第1章
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  ACTISCENEI。ThekingofNavarre’spark。EnterFERDINANDkingofNavarre,BIRON,LONGAVILLEandDUMAINFERDINANDLetfame,thatallhuntafterintheirlives,Liveregister’duponourbrazentombsAndthengraceusinthedisgraceofdeath;

  When,spiteofcormorantdevouringTime,TheendeavorofthispresentbreathmaybuyThathonourwhichshallbatehisscythe’skeenedgeAndmakeusheirsofalleternity。

  Therefore,braveconquerors,——forsoyouare,ThatwaragainstyourownaffectionsAndthehugearmyoftheworld’sdesires,——

  Ourlateedictshallstronglystandinforce:

  Navarreshallbethewonderoftheworld;

  OurcourtshallbealittleAcademe,Stillandcontemplativeinlivingart。

  Youthree,Biron,Dumain,andLongaville,Haveswornforthreeyears’termtolivewithmeMyfellow—scholars,andtokeepthosestatutesThatarerecordedinthisschedulehere:

  Youroathsarepass’d;andnowsubscribeyournames,ThathisownhandmaystrikehishonourdownThatviolatesthesmallestbranchherein:

  Ifyouarearm’dtodoassworntodo,Subscribetoyourdeepoaths,andkeepittoo。LONGAVILLEIamresolved;’tisbutathreeyears’

  fast:

  Themindshallbanquet,thoughthebodypine:

  Fatpauncheshaveleanpates,anddaintybitsMakerichtheribs,butbankruptquitethewits。DUMAINMylovinglord,Dumainismortified:

  Thegrossermanneroftheseworld’sdelightsHethrowsuponthegrossworld’sbaserslaves:

  Tolove,towealth,topomp,Ipineanddie;

  Withalltheselivinginphilosophy。BIRONIcanbutsaytheirprotestationover;

  Somuch,dearliege,Ihavealreadysworn,Thatis,toliveandstudyherethreeyears。

  Butthereareotherstrictobservances;

  As,nottoseeawomaninthatterm,WhichIhopewellisnotenrolledthere;

  AndonedayinaweektotouchnofoodAndbutonemealoneverydaybeside,ThewhichIhopeisnotenrolledthere;

  Andthen,tosleepbutthreehoursinthenight,Andnotbeseentowinkofalltheday——

  WhenIwaswonttothinknoharmallnightAndmakeadarknighttooofhalftheday——

  WhichIhopewellisnotenrolledthere:

  O,thesearebarrentasks,toohardtokeep,Nottoseeladies,study,fast,notsleep!FERDINANDYouroathispass’dtopassawayfromthese。BIRONLetmesayno,myliege,anifyouplease:

  IonlysworetostudywithyourgraceAndstayhereinyourcourtforthreeyears’space。LONGAVILLEYousworetothat,Biron,andtotherest。BIRONByyeaandnay,sir,thenIsworeinjest。

  Whatistheendofstudy?letmeknow。FERDINANDWhy,thattoknow,whichelseweshouldnotknow。BIRONThingshidandbarr’d,youmean,fromcommonsense?FERDINANDAy,thatisstudy’sgodlikerecompense。BIRONComeon,then;Iwillsweartostudyso,ToknowthethingIamforbidtoknow:

  Asthus,——tostudywhereIwellmaydine,WhenItofeastexpresslyamforbid;

  Orstudywheretomeetsomemistressfine,Whenmistressesfromcommonsensearehid;

  Or,havingsworntoohardakeepingoath,Studytobreakitandnotbreakmytroth。

  Ifstudy’sgainbethusandthisbeso,Studyknowsthatwhichyetitdothnotknow:

  Swearmetothis,andIwillne’ersayno。FERDINANDThesebethestopsthathinderstudyquiteAndtrainourintellectstovaindelight。BIRONWhy,alldelightsarevain;butthatmostvain,Whichwithpainpurchaseddothinheritpain:

  As,painfullytoporeuponabookToseekthelightoftruth;whiletruththewhileDothfalselyblindtheeyesightofhislook:

  Lightseekinglightdothlightoflightbeguile:

  So,ereyoufindwherelightindarknesslies,Yourlightgrowsdarkbylosingofyoureyes。

  StudymehowtopleasetheeyeindeedByfixingituponafairereye,Whodazzlingso,thateyeshallbehisheedAndgivehimlightthatitwasblindedby。

  Studyisliketheheaven’sglorioussunThatwillnotbedeep—search’dwithsaucylooks:

  SmallhavecontinualplodderseverwonSavebaseauthorityfromothers’booksTheseearthlygodfathersofheaven’slightsThatgiveanametoeveryfixedstarHavenomoreprofitoftheirshiningnightsThanthosethatwalkandwotnotwhattheyare。

  Toomuchtoknowistoknownoughtbutfame;

  Andeverygodfathercangiveaname。FERDINANDHowwellhe’sread,toreasonagainstreading!DUMAINProceededwell,tostopallgoodproceeding!LONGAVILLEHeweedsthecornandstillletsgrowtheweeding。BIRONThespringisnearwhengreengeesearea—breeding。DUMAINHowfollowsthat?BIRONFitinhisplaceandtime。DUMAINInreasonnothing。BIRONSomethingtheninrhyme。FERDINANDBironislikeanenvioussneapingfrost,Thatbitesthefirst—borninfantsofthespring。BIRONWell,sayIam;whyshouldproudsummerboastBeforethebirdshaveanycausetosing?

  WhyshouldIjoyinanyabortivebirth?

