Ros. What's your dark meaning, mouse, of this light word? Kath. A light condition in a beauty dark. Ros. We need more light to find your meaning out. Kath. You'll mar the light, by taking it in. snuff; Therefore, I'll darkly end the argument. Ros. Look, what you do, you do it still i' the dark. Kath. So do not you; for you wench. are a light Ros. Indeed, I weigh not you; and therefore light. Ros. Great reason; for, Past cure is still past care. Prin. Well bandied both; a set of wit well play'd. But Rosaline, you have a favour too: Who sent it? and what is it? Ros. I would, you knew: An if my face were but as fair as yours, The numbers true; and, were the numb'ring too, I were the fairest goddess on the ground: I am compar'd to twenty thousand fairs. Ros. Much, in the letters; nothing, in the praise. Prin. Beauteous as ink; a good conclusion. Kath. Fair as a text B in a copy-book. Ros. 'Ware pencils! How? let me not die your debtor. My red dominical, my golden letter: O, that your face were not so full of O's! Prin. But what was sent Kath. Madam, this glove. to you from fair Prin. Did he not send you twain? Some thousand verses of a faithful lover: Vilely compil'd, profound simplicity. Mar. This, and these pearls, to me sent Longaville; The letter is too long by half a mile. Prin. I think no less; Dost thou not wish in heart, The chain were longer, and the letter short? Mar. Ay, or I would these hands might never part. Prin. We are wise girls, to mock our lovers so. Ros. They are worse fools, to purchase mocking so. That same Birón I'll torture ere I go. O, that I knew he were but in by the week! How I would make him fawn, and beg, and seek; And wait the season, and observe the times, So portent like would I o'ersway his state, > Prin. None are so surely caught, when they are catch'd. As wit turn'd fool: folly, in wisdom hatch'd, As gravity's revolt to wantonness. Mar. Folly in fools bears not so strong a note, As foolery in the wise, when wit doth dote; Enter BOYET. Prin. Here comes Boyet, and mirth is in his face. Boyet. O, I am stabb'd with laughter! Where's her grace? Prin. Thy news, Boyet? Boyet. Prepare, Madam, prepare! Arm, wenches, arm! encounters mounted are Against your peace: Love doth approach disguis'd, Armed in arguments; you'll be surpris'd:. Muster your wits; stand in your own defence; Or hide your heads like cowards, and fly hence. Prin. Saint Dennis to saint Cupid! What are That charge their breath against us? say, scout, say, Boyet. Under the cool thade of a sycamore, I thought to close mine eyes some half an hour: When lo! to interrupt my purpos'd rest, Toward that shade I might behold addreşt The King and his companions: warily I stole into a neighbour thicket by, And overheard what you shall overhear; That well by heart hath conn'd his embassage: For, quoth the King, an angel shalt thou see; I should have fear'd her, had she been a devil. With that all laugh'd, and clapp'd him on the shoulder; Making the bold wag by their praises bolder. To check their folly, passion's solemn tears. visit us? Boyet. They do, they do; and are apparel'd, thus, Like Muscovites, or Russians: as I guess, Their purpose is, to parle, to court, and dance: Prin. And will they so? the gallants shall be task'd: For, Ladies, we will every one be mask'd ;, Hold, Rosaline, this favour thou shalt wear; And then the King will court thee for his dear; Hold, take thou this, my sweet, and give me thine; So shall Birón take me for Rosaline. And change you favours too! so shall your loves Woo contrary, deceiv'd by these removes. Ros. Come on then; wear the favours most in sight. Kath, But, in this changing, what is your intent? Prin. The effect of my intent is, to CROSS theirs: A They do it but in mocking merriment; And mock for mock is only my intent. Ros. But shall we dance, if they desire us to't? Prin. No; to the death, we will not move a foot: Nor to their penn'd speech render we no grace; And quite divorce his memory from his part. own: |