Leon. Good morrow, prince; good morrow, We here attend you; are you yet determin'd Pedro. Good morrow, Benedick: Why, what's Claud. Ithink he thinks upon the fay age bull:- When he would play the noble beast in love. Bene. Bull Jove, fir, had an amiable low; 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. Claud. And I'll be fworn upon't, that he loves her; Hero. And here's another, Whit in my coufin's hand, ftolen from her pocket, 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, Pedro. The former Hero' Hero, that is dead! Friar. All this amazement can I qualify; Bene. Soft and fair, friar.-Which is Beatrice? Beat. Why, no, no more than reason. Bene. Why, then, your uncle, and the prince, Have been deceived; they fwore you did. Bene. Troth, no, no more than reason. Beat. Why, then, my coufin, Margaret, and 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 Officers, and others, Attendants upon the King and Princess. SCENE, the King of Navarre's Palace, and the Country near it. ACTI. 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 Dam. My loving lord, Dumain is mortify'd; 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 What is the end of study let me know. Biron. Things hid and barr'd. (you mean) from Kong. Ay, that is ftudy's god-like recompence. r, study where to meet some mistress fine, Study knows that, which yet it doth not know: } } [gate. At Christmas I no more defire a rofe, And, though I have for barbarifm fpoke more, Than for that angel knowledge you can fay, 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 To feek the light of truth; while truth the while, Light, feeking light, doth light of light beguile : By fixing it upon a fairer eye: That will not be deep-fearch'd with faucy looks; 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! Long. Four days ago. Biron. Let's fee the penalty." On pain of lofing her tongue."-[Reading.] Who devis'd this penalty? 66 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 To her decrepit, fick, and bed-rid father: Or vainly comes the admired princefs hither. Biron. So ftudy evermore is overfhot; 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 Biron. Neceflity will make us all forfworn Not by might matter'd, but by fpecial grace: 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. But, I believe, although I feem fo loth, Kg. Ay, that there is our court, you know, With a refined traveller of Spain; Doth ravish, like inchanting harmony; A man of complements 2, whom right and wrong Biran. Armado is a mott illuftrious wight, And, fo to ftudy, three years is but short. 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 you. you 66 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. "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- 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? 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? King. This maid will not ferve your turn, fir. Caft. I had rather pray a month with mutton and porridge. Arm. And therefore apt, because quick. Moth. I will praife an eel with the fame praife, 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 Which each to other hath fo ftrongly fworn. 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 Enter Armads and Math. Moth. You may do it in an hour, fir. Moth. How many is one thrice told? 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! 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. |