It is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare. Since their composition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poems have traveled the globe, inviting those who see and read his works to make them their own.
Readers of the New Folger Editions are part of this ongoing process of “taking up Shakespeare,” finding our own thoughts and feelings in language that strikes us as old or unusual and, for that very reason, new. We still struggle to keep up with a writer who could think a mile a minute, whose words paint pictures that shift like clouds. These expertly edited texts are presented to the public as a resource for study, artistic adaptation, and enjoyment. By making the classic texts of the New Folger Editions available in electronic form as The Folger Shakespeare (formerly Folger Digital Texts), we place a trusted resource in the hands of anyone who wants them.
The New Folger Editions of Shakespeare’s plays, which are the basis for the texts realized here in digital form, are special because of their origin. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is the single greatest documentary source of Shakespeare’s works. An unparalleled collection of early modern books, manuscripts, and artwork connected to Shakespeare, the Folger’s holdings have been consulted extensively in the preparation of these texts. The Editions also reflect the expertise gained through the regular performance of Shakespeare’s works in the Folger’s Elizabethan Theatre.
I want to express my deep thanks to editors Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine for creating these indispensable editions of Shakespeare’s works, which incorporate the best of textual scholarship with a richness of commentary that is both inspired and engaging. Readers who want to know more about Shakespeare and his plays can follow the paths these distinguished scholars have tread by visiting the Folger either in-person or online, where a range of physical and digital resources exists to supplement the material in these texts. I commend to you these words, and hope that they inspire.
Director, Folger Shakespeare Library
Until now, with the release of The Folger Shakespeare (formerly Folger Digital Texts), readers in search of a free online text of Shakespeare’s plays had to be content primarily with using the Moby™ Text, which reproduces a late-nineteenth century version of the plays. What is the difference? Many ordinary readers assume that there is a single text for the plays: what Shakespeare wrote. But Shakespeare’s plays were not published the way modern novels or plays are published today: as a single, authoritative text. In some cases, the plays have come down to us in multiple published versions, represented by various Quartos (Qq) and by the great collection put together by his colleagues in 1623, called the First Folio (F). There are, for example, three very different versions of Hamlet, two of King Lear, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, and others. Editors choose which version to use as their base text, and then amend that text with words, lines or speech prefixes from the other versions that, in their judgment, make for a better or more accurate text.
Other editorial decisions involve choices about whether an unfamiliar word could be understood in light of other writings of the period or whether it should be changed; decisions about words that made it into Shakespeare’s text by accident through four hundred years of printings and misprinting; and even decisions based on cultural preference and taste. When the Moby™ Text was created, for example, it was deemed “improper” and “indecent” for Miranda to chastise Caliban for having attempted to rape her. (See The Tempest, 1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt not take,/Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee…”). All Shakespeare editors at the time took the speech away from her and gave it to her father, Prospero.
The editors of the Moby™ Shakespeare produced their text long before scholars fully understood the proper grounds on which to make the thousands of decisions that Shakespeare editors face. The Folger Library Shakespeare Editions, on which the Folger Shakespeare texts depend, make this editorial process as nearly transparent as is possible, in contrast to older texts, like the Moby™, which hide editorial interventions. The reader of the Folger Shakespeare knows where the text has been altered because editorial interventions are signaled by square brackets (for example, from Othello: “If she in chains of magic were not bound,
”), half-square brackets (for example, from Henry V: “With
blood
and sword and fire to win your right,”), or angle brackets (for example, from Hamlet: “O farewell, honest
soldier.
Who hath relieved/you?”). At any point in the text, you can hover your cursor over a bracket for more information.
Because the Folger Shakespeare texts are edited in accord with twenty-first century knowledge about Shakespeare’s texts, the Folger here provides them to readers, scholars, teachers, actors, directors, and students, free of charge, confident of their quality as texts of the plays and pleased to be able to make this contribution to the study and enjoyment of Shakespeare.
In Love’s Labor’s Lost, the comedy centers on four young men who fall in love against their wills. The men, one of them the king of Navarre, pledge to study for three years, avoiding all contact with women. When the Princess of France arrives on a state visit, the king insists she and her ladies camp outside the court. Even so, each young man falls in love with one of the ladies.
Meanwhile, Don Armado, a Spanish soldier, falls for a servant girl, Jacquenetta. Costard, an illiterate local, mixes up two letters he is to deliver, one from Armado to Jacquenetta and the other from Berowne, one of the king’s companions, to Rosaline, one of the French ladies.
The men confess they are in love, and devise a pageant for the ladies, who set a trap for them by exchanging identifying markers. When word comes that the princess’s father is dead, the ladies reject the men’s proposals as rash and impose a year’s delay before any further wooing.
ACT 1
Scene 1
Longaville , and Dumaine .
Live registered upon our brazen tombs ,
And then grace us in the disgrace of death ,
When , spite of cormorant devouring time ,
Th’ endeavor of this present breath may buy
That honor which shall bate his scythe’s keen edge
And make us heirs of all eternity .
Therefore , brave conquerors , for so you are
That war against your own affections
And the huge army of the world’s desires ,
Our late edict shall strongly stand in force .
Navarre shall be the wonder of the world ;
Our court shall be a little academe ,
Still and contemplative in living art .
You three , Berowne , Dumaine , and Longaville ,
Have sworn for three years’ term to live with me ,
My fellow scholars , and to keep those statutes
That are recorded in this schedule here .
Your oaths are passed , and now subscribe your
names ,
That his own hand may strike his honor down
[9] ACT 1. SC. 1 That violates the smallest branch herein .
If you are armed to do as sworn to do ,
Subscribe to your deep oaths , and keep it too .
The mind shall banquet though the body pine .
Fat paunches have lean pates , and dainty bits
Make rich the ribs but bankrout quite the wits .
The grosser manner of these world’s delights
He throws upon the gross world’s baser slaves .
To love , to wealth , to pomp I pine and die ,
With all these living in philosophy .
So much , dear liege , I have already sworn ,
That is , to live and study here three years .
But there are other strict observances :
As not to see a woman in that term ,
Which I hope well is not enrollèd there ;
And one day in a week to touch no food ,
And but one meal on every day besides ,
The which I hope is not enrollèd there ;
And then to sleep but three hours in the night ,
And not be seen to wink of all the day —
When I was wont to think no harm all night ,
And make a dark night too of half the day —
Which I hope well is not enrollèd there .
O , these are barren tasks , too hard to keep ,
Not to see ladies , study , fast , not sleep .
[11]ACT 1. SC. 1
I only swore to study with your Grace
And stay here in your court for three years’ space .
What is the end of study , let me know ?
sense .
To know the thing I am forbid to know :
As thus — to study where I well may dine ,
When I to feast expressly am forbid ;
Or study where to meet some mistress fine
When mistresses from common sense are hid ;
Or having sworn too hard-a-keeping oath ,
Study to break it , and not break my troth .
If study’s gain be thus , and this be so ,
Study knows that which yet it doth not know .
Swear me to this , and I will ne’er say no .
And train our intellects to vain delight .
Which with pain purchased doth inherit pain :
As painfully to pore upon a book
To seek the light of truth , while truth the while
[13] ACT 1. SC. 1 Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look .
Light seeking light doth light of light beguile .
So , ere you find where light in darkness lies ,
Your light grows dark by losing of your eyes .
Study me how to please the eye indeed
By fixing it upon a fairer eye ,
Who dazzling so , that eye shall be his heed
And give him light that it was blinded by .
Study is like the heaven’s glorious sun ,
That will not be deep-searched with saucy looks .
Small have continual plodders ever won ,
Save base authority from others’ books .
These earthly godfathers of heaven’s lights ,
That give a name to every fixèd star ,
Have no more profit of their shining nights
Than those that walk and wot not what they are .
Too much to know is to know naught but fame ,
And every godfather can give a name .
That bites the firstborn infants of the spring .
[15]ACT 1. SC. 1
Before the birds have any cause to sing ?
Why should I joy in any abortive birth ?
At Christmas I no more desire a rose
Than wish a snow in May’s new-fangled shows ,
But like of each thing that in season grows .
So you , to study now it is too late ,
Climb o’er the house to unlock the little gate .
And though I have for barbarism spoke more
Than for that angel knowledge you can say ,
Yet , confident , I’ll keep what I have sworn
And bide the penance of each three years’ day .
Give me the paper . Let me read the same ,
And to the strictest decrees I’ll write my name .
a mile of my court . Hath this been proclaimed ?
losing her tongue . Who devised this penalty ?
woman within the term of three years , he shall endure
such public shame as the rest of the court can possible
devise .
[17] ACT 1. SC. 1 This article , my liege , yourself must break ,
For well you know here comes in embassy
The French king’s daughter with yourself to speak —
A maid of grace and complete majesty —
About surrender up of Aquitaine
To her decrepit , sick , and bedrid father .
Therefore this article is made in vain ,
Or vainly comes th’ admirèd princess hither .
While it doth study to have what it would ,
It doth forget to do the thing it should .
And when it hath the thing it hunteth most ,
’Tis won as towns with fire — so won , so lost .
She must lie here on mere necessity .
Three thousand times within this three years’
space ;
For every man with his affects is born ,
Not by might mastered , but by special grace .
If I break faith , this word shall speak for me :
I am forsworn on mere necessity .
So to the laws at large I write my name ,
And he that breaks them in the least degree
Stands in attainder of eternal shame .
Suggestions are to other as to me ,
But I believe , although I seem so loath ,
I am the last that will last keep his oath .
But is there no quick recreation granted ?
