ACT SECOND Scene One [The King of Navarre's Park. A Pavilion and Tents at a distance] Enter the Princess of France, with three attending Ladies [Rosaline, Maria, Katharine,] and three Lords [Boyet and attending Lords]. Boyet. Now, madam, summon up your dearest spirits: Consider whom the king your father sends, Of all perfections that a man may owe, When she did starve the general world beside, 12 Prin. Good Lord Boyet, my beauty, though but mean, Needs not the painted flourish of your praise: 1 dearest: best 16 utter'd: sold 7 Navarre: King of Navarre chapmen's: shopmen's Doth noise abroad, Navarre hath made a vow, To know his pleasure; and in that behalf, Tell him, the daughter of the King of France, Boyet. Proud of employment, willingly I go. 24 28 32 Exit Boyet. Prin. All pride is willing pride, and yours is so. 36 Who are the votaries, my loving lords, That are vow-fellows with this virtuous duke? [A] Lord. Longaville is one. Prin. Know you the man? 1. Lad. [Maria]. I know him, madam: at a marriage feast, Between Lord Perigort and the beauteous heir In Normandy saw I this Longaville. A man of sovereign parts he is esteem'd; 40 44 48 28 Bold: confident 33 attend: await 41 Lord Perigort; cf. n. 49 blunt: harsh Whose edge hath power to cut, whose will still wills It should none spare that come within his power. Prin. Some merry mocking lord, belike; is 't so? 52 1. Lad. They say so most that most his humours know. Prin. Such short-liv'd wits do wither as they grow. Who are the rest? 2. Lad. [Kath.] The young Dumaine, a well-accomplish'd youth, Of all that virtue love for virtue lov'd: Most power to do most harm, least knowing ill, Is my report to his great worthiness. 56 60 3. Lad. [Ros.] Another of these students at that time Was there with him, if I have heard a truth. Berowne they call him; but a merrier man, Prin. God bless my ladies! are they all in love, 64 68 122 72 76 59 shape: form, or figure 68 withal: with 74 Cf. n. That every one her own hath garnished With such bedecking ornaments of praise? [4] Lord. Here comes Boyet. Prin. Enter Boyet. Now, what admittance, lord? 80 Boyet. Navarre had notice of your fair approach; And he and his competitors in oath Were all address'd to meet you, gentle lady, Before I came. Marry, thus much I have learnt; 84 He rather means to lodge you in the field, Like one that comes here to besiege his court, To let you enter his unpeopled house. 88 Enter Navarre, Longaville, Dumaine, and Berowne. Here comes Navarre. 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 92 is too high to be yours, and welcome to the wide fields too base to be mine. King. You shall be welcome, madam, to my court. Prin. I will be welcome, then: conduct me thither. 96 King. Hear me, dear lady; I have sworn an oath. Prin. Our Lady help my lord! he'll be forsworn. King. Not for the world, fair madam, by my will. Prin. Why, will shall break it; will, and nothing else. King. Your ladyship is ignorant what it is. Prin. Were my lord so, his ignorance were wise, Where now his knowledge must prove ignorance. 82 competitors: associates 92 roof of this court: i.e. the heaven 100 83 address'd: ready 103 Where: whereas I hear your grace hath sworn out house-keeping: 104 "Tis deadly sin to keep that oath, my lord, And sin to break it. But pardon me, I am too sudden-bold: To teach a teacher ill beseemeth me. Vouchsafe to read the purpose of my coming, 108 112 And suddenly resolve me in my suit. [Gives a paper.] Ber. Your wit's too hot, it speeds too fast, 'twill tire. Ros. Not till it leave the rider in the mire. 120 The payment of a hundred thousand crowns; 104 sworn out house-keeping: forsworn hospitality 123 fair befall: mercy on 132 118 'long: along, because 130 Cf. n. |