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Leon. Good morrow, prince; good morrow,
Claudio;

We here attend you; are you yet determin'd
To-day to marry with my brother's daughter?
Claud. I'll hold my mind, were the an Ethiope.
Leon. Call her forth, brother, here's the friar
ready.
[Exit Antonio.

Pedro. Good morrow, Benedick: Why, what's
That you have fuch a February face, [the matter,
So full of froft, of ftorm, and cloudinefs?

Claud. Ithink he thinks upon the fay age bull:-
:---
Tush, fear not, man, we'll tip thy horns with gold,
And all Europa fhall rejoice at thee;
As once Europa did at lufty Jove,

When he would play the noble beast in love.

Bene. Bull Jove, fir, had an amiable low;
And fome fuch strange bull leapt your father's cow,
And got a calf in that fame noble feat,
Much like to you, for you have just his bleat.
Re-enter Antonio, with Hero, Beatrice, Margaret,
and Urfula, mafk'd.

Bene. They fwore, that you were almost fick for me.

[for me.. Beat. They fwore, that you were well-nigh dead Bene. 'Tis no fuch matter:-Then, you do not love me?

Beat. No, truly, but in friendly recompence.
Leon. Come, coufin, I am fure you love the
gentleman.

Claud. And I'll be fworn upon't, that he loves her;
For here's a paper, written in his hand,
A halting fonnet of his own pure brain,
Fathion'd to Beatrice.

Hero. And here's another,

Whit in my coufin's hand, ftolen from her pocket,
Containing her affection unto Benedick.

Bene. A miracle! here's our own hands against our hearts!-Come, I will have thee; but, by this light, I take thee for pity.

Beat. I would not deny you ;-but, by this good day, I yield upon great perfuafion; and, partly, to fave your life, for I was told, you were in a con

Claud. For this I owe you: here come other fumption. reck'nings.

Which is the lady I must seize upon ?

Ant. This fame is the, and I do give you her. Claud. Why, then the's mine: Sweet, let me fee your face. [hand Lem. No, that you fhall not, till you take her Before this friar, and fwear to marry her.

Claud. Give me your hand before this holy friar; I am your husband, if you like of me.

Hero. And when I liv'd, i was your other wife: [Unmasking And when you lov'd, you were my other huiband. Claud. Another Hero?

Hero. Nothing certainer :

One Hero dy'd defil'd; but I do live,
And, furely as I live, I am a maid.

Pedro. The former Hero' Hero, that is dead!
Leon. She dy'd, my lord, but whiles her flander
liv'd.

Friar. All this amazement can I qualify;
When, after that the holy rites are ended,
I'll tell you largely of fair Hero's death:
Mean time let wonder feem familiar,
And to the chapel let us presently.

Bene. Soft and fair, friar.-Which is Beatrice?
Beat. Ianfwer to that name; What is your will?
Bene. Do not you love me?

Beat. Why, no, no more than reason.

Bene. Why, then, your uncle, and the prince,
and Claudio,

Have been deceived; they fwore you did.
Beat. Do not you love me?

Bene. Troth, no, no more than reason.

Beat. Why, then, my coufin, Margaret, and
Urfula,

Are much deceiv'd; for they did fwear you did.

Bene. Peace, I will stop your mouth.—

Killing ber. Pedro. How doft thou, Benedick the married man? Bene. I'll tell thee what, prince; a college of wit-crackers cannot flout me out of my humour : Doft thou think I care for a fatire, or an epigram? No: if a man will be beaten with brains, he shall wear nothing handfome about him: In brief, fince I do purpofe to marry, I will think nothing to any purpofe that the world can fay against it; and therefore never flout at me for what I have faid againft it; for man is a giddy thing, and this is my conclusion. For thy part, Claudio, I did think to have beaten thee; but in that thou art like to be my kinfman, live unbruis'd, and love my coufin.

Claud. I had well hoped, thou wouldst have denied Beatrice, that I might have cudgell'd thee out of thy fingle life, to make thee a double dealer ;. which, out of question, thou wilt be, if my coufin do not look exceedingly narrowly to thee.

Bene. Come, come, we are friends :-let's have a dance ere we are marry'd, that we may lighten our own hearts, and our wives' heels.

Leen. We'll have dancing afterwards.

Bene. First, o' my word; therefore, play, mufick.-Prince, thou art fad; get thee a wife, get thee a wife: there is no ftatf more reverend than one tipt with horn.

Enter Meffenger.

Meff. My lord, your brother John is ta'en in flight And brought with armed men back to Meifina. Ber. Think not on him till to-morrow: I' devite thee brave punishments for him.-Strike up pipers.

[Dance [Exeunt omne

LOVE

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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.

ACTI.

