Jaq. Fair weather after you! [Exeunt Dull and Jaquenetta. Arm. Villain, thou shalt faft for thy offence, ere thou be pardoned. Coft. Well, Sir, I hope, when I do it, I shall do it on a full ftomach. Arm. Thou shalt be heavily punish'd. Coft. I am more bound to you, than your followers; for they are but lightly rewarded. Arm. Take away this villain, shut him up. Moth. Come, you tranfgreffing flave, away. Coft. Let me not be pent up, Sir; I will fast, being loofe. Moth. No, Sir, that were faft and loose; thou shalt to prifon. Coft. Well, if ever I do fee the merry days of defolation that I have seen, fome fhall fee Moth. What fhall fome fee? Coft. Nay, nothing, Mafter Moth, but what they look upon. It is not for prifoners to be filent in their words, and therefore I will fay nothing; I thank God, I have as little patience as another man, and therefore I can be quiet. [Exeunt Moth and Coftard. Arm. I do affect the very ground (which is base) where her fhoe (which is bafer) guided by her foot (which is baseft) doth tread. I fhall be forfworn, which is a great argument of falfehood, if I love. And how can that be true love, which is falfely attempted ? Love is a familiar, love is a devil: there is no evil angel but love; yet Samfon was fo tempted, and he had an excellent ftrength; yet was Solomon fo feduced, and he had a very good wit. Cupid's but-shaft is too hard for Hercules's club, and therefore too much odds for a Spaniard's rapier; the firft and fecond caufe will not ferve my turn; the Paffado he refpects not, the Duello he regards not; his difgrace is to be call'd boy; but his glory is to fubdue men. Adieu, valour! ruft, rapier! be ftill, drum! for your manager is in love; yea, he loveth. Affift me, fome extemporal god of rhime, for I am fure I fhall turn fonneteer. Devife wit, write pen, for I am for whole volumes in folio. [Exit. ACT II. SCENE I. Before the King of Navarre's palace. Enter the Princess of France, Rofaline, Maria, Catharine, Boyet, Lords, and other attendants. Boyet. NOW, Madam, fummon up your deareft Confider, whom the King your father fends; Of all perfections that a man may owe, Prin. Good Lord Boyet, my beauty, though but mean, Needs not the painted flourish of your praise; Tell him, the daughter of the King of France, Like humble-vifag'd fuitors, his high will. Boyet. Proud of employment, willingly I go. [Exit. Prin. All pride is willing pride, and your's is fo. Who are the votaries, my loving Lords, That are vow-fellows with this virtuous King? Prin. Know ye the man? Mar. I knew him, Madam, at a marriage-feaft, Between Lord Perigort and the beauteous heir Of Jaques Faulconbridge folemnized. In Normandy faw I this Longaville, A man of fovereign parts he is esteem'd ; Well fitted in the arts, glorious in arms, Nothing becomes him ill, that he would well. The only foil of his fair virtue's glofs, (If virtue's glofs will ftain with any soil), Is a fharp wit, match'd with too blunt a will; Whofe edge hath power to cut, whofe will ftill wills It fhould fpare none that come within his power. Prin. Some merry-mocking Lord, belike; is't fo? Mar. They fay fo moft, that moft his humours know. Prin. Such fhort-liv'd wits do wither as they grow. Who are the reft? Cath. The young Dumain, a well-accomplish'd youth, Of all that virtue love, for virtue lov'd. Moft power to do most harm, least knowing ill ; Rof. Another of thefe ftudents at that time And younger hearings are quite ravished; So fweet and voluble is his difcourfe. Prin. God bless my ladies, are they all in love, With fuch bedecking ornaments of praise ! Enter Boyet. Prin. Now, what admittance, Lord? Boyet. Navarre had notice of your fair approach; Were all addrefs'd to meet you, gentle Lady, To let you enter his unpeopled house. Enter the King, Longaville, Dumain, Biron, and attendants. King. Fair Princefs, 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 your's; and welcome to the wide fields, too base to be mine. King. You fall be welcome, Madam, to my court, Prin. I will be welcome then; conduct me thither. King. Hear me, dear Lady, I have fworn an oath. Prin. Our Lady help my Lord! he'll be forfworn. King. Not for the world, fair Madam, by my will. Prin. Why, will fhall break its will, and nothing elfe. King. Your Ladyship is ignorant what it is. Prin. Were my Lord fo, his ignorance were wife, But pardon me, I am too fudden bold: VOL. II. 1 Vouchfafe to read the purpose of my coming, King. Madam, I will, if fuddenly I may.' Rof. How needlefs was it then to afk the question? Rof. 'Tis long of you, that fpur me with fuch que- Biron. Your wit's too hot, it speeds too fast, 'twill tire. Biron. What time o' day? Rof. The hour that fools fhould ask. Biron. Nay, then will I be gone. King. Madam, your father here doth intimate The payment of a hundred thousand crowns; To have his title live in Aquitain; Which we much rather had depart withal, Than Aquitain fo gelded as it is. |