And not be seen to wink of all the day (When I was wont to think no harm all night, 51 King. Your oath is pass'd to pass away from these. Biron. Let me say, no, my liege, an if you please; I only swore, to study with your grace, And stay here in your court for three years' space. Long. You swore to that, Biron, and to the rest. Biron. By yea and nay, sir, then I swore in jest.What is the end of study? let me know. King. Why, that to know, which else we should not know. Biron. Things hid and barr'd (you mean) from common sense? King. Ay; that is study's god-like recompence. Study knows that, which yet it doth not know: 60 King. These be the stops that hinder study quite, And And train our intellects to vain delight. 71 Biran. Why, all delights are vain; but that most vain, Which, with pain purchas'd, doth inherit pain: To seek the light of truth; while truth the while By fixing it upon a fairer eye; Who dazzling so, that eye shall be his heed, That will not be deep search'd with saucy looks; Small have continual plodders ever won, Save base authority from others' books. These earthly godfathers of heaven's lights, That give a name to every fixed star, Have no more profit of their shining nights, Than those that walk and wot not what they are. Too much to know, is, to know nought but fame; And every godfather can give a name, 89 King. How well he's read, to reason against read, ing! Dum. Proceeded 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 breeding. Dum. How follows that? Biron. Fit in his place and time. Dum. In reason nothing. Biron, Something then in rhime. 100 Long. Biron is like an envious sneaping frost, Before the birds have any cause to sing? Why should I joy in an abortive birth? At Christmas I no more desire a rose, 110 That were to climb o'er the house,t'unlock the gate. King. Well, sit you out: go home, Biron; adieu ! Biron. No, my good lord; I have sworn to stay with you: And, though I have for barbarism spoke more, And bide the penance of each three years' day. shame! Biron. Item, That no woman shall come within a mile of my court. [Reading.] Hath this been proclaimed? Long. Long. Four days ago. 123 Biron. Let's see the penalty.-On pain of losing her tongue.-[Reading.] Who devis'd this penalty? 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! Item, [Reading.] If any man be seen to talk with a woman within the term of three years, he shall endure such publick shame as the rest of the court can possibly devise. This article, my liege, yourself must break; 133 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, Or vainly comes the admired princess hither. 140 King. What say you, lords? why, this was quite forgot. Biron. So study evermore is overshot; While it doth study to have what it would, King. We must, of force, dispense with this decree; She must lie here on mere necessity. Biron. Necessity will make us all forsworn 150 Three thousand times within this three years space : For every man with his affects is born; Not by might master'd, but by special grace : So to the laws at large I write my name : 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? 160 King. Ay, that there is: our court, you know, is haunted With a refined traveller of Spain; A man in all the world's new fashion planted, Doth ravish, like enchanting harmony; A man of compliments, whom right and wrong 170 For interim to our studies, shall relate, How you delight, my lords, I know not, I; And I will use him for my minstrelsy. |