Unless you can find sport in their intents,
Extremely stretch'd, and conn'd with cruel pain,
To do you service.

The.

I will hear that play;
For never any thing can be amiss,
When simpleness and duty tender it.
Go, bring them in ;-and take your places, ladies.
[Exit Philostrate.
Hip. I love not to see wretchedness o'ercharg'd,
And duty in his service perishing.
The. Why, gentle sweet, you shall see no such
thing.

Hip. He says, they can do nothing in this kind.
The. The kinder we, to give them thanks for
nothing.

Our sport shall be, to take what they mistake:
And what poor duty cannot do,

Noble respect takes it in might, not merit.
Where I have come, great clerks have purpos'd
To greet me with premeditated welcomes;
Where I have seen them shiver and look pale,
Make periods in the midst of sentences,
Throttle their practis'd accent in their fears,
And, in conclusion, dumbly have broke off,
Not paying me a welcome: Trust me, sweet,
Out of this silence, yet, I pick'd a welcome;
And in the modesty of fearful duty

I read as much, as from the rattling tongue
Of saucy and audacious eloquence.
Love, therefore, and tongue-tied simplicity,
In least, speak most, to my capacity.

Enter Philostrate.

Philost. So please your grace, the prologue is
addrest.'

The. Let him approach. [Flourish of trumpets.
Enter Prologue.

Prol. If we offend, it is with our good will.
That should think, we come not to offend,
you
But with good will. To show our simple skill,
That is the true beginning of our end.
Consider then, we come but in despite.

We do not come as minding to content you,
Our true intent is. All for your delight,

We are not here. That you should here repent you,
The actors are at hand; and, by their show,
You shall know all, that you are like to know.

The. This fellow doth not stand upon points. Lys. He hath rid his prologue, like a rough colt, he knows not the stop. A good moral, my lord: It is not enough to speak, but to speak true.

Hip. Indeed he hath played on this prologue, like a child on a recorder; a sound, but not in government.

The. His speech was like a tangled chain; nothing impaired, but all disordered. Who is next? Enter Pyramus and Thisbe, Wall, Moonshine, and Lion, as in dumb show.

Prol. 'Gentles, perchance, you wonder at this show;

'But wonder on, till truth make all things plain. "This man is Pyramus, if you would know; "This beauteous lady Thisby is, certáin. "This man, with lime and rough-cast, doth present 'Wall, that vile wall which did these lovers sunder:

'And through wall's chink, poor souls, they are

content

This man, with lantern, dog, and bush of thorn, 'Presenteth moonshine: for, if you will know, 'By moonshine did these lovers think no scorn

To meet at Ninus' tomb, there, there to woo.
This grisly beast, which by name lion hight,3
The trusty Thisby, coming first by night,
Did scare away, or rather did affright;
And, as she fled, her mantle she did fall;
'Which lion vile with bloody mouth did stain:
Anon comes Pyramus, sweet youth, and tall,

And finds his trusty Thisby's mantle slain:
'Whereat with blade, with bloody blameful blade,
'He bravely broach'd his boiling bloody breast;
'And, Thisby tarrying in mulberry shade,

'His dagger drew, and died. For all the rest, 'Let Lion, Moonshine, Wall, and lovers twain, 'At large discourse, while here they do remain.'

[Exeunt Prol. Thisbe, Lion, and Moonshine,
The. I wonder, if the lion be to speak.
Dem. No wonder, my lord: one lion may, when
many asses do.

Wall. In this same interlude, it doth befall,
That I, one Snout by name, present a wall:
And such a wall, as I would have you think,
That had in it a cranny'd hole, or chink,
"Through which the lovers, Pyramus and Thisby,
Did whisper often very secretly.

This loam, this rough-cast, and this stone, doth
show

That I am that same wall; the truth is so:
And this the cranny is, right and sinister,
'Through which the fearful lovers are to whisper.'
The. Would you desire lime and hair to speak
better?

