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| <title>SCENE I. The king of Navarre's park. | |
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| <tr><td class="play" align="center">Loves Labours Lost | |
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| | <A href="/Shakespeare/lll/">Love's Labour's Lost</A> | |
| | Act 1, Scene 1 | |
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| <h3>SCENE I. The king of Navarre's park.</H3> | |
| <p><blockquote> | |
| <i>Enter FERDINAND king of Navarre, BIRON, LONGAVILLE and DUMAIN</i> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech1><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=1>Let fame, that all hunt after in their lives,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=2>Live register'd upon our brazen tombs</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=3>And then grace us in the disgrace of death;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=4>When, spite of cormorant devouring Time,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=5>The endeavor of this present breath may buy</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=6>That honour which shall bate his scythe's keen edge</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=7>And make us heirs of all eternity.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=8>Therefore, brave conquerors,--for so you are,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=9>That war against your own affections</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=10>And the huge army of the world's desires,--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=11>Our late edict shall strongly stand in force:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=12>Navarre shall be the wonder of the world;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=13>Our court shall be a little Academe,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=14>Still and contemplative in living art.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=15>You three, Biron, Dumain, and Longaville,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=16>Have sworn for three years' term to live with me</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=17>My fellow-scholars, and to keep those statutes</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=18>That are recorded in this schedule here:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=19>Your oaths are pass'd; and now subscribe your names,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=20>That his own hand may strike his honour down</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=21>That violates the smallest branch herein:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=22>If you are arm'd to do as sworn to do,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=23>Subscribe to your deep oaths, and keep it too.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech2><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=24>I am resolved; 'tis but a three years' fast:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=25>The mind shall banquet, though the body pine:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=26>Fat paunches have lean pates, and dainty bits</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=27>Make rich the ribs, but bankrupt quite the wits.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech3><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=28>My loving lord, Dumain is mortified:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=29>The grosser manner of these world's delights</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=30>He throws upon the gross world's baser slaves:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=31>To love, to wealth, to pomp, I pine and die;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=32>With all these living in philosophy.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech4><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=33>I can but say their protestation over;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=34>So much, dear liege, I have already sworn,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=35>That is, to live and study here three years.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=36>But there are other strict observances;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=37>As, not to see a woman in that term,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=38>Which I hope well is not enrolled there;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=39>And one day in a week to touch no food</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=40>And but one meal on every day beside,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=41>The which I hope is not enrolled there;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=42>And then, to sleep but three hours in the night,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=43>And not be seen to wink of all the day--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=44>When I was wont to think no harm all night</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=45>And make a dark night too of half the day--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=46>Which I hope well is not enrolled there:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=47>O, these are barren tasks, too hard to keep,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=48>Not to see ladies, study, fast, not sleep!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech5><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=49>Your oath is pass'd to pass away from these.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech6><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=50>Let me say no, my liege, an if you please:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=51>I only swore to study with your grace</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=52>And stay here in your court for three years' space.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech7><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=53>You swore to that, Biron, and to the rest.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech8><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=54>By yea and nay, sir, then I swore in jest.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=55>What is the end of study? let me know.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech9><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=56>Why, that to know, which else we should not know.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech10><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=57>Things hid and barr'd, you mean, from common sense?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech11><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=58>Ay, that is study's godlike recompense.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech12><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=59>Come on, then; I will swear to study so,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=60>To know the thing I am forbid to know:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=61>As thus,--to study where I well may dine,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=62>When I to feast expressly am forbid;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=63>Or study where to meet some mistress fine,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=64>When mistresses from common sense are hid;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=65>Or, having sworn too hard a keeping oath,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=66>Study to break it and not break my troth.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=67>If study's gain be thus and this be so,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=68>Study knows that which yet it doth not know:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=69>Swear me to this, and I will ne'er say no.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech13><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=70>These be the stops that hinder study quite</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=71>And train our intellects to vain delight.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech14><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=72>Why, all delights are vain; but that most vain,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=73>Which with pain purchased doth inherit pain:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=74>As, painfully to pore upon a book</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=75>To seek the light of truth; while truth the while</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=76>Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=77>Light seeking light doth light of light beguile:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=78>So, ere you find where light in darkness lies,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=79>Your light grows dark by losing of your eyes.