[19]ACT 1. SC. 1
With a refinèd traveler of Spain ,
A man in all the world’s new fashion planted ,
That hath a mint of phrases in his brain ;
One who the music of his own vain tongue
Doth ravish like enchanting harmony ,
A man of compliments , whom right and wrong
Have chose as umpire of their mutiny .
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 .
A man of fire-new words , fashion’s own knight .
And so to study three years is but short .
Grace’s farborough . But I would see his own
person in flesh and blood .
There’s villainy abroad . This letter will tell you
more .
me .
[21]ACT 1. SC. 1
for high words .
us patience !
or to forbear both .
to climb in the merriness .
Jaquenetta . The manner of it is , I was taken with
the manner .
three . I was seen with her in the manor house ,
sitting with her upon the form , and taken following
her into the park , which , put together , is ‘in manner
and form following .’ Now , sir , for the manner .
It is the manner of a man to speak to a woman . For
the form — in some form .
defend the right .
the flesh .
sole dominator of Navarre , my soul’s earth’s god , and
body’s fost’ring patron —
telling true , but so .
[23]ACT 1. SC. 1
I did commend the black oppressing humor
to the most wholesome physic of thy health-giving air ;
and , as I am a gentleman , betook myself to walk . The
time when ? About the sixth hour , when beasts most
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 yclept thy park . Then for the
place where — where , I mean , I did encounter that
obscene and most prepost’rous event that draweth
from my snow-white pen the ebon-colored 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 , —
established proclaimed edict and continent canon ,
which with — O with — but with this I passion to say
wherewith —
female ; or , for thy more sweet understanding , a
woman : 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 , Anthony
[25] ACT 1. SC. 1 Dull , a man of good repute , carriage , bearing , and
estimation .
called 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 heartburning
heat of duty ,
Don Adriano de Armado .
best that ever I heard .
sirrah , what say you to this ?
of the marking of it .
taken with a wench .
damsel .
virgin .
‘virgin .’
with a maid .
fast a week with bran and water .
porridge .
[27]ACT 1. SC. 2
My Lord Berowne , see him delivered o’er ,
And go we , lords , to put in practice that
Which each to other hath so strongly sworn .
These oaths and laws will prove an idle scorn .
Sirrah , come on .
taken with Jaquenetta , and Jaquenetta is a true
girl . And therefore welcome the sour cup of prosperity .
Affliction may one day smile again , and till
then , sit thee down , sorrow .
Scene 2
grows melancholy ?
dear imp .
my tender juvenal ?
tough signior .
epitheton appertaining to thy young days , which
we may nominate ‘tender .’
[29]ACT 1. SC. 2
your old time , which we may name ‘tough .’
I apt and my saying pretty ?
heat’st my blood .
not him .
Duke .
tapster .
complete man .
sum of deuce-ace amounts to .
‘three’ studied ere you’ll thrice wink . And how
[31] ACT 1. SC. 2 easy it is to put ‘years’ to the word ‘three’ and
study ‘three years’ in two words , the dancing horse
will tell you .
is base for a soldier to love , so am I in love with a
base wench . If drawing my sword against the
humor 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 curtsy . I think scorn to sigh ; methinks
I should outswear Cupid . Comfort me , boy . What
great men have been in love ?
boy , name more ; and , sweet my child , let them be
men of good repute and carriage .
great carriage , for he carried the town gates on his
back like a porter , and he was in love .
I do excel thee in my rapier as much as thou didst
me in carrying gates . I am in love too . Who was
Samson’s love , my dear Mote ?
the four .
have a love of that color , methinks Samson had
small reason for it . He surely affected her for her
wit .
[33]ACT 1. SC. 2
under such colors .
me .
pathetical .
Her faults will ne’er be known ,
For blushing cheeks by faults are bred ,
And fears by pale white shown .
Then if she fear , or be to blame ,
By this you shall not know ,
For still her cheeks possess the same
Which native she doth owe .
A dangerous rhyme , master , against the reason of
white and red .
the Beggar ?
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 .
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 .
my master .
wench .
[35]ACT 1. SC. 2
( Jaquenetta . )
keep Costard safe , and you must suffer him to take
no delight , nor no penance , but he must fast three
days a week . For this damsel , I must keep her at the
park . She is allowed for the dey-woman . Fare you
well .
Maid .
offenses ere thou be pardoned .
a full stomach .
for they are but lightly rewarded .
[37]ACT 1. SC. 2
fast being loose .
prison .
desolation that I have seen , some shall see .
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 .
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 was Samson 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 cause 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 , valor ; 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 sonnet . Devise wit , write pen , for I
am for whole volumes in folio .
[41]
ACT 2
Scene 1
Ladies ( Rosaline , Maria , and Katherine ) , Boyet
and other Lords .
Consider who the King your father sends ,
To whom he sends , and what’s his embassy .
Yourself , held precious in the world’s esteem ,
To parley with the sole inheritor
Of all perfections that a man may owe ,
Matchless Navarre ; the plea of no less weight
Than Aquitaine , a dowry for a queen .
Be now as prodigal of all dear grace
As nature was in making graces dear
When she did starve the general world besides
And prodigally gave them all to you .
Needs not the painted flourish of your praise .
Beauty is bought by judgment of the eye ,
Not uttered by base sale of chapmen’s tongues .
I am less proud to hear you tell my worth
Than you much willing to be counted wise
In spending your wit in the praise of mine .
But now to task the tasker : good Boyet ,
[43] ACT 2. SC. 1 You are not ignorant all-telling fame
Doth noise abroad Navarre hath made a vow ,
Till painful study shall outwear three years ,
No woman may approach his silent court .
Therefore to ’s seemeth it a needful course ,
Before we enter his forbidden gates ,
To know his pleasure , and in that behalf ,
Bold of your worthiness , we single you
As our best-moving fair solicitor .
Tell him the daughter of the King of France
On serious business craving quick dispatch ,
Importunes personal conference with his Grace .
Haste , signify so much , while we attend ,
Like humble-visaged suitors , his high will .
Who are the votaries , my loving lords ,
That are vow-fellows with this virtuous duke ?
Between Lord Perigort and the beauteous heir
Of Jaques Falconbridge , solemnizèd
In Normandy , saw I this Longaville .
A man of sovereign parts he is esteemed ,
Well fitted in arts , glorious in arms .
Nothing becomes him ill that he would well .
The only soil of his fair virtue’s gloss ,
If virtue’s gloss will stain with any soil ,
Is a sharp wit matched with too blunt a will ,
Whose edge hath power to cut , whose will still wills
It should none spare that come within his power .
[45]ACT 2. SC. 1
Who are the rest ?
Of all that virtue love for virtue loved .
Most power to do most harm , least knowing ill ;
For he hath wit to make an ill shape good ,
And shape to win grace though he had no wit .
I saw him at the Duke Alanson’s once ,
And much too little of that good I saw
Is my report to his great worthiness .
Was there with him , if I have heard a truth .
Berowne they call him , but a merrier man ,
Within the limit of becoming mirth ,
I never spent an hour’s talk withal .
His eye begets occasion for his wit ,
For every object that the one doth catch
The other turns to a mirth-moving jest ,
Which his fair tongue , conceit’s expositor ,
Delivers in such apt and gracious words
That agèd ears play truant at his tales ,
And younger hearings are quite ravishèd ,
So sweet and voluble is his discourse .
That every one her own hath garnishèd
With such bedecking ornaments of praise ?
[47]ACT 2. SC. 1
And he and his competitors in oath
Were all addressed to meet you , gentle lady ,
Before I came . Marry , thus much I have learned :
He rather means to lodge you in the field ,
Like one that comes here to besiege his court ,
Than seek a dispensation for his oath
To let you enter his unpeopled house .
Berowne .
Here comes Navarre .
I have not yet . The roof of this court is too
high to be yours , and welcome to the wide fields too
base to be mine .
[49]ACT 2. SC. 1
Where now his knowledge must prove ignorance .
I hear your Grace hath sworn out housekeeping .
’Tis deadly sin to keep that oath , my lord ,
And sin to break it .
But pardon me , I am too sudden bold .
To teach a teacher ill beseemeth me .
Vouchsafe to read the purpose of my coming ,
And suddenly resolve me in my suit .
For you’ll prove perjured if you make me stay .
To ask the question .
[51]ACT 2. SC. 1
The payment of a hundred thousand crowns ,
Being but the one half of an entire sum
Disbursèd by my father in his wars .
But say that he or we , as neither have ,
Received that sum , yet there remains unpaid
A hundred thousand more , in surety of the which
One part of Aquitaine 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 Aquitaine ,
And hold fair friendship with his Majesty .
But that , it seems , he little purposeth ;
For here he doth demand to have repaid
A hundred thousand crowns , and not demands ,
On payment of a hundred thousand crowns ,
To have his title live in Aquitaine —
Which we much rather had depart withal ,
And have the money by our father lent ,
Than Aquitaine , so gelded as it is .
Dear Princess , were not his requests so far
From reason’s yielding , your fair self should make
A yielding ’gainst some reason in my breast ,
And go well satisfied to France again .
And wrong the reputation of your name ,
In so unseeming to confess receipt
Of that which hath so faithfully been paid .
[53]ACT 2. SC. 1
And if you prove it , I’ll repay it back
Or yield up Aquitaine .
Boyet , you can produce acquittances
For such a sum from special officers
Of Charles his father .
Where that and other specialties are bound .
Tomorrow you shall have a sight of them .
All liberal reason I will yield unto .
Meantime receive such welcome at my hand
As honor ( without breach of honor ) may
Make tender of to thy true worthiness .
You may not come , fair princess , within my gates ,
But here without you shall be so received
As you shall deem yourself lodged in my heart ,
Though so denied fair harbor in my house .
