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 see. Moth. 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 MоTH 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 sonneteer. Devise, wit; write, pen; for I am for whole volumes in folio. 5 butt-shaft —] i. e. an arrow to shoot at butts with. [Exit. ACT II. SCENE I.-Another Part of the same. A Pavilion and Tents at a Distance. Enter the Princess of France, ROSALINE, MARIA, KATHARINE, BOYET, Lords, and other Attendants. Boyet. Now, madam, summon up your dearest spirits": Consider who the king your father sends; To whom he sends; and what's his embassy; Of all perfections that a man may owe, When she did starve the general world beside, And prodigally gave them all to you. Prin. Good lord Boyet, my beauty, though but mean, Needs 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 your wit in the 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: 6 your dearest spirits:] Dear, in our author's language, has many shades of meaning. In the present instance and the next, it appears to signify-best, most powerful. STEEVENS. Therefore to us seemeth it a needful course, Tell him, the daughter of the king of France, Who are the votaries, my loving lords, That are vow-fellows with this virtuous duke ? 1 Lord. Longaville is one. Prin. [Exit. Know you the man? In Normandy saw I this Longaville: Is a sharp wit match'd with too blunt a will; power. Prin. Some merry mocking lord, belike; is't so? Mar. They say so most, that most his humours know. Prin. Such short-liv'd wits do wither as they grow. Who are the rest? Kath. The young Dumain, a well-accomplish'd youth, Of all that virtue love for virtue lov'd: Most power to do most harm, least knowing ill; 7. Bold of your worthiness,] i. e. confident of it. And shape to win grace though he had no wit. Ros. Another of these students at that time Prin. God bless my ladies! are they all in love, With such bedecking ornaments of praise? Prin. Re-enter BOYET. Now, what admittance, lord? Boyet. Navarre had notice of your fair approach; Were all address'd' to meet you, gentle lady, To let you enter his unpeopled house. Here comes Navarre. [The ladies mask. 8 And much too little, &c.] i. e. and my report of the good I saw is much too little compared to his great worthiness. 9 competitors in oath,] i. e. confederates. 1 Were all address'd-] To address is to prepare. Enter King, LONGAVILLE, DUMAIN, BIRON, and 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. But pardon me, I am too sudden-bold; Vouchsafe to read the purpose of my coming, [Gives a paper. King. Madam, I will, if suddenly I may. Prin. You will the sooner, that I were away; For you'll prove perjur'd, if you make me stay. Biron. Did not I dance with you in Brabant once? Ros. Did not I dance with you in Brabant once? Biron. I know, you did. Ros. To ask the question! Biron. How needless was it then You must not be so quick. Ros. 'Tis 'long of you that spur me with such questions. 2 Where-] Where is here used for whereas. |