This child of fancy, that Armado hight, For interim to our studies, shall relate, In high-born words, the worth of many a knight From tawny Spain, lost in the world's debate. How you delight, my lords, I know not, I; But, I protest, I love to hear him lie, And I will use him for my minstrelsy. Biron. Armado is a most illustrious wight, A man of fire-new words, fashion's own knight. Long. Costard the swain, and he, shall be our And, so to study, three years is but short. [sport; Enter Dull, with a letter, and Costard. Dull. Which is the duke's own person? Biron. This, fellow; What would'st? Dull. I myself reprehend his own person, for I am his grace's tharborough: but I would see his own person in flesh and blood... Biron. This is he. King. So it is, King. with a child of our grandmother Eve, a female; or, for thy more smeet understanding, a noman. Him I (as my ever esteemed duty pricks me on) have sent to thee, to receive the meed of punishment, by thy sweet grace's officer, Antony Dull a man of good repute, carriage, bearing, and estimation. Dull. Me, an't shall please you; I am Antony Dull. King. For Jaquenetta, (so is the weaker vessel call.d, which I apprehended with the aforesaid swain,) I keep her as a vessel of thy law's fury; and shall, at the least of thy sweet notice, bring her to trial. Thine, in all compliments of devoted and heart-burning heat of duty, Don Adriano de Armado. Biron. This is not so well as I looked for, but the best that ever I heard. King. Ay, the best for the worst. But, sirrah, what say you to this? Cost. Sir, I confess the wench. King. Did you hear the proclamation? little of the marking of it. Cost. I do confess much of the hearing it, but King. It was proclaimed a year's imprisonment, to be taken with a wench. Cost. I was taken with none, sir; I was taken with a damosel. virgin. taken with a maid, Cost. If it were, I deny her virginity; I was King. This maid will not serve your turn, sir. Cost. This maid will serve my turn, sir. King, Sir, I will pronounce your sentence; You shall fast a week with bran and water. Cost. I had rather pray a month with mutton and porridge. King. And Don Armado shall be your keeper.My lord Biron, see him deliver'd o'er.And go we, lords, to put in practice that Which each to other hath so strongly sworn.[Exeunt King, Longaville, and Dumain. Biron. I'll lay my head to any good man's hat, These oaths and laws will prove an idle scorn.→ Cost. I suffer for the truth, sir: for true it is, I was taken with Jaquenetta, and Jaquenetta is a Cost. It may be so: but if he say it is so, he is, Sirrah, come on. in telling true, but so, so. King. Peace. Cost.-be to me, and every man that dares not true girl; and therefore, Welcome the sour cup of fight! King. No words. Cost-of other men's secrets, I beseech you. King. So it is, besieged with sable-coloured melancholy, I did commend the black-oppressing humour to the most roholesome physick of thy health-giving air; and, as I am a gentleman, betook myself to walk. The time when? About the sixth hour; when beasts mast graze, birds best peck, and men sit down to that nourishment which is called supper. So much for the time when: Now for the ground which; which, I mean, I walked upon: it is ycleped thy park. Then for the place where; where, I mean, I did encounter that obscene and most preposterous event, that draweth from my snow-white pen the ebon-coloured ink, which here thou viewest, beholdest, surveyest, or seest: But to the place, where, It standeth north-north-east and by east from the west corner of thy curious knotted garden. There did I see that low-spirited swain, that base minnow of thy mirth, Cost, Me. prosperity! Affliction may one day smile again, and till then, Sit thee down, sorrow! [Exeunt, SCENE II-Another part of the same. Armado's House. Enter Armado and Moth. Arm. Boy, what sign is it, when a man of great spirit grows melancholy? Moth. A great sign, sir, that he will look sad. Arm. Why, sadness is one and the self-same thing, dear imp. Moth. No, no; O lord, sir, no. Arm. How canst thou part sadness and melancholy, my tender