Your own good thoughts excuse me , and farewell .
Tomorrow shall we visit you again .
Longaville , and Attendants .
my own heart .
be glad to see it .
[55]ACT 2. SC. 1
shame .
Falconbridge .
sweet lady .
[57]ACT 2. SC. 1
Not a word with him but a jest .
a word .
No sheep , sweet lamb , unless we feed on your lips .
My lips are no common , though several they be .
This civil war of wits were much better used
On Navarre and his bookmen , for here ’tis abused .
[59]ACT 2. SC. 1
By the heart’s still rhetoric , disclosèd wi’ th’ eyes ,
Deceive me not now , Navarre is infected .
To the court of his eye , peeping thorough desire .
His heart like an agate with your print impressed ,
Proud with his form , in his eye pride expressed .
His tongue , all impatient to speak and not see ,
Did stumble with haste in his eyesight to be ;
All senses to that sense did make their repair ,
To feel only looking on fairest of fair .
Methought all his senses were locked in his eye ,
As jewels in crystal for some prince to buy ,
Who , tend’ring their own worth from where they
were glassed ,
Did point you to buy them along as you passed .
His face’s own margent did quote such amazes
That all eyes saw his eyes enchanted with gazes .
I’ll give you Aquitaine , and all that is his ,
An you give him for my sake but one loving kiss .
disclosed .
I only have made a mouth of his eye
By adding a tongue which I know will not lie .
[61]ACT 2. SC. 1
but grim .
you see ?
[65]
ACT 3
Scene 1
hearing .
over a key . Take this key , give enlargement to the
swain , bring him festinately hither . I must employ
him in a letter to my love .
brawl ?
tongue’s end , canary to it with your feet , humor it
with turning up your eyelids , sigh a note and sing a
note , sometimes through the throat as if you
swallowed love with singing love , sometimes
through the nose as if you snuffed up love by
smelling love ; with your hat penthouse-like o’er the
shop of your eyes , with your arms crossed on your
thin-belly doublet like a rabbit on a spit ; or your
hands in your pocket like a man after the old
painting ; and keep not too long in one tune , but a
snip and away . These are compliments , these are
humors ; these betray nice wenches that would be
betrayed without these , and make them men of
[67] ACT 3. SC. 1 note — do you note me ? — that most are affected
to these .
and your love perhaps a hackney . — But have you
forgot your love ?
prove .
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 that
you cannot enjoy her .
nothing at all .
letter .
for an ass .
for he is very slow-gaited . But I go .
Is not lead a metal heavy , dull , and slow ?
[69]ACT 3. SC. 1
Is that lead slow which is fired from a gun ?
He reputes me a cannon , and the bullet , that’s
he . —
I shoot thee at the swain .
By thy favor , sweet welkin , I must sigh in thy face .
Most rude melancholy , valor gives thee place .
My herald is returned .
Here’s a costard broken in a shin .
the mail , sir . O , sir , plantain , a plain plantain ! No
l’envoi , no l’envoi , no salve , sir , but a plantain .
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’envoi , and the word l’envoi for a salve ?
[71] ACT 3. SC. 1 Some obscure precedence that hath tofore been sain .
I will example it :
The fox , the ape , and the humble-bee
Were still at odds , being but three .
There’s the moral . Now the l’envoi .
Were still at odds , being but three .
And stayed the odds by adding four .
Now will I begin your moral , and do you follow with
my l’envoi .
The fox , the ape , and the humble-bee
Were still at odds , being but three .
Staying the odds by adding four .
desire more ?
flat . —
Sir , your pennyworth is good , an your goose be fat .
To sell a bargain well is as cunning as fast and
loose .
Let me see : a fat l’envoi — ay , that’s a fat goose .
begin ?
Then called you for the l’envoi .
[73]ACT 3. SC. 1
argument in . Then the boy’s fat l’envoi , the goose
that you bought ; and he ended the market .
in a shin ?
that l’envoi .
I , Costard , running out , that was safely within ,
Fell over the threshold and broke my shin .
l’envoi , some goose , in this .
liberty , enfreedoming thy person . Thou wert immured ,
restrained , captivated , bound .
and let me loose .
and , in lieu thereof , impose on thee nothing but
this : bear this significant to the country maid
Jaquenetta . ( He gives him a paper . ) There is remuneration
( giving him a coin , ) for the best ward of
mine honor is rewarding my dependents . — Mote ,
follow .
Now will I look to his remuneration . He looks at the
coin . ‘Remuneration’ ! O , that’s the Latin word for
three farthings . Three farthings — remuneration .
[75] ACT 3. SC. 1 ‘What’s the price of this inkle ?’ ‘One penny .’ ‘No ,
I’ll give you a remuneration .’ Why , it carries it !
Remuneration . Why , it is a fairer name than ‘French
crown .’ I will never buy and sell out of this word .
met .
may a man buy for a remuneration ?
As thou wilt win my favor , good my knave ,
Do one thing for me that I shall entreat .
morning .
it is but this :
The Princess comes to hunt here in the park ,
And in her train there is a gentle lady .
When tongues speak sweetly , then they name her
name ,
And Rosaline they call her . Ask for her ,
And to her white hand see thou do commend
[77] ACT 3. SC. 1 This sealed-up counsel . There’s thy guerdon . He
gives him money . Go .
gardon ! Better than remuneration , a ’levenpence
farthing better ! Most sweet gardon . I will do it , sir ,
in print . Gardon ! Remuneration !
A very beadle to a humorous sigh ,
A critic , nay , a nightwatch constable ,
A domineering pedant o’er the boy ,
Than whom no mortal so magnificent .
This wimpled , whining , purblind , wayward boy ,
This Signior Junior , giant dwarf , Dan Cupid ,
Regent of love rhymes , lord of folded arms ,
Th’ anointed sovereign of sighs and groans ,
Liege of all loiterers and malcontents ,
Dread prince of plackets , king of codpieces ,
Sole imperator and great general
Of trotting paritors — O my little heart !
And I to be a corporal of his field
And wear his colors like a tumbler’s hoop !
What ? I love , I sue , I seek a wife ?
A woman , that is like a German clock ,
Still a-repairing , ever out of frame ,
And never going aright , being a watch ,
But being watched that it may still go right .
Nay , to be perjured , which is worst of all .
And , among three , to love the worst of all ,
A whitely wanton with a velvet brow ,
With two pitch-balls stuck in her face for eyes .
Ay , and by heaven , one that will do the deed
Though Argus were her eunuch and her guard .
And I to sigh for her , to watch for her ,
To pray for her ! Go to . It is a plague
[79] ACT 3. SC. 1 That Cupid will impose for my neglect
Of his almighty dreadful little might .
Well , I will love , write , sigh , pray , sue , groan .
Some men must love my lady , and some Joan .
[83]
ACT 4
Scene 1
her other Lords .
Against the steep uprising of the hill ?
Well , lords , today we shall have our dispatch .
Or Saturday we will return to France . —
Then , forester , my friend , where is the bush
That we must stand and play the murderer in ?
A stand where you may make the fairest shoot .
And thereupon thou speakst ‘the fairest shoot .’
O short-lived pride . Not fair ? Alack , for woe !
[85]ACT 4. SC. 1
Where fair is not , praise cannot mend the brow .
Here , good my glass , take this for telling true .
Fair payment for foul words is more than due .
O heresy in fair , fit for these days !
A giving hand , though foul , shall have fair praise .
But come , the bow . He hands her a bow . Now
mercy goes to kill ,
And shooting well is then accounted ill .
Thus will I save my credit in the shoot :
Not wounding , pity would not let me do ’t ;
If wounding , then it was to show my skill ,
That more for praise than purpose meant to kill .
And out of question so it is sometimes :
Glory grows guilty of detested crimes ,
When for fame’s sake , for praise , an outward part ,
We bend to that the working of the heart ;
As I for praise alone now seek to spill
The poor deer’s blood , that my heart means no ill .
Only for praise’ sake when they strive to be
Lords o’er their lords ?
To any lady that subdues a lord .
[87]ACT 4. SC. 1
head lady ?
have no heads .
truth .
An your waist , mistress , were as slender as my wit ,
One o’ these maids’ girdles for your waist should be
fit .
Are not you the chief woman ? You are the thickest
here .
one Lady Rosaline .
Stand aside , good bearer . — Boyet , you can carve .
Break up this capon .
This letter is mistook ; it importeth none here .
It is writ to Jaquenetta .
Break the neck of the wax , and everyone give ear .
infallible , true that thou art beauteous , truth itself
that thou art lovely . More fairer than fair , beautiful
than beauteous , truer than truth itself , have commiseration
on thy heroical vassal . The magnanimous and
most illustrate King Cophetua set eye upon the pernicious
and indubitate beggar Zenelophon ; and he it
was that might rightly say ‘Veni , vidi , vici ,’ which to
[89] ACT 4. SC. 1 annothanize in the vulgar ( O base and obscure vulgar ! )
videlicet , ‘He came , see , and overcame’ : He
came , one ; see , two ; overcame , three . Who came ? The
King . Why did he come ? To see . Why did he see ? To
overcome . To whom came he ? To the beggar . What
saw he ? The beggar . Who overcame he ? The beggar .
The conclusion is victory . On whose side ? The
King’s . The captive is enriched . On whose side ? The
beggar’s . The catastrophe is a nuptial . On whose side ?
The King’s — no , on both in one , or one in both . I am
the King , for so stands the comparison ; thou the
beggar , for so witnesseth thy lowliness . Shall I command
thy love ? I may . Shall I enforce thy love ? I could .
