, and I will whip line 1810about your infamy—unum cita—a gig of a cuckold’s 70line 1811horn. line 1812COSTARDAn I had but one penny in the world, thou line 1813shouldst have it to buy gingerbread! Hold, there is line 1814the very remuneration I had of thy master, thou line 1815halfpenny purse of wit, thou pigeon egg of discretion. 75line 1816He gives him money. O, an the heavens were line 1817so pleased that thou wert but my bastard, what a line 1818joyful father wouldest thou make me! Go to, thou line 1819hast it ad dunghill, at the fingers’ ends, as they say. line 1820HOLOFERNESOh, I smell false Latin! Dunghill for 80line 1821unguem. line 1822ARMADOArts-man, preambulate. We will be singuled line 1823from the barbarous. Do you not educate youth at line 1824the charge-house on the top of the mountain? line 1825HOLOFERNESOr mons, the hill. 85line 1826ARMADOAt your sweet pleasure, for the mountain. line 1827HOLOFERNESI do, sans question. line 1828ARMADOSir, it is the King’s most sweet pleasure and line 1829affection to congratulate the Princess at her pavilion line 1830in the posteriors of this day, which the rude 90line 1831multitude call the afternoon. line 1832HOLOFERNES“The posterior of the day,” most generous line 1833sir, is liable, congruent, and measurable for Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 145line 1834“the afternoon”; the word is well culled, chose, line 1835sweet, and apt, I do assure you, sir, I do assure. 95line 1836ARMADOSir, the King is a noble gentleman, and my line 1837familiar, I do assure you, very good friend. For line 1838what is inward between us, let it pass. I do beseech line 1839thee, remember thy courtesy; I beseech thee apparel line 1840thy head. And among other important and most 100line 1841serious designs, and of great import indeed, too— line 1842but let that pass; for I must tell thee, it will please his line 1843Grace, by the world, sometimes to lean upon my line 1844poor shoulder and with his royal finger thus dally line 1845with my excrement, with my mustachio—but, 105line 1846sweetheart, let that pass. By the world, I recount no line 1847fable! Some certain special honors it pleaseth his line 1848Greatness to impart to Armado, a soldier, a man of line 1849travel, that hath seen the world—but let that pass. line 1850The very all of all is—but sweetheart, I do implore 110line 1851secrecy—that the King would have me present the line 1852Princess, sweet chuck, with some delightful ostentation, line 1853or show, or pageant, or antic, or firework. line 1854Now, understanding that the curate and your sweet line 1855self are good at such eruptions and sudden breaking 115line 1856out of mirth, as it were, I have acquainted you line 1857withal to the end to crave your assistance. line 1858HOLOFERNESSir, you shall present before her the Nine line 1859Worthies.—Sir Nathaniel, as concerning some line 1860entertainment of time, some show in the posterior 120line 1861of this day, to be rendered by our assistance, the line 1862King’s command, and this most gallant, illustrate, line 1863and learned gentleman, before the Princess—I say, line 1864none so fit as to present the Nine Worthies. line 1865NATHANIELWhere will you find men worthy enough to 125line 1866present them? line 1867HOLOFERNESJoshua, yourself; myself; and this gallant line 1868gentleman, Judas Maccabaeus. This swain, because line 1869of his great limb or joint, shall pass Pompey line 1870the Great; the page, Hercules— Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 147130line 1871ARMADOPardon, sir—error. He is not quantity line 1872enough for that Worthy’s thumb; he is not so big as line 1873the end of his club! line 1874HOLOFERNESShall I have audience? He shall present line 1875Hercules in minority. His enter and exit shall be 135line 1876strangling a snake; and I will have an apology for line 1877that purpose. line 1878BOYAn excellent device. So, if any of the audience line 1879hiss, you may cry “Well done, Hercules, now thou line 1880crushest the snake.” That is the way to make an 140line 1881offense gracious, though few have the grace to do it. line 1882ARMADOFor the rest of the Worthies? line 1883HOLOFERNESI will play three myself. line 1884BOYThrice-worthy gentleman! line 1885ARMADOto HolofernesShall I tell you a thing? 145line 1886HOLOFERNESWe attend. line 1887ARMADOWe will have, if this fadge not, an antic. I line 1888beseech you, follow. line 1889HOLOFERNESVia, goodman Dull. Thou hast spoken no line 1890word all this while. 150line 1891DULLNor understood none neither, sir. line 1892HOLOFERNESAllons! We will employ thee. line 1893DULLI’ll make one in a dance, or so; or I will play on line 1894the tabor to the Worthies and let them dance the line 1895hay. 155line 1896HOLOFERNESMost dull, honest Dull. To our sport! line 1897Away.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter the Ladies (the Princess, Rosaline, Katherine, and Maria.)
PRINCESS line 1898Sweethearts, we shall be rich ere we depart, line 1899If fairings come thus plentifully in. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 149line 1900A lady walled about with diamonds! line 1901Look you what I have from the loving king.
She shows a jewel.
ROSALINE 5line 1902Madam, came nothing else along with that? PRINCESS line 1903Nothing but this? Yes, as much love in rhyme line 1904As would be crammed up in a sheet of paper line 1905Writ o’ both sides the leaf, margent and all, line 1906That he was fain to seal on Cupid’s name. ROSALINE 10line 1907That was the way to make his godhead wax, line 1908For he hath been five thousand year a boy. KATHERINE line 1909Ay, and a shrewd unhappy gallows, too. ROSALINE line 1910You’ll ne’er be friends with him. He killed your line 1911sister. KATHERINE 15line 1912He made her melancholy, sad, and heavy, line 1913And so she died. Had she been light like you, line 1914Of such a merry, nimble, stirring spirit, line 1915She might ha’ been a grandam ere she died. line 1916And so may you, for a light heart lives long. ROSALINE 20line 1917What’s your dark meaning, mouse, of this light line 1918word? KATHERINE line 1919A light condition in a beauty dark. ROSALINE line 1920We need more light to find your meaning out. KATHERINE line 1921You’ll mar the light by taking it in snuff; 25line 1922Therefore I’ll darkly end the argument. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 151ROSALINE line 1923Look what you do, you do it still i’ th’ dark. KATHERINE line 1924So do not you, for you are a light wench. ROSALINE line 1925Indeed, I weigh not you, and therefore light. KATHERINE line 1926You weigh me not? O, that’s you care not for me. ROSALINE 30line 1927Great reason: for past care is still past cure. PRINCESS line 1928Well bandied both; a set of wit well played. line 1929But, Rosaline, you have a favor too. line 1930Who sent it? And what is it? line 1931ROSALINEI would you knew. 35line 1932An if my face were but as fair as yours, line 1933My favor were as great. Be witness this.
