Spaces:
Runtime error
Runtime error
| <html> | |
| <head> | |
| <title>SCENE III. The same. | |
| </title> | |
| <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> | |
| <LINK rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen" | |
| href="/shake.css"> | |
| </HEAD> | |
| <body bgcolor="#ffffff" text="#000000"> | |
| <table width="100%" bgcolor="#CCF6F6"> | |
| <tr><td class="play" align="center">Loves Labours Lost | |
| <tr><td class="nav" align="center"> | |
| <a href="/Shakespeare">Shakespeare homepage</A> | |
| | <A href="/Shakespeare/lll/">Love's Labour's Lost</A> | |
| | Act 4, Scene 3 | |
| <br> | |
| <a href="lll.4.2.html">Previous scene</A> | |
| | <a href="lll.5.1.html">Next scene</A> | |
| </table> | |
| <H3>SCENE III. The same.</h3> | |
| <p><blockquote> | |
| <i>Enter BIRON, with a paper</i> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech1><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=1>The king he is hunting the deer; I am coursing</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=2>myself: they have pitched a toil; I am toiling in</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=3>a pitch,--pitch that defiles: defile! a foul</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=4>word. Well, set thee down, sorrow! for so they say</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=5>the fool said, and so say I, and I the fool: well</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=6>proved, wit! By the Lord, this love is as mad as</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=7>Ajax: it kills sheep; it kills me, I a sheep:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=8>well proved again o' my side! I will not love: if</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=9>I do, hang me; i' faith, I will not. O, but her</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=10>eye,--by this light, but for her eye, I would not</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=11>love her; yes, for her two eyes. Well, I do nothing</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=12>in the world but lie, and lie in my throat. By</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=13>heaven, I do love: and it hath taught me to rhyme</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=14>and to be melancholy; and here is part of my rhyme,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=15>and here my melancholy. Well, she hath one o' my</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=16>sonnets already: the clown bore it, the fool sent</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=17>it, and the lady hath it: sweet clown, sweeter</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=18>fool, sweetest lady! By the world, I would not care</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=19>a pin, if the other three were in. Here comes one</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=20>with a paper: God give him grace to groan!</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Stands aside</i></p> | |
| <p><i>Enter FERDINAND, with a paper</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech2><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=21>Ay me!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech3><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=22>[Aside] Shot, by heaven! Proceed, sweet Cupid:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=23>thou hast thumped him with thy bird-bolt under the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=24>left pap. In faith, secrets!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech4><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=25>[Reads]</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=26>So sweet a kiss the golden sun gives not</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=27>To those fresh morning drops upon the rose,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=28>As thy eye-beams, when their fresh rays have smote</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=29>The night of dew that on my cheeks down flows:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=30>Nor shines the silver moon one half so bright</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=31>Through the transparent bosom of the deep,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=32>As doth thy face through tears of mine give light;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=33>Thou shinest in every tear that I do weep:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=34>No drop but as a coach doth carry thee;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=35>So ridest thou triumphing in my woe.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=36>Do but behold the tears that swell in me,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=37>And they thy glory through my grief will show:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=38>But do not love thyself; then thou wilt keep</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=39>My tears for glasses, and still make me weep.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=40>O queen of queens! how far dost thou excel,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=41>No thought can think, nor tongue of mortal tell.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=42>How shall she know my griefs? I'll drop the paper:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=43>Sweet leaves, shade folly. Who is he comes here?</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Steps aside</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=44>What, Longaville! and reading! listen, ear.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech5><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=45>Now, in thy likeness, one more fool appear!</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Enter LONGAVILLE, with a paper</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech6><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=46>Ay me, I am forsworn!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech7><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=47>Why, he comes in like a perjure, wearing papers.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech8><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=48>In love, I hope: sweet fellowship in shame!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech9><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=49>One drunkard loves another of the name.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech10><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=50>Am I the first that have been perjured so?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech11><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=51>I could put thee in comfort. Not by two that I know:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=52>Thou makest the triumviry, the corner-cap of society,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=53>The shape of Love's Tyburn that hangs up simplicity.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech12><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=54>I fear these stubborn lines lack power to move:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=55>O sweet Maria, empress of my love!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=56>These numbers will I tear, and write in prose.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech13><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=57>O, rhymes are guards on wanton Cupid's hose:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=58>Disfigure not his slop.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech14><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=59>This same shall go.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Reads</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=60>Did not the heavenly rhetoric of thine eye,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=61>'Gainst whom the world cannot hold argument,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=62>Persuade my heart to this false perjury?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=63>Vows for thee broke deserve not punishment.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=64>A woman I forswore; but I will prove,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=65>Thou being a goddess, I forswore not thee:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=66>My vow was earthly, thou a heavenly love;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=67>Thy grace being gain'd cures all disgrace in me.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=68>Vows are but breath, and breath a vapour is:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=69>Then thou, fair sun, which on my earth dost shine,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=70>Exhalest this vapour-vow; in thee it is:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=71>If broken then, it is no fault of mine:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=72>If by me broke, what fool is not so wise</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=73>To lose an oath to win a paradise?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech15><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=74>This is the liver-vein, which makes flesh a deity,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=75>A green goose a goddess: pure, pure idolatry.