Enter Coftard, Dull, Jaquenetta a Maid. Dull. Sir, the King's pleasure is that you keep Coftard fafe, and you must let him take no delight, nor no penance; but he muft faft three days a week. For this damfel, I must keep her at the park, fhe is allow'd for the day-woman. Fare you well. Arm. I do betray myfelf with blushing: maid,—— Jaq. Man, Arm. I will visit thee at the lodge. Jaq. That's here by. Arm. I know, where it is fituate. Jaq. Lord, how wife you are! Arm. I love thee, faq. So I hear you say. Arm. And fo farewel. Jaq. Fair weather after you! Dull. Come, Jaquenetta, away. (7) [Exeunt Dull and Jaquenetta. Arm. Villain, thou shalt faft for thy offence, ere thou be pardoned. Coft. Well, Sir, I hope when I do it, I fhall do it on a full ftomach. Arm. Thou shalt be heavily punish'd. Coft. I am more bound to you, than your followers; for they are but lightly rewarded. Arm. Take away this villain, shut him up. Math. Come, you tranfgreffing flave, away. Coft. Let me not be pent up, Sir; I will faft, being loofe. Moth. No, Sir, that were faft and loofe; thou shalt to prison. (7) Maid. Fair weather after you. Come Jaquenetta, away.] Thus all the printed copies: but the editors have been guilty of much inadvertence. They make Jaquenetta, and a maid enter: whereas Jaquenetta is the only maid intended by the poet, and who is committed to the cuftody of Dull, to be convey'd by him to the lodge in the park. This being the cafe, it is evident to demonstration, that-Fair weather after you -must be spoken by Jaquenetta; and then that Dull fays to her, come Jaquenetta, eway, as I have regulated the text. Coft. Coft. Well, if ever I do fee the merry days of desolation that I have seen, some shall see Moth. What shall some fee? Coft. Nay, nothing, mafter Moth, but what they look upon. It is not for prifoners to be filent in their words, and therefore I will fay nothing; I thank God, I have as little patience as another man, and therefore 1 can be quiet. [Exeunt Moth with Coftard. Arm. I do affect the very ground (which is bafe) where her fhoe (which is bafer) 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 falfly 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 but-fhaft is too hard for Hercules's club, and therefore too much odds for a Spaniard's rapier; the firft and second caufe will not serve my turn; the Paffado he refpects not, the Duello he regards not; his difgrace 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 shall turn fonneteer. Devife wit, write pen, for I am for whole volumes in folio. [Exeunt. SCENE, before the King of Navarre's Palace. Enter the Princess of France, Rofaline, Maria, Catharine, Boyet, Lords and other Attendants. N BOYET. OW, madam, fummon up your deareft fpirits; To whom he fends, and what's his embaffy. Yourself Yourself, held precious in the world's esteem, Of all perfections that a man may owe, When she did ftarve the general world befide, (8) Prin. Good Lord Boyet, my beauty, though but mean, Tell him, the daughrer of the King of France, Who are the votaries, my loving Lords, [Exit (8) When he did ftarve the general world befide,] Catullus has compliment, much of this caft, to his Lefbia in his 87th epigram: quæ cum pulcherrima tota eft, Tum omnibus una omnes furripuit Veneres. Prin. Know you the man? Mar. I knew him, madam, at a marriage feast, Between Lord Perigort and the beauteous heir Of Jaques Faulconbridge folemniz'd. In Normandy faw I this Longaville, Cath. 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; great worthiness. Rofa. Another of thefe ftudents at that time Prin. God bless my Ladies, are they all in love, With fuch bedecking ornaments of praise ? Enter Boyet. Prin. Now, what admittance, Lord ? Boyet. Navarre had notice of your fair approach; And he and his competitors in oath Were all addrest to meet you, gentle Lady, Enter the King, Longaville, Dumain, Biron, and Attendants. King. Fair Princefs, 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 fhall be welcome, Madam, to my Court. Prin. I will be welcome then; conduct me thither. King. Hear me, dear Lady, I have fworn an oath. Prin. Our Lady help my Lord; he'll be forfworn. King. Not for the world, fair Madam, by my will. Prin. Why, Will shall break its will, and nothing else, King. Your Ladyfhip is ignorant what it is. Prin. Were my Lord fo, his ignorance were wife, But pardon me, I am too fudden bold : Vouchfafe to read the purpose of my coming, And fuddenly refolve me in my suit. |