Dem. It is the wittiest partition that ever I heard discourse, my lord.

The. Pyramus draws near the wall; silence!

Enter Pyramus.

Pyr. O grim-look'd night! O night with hue so
black!

"O night, which ever art, when day is not!
O night, O night, alack, alack, alack,

'I fear my Thisby's promise is forgot!-
And thou, O wall, O sweet, O lovely wall,
'That stand'st between her father's ground and
mine;

Thou wall, O wall, O sweet and lovely wall,
'Show me thy chink, to blink through with mine
Thanks, courteous wall: Jove shield thee well for
[Wall holds up his fingers.

eyne.

this!

'But what see I? No Thisby do I see. O wicked wall, through whom I see no bliss; Curst be thy stones for thus deceiving me! The. The wall, methinks, being sensible, should curse again.

Pyr. No, in truth, sir, he should not. Deceiving me, is Thisby's cue: she is to enter now, and I am to spy her through the wall. You shall see, it will fall pat as I told you:-Yonder she comes.

Enter Thisbe.

This. 'O wall, full often hast thou heard my moans,

"For parting my fair Pyramus and me: 'My cherry lips have often kiss'd thy stones; "Thy stones with lime and hair knit up in thee.' Pyr. 'I see a voice; now will I to the chink, 'To spy an I can hear my Thisby's face. "Thisby!'

This. 'My love! thou art my love, I think.' (3) Called.

Don Adriano de Armado, a fantastical Spaniard. Jaquenetta, a country wench.

And, one day in a week to touch no food;
And but one meal on every day beside;
The which, I hope, is not enrolled there:
And then to sleep but three hours in the night,
and And not to be seen to wink of all the day;

LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST.

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 was it blinded by.
Study is like the heaven's glorious sun,

That will not be deep-search'd with saucy looks;
Small have continual plodders ever won,

Save base authority from others' books. These earthly godfathers of heaven's lights, That gave a name to every fixed 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 nought but fame;
And every godfather can give a name.

King. How well he's read, to reason against
reading!

Dum. Proceeded well, to stop all good pro-
ceeding!

Long. He weeds the corn, and still lets grow the
weeding.
Biron. The spring is near, when green geese
are a breeding.
Dum. How follows that?
Biron.

Fit in his place and time.

Dum. In reason nothing.
Biron.
Long. Biron is like an envious sneaping' frost,
Something then in rhyme.
That bites the first-born infants of the spring.
Biron. Well, say I am; why should proud sum-
mer boast,

Before the birds have any cause to sing?
Why should I joy in an abortive birth?
At Christmas, I no more desire a rose

Than wish a snow in May's new-fangled shows;2
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.
King. Well, sit you out: go home, Birón;
Biron. No, my good lord; I have sworn to stay
adieu!
with you:

And, though I have for barbarism spoke more,
Than for that angel knowledge you can say,
Yet confident I'll keep what I have swore,

And 'bide the penance of each three years' day.
Give me the paper, let me read the same;
And to the strict'st decrees, I'll write my name.
King. How well this yielding rescues thee from
shame!

Biron. [Reads. Item, That no woman shall
come within a mile of my court.—
And hath this been proclaim'd?
Long.

Four days ago.

159

Therefore this article is made in vain,
Or vainly comes the admired princess hither.
King. What say you, lords? why, this was
quite forgot.

While it doth study to have what it would,
Biron. So study evermore is overshot;
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.
King. We must, of force, dispense with this
decree;

She must lie3 here on mere necessity.

