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Officers, and others, Attendants upon the King and Princess.
SCENE, the King of Navarre's Palace, and the Country near it.

SCENE I.

Navarre. The Palace.

A C T I.

Enter the King, Biron, Longaville, and Dumain.
King L
ET fame, that all hunt after in their lives,
Live registered upon our brazen tombs,
And then grace us in the disgrace of death;
When, spight of cormorant devouring Time,
The endeavour of this present breath may buy
That honour,which shall bate his scythe's keenedge,
And make us heirs of all eternity.

Therefore, brave conquerors!-for so you are,
That war against your own affections,
And the huge army of the world's desires,-
Our late edict shall strongly stand in force:
Navarre shall be the wonder of the world;
Our court shall be a little Academe,
Still and contemplative in living art.
You three, Biron, Dumain, and Longaville,
Have sworn for three years' term to live with me,
My fellow-scholars, and to keep those statutes,
That are recorded in this schedule here: [names;
Your oaths are past, and now subscribe your
That his own hand may strike his honour down,
That violates the smallest branch herein :
If you are arm'd to do, as sworn to do,
Subscribe to your deep oath, and keep it too.
Long. I am resolv'd: 'tis but a three years fast:
The mind shall banquet, though the body pine:

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Fat paunches have lean pates; and dainty bits
Make rich the ribs, but bankerout the wits.

Dum. My loving lord, Dumain is mortify'd;
The grosser manner of these world's delights
He throws upon the gross world's baser slaves:
To love, to wealth, to pomp, I pine and die;
With all these living in philosophy.

Biron. I can but say their protestation over,
So much, dear liege, I have already sworn,
10 That is, to live and study here three years.
But there are other strict observances:
As, not to see a woman in that term;
Which, I hope well, is not enrolled there.
And, one day in a week to touch no food;
15 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 not be seen to wink of all the day;
(When I was wont to think no harm all night,
20 And make a dark night too of half the day)
Which, I hope well, is not enrolled there.
O, these are barren tasks, too hard to keep;
Nor to see ladies study, fast, nor sleep. [these.
King. Your oath is pass'd to pass away from
Biron. Letmesay, no, my licge, an if you please;
I only swore, to study with your grace,
And stay herein your court for three years' space.
Long. You swore to that, Biron, and to the rest.
Biron, By yea and nay, sir, then I swore in jest.
L2
What

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What is the end of study? let me know.
King. Why, that to know, which else we should
not know.

Biron. Things hid and barr'd (you mean) from

common sense?

King. Ay, that is study's god-like recompence.
Kiron. Come on then, I will swear to study so,
To know the thing I am forbid to know:
As thus,--To study where I well may dine,
When I to feast expressly am forbid;
Or, study where to meet some mistress tine,

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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. 15 King. How well this yielding rescues thee from shame!

When mistresses from common sense are bid:
Or, having sworn too hard a keeping oath,
Study to break it, and not break my troth.
If study's gain be thus, and this be so,
Study knows that, which yet it doth not know:
Swear me to this, and I will ne'er say, no.
King. These be the stops that hinder study quite,
And train our intellects to vain delight. [vain,
Biron. Why, all delights are vain; but that most 20
Which with pain purchas'd doth inherit pain:
As, painfully to pore upon a book,

To seek the light of truth; while truth the while,
Doth falsely bind the eyesight of his look:
Light, seeking light, doth light of light beguile:
So, ere you find where light in darkness lies,
Your light grows dark by losing of your eyes.
Study me how to please the eye indeed,

By fixing it upon a fairer eye:
Who dazzling so, that eye shall be his heed2,
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 authoriry from others' books.
These earthly godfathers of heaven's lights,
That give 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.

[ing!

King. How well he's read, to reason against readDum. Procceded3 well, to stop all good proceeding!

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Long. Marry, that did I.
Biron. Sweet lord, and why?

[penalty. Long. To fright them hence with that dread Biron. A dangerous law against gentility! Item, [Reading.] If any man be seen to talk "with a woman within the term of three years, 30 he shall endure such public shame as the rest of "the court can possibly devise."

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Long. He weeds the corn, and still lets grow the 45 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. Something then in rhime.