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=80>Study me how to please the eye indeed</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=81>By fixing it upon a fairer eye,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=82>Who dazzling so, that eye shall be his heed</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=83>And give him light that it was blinded by.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=84>Study is like the heaven's glorious sun</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=85>That will not be deep-search'd with saucy looks:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=86>Small have continual plodders ever won</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=87>Save base authority from others' books</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=88>These earthly godfathers of heaven's lights</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=89>That give a name to every fixed star</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=90>Have no more profit of their shining nights</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=91>Than those that walk and wot not what they are.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=92>Too much to know is to know nought but fame;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=93>And every godfather can give a name.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech15><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=94>How well he's read, to reason against reading!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech16><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=95>Proceeded well, to stop all good proceeding!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech17><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=96>He weeds the corn and still lets grow the weeding.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech18><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=97>The spring is near when green geese are a-breeding.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech19><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=98>How follows that?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech20><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=99> Fit in his place and time.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech21><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=100>In reason nothing.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech22><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=101> Something then in rhyme.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech23><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=102>Biron is like an envious sneaping frost,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=103>That bites the first-born infants of the spring.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech24><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=104>Well, say I am; why should proud summer boast</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=105>Before the birds have any cause to sing?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=106>Why should I joy in any abortive birth?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=107>At Christmas I no more desire a rose</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=108>Than wish a snow in May's new-fangled mirth;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=109>But like of each thing that in season grows.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=110>So you, to study now it is too late,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=111>Climb o'er the house to unlock the little gate.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech25><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=112>Well, sit you out: go home, Biron: adieu.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech26><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=113>No, my good lord; I have sworn to stay with you:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=114>And though I have for barbarism spoke more</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=115>Than for that angel knowledge you can say,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=116>Yet confident I'll keep what I have swore</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=117>And bide the penance of each three years' day.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=118>Give me the paper; let me read the same;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=119>And to the strict'st decrees I'll write my name.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech27><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=120>How well this yielding rescues thee from shame!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech28><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=121>[Reads] 'Item, That no woman shall come within a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=122>mile of my court:' Hath this been proclaimed?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech29><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=123>Four days ago.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech30><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=124>Let's see the penalty.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Reads</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=125>'On pain of losing her tongue.' Who devised this penalty?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech31><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=126>Marry, that did I.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech32><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=127>Sweet lord, and why?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech33><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=128>To fright them hence with that dread penalty.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech34><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=129>A dangerous law against gentility!</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Reads</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=130>'Item, If any man be seen to talk with a woman</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=131>within the term of three years, he shall endure such</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=132>public shame as the rest of the court can possibly devise.'</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=133>This article, my liege, yourself must break;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=134>For well you know here comes in embassy</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=135>The French king's daughter with yourself to speak--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=136>A maid of grace and complete majesty--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=137>About surrender up of Aquitaine</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=138>To her decrepit, sick and bedrid father:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=139>Therefore this article is made in vain,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=140>Or vainly comes the admired princess hither.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech35><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=141>What say you, lords? Why, this was quite forgot.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech36><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=142>So study evermore is overshot:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=143>While it doth study to have what it would</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=144>It doth forget to do the thing it should,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=145>And when it hath the thing it hunteth most,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=146>'Tis won as towns with fire, so won, so lost.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech37><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=147>We must of force dispense with this decree;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=148>She must lie here on mere necessity.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech38><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=149>Necessity will make us all forsworn</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=150>Three thousand times within this three years' space;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=151>For every man with his affects is born,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=152>Not by might master'd but by special grace:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=153>If I break faith, this word shall speak for me;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=154>I am forsworn on 'mere necessity.'