[Dies. The. Moonshine and lion are left to bury the dead. Dem. Ay, and wall too. Bot. No, I assure you; the wall is down that parted their fathers. Will it please you to see the epilogue, or to hear a Bergomask dance, between two of our company. The. No epilogue, I pray you; for your play needs no excuse. Never excuse; for when the players are all dead, there need none to be blamed. Marry, if he that writ it had played Pyramus, and hanged himself in Thisbe's garter, it would have been a fine tragedy: and so it is, truly; and very notably discharged. But come, your Bergomask: let your epilogue alone. [Here a dance of Clowns. The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelve :Lovers, to bed; 'tis almost fairy time. fear we shall out-sleep the coming morn, As much as we this night have overwatch'd. This palpable-gross play hath well beguil'd The heavy gait of night -Sweet friends, to bed.— A fortnight hold we this solemnity, 'n nightly revels, and new jollity. SCENE II.-Enter Puck. Puck. Now the hungry lion roars, [Exeunt. Whilst the heavy ploughman snores, All with weary task fordone. Now the wasted brands do glow, Whilst the scritch-owl, scritching loud, Puts the wretch that lies in woe, That the graves, all gaping wide, By the triple Hecat's team, Enter OBERON and TITANIA, with their train Hop as light as bird from brier; SONG, AND DANCE. Obe. Now, until the break of day, Ever shall be fortunate. And the blots of nature's hand Shal! upon their children be.-- And each several chamber bless, And the owner of it blest. Make no stay: [Exeunt OBERON, TITANIA, and tram Puck. If we shadows have offended, Think but this, (and all is mended,) Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue, So, good night unto you all. Give me your hands, if we be friends, [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 Spenser's poen bad made them great-JOHNSON PUBLISHED in 1598. Mr. Malone supposes this play to have been written in 1594. The title page in the quarto states it to bave been newly corrected and augmented by W. Shakspeare, and perhaps these corrections and augmentations constituted his only share of the production. PERSONS REPRESENTED. FERDINAND, King of Navarre. BIRON, LONGAVILLE, DUMAIN, Lords, attending on the King. BOYET, MERCADE, Lords, attending on the Princess Don ADRIANO DE ARMADO, a fantasticul Spaniard. HOLOFERNES, a schoolmaster. COSTARD, a clown. MOTH, page to Armado. A Forester. PRINCESS OF FRANCE. ROSALINE, MARIA, KATHARINE, Ladies, attending on the Princess. JAQUENETTA, a country wench. Officers and others, Attendants on the King and Princess. SCENE,-NAVARRE. ACT I. SCENE I.-Navarre. A Park, with a Palace in it. King. Let fame, that all hunt after in their lives, Therefore, brave conquerors!--for so you are, Biron. I can but say their protestation over, So much, dear liege, I have already sworn, King. Your oath is pass'd to pass away from these. King. Why, that to know, which else we should Biron. Things hid and barr'd, you mean, from King. Ay, that is study's god-like recompense. When mistresses from common sense are hid: King. These be the stops that hinder study quite, Biron. Why, all delights are vain; but that most Which, with pain purchas'd, doth inherit pain: [vain, As, painfully to pore upon a book, To seek the light of truth; while truth the while Light, seeking light, doth light of light beguile : By fixing it upon a fairer eye; That will not be deep-search'd with saucy looks; Save base authority from others' books. Than those that walk, and wot not what they are. King. How well he's read, to reason against reading. Dum. F'roceeded well, to stop all good proceeding! Long. He weeds the corn, and still lets grow the weeding. Biron. The spring is near, when green geese are a Dum. In reason nothing. 1 Before the birds have any cause to sing? Why should I joy in an abortive birth? Than wish a snow in May's new-fangled shows; Climb o'er the house to unlock the little g ite. with you: And, though I have for barbarism spoke more, And bide the penance of each three years' day. Biron. [Reads.] Item, That no woman shall come within a mile of my court. And hath this been proclaim'd? Four days ago. Biron. Let's see the penalty. [Reads.]—On pain of losing her tongue.— Who devis'd this? Long. Marry, that did I. Biron. Sweet lord, and why? Long. To fright 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 such public shame as the rest of the court can possibly devise. This article, my liege, yourself must break; For well you know, here comes in embassy The French King's daughter with yourself to speak, A maid of grace and complete majesty,— About surrender-up of Aquitain To her decrepit, sick, and bed-rid father: Therefore this article is made in vain, [forgot. Or vainly comes the admired princess hither. King. What say you, lords? why, this was quite Biron. So study evermore is over shot; 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 deShe must lie here on mere necessity. [cree; Biron. Necessity will make us all forsworn Three thousand times within this three years' For every man with his affects