Long. Biron is like an envious sneaping frost, Before the birds have any cause to sing? Than wish a snow in May's new-fangled shows; Climb o'er the house to unlock the little gate. King. Well, sit you out: go home, Biron; adieu! you: And, though I have for barbarism spoke more, Biron. [Reads.] Item, That no woman shall come within a mile of my court. And hath this been proclaim'd? Biron. Let's see the penalty. Long. Marry, that did I. Biron. Sweet lord, and why? Doth ravish, like enchanting harmony; A man of compliments, whom right and wrong Have chose as umpire of their mutiny: This child of fancy, that Armado hight, For interim to our studies, shall relate, In high-born words, the worth of many a knight From tawny Spain, lost in the word's debate. How you delight, my lords, I know not, I; But, I protest, I love to hear him lie, And I will use him for my minstrelsy. Biron. Armado is a most illustrious wight, A man of fire-new words, fashion's own knight. Long. Costard the swain, and he, shall be our sport; And so to study, three years is but short. Enter DULL with a letter, and COSTARD. Dull. Which is the duke's own person? Biron. This, fellow. What would'st? Dull. I myself reprehend his own person, for I am his grace's tharborough: but I would see his own person in flesh and blood. Biron. This is he. Dull. Signior Arme-Arme-commends you. There's villainy abroad; this letter will tell you more. Cost. Sir, the contempts thereof are as touching me. King. A letter from the magnificent Armado. Biron. How low soever the matter, I hope in God for high words. Long. A high hope for a low having: God grant us patience! Biron. To hear? or forbear hearing? Long. To hear meekly, sir, and to laugh moderately; or to forbear both. Biron. Well, sir, be it as the style shall give us cause to climb in the merriness. Long. Tofright them hence with that dread penalty. Biron. A dangerous law against gentility! [Reads] Item, if any man be seen to talk with a woman within the term of three years, he shall endure Cost. The matter is to me, sir, as concerning Jaquesuch public shame as the rest of the court can pos-netta. The manner of it is, I was taken with the manner. sibly devise. This article, my liege, yourself must break; About surrender-up of Aquitain To her decrepit, sick, and bed-rid father: Orvainly comes the admired princess hither. Biron. So study evermore is overshot; While it doth study to have what it would, It doth forget to do the thing it should: And, when it hath the thing it hunteth most, 'Tis won, as towns with fire; so won, so lost. King. We must, of force, dispense with this decree; She must lie here on mere necessity. Biron. Necessity will make us all forsworn Three thousand times within this three years' space: For every man with his affects is born; Not by might master'd, but by special grace: So to the laws at large I write my name: [Subscribes. King Ay,that there is: our court you know is haunted A man in all the world's new fashion planted, Biron. In what manner? Cost. In manner and form following, sir; all those three: I was seen with her in the manor-house, sitting with her upon the form, and taken following her into the park; which, put together, is in manner and form following. Now, sir, for the manner,—it is the manner of a man to speak to a woman: for the form,—in some form. Biron, For the following, sir? Cost. As it shall follow in my correction; and God defend the right! King. Will you hear this letter with attention? Cost. Such is the simplicity of man to hearken after the flesh. King. [Reads.] Great deputy, the welkin's vicegerent, and sole dominator of Navarre, my soul's earth's God, and body's fostering patron,— Cost. Not a word of Costard yet. King. So it is, Cost. It may be so: but if he say it is so, heis, in telling true, but so, so. King. Peace! Cost. -be to me, and every man that dares not fight! King. No words! Cost. of other men's secrets, I beseech you. King. So it is, besieged with sable-coloured melancholy, I did commend the black-oppressing humour to the most wholesome physic of thy healthgiving air; and, as I am a gentleman, betook myself to walk. The time when? About the sixth hour; when beasts most graze, birds best peck, and men sit down to that