Biron. Necessity will make us all forsworn Three thousand times within this three years' space :

For every man with his affects is born;

Not by might master'd, but by special grace:
am forsworn on mere necessity.
If I break faith, this word shall speak for me,
So to the laws at large I write my name:

I

And he that breaks them in the least degree, [Subscribes. Stands in attainder of eternal shame :

I

Suggestions are to others, as to me; But, I believe, although I seem so loth, But is there no quick recreation granted: am the last that will last keep his oath. King. Ay, that there is: our court, you know, is haunted

With a refined traveller of Spain;

A man in all the world's new fashion planted,

That hath a mint of phrases in his brain:
One, whom the music of his own vain tongue
Doth ravish, like enchanting harmony;
A man of complements, whom right and wrong
Have chose as umpire of their mutiny:
This child of fancy, that Armado hight,

In high-born words, the worth of many a knight
For interim to our studies, shall relate,
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.

Biron. Armado is a most illustrious wight,
A man of fire-new words, fashion's own knight.
Long. Costard the swain, and he, shall be our
sport;
And, so to study, three years is but short.

Enter Dull, with a letter, and Costard.
Dull. Which is the duke's own person?
Biron. This, fellow; What would'st?
Dull. I myself reprehend his own person, for I
am his grace's tharborough: but I would see his
Who devis'd this? own person in flesh and blood.
Biron. This is he.

Biron. Let's see the penalty.
[Reads.]-On pain of losing her tongue.-

Long. Marry, that did I.
Biron. Sweet lord, and why?
Long. To fright them hence with that dread
penalty.

Biron. A dangerous law against gentility.
[Reads.] Item, If any man be seen to talk with
a woman within the term of three years, he shall
endure such public shame as the rest of the court
can possibly devise-

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 Aquitain

To her decrepit, sick, and bed-rid father:

(1) Nipping. (3) Reside.

(2) Games, sports.
(4) Temptations.

There's villany abroad; this letter will tell you
Dull. Signior Arme-Arme-commends you.-

more.

Cost. Sir, the contempts thereof are as touching

me.

King. A letter from the magnificent Armado.
Biron. How low soever the matter, I hope in
God for high words.

Long. A high hope for a low having: God grant
us patience!

Biron. To hear? or forbear hearing?

Long. To hear meckly, sir, and to laugh moderately; or to forbear both.

Biron. Well, sir, be it as the style shall give us cause to climb in the merriness.

(5) Lively, sprightly.
(7) i. e. third-borough, a peace-officer.
(6) Called.

Cost. The matter is to me, sir, as concerning swain,) I keep her as a vessel of thy law's fury; Jaquenetta. The manner of it is, I was taken and shall, at the least of thy sweet notice, bring her to trial. Thine, in all compliments of devoted and heart-burning heat of duty,

with the manner.1

Biron. In what manner?

DON ADRIÁNO DE ARMADO.

Biron. This is not so well as I looked for, but

Cost. In manner and form following, sir; all those three: I was seen with her in the manor house, sitting with her upon the form, and taken the best that ever I heard. following her into the park; which, put together, is, in manner and form following. Now, sir, for

King. Ay, the best for the worst. But, sirrah,

the manner,-it is the manner of a man to speak what say you to this? to a woman: for the form,-in some form.

Biron. For the following, sir?

Cost. As it shall follow in my correction; and

God defend the right!

King. Will you hear this letter with attention?
Biron. As we would hear an oracle.

Cost. Such is the simplicity of man to hearken after the flesh.

King. [Reads.] Great deputy, the welkin's vicegerent, and sole dominator of Navarre, my soul's earth's God, and body's fostering patron,

Cost. Not a word of Custard yet.

King. So it is,

Cost. Sir, I confess the wench.

King. Did you hear the proclamation? little of the marking of it. Cost. I do confess much of the hearing it, but

King. It was proclaimed a year's imprisonment, to be taken with a wench.

Cost. I was taken with none, sir, I was taken with a damosel.

King. Well, it was proclaimed damosel. Cost. This was no damosel neither, sir; she was a virgin.

King. It is so varied too; for it was proclaimed, virgin.

Cost. If it were, I deny her virginity; I was

Cost. It may be so: but if he say it is so, he is, taken with a maid." in telling true, but so, so.

be to me, and every man that dares

King. Peace. Cost. not fight!