She shows a gift.
line 1934Nay, I have verses too, I thank Berowne; line 1935The numbers true; and were the numb’ring too, line 1936I were the fairest goddess on the ground. 40line 1937I am compared to twenty thousand fairs. line 1938O, he hath drawn my picture in his letter. line 1939PRINCESSAnything like? ROSALINE line 1940Much in the letters, nothing in the praise. PRINCESS line 1941Beauteous as ink: a good conclusion. KATHERINE 45line 1942Fair as a text B in a copybook. ROSALINE line 1943Ware pencils, ho! Let me not die your debtor, line 1944My red dominical, my golden letter. line 1945O, that your face were not so full of O’s! PRINCESS line 1946A pox of that jest! And I beshrew all shrows. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 15350line 1947But, Katherine, what was sent to you line 1948From fair Dumaine? KATHERINE line 1949Madam, this glove.She shows the glove. line 1950PRINCESSDid he not send you twain? line 1951KATHERINEYes, madam, and moreover, 55line 1952Some thousand verses of a faithful lover, line 1953A huge translation of hypocrisy, line 1954Vilely compiled, profound simplicity. MARIA line 1955This, and these pearls, to me sent Longaville.
She shows a paper and pearls.
line 1956The letter is too long by half a mile. PRINCESS 60line 1957I think no less. Dost thou not wish in heart line 1958The chain were longer and the letter short? MARIA line 1959Ay, or I would these hands might never part. PRINCESS line 1960We are wise girls to mock our lovers so. ROSALINE line 1961They are worse fools to purchase mocking so. 65line 1962That same Berowne I’ll torture ere I go. line 1963O, that I knew he were but in by th’ week, line 1964How I would make him fawn, and beg, and seek, line 1965And wait the season, and observe the times, line 1966And spend his prodigal wits in bootless rhymes, 70line 1967And shape his service wholly to my hests, line 1968And make him proud to make me proud that jests! line 1969So pair-taunt-like would I o’ersway his state, line 1970That he should be my fool, and I his fate. PRINCESS line 1971None are so surely caught, when they are catched, 75line 1972As wit turned fool. Folly in wisdom hatched line 1973Hath wisdom’s warrant and the help of school, line 1974And wit’s own grace to grace a learnèd fool. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 155ROSALINE line 1975The blood of youth burns not with such excess line 1976As gravity’s revolt to wantonness. MARIA 80line 1977Folly in fools bears not so strong a note line 1978As fool’ry in the wise, when wit doth dote, line 1979Since all the power thereof it doth apply line 1980To prove, by wit, worth in simplicity.
Enter Boyet.
PRINCESS line 1981Here comes Boyet, and mirth is in his face. BOYET 85line 1982O, I am stabbed with laughter. Where’s her Grace? PRINCESS line 1983Thy news, Boyet? line 1984BOYETPrepare, madam, prepare. line 1985Arm, wenches, arm. Encounters mounted are line 1986Against your peace. Love doth approach, disguised, 90line 1987Armèd in arguments. You’ll be surprised. line 1988Muster your wits, stand in your own defense, line 1989Or hide your heads like cowards, and fly hence. PRINCESS line 1990Saint Denis to Saint Cupid! What are they line 1991That charge their breath against us? Say, scout, say. BOYET 95line 1992Under the cool shade of a sycamore, line 1993I thought to close mine eyes some half an hour. line 1994When, lo, to interrupt my purposed rest, line 1995Toward that shade I might behold addressed line 1996The King and his companions. Warily 100line 1997I stole into a neighbor thicket by, line 1998And overheard what you shall overhear: line 1999That, by and by, disguised, they will be here. line 2000Their herald is a pretty knavish page line 2001That well by heart hath conned his embassage. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 157105line 2002Action and accent did they teach him there: line 2003“Thus must thou speak,” and “thus thy body bear.” line 2004And ever and anon they made a doubt line 2005Presence majestical would put him out; line 2006“For,” quoth the King, “an angel shalt thou see; 110line 2007Yet fear not thou, but speak audaciously.” line 2008The boy replied “An angel is not evil. line 2009I should have feared her had she been a devil.” line 2010With that, all laughed and clapped him on the line 2011shoulder, 115line 2012Making the bold wag by their praises bolder. line 2013One rubbed his elbow thus, and fleered, and swore line 2014A better speech was never spoke before. line 2015Another with his finger and his thumb, line 2016Cried “Via! We will do ’t, come what will come.” 120line 2017The third he capered and cried “All goes well!” line 2018The fourth turned on the toe, and down he fell. line 2019With that, they all did tumble on the ground line 2020With such a zealous laughter so profound line 2021That in this spleen ridiculous appears, 125line 2022To check their folly, passion’s solemn tears. PRINCESS line 2023But what, but what? Come they to visit us? BOYET line 2024They do, they do; and are appareled thus, line 2025Like Muscovites, or Russians, as I guess. line 2026Their purpose is to parley, to court, and dance, 130line 2027And every one his love-feat will advance line 2028Unto his several mistress—which they’ll know line 2029By favors several which they did bestow. PRINCESS line 2030And will they so? The gallants shall be tasked, line 2031For, ladies, we will every one be masked, 135line 2032And not a man of them shall have the grace, line 2033Despite of suit, to see a lady’s face. line 2034Hold, Rosaline, this favor thou shalt wear, Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 159line 2035And then the King will court thee for his dear. line 2036Hold, take thou this, my sweet, and give me thine. 140line 2037So shall Berowne take me for Rosaline.
Princess and Rosaline exchange favors.
line 2038And change you favors too. So shall your loves line 2039Woo contrary, deceived by these removes.
Katherine and Maria exchange favors.
ROSALINE line 2040Come on, then, wear the favors most in sight. KATHERINEto Princess line 2041But in this changing, what is your intent? PRINCESS 145line 2042The effect of my intent is to cross theirs. line 2043They do it but in mockery merriment, line 2044And mock for mock is only my intent. line 2045Their several counsels they unbosom shall line 2046To loves mistook, and so be mocked withal 150line 2047Upon the next occasion that we meet, line 2048With visages displayed, to talk and greet. ROSALINE line 2049But shall we dance, if they desire us to ’t? PRINCESS line 2050No, to the death we will not move a foot, line 2051Nor to their penned speech render we no grace, 155line 2052But while ’tis spoke each turn away her face. BOYET line 2053Why, that contempt will kill the speaker’s heart, line 2054And quite divorce his memory from his part. PRINCESS line 2055Therefore I do it, and I make no doubt line 2056The rest will ne’er come in if he be out. 160line 2057There’s no such sport as sport by sport o’erthrown, line 2058To make theirs ours and ours none but our own. line 2059So shall we stay, mocking intended game, line 2060And they, well mocked, depart away with shame.
Sound trumpet, within.
Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 161BOYET line 2061The trumpet sounds. Be masked; the maskers come.
The Ladies mask.
Enter Blackamoors with music, the Boy with a speech, the King, Berowne, and the rest of the Lords disguised.
BOY 165line 2062All hail, the richest beauties on the Earth! BOYET line 2063Beauties no richer than rich taffeta. BOY line 2064A holy parcel of the fairest dames
(The Ladies turn their backs to him.)
line 2065That ever turned their—backs—to mortal views. line 2066BEROWNETheir eyes, villain, their eyes! BOY 170line 2067That ever turned their eyes to mortal views. line 2068Out— line 2069BOYETTrue; out indeed. BOY line 2070Out of your favors, heavenly spirits, vouchsafe line 2071Not to behold— 175line 2072BEROWNEOnce to behold, rogue! BOY line 2073Once to behold with your sun-beamèd eyes— line 2074With your sun-beamèd eyes— BOYET line 2075They will not answer to that epithet. line 2076You were best call it “daughter-beamèd eyes.” BOY 180line 2077They do not mark me, and that brings me out. BEROWNE line 2078Is this your perfectness? Begone, you rogue!