Shall I entreat thy love ? I will . What shalt thou
exchange for rags ? Robes . For tittles ? Titles . For thyself ?
Me . Thus expecting thy reply , I profane my lips on thy
foot , my eyes on thy picture , and my heart on thy every
part .
Thine , in the dearest design of industry ,
Don Adriano de Armado .
Thus dost thou hear the Nemean lion roar
’Gainst thee , thou lamb , that standest as his prey .
Submissive fall his princely feet before ,
And he from forage will incline to play .
But if thou strive , poor soul , what art thou then ?
Food for his rage , repasture for his den .
What vane ? What weathercock ? Did you ever hear
better ?
[91] ACT 4. SC. 1 A phantasime , a Monarcho , and one that makes
sport
To the Prince and his bookmates .
Who gave thee this letter ?
lady .
To a lady of France that he called Rosaline .
thine another day .
Forester exit . Boyet , Rosaline , Maria ,
and Costard remain .
teach you to know ?
Finely put off .
Hang me by the neck if horns that year miscarry .
Finely put on .
[93]ACT 4. SC. 1
Finely put on , indeed .
the brow .
that was a man when King Pippen of France was a
little boy , as touching the hit it ?
woman when Queen Guinover of Britain was a little
wench , as touching the hit it .
Thou canst not hit it , my good man .
An I cannot , another can .
it .
lady .
Let the mark have a prick in ’t to mete at , if it may
be .
clout .
[95]ACT 4. SC. 2
to bowl .
Lord , Lord , how the ladies and I have put him
down .
O’ my troth , most sweet jests , most incony vulgar
wit ,
When it comes so smoothly off , so obscenely , as it
were , so fit .
Armado o’ th’ one side , O , a most dainty man !
To see him walk before a lady and to bear her fan .
To see him kiss his hand , and how most sweetly he
will swear .
And his page o’ t’ other side , that handful of wit !
Ah heavens , it is a most pathetical nit .
Sola , sola !
Scene 2
Nathaniel the Curate .
testimony of a good conscience .
[97]ACT 4. SC. 2
blood , ripe as the pomewater , who now hangeth
like a jewel in the ear of caelo , the sky , the welkin ,
the heaven , and anon falleth like a crab on the face
of terra , the soil , the land , the earth .
sweetly varied , like a scholar at the least . But , sir , I
assure you , it was a buck of the first head .
insinuation , as it were , in via , in way , of explication ;
facere , as it were , replication , or rather , ostentare , to
show , as it were , his inclination , after his undressed ,
unpolished , uneducated , unpruned , untrained , or
rather unlettered , or ratherest , unconfirmed fashion ,
to insert again my haud credo for a deer .
pricket .
O thou monster ignorance , how deformed dost thou
look !
in a book .
He hath not eat paper , as it were ; he hath not drunk
ink . His intellect is not replenished . He is only an
animal , only sensible in the duller parts .
And such barren plants are set before us that we
thankful should be —
Which we of taste and feeling are — for those parts
that do fructify in us more than he .
For as it would ill become me to be vain , indiscreet ,
or a fool ,
So were there a patch set on learning , to see him in
a school .
[99] ACT 4. SC. 2 But omne bene , say I , being of an old father’s mind :
Many can brook the weather that love not the wind .
What was a month old at Cain’s birth that’s not
five weeks old as yet ?
goodman Dull .
more .
And raught not to five weeks when he came to
fivescore .
Th’ allusion holds in the exchange .
exchange .
holds in the exchange .
the moon is never but a month old . And I say besides
that , ’twas a pricket that the Princess killed .
epitaph on the death of the deer ? And , to humor
the ignorant , call I the deer the Princess killed a
pricket .
shall please you to abrogate scurrility .
argues facility .
The preyful princess pierced and pricked
a pretty pleasing pricket ,
Some say a sore , but not a sore till now made
sore with shooting .
[101] ACT 4. SC. 2 The dogs did yell . Put ‘l’ to ‘sore ,’ then sorel
jumps from thicket ,
Or pricket sore , or else sorel . The people fall
a-hooting .
If sore be sore , then ‘L’ to ‘sore’ makes fifty
sores o’ sorel .
Of one sore I an hundred make by adding but one
more ‘L .’
him with a talent .
a foolish extravagant spirit , full of forms ,
figures , shapes , objects , ideas , apprehensions , motions ,
revolutions . These are begot in the ventricle
of memory , nourished in the womb of pia mater ,
and delivered upon the mellowing of occasion . But
the gift is good in those in whom it is acute , and I
am thankful for it .
my parishioners , for their sons are well tutored by
you , and their daughters profit very greatly under
you . You are a good member of the
commonwealth .
they shall want no instruction ; if their daughters be
capable , I will put it to them . But Vir sapis qui pauca
loquitur . A soul feminine saluteth us .
Master Person .
if one should be pierced , which is the one ?
to a hogshead .
[103]ACT 4. SC. 2
of conceit in a turf of earth ; fire enough for a flint ,
pearl enough for a swine . ’Tis pretty , it is well .
good as read me this letter . It was given me by
Costard , and sent me from Don Armado . I beseech
you , read it .
Ruminat —
and so forth . Ah , good old Mantuan ! I may speak of
thee as the traveler doth of Venice :
Venetia , Venetia ,
Chi non ti vede , non ti pretia .
Old Mantuan , old Mantuan ! Who understandeth
thee not , loves thee not .
mi , fa .
the contents ? Or rather , as Horace says in his —
( Looking at the letter . ) What , my soul , verses ?
Lege , domine .
Ah , never faith could hold , if not to beauty vowed !
Though to myself forsworn , to thee I’ll faithful prove .
Those thoughts to me were oaks , to thee like osiers
bowed .
Study his bias leaves and makes his book thine eyes ,
Where all those pleasures live that art would
comprehend .
If knowledge be the mark , to know thee shall suffice .
Well-learnèd is that tongue that well can thee
commend .
[105] ACT 4. SC. 2 All ignorant that soul that sees thee without wonder ;
Which is to me some praise that I thy parts admire .
Thy eye Jove’s lightning bears , thy voice his dreadful
thunder ,
Which , not to anger bent , is music and sweet fire .
Celestial as thou art , O , pardon love this wrong ,
That sings heaven’s praise with such an earthly tongue .
miss the accent . Let me supervise the canzonet .
He takes the paper . Here are only numbers ratified ,
but , for the elegancy , facility , and golden cadence of
poesy — caret . Ovidius Naso was the man . And why
indeed ‘Naso ,’ but for smelling out the odoriferous
flowers of fancy , the jerks of invention ? Imitari is
nothing : so doth the hound his master , the ape his
keeper , the tired horse his rider . — But damosella
virgin , was this directed to you ?
of the strange queen’s lords .
the snow-white hand of the most beauteous Lady
Rosaline .’ I will look again on the intellect of the
letter for the nomination of the party writing to
the person written unto : ‘Your Ladyship’s in all
desired employment , Berowne .’ Sir Nathaniel , this
Berowne is one of the votaries with the King , and
here he hath framed a letter to a sequent of the
stranger queen’s : which accidentally , or by the way
of progression , hath miscarried .
Trip and go , my sweet . Deliver this paper into the
royal hand of the King . It may concern much . Stay
not thy compliment . I forgive thy duty . Adieu .
save your life .
[107]ACT 4. SC. 3
very religiously ; and , as a certain Father saith —
colorable colors . But to return to the verses : did
they please you , Sir Nathaniel ?
pupil of mine , where if , before repast , it shall
please you to gratify the table with a grace , I will ,
on my privilege I have with the parents of the
foresaid child or pupil , undertake your ben venuto ;
where I will prove those verses to be very unlearned ,
neither savoring of poetry , wit , nor invention .
I beseech your society .
text , is the happiness of life .
it .
not say me nay . Pauca verba . Away ! The gentles are
at their game , and we will to our recreation .
Scene 3
coursing myself . They have pitched a toil ; I am
toiling in a pitch — pitch that defiles . Defile ! A foul
word . Well , ‘set thee down , sorrow’ ; for so they
say the fool said , and so say I , and I the fool . Well
proved , wit . By the Lord , this love is as mad as Ajax .
It kills sheep , it kills me , I a sheep . Well proved
again , o’ my side . I will not love . If I do , hang me . I’
faith , I will not . O , but her eye ! By this light , but for
her eye I would not love her ; yes , for her two eyes .
[109] ACT 4. SC. 3 Well , I do nothing in the world but lie , and lie in my
throat . By heaven , I do love , and it hath taught me to
rhyme , and to be melancholy . And here is part of my
rhyme , and here my melancholy . Well , she hath one
o’ my sonnets already . The clown bore it , the fool
sent it , and the lady hath it . Sweet clown , sweeter
fool , sweetest lady . By the world , I would not care a
pin , if the other three were in . Here comes one with
a paper . God give him grace to groan .
Cupid . Thou hast thumped him with thy birdbolt
under the left pap . In faith , secrets !
To those fresh morning drops upon the rose
As thy eyebeams , when their fresh rays have smote
The night of dew that on my cheeks down flows .
Nor shines the silver moon one-half so bright
Through the transparent bosom of the deep
As doth thy face , through tears of mine , give light .
Thou shin’st in every tear that I do weep .
No drop but as a coach doth carry thee ;
So ridest thou triumphing in my woe .
Do but behold the tears that swell in me ,
And they thy glory through my grief will show .
But do not love thyself ; then thou wilt keep
My tears for glasses , and still make me weep .
O queen of queens , how far dost thou excel
No thought can think , nor tongue of mortal tell .
How shall she know my griefs ? I’ll drop the paper .
Sweet leaves , shade folly . Who is he comes here ?
