[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.

SCENE

Moth. How many is one thrice told?

130

Arm. I am ill at reckoning, it fitteth the spirit of a tapster.

Imp means his infant or little page. 2i. e. my tender youth. 4 This alludes to a horse belonging to one Banks, which played many quently ment oned by many writers contemporary with Shakspeare,

Costard safe: and you must let him take no de-
light, 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.

LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST.

Act 1. Scene 2.]

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 5 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?

10

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.

15

Arm. Green, indeed, is the colour of lovers: but to have a love of that colour, methinks, Samıson 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.

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.

Moth. Most maculate thoughts, master, are 25 masked under such colours.

Jaq. Fair weather after you!
Dull. Come, Jaquenetta, away.

[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.

Juq. So I heard you say.
Arm. And so farewell.

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, 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,
And fears by pale-white shown:
Then, if she fear, or be to blame,

35

Arm. Is there not a ballad, boy, of the King and the Beggar?

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?

By this you shall not know;
For still her cheeks possess the same,
Which native she doth owe.
A dangerous rhime, master, against the reason of
white and red.

40

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.

[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

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 strength: yet was Solomon so seduced; and he I took in the park with the rational hind Costard;

she deserves well.

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 subdue men. 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.

[Exit.

2 That is, love.

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.

Moth. To be whipp'd; and yet a better love
[Aside.
than my master.
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.
Dull. Sir, the duke's pleasure is, that you keep

Digression here signifies the act of going out of the right way.

ACT

Lord. Longaville is one.

Prin. Know you the man?

ACT

SCENE I.

Before the King of Navarre's Palace.
Enter the Princess of France, Rosaline, Maria,
Katharine, Boyet, Lords, and other Attendants.
Bojet. NOW, madam, summon up your dearest
spirits;
Consider who the king your father sends;
To whom he sends; and what's his embassy:
Yourself, heid precious in the world's esteem;
To parey with the sole inheritor

Of all perfections that a man may owe,
Matchless Navarre; the plea of no less weight
Than Aquitam, a dowry for a queen.
Be now as prodigal of all dear grace,
As nature was in making graces dear,
When she did starve the general world beside,
And prodigally gave them all to you.

[mean,

eye,

Prin. Good lord Boyet, my beauty, though but
Ne ds not the painted flourish of your praise;
Beauty is bought by judgment of the
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 seemeth 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 be t-moving fair solicitor :
Tell him, the daughter of the king of France,
On serious business, craving quick dispatch,
Importunes personal conference with his grace.
Taste, signify so much; while we attend,
Like humble-visag'd suitors, his high will.
Boyet. Proud of employment, wi
willingly

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

lified.

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)

Is a sharp wit match'd' with too blunt a will;
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?
Mar. They say so most, that most his humours
know.
[grow.

Prin. Such short-liv'd wits do wither as they
Who are the rest?
[youth,

Kath. The young Dumain, a well-accomplish'd 10 Of all that virtue love for virtue lov'd: Most power to do most harm, least knowing ill; For he hath wit to make an ill shape good, And shape to win grace though he had no wit. I saw him at the duke Alençon's once; 15 And much too little, of that good I saw, Is my report to his great worthiness.

20

Ros. Another of these students at that time
Was there with him, as I have heard a truth;
Biron they call him; but a merrier man,
Within the limit of becoming mirth,
I never spent an hour's talk withal:
His eye begets occasion for his wit;
For every object that the one doth catch,
The other turns to a mirth-moving jest;
25 Which his fair tongue (conceit's expositor)
Delivers in such apt and gracious words,
That aged ears play truant at his tales,
And younger hearings are quite ravished;
So sweet and voluble is his discourse.

30

Prin. God bless my ladies! are they all in love;
That every one her own hath garnished
With such bedecking ornaments of praise?
Mar. Here comes Boyet.

Re-enter Boyet.