nourishment which is called supper. So much for the time when. Now for the ground which; which, I mean, I walked upon: it is ycleped thy park. Then for the place where; where, I mean, I did encounter Moth. A great sign, sir, that he will look sad. Arm. Why, sadness is one and the self-same thing, dear imp. Moth. No, no; O lord, sir, no. that obscene and most preposterous event, that King. with a child of our grandmother Eve, a female; or, for thy more sweet understanding, a woman. Him 1 (as my ever-esteemed duty pricks me on) have sent to thee, to receive the meed of punishment, by thy sweet grace's officer, Antony Dull; a man of good repute, carriage, bearing, and estimation. Dull. Me, an't shall please you; I am Antony Dull. King. For Jaquenetta,(so is the weaker vessel called, which I apprehended with the aforesaid swain,) I keep her as a vessel of thy law's fury; and shall, at the least of thy sweet notice, bring her to trial. Thine, in all compliments of devoted and heart-burning heat of duty, Don Adriano de Armado. Biron. This is not so well as I looked for, but the best that ever I heard. King. Ay, the best for the worst.-But, sirrah, what say you to this? Cost. Sir, I confess the wench. King. Did you hear the proclamation? Cost. I do confess much of the hearing it, but little of the marking of it. King. It was proclaimed a year's imprisonment, to be taken with a wench. Cost. I was taken with none, sir; I was taken with a damosel. King. Well, it was proclaimed damosel. Cost. This was no damosel neither, sir; she was a virgin. King. It so varied too; for it was proclaimed virgin. Cost. If it were, I deny her virginity; I was taken with a maid. King. This maid will not serve your turn, sir. King. And Don Armado shall be your keeper.— and [Exeunt King, Longaville, and Duma in. Biron. I'll lay my head to any good man's hat, These oaths and laws will prove an idle scorn.Sirrah, come on. Arm. How canst thou part sadness and melancholy, Moth. By a familiar demonstration of the working, my tough senior. Arm. Why tough senior? why tough senior? Moth. Why tender juvenal? why tender juvenal? Arm. Ispoke it, tender juvenal, as a congruent epitheton, appertaining to thy young days, which we may nominate tender. Moth. And I, tough senior, as an appertinent title to your old time, which we may name tough. Arm. Pretty, and apt. Moth. How mean you, sir? I pretty, and my saying Moth. I will praise an eel with the same praise. Arm. I do say, thou art quick in answers: thon heatest my blood. Moth. I am answered, sir. him. Moth. He speaks the mere contrary, crosses love not [Aside. Arm. I have promised to study three years with the duke. Moth. You may do it in an hour, sir. Moth. How many is one thrice told? Arm. I am ill at reckoning, it fitteth the spirit of a tapster. Moth. You are a gentleman, and a gamester, sir. Arm. I confess both; they are both the varnish of a complete man. Moth. Then, I am sure, you know, how much the gross sum of deuce-ace amounts to. Arm. It doth amount to one more than two. Moth. Why, sir, is this such a piece of study? Now here is three studied, ere you'll thrice wink and how easy it is to put years to the word three, and study three years in two words, the dancing horse will tell you. Arm. A most fine figure! Moth. To prove you a cypher. [Aside. Arm. I will hereupon confess, I am in love: and, as it is base for a soldier to love, so am I in love with a base wench. If drawing my sword against the humour of affection would deliver me from the reprobate thought of it, I would take desire prisoner, and ransom him to any French courtier for a new devised courtesy. I think scorn to sigh; methinks, I should outswear Cupid. Comfort me, boy! What great men have been in love? Moth. Hercules, master. Arm. Most sweet Hercules!-More authority, dear boy, name more; and, sweet my child, let them be men of good repute and carriage! Cost. I suffer for the truth, sir: for true it is, I was taken with Jaquenetta, and Jaquenetta is a true girl: Moth. Sampson, master: he was a man of good carand therefore, Welcome the sour cup of prosperity!riage, great carriage; for he carried the town-gates Affliction may one day smile again, and till then, Sit on his back, like a porter: and he was in love. thee down, sorrow! [Exeunt. Arm.O well-knit Sampson! strong-jointedSampson! SCENEII.