Boy exits.
ROSALINEspeaking as the Princess line 2079What would these strangers? Know their minds, line 2080Boyet. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 163line 2081If they do speak our language, ’tis our will 185line 2082That some plain man recount their purposes. line 2083Know what they would. line 2084BOYETWhat would you with the line 2085Princess? BEROWNE line 2086Nothing but peace and gentle visitation. 190line 2087ROSALINEWhat would they, say they? BOYET line 2088Nothing but peace and gentle visitation. ROSALINE line 2089Why, that they have, and bid them so be gone. BOYET line 2090She says you have it, and you may be gone. KING line 2091Say to her we have measured many miles 195line 2092To tread a measure with her on this grass. BOYET line 2093They say that they have measured many a mile line 2094To tread a measure with you on this grass. ROSALINE line 2095It is not so. Ask them how many inches line 2096Is in one mile. If they have measured many, 200line 2097The measure then of one is eas’ly told. BOYET line 2098If to come hither you have measured miles, line 2099And many miles, the Princess bids you tell line 2100How many inches doth fill up one mile. BEROWNE line 2101Tell her we measure them by weary steps. BOYET 205line 2102She hears herself. line 2103ROSALINEHow many weary steps line 2104Of many weary miles you have o’ergone line 2105Are numbered in the travel of one mile? Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 165BEROWNE line 2106We number nothing that we spend for you. 210line 2107Our duty is so rich, so infinite, line 2108That we may do it still without account. line 2109Vouchsafe to show the sunshine of your face line 2110That we, like savages, may worship it. ROSALINE line 2111My face is but a moon, and clouded too. KING 215line 2112Blessèd are clouds, to do as such clouds do! line 2113Vouchsafe, bright moon, and these thy stars, to line 2114shine, line 2115Those clouds removed, upon our watery eyne. ROSALINE line 2116O vain petitioner, beg a greater matter! 220line 2117Thou now requests but moonshine in the water. KING line 2118Then in our measure do but vouchsafe one change. line 2119Thou bidd’st me beg; this begging is not strange. ROSALINE line 2120Play music, then. Nay, you must do it soon.
Music begins.
line 2121Not yet? No dance! Thus change I like the moon. KING 225line 2122Will you not dance? How come you thus estranged? ROSALINE line 2123You took the moon at full, but now she’s changed. KING line 2124Yet still she is the moon, and I the man. line 2125The music plays. Vouchsafe some motion to it. ROSALINE line 2126Our ears vouchsafe it. 230line 2127KINGBut your legs should do it. ROSALINE line 2128Since you are strangers and come here by chance, line 2129We’ll not be nice. Take hands. We will not dance.
She offers her hand.
Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 167KING line 2130Why take we hands then? line 2131ROSALINEOnly to part friends.— 235line 2132Curtsy, sweethearts—and so the measure ends. KING line 2133More measure of this measure! Be not nice. ROSALINE line 2134We can afford no more at such a price. KING line 2135Prize you yourselves. What buys your company? ROSALINE line 2136Your absence only. 240line 2137KINGThat can never be. ROSALINE line 2138Then cannot we be bought. And so adieu— line 2139Twice to your visor, and half once to you. KING line 2140If you deny to dance, let’s hold more chat. ROSALINE line 2141In private, then. 245line 2142KINGI am best pleased with that.
They move aside.
BEROWNEto the Princess line 2143White-handed mistress, one sweet word with thee. PRINCESSspeaking as Rosaline line 2144Honey, and milk, and sugar—there is three. BEROWNE line 2145Nay then, two treys, an if you grow so nice, line 2146Metheglin, wort, and malmsey. Well run, dice! 250line 2147There’s half a dozen sweets. line 2148PRINCESSSeventh sweet, adieu. line 2149Since you can cog, I’ll play no more with you. BEROWNE line 2150One word in secret. line 2151PRINCESSLet it not be sweet. BEROWNE 255line 2152Thou grievest my gall. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 169line 2153PRINCESSGall! Bitter. line 2154BEROWNETherefore meet.
They move aside.
DUMAINEto Maria line 2155Will you vouchsafe with me to change a word? MARIAspeaking as Katherine line 2156Name it. 260line 2157DUMAINEFair lady— line 2158MARIASay you so? Fair lord! line 2159Take that for your “fair lady.” line 2160DUMAINEPlease it you line 2161As much in private, and I’ll bid adieu.
They move aside.
KATHERINEspeaking as Maria 265line 2162What, was your vizard made without a tongue? LONGAVILLE line 2163I know the reason, lady, why you ask. KATHERINE line 2164O, for your reason! Quickly, sir, I long. LONGAVILLE line 2165You have a double tongue within your mask, line 2166And would afford my speechless vizard half. KATHERINE 270line 2167Veal, quoth the Dutchman. Is not veal a calf? LONGAVILLE line 2168A calf, fair lady? line 2169KATHERINENo, a fair Lord Calf. LONGAVILLE line 2170Let’s part the word. line 2171KATHERINENo, I’ll not be your half. 275line 2172Take all and wean it. It may prove an ox. LONGAVILLE line 2173Look how you butt yourself in these sharp mocks. line 2174Will you give horns, chaste lady? Do not so. KATHERINE line 2175Then die a calf before your horns do grow. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 171LONGAVILLE line 2176One word in private with you ere I die. KATHERINE 280line 2177Bleat softly, then. The butcher hears you cry.
They move aside.
BOYET line 2178The tongues of mocking wenches are as keen line 2179As is the razor’s edge invisible, line 2180Cutting a smaller hair than may be seen; line 2181Above the sense of sense, so sensible 285line 2182Seemeth their conference. Their conceits have line 2183wings line 2184Fleeter than arrows, bullets, wind, thought, swifter line 2185things. ROSALINE line 2186Not one word more, my maids. Break off, break off!
The Ladies move away from the Lords.
BEROWNE 290line 2187By heaven, all dry-beaten with pure scoff! KING line 2188Farewell, mad wenches. You have simple wits.
King, Lords, and Blackamoors exit.
The Ladies unmask.
