Arm. I confess both; they are both the varnish of

a complete man.

350

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.

360

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 against the hu mour of affection would deliver me from the reprobate thought of it, I would take desire prisoner; and ransom him to any French courtier for a new devis'd court'sy. I think scorn to sigh; methinks, I should out-swear Cupid. Comfort me, boy; What great men have been in love?

Moth. Hercules, master.

371

Arm. Most sweet Hercules!-More authority, dear boy, name more; and, sweet my child, let them be men of good repute and carriage.

Moth. Sampson, master: he was a man of good carriage, great carriage; for he carried the towngates on his back, like a porter: and he was in love.

Arm.

Arm. O well-knit Sampson! strong-jointed Samp→ son! I do excel thee in my rapier, as much as thou didst me in carrying gates. I am in love too.Who was Sampson's love, my dear Moth?

Moth. A woman, master.

Arm. Of what complexion?

382

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 four complexions?

Moth. As I have read, sir; and the best of them too.

391

Arm. Green, indeed, is the colour of lovers: but to have a love of that colour, methinks, Sampson had small reason for it. He, surely, affected 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 mask'd under such colours.

400%

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, and pathetical!

Moth. If she be made of white and red,
Her faults will ne'er be known;

For blushing cheeks by faults are bred,
And fears by pale-white shown;

Then

Then, if she fear, or be to blame,

By this you shall not know;
For still her cheeks possess the same,
Which native she doth owe.

410

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

420

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

Moth. To be whipp'd; and yet a better love than my master.

[Aside. Arm. Sing, boy; my spirit grows heavy in love. 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.

430

Dull. Sir, the duke's pleasure is, that you keep 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 allow'd

allow'd for the day-woman. Fare you

well.

Arm. I do betray myself with blushing.-Maid.

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; I will fast, being loose.

461

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 see

Moth.

Moth. 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, have as little patience as another man; and, therefore I can be quiet.

471

[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 falsehood), 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 Sampson was so tempted; and he had an excellent strength: yet was Solomon so seduced; and he had a very good wit. Cupid's but-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 shall turn sonneteer. Devise wit; write pen; for I am for whole volumes in folio.

[Exit.

ACT