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Live registred upon our brazen tombs, And then grace us in the disgrace of death; ipight of cormorant devouring Time, The endea.our of this prefent breath may buy That bonear, which shall bate his icythe's keen edge, Aam ke us heirs of all eternity.

Therefore, brave conquerors!--for so you are, The war against your own affections, And the huge army of the world's defires,O late exift shall strongly stand in force: Kavarre shall be the wonder of the world; court fhall be a little Academe, and contemplative in living art. 1a three, Biron, Dumain, and Longaville, Have form for three years' term to live with me, fellow-fcholars, and to keep thofe ftatutes, Ta are recorded in this schedule here: Tus caths are paft, and now subscribe your names; The he own hand may ftrike his honour down, Ta violates the fmalleft branch herein: kare arm'd to do, as fworn to do, be to your deep oath, and keep it too. Lay. I am refolv'd: 'tis but a three years faft; The mod fhall banquet, though the body pine:

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

Dam. My loving lord, Dumain is mortify'd;
The groffer manner of thefe world's delights
He throws upon the grofs world's bafer flaves:
To love, to wealth, to pomp, I pine and die;
With all thefe living in philofophy.

Biron. I can but fay their proteftation over, So much, dear liege, I have already fworn, That is, To live and study here three years. But there are other strict obfervances: As, not to fee a woman in that term; Which, I hope well, is not enrolled there. And, one day in a week to touch no food; And but one meal on every day befide; The which, I hope, is not enrolled there. And then, to fleep but three hours in the night, And not be feen to wink of all the day; (When I was wont to think no harm all night, And make a dark night too of half the day) Which, I hope well, is not enrolied there. O, these are barren tasks, too hard to keep; Not to fee ladies, ftudy, faft, nor fleep.

King. Your oath is pafs'd to pafs away from thefe. Biron. Let me fay, no, my liege, an if you pleafe; I only fwore, to study with your grace, And stay here in your court for three years' space. Long. You fwore to that, Biron, and to the rest. Biron. By yea and nay, fir, then I fwore in jeft.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 fenfe?

Kong. Ay, that is ftudy's god-like recompence.
Biron. Come on then, I will swear to study fo,
To know the thing I am forbid to know:
As thus, To study where I well may dine,
When I to feaft expressly am for bid;

r, study where to meet some mistress fine,
When mistrefles from common fenfe are hid:
Or, having fworn too hard-a-keeping oath,
Study to break it, and not break my troth.
If ftudy's gain be thus, and this be fo,

Study knows that, which yet it doth not know:
Swear me to this, and I will ne'er fay, no.

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[gate.

At Christmas I no more defire a rofe,
Than with a fnow in May's new-fangled shows;
But like of each thing, that in feafon grows.
So you, to study now it is too late,
That were to climb o'er the houfe t'unlock the
King. Well, fit you out: go home, Biron; adieu!
Biron. No, my good lord; I have fworn to itay
with you:

And, though I have for barbarifm fpoke more,

Than for that angel knowledge you can fay,
Yet confident I'll keep what I have fwore,
And bide the penance of each three years' day.
Give me the paper, let me read the fame;
And to the ftrict'ft decrees I'll write my name.
King. How well this yielding refcues thee

from fhame!

Biron. "Item, That no woman shall come with

King. These be the ftops that hinder study quite," in a mile of my court."-[Reading.] Hath this And train our intellects to vain delight.

[vain, been proclaimed ?

Biron. Why, all delights are vain; but that moft
Which with pain purchas'd doth inherit pain:
As, painfully to pore upon a book,

To feek the light of truth; while truth the while,
Doth falfely blind the eyesight of his look:

Light, feeking light, doth light of light beguile :
So, ere you find where light in darkness lies,
Your light grows dark by lofing of your eyes.
Study me how to pleafe the eye indeed,

By fixing it upon a fairer eye:
Who dazzling fo, that eye thall be his heed 2,
And give him light that was it blinded by.
Study is like the heaven's glorious fun,

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

Save bafe authority from others' books. Thefe earthly godfathers of heaven's lights, That give a name to every fixed star, Have no more profit of their fhining nights,

Than thofe 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. Ling! King. How well he's read, to reafon against readDum. Proceeded 3 well, to top all good proceeding!

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Long. Four days ago.

Biron. Let's fee the penalty." On pain of lofing her tongue."-[Reading.] Who devis'd this penalty?

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Long. Marry, that did I.

Bison. Sweet lord, and why?

[penalty.

Long. To fright them hence with that dread Biron. A dangerous law againft gentility 5! Item, [Reading.] If any man be seen to talk "with a woman within the term of three years, " he shall endure such public shame as the reft of "the court can poffibly devife.”

