Moth. How mean you, Sir? I pretty, and my | Samson had small reason for it. saying apt? or I apt, and my saying pretty? Arm. Thou pretty, because little. Moth. Little pretty, because littie: Wherefore apt? Arm. And therefore apt, because quick. Moth. I will praise an eel with the same praise.. Arm. What? that an eel is ingenious? Arm. I do say, thou art quick in answers: Moth. I am answered, Sir. Arm. I love not to be crossed. Moth. He speaks the mere contrary, crosses* love not him. [Aside. 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? 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. [Aside. 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 am I in love with a base wench. If drawing my sword 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 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. 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? 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, The name of a coin once current. affected her for her wit. He, surely, 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 child; most pretty and pathetical! Moth. If she be made of white and red, For blushing cheeks by faults are bred, A dangerous rhyme, master, against the reason 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 digressiont 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 DULL, COSTARD, and JAQUENETTA. Dull. Sir, the duke's pleasure is, that you keep 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 do betray myself with blushing.Maid. Jaq. Man. Arm. I will visit thee at the lodge. Arm. I know where it is situate. Arm. I love thee. [Exeunt DULL 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. Of which she is naturally possessed. + Transgression. ↑ Dairy.woman. Moth. No, Sir; that were fast and loose: | Haste, signify so much; while we attend, 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 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 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 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. [Exit. ACT II. [Exit. Prin. All pride is willing pride, and yours Who are the votaries, my loving lords, Mar. I know him, madam; at a marriage feast, Who are the rest? Kath. The young Dumain, a well-accom- Of all that virtue love for virtue lov'd: SCENE I.-Another part of the same.-A Pa-I saw him at the duke Alençon's once; Enter the PRINCESS OF FRANCE, ROSALINE, Boyet. Now, madam, summon up your dear est spirits: Consider who the king your father sends; Of all perfections that a man may owe, but mean, Needs not the painted flourish of your praise; grace. Love. † Arrow to shoot at butts with. Best. And much too little of that good I saw, Ros. Another of these students at that time, That every one her own hath garnished Re-enter BOYET. Prin. Now, what admittance, lord? And he, and his competitors in oath, He rather means to lodge you in the field, King. Fair princess, welcome to the court of Navarre. * Confederates. ↑ Prepared. King. Not for the world, fair madam, by my will. Prin. Why, will shall break it; will, and nothing else. And wrong the reputation of your name, King, I do protest, I never heard of it, Prin. We arrest your word :- King. Satisfy me so. Boyet. So please your grace, the packet is not come, King. Your ladyship is ignorant what it is. Prin. Were my lord so, his ignorance were wise, [rance. Where now his knowledge must prove igno- Where that and other specialties are bound; I hear, your grace hath sworn out house-keep-To-morrow you shall have a sight of them. ing: 'Tis deadly sin to keep that oath, my lord, But pardon me, I am too sudden-bold; King. It shall suffice me: at which inter- [Gives a paper. bant once? Biron. I know, you did. 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. Biron. Your wit's too hot, it speeds too fast, Ros. Not till it leave the rider in the mire. Ros. The hour that fools should ask. Biron. Now fair befall your mask! On payment of a hundred thousand crowns, Dear princess, were not his requests so far * Whereas. Prin. Sweet health and fair desires consort your grace! King. Thy own wish wish I thee in every [Exeunt KING and his Train. Biron. Lady, I will commend you to my own place! heart. Ros. 'Pray you, do my commendations; I would be glad to see it. Biron. I would, you heard it groan, Biron. Sick at heart. Ros. Alack, let it blood. Biron. Would that do it good? Ros. My physic says, I. Biron. Will you prick't with Boyet. The heir of Alençon, Rosaline her name. Dum. A gallant lady! Monsieur, fare you Long. I beseech you a word; What is she in Boyet. A woman sometimes, an you saw her in the light. Long. Perchance, light in the light: I desire her name. Boyet. She hath but one for herself; to de- Long. Pray you, Sir, whose daughter? Biron. What's her name, in the cap? ACT III. Boyet. Katharine, by good hap. Birou. 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 Boyet. And every jest but a word. his word. their retire [sire: SCENE I.-Another part of the same. Enter ARMADO and MOTH. Arm. Warble, child; make passionate my sense of hearing. Moth. Concolinel [Singing. Arm. Sweet air!-Go, tenderness of years; bring him festinately hither; I must employ take this key, give enlargement to the swain, him in a letter to my love. Moth. Master, will you win your love with a French brawl?t Arm. How mean'st thou? brawling in French? off a tune at the tongue's end, canary; to it Moth. No, my complete master; but to jig with your feet, humour it with turning up your eye-lids; sigh a note, and sing a note; somelove with singing love; sometime through the time through the throat, as if you swallowed with your hat penthouse-like, o'er the shop of nose, as if you snuffed up love by smelling love; your eyes; with your arms crossed on your your hands in your pocket, like a man after thin belly-doublet, like a rabbit on a spit; or the old painting; and keep not too long in one ments, these are humours; these betray nice tune, but a snip and away: These are complethese; and make them men of note, (do you wenches-that would be betrayed without note, men?) that most are affected to these. Arm. How hast thou purchased this expe- Moth. By my penny of observation. Moth. the hobby-horse is forgot. Arm. Callest thou