  AtChristmasInomoredesirearoseThanwishasnowinMay’snew—fangledmirth;

  Butlikeofeachthingthatinseasongrows。

  Soyou,tostudynowitistoolate,Climbo’erthehousetounlockthelittlegate。FERDINANDWell,sityouout:gohome,Biron:adieu。BIRONNo,mygoodlord;Ihavesworntostaywithyou:

  AndthoughIhaveforbarbarismspokemoreThanforthatangelknowledgeyoucansay,YetconfidentI’llkeepwhatIhavesworeAndbidethepenanceofeachthreeyears’day。

  Givemethepaper;letmereadthesame;

  Andtothestrict’stdecreesI’llwritemyname。FERDINANDHowwellthisyieldingrescuestheefromshame!BIRON[Reads]’Item,Thatnowomanshallcomewithinamileofmycourt:’Haththisbeenproclaimed?LONGAVILLEFourdaysago。BIRONLet’sseethepenalty。

  Reads’Onpainoflosinghertongue。’Whodevisedthispenalty?LONGAVILLEMarry,thatdidI。BIRONSweetlord,andwhy?LONGAVILLETofrightthemhencewiththatdreadpenalty。BIRONAdangerouslawagainstgentility!

  Reads’Item,Ifanymanbeseentotalkwithawomanwithinthetermofthreeyears,heshallenduresuchpublicshameastherestofthecourtcanpossiblydevise。’

  Thisarticle,myliege,yourselfmustbreak;

  ForwellyouknowherecomesinembassyTheFrenchking’sdaughterwithyourselftospeak——

  Amaidofgraceandcompletemajesty——

  AboutsurrenderupofAquitaineToherdecrepit,sickandbedridfather:

  Thereforethisarticleismadeinvain,Orvainlycomestheadmiredprincesshither。FERDINANDWhatsayyou,lords?Why,thiswasquiteforgot。BIRONSostudyevermoreisovershot:

  WhileitdothstudytohavewhatitwouldItdothforgettodothethingitshould,Andwhenithaththethingithuntethmost,’Tiswonastownswithfire,sowon,solost。FERDINANDWemustofforcedispensewiththisdecree;

  Shemustliehereonmerenecessity。BIRONNecessitywillmakeusallforswornThreethousandtimeswithinthisthreeyears’

  space;

  Foreverymanwithhisaffectsisborn,Notbymightmaster’dbutbyspecialgrace:

  IfIbreakfaith,thiswordshallspeakforme;

  Iamforswornon’merenecessity。’

  SotothelawsatlargeIwritemyname:

  SubscribesAndhethatbreaksthemintheleastdegreeStandsinattainderofeternalshame:

  Suggestionsaretootherastome;

  ButIbelieve,althoughIseemsoloath,Iamthelastthatwilllastkeephisoath。

  Butistherenoquickrecreationgranted?FERDINANDAy,thatthereis。Ourcourt,youknow,ishauntedWitharefinedtravellerofSpain;

  Amaninalltheworld’snewfashionplanted,Thathathamintofphrasesinhisbrain;

  OnewhomthemusicofhisownvaintongueDothravishlikeenchantingharmony;

  Amanofcomplements,whomrightandwrongHavechoseasumpireoftheirmutiny:

  Thischildoffancy,thatArmadohight,ForinterimtoourstudiesshallrelateInhigh—bornwordstheworthofmanyaknightFromtawnySpainlostintheworld’sdebate。

  Howyoudelight,mylords,Iknownot,I;

  But,Iprotest,IlovetohearhimlieAndIwillusehimformyminstrelsy。BIRONArmadoisamostillustriouswight,Amanoffire—newwords,fashion’sownknight。LONGAVILLECostardtheswainandheshallbeoursport;

  Andsotostudy,threeyearsisbutshort。

  EnterDULLwithaletter,andCOSTARDDULLWhichistheduke’sownperson?BIRONThis,fellow:whatwouldst?DULLImyselfreprehendhisownperson,forIamhisgrace’stharborough:butIwouldseehisownpersoninfleshandblood。BIRONThisishe。DULLSigniorArme——Arme——commendsyou。There’svillanyabroad:thisletterwilltellyoumore。COSTARDSir,thecontemptsthereofareastouchingme。FERDINANDAletterfromthemagnificentArmado。BIRONHowlowsoeverthematter,IhopeinGodforhighwords。LONGAVILLEAhighhopeforalowheaven:Godgrantuspatience!BIRONTohear?orforbearlaughing?LONGAVILLETohearmeekly,sir,andtolaughmoderately;

  ortoforbearboth。BIRONWell,sir,beitasthestyleshallgiveuscausetoclimbinthemerriness。COSTARDThematteristome,sir,asconcerningJaquenetta。

  Themannerofitis,Iwastakenwiththemanner。BIRONInwhatmanner?COSTARDInmannerandformfollowing,sir;allthosethree:

  Iwasseenwithherinthemanor—house,sittingwithherupontheform,andtakenfollowingherintothepark;which,puttogether,isinmannerandformfollowing。Now,sir,forthemanner,——itisthemannerofamantospeaktoawoman:fortheform,——

  insomeform。BIRONForthefollowing,sir?COSTARDAsitshallfollowinmycorrection:

  andGoddefendtheright!FERDINANDWillyouhearthisletterwithattention?BIRONAswewouldhearanoracle。COSTARDSuchisthesimplicityofmantohearkenaftertheflesh。FERDINAND[Reads]’Greatdeputy,thewelkin’svicegerentandsoledominatorofNavarre,mysoul’searth’sgod,andbody’sfosteringpatron。’COSTARDNotawordofCostardyet。FERDINAND[Reads]’Soitis,’——COSTARDItmaybeso:butifhesayitisso,heis,intellingtrue,butso。FERDINANDPeace!COSTARDBetomeandeverymanthatdaresnotfight!FERDINANDNowords!COSTARDOfothermen’ssecrets,Ibeseechyou。FERDINAND[Reads]’Soitis,besiegedwithsable—colouredmelancholy,Ididcommendtheblack—oppressinghumourtothemostwholesomephysicofthyhealth—givingair;and,asIamagentleman,betookmyselftowalk。Thetimewhen。Aboutthesixthhour;whenbeastsmostgraze,birdsbestpeck,andmensitdowntothatnourishmentwhichiscalledsupper:somuchforthetimewhen。Nowforthegroundwhich;