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=76>God amend us, God amend! we are much out o' the way.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech16><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=77>By whom shall I send this?--Company! stay.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Steps aside</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech17><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=78>All hid, all hid; an old infant play.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=79>Like a demigod here sit I in the sky.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=80>And wretched fools' secrets heedfully o'ereye.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=81>More sacks to the mill! O heavens, I have my wish!</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Enter DUMAIN, with a paper</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=82>Dumain transform'd! four woodcocks in a dish!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech18><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=83>O most divine Kate!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech19><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=84>O most profane coxcomb!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech20><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=85>By heaven, the wonder in a mortal eye!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech21><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=86>By earth, she is not, corporal, there you lie.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech22><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=87>Her amber hair for foul hath amber quoted.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech23><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=88>An amber-colour'd raven was well noted.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech24><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=89>As upright as the cedar.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech25><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=90>Stoop, I say;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=91>Her shoulder is with child.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech26><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=92>As fair as day.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech27><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=93>Ay, as some days; but then no sun must shine.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech28><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=94>O that I had my wish!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech29><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=95>And I had mine!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech30><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=96>And I mine too, good Lord!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech31><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=97>Amen, so I had mine: is not that a good word?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech32><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=98>I would forget her; but a fever she</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=99>Reigns in my blood and will remember'd be.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech33><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=100>A fever in your blood! why, then incision</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=101>Would let her out in saucers: sweet misprision!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech34><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=102>Once more I'll read the ode that I have writ.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech35><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=103>Once more I'll mark how love can vary wit.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech36><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=104>[Reads]</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=105>On a day--alack the day!--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=106>Love, whose month is ever May,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=107>Spied a blossom passing fair</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=108>Playing in the wanton air:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=109>Through the velvet leaves the wind,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=110>All unseen, can passage find;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=111>That the lover, sick to death,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=112>Wish himself the heaven's breath.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=113>Air, quoth he, thy cheeks may blow;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=114>Air, would I might triumph so!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=115>But, alack, my hand is sworn</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=116>Ne'er to pluck thee from thy thorn;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=117>Vow, alack, for youth unmeet,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=118>Youth so apt to pluck a sweet!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=119>Do not call it sin in me,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=120>That I am forsworn for thee;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=121>Thou for whom Jove would swear</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=122>Juno but an Ethiope were;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=123>And deny himself for Jove,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=124>Turning mortal for thy love.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=125>This will I send, and something else more plain,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=126>That shall express my true love's fasting pain.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=127>O, would the king, Biron, and Longaville,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=128>Were lovers too! Ill, to example ill,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=129>Would from my forehead wipe a perjured note;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=130>For none offend where all alike do dote.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech37><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=131>[Advancing] Dumain, thy love is far from charity.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=132>You may look pale, but I should blush, I know,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=133>To be o'erheard and taken napping so.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech38><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=134>[Advancing] Come, sir, you blush; as his your case is such;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=135>You chide at him, offending twice as much;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=136>You do not love Maria; Longaville</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=137>Did never sonnet for her sake compile,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=138>Nor never lay his wreathed arms athwart</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=139>His loving bosom to keep down his heart.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=140>I have been closely shrouded in this bush</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=141>And mark'd you both and for you both did blush:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=142>I heard your guilty rhymes, observed your fashion,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=143>Saw sighs reek from you, noted well your passion:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=144>Ay me! says one; O Jove! the other cries;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=145>One, her hairs were gold, crystal the other's eyes:</A><br> | |
| <p><i>To LONGAVILLE</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=146>You would for paradise break faith, and troth;</A><br> | |
