1 To her acceptance; you have let him go, Your lack of love or bounty, you were straited 2 Of happy holding her. Flo. Old sir, I know She prizes not such trifles as these are. The gifts she looks from me are packed and locked Or Ethiopian's tooth, or the fanned snow, 3 That's bolted by the northern blasts twice o'er. How prettily the young swain seems to wash What you profess. Flo. Do, and be witness to't. Pol. And this my neighbor too? Flo. And he, and more Than he, and men; the earth, the heavens, and all : That, were I crowned the most imperial monarch, Thereof most worthy; were I the fairest youth That ever made eye swerve; had force, and knowl edge, More than was ever man's,-I would not prize them, Commend them, and condemn them, to her service, Pol. Cam. This shows a sound affection. Shep. Fairly offered. But, my daughter, Per. I cannot speak 1 Bought, trafficked. 2 Straitened, put to difficulties. 3 i. e. sifted. Say you the like to him? So well, nothing so well; no, nor mean better. Shep. Take hands; a bargain; And, friends unknown, you shall bear witness to't. Her portion equal his. Flo. O, that must be I' the virtue of your daughter: one being dead, Is, at the nuptial of his son, a guest That best becomes the table. Pray you, once more; Is not your father grown incapable Of reasonable affairs? Is he not stupid With age, and altering rheums? Can he speak? hear? Know man from man? dispute his own estate?1 Lies he not bed-rid? and again does nothing, But what he did being childish? Flo. No, good sir; He has his health, and ampler strength, indeed, Pol. By my white beard, You offer him, if this be so, a wrong Something unfilial. Reason, my son, Should choose himself a wife; but as good reason, But fair posterity) should hold some counsel In such a business. Flo. I yield all this; But, for some other reasons, my grave sir, Pol. Let him know't. Flo. He shall not. Pol. Pr'ythee, let him. Flo. No, he must not. Shep. Let him, my son; he shall not need to Whom son I dare not call; thou art too base To be acknowledged. Thou a sceptre's heir, Shorten thy life one week.-And thou, fresh piece Shep. made More homely than thy state.-For thee, fond boy,If I may ever know thou dost but sigh, That thou no more shalt never see this knack, (as never I mean thou shalt,) we'll bar thee from succession; That makes himself, but for our honor therein, 1 Far, in the old spelling farre, i. e. farther. The ancient comparative of fer was ferrer. Unworthy thee, if ever, henceforth, thou As thou art tender to't. Per. Even here undone ! [Exit. I was not much afeard: for once, or twice, Cam. Speak ere thou diest. Why, how now, father! I cannot speak, nor think, Nor dare to know that which I know.-O, sir, [TO FLORIZEL. You have undone a man of fourscore three, That knew'st this was the prince, and wouldst adven ture To mingle faith with him.-Undone! undone ! If I might die within this hour, I have lived Flo. [Exit. Why look you so upon me? I am but sorry, not afeard! delayed, But nothing altered! What I was, I am; 1 The old copy reads hope. 2 Before the reform of the burial service, by Edward VI., it was the custom for the priest to throw earth on the body in the form of a cross, and then sprinkle it with holy water. More straining on, for plucking back; not following My leash unwillingly. Gracious my lord, Cam. Flo. I think, Camillo. Cam. I not purpose it. Even he, my lord. Per. How often have I told you 'twould be thus ! How often said, my dignity would last But till 'twere known! Flo. It cannot fail, but by The violation of my faith; and then Let nature crush the sides o' the earth together, And mar the seeds within!-Lift up thy looks:From my succession wipe me, father! I Am heir to my affection. Cam. Be advised. 1 Flo. I am; and by my fancy: if my reason If not, my senses, better pleased with madness, Cam. This is desperate, sir. Not for Bohemia, nor the pomp Be thereat gleaned; for all the sun sees, or As 1 Fancy here means love, as in other places already pointed out. |