said swain) I keep her as a vessel of thy law's] tury; 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." 5 Biron. This is not so well as I look'd for, but the best that I ever 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. 10 King. It was proclaim'd a year's imprisonment to be taken with a wench. 15 Cost. I was taken with none, sir; I was taken with a damo el. King. Well, it was proclaimed damosel. Cost. This was no damosel, neither, sir; shel was a virgin. King. It is so varied too; for it was proclaim'd, virgin. Cost. If it were, I deny her virginity; I was taken with a maid. Arm. And therefore apt, because quick. Moth. I will praise an eel with the same praise. Arm. I do say, thou art quick in answers: 20 Thou heat'st my blood. King. This maid will not serve your turn, sir. 25 Cost. I had rather pray a month with mutton and porridge. King And DonArmado shall be your keeper.- 30 [Exeunt: 35 Biron. I'll lay my head to any good man's hat, These oaths and laws will prove an idle scorn. Sirrah, come on. Cost. I suffer for the truth, sir: for true it is, I was taken with Jaquenetta, and Jaquenetta is a 40 true girl; and therefore, Welcome the sour cup of prosperity! Affliction may one day smile again, and till then, Sit thee down, sorrow! [Exeunt. Arm. Boy, what sign is it, when a man of great spirit grows melancholy? Moth. A great sign, sir, that he will look sad. Arm. Why, sadness is one and the self-same thing, dear imp'. Moth. No, no: O lord, sir, no. Arm. How canst thou part sadness and melancholy, my tender juvenal2? Moth. By a familiar demonstration of the working, my tough signior. Arm. Why tough signior? why tough signior? Moth. Why tender juvenal? why tender juvenal ? 145 Moth. I am answer'd, sir. Arm. I love not to be cross'd. Moth. He speaks the mere contrary, crosses love not him. 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. Arm. I will hereupon confess, I am in love: and as it is base for a soldier to love, so I am in love with a base wench. If drawing my sword 50 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 court'sy. I think scorn to sigh; methinks, I should out-swear Cupid. 55 Comfort me, boy; What great men have b.en in love? 3 Crosses here mean money. Imp means his infant or little page. i. e. my tender youth. This alludes to a horse belonging to one Banks, which played many remarkable pranks, and is frequently ment oned by many writers contemporary with Shaksp speare, Moth. Moth. Samson, master: he was a man of good carriage, great carriage; for he carried the town gates on his back, like a porter: and he was in love. Arm. O well-knit Samson! strong-jointed Samson! I do excel thee in my rapier, as much as thou didst me in carrying gates. I am in love too. Who was Samson's love, my dear Moth? Moth. A woman, master. 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? Moth. Of the sea-water green, sir. Arm. Is that one of the four complexions? Moth. As I have read, sir; and the best of them too. 5 10 15 Arm. Green, indeed, is the colour of lovers: but to have a love of that colour, methinks, Samson had small reason for it. He, surely, affected 20 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 253 masked under such colours. Arm. Define, detine, well-educated infant. assist me. Arm. Sweet invocation of a child; most pretty, 30 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, Then, if she fear, or be to blame, By this you shall not know; For still her cheeks possess the same, Which native she doth owe. 35 A dangerous rhime, master, against the reason of 40 white and red. 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 45 not to be found; or, if it were, it would neither serve for the writing, nor the tune. Costard safe: and you must let him take no delight, nor no penance; but a' must fast three days a-week: For this damsel, I must keep her at the park; she is allowed for the day-woman. Fare you well. Arm. I 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 50 I took in the park with the rational hind Costard; she deserves well. Moth. To be whipp'd; and yet a better love than my master. [Aside. Arm. I do betray myself with blushing.-Maid, Jaq. Man. 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. [Exeunt Dull and Jaquenettu. 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. Cost. I am more bound to you, than your fellows, for they are but lightly rewarded. Arm. Take away this villain; shut him up. Moth. Come, you transgressing slave; away. Cost. Let me not be pent up, sir; I will fast, being loose. Moth. No, sir; that were fast and loose: thou shalt to prison. Cost. Well, if ever I do see the merry days of desolation that I have seen, some shall seeMoth. What shall some see? Cost. Nay, nothing, master Moth, but what they look upon. It is not for prisoners to be 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 falshood) if I love: And how can that be true love, which is falsely attempted? Love is a familiar; love is a devil: there is no evil angel but love. Yet Samson was so tempted; and he had an excellent strength: yet was Solomon so seduced; and he had a very good wit. Cupid's butt-shaft is too hard for Hercules' club, and therefore too much odds for a Spaniard's rapier. The first and second cause will not serve my turn; the passado he respects not, the duello he regards not; his disgrace is to be call'd boy; but his glory is, to subduemen. Adieu, valour! rust, rapier! be still, drum! for your manager is in love; yea, he loveth. Assist me some extemporal god of rhime, for I am sure, I 60 shall turn sonneteer. Devise, wit; write, pen; for I am for whole volumes in folio. Arm. Sing, boy; my spirit grows heavy in love. 55 Moth. And that's great marvel, loving a light wench. Arm. I say, sing. Moth. Forbear, till this company be past. Enter Dull, Costard, and Jaquenetta. Digression here signifies the act of going out of the right way. ? That is, love. [Exit. ACT SCENE I. ACT II. Before the King of Navarre's