ACT II. SCENE I. Before the King of Navarre's Palace. Enter the Princess of France, RoSALINE, MARIA, KATHARINE, BOYET, Lords, and other Attendants. Boyet. Now, madam, summon up your dearest spirits : Of all perfections that a man may owe, 10 Prin. Good lord Boyet, my beauty, though but mean, Needs not the painted flourish of your praise; 20 Doth noise abroad, Navarre hath made a vow, To know his pleasure; and, in that behalf, 30 [Exit. Prin. All pride is willing pride, and yours is so.Who are the votaries, my loving lords, That are vow-fellows with this virtuous duke ? Prin. Know you the man? Mar. I knew him, madam; at a marriage-feast Is a sharp wit match'd with too blunt a will; 40 50 Whose Whose edge hath power to cut, whose will still wills Prin. Some merry mocking lord, belike; is't so? Prin. Such short-liv'd wits do wither as they grow. Who are the rest ? Kath. The young Dumain, a well-accomplish'd youth, Of all that virtue love for virtue lov'd: Most power to do most harm, least knowing ill; Is my report to his great worthiness. Rosa. Another of these students at that time Prin. God bless my ladies! are they all in love; 60 70 That That every one her own hath garnished With such bedecking ornaments of praise? Mar. Here comes Boyet. Re-enter BOYET. Prin. Now, what admittance, lord? Boyet. Navarre had notice of your fair approach; And he and his competitors in oath Were all address'd to meet you, gentle lady, To let you enter his unpeopled house. 80 Enter the King, LONGAVILLE, DUMAIN, BIRON, and Attendants. King. Fair princess, welcome to the court of Na varre. Prin. Fair, I give you back again; and, welcome I have not yet: the roof of this court is too high to be yours; and welcome to the wide fields too base to be mine. King. You shall be welcome, madam, to my court. Prin. I will be welcome then; conduct me thither. King. Hear me, dear lady, I have sworn an oath. Prin. Our Lady help my lord he'll be forsworn. King. Not for the world, fair madam, by my will. Prin. Why, will shall break it; will, and nothing else. King. Your ladyship is ignorant what it is. 102 Prin. Were my lord so, his ignorance were wise, Where now his knowledge must prove ignorance. I hear, your grace hath sworn-out house-keeping: 'Tis deadly sin to keep that oath, my lord, And sin to break it: But pardon me, I am too sudden bold; Vouchsafe to read the purpose of my coming, And suddenly resolve me in my suit. 110 King. Madam, I will, if suddenly I may. Prin. You will the sooner, that I were away; For you'll prove perjur'd, if you make me stay. Biron. Did not I dance with you in Brabant once? Ros. Did not I dance with you in Brabant once? Biron. I know, you did. Ros. How needless was it then To ask the question! Biron. You must not be so quick. 120 Ros. 'Tis long of you, that spur me with such questions. Biron. Your wit's too hot, it speeds too fast, 'twill tire. Ros. Not 'till it leave the rider in the mire. Biron, What time o'day? Ros. The hour that fools should ask. Biron. Now fair befall your mask! |