juvenal? Moth. By a familiar demonstration of the working, my tough senior. Arm. Why tough senior? why tough senior? Moth. Why tender juvenal ? why tender juvenal ? Arm. I spoke it, tender juvenal, as a congruent Arm. I do say, thou art quick in answers: Thou white and red. heatest my blood.. Moth. I am answered, sir. Arm. I love not to be crossed. Moth. He speaks the mere contrary, crosses love not him. [Aside. Arm. I have promised to study three years with the duke. Moth. You may do it in an hour, sir. Moth. How many is one thrice told ? Arm. I am ill at reckoning, it fitteth the spirit of a tapster. Moth. You are a gentleman, and a gamester, sir. Arm. I confess both; they are both the varnish of a complete man. Moth. Then, I am sure, you know how much the gross sum of deuce-ace amounts to. 'Arm. It doth amount to one more than two. Moth. Which the base vulgar do call, three. Arm. True. Moth. Why, sir, is this such a piece of study? Now here is three studied, ere you'll thrice wink and how easy it is to put years to the word three, and study three years in two words, the dancing horse will tell you. Arm. A most fine figure! [Aside. Arm. I will hereupon confess, I am in love: and, as it is base for a soldier to love, so am I in love with a base wench. If drawing my sword against the humour of affection would deliver me from the reprobate thought of it, I would take desire prisoner, and ransom him to any French courtier for a new devised courtesy. I think scorn to sigh; methinks, I should out-swear Cupid., Comfort me, boy: What great men have been in love? Moth. Hercules, master. Arm. Most sweet Hercules!-More authority, dear boy, name more; and, sweet my child, let them be men of good repute and carriage. Arm. Is there not. a ballad, boy, of the King and the Beggar. Moth. The world was very guilty of such a ballad some three ages since: but, I think, now 'tis not to be found; or, if it were, it would neither serve for the writing, nor the tune. Arm. I will have the subject newly writ o'er that I may example my digression by some mighty precedent. Boy, I do love that country girl, that I took in the park with the rational hind Costard;) she deserves well. Moth. To be whipped; and yet a better love than my master. [Aside. Arm. Sing, boy; my spirit grows heavy in love. Moth. And that's great marvel, loving a light wench. Arm. I say, sing. Moth. Forbear till this company be past. Enter Dull, Costard, and Jaquenetta. Dull. Sir, the duke's pleasure is, that you keep Costard safe: and you must let him take no delight, nor no penance; but a' must fast three days a-week. For this damsel, I must keep her at the park; she is allowed for the day-woman. Fare you well. Arm. I do betray myself with blushing.-Maid. Jaq, Man. Arm. I will visit thee at the lodge. Arm. I know where it is situate. [Exeunt Dull and Jaquenetta. Arm. Villain, thou shalt fast for thy offences ere thou be pardoned. Moth. Sampson, master; he was a man of good carriage, great carriage; for he carried the town-it gates on his back, like a porter: and he was in love. Cost. Well, sir, I hope, when I do it, I shall do on a full stomach. Arm. Thou shalt be heavily punished. Cost. I am more bound to you, than your fellows, Arm. O well-knit Sampson! strong-jointed Samp-for they are but lightly rewarded. son! I do excel thee in my rapier, as much as thou didst me in carrying gates. I am in love too,Who was Sampson's love, my dear Moth ? ** Moth. A woman, master. Arm. Of what complexion ? Moth. Of all the four, or the three, or the two; or one of the four. Arm. Tell me precisely of what complexion ? Arm. Is that one of the four complexions? too. Arm. Green, indeed, is the colour of lovers; but to have a love of that colour, methinks, Sampson had small reason for it. He, surely, affected her for her wit. Moth. It was so, sir; for she had a green wit. Arm. My love is most immaculate white and red. Arm. Take away this villain; shut him up. Moth. Come, you transgressing slave; away. 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. * [Exeunt Moth and Costard.