PRINCESS line 2189Twenty adieus, my frozen Muskovits.— line 2190Are these the breed of wits so wondered at? BOYET line 2191Tapers they are, with your sweet breaths puffed 295line 2192out. ROSALINE line 2193Well-liking wits they have; gross, gross; fat, fat. PRINCESS line 2194O poverty in wit, kingly-poor flout! line 2195Will they not, think you, hang themselves tonight? line 2196Or ever but in vizards show their faces? 300line 2197This pert Berowne was out of count’nance quite. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 173ROSALINE line 2198They were all in lamentable cases. line 2199The King was weeping ripe for a good word. PRINCESS line 2200Berowne did swear himself out of all suit. MARIA line 2201Dumaine was at my service, and his sword. 305line 2202“No point,” quoth I. My servant straight was line 2203mute. KATHERINE line 2204Lord Longaville said I came o’er his heart. line 2205And trow you what he called me? line 2206PRINCESSQualm, perhaps. KATHERINE 310line 2207Yes, in good faith. line 2208PRINCESSGo, sickness as thou art! ROSALINE line 2209Well, better wits have worn plain statute-caps. line 2210But will you hear? The King is my love sworn. PRINCESS line 2211And quick Berowne hath plighted faith to me. KATHERINE 315line 2212And Longaville was for my service born. MARIA line 2213Dumaine is mine as sure as bark on tree. BOYET line 2214Madam, and pretty mistresses, give ear. line 2215Immediately they will again be here line 2216In their own shapes, for it can never be 320line 2217They will digest this harsh indignity. PRINCESS line 2218Will they return? line 2219BOYETThey will, they will, God knows, line 2220And leap for joy, though they are lame with blows. line 2221Therefore change favors, and when they repair, 325line 2222Blow like sweet roses in this summer air. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 175PRINCESS line 2223How “blow”? How “blow”? Speak to be understood. BOYET line 2224Fair ladies masked are roses in their bud. line 2225Dismasked, their damask sweet commixture shown, line 2226Are angels vailing clouds, or roses blown. PRINCESS 330line 2227Avaunt, perplexity!—What shall we do line 2228If they return in their own shapes to woo? ROSALINE line 2229Good madam, if by me you’ll be advised, line 2230Let’s mock them still, as well known as disguised. line 2231Let us complain to them what fools were here, 335line 2232Disguised like Muscovites in shapeless gear, line 2233And wonder what they were, and to what end line 2234Their shallow shows and prologue vilely penned, line 2235And their rough carriage so ridiculous, line 2236Should be presented at our tent to us. BOYET 340line 2237Ladies, withdraw. The gallants are at hand. PRINCESS line 2238Whip to our tents, as roes runs o’er land.
The Princess and the Ladies exit.
Enter the King and the rest, as themselves.
KINGto Boyet line 2239Fair sir, God save you. Where’s the Princess? BOYET line 2240Gone to her tent. Please it your Majesty line 2241Command me any service to her thither? KING 345line 2242That she vouchsafe me audience for one word. BOYET line 2243I will, and so will she, I know, my lord.He exits. BEROWNE line 2244This fellow pecks up wit as pigeons peas, Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 177line 2245And utters it again when God doth please. line 2246He is wit’s peddler, and retails his wares 350line 2247At wakes and wassails, meetings, markets, fairs. line 2248And we that sell by gross, the Lord doth know, line 2249Have not the grace to grace it with such show. line 2250This gallant pins the wenches on his sleeve. line 2251Had he been Adam, he had tempted Eve. 355line 2252He can carve too, and lisp. Why, this is he line 2253That kissed his hand away in courtesy. line 2254This is the ape of form, Monsieur the Nice, line 2255That, when he plays at tables, chides the dice line 2256In honorable terms. Nay, he can sing 360line 2257A mean most meanly; and in ushering line 2258Mend him who can. The ladies call him sweet. line 2259The stairs, as he treads on them, kiss his feet. line 2260This is the flower that smiles on everyone line 2261To show his teeth as white as whale’s bone; 365line 2262And consciences that will not die in debt line 2263Pay him the due of “honey-tongued Boyet.” KING line 2264A blister on his sweet tongue, with my heart, line 2265That put Armado’s page out of his part!
Enter the Ladies, with Boyet.
BEROWNE line 2266See where it comes! Behavior, what wert thou 370line 2267Till this madman showed thee? And what art thou line 2268now? KINGto Princess line 2269All hail, sweet madam, and fair time of day. PRINCESS line 2270“Fair” in “all hail” is foul, as I conceive. KING line 2271Construe my speeches better, if you may. PRINCESS 375line 2272Then wish me better. I will give you leave. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 179KING line 2273We came to visit you, and purpose now line 2274To lead you to our court. Vouchsafe it, then. PRINCESS line 2275This field shall hold me, and so hold your vow. line 2276Nor God nor I delights in perjured men. KING 380line 2277Rebuke me not for that which you provoke. line 2278The virtue of your eye must break my oath. PRINCESS line 2279You nickname virtue; “vice” you should have spoke, line 2280For virtue’s office never breaks men’s troth. line 2281Now by my maiden honor, yet as pure 385line 2282As the unsullied lily, I protest, line 2283A world of torments though I should endure, line 2284I would not yield to be your house’s guest, line 2285So much I hate a breaking cause to be line 2286Of heavenly oaths vowed with integrity. KING 390line 2287O, you have lived in desolation here, line 2288Unseen, unvisited, much to our shame. PRINCESS line 2289Not so, my lord. It is not so, I swear. line 2290We have had pastimes here and pleasant game. line 2291A mess of Russians left us but of late. KING 395line 2292How, madam? Russians? line 2293PRINCESSAy, in truth, my lord. line 2294Trim gallants, full of courtship and of state. ROSALINE line 2295Madam, speak true.—It is not so, my lord. line 2296My lady, to the manner of the days, 400line 2297In courtesy gives undeserving praise. line 2298We four indeed confronted were with four line 2299In Russian habit. Here they stayed an hour line 2300And talked apace; and in that hour, my lord, Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 181line 2301They did not bless us with one happy word. 405line 2302I dare not call them fools; but this I think: line 2303When they are thirsty, fools would fain have drink. BEROWNE line 2304This jest is dry to me. Gentle sweet, line 2305Your wits makes wise things foolish. When we greet, line 2306With eyes’ best seeing, heaven’s fiery eye, 410line 2307By light we lose light. Your capacity line 2308Is of that nature that to your huge store line 2309Wise things seem foolish and rich things but poor. ROSALINE line 2310This proves you wise and rich, for in my eye— BEROWNE line 2311I am a fool, and full of poverty. ROSALINE 415line 2312But that you take what doth to you belong, line 2313It were a fault to snatch words from my tongue. BEROWNE line 2314O, I am yours, and all that I possess! ROSALINE line 2315All the fool mine? line 2316BEROWNEI cannot give you less. ROSALINE 420line 2317Which of the vizards was it that you wore? BEROWNE line 2318Where? When? What vizard? Why demand you this? ROSALINE line 2319There; then; that vizard; that superfluous case line 2320That hid the worse and showed the better face. KINGaside to Dumaine line 2321We were descried. They’ll mock us now downright. DUMAINEaside to King 425line 2322Let us confess and turn it to a jest. PRINCESSto King line 2323Amazed, my lord? Why looks your Highness sad? Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 183ROSALINE line 2324Help, hold his brows! He’ll swoon!