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。