  which,Imean,Iwalkedupon:itisy—clepedthypark。

  Thenfortheplacewhere;where,Imean,Ididencounterthatobsceneandpreposterousevent,thatdrawethfrommysnow—whitepentheebon—colouredink,whichherethouviewest,beholdest,surveyest,orseest;

  buttotheplacewhere;itstandethnorth—north—eastandbyeastfromthewestcornerofthycurious—

  knottedgarden:theredidIseethatlow—spiritedswain,thatbaseminnowofthymirth,’——COSTARDMe?FERDINAND[Reads]’thatunletteredsmall—knowingsoul,’——COSTARDMe?FERDINAND[Reads]’thatshallowvassal,’——COSTARDStillme?FERDINAND[Reads]’which,asIremember,hightCostard,’——COSTARDO,me!FERDINAND[Reads]’sortedandconsorted,contrarytothyestablishedproclaimededictandcontinentcanon,whichwith,——O,with——butwiththisIpassiontosaywherewith,——COSTARDWithawench。FERDINAND[Reads]’withachildofourgrandmotherEve,afemale;or,forthymoresweetunderstanding,awoman。HimI,asmyever—esteemeddutypricksmeon,havesenttothee,toreceivethemeedofpunishment,bythysweetgrace’sofficer,AnthonyDull;amanofgoodrepute,carriage,bearing,andestimation。’DULL’Me,an’tshallpleaseyou;IamAnthonyDull。FERDINAND[Reads]’ForJaquenetta,——soistheweakervesselcalledwhichIapprehendedwiththeaforesaidswain,——Ikeepherasavesselofthelaw’sfury;

  andshall,attheleastofthysweetnotice,bringhertotrial。Thine,inallcomplimentsofdevotedandheart—burningheatofduty。

  DONADRIANODEARMADO。’BIRONThisisnotsowellasIlookedfor,butthebestthateverIheard。FERDINANDAy,thebestfortheworst。But,sirrah,whatsayyoutothis?COSTARDSir,Iconfessthewench。FERDINANDDidyouheartheproclamation?COSTARDIdoconfessmuchofthehearingitbutlittleofthemarkingofit。FERDINANDItwasproclaimedayear’simprisonment,tobetakenwithawench。COSTARDIwastakenwithnone,sir:Iwastakenwithadamsel。FERDINANDWell,itwasproclaimed’damsel。’COSTARDThiswasnodamsel,neither,sir;shewasavirgin。FERDINANDItissovaried,too;foritwasproclaimed’virgin。’COSTARDIfitwere,Idenyhervirginity:Iwastakenwithamaid。FERDINANDThismaidwillnotserveyourturn,sir。COSTARDThismaidwillservemyturn,sir。FERDINANDSir,Iwillpronounceyoursentence:

  youshallfastaweekwithbranandwater。COSTARDIhadratherprayamonthwithmuttonandporridge。FERDINANDAndDonArmadoshallbeyourkeeper。

  MyLordBiron,seehimdeliver’do’er:

  Andgowe,lords,toputinpractisethatWhicheachtootherhathsostronglysworn。

  ExeuntFERDINAND,LONGAVILLE,andDUMAINBIRONI’lllaymyheadtoanygoodman’shat,Theseoathsandlawswillproveanidlescorn。

  Sirrah,comeon。COSTARDIsufferforthetruth,sir;fortrueitis,IwastakenwithJaquenetta,andJaquenettaisatruegirl;andthereforewelcomethesourcupofprosperity!Afflictionmayonedaysmileagain;

  andtillthen,sittheedown,sorrow!

  ExeuntLOVE’SLABOURSLOSTSCENEII。Thesame。EnterDONADRIANODEARMADOandMOTHDONADRIANODEARMADOBoy,whatsignisitwhenamanofgreatspiritgrowsmelancholy?MOTHAgreatsign,sir,thathewilllooksad。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOWhy,sadnessisoneandtheself—samething,dearimp。MOTHNo,no;OLord,sir,no。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOHowcanstthoupartsadnessandmelancholy,mytenderjuvenal?MOTHByafamiliardemonstrationoftheworking,mytoughsenior。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOWhytoughsenior?whytoughsenior?MOTHWhytenderjuvenal?whytenderjuvenal?

  DONADRIANODEARMADOIspokeit,tenderjuvenal,asacongruentepithetonappertainingtothyyoungdays,whichwemaynominatetender。MOTHAndI,toughsenior,asanappertinenttitletoyouroldtime,whichwemaynametough。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOPrettyandapt。MOTHHowmeanyou,sir?Ipretty,andmysayingapt?orIapt,andmysayingpretty?

  DONADRIANODEARMADOThoupretty,becauselittle。MOTHLittlepretty,becauselittle。Whereforeapt?

  DONADRIANODEARMADOAndthereforeapt,becausequick。MOTHSpeakyouthisinmypraise,master?

  DONADRIANODEARMADOInthycondignpraise。MOTHIwillpraiseaneelwiththesamepraise。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOWhat,thataneelisingenious?MOTHThataneelisquick。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOIdosaythouartquickinanswers:thouheatestmyblood。MOTHIamanswered,sir。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOIlovenottobecrossed。MOTH[Aside]Hespeaksthemerecontrary;crosseslovenothim。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOIhavepromisedtostudythreeyearswiththeduke。MOTHYoumaydoitinanhour,sir。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOImpossible。MOTHHowmanyisonethricetold?