This article, my liege, yourself must break;
For, well you know, here comes in embassy
TheFrench 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:
Therefore this article is made in vain,

Or vainly comes the admired princess hither.
King. What say you, lords? why, this was quite

forgot.

Biron. So study evermore is overshot;
While it doth study to have what it would,
It doth forget to do the thing it should;
And when it hath the thing it hunteth most,
'Tis won, as towns with fire; so won, so lost.
King. Wemust,offorce,dispense with this decree;
She must lye here on mere necessity.

Biron. Necessity will make us all forsworn
50 Three thousand times within this three years
For every man with his affects is born; [space,
Not by might master'd, but by special grace:
If I break faith, this word shall speak for me,

Long. Biron is like an envious sneaping frost,
That bites the first-born infants of the spring.
Biron. Well, say I am? why should proud sum-55
mer boast,

Before the birds have any cause to sing?
Why should I joy in an aboitive birth?

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am forsworn on mere necessity

So to the laws at large I write my name:

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

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That is, treacherously. Iced here means his direction or lode-star. Proceeded must here be understood in the academical sense of taking a degree: the meaning of the passage then will be, "He "has taken his degree on the art of stopping the degrees of others." i. e. Checking. › Meaning,

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against politeness and urbanity; for men without women become brutal and savage. · i. e. Tempta

tions.

But,

But, I believe, although I seem so lɔth,
1 am the last that will last keep his oath.
But is there no quick recreation' granted?

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 musick of his own vain tongue
Doth ravish, like inchanting harmony;

A man of complements, whom right and wrong
Have chose as umpire of their mutiny:
This child of fancy, that Armado hight,
For interim to our studies, shall relate,
In high-born words, the worth of many a knight
From tawny Spain, lost in the world's debate.
How you delight, my lords, I know not, I;
But, I protest, I love to hear him lie,
And I will use him for my minstrelsy.

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, and Costard, with a letter. 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 own person in flesh and blood.

Biron. This is he.

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

more.

Cost. Sir, the contents 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 meekly, sir, and to laugh moderately; or to forbear both.

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

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Cost. As it shall follow in my correction; And
God defend the right!

King. Will you hear the letter with attention 2
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 vice-gerent, and sole dominator of Navarre, my soul's earth's God, and body's fost ring pa10" tron,-"

115]

Cost. The matter is to me, sir, as concerning Jaquenetta. The manner of it is, I was taken with the manner".

Biron. In what manner?

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Cost. Not a word of Costard yet.
King. "So it is,"-

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Cost. It may be so: but if he say it is so, he is, in telling true, but so, so.

King. Peace.

Cost. -be to me, and every man that dares not fight!

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King. No words.

Cost. of other men's secrets, I beseech you. King. "So it is, besieged with sable-colour'd melancholy, I did commend the black oppressing humour to the most wholesome physick of thy health-giving air; and, as I am a gentleman, betook myself to walk. The time when,-25 About the sixth hour; when beasts most graze, "birds best peck, and men sit down to that nou"rishment which is called supper. So much for the time when: Now for the ground which; which, I mean, I walked upon: It is ycleped, thy park. Then for the place where: where, "I mean, I did encounter that obscene and most preposterous event, that draweth from my snow"white pen the ebon-colour'd ink, which here "thou viewest, beholdest, surveyest, or secst:35" But to the place where,-It standeth north"north-east and by east, from the west corner of

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thy curious knotted garden: There did I see "that lowspirited swain, that base minnow of thy mirth," (Cost. Me.) "that unletter'd, smallknowing soul," (Cost. Me.) “that shallow vas"sal," (Cost. Still me.) "which as I remember, hight Costard," (Cost. O, me!) "sorted and "consorted, contrary to thy established proclaim"ed edict and continent canon, with,-with,—O 45" with,-but with this I passion to say where"with"

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Cost. In manner and form following, sir; all those three: I was seen with her in the manorhouse, sitting with her upon the form, and taken following her into the park; which, put together, is, in manner and form following. Now, sir, for 55 the manner, it is the manner of a man to speak to a woman: for some form.

Biron. For the following, sir?

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Dull. Me, an't shall please you; I am Anthony Dull.