Prin. Now, what admittance, lord ? 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, 40 He rather means to lodge you in the field, I go. (Like one that comes here to besiege his court) [Exit. Than seek a dispensation for his oath, To let you enter his unpeopled house. Here comes Navarre.

45 Enter the King, Longaville, Dumain, Biron, and Attendants.

II.

351

55

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.

King. You shall be welcome, madam, to my

court.

Cheap or cheping was anciently the market; chapman therefore is marketman. i. e. joined. i. e. were prepared.

Prin. I will be welcome then; conduct me thither.

? i. e. well qua

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.
Pria. Why, will shall break it; will, and no-
thing else.

5

King. Your ladyship is ignorant what it is.
Prin. Were my lord so, his ignorance were wise,
Where now his knowledge must prove ignorance.
I hear, your grace hath sworn-out house-keeping: 10
'Tis deadly sin to keep that oath, my lord,
And sin to break it:

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? 20
Ros. Did not I dance with you in Brabant once?
Biron. I know, you did.

Ros. How needless was it then

To ask the question!

Biron. You must not be so quick.

25

questions.

Ros. 'Tis long of you, that spur me with such
[tire.
Biron. Your wit's too hot, it speeds too fast, 'twill
Ros. Not till it leave the rider in the mire.
Biron. What time o' day?

Depart is here synonymous to part with.

5

His heart, like an agat, with your print impressed,
Proud with his form, in his eye pride expressed:
His tongue, all impatient to speak and not see,
Did stumble with haste in his eye-sight to be;
All senses to that sense did make their repair,
To feel only looking on fairest of fair:
Methought, all his senses were lock'd in his eye,
As jewels in crystal for some prince to buy;
Who, tendering their own worth, from whence
they were glass'd,

Did point out to buy them, along as you pass'd.
His face's own margent did quote such amazes,
That all eyes saw his eyes inchanted with gazes:
I'll give you Aquitain, and all that is his,

15

An you give him for my sake but one loving kiss.
Prin. Come, to our pavilion: Boyet is dispos'd—
Boyet. But to speak that in words, which his
eye hath disclos'd:

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; adieu!
Boyet. Farewell to me, sir, and welcome to you.
[Exit Biron
Mar. That last is Biron, the merry mad-caplord;
Not a word with him but a jest.

Boyet. And every jest but a word. [word. 10
Prin. It was well done of you to take him at his
Boyet. I was as willing to grapple, as he was to
Mar. Two hot sheeps, marry! [board.
Boyet. And wherefore not ships?
No sheep, sweet lamb, unless we feed on your lips.
Mur. You sheep, and I pasture; shall that finish
Boyet. So you grant pasture for me. [the jest?
Mar. Not so, gentle beast;

My lips are no common, though several' they be.
Boyet. Belonging to whom?

Mar. To my fortunes and me.

[agree:

Prin. Good wits will be jangling: but, gentles,
The civil war of wits were much better used
On Navarre and his bookmen; for here 'tis abused.
Boyet. Ifmy observation,(which very seldomlyes) 25|
By the heart's still rhetorick, disclosed with eyes,
Deceive me not now, Navarre is infected.

Prin. With what?

I only have made a mouth of his eye,

20 By adding a tongue which I know will not lye. Ros. Thou art an old love-monger, and speak'st skilfully.

Mar. He is Cupid's grandfather, and learns

news of him.

[fected.

Boyet. With that which we lovers intitle af-
Prin. Your reason?
Boyet. Why, all his behaviours did make their
To the court of his eye, peeping thorough desire:

[retire 30

АСТ III.

SCENE I.

The Park; near the Palace.
Enter Armado and Moth.

Arm. WARBLE, child; make passionate my

sense of hearing. Moth. Concolinel

[Singing. 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

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

[Exeunt.

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 snuif'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. How hast thou purchas'd this experience?
Moth. By my penny of observation.

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. * 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.

4

Arm.