  DONADRIANODEARMADOIamillatreckoning;itfitteththespiritofatapster。MOTHYouareagentlemanandagamester,sir。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOIconfessboth:theyareboththevarnishofacompleteman。MOTHThen,Iamsure,youknowhowmuchthegrosssumofdeuce—aceamountsto。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOItdothamounttoonemorethantwo。MOTHWhichthebasevulgardocallthree。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOTrue。MOTHWhy,sir,isthissuchapieceofstudy?

  Nowhereisthreestudied,ereye’llthricewink:andhoweasyitistoput’years’totheword’three,’

  andstudythreeyearsintwowords,thedancinghorsewilltellyou。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOAmostfinefigure!MOTHToproveyouacipher。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOIwillhereuponconfessIaminlove:

  andasitisbaseforasoldiertolove,soamIinlovewithabasewench。Ifdrawingmyswordagainstthehumourofaffectionwoulddelivermefromthereprobatethoughtofit,IwouldtakeDesireprisoner,andransomhimtoanyFrenchcourtierforanew—devisedcourtesy。Ithinkscorntosigh:methinksIshouldoutswearCupid。Comfort,me,boy:whatgreatmenhavebeeninlove?MOTHHercules,master。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOMostsweetHercules!Moreauthority,dearboy,namemore;and,sweetmychild,letthembemenofgoodreputeandcarriage。MOTHSamson,master:hewasamanofgoodcarriage,greatcarriage,forhecarriedthetown—gatesonhisbacklikeaporter:andhewasinlove。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOOwell—knitSamson!strong—jointedSamson!

  Idoexceltheeinmyrapierasmuchasthoudidstmeincarryinggates。Iaminlovetoo。WhowasSamson’slove,mydearMoth?MOTHAwoman,master。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOOfwhatcomplexion?MOTHOfallthefour,orthethree,orthetwo,oroneofthefour。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOTellmepreciselyofwhatcomplexion。MOTHOfthesea—watergreen,sir。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOIsthatoneofthefourcomplexions?MOTHAsIhaveread,sir;andthebestofthemtoo。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOGreenindeedisthecolouroflovers;

  buttohavealoveofthatcolour,methinksSamsonhadsmallreasonforit。Hesurelyaffectedherforherwit。MOTHItwasso,sir;forshehadagreenwit。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOMyloveismostimmaculatewhiteandred。MOTHMostmaculatethoughts,master,aremaskedundersuchcolours。

  DONADRIANODEARMADODefine,define,well—educatedinfant。MOTHMyfather’switandmymother’stongue,assistme!

  DONADRIANODEARMADOSweetinvocationofachild;mostprettyandpathetical!MOTHIfshebemadeofwhiteandred,Herfaultswillne’erbeknown,ForblushingcheeksbyfaultsarebredAndfearsbypalewhiteshown:

  Thenifshefear,orbetoblame,Bythisyoushallnotknow,ForstillhercheekspossessthesameWhichnativeshedothowe。

  Adangerousrhyme,master,againstthereasonofwhiteandred。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOIstherenotaballad,boy,oftheKingandtheBeggar?MOTHTheworldwasveryguiltyofsuchaballadsomethreeagessince:butIthinknow’tisnottobefound;or,ifitwere,itwouldneitherserveforthewritingnorthetune。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOIwillhavethatsubjectnewlywrito’er,thatImayexamplemydigressionbysomemightyprecedent。

  Boy,IdolovethatcountrygirlthatItookintheparkwiththerationalhindCostard:shedeserveswell。MOTH[Aside]Tobewhipped;andyetabetterlovethanmymaster。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOSing,boy;myspiritgrowsheavyinlove。MOTHAndthat’sgreatmarvel,lovingalightwench。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOIsay,sing。MOTHForbeartillthiscompanybepast。

  EnterDULL,COSTARD,andJAQUENETTADULLSir,theduke’spleasureis,thatyoukeepCostardsafe:andyoumustsufferhimtotakenodelightnornopenance;buta’mustfastthreedaysaweek。

  Forthisdamsel,Imustkeepheratthepark:

  sheisallowedfortheday—woman。Fareyouwell。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOIdobetraymyselfwithblushing。Maid!JAQUENETTAMan?

  DONADRIANODEARMADOIwillvisittheeatthelodge。JAQUENETTAThat’shereby。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOIknowwhereitissituate。JAQUENETTALord,howwiseyouare!

  DONADRIANODEARMADOIwilltelltheewonders。JAQUENETTAWiththatface?

  DONADRIANODEARMADOIlovethee。JAQUENETTASoIheardyousay。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOAndso,farewell。JAQUENETTAFairweatherafteryou!DULLCome,Jaquenetta,away!

  ExeuntDULLandJAQUENETTA

  DONADRIANODEARMADOVillain,thoushaltfastforthyoffenceserethoubepardoned。COSTARDWell,sir,Ihope,whenIdoit,Ishalldoitonafullstomach。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOThoushaltbeheavilypunished。COSTARDIammoreboundtoyouthanyourfellows,fortheyarebutlightlyrewarded。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOTakeawaythisvillain;shuthimup。MOTHCome,youtransgressingslave;away!COSTARDLetmenotbepentup,sir:Iwillfast,beingloose。MOTHNo,sir;thatwerefastandloose:thoushalttoprison。COSTARDWell,ifeverIdoseethemerrydaysofdesolationthatIhaveseen,someshallsee。MOTHWhatshallsomesee?COSTARDNay,nothing,MasterMoth,butwhattheylookupon。

  Itisnotforprisonerstobetoosilentintheirwords;andthereforeIwillsaynothing:IthankGodIhaveaslittlepatienceasanotherman;

  andthereforeIcanbequiet。

  ExeuntMOTHandCOSTARD

  DONADRIANODEARMADOIdoaffecttheveryground,whichisbase,wherehershoe,whichisbaser,guidedbyherfoot,whichisbasest,dothtread。Ishallbeforsworn,whichisagreatargumentoffalsehood,ifIlove。