King. "For Jaquenetta, (so is the weaker vessel called which I apprehended with the afore1i. e. Lively sport, or sprightly diversion. Complement, in Shakspeare's time, not only signified verbal civility, but the external accomplishments or ornamental appendages of a character. i. e. Thirdborough, a peace-officer, assistant to the constable, who acts also in his absence. possession, or acquisition. "A phrase then used to signify, taken in the fact. Meaning, that as the minnow is one of the least esteemed of fish, so the object of his mirth is one of the most contemptible *said #i men.

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4 i. e. a low

"said swain) I keep her as a vessel of thy law's fury; and shall, at the least of thy sweet notice, "bring her to trial. Thine, in all compliments "of devoted and heart-burning heat of duty,

"DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO." 5 Biron. This is not so well as I look'd for, but the best that I ever heard.

King. Ay, the best for the worst. But, sirrah, what say you to this?

Cost. Sir, I confess the wench.

King. Did you hear the proclamation?

Cost. I do confess much of the hearing it, but little of the marking of it.

King. It was proclaim'd 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 proclaim'd, virgin.

Cost. If it were, I deny her virginity; I was taken with a maid.

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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:

20 Thou heat'st my blood.

King. This maid will not serve your turn, sir. 25
Cost. This maid will serve my turn, sir.
King. Sir, I will pronounce sentence; You shall
fast a week with bran and water.

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

King, And DonArmado shall be your keeper.-
My 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.

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[Exeunt. 35 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. I suffer for the truth, sir: for true it is, I was taken with Jaquenetta, and Jaquenetta is a 40 true girl; and therefore, Welcome the sour cup of prosperity! Affliction may one day smile again, and 'till then, Sit thee down, sorrow!

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Moth. I am answer'd, sir.

Arm. I love not to be cross'd.

Moth. He speaks the mere contrary, crosses' love not him.

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. 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 horse will tell you.

Arm. A most fine figure!

Moth. To prove you a cypher.

Arm. I will hereupon confess, I am in love: and as it is base for a soldier to love, so I am in love with a base wench. If drawing my sword 50 against the humour of affection would deliver me rom the reprobate thought of it, I would take desire prisoner; and ransom him to any French courtier for a new-devised court'sy. I think scoru to sigh; methinks, I should out-swear Cupid. 55 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 60lthem be men of good repute and carriage.

Imp means his infant or little page. 2i. e. my tender youth.

3 Crosses here mean money.

This alludes to a horse belonging to one Banks, which played many remarkable pranks, and is frequently mentioned by many writers contemporary with Shakspeare.

Moth.

Moth. Samson, master: he was a man of good carriage, great carriage; for he carried the town gates 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 tour complexions? Moth. As I have read, sir; and the best of them too.

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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 20

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 25| 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, 30 and pathetical!

Moth. If she be made of white and red,

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A dangerous rhime, master, against the reason of 40 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 45 not to be found; or, if it were, it would neither serve for the writing, nor the tune.

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 will have that subject newly writ o'er, that Imay example my digression' by some mighty precedent. Boy, I do love that country girl, that 50 I took in the park with the rational hind Costard;

she deserves 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, ere 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; 1 wul fast, being loose.

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

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 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.

[Exeunt Moth and Costard. Arm. I do affect the very ground, which is base, where her shoe, which is baser, guided by her foot, which is basest, doth tread. I shall be forsworn, (which is a great argument of falshood) if I love: And how can that be true love, which is falsely attempted? Love is a familiar; love is a devil: there is no evil angel but love. Yet Samson was so tempted; and he had an excellent strength: yet was Solomon so seduced; and he had a very good wit. Cupid's butt-shaft is too hard for Hercules' club, and therefore too much odds for a Spaniard's rapier. The first and second cause will not serve my turn; the passado he respects not, the duello he regards not; his disgrace is to be call'd boy; but his glory is, to subdue men. Adieu, valour! rust, rapier! be still, drum! for your manager is in love; yea, he loveth. Assist me some extemporal god of rhime, for I am sure, I 60 shall turn sonneteer. Devise, wit; write, pen; for [I am for whole volumes in folio.

Moth. To be whipp'd; and yet a better love than my master. [Aside. Arm. Sing, boy; my spirit grows heavy in love. 55 Moth. And that's great marvel, loving a light

wench.

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

Digression here signifies the act of going out of the right way.

? That is, love.

[Exit,

ACT

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