Boy. True, and it was enjoined him in Rome for want of linen: since when, I'll be sworn, he wore none, but a dish-clout of Jaquenetta's; and that 'a wears next his heart, for a favor. Enter a Messenger, MONSIEUR Mercade. Mer. God save you, madam ! Prin. Welcome, Mercade; But that thou interrupt'st our merriment. Mer. I am sorry, madam; for the news I bring Is heavy in my tongue. The king your fatherPrin. Dead, for my life. Mer. Even so; my tale is told. Bir. Worthies, away; the scene begins to cloud. Arm. For mine own part, I breathe free breath : I have seen the day of wrong through the little hole of discretion, and I will right myself like a soldier. [Exeunt Worthies. King. How fares your majesty? Prin. Boyet, prepare; I will away to-night. lords, For all your fair endeavors; and entreat, Out of a new-sad soul, that you vouchsafe, In your rich wisdom, to excuse, or hide, The liberal opposition of our spirits: 2 I have hitherto looked on the indignities I have received with the eyes of discretion.'-Johnson. 2 Free to excess. If over-boldly we have borne ourselves King. The extreme parts of time extremely form All causes to the purpose of his speed; And often, at his very loose,1 decides That which long process could not arbitrate: The holy suit which fain it would convince; From what it purposed; since, to wail friends lost, As to rejoice at friends but newly found. Prin. I understand you not; my griefs are double, Bir. Honest plain words best pierce the ear of grief; And by these badges understand the king. For your fair sakes have we neglected time, Play'd foul play with our oaths: your beauty, ladies, Hath much deform'd us, fashioning our humors At the moment of his parting. And what in us hath seem'd ridiculous,— All wanton as a child, skipping, and vain ; To those that make us both,-fair ladies, you: Thus purifies itself, and turns to grace. Prin. We have received your letters, full of love : Your favors, the ambassadors of love; And, in our maiden council, rated them ' Tempted. 2 As something to fill out life, which not being closely united with it, may be thrown away at pleasure. Bombast was a kind of loose texture, not unlike what is now called wadding.'-Johnson. In their own fashion, like a merriment. Dum. Our letters, madam, show'd much more than jest. Lon. So did our looks. Ros. We did not quote 1 them so. 1 King. Now, at the latest minute of the hour, Grant us your loves. Prin. A time, methinks, too short Change not your offer made in heat of blood; But that it bear this trial, and last 3 love ; Come, challenge, challenge me by these deserts; Reckon. 2 Clothing. 3 Continue. Raining the tears of lamentation, For the remembrance of my father's death. King. If this, or more than this, I would deny, To flatter up these powers of mine with rest, The sudden hand of death close up mine eye! Hence ever then my heart is in thy breast. Bir. And what to me, my love? and what to me? Ros. You must be purged too; your sins are rank; You are attaint with faults and perjury : Dum. But what to me, my love? but what to me? Kath. A wife!-A beard, fair health, and ho nesty; With three-fold love I wish you all these three. Dum. O, shall I say, I thank you, gentle wife? Kath. Not so, my lord :-a twelvemonth and a day I'll mark no words that smooth-faced wooers say. Dum. I'll serve thee true and faithfully till then. Mar. At the twelvemonth's end, I'll change my black gown for a faithful friend. |