—Why look you line 2325pale? line 2326Seasick, I think, coming from Muscovy. BEROWNE 430line 2327Thus pour the stars down plagues for perjury. line 2328Can any face of brass hold longer out? line 2329Here stand I, lady. Dart thy skill at me. line 2330Bruise me with scorn, confound me with a flout. line 2331Thrust thy sharp wit quite through my ignorance. 435line 2332Cut me to pieces with thy keen conceit, line 2333And I will wish thee nevermore to dance, line 2334Nor nevermore in Russian habit wait. line 2335O, never will I trust to speeches penned, line 2336Nor to the motion of a schoolboy’s tongue, 440line 2337Nor never come in vizard to my friend, line 2338Nor woo in rhyme like a blind harper’s song. line 2339Taffeta phrases, silken terms precise, line 2340Three-piled hyperboles, spruce affectation, line 2341Figures pedantical—these summer flies 445line 2342Have blown me full of maggot ostentation. line 2343I do forswear them, and I here protest line 2344By this white glove—how white the hand, God line 2345knows!— line 2346Henceforth my wooing mind shall be expressed 450line 2347In russet yeas and honest kersey noes. line 2348And to begin: Wench, so God help me, law, line 2349My love to thee is sound, sans crack or flaw. ROSALINE line 2350Sans “sans,” I pray you. line 2351BEROWNEYet I have a trick 455line 2352Of the old rage. Bear with me, I am sick; line 2353I’ll leave it by degrees. Soft, let us see: line 2354Write “Lord have mercy on us” on those three. line 2355They are infected; in their hearts it lies. line 2356They have the plague, and caught it of your eyes. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 185460line 2357These lords are visited. You are not free, line 2358For the Lord’s tokens on you do I see. PRINCESS line 2359No, they are free that gave these tokens to us. BEROWNE line 2360Our states are forfeit. Seek not to undo us. ROSALINE line 2361It is not so, for how can this be true, 465line 2362That you stand forfeit, being those that sue? BEROWNE line 2363Peace, for I will not have to do with you. ROSALINE line 2364Nor shall not, if I do as I intend. BEROWNEto King, Longaville, and Dumaine line 2365Speak for yourselves. My wit is at an end. KINGto Princess line 2366Teach us, sweet madam, for our rude transgression 470line 2367Some fair excuse. line 2368PRINCESSThe fairest is confession. line 2369Were not you here but even now, disguised? KING line 2370Madam, I was. line 2371PRINCESSAnd were you well advised? KING 475line 2372I was, fair madam. line 2373PRINCESSWhen you then were here, line 2374What did you whisper in your lady’s ear? KING line 2375That more than all the world I did respect her. PRINCESS line 2376When she shall challenge this, you will reject her. KING 480line 2377Upon mine honor, no. line 2378PRINCESSPeace, peace, forbear! line 2379Your oath once broke, you force not to forswear. KING line 2380Despise me when I break this oath of mine. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 187PRINCESS line 2381I will, and therefore keep it.—Rosaline, 485line 2382What did the Russian whisper in your ear? ROSALINE line 2383Madam, he swore that he did hold me dear line 2384As precious eyesight, and did value me line 2385Above this world, adding thereto moreover line 2386That he would wed me or else die my lover. PRINCESS 490line 2387God give thee joy of him! The noble lord line 2388Most honorably doth uphold his word. KING line 2389What mean you, madam? By my life, my troth, line 2390I never swore this lady such an oath. ROSALINE line 2391By heaven, you did! And to confirm it plain, 495line 2392You gave me this. She shows a token. But take it, line 2393sir, again. KING line 2394My faith and this the Princess I did give. line 2395I knew her by this jewel on her sleeve. PRINCESS line 2396Pardon me, sir. This jewel did she wear.
She points to Rosaline.
500line 2397And Lord Berowne, I thank him, is my dear. line 2398To Berowne. What, will you have me, or your pearl line 2399again?She shows the token. BEROWNE line 2400Neither of either. I remit both twain. line 2401I see the trick on ’t. Here was a consent, 505line 2402Knowing aforehand of our merriment, line 2403To dash it like a Christmas comedy. line 2404Some carry-tale, some please-man, some slight line 2405zany, line 2406Some mumble-news, some trencher-knight, some 510line 2407Dick, Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 189line 2408That smiles his cheek in years and knows the trick line 2409To make my lady laugh when she’s disposed, line 2410Told our intents before; which once disclosed, line 2411The ladies did change favors; and then we, 515line 2412Following the signs, wooed but the sign of she. line 2413Now, to our perjury to add more terror, line 2414We are again forsworn in will and error. line 2415Much upon this ’tis. To Boyet. And might not you line 2416Forestall our sport, to make us thus untrue? 520line 2417Do not you know my lady’s foot by th’ squier? line 2418And laugh upon the apple of her eye? line 2419And stand between her back, sir, and the fire, line 2420Holding a trencher, jesting merrily? line 2421You put our page out. Go, you are allowed. 525line 2422Die when you will, a smock shall be your shroud. line 2423You leer upon me, do you? There’s an eye line 2424Wounds like a leaden sword. line 2425BOYETFull merrily line 2426Hath this brave manage, this career been run. BEROWNE 530line 2427Lo, he is tilting straight! Peace, I have done.
Enter Clown Costard.
line 2428Welcome, pure wit. Thou part’st a fair fray. line 2429COSTARDO Lord, sir, they would know line 2430Whether the three Worthies shall come in or no. BEROWNE line 2431What, are there but three? 535line 2432COSTARDNo, sir; but it is vara fine, line 2433For every one pursents three. line 2434BEROWNEAnd three times thrice line 2435is nine. COSTARD line 2436Not so, sir, under correction, sir, I hope it is not so. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 191540line 2437You cannot beg us, sir, I can assure you, sir; we line 2438know what we know. line 2439I hope, sir, three times thrice, sir— line 2440BEROWNEIs not nine? line 2441COSTARDUnder correction, sir, we know whereuntil it 545line 2442doth amount. BEROWNE line 2443By Jove, I always took three threes for nine. line 2444COSTARDO Lord, sir, it were pity you should get your line 2445living by reckoning, sir. line 2446BEROWNEHow much is it? 550line 2447COSTARDO Lord, sir, the parties themselves, the actors, line 2448sir, will show whereuntil it doth amount. For line 2449mine own part, I am, as they say, but to parfect one line 2450man in one poor man—Pompion the Great, sir. line 2451BEROWNEArt thou one of the Worthies? 555line 2452COSTARDIt pleased them to think me worthy of Pompey line 2453the Great. For mine own part, I know not the line 2454degree of the Worthy, but I am to stand for him. line 2455BEROWNEGo bid them prepare. COSTARD line 2456We will turn it finely off, sir. We will take some 560line 2457care.He exits. KING line 2458Berowne, they will shame us. Let them not line 2459approach. BEROWNE line 2460We are shame-proof, my lord; and ’tis some policy line 2461To have one show worse than the King’s and his 565line 2462company. line 2463KINGI say they shall not come. PRINCESS line 2464Nay, my good lord, let me o’errule you now. line 2465That sport best pleases that doth least know how, Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 193line 2466Where zeal strives to content, and the contents 570line 2467Dies in the zeal of that which it presents. line 2468Their form confounded makes most form in mirth, line 2469When great things laboring perish in their birth. BEROWNE line 2470A right description of our sport, my lord.