  Andhowcanthatbetruelovewhichisfalselyattempted?Loveisafamiliar;Loveisadevil:

  thereisnoevilangelbutLove。YetwasSamsonsotempted,andhehadanexcellentstrength;yetwasSolomonsoseduced,andhehadaverygoodwit。

  Cupid’sbutt—shaftistoohardforHercules’

  club;

  andthereforetoomuchoddsforaSpaniard’srapier。

  Thefirstandsecondcausewillnotservemyturn;

  thepassadoherespectsnot,theduelloheregardsnot:hisdisgraceistobecalledboy;buthisgloryistosubduemen。Adieu,valour!rustrapier!

  bestill,drum!foryourmanagerisinlove;

  yea,heloveth。Assistme,someextemporalgodofrhyme,forIamsureIshallturnsonnet。Devise,wit;

  write,pen;forIamforwholevolumesinfolio。

  ExitLOVE’SLABOURSLOSTACTIISCENEI。Thesame。EnterthePRINCESSofFrance,ROSALINE,MARIA,KATHARINE,BOYET,Lords,andotherAttendantsBOYETNow,madam,summonupyourdearestspirits:

  Considerwhothekingyourfathersends,Towhomhesends,andwhat’shisembassy:

  Yourself,heldpreciousintheworld’sesteem,ToparleywiththesoleinheritorOfallperfectionsthatamanmayowe,MatchlessNavarre;thepleaofnolessweightThanAquitaine,adowryforaqueen。

  BenowasprodigalofalldeargraceAsNaturewasinmakinggracesdearWhenshedidstarvethegeneralworldbesideAndprodigallygavethemalltoyou。PRINCESSGoodLordBoyet,mybeauty,thoughbutmean,Needsnotthepaintedflourishofyourpraise:

  Beautyisboughtbyjudgementoftheeye,Notutter’dbybasesaleofchapmen’stongues:

  IamlessproudtohearyoutellmyworthThanyoumuchwillingtobecountedwiseInspendingyourwitinthepraiseofmine。

  Butnowtotaskthetasker:goodBoyet,Youarenotignorant,all—tellingfameDothnoiseabroad,Navarrehathmadeavow,Tillpainfulstudyshalloutwearthreeyears,Nowomanmayapproachhissilentcourt:

  Thereforeto’sseemethitaneedfulcourse,Beforeweenterhisforbiddengates,Toknowhispleasure;andinthatbehalf,Boldofyourworthiness,wesingleyouAsourbest—movingfairsolicitor。

  Tellhim,thedaughteroftheKingofFrance,Onseriousbusiness,cravingquickdispatch,Importunespersonalconferencewithhisgrace:

  Haste,signifysomuch;whileweattend,Likehumble—visagedsuitors,hishighwill。BOYETProudofemployment,willinglyIgo。PRINCESSAllprideiswillingpride,andyoursisso。

  ExitBOYET

  Whoarethevotaries,mylovinglords,Thatarevow—fellowswiththisvirtuousduke?FirstLordLordLongavilleisone。PRINCESSKnowyoutheman?MARIAIknowhim,madam:atamarriage—feast,BetweenLordPerigortandthebeauteousheirOfJaquesFalconbridge,solemnizedInNormandy,sawIthisLongaville:

  Amanofsovereignpartsheisesteem’d;

  Wellfittedinarts,gloriousinarms:

  Nothingbecomeshimillthathewouldwell。

  Theonlysoilofhisfairvirtue’sgloss,Ifvirtue’sglosswillstainwithanysoil,Isasharpwitmatchedwithtoobluntawill;

  Whoseedgehathpowertocut,whosewillstillwillsItshouldnonesparethatcomewithinhispower。PRINCESSSomemerrymockinglord,belike;is’tso?MARIATheysaysomostthatmosthishumoursknow。PRINCESSSuchshort—livedwitsdowitherastheygrow。

  Whoaretherest?KATHARINETheyoungDumain,awell—accomplishedyouth,Ofallthatvirtueloveforvirtueloved:

  Mostpowertodomostharm,leastknowingill;

  Forhehathwittomakeanillshapegood,Andshapetowingracethoughhehadnowit。

  IsawhimattheDukeAlencon’sonce;

  AndmuchtoolittleofthatgoodIsawIsmyreporttohisgreatworthiness。ROSALINEAnotherofthesestudentsatthattimeWastherewithhim,ifIhaveheardatruth。

  Birontheycallhim;butamerrierman,Withinthelimitofbecomingmirth,Ineverspentanhour’stalkwithal:

  Hiseyebegetsoccasionforhiswit;

  ForeveryobjectthattheonedothcatchTheotherturnstoamirth—movingjest,Whichhisfairtongue,conceit’sexpositor,DeliversinsuchaptandgraciouswordsThatagedearsplaytruantathistalesAndyoungerhearingsarequiteravished;

  Sosweetandvolubleishisdiscourse。PRINCESSGodblessmyladies!aretheyallinlove,ThateveryoneherownhathgarnishedWithsuchbedeckingornamentsofpraise?FirstLordHerecomesBoyet。

  Re—enterBOYETPRINCESSNow,whatadmittance,lord?BOYETNavarrehadnoticeofyourfairapproach;

  AndheandhiscompetitorsinoathWerealladdress’dtomeetyou,gentlelady,BeforeIcame。Marry,thusmuchIhavelearnt:

  Herathermeanstolodgeyouinthefield,Likeonethatcomesheretobesiegehiscourt,Thanseekadispensationforhisoath,Toletyouenterhisunpeopledhouse。

