Puck. If we shadows have offended,

Think but this (and all is mended),
That you have but slumber'd here,
While these disions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend;
If you pardon, we will mend.
And, as I'm an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends, ere long :
Else the Puck a liar call.
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends. [Exit.

Wild and fantastical as this play is, all the parts in their various modes are well written, and give the kind of pleasure which the author designed, Fairies in his time were much in fashion; common tradition had made them familiar, and Spencer's poem had made them great.

JOHNSON,

LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

}

Ferdinand, king of Navarre.
Biron,
Longaville, lords, attending on the king.
Dumain,
Boyet, 2 lords, attending on the princess of
Mercade, S France.
Don Adriano de Armado, a fantastical Spaniard.
Sir Nathaniel, a curate.
Holofernes, a schoolmaster.
Dull, a constable.
Costard, a clown.
Moth, page to Armado.
A forester.

Princess of France.
Rosaline,
Maria, ladies, attending on the princess.
Katharine,
Jaquenetta, a country wench.

Officers and others, attendants on the king and

princess.

Scene, Navarra.

LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST.

ACT I.

SCENE I. Navarra. A purk, with a palace

in it.

Enter the King, Biron, Longaville, and Dumain

King. Let fame, that all hunt after in their lives, Live register'd upon our brazen tombs, And then grace us in the disgrace of death; When, spite of cormorant devouring time, The endeavour of this present breath may buy That honour, which shall bate his scythe's keen edge, And make us heirs of all eternity. Therefore, brave conquerors !--for so you are, That war against your own affections, And the huge army of the world's desires, Our late edict shall strongly stand in force : Navarre shall be the wonder of the world; Our court shall be a little académe, Still and contemplative in living art. You three, Birón, Dumain, and Longaville, Have sworn for three years' term to live with me,