</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=155>So to the laws at large I write my name:</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Subscribes</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=156>And he that breaks them in the least degree</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=157>Stands in attainder of eternal shame:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=158>Suggestions are to other as to me;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=159>But I believe, although I seem so loath,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=160>I am the last that will last keep his oath.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=161>But is there no quick recreation granted?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech39><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=162>Ay, that there is. Our court, you know, is haunted</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=163>With a refined traveller of Spain;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=164>A man in all the world's new fashion planted,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=165>That hath a mint of phrases in his brain;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=166>One whom the music of his own vain tongue</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=167>Doth ravish like enchanting harmony;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=168>A man of complements, whom right and wrong</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=169>Have chose as umpire of their mutiny:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=170>This child of fancy, that Armado hight,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=171>For interim to our studies shall relate</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=172>In high-born words the worth of many a knight</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=173>From tawny Spain lost in the world's debate.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=174>How you delight, my lords, I know not, I;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=175>But, I protest, I love to hear him lie</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=176>And I will use him for my minstrelsy.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech40><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=177>Armado is a most illustrious wight,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=178>A man of fire-new words, fashion's own knight.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech41><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=179>Costard the swain and he shall be our sport;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=180>And so to study, three years is but short.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Enter DULL with a letter, and COSTARD</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech42><b>DULL</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=181>Which is the duke's own person?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech43><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=182>This, fellow: what wouldst?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech44><b>DULL</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=183>I myself reprehend his own person, for I am his</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=184>grace's tharborough: but I would see his own person</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=185>in flesh and blood.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech45><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=186>This is he.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech46><b>DULL</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=187>Signior Arme--Arme--commends you. There's villany</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=188>abroad: this letter will tell you more.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech47><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=189>Sir, the contempts thereof are as touching me.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech48><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=190>A letter from the magnificent Armado.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech49><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=191>How low soever the matter, I hope in God for high words.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech50><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=192>A high hope for a low heaven: God grant us patience!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech51><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=193>To hear? or forbear laughing?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech52><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=194>To hear meekly, sir, and to laugh moderately; or to</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=195>forbear both.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech53><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=196>Well, sir, be it as the style shall give us cause to</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=197>climb in the merriness.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech54><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=198>The matter is to me, sir, as concerning Jaquenetta.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=199>The manner of it is, I was taken with the manner.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech55><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=200>In what manner?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech56><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=201>In manner and form following, sir; all those three:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=202>I was seen with her in the manor-house, sitting with</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=203>her upon the form, and taken following her into the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=204>park; which, put together, is in manner and form</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=205>following. Now, sir, for the manner,--it is the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=206>manner of a man to speak to a woman: for the form,--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=207>in some form.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech57><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=208>For the following, sir?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech58><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=209>As it shall follow in my correction: and God defend</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=210>the right!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech59><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=211>Will you hear this letter with attention?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech60><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=212>As we would hear an oracle.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech61><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=213>Such is the simplicity of man to hearken after the flesh.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech62><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=214>[Reads] 'Great deputy, the welkin's vicegerent and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=215>sole dominator of Navarre, my soul's earth's god,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=216>and body's fostering patron.'</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech63><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=217>Not a word of Costard yet.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech64><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=218>[Reads] 'So it is,'--</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech65><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=219>It may be so: but if he say it is so, he is, in</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=220>telling true, but so.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech66><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=221>Peace!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech67><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=222>Be to me and every man that dares not fight!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech68><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=223>No words!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech69><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=224>Of other men's secrets, I beseech you.