  HerecomesNavarre。

  EnterFERDINAND,LONGAVILLE,DUMAIN,BIRON,andAttendantsFERDINANDFairprincess,welcometothecourtofNavarre。PRINCESS’Fair’Igiveyoubackagain;and’welcome’

  Ihavenotyet:theroofofthiscourtistoohightobeyours;andwelcometothewidefieldstoobasetobemine。FERDINANDYoushallbewelcome,madam,tomycourt。PRINCESSIwillbewelcome,then:conductmethither。FERDINANDHearme,dearlady;Ihaveswornanoath。PRINCESSOurLadyhelpmylord!he’llbeforsworn。FERDINANDNotfortheworld,fairmadam,bymywill。PRINCESSWhy,willshallbreakit;willandnothingelse。FERDINANDYourladyshipisignorantwhatitis。PRINCESSWeremylordso,hisignorancewerewise,Wherenowhisknowledgemustproveignorance。

  Ihearyourgracehathswornouthouse—keeping:

  Tisdeadlysintokeepthatoath,mylord,Andsintobreakit。

  Butpardonme。Iamtoosudden—bold:

  Toteachateacherillbeseemethme。

  Vouchsafetoreadthepurposeofmycoming,Andsuddenlyresolvemeinmysuit。FERDINANDMadam,Iwill,ifsuddenlyImay。PRINCESSYouwillthesooner,thatIwereaway;

  Foryou’llproveperjuredifyoumakemestay。BIRONDidnotIdancewithyouinBrabantonce?ROSALINEDidnotIdancewithyouinBrabantonce?BIRONIknowyoudid。ROSALINEHowneedlesswasitthentoaskthequestion!BIRONYoumustnotbesoquick。ROSALINE’Tis’longofyouthatspurmewithsuchquestions。BIRONYourwit’stoohot,itspeedstoofast,’twilltire。ROSALINENottillitleavetheriderinthemire。BIRONWhattimeo’day?ROSALINEThehourthatfoolsshouldask。BIRONNowfairbefallyourmask!ROSALINEFairfallthefaceitcovers!BIRONAndsendyoumanylovers!ROSALINEAmen,soyoubenone。BIRONNay,thenwillIbegone。FERDINANDMadam,yourfatherheredothintimateThepaymentofahundredthousandcrowns;

  BeingbuttheonehalfofanentiresumDisbursedbymyfatherinhiswars。

  Butsaythatheorwe,asneitherhave,Receivedthatsum,yetthereremainsunpaidAhundredthousandmore;insuretyofthewhich,OnepartofAquitaineisboundtous,Althoughnotvaluedtothemoney’sworth。

  IfthenthekingyourfatherwillrestoreButthatonehalfwhichisunsatisfied,WewillgiveupourrightinAquitaine,Andholdfairfriendshipwithhismajesty。

  Butthat,itseems,helittlepurposeth,ForherehedothdemandtohaverepaidAhundredthousandcrowns;andnotdemands,Onpaymentofahundredthousandcrowns,TohavehistitleliveinAquitaine;

  WhichwemuchratherhaddepartwithalAndhavethemoneybyourfatherlentThanAquitainesogeldedasitis。

  DearPrincess,werenothisrequestssofarFromreason’syielding,yourfairselfshouldmakeAyielding’gainstsomereasoninmybreastAndgowellsatisfiedtoFranceagain。PRINCESSYoudothekingmyfathertoomuchwrongAndwrongthereputationofyourname,InsounseemingtoconfessreceiptOfthatwhichhathsofaithfullybeenpaid。FERDINANDIdoprotestIneverheardofit;

  Andifyouproveit,I’llrepayitbackOryieldupAquitaine。PRINCESSWearrestyourword。

  Boyet,youcanproduceacquittancesForsuchasumfromspecialofficersOfCharleshisfather。FERDINANDSatisfymeso。BOYETSopleaseyourgrace,thepacketisnotcomeWherethatandotherspecialtiesarebound:

  To—morrowyoushallhaveasightofthem。FERDINANDItshallsufficeme:atwhichinterviewAllliberalreasonIwillyieldunto。

  MeantimereceivesuchwelcomeatmyhandAshonourwithoutbreachofhonourmayMaketenderoftothytrueworthiness:

  Youmaynotcome,fairprincess,inmygates;

  ButherewithoutyoushallbesoreceivedAsyoushalldeemyourselflodgedinmyheart,Thoughsodeniedfairharbourinmyhouse。

  Yourowngoodthoughtsexcuseme,andfarewell:

  To—morrowshallwevisityouagain。PRINCESSSweethealthandfairdesiresconsortyourgrace!FERDINANDThyownwishwishItheeineveryplace!

  ExitBIRONLady,Iwillcommendyoutomineownheart。ROSALINEPrayyou,domycommendations;Iwouldbegladtoseeit。BIRONIwouldyouhearditgroan。ROSALINEIsthefoolsick?BIRONSickattheheart。ROSALINEAlack,letitblood。BIRONWouldthatdoitgood?ROSALINEMyphysicsays’ay。’BIRONWillyouprick’twithyoureye?ROSALINENopoint,withmyknife。BIRONNow,Godsavethylife!ROSALINEAndyoursfromlongliving!BIRONIcannotstaythanksgiving。

  RetiringDUMAINSir,Iprayyou,aword:whatladyisthatsame?BOYETTheheirofAlencon,Katharinehername。DUMAINAgallantlady。Monsieur,fareyouwell。

  ExitLONGAVILLEIbeseechyouaword:whatissheinthewhite?BOYETAwomansometimes,anyousawherinthelight。LONGAVILLEPerchancelightinthelight。Idesirehername。BOYETShehathbutoneforherself;todesirethatwereashame。LONGAVILLEPrayyou,sir,whosedaughter?BOYETHermother’s,Ihaveheard。LONGAVILLEGod’sblessingonyourbeard!BOYETGoodsir,benotoffended。