Enter Braggart Armado.
line 2471ARMADOto KingAnointed, I implore so much expense 575line 2472of thy royal sweet breath as will utter a brace line 2473of words.Armado and King step aside, and Armado gives King a paper. line 2474PRINCESSDoth this man serve God? line 2475BEROWNEWhy ask you? PRINCESS line 2476He speaks not like a man of God his making. 580line 2477ARMADOto KingThat is all one, my fair sweet honey line 2478monarch, for, I protest, the schoolmaster is exceeding line 2479fantastical, too, too vain, too, too vain. But line 2480we will put it, as they say, to fortuna de la guerra.—I line 2481wish you the peace of mind, most royal 585line 2482couplement!He exits. line 2483KINGreading the paperHere is like to be a good line 2484presence of Worthies. He presents Hector of Troy, line 2485the swain Pompey the Great, the parish curate line 2486Alexander, Armado’s page Hercules, the pedant 590line 2487Judas Maccabaeus. line 2488And if these four Worthies in their first show thrive, line 2489These four will change habits and present the other line 2490five. line 2491BEROWNEThere is five in the first show. 595line 2492KINGYou are deceived. ’Tis not so. line 2493BEROWNEThe pedant, the braggart, the hedge line 2494priest, the fool, and the boy. line 2495Abate throw at novum, and the whole world again line 2496Cannot pick out five such, take each one in his vein. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 195KING 600line 2497The ship is under sail, and here she comes amain.
Enter Costard as Pompey.
COSTARD line 2498I Pompey am— line 2499BEROWNEYou lie; you are not he. COSTARD line 2500I Pompey am— line 2501BOYETWith leopard’s head on knee. BEROWNE 605line 2502Well said, old mocker. I must needs be friends with line 2503thee. COSTARD line 2504I Pompey am, Pompey, surnamed the Big— line 2505DUMAINE“The Great.” COSTARD line 2506It is “Great,” sir.—Pompey, surnamed the 610line 2507Great, line 2508That oft in field, with targe and shield, did make my line 2509foe to sweat. line 2510And traveling along this coast, I here am come by line 2511chance, 615line 2512And lay my arms before the legs of this sweet lass of line 2513France.
(He places his weapons at the feet of the Princess.)
line 2514If your Ladyship would say “Thanks, Pompey,” I line 2515had done. line 2516PRINCESSGreat thanks, great Pompey. 620line 2517COSTARD’Tis not so much worth, but I hope I was line 2518perfect. I made a little fault in “Great.” line 2519BEROWNEMy hat to a halfpenny, Pompey proves the line 2520best Worthy.Costard stands aside.
Enter Curate Nathaniel for Alexander.
NATHANIEL line 2521When in the world I lived, I was the world’s 625line 2522commander. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 197line 2523By east, west, north, and south, I spread my line 2524conquering might. line 2525My scutcheon plain declares that I am Alisander— BOYET line 2526Your nose says no, you are not, for it stands too 630line 2527right. BEROWNEto Boyet line 2528Your nose smells “no” in this, most tender-smelling line 2529knight. PRINCESS line 2530The conqueror is dismayed.—Proceed, good line 2531Alexander. NATHANIEL 635line 2532When in the world I lived, I was the world’s line 2533commander— BOYET line 2534Most true; ’tis right. You were so, Alisander. line 2535BEROWNEto CostardPompey the Great— line 2536COSTARDYour servant, and Costard. 640line 2537BEROWNETake away the conqueror. Take away line 2538Alisander. line 2539COSTARDto NathanielO sir, you have overthrown line 2540Alisander the Conqueror. You will be scraped out of line 2541the painted cloth for this. Your lion, that holds his 645line 2542polax sitting on a close-stool, will be given to Ajax. line 2543He will be the ninth Worthy. A conqueror, and line 2544afeard to speak? Run away for shame, Alisander.
Nathaniel exits.
line 2545There, an ’t shall please you, a foolish mild man, an line 2546honest man, look you, and soon dashed. He is a 650line 2547marvelous good neighbor, faith, and a very good line 2548bowler. But, for Alisander—alas, you see how ’tis— line 2549a little o’erparted. But there are Worthies a-coming line 2550will speak their mind in some other sort.
Enter Pedant Holofernes for Judas, and the Boy for Hercules.
Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 199line 2551PRINCESSto CostardStand aside, good Pompey. HOLOFERNES 655line 2552Great Hercules is presented by this imp, line 2553Whose club killed Cerberus, that three-headed canus, line 2554And when he was a babe, a child, a shrimp, line 2555Thus did he strangle serpents in his manus. line 2556Quoniam he seemeth in minority, 660line 2557Ergo I come with this apology. line 2558To Boy. Keep some state in thy exit, and vanish.
Boy steps aside.
HOLOFERNES line 2559Judas I am— line 2560DUMAINEA Judas! line 2561HOLOFERNESNot Iscariot, sir. 665line 2562Judas I am, yclept Maccabaeus. line 2563DUMAINEJudas Maccabaeus clipped is plain Judas. line 2564BEROWNEA kissing traitor.—How art thou proved line 2565Judas? HOLOFERNES line 2566Judas I am— 670line 2567DUMAINEThe more shame for you, Judas. line 2568HOLOFERNESWhat mean you, sir? line 2569BOYETTo make Judas hang himself. line 2570HOLOFERNESBegin, sir, you are my elder. line 2571BEROWNEWell followed. Judas was hanged on an 675line 2572elder. line 2573HOLOFERNESI will not be put out of countenance. line 2574BEROWNEBecause thou hast no face. line 2575HOLOFERNESWhat is this?He points to his own face. line 2576BOYETA cittern-head. 680line 2577DUMAINEThe head of a bodkin. line 2578BEROWNEA death’s face in a ring. line 2579LONGAVILLEThe face of an old Roman coin, scarce line 2580seen. line 2581BOYETThe pommel of Caesar’s falchion. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 201685line 2582DUMAINEThe carved-bone face on a flask. line 2583BEROWNESaint George’s half-cheek in a brooch. line 2584DUMAINEAy, and in a brooch of lead. line 2585BEROWNEAy, and worn in the cap of a tooth-drawer. line 2586And now forward, for we have put thee in 690line 2587countenance. line 2588HOLOFERNESYou have put me out of countenance. line 2589BEROWNEFalse. We have given thee faces. line 2590HOLOFERNESBut you have outfaced them all. BEROWNE line 2591An thou wert a lion, we would do so. BOYET 695line 2592Therefore, as he is an ass, let him go.— line 2593And so adieu, sweet Jude. Nay, why dost thou stay? line 2594DUMAINEFor the latter end of his name. BEROWNE line 2595For the “ass” to the “Jude”? Give it him.—Jud-as, line 2596away! HOLOFERNES 700line 2597This is not generous, not gentle, not humble. BOYET line 2598A light for Monsieur Judas! It grows dark; he may line 2599stumble.Holofernes exits. PRINCESS line 2600Alas, poor Maccabaeus, how hath he been baited!