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech70><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=225>[Reads] 'So it is, besieged with sable-coloured</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=226>melancholy, I did commend the black-oppressing humour</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=227>to the most wholesome physic of thy health-giving</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=228>air; and, as I am a gentleman, betook myself to</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=229>walk. The time when. About the sixth hour; when</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=230>beasts most graze, birds best peck, and men sit down</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=231>to that nourishment which is called supper: so much</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=232>for the time when. Now for the ground which; which,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=233>I mean, I walked upon: it is y-cleped thy park. Then</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=234>for the place where; where, I mean, I did encounter</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=235>that obscene and preposterous event, that draweth</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=236>from my snow-white pen the ebon-coloured ink, which</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=237>here thou viewest, beholdest, surveyest, or seest;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=238>but to the place where; it standeth north-north-east</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=239>and by east from the west corner of thy curious-</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=240>knotted garden: there did I see that low-spirited</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=241>swain, that base minnow of thy mirth,'--</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech71><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=242>Me?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech72><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=243>[Reads] 'that unlettered small-knowing soul,'--</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech73><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=244>Me?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech74><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=245>[Reads] 'that shallow vassal,'--</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech75><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=246>Still me?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech76><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=247>[Reads] 'which, as I remember, hight Costard,'--</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech77><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=248>O, me!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech78><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=249>[Reads] 'sorted and consorted, contrary to thy</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=250>established proclaimed edict and continent canon,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=251>which with,--O, with--but with this I passion to say</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=252>wherewith,--</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech79><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=253>With a wench.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech80><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=254>[Reads] 'with a child of our grandmother Eve, a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=255>female; or, for thy more sweet understanding, a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=256>woman. Him I, as my ever-esteemed duty pricks me on,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=257>have sent to thee, to receive the meed of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=258>punishment, by thy sweet grace's officer, Anthony</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=259>Dull; a man of good repute, carriage, bearing, and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=260>estimation.'</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech81><b>DULL</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=261>'Me, an't shall please you; I am Anthony Dull.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech82><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=262>[Reads] 'For Jaquenetta,--so is the weaker vessel</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=263>called which I apprehended with the aforesaid</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=264>swain,--I keep her as a vessel of the law's fury;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=265>and shall, at the least of thy sweet notice, bring</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=266>her to trial. Thine, in all compliments of devoted</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=267>and heart-burning heat of duty.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=268>DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO.'</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech83><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=269>This is not so well as I looked for, but the best</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=270>that ever I heard.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech84><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=271>Ay, the best for the worst. But, sirrah, what say</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=272>you to this?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech85><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=273>Sir, I confess the wench.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech86><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=274>Did you hear the proclamation?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech87><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=275>I do confess much of the hearing it but little of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=276>the marking of it.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech88><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=277>It was proclaimed a year's imprisonment, to be taken</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=278>with a wench.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech89><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=279>I was taken with none, sir: I was taken with a damsel.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech90><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=280>Well, it was proclaimed 'damsel.'</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech91><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=281>This was no damsel, neither, sir; she was a virgin.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech92><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=282>It is so varied, too; for it was proclaimed 'virgin.'</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech93><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=283>If it were, I deny her virginity: I was taken with a maid.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech94><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=284>This maid will not serve your turn, sir.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech95><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=285>This maid will serve my turn, sir.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech96><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=286>Sir, I will pronounce your sentence: you shall fast</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=287>a week with bran and water.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech97><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=288>I had rather pray a month with mutton and porridge.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech98><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=289>And Don Armado shall be your keeper.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=290>My Lord Biron, see him deliver'd o'er:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=291>And go we, lords, to put in practise that</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=292>Which each to other hath so strongly sworn.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exeunt FERDINAND, LONGAVILLE, and DUMAIN</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech99><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=293>I'll lay my head to any good man's hat,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=294>These oaths and laws will prove an idle scorn.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=295>Sirrah, come on.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech100><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=296>I suffer for the truth, sir; for true it is, I was</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=297>taken with Jaquenetta, and Jaquenetta is a true</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=298>girl; and therefore welcome the sour cup of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=299>prosperity! Affliction may one day smile again; and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=300>till then, sit thee down, sorrow!</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exeunt</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=301>LOVE'S LABOURS LOST</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
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