-Another part of the same. Armado's house. I do excel thee in my rapier, as much as thou didst me Enter ARMADO and MOTH. in carrying gates. I am in love too.-Who was Sampson's love, my dear Moth? Moth. A woman, master. Arm. Boy, what signis it, when a man of great spirit grows melancholy? Arm. Of what complexion? Moth. Of all the four, or the three, or the two or one of the four. Arm. Tell me precisely, of what complexion? Arm. Is that one of the four complexions? Moth. As I have read, sir; and the best of them too. Arm. Greeu, indeed, is the colour of lovers: but to have a love of that colour, methinks, Sampson had small reason for it. He, surely, affected her for her wit. Moth. It was so, sir; for she had a green wit. Arm. My love is most immaculate white and red. Moth. Most maculate thoughts, master, are masked under such colours. Arm. Define, define, well educated infant! Moth. My father's wit, and my mother's tongue assist me! Arm. Sweet invocation of a child; most pretty, and pathetical! Moth. If she be made of white and red, Her faults will ne'er be known; For blushing cheeks by faults are bred, For still her cheeks possess the same, A dangerous rhyme, master, against the reason of Arm. Is there not a ballad, boy, of the King and the Beggar? Moth. The world was very guilty of such a ballad some three ages since: but, I think, now 'tis not to be found; or, ifit were, it would neither serve for the writing, nor the tune. Arm. I will have that subject newly writ o'er, that I may example my digression by some mighty precedent. Boy, I do love that country girl, that I took in the park with the rational hind Costard; she deserves well. Moth. To be whipped; and yet a better love, than my [Aside. master. Arm. Sing, boy; my spirit grows heavy in love. Moth. Forbear till this company be past. Enter DULL, COSTARD, and JAQUENETTA. Arm. I do betray myself with blushing.—Maid! Arm. I will visit thee at the lodge. Jaq. That's hereby. Arm. I know, where it is situate. Jaq. Lord, how wise you are! Arm. I will tell thee wonders. Jaq. With that face? Arm. I love thee. Jaq. So I heard you say. [Exeunt Dull and Jaquenetta. Arm. Villain, thou shalt fast for thy offences, ere thou be pardoned. Cost. Well, sir, I hope, when I do it, I shall do it on a full stomach. Arm. Thou shalt be heavily punished. Arm. Take away this villain; shut him up! Moth. No, sir; that were fast and loose; thou shalt to prison. Cost. Well, if ever I do see the merry days of desolation that I have seen, some shall seeMoth' What shall some see? Cost. Nay nothing, master Moth, but what they look upon. It is not for prisoners to be too silent in their words; and, therefore, I will say nothing: I thank God, I have as little patience as another man; and therefore I can be quiet. [Exeunt Moth and Costard. Arm. I do affect the very ground, which is base,where her shoe, which is baser, guided by her foot, which is basest, doth tread. I shall be forsworn, (which is a great argument of falsehood,) if I love. And how can that be true love, which is falsely attempted? Love is a familiar; love is a devil: there is no evil angel but love. Yet Sampson was so tempted; and he had an excellent strength: yet was Solomon so seduced; and he had a very good wit. Cupid's butt-shaft is too hard for Hercules' club, and therefore too much odds for a Spaniard's rapier. The first and second cause will not serve my turn: the passado he respects not, the duello he regards not: his disgrace is to be called boy; but his glory is to subdue men. Adieu, valour! rust,rapier! be still, drum! for your manager is in love; yea, he loveth. Assist me, some extemporal god of rhyme; for, I am sure, I shall turn sonnetteer. Devise, wit; write, pen; for I am for whole volumes in folio! [Exit. SCENE I.