Yourself, held precious in the world's esteem, Of all perfections that a man may owe, When she did starve the general world beside, Prin. Good lord Boyet, my beauty, though but mean, Needs not the painted flourish of your praise. Beauty is bought by judgment of the eye, Not uttered by base sale of chapmen's tongues. I am less proud to hear you tell my worth, Than you much willing to be counted wise In spending your wit in the praise of mine. But now to task the tasker,-Good Boyet, You are not ignorant, all-telling fame Doth noise abroad, Navarre hath made a vow, Till painful study shall out-wear three years, No woman may approach his silent court. Therefore to us seemeth it a needful course, Before we enter his forbidden gates, To know his pleasure; and in that behalf, Bold1 of your worthiness, we single you As our best-moving fair solicitor. Tell him the daughter of the king of France, On serious business, craving quick despatch, Impórtunes personal conference with his Haste, signify so much; while we attend, Like humbly-visaged suitors, his high will. grace. Boyet. Proud of employment, willingly I go. [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? 1 Lord. Longaville is one. Prin. Mar. I know him, madam. Know you the man? At a marriage feast, 1 i. e. confident of it. Between lord Perigort and the beauteous heir Prin. Some merry mocking lord, belike; is't so? Mar. They say so most, that most his humors know. Prin. Such short-lived wits do wither as they grow. Who are the rest? Kath. The young Dumain, a well-accomplished youth, Of all that virtue love for virtue loved; Most power to do most harm, least knowing ill ; Ros. Another of these students at that time Prin. God bless my ladies! are they all in love, With such bedecking ornaments of praise? Mar. Here comes Boyet. Prin. Re-enter BOYET. Now, what admittance, lord? To let you enter his unpeopled house. [The ladies mask. Enter KING, LONGAVILLE, DUMAIN, BIRON, and Attendants. King. Fair princess, welcome to the court of Navarre. 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 wild 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. Prin. Were my lord so, his ignorance were wise, Where now his knowledge must prove ignorance. I hear your grace has 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; To teach a teacher ill beseemeth me. Vouchsafe to read the purpose of my coming, Prin. You will the sooner, that I were away; Ros. To ask the question! Biron. How needless was it then You must not be so quick. 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. King. Madam, your father here doth intimate But say, that he, or we, (as neither have,) Although not valued to the money's worth. To have his title live in Aquitain; Which we much rather had depart1 withal, Dear princess, were not his requests so far From reason's yielding, your fair self should make Prin. You do the king my father too much Prin. We arrest your word.— King. Satisfy me so. wrong, Boyet. So please your grace, the packet is not come, Where that and other specialties are bound. To-morrow you shall have a sight of them. King. It shall suffice me; at which interview, Mean time, receive such welcome at my hand, Your own good thoughts excuse me, and farewell. Prin. Sweet health and fair desires consort your grace! King. Thy own wish wish I thee in every place! [Exeunt King and his Train. 1 To depart and to part were anciently synonymous. |