Cost. Let me not be pent up, sir; I will fast, being loose. Moth. No, sir; that were fast and loose: thou shalt to prison. Cost. Well, if ever I do see the merry days of desolation that I have seen, some shall see Moth. What shall some see ? Cost. Nay, nothing, master Moth, but what they look upon. It is not for prisoners to be too silent in their words ; and, therefore, I will say nothing: I thank God, I have as little patience as another man; and, therefore I can be quiet. [Exe. MOTH and COST. Arm. I do affect the very ground, which is base, where her shoe, which is baser, guided by her foot, which is basest, doth tread. I shall be forsworn, (which is a great argument of falsehood,) if I love: And how can that be true love, which is falsely attempted? Love is a familiar; love is a devil; there is no evil angel but love. Yet Samson was so tempted; and he had an excellent strength: yet was Solomon so seduced; and he had a very good wit. Cupid's butt-shaft is too hard for Hercules' club, and therefore too much odds for a Spaniard's rapier. The first and second cause3 will not serve my turn; the passado he respects not, the duello he regards not: his disgrace is to be called boy; but his glory is, to subdue men. Adieu, valour! rust, rapier! be still, drum! for your manager is in love; yea, he loveth. Assist me some extemporal god of rhyme, for, I am sure, I shall turn sonneteer. Devise, wit; write, pen; for I am for whole volumes in folio. [Exit. ACT II. SCENE I. Another part of the same. A Pavilion and Tents at a distance. Enter the Princess of France, ROSALINE, MaRIA, KATHARINE, BOYET, Lords, and other Attendants. Boyet. Now, madam, summon up your dearest spirits: [2] Butt-shaft-] i. e. an arrow to shoot at butts with. The butt was the place on which the mark to be shot at was placed. STEEVENS. [3] See the last act of As you like it, with the notes. JOHNSON. Yourself, held precious in the world's esteem ; Of all perfections that a man may owe, Prin. Good lord Boyet, my beauty, though but mean, Tell him, the daughter of the king of France, Prin. All pride is willing pride, and yours is so.— Who are the votaries, my loving lords, That are vow-fellows with this virtuous duke? 1 Lord. Longaville is one. Prin. Know you the man? Mar. I know him, madam; at a marriage feast, Between lord Perigort and the beauteous heir Of Jaques Falconbridge solémnized, In Normandy saw I this Longaville : [Exit. [4] Chapman here seems to signify the seller, not, as now commonly, the buyer. Cheap or cheaping was anciently the market; chapman therefore is marketman. The meaning is, that the estimation of beauty depends not on the uttering or procla mation of the seller, but on the eye of the buyer. JOHNSON. A man of sovereign parts he is esteem'd; Kath. The young Dumain, a well-accomplish'd youth, Of all that virtue love for virtue lov'd: Most power to do most harm, least knowing ill; Ros. Another of these students at that time Prin. God bless my ladies! are they all in love; With such bedecking ornaments of praise? Mar. Here comes Boyet. Re-enter BOYET. Prin. Now, what admittance, lord? Boyet. Navarre had notice of your fair approach; And he, and his competitors in oath, Were all address'd to meet you, gentle lady, Before I came. Marry, thus much I've learnt, He rather means to lodge you in the field, To let you enter his unpeopled house. King. You shall be welcome, madam, to my court. Prin. Were my lord so, his ignorance were wise, 6 And sin to break it: " But pardon me, I am too sudden-bold; Vouchsafe to read the purpose of my coming, [Gives a paper. King. Madam, I will, if suddenly I may. Ros. How needless was it then To ask the question! Biron. You must not be so quick. Ros. 'Tis 'long of you that spur me with such questions. Biron. Your wit's too hot, it speeds too fast, 'twill tire. Ros. Not till it leave the rider in the mire. Biron. What time o' day? Ros. The hour that fools should ask. Biron. Now fair befall your mask! Ros. Fair fall the face it covers! [6] The princess shews an inconvenience very frequently attending rash oaths, which, whether kept or broken, produce guilt. JOHNSON. Biron. And send you many lovers! Ros. Amen, so you be none. Biron. Nay, then will I begone. King. Madam, your father here doth intimate But say, that he, or we, (as neither have,) Which we much rather had depart withal, 7 Dear princess, were not his requests so far Prin. You do the king my father too much wrong, And wrong the reputation of your name, In so unseeming to confess receipt Of that which hath so faithfully been paid, Prin. We arrest your word : Boyet, you can produce acquittances, For such a sum, from special officers Of Charles his father. King. Satisfy me so. Boyet. So please your grace, the packet is not come, Where that and other specialties are bound; To-morrow you shall have a sight of them. [7] To depart and to part were anciently synonymous. STEEVENS. |