-Another part of the same. A pavilion and Of all perfections, that a man may owe, Tell him, the daughter of the king of France, Cost. I am more bound to you, than your fellows; for Haste, signify so much; while we attend, they are but lightly rewarded. Like humbly-visag'd suitors, his high will, Boy. Proud of employment, willingly I go. [Exit. Prin. All pride is willing pride, and yours is so.Who are the votaries, my loving lords, That are vow-fellows with this virtuous duke? 1 Lord. Longaville is one. Prin. Know you the man? Mar. I know him, madam; at a marriage feast, Kath. The young Dumain, a well-accomplish'd Of all, that virtue love, for virtue lov'd: Most power to do most harm, least knowing ill; · Ros. Another of these students at that time Prin. God bless my ladies! are they all in love, Re-enter BOYET. Prin. Now, what admittance, lord? Boyet. Navarre had notice of your fair approach; King.Fair princess, welcome to the court of Navarre! Prin. Fair, I give you back again; and, welcome I have not yet: the roof of this court is too high to be yours; and welcome to the wild fields too base to be mine. King. You shall be welcome, madam, to my court. Prin. Were my lord so, his ignorance were wise, But pardon me, I am too sudden-bold; Ros. How needless was it then, Biron. You must not be so quick. Ros. 'Tis 'long of you that spur me with such ques tions. Biron. Your wit's too hot, it speeds too fast, 'twill Rost. Not till it leave the rider in the mire. Ros. The hour that fools should ask. Biron. Nay, then will I be gone. But say, that he, or we, (as neither have,) An hundred thousand crowns; and not demands, Dear princess, were not his requests so far Prin. You do the king my father too much wrong, Prin. We arrest your word. - Boyet. So please your grace, the packet is not come, As honour, without breach of honour, may You may not come, fair princess, in my gates; Prin. Sweet health and fair desires consort your King. Thy own wish wish I thee in every place! Biron. I would, you heard it groan. Biron. Sick at heart. Ros. Alack, let it blood! Biron. Would that do it good? Ros. My physic says, I. Biron. Will you prick't with your eye? [Retiring. Dum. Sir, I pray you, a word: what lady is that Boyet. The heir of Alençon, Rosaline her name. Long. Perchance,light in the light I desire her name. Long. Pray you, sir, whose daughter? Boyet. Her mother's, I have heard. Boyet. With that which we lovers entitle, affected. Boyet. Why, all his behaviours did make their retire Did point you to buy them, along as you pass'd. An you give him for my sake but one loving kiss. I only have made a mouth of his eye, By adding atongue, which I know will not lie. Mar. He is Cupid's grandfather, and learns news Ros. Then was Venus like her mother; for her father is but grim. Boyet. Do you hear, my mad wenches? [Singing. Boyet. Not unlike, sir; that may be. [Exit Long. Arm. Sweet air! - Go, tenderness of years; take Biron. What's her name, in the cap? Boyet. Katharine, by good hap. Biron. Is she wedded, or no? Boyet. To her will, sir, or so. Biron. You are welcome, sir; adien! Boyet. Farewell to me, sir, and welcome to you ! Prin. It was well done of you to take him at his word. No sheep, sweet lamb, unless we feed on your lips. Mar. Not so, gentle beast! this key, give enlargement to the swain, bring him festinately hither: I must employ him in a letter to my love. Moth. Master, will you win your love with a French brawl? Arm. How mean'st thou? brawling in French? Moth. No, my complete master: but to jig off a tune at the tongue's end, canary to it with your feet, humour it with turning up your eyelids; sigh a note, and sing a note; sometime through the throat, as if you swallowed love with singing love; sometime through the nose, as if you snuffed up love by smelling love; with your hat penthouse-like, o'er the shop of your eyes; with your arms crossed on your thin belly-doublet, like a rabbit on a spit; or your hands in your pocket, like a man after the old painting; and keep not too long in one tune, but a snip and away! These are compliments, these are humours; these betray nice wenches-that would be betrayed without these; and make them men of note, (do you note, men?) that most are affected to these. Arm. How hast thou purchased this experience? Prin. Good wits will be jangling: but, gentles agree: Moth. By my penny of observation. On Navarre and his book-men: for here 'tis abused. Arm. But O, but 0,— Moth. the hobby-horse is forgot. Arm. Callest thou my love, hobby-horse? Moth. No, master; the hobby-horse is but a colt, and your love, perhaps, a hackney. But have you forgot your love? |