| <p><i>To DUMAIN</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=147>And Jove, for your love, would infringe an oath.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=148>What will Biron say when that he shall hear</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=149>Faith so infringed, which such zeal did swear?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=150>How will he scorn! how will he spend his wit!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=151>How will he triumph, leap and laugh at it!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=152>For all the wealth that ever I did see,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=153>I would not have him know so much by me.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech39><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=154>Now step I forth to whip hypocrisy.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Advancing</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=155>Ah, good my liege, I pray thee, pardon me!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=156>Good heart, what grace hast thou, thus to reprove</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=157>These worms for loving, that art most in love?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=158>Your eyes do make no coaches; in your tears</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=159>There is no certain princess that appears;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=160>You'll not be perjured, 'tis a hateful thing;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=161>Tush, none but minstrels like of sonneting!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=162>But are you not ashamed? nay, are you not,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=163>All three of you, to be thus much o'ershot?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=164>You found his mote; the king your mote did see;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=165>But I a beam do find in each of three.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=166>O, what a scene of foolery have I seen,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=167>Of sighs, of groans, of sorrow and of teen!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=168>O me, with what strict patience have I sat,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=169>To see a king transformed to a gnat!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=170>To see great Hercules whipping a gig,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=171>And profound Solomon to tune a jig,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=172>And Nestor play at push-pin with the boys,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=173>And critic Timon laugh at idle toys!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=174>Where lies thy grief, O, tell me, good Dumain?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=175>And gentle Longaville, where lies thy pain?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=176>And where my liege's? all about the breast:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=177>A caudle, ho!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech40><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=178> Too bitter is thy jest.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=179>Are we betray'd thus to thy over-view?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech41><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=180>Not you to me, but I betray'd by you:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=181>I, that am honest; I, that hold it sin</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=182>To break the vow I am engaged in;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=183>I am betray'd, by keeping company</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=184>With men like men of inconstancy.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=185>When shall you see me write a thing in rhyme?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=186>Or groan for love? or spend a minute's time</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=187>In pruning me? When shall you hear that I</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=188>Will praise a hand, a foot, a face, an eye,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=189>A gait, a state, a brow, a breast, a waist,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=190>A leg, a limb?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech42><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=191> Soft! whither away so fast?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=192>A true man or a thief that gallops so?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech43><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=193>I post from love: good lover, let me go.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Enter JAQUENETTA and COSTARD</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech44><b>JAQUENETTA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=194>God bless the king!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech45><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=195>What present hast thou there?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech46><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=196>Some certain treason.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech47><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=197>What makes treason here?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech48><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=198>Nay, it makes nothing, sir.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech49><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=199>If it mar nothing neither,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=200>The treason and you go in peace away together.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech50><b>JAQUENETTA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=201>I beseech your grace, let this letter be read:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=202>Our parson misdoubts it; 'twas treason, he said.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech51><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=203>Biron, read it over.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Giving him the paper</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=204>Where hadst thou it?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech52><b>JAQUENETTA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=205>Of Costard.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech53><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=206>Where hadst thou it?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech54><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=207>Of Dun Adramadio, Dun Adramadio.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>BIRON tears the letter</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech55><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=208>How now! what is in you? why dost thou tear it?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech56><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=209>A toy, my liege, a toy: your grace needs not fear it.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech57><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=210>It did move him to passion, and therefore let's hear it.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech58><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=211>It is Biron's writing, and here is his name.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Gathering up the pieces</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech59><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=212>[To COSTARD] Ah, you whoreson loggerhead! you were</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=213>born to do me shame.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=214>Guilty, my lord, guilty! I confess, I confess.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech60><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=215>What?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech61><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=216>That you three fools lack'd me fool to make up the mess:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=217>He, he, and you, and you, my liege, and I,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=218>Are pick-purses in love, and we deserve to die.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=219>O, dismiss this audience, and I shall tell you more.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech62><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=220>Now the number is even.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech63><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=221>True, true; we are four.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=222>Will these turtles be gone?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech64><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=223>Hence, sirs; away!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech65><b>COSTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=224>Walk aside the true folk, and let the traitors stay.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exeunt COSTARD and JAQUENETTA</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech66><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=225>Sweet lords, sweet lovers, O, let us embrace!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=226>As true we are as flesh and blood can be:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=227>The sea will ebb and flow, heaven show his face;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=228>Young blood doth not obey an old decree:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=229>We cannot cross the cause why we were born;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=230>Therefore of all hands must we be forsworn.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech67><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=231>What, did these rent lines show some love of thine?