Palace. Consider who the king your father sends; Of all perfections that a man may owe, [mean,] Prin. Good lord Boyet, my beauty, though but Ne ds not the painted flourish of your praise; Beauty is bought by judgment of the eye, Not utter'd by base sale of chapmen's' tongues: I am less proud to hear you tell my worth, Than you much willing to be counted wise In spending thus your wit in praise of mine. But now to task the tasker,-Good Boyet, You are not ignorant, all-telling fame Doth noise abroad, Navarre hath made a vow, Till painful study shall out-wear three years, No woman may approach his silent court: Therefore to us seeineth it a needful course, Before we enter his forbidden gates, To know his pleasure; and, in that behalf, Bold of your worthiness, we single you As our best-moving fair solicitor: Tell him, the daughter of the king of France, On serious business, craving quick dispatch, Importunes personal conference with his grace. Hlaste, signify so much; while we attend, Like humble-visag'd suitors, his high will. Boyet. 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? Lord. Longaville is one. Prin. Know you the man? Mar. I knew him, madam; at a marriage feast, Between lord Perigort and the beauteous heir Of Jaques Faulconbridge solemnized, In Normandy saw I this Longaville: A man of sovereign parts he is esteem'd; Well fitted' in the arts, glorious in arms: Nothing becomes him ill, that he would we'l. The only soil of his fair virtue's gloss, (If virtue's gloss will stain with any soil) 5 Is a sharp wit match'd' with too blunt a will; [youth, Kath. The young Dumain, a well-accomplish'd Ros. Another of these students at that time 30 1351 Prin. God bless my ladies! are they all in love; That every one her own hath garnished With such bedecking ornaments of praise? Re-enter Boyet. Prin. Now, what admittance, lord? 45 Enter the King, Longaville, Dumain, Biron, and King, Fair princess, welcome to the court of Navarre. Prin. Fair, I give you back again; and, wel50 come I have not yet; the roof of this court is too high to be yours; and welcome to the wide fields, too base to be mine. 55 King. You shall be welcome, madam, to my court. Prin. I will be welcome then; conduct me thither. Cheap or cheping was anciently the market; chapman therefore is marketman. 1 lified. 3i. e. joined. i. e. were prepared. 2 i. e. well qua King. King. Your ladyship is ignorant what it is. But pardon me, I am too sudden bold; 15 King, Madam, I will, if suddenly I may. Ros. How needless was it then To ask the question! Biron. You must not be so quick. Ros. 'Tis long of you, that spur me with such questions. Ros. The hour that fools should ask. Ros. Fair fall the face it covers! Biron. And send you many lovers! King. Madam, your father here doth intimate Although not valu'd to the money's worth. Dear princess, were not his requests so far 25 30 35 And wrong the reputation of your name, Prin. We arrest your word:- King. Satisfy me so. [come, Boyet. So please your grace, the packet is not King. It shall suffice me; at which interview, You may not come, fair princess, in [Exit. Biron. I would, you heard it groan.. Ros. Is the fool sick? Biron. Sick at the heart. Ros. Alack, let it blood. Biron. Would that do it good? Ros. My physick says, I. Biron. Will you prick 't with your eye? 40 Biron. Now, God save thy life! 45 50 Dum. Sir, I pray you, a word; What lady is Boyet. The heir of Alençon, Rosaline her name. [Exit. Long. I beseech you, a word; What is she in her name. Boyet. She hath but one for herself; to desire 55 Long. Pray you, sir, whose daughter? She is an heir of Faulconbridge. |60| Long. Nay, my choler is ended. She is a most sweet lady. Boyet Not unlike, sir; that may be. [Ex. Long, 1 Depart is here synonymous to part with, Biron. Biron. What's her name in the cap? Boyet. To her will, sir, or so. Biron. You are welcome, sir; adieu! Boyet. Farewell to me, sir, and welcome to you. [Exit Biron 5 [word. 10 Mar. That last is Biron, the merry mad-caplord; [board. My lips are no common, though several' they be. [agree: 15 20 Mar. To my fortunes and me. [fected. Prin. With what? His heart, like an agat, with your print impressed, Did point out to buy them, along as you pass'd. I only have made a mouth of his eye, Mar. He is Cupid's grandfather, and learns Ros. Then was Venus like her mother; for her Boyet. Do you hear, my mad wenches? Boyet. What then, do you see? Ros. Ay, our way to be gone. [Exeunt. SCENE I. The Park; near the Palace. Enter Armado and Moth. ACT III. 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 45 love; sometime through the nose, as if you snuff'd up love by smelling love; with your hat penthouse-like, o'er the shop of your eyes; with your arms cross'd 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 complements, these are humours: "these betray nice wenches-that would be betray'd without these; and make the men of note, (do you note men?)that are most affected to these. Arm. Sweet air!-Go, tenderness of years; take this key, give enlargement to the swain, bring 50 him festinately hither; I must employ him in a letter to my love. Moth. Master, will you win your love with a French brawl 3 Arm. How mean'st thou? brawling in French? 55 Moth. No, my compleat master; but to jig off a tune at the tongue's end, canary to it with your 4 Arm. How hast thou purchas'd this experience? This word, which is provincial, and ought to be spelt severell, means those fields which are alternately sown with corn, and during that time are kept severell, or severed, from the field which lies fallow, and is appropriated to the grazing of cattle, not by a fence, but by the care of the cowherd or shepherd, in which the town-bull only is allowed to range unmolested. 2 That is, hastily. A kind of dance. 4 Canary was the name of a sprightly nimble dance. 'i. e. accomplishments. The meaning is, that they not only inveigle the young girls, but make the men taken notice of too, who affect them. Arm. |