Enter Braggart Armado as Hector.
line 2601BEROWNEHide thy head, Achilles. Here comes Hector 705line 2602in arms. line 2603DUMAINEThough my mocks come home by me, I will line 2604now be merry. line 2605KINGHector was but a Troyan in respect of this. line 2606BOYETBut is this Hector? 710line 2607KINGI think Hector was not so clean-timbered. line 2608LONGAVILLEHis leg is too big for Hector’s. line 2609DUMAINEMore calf, certain. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 203line 2610BOYETNo, he is best endued in the small. line 2611BEROWNEThis cannot be Hector. 715line 2612DUMAINEHe’s a god or a painter, for he makes faces. ARMADO line 2613The armipotent Mars, of lances the almighty, line 2614Gave Hector a gift— line 2615DUMAINEA gilt nutmeg. line 2616BEROWNEA lemon. 720line 2617LONGAVILLEStuck with cloves. line 2618DUMAINENo, cloven. line 2619ARMADOPeace! line 2620The armipotent Mars, of lances the almighty, line 2621Gave Hector a gift, the heir of Ilion, 725line 2622A man so breathed, that certain he would fight, yea, line 2623From morn till night, out of his pavilion. line 2624I am that flower— line 2625DUMAINEThat mint. line 2626LONGAVILLEThat columbine. 730line 2627ARMADOSweet Lord Longaville, rein thy tongue. line 2628LONGAVILLEI must rather give it the rein, for it runs line 2629against Hector. line 2630DUMAINEAy, and Hector’s a greyhound. line 2631ARMADOThe sweet warman is dead and rotten. Sweet 735line 2632chucks, beat not the bones of the buried. When he line 2633breathed, he was a man. But I will forward with my line 2634device. To Princess. Sweet royalty, bestow on me line 2635the sense of hearing.
Berowne steps forth.
PRINCESS line 2636Speak, brave Hector. We are much delighted. 740line 2637ARMADOI do adore thy sweet Grace’s slipper. line 2638BOYETLoves her by the foot. line 2639DUMAINEHe may not by the yard. ARMADO line 2640This Hector far surmounted Hannibal. line 2641The party is gone— Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 205745line 2642COSTARDFellow Hector, she is gone; she is two line 2643months on her way. line 2644ARMADOWhat meanest thou? line 2645COSTARDFaith, unless you play the honest Troyan, the line 2646poor wench is cast away. She’s quick; the child 750line 2647brags in her belly already. ’Tis yours. line 2648ARMADODost thou infamonize me among potentates? line 2649Thou shalt die! line 2650COSTARDThen shall Hector be whipped for Jaquenetta, line 2651that is quick by him, and hanged for Pompey, 755line 2652that is dead by him. line 2653DUMAINEMost rare Pompey! line 2654BOYETRenowned Pompey! line 2655BEROWNEGreater than “Great”! Great, great, great line 2656Pompey. Pompey the Huge! 760line 2657DUMAINEHector trembles. line 2658BEROWNEPompey is moved. More Ates, more Ates! line 2659Stir them on, stir them on. line 2660DUMAINEHector will challenge him. line 2661BEROWNEAy, if he have no more man’s blood in his 765line 2662belly than will sup a flea. line 2663ARMADOto CostardBy the North Pole, I do challenge line 2664thee! line 2665COSTARDI will not fight with a pole like a northern line 2666man! I’ll slash. I’ll do it by the sword.—I bepray 770line 2667you, let me borrow my arms again. line 2668DUMAINERoom for the incensed Worthies! line 2669COSTARDI’ll do it in my shirt.He removes his doublet. line 2670DUMAINEMost resolute Pompey! line 2671BOYto ArmadoMaster, let me take you a buttonhole 775line 2672lower. Do you not see Pompey is uncasing for the line 2673combat? What mean you? You will lose your line 2674reputation. line 2675ARMADOGentlemen and soldiers, pardon me. I will line 2676not combat in my shirt. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 207780line 2677DUMAINEYou may not deny it. Pompey hath made the line 2678challenge. line 2679ARMADOSweet bloods, I both may and will. line 2680BEROWNEWhat reason have you for ’t? line 2681ARMADOThe naked truth of it is, I have no shirt. I go 785line 2682woolward for penance. line 2683BOYETTrue, and it was enjoined him in Rome for want line 2684of linen; since when, I’ll be sworn, he wore none line 2685but a dishclout of Jaquenetta’s, and that he wears line 2686next his heart for a favor.
Enter a Messenger, Monsieur Marcade.
790line 2687MARCADEto PrincessGod save you, madam. line 2688PRINCESSWelcome, Marcade, line 2689But that thou interruptest our merriment. MARCADE line 2690I am sorry, madam, for the news I bring line 2691Is heavy in my tongue. The King your father— PRINCESS 795line 2692Dead, for my life. line 2693MARCADEEven so. My tale is told. BEROWNE line 2694Worthies, away! The scene begins to cloud. line 2695ARMADOFor mine own part, I breathe free breath. I line 2696have seen the day of wrong through the little hole 800line 2697of discretion, and I will right myself like a soldier.
Worthies exit.
line 2698KINGto PrincessHow fares your Majesty? PRINCESS line 2699Boyet, prepare. I will away tonight. KING line 2700Madam, not so. I do beseech you stay. PRINCESSto Boyet line 2701Prepare, I say.—I thank you, gracious lords, 805line 2702For all your fair endeavors, and entreat, line 2703Out of a new-sad soul, that you vouchsafe Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 209line 2704In your rich wisdom to excuse or hide line 2705The liberal opposition of our spirits, line 2706If overboldly we have borne ourselves 810line 2707In the converse of breath; your gentleness line 2708Was guilty of it. Farewell, worthy lord. line 2709A heavy heart bears not a humble tongue. line 2710Excuse me so, coming too short of thanks line 2711For my great suit so easily obtained. KING 815line 2712The extreme parts of time extremely forms line 2713All causes to the purpose of his speed, line 2714And often at his very loose decides line 2715That which long process could not arbitrate. line 2716And though the mourning brow of progeny 820line 2717Forbid the smiling courtesy of love line 2718The holy suit which fain it would convince, line 2719Yet since love’s argument was first on foot, line 2720Let not the cloud of sorrow jostle it line 2721From what it purposed, since to wail friends lost 825line 2722Is not by much so wholesome-profitable line 2723As to rejoice at friends but newly found. PRINCESS line 2724I understand you not. My griefs are double. BEROWNE line 2725Honest plain words best pierce the ear of grief, line 2726And by these badges understand the King: 830line 2727For your fair sakes have we neglected time, line 2728Played foul play with our oaths. Your beauty, ladies, line 2729Hath much deformed us, fashioning our humors line 2730Even to the opposèd end of our intents. line 2731And what in us hath seemed ridiculous— 835line 2732As love is full of unbefitting strains, line 2733All wanton as a child, skipping and vain, line 2734Formed by the eye and therefore, like the eye, line 2735Full of strange shapes, of habits, and of forms, line 2736Varying in subjects as the eye doth roll Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 211840line 2737To every varied object in his glance; line 2738Which parti-coated presence of loose love line 2739Put on by us, if, in your heavenly eyes, line 2740Have misbecomed our oaths and gravities, line 2741Those heavenly eyes, that look into these faults, 845line 2742Suggested us to make. Therefore, ladies, line 2743Our love being yours, the error that love makes line 2744Is likewise yours. We to ourselves prove false line 2745By being once false forever to be true line 2746To those that make us both—fair ladies, you. 850line 2747And even that falsehood, in itself a sin, line 2748Thus purifies itself and turns to grace. PRINCESS line 2749We have received your letters full of love; line 2750Your favors, the ambassadors of love; line 2751And in our maiden council rated them 855line 2752At courtship, pleasant jest, and courtesy, line 2753As bombast and as lining to the time. line 2754But more devout than this in our respects line 2755Have we not been, and therefore met your loves line 2756In their own fashion, like a merriment. DUMAINE 860line 2757Our letters, madam, showed much more than jest. LONGAVILLE line 2758So did our looks. line 2759ROSALINEWe did not quote them so. KING line 2760Now, at the latest minute of the hour, line 2761Grant us your loves. 865line 2762PRINCESSA time, methinks, too short line 2763To make a world-without-end bargain in. line 2764No, no, my lord, your Grace is perjured much, line 2765Full of dear guiltiness, and therefore this: line 2766If for my love—as there is no such cause— 870line 2767You will do aught, this shall you do for me: line 2768Your oath I will not trust, but go with speed Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 213line 2769To some forlorn and naked hermitage, line 2770Remote from all the pleasures of the world. line 2771There stay until the twelve celestial signs 875line 2772Have brought about the annual reckoning. line 2773If this austere insociable life line 2774Change not your offer made in heat of blood; line 2775If frosts and fasts, hard lodging, and thin weeds line 2776Nip not the gaudy blossoms of your love, 880line 2777But that it bear this trial, and last love; line 2778Then, at the expiration of the year, line 2779Come challenge me, challenge me by these deserts,
She takes his hand.