This article, my liege, yourfelf must break;

For, well you know, here comes in embaffy
The French king's daughter, with yourself to speak,--
A maid of grace, and complete majefty,-
About furrender-up of Aquitain

To her decrepit, fick, and bed-rid father:
Therefore this article is made in vain,

Or vainly comes the admired princefs hither.
King. What fay you, lords? why, this was quite
forgot.

Biron. So ftudy evermore is overfhot;
While it doth study to have what it would,
It doth forget to do the thing it fhould;

Long. He weeds the corn, and ftill lets grow the And when it hath the thing it hunteth most,

weeding.

Biron. The spring is near, when green gecfe are

a-breeding.

Dum. How follows that?

Biron. Fit in his place and time.

Dum. In reafon nothing.

Biron. Something then in rhime.

Long. Biron is like an envious fineaping 4 froft,

'Tis won, as towns with fire; fo won, fo loft.

King. We muft, of force, difpenfe with this decree
She muft lye here on mere neceflity.

Biron. Neceflity will make us all forfworn
Three thousand times within this three years
For every man with his affects is born;
[space,

Not by might matter'd, but by fpecial grace:
If I break faith, this word fhall fpeak for me,

That bites the firft-born infants of the fpring. I am fortworn on mere neceflity.

Biron. Well, fay I am? why thould proud fum-So to the laws at large I write my name:

mer boaft,

Before the birds have any caufe to fing?

Why thould I joy in an abortive birth?

And he, that breaks them in the leaft degree, Stands in attainder of eternal thame:

Suggeftions are to others, as to me:

That is, treacherously. 2 Head here means his are on or lode-fur. 3 Proceeded must here be understood in the academical fenfe of taking a degree: the meaning of the paffage then will be, He has taken his degree on the art of itopping the degrees of others." 4 i. e. Checking. ing against politeness and urbanity. 1. c. Temptations.

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But, I believe, although I feem fo loth,
I am the laft that will latt keep his oath.
But is there no quick recreation granted?

Kg. 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 phrafes in his brain:
One, whom the mufick of his own vain tongue

Doth ravish, like inchanting harmony;

A man of complements 2, whom right and wrong
Have chofe as umpire of their mutiny:
This child of fancy, that Armado hight,
For interim to our ftudies, fhall relate,
In high-born words, the worth of many a knight
From tawny Spain, loft in the world's debate.
How you delight, my lords, I know not, I;
But, I proteft, I love to hear him lie,
And I will ufe him for my miniftrelfy.

Biran. Armado is a mott illuftrious wight,
A man of fire-new words, fashion's own knight.
Lang. Coltard the iwain and he fhall be our
Sport ;

And, fo to ftudy, three years is but short.
Enter Dull, and Coftard, with a letter.
Dall. Which is the duke's own perfon?
Firm. This, fellow; What would'it?

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D. I myself reprehend his own perfon, for I" the time when : Now for the ground which; am has grace's tharborough 3: but I would fee his" which, I mean, I walk'd upon it is ycleped, evo perion in flesh and blood.

Bir This is he.

Dail. Signier Arme-, Arme,commends There's villainy abroad; this letter will tell

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you. you

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thy park. Then for the place where: where, "I mean, I did encounter that obfcene and most prepofterous event, that draweth from my fnow"white pen the ebon-colour'd ink, which here "thou viewett, beholdeft, furveyeft, or fecit :--

Sir, the contempts thereof are as touching" But to the place, where,—It standeth_north

Kg. A letter from the magnificent Armado.
Bar

"north-east and by eaft from the weft corner of "thy curious-knotted garden: There did I fee

How low foever the matter, I hope in" that low-fpirited fwain, that bafe minnow of thy God for high words.

"mirth," (Gl. Me.) that unletter'd fmall

Lang. A high hope for a low having 4 :-God" knowing foul,” (Cf. Me.) “that shallow vafgrant us patience.

"fal," (Cuff. Still me.) "which, as I remember, "hight Coftard," (Caff. O me !) "forted and

Bir. To hear? or forbear hearing? Lag. To hear meekly, fir, and to laugh mode-" conforted, contrary to thy eftablished proclaimed rately; or to forbear both. "edict and continent canon, with,-with,—O Firan. Well, fir, be it as the ftile fhall give us" with,--but with this I paffion to fay wheresaze to climb in the merriness. "with"

L. The matter is to me, fir, as concerning Ja-
The manner of it is, I was taken with

Coff. With a wench,

King." with a child of our grandmother Eve, a Beer 3. "female; or, for thy more fweet understanding, B. In what manner? a woman. Him, I (as my ever efteemed duty Cel. In manner and form following, fir; all" pricks me on) have fent to thee, to receive the face three; I was feen with her in the manor-" meed of punishment, by thy fweet grace's offibufe, fitting with her upon the form, and taken" cer, Anthony Dull; a man of good repute, lowing her into the park; which, put together," carriage, bearing, and eftimation."

in manner and form following. Now, fir, for Se manner, it is the manner of a man to fpeak

a woman: for the form,—in some form, B. For the following, fir?