  SheisanheirofFalconbridge。LONGAVILLENay,mycholerisended。

  Sheisamostsweetlady。BOYETNotunlike,sir,thatmaybe。

  ExitLONGAVILLEBIRONWhat’shernameinthecap?BOYETRosaline,bygoodhap。BIRONIssheweddedorno?BOYETToherwill,sir,orso。BIRONYouarewelcome,sir:adieu。BOYETFarewelltome,sir,andwelcometoyou。

  ExitBIRONMARIAThatlastisBiron,themerrymadcaplord:

  Notawordwithhimbutajest。BOYETAndeveryjestbutaword。PRINCESSItwaswelldoneofyoutotakehimathisword。BOYETIwasaswillingtograppleashewastoboard。MARIATwohotsheeps,marry。BOYETAndwhereforenotships?

  Nosheep,sweetlamb,unlesswefeedonyourlips。MARIAYousheep,andIpasture:shallthatfinishthejest?BOYETSoyougrantpastureforme。

  OfferingtokissherMARIANotso,gentlebeast:

  Mylipsarenocommon,thoughseveraltheybe。BOYETBelongingtowhom?MARIATomyfortunesandme。PRINCESSGoodwitswillbejangling;but,gentles,agree:

  ThiscivilwarofwitsweremuchbetterusedOnNavarreandhisbook—men;forhere’tisabused。BOYETIfmyobservation,whichveryseldomlies,Bytheheart’sstillrhetoricdisclosedwitheyes,Deceivemenotnow,Navarreisinfected。PRINCESSWithwhat?BOYETWiththatwhichweloversentitleaffected。PRINCESSYourreason?BOYETWhy,allhisbehaviorsdidmaketheirretireTothecourtofhiseye,peepingthoroughdesire:

  Hisheart,likeanagate,withyourprintimpress’d,Proudwithhisform,inhiseyeprideexpress’d:

  Histongue,allimpatienttospeakandnotsee,Didstumblewithhasteinhiseyesighttobe;

  Allsensestothatsensedidmaketheirrepair,Tofeelonlylookingonfairestoffair:

  Methoughtallhissenseswerelock’dinhiseye,Asjewelsincrystalforsomeprincetobuy;

  Who,tenderingtheirownworthfromwheretheywereglass’d,Didpointyoutobuythem,alongasyoupass’d:

  Hisface’sownmargentdidquotesuchamazesThatalleyessawhiseyesenchantedwithgazes。

  I’llgiveyouAquitaineandallthatishis,Anyougivehimformysakebutonelovingkiss。PRINCESSCometoourpavilion:Boyetisdisposed。BOYETButtospeakthatinwordswhichhiseyehathdisclosed。

  Ionlyhavemadeamouthofhiseye,ByaddingatonguewhichIknowwillnotlie。ROSALINEThouartanoldlove—mongerandspeakestskilfully。MARIAHeisCupid’sgrandfatherandlearnsnewsofhim。ROSALINEThenwasVenuslikehermother,forherfatherisbutgrim。BOYETDoyouhear,mymadwenches?MARIANo。BOYETWhatthen,doyousee?ROSALINEAy,ourwaytobegone。BOYETYouaretoohardforme。

  ExeuntLOVE’SLABOURSLOSTACTIIISCENEI。Thesame。EnterDONADRIANODEARMADOandMOTHDONADRIANODEARMADOWarble,child;makepassionatemysenseofhearing。MOTHConcolinel。

  SingingDONADRIANODEARMADOSweetair!Go,tendernessofyears;takethiskey,giveenlargementtotheswain,bringhimfestinatelyhither:Imustemployhiminalettertomylove。MOTHMaster,willyouwinyourlovewithaFrenchbrawl?

  DONADRIANODEARMADOHowmeanestthou?brawlinginFrench?MOTHNo,mycompletemaster:buttojigoffatuneatthetongue’send,canarytoitwithyourfeet,humouritwithturningupyoureyelids,sighanoteandsinganote,sometimethroughthethroat,asifyouswallowedlovewithsinginglove,sometimethroughthenose,asifyousnuffeduplovebysmellinglove;withyourhatpenthouse—likeo’ertheshopofyoureyes;withyourarmscrossedonyourthin—bellydoubletlikearabbitonaspit;oryourhandsinyourpocketlikeamanaftertheoldpainting;

  andkeepnottoolonginonetune,butasnipandaway。

  Thesearecomplements,thesearehumours;thesebetraynicewenches,thatwouldbebetrayedwithoutthese;andmakethemmenofnote——doyounoteme?——thatmostareaffectedtothese。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOHowhastthoupurchasedthisexperience?MOTHBymypennyofobservation。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOButO,——butO,——MOTH’Thehobby—horseisforgot。’

  DONADRIANODEARMADOCallestthoumylove’hobby—horse’?MOTHNo,master;thehobby—horseisbutacolt,andyourloveperhapsahackney。Buthaveyouforgotyourlove?

  DONADRIANODEARMADOAlmostIhad。MOTHNegligentstudent!learnherbyheart。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOByheartandinheart,boy。MOTHAndoutofheart,master:allthosethreeIwillprove。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOWhatwiltthouprove?MOTHAman,ifIlive;andthis,by,in,andwithout,upontheinstant:byheartyouloveher,becauseyourheartcannotcomebyher;inheartyouloveher,becauseyourheartisinlovewithher;andoutofheartyouloveher,beingoutofheartthatyoucannotenjoyher。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOIamallthesethree。MOTHAndthreetimesasmuchmore,andyetnothingatall。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOFetchhithertheswain:hemustcarrymealetter。MOTHAmessagewellsympathized;ahorsetobeambassadorforanass。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOHa,ha!whatsayestthou?MOTHMarry,sir,youmustsendtheassuponthehorse,forheisveryslow—gaited。ButIgo。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOThewayisbutshort:away!MOTHAsswiftaslead,sir。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOThemeaning,prettyingenious?