[111] ACT 4. SC. 3
What , Longaville , and reading ! Listen , ear .
Thou makest the triumviry , the corner-cap of
society ,
The shape of love’s Tyburn , that hangs up simplicity .
These numbers will I tear and write in prose .
Disfigure not his shop !
Did not the heavenly rhetoric of thine eye ,
’Gainst whom the world cannot hold argument ,
Persuade my heart to this false perjury ?
Vows for thee broke deserve not punishment .
A woman I forswore , but I will prove ,
Thou being a goddess , I forswore not thee .
My vow was earthly , thou a heavenly love .
[113] ACT 4. SC. 3 Thy grace being gained cures all disgrace in me .
Vows are but breath , and breath a vapor is .
Then thou , fair sun , which on my Earth dost
shine ,
Exhal’st this vapor-vow ; in thee it is .
If broken , then , it is no fault of mine .
If by me broke , what fool is not so wise
To lose an oath to win a paradise ?
A green goose a goddess . Pure , pure idolatry .
God amend us , God amend . We are much out o’ th’
way .
Like a demigod here sit I in the sky ,
And wretched fools’ secrets heedfully o’ereye .
More sacks to the mill . O heavens , I have my wish .
Dumaine transformed ! Four woodcocks in a dish .
[115]ACT 4. SC. 3
Her shoulder is with child .
Reigns in my blood , and will remembered be .
Would let her out in saucers ! Sweet misprision .
Love , whose month is ever May ,
Spied a blossom passing fair ,
Playing in the wanton air .
Through the velvet leaves the wind ,
All unseen , can passage find ;
That the lover , sick to death ,
Wished himself the heaven’s breath .
‘Air ,’ quoth he , ‘thy cheeks may blow .
Air , would I might triumph so !’
But , alack , my hand is sworn
Ne’er to pluck thee from thy thorn .
[117] ACT 4. SC. 3 Vow , alack , for youth unmeet ,
Youth so apt to pluck a sweet .
Do not call it sin in me
That I am forsworn for thee —
Thou for whom Jove would swear
Juno but an Ethiope were ,
And deny himself for Jove ,
Turning mortal for thy love .
This will I send , and something else more plain
That shall express my true love’s fasting pain .
O , would the King , Berowne , and Longaville
Were lovers too ! Ill to example ill
Would from my forehead wipe a perjured note ,
For none offend where all alike do dote .
That in love’s grief desir’st society .
You may look pale , but I should blush , I know ,
To be o’er-heard and taken napping so .
case is such .
You chide at him , offending twice as much .
You do not love Maria ? Longaville
Did never sonnet for her sake compile ,
Nor never lay his wreathèd arms athwart
His loving bosom to keep down his heart ?
I have been closely shrouded in this bush
And marked you both , and for you both did blush .
I heard your guilty rhymes , observed your fashion ,
Saw sighs reek from you , noted well your passion .
‘Ay , me !’ says one . ‘O Jove !’ the other cries .
One , her hairs were gold , crystal the other’s eyes .
and troth ,
[119] ACT 4. SC. 3
infringe an oath .
What will Berowne say when that he shall hear
Faith infringed , which such zeal did swear ?
How will he scorn , how will he spend his wit !
How will he triumph , leap , and laugh at it !
For all the wealth that ever I did see ,
I would not have him know so much by me .
Ah , good my liege , I pray thee pardon me .
Good heart , what grace hast thou thus to reprove
These worms for loving , that art most in love ?
Your eyes do make no coaches ; in your tears
There is no certain princess that appears .
You’ll not be perjured , ’tis a hateful thing !
Tush , none but minstrels like of sonneting !
But are you not ashamed ? Nay , are you not ,
All three of you , to be thus much o’ershot ?
mote did see ,
But I a beam do find in each of three .
O , what a scene of fool’ry have I seen ,
Of sighs , of groans , of sorrow , and of teen !
O me , with what strict patience have I sat ,
To see a king transformèd to a gnat !
To see great Hercules whipping a gig ,
And profound Solomon to tune a jig ,
And Nestor play at pushpin with the boys ,
And critic Timon laugh at idle toys .
Where lies thy grief , O tell me , good Dumaine ?
And gentle Longaville , where lies thy pain ?
And where my liege’s ? All about the breast !
A caudle , ho !
Are we betrayed thus to thy overview ?
[121]ACT 4. SC. 3
I , that am honest , I , that hold it sin
To break the vow I am engagèd in .
I am betrayed by keeping company
With men like you , men of inconstancy .
When shall you see me write a thing in rhyme ?
Or groan for Joan ? or spend a minute’s time
In pruning me ? When shall you hear that I
Will praise a hand , a foot , a face , an eye ,
A gait , a state , a brow , a breast , a waist ,
A leg , a limb —
A true man , or a thief , that gallops so ?
The treason and you go in peace away together .
Our person misdoubts it . ’Twas treason , he said .
[123]ACT 4. SC. 3
it .
me shame . —
Guilty , my lord , guilty . I confess , I confess .
the mess .
He , he , and you — and you , my liege — and I
Are pickpurses in love , and we deserve to die .
O , dismiss this audience , and I shall tell you more .
turtles be gone ?
As true we are as flesh and blood can be .
[125] ACT 4. SC. 3 The sea will ebb and flow , heaven show his face ;
Young blood doth not obey an old decree .
We cannot cross the cause why we were born ;
Therefore of all hands must we be forsworn .
Rosaline
That , like a rude and savage man of Ind
At the first op’ning of the gorgeous East ,
Bows not his vassal head and , strucken blind ,
Kisses the base ground with obedient breast ?
What peremptory eagle-sighted eye
Dares look upon the heaven of her brow
That is not blinded by her majesty ?
My love , her mistress , is a gracious moon ,
She an attending star scarce seen a light .
O , but for my love , day would turn to night !
Of all complexions the culled sovereignty
Do meet as at a fair in her fair cheek .
Where several worthies make one dignity ,
Where nothing wants that want itself doth seek .
Lend me the flourish of all gentle tongues —
Fie , painted rhetoric ! O , she needs it not !
To things of sale a seller’s praise belongs .
She passes praise . Then praise too short doth blot .
A withered hermit , fivescore winters worn ,
Might shake off fifty , looking in her eye .
Beauty doth varnish age , as if newborn ,
[127] ACT 4. SC. 3 And gives the crutch the cradle’s infancy .
O , ’tis the sun that maketh all things shine !
A wife of such wood were felicity .
O , who can give an oath ? Where is a book ,
That I may swear beauty doth beauty lack
If that she learn not of her eye to look ?
No face is fair that is not full so black .
The hue of dungeons and the school of night ,
And beauty’s crest becomes the heavens well .
O , if in black my lady’s brows be decked ,
It mourns that painting and usurping hair
Should ravish doters with a false aspect :
And therefore is she born to make black fair .
Her favor turns the fashion of the days ,
For native blood is counted painting now .
And therefore red , that would avoid dispraise ,
Paints itself black to imitate her brow .
For fear their colors should be washed away .
[129]ACT 4. SC. 3
I’ll find a fairer face not washed today .
Her feet were much too dainty for such tread .
The street should see as she walked overhead .
Our loving lawful , and our faith not torn .
Some tricks , some quillets , how to cheat the devil .
Have at you , then , affection’s men-at-arms !
O , we have made a vow to study , lords ,
And in that vow we have forsworn our books .
[131] ACT 4. SC. 3 For when would you , my liege , or you , or you ,
In leaden contemplation have found out
Such fiery numbers as the prompting eyes
Of beauty’s tutors have enriched you with ?
Other slow arts entirely keep the brain
And therefore , finding barren practicers ,
Scarce show a harvest of their heavy toil .
But love , first learnèd in a lady’s eyes ,
Lives not alone immurèd in the brain ,
But with the motion of all elements
Courses as swift as thought in every power ,
And gives to every power a double power ,
Above their functions and their offices .
It adds a precious seeing to the eye .
A lover’s eyes will gaze an eagle blind .
A lover’s ear will hear the lowest sound ,
When the suspicious head of theft is stopped .
Love’s feeling is more soft and sensible
Than are the tender horns of cockled snails .
Love’s tongue proves dainty Bacchus gross in taste .
For valor , is not love a Hercules ,
Still climbing trees in the Hesperides ?
Subtle as Sphinx , as sweet and musical
As bright Apollo’s lute strung with his hair .
And when love speaks , the voice of all the gods
Make heaven drowsy with the harmony .
Never durst poet touch a pen to write
Until his ink were tempered with love’s sighs .
O , then his lines would ravish savage ears
And plant in tyrants mild humility .
From women’s eyes this doctrine I derive .
They sparkle still the right Promethean fire .
They are the books , the arts , the academes
That show , contain , and nourish all the world .
Else none at all in ought proves excellent .
[133] ACT 4. SC. 3 Then fools you were these women to forswear ,
Or , keeping what is sworn , you will prove fools .
For wisdom’s sake , a word that all men love ,
Or for love’s sake , a word that loves all men ,
Or for men’s sake , the authors of these women ,
Or women’s sake , by whom we men are men ,
Let us once lose our oaths to find ourselves ,
Or else we lose ourselves to keep our oaths .
It is religion to be thus forsworn ,
For charity itself fulfills the law ,
And who can sever love from charity ?
Pell-mell , down with them . But be first advised
In conflict that you get the sun of them .
Shall we resolve to woo these girls of France ?
Some entertainment for them in their tents .
Then homeward every man attach the hand
Of his fair mistress . In the afternoon
We will with some strange pastime solace them ,
Such as the shortness of the time can shape ;
For revels , dances , masques , and merry hours
Forerun fair love , strewing her way with flowers .