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i. e. lively sport, or fprightly diverfion. 2 Complement, in Shakspeare's time, not only fignified wal civility, but the external accomplishments or ornamental appendages of a character. 3 i, e. Thirdrough a peace-officer equal in authority to a headborough or a conitable. 4 i. e. a low poffeffion, • qutation. SA phrafe then used to fignify, taken in the tact. 6 Meaning, that contemptibly inle object of thy mirth,

L3

faid

"faid fwain) I keep her as a veffel of thy law's Arm. I fpoke it, tender juvenal, as a congruent "fury; and fhall, at the leaft of thy fweet notice, epitheton, appertaining to thy young days, which "bring her to trial. Thine, in all compliments we may nominate, tender. "of devoted and heart-burning heat of duty,

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

King. Ay, the best for the worst. But, firrah, what fay you to this?

Coft. Sir, I confefs the wench.

King. Did you hear the proclamation ?

Meth. And I, tough fignior, as an appertinent title to your old time, which we may name, tough.

Arm. Pretty, and apt.

Moth. How mean you, fir? I pretty, and my faying apt or I apt, and my faying pretty?

Am. Thou pretty, becaufe little.

Moth. Little pretty, because little : Wherefore

Caft. I do confefs much of the hearing it, but apt?

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King. This maid will not ferve your turn, fir.
Coft. This maid will ferve my turn, fir.
King. Sir, I will pronounce fentence; You fhall
faft a week with bran and water.

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

Arm. And therefore apt, because quick.
Moth. Speak you this in my praise, mafter?
Arm. In thy condign praife.

Moth. I will praife an eel with the fame praife,
Arm. What that an eel is ingenious?

Math. That an eel is quick.

Arm. I do fay, thou art quick in anfwers;Thou heat'ft my blood.

Moth. I am answer'd, fir.

Arm. I love not to be crofs'd.

Morb. He fpeaks the mere contrary, croffes 3 love not him.

Arm. I have promifed to ftudy three years with the duke.

King, And Don Armado fhall be your keeper.a
My lord Biron, tee him deliver'd o'er.-
And go we, lords, to put in practice that

Which each to other hath fo ftrongly fworn.
[Exeunt.
Biron. I'll lay my head to any good man's hat,
Thefe oaths and laws will prove an idle fcorn.
Sirrah, come on.

Coft. I suffer for the truth, fir: for true it is, I was taken with Jaquenetta, and Jaquenetta is a true girl; and therefore, Welcome the four cup of prosperity! Affliction may one day fimile again, and till then, Sit thee down, forrow ! [Fant

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Enter Armads and Math.

Moth. You may do it in an hour, fir.
Arm. Impoffible.

Moth. How many is one thrice told?
Arm. I am ill at reckoning, it fitteth the fpitit of
tapfter.

Moth. You are a gentleman, and a gamefter, fir.. Arm. I confefs both; they are both the varnish of a complete man.

Moth. Then, I am fure, you know how much the grofs tum of deuce-ace amounts to.

Arm. It doth amount to one more than two. Math. Which the bafe vulgar do cdl, three. 4. True.

Mob. Why, fir, is this fuch a piece of study? Now here is three studied, ere you'll thrice wink : and how eafy it is to put years to the word three, and ftudy three years in two words, the dancing horfe will tell you.

Am. A moft fine figure!
Mob. To prove you a cypher.

Arm. I will hereupon confets, I am in love: A. Boy, what fign is it, when a man of great and as it is bafe for a foldier to love, fo I am in Spirit grows melancholy

love with a bafe wench. If drawing my fword Moth. A great fign, fir, that he will look fad. against the humour of affection would deliver me Arm. Why, tadnefs is one and the felf-fame thing, dear imp 4.

Moth. No, no: O lord, fir, no.

from the reprobate thought of it, I would take defire prifoner; and rantom him to any French courtier for a new devis'd court'fy. Ithink fcom Arm. How can't thou part fadnefs and melan-to figh; methinks, I fhould out-fwear Cupid. choly, my tender juvenal 2 ? Comfort me, boy; What great men have been in Moth. Hercules, mafter.

Mh. By a familiar demonftration of the work-love?

ing, my tough fignior.

Arm. Why tough fignior? why tough fignior? Arm. Moft fweet Hercules More authority, Math. Why tender juvenal? why tender juve-dear boy, name more; and, fweet my child, let nal? them be men of good repute and carriage.

1 Imp was formerly a term of dignity. 2 i. e. my tender youth.

3 Crofes here mean money.

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

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