King. No words.

King. This maid will not serve your turn, sir.
Cost. This maid will serve my turn, sir.
King. Sir, I will pronounce your sentence; You
shall fast a week with bran and water.

Cost. I had rather pray a month with mutton and porridge.

King. And Don Armado shall be your keeper.-
lord Biron see him deliver'd o'er.—
And go we, lords, to put in practice that

Which each to other hath so strongly sworn.

[Exeunt King, Longaville, and Dumain. Biron. I'll lay my head to any good man's hat, These oaths and laws will prove an idle scorn. -Sirrah, come on.

Cost. of other men's secrets, I beseech you. King, So it is, besieged with sable-coloured melancholy, I did commend the black-oppressing humour to the most wholesome physic of thy health-My 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' it is ycleped thy park. Then for the place where; where, most preposterous event, that draweth from my snow-white pen the ebon-coloured 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,

mean,

Cost. Me.

:

I did encounter that obscene and

King. that unletter'd small-knowing soul,
Cost. Me.

King. that shallow vassal,

Cost. Still me.

King sorted and consorted, contrary to thy established proclaimed edict and continent canon, with-with-O with-but with this I passion to say wherewith

Cost. With a wench. King. — with a child of our grandmother Eve, a 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, Antony Dull; a man of good repute, carriage, bearing, and estimation.

Dull. Me, an't shall please you; I am Antony Dull. King. For Jaquenetta (so is the weaker vessel called, which I apprehended with the aforesaid (1) In the fact. (2) A young man.

Cost. I suffer for the truth, sir: for true it is, I was taken with Jaquenetta, and Jaquenetta is a prosperity! Affliction may one day smile again, true girl; and therefore, Welcome the sour cup of and till then, Sit thee down, sorrow! [Exeunt.

SCENE II.-Another part of the same. Arma-
do's house. Enter Armado and Moth.
Arm. Boy, what sign is it, when a man of great
spirit grows melancholy?

Moth. A great sign, sir, that he will look sad. Arm. Why, sadness is one and the self-same thing, dear imp.

Moth. No, no; O lord, sir, no.

Arm. How canst thou part sadness and melancholy, my tender juvenal ?2

Moth. By a familiar demonstration of the work ing, my tough senior.

Arm. Why tough senior? why tough senior? Moth. Why tender juvenal? why tender juvenal? Arm. I spoke it, tender juvenal, as a congruent epitheton, appertaining to thy young days, which we may nominate tender.

Moth. And I, tough senior, as an appertinent title to your old time, which we may name tough. Arm. Pretty, and apt.

Moth. How mean you, sir? I pretty, and my
saying apt? or I apt, and my saving pretty?
Arm. Thou pretty, because little.

Moth. Little pretty, because little: Wherefore apt?
Arm. And therefore apt, because quick.
Moth. Speak you this in my praise, master?
Arm. In thy condign praise.

Moth. I will praise an eel with the same praise.
Arm. What? that an eel is ingenious?

Moth. That an eel is quick.

Arm. I do say, thou art quick in answers: Thou heatest my blood.

Moth. "I am answered, sir.

Arm. I love not to be crossed.

Moth. He speaks the mere contrary, crosses1
love not him.
[Aside.
Arm. I have promised to study three years with
the duke.

Moth. You may do it in an hour, sir.
Arm. Impossible.

Moth. How many is one thrice told?

Arm. I am ill at reckoning, it fitteth the spirit of a tapster.

Moth. You are a gentleman, and a gamester, sir. Arm. I confess both; they are both the varnish of a complete man.

Moth. Then, I am sure you know how much the gross sum of deuce-ace amounts to.

Arm. It doth amount to one more than two.
Moth. Which the base vulgar do call, three.
Arm. True.