my love, hobby-horse? To the court of his eye, peeping thorough de-colt, and your love, perhaps, a hackney. But His heart, like an agate, with your print im pressed, Proud with his form, in his eye pride expressed: Did point you to buy them, along as you pass'd. Prin. Come, to our pavilion: Boyet is dis- Boyet. But to speak that in words, which 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 Boyet. What then, do you see? have you forgot your love? Arm. Almost I had. Moth. Negligent student! learn her by heart. Moth. And out of heart, master: all those three I will prove. Arm. What wilt thou prove? without, upon the instant: By heart you love Moth. A man, if I live; and this, by, in, and her, because your heart cannot come by her: in heart you love her, because your heart is in love with her; and out of heart you love her, being out of heart that you cannot enjoy her. Arm. I am all these three. Moth. And three times as much more, and yet nothing at all. Arm. Fetch hither the swain; he must carry me a letter. Moth. A message well sympathised; a horse to be ambassador for an ass! Arm. Ha, ha! what sayest thou? Moth. Marry, Sir, you must send the ass upon Is not lead a metal heavy, dull, and slow? Arm. I say, lead is slow. Moth. You are too swift, Sir, to say so Is that lead slow which is fir'd from a gun? Arm. Sweet smoke of rhetoric! Ros. Ay, our way to be gone. Boyet. You are too hard for me. • A quibble, several signified uninclosed lands. + A kind of dance. Canary was the name of a sprightly dance, Quick, ready. He reputes me a cannon; and the bullet, that's I shoot thee at the swain. The :Moth. Thump then, and I flee. Exit. Arm. A most acute juvenal; voluble and free of grace! By thy favour, sweet welkin, I must sigh in thy face: Most rude melancholy, valour gives thee place. My herald is return'd. Re-enter MOTH and COSTARD. Moth. A wonder, master; here's a Costard* broken in a shin. Arm. Some enigma, some riddle: come,-thy l'envoy ;-begin. Cost. No egina, no riddle, no l'envoy; no salve in the mail, Sir: O, Sir, plantain, a plain plantain; no l'envoy, no l'envoy, no salve, Sir, but a plantain! Arm. By virtue, thou enforcest laughter; thy silly thought, my spleen; the heaving of my lungs provokes me to ridiculous smiling: O, | pardon me, my stars! Doth the inconsiderate take salve for l'envoy, and the word, l'envoy, for a salve? Moth. Do the wise think them other? is not l'envoy a salve? Arm. No, page: it is an epilogue or discourse, to make plain Some obscure precedence that hath tofore been I will example it: [sain. The fox, the ape, and the humble-bee, Were still at odds, being but three. There's the moral: Now the l'envoy. Moth. I will add the l'envoy: Say the moral again. Arm. The fox, the ape, and the humble-bee, Were still at odds, being but three: Moth. Until the goose came out of door, And stay'd the odds by adding four. Now will I begin your moral, and do you follow with my l'envoy. The fox, the ape, and the humble-bee, Were still at odds, being but three: Arm. Until the goose came out of door, Staying the odds by adding four. Moth. A good l'envoy, ending in the goose; Would you desire more? Cost. The boy hath sold him a bargain, a goose, that's flat: [fat.Sir, your pennyworth is good, an your goose be To sell a bargain well, is as cunning as fast and foose: Let me see a fat l'envoy; ay, that's a fat goose. Arm. Come hither, come hither: How did this argument begin? Moth. By saying that a Costard was broken in a shin. Then call'd you for the l'envoy. Cost. True, and I for a plantain; Thus came your argument in; Then the boy's fat l'envoy, the goose that you And he ended the market. [bought; Arm. But tell me; how was there a Costard broken in a shin? Moth. I will tell you sensibly. Cost. Thou hast no feeling of it, Moth; I will speak that l'envoy: Costard, running out, that was safely within, Fell over the threshold, and broke my shin. Arm. We will talk no more of this matter. Cost. Till there be more matter in the shin. Arm. Sirrah Costard, I will enfranchise thee. Cost. O, marry me to one Frances:-I smell some l'enroy, some goose, in this. Arm. By my sweet soul, I mean, setting thee at liberty, enfreedoming thy person; thou wert immured, restrained, captivated, bound. Cost. True, true; and now you will be my purgation, and let me loose. Arm. I give thee thy liberty, set thee from durance; and, in lieu thereof, impose on thee nothing but this: Bear this significant to the country maid Jaquenetta: there is remuneration; [Giving him money.] for the best ward of mine honour, is, rewarding my dependents. Moth, follow. [Exit. Moth. Like the sequel, I.-Signior Costard, adieu. Cost. My sweet ounce of man's flesh! my incony Jew! [Exit MOTH. Now will I look to his remuneration. Remuneration! O, that's the Latin word for three farthings: three farthings-remuneration.-What's the price of this inkle? a penny :—No, I'l give you a remuneration: why, it carries it.Remuneration !-why, it is a fairer name than French crown. I will never buy and sell out of this word. Enter BIRON. Biron. O, my good knave Costard! exceed. ingly well met. Cost. Pray you, Sir, how much carnation ribbon may a man buy for a remuneration? Biron. What is a remuneration? Cost. Marry, Sir, halfpenny farthing. Biron. O, why then, three-farthings-worth of silk. Cost. I thank your worship: God be with you! Biron. O, stay, slave; I must employ thee: As thou wilt win my favour, good iny knave, Do one thing for me that I shall entreat. Cost. When would you have it done, Sir? Biron. O, this afternoon. Cost. Well, I will do it, Sir: Fare you well. Biron. O, thou knowest not what it is. Cost. I shall know, Sir, when I have done it. Biron. Why, villain, thou must know first. Cost. I will come to your worship to-morrow morning.. Biron. It must be done this afternoon. Hark, slave, it is but this; The princess comes to hunt here in the park, And Rosaline they call her: ask for her; go. Cost. Guerdon,-O sweet guerdon! better than remuneration; elevenpence farthing better: Most sweet guerdon !-I will do it, Sir, in print.-Guerdon-remuneration. [Exit. Biron. O! And I, forsooth, in love! Î, that have been love's whip; A very beadle to a humorous sigh; This senior-junior, giant-dwarf, Dan Cupid; |