* 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 at- ACT II. SCENE 1.-Another part of the same. and Tents at a distance. Prin. Such short-liv'd wits do wither as they grow. Who are the rest? Kath. The young Dumain, a well-accomplish'd Of all that virtue love for virtue lov'd: Ros. Another of these students at that time Enter the Princess of France, Rosaline, Maria, Consider who the king your father sends; Of all perfections that a man may owe, Doth noise abroad, Navarre hath made a vow, Tell him, the daughter of the king of France, Prin. Re-enter Boyet. Now, what admittance, tord? [The Ladies mask. Enter King, Longaville, Dumain, Biron, and Attendants. King. Fair princess, welcome to the court of Na varre. Prin. Fair, I give you back again; and, welcome I have not yet: the roof of this court is too high to be yours; and welcome to the wild fields too base to be mine. King.You shall be welcome, madam, to my court. Prin. I will be welcome then; conduct me thither. King. Hear me, dear lady; I have sworn an oath. King. Your ladyship is ignorant what it is. Prin. Were my lord so, his ignorance were wise, 3 Prin. All pride is willing pride, and your's is so. But pardon me, I am too sudden-bold; Ros. How needless was it then You must not be so quick. Ros, Tis long of you that spur me with such Biron. Your wit's too hot, it speeds too fast, Ros. The hour that fools should ask. K Biron. Now fair befall your mask! Biron. Nay, then will I be gone. King. Madam, your father here doth intimate The payment of a hundred thousand crowns; Being but the one half of an entire sum, Disbursed by my father in his wars. But say, that he, or we, (as neither have,) A hundred thousand more; in surety of the which, One part of Aquitain is bound to us, Although not valued to the money's worth. If then the king your father will restore But that one half which is unsatisfied, We will give up our right in Aquitain, And hold fair friendship with his majesty. But that, it seems, he little purposeth, For here he doth demand to have repaid An hundred thousand crowns; and not demands, On payment of a hundred thousand crowns, To have his title live in Aquitain; Which we much rather had depart withal, And have the money by our father lent, Than Aquitain so gelded as it is. Dear princess, were not his requests so far From reason's yielding, your fair self should make Prin. You do the king my father too much wrong, And wrong the reputation of your name, 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. Satisfy me so. [come, King. Boyet. So please your grace, the packet is not Where that and other specialties are bound; To-morrow you shall have a sight of them. King. It shall suffice me: at which interview, All liberal reason I will yield unto. Mean time, receive such welcome at my hand, As honour, without breach of honour, may Make tender of to thy true worthiness: You may not come, fair princess, in my gates; But here without you shall be so receiv'd, As you shall deem yourself lodg'd in my heart, Though so denied fair harbour in my house. Your own good thoughts excuse me, and farewell: To-morrow shall we visit you again. [grace! Prin. Sweet health and fair desires consort your King. Thy own wish wish I thee in every place! [Exeunt King and his train. Biron. Lady, I will commend you to my own heart. Ros. 'Pray you, do my commendations; I would be glad to see it. Biron. I would, you heard it groan. Biron. Sick at heart. Ros. Alack, let it blood. Biron. Would that do it good? Ros. My physick says, I. Biron. Will you prick't with your eye? Ros. No poynt, with my knife. Biron. Now, God save thy life! Ros. And yours from long living! Biron. I cannot stay thanksgiving. [Retiring. Dum. Sir, I pray you, a word? What lady is that same? Boyet. The heir of Alencon, Rosaline her name. Dum. A gallant lady! Monsieur, fare you well. [Exit. Long. I beseech you a word; What is she in the white? Boyet. A woman sometimes, an you saw her in the light. Long. Perchance, light in the light: I desire her name. Boyet. She hath but one for herself; to desire that, were a shame. Long. Pray you, sir, whose daughter? Boyet. Not unlike, sir; that may be. [Exit Long, Boyet. Katharine, by good hap. Biron. Is she wedded, or no? Boyet. To her will, sir, or so. Biron. You are welcome, sir; adieu! Boyet. Farewell to me, sir, and welcome to you. [Exit Biron.