is born; [space: Not by might master'd, but by special grace: If I break faith, this word shall speak for me, I am forsworn on mere necessity. So to the laws at large I write my name: [Subscribes. And he that breaks them in the least degree, Stands in attainder of eternal shame: Suggestions are to others, as to me; But, I believe, although I seem so loth; I am the last that will last keep his oath. But is there no quick recreation granted? For interim to our studies, shall relate, 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 an 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 villany 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. Cost. The matter is to me, sir, as concerning Jaquenetta. The manner of it is, I was taken with the manner. 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? Biron. As we would hear an oracle. 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. Cost. I suffer for the truth, sir: for true it is, J was taken with Jaquenetta, and Jaquenetta is a true girl; and therefore, Welcome the sour cup of prosperity! Affliction may one day smile again, and till then, Sit thee down, sorrow! [Exeunt. the most wholesome physic of thy health-giving air; | Sirrah, come on. Cost. Me. King. that unletter'd small-knowing soul, Cost. Me. King. that shallow vassal, Cost. Still me. King. which as I remember, hight Costard, King. -sorted and consorted, contrary to thy established proclaimed edict and continent canon, with-withO with-but with this I passion to say wherewith. Cost. With a wench. King. -with a child of our grandmother Eve, a female; or, for thy more sweet understanding, a woman. Him I (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 repule, 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. 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 is 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. Cost. This maid will serve my turn, sir. King. Sir, I will pronounce your sentence; You shall fast a week with bran and water. Cost. I had rather pray a month with mutton and porridge. King And Don Armado shall be your keeper.My lord Biron, see him deliver'd o'er.And go we, lords, to put in practice, that SCENE II. Another part of the same. Armado's House. 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 juvenal? 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. I spoke 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 say. ing apt? or I apt, and my saying pretty? Arm. Thou pretty, because little. Moth. Little pretty, because little: Wherefore apt? Moth. I will praise an eel with the same praise. Arm. I do say, thou art quick in answers: Thou heatest blood. iny Moth. I am answered, sir. Arm. I love not to be crossed. Moth. He speaks the mere contrary, crosses love not him. [Aride. 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! [Aside. Which each to other hath so strongly sworn.— Arm. I will hereupon confess, I am in love: and, [Exeunt KING, LONGAVILLE, and DUMAIN. as it is base for a soldier to love, so am I in love with Birom. I'll lay my head to any good man's hat, a base wench. If drawing my sword against the These oaths and laws will prove an idle scorn.-humour of affection would deliver me from the repro bate 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 out-swear 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. Moth. Sampson, master; he was a man of good carriage, great carriage; for he carried the towngates on his back, like a porter: and he was in love. Arm. O well-knit Sampson! strong-jointed Sampson! I do excel thee in my rapier, as much as thou didst me in carrying gates I am in love too,-Who was Sampson'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. Arm. Green, 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 chi'd; most pretty and pathetical! Moth. If she be made of white and red, Her faults will ne'er be known; For still her cheeks possess the same, A dangerous rhyme, master, against the reason of 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 not to be found; or, if it were, it would neither serve for the writing, nor the tune. Arm. I will have the 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 master. [Aside. Arm. Sing, boy; my spirit grows heavy in love. Moth. And that's great marvel, loving a light wench. Arm. I say, sing. Moth. Forbear till this company be past. Enter DUI, COSTARD, and JAQUENETTA. Dull. Sir, the duke's pleasure is, that you keep Costard safe and you must let him take no delight, Lor 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. Am I do hetray myself with blushing.-Maid. Jaq. Man. Arm. will visit thee at the lodge. Arm. I know where it is situate. Jaq. Fair weather after you! [Exeunt Dvil 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. 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 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 hier 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 macager 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. ACT II. [Exeunt. SCENE I.-Another part of the same. A Pavilion Boyet. Now, madam, summon up your dearest |