Hol. You have put me out of countenance. Boyet. Therefore, as he is, an ass, let him go. Dum. For the latter end of his name. Jud-as, away. grows dark; he may stumble. Prin. Alas, poor Machabæus, how hath he been baited! Enter Armado armed, for Hector. Biron. Hide thy head, Achilles; here comes Hector in arms. Dum. Though my mocks come home by me, I will now be merry King. Hector was but a Trojan' in respect of this. faces. Arm. The armipotent Mars, of lances ? the almighty, Gave Hector a gift, Dum. A gilt nutmeg. 1 Trojan is supposed to have been a cant term for a thief. It was, however, a familiar name for any equal or inferior. 2 i. e, lance-men. Arm. Peace! Gave Hector a gift, the heir of Nion ; From morn till night, out of his pavilion. That mint. That columbine. Arm. Sweet lord Longaville, rein thy tongue. Long. I must rather give it the rein ; for it runs against Hector. Dum. Ay, and Hector's a greyhound. Arm. The sweet war-man is dead and rotten; sweet chucks, beat not the bones of the buried; when he breathed, he was a man—but I will forward with my device. Sweet royalty, [To the Princess.] bestow on me the sense of hearing. [Biron whispers CostaRD. Prin. Speak, brave Hector ; we are much delighted. Arm. I do adore thy sweet grace's slipper. Boyet. Loves her by the foot. Dum. He may not by the yard. Arm. This Hector far surmounted Hannibal, Cost. The party is gone, fellow Hector; she is gone ; she is two months on her way. Arm. What meanest thou ? Cost. Faith, unless you play the honest Trojan, the poor wench is cast away. She's quick ; the child brags in her belly already ; ?tis yours. Årm. Dost thou infamonize me among potentates ? Thou shalt die. Cost. Then shall Hector be whipped, for Jaquenetta that is quick by him; and hanged, for Pompey that is dead by him. Dum. Most rare Pompey! Biron. Greater than great, great, great, great Pompey! Pompey the huge ! Dum. Hector trembles. Biron. Pompey is moved.—More Ates,' more Ates; Stir them on! Stir them on ! Dum. Hector will challenge him. Biron. Ay, if he have no more man's blood in's belly than will sup a flea. Arm. By the north pole, I do challenge thee. Cost. I will not fight with a pole, like a northern man; I'll slash ; I'll do it by the sword.—I pray you, let me borrow my arms again. Dum. Room for the incensed worthies. Moth. Master, let me take you a buttonhole lower. Do you not see, Pompey is uncasing for the combat ? What mean you ? You will lose your reputation. Arm. Gentlemen, and soldiers, pardon me; I will not combat in my shirt. Dum. You may not deny it. Pompey hath made the challenge. Arm. Sweet bloods, I both may and will. . Arm. The naked truth of it is, I have no shirt; I go woolward” for penance. Boyet. True, and it was enjoined him in Rome for want of linen, since when, I'll be sworn, he wore none, but a dish-clout of Jaquenetta's ; and that he wears next his heart for a favor. you Enter a Messenger, Monsieur MERCADE. Prin. Welcome, Mercade; Mer. I am sorry, madam; for the news I bring The king your father- 1 i. e. more instigation. Ate was the goddess of discord. 2 That is, clothed in wool, and not in linen ; a penance often enjoined in times of superstition. Biron. Worthies, away; the scene begins to cloud. Arm. For mine own part, I breathe free breath. I have seen the day of wrong through the little hole of discretion, and I will right myself like a soldier. [Exeunt Worthies. King. How fares your majesty ? Prin. Boyet, prepare; I will away to-night. King. Madam, not so; I do beseech you, stay, Prin. Prepare, I say.--I thank you, gracious lords, For all your fair endeavors, and entreat, Out of a new-sad soul, that you vouchsafe, In your rich wisdom, to excuse, or hide, The liberal opposition of our spirits. If over-boldly 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 so short of thanks For my great suit so easily obtained. King. The extreme parts of time extremely form 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 ;3 Yet, since love's argument was first on foot, Let not the cloud of sorrow justle 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. Prin. I understand you not; my griefs are double. Biron. Honest, plain words best pierce the ear of grief; And by these badges understand the king. 1 Armado probably means to say, in his affected style, that “ he had discovered he was wronged.” “One may see day at a little hole,” is a proverb. 2 Loose may mean at the moment of his parting; i. e. of his getting loose or away from us. 3 i. e. which it fain would succeed in obtaining. For your fair sakes have we neglected time, We to ourselves prove false, Prin. We have received your letters, full of love; jest. Long. So did our looks. Ros. We did not quote them so. King. Now, at the latest minute of the hour, Grant us your loves. Prin. A time methinks too short 1 Thus in Decker's Satiromastix: “ You shall swear not to bombast out a new play with the old linings of jests." Regard. 21 |