-Ladies unmask, Mar. That last is Biron, the merry mad-cap lord; Not a word with him but a jest. Boyet. [retire Boyet. Why, all his behaviours did make their Did point you to buy them, along as you pass'd. I only have made a mouth of his eye, By adding a tongue which I know will not lie. skilfully. Re-enter Moth and Costard." Moth. A wonder, master; here's a Costard broken in a shin. Arm. Some enigma, some riddle; come,-thy l'envoy-begin. Cost. No egma, no riddle, no l'envoy; no salve in the mail, sir: O, sir, plantain, a plain plantain no l'envoy, no l'envoy, no salve, sir, but a plantain Arm. By virtue, thou enforcest laughter; thy silly thought, my spleen; the heaving of my lungs provokes me to ridiculous smiling: O, pardon me, my stars! Doth the inconsiderate take salve for l'envoy, and the word, l'envoy, for a salve? Moth. Do the wise think them other? is not l'envoy a salve? Arm. No, page: it is an epilogue or discourse, to make plain Some obscure precedence that hath tofore been sain. Arm. How mean'st thou ? brawling in French? Arm. How hast thou purchased this experience? Moth. the hobby-horse is forgot. Arm. Callest thou my love, hobby-horse? Moth. No, master; the hobby-horse is but a colt, and your love, perhaps, a hackney. But have you forgot your love? Arm. Almost I had. Moth. Negligent student! Learn her by heart. Moth. And out of heart, master all those three Arm. What wilt thou prove? Moth. A man, if I live; and this, by, in, and without, upon the instant: By heart you love her, because your heart cannot come by her: in heart you love her, because your heart is in love with her; and out of heart you love her, being out of heart you cannot enjoy her. Arm. I am all these three. Moth. And three times as much more, and yet nothing at all. Arm. Fetch hither the swain; he must carry me a letter. Moth. A message well sympathized; a horse to be ambassador for an ass! Arm. Ha, ha! what sayest thou? Moth. Marry, sir, you must send the ass upon the horse, for he is very slow-gaited: But I go. Arm. The way is but short; away. Moth. As swift as lead, sir. Arm. Thy meaning, pretty ingenious? Is not lead a metal heavy, dull, and slow? Moth. Minime, honest master; or rather, ter, no. The fox, the ape, and the humble-bee, The fox, the ape, and the humble-bee, Cost. The boy hath sold him a bargain, a goose, that's flat: [fat. Sir, your pennyworth is good, an your goose be To sell a bargain well, is as cunning as fast and loose : Let me see a fat l'envoy; ay, that's a fat goose. Then the boy's fat l'envoy, the goose that you bought; Arm. But tell me; how was there a Costard broken in a shin? Moth. I will tell you sensibly. Cost. Thou hast no feeling of it, Moth; I will speak that l'envoy. 1, Costard, running out, that was safely within, Arm. We will talk no more of this matter. Arm. By my sweet soul, I mean, setting thee at liberty, enfreedoming thy person; thou wert immured, restrained, captivated, bound. Cost. True, true; and now you will be my pur. mas-gation, and let me loose. Arm. I give thee thy liberty, set thee from durance; and, in lieu thereof, impose on thee nothing You are too swift, sir, to say so: but this: Bear this significant to the country maid Arm. I say, lead is slow. Jaquenetta: there is remuneration; [giving him [he-money.] for the best ward of mine honour, is, rewarding my dependents. Moth, follow. [Exit. Moth. Like the sequel, I.-Signior Costard, adieu. Is that lead slow which is fir'd from a gun? By thy favour, sweet welkin, I must sigh in thy face: Most rude melancholy, valour gives thee place. Cost. My sweet ounce of man's flesh! my incony Jew! [Exit Moth. Now will I look to his remuneration. Remuneration! O, that's the Latin word for three farthings: three farthings-remuneration.-What's the price of this inkle a penny:-No, I'll give you a remu neration: why, it carries it.-Remuneration! K 2 |