That will betime and may by us be fitted .
[135]ACT 4. SC. 3
And justice always whirls in equal measure .
Light wenches may prove plagues to men forsworn ;
If so , our copper buys no better treasure .
[139]
ACT 5
Scene 1
and Dull the Constable .
dinner have been sharp and sententious , pleasant
without scurrility , witty without affection , audacious
without impudency , learned without opinion ,
and strange without heresy . I did converse this
quondam day with a companion of the King’s , who
is intituled , nominated , or called Don Adriano de
Armado .
is lofty , his discourse peremptory , his tongue filed ,
his eye ambitious , his gait majestical , and his general
behavior vain , ridiculous , and thrasonical . He is
too picked , too spruce , too affected , too odd , as it
were , too peregrinate , as I may call it .
finer than the staple of his argument . I abhor
such fanatical phantasimes , such insociable and
point-devise companions , such rackers of orthography ,
as to speak ‘dout ,’ fine , when he should
say ‘doubt’ ; ‘det’ when he should pronounce
[141] ACT 5. SC. 1 ‘debt’ — d , e , b , t , not d , e , t . He clepeth a calf
‘cauf ,’ half ‘hauf ,’ neighbor vocatur ‘nebor’ ;
neigh abbreviated ne . This is abhominable — which
he would call ‘abominable .’ It insinuateth me of
insanie . Ne intelligis , domine ? To make frantic ,
lunatic .
scratched ; ’twill serve .
of languages and stolen the scraps .
almsbasket of words . I marvel thy master hath not
eaten thee for a word , for thou art not so long by the
head as honorificabilitudinitatibus . Thou art easier
swallowed than a flapdragon .
lettered ?
a , b spelled backward , with the horn on his head ?
learning .
the fifth , if I .
[143]ACT 5. SC. 1
a sweet touch , a quick venue of wit ! Snip , snap ,
quick and home . It rejoiceth my intellect . True
wit .
wit-old .
gig .
about your infamy — unum cita — a gig of a cuckold’s
horn .
shouldst have it to buy gingerbread ! Hold , there is
the very remuneration I had of thy master , thou
halfpenny purse of wit , thou pigeon egg of discretion .
He gives him money . O , an the heavens were
so pleased that thou wert but my bastard , what a
joyful father wouldest thou make me ! Go to , thou
hast it ad dunghill , at the fingers’ ends , as they say .
unguem .
from the barbarous . Do you not educate youth at
the charge-house on the top of the mountain ?
affection to congratulate the Princess at her pavilion
in the posteriors of this day , which the rude
multitude call the afternoon .
sir , is liable , congruent , and measurable for
[145] ACT 5. SC. 1 ‘the afternoon’ ; the word is well culled , chose ,
sweet , and apt , I do assure you , sir , I do assure .
familiar , I do assure you , very good friend . For
what is inward between us , let it pass . I do beseech
thee , remember thy courtesy ; I beseech thee apparel
thy head . And among other important and most
serious designs , and of great import indeed , too —
but let that pass ; for I must tell thee , it will please his
Grace , by the world , sometimes to lean upon my
poor shoulder and with his royal finger thus dally
with my excrement , with my mustachio — but ,
sweetheart , let that pass . By the world , I recount no
fable ! Some certain special honors it pleaseth his
Greatness to impart to Armado , a soldier , a man of
travel , that hath seen the world — but let that pass .
The very all of all is — but sweetheart , I do implore
secrecy — that the King would have me present the
Princess , sweet chuck , with some delightful ostentation ,
or show , or pageant , or antic , or firework .
Now , understanding that the curate and your sweet
self are good at such eruptions and sudden breaking
out of mirth , as it were , I have acquainted you
withal to the end to crave your assistance .
Worthies . — Sir Nathaniel , as concerning some
entertainment of time , some show in the posterior
of this day , to be rendered by our assistance , the
King’s command , and this most gallant , illustrate ,
and learned gentleman , before the Princess — I say ,
none so fit as to present the Nine Worthies .
present them ?
gentleman , Judas Maccabaeus . This swain , because
of his great limb or joint , shall pass Pompey
the Great ; the page , Hercules —
[147]ACT 5. SC. 2
enough for that Worthy’s thumb ; he is not so big as
the end of his club !
Hercules in minority . His enter and exit shall be
strangling a snake ; and I will have an apology for
that purpose .
hiss , you may cry ‘Well done , Hercules , now thou
crushest the snake .’ That is the way to make an
offense gracious , though few have the grace to do it .
beseech you , follow .
word all this while .
the tabor to the Worthies and let them dance the
hay .
Away .
Scene 2
Katherine , and Maria . )
If fairings come thus plentifully in .
[149] ACT 5. SC. 2 A lady walled about with diamonds !
Look you what I have from the loving king .
As would be crammed up in a sheet of paper
Writ o’ both sides the leaf , margent and all ,
That he was fain to seal on Cupid’s name .
For he hath been five thousand year a boy .
sister .
And so she died . Had she been light like you ,
Of such a merry , nimble , stirring spirit ,
She might ha’ been a grandam ere she died .
And so may you , for a light heart lives long .
word ?
Therefore I’ll darkly end the argument .
[151]ACT 5. SC. 2
But , Rosaline , you have a favor too .
Who sent it ? And what is it ?
An if my face were but as fair as yours ,
My favor were as great . Be witness this .
Nay , I have verses too , I thank Berowne ;
The numbers true ; and were the numb’ring too ,
I were the fairest goddess on the ground .
I am compared to twenty thousand fairs .
O , he hath drawn my picture in his letter .
My red dominical , my golden letter .
O , that your face were not so full of O’s !
[153] ACT 5. SC. 2 But , Katherine , what was sent to you
From fair Dumaine ?
Some thousand verses of a faithful lover ,
A huge translation of hypocrisy ,
Vilely compiled , profound simplicity .
The letter is too long by half a mile .
The chain were longer and the letter short ?
That same Berowne I’ll torture ere I go .
O , that I knew he were but in by th’ week ,
How I would make him fawn , and beg , and seek ,
And wait the season , and observe the times ,
And spend his prodigal wits in bootless rhymes ,
And shape his service wholly to my hests ,
And make him proud to make me proud that jests !
So pair-taunt-like would I o’ersway his state ,
That he should be my fool , and I his fate .
As wit turned fool . Folly in wisdom hatched
Hath wisdom’s warrant and the help of school ,
And wit’s own grace to grace a learnèd fool .
[155]ACT 5. SC. 2
As gravity’s revolt to wantonness .
As fool’ry in the wise , when wit doth dote ,
Since all the power thereof it doth apply
To prove , by wit , worth in simplicity .
Arm , wenches , arm . Encounters mounted are
Against your peace . Love doth approach , disguised ,
Armèd in arguments . You’ll be surprised .
Muster your wits , stand in your own defense ,
Or hide your heads like cowards , and fly hence .
That charge their breath against us ? Say , scout , say .
I thought to close mine eyes some half an hour .
When , lo , to interrupt my purposed rest ,
Toward that shade I might behold addressed
The King and his companions . Warily
I stole into a neighbor thicket by ,
And overheard what you shall overhear :
That , by and by , disguised , they will be here .
Their herald is a pretty knavish page
That well by heart hath conned his embassage .
[157] ACT 5. SC. 2 Action and accent did they teach him there :
‘Thus must thou speak ,’ and ‘thus thy body bear .’
And ever and anon they made a doubt
Presence majestical would put him out ;
‘For ,’ quoth the King , ‘an angel shalt thou see ;
Yet fear not thou , but speak audaciously .’
The boy replied ‘An angel is not evil .
I should have feared her had she been a devil .’
With that , all laughed and clapped him on the
shoulder ,
Making the bold wag by their praises bolder .
One rubbed his elbow thus , and fleered , and swore
A better speech was never spoke before .
Another with his finger and his thumb ,
Cried ‘Via ! We will do ’t , come what will come .’
The third he capered and cried ‘All goes well !’
The fourth turned on the toe , and down he fell .
With that , they all did tumble on the ground
With such a zealous laughter so profound
That in this spleen ridiculous appears ,
To check their folly , passion’s solemn tears .
Like Muscovites , or Russians , as I guess .
Their purpose is to parley , to court , and dance ,
And every one his love-feat will advance
Unto his several mistress — which they’ll know
By favors several which they did bestow .
For , ladies , we will every one be masked ,
And not a man of them shall have the grace ,
Despite of suit , to see a lady’s face .
Hold , Rosaline , this favor thou shalt wear ,
[159] ACT 5. SC. 2 And then the King will court thee for his dear .
Hold , take thou this , my sweet , and give me thine .
So shall Berowne take me for Rosaline .
And change you favors too . So shall your loves
Woo contrary , deceived by these removes .
They do it but in mockery merriment ,
And mock for mock is only my intent .
Their several counsels they unbosom shall
To loves mistook , and so be mocked withal
Upon the next occasion that we meet ,
With visages displayed , to talk and greet .
Nor to their penned speech render we no grace ,
But while ’tis spoke each turn away her face .
And quite divorce his memory from his part .
The rest will ne’er come in if he be out .
There’s no such sport as sport by sport o’erthrown ,
To make theirs ours and ours none but our own .
So shall we stay , mocking intended game ,
And they , well mocked , depart away with shame .
[161]ACT 5. SC. 2
the King , Berowne , and the rest of the Lords disguised .
That ever turned their — backs — to mortal views .
Out —
Not to behold —
With your sun-beamèd eyes —
You were best call it ‘daughter-beamèd eyes .’
Boyet .