line 2780And by this virgin palm now kissing thine, line 2781I will be thine. And till that instant shut 885line 2782My woeful self up in a mourning house, line 2783Raining the tears of lamentation line 2784For the remembrance of my father’s death. line 2785If this thou do deny, let our hands part, line 2786Neither entitled in the other’s heart. KING 890line 2787If this, or more than this, I would deny, line 2788To flatter up these powers of mine with rest, line 2789The sudden hand of death close up mine eye! line 2790Hence hermit, then. My heart is in thy breast.
They step aside.
DUMAINEto Katherine line 2791But what to me, my love? But what to me? 895line 2792A wife? line 2793KATHERINEA beard, fair health, and honesty. line 2794With threefold love I wish you all these three. DUMAINE line 2795O, shall I say “I thank you, gentle wife”? KATHERINE line 2796Not so, my lord. A twelvemonth and a day 900line 2797I’ll mark no words that smooth-faced wooers say. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 215line 2798Come when the King doth to my lady come; line 2799Then, if I have much love, I’ll give you some. DUMAINE line 2800I’ll serve thee true and faithfully till then. KATHERINE line 2801Yet swear not, lest you be forsworn again.
They step aside.
LONGAVILLE 905line 2802What says Maria? line 2803MARIAAt the twelvemonth’s end line 2804I’ll change my black gown for a faithful friend. LONGAVILLE line 2805I’ll stay with patience, but the time is long. MARIA line 2806The liker you; few taller are so young.
They step aside.
BEROWNEto Rosaline 910line 2807Studies my lady? Mistress, look on me. line 2808Behold the window of my heart, mine eye, line 2809What humble suit attends thy answer there. line 2810Impose some service on me for thy love. ROSALINE line 2811Oft have I heard of you, my Lord Berowne, 915line 2812Before I saw you; and the world’s large tongue line 2813Proclaims you for a man replete with mocks, line 2814Full of comparisons and wounding flouts, line 2815Which you on all estates will execute line 2816That lie within the mercy of your wit. 920line 2817To weed this wormwood from your fruitful brain, line 2818And therewithal to win me, if you please, line 2819Without the which I am not to be won, line 2820You shall this twelvemonth term from day to day line 2821Visit the speechless sick, and still converse 925line 2822With groaning wretches; and your task shall be, line 2823With all the fierce endeavor of your wit, line 2824To enforce the painèd impotent to smile. Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 217BEROWNE line 2825To move wild laughter in the throat of death? line 2826It cannot be, it is impossible. 930line 2827Mirth cannot move a soul in agony. ROSALINE line 2828Why, that’s the way to choke a gibing spirit, line 2829Whose influence is begot of that loose grace line 2830Which shallow laughing hearers give to fools. line 2831A jest’s prosperity lies in the ear 935line 2832Of him that hears it, never in the tongue line 2833Of him that makes it. Then if sickly ears, line 2834Deafed with the clamors of their own dear groans line 2835Will hear your idle scorns, continue then, line 2836And I will have you and that fault withal. 940line 2837But if they will not, throw away that spirit, line 2838And I shall find you empty of that fault, line 2839Right joyful of your reformation. BEROWNE line 2840A twelvemonth? Well, befall what will befall, line 2841I’ll jest a twelvemonth in an hospital. PRINCESSto King 945line 2842Ay, sweet my lord, and so I take my leave. KING line 2843No, madam, we will bring you on your way. BEROWNE line 2844Our wooing doth not end like an old play. line 2845Jack hath not Jill. These ladies’ courtesy line 2846Might well have made our sport a comedy. KING 950line 2847Come, sir, it wants a twelvemonth and a day, line 2848And then ’twill end. line 2849BEROWNEThat’s too long for a play.
Enter Braggart Armado.
line 2850ARMADOSweet Majesty, vouchsafe me— Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 219PRINCESS line 2851Was not that Hector? 955line 2852DUMAINEThe worthy knight of Troy. line 2853ARMADOI will kiss thy royal finger, and take leave. I line 2854am a votary; I have vowed to Jaquenetta to hold the line 2855plow for her sweet love three year. But, most line 2856esteemed Greatness, will you hear the dialogue that 960line 2857the two learned men have compiled in praise of the line 2858owl and the cuckoo? It should have followed in the line 2859end of our show. line 2860KINGCall them forth quickly. We will do so. line 2861ARMADOHolla! Approach.
Enter all.
965line 2862This side is Hiems, Winter; this Ver, the Spring; the line 2863one maintained by the owl, th’ other by the cuckoo. line 2864Ver, begin.
The Song.
SPRING line 2865When daisies pied and violets blue, line 2866And lady-smocks all silver-white, 970line 2867And cuckoo-buds of yellow hue line 2868Do paint the meadows with delight, line 2869The cuckoo then on every tree line 2870Mocks married men; for thus sings he: line 2871“Cuckoo! 975line 2872Cuckoo, cuckoo!” O word of fear, line 2873Unpleasing to a married ear.
line 2874When shepherds pipe on oaten straws, line 2875And merry larks are plowmen’s clocks; line 2876When turtles tread, and rooks and daws, 980line 2877And maidens bleach their summer smocks; line 2878The cuckoo then on every tree line 2879Mocks married men, for thus sings he: line 2880“Cuckoo! Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 221line 2881Cuckoo, cuckoo!” O word of fear, 985line 2882Unpleasing to a married ear.
WINTER line 2883When icicles hang by the wall, line 2884And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, line 2885And Tom bears logs into the hall, line 2886And milk comes frozen home in pail; 990line 2887When blood is nipped, and ways be foul, line 2888Then nightly sings the staring owl line 2889“Tu-whit to-who.” A merry note, line 2890While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.
line 2891When all aloud the wind doth blow, 995line 2892And coughing drowns the parson’s saw, line 2893And birds sit brooding in the snow, line 2894And Marian’s nose looks red and raw; line 2895When roasted crabs hiss in the bowl, line 2896Then nightly sings the staring owl 1000line 2897“Tu-whit to-who.” A merry note, line 2898While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.
line 2899ARMADOThe words of Mercury are harsh after the line 2900songs of Apollo. You that way; we this way.