  Isnotleadametalheavy,dull,andslow?MOTHMinime,honestmaster;orrather,master,no。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOIsayleadisslow。MOTHYouaretooswift,sir,tosayso:

  Isthatleadslowwhichisfiredfromagun?

  DONADRIANODEARMADOSweetsmokeofrhetoric!

  Hereputesmeacannon;andthebullet,that’she:

  Ishoottheeattheswain。MOTHThumpthenandIflee。

  ExitDONADRIANODEARMADOAmostacutejuvenal;volubleandfreeofgrace!

  Bythyfavour,sweetwelkin,Imustsighinthyface:

  Mostrudemelancholy,valourgivestheeplace。

  Myheraldisreturn’d。

  Re—enterMOTHwithCOSTARDMOTHAwonder,master!here’sacostardbrokeninashin。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOSomeenigma,someriddle:come,thyl’envoy;

  begin。COSTARDNoenigma,noriddle,nol’envoy;nosalveinthemail,sir:O,sir,plantain,aplainplantain!

  nol’envoy,nol’envoy;nosalve,sir,butaplantain!

  DONADRIANODEARMADOByvirtue,thouenforcestlaughter;thysillythoughtmyspleen;theheavingofmylungsprovokesmetoridiculoussmiling。O,pardonme,mystars!

  Doththeinconsideratetakesalveforl’envoy,andthewordl’envoyforasalve?MOTHDothewisethinkthemother?isnotl’envoyasalve?

  DONADRIANODEARMADONo,page:itisanepilogueordiscourse,tomakeplainSomeobscureprecedencethathathtoforebeensain。

  Iwillexampleit:

  Thefox,theape,andthehumble—bee,Werestillatodds,beingbutthree。

  There’sthemoral。Nowthel’envoy。MOTHIwilladdthel’envoy。Saythemoralagain。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOThefox,theape,andthehumble—bee,Werestillatodds,beingbutthree。MOTHUntilthegoosecameoutofdoor,Andstay’dtheoddsbyaddingfour。

  NowwillIbeginyourmoral,anddoyoufollowwithmyl’envoy。

  Thefox,theape,andthehumble—bee,Werestillatodds,beingbutthree。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOUntilthegoosecameoutofdoor,Stayingtheoddsbyaddingfour。MOTHAgoodl’envoy,endinginthegoose:

  wouldyoudesiremore?COSTARDTheboyhathsoldhimabargain,agoose,that’sflat。

  Sir,yourpennyworthisgood,anyourgoosebefat。

  Tosellabargainwellisascunningasfastandloose:

  Letmesee;afatl’envoy;ay,that’safatgoose。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOComehither,comehither。Howdidthisargumentbegin?MOTHBysayingthatacostardwasbrokeninashin。

  Thencall’dyouforthel’envoy。COSTARDTrue,andIforaplantain:thuscameyourargumentin;

  Thentheboy’sfatl’envoy,thegoosethatyoubought;

  Andheendedthemarket。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOButtellme;howwasthereacostardbrokeninashin?MOTHIwilltellyousensibly。COSTARDThouhastnofeelingofit,Moth:Iwillspeakthatl’envoy:

  ICostard,runningout,thatwassafelywithin,Felloverthethresholdandbrokemyshin。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOWewilltalknomoreofthismatter。COSTARDTilltherebemorematterintheshin。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOSirrahCostard,Iwillenfranchisethee。COSTARDO,marrymetooneFrances:Ismellsomel’envoy,somegoose,inthis。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOBymysweetsoul,Imeansettingtheeatliberty,enfreedomingthyperson;thouwertimmured,restrained,captivated,bound。COSTARDTrue,true;andnowyouwillbemypurgationandletmeloose。

  DONADRIANODEARMADOIgivetheethyliberty,settheefromdurance;and,inlieuthereof,imposeontheenothingbutthis:

  bearthissignificantGivingalettertothecountrymaidJaquenetta:

  thereisremuneration;forthebestwardofminehonourisrewardingmydependents。Moth,follow。

  ExitMOTHLikethesequel,I。SigniorCostard,adieu。COSTARDMysweetounceofman’sflesh!myinconyJew!

  ExitMOTH

  NowwillIlooktohisremuneration。Remuneration!

  O,that’stheLatinwordforthreefarthings:

  threefarthings——remuneration。——’What’sthepriceofthisinkle?’——’Onepenny。’——’No,I’llgiveyouaremuneration:’why,itcarriesit。Remuneration!

  why,itisafairernamethanFrenchcrown。I

  willneverbuyandselloutofthisword。

  EnterBIRONBIRONO,mygoodknaveCostard!exceedinglywellmet。COSTARDPrayyou,sir,howmuchcarnationribbonmayamanbuyforaremuneration?BIRONWhatisaremuneration?COSTARDMarry,sir,halfpennyfarthing。BIRONWhy,then,three—farthingworthofsilk。COSTARDIthankyourworship:Godbewi’you!BIRONStay,slave;Imustemploythee:

  Asthouwiltwinmyfavour,goodmyknave,DoonethingformethatIshallentreat。COSTARDWhenwouldyouhaveitdone,sir?BIRONThisafternoon。COSTARDWell,Iwilldoit,sir:fareyouwell。BIRONThouknowestnotwhatitis。COSTARDIshallknow,sir,whenIhavedoneit。BIRONWhy,villain,thoumustknowfirst。COSTARDIwillcometoyourworshipto—morrowmorning。BIRONItmustbedonethisafternoon。

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