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech68><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=232>Did they, quoth you? Who sees the heavenly Rosaline,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=233>That, like a rude and savage man of Inde,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=234>At the first opening of the gorgeous east,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=235>Bows not his vassal head and strucken blind</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=236>Kisses the base ground with obedient breast?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=237>What peremptory eagle-sighted eye</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=238>Dares look upon the heaven of her brow,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=239>That is not blinded by her majesty?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech69><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=240> What zeal, what fury hath inspired thee now?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=241>My love, her mistress, is a gracious moon;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=242>She an attending star, scarce seen a light.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech70><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=243>My eyes are then no eyes, nor I Biron:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=244>O, but for my love, day would turn to night!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=245>Of all complexions the cull'd sovereignty</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=246>Do meet, as at a fair, in her fair cheek,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=247>Where several worthies make one dignity,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=248>Where nothing wants that want itself doth seek.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=249>Lend me the flourish of all gentle tongues,--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=250>Fie, painted rhetoric! O, she needs it not:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=251>To things of sale a seller's praise belongs,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=252>She passes praise; then praise too short doth blot.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=253>A wither'd hermit, five-score winters worn,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=254>Might shake off fifty, looking in her eye:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=255>Beauty doth varnish age, as if new-born,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=256>And gives the crutch the cradle's infancy:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=257>O, 'tis the sun that maketh all things shine.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech71><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=258> By heaven, thy love is black as ebony.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech72><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=259>Is ebony like her? O wood divine!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=260>A wife of such wood were felicity.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=261>O, who can give an oath? where is a book?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=262>That I may swear beauty doth beauty lack,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=263>If that she learn not of her eye to look:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=264>No face is fair that is not full so black.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech73><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=265>O paradox! Black is the badge of hell,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=266>The hue of dungeons and the suit of night;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=267>And beauty's crest becomes the heavens well.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech74><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=268> Devils soonest tempt, resembling spirits of light.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=269>O, if in black my lady's brows be deck'd,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=270>It mourns that painting and usurping hair</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=271>Should ravish doters with a false aspect;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=272>And therefore is she born to make black fair.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=273>Her favour turns the fashion of the days,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=274>For native blood is counted painting now;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=275>And therefore red, that would avoid dispraise,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=276>Paints itself black, to imitate her brow.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech75><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=277>To look like her are chimney-sweepers black.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech76><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=278> And since her time are colliers counted bright.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech77><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=279>And Ethiopes of their sweet complexion crack.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech78><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=280> Dark needs no candles now, for dark is light.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech79><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=281>Your mistresses dare never come in rain,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=282>For fear their colours should be wash'd away.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech80><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=283>'Twere good, yours did; for, sir, to tell you plain,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=284>I'll find a fairer face not wash'd to-day.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech81><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=285>I'll prove her fair, or talk till doomsday here.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech82><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=286> No devil will fright thee then so much as she.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech83><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=287>I never knew man hold vile stuff so dear.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech84><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=288> Look, here's thy love: my foot and her face see.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech85><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=289>O, if the streets were paved with thine eyes,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=290>Her feet were much too dainty for such tread!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech86><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=291>O, vile! then, as she goes, what upward lies</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=292>The street should see as she walk'd overhead.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech87><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=293>But what of this? are we not all in love?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech88><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=294> Nothing so sure; and thereby all forsworn.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech89><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=295>Then leave this chat; and, good Biron, now prove</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=296>Our loving lawful, and our faith not torn.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech90><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=297>Ay, marry, there; some flattery for this evil.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech91><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=298> O, some authority how to proceed;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=299>Some tricks, some quillets, how to cheat the devil.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech92><b>DUMAIN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=300>Some salve for perjury.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech93><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=301>'Tis more than need.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=302>Have at you, then, affection's men at arms.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=303>Consider what you first did swear unto,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=304>To fast, to study, and to see no woman;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=305>Flat treason 'gainst the kingly state of youth.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=306>Say, can you fast? your stomachs are too young;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=307>And abstinence engenders maladies.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=308>And where that you have vow'd to study, lords,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=309>In that each of you have forsworn his book,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=310>Can you still dream and pore and thereon look?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=311>For when would you, my lord, or you, or you,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=312>Have found the ground of study's excellence</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=313>Without the beauty of a woman's face?</A><br> | |
