Moth. Which the base vulgar do call, three. Arm. True. Moth. Why, fir, is this such a piece of study? Now here is three ftudied, 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. Erm. A most fine figure! Moth. To prove you a cypher. [Afide. Arm. I will hereupon confefs, I am in love: and, as it is base for a foldier to love, fo I am in love with a base wench. If drawing my fword against the humour of affection would deliver me from the reprobate thought of it, I would take defire prifoner, and ransom him to any French courtier for a new devis'd court'fy. I think scorn to figh; methinks, I fhould out-fwear Cupid. Comfort me, boy: What great men have been in love? Moth. Hercules, master. Arm. Moft fweet Hercules !-More authority, dear boy, name more; and, fweet my child, let them be men of good repute and carriage. Moth. Sampfon, master: he was a man of good carriage; great carriage; for he carried the town-gates on his back, like a porter: and he was in love. Arm. O well-knit Sampfon! ftrong-jointed Sampfon! I do excel thee in my rapier, as much as thou didst me in carrying gates. I am in love too.-Who was Sampfon's love, my dear Moth ? Moth. A woman, master. Arm. Of what complexion? Moth. Of all the four, or the three, or the two; or one of the four. Arm. Tell me precifely of what complexion? Moth. Of the fea-water green, fir.. Arm. Is that one of the four complexions? Moth. Moth. As I have read, fir; and the best of them too. Arm. Green, indeed, is the colour of lovers: but to have a love of that colour, methinks, Sampfon had small reason for it. He, furely, affected her for her wit. Moth. It was fo, fir; for fhe had a green wit. Arm. My love is moft immaculate white and red. Moth. Most maculate thoughts, mafter, are mask'd under fuch colours. Arm. Define, define, well-educated infant. Moth. My father's wit, and my mother's tongue, affist me. Arm. Sweet invocation of a child; moft pretty, and pathetical! Moth. If the be made of white and red, Her faults will ne'er be known; Which native fhe doth owe. A dangerous rhime, mafter, against the reafon of white and red. Arm. Is there not a ballad, boy, of the King and the Beggar ? Moth. The world was very guilty of fuch a ballad fome three ages fince but, I think, now 'tis not to be found; or, if it were, it would neither ferve for the writing, nor the tune. Arm. I will have the fubject newly writ o'er, that I may example my digreffion by fome mighty precedent." Boy, I do love that country girl, that I took in the park with the rational hind Costard; the deferves well. Moth. To be whipp'd; and yet a better love than my master. [Afide. Arm. Arm. Sing, boy; my fpirit grows heavy in love. Moth. And that's great marvel, loving a light wench. Arm. I fay, fing. Moth. Forbear till this company be past. Enter DULL, COSTARD, and JAQUENETTA. Dull. Sir, the duke's pleasure is, that you keep Costard fafe and you must let him take no delight, nor no penance; but a' must faft three days a-week: For this damfel, I must keep her at the park; fhe is allowed for the day-woman. Fare you well. Arm. I do betray myfelf with blushing.-Maid. Arm. I will vifit thee at the lodge. Jaq. That's hereby. Arm. I know where it is fituate. Jaq. Lord, how wife you are! Arm. I will tell thee wonders. Arm. I love thee. Jaq. So I heard you say. Arm. And fo farewell. Jaq. Fair weather after you! Dull. Come, Jaquenetta, away. Arm. Villain, thou shalt fast for thy offences, ere thou be pardoned. Coft. Well, fir, I hope, when I do it, I fhall do it on a full ftomach. Arm. Thou shalt be heavily punished. Caft. I am more bound to you, than your fellows, for they are but lightly rewarded. Arm. Take away this villain; fhut him up. Coft. Coft. Let me not be pent up, fir; I will faft, being loofe. Moth. No, fir; that were faft and loofe: thou shalt to prifon. Coft. Well, if ever I do fee the merry days of defolation that I have feen, fome fhall fee Moth. What fhall fome fee? Coft. Nay, nothing, mafter Moth, but what they look upon. It is not for prifoners to be too filent in their words; and, therefore, I will fay nothing: I thank God, I have as little patience as another man; and, therefore, I can be quiet. [Exeunt MOTH and COSTARD. Arm. I do affect the very ground, which is bafe, where her shoe, which is baser, guided by her foot, which is bafeft, doth tread. I fhall be forfworn, (which is a great argument of falfhood,) if I love: And how can that be true love, which is falfely attempted? Love is a familiar; love is a devil: there is no evil angel but love. Yet Sampson was fo tempted; and he had an excellent ftrength: yet was Solomon fo feduced; and he had a very good wit. Cupid's butt-fhaft is too hard for Hercules' club, and therefore too much odds for a Spaniard's rapier. The firft and fecond caufe will not ferve my turn; the paffado he respects not, the duello he regards not; his disgrace is to be called boy; but his glory is, to fubdue men. Adieu, valour! ruft, rapier! be ftill, drum! for your manager is in love; yea, he loveth. Affift me fome extemporal god of rhime, for, I am fure, I fhall turn fonneteer. Devife wit; write pen; for I am for whole volumes in folio. [Exit. ACT ACT II. SCENE I. Another part of the fame. A Pavilion and Tents at a diftance. Enter the Princess of France, ROSALINE, MAria, KaTHARINE, BOYET, Lords, and other Attendants. Boy. Now, madam, fummon up your dearest spirits : Confider who the king your father fends; To whom he fends; and what's his embaffy: Of all perfections that a man may owe, When she did starve the general world befide, And prodigally gave them all to you. Prin. Good lord Boyet, my beauty, though but mean, Needs not the painted flourish of your praise; Beauty is bought by judgement of the eye, No |