[163] ACT 5. SC. 2 If they do speak our language , ’tis our will
That some plain man recount their purposes .
Know what they would .
Princess ?
To tread a measure with her on this grass .
To tread a measure with you on this grass .
Is in one mile . If they have measured many ,
The measure then of one is eas’ly told .
And many miles , the Princess bids you tell
How many inches doth fill up one mile .
Of many weary miles you have o’ergone
Are numbered in the travel of one mile ?
[165]ACT 5. SC. 2
Our duty is so rich , so infinite ,
That we may do it still without account .
Vouchsafe to show the sunshine of your face
That we , like savages , may worship it .
Vouchsafe , bright moon , and these thy stars , to
shine ,
Those clouds removed , upon our watery eyne .
Thou now requests but moonshine in the water .
Thou bidd’st me beg ; this begging is not strange .
Not yet ? No dance ! Thus change I like the moon .
The music plays . Vouchsafe some motion to it .
We’ll not be nice . Take hands . We will not dance .
[167]ACT 5. SC. 2
Curtsy , sweethearts — and so the measure ends .
Twice to your visor , and half once to you .
Metheglin , wort , and malmsey . Well run , dice !
There’s half a dozen sweets .
Since you can cog , I’ll play no more with you .
[169]ACT 5. SC. 2
Take that for your ‘fair lady .’
As much in private , and I’ll bid adieu .
And would afford my speechless vizard half .
Take all and wean it . It may prove an ox .
Will you give horns , chaste lady ? Do not so .
[171]ACT 5. SC. 2
As is the razor’s edge invisible ,
Cutting a smaller hair than may be seen ;
Above the sense of sense , so sensible
Seemeth their conference . Their conceits have
wings
Fleeter than arrows , bullets , wind , thought , swifter
things .
Are these the breed of wits so wondered at ?
out .
Will they not , think you , hang themselves tonight ?
Or ever but in vizards show their faces ?
This pert Berowne was out of count’nance quite .
[173]ACT 5. SC. 2
The King was weeping ripe for a good word .
‘No point ,’ quoth I . My servant straight was
mute .
And trow you what he called me ?
But will you hear ? The King is my love sworn .
Immediately they will again be here
In their own shapes , for it can never be
They will digest this harsh indignity .
And leap for joy , though they are lame with blows .
Therefore change favors , and when they repair ,
Blow like sweet roses in this summer air .
[175]ACT 5. SC. 2
Dismasked , their damask sweet commixture shown ,
Are angels vailing clouds , or roses blown .
If they return in their own shapes to woo ?
Let’s mock them still , as well known as disguised .
Let us complain to them what fools were here ,
Disguised like Muscovites in shapeless gear ,
And wonder what they were , and to what end
Their shallow shows and prologue vilely penned ,
And their rough carriage so ridiculous ,
Should be presented at our tent to us .
Command me any service to her thither ?
[177] ACT 5. SC. 2 And utters it again when God doth please .
He is wit’s peddler , and retails his wares
At wakes and wassails , meetings , markets , fairs .
And we that sell by gross , the Lord doth know ,
Have not the grace to grace it with such show .
This gallant pins the wenches on his sleeve .
Had he been Adam , he had tempted Eve .
He can carve too , and lisp . Why , this is he
That kissed his hand away in courtesy .
This is the ape of form , Monsieur the Nice ,
That , when he plays at tables , chides the dice
In honorable terms . Nay , he can sing
A mean most meanly ; and in ushering
Mend him who can . The ladies call him sweet .
The stairs , as he treads on them , kiss his feet .
This is the flower that smiles on everyone
To show his teeth as white as whale’s bone ;
And consciences that will not die in debt
Pay him the due of ‘honey-tongued Boyet .’
That put Armado’s page out of his part !
Till this madman showed thee ? And what art thou
now ?
[179]ACT 5. SC. 2
To lead you to our court . Vouchsafe it , then .
Nor God nor I delights in perjured men .
The virtue of your eye must break my oath .
For virtue’s office never breaks men’s troth .
Now by my maiden honor , yet as pure
As the unsullied lily , I protest ,
A world of torments though I should endure ,
I would not yield to be your house’s guest ,
So much I hate a breaking cause to be
Of heavenly oaths vowed with integrity .
Unseen , unvisited , much to our shame .
We have had pastimes here and pleasant game .
A mess of Russians left us but of late .
Trim gallants , full of courtship and of state .
My lady , to the manner of the days ,
In courtesy gives undeserving praise .
We four indeed confronted were with four
In Russian habit . Here they stayed an hour
And talked apace ; and in that hour , my lord ,
[181] ACT 5. SC. 2 They did not bless us with one happy word .
I dare not call them fools ; but this I think :
When they are thirsty , fools would fain have drink .
Your wits makes wise things foolish . When we greet ,
With eyes’ best seeing , heaven’s fiery eye ,
By light we lose light . Your capacity
Is of that nature that to your huge store
Wise things seem foolish and rich things but poor .
It were a fault to snatch words from my tongue .
That hid the worse and showed the better face .
[183]ACT 5. SC. 2
pale ?
Seasick , I think , coming from Muscovy .
Can any face of brass hold longer out ?
Here stand I , lady . Dart thy skill at me .
Bruise me with scorn , confound me with a flout .
Thrust thy sharp wit quite through my ignorance .
Cut me to pieces with thy keen conceit ,
And I will wish thee nevermore to dance ,
Nor nevermore in Russian habit wait .
O , never will I trust to speeches penned ,
Nor to the motion of a schoolboy’s tongue ,
Nor never come in vizard to my friend ,
Nor woo in rhyme like a blind harper’s song .
Taffeta phrases , silken terms precise ,
Three-piled hyperboles , spruce affectation ,
Figures pedantical — these summer flies
Have blown me full of maggot ostentation .
I do forswear them , and I here protest
By this white glove — how white the hand , God
knows ! —
Henceforth my wooing mind shall be expressed
In russet yeas and honest kersey noes .
And to begin : Wench , so God help me , law ,
My love to thee is sound , sans crack or flaw .
Of the old rage . Bear with me , I am sick ;
I’ll leave it by degrees . Soft , let us see :
Write ‘Lord have mercy on us’ on those three .
They are infected ; in their hearts it lies .
They have the plague , and caught it of your eyes .
[185] ACT 5. SC. 2 These lords are visited . You are not free ,
For the Lord’s tokens on you do I see .
That you stand forfeit , being those that sue ?
Some fair excuse .
Were not you here but even now , disguised ?
What did you whisper in your lady’s ear ?
Your oath once broke , you force not to forswear .
[187]ACT 5. SC. 2
What did the Russian whisper in your ear ?
As precious eyesight , and did value me
Above this world , adding thereto moreover
That he would wed me or else die my lover .
Most honorably doth uphold his word .
I never swore this lady such an oath .
You gave me this . She shows a token . But take it ,
sir , again .
I knew her by this jewel on her sleeve .
And Lord Berowne , I thank him , is my dear .
again ?
I see the trick on ’t . Here was a consent ,
Knowing aforehand of our merriment ,
To dash it like a Christmas comedy .
Some carry-tale , some please-man , some slight
zany ,
Some mumble-news , some trencher-knight , some
Dick ,
[189] ACT 5. SC. 2 That smiles his cheek in years and knows the trick
To make my lady laugh when she’s disposed ,
Told our intents before ; which once disclosed ,
The ladies did change favors ; and then we ,
Following the signs , wooed but the sign of she .
Now , to our perjury to add more terror ,
We are again forsworn in will and error .
Much upon this ’tis .
Forestall our sport , to make us thus untrue ?
Do not you know my lady’s foot by th’ squier ?
And laugh upon the apple of her eye ?
And stand between her back , sir , and the fire ,
Holding a trencher , jesting merrily ?
You put our page out . Go , you are allowed .
Die when you will , a smock shall be your shroud .
You leer upon me , do you ? There’s an eye
Wounds like a leaden sword .
Hath this brave manage , this career been run .
Welcome , pure wit . Thou part’st a fair fray .
Whether the three Worthies shall come in or no .
For every one pursents three .
is nine .
[191] ACT 5. SC. 2 You cannot beg us , sir , I can assure you , sir ; we
know what we know .
I hope , sir , three times thrice , sir —
doth amount .
living by reckoning , sir .
sir , will show whereuntil it doth amount . For
mine own part , I am , as they say , but to parfect one
man in one poor man — Pompion the Great , sir .
the Great . For mine own part , I know not the
degree of the Worthy , but I am to stand for him .
care .
approach .
To have one show worse than the King’s and his
company .
That sport best pleases that doth least know how ,
[193] ACT 5. SC. 2 Where zeal strives to content , and the contents
Dies in the zeal of that which it presents .
Their form confounded makes most form in mirth ,
When great things laboring perish in their birth .
of thy royal sweet breath as will utter a brace
of words .
Armado gives King a paper .
monarch , for , I protest , the schoolmaster is exceeding
fantastical , too , too vain , too , too vain . But
we will put it , as they say , to fortuna de la guerra . — I
wish you the peace of mind , most royal
couplement !
presence of Worthies . He presents Hector of Troy ,
the swain Pompey the Great , the parish curate
Alexander , Armado’s page Hercules , the pedant
Judas Maccabaeus .
And if these four Worthies in their first show thrive ,
These four will change habits and present the other
five .
priest , the fool , and the boy .
Abate throw at novum , and the whole world again
Cannot pick out five such , take each one in his vein .
[195]ACT 5. SC. 2
thee .
Great ,
That oft in field , with targe and shield , did make my
foe to sweat .
And traveling along this coast , I here am come by
chance ,
And lay my arms before the legs of this sweet lass of
France .