:

Moth. If she be made of white and red,
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,
Fy this you shall not know;

For still her cheeks possess the same,
Which native she doth owe.2

A dangerous rhyme, master, against the reason of white and red.

Arm. Is there not a ballad, boy, of the King and the Beggar?

Moth. The world was very guilty of such a ballad some 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.

Arm. I will have the subject newly writ o'er, that I 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.

Moth. To be whipped; and yet a better love than my master. [Aside. Arm. Sing, boy; my spirits grow heavy in love. Moth. And that's great marvel, loving a light

Moth. Why, sir, is this such a piece of study?
Now here is three studied, ere you'll thrice wink
and how easy it is to put years to the word three,
and study three years in two words, the dancing-wench.
horse will tell you.

Arm. A most fine figure!
Moth. To prove you a cypher.

[Aside.

Arm. I will hereupon confess, I am in love: and, as it is base for a soldier to love, so am I in love with a base wench. If drawing my sword against the humour 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 courtesy. I think scorn to sigh; methinks, I should out-swear Cupid. Comfort me, boy: What great men have been in love?

Moth. Hercules, master.

Arm. Most sweet Hercules!-More authority, dear boy, name more; and, sweet my child, let them be men of good repute and carriage.

Moth. Samson, master: he was a man of good carriage, great carriage; for he carried the towngates on his back, like a porter: and he was in love. Arm. O well-knit Samson! strong-jointed Samson! 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 Moth?

Moth. A woman, master.

Arm. Of what complexion?

Moth. Of all the four, or the three, or the two; or one of the four.

Arm. Tell me precisely of what complexion.
Moth. Of the sea-water green, sir.
Arm. Is that one of the four complexions?
Moth. As I have read, sir; and the best of them

too.

Arm. Green, indeed, is the colour of lovers: but to have a love of that colour, methinks, Samson had small reason for it. He, surely, affected her for her wit.

Moth. It was so, sir; for she had a green wit. Arm. My love is most immaculate white and red. Moth. Most maculate thoughts, master, are! masked under such colours.

Arm. Define, define, well-educated infant. Moth. My father's wit, and my mother's tongue, assist me!

Arm. Sweet invocation of a child; most pretty, and pathetical!

(1) The name of a coin once current.
(2) Of which she is naturally possessed.

Arm. I say, sing.

Moth. Forbear till this company be past.

Enter Dull, Costard, and Jaquenetta.
Dull. Sir, the duke's pleasure is, that you keep
Costard safe; and you must let him take no delight,
nor no penance; but a' must fast three days a-week:
For this damsel, I must keep her at the park; she
is allowed for the day-woman. Fare you well.
Arm. I do betray myself with blushing.-Maid.
Jaq. Man.

Arm. I will visit thee at the lodge.
Jaq. That's hereby.

Arm. I know where it is situate.
Jaq. Lord, how wise you are!
Arm. I will tell thee wonders.
Jaq. With that face?
Arm. I love thee.
Jaq. So I heard you say.
Arm. And so farewell.
Jaq. Fair weather after you!
Dull. Come, Jaquenetta, away.

[Exeunt Dull and Jaquenetta. Arm. Villain, thou shalt fast for thy offences, jere thou be pardoned.

Cost. Well, sir, I hope, when I do it, I shall do it on a full stomach.

Arm. Thou shalt be heavily punished.

Cost. I am more bound to you, than your fellows, for they are but lightly rewarded.

Arm. Take away this villain; shut him up. Moth. Come, you transgressing slave; away. Cost. Let me not be pent up, sir; I will fast, being loose.

Moth. No, sir; that were fast and loose: thou shalt to prisen.

Cost. Well, if ever I do see the merry days of desolation that I have seen, some shall seeMoth. What shall some see?

Cost. Nay, nothing, master Moth, but what they 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.

[Ereunt Moth and Costard. Arm. I do affects the very ground, which is base, (3) Transgression. (4) Dairy-woman. (5) Love.