| <p><i>From women's eyes this doctrine I derive; They are the ground, the books, the academes From whence doth spring the true Promethean fire</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=314>Why, universal plodding poisons up</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=315>The nimble spirits in the arteries,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=316>As motion and long-during action tires</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=317>The sinewy vigour of the traveller.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=318>Now, for not looking on a woman's face,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=319>You have in that forsworn the use of eyes</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=320>And study too, the causer of your vow;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=321>For where is any author in the world</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=322>Teaches such beauty as a woman's eye?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=323>Learning is but an adjunct to ourself</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=324>And where we are our learning likewise is:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=325>Then when ourselves we see in ladies' eyes,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=326>Do we not likewise see our learning there?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=327>O, we have made a vow to study, lords,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=328>And in that vow we have forsworn our books.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=329>For when would you, my liege, or you, or you,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=330>In leaden contemplation have found out</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=331>Such fiery numbers as the prompting eyes</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=332>Of beauty's tutors have enrich'd you with?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=333>Other slow arts entirely keep the brain;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=334>And therefore, finding barren practisers,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=335>Scarce show a harvest of their heavy toil:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=336>But love, first learned in a lady's eyes,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=337>Lives not alone immured in the brain;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=338>But, with the motion of all elements,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=339>Courses as swift as thought in every power,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=340>And gives to every power a double power,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=341>Above their functions and their offices.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=342>It adds a precious seeing to the eye;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=343>A lover's eyes will gaze an eagle blind;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=344>A lover's ear will hear the lowest sound,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=345>When the suspicious head of theft is stopp'd:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=346>Love's feeling is more soft and sensible</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=347>Than are the tender horns of cockl'd snails;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=348>Love's tongue proves dainty Bacchus gross in taste:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=349>For valour, is not Love a Hercules,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=350>Still climbing trees in the Hesperides?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=351>Subtle as Sphinx; as sweet and musical</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=352>As bright Apollo's lute, strung with his hair:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=353>And when Love speaks, the voice of all the gods</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=354>Makes heaven drowsy with the harmony.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=355>Never durst poet touch a pen to write</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=356>Until his ink were temper'd with Love's sighs;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=357>O, then his lines would ravish savage ears</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=358>And plant in tyrants mild humility.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=359>From women's eyes this doctrine I derive:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=360>They sparkle still the right Promethean fire;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=361>They are the books, the arts, the academes,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=362>That show, contain and nourish all the world:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=363>Else none at all in ought proves excellent.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=364>Then fools you were these women to forswear,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=365>Or keeping what is sworn, you will prove fools.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=366>For wisdom's sake, a word that all men love,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=367>Or for love's sake, a word that loves all men,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=368>Or for men's sake, the authors of these women,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=369>Or women's sake, by whom we men are men,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=370>Let us once lose our oaths to find ourselves,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=371>Or else we lose ourselves to keep our oaths.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=372>It is religion to be thus forsworn,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=373>For charity itself fulfills the law,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=374>And who can sever love from charity?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech94><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=375>Saint Cupid, then! and, soldiers, to the field!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech95><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=376>Advance your standards, and upon them, lords;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=377>Pell-mell, down with them! but be first advised,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=378>In conflict that you get the sun of them.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech96><b>LONGAVILLE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=379>Now to plain-dealing; lay these glozes by:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=380>Shall we resolve to woo these girls of France?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech97><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=381>And win them too: therefore let us devise</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=382>Some entertainment for them in their tents.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech98><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=383>First, from the park let us conduct them thither;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=384>Then homeward every man attach the hand</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=385>Of his fair mistress: in the afternoon</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=386>We will with some strange pastime solace them,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=387>Such as the shortness of the time can shape;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=388>For revels, dances, masks and merry hours</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=389>Forerun fair Love, strewing her way with flowers.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech99><b>FERDINAND</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=390>Away, away! no time shall be omitted</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=391>That will betime, and may by us be fitted.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech100><b>BIRON</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=392>Allons! allons! Sow'd cockle reap'd no corn;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=393>And justice always whirls in equal measure:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=394>Light wenches may prove plagues to men forsworn;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=395>If so, our copper buys no better treasure.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exeunt</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=396>LOVE'S LABOURS LOST</A><br> | |
| <table width="100%" bgcolor="#CCF6F6"> | |
| <tr><td class="nav" align="center"> | |
| <a href="/Shakespeare">Shakespeare homepage</A> | |
| | <A href="/Shakespeare/lll/">Love's Labour's Lost</A> | |
| | Act 4, Scene 3 | |
| <br> | |
| <a href="lll.4.2.html">Previous scene</A> | |
| | <a href="lll.5.1.html">Next scene</A> | |
| </table> | |
| </body> | |
| </html> | |