If your Ladyship would say ‘Thanks , Pompey ,’ I
had done .
perfect . I made a little fault in ‘Great .’
best Worthy .
commander .
[197] ACT 5. SC. 2 By east , west , north , and south , I spread my
conquering might .
My scutcheon plain declares that I am Alisander —
right .
knight .
Alexander .
commander —
Alisander .
Alisander the Conqueror . You will be scraped out of
the painted cloth for this . Your lion , that holds his
polax sitting on a close-stool , will be given to Ajax .
He will be the ninth Worthy . A conqueror , and
afeard to speak ? Run away for shame , Alisander .
There , an ’t shall please you , a foolish mild man , an
honest man , look you , and soon dashed . He is a
marvelous good neighbor , faith , and a very good
bowler . But , for Alisander — alas , you see how ’tis —
a little o’erparted . But there are Worthies a-coming
will speak their mind in some other sort .
for Hercules .
[199]ACT 5. SC. 2
Whose club killed Cerberus , that three-headed canus ,
And when he was a babe , a child , a shrimp ,
Thus did he strangle serpents in his manus .
Quoniam he seemeth in minority ,
Ergo I come with this apology .
Judas I am , yclept Maccabaeus .
Judas ?
elder .
seen .
[201]ACT 5. SC. 2
And now forward , for we have put thee in
countenance .
And so adieu , sweet Jude . Nay , why dost thou stay ?
away !
stumble .
in arms .
now be merry .
[203]ACT 5. SC. 2
Gave Hector a gift —
The armipotent Mars , of lances the almighty ,
Gave Hector a gift , the heir of Ilion ,
A man so breathed , that certain he would fight , yea ,
From morn till night , out of his pavilion .
I am that flower —
against Hector .
chucks , beat not the bones of the buried . When he
breathed , he was a man . But I will forward with my
device .
the sense of hearing .
The party is gone —
[205]ACT 5. SC. 2
months on her way .
poor wench is cast away . She’s quick ; the child
brags in her belly already . ’Tis yours .
Thou shalt die !
that is quick by him , and hanged for Pompey ,
that is dead by him .
Pompey . Pompey the Huge !
Stir them on , stir them on .
belly than will sup a flea .
thee !
man ! I’ll slash . I’ll do it by the sword . — I bepray
you , let me borrow my arms again .
lower . Do you not see Pompey is uncasing for the
combat ? What mean you ? You will lose your
reputation .
not combat in my shirt .
[207]ACT 5. SC. 2
challenge .
woolward for penance .
of linen ; since when , I’ll be sworn , he wore none
but a dishclout of Jaquenetta’s , and that he wears
next his heart for a favor .
But that thou interruptest our merriment .
Is heavy in my tongue . The King your father —
have seen the day of wrong through the little hole
of discretion , and I will right myself like a soldier .
For all your fair endeavors , and entreat ,
Out of a new-sad soul , that you vouchsafe
[209] ACT 5. SC. 2 In your rich wisdom to excuse or hide
The liberal opposition of our spirits ,
If overboldly we have borne ourselves
In the converse of breath ; your gentleness
Was guilty of it . Farewell , worthy lord .
A heavy heart bears not a humble tongue .
Excuse me so , coming too short of thanks
For my great suit so easily obtained .
All causes to the purpose of his speed ,
And often at his very loose decides
That which long process could not arbitrate .
And though the mourning brow of progeny
Forbid the smiling courtesy of love
The holy suit which fain it would convince ,
Yet since love’s argument was first on foot ,
Let not the cloud of sorrow jostle it
From what it purposed , since to wail friends lost
Is not by much so wholesome-profitable
As to rejoice at friends but newly found .
And by these badges understand the King :
For your fair sakes have we neglected time ,
Played foul play with our oaths . Your beauty , ladies ,
Hath much deformed us , fashioning our humors
Even to the opposèd end of our intents .
And what in us hath seemed ridiculous —
As love is full of unbefitting strains ,
All wanton as a child , skipping and vain ,
Formed by the eye and therefore , like the eye ,
Full of strange shapes , of habits , and of forms ,
Varying in subjects as the eye doth roll
[211] ACT 5. SC. 2 To every varied object in his glance ;
Which parti-coated presence of loose love
Put on by us , if , in your heavenly eyes ,
Have misbecomed our oaths and gravities ,
Those heavenly eyes , that look into these faults ,
Suggested us to make . Therefore , ladies ,
Our love being yours , the error that love makes
Is likewise yours . We to ourselves prove false
By being once false forever to be true
To those that make us both — fair ladies , you .
And even that falsehood , in itself a sin ,
Thus purifies itself and turns to grace .
Your favors , the ambassadors of love ;
And in our maiden council rated them
At courtship , pleasant jest , and courtesy ,
As bombast and as lining to the time .
But more devout than this in our respects
Have we not been , and therefore met your loves
In their own fashion , like a merriment .
Grant us your loves .
To make a world-without-end bargain in .
No , no , my lord , your Grace is perjured much ,
Full of dear guiltiness , and therefore this :
If for my love — as there is no such cause —
You will do aught , this shall you do for me :
Your oath I will not trust , but go with speed
[213] ACT 5. SC. 2 To some forlorn and naked hermitage ,
Remote from all the pleasures of the world .
There stay until the twelve celestial signs
Have brought about the annual reckoning .
If this austere insociable life
Change not your offer made in heat of blood ;
If frosts and fasts , hard lodging , and thin weeds
Nip not the gaudy blossoms of your love ,
But that it bear this trial , and last love ;
Then , at the expiration of the year ,
Come challenge me , challenge me by these deserts ,
And by this virgin palm now kissing thine ,
I will be thine . And till that instant shut
My woeful self up in a mourning house ,
Raining the tears of lamentation
For the remembrance of my father’s death .
If this thou do deny , let our hands part ,
Neither entitled in the other’s heart .
To flatter up these powers of mine with rest ,
The sudden hand of death close up mine eye !
Hence hermit , then . My heart is in thy breast .
A wife ?
With threefold love I wish you all these three .
I’ll mark no words that smooth-faced wooers say .
[215] ACT 5. SC. 2 Come when the King doth to my lady come ;
Then , if I have much love , I’ll give you some .
I’ll change my black gown for a faithful friend .
Behold the window of my heart , mine eye ,
What humble suit attends thy answer there .
Impose some service on me for thy love .
Before I saw you ; and the world’s large tongue
Proclaims you for a man replete with mocks ,
Full of comparisons and wounding flouts ,
Which you on all estates will execute
That lie within the mercy of your wit .
To weed this wormwood from your fruitful brain ,
And therewithal to win me , if you please ,
Without the which I am not to be won ,
You shall this twelvemonth term from day to day
Visit the speechless sick , and still converse
With groaning wretches ; and your task shall be ,
With all the fierce endeavor of your wit ,
To enforce the painèd impotent to smile .
[217]ACT 5. SC. 2
It cannot be , it is impossible .
Mirth cannot move a soul in agony .
Whose influence is begot of that loose grace
Which shallow laughing hearers give to fools .
A jest’s prosperity lies in the ear
Of him that hears it , never in the tongue
Of him that makes it . Then if sickly ears ,
Deafed with the clamors of their own dear groans
Will hear your idle scorns , continue then ,
And I will have you and that fault withal .
But if they will not , throw away that spirit ,
And I shall find you empty of that fault ,
Right joyful of your reformation .
I’ll jest a twelvemonth in an hospital .
Jack hath not Jill . These ladies’ courtesy
Might well have made our sport a comedy .
And then ’twill end .
[219]ACT 5. SC. 2
am a votary ; I have vowed to Jaquenetta to hold the
plow for her sweet love three year . But , most
esteemed Greatness , will you hear the dialogue that
the two learned men have compiled in praise of the
owl and the cuckoo ? It should have followed in the
end of our show .
This side is Hiems , Winter ; this Ver , the Spring ; the
one maintained by the owl , th’ other by the cuckoo .
Ver , begin .
The Song .
And lady-smocks all silver-white ,
And cuckoo-buds of yellow hue
Do paint the meadows with delight ,
The cuckoo then on every tree
Mocks married men ; for thus sings he :
‘Cuckoo !
Cuckoo , cuckoo !’ O word of fear ,
Unpleasing to a married ear .
When shepherds pipe on oaten straws ,
And merry larks are plowmen’s clocks ;
When turtles tread , and rooks and daws ,
And maidens bleach their summer smocks ;
The cuckoo then on every tree
Mocks married men , for thus sings he :
‘Cuckoo !
[221] ACT 5. SC. 2 Cuckoo , cuckoo !’ O word of fear ,
Unpleasing to a married ear .
And Dick the shepherd blows his nail ,
And Tom bears logs into the hall ,
And milk comes frozen home in pail ;
When blood is nipped , and ways be foul ,
Then nightly sings the staring owl
‘Tu-whit to-who .’ A merry note ,
While greasy Joan doth keel the pot .
When all aloud the wind doth blow ,
And coughing drowns the parson’s saw ,
And birds sit brooding in the snow ,
And Marian’s nose looks red and raw ;
When roasted crabs hiss in the bowl ,
Then nightly sings the staring owl
‘Tu-whit to-who .’ A merry note ,
While greasy Joan doth keel the pot .
songs of Apollo . You that way ; we this way .
Appendix A
- License
-
CC BY 4.0
Link to license
- Citation Suggestion for this Edition
- TextGrid Repository (2025). Shakespeare, William. Love’s Labor’s Lost. The Folger Digital Texts in TextGrid. https://hdl.handle.net/21.11113/0000-0016-846E-8