Action and accent did they teach him there; 'Thus must thou speak, and thus thy body bear: ' And ever and anon they made a doubt, Presence majestical would put him out; 'For,' quoth the king, 'an angel shalt thou see ; Yet fear not thou, but speak audaciously." The boy replied, 'An angel is not evil : I should have fear'd her, had she been a devil.' With that all laugh'd, and clapp'd him on the shoulder, Making the bold wag by their praises bolder. One rubb'd his elbow, thus; and fleer'd, and swore, Cried, Via! we will do 't, come what will come :' Prin. But what, but what, come they to visit us? 1 This ridiculous fit of laughter. Prin. And will they so? the gallants shall be task'd : For, ladies, we will every one be mask'd; And not a man of them shall have the grace, Hold, Rosaline, this favor thou shalt wear; And change you favors too; so shall your loves Ros. Come on then; wear the favors most in sight. Kath. But, in this changing, what is your intent ? Prin. The effect of my intent is, to cross theirs : They do it but in mocking merriment; And mock for mock is only my intent. Their several counsels they unbosom shall With visages display'd, to talk and greet. Ros. But shall we dance if they desire us to 't? Prin. No; to the death, we will not move a foot; Nor to their penn'd speech render we no grace; But, while 'tis spoke, each turn away her face. heart, And quite divorce his memory from his part. Prin. Therefore I do it; and I make no doubt, The rest will ne'er come in, if he be out. There's no such sport, as sport by sport o'erthrown; To make theirs ours, and ours none but our own: So shall we stay, mocking intended game; And they, well mock'd, depart away with shame. Boy. The trumpet maskers come. [trumpets sound within. sounds: be mask'd; the [the ladies mask. Enter the KING, BIRON, LONGAVILLE, and DUMAIN, in Russian habits, and masked; MOTH, Musicians, and Attendants. Moth. All hail, the richest beauties on the earth!' Boy. Beauties no richer than rich taffeta.1 Moth. A holy parcel of the fairest dames, [the ladies turn their backs to him. That ever turn'd their-backs-to mortal views!' Bir. Their eyes,' villain, their eyes.' Moth. That ever turn'd their eyes to mortal views! Out' Boy. True; out,' indeed. Moth. Out of your favors, heavenly spirits, vouchsafe Not to behold'— Bir. Once to behold,